turn-based Archives

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April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

For a limited time you can get all the XCOM games for just $10—yes, even that one

Humble Bundle has launched the XCOM Complete bundle, offering every major title in the franchise for £7.51, excluding only the mobile game and a lesser-known Hasbro title. The bundle includes XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2, their DLC expansions, and the original five X-COM games from the 1990s. It also features Chimera Squad and The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. An alternative tier is available for £5.26, but it includes fewer titles. The offer expires on May 18th.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review

Clair Obscur is a JRPG set in a dark version of Belle Époque France, featuring a countdown marked by a figure called the Paintress that signals doom for certain individuals. The gameplay combines traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time challenges, requiring players to develop characters into powerful allies to prevent an apocalypse. The battle system includes quick-time events and real-time shooting, which can lead to frustration due to its demand for precision. Character diversity is a highlight, with each member of Expedition 33 offering unique abilities, but the game often lacks meaningful feedback on strategies. Exploration is streamlined, allowing players to avoid excessive grinding, with a total playtime of around 20 hours. Inventory management is simplified, focusing on combat and storytelling. The game features strong voice acting and vibrant visuals, though its combat mechanics can overshadow the narrative.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

10 tips to conquer the continent in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a French JRPG-style game featuring real-time combat mechanics similar to rhythm games. Players engage in exploration, which reveals lore, powerful items, optional bosses, and quests. The game includes a lumina mechanic that enhances combat effectiveness by activating additional pictos. Combat features an elemental weakness system, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on enemy vulnerabilities. Quicktime dodging, jumping, and parrying are essential skills, and Gustave's gun offers versatile combat options, including targeting weak points and dismantling enemy shields. Many exploration upgrades are optional and require engaging in side quests. Building relationships with expedition team members unlocks new abilities, and managing action points effectively is crucial for maximizing damage output. Each character has a unique playstyle, encouraging players to experiment with combinations for optimal effectiveness in battles.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Grab a free PC copy of Gloomhaven, one of the greatest board games of all time

Gloomhaven's PC edition is currently available for free download to Amazon Prime members, with the promotion valid until June 18. The game is accessible through the Epic Games Store and not Steam. Created by Isaac Childres and Cephalofair, Gloomhaven has been highly acclaimed, previously holding the title of the best board game before being succeeded by its sequel, Frosthaven. The game involves guiding a party of adventurers through quests in the city of Gloomhaven, utilizing ability cards for tactical challenges, with a campaign that allows for multiple character playthroughs and the unlocking of 17 unique classes.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Star Wars Zero Company shows off its first trailer and gameplay details

On April 14, 2025, EA announced a turn-based tactics game titled 'Star Wars Zero Company', set to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game features a secret war aimed at saving the galaxy, drawing inspiration from titles like Gears Tactics and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Players will navigate strategic combat, utilize their environment, and develop bonds among squad members to unlock combat synergies. The game is set during the Clone Wars era and allows players to assemble a squad of iconic characters, including Jedi, Mandalorians, Clone Troopers, and Astromechs.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Best PC Games Right Now (2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features a mix of innovative remasters, indie titles, and new intellectual properties, providing a wide range of experiences for gamers. The most played games on Steam include Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Dota 2, with Counter-Strike 2 leading in player engagement due to its esports scene. Notable new releases include Blue Prince, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and Promise Mascot Agency. Other popular games outside Steam are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Valorant. Genre-specific leaders include South of Midnight for action, Myst (Remastered) for adventure, and Street Fighter 6 for fighting. Upcoming anticipated titles include Grand Theft Auto 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Trends in 2025 highlight esports engagement, indie innovation, purposeful remakes, and cinematic storytelling. Last Epoch's Season 2 update has revitalized player interest with new content and enhancements. The year 2019 was significant for PC gaming, with acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 2, Control, and Disco Elysium, and marked by the influence of digital distribution platforms.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Tempest Rising review

Tempest Rising is a real-time strategy game developed by Slipgate Ironworks, set for release on April 24, 2025, priced at in the U.S. and £35 in the U.K. The game pays homage to the Command and Conquer series, featuring familiar mechanics and a synth metal soundtrack. Notable tracks include "Death Squad" and "Aegis," with additional contributions from Adam Skorupa. The game lacks a third playable faction and more engaging characters between missions but aims to reinforce the RTS genre amidst a shift towards turn-based tactics and 4X games.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

I’m declaring 2025 the year of the ninja: we’re being spoiled with one glorious assassination game after another

The text discusses various ninja-themed video games, highlighting their unique gameplay mechanics and artistic styles. "Ninja Gaiden 2 Black" is noted for its action and dramatic visuals, while "Ninja Gaiden 4" aims to recapture the franchise's glory with impressive graphics. "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound" takes an experimental approach with challenging environments, and "Ninja Five-O" emphasizes acrobatics and puzzle-solving in a vibrant pixel art style. "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" reimagines the sidescroller genre with fantasy elements, and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown" introduces turn-based strategy. "Assassin's Creed Shadows" offers distinct playstyles, showcasing stealth and precision. Collectively, these games illustrate the adaptability and enduring appeal of the ninja genre in gaming.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Best Single-Player PC Games to Play in 2025

Single-player PC games are thriving in 2025, featuring captivating narratives, intricate gameplay, and stunning visuals. Notable titles include: 1. Blue Prince - An indie roguelike puzzle game with a Metacritic score of 93, set in a shifting manor where players solve interconnected puzzles. 2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Set in feudal Japan, this game features two protagonists with distinct playstyles and has been praised for its narrative pacing and environmental design. 3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - A cinematic first-person adventure focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving, released on PC in late 2024. 4. South of Midnight - A magical adventure following a girl with weaving abilities, notable for its claymation art style and emotional depth. 5. Avowed - A first-person fantasy RPG with choice-driven storytelling, set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. Upcoming games include: - Blades of Fire (May 22, 2025) - A Soulslike combat game with a focus on cinematic storytelling. - Cairn (TBA 2025) - A survival climbing simulator emphasizing precision control mechanics. - Hell Is Us (September 4, 2025) - A narrative-driven action game that eschews traditional open-world design. - Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (Late 2025) - A stealth-adventure game featuring orphans uncovering a conspiracy. The PC platform remains the best for single-player games due to mod support, performance flexibility, a vast library, and indie innovation. The evolution of gaming technology has led to cutting-edge graphics, immersive storytelling, and innovative exploration mechanics, enhancing player engagement.