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turn-based tactics

40K XCOM-like Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is getting a sequel and this time we'll get to purge 'seven distinctive enemy factions'
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

40K XCOM-like Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is getting a sequel and this time we’ll get to purge ‘seven distinctive enemy factions’

In 1998, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate was released as a turn-based tactics game featuring the Ultramarines and Chaos. In 2022, Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters was launched, focusing on the Grey Knights and their battle against Chaos, drawing inspiration from the XCOM series. Daemonhunters received feedback regarding limited enemy diversity, primarily featuring Nurgle's minions. A sequel is announced to introduce seven distinct enemy factions. The Warhammer Skulls showcase revealed updates including a release date and DLC roadmap for Dawn of War 4, a new Skitarii class for Darktide, a platformer with a ratman protagonist, and tiger warrior DLC for Total War: Warhammer 3. Updates will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's director weighs in on the real-time versus turn-based debate, saying that younger players 'increasingly favour more real-time experiences in games'
AppWizard
May 18, 2026

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s director weighs in on the real-time versus turn-based debate, saying that younger players ‘increasingly favour more real-time experiences in games’

Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, noted a trend towards real-time mechanics in RPGs, suggesting that action-oriented games are gaining popularity while turn-based strategies are seen as "legacy genres." He appreciates games that allow for strategic deliberation but acknowledges the growing player desire for a blend of turn-based tactics and real-time decision-making, as seen in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Despite the shift towards real-time mechanics in newer Final Fantasy titles, there has been a resurgence of turn-based gameplay, evidenced by the success of games like Persona and the Yakuza series' transition to turn-based combat. The preference for gameplay styles may depend more on player expectations than demographic trends, with modern titles often featuring high production values aligned with real-time action, while isometric or top-down RPGs typically favor turn-based mechanics.
Menace's first major early access update overhauls its least interesting faction and jettisons its reviled promotion tax system: 'We have done away with it'
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

Menace’s first major early access update overhauls its least interesting faction and jettisons its reviled promotion tax system: ‘We have done away with it’

Menace is a turn-based tactics game currently in early access, receiving positive feedback for its engaging strategy despite some initial issues. A major update, called the 'Redacted' update, has been released, introducing significant changes to core features and mechanics, enhancing gameplay and addressing previous concerns. Additionally, the gaming community is looking forward to the upcoming release of Star Wars: Zero Company, which draws inspiration from Mass Effect and X-COM.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
March 29, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company director has ‘an axe to grind’ with turn-based tactics, says fans don’t have to settle for no story, crummy graphics, and clunky controls: ‘Depth doesn’t cost you elegance’

Greg Foertsch, the creative director of Star Wars: Zero Company, believes that a compelling narrative is essential for tactics games, challenging the idea that they can succeed solely on strategic gameplay. He emphasizes that tactics games can successfully combine engaging narratives with strategic depth, as demonstrated in his previous work on Marvel's Midnight Suns. Foertsch aims to redefine expectations in the genre by delivering a game that excels in both storytelling and visual appeal.
'Early on in the 2000s, we got enamored with consoles and I think certain games didn't make the leap right:⁠' Star Wars Zero Company's director has a theory about why old school PC gaming genres are back with a vengeance
AppWizard
March 28, 2026

‘Early on in the 2000s, we got enamored with consoles and I think certain games didn’t make the leap right:⁠’ Star Wars Zero Company’s director has a theory about why old school PC gaming genres are back with a vengeance

Greg Foertsch, the creative director of Star Wars Zero Company, discussed the revival of traditional PC gaming genres, particularly real-time strategy (RTS) and turn-based tactics, during a dialogue with PCG associate editor Ted Litchfield. He highlighted the challenges faced by fans of grand strategy, 4X, and CRPGs from the early 2000s to the 2010s, noting that players seeking these complex experiences were primarily limited to PC platforms. Foertsch mentioned the barriers such as InstallShield wizards and intimidating online communities that hindered newcomers. He also indicated that Zero Company aims to provide a rich gaming experience beyond just a combination of Star Wars and XCOM. A full preview of the game is available, along with a comprehensive guide article for readers to stay informed about its developments.
Bargain PC Bundle Drops 15 Games to $1 Each, Including 98% Classic
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

Bargain PC Bundle Drops 15 Games to $1 Each, Including 98% Classic

Humble Bundle is celebrating its 15th anniversary by offering a collection of 15 curated games for a total price of £7.41, with a retail value of £118.46. The games have positive ratings between 72% and 98% on Steam and support Comic Relief, a UK charity. Notable titles include: - Rocket Rat: A whimsical game priced at £4.99. - Necroking: A turn-based tactics game with an 84% positive rating. - Kingsgrave: A dark fantasy RPG with a 72% positive rating. - Janosik: A retro-style action platformer with a 96% positive rating. - Pile Up! Box by Box: A 3D puzzle platformer with a 95% positive rating. - Lunark: A cinematic platformer with an 86% positive rating. - Distraint Deluxe Edition: A psychological horror game with a 93% positive rating. - Distraint 2: A sequel to Distraint Deluxe Edition with a 96% positive rating. - Orten Was The Case: A puzzle/adventure game with a 98% positive rating. - The Invisible Hand: A game about stock market manipulation, normally priced at £9.99. - Technotopia: A city-building and deck-building game. - Dropsy: Warm Damp Hug Edition: A point-and-click adventure game. - ION Shift: A first-person shooter. - Undead West: A bullet-hell game with a supernatural narrative. - Janosik 2: A sequel to Janosik with enhanced gameplay. - Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between: A meditative journey game. The bundle is available until April 15, and all game keys must be redeemed before April 15, 2027.
Fusing turn-based tactics and real-time action, Vaunted is a new strategy RPG from Starcraft creator James Phinney
AppWizard
March 26, 2026

Fusing turn-based tactics and real-time action, Vaunted is a new strategy RPG from Starcraft creator James Phinney

Vaunted is a tactical RPG from indie studio Lost Lake Games, set a millennium after the collapse of the last galactic empire, where mercenaries and treasure hunters seek priceless relics. The game combines third-person shooter action with turn-based tactical gameplay, allowing players to plan from a high-angle viewpoint while executing actions in real time. Players manage three characters—Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath—each with unique skills and backstories, and their choices influence the narrative. The game features dynamic combat mechanics, customizable loadouts, and randomized upgrades. Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse, praises the project, and while a release date is not yet announced, players can wishlist it on Steam for updates.
This week's new PC games are a treasure trove of the scary, eerie and occult, plus a charming Star Trek game
AppWizard
February 16, 2026

This week’s new PC games are a treasure trove of the scary, eerie and occult, plus a charming Star Trek game

A diverse array of new PC game releases includes: - Book Smugglers: A point-and-click adventure set in 19th century Tsarist Lithuania focused on forbidden literature. - Stormbridge: A combination of tower defense and city-building elements. - Dobbel Dungeon: A turn-based tactics game using dice rolls in an ogre-battling setting. - Astrobotanica: An early access puzzle and survival game featuring an extraterrestrial botanist on prehistoric Earth. - Alien Morgue: A game where players conduct autopsies on extraterrestrial beings. - Under The Island: A top-down dungeon puzzler with six distinct biomes. - Ritual Party: A multiplayer experience blending humor and horror. - Placid Plastic Deck: A Quiet Quest: A card-battler with a suspicious premise. - Beyond The Doors: A surveillance simulation involving mysterious requests. - Roach Post: A roguelite puzzler using cockroaches to assemble postage stamps. - Forgotlings: An action-adventure game set in a world of sentient objects. - Blank: A platforming experience in a cavernous origami world. - Kill The Witch: An early access 2D action platformer featuring a witch with a baseball bat. - The Killing Stone: A cursed board game set in the Arctic. - Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown: A strategy management game based on the TV series. - FUR Squadron Phoenix: A space simulation game with vibrant gameplay mechanics. - PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse: A mystery horror novel about ghastly fishwomen. - Demon Tides: A platformer inspired by the N64-to-Gamecube era. - Styx: Blades Of Greed: An open-world goblin stealth game. - Love Eternal: An introspective horror platformer. - Key Fairy: A hand-drawn, pacifist bullet-hell game. - Nightsoil: A game exploring turd collection in an emotive context. - Ys X: Proud Nordics: An updated entry in the Ys series with bumpslash combat mechanics. - Horripilant: An incremental dungeon clicker with grotesque creatures.
If you're struggling to play tactics sim Menace, it could be because your antivirus is randomly deleting files
Tech Optimizer
February 11, 2026

If you’re struggling to play tactics sim Menace, it could be because your antivirus is randomly deleting files

Menace, a turn-based tactics game, has launched in early access with notable updates. Players are advised to whitelist the 'GameAssembly.dll' and 'Menace.exe' files due to some antivirus programs incorrectly classifying the former as malware. The first update introduces new adversaries, including pirate veteran scavengers and a pirate heavy machinegun truck. Enhancements include an optimized splash screen for ultra-wide monitors and significant balancing changes, such as a new heat mechanic for laser and plasma rifles and the addition of motion scanners to pirate EMP units.
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