visual novel Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

‘TMNT: Tactical Takedown’ Is an Ingenious Bite-Sized Twist on Strategy RPGs

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is a strategy game that features the Turtles in a unique narrative where they are without their mentor, Splinter, or their nemesis, Shredder, as the Foot Clan invades New York City. The game lasts approximately six hours and is divided into four chapters, allowing players to control one Turtle at a time, which enhances character exploration. Each Turtle has a distinct moveset, and gameplay involves optimizing moves and managing action points in evolving battle stages. The game combines strategic elements with a narrative that highlights the Turtles' growth and brotherhood. Tactical Takedown is available on PC.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

D3 Publisher’s Next Otome PC Game Is Despera Drops

D3 Publisher has announced the release of the otome visual novel Despera Drops on Steam, scheduled for May 27, 2025. The game was originally launched in Japan in 2023 and later released globally on the Nintendo Switch, with Aksys Games handling the English version for the console. The PC version is developed by Wizardsoft Corporation, with Red Entertainment responsible for the console adaptation. The story follows Mika Amamine, a college student who can perceive thoughts through touch, as she navigates a conspiracy after touching a murder victim. The PC version will feature the main storyline, seven After Stories, compatibility with keyboard and mouse or controller, Steam Cloud save support, and achievements and trading cards.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Here’s what’s happening in PC games this week

- Drop Duchy: A game merging Tetris mechanics with kingdom management. - Best Served Cold: A murder mystery visual novel set in a speakeasy in an alternate history European city. - Among Us 3D: A game focused on betrayal among friends. - Deck Of Haunts: A deckbuilding game set in a maniacal mansion. - Paradox Interactive is hinting at a new title, codenamed "Project Caesar," possibly a new installment in the Europa Universalis series. - The Midnight Walk: A first-person horror game featuring unsettling doll heads. - Revenge Of The Savage Planet: A sequel to a sci-fi action-adventure game with cooperative gameplay. - Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall: A kingdom management game inspired by Slavic folklore. - Sonic Rumble: An entry in the Sonic franchise with mixed reception. - Anoxia Station: A strategy game with a petrochemical horror theme, inspired by Frostpunk.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

This game has 100 endings, and it’s pushing the creators to the brink of bankruptcy

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a visual novel and turn-based tactics hybrid developed by Too Kyo Games, a studio formed by the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape. Despite positive reviews and notable sales, studio CEO Kazutaka Kodaka has expressed concerns about the studio's financial future, stating that the chances of further console releases for the game are "very slim." The game features a complex narrative with an estimated 80% narrative to 20% action ratio, requiring over 130 hours for 100% completion. The production process took over five years, including a complete reboot, and Kodaka described it as a gamble where he invested his skills and money. The game is currently available on Steam for £50.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

CHARTS: Oblivion remaster shoots to No.1 on Steam debut

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was the top performer on Steam for the week ending April 29th, following its unexpected launch on April 22nd. Counter-Strike 2 dropped to second place, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 debuted in third. The Steam Deck held the fourth position, and Schedule 1 fell to fifth. MahjongSoul returned to the Top 100, securing sixth place due to a crossover event. REPO declined to seventh, PUBG: Battlegrounds rose to eighth, Once Human climbed to ninth, and Marvel Rivals rounded out the top ten in tenth place. Steam Top Ten for the Week Ending April 29th: 1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda 2. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. Schedule 1, TVGS 6. 雀魂麻將 (MahjongSoul), Catfood Studio 7. REPO, Semiwork 8. PUBG: Battlegrounds, Krafton 9. Once Human, Starry Studio 10. Marvel Rivals, NetEase

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Zerat Games removes controversial visual novel from Steam

Developer Zerat Games has withdrawn its visual novel from the Steam platform to avoid complications with Valve, while defending the game's themes of incest and sexual violence as fetishes. The studio expressed understanding that some may find these themes disgusting but advocated for the exploration of desires without harm. The game's removal followed actions taken by Valve in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the content as illegal and mentioned new regulatory measures being implemented. Zerat Games aims to promote dialogue on diverse expressions of human sexuality despite societal challenges.

BetaBeacon

March 14, 2025

Crunchyroll Game Vault expands with two cult classic releases now available

Crunchyroll has been expanding their Game Vault with a variety of obscure cult classic releases, including Destiny's Princess and Ys I Chronicles for mobile.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Weekend PC Game Deals: Strategies to try, fighters to claim, Choices to make

The Humble Store has launched its March Choice bundle featuring eight games, including Pacific Drive, Homeworld 3, Wild Hearts, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Gravity Circuit, Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death, Racine, and Cavern of Dreams. Wild Hearts and Tales of Kenzera are available as EA Play keys, while the others can be claimed on Steam. Subscribers have until April 1 to choose. The Epic Games Store is offering Them's Fightin' Herds for free until March 13, after which Mortal Shell will be available. This weekend, Steam is hosting a free event for Company of Heroes 3, and Ubisoft Connect is offering a free event for Rainbow Six Siege until March 10. Current promotions include sales from Plaion, Paradox, and a visual novel festival, along with significant deals on titles like Sekiro and RoboCop. The GOG store is also running a Plaion publisher promotion with various DRM-free games. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in March

February featured notable PC game releases including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Civilization 7, Avowed, and Monster Hunter Wilds. In March, key releases include Assassin's Creed Shadows and Inzoi. Significant release dates for March are as follows: - March 3: Carmen Sandiego - She's back, but where? (Steam) - March 4: Grimoire Groves - Cozy dungeon crawler (Steam) - March 4: Merchants of Rosewall - Run a fantasy shop (Steam) - March 4: Knights in Tight Spaces - Close-quarters tactics (Steam) - March 5: Air - Visual novel classic (Steam) - March 6: Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone - Post-apocalyptic ARPG (Steam) - March 6: Book Bound - Run a bookshop (Steam) - March 6: FragPunk - 5v5 Valorant-style hero shooter (Steam) - March 6: MainFrames - Platformer set in an operating system (Steam) - March 7: Lost Lullabies (Early Access) - '80s inspired co-op horror (Steam) - March 7: Sugardew Island - Similar to a certain valley (Steam) - March 6: Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster - A classic Konami remaster (Steam) - March 10: Rise of the Ronin - A PS exclusive comes to PC (Steam) - March 11: Wanderstop - An existential cozy game (Steam) - March 14: WWE 2K25 - Annual pro wrestling game (Steam) - March 14: Out of the Park Baseball 26 - Baseball management (Steam) - March 18: 33 Immortals - 33-player roguelike (Epic) - March 18: MySims - Updated Sims spin-off from 2007 (Steam) - March 20: Atelier Yumia - Open world crafting RPG (Steam) - March 20: Mudborne - Not a muddy Bloodborne, it's about frogs (Steam) - March 25: SOPA - Adventure in search of a potato (Steam) - March 25: Tales of the Shire - Hobbit life sim (Steam) - March 25: Nordhold - Tower defense (Steam) - March 26: Mother Machine - Co-op platformer (Steam) - March 26: JDM: Japanese Drift Master - Drift racer (Steam) - March 27: AI Limit - Post-apocalyptic, sci-fi ARPG (Steam) - March 27: As We Descend - Roguelike deckbuilder (Steam) - March 27: The First Berserker: Khazan - "Hardcore" ARPG (Steam) - March 27: Mini Royale - Green army men battle royale (Steam)

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Visual novel x pachinko game Jump the Track announced for PC

Seed by Seed has announced a new game called Jump the Track, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2025. The game combines elements of a visual novel and pachinko, featuring a character named Sam who navigates the gig economy in an absurd comedy style. Players influence the narrative by rolling a ball, leading to various outcomes. Key features include a solo experience, control options for mouse or gamepad, a game length of two to three hours, moderate to easy difficulty, a pause feature, and mature language content. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.