visual style Archives

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Take-Two CEO says the original Borderlands’ art style overhaul cost a year of dev time and $50 million: ‘Had we not done that, Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit’

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, discussed the development of Borderlands in a conversation with podcaster David Senra. The game, initially revealed nearly two decades ago, started with a muted palette and somber tone, contrasting sharply with its final vibrant aesthetic. Transforming Borderlands required an investment of millions and an additional year of development, as the team realized the original art style was not differentiated enough. Randy Pitchford, a key developer, noted that early testers found the initial design reminiscent of other titles like Rage and Fallout 3, which felt dated. Ultimately, Borderlands' unique style has become a defining characteristic, distinguishing it from other shooters.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Dead As Disco PC Early Access Review – Disco Is NOT Dead

Dead as Disco is a rhythm-based adventure game developed by Brain Jar Games, featuring a narrative centered around Charlie Disco, a resurrected music icon seeking to reunite his former bandmates. The game employs vibrant neon visuals and has transitioned from Unity to Unreal Engine, enhancing its aesthetics. Players engage in combat against various enemies, utilizing both rhythmic and traditional combat mechanics, with a focus on strategic gameplay. The game includes modes such as selecting an Idol or the Infinite Disco, allowing for customization and skill upgrades. However, concerns exist regarding the reliance on licensed music, potential issues with enemy behavior, camera disruptions, and audio mixing. The game has received a score of 8/10 and is available on PC.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Lies of P studio is hiring an ‘AI Creator’ for future projects but says the role will not be ‘directly involved’ in the development of the sequel

The sequel to the game Lies of P is now in "full production," as confirmed by developer Neowiz in their earnings report. Neowiz has hired an AI "artist" to assist with the game's production, intending to leverage generative AI to enhance art production efficiency and innovate visual quality. This decision has sparked disappointment among fans concerned about the potential compromise of the game's artistry. Neowiz reported Q1 2026 revenues of 101.4 billion Korean won. The gaming industry is witnessing growing enthusiasm for AI integration, with notable figures discussing its potential to revolutionize gaming experiences, while some, like Xbox's chief Asha Sharma, express caution against "soulless AI slop."

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Space strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire 2 drops its gen-AI artwork amid a huge new UI overhaul

A substantial update for Sins of a Solar Empire 2, named 'UI Horizons,' has been released, removing AI-generated art and replacing it with portraits created by human artists. The update includes a redesigned front-end menu, the return of an in-game map editor, and a new faction selection screen with detailed faction information. Enhancements have been made to single-player and multiplayer lobby screens, along with improved customization options for the random map function. New defensive tools for all factions and balance adjustments have been implemented, including increased costs for certain Vasari capital ships and construction expenses. The Advent faction's AI has received improvements for better strategic use of abilities. Save game files have been compressed by over 70%, and engine improvements have enhanced missile targeting and unit formation handling. Modders will need to update existing mods for compatibility, and players can revert to earlier game versions through Steam if needed.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Mouse P.I. For Hire review: a monochrome tale with a ton of personality

Mouse P.I. For Hire is a monochrome first-person shooter that features Jack Pepper, a mouse detective, who navigates a gritty world while solving a mystery involving missing damsels and shrew plots. The game draws inspiration from classic FPS titles like Doom and Half-Life, offering straightforward gameplay with a rich environment. Players return to a hub area to interact with locals and gather clues. The game includes various missions that involve navigation, clue discovery, and boss confrontations, set in diverse locations such as a harbor and haunted village. The visual style employs rubber hose animation, and the voice acting by Troy Baker adds depth to the character. The shooting mechanics are adequate, with some weapons feeling less impactful than others. The game is recommended for fans of vintage cartoons, classic shooters, and cheese puns.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Best Photo Editing Apps for Android in 2026

Android phones have become essential tools for photographers, serving as portable editing suites with advanced functionalities. The ideal Android photo editor should recover details, correct colors, eliminate distractions, and establish a cohesive visual style before transferring images to a computer. 1. Luminar Mobile: A user-friendly app with AI-driven enhancements and manual tools, available in Cross-device and Max tiers as part of a desktop ecosystem. 2. Snapseed: A free, robust toolkit for budget-conscious users, featuring Healing, Brush, Structure, HDR, Perspective, RAW Develop, Selective, and Face Enhance. 3. Lightroom Mobile: Designed for seasoned photographers, it supports RAW editing, masking, AI-driven Quick Actions, and cloud synchronization, with premium features starting at .99 per month. 4. Picsart: An all-in-one editing app combining photography, design, and AI features, available for free with Pro and Ultra versions depending on location. 5. VSCO: Offers a stylish editing experience with presets, manual controls, RAW support, and tools for a consistent visual aesthetic, free to download with additional paid options for Plus and Pro subscriptions.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Last Flag, the debut game from the studio founded by Imagine Dragons’ lead singer, becomes the latest multiplayer shooter struggling to find an audience

In 2026, attracting players to new multiplayer shooters has proven to be a significant challenge. Highguard experienced a decline in player engagement, fading from the scene within three months. Marathon, despite its high budget of 0 million, is struggling to justify its costs. Last Flag, a 5v5 multiplayer shooter developed by Night Street Games and co-founded by members of Imagine Dragons, launched on April 14 to a peak of fewer than 600 concurrent players, which has since dropped to just under 400. Despite a competitive price and a marketing push, the game has faced criticism for having bot-filled matches and a visual style reminiscent of Fortnite. Night Street Games is focused on building a sustainable community and is currently offering a free weekend on Steam to attract players. Mac Reynolds highlighted the difficulties of fundraising in 2026, indicating challenges for studios in maintaining operational viability.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

With Humble Choice at almost half price, you can now get 8 Steam Deck-friendly games for just $1 each

Humble Bundle is offering a promotion for its Humble Choice subscription, allowing subscribers to acquire eight games for a significantly reduced fee. The lineup includes titles such as Tempest Rising and Chants of Sennaar. Tempest Rising is noted for its real-time strategy gameplay reminiscent of Command & Conquer, receiving an 8/10 review score. The subscription is priced at a discounted rate, and subscribers will have indefinite access to the games. The promotional code MARCH26 can be used at checkout, and the offer expires on April 7th.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

ARC Raiders and Minecraft Devs Reveal Gorgeous AAA Co-Op RPG

Wayfinder Studios has announced Wyldheart, a cooperative RPG developed by veterans from games like ARC Raiders, Minecraft, and Battlefield. In Wyldheart, players take on the role of a peasant imprisoned and seek an ancient relic to protect their town, with options to play solo or with up to three friends. The game features a semi-cartoonish visual style inspired by early Elder Scrolls games and the Fable series, focusing on social dynamics, NPC interactions, and exploration. Players can engage with local villagers, uncover quests, gather materials, craft items, and upgrade gear. The combat system offers 19 backgrounds and various skill trees, including magic, adventuring, and survival, along with a range of melee and ranged weapons. The co-op experience includes a drop-in and drop-out system with cloud-shared saves and group XP, designed for busy gamers with campaigns of approximately 10 hours of story content and an additional 15 hours of optional gameplay. Wyldheart is currently in alpha and will enter Early Access later this year, with players able to wishlist it on Steam.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Pragmata’s stellar combat proves multitasking can actually be fun

Multitasking is integral to the gameplay of Capcom's Pragmata, where players control Hugh and his AI companion Diana while engaging in combat against robots. Players must aim and fire at enemies while simultaneously completing hacking mini-games that enhance damage output. The game features a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, electrified guns, and shotguns, which players can pick up and use throughout their journey. The hacking mechanics evolve as players progress, introducing new challenges and skills. The fast-paced combat and dynamic interactions between Hugh and Diana create an engaging experience, although the narrative and world-building remain partially unexplored.