visual upgrades Archives

AppWizard

August 20, 2025

Over a decade later, a beloved, lost instalment in the Tales Of JRPG series is coming to PC

Tales of Xillia, originally released in 2011 as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, is being remastered for PC and major consoles, set to launch on October 31. This remastered version includes improved graphics, quality-of-life enhancements such as waypoint markers, the option to disable enemy encounters, skippable cutscenes, and a revamped mini-map. All downloadable content (DLC) will be included, featuring costumes and items for customization. The game features dual protagonists, Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell, and utilizes a Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System. The narrative is described as slightly more mature compared to previous entries in the series.

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

After all these years, Heretic plays better than it ever has—and thanks to Nightdive, even Hexen sucks far less

Last week, remastered versions of Heretic and Hexen were released, developed by Raven Software. Heretic, released in 1994, featured unique weaponry like the ethereal crossbow and allowed for strategic item use, but its gameplay was similar to Doom and its aesthetic less appealing than Hexen's darker tones. Hexen, released in 1995, attempted to blend RPG elements into the first-person shooter genre but often frustrated players with its complexity and hub-based level structure. Nightdive Studios made gameplay adjustments in both remasters, including tweaks to level design and weapon mechanics, such as reducing the ethereal crossbow's ammo capacity. Players can toggle these changes on or off. Heretic's level design has been appreciated for its sophistication, surpassing Doom 2, while Hexen's remaster includes a more user-friendly map and the ability to change character classes mid-game, enhancing accessibility.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

‘You’ll now be at the mercy of what loot you can find’: Rust’s latest update brings back hardcore mode tougher than ever, removing the ability to craft guns entirely

The "Hardcore update" for the survival game Rust reintroduces elements that increase gameplay intensity, including the fog of war on the map, requiring players to explore without a detailed layout. Players must craft a compass to mark their location, which only shows their position. Respawn cooldowns have increased to 15 minutes for sleeping bags and 10 minutes for beds, while base upkeep costs have doubled. Firearm crafting is completely banned in hardcore mode, with ammunition crafting costs significantly higher. The update also includes a redesigned game menu, optimized loading times (up to 65% faster), improved metal detector functionality, and visual upgrades. Additionally, the price of Rust has been halved from £35 to £17.50 to attract new players.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

After 2 Years, the PC Version of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Finally Gets the Next-Gen Update

Bandai Namco announced that the Next-Gen Update for the PC version of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will be released on July 17, 2023. This update is a free upgrade for existing owners and includes visual enhancements such as improved lighting, vegetation, water effects, and higher-quality textures. The game originally launched on PC in 2020 and was well-received for its performance, with minimal stuttering and proper keyboard and mouse support. The update brings the PC version in line with enhancements previously made for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in January 2023.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Hellblade 2 is getting an enhanced edition that brings back the fake permadeath system from the first game, but there’s every chance it’s real this time

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will receive an enhanced edition on August 12, featuring improved graphics, including a new "very high" graphics setting. The update will reintroduce the Dark Rot mechanic from the first game, which grows with each death and can lead to losing all progress if it reaches Senua's head. The enhanced edition will be Steam Deck Verified and will include improvements to the photo mode and developer commentary. Critics have noted concerns about the game's focus on gameplay mechanics and Senua's character feeling disconnected from the story.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Enhanced Splinter Cell is the best way to play this classic in 2025

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, released in 2002, has an unofficial mod called Enhanced Splinter Cell that revitalizes the game with quality-of-life improvements and restored content. The mod enhances lighting effects, allows customization of Sam Fisher's outfit, and incorporates dgVoodoo2 for modern compatibility. It introduces gameplay tweaks such as easier inventory access, HUD toggling, adjustable movement speed, and a new crouch mechanic. Additionally, it includes two previously cut missions, Nuclear Power Plant and Severonickel, along with updated cutscenes for the Kalinatek mission and the new missions. Enhanced Splinter Cell is recommended for players wanting to experience the classic on modern hardware.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Minecraft – Official Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies Launch Trailer

The Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies update for Minecraft introduces enhanced visual features such as improved lighting, dynamic shadows, and reflective surfaces, as well as new gameplay elements including the cheerful happy ghast and flyable mounts.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

New Windows 11 and Windows 10 Builds Are Available on the Release Preview Channel

Microsoft has released new builds for Windows 11 and Windows 10 for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel, focusing on user experience improvements, especially for European Union users. The Settings app has been updated to enhance the default app settings, allowing the “Set Default” button to automatically associate additional file and link types with the newly designated default browser, which will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless opted out. A new one-click button for browsers has also been added to simplify changing the default app for opening PDF files, addressing previous concerns about Microsoft Edge being set as the default for PDFs. Windows 11's latest build 23H2 (22631.5545) introduces a visual preview feature in the Windows Share window, allowing users to see a representation when sharing links or web content. This update also resolves a performance issue that caused the Windows Search box to take over 10 seconds to load.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Minecraft – Official Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies Release Date Trailer

Mojang has announced the release of two updates for Minecraft: Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies, scheduled for June 17. The Vibrant Visuals update includes graphic improvements such as reflective water, dynamic fog, and glittering waterfalls. The Chase the Skies update introduces flying mounts, happy ghasts, and additional gameplay features.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Minecraft Movie Streaming Soon on Max With Sources Pointing To June Date

The Minecraft Movie is set to stream on Max, with a potential release date of June 20, 2025, although this has not been officially confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery. The film, directed by Jared Hess and featuring Jason Momoa, premiered in theaters on May 30, 2025. It will be available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Physical editions (4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD) are scheduled for release on June 24, 2025. In 2025, Minecraft modpacks are evolving, with a focus on technical modpacks and new gameplay experiences. Notable modpacks include "Biohazard: Project Genesis" and "Multiversal Archeology," which emphasize automation and resource gathering. Popular modpacks are introducing intricate quest systems, performance optimizations, and visual enhancements, including high-definition textures and dynamic lighting. Tools like CurseForge and packwiz are streamlining modpack creation and sharing. The Bedrock Edition has seen new modpacks like "Elemental Horizons" and "Survival Evolution." "Technological Frontiers 4" is currently the top-rated modpack on CurseForge. The 1.21 update has influenced modpack developments, leading to new dungeon exploration themes.