worldbuilding Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Witchspire is the League of Legends Star Guardian survival game of my dreams, even if it needs a little more polish

Witchspire is a survival game developed by Envar Studio, known for its League of Legends splash arts. It features a Sailor Moon-inspired anime trailer and Ghibli-esque visuals. The game includes a captivating narrative voiced by actors like Victoria Atkin and Matthew Mercer. Players assume the role of a witch in a mysterious realm, combating corruption while utilizing familiar survival mechanics such as crafting and upgrading weapons. Unique to Witchspire are the Familiars, companion creatures that assist players in combat. The game allows players to gather resources easily and features a magical sickle for cutting down trees. The combat mechanics have some flaws, particularly with AI behavior during encounters. Witchspire's gameplay is accessible, lacking hunger and stamina meters, and includes an Astral Projection system for strategic advantages. The game offers lore drops and voice lines that enhance storytelling. The demo is available on Steam, featuring the first island, Vyr's Landing, and supports multiplayer for up to four players.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

I’m sad Deadlock is ‘just’ a MOBA—not because I don’t like them, but because I’m in love with Valve’s lore and characters enough to want any other game instead

The author is currently engaged with the game Deadlock, which has rekindled their interest in MOBAs after a significant time spent on Dota 2. They have logged 183 hours in Deadlock and are captivated by its gameplay, voice lines, lore, and worldbuilding. Deadlock is still in development, featuring an incomplete roster and some subpar character models, but it also showcases impressive designs and evolving visuals. The game is structured around three lanes and a single map, leading the author to express a desire for a standalone single-player experience or expanded universe content. They believe Deadlock has the potential for a deeper exploration, including possibilities for an MMO or tabletop RPG.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Games That Deserve A Second Look: Lord of the Rings Online

Lord of the Rings Online has been active for nearly two decades and remains popular due to its supportive community and engaging gameplay. A recent user interface update has improved accessibility for modern players, making it more inviting on contemporary PCs. The game offers a mix of cozy escapism and traditional MMO questing, allowing players to enjoy peaceful activities like fishing in The Shire or battling in the Barrow-downs. It features a wealth of free content and numerous expansions, showcasing that its age enhances its value.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

This Thief fan mission has you play a blind character trying to steal back their sight, and honestly that’s probably the least weird thing about it

Selection Day is a newly released fan mission for the classic game Thief 2, set in a dystopian future where a City faces sinkholes and blindness. Players navigate using a braille system and machines that project braille into the air. The mission's objective is to "Seek Remedy for Your Blindness," and players take on the role of a court judge whose journey is interrupted by an Ocular Superior. It is recommended to use T2fix and an FM launcher like Angelloader, and to play in 1080p resolution for an enhanced experience. The designer of the mission is Hanover Aldercash.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Twisted Voxel Presents Best Of 2025 PC Games

The team at Twisted Voxel has highlighted five remarkable PC titles of 2025: 5. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake - A remake of a classic RPG that enhances visuals and mechanics while maintaining the original's narrative depth. 4. Hades II - A sequel that builds on its predecessor with new combat styles and a darker narrative, featuring the character Melinoe. 3. Silent Hill f - Set in 1960s Japan, this installment evolves the franchise with a focus on psychological trauma and environmental storytelling, along with a modernized combat system. 2. Split Fiction - A cooperative game that features imaginative realms and inventive puzzles, emphasizing teamwork and heartfelt storytelling. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - The top game of 2025, known for its painterly art style, intricate worldbuilding, and a dynamic turn-based combat system, exploring themes of mortality and purpose.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Debate: Which Grand Theft Auto radio station has the best tunes?

Licensed music in video games, especially in sports simulations and open-world adventures, significantly influences players' musical tastes. The Grand Theft Auto series, starting with Vice City, has introduced players to various music genres through its curated radio stations. Notable examples include iconic '80s tracks in Vice City and East Coast hip-hop in San Andreas. Players often have personal favorites among the radio stations, such as K-Rose and K-DST, which evoke strong memories and enhance the gaming experience. Grand Theft Auto V features Non-Stop Pop FM, known for its eclectic mix of pop hits, contributing to memorable gaming moments.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Our pick for 2024’s best tactics game just got a community pack of featured levels—which ignore the dev’s difficulty balance goals because ‘our community, god bless em, have no such qualms’

Tactical Breach Wizards is a turn-based tactical RPG that has received the Best Tactics award and holds a 98% "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam. The developers have added community-curated levels to the game’s community browser, which are more challenging than the main campaign missions. One of these community levels features a new character named Bori, a "less-than-lethal pyromancer." The game is currently available at a 40% discount until November 9.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

When Irrational picked a new writer for BioShock Infinite, it didn’t realise he was in the next room, already working at the studio

Joe Fielder is the senior narrative designer for The Outer Worlds 2 and has worked in the gaming industry for over two decades in various roles, including level designer, producer, and director. He was a producer on BioShock Infinite, where he contributed as an art and narrative producer. Fielder's writing for BioShock Infinite included crafting the initial walk into Columbia, focusing on combat dialogue and worldbuilding elements. He emphasized non-expositional writing, allowing players to organically learn about the game's world through character conversations. Fielder has a strong focus on incorporating humor into games, which he has been doing for years, and he is now being paid for it in The Outer Worlds 2. He previously embedded comedic slogans into BioShock's in-fiction brands, such as a slogan for a fictional cigarette brand aimed at children.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

RPG vet Josh Sawyer keeps things like Fallout and D&D grounded in history because ‘Once things get too magical… it’s impossible to bring it back down to Earth’

Josh Sawyer is a respected figure in gaming, known for his directorial roles in titles such as Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2, and Pentiment. He emphasizes a materialistic perspective in worldbuilding, drawing inspiration from real environments and historical contexts. His work often explores themes of colonialism, imperialism, and the struggles of survival in post-apocalyptic settings. In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, factions reflect historical conflicts between colonial powers and indigenous cultures. Sawyer approaches game mechanics with caution to maintain realism, highlighting the importance of believable narratives that resonate with players' understanding of human needs.