Game Design
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As Pokemon devs hint that turn-based battles could be a thing of the past, Pokemon Champions lead says they'll…
Pokemon Champions co-directors Kazumasa Iwao and Masaaki Hoshino have discussed the future of the series' turn-based combat. While acknowledging experiments with real-time elements in titles like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, they emphasized that Pokemon Champions is designed to preserve the traditional turn-based system indefinitely. This focus on competitive battling through Pokemon Champions is seen as crucial for the longevity of the classic format.
Why Casual Gamers Are Ditching Browser Games for Squads - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Casual players are reportedly moving away from browser games due to repetitive gameplay loops and declining retention rates, despite low friction entry. They are migrating towards squad-builder football games, which offer persistent progression and a sense of ownership over their roster. This shift is driven by a desire for deeper engagement beyond the short-term distractions typically found in browser titles.
The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past isn't nostalgia bait - it's a welcome evolution of CDPR's iconic RPG
The upcoming DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled Songs of the Past, introduces a new region called Letten and focuses on the character of Dandelion. The preview highlights a new combat mechanic with a chain weapon for Geralt and introduces Lilla, Dandelion's cousin, as a new character. CD Projekt Red emphasizes that the DLC is a genuine evolution of the RPG, not just a nostalgia trip.
'We don't want to create a game where if you know D&D, you're like, Oh, I know everything' — Invoke says Warlock has a lot of 'deep cut' elements from Dungeons & Dragons, but is designed for both new and experienced players to 'live that mystery'
Invoke Studios head Dominic Guay stated that Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons incorporates 'deep-cut' elements from the TTRPG while aiming to maintain a sense of mystery for both new and experienced players. The game, set in the Darkon realm within Ravenloft, is designed to encourage exploration and discovery rather than relying on players' existing D&D knowledge. It is scheduled for a 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn swings for the Mass Effect crown, but struggles to match my enthusiasm for the TV show
Despite Owlcat Games' pedigree, an hour with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn failed to impress, struggling to showcase its RPG elements and instead focusing on combat and TV show ties. The demo highlighted solid cover shooting mechanics but lacked depth in role-playing choices and character interaction, leaving the reviewer unenthusiastic about its potential.
Sin: Reloaded details huge list of improvements and changes, is 4K 120 FPS on Nintendo Switch 2 with mouse controls supported
Nightdive Studios has detailed numerous improvements and changes for the upcoming remaster, Sin: Reloaded, including gameplay overhauls, added textures, and unused dialogue. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated to run at 4K resolution and 120 FPS with optional mouse controls. The game is set to launch on September 24, 2026.
Tormentum II Review | TheXboxHub
Tormentum II is a visually stunning gothic point-and-click adventure game that draws heavy inspiration from H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński. Despite its dark aesthetic, the game features warm characters and surprisingly straightforward puzzles, making it accessible. The narrative offers significant choices that lead to divergent endings, though the writing can occasionally be verbose.
You can play cyberpunk RPG No Law like Dishonored in Night City, or strap grenades to a Roomba and start blasting
No Law, an upcoming RPG from Neon Giant, offers players significant freedom in how they approach objectives and interact with its detailed cyberpunk world. Creative director Arcade Berg emphasizes that there's no wrong way to play, with progression not tied to playstyle. The game features a dense, explorable city with verticality and accessible interiors, allowing for both stealthy infiltration and aggressive combat approaches, with player actions influencing how the city's inhabitants perceive them.
Super Mario Odyssey was a big inspiration for Capcom's latest hit Onimusha: Way of the Sword, director reveals
Capcom's Satoru Nihei, director of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, revealed that Super Mario Odyssey was a significant inspiration for the game's control scheme and tactical feel. He praised Nintendo's ability to create action games that are simple on the surface but dynamically challenging underneath. Producer Akihito Kadowaki cited the Gundam series for character inspiration and Silent Hill f for world design.
The Blood of Dawnwalker’s 30-Day Time System Is Brilliant and Stressful — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The Blood of Dawnwalker features a unique and engaging 30-day time system where quests, upgrades, and activities consume time, forcing players to make difficult choices. While this design can be stressful and a completionist's nightmare, it adds significant pressure and addictiveness to decision-making, complementing the day/night cycle and Coen's dual nature. Despite a movement bug and some combat issues, the core time mechanic is praised as brilliant.
"You'll be able to engage in these high stakes arms races": Civilization's Arc of Tomorrow update is trying to make the threat of nuclear apocalypse more interesting
Civilization VII's upcoming free update, Arc of Tomorrow, will extend the game's playable timeline into the near future and introduce more elaborate nuclear war mechanics. The update aims to make mutually assured destruction a more engaging late-game feature with a one-turn missile delay and new defensive options. It also adds proxy war functionality through city states and an expanded economic system.
World of Warcraft's Venomous Abyss raid is "what we'd hoped for" from the war on add-ons, Ion Hazzikostas explains
Blizzard Entertainment's Ion Hazzikostas and Paul Kubit discuss the impact of banning combat add-ons in World of Warcraft's latest expansion, Midnight. They believe the change has successfully encouraged more vocal raid leading and human cooperation, aligning with their hopes for the game's progression. The developers also touch on ongoing UI improvements and adjustments to bonus roll mechanics.
'If you're designing an RPG, you have to go back to the source:' The post-apocalyptic RPG Entropy takes notes from Fallout and a long-abandoned Warhammer spinoff
The early access RPG Entropy draws inspiration from classic PC titles like Fallout and tabletop games such as Warhammer's Mordheim, alongside JRPGs like Final Fantasy 10. Lead developer James Wragg highlights the game's locational damage system and deep character customization as key features influenced by these sources.
The Blood of Dawnwalker’s Smartest Idea Fixes a Major RPG Problem
The Blood of Dawnwalker by Rebel Wolves innovates within the open-world RPG genre by implementing a time mechanic that limits completionism rather than curiosity. This design choice forces players to make meaningful choices with consequences, enhancing immersion and replayability by making each playthrough distinct. The game's approach to open-world design is praised for moving beyond checklist-style content and offering a more engaging experience.
Silent Hill: Townfall – 15 Biggest Things We Know So Far
Silent Hill: Townfall is set to launch on September 24th for PlayStation 5 and PC, offering a survival horror experience inspired by real-world Scotland. Players will control Simon, who is mysteriously linked to the town of St. Amelia, and utilize a handheld TV device for clues and enemy detection. The game will feature improvisational melee combat, limited firearm use, stealth options, and dynamic audio design, with enhancements for the PlayStation 5 Pro and full DualSense controller integration.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Combat Is Doing A Lot of Heavy Lifting
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a strong revival with excellent combat mechanics, but its surrounding elements like story and exploration fall short. While the game's combat, including Issen and parrying, is universally praised and contributes to memorable boss fights, the hub world and side quests lack variety and depth. Despite these shortcomings, the game is considered a worthy return for the series, with its core gameplay loop being its greatest strength.
Recension – Recension: Orbitals bär sitt anime-hjärta från 90-talet till en succé för två
Orbitals is a co-op adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2, developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. It successfully captures the 80s and 90s anime aesthetic with vibrant colors and pop-inspired sound effects. The game features two protagonists, Omu and Maki, and requires cooperative puzzle-solving and gameplay, drawing comparisons to Hazelight Studios' titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Dune: Awakening lead says the MMO can be "a really great" solo experience, but if players "expect it to be like The Last of Us, they're probably barking at the wrong tree"
Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos stated that Dune: Awakening's new single-player mode will offer a great survival experience but cautioned players not to expect it to be like The Last of Us. He emphasized that player expectations should align with the game's genre to ensure satisfaction with the solo journey on Arrakis.
Marvel’s Wolverine Everything To Know
Marvel's Wolverine will feature a drastically different narrative and intricate combat mechanics for Wolverine's moveset. This article provides an overview of what players can expect from the upcoming game.
In a world of Slime Rancher and Palworld, I still crave more Viva Piñata
This article reflects on Rare's 2006 title Viva Piñata, contrasting its charming life simulation gameplay with the studio's earlier, edgier titles and later Microsoft projects. Despite not being a commercial success, Viva Piñata is praised for retaining Rare's distinctive design magic and offering a surprisingly deep experience with a hidden dark side.
