Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Todd Howard agrees Starfield is "creatively different" than Bethesda's usual RPGs – but says The Elder Scrolls and Fallout were also divisive early on
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard acknowledges that Starfield and Fallout 76 represent a creative departure from the company's typical RPG formula, similar to how The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series were perceived initially. Howard stated that these newer titles were intentionally designed to explore different directions after years of making similar games, and that they have found significant audiences.
Macroblank Enters Game Soundtracking with ShantyTown: Bridging Vaporwave Music with Interactive Scoring
The upcoming city builder ShantyTown, developed by Erik Rempen, features an innovative soundtrack by vaporwave artist Macroblank that dynamically adapts to player actions. This interactive scoring system uses modular music elements to intensify with player progression, offering a unique and immersive audio experience. ShantyTown is set to launch on April 16, with a demo available on Steam.
Town of Zoz Review – A Charming Action RPG With Frustrating Fights
Town of Zoz is a charming action RPG with excellent presentation, music, and engaging side activities like cooking and farming. However, the game's combat flow is described as jumpy and frustrating, with enemies often attacking during player animations and dealing significant damage. Despite these combat issues, the overall package is considered a unique and mostly enjoyable indie title worth experiencing if the combat isn't a dealbreaker.
How Madness Becomes a Tool – Forging Your Own Truth in Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss introduces a unique 'Corruption' system where madness is a tool rather than a failure state. Players manage their descent into insanity, which unlocks powerful perks and alters narrative paths. The game, powered by Unreal Engine 5, launches on April 16 for Xbox Series X|S, featuring a first-person investigative horror experience set in a futuristic reinterpretation of Lovecraft's mythos.
10 Best ARPGs to play in 2026
This article ranks the 10 best action RPGs to play in 2026, defining ARPGs as games with a strong focus on combat, leveling, and loot systems. The list includes titles like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Cyberpunk 2077, highlighting their unique combat mechanics, customization options, and overall player experience.
The Skill Expression Gap: Why Sports Video Games Aren't Winning the Esports Race
This article analyzes why sports video games like EA Sports FC 26 and NBA 2K struggle to establish significant esports scenes. The author argues that a focus on casual accessibility and gacha mechanics over deep skill expression hinders competitive growth. While successful in sales, these games lack the mechanical depth found in titles like League of Legends, which are built for professional play.
Modern Games Are Designed to Keep You Hooked: Here’s How
Modern video games are increasingly designed around player retention through mechanics like daily rewards, timed events, and battle passes, rather than solely on gameplay spectacle. PEGI's upcoming rating changes for 2026 reflect this shift by classifying interactive features like loot boxes and timed purchases, acknowledging the growing scrutiny on video game monetization strategies.
Round Up: Reviews Make MOUSE: P.I. For Hire's Art the Star of the Show
Reviews for the upcoming PlayStation 5 and PC game MOUSE: P.I. for Hire have been released, with the PC version currently holding a Metacritic score of 80. Critics widely praise the game's unique 1930s rubber hose art style, though some have noted criticisms regarding its first-person shooter gameplay and story.
Necrophosis: Full Consciousness Arrives 28th May 2026
PQube and Dragonis Games announced that Necrophosis: Full Consciousness, the complete edition of the Lovecraftian first-person horror experience, will launch on May 28, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game features no weapons, focusing instead on exploration and puzzle-solving within surreal, Beksinski-inspired environments. The console release includes the Subconsciousness DLC and a physical PlayStation 5 edition will also bundle the developer's previous title, The Shore.
Replaced – How Sad Cat Studios Crafted a 2.5D Combat System With a Cinematic Soul
Sad Cat Studios details the creation of Replaced's unique 2.5D combat system, emphasizing 'weight' and cinematic finishers inspired by the Batman: Arkham series. The game, available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass, features hand-crafted animations and a narrative focused on an AI's struggle for humanity within a cyberpunk world.
Xbox co-creator is more interested in Switch 3 than Project Helix because Nintendo hardware is "at least really interesting and cool, even when it fails"
Xbox co-creator Seamus Blackley expresses more excitement for Nintendo's and Valve's future hardware, like the potential Switch 3, than for Microsoft's rumored 'Project Helix' hybrid console. He finds the concept of a combined console-PC device uninspired and prefers the clear content identity of Nintendo's platforms, citing the appeal of exclusive titles like The Legend of Zelda. Blackley suggests that a lack of understanding of gaming's hit-driven nature and executive insecurity are leading Xbox away from compelling exclusive games.
Marathon Dire Marsh Sponsor Experimental queue offers some late season catch up mechanics
Bungie is introducing experimental queues for its upcoming game Marathon, including a limited-time 'Experimental Dire Marsh' mode. This mode aims to provide players with catch-up mechanics and low-risk environments to learn the game's systems. The experimental queues are designed to test new modes and features, gather player feedback, and contribute to the game's longevity.
Gaming’s Violence Debate Hits Critical Mass as Players Question Bloodier Games
A viral Reddit comment sparked a debate about the increasing violence in video games, questioning if modern titles have become excessively gory. The discussion highlights how advancements in technology like ray tracing and VR enhance the visceral impact of in-game violence, prompting comparisons to classic media debates and raising ethical questions about mature storytelling and player experience.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth Playing in 2026? The Busy Gamer's Verdict | TAG
Cyberpunk 2077, with its numerous patches and the Phantom Liberty expansion, is now considered a genuinely great single-player RPG, especially for busy gamers. The article highlights that the main story can be completed in 20-25 hours, with major side quests adding another 15-25 hours, making it manageable for those with limited time. It is currently available on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium.
How to prepare for Hello Kitty Island Adventure's City Town DLC
This guide provides tips for players preparing for the upcoming City Town DLC in Hello Kitty Island Adventure. It suggests focusing on friendships with key characters like Badtz Maru and Tuxedo Sam, stocking up on Friendship Blossoms and Bouquets for faster progression, and crafting essential items like Sparks and Mechanisms in advance.
Overwatch's worst map is finally returning to the game's rotation, this time reworked with more flank paths and choke points that aren't claustrophobic
Blizzard Entertainment is reintroducing the Overwatch map Antarctic Peninsula with significant reworkings in Season 2: Summit. The map, previously removed due to player dissatisfaction, now features more flank routes and less claustrophobic choke points to improve engagements and team pushes.
Marathon Pushes Players To Be More Friendly In New Update
Bungie is releasing a mid-season update for Marathon that emphasizes teamwork and offers new players incentives to join. The update introduces features like 'Stay Together' for exfilling players and 'Mercy Kits' to revive downed enemies, alongside new Codex Challenges and proximity chat options. An experimental mode called 'Dire Marsh Sponsored' will also be available for a limited time, forcing players to start with only sponsored gear kits to test 'zero to hero' gameplay.
Kotama and Academy Citadel review
Kotama and Academy Citadel is a visually appealing Metroidvania with fluid combat and satisfying exploration, though it suffers from a lack of narrative context and an unclear time-travel mechanic. Despite these shortcomings, the game offers an enjoyable experience due to its strong art direction and tight gameplay.
How A Giant, Throbbing Nose Led Me To Love Sol Cesto
Sol Cesto is a roguelite that streamlines dungeon crawling with an odds-based system, encouraging experimentation with consumable items and strategic choices. The game features a unique mechanic where players can stun the shopkeeper by interacting with his nose to get a free item, adding a quirky element to the gameplay. Its turn-based nature and surprising depth make it an enjoyable experience, particularly on the Steam Deck.
Indie Underdogs Strike Gold: Pinball with a Gun Launches Full Release on Steam
Indie developers PoggieB and Tigpan have officially launched Pinball with a Gun on Steam, transitioning from early access. The full release includes a 31-level story mode, 78 achievements tied to unlockable cosmetics, an Infinite Tournament mode with leaderboards, and 1v1 online multiplayer. The developers also implemented significant performance optimizations, nearly doubling frame rates compared to the demo.
