Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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1348 Ex Voto Review | NoobFeed
The review for 1348 Ex Voto suggests it functions more as a proof of concept than a complete game. While praised for its beautiful scenery, the article notes that its systems do not always effectively support the player's experience.
IGN Crimson Desert Review
This review discusses Crimson Desert, with commenters debating whether the game receives a pass from critics compared to EA or Ubisoft due to its originality. Some argue that Pearl Abyss's willingness to innovate with personality in an often unoriginal industry warrants forgiveness for rough edges, while others question the hype surrounding the title.
Indie FPS ‘The Explorator’ Brings Handmade Art to Combat
The indie first-person shooter 'The Explorator' is gaining attention for its unique handmade 2D animations, a stark contrast to the polygon-heavy graphics common in the genre. This approach prioritizes atmosphere and artistic style over photorealism, a move that could inspire other indie developers to take creative risks. While the game's visual style and development scope present potential challenges, its distinctive art direction sets it apart in a crowded market.
Pokemon Champions Is Something We've Needed For A Long Time...
This article discusses the perceived need for 'Pokemon Champions' and highlights various game trailers and guides. It features content related to Crimson Desert, PAYDAY: Aces High on Meta Quest and SteamVR, MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls, Amazing Guardians, GUILTY GEAR STRIVE, and Marathon.
Pokemon Champions Is Something We've Needed For A Long Time
Pokemon Champions aims to be a free-to-play, live-service battle simulator that keeps traditional turn-based Pokemon battles available indefinitely. Development director Masaaki Hoshino stated the game simplifies competitive mechanics like EVs and IVs to lower the barrier to entry. Set to release on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, the game streamlines the process of obtaining and training Pokemon for competitive play.
Pokemon Champions Will Not Support All 1000+ Pokemon At Launch
Pokemon Champions will launch on April 8 for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, but will only feature fully evolved Pokemon at release, according to producer Masaaki Hoshino. This restriction will impact the competitive scene, as the game replaces Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as the featured title for the VGC. Earlier evolutions may be considered for future updates.
Games Inbox: Is the Nintendo Switch 2 becoming a failure?
Readers express concerns about the Nintendo Switch 2's perceived lack of marketing, high price point, and unclear game lineup, suggesting these factors are contributing to potential sales issues. The discussion also touches on broader industry concerns like the impact of Fortnite's potential decline, Epic Games' layoffs, and the economic climate affecting expensive console purchases.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Director Wanted to Make Sure More Players Completed the Story
Hideo Kojima's primary goal for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was to ensure more players complete the story, addressing feedback that the original game's pacing was too slow. Lead level designer Hiraoki Yoshiike stated that the studio toned down worldbuilding elements to provide a clearer narrative path. Musician Yoann Lemoine also revealed that Kojima made significant script changes based on early playtesting results, aiming for a more polarizing emotional impact.
After feedback that Death Stranding was 'too slow,' Kojima wanted more players to see Death Stranding 2 all…
Hideo Kojima directed Kojima Productions to make Death Stranding 2 more accessible and enjoyable for players to complete. This directive aims to ensure more players experience the full game, with adjustments made to enhance playability and fun without sacrificing its unique identity.
Marathon review: 77 hours later
Marathon is a brilliant extraction shooter that distills the genre's best elements while offering a glimpse into its future. Despite a brutal difficulty curve and a sometimes-disappointing battle pass, the game excels with its spectacular gunplay, meticulously designed maps, and deep lore. Bungie's signature style is evident in its world-building and satisfying combat mechanics, making it a standout title in the genre.
Arc Raiders once had an Arc called The Cylinder of Pain, so I asked Embark about The Cylinder of Pain, and it turns out…
Embark Studios discussed early design concepts for its extraction shooter Arc Raiders, including a scrapped enemy called 'The Cylinder of Pain'. Machine learning research lead Martin Singh-Blom explained that while the procedural puzzle elements of the Cylinder of Pain didn't work out, the team is still hesitant to implement bipedal enemies due to balance challenges.
I built the biggest, ugliest vase Double Fine's Kiln would let me and immediately got bullied by better potters
Kiln is an upcoming multiplayer game from Double Fine where players control pots that fight and interact with each other. During a preview event, the author created a large, aesthetically unappealing pot that proved slow and ineffective in combat against more nimble opponents. The game is set to release on April 23, 2026, for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC, with an open beta planned for PC from April 9-11.
Tekken 8 Season 3 Backlash Somehow Even Worse Than Season 2, Game Gets Review Bombed
Tekken 8 is facing significant backlash and review bombing following the release of Season 3, which players feel has worsened the game's competitive balance issues introduced in Season 2. Despite marketing claims of a 'back to basics' approach, the update has been criticized for not reverting controversial changes and for introducing questionable character buffs and alterations, leading to a decline in player trust.
The Sims Franchise Has Reached A Point of No Return
The Sims franchise, particularly The Sims 4, is criticized for its shift towards a greedy business model focused on extensive DLC and microtransactions, moving away from its roots as a creative life simulation. Electronic Arts has extended the lifespan of The Sims 4 for over a decade instead of developing a sequel, and recent additions like a maker program using in-game currency suggest a lack of new ideas, relying on players to generate content.
Elden Ring's brilliant predecessor turns 10, and here's what makes it a classic worth revisiting a decade on
This article celebrates the 10th anniversary of Dark Souls 3, arguing for its classic status and revisiting its strengths. The author praises its refined combat, meticulous world design in Lothric, and memorable boss encounters, considering it a high point for FromSoftware despite the release of Elden Ring.
Even the Crimson Desert marketing lead with 400 hours in the open-world game is stunned to learn this neat cooking tip:…
Even after 400 hours in Crimson Desert, the game's marketing lead is still discovering hidden features, such as using sunlight for cooking. This highlights the depth of the open-world sandbox and the potential for community-driven discoveries. The article also draws parallels to the subtle secrets found in games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Even after ZA/UM's messy breakup, the writing team still has a cadre of sad communists—but you won't have to play Zero Parades as one if you don't want to
Despite the departure of key writers from ZA/UM, the studio's upcoming game Zero Parades will still feature communist themes, though players will not be forced to embody a communist protagonist. Writers confirmed that while the player character is a spy for a communist Superbloc, ideological motivations can vary, similar to Disco Elysium's approach.
EverQuest Legends is the 1999 MMO you know and love born again with more respect for your time
Daybreak Game Company announced EverQuest Legends, a new version of the 1999 MMO designed for players with less time. It will feature the original continent of Antonica, all playable races, and a tweaked class system allowing for solo play with up to three active classes. The game aims to retain the classic feel while offering modern quality-of-life improvements and a closed beta sign-up is available.
Crimson Desert PC Review – Chaos, Combat & Massive Open World | Invision Game Community
Crimson Desert is a massive, ambitious open-world RPG on PC that blends visceral combat, deep traversal mechanics, and base building. Despite some rough edges and a complex control scheme, the game offers a thrilling and reactive experience with impressive visuals powered by Pearl Abyss' BlackSpace Engine.
Dragonkin The Banished Review - A Promising ARPG That Struggles to Find Its Identity | Invision Game Community
Dragonkin The Banished is a promising Action RPG that struggles to find its identity, offering a mixed experience for players. While it features a unique Wyrmling companion system and a solid atmosphere, the combat feels floaty, build crafting lacks depth, and the loot system is uninspired. The city-building mechanic is also a missed opportunity, and the endgame lacks replayability, making it a decent casual distraction but not a long-term obsession.
