Game Design
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"We don't want to mislead players" - Control Resonant devs confirm Jesse Faden won't be playable, there's no parry, and it's definitely not a Soulslike
Remedy Entertainment has clarified that Jesse Faden will not be a playable character in Control Resonant, emphasizing that the sequel focuses on Dylan's story. The developer also confirmed that the game is an action-RPG with a focus on melee combat and supernatural synergy, and not a Soulslike, with no parry mechanic. Control Resonant is set to release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Mac.
One Of My Favorite TTRPGs Is Kicking Butt On Kickstarter
The tabletop role-playing game Nimble, originally a D&D 5e ruleset, has evolved into its own system and is currently exceeding its Kickstarter goals for a reprint and expansion. Designer Evan Diaz highlights the system's speed and simplicity, with new content including a monster book, creator's kit, and additional character classes like the Artificer and Psion. Diaz emphasizes a focus on maintaining the system's scope and avoiding complexity creep as it grows.
Final Fantasy and the Importance of “Save Points”
This article discusses the importance of save points in the Final Fantasy series as a mechanic that encourages players to pause, regroup, and save their progress. It draws a parallel to real-life, advocating for intentional pauses for prayer and reflection to navigate daily challenges.
Best Alternate Recipes in Satisfactory – it’s time for The Escapist’s Hard Drive Tier List
The Escapist presents a tier list of the best Alternate Recipes in Satisfactory, highlighting how they can drastically improve factory efficiency by reducing resource costs and simplifying production lines. The guide details how to unlock these recipes via Hard Drives found at crash sites and categorizes them by their usefulness in early-game versus late-game scenarios.
Marathon roadmap - all updates coming in 2026
Bungie has outlined its 2026 roadmap for the upcoming FPS game Marathon, detailing content updates planned for the year. The game will feature seasonal content drops every three months, each with a unique theme, server wipe, new gameplay modifiers, and narrative progression. Key additions include new maps like Cryo Archive, a ranked queue, new Runner shells, weapons, and a system for customizing Runner stats.
Armatus Preview – Can This Third-Person Roguelite Stand Out in 2026?
Armatus is a third-person roguelite shooter set in post-apocalyptic Paris, featuring a Warrior named Zamina battling demons. While the demo showcases core mechanics like shooting and melee combat, it raises questions about weapon variety and the effectiveness of melee against flying enemies. The preview notes that the demo does not fully reveal the roguelite progression elements, and suggests improvements are needed for the UI and enemy AI before its 2026 launch.
Feature: The Rise of “Social Currencies” in Modern Free-to-Play Games
The article explores the rise of "social currencies" in modern free-to-play games, particularly for Xbox gamers. These intangible assets, such as status, access, and influence, go beyond traditional progression and focus on community validation, visibility, and prestige through elements like battle passes and leaderboards. Developers must maintain transparency to avoid exploitative practices and build trust, as social currencies are becoming a key pillar in game design and player interaction.
Pokémon Pokopia is a hit with fans who think it has Winds and Waves hints
Fans are highly positive about the newly released spin-off game, Pokémon Pokopia, with many calling it addicting and comparing it favorably to mainline titles. Players are also speculating that Pokopia contains hints and teases for the upcoming mainline game, Pokémon Winds and Waves, particularly regarding new Pokémon forms and underwater exploration.
After Resident Evil Requiem, Leon Kennedy's actor wants to see Code Veronica remade: 'I think that would be…
Nick Apostolides, the actor who voices Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 4, has expressed his desire for Capcom to remake Resident Evil Code: Veronica. He believes the game's wild story would translate well to the modern RE Engine with current storytelling and acting standards.
After playing a bunch of Midnight, I don't think I miss WoW's combat addons or my old class design at all
The author discusses their experience with World of Warcraft's Midnight, finding that the absence of UI addons and changes to class design have led to a more enjoyable gameplay experience. While acknowledging some limitations and differing opinions within the community, they express satisfaction with the current state of their Outlaw Rogue character and the game's core mechanics.
In Total War: Medieval 3, you can change the laws of your kingdom to ensure your feckless heir doesn't inherit the throne
Creative Assembly is developing Total War: Medieval 3 with a focus on "vertical replayability," allowing players to change fundamental laws like inheritance systems within their kingdom. This feature, inspired by games like Crusader Kings 3, aims to provide significant replayability by enabling players to alter a faction's core mechanics throughout a campaign. The game is currently in pre-production and is expected to be released years from now.
'It Isn't TikTok Brain' — Crimson Desert's 'Fast Forward' Button Lets You Speed Through Dialogue, and People Have Plenty to Say About It - IGN
Crimson Desert's 'fast forward' dialogue feature has sparked debate online, with some criticizing it as indicative of 'TikTok brain' and others defending it as a time-saving option for large games. Developer Pearl Abyss also clarified the game's genre, describing it as an open-world action-adventure rather than a traditional RPG, though they are open to fans categorizing it as such. The game is set to release on March 19 for PC and consoles, priced at $69.99, and will not feature microtransactions.
Planet of Lana II Review | TheXboxHub
Planet of Lana II is a brilliant puzzle platformer that matches and sometimes surpasses its predecessor in visual splendor and emotional narrative. While it excels in its hand-painted art style, clever mechanics, and orchestral soundtrack, the game is criticized for its linearity, lack of difficulty, and occasional pacing issues, preventing it from achieving a perfect score.
Review - RAIDEN V - Director's Cut - Great, but not as good as Raiden IV!
Raiden V: Director's Cut offers classic shoot 'em up gameplay with impressive music and replayability, though it lacks some content from previous titles and features a busy UI. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, featuring local co-op and multiple paths. While visually it doesn't surpass Raiden IV, its core mechanics and epic soundtrack make it a strong entry in the series.
Review - DEAD CELLS - A Dark Souls "Roguevania" equivalent?
Dead Cells is a highly satisfying 2D action-platformer that masterfully blends roguelite and Metroidvania elements, earning an overall rating of 95%. The game features magnificent art direction, balanced difficulty, and engaging combat, though its music is considered uninspired and the story is nonexistent. It is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
Review - WIZARDS AND WARRIORS - One of the rarest RPGs ever made finally on GOG!
Wizards & Warriors, a cult classic first-person RPG originally released in 2000, has been made available on GOG for PC. The game features deep character building, a mix of real-time and turn-based combat, and challenging gameplay, though it retains some dated graphics and bugs. Developed by David W. Bradley, it is considered a rare gem and a strong alternative to the Wizardry series.
The Division 2 is getting new DLC, a new Incursion and crossplay through 10th anniversary year
Ubisoft has announced a significant Year 8 support plan for The Division 2, coinciding with the series' 10th anniversary. The update includes a new Incursion raid, a new DLC, and the long-awaited addition of crossplay across platforms. The Year 8 content will roll out through several seasons, starting with 'Rise Up' in April, featuring PvP balancing, new story missions, and a return to survival elements.
Marathon Review In Progress | Console Creatures
This in-progress review of Marathon highlights its potential as an extraction shooter but criticizes its messy UI, confusing onboarding, and high barrier to entry for new players. While the gunplay and abilities are satisfying, the game's visual clutter and lack of clear tutorials detract from the experience. A final judgment awaits the release of the endgame zone, Cryo Archive.
MasterAssassin Returns: Assassin’s Creed Brand Update 2026 Signals Narrative Renaissance
Ubisoft has announced the Assassin's Creed Brand Update 2026, signaling a renewed focus on narrative depth and the return of the 'MasterAssassin' concept. This update aims to recapture the franchise's storytelling roots, drawing parallels to critically acclaimed narrative-driven games like The Last of Us and God of War. The move suggests a commitment to character development and philosophical themes within the Assassin's Creed universe.
Marathon review in progress – extracting the fun
Bungie's reboot of Marathon is a challenging extraction shooter that requires perseverance to appreciate its potential, despite a troubled development. While the game features a striking art style and the studio's signature gunplay, its steep learning curve, convoluted menus, and unforgiving gameplay can be frustrating for newcomers. Early impressions suggest that Marathon may eventually offer compelling high-stakes gameplay, but it faces stiff competition from similar titles.
