Game Design
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Ananta is riding high off 'free anime GTA' comparisons, but its mess of ideas barely hold together in my…
Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play open-world RPG from NetEase Games and developer Naked Rain, attempts to blend numerous disparate ideas, leading to a lack of cohesive identity. While the game features mechanics reminiscent of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Grand Theft Auto 6, its execution is criticized for being derivative and barely holding together. Despite its ambitious scope and anime aesthetic, the article suggests players may not find enough substance to remain engaged long-term.
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.
Rockstar boss says GTA 6 doesn't just let you easily walk around with guns because GTA 5's approach…
Rockstar North's Rob Nelson explained that Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature more nuanced NPC reactions to players openly carrying weapons, a change necessitated by advancements in technology and behavioral sophistication. Unlike Grand Theft Auto 5, where NPCs largely ignored visible firearms, the upcoming title will see characters react cautiously or move away if a player displays a weapon, reflecting a more believable open-world experience.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Review – Kick it into gear
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers gorgeous visuals and fitting music for its diverse islands, making it feel like playing with the toy cars. However, the campaign becomes repetitive, the controller scheme is not newcomer-friendly, and specific race requirements can be rigid, leading to a game best enjoyed in short bursts.
Dutch artist responds to the White House's Build the Wall game with Build that Bridge
Dutch artist Wouter Sieuwerts has released a free browser game called Build that Bridge as a direct response to the White House's 'Build the Wall' minigame. While the White House game involves stacking bricks to build a wall against 'aliens,' Sieuwerts's game uses the same mechanics in reverse to build a bridge, symbolizing connection and inclusivity.
2026 is the best year ever for video games and GTA 6 isn’t even out yet - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that 2026 will be the best year for video games, despite industry challenges, citing a packed release schedule including titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered. The author highlights numerous anticipated games across various genres and platforms, suggesting a peak in gaming quality.
Crimson Deserts’ Story Expansion Is Making the Base Game Feel Like Just the Beginning
The expansion 'Charting The Unknown' for Crimson Desert is transforming the action RPG by introducing new gameplay mechanics and activities, rather than just adding content. It expands exploration to underwater areas with new ships and diving gear, and introduces a more granular base-building system that integrates with companion activities. This approach aims to evolve the player experience and add depth to the existing world and its characters.
Double Fine's first game post-Xbox split is a goofy bus driving sim all about slapping passengers who don't follow the rules and doing a good job
Double Fine Productions, now independent after splitting from Xbox, has announced its first post-Xbox game, Thank You Bus Driver. This silly job simulator tasks players with driving passengers while enforcing rules, including slapping rule-breakers, all within a time limit. The studio also announced a game jam Kickstarter with Brutal Legend 2 as a high-tier stretch goal.
LOTRO Legendarium: Looking back at Siege of Mirkwood
This analysis revisits the Siege of Mirkwood expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, which was released in 2009. Despite being smaller in scope than its predecessor, Mines of Moria, it introduced the significant Skirmish system and marked the last expansion before the game went free-to-play. While not widely popular, the expansion's legacy is tied to its innovative systems and narrative connections to subsequent content.
Your game (probably) doesn’t need fishing
This article argues that fishing mechanics are often unnecessary and detract from the core experience in games unrelated to the sport. While acknowledging optional fishing in titles like Destiny 2 and Delta Force, the author criticizes its simplistic implementation and how it can become a mandatory activity for progression. The piece contrasts this with games where fishing feels natural, like Sea of Thieves or Red Dead Redemption 2, and suggests developers should reconsider adding fishing to genres where it doesn't fit.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword starts off slow, but stick with it: You'll be rewarded with some of the best action…
Onimusha: Way of the Sword features a deep and rewarding combat system that shines once players move past its slow introduction. While the initial mechanics are drip-fed and the parry system can feel overused, the game eventually reveals a complex array of defensive and offensive tools that make its combat incredibly satisfying. Despite a slow start, the action RPG is highly recommended for its rewarding gameplay loop.
Confession time: Alright, come clean—how tidy are your bags in your MMOs?
This opinion piece discusses the common practice of disorganized inventory management in Massively Multiplayer Online games. It explores player habits, the role of auto-sorting features, and asks readers about their personal approaches to managing in-game items.
