Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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SAROS Review – Greatness interrupted
SAROS is a stylish and gripping action roguelike from Housemarque that attempts to broaden its signature punishing gameplay with a stronger narrative focus. While the combat is exhilarating and the DualSense implementation is outstanding, the game is significantly hampered by inconsistent performance and technical issues on the base PlayStation 5. Despite its flaws, the intriguing story and addictive gameplay loop make it a compelling, albeit unpolished, experience.
Review: Saros (PS5) - Housemarque at the Peak of Its Powers with Its Best Game Yet
Saros is a brilliant third-person shooter that builds upon Housemarque's previous work, particularly Returnal, offering a streamlined yet intense roguelite experience. The game features smooth, responsive combat, a compelling progression loop, and an intriguing sci-fi narrative set on the alien world of Carcosa. It runs at a stable 60fps on PlayStation 5, with excellent DualSense controller integration.
Slay the Spire II Update 0.104.0 Reworks Difficulty, Cards, and Multiplayer
Mega Crit has released update 0.104.0 for Slay the Spire II, focusing on difficulty adjustments across Ascension levels to make the base game more accessible while keeping high-level play challenging. The update also includes reworks for several Ironclad cards, adjustments to Regent cards, and balance changes for the Act 3 boss Doormaker. New multiplayer features, relic buffs, and UI refinements are also part of this substantial patch.
Why So Many Players Are Hooked on Pragmata
This article analyzes why the new IP Pragmata has achieved significant player engagement despite its shorter playtime compared to modern blockbusters. It suggests that Pragmata's success stems from its tight, filler-free experience, focused gameplay loop, and compelling narrative, offering a refreshing change from games that demand extensive time commitments. The game's design emphasizes quality and player enjoyment over sheer volume, potentially setting a new trend in the industry.
Hellforged Steam Playtest: Risk vs Reward in Demonic Invasion
Independent developer Moonpyre and publisher Grindstone have announced Hellforged, a new game combining bullet-heaven and extraction looter mechanics. Players must decide when to extract their loot during intense demonic invasions, with a Steam playtest now available. The game features character progression through an 'Eternal Tree' system and multiple classes.
SCUM Players Get Trench Gun With Bayonet in Today’s April Update
The April update for the survival game SCUM has been released, adding a trench gun with a bayonet attachment. Developed by Gamepires, this update introduces new firepower that aligns with the game's focus on realistic military simulation and survival mechanics. The developers have teased additional content beyond the new weapon, which will be detailed in the full patch notes.
Big Tech openly wants to manipulate us with AI. That seems bad to me
This opinion piece argues that the tech industry's push for generative AI, particularly for hyperpersonalization in gaming, is manipulative and ethically questionable. It criticizes the use of AI to predict player churn and adjust gameplay or offers in real-time to increase spending, comparing it to creating 'psychological prisons.' The author contrasts this with developers who prioritize enriching players' lives through game creation, even if it means less profit.
Explore Parallel Worlds In Rumbral
Rumbral, an atmospheric exploration puzzle game, has been released for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Developed by OSEA Innovations and published by Pdpartid@games, the game features a non-linear experience with no clear objectives, encouraging players to explore and interpret its world and mechanics, including reality-shifting pools. The game focuses on environmental puzzles and subtle storytelling, offering a deliberate and quiet experience for players who enjoy uncovering meaning at their own pace.
Organise Crops And Solve Puzzles In Piggy’s Farm
Piggy's Farm is a new relaxing logic puzzle game from Afil Games, available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC for £4.19. Players control a pig tasked with sorting crops into their correct planting spots across 30 levels, with no pressure and the ability to undo moves. The game offers a simple yet engaging challenge suitable for players who enjoy thoughtful, slow-paced puzzle experiences.
From rabbit slaves to entirely new dimensions created, here are 5 black magic tricks game devs used to make your favorite games
This article explores ingenious 'black magic' tricks used by game developers to overcome technical limitations and create compelling game experiences. Examples include using tiny NPC operators for destructible objects in World of Warcraft, leveraging realistic dog behaviors in Fable 2, creating parallel dimensions for reflections in Conker's Bad Fur Day, and employing complex pause mechanics in games like Waves of Steel. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind on Xbox utilized a hidden console reboot to manage its demanding RAM requirements.
The 5 biggest changes coming to Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Ubisoft has revealed details about Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 title set to launch on July 9, 2026. The game features a complete visual overhaul, reworked combat and parkour systems, and enhancements to the Jackdaw ship. It will also include new quests and storylines, with a focus on Edward Kenway's internal struggles in the modern-day segments.
TetherGeist receives Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
O. and Co. Games announced that the precision platformer TetherGeist will be released on Nintendo Switch on May 22, 2026. The game features a combat-free adventure focused on growth, exploration, and overcoming challenges through timing and momentum, with themes of disability, diversity, and spirituality.
TetherGeist Launches May 7 on Steam and Nintendo Switch
TetherGeist, a precision platformer focused on movement and traversal using Astral Projection, is set to launch on May 7, 2026, for Steam and Nintendo Switch. The game follows Mae on a pilgrimage, emphasizing momentum-based platforming and a combat-free narrative that explores themes of disability and spirituality. The title has also been recognized as a finalist in multiple categories at the BIG Festival.
Welcome Back, Captain – Here’s What’s New in Assassins Creed Black Flag Resynced
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, an enhanced remake of the original game, is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S on July 9. The updated version features ray tracing, Dolby Atmos, dynamic weather, and quality-of-life improvements, including reworked combat and naval mechanics. New missions featuring original voice actor Matt Ryan are also included.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced doesn’t include the Freedom Cry DLC, Ubisoft say they made a “clear choice” to focus on Edward’s adventure
Ubisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, launching July 9th, will not include the Freedom Cry DLC or multiplayer, focusing solely on Edward Kenway's adventure. Creative director Paul Fu stated this was a deliberate choice to prioritize the main story. While the original Black Flag will remain available, the omission of the acclaimed Freedom Cry DLC is noted as a surprising decision, especially as remasters often bundle all previous content.
13 years on, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is finally fixing the biggest problem I had with the original
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, set to release on July 9, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, is addressing a major pain point from the original: tailing missions. The remake rebuilds the entire adventure using the latest Anvil Engine, revamping stealth mechanics to remove instant desynchronization upon detection and allowing for more tactical approaches. Additional improvements include reworked combat, more fluid parkour, and enhancements to the Jackdaw ship, alongside new narrative content and visual upgrades.
Kiln Pottery Brawler Launches Today on Xbox Game Pass
Double Fine has surprise-launched Kiln on Xbox Game Pass, a unique online multiplayer brawler where players sculpt and battle with ceramic fighters. The game features five themed maps, a level cap of 50, and launches with cross-platform support across Xbox Series X/S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Double Fine has also outlined a post-launch content roadmap including new maps, missions, and customization options.
Blizzard's buffed my favorite WoW spec in the most monkey paw way it possibly could
A recent World of Warcraft patch has introduced a bug affecting the Outlaw Rogue spec, specifically related to its smoke bomb ability. While intended to enhance the spec's flavor, the smoke cloud now obstructs player vision, making it difficult to avoid in-game hazards and potentially hindering group content. The author expresses a desire for Blizzard Entertainment to adjust the visual clarity of the smoke effect.
World of Warcraft's new Prop Hunt mode descends into chaos as Blizzard forgets to stop players from finding each other using their minimaps, immediately defeating the whole point
A new hide-and-seek minigame in World of Warcraft, called Decor Duels, has been released but suffers from a bug that reveals players on the minimap, undermining the core gameplay. This unintended feature turns the game into more of a chase than a stealth experience. Players have also found ways to hide out of bounds, further impacting the intended design.
Gamers Rally for Fresh Video Game Soundtrack Rankings Beyond the Classics
A discussion is emerging among gamers about the predictability of "best of all time" video game soundtrack rankings, which often feature the same classic tracks. Players are advocating for lists that focus on more recent music from the last decade, highlighting titles like NieR: Automata and Hades II as examples of modern soundtracks that serve as emotional anchors for their narratives and showcase the maturation of game music as an art form.
