Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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How Super Meat Boy 3D captures the series’ identity, out May 31
Super Meat Boy 3D aims to capture the identity of the original 2D platformer by focusing on core movement mechanics, camera control, and preserving the series' personality. Development involved extensive iteration on camera systems and level design to translate the fast-paced gameplay into a 3D environment, with input from Team Meat's Tommy Refenes. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on March 31.
Crimson Desert's quarry is giving players "PTSD," probably because they keep missing the key secret: "You don't need to kill hundreds of enemies"
Players of Crimson Desert are experiencing significant difficulty and frustration with the early-game Karin Quarry mission, with many describing it as having a "PTSD"-inducing effect due to overwhelming enemy numbers. The article suggests the mission may be poorly explained, as there is a secret shortcut to completing it that players are missing, leading them to bang their heads against a challenge they are not yet equipped for.
Valheim’s Deep North Biome Gets Swedish Lingonberries & Ice Physics
Iron Gate Studio has detailed new features for Valheim's upcoming Deep North biome, including Swedish lingonberries for recipes and new ice physics that will affect player movement. The studio is also implementing snow-clearing mechanics and emphasizing environmental storytelling to create a challenging survival experience. The article also touches on community events like Val-Con and monthly build showcases, highlighting the developer's commitment to the game's ongoing development.
Saros developer doesn't think Returnal 'was that hard of a game', but admits that the team 'did pay a lot more attention to the onboarding experience' for its spiritual successor
Housemarque's associate design director Mitja Roskaric stated that Returnal was not an overly difficult game, but acknowledged that its onboarding experience required more attention. For their new title, Saros, the team focused on rewarding movement and implementing permanent progression systems to improve the learning curve compared to Returnal's roguelike mechanics. Saros is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on April 30.
Hytale’s 4th update adds over 500 new blocks in the patch notes. What? How many?
Hytale's fourth update introduces over 500 new blocks, including biome-specific and craftable items, alongside proximity voice chat and an emote wheel. The update aims to enhance the multiplayer social experience and prepare for future content additions, with new block sets like Limestone, Slate, and Cybercity blocks being highlighted.
Minecraft Mod Spotlight: wonderland.jar – Liminal Space Hell
The Minecraft mod wonderland.jar is highlighted for its effective use of liminal space and dread to create a genuinely scary horror experience. Unlike mods that rely on jump scares, wonderland.jar immerses players in unsettling, alternate worlds and introduces mysterious entities that foster a pervasive sense of unease.
Star Wars Zero Company's lead mission designer is eagerly waiting to watch all your all-astromech challenge runs: 'Granted, it might not be a very easy thing to do'
Star Wars Zero Company's lead mission designer James Brawley is eager to see players attempt an all-astromech droid challenge run upon the game's launch. Brawley drew inspiration from completing Final Fantasy with a party of white mages, aiming to make astromechs a viable and satisfying support unit, though primary story missions will require the protagonist character.
Pokemon Champions won’t have IVs, developer explains why
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino explained that the upcoming Nintendo Switch title will remove IVs (Individual Values) to make the competitive scene more accessible. The game is scheduled to launch on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch and the unreleased Switch 2.
In pursuit of the ideal roguelike, Saros runs are shorter than Returnal's as Housemarque wanted to "keep the feeling of danger" and "reduce the feeling of helplessness"
Housemarque's upcoming sci-fi roguelike shooter, Saros, will feature shorter runs than Returnal to maintain a sense of danger while reducing player helplessness. Lead game designer Abebe Tinari explains that mechanics like teleportation between areas aim to balance risk and reward, allowing players to practice specific biomes or bosses without committing to a full, lengthy run.
3 hours in, Saros is a triumph for PS5 – this twitchy sci-fi roguelike shooter perfectly evolves on Returnal, and…
Saros, the spiritual successor to Returnal, is shaping up to be a triumph for the PlayStation 5, evolving the 'bullet ballet' roguelike shooter formula with intense combat and satisfying progression. Developed by Housemarque, the game features a new shield mechanic that encourages players to absorb enemy fire, offering a fresh challenge beyond Returnal's established gameplay loop. With shorter, more focused runs and a deep upgrade system, Saros promises a compelling and evolved experience for fans of the genre.
Review: Crimson Desert (PS5) - A Generational Open World Buried in Early Access Cruft
Crimson Desert is an ambitious open-world action RPG for PlayStation 5 that offers a vast and dynamic world but is hampered by an impenetrable early game and a lack of quality-of-life features, feeling akin to an early access release. Despite its flaws, the game's depth in exploration, combat, and various systems is compelling, though technical performance on the base PS5 is significantly problematic, requiring post-release support.
World of Warcraft: Midnight review
World of Warcraft: Midnight, an expansion to the 20-year-old MMO, offers ambitious new content including a redesigned Silvermoon and engaging dungeons, despite wrestling with bugs and design issues. While the main story falls short of greatness due to pacing and subtlety problems, the expansion's beautiful new zones, solid delves, and promising features like player housing and the Prey system make it a strong, albeit imperfect, addition to the game.
Pragmata's New York-like cityscape was intentionally designed to feel "AI-generated" and "distorted"
Capcom developers intentionally designed the cityscape in Pragmata to feel 'AI-generated' and 'distorted', incorporating deliberate 'errors' like inverted streets and buses sprouting from walls. This approach aimed to convey that the New York-inspired setting is not the real city. The game is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Review - Jesus Simulator (PC) - WayTooManyGames
This review criticizes Jesus Simulator for its lack of care and sincerity, citing issues with AI-generated content, poor functionality, and a short playtime that exploits Steam's refund policy. The reviewer deems the game a "pathetic excuse" and a "blasphemy" that should have been condemned.
Forza Horizon 6’s New Rush Events Mix Showcase-Style Spectacle With a More Replayable Hook | IGN First - IGN
Forza Horizon 6 will introduce a new event type called Horizon Rush, designed to increase replayability compared to traditional Showcase events. These timed races feature distinct sectors and can be played solo, co-op, or multiplayer. Developers at Playground Games drew inspiration from community-created events in Forza Horizon 5's Event Lab to craft these new experiences, focusing on high-adrenaline spectacle and course mastery.
Forza Horizon 6’s New Rush Events Mix Showcase-Style Spectacle With a More Replayable Hook – IGN First
Forza Horizon 6 will feature new Rush events that blend large-scale spectacle with replayability, inspired by community-created maps. These events aim to offer a more engaging experience than previous showcase-style challenges.
Star Wars Zero Company is more than just 'Star Wars XCOM'—it feels like Mass Effect but with turn-based…
Star Wars: Zero Company, developed by Bit Reactor and published by Lucasfilm Games and Electronic Arts, blends turn-based tactics with RPG elements and a strong narrative. The game features third-person exploration and customizable characters, reminiscent of Mass Effect, alongside deep tactical combat inspired by XCOM. Developers emphasize high production values and an authentic Star Wars aesthetic, with a focus on character relationships and permanent consequences, including permadeath for squad members.
Farming Simulator 26 heading to Nintendo Switch
Giants Software has announced that Farming Simulator 26 will be released on May 19, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch. The game will feature a new challenge system with tasks and rewards, alongside a relaxed, self-paced farming experience.
Build Your Ultimate Magic In Legendary Spell
Legendary Spell, a deck-building roguelike now available on Xbox Series X|S, challenges players to experiment with over 100 magical abilities to create powerful spell combinations. The game features wave-based combat against over 50 enemy types and encourages adaptive strategies. A Deluxe Edition includes the Spell Panic DLC for a more challenging experience.
Bloodborne Turns 11: FromSoftware’s Gothic Masterpiece Still Dominates
FromSoftware's gothic action RPG Bloodborne, released eleven years ago on PlayStation 4, is celebrated for its tight combat, oppressive atmosphere, and challenging boss design. Despite the lack of a sequel or remaster, the game's influence is evident in modern titles, and fans continue to hope for its return.
