Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
HoYoverse's Nodusfall might look like Elden Ring, but there's a promising dark fantasy action game here that took me by surprise
HoYoverse's upcoming dark fantasy action game, Nodusfall, surprised during a Gamescom preview with its engaging combat and compelling boss encounters, despite initial comparisons to Elden Ring. The free-to-play title features a co-op focus with characters unlockable through gameplay, though monetization details are still pending.
Recension – Control Resonant - En actionmacka med biff
Control Resonant, the sequel to Remedy's 2019 title, offers stunning environments and engaging combat but suffers from a less focused narrative and uneven difficulty compared to its predecessor. While it retains some of the original's unique charm, the game often feels like a safe, by-the-numbers sequel, lacking the surprising twists and bold creative risks that made Control stand out.
Refund This Game is coming to Steam in October — MP3s & NPCs
Cactile Games and dofhouse announced that Refund This Game will launch on PC via Steam on October 15. The game allows players to refund it after beating it, a concept inspired by recent discussions around Steam's refund policy. Developers aim to create a fun, hand-crafted platformer that can be completed and refunded within the two-hour window.
[Official Release] Project Slayers 2 Codes – All Active Gift Codes!
This guide provides a comprehensive list of active gift codes for the newly released game, Project Slayers 2. It details how to redeem these codes within the Roblox platform, emphasizing the need to join the Ouw Productions group. The article also touches upon the game's features, such as Spins for rerolling Clans, and compares Project Slayers 2 to its predecessor, highlighting improvements in quality of life and immersion.
'Players got better than we expected': Monster Hunter Wilds DLC director says Capcom is retuning its difficulty standards for the expansion's endgame
Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance director Takuro Hiraoka stated that Capcom is re-evaluating its difficulty standards for the upcoming expansion's endgame. He explained that the base game's difficulty was intentionally set lower to avoid alienating new players, but the player base proved more skilled than anticipated. The team aims to balance the expansion to satisfy both new and veteran players seeking challenging endgame content.
The New Fire Emblem Lets You Skip A Massive Chunk Of Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, a lengthy RPG, offers players the option to skip entire story arcs, including the main endgame content. This feature allows players to jump directly to the final battles after completing the prologue, with the game providing a summary of missed events and auto-leveling characters.
Old Graves is back as League Classic patch 4 adds four more champions to the mix
League of Legends Classic patch 4 introduces four new champions: Graves, Fizz, Nami, and Nautilus, all themed around Bilgewater and the ocean. Game Designer David 'Phreak' Turley detailed the champions' classic kits and discussed recent community votes on game length, snowballing, and item additions. The patch also includes balance changes and addresses concerns about botting.
Warframe of Mind: The big guide to picking a frame – Nezha, Inaros, Titania
This guide explores three Warframe characters: Nezha, Inaros, and Titania, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and unique playstyles. Nezha is noted for his popularity and status effects, Inaros for his immortal mummy-like design, and Titania for her powerful flying form. The article also touches on the evolution of Warframe design philosophy.
Portal could've had "a bunch of gore and dead bodies" if one dev had his way, says Valve veteran, but Gabe Newell considered it "the stupidest question ever"
Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that a developer once proposed adding gore and dead bodies to the original Portal, an idea that was strongly opposed by the team and Gabe Newell. Newell reportedly dismissed the suggestion as 'the stupidest question ever,' and the team ultimately decided against the concept, finding it unfitting for the game's tone.
The worst experience I've had with a game all year: How catastrophic bugs in Mortal Shell 2 nearly killed it for me
Mortal Shell 2 is described as a good game marred by catastrophic bugs and design flaws, particularly in its opening hours. Issues included a lack of checkpoints, extremely dark lighting, and a buggy final boss. The reviewer experienced significant problems with item usage, graphics settings, and the inability to upgrade weapons due to bugs, leading to a frustrating initial experience that was only resolved after patches and extensive exploration.
WoW Factor: The lingering questions that hang over the head of World of Warcraft Forever
This opinion piece questions the direction of World of Warcraft Forever, highlighting concerns about the lack of playable Goblin characters at launch and the potential for conflicting design philosophies. The author worries that Blizzard may not have a clear vision for the game's future, risking it becoming directionless.
Recension – CONTROL Resonant - En actionmacka med biff! Maffighet! Ändå saknas nåt.
CONTROL Resonant offers stunning environments and engaging combat, but struggles to recapture the unique narrative and surprising elements of its predecessor. While Remedy Entertainment delivers a visually impressive experience with varied gameplay mechanics, the sequel suffers from uneven balance, a less compelling script, and a more predictable structure, ultimately feeling like a safe iteration rather than a bold step forward.
After 894 hours in Slay the Spire 2, these are our 12 strongest opinions
Multiple editors share their opinions on Slay the Spire 2 after extensive playtime, discussing its strengths and weaknesses. While the game is praised for its popularity and deckbuilding mechanics, some critiques focus on Act 1's difficulty, the conservative nature of its mechanics, and specific boss designs like Aeonglass.
Blacksmiths Discover Control Resonant’s Massive Hammer Is Simply Too Much Hammer
Blacksmiths from the YouTube series Man at Arms, sponsored by Remedy Entertainment, created a real-life replica of the massive hammer weapon from Control Resonant. Despite using hollow steel and advanced welding, the replica proved too heavy to wield, serving as a cool paperweight. The game itself is set to release on September 24, with early reviews praising its blend of Remedy's signature style and engaging gameplay.
DERELIKT – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
DERELIKT, a narrative-driven Sci-Fi survival horror retro FPS inspired by Alien Resurrection, Doom 2, and System Shock, is opening beta sign-ups. The game features environmental puzzles, alien creatures, and a PS1-era aesthetic with FMV cutscenes. The article highly recommends the game for its atmosphere and impressive presentation.
CONTROL Resonant - En actionmacka med biff! Maffighet! Ändå saknas nåt.
Control Resonant, the sequel to Remedy's acclaimed action game, offers stunning visuals and engaging combat but struggles to recapture the original's unique charm and narrative surprise. While the gameplay is solid and the environments are breathtaking, the story and boss balance are uneven, making it feel like a safe, albeit visually impressive, iteration rather than a bold step forward.
Control Resonant Review – Pattern Recognition
Control Resonant is a resounding success, offering Remedy Entertainment's best-feeling gameplay and an intriguing world. The game shifts from a third-person shooter to a character action game, focusing on Dylan Faden's melee combat with the Aberrant weapon. It features a strong narrative, excellent performances, and industry-leading art and technical design, with robust accessibility options.
Control Resonant review - A kaleidoscopic ode to creativity
Control Resonant is a masterful expansion that reimagines the original game's formula, offering a fresh yet familiar experience. Players step into the shoes of Dylan Faden, exploring a warped Manhattan with new paranatural abilities and facing unique combat challenges. The game is praised for its inventive level design, narrative depth, and celebration of creativity, making it a standout title.
GTA 6’s Robberies Need To Be Unpredictable
Grand Theft Auto 6's robbery system is expected to be more dynamic and complex than in previous titles, featuring tiered robberies from small convenience stores to larger, more lucrative heists. The game will incorporate elements like NPC reactions, hidden safe codes, and the need to fence stolen goods, drawing inspiration from Red Dead Redemption 2 but aiming for greater depth.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is planning New Game Plus, as Rebel Wolves studies your feedback
Rebel Wolves is considering a New Game Plus mode for The Blood of Dawnwalker, according to Game Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. The studio is actively analyzing player feedback for improvements and new features, with New Game Plus being a confirmed feature in development, though no release window has been provided.
