Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Dark Scrolls review: Ghosts 'n Grinding
Dark Scrolls, the latest roguelike from Doinksoft, features charming visuals and unique mechanics but is ultimately weighed down by excessive grinding and frustrating co-op. While the game offers a variety of characters and an intriguing perk system, the high costs for upgrades and the disruptive nature of multiplayer play make it difficult to recommend for extended engagement. The game is available on PC and Nintendo Switch.
Dinoblade Interview – Player Progression, Dinosaur Variety, Demo Feedback, And More
In an interview, Dinoblade developer Jean Nguyen discusses player progression, dinosaur variety, and feedback from the game's demo. The action-RPG, set to release on July 23rd, features dinosaurs wielding swords and a boss-rush structure. Nguyen also touches on combat readability, storytelling, and potential Steam Deck and console compatibility.
Beast of Reincarnation Offers “About 30 Hours” of Gameplay Across 10 Stages, Says Director
Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation will feature approximately 10 stages and around 30 hours of gameplay, according to director Kota Furushima. The post-apocalyptic action-adventure game will not be open-world but will allow free exploration within its stages, featuring puzzles and items. It is set to release on August 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC with adjustable difficulty settings.
The Witcher Remake’s Open World Will Need Changes for Pacing, Says Original’s Lead Story Designer
Artur Ganszyniec, the original lead story designer for The Witcher, believes the upcoming remake's transition to an open-world structure will require significant adjustments to narrative pacing. He highlights how the original game's linear design allowed for precise control over story beats, a challenge that will need careful consideration in the remake developed by Fool's Theory using Unreal Engine 5.
Denshattack interview: dev talks influences, Nintendo Switch 2, pursuing the project despite publisher rejections, more
David Jaumandreu, studio and game director at Undercoders, discusses the influences behind their upcoming game Denshattack, including Jet Set Radio and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. He also touches on the decision to support the Nintendo Switch 2 and the challenges of pursuing the project despite publisher rejections. The game is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 15, 2026.
Going from skull-cracker to safecracker in Dishonored 2
The author recounts their experience attempting a no-kill, no-detection playthrough of Dishonored 2 after a chaotic first attempt in the original game. Despite challenges, including a difficult puzzle in the Clockwork Mansion, they ultimately succeeded after 40 hours, reflecting on the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles peacefully.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag players "didn't like" how Edward "didn't really feel like an assassin" at first, Resynced lead says, but "soon enough it became a classic" anyway
Paul Fu, creative director for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, reflected on the original game's reception, noting that players initially felt protagonist Edward Kenway didn't feel like an assassin. However, he believes the game eventually became a classic, and praises the Montreal team for creating an anti-hero. The remake received a 3.5-star review, praised for its atmosphere but criticized for its inconsistent design choices.
Sunday Previews
This article discusses the inherent inevitability of failure within the Pathologic Game Series. It explores how the design of the games embraces and utilizes failure as a core gameplay mechanic and narrative element.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
Developer Christoffer Bodegård discusses his journey into PC gaming, highlighting influential titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Deus Ex. His recently released CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, was inspired by tabletop RPGs and aims to replicate their unpredictability. Bodegård is exploring ideas for his next project, potentially a first-person game, and shares his current gaming habits, including extensive play of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy titles like Victoria 3 and Europa Universalis IV.
Fallout: New Vegas level scaling is designed to teach players that "this is not actually Fallout 3," Josh Sawyer says: "You're going to get your ass handed to you if you're not careful"
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer explains that the game's level scaling was intentionally designed to differ from Fallout 3, aiming to teach players that the world is more dangerous and unforgiving. This approach, inspired by the original Fallout, allows for more open-ended exploration with difficulty gates, encouraging players to level up before tackling certain areas.
Kalmia Online is an indie side-scrolling MMORPG running a public test the weekend of July 24
Kalmia Online, an indie side-scrolling MMORPG described as a blend of MapleStory and Ragnarok Online, is holding its first public playtest from July 24th to July 26th. The developers are seeking player feedback to improve the game, emphasizing that it will not feature gacha mechanics, pay-to-win elements, autoplay, or generative AI.
Black Flag Resynced certainly scratches my nostalgia itch, but do you know what else does? Assassin's Creed Black…
Black Flag Resynced offers a visually upgraded experience of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, but the reviewer finds that most of its strengths lie in the original game. While quality-of-life improvements exist, changes to stealth mechanics and combat options detract from the core experience, making the original a better choice for those seeking nostalgia.
Elden Ring Nightreign for Weekend Players | TAG
Elden Ring Nightreign is a 2025 multiplayer extraction-style spinoff from FromSoftware, designed for shorter, contained 40-45 minute rounds. This guide offers strategies for weekend-only players, emphasizing its time-respectful design with no daily login pressure and run-based progression. It details character roles, solo vs. co-op play, and how Nightreign differs from the main Elden Ring game, making it a viable option for busy adults.
Roblox Animal Hospital Update Log
This update log details recent and upcoming changes for the popular Roblox game Animal Hospital. The next update, 'The Hazmat arrive,' is scheduled for July 24th and hints at a new event or anomaly. Recent updates include revamped class looks, new items, class reworks, and bug fixes, with earlier updates adding console support and class leveling.
The Daily Grind: Describe your favorite MMO as poorly as possible
This article prompts readers to describe their favorite Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game (MMORPG) in a humorous and poorly worded way, highlighting the true but often overlooked aspects of beloved games. The Massively Overpowered writers pose this question to encourage community engagement and discussion about the genre.
League of Legends Classic isn't the launch experience, it's a "greatest hits" of the early years
Riot Games has detailed League of Legends Classic, describing it as a "greatest hits" collection of the game's early seasons, rather than a strict recreation of the 2009 launch. It will feature original champions, items, and gameplay design, launching on July 29 with content roughly around Season Three. Players will be able to influence its future development.
The Descent - how game devs learned to love ladders
This article explores the complex history and design considerations of ladders in video games, from early problematic implementations to modern, nuanced approaches. Developers like Arkane Austin and Hideo Kojima have experimented with ladders as both gameplay mechanics and narrative tools, highlighting how even simple elements can significantly impact player experience and game design.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond dev explains why it’s not Spyro 4
Toys for Bob explained their decision to name the upcoming game Spyro: A Realm Beyond instead of Spyro 4. Associate creative director Lou Studdert stated the team wanted the title to be a welcoming entry point for new players, avoiding the expectation of prior knowledge associated with a numbered sequel. The game will feature new mechanics, including the ability to fly with Spyro at any time, and is set to release on Nintendo Switch next spring.
Spyro: A Realm Reborn’s Flight Mechanics Promote “Active Decision-Making,” Won’t Include Autopilot
Toys for Bob has detailed the flight mechanics for the upcoming game Spyro: A Realm Beyond, emphasizing active decision-making over autopilot. Players will need to press buttons to flap wings, dive, and use fire breath to create updrafts to maintain momentum and navigate the environment. The game is set to release in Spring 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
EA Sports College Football 27 Will Remove Controversial Paid Progression from Single-Player Modes
EA Sports has announced the removal of paid progression options from the single-player Road to Glory and Dynasty modes in EA Sports College Football 27 following player backlash. The company admitted they "missed the mark" with the feature and committed to greater transparency in future updates. The game is available on Xbox Series X/S and PC, but has received a "Mostly Negative" rating on Steam.
