HardwareFreaks

Tag: Storytelling

  • Cyberpunk 2077 has now sold more than 40 million copies, ‘a testament to what CD Projekt does best’

    Featured image Cyberpunk 2077 has now sold more than 40 million copies a testament to what CD Projekt does best

    When Cyberpunk 2077 first arrived in 2020, it was widely regarded as an unmitigated disaster. The launch experience was fraught with serious issues, particularly on console platforms where the game faced significant backlash, eventually leading to Sony removing it entirely from the PlayStation Store. Yet, what followed wasn’t a slow fade into obscurity; instead, the developers leaned into the fire.

    While the initial rollout stumbled, the dedication of the team to fixing those foundational problems paid massive dividends. The journey from launch failure to current success is a testament to sheer resilience and the power of an unforgettable narrative. Today, however, that story has flipped entirely.

    The game now sits comfortably with a very positive user rating on Steam, having surpassed an incredible milestone: 40 million copies sold. This massive achievement demonstrates the enduring power of the world Night City and the remarkable ability of CD Projekt to deliver high-quality, immersive storytelling that keeps players coming back for years.

    The trajectory of the game speaks volumes about the development house’s persistence. In an industry where many companies tend to cut losses when a project falters at the starting line, CD Projekt focused on correcting its mistakes rather than abandoning the vision. They managed to transform the game into what many consider a genuinely outstanding experience, capped off by a brilliantly devastating expansion that deepened the world further.

    Despite the initial turbulence, the momentum was unstoppable. In just ten days after launch, the game sold 13 million copies, fueled by pre-release hype. While this number might seem small compared to other behemoths in gaming history—such as The Witcher 3, which has sold over 65 million copies—40 million sales is still an astonishing feat, especially considering the notorious difficulties faced at its inception.

    When reflecting on this triumph, studio leadership acknowledges the complex journey. They recognize that while they worked tirelessly to secure redemption, the full arc of fixing every perceived flaw is a continuous process. The success is undeniable, and it provides a powerful foundation for future projects in Night City.

    This enormous milestone isn’t just about sales figures; it’s about proving that even when faced with criticism and massive challenges, a truly compelling vision can find its way to the forefront of gaming culture. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the greatest stories are the ones that refuse to be put down.

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Netflix has finally figured out how to get viewers off their phones with its newest horror game, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing

    Featured image Netflix has finally figured out how to get viewers off their phones with its newest horror game but it doesnt quite stick the landing

    Point-and-click horror games thrive on player agency—the feeling that your choices directly impact the narrative. Yet, when the tools you use to navigate that world are temperamental and frustrating, even the creepiest settings can fall short.

    Enter Netflix’s latest horror offering, Unhinged, a game from the minds of Zach Cregger and David Fincher. Instead of relying on traditional controllers or keyboards, this experience throws the player into the role of Ava, using her phone as the primary interface to interact with the world. Players must navigate dark hallways and communicate with their friend Claire while attempting to escape a killer covered in blood.

    This unique setup offers moments of potent immersion. Hearing Claire call for help or using the phone’s light to illuminate pitch-black spaces certainly ramps up the tension, making you feel truly trapped within an abandoned apartment building after a devastating storm has cut off the power. However, this reliance on the phone quickly revealed its temperamental nature.

    Using the device as a pointer proved challenging. The quick-time events (QTEs) that demand swift action or defensive maneuvers were often frustrating, making precise aiming nearly impossible. Furthermore, managing the device itself was a headache; players often found themselves struggling with accuracy when trying to move through the environment.

    The frustration peaked when the phone—which was supposed to be a helpful tool—became an obstacle. Trying to manage the controls while dealing with the stress of the horror narrative felt like fighting against the game itself. It highlighted the fundamental idea that if a game introduces an unconventional control method, it must function flawlessly, or at least feel deliberately innovative.

    Despite these technical quirks, Unhinged delivers on atmosphere. The setting is suitably creepy and atmospheric, and while its runtime is brief—clocking in around 30 minutes—it manages to establish a compelling sense of dread.

    Where the game truly shines, however, is the stellar cast. The performances from Zoë Kravitz as the protagonist, Sadie Sink as the well-meaning friend, and Troy Baker as the killer are absolutely phenomenal. Their acting grounds the experience, offering a level of emotional depth that vastly overshadows any technical limitations of the phone-based controls.

    If you have a few spare minutes, a Netflix subscription, and are willing to give this unconventional approach a try, Unhinged remains a worthwhile horror experience. It proves that exceptional storytelling and phenomenal performances can triumph over imperfect mechanics, making it a solid recommendation for fans of point-and-click suspense.

    Buy on Amazon

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Josh Sawyer says the Fallout TV show is an ‘amazing adaptation’ of a videogame, and ‘one of the best that I’ve seen’

    There is a universal truth among video game adaptations: they often stumble. For years, many fans accepted that any translation of digital worlds into film or television would be somewhat compromised. But what happens when the creators themselves weigh in? The reaction from the developers and designers behind these iconic worlds offers a fascinating look at the friction between creative freedom and fan expectation.

    The question isn’t just about whether a show is good; it’s about how faithfully, or how aggressively, it handles established lore. And when you ask the architects of those worlds what they think, the answers are illuminating.

    Series co-creator Tim Cain has long championed the transition to screen for his creations, expressing clear enthusiasm for the Fallout adaptations. However, delving deeper into the commentary provided by creators and directors reveals a more nuanced perspective than simple approval.

    New Vegas director Josh Sawyer, who helmed the television adaptation, expressed genuine enjoyment of both seasons. He specifically noted an appreciation for how the series handled the interpretation of his game’s factions and setting. While acknowledging that adapting complex narratives always involves compromises, Sawyer found the overall result to be one of the best adaptations he has witnessed.

    When discussing specific details—such as changes made to iconic landmarks or character orientations—Sawyer admitted that while some fans feel strongly, those specifics often boil down to whether a visual change would actually serve the narrative moment. He made it clear that if a particular detail felt disruptive, it likely meant the scene wouldn’t land effectively regardless of how true the original game setting was.

    This view perfectly encapsulates the dynamic between the creator and the audience. Sawyer suggested that he sees himself more as a guest contributing to the larger Fallout universe rather than someone who holds ultimate authority over how the narrative is represented across different media decades later. This perspective defuses the tension surrounding fan demands for perfect fidelity, reframing disagreements less as battles over “truth” and more as differing artistic choices about storytelling.

    Ultimately, the experience of watching a game adaptation becomes less about whether it perfectly mirrors the source material and more about how skillfully a new storyteller manages to reimagine that world. The genuine delight from those who built the worlds suggests that sometimes, letting go of rigid expectations allows for something truly remarkable to emerge on screen.

    Buy on Amazon

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Sally Beaumont, voice actor in Old Skies and The Séance of Blake Manor, extols the virtues of narrative singleplayer games ‘You can have lots of them in your PC toolbelt’

    Image credit: Future

    Welcome to the world of Sally Beaumont, a voice actor who found her true calling not just in the studio, but in the immersive landscapes of PC gaming. Her journey into digital adventure is a story that perfectly illustrates how narrative worlds can redefine a career and offer profound lessons about freedom and perspective.

    Beaumont’s earliest foray into PC gaming involved classics like Leisure Suit Larry, an experience she recalls with a touch of wistful memory. But it was a different title that truly made an impact: The Curse of Monkey Island. This game, she notes, was the catalyst that helped her realize the exciting potential of voice acting, proving that being a voice artist was a real and rewarding job.

    From there, Beaumont dove deep into the world of narrative adventure games, often exploring complex themes through gameplay. Her career as a voice actor blossomed as she began lending her voice to critically acclaimed titles such as Heaven’s Vault, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, and Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader. Her talent earned her recognition, including selection for the BAFTA Breakthrough program.

    Today, she continues to explore new frontiers, diving into projects like El Paso, Elsewhere 2. When it comes to her current digital escapades, Beaumont is engrossed in The Séance of Blake Manor, a game that prompts deep reflection on the nature of reality and presence.

    Beaumont has a fascinating take on game mechanics. While she loves clicking through every dialogue option and exploring the world, she notes that time-based mechanics can sometimes restrict freedom. She found this tension particularly engaging while playing The Séance of Blake Manor, appreciating how the atmosphere created by a gloomy setting enhances the experience.

    For her retrospective gaming history, she points to titles like Day of the Tentacle as among the oldest games installed on her PC. She reflects that single-player adventure games offer a wonderful sense of containment—like going back home—allowing players to focus on character and setting rather than constant open-world discovery.

    Another gem in her collection is Nelly Cootalot, which she calls a brilliant homage full of warmth and wit. She appreciates how games can blend clever references with genuine emotional appeal, noting that sometimes they manage to be both snarky and sensible simultaneously.

    When considering the sheer amount of time spent gaming, Beaumont points to Old Skies as one of her longest engagements, demonstrating a deep commitment to immersive narratives over simple playtime statistics.

    Beyond games, Beaumont’s workspace reflects her approach to life: absolute chaos on the desktop—a testament to a “brutal deleter” who occasionally leaves behind gaps filled with the memory of what was there. This digital clutter mirrors her real-life perspective: she doesn’t seek constant order, but rather embraces the space left open by deletion.

    Finally, in the realm of non-gaming software, Beaumont relies on GoldWave for her audio needs. She praises its simplicity and effectiveness, especially its ability to handle the tricky details of voice acting—like eliminating pops and clicks—making it her essential emotional support tool in a world full of digital noise.

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 hits new milestone and gets massive Steam Sale discount

    The world of open-world RPGs just got a major dose of history with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which has officially crossed the 6 million mark in global sales. This monumental achievement solidifies the game’s status not just as a commercial success, but as a true masterpiece in the genre.

    Launched in early 2025, the sequel quickly cemented its reputation for being one of the most critically acclaimed RPGs of the generation. Players were treated to an immersive narrative experience that resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike, resulting in significant accolades, including multiple nominations for Game of the Year and the prestigious BAFTA Games Award for Best Narrative.

    The success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a testament to the power of deep, historical storytelling combined with unparalleled environmental detail. It proved that a challenging, historically grounded adventure could deliver profound emotional depth, setting a high bar for future interactive narratives.

    To celebrate this massive milestone and bring the experience to even more players, the game has joined the Steam Summer Sale. Fans now have a fantastic opportunity to dive into this epic world at incredible value, with discounts reaching up to 60% on the base game and its extensive DLCs. Other titles within the Kingdom Come franchise are also seeing substantial reductions, with some products marked down by as much as 80%.

    This widespread success has fueled immense optimism for the studio behind the title, Warhorse Studios. They have expressed gratitude to the growing community, noting that the game’s performance has provided powerful momentum for their future creative ambitions.

    With this success firmly in hand, the focus is now shifting toward exciting new horizons. Warhorse Studios is currently channeling this energy into developing two ambitious new open-world RPGs. One of these projects promises the next thrilling Kingdom Come adventure, while the other takes players on an epic journey set deep within the realm of Middle-earth.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • Oxenfree studio reveals new horror game ‘Unhinged’ for Netflix

    Netflix is not just streaming movies; it’s building an entire universe of interactive entertainment. And this week, they are unleashing their biggest original game yet: Unhinged. Prepare yourselves for a truly unique horror experience that blurs the line between immersive storytelling and novel gameplay.

    This chilling new adventure hails from the studio Night School, creators already known for crafting atmospheric indie hits like Oxenfree and its sequel. They have proven they know how to build worlds that linger long after the credits roll, and now they are bringing that expertise to the gaming table.

    But what makes Unhinged stand out is how it forces players to rethink the concept of control. Forget traditional controllers; here, your smartphone becomes the instrument of survival. Players navigate the terrifying environment by holding their phone and moving it to control a flashlight, adding an immediate layer of tactile interaction to the horror setting.

    The tension ramps up with unique auditory gameplay. When the main character receives a crucial phone call, your phone buzzes and rings—and the dialogue plays directly through your device, creating an intensely personal and disorienting experience. Meanwhile, the broader soundscape of the game delivers its atmosphere through your television screen, merging the intimacy of the phone with the scale of the environment.

    Players are given flexibility in how they engage with the narrative. They can choose between two distinct modes: the standard mode, which injects high-stakes urgency via a countdown timer that forces rapid decision-making and movement; or the story mode, which allows players to take their time, exploring every terrifying element of the narrative without the pressure of a ticking clock.

    In standard mode, failure is swift: running out of time results in game over, sending you back to the last checkpoint. However, story mode lets you savor the atmosphere, allowing for a deeper and more relaxed immersion into the unfolding horror.

    The world of Unhinged is brought to life with an incredible cast. The experience features stellar performances from Zoë Kravitz as Ava, Sadie Sink as Claire, and Troy Baker as Ben, lending weight and emotional depth to the unsettling narrative. The haunting atmosphere is further enhanced by music composed by Jason Hill and meticulous sound design contributed by Ren Klyce.

    Mark your calendars: Unhinged launches exclusively on Netflix on June 30th, and the experience will be delivered without any advertisements or in-app purchases. Get ready to hold tight—your phone is about to guide you through some truly unsettling territory.

    Credit: KitGuru