AppsOnMac

inZOI is a life simulation game developed by Krafton and inZOI Studio, which aspires to offer a rich, simulated reality experience. Despite its initial promise, the game currently delivers a visually stunning yet ultimately hollow experience, where players can marvel at its best-in-class character creator. Every detail, from clothing to home design, can be customized, showcasing the game’s potential for creativity. However, the gameplay falls short, as the lives of the Zois revolve around mundane tasks like eating, sleeping, and working, with little room for meaningful interaction or character development. Critics have compared it to The Sims, noting that while inZOI excels in customization, it lacks the quirky charm and engaging narrative that made The Sims a beloved franchise. Nevertheless, the game has garnered attention for its gorgeous visuals and the potential to evolve into something greater, especially since it is currently available in Early Access. The city management aspect adds an interesting twist, allowing players to control elements like traffic and street cleanliness, but this feature sometimes makes it feel more like a city planner than a life simulator. Its popularity stems from the intrigue around its customization tools and the anticipation of its future updates. Running inZOI on a Mac is possible through emulation software like Parallels or Boot Camp, which enables Mac users to experience this ambitious, albeit currently underwhelming, project. As the game continues to develop, it may yet fulfill its promise, offering a more engaging cross-platform experience for Mac users and beyond.

FragPunk is a fast-paced tactical hero shooter that incorporates unique elements to distinguish itself in a crowded genre. At its core, the game introduces Shard Cards, which provide both active and passive abilities that can dramatically alter gameplay dynamics and strategies each round. With a selection of 169 unique cards, players have endless possibilities to experiment with different tactics, making each match feel fresh and engaging. The game stands out with its fluid movement mechanics, reminiscent of Apex Legends, allowing players to slide, jump, and mantle, enhancing the overall adrenaline-fueled experience. FragPunk also incorporates a Duel system to resolve ties, adding an exciting twist that demands not just skill but strategic foresight. Relics further deepen the strategic layer by allowing for gameplay boosts and style shifts, while a quirky slot machine dispenses free weapons, injecting a playful unpredictability. Despite its engaging aspects, the progression system is hampered by microtransactions, where unlocking new characters without paying may feel sluggish, posing a potential barrier for free-to-play enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the game’s quirky art style, replay system, and custom game modes underscore the developers’ commitment to delivering a comprehensive experience from launch. FragPunk’s potential to redefine hero shooters hinges on its ability to continually offer fresh content and maintain player interest, akin to successful updates seen in other NetEase Games titles. For Mac users interested in exploring FragPunk, options like using Parallels Desktop or Boot Camp can facilitate running Windows-based games on macOS, offering a way to experience this thrilling shooter on a different platform.

R.E.P.O. is making waves in the gaming world as a standout co-op horror game known for its ability to blend intense gameplay with chaotic fun. Developed by Semiwork, the game tasks players with leading a team of five to locate and extract valuable objects while evading nightmarish shadow creatures. What sets it apart is its commitment to physics-based interaction, where heavy objects feel authentically cumbersome, requiring teamwork for efficient movement. This unique blend of horror and slapstick comedy creates endless scenarios, leading to unhinged and chaotic sessions filled with laughter and screams. The creature design adds another layer of intrigue with a diverse cast of enemies, each with unique behaviors and appearances, keeping players on their toes. The game doesn’t leave players defenseless, offering weapons for purchase to aid in their survival. Tension reaches its peak during the extraction process, where players must carefully navigate their cart to safety while the facility’s inhabitants grow more aggressive. Despite its early access status, which includes occasional bugs and a lack of public matchmaking, R.E.P.O.’s potential shines through, offering a fresh take on the co-op horror genre. This potential for unexpected and thrilling gameplay is what has garnered its growing popularity. For Mac users eager to join in on the action, running R.E.P.O. is possible through compatibility solutions like Parallels Desktop or Boot Camp, allowing them to experience the game’s unique blend of horror and humor on their preferred platform.

Split Fiction is a captivating co-op game developed by Hazelight Studios and published by EA, lauded for its inventive gameplay and engaging storytelling. It features the dynamic duo of Zoe and Mio, each navigating the other’s fantastical and sci-fi narratives, blending elements of platforming, puzzle-solving, and storytelling in a seamless and exhilarating manner. Players are drawn into a world where a malicious publishing company exploits writers’ creativity for virtual reality content, serving as a clever critique of AI’s role in creativity. With its ten-hour runtime, Split Fiction never loses momentum, offering a staggering variety of challenges and environments, from industrial escapes to shape-shifting forests, all while requiring players to utilize their distinct powers in unison. Its narrative strength lies in the evolving relationship between the protagonists, whose initially contrasting perspectives gradually harmonize into a compelling story of understanding and cooperation. The game also offers optional side stories, providing a delightful mix of genres and unexpected twists that keep players engaged and entertained. Accessibility features ensure a wide range of players can enjoy its richly crafted world, while its playful side activities add a layer of charm and depth. Split Fiction’s popularity can be attributed to its masterful combination of storytelling, gameplay variety, and the emotional resonance of its characters. While primarily available on platforms like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, those eager to experience this game on a Mac might explore options such as using a virtual machine or compatibility layer like Wine to run it, though performance may vary and should be approached with patience and technical know-how.

Dragon Age™: The Veilguard is a captivating sequel that revitalizes the esteemed Dragon Age series, offering players an expansive journey across the northern realms of Thedas. Its narrative thrusts gamers into the task of assembling a team of uniquely designed and compelling companions to thwart the emergence of an ancient evil. The game stands out with its meticulously crafted environments reminiscent of BioWare’s classic style, proving that a semi-open world can be as engaging as any sprawling landscape. Players will find themselves immersed in the visually stunning locales, from the desolate peaks of Kal-Sharok to the ethereal elven ruins of Arlathan Forest. Combat in Veilguard is a refined evolution of what was seen in Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition, emphasizing fast-paced action with tactical elements that allow for strategic pauses to issue commands. Character customization is rich and rewarding, with intricate skill trees and upgradeable loot providing depth to gameplay. The strong emphasis on character-driven stories, where each companion has a richly developed arc, elevates the RPG experience beyond mere side quests. Its cinematic presentation and exceptional character writing make it a stand-out title, with the narrative choices and consequences deeply affecting the storyline’s outcome. While Dragon Age: The Veilguard is primarily a Windows game, Mac users can enjoy the experience through solutions like Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop, allowing them to run the game with relative ease on their systems. These tools ensure that Mac users don’t miss out on the adventure, opening up the stunning world of Thedas to a broader audience.

Path of Exile 2 emerges as a compelling sequel in the action RPG genre, building on the legacy of its predecessor with enhanced gameplay and an ambitious scope. Players are drawn into a dark fantasy world where they navigate through six planned acts, currently offering three in its early access stage, while battling hordes of enemies and confronting formidable bosses. Its intricate buildcrafting is a standout feature, with a complex skill tree boasting over 1,500 passive perks that demand strategic planning and experimentation. This depth, coupled with procedurally generated maps, ensures high replayability and keeps players engaged as they seek the perfect combination of skills and equipment. Despite its early access status, the game offers a surprisingly fleshed-out endgame with the Atlas map, providing endless content and challenges for dedicated adventurers. Combat feels dynamic, with features like dodge-rolling and WASD support adding an action-packed layer to the gameplay, keeping it fresh and competitive against other titles in the genre. While it sticks to familiar storytelling tropes, the character interactions and world-building add charm and intrigue to the unfolding narrative. The game’s popularity is fueled not only by its challenging gameplay but also by its promise of continual updates and refinements, drawing in both seasoned players and newcomers. However, its loot system has received criticism for being overly stingy, which Grinding Gear Games will hopefully address in future updates. For Mac users eager to dive into this expansive world, running Path of Exile 2 is possible through compatibility layers or virtual machines, though native support is not yet available, which means performance and experience may vary based on the method used.

Marvel Rivals is an engaging hero shooter that taps into the vibrant universe of Marvel comics, delivering a thrilling gaming experience by combining the allure of legendary superheroes with dynamic gameplay. Players can dive into 6v6 battles featuring diverse roles such as Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist, reminiscent of familiar classes from other popular hero shooters. Each match involves strategic objectives like escorting payloads or capturing zones, set against the backdrop of iconic Marvel locales like Wakanda. Despite its similarities to other games in the genre, Marvel Rivals sets itself apart with unique character dynamics and synergies, such as team-up abilities that enhance gameplay without overpowering it. With a robust roster of 33 characters at launch, players can choose from a range of heroes, each bringing distinct powers and styles, from melee brawlers to ranged specialists. The game also innovates with destructible environments and random map events, adding layers of strategy and keeping the gameplay fresh and unpredictable. Its free-to-play model, supported by optional microtransactions for cosmetic enhancements, ensures accessibility while maintaining a competitive edge. While some characters may feel overpowered, the game promises potential for balancing and strategic depth as the community evolves. Running Marvel Rivals on a Mac is feasible through solutions like Boot Camp or Parallels, allowing gamers to enjoy this action-packed title on their preferred platform, ensuring Mac users can join in on the superhero action without missing a beat.

Deadlock is a MOBA game incorporating FPS mechanics. It is developed by Valve, a studio famous for their multiplayer titles – DoTA 2, Team Fortress, and Left 4 Dead. So even though the game is still in the alpha stage, there’s a lot of excitement about it. So let’s see what the game is like. So far, the game has only a single map, which is based on New York City. The map features four lanes, and – much like you’d expect from a MOBA – is populated with both aggressive and neutral creatures, shops, and defensive structures. Unlike a regular MOBA, however, it is also highly vertical. As many characters have powerful movement abilities – dashes, slides, double-jumps, and even flight in some cases – understanding this verticality will be very important. Shooting mechanics, on the other hand, are relatively simple. Guns are very accurate and have little recoil. Currently, Deadlock is not available to just anyone; you will need an invite in order to play the game. But even those who managed to get an invite will face another obstacle: compatibility. Though macOS and Linux support might be added in the future, for now, the game is Windows only. However, this problem can be addressed. Read our guide to learn how to play Deadlock on Mac.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an open-world action-RPG videogame developed by TaleWorlds, a talented studio originating from Turkey. It is the long-awaited sequel to the famous role-playing game and medieval warfare simulator Mount & Blade: Warband. While the whole empire is set apart due to the civil war, players will have to embark on the adventure and unite with other troops to rebuild or destroy the dying empire completely. Throughout this arduous journey, players will be engaging in fights to kill or dispatch their enemies using deadly-sharp swords, axes, bows, and other melee or ranged weapons. New gear, as well as new skills, will be gained along the path to enhance your character and become stronger in upcoming clashes. If you want to feel the taste of truly medieval and bloody fights that happened a long time ago, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord should certainly be on your wishlist. For now, it is only available to play on Windows and nothing else. We know you are here to launch it on Mac, so why don’t we just do it? Yes, it is actually possible to launch incompatible games on macOS regardless of the official hurdle. Learn how in the instructions below.