PC Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Helldivers 2 is giving players a free car in October, except for those who already earned it in June

Helldivers 2 introduces new tools and equipment, some locked behind Warbonds, causing player frustration. However, players can unlock the M-103 Supply FRV using requisition slips starting in October. The Supply FRV is one of three offroad truck variants, featuring an automated turret and a supply rack for eight restocks of ammunition and equipment. Initially, it was a reward for participating in the "Census Thunder" campaign in June, but Arrowhead Game Studios is now extending access to all players. This rollout is part of a new galactic campaign system aimed at enhancing player engagement. Additionally, a Warhammer 40,000 themed Warbond will be revealed on July 30.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Silent Hill f producer encouraged the game’s writers to read ‘100-200 books a year’

Motoi Okamoto, producer of Silent Hill, highlighted the importance of reading in game development during a lecture by Konami. He stressed that understanding a writer's work is essential when selecting them for projects, as it shows respect for their craft and helps assess their strengths and weaknesses. The choice to hire Japanese horror writer Ryukishi07 for Silent Hill f was based on his previous works, which aligned with the series' themes. Okamoto encouraged his team to read 100 to 200 books annually to combat the decline of critical thinking due to AI-generated summaries. The focus on reading has positively impacted the storytelling in Silent Hill f, which has received acclaim, marking a successful revival of the franchise.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

How do you feel about AI videogame music?

Generative AI has become increasingly integrated into game development, evolving from basic applications to the creation of entire games with minimal human involvement. This shift raises concerns about the impact on human creativity and artistic expression. In the realm of videogame music, while generative AI has not fully taken over, its influence is growing, with AI-generated rearrangements of game scores appearing on platforms like YouTube and accusations against Spotify for including AI tracks in playlists. This situation prompts questions about how gamers perceive AI-generated music and its effect on their experience. The emotional depth provided by human composers is viewed as irreplaceable by some, leading to concerns about the dilution of artistry in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

J.K. Simmons hasn’t played Baldur’s Gate 3 or any of his games, but he loves Portal 2: ‘I could have done the feature film, or the play, or whatever’

J.K. Simmons discussed his experiences with video games on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, particularly his role in Portal 2, which he found impactful despite not being an avid gamer. He shared a humorous interaction with actor Tom Britney regarding his character from Baldur's Gate. Eric Wolpaw, the writer of Portal 2, is returning for the upcoming game Aperture Desk Job. Other actors in the gaming industry include Elias Toufexis and Konatsu Kato, while Steven Ogg humorously suggested players read Dostoevsky instead of gaming.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered review (2018)

The Geo-mod destruction feature in Red Faction: Guerrilla allows players to dismantle walls and pillars, leading to the collapse of entire buildings. The game includes mechanics such as crashing vehicles through enemy bases and detonating mines, providing a chaotic gameplay experience. The recently released Re-Mars-tered edition offers enhancements like improved textures, better lighting, and native 4K support. The campaign mode features significant destructive opportunities, while the Wrecking Crew mode serves as a casual alternative. Despite the game's unique destructible environment, no other titles have successfully emulated its approach, although elements of destruction appear in games like Battlefield, Minecraft, and Just Cause. The sparse Martian setting enhances the experience, and there is a strong desire among players for open-world games that allow for environmental manipulation.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

‘The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur’s Gate 3’: Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC

Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, was inspired to enter the gaming industry after playing Ultima 7, which led him to co-found Arkane in 1999. The studio's first game was Arx Fatalis, and it has since produced titles like Dishonored and Prey, with their latest project being Weird West. Colantonio is currently playing Mewgenics, having previously completed Cyberpunk 2077 and enjoyed Baldur's Gate 3. He has revisited Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth for enjoyment and research. Colantonio has logged 649 hours in Wasteland 2 and expresses nostalgia for Thief, Fallout, and Deus Ex, noting their influence on his work. He uses DaVinci Resolve for video editing and DiskState for managing hard drive space. Colantonio maintains a tidy desktop with minimal icons and folders.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Microsoft shipped a native Xbox 360 emulator with its new backwards-compatible releases on PC — modders quickly got 360 games running with minor tweaks

Microsoft has released four original Xbox titles for PC, enhancing its gaming ecosystem and aligning with its commitment to backwards compatibility. These titles are packaged as standard Games on Demand (GOD) files, which can be converted into base ISOs using GOD extractors. The company has utilized a native x86 version of its Xbox 360 emulator, Xe03, to facilitate this transition. Xe03 is integrated into Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles for backwards compatibility and allows modern consoles to run original Xbox titles. The recent PC port of Xe03, combined with components from projects like XWine1, enables the running of dumped backwards-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Among the released titles is Fuzion Frenzy, and Microsoft plans to expand its library of backwards-compatible titles for PC. The PC version of Xe03 enhances the original 480p output of OG Xbox games to 4K and includes features like built-in V-Sync and enhanced anti-aliasing. These games are available through the Xbox PC app under the Xbox Anywhere program, allowing users with digital licenses on console to access them for free on PC. Microsoft is also set to introduce Xbox Achievements support for these titles.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Xbox releases four original console games on PC thanks to Backwards Compatibility, but they chose the wrong ones

Microsoft is reintroducing first-generation Xbox titles to PC through its Backwards Compatibility initiative, allowing access via Game Pass. The initial lineup includes four titles: Fuzion Frenzy, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded. The selection has received mixed reactions, with concerns about the lack of appeal and the absence of achievements at launch. Players have suggested that other titles, such as Genma Onimusha, The Simpsons: Hit and Run, Unreal Championship, OutRun 2, Jade Empire, and the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series, could have been more attractive options. Additionally, the upcoming release of Halo: Campaign Evolved could have benefited from the simultaneous launch of Halo: Combat Evolved to boost subscriptions.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

25-Year-Old Game Is Currently the #1 Best-Selling Game on Steam

Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, has been released in early access on the Steam marketplace by Xbox and Halo Studios. It has quickly become a top seller on Steam, currently priced competitively. The game has received a “Mostly Positive” rating from users, with around 70% of reviews being positive. Players have praised its gameplay mechanics and visuals, but there are concerns about bugs, performance issues, and the quality of cutscenes. The game has been verified for compatibility with the Steam Deck. Its position as a top seller may be challenged by other games like Palworld as the gaming community explores new releases.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Steam may be celebrating the railway experience with its Train Fest, but let’s remember how rubbish the typical train trip is with some Train Sim World DLC

Steam Train Fest is ongoing until July 27, featuring discounts on games like Train Sim World 6, Victoria 3, and Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor. The author reflects on their experiences with the UK rail system, noting its delays and overcrowding. They explore the Train Sim World expansion, Great Western Express, which replicates part of their journey from Bath to London. The game allows players to drive trains and experience the journey as a passenger, starting at Reading station. The recreation of the station is detailed, though it lacks certain familiar elements like a pasty shop. The author finds the experience surreal and notes the absence of realistic sounds and interactions on the train. They appreciate the game's authenticity despite minor critiques and express a preference for simulators that capture everyday life.