2D Archives

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Explore a snapshot of a massive million-by-million block Minecraft server

The 1,024,000² 2b2t World Download Project is a significant Minecraft archiving achievement, preserving approximately 13.7 TiB of compressed world data from the 2b2t server, including a million-by-million-block section of the Overworld, and smaller captures of the Nether and End dimensions. It is the largest available Minecraft world download, released via torrent. The project took over a year to develop, involving a team that utilized 28 bot accounts to collect data, resulting in four distinct captures of varying sizes. The project was led by a developer named crayne, with key contributors including Fuch, mahan, and Steve3. The code and documentation are available on GitHub, and the project incurred over ,000 in server rental costs. 2b2t, established in December 2010, is one of the oldest Minecraft servers, known for its unyielding map and challenging environment, having hosted over 1,000,000 players. The creators assert that no AI was used in the project and have licensed their work under CC0 for community accessibility.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

The follow-up to one of last year’s best detective games is off to an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ start on Steam after just 2 days

In early 2025, the puzzle game Blue Prince won PC Gamer's 'best design' Game of the Year award. Another notable title, The Roottrees are Dead, offered a narrative-driven mystery through a computer interface, inspiring similar projects. Developer Evil Trout released The Incident at Galley House, which received over 600 reviews on Steam with 97% approval. The game was developed by William Rous and Johnson, who enhanced the experience with design elements, coding, and game development. The team was inspired by the free mystery game Type Help, recognized for its captivating narrative. The Incident at Galley House features a visual novel-style presentation, 2D illustrations, a 3D interface for exploring memories, and voice acting. It is priced at £17.75 on Steam with a 10% launch discount until July 21.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Super Mario 64’s superior version is finally getting a PC port

Super Mario 64 is considered one of Nintendo's best games and is essential for Nintendo 64 owners. It was reimagined for the Nintendo DS, which introduced new playable characters (Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario) and levels, as well as multiplayer experiences. However, the DS version has drawbacks, including graphics that may not perform well on larger screens and controls that are less effective for a 3D platformer. A PC decompilation project led by tangosdev aims to improve these issues, potentially combining features from both the original and DS versions. Progress is ongoing, and while completion is not imminent, it may resolve the debate over which version is superior.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Epic Games Store Makes $50 Worth of PC Games Free

The Epic Games Store is offering two free games from July 9th to July 16th: Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands. Tattoo Tycoon, developed by CrazyBunch and released in October 2025, allows players to manage a tattoo parlor, featuring isometric management mechanics and a mini-game for tattoo application, though it has received criticism for clunky controls. It holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Nova Lands, developed by Behemutt and launched in June 2023, is a base-building simulation with a retro 2D art style, averaging a score of 79 on Metacritic and also holding a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Players gather resources to automate processes and expand their bases, with simplistic combat mechanics. The next free titles will be Echo Generation: Midnight Edition and Luto, available from July 16th to July 23rd.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

25 Games Tested On The Steam Machine: A Good, But Pricey Device

Valve's Steam Machine, priced at ,000, was tested with a 2TB unit using default settings at 1080p resolution, upscaled to 4K. Various games were evaluated for performance, including: - Cyberpunk 2077: Smooth 60 FPS with light ray tracing; stability issues at resolutions above 1080p. - Mouse: P.I. for Hire: Ran flawlessly at 60 FPS with default settings. - Left 4 Dead 2: Performed admirably. - Borderlands 4: Had visual issues initially; became playable after adjustments. - Hades 2: Ran seamlessly at default settings. - Silent Hill 2: Struggled with performance. - Doom: The Dark Ages: Played smoothly; could use visual adjustments. - Megabonk: Performed impressively. - Spider-Man 2: Decent at default settings; improved with resolution increase. - Windrose: Struggled at default settings; medium settings improved performance. - Overwatch: Exceptional experience at default settings. - Grand Theft Auto V: Ran well after initial setup issues. - Gears of War Reloaded: Visuals improved after tweaks. - Fallout 4: Maintained solid performance without adjustments. - Control Ultimate Edition: Needed settings lowered for stable performance. - Arc Raiders: Playable but with fuzzy image quality. - Elden Ring: Performed admirably with some tweaks. - Vampire Crawlers: Provided a sharp experience. - Resident Evil 4 remake: Satisfactory but needed adjustments for better visuals. - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Became playable after adjustments. - Helldivers 2: Ran well but lacked sharpness compared to PS5 Pro. - Resident Evil Requiem: Solid experience but fell short against PS5 Pro. - The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Ran exceptionally well. - Peak: Required no adjustments and performed comparably to high-end PCs. - Warhammer 40K: Darktide: Achieved stable 60 FPS after tweaks. - Halo: Master Chief Collection: Unplayable due to login issues. - Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip: Ran smoothly at maximum settings. - Rage: Ran smoothly after adjustments. The Steam Machine is seen as intriguing but its high price limits appeal to dedicated enthusiasts. It offers access to a vast library of Steam games, particularly older or 2D titles, but may not be justifiable for non-PC gamers, especially with upcoming titles on rival consoles.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Epic Games giveaway will see you save $50 on two free games

Epic Games is offering two complimentary titles for PC users: Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon, available until July 16 at 4 PM BST. Nova Lands is a 2D open-world game focused on factory building and exploration, currently rated 89% on Steam, with an average playtime of 19 hours. Tattoo Tycoon is a simulation game where players manage a tattoo parlor, priced at .99 and holding a mixed rating of 61% on Steam. Both games can be claimed at no cost and are yours to keep indefinitely.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

YouTuber gets Minecraft running on an original Game Boy Color, and it even looks kinda playable

A YouTuber named Game of Tobi has ported Minecraft to the original Game Boy, creating a playable .gbc file that captures the essence of 3D gameplay while operating at half speed and in black and white. The project showcases the capabilities of the original hardware, despite its limitations, and follows a previous successful port to the Game Boy Color. The textures are simplified to maintain performance, and the endeavor reflects a spirit of experimentation within the gaming community.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Help, I can’t decide if Stardew Valley in 3D is amazing or horrifying

A new mod for Stardew Valley, created by kittycatcasey (spacechase0), titled "The Third Dimension," presents a 3D version of the game. The mod showcases a 3D landscape where the modder interacts with characters and the environment, though many entities remain 2D, creating an unsettling atmosphere. The goal is to replace 2D sprites with 3D models to enhance immersion. The mod also explores virtual reality compatibility, which presents challenges. Currently, the mod is not available for public testing.

BetaBeacon

July 8, 2026

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse coming to Android

Pocketpair Publishing and Frontside 180 Studio are releasing an Android version of the 2D roguelike action game Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse. The game was initially launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on March 5, 2026.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

GOG Makes 75%-Rated PC Game Free for the Next 3 Days

Sony has adopted a digital-only model, while Xbox has announced significant layoffs. PC gamers are benefiting from numerous discounts on platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. GOG is offering the adventure game Silence for free from July 7 to July 10, allowing players to permanently add it to their library. Silence, developed by Daedalic Entertainment, features a narrative focused on 16-year-old Noah and his sister Renie, who become trapped in the world of Silence during an air raid. The game includes puzzles, memorable characters, and approximately 12 hours of gameplay. It is known for its hand-painted environments and emotional storytelling. Silence has a user approval rating exceeding 75% on Metacritic and typically retails for around . If players miss the giveaway, the game will still be available for purchase at a discount.