aesthetic Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Almost all the cozy games of March have demos to try and I’ve been snapping up as many as I can

Cozy games often shift their release dates shortly before launch, which has been particularly noticeable in March. The anticipated titles include: - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world game set in 13th century Mongolia focused on horse taming and breeding, developed with input from horse game critic Alice Ruppert. - Cupiclaw: A vibrant pixel art adventure that simplifies the claw machine experience, where players aim to scoop high-value prizes like a lost engagement ring. - The Abbess Garden: A gardening fantasy set in 1643 France, where players restore a neglected abbey garden, emphasizing ecosystem care and creativity. - Bubblegum Galaxy: A tile-based building game featuring a cat with a house-shaped hat, tasked with rebuilding a galaxy in a corporate setting. - Collector's Cove: A farming simulator where players start their farming life on the back of a large aquatic dinosaur, exploring various islands without enemies.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Why I love Diablo 2, Act 1

Diablo 2's Act 1 features haunting landscapes that evoke nostalgia and adventure, connecting players to the original Diablo through familiar settings like Blood Moor, graveyards, and the monastery. The environments draw inspiration from classic horror films, offering a cinematic quality. Players can explore various points of interest or venture into hidden dungeons. Combat includes diverse enemies such as corrupted rogues and goatmen, with an engaging soundtrack enhancing the experience. Returning to Tristram reveals its destruction, with the blacksmith Griswold transformed into an undead figure. The Catacombs serve as a nod to the first game, filled with rat men and gargoyles, creating an atmosphere of mystery and danger.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

After its disastrous launch last year, I’m here to tell you that 2025’s most promising auto-battler finally lives up to its potential

The Bazaar is an auto-battler game released in March of the previous year, which faced backlash due to its monetization strategies and microtransactions. The game features a whimsical galactic marketplace where players select heroes and acquire items to enhance their boards. Players engage in automatic battles, refining their strategies with various item synergies, such as assembling teams of aquatic and robotic creatures. The current meta favors weapon builds, and players enjoy the randomness of hero selection and item discovery. Developer Tempo has made significant improvements, addressing community concerns, refining the monetization model, and introducing ranked matchmaking to enhance the experience for both newcomers and seasoned players.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11’s February Insider update adds new features — but which ones actually matter? Here are the 11 biggest.

Microsoft has released enhancements to Windows 11 in build 26300.7877, including: - Modern content menu improvements, showing application icons for specific file types when right-clicked. - Updates to File Explorer with dark mode improvements for the Folder Options dialog. - Changes to the Settings app for better clarity and usability. - A redesigned "About" settings page focusing on key hardware specifications. - Introduction of the Cross-Device Resume feature, allowing users to resume applications from Android devices on Windows 11. - New customization options for the Narrator tool, enabling users to select which properties are read aloud. - Windows Hello now supports external biometric fingerprint readers for enhanced security. - Voice Typing updates allowing users to set a wait time before executing voice commands. - Redesigned SCOOBE page for a streamlined setup process. - Expansion of the AI agent in the Settings app to support additional languages. - Quick Machine Recovery feature enabled by default on Windows 11 Pro editions. - Camera support for pan and tilt settings accessible from device properties. - A new network speed test feature available from the Taskbar. - Improvements to the Widgets dashboard with a new settings page. Additionally, changes from build 28020.1619 are related to version 26H1, designed for new ARM64 hardware expected in 2026, and the Canary Channel has been divided into two paths for different versions.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

5 Best Video Games Like Terraria

"Terraria" fans have several similar gaming options. 1. Minecraft: Launched in 2011, it features procedurally generated worlds made of cubes, allowing players to gather resources, craft items, and engage in both cooperative and competitive play. It is the best-selling video game in history. 2. Starbound: Released in 2016, this sci-fi game allows players to explore various planets, terraform environments, and craft items while establishing settlements. It features procedurally generated worlds and character customization. 3. Forager: Released in 2019, this game emphasizes crafting over combat in a top-down perspective, allowing players to mine, farm, fish, and cook while exploring and developing their base. 4. Valheim: A fantasy survival game that gained popularity in 2021, where players act as fallen Viking warriors in an afterlife, combining survival elements with home maintenance and featuring a dynamic day-night cycle. 5. Core Keeper: An early access fantasy sandbox game where players explore a procedurally generated underground world, dig tunnels, and craft gear. It supports solo or cooperative play with up to seven friends.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

If you love Marathon’s vectorheart style but not its PvP, get your aesthetic fix from the gorgeously overstimulating demo for this time trial FPS instead

Anticipation surrounds the game Marathon, noted for its vectorheart-inspired art style. Cicadamata, a new game, features a bold visual design with animated text and a sense of urgency. Players control Fawn-A2, navigating the Cascade and acquiring cores while using a cybershotgun. Gameplay includes mastering moves like triple jumps and air dashes, with intricate shooter maps and immersive audio-visual elements. The game is fast-paced, presenting challenges that some may find difficult but rewarding. Cicadamata's demo is available on Steam until March 5, with the full game expected to launch later this year.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Best Marathon settings for peak gaming PC performance

Bungie's multiplayer FPS, Marathon, is currently in an early Server Slam until March 2, with a full release on March 6. The game is designed to be accessible on mid-range PCs and does not require high-end GPU power. Initial settings for optimal performance include Vsync on, frame rate cap off, field of view at 90°, and high graphics quality. Players can expect an average frame rate of 84fps with 60fps for 1% lows. The game is not compatible with the Steam Deck due to BattleEye anti-cheat technology but runs smoothly on other Windows-based handheld devices. While an SSD is not required, it is recommended for better load times. Performance monitoring can be done via a built-in FPS counter or overlays from Nvidia and AMD.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

Alan Wake Remastered Update on PC for Version 1.33 Improves Visuals

Remedy Entertainment released a significant patch for Alan Wake Remastered on PC on February 26, introducing several enhancements. Key updates include the addition of HDR, improved DLSS capabilities, and unlocked frame rates ranging from 200 FPS to 240 FPS. Gameplay improvements feature a command to skip the intro, refined camera functionality, and optimized weapon swapping. Visual enhancements include a new optional camera style, upgraded SDR to 10-bit, corrected FOV scaling, and fixes for rendering errors. UI updates consist of a new setting to scale the gameplay UI and resolution of multiple mouse input issues. There are no announcements for similar updates on console versions.