ambiance Archives

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

‘Stranger Things’ has arrived in ‘Minecraft’

Minecraft has collaborated with Stranger Things, introducing 49 unique skins and a new map. The game allows players to experience the 1980s ambiance and embark on quests in Hawkins, encountering iconic moments from the series. Players can choose from characters like Eleven, Dr. Brenner, Vecna, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Suzie, each with unique abilities. The Stranger Things Minecraft DLC is available for .99 but is not accessible to Nintendo Switch users. The Duffer Brothers have drawn inspiration from classic video games for the fifth season of Stranger Things, and there are speculations about a secret ninth episode following the finale.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

I thought I was crazy for thinking Fallout 4 feels like a perfectly crisp fall day, but that’s exactly what Bethesda was aiming for after a ‘field trip’ to a national park: ‘I was like, this is what our world needs to look like’

Fallout 4 features a more vibrant and cheerful atmosphere compared to its predecessor, set in a post-apocalyptic world. The Commonwealth is designed to evoke a sense of hope and the possibility of rebuilding, contrasting with the grim Capital Wasteland. The game's autumnal aesthetic, characterized by a bright sun against a clear blue sky and grey landscapes, was a deliberate choice by art director Istvan Pely. He emphasized themes of hope and rebuilding while maintaining a sense of melancholy, stating that the world should still feel lifeless despite humanity's efforts to recover. The design team drew inspiration from the late fall season, reflecting the devastation of the nuclear fallout on nature. Pely and studio design director Emil Pagliarulo found the creative process of reimagining cities transformed by catastrophe enjoyable.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

“Triple-A is in crisis” and games “don’t have staying power because they’re bad,” says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator

Adrian Chmielarz, founder of Astronauts and People Can Fly, discusses the current state of the gaming industry, noting that 2025 is expected to be significant as indie and double-A games gain prominence. This year's Game of the Year nominations highlighted a balance between indie titles and high-budget games, with Metacritic's top-rated games including Hades 2, Expedition 33, and Blue Prince. Chmielarz emphasizes the rise of double-A games, attributing it to changes in the industry that allow developers to bypass traditional publishers due to platforms like Steam. He points out challenges for new releases in maintaining visibility, citing Theorycraft Games’ Supervive as an example of a quality game that struggled to stand out. Chmielarz also notes a lack of immersive single-player shooters in the market and criticizes the focus on gunplay over atmosphere in many indie games. He expresses enthusiasm for Witchfire's dark fantasy aesthetic and its emphasis on fun gameplay.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Skateboarding games had a huge 2025, but it was the controversial Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 that I couldn’t put down

The author discovered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 this year, which changed their perception of the franchise. The series, once popular in the late '90s and early 2000s, has seen a decline in the PC gaming community. The author had previously only played Tony Hawk's Underground 2. The remake of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 in 2020 showcased the series' peak design. The environments in 3 + 4 are integrated into urban landscapes, including a college campus, an airport, and Alcatraz Island. Some fans were unhappy with the removal of the open-world structure in THPS 4 and the introduction of forced timers. The reimagined levels in the remake play well, with new maps like the Waterpark and a pinball machine level. Despite its release in July 2025 being overlooked due to its changes, the remake features impressive animations, a refreshed soundtrack, and modernized graphics. The author believes the remake serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the series.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

We’re hitting peak saturation for first person dungeon crawlers, but Queen’s Domain stands apart from the crowd

Queen's Domain is an indie first-person dungeon crawler that features a lo-fi visual style reminiscent of the early PlayStation era, with intentionally crunchy graphics and beautifully crafted art assets. The soundtrack combines euphoric melodies with primal percussion, creating a nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere. The gameplay includes a demo showcasing exceptional exploration and immersive atmosphere, with combat mechanics that offer depth and fluidity. Notable features include a unique throwing weapon system based on cooldowns, allowing for dynamic combat strategies, and a melee dash attack that enhances offense and mobility. The game aims to provide a rich experience of exploration, combat, and atmospheric storytelling.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

That sick-looking first person sci-fi game at The Game Awards is actually the sequel to Sons of the Forest

Forest 3 is a sequel to a highly acclaimed game, revealed at the Game Awards. The trailer features a first-person perspective from a starship cockpit, showcasing a departure from Earth and a journey involving survival elements like hunting and gathering, without the task of tree punching. The game has a sci-fi aesthetic with swampy landscapes and includes a disturbing image of a zombified creature. While it shares themes with previous games in the series, it promises a new narrative direction. Endnight Games has not announced a release window or a Steam page for Forest 3 yet.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

1997 PC Game ‘Blood’ Has Been Remastered By Nightdive Studios, And It Hits Xbox This Week

Nightdive Studios will release Blood: Refreshed Supply on December 4th, 2025, exclusively for Xbox. This remastered edition features 42 levels with a Lovecraftian atmosphere, following an undead gunslinger on a quest for vengeance. The game includes various weapons and enhancements such as rebuilt source code, new playable cut-content levels, remastered cutscenes, improved enemy behavior, bug fixes, high-resolution support, customizable controls, and multiplayer options. The projected price is around £20, and it will be available for download on the Xbox Store.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

The best PC games of all time in 2025

Since 1873, Rock Paper Shotgun has annually curated a selection of the finest PC games, beginning to document this list in 2021. The definition of the best PC games evolves each year, reflecting the current team's tastes. They aim to highlight personal favorites, intentionally leaving out other important titles. The team will unveil their selections for the RPS 100: 2025 Edition throughout the week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth features dual protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, blending serious themes with surreal humor in a turn-based RPG format. Inscryption challenges players in a card game against a gremlin in a haunted forest, known for its creativity and unexpected twists. House Of The Dying Sun is a space combat game inspired by classics, offering exhilarating battles and intuitive controls. Dragon's Dogma II introduces the Unmaking Arrow, adding unpredictability to its gameplay. Devotion is recognized as a top horror game, exploring despair through a masterfully crafted narrative. DayZ is a survival mod for ArmA II that retains its core essence despite updates, emphasizing player interactions. Wreckfest is a driving game focused on chaos and enjoyment rather than just winning. Dyson Sphere Program immerses players in factory building across planets with smooth gameplay. BattleTech incorporates mercenary economics into tactical gameplay. Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with high production values and a gripping narrative. Deep Rock Galactic features procedurally generated environments and cooperative gameplay. Stray portrays a cat navigating a dystopian city, creating an immersive experience. Return Of The Obra Dinn involves investigating a maritime mystery through unique gameplay mechanics. Plants Vs Zombies is a charming tower defense game appealing to all ages. Pentiment explores 16th-century life through a monk's perspective, enhancing storytelling with its art style. Gorogoa offers a unique puzzle experience with hand-drawn art. Conquests of the Longbow blends historical authenticity with engaging gameplay in the Robin Hood saga. Into The Breach presents a tactical challenge with innovative mechanics prioritizing civilian safety. The Stanley Parable encourages exploration and choice, thriving on humor and inventive design. Peggle encapsulates randomness and joy through its simple premise. The next reveal of the 80th to 61st best PC games will occur tomorrow, with previous selections available from 2021 to 2024.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Psychological Adventure Game Sublustrum Announced for Consoles and PC

Publisher Brickworks Games and developer Phantomery Interactive are releasing a psychological adventure game titled Sublustrum, set to launch in fall 2026 for consoles and PC via Steam. The game is a reimagining of the 2008 cult classic Outcry, known as Sublustrum in Russia and Poland. The narrative follows a writer investigating the disappearance of his brother, a scientist, while exploring a liminal space that blends reality and dreams. Players will navigate a 3D environment featuring Victorian melancholy, industrial aesthetics, and early-20th-century retrofuturism. Sound plays a crucial role in the game, with audio-driven puzzles and a dark ambient score shaping the narrative. The game includes a mix of new and reimagined puzzles that require associative and lateral thinking.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

25 gifts around $25 for the PC gamers in your life

The text provides a curated list of gift ideas for PC gamers, focusing on practical yet delightful options that are budget-friendly. The suggested gifts include: - Stardew Valley Mug - Doom Shotgun Shell Shot-Glasses - Elden Ring Living Pot Lamp - House Gem Mugwarmer - OXO Electronics Cleaning Brush - LED Light Bars - LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo - Dungeon Crawler Carl Books - Monitor-top Shelves - RGB Headset & Controller Stand - Magnetic-closure Cord Organizers - Odistar Desktop Vacuum - GameSir Nova Lite Controller - Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers - Miniature Retro PC - Recycled Circuit Board Keycaps - Gamertag LED Light - FF14 Neon Job Sign - Memory Gel Wrist Rests - Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1 - Ecarke Macro Keypad - Powered USB Hub - Stream Deck Under-Desk Mount