archipelago Archives

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

This week in PC games: Gamescom and GTA 6 fight for our attention, but don’t forget Folk Emerging, MGS4 and the horror game about balancing a cake

This week marks the arrival of Gamescom, featuring a highly anticipated documentary on GTA 6 set to stream on August 27th via Rockstar and Netflix. Notable new PC releases include: - Burned Horizons (early access): A military simulation game set in a fictional 2002 war in Europe. - Money for Girls: Amortized: A horror detective visual novel by Porpentine. - 1666: Amsterdam (early access): A time-bending witch game from Patrice Désilets. - Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2: A cooperative game for 1-4 players. - Astral Court DX: A bullet hell game with 189 levels. - Blood Dungeon: A frantic platformer by the creators of Nidhogg. - Sokogram: A hybrid puzzler with sokoban mechanics. - Western Rye (early access): A survival game combining cowboy simulation and zombie encounters. - the cabin game (early access): A multiplayer experience in a haunted cabin. - Lou's Lagoon: An adventurous platformer on an archipelago. - Star Wars: Zero Company: A squad tactics game set in the Ahsoka era. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2: A remastered package featuring MGS4 and Peace Walker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy: An installment set on an island with light-based puzzles. - Captain Tsubasa: A return to the football franchise. - Don't Drop The Cake: A game where players balance a tray in a chaotic environment. - Alice's Gaze: A blend of autobattling and spooky mansion exploration. - A Little Age: A laid-back city-building game. The coverage approach for Gamescom this year will focus on in-depth stories rather than liveblogging, with a team on-site in Cologne and others covering news from home.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

I played the economic simulator that could ‘make a convert out of Karl Marx himself’ to see if it could convert me

An entrepreneur attempted to build a business empire starting with a department store in Jakarta that sold only laundry detergent, which led to financial losses due to a misalignment with market demand. Despite diversifying the product range to include cookies and leather shoes, losses continued. A later venture in Bombay, selling CPUs, silica, and raw tobacco, yielded a profit, albeit still negative. The entrepreneur learned valuable lessons about market demands and strategies, leading to a successful department store in Guangzhou that focused on shampoo and air conditioners, resulting in substantial profits. The game "Capitalism," which the entrepreneur engaged with, reflects the post-Cold War era and emphasizes the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in business.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Corsair Cove Sets Sail On PC And Game Pass – Time To Build The Ultimate Pirate Haven

Corsair Cove is a new city-building strategy game developed by Limbic Entertainment and published by Hooded Horse, available exclusively on PC through the Xbox Store, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The game is priced at £34.99. Players start with a shipwreck and survivors, expanding their pirate settlement by constructing various buildings while managing resources and production chains. The game features vertical construction, tactical combat against enemy fleets, and exploration of neighboring islands for resources and treasures.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Studio Ghibli-inspired cozy adventure game Into the Wind announced for PC

Publisher Three Friends, in collaboration with developer Bloom & Gloom, has announced the cozy adventure game "Into the Wind," inspired by Studio Ghibli, set to launch in Early Access for PC on Steam. Players will assume the role of a delivery driver with a sentient motorcycle-plane named Ermes, exploring the Adriatic islands of Santa Rosa while completing deliveries, upgrading their bike, and uncovering a mystery related to the disappearance of their uncle. The game emphasizes driving and flying mechanics, resource management, character customization, and building relationships with the inhabitants of Santa Rosa.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

After 4 hours of pirate survival in Windrose, I’m reinstalling Sea of Thieves

After four hours of gameplay in Windrose, the player has engaged in activities such as felling trees, collecting seashells, and constructing grass huts, while also facing challenges from various creatures. The player is currently stranded on an archipelago and must rescue their crew from different islands. Windrose has seen nearly 70,000 concurrent players and received around 1,500 positive reviews on its first day on Steam, despite being in early access. The game lacks a wind system for sailing, and the player feels it resembles a survival game with pirate aesthetics rather than an authentic pirate experience. In contrast, Sea of Thieves is noted for capturing the essence of piracy through its multiplayer experience and physical gameplay mechanics. Sea of Thieves has evolved over time with new content and features, while Windrose has faced technical issues that hinder the experience. The player expresses skepticism about investing time into Windrose, despite the potential for building a pirate fortress.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Lost Ark’s Matt Huston delivers a lonely final video roadmap, and it’s breaking my heart

Amazon Games has undergone restructuring, resulting in the departure of community manager Roxanne Sabo and producer Henry Stelter from the Lost Ark development team. Franchise lead Matt Huston announced that the latest video roadmap would be the last before transitioning to text-based updates. He encouraged the community to show appreciation for Sabo and Stelter, and the community responded with supportive messages. Despite the changes, several updates for Lost Ark are scheduled, including the first Shadow Raid in April, new solo challenges like Chaos Rifts, and the introduction of tier-four upper ancient gear. Upcoming content includes the return of Snowflake Argos in May and the Catarum Archipelago in June, requiring players to reach item level 1700 for access. The Horizon Cathedral Abyssal Raid is also set for June, aimed at advancing endgame progression.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 23 to 27

- Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition - Developer: CAPCOM CO., LTD. - Price: .99 - Release Date: February 26 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S - Towerborne - Developer: Xbox Game Studios - Price: Included with Game Pass - Release Date: February 26 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere - Tales of Berseria Remastered Deluxe Edition Pre-Order - Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. - Price: .99 - Release Date: February 26 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S - Bread & Fred - Developer: Atari, Infogrames - Price: TBD - Release Date: February 24 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery - Capy Spa - Developer: Afil Games - Price: TBD - Release Date: February 24 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S - Dark Farts: Parody Smell Edition - Developer: GamePoc LTD - Price: TBD - Release Date: February 25 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere - Deep Space Shooter - Developer: Valkyrie Initiative LLP - Price: TBD - Release Date: February 25 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S - Journey of Johann: Castle Crusade - Developer: Xitilon - Price: TBD - Release Date: February 25 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S - WorldNeverland – Elnea Kingdom - Developer: althi Inc. - Price: .99 - Release Date: February 26 - Optimized for: Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

Oozing fiery, retropunk goodness, this survival game’s new trailer is so cool I’m not even mad about its delay

Into the Fire's early access launch has been delayed to 2026, previously set for 2025. Players will take on the role of a retropunk firefighter in Dante's Archipelago, managing temperature and water supplies while rescuing survivors from volcanic eruptions. The game features a sanctuary called The Hub for recuperation and tool crafting, with an arsenal that includes an axe, foam grenades, and water-dousing shotguns. A notable vehicle in the game is a propeller-driven sledge. The new trailer reveals supernatural elements such as fire jellyfish and ghostly apparitions. Closed playtests will be available to members of the game's Discord community.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Fancy playing Sea of Thieves without the PvP? This pirate-themed survival game just left early access with a big update and a launch discount

Salt 2: Shores of Gold is a sequel to the original Salt, which enhances graphics and expands player versus environment (PvE) interactions in an infinite, procedurally generated world. After three years in early access, it has officially transitioned out of alpha development, introducing new features such as a non-playable character (NPC) that offers quests for rare items at level 40, formidable world bosses, and an endgame merchant for ship customization. The latest update also includes gameplay improvements like proper menu pausing, the ability to jump while swimming, and streamlined looting. Lavaboots Studios plans ongoing development with future updates to add new content based on community feedback. To celebrate the release, a 20% discount is offered, reducing the price to £12.39 until November 26.

AppWizard

August 24, 2025

The new game from Painkiller and Bulletstorm’s creators is a tropical survival shooter that looks a teensy bit like Far Cry, and it’s out in early access next month

Lost Rift is a survival game developed by People Can Fly, set in a tropical archipelago called Pioneer's Landing. It features cooperative gameplay and a PvP extraction mode where players can explore unstable islands for loot while competing against others. The game is set to launch in Steam early access on September 25th, offering at least 10 hours of PvE content alongside multiplayer expeditions. The studio has faced recent challenges, including layoffs and project reductions, making the success of Lost Rift important for its future.