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This Windows‑95‑style game is pure nostalgia and weirdly addictive
Winsage
April 26, 2026

This Windows‑95‑style game is pure nostalgia and weirdly addictive

Factory 95 is a Windows 95 themed automation game that launched on April 22, 2026. Players act as factory managers, creating PowerPoint slide-shows for clients while navigating tools and resources within a retro operating system. The game features nostalgic elements, including a Clippy-inspired character named "Pinny" and challenges reminiscent of early computing, such as slow loading times and managing emails. The design evokes the graphical aesthetics of the 1990s, and players must strategically manage limited resources to fulfill client requests and generate revenue.
This retro Windows‑95‑style automation game hits every nostalgia button and might pull you into the genre for good
Winsage
April 26, 2026

This retro Windows‑95‑style automation game hits every nostalgia button and might pull you into the genre for good

Base-building automation games are gaining popularity, with Satisfactory receiving over 120,000 positive reviews on Steam. Factory 95, launched on April 22, 2026, features players as factory managers creating PowerPoint slide shows for clients within a Windows 95-like operating system. Players manage emails, optimize resources, and deploy tools to fulfill client requests. The game has a retro art style reminiscent of the 1990s, including a character named Pinny as a tutorial guide.
As Enter the Gungeon celebrates its 10th anniversary, its creators have some choice words for the modern roguelike: 'We’re seeing it mutate to the version of itself that popularity obfuscates'
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

As Enter the Gungeon celebrates its 10th anniversary, its creators have some choice words for the modern roguelike: ‘We’re seeing it mutate to the version of itself that popularity obfuscates’

Enter the Gungeon celebrated its tenth anniversary earlier this month and has sold over 14 million copies. The game's creators, Dave Crooks and Adam Kidd Drucker, expressed concerns about the evolving action roguelike genre, noting a shift towards mechanics resembling slot machines and a confusion between roguelikes and roguelites. They highlighted the rarity of authentic roguelikes and mentioned the lukewarm reception of some recent titles. Dodge Roll is currently developing Enter the Gungeon 2, which aims to maintain the original's gameplay while introducing a new 3D art style.
Moving Valheim away from being an MMO was "the best decision" the team made
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

Moving Valheim away from being an MMO was “the best decision” the team made

Valheim is a Norse-inspired survival game developed by Iron Gate Studio, which allows players to build homes and fight monsters. It is set to release its 1.0 version five years after its initial launch. The game has been compared to titles like Rust but maintains a unique charm. The development team decided against an MMO format, which they consider "the best design decision." Valheim began as a test project for networking solutions, evolving into a game focused on single-player and small group experiences. The Nordic theme was chosen for its compatibility with the gameplay, despite the CEO Richard Svensson not being a fan of Viking lore. The game's art style was developed out of necessity, allowing for easier solo production. Each biome in the game is created separately, with influences from games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, while loosely incorporating Norse mythology. Valheim has achieved financial success and critical acclaim during its early access phase, enabling Iron Gate Studio to focus on its development. The game is currently available on Steam at a 50% discount. Indie Game Works, featuring a chapter on Valheim, is available in limited and general editions.
After over 3 years of running like dogwater on Steam Deck, one of my favorite RPGs has finally earned its Verified badge
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

After over 3 years of running like dogwater on Steam Deck, one of my favorite RPGs has finally earned its Verified badge

Dread Delusion now runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, achieving a steady 60 frames per second and offering over four hours of battery life. After the April 15 patch, frame rate dips have been largely eliminated, with only minor pauses during loading or autosaving. Developer Lovely Hellplace is working on a follow-up title, Entropy, which will build upon Dread Delusion's art style and presentation. The game features intriguing RPG quests, including one titled "The Ethics of Eating Flesh," which explores a moral dilemma involving a human meat substitute for sentient zombies.
Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.
Back in 2009, an experimental free-to-play Battlefield predicted our grim live service present: 'It will need to be the most popular Battlefield game of all time to be profitable'
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Back in 2009, an experimental free-to-play Battlefield predicted our grim live service present: ‘It will need to be the most popular Battlefield game of all time to be profitable’

The term "free-to-play" was not common in gaming until the late 2000s, when major publishers began exploring free versions of their flagship franchises. Battlefield Heroes was a significant experiment as a PC-exclusive spin-off that marked a high-profile franchise's entry into the free-to-play model. EA's senior producer Ben Cousins described it as a substantial risk that needed unprecedented popularity to be profitable. The game featured a real-time feedback development philosophy and introduced daily challenges, which became common in the shooter genre. Initially, players could only purchase superior weapons with in-game currency, but by late 2009, EA shifted to a pay-to-win model. Battlefield Heroes had a six-year lifespan before being discontinued in 2015.
Petit Planet is exactly the Animal Crossing clone it looked like, but after 15 hours of it I'm shocked by how many new ideas it has too
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Petit Planet is exactly the Animal Crossing clone it looked like, but after 15 hours of it I’m shocked by how many new ideas it has too

HoYoverse's new title, Petit Planet, is facing comparisons to Animal Crossing: New Horizons due to its similar gameplay mechanics and charming characters. The game features a protagonist named Nalo and a diverse cast of anthropomorphic animal neighbors, including a squirrel shopkeeper named Glenn. The art style is vibrant and colorful, creating an inviting atmosphere. There are concerns about the game's monetization strategy, including the potential for gacha mechanics and the impact of multiplayer features on user privacy, especially for younger players. Despite these issues, Petit Planet offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the cozy gaming genre.
The classic Xenosaga series is finally making its PC debut, but don't get too excited because it's a 2004 mobile game port
AppWizard
April 17, 2026

The classic Xenosaga series is finally making its PC debut, but don’t get too excited because it’s a 2004 mobile game port

Xenosaga: Pied Piper, originally launched in 2004 for Vodafone mobile phones, will debut on PC via Steam. This title has never been released outside of Japan and was designed for flip phones. The publisher responsible for this release has a history of reviving classic titles. The exact release date is not specified, and the port will not include modern quality-of-life enhancements or an English translation. Despite its mobile origins, the game's art style is noted for its effective scaling. Nintendo currently holds the rights to the Xeno series, making it unlikely for other Xenosaga titles to be released on PC soon.
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