Assassin's Creed Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Viral pirate survival game Windrose has a release date, and it’s very, very soon

Windrose is a "PvE survival adventure" game set in the Age of Piracy, allowing players to embark on solo or cooperative journeys with up to four friends. Players can build bases, recruit NPCs, trade with factions, and engage in challenging combat reminiscent of souls-lite mechanics. The game has gained significant attention, with over 1.5 million wishlists and 850,000 demo players during Steam Next Fest, ranking eighth on Steam's Most Wishlisted chart. Windrose is set to enter early access on April 14. The development team has made improvements based on feedback from over 12,000 surveys and 7,500 reviews, including enhanced multiplayer capabilities and changes to naval combat.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Get Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and 7 other games for under $2 each in the latest Humble Choice line-up

Humble Choice's April lineup features eight games available for under , including the standout title Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The game allows players to experience a Viking saga as Eivor, engaging in raids and exploring an expansive open world set in Norway and England. Richard Scott-Jones rated Valhalla 8/10, calling it potentially the best Assassin's Creed game. Humble Choice operates as a monthly subscription service, allowing subscribers to keep the games indefinitely, and offers discounts on products in the Humble Store. The April selection includes the following titles: - Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion - The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria - Until Then - Planet of Lana - Artisan TD - The Procession to Calvary - Buddy Simulator 1984 This lineup is available until May 5 and refreshes on the first Tuesday of each month.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

There’s a new Payday game coming later this year, and it’s VR

Starbreeze is launching a virtual reality game titled Payday: Aces High, part of the Payday franchise, developed by Fast Travel Games. The game features co-op multiplayer for up to four players and allows for solo play. Players assume the roles of elite bank robbers in chaotic heists, maintaining the series' elements of planning and teamwork. Payday: Aces High is set to release in the third quarter of 2026, specifically between July 1 and September 30, and will be available exclusively for Meta Quest and SteamVR headsets. Starbreeze's CEO stated that this game is part of a strategy to expand the Payday franchise through new formats. The studio is currently facing challenges, including issues with Payday 3 and layoffs, while the success of Aces High remains uncertain amid a reevaluation of VR investments in the industry.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert review – a beautiful, shallow world

Crimson Desert features a vast and visually stunning world but struggles with a conventional narrative framework. The combat system can feel cumbersome, especially during challenging boss encounters, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential in exploration. The game follows a protagonist named Kliff Greymane, who seeks revenge against an antagonist, but after 50 hours, the main adversary remains elusive, and players engage in mundane tasks. Exploration is initially enticing, but it becomes constrained, with limited interactions and repetitive tasks. Combat mechanics blend elements from various genres, but boss battles introduce a significant difficulty spike that can frustrate players. Promotional materials promise thrilling gameplay elements, but the actual experience often falls short. While moments of joy can be found in exploring the Abyss network, the connection to the character Kliff is lacking, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. Despite its vibrant world and visual splendor, the game may leave players wanting more due to restricted exploration and busywork.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Asset reuse in videogames is essential, and we need to embrace it, says Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry director: ‘We redo too much stuff’

Ubisoft's Far Cry Primal is set in the Mesolithic period, allowing players to navigate the Carpathian mountains and face prehistoric creatures. The game faced criticism for reusing elements from Far Cry 4, leading to frustration from Alex Hutchinson, the director of Far Cry 4, who suggested that Ubisoft should have acknowledged the connection. Similarly, Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts was criticized for reusing animations from Modern Warfare 2, raising concerns about creativity in game development. Hutchinson noted that asset reuse is common in large studios, citing examples from the Assassin's Creed series. He observed a shift in perspectives regarding asset reuse, with some now advocating for its creative merits, particularly in successful Japanese titles like Dark Souls and Yakuza. Hutchinson also speculated on the potential role of AI in game development but expressed skepticism about its ability to significantly change the industry.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Roblox and Minecraft players are less likely to play traditional AAA video games

Newzoo's insights indicate a shift in gaming preferences, with Roblox and Minecraft players showing distinct engagement patterns compared to traditional AAA titles. Roblox's playtime has increased by about 50% year over year, driven by viral experiences. There is significant overlap between Roblox and Minecraft players with popular live service games like Fortnite (55% overlap with Roblox, 46% with Minecraft) and Grand Theft Auto V (28% with Roblox, 25% with Minecraft). However, Roblox players are less likely to engage with traditionally popular games, such as Monster Hunter Wilds, where they are only 0.4 times as likely to play compared to average gamers. Similarly, Minecraft players show disinterest in titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The demographic of these players is often younger, leading to a reluctance to invest in pricier AAA games. Newzoo's research suggests that these players may continue favoring free-to-play live-service titles and sandbox games as they mature, which could impact the market dynamics significantly. Additionally, it is projected that by 2028, PC gaming revenue will exceed that of consoles, marking a notable growth in the industry.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

I’ve already played the demo of this co-op pirate survival game for 7 hours, but the boisterous sea shanties my crew sings keep me coming back for more

The pandemic led to a collective fatigue regarding sea shanties, but the author has re-embraced them with the release of the Next Fest demo for the pirate survival game, Windrose, available on Steam. In Windrose, players embark on adventures as shipwrecked pirates, gathering resources, crafting tools, and facing challenges like formidable Dodo birds and undead pirates called Drowned. Players can repair shipwrecks, rescue crew members, and engage in ship-to-ship combat. The demo offers around seven hours of gameplay, with no announced release date yet.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Witchspire is the League of Legends Star Guardian survival game of my dreams, even if it needs a little more polish

Witchspire is a survival game developed by Envar Studio, known for its League of Legends splash arts. It features a Sailor Moon-inspired anime trailer and Ghibli-esque visuals. The game includes a captivating narrative voiced by actors like Victoria Atkin and Matthew Mercer. Players assume the role of a witch in a mysterious realm, combating corruption while utilizing familiar survival mechanics such as crafting and upgrading weapons. Unique to Witchspire are the Familiars, companion creatures that assist players in combat. The game allows players to gather resources easily and features a magical sickle for cutting down trees. The combat mechanics have some flaws, particularly with AI behavior during encounters. Witchspire's gameplay is accessible, lacking hunger and stamina meters, and includes an Astral Projection system for strategic advantages. The game offers lore drops and voice lines that enhance storytelling. The demo is available on Steam, featuring the first island, Vyr's Landing, and supports multiplayer for up to four players.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

This excellent Secretlab sale gives your butt the late Valentine’s Gift it deserves, with over $100 off gaming chairs

The Secretlab Titan Evo is a highly regarded gaming chair known for its comfort and durability, making it a popular choice among gamers. It offers various customization options, including the SoftWeave Plus fabric and leatherette alternatives, with designs inspired by popular franchises. The Secretlab Magnus Pro desk is also available at a discount, featuring cable management and adjustable height settings. Currently, shoppers can save up to £94 on the Magnus Pro and up to £100 on the Titan Evo. The sale ends for UK customers on February 20, 2026, and for US customers on February 26, 2026.