base-building Archives

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Long-Awaited Open World Survival Game Finally Sets Release Date for PC & Consoles

Solarpunk, a survival game developed by Cyberwave and rokaplay, is set to launch on June 8th, 2026, across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game has been in development since its unveiling in 2023 and has become one of the most wishlisted games on Steam. It features crafting, farming, exploration, and base-building mechanics, set in a charming 3D world with floating islands. Players can engage in single-player or optional multiplayer co-op, crafting airships to explore and gather resources. Solarpunk will launch without Early Access, providing the complete experience from day one. Pricing details have not yet been announced.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

‘There wasn’t really a game or team’ when Undead Labs made the now-5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: ‘The game was in a Word document’

Philip Holt of Undead Labs discussed the early development of State of Decay 3, revealing that the project was initially just a concept documented in a Word file when the trailer featuring a zombified deer was created. The announcement was not planned, as the studio was still determining the game's direction, influenced by Microsoft's strategy to promote the Xbox Series X/S. After six years of silence, Undead Labs has opened sign-ups for an alpha playtest. The game will feature four-player co-op gameplay, innovative base-building mechanics, enhanced resource management strategies, and intense combat scenarios.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

State of Decay 3 springs back to life to announce alpha tests in May

State of Decay 3, a zombie survival shooter from Undead Labs, is inviting players to participate in alpha playtests scheduled for May. The game will feature four-player co-op, new base-building and resource strategies, and combat elements. Players can register for the playtests at playtest.stateofdecay.com, and selected participants will receive further instructions via email. Those not selected will have their names retained for future opportunities throughout the year.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

A State of Decay 3 playtest is finally happening, after almost two years of radio silence

Undead Labs has announced a technical alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, set to begin in May. This marks the first step toward the game's full release, following its initial unveiling in 2020. The playtest will feature four-player co-op gameplay, base-building mechanics, resource management, and combat scenarios. Players can sign up on the official website, but slots are limited, and participants must connect their email and Discord accounts and complete a questionnaire to qualify. The playtest will have multiple testing windows, allowing additional chances for players to join if not selected initially.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The new PC games of April 2026: Pragmata, the next Diablo 4 expansion, and Final Fantasy 14’s big month

In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include: - Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative. - Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic. - Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario. - Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2. - Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay. Upcoming events include: - The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9. - The London Games Festival starting April 13. - The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17. - The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24. Steam sales in April are: - March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest - April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest - April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest Early access and full releases include: - Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features. - Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access. - Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access. - Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access. Major updates include: - Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC. - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test. - Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching. - Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month. Additional game releases: - April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam) - April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam) - April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam) - April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam) - April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Altera is a hardcore, realistic, unforgiving military survival sandbox, so of course it features penguin soldiers with reflex sights on their heads

Altera is a military survival sandbox game set in a Central European landscape, focusing on base-building, crafting, and missions from NPCs. It features ranged combat against lifeless enemies and lacks zombies or competitive elements. The game has introduced "weaponized penguins," where players can equip penguins with military helmets and gun sights to engage in combat. Altera has been in development since 2022, originally conceived as a sci-fi game but evolving to a more realistic aesthetic while retaining the concept of humans and animals fighting together. The game has over 2,000 sign-ups for an upcoming playtest, and while a specific release date is not announced, it will debut in early access on Steam.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Pokémon Pokopia reveals DJ Rotom, cooking mechanic, and Minecraft-like structures

The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon Pokopia, a life simulation game set to launch on March 5, 2026, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game features gameplay elements similar to Minecraft and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, including survival mechanics, a hunger system, and cooking with the Greedent Chef Dente. Players will encounter new Pokémon, including Raikou, and can participate in online multiplayer sessions with teams of four, engaging in base-building and exploring dungeons. The game also introduces a new Rotom form that plays music and includes Prop Hunt-like modes.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Minecraft Meets Stardew Valley In 94% Rated PS5 Release, Out Today

Outpath, a clicker base-building adventure game, was launched on October 16, 2023, by solo developer David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. It has a 94% positive rating on Steam and will be released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 19, 2026. The game features tranquil exploration, cozy crafting, and idle progression, drawing inspiration from Minecraft, Forager, Satisfactory, and Stardew Valley. Players can gather resources, craft items, build bases, buy islands, fish, level up skills, and engage in parkour movements. A free demo is available on PC, offering about 10 hours of content, while the full game is priced at £12.79 on the Nintendo eShop and Steam. Pricing for PlayStation and Microsoft stores is not yet announced.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Poking around Hytale’s unfinished sandbox is the first time I’ve felt hope for a voxel RPG since Cube World broke my heart (twice)

Cube World is a voxel-based, procedurally generated RPG released in 2019 that failed to meet player expectations due to a lack of engaging content, minimal NPC interaction, and monotonous exploration. The game was criticized for its hollow adventure and mindless combat. In contrast, other titles like Dragon Quest Builders and V Rising successfully combine survival, crafting, and narrative depth. Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, aims to learn from Cube World's shortcomings, offering a voxel world with dynamic combat and a promising adventure mode. Hytale features engaging combat mechanics and has a strong focus on modding, with nearly 4,000 user-generated mods available. The game has rekindled interest in the open-world survival crafting genre, standing out as a promising contender.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

Crimson Desert, Atomic Heart 2, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and more — every Xbox and PC game shown during New Game Plus Showcase

The New Game Plus Showcase, created by content creators, aims to generate excitement around video game announcements without charging developers for participation. The inaugural showcase occurred on January 8, 2023. Deep Dish Dungeon is a dark survival game combining base-building mechanics and survival elements, available for wishlist on Steam, with plans for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. The Blood of Dawnwalker is an open-world fantasy ARPG where players live as a human by day and a vampire by night, set for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Prologue: Go Wayback! is a survival game featuring procedurally generated maps, currently in Early Access on Steam for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the gaming landscape, the period following The Game Awards often sees a lull in major presentations until the summer showcases like Summer Game Fest or the Xbox Games Showcase. However, this year has marked the emergence of a notable event—the New Game Plus Showcase, commonly referred to as New Game+. This initiative, crafted by content creators, aims to rekindle "genuine excitement and conversation" surrounding video game announcements. Uniquely, it does not impose fees on developers for participation, setting it apart from many other industry events. Announced on December 29, the inaugural showcase took place on January 8 at 1 P.M. PT / 4:00 P.M. ET. Deep Dish Dungeon This intriguing dark survival game from Pokuch and META Publishing presents an engaging blend reminiscent of Valheim and Prey, combining base-building mechanics with survival elements and mysterious alien powers. Gamers can wishlist it now on Steam, with plans for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC platforms like Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and PS5. The Blood of Dawnwalker A captivating gameplay presentation and developer interview highlighted The Blood of Dawnwalker, an open-world fantasy ARPG where players navigate life as a human by day and a vampire by night. The showcase emphasized the dynamic interactions within the game world, which reacts to player actions. This title is anticipated for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Prologue: Go Wayback! Brendan "PLAYERUNKNOWN" Greene shared insights into his new survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback!, during the showcase. The game features procedurally generated maps and deeper survival mechanics, currently available on Steam in Early Access for .99, with a free demo accessible for players. Beautiful Light A fresh glimpse into Beautiful Light, an extraction shooter inspired by STALKER, revealed intense combat scenarios against mutants and other players, set against atmospheric backdrops. This title is slated for a December 2026 release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Project Shadowglass Starhelm Studios provided an exclusive look at Project Shadowglass, an immersive sim that challenges players to orchestrate daring heists in a dark fantasy realm. Unlike many retro-style pixel graphics games, this title adopts a first-person perspective, enhancing its unique appeal. It is set to launch on Steam, with wishlist options available now. Aphelion DON'T NOD showcased Aphelion, a sci-fi action-adventure game featuring an astronaut named Ariane who must navigate a perilous frozen world to rescue her partner, Thomas. The presentation highlighted the game's musical elements and is expected to release on Xbox, Steam, and PS5 in late 2026. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn A developer interview for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a third-person ARPG from Owlcat Games, explored character creation and the game's world responsiveness. Set in the beloved sci-fi universe of the TV show, it promises an engaging experience for fans and newcomers alike. Distant Shore: BRETAGNE Distant Shore's latest title is an action-adventure physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate objects in their environment using magnetic forces. Currently available for wishlist on Steam, it promises to offer a unique gameplay experience. Avowed Obsidian Entertainment discussed Avowed, a fantasy RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. The developers revealed updates including new playable races and enhancements to weapon classes. Notably, the game will also be available on PS5, with preorders now open. Grounded 2 Obsidian also presented Grounded 2, showcasing new insect encounters and various items players can craft. The highlight was the ridable ladybug buggy mount, equipped with a water gun, adding a whimsical touch to the survival experience. Outward 2 The sequel to Nine Dots' immersive RPG, Outward 2, is set to challenge players with a more difficult survival experience. The developers shared insights during the New Game Plus showcase, with an Early Access release planned for Q3 2026 on PC. Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call Inspired by Fable and The Elder Scrolls, Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call is an open-ended action RPG that emphasizes player freedom and deep interactions within its fantasy world. It is expected to launch on PC in 2026, with console releases to follow. Dragontwin Draconic Interactive AB is developing Dragontwin, an open-world strategy RPG that allows players to customize and fly dragons into combat. Currently in Early Access for Patreon supporters, it will be available on PC and consoles later. Atomic Heart DLC #4 The showcase featured a first-look teaser for the upcoming fourth DLC for Atomic Heart, generating anticipation among fans eager for new content. The CUBE Mundfish revisited The CUBE, an MMO shooter set on a massive, rotating cube in the sky. This unique environment promises to shift gameplay dynamics, and players can wishlist it now on Steam. IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre, an RTS that combines accessible gameplay with complex mechanics, was highlighted in a developer interview. It has been in development for five years and is set to launch on Steam in the future. ExeKiller ExeKiller is a retro-futuristic western action game that blends various gameplay styles, offering players the freedom to approach quests in multiple ways. It is currently available for wishlist on Steam. Far Far West Developer Evil Raptor is crafting Far Far West, a co-op shooter where players embody robot cowboys tackling bounties. This title is set to launch on PC in 2026, appealing to fans of cooperative gameplay. Erosion Erosion presents a captivating open-world roguelike experience with time-looping mechanics and a strong narrative focus, set in a post-apocalyptic Wild West. A playtest is currently live on Steam, with a full release planned for Spring 2026 on both Steam and Xbox. The Division 2: Survivors and The Division 3 The Division 2 developers showcased the upcoming winter-themed extraction mode, Survivors, while also confirming the development of The Division 3 and a mobile game inspired by the original title." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99, with a free demo available. Beautiful Light is an extraction shooter inspired by STALKER, scheduled for release in December 2026 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Project Shadowglass is an immersive sim focused on orchestrating heists in a dark fantasy realm, set to launch on Steam. Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure game featuring an astronaut navigating a frozen world, expected to release on Xbox, Steam, and PS5 in late 2026. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a third-person ARPG set in the sci-fi universe of the TV show, featuring character creation and world responsiveness. Distant Shore: BRETAGNE is an action-adventure physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate objects using magnetic forces, available for wishlist on Steam. Avowed is a fantasy RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, with updates on playable races and weapon classes, and will be available on PS5. Grounded 2 features new insect encounters and a ridable ladybug buggy mount, enhancing the survival experience. Outward 2, the sequel to Nine Dots' RPG, will offer a more challenging survival experience, with Early Access planned for Q3 2026 on PC. Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call is an open-ended action RPG emphasizing player freedom, expected to launch on PC in 2026. Dragontwin is an open-world strategy RPG allowing players to customize and fly dragons, currently in Early Access for Patreon supporters. Atomic Heart DLC #4 was teased during the showcase, generating anticipation for new content. The CUBE is an MMO shooter set on a rotating cube, available for wishlist on Steam. IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre is an RTS combining accessible gameplay with complex mechanics, set to launch on Steam in the future. ExeKiller is a retro-futuristic western action game that allows multiple gameplay styles, available for wishlist on Steam. Far Far West is a co-op shooter featuring robot cowboys, set to launch on PC in 2026. Erosion is an open-world roguelike with time-looping mechanics, currently in playtest on Steam, with a full release planned for Spring 2026 on Steam and Xbox. The Division 2 developers showcased the upcoming winter-themed extraction mode, Survivors, and confirmed the development of The Division 3 and a mobile game.