base-building Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

’90s style Command and Conquer spiritual successor DORF smashes its Kickstarter to raise $300,000

DORF is a real-time strategy (RTS) game inspired by '90s titles, currently funded on Kickstarter, raising nearly 0,000. It features three factions: the Union of Imperial States, the Collective, and the Warbands. The game includes single-player campaigns, skirmish modes, online multiplayer, and a map editor. Additional content from the funding includes special online co-op campaigns, unique voice lines for units, and new environmental zones like snowy regions and megacities. DORFteam is expanding their development team, particularly seeking dedicated mappers. The tentative release date is set for 2028, but they aim for a 1.0 launch by 2027. Players can wishlist DORF on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Co-op pirate survival game Windrose: should you grab it in early access?

Windrose is a co-op pirate survival game that combines base-building, ship-to-ship combat, and open-world exploration. Players begin the game shipwrecked on a desolate island after an encounter with Blackbeard, where they gather resources, craft a base, repair their ship, and rescue their crew. Key features include: - Hunger and thirst mechanics, where food buffs attributes but does not cause death from starvation. - Weather effects present, but no negative impacts observed. - Health is managed through a single meter, with potions and bandages for healing. - Only online co-op is available; no PvP. - PvE interactions with animals, zombies, and enemy pirates. - Crafting system that pulls from nearby storage chests. - Base-building similar to Palworld's system. - Custom settings for health and damage adjustments. - Limited farming options currently available. - No NPC companions, but players can hire NPCs to assist at crafting stations. - Death results in dropping raw resources but retaining crafted items. - Crew members sing sea shanties during voyages. - Shared progress allows joining friends' games. Fishing is not yet implemented, but planned for future updates. The ship-to-ship combat is engaging, while melee combat can feel repetitive. Windrose is expected to remain in early access for one to three years, with about half of the planned content currently available. The game is priced reasonably, with a 10% discount at launch, but players should anticipate a wait for additional content. Performance is generally stable, though there are occasional slowdowns.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Subnautica 2 base building

In Subnautica 2, the base-building mechanics have been redesigned to enhance accessibility and ease of use. Players can now collaborate in multiplayer mode to build bases, but must be cautious about resource theft by visitors. A new procedural system allows for fluid base construction without complex menus, enabling customization of shapes for windows and other elements. Concerns have been raised about the shift from circular to angular base designs, with circular pieces potentially still in development. Customization options will include painting structures and altering lighting, though some features may not be available at early access launch. Players are advised to check their PC's system requirements for optimal performance.

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.