battling Archives

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

This week in PC games: a battle royale detective game, a broken Y2K metaverse, a laptop tycoon sim, and a new Company of Heroes RTS

- Endacopia: A point-and-click horror game inspired by 90s edutainment software. - Broken Reality 2000: A first-person puzzle-platforming adventure set in a Y2K-themed metaverse. - Plum Road Tea Dream: A semi-autobiographical journey of a queer POC developer through seven distinct graphical worlds. - Moon Crashers: A game where players gather resources to build an escape rocket after crash-landing on the moon. - Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call: A third-person fantasy adventure set in a beleaguered city. - Kinny and the Cosmic Cauldron: A roguelike deckbuilder where players create soups for eldritch clientele. - Dissolution of the Silent Union: A narrative with gloomy anime aesthetics and themes of decay. - Orbital Hell: A hallucinatory score-attacker game battling geometric boglins. - Désorienté: A narrative-driven experience set in a violent world with intestines as currency. - CipherMind: A battle royale detective game for eight players in a concrete labyrinth. - Lunarium: An action-RPG featuring a knight and a floating sorceress. - Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand: A strategic spin-off involving tactical gameplay against waves of enemies. - Joy Malignant: A dice-based RPG set in a city filled with despair. - Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?!: A humorous isekai game featuring a truck driver. - Outfield: An exploration of agricultural growth and its implications. - Olga: A cozy adventure game without combat. - Legacy of Sail: A nostalgic real-time naval tactics game. - Culdcept The First: A modern adaptation of a board/card game fusion. - Mistfall Hunter: A PvPvE extraction RPG. - Turnip Mountain: A 2D climbing simulator in a whimsical world. - Signy & Mino: Against All Gods: A side-scrolling RPG featuring a girl and her dog. - Devil's Hand: A card game where players form poker hands on a grid. - Parkside: Decayed Soul Manipulation: A sim shooter set in a dystopian California. - Cloud Sculptor: A 3D puzzle-platformer where players create sculptures for ghosts.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Videogame villains who sing at you are the best

The villain's monologue is a common trope in video games, often replaced by musical performances from antagonists in some titles. In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, The Singer is an orc who sings operatic verses about battles, enhancing the experience. In Hades 2, Scylla's performances are humorously interrupted by a witch, contrasting her siren songs with Melinoe's indifference. The Joker in the Arkham series incorporates musical interludes, including a haunting rendition of "Only You" during the credits of Arkham City. In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Teh Earworm is a creature that plays catchy tunes, leaving players with memorable melodies. GLaDOS's song "Still Alive" from Portal has become a cultural touchstone, reflecting her personality and enhancing her character's narrative. Total Distortion features guitar warriors, where failure results in a memorable game-over song, integrating music into gameplay. Conroy Bumpus in Sam & Max: Hit the Road offers a satirical country song, critiquing the big-game hunter archetype. In Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell, Satan sings with Broadway flair, adding humor and depth to his character. Ursula in Kingdom Hearts 2 showcases her villainy through song, providing comedic relief with her playful references. I.M. Meen opens with a song that sets the tone for a game blending education and entertainment. In Cuphead, King Dice performs a jazzy number in "Die House," enhancing the stakes and his flamboyant personality.

Tech Optimizer

July 22, 2026

Advanced SystemCare 19 Cleaned 3GB Hidden Junk From My PC

The user experienced a slow computer with prolonged startup times and storage shortages despite manual cleanup efforts, including emptying the Recycle Bin and using Windows Disk Cleanup. A deeper system scan revealed hidden junk files such as temporary files, browser cache, and outdated logs. The user then utilized Advanced SystemCare 19 Free, which effectively identified and removed 3GB of junk files, resulting in improved startup speed, program launch times, and overall performance. Advanced SystemCare also includes features like a registry cleaner, large file finder, disk cleaner, and app/extension cleaner, and it serves as a comprehensive system optimization suite with tools for enhancing boot time and protecting privacy. The software does not delete files automatically and should be used alongside antivirus software for complete protection.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Cozy new open-world RPG to rival Minecraft launches on Steam, free to try

Taival is a newly launched co-op adventure RPG developed by Bonobo Software and published by Level Up Gaming, currently available in early access on PC via Steam. The game supports up to four players and features a unique shapeshifting companion called the Henki, whose quest involves recovering fragments of its lost heritage and restoring the Heartstone. Players can transform into various creatures through the Henki, unlocking unique abilities for exploration and combat. The game world is hand-crafted, featuring distinct realms and engaging NPC quests. Taival is priced at .99, with a 20% discount until July 28, and a free demo is available.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is like playing classic ‘Vania on fast forward, with a whip to die for

Belmont's Curse is the latest installment in the Castlevania franchise, developed by Evil Empire, and features Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont, battling monsters in a dark Paris. The game is reminiscent of the Symphony of the Night era and includes familiar foes like Medusa and unique bosses such as Joan of Arc. It has been described as a commendable entry in the metroidvania genre, with engaging gameplay and potential for innovative weapons. The game marks the first new Castlevania title in over a decade.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Free Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

This week, the Free Play Days lineup includes Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, and Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members from July 16 to July 19. Grand Theft Auto Online and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are available for all XBOX members from July 14 to July 21 without a Game Pass subscription. After the Free Play Days, players can purchase the games at a limited-time discount while retaining their Gamerscore and achievements. Crisol: Theater of Idols offers a survival horror experience optimized for XBOX Series X|S. Planet Zoo: Console Edition allows players to create and manage their own zoos. Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports features classic sports in a chaotic 4-player local co-op format. Grand Theft Auto Online allows up to 30 players to collaborate or compete in a dynamic universe, while Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets players train with iconic characters and tackle raid missions online.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

The only indie roguelike action RPG that rivals Hades and Diablo for me just got an incredible new expansion

Hell Clock has gained popularity among action RPG enthusiasts, especially during the wait for Path of Exile 2. The developers at Rogue Snail delayed the Cursed War expansion to allow players to enjoy the new season of PoE 2 without feeling overwhelmed. Hell Clock offers a quick gaming experience with new content and features that enhance gameplay. It provides a refreshing alternative for players seeking excitement in the action RPG genre.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Help, I can’t decide if Stardew Valley in 3D is amazing or horrifying

A new mod for Stardew Valley, created by kittycatcasey (spacechase0), titled "The Third Dimension," presents a 3D version of the game. The mod showcases a 3D landscape where the modder interacts with characters and the environment, though many entities remain 2D, creating an unsettling atmosphere. The goal is to replace 2D sprites with 3D models to enhance immersion. The mod also explores virtual reality compatibility, which presents challenges. Currently, the mod is not available for public testing.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Hideki Kamiya thinks there should be a cozy Resident Evil game, where ‘retired Leon goes fishing in the countryside’

Hideki Kamiya, a key figure in the gaming industry, was involved in the Resident Evil franchise as a designer for the original game and director for Resident Evil 2. Despite his contributions to horror gaming, he does not consider himself a fan of the genre and has expressed a desire for a "non-scary mode" in Resident Evil games. Kamiya envisions a game featuring a retired Leon Kennedy living a peaceful life in the countryside, engaging in activities like fishing, baking, and helping neighbors. He has communicated with Capcom about the demand for a less frightening version of Resident Evil, indicating a genuine interest in innovation within the franchise. Currently, he is working on a sequel to Okami at his new studio, Clovers.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

The next game from the director of Blood West is a frozen survival shooter where you scratch a living off the decaying corpse of a god

Blood West is an indie shooter launched in 2023, set in the Badlands where players battle eldritch horrors. The game has received expansions, including the Scavengers DLC. Hyperstrange is developing a new title called Bloodwoven, a spiritual successor that focuses on survival elements such as food and warmth, requiring players to manage temperature and prepare for challenges. Bloodwoven features a peak-style climbing system and has a trailer released, with speculation of a potential release next year.