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"Triple-A is in crisis" and games "don't have staying power because they're bad," says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

“Triple-A is in crisis” and games “don’t have staying power because they’re bad,” says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator

Adrian Chmielarz, founder of Astronauts and People Can Fly, discusses the current state of the gaming industry, noting that 2025 is expected to be significant as indie and double-A games gain prominence. This year's Game of the Year nominations highlighted a balance between indie titles and high-budget games, with Metacritic's top-rated games including Hades 2, Expedition 33, and Blue Prince. Chmielarz emphasizes the rise of double-A games, attributing it to changes in the industry that allow developers to bypass traditional publishers due to platforms like Steam. He points out challenges for new releases in maintaining visibility, citing Theorycraft Games’ Supervive as an example of a quality game that struggled to stand out. Chmielarz also notes a lack of immersive single-player shooters in the market and criticizes the focus on gunplay over atmosphere in many indie games. He expresses enthusiasm for Witchfire's dark fantasy aesthetic and its emphasis on fun gameplay.
From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025
AppWizard
December 25, 2025

From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025

In 2025, indie and double-A titles gained prominence in the gaming landscape, overshadowing high-budget blockbusters. Notable games included Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Blue Prince, and Schedule 1. PCGamesN's top ten PC games of 2025 are as follows: 10. Hades 2 - Early access game with extensive content, new bosses, and an expanded narrative. 9. Split Fiction - Co-op game emphasizing friendship and sisterhood with vibrant visuals and clever puzzles. 8. Arc Raiders - Unique extraction shooter with a community-focused gameplay experience. 7. Routine - Single-player survival horror set on a deserted moon station, offering a concise and chilling experience. 6. Battlefield 6 - Multiplayer-focused game known for dynamic gameplay and large-scale battles. 5. Dispatch - Episodic narrative game featuring character-driven storytelling and humor. 4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - Open-world game set in 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism and exploration. 3. Hollow Knight Silksong - Sequel with refined gameplay and a beautifully crafted world. 2. Blue Prince - Roguelike puzzle game that encourages exploration and problem-solving. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Game of the Year with a profound narrative, innovative combat system, and artistic presentation.
The Best Games of 2025 — The Windows Central team ranks our favorite titles across Xbox and Windows PC
AppWizard
December 13, 2025

The Best Games of 2025 — The Windows Central team ranks our favorite titles across Xbox and Windows PC

2025 has seen a diverse range of high-quality gaming titles across multiple platforms, including Xbox, Windows PC, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. Notable releases include: - Silent Hill F: A return of the franchise set in 1960s Japan, featuring intense combat and an immersive atmosphere. - Elden Ring: Nightreign: Introduces a co-op roguelike format with fast-paced gameplay and randomized upgrades. - Hollow Knight: Silksong: A highly acclaimed metroidvania known for its difficulty, visuals, and tight combat mechanics. - Arc Raiders: Emphasizes player choice and community-driven gameplay, reminiscent of early multiplayer games. - Battlefield 6: A grounded approach to warfare, positively received after previous setbacks in the franchise. - Ball x Pit: Blends classic gameplay with modern auto-battler mechanics, becoming a standout title. - Hades 2: A sequel that expands on the original's success with stunning artwork and engaging gameplay. - Blue Prince: Features intricate puzzles and co-op gameplay that encourages collaboration. - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: An open-world RPG praised for its dynamic systems and immersive storytelling. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Combines homage to classic JRPGs with modern storytelling in a unique French setting. Honorable mentions include Atomfall, Dying Light: The Beast, DUSK, The Alters, Keeper, Silent Hill 2 (remake), Dispatch, Cronos: The New Dawn, WH40K: Rogue Trader — Lex Imperialis DLC, and remastered versions of Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2.
Here are the top 20 most wishlisted games on Steam as we charge headfirst into 2026
AppWizard
December 9, 2025

Here are the top 20 most wishlisted games on Steam as we charge headfirst into 2026

The 20 most wishlisted games on Steam include: 20. Vindictus: Defying Fate - A spinoff of the 2012 MMO, set to attract Souls enthusiasts with its focus on dodges and counterattacks. 18. Reanimal - A co-op horror adventure from the creators of Little Nightmares, releasing on February 13, 2026. 17. Mouse: PI for Hire - A visually captivating title combining boomer shooter energy with rubberhose animation, set to release on March 19, 2026. 14. Chrono Odyssey - A photorealistic MMORPG featuring time manipulation mechanics, expected to launch in Q4 2026. 13. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check - A base management simulator set in a zombie apocalypse, releasing in 2025 with a demo available on Steam. 12. Witchbrook - A cooperative life simulation game with pixel art, anticipated to release in 2026. 11. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - A tactical RPG aiming to return to the franchise's roots, expected in 2026 with a demo available. 10. Half Sword - A physics-based swordfighting dueling simulator entering early access in Q1 2026. 9. Unrecord - A police officer simulation game with realistic visuals and moral dilemmas, with no announced release date. 8. Ark 2 - A sequel featuring survival crafting mechanics, currently without a clear release date. 7. Blight: Survival - A co-op survival horror game set in a medieval landscape, with no release window yet. 6. Slay the Spire 2 - A sequel to the acclaimed deckbuilding game, expected to launch in March 2026. 5. Kingmakers - A game where players use modern weaponry in medieval England, delayed indefinitely. 4. Resident Evil Requiem - The latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. 3. Light No Fire - A fantasy survival adventure from Hello Games, with no release date announced after seven years of development. 2. Deadlock - A MOBA in invite-only testing, with no clear release date available. 1. Subnautica 2 - Set to enter early access in 2026, continuing the underwater exploration theme of its predecessors.
From Borderlands 4 to Expedition 33, Fanatical's Black Friday prices are cheaper than Steam
AppWizard
November 22, 2025

From Borderlands 4 to Expedition 33, Fanatical’s Black Friday prices are cheaper than Steam

Steam is not hosting its own Black Friday sale, but Fanatical is offering a Black Friday sale with various game discounts. Notable titles include: - Borderlands 4: .99 (£41.99, 30% off) - Dynasty Warriors: Origins: .59 (£41.59, 36% off) - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: .23 (£30.23, 28% off) - V Rising: .23 (£11.23, 62% off) - Marvel's Spider-Man 2: .49 (£35.49, 29% off) - Ghostrunner 2: .59 (£5.59, 84% off) - Horizon: Forbidden West - Complete Edition: .39 (46% off) - The Precinct: .74 (£13.74, 45% off) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: .49 (£38.49, 45% off) Fanatical's Flash Deals will feature three discounted titles daily from November 21, 2025, to November 30, 2025.
Valve cracks the door on Steam to Android games
BetaBeacon
November 13, 2025

Valve cracks the door on Steam to Android games

Valve's Steam has 35+ million concurrent users, making it the largest PC gaming storefront in terms of active engagement. Android games will run natively on Valve's new Steam Frame, which runs on an Arm-based Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform. Developers can reuse their existing toolchain when bringing Android games to Steam, but will need to integrate Steamworks features. Valve's broader Arm ambitions include paving the way for SteamOS to be more broadly supported across Arm devices. By embracing Android games, Valve is breaking down platform walls to benefit developers and players, potentially making it one of Steam's most important platform expansions in years.
GRTV News - Warner Bros. wants A Minecraft Movie to sweep the Oscars
AppWizard
October 28, 2025

GRTV News – Warner Bros. wants A Minecraft Movie to sweep the Oscars

Warner Bros is launching an Oscar campaign for the upcoming Minecraft movie, promoting it for various categories, including Best Director for Jared Hess and Best Actor for Jack Black. The studio has had a successful year with notable releases, including the DC Universe films and the Minecraft movie, which has performed well at the box office. Historically, blockbuster films like the Minecraft adaptation are typically recognized in technical categories, although skepticism exists about its potential to compete for top honors at the Oscars.
Utah filmmaker Jared Hess returns to ‘Minecraft’ world for sequel
AppWizard
October 14, 2025

Utah filmmaker Jared Hess returns to ‘Minecraft’ world for sequel

Director Jared Hess announced a sequel to “A Minecraft Movie,” which will be released on July 23, 2027. The original film has grossed nearly a billion dollars globally and is currently the second highest-grossing film of the year, following “Lilo & Stitch.” Hess expressed gratitude to the Minecraft community for their support and hinted that the sequel may explore new worlds and characters within the Minecraft universe.
Can you play Black Ops 7 on the Steam Deck?
AppWizard
September 29, 2025

Can you play Black Ops 7 on the Steam Deck?

Black Ops 7 currently lacks an official rating for Steam Deck compatibility, but it is expected to receive an Unsupported rating due to the Ricochet anti-cheat system's requirements for secure boot and TMP 2.0 activation, which are not feasible on SteamOS. These changes were introduced with the launch of Season 5 Reloaded in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 in September 2025. Windows-based handhelds, like the ROG Ally X, should have no technical challenges running Black Ops 7, but playability will depend on whether the device meets the game's system requirements.
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