castle Archives

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Shoutout to this particular skeleton, who researchers believe is the first confirmed case of being totally obliterated by a trebuchet

Researchers have identified Skeleton 150, believed to be the first confirmed victim of a trebuchet, unearthed during excavations beneath Stirling Castle in Scotland in 1997. This skeleton is part of a collection dating back to the 1300s and shows signs of violent death, including distinct cut marks, puncture wounds, and blunt force trauma. Dr. Buckberry from Historic Environment Scotland presented findings indicating that the unusual burial location beneath the castle chapel suggests these individuals may have died during sieges in the late 13th century. Stirling Castle was a strategic stronghold that fell to Edward I's armies after a siege in 1304, during which the largest trebuchet, "The War Wolf," was used. Dr. Buckberry noted that the extensive damage to Skeleton 150 indicates the individual was likely killed by a siege engine.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns (PC) Review – CGMagazine

Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns is set in 1149 during a power struggle in England following the king's assassination, with players tasked to rally lands, defeat rival armies, and claim the throne. The game features turn-based strategy mechanics, including army building, castle raiding, and tournament hosting, and offers both the original MS-DOS version and an enhanced iteration. It includes a deck-building roguelike mode that introduces card-based battles. The Jousting and Swordplay modes have been improved with new mechanics like blocking and parrying. However, the game has shortcomings in tutorial explanations and battle mechanics, which can lead to confusion. Visuals are enhanced while retaining a nostalgic pixelated style, and the audio has been upgraded.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Cozy wizard life simulation game Aether Wizard Life launches in fall 2028 for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC

Kinetic Publishing has partnered with Vonder Games to release the life simulation game, Aether Wizard Life, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam, scheduled for fall 2028. Players will take on the role of a young apprentice mage in the haunted town of Starfall, starting each day in a customizable walking castle. Gameplay includes growing magical crops, caring for exotic creatures, exploring dungeons, and engaging with townsfolk for side quests. The game features over 30 wizard skills, customization options for the player's wizard, and the ability to pursue romantic relationships with 20 dateable NPCs. Key elements include mastery of magic, exploration of the haunted town, castle personalization, and assisting townsfolk while uncovering the mystery of missing mages. A new video and screenshots have been released to showcase the game.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This free Steam cozy game offering will bring back fond childhood memories

Stickers evoke nostalgia for many, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, who often decorate their MacBook covers with them. The free Steam game My Cozy Cube, developed by Potato Sprouts, allows players to decorate a virtual room using sticker-like items and includes a light puzzling element. Players can choose between a guided 'normal mode' and a freeform 'sandbox mode,' with features like auto-snapping for accurate placement. A demo is currently available, but the full release date has not been announced. Another game in this genre is Little Corners, priced at £5.99, which lets players decorate various scenes and offers a simple yet enjoyable experience.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games drops you into a novel, or tasks you and a friend to escape a haunted castle

Epic Games is offering two complimentary PC games: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together, available for free from August 6 to August 13. Beacon Pines is a narrative adventure where players can alter the story by revisiting pages and using special words called charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative puzzle game set in Antarctica that requires players to communicate using walkie-talkies to solve challenges and reunite.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

One of Bethesda’s Best Games Getting New Release Next Week

On August 11, a beloved title from Bethesda will return exclusively for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and potentially PC users as part of the Xbox Game Pass offering. The addition of Date Everything to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass has been officially announced for the same day. Titles such as Grounded 2 and Bounty Star will also be added to the Premium tier after their initial releases in the Ultimate and PC tiers. Speculation surrounds the potential addition of Wolfenstein 3D, which has not been formally announced, but may be revealed at QuakeCon. Wolfenstein 3D, released in 1992, is recognized as a pivotal title in the first-person shooter genre and was ported to the Xbox 360 in 2009. The upgraded version will soon be accessible through Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Nintendo Switch 2 Minecraft Release Set For October 27

Minecraft will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 starting October 27. The game will feature enhanced graphics, including improved lighting and richer shadows, as well as compatibility with content purchased from the Minecraft Marketplace. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will also receive upgrades for the new hardware. Current Nintendo Switch digital owners will have the opportunity to migrate to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, but details regarding the transition process and any potential fees are not yet disclosed.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Epic Games Store saves gamers over $30 with two stellar freebies this weekend

Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together. Beacon Pines is a 2022 adventure game originally priced at £16, with an 86 percent positive review rate. It features an interactive story tree that evolves based on player choices, allowing exploration of various paths and unlocking new charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative escape-adventure game priced at £10, where two players must work together to navigate a post-blizzard landscape and uncover the truth behind Castle Rock. Both games will revert to their original prices after August 13.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Minecraft Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announced

Mojang Studios announced that Minecraft will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, featuring improved performance and an updated Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. Originally released in 2009, Minecraft became fully available in 2011 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2014. The game has sold over 300 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time. The Nintendo Switch version debuted in 2017, with a cross-platform Bedrock version replacing the original in 2018. The Switch 2 version will include enhanced visuals, improved lighting, and richer shadows. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will also be updated for better graphics. Players who own Minecraft on the original Switch will have a digital upgrade path to the new console.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

All the news from QuakeCon 2026

QuakeCon 2026 is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Quake franchise. A new episode titled "Dawn of the Machine," created by MachineGames and id Software, is now available as a free update for Quake, featuring a 19-map campaign, time-bending mechanics, a new soundtrack, and a new Deathmatch map. A special event discussing this episode will take place on August 6 at 1:30 PM CT with industry legends. The id Signature Series has new designs available for purchase, including tees and hoodies. "Quake: The Board Game," a cooperative dungeon crawler developed by Archon Studios, is set to launch in Q4 2026. The DOOM Collection for Evercade, including DOOM (1993) and DOOM II), is available for preorder, along with a limited-edition Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition releasing in October 2026. Additionally, "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" is now available uncensored in Germany on various platforms.