Crafting Experience Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Obsidian was ‘surprised’ that Avowed players bounced off one of the RPG’s most important systems: ‘That frustration came through loud and clear’

Avowed's crafting system initially faced criticism for making upgrades mandatory, requiring players to gather materials for weapons and armor, which hindered exploration. In response to player feedback, Obsidian Entertainment implemented changes in an anniversary update, refining the progression system to allow for a more gradual experience. Custom difficulty modifiers were introduced, enabling players to adjust game elements like merchant prices and upgrade material costs. Additionally, workbenches were added throughout the game world, allowing players to enhance equipment without returning to camp, making gear acquisition and upgrades more accessible.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Windrose addresses my personal crafting annoyances and also gives me a big boat

Windrose is a survival crafting game with a pirate theme that offers a unique twist on the genre. Players begin the game after being shot and saved by magical elements, leading to a quest involving foraging, crafting, and revenge. The crafting loop includes gathering resources like wood and rocks to build crafting stations. A notable feature allows players to access stored resources from their base without carrying them in their inventory, enhancing gameplay efficiency. Players can sail to other islands, although the initial vessel provided is modest. A mechanic allows players to restore their boat easily, improving the sailing experience. Windrose aims to provide a balanced mix of gathering, building, and combat, and offers a demo for players to try the game without commitment.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Hytale and Minecraft: 5 key differences you should know about

Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, shares similarities with Minecraft, including expansive, procedurally generated worlds and block-based environments. The game features a more nuanced combat system with special movesets and ultimate attacks, distinguishing it from Minecraft's melee system. Hytale's crafting is streamlined, allowing players to select items from a menu rather than arranging resources in a grid, and includes a progression mechanic for crafting stations. Additionally, Hytale introduces mantling, enabling players to jump and grab onto edges of blocks, enhancing mobility and exploration.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds is on my GOTY list for a reason, but after a messy year I just want Capcom to wipe the slate clean with Master Rank DLC

The author apologizes to Yuya Tokuda, the director of Monster Hunter Wilds, for not using the weapon swap feature despite playing the game for over 100 hours. The game has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and is considered one of the year's best, but it has inconsistencies that affect player experience. Capcom has struggled with defining a clear direction for the game, particularly with the PC port facing performance issues. The difficulty of new quests varies significantly, leading to a lack of consistent challenge. Changes to the armor system have resulted in more powerful loadouts, but the introduction of tougher monsters may have been an overcorrection. The author's enthusiasm for Artian weapons has diminished, viewing them as tedious and detrimental to the crafting experience, suggesting they should be removed or made cosmetic.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

Terraria 1.4.5 just surprised me with a major crafting upgrade that makes everyone’s lives much easier

Re-Logic is nearing the final stages of development for the Terraria 1.4.5 update, with a potential launch in January 2026, although there is a slim chance it could be released before the holiday season. Ted 'Loki' Murphy, head of business strategy, mentioned that the team is close to submitting the 1.4.5 build, but the approval timeline is unpredictable. The update will feature a complete overhaul of the crafting user interface, improving the quality of life for players by incorporating elements from Journey Mode, including categorical tabs and a text search function. Additionally, a new 'craft from nearby chests' feature will allow players to organize themed storage boxes, making it easier to access materials.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

The Creeper Set Is Going for Pocket Change, LEGO Wants It All Gone Before the Holidays

The LEGO Minecraft The Creeper build is currently priced at an all-time low, down from its original price of .99. It consists of 665 pieces, stands over 8 inches high (21 cm), and features a fully poseable figure with movable legs and a detachable head. The head reveals a hidden compartment containing a TNT block and a mini-figure. Over 20,000 units have been sold this month, indicating high demand. The set can be integrated with other LEGO Minecraft builds and has collectible value, often appreciating once it is no longer available.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Minecraft’s DLC crossovers never fail to impress me, and the new Dragon Ball Z collab changes the experience entirely

Minecraft has introduced a new Dragon Ball Z DLC that allows players to take on the role of Goku and engage in combat with iconic villains. This DLC features a dedicated arena for fighting, transforming the gameplay into a thrilling experience. It is priced at 1510 Minecoins and includes a character skin pack and a Scouter cosmetic for the character creator.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

My favorite space sandbox is going huge with a new megastructure expansion that connects the entire galaxy together

The Megatech DLC for Astroneer is set to be released on November 20 and will introduce new features such as the construction of megastructures, a new celestial body called the Orbital Platform, and the ability to cultivate alien flora through the Biodome. The expansion will also include a Museum for showcasing technology and collectibles. Additionally, a Distribution Launcher System and an Intermodal Terminal will be added to enhance resource transfer between planets. The DLC will be compatible with existing saves, and players can wishlist it on Steam for notifications upon release.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Underwater multiplayer survival game Anchor will swim onto PC

Fearem has announced Anchor, an underwater survival crafting game for PC that supports over 150 players per server in a persistent online open-world environment. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity lives underwater after a nuclear holocaust, players are genetically engineered beings who must build, defend, and fight for their homes while facing environmental dangers and other players. The game features custom networking technology that allows the world to evolve even when players are offline. Anchor's 16km² open-world map includes various biomes and encourages exploration, resource gathering, and community building. Players can choose to engage in multiplayer or a solo/cooperative sandbox mode without PvP threats. Key features include a dynamic ecosystem with apex predators like sharks, and an advanced crafting system that allows players to create tools and weapons from gathered resources. Anchor is set to launch on Windows PC via Steam.

AppWizard

October 1, 2025

Discover the Copper Age Features in Minecraft’s Latest Update

Microsoft has released an update for Minecraft, introducing the Copper Age for both Bedrock and Java Editions. Key features include the Copper Golem, a new mob that can be spawned using a Jack o'Lantern or Carved Pumpkin on a Copper block, which oxidizes over time and can be waxed to maintain its functionality. The Copper Golem helps players sort items into Chests. The update also adds new decorative items: Copper Torch, Copper Bars, Copper Chain, and Copper Lantern, all of which oxidize over time. Additionally, the update includes various interactions related to enchanting and durability. Full patch notes are available on the official Minecraft website.