Creature Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

February is surprisingly light on cozy game launches but we’re looking forward to these chill picks you shouldn’t miss

Cozy gaming is gaining popularity within the PC gaming community, characterized by charming aesthetics and relaxing gameplay. A special section is dedicated to cozy games, highlighting smaller titles. The Steam Next Fest on February 23 will feature many cozy game demos. Notable cozy game picks for February include: - Reigns: The Witcher: A game that parodies Tinder's swiping mechanics with moral dilemmas faced by Geralt. - Creature Kitchen: A puzzle game where players cater to whimsical characters through cooking and problem-solving. - Bento Blocks: A puzzle game focused on slicing and arranging sushi ingredients into lunchboxes, evoking nostalgia. - Reanimal: A game with horror elements that offers a captivating experience, diverging from typical cozy aesthetics.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

A Pokémon-like gacha game should be such an obvious win that I’m shocked I can’t find much to like about Aniimo

Aniimo is a creature-collecting gacha game currently in closed beta, aiming for a broader launch in 2026. It features multiplayer functionality, allowing players to explore and battle together, and includes interactive elements with aniimos in the open world. Despite some intriguing features, Aniimo struggles to stand out in a crowded market of gacha games. Industry sentiments indicate growing fatigue with the genre, and competition from upcoming titles like Hoyoverse's Honkai: Nexus Anima may impact its success.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

I would die for Deadlock’s new hero Rem, who also has one of the best easter eggs I’ve seen in a competitive PvP game

The gaming community is voting on which of Valve's six new heroes will debut in Deadlock, with players favoring Rem, a charming nap enthusiast. Rem has unique abilities: Pillow Toss, which damages and knocks back enemies while reducing his cooldowns; Tag Along, allowing him to leap to an ally and heal; a third ability that introduces a smaller companion for assistance; and his ultimate ability, Naptime, which slows and immobilizes opponents, causing them to fall asleep and take damage upon waking. Rem is the first of six new heroes set for release, with the next character to be unveiled on January 29. Additionally, there is a Rem-themed easter egg in the game featuring a secret bedroom with details like plush pillows and 'vote for me' posters, along with tiny companions and surprises.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

After four hours of Resident Evil Requiem, it could be the return to classic RE I’ve waited so long for

The Resident Evil series has been debated among fans regarding its identity as either an action or survival horror game, particularly after the destruction of Raccoon City, which led to a shift towards action-oriented gameplay. The announcement of Resident Evil Requiem, featuring the return of the Raccoon Police Department, has generated hope for a return to the series' roots. The game includes distinct gameplay styles for protagonists Grace and Leon, with Grace in first-person mode focusing on survival horror and Leon in third-person mode emphasizing action. The Rhodes Hill Clinic offers a complex layout reminiscent of classic locations, filled with puzzles and collectibles. New enemies include a formidable chef and a creature similar to Mr. X, which can be defeated by Grace. Grace's character adds vulnerability, contrasting with Leon's heroism and reinforcing his role as a protector. The game balances classic elements with new mechanics, such as inventory management and the return of the hip pouch and optional ink ribbons for saving. Overall, Requiem aims to recapture the essence of the original trilogy while introducing fresh experiences.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Terraria’s long-awaited 1.4.5 patch finally has a release date, and it’s this month: ‘start the countdown’

Terraria's 1.4.5 update is set to launch on January 27. The update will include crossover packs featuring content from Dead Cells and Palworld, a summonable creature called Digtoise that can mine blocks, innovative non-licensed additions such as music blocks and special boulders, and new entities including a pufferfish and six types of slime.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Sci-fi survival game Once Human’s got a new set of dangerous creatures, and one will haunt my nightmares for weeks

Once Human is a free-to-play sci-fi survival game that has introduced a new update featuring three new adversaries: the Devourer, the Hoarder, and the Sonivore. The Devourer is a 45-meter-long creature that resembles a subway train and consumes Stardust-enriched ores. It can be interacted with by feeding it minerals, but if players fail to satisfy it, it may burrow underground with valuable materials. The Hoarder is a creature that resembles a shopping cart on legs, collecting items and leading players to its nest, which can be raided at a risk. The Sonivore is a gel-like entity that targets sound and high-value supplies, requiring players to use distractions to escape. The update also includes two new weapons, the EBR-14 rifle and the TEC-9, along with a new gear set and the Deviant Sprout upgrade path. The update is set to launch on January 21.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

I don’t know why everyone’s suddenly making games inspired by Spore, but this roguelike twin-stick shooter might be the best attempt yet at realising the lost potential of the cell stage

In recent months, the gaming community has shown renewed interest in unconventional titles, particularly the 2008 game Spore. A new game called Pathogenic has emerged, allowing players to control a parasite invading a human host, incorporating themes of evolution and customization. The gameplay resembles a twin-stick shooter, where players navigate their parasite while facing challenges from the host's immune system. Pathogenic currently offers a free demo and has received positive early impressions for its polished development.

BetaBeacon

January 13, 2026

Samsung just abandoned this mini-game you never heard of, but there’s good news

Samsung has removed the Creature Collection feature from its Gaming Hub app, which allowed players to unlock collectible "monsters" by progressing through games and hatching virtual eggs. Despite this change, all the unlockable monsters are now available for users to set as their display pictures inside the app without having to complete specific missions or reach certain progress levels.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

This week in PC games: Hytale, Quarantine Zone, a weird Batman sim, and a fresh batch of RPGs and shooters

The Maw can manifest in various forms, including a blinking cursor or unreturned messages. New PC game releases include: - Big Hops: A 3D platformer featuring a frog with jumping and tongue skills. - Confidential Killings: A detective game that could use a more imaginative name. - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: Players act as a border guard during a zombie apocalypse, exploring moral dilemmas. - Hytale: A sandbox building RPG now in early access, developed by Hypixel Studios. - Hank: Drowning on Dry Land: A whimsical narrative game featuring a drunken, time-traveling character. - Cassette Boy: An action RPG puzzler with retro visuals and themes of object permanence. - Streetdog BMX: A game with children performing stunts on bicycles across colorful maps. - The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon: The thirteenth installment in an RPG series. - Tabulo: A roguelite chess game. - Craftlings: A blend of Lemmings and colony-building elements. - The Fortress: A first-person turn-based dungeon-crawling RPG. - NEUROXUS: A fast-paced mech shooter with a neon aesthetic. - Moving Simulator: A game reflecting the moving experience. - Lunar Ascendant: Players become the first mayor of the Moon, navigating social media and factions. James and Julian will attend preview events, while Mark and Ollie are excited about Hytale's launch. A review for Pathologic 3 is being crafted.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

This week in PC games: Pathologic 3, a fresh Pokémon rival, a mind-bending FPS and some crablike base building

A hiatus in coverage occurred last December due to seasonal content preparation and personal challenges. New game releases include: - Dunecrawl: A cooperative game allowing up to four players to traverse a desert landscape on weaponized crabs. - Feed The Reactor: An incremental clicker game where players feed fuels into a cosmic vortex, unlocking narratives in a bizarre galaxy. - StarRupture: An early access title where players construct outposts on alien planets while fending off crab-like monsters. - Death Machine: A pixel-art metroidvania featuring 19 bosses, including at least one eight-legged invertebrate. - Oddcore: A first-person shooter set in a theme park with bizarre spaces and corporate satire, lacking crab references. - EvoCreo: A creature-collecting game with over 170 creatures, reminiscent of classic Game Boy Advance titles. - Ancient Farm: A farming game set in ancient Egypt, featuring historical landscapes and the Acanthothelphusa niloticus. - Pathologic 3: A narrative-driven game where players have 12 days to save a town from disease, involving quarantines. The CES hardware tradeshow is currently taking place in Las Vegas, focusing on GPU and RAM prices, new screen technologies, and novelty gadgets.