cult Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Promising Bully mod, which mirrored GTA Online multiplayer, gets axed just one month after launching

Bully, a cult classic from Rockstar Games, remains popular two decades after its release. A group of modders, led by YouTuber Swegta, attempted to create a multiplayer version called Bully Online, featuring various minigames. However, the project was shut down, with an announcement stating that the Bully Online project is shutting down forever, leading to the closure of its server and removal of all associated data. The reasons for the shutdown are unclear, but monetization efforts may have raised legal concerns. Despite this, Bully's legacy endures, and there is hope for a sequel, Bully 2, in the future.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

There’s a new Xbox and PC gaming showcase in town that puts games first, while saying no to paid placements — here’s where, when, and how to watch it

The New Game Plus Showcase is scheduled to air on January 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM PT | 4:00 PM ET | 10:00 PM CET | 9:00 PM GMT. It will feature 45 upcoming titles for Xbox and PC and will be accessible on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, X, TikTok, and Instagram. Notable games include: - Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy - Crimson Desert - The Blood of Dawnwalker - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn - Shadow of the Road - Atomic Heart 2 - The Cube - Dinoblade - Towerborne - Grounded 2 The showcase was established on December 29, 2025, by a group of content creators and aims to present new games without paid placements.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Fallout Special

PC Gamer features an exclusive look at the evolution of the Fallout franchise, highlighting its transformation from a cult classic to a global sensation. The narrative covers early titles like Fallout 1 and 2, through to Fallout: New Vegas, and culminates with the Anniversary Edition upgrade of Fallout 4. The issue also includes insights from key figures behind the franchise and a preview of the upcoming Fallout TV show. Additionally, the magazine discusses Valve's new game, Deadlock, which combines movement shooter elements with MOBA strategy, offering initial impressions and a guide for new players. Digital editions of PC Gamer are available in PDF and EPUB format through Pocketmags.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in January

January typically sees a quieter period for PC gaming, with many anticipated titles debuting later in the month. Notable releases include: - January 12: Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (Steam) - Players act as a checkpoint officer in a zombie apocalypse. - January 26: Highguard (Steam) - A free-to-play hero shooter facing skepticism. - January 29: Cairn (Steam) - A mountain climbing game praised by early players. Upcoming gaming events and sales include: - CES from January 6-9. - Steam Winter Sale (December 18 - January 5). - Detective Fest (January 12 - January 19). - Board Game Fest (January 26 - February 2). - Taipei Game Show (January 29 - February 1). Early access launches in January: - January 6: StarRupture (Steam) - A sci-fi base building and defense game. - January 22: Bladesong (Steam) - Players craft blades in a dark fantasy setting. - January TBA: Echoes of Elysium (Steam) - A co-op airship survival RPG delayed from December. Major updates and events: - January 20: World of Warcraft's Midnight Pre-Expansion Content Update. - January 12: Anthem concludes its service. - January 22: Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven expansion introduces new content. Additional game releases in January include: - January 9: Pathologic 3 (Steam). - January 12: Big Hops (Steam). - January 15: Craftlings (Steam) and Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Steam). - January 16: BrokenLore: Unfollow (Steam). - January 20: Mio: Memories in Orbit (Steam). - January 21: Dynasty Warriors Origins: Visions of Four Heroes (Steam). - January 22: Nova Roma (Steam) and Arknights: Endfield (Epic). - January 28: The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin (Steam) and The Midnight Walkers (early access). - January 29: Don't Stop, Girlypop! (Steam).

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

I’m not waiting 5 years for everyone to realize The Outer Worlds 2 is another Obsidian classic—I’m giving it its flowers now

The Outer Worlds 2 is set to release in 2025 and is part of Obsidian Entertainment's lineup, which includes Grounded 2 and Avowed. The game emphasizes character development and player choices, offering a variety of options tailored to individual character builds. Players can invest in a select few of the twelve available skills, fostering a unique gameplay experience. The game features locked doors and terminals that can be accessed through pickpocketing or dialogue options influenced by previous choices. A significant moment in the game involves negotiating a peaceful resolution with the final boss, dependent on the player's speech skill. The consequences of player choices are reflected throughout the game, culminating in a slideshow at the end. While it may not have as many quests and locations as New Vegas, it offers proportional complexity that engages players.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

Gabe Newell wanted this cult-classic FPS to be one of the first games to launch on Steam, but its creator said “ehhh” nah

Steam was launched in 2003 as a platform for updates to Valve's games and became a full-fledged storefront in 2005. Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, reached out to Adrian Chmielarz in the early days to feature the game Painkiller on Steam, but Chmielarz was hesitant as they did not hold the rights to the game. Painkiller's Black Edition was eventually released on Steam in 2007. The emergence of digital storefronts like Steam has transformed game development, allowing smaller developers greater access to audiences without the need for traditional publishers. Steam has revolutionized video game distribution, despite challenges like game discoverability, and has become essential to the PC gaming ecosystem.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

The Best PC Games Of 2025 According To Metacritic

In 2025, PC gaming offers a wide range of choices, including early-access titles transitioning to full releases and popular games from Xbox and PlayStation coming to PC. Notable games released this year include Hades 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Absolum. Additional titles such as Pipistrello, The Cursed Yoyo, The Roottrees are Dead, and The Seance of Blake Manor are expected to become cult classics. Metacritic has tracked the year's releases, providing insights into the best-reviewed PC games and curated lists of top games available.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Why A Minecraft Movie was 2025’s most important film

The film adaptation of a beloved brick-building video game, A Minecraft Movie, has become the highest-grossing film in the US for 2025 and ranks fourth worldwide, nearing the billion mark globally. It features Jack Black and includes a musical number about "lava chicken." Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, is the third highest-grossing film in 2023. A Minecraft Movie received a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes but exceeded audience expectations during its opening weekend in April, with active participation from viewers. Some screenings required police intervention due to the excitement, as fans engaged enthusiastically with the film.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Forgotten 1993 shooter from Duke Nukem dev is back and better than ever with a full remaster thanks to two die-hard fans

Biomenace Remastered is a fan-made remaster of the classic 1993 shooter developed by Apogee, created by two fans, Niko and Bart, who secured a licensing deal with the original developer, James Norwood. The remaster features the original three episodes with 36 levels and introduces a fourth chapter with 15 additional stages, new NPCs, and two extra boss encounters. It includes a built-in editor for players to create missions, offers seamless transitions between new and classic visuals, and has a quick-save feature. The game incorporates Steam achievements and leaderboards and is verified for Steam Deck. Biomenace Remastered is available on Steam for .99 / £10.23 until December 25, after which the price will increase to .99 / £12.79, with a free demo also available.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

From Minecraft to The Last of Us Season 2, the best gaming adaptations of 2025 weren’t lacking in variety

Continuity and iteration are prevalent in the gaming industry, particularly in 2025, where many video game adaptations are second seasons of successful prior adaptations. This year's adaptations include notable theatrical releases with creative interpretations. Adaptation involves translating elements of the original game into a different medium, which can spark debate among fans. The diversity of adaptations this year spans various genres, including family-friendly, horror, and post-apocalyptic narratives. The adaptation of Supermassive's game Until Dawn into a film has managed to maintain its essence while providing a fresh perspective. The Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess and featuring Jack Black, distinguishes itself from typical CGI fantasy adventures and resonates with both young fans and newcomers, leading to enthusiastic audience reactions and 'meme-a-long' screenings. Fallout Season 2 has surprised audiences with its quick turnaround, shifting the narrative to New Vegas and featuring beloved elements from the series. The adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 on HBO Max has received mixed reactions, particularly regarding the timing of plot revelations, though it includes emotionally intense moments and strong chemistry between characters.