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Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.
Slay the Spire 2 dev says an early idea was to actually reduce the card pool, but players hated it: 'We need new stuff!'
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

Slay the Spire 2 dev says an early idea was to actually reduce the card pool, but players hated it: ‘We need new stuff!’

Casey Yano, co-founder of Mega Crit Games, discussed the development of the sequel to Slay the Spire in an interview with Edge magazine. He cited the Dark Souls series as a key inspiration, particularly in terms of character building and player choice. Feedback from playtesters led the team to reevaluate their initial ideas, resulting in a more nuanced approach that retains core mechanics while introducing new features. Despite some criticism regarding recent updates, Yano indicated that the sequel will continue to evolve based on player feedback, similar to the original game's seven years of post-launch support. He also confirmed that the game will maintain a definitive endpoint, expressing skepticism about the inclusion of an 'infinite mode' due to concerns that it could diminish the excitement of deckbuilding.
Vampire Crawlers review
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Vampire Crawlers review

Vampire Crawlers is a roguelike deckbuilder developed by Poncle and Nosebleed Interactive, set to release on April 21, 2026, with pricing yet to be announced. The game features turn-based gameplay where players draw cards to attack enemies, introducing a combo mechanic based on mana costs. Players level up by collecting blue XP gems from defeated foes, but the gameplay can become predictable and repetitive. The difficulty curve varies, with early enemies being easy and later bosses feeling jarring due to a lack of preparation. Upgrades can increase enemy difficulty and experience drops but may lead to a tedious experience. Each dungeon floor includes a mini-map, and the overall gameplay is described as formulaic and lacking in engaging exploration. While the game has potential for strategic depth, it struggles with repetitive gameplay and difficulty progression.
The new Slay the Spire 2 roadmap has no dates: "Exacting deadlines produce sloppy, uninspired work"
AppWizard
April 18, 2026

The new Slay the Spire 2 roadmap has no dates: “Exacting deadlines produce sloppy, uninspired work”

Mega Crit has released a roadmap for Slay the Spire 2, focusing on bug fixes, balancing, and visual enhancements since its launch over a month ago. The development approach is flexible, allowing for creativity, with new features planned such as Steam Workshop support, expanded language options, a Bestiary, and experimental game modes. Upcoming content includes an alternate Act Two, a new character, an alternate Act Three, and additional cards, events, relics, and potions. Ongoing improvements will continue alongside new features, with a humorous promise of "more silly voices" and "less silly placeholder art." Yano also teased the concept of "True Victory," Steam Achievements, Trading Cards, and potential platform ports. Community statistics reveal that 44% of players keep the Lantern Key, 88% free War Historian Repy when taking the key to its destination, 63% indulge in the Room Full of Cheese, and 49% consume the Byrdonis Egg for a health boost. Beta patches are released more frequently than main branch updates, and players are encouraged to join the beta for the latest developments.
Slay the Spire 2 patch notes arrive for all, meaning an easier early game but harder infinites
AppWizard
April 17, 2026

Slay the Spire 2 patch notes arrive for all, meaning an easier early game but harder infinites

The latest patch for Slay the Spire 2 has transitioned from beta to the main game, introducing several enhancements. Players can now experience improved map generation, a more forgiving Act One, and five new Neow relics: Hefty Tablet, Neow's Talisman, Phial Holster, Winged Boots, and Neow's Bones. Elite enemies appear one floor later, and rebalancing has adjusted foes like the Skulking Colony and Byrdonis. The Act Three boss, Doormaker, has been redesigned with a unique setup and three phases: Hunger, Scrutiny, and Grasp. All five classes have been rebalanced, with new cards introduced, such as Not Yet, Blade of Ink, Regent's Arsenal, and Borrowed Time. Shop relic prices have been reduced, and gold-generating relics are no longer available for purchase. Ascension level six now features 'Inflation,' increasing card removal costs. The patch also includes new art, visual effects, a 'Phobia mode,' and Badges for achievements. Achievements and epochs cannot be unlocked during daily and custom runs, and the main and beta branches will maintain separate records. The patch 0.103.2 is now live for all versions of the game.
Top-rated Steam PC Games Released Last Week (6th–12th of April)
AppWizard
April 14, 2026

Top-rated Steam PC Games Released Last Week (6th–12th of April)

KuloNiku: Bowl Up! — 97% positive reviews of 474 ratings, Developer: Gambir Studio, Publisher: Raw Fury, Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Release Date: 7 Apr, 2026. Sol Cesto — 93% positive reviews of 2461 ratings, Developer: Tambouille, Géraud Zucchini, Chariospirale, Publisher: Goblinz Publishing, Genre: Indie, Strategy, Release Date: 10 Apr, 2026. Nautical Survival — 99% positive reviews of 162 ratings, Developer: Idan Rooze, Publisher: Idan Rooze, Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. Wannabe Galgame God!!! — 98% positive reviews of 235 ratings, Developer: Noctella Observatory, Publisher: Noctella Observatory, Genre: Free To Play, Release Date: 10 Apr, 2026. Idols of Ash — 98% positive reviews of 259 ratings, Developer: Leafy Games, Publisher: Leafy Games, Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. Draw Steel — 6 reviews, Developer: Verisim, MCDM, Publisher: MCDM, Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG, Release Date: 8 Apr, 2026. Elton Manor: Requiem of the Cursed Roses — 98% positive reviews of 65 ratings, Developer: 阿魯, Publisher: Playmeow, Genre: Casual, RPG, Release Date: 7 Apr, 2026. Origament: A Paper Adventure — 97% positive reviews of 44 ratings, Developer: Space Sauce Studio, Publisher: Beverlor, Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual, Release Date: 7 Apr, 2026. WRATH: Aeon of Ruin VR - Brutal Edition — 91% positive reviews of 34 ratings, Developer: Team Beef, Flat2VR Studios, Publisher: Flat2VR Studios, Genre: Action, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. Arcadia Fallen II — 100% positive reviews of 32 ratings, Developer: Galdra Studios, Publisher: Galdra Studios, Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. GGST Additional Character 18 - Jam Kuradoberi — 94% positive reviews of 76 ratings, Developer: Arc System Works, Publisher: Arc System Works, Genre: Action, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. Barking from the Dark — 100% positive reviews of 27 ratings, Developer: shoftArt, Publisher: shoftArt, Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation, Release Date: 8 Apr, 2026. Fortune Seller — 97% positive reviews of 40 ratings, Developer: Kiwick, Publisher: Kiwick, Genre: Casual, Indie, Strategy, Release Date: 6 Apr, 2026. Find Your Words — 96% positive reviews of 56 ratings, Developer: Capybara Games, Publisher: Capybara Games, Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie, Release Date: 8 Apr, 2026. Spinny Dungeon — 97% positive reviews of 44 ratings, Developer: Typing Monkey, Publisher: Typing Monkey, Genre: Indie, RPG, Strategy, Release Date: 6 Apr, 2026. Pluralys — 96% positive reviews of 28 ratings, Developer: Ivalys Studios, Publisher: Ivalys Studios, Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie, Release Date: 8 Apr, 2026. MINOS — 90% positive reviews of 152 ratings, Developer: Artificer, Publisher: Devolver Digital, Genre: Action, Adventure, Simulation, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026. Subversive Memories — 96% positive reviews of 33 ratings, Developer: Southward Studio, Publisher: Southward Studio, Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, Release Date: 8 Apr, 2026. Nippets: A Hidden Object Game — 91% positive reviews of 59 ratings, Developer: Blink Industries, Publisher: Blink Industries, Genre: Casual, Indie, Release Date: 7 Apr, 2026. [Redacted] The Safehouse — 100% positive reviews of 21 ratings, Developer: Heartbeast, Publisher: Heartbeast, Genre: Indie, Release Date: 9 Apr, 2026.
March's top new PC/console games; Steam's wishlist email changes
AppWizard
April 3, 2026

March’s top new PC/console games; Steam’s wishlist email changes

Insights from the GameDiscoverCo newsletter highlight trends in game discovery and sales data for March 2026. Key points include: - The introduction of The Rage Index and The Abandonment Leaderboard by GDCo's Insights Lab. - The U.S. PlayStation hardware price analysis indicates challenges for the PlayStation 5 due to AI-related component shortages and inflation. - Valve has updated the Steam homepage in desktop Beta with enhanced features for user navigation. - The Nintendo Switch 2 saw a 154% increase in sales month-on-month following the launch of Pokémon Pokopia. - PlayStation Plus announced its April titles, including Lords of the Fallen and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, while Xbox introduced Barbie Horse Trails and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for Game Pass. - Antoine Mayerowitz discussed the need for better base pricing strategies for PlayStation. - Roblox’s Rivals gained popularity due to ranked play modes. - Amazon Luna is releasing a Masters Of The Universe-licensed game and free games for Prime members. - Indie.io is launching Indie Pass, a subscription service for PC indie games. - Rec Room is closing on June 1st, and Sony is acquiring Cinemersive Labs. - Slay The Spire 2 sold over 5 million copies, while Crimson Desert sold 2.2 million on Steam. - Slay The Spire 2 leads new releases revenue with over 0 million gross, followed by Crimson Desert. - MLB The Show 26 sold over 1 million units in the U.S. - Valve's changes to wishlist notification statistics aim to help developers optimize marketing strategies.
Xbox Game Pass Confirms 5 Day-One Games for April 2026
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Confirms 5 Day-One Games for April 2026

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass will release five day-one games in April 2026, with no new releases in the first two weeks. The games include: - Replaced: A cinematic side-scrolling platformer exclusive to Xbox Series X, releasing on April 14. - Hades 2: The highest-rated game of 2025, launching on Xbox Series X on April 14, after its success on Nintendo Switch and PC. - Kiln: A team-based multiplayer party brawler from Double Fine Productions, releasing on April 23, with an open beta for PC from April 9 to April 11. - Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard: A roguelite deckbuilder spin-off from Poncle, releasing on April 21. - Aphelion: A sci-fi action-adventure game with stealth elements from Don’t Nod, releasing on April 28. All games will be available on Xbox Series X and PC, but not on Xbox One.
Steam Drops 4 New Free Games Just In Time For the Weekend
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

Steam Drops 4 New Free Games Just In Time For the Weekend

The text highlights four free games available on Steam that stand out for their unique gameplay and narratives. 1. Sylva’s Spirit: An isometric hack-and-slash game where players act as a forest protector, utilizing an elemental affinity system to cleanse a sanctuary. It features a deep progression system. 2. Deckbuilder Fantasy: A strategic game combining turn-based combat and cardplay, offering a full narrative experience without paywalls. Players can refine decks and face challenges in a replayable format. 3. Escape Gaia: Departure: A creature-creation game inspired by Starfox, allowing players to explore a universe with seven races and over 50 creatures. Players can create personalized creatures and command a spaceship to rebuild a damaged planet. 4. Find My Key: A first-person horror-maze game set in ancient Greece, where players must find keys to escape the Labyrinth while avoiding the Minotaur. The game offers multiple difficulty levels for varied enjoyment.
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