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AppWizard

January 19, 2026

One of my most anticipated games for 2026 is a little sandbox puzzle game that plays like the lovechild of Unpacking and PowerWash Simulator

Hozy is a new simulation game that allows players to clean and decorate various rooms in a whimsical sandbox environment. During playtests, players explored a spacious living room and a compact studio apartment, cleaning by gathering clutter into floating orbs and disposing of them in a whimsical wheelie bin. After cleaning, players can freely arrange furniture from moving boxes to create a customized aesthetic. The game encourages thoughtful placement of larger items and offers a relaxing gameplay experience, enhanced by ambient sounds. Some players experienced minor glitches, such as floating fairy lights. Hozy is noted for its engaging experience, particularly for those who enjoy order and organization, but it currently lacks a release date, with fans hoping for more content by 2026.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

It’s not the news we wanted but it’s what we expected: EA has finally admitted Project Rene is a ‘mobile-first’ game

Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed that Project Rene is a mobile game focused on social multiplayer experiences, not the next installment of The Sims series. EA aimed to set realistic expectations amid concerns about the company's buyout. A leaked image showed custom characters in a vibrant outdoor plaza engaging in activities together. Many fans expressed disappointment at the mobile-only experience, especially after speculation about The Sims 5. EA noted that Project Rene has "evolved" from an earlier vision that may have included The Sims 5. More than half of the Sims development team is focused on enhancing The Sims 4 and exploring its next evolution, with more details to be shared in the coming months. EA plans to provide more information in 2026 as they continue to playtest new ideas for the franchise.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Life sims are in a slump and the only way out is becoming strategy games again

The life simulation genre is experiencing stagnation, with fans disappointed by the cancellation of Life By You in 2024, the postponement of Paralives, and the lackluster impact of Inzoi. The Sims 4 is facing persistent save corruption issues, leading to uncertainty about Project Rene, and many players are expressing boredom and a desire for more challenging gameplay. The shift in gameplay focus from unpredictability and drama in earlier games like The Sims 2 to a more accommodating approach in The Sims 4 has resulted in a less engaging experience. Players are seeking a return to strategic gameplay that includes meaningful consequences and unexpected events. The current state of The Sims 4 resembles a Creative Mode with low stakes, which does not align with the desires of the community for deeper, more challenging life simulations.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

Minecraft is now a fully fledged, dungeon-crawling fantasy RPG, thanks to Soulsteel

Soulsteel is a newly launched Minecraft server created by Noxcrew that combines RPG elements with the Minecraft experience. Players start their journey in the town of Port Fortuna, engaging with NPCs and embarking on quests. The main focus of the game is dungeon exploration, featuring timed challenges that include battling foes, navigating traps, and solving puzzles for loot. Players can customize their play style with a variety of armor and weapons, and can establish campsites to enhance their equipment. The world map is expansive, with plans for future updates that will introduce new regions, dungeons, weapons, armor sets, characters, enemies, and cosmetics. Soulsteel is available for Minecraft Bedrock Edition through the server browser tab.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

The best MMOs and MMORPGs 2025

Gaming serves as a refuge, a means to connect with others, and a way to forge friendships, particularly through MMOs and MMORPGs. These genres offer expansive realms filled with adventure and the opportunity to interact with fellow gamers. 1. Old School Runescape: Features a skill cap of 99 for all abilities, has a vibrant community, and the recent Varlamore expansion has attracted record player counts. 2. World of Warcraft: Known for its continuous evolution and the latest expansion, "The War Within," which makes the game more accessible for players with limited time. 3. Final Fantasy 14: Transformed from a lackluster launch to a beloved MMORPG, praised for its epic tales and the recent "Dawntrail" expansion. 4. Destiny 2: Offers immersive gameplay and narrative, with the recent "Edge of Fate" expansion improving the onboarding experience for newcomers. 5. Guild Wars 2: Features a horizontal gear progression system and episodic updates, with the upcoming "Visions of Eternity" expansion promising new content. 6. Elder Scrolls Online: Allows players to explore Tamriel's landscapes and engage in combat, with ongoing expansions and content updates. 7. Albion Online: Combines crafting, farming, and PvP action, with the recent "Abyssal Depths" update enhancing PvP elements. 8. Dune Awakening: An MMO-survival hybrid set in an alternate timeline of Arrakis, with the recent "Lost Harvest" DLC adding new cosmetic options. 9. Black Desert Online: Known for stunning visuals and fluid combat, offering a diverse array of classes but can be daunting for newcomers. 10. Lost Ark: Players recover relics in a beautifully crafted world, with recent updates streamlining the onboarding process. 11. Star Wars The Old Republic: Set in the Star Wars universe, featuring various classes and regular updates to keep content fresh. 12. Lord of the Rings Online: Immerses players in Middle-earth with quests and expansions, despite aging graphics. 13. Eve Online: Renowned for its player-driven economy and intricate narratives, featuring massive space battles. 14. New World Aeternum: Blends sandbox survival with RPG mechanics, encouraging character development and exploration. 15. Palia: Focuses on gardening, decorating, and community-building, with recent updates expanding features. Upcoming titles include Chrono Odyssey, promising time-based combat, and Ashes of Creation, currently in playtesting.

AppWizard

September 26, 2025

Petit Planet: All the key details on HoYo’s Animal Crossing-like life sim

HoYoverse has announced a new life simulation game called Petit Planet, which allows players to create and nurture their own celestial environment, similar to Animal Crossing. Players will engage in daily activities like gardening, crafting, and decorating while building friendships with neighbors. The game was previously known as Astaweave, and the name change has been noted by fans. Players can sign up for a beta test by visiting the official website and completing a questionnaire, although no specific beta launch date has been provided. The first trailer for Petit Planet was released at the 2025 Tokyo Game Show, showcasing elements like woodland creatures and social interactions. The game features characters such as Yunguo, Isaki, Medowlyn, and Frostia, each contributing to the game's depth. Activities in Petit Planet will include planting, fishing, mining, cooking, crafting, and exploring new locations through a "Starsea Voyage," as well as interacting in a social hub called the "Galactic Bazaar."

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Grounded 2 launch times and release date

The early access release of Grounded 2 coincides with the 1.0 update for Abiotic Factor and the decorating experience in Tales of the Shire. Grounded 2 was unveiled during the Xbox Game Showcase in June. The launch times for Grounded 2 are as follows: Eastern Time (ET) at 12:00 PM, Central Time (CT) at 11:00 AM, Mountain Time (MT) at 10:00 AM, Pacific Time (PT) at 9:00 AM, and GMT at 4:00 PM. The full version of Grounded 2 does not have a specific launch date, but the previous game spent over two years in early access. Developer Obsidian Entertainment plans to release new content every four to five months, with updates expected to be longer and more substantial than those in the original game.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

I’ve played my share of cozy games, and Tales of the Shire is definitely one for the maximalist decorators

The author enjoys a cluttered and eclectic decorating style, inspired by the hobbit design ethos introduced in "Tales of the Shire" in 2024. During a demo at the Summer Game Fest, they focused on rearranging furniture and creating decorative piles in their hobbit home, finding joy in the creative freedom of decoration. The gameplay allowed for a whimsical approach to cooking and decorating, although the cooking mechanics felt somewhat lackluster. The author appreciated the minimal restrictions on moving items and transforming their space, envisioning a chaotic garden that would defy real-world norms. Despite enjoying the decorating aspects, they found the interactions with villagers to be generic and lacking depth compared to other games like Animal Crossing.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

Tales of the Shire embraces a ‘clutter-core experience’ with grid-free decorating for your Hobbit house

Tales of the Shire is a life simulation game set to release on July 29, transporting players to the village of Bywater, inspired by Hobbiton. Players can engage in activities such as gardening, fishing, cooking, crafting, and home decorating. The game features a grid-free decorating system, allowing players to arrange items freely, creating personalized spaces that reflect individual tastes. This method is designed to evoke the whimsical interiors seen in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Additionally, dynamic camera angles will enhance the decorating experience by providing a top-down view for easier navigation. The game will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, and is currently open for wishlisting on Steam.