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AppWizard

July 6, 2026

What is Paralives? The creative life simulator game that could rival The Sims

Paralives, created by indie designer Alex Massé, launched on Steam in May 2026 as an early access title and sold 250,000 copies within eight hours, achieving a peak concurrent player count of 78,603. The game allows players to create and customize characters called Parafolk, featuring extensive representation and body inclusivity. It offers user-friendly building and decorating tools, enabling flexible item placement and personalization. The art style is a comic-book aesthetic reminiscent of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." Paralives was developed independently with community feedback, contrasting with EA's acquisition of The Sims, which raised concerns among players regarding corporate influence and representation. The game is priced at £33.50, with plans for free downloadable content updates.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

The cozy game launches of July are absolutely stacked with cats, even more than usual

In July, 30 new cozy games are set to launch, with a focus on feline-themed titles. Notable releases include "A Simpler World" (July 14), "High Times" (July 23), "Bookbinding" (July 24), "Moonlight Peaks" (July 7), and "Wabisabi SushiDerby" (July 15). These games feature various elements such as crafting, dating, and farming with supernatural themes.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Studio Ghibli-inspired cozy adventure game Into the Wind announced for PC

Publisher Three Friends, in collaboration with developer Bloom & Gloom, has announced the cozy adventure game "Into the Wind," inspired by Studio Ghibli, set to launch in Early Access for PC on Steam. Players will assume the role of a delivery driver with a sentient motorcycle-plane named Ermes, exploring the Adriatic islands of Santa Rosa while completing deliveries, upgrading their bike, and uncovering a mystery related to the disappearance of their uncle. The game emphasizes driving and flying mechanics, resource management, character customization, and building relationships with the inhabitants of Santa Rosa.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

The vampire farm sim I’ve been anticipating for 3 years just released an even bigger, better demo for everyone to try before it launches next month

Moonlight Peaks, a farmlife simulation game with supernatural elements, is set to launch on July 7. A demo is currently available on Steam, allowing players to explore the game before its official release. The demo features a partially upgraded farm and introduces players to a town with werewolves, witches, vampires, and seers. It includes spellcasting and shapeshifting mechanics. The gameplay is more directed compared to similar titles like Stardew Valley, and it is recommended to use a gamepad for optimal experience. Players can purchase the full game on Steam upon its launch.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Minecraft’s next update is revealed, bringing with it wool stairs, straw beds, and a brand new biome

Mojang has confirmed that the update "Chaos Cubed" will be released on June 16, 2026, introducing Sulfur Cubes, new Sulfur Cave biomes, and geysers. The unnamed latest update features the Dappled Forest biome, inspired by autumn colors, with Poplar wood and Poplar doors that have diamond-shaped windows. An Abandoned Camp structure will be included, designed to evoke curiosity rather than provide loot. Wool stairs and wool slabs are being added, along with the potential for straw beds, which may offer temporary sleeping options without resetting spawn points. More features will be revealed before testing begins later this summer.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

9 cool things about Paralives you won’t find in The Sims

Paralives has entered early access and offers several innovative features that distinguish it from The Sims 4. Key features include: - The ability to resize objects, allowing for customization in design. - A snap-free decorating system that enables free placement of items. - A color wheel for customizing clothing, hair, and furniture colors, with the option to save swatches. - Height sliders for creating characters of varying heights, enhancing realism and diversity. - A vegetarian toggle that does not consume a trait slot, simplifying character traits. - A needs-dependent skill progression system that requires characters' needs to be met for leveling up. - Special mood meters that provide unique emotional states based on characters' actions. - Townie requests inspired by farming simulators, offering daily tasks for rewards. - A museum feature for donating found items, encouraging exploration and collection.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Paralives is the very definition of early access, but it’s already a promising Sims rival

Paralives Studio is set to launch its life simulation game in early access on May 25, after nearly seven years of development. The game is still a work in progress, featuring various bugs, an incomplete feature set, and a cluttered user interface. Players may experience unresponsive menus and character issues, such as stuck personality development loops. The autonomy of the game's characters, known as Parafolks, is limited, requiring more direct management than other life simulation games. However, character interactions are engaging, and players can complete townie requests that encourage exploration. Despite its current imperfections, the game shows potential for growth and may appeal to fans of interior decorating and character creation.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Valve Just Made Some Big Changes to Steam Tags, And The New Additions Shed Light on Recent Trends

Valve updated Steam's tagging system on May 18th, removing 28 outdated tags, introducing 17 new ones, and adjusting existing categories. The new tags include Bullet Heaven, Desktop Companion, Organizing, Cleaning, Decorating, Wuxia, Xianxia, Falling Blocks, Espionage, Samurai, Zoo, Wolves, Capybaras, Animals, Cult, Poker, and Language Learning. The retired tags include 3D Vision, Ambient, America, Blood, Crowdfunded, Cult Classic, Documentary, Drama, Dungeons & Dragons, Electronic, Experience, Feature Film, Foreign, GameMaker, Games Workshop, Illuminati, Kickstarter, LEGO, Masterpiece, Mature, Movie, Narration, NSFW, Roguevania, RPGMaker, Warhammer 40K, Web Publishing, and Well-Written. Existing tags like Clicker and Conversation were rebranded to Incremental and Dialogue Heavy, respectively. The updates aim to improve user navigation and reflect current gaming trends.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Paralives looks packed with tiny features I’ve been desperately wanting in The Sims for years

Paralives will launch in early access on May 25, following a delay last year. A nine-minute gameplay video showcases features such as adjustable height sliders for character creation, a build/buy mode that allows scaling and stacking objects without cheat codes, and snap-free clutter decorating for easier placement of items. Gameplay elements include flexible job scheduling, the ability to drag and select groups of characters, integration with Steam Workshop for custom content, distinct character "vibes," and a vegetarian toggle for dietary preferences.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

This vampire farm sim has Real Housewives of Stardew energy

In Moonlight Peaks, players experience a unique farming simulation where the protagonist escapes from Dracula and arrives at a neglected family cottage that needs restoration. The game features quirky characters, including a hungover vampire father, a werewolf mayor, and a self-absorbed warlock. Players manage farm life starting at 6 PM, engaging in tasks like watering crops, crafting goods, and pursuing romantic interests, particularly with a werewolf named Saga. Innovative gameplay elements include a spellcasting minigame, energy-saving spells, and shapeshifting abilities. Additional activities such as flower arranging and potion brewing enhance the experience. The game has a sitcom-like tone and a distinctive art style, focusing on character relationships without combat. A public demo is available ahead of the full release on July 7.