departure Archives

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Adds Jump Attacks and New Equipment Slots Alongside An Interconnected World

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set six years after the first installment and introduces new enemies, including the Twisted Warden. The game features an interconnected world for exploration, jump attacks for dynamic combat, and enhanced character customization with four armor slots, three Talisman slots, and three Artifact slots. One Talisman allows players to summon a dog companion that acts as a pseudo-tank but requires time to respawn. The game is scheduled for release on September 29th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, and will include cross-platform play.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

EVE Online’s survival spinoff Frontier is a hardcore space sim you can play on a gamepad that’s unlike anything else out there

EVE Frontier is gaining acceptance from the EVE Online community despite skepticism regarding its relevance amidst the crypto gaming trend. It features an innovative server-side modding system and showcased a combat arena experience at EVE Fanfest, where participants had ten minutes to compete. The gameplay is designed with a slower pace, reminiscent of survival horror games, and takes place in a moody nebula with immersive audio. The game's aesthetic combines cyberpunk elements with ancient motifs, and it introduces both manual aiming and auto-targeting weapon systems, allowing players to choose their combat style. This marks a departure from EVE Online's mechanics, which relied heavily on auto-targeting. A major update, Cycle 6: Sanctuary, is set to launch on June 25.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

I was big into Clutch’s mix of story and racing styles, but the driving’s a lot simmier than I expected

Clutch is a cinematic open world action-driving game set in Monaco, where professional and underground street racing collide. It has sold over six million copies shortly after its release, making it the only racing franchise with sales comparable to major third-person action titles. The game features a narrative that follows siblings Theo and Cass Martial in the R1K racing league, incorporating fully motion-captured actors, cutscenes, and an expansive open world. Players engage in dynamic scenarios, including police chases and street racing with the Midnight Collective, where they can earn money for new cars and perform viewer-requested stunts. Clutch aims to blend narrative with gameplay, offering a vibrant experience that encourages player investment in the characters and their journeys.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

What’s the plan with Halo, Xbox?

This year's Xbox Showcase featured several highlights, including Marcus in casual attire, a preview of the new Gears of War installment titled E-Day, and the introduction of Clockwork Revolution, a steampunk RPG. Vivarium, a life simulation game with Ghibli-like aesthetics, also garnered attention. However, there was disappointment regarding the Halo franchise, particularly with the new Campaign Evolved, which includes Operation Meteorite—three missions set before the main story. While gameplay remains enjoyable, concerns about innovation within the Halo series were noted amidst the showcase's overall excitement and advancements in gaming.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Google Chrome tests another massive change to Search that puts AI in front

Google is testing a change to Chrome's Search experience that would prioritize AI Mode over traditional search engines. This experiment, conducted within Chrome Canary, introduces a feature labeled "Fulfill Searchbox queries in AI Mode." Recently, Google announced a significant update to its Search capabilities with Gemini 3.5 Flash, which allows users to interact with search queries in a more conversational manner and accommodates various input types, including images and videos. The rollout of "Search Profiles" enables users to discover content aligned with their interests. Testers can toggle the AI Mode feature, but there are concerns about the accuracy and comprehensiveness of AI-driven search results.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

1666: Amsterdam is still happening, and I’m downloading the demo as we speak

Patrice Désilets unveiled the debut trailer for his upcoming adventure game, 1666: Amsterdam, during the Summer Game Fest livestream. The game features a protagonist named Noa and is set to launch in early access later this year, with a 30-minute demo available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The project faced challenges after Ubisoft acquired THQ Montreal, leading to a legal battle for the game's rights. The game will allow players to navigate multiple timelines from 1666 to 1999 and the present day, with a focus on unraveling a larger truth. An exact release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

I thought I was over 2.5D, but make it look like Marvel vs. Capcom plus Berserk and I’m back, baby

The upcoming hack 'n slash adventure game, Dungeon Lurker, features a visually striking world with comic book-style sprites and smooth animation, departing from the pixel art trend. A notable element in the game is the "Mammothian Colossus," a creature adorned with bondage gear and a tiny rider in golden armor. The game is anticipated for release, with a potential launch in early 2027, though the exact date is still "to be announced" on Steam.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Microsoft outlines its vision for “the next computer” with Project Solara, an agentic platform that exists liminally in your pocket and on your desk

Microsoft presented Project Solara at the Build 2026 event, which aims to create a platform that integrates devices and the cloud using artificial intelligence. This initiative includes the development of the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), a lightweight operating system based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), designed to be secure and unobtrusive. MDEP focuses on an AI-driven approach, allowing intelligent agents to manage tasks and interact with services for users. Qualcomm and MediaTek are collaborating to develop specialized silicon for these devices. The future role of these devices in relation to existing PCs and smartphones remains uncertain.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Legend has it that The 7th Guest’s creators were ‘fired’ on the spot after pitching the game—it’s ‘hyperbole,’ but not entirely untrue

The 7th Guest, a puzzle-adventure game released in 1993, required a CD-ROM drive and featured a unique mouse cursor design. A remake for VR headsets was launched in 2023, with a non-VR version set to release on June 4 on Steam. The game's creators, Paul van der Meer and Rob Landeros, founded Trilobyte Games after leaving Virgin Games to pursue their ambitious project. They used Autodesk's 3D design software to create the game's haunted interiors and iconic animated cursors, including the skull cursor. The remake incorporates modern technology, such as volumetric video, to enhance the immersive experience. Van der Meer proposed the remake idea to the CEO of Vertigo Games, leading to its development. The non-VR version will maintain the essence of the VR counterpart while introducing a new interface and redesigning one puzzle room for non-VR controls.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2026

Beyond VPNs: NordVPN’s New All-in-One App Redefines Digital Security

NordVPN has launched an updated application that combines its VPN services with next-generation antivirus capabilities, creating a comprehensive digital security suite. The new offering emphasizes three main features: an advanced VPN for private connectivity, a next-generation antivirus for threat protection, and the Dark Web Monitor™ for data breach monitoring. The updated antivirus solution uses artificial intelligence and behavioral analysis to identify threats in real-time, including phishing and malware. In April 2026, NordVPN reported blocking 4.8 million threats, with over 3 million instances of malware blocked. The company’s Threat Protection Pro includes malware and phishing protection, ad and tracker blocking, vulnerability scanning, and dark web monitoring. Independent evaluations have shown high detection rates for blocking malicious URLs. The cybersecurity industry is seeing a trend towards bundling multiple security tools into single subscription packages, with NordVPN aiming to simplify digital protection for users. The company maintains a commitment to privacy, ensuring minimal data collection for threat assessments.