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Heartopia (PC) Review
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

Heartopia (PC) Review

Heartopia is a life-simulation game that blends cozy simulation elements with MMO features, allowing players to cultivate a town and interact with locals. However, the MMO aspects dilute the individuality typically found in cozy games, as multiple players receive the same accolades for completing quests. Gameplay involves repetitive fetch quests to unlock activities like home decoration and fishing, which can feel tedious. The game features a community aspect, but players may find their neighbors' homes replaced or their own home relocated between sessions, undermining familiarity. Character design is uninspired, and the user interface resembles a mobile game, lacking polish. As a free-to-play title, it includes multiple currencies that create confusion, with microtransactions for premium items. Despite these issues, the game offers engaging home-building mechanics and unique hobbies like Birdwatching and Pet Care. Overall, Heartopia struggles to effectively merge MMO elements with cozy simulation, making it a less appealing option compared to established titles like Animal Crossing.
Megabonk review
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

Megabonk review

Megabonk is a 3D auto-attacker game set to be released on September 18, 2025, priced at £8.50. It is developed and published by vedinand and will be available on platforms like the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck. The game features a skateboarding skeleton named Calcium who battles monsters while performing kickflips. Players explore procedurally generated maps filled with treasures and enemies, with a ten-minute time limit to locate and defeat a boss. The gameplay includes auto-attacking, collecting experience gems, and enhancing skills. Megabonk has a lo-fi aesthetic that allows for many enemies on screen without performance issues and offers achievements and unlocks for players. The game encourages exploration and experimentation, with challenges that provide speedrunning opportunities.
Divinity: Original Sin 2's brilliant armor system is one of a kind in RPGs, and I'm bummed we'll apparently never see it again
AppWizard
January 11, 2026

Divinity: Original Sin 2’s brilliant armor system is one of a kind in RPGs, and I’m bummed we’ll apparently never see it again

Today marks a moment of reflection as I grapple with the loss of a cherished friend—one whose legacy is now being unfairly tarnished. The unique armor system crafted by Larian Studios for Divinity: Original Sin 2 will not be carried forward, and the criticism from my colleagues has been relentless. Notably, PCG guides writer Rory Norris boldly labeled it "broken" in large, eye-catching letters on our front page. In a recent meeting, Morgan Park, a fellow news writer, expressed his disdain for the armor system in a rather colorful manner, leaving me feeling both bewildered and defensive. D:OS2's armor system introduces a combat rhythm that is refreshingly distinct. Each character and enemy possesses both physical and magic armor bars, displayed prominently above their health. Physical armor absorbs damage from weapons and related abilities, while magic armor serves as a shield against spells and elemental effects. Crowd control effects become fully effective only after the corresponding armor has been stripped away. For instance, the warrior's charge attack, Battering Ram, merely deals damage while the enemy's physical armor is intact, but guarantees a knockdown once that armor is gone. This design choice ensures that every character contributes to both offense and crowd management. Players are encouraged to abandon traditional roles; the absence of a classic tank or healer is liberating. Each character must fulfill multiple roles—tank, DPS, and controller—while build variations arise from weapon choices, armor, and skill trees. This dynamic creates an aggressive form of turn-based tactics, where players race to dismantle enemy defenses and secure priority targets before they can retaliate. While Original Sin 2's system is not without its flaws, they are no more pronounced than the typical shortcomings found in random chance-based alternatives. One critique pertains to party composition; players are often encouraged to specialize in either elemental or physical damage, which can lead to challenges in the endgame for mixed-damage parties. However, there exists a wealth of character build variety within each category, and D:OS2 does not impose stricter limitations on viable character builds than any other RPG, especially at lower difficulty levels.
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
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.
Recap: Expressive Android, but Material ‘3.5’ apps
AppWizard
December 27, 2025

Recap: Expressive Android, but Material ‘3.5’ apps

Both Apple and Google plan significant redesigns of their operating systems for 2025. Google's Material 3 Expressive has received positive feedback for its implementation across devices, aiming for a more unified interface across Android versions, though updates to first-party applications are seen as incremental rather than transformative. The redesign includes a taller search app bar in Google Workspace apps, but inconsistencies arise as some applications cannot utilize the new design. A transition back to a shorter bottom navigation bar in some apps does not improve content space. A floating toolbar in Google Chat raises usability concerns, and the overall interface appears more cluttered due to increased use of containers. Buttons have become larger, with mixed reactions regarding their proportions. The new motion-physics system introduces appealing animations, but the functionality of Google apps remains largely unchanged, leading to a sense of familiarity rather than a transformative experience.
Since everyone got mad about yellow paint again this year, here are 5 alternatives I propose to help players find their way around in 2026
AppWizard
December 23, 2025

Since everyone got mad about yellow paint again this year, here are 5 alternatives I propose to help players find their way around in 2026

The gaming community is currently debating the use of yellow paint as a navigational aid in video games, with titles like Stellar Blade, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, and Star Wars Outlaws contributing to the discussion. Critics argue it reflects lazy game design, while industry voices like Naoki Hamaguchi acknowledge its necessity. The lead designer of The Witcher 4 suggests that the issue lies in the contextual application of such indicators. An alternative navigation concept inspired by Ghost of Tsushima proposes using weather elements, like rain or thunder, to guide players. This method is seen as more subtle but may not suit all players. Mafia: The Old Country introduced physical road signs along routes, improving navigation without frequent minimap checks, though implementation can be challenging in diverse environments. Another idea involves making navigational hints optional and turning them into puzzles with an NPC called The Riddlemaster, which could enhance engagement but requires significant resources. Lastly, a more extraordinary navigational aid could involve a dramatic visual intervention, like a giant hand directing players, which would be memorable but costly and potentially controversial.
Review: LEGO 21589 Minecraft Mini Biomes
AppWizard
December 23, 2025

Review: LEGO 21589 Minecraft Mini Biomes

LEGO 21589 Mini Biomes is set to release on January 1, 2026, with a retail price of .99 and comprising 797 pieces. The set features five distinct micro-scale dioramas representing different Minecraft biomes, including a mountain landscape, forest, mushroom field, desert temple, and savanna. Each biome includes unique elements and microfigures, such as a Steve, creeper, mooshroom, husk, and pillager. The set is designed primarily from 1×1 tiles and offers a backing plate for a pixelated skybox that can be displayed in day or night mode. Pre-orders are available on LEGO.com.
We're hitting peak saturation for first person dungeon crawlers, but Queen's Domain stands apart from the crowd
AppWizard
December 19, 2025

We’re hitting peak saturation for first person dungeon crawlers, but Queen’s Domain stands apart from the crowd

Queen's Domain is an indie first-person dungeon crawler that features a lo-fi visual style reminiscent of the early PlayStation era, with intentionally crunchy graphics and beautifully crafted art assets. The soundtrack combines euphoric melodies with primal percussion, creating a nostalgic yet fresh atmosphere. The gameplay includes a demo showcasing exceptional exploration and immersive atmosphere, with combat mechanics that offer depth and fluidity. Notable features include a unique throwing weapon system based on cooldowns, allowing for dynamic combat strategies, and a melee dash attack that enhances offense and mobility. The game aims to provide a rich experience of exploration, combat, and atmospheric storytelling.
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