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AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Review

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is developed by Mojang and Double Eleven, published by Xbox Game Studios and Mojang. It is available on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, with a release date of September 29, 2026, priced at £24.99. The game serves as an accessible introduction to the action RPG genre, targeting younger audiences, particularly Minecraft fans. It features a semi-open-world structure, allowing exploration of various areas, but the main quest line and side quests can be completed in approximately seven to ten hours. Combat mechanics are straightforward, with rapid loot acquisition and a system that can frustrate players due to hidden stats. The narrative involves ill-intentioned Illagers and lacks variety in quests. The game includes a co-op mode for up to four players and cross-platform online play, but players cannot transfer offline characters online. The Deluxe Edition includes additional content such as a Soul Cape, hero skins, and access to DLC packs.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Be warned: Nivalis Nights may not be the cozy game you expect: ‘If you want a cozy existence in this city, you’re going to have to earn it’

Nivalis Nights is a user-generated tag on Steam that is described as a cyberpunk shop/life simulation game, with elements of management and relaxation. However, the game presents an overwhelming volume of quests and notifications, creating a chaotic experience that contrasts with traditional notions of coziness. Lead writer Thomas Welsh acknowledges that the game reflects life in a capitalist society, where players face burdensome debt and bureaucratic challenges. Despite its harsh world, the game includes decorating and management elements, visually stunning graphics, character narratives, and a hint of romance. The initial overwhelm from the quest log and constant notifications contributes to the subjective interpretation of coziness in gaming.

AppWizard

October 8, 2026

Android Pause Point Review: Does It Cut Screen Time?

Google has introduced a feature called Pause Point to help users manage their screen time by interrupting the habitual opening of certain apps. Users can select specific applications, such as YouTube, X, Snapchat, and WhatsApp, to apply this feature, which provides a brief interruption before accessing the app. The pause can take one of five forms: Breathe, Remind, Divert, Plan, and Reflect, each designed to disrupt automatic app usage. While some variations of Pause Point are more effective than others, a limitation is that it cannot discern the context behind each app opening, requiring users to navigate through the interruption even in urgent situations, such as receiving a call or responding to a message.

Tech Optimizer

October 7, 2026

Antivirus: Do you still need it?

Purchasing antivirus software is often seen as necessary but can be frustrating, especially with built-in security features available on most computers. Windows includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which has been independently tested and scored well for protection, performance, and usability. Mac users have XProtect for malware detection. Users should verify that their existing protection is enabled and up-to-date before considering a subscription. Antivirus programs combat various types of malware, using methods like signature scanning and heuristic analysis, but they are not infallible. Research on antivirus effectiveness varies, with scores reflecting different criteria and not universally applicable detection rates. Subscriptions may be worthwhile if they offer specific features, but users should be cautious about renewal prices and unnecessary multiple installations. Maintaining updated software and practicing good security habits are essential for protection. For everyday use, built-in protection is often sufficient unless additional benefits justify the cost of extra software.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Loads of Prime Day Android app deals and freebies: This Seat Taken?, ISLANDERS, Druid, Kero Blaster, more

The Google Play store is offering discounts on apps and games, including titles like Is This Seat Taken?, ISLANDERS: Mobile, Druid, Kero Blaster, BE-A Walker, and Planescape: Torment: Enhanced. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available at its lowest price to date, while the Pixel 11 series has savings of up to 0, and the Pixel Watch 5 starts at 9.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Warhammer Survivors is more than just a Vampire Survivors spin-off

Warhammer Survivors is developed by Auroch Digital and is seen as a worthy sequel to Vampire Survivors. It features detailed hero designs, expansive maps, and grotesque creatures. The game introduces fresh elements like followers and enhanced boss encounters. Familiar mechanics from Vampire Survivors are present, such as weapon evolutions and challenging bosses, with unique adaptations like experience skulls and Extremis bosses. Nuln oil is used as a weapon in the game, damaging and slowing enemies. Each map has a distinct theme, with one set in a WH40k battlefield and another in Age of Sigmar. Players can rescue unlockable characters to aid them in battles, adding a strategic element. The game presents a tougher challenge compared to its predecessor, with enemy factions exhibiting unique traits. Players must choose between WH40k and AoS universes, which have tailored characters and upgrades. Warhammer Survivors runs well on Steam Deck and is set to launch on November 10.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Steam sale deep cut alert: this ARPG originally developed for Nokia N-Gage is brilliant on Deck

Xanadu Next, developed by Nihon Falcom for the Nokia N-Gage, is a spin-off of the 1985 game Xanadu: Dragon Slayer 2. It has recently been re-released on Steam during the Autumn sale. The game features an isometric view and a metroidvania structure, with gameplay involving exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Players can upgrade and trade in a central village, while the world outside offers interconnected areas reminiscent of Dark Souls. The game is available at a 70% discount but lacks comprehensive controller support, requiring some tasks to be done with a mouse. Players have reported success running it on the Steam Deck despite it being marked as unsupported.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

Metro Redux games get free next-gen upgrade ahead of Metro 2039

Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux will receive complimentary next-generation updates, with the PC version available on October 22 and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S updates on October 29. The updates are free for existing owners on supported platforms. Enhancements include 4K textures, improved animations, higher-quality audio, richer environmental detail, and community-requested bug fixes. PC updates will feature DLSS, spatial audio, and platform-specific optimizations, while console players will have native support for 4K resolution at 60 fps or upscaled 4K at 120 fps. Specific console features include PS5 Pro's PSSR, Xbox Series X's TSR upscaling, and spatial audio support on Xbox. The Metro series has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, with the next installment, Metro 2039, set for release on February 4.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

How to Integrate Unity ARCore Geospatial Into a Native Android App

The integration of AR capabilities into an app using Unity involves several steps. Initially, a Geospatial sample project is created in Unity, starting as a 3D project and switching the platform to Android. Key steps include downloading and importing the Cesium and ARCore Extensions packages, setting project settings for Android, enabling Google ARCore, and configuring API keys. For 3D model integration, a model is selected from the Unity Store, positioned correctly on the map using AR Geospatial Creator Anchor, and adjustments are made for visibility. Animation is added through an Animator Controller, and potential build issues may require adjustments in Unity preferences. When importing Unity as a library into an Android project, the minSdk version must align with Unity settings, and resolved libraries should be deleted to avoid complications. The unityLibrary is included in the project’s settings.gradle file, and modifications to build.gradle files may be necessary to resolve NDK visibility issues. A missing string resource can cause crashes, which can be fixed by adding a string to strings.xml.

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

Time Crisis Arcade-Perfect PC Port Is Now Available for Download

An unofficial PC version of the arcade classic Time Crisis has been released as part of the “Namco System 22 games for PC” initiative, which aims to bring several arcade games to the PC platform. The namco22-decompile project currently supports five titles: Time Crisis, Rave Racer, Dirt Dash, Tokyo Wars, and Prop Cycle. These games run more efficiently than traditional emulators and support widescreen formats and resolutions up to 4K. The Time Crisis port features mouse control support and compatibility with light guns. Players need to supply their own ROM files to enjoy the games, as the project does not include in-game assets. Other unofficial PC ports include titles such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Donkey Kong Country games. September 2026 has seen various unofficial PC ports, including Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, GTA: Liberty City Stories, and Super Mario Strikers.