dog Archives

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

After Expedition 33’s success, Split Fiction’s Josef Fares warns publishers not to “only do” double-A

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received critical acclaim and commercial success, winning Game of the Year at the previous year’s Game Awards. Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios, warns the triple-A gaming sector against merely replicating trends from Expedition 33's success, emphasizing the need for innovation rather than imitation. He highlights the importance of diversity in gaming, asserting that both triple-A and double-A titles have their place in the industry. Fares points out that while high-budget games face pressure to avoid risks, innovation is still possible, citing examples from studios like Naughty Dog, Rockstar, and Nintendo. He also mentions that other major studios, such as Capcom, are exploring unconventional ideas.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

I’ve just found a new cutesy Balatro, but instead of a deck of cards you get to tend to a garden and harvest flowers

The author began playing the game Balatro late and transitioned to a new game, Chosen Garden, at the beginning of 2025. Chosen Garden is a roguelike deckbuilder set to launch in March 2025, where players nurture a magical garden and face unpredictable weather every three rounds. Players start with a 9x9 plot and must harvest within a 3x3 area, with each round requiring them to meet a point goal. Harvesting yields coins for acquiring new plants, tools, or animals. The gameplay is similar to Balatro, making it accessible for players familiar with it. The author experienced challenges during gameplay, including a sandstorm that affected their score, ultimately finishing with under 300 points.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

From Minecraft to The Last of Us Season 2, the best gaming adaptations of 2025 weren’t lacking in variety

Continuity and iteration are prevalent in the gaming industry, particularly in 2025, where many video game adaptations are second seasons of successful prior adaptations. This year's adaptations include notable theatrical releases with creative interpretations. Adaptation involves translating elements of the original game into a different medium, which can spark debate among fans. The diversity of adaptations this year spans various genres, including family-friendly, horror, and post-apocalyptic narratives. The adaptation of Supermassive's game Until Dawn into a film has managed to maintain its essence while providing a fresh perspective. The Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess and featuring Jack Black, distinguishes itself from typical CGI fantasy adventures and resonates with both young fans and newcomers, leading to enthusiastic audience reactions and 'meme-a-long' screenings. Fallout Season 2 has surprised audiences with its quick turnaround, shifting the narrative to New Vegas and featuring beloved elements from the series. The adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 on HBO Max has received mixed reactions, particularly regarding the timing of plot revelations, though it includes emotionally intense moments and strong chemistry between characters.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

My top 12 handheld games I played in 2025 — Indies and AAA titles I recommend for Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and more

- Little Kitty, Big City: A whimsical game where players navigate city streets as a cat, runs well on handhelds and is Steam Deck verified. - Amber Isle: A cozy game allowing players to create a dinosaur character and craft, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text is small. - Kingdom of Night: An engaging game with 80s-inspired pixel art and combat, set in Miami, Arizona, Steam Deck verified. - PowerWash Simulator: An addictive game about cleaning surfaces, Steam Deck verified. - The Plucky Squire: A game where players leap from book pages into the real world, runs beautifully on Steam Deck and is Steam Deck verified. - My Little Puppy: A heartfelt game about a dog searching for its owner in the afterlife, Steam Deck verified. - Blue Prince: A roguelike puzzle game set in a mansion, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text can be hard to read. - Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo: An adventure puzzle game featuring a snake assisting souls, Steam Deck verified. - Baldur's Gate 3: Acclaimed as 2023's Game of the Year, runs beautifully on handheld devices and is Steam Deck verified. - Dave the Diver: A game combining underwater exploration with sushi restaurant management, Steam Deck verified. - Minecraft: Runs well on handhelds with adjustments, but is not Steam Deck verified. - Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, marked as Playable on Steam Deck. - Horizon Zero Dawn: A favorite game with a captivating story, Steam Deck verified. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: An award-winning game with improved performance after an update, Steam Deck verified. - Xbox Game Pass: Offers a vast library of titles perfect for handhelds.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

THQ Nordic and Nine Rocks Games announce Next Hunting Adventure for PC

Publisher THQ Nordic and developer Nine Rocks Games are releasing an open-world hunting game titled Next Hunting Adventure, set in the wilderness of North America. The game will be available on PC via Steam, but a release date has not been announced. It features realistic wildlife encounters, partnerships with over ten real-world brands for hunting gear, and two environments for players to explore. Key features include a hunting dog that assists in tracking, an enhanced bullet camera for shot analysis, a central hub called the Hunting Lodge for planning and upgrades, and access to advanced equipment for an immersive experience.

BetaBeacon

December 11, 2025

The Best New Roguelikes and Roguelites

- Dog Witch is a quirky deckbuilder game that the reviewer unexpectedly enjoyed and considers one of their favorites of 2025.

Winsage

December 9, 2025

Windows 3.1 included a red and yellow ‘Hot Dog Stand’ color scheme so garish it was long assumed to be a joke, so I tracked down Microsoft’s original UI designer to get the true story

Virginia Howlett, a pioneering interface designer at Microsoft since 1985, was part of the team that created the themes for Windows 3.1, including the vibrant "Hot Dog Stand" color scheme. This theme featured bright yellow and red and was one of several color palettes designed to allow user customization. Howlett noted that the user interface primarily used black lines on a white background with shades of gray for 3-D buttons. She expressed surprise at the continued interest in Windows 3.1 as it approaches late 2025. The Hot Dog Stand theme was not intended as a joke but rather as a memorable design choice in the history of Windows.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

Despite a disaster launch, Blair Witch inspired horror game sells over 100,000 copies as dev commits “to face everything head on”

Multiplayer horror games have gained popularity due to platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Recent successful titles include R.E.P.O, Phasmophobia, and Lethal Company, inspiring indie developers to create multiplayer experiences. Digital Cybercherries is developing a game called Don't Scream Together, which combines cooperative gameplay with a found footage horror aesthetic. The game faced challenges at launch, receiving negative reviews primarily due to microphone calibration issues and player confusion about mechanics. Despite this, it sold 100,000 copies within days, with 60,000 on the first day. The developers engaged with the community and addressed feedback, leading to updated reviews from some players. They released a patch to fix audio problems linked to Windows 11 Audio Enhancements and committed to improving microphone calibration. Don't Scream Together is currently available at a 38% discount on Steam until December 10.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

World War 1 survival horror Conscript gets a ‘huge’ update that adds a hardcore mode, redesigned levels, new items and gear, and much more

Conscript, a World War I survival horror game, received a commendable score of 83 from reviewer Alexander Chatziioannou for its portrayal of a French soldier's journey through the Battle of Verdun. Developer Jordan Mochi is releasing a substantial update titled Conscript: Director's Cut, which includes new items like a craftsman's kit and a dog collar that prevents rat spawning, inspired by historical practices. The combat system has been improved with features such as moving while aiming and enhanced melee attacks. Additional updates include changes to the late-game economy, placeable map markers, and an improved records screen. To celebrate the update, publisher Team 17 is offering a 66% discount, reducing the price to $/£6.79.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

I wish Arc Raiders would steal the best feature from this rival extraction shooter, which now lets you be a sci-fi bartender to boot

The latest update for The Forever Winter introduces a bar that players can craft within their home base, allowing them to engage with patrons and complete quests to build their reputation and unlock rewards. The game features a darker, post-apocalyptic atmosphere with mechanical foes and various enemy types. The November update includes a new Front-Liner weapon designed to slow down heavy infantry enemies, streamlines the revival process for allies, and introduces a hardcore mode that removes the HUD for a more immersive experience.