early access phase Archives

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Amid a tidal wave of new games in 2024, these 10 must-play deep cuts are cheap and will run on almost anything

Many gamers are facing a growing backlog of titles as they enter the new year. Instead of returning to popular games like The Witcher 3 or Persona 5, players are encouraged to explore quirky indie games that offer depth and creativity, are budget-friendly, and suitable for short gaming sessions. Eight standout indie games from the past year and two late entries from 2023 include: 1. Felvidek: Set in the Slovak highlands, featuring a disgraced protagonist investigating supernatural occurrences with a priest, utilizing sepia-toned visuals and retro turn-based combat. 2. Skald: Against the Black Priory: A DOS RPG-inspired game with pixel art and a rich soundtrack, offering modern hardcore CRPG mechanics. 3. Dread Delusion: A low-fi RPG with immersive world-building and exploration, captivating players since early access. 4. Anger Foot: An arcade FPS priced at , combining fast-paced action and humor, reminiscent of "Hotline Miami." 5. Judero: An action-adventure game with a druid protagonist in a whimsical claymation world, featuring surreal dialogues. 6. Mouthwashing: A claustrophobic narrative set on a marooned spaceship, known for its nonlinear storytelling and haunting atmosphere. 7. Straftat: A 1v1 FPS that combines classic map design with humor, serving as a contrast to live service games. 8. The Black Parade: An unofficial expansion for Thief Gold, featuring ten expansive missions that highlight immersive sim design. These indie titles offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream gaming, allowing players to enjoy unique narratives and innovative gameplay.

AppWizard

December 18, 2024

I played 27 new cozy games this year and my top 5 only includes 2 farm sims, I promise

This year, 27 cozy games were played, with notable titles including Fields of Mistria, Sky: Children of the Light, Infinity Nikki, Tiny Glade, and Rusty's Retirement. Fields of Mistria is a farm sim that evokes nostalgia for Harvest Moon games, featuring engaging characters and user-friendly elements. Sky: Children of the Light, a social MMO platformer, successfully transforms the single-player experience of Journey into a multiplayer format, offering a vast world and seasonal content. Infinity Nikki is an open-world adventure that combines outfit collection with platforming, while Tiny Glade allows for creative building with a procedural system. Rusty's Retirement is an idle farm sim that integrates gameplay into daily tasks. Additionally, The Garden Path is highlighted as a refreshing gardening simulator.

AppWizard

December 10, 2024

Fellow Diablo 2 snobs: Path of Exile 2 is the game we’ve been waiting for

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) entered early access on December 6, allowing players to engage with the game during a significant snowstorm. The game is an action role-playing game (ARPG) that combines elements of hacking, slashing, looting, leveling, crafting, and questing. Players can tackle challenges solo or cooperatively, with the initial act presenting a high level of difficulty. Enemy levels do not scale with the player's character, making strategy and skill essential for survival. Each boss encounter is designed to test player skill, and the game features a support gem system for creative playstyles and a customizable passive skill tree. Grinding Gear Games is addressing player feedback with hotfixes to improve gameplay, including adjustments to loot and currency drops, map systems, and dodge mechanics. PoE 2 runs smoothly on PC and is compatible with gaming handhelds, offering a visually stunning experience. It will be free-to-play after the early access phase.

AppWizard

December 7, 2024

Path of Exile 2 is already one of the top 20 most played games in Steam’s history even though it’s in early access and all the servers have been on fire

Path of Exile 2 has reached 480,000 concurrent players, surpassing the previous game's peak of 230,000 and ranking #19 in all-time concurrent rankings on Steam. The influx of players caused SteamDB to temporarily crash. The game combines classic ARPG buildcrafting with challenging Souls-like gameplay, attracting interest beyond typical gaming circles, including those who usually prefer single-player experiences.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

Satisfactory gets weird for a month with the adorable, festive FICSMAS event

Coffee Stain Studios has released an upgraded version of the FICSMAS holiday event alongside the 1.0 update of their game, Satisfactory. The event features a new research tree for crafting festive items, including tinsel, ornaments, and a FICSMAS tree. Players can unlock special skins, craft whimsical toys like a gingerbread truck and a gift-wrapped drone, and share their creations with the community. Satisfactory is recognized for its blend of crafting, building, and factory management, offering a unique gameplay experience that combines strategy with fun.

AppWizard

November 29, 2024

PC gamers can download a free shooter for a limited-time, no strings attached

Epic Games is offering the game Brotato for free download until December 5, 2024. Brotato is a top-down shoot 'em up roguelite released in 2023, where players control a potato named Brotato who must survive on an alien planet after a spaceship crash. The game has an 'overwhelmingly positive' rating on Steam and allows players to wield up to six weapons simultaneously while crafting builds and selecting traits to enhance survival against alien enemies.

AppWizard

November 24, 2024

Official PC system requirements for Path of Exile 2

Grinding Gear Games has announced the PC system requirements for Path of Exile 2, launching in Early Access on December 6th. The game will not allow character and item transfers from the original Path of Exile and will feature cross-play and cross-progression. Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 - Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-7700 or AMD™ Ryzen 5 2500X - Memory: 8 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 (3GB), Intel® Arc™ A380, or AMD Radeon™ RX 470 - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 100 GB available space - Additional Notes: A GPU with at least 3GB of VRAM is required Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 - Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-10500 or AMD™ Ryzen 5 3700X - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060, Intel® Arc™ A770, or AMD Radeon™ RX 5600XT - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 100 GB available space - Additional Notes: Solid State Storage is recommended Players must secure an Early Access Supporter Pack to gain entry to the game.

AppWizard

November 17, 2024

Industry Giant 4.0 is open for business in Steam Early Access

Industry Giant 4.0 has been released in Steam Early Access, reviving the classic business management game series. Set in the 1950s industrial boom, it features modern 3D graphics and allows players to manage 25 industries, from agriculture to furniture production. The game incorporates elements such as climate regulations, automation, and consumer trends, requiring players to optimize raw material conversion and adapt to shifting market preferences. New features include a 'Zones' system for building placement and a reputation system that impacts player decisions. Players can engage with the community through social media and Discord.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Half-Life: Alyx Mod Gunman Contracts Becomes Full Game On PC VR Next Year

Solo developer ANB_Seth will release their debut title, Gunman Contracts - Stand Alone, in early access in 2025. The game is a VR shooter developed in partnership with publisher 2080 Games and will be available on Steam for both VR and flatscreen. It originated as a mod for Half-Life: Alyx and features a gritty mobster narrative. The early access phase is expected to last two to three years, with players initially having access to Gunman's Base, a variety of weapons, and the first contract. The game aims to include around six contracts by its full version 1.0 release.

AppWizard

September 24, 2024

GreedFall 2 – Now Available in Early Access

GreedFall 2: The Dying World has launched in Steam Early Access, allowing players to purchase the game at a reduced price and receive exclusive rewards while providing feedback for its development. The game is set three years before the events of the first GreedFall, featuring a native character navigating the war-torn landscape of Gacane, focusing on diplomacy, strategy, and combat. Players can explore initial chapters, meet six companions, and utilize six skill trees. Future updates will introduce a new companion, additional quests, an expanded storyline, a new region, and more skill trees this autumn, with further enhancements planned for winter, including a crafting system and new local quests. The developers are committed to community engagement for ongoing game refinement.