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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.
2023 PC Game Now 100% Free on Steam for 48 Hours
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

2023 PC Game Now 100% Free on Steam for 48 Hours

RewindApp's Initial Drift Online is available for free on Steam for approximately 48 hours until January 18. Players can claim the game during this period, and it will be theirs to keep after downloading. The game features street racing in Japan and has received 792 user reviews with an overall approval rating of 79%, though it currently sits at 58% during the promotional period. Some users have reported server issues due to an influx of new players, while others have had a smooth experience.
Hytale Feels Like Little More Than A Neat Minecraft Texture Pack
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

Hytale Feels Like Little More Than A Neat Minecraft Texture Pack

Hytale is an early access game that has been in development for a decade, facing a cancellation by Riot Games before its revival in November. The game features mechanics such as jumping two blocks high and a combat system that requires timing for attacks, which are similar to potential mods in Minecraft. Hytale includes familiar mobs like skeletons, spiders, zombies, and golems, alongside new creatures like goblins and Kweebecs, and a mysterious area known as the Void. Crafting in Hytale is more complex than in Minecraft, requiring multiple workstations, and workbenches can recognize adjacent chest contents. Despite its unique elements, Hytale often feels derivative of Minecraft, with similar sounds and inventory mechanics. Future updates, including an anticipated Adventure Mode, aim to introduce RPG-like storylines and quests. The game currently faces balancing issues but remains visually appealing, though it has not surpassed Minecraft's foundational elements.
7 Things in Hytale's Early Game that Surprised Me as a Minecraft Veteran
AppWizard
January 15, 2026

7 Things in Hytale’s Early Game that Surprised Me as a Minecraft Veteran

Hytale has entered early access, offering players a vibrant world to explore. Early-game guides are being developed to assist newcomers with topics like smelting and server setups. The game is inspired by Minecraft but features unique elements. Key observations from the early game include: 1. Players can fell an entire tree with a single punch, resulting in an explosion of wood, sticks, and sap. 2. Overworld mobs, such as squirrels and rabbits, have more health than expected, requiring multiple hits to defeat. 3. Ores glimmer faintly in underground caves, making them easier to spot with torches. 4. The crafting system requires various materials for gear progression, making it more intricate compared to Minecraft. 5. There are enhanced decorative options, allowing for slanted roof blocks, half-block walls, and shelves with candles and books. 6. Exploration reveals unique locations like the "Forgotten Temple Gateway," which features distinctive mobs and NPCs. 7. Farming mechanics are more complex, with players able to construct animal care buildings and use farming aids, and new seeds requiring “Essence of Life.”
Two Of The Biggest Games On The Planet Might Finally Be Joining Forces As Fortnite x Minecraft Rumors Start To Swirl
AppWizard
January 15, 2026

Two Of The Biggest Games On The Planet Might Finally Be Joining Forces As Fortnite x Minecraft Rumors Start To Swirl

Fortnite and Minecraft, two immensely popular games, have not yet collaborated, but rumors of a potential partnership are circulating, initiated by a leak from Adira and supported by confirmations from insiders like Hypex. The prospect of a crossover has generated excitement among fans, as both games have distinct yet complementary elements. Players and industry observers are eagerly awaiting official announcements regarding this potential collaboration.
Android 17 leak hints at major Quick Settings revamp you'll actually use
AppWizard
January 15, 2026

Android 17 leak hints at major Quick Settings revamp you’ll actually use

Android 17 is set to revamp Quick Settings by introducing a new split layout option for regular Pixel phones, while making it mandatory for larger devices like tablets and foldables. The update will separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles, reversing the combined Internet toggle from Android 12. Users may experience a more organized interface that separates notifications from system controls, with a streamlined interaction designed for improved usability.
After Expedition 33's success, Split Fiction's Josef Fares warns publishers not to "only do" double-A
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.
‘Minecraft’-Like RPG ‘Hytale’ Launches This Week — Here’s When You Can Play
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

‘Minecraft’-Like RPG ‘Hytale’ Launches This Week — Here’s When You Can Play

Hytale, a survival crafting RPG developed by Hypixel Studios, is set to launch on January 13, 2026. The game will be available worldwide at the same time, with specific launch times for different regions: 7 am PST for the West Coast of North America, 10 am EST for the East Coast, 3 pm GMT for the U.K., 4 pm CET for Central Europe, midnight on January 14 for Japan, and 2 am AEDT on January 14 for Australia. Preloading is not available, but players are advised to download the launcher in advance due to expected high traffic. Purchasing Hytale during Early Access will unlock various in-game rewards, including cosmetic sets and capes, with no traditional preorder bonuses offered.
Blue Prince, the best game of 2025 (don't check our GOTY just trust me) is on sale on Steam for under $20 for the first time
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

Blue Prince, the best game of 2025 (don’t check our GOTY just trust me) is on sale on Steam for under $20 for the first time

PC gamers can purchase the acclaimed 2025 Game of the Year, Blue Prince, at a 34% discount during the Steam Detective Fest, bringing the price to .79 / £16.49. Blue Prince was recognized as the Best Designed game of 2025 by PC Gamer but finished as the runner-up to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The game features intricate puzzle design and a unique approach to puzzles and discovery, developed over eight years. Players have expressed frustrations with the game's random number generation (RNG), which is integral to its challenge. The Steam Detective Fest runs through January 19, offering various games on sale.
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