emotions Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

One of BioShock Infinite’s best narrative devices is its music

BioShock Infinite's soundtrack has had a lasting impact since its launch thirteen years ago, particularly through its innovative use of music that blends different time periods. A significant moment features the Bee Sharps, a barbershop quartet performing the Bee Gees' "God Only Knows," juxtaposing a 1912 setting with a song from over fifty years later. Another poignant scene includes Booker and Elizabeth discovering an acoustic guitar, where Elizabeth sings lines from the hymn "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." The music enhances the game's emotional depth and storytelling, making it a crucial part of its legacy and gameplay experience.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

Crimson Desert, the fantasy game that both impressed and annoyed me the most last year, has gone gold

Crimson Desert is an open-world adventure game where players control Kliff Macduff, the leader of the Greymanes, on a quest for vengeance. The game is set to be released on March 19, following a delay from its original late 2025 release window. Developer Pearl Abyss has announced that the game has gone gold, indicating that the development is complete and ready for distribution. The combat system features a fighting game approach with numerous attacks and abilities tied to complex button combinations, which can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Despite some frustrations with the control scheme, the game aims to provide an immersive experience with exploration and hidden secrets.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Diablo 4 and PoE 2’s fastest competitor drops a new update at the perfect time, earning its most players ever

Torchlight Infinite has gained attention in the action role-playing game (ARPG) genre with its latest season, Vorax, which introduces features such as custom monster cultivation for arena battles, a 'grafting' system for unique gear creation, and a new hero variant, Vendetta Erika, who operates as an agile assassin. The update also includes new spellcasting mechanics and endgame bosses, alongside a comprehensive UI overhaul aimed at improving aesthetics and readability. On January 17, the game achieved a peak concurrent player count of 23,715 on Steam, surpassing its previous launch high, with an additional 7,600 players on the Chinese client.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Hytale is Twitch’s most-watched game as devs finally release Minecraft rival they’ve “waited ten years” for

Hytale has officially launched after nearly eight years since its initial announcement in 2018. The game, developed by Hypixel Studios and acquired by Riot Games in 2020, faced a temporary cancellation in June 2025 but was later revived when CEO Simon Collins-Laflamme regained control of the studio. Hytale has garnered 344,000 viewers on Twitch, surpassing all other games. The developers expressed excitement about the launch, emphasizing that it marks the beginning of the game's journey. Early player feedback has been positive, and pre-orders are expected to fund the next two years of development.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Rhythm Doctor review

Rhythm Doctor, developed and published by 7th Beat Games, is set to launch on December 6, 2025, priced at £17. The game features a unique rhythm gaming approach using only the spacebar for gameplay, challenging players' musical timing while presenting emotional narratives across six acts. Players assume the role of a mute intern at Middlesea Hospital, where they use a long noodle arm to care for patients by synchronizing taps with their heartbeats. The game includes relatable characters facing real-life challenges, humorous interactions, and engaging tutorials led by a character named Hugh. It features a variety of rhythms and beats, including seventh beats and swing rhythms, and integrates audio cues into the music. The soundtrack ranges from lo-fi beats to energetic guitar tracks, enhancing the storytelling. The visual style is playful and experimental, with dynamic animations and attention to detail in various scenes.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Minecraft’s baby mob drop: Everything you need to know about the first update for 2026

Minecraft's first update for 2026 will introduce baby mobs, featuring a comprehensive re-skinning of eight different mobs: cows, pigs, ocelots, cats, chickens, wolves, sheep, and rabbits. The update aims to give these baby animals a more distinctive look with single-pixel eyes and new sounds. While a specific release date is not confirmed, it is speculated to debut in spring, potentially as early as March. Additionally, the update will include craftable name tags, allowing players to name pets easily by combining a sheet of paper with a metal nugget.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

How I learned to manage my emotions with Google’s Journal app

The author initially did not find journaling appealing but began using Google's Journal app, also known as Pixel Journal, to process emotions during a tumultuous year filled with mental challenges. The app serves as a safe space for unloading burdens and offers AI-powered prompts that encourage introspection. It features a built-in calendar for revisiting past entries, customization options for tagging emotions, and integration with Google Photos. Privacy is prioritized with password protection and local AI processing. The author finds the app to be a comforting tool for managing emotions, especially as the new year approaches.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

CLOWN Defends AI, Praises His Minecraft Server & Takes A Shot At RICK RUBIN All In One Interview

M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan, the percussionist and creative director of Slipknot, has launched a custom Minecraft server called Vernearth, driven by a spiritual and creative necessity rather than financial gain. His gaming history includes experiences with various platforms and genres, and he views Vernearth as a significant artistic creation that combines music, coding, and personal culture. Crahan respects Minecraft deeply, having purchased it on its release day and watched its updates, and he finds it therapeutic for processing grief, including the loss of a child. He is open to embracing artificial intelligence, seeing it as a creative ally that can enhance his work, and believes that AI is an inevitable part of societal evolution. He suggests that younger generations may not share the same apprehensions about AI as older ones, emphasizing that life is moving forward with or without resistance to technology.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

It was a good year for survival crafting sickos, and I’ll be playing some of these well into 2026

The author is actively involved in a community focused on survival crafting games, exploring various titles such as Dune: Awakening, Grounded 2, and Abiotic Factor. They have a nostalgic connection to Pax Dei, which features a grind-heavy, player-driven universe but faces challenges in player retention. Misery, currently in early access, offers a melancholic atmosphere with potential for future development. Recent updates to Rust, including a new jungle biome and blueprint system, have sparked renewed interest. Abiotic Factor, recognized as the Best Co-op Game of 2025, remains the author's favorite due to its charm and homage to the Half-Life series.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025

In 2025, indie and double-A titles gained prominence in the gaming landscape, overshadowing high-budget blockbusters. Notable games included Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Blue Prince, and Schedule 1. PCGamesN's top ten PC games of 2025 are as follows: 10. Hades 2 - Early access game with extensive content, new bosses, and an expanded narrative. 9. Split Fiction - Co-op game emphasizing friendship and sisterhood with vibrant visuals and clever puzzles. 8. Arc Raiders - Unique extraction shooter with a community-focused gameplay experience. 7. Routine - Single-player survival horror set on a deserted moon station, offering a concise and chilling experience. 6. Battlefield 6 - Multiplayer-focused game known for dynamic gameplay and large-scale battles. 5. Dispatch - Episodic narrative game featuring character-driven storytelling and humor. 4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - Open-world game set in 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism and exploration. 3. Hollow Knight Silksong - Sequel with refined gameplay and a beautifully crafted world. 2. Blue Prince - Roguelike puzzle game that encourages exploration and problem-solving. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Game of the Year with a profound narrative, innovative combat system, and artistic presentation.