encounters Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ Now Has Overwhelmingly Negative Reviews on Steam – How One of 2025’s Best Games Is Crashing on PC

Monster Hunter Wilds has received an "Overwhelmingly Negative" rating on Steam, despite being Capcom's fastest-selling title earlier this year. Players have expressed dissatisfaction primarily due to performance issues with the PC version, including frequent crashes, sluggish server response times, and high system requirements for smooth gameplay. Many negative reviews come from players with significant hours logged in the game, indicating that the discontent is not impulsive. While some players appreciate the gameplay, others criticize the narrative-driven approach and simplified mechanics, which have disappointed long-time fans.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Meteorfall Journeys, Towaga, Lumino City, more

A new wave of Android game and app deals has emerged, including savings on Samsung Galaxy Book laptops and Lenovo’s Legion Go PC gaming handheld. Discounts are available on the 512GB Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Google Pixel Watch 3. Notable Android app and game price drops include titles such as Towaga, Lumino City, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, and Meteorfall: Journeys. Meteorfall is a deck-building roguelike adventure where players choose from four adventurers and enhance their decks with new cards. Combat involves drawing cards to either unleash their power or conserve stamina, adding strategic depth to encounters.

Tech Optimizer

June 19, 2025

Do You Need Antivirus for Chromebook?

Chromebooks are designed with robust security features, including sandboxing, verified boot, and automatic updates, which contribute to their reputation as secure devices. Despite these protections, vulnerabilities can still exist, particularly through phishing scams, risky extensions, and the use of Linux or Android apps. Security experts suggest that users who frequently engage in online shopping, download Android applications, connect to public Wi-Fi, or store sensitive information in the cloud should consider antivirus software for added protection. Recommended antivirus options for Chromebooks include TotalAV Essential Antivirus, Norton Mobile Security, and Avira Antivirus Security, each offering various features and benefits tailored for Chromebook users.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

FBC: Firebreak doesn’t have the eldritch chaos I had hoped for so I’m going back to one of my favourite games that you’ve never played

FBC: Firebreak is a co-op shooting game that falls short of expectations, despite having amusing enemy designs and quirky objectives. The gameplay quickly becomes mundane, focusing on shooting enemies and grinding for gear. In contrast, SCP: Secret Laboratory offers a chaotic and engaging experience with randomly assigned roles and unpredictable scenarios, fostering memorable moments and camaraderie among players. SCP: Secret Laboratory features a variety of tools and items that enhance gameplay, such as powerful weapons and whimsical gadgets, which contribute to its dynamic atmosphere. Firebreak lacks the wild energy and unpredictability that characterize SCP: Secret Laboratory.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

FBC: Firebreak review

Firebreak is a cooperative shooter set to be released on June 17, 2025, priced at £33, developed and published by Remedy Entertainment. The game features players as 'Firebreakers,' janitors in rubber suits tasked with resolving maintenance challenges while battling the Hiss, a hostile force. It is set within The Oldest House, the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control, and consists of five distinct jobs with various objectives. The gameplay emphasizes trial and error, with a mix of chaotic encounters and peculiar tasks, such as repairing air conditioning units and collecting sticky notes. Firebreak has been reviewed on an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with an Nvidia 2080 Super and 32 GB RAM, and is verified for Steam Deck. The game lacks extensive tutorials, potentially disadvantaging newcomers. Balancing issues affect gameplay, with fluctuating difficulty levels and some jobs being less successful than others. A clearance system intended to enhance replayability may lead to player fatigue. Despite its current challenges, there is potential for improvement with future updates.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

FBC: Firebreak best weapons tier list

FBC: Firebreak features six weapons at launch, with a tier list categorizing them based on effectiveness against the Hiss. The starting weapons—Revolver, Submachine Gun, and Double-Barrel Shotgun—are independent of the Crisis Kit selection. Players can expand their arsenal by collecting samples and unlocking higher-tier versions through the requisition menu. The tier list is as follows: - S-tier: Machine Gun (Unlock: Page 4), Pump-Action Shotgun (Unlock: Page 5) - A-tier: Revolver (Unlock: Straightaway), Submachine Gun (Unlock: Straightaway) - B-tier: Double-Barrel Shotgun (Unlock: Straightaway) - C-tier: Bolt-Action Rifle (Unlock: Page 1) The Machine Gun is effective for headshots with substantial ammo capacity. The Pump-Action Shotgun is versatile with high damage and useful projectile spread. The Revolver offers impressive stopping power but has limited ammo. The Submachine Gun has a higher ammo capacity but is less effective against heavier foes. The Double-Barrel Shotgun has high damage but limited shots before reloading. The Bolt-Action Rifle is less effective in close quarters due to slow reload time.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Minecraft Happy Ghast guide: taming, builds, tips, and more | Esports News

In the "Chase the Skies" update of Minecraft, players can find and tame a new mob called the Happy Ghast. To find a Happy Ghast, players must locate a Dried Ghast in the Soul Sand Valley biomes or obtain it through Piglin trades or crafting. They can then rehydrate the Dried Ghast in water to create a Ghastling, which is tamed by throwing a total of 10 snowballs at it. Once tamed, players can craft a harness for the Happy Ghast using 3 leather, 2 glass blocks, and 1 wool block. The Happy Ghast can carry up to four players, with the first rider controlling the flight direction. Players can dismount mid-air and stand on the Happy Ghast’s head. It can be used for aerial scaffolding, mobile transport, group travel, and creative showcases. Players are advised to build a Happy Ghast station for easier remounting. Happy Ghasts are vulnerable to fire damage and hostile ghasts, and they wander within a 32-block radius when harnessed. The harness can be removed with shears, and players have created travel systems using Happy Ghasts in minecarts.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The Stellar Blade PC release finally convinced me to try it out, but after its Steam Next Fest demo I’m going straight back to Elden Ring Nightreign

The Stellar Blade PC demo was released during the Steam Next Fest, attracting attention despite not topping the charts. It features an introductory cutscene, a tutorial, and a significant boss encounter, allowing players to explore its upgrade system. The demo showcases a visually appealing aesthetic but raises concerns about gameplay depth and performance issues, even on recommended settings. Design choices, such as surprise enemy ambushes and floaty physics puzzles, detract from the experience. The combat mechanics are criticized for feeling insubstantial, and comparisons to Elden Ring highlight Stellar Blade's lack of polish.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Mio: Memories in Orbit has all the wonder of playing Inside for the first time and its devs are working hard to make it even better

Players assume the role of Mio, who awakens aboard a vast technological ark drifting through the cosmos. The game involves exploration and encounters with various enemies and powerful guardians that hold pieces of the spaceship's past. Gameplay mechanics include platforming and combat, with players acquiring abilities like a grappling hook and a glider. Mio is currently in its demo phase, generating excitement among players, with positive feedback on the art direction, boss fights, and soundtrack. Some minor bugs have been reported, but most players are enjoying the demo and expressing enthusiasm on the game's Discord server.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

The Alters review

Players navigate a treacherous alien planet in "The Alters," a game by 11 bit studios that combines survival mechanics with a sci-fi narrative. The protagonist, Jan, is the sole survivor of a failed intergalactic mining operation and must repair his base, manage resources, and make strategic decisions to survive. The game introduces a unique element called rapidium, allowing players to create altered versions of Jan with different skills and personalities. Interactions with these Alters and other characters can lead to cooperation or conflict, impacting morale and mission success. Exploration involves gathering resources and managing environmental hazards, with a fast travel system facilitating navigation. The game emphasizes the importance of player choices, creating a deeply personal and immersive experience.