Escape Archives

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

EverQuest Legends is the only MMO that could hook me in 2026

PC Gamer's column "Terminally Online" explores the world of MMOs, featuring insights and guest writers discussing their favorite games. The author reflects on their experience with EverQuest, recalling their first adventures in 1999 at the age of six, influenced by their father's choice of a gnome magician. They describe the game's vastness and their initial fear of exploring beyond West Freeport, where they spent time battling rats and orc centurions. The recent release of EverQuest Legends aims to evoke nostalgia by reconstructing the original game with its graphics and mechanics while introducing modern conveniences such as in-game maps and a more forgiving gameplay experience. Project 1999 offers a free-to-play version of classic EverQuest, but many find it a fleeting experience. EverQuest Legends, developed by Game Jawn, has made the game more accessible with frequent level-ups and a gentler learning curve, inviting players to explore at their own pace. The game retains the essence of the original while appealing to those who enjoy mastering its systems, blending nostalgia with modernity.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Amazon Luna

Amazon Prime subscribers will have access to new games on Amazon Luna in August, including the addition of "Batman: Caped Crusader – Chronicles" to the GameNight library. The Luna Standard lineup features three games currently available: "Bluey: The Videogame," "Disney/Pixar Brave: The Video Game," and "Disney/Pixar: WALL-E." Two more games, "Assassin’s Creed Valhalla" and "Assassin’s Creed Mirage," will be released later in the month. Additionally, subscribers can claim downloadable PC games, including "Right and Down," "Hiveswap Friendsim," "Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room," "Airship: Kingdoms Adrift," "Steelrising," "Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic," "Spray Paint Simulator," "Havendock," and "Clash: Artifacts of Chaos," throughout August.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Amazon Prime offers 9 free PC games to claim this month

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim a selection of free games this month, including the notable title Steelrising, an action-RPG set during a reimagined French Revolution. Players control Aegis, an automaton bodyguard, and engage in combat against mechanical forces. Other games available include Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, a tactical RPG, and various titles across platforms such as GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Amazon Games App. The lineup includes: - Available now: - Right and Down (GOG) - Hiveswap Friendsim (GOG) - August 13: - Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room (GOG) - Airship: Kingdoms Adrift (Epic Games Store) - Steelrising (Epic Games Store) - August 20: - Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic (3P) - Spray Paint Simulator (Amazon Games App) - August 27: - Havendock (Amazon Games App) - Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (Epic Games Store)

Winsage

August 13, 2026

1 in 3 Windows users have ‘fallen into a reset trap’ and can’t escape Edge — I think it’s high time Microsoft stopped messing around with default browser choices

A survey by the Browser Choice Alliance (BCA) found that 26% of Windows 11 users had Edge set as their default browser without consent, with 7% feeling 'stuck' with it. Older users, particularly those over 65, reported difficulties in changing their default browser, with 44% describing the process as "complex" and 61% lacking confidence in selecting their preferred browser. Over 70% of participants faced challenges when trying to change their default browser, highlighting obstacles in navigating away from Edge. Critics, including Mozilla, have accused Microsoft of using misleading tactics to promote Edge, and there is a disparity in treatment between regions, with stricter guidelines in the EU leading to a more consumer-friendly approach.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Voidwood, a Fantasy Co-Op Survival Horror Game, Announced for PC

Santa Barbara Games has announced its first project, Voidwood, developed by a team from studios like Bethesda, Riot, and EA. The game combines fantasy and horror with an art style similar to Studio Ghibli. Players can team up with up to three friends to explore a cursed forest, focusing on strategy and stealth. During the day, players gather supplies and craft tools, while at night, they must evade The Beast. Communication is crucial, as players can use proximity chat to whisper, but shouting can attract danger. Players can regroup at a camp for safety, but The Beast can still attack if it detects them. Each session lasts 20 to 30 minutes, and the game features meta progression for character development. Voidwood is currently in development for PC and is expected to release in 2027.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This free Steam cozy game offering will bring back fond childhood memories

Stickers evoke nostalgia for many, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, who often decorate their MacBook covers with them. The free Steam game My Cozy Cube, developed by Potato Sprouts, allows players to decorate a virtual room using sticker-like items and includes a light puzzling element. Players can choose between a guided 'normal mode' and a freeform 'sandbox mode,' with features like auto-snapping for accurate placement. A demo is currently available, but the full release date has not been announced. Another game in this genre is Little Corners, priced at £5.99, which lets players decorate various scenes and offers a simple yet enjoyable experience.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games drops you into a novel, or tasks you and a friend to escape a haunted castle

Epic Games is offering two complimentary PC games: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together, available for free from August 6 to August 13. Beacon Pines is a narrative adventure where players can alter the story by revisiting pages and using special words called charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative puzzle game set in Antarctica that requires players to communicate using walkie-talkies to solve challenges and reunite.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Epic Games Store saves gamers over $30 with two stellar freebies this weekend

Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together. Beacon Pines is a 2022 adventure game originally priced at £16, with an 86 percent positive review rate. It features an interactive story tree that evolves based on player choices, allowing exploration of various paths and unlocking new charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative escape-adventure game priced at £10, where two players must work together to navigate a post-blizzard landscape and uncover the truth behind Castle Rock. Both games will revert to their original prices after August 13.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Arise Dark Lord is a new RTS where you raise evil armies and crush “godless heathens”

Introversion Software has announced their new game, Arise Dark Lord, an action RTS hybrid where players act as a dark lord aiming to conquer lands with undead legions. Players can raise the dead or control orcish forces to build a corrupting army and claim territory. The game features resource gathering from forests and mountains and allows players to construct a Dark Tower for defense against human resistance. Arise Dark Lord is in early development, with a projected release in 2027, and a Prologue is available on itch.io. The game showcases a Tolkien-inspired art style and enjoyable gameplay.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Why Minecraft Bedrock Is Still the Ultimate Mobile Sandbox in 2026

Minecraft Bedrock is a mobile sandbox game that remains popular in 2026 due to its blend of survival, exploration, building, and multiplayer features. It offers regular updates, cross-platform play, and community-generated content, enhancing player engagement. Community resources like MCPE Planet help players discover new maps, add-ons, and enhancements. The game allows for quick gaming sessions or extensive projects, with cross-platform multiplayer enabling users on different devices to play together. Regular updates introduce new content that keeps old worlds relevant, while custom maps allow for diverse gameplay experiences across various genres. Players can customize their experience with add-ons that introduce new elements without switching to Java Edition. Resource packs can refresh the game's visuals, and touch controls make it accessible on mobile devices. The game serves as a creative platform, fostering community and collaboration among players.