Exclusion Zone Archives

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Get in here, stalker: Stalker 2’s Patch 1.3 is here with a whopping 1,200 fixes

Stalker 2's 1.3 update introduces over 1,200 changes, including improvements to mutant AI, adjustments to artifacts like the Weird Pot, increased damage from explosive props, and enhanced durability for unique weapons. The A-Life system has also received general improvements. GSC Game World encourages player feedback for further development and has expressed resilience in the game's development despite challenges. A 15% discount is currently available on Steam for new players.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in March

February featured notable PC game releases including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Civilization 7, Avowed, and Monster Hunter Wilds. In March, key releases include Assassin's Creed Shadows and Inzoi. Significant release dates for March are as follows: - March 3: Carmen Sandiego - She's back, but where? (Steam) - March 4: Grimoire Groves - Cozy dungeon crawler (Steam) - March 4: Merchants of Rosewall - Run a fantasy shop (Steam) - March 4: Knights in Tight Spaces - Close-quarters tactics (Steam) - March 5: Air - Visual novel classic (Steam) - March 6: Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone - Post-apocalyptic ARPG (Steam) - March 6: Book Bound - Run a bookshop (Steam) - March 6: FragPunk - 5v5 Valorant-style hero shooter (Steam) - March 6: MainFrames - Platformer set in an operating system (Steam) - March 7: Lost Lullabies (Early Access) - '80s inspired co-op horror (Steam) - March 7: Sugardew Island - Similar to a certain valley (Steam) - March 6: Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster - A classic Konami remaster (Steam) - March 10: Rise of the Ronin - A PS exclusive comes to PC (Steam) - March 11: Wanderstop - An existential cozy game (Steam) - March 14: WWE 2K25 - Annual pro wrestling game (Steam) - March 14: Out of the Park Baseball 26 - Baseball management (Steam) - March 18: 33 Immortals - 33-player roguelike (Epic) - March 18: MySims - Updated Sims spin-off from 2007 (Steam) - March 20: Atelier Yumia - Open world crafting RPG (Steam) - March 20: Mudborne - Not a muddy Bloodborne, it's about frogs (Steam) - March 25: SOPA - Adventure in search of a potato (Steam) - March 25: Tales of the Shire - Hobbit life sim (Steam) - March 25: Nordhold - Tower defense (Steam) - March 26: Mother Machine - Co-op platformer (Steam) - March 26: JDM: Japanese Drift Master - Drift racer (Steam) - March 27: AI Limit - Post-apocalyptic, sci-fi ARPG (Steam) - March 27: As We Descend - Roguelike deckbuilder (Steam) - March 27: The First Berserker: Khazan - "Hardcore" ARPG (Steam) - March 27: Mini Royale - Green army men battle royale (Steam)

AppWizard

March 2, 2025

I wrote one-sentence reviews of over 70 Steam demos to help you decide which to try before Next Fest ends

During the recent Steam Next Fest, 83 game demos were explored, with impressions shared on 72 titles. Highlights include: - Monster Train 2: A more intricate version of the original. - Sandustry: A blend of Noita and Factorio with unique mechanics. - Nomad Idle: An action RPG mixed with idle game elements. - Deliver At All Costs: Early GTA-inspired package delivery game. - Machine Mind: Resource gathering and base defense in a Borderlands-inspired setting. - Mech Havoc: A top-down shooter combining Brigador and MechWarrior elements. - Solarpunk: A survival game lacking depth. - Tempest Rising: A revival of Command & Conquer. - Mecha Break: Overwhelmed by free-to-play design choices. - Void War: Combines FTL and Warhammer 40k. - Wizdom Academy: Falls short as a wizard school management sim. - Settler's Domain: A minimalist colony-builder that encourages rapid gameplay. - Behind the Sword: An indie grand strategy 4X game with a unique spherical grid. Additional notable titles include: - RoadCraft: Relaxed truck logistics game. - Grit and Valor - 1949: Dieselpunk mech micro-RTS. - Drop Duchy: City builder with randomization issues. - He is Coming: Lo-fi roguelike RPG. - Desperate Place: Sci-fi iteration of Thronefall. - Roman Triumph: Survival City Builder: Interesting city builder with subpar AI art. - Icaria: Worker-programming factory game. - Rise of Industry 2: Lacking gameplay mechanics despite appealing aesthetic. - Windward Horizon: Complicated crafting and RPG mechanics. - Guntouchables: Co-op action roguelike with potential. - Game of Thrones: Kingsroad: Brief and unengaging demo. - Darkwater: Potential premise hindered by discomforting field of view. - War Rats: The Rat em Up: Chaotic experience added to wishlist. Other games mentioned include Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, Outworld Station, As We Descend, Railgods of Hysterra, City Tales: Medieval Era, Task Force Admiral, Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall, Dark Moon, Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone, The Horror at Highrook, Radiolight, Is This Seat Taken?, God Forsaken, Total Chaos, Nordhold, Missing Banban, Wheel World, I Am Legion: Stand Survivors, Labyrinth of the Demon King, Unyielder, Reignbreaker, Urban Jungle, Dagger Directive, Star Crafter, Blightstone, Redemption of Liuyin, Cybertaxi: Lunatic Nights, MechaKnights Legends, Jitter, Rock Crusher, Chaos Front, Savara, Pochemeow, Death Ring: Second Impact, Mystical Tactics, Uber Urban, Sweep, Anoxia Station, Starless Abyss, Scarecrow, Wanderstop, and Conquest Dark.

AppWizard

February 27, 2025

A Selection of New PC Games Worth Playing in 2025

In 2025, the PC gaming landscape features several must-play titles, including: - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: A highly anticipated installment with impressive gunplay, a return of zombies, and new weapons and features. - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl: A sequel set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, focusing on survival and resourcefulness. - WoW The War Within: An update to World of Warcraft introducing a new Story Mode feature, attracting returning players. - Marvel Rivals: A game featuring superhero battles that has gained popularity for its exhilarating gameplay. - Civilization VII: Released in February, it has received positive reviews for enhancements, including new Ages and expanded resources. Other notable games include Age of Mythology Retold, Fallout London, Black Myth Wukong, Frostpunk 2, Ara History Untold, Metaphor ReFantazio, and Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

The survival game with the best car ever has sold over a million copies in a year, and is now 40% off on Steam

Pacific Drive, launched a year ago, has sold over a million copies, making it a leading survival game of 2024. Developed by Ironwood Studios, the game features a station wagon that evolves into a versatile vehicle equipped with sci-fi gadgets, enhancing the gameplay experience. Players develop a bond with the vehicle, which serves as a resilient companion in the game's chaotic environment.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

15 indie PC games that will make you forget about AAA titles

- Hades is a roguelike dungeon crawler from Supergiant Games that combines action and storytelling. - Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game featuring pixel art and a soothing soundtrack, allowing players to manage a farm and build relationships. - Neon White is a fast-paced game that mixes first-person shooting and platforming, utilizing cards for moves and featuring vibrant art. - The Long Dark is a survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness, focusing on resource management and strategic decision-making. - Sifu is a martial arts game with an aging mechanic that adds strategy to skill development and combat. - Slay the Spire combines deck-building with roguelike elements, offering easy-to-learn mechanics and challenging gameplay. - Undertale is an RPG known for its unique storytelling and player interaction, featuring quirky characters and memorable dialogue. - Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania game with hand-drawn art, intricate world design, and challenging gameplay that rewards exploration. - Celeste is a platformer that addresses mental health themes while providing challenging gameplay and beautiful pixel art. - Tunic is an adventure game inspired by classic titles, encouraging exploration in a mysterious world filled with secrets. - 1000xResist features a thought-provoking narrative, though its gameplay may not be as polished as others. - Balatro is a humor-infused strategy game developed by a solo creator, known for its addictive gameplay. - Pacific Drive is a driving adventure game set in the Olympic Exclusion Zone, combining exploration with survival elements. - Cocoon is a puzzle game with innovative design and intuitive gameplay, set in beautifully crafted worlds. - Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror game that emphasizes atmosphere and psychological tension, redefining the genre.

TrendTechie

December 25, 2024

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 оказалась на торрентах спустя полтора часа после релиза

Links for the installation of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl appeared on torrent trackers ninety minutes after the game's official release. The circulating version lacks patches or fixes, leading to potential bugs and issues. The game is set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, where players control a character named Skif. Lawmakers and public figures have taken notice of the game, and while there is no ban on purchasing it, many illegal content distributors have avoided hosting copies. Streamer Ilya Maddyson Davydov achieved a record for online viewership during his playthrough of the game.

AppWizard

December 22, 2024

The Best PC Games to Play in 2025

The PC gaming landscape in 2025 will feature major AAA releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI, Avowed, Assetto Corsa Evo, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Frostpunk 2, and Indika. Technological advancements like ray tracing and DLSS will enhance graphical quality and performance, while cloud gaming services will offer new ways to access games. Players can expect a variety of genres, including RPGs, FPS, simulation, and strategy, each with unique pros and cons. The most anticipated games include Grand Theft Auto VI, Avowed, Assetto Corsa Evo, Stalker 2, Frostpunk 2, Indika, Death Stranding 2, Homeworld 3, Broken Roads, and Pacific Drive. Popular PC-exclusive titles include Valorant, League of Legends, Crusader Kings III, and Factorio. The most played PC games currently are Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Apex Legends, Grand Theft Auto V, Baldur’s Gate 3, Naraka: Bladepoint, Team Fortress 2, Rust, and Cyberpunk 2077. Counter-Strike 2 has the highest concurrent player count on Steam.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review

Stalker 2 is a first-person shooter set in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, developed and published by GSC Game World, priced at £50. Players control Skif, an ex-military man from Ukraine, who becomes involved in factional conflicts after encountering a disruptive artifact. The game features a dynamic world with unique NPCs and emergent storytelling, where player choices impact the narrative. Players may face challenges such as bugs and difficult encounters with mutants and factions. The game maintains the franchise's challenging nature while delivering a visually impressive experience.

AppWizard

August 8, 2024

Playtime ahead: The most eagerly awaited PC and Console game releases

Upcoming game releases for the next five months include: August 2024: - Black Myth: Wukong (August 20): An action-RPG based on Chinese folklore. - Concord (August 23): A hero shooter with multiplayer action and dynamic cutscenes. - Star Wars Outlaws (August 30): An action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe. September 2024: - Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions (September 5): A sports game focused on Quidditch. - Enotria: The Last Song (September 18): A hack-and-slash action game inspired by Commedia dell’Arte. October 2024: - Silent Hill 2 Remake (October 8): A horror game that evokes nostalgia. - Sonic x Shadow Generations (October 25): A platformer featuring Sonic and Shadow. November 2024: - Slitterhead (November 8): A body horror game with mutants. - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (November 15): A stealth action adventure set in Feudal Japan. - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (November 20): A survival horror game in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.