family tree Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

A $5 Wikipedia-like mystery game consumed me for 2 straight hours as I dug for clues about a little town and its big weird tree

Players in Lost Wiki: Kozlovka investigate the history of a small Eastern European town plagued by generational deceit since the late 1800s, centered around the "Draken Oak" tree. The gameplay involves two cases: The Case of the Golden Idol and The Roottrees are Dead, requiring players to fill in reports and construct a family tree and timeline of the town's tragic history. The game critiques the nature of public information and the erasure of context, using a retro computer interface and a haunting soundtrack. As players progress, they uncover hidden secrets through reports and email exchanges with a client, leading to a captivating narrative experience. The game is available on Steam.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

I’m obsessed with detective games, and I think these 9 prove that 2025 was the best year for the genre ever

Players investigate a tech startup CEO's murder by identifying employees and their details, using evidence in an office setting. Another game involves resource management where players uncover a murder mystery while engaging townsfolk in quirky tasks. A sequel features players in a shop solving puzzles related to bizarre customer requests. Posh Cat Studio shifted from murder mysteries to lighter detective scenarios like finding a lost cat. Inkle's sequel to Overboard! has players clear a protagonist's name amidst schoolyard mysteries. At Blake Manor, players investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane among suspicious guests. A game about the Roottree sisters requires players to build a family tree using early internet tools. A free game on itch.io challenges players to unlock a detective's hard drive to solve a murder.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Quake finally makes it into the World Videogame Hall of Fame

Quake has been officially recognized as one of the four inductees into the World Videogame Hall of Fame for 2025. It is a pioneering first-person shooter that introduced mouse controls and real-time 3D graphics, and its extensive mod support contributed to its longevity. Quake's server-client architecture laid the foundation for online gaming and esports. The game's legacy code has influenced many franchises, including Heretic, Hexen, Doom, and Call of Duty. John Romero, co-creator of Quake, expressed his delight at the induction. The 2025 inductees also include Defender, GoldenEye 007, and Tamagotchi.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

The Roottrees are Dead review

The Cashew PC equipped with Nut OS 1.1 is designed for digital detective work, offering fast internet browsing and efficient database navigation. It serves as the primary tool for players of the game "The Roottrees are Dead," which involves documenting the Roottree family lineage after a tragedy at the Roottree Candy Company. Players must uncover the identities of the family members over 90 years of history, utilizing fictional resources and a search engine called SpiderSearch. The game features a detailed interface that allows players to highlight clues and search for information easily. The game is set to release on January 15, 2025, priced at .99/£16.75, developed by Robin Ward and published by Evil Trout. It does not support multiplayer and was reviewed on an Intel Core i7-10750H with 16GB RAM and GeForce RTX 2060. An expansion titled "Roottreemania" builds on the original game's narrative, introducing new storylines and challenges. The remake features hand-drawn artwork and incorporates elements of the player's living space into the gameplay.