Game of the Year Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Analyst claims Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling twice as fast as any other recent JRPG has on Steam—and it’s got me wondering what the secret sauce is

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2025, resonating with RPG fans and achieving significant sales success. It outsold major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Persona at a 2:1 ratio, selling over 785,000 copies on Steam in its first week and reaching a peak concurrent player count of 145,063. The game has garnered attention for its engaging opening hours, innovative parry-based combat system, and relatable characters, appealing to PC gamers. It combines elements of JRPGs with Western aesthetics, distinguishing itself from other titles in the genre.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Oblivion Remastered Is Already on Sale for PC

Bethesda has released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Xbox, PS5, and PC, with discounts available for PC gamers and Steam Deck owners. Retailers like Fanatical and Green Man Gaming are offering up to 17% off the Steam version. The standard edition includes the base game, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine expansions, and additional downloadable content. A digital deluxe edition is also available at a discount, featuring new quests, digital armors, a digital artbook, and a soundtrack app. The remaster includes enhanced visuals, improved combat mechanics, support for widescreen displays, comprehensive controller support, and upgraded modding tools, all built on Unreal Engine 5.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Best PC Games Right Now (2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features a mix of innovative remasters, indie titles, and new intellectual properties, providing a wide range of experiences for gamers. The most played games on Steam include Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Dota 2, with Counter-Strike 2 leading in player engagement due to its esports scene. Notable new releases include Blue Prince, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and Promise Mascot Agency. Other popular games outside Steam are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Valorant. Genre-specific leaders include South of Midnight for action, Myst (Remastered) for adventure, and Street Fighter 6 for fighting. Upcoming anticipated titles include Grand Theft Auto 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Trends in 2025 highlight esports engagement, indie innovation, purposeful remakes, and cinematic storytelling. Last Epoch's Season 2 update has revitalized player interest with new content and enhancements. The year 2019 was significant for PC gaming, with acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 2, Control, and Disco Elysium, and marked by the influence of digital distribution platforms.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

You should buy our favorite co-op survival game of 2024 right now for $20—because the price goes up to $35 in May

The Game of the Year (GOTY) in the survival genre last year was awarded to the single-player driving survival game, Pacific Drive. A close contender was Abiotic Factor, which features players assembling weapons and gear from space science components while facing interdimensional creatures in a secret scientific complex. The game combines cooperative mechanics with survival elements, offering a unique experience that emphasizes creativity and excitement in the survival genre.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

I’m declaring 2025 the year of the ninja: we’re being spoiled with one glorious assassination game after another

The text discusses various ninja-themed video games, highlighting their unique gameplay mechanics and artistic styles. "Ninja Gaiden 2 Black" is noted for its action and dramatic visuals, while "Ninja Gaiden 4" aims to recapture the franchise's glory with impressive graphics. "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound" takes an experimental approach with challenging environments, and "Ninja Five-O" emphasizes acrobatics and puzzle-solving in a vibrant pixel art style. "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance" reimagines the sidescroller genre with fantasy elements, and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown" introduces turn-based strategy. "Assassin's Creed Shadows" offers distinct playstyles, showcasing stealth and precision. Collectively, these games illustrate the adaptability and enduring appeal of the ninja genre in gaming.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2025

Xbox Game Pass has expanded its offerings to include a variety of AAA games, day-one releases, and hidden gems. The Game of the Year contender, Blue Prince, has launched on the platform on its release day. The service features different tiers: Xbox Game Pass Core, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, each with varying pricing and game selections. The Ultimate tier provides the most comprehensive access, including both console and PC libraries and cloud gaming. Recommendations for standout titles are curated from the Ultimate tier, and the library is regularly updated with new releases.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Blue Prince is currently the best-reviewed game of 2025

Blue Prince is a highly acclaimed puzzle game, described by Chris Livingston as a creation of "incredible craftsmanship and elegance." It is a run-based room drafter that has captivated players and critics, currently holding the title of the highest-rated game of 2025, surpassing major releases like Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game emphasizes knowledge accumulation for progress, with players mastering room placement strategies and uncovering narrative notes. Critics, including Oscar Taylor-Kent and Christian Donlan, praise its ability to weave compelling mysteries and explore relationships with spaces. Tom Marks compares it to celebrated titles like Return of the Obra Dinn and Outer Wilds, highlighting its rich narrative and patient delivery of lore.

TrendTechie

April 5, 2025

Ремастер культовой The Last of Us Part II только вышел на ПК, а его сразу же взломали и слили на торренты

The remastered version of The Last of Us Part II has been released on PC, available on Steam and Epic Games, but is not accessible in the CIS regions. It includes a Russian voiceover. The game does not feature Denuvo protection, which may have led to a quick breach and online dissemination of game files. Originally released on PlayStation 4 in 2020, it continues the story of Ellie and Joel set five years after a pandemic in America. The game has received over 300 awards, including "Game of the Year."

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

South of Midnight

South of Midnight is a video game developed by Compulsion Games for PC and Xbox Series X/S, set to release in early 2025 at a price of .99. It features a coming-of-age story centered around Hazel Flood, a teenage track star who embarks on a quest to rescue her mother after a hurricane separates them. The game incorporates elements of Southern Gothic folklore, including characters like a talking catfish and the child thief Huggin' Molly. Hazel, an African-American teenager, navigates themes of generational poverty and historical struggles faced by Black individuals in the South. The gameplay includes platforming, puzzles, and combat, reminiscent of action-adventure titles from the PlayStation 2 era, with a total playtime of around 10 hours. The game showcases a rich visual style with detailed environments and a stylized aesthetic, supported by a soundtrack composed by Olivier Deriviere. South of Midnight has received the Editors' Choice accolade and is noted for its narrative depth and cultural significance.