Game of the Year Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

A delayed review, a controversial GOTY pick, and Big Geralt: PC Gamer’s strange 10-year relationship with The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, marking its evolution from a niche title to a significant influence in modern fantasy storytelling, partly due to the Netflix adaptation. Upon release, it received a score of 92% from PC Gamer and was recognized as a top title in 2016, despite not winning the Game of the Year award in 2015. The game faced distribution challenges, with console versions prioritized over PC, leading to delays in review copies. The community has embraced various memes, including the "tub scene" and "Big Geralt," contributing to the game's cultural impact. The ongoing conversation about its legacy and anticipation for a sequel keeps the franchise relevant.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

‘I’m a PC gamer and there are 10 video games I’ve been hooked on since 2020’

Video games have over three billion players globally and are evolving into a dominant force in the entertainment industry. The following ten standout games were released for PC since 2020: 1. Elden Ring (2022) - An action RPG known for its stunning visuals and intricate storytelling, requiring over 70 hours to complete. 2. Split Fiction (2025) - A cooperative narrative game where players battle against a machine stealing creativity, released in March 2025. 3. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (2021) - A remake of the 1997 classic, featuring updated combat mechanics and breathtaking graphics. 4. Valorant (2020) - A tactical hero shooter with a vibrant eSports scene, released in early 2021, with over 1,000 hours logged by the player. 5. Fields of Mistria (2024) - An early access farm life simulation game that allows players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and explore mystical mines. 6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) - A turn-based RPG with a blend of traditional and real-time combat mechanics, released last month. 7. Hades (2020) - A roguelike game with fast-paced combat and Greek mythology-inspired artwork, released in 2020. 8. Overwatch 2 (2023) - The sequel to Overwatch, introducing new heroes and a 5v5 format, released in 2023. 9. Visions of Mana (2024) - The fifth main installment in the Mana series, featuring familiar gameplay mechanics. 10. Marvel Rivals (2024) - A game featuring 38 Marvel characters, allowing casual play with friends, released in 2024.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

What’s driving growth in the Chinese video game industry?

The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

A week after launch, my new favorite gungy, Condemned-style horror-brawler has its first patch and the promise of yokai-punching spiked knuckles on the way

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a strong contender for game of the year, alongside Avowed and Oblivion Remastered. The game is a survival horror dungeon crawler developed by a small team, which plans to release enhancements shortly after launch. The first update will include framerate cap options, a fix for the torch equipping issue, a quick equip button for the lantern, corrections for language display errors, a spelling fix in the Kings Court Puzzle, and resolution of status effect display issues. Upcoming features include a new spiked knuckle weapon and a cursed blood katana. PCG Australia editor Shaun Prescott rated the game 81% and described it as "the most potent weird horror we're likely to see in 2025." The game is currently available at a launch discount on Steam until May 27.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

I couldn’t have played Clair Obscur without its accessibility settings, and now it might be my GOTY

The game Clair Obscur, developed by Sandfall, features stunning Belle Époque-styled visuals and an immersive world that encourages exploration. It includes unique features that allow players to engage deeply with the environment and create personal solutions to challenges. After approximately 17 hours of gameplay, the reviewer expresses a strong sense of loyalty to Sandfall and considers Clair Obscur a potential Game of the Year. The reviewer is eager to see future releases from the developer.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Save 20% Off Two of the Best PC Games of 2025

Fanatical is offering a 20% average discount on two games released in 2025. 1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is discounted by 22%, with its price dropping from .99 to .79. The game allows players to explore a sandbox world set in 14th century Bohemia, with 100% completion taking around 125 hours, though many players spend over 150 hours. 2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available for .99 after an 18% discount from its retail price of .99. The game features a turn-based combat system and has received the highest user rating on Metacritic. It explores themes of mortality and grief and has been praised for its narrative and emotional depth.

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.