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Game of the Year

Darkest Dungeon—the original—is getting surprise DLC in August
AppWizard
July 22, 2026

Darkest Dungeon—the original—is getting surprise DLC in August

Darkest Dungeon is set to expand with a new DLC titled The Fire's Edge, releasing on August 18th. This DLC introduces two new hero classes, the Duelist and the Runaway, along with new Trinket mechanics and three additional districts. The Duelist is a complex damage dealer, while the Runaway features a new Burn damage type. Both heroes are re-envisioned from their appearances in Darkest Dungeon II. The game has received an 88% review score and won the "Best RPG" award in 2016.
The follow-up to one of last year's best detective games is off to an 'overwhelmingly positive' start on Steam after just 2 days
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

The follow-up to one of last year’s best detective games is off to an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ start on Steam after just 2 days

In early 2025, the puzzle game Blue Prince won PC Gamer's 'best design' Game of the Year award. Another notable title, The Roottrees are Dead, offered a narrative-driven mystery through a computer interface, inspiring similar projects. Developer Evil Trout released The Incident at Galley House, which received over 600 reviews on Steam with 97% approval. The game was developed by William Rous and Johnson, who enhanced the experience with design elements, coding, and game development. The team was inspired by the free mystery game Type Help, recognized for its captivating narrative. The Incident at Galley House features a visual novel-style presentation, 2D illustrations, a 3D interface for exploring memories, and voice acting. It is priced at £17.75 on Steam with a 10% launch discount until July 21.
One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work

Compulsion Games has regained its independence after layoffs at Xbox and is seeking new collaborations within the games and entertainment industry. The studio's game, South of Midnight, has won several awards, including a BAFTA Award, a Peabody Award, and seven Canadian Game Awards, and has been recognized on multiple 'Best Games of 2025' lists with an 83% review score. Despite its critical acclaim, the game did not achieve blockbuster sales, leading to concerns about the studio's long-term viability. Compulsion Games was founded in 2009 and has previously provided services to other studios. Before their independence announcement, several employees began exploring new job opportunities with the support of studio leadership, reflecting uncertainty within the studio.
PC Gamers Can Claim 9 Free Games This Month, Including 2025 Award Winner Dispatch
AppWizard
July 5, 2026

PC Gamers Can Claim 9 Free Games This Month, Including 2025 Award Winner Dispatch

PC gamers can claim the free game Dispatch, which won the Steam Awards 2025 Game of the Year. Amazon Luna, a gaming service that allows streaming on various devices, is offering Dispatch along with other titles for July 2026. The game is developed by AdHoc Studio, whose team includes former members of Telltale Games. Dispatch features engaging storytelling, humor, and animation, and is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2. Other games available on Amazon Luna this month include Sonic Mania Plus, Courtroom Chaos: Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Centipede Swarm, LEGO: Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, YouTuber’s Life, Arcade Paradise, Jackbox Party Pack 8, and Angry Birds Mystery Island.
15 indie games we saw during the Big Indie Pitch at NAGIS that you've got to check out
AppWizard
July 2, 2026

15 indie games we saw during the Big Indie Pitch at NAGIS that you’ve got to check out

The Big Indie Pitch event recently took place in Canada, showcasing indie developers and their PC and console games. Sponsored by Xsolla, the event featured a speed-dating format where developers presented their games to a panel of industry experts for five minutes. This format allowed for feedback and insights from professionals in publishing, scouting, and media. The event attracted developers at various project stages and served as a networking opportunity. The pitching sessions are a staple of Pocket Gamer Connects conferences and other gaming events worldwide. Interested participants can visit the Big Indie Pitch website for information on future events.
Looks like there's no firm favourite for 2026's GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts
AppWizard
June 26, 2026

Looks like there’s no firm favourite for 2026’s GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts

As of mid-2026, standout games in the gaming industry include Mixtape, Lego Batman, and Crimson Desert. A recent poll indicated that Resident Evil Requiem is leading with 16% of votes, followed by Crimson Desert at 12%, and 007 First Light at 9%. Slay the Spire 2 and Forza Horizon 6 each received 8%, while Pragmata and Mewgenics garnered 7% and 5%, respectively. A tie occurred at the bottom of the poll between World of Warcraft: Midnight and Bungie's Marathon, each with 383 votes.
I've played countless Doom engine games, so believe me when I say this one that combines the FPS with JRPG combat might be the coolest one in 30 years
AppWizard
June 26, 2026

I’ve played countless Doom engine games, so believe me when I say this one that combines the FPS with JRPG combat might be the coolest one in 30 years

End of Starchild is a free standalone game developed by Em Essex, notable for its unique levels and aesthetic diversity. It features beautifully animated title cards, impactful weaponry, and an exploration-focused gameplay experience with hidden secrets and a challenging super-boss. The game takes approximately 15 hours to complete and is recommended for both Doom fans and newcomers, with adjustable difficulty settings available. Some virus scanners may mistakenly flag the game as containing a trojan, but this has been identified as a false positive.
14 indie games we saw at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona that you've got to check out
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

14 indie games we saw at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona that you’ve got to check out

The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2026, sponsored by Xsolla, showcased indie game development through a speed-dating style competition where developers presented their games to industry experts for feedback. The event included both mobile and PC/console segments, featuring a variety of innovative projects. It served as a networking opportunity for developers and highlighted work-in-progress titles. The pitching sessions are a staple of PG Connects conferences, offering insights into regional development scenes and connecting indie developers with industry professionals.
Data analyst finds 'AI stigma' on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Data analyst finds ‘AI stigma’ on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative

Ross Burton's analysis examined 9,879 games released between January and October 2025, revealing that 17.9% of these games openly acknowledged their use of AI technology. Notable titles like Clair Obscur and Crimson Desert have successfully utilized AI in their development, while discussions about AI usage have overshadowed the new Crazy Taxi game. High-profile figures, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, oppose the need for disclaimers regarding AI use, and major studios like Sony continue to invest heavily in AI technologies.
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