game Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Survival is Optional, Death is Inevitable: Celestial Return Launches Today on PC

Metaphor Games and Shoreline Games have released a dice-based narrative RPG titled Celestial Return, now available on PC via Steam. The game features players as Detective Howard in the neon-lit Netherveil City, with plans to expand to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles by Q1 2027, including support for three new languages. Players use dice as a currency to navigate the game's narrative, which is influenced by their choices and character attributes. The game includes features like a gameplay loop focused on dice management, a branching narrative, and a unique visual style combining manga and American comics.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The designer of cult classic King of Dragon Pass says his upcoming hellish heist game is pushing the boundaries of a concept he invented in 1999: ‘There’s really nothing else quite like it’

In 1999, designer David Dunham and his studio A Sharp released King of Dragon Pass, which combines mythic fantasy RPG and cattle management simulation. Although it initially faced commercial disappointment, it gained a dedicated following for its narrative experience. Later in 2023, Dunham and A Sharp will launch Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, described as a "systemic storybook experience" by its publisher, Kitfox Games. Dunham calls it a "tactical narrative game," emphasizing its unconventional classification. The game features gameplay elements where players use traits of party members in conflict resolution, set in a fantastical representation of Byzantium. It introduces conditional, rearrangeable storytelling elements, which Dunham claims to have pioneered in the '90s, although he acknowledges that King of Chicago may have predated him. Thousand Hells offers a unique experience in each playthrough and can be completed in one to two hours, contrasting with the longer narratives of its predecessors.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

I reckon Assassin’s Creed Unity is one of the series’ best, and a former Ubisoft director agrees it’s ‘One of the most underestimated games in the series’

Assassin's Creed Unity was initially positioned as Ubisoft's flagship title for the new generation of consoles but faced significant issues at launch, including numerous bugs and a shift towards cooperative gameplay. The game's creative director, Guesdon, described it as "one of the most underestimated games in the series," attributing launch challenges to ambitious technological advancements. The game focused solely on Paris, aiming to provide an immersive experience of the French Revolution. Guesdon acknowledged that while the introduction of new systems could have been more gradual, the complexity was manageable for players. Unity is noted for its atmospheric depiction of Paris and unique stealth mechanics, with hopes that Ubisoft might revisit this format in future titles.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Apex Legends devs dole out nearly 6,000 hardware bans in anti-cheat crackdown on “malicious bad actors”

Respawn Entertainment's anti-cheat team has issued nearly 6,000 hardware bans since the end of April, contributing to a total of 139,697 bans across all platforms for cheating in Apex Legends. The team is focusing on enforcing bans related to exploits like the "jitter aim" aim assist system and is enhancing hardware bans on console systems. Hardware bans target repeat offenders and prevent them from accessing the game, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining a fair gaming environment.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

GTA Online The Kortz Center Heist release time and how to start the heist

The Kortz Center Heist update for GTA Online was released on July 14, 2026, at 10am BST / 5am ET / 2am PT. Players must enroll in the Fine Art Collector program and acquire the Art Studio expansion for their mansion, costing 0,000, to start the heist. The first step involves meeting Raf De Angelis in the mansion, followed by scouting the Kortz Center. Players who logged in before the update received 0,000 in-game currency and a Benefactor Turreted Limo. Completing any heist grants players the NOOSE Outfit and a bonus of ,000,000 in-game currency.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

‘I’m in this whole new world’: Here’s what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew Valley 10 years ago this month

Eric Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, faced significant challenges during the game's development, including multiple reworks and a near cancellation due to a catastrophic computer crash. Despite these obstacles, he completed the game over four years, driven by a desire to be a game developer and the absence of similar titles on PC. Stardew Valley was inspired by Barone's childhood memories and aimed to fill a gap in the market for PC players. The game's release exceeded Barone's expectations, receiving overwhelming positive feedback and transforming his life and career. He plans to introduce multiplayer support, console ports, and attend gaming expos, marking a new phase in his journey as a game developer.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Is it time for Sony to panic? Astro Bot launched on PC using a PS5 emulator

Sony has announced it will cease the production of PlayStation game discs, leading to increased interest in PS5 emulation projects among tech enthusiasts. These projects are in early development stages, with current emulators allowing access only to game menus. A notable breakthrough occurred when a tech enthusiast named RSantila successfully launched the PS5 exclusive title, Astro Bot, on a PC using the SharpEmu emulator. This achievement marks significant progress in PS5 emulation, as it demonstrates that a game scheduled for a 2024 release is operational on a non-console platform. The evolution of emulation technology is highlighted by the success of the shadPS4 emulator, which now runs demanding titles like Bloodborne, and the RPCS3 emulator for PlayStation 3, which has improved to handle resource-intensive games.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

You can now get Nintendo Switch’s rarest Mario game cheaper on PC

Nintendo released Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection featuring Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy, but it was limited and lacked significant enhancements. Super Mario 64 is available through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and Super Mario Galaxy has a standalone release, while Super Mario Sunshine is only available in the discontinued collection, making it costly for players. The market for Super Mario 3D All-Stars shows varied pricing, with some sellers inflating prices significantly. An alternative, Super Mario Sunshine ‘ReShine,’ is being developed for PC through decompilation efforts, requiring a physical copy of the original game. Gameplay footage has been shared, demonstrating that the port is fully playable and resembles the original. The ReShine version is not yet publicly available but is expected soon. Playing on PC allows for mods and performance enhancements but may lose the authentic experience. Nintendo has released a Bluetooth GameCube controller for the Nintendo Switch 2, which can be used to recreate the original gameplay feel. The decision to restrict Super Mario Sunshine to the collection raises questions about its availability on the Nintendo Switch Online service.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

‘Light-hearted’ serial killer puzzle game Aerial_Knight’s MrFreezy announced for PC

AerialKnight has announced the release of AerialKnight’s MrFreezy, a puzzle game set to launch on September 1 for PC via Steam. The game features a female axe-wielding serial killer in the city of New Detroit, where players assist her in preparing victims by solving puzzles involving severed heads hidden in freezers. Players must navigate various head types with unique mechanics, such as Pumpkin Heads that explode, Stone Heads that are immovable, and Old Heads that move autonomously. The gameplay emphasizes decision-making and strategy, with replayable levels designed for score chasing. The game combines horror-inspired elements with dark humor and aims to provide an engaging experience while exploring unconventional ideas.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Ascend to ZERO: A Time-Bending Roguelike Sharpened to the Last Second

Ascend to ZERO has launched on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and XBOX Cloud, and is part of the XBOX Play Anywhere initiative, accessible through XBOX Game Pass. The game features a 30-second countdown timer for each run, with damage taken reducing the time. A unique Time-Stop feature allows players to freeze everything while they move, enabling strategic positioning and action planning. Combat mechanics focus on autonomous targeting, allowing players to concentrate on strategy. The leveling system enables rapid progression from level 1 to hundreds of thousands. The game includes a new difficulty system for tailored challenges and an in-game play guide for player support. The late-game experience is designed to maintain excitement with strategic decision-making and culminates in a boss battle.