games Archives

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

One of the best shooters around just got a barely recognizable second episode, and it’s only $12

New Blood has released the second episode, Shadow of Death, for their game Fallen Aces, which is currently on sale until August 8. The game features a blend of stealth, slapstick combat, and a pulpy narrative, and introduces the Mateba Model 6 Unica firearm. New Blood has a history of gradually expanding their games and launching them at lower prices, with Fallen Aces now available at a reduced rate.

BetaBeacon

July 27, 2026

Roguelike Deckbuilders: Games Like Slay the Spire and Balatro

Deckbuilding is a genre of games that combines card-based gameplay with collecting powerful cards to use in battle against other players. It started in tabletop gaming before moving to video games. Roguelike deckbuilders add procedural generation to keep gameplay fresh and unpredictable. Slay the Spire is a popular example of a tactical deckbuilding game.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

What does GTA Online 2.0 even look like—and, more to the point, what do we even want from Grand Theft Auto 6 multiplayer?

Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated to be released, with a focus on a single-player experience, although there are indications of an evolving multiplayer component. Rockstar has acquired Cfx.re and is discussing Project Rome, suggesting a broader vision for Vice City. GTA Online has transformed into a social hub with diverse subcultures, raising questions about the future of Online 2.0, including content moderation, creator ownership, and the relationship between the new and original versions. Rockstar's acquisition of FiveM indicates a shift towards a community-driven approach, potentially adopting a model similar to Fortnite with a creator economy and live events. The next iteration of GTA Online will face a different environment compared to its predecessor, and the release of GTA 6's first single-player installment in nearly 15 years may provide a distraction during this transitional period.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

How do you feel about AI videogame music?

Generative AI has become increasingly integrated into game development, evolving from basic applications to the creation of entire games with minimal human involvement. This shift raises concerns about the impact on human creativity and artistic expression. In the realm of videogame music, while generative AI has not fully taken over, its influence is growing, with AI-generated rearrangements of game scores appearing on platforms like YouTube and accusations against Spotify for including AI tracks in playlists. This situation prompts questions about how gamers perceive AI-generated music and its effect on their experience. The emotional depth provided by human composers is viewed as irreplaceable by some, leading to concerns about the dilution of artistry in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

J.K. Simmons hasn’t played Baldur’s Gate 3 or any of his games, but he loves Portal 2: ‘I could have done the feature film, or the play, or whatever’

J.K. Simmons discussed his experiences with video games on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, particularly his role in Portal 2, which he found impactful despite not being an avid gamer. He shared a humorous interaction with actor Tom Britney regarding his character from Baldur's Gate. Eric Wolpaw, the writer of Portal 2, is returning for the upcoming game Aperture Desk Job. Other actors in the gaming industry include Elias Toufexis and Konatsu Kato, while Steven Ogg humorously suggested players read Dostoevsky instead of gaming.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered review (2018)

The Geo-mod destruction feature in Red Faction: Guerrilla allows players to dismantle walls and pillars, leading to the collapse of entire buildings. The game includes mechanics such as crashing vehicles through enemy bases and detonating mines, providing a chaotic gameplay experience. The recently released Re-Mars-tered edition offers enhancements like improved textures, better lighting, and native 4K support. The campaign mode features significant destructive opportunities, while the Wrecking Crew mode serves as a casual alternative. Despite the game's unique destructible environment, no other titles have successfully emulated its approach, although elements of destruction appear in games like Battlefield, Minecraft, and Just Cause. The sparse Martian setting enhances the experience, and there is a strong desire among players for open-world games that allow for environmental manipulation.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

‘The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur’s Gate 3’: Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC

Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, was inspired to enter the gaming industry after playing Ultima 7, which led him to co-found Arkane in 1999. The studio's first game was Arx Fatalis, and it has since produced titles like Dishonored and Prey, with their latest project being Weird West. Colantonio is currently playing Mewgenics, having previously completed Cyberpunk 2077 and enjoyed Baldur's Gate 3. He has revisited Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth for enjoyment and research. Colantonio has logged 649 hours in Wasteland 2 and expresses nostalgia for Thief, Fallout, and Deus Ex, noting their influence on his work. He uses DaVinci Resolve for video editing and DiskState for managing hard drive space. Colantonio maintains a tidy desktop with minimal icons and folders.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Microsoft shipped a native Xbox 360 emulator with its new backwards-compatible releases on PC — modders quickly got 360 games running with minor tweaks

Microsoft has released four original Xbox titles for PC, enhancing its gaming ecosystem and aligning with its commitment to backwards compatibility. These titles are packaged as standard Games on Demand (GOD) files, which can be converted into base ISOs using GOD extractors. The company has utilized a native x86 version of its Xbox 360 emulator, Xe03, to facilitate this transition. Xe03 is integrated into Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles for backwards compatibility and allows modern consoles to run original Xbox titles. The recent PC port of Xe03, combined with components from projects like XWine1, enables the running of dumped backwards-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Among the released titles is Fuzion Frenzy, and Microsoft plans to expand its library of backwards-compatible titles for PC. The PC version of Xe03 enhances the original 480p output of OG Xbox games to 4K and includes features like built-in V-Sync and enhanced anti-aliasing. These games are available through the Xbox PC app under the Xbox Anywhere program, allowing users with digital licenses on console to access them for free on PC. Microsoft is also set to introduce Xbox Achievements support for these titles.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Xbox releases four original console games on PC thanks to Backwards Compatibility, but they chose the wrong ones

Microsoft is reintroducing first-generation Xbox titles to PC through its Backwards Compatibility initiative, allowing access via Game Pass. The initial lineup includes four titles: Fuzion Frenzy, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded. The selection has received mixed reactions, with concerns about the lack of appeal and the absence of achievements at launch. Players have suggested that other titles, such as Genma Onimusha, The Simpsons: Hit and Run, Unreal Championship, OutRun 2, Jade Empire, and the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series, could have been more attractive options. Additionally, the upcoming release of Halo: Campaign Evolved could have benefited from the simultaneous launch of Halo: Combat Evolved to boost subscriptions.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

25-Year-Old Game Is Currently the #1 Best-Selling Game on Steam

Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, has been released in early access on the Steam marketplace by Xbox and Halo Studios. It has quickly become a top seller on Steam, currently priced competitively. The game has received a “Mostly Positive” rating from users, with around 70% of reviews being positive. Players have praised its gameplay mechanics and visuals, but there are concerns about bugs, performance issues, and the quality of cutscenes. The game has been verified for compatibility with the Steam Deck. Its position as a top seller may be challenged by other games like Palworld as the gaming community explores new releases.