games Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

As the UK plunges once more into political chaos, I’ve found the roguelike deckbuilder that can help me process it

Weird Weekend features a PC game called Prime Monster, where players assume the role of the Prime Monster of the Fractured Kingdom, tasked with hosting the Horrific Games, a satirical international sporting event. The protagonist faces challenges such as meeting deadlines and funding the construction of twelve new stadiums, including one for Synchronised Falconry. The game incorporates political satire, depicting the absurdities of governance, including a parliament scene where the Prime Monster justifies a collapsed arena. It employs a roguelike structure with turn-based card battles to pass legislation, emphasizing strategy over substance. Players navigate dilemmas involving voter disillusionment and corruption, with humorous scenarios throughout. The game allows players to embody various characters and critiques the chaotic nature of real-world politics while providing entertainment and commentary on governance.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

PC Gamer’s MMO readers are, according to you, fashion-forward healers who like your keybinds, and I couldn’t be more proud

32% of readers identify as healers, 27% as DPS players, and 25% as tanks. 10% embrace any role, while approximately 6% have played Guild Wars 2. In a fashion-related poll, 36% believe "fashion is the true endgame," 16% seek essential glamour pieces, 17% collect outfits, and 7% maintain a basic appearance, leaving 24% indifferent to fashion. 70% of readers are unfazed by slower dungeon runs, while 30% are divided between those wanting a faster pace (16%) and those who are indifferent (15%). Regarding classic MMOs, 28% believe traditional formats are outdated, 35% wish for a shift away from tab-targeting, 42% favor tab-targeting, and 23% are indifferent to changes.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

I’ll never love another RPG like I loved Neverwinter Nights

A dedicated gamer finds solace in the RPG Neverwinter Nights, released in the early 2000s, which has a vibrant modding community. The game served as a lifeline during a challenging period, allowing the player to create adventures using the Aurora Toolset. The modding scene has fostered creativity and shared experiences through Persistent Worlds. However, the gaming landscape has evolved, with new games often prioritizing profit over player-created content, leading to a longing for the past. Despite changes, the community around Neverwinter Nights remains vibrant, inviting both old players and newcomers to explore its creative possibilities.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

You can help save the whales by buying this reef-building game written by the scribe of the Tomb Raider reboot

Life Below is a city-building game that focuses on reviving coral reef ecosystems instead of traditional urban landscapes. The game features stunning visuals and has been developed with insights from marine biologists. The narrative is written by Rhianna Pratchett. Developer Megapop has collaborated with Whale and Dolphin Conservation to create a supporter pack priced at £4.50, with all net revenue going to the organization. The base game will launch at £25. Early player impressions suggest it offers a unique take on city-building mechanics, and a demo is available on Steam.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

The director of the best Splinter Cell game reckons that modern lighting engines are making stealth games ‘so much harder to read’

The stealth gaming genre has shifted from emphasizing the intricate interplay of light and shadow to focusing more on lines of sight. Clint Hocking, director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, notes that advancements in lighting technology, such as the transition to softer shadows and ray-tracing models, have changed how players perceive stealth mechanics. The recent release of Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow marks a return for the series after over a decade, though it has received mixed reviews. Additionally, Thick as Thieves offers a cooperative stealth experience but in a simplified format. The future of stealth gaming will depend on how developers balance innovative lighting with the core elements of stealth gameplay.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs

GameNative allows users to play PC games on Android devices without an internet connection, supporting Steam titles, Epic Games Store, Good Old Games (GOG), and standalone game files. It features a known configs capability that optimizes game settings for better performance. The app's creator, Utkarsh Dalal, aims for GameNative to replace handheld PCs within two years, despite challenges related to compatibility with ARM-based chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gen 5 processors promise significant enhancements, and the release of Turnip drivers in early 2026 has improved gaming experiences on these devices. GameNative is free and open-source, with a monetization strategy focused on partnerships with game stores. It has recently added support for the Pixel 10 family, which uses an Imagination PowerVR GPU. The app collects user feedback to refine game configurations and plans to improve compatibility and support for third-party launchers.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots

A retro PC enthusiast modified the VBIOS of an S3 ViRGE DX graphics card to include a version of the classic game Snake, allowing users to play it briefly during system boot. This project, by the YouTube channel Bits und Bolts, involved embedding Snake 512, a compact game written in x86 assembly language. The modification includes a dynamic text splash screen displaying the GPU's operating frequency and prompts users to play Snake or skip to the boot process. The implementation does not support USB keyboards and has no sound during gameplay. The enthusiast also customized the game's colors using hexadecimal values from the VGA color palette.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

NYC Mayor Mamdani Goes Live on Twitch, Blanks on Minecraft

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted on Twitch on May 21 with a show called "Talk with the People," where he interacted with New Yorkers and answered questions in real-time. During the stream, he was asked about playing Minecraft and admitted he had not played it, confusing it with a movie adaptation released earlier this year. Despite this moment, he addressed significant topics such as his 4.7 billion executive budget, changes to SNAP eligibility, and free childcare initiatives. The Twitch chat was chaotic, with viewers requesting him to play various games, including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Undertale. Mamdani's unfamiliarity with Minecraft was notable, given its popularity and cultural significance. His Twitch channel is available at nyc_mayor for future episodes.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Don’t pay $30 for Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. It’s free right now

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store, a significant reduction from its usual price of .99. The remastered collection includes Tomb Raider I (1996) with the Unfinished Business expansion, Tomb Raider II (1997) with the Golden Mask expansion, and Tomb Raider III (1998) with The Lost Artifact expansion. Developed by Crystal Dynamics in collaboration with Aspyr, the remasters use the original game code but feature enhanced visuals and refined controls. Players can toggle back to classic graphics and access a special challenge mode with level modifications and ten new outfits for Lara. The collection has a Metacritic score of 75 and retains many hallmark features of the series. It is distinct from the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. To claim the game, users need to log in to their Epic account, add it to their cart, and then to their library, where it will remain after the promotional period ends.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Steam Drops Permanent Freebie You Can Beat In 10 Hours, Claim Before 28 May

Steam is offering Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War as a complimentary download until May 28, allowing players to keep the game indefinitely. It is a turn-based 4X strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, featuring four factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Astra Militarum. The game has a Very Positive rating on Steam, with over 5,000 reviews. Players can complete the base game in approximately 10-11 hours, with side quests taking around 25 hours and completionists potentially engaging for 50 hours or more. Additional DLC packs introduce new factions such as Chaos Space Marines, Adeptus Sororitas, and Tyranids.