games Archives

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

From ‘Minecraft’ to ‘Alto’s Adventure’: 7 cosy games with soundtracks for the soul

The music of Stardew Valley was composed by Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone and features 100 tracks that capture various moments and locations, making it a gold standard for comfort in gaming. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a soundtrack that combines lo-fi melodies with electronic guitar riffs, adapting to the time of day and weather, enhancing the gameplay experience. Spiritfarer explores themes of death and nostalgia through its soundtrack, which evolves into a narrative element of the game. Minecraft features an ambient soundtrack by Daniel "C418" Rosenfield that has influenced lo-fi and vaporwave music trends, characterized by gentle piano melodies and tranquil synths. The soundtrack of Monument Valley aligns with the game's aesthetic and player actions, enhancing immersion. Journey has a Grammy-nominated score by Austin Wintory that complements its visuals and storytelling, providing essential clues through its instrumentation. Alto's Adventure features stirring melodies that capture the exhilaration of gameplay, inviting players to immerse themselves in the experience.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

PC Users Have Limited Time to Claim 2022 with 90% Positive Reviews for Free

PC gamers can download the 2D platforming game "Mr. Brocco & Co. Against Fast Food" for free from IndieGala, an Italian digital storefront. The game has a 90% positive rating on Steam and is DRM-free, allowing players to copy and back up the file without validation software. This offer is not part of Steam's Free-to-Keep Promotion. Once claimed, the game is permanently available to the player.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

Paralives has done the one exact thing I was begging life sims for

Paralives allows players to customize difficulty settings from the start, offering various storytellers that adjust gameplay elements. Players can create their own storytellers, modifying parameters like time ratios and life stage durations. The game incorporates strategy into social interactions, requiring players to consider character traits and relationship dynamics when choosing conversation options. Additionally, personality traits and simulated events, such as a child character getting sick, impact gameplay and require strategic management. The design encourages critical thinking about characters' moods and actions, making the experience engaging and challenging.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

The new game from the makers of Botanicula and Chuchel is like 1984 meets the Keystone Kops, but in a way that actually works

Phonopolis, developed by Amanita Design, was released last week and has received positive early impressions. The game features straightforward puzzles that resemble interactive toys, with a notable sequence involving evasion during a parade. It is inspired by the works of Karel Čapek and George Orwell, showcasing themes of class division, surveillance, and punishment. The soundtrack by Tomáš Dvořák contrasts the game's harsh environment with a gentle, dreamy lullaby. The game is described as having overt thematic elements, making it feel heavier and less joyful than previous titles like Machinarium and Botanicula. Phonopolis is available for purchase on Steam, Epic, and GOG for .49/£18/€19.79, with a collector's edition and a demo also offered on Steam.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Ultra-hard survival sandbox Kenshi passes 3 million copies sold, teases fans with ‘Kenshi 2 When?’ website

Kenshi has sold three million copies, achieving approximately half of its all-time record on Steam. The game is known for its brutal realism and complexity, with a mod featuring crucifixion receiving a five-star rating. A sequel, Kenshi 2, is anticipated, and the original game is available on Steam for a limited-time price of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Kenshi, a game that epitomizes the concept of starting from "rock bottom," immerses players in a world where survival is a relentless challenge. Upon entering this unforgiving landscape, players find themselves stranded in a vast desert, surrounded by adversaries, with all stats languishing at a mere 1. Adding to the struggle, your character has just lost a left arm and is grappling with malnutrition in a territory where starvation is considered a crime. Remarkable Sales Milestone Despite its harsh premise, Kenshi has resonated with gamers, achieving impressive sales of three million copies, as announced in a recent blog post by developer Lo-Fi Games. The post expressed gratitude to the community, stating, "To everyone who's ever pointed a friend toward Kenshi, posted a screenshot, or clocked more hours than they’d care to admit, thank you." This sales figure represents approximately half of the game's all-time record on Steam, a milestone it reached just last year. The allure of Kenshi seems to lie in its brutal realism and complexity. Players are drawn to the game’s unique challenges, with even a mod that introduces crucifixion receiving a five-star rating on the game’s workshop page. This appetite for intensity suggests that gamers are eager for experiences that push the boundaries of conventional gameplay. Looking Ahead to Kenshi 2 As the anticipation for a sequel grows, fans are left wondering when a reveal might occur. Kenshi's journey began with a lengthy five-year stint in early access before its official release in 2018. Given the game's depth and the rarity of such intricate fantasy sandboxes, it is likely that a sequel will be on the horizon. For those curious about the original experience, it is currently available on Steam for a limited-time price of .39 until June 1. For enthusiasts eager to stay informed about developments related to Kenshi 2, a newsletter sign-up is available at kenshi2when.com, allowing fans to opt out of all communications not specifically related to the upcoming title." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].39 until June 1. Fans can sign up for a newsletter at kenshi2when.com for updates related to Kenshi 2.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Over 200 Fake Android Apps Are Quietly Stealing Money From Phone Bills

Zimperium identified a sophisticated malware campaign that exploited nearly 250 Android applications, posing as popular games and social media platforms. The malware ensnared users into premium subscription services without consent, using techniques like JavaScript injection and interception of one-time passwords. The campaign primarily targeted users in Malaysia, Romania, Thailand, and Croatia, with the malware capable of reading SIM cards and activating for specific mobile carriers. Zimperium first detected the scam in March 2025 and monitored it until at least January 2026. Google stated that none of the compromised applications were available on its app store and emphasized that Android users are protected by Google Play Protect. The hackers deployed three malware variants, with the first using an automated subscription engine, the second targeting users in Thailand with premium SMS messages, and the third combining SMS fraud with real-time notifications to attackers via Telegram. The campaign primarily affected Malaysian SIM card users, with significant activity also in Thailand and Romania. Despite the campaign's last known activity in January, parts of its infrastructure remain operational. The attacks highlight vulnerabilities in application security and the challenges of policing app downloads from third-party marketplaces.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Is Paralives worth playing in early access for life sim fans?

Paralives has launched into early access, entering the life simulation genre alongside The Sims 4. The game is currently in a rough state with bugs such as menu glitches and unresponsive buttons, but overall performance on desktop PCs is satisfactory despite lengthy load times. It offers a unique take on life simulation, reminiscent of earlier games in the genre, and has a promising roadmap for updates over the next two years, including features like seasons, weather, pets, and improved building tools. Dedicated life sim enthusiasts may find it worthwhile to engage now, while casual gamers might prefer to wait due to its buggy state and steep price. Live Mode players will find intriguing elements but may desire more gameplay variety.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

9 cool things about Paralives you won’t find in The Sims

Paralives has entered early access and offers several innovative features that distinguish it from The Sims 4. Key features include: - The ability to resize objects, allowing for customization in design. - A snap-free decorating system that enables free placement of items. - A color wheel for customizing clothing, hair, and furniture colors, with the option to save swatches. - Height sliders for creating characters of varying heights, enhancing realism and diversity. - A vegetarian toggle that does not consume a trait slot, simplifying character traits. - A needs-dependent skill progression system that requires characters' needs to be met for leveling up. - Special mood meters that provide unique emotional states based on characters' actions. - Townie requests inspired by farming simulators, offering daily tasks for rewards. - A museum feature for donating found items, encouraging exploration and collection.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Peak’s success helped Aggro Crab commit to co-op, says studio head: ‘We thought we were a character action studio’

The collaboration between Peak, Aggro Crab, and Landfall Games originated from a four-week game jam. Aggro Crab's studio head, Nick Kaman, discussed this experience at the Game Developers Conference, highlighting a shift towards smaller projects and a stronger identity in co-op gaming. They collaborated with a studio known for the game Content Warning, which is recognized in the friendslop genre. After a taxing three-year development on a previous project, the team found renewed energy in creating Peak. Kaman announced the upcoming release of Crashout Crew, inspired by Overcooked, featuring unique elements like proximity voice chat and mouth animations that respond to player speech. He acknowledged that this new direction might not appeal to everyone but expressed excitement about the studio's evolution.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

8 New Free Games Now Available On Steam For You To Play

Steam has released a selection of new free games available for download, including: - Another Zombie Shooter: A real-time accuracy tracker rewards precision in this shooter game. - Mulligan Keep: A cooperative deck-building dungeon crawler for up to four players. - The Pinkman Files: A fast-paced, turn-based combat game with detective elements. - Crown Chaos: A multiplayer party game focused on gaining points by controlling zones. - Knockout Carnival: An online multiplayer party game with chaotic physics-based challenges. - Laser Harp VR: A game where players organize a live show using a laser harp instrument. - Divine Diner: A narrative game about a demigod seeking to find their godly father. - ICR - Multiplayer Car Racing: An online multiplayer racing game with high-speed competition.