Gaming Archives

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Amid a tidal wave of new games in 2024, these 10 must-play deep cuts are cheap and will run on almost anything

Many gamers are facing a growing backlog of titles as they enter the new year. Instead of returning to popular games like The Witcher 3 or Persona 5, players are encouraged to explore quirky indie games that offer depth and creativity, are budget-friendly, and suitable for short gaming sessions. Eight standout indie games from the past year and two late entries from 2023 include: 1. Felvidek: Set in the Slovak highlands, featuring a disgraced protagonist investigating supernatural occurrences with a priest, utilizing sepia-toned visuals and retro turn-based combat. 2. Skald: Against the Black Priory: A DOS RPG-inspired game with pixel art and a rich soundtrack, offering modern hardcore CRPG mechanics. 3. Dread Delusion: A low-fi RPG with immersive world-building and exploration, captivating players since early access. 4. Anger Foot: An arcade FPS priced at , combining fast-paced action and humor, reminiscent of "Hotline Miami." 5. Judero: An action-adventure game with a druid protagonist in a whimsical claymation world, featuring surreal dialogues. 6. Mouthwashing: A claustrophobic narrative set on a marooned spaceship, known for its nonlinear storytelling and haunting atmosphere. 7. Straftat: A 1v1 FPS that combines classic map design with humor, serving as a contrast to live service games. 8. The Black Parade: An unofficial expansion for Thief Gold, featuring ten expansive missions that highlight immersive sim design. These indie titles offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream gaming, allowing players to enjoy unique narratives and innovative gameplay.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Here are DSOGaming’s Games of the Year 2024

The gaming community is anticipating the Game of the Year (GOTY) list as 2024 approaches. Contributors from DSOGaming have shared their top picks: - pirovashMX chose Penny’s Big Breakaway, a platformer inspired by Sega’s 90s classics, featuring fluid movement and a new whip mechanic. - Spencer selected Virtua Fighter 5 REVO, an Open Beta version of a classic fighting game from 2006, praised for its combat mechanics and graphics, with an official release scheduled for January. - Nick McCaskey highlighted Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a JRPG that encouraged multiple playthroughs, alongside a mention of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. - John Papadopoulos picked Silent Hill 2 Remake, commending its atmosphere, narrative, visuals, and satisfying conclusion, despite minor traversal issues.

BetaBeacon

December 28, 2024

I replaced my Android launcher with a game emulation hub, and it (mostly) worked

ES-DE Frontend is a paid app that brings all emulators and games into a unified UI, but it does not emulate anything. The most difficult part of the installation process is setting up RetroArch. The app allows for customization with various themes and the addition of Android apps and games through external tools. However, the app lacks touch controls, only works in landscape mode, and requires manual scrolling to access apps, making it less suitable for daily use. Tasker can be used as a workaround to switch the launcher to ES-DE when a controller is attached. Despite its limitations, ES-DE Frontend is recommended for Android-based gaming handhelds.

BetaBeacon

December 28, 2024

Top 5 mobile games of 2024: Stephen’s picks of the year

- In 2024, the author's favorite games included Pocket Necromancer, Yolk Heroes: A Long Tamago, Bella Wants Blood, Guncho, A Little to the Left, Pokemon Go, and Vampire Survivors. - The author enjoys opening packs in Pokemon TCG Pocket and playing games that evoke nostalgia. - The author dislikes clutter and enjoys playing games that are perfect for short bursts of play. - The author is looking forward to adding Dredge and Last Spartan: Glory of Madness to their collection in 2025.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Weekend PC Game Deals: Even more winter sales and daily freebies

The Epic Games Store is offering a free copy of Hot Wheels Unleashed, a racing game developed by Milestone, which features drifting mechanics and a customizable track builder. The giveaway ends at 8 AM PT on December 28. The Steam Winter Sale is ongoing, providing substantial discounts on thousands of titles. The GOG store is also running a winter sale, offering a free copy of The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav along with other discounted games.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Minecraft fan creates fascinating animation of a walking redstone T-Rex

User u/MythicalPingu released a 1:20 minute redstone T-Rex animation on Reddit, showcasing a T-Rex made from redstone components that walks and dispenses TNT. The video features dynamic camera angles and has gained popularity, with users expressing admiration and requesting tutorials. Another user noted the T-Rex's resemblance to the Thunderjaw from Horizon Zero Dawn, although u/MythicalPingu was unfamiliar with the game. Other notable Minecraft creations mentioned include Grazzy's three-year project recreating the entire map of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a replica of the Tower of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings, and a detailed construction of Notre-Dame de Laeken in Brussels.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

What a Minecraft Game Made in Unreal Engine 5 Could Look Like

Digital Dreams has reimagined Minecraft using Unreal Engine 5, resulting in impressive visuals that surpass those of a movie featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The hardware requirements for this version include a Gigabyte Aorus X670 AX motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7950x processor, Kingston Fury 6000MHz RAM, NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card, and Samsung 970 EVO SSD. LEGO has released The Crafting Table building set to celebrate Minecraft's 15th anniversary, designed for adult fans. This set features 12 biomes, including Deep Dark and Lush Cave, and includes five mini builds and eight micro figures, such as Steve and Creeper.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

5 unimplemented Minecraft features Mojang should add to the game in the future

- Shaders are a highly desired unimplemented feature that could enhance the game's visuals, with partial integration in versions 1.16 and 1.17, but ultimately abandoned. - Fallen trees have been requested since 2012, potentially adding complexity to gameplay by serving as obstacles and hiding spots. - The fletching table lacks purpose and was initially teased for enhancement before the 1.15 release; upgrading it could introduce new gameplay mechanics related to hunting and gathering. - The concept of seasons, mentioned during Minecon 2013, remains unimplemented and could lead to visual transformations and changes in mob behaviors. - The Birch Forest biome was set to receive enhancements during the Wild Update announced at Minecraft Live 2021, but the anticipated features did not make it into the final version.

BetaBeacon

December 28, 2024

Squid Game: Unleashed offers immense in-game rewards for watching the show on Netflix

- Squid Game: Unleashed is a mobile game released on Android and iOS by Netflix. - The game integrates with Squid Game Season 2 on the platform. - Viewers can earn in-game rewards by watching episodes of the show. - Watching all seven episodes unlocks exclusive in-game rewards, including a special cosmetic outfit.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.