gaming preferences Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Best of Indie Legends BYO bundle from Fanatical brings top Steam PC games

Fanatical has launched the Best of Indie Legends Build Your Own Bundle for New Year 2026, allowing customers to select from 22 Steam PC games across various genres. The pricing tiers are as follows: 2 or more games for .50 each, 4 or more games for .25 each, and 7 or more games for each. Notable games include PlateUp!, a cooperative cooking game for up to four players, Pathologic 2, a survival game focused on stopping a plague, and the AMID EVIL & DUSK Double Pack for first-person shooter fans. Each bundle purchase includes a 5% discount code for future orders. The promotion runs until February 19, 2026, and game keys are limited.

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

Mark’s most anticipated PC games for 2026

- First Light is an upcoming game from IO Interactive that reimagines the Bond formula, combining stealth mechanics with action-oriented narratives, featuring high-speed chases and shootouts. - The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves, is a vampire RPG inspired by The Witcher series, focusing on a character named Coen who must reclaim his family from a bloodsucker, with dynamic quest mechanics influenced by the time of day. - Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan and aims to replicate diverse biomes and dynamic weather, offering an open-world car collecting experience with urban landscapes and mountain passes. - Star Wars: Galactic Racer features racing mechanics set in the Star Wars universe, allowing players to pilot hovering crafts through off-road trails while experiencing high-speed races.

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

The RPS 100: Reader Edition (2025) – your favourite games of all time

The RPS 100: Readers Edition allows readers to vote on the best PC games of all time, consolidating entries from the same series for broader representation. - X4: Foundations: Praised for its unconventional gameplay and immersive economic simulation. - Hardspace: Shipbreaker: Noted for its zen-like gameplay and masterful design that intertwines narrative and mechanics. - Horizon Zero Dawn: Appreciated for its beautiful world, intriguing storyline, and emotional depth. - Oxygen Not Included: Recognized for fostering resilience and problem-solving skills, with engaging gameplay. - What Remains of Edith Finch: Described as a perfect game blending sadness with exuberance. - Alan Wake 2: Lauded for intricate lore, masterful storytelling, and stunning visuals. - Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition: Reflects philosophical depth and memorable experiences despite challenging gameplay. - Terraria: Celebrated as a quintessential indie game with endless possibilities. - Overwatch 2: Reminisced for its balance of accessibility and depth, fostering a positive community. - Baba Is You: Considered one of the best puzzle games with delightful mechanics. - Heaven's Vault: Described as a profound exploration of history and memory with rich storytelling. - Jagged Alliance 2 Rally Point: Highlights memorable mercenaries and strategic challenges. - Star Control 2: Remembered as an ideal space adventure with brilliant dialogue. - The Long Dark: Known for providing countless emergent experiences as a survival simulator. - The Stanley Parable: Described as silly and mind-bending with a unique player engagement approach. - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth: Celebrated for emotional storytelling and engaging gameplay. - Football Manager: Shares nostalgic stories that create personal connections. - Call of Duty: Reminisced for its cinematic experience and revolutionary impact on online multiplayer.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Out of all the new games I’ve played in 2025, Grounded 2 deserves a special nod simply because it makes me like a genre that I really don’t like: multiplayer survival

Over the past year, 32 new gaming titles were released, with Grounded 2 emerging as a favorite. The game builds on its predecessor, which was played for over 110 hours, and emphasizes adventure and teamwork without competitive pressure. Players can engage in cooperative resource gathering or solo missions, fostering enjoyable experiences. Grounded 2 features awe-inspiring moments and rewards fun over competition, making it popular among families. It is currently in early access, with a full version expected by the end of 2026, allowing for ongoing content updates. The game has reshaped the author's perspective on multiplayer gaming, highlighting its non-competitive appeal.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

Steam Replay Is Here to Recap Your Year in PC Gaming

Steam Replay 205 provides PC gamers with a detailed breakdown of their gaming statistics from January 1 to December 14. It includes information such as the most-played games and the percentage of total playtime for each title, the number of times each game was launched, and the total number of games engaged with, with the average user playing four titles in the last year. It also tracks the number of demos explored, compares total games played this year to stats from 2024, notes the longest gaming streak, and identifies favorite genres. For Steam Deck users, it tracks usage of the device and input method preferences. Steam's analysis shows that 14% of playtime was spent on titles released in 2023, down from 15% in 2022, while 44% of playtime was on games released between 2018 and 2024, and 40% on older titles. These statistics account for 98% of total playtime, leaving 2% unaccounted for, potentially including time spent on demos or browsing. Users can access their Steam Replay at store.steampowered.com/replay or through the Steam desktop app, with options to share their statistics publicly.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

This stylish Sekiro successor was the best game I previewed last year, and it finally has a release date

Phantom Blade Zero is a Wuxia-inspired action game developed by S-Game, where players control an assassin named Soul, who has 66 days left to live and is framed for murder. The game features an intricate combat system and has garnered positive reactions from players. The release date is set for September 9, 2026, and it is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Sometimes, an FPS really is better with a controller

The text discusses the ongoing debate between using a mouse and keyboard versus a controller in first-person shooters (FPS). The author reflects on their experiences with various games, noting that gameplay dynamics can differ significantly based on the input method. In particular, they found that while playing Halo with a mouse and keyboard was enjoyable, it lacked the immersive intensity experienced with a controller. The design of Halo's enemies is noted to complement controller use, enhancing combat engagement. The author also mentions their experience with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, where they found the controller more intuitive due to design choices favoring controller users, such as analog movement and aim assist. They express surprise at how well classic titles like Doom adapted to controller play, leading to a reevaluation of input preferences in FPS games.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Sektori developer says the response to his Geometry Wars-inspired roguelike has been ‘awesome’, but the game’s sales still leave him ‘with zero salary for 4.5 years’

Sektori, a game released in 2025, has achieved a 97% positive rating on Steam and features Geometry Wars-inspired roguelike mechanics. Developer Kimmo Lahtinen noted the game's unexpected success among a niche audience and highlighted the challenges of achieving commercial success in a competitive market. He observed a disconnect between lengthy game development cycles and the short attention spans of modern users, leading to a trend of quicker, smaller projects. Lahtinen humorously pointed out that the majority of Sektori's players are older gamers, indicating a generational divide in gaming preferences. The game's design philosophy intentionally limits explanations of mechanics to encourage player exploration, although some players expressed a desire for more clarity. Lahtinen is currently working on a patch to address minor issues, including a difficulty spike during the first boss battle.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Abxylute 3D One Handheld PC Boasts Glasses-Free 3D Display, Puts Games in Depth

The 3D One from Abxylute is a handheld gaming PC that combines tablet functionality with gaming console features. It measures 10.2 inches wide, 6.7 inches tall, and weighs 1.92 pounds, expanding to 14.4 inches wide and 2.45 pounds with detachable controllers. The controllers attach magnetically and include buttons, Hall effect joysticks, and a touchpad. It has a 10.95-inch touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 480 nits. The device features a 50-watt-hour battery, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, and a one-terabyte NVMe SSD. It includes various connectivity options, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth. The Kickstarter campaign offers early bird pricing at 9 and standard pricing at 9, with shipments starting in December.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Crusader Kings 3 wastes no time improving its new DLC, and I can’t wait to force my medieval kids to go to school

Crusader Kings 3 has released the expansion All Under Heaven, which introduces cultures from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia and has received 'mostly positive' reviews on Steam. Developer Paradox is implementing hotfixes and balance patches and planning a significant update. The expansion features a new gameplay mechanic allowing players to "Command Family to take Exams" to enhance family dynamics. Update 1.18.0.2 improves the Celestial Government in China by removing maintenance penalties for Men-at-Arms and armies, providing the Chinese Emperor with greater flexibility in strategic maneuvers, and allowing players to reject tributary missions. Future updates include 1.18.1, which will enhance visuals for Southeast Asia, and 1.18.2, expected at the end of November.