gardening Archives

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

What is Paralives? The creative life simulator game that could rival The Sims

Paralives, created by indie designer Alex Massé, launched on Steam in May 2026 as an early access title and sold 250,000 copies within eight hours, achieving a peak concurrent player count of 78,603. The game allows players to create and customize characters called Parafolk, featuring extensive representation and body inclusivity. It offers user-friendly building and decorating tools, enabling flexible item placement and personalization. The art style is a comic-book aesthetic reminiscent of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." Paralives was developed independently with community feedback, contrasting with EA's acquisition of The Sims, which raised concerns among players regarding corporate influence and representation. The game is priced at £33.50, with plans for free downloadable content updates.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

How to Get Shelf Mushrooms in Minecraft 26.3

The autumn season introduces Shelf Mushrooms, which grow on Poplar trees and fallen logs. They can be found in the Dappled Forest, where they are recognizable by their shell-like shape. Larger specimens yield two mushrooms when harvested, and they can be collected by hand or with tools. Alternatively, players can cultivate Poplar trees at their base to grow Shelf Mushrooms or purchase them from the Wandering Trader for one Emerald. Shelf Mushrooms are useful as a renewable food source, an ingredient for brewing, and can be composted with a 65 percent chance of increasing the composter's level, producing Bone Meal.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: One Hand Clapping, Don’t Starve, Minabo, SpongeBob, more

A selection of Android games on sale includes One Hand Clapping, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Minabo, Human Fall Flat, and SpongeBob The Cosmic Shake. Lenovo has launched a Black Friday in June sale with discounts up to 64% on products like Android tablets and Copilot+ PCs. An early Prime Day promotion features the Amazon Ember Artline frame TV at 0 off, competitive pricing on Nothing Ear (3), and pre-order deals for the new Google Home Speaker.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Paralives charmed me on day one, but the roadmap outlines the real life sim of my dreams

Paralives is currently in early access and offers a variety of features aimed at enhancing the life simulation gaming experience. Paramaker Features: - Voice pitch sliders for character voices - Enhanced search and filter options for clothing and accessories - Improved skin tone color wheel - Ability to create pets (dogs, cats, horses) - Wider selection of clothing, items, hairstyles, and accessories - Adjustable character heights - Body and facial sliders for customization - Options for heterochromia and intricate hair color wheels - Layering clothing and outfit saving - Tattoo options with recolor and placement tools - Genetics system for creating new characters Build Mode Features: - Broader range of objects and decorative items - Support for doors and windows on curved walls - Customizable pools and related tools - Basement creation and enhanced stair functionalities - Advanced terrain tools for lakes and ponds - Improved town design capabilities - Options to create vehicles, boathouses, and roads - Effortless room management - Flexible object placement with grid snapping - Basic terrain editing tools Live Mode Features: - Dynamic weather and seasonal changes - Comprehensive gardening system - Objects influencing character lives - System for defining sexual orientation and preferences - New characters moving into the player's town - Story progression for nearby characters - Unique story cards for storytellers - Expanded gameplay and difficulty options - New shops and town activities - Communication options for characters - Calendar menu for managing schedules - Ownership and use of vehicles General Features: - Photo mode for character movement and pose adjustments - Access to mods via Steam Workshop - In-game mod management tools - Cheat options for money, character editing, and item manipulation

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Google’s most basic app has turned my dad into a Pixel super-fan

The author's family recently transitioned to Google Pixel phones, which has particularly pleased the author's father due to the Pixel Weather app. The switch was motivated by the need for easier remote troubleshooting and a consistent user experience. The father's fondness for the app stems from its clarity, straightforward design, and absence of ads, making it more enjoyable to use. The app provides accurate weather forecasts for their hometown in Lebanon and features a large, readable font that caters to the father's visual needs. The family has a longstanding interest in weather information, and the app's customization options have enhanced the father's smartphone experience.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Forget Stardew Valley’s cozy vibes. New farming sim Crop keeps you “on edge,” and I can’t get enough of it

Players in the game Crop start their journey in an abandoned car, with the nearby farmhouse representing hope amidst a washed-out bridge to the outside world. The first task is to dig a grave for the previous owner, setting a grim tone for the farming experience. Gameplay involves traditional farming mechanics but with a slow, deliberate pace that emphasizes effort and intention. Players can earn money to invest in equipment and expand their farms, while the narrative hints at darker themes, including an abduction and the mysterious death of the former owner. The game features occult symbols and unsettling notes, suggesting a connection between sacrifice and abundance. Influences include the eerie atmosphere of Twin Peaks and the storytelling of Tarkovsky, alongside elements from Outer Wilds and Dredge. Relationships with characters are tracked through 'minimaps,' and the game has an estimated playtime of around 15 hours, focusing on exploration and uncovering mysteries rather than fitting into the horror genre.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 takes to Kickstarter with the lushest virtual grass I’ve ever seen

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 is the sequel to the original Lawn Mowing Simulator and is set to enhance the gardening experience with new tools like strimmers and leaf blowers. The game has surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal of £15,000 and is expected to release in 2026. A comparison video shows that the sequel features more dynamic grass with improved texture, colors, and the addition of flowers and weeds, making the virtual lawn more realistic. The game faces competition from titles like Grounded and Red Dead Redemption 2, which also feature detailed grass environments.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Almost all the cozy games of March have demos to try and I’ve been snapping up as many as I can

Cozy games often shift their release dates shortly before launch, which has been particularly noticeable in March. The anticipated titles include: - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world game set in 13th century Mongolia focused on horse taming and breeding, developed with input from horse game critic Alice Ruppert. - Cupiclaw: A vibrant pixel art adventure that simplifies the claw machine experience, where players aim to scoop high-value prizes like a lost engagement ring. - The Abbess Garden: A gardening fantasy set in 1643 France, where players restore a neglected abbey garden, emphasizing ecosystem care and creativity. - Bubblegum Galaxy: A tile-based building game featuring a cat with a house-shaped hat, tasked with rebuilding a galaxy in a corporate setting. - Collector's Cove: A farming simulator where players start their farming life on the back of a large aquatic dinosaur, exploring various islands without enemies.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Round Up: Every Switch And Switch 2 Announcement From The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025

PC Gamer hosted its annual PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, showcasing several upcoming titles for the Switch and Switch 2. - Blood: Refreshed Supply - Switch (Out Now) - Carmageddon: Rogue Shift - Switch 2 (Early 2026) - MIO: Memories In Orbit - Switch 2 & Switch (20th January 2026) - Grave Seasons - Switch (2026) - Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! - Switch 2 (Early 2026) - Tamer Town - Switch 2 (2026) - Starsand Island - Switch 2 (2026) - Dungeons of Dusk - Switch 2 & Switch (2026)

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Don’t sleep on this fantastic co-op sandbox game, because it’s about to add an explosive new biome completely for free

Core Keeper launched out of early access in 2024 with a 94% positive rating on Steam. The upcoming update, Void and Voltage, will be released for free on January 28. The game features exploration, combat, and crafting from a top-down perspective. The new biome, Breaker's Reach, includes new adversaries and a boss named SAHABAR. The update will introduce new automation tools, gear such as a handheld flamethrower, miniguns, and various other items. A new sub-biome called the Void will feature evolved enemy variants and new combat mechanics. Community-requested features will also be added, including echo maps, crafting statues, and improvements to minions.