gems Archives

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Darkstone, a classic 1999 action RPG about eating apples and trying not to die of old age, is being remastered by its original creator

Darkstone is a 1990s action RPG known for its dual-character system, allowing players to control a main character and a sidekick with their own class, skills, and inventory. This feature enabled dynamic gameplay and strategy adaptation. The game also offered multiplayer capabilities, but many players appreciated the option to explore solo with an effective AI companion. Despite not being a household name, Darkstone's unique features have influenced modern gaming.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Valorant gets its biggest VCT shake-up ever, and it could be the best thing to happen to it

Riot Games is restructuring the Valorant Champions Tour for 2027, moving away from the current league format to a more inclusive regional free-for-all system. The new format will feature open qualifiers and regular regional tournaments called 'VCT Cups,' allowing teams of all skill levels to compete for spots in international events. Riot plans to host over 20 tournaments annually across 16 cities, with a prize pool exceeding a million dollars each year. Partnered teams will still have advantages but will operate on a two-year cycle. The changes aim to foster compelling narratives and enhance competitiveness by allowing organization-less teams to emerge. Leo Faria stated that the shift to a tournament-driven system will create a dynamic ecosystem where every match matters and every team has a chance at the global stage.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Get Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and 7 other games for under $2 each in the latest Humble Choice line-up

Humble Choice's April lineup features eight games available for under , including the standout title Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The game allows players to experience a Viking saga as Eivor, engaging in raids and exploring an expansive open world set in Norway and England. Richard Scott-Jones rated Valhalla 8/10, calling it potentially the best Assassin's Creed game. Humble Choice operates as a monthly subscription service, allowing subscribers to keep the games indefinitely, and offers discounts on products in the Humble Store. The April selection includes the following titles: - Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion - The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria - Until Then - Planet of Lana - Artisan TD - The Procession to Calvary - Buddy Simulator 1984 This lineup is available until May 5 and refreshes on the first Tuesday of each month.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Five new Steam games you probably missed (April 7, 2026)

Steam releases around a dozen new games daily. The following are details of some notable upcoming PC games: - Stiff Neck - Release Date: April 3 - Developer: 伤官制作组 Team Uranian - Description: A life simulation game where players control Kazio, a Polish man adjusting to life after losing his job at a coal mine, now working at a convenience store and facing financial challenges. - Wasteland Bites - Release Date: April 4 - Developer: CosmicDev - Description: A game where players operate a food truck in a post-apocalyptic world, cooking while defending against aliens and mutants. - It Has My Face - Release Date: April 4 - Developer: NightByte Games - Description: A roguelike game where players navigate a world filled with doppelgangers, aiming to eliminate their lookalike before being found out, featuring both solo and multiplayer modes. - Grime 2 - Release Date: April 1 - Developer: Clover Bite - Description: A sequel to a combat-focused platformer where players can mold defeated enemies into attacks, featuring a parry-centric combat system and challenging boss battles.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

4 NES Exclusive Games Are Being Re-Released Next Week

NihonGame will release the Hiryu no Ken Collection, featuring four classic NES titles, on April 15, exclusively on PC via Steam. The collection includes: - Hiryu no Ken - Hiryu no Ken II: Dragon no Tsubasa - Hiryu no Ken III: Gonin no Ryusenshi - Hiryu no Ken: Special Fighting Wars These titles are straightforward ports without any remastering or enhancements. The Hiryu no Ken series originated in arcades in 1985, and the last entry was released on the Game Boy Color in 2000. The collection will only support Japanese language, which may limit its appeal to players outside Japan.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

In 2007, two game music GOATs collaborated on the criminally underrated soundtrack to a similarly underrated D&D RPG

Critical Hit, formerly Soundtrack Sunday, explores video game music and audio design, highlighting titles like Neverwinter Nights, which has a dedicated fanbase. The first expansion of Neverwinter Nights 2, Mask of the Betrayer, is noted for its mature narrative and impactful music, which plays a significant role in the game's atmosphere. Brandon, the audio director at Obsidian during the late 2000s, discussed the development of Mask of the Betrayer and its soundtrack, which he collaborated on with Womb Music's Rik Schaffer and Margaret Tang. The main theme of Mask of the Betrayer is described as mysterious and epic, with a darker reinterpretation for the DLC. The theme for Mulsantir captures the city's duality, blending inviting and sinister elements. Brandon aimed to encapsulate the medieval sound of Dungeons & Dragons, resulting in a soundtrack that enhances gameplay and leaves a lasting impression on players.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

A Major Fantasy MMORPG Is Finally Coming to PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is expanding its offerings with the addition of Elder Scrolls Online, which will be available on PC Game Pass starting June 2nd. The game will feature Xbox Play Anywhere support, allowing cross-progression between PC and Xbox consoles. ZeniMax has announced a new free, seasonal content model for Elder Scrolls Online, and the game is currently available as a free title on PS Plus Essential until April 6th. The introduction of crossplay and cross-progression is being actively pursued by ZeniMax, addressing a long-standing demand from the community.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

With Humble Choice at almost half price, you can now get 8 Steam Deck-friendly games for just $1 each

Humble Bundle is offering a promotion for its Humble Choice subscription, allowing subscribers to acquire eight games for a significantly reduced fee. The lineup includes titles such as Tempest Rising and Chants of Sennaar. Tempest Rising is noted for its real-time strategy gameplay reminiscent of Command & Conquer, receiving an 8/10 review score. The subscription is priced at a discounted rate, and subscribers will have indefinite access to the games. The promotional code MARCH26 can be used at checkout, and the offer expires on April 7th.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

The best tool for playing obscure old PC games now supports the sublime FMV cheese of Crime Patrol 2: Drug Wars and a Lovecraftian adventure one YouTuber scored a ‘terribly low 2/10’

ScummVM has expanded its focus beyond adventure games, allowing classic PC games to be played on various platforms, including modern Windows, Macs, and the Nintendo Wii. Notable lesser-known games include the '90s FMV shooters Crime Patrol and Crime Patrol 2: Drug Wars, which feature questionable acting and storylines about drug busts. Another mentioned title is Necronomicon: The Dawning of Darkness, which was completed in two hours and received a low rating of 2/10 from a YouTuber. ScummVM provides a comprehensive wiki page for acquiring supported games and an FAQ for guidance.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a native Feature Flags page, and it could make Vivetool obsolete

Microsoft is set to introduce a "Feature Flags" page in Windows 11 that will allow users to enable experimental features more easily. Currently, users rely on the third-party application Vivetool to access hidden functionalities in preview builds. The Feature Flags page is still in an experimental phase and not yet active. It was discovered by a user known as PhantomOfEarth, who has been using Vivetool. The page aims to provide a list of features under development, but it may only display features closer to completion, potentially keeping some tools hidden.