Hardcore Archives

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

What Kind of Minecraft Player Are You, Really?

Minecraft is a game that allows for diverse playstyles beyond simply defeating the Ender Dragon. Players engage in various activities such as building massive automated farms, creating intricate bases, exploring for rare structures, or focusing on survival challenges. Playstyle analysis tests have emerged to better understand player behavior, categorizing them into roles like Builders, Explorers, and Hardcore Survivors based on their in-game actions rather than achievements. Builders focus on long-term projects and aesthetics, Explorers prioritize adventure and discovery, while Hardcore players emphasize skill and survival strategies. Modern playstyle tests evaluate gameplay commitment, risk tolerance, and engagement with game mechanics, producing visually appealing result cards for sharing within the community. Recent updates to Minecraft have influenced player interactions, encouraging structured exploration and enhancing automation. There is a growing trend towards valuing long-term survival worlds, with players investing more time in their projects. Most players exhibit a blend of styles, contributing to the game's replayability and the relevance of nuanced playstyle analysis.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Forget Hades 2, this underloved punk roguelike I adore is less than $1 for a short time only

Reignbreaker is a roguelike game where players embody Clef, a rebel aiming to overthrow an oppressive Kingdom in a medieval punk world. The gameplay features isometric combat similar to Hades, with high-octane action and unique mechanics such as motorized javelins and traps. Players earn rewards to enhance abilities as they progress through trials. The game is currently available in the Killer Bundle from Fanatical, starting at .75 for five games, making it a cost-effective option compared to Steam sales. The bundle includes various titles, such as Chernobylite: Premium Edition and Postal: Brain Damaged.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

10 Best RPG Minecraft Mods

RPG Minecraft mods enhance the gameplay experience by introducing new elements such as intricate progression systems, formidable bosses, and magic. The following are ten notable RPG Minecraft mods: 1. L_Ender’s Cataclysm: Features intense boss battles with handcrafted bosses like Ender Golems and Netherite Monstrosity, requiring strategic gameplay. 2. Myths and Legends: Inspired by folklore, it immerses players in a dark fantasy realm with mythical creatures, relics, and cursed items. 3. Warrior Rage: Introduces a kill-streak mechanic that enhances attack speed and damage as players defeat enemies. 4. When Dungeons Arise: Populates the world with crafted structures like warships and underground cities, offering unique loot and a risk-to-reward exploration system. 5. Ars Elixirum: Enhances potion brewing with random effects influenced by the world seed, allowing for customized potions. 6. Dark Souls Expansion: Offers a hardcore RPG experience with methodical combat and a new dimension filled with challenging enemies. 7. Born in Chaos: Introduces new aggressive mobs to enhance survival gameplay, especially during nighttime exploration. 8. The Aether: A sky-based dimension with new materials and powerful bosses, featuring a unique progression system. 9. Goety – The Dark Arts: Focuses on magic, allowing players to perform dark rituals and summon creatures through crafting a Totem of Roots. 10. Dungeon’s Delight: Adds cooking mechanics using monster drops, providing unique effects and new tools for gameplay. Most of these mods are beginner-friendly, with The Aether and Dungeon’s Delight recommended for newcomers. For combat and PvP, L_Ender’s Cataclysm and Dark Souls Expansion are top choices.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds is on my GOTY list for a reason, but after a messy year I just want Capcom to wipe the slate clean with Master Rank DLC

The author apologizes to Yuya Tokuda, the director of Monster Hunter Wilds, for not using the weapon swap feature despite playing the game for over 100 hours. The game has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and is considered one of the year's best, but it has inconsistencies that affect player experience. Capcom has struggled with defining a clear direction for the game, particularly with the PC port facing performance issues. The difficulty of new quests varies significantly, leading to a lack of consistent challenge. Changes to the armor system have resulted in more powerful loadouts, but the introduction of tougher monsters may have been an overcorrection. The author's enthusiasm for Artian weapons has diminished, viewing them as tedious and detrimental to the crafting experience, suggesting they should be removed or made cosmetic.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

They survived the MMO massacre of 2025, but 2026 is going to be a tense year for WoW and FF14: And for completely different reasons

In 2025, the MMORPG landscape faced significant turmoil with the closure of New World, withdrawal of funding for Greg Street's MMO, cancellation of a ZeniMax title, and the demise of a Warhammer MMO. Despite this, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 have remained resilient. Final Fantasy 14 has struggled with design and content delivery, lagging behind competitors like World of Warcraft, which has benefited from Microsoft's acquisition. Creative Studio 3's rigid division between casual and hardcore content has hindered player engagement, while World of Warcraft has successfully implemented variable difficulty. Director Naoki Yoshida is addressing job design issues in an upcoming expansion expected in late 2026 or early 2027. World of Warcraft has seen a resurgence with recent expansions but faces challenges in eliminating combat mods that players rely on. Both games are at a critical juncture, with 2026 expected to be pivotal for their futures.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Ex-Microsoft engineer says ‘Windows sucks’ and explains how it could be fixed

A former Microsoft engineer, Dave Plummer, has criticized the Windows operating system for lacking in key areas, particularly following Microsoft's discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which leaves millions of users vulnerable to malware and cyber threats. Many Windows 10 users remain unprotected, risking their personal data. Microsoft has introduced payment options for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but many users have not taken action to safeguard their systems. Approximately 500 million computers eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 are still on Windows 10, with Windows 11 holding a market share of 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Plummer advocates for a "hardcore mode" for advanced users and greater transparency regarding data collection. He criticizes Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategies within Windows, which he believes undermine user autonomy. Despite his critiques, he acknowledges the strengths of Windows, including its mature core engine and file management capabilities.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Hardcore PC Gaming Is About to Die

The landscape of PC gaming is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising costs and accessibility concerns. Major gaming companies, including Xbox and Nintendo, are considering price increases for games, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's monthly fee rising significantly. Hardware prices have surged, exemplified by the Xbox Series X retailing at 9 and the NVIDIA GTX 4070 RTX GPU increasing from 9.99 to 9.99. The demand for GPUs is driven by cryptocurrency mining and the AI sector, leading to component shortages. NVIDIA may reduce GPU production by 40%, further constraining supply. The outlook for RAM prices remains uncertain, and the Steam Machine may offer an alternative but likely at a higher price. The combination of soaring costs and dwindling component availability threatens the accessibility of PC gaming, potentially leading to a decline in new PC gamers and a slowdown in the industry's growth rate, which has been 3-4% annually.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

3 New Free PC Games Include Certified Banger, 100% Steam Discount Confirmed

The Steam platform has announced its autumn sale, featuring discounts ranging from 20% to 80% on a variety of games. The sale includes exclusive bundles offering multiple games at reduced prices and community-driven events for player engagement. This event is expected to attract many players and provide indie developers with increased visibility.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Think what you will about Roblox, but PC players are still hooked on its hardcore soulslike RPG

Roblox is experiencing a surge in popularity, with games like Grow a Garden and Steal a Brainrot attracting tens of millions of concurrent players. These games have surpassed 20 million concurrent players, significantly exceeding previous records. The 2025 Roblox Replay highlights the platform's continued dominance on PC, with distinct gameplay preferences emerging across different devices. Mobile players favor social roleplay games and simpler mechanics, while console players enjoy complex titles like Sonic Speed Simulator. On PC, the term 'RPG' is prominent, with Deepwoken leading as a popular hardcore RPG, boasting approximately 1.5 billion plays. Despite a 30% drop in search interest this year, Deepwoken remains the top choice for PC players, reflecting its design and community appeal.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

3 New Free PC Games Include Certified Banger, 100% Steam Discount Confirmed

The Steam platform is set to launch its autumn sale, offering deep discounts on popular titles, exclusive bundles, and limited-time offers. This annual event is expected to boost revenue for game developers and publishers while fostering community discussions among gamers about deals and strategies. Developers are preparing marketing campaigns to promote their titles during the sale.