Hardcore Archives

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

The great RPG debate: Defined playable characters or blank slates?

In role-playing games (RPGs), there is a debate between using pre-defined characters with backstories versus creating unique characters. Many players appreciate the freedom of crafting their own characters, as seen in games like Baldur's Gate and Skyrim, which offer extensive customization and replayability. Conversely, games like Mass Effect and The Witcher, featuring defined protagonists, provide memorable experiences through strong narratives and emotional depth, despite offering less character customization. Players face significant choices that shape their journeys, even with established characters. The release of Baldur's Gate 3 blends both approaches, allowing for rich character development while starting from a blank slate. This ongoing discussion encourages players to reflect on their preferences in character creation versus narrative depth.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

As key Lost Ark devs leave, Amazon Games says “trust is earned through actions, not words”

The Amazon Games team responsible for Lost Ark has experienced significant departures, including community manager Roxanne Sabo and producer 'Hardcore' Henry Stelter. Sabo expressed her pride in her work with the community, while Stelter reflected on his journey with the game. A statement on the Lost Ark global website acknowledged these departures and emphasized the importance of community feedback, citing a recent survey of over 11,000 players. The future of Lost Ark remains uncertain, especially following the Ends of the Abyss update, with plans outlined only through April. Smilegate continues to be the primary developer, and there is potential for another publisher to take over if Amazon Games withdraws.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Minecraft rival Everwind sails into early access, and I can’t wait to soar among the clouds

Everwind is a voxel-based sandbox survival RPG where players act as captains of flying island-ships, set in a medieval fantasy world. The game launches into Steam Early Access on March 17, with the standard edition priced at .99 and the Capybara Edition at .99. It supports solo and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, with plans for dedicated servers and other updates based on player feedback. The game was successfully funded on Kickstarter within two weeks.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Hack-and-Slash Action Game Verminsteel Announced for PC

Developer Glass Bottom Games has announced its upcoming title, Verminsteel, an anthropomorphic hack-and-slash action game set to launch on PC via Steam in 2027. The game features players as a crow warrior fighting against occupying forces, utilizing various weapons and engaging in battles across the Fragarian countryside. Players can also play as other characters, rally allies, and upgrade weapons. The game emphasizes community themes and has been developed without the use of generative AI.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Anthropomorphic hack-and-slash action game Verminsteel announced for PC

Glass Bottom Games has announced their new project, Verminsteel, an anthropomorphic hack-and-slash action game featuring a crow protagonist. The game is set for release on PC via Steam in 2027. Players will use a variety of weapons, including swords and frying pans, to battle against enemy forces and rescue townsfolk. The game emphasizes community and collaboration, with players able to recruit allies and utilize their unique skills. Key features include a deep combat system, squad maneuvers, and weapon upgrades. Glass Bottom Games confirmed that no generative AI was used in the game's development. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

This Guy Built One Piece’s Marineford In Minecraft…In Hardcore

A YouTuber named stan616 spent nearly 80 days recreating Marineford from One Piece in Minecraft's Hardcore mode, using over 1,187,773 blocks. Unlike Creative mode, Hardcore mode requires players to mine, harvest, and craft every block, facing threats from aggressive mobs that can lead to complete loss of progress upon death. To aid his project, stan616 used schematics to design blueprints in Creative mode, which were then exported into Hardcore mode. He documented his journey in a 90-minute video, highlighting the risks and challenges he encountered. The completed build is available for purchase on his Patreon for .00.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Hooded Horse’s new strategy game Menace isn’t XCOM, and that’s okay

Menace is a turn-based strategy game that distinguishes itself from the XCOM series by offering a grander, more theatrical experience reminiscent of Company of Heroes and Starship Troopers. It features larger-scale confrontations and a unique squad structure where each member operates as an individual unit, allowing for a focus on overwhelming force rather than precision strikes. The game includes named characters commanding groups of up to eight soldiers, but the large number of troops can dilute emotional connections, making losses feel less impactful. The developer has invested in character development, but the emotional bond is weaker compared to smaller squads. The game is currently in early access and is expected to evolve before its full release.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus in 2026: Still Worth Paying For on Windows and Mac?

Ransomware is evolving, and many users in the United States continue to invest in Avast Antivirus as of 2026. Avast, now part of Gen Digital, has shifted from a traditional free antivirus to a comprehensive consumer security suite, which includes three tiers: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and Avast One. The product lineup features a core antivirus engine, ransomware and phishing protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi inspector, built-in VPN, and performance cleanup tools. Avast's core antivirus engine provides real-time file scanning and web/email shields, consistently ranking high in independent lab tests for malware protection. The ransomware shield protects sensitive folders from unauthorized encryption, while the firewall and Wi-Fi inspector are available in paid tiers. The built-in VPN is designed for safer public Wi-Fi use, and performance tools aim to optimize system efficiency. Pricing for Avast products in the US varies, with a free tier supported by upsell prompts for premium features, Premium Security typically offered as an annual subscription, and Avast One marketed as a higher-value bundle. Renewal pricing often increases significantly after the first year, leading to user complaints. Microsoft Defender is now effective enough that many experts believe average users may not need third-party antivirus software, but Avast justifies its subscription by offering stronger web protection, more control over app permissions, and additional non-security features. User feedback highlights strong protection but frequent upsell prompts, performance issues on low-end machines, and concerns over past data collection practices. Avast is seen as valuable for households with mixed tech literacy, remote workers, students on older hardware, and users seeking basic privacy protections.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

My love for Arc Raiders is starting to wane, and that plays right into Marathon’s hands

Arc Raiders has been a dominant presence in the author's gaming time since its launch at the end of October, even with new seasons for other games like Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6. The author has experienced some fatigue with Arc Raiders recently, despite previously believing it would succeed. Key features of Arc Raiders include emergent gameplay, flexible engagement options, and a free loadout system. However, the author notes a lack of new content, such as weapons, maps, and enemy types, since the launch of Stella Montis, leading to diminished interest. Upcoming updates, including the Shrouded Sky update, promise new content, but the author expresses concern that if this update does not reignite excitement, they may shift their focus to Marathon, which offers polished gameplay and customization options that Arc Raiders currently lacks.