homage Archives

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Trippy, psychedelic alien shooter ChainStaff shows there are still new ways for games to be ‘retro’

Bumpy Grumpy features a vibrant palette with stark black outlines and flat colors reminiscent of early '80s games, incorporating elements like "SOUND!" and "SCROLLING!" with a modern twist. Shoot 1UP DX captures the essence of a '90s cult classic with colorful lasers and pixel art. ChainStaff, from Mommy's Best Games, transports players to a whimsical world with oversized laser-firing insects and crustaceans, featuring vibrant landscapes and surreal architecture reminiscent of the Commodore Amiga era. Players encounter bizarre creatures such as angry alien pigs with neon hairstyles and colossal butterfly-gun-dragons, creating a psychedelic experience filled with hyper-saturated colors and imaginative designs.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

A fanmade Jak and Daxter 3 PC port is now in beta, finally making Naughty Dog’s most underrated trilogy fully available on PC

All three titles of the Jak and Daxter series have been ported to PC, with Jak 3's recent beta release completing the trilogy's transition. Players can enjoy the series in a "feature complete and fully completable" format, although Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is not yet in beta. Jak 2 and Jak 3 have minor audio bugs and graphical inconsistencies. Enhancements include widescreen support, 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and modding capabilities, but players need original copies of the games for installation.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Combine the best of Windows 11 and Windows 10 with this gorgeous wallpaper

Windows 11 features a new square and symmetrical Start menu logo, which has received mixed reactions from users. A Reddit user named "Reamed" created a wallpaper that combines Windows 10's "Hero" image with the Windows 11 logo, using various filters in their design process. The original Windows 10 wallpaper was a photograph created using lasers and a smoke machine, documented by Bradley Munkowitz. As Windows 10 marks its 11th anniversary, there is a nostalgic appreciation for practical photography amidst the rise of AI-generated art. Reamed's homage integrates the new logo into their artwork, and there are also AI-generated wallpaper options available.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

The Well Is Not Empty, a New Retro-3D Horror Game, Announced for PC

The Well Is Not Empty is a first-person psychological horror game developed by tweakEra, set in an abandoned underground structure beneath a village facing a water shortage. Players will uncover hidden secrets and face ominous challenges while experiencing retro-3D visuals reminiscent of PS1-era games. The gameplay involves witnessing a ritual not meant for human eyes and activating decaying machinery to navigate through dark tunnels with limited tools. The game is currently in development for PC and can be added to wishlists on Steam.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Five new Steam games you probably missed (March 30, 2026)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily. "The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish" is set to release on March 28, developed by Zipit! Games. It is a first-person horror game set in '90s Vietnam, focusing on a protagonist dealing with delusions and despair while solving puzzles and evading threats. "Chained Wheels" will also release on March 28, developed by Karga Games. It features cooperative gameplay where two players are chained together, navigating trucks through obstacle courses. "Dungeon Bodega Simulator" is scheduled for release on March 24, developed by Alien Fruit. Players take on the role of Elm Myrkwater, transforming a dungeon into a potion shop, with a narrative-focused gameplay experience lasting around four hours and an infinite mode. "DVD Survivors" is set to release on March 26, developed by Signal Spike Games. It is inspired by the DVD player screensaver from the '90s and offers a gameplay experience reminiscent of Vampire Survivors.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Blippo+ is a campy FMV transmission from another world

Planet Blip features a variety of broadcasts, including: - Blinker, an artificial entity who signs off with "All hail the new static!" - Quizzards, a quiz show combined with a roleplaying game where contestants' answers affect their alter egos. - Boredome, a show where teenagers discuss issues without adult presence, offering an authentic perspective. - Blippo+, a gaming experience where players scroll through short episodes, including animated segments like Fetch, which resembles surreal claymation. - The broadcasts have a campy 1980s aesthetic, reminiscent of shows like Max Headroom and Top of the Pops. These broadcasts are available on platforms like Steam and itch.io.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Nutmeg is a love letter to retro football, teletext, and the humble fax machine

Nutmeg is a deck-building card game inspired by '90s football stickers, allowing players to assume the role of a football manager. The objective is to win matches and ascend the leagues. Players build their teams by collecting cards that represent player abilities, influencing match outcomes. Matches are played in stages, with strategic elements introduced through the use of status cards that enhance actions. Players start with low-level teams and basic cards, but can develop their teams and strategies over time. The game features a nostalgic presentation, including humor and references to the era, enhancing the overall experience.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Screamer review

Screamer is a futuristic racing game developed and published by Milestone, set to be released on March 26, 2026, with a price of £50. The game features a narrative-driven experience with diverse character representation, where racers communicate in their native languages, supported by subtitles. The first team introduced, the Green Reapers, has a storyline involving revenge against the tournament organizer, Mr. A. The game incorporates an ECHO device for speed boosts and combat mechanics, but its handling model, which mimics exaggerated drifts, may be challenging for players. Customization options are available in Gage’s Workshop, showcasing different vehicle designs. The game includes various event types, offering a rich content experience despite potential issues with driving mechanics.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

This sweet new PC indie game is a Steam top seller, and a blast from the past — it’s a wonderful ’90s nostalgia trip, and on sale for launch too

Retro Rewind is a shop simulator game developed by Blood Pact Studios, an indie team from Canada, that invites players to manage a '90s video rental store. Launched on Valve's Steam platform, it quickly gained popularity, securing a spot on the Top Sellers chart and peaking at 4,505 concurrent players. The game has a "Very Positive" user review rating and features extensive customization options for the store. A free demo is available, and the game is currently offered at a launch discount of .92 until March 24, down from its standard price of .90.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Fantasy heist sim Project Shadowglass is even more inspired by Thief than I had realised, as a new trailer shows off water arrows, blackjack knockouts, and authentically sloppy swordfighting

Project Shadowglass, developed by Starhelm Studios, is a stealth game inspired by Thief: The Dark Project. It features open-ended levels with guards and traps, and utilizes simulated 3D audio technology. The game showcases nostalgic pixelated graphics and offers full 360-degree freedom. Players can perform mechanics such as sliding down rooftops, shooting explosive barrels, and creating slippery surfaces with water arrows. The combat mechanics are described as "sloppy" to fit the stealth theme. Players will plan heists, conduct research for optimal strategies, and face consequences for their actions, including imprisonment and increased security. Project Shadowglass is currently in early development with no release date, but a demo is expected later this year.