horror experience Archives

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

Free PC Game Offering Is Perfect For Stranger Things Viewers, More to Come

The conclusion of Stranger Things Season 5 has led to rumors of a hidden final episode that may address lingering concerns about the series' finale. A new game titled I Hate This Place, based on a comic book, is set to be released later this month and features a craft-based, isometric survival horror experience with a nostalgic ‘80s aesthetic. A free demo is available on Steam, and the full game will also be released on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Luto is an underappreciated 2025 horror gem with the perfect mixture of Stanley Parable narration and P.T. ambience

Luto is a first-person psychological horror game that explores grief and existential dread through the character Sam, who is trapped in a cycle of time and memory. The game lasts approximately five to six hours and features unsettling environments that reflect Sam's internal struggles. Unlike other horror games, Luto builds tension through environmental storytelling and an oppressive atmosphere. Players navigate a disorienting loop of time, encountering ghostly mannequins and an omnipresent narrator that challenges their perceptions. The game encourages introspection and blurs the lines between reality and illusion, creating a complex narrative that prompts players to confront uncomfortable truths about grief and memory. Luto is available on Steam.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in January

January typically sees a quieter period for PC gaming, with many anticipated titles debuting later in the month. Notable releases include: - January 12: Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (Steam) - Players act as a checkpoint officer in a zombie apocalypse. - January 26: Highguard (Steam) - A free-to-play hero shooter facing skepticism. - January 29: Cairn (Steam) - A mountain climbing game praised by early players. Upcoming gaming events and sales include: - CES from January 6-9. - Steam Winter Sale (December 18 - January 5). - Detective Fest (January 12 - January 19). - Board Game Fest (January 26 - February 2). - Taipei Game Show (January 29 - February 1). Early access launches in January: - January 6: StarRupture (Steam) - A sci-fi base building and defense game. - January 22: Bladesong (Steam) - Players craft blades in a dark fantasy setting. - January TBA: Echoes of Elysium (Steam) - A co-op airship survival RPG delayed from December. Major updates and events: - January 20: World of Warcraft's Midnight Pre-Expansion Content Update. - January 12: Anthem concludes its service. - January 22: Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven expansion introduces new content. Additional game releases in January include: - January 9: Pathologic 3 (Steam). - January 12: Big Hops (Steam). - January 15: Craftlings (Steam) and Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Steam). - January 16: BrokenLore: Unfollow (Steam). - January 20: Mio: Memories in Orbit (Steam). - January 21: Dynasty Warriors Origins: Visions of Four Heroes (Steam). - January 22: Nova Roma (Steam) and Arknights: Endfield (Epic). - January 28: The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin (Steam) and The Midnight Walkers (early access). - January 29: Don't Stop, Girlypop! (Steam).

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025

In 2025, indie and double-A titles gained prominence in the gaming landscape, overshadowing high-budget blockbusters. Notable games included Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Blue Prince, and Schedule 1. PCGamesN's top ten PC games of 2025 are as follows: 10. Hades 2 - Early access game with extensive content, new bosses, and an expanded narrative. 9. Split Fiction - Co-op game emphasizing friendship and sisterhood with vibrant visuals and clever puzzles. 8. Arc Raiders - Unique extraction shooter with a community-focused gameplay experience. 7. Routine - Single-player survival horror set on a deserted moon station, offering a concise and chilling experience. 6. Battlefield 6 - Multiplayer-focused game known for dynamic gameplay and large-scale battles. 5. Dispatch - Episodic narrative game featuring character-driven storytelling and humor. 4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - Open-world game set in 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism and exploration. 3. Hollow Knight Silksong - Sequel with refined gameplay and a beautifully crafted world. 2. Blue Prince - Roguelike puzzle game that encourages exploration and problem-solving. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Game of the Year with a profound narrative, innovative combat system, and artistic presentation.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Sci-Fi Survival Horror Game Free on the Epic Games Store for 24 Hours

The Epic Games Store offers free games weekly, with a special holiday promotion providing a new free game every 24 hours. The latest free game, The Callisto Protocol, will be available from December 24th at 11 AM ET until December 25th at 11 AM ET. Players who claim it will retain access indefinitely. The Callisto Protocol is a narrative-driven third-person survival horror game set in a futuristic environment, where players escape a high-security prison while facing monstrous inmates. It received a Metacritic rating of 69 and mixed reviews on Steam, with praise for its graphics and narrative but criticism for combat variety. The Steam Winter Sale runs until January 5th, and the next free title from the Epic Games Store will be announced on December 25th at 11 AM ET.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

Painkiller’s creator “disagreed with every single thing” the reboot does, says it “wasted” the IP

Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of The Astronauts, has contributed to the development of notable video games, including the Gears of War series, Bulletstorm, and Painkiller. He expressed concerns about the upcoming 2025 reboot of Painkiller by Anshar Studio, stating it lacks the essence of the original game. Chmielarz criticized the design choices of the reboot, noting that it feels disconnected from the foundational elements of Painkiller. He emphasized the importance of atmosphere in gaming, arguing that previous iterations had failed to capture the original's spirit by focusing too much on mechanics rather than immersion. He believes that rebranding the game could have resulted in a more positive reception, as many fans are disappointed with the current direction. The 2025 version has received a 'Mixed' rating of 55% on Steam, with negative reviews highlighting its disconnect from the original. Chmielarz is currently working on Witchfire, an early-access first-person RPG.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Atmospheric lucid dream survival horror game Lucid Falls announced for PC

Eldamar Studios has announced a new survival horror game titled Lucid Falls, set to launch on PC via Steam. The game places players in a surreal landscape where they can manipulate gravity, space, and time while confronting nightmarish creatures and solving puzzles. The gameplay focuses on altering reality to uncover hidden paths and navigate bizarre environments. Key features include unique gameplay mechanics, realistic combat against grotesque creatures, an emphasis on mood and atmosphere, and stunning visuals. An announcement trailer and first-look screenshots are available for viewing, with further updates accessible on the official website.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

This week in PC games: a skating demon tries to eat the moon and Terminator game appropriately rewrites history

Edwin has been consumed by The Maw after leaning in due to its deceptive sounds. New safety measures were instituted, including a no-petting policy and using a six-foot news pole for feeding. Mark performed The Last Post on his kazoo, and the 'Days since last accident' whiteboard was updated from '56' to '0'. Upcoming game releases include Skate Story, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Cat Named Mojave, Liminal City, Death Howl, Milano's Odd Job Collection, Unbeatable, Anxiety Puppy, Ashes of Creation, and Terminator 2D: No Fate.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Here’s a list of PC games coming to Xbox Game Pass in December, many now available on the cheaper tiers

Microsoft is set to release a variety of games on Xbox Game Pass in December 2025, with many transitioning from the Ultimate tier to the Premium tier. The games include: - December 2: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Monster Train 2 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Spray Paint Simulator (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: 33 Immortals (Game Preview) (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Routine (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass) - December 9: A Game About Digging A Hole (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Death Howl (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Dome Keeper (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 10: Mortal Kombat 1 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 11: Bratz: Rhythm & Style (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) Routine is exclusively available to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The subscription pricing is as follows: - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Premium – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Essential – .99/month - PC Game Pass – .49/month New games recently added include CloverPit, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Total Chaos, and Young Suns, with the latter being a Day One title on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Essential tier has also added Stellaris, World War Z: Aftermath, and Medieval Dynasty.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

This week in PC games: Marvel beat ’em ups, Nightdive shooter revivals and a festive selection of horror games

December will see the release of several new games, including: - Marvel Cosmic Invasion: A nostalgic beat 'em up from Dotemu. - Wild Growth: An incremental strategy game where players heal a Norse warband. - Tingus Goose: A game featuring trees that sprout baby geese. - Sleep Awake: A horror game focused on sleep deprivation and madness. - Horses: A surreal farming fable exploring psychosexual themes. - Don't Scream Together: A cooperative horror game requiring microphone use. - Blood: Refreshed Supply: A revitalized version of the classic 1997 shooter. - Routine: A sci-fi horror adventure set on a derelict Moonbase. - Flotsam: A city-builder leaving early access, allowing players to build floating communities. - Octopath Traveller 0: A prequel to the RPG incorporating elements from Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. - Agreeee: A humorous take on agreeing to terms and conditions. Additionally, new downloadable content will be available for games like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Total War: Warhammer III, Destiny 2, and Mechwarrior V.