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'I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance': Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.
I tested this HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop and its RTX 5070 graphics inside, but the OLED display stole the show
Winsage
July 27, 2026

I tested this HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop and its RTX 5070 graphics inside, but the OLED display stole the show

The HP OMEN brand has rebranded to HyperX, introducing the HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop. It features a mid-range NVIDIA RTX 5050 GPU and a 120Hz OLED display. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor and has 32GB of RAM. It weighs 5.02 lbs and is designed for stationary use with extensive cooling vents. Connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A ports, as well as an Ethernet port. The keyboard has a four-zone RGB backlight, and the audio experience is adequate but may benefit from external speakers. The OLED display achieves a brightness of 503 nits and scores 100% in color accuracy for both P3 and sRGB gamuts. In gaming performance, it averages 47 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings without ray tracing, and can reach up to 111 FPS with NVIDIA's DLSS technology. The specifications include a 15.3" 3K OLED display, 1 TB SSD, and a 70WHrs battery. The pricing strategy has raised questions about its value, especially with recent discounts.
Commodore announces Linux-based flip phone with ‘no social media, no browser’ — the Callback 8020 will be available in five retro colorways starting at $499, runs 99% of Android apps
AppWizard
June 16, 2026

Commodore announces Linux-based flip phone with ‘no social media, no browser’ — the Callback 8020 will be available in five retro colorways starting at $499, runs 99% of Android apps

Commodore has introduced the Callback 8020, a retro-inspired flip phone designed to promote a digital detox by eliminating distractions found in modern smartphones. It operates on a customized version of the Jolla Sailfish OS, allowing compatibility with Android apps while restricting browsers and social media. The device features high-quality audio capabilities, a minimal closed clamshell display, a 3.25-inch IPS screen, a selfie camera, a 48MP Sony camera, and Dual-SIM functionality. Accessories such as Snapback packs and Hardback cases will be available. The Callback 8020 includes classic and modern Commodore 64 games and will be offered in five colorways, priced at , with pre-orders starting at the end of the month.
'Friendslop' dominated 2025 by proving time and time again that graphics are overrated
AppWizard
December 30, 2025

‘Friendslop’ dominated 2025 by proving time and time again that graphics are overrated

In 2025, the PC gaming industry has shifted away from the pursuit of cutting-edge graphics, as advancements have plateaued and often yield only marginal improvements. AI-generated enhancements have not generated the expected enthusiasm, especially given their high costs. Successful games like Peak and REPO demonstrate that engaging gameplay can thrive on budget-friendly PCs, some nearly a decade old. The term "friendslop" describes a genre of games that, despite being labeled low-effort, feature intentional design choices that enhance enjoyment. REPO involves transporting a fragile vase, creating tension and humor, while Peak utilizes immersive sound design and dynamic lighting to convey danger and adventure. Abiotic Factor, a survival game, runs smoothly on older hardware while using modern lighting effects. Larger productions like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Battlefield 6 prioritize performance over graphics, optimizing for mid-range and minimum-spec PCs. The common thread among these titles is that gameplay is prioritized over graphics, suggesting a potential turning point in the industry towards valuing engaging mechanics and narratives over visual fidelity.
Atmospheric Diver Game SILT Coming to iOS & Android Devices
BetaBeacon
December 28, 2025

Atmospheric Diver Game SILT Coming to iOS & Android Devices

- SILT is a 2D platformer game with a creepy horror theme and excellent graphics. - The game features hand-drawn eerie visuals and immersive sound design. - The core gameplay feature is the "Possession Mechanic" which allows players to solve puzzles using sea creatures. - SILT is perfect for mobile devices due to its short length and pick-up-and-play nature. - The game can be played using touchscreen controls or mobile gamepads, such as the Backbone Pro controller. - SILT will be available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with a full game unlock available for .99.
A psychic baby and whacky control scheme undersell the mundane brilliance of one of my favourite games this year
AppWizard
December 27, 2025

A psychic baby and whacky control scheme undersell the mundane brilliance of one of my favourite games this year

Goodnight Universe is a game that utilizes webcam interaction to create an intimate connection with players, allowing them to step into the role of a six-month-old baby named Isaac, who has telekinetic abilities. The game features emotional family dynamics, where players experience tender moments and gain insight into their family's unspoken worries and dreams. Its sound design enhances the experience, and while it is not a traditional puzzle game, it offers light challenges and fosters reflection on family relationships. The gameplay encourages players to engage deeply with the narrative and the characters.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds "Minecraft Pack" Now Available
AppWizard
December 23, 2025

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds “Minecraft Pack” Now Available

Players can now join characters from Minecraft, including Steve, Alex, and the Creeper, in Sonic Racing Crossworlds. An in-game Minecraft Festival will occur from October 9th at 8:00 PM (ET) until October 12th at 7:59 PM (ET), offering a racing experience with various prizes. The Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - Minecraft Pack features playable characters, a minecart vehicle, a Minecraft World track, remixed Minecraft music, six unique emotes per character, and additional immersive sound effects.
The best Black Friday gaming deals for 2025: Save on PS5 consoles, Nintendo Switch games, handhelds and more
AppWizard
November 28, 2025

The best Black Friday gaming deals for 2025: Save on PS5 consoles, Nintendo Switch games, handhelds and more

Gaming enthusiasts can find various Black Friday deals, including: - PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for 9 at Walmart (a 0 discount). - PlayStation 5 Pro for 9 at Amazon (tied for the lowest price). - Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World for 9 at Amazon (no discount). - Donkey Kong Country Returns at Target (new low price). - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom at Target (new low price). - Super Mario Odyssey at Walmart (discounted). - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door at Best Buy (new low price). - Sony DualSense controller at Amazon (discounted). - Sony DualSense Edge controller for 9 at Amazon (best price to date). - PlayStation Plus Premium (12-month) for at PlayStation (discounted). - Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2TB) for at Amazon (discounted). - Clair Obscur for PlayStation (acclaimed RPG). - Battlefield 6 at GameStop (discounted). - Steam Deck for 9 at Steam (20% discount). - Lenovo Legion Go S for 9 at Best Buy (new low price). - Meta Quest 2 for 9 at Amazon (includes credit). - PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for 9 at Amazon (no discount). - Lemokey P1 HE for at Amazon (best price for Prime members). - ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless for 9 at Amazon (all-time low). - Razer Viper V3 Pro for at Amazon (lowest price in months). - Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed at Amazon (discounted). - Turtle Beach Atlas Air for at Amazon (best price since February). - HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 at Amazon (budget-friendly option).
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