indie games Archives

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

Google is finally letting a rival app store onto the Play Store

Aptoide is expanding beyond Android and returning to the Play Store after being removed due to Google's policies. Aptoide also operates an alternative iOS marketplace in the EU and is involved in similar programs in other countries. The presence of competing app stores within Google Play allows for easier access to alternative marketplaces, making them a more realistic option for everyday Android users.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems

Toronto's indie game studio, Soft Rains, has released Ambrosia Sky: Act Two on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game has received mixed reviews, with two-thirds praising it as an emotional journey, while one review questions its gameplay and the "immersive sim" label. Owners of Act One receive Act Two for free, while new players can purchase the full game for .99 USD, with a 20% discount available until around August 14, after which the price will increase to .99 USD. Ambrosia Sky is a first-person game where players control Dalia, a field scientist returning to her home colony after a fungal outbreak. Players use an upgradeable chemical sprayer to cleanse space stations and uncover a conspiracy. Act Two focuses on Dalia's search for her ex-girlfriend Maeve and introduces new locations, exo-fungus species, a revamped progression system, and new equipment. The Corruptor fungus adds a new mechanic that has received mixed reviews. The total playtime for both acts is approximately six to seven hours. Critics debate the game's classification as an immersive sim, with some arguing it lacks the open-ended environments typical of the genre. The narrative has been positively received, with praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. The full game is priced competitively for narrative-driven indie games, and the current pricing offers good value for players interested in the story and atmosphere. As of now, Ambrosia Sky has received two critic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 80 and 60.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Epic Games Store saves gamers over $30 with two stellar freebies this weekend

Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together. Beacon Pines is a 2022 adventure game originally priced at £16, with an 86 percent positive review rate. It features an interactive story tree that evolves based on player choices, allowing exploration of various paths and unlocking new charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative escape-adventure game priced at £10, where two players must work together to navigate a post-blizzard landscape and uncover the truth behind Castle Rock. Both games will revert to their original prices after August 13.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

5 Hit PC Games No One Remembers Today

Black & White is a pioneering title from Electronic Arts where players act as a deity influencing civilizations through kindness or tyranny, featuring innovative design and strategic systems. Planescape: Torment, developed by Black Isle and published by Interplay, immerses players in the city of Sigil as The Nameless One, focusing on dialogue for conflict resolution rather than combat, offering rich narratives and characters. Myth: The Fallen Lords, developed by Bungie, is a real-time tactics game where players command a squad against dark forces, emphasizing real-time combat without resource management and featuring an innovative physics engine. Nox, released in 2000, is an action role-playing game where players control Jack in a fantasy realm, offering three distinct classes and a deep magic system, encouraging replayability and featuring multiplayer mode. FreeSpace 2, released by Volition and Interplay, is a space combat game known for its epic battles, a variety of ships and weapons, and exhilarating dogfighting mechanics, remaining a notable title in the space flight genre nearly three decades later.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Brand new $10 PC bundle gives you over 100 games to play

PC gamers can purchase a bundle for a low price featuring over 100 games, created by indie developers as part of the Game Industry Hardship Fund on the Itch platform. This initiative, led by Necrosoft Games, aims to support laid-off developers in the gaming industry. The bundle includes 127 games from various indie studios, such as A Short Hike and Neurocracy. The fund seeks to raise 0,000 and will remain active until August 13, 2026, providing financial assistance to developers affected by layoffs. The fund is managed by United Videogame Workers and is available only to developers in the U.S. and Canada. The bundle can be downloaded exclusively from Itch.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Third-party app stores are about to take over Google Play. Here’s how to prepare

Alternative third-party app stores are becoming more prominent on Android, with major companies developing their own storefronts to bypass Google. These stores will be accessible for download directly from the Google Play Store in the U.S. for the first time. This shift is driven by developers' dissatisfaction with the "app tax" imposed by Google and Apple, along with international regulatory efforts like Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which require tech giants to open their platforms to competition. While this change offers more choices for users, it also raises security concerns as the Google Play Store's protective measures may be weakened, leading to potential risks from counterfeit app stores. Additionally, the rise of third-party stores may complicate subscription management and billing, as each store will likely implement its own payment system. This fragmentation could increase the risk of data breaches and complicate user experience. The future may see a competitive landscape similar to streaming services, potentially driving Google to improve its offerings.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

The Relic: First Guardian launches across PlayStation 5 and PC today with promised, continued future support

On July 31, 2026, Perp Games and Project Cloud Games launched their action role-playing game, The Relic: First Guardian, for PlayStation 5 and PC. The game features the player as The First Guardian, who must restore the realm of Arsilthus by sealing the Void. A day-one patch has been implemented, and ongoing support is planned. Players will face 80 unique bosses inspired by Korean folklore, engage in fast-paced combat, and explore a semi-open world with three regions. The game is priced at £44.99, with a digital DLC available for £8.99, and a physical boxed version will be released on September 4th for the same price. The game is also set to launch on Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch 2 later in the summer.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Brand-New PC Game Deal Features 100 Games for $10 Bucks to Help Laid Off Game Developers

Gamers can acquire a collection of over 100 PC games for a limited time, with all proceeds supporting developers who have faced layoffs. This initiative allows players to explore a variety of indie games while contributing to the industry.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Steam indie hit Meccha Chameleon made more money than any other PC game last month apart from Fortnite, according to new data

Meccha Chameleon is the second-highest-grossing PC game in June 2026, selling 7 million copies in its first two weeks and reaching 15 million within a month, making it the fastest-selling game of the year. It generated significant revenue, being the second-biggest PC game in June by revenue, priced at .99. Fortnite reclaimed its top position in June after launching Chapter 7 Season 3, while Forza Horizon 6 dropped five spots. Clones of Meccha Chameleon on Roblox have surpassed the original in player count.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Take Note, PlayStation: Xbox Brings Classic Games To PC

The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in demand for artificial intelligence, leading to increased hardware prices, such as the new Steam Machine exceeding ,000 despite its specifications. PlayStation plans to stop producing physical media for the PS5 by 2028, causing backlash from fans. Xbox has laid off 1,600 employees and anticipates more layoffs by the end of the 2027 fiscal year. Xbox has introduced backwards compatibility for PC, allowing access to four classic titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live and Reloaded, with enhanced features like customizable upscaling and resolution options. There is a growing interest in preserving gaming history, particularly for classic titles from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras, as the industry shifts towards an all-digital future.