indie titles Archives

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Coffee Stain and Mojang vets found new publisher Three Friends

A new indie game publishing label named Three Friends has been launched by former industry professionals Albert Säfström, Daniel Kaplan, Sebastian Badylak, and Johan Hermeren, who have experience from companies like Mojang and Coffee Stain. The label aims to support indie titles in the Nordic region, fostering a creative environment for developers. Säfström previously served as CEO of Coffee Stain Publishing, Kaplan has a background in business development at Mojang and Coffee Stain, Badylak has experience in guiding projects at Coffee Stain, and Hermeren has a background in business development at Embracer Group and was CEO of Pieces Interactive. Three Friends emphasizes collaboration and the importance of refining ideas without rushing to market, aiming to partner with developers from early stages to enhance their unique game elements.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

This Steam hack has saved me a ton of money on PC games

Steam bundles allow gamers to purchase multiple games at a discounted rate, adjusting prices based on titles already owned. For example, the Castlevania Dominus Collection was initially priced at a higher amount but was acquired for a lower price due to existing ownership of included games like Dead Cells and its DLC. Some games, like Selaco, appear in multiple bundles, enabling further discounts. Discounts apply to games in a player's library, even when purchased through third-party sellers. Steam bundles help users discover new games, such as Echo Point Nova through the Selaco bundle. Notable bundles also include larger titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 5 Royal. However, finding bundles can be challenging due to inconsistent listings on Steam. Gamers can use the wishlist feature to track prices and discover discounts, as demonstrated with the Castlevania Dominus Collection. Recent high-quality bundles from publishers have significantly enhanced the gaming library for players.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Amid a tidal wave of new games in 2024, these 10 must-play deep cuts are cheap and will run on almost anything

Many gamers are facing a growing backlog of titles as they enter the new year. Instead of returning to popular games like The Witcher 3 or Persona 5, players are encouraged to explore quirky indie games that offer depth and creativity, are budget-friendly, and suitable for short gaming sessions. Eight standout indie games from the past year and two late entries from 2023 include: 1. Felvidek: Set in the Slovak highlands, featuring a disgraced protagonist investigating supernatural occurrences with a priest, utilizing sepia-toned visuals and retro turn-based combat. 2. Skald: Against the Black Priory: A DOS RPG-inspired game with pixel art and a rich soundtrack, offering modern hardcore CRPG mechanics. 3. Dread Delusion: A low-fi RPG with immersive world-building and exploration, captivating players since early access. 4. Anger Foot: An arcade FPS priced at , combining fast-paced action and humor, reminiscent of "Hotline Miami." 5. Judero: An action-adventure game with a druid protagonist in a whimsical claymation world, featuring surreal dialogues. 6. Mouthwashing: A claustrophobic narrative set on a marooned spaceship, known for its nonlinear storytelling and haunting atmosphere. 7. Straftat: A 1v1 FPS that combines classic map design with humor, serving as a contrast to live service games. 8. The Black Parade: An unofficial expansion for Thief Gold, featuring ten expansive missions that highlight immersive sim design. These indie titles offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream gaming, allowing players to enjoy unique narratives and innovative gameplay.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

This year has proved yet again that horror games do best when devs keep it small-scale

Mouthwashing is a notable horror game released this year, set on a broken spaceship named the Tulpar, which can be completed in under two and a half hours. Players experience the story through the perspectives of Curly and Jimmy, exploring themes of violence and corporate dehumanization with a nonlinear narrative. Still Wakes the Deep, developed by The Chinese Room, is another significant title that takes around six hours to complete. It follows protagonist Caz McLeary on an oil rig, blending psychological horror with emotional depth as players evade a monstrous entity while dealing with Caz's troubled past. Lethal Company stands out in the multiplayer sandbox horror genre, featuring whimsical yet terrifying elements and unpredictable gameplay. The game has received updates throughout 2024, enhancing its chaotic and memorable experiences, such as encounters with a hungry bird and a giant robot. Overall, this year has been exceptional for horror gaming, particularly for indie titles like Mouthwashing and Lethal Company, which have gained recognition alongside larger games.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

The 15 best PC games of 2024: From Indy to Kratos, samurai to outlaws, and everything in between

In 2024, the PC gaming landscape thrived due to the resolution of component shortages, the popularity of cloud gaming, and the rise of PC gaming handhelds. A diverse range of games was released, including indie titles and AAA adventures, along with remakes and remasters of classics. The top PC games of 2024 included: 1. Thank Goodness You're Here! 2. Helldivers 2 3. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle 4. Red Dead Redemption 5. Star Wars: Outlaws 6. Balatro 7. Animal Well 8. Fallout: London 9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 10. Dragon Age: The Veilguard 11. Silent Hill 2 12. God of War: Ragnarok 13. Black Myth: Wukong 14. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 15. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut The gaming rig used featured an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card, Intel Core i5-13600K CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and an Asus ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI motherboard.

AppWizard

December 8, 2024

What are your most-played games on Steam, and why have you spent so many hours on them?

Steam users often reflect on their gaming habits when sorting their libraries by hours played. Nick Evanson has logged 1,178 hours in Hearts of Iron 4, describing a love-hate relationship with the game. Chris Livingston has 417 hours in Team Fortress 2, along with 370 hours in DayZ, 266 hours in No Man's Sky, and 239 hours in Skyrim. Robin Valentine has nearly 200 hours in TF2 and XCOM, noting many of his most-played games are on other platforms. Mollie Taylor has lower Steam numbers due to console gaming but has over 30 hours in Halo Infinite. Jake Tucker has 5,000 hours in Escape From Tarkov and plays Dota 2. Joshua Wolens focuses on single-player RPGs like New Vegas and Mass Effect. Sean Martin enjoys the Total War series and is engaged with Destiny 2. Phil Savage has extensive time in Destiny 2 and has discovered new niche titles. Lauren Morton has significant gaming hours on other platforms and enjoys a variety of games. Natanael Albuquerque prefers single-player games and has more hours in League of Legends than his colleagues. Harvey Randall reflects on his time in Final Fantasy 14, while Lincoln Carpenter reminisces about Marvel Heroes. Andy Chalk favors single-player experiences, while Morgan Park has notable hours in multiplayer FPS games. Ted Litchfield shares mixed feelings about his gaming hours, particularly regarding Destiny 2 and Dragon Age 2.

AppWizard

December 7, 2024

Weekend PC Download Deals for Dec. 6: Steam Autumn Sale aftermath

The Steam Autumn Sale has concluded, but games like Frostpunk 2, Palworld, and Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster are still available at discounted prices. Free weekends for Cities: Skylines 2 and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege are also offered. Humble Bundle features collections of cozy games and a new LEGO bundle. Blizzard, Epic Games Store, Fanatical, Gamebillet, Gamersgate, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, and Green Man Gaming provide various deals and game selections. Green Man Gaming offers a 15% discount with the code DEC15. Humble Choice subscription at .99 per month includes titles like Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and Old World, with additional savings on the Humble Store. LEGO game collections are available for a payment of or more. Ubisoft Store and Steam continue to offer competitive prices on games.

AppWizard

December 3, 2024

Amazon Prime gaming December 2024: 18 free PC games for members, including Quake 2

Amazon is offering 18 free PC games for Prime Gaming in December, including classics and indie titles. The lineup features games such as Quake 2 and Dredge. The games available now include Overcooked! 2, Dredge, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, Tomb Raider: Underworld, and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. Additional games will be released on December 5 (Planet of Lana, Hero’s Hour, The Coma: Recut, Electrician Simulator, Redrawn: The Painted Tower Collector’s Edition), December 12 (Nine Witches: Family Disruption, Predator: Hunting Grounds, Aces of the Luftwaffe - Squadron Extended Edition, Simulakros, Christmas Fables: The Magic Snowflake Collector’s Edition), and December 26 (The Town of Light). Amazon's Luna streaming service has also added titles like Death Stranding: Director’s Cut and The Expanse: A Telltale Series Deluxe Edition. Dredge has been highlighted as a standout indie game of 2023, receiving a 4/5 rating from Eurogamer for its exploration of mental health within a horror context.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Xbox Takes Us on a Journey Through Iconic Games for PC Game Pass

Xbox, in collaboration with Mutiny, has launched the "We Got You" campaign for PC Game Pass to enhance awareness and position it as the leading service for PC gamers. The campaign highlights the diverse gaming preferences catered to by PC Game Pass, which offers a continually updated library of high-quality games, access to new releases on launch day, EA PC games through EA Play, and exclusive member benefits. Xbox has partnered with gaming creators like Bricky, Yvonnie, and TDawgSmitty to engage the community through social media interactions and live streamer playthroughs. The campaign features a dynamic video directed by Dave Laden, showcasing various games and emphasizing the benefits of a PC Game Pass membership. The initiative aims for global outreach with content that can be localized for different demographics. Key titles available through PC Game Pass include Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, The Sims 4, League of Legends, Minecraft, Goat Simulator: Remastered, Football Manager 25, and Diablo IV. The service is priced at .99 per month and provides access to hundreds of high-quality titles.

AppWizard

November 18, 2024

The Best PC Games (You Should Be Playing)

This second half of the year has seen a variety of PC game releases, prompting a revisit of the Best PC Games feature. The selection includes blockbuster hits, indie titles, multiplayer adventures, and expansions, while previous selections from 2023 and 2022 remain valuable and are available at discounts. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Genre: Action - Similar: Space Marine, Gears of War, Evil West - Graphics: Beautiful - Gameplay: Third-person shooter, hack 'n' slash, optional multiplayer modes Tactical Breach Wizards - Genre: Turn-based tactics - Similar: Into the Breach, XCOM 2, Invisible, Inc - Graphics: Simple, satisfying - Gameplay: Strategy, isometric view, upgradable characters, level editor Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred - Genre: Rogue-like bullet-hell - Similar: Soulstone Survivors, 20 Minutes Till Dawn, Brotato - Graphics: Retro 8-bit style - Gameplay: Autoshooter, top-down, addictive Card Game - Genre: Card game - Similar: Poker Quest: Swords and Spades, Dicey Dungeons, Slay the Spire - Graphics: Simple - Gameplay: Deckbuilder, roguelike Silent Hill 2 - Genre: Survival horror - Similar: Silent Hill series, Resident Evil games, Alan Wake - Graphics: Modern overhaul, ray tracing - Gameplay: Third-person view, puzzles, shooter Black Myth: Wukong - Genre: Action role-playing - Similar: God of War, Star Wars Jedi games, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Nioh 2 - Graphics: Exceptional visuals - Gameplay: Soulslike elements, combat-focused, RPG-light Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Genre: Role-playing game - Similar: Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy 7 remakes, Tales of Arise, Kingdom Hearts III - Graphics: Stunning visuals - Gameplay: Real-time fighting with pause, AI companions, choice and consequence, puzzles, exploration, leveling, relationship building.