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You've never heard of it, but a Russian studio made a fantasy take on original Fallout way back in 2001, and it honestly kind of rules
AppWizard
March 1, 2026

You’ve never heard of it, but a Russian studio made a fantasy take on original Fallout way back in 2001, and it honestly kind of rules

GoldenLand is a PC game set in a fantasy world inspired by Russian folklore, featuring characters like Belobog and Drah-Shu, and a protagonist named Gromoboy, a bogatyr from Russian legend. The game draws inspiration from classics such as Baldur's Gate and Fallout, allowing character creation with familiar classes and a strategic combat system based on action points. Players experience a leveling system with perks, though the game has some rough mechanics and animations. Despite budget limitations, the developers infused the game with passion and authenticity, highlighting the potential for more culturally diverse CRPGs in the gaming landscape.
Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?
Winsage
February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.
Should you destroy or release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem?
AppWizard
February 28, 2026

Should you destroy or release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem?

In Resident Evil Requiem, players face a choice to either destroy or release Elpis, which significantly affects the narrative and character fates. Destroying Elpis leads to a non-canonical ending where Leon dies after saving Grace, while releasing Elpis results in the canonical ending with an additional boss battle and a post-credits scene. In the latter scenario, Zeno transforms into an antiviral agent after injecting himself with Elpis, and Grace cures Leon, leading to a confrontation with Zeno and a hopeful resolution for Emily and Sherry. Players can revisit missed collectibles and are prompted to reconsider their choice after making a decision.
Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I'm just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words
AppWizard
February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.
PoC Published for Microsoft Windows Flaw That Allows Low-Privileged Users to Force Irrecoverable BSODs
Winsage
February 26, 2026

PoC Published for Microsoft Windows Flaw That Allows Low-Privileged Users to Force Irrecoverable BSODs

Security researchers have developed a working Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit for a vulnerability in the Windows kernel, identified as CVE-2026-2636, which allows low-privileged users to induce a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), resulting in a Denial of Service. This vulnerability is linked to the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS) driver, specifically the CLFS.sys component, and arises from improper handling of invalid or special elements within CLFS (CWE-159). The PoC demonstrates that a non-administrative user can trigger the bug by executing a crafted ReadFile operation on a handle linked to an opened .blf log file without the expected I/O Request Packet (IRP) flags set. This leads to a critical inconsistency in the driver, causing Windows to invoke the kernel routine KeBugCheckEx, which results in a BSoD. The CVE-2026-2636 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (Medium) and poses a high impact on availability, allowing any authenticated user to crash the host reliably. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability in the September 2025 cumulative update, protecting systems running Windows 11 2024 LTSC and Windows Server 2025 by default. However, older or unpatched builds remain vulnerable. Organizations are advised to verify the deployment of the September 2025 updates, prioritize patching multi-user systems, and monitor for unusual spikes in BSoD events.
I tested Microsoft Edge’s AI tab organizer, and it’s shockingly good
Winsage
February 26, 2026

I tested Microsoft Edge’s AI tab organizer, and it’s shockingly good

Microsoft Edge has introduced an AI-powered feature called Organize Tabs, which automatically groups open tabs based on similarity, assigning each group a unique name and color. Users can access this feature through the Search Tabs menu and the Organize Tabs icon. The AI analyzes and categorizes tabs quickly, allowing for customization of group names and colors, sorting, and moving tabs between groups. The feature integrates with Edge's vertical tabs and Collections. Testing revealed that the AI effectively organized 40 tabs into eight distinct groups in under a second, enhancing productivity and reducing search time for users. Additional functionalities include adding new tabs to groups, modifying group names and colors, and transferring groups to new windows. However, there is a noted inconsistency in the "Close grouped tabs" and "Delete group" buttons, as both result in the deletion of the group.
Death Stranding 2 was my Game of the Year for 2025, and it's coming to PC with a major discount, too
AppWizard
February 25, 2026

Death Stranding 2 was my Game of the Year for 2025, and it’s coming to PC with a major discount, too

The author expresses strong emotional reactions while playing Death Stranding 2, describing it as their personal Game of the Year after experiencing it on PS5. The game features Sam Porter Bridges, who is drawn back into action to connect chiral network terminals in Mexico after a tragedy. Players navigate diverse terrains and can unlock new vehicles and upgrades. The gameplay shifts towards a more action-oriented style, introducing weapons and the ability to capture BTs. The narrative is emotionally compelling, blending bizarre and poignant moments. The game is available for pre-order at Fanatical for .49 / £59.49, with a 15% discount using the code FANATICAL15. The author looks forward to experiencing the PC version and its graphics.
Steam's Latest Free Game Is a 10/10 Adventure That Won't Hurt Your Backlog
AppWizard
February 24, 2026

Steam’s Latest Free Game Is a 10/10 Adventure That Won’t Hurt Your Backlog

DJ Bunny is a free game developed by Alison Loke Mern Nyee, available on Steam. Players assume the role of a DJ navigating Kelody Lane and the Hippity Hop Music Festival, solving musical puzzles to fulfill song requests from townsfolk. The game features a vibrant art style and combines point-and-click elements with grid-based challenges. It can be completed in under an hour and has received a 100% user score on Steam. Player reviews highlight its engaging puzzles, art, and soundtrack.
Fake Huorong Site Delivers ValleyRAT Backdoor in Targeted Malware Campaign
Tech Optimizer
February 24, 2026

Fake Huorong Site Delivers ValleyRAT Backdoor in Targeted Malware Campaign

A cyber operation is targeting users of Huorong Security antivirus software through a typosquatted domain, huoronga[.]com, which mimics the legitimate site huorong.cn. Users who mistakenly visit the counterfeit site may download a file named BR火绒445[.]zip, which contains a trojanized installer that leads to the installation of ValleyRAT, a remote access trojan. The malware employs various techniques to evade detection, including using an intermediary domain for downloads, creating Windows Defender exclusions, and establishing a scheduled task for persistence. The backdoor facilitates activities such as keylogging and credential access while disguising its operations within legitimate processes like rundll32.exe. Attribution points to the Silver Fox APT group, and there has been a significant increase in ValleyRAT samples documented in recent months. Security measures include ensuring software downloads are from the official site and monitoring for specific malicious activities.
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