life sim Archives

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

XCOM designer Jake Solomon announces surprise closure of his studio alongside a first look at its canceled life sim, ‘the game we poured our hearts into’

Jake Solomon, founder of Midsummer Studios, announced the studio's closure and shared a gameplay video of "Burbank," a life simulation game. The game aimed to empower players as storytellers and was described as a blend of "Life Sims + The Truman Show." Despite receiving an 88% review score and being a Game of the Year runner-up for "Midnight Suns," the studio struggled with sales. Midsummer Studios had secured funding from various venture capital partners and Krafton but was seeking additional funding rounds. The gameplay footage of Burbank featured a polished aesthetic, with plans to use generative AI for character voices while ensuring visual art was created by human artists.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Cutesy Stardew-like life sim with millions of players just hit Steam, but the PC version is a letdown and it’s awful news for Steam Deck

Heartopia, a life simulation game, has gained over five million players on mobile but has struggled to resonate with the Steam audience after its PC release. The game launched on Steam with vague announcements about its availability and received nearly 1,000 reviews shortly after, though feedback has been mixed. Players feel the PC version seems like an afterthought, with issues related to control schemes and the absence of controller support. The development team is engaging with the community but has provided generic responses regarding improvements. Despite these challenges, 69% of Steam reviews are positive, with players appreciating the game's charm, although frustrations about camera controls persist. Heartopia is available for free on Steam.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

My Winter Car is a ‘dangerous, depressing and tiring’ life sim, and the developer doesn’t want you to play it unless you’ve mastered the infamously tricky My Summer Car

Amistech has launched My Winter Car in early access, a sequel to My Summer Car, just a year after the original game's 1.0 release in January 2025. The game requires prior experience with its predecessor, as it features intricate mechanics and a demanding gameplay style. My Winter Car focuses on restoring an old project car while navigating a survival scenario set in the harsh Finnish winter, where players face permadeath, inclement weather, and law enforcement. The game has received nearly 5,000 reviews and holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam since its early access debut on December 29.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Life sims are in a slump and the only way out is becoming strategy games again

The life simulation genre is experiencing stagnation, with fans disappointed by the cancellation of Life By You in 2024, the postponement of Paralives, and the lackluster impact of Inzoi. The Sims 4 is facing persistent save corruption issues, leading to uncertainty about Project Rene, and many players are expressing boredom and a desire for more challenging gameplay. The shift in gameplay focus from unpredictability and drama in earlier games like The Sims 2 to a more accommodating approach in The Sims 4 has resulted in a less engaging experience. Players are seeking a return to strategic gameplay that includes meaningful consequences and unexpected events. The current state of The Sims 4 resembles a Creative Mode with low stakes, which does not align with the desires of the community for deeper, more challenging life simulations.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

My top 12 handheld games I played in 2025 — Indies and AAA titles I recommend for Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and more

- Little Kitty, Big City: A whimsical game where players navigate city streets as a cat, runs well on handhelds and is Steam Deck verified. - Amber Isle: A cozy game allowing players to create a dinosaur character and craft, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text is small. - Kingdom of Night: An engaging game with 80s-inspired pixel art and combat, set in Miami, Arizona, Steam Deck verified. - PowerWash Simulator: An addictive game about cleaning surfaces, Steam Deck verified. - The Plucky Squire: A game where players leap from book pages into the real world, runs beautifully on Steam Deck and is Steam Deck verified. - My Little Puppy: A heartfelt game about a dog searching for its owner in the afterlife, Steam Deck verified. - Blue Prince: A roguelike puzzle game set in a mansion, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text can be hard to read. - Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo: An adventure puzzle game featuring a snake assisting souls, Steam Deck verified. - Baldur's Gate 3: Acclaimed as 2023's Game of the Year, runs beautifully on handheld devices and is Steam Deck verified. - Dave the Diver: A game combining underwater exploration with sushi restaurant management, Steam Deck verified. - Minecraft: Runs well on handhelds with adjustments, but is not Steam Deck verified. - Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, marked as Playable on Steam Deck. - Horizon Zero Dawn: A favorite game with a captivating story, Steam Deck verified. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: An award-winning game with improved performance after an update, Steam Deck verified. - Xbox Game Pass: Offers a vast library of titles perfect for handhelds.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

In October 2025, a full 205 months after the ill-fated life sim Spore first launched, someone walked into a store, found an old DVD copy on a shelf, and bought it

Spore, a PC game released in September 2008, sold a single physical copy in October, making it one of only nine games to achieve this in the U.S. market that month. The list includes titles like Backyard Baseball for PS2 and Burnout Paradise for Xbox 360. Additionally, Spore has recently gained renewed interest with the launch of an official Discord server, marking its revival for the second time since release. Mat Piscatella, an industry analyst, shared these insights on his Bluesky account, which also highlighted the year-to-date top 20 best-selling games, with Battlefield 6 leading the list.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

Cozy witch-life sim Witchbrook is delayed to 2026 ‘to ensure the world feels rich, immersive, and alive’

Witchbrook, a cozy life simulation game set in a witch college, has been delayed from its original release date in winter 2025 to 2026 due to the need for additional development time. Developer Chucklefish aims to enhance the game's quality and create an immersive experience. The game features an interactive map of Mossport, where players can engage in various activities, and Witchbrook College serves as the central hub. Upcoming updates will include a blog post on character customization and a new feature called the Witchbrook Oracle. Players can sign up for updates at witchbrook.com.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

The 7 Most Exciting Upcoming PC Games That Should Be On Your Radar

Turnbound combines inventory management and autobattlers in PvP combat, featuring characters like Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Sun Wukong. Tanuki: Pon's Summer is a life sim and BMX racer where players deliver goods and enhance a local shrine. Raev: Kingdom on the Distant Shores allows players to manage a kingdom of anthropomorphic foxes, focusing on trade, diplomacy, and city-building. MotionRec is a 2D platformer that lets players record and replay movements to solve puzzles, set to launch in 2025. Mars Tactics is a turn-based strategy game with destructible environments and a narrative about workers uniting against capital. Outward 2 is an RPG and survival game sequel anticipated for summer 2026. Minos is a strategy game where players set traps for adventurers in a labyrinth, taking on the role of the minotaur.

AppWizard

September 26, 2025

Petit Planet: All the key details on HoYo’s Animal Crossing-like life sim

HoYoverse has announced a new life simulation game called Petit Planet, which allows players to create and nurture their own celestial environment, similar to Animal Crossing. Players will engage in daily activities like gardening, crafting, and decorating while building friendships with neighbors. The game was previously known as Astaweave, and the name change has been noted by fans. Players can sign up for a beta test by visiting the official website and completing a questionnaire, although no specific beta launch date has been provided. The first trailer for Petit Planet was released at the 2025 Tokyo Game Show, showcasing elements like woodland creatures and social interactions. The game features characters such as Yunguo, Isaki, Medowlyn, and Frostia, each contributing to the game's depth. Activities in Petit Planet will include planting, fishing, mining, cooking, crafting, and exploring new locations through a "Starsea Voyage," as well as interacting in a social hub called the "Galactic Bazaar."

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

7 games that are perfect for handheld gaming PCs — with my favorite Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go titles

Handheld gaming devices have gained popularity, allowing players to enjoy games comfortably. However, not all games are suitable for these platforms. Notable games that perform well on handhelds include: - Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom: A Metroidvania game where players control Jin, who must reverse a spell that transformed people into animals. It features charming animations and engaging combat with low graphical demands. - Blue Prince: A 3D puzzle adventure where players inherit an estate and must solve puzzles in various rooms using a roguelike mechanic involving card drawing. - Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG set in Greek mythology, where players save the gods from Typhon. It combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, though it can drain battery life. - Stardew Valley: A farming and life simulation game where players inherit a farm and engage in farming, raising animals, and building relationships. Its pixelated graphics ensure smooth performance on handhelds. - Baldur's Gate 3: A turn-based RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, known for its immersive storytelling and character interactions. It performs well on handhelds but may drain the battery. - Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition: An open-world RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world, manageable for handheld devices due to its age. - Age of Empires: A real-time strategy game with a 4K Definitive Edition, suitable for handheld play with optimized controls for solo and multiplayer experiences. Handheld gaming PCs support a variety of genres, particularly those with simpler 2D graphics, which enhance battery life and gameplay smoothness.