lunar Archives

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

This week in PC games: Hytale, Quarantine Zone, a weird Batman sim, and a fresh batch of RPGs and shooters

The Maw can manifest in various forms, including a blinking cursor or unreturned messages. New PC game releases include: - Big Hops: A 3D platformer featuring a frog with jumping and tongue skills. - Confidential Killings: A detective game that could use a more imaginative name. - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: Players act as a border guard during a zombie apocalypse, exploring moral dilemmas. - Hytale: A sandbox building RPG now in early access, developed by Hypixel Studios. - Hank: Drowning on Dry Land: A whimsical narrative game featuring a drunken, time-traveling character. - Cassette Boy: An action RPG puzzler with retro visuals and themes of object permanence. - Streetdog BMX: A game with children performing stunts on bicycles across colorful maps. - The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon: The thirteenth installment in an RPG series. - Tabulo: A roguelite chess game. - Craftlings: A blend of Lemmings and colony-building elements. - The Fortress: A first-person turn-based dungeon-crawling RPG. - NEUROXUS: A fast-paced mech shooter with a neon aesthetic. - Moving Simulator: A game reflecting the moving experience. - Lunar Ascendant: Players become the first mayor of the Moon, navigating social media and factions. James and Julian will attend preview events, while Mark and Ollie are excited about Hytale's launch. A review for Pathologic 3 is being crafted.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Code Vein 2 is largely more of the same despite its story reset, but I think I’m okay with that

Code Vein 2 has been announced and is set to launch on January 29, priced at .99 / £54.99. The game retains core mechanics from the original, including checkpoints called Mistles and a system for reclaiming lost currency called Haze. It features extensive character customization, with a detailed editor and various Blood Codes that influence play style. Combat dynamics include faster-paced encounters and new weapon types, such as twin blades and rune blades, with over 200 Formae to master. The narrative involves Blood-drinking Revenants and human hunters in an apocalyptic setting, with players awakening 100 years after a catastrophic event. Companions can assist in combat and revive players upon death, adding strategic depth. Exploration has improved, with more complex dungeon layouts and navigation aids.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Windows on Arm had another good year

The tech landscape is expected to see significant advancements in chips and software by 2026, particularly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series enhancing Arm-based Windows laptops. The Snapdragon X chips improved performance and battery life, making Windows on Arm laptops more viable, especially in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines. However, challenges with app compatibility persisted, limiting users to simplified versions of software like Adobe Lightroom. In 2025, software enhancements allowed more creative applications to run natively or through improved emulation, including Adobe Premiere Pro and a functioning version of Lightroom Classic on lower-end Snapdragon X Plus chips. Gaming options improved with advancements in emulator technology, and compatibility for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat was established. The Xbox game launcher expanded to support local installations on Arm devices. Despite the growing appeal of Windows on Arm laptops, traditional x86 options remain dominant for gaming. The first generation of Snapdragon X chips set new benchmarks for battery life, but competition from Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point chips is emerging. Nvidia is rumored to be developing an Arm-based chip for Alienware laptops, indicating a competitive landscape. The gap between x86 and Arm Windows laptops is narrowing, with Arm laptops becoming more accessible, though x86 systems are likely to remain preferred for gamers. Microsoft’s evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” raises questions about the future of Windows laptops.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Stardew Valley-inspired cozy game gets its first ever battle pass, but it’s the best system I’ve seen yet

Palia's Winter's Wonder update introduces a variety of holiday-themed content, including the Winterlights quest that rewards players with themed ornaments and items. The Zeki's Winterfest Challenge returns, featuring a treasure hunt for hidden chests containing snowy decorations. The furniture tint system has been revamped, allowing players to customize item colors with six new craftable tint palettes. A new Home Line, the Estate, inspired by the Mayor's manor, has been added, featuring a grand windmill. The update also introduces the Lunar Path, a battle pass-style progression system with no expiration dates on items, offering both free and premium tracks for progression through missions and daily quests. The Winter's Wonder pass includes a theme around Kitsuu creatures, providing players with a free Ancient Kitsuu t-shirt and various cosmetics. The update is currently live, with additional content such as earnable hairstyles and growable snowmen.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Every space and sci-fi game at the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025

The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025 stream showcased several upcoming space and sci-fi games, including: - High On Life: A sequel featuring a vibrant universe, quirky humor, and a new skateboarding mechanic for traversing alien landscapes. - Remnant Protocol: A space flight simulator with full VR support, focusing on a galactic rebellion with procedurally generated missions. - Lunar Strike: A narrative adventure set on the Moon’s South Pole in 2119, where players navigate a colony facing sabotage, emphasizing survival mechanics. - Luna Abyss: A single-player adventure exploring a derelict megastructure with intense shooting mechanics, inspired by 'bullet hell' genres, with a demo available on Steam. - Down with the Ship: A strategic auto battler where players design spaceships and engage in combat, available in single-player and multiplayer modes with a demo on Steam. - Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!: A game featuring nostalgic bug-hunting action with retro visuals and FMV cutscenes starring Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico. - Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes: A roguelite game combining narrative-driven gameplay with real-time tactical battles, focusing on managing ships and crews. - SOL Shogunate: An action-RPG described as a "samurai space opera," set on the Moon with vast cities and epic battles among samurai families.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Here’s a list of PC games coming to Xbox Game Pass in December, many now available on the cheaper tiers

Microsoft is set to release a variety of games on Xbox Game Pass in December 2025, with many transitioning from the Ultimate tier to the Premium tier. The games include: - December 2: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Monster Train 2 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Spray Paint Simulator (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: 33 Immortals (Game Preview) (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Routine (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass) - December 9: A Game About Digging A Hole (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Death Howl (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Dome Keeper (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 10: Mortal Kombat 1 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 11: Bratz: Rhythm & Style (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) Routine is exclusively available to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The subscription pricing is as follows: - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Premium – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Essential – .99/month - PC Game Pass – .49/month New games recently added include CloverPit, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Total Chaos, and Young Suns, with the latter being a Day One title on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Essential tier has also added Stellaris, World War Z: Aftermath, and Medieval Dynasty.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

The PC Gamer 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

- Gaming Keyboard: Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 - Price: (originally ) - Music: The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 - Price: Not specified - Gaming Headset: Razer BlackShark V2 X - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless - Price: Not specified (originally 0) - Gaming Router: TP-Link Archer GE400 - Price: 0 - Board Game: Various Options - Price: Not specified - Art Book: The Art of Assassin's Creed Shadows - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Pins: Mini Stardew Valley Pins - Price: + - USB Hub: Acer USB Hub - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Cookbook: The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Mug: The Sims Custom Personality Traits Mug - Price: .49+ - Toy: Fidget Cube - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - RGB Lighting: LED Strip Lights - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Manga: Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Lamp: Assassin's Creed Infinity Light - Price: Not specified - Art: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Print - Price: + - Accessory: The Sims Plumbob Headphone Attachment - Price: .38 - Stickers: Elden Ring Stickers - Price: + - Speakers: Logitech Z313 - Price: Not specified - Mouse Pad: Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Gengar Edition - Price: Not specified - Controller: GameSir G7 Pro - Price: Not specified - Books: Assassin's Creed Book Collection - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Toy/Decor: Hollow Knight Building Set - Price: Not specified - Desk Accessory: Cloud Foot Rest - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - SSD: SSK Portable 1TB SSD - Price: Not specified - Wall Art: Displate: Lunar Princess Ranni - Price: + - Plush: Hollow Knight: Silksong Hornet Plush - Price: + - Lamp: Frostmourne Resin Lamp - Price: Not specified - Microphone: HyperX SoloCast - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Headset: Logitech G733 Lightspeed - Price: 5 (originally 0) - Gaming Monitor: LG UltraGear 27GS50F-B - Price: 7 - Gaming Chair: Secretlab Titan Evo - Price: 9 - PC Case: Pyramid Mini-ITX PC Case - Price: (originally ) - Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 - Price: 0 (originally 0) - Soundtrack: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Music: Hero of Time: The Music of Ocarina of Time - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Music: Hollow Knight Original Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Munchkin Deluxe - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Card Game: Magic: The Gathering Fallout Commander Deck - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - D&D: Hollow Metal D&D Dice Set - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Marvel X-Men Dice Throne - Price: Not specified

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Qualcomm Overhauls Windows on Arm Gaming with Downloadable GPU Drivers and AVX2 Support

Qualcomm has decoupled GPU updates from Microsoft's OS release cycle, allowing Snapdragon X Elite owners to download graphics drivers directly, which aligns the company with industry standards set by Nvidia and AMD. The company has transitioned to a direct "Upgradable Graphics Drivers" (UGD) model, enabling immediate access to driver updates through Qualcomm’s portal. The beta "Adreno Control Panel" has been rebranded to the "Snapdragon Control Panel," which now includes game-specific profiling and optimization features. Qualcomm has also integrated support for AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, addressing compatibility issues with games like God of War and Control. Kernel-level anti-cheat support has been introduced, making multiplayer gaming more accessible on Arm-based systems. The Snapdragon X2 Elite is set to launch in the first half of 2026, promising "Day 0" driver support and the ability to run 90% of top games, with performance expectations to outperform Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Abxylute 3D One Handheld PC Boasts Glasses-Free 3D Display, Puts Games in Depth

The 3D One from Abxylute is a handheld gaming PC that combines tablet functionality with gaming console features. It measures 10.2 inches wide, 6.7 inches tall, and weighs 1.92 pounds, expanding to 14.4 inches wide and 2.45 pounds with detachable controllers. The controllers attach magnetically and include buttons, Hall effect joysticks, and a touchpad. It has a 10.95-inch touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 480 nits. The device features a 50-watt-hour battery, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, and a one-terabyte NVMe SSD. It includes various connectivity options, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth. The Kickstarter campaign offers early bird pricing at 9 and standard pricing at 9, with shipments starting in December.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Steam’s Best Upcoming Games Are Free To Try In These 5 PC Demos

Steam Next Fest is showcasing five standout demos in October 2025, including: 1. Mosaic of the Strange: A Picross puzzle game that combines supernatural mystery with point-and-click elements, offering a relaxing yet engaging experience. 2. Winter Burrow: Players control a mouse navigating survival challenges while managing resources and crafting items in a cozy, picture book aesthetic. 3. Monsters Are Coming!: A tower defense game where players build characters and manage a mobile fortress to repel waves of enemies, encouraging strategic upgrades. 4. Verho: Curse of Faces: An old-school RPG inspired by King’s Field, featuring fast-paced combat and a world where wearing masks protects against a deadly curse. 5. Moonsigil Atlas: A roguelike card battler that introduces a unique mechanic of summoning geometric shapes to fit into a grid, allowing multiple card plays per round and enhancing strategic depth.