mentor Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 31, 2025

Planting commits in Siberia: Postgres Pro opens in Akademgorodok

IT companies are increasingly focused on enhancing their public image through innovative contributions, particularly in coding. Postgres Professional emphasizes its commitment to open-source development, actively contributing to PostgreSQL with over 40 engineers involved in patches for version 18. The company has established a new office in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, chosen for its vibrant scientific community and research environment, to invest in the next generation of systems programmers and engineers. Their initiatives include advancing PostgreSQL components, researching performance models, and providing educational programs such as the Postgres Pro Summer School and collaborative projects with local universities. The aim is to foster hands-on experience and mentorship in systems programming, ensuring the development of world-class technology rooted in open-source principles.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Starsand Island is a warm, familiar farming sim hug that comes with all of the weird jank that seems to haunt 3D cosy games

Starsand Island is a farming simulation game that combines familiar mechanics and cozy aesthetics. Players start with a map and a farm, engaging in initial quests without lengthy character introductions. They can pursue various professions such as exploration, crafting, fishing, and ranching, guided by mentors. Completing quests unlocks blueprints and shop items, although the dialogue suffers from poor machine translation. The game features crafting mechanics with conveniently placed tables, enhancing gameplay flow. Time passes quickly, requiring players to manage their in-game schedule carefully. The demo lasts for 10 in-game days, offering a mix of generous and restrictive gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Slick and stylish, this underrated roguelike twist on Diablo now feels better than ever, and a big expansion is coming

Hell Clock, developed by Rogue Snail, is an action role-playing game (ARPG) set during the Brazilian War of Canudos in 1896. The game features a quest to rescue the soul of a fallen mentor and allows players to battle through hellish landscapes while enhancing their characters with various blessings. Update 1.2, released recently, improves movement dynamics, granting players 360-degree freedom and enabling skills to be executed while moving, albeit with a slight speed penalty. This update also buffs melee builds, introduces community-created unique items, and adds new constellations. A significant expansion is planned for next year, which will include a new storyline, new skills, and one-third of the base game's content. Most improvements will be free, with a paid component for those who wish to support the developers. A free update is also scheduled for 2026, featuring 12 new biomes, enhancements to dungeon generation, a respec system, and a new mapping system called 'Endless Nightmares.' Hell Clock is currently available at a 30% discount, priced at .99 / £10.55.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

How to Guillotine Throw in Ninja Gaiden 4

The Guillotine Throw is a signature combat technique in Ninja Gaiden 4, returning from previous games in the series. To unlock it, players must progress to Chapter 03 - Phantom Pleasure Quarter and purchase the move from Raven Mentor Tyrant for 7,000 NinjaCoin. The technique can be executed by pressing X + A while airborne and close to an enemy. It allows for swift enemy takedowns, can hurl foes off ledges for instant kills, and can stun enemies when thrown against walls. The Guillotine Throw also serves as a crowd control tactic and can be chained with other aerial maneuvers to maintain momentum in combat.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

Magic: The Gathering’s latest crossover is with none other than the heroes in a half-shell, and they come bearing ‘pizza lands’

The latest expansion for Magic: The Gathering features a crossover with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, set beneath the streets of New York City. The new set will include characters such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and their mentor Splinter, appealing to fans of all ages. Each card is designed with attention to detail, reflecting the source material while enhancing gameplay. The expansion aims to provide a unique blend of strategy and nostalgia for both seasoned players and newcomers.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

007 First Light: All the key details on IO Interactive’s upcoming stealth action game

IO Interactive has revealed details about their upcoming stealth action game, 007 First Light, featuring a young James Bond. The game, previously known as "Project 007," was showcased in a trailer during Sony's June State of Play event. In the game, Bond is depicted as a 26-year-old still developing his skills after a heroic act in Iceland, with a backstory that includes a tragic loss at age 11. The narrative involves Bond's mission to capture rogue agent 009, described as a master manipulator, and will take players to various global locations, including Slovakia and Vietnam. Familiar characters from the Bond universe, such as M, Q, and Moneypenny, will appear. The gameplay will combine third-person stealth action with dynamic engagement, allowing players to revisit missions with modifiers. The game aims to capture the essence of the spy fantasy while differentiating itself from the Hitman series, emphasizing Bond's more aggressive approach.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

‘TMNT: Tactical Takedown’ Is an Ingenious Bite-Sized Twist on Strategy RPGs

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is a strategy game that features the Turtles in a unique narrative where they are without their mentor, Splinter, or their nemesis, Shredder, as the Foot Clan invades New York City. The game lasts approximately six hours and is divided into four chapters, allowing players to control one Turtle at a time, which enhances character exploration. Each Turtle has a distinct moveset, and gameplay involves optimizing moves and managing action points in evolving battle stages. The game combines strategic elements with a narrative that highlights the Turtles' growth and brotherhood. Tactical Takedown is available on PC.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Psycho Patrol R, the FPS-Mech sim from the creator of Cruelty Squad, is one of the most challenging, complicated games I’ve ever played⁠—and worth every second it took to figure out its deal

Psycho Patrol R is an early access game that combines immersive simulation, mech combat, and open-ended role-playing. Players assume the role of a bureaucrat-officer in the European Federal Police in an alternate-history 2000, tasked with investigating thought crimes. The game features a hardcore design, requiring patient exploration and experimentation. Players can pilot a mech called the "V-Stalker," which operates on a milsim framework. Weapons are acquired from defeated enemies, and players can customize their character and mech at EFP HQ. The game has a unique saving system involving a holographic globe, and players drop currency upon death, which can be lost permanently if not retrieved. Money serves as both currency and experience points, and players can earn it through missions and eliminating wealthy NPCs. Character stats influence gameplay, and a fatigue meter affects player performance. The Detective class is recommended for its hacking tool and high perception stat. The hacking minigame requires players to input passwords and manipulate characters into recognizable words. Advanced tips include targeting specific NPCs for cash and exploring thoroughly for loot. An eight-minute video guide offers strategies for newcomers.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Xbox’s new gaming AI aims to “help you get good” at everything from Overwatch 2 to Minecraft by watching you play and giving you advice

Microsoft is introducing its Copilot generative AI chatbot to Xbox, initially available in beta for Xbox Insiders on mobile devices, with plans for console and PC integration. The AI assistant will provide players with tips, reminders of previous gaming sessions, and personalized game recommendations. Fatima Kardar, corporate VP of gaming AI, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the gaming experience and encourages user feedback during the rollout. Demonstrations show Copilot assisting players with game reinstallation, providing strategies, suggesting character alternatives, and guiding newcomers in games like Minecraft. Players can opt out of using the AI if desired. Microsoft plans to collaborate with game studios to ensure the accuracy of the information provided by Copilot. Phil Spencer envisions leveraging generative AI to enhance gameplay and preserve games tied to unique hardware.

AppWizard

March 12, 2025

The New Minecraft Movie Is Coming Soon – Watch The Final Trailer To Get Set

A Minecraft Movie is set to premiere in theaters on April 4, 2025, in the United States, with international audiences getting an earlier look on April 2, 2025. The film is directed by Jared Hess and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, featuring a cast that includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen. The narrative follows four unlikely heroes who are transported into the Minecraft universe, where they must navigate challenges and learn to craft their own destiny. The film will blend live-action and CGI, aiming to capture the essence of the game. IMAX screenings will be available across North America. Pre-sales for tickets have begun.