mines Archives

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

If you’re struggling to play tactics sim Menace, it could be because your antivirus is randomly deleting files

Menace, a turn-based tactics game, has launched in early access with notable updates. Players are advised to whitelist the 'GameAssembly.dll' and 'Menace.exe' files due to some antivirus programs incorrectly classifying the former as malware. The first update introduces new adversaries, including pirate veteran scavengers and a pirate heavy machinegun truck. Enhancements include an optimized splash screen for ultra-wide monitors and significant balancing changes, such as a new heat mechanic for laser and plasma rifles and the addition of motion scanners to pirate EMP units.

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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.

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December 2, 2025

The best PC games of all time in 2025

Since 1873, Rock Paper Shotgun has annually curated a selection of the finest PC games, beginning to document this list in 2021. The definition of the best PC games evolves each year, reflecting the current team's tastes. They aim to highlight personal favorites, intentionally leaving out other important titles. The team will unveil their selections for the RPS 100: 2025 Edition throughout the week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth features dual protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, blending serious themes with surreal humor in a turn-based RPG format. Inscryption challenges players in a card game against a gremlin in a haunted forest, known for its creativity and unexpected twists. House Of The Dying Sun is a space combat game inspired by classics, offering exhilarating battles and intuitive controls. Dragon's Dogma II introduces the Unmaking Arrow, adding unpredictability to its gameplay. Devotion is recognized as a top horror game, exploring despair through a masterfully crafted narrative. DayZ is a survival mod for ArmA II that retains its core essence despite updates, emphasizing player interactions. Wreckfest is a driving game focused on chaos and enjoyment rather than just winning. Dyson Sphere Program immerses players in factory building across planets with smooth gameplay. BattleTech incorporates mercenary economics into tactical gameplay. Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with high production values and a gripping narrative. Deep Rock Galactic features procedurally generated environments and cooperative gameplay. Stray portrays a cat navigating a dystopian city, creating an immersive experience. Return Of The Obra Dinn involves investigating a maritime mystery through unique gameplay mechanics. Plants Vs Zombies is a charming tower defense game appealing to all ages. Pentiment explores 16th-century life through a monk's perspective, enhancing storytelling with its art style. Gorogoa offers a unique puzzle experience with hand-drawn art. Conquests of the Longbow blends historical authenticity with engaging gameplay in the Robin Hood saga. Into The Breach presents a tactical challenge with innovative mechanics prioritizing civilian safety. The Stanley Parable encourages exploration and choice, thriving on humor and inventive design. Peggle encapsulates randomness and joy through its simple premise. The next reveal of the 80th to 61st best PC games will occur tomorrow, with previous selections available from 2021 to 2024.

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November 23, 2025

This roguelike take on Geometry Wars is the best game I’ve played this month, and the latest to become a permanent fixture on my Steam Deck

November has seen the release of various notable games, including Sektori, developed by Kimmo Lahtinen, a former Housemarque developer. Sektori is a twin-stick shooter reminiscent of Geometry Wars, featuring a three-card upgrade system similar to Vampire Survivors. The gameplay involves controlling a ship shaped like an arrow in a dynamic arena filled with unique rogue polygon enemies. The game features vibrant visuals and an energetic soundtrack, demanding high focus from players due to its challenging mechanics. Players start with a shield that can withstand only three hits, and the arena's boundaries add to the difficulty. Collecting defeated enemies' triangles leads to blue upgrade tokens, which can be used to enhance the ship's abilities. Yellow "Evolve" tokens allow players to choose from three upgrades, adding strategic depth. The game includes eight card decks with unlockable abilities, and players can trigger "Rainbow Mode" by collecting letters to spell "MIRAGE." Boss encounters present significant challenges, with some balancing issues noted in the first boss fight. Overall, Sektori offers a rich and immersive gaming experience, quickly becoming a favorite among players.

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November 10, 2025

Everything to Know About the ASLC’s Showing of ‘A Minecraft Movie’

The Askew Student Life Center (ASLC) at Florida State University hosted a complimentary screening of Warner Bros. Pictures’ A Minecraft Movie on Saturday, November 8, with doors opening at 9 p.m. The film, which debuted on April 4, has a runtime of 101 minutes and features a cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge. It follows a group of humans who enter a Minecraft portal and embark on an adventure with the character Steve, exploring themes of familial bonds, betrayal, and true love. The ASLC organized Minecraft-themed activities starting at 5 p.m. on November 8, including crafts, karaoke, and a scavenger hunt. Movie screenings at the ASLC are free for students with an FSUID card, while non-students must purchase tickets. Concessions are available at lower prices than typical theaters.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Arc Raiders quests list and all rewards

Arc Raiders features a variety of quests that players can undertake to enhance their gameplay experience. The quests are available from different NPCs, each offering unique rewards. Players can complete these quests in any order, and they will appear in the player's logbook once accepted. Quests can be accessed through the menu of their respective trader, and players can view available quests by selecting the trader and clicking on the quests tab. Completing quests often yields valuable mechanical components and other rewards, making them beneficial for players, especially when tackled with friends. Here is a list of the current Arc Raiders quests along with their rewards and associated NPCs: 1. Picking Up the Pieces - Shani - Rewards: Rattler III, 80x Medium Ammo 2. Clearer Skies - Shani - Rewards: 3x Sterilized Bandage, Light Shield, Black backpack (Hiker) 3. Trash Into Treasure - Shani - Rewards: Tactical MK. 1 Augment, 3x Adrenaline Shot 4. Off the Radar - Shani - Rewards: 2x Defibrillator 5. Small But Sinister - Shani - Rewards: 2x Lure Grenade 6. Controlled Demolition - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Jump Mines 7. Fight Fire With Fire - Tian Wen - Rewards: 3x Blaze Grenades 8. Hatch Repairs - Shani - Rewards: 10x Metal parts, 5x Steel Spring, 5x Duct Tape 9. The Right Tool - Tian Wen - Rewards: Cheer Emote, Stitcher II, Extended Light Mag I 10. Safe Passage - Apollo - Rewards: 5x Lil Smoke Grenade, 3x Shrapnel Grenade, 3x Barricade Kit 11. A Better Use - Tian Wen - Rewards: Extended Light Mag I, Stable Stock I, Muzzle Brake II 12. Down to Earth - Shani - Rewards: Combat MK.1, Medium Shield 13. The Trifecta - Shani - Rewards: Orange Camo outfit, Dam Control Tower Key, Raider Hatch Key, 2x Defibrillator 14. What Goes Around - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Blaze Grenade, 2x Noisemaker, Cans backpack 15. Finders Keepers - Tian Wen - Rewards: 2x Heavy Fuse Grenade 16. Wasps and Hornets - Shani - Rewards: Wasp Driver, Hornet Driver, Mechanical Components, Electrical Components 17. From a Distance - Shani - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak 18. Movie Night - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Show Stopper 19. Sparks Fly - Apollo - Rewards: Trigger Nade Blueprint, 4x Crude Explosives, 2x Processor 20. Greasing Her Palms - Celeste - Rewards: Lure Grenade Blueprint, 3x Speaker Component, 3x Electrical Components 21. A First Foothold - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Shrapnel Grenade, 3x Snap Blast Grenade, 3x Heavy Fuze Grenade 22. Dormant Barons - Shani - Rewards: 3x Door Blocker, 3x Li'l Smoke Grenade 23. Mixed Signals - Shani - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak, Raider Hatch Key 24. What We Left Behind - Tian Wen - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak, Raider Hatch Key 25. Doctor's Orders - Lance - Rewards: 3x Adrenaline Shot, 3x Sterilized Bandage, Surge Shield Recharger 26. Medical Merchandise - Lance - Rewards: Banana backpack charm, 3x Defibrillator, 2x Vita Shot 27. A Reveal in Ruins - Lance - Rewards: Tactical Mk. 3 Healing Augment, Surge Shield Recharger 28. Broken Monument - Tian Wen - Rewards: Arpeggio I, Compensator II, 80x Medium Ammo 29. Marked for Death - Tian Wen - Rewards: Shotgun Choke II, Angled Grip II 30. Straight Record - Tian Wen - Rewards: 5x Medium Gun Parts, 3x Advanced Mechanical Components 31. A Lay of the Land - Rewards: Dam Testing Annex Key, 3x Zipline, 2x Smoke Grenade 32. Market Correction - Tian Wen - Rewards: Silencer II, Extended Light Mag I, Compensator I 33. Keeping the Memory - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Simple Gun Parts, 5x Duct Tape, 5x Magnet 34. Reduced to Rubble - Rewards: Zipline, 3x Barricade Kit, 3x Doorblocker 35. With a Trace - Rewards: Medium Shield 36. Eyes on the Prize - Tian Wen - Rewards: Extended Shotgun Mag II, Extended Medium Mag II 37. Echoes of Victory Ridge - Celeste - Rewards: 6x Crude Explosives, 2x Processor, Music Box 38. Industrial Espionage - Tian Wen - Rewards: 3x Mechanical Components, 3x Simple Gun Parts 39. Unexpected Initiative - Tian Wen - Rewards: Il Toro I, Shotgun Choke II 40. A Symbol of Unification - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Mod Components, 5x Duct Tape 41. Celeste's Journals - Celeste - Rewards: Magnetic Accelerator, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, Exodus Modules 42. Back on Top - Tian Wen - Rewards: Renegade I, Stable Stock III, 80x Medium Ammo 43. The Major's Footlocker - Tian Wen - Rewards: Hullcracker Blueprint 44. Out of the Shadows - Shani - Rewards: 3x Surge Shield Recharger, 2x Wolfpack 45. Eyes in the Sky - Rewards: Vita Spray, 5x Yellow Light Stick 46. Our Presence Up There - Shani - Rewards: Buried City Town Hall Key, Raider Hatch Key, Jolt Mine 47. Communication Hideout - Shani - Rewards: Anvil III, 40x Heavy Ammo 48. After Rain Comes - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Blue Light Stick, 3x Antiseptic, 5x Durable Cloth 49. A Balanced Harvest - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Medium Gun Parts, 10x Steel Spring 50. Untended Garden - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, 5x Canister 51. The Root of the Matter - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, 3x Canister 52. Water Troubles - Rewards: 3x Mechanical Components, 3x Simple Gun Parts, 3x Steel Spring 53. Into the Fray - Rewards: Radio Renegade outfit, Burgerboy backpack charm, Vulcano III, 40x Shotgun Ammo 54. Source of the Contamination - Rewards: 5x Steel Spring, 5x Duct Tape, Mod Components 55. Switching the Supply - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Synthesized Fuel 56. A Warm Place to Rest - Rewards: 3x Noisemaker, 5x Blue Light Stick 57. Prescriptions of the Past - Rewards: Heavy Shield, Tactical Mk. 3 Healing Augment 58. Power Out - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Wires, 5x Explosive Compound, 5x Oil 59. Lost in Transmission - Rewards: 1x Snap Hook 60. Flickering Threat - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Medium Gun Parts, 3x Advanced Mechanical Components 61. Bees! - Rewards: Advanced Electrical Components, 3x Sensors 62. Espresso - Apollo - Rewards: Coffee Pot, 3x Adrenaline Shot 63. Life of a Pharmacist - Lance - Rewards: Defibrillator, Surge Shield Recharger, 3x Sterilized Bandage 64. Tribute to Toledo - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Magnet, 2x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Synthesized Fuel 65. Digging Up Dirt - Celeste - Rewards: 2x Advanced Electrical Components, 4x Speaker Component 66. Turnabout - Celeste - Rewards: 2x Heavy Gun Parts, 2x Medium Gun Parts 67. Building a Library - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Heavy Gun Parts, 2x Medium Gun Parts 68. A New Type of Plant - Rewards: Vita Shot, 5x Antiseptic 69. Armored Transports - Rewards: 3x Smoke Grenade, 3x Defibrillator 70. Lance's Tea Party - Lance - Rewards: 2x Defibrillator 71. Handover - Tian Wen - Rewards: 2x Jolt Mine 72. Pied Piper - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Gas Grenades 73. Powering up the Greenhouse - Tian Wen - Rewards: Raider Augment III 74. The Bandage Run - Lance - Rewards: 3x Herbal Bandages 75. The Control Tower - Shani - Rewards: 1x Snap Hook 76. ESR Analyzer - Lance - Rewards: Tempest I 77. Raider Versus Rocketeer - Shani - Rewards: 2x WolfPack 78. Bringing Down a Bison - Shani - Rewards: Equalizer

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

All Black Ops 7 Zombies field upgrades

The latest installment of Black Ops 7 Zombies features six field upgrades: Toxic Growth, Dark Flare, Healing Aura, Frenzied Guard, Energy Mine, and Aether Shroud. Each upgrade can be selected during the loadout phase and swapped mid-game, requiring players to defeat enemies to charge them, with increasing costs for subsequent uses. 1. Toxic Growth: A defensive upgrade that creates poisonous thorns to block pathways and damage enemies. Players can deploy up to three at once. - Major Augments: Urticant, Cordyception, Pollination, Zoochory. - Minor Augments: Ankle Shredder, Green Thumb, Extra Charge, Plant Food. 2. Dark Flare: Unleashes a beam of energy that inflicts shadow damage. - Major Augments: Extension, Supernova, Dark Pact, Adjustment, Muzzle Blast. - Minor Augments: Broad Beam, Heavy Gloom, Extra Charge, Dusk Flame. 3. Healing Aura: Restores health to allies completely. - Major Augments: Resilience, Enduring Radiance, Persistence, Necromancer. - Minor Augments: Inner Strength, Protection, Stoic Presence, Cornucopia. 4. Frenzied Guard: Repairs the user's armor and redirects enemy attacks to the armor. - Major Augments: Phalanx, Retribution, Frenzy Fire, Fists of Frenzy. - Minor Augments: Repair Boost, Extension, Rally, Dual Layer. 5. Energy Mine: Deploys a mine that detonates multiple times near enemies. - Major Augments: Scatter, Turret, Carousel, Smart Mine. - Minor Augments: Frequency Boost, Extra Charge, Siren, Recycle. 6. Aether Shroud: Grants invisibility and allows players to phase into the Dark Aether. - Major Augments: Group Shroud, Burst Dash, Void Sheath, Afterimage. - Minor Augments: Instant Reload, Extra Charge, Extension, Impulse.

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October 30, 2025

Forgotten PS5, PC Game Lost Soul Aside Still Being Patched and Optimised

After its launch in August 2025, the game Lost Soul Aside received disappointing reviews, resulting in decreased discussions about it. UltiZero Games has released a new update for PS5 and PC to fix bugs and optimize gameplay. The game was reviewed with a score of 6 out of 10, praised for its design and combat but criticized for its narrative and performance issues. The update includes the following bug fixes: - Resolved a softlock issue in Chapter 2. - Addressed a saving issue for specific weapons. - Fixed a fall-through issue in Chapter 4. - Corrected problems with energy collection mini-games in Chapter 4. - Addressed loading issues in the Harbour area. - Fixed repeated dialogue lines in Chapter 4. - Restored missing sound effects for Kaser’s ability. - Implemented various other bug fixes. The update also includes optimizations: - Refined interaction logic with Liana. - Introduced an auto camera rotation toggle option. - Optimized frame rate performance for visual effects in Chapter 3. - Adjusted character gaze direction in Chapter 4. - Enhanced battle sound effects.

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October 24, 2025

The secret hero of Battlefield 6’s next update is a jeep that doesn’t suck

The Traverser is a new transport vehicle introduced in Battlefield 6 Season 1, designed to replace the previously underperforming Light Ground Transport (LGT). It features a driver seat, a remote-controlled top machinegun nest for driver protection, and dedicated gunner seats on both sides for enhanced coverage. The Traverser is equipped with powerful machineguns and has armor that can withstand significant damage, including RPG hits. It also has a self-repair ability, making it the first true armored personnel carrier (APC) in the game. The vehicle is expected to be integrated into both new and existing maps, enhancing gameplay strategies. The Traverser is set to debut on October 28.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Best Arc Raiders builds

In Arc Raiders, player encounters can be critical for survival, and skill mastery is essential for success. The game features a skill tree divided into three categories: Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival, each enhancing different gameplay aspects. Conditioning Skills: - Used To The Weight: Wearing a shield has less impact on speed. - Blast-Born: Hearing is less affected by explosions. - Fight Or Flight: Regain stamina when injured in combat. - Survivor's Stamina: Faster stamina regeneration when critically hurt. - Downed But Determined: Delays collapse when downed. - Turtle Crawl: Reduced damage taken while downed. - Back On Your Feet: Health regeneration kicks in when critically hurt. - Gentle Pressure: Quieter breaching. - Proficient Pryer: Quicker breaching of doors and containers. - Unburdened Roll: First dodge roll after shield break costs no stamina. - A Little Extra: Breaching generates additional resources. - Loaded Arms: Weapon's weight has less impact on encumbrance. - Effortless Swing: Melee abilities consume less stamina. - Sky-Clearing Swing: Increased melee damage to drones. - Flyswatter: One melee attack can destroy wasps and turrets. Mobility Skills: - Nimble Climber: Enhanced climbing and vaulting speed. - Marathon Runner: Reduced stamina cost for movement. - Youthful Lungs: Increases maximum stamina. - Carry The Momentum: Sprinting after a dodge roll costs no stamina briefly. - Effortless Roll: Dodge rolls require less stamina. - Heroic Leap: Further sprint dodge rolls. - Vaults On Vaults On Vaults: Vaulting no longer consumes stamina. - Crawl Before You Walk: Increased crawling speed when downed. - Vigorous Vaulter: Vaulting is unaffected by exhaustion. - Vault Spring: Jump at the end of a vault. - Slip And Slide: Enhanced sliding distance and speed. - Sturdy Ankles: Reduced fall damage from non-lethal heights. - Calming Stroll: Stamina regenerates while walking as if standing still. - Off The Wall: Increased distance for wall leaps. - Ready To Roll: Extended timing window for recovery rolls when falling. Survival Skills: - Agile Croucher: Increased movement speed while crouching. - Revitalizing Squat: Enhanced stamina regeneration while crouched. - In-Round Crafting: Ability to craft items while topside. - Good As New: Increased stamina regeneration while under healing effects. - Stubborn Mule: Stamina regeneration is less impacted by over-encumbrance. - Three Deep Breaths: Faster recovery after stamina-draining abilities. - Minesweeper: Defuse nearby mines and explosive deployables. - Looter's Instincts: Faster loot reveal when searching containers. - Silent Scavenger: Quieter looting. - Suffer In Silence: Reduced noise while moving when critically hurt. - Broad Shoulders: Increased maximum carry weight. - Traveling Tinkerer: Unlocks additional field crafting options. - One Raider's Scraps: Chance to find extra field-crafted items when looting. - Looter's Luck: Potential to reveal double the items while looting. - Security Breach: Ability to breach security lockers. Effective Builds: 1. Perpetual Motion: Focuses on speed and agility with key skills like Used To The Weight and Marathon Runner. 2. Pack Horse: Maximizes inventory capacity with skills such as Broad Shoulders and Looter's Luck. 3. Gunslinger: Emphasizes close-quarters combat with skills like Fight Or Flight and Minesweeper.