minigame Archives

BetaBeacon

June 2, 2026

Warner Bros launches Game of Thrones: Dragonfire on iOS and Android

Warner Bros. Games and HBO have launched Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, a free-to-play mobile strategy game inspired by House of the Dragon. Players can control up to five dragon-led armies, each with unique dragons and abilities, to conquer Westeros during the Targaryen Civil War. The game features tactical, tile-based warfare, a Dragon Strike minigame, and strategic control of the map. The narrative evolves based on player choices and performance, offering branching storylines and reactive Campaign stages.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

This vampire farm sim has Real Housewives of Stardew energy

In Moonlight Peaks, players experience a unique farming simulation where the protagonist escapes from Dracula and arrives at a neglected family cottage that needs restoration. The game features quirky characters, including a hungover vampire father, a werewolf mayor, and a self-absorbed warlock. Players manage farm life starting at 6 PM, engaging in tasks like watering crops, crafting goods, and pursuing romantic interests, particularly with a werewolf named Saga. Innovative gameplay elements include a spellcasting minigame, energy-saving spells, and shapeshifting abilities. Additional activities such as flower arranging and potion brewing enhance the experience. The game has a sitcom-like tone and a distinctive art style, focusing on character relationships without combat. A public demo is available ahead of the full release on July 7.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Mixtape review

Mixtape is a game developed by Beethoven and Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive, focusing on the experiences of Stacy Rockford, a music enthusiast nearing high school graduation. The game features Stacy and her friends, Van Slater and Cassandra Morino, as they navigate adolescence in a suburban setting. The narrative blends charming dialogue with introspective moments, capturing the bittersweet nature of growing up as Stacy prepares to move to New York. The characters engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges of transitioning to adulthood, portraying relatable experiences. The game includes surreal visual storytelling elements, although its reliance on traditional gaming mechanics sometimes detracts from the emotional narrative. Key characters include Stacy Rockford, Jenny F*cking Goodspeed, Cassandra Morino, and Van Slater. Mixtape combines a heartfelt story with a curated soundtrack but struggles to fully integrate interactivity with its narrative.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Will you like Outbound if you like crafting games?

Outbound is a game that combines crafting and exploration, allowing players to travel the countryside in a camper while focusing on camping and building a mobile base. The game features a building system that encourages players to find ideal camping spots and decorate their space, although the crafting system is simplistic and lacks depth. Players may find the resource gathering and crafting aspects tedious, especially due to slow movement speed and stamina constraints. The game imposes a structured pace through blueprint unlocks and objectives, which can limit the sense of freedom. While base building is enjoyable, it may not provide enough depth for long-term engagement. The multiplayer experience is limited, as players do not have their own vans and progression is not character-specific, leading to a less engaging experience for those not actively driving.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

How a fan‑made Minecraft modpack recreates a full Halo roguelike experience with iconic weapons, enemies, and survival rules

Halo Rogue is a fan-made modpack for Minecraft Java Edition that combines elements of the Halo franchise with a survival minigame experience. It is available for download on Reddit.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Elder Scrolls 6 is a ways off, but who needs it? The world’s most specific game jam is back with 40 playable entries all based off Oblivion’s wonderful/awful persuade-o-wheel

Nostalgia significantly influences player experiences in video games, exemplified by the wheel system for NPC disposition in Oblivion, which allowed players to engage in a minigame to affect relationships with NPCs. This system differed from Skyrim's approach, which focused on quest completions and faction memberships. The fondness for Oblivion's mechanics has led to the creation of Wheeljam 2, a game jam where participants submitted 40 playable experiences incorporating the lockpicking minigame or persuasion wheel. Many of these entries embrace the original mechanics' charm, with 27 games available to play in web browsers. The voting for Wheeljam 2 will conclude in about five days, but the games will remain accessible for players.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

If you didn’t get a chance to play League of Legends’ Demacia Rising minigame, now you can

Demacia Rising is a turn-based strategy and city-building game set in the League of Legends universe, featuring the character Lux and the lore of Demacia. Players build armies, conquer settlements, and manage resources while facing threats from Noxus. The game faced technical difficulties at launch, leading to a temporary two-day disablement due to overwhelming issues. It is now accessible through the League of Legends Wiki, playable in a web browser, though it requires several MB of data. The game is praised for its narrative depth and connection to League of Legends lore.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Plants vs. Zombies review (2009)

Plants vs. Zombies features a main Adventure mode with various minigames and side activities that enhance gameplay. Players earn coins from defeated zombies and minigames, with the Zen Garden providing a steady income for upgrades at Crazy Dave's car boot sale. Notable minigames include Beghouled, Last Stand, and I, Zombie, each offering unique gameplay experiences. The game combines humor, creativity, and strategic elements, keeping players engaged despite its casual nature.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

EVE Online dev pays out $80,000 to mod contest winners for its experimental survival MMO

CCP Games has announced the winners of its latest hackathon for EVE Frontier, a blockchain-based survival MMO. The main winner, CradleOS, received a prize of ,000 for its civilization-building tool. An additional ,000 was awarded to other notable projects. The winning projects include: - CradleOS: A user interface and system for managing in-game resources and territory with a narrative involving a mysterious AI. - Blood Contract: A bounty system for player-versus-player quests. - Civilization Control: A user interface for managing territory and assets in the game. Secondary category winners were Bazaar, which received the "Most Creative" award for transforming the marketplace menu into a playable social space, and Shadow Broker Intel, which won the "Weirdest Idea" accolade for a marketplace trading player activity intelligence. EVE Frontier is currently in early access, allowing players to participate in its modding experiment.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.