objectives Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Masters of Albion is a ‘Best of Peter Molyneux’ greatest hits collection in one game, but I fear it might not measure up to the games that inspired it

Peter Molyneux's latest project, Masters of Albion, is set to enter early access on Steam on April 22. The game features a click and drag interface with an iconic anonymous sky hand, allowing players to manipulate the game world. Players start in the village of Oakridge, focusing on building towns, defending against enemies, and controlling a hero villager. The gameplay includes city-building and combat, with players generating income and fulfilling orders from villagers. A design mini-game involves assembling dishes for characters like Sylvia Plinth. Players can summon a hero to explore new territories, engage in combat, solve puzzles, and discover collectibles. The game also includes a city-defense mechanic where players prepare for nighttime sieges, construct defenses, and adapt strategies in real-time. Players can load defenses with unconventional projectiles, including crafted food. Masters of Albion encourages players to engage at their own pace across city-building, combat, or exploration.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Hoarder is what happens when a Darkwood co-creator makes a cleaning simulator: Your job is to clean the abyss and ‘no one is coming to save you’

The 2017 survival horror game Darkwood is known for its unsettling atmosphere and innovative gameplay, despite its top-down perspective. A sequel is in development by Ice-Pick Lodge, not the original creators, Acid Wizard Studio. One of the new projects from the game's co-creators is Hoarder, a cleaning simulation game where players declutter a house once occupied by a hoarder. The game features structured gameplay with checklists and quest markers, but later introduces a challenging basement environment. The horror genre has seen increased creativity from indie studios, with titles like Iron Lung and Creature Kitchen appealing to a broader audience. Players are encouraged to add Hoarder to their Steam wishlists, though a release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Google Labs’ Stitch is a design canvas that turns your voice into an app

Google has launched an upgraded version of Stitch, a tool from Google Labs aimed at improving user interface (UI) design through a concept called “vibe design,” which allows users to create designs using simple text prompts. Stitch utilizes Google’s Gemini models to interpret both text and visual inputs, enabling real-time design adjustments. It can produce editable design files and front-end code, integrating into existing engineering workflows. Currently in the experimental phase, Stitch aims to democratize design, allowing individuals without extensive expertise to contribute to UI development. Concerns have been raised about the potential for uniformity in design due to its streamlined approach.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

My favorite Warhammer 40k game just got a Helldivers 2-style game mode, and to celebrate, it’s at its lowest price

Warhammer 40k: Darktide was released in late 2022 and initially faced performance issues, particularly on mid-range graphics cards like the 3060Ti. The developers, Fatshark, have since improved the game's performance and introduced a new mode called 'Expeditions,' which is free for all players. This mode allows players to explore larger landscapes, complete objectives within a 15-minute timer, and gather Tech-Remnants while facing randomly generated challenges. The game is currently priced at .24, reflecting a 75% discount from its usual price.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

WWE 2K26 Review – More Money, More Problems

WWE 2K26 features a roster of over 400 wrestlers and presents polished graphics. The gameplay includes minor enhancements, new match types like Inferno and I Quit, and the introduction of thumbtacks as a weapon. The Ringside Pass, a battle pass system with free and premium tiers, allows players to earn XP and unlock new content, but may negatively impact game modes like MyRise by making progression feel grind-heavy. The Island returns with added voice acting but remains focused on cosmetic upgrades. CM Punk’s Showcase mode offers a nostalgic look at his career, though it has limitations. Modes like MyGM and the Creation Suite have expanded, while MyFaction remains VC-heavy. The overall experience is affected by monetization strategies and a sense of redundancy in gameplay.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

The best FPS games of all time, from a PC gaming veteran

First-person shooters (FPS) have captivated gamers since the early 1990s, with influential titles shaping the genre. - Wolfenstein 3D: Developed by id Software, released on May 5, 1992, for PC (MS-DOS). It established core gameplay with real-time movement and first-person perspectives. - Quake: Developed by id Software, released on June 22, 1996, for PC (MS-DOS, Windows). It transitioned FPS from 2.5D to true 3D rendering, enhancing gameplay speed and introducing vertical aiming. - Half-Life: Developed by Valve, released on November 19, 1998, for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac). It integrated storytelling with gameplay, featuring a silent protagonist and advanced AI. - Counter-Strike 1.6: Developed by Valve, released in September 2003 for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux). Originally a mod for Half-Life, it emphasized teamwork and strategy in competitive gameplay. - Halo 2: Developed by Bungie, released on November 9, 2004, for Xbox and PC. It introduced new perspectives and moral complexities, with a strong online multiplayer experience. - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, released on November 5, 2007, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It transformed military FPS with a cinematic approach and persistent progression in multiplayer. - Left 4 Dead: Developed by Valve, released on November 17, 2008, for PC and Xbox 360. It focused on cooperative gameplay against zombies, featuring a dynamic AI Director. - Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Developed by EA DICE, released on March 2, 2010, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It featured large-scale combat and destructible environments, emphasizing squad cooperation. Other notable FPS games include GoldenEye 007, Titanfall, and Bioshock, contributing to the genre's diversity and appeal.

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2026

Excerion Sun LLC Launches Hi Stakes Market Game on iOS and Android

- Hi Stakes Market Game operates on a persistent online market with modeled market dynamics. - The platform supports a variety of simulated instruments and order types. - Price movements are driven by stochastic modeling and supply-and-demand mechanics. - AI-driven market events and sentiment shifts influence asset behavior. - Players can complete objectives for reputation and rewards. - In-game credits can be used for giveaways for physical prizes. - Multiplayer interaction allows players to observe, discuss, and contest strategies. - The game is available for free download on mobile platforms and major app stores.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Marathon feels like the yin to my Arc Raiders yang

In Arc Raiders, players can collaborate through features like proximity chat and shared objectives, while also facing formidable foes. The game emphasizes a relaxed atmosphere with opportunities for camaraderie among players. In contrast, Marathon fosters a competitive mindset, encouraging aggressive interactions and a focus on maximizing player-versus-player effectiveness. The first-person perspective in Marathon aligns with a competitive gameplay style, while the third-person viewpoint in Arc Raiders promotes social interaction and community engagement. Both games provide safety nets for players to recover lost resources, but they offer distinctly different experiences in terms of gameplay dynamics and player interactions.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

After 6 hours, Crimson Desert is one of the most overwhelming, chaotic, madcap videogames I’ve ever played—and I’m hungry for more

Crimson Desert is a single-player game developed by Pearl Abyss, known for Black Desert Online. It features a dynamic combat system with a skill tree that allows players to explore various combat styles, including archery, unarmed combat, swordplay, and grappling maneuvers. The protagonist, Kliff, can perform a range of moves such as parrying, grappling, and executing special attacks. The game includes multiple playable characters, each with unique abilities, and offers a variety of activities beyond combat, such as cooking, resource gathering, and minigames. The control scheme is complex, leading to a steep learning curve. The game is ambitious in scope, with numerous objectives and side quests, but raises concerns about sustaining its complexity. The narrative features quirky characters and scenarios, contributing to the game's whimsical tone.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Icarus Is The Perfect Survival Sim No One’s Talking About

The search for the ideal survival game began with the early beta of Minecraft in 2009, leading to the exploration of various titles over nearly two decades. A recent discovery, Icarus, released in December 2021 by Dean Hall, has garnered 29,000 positive reviews on Steam and maintains a vibrant player base. Icarus allows players to experience a sense of safety at night while encouraging exploration during the day, set on a planet with terraforming issues. The game features a realistic approach to sustenance, manageable food and water consumption, and introduces an oxygen meter that adds complexity to gameplay. It offers three modes: Open World, Missions, and Outposts, with Missions providing structured quests. Icarus is set to launch on PS5 and Xbox on March 26.