Obsidian Archives

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Anno 117’s first DLC will let you disregard history by building your Roman city next to a massive volcano

Ubisoft is set to release a DLC for Anno 117 titled Prophecies of Ash on April 23. This expansion introduces Cinis, the largest island in the series, featuring a volcano that adds risk and strategy to city-building. Cinis extends the Latium province and offers various resources, including a new resource called Obsidian for crafting unique items. The DLC will include volcanic mechanics such as eruptions and a bloom phase that affect agricultural productivity. Players can also build a temple dedicated to Vulcan, enhancing mining productivity and fire safety. Anno 117 has received a 'Mixed' rating on Steam due to issues like the use of AI art and perceived incompleteness at launch, but it has achieved the highest launch in the series' history.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

11 years after launch, Pillars of Eternity’s new turn-based mode feels like the way it’s meant to be played

Pillars of Eternity celebrated its 11th anniversary with a significant update from Obsidian Entertainment, introducing a full turn-based mode alongside the original real-time with pause (RTWP) mechanics. The turn-based option had been in beta on Steam since November before its official release. The update includes extensive patch notes, and players have reported enjoying the new gameplay style, with some preferring it for future playthroughs. Discussions among industry professionals at last year's Game Developers Conference highlighted the evolving nature of combat systems, with optimism for the future of RTWP despite the rising popularity of turn-based mechanics.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

In 2007, two game music GOATs collaborated on the criminally underrated soundtrack to a similarly underrated D&D RPG

Critical Hit, formerly Soundtrack Sunday, explores video game music and audio design, highlighting titles like Neverwinter Nights, which has a dedicated fanbase. The first expansion of Neverwinter Nights 2, Mask of the Betrayer, is noted for its mature narrative and impactful music, which plays a significant role in the game's atmosphere. Brandon, the audio director at Obsidian during the late 2000s, discussed the development of Mask of the Betrayer and its soundtrack, which he collaborated on with Womb Music's Rik Schaffer and Margaret Tang. The main theme of Mask of the Betrayer is described as mysterious and epic, with a darker reinterpretation for the DLC. The theme for Mulsantir captures the city's duality, blending inviting and sinister elements. Brandon aimed to encapsulate the medieval sound of Dungeons & Dragons, resulting in a soundtrack that enhances gameplay and leaves a lasting impression on players.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Avowed was always great, but now that it costs what it should have at launch and nobody’s being weird about it online, it’s kinda perfect

The gaming community's perception of Avowed has improved significantly one year after its release, with players now recognizing its merits more favorably. The game received a collection of minor enhancements in its recent anniversary update, similar to improvements seen in Cyberpunk 2077. Initial reactions were mixed, with some players struggling with mechanics and expectations, but criticisms have lessened over time. Bloomberg's early interview indicated that Avowed was meeting sales targets, though recent reports suggested it was slightly underperforming. The game received respectable reviews, with a rating of 82% from PCG Australia and an 80% score on Metacritic. The narrative around Avowed has evolved, with some players expressing acceptance after initially disliking the game. Its price has been reduced, making it more appealing for new players.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Avowed’s massive anniversary update adds new playable races, but they don’t get any unique dialogue because there were ‘no dedicated narrative people available’

Avowed's anniversary update introduces new features including stat bonuses, customizable difficulty modifiers, a New Game Plus mode, and a new staff weapon type. It adds three new playable races, expanding options beyond the previous choices of humans and elves. The update faced challenges in ensuring character customization worked seamlessly across the new races, but lacks unique dialogue choices for each race due to the writing team's focus on other aspects. Each new race provides different gameplay attribute bonuses, enhancing the gameplay experience. The update is available at no additional cost.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Obsidian was ‘surprised’ that Avowed players bounced off one of the RPG’s most important systems: ‘That frustration came through loud and clear’

Avowed's crafting system initially faced criticism for making upgrades mandatory, requiring players to gather materials for weapons and armor, which hindered exploration. In response to player feedback, Obsidian Entertainment implemented changes in an anniversary update, refining the progression system to allow for a more gradual experience. Custom difficulty modifiers were introduced, enabling players to adjust game elements like merchant prices and upgrade material costs. Additionally, workbenches were added throughout the game world, allowing players to enhance equipment without returning to camp, making gear acquisition and upgrades more accessible.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Windows User Switches to Linux, Misses Windows Hello

The author transitioned from Windows to Linux for daily workflows, finding that most essential tools adapted well. Linux distributions can easily detect hardware on modern x86 laptops, and community projects enhance compatibility for devices like Microsoft’s Surface. Software integration was smooth, with applications like Microsoft Edge and 1Password functioning without issues. However, the author misses Windows Hello's biometric sign-in, which lacks a universal equivalent in Linux. Community solutions exist but often require technical adjustments. Linux desktops provide a polished experience, but challenges remain, such as webcam functionality and sleep/resume issues. Selecting compatible hardware is crucial for a successful transition, and Linux holds about 4% of the desktop market share globally.

AppWizard

February 15, 2026

From mainstream to underdog: These are the apps I recommend

In a recent poll, 20% of respondents favored mainstream applications, while 80% preferred underdog alternatives. Vivaldi is a web browser that prioritizes user privacy and offers extensive customization options, built on a Chromium foundation for compatibility with Chrome extensions. Anytype is an offline-first application that combines features of Notion and Obsidian, focusing on privacy and security. Deezer is highlighted as a superior music streaming service compared to Spotify, with an extensive library and a user-friendly interface that includes a personalized music recommendation feature called Flow. Perplexity is an AI platform that provides verified sources and a user-friendly interface, offering access to multiple AI models through a single subscription. Superlist is a to-do list application developed by the creators of Wunderlist, featuring natural language input, AI-driven task organization, and a free version with a Pro subscription for expanded features.

AppWizard

February 15, 2026

Productivity apps failed me when I needed them most

Many individuals struggle with productivity apps due to issues such as cluttered interfaces, steep learning curves, unhelpful notifications, and the tendency of apps to overpromise and underdeliver. Personal challenges, including health issues and neurodivergent conditions, can exacerbate these difficulties, leading to burnout and frustration. Users often feel disillusioned by the lack of effective solutions from popular platforms like TickTick and Asana, which can contribute to feelings of overwhelm. Alternatives like Notion and Obsidian may introduce new complexities rather than simplify task management. Even apps designed for neurodivergent individuals may not meet their specific needs. Some users have begun to adopt a more flexible and compassionate approach to productivity, experimenting with different apps and strategies, such as splitting tasks based on urgency or using self-hosted applications like Jotty Page for better organization. The journey towards effective productivity is personal and requires consideration of individual health and mental well-being.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

The 10 Best Funny Games

Games often feature unintentional humor, such as NPCs delivering lines amidst chaos or characters in absurd costumes. Some games intentionally embrace humor, effectively combining player agency and comedic timing. Promise Mascot Agency is a mascot management simulator with a narrative filled with quirky characters and absurd situations, where players manage a mascot business while navigating organized crime. Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery involves players solving lighthearted mysteries in Cowboy County, featuring humorous scenarios like a haunting sloth and a vandalized sign for an invisible wizard. South Park: The Stick of Truth is an RPG where players engage in LARPing, featuring juvenile humor and absurd combat mechanics, with contributions from creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Octodad: Dadliest Catch allows players to control an octopus pretending to be a human, with humor stemming from its physics-based gameplay and emotional stakes. The Stanley Parable is a meta-narrative game where players make choices in an empty office, exploring themes of choice and consequence through clever writing and humor. West of Loathing is a 2D side-scrolling adventure set in the wild West, filled with jokes and witty dialogue that reward player exploration. Portal 2 features witty dialogue and absurd scenarios, with the character Wheatley providing comedic relief as players solve puzzles. Time Gentlemen, Please! is a point-and-click adventure where players seek to watch a Magnum PI marathon, leading to absurd plot developments. The Secret of Monkey Island follows Guybrush Threepwood, a bumbling pirate, and features humor through insult sword-fighting and pop culture references. Disco Elysium presents a hungover protagonist navigating a chaotic world, blending humor with deeper themes of pathos and tragedy.