PC titles Archives

AppWizard

June 29, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Just Quietly Added The Most Influential Strategy Series Ever On PC

The divide between console and PC gaming has blurred, with genres crossing platforms. Classic computer games, like those in the Warcraft series, still benefit from mouse and keyboard precision. The Warcraft franchise has significantly influenced the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, with a remastered collection of the trilogy now available for PC players through Game Pass. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans set a new standard for RTS games, introducing intricate missions and online multiplayer. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness solidified the series' status with enhanced AI and user-friendly controls, while also being ported to PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Warcraft III redefined the series by emphasizing hero units and intertwining narratives, leading to the events of World of Warcraft. The remastered versions, including Warcraft III: Reforged, have improved significantly and are accessible through Game Pass, providing a convenient way to experience these influential titles. The Warcraft trilogy is available on PC and included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

“Deus Ex” just turned 25 years old and it’s still the best PC game of all time — you only need $2 to play it on practically anything

Deus Ex, released in 2000 by Ion Storm, is widely regarded as one of the most influential PC games and a pinnacle of immersive simulations. The franchise has evolved with entries like Human Revolution and Mankind Divided, developed by Eidos-Montreal. The original game, directed by Warren Spector, combined first-person action with RPG elements, allowing players to choose various playstyles. Modern players can access Deus Ex on contemporary Windows systems, using keyboard and mouse or controllers, including handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck, which runs the game through Proton emulation. Despite its outdated graphics and AI, Deus Ex offers a richly layered adventure in a cyberpunk dystopia, appealing to both newcomers and veterans.

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Sony unlocks regional restrictions for some PC games in more than 100 countries

Sony has removed regional restrictions on several popular PC titles available on Steam, allowing players in 177 countries to access games like God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. This change follows a backlash against a previous requirement for players to link their Steam accounts to the PlayStation Network (PSN), which barred access in regions without PSN. The PSN requirement has since been lifted for other titles, and the optional PSN login for Stellar Blade led to a successful launch with nearly 200,000 players in its first week. However, some titles, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Until Dawn, still have regional restrictions.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Why are Xbox Series X|S, Xbox 360 … and Windows Phone games showing up on the Xbox PC app?

The Xbox PC app, which allows access to Microsoft Store PC games and PC Game Pass, has been improving, but recent changes indicate issues with library management. Microsoft is unifying the back ends of the Xbox One store and Xbox Series X|S consoles, leading to beta tests for deactivated games appearing on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go, resulting in unplayable clutter. Users cannot hide games or track cloud save statuses, and the "My PC games" section displays outdated and non-functional titles instead of actual PC games. Clicking on non-PC Xbox games redirects users to the Xbox console store without resolution, causing frustration among gamers. Microsoft is reportedly investing in enhancing Windows 11 PC gaming and the Xbox PC app, possibly in anticipation of an announcement regarding Project Kennan. The current inconsistencies may be due to backend unification efforts, creating confusion for Xbox gamers using various devices.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Steam Users Can Get 2024 Games for Free Right Now

Two PC titles from 2024 are available for free on Steam for a limited time. One game, "Soulbound," developed by Schmoovin Studios and published by Dink, was released on January 21, 2024, and has an 89% approval rating on Steam. It is categorized as “Playable” on Steam Deck and will be removed from Steam on June 30, 2025. The game is a 2D PvP platformer where players take on the roles of a ninja and a ghost. The second title, "Holy Clash Cards," developed by Mttsus and Randomkey Inc, was released on May 22, 2024, and has a “Mostly Negative” rating. Its compatibility on Steam Deck is marked as “Unknown.” Holy Clash Cards will be available for free until June 9, while Soulbound will be free throughout June.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

The secret stand-out of Sony’s State of Play was the bizarre resurrection of Deus Ex’s PS2 version

Deus Ex, originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002, is being re-released for the PlayStation 5 in 2025 through Sony's PS+ service. The updated version features a reimagined orchestral soundtrack, enhanced character models, and transformed cutscenes into full CGI sequences. The protagonist JC Denton has a more human-like neck, and characters can now express emotions like smiling. The revival aims to preserve gaming history and narrative-driven gameplay. There is potential for the Embracer Group to explore its library of intellectual properties, possibly reviving other lesser-known titles for modern platforms.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

How to watch the PC Gaming Show – and what to expect this year

The PC Gaming Show will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 12 noon PDT, featuring over 70 upcoming PC titles and hosted by Mica Burton, Sean "Day[9]" Plott, and Frankie Ward. Notable developers such as 11 Bit Studios and Ubisoft will participate, along with hardware highlights from AMD, GIGABYTE, and HAVN. The event can be watched on platforms including Twitch, YouTube, X, Facebook, PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, GOG.com, Ginx.tv, Steam, and Bilibili. Subtitles will be available in multiple languages, and popular streamers will provide live reactions through co-streams.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Two Great Games That Couldn’t Be More Different Are Free Right Now

The Epic Game Store is offering two free PC titles: Limbo and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, available until June 5. Limbo, released in 2010, is a black-and-white 2D platformer known for its eerie atmosphere. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, launched in 2022, is a fantasy-themed spin-off from the Borderlands series, featuring melee combat and exploration. The ongoing Mega Sale includes significant discounts on various titles and will continue until June 12, with more free games expected in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Random: Xenoblade Chronicles X Pops Up On Microsoft PC Game Page

Monolith Soft's game, Xenoblade Chronicles X, has appeared on a Microsoft PC webpage for "enhanced games for Microsoft Edge Game Assist," alongside titles like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. The listing suggests that Microsoft Edge Game Assist will provide tips and guides for popular PC games. This unexpected appearance has led to speculation among fans about its validity, with some considering it a possible error. Monolith Soft is now owned by Nintendo, which recently released Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for the Switch. While it seems unlikely that major Nintendo titles will be available on Xbox, Microsoft has shown interest in bringing select first-party games to Nintendo platforms.