progress Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hytale Early Access Review So Far

Hytale, developed by former Minecraft modders, is a survival crafting game that serves as a spiritual successor to Minecraft. It retains familiar block-breaking and building mechanics but streamlines gameplay by allowing players to craft basic tools from easily collectible materials. Movement is enhanced with the ability to jump higher and utilize parkour mechanics. The game runs smoothly on high-performance systems, maintaining framerates above 60 even at maximum draw distance. Hytale features an engaging combat system with various weapon types and a diverse range of enemies. Building mechanics offer a broader selection of components, though some classic techniques may become obsolete. The Early Access version currently lacks clear direction, with the main hub area under construction and exploration revealing barriers in dungeons. Overall, Hytale presents thoughtful enhancements and a refreshing take on the survival crafting genre.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Train 2’s first DLC is transforming the game with a giant new mode and the hammer-swinging Railforged clan

A significant update for Monster Train 2, titled Destiny of the Railforged, will be released in early February as the game's first paid DLC. It introduces a new clan, the Railforged, and a gameplay mode called Soul Savior. In Soul Savior, players battle to reclaim souls from a final boss named the Lifemother, with unique mechanics that enhance gameplay. Players can unlock and upgrade over 30 souls, each providing powerful enhancements and strategic options. The Railforged clan specializes in boosting the pyre's attack power and features new units and mechanics. Additionally, the Wurmkin clan will receive a free update with new designs and balance adjustments. Pricing details for the DLC have not been disclosed.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

7 Things in Hytale’s Early Game that Surprised Me as a Minecraft Veteran

Hytale has entered early access, offering players a vibrant world to explore. Early-game guides are being developed to assist newcomers with topics like smelting and server setups. The game is inspired by Minecraft but features unique elements. Key observations from the early game include: 1. Players can fell an entire tree with a single punch, resulting in an explosion of wood, sticks, and sap. 2. Overworld mobs, such as squirrels and rabbits, have more health than expected, requiring multiple hits to defeat. 3. Ores glimmer faintly in underground caves, making them easier to spot with torches. 4. The crafting system requires various materials for gear progression, making it more intricate compared to Minecraft. 5. There are enhanced decorative options, allowing for slanted roof blocks, half-block walls, and shelves with candles and books. 6. Exploration reveals unique locations like the "Forgotten Temple Gateway," which features distinctive mobs and NPCs. 7. Farming mechanics are more complex, with players able to construct animal care buildings and use farming aids, and new seeds requiring “Essence of Life.”

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Go goblin mode by grabbing the first two Styx games at no cost and then try the free new demo for the third

Publisher Nacon is offering Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness for free on the Epic Games Store. Additionally, there is a 90% discount on GoG. Styx: Blades of Greed is set to release on February 19, 2026, and is available for pre-order on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. An exclusive demo is available on Steam, providing about one hour of gameplay with progress carrying over to the full version.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Slack Messenger Review: Why This Work Chat App Is Still the Only One That Feels Human

Slack Messenger is a collaboration platform developed by Slack Technologies, part of Salesforce Inc., designed to enhance work communication by replacing email and fragmented chat applications with an organized, searchable hub. It features channel-based messaging for project and topic organization, powerful search capabilities for efficient information retrieval, and integrations with popular tools like Google Drive and GitHub. Additional functionalities include Slack Connect for external collaboration, built-in audio/video huddles, Workflow Builder for automating tasks, and enterprise-grade security options. Users report a significant reduction in internal email, improved search efficiency, and a positive impact on team culture, although challenges such as notification overload and a learning curve exist. Compared to alternatives like Microsoft Teams and Google Chat, Slack is noted for its user-friendly experience and dynamic functionality.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

One of the best Xbox Play Anywhere games just got its notorious save bug fixed for Xbox Ally and Xbox PC

The save file bug in Death Stranding on Xbox PC has been resolved through a collaboration between Microsoft, 505 Games, and Kojima Productions. Initially, players faced issues where save files would fail to copy after a short gameplay period, leading to lost progress and contributing to a low review score of 2/5 on the Xbox PC store. The fix is being rolled out as part of the Xbox Gaming Services background app, and players can check for the update by verifying the version number in the Xbox PC app. The updated version is 32.106.13001.0 or higher. After testing the update, players have reported consistent progress saving. Death Stranding Director's Cut is available for purchase on the Xbox Store for .99 and supports the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Forget Hades 2, this underloved punk roguelike I adore is less than $1 for a short time only

Reignbreaker is a roguelike game where players embody Clef, a rebel aiming to overthrow an oppressive Kingdom in a medieval punk world. The gameplay features isometric combat similar to Hades, with high-octane action and unique mechanics such as motorized javelins and traps. Players earn rewards to enhance abilities as they progress through trials. The game is currently available in the Killer Bundle from Fanatical, starting at .75 for five games, making it a cost-effective option compared to Steam sales. The bundle includes various titles, such as Chernobylite: Premium Edition and Postal: Brain Damaged.

BetaBeacon

January 13, 2026

Samsung just abandoned this mini-game you never heard of, but there’s good news

Samsung has removed the Creature Collection feature from its Gaming Hub app, which allowed players to unlock collectible "monsters" by progressing through games and hatching virtual eggs. Despite this change, all the unlockable monsters are now available for users to set as their display pictures inside the app without having to complete specific missions or reach certain progress levels.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

‘Minecraft’-Like RPG ‘Hytale’ Launches This Week — Here’s When You Can Play

Hytale, a survival crafting RPG developed by Hypixel Studios, is set to launch on January 13, 2026. The game will be available worldwide at the same time, with specific launch times for different regions: 7 am PST for the West Coast of North America, 10 am EST for the East Coast, 3 pm GMT for the U.K., 4 pm CET for Central Europe, midnight on January 14 for Japan, and 2 am AEDT on January 14 for Australia. Preloading is not available, but players are advised to download the launcher in advance due to expected high traffic. Purchasing Hytale during Early Access will unlock various in-game rewards, including cosmetic sets and capes, with no traditional preorder bonuses offered.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Hytale’s mammoth pre-orders have covered “the next two years of development,” proving the Minecraft challenger is really here to stay

Hytale is set to launch on January 13, 2026, and is expected to attract over one million players on its early access release day, according to Simon Collins-Laflamme, founder of Hypixel Studios. The game's development has been ongoing for over a decade, and its financial backing for the next two years has been secured through pre-sales. After Riot Games discontinued its involvement, Collins-Laflamme resumed development with a focus on community collaboration. He announced that pre-orders have ensured a solid foundation for the project, expressing optimism about Hytale's future.