punishing Archives

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Hidden-gem strategy game where you take over a cyberpunk city as a sentient AI adds a new mode for the “truly sadistic”

Heart of the Machine, a city-building sandbox game by Arcen Games, launched in early access in January 2025. It combines elements of 4X strategy, RPG-like narratives, and tactical combat. Following a significant update that eased some challenging endgame elements, players requested a return to the original difficulty, leading to the introduction of 'Misery mode,' designed for those seeking extreme challenges. The game has been adjusted to make key routes easier for new players, and it allows exploration of alternate timelines. Arcen Games is working on finalizing tier-three goals for the game's eventual 1.0 release, with a planned post-launch update for the 'Stars Beyond Reach' route. Heart of the Machine is currently available at a 50% discount during the Steam Winter Sale, priced at .99 / £12.49, and has a 92% positive recommendation rate from players.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

They survived the MMO massacre of 2025, but 2026 is going to be a tense year for WoW and FF14: And for completely different reasons

In 2025, the MMORPG landscape faced significant turmoil with the closure of New World, withdrawal of funding for Greg Street's MMO, cancellation of a ZeniMax title, and the demise of a Warhammer MMO. Despite this, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 have remained resilient. Final Fantasy 14 has struggled with design and content delivery, lagging behind competitors like World of Warcraft, which has benefited from Microsoft's acquisition. Creative Studio 3's rigid division between casual and hardcore content has hindered player engagement, while World of Warcraft has successfully implemented variable difficulty. Director Naoki Yoshida is addressing job design issues in an upcoming expansion expected in late 2026 or early 2027. World of Warcraft has seen a resurgence with recent expansions but faces challenges in eliminating combat mods that players rely on. Both games are at a critical juncture, with 2026 expected to be pivotal for their futures.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

This new RTS game’s latest playtest showed me that medieval dinosaur warfare is more than just a meme

Dinolords is a time-traveling RTS game developed by Northplay, featuring gameplay that combines medieval warfare with dinosaurs. Set during Sweyn Forkbeard's invasion of England, players can ride dinosaurs like velociraptors and ankylosauruses into battle against Vikings. The game includes city-building elements where players must manage resources and maintain structures. Despite its whimsical premise, Dinolords offers balanced gameplay that requires tactical thinking. The game is currently in alpha testing and may not launch in early access by its original goal of 2025.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Do Not Click—Microsoft Users ‘Accidentally’ Upgrade To Windows 11

Microsoft has stated that it is not forcing a Windows 11 upgrade, but users should be careful as an accidental click could trigger an automatic installation that cannot be paused. Windows 10 PCs not enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program are unable to use the 'Pause updates for 7 days' feature, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. The ESU program is free and is designed to protect against vulnerabilities. Users have reported that their pause option is grayed out, which is unusual. Additionally, Microsoft has repositioned the 'Enroll in Extended Security Updates' option and replaced it with a prompt to download Windows 11, indicating a potential push for users to upgrade. Approximately 500 million Windows 10 PCs are still eligible for the upgrade, and there are no hardware limitations preventing the transition to Windows 11.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

Phoenix Point’s Terror from the Void mod is so good Snapshot Games just released a massive patch to make the original game more like the fanmade overhaul

Phoenix Point, originally designed as a successor to the X-COM series, faced challenges at launch, including bugs and repetitive gameplay. The introduction of the "Terror from the Void" mega-mod significantly improved the game, leading to the Firebird update, which coincided with the game's fifth anniversary. This update includes a 20% reduction in research times, halved construction times for project buildings, simplified ammunition production, and revamped base defense missions. It also alters the Pandorans' evolution system to create a more balanced gameplay experience. Additional changes include more predictable soldier rescue missions, increased ambush missions, and the introduction of loot crates. The update is compatible with the Terror from the Void mod, and players are encouraged to update their mods. To celebrate the update, Phoenix Point is being offered at a 60% discount, reducing the price from £19.50 to £7.79, with the offer ending on December 18.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Tough-as-nails action adventure game, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is down to its lowest ever price for the Black Friday weekend

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is the enhanced version of the 2008 action-adventure game, featuring improvements from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Fanatical is offering a 51% discount on this game for one day during Black Friday weekend. The game is known for its challenging gameplay and engaging combat mechanics, making it a suitable entry point for newcomers to the series. It includes refined enemy behavior, additional modes, visual upgrades, and technical enhancements. The offer is a limited-time flash deal, lasting only 24 hours.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

My new RPG obsession has a toxic player problem, but its dev refuses to “whack on a leavers penalty” and call it a day

Fellowship, a multiplayer online dungeon adventure from Chief Rebel, has a daily peak user base of approximately 9,000 to 11,000 on Steam. Players have expressed frustrations regarding player behavior, particularly the lack of penalties for those who leave groups or queues, which affects match wait times. Community director Hamish Bode discussed plans to address these issues, including the development of an Eternal matchmaking system and improved communication tools. The team is also considering rewarding players who complete dungeons together to encourage positive interactions. Bode emphasized the need for a balanced approach to managing player behavior, acknowledging the complexities of implementing punishment systems alongside communication improvements.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

This absurdly stylish side scroller feels like playing two different genres of retro shooter at the same time, and I love it

Neon Inferno is a run-and-gun side-scroller set in a cyberpunk city, featuring corrupt law enforcement and Yakuza enemies. It combines run-and-gun action with gallery shooting mechanics, allowing players to aim between the background and foreground. The game includes a forgiving difficulty system, allowing players to absorb hits and deflect projectiles, and features bullet time for counterattacks. It offers various difficulty settings and local co-op play. A 10-minute demo is available on Steam, showcasing its gameplay dynamics.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Forget Half-Life 3, the talking rat in Fatekeeper’s latest trailer is the best thing you’ll see this week

Fatekeeper is a grimdark first-person slasher game developed by Paraglacial using Unreal Engine 5, inspired primarily by Hexen rather than Dark Messiah. The game features a talking rat companion that offers cryptic advice and has gained popularity among players. It emphasizes character progression, tactical choices, and exploration, allowing players to evolve their characters into various archetypes. The combat is designed to be challenging yet not overly punishing, with hints of a Soulslike experience. Fatekeeper is set to be released as an early access title in 2026.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

That weird Pac-Man metroidvania just got a big update, adding a new mode that ‘significantly lowers the difficulty of combat and exploration’

Shadow Labyrinth is a Metroidvania game featuring Pac-Man in a grimdark setting. The game has received a mixed reception, with critiques focusing on poor controls, sparse save points, and punishing difficulty spikes, leading to a muted impact on Steam. In response, Bandai Namco released an update that includes a new gameplay mode called "Veteran Mode" and improvements to controls, such as enhanced mid-air control and a dedicated button for vertical jumps. Reviewer Abbie Stone criticized the game's narrative as overly talkative and filled with clichés, noting that its self-serious tone detracts from the experience. The game faces competition from other titles in the genre, particularly Hollow Knight: Silksong.