punishing Archives

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

Stylish roguelite action game 7 Trials announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Newcore Games has announced their new project, 7 Trials, a roguelite action game set in a "twisted afterlife." It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam and Stove. The game is set in a realm where the living and dead coexist, focusing on the character Yeoubi, a temporary Reaper tasked with uncovering secrets in Seocheon Academy. Players can utilize the "Trinity" system to customize their combat style through spells, offerings, and fate cards. The game features 49 trials, shifting corridors, and cooperative gameplay for up to four players.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

If you like puzzle platformers, multi-dimensional traversal, and ducks—I have the game for you

Dodo Duckie is an indie platformer game where players control Dodo, a duck on a mission to rescue his friends from aliens. The game features dimension-hopping gameplay, allowing players to switch between 2D and 3D using a magical propeller hat. In 2D, players can traverse greater distances, while 3D reveals hidden secrets and aids in precise jumps. The game includes puzzles that require creative thinking and manipulation of objects across dimensions. The mechanics are user-friendly and forgiving, making the game accessible and enjoyable.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Derelict Star review

A momentum-based 2D platformer titled "Derelict Star" will be released on April 3, 2026. It is developed by gate and published by Luminous Tree Games. The game emphasizes exploration and skillful navigation over traditional power-ups, encouraging players to master movement mechanics. It features a jetpack mechanic with a speed meter, and the environment consists of various rooms with unique challenges. Checkpoints and fast travel options enhance the exploration experience. The game is verified for Steam Deck and was reviewed on an RTX 3060 laptop with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

PUBG creator Brendan Greene halts development on “realistic Minecraft” survival game, plans to make it free and is looking into refunds

Brendan Greene has announced that the development of the early-access survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback, is on hold as PlayerUnknown Productions undergoes restructuring. The game, launched in early access last November, is described as a "realistic Minecraft" where players face challenges in procedurally generated landscapes. Greene plans to make the game free for future players and is exploring refund options for those who purchased it. A statement on the game's Steam page indicates hope for a future return, although Early Access plans cannot be fulfilled at this time. The development team is working on an update to enhance exploration with new items and pathways. Prologue: Go Wayback has received a Mostly Positive rating on Steam, with 70% of players giving favorable reviews.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Valorant’s Neon is losing some pep from her step, and shotguns haven’t escaped the nerf hammer

Riot Games announced adjustments to the character Neon in Valorant, aiming for a more balanced gameplay experience. Changes include disabling the speed boost from jumping while using her High Gear ability, adjusting mid-air movement to match melee speed, and modifying fuel regeneration from kills to only apply when her ultimate is active. Additionally, all shotguns will experience decreased accuracy while moving, with standardized movement inaccuracy and a flat 15% crouched accuracy multiplier. The Bucky's pellet damage will be reduced at distances up to eight meters, while the minimum pellet spread for the Bucky and Judge will be increased. Buffs for the Sentinel class are planned for Patch 13.0, and adjustments to Initiators' cooldowns are being considered. These changes will be staggered across multiple patches to facilitate player adaptation.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

I didn’t think a 2D platformer could be scary, but oh boy did this game about a forsaken nun in a dead world of demon cockroaches prove me wrong

Metamorphosis is an upcoming game with a demo available on Steam, featuring a unique pixel art style and engaging gameplay. The game includes an innovative inventory system that uses a command line reminiscent of MS-DOS and incorporates interactive eerie paintings. Players face a blend of horror and action, encountering grotesque creatures and save points designed as confessionals that deepen the narrative. The combat system is accessible yet challenging, allowing advanced maneuvers from the start. The release date is currently "To be announced."

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

‘Single-player Tarkov’ Road to Vostok’s solo dev admits its huge popularity is “running away from me,” but he has a plan

Antti Leinonen, a Finnish soldier turned solo developer, launched his survival shooter game, Road to Vostok, which sold around 140,000 copies and has over 25,000 daily active users five days post-launch. He faces challenges managing player feedback, with over 11,000 unread emails, and plans to hire additional support next month. Leinonen is pleased with the game's launch performance and believes it debuted in a solid state for early access. He intends to take a break for personal recovery before implementing hotfixes and enhancing the game, including improvements to enemy AI and new features.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

‘Everybody should play every fighting game’ says Invincible VS director: ‘They’re just fun’

The recent launch of the fighting game 2XKO resulted in the layoff of 80 developers shortly after its debut. This year has seen several new fighting game titles, including Marvel Tōkon and licensed games Avatar Legends and Invincible VS. Invincible VS, developed by a team with experience from Killer Instinct, features a dynamic tag team experience and aims to capture the essence of multi-character battles from its animated source material. The game is part of a series of releases scheduled over ten months, with a focus on community feedback and ongoing playtesting. Developers are also hinting at a single-player mode involving contributions from the show's writers.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

World of Warcraft reveals secret phase of new raid boss to give us the best moment in Race to World First

A new raid in the World of Warcraft saga, part of the Midnight Falls expansion, features a boss named L'ura, whose abilities have been adjusted by Blizzard to make the encounter more manageable. Notably, her Phase 1 attacks have been toned down, with her Heaven's Glaives ability now having shuriken-like projectiles that travel 20% slower and have improved visibility. A hidden fourth phase in the encounter surprised Team Liquid, who initially celebrated their progress after the third phase, only to realize the fight was ongoing. Team Liquid has faced L'ura 450 times, reducing her health in the fourth phase to 44%, while their closest competitor, Echo, has not surpassed 65% health in the same phase. Team Liquid currently leads the Race to World First after defeating another boss, Chimaerus the Undreamt God, in three attempts.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Blight: Survival offers a fresh slice of its medieval zombie-slaying, after its developer took a break to ‘rebuild our core systems from the ground up’

Blight: Survival, a third-person hack 'n' slash game, has over 1.5 million wishlists on Steam, making it one of the most anticipated titles since its announcement in 2022. Developed by Haenir Studio in collaboration with Behaviour Interactive, the game features an immersive combat system designed to feel impactful, with various finishers enhancing the intensity of encounters. A recent trailer showcased brutal combat, including a character striking a zombie with a shield. Haenir Studio has been actively updating the community about the game's progress, including the introduction of a new exploration area, the marshlands, and a Halloween teaser featuring a zombie encounter.