Purple Archives

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die proves roguelikes don’t need to fill 100 hours

Action roguelikes, particularly those inspired by Hades, have gained popularity, with "Lost in Random: The Eternal Die" being a notable recent release. This sequel retains whimsical aesthetics and introduces a magical die companion, focusing on action gameplay rather than exploration. Players select weapons with multiple forms and battle through four regions, facing a boss at the end of each. The game features an innovative card system that allows players to discover unique spells, with timing affecting spell effectiveness. A relic system adds strategic depth, where players draft bonuses and align relics to enhance damage types. Level design includes interconnected rooms and engaging boss battles, which may surpass those in Hades. The game has a playtime of under 21 hours and is currently available at a 45% discount during the Steam Spring Sale for .67 / £10.99, as well as on Xbox Game Pass with a demo available.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

I like Arc Raiders, but Marathon made me fall in love with extraction shooters

Many players of Destiny were intrigued yet uncertain about Marathon, which combines elements of an extraction shooter and a reboot of a classic Mac series. The game features an immersive gameplay experience set on the alien world of Tau Ceti IV, characterized by a tense atmosphere and engaging visuals. Players face challenges from the UESC and other Runners while navigating a cyberpunk-inspired environment. The gunplay mechanics are highly praised, offering impactful shooting experiences with strategic choices based on Shell class abilities. Marathon is available for .39 / £30.09 at Fanatical, providing a more economical option than Steam.

AppWizard

March 7, 2026

Wikipedia is now a gacha card game, and I challenge you to face my ultra rare German cuisine deck

Wikigacha is a browser-based card battler game that transforms Wikipedia articles into collectible cards. Players receive a free pack every minute, with cards categorized into seven rarity tiers based on their WikiRank. The game features a sortable database for collections and includes autobattler modes, allowing one-on-one matches or five-card deck competitions. A daily Raid Battle challenges players against a boss card, with each card usable once every 24 hours. The game was developed by a single Japanese developer known as 'harusugi' and has gained popularity in Japan, expanding its player base through social media. Players are drawn to the randomness of card pulls and the excitement of collecting, including special gold packs that guarantee at least one blue 'super rare' card.

AppWizard

March 6, 2026

Marathon players accidentally smuggle rare loot out of Server Slam and into full game

Players diving into the full version of Marathon may find remnants of the recent server slam in their inboxes, including rare loot. Streamer Niftyn00b received a purple 24-slot backpack just before their first match. The launch day has proceeded smoothly with no significant login queues or server issues, although some pre-order bonuses and Deluxe Edition items are still missing. Bungie is addressing this issue to ensure all players receive their expected rewards.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Is Marathon’s time-to-kill too fast, or am I too Arc Raiders-pilled?

The author completed the original Mass Effect and shifted focus to extraction shooters, particularly Marathon, influenced by experiences in Arc Raiders. During the first 24 hours with Marathon, the author compared it to Arc Raiders, noting the challenging gameplay dynamics, including a fast time-to-kill (TTK) and the importance of teamwork. Initial frustrations with Marathon's pace shifted to appreciation as the author adapted strategies with friends. The game emphasizes sound and teamwork, with a TTK that feels punishing but manageable with squad support. The author reflected on the need for better resource management, expressing concerns about inventory issues and the early loss of loadouts. They suggested that Bungie should streamline gameplay to enhance the PvP experience.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Minecraft players recreate Brunei landmarks for National Day

On February 25, 2026, players of Planet Brunei Reborn (PBR), the longest-running Minecraft server in Brunei Darussalam, participated in a digital homage to the nation’s National Day by reconstructing significant Bruneian landmarks. This initiative began in mid-January and aimed to blend creativity with personal storytelling. Players received in-game currency and ranks as appreciation for their contributions. Notable creations included the Menara Cendera Kenangan, crafted by player Danialhandsome, and Brunei International Airport, recreated by Sub7PewDiePie12 and his team. Since its relaunch in 2022, PBR has attracted over 2,000 registered players and hosts regular community events, serving as a cultural hub for celebrating Brunei’s heritage.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Witchspire is the League of Legends Star Guardian survival game of my dreams, even if it needs a little more polish

Witchspire is a survival game developed by Envar Studio, known for its League of Legends splash arts. It features a Sailor Moon-inspired anime trailer and Ghibli-esque visuals. The game includes a captivating narrative voiced by actors like Victoria Atkin and Matthew Mercer. Players assume the role of a witch in a mysterious realm, combating corruption while utilizing familiar survival mechanics such as crafting and upgrading weapons. Unique to Witchspire are the Familiars, companion creatures that assist players in combat. The game allows players to gather resources easily and features a magical sickle for cutting down trees. The combat mechanics have some flaws, particularly with AI behavior during encounters. Witchspire's gameplay is accessible, lacking hunger and stamina meters, and includes an Astral Projection system for strategic advantages. The game offers lore drops and voice lines that enhance storytelling. The demo is available on Steam, featuring the first island, Vyr's Landing, and supports multiplayer for up to four players.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Kingdom Come Deliverance II, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, EA Sports College Football 26, and More!

AerialKnight’s DropShot is available on February 17 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is also available on February 17 for the same platforms, featuring a first-person action-adventure experience. Avowed receives an update on February 17, introducing new playable races, a New Game Plus Mode, and a Photo Mode. Death Howl will launch on February 19 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and Premium. EA Sports College Football 26 is available on February 19 for Cloud and Xbox Series X|S, allowing players to represent 136 FBS schools. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition launches on February 19 for Cloud and Console. TCG Card Shop Simulator enters Game Preview on February 24 for multiple platforms. Dice A Million will be available on PC on February 25 with Xbox Game Pass. Towerborne releases as a complete game on February 26 for Console, Handheld, and PC. Final Fantasy III and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are set for March 3 on multiple platforms. Menace entered Game Preview on February 5 for PC, and Diablo II: Resurrected was released on February 11 for Console and PC. Overwatch: Season 1: Conquest began on February 10, introducing new heroes. Microsoft Mahjong will feature in-game benefits on February 24 for PC. Titles leaving Game Pass on February 28 include Monster Train, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Injustice 2, and Middle Earth: Shadow of War.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 5

Players can now enjoy new features in the latest snapshot release, including baby versions of aquatic mobs such as axolotls, dolphins, turtles, squids, and glow squids. A new item, the Golden Dandelion, can be used to prevent baby mobs from aging. Crafting the Golden Dandelion requires a standard dandelion and gold nuggets. The bounding boxes for baby squids, glow squids, axolotls, and turtles have been adjusted to fit their new models. The Data Pack version has been updated to 98, and the Resource Pack version is now at 79. New sound effects for baby chickens and the Golden Dandelion have been added, and several bugs have been fixed in this release. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up their worlds before testing.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Review: LEGO 21589 Minecraft Mini Biomes

LEGO 21589 Mini Biomes is set to release on January 1, 2026, with a retail price of .99 and comprising 797 pieces. The set features five distinct micro-scale dioramas representing different Minecraft biomes, including a mountain landscape, forest, mushroom field, desert temple, and savanna. Each biome includes unique elements and microfigures, such as a Steve, creeper, mooshroom, husk, and pillager. The set is designed primarily from 1×1 tiles and offers a backing plate for a pixelated skybox that can be displayed in day or night mode. Pre-orders are available on LEGO.com.