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I'm very into this Papers, Please-esque puzzle game about identifying traitors to the socialist motherland
AppWizard
July 22, 2026

I’m very into this Papers, Please-esque puzzle game about identifying traitors to the socialist motherland

Players assume the role of Aleksey Lutomski, a recruit at the security service of a fictional 20th-century communist state, in the game What Awaits, Aleksey?. Set in 1970, the game involves examining evidence such as coded letters, covert photographs, and wiretapped conversations to identify members of an underground dissident cell called the KNOT network. The gameplay emphasizes a balance between challenge and engagement, with players needing to present findings to superiors who critique their work. The game features a 1970s setting with mechanical tools like calculators and tape recorders that enhance the investigative experience. Players must navigate misleading clues and make critical decisions that affect their allegiance, potentially choosing between siding with conspirators or remaining loyal to the state. The game explores themes of loyalty, identity, and moral dilemmas within a historical context.
As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android's free app ecosystem
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android’s free app ecosystem

The mobile advertising landscape has shifted from simple banner ads to aggressive monetization tactics that often manipulate users. Common intrusive ad experiences include unclosable interstitial ads, interactive playable ads that mislead users, and unsolicited notifications promoting unrelated games. This shift has negatively impacted independent developers, who struggle to compete against large ad networks and feel pressured to adopt disruptive ad practices. Google, which controls the Play Store and ad services, benefits financially from these intrusive ads but has not effectively addressed the issue, allowing low-quality ads to proliferate. The current state of advertising is eroding user trust in free applications, threatening the integrity of the Android ecosystem.
The follow-up to one of last year's best detective games is off to an 'overwhelmingly positive' start on Steam after just 2 days
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

The follow-up to one of last year’s best detective games is off to an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ start on Steam after just 2 days

In early 2025, the puzzle game Blue Prince won PC Gamer's 'best design' Game of the Year award. Another notable title, The Roottrees are Dead, offered a narrative-driven mystery through a computer interface, inspiring similar projects. Developer Evil Trout released The Incident at Galley House, which received over 600 reviews on Steam with 97% approval. The game was developed by William Rous and Johnson, who enhanced the experience with design elements, coding, and game development. The team was inspired by the free mystery game Type Help, recognized for its captivating narrative. The Incident at Galley House features a visual novel-style presentation, 2D illustrations, a 3D interface for exploring memories, and voice acting. It is priced at £17.75 on Steam with a 10% launch discount until July 21.
Cognition Method, a First-Person Puzzle Game From an Ex-Cyberpunk 2077 Developer, Announced for PC
AppWizard
July 16, 2026

Cognition Method, a First-Person Puzzle Game From an Ex-Cyberpunk 2077 Developer, Announced for PC

Cognition Method is a first-person, atmospheric sci-fi puzzle game inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. It features a narrative centered around a mysterious artifact called The Cube and includes innovative gravity-changing puzzle mechanics. The game is developed by a three-person team led by Timur Ozdoev, a former environment artist from CD Projekt Red, and is set to launch on PC on September 1. The game draws visual inspiration from both 2001: A Space Odyssey and the minimalist architectural style of Tadao Ando. A trailer and screenshots are available, and players can add the game to their wishlist on Steam.
‘Light-hearted’ serial killer puzzle game Aerial_Knight’s MrFreezy announced for PC
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

‘Light-hearted’ serial killer puzzle game Aerial_Knight’s MrFreezy announced for PC

AerialKnight has announced the release of AerialKnight’s MrFreezy, a puzzle game set to launch on September 1 for PC via Steam. The game features a female axe-wielding serial killer in the city of New Detroit, where players assist her in preparing victims by solving puzzles involving severed heads hidden in freezers. Players must navigate various head types with unique mechanics, such as Pumpkin Heads that explode, Stone Heads that are immovable, and Old Heads that move autonomously. The gameplay emphasizes decision-making and strategy, with replayable levels designed for score chasing. The game combines horror-inspired elements with dark humor and aims to provide an engaging experience while exploring unconventional ideas.
Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Skul, Children of Morta, Hitman GO, Boxing Gym Story, more
AppWizard
July 7, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Skul, Children of Morta, Hitman GO, Boxing Gym Story, more

Tuesday afternoon features Android game and app deals, including discounts on popular titles like Skul: The Hero Slayer, Children of Morta, Anime Studio Story, Boxing Gym Story, Cavern Adventurers, Hitman GO, and Deus Ex GO. Significant discounts are available on the Galaxy S26 series phones, with savings reaching up to . The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is priced at on Amazon, and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are available for up to off.
New Meta Quest, SteamVR and PC VR games launching in July 2026
AppWizard
July 6, 2026

New Meta Quest, SteamVR and PC VR games launching in July 2026

In July 2026, several virtual reality titles are set to release across various platforms: - Enigmo: Launching on July 7 for PC VR, it is a physics puzzle game where players redirect liquid droplets, plasma particles, and lasers. - Geronimo: An Early Access tactical shooter releasing on July 10 for PC VR, focusing on cooperative gameplay and team-based movement. - One More Delve 1.0: Celebrating its full release on July 13 for PC VR and Quest 3, this cooperative dungeon crawler features physics-based combat and loot collection. - Fixer Undercover: Arriving on July 16 for PC VR, it is a spy-themed escape room game where players solve challenges while disguised as a maintenance worker. - Roboquest VR: Launching on July 23 for Quest 3, this game includes a co-op update for enhanced multiplayer experience. - Puzzles of the World: Transitioning from Early Access to a full release on July 23 for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, it offers a miniature-building experience. - Cybercore Protocol: Releasing on July 26 for Quest, it turns players' surroundings into a mixed reality battlefield. - Hyperstacks: Scheduled for July 30 on SteamVR, it combines parkour, combat, and puzzle-solving with user-generated content. - Streets of Miami VR: Initially set for July 30, it has been postponed to August 28 on SteamVR, featuring a semi-open world in 1980s Miami.
The Biggest Upcoming July 2026 PC Games and How They May Perform On Steam Deck
AppWizard
July 3, 2026

The Biggest Upcoming July 2026 PC Games and How They May Perform On Steam Deck

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release in November. Moonlight Peaks, a farming simulator with a vampire theme, runs at 90 FPS on the Steam Deck with minimal battery drain. An open-world gacha game performs above 30 FPS at default settings on the Steam Deck. The expansion for Granblue Fantasy: Relink is playable on the Steam Deck, though some action sequences may cause minor frame drops. A remake of a classic Assassin’s Creed installment is optimized for the Steam Deck and has received Verified status, with expected frame rates around 30 FPS during intense moments. A highly ambitious game demo showed significant performance issues, dropping below 30 FPS at the lowest settings. A cozy post office simulator runs at 60 FPS with low battery consumption but lacks controller support. A casual puzzle game from Annapurna Interactive is expected to perform well on the Steam Deck. A co-op exploration game with Lovecraftian elements achieves 30 FPS or higher on low settings, though some areas may experience frame drops. A bus-skating game maintains a steady 60 FPS during testing, despite some battery drain fluctuations.
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