Netflix is launching a new daily puzzle games app called Netflix Puzzled, featuring puzzles themed around popular Netflix franchises like Stranger Things and Bridgerton.
This year's PC Gamer rankings highlight the absence of several anticipated titles from the Game of the Year conversation, including Elden Ring Nightreign, Battlefield 6 (82%), Europa Universalis 5, Arc Raiders (86%), and Clair Obscur (70%). To be considered exceptional, a game must score 89% or higher. Notable games that received high praise include Halls of Torment, Thank Goodness You're Here, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Keep Driving, The Alters, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Silent Hill f, Keeper, Nine Sols (91%), Blue Prince (92%), Abiotic Factor (92%), and Promise Mascot Agency (94%).
GOG is offering a free download of the sci-fi horror game Stasis for 48 hours. Stasis, a point-and-click adventure released in 2015, typically retails for .99. The game follows John Maracheck, who wakes up on an abandoned spacecraft and searches for his missing wife and daughter. It features exploration and puzzle-solving elements, with an atmospheric soundtrack by Mark Morgan. Stasis received a score of 79 on Metacritic and has been positively reviewed by players. Other platforms, like the Epic Games Store, are also offering free games this season.
Return of the Obra Dinn has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, attributed to a 50% price reduction, its lowest price point in various regions. This marks the fourth sale of the year, attracting over 1,300 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing its peak player count from launch. The game, created by Lucas Pope, is noted for its unique 'ditherpunk' art style and intricate narrative, offering challenging and satisfying puzzles. It has received acclaim, with 96% of Steam reviewers rating it as one of the best PC games of all time. The current promotional price is .99 / £8.37, expiring on Thursday, October 23.
Phasmophobia has significantly impacted the horror gaming genre since its release five years ago, contributing to a resurgence in multiplayer horror games, particularly during the pandemic. Its success has inspired the development of new cooperative titles like Lethal Company, REPO, Demonologist, Devour, and Forewarned. Daniel Knight, the creator of Phasmophobia, aims to expand the realm of multiplayer puzzle games, with horror elements enhancing the experience. This has fostered a community of players interested in cooperative gameplay and has encouraged new developers to explore the genre.
Turnbound combines inventory management and autobattlers in PvP combat, featuring characters like Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Sun Wukong. Tanuki: Pon's Summer is a life sim and BMX racer where players deliver goods and enhance a local shrine. Raev: Kingdom on the Distant Shores allows players to manage a kingdom of anthropomorphic foxes, focusing on trade, diplomacy, and city-building. MotionRec is a 2D platformer that lets players record and replay movements to solve puzzles, set to launch in 2025. Mars Tactics is a turn-based strategy game with destructible environments and a narrative about workers uniting against capital. Outward 2 is an RPG and survival game sequel anticipated for summer 2026. Minos is a strategy game where players set traps for adventurers in a labyrinth, taking on the role of the minotaur.
Particle Hearts is a puzzle game set in a universe made entirely of particles, featuring a stunning visual presentation. Players can acquire unique abilities to manipulate the environment, such as dissolving into particles, gliding along paths, transforming into a beam, or growing into a giant. Each region introduces distinct mechanics that encourage creative problem-solving. The game combines visual aesthetics reminiscent of dot-matrix art and 19th-century Pointillism, creating an immersive experience. There is a giveaway of 25 free Steam keys for Particle Hearts, open until September 19, 2025.
Handheld gaming devices have gained popularity, allowing players to enjoy games comfortably. However, not all games are suitable for these platforms. Notable games that perform well on handhelds include:
- Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom: A Metroidvania game where players control Jin, who must reverse a spell that transformed people into animals. It features charming animations and engaging combat with low graphical demands.
- Blue Prince: A 3D puzzle adventure where players inherit an estate and must solve puzzles in various rooms using a roguelike mechanic involving card drawing.
- Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG set in Greek mythology, where players save the gods from Typhon. It combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, though it can drain battery life.
- Stardew Valley: A farming and life simulation game where players inherit a farm and engage in farming, raising animals, and building relationships. Its pixelated graphics ensure smooth performance on handhelds.
- Baldur's Gate 3: A turn-based RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, known for its immersive storytelling and character interactions. It performs well on handhelds but may drain the battery.
- Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition: An open-world RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world, manageable for handheld devices due to its age.
- Age of Empires: A real-time strategy game with a 4K Definitive Edition, suitable for handheld play with optimized controls for solo and multiplayer experiences.
Handheld gaming PCs support a variety of genres, particularly those with simpler 2D graphics, which enhance battery life and gameplay smoothness.
The latest Steam sale offers a 30% discount on the game Satisfactory, which won the 2024 Best Sandbox award from PC Gamer. The game emphasizes creativity and engineering, allowing players to build factories and optimize assembly lines. The recent 1.1 update introduced new features like controller support and a conveyor throughput monitor. The Steam Automation Fest showcases various factory-building games, including Dyson Sphere Program, Shapez 2, and Kaizen: A Factory Story. Additionally, Opus Magnum is available at half price during the sale.
