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Is today's puzzle game scene interesting? 'No, I don't think it is,' says Jonathan Blow, even though there are 'really good games in the past' devs could look to for inspiration
AppWizard
January 8, 2026

Is today’s puzzle game scene interesting? ‘No, I don’t think it is,’ says Jonathan Blow, even though there are ‘really good games in the past’ devs could look to for inspiration

Jonathan Blow has unveiled his new project, Order of the Sinking Star, at last year's Game Awards. The game has been in development for nearly a decade and is described as a "game design supercollider," combining four distinct puzzle games into a vast puzzle chimaera with 500 hours of content. Blow considers Stephen's Sausage Roll one of the best puzzle games, despite its difficulty, and found Trifolium: The Adventures of Gary Pretzelneck interesting due to its deceptive simplicity. He has not encountered many recent puzzle titles that have impressed him.
Baba is News: One of the best puzzle games of the last decade just got a major update seven years after release
AppWizard
January 4, 2026

Baba is News: One of the best puzzle games of the last decade just got a major update seven years after release

Baba Is You received a significant update in 2026, introducing new words for custom levels: become, facedby, hold, happy, and angry, along with modding tools and technical improvements. The update was announced as likely the final large update for the game. The community has created various custom levels, available in the "featured" section of the game's main menu.
Best Android Games To Play When You're Stuck Waiting in Coffee Shops, During Commutes & More
BetaBeacon
December 31, 2025

Best Android Games To Play When You’re Stuck Waiting in Coffee Shops, During Commutes & More

- Candy Crush Saga is a popular casual Android game that combines strategy with chance. - Roblox and Minecraft are digital playgrounds where players can create and explore unique worlds. - Five Nights at Freddy's is a horror game that has gained popularity for its simple mechanics and tense gameplay. - Garena's Free Fire is a popular battle royale game on Android with over a billion downloads. - There are many other great Android games for short gaming sessions that cater to different preferences and needs.
The RPS 100: Reader Edition (2025) - your favourite games of all time
AppWizard
December 26, 2025

The RPS 100: Reader Edition (2025) – your favourite games of all time

The RPS 100: Readers Edition allows readers to vote on the best PC games of all time, consolidating entries from the same series for broader representation. - X4: Foundations: Praised for its unconventional gameplay and immersive economic simulation. - Hardspace: Shipbreaker: Noted for its zen-like gameplay and masterful design that intertwines narrative and mechanics. - Horizon Zero Dawn: Appreciated for its beautiful world, intriguing storyline, and emotional depth. - Oxygen Not Included: Recognized for fostering resilience and problem-solving skills, with engaging gameplay. - What Remains of Edith Finch: Described as a perfect game blending sadness with exuberance. - Alan Wake 2: Lauded for intricate lore, masterful storytelling, and stunning visuals. - Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition: Reflects philosophical depth and memorable experiences despite challenging gameplay. - Terraria: Celebrated as a quintessential indie game with endless possibilities. - Overwatch 2: Reminisced for its balance of accessibility and depth, fostering a positive community. - Baba Is You: Considered one of the best puzzle games with delightful mechanics. - Heaven's Vault: Described as a profound exploration of history and memory with rich storytelling. - Jagged Alliance 2 Rally Point: Highlights memorable mercenaries and strategic challenges. - Star Control 2: Remembered as an ideal space adventure with brilliant dialogue. - The Long Dark: Known for providing countless emergent experiences as a survival simulator. - The Stanley Parable: Described as silly and mind-bending with a unique player engagement approach. - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth: Celebrated for emotional storytelling and engaging gameplay. - Football Manager: Shares nostalgic stories that create personal connections. - Call of Duty: Reminisced for its cinematic experience and revolutionary impact on online multiplayer.
Siliconera's PC Game of the Year 2025
AppWizard
December 24, 2025

Siliconera’s PC Game of the Year 2025

The PC platform has become a supportive environment for indie game developers, allowing innovative titles to thrive before expanding to other systems. Siliconera's PC Game of the Year selections showcase games that have succeeded due to the unique PC ecosystem. The awards reflect the opinions of the Siliconera team, with multiplatform games assessed based on the platform that received the most support. Hades II continues the legacy of its predecessor, showcasing the developers' commitment to quality during its Early Access phase, resulting in a seamless gameplay experience. Monster Train 2 expands on the original by introducing more factions, increasing strategic possibilities and providing fresh challenges for players. Blue Prince, the winner, offers engaging puzzles with clear solutions, making it accessible for players who may struggle with traditional exploration puzzle games.
Jonathan Blow's new game has the most 'Jonathan Blow's new game' pitch imaginable: A 'game design supercollider' that takes 4 puzzle games and jams them together into a 500-hour saga
AppWizard
December 13, 2025

Jonathan Blow’s new game has the most ‘Jonathan Blow’s new game’ pitch imaginable: A ‘game design supercollider’ that takes 4 puzzle games and jams them together into a 500-hour saga

Jonathan Blow announced his new game, Order of the Sinking Star, at The Game Awards, which has been in development for a decade and features over 1,000 puzzles and more than 500 hours of gameplay. The game includes an expansive overworld with six unique realms, each offering distinct puzzles and mechanics. Players will encounter various characters with unique abilities that influence puzzle-solving, such as a thief who pulls blocks and a wizard who can teleport. The game allows unlimited undos and encourages exploration while providing a philosophical experience for players.
Ten years in the making, Jonathan Blow's new game breaks all the rules of gaming's greatest puzzle
AppWizard
December 12, 2025

Ten years in the making, Jonathan Blow’s new game breaks all the rules of gaming’s greatest puzzle

Jonathan Blow is developing a new game titled Order of the Sinking Star, which has evolved from a modest engine test for his programming language, Jai, into a full-fledged Sokoban-style puzzle game. The game combines elements from four lesser-known freeware puzzle games and features multiple worlds, each with distinct realms and mechanics. Players will navigate challenges involving various characters, each with unique abilities that enhance gameplay. The narrative follows a deposed queen in a fantastical setting, with gameplay focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Blow's design philosophy emphasizes the interaction of game mechanics and player agency, diverging from traditional storytelling methods. He is collaborating with a publisher for the first time to address the challenges of a saturated market.
Finji announces arcade game collection CorgiSpace for PC, now available
AppWizard
December 10, 2025

Finji announces arcade game collection CorgiSpace for PC, now available

Finji has released CorgiSpace, a collection of small arcade video games for PC and Mac on platforms like Steam and itch.io, priced at .99 / £4.29 / €4.99. The games are created using the PICO-8 game engine and are designed for quick play sessions under an hour. CorgiSpace includes over a dozen games, such as Kuiper Cargo, Cave of Cards, Mole Mole, Dino Sort, and Rat Dreams, each with unique gameplay mechanics. To celebrate the launch, Finji is hosting CorgiJam, a game jam from December 10, 2025, to January 11, 2026, culminating in a live-streamed event on January 19, 2026, where submitted games will be played and commented on by the Finji team and special guests.
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