reception Archives

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

September’s first wave of Xbox Game Pass games revealed, and it brings RuneScape to console for the first time

The September lineup for PC and Xbox Game Pass includes the co-op survival game Dragonwilds, which releases on September 15th and is the first console title for the RuneScape franchise. It has been in early access since last spring and received "very positive" feedback on Steam. Other titles coming to Game Pass include SpeedRunners 2, The Royal Writ, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Notable titles leaving Game Pass on September 15th include Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, and Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. Game Pass games coming in September: - Shelldiver (1st September) - Speedrunners 2: King of Speed (3rd September) - Dice a Million (4th September) - Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (8th September) - The Royal Writ (10th September) - Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage (10th September) - RuneScape: Dragonwilds (15th September) Leaving Game Pass on 15th September: - Commandos: Origins - Cricket 24 - Cyberpunk 2077 - Dead Cells - Deep Rock Galactic Survivor - Frostpunk 2 - Mullet Madjack - Spiritfarer - Superliminal - Train Sim World 5

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Good reviews are a ‘great relief,’ says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 2, with early reviews being largely favorable, including an 83% rating from our publication and an aggregate score of 83/100 on Metacritic. Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz expressed relief about the reviews on social media, highlighting the emotional toll of waiting for them. He has a significant background at CD Projekt, having worked on The Witcher 2, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. His announcement received congratulations from industry peers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among developers. The game will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG at 6 PM ET on September 2.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Bland or badass? The internet is split on GTA 6’s Jason, and so is PC Gamer

The Extended Look at GTA 6 showcased a 26-minute trailer featuring a sprawling open world and new features, highlighting two playable characters: Jason and Lucia. Lucia received positive attention for her fierce persona, while Jason's reception has been mixed. Fans expressed dissatisfaction with Jason's voice acting, with comments suggesting it lacked emotion and depth. Some compared him to past Rockstar characters who were initially criticized but later became favorites, indicating potential for character development. The gaming community is actively discussing Jason, with a poll created for fans to share their opinions.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

“Now includes TETRIS for Windows!” The story behind Microsoft’s 1990s last-minute sticker gamble

Microsoft faced challenges during the launch of the Microsoft Entertainment Pack, particularly regarding the packaging and licensing of Tetris. Due to ongoing negotiations for the licensing rights, the initial packaging did not include any reference to Tetris, leading to the decision to use a bright red sticker stating "Now Includes TETRIS for Windows!" once the licensing agreement was secured just before the product launch. This last-minute addition transformed the marketing approach into a success, and the product was later branded as Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1. The stickered version of the pack has since become a sought-after collectible.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows veteran’s vibe-coded Task Manager now also runs on Mac and Linux — downloadable app is the result of a 107-page spec fed to Claude Code

Dave W. Plummer has developed a new Task Manager called TMOG (Task Manager OG) from a 107-page specification. He is the original architect of the 80KB Task Manager for Windows NT 4.0, released in 1996. TMOG is compatible with Windows 11, macOS, and Linux. Plummer began working on TMOG while waiting at the hospital during his son's emergency appendectomy and completed a functional app by the time his son was discharged. He further enhanced TMOG during a subsequent hospital stay due to his son's internal bleeding. The app features 60 Hz animations and various customization options. Initial versions were created in four and a half hours and functioned well on the first attempt. User feedback on beta versions has been positive, although some minor issues remain.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Legendary Mac Game Celebrates 40th Anniversary With PC Port

Dark Castle, a classic game from 1986, is being re-released as an official port to PC to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Originally developed for Macintosh, the game was notable for its innovative use of animations and gameplay mechanics, despite the platform's limitations in graphics. The game was created by Silicon Beach Software in collaboration with artist Mark Stephen Pierce and programmer Jonathan Gay, utilizing a technique called "page flipping" to enhance performance. Dark Castle is known for its challenging gameplay and has a sequel, Beyond Dark Castle. Both games are now available on Steam, providing a modern way to experience these titles.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

PC Game With 96/100 Rating Is 100% Free on Steam

A new free PC game on Steam has received a rating of 96 out of 100 based on nearly 1,000 user reviews, earning it an “Overwhelmingly Positive” designation. Out of 986 reviews, 965 are positive. The game's compatibility with the Steam Deck is currently listed as “Unknown.” Developed by Zzangdol Games and published by Jungle Game Lab, the game is titled "No Results Found," which involves players investigating a case related to the Church of the Nine-Tentacled Octopus after a tragic incident where 227 church affiliates drowned. The game has been praised for its immersive storytelling and engaging deduction mechanics, though some reviews mention its complexity and the use of AI in development.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Against All Odds, The Janky Soviet-Themed FPS ‘You Are Empty’ Is Coming Back Later This Year, New & Improved

The 2006 first-person shooter, You Are Empty, will be re-released as the Absolute Edition on October 27th, 2026, coinciding with its 20th anniversary. It will be available on ZOOM, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Mandel ArtPlains and Digital Spray Studios, and published by 1C Company, the game is set in an alternate-history 1950s Soviet Kyiv. The Absolute Edition will feature modern updates such as controller support, achievements, improved loading times, and the ability to sprint, addressing issues from the original version. The retail price is expected to be .99.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after ‘negative player feedback’

Guerilla Games is rethinking their live service co-op game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, due to negative feedback from playtests. The game will shift from a live service model to a more traditional co-op format focused on storytelling. Sony has set a deadline for the team to present a milestone by December, or the project may be canceled. Many developers have been reassigned to other projects, with a smaller group working on the next single-player Horizon installment. Sony is moving away from live service games, with only Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show performing well. The future of another live service game, Fairgames, is uncertain due to development challenges.