reception Archives

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.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

The new Rusty Lake game is a grim, sinister tale of family, destiny, and cooking: I fed a man porridge filled with dead bugs and he told me it tasted good

Rusty Lake's "Servant of the Lake" is a point-and-click puzzle adventure game that explores themes of familial obligation and tradition in a rural setting. The gameplay is linear, with predetermined paths and an emphasis on uncovering secrets rather than making significant choices. The game has received positive feedback, achieving an "overwhelmingly positive" rating on Steam with over 4,500 reviews and a peak of 28,000 concurrent users on its launch day. Rusty Lake co-founder Robin Ras expressed satisfaction with the game's success, which mirrors that of their previous title, "The Past Within." The game is currently available on Steam at a discounted price until August 27, and a free demo is also offered. The studio is planning future projects, including another game titled "Falling Apart."

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

A dev tried to warn WB Games not to launch Lord of the Rings: War in the North 10 days before Skyrim, but was ‘overruled’

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North has been re-released on Steam as a Legacy Edition, receiving a Very Positive rating. Originally launched on November 1, 2011, the game struggled to gain attention due to its release timing, coinciding with the launch of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Christian Allen, a former developer at WB Games, noted that the game's launch strategy could have been improved and highlighted the influence of quarterly revenue targets on publishing decisions.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

PC gamers can now pick up free-to-keep gorgeous 88% rated open-world adventure

Caravan SandWitch, a game released in 2024, is available for free on the Epic Games Store until August 20, boasting an 88% positive rating and a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The game features a quest to find a missing sister in a sci-fi world, encouraging exploration and community interaction without combat or time constraints. It emphasizes a hopeful post-apocalyptic narrative and has received an English localization update. Players can claim the game for free before the deadline to add it to their library.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Beast of Reincarnation director apologizes for not providing ‘a sufficiently enjoyable experience,’ but promises Game Freak is working on it

Game Freak's latest title, Beast of Reincarnation, has received a mixed reception, with an aggregate score of 73/100 on Metacritic and a similar score of 73% in reviews. Players have expressed that the game feels "close, but not quite," prompting game director Kota Furushima to apologize for certain aspects that need refinement. He acknowledged the need for updates to improve story pacing, introduce frame generation, and allow players to skip cutscenes, while noting that difficulty adjustments are not a primary focus. Despite the critiques, co-op combat and the game's atmosphere have received positive feedback, with a unique post-apocalyptic vibe resonating with players. PC Gamer's Shaun Prescott praised the game's mature presentation, highlighting its commitment to a serious and immersive ambience.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

3 Apps You Can Sideload On Android Auto

Transforming an old tablet into an Android Auto head unit involves activating developer mode and enabling "Unknown Sources" to sideload applications. Alternatively, third-party tools like Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) can be used to integrate unofficial apps. Sideloading carries risks, as these apps are not officially vetted and may malfunction after system updates. CarStream is a sideloaded app that allows users to access YouTube on their car display without rooting their phone, making it useful during parked moments. Fermata Auto is an open-source media player that plays local media files from a phone or hard drive, ideal for offline use. Screen2Auto mirrors a phone's display onto the car screen, allowing access to any app, but should be used with caution while driving.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Absolutely everything you need to know about romance and marriage in Fields of Mistria

In Mistria, players can pursue various marriage candidates, each with unique storylines, and encounter two secret singles later in the game. Gifting is essential for building relationships, with players able to give one gift daily to earn Friendship points. Engaging in quests, especially those related to town upgrades, unlocks special events like the Shooting Star Festival date. Accumulating Friendship points unlocks heart event scenes that deepen character stories, and players can confess feelings and date candidates upon reaching 8 hearts. Players can date multiple characters simultaneously without jealousy or rival marriages, but breakups can occur if a player proposes to another while dating. There is currently no divorce feature. Friendship points are earned through conversations and gift-giving, and they do not decay over time. After reaching 10 hearts, players can propose, leading to personalized wedding planning and a celebratory ceremony. Post-wedding, spouses assist with farm chores, and players must schedule weddings carefully to avoid conflicts with significant events.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

3 months after the release of Directive 8020, Supermassive Games is laying off even more people

Supermassive Games is reducing its workforce by up to 75 employees three months after the launch of Directive 8020, citing the need for long-term sustainability. This is the third round of layoffs in under three years, with previous cuts occurring in 2024 and 2025 due to challenges in the gaming industry. The parent company, Nordisk Film, reported an operating profit of €140 million on revenues of €2.2 billion in 2025. The number of employees remaining after the layoffs is currently unclear.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

There was originally supposed to be a ‘much bigger’ reveal of Light No Fire: here’s why Sean Murray changed his mind

Hello Games has been working on a project titled Light No Fire for nearly three years, following the success of No Man's Sky. Studio founder Sean Murray indicated that there was an intention to showcase more content at the Summer Game Fest 2024, but the positive reception of the initial teaser, which received 20 million views and made it the number two game on the Steam wishlist, led to a change in plans. Murray emphasized a cautious approach to sharing information, stating that they prefer to let the game speak for itself and avoid unnecessary press communication. He mentioned having played Light No Fire recently and noted that the current state of the game exceeds typical expectations for what a studio would reveal at this stage.