sandbox experience Archives

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Poking around Hytale’s unfinished sandbox is the first time I’ve felt hope for a voxel RPG since Cube World broke my heart (twice)

Cube World is a voxel-based, procedurally generated RPG released in 2019 that failed to meet player expectations due to a lack of engaging content, minimal NPC interaction, and monotonous exploration. The game was criticized for its hollow adventure and mindless combat. In contrast, other titles like Dragon Quest Builders and V Rising successfully combine survival, crafting, and narrative depth. Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, aims to learn from Cube World's shortcomings, offering a voxel world with dynamic combat and a promising adventure mode. Hytale features engaging combat mechanics and has a strong focus on modding, with nearly 4,000 user-generated mods available. The game has rekindled interest in the open-world survival crafting genre, standing out as a promising contender.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Minecraft-like Hytale has already sold enough to fund the next two years of development, and it’s not even out yet

Hypixel Studios announced that pre-launch sales of Hytale have generated enough revenue to fund the next two years of the game's development. The early access release is scheduled for January 13. Hytale has been in development since 2015 and was previously halted by Riot Games, which acquired Hypixel in 2020. Hypixel co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme acquired the game from Riot at the end of last year. He predicts that Hytale will attract one million players on its release day and encourages players to download the game’s launcher in advance. The game will be available for purchase only through the studio’s website during early access. Hytale offers three purchasing options: the standard edition at .99, the Supporter Edition at .99, and the Founder's Edition at .99, with the latter two editions including exclusive cosmetic outfits and capes.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

Minecraft: How to Tame a Zombie Horse

Minecraft's latest update, Mounts of Mayhem, introduces the Zombie Horse, a docile mob that can be found in the Savanna and Plains biomes, often encountered as part of a Zombie Horseman. Players can tame a Zombie Horse by defeating its Zombie rider and using Red Mushrooms to heal it. To ride the Zombie Horse, players need to craft a Saddle using 3 Leather and 1 Iron Ingot and equip it. Zombie Horses are vulnerable to sunlight, so equipping Horse Armor is recommended for protection.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Mojang offers a detailed look at Minecraft’s nautilus

The nautilus is an aquatic creature in Minecraft that players can befriend and ride. It has the ability to conserve oxygen and is visually appealing due to its stunning colors. The design of the nautilus is inspired by the culinary delicacy of escargot. Players can explore randomly generated worlds, craft various structures, and choose between creative and survival modes in the game.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Fresh from bringing his canceled Minecraft competitor back from the dead, Hytale boss shares new gameplay footage as “a taste of things to come” – but there’s still “a lot of work” to be done

Riot Games has canceled the unreleased sandbox game Hytale and closed developer Hypixel Studios, following its acquisition of the studio in 2020. However, Riot has since sold Hytale back to Hypixel Studios, which has pledged a decade of support for the game and an upcoming early access date. Studio founder Simon Collins-Laflamme shared 16 minutes of raw gameplay footage, describing it as incomplete and buggy but still promising. He outlined three key commitments: save the game, release more videos and screenshots, and launch Hytale. Despite acknowledging various issues in the gameplay footage, Collins-Laflamme remains optimistic about the game's development. The fanbase has responded positively to the gameplay reveal.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Almost 20 years since it hit Steam, Garry’s Mod finally addresses ‘lackluster support for weapons used by NPCs’ and gives Dr Kleiner his gun license

Garry's Mod, a sandbox game from Facepunch Studios, continues to be popular with over 22,000 players in the last 24 hours, ranking as the 62nd most popular game on Steam. Recent updates include a November patch that improves water visuals using advanced fluid rendering techniques, a March update adding new NPCs and a new game mode called Treason, and a July update integrating assets from Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 into community maps. The game is approaching its 20th anniversary on Steam next year.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

29 Games Like Minecraft To Play In 2025

No Man's Sky, developed by Hello Games, was released on August 9, 2016, and has evolved into a premier open-world survival game by 2025. It is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The game features procedurally-generated worlds, allowing players to explore millions of unique planets, construct bases, gather resources, and encounter various creatures. Recent updates have introduced fossil discovery and reconstruction. Players can also engage in shipbuilding and customization, interact with others in hub stations, and complete quests for currency.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Rockstar finally teases one of GTA Online’s most requested additions, and it could be the ultimate way to spend your heist payout

A recent datamine has hinted at an upcoming mansion update for GTA Online, with Rockstar teasing the potential arrival of luxurious estates. The game will also be integrated into the GTA+ subscription service. Players have accumulated wealth through various in-game activities, and the introduction of mansions is seen as a significant status symbol. A new entity called Prix Luxury Real Estate may offer exclusive discounts on property purchases. Rockstar has hinted at this company in their blog, with a message encouraging players to prepare for luxury real estate. The mansion update is expected to roll out in December, possibly on December 9, although this date has not been officially confirmed. Additionally, GTA Online is now part of the GTA+ subscription service, which requires console players to maintain online access through Game Pass or PS Plus.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

My favorite space sandbox is going huge with a new megastructure expansion that connects the entire galaxy together

The Megatech DLC for Astroneer is set to be released on November 20 and will introduce new features such as the construction of megastructures, a new celestial body called the Orbital Platform, and the ability to cultivate alien flora through the Biodome. The expansion will also include a Museum for showcasing technology and collectibles. Additionally, a Distribution Launcher System and an Intermodal Terminal will be added to enhance resource transfer between planets. The DLC will be compatible with existing saves, and players can wishlist it on Steam for notifications upon release.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Gorgeous city builder elevating Minecraft’s blocky aesthetic just became a must-play with its new animal-themed update

Galaxy Grove's Town to City is a construction simulation game that features a blocky voxel aesthetic and is set in a 19th-century Mediterranean landscape. It was released on Steam last month and offers both a guided campaign mode and a freeform sandbox experience. The game includes detailed aesthetics, a photo mode, and economic strategy elements such as managing production lines and commerce. An upcoming update, Town to City Animals, will introduce farm animals, pets, new buildings, and a first-person mode. The update is set for free release in November, and the game is currently priced at .99 / £21.99, with a free demo available.