sandbox experience Archives

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.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

Minecraft is now a fully fledged, dungeon-crawling fantasy RPG, thanks to Soulsteel

Soulsteel is a newly launched Minecraft server created by Noxcrew that combines RPG elements with the Minecraft experience. Players start their journey in the town of Port Fortuna, engaging with NPCs and embarking on quests. The main focus of the game is dungeon exploration, featuring timed challenges that include battling foes, navigating traps, and solving puzzles for loot. Players can customize their play style with a variety of armor and weapons, and can establish campsites to enhance their equipment. The world map is expansive, with plans for future updates that will introduce new regions, dungeons, weapons, armor sets, characters, enemies, and cosmetics. Soulsteel is available for Minecraft Bedrock Edition through the server browser tab.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

This intergalactic answer to Minecraft just embraced the unknown, No Man’s Sky style

Cubic Odyssey, developed by Atypical Games, launched on Steam in May 2025, featuring a new adventure mode seeding system that enhances world generation with randomly scattered planets and star systems. Players start on a random planet with essential tools, including a speeder, spaceship, tier-one gear, batteries, and resources for shelter. The update improves cooperative gameplay, allowing players to spawn in their ships and enhancing client synchronization. The "one-cube stepping" feature enables smoother movement over single-cube height differences. Neutral NPC behavior has been enhanced, and players can sell unwanted ships. The update is available on Steam for .99 / £20.99.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

One of Stalker’s most legendary mods has joined GOG’s one-click install program, making it easier than ever to die horribly in Chornobyl

The Stalker franchise has seen a resurgence after a long hiatus since the release of Stalker: Call of Prypiat in 2009, with updates for Stalker 2, remasters of the original trilogy, and the launch of Stalker Anomaly on GOG's modding platform. Stalker Anomaly is a standalone mod that combines maps from the original three games into a single environment, featuring an enhanced A-Life system and faction warfare mechanics.

AppWizard

August 24, 2025

It’s shaping up to be a crazy month for new games, with Indiana Jones’ beefy-looking story DLC finally arriving on September 4

The DLC "Order of the Giants" for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to be released on September 4. It will take players back to Rome, where Indiana Jones will explore the legend of a medieval crusader believed to be buried beneath the city, with connections to biblical giants. The DLC is priced at and is only available through the game's premium edition or as an upgrade from the base game.