sandbox game Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Hypixel Studios releases the PC system requirements for its Minecraft-lookalike Hytale, and it’s the most comprehensive breakdown I’ve seen in a long time

Hytale is a voxel-based sandbox game with detailed hardware requirements that include minimum, recommended, and 'streamer' specifications. The minimum requirements allow for casual gameplay, while the recommended requirements enhance performance for a smoother experience. The streamer requirements are high-end specifications aimed at content creators for optimal performance. An Intel HD Graphics 630 can achieve approximately 30–34 FPS at 1080p on low settings, while an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and NVIDIA RTX 5080 can sustain around 400 FPS at 3840×1440 resolution while recording gameplay. The game is expected to require 100 GB of storage, and its early access launch is anticipated in January 2026.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Space sandbox game sequel gets the transformative update I’ve been waiting for, with a full star system and planets

The latest update for Space Engineers 2, known as the Vertical Slice 2 (VS2), introduces the first full implementation of planets and enhances the survival experience. The update features the Almagest star system, including the brown dwarf star Delfos and the planets Verdure and Kemik, which offer diverse biomes and destructible elements. A new survival mode is introduced with a storyline, base contract systems, and an innovative building system that allows players to create holographic designs before committing resources. The update also includes a grid power system, various consumables, and tools for ore detection and drilling. The VS2 update will launch on December 1 and is currently available at a 20% discount until December 8. Future features, such as wheels, weapons, and mechanical blocks, are planned for the VS2.2 'Survival Extensions.'

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Don’t sleep on this fantastic co-op sandbox game, because it’s about to add an explosive new biome completely for free

Core Keeper launched out of early access in 2024 with a 94% positive rating on Steam. The upcoming update, Void and Voltage, will be released for free on January 28. The game features exploration, combat, and crafting from a top-down perspective. The new biome, Breaker's Reach, includes new adversaries and a boss named SAHABAR. The update will introduce new automation tools, gear such as a handheld flamethrower, miniguns, and various other items. A new sub-biome called the Void will feature evolved enemy variants and new combat mechanics. Community-requested features will also be added, including echo maps, crafting statues, and improvements to minions.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

The Hytale release date won’t arrive before the holidays, but Minecraft’s biggest rival still feels closer than ever

Riot Games halted the development of Hytale, causing uncertainty among fans. Simon Collins-Laflamme, the founder of Hypixel Studios, has taken over to accelerate development and engage the community. He announced that the Hytale release date will be revealed on November 28 at 7am PST / 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 4pm CEST. Collins-Laflamme cautioned fans to reset expectations for a swift launch, indicating that the game will not be released before the Holidays due to legal complexities. Hytale aims to incorporate deeper fantasy, adventure, and RPG elements, with a focus on modding and user-generated content. The game is expected to be available in early access at a low price point, although the timeline for release has shifted from the end of 2025 to potentially early 2026.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Minecraft Mounts of Mayhem is finally ready to be unleashed, so here’s when you can ride a zombie horse into battle

Mojang is set to release the Mounts of Mayhem update for Minecraft on December 9, which will include new features such as: - A new weapon type, the spear, which can be crafted from various materials and has two attack modes: a quick jab and a powerful charge attack. It can also have a unique enchantment called Lunge. - New rideable mobs, including the nautilus, which is suitable for underwater exploration, alongside a zombie variant and hostile drowned mobs. - Enhanced horses that can now wear netherite-tier armor, with zombified horses spawning as overworld mobs. - The introduction of the camel husk, the tallest mob in Minecraft, which appears with two hostile mobs: a husk and a new type called the parched that attacks from a distance.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Hytale is “coming together at last” according to dev, who says 60 playtesters have just given the Minecraft-inspired game their stamp of approval: “Long way to go but momentum is key”

Hytale has returned to its original creators at Hypixel after a period of cancellation and studio closure. CEO Simon Collins-Laflamme reported positive feedback from a recent playtest involving over 60 participants, which included valuable bug reports. The team is planning large-scale server tests and PvP events. Hypixel will also release a blog post featuring gameplay footage and screenshots from playtesters. The transition back to Hypixel is seen as a rescue mission for the game, with a commitment to a decade of support and a focus on the original vision. An Early Access date is anticipated.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

After a fairytale rescue, Minecraft rival Hytale sets “aggressively low” price as it isn’t “waiting for perfection”

Hypixel Studios is set to revive the sandbox game Hytale after successfully repurchasing the rights from Riot Games. Co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme emphasizes that the project is a passion endeavor aimed at benefiting the community, despite the financial risks involved. The game will be priced at .99, with additional supporter and founders packs available for .99 and .99, respectively. Collins-Laflamme aims to keep the price low to encourage player participation during challenging economic times. The team is currently finalizing the launch date, which involves hardware tests, legal documentation, and game stabilization. Pre-orders, name reservations, and account creation are expected to begin soon. The technical director has indicated that the game will be released before achieving perfection to allow for community experimentation, and Hytale will not take any revenue from modders and server owners for the first two years.

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 19, 2025

Valve accidentally steps on the make-up deal it offered to the indie game whose 2024 release was ruined by a Steam bug: ‘I really get the feeling that Planet Centauri is cursed’

Planet Centauri is an indie 2D sandbox game that took over a decade to develop and accumulated more than 130,000 wishlists before its 1.0 release. A bug in Steam caused the announcement email for the launch to not reach wishlist users. Valve featured Planet Centauri as one of Steam's Daily Deals on November 12 to help regain visibility, which resulted in over 5,000 copies sold in a single day. The developers, Permadeath, stated this was enough to support them for at least a year and allow them to finish their second game. Planet Centauri is currently available on Steam for .49/£6/€7, reflecting a 50% discount.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

“Hytale is saved” – Riot sells cancelled Minecraft-like game back to its original co-founder

Hytale, originally conceived in 2015, was revived after being canceled earlier this year when Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-founder of Hypixel, acquired it from Riot Games. Collins-Laflamme expressed gratitude towards Riot for their collaboration and emphasized a commitment to players. He acknowledged the game's current unfinished state and outlined plans to expedite its release while maintaining transparency about its imperfections. The official Hytale website confirmed that Collins-Laflamme is committed to funding the game for the next 10 years and hinted at an upcoming early access date. Riot Games stated they reached an agreement to return Hytale to Collins-Laflamme, wishing the team luck for the future. The Hytale community showed strong support during the cancellation, creating art with "#Save Hytale" displayed above the Riot Games office.