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5 Best PC Games Of The '80s, Ranked
AppWizard
August 10, 2026

5 Best PC Games Of The ’80s, Ranked

The original "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is a classic game from 1989 that is being remade to appeal to both new and veteran players. "Dungeon Master," released in 1987 by FTL Games, is a first-person dungeon crawler that introduced a dynamic improvement mechanism for character attributes and skills, featuring real-time combat and detailed monster designs. "Maniac Mansion," developed by Lucasfilm Games in 1987, is a horror-comedy point-and-click adventure that involves rescuing a teenager from a mad scientist's home, known for its intricate puzzles and multiple endings. "MIDI Maze," released in 1987 for the Atari ST, was an early multiplayer first-person shooter that allowed up to 16 players to battle using floating smiley faces as avatars and included networking capabilities and a level editor. "Starflight," released in 1986, allowed players to explore a vast galaxy, interact with civilizations, and engage in diplomacy and trading, featuring 270 star systems and the ability to recruit crew members and upgrade spacecraft.
Steam Week in Review: Games about sorting 1000s of mundane objects onto shelves is the new craze sweeping PC gaming
AppWizard
August 10, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Games about sorting 1000s of mundane objects onto shelves is the new craze sweeping PC gaming

A trend in the gaming industry has emerged, focusing on cleaning and organizing games, with titles like House Flipper, Power Wash Simulator, and Unpacking gaining popularity. This micro-genre traces back to the 1980s with the arcade game Bubbles. Recent games include Toy Shop Tidy Up, which debuted on August 7, and Cellar Keeper, also released on August 7, where players must sort 2,448 wine bottles. Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library! has become the most successful sorting game, achieving a peak player count of 29,469 and over 17,000 positive reviews. Upcoming titles include Never Sort By Color, TV Archive: Tidy Up Together, and Cleaning Up The Puzzle Gallery. The rapid production of sorting simulators reflects the commercial success of games like Librarian.
Titan Quest 2's new class is a dream for lovers of the Diablo Necromancer
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Titan Quest 2’s new class is a dream for lovers of the Diablo Necromancer

Titan Quest 2 has introduced its sixth Mastery, Spirit, which focuses on minion manipulation and is appealing to fans of the Necromancer archetype. Players can summon Eidolon Guards and a greater summon called Athanekros, with skills that allow for healing and buffing allies. The update also includes a skill called Soul Vortex, which draws enemies in and supports minions. Additionally, update 0.7.0 increases base movement speed, introduces a basic crafting system with four actions, and includes balancing adjustments across existing Masteries. The patch aims to enhance gameplay while maintaining the thrill of item hunting.
'I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance': Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.
Hit markers are an FPS crutch
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Hit markers are an FPS crutch

Hit markers are visual cues in first-person shooters that indicate the impact of a shot, often accompanied by an 'X'. Before 2007, developers used impact animations and effects like blood spurts for feedback instead of UI elements. Notable franchises like Halo and Gears of War initially provided immersive feedback through visual cues but have since adopted hit markers, which clutter the HUD and diminish the immersive experience. The trend raises questions about balancing clarity and immersion in game design, as seen in contrasting examples like Left 4 Dead 2, which uses dynamic enemy reactions, versus Back 4 Blood, which employs hit markers.
Kaspersky Research: Gen Z is the Most Active Internet User, but Minimal Cyber Protection
Tech Optimizer
August 9, 2026

Kaspersky Research: Gen Z is the Most Active Internet User, but Minimal Cyber Protection

Generation Z is the most engaged demographic online, with 57 percent spending more time in the virtual realm than in the physical world. Smartphones are the primary tool for this generation, with 67 percent using them to access the internet. While 59 percent feel confident navigating the digital landscape, only 27 percent use antivirus software on their mobile devices. More than half (52 percent) have experienced cyber attacks, with 17 percent reporting hacking incidents on social media and 12 percent losing access to gaming accounts. Kaspersky recommends that Gen Z implement comprehensive security solutions, consider using a password manager, and utilize a trusted VPN for added online security.
Stop waiting for the Game of Thrones CRPG of your dreams and settle for the pleasant eurojank compromise instead
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

Stop waiting for the Game of Thrones CRPG of your dreams and settle for the pleasant eurojank compromise instead

Warhorse Studios, known for its medieval simulations, was considered a candidate to develop a Game of Thrones CRPG, but its parent company Embracer shifted focus to Middle-earth Enterprises, affecting Warhorse's future. Obsidian, another RPG developer, is unlikely to create a Game of Thrones game due to Josh Sawyer's criticisms of HBO's adaptations. In 2012, Cyanide developed a Game of Thrones game that struggled for identity, coinciding with Telltale Games' release of a similar title. Cyanide, recognized for other games like Styx and Blood Bowl, also released Confrontation and Of Orcs and Men during this period. The narrative of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad deviated from George R.R. Martin's storytelling style, lacking the complexity and weight characteristic of the source material.
The indie parkour game from one of the French brothers behind 2024's best FPS is coming out in just two weeks
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

The indie parkour game from one of the French brothers behind 2024’s best FPS is coming out in just two weeks

Vholume is a "melancholic first-person parkour adventure" set to launch on August 21. The game features an introspective soundtrack with atmospheric synths and sounds of footsteps and labored breaths. It includes striking environments with overgrown, brutalist structures and a multiplayer aspect that allows players to race against friends or compete with recorded performances. Developed by a small team of three, one of whom is associated with the acclaimed game Straftat, Vholume has a demo available on its Steam page.
Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems

Toronto's indie game studio, Soft Rains, has released Ambrosia Sky: Act Two on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game has received mixed reviews, with two-thirds praising it as an emotional journey, while one review questions its gameplay and the "immersive sim" label. Owners of Act One receive Act Two for free, while new players can purchase the full game for .99 USD, with a 20% discount available until around August 14, after which the price will increase to .99 USD. Ambrosia Sky is a first-person game where players control Dalia, a field scientist returning to her home colony after a fungal outbreak. Players use an upgradeable chemical sprayer to cleanse space stations and uncover a conspiracy. Act Two focuses on Dalia's search for her ex-girlfriend Maeve and introduces new locations, exo-fungus species, a revamped progression system, and new equipment. The Corruptor fungus adds a new mechanic that has received mixed reviews. The total playtime for both acts is approximately six to seven hours. Critics debate the game's classification as an immersive sim, with some arguing it lacks the open-ended environments typical of the genre. The narrative has been positively received, with praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. The full game is priced competitively for narrative-driven indie games, and the current pricing offers good value for players interested in the story and atmosphere. As of now, Ambrosia Sky has received two critic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 80 and 60.
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