shelves Archives

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

This game about running a ’90s video rental store is the first job sim to really grab me since Schedule 1

In Retro Rewind - Video Store Simulator, players start with an active gameplay experience, quickly ordering quirky VHS tapes and engaging with customers as the store buzzes with activity. The game features a variety of films, including adult titles on a dedicated shelf, capturing the nostalgia of renting videos. Players can expand their business by hiring employees, decorating the store, and creating an atmosphere reminiscent of classic video rental experiences.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

A Blockbuster Video Simulator Takes Over PC Gaming Charts

Samuel Gauthier is an independent video game developer and co-founder of Blood Pact Studios, known for creating Retro Rewind, a video-rental-store simulator that debuted at number one on Steam's top 10 list. The game allows players to manage a movie rental shop set in the early '90s, featuring 14,000 fictitious movie titles generated through AI prompts and 21 films inspired by popular hits of the era. The development of Retro Rewind took 15 months, with Gauthier and his team working over 60 hours a week. The game is priced at .92 and aims for greater replayability and wider appeal compared to their previous game, Bonesaw, which sold around 10,000 copies. Blood Pact Studios plans to provide ongoing support for Retro Rewind across various platforms and is considering future projects, potentially focusing on multiplayer or co-op gaming. Gauthier envisions evolving the game alongside technological advancements, possibly transitioning from VHS to DVDs.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

This sweet new PC indie game is a Steam top seller, and a blast from the past — it’s a wonderful ’90s nostalgia trip, and on sale for launch too

Retro Rewind is a shop simulator game developed by Blood Pact Studios, an indie team from Canada, that invites players to manage a '90s video rental store. Launched on Valve's Steam platform, it quickly gained popularity, securing a spot on the Top Sellers chart and peaking at 4,505 concurrent players. The game has a "Very Positive" user review rating and features extensive customization options for the store. A free demo is available, and the game is currently offered at a launch discount of .92 until March 24, down from its standard price of .90.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

I like Arc Raiders, but Marathon made me fall in love with extraction shooters

Many players of Destiny were intrigued yet uncertain about Marathon, which combines elements of an extraction shooter and a reboot of a classic Mac series. The game features an immersive gameplay experience set on the alien world of Tau Ceti IV, characterized by a tense atmosphere and engaging visuals. Players face challenges from the UESC and other Runners while navigating a cyberpunk-inspired environment. The gunplay mechanics are highly praised, offering impactful shooting experiences with strategic choices based on Shell class abilities. Marathon is available for .39 / £30.09 at Fanatical, providing a more economical option than Steam.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Nothing beats putting all my little stuff on my many little shelves in a super cozy shop sim like Thrifty Business

Thrifty Business is a management simulation game developed by the creators of Sticky Business, focusing on organization and curation without the stress of profit maximization. A demo is currently available ahead of the Steam Next Fest, allowing players to engage in arranging shops with an emphasis on pixel-perfect placement. Players can purchase mystery boxes containing used items tagged with categories like “kitchen,” “toy,” “vintage,” and “y2k.” The demo includes limited in-game days and events, such as a grand opening and a queer dating night. Future updates will introduce character customization, additional stories and events, a photo mode, and interactable objects. The game is expected to launch in 2026.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Kingdom Come Deliverance II, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, EA Sports College Football 26, and More!

AerialKnight’s DropShot is available on February 17 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is also available on February 17 for the same platforms, featuring a first-person action-adventure experience. Avowed receives an update on February 17, introducing new playable races, a New Game Plus Mode, and a Photo Mode. Death Howl will launch on February 19 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and Premium. EA Sports College Football 26 is available on February 19 for Cloud and Xbox Series X|S, allowing players to represent 136 FBS schools. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition launches on February 19 for Cloud and Console. TCG Card Shop Simulator enters Game Preview on February 24 for multiple platforms. Dice A Million will be available on PC on February 25 with Xbox Game Pass. Towerborne releases as a complete game on February 26 for Console, Handheld, and PC. Final Fantasy III and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are set for March 3 on multiple platforms. Menace entered Game Preview on February 5 for PC, and Diablo II: Resurrected was released on February 11 for Console and PC. Overwatch: Season 1: Conquest began on February 10, introducing new heroes. Microsoft Mahjong will feature in-game benefits on February 24 for PC. Titles leaving Game Pass on February 28 include Monster Train, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Injustice 2, and Middle Earth: Shadow of War.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

I thought Fishing Shop Simulator was a joke after I saw mechs in ancient Rome, but after two hours with its demo, I’m hooked

Fishing Shop Simulator is an indie game developed by solo creator Sinqnew, blending survival and resource management in a post-apocalyptic setting. Players select bait from card packs and fish in waters that combine historical and fantastical elements. They can catch rare fish to enhance their shop's aesthetic and unlock upgrades in a tech tree, including better equipment and hiring assistants. Players must manage wages and taxes, with an airship collecting taxes every few days, adding strategic depth. The game features a crumbling town that evolves with player progress, and while the demo is basic, there are plans for expansion with new biomes and gameplay mechanics.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

This Final Fantasy 14 player house looks shockingly close to my favorite Phasmophobia map despite being made entirely of regular FF14 props

A player known as @wwYukiwww has recreated the iconic map 6 Tanglewood Drive from Phasmophobia within the housing system of Final Fantasy 14. The design uses available furnishings to mimic the haunted house's atmosphere, showcasing a ceiling fan made from four Antique Wall Shelves and a Metal Work Lantern. Yuki's project highlights the challenge of fitting intricate designs within a 400-item limit, and they have also recreated Level 974 from The Backrooms in a compact FF14 apartment. Players have a history of pushing the boundaries of FF14's housing system, employing innovative techniques to create unique designs. The community continues to thrive as Square Enix expands furniture and architectural options, fostering creativity despite the game's limitations.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Disney Pulls 14 Classic Games From PC Storefronts With No Explanation

Disney has removed 14 licensed games from the Steam platform, making them unavailable for new purchases. The games, primarily from the 1990s and early 2000s, include titles like Disney's Hercules Action Game and Finding Nemo. The most recent removal is Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell's Adventure from 2014, while the oldest is Stunt Island from 1992. Some of these games were also available on GOG, and their removal from both platforms means they are now entirely inaccessible on PC for those without physical copies. The complete list of removed games includes: - Afterlife - Armed and Dangerous - Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action - Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell's Adventure - Disney's Hercules Action Game - Disney Planes - Disney The Princess and the Frog - Disney Winnie the Pooh - Disney•Pixar Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures - Disney•Pixar Finding Nemo - Disney•Pixar Toy Story Mania! - Lucidity - Phineas and Ferb: New Inventions - Stunt Island The reason for the removals is unclear, and Disney has not provided any official comment. This action reflects Disney's fluctuating commitment to its gaming business, which has seen a decline since the 2010s, despite a recent tentative return with new titles.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

7 Things in Hytale’s Early Game that Surprised Me as a Minecraft Veteran

Hytale has entered early access, offering players a vibrant world to explore. Early-game guides are being developed to assist newcomers with topics like smelting and server setups. The game is inspired by Minecraft but features unique elements. Key observations from the early game include: 1. Players can fell an entire tree with a single punch, resulting in an explosion of wood, sticks, and sap. 2. Overworld mobs, such as squirrels and rabbits, have more health than expected, requiring multiple hits to defeat. 3. Ores glimmer faintly in underground caves, making them easier to spot with torches. 4. The crafting system requires various materials for gear progression, making it more intricate compared to Minecraft. 5. There are enhanced decorative options, allowing for slanted roof blocks, half-block walls, and shelves with candles and books. 6. Exploration reveals unique locations like the "Forgotten Temple Gateway," which features distinctive mobs and NPCs. 7. Farming mechanics are more complex, with players able to construct animal care buildings and use farming aids, and new seeds requiring “Essence of Life.”