side quests Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Sword & Shield Simulator Now Available on PC

Sword & Shield Simulator is a PC game currently in Early Access, developed by Wildlands Interactive and co-published with Ultimate Games S.A. Players assume the role of a medieval blacksmith, forging weapons and armor while gathering resources from battlefields. The game features advanced blacksmithing mechanics, including modular sword and shield assembly, and incorporates resource gathering activities like tree felling, hunting, and mining. It includes mini-games such as lockpicking and crossbow shooting, and players can manage their smithy and engage in trading. The game world consists of three regions—Danburg, Bloodlands, and Grainmill—offering over 140 story missions and side quests. Future updates will add the Talstein region and new content. The game is expected to remain in Early Access for about six months, with plans to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026/2027. Minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-10400F or equivalent CPU, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 1070 8GB or equivalent GPU, and 8 GB of available SSD space.

BetaBeacon

August 18, 2026

Best Android Emulators 2026: 4 of 7 Play Store Banned

- Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community RetroArch - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community Winlator - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Donation-funded DraStic - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: None public

BetaBeacon

August 16, 2026

DAVE THE DIVER Swims onto iOS and Android This September with Popular DLC Included

- Bancho Sushi's tea-pouring minigame will use gyro tilt controls on mobile devices. - A three-level view distance option will be available for players on mobile. - Players can fast travel directly to different NPCs in the Sea People's Village for quicker progression in the game DAVE THE DIVER.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Cozy wizard life simulation game Aether Wizard Life launches in fall 2028 for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC

Kinetic Publishing has partnered with Vonder Games to release the life simulation game, Aether Wizard Life, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam, scheduled for fall 2028. Players will take on the role of a young apprentice mage in the haunted town of Starfall, starting each day in a customizable walking castle. Gameplay includes growing magical crops, caring for exotic creatures, exploring dungeons, and engaging with townsfolk for side quests. The game features over 30 wizard skills, customization options for the player's wizard, and the ability to pursue romantic relationships with 20 dateable NPCs. Key elements include mastery of magic, exploration of the haunted town, castle personalization, and assisting townsfolk while uncovering the mystery of missing mages. A new video and screenshots have been released to showcase the game.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The latest Expeditions game launches into early access today, and I can’t think of a better setting for the series than feudal Japan

Campfire Cabal has released Expeditions: Samurai in early access on Steam, transitioning from ancient Rome to feudal Japan. Players create a custom character arriving in Japan aboard the Dutch frigate De Albatros during the Sengoku era. The game features an expanded companion system with eight characters, stealth mechanics for tactical combat, and cooperative gameplay allowing a second player to control a twin of the main character. Expeditions: Samurai includes five main quests, three side quests, and 14 locations, with plans for future updates to add new content and features. The final version aims to have over 35 side quests, a player village, crafting mechanics, and mini-games, with completion expected by early 2027. Early adopters can purchase the game at a lower price.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

I Spent a Month With the Steam Machine and it Perfectly Fills the One Gap in My Gaming Habits

The Steam Machine has been on the market for just over a month and has integrated into the user's gaming routine, particularly during a recent illness. The user connected it to their TV, disabled metrics, and explored their Steam library, finding the experience enjoyable. Despite skepticism about its high price for average consumers, the Steam Machine offers a solution for transitioning gaming from a desk to a living room without monopolizing the network. The user has historically preferred PC gaming over consoles, appreciating the flexibility of switching between devices. Previous attempts to set up living room PCs were inconvenient, but the Steam Machine simplifies this with SteamOS and the Steam Controller's trackpads. The user adjusted the output resolution to 1440p and enjoyed games like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, valuing the ability to continue saves from their PC. The Steam Machine is priced at ,049, which may deter some, but it appeals to users with extensive Steam libraries.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Free PC game giveaway will save $20, one for Baldur’s Gate 3 players

The Epic Games Store is offering the game Foretales for free from July 23 until July 30 at 4 PM BST. The game can be downloaded from the Epic Games Store and is yours to keep indefinitely. Foretales is a story-driven card game with turn-based combat, set in a fantasy realm, and features a narrative about a thief named Volepain who must stop a curse. It has a retail price of .99 and is also available on Steam for .99 until July 28. Foretales has a Metacritic score of 74 and an 86% rating on Steam, with gameplay lasting approximately 15 hours for the main story, 20.5 hours including side quests, and up to 32 hours for completionists. The game is narrated by Travis Willingham.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Epic Games drops new free PC line-up with RPG and horror that’ll save you $55

A selection of complimentary games is available at the Epic Games Store for PC users until July 23 at 4 PM BST. The first game, Luto, is a psychological horror title developed by Broken Bird Games, typically priced at .99, with a gameplay duration of three to five hours. It has a Metacritic score of 79 and 85% of Steam reviews categorized as very positive. The second game, Echo Generation: Midnight Edition, is a turn-based RPG developed by Cococucumber, usually priced at .99, with a gameplay duration of approximately 10 to 12 hours. It has a Metacritic score of 75 and a Steam rating of 92%.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

A Silent Hill fan is making a PC port of Silent Hill: Downpour that restores a cut boss battle and plenty more

Silent Hill: Downpour is a semi-open world installment of the Silent Hill franchise, focusing on a prison escapee and featuring engaging side quests that explore the town's ghostly lore. One notable quest involves following color-coded ribbons to find a missing girl. The game has been compared to Silent Hill 2, though some consider it derivative. Anticipation is building for Silent Hill: Townfall, a new project from Screen Burn Interactive, which aims to bring a fresh Scottish perspective to the series, following mixed reactions to Silent Hill F's arena battles.

BetaBeacon

July 8, 2026

‘DAVE THE DIVER’ iOS & Android Pre-registrations Live

Pre-registrations for the mobile port of 'DAVE THE DIVER' are now live on iOS and Android. The game is a casual, single-player adventure RPG that combines deep-sea exploration and fishing during the day with sushi restaurant management at night.