Stray Archives

Winsage

July 26, 2025

You’ll never worry about leaving your PC unlocked again, Microsoft’s phone app just solved it

Microsoft has updated its Link to Windows app, allowing users to lock their Windows PC directly from their Android phone with a simple tap. This feature enhances security by enabling remote locking, which is useful when users leave their devices unattended. The app also provides insights into the PC's status, such as battery level and Wi-Fi connectivity, and has streamlined the setup process. This update reflects Microsoft's responsiveness to user feedback, offering a proactive approach to device security.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

The game where you build a symbiotic village on the back of a giant monster is finally done

The Wandering Village has launched its 1.0 release, featuring an animated trailer that showcases life in a toxic world. The game, developed by Stray Fawn, has been in development for five years and entered early access in 2022. Players build their village on the back of a six-legged creature named Onbu, with options to befriend, worship, or exploit it, raising ethical questions. Stray Fawn plans to release a 1.1 "Quality of Life/UX" update and a 1.2 "Onbu Update" to enhance player interactions. The game is available on Steam and at thewanderingvillage.com.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

The 5 rarest PC games you’ll never own

PC gaming is a significant part of the video game industry, with both digital and physical releases appealing to gamers and collectors. - Dark Souls III (Prestige Edition): Released in 2016, this edition includes an art book, a metal case, and a 40cm Lord of Cinder figure. Loose versions can sell for around , while complete editions can exceed ,000. - Garage Bad Dream Adventure: A point-and-click horror game released in 1999 with only 3,000 copies produced. Complete copies are valued between ,500 and over ,200. - Rockford: An arcade game from 1988 adapted for home computers. Loose copies are valued over ,000, while complete-in-box versions can reach upwards of ,500, and sometimes exceed ,000 at auction. - Wolfenstein 3D: Released in 1992, this first-person shooter has loose copies valued around 0 and complete editions averaging around ,200, often fetching higher at auction. - Nora Princess And Stray Cat Heart: A 2016 adult visual novel with limited physical release. Loose versions exceed ,000, and complete-in-box editions can reach prices as high as ,000 at auctions. Physical releases in PC gaming are increasingly rare and valuable, often requiring significant financial investment to acquire.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

‘I’m gonna crash out’: New climbing game Peak has sold 1 million copies in less than a week, outperforming its developer’s most popular game

Peak, a co-op climbing game developed by Aggro Crab and Landfall, has received over 10,000 very positive reviews on Steam within six days of its release, reached an all-time peak of 102,799 concurrent players, and sold 1 million copies. The game originated from a game jam where the two studios collaborated to create it in a short timeframe. Players can team up with up to three friends to gather supplies, navigate hazards, and explore diverse terrains while managing stamina. The game features humorous moments and visually stunning graphics, making it an engaging experience for players.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Windows 11’s new Start menu falls short in one key area – and it’s making people angry

Microsoft is testing a redesigned Start menu for Windows 11 that includes new layouts for the app list, such as a grid and category view. Users will not be able to create personalized category types, as Windows 11 will determine app categorization, potentially leading to an 'Other' section for apps that do not fit defined categories. Users cannot move apps between categories, which limits customization. The Start menu is still in testing, and there is hope for future enhancements, including drag-and-drop functionality, in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Stray Children, the oddball RPG from the devs behind cult classic Moon, is coming to PC in English later this year

Nintendo's 2023 Direct presentation featured the game Stray Children, directed by Yoshiro Kimura. The game has a unique pixel art style and will make its English debut later this year on PC. Players control a young, dog-like boy transported to a fantastical realm inhabited by children, avoiding "The Olders," monstrous adults. The gameplay involves combat in compact arenas with bullet-hell style attacks. Stray Children was released in Japan last year for the Nintendo Switch, and while an English localization is promised, the exact release date is unconfirmed but anticipated for 2025.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Stray Children adds PC version, launches in 2025 in the west

Onion Games will release their RPG, Stray Children, on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch in the West in 2025, following its launch in Japan on December 26, 2024. The game features a storyline where children face hostile adults and navigate a perilous world. Players engage in turn-based battles against monstrous adults called The Olders, using both combat and dialogue to connect with them. The developers encourage players to keep the game's ending a secret after completion.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

I tested Bitdefender and McAfee in an antivirus software showdown, and here’s what I found

Bitdefender and McAfee are two leading antivirus software options known for robust malware protection and additional security features. Bitdefender achieves 98% effectiveness in real-time threat detection, while McAfee uses machine learning for threat identification but may produce false positives. Bitdefender offers a basic firewall, not available for macOS, whereas McAfee provides a more advanced firewall with device monitoring. Bitdefender has a standalone Digital Identity Protection service, while McAfee offers comprehensive identity theft protections in its Premium subscription. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily data cap, while McAfee provides unlimited VPN access but with fewer countries and features. Both offer password managers, but Bitdefender lacks two-factor authentication, while McAfee's True Key includes multi-factor authentication. Bitdefender’s parental controls are basic, while McAfee’s Safe Family includes location tracking. Bitdefender is known for lightweight performance, but recent tests suggest McAfee may have better system optimization. Both have user-friendly interfaces, with Bitdefender organizing features into tabs and McAfee offering a simpler design. In terms of protection, Bitdefender has a 98.7% detection rate, while McAfee excels online with 99.6% but struggles offline. Bitdefender's pricing starts at .99 for the first year, while McAfee's Basic plan starts at .99. Overall, Bitdefender is more budget-friendly, while McAfee offers advanced identity theft protection.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

LEGO Minecraft The Creeper (21276) & The Pickaxe Mine (21277) Revealed

LEGO will release two new Minecraft sets on June 1, 2025: The Creeper (21276) and The Pickaxe Mine (21277). The Creeper set has 665 pieces, is designed for ages 10 and up, and retails for .99. It features a posable figure that stands 21 cm tall, with movable legs and a tilting head, and includes a detachable front revealing a first-version Creeper and TNT element. The Pickaxe Mine set contains 530 pieces, is aimed at ages 8 and above, and is priced at .99. It includes three minifigures and a baby polar bear, allowing kids to extract ore, transport it in a minecart, and launch TNT into a rock wall. Both sets are compatible with the LEGO Builder app.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

5 steps I took for a successful in-place upgrade of my 6-year-old PC from Windows 10 to 11

Windows 11 was released in October 2021. A user upgraded from Windows 10 22H2 to Windows 11 24H2 on a six-year-old HP Omen using an in-place upgrade. They backed up important files using OneDrive, Proton Drive, and a 4 TB external drive. The hardware was checked for compatibility with Windows 11 using Microsoft’s support page and the PC Health Check app. The user decluttered the system using Disk Cleanup and Revo Uninstaller. A system restore point was created for safety before the upgrade. The upgrade was initiated through Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, and it proceeded smoothly, allowing the user to keep files and applications.