surreal Archives

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Forbidden Solitaire warns us to uninstall it ‘before it’s too late,’ but I played the demo anyway and now I want more

The Steam page for Forbidden Solitaire warns users to uninstall it "before it's too late." The demo features bizarre elements, including an eyeball offering upgrades and a character embedding gems into their own flesh. Players can cheat by inserting gems into their hand, with gameplay mechanics resembling traditional solitaire but incorporating unique twists, such as damaging opponents with removed cards. The game's lore involves a character testing the game on a vintage '90s PC, with messages from a friend discussing its controversial history. The demo includes strategic gameplay with key cards, cursed cards, and the need for careful decision-making to succeed. The player experiences a mix of card battling and puzzle-solving, leading to a sense of competence in card games.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Some of my favourite ever dungeons feature in this enormous and absurdly cheap tabletop RPG bundle

Goodman Games has released an extensive collection of Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) books through Humble Bundle, featuring notable adventures from the past decade. The DCC system offers a unique twist on Dungeons & Dragons rules and can be adapted to various retro dungeon crawling systems. The bundle is available for nine more days, ending on January 22.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Luto is an underappreciated 2025 horror gem with the perfect mixture of Stanley Parable narration and P.T. ambience

Luto is a first-person psychological horror game that explores grief and existential dread through the character Sam, who is trapped in a cycle of time and memory. The game lasts approximately five to six hours and features unsettling environments that reflect Sam's internal struggles. Unlike other horror games, Luto builds tension through environmental storytelling and an oppressive atmosphere. Players navigate a disorienting loop of time, encountering ghostly mannequins and an omnipresent narrator that challenges their perceptions. The game encourages introspection and blurs the lines between reality and illusion, creating a complex narrative that prompts players to confront uncomfortable truths about grief and memory. Luto is available on Steam.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Free PC Games This Week: Epic Games Is Giving Away Two Titles, Amazon Prime Gaming Is Offering Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and More

Epic Games Store is offering two games: Total War: Three Kingdoms, available until January 8, 2026, and Wildgate, also available until January 8, 2026. Amazon Prime Gaming is providing three games: Dreamscaper, available until February 2, 2026; Living Legends: The Crystal Tear – CE, available until March 2, 2026; and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, available until February 2, 2026. Additionally, the Steam Winter sale features discounts on popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

James’ most anticipated PC games for 2026

Control Resonant is a sequel where players control Dylan Faden in The Oldest House and New York City, featuring melee-focused combat and psychic abilities. Denshattack is an arcade-style train driving game with fast-paced action and whimsical scenarios. Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core introduces new dwarf classes and roguelike elements in a cooperative gameplay setting. Planet of Lana II expands on its predecessor with intricate puzzles and collaboration with an alien companion. Good Boy is a "Petroidvania" game where players control a wheeled robot exploring a planet, capturing insects to unlock areas. Highguard is a competitive FPS with a free-to-play model, focusing on engaging gameplay mechanics.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

My 2026 New Year’s resolution is to finally play these 8 Xbox and PC games in my backlog — mostly because new releases are getting too expensive

As 2025 ends, there is growing anticipation for the gaming landscape of 2026, with a focus on the rising costs of new games and their frequent need for extensive post-release patches. Notable examples include Monster Hunter Wilds and the acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin series, which features intricate turn-based combat and rich storytelling. The original Divinity: Original Sin was released in 2014, while its sequel, Divinity: Original Sin 2, launched in 2017 and introduced new features and character options. Baldur's Gate 3, set in the Baldur's Gate universe, has received numerous accolades for its storytelling and gameplay. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous involves character customization and narrative choices. The Hollow Knight series, including the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the Ninja Gaiden series are also highlighted. Control, with its sequel Control: Resonant, features surreal visuals and unique gameplay. The Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine series includes a remastered version of the original game. Age of Mythology: Retold is set to be released with enhanced graphics and improvements. All mentioned titles are available on various platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

The 10 best PC games of 2025

PC gaming is experiencing a surge in popularity due to higher frame rates, ultra-wide monitor compatibility, modding capabilities, and robust backward compatibility. Players can upgrade individual components over time, enhancing long-term value. 1. Hades II - Metacritic score: 94; praised for its fast-paced action, character-driven storytelling, and expressive art. 2. Sektori - Metacritic score: 93; a minimalist PC shooter emphasizing precision and featuring twin-stick mechanics. 3. Blue Prince - Metacritic score: 92; combines puzzles and roguelike exploration with a unique structure. 4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Metacritic score: 91; an RPG with surreal fantasy elements and turn-based combat. 5. Hollow Knight: Silksong - Metacritic score: 90; focuses on agile gameplay and features a vertically expansive world. 6. Split Fiction - Metacritic score: 90; an experimental narrative adventure exploring parallel storylines. 7. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Metacritic score: 90; expands the world and character arcs with enhanced PC features. 8. Despelote - Metacritic score: 89; a narrative about soccer and childhood through a reflective lens. 9. The Talos Principle: Reawakened - Metacritic score: 89; refines puzzles and philosophical themes for modern audiences. 10. The Seance of Blake Manor - Metacritic score: 89; a detective horror game focused on atmosphere and environmental storytelling.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Atmospheric lucid dream survival horror game Lucid Falls announced for PC

Eldamar Studios has announced a new survival horror game titled Lucid Falls, set to launch on PC via Steam. The game places players in a surreal landscape where they can manipulate gravity, space, and time while confronting nightmarish creatures and solving puzzles. The gameplay focuses on altering reality to uncover hidden paths and navigate bizarre environments. Key features include unique gameplay mechanics, realistic combat against grotesque creatures, an emphasis on mood and atmosphere, and stunning visuals. An announcement trailer and first-look screenshots are available for viewing, with further updates accessible on the official website.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Shattering my expectations, Skate Story is unique, ultra-stylish, and the final must-play game of 2025

Skate Story is a skateboarding game set in a vibrant underworld where players control a demon who consumes the moon and acquires a skateboard. The game features an ethereal soundtrack and visually inventive chapters, blending traditional skating elements with a rich narrative of desire and redemption. Players interact with eccentric characters and navigate creatively designed environments, utilizing a control scheme that encourages exploration. The soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, making it feel more like a concept album than a typical game. The game symbolizes rebellion against authority and invites players to confront challenges with an audacious spirit.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Every space and sci-fi game at the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025

The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025 stream showcased several upcoming space and sci-fi games, including: - High On Life: A sequel featuring a vibrant universe, quirky humor, and a new skateboarding mechanic for traversing alien landscapes. - Remnant Protocol: A space flight simulator with full VR support, focusing on a galactic rebellion with procedurally generated missions. - Lunar Strike: A narrative adventure set on the Moon’s South Pole in 2119, where players navigate a colony facing sabotage, emphasizing survival mechanics. - Luna Abyss: A single-player adventure exploring a derelict megastructure with intense shooting mechanics, inspired by 'bullet hell' genres, with a demo available on Steam. - Down with the Ship: A strategic auto battler where players design spaceships and engage in combat, available in single-player and multiplayer modes with a demo on Steam. - Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!: A game featuring nostalgic bug-hunting action with retro visuals and FMV cutscenes starring Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico. - Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes: A roguelite game combining narrative-driven gameplay with real-time tactical battles, focusing on managing ships and crews. - SOL Shogunate: An action-RPG described as a "samurai space opera," set on the Moon with vast cities and epic battles among samurai families.