surreal Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

I got murdered by a ladybug in Neverway, and that cemented it as the only game I care about this year

Neverway is a debut game by Coldblood Inc. that combines elements of a farming simulator with a darker narrative focused on self-reflection, mental health struggles, and spiritual rebirth. The protagonist, Fiona, deals with the aftermath of losing her job and experiences feelings of manic depression as she navigates a city filled with hostility. The gameplay involves a mix of combat mechanics and strategic thinking, where players can unlock new abilities by forming bonds with island inhabitants. The game features a dynamic soundtrack composed by Disasterpiece, enhancing the emotional experience. Neverway is set to be released in 2026 and has garnered anticipation for its unique blend of genres and immersive storytelling.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Trippy, psychedelic alien shooter ChainStaff shows there are still new ways for games to be ‘retro’

Bumpy Grumpy features a vibrant palette with stark black outlines and flat colors reminiscent of early '80s games, incorporating elements like "SOUND!" and "SCROLLING!" with a modern twist. Shoot 1UP DX captures the essence of a '90s cult classic with colorful lasers and pixel art. ChainStaff, from Mommy's Best Games, transports players to a whimsical world with oversized laser-firing insects and crustaceans, featuring vibrant landscapes and surreal architecture reminiscent of the Commodore Amiga era. Players encounter bizarre creatures such as angry alien pigs with neon hairstyles and colossal butterfly-gun-dragons, creating a psychedelic experience filled with hyper-saturated colors and imaginative designs.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Fill the gaps in your Bethesda collection with Oblivion, Fallout, Doom, and other classics from just $3 each

The Build Your Own Bethesda Bundle from Fanatical offers a selection of games priced at approximately per game, featuring significant titles such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, and The Evil Within. Oblivion is highlighted for its unique charm, varied quests, and engaging NPC interactions, often considered superior to its successor, Skyrim. The bundle includes a variety of Bethesda classics, such as titles from the Fallout series, DOOM, Quake, Dishonored, Wolfenstein, and The Evil Within. The opportunity to purchase only desired titles is emphasized, with the bundle expiring on Tuesday, May 5th.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Minecraft Herdcraft Update Says Goodbye to Inventory for April Fools

Minecraft has introduced the Herdcraft snapshot, an April Fool's update that eliminates the traditional inventory system in favor of a dynamic, block-following mechanic. Players no longer have inventory slots; instead, their carried blocks are visually represented behind them. To gather resources, players must select the Punch option to bring blocks to life and then use the Attack/Mine option to extract the block's spirit, which can follow them or perform actions. Crafting requires players to manually place blocks on surfaces instead of using a crafting table interface. Combat mechanics have changed, allowing players to command collected weapons to fight autonomously. The Herdcraft snapshot is available for the Minecraft Java Edition through the Minecraft Launcher as snapshot 26w14a. These changes are temporary and exist only within the Herdcraft snapshot, allowing players to explore new mechanics without affecting their existing gameplay.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Cult raising simulation game TOMAK: Save the Earth Regeneration now available for PC

Publisher Netmarble, in collaboration with developer Netmarble Monster, has released TOMAK: Save the Earth Regeneration, a remastered edition of the original visual novel TOMAK: Save the Earth, to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The game is available for PC users through the Epic Games Store and can be claimed for free until April 16; after that, it will be priced at .99. It supports multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean. The storyline involves Evian, the Goddess of Love, who, after losing her body, exists as a head in a flowerpot and requires nurturing over three years to regain her form and save humanity. The game features high-detail illustrations, a lyrical soundtrack, life-sim mechanics, and choices that significantly impact the narrative outcome.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC) Review – Kojima’s Masterpiece Gets a Stellar Port

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a sequel that takes place approximately 11 months after the first game, featuring Sam Porter Bridges on a mission to connect the Chiral Network in Mexico and Australia. The game includes familiar characters and has improved traversal mechanics, with a quicker story pace and more low-level enemies. Nixxes has adapted the game for PC, introducing a new hardcore difficulty setting called “Into the Wilder,” and ensuring it runs well across various hardware configurations. The game offers extensive customization options for graphics and controls, performing well on devices like the Steam Deck and ROG handheld. It has received acclaim for its visuals and gameplay, although some players find the plot and pacing inconsistent.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Blippo+ is a campy FMV transmission from another world

Planet Blip features a variety of broadcasts, including: - Blinker, an artificial entity who signs off with "All hail the new static!" - Quizzards, a quiz show combined with a roleplaying game where contestants' answers affect their alter egos. - Boredome, a show where teenagers discuss issues without adult presence, offering an authentic perspective. - Blippo+, a gaming experience where players scroll through short episodes, including animated segments like Fetch, which resembles surreal claymation. - The broadcasts have a campy 1980s aesthetic, reminiscent of shows like Max Headroom and Top of the Pops. These broadcasts are available on platforms like Steam and itch.io.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

I installed the 154 GB ‘biblically accurate Skyrim’ mod and only crashed my PC like 8 times

Curseadelica is a 154 GB modpack for Skyrim, designed for Linux systems, created by JanuarySnow. It features nearly 900 mods that transform the game into a vibrant, psychedelic experience with new races, quests, and NPCs. The gameplay includes bizarre elements such as character creation options like a human body piloted by a spider, exaggerated NPCs, and absurd quest notifications. The experience is chaotic, with frequent crashes and strange occurrences, highlighting the challenges of running complex modpacks on Skyrim's foundation. The author expresses a desire to get the modpack running smoothly for a proper adventure.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert review

Crimson Desert is an epic fantasy action RPG developed and published by Pearl Abyss, set to be released on March 19, 2026, with a price of £55. The game features a complex web of systems and diverse build options, catering to players who enjoy depth and complexity. The narrative centers around Kliff, a Scottish character voiced by Alec Newman, who embarks on a journey after being ambushed by the Black Bears. While the main storyline lacks depth and coherence, side quests offer engaging character interactions. The game includes a variety of gameplay systems such as stock investments, black market dealings, resource gathering, and combat mechanics. Combat is fluid and allows for various tactical choices, although some aspects may frustrate players. The game runs smoothly on mid-range PCs and features a beautifully rendered world.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Nvidia Wants to Slop-ify Your PC Games With Its New AI Upscaler

Nvidia has announced DLSS 5, which will enhance in-game lighting effects and employ artificial intelligence to analyze games' color palettes and motion vectors, resulting in more lifelike scenes. The technology is designed to support resolutions up to 4K and will be integrated into existing titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Early demonstrations, such as in Resident Evil Requiem and Starfield, show character models that may appear overly polished or exaggerated, raising concerns about the balance between realism and artistic integrity. DLSS 5 is expected to be released in the fall, as Nvidia continues to refine its model. Currently, DLSS 4.5 competes with AMD’s FSR Redstone and Intel’s XeSS, offering superior detail preservation.