survival gameplay Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

How to craft and use Straw Bed in Minecraft

Mojang has released Minecraft 26.3, introducing the Straw Bed, a single-use sleeping item that allows players to sleep through the night or during thunderstorms without changing their spawn point. The Straw Bed can be crafted using 3 Hay Bales in a horizontal line, yielding four beds per crafting. Hay Bales can be made from nine Wheat or found in villages. Once used, the Straw Bed is destroyed and cannot be placed in the Nether or The End. It is particularly useful for long explorations away from a base, as it allows players to skip the night without the risk of setting a new spawn point.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Minecraft Finds Its Way Onto the PlayStation 2 Thanks to Homebrew Persistence

OptiJuegos has ported a functional version of Minecraft, branded as OptiCraft, to the original PlayStation 2, inspired by Minecraft Pocket Edition version 0.6.1. The adaptation allows gameplay on hardware that predates the mobile version by over a decade, featuring world generation, block manipulation, and survival gameplay. The development focused on optimizing for the PlayStation 2’s limited specifications, achieving a frame rate exceeding 30 frames per second. The gameplay mirrors the Pocket Edition, including the Nether Reactor Core, while the draw distance and world size are reduced due to memory constraints. Controls are adapted for the DualShock 2, and feedback indicates good performance with occasional stutters. Users must configure their console to run the port, with options for modded PS2s and stock Slim variations. World saves are stored on memory cards, and the developer is working on USB storage integration. This project highlights the homebrew community's creativity and technical skill in delivering new experiences on the PlayStation 2.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Minecraft Updates Used to Feel Magical, Now They Don’t Hit Like They Used To

In the early days of Minecraft, major updates significantly transformed gameplay, introducing new dimensions and mechanics, with players eagerly anticipating these annual changes. Iconic updates included Redstone mechanics, the Nether overhaul, and the Ender Dragon boss. Recently, Mojang shifted to smaller, more frequent updates, which introduced new mobs and blocks but felt less impactful, leaving players wanting more substantial changes. The transition began with the Garden Awakens update, which set a precedent for subsequent updates that lacked transformative qualities. For example, the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update introduced new challenges and a mob but did not alter core gameplay significantly. Recent updates have focused more on building enhancements rather than survival challenges, with examples like the Chaos Cubed and Tiny Takeover updates prioritizing cosmetic changes over meaningful survival features. The frequency of updates has diluted their impact, making players feel overwhelmed and disconnected. Many recent updates exist independently without building on previous content, leading to missed opportunities for integration and deeper gameplay experiences. The community desires updates that enhance the survival experience and create memorable moments.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

DIRECTIVE 8020 Launches Today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam)

Supermassive Games has released Directive 8020, a narrative sci-fi survival horror game available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). The game is set on Tau Ceti f, where the colony ship Cassiopeia crash-lands, and the crew encounters a mimicking alien organism. Players face moral dilemmas and must navigate trust issues while making decisions that affect character survival. The game features a new Turning Points story tree, real-time alien threats, and a couch co-op Movie Night mode for up to five players, with online multiplayer planned for a future update. Lashana Lynch voices pilot Brianna Young in the game.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt is officially dead. I should be sad, but instead, I’m just thankful for the memories

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt is a battle royale game set in a rain-drenched Prague, allowing players to choose their clan and engage in survival gameplay. It launched in 2022 with a peak player count of 29,475 but saw a decline to around 1,000 players before ceasing content updates in 2023. The game was announced to close in October 2025 after four years. Bloodhunt featured atmospheric representation of the World of Darkness, parkour mechanics for navigation, and character customization options that reflected clan aesthetics. However, it faced balance issues, cheating problems, and struggled to compete in a saturated market. Despite these challenges, a vibrant community remained engaged with the game, sharing memories and experiences.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

New Survival Game Beats Crimson Desert and Pragmata to #1 Best-Selling Steam Game

Steam's best-selling game is now Windrose, an indie title that has displaced Crimson Desert. Developed by Kraken Express, Windrose is a pirate-themed PvE survival adventure that launched in Early Access and has received an 89% approval rating from over 13,000 user reviews. The game features classic survival gameplay elements, including building, crafting, and naval combat, and has a peak concurrent player count of 222,134. While not Steam Deck Verified, it is classified as "Playable" on the device.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘The exhaustion on screen is 100% real’: the solo dev of this ‘live-action’ survival game spent 40 grueling days alone in the wilderness to create it

Wordless Forest is a Full Motion Video (FMV) survival game developed by Dogus Cagrici, who spent weeks hiking alone in nature to capture the game's footage. The game aims to provide a more authentic experience compared to traditional survival games, which often feature fantastical elements. Cagrici recorded all the video content himself and stars in the game. Wordless Forest is set to be released on Steam in August after nearly three years of development.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

A State of Decay 3 playtest is finally happening, after almost two years of radio silence

Undead Labs has announced a technical alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, set to begin in May. This marks the first step toward the game's full release, following its initial unveiling in 2020. The playtest will feature four-player co-op gameplay, base-building mechanics, resource management, and combat scenarios. Players can sign up on the official website, but slots are limited, and participants must connect their email and Discord accounts and complete a questionnaire to qualify. The playtest will have multiple testing windows, allowing additional chances for players to join if not selected initially.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

I’ve already played the demo of this co-op pirate survival game for 7 hours, but the boisterous sea shanties my crew sings keep me coming back for more

The pandemic led to a collective fatigue regarding sea shanties, but the author has re-embraced them with the release of the Next Fest demo for the pirate survival game, Windrose, available on Steam. In Windrose, players embark on adventures as shipwrecked pirates, gathering resources, crafting tools, and facing challenges like formidable Dodo birds and undead pirates called Drowned. Players can repair shipwrecks, rescue crew members, and engage in ship-to-ship combat. The demo offers around seven hours of gameplay, with no announced release date yet.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

10 Best RPG Minecraft Mods

RPG Minecraft mods enhance the gameplay experience by introducing new elements such as intricate progression systems, formidable bosses, and magic. The following are ten notable RPG Minecraft mods: 1. L_Ender’s Cataclysm: Features intense boss battles with handcrafted bosses like Ender Golems and Netherite Monstrosity, requiring strategic gameplay. 2. Myths and Legends: Inspired by folklore, it immerses players in a dark fantasy realm with mythical creatures, relics, and cursed items. 3. Warrior Rage: Introduces a kill-streak mechanic that enhances attack speed and damage as players defeat enemies. 4. When Dungeons Arise: Populates the world with crafted structures like warships and underground cities, offering unique loot and a risk-to-reward exploration system. 5. Ars Elixirum: Enhances potion brewing with random effects influenced by the world seed, allowing for customized potions. 6. Dark Souls Expansion: Offers a hardcore RPG experience with methodical combat and a new dimension filled with challenging enemies. 7. Born in Chaos: Introduces new aggressive mobs to enhance survival gameplay, especially during nighttime exploration. 8. The Aether: A sky-based dimension with new materials and powerful bosses, featuring a unique progression system. 9. Goety – The Dark Arts: Focuses on magic, allowing players to perform dark rituals and summon creatures through crafting a Totem of Roots. 10. Dungeon’s Delight: Adds cooking mechanics using monster drops, providing unique effects and new tools for gameplay. Most of these mods are beginner-friendly, with The Aether and Dungeon’s Delight recommended for newcomers. For combat and PvP, L_Ender’s Cataclysm and Dark Souls Expansion are top choices.