survival Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Windrose devs don’t have any progress wipes planned for early access, but ‘of course s**t happens’

Kraken Express, the developer of the early access survival game Windrose, announced on their Discord channel that there are currently no plans for world wipes as they develop the game towards its 1.0 release. They assured players that future updates will preserve player progress, despite acknowledging the unpredictable nature of early access. The developers aim to implement major updates without disrupting players' worlds and progress, addressing common issues faced in similar games.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Routine is an intense Alien Isolation-style experience, and it is cheaper than ever

Routine is an indie horror game that has been in development since its announcement in 2012 and is now available. It features claustrophobic hallways and a lurking predator, creating a tense atmosphere similar to Alien Isolation. The game emphasizes stealth and has a tight level design that encourages a slow, deliberate approach. Players take on the role of a basic worker in a sci-fi universe, with environmental storytelling replacing a traditional narrative. Routine includes elements inspired by SOMA, such as terminals and puzzles, and features menacing foes like Type-05 security robots. Critics have praised the game, with a review rating of 9/10, and it has been included in Game of the Year 2025 lists. Routine is currently available for .74 at Fanatical, the lowest price to date.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Aphelion Lands On Xbox, PlayStation And PC – And It’s On Game Pass Day One

Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure game developed and published by DON’T NOD, available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC. It is a Game Pass Day One title, allowing subscribers to access it without upfront costs. The game follows two astronauts, Ariane and Thomas, who crash-land on the ninth planet, Persephone, and must navigate its harsh, frozen environment. Players experience the story through both characters, with Ariane focusing on agility and exploration, while Thomas relies on observation and problem-solving. The game features stealth elements as players must evade a mysterious lifeform. Aphelion received a score of 3.5/5 in reviews, praised for its storytelling, atmosphere, and visuals, despite some mechanical shortcomings. It is available in various digital storefronts, including a standard edition and a Day One edition with cosmetic enhancements.

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 28, 2026

Here’s how the Minecraft subreddit banded together to help a father find his distraught daughter’s lost animal sanctuary

A father sought help from the Minecraft subreddit to locate his daughter's lost zoo creation after it vanished following her adventure in The Nether. Despite attempts to find it using various strategies, they were unsuccessful. User Hamzeol_Murf requested the save game data, which led to a group of players using the data to locate the zoo within an hour. The coordinates were shared, allowing the father and daughter to reunite with the zoo. One player, Loganfincain, explained the method used to find the zoo, which involved converting the world from Bedrock to Java and using a program called MCA Selector. The thread received 700 upvotes and 70 comments, highlighting the community's collaborative spirit.

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 26, 2026

The Pragmata mods are starting to roll in, and thank the stars they’re largely focused on the dad bod

Capcom's Pragmata has seen a surge in creative video game modifications, particularly focusing on the protagonist, Hugh. Modders have introduced several character skins for Hugh, including a Dead Space outfit by user FokeyT26, a Doom Guy skin from Doom: The Dark Ages, and a Master Chief skin that was previously exclusive to a deluxe edition. Additionally, players have swapped Hugh for characters from various genres, such as the protagonist of Wuthering Waves and Minecraft's Steve, and even replaced a game enemy with Shrek. The modding community continues to explore new possibilities, with characters like CJ from GTA: San Andreas and Optimus Prime also appearing in the game. Pragmata is available for .99 on Steam, and using REFramework is necessary to unlock these modifications.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Best Minecraft Music Discs and Why Players Love Them

Minecraft features 13 unique music discs that players can collect, each with its own sound and style, which can be played on virtual jukeboxes. These discs can be found in various locations such as hidden chests, unexpected drops, and dungeons. Notable discs include “otherside,” “Pigstep,” “cat,” “stal,” and “11,” each offering distinct musical experiences that contribute to the game's atmosphere. As of 2023, Minecraft has 62 million monthly players. The original soundtrack, composed by C418, enhances the emotional essence of the game. Players often create dedicated jukebox rooms, and the mechanics of acquiring discs involve specific strategies, such as using skeletons to defeat creepers. The “otherside” disc is found in castle and dungeon chests, while “Pigstep” is exclusive to Bastion Remnants in the Nether.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Music Box in Minecraft: Cool Idea, But Do You Really Use It?

A music box in Minecraft is a configuration of note blocks connected by redstone that produces sound in a specific sequence. Building one can be enjoyable initially, as players experiment with sounds to create melodies. However, interest often fades quickly, and the music becomes background noise. Players typically abandon music boxes after their novelty wears off, preferring to stick with the game's default music or play their own tunes externally. The complexity of creating longer compositions can also lead to frustration, especially in multiplayer settings where synchronization issues may arise. Most players find that engaging with a music box is worth trying at least once, but it is unlikely to become a regular part of their gameplay.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Moving Valheim away from being an MMO was “the best decision” the team made

Valheim is a Norse-inspired survival game developed by Iron Gate Studio, which allows players to build homes and fight monsters. It is set to release its 1.0 version five years after its initial launch. The game has been compared to titles like Rust but maintains a unique charm. The development team decided against an MMO format, which they consider "the best design decision." Valheim began as a test project for networking solutions, evolving into a game focused on single-player and small group experiences. The Nordic theme was chosen for its compatibility with the gameplay, despite the CEO Richard Svensson not being a fan of Viking lore. The game's art style was developed out of necessity, allowing for easier solo production. Each biome in the game is created separately, with influences from games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, while loosely incorporating Norse mythology. Valheim has achieved financial success and critical acclaim during its early access phase, enabling Iron Gate Studio to focus on its development. The game is currently available on Steam at a 50% discount. Indie Game Works, featuring a chapter on Valheim, is available in limited and general editions.