tavern Archives

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a ’90s PC game

Mortal Shell 2 features a tavern called The One Legged Wolf, where patrons gather amidst a chaotic environment, enjoying music from a lute-player. The game blends modern dark fantasy with humor and classic PC gaming elements, enhancing its predecessor's gameplay and lore. Players control the Harbinger, who can inhabit eight different Shells, each with unique abilities and skill trees. Combat mechanics have evolved to allow for a more aggressive playstyle without a stamina bar, offering various damage mitigation methods. The game includes an easy mode, the Slayer Seal, and a secret hard mode for different player preferences. Level design pays homage to classic gaming, with intricate dungeons and hidden passages. Despite some bugs and a focus on specific Shells, the game is praised for its creativity and engaging experience.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Cozy wizard life simulation game Aether Wizard Life launches in fall 2028 for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC

Kinetic Publishing has partnered with Vonder Games to release the life simulation game, Aether Wizard Life, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam, scheduled for fall 2028. Players will take on the role of a young apprentice mage in the haunted town of Starfall, starting each day in a customizable walking castle. Gameplay includes growing magical crops, caring for exotic creatures, exploring dungeons, and engaging with townsfolk for side quests. The game features over 30 wizard skills, customization options for the player's wizard, and the ability to pursue romantic relationships with 20 dateable NPCs. Key elements include mastery of magic, exploration of the haunted town, castle personalization, and assisting townsfolk while uncovering the mystery of missing mages. A new video and screenshots have been released to showcase the game.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Corsair Cove Is Available Today With Xbox Game Pass, And Here’s What The Reviews Are Saying

Corsair Cove, a pirate-themed strategy game, has been added to Xbox Game Pass for PC users and has received a 'Generally Favorable' rating of 79 on Metacritic. Critics praise its engaging gameplay, charming aesthetics, and vibrant visuals, comparing it to titles like Sea of Thieves. The game features city-building mechanics that allow players to manage an island, raise a fleet, and govern a crew, although some reviewers note that the building mechanics may lack complexity for veteran players. Corsair Cove will be available on PC Game Pass at 4pm BST / 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 5pm CEST.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Two ‘Day One’ Games Are Available Today Across Xbox And PC Game Pass (July 17)

This week, Xbox Game Pass has seen the release of new titles, including two "day one" releases on Friday: FixForce and Fogpiercer. FixForce is a co-op extraction platformer for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, allowing up to six players to navigate a post-apocalyptic world using a drill-wrench to overcome challenges. Fogpiercer is a PC-exclusive turn-based deckbuilder roguelite where players construct a train and engage in tactical battles in a foggy environment. It is set to launch around 11 AM EDT / 2 PM EDT / 7 PM BST and has received positive reviews averaging around 7/10. Additionally, MAVRIX, a downhill biking game, launched on Thursday and has a score of 7.8/10 from Xbox Tavern.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs

ZeniMax Online Studios has experienced a significant workforce reduction, returning to headcount levels similar to those from 2015-2018, following layoffs of 213 and 136 employees, with an additional 62 positions cut in 2025 after the cancellation of the MMO Blackbird. Senior developers, including Brandon Adler, have expressed concerns about perceptions of the studio's talent pool amidst these changes. The layoffs at ZeniMax and id Software were strategic responses to the evolving game development landscape. Other companies like Bungie and BioWare have also seen similar workforce adjustments without necessarily improving productivity or creative output. There are concerns that this narrative may be used as a public relations strategy by Microsoft, potentially perpetuating negative stereotypes about laid-off employees.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

How to access Black Flag Resynced’s new content in order

Black Flag Resynced introduces new content and modifications to the original game, including new sidequests and enhancements to combat, stealth mechanics, and ship features. Key facts include: - Mayan Stones provide a Trinket that absorbs gunfire, in addition to Mayan Armor. - Players can no longer pick up enemy weapons. - Hidden blade combat is limited to finishers only. - Stealth missions have no fail conditions if detected. - The Jackdaw's Ship Plans are now called Ultimate Plans, and Treasure Maps have changed. - New combat tool: Rope Dart, available in Sequence 3. - Sequence 4 unlocks several quests, including Art Lover, two officer quests (A Second Chance and A Proper Shipwright), Rifts, Animus Projects, and two new pets (Soot the Cat and Albert the Monkey). - Blackbeard's Treasure sidequest activates after completing Do Not Go Gently in Sequence 8. - Captain Stede Bonnet sidequest becomes available after Marooned in Sequence 8. - A World Without Gold chapter and an additional officer quest unlock after completing Everything is Permitted in Sequence 11, leading to further quests and a new mortar type for the Jackdaw.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

Forget the Steam Summer Sale, Fanatical’s new bundle has a better offer on 11 Steam Deck-compatible games

Steam has launched its Summer Sale, offering discounts of up to 90% on thousands of games. Fanatical has introduced the Very Positive Deluxe Collection bundle, which includes 11 Steam Deck-compatible titles. The pricing for the bundle is tiered: .50 per game for three or four titles, and per game for five or more. Purchasing the entire bundle costs .98, a 79% discount from the original price of 4.89. The bundle includes games such as Ancient Kingdoms and The Smurfs – Dreams, with seven games verified for Steam Deck compatibility and four rated as playable.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

PC Gamer’s 2025 GOTY is yours for a ludicrous $24 during the Steam Summer Sale

Warhorse Studios is offering a significant discount on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 during the Steam Summer Sale, with the game available for a reduced price and the Royal Edition, which includes three additional DLC story packs, also discounted. PC Gamer rated KCD2 at 90%, calling it a “new RPG classic.” The game features an expansive adventure in a detailed Bohemian landscape, with elements reminiscent of Oblivion and The Witcher 3. Players have noted improvements from the first installment, including a new forge expansion and a monastery questline. A new patch has been released that includes bug fixes and a free quest titled "A Jester's Visit." Players do not need to have played the original game to enjoy the sequel, as KCD2 is designed to be welcoming to newcomers.

BetaBeacon

June 13, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Montezuma 2, Majesty, Slaps And Beans 2, more

The Android app price drops include Slaps And Beans 2, Plancon: Space Conflict, Montezuma 2: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Strategy & Tactics:USSR vs USA, MiniChess by Kasparov, FootLOL: Crazy Soccer Premium, Yumsters! Premium, Stickman Warriors Dragon Hero, RPG Soul Historica, Stick Warrior SuperHero Dragon, Roll Player – The Board Game, Birds On A Wire Premium, Rusty Axe, RPG Ambition Record, Defense Zone HD, [Premium] RPG Fernz Gate, RPG Silver Nornir, Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD, Ash of Gods: Redemption, RPG Asdivine Hearts, RPG Alphadia Genesis, Premium- Marenian Tavern Story, Majesty－The Northern Expansion, Dungeon Shooter : Dark Temple, Farm Frenzy Premium, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Tempest: Pirate RPG Premium, King of Dragon Pass: Text RPG, Dungeon Maker, Espana – Icon Pack, EmeraLine – Icon Pack, Drop Dark – Icon Pack, Dropicon Cut – Icon Pack, Pixel Ring Drop – Icon Pack, Linea – Icon Pack, Cat Quest III, Cat Quest II, Cat Quest, Undead Slayer: Offline Premium, WINCH IT OUT, Cooking Quest VIP : Food Wagon, Football Referee Simulator, Hybrid Warrior VIP, 1941 Frozen Front Premium, SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake, Swim Out, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Human Fall Flat, Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom, Guns’n’Glory WW2 Premium, Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, Wall of insanity, Slaughter: The Lost Outpost, Falltopia Plus: Epic Space RPG, Warrior In Dungeon, I.F.O: Casual Retro Shooter, Favela Kick: The Final Goal, [VIP] Missile Dude RPG : idle, SkySafari 8 Pro, Cultist Simulator, Zombie Age 3 Premium: Survival, Space Rush, Through the Darkest of Times, Exolotl : Zian, Guns’n’Glory Heroes Premium, Is This Seat Taken?, Alien Shooter, Contact Edge side bar, OsmAnd+ — Maps & GPS Offline, Words Everywhere PRO, Bookmark Manager – URL manager, The Ramen Sensei, Demon Castle Story, Chloe Puzzle Game Pro, Hot Springs Story 2, Avalar: Raid of Shadow Premium, Shadow Hunter: Offline Premium, Legends of Heropolis DX, Game Dev Story, Pro Wrestler Story, Dungeon Village 2, Dream Town Island, Pocket Academy 3, Lines Square – White Icon Pack, Material You Square Icon Pack, Bubble – Icon Pack, Fledermaus – Square Icon Pack, Gems Icon Pack, Regularly 0 Google Nest Doorbell, The House of Da Vinci 3, Tag of Driving, Endurance: dead space Premium, Final Castle Defence:Idle RPG, AVARIS3, Romopolis, Over The Bridge PRO, Dungeon Squad, Mindcop, Universe Invader 2: Premium, Hero of the Kingdom: Tales 1, Roundguard, Evertale, Pixel Blade M VIP, Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia, Under Leaves, Blueberry – icon pack, Orange Citrus Icon Pack, Lines Square – Neon icon Pack, Square Clear White Icon Pack, Square Clear – Icon Pack, Dotted Lines – Snake, Eco inc. Save the Earth.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Resident Evil, Mafia, Like a Dragon, and more

This week, the Epic Games Store is offering a double freebie promotion, allowing gamers to claim Rogue Waters and Songs of Conquest until June 11. Humble Choice has released its June collection featuring eight games, including Octopath Traveler 2 and Life is Strange: Double Exposure, available until July 6. The Humble Store has introduced various bundles, including the IGN Live Bundle and the 2K Sports Champions Bundle. Discounts are also available on the DRM-free platform GOG. Notable franchise discounts include Mafia, Like a Dragon, and Resident Evil. Availability and pricing may vary by region.