tension Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Titanium Court review

Titanium Court is a game that combines match-three puzzles, autobattlers, and visual novels, developed by AP Thomson and published by Fellow Traveller, set to release on April 23, 2026. It features a narrative where the protagonist ascends to the throne of the Titanium Court amidst a war between two factions. Players engage in match-three mechanics to gather resources and eliminate enemy blocks, with gameplay transitioning to an autobattle phase where resource management affects soldier deployment. The game includes whimsical elements and random complications that influence strategy, while its writing and presentation offer humor and a surreal atmosphere. Despite the potential frustration from the match-three mechanics, the game is noted for its artistic vision and charm.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

I’m sick of breaking the bank buying AAA games, so I’ve hunted down overlooked alternatives to 2026’s biggest games

Rockstar Games has invested over a billion dollars into the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. Alternatives to this game include Sleeping Dogs, which offers an open-world crime experience. Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem celebrates three decades of survival horror, while Cozy Pal Games provides a budget-friendly horror adventure. Pokémon Pokopia has gained recent success, with alternatives like Before the Green Moon offering a nostalgic farming sim experience. Forza Horizon 6 promises stunning visuals, and Wreckreation serves as a budget-friendly racing alternative. Death Stranding 2 is noted for its innovative gameplay, with Clone Escape providing a unique survival experience.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred review – Sanctuary is safe, but I’m conflicted

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred introduces a revamped endgame experience with eight distinct classes, including the new Warlock class, which combines spellcasting and summoning abilities. The narrative centers on the protagonist's relationship with Lilith and the threat posed by Mephisto, set against the backdrop of the visually striking region of Skovos, inspired by Grecian architecture. The game features enhanced customization options, improved class skill trees, and a new War Plans system that revitalizes the endgame experience. However, the overarching story is criticized for its pacing and character development, particularly regarding the Amazons and the reliance on Lilith. Despite these critiques, the campaign offers visually stunning boss encounters and a compelling soundtrack. The game raises questions about its future direction, with concerns about evolving into a live-service model.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

One reason to use Edge: It now teases new Windows features

Microsoft has introduced a feature in Microsoft Edge that highlights new Windows capabilities through promotional tabs following monthly updates. This feature currently appears to be exclusive to Microsoft Edge, with users seeing a carousel of new Windows features, including the return of the "big clock" in the Notification Center, the ability to pin the Windows emoji panel to the taskbar, and reminders about uploading documents to Copilot for AI summarization. Each feature includes a "Try Now" button for direct access to tools like the Snipping Tool. Microsoft aims to inform users about new functionalities while balancing the need to avoid overwhelming them with ads. Users can dismiss notifications if they choose.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

XCOM spiritual successor Warhounds dumps its gen-AI portraits, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief

Everplay is developing a turn-based strategy game called Warhounds, inspired by classics like XCOM and Jagged Alliance. The game faced criticism during its Steam Next Fest demo for using generative AI for character portraits, which were described as "shiny, unrealistic, and completely at odds with the look of the game." In response to community feedback, Everplay clarified that the AI-generated portraits were temporary placeholders and announced plans to replace them with over 100 hand-crafted designs. The new portrait system will create images directly from each character's in-game 3D model, ensuring visual consistency and accommodating custom recruits. Warhounds features an accuracy system that calculates bullets individually, eliminating random misses, and introduces meaningful consequences based on player decisions. The game is set for release in 2026, with a wishlist option available on Steam and a free demo for players.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Kingdom Come 2 director welcomes LGBT award nomination, then spends around 175 words explaining that it doesn’t make him ‘Woke’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been awarded Game of the Year for 2025 and is nominated for the "Gayming Fan Favorite Award" at the 2026 Gayming Awards, with character Hans nominated for "Best LGBTQ+ Character Award." The game's director, Daniel Vávra, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in representing the relationship between characters Henry and Hans, which explores gay romance in a nuanced way. Vávra believes the game's approach contrasts with other titles' heavy-handed methods and highlights player agency. The development team aimed for a realistic depiction of the Middle Ages while allowing for personal expression through gay romances. Despite positive reception, Vávra's past associations with certain gaming communities have led to backlash from some groups due to the inclusion of diverse characters. He expresses frustration with what he sees as "forced 'woke' nonsense" while advocating for authentic storytelling.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a licensed first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, priced at £15. The game lacks multiplayer functionality and performs suboptimally on the Steam Deck. Combat mechanics involve players using powerful spray-and-pray weapons with limited ammunition against sparse enemy encounters, failing to create a sense of urgency. Airstrikes are included but often feel unnecessary due to insufficient enemy presence. The Klendathu Drop mission stands out for its chaotic gameplay, contrasting with the otherwise empty maps. The game attempts to replicate the film's aesthetic but often misses the mark, with repetitive outposts and an uninspired soundtrack. Players can assume the role of an "Assassin Bug," but this mode lacks depth and engaging objectives. The game features characters voiced by the original actors, but the delivery is stilted and the satire feels dated. Overall, Ultimate Bug War struggles to capture the essence of the original film and novel, with pacing and level design that leave much to be desired.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Metro 2039 is “much darker” than its predecessors, but most importantly it’s a statement of intent

Anticipation is high for Metro 2039, the next installment in the Metro series, following the release of Exodus in 2019. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Russia, specifically around a devastated Saint Basil's Cathedral, and will explore themes of death, tyranny, and political manipulation. Players will assume the role of The Stranger, who must dismantle the authoritarian regime of the Novoreich, led by Hunter. Metro 2039 will feature a fully voiced protagonist, enhancing immersion, and gameplay will include close-quarters shooting and survival horror elements. The game is expected to launch in winter 2026, likely between October and December, and aims to reflect the experiences of its Ukrainian developers amid ongoing conflict.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Silent Hill f’s director ‘didn’t have a good night’s sleep’ the whole way through the game’s production

Long-time fans of the Silent Hill franchise have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of Silent Hill f after over a decade of silence, but there are concerns about its setting in Shōwa-period Japan and its ability to capture the essence of the classic games. Al Yang, the game director at NeoBards Entertainment, expressed the pressure he felt throughout the development process, stating that he struggled to sleep from the project's inception to the reviews. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the series' signature atmosphere, which he deemed non-negotiable, while also introducing new gameplay mechanics like the absence of firearms and the inclusion of action elements. The successful development of Silent Hill f is attributed to open dialogue between the developer and publisher, focusing on what aspects of the game are negotiable and non-negotiable.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft April Update Forces BitLocker Recovery on Servers

A recent Microsoft security update, April 2026 KB5082063, has caused issues for administrators of Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 systems, with many devices entering BitLocker recovery mode after reboot, requiring a 48-digit recovery key. This issue primarily affects enterprise-managed systems with specific TPM Group Policy settings involving PCR7 validation. Similar problems have been reported with updates KB5083769 and KB5082052 on Windows 11. The issue arises from five conditions: BitLocker must be enabled on the OS drive, the Group Policy must include PCR7, the msinfo32.exe tool must show Secure Boot State PCR7 Binding as “Not Possible,” the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate must be in the Secure Boot Signature Database, and the device must not be using the 2023-signed Windows Boot Manager. Microsoft suggests two workarounds: removing the TPM validation Group Policy before the update and re-enabling BitLocker, or applying a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) before installation. Skipping the April updates is not advisable due to the addressing of 167 vulnerabilities, including two zero-days. BitLocker recovery issues following updates have been recurring since 2022, with similar incidents reported in August 2022, August 2024, and May 2025, indicating ongoing challenges with Secure Boot certificates and TPM validation bindings in enterprise environments.