Tensions Archives

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

30 hidden gems from 2025 to grab before the Steam Winter Sale ends

The PC gaming landscape in 2025 features a diverse array of new titles, many receiving critical acclaim. A selection of 15 standout games has been curated based on specific criteria: they were released or re-released in 2025, received little to no prior coverage, have around 95% positive user ratings, offer offbeat yet accessible gameplay, are discounted by a minimum of 30%, and include one game per genre. 1. Project Silverfish - Price: £17.50 (30% off); Developer: Siris Pendrake; A non-linear shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world with lizard-people and multi-faction battles. 2. Contract Rush DX - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Figburn & Melon; A platformer blending elements of Mega Man and Contra with vector animation and humor, allowing players to tackle levels in any order. 3. Godpoke - Price: £10.05 (40% off); Developer: LimboLane; An adventure where players mend quarrelsome gods using a dialogue-stealing mechanic to solve puzzles. 4. Missile Command Delta - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: 13AM Games, Mighty Yell; A tactical hex-based strategy game with a teen drama narrative and point-and-click puzzles. 5. Shooty Shooty Robot Invasion - Price: £5.10 (40% off); Developer: Bubby Darkstar; A humorous FPS where players navigate a beach while dealing with quirky robot foes. 6. Maliki: Poison Of The Past - Price: £15 (40% off); Developer: Blue Banshee; A JRPG-inspired title featuring time travel and turn-based combat based on a webcomic. 7. Desecrators - Price: £7 (30% off); Developer: Woodhound; A roguelike shooter with procedurally generated levels and online co-op support. 8. Wyrmhall - Price: £2.55 (70% off); Developer: Leafy Games; A game where players manage an artifact-cleaning stall in an interdimensional nexus. 9. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Pocket Trap; An adventure game featuring dungeon-crawling and puzzle-solving mechanics inspired by classic Zelda games. 10. Lingo 2 - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Brenton Wildes; A word puzzle adventure set in a minimalist block labyrinth. 11. Skogdal - Price: £8.37 (50% off); Developer: Erlend Kirkeboe, Kay Arne Kirkeboe; A deck-building game set in a quirky, 90s Norway with humor and strategic gameplay. 12. Schism - Price: £6.50 (35% off); Developer: Fami; A low-fi action roguelike with a punk aesthetic and intense combat. 13. My Little Puppy - Price: £14.69 (30% off); Developer: Dreamotion Inc.; An emotional adventure following a corgi's journey through the afterlife. 14. Decade - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Last Piscean; A narrative-driven game exploring time travel consequences in a post-apocalyptic world. 15. Kiloton - Price: £2.14 (50% off); Developer: Jack Morehart; A minimalist strategy game simulating geopolitical tensions with quick decision-making.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

How I Fell Back In Love With Minecraft After 10 Years Away

The author first played Minecraft in 2010 and was captivated by its charm, comparing it to a digital Lego set. Over time, they drifted away from the game due to burnout and political controversies surrounding its creator, Markus “Notch” Persson. The author visited Mojang in March 2011 when Minecraft had sold over a million copies, a figure that has since grown to over 350 million. Persson's demeanor changed after the game's acquisition by Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014 and the emergence of GamerGate, leading to the author's negative feelings towards the game. The Donut SMP server, created by YouTuber DrDonut, peaked at nearly 46,000 players in a single day and features an in-game economy where players can buy and sell resources. The author's son initially sought a Minecraft Realm for his classmates but later requested to join the Donut SMP server after tensions arose in the Realm. The author, initially hesitant, found common ground with their son on the server, leading to collaborative gameplay that involved resource gathering and crafting. They created a secret base and automated systems, learning about supply and demand in the game's market. This experience rekindled the author's joy in Minecraft and strengthened their bond with their son.

Winsage

December 27, 2025

Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed

Microsoft is facing significant user criticism regarding Windows 11, particularly due to its emphasis on artificial intelligence features, which many users find unnecessary and detrimental to performance. Complaints include sluggish interfaces, increased resource consumption, and a cluttered user experience, leading to calls for a more streamlined version that prioritizes speed, reliability, and efficiency. Users have reported issues such as slow file explorers and excessive RAM usage, often linking these problems to AI-driven functionalities. Community-driven alternatives like Tiny11 have emerged, focusing on eliminating bloatware and AI features to enhance efficiency, especially on older hardware. Microsoft has acknowledged user concerns and promised improvements, but the integration of AI tools continues to dominate updates. The company is also reconsidering its strategy in response to backlash, including relaxing system requirements for certain versions of Windows. However, there remains a strong demand for a lightweight version that balances innovation with core functionalities, as users express frustration over imposed features and a lack of choice.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

I’m never getting any work done ever again, thanks to this website that lets me play thousands of user-made Doom levels in my browser

DoomScroll is a new website that allows users to browse and play thousands of user-created Doom WADs directly in their web browsers. The platform offers smooth gameplay with standard keyboard and mouse controls, but some maps may not function correctly due to emulator limitations. There are concerns about the redistribution of projects, as not all creators permit their work to be shared outside its original platform, and DoomScroll currently lacks a verification mechanism for the origins of these creations. Major Arlene, a prominent Doom modder, expressed enthusiasm for DoomScroll despite these issues. Additionally, the Doom franchise recently saw the release of Doom: The Dark Ages and faced shifts in its modding community with the departure of contributors from GZDoom. John Romero, co-creator of Doom, is working on a new indie first-person shooter project after the cancellation of his studio's main endeavor by Microsoft.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

This relaxing take on Civilization wrapped in Windows 2000 style just hit 1.0, it’s completely free, and I’m mesmerized

Civilization 7 has received 'mixed' reviews on Steam, contrasting with its predecessor's 'very positive' rating from over 100,000 reviews. CivIdle, developed by FishPond at Fish Pond Studio, is a leisurely version of Sid Meier's Civilization that allows players to guide civilizations through tech trees and engage in trade and warfare. It recently transitioned from patch 0.28 to 1.0. CivIdle features a minimalist aesthetic with a muted color palette and hex-based world, evoking nostalgia for early 2000s software. The game has nearly 50 recent reviews pushing it closer to a 'very positive' rating and is free to play, with optional purchases available for supporting the developer and unlocking cross-platform cloud saves. Future expansions are hinted at, including an interplanetary version.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

You Can’t Delete This Samsung App—And It Might Be Spying on You

Samsung faces criticism for allegations that certain budget-friendly Galaxy A and M smartphones are preloaded with unremovable spyware, particularly affecting users in the Middle East and North Africa. The Lebanese digital rights organization SMEX has highlighted a pre-installed application called AppCloud on some Galaxy A and M devices sold in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. AppCloud, developed by ironSource, collects sensitive user data without explicit consent during device setup and is difficult to uninstall, often reinstalling after a device reset. Concerns have been raised about its potential use for surveillance and targeted cyberattacks, especially in politically sensitive areas. SMEX has called for increased transparency from Samsung, which has not yet responded. Independent research validating these claims about AppCloud's impact on privacy is currently lacking.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

My favorite game of 2025 won’t get a sequel, says its developer: ‘Each of my projects will be completely standalone’

Tonda Ros, the creator of the puzzle game Blue Prince, has been approached for a cinematic adaptation but is not considering it, stating that he views the game as a standalone piece of art. He has no plans for a sequel to Blue Prince, emphasizing that each of his projects will be unconnected. However, he hinted at the possibility of exploring different narratives within the broader universe of Blue Prince, without a direct connection to the game itself. Ros acknowledged the appeal of sequels due to the game's success but prefers to avoid that path. He has conceived several ideas for future projects, including a multiplayer puzzle game and a metroidvania concept, but has not decided which direction to take next.

Winsage

November 14, 2025

Microsoft’s President for Windows is getting cancelled on social media

Pavan Davuluri's announcement about Windows evolving into an "agentic OS" led to significant backlash from users who feel Microsoft is deviating from their expectations. The term "agentic OS" triggered criticism related to concerns over AI reliance, cloud dependency, invasive data collection, software bloat, instability, and lack of user control. Many users expressed frustration, with some migrating to Linux or macOS, and the majority of responses were hostile. Users desire a stable operating system with fast boot times, predictable updates, minimal background processes, and fewer advertisements. Recent shifts within Microsoft towards AI-driven features have intensified user reactions, highlighting a lack of trust and a disconnect between Microsoft's vision and user expectations. After receiving numerous negative comments, the post's comments were locked.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 Pinching The Pupa quest walkthrough

In the quest "Pinching The Pupa" on the planet Golden Ridge in The Outer Worlds 2, players must retrieve a Mantisaur Pupa from a cave after interacting with Trooper Wentworth and Biological Designer Bradford at Fort Endurance. The Mantisaur Pupa is located in a cave filled with Zyranium Mantiwasps and Zyranium Mantisaurs. Players can choose to give the Pupa to either Bradford, which grants a +3 Auntie's Choice reputation, or Wentworth, which provides a +1 reputation boost. Choosing Bradford also allows players to secure a financial reward of 1500 bits if they express their preference for him during the initial conversation.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Crimea restricts usage of messaging apps

Local authorities in Crimea have imposed restrictions on messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, impacting communication for residents. This decision was confirmed by Volna, the largest telecom operator in Crimea, stating that the restrictions were enacted by Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulatory body. The "Crimean Ministry of Communications" has recommended that residents switch to the Russian-developed Max messenger app. Additionally, Crimea has been experiencing significant communication issues for several days, complicating the situation for its residents.