violence Archives

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

This week in PC games: Hytale, Quarantine Zone, a weird Batman sim, and a fresh batch of RPGs and shooters

The Maw can manifest in various forms, including a blinking cursor or unreturned messages. New PC game releases include: - Big Hops: A 3D platformer featuring a frog with jumping and tongue skills. - Confidential Killings: A detective game that could use a more imaginative name. - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: Players act as a border guard during a zombie apocalypse, exploring moral dilemmas. - Hytale: A sandbox building RPG now in early access, developed by Hypixel Studios. - Hank: Drowning on Dry Land: A whimsical narrative game featuring a drunken, time-traveling character. - Cassette Boy: An action RPG puzzler with retro visuals and themes of object permanence. - Streetdog BMX: A game with children performing stunts on bicycles across colorful maps. - The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon: The thirteenth installment in an RPG series. - Tabulo: A roguelite chess game. - Craftlings: A blend of Lemmings and colony-building elements. - The Fortress: A first-person turn-based dungeon-crawling RPG. - NEUROXUS: A fast-paced mech shooter with a neon aesthetic. - Moving Simulator: A game reflecting the moving experience. - Lunar Ascendant: Players become the first mayor of the Moon, navigating social media and factions. James and Julian will attend preview events, while Mark and Ollie are excited about Hytale's launch. A review for Pathologic 3 is being crafted.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Best PC Sports Games for 2026

Sports games on PC in 2026 showcase a diverse array of titles that blend arcade excitement, intricate simulations, and innovative concepts. Modern PC hardware enhances the gaming experience, allowing titles that once required specialized setups to run seamlessly on contemporary devices. Arcade-style sports games benefit from lower system requirements and simplified controls, while simulation-heavy titles are better suited for desktops. Standout games include Baseball Stars 2, which maintains its charm with engaging mechanics, and RetroMania Wrestling, which focuses on recognizable gameplay rather than realism. Fire Pro Wrestling World offers extensive customization and online play, appealing to players who enjoy fine-tuning their matches. Mutant Football League reimagines American football with fictional teams and exaggerated violence, while Super Mega Baseball 3 combines stylized visuals with intricate statistical systems. Rocket League remains popular for its skill-based multiplayer, and Windjammers 2 emphasizes strategic gameplay. Turbo Golf Racing merges golf with kart racing, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2 remasters classic skateboarding titles. The PC platform thrives on variety, offering arcade-style action, intricate simulations, and experimental hybrids. Notable sports games in 2026 include Rocket League, Super Mega Baseball 3, Fire Pro Wrestling World, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2, and Windjammers 2. Many sports games are suitable for the Steam Deck, especially arcade-style titles. While there are fewer officially licensed simulations on PC, some titles cater to simulation-focused players. Current trends include hybrid designs, enhanced community tools, and growing interest in customization systems.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

A game about giant, helpless teddy bears fleeing a dying world may be a bit on the nose right now, but it’s also my favorite game of 2025

Herdling, developed by Okomotive, is a light puzzle adventure game that focuses on nurturing rather than violence. Players guide a calicorn, a majestic creature, through a world affected by neglect, emphasizing themes of life, hope, and companionship. The gameplay involves herding the calicorns through various landscapes while facing challenges that require strategic thinking. The bond between the player and the calicorns creates a sense of responsibility, and players must navigate obstacles while maintaining the creatures' trust and safety. The game features simple mechanics, artistic design, and atmospheric soundscapes, fostering emotional engagement and empathy.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

There’s more to Horses than the Steam ban: The controversial horror game is a great example of how games can effectively borrow from film, and how they can also stumble

Steam rejected Santa Ragione's new art horror game, Horses, due to its unsettling content, which led to controversy and a lack of clarity from Valve regarding the ban. The game is visually striking and thematically cohesive, exploring routine through the character Anselmo's daily chores on a farm, but it struggles to engage players meaningfully. Valve's guidelines prohibit content designed to "shock or disgust," and while Horses achieves its goal of provoking thought and discomfort, it ultimately fails to fully realize its potential as an interactive experience. The game's pacing and linear progression in the latter half undermine its narrative impact, as it does not allow players time to reflect on the unsettling themes presented. The controversy has sparked discussions about the gaming industry's approach to controversial topics.

BetaBeacon

December 13, 2025

From repairing a broken android to magic crime investigation and dark fairy tale yuri: 5 Japanese indie visual novel games

Save My Scrap revolves around repairing an outdated personal android named Harima, revealing her and Miomaru's story through conversations and repairs. The game includes new dialogue and endings, a gallery mode, controller support, and is set to release in 2026 for various platforms.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

The 9 biggest no-shows at The Game Awards 2025

The Game Awards featured announcements of several games, including Divinity, Fate of the Old Republic, and Exodus. Blade, the 16th most anticipated game, was notably absent, with ongoing legal issues related to Knights of the Old Republic 2 DLC for the Switch. Saber Interactive is reportedly working on a remake of KotOR 2, codenamed Juliet, while Mad Head Games is developing the KotOR 1 remake. CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated there would be no updates on The Witcher 4, but the company is working on Cyberpunk 2 and a remake of The Witcher 1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was released earlier this spring, utilizing technology similar to Fallout 3 and adapted to Unreal Engine 5. Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced received a PEGI rating but was absent from the Game Awards.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

The Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake is real, and we’ve got the PEGI rating to prove it

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is an upcoming remake of the original game, confirmed by the PEGI ratings board. The remake will include elements such as swearing, violence, and in-game purchases, with hopes from the community for minimal microtransactions. There is speculation that an official announcement may occur during The Game Awards. The remake aims to provide a fresh yet familiar experience for both new players and veterans of the original game. Further details, including a release date and gameplay updates, are anticipated.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity

Indie developer Santa Ragione's horror game HORSES has been banned from Steam without a clear explanation, leading to frustration from the developers and a lack of communication regarding the ban. Despite this setback, interest in the game has increased, resulting in strong sales on alternative platforms like GOG and itch.io, where it is currently a best-seller. The ban has made it difficult for Santa Ragione to secure external publishing deals, forcing them to seek private funding. Steam cited concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving minors, while Epic referenced explicit sexual behavior and animal abuse, claims that Santa Ragione disputes. The game is available for purchase on GOG for .99 and on itch.io. GOG has expressed support for the game, emphasizing player choice in gaming experiences.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Squared Media

David R.B. created the YouTube channel Squared Media over a decade ago, focusing on Minecraft animations that have evolved from episodic content to grand cinematic experiences. The channel's standout video, “Animation Life,” has 250 million views, while other notable videos include “Song of War” with 64 million views and “Worlds Apart” with 41 million views. The animations feature unique storylines, improved quality, and themes of sacrifice and battling evil, with five tutorials available for aspiring animators using Blender. The content includes frequent violence, minimal blood, and darker themes typical of the Minecraft universe, such as potion-drinking and battles against necromancers. The oldest series, a Halo animation, contains some mild language, while the Minecraft content is generally suitable for a younger audience despite its violent elements.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

An indie studio says it’s at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam

Indie studio Santa Ragione is facing potential closure due to its game, Horses, being denied entry to Steam, which is a major sales platform for PC games. Horses is a first-person horror game featuring a college student on a farm where the "horses" are adults in horse masks, aimed at an adult audience. Valve blocked the game over concerns that it depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim Santa Ragione disputes. The studio plans to release Horses on alternative platforms like the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch, and the Humble Store on December 2. Santa Ragione invested approximately 0,000 in the game and struggles financially after their previous title, Saturnalia, underperformed. They believe a scene in the game may have triggered Valve's concerns despite the characters being adults. The studio has been unable to secure external publishing partnerships and is relying on the success of Horses on non-Steam platforms to survive. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva acknowledged that the studio could close if the game does not perform well.