wilderness Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Indika forced me to confront some of life’s toughest questions, and I think it’s made me a better person

The author attended an all-girls Catholic high school where they observed a dissonance between the teachings of compassion and the actions of some devout Catholics who bullied peers. This experience led to a questioning of faith, which has diminished over time, although an appreciation for religious imagery remains. The author discusses the indie game Indika, developed by Odd Meter, which explores dark themes of faith and violence within an Eastern Orthodox convent. The gameplay combines puzzle-solving and parkour elements, with nostalgic pixelated segments. Indika's narrative is dark, lacking happy endings or divine intervention, prompting reflection on the nature of suffering and the absence of God in times of hardship. The game illustrates that even pious individuals can harbor darkness and encourages players to embody resilience and compassion in the face of evil.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Disco Elysium, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Final Fantasy IV and More

- Available Today: - DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 17 - South of Midnight (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 18 - The Alters (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 18 - Disco Elysium (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 19 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 24 - Absolum (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 25 - Nova Roma (Game Preview) (PC) – March 26 - The Long Dark (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 30 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 31 - Barbie Horse Trails (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – April 2 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC) – April 2 - Final Fantasy IV (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – April 7 - In Case You Missed It: - Minishoot’ Adventures (Console, Cloud, Handheld, PC) – March 3 - Game Updates: - Valorant (PC, Console) – March 18 - Sea of Thieves: Season 19 (Console, PC) – March 19 - In-Game Benefits: - Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 (Console) – Available now - Skate. (Console, Game Pass Ultimate only) – Available now - Leaving March 31: - Peppa Pig World Adventures (Cloud, Console, PC) - Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, PC)

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

You’ve never heard of it, but a Russian studio made a fantasy take on original Fallout way back in 2001, and it honestly kind of rules

GoldenLand is a PC game set in a fantasy world inspired by Russian folklore, featuring characters like Belobog and Drah-Shu, and a protagonist named Gromoboy, a bogatyr from Russian legend. The game draws inspiration from classics such as Baldur's Gate and Fallout, allowing character creation with familiar classes and a strategic combat system based on action points. Players experience a leveling system with perks, though the game has some rough mechanics and animations. Despite budget limitations, the developers infused the game with passion and authenticity, highlighting the potential for more culturally diverse CRPGs in the gaming landscape.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

I thought I was crazy for thinking Fallout 4 feels like a perfectly crisp fall day, but that’s exactly what Bethesda was aiming for after a ‘field trip’ to a national park: ‘I was like, this is what our world needs to look like’

Fallout 4 features a more vibrant and cheerful atmosphere compared to its predecessor, set in a post-apocalyptic world. The Commonwealth is designed to evoke a sense of hope and the possibility of rebuilding, contrasting with the grim Capital Wasteland. The game's autumnal aesthetic, characterized by a bright sun against a clear blue sky and grey landscapes, was a deliberate choice by art director Istvan Pely. He emphasized themes of hope and rebuilding while maintaining a sense of melancholy, stating that the world should still feel lifeless despite humanity's efforts to recover. The design team drew inspiration from the late fall season, reflecting the devastation of the nuclear fallout on nature. Pely and studio design director Emil Pagliarulo found the creative process of reimagining cities transformed by catastrophe enjoyable.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

THQ Nordic and Nine Rocks Games announce Next Hunting Adventure for PC

Publisher THQ Nordic and developer Nine Rocks Games are releasing an open-world hunting game titled Next Hunting Adventure, set in the wilderness of North America. The game will be available on PC via Steam, but a release date has not been announced. It features realistic wildlife encounters, partnerships with over ten real-world brands for hunting gear, and two environments for players to explore. Key features include a hunting dog that assists in tracking, an enhanced bullet camera for shot analysis, a central hub called the Hunting Lodge for planning and upgrades, and access to advanced equipment for an immersive experience.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

How to get Candleberries in Arc Raiders

Candleberries are a foragable fruit in Arc Raiders, and players can acquire them through two primary methods: gathering them from bushes during the Cold Snap map condition, particularly in lush areas like the swamp region of Dam Battlegrounds or near the Blue Gate, and earning them on the Gathering Candleberries reward track by converting earned XP into merits. Players can accumulate up to 180 Candleberries through regular gameplay and can also earn merits by contributing resources to the Candleberry Banquet project, which requires 20 Candleberries for the initial stage.

AppWizard

December 16, 2025

Gate Guard Simulator is Papers, Please with fewer terrorists, more geese, and the chance to throw people into a moat

Gate Guard Simulator is a game where players assume the role of a castle guard responsible for vetting individuals seeking entry into a lord's domain. Players must examine the paperwork of various characters, such as monks and minstrels, while remaining alert to potential threats, including criminals and signs of disease. The game features mechanics for inspecting vehicles for contraband and offers players choices between upholding the law or accepting bribes. Earnings can be used to upgrade weapons and gear. The game is set to launch next year and is developed by Redox Interactive, with publishing by Forklift Interactive.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

PUBG creator says he “100% expected” negative reactions to his new survival game, but its Steam reviews are improving fast

A 20-second teaser for Prologue, the debut title from Brendan Greene's studio, was showcased at the 2019 Game Awards. The game recently launched in early access, generating excitement from Greene, who noted its unique design allows for millions of different map seeds, making each exploration distinct. Prologue does not include quest markers, NPCs, or enemies, focusing instead on survival against the wilderness. Upon launch, it received a 'Mixed' user score on Steam, with some players dissatisfied with its perceived emptiness. Greene anticipated such reviews, emphasizing that the game encourages players to craft their own adventures. Prologue features three game modes and extensive replayability, but lacks traditional survival game elements. Greene acknowledged the trend of early access being misused by some studios and expressed his commitment to engaging with the community for feedback. Players have achieved notable survival feats within the game, such as surviving for 18 or 19 days and creating self-imposed challenges. Greene also mentioned community activities, like weekly challenges based on game seeds.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

PlayerUnknown’s new survival game already has three DLCs planned, but won’t include one fan-favourite idea: ‘I think the weather is sufficiently worrying at this stage’

In early 2025, the survival game Prologue: Go Wayback! was released, prompting discussions about the potential inclusion of wildlife to enhance immersion. Brendan Greene, the game's creator, acknowledged the technical feasibility of adding animals but highlighted the complexities of developing realistic AI for them. He indicated that if animals were introduced, players would need means to defend against them. Greene expressed a desire to focus on creating a more complete world with features like paths and power lines, rather than immediate wildlife additions. He also mentioned the potential for underground areas as a future DLC feature, aiming to enrich the game's atmosphere. Since its early access launch, Prologue has received updates, including new features and modes, with plans for three DLCs to introduce new story elements. Future updates may include multiplayer functionality, particularly in the third DLC, which Greene noted is highly requested. He emphasized the need for a more structured environment to transition out of Early Access, focusing on visual and optimization improvements.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Beloved, 13-year-old simulator game hits a new Steam peak as stunning DLC lets you cruise beneath the Northern Lights

Viral clips featuring role-playing streamers and expensive gaming setups have become common, enhancing the gaming experience of Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2). Thirteen years after its release, ETS2 recently achieved a peak of 72,686 concurrent players on Steam following the launch of two new DLC packs and a significant discount. The first DLC, Nordic Horizons, adds 40 new cities across Scandinavia, allowing players to drive to the northernmost point in Europe. The second DLC, the Forest Machinery pack, introduces new forestry equipment as cargo options. The game is currently available at a 75% discount, reducing the base price to .99/£4.22 until December 11. The surge in player numbers is attributed to community support and the new DLC rather than just the discount.