XCOM Archives

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August 30, 2026

New Roguelikes & Roguelites in September 2026: The Monthly Update

- Serious Sam: Shatterverse was released on August 31 for PC (Win). - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault was released on September 2 for PC (Win), PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox. - Cosmo Tales entered Early Access on September 3 for PC (Win). - Rutrum was released on September 3 for PC (Win). - Mewgenics was released on September 8 for PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series. - Wanderburg entered Early Access on September 8 for PC (Win). - Ex Sanguis entered Early Access on September 10 for PC (Win). - Roguecraft DX was released on September 10 for PC (Win). - Forsworn was released on September 10 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fresh Tracks VR was released on September 10 for PC VR. - Shroom and Gloom entered Early Access on September 11 for PC (Mac, Win). - Dunebound Tactics was released on September 14 for PC (Win). - Cloudbreaker was released on September 15 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fleetbreakers entered Early Access on September 15 for PC (Win). - Sublight was released on September 15 for PC (Win). - Two Sides of Hell was released on September 17 for PC (Win). - Furyball: Rogue Revenge entered Early Access on September 23 for PC (Win). - Stick It to the Stickman was released on September 23 for PC (Win).

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

PSA: Swap the radial ability menu in Star Wars Zero Company for more of a trad XCOM-style experience

Star Wars Zero Company, also known as ZCOM, features a radial menu for character abilities that can be cumbersome during gameplay, particularly when targeting enemies. Players can customize their experience by choosing between Radial and Linear options in the Ability Selection Style within the Gameplay settings. The Linear style presents actions in a straightforward numbered row, while a Hybrid option is also available for those who prefer elements of both styles.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

This week in PC games: Gamescom and GTA 6 fight for our attention, but don’t forget Folk Emerging, MGS4 and the horror game about balancing a cake

This week marks the arrival of Gamescom, featuring a highly anticipated documentary on GTA 6 set to stream on August 27th via Rockstar and Netflix. Notable new PC releases include: - Burned Horizons (early access): A military simulation game set in a fictional 2002 war in Europe. - Money for Girls: Amortized: A horror detective visual novel by Porpentine. - 1666: Amsterdam (early access): A time-bending witch game from Patrice Désilets. - Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2: A cooperative game for 1-4 players. - Astral Court DX: A bullet hell game with 189 levels. - Blood Dungeon: A frantic platformer by the creators of Nidhogg. - Sokogram: A hybrid puzzler with sokoban mechanics. - Western Rye (early access): A survival game combining cowboy simulation and zombie encounters. - the cabin game (early access): A multiplayer experience in a haunted cabin. - Lou's Lagoon: An adventurous platformer on an archipelago. - Star Wars: Zero Company: A squad tactics game set in the Ahsoka era. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2: A remastered package featuring MGS4 and Peace Walker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy: An installment set on an island with light-based puzzles. - Captain Tsubasa: A return to the football franchise. - Don't Drop The Cake: A game where players balance a tray in a chaotic environment. - Alice's Gaze: A blend of autobattling and spooky mansion exploration. - A Little Age: A laid-back city-building game. The coverage approach for Gamescom this year will focus on in-depth stories rather than liveblogging, with a team on-site in Cologne and others covering news from home.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

The 100 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2026

Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game set during World War II, where players control a nation and navigate warfare, diplomacy, and military strategy. It offers extensive gameplay options, including resource management and political maneuvering, and is known for its replayability. Phoenix Point is a turn-based tactical strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players lead customizable squads against alien threats, emphasizing tactical decision-making. War on the Sea is a real-time tactical strategy game focused on naval battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II, featuring historically accurate ships and aircraft. Terra Invicta is a grand strategy game in Early Access, where players manage factions in a near-future scenario while preparing for potential interstellar conflict. Command & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy game featuring three factions: the United States, China, and the Global Liberation Army, known for its engaging gameplay. Cold Waters allows players to command a Cold War-era nuclear submarine, focusing on stealth tactics and realistic naval simulation. Gears Tactics is a turn-based game set in the Gears of War universe, where players lead a squad against the Locust Horde. Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector involves commanding Primaris Space Marines in tactical battles against Tyranids, with expansions enhancing gameplay. Company of Heroes 2 is a real-time strategy game set on the Eastern Front during World War II, featuring squad-based tactics and dynamic campaigns. Total War: Shogun 2 is set in feudal Japan, allowing players to command clans during the Sengoku Jidai period, combining tactical battles with strategic management.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

PC Game Pass Has Some Seriously Good Turn-Based RPGs

The text discusses various turn-based RPGs and strategy games available on Xbox Game Pass, highlighting 17 standout titles. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A turn-based RPG with innovative combat mechanics and a compelling narrative centered around the Paintress. 2. Heroes of Might and Magic II & III - Classic strategy games known for exploration, resource management, and tactical battles. 3. South Park: The Fractured But Whole - An RPG with grid-based combat and tactical elements, infused with the show's humor. 4. Wasteland 3 - A CRPG set in a post-apocalyptic world, featuring intricate storytelling and strategic turn-based combat. 5. BATTLETECH - A tactical mech combat game focused on managing a mercenary company and strategic planning. 6. Death Howl - Combines grid movement with deckbuilding mechanics in a dark narrative. 7. Echo Generation 2 - Introduces deckbuilding mechanics and multiple characters with a voxel art style. 8. For The King II - A blend of tabletop RPG elements and roguelite mechanics, designed for group play. 9. Gears Tactics - A tactical turn-based game that transitions from a third-person shooter, encouraging aggressive playstyles. 10. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - Revitalizes the classic formula with modern production values. 11. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Continues the turn-based combat from its predecessor with an expansive world. 12. Persona 5 Royal - A defining JRPG that balances everyday life with supernatural adventures and stylish turn-based combat. 13. The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut - A first-person dungeon crawler with exploration and puzzle-solving elements. 14. The Thaumaturge - Set in early 20th-century Warsaw, featuring political tension and supernatural intrigue in its narrative. 15. Wartales - Focuses on managing mercenaries in a medieval world, emphasizing survival and personal storytelling. 16. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Offers a turn-based mode in a richly detailed world with complex narratives. 17. Phoenix Point - A tactical game that serves as a successor to XCOM, featuring a unique free-aim system and evolving enemy mechanics.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Amazon Prime gets another batch of ‘free’ PC games this August

Amazon Prime subscribers can access a monthly selection of PC games, which they can claim and keep indefinitely, even after their subscription ends. The August lineup includes notable titles such as SteelRising and several others, with four games still available for claim. An Amazon Prime subscription costs R60 per month, and users must create accounts with Good Old Games (GOG), the Epic Games Store, and Legacy Games to claim certain titles. Current available games include Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room, Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, and SteelRising, among others. Upcoming titles include Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic and Havendock.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Atlus is interested in remaking the PlayStation One-era Persona games, something that, after waiting for many years, I hope finally happens on Xbox and PC

Atlus has announced a remake for Persona 4 and is developing Persona 6, both set to release on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass. However, earlier titles like Revelation: Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment have not been remade, leaving fans of those games wanting. Producer Wada Kazuhisa hinted at the possibility of reviving these earlier titles. The difficulty in accessing these classic games has increased due to the shutdown of the PSP and PSN stores for PlayStation 3.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company is a very safe XCOM descendant, but its most interesting parts are found in its Midnight Suns DNA

Star Wars Zero Company features turn-based combat and soldier management, drawing comparisons to the XCOM series. Developed by Bit Reactor, founded by former Firaxis staff, the game offers a tactical experience but lacks some depth found in XCOM 2. Early gameplay reveals concerns about its mechanics, with instances of frustrating misses during combat. The game emphasizes teamwork, with classes like astromech droids providing support roles. However, it lacks elements like fog of war and diverse combat arenas, and the enemy variety is limited. While inspired by Midnight Suns, the execution does not reach the same depth, and the game's base is smaller. Players can disable permadeath, and squad management systems allow for creative builds. Overall, while enjoyable, Zero Company has not yet met expectations for evolution in the tactics genre.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard drive: ‘This essentially saved my life’

The original Quake has unveiled an official new episode as part of its 30th anniversary at QuakeCon. Additionally, a build of the previously cancelled expansion Quake 4: Awakening has been discovered on GitHub. This expansion was under development by Ritual Entertainment but was halted by Activision due to poor sales of the base game. A veteran game developer named Marshall found the expansion on a second-hand PC and shared it on GitHub, expressing that it had a significant emotional impact on him. The build includes configuration files with names of former Ritual employees, suggesting its authenticity. Gameplay footage shows new weapons and missions, indicating that the expansion was nearly complete before its cancellation. Marshall aims to preserve the project and hopes the community can help refine and eventually release it.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

August is the calm before the storm for this year’s new game releases

August 2026 is a calm month for PC gaming, with several notable releases and updates. The full release of Fields of Mistria 1.0 is scheduled for August 5. Other new titles include ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair and Sovereign Tower on August 6, and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which also releases on August 6. The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection 2 and Star Wars Zero Company are set to launch on August 27. Key gaming events include Quakecon's 30th anniversary starting on August 6 and Gamescom beginning on August 26. The month features themed Steam sales, including Cyberpunk Fest from August 3-10, Pins and Pegs Fest from August 17-20, and PvE Survival Crafting Fest from August 31 to September 7. Updates and DLCs include the Man of Honor DLC for Mafia: The Old Country on August 14, Hell Rising DLC for Nioh 3 on August 19, and the Cost of Hope DLC for Stalker 2 on August 20. The Tarnished Pack for Elden Ring will be available on August 28.