zoo Archives

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Five new Steam games you probably missed (February 16, 2026)

Steam releases around a dozen new games daily, making it challenging for players to find hidden gems. A curated selection of engaging PC games includes: - Polyarmory: Release Date: February 13, Developer: Cybernetic Walrus. A free dating simulation featuring conspiracy theorist themes and stylized firearms. - The Prisoning: Fletcher's Quest: Release Date: February 11, Developer: Elden Pixels. A short Metroidvania game with randomly generated maps, set in the mind of a game developer experiencing burnout. - BrebeMan: Release Date: February 13, Developers: MetaFormingPro. A rhythm-action game where players control a superhero DJ, combining rail shooter mechanics with rhythmic gameplay. - Shadows of the Afterland: Release Date: February 10, Developer: Aruma Studios. A point-and-click adventure set in 1960s Madrid, involving a mysterious death and a mix of puzzles and humor.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

I’ve just found a new cutesy Balatro, but instead of a deck of cards you get to tend to a garden and harvest flowers

The author began playing the game Balatro late and transitioned to a new game, Chosen Garden, at the beginning of 2025. Chosen Garden is a roguelike deckbuilder set to launch in March 2025, where players nurture a magical garden and face unpredictable weather every three rounds. Players start with a 9x9 plot and must harvest within a 3x3 area, with each round requiring them to meet a point goal. Harvesting yields coins for acquiring new plants, tools, or animals. The gameplay is similar to Balatro, making it accessible for players familiar with it. The author experienced challenges during gameplay, including a sandstorm that affected their score, ultimately finishing with under 300 points.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

6 years after the original, Planet Zoo 2 is finally happening and may be out next year

Planet Zoo is celebrating its sixth anniversary and has received a positive reception since its launch, with a 75% rating from PC Gamer. Frontier Developments released a special anniversary video that hints at a potential sequel, featuring a countdown from 2019 to 2026, which ends with a "2." Fanatical is offering a 55% discount on all of Planet Zoo's downloadable content.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

6 years after the original, Planet Zoo 2 is finally happening and may be out next year

Planet Zoo celebrates its sixth anniversary today, having launched six years ago and received a 75% rating from PC Gamer. Frontier Developments released a celebratory video hinting at a potential sequel, featuring a countdown from 2019 to 2026 that ends with a transformation into a "2." The anniversary video is available on YouTube, and there is a 55% discount on downloadable content for the game on platforms like Fanatical.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

Jurassic World Evolution 3 feels like it forgets that you’re raising dinosaurs, not zoo animals

Jurassic World Evolution 3 focuses on park-building, allowing players to raise dinosaurs and manage attractions. The gameplay includes constructing enclosures, managing resources, and ensuring dinosaur well-being, with familiar mechanics of research, hatching, and nurturing. Quality-of-life improvements enable automation of tasks like repairing fences and tending to sick dinosaurs, enhancing the creative aspects of park management. While the thrill of releasing dinosaurs remains, their behavior lacks depth, and the game emphasizes construction and management over the unpredictable nature of dinosaurs. Challenges, such as velociraptor escapes, lack lasting consequences, and the challenge mode consists of timed tasks that do not fully capture the unpredictability of managing a dinosaur park. Overall, the game does not significantly advance the series, feeling more like an extension of previous titles.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

I would’ve loved Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 a lot more if it hadn’t made the mistake of rolling out time limits for every level

The remaster of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 successfully captures the essence of the original game, providing a familiar mix of satisfaction and frustration. However, the remake of Pro Skater 4 does not evoke the same excitement, as much of its content feels recycled and the gameplay has been altered with a strict two-minute time limit on levels, which changes the dynamics and diminishes the experience. While players can extend the time limit to 60 minutes, the alteration of original objectives to fit a two-minute format is seen as a missed opportunity. The changes seem to cater more to newcomers rather than long-time fans, leading to a divide and a loss of the nostalgic appeal that characterized the remakes of the first two titles.

BetaBeacon

July 4, 2025

Download FarmVille 2: Country Escape (free) for Windows, Android, APK and iOS

FarmVille 2: Country Escape is a free game that can be played on Android devices and iPhones.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

A Problem With A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie was released in theaters on April 4th and has a score of 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows Henry, played by Sebastian Hansen, who opens a portal to the "overworld" and embarks on a quest with Steve, voiced by Jack Black. Key female characters include Henry's sister Natalie, played by Emma Myers, and real estate agent Dawn, portrayed by Danielle Brooks. The film has faced criticism for its portrayal of female characters, who are depicted as struggling and reliant on male characters. It reinforces stereotypes that women are inept at video games and does not pass the Bechdel test, as conversations between female characters primarily focus on a male character, Henry.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Review: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is not just for miners

The film "A Minecraft Movie" features a cast including Jack Black as Steve, Jason Momoa as Garrett, and Jennifer Coolidge as Vice Principal Marlene. The plot follows tween Henry and his sister Natalie as they move to Chuglass, Idaho, where they encounter a realtor named Dawn and discover a magical cube that transports them into the Overworld. The film includes iconic creatures from the game, such as Villagers, Creepers, and Zombies, as they seek to recover a lost Orb. The audience, primarily young adults familiar with the game since its debut in 2011, showed enthusiasm during the screening, particularly enjoying the humor and nostalgic references. The film blends original lore with new narrative elements and appeals to both dedicated fans and newcomers, emphasizing creativity and positive themes.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

A Minecraft Movie Review: An Imaginative Family Fun Adventure

The recently released A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess and features a whimsical and campy aesthetic. The plot follows a quirky group of characters, including an eccentric video game store owner, two grieving siblings, and an aspiring petting zoo entrepreneur, as they embark on a classic fantasy quest in the Overworld. Jack Black voices the iconic avatar Steve, while Jason Momoa plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a comedic lead. The film effectively translates the game's blocky aesthetic into a vibrant cinematic experience, with detailed environments and action sequences that reference in-game mechanics. However, it faces pacing issues, particularly in the middle act, and sometimes struggles to balance humor with emotional storytelling. The movie appeals primarily to fans of Minecraft but remains accessible to newcomers, incorporating Easter eggs without overwhelming them.