One-hundred and forty‑seven in the series, this week’s roundup of Windows Store arrivals and updates delivers a compact but substantive mix: a massive free‑to‑play MMORPG that anchors the list, a professional cad app that promises 2D/3D constraint‑based modeling, a polished wallpaper switcher built around Bing images, and a clutch of touch‑first platformers and arcade titles that illustrate how the Store still serves both productivity and play. This feature pulls the original BetaNews selection together, verifies the biggest technical claims where possible, and analyzes what each pick means for everyday users and power Windows customers.
BetaNews’ weekly “Best Windows apps this week” posts are curated discovery notes rather than deep reviews: each edition names an App of the Week, then lists several other titles and updates with short summaries and pricing notes. That format is valuable because the Microsoft Store’s volume and mixed quality make curated pointers useful for quickly finding high‑impact tools and games. The edition under review follows that pattern: it names Order & Chaos 2 as the standout title and calls out utilities such as Brilli Wallpaper Changer, the CAD app Wedge, and games like Soppy’s Adventure, Running Shadow, Sky Cue Club, and Croc’s World 3.
The Store context matters: some items are native UWP/UAP packages, others are ports or freemium mobile conversions. That distinction affects input support (touch / pen / mouse), monetization (IAPs, ads, paywalling), and long‑term maintenance. Where possible the claims below — feature lists, limits, and pricing models — are cross‑checked against independent storefront pages and third‑party writeups; in a few cases the original BetaNews text is the only clear source and those claims are flagged accordingly.
Verification status and caution:
If you plan to try any of these picks this week, start with trial versions where available, confirm current Store notes and recent user reviews, and keep an eye on small print around IAPs and account persistence. The Microsoft Store still surfaces useful and unexpected apps; these weekly roundups remain one of the fastest ways to find them — when paired with a little verification discipline.
Source: BetaNews Best Windows apps this week
Background / Overview
BetaNews’ weekly “Best Windows apps this week” posts are curated discovery notes rather than deep reviews: each edition names an App of the Week, then lists several other titles and updates with short summaries and pricing notes. That format is valuable because the Microsoft Store’s volume and mixed quality make curated pointers useful for quickly finding high‑impact tools and games. The edition under review follows that pattern: it names Order & Chaos 2 as the standout title and calls out utilities such as Brilli Wallpaper Changer, the CAD app Wedge, and games like Soppy’s Adventure, Running Shadow, Sky Cue Club, and Croc’s World 3.The Store context matters: some items are native UWP/UAP packages, others are ports or freemium mobile conversions. That distinction affects input support (touch / pen / mouse), monetization (IAPs, ads, paywalling), and long‑term maintenance. Where possible the claims below — feature lists, limits, and pricing models — are cross‑checked against independent storefront pages and third‑party writeups; in a few cases the original BetaNews text is the only clear source and those claims are flagged accordingly.
App of the Week: Order & Chaos 2 — what the headline leaves out
Order & Chaos 2 is presented as the week’s big release: a story‑driven action MMORPG that opens with a cinematic battlefield, funnels players into a character‑creation flow with five races and classes, and then drops them into an online progression loop of quests, PvE dungeons, crafting, trading and PvP. That basic description matches the game’s long‑running mobile design and the way Gameloft has positioned the title across storefronts.Verified facts and numbers
- Free‑to‑play model: Order & Chaos 2 is marketed and distributed as a free‑to‑play MMO; the game contains in‑app purchases and progression gating common to the genre. This is corroborated by multiple contemporary reviews and storefront pages.
- Character slot and bag restrictions: BetaNews mentioned that the free version provides two character slots and a limited bag; independent coverage confirms that new players typically receive a small number of free character slots and that additional slots or inventory expansions are purchasable via microtransactions. Specifically, third‑party guides document an initial two free character slots with additional paid slots available and bag/box expansion purchasable via premium currency.
Strengths
- Scale and social systems: As a full‑featured MMORPG it offers guilds, PvP, pluggable progression and cooperative dungeoning — elements that give the title the social stickiness many single‑player mobile conversions lack.
- Cross‑platform familiarity: For players who have used similar fantasy MMOs (or earlier Order & Chaos entries), the control and progression metaphors are instantly understood, lowering the onboarding cost.
Risks and caveats
- Freemium pressure: The free‑to‑play model rarely means “free” beyond an initial window. Expect time‑gates, limited stamina/energy mechanics in some modes, and monetized inventory/backpack/slot expansions. Independent guides document specific bag‑ and storage‑upgrade prices and show how paying speeds progression. This is a direct trade‑off: the game is playable for free but not fully featured without microtransactions if you want convenience or competitive edge.
- Third‑party client fragility: For large online mobile MMOs, the longevity of servers and vendor support matter. Gameloft has historically altered support windows and monetization practices across regions; readers should confirm server/region availability and current developer support before investing serious time.
Practical recommendation
Install and sample the early game to validate performance on your device and to measure the in‑game economy’s pace. If you plan to play with friends, confirm cross‑platform matchmaking and party limits; if you want to avoid paying, set a strict time and in‑app‑purchase budget and treat the title as a long‑running social time sink rather than a purely free experience.Utilities and productivity picks
Brilli Wallpaper Changer — Bing images, automation, and reasonable limits
Brilli is a lightweight wallpaper manager that uses Bing Image of the Day as a primary image source and can automatically rotate Start / Desktop / Lock screen backgrounds at configurable intervals. The app supports creating collections, setting different or identical images for lock and start screens, and scheduling changes every 15 minutes to once per day. Independent reviews describe a freemium model (free version with collection and file limits, low‑cost IAP to remove restrictions) and praise its universal app design for Windows 10 devices. Key product details verified:- Default Bing Image source and region selection are supported.
- Free tier caps (two collections / 30 files per collection) and an inexpensive in‑app upgrade to lift limits are documented in contemporary reviews.
Wedge — a cad app with ambitious claims (verify before purchase)
BetaNews describes Wedge as a professional 2D and 3D CAD application supporting constraints/relations and import of STEP/IGES/BREP/STL formats with SVG export. That description positions Wedge as a compact parametric modeller intended for design and prototyping.Verification status and caution:
- A public, authoritative Microsoft Store page or vendor site confirming the complete import/export list and “no limitations” claim could not be located during verification, which suggests the BetaNews summary may have condensed or paraphrased the product page. Until a vendor or Store listing is found and inspected, treat the detailed import/export claims (step, stp, st, igs, iges, brep, stl → SVG export) as unverified beyond the BetaNews mention. If you depend on exact file‑format compatibility for CAD workflows, validate by downloading the trial (if one exists), or request a spec sheet or sample file exchange from the developer.
Games that stood out
Soppy’s Adventure — touch‑first platforming with fluid swipe control
Soppy’s Adventure is a touch‑centric jump‑and‑run that emphasizes swipe‑based movement: repeated swipes control direction, velocity and midair adjustments, and a slow‑motion mechanic lets players thread precise inputs through tight obstacles. Reviews praise its three distinct worlds, checkpointing system, collectible‑star scoring, and an accessible learning curve that quickly becomes challenging. This play model suits tablets and convertible devices with touchscreens. Strengths:- Intuitive swipes give direct, tactile control which translates well to finger input.
- Short, checkpointed levels make it friendly for mobile gaming sessions without punishing progress loss.
- Small UI elements or lack of keyboard/controller support may limit play on traditional desktops. If you want to use a mouse or gamepad, check the Store page for input options or look for trial availability.
Running Shadow — mission‑based runner with RPG progression
Running Shadow attempts to blend the infinite runner form with roleplaying progression: swipe to avoid and attack, collect gold, and equip your character between runs. The addition of special moves and equipment progression differentiates it from pure reflex runners, though the genre’s monetization tendencies (energy/stamina, IAP for upgrades) are always worth verifying on the current Store listing. BetaNews’ summary highlights mission structure and gear progression; hands‑on testing is recommended to determine paywall pressure.Sky Cue Club (8 & 9 Ball Pool) and Croc’s World 3 — straightforward ports
Sky Cue Club offers 3D pool including 8/9‑ball and snooker, with single‑player practice, AI opponents and local hot‑seat multiplayer; Croc’s World 3 continues the established side‑scrolling platformer lineage with 60 levels and boss fights. Both are typical Store entries: polished but built on familiar mechanics. Expect ads or IAPs on the free versions and paid unlocks for ad‑free or premium content.Discounts, promotions and Store mechanics
BetaNews noted that Red Stripe Deals are back and listed in the Windows 10 Store’s Collections section. Historically, Red Stripe Deals bundle timed discounts into a Store collection for easy discovery and have been valuable for bargain hunters; check your Store region and the Collections tab for the current deals and launch dates. Promotions can change daily, so the list is a discovery cue rather than a purchase guarantee.Security, privacy and monetization: what to watch for
- Networked apps and account scopes: Games and utilities that use online APIs may request account credentials, require cloud sync, or store user progress remotely. Verify what data is uploaded, whether traffic is encrypted and whether the developer publishes a privacy policy. For social or paid MMOs like Order & Chaos 2, treat the account as a persistent asset — vendors can and do change monetization or account transfer policies.
- In‑app purchases and gating: The distinction between cosmetic IAPs and progression‑speed IAPs matters. Play a few hours to confirm whether key mechanics (inventory size, character slots, energy systems) are gated behind payment. For Order & Chaos 2, bag/box expansions and character slots are documented paid options; for smaller games, watch for sudden purchase prompts or excessively long timers.
- System‑level utilities: Apps that change system settings (wallpapers, lock screens, shell integrations) should be treated with extra caution. Confirm the app’s update cadence and whether settings revert after updates or require elevated permissions. Brilli’s wallpaper automation is low‑risk but inspect permissions and review history before a wide deployment.
Hands‑on checklist before installing or deploying any app from the weekly list
- Read the current Microsoft Store page for the app and confirm supported OS versions and required permissions.
- Check the latest user reviews (past 30–90 days) for compatibility notes and performance feedback.
- For paid apps: test the free trial and confirm refund/return policy.
- For networked or cloud‑saving apps: read the privacy policy and test what data synchronizes.
- For system utilities (wallpaper changers, shell utilities, drivers): back up settings and create a restore point before broad deployment.
Strengths of this week’s selection
- Range and balance: The list mixes a social, large‑scale MMO with single‑purpose productivity tools and touch‑first indie games, demonstrating the Microsoft Store’s capacity to serve both niche workflows and mass‑market entertainment.
- Discovery value: Weekly roundups surface items (like device‑targeted CAD tools or daily wallpaper agents) that casual storefront browsing often buries. For users hunting specific functionality — automated wallpapers, beginner‑friendly mobile platformers, or handheld CAD — this edition delivers useful leads.
Risks and limitations
- Verification gaps for niche apps: A handful of claims (for example, the detailed file‑format compatibility and “no limitations” wording for Wedge) could not be independently verified during the checks performed here. When a critical workflow depends on a single, recently released utility, vendors’ specification pages and trial downloads are the only reliable trust anchors. Flag unverified claims and test before relying on them in production.
- Freemium friction: Several titles in the roundup are free‑to‑play with in‑app purchases and structural paywalls. The initial fun of a game can be counterbalanced by monetization that throttles progression; play a few hours before investing money.
Final analysis — who should care and why
- Power users and makers: Evaluate Wedge only after confirming file interoperability with your fabrication chain. If its claims are accurate, a Store‑based CAD tool with STEP/IGES import and SVG export would be notable — but the absence of an authoritative spec means test first.
- Gamers and social players: Order & Chaos 2 offers a substantial MMO experience on Windows‑capable devices, but its freemium economy requires cautious time/budget management. Use it as a social space rather than a purely free pastime.
- Casual and mobile‑first users: Soppy’s Adventure, Running Shadow, Croc’s World 3, and Sky Cue Club are solid picks for tablet or convertible owners who prefer touch controls and short levels or matches. Expect ads and optional IAPs on free versions.
- Anyone who likes a fresh desktop: Brilli or Dynamic‑theme style apps are low‑risk ways to automate wallpaper rotation, especially if you appreciate daily Bing photography; the freemium limits are modest and unlocked cheaply.
Closing takeaway
This week’s BetaNews roundup delivers workhorse utility and social scale in the same short list: a full‑blown MMORPG anchors entertainment choices while wallpaper automation and CAD tooling illustrate the Store’s practical edge. The utility of that list depends on one caveat above all: verify the details that matter to you — file formats for CAD, input support for games, privacy and sync for networked apps, and the true shape of in‑app purchases. Treat this roundup as a high‑quality discovery map, not a replacement for hands‑on validation.If you plan to try any of these picks this week, start with trial versions where available, confirm current Store notes and recent user reviews, and keep an eye on small print around IAPs and account persistence. The Microsoft Store still surfaces useful and unexpected apps; these weekly roundups remain one of the fastest ways to find them — when paired with a little verification discipline.
Source: BetaNews Best Windows apps this week
