The Gamer Guide - Issue 24

The Preamble

So, you have stumbled across The Gamer Guide and you are wondering, “Why do I need a guide to gaming?” Well, we will not guide you on how to game, but we will keep you informed as to what the gaming industry has to offer to get you the best gaming experience! Now, the second thing you are probably wondering is, “How did The Gamer Guide start?” Well, it can be a slightly long story. However, the shortened version is that the journey of three Twitch streamers brought them together, and with their passion for gaming, their experiences of streaming, and their love for everything within the world of entertainment… The Gamer Guide was born.

But what exactly is The Gamer Guide? The Gamer Guide is a digital magazine that focuses on everything gaming and streaming. This includes the latest/upcoming releases, reviews on gaming accessories, streaming tips, and even interviews with streamers and industry professionals from across the globe. Our readership is predominantly other gamers and streamers, just like us! We understand that the love and passion for gaming extends far beyond just playing a game, and that is what we are all about!

So, who are the people behind this magazine?

Brandon Sawyer - Content Director

Brandon who goes by the name of Sawyer is the Co Owner & Content Director of The Gamer Guide. Predominantly Sawyer is an Xbox Gamer where he mostly plays his Xbox Series X but also has a Gaming PC, a Nintendo Switch, and even a Playstation 5, with a variety of platforms this gives Sawyer the ability to review the latest games for TGG. Sawyers main gaming love is Gears of war and RPGs because who doesn’t love an adventure or some chainsaw slaying with a cheeky blind fire or wall bounce. Due to Sawyers vast knowledge and background within the industry he came together with Emily to form The Gamer Guide.

Emily Welfare - Creative Director

Emily, also known as CreativeTrashGaming, came together with Sawyer to form the Gamer Guide, bringing her creative knowledge. Her favourite types of games are those with a compelling story, or those that just make her inner Fantasy Nerd go ballistic. She also likes spooky stuff, not just in the gaming realm but in general, and has a podcast with her two sisters where they discuss all things horror. Emily loves to dabble in the art world often, creating digital art pieces and learning new crafts. A graphics designer in her full time job, Emily is an integral part of the team whom designs the entire layout of our magazines from top to bottom!

Jamie Yong - Operations Manager

Jamie joined The Gamer Guide late 2022 as the Operations Manager. With gaming experience in multiple platforms, Jamie’s preferred platform is PC gaming; from aiming down the sights in an FPS to brandishing swords in the world of MMORPGs. Jamie has come on board to bring you content on your favourite creators; from streamers and YouTubers, to cosplayers and artists!

amp extreme infinity 5070 ti gpu

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti GPU is a shining example of how far graphics technology has evolved. Blending innovative engineering, sleek aesthetics, and unmatched performance, ZOTAC has created a product that caters to gamers, creatives, and tech enthusiasts alike. As a seasoned gaming journalist, I had the privilege of testing this powerhouse paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor, and the results were undeniably extraordinary. Let’s dive into an in-depth review of this cutting-edge GPU.

Design and Build Quality: A Bold Statement

The ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti is as much a piece of art as it is a functional tool. The card’s triple-slot, triple-fan configuration is complemented by a robust metallic grey chassis with bronze accents, exuding sophistication. The infinity mirror RGB lighting on the front panel is a visual masterpiece, making this card the crown jewel of any PC build.

Key Features:

• Dimensions: 332.1mm x 137.5mm x 69.6mm

• IceStorm 3.0 Cooling System with BladeLink Fans and a vapor chamber

• Fully customizable RGB lighting via ZOTAC’s FireStorm software

The card feels sturdy, premium, and built to last. However, its sheer size makes it essential to ensure compatibility with your PC case before purchase.

Infinity Screen

The ZOTAC Infinity Screen is a standout feature of this graphics card. It incorporates an Infinity Mirror Design, which creates a visually stunning effect by reflecting light in a way that gives the illusion of infinite depth. This design is not just about aesthetics; it complements the card’s SPECTRA 2.0 RGB Lighting, allowing users to customize the lighting to match their setup.

Score: 9.5/10 – It’s hard to find fault with its design and build quality, although the large size may be a challenge for compact cases.

IceStorm 3.0 Cooling System: Innovative Thermal Mastery

A defining feature of the ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti is its IceStorm 3.0 cooling system, which ensures peak performance and maintains efficiency even during the most demanding workloads. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes this cooling system shine:

Triple BladeLink Fans: Three large fans with specially engineered blade designs maximize airflow while keeping noise levels low. This ensures efficient heat dissipation across the GPU core, memory, and power delivery components.

Vapor Chamber Technology: Vapor chamber cooling technology replaces traditional heat pipes, providing faster and more uniform heat transfer, keeping temperatures under control during highintensity gaming sessions.

Massive Fin Stack: The card is equipped with an extensive array of aluminium fins, which significantly increases the surface area for heat dissipation. This allows the GPU to maintain stable performance even under heavy loads.

Independent Fan Controls: Each fan operates independently, adjusting its speed based on the specific thermal requirements of different components. This enhances cooling efficiency and keeps the noise profile low.

Durable Materials: Built with quality materials, the fans and cooling components are designed for long-lasting reliability, even with consistent, highpower usage.

Customizable RGB Lighting: While primarily a thermal solution, the IceStorm 3.0 also adds an aesthetic flair, with customizable RGB lighting that integrates seamlessly with ZOTAC’s FireStorm software. The infinity mirror front panel adds a distinct touch, making your setup visually stunning.

This robust cooling system plays a pivotal role in the ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti’s ability to deliver remarkable performance while staying cool and whisper-quiet, even under extreme conditions.

Score: 10/10 – Perfect thermal performance, combining functionality and aesthetics without compromise.

Performance Across Genres: The Gold Standard

When paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor, the ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti delivered spectacular results across a range of games. Whether it was the richly detailed environments of AAA titles or the fast-paced action of esports games, this GPU excelled in every scenario. Here’s an expanded breakdown of its performance across genres and games:

Game: Cyberpunk 2077

Settings: Ultra+DLSS 4

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 85

Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 92

Game: Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition

Settings: Ultra + Ray Tracing

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 78

Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 120

Game: Forza Horizon 5

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 110

Game: Starfield

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 70

Game: Hogwarts Legacy

Settings: Ultra + Ray Tracing

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 75

Game: Overwatch 2

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 140+

Game: Valorant

Settings: Ultra

Resolution: 4K

FPS: 250+

Game: Baldur’s Gate 3

Settings: Ultra Resolution: 4K

FPS: 85

The card demonstrated its ability to handle games with demanding visuals and competitive shooters with incredible responsiveness. NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4, and Multi Frame Generation technologies shine through in these benchmarks, providing ultra-smooth and immersive gaming experiences.

Score: 10/10 – Flawless performance across the board, with some of the highest benchmarks in its class.

Thermals and Acoustics: Staying Cool and Quiet

Thanks to ZOTAC’s IceStorm 3.0 cooling system, the GPU remained remarkably cool even under heavy workloads. During extended gaming sessions at 4K Ultra settings, the GPU temperatures peaked at 73°C. The fans operated efficiently, maintaining a balance between cooling and noise levels. In quiet mode, the card was nearly silent during less demanding tasks, such as browsing or streaming.

Score: 9/10 – Excellent thermal performance and quiet operation, though it could have been perfect with slightly better cooling efficiency under extreme loads.

The Power Efficiency and Requirements: A Heavyweight Demands Power

With its cutting-edge specs, the ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti is understandably powerhungry. It requires a minimum 750W PSU, and its 12VHPWR connector ensures stable and efficient power delivery. While this is standard for GPUs in this performance tier, upgrading your PSU might

be necessary if you’re coming from a mid-range build.

Score: 8.5/10 – Power requirements are on the higher side, but they are justified for the performance offered.

Creative Applications: A Tool for Professionals

Beyond gaming, the ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti proves its worth as a reliable tool for creative professionals. In applications like Blender, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, the GPU excelled at 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and AI-assisted workflows. Render times were drastically reduced, and the card handled complex projects with ease, making it an excellent choice for content creators.

Score: 9.5/10 – Outstanding creative performance, with minimal latency and faster renders.

Connectivity and Features: Cutting-Edge

Options

The ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti offers

all the latest connectivity options, ensuring it’s ready for the future of gaming and content creation. Key features include:

• Three DisplayPort 2.1b outputs

• One HDMI 2.1a port

• Support for up to 8K resolution at 165Hz

• Dual BIOS for performance and quiet modes

Whether you’re gaming on a high-refresh-rate monitor or working on a multi-display setup, this GPU has you covered.

Score: 10/10 – Everything you need, plus some futureproofing.

Overall Verdict

The ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti is a game-changer. From its elegant design to its stellar performance, this GPU sets a new benchmark in its class. While the size and power requirements may not suit everyone, those with the right setup will find it hard to top what this card offers.

Final Ratings

• Design and Build Quality: 9.5/10

• IceStorm 3.0 Cooling System: 10/10

• Performance Across Genres: 10/10

• Thermals and Acoustics: 9/10

• Power Efficiency and Requirements: 8.5/10

• Creative Applications: 9.5/10

• Connectivity and Features: 10/10

Overall Score: 9.5/10

The ZOTAC AMP Extreme Infinity 5070 Ti isn’t just a graphics card: it’s a showcase of modern engineering. Whether you’re a passionate gamer or a professional creator, this GPU raises the bar in every way imaginable. Why not check out everything ZOTAC does below in hopes you too can secure a card like this.

www.zotac.com

Facebook: @ZOTAC

Twitter/X: @ZOTAC_UK

Instagram: @zotac_uk

YouTube: @zotac_official

aeroclip: the future of open-audio comfort

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

When it comes to personal audio, finding the perfect balance between comfort, functionality, and sound quality can feel like chasing a mirage. Enter the Soundcore AeroClip Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds with Adaptive Comfort, a groundbreaking innovation that combines open-ear design with cutting-edge technology. With an enticing price of £129.99 in the UK, these earbuds aim to redefine how we experience music and calls on the go.

For those unfamiliar, Soundcore is a brand by Anker Innovations, renowned for crafting premium audio products that seamlessly blend innovation and affordability. Whether it’s high-fidelity sound, intuitive designs, or long-lasting battery performance, Soundcore has built a reputation for delivering audio solutions that punch well above their price tags. The AeroClip is no exception—it is an embodiment of the brand’s commitment to quality and user-centric design. Here’s a deep dive into why these earbuds stand out from the crowd, along with my personal experience using them.

Design and Comfort

The AeroClip earbuds’ open-ring design is a triumph of both form and function. Unlike traditional earbuds that may feel invasive or bulky, the AeroClip’s clip-on mechanism gently yet securely wraps around your ear cartilage. Made from flexible memory titanium wire, the earbuds adapt naturally to various ear shapes, ensuring a snug fit without discomfort. From casual strolls to vigorous workouts, I found their feather-light weight and minimalistic design made them almost unnoticeable—except for the crisp audio they deliver.

Audio Performance

Soundcore has equipped the AeroClip with its signature 12mm titanium-coated drivers, providing a robust and nuanced audio experience. The sound profile strikes an excellent balance: deep, resonant bass that doesn’t overwhelm, natural mids, and crystal-clear highs. What sets these earbuds apart is their Virtual Bass™ technology, which compensates for the inherent bass limitations of open-ear designs.

Although the open-ear format naturally limits noise isolation, I found this trade-off to be a safety

feature, especially during outdoor runs or busy commutes where situational awareness is crucial.

Features and User Experience

Soundcore has packed the AeroClip with a host of thoughtful features. The intuitive touch controls allow seamless management of playback, calls, and voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant. Call clarity is ensured by four strategically placed beamforming microphones, bolstered by wind-blocking meshes and advanced AI noise reduction algorithms. On the durability front, an IPX4 water resistance rating offers peace of mind for workouts and unpredictable weather. These features collectively contribute to a hassle-free, user-friendly experience.

Battery Life

Battery performance is where the AeroClip truly shines. An impressive 8-hour playback time on a single charge, coupled with an additional 24 hours from the charging case, ensures all-day usage. The fast-charging feature is a major plus: just 10 minutes of charging provides a generous 3 hours of playback. This makes the AeroClip

a reliable partner for long commutes, workouts, and more.

Personal Experience

Incorporating the AeroClip into my daily routine has been a revelation. As someone who often struggles with discomfort from traditional in-ear models, these open-ear earbuds felt like a breath of fresh air—literally. Whether I was jogging along a park trail or navigating a crowded urban environment, the AeroClip delivered crystalclear audio without cutting me off from the world around me.

The balance between comfort, safety, and premium audio quality is exactly what I’d been searching for.

Conclusion and Final Score

The Soundcore AeroClip is a testament to how

far audio technology has come. Its innovative open-ear design, coupled with impressive sound quality and a suite of user-friendly features, makes it an outstanding choice for those prioritizing comfort and situational awareness. While its open-ear nature might not satisfy users seeking complete noise isolation, this is a deliberate design choice rather than a drawback.

Score: 9/10

Priced at £129.99, the AeroClip offers exceptional value and versatility. It delivers on its promises, and with slight tweaks to bass depth or battery longevity, it could easily achieve a perfect score.

If you too would like to obtain a pair of these or many other products that Soundcore create then you can do so below.

samsung 9100 pro ssd

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Samsung continues to push the boundaries of storage technology with the release of its latest solid-state drive (SSD), the 9100 PRO. Equipped with a PCIe® 5.0 interface, the 9100 PRO is designed to meet the demands of high-performance computing, gaming, and professional workloads. In this review, we will delve into the detailed specifications, performance metrics, power efficiency, thermal management, storage capacity, and user experience of the Samsung 9100 PRO SSD, providing an in-depth analysis for potential buyers.

Specifications

The Samsung 9100 PRO SSD is a powerhouse designed for high-performance computing, gaming, and professional workloads. Here are the detailed specifications:

• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4

• Form Factor: M.2 2280

• Controller: Samsung Presto (S4LY027)

• NAND Flash: 280-layer TLC V-NAND

• DRAM Cache: LPDDR4, varying by capacity (1GB for 1TB, 2GB for 2TB, 4GB for 4TB)

• Sequential Read Speed: Up to 14,800 MB/s

• Sequential Write Speed: Up to 13,400 MB/s

• Random Read Speed: Up to 2,200K IOPS

• Random Write Speed: Up to 2,600K IOPS

• Endurance: 600 TBW for 1TB, 1,200 TBW for 2TB, 2,400 TBW for 4TB

• Power Efficiency: 49% more efficient than its predecessor, the 990 PRO

• Heatsink: Available with and without heatsink options. The heatsink models are 8.8mm thick for 1TB to 4TB.

Performance

The Samsung 9100 PRO SSD sets a new benchmark for high-performance storage solutions. Its sequential read speeds of up to

14,800 MB/s and write speeds of up to 13,400 MB/s significantly outpace most current consumer SSDs on the market, including the previous generation 990 PRO and competitors like the Crucial T705. This improvement translates into faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and enhanced overall system responsiveness.

The random read and write performance, reaching up to 2,200K IOPS and 2,600K IOPS respectively, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of large datasets. This makes the 9100 PRO an excellent choice for professional applications such as video editing, 3D rendering, and software development, where rapid access to large files and quick application launches are critical.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

One of the standout features of the 9100 PRO series is its enhanced power efficiency. The 5nm in-house controller, combined with Samsung’s proprietary algorithms, delivers up to 49% greater power efficiency compared to the 990 PRO. This efficiency reduces power consumption, leading to lower overall energy costs and less heat generation.

For users who engage in prolonged highperformance tasks, thermal management is crucial. The 9100 PRO’s heatsink variant provides an additional layer of cooling, ensuring the SSD

maintains optimal temperatures even during extended use. This is particularly beneficial for gamers, content creators, and professionals who require sustained performance without the risk of thermal throttling.

Storage Capacity and Compatibility

The 9100 PRO series is available in multiple capacities, each designed to cater to different user needs:

• 1TB: $199.99 / £150.09

• 2TB: $299.99 / £223.79

• 4TB: $549.99 / £406.79

The heatsink models add an extra $20 to these prices. The variety of capacities ensures that there is a 9100 PRO SSD suitable for different storage requirements, from casual users to professionals handling large volumes of data. The drives are compatible with a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, and gaming consoles, making them versatile options for various setups.

PCIe 5.0: The Next-Gen Interface

PCIe 5.0, or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express 5.0, is the latest iteration of the PCIe standard, offering significant improvements over its predecessor, PCIe 4.0. Here are some key features and benefits of PCIe 5.0:

• Bandwidth: PCIe 5.0 doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, providing up to 32 GT/s (gigatransfers per second) per lane, compared to 16 GT/s in PCIe 4.0. This translates to a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 128 GB/s for a 16lane (x16) configuration.

• Data Transfer Rates: With higher data transfer rates, PCIe 5.0 enables faster communication between the SSD and the rest of the system, reducing latency and improving overall performance.

• Compatibility: PCIe 5.0 is backward compatible with previous generations, meaning it can work with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 devices. However, to fully utilize the benefits of PCIe 5.0, both the motherboard and the SSD need to support the standard.

• Power Efficiency: PCIe 5.0 includes enhancements in power efficiency, making it more suitable for high-performance applications that require sustained data

transfer rates without excessive power consumption.

• Future-Proofing: As more devices and components adopt PCIe 5.0, investing in a PCIe 5.0 SSD like the Samsung 9100 PRO ensures that your system remains future-proof and capable of handling the demands of next-generation applications and workloads.

User Experience

From my experience, the Samsung 9100 PRO SSD has been a game-changer. The installation was straightforward, and the performance boost was immediately noticeable. Applications load almost instantaneously, and large file transfers are completed in a fraction of the time compared to my previous SSD. The heatsink model I opted for has kept the drive cool even during extended gaming sessions and intensive video editing tasks. The power efficiency is also a significant plus, as it has reduced the overall power consumption of my system.

Overall Rating

Based on its specifications, performance, and pricing, the Samsung 9100 PRO SSD is a top-tier storage solution. It offers exceptional speed, efficiency, and capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of high-performance applications. I would rate it a solid 9 out of 10. The only potential drawback is the high price point, especially for the higher capacity models.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung 9100 PRO SSD is a cutting-edge storage solution that sets new standards in speed, power efficiency, and capacity. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or professional, this SSD is built to meet the demands of tomorrow’s technology. If you too want to secure one of these then head over to Samsung’s web below to learn more.

www.samsung.com

gl25b 12.9” streaming key light

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

In the realm of content creation, streaming, and professional video conferencing, lighting is paramount. The Neewer GL25B 12.9” Streaming Key Light emerges as an essential tool for those seeking to elevate their visual presentation. This advanced lighting solution is designed with the user in mind, offering an array of features that cater to both novice and seasoned professionals. With its user-friendly design, robust performance, and versatility, the Neewer GL25B sets a new standard in the market, ensuring that your content always looks its best.

Design and Build Quality

The Neewer GL25B exemplifies sleek, modern design coupled with practicality. The compact light panel measures 10.6” x 7.4” x 1.5” and weighs a mere 22oz, ensuring seamless integration into any workspace. The adjustable desktop stand, complemented by a ball head adapter, facilitates flexible height and angle adjustments, guaranteeing optimal lighting for various setups.

Lighting Performance

Equipped with 176 high-quality LEDs, the GL25B delivers a robust 25W output and a maximum illuminance of 2300lux at 0.5 meters. The edgeemitting technology ensures a uniform, soft glow, eliminating harsh shadows and providing a comfortable lighting experience, even during extended usage. The light’s extensive colour temperature range of 2900K to 7000K, along with its 0-100% dimming capability, allows for precise control over the lighting environment, enabling users to seamlessly match ambient light and achieve the desired aesthetic.

Control and Usability

The Neewer GL25B stands out with its versatile control options. Users can manage the light directly from the panel, via the included 2.4G remote, or through a PC or Mac using the 2.4G USB transmitter. Additionally, the Neewer Live 2.4G app offers seamless control without necessitating an internet connection, making it ideal for dynamic,

Noise and Heat Management

The fanless design of the GL25B ensures silent operation, fostering an immersive experience for streaming or video conferencing without any auditory distractions. Constructed from thermally conductive material, the light panel features strategically placed vents around its frame to facilitate efficient heat dissipation, guaranteeing consistent performance during prolonged sessions.

Impact on Video Quality for Streaming

Lighting plays a pivotal role in video quality for streaming, and the Neewer GL25B excels in several areas:

• Clarity and Detail: Proper lighting ensures that the video is clear and detailed. Insufficient lighting can lead to grainy or blurry footage, while balanced lighting highlights the subject’s features and surroundings with precision.

• Colour Accuracy: Good lighting helps maintain accurate and vibrant colours. Poor lighting can distort colours, making them appear washed out or unnatural. Properly calibrated lights can enhance the richness of colours and make the video more visually appealing.

• Shadow Control: Proper lighting helps manage shadows effectively. Harsh shadows can be distracting and reduce the visibility of the subject. Soft, uniform lighting, like that provided by the Neewer GL25B, minimizes harsh shadows and creates a more professional look.

• Mood and Atmosphere: Lighting can set the mood and atmosphere of the video. Warm lighting can create a cozy and inviting feel, while cooler lighting can give a more professional and clean appearance. Adjusting the colour temperature of your lights allows you to convey different emotions and settings.

• Viewer Engagement: High-quality lighting can keep viewers engaged. When viewers can see the streamer clearly, they are more likely to stay engaged and focus on the content. Good lighting also projects professionalism, which can enhance the credibility and appeal of the streamer.

• Eye Comfort: Proper lighting reduces eye strain for both the streamer and the viewers. Bright, harsh lights can cause discomfort, while soft, evenly distributed lighting provides a pleasant viewing experience, especially during long streaming sessions.

• Focus and Attention: Well-lit videos help direct the viewer’s attention to the intended focal points. Whether it’s the streamer’s face, a product being showcased, or any other element, good lighting ensures that the focus is clear and effective.

Pricing

The NEEWER GL25B 12.9” Streaming Key Light is available at different prices depending on where you purchase it. Here are a couple of options:

• On Amazon UK, it’s priced at £104.99.

• On the NEEWER UK website, it’s listed for £129.99

Both options offer free returns and various control features, including a 2.4G remote and PC/Mac app control.

The light is designed to provide a soft, continuous glow with a wide color temperature range and zero noise disturbance.

Comparisons with Similar Key Lights

Neewer GL25B vs. Elgato Key Light

• Design and Build Quality: Both lights feature a sleek design and are built for professional use. The Neewer GL25B is slightly more compact and lightweight, making it easier to manoeuvre.

• Lighting Performance: The Elgato Key Light offers a similar output with 2800 lumens, but the Neewer GL25B’s edge-emitting technology provides a softer, more uniform glow.

• Control Options: The Elgato Key Light can be controlled via Wi-Fi using the Elgato Control Centre app, while the Neewer GL25B offers control via a 2.4G remote, USB transmitter, or the Neewer Live 2.4G app, which doesn’t require an internet connection.

• Noise and Heat Management: Both lights have fanless designs for silent operation, but the Neewer GL25B’s thermally conductive material and vented frame ensure efficient heat dissipation.

Neewer GL25B vs. Godox LEDP260C

• Design and Build Quality: The Godox LEDP260C is larger and heavier compared to the Neewer GL25B, which might be a consideration for those with limited desk space.

• Lighting Performance: The Godox LEDP260C offers a higher maximum illuminance of 3300lux at 0.5m, but the Neewer GL25B’s edge-emitting technology provides a more comfortable lighting experience for extended use.

• Control Options: The Godox LEDP260C is controlled via a built-in panel, while the Neewer GL25B offers more versatile control options, including a remote and app.

• Noise and Heat Management: Both lights are fanless, but the Neewer GL25B’s design ensures better heat dissipation.

Conclusion

Overall Rating: 9/10

The Neewer GL25B 12.9” Streaming Key Light is an exceptional choice for those seeking to enhance their lighting setup. Its powerful performance, versatile control options, and user-friendly design

position it as a leading contender in the market. While the absence of included AAA batteries for the remote may be a minor inconvenience, it is outweighed by the numerous benefits this light offers.

neewer gc21b 21w bi-colour magnetic handheld tube light

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The Neewer GC21B is a versatile and portable lighting solution designed for photographers and videographers who need reliable and adjustable lighting on the go. This 21W bi-colour LED tube light offers a range of features that make it a valuable addition to any creative toolkit.

Design and Build Quality

The GC21B is crafted from soft and wearresistant TPU and silicone, providing durability and protection for the LEDs and electronic components inside. The sleek and modern design not only looks professional but also ensures the light stick is lightweight and portable. Weighing just a few hundred grams, it is easy to carry in your camera bag or even in hand for long periods without fatigue.

The GC21B comes with a built-in magnetic module, allowing for secure attachment to any flat magnetic metal surface. This feature is particularly useful for hands-free operation when you need both hands to manage your camera or other equipment. Additionally, the included magnetic stand with a 1/4” screw hole offers more mounting options, making it adaptable to various shooting environments.

Lighting Performance

Equipped with 320 high-quality LEDs, the GC21B delivers up to 1300LUX/0.5m illumination with a powerful 21W output. The bi-colour temperature range of 2700K-6500K allows for both warm and cool lighting, catering to different creative needs. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy and intimate scene with warm tones or a bright and professional setting with cool light, the GC21B has you covered. The 0%-100% adjustable brightness feature ensures that you can fine-tune the intensity of the light to match the ambient conditions or achieve the desired artistic effect. The high CRI rating of 95 is a testament to the light’s ability to reproduce colours accurately, making your subjects look their best on camera.

Battery Life and Charging

The built-in 7.4V 2500mAh battery is designed to provide reliable power for your shoots. At full

brightness, the battery can last up to 50 minutes, which is sufficient for most standard shoots. However, for longer sessions, you might need to recharge the light or have an additional power source on hand. The included USB-C cable allows for quick recharging within 120 minutes, minimizing downtime and keeping you ready for action.

Special Features

One of the standout features of the GC21B is its array of 12 special effect scenes, including Paparazzi, Defective Bulb, Explosion, and Welding. These effects can add drama and creativity to your projects, making them more engaging and visually interesting. Whether you’re shooting a music video, a short film, or a creative photo shoot, these effects can help you achieve professional results with ease. The integrated 0.98” colour screen displays all information on every light setting, including colour temperature, brightness, battery level, and special effects. This intuitive interface makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly, ensuring you can focus on capturing the perfect shot without getting bogged down by technical details.

Personal Experience and Best Tips

From my personal experience, the Neewer GC21B has been a game-changer for on-location shoots. Its compact size and lightweight design make it incredibly easy to transport, and the magnetic feature is a lifesaver when you need to quickly set up lighting in challenging environments. Here are some tips to get the most out of the GC21B:

• Pre-plan Your Lighting Setup: Before heading out to a shoot, plan your lighting setup and consider how you can utilize the magnetic feature for hands-free lighting. This will save you time and effort on set.

• Experiment with Special Effects: The 12 special effect scenes can add a unique touch to your projects. Spend some time experimenting with these effects to see how they can enhance your creative vision.

• Optimize Battery Usage: To extend battery life, adjust the brightness to the minimum level required for your shoot. Carry a portable power bank to recharge the light on the go, especially for longer shoots.

• Utilize the Bi-Colour Feature: Take advantage of the wide colour temperature range to create different moods and atmospheres in your shots. Mixing warm and cool light can add depth and dimension to your scenes.

• Practice with the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the integrated colour screen and its settings. This will allow you to make quick adjustments during your shoot without interrupting your workflow.

Pricing

The NEEWER GC21B 21W Bi-Color Magnetic Handheld Tube Light Stick is available at different prices depending on where you purchase it. Here are a couple of options:

• On the NEEWER UK website, it’s priced at £79.99.

• On the NEEWER US website, it’s listed for $69.99.

Both options offer a 2-year warranty and a 45day return policy. The light stick is designed to be travel-friendly, lightweight, and portable, with a high power output and multiple mounting options.

Conclusion and Rating

Overall, the Neewer GC21B is a well-designed and versatile lighting solution that offers excellent performance and a range of features at an affordable price. Its portability, durability, and adjustable lighting options make it a valuable tool for photographers and videographers alike.

Rating: 8.5/10

The GC21B earns an 8.5 out of 10 for its impressive lighting performance, ease of use, and creative features.

The only areas for improvement are the battery life, which could be longer, and the build quality, which, while durable, could benefit from more premium materials.

If you too want to secure some of Neewers products then you can do so below.

www.neewer.uk www.neewer.com

Facebook: @Neewer.Store

Instagram: @neewer

Twitter/X: @neewerofficial

TikTok: @neewerofficial

YouTube: @NeewerOfficial

logitech g pro x tkl

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

When it comes to gaming peripherals, Logitech has long been a household name. Renowned for their precision engineering and relentless innovation, the brand continues to set the gold standard for both casual and competitive gamers alike. The Logitech G Pro series is no exception, and the G Pro X TKL (Tenkeyless) keyboard is an extraordinary testament to Logitech’s commitment to quality and performance.

Designed with professional esports athletes in mind, the G Pro X TKL combines portability, precision, and personalization into a single sleek package. As someone who has had the chance to thoroughly test this keyboard, I’m here to share my detailed insights into what makes this device stand out, what it offers, and where it might fall short. Let’s break it down.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the box, the Logitech G Pro X TKL made a strong impression. The packaging felt premium, with every component neatly arranged to set expectations of quality. Along with the keyboard itself, you’ll find a detachable USB-C cable, a puller tool for removing keycaps or switches, and some well-crafted documentation to get you started.

Lifting the keyboard for the first time, I was struck by its compact size and solid build. Despite the small form factor, the keyboard feels weighty enough to avoid sliding during gameplay, a sign of good craftsmanship. The aesthetic is understated but undeniably premium, making it a perfect addition to any gaming setup, be it flashy or minimalist.

Design and Build Quality

The G Pro X TKL features a tenkeyless design, shedding the numpad for a more compact and portable structure. This not only saves space on the desk but also allows for larger mouse movements—something FPS players will undoubtedly appreciate. However, the numpad’s absence can be a trade-off for users

who frequently crunch numbers or perform data-heavy tasks.

The aluminium top plate adds a touch of elegance and durability, while the overall weight strikes a balance between portability and sturdiness. The detachable USB-C cable is another thoughtful feature, making transportation effortless and safeguarding against potential wear and tear.

Visually, the RGB lighting, powered by Logitech’s LIGHTSYNC technology, steals the show. Every key is individually backlit, and the colours are impressively vivid. Logitech’s G Hub software allows you to customize these effects with ease— whether you want subtle hues that match your workspace or dynamic, game-synced animations that bring your setup to life.

Switches and Typing Experience

What truly sets the G Pro X TKL apart is its hotswappable switch system, which opens a world of customization. By default, Logitech offers three types of GX mechanical switches: Clicky (GX Blue), Tactile (GX Brown), and Linear (GX Red). Each has a distinct feel, so you can select the one that complements your style.

I opted for the GX Brown switches during my testing phase, and I couldn’t be more pleased. They strike the perfect balance—offering tactile feedback that enhances typing without the loud clickiness that might disturb others in the room. The actuation is smooth, precise, and comfortable, whether you’re locked in a high-stakes match or typing out long reports.

The hot-swappable sockets are a dream for enthusiasts, allowing you to mix and match switch types across the keyboard or replace worn-out switches without any soldering. This not only enhances the keyboard’s longevity but also elevates its versatility, giving users the power to tailor their experience.

Performance and Features

The G Pro X TKL’s performance is nothing short of stellar. Engineered with esports in mind, it excels in delivering low-latency response times and unparalleled input precision. Every keystroke registers instantly, giving you a competitive edge in games like Valorant, Counter-Strike, or League of Legends. Anti-ghosting and full N-key rollover ensure that every command is executed flawlessly, no matter how frantic the gameplay gets.

Logitech’s G Hub software adds another layer of brilliance, offering extensive customization. From programming macros to adjusting RGB lighting and creating game-specific profiles, the possibilities are almost endless. During my use, switching between profiles became second nature, allowing me to seamlessly transition from work tasks to gaming sessions without missing a beat.

Moreover, the portability of the keyboard made it a joy to use across different environments. At home, it fit comfortably into my setup, and when on the go, it slipped into my bag without any hassle.

It’s compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly—yet uncompromising in performance.

Personal Experience

The Logitech G Pro X TKL quickly became a favourite of mine for its versatility and performance. As someone who values precision and comfort, I found the tactile feedback of the GX Brown switches incredibly satisfying. They provided just the right amount of resistance, whether I was executing rapid inputs in intense firefights or typing lengthy articles.

The detachable cable, adjustable tilt legs, and compact design made the keyboard highly adaptable. I especially appreciated the small footprint on my desk, which gave me ample room for mouse movement—something crucial for FPS games. However, there were moments when I missed having a numpad, especially for tasks like spreadsheet work. That said, this trade-off is par for the course with tenkeyless keyboards and is ultimately a matter of personal preference.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Logitech G Pro X TKL is a masterclass in gaming keyboard design. From its robust build and customizable switches to its stunning RGB lighting and esports-grade performance, it ticks nearly every box for both casual and professional users. It’s a keyboard that doesn’t just perform—it elevates your entire setup.

Score: 9/10

While its premium price point and lack of a numpad might give some pause, the Logitech G Pro X TKL delivers exceptional quality, portability, and performance. If you’re in the market for a gaming keyboard that combines functionality with

logitech g pro x superlight 2 dex

Logitech has consistently proven itself as a leader in the gaming peripherals market, offering products that blend cutting-edge innovation with user-centric design. Their G Pro lineup has become synonymous with excellence in competitive gaming gear, and the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX takes that reputation to new heights.

This ultralight wireless gaming mouse is designed with esports professionals and serious gamers in mind, offering precision, speed, and comfort in a remarkably lightweight package. After thoroughly testing the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX, I’ve explored its strengths, features, and performance to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of what makes it stand out.

Design and Build Quality

One of the first things you’ll notice about the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is its incredibly lightweight design. At just 60 grams, Logitech has managed to create a mouse that feels almost weightless in hand yet retains an exceptional sense of durability. Unlike other ultralight mice that rely on honeycomb designs, the Superlight 2 DEX achieves its weight reduction without compromising on build quality or aesthetics.

The ergonomic design caters primarily to righthanded users and offers a gentle slope on the left side to provide added support for both palm and claw grips. I found this design particularly comfortable during extended gaming sessions, allowing my hand to rest naturally without any strain. However, users with a fingertip grip might find it slightly less accommodating due to its higher profile.

The finish is sleek and matte, available in black, white, and pink, giving users some room for personal preference. Unlike some gaming mice, the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX omits RGB lighting entirely—a deliberate choice that prioritizes performance and battery life over flashy visuals. While some might miss the colourful flair of RGB, the minimalist look adds a touch of professionalism to the design.

Sensor and Performance

At the heart of the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is Logitech’s HERO 2 sensor, which offers an incredible 44,000 DPI and tracking speeds of up to 888 inches per second. The sensor’s precision is unmatched, ensuring every movement translates seamlessly on-screen. Whether you’re making rapid flicks in an FPS game or performing delicate adjustments in a MOBA, the mouse consistently delivers accurate and responsive tracking. One of the standout features of this mouse is its 8,000Hz

wireless polling rate, which significantly reduces input lag and ensures near-instantaneous responsiveness. During my testing, I noticed a tangible difference in how smoothly and quickly the mouse responded, giving me a competitive edge in fast-paced games like CS:GO and Valorant. The PTFE feet on the bottom of the mouse allow for smooth gliding across a variety of surfaces. While they perform admirably, they may not feel as frictionless as those on some competing ultralight mice. Regardless, the overall performance is stellar and well-suited for high-stakes esports scenarios.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is another area where the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX shines. With up to 95 hours of continuous use, this mouse outlasts many of its competitors, making it a reliable choice for marathon gaming sessions. Recharging is straightforward and fast, thanks to the USB-C connectivity—finally retiring the older Micro-USB standard of its predecessor.

The Superlight 2 DEX uses Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology to maintain a stable, lagfree connection. In my experience, the wireless performance was flawless, with no noticeable delays or dropouts. That said, the absence of Bluetooth connectivity means the mouse is more suited for dedicated gaming setups rather than multi-device versatility. If you need a mouse that can toggle between a laptop, tablet, or desktop, this could be a slight drawback.

Features and Usability

While the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is minimalistic in design, it doesn’t skimp on essential features. Logitech’s G Hub software enables a range of customizations, from adjusting DPI levels to remapping buttons and creating specific profiles

for individual games. Switching between these profiles is seamless, allowing me to jump from FPS games to general productivity tasks with ease.

The two side buttons are positioned perfectly for quick access, and their tactile response ensures consistent performance. However, users who rely heavily on additional buttons for MMO or strategy games might find the mouse’s simplicity limiting.

Personal Experience

Using the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX has been a game-changing experience—literally and figuratively. As someone who values precision and comfort, I was thoroughly impressed by how light and effortless it felt during gameplay. The ergonomic shape provided excellent support, and the HERO 2 sensor’s accuracy was nothing short of exceptional.

During intense FPS matches, the lightweight design allowed me to execute rapid flick shots with ease, while the consistent tracking ensured I never missed a beat. The battery life was another highlight; I went days without needing to recharge,

even with heavy use. On the flip side, I did find myself wishing for Bluetooth connectivity during moments when I wanted to use the mouse with a secondary device.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is a masterstroke in gaming mouse design. Its ultralight weight, superior sensor technology, and exceptional performance make it an ideal choice for competitive gamers seeking an edge in precision and speed. While it lacks some features like RGB lighting and Bluetooth connectivity, these omissions serve to enhance its primary focus: delivering an unparalleled gaming experience.

Score: 9/10

For serious gamers and esports professionals, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is a worthy investment that combines elegance, performance, and reliability in a single package. If you’re looking to elevate your gameplay and minimize fatigue during long sessions, this mouse is a top-tier contender.

g560 gaming speakers

Looking to elevate your gaming experience with a powerful and immersive audio setup? The Logitech G560 gaming speakers might be just what you need. These speakers are designed to deliver booming sound and a vibrant light show, making them a standout addition to any gaming setup.

Design and Features

The Logitech G560 gaming speakers are a stylish and eye-catching addition to any gaming setup. These speakers come with a sleek black finish and feature RGB lighting that adds a dynamic visual element to your desk. The design is modern and functional, with two satellite speakers and a down-firing subwoofer. The speakers feature 2.5inch drivers and a 6.5-inch subwoofer, chosen for their ability to produce clear highs and deep lows.

Audio Performance

Overall Sound Quality The Logitech G560 speakers deliver a powerful and immersive audio experience. These speakers offer room-shaking sound when needed, with a well-balanced sound profile that makes every detail in your games, music, and movies come to life.

Bass Performance The subwoofer features a 6.5inch down-firing driver that produces deep and resonant bass, perfect for those intense gaming moments and bass-heavy music genres. The bass performance is strong and adds a layer of depth to the overall audio experience.

Mid and High Frequencies The mids and highs are clear and detailed, ensuring that dialogue in games and movies is crisp and easy to understand. The highs are bright and add a layer of detail to music and sound effects, creating a rich and dynamic audio experience.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The Logitech G560 speakers offer versatile connectivity options, including USB, 3.5mm aux, and Bluetooth inputs. This makes them compatible with a wide range of devices, from PCs and

gaming consoles to smartphones and tablets. The speakers connect to each other using monitor cables, which might require a bit of setup but ensures a stable and reliable connection.

RGB Lighting

One of the standout features of the Logitech G560 speakers is the RGB lighting. The speakers feature four distinct lighting zones with bright, colorful LEDs. The lighting can be customized using Logitech’s software, allowing you to choose from various lighting effects and synchronize the lights with your games and music.

Pricing

The Logitech G560 speakers are available at a price range of £179.99 to £199.99, making them a premium option for gamers looking to upgrade their audio setup. The price reflects the highquality audio performance and the added value of the RGB lighting.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality

• Dynamic RGB lighting

• Versatile connectivity options

• Strong bass performance

Cons:

• Higher price point

• Requires monitor cable setup

• RGB lighting can be distracting

Verdict

The Logitech G560 gaming speakers are a fantastic choice for gamers who want a powerful and immersive audio solution with dynamic RGB lighting. With excellent sound quality, strong bass performance, and versatile connectivity options, these speakers offer great value for money. The RGB lighting adds a unique visual element to your gaming setup, making the Logitech G560 speakers a standout choice.

Rating: 9/10

Why a 9/10 Rating?

Rating the Logitech G560 speakers a 9/10 boils down to a balance of their strengths and a few minor limitations. Here’s a breakdown of the reasoning:

Strengths:

• Excellent Sound Quality: The speakers deliver outstanding audio clarity, especially in the mid and high frequencies, making them great for gaming, music, and movies.

• Dynamic RGB Lighting: The customizable RGB lighting adds a unique visual element to your gaming setup.

• Versatile Connectivity Options: With USB, 3.5mm aux, and Bluetooth inputs, they are compatible with a wide range of devices.

• Strong Bass Performance: The subwoofer provides deep and resonant bass, enhancing the overall audio experience.

Limitations:

• Higher Price Point: The pricing is on the higher side, reflecting the premium features and performance.

• Requires Monitor Cable Setup: The need for monitor cable setup can be a bit inconvenient compared to plug-and-play solutions.

• RGB Lighting Can Be Distracting: The RGB lighting, while dynamic, can be distracting for some users.

While the Logitech G560 speakers excel in audio quality and design, the higher price point and the somewhat traditional setup process slightly impact their overall score. However, these are minor issues compared to the overall performance and value they offer, which is why they still deserve a solid 9/10.

Ready to upgrade your gaming audio experience with these sleek and powerful speakers? Well head on below to check out Logitech Gs wonderful range of products.

SHURE SRh840a headphones

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

When it comes to professional audio equipment, Shure has long been a name synonymous with quality and reliability. The Shure SRH840A headphones are no exception, offering a blend of performance and affordability that makes them a popular choice among both casual listeners and audio professionals.

Design and Build Quality

The SRH840A headphones feature a utilitarian design that prioritizes function over form. Constructed primarily from high-quality plastic, these headphones are both lightweight and durable. The closed-back, over-ear design ensures a comfortable fit, with pleather ear pads that provide decent isolation from ambient noise. However, the ear pads can get a bit warm during extended listening sessions. The headband, also made of pleather, could benefit from additional padding, but overall, the build quality is impressive for the price point.

Sound Quality

The SRH840As are equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver a balanced and neutral sound signature. This makes them ideal for critical listening and studio monitoring. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their audio performance:

• Bass: The bass response is tight and controlled, providing just enough punch to be satisfying without muddying the mids and highs. However, some users might find the bass a bit lacking in depth, especially if they prefer a more bass-heavy sound.

• Midrange: The midrange is where the SRH840As truly shine. Vocals and instruments are clear and detailed, making these headphones great for genres that rely heavily on midrange frequencies, such as classical and acoustic music. The mids are smooth and full-bodied, providing a natural and accurate representation of the audio.

• Treble: The treble is crisp and well-defined,

adding a sense of clarity and airiness to the overall sound. The highs are not overly bright or harsh, which helps to prevent listener fatigue during long listening sessions. However, some users might find the treble a bit too clinical, lacking the warmth and musicality found in higher-end models.

Expanded Audio Comparison

• Bass: Tight and controlled but might lack depth for bass enthusiasts.

• Midrange: Clear and detailed, excellent for vocals and instruments.

• Treble: Crisp and well-defined, preventing listener fatigue.

Comparison with Similar Products

• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: Priced around £89, the ATH-M40x offers a neutral sound signature with more controlled bass and a slight elevation in the highs. Durable build with a comfortable fit, but slightly heavier. The Shure SRH840A is a better option for those seeking a more balanced sound and a slightly more comfortable fit.

• Sony MDR-7506: Priced around £82, the MDR7506 is known for its clean and balanced sound, with tight bass and crystal-clear highs. Lightweight and comfortable, but ear pads may wear out over time. The Shure SRH840A offers a more durable build and better overall value for the price.

Comfort and Usability

Comfort is a crucial factor for any pair of headphones, especially for those who plan to use them for extended periods. The SRH840As score

well in this regard, thanks to their lightweight design and adjustable headband. The ear cups swivel and fold for easy storage, making them a practical choice for on-the-go use. However, they are not the most portable option due to their bulkiness.

Isolation and Leakage

The closed-back design of the SRH840As provides good isolation, making them suitable for use in noisy environments like offices or public transport.

They do a decent job of blocking out ambient noise, although they are not as effective as active noise-cancelling headphones. Sound leakage is minimal, so you won’t disturb those around you even at higher volumes.

Accessories and Extras

Shure includes a few useful accessories with the SRH840As. The package comes with a detachable coiled cable, a 1/4-inch adapter, and a carrying pouch.

The detachable cable is a nice touch, as it allows for easy replacement if it gets damaged. The carrying pouch, while not offering much protection, is a convenient addition for those who need to transport their headphones.

Price and Value

Priced at around £145, the Shure SRH840A headphones offer excellent value for money. They provide a level of sound quality and build that is often found in more expensive models, making them a great choice for budget-conscious audiophiles and professionals alike.

Conclusion and Rating

In conclusion, the Shure SRH840A headphones are a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and well-balanced pair of over-ear headphones. They excel in sound quality, build, and comfort, making them suitable for both casual listening and professional use. While they may lack some of the refinement and warmth of higher-end models, they offer exceptional value for their price.

Rating: 8/10

The Shure SRH840As earn an 8 out of 10 for their balanced sound, durable build, and overall value. They are a fantastic option for those who need a dependable pair of headphones without breaking the bank.

If you too would like to secure a product like this or check out a huge range of other products that Shure sells, then you can do so below.

SHURE SRH840A

shure moviemic two receiver kit

In the ever-evolving landscape of content creation, audio is not just an enhancement—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re filming dynamic interviews, producing high-energy vlogs, or narrating tutorials, professionalgrade audio distinguishes a creator from the crowd. Enter the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit, a wireless microphone system meticulously engineered for creators demanding impeccable sound, flexibility, and reliability. With a price point of £479 in the UK, this kit positions itself as a premium solution for modern content needs. But does it justify the investment? Here’s an in-depth examination of its features and performance, drawn from my hands-on experience.

First Impressions: Built for Professionalism

Unboxing the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. The kit includes two ultra-compact transmitters, a dual-channel receiver, and a robust, travelfriendly charging case. Accessories such as windscreens, cables for smartphones and cameras, and mounting options demonstrate Shure’s commitment to a comprehensive user experience.

The compactness of the transmitters is worth noting—they’re designed to be unobtrusive while providing exceptional performance. I particularly appreciated the tactile, high-quality materials used, which lend confidence that the MoveMic Two can endure the rigorous demands of professional creators. The receiver, equally well-designed, features a clear and highly responsive display, simplifying on-the-go adjustments during recording sessions.

Audio Performance: Setting a New Standard

Shure’s legacy as an audio industry leader is fully realized in the MoveMic Two. The omnidirectional microphones deliver sound with remarkable clarity and precision, capturing everything from subtle nuances in vocal tones to ambient sounds with astonishing fidelity. In my tests across varied environments, the MoveMic Two performed consistently—whether outdoors in a park or indoors in a controlled studio setting.

One highlight was its noise reduction technology, which filters ambient interference without compromising the natural warmth of speech. This was particularly impressive during outdoor interviews, where the kit successfully minimized distractions like wind and distant traffic, maintaining the integrity of the recording. For creators, sound is not just about clarity but adaptability. The customizable EQ settings of

the MoveMic Two allow users to tailor the audio profile to match their specific needs, whether it’s narrating a documentary, recording podcasts, or filming cinematic scenes.

Testing in Real-Life Scenarios

To truly understand the capabilities of the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit, I used it across diverse content creation scenarios, simulating the demands of a professional creator:

Outdoor Interviews

Outdoor recordings are a notoriously challenging audio environment, where unpredictable elements like wind and ambient noise can wreak havoc. During a field interview, the MoveMic Two proved its mettle, delivering clear, uninterrupted audio. The supplied windscreens were highly effective in reducing wind distortion, and the omnidirectional microphones ensured consistent vocal capture—even when interviewees moved slightly off-axis.

Two-Person Vlogging

The dual-channel functionality transformed a collaborative vlog shoot into a seamless experience. With each transmitter assigned to a separate subject, the receiver effortlessly captured both audio sources. The ability to record separate tracks enabled fine-tuning in post-production, balancing voice levels and adding ambient effects without sacrificing clarity. This functionality alone underscores the MoveMic Two’s versatility for creators working in pairs or teams.

Mobile Content Creation

For smartphone-based content creation, the MoveMic Two showcased its flexibility. Pairing the system with my phone via Bluetooth was

swift and intuitive. This wireless setup afforded unparalleled freedom of movement, critical for creators recording dynamic, on-the-go content. The ability to deliver professional-grade sound on mobile platforms further highlights why this kit is ideal for modern creators.

Studio Narration

In the studio, the MoveMic Two excelled in a highly controlled environment. Recording voice overs and narrations revealed just how clean and balanced the audio output was. The system’s EQ settings enabled precise customization, letting me adjust tones to suit the mood and intention of the project.

Features That Matter to Creators

Dual-Channel Receiver

The ability to record from two transmitters simultaneously is a game-changer for creators managing interviews, podcasts, or multicharacter shoots. It simplifies workflows while offering greater flexibility in editing.

Reliable Connection

The MoveMic Two maintains an impressively stable connection, eliminating the concern of signal dropouts even when used across moderate distances. This reliability is essential for professional-grade work, particularly in live recordings or fast-paced environments.

Customizable Noise Reduction

Shure’s advanced noise suppression algorithms ensure clean recordings even in less-than-ideal settings. The system strikes a perfect balance— filtering out distracting noise without sacrificing natural vocal quality.

Versatile Compatibility

The inclusion of both wired and Bluetooth connectivity ensures seamless integration with smartphones, DSLR cameras, and computers, making this kit a one-stop solution for diverse setups.

Battery Endurance

Battery life is a critical concern for creators, and the MoveMic Two excels here. With 8

hours of continuous use per transmitter and an additional 16 hours provided by the charging case, it ensured uninterrupted workflow during demanding shoots.

Who Is This For?

The Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit is tailormade for creators—whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, a YouTube vlogger, or a budding podcaster. Its blend of professional-grade audio, intuitive features, and robust construction makes it a valuable asset for anyone looking to elevate their content’s production quality.

Personal Experience: Why It Stands Out

From the moment I began using the MoveMic Two, it was evident that this was more than just another wireless microphone system. Every detail—from the intuitive setup process to the reliability of the audio output—has been designed with creators in mind. The dualchannel recording capability was especially useful for my collaborative shoots, while the noise reduction technology allowed me to record with confidence, even in less-than-ideal environments. The system’s flexibility meant it adapted seamlessly to different scenarios, and the portable charging case became a lifesaver during extended shooting days.

Conclusion: Investing in Excellence

The Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit delivers on every promise, setting a new benchmark for wireless audio solutions in the creator space. Its premium price tag of £479 is justified by the quality, versatility, and reliability it brings to the table. Whether you’re capturing cinematic moments or narrating tutorials, this kit ensures that your audio will always complement your creative vision.

Score: 9.5/10

Shure has outdone itself with the MoveMic Two, offering an unparalleled blend of features and performance. With minor improvements— perhaps an extended transmission range or additional accessories—it could easily secure a perfect score. For creators, this is an investment that pays dividends in professionalism and efficiency.

p310 2tb heatsink ssd

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The Crucial P310 2TB Heatsink SSD stands out as a premier storage solution, harmonizing speed, efficiency, and reliability. Whether you’re a professional demanding consistent performance or an enthusiast pushing system boundaries, the P310 surpasses expectations on all fronts.

Design and Build Quality

Crucial’s P310 is a masterclass in both form and function. The integrated heatsink is not merely an aesthetic enhancement; it plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal operating temperatures. This ensures steadfast performance even during the most demanding tasks, effectively averting potential thermal throttling.

• Dimensions: 22mm x 80mm x 9mm

• Weight: 30 grams

The meticulous engineering behind the heatsink underscores Crucial’s commitment to delivering a product that performs impeccably and withstands extensive use.

Performance Metrics

At the heart of the P310 lies advanced NAND technology coupled with a highly efficient controller, achieving impressive performance benchmarks. The drive boasts read speeds of up to 7,100 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,800 MB/s. These velocities translate to virtually instantaneous boot times, rapid file transfers, and an overall seamless computing experience

• Sequential Read: Up to 7,100 MB/s

• Sequential Write: Up to 6,800 MB/s

• Random Read (4KB, QD32): Up to 650,000 IOPS

• Random Write (4KB, QD32): Up to 700,000 IOPS

These performance metrics position the P310

as a formidable contender in high-speed storage solutions, catering to both everyday users and those engaged in more intensive applications.

Capacity and Compatibility

With a robust 2TB of storage, the P310 ensures ample space for large files, multimedia content, and extensive software installations. The drive is also available in other capacities, including 500GB and 1TB, to suit various storage needs. Its versatility is further evidenced by its compatibility with a broad array of systems, ranging from desktops to ultrabooks, courtesy of its M.2 form factor.

• Form Factor: M.2 2280

• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 NVMe

The drive’s broad compatibility ensures seamless integration into various setups, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users.

Durability and Security

Crucial’s unwavering commitment to reliability is manifest in the P310. It boasts a solid TBW (Terabytes Written) rating and is equipped with advanced error correction technologies, ensuring durability under heavy usage over extended periods.

• Endurance (TBW): 400 TBW

• Encryption: AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption

Security remains paramount, and the inclusion of AES 256-bit encryption underscores the drive’s

capability to safeguard your data effectively. This feature is crucial for users prioritizing data security and integrity.

Pricing

For the latest pricing and availability, you can visit the Crucial website, where the P310 2TB Heatsink SSD is available for £119.99. Additionally, it can be found on Currys for £110.99 and on Amazon for £128.82.

Comparison with Other SSDs

When comparing the Crucial P310 2TB Heatsink SSD to other high-performance SSDs, it holds its own remarkably well. For instance, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB with Heatsink offers slightly higher sequential read and write speeds, at up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s respectively. However, the P310 is more cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for users seeking high performance without breaking the bank.

Final Verdict

In summation, the Crucial P310 2TB Heatsink

SSD is a paragon of storage solutions, striking an optimal balance between speed, durability, and capacity. It is an investment that promises to enhance your system’s performance, whether you are upgrading your current setup or building a new one. The P310 exemplifies Crucial’s dedication to delivering superior storage solutions, making it a worthy contender for any award in the technology sector.

Rating: 9/10

Why: The Crucial P310 2TB Heatsink SSD earns a stellar 9 out of 10 for its exceptional blend of performance, reliability, and value.

While some competitors may offer marginally higher speeds, the P310’s cost-effectiveness, combined with its impressive feature set and durable construction, make it an outstanding choice for a wide range of users.

If you too want to source an SSD such as the P310 then you can head over to Crucials website and check out their range or some of their other products below.

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flow 2 pro

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro redefines the potential of smartphone gimbals, offering an excellent balance of portability, advanced AI-driven features, and user-centric design. This gimbal, paired with the Magnetic Phone Mount, is designed for amateur creators and seasoned professionals alike. It is ideal for capturing stable, cinematic footage with ease. Insta360 kindly sent us the Flow 2 Pro to test, and after extensive use with the iPhone 15 Pro, we’re thrilled to present a detailed review.

Design and Build Quality

The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and functionality. Its foldable, compact design makes it incredibly portable, whether you’re carrying it in a pocket during casual outings or stashing it in a small bag for a big event. The robust yet lightweight construction ensures durability and comfort, even during prolonged use.

A standout feature of the package is the Magnetic Phone Mount. Crafted with N52grade magnets, it firmly grips the iPhone 15 Pro, offering unmatched stability even during vigorous movements. The 360-degree rotating ring acts as a quick stand, adding convenience for time-lapses or live streaming. The thoughtful addition of silicone padding ensures your phone remains scratch-free.

Performance and Features

The Flow 2 Pro excels in performance, particularly in stabilization and tracking. The integration of Insta360’s AI-powered Deep Track 4.0 technology ensures your subject remains perfectly cantered, even in hectic environments like concerts, bustling trade shows, or sports events. During our tests, the AI’s ability to maintain focus on subjects moving quickly or behind obstacles was impressive. The stabilization system delivers outstanding

results. Whether we were filming high-energy action scenes or serene, cinematic moments, the gimbal consistently provided butterysmooth footage. Creative angles were effortless to achieve thanks to the Free Tilt Mode, allowing us to experiment with dynamic low and highangle shots for a more cinematic feel. The Flow 2 Pro also shines in ultra-wide-angle shooting. Paired with the advanced camera system of the iPhone 15 Pro, it enhances the phone’s capabilities, making it an excellent tool for ambitious videographers.

User Experience

The simplicity of the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro truly stands out. The magnetic mounting system speeds up setup, so you can start capturing moments almost instantly perfect for scenarios that demand quick reflexes. Even as first-time users, we found the controls on the gimbal intuitive and easy to master. The Insta360 app integration adds significant value. Unlocking advanced features like hyper-lapses, panoramas, and time-lapses was straightforward, thanks to clear instructions within the app. The userfriendly interface caters to a variety of skill levels, ensuring accessibility for all.

Real-World Use: Events and Adventures

In dynamic environments, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro truly shines. At a busy trade show and an outdoor music festival, the gimbal was a star

performer. Its AI-powered tracking allowed us to enjoy the event while it handled the filming. It effortlessly followed subjects in crowded spaces, delivering stabilized footage even in fast-paced or unpredictable settings. The long battery life—up to 10 hours—was another huge advantage. It lasted through a full day of filming without interruptions. Additionally, the gimbal’s ability to charge our iPhone 15 Pro while in use ensured we didn’t miss capturing any special moments due to a low phone battery.

During a weekend hike, the portability and stabilization capabilities proved invaluable. The lightweight design ensured carrying it was a breeze, while the AI stabilization system delivered smooth, professional-looking footage, even during challenging movements like climbing or brisk walking.

Additional Features

• Versatility with Accessories: The gimbal supports a range of add-ons to enhance its functionality. The Magnetic Phone Mount remains a highlight, ensuring both convenience and security.

• Creative Modes: Features like Object Tracking, Gesture Control, and Barrel Roll added a layer of creativity, especially during solo filming sessions or team projects.

• Compatibility: Although we tested it with the iPhone 15 Pro, the gimbal supports various smartphones, making it versatile for users with different devices.

Final Verdict

The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is an exceptional piece of equipment, blending innovative features, portability, and user-friendliness into one versatile package.

Its stellar performance, particularly in stabilization and tracking, makes it a must-have for content creators. While it’s not flawless— perhaps some additional waterproofing would elevate its versatility—its pros far outweigh any minor drawbacks.

Score: 9/10

Why 9 and Not 10? A lack of advanced weatherproofing keeps this gimbal from reaching absolute perfection. While its robust construction is durable, an all-weather design would make it unbeatable for adventurous creators.

If you too would like to pick up one of these products or many what Insta360 create then you can do so below.

asus rog ally x

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Are you in search of a powerful handheld gaming device that doesn’t compromise on performance, design, or gaming experience? Look no further than the ASUS ROG Ally X. This marvel of modern engineering is designed to provide an unparalleled gaming experience, and I’m here to share my extensive review of its capabilities. From its technical specifications to my personal hands-on experience, let’s dive into everything that makes the ROG Ally X stand out in the crowded market of handheld gaming PCs.

Specifications

• Display: 7-inch 1080p Full HD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU

• RAM: 24GB

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Operating System: Windows 11

• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours (varies with usage)

• Price: $799.99

Design and Build Quality

The ROG Ally X exemplifies excellence in design with its sleek, ergonomic form factor. The black colour scheme is both modern and understated, appealing to a wide range of users. The larger grips and repositioned joysticks significantly enhance the comfort during prolonged gaming sessions. Furthermore, the build quality is impeccable, featuring a sturdy chassis that ensures durability and longevity.

Performance

Equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU and 24GB of RAM, the ROG Ally X offers outstanding performance. During my testing, I ran high-demand titles such as “Cyberpunk 2077,” “The Witcher 3,” “Forza Horizon 5,” “Apex Legends,” “Resident Evil Village,” and “Genshin Impact.” Impressively, the device maintained

a smooth frame rate of 60-90 FPS on high settings. The 120Hz refresh rate display further elevates the gaming experience, providing fluid and responsive gameplay.

Gaming Experience

From the moment I powered on the ROG Ally X, I was captivated by its vibrant 1080p display. I spent hours exploring Night City in “Cyberpunk 2077,” and the level of detail was breathtaking. The device’s cooling system kept the touch screen cool even during the most intense firefights. In “The Witcher 3,” the lush landscapes and intricate character details were rendered beautifully, making me feel truly immersed in the world of Geralt. The seamless integration of Windows 11 made it easy to switch between games and install new titles, enhancing the overall user experience.

In “Apex Legends,” the fast-paced action was smooth and responsive, with no noticeable lag or stuttering. “Resident Evil Village” showcased the device’s ability to handle dark, atmospheric environments with ease, maintaining high frame rates even during the most intense moments. “Genshin Impact” ran flawlessly, with stunning visuals and seamless transitions between combat and exploration.

Battery Life

Battery life is a critical aspect of any handheld

gaming device, and the ROG Ally X performs admirably in this department. Depending on the game’s intensity and settings, I achieved around 5-6 hours of gameplay on a single charge. Although this may not be the longest battery life available, it is more than adequate for most gaming scenarios.

Overall Rating

I would rate the ASUS ROG Ally X a solid 9 out of 10. The device excels in performance, design, and gaming experience, making it one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market. The only minor drawbacks are the relatively high price and the battery life, which could be improved. However, these are small trade-offs for the exceptional gaming experience the ROG Ally X provides.

In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Ally X is a stellar choice for gamers seeking a powerful and versatile handheld gaming device. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, the ROG Ally X is sure to impress.

Game Performance Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the frame rates I achieved with different games on the ROG Ally X:

Game: Cyberrpunk 2077

Settings: High

Frame Rate: 60-70 FPS

Game: The Witcher 3

Settings: High

Frame Rate: 70-80 FPS

Game: Forza Horizon 5

Settings: High

Frame Rate: 80-90 FPS

Game: Apex Legends

Settings: High Frame Rate: 80-90 FPS

Game: Resident Evil Village

Settings: High Frame Rate: 70-80 FPS

Game: Genshin Impact

Settings: High Frame Rate: 90-100 FPS

Final Thoughts

The ASUS ROG Ally X represents the pinnacle of handheld gaming technology. It combines powerful hardware with a sleek, ergonomic design to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. While the price may be a consideration for some, the overall value and performance make it a worthwhile investment for any serious gamer.

Thank you, ASUS, for providing this incredible device for review! If you too would like to check out the Ally X or many other products that ASUS create then you can do so below.

relay speakers in white

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Looking to elevate your gaming experience with a sleek and stylish audio setup? The NZXT Relay speakers in white might be just what you need. These compact bookshelf-style speakers are designed to deliver powerful and immersive sound, with a minimalist aesthetic that blends seamlessly into any gaming setup.

Design and Features

The NZXT Relay speakers are a sleek and stylish addition to any gaming setup. These compact bookshelf-style speakers come in a pristine white finish that adds a touch of elegance to your desk. The design is minimalist, with clean lines and a modern aesthetic that complements any decor. The speakers feature 20mm silk dome tweeters and three-inch glass fibre woofers, chosen for their ability to produce smooth, natural highs and full-bodied lows.

Audio Performance

Overall Sound Quality The NZXT Relay speakers deliver a powerful and immersive audio experience. Despite their small size, these speakers pack a punch, offering roomshaking sound when needed. The sound profile is well-balanced, with clear mids and highs that make every detail in your games, music, and movies come to life.

Bass Performance While the speakers themselves don’t output much bass, pairing them with the NZXT Relay subwoofer transforms the audio experience. The subwoofer features a 6.5-inch down-firing driver that produces deep and resonant bass, perfect for those intense gaming moments and bass-heavy music genres.

Mid and High Frequencies The mids and highs are where the NZXT Relay speakers truly shine.

The mids are clear and detailed, ensuring that dialogue in games and movies is crisp and easy to understand. The highs are bright and add a layer of detail to music and sound effects, creating a rich and dynamic audio experience.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The NZXT Relay speakers offer versatile connectivity options, including RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs. This makes them compatible with a wide range of devices, from PCs and gaming consoles to smartphones and tablets. The speakers connect to each other using speaker wire, which might require a bit of setup but ensures a stable and reliable connection.

NZXT Relay Subwoofer

The NZXT Relay subwoofer is a must-have addition to the speaker setup. It enhances the overall audio experience by providing deep and powerful bass. The subwoofer is compact and designed to complement the speakers, with controls conveniently located on the rear for easy adjustments.

Pricing

The NZXT Relay speakers are available at a price range of £124.99 to £129.99, making them an affordable option for gamers looking to upgrade their audio setup. The subwoofer is sold separately, but it’s highly recommended to get the full experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Clear and detailed mids and highs

• Sleek and minimalist design

• Versatile connectivity options

• Affordable pricing

Cons:

• Weak bass without the subwoofer

• Requires speaker wire setup

Verdict

The NZXT Relay speakers in white are a fantastic choice for gamers who want a stylish and highquality audio solution. With clear mids and highs, a sleek design, and versatile connectivity options, these speakers offer great value for money. Pair them with the NZXT Relay subwoofer for an even more immersive audio experience. Whether you’re gaming, listening to music, or watching movies, the NZXT Relay speakers are sure to impress.

Rating: 8/10

Ready to elevate your gaming audio experience with the NZXT Relay speakers?

Why an 8/10 Rating?

• Rating the NZXT Relay speakers an 8/10 boils down to a balance of their strengths and a few minor limitations. Here’s a breakdown of the reasoning:

Strengths:

• Clear and Detailed Mids and Highs: The speakers deliver excellent audio clarity, especially in the mid and high frequencies, making them great for gaming, music, and movies.

• Sleek and Minimalist Design: The modern, minimalist aesthetic fits well in any setup, particularly the pristine white finish.

• Versatile Connectivity Options: With RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, they are compatible with a wide range of devices.

• Affordability: The pricing is very competitive, offering good value for the quality and features provided.

Limitations:

• Weak Bass Without Subwoofer: The bass performance isn’t as strong without the additional subwoofer, which means an extra purchase is needed for the full experience.

• Speaker Wire Setup: The need for speaker wire setup can be a bit inconvenient compared to plug-and-play solutions.

• Limited Built-in Features: Unlike some highend speakers, the NZXT Relay speakers don’t have built-in lighting or advanced software for customization.

While the NZXT Relay speakers excel in audio quality and design, the requirement for an additional subwoofer for optimal bass and the somewhat traditional setup process slightly impact their overall score.

However, these are minor issues compared to the overall performance and value they offer, which is why they still deserve a solid 8/10.

If you want to find out more about this product, check out the link in the following pages.

NZXT ZONE ELITE RANGE

First, I’d like to extend my deepest thanks to NZXT for providing their Zone Elite range for this detailed review. Their innovative approach to peripherals stands out in the gaming and professional hardware industry, blending cutting-edge functionality with sleek aesthetics. In this review, I’ll dissect every product in the Elite lineup, covering technical specifications, personal use cases, target audiences, and overall performance. Let’s get started!

Zone Elite Mousepad XXL

Price: £39.99 (Approx.)

The Zone Elite Mousepad XXL is designed with gamers, content creators, and professionals in mind, offering a massive surface area that accommodates both your keyboard and mouse seamlessly. With high-grade fabric engineered for precision, a water-resistant coating, and reinforced stitched edges, this mousepad redefines durability and practicality.

Technical Details:

• Dimensions: 900mm x 400mm, providing extensive desk coverage.

• Surface Material: Ultra-smooth fabric optimized for high-DPI mouse sensors.

• Base Material: Anti-slip rubber for maximum stability.

• Durability: Water-resistant and fray-proof with stitched edges.

Personal Experience: During my testing, the Mousepad XXL immediately stood out for its premium texture. Mouse movements felt effortless and precise—a noticeable advantage during intense gaming sessions, particularly in FPS titles requiring flick shots. Its anti-slip base was impressively firm, even when the desk was slightly uneven. Notably, I spilled coffee on it (accidentally, of course!) and found the water-resistant coating to be a lifesaver. On compact desks, however, the sheer size might feel overwhelming, requiring some adjustment to desk layout.

Ideal Users: Perfect for gamers requiring precision tracking, designers working on highdetail projects, or professionals aiming for an organized workspace.

Pros:

• Expansive surface area enhances desk organization.

• Water-resistant and fray-proof design ensures long-term durability.

• Precision-optimized surface improves gaming performance.

Cons:

• Oversized dimensions may not suit compact desk setups.

• Lacks features like integrated cable management.

Score: 9/10

Capsule Elite Microphone

Price: £119.99 (Approx.)

NZXT’s Capsule Elite USB Microphone brings studio-grade audio quality to your desk. Built for podcasters, streamers, and professionals, its cardioid pickup pattern focuses on voice capture while suppressing background noise. This microphone combines plug-and-play simplicity with sleek aesthetics and thoughtful engineering.

Technical Details:

• Pickup Pattern: Cardioid for focused voice recording.

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz for rich audio capture.

• Connection Type: USB-C for fast, reliable plug-and-play performance.

• Build: Integrated shock mount reduces vibration-related interference.

Personal Experience: The Capsule Elite enhanced every aspect of my content creation workflow. Whether live streaming or recording voice overs, the clarity was exceptional—my viewers even commented on the improvement in sound quality. The cardioid pattern effectively isolated my voice, even in mildly noisy environments. One minor limitation was the lack of software for advanced audio tweaking. While the microphone performed beautifully out of the box, more customization options would make it perfect for tailoring to specific setups.

Ideal Users: Ideal for streamers, podcasters, video creators, or professionals in need of premium audio.

Pros:

• Studio-grade audio performance ensures professional-quality sound.

• Sleek design complements modern setups.

• Built-in shock mount reduces vibrations during recording.

Cons:

• Limited advanced customization software.

• Slightly higher price point compared to other USB microphones.

Score: 8.5/10

Function Elite Mini TKL Keyboard

Price: £149.99 (Approx.)

The Function Elite Mini TKL Keyboard is a standout in the compact keyboard market, offering a robust tenkeyless layout combined with cutting-edge features like hot-swappable mechanical switches and RGB customization. Its sleek design appeals to gamers and professionals looking for versatility without compromising desk space.

Technical Details:

• Layout: Tenkeyless design saves desk space and improves ergonomics.

• Switches: Hot-swappable, allowing users to customize feel and sound.

• Lighting: Dynamic RGB backlighting with multiple effects and profiles.

• Build: Metal-reinforced frame ensures durability under heavy use.

Personal Experience: This keyboard quickly became one of my favorites, thanks to its tactile feedback and smooth mechanical switches. Gaming felt sharp and responsive, while typing was equally enjoyable—a major win for someone who frequently toggles between work and play. The RGB lighting added personality to my setup, with dynamic effects that are easy to configure. The lack of wireless connectivity was its only notable drawback, as it could have complemented modern desk aesthetics further.

Ideal Users: Gamers and professionals looking for compact design and personalization options.

Pros:

• Compact design optimizes desk space for small or minimalist setups.

• Hot-swappable switches cater to diverse preferences.

• RGB lighting elevates personalization.

Cons:

• No wireless option for cable-free setups.

• Slightly higher price point for entry-level users.

Score: 8/10

Lift Elite Wireless Mouse

Price: £99.99 (Approx.)

The Lift Elite Wireless Mouse epitomizes precision and comfort in an ergonomic design. Featuring lowlatency wireless connectivity, a high-performance sensor, and lightweight construction, it delivers optimal performance for both casual users and competitive gamers.

Technical Details:

• Sensor Resolution: High-DPI for accurate tracking across various surfaces.

• Connectivity: Low-latency wireless with rechargeable battery.

• Design: Ergonomic, reducing strain during extended use.

• Build: Lightweight construction for effortless maneuverability.

Personal Experience: From the first use, I was impressed by the seamless low-latency performance. Whether aiming for precise headshots in games or navigating detailed design software, the mouse delivered consistently accurate tracking. The ergonomic shape prevented fatigue during long sessions—a critical advantage for me. The minimalist design may not stand out visually, but in terms of functionality, it’s hard to beat.

Ideal Users: Gamers, designers, and professionals prioritizing precision and comfort.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended use.

• Low-latency wireless performance is ideal for competitive gaming.

• Lightweight build enhances maneuverability.

Cons:

• Plain design may not appeal to users seeking visual flair.

• Requires occasional battery replacement or recharging.

Score: 9/10

Final Thoughts on NZXT Elite Range

The NZXT Elite range is a testament to exceptional design and engineering. Each product combines innovation, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, providing a premium experience for gamers, content creators, and professionals. While there are minor limitations, such as the lack of wireless options for the keyboard and limited customization for the microphone, the overall quality and performance of these peripherals place them in the upper echelon of hardware.

Overall Pricing Breakdown:

• Zone Elite Mousepad XXL: £39.99

• Capsule Elite Microphone: £119.99

• Function Elite Mini TKL Keyboard: £149.99

• Lift Elite Wireless Mouse: £99.99

Total Cost of the Elite Range: £409.96 (Approx.)

Overall Score for the Elite Range: 9/10

NZXT continues to set the standard for highperformance peripherals, and the Elite range is no exception. Whether you’re building a premium gaming setup or enhancing your workspace, this lineup is well worth the investment.

the elgato neo range

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

We are thrilled to introduce the Elgato Neo range, a collection of cutting-edge products designed to elevate your content creation experience. Before we dive into the details of each product, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Elgato for sending us the entire Neo range for review. Elgato, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation, has once again proven why they are a leader in the audiovisual technology space.

About Elgato

Elgato, founded in 1999, is a world-leading provider of audiovisual technology for content creators on all video-sharing platforms. Known for their state-of-the-art inventions and reimagined technologies, Elgato products are designed to revolutionize creative workflows. In 2018, Corsair Gaming, Inc. acquired the Elgato brand, further solidifying its position in the market.

The Elgato Neo Range

The Elgato Neo range includes five exceptional products, each tailored to meet the needs of modern content creators:

• Elgato Stream Deck Neo The Stream Deck Neo is a powerful control centre that allows you to manage your stream with the touch of a few buttons. With customizable keys, you can easily switch scenes, launch media, adjust audio, and more. It’s designed to streamline your workflow and enhance your productivity.

• Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone The Wave Neo USB Microphone delivers crystalclear audio quality, making it perfect for streaming, podcasting, and voiceovers. Its

plug-and-play design ensures that you can start recording right out of the box, while the optional Wave Link software offers advanced audio customization.

• Elgato Facecam Neo The Facecam Neo is a high-definition webcam that captures stunning 1080p video at 60 frames per second. Its advanced image sensor and low-light performance make it ideal for live streaming and video conferencing. The Facecam Neo is designed to provide professional-grade video quality with minimal setup.

• Elgato Key Light Neo The Key Light Neo is a compact LED panel that provides professional lighting for your streams and video calls. With adjustable brightness and colour temperature, you can create the perfect lighting setup for any environment. Its edge-lit design eliminates glare, ensuring you look your best on camera.

• Elgato Game Capture Neo The Game Capture Neo is a capture card that allows you to record and stream your gameplay in 1080p at 60 frames per second. Its plug-and-play functionality makes it easy to set up, and it works seamlessly with popular streaming software like OBS Studio.

The Elgato Neo range is a testament to Elgato’s commitment to providing high-quality, userfriendly products for content creators. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your streaming journey, the Neo range has everything you need to create exceptional content. Once again, we extend our gratitude to Elgato for sending us the entire Neo range for review which you can check out each product coming up next.

The Elgato Neo Range Reviews

Elgato Stream Deck Neo

The Elgato Stream Deck Neo has revolutionized our streaming setup. Its compact design features eight customizable LCD keys, allowing us to assign a wide range of actions, such as switching scenes, launching media, controlling audio, and executing complex multi-action sequences. The info bar at the centre displays contextual information, providing real-time updates and alerts. Additionally, the touchsensitive areas on either side of the info bar allow for intuitive page navigation, making it easy to access multiple sets of actions.

During our testing, we found the Stream Deck Neo to be incredibly responsive and intuitive. The integration with popular streaming software, including OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and XSplit, was seamless. This compatibility ensured that we could streamline our workflow across various platforms, enhancing our productivity and efficiency.

Key Features:

• Eight fully customizable LCD keys

• Central info bar for real-time updates

• Touch-sensitive navigation areas

• Integration with popular streaming and creative software

• Compact and sleek design

Our Experience: We appreciated the Stream Deck Neo’s user-friendly design and the ease with which we could set up and customize the keys. The touch-sensitive areas occasionally required a firmer touch, but overall, it greatly enhanced our streaming experience.

Price: £99.99

Rating: 8/10

Why it got this score: The Stream Deck Neo scored 8/10 due to its excellent design, responsiveness, and integration with popular software. The occasional unresponsiveness of the touch-sensitive areas and the fixed USB-C cable were minor drawbacks that affected the score slightly.

Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone

The Elgato Wave Neo USB Microphone stands out as an exemplary cardioid condenser microphone, offering pristine audio quality. Its sleek, minimalist design and effortless plugand-play setup make it an ideal choice for streamers, podcasters, and voiceover artists. Additionally, the microphone’s construction from over 60% recycled materials underscores Elgato’s commitment to sustainability.

In our usage, the Wave Neo delivered crystalclear audio with impressive noise rejection. The Wave Link software provided advanced audio customization options, allowing us to control multiple audio channels and apply realtime effects. The microphone’s environmentally conscious design was an added bonus, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.

Key Features:

• Cardioid condenser capsule for clear voice capture

• Plug-and-play functionality

• Wave Link software for advanced audio customization

• Environmentally friendly design

• Sleek and minimalist appearance

Our Experience: We found the Wave Neo to be a reliable and high-quality microphone that exceeded our expectations. The sensitive mute button required careful handling, but the overall audio quality and ease of use made it a valuable addition to our setup.

Price: £89.99

Rating: 9/10

Why it got this score: The Wave Neo USB

Microphone received a score of 9/10 due to its exceptional audio quality, ease of use, and advanced customization options. The minor issue with the sensitive mute button was the only factor that prevented it from achieving a perfect score.

Elgato Facecam Neo

The Elgato Facecam Neo is a reliable webcam designed for entry-level streamers and video creators. It captures 1080p video at 60 frames per second, delivering smooth and clear visuals. The webcam features an adjustable mount and a built-in privacy cover, providing flexibility and peace of mind during use.

While the Facecam Neo excels in well-lit environments, its performance in low-light conditions is limited. Additionally, the absence of a built-in microphone means users will need a separate audio solution.

Despite these drawbacks, the Facecam Neo remains a cost-effective option for those seeking to improve their streaming or video conferencing setup.

Key Features:

• 1080p video capture at 60 frames per second

• Adjustable mount with built-in privacy cover

• Sharp image quality in well-lit environments

• Budget-friendly

Our Experience: We were impressed by the Facecam Neo’s image quality in good lighting conditions. However, we did notice some challenges in low-light situations, requiring additional lighting to achieve optimal results. The lack of a built-in microphone was a minor inconvenience, but the overall performance made it a great value for the price.

Price: £79.99

Rating: 7/10

Why it got this score: The Facecam Neo received a score of 7/10 due to its excellent performance in well-lit environments and affordability. The limited low-light performance and lack of a built-in microphone were the main factors that affected its overall rating.

Elgato Key Light Neo

The Elgato Key Light Neo is an innovative LED panel designed to provide professional-grade lighting for content creators. With adjustable brightness up to 1000 lumens and a wide colour temperature range, it ensures even and soft illumination, reducing shadows and enhancing on-camera appearance. The edge-lit design minimizes glare, creating a comfortable lighting environment.

Setting up the Key Light Neo is straightforward, thanks to its monitor mount and user-friendly controls. The tactile buttons on the panel allow for easy adjustments, while the software controls provide additional customization options. The Key Light Neo is an excellent addition to any streaming or video production setup, offering high-quality lighting at an affordable price.

Key Features:

• Adjustable brightness up to 1000 lumens

• Wide colour temperature range

• Edge-lit design for reduced glare

• Convenient monitor mount

• Tactile and software controls

Our Experience: We found the Key Light Neo to be a game-changer for our streaming and video production. The adjustable brightness and colour temperature allowed us to achieve the perfect lighting for different scenarios. The edge-lit design effectively eliminated glare, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.

Price: £89.99

Rating: 8/10

Why it got this score: The Key Light Neo received a score of 8/10 due to its outstanding lighting quality, ease of use, and affordability. The slightly smaller size compared to studio key lights and limited brightness with included cables were minor factors that influenced the score.

Elgato Game Capture Neo

The Elgato Game Capture Neo is a versatile capture card that allows gamers to record and stream their gameplay in stunning 1080p

at 60 frames per second. It supports 4K HDR passthrough, ensuring that your gaming experience remains immersive and visually impressive while recording or streaming. The Game Capture Neo’s plug-and-play functionality makes it easy to set up and use with popular streaming software like OBS Studio and Streamlabs.

In addition to its impressive capture capabilities, the Game Capture Neo offers a range of features to enhance your streaming experience. These include low-latency technology for realtime gameplay feedback, advanced video compression for high-quality recordings, and compatibility with a variety of gaming consoles and PCs. Despite its affordability, the Game Capture Neo delivers professional-grade performance, making it an invaluable tool for content creators.

Key Features:

• 1080p video capture at 60 frames per second

• 4K HDR passthrough for immersive gaming

• Plug-and-play functionality

• Low-latency technology

• Advanced video compression

Our Experience: We were thoroughly impressed with the Game Capture Neo’s performance. The 4K HDR passthrough provided a seamless

gaming experience, and the low-latency technology ensured real-time feedback. The setup process was quick and easy, allowing us to start recording and streaming within minutes.

Price: £119.00

Rating: 8/10

Why it got this score: The Game Capture Neo received a score of 8/10 due to its excellent capture quality, ease of setup, and affordability. The limitation of 1080p 60 fps capture and the absence of an HDMI cable were minor factors that influenced the overall rating.

Overall Conclusion

The Elgato Neo range exemplifies Elgato’s dedication to delivering high-quality, usercentric products for content creators. Each product in the range offers excellent value for its price, featuring standout attributes that enhance the content creation experience. While minor drawbacks exist, the overall performance and affordability of the Neo range make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced creators.

If you too would over to check out this great range or many other products that Elgato do sell, then you can head to the link below to find out more.

wispr flow: a review of the ai voice dictation software

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

In the modern age, where productivity tools have become essential in both professional and personal spheres, Wispr Flow has emerged as a frontrunner in the realm of AI-powered voice dictation software. With its promise of speed, accuracy, and seamless integration, Wispr Flow provides an innovative approach to transcription and voice-command-based workflows. We were granted a free premium plan by the developers of Wispr Flow to rigorously test the software and provide an in-depth review of its capabilities and performance.

Introduction to Wispr Flow

Wispr Flow is powered by advanced artificial intelligence, setting it apart from traditional dictation software. It aims to bridge the gap between voice and text, enabling users to dictate effortlessly and multitask with greater efficiency. The platform targets a broad spectrum of users, including professionals managing busy schedules, students navigating academic demands, and content creators seeking to streamline their creative processes.

How We Used Wispr Flow

To evaluate Wispr Flow’s potential, we deployed it across various real-world scenarios, spanning professional, academic, and everyday use cases. Over a two-week period, we relied heavily on the software to manage a range of tasks, including:

• Email Composition: Drafting complex emails was remarkably fast and accurate, saving significant time compared to manual typing.

• Content Creation: From generating blog posts to creating detailed reports, Wispr Flow proved to be an invaluable tool. Its ability to maintain contextual flow ensured that the final output required minimal editing.

• Meeting Transcriptions: Recording and transcribing meeting discussions was a standout feature. The software captured nuances and context, which proved essential for producing clear, actionable minutes.

• Multitasking Support: By dictating notes and action items while engaged in other tasks, we experienced a notable increase in productivity.

• Language Versatility: We tested the multilingual functionality with various international languages. Wispr Flow delivered highly accurate outputs, catering to our multilingual teams’ diverse needs.

Throughout our testing, the software exhibited exceptional reliability and adaptability, making it a crucial part of our workflows.

Why Wispr Flow is Perfect for Content Creators

Wispr Flow shines as a tool for content creators, offering features specifically tailored to meet the demands of creative professionals. Here’s why:

• Efficient Idea Capture: Brainstorms are no longer limited by typing speed. With Wispr Flow, creators can effortlessly dictate their ideas in real time, ensuring no spark of creativity goes unnoticed.

• Blogging and Article Drafting: Dictating articles, blogs, or editorial pieces feels natural and intuitive, significantly speeding up the creation process.

• Scriptwriting: Whether for podcasts, YouTube videos, or presentations, Wispr Flow helps creators develop scripts with clarity and accuracy.

• Social Media Content: Quick voice-to-text capabilities allow influencers and marketers to draft posts, captions, and stories on the go.

• Content Polishing: The software’s contextual editing eliminates distracting errors, ensuring that creators spend less time editing and more time on the creative process.

• Global Reach: Its multilingual support empowers creators to produce content in various languages, expanding their audience and accessibility.

Examples of successful use cases we tested include:

• Drafting a complete outline for a video essay in under 10 minutes.

• Capturing raw ideas for a novel, which were later expanded into a full draft.

• Developing captions and taglines for social media campaigns with great efficiency.

For content creators, Wispr Flow is more than a tool—it’s a creative partner that fosters productivity and inspiration.

Features and Functionalities

Wispr Flow’s features are designed to address the challenges of conventional dictation software while elevating the user experience. Key highlights include:

• Unparalleled Accuracy: Leveraging state-ofthe-art natural language processing, Wispr Flow delivered near-perfect transcription accuracy, even in noisy environments or with heavy accents.

• Real-Time Contextual Editing: The AI’s ability to make real-time edits based on context helped us produce polished, publicationready text with ease.

• Cross-Platform Integration: We seamlessly integrated Wispr Flow across multiple devices and applications, including word processors, project management platforms, and collaboration tools.

• Privacy-Centric Architecture: Built on a secure cloud infrastructure, Wispr Flow ensures data privacy—a critical feature in professional environments.

• Whisper Mode: This innovative feature enabled discreet dictation, which was particularly useful during meetings and in shared workspaces.

Free Version

The free version of Wispr Flow provides users with basic yet functional features, making it an excellent choice for those testing the waters or with occasional dictation needs. With the free plan, users can:

• Access the core voice-to-text functionality.

• Integrate the software with popular applications

• Support dictation in a select number of languages.

However, the free version has its limitations, such as capped monthly usage and access to a reduced feature set. For casual users, it serves as a valuable introduction to Wispr Flow’s capabilities.

Premium Plan Features and Pricing

The premium plan elevates Wispr Flow to an indispensable tool for professionals and teams. Key features exclusive to the premium plan include:

• Advanced Transcription Accuracy: Enhanced AI algorithms provide even higher levels of contextual understanding and grammatical precision.

• Unlimited Usage: Ideal for power users, the premium plan removes restrictions on monthly usage.

• Comprehensive Multilingual Support: Over 100 languages and dialects are supported, ensuring global versatility.

• Collaborative Capabilities: Team-oriented features, such as shared transcription projects and workflow integrations, improve productivity in group settings.

• Customizable APIs: Enterprise users can tailor Wispr Flow’s capabilities to suit their specific organizational needs.

Pricing for the premium plan begins at £9.99 per month for individual users, with customized pricing options for teams and enterprises. Given the robust suite of features, the pricing structure represents strong value for money.

Our Experience and Feedback

Through extensive use of the premium plan, we found Wispr Flow to be a transformative tool for managing voice-based tasks. The software’s ability to handle complex projects, coupled with its user-friendly interface, made it a delight to use. Its real-time contextual editing significantly reduced the time spent on manual

revisions, while the whisper mode added a layer of practicality for those working in dynamic environments.

One minor drawback was that the software’s advanced capabilities were locked behind the premium plan, which may deter some users from making the initial leap. Expanding the free version’s feature set could help attract a wider audience.

Conclusion and Final Rating

Wispr Flow is a benchmark for modern AI-driven voice dictation. It combines intuitive design, unmatched accuracy, and a rich feature set to cater to the needs of diverse user groups, especially content creators. Whether you’re a professional, a student, or an enterprise, Wispr Flow has the potential to redefine your approach to productivity.

Rating: 9/10 Wispr Flow delivers exceptional functionality and innovation, with its premium plan offering immense value. For anyone seeking to revolutionize their dictation workflows, this is an investment worth making.

If you too want to excel your content and make things a little easier, then head down below to check out Wispr Flow.

corsair rm1000x shift series psu

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

As a seasoned PC enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best hardware the industry has to offer. Yet, few components have genuinely surprised me with their ingenuity and performance like the Corsair RM1000X Shift Series PSU. With its forward-thinking side-mounted modular panel, compliance with cutting-edge ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards, and raw power tailored for high-performance GPUs, this PSU is a standout choice for modern builds. When I paired it with the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti AMP Extreme, the synergy between the PSU and GPU was palpable, delivering exceptional stability and efficiency. However, as you’ll see, this PSU isn’t just a match for one particular card, it’s perfectly suited for the entire RTX 50 series lineup.

Key Features and My Experience

Innovative Side-Mounted Modular Panel Innovation often sets the best hardware apart, and Corsair has done just that with the RM1000X Shift. The side-mounted modular panel might seem like a minor design tweak, but in practice, it transforms the building experience. In my setup, it eliminated the usual frustration of reaching into tight spaces to manage cables. Instead, routing cables became intuitive and seamless, even in a compact case. This feature alone makes the RM1000X Shift a breath of fresh air for builders who prioritize both functionality and aesthetics.

ATX 3.1 Compliance: A Foundation for Future

Builds: Power delivery is the lifeblood of a PC, and the RM1000X Shift’s ATX 3.1 compliance ensures it’s ready to handle the demands of modern and future hardware. In my experience, running power-intensive workloads and gaming sessions for hours proved the PSU’s ability to maintain stable and efficient power delivery. It consistently provided the reliability needed for high-performance components, including the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti AMP Extreme.

PCIe 5.1 Ready: Perfect for Next-Gen GPUs: Pairing this PSU with a high-end GPU like

the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti AMP Extreme was effortless, largely due to its support for the PCIe 5.1 standard. This advanced connectivity ensures improved signal integrity and communication between components. The 12VHPWR connector is a notable addition, eliminating the need for cumbersome adapters and enabling direct, reliable power delivery. Throughout my testing, this setup offered exceptional stability during gaming and heavy multitasking.

1000W Capacity: Power Beyond Limits: With the demands of modern GPUs growing significantly, a PSU that can confidently deliver high wattage is a must. The RM1000X Shift’s 1000W capacity proved more than sufficient for my RTX 50 series GPU and overall setup, even under heavy stress testing. The 80 Plus Gold certification further enhances efficiency, keeping power usage optimized and thermal output in check.

Silent Yet Efficient Cooling: Building quiet systems is one of my priorities, and the RM1000X Shift fits right into that philosophy. Its 140mm fluid dynamic bearing fan operates with near silence during light workloads. Under heavier loads, the fan remained unobtrusive, effectively managing temperatures without creating excessive noise, an essential quality

for uninterrupted productivity and immersion during gaming.

Quality

Construction and Longevity: Corsair’s reputation for durability shines through in the RM1000X Shift. The 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors and meticulous build quality inspire confidence in its reliability, even for long-term use. Backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, this PSU is an investment that’s built to last.

Why It’s Perfect for All RTX 50 Series GPUs

While my experience with the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti AMP Extreme has been excellent, the RM1000X Shift Series PSU is not limited to one card. The RTX 50 series lineup, ranging from the RTX 5050 to the flagship RTX 5090, demands PSUs capable of delivering consistent, reliable, and efficient power. The RM1000X Shift checks all the boxes:

12VHPWR connector ensures compatibility with all RTX 50 series GPUs, eliminating power delivery concerns.

1000W capacity provides ample headroom for even the most power-hungry cards.

ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards future-proof your build for years to come, ensuring smooth performance across the series.

No matter which RTX 50 series card you choose, the RM1000X Shift is equipped to handle the challenge, making it a universal solution for gamers, creators, and professionals alike.

Price

Currently retailing at £179.99/$209.99 via Corsairs Website, which is very reasonable for everything you get, with the much needed connectors for the 50 series, a superb warranty/ customer support and overall fantastic performance, this price sits comfortably at the perfect price point.

Conclusion and Rating

The Corsair RM1000X Shift Series PSU combines innovative design, future-ready standards, and impeccable performance into one compelling package. Its side-mounted modular panel revolutionizes the building process, while its compatibility with modern and future GPUs ensures that it’s an investment worth making. However, the unique design might require compatibility checks with certain PC cases, which is a minor trade-off for an otherwise stellar product.

Final Verdict: 9/10

The Corsair RM1000X Shift Series PSU is not only perfect for the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti AMP Extreme but shines across the entire RTX 50 series lineup although to be safe with a 5090 opt for the 1200 watts which Corsair also does. This PSU is reliable, efficient and built to empower your next-gen PC builds with confidence and ease.

If you too want to secure one of these or check out many other products Corsair creates, then you can do so below.

thunderx3 chair racing black pu leather

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

When it comes to gaming and office chairs, the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather offers a sophisticated and functional design that meets the needs of both gamers and professionals. From its striking appearance to its impressive features, this chair is designed to elevate your comfort and productivity.

Design and Aesthetics

The first thing you’ll notice about the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather is its sleek and stylish design. The chair sports a bold black colour with sharp, clean lines that exude a modern and professional look. The PU leather upholstery adds a touch of luxury while also being easy to clean and maintain. The ergonomic design, inspired by racing car seats, provides optimal support for long hours of use, ensuring you stay comfortable whether you’re gaming or working.

The chair’s design is both visually appealing and practical, featuring a high backrest that supports the entire spine and a well-padded seat that prevents discomfort during extended use. The PU leather not only enhances the chair’s aesthetics but also offers durability and resistance to wear and tear. The overall build quality reflects a keen attention to detail and a commitment to providing a premium seating experience.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The chair features high-density foam padding that offers excellent cushioning and support. The adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and headrest allow you to customize the chair to your preferred seating position. The reclining feature, which allows you to tilt the chair back up to 180 degrees, provides a perfect opportunity for relaxation during breaks. The robust metal frame and durable construction ensure that the chair can withstand prolonged use without compromising on comfort.

In addition to its adjustable components, the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather includes a contoured backrest that follows the natural curve of your spine. This ergonomic

design promotes proper posture and reduces the risk of developing back pain. The seat’s height adjustment mechanism is smooth and reliable, making it easy to find the perfect position for your workspace or gaming setup.

Functionality and Performance

One of the standout features of the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather is its versatility. The chair is equipped with a class-4 gas lift that allows for smooth height adjustment, accommodating users of various heights. The sturdy base and smooth-rolling casters provide stability and ease of movement across different surfaces. Additionally, the chair’s breathable design helps regulate temperature, preventing discomfort caused by prolonged sitting.

The chair’s performance is further enhanced by its 360-degree swivel capability, allowing for seamless multitasking and effortless mobility. The reclining mechanism is easy to operate and provides a range of angles to suit different activities, from intense gaming sessions to leisurely reading. The PU leather upholstery is resistant to spills and stains, ensuring that the chair maintains its pristine appearance over time.

Pricing

The ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather is priced at approximately £339.95. This price reflects the chair’s premium build quality, advanced features, and ergonomic design. While it may be on the higher end of the price spectrum, the investment is justified by the chair’s durability and comfort. When considering the pricing, it’s important to note that the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather offers a level of quality and functionality that rivals some of the more

expensive options on the market. The combination of style, comfort, and performance makes it a worthwhile investment for individuals seeking a reliable and stylish seating solution.

Overall Assessment

The ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather is a top-tier choice for anyone seeking a high-quality gaming or office chair. Its combination of style, comfort, and functionality makes it a standout option in the market. The attention to detail in its design and the range of adjustable features ensure that it caters to a wide audience, from avid gamers to busy professionals. However, it’s worth noting that while the chair excels in many areas, it may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with specific ergonomic needs or preferences might find the fixed armrests and lumbar support to be limiting. Additionally, the chair’s weight and size may pose a challenge for those with limited space

or mobility.

Rating

After thoroughly evaluating the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather, I would rate it an impressive 8 out of 10. While the chair excels in design, comfort, and performance, there are minor areas for improvement that prevent it from achieving a perfect score. Special thanks to Overclockers for providing the ThunderX3 Chair Racing Black PU Leather for review. Their support has been invaluable in making this assessment possible.

Why not head to their site below to acquire one of many of their products they sell including the ThunderX3.

www.overclockers.co.uk

powera ops v3 pro controller

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

For gamers who crave precision and performance, the PowerA OPS V3 Pro Controller delivers a tantalizing blend of style and substance. With its sleek aesthetics and an arsenal of advanced features, it promises to elevate your gaming sessions to a whole new level. But can it truly deliver the goods? Let’s crack open the box and take a closer look at what makes the OPS V3 Pro a formidable contender in the gaming arena.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment you lay eyes on the OPS V3 Pro, you’ll appreciate its refined design. The controller sports a matte black finish complemented by customizable RGB lighting, making it a visual delight. The build quality is nothing short of impressive; it feels robust and sturdy, built to withstand the rigors of intense gaming sessions. The rubberized grips are a thoughtful addition, ensuring that your hands remain comfortable and secure, even during marathon gaming bouts. Ergonomically designed, the controller fits snugly into your hands, allowing for hours of fatigue-free gaming.

Features and Performance

Where the OPS V3 Pro truly shines are in its feature set. This controller is designed with the gamer in mind, offering a host of customizable options. The tactile mechanical buttons on the ABXY, D-PAD, and LB/RB buttons deliver crisp, responsive inputs, giving you that crucial edge in fast-paced games. The quick-twist adjustable thumbsticks allow you to modify the height to your liking, while the Hall Effect sensors in the thumbsticks and triggers ensure precise and reliable inputs.

One of the most captivating aspects of the OPS V3 Pro is its multi-zone RGB lighting. With four individual lighting zones and three lighting modes, you have the power to create thousands of colour combinations to match your gaming setup or mood. The controller also features six mappable advanced gaming buttons, allowing you to tailor the control layout to your preferences, ensuring that your most-used commands are always within easy reach.

The OPS V3 Pro is equipped with a rechargeable

battery that provides up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. This ensures that your gaming sessions are uninterrupted, even during the most intense moments. The dual rumble motors add a layer of immersion, delivering tactile feedback that makes every in-game action feel more impactful and real.

Connectivity

The OPS V3 Pro offers versatile connectivity options, making it compatible with a range of devices. Whether you’re gaming on a PC, Xbox, or mobile device, the controller seamlessly integrates with your setup. The wireless connectivity is reliable, offering low-latency performance that ensures your inputs are registered without delay. The controller also includes a USB-C port for wired connections, providing flexibility for different gaming scenarios.

User Experience

My experience with the OPS V3 Pro has been overwhelmingly positive. The controller’s ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, and the customizable features allow for a tailored gaming experience. The tactile buttons and precise thumbsticks give you a competitive edge, especially in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization, making the controller a standout piece in any gaming setup.

Pricing

The PowerA OPS V3 Pro Controller is priced at £99.99, reflecting its premium build and feature set. While it may be on the higher end of the spectrum, the controller’s advanced features and

performance justify the investment. For gamers looking for a high-quality controller that offers both style and substance, the OPS V3 Pro is a worthy contender.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the PowerA OPS V3 Pro Controller is a stellar addition to any gamer’s toolkit. Its sleek

design, advanced customizable features, and robust performance make it a top choice for both casual and competitive gamers. The customizable RGB lighting, tactile mechanical buttons, and precise inputs are just a few of the standout features that make this controller exceptional. With a rating of 9 out of 10, the OPS V3 Pro is a must-have for gamers seeking to elevate their gaming experience to the next level.

powera ops v3 pro controller

For gamers who demand precision and performance, the PowerA Fusion Pro 4 Wired Controller offers a compelling mix of style and functionality. With its sleek design and a suite of advanced features, it aims to enhance your gaming experience. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in and explore what makes the Fusion Pro 4 a strong contender in the gaming world.

Design and Build Quality

The Fusion Pro 4 Wired Controller boasts a refined design that is both visually appealing and functional. It features a matte black finish with textured rubberized grips that extend from the back to the front, ensuring a comfortable and secure hold during long gaming sessions. The build quality is robust, designed to withstand the demands of intense gameplay2. The controller’s ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hands, allowing for hours of fatigue-free gaming.

Features and Performance

The Fusion Pro 4 shines in its feature set, designed with the gamer in mind. It includes Hall Effect analogue sticks that minimize stick drift and enhance precision. The twist-to-adjust thumbsticks allow you to modify the height to your liking, providing a custom feel that is especially useful for fine-tuning your setup1. The controller also features four mappable advanced gaming buttons on the back, allowing you to tailor the control layout to your preferences. One of the standout features is the three-way trigger lock system, which reduces the travel distance for the shoulder buttons, making it easier to play FPS games. The dual rumble motors and impulse triggers add a layer of immersion, delivering tactile feedback that enhances the gaming experience2.

Connectivity

The Fusion Pro 4 offers versatile connectivity options, making it compatible with a range of devices. It includes a 10-foot USB-C cable for wired connections, providing flexibility for different gaming scenarios. The controller is officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S and works on Xbox One and Windows 10/114.

User Experience

My experience with the Fusion Pro 4 has been largely positive. The controller’s ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, and the customizable features allow for a tailored gaming experience. The Hall Effect analogue sticks and precise thumbsticks give you a competitive edge, especially in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The textured grips and advanced gaming buttons add to the overall comfort and functionality of the controller2.

Pricing

The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 Wired Controller is priced at £69.99, offering excellent value for its feature set. While it may not have the wireless capabilities of some higher-end controllers, its advanced features and performance make it a worthy investment for gamers looking for a highquality wired controller2.

Conclusion

In summary, the PowerA Fusion Pro 4 Wired Controller is a solid addition to any gamer’s toolkit. Its sleek design, advanced customizable features, and robust performance make it a top choice for both casual and competitive gamers. The Hall Effect analogue sticks, twist-to-adjust thumbsticks, and three-way trigger locks are just a few of the standout features that make this controller exceptional. With a rating of 9 out of 10, the Fusion Pro 4 is a must-have for gamers seeking to elevate their gaming experience to the next level.

If you too would love to secure a new controller and like to check out more of what PowerA does, then you can find their site below.

playstation state of play february 2025 recap

The PlayStation State of Play event for February 2025 was a whirlwind of announcements and reveals, packed into a 40-minute showcase that left fans buzzing with excitement. Sony delivered a diverse lineup of games, updates, and surprises, showcasing their commitment to delivering unique and engaging experiences for PlayStation fans.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Sony gave us a closer look at Monster Hunter Wilds, set to release on February 28, 2025. The game, developed by Capcom, features a vast open world teeming with a variety of monsters to hunt, hack, and slash. Players can look forward to a robust crafting system, cooperative multiplayer, and a dynamic weather system that affects gameplay. The showcase highlighted a thrilling battle against a new Elder Dragon, promising an epic experience for fans of the series. Additionally, a free update is scheduled for this spring, adding new monsters, quests, and gear.

Sonic Racing Cross Worlds

Sega brought the heat with Sonic Racing Cross Worlds, a new entry in the beloved kart racing series. This instalment features transforming cars that can switch between land, sea, and air modes, adding a new layer of strategy to races. The closed beta will start on February 21, allowing players to test out the new mechanics and provide feedback. The game aims to challenge Mario Kart 9 for the crown of the best kart racing game, with a variety of tracks inspired by classic Sonic locations and a roster of fan-favourite characters.

Split Fiction

Hazelight Studios, known for their critically acclaimed co-op games, presented Split Fiction. This innovative couch co-op adventure game puts players in the shoes of two writers who explore wildly different worlds based on their imaginations. The game features split-screen gameplay, with each player experiencing their

own unique story that intertwines with the other. Releasing on March 6, 2025, Split Fiction promises a blend of puzzle-solving, platforming, and narrative-driven gameplay that will test the limits of collaboration and creativity.

Directive 8020

A new sci-fi adventure, Directive 8020, was revealed, setting players in a high-stakes scenario where an alien enemy can take on human form. The game is scheduled for release on October 2, 2025, and features a gripping narrative, intense combat, and exploration elements. Players must uncover the truth behind the alien threat while navigating a complex web of alliances and betrayals. The showcase trailer hinted at a deep moral dilemma, where choices will impact the outcome of the story.

Dave the Diver Ichiban’s Holiday

In a surprising crossover, Dave the Diver will receive a Like a Dragon DLC this April. The DLC, titled Ichiban’s Holiday, follows Kasuga Ichiban as he takes a break at the Blue Hole and stumbles upon a dolphin-poaching syndicate. Players will dive into underwater combat, explore new underwater areas, and participate in mini games like fishing and cooking. This unexpected collaboration brings together the quirky charm of Dave the Diver with the actionpacked world of Like a Dragon.

Lost Souls Aside

The long-awaited Lost Souls Aside finally received a release date of May 30, 2025. This action RPG, which combines elements of Final Fantasy and Devil May Cry, has been in development for years. The game features fast-

paced combat, a sprawling world to explore, and a compelling story centred around the protagonist, Kazer. Players will engage in stylish battles against a variety of enemies, utilizing a mix of melee and magical attacks. The trailer showcased stunning visuals and hinted at an epic journey filled with mystery and danger.

Borderlands 4

Gearbox Software unveiled Borderlands 4, confirming its release date for September 23, 2025. The new instalment takes players to the planet Kairos, a world filled with new enemies, loot, and challenges. The trailer highlighted intense action, devastating Action Skills, and new movement abilities like wall-running and grappling hooks.

The game will also feature a deep customization system, allowing players to tailor their characters’ abilities and appearance. A dedicated State of Play focused on Borderlands 4 is scheduled for later this spring, promising more details and gameplay footage.

Days Gone Remastered

Bend Studio brought Days Gone Remastered to the spotlight, set to release on April 25, 2025. The remastered version of this open-world action-adventure game features improved graphical fidelity, taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s capabilities with enhanced textures, lighting, and frame rates.

Players can expect immersive Tempest 3D Audio and DualSense features, adding a new layer of realism to the game’s post-apocalyptic world. New modes like Horde Assault, Permadeath, and Speedrun mode add fresh challenges for returning players.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Fans of the iconic stealth-action series were thrilled with the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The remake of the classic game is set to release on August 28, 2025. The trailer showcased stunning visuals, including highly detailed environments and character models, and confirmed the return of Snake to the jungle. The remake aims to faithfully recreate the original game’s gameplay while introducing modern enhancements, making it a must-play for both new and veteran fans of the series.

Saros by Housemarque

The event concluded with the reveal of Saros, a brand new first-party PlayStation IP from Housemarque. Building on the success of Returnal, Saros promises to be an intense thirdperson action game with a roguelike twist. The game is set in a dark, atmospheric world where players will face relentless enemies and challenging environments. The trailer hinted at a complex story, deep lore, and a dynamic combat system that rewards skill and strategy. Set to release in 2026, Saros is a celebration of Housemarque’s 30th anniversary and is poised to be a standout title in their impressive portfolio.

Conclusion

The PlayStation State of Play February 2025 event was a showcase of innovation and excitement, with a diverse lineup of games and updates that cater to a wide range of tastes. From remastered classics to brand new IPs, Sony has something for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates and reveals as we gear up for an exciting year of gaming!

id@xbox showcase february 2025 recap

The ID@Xbox Showcase on February 24, 2025, unveiled a diverse array of upcoming indie titles, demonstrating the creativity and innovation of independent developers within the Xbox ecosystem. Here is a full list of games announced, along with a summary of the showcase’s highlights:

Key Announcements and Game Reveals

33 Immortals

Launch Date: March 18, 2025 (Out Now)

A co-op action roguelike for up to 33 players, battling hordes of monsters and gigantic bosses.

Balatro

Available Now on Game Pass

An award-winning roguelike poker game, now accessible to Game Pass subscribers.

Blue Prince

Launch Date: April 10, 2025

A unique experience combining exploration, puzzles, mapmaking, and card game systems.

Buckshot Roulette

Coming Soon to Xbox and Game Pass

A haunting tabletop strategy game with a grim twist on Russian Roulette.

Descenders Next

Launch Date: April 9, 2025

A sequel to the downhill biking sensation, now expanded to include multiple extreme sports.

Echo Weaver

Launching Day One on Game Pass

A Metroidvania game focusing on exploration and combat.

Herdling

Launch Date: Summer 2025

A mysterious adventure game available on Xbox and PC.

Jump Ship

Launch Date: Early Access Summer 2025

A co-op FPS game.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault

Launch Date: 2025

A sequel to the popular action RPG, featuring vibrant dimensions and shiny loot.

Outbound

Launch Date: 2026

A peaceful and relaxing open-world adventure.

Revenge of the Savage Planet

Launch Date: May 8, 2025

An upbeat, satirical action-adventure Sci-Fi game.

RockBeasts

Launch Date: 2025

A musical journey game developed by Team17.

Tanuki: Pon’s Summer

Launch Date: 2025

A cozy adventure game where players help restore a shrine before the summer festival.

Tempopo

Launch Date: April 17, 2025

A music puzzle game where players conduct chaotic Tempopo to rescue musical flowers.

The Lonesome Guild

Launch Date: Fall 2025

A narrative sim game developed by Don’t Nod.

Tron: Catalyst

Launch Date: June 17, 2025

A new game bringing the Disney IP back to Xbox.

Ultimate Sheep Raccoon

Available on Game Pass

Description: A surprise addition to the Game Pass lineup.

Wax Heads

Launch Date: Summer 2026

A narrative sim game.

Lies of P: Overture

New DLC Trailer Revealed Release Date: TBD

Overall Impression of the Showcase

The February 2025 ID@Xbox Showcase effectively highlighted the diverse and innovative nature of indie games, offering an array of genres and unique experiences. The event underscored Xbox Game Studios’ commitment to supporting independent developers and delivering a wide range of titles to players.

From action-packed roguelikes and co-op adventures to relaxing open-world experiences and narrative-driven sims, the showcase presented something for every type of gamer. The inclusion of several Game Pass titles further emphasizes Xbox’s dedication to providing accessible and affordable gaming options for its community.

The new pre-alpha gameplay footage and surprise announcements added excitement to the event, leaving fans eager for the upcoming releases.

The showcase celebrated the creativity, passion, and dedication of indie developers, setting the stage for an exciting year in gaming.

FABLE REBOOT DELAYED TO 2026: XBOX PROMISES THE ULTIMATE VISION OF ALBION

In a recent announcement back in late February, Xbox Game Studios has confirmed that the highly anticipated Fable reboot has been delayed to 2026. Originally slated for a 2025 release, the game is being given more time to ensure it meets the high expectations of fans and developers alike. Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, shared the news during the latest episode of the Xbox Podcast. “We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025,” Duncan said. “We are actually going to give Fable more time and it’s going to ship in 2026 now.” While acknowledging that fans may be disappointed with the delay, Duncan assured them that it would “definitely be worth the wait”.

The Fable reboot, developed by Playground Games, is set to transport players back to the whimsical and eccentric world of Albion. Known for their work on the Forza Horizon series, Playground Games is bringing their expertise in creating visually stunning and immersive worlds to the Fable franchise.

Duncan spoke highly of Playground Games’ vision for Albion, describing it as “the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen.” The game will introduce a new hero, Humphry, who must face a looming threat from his past. Xbox has released three trailers for the game so far, showcasing its quirky tone and gameplay.

In addition to the delay, Xbox also shared new pre-alpha gameplay footage, offering a first look at the game’s combat, cityscapes, and stunning forests. The footage includes moments of the playable character walking through lush environments, riding a horse, and engaging in combat with various monsters, including a werewolf.

The “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” series has consistently set the benchmark for immersive narratives and engaging gameplay. The latest instalment, “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” continues this tradition, introducing a fresh and captivating twist to the franchise. As a long-time fan and dedicated gamer, I embarked on this new adventure with high expectations, and I was not disappointed.

Storyline and Setting

“Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” transports players to the picturesque yet treacherous islands of Hawaii, where Ichiban Kasuga embarks on a quest intertwined with a hidden pirate legacy. The game’s setting is a visual feast, meticulously recreating iconic Hawaiian locations from the bustling streets of Honolulu to the serene beaches of Waikiki. The developers have successfully captured the essence of Hawaii, providing an authentic and visually stunning backdrop for the unfolding drama.

The storyline is rich and multifaceted, weaving themes of loyalty, redemption, and the pursuit of treasure. As Ichiban navigates the intricate world of yakuza and pirates, players are drawn into a narrative filled with moral dilemmas and unexpected twists. The inclusion of historical elements adds depth, as players uncover ancient artifacts and secrets that reveal the island’s hidden past.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The game remains true to its RPG roots while

incorporating new gameplay mechanics that keep the experience dynamic and engaging. The combat system, enhanced with piratethemed abilities and weapons, offers a thrilling blend of traditional Yakuza brawls and swashbuckling action. Players can recruit a diverse crew of characters, each with unique skills and backstories, adding layers of strategy and narrative complexity.

One of the standout features is the introduction of naval battles. Navigating the treacherous waters around Hawaii, players engage in epic ship-to-ship combat, mastering the art of sailing and strategic warfare. This addition brings a new dimension to the gameplay, making each encounter feel fresh and exhilarating.

Beyond combat, the game offers a plethora of activities such as treasure hunting, diving for sunken relics, and exploring hidden caves. Side quests and mini games, including traditional Hawaiian activities like hula dancing competitions and surfing challenges, enrich the gaming experience, providing valuable rewards and cultural insights.

Personal Experience

From the moment I set foot on the sandy shores of Hawaii, I was captivated by the game’s attention to detail. The open world is a playground of discovery, with side quests, mini-games, and hidden treasures at every turn. One particularly memorable mission involved uncovering a secret pirate hideout, complete with booby traps and hidden passages, offering

a thrilling challenge and sense of achievement.

The dynamic weather system further enhances the immersive experience. The sudden tropical storms and tranquil sunsets not only add realism but also influence gameplay, keeping players on their toes and enhancing the overall atmosphere.

Character interactions and dialogue are noteworthy. Each member of Ichiban’s crew has a distinct personality and backstory, making them integral to the narrative. Forming bonds with these characters and witnessing their growth throughout the journey was both rewarding and emotionally impactful.

Graphics and Sound

“Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is a visual masterpiece. The lush environments, dynamic weather effects, and lifelike character models demonstrate the developers’ commitment to excellence. Every aspect, from the intricate designs of the characters’ outfits to the realistic water physics during naval battles, showcases the high production values.

The soundtrack, a blend of traditional Hawaiian melodies and intense orchestral scores, complements the diverse settings and

emotional beats. The voice acting is exemplary, bringing each character to life with authenticity and passion. Sound effects, from the clashing of swords to the crashing waves, further immerse players in the vibrant world.

Replayability and Endgame Content

The game offers a wealth of content that ensures lasting engagement. Side activities such as treasure hunting, pirate duels, and a trading system provide endless entertainment. The multiplayer modes, allowing cooperative missions and competitive naval battles, add significant replayability.

Endgame content is robust, featuring challenging dungeons, powerful bosses, and rare loot. Players can continue exploring the open world, uncovering hidden secrets and forging their own pirate legend.

Overall Impressions and Conclusion

“Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is a triumphant addition to the series, combining narrative depth, engaging gameplay, and breathtaking visuals. The unique setting and pirate-themed elements breathe new life into the franchise, making it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall TGG Rating

“Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” offers a captivating and immersive experience, setting a new standard for the series and the genre. Whether you are a seasoned Yakuza veteran or a first-time player, this game promises an unforgettable journey through the sun-soaked islands of Hawaii.

9/10

Audio

9/10

With an exceptional blend of traditional Hawaiian melodies and intense orchestral scores that perfectly complement the game’s diverse settings and emotional beats. The voice acting is topnotch, bringing each character to life with authenticity and passion, adding depth to the narrative. Additionally, the sound effects—from the clashing of swords to the crashing waves—further immerse players in the vibrant and dynamic world, enhancing the overall gaming experience. This masterful audio design not only adds realism but also elevates the emotional impact of key moments in the game, making it a standout feature.

Visuals

9/10

The lush environments, dynamic weather effects, and intricate character designs showcase the developers’ commitment to delivering a top-tier visual experience. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the realistic water physics during naval battles to the meticulously recreated Hawaiian locations. This level of visual fidelity not only enhances the gameplay but also elevates the overall narrative, making every moment in the game a visual treat.

Playability

8/10

The game’s dynamic combat system, enhanced with pirate-themed abilities and weapons, keeps players constantly entertained and challenged. Additionally, the inclusion of naval battles and strategic ship-to-ship combat adds a fresh and exciting dimension. Beyond combat, the plethora of side quests, mini-games, and cultural activities—such as treasure hunting, surfing challenges, and traditional Hawaiian events—ensures that players always have something new and enjoyable to experience. This combination of varied and immersive gameplay elements keeps the game exciting and engaging from start to finish.

Delivery 9/10

The developers have meticulously crafted an experience that captures the essence of both the Yakuza series and the vibrant Hawaiian setting. The game’s dynamic combat system, diverse activities, and intricate character development ensure that players remain captivated throughout their journey. The seamless integration of pirate-themed elements and naval battles adds a refreshing twist to the familiar mechanics, making every moment feel new and exciting. Additionally, the high production values, attention to detail, and exceptional audio design further enhance the overall experience, delivering a game that is both memorable and thoroughly enjoyable. This polished execution elevates the game, making it a standout title in the series and a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Version tested: Xbox Series X & PC

Hazelight Studios has become a beacon of innovation in the gaming industry, carving a unique niche in cooperative gameplay. With standout titles like A Way Out and the critically acclaimed It Takes Two, the studio has consistently redefined how players engage with narrative-driven, two-player experiences. SplitFiction is the latest triumph in their arsenal, and it doesn’t merely aim to live up to its predecessors—it boldly surpasses them. Having had the privilege of playing it alongside my partner, I can attest that SplitFiction is far more than just a game. It is a profound journey of connection and collaboration, one that dares to challenge its players emotionally, intellectually, and relationally.

A World Divided Yet Intriguingly Connected

At its core, SplitFiction thrusts players into a dystopian metropolis teetering on the edge of societal collapse. This fractured cityscape, divided along sharp ideological, economic, and social lines, is brimming with tension. Hazelight’s meticulous attention to detail makes every corner of this world feel authentic. The grimy, chaotic vibrance of the neondrenched lower districts exudes a raw, untamed energy, while the cold, sterile opulence of the upper city presents an unsettling vision of control and privilege. It’s a world that demands exploration, and the layers of its design invite players to uncover hidden stories and subtle connections.

The protagonists, Eryn and Sol, hail from vastly different walks of life. Eryn is a fiery rebel with an unyielding drive for justice, while Sol is a meticulous strategist, calm and measured in his approach. Their dynamic creates a compelling narrative arc, and as a player, I

found myself deeply invested in their journey. Eryn’s passionate outbursts and unrelenting determination made her instantly relatable, while my partner resonated with Sol’s quiet resilience and calculated pragmatism. Together, these characters reflect the larger themes of the game: trust, compromise, and the challenges of finding common ground in a divided world.

A Deeply Engaging Co-op Experience

Cooperative gameplay is the beating heart of SplitFiction. From the very first moments, the game demands a level of communication and collaboration that few others dare to ask. Hazelight’s innovative split-reality mechanics place players in entirely different scenarios that are nevertheless deeply interconnected. This unique design pushes the boundaries of what cooperative gameplay can achieve.

One standout sequence saw me stealthily navigating a high-security area while my partner engaged in a tense negotiation to distract our pursuers. The stakes were high, and the experience was exhilarating. We found ourselves strategizing in whispers, racing against the clock to pull off a seemingly impossible feat. Moments like these highlight Hazelight’s brilliance: every challenge is not merely a task to be completed but an opportunity to strengthen the bond between players.

The moral dilemmas scattered throughout the narrative add another layer of complexity. Choices that seem straightforward at first glance often carry far-reaching consequences, leading to fascinating debates between me and my partner. These moments of disagreement and compromise were some of the most

memorable, as they mirrored the very themes the game seeks to explore.

Building Bonds Through Play

SplitFiction is not just a game—it’s a tool for building connections. The challenges within the game often felt like metaphors for real-life relationships. When one of us struggled with a particularly intricate sequence, the other stepped in with encouragement and support. These moments of frustration and triumph brought us closer, making the victories all the more rewarding.

The inclusion of optional mini-games was a stroke of genius. These lighthearted interludes allowed us to let our guard down and simply enjoy the moment. Whether we were racing each other through labyrinthine rooftops or engaging in a playful sparring match, these diversions added warmth and humour to the experience.

I’ll never forget the evening we spent on a single, seemingly insurmountable platforming challenge. We failed so many times that we couldn’t stop laughing, our frustration melting into camaraderie. When we finally succeeded, the victory felt monumental—not because of the game itself, but because of the shared effort it took to get there.

A Feast for the Senses

On a technical level, SplitFiction is a marvel. The split-screen presentation, which could easily have been a source of confusion, is executed with elegance and precision. Each player’s perspective is distinct yet seamlessly integrated, creating a sense of unity even when Eryn and Sol are worlds apart.

The visuals are nothing short of spectacular. Hazelight has crafted a cityscape that is simultaneously haunting and breathtaking, with environments that tell stories through their design. The dynamic lighting, intricate textures, and subtle visual cues draw players into the world and keep them there.

The auditory experience is equally compelling. The soundtrack shifts effortlessly between melancholic melodies and heart-pounding rhythms, perfectly capturing the emotional ebb and flow of the narrative. The voice acting deserves special recognition; the performances are layered and nuanced, bringing Eryn and Sol to life in a way that few games manage. Playing SplitFiction with my partner was an unforgettable experience. It challenged us, entertained us, and brought us closer together. For anyone looking for a game that combines compelling gameplay with emotional depth, this is a journey worth embarking on.

Overall TGG Rating

SplitFiction is not just a game, it’s a bold testament to the power of cooperative storytelling. Hazelight Studios has once again proven that gaming is more than a pastime; it is an art form capable of fostering connection and emotion. The innovative gameplay, gripping narrative, and stunning presentation come together to create an experience that is as unforgettable as it is transformative.

9/10

Audio

9/10

The game features meticulously crafted soundscapes that adapt seamlessly to diverse environments, enhancing storytelling and gameplay. High-quality voice acting, particularly for the protagonists Mio and Zoe, adds emotional depth, while the creative sound effects and dynamic music integration create a memorable auditory experience. Minor inconsistencies, such as occasional audio balance issues, slightly detract from perfection but do not overshadow the overall excellence.

Visuals

9/10

The visuals in Split Fiction are a standout feature, blending vibrant art styles with exceptional technical performance. The game alternates between neon-lit, high-contrast sci-fi environments and softer, richly detailed fantasy landscapes, creating a visually striking contrast that enhances the storytelling. The level design is imaginative, with each area inspired by iconic games and genres, offering a fresh and engaging experience. Additionally, the graphics maintain smooth frame rates and high resolution, ensuring a seamless and visually stunning gameplay experience. Minor bugs or glitches have been noted but do not detract significantly from the overall visual excellence.

Playability

8/10

The playability of Split Fiction scores highly for its engaging and intuitive gameplay mechanics. The controls are responsive and easy to master, making it accessible to both casual and experienced players. The game offers a diverse range of levels and challenges inspired by various iconic genres, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting. Its progression system is well-balanced, ensuring a rewarding sense of achievement without becoming overly repetitive. Minor issues, such as occasional bugs or pacing inconsistencies, are present but do not significantly impact the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game delivers a smooth and entertaining playing experience.

Delivery 8/10

The overall delivery of Split Fiction shines through its polished presentation and engaging gameplay. The seamless integration of immersive audio, vibrant visuals, and intuitive mechanics creates a cohesive and memorable experience for players. Its diverse level design, inspired by iconic game genres, keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, while the narrative is compelling and enriched by excellent voice acting. Minor issues, such as occasional bugs or pacing inconsistencies, do exist but are largely overshadowed by the game’s creativity, charm, and technical quality. Split Fiction successfully delivers a well-rounded and highly enjoyable gaming experience.

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer and Hannah Whitelaw

Version tested: Xbox Series X

transports players into a vast, open world teeming with ferocious monsters and untamed wilderness. Assuming the role of a hunter, players are tasked with tracking and defeating these colossal creatures to maintain the balance of nature. Released across multiple platforms, including the Xbox Series X, “Monster Hunter Wilds” has captivated audiences with its immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, and dynamic combat system.

Story and Character Arcs

The narrative of “Monster Hunter Wilds” is both captivating and immersive. Set in a world where the balance of nature is threatened by the emergence of ancient, powerful monsters, players take on the role of a skilled hunter enlisted by the Hunter’s Guild. The story unfolds through a series of quests and missions, each revealing more about the lore and history of the world. Key character arcs include:

The Veteran Hunter: A seasoned mentor facing a personal crisis that challenges their beliefs.

The Rookie Hunter: A young novice growing into a skilled and confident hunter.

interactions lead to mutual respect.

The Scholar: A researcher facing ethical dilemmas between hunting and preserving nature.

The Rebel Leader: A faction leader clashing with the Hunter’s Guild’s methods.

The Ancient Guardian: An elder revealing the world’s secrets and passing on knowledge.

The Lost Kin: A family member or friend returning unexpectedly, bringing emotional turmoil.

Gameplay

“Monster Hunter Wilds” expertly retains the core mechanics that have garnered a loyal fan base while introducing several enhancements that elevate the experience. The game features a seamless open world, enabling fluid exploration without the interruption of loading screens. Players traverse diverse biomes, from dense jungles to arid deserts, each rich with unique flora and fauna. At the heart of the game lies its intricate combat system, with a variety of weapon classes and a new companion

system that adds a strategic layer to the hunts.

Personal Experience

Playing “Monster Hunter Wilds” on the Xbox Series X is a sensory delight. The console’s powerful hardware ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, with frame rates consistently hitting 60fps, even during the most intense battles. Virtually non-existent loading times allow for uninterrupted exploration and immersion. Visually, the game is a masterpiece. The Xbox Series X’s capabilities are fully leveraged to deliver stunning landscapes, detailed character models, and lifelike monster designs. The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle further enhance the realism, making the world feel alive. The controls are intuitive and responsive, with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers adding an extra layer of immersion. The sound design and atmospheric soundtrack further enhance the overall experience.

Performance

In terms of performance, “Monster Hunter Wilds” on the Xbox Series X is exceptional. The game runs smoothly with minimal performance hiccups or bugs. The developers have done an excellent job optimizing the game for the console, ensuring that players can enjoy a fluid and visually stunning experience. The multiplayer aspect is equally impressive. The Xbox Series X’s robust online infrastructure facilitates seamless co-op gameplay, making it easy to team up with friends and tackle the game’s most challenging monsters together. The game also features a comprehensive matchmaking system for hunting parties.

Multiplayer Experience

One of the standout features of “Monster Hunter Wilds” is its robust and dynamic multiplayer component. The game truly shines

when players join forces to tackle the most formidable monsters in the wild. The cooperative multiplayer mode allows up to four players to team up and embark on hunts together, each choosing their preferred weapon class and role.

Communication and teamwork are essential, as coordinating attacks, setting traps, and supporting each other can make the difference between victory and defeat.

The game’s intuitive matchmaking system ensures players are matched with others of similar skill levels, providing a balanced and enjoyable experience. Additionally, players can create private sessions to hunt exclusively with friends. Dynamic multiplayer events and challenges keep the gameplay fresh and exciting, offering unique rewards and fostering camaraderie among players.

Cross-platform play allows hunters on different platforms, including Xbox Series X, PlayStation, and PC, to team up and hunt together, significantly expanding the player pool and enhancing the multiplayer experience. The guild system further enhances community building, offering exclusive quests, shared resources, and a communal space for members to gather and strategize. Built-in voice chat and a range of communication tools facilitate effective coordination during hunts. Players can use voice chat to strategize in real-time or rely on text chat, quick messages, and customizable gestures. The companion system, allowing each player to bring a support companion, adds another layer of strategy to the hunts.

The multiplayer mode extends into the endgame with challenging high-rank and master-rank quests, requiring advanced skills, coordination, and teamwork to overcome powerful monsters and earn rare rewards.

Overall TGG Rating

“Monster Hunter Wilds” is a masterful addition to the Monster Hunter series, offering a rich and immersive experience that will captivate both newcomers and long-time fans. The game’s stunning visuals, intricate combat system, and seamless performance on the Xbox Series X make it a must-play title for action RPG enthusiasts.

“Monster Hunter Wilds” sets a high standard for the series, delivering an unforgettable adventure that will keep players coming back for more.

9/10

Audio

9/10

The audio design in “Monster Hunter Wilds” is outstanding, adding to the game’s immersive experience. Dynamic sound effects, from the roars of monsters to the ambient rustling of leaves, enhance realism. The orchestral soundtrack evokes a range of emotions, and spatial audio technology on the Xbox Series X helps pinpoint sound directions, increasing immersion. However, a slight lack of variety in some ambient sounds and occasional sound balance issues prevent a perfect score, earning the audio a commendable 9/10.

Visuals

9/10

The visuals in “Monster Hunter Wilds” are breathtaking, making full use of the Xbox Series X’s capabilities. The game’s landscapes are stunning, character models are detailed, and monster designs are lifelike. The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle further enhance the realism, creating an immersive world that feels alive. However, occasional texture pop-ins and minor graphical glitches prevent a perfect score, leading to a strong rating of 9/10.

Playability

9/10

“Monster Hunter Wilds” excels in playability, offering a seamless and intuitive gaming experience. The controls are responsive and easy to master, allowing players to focus on the strategic elements of the game. The game’s tutorial system is thorough, making it accessible for newcomers while still challenging for veterans. The addition of customizable AI companions adds depth to the gameplay, providing players with strategic options in combat. Despite the game’s complexity, the interface is user-friendly, ensuring players can easily navigate menus and manage their inventory. Overall, the well-designed control scheme and accessible mechanics make the game highly playable, earning it a solid 9/10.

Delivery 9/10

The overall delivery of “Monster Hunter Wilds” is outstanding, merging stunning visuals, immersive audio, and highly playable mechanics. Capcom has crafted a rich, expansive world filled with intricately designed monsters and lush environments. The game runs smoothly with minimal issues, ensuring an uninterrupted experience. Intuitive controls and a user-friendly interface make it accessible for all players. Companion and multiplayer features add depth and replayability. Despite minor audio balance and graphical glitches, “Monster Hunter Wilds” sets a high standard, earning a commendable 9/10.

Version tested: Xbox Series X - Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Obsidian Entertainment, known for its rich storytelling and deep RPG mechanics, is back with Avowed, a first-person action RPG set in the world of Eora, the same universe as the beloved Pillars of Eternity series. Avowed promises to blend traditional fantasy elements with innovative gameplay mechanics, creating a unique experience for RPG enthusiasts.

Story and Setting

Avowed takes place in the sprawling world of Eora, a land filled with political intrigue, ancient mysteries, and powerful magic. Players assume the role of a new character in the Aedyran Empire, tasked with uncovering the secrets of a longlost expedition team. The narrative is rich with political drama and philosophical undertones, offering players a deeply immersive experience.

Detailed Story Overview

The story begins with the protagonist, a seasoned adventurer, receiving a mysterious message from the Aedyran Empire. The message speaks of a long-lost expedition team that ventured into the uncharted territories of Eora in search of ancient relics. The protagonist is tasked with finding the expedition team and uncovering the secrets they sought.

As the journey unfolds, players will explore diverse regions of Eora, each with its own unique culture, history, and challenges. The central hub of the game is the bustling city of Defiance Bay, where players can gather information, accept quests, and interact with various NPCs. The city serves as a melting pot of different factions, each vying for power and influence.

The main storyline is divided into several arcs:

The Lost Expedition

The initial arc focuses on tracking down the missing expedition team. Players will venture into dangerous territories, facing off against hostile creatures and uncovering ancient ruins. The journey leads to the discovery of an ancient artifact that holds the key to Eora’s forgotten history.

The Rise of Darkness

As players delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a dark force threatening Eora. The ancient artifact awakens an ancient evil, causing chaos and destruction across the land. Players must gather allies and rally the factions of Eora to stand against the impending doom.

The Political Web

The third arc delves into the complex political landscape of Eora. Players will navigate intricate alliances and rivalries, making choices that will shape the future of the Aedyran Empire. The decisions made during this arc will have farreaching consequences, affecting the balance of power in Eora.

The Final Confrontation

The climax of the story sees the protagonist leading a united front against the ancient evil. Players will face off against powerful adversaries in epic battles, ultimately confronting the source of the darkness. The choices made throughout the game will determine the fate of Eora, leading to multiple possible endings.

Character Development

The protagonist is not alone in their journey. Throughout the game, players will encounter a diverse cast of companions, each with

their own unique personalities, abilities, and backstories. These companions play a crucial role in the story, providing support in combat and adding depth to the narrative through their interactions and personal quests.

Notable companions include:

Kai: A skilled mage with a mysterious past. Kai’s abilities include powerful elemental magic, making him a valuable asset in combat. His personal quest involves uncovering the truth about his origins and confronting a hidden threat.

Elara: A cunning rogue and master of stealth. Elara’s agility and expertise in traps make her an ideal companion for exploring hidden areas and solving puzzles. Her personal quest delves into her quest for redemption and the secrets of her past.

Gorlan: A stoic warrior with unmatched strength. Gorlan’s combat prowess and resilience make him a formidable ally in battle. His personal quest focuses on his loyalty to the Aedyran Empire and his struggle to protect his homeland.

Themes and Philosophical Undertones

Avowed explores several themes, including power, sacrifice, and the nature of good and evil. The game’s narrative is filled with philosophical undertones, challenging players to question their beliefs and make difficult moral choices. The story emphasizes the impact of individual actions on the world, highlighting the importance of responsibility and consequence.

Gameplay Mechanics

Avowed’s gameplay is a blend of traditional RPG elements and fast-paced action. Players can expect a deep customization system, allowing for a wide range of character builds and playstyles.

The combat system is fluid and engaging, with a focus on using flasks to regenerate health and essence, enabling powerful attacks. The game also features puzzles and exploration, encouraging players to delve into hidden areas and uncover valuable loot.

Visuals and Art Style

The game’s visuals are stunning, with a detailed and immersive world that captures the essence of Eora. The art style is reminiscent of the Pillars of Eternity series, with lush landscapes, intricate architecture, and vibrant character designs. The attention to detail is evident in every corner of the game, from the mosscovered structures to the cascading waterfalls.

Audio and Voice Acting

The audio design in Avowed is top-notch, with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience. The voice acting is also commendable, with notable performances from actors like Brandon Keener, known for his role as Garrus Vakarian in Mass Effect. The banter between characters adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise serious narrative, making the journey more enjoyable.

Overall TGG Rating

Avowed has lived up to its promise and delivered a masterpiece that RPG fans will adore. With its rich story, engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and top-notch audio, it stands as one of the best RPGs of the year. Obsidian Entertainment has once again proven their prowess in crafting deeply immersive and memorable gaming experiences.

9/10

Audio

9/10

The audio in Avowed earns a 9/10 due to its captivating and immersive soundtrack that enhances the game’s atmosphere, top-notch sound effects that bring the world of Eora to life, and commendable voice acting performances, particularly from notable actors like Brandon Keener. The seamless integration of music and ambient sounds ensures a consistently engaging and emotionally resonant experience for players.

Visuals

9/10

The visuals in Avowed earn a 9/10 due to their stunning and detailed depiction of the world of Eora, with lush landscapes, intricate architecture, and vibrant character designs. The art style, reminiscent of the Pillars of Eternity series, combined with the attention to detail in every corner of the game—from moss-covered structures to cascading waterfalls—creates an immersive and visually captivating experience that enhances the overall gameplay.

Playability

9/10

The playability in Avowed earns a 9/10 due to its seamless blend of traditional RPG elements and fast-paced action, providing a highly engaging and dynamic experience. The game’s deep customization system allows for a wide range of character builds and playstyles, catering to different player preferences. The fluid combat mechanics, combined with strategic use of flasks to regenerate health and essence, keep the gameplay fresh and challenging. Additionally, the game features a variety of puzzles and exploration opportunities, encouraging players to delve into hidden areas and uncover valuable loot, further enhancing the overall playability and replay value.

Delivery

9/10

The overall delivery of Avowed earns a 9/10 due to its seamless integration of engaging gameplay, a compelling and rich narrative, stunning visuals, and top-notch audio. Obsidian Entertainment has

successfully crafted a deeply immersive RPG experience that captivates players from start to finish. The game’s detailed world-building, diverse character customization, and fluid combat mechanics ensure a highly enjoyable experience for a wide range of players. The attention to detail, both in the game’s environment and storytelling, along with the polished execution of its technical aspects, solidify Avowed as one of the best RPGs of the year and a standout title in Obsidian’s impressive portfolio.

Version tested: Xbox Series X

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer (Huge thanks to Xbox Game Studios for sending over the code)

The Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) universe is one steeped in rich lore and complex relationships, set in the empire of Rokugan. This fictional land, inspired by East Asian traditions, is ruled by the Emperor and divided among seven Great Clans: Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, and Unicorn. These clans strive for honor and survival, often clashing amidst political intrigue and spiritual unrest. Central to this realm are the Five Rings—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Void—elements that shape both the physical and metaphysical aspects of Rokugan’s world.

I was fortunate enough to try a demo of Shadowveil: Legend of the Five Rings behind closed doors at Gamescom, where I experienced a promising glimpse of its mechanics and visuals. Now, having played the full version of the game, I can dive deeper into its features, strengths, and weaknesses. Let’s see how the final product stacks up.

Gameplay Mechanics: Strategic Depth with Some Hurdles

Shadowveil is a roguelite auto-battler with a strong strategic focus, requiring careful planning and adaptability. Players take on the role of a Crab Clan hero tasked with fighting back the Shadowlands, recruiting warriors from various clans and assembling a team with complementary abilities.

Team Building and Composition

One of the core pillars of gameplay is the teambuilding system. Players can recruit units from the Great Clans, each aligned with an elemental affinity:

• Earth (Crab): Frontline tanks with strong defensive capabilities.

• Fire (Lion): High-damage melee fighters.

• Water (Unicorn): Versatile support units capable of healing and adaptability.

• Void (Phoenix): Specialists in arcane buffs and debuffs.

• Air (Crane): Evasive and precise units for calculated strikes.

Creating a balanced team is essential, as elemental affinities interact in ways that can either bolster your team or leave you exposed to enemies’ strategies. During the Gamescom demo, I focused on a straightforward Earth-andFire-heavy composition, which was effective in the short term. However, playing the full game revealed the importance of synergy and counters. For example, mixing Void casters with Earth tanks provided sustainable defences and magical support, allowing for extended battles.

Auto-Battler Combat

Combat unfolds on a hexagonal grid where players position their units before battles commence. Once the fight begins, actions are automated, meaning success hinges on prebattle strategy rather than direct control.

• Depth of Strategy: Positioning tanks to absorb damage, placing ranged units for optimal attacks, and utilizing healers effectively are critical to overcoming the challenges posed by increasingly complex enemies.

• Memorable Encounter: One highlight

While the auto-battler mechanics work well for strategic gameplay, some players may find the lack of direct control over combat limiting. This was something I noted during the demo at Gamescom, and it remains a polarizing aspect in the final game.

Roguelite Progression

The roguelite structure introduces a cyclical sense of challenge and reward. Each run allows players to gather resources such as Essence and Honor Points, which can be spent on:

• Character Unlocks: Expanding the roster with new clan warriors.

• Artifact Acquisition: Equipping items with game-changing effects, like increasing healing efficiency or boosting critical damage.

• Permanent Upgrades: Enhancements that persist across runs, such as increased health or resource gain.

• Risk-Reward Dynamic: Procedurally generated maps present branching paths, forcing players to choose between safer routes or venturing into cursed areas for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

• Example from Full Playthrough: I chose to explore a Shadowlands shrine to acquire the “Voidwalker’s Talisman,” which significantly boosted Void abilities at the cost of reduced physical defence. This artifact defined my strategy for the remainder of the run but demanded careful positioning to compensate for its drawbacks.

Narrative and Immersion

The game’s narrative, deeply rooted in the lore of L5R, is a standout feature. The story blends the grandeur of Rokugan’s politics and spiritual philosophy with the personal struggles of its characters.

• Villain Spotlight: Kurosho, a fallen samurai turned demon lord, serves as a compelling antagonist whose tragic backstory unfolds as players progress. His narrative reflects Rokugan’s eternal struggle between ambition, corruption, and redemption.

• Lore Integration: Side encounters and collectible scrolls enrich the world-building, offering players insight into Rokugan’s history and the philosophical weight of the Five Rings.

While these elements add depth, the pacing of the narrative can feel uneven, with some stretches of gameplay offering little story progression—a drawback that stood out more in the full game than in the Gamescom demo.

Visual and Audio Presentation

Shadowveil excels in its audiovisual design, creating a world that feels as alive as it is haunted.

Graphics

• Environmental Design: The contrast between Rokugan’s pristine landscapes and the twisted, blighted Shadowlands is striking, with each environment telling its own story.

• Character Models: Warriors are intricately designed, reflecting their clans’ distinct identities, from the rugged armor of Crab Clan fighters to the ornate robes of Phoenix Clan mages.

Audio

• Soundtrack: The music is a perfect blend of traditional East Asian instruments and orchestral arrangements, shifting dynamically based on the tension of the scenario.

• Ambient Effects: Subtle soundscapes—like the rustling of cursed winds or the distant growls of Oni—immerse players in the world’s eerie atmosphere.

Accessibility and Difficulty

The game’s steep learning curve remains one of its more contentious aspects. Tutorials are sparse, requiring players to learn through experimentation. While this adds a layer of satisfaction for those who persist, it may deter less experienced players.

• Accessibility Features: Basic options such as text scaling and colorblind-friendly UI adjustments are present, but the lack of difficulty settings is a notable oversight that limits its appeal to a broader audience.

Replayability and Longevity

Replayability is a cornerstone of the Shadowveil experience. The roguelite mechanics, combined with unlockable characters, artifacts, and persistent upgrades, ensure no two runs are identical. The procedural generation of maps and enemy compositions keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.

• Key Insight from Full Playthrough: While the

• Gamescom demo showcased the potential for varied runs, the full game’s wealth of unlockables truly brings this potential to life, making each playthrough feel distinct. Shadowveil is not perfect, but it’s a commendable effort that captures the spirit of Rokugan while offering a challenging and replayable roguelite experience. Fans of strategy games and the L5R universe alike will find much to enjoy.

Overall TGG Rating

Shadowveil: Legend of the Five Rings is an ambitious adaptation of the L5R franchise, delivering strategic depth and immersive storytelling in a beautifully crafted world. My time with the Gamescom demo left me excited for its potential, and while the full game delivers on many fronts, it’s not without its flaws. The steep learning curve and occasionally overwhelming systems may deter some players, but for those who invest the time, the game offers a richly rewarding experience.

8/10

Audio

8/10

The audio design in Shadowveil is a triumph, immersing players in Rokugan’s world through a blend of traditional East Asian instruments like taiko drums and koto, interwoven with orchestral arrangements that heighten intensity during pivotal moments. The dynamic shifts in the soundtrack—calm during exploration, escalating during combat—enhance the emotional stakes. Subtle ambient effects, such as the faint whispers of cursed spirits or the ominous hum of Shadowlands corruption, deepen the atmosphere, creating a rich auditory landscape that complements the game’s narrative and visual splendour.

Visuals

8/10

The visuals in Shadowveil are stunning, vividly capturing Rokugan’s duality of beauty and corruption. Pristine landscapes, such as tranquil cherry blossom groves, contrast sharply with the grotesque, blighted horrors of the Shadowlands. Each environment is crafted with intricate detail, telling its own story through atmospheric lighting and textures. Character models reflect their clan identities, from the stoic, imposing Armor of Crab Clan warriors to the ethereal elegance of Phoenix Clan sorcerers. The visual design seamlessly blends traditional East Asian aesthetics with dark fantasy elements, immersing players in a world as haunting as it is breathtaking.

Playability

8/10

The playability of Shadowveil: Legend of the Five Rings is a testament to its well-designed mechanics and roguelite structure. Each run feels unique, thanks to procedurally generated maps, branching paths, and dynamic challenges that force players to adapt their strategies constantly. The variety of characters, artifacts, and upgrades ensures ample customization and replay value, encouraging experimentation with different team compositions and playstyles. While the steep learning curve can be daunting for newcomers, the rewarding sense of progression—both within runs and through permanent upgrades—makes the journey deeply satisfying for players willing to invest their time and effort.

Delivery

8/10

The delivery of Shadowveil: Legend of the Five Rings is both ambitious and captivating, offering a polished experience that immerses players in the world of Rokugan. The gameplay’s strategic depth, paired with a rich narrative and visually stunning design, showcases the developers’ dedication to honouring the Legend of the Five Rings legacy. While the steep learning curve and complex systems may pose challenges for some, the game’s balance of atmospheric storytelling, replayability, and rewarding progression ensures it leaves a lasting impression on those who dive into its world. It’s a fitting adaptation that provides a thrilling journey through the battle between honour and corruption.

Version tested:PC

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has always been synonymous with blending rich historical settings with immersive storytelling, and its latest instalment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is no exception. Taking players to feudal Japan, one of the most requested settings in the franchise’s history, Ubisoft has crafted a game that is as ambitious as it is beautiful. Thanks to their generosity, we were fortunate to experience this highly anticipated title ahead of its official release, diving deep into a world of honour, betrayal, and rebellion. Shadows introduce a dual protagonist narrative, featuring Naoe, a skilled female shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary African samurai. Together, they embark on a gripping tale of resistance against oppression during Japan’s Sengoku period. While the game showcases Ubisoft at its finest, a few technical issues and gameplay restrictions prevent it from being truly flawless. Despite this, Assassin’s Creed Shadows firmly establishes itself as one of the standout titles in the series, delivering a captivating experience for both long-time fans and newcomers.

Setting and Historical Context: Feudal Japan, Reimagined

The late Sengoku period, a time of political unrest, cultural transformation, and fierce conflict among samurai factions, provides the ideal backdrop for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft has meticulously recreated the era, transporting players into a living, breathing rendition of feudal Japan. From the bustling streets of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to tranquil

bamboo forests and secluded mountain shrines, every inch of the map is bursting with authenticity and historical detail.

The game doesn’t shy away from portraying the complexity of this turbulent time. The central conflict revolves around the tyranny of the shogunate, which has tightened its grip on the land through fear and violence. It is within this context that the Hidden Ones, the ancestors of the Assassin Brotherhood, establish their influence in Japan, aligning with those who seek liberation from oppression. The world is not just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right, deeply tied to the gameplay and story.

Players will encounter meticulously detailed architecture, from pagodas to war-torn villages, and engage with NPCs who reflect the struggles and aspirations of the era. Even the smallest details, such as tea ceremonies and haiku compositions, contribute to creating an immersive cultural experience. It’s clear that Ubisoft has poured its heart into respecting and celebrating Japan’s history, all while weaving it seamlessly into the Assassin’s Creed narrative.

Story and Characters: A Tale of Unity and Defiance

At the heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows lies a narrative that explores themes of loyalty, identity, and rebellion. The game follows Naoe, a shinobi with unparalleled agility and stealth, and Yasuke, a samurai renowned for his strength, discipline, and status as an outsider. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, combining their unique skills to dismantle the oppressive shogunate and free Japan from

tyranny.

Naoe’s story delves into the world of espionage, secrecy, and the bonds she shares with the Hidden Ones. Her dedication to their cause is unwavering, and her missions often require subterfuge, clever tactics, and the mastery of silence. Yasuke, on the other hand, brings a powerful and personal narrative to the table. As one of the few historical African figures to rise to prominence in feudal Japan, Yasuke’s journey touches on themes of belonging, honor, and forging one’s own path amidst adversity. The dual-protagonist dynamic allows for two distinct perspectives on the conflict, enriching the story and offering players varied gameplay experiences.

The supporting cast further enhances the narrative, from wise mentors in the Hidden Ones to antagonists steeped in the samurai code, each character is layered and compelling. Side quests are equally noteworthy, offering intimate stories that explore the lives of Japan’s common folk while reinforcing the game’s central themes.

Gameplay: Innovation Meets Tradition

Building on the franchise’s foundations, Assassin’s Creed Shadows refines and expands its gameplay mechanics to suit its setting. Players alternate between Naoe’s stealthfocused playstyle and Yasuke’s combat-heavy approach, each offering unique tools and strategies.

Stealth with Naoe

As Naoe, stealth is paramount. With her arsenal of grappling hooks, smoke bombs, shuriken, and poison darts, infiltrating enemy strongholds is a thrilling puzzle of timing and strategy. The game introduces enhanced parkour mechanics that allow Naoe to scale pagodas, navigate tightropes, and disappear into crowds with ease. Her missions emphasize creativity and precision, rewarding players who approach objectives with cunning rather than brute force.

Combat with Yasuke Yasuke’s gameplay centres on his mastery

of the katana. His stance system—a combat mechanic allowing players to switch between different fighting styles—offers depth and variety in encounters. Whether facing nimble shinobi or heavily armoured samurai, Yasuke’s combat feels deliberate, powerful, and grounded. Duels against key adversaries are highlights of the game, showcasing cinematic choreography and high-stakes drama. While these gameplay systems are polished, my playthrough wasn’t without its challenges.

I encountered a frustrating bug that temporarily disabled Yasuke’s ability to run, forcing a hard reset to continue. Additionally, the game’s restrictions on changing gear mid-mission felt unnecessarily limiting, especially during dynamic encounters that demanded adaptability. These issues were rare but noticeable, detracting slightly from an otherwise stellar experience.

Exploration and World Design: A Living Masterpiece

Exploration is one of Shadows’ greatest strengths. The open world is sprawling yet densely packed with activities, secrets, and breathtaking vistas. The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle add a layer of realism, with rain muffling footsteps and night providing additional cover for stealth missions. The Eagle Vision mechanic, reimagined as a trained hawk companion, is a standout feature. Guiding the hawk to scout enemy camps, locate treasures, or create distractions felt natural and immersive. Hidden shrines, relics, and scrolls offer rewarding challenges, while environmental storytelling breathes life into every corner of the map.

Visuals and Sound: An Artistic Triumph

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a visual marvel. The attention to detail is staggering, from the texture of armour and clothing to the ethereal glow of lantern-lit villages at night. The use of colour and lighting captures the beauty of Japan’s changing seasons, making every frame worthy of a screenshot. The original score is equally remarkable, blending traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen and taiko drums with modern orchestration.

Whether you’re meditating at a shrine or locked in a tense duel, the music elevates every moment. The voice acting is excellent in both English and Japanese, with the latter adding an extra layer of authenticity to the experience.

Conclusion: A Landmark Achievement

Despite its occasional technical issues and

restrictive mechanics, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a testament to Ubisoft’s ability to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences. It combines a richly detailed world, compelling characters, and innovative gameplay to create one of the most engaging entries in the series.

Overall TGG Rating

For fans of the franchise, Shadows is an absolute triumph. For newcomers, it’s a perfect starting point that showcases the very best of what Assassin’s Creed has to offer. With its breathtaking world, gripping story, and refined mechanics, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a must-play for anyone who appreciates games that blend history, art, and innovation.

9/10

Audio 9/10

Featuring traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen and taiko drums, it harmonizes flawlessly with the game’s visual and narrative elements, heightening every moment, from stealthy infiltrations to intense duels. Voice acting shines across both English and Japanese options, with the latter adding an authentic cultural depth to the experience. Environmental soundscapes are equally impressive, capturing the ambient life of bustling markets, serene shrines, and raging battles. However, the audio doesn’t achieve absolute perfection, as certain combat effects occasionally lack the impact needed to fully complement the weight of gameplay mechanics. Even so, the sound design overall is a masterclass, weaving auditory artistry into every corner of feudal Japan.

Visuals 9/10

Every inch of feudal Japan has been painstakingly crafted, with vivid landscapes that showcase the beauty of the Sengoku period—from the rich greens of bamboo forests to the ethereal glow of lantern-lit streets in Edo. The dynamic lighting and weather effects elevate the atmosphere, making each environment feel alive and immersive. Character models are incredibly detailed, with intricate armour designs and fluid animations that shine particularly during combat sequences. The cherry blossoms drifting through the air, the reflections in serene temple ponds, and the snowy mountain paths all contribute to a visually poetic experience. However, occasional texture pop-ins and minor environmental clipping slightly detract from the overall perfection. Nonetheless, the artistry on display is an achievement in itself, making Shadows a true visual masterpiece.

Playability

9/10

The dual-character dynamic offers diverse gameplay styles, allowing players to seamlessly shift between Naoe’s stealth-focused missions and Yasuke’s combat-heavy encounters. The controls are intuitive, and the enhanced mechanics—such as the stance-based swordplay system and grapplingbased parkour—provide fluidity and precision, making every action feel satisfying. Exploration is a joy, with dynamic environments that reward curiosity and experimentation, while side quests and hidden challenges ensure hours of engaging content.

Delivery 9/10

The game masterfully integrates the dual-protagonist narrative of Naoe and Yasuke into the stunning backdrop of feudal Japan, crafting an experience that is both historically rich and emotionally impactful. From the meticulous world design, vibrant visuals, and dynamic gameplay mechanics to the evocative musical score and authentic voice acting, nearly every element works harmoniously to immerse players in its ambitious vision.

Version tested: Xbox Series X

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Rebellion’s Atomfall is a survival-action RPG that transports players to an alternate-history 1960s Britain, grappling with the aftermath of the Windscale nuclear disaster. With its unique blend of science fiction, folk horror, and Cold War paranoia, the game offers a deeply immersive experience that challenges players to survive, explore, and uncover the truth in a world shrouded in mystery.

Narrative and World-Building: A Story Worth Unraveling

The narrative of Atomfall is one of its most compelling features. Set five years after the fictionalized Windscale disaster, the game places players in a quarantine zone teeming with secrets, danger, and moral dilemmas. As an amnesiac survivor, you must navigate this fractured world, piecing together the events that led to the disaster and its far-reaching consequences.

The world-building is truly extraordinary, drawing inspiration from classic British science fiction like The Day of the Triffids and The Quatermass Experiment. The hauntingly desolate Lake District is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. Every abandoned bunker, Pagan ruin, and cryptic organization enriches the narrative, creating a world that feels eerily familiar yet unsettlingly alien.

During my playthrough, I was captivated by the layers of storytelling. Whether unearthing tragic

NPC backstories or piecing together notes scattered across abandoned homes, the game rewarded my curiosity at every turn. The nonlinear narrative allowed me to approach the mystery in my own way, making the experience feel deeply personal.

Gameplay and Mechanics: An Intricate Dance Between Freedom and Challenge

The gameplay in Atomfall places player agency at its core. Its innovative “leads” system replaces conventional quests, encouraging organic exploration and decision-making. Players can navigate the narrative at their own pace, discovering secrets and forging their own path. Complementing this is the inclusion of light RPG elements, including skill trees, which provide the flexibility to tailor your character to your playstyle.

Combat is intense and tactical, blending ranged and melee mechanics with a sharp emphasis on resource management. Ammunition is scarce, meaning every skirmish feels like a highstakes encounter. Adding to the complexity is a comprehensive crafting system that allows players to forge weapons, tools, and survival items. This system became particularly crucial during moments of desperation, such as when I found myself cornered in a derelict village, armed with only a makeshift melee weapon and an improvised distraction device.

While these features shine, the initial stages of

the game can feel overwhelming. The lack of guidance combined with the unforgiving nature of its mechanics left me fumbling for direction early on. However, as I adapted, the open-ended gameplay revealed its true brilliance, rewarding both patience and ingenuity.

Visuals and Atmosphere: A Hauntingly Beautiful World

From the opening scenes, Atomfall captivates with its haunting visuals. The juxtaposition of picturesque countryside with the eerie desolation of a post-nuclear wasteland creates an atmosphere that is uniquely unsettling and profoundly beautiful. Every environment be it a decaying rural farmhouse, a radioactive woodland, or a forgotten Pagan ritual site—tells its own story through intricate environmental design. The auditory landscape is equally evocative. The sound design masterfully layers ambient noise, period-inspired music, and subtle, spine-tingling effects to heighten immersion. I vividly remember exploring an underground bunker with my flashlight flickering, every creak and distant drip of water amplifying the tension. Such moments exemplify the game’s ability to evoke both dread and awe.

Strengths and Weaknesses: A Balanced Perspective

Atomfall excels in its narrative depth and immersive world-building, which transport players into a richly imagined post-nuclear Britain. The “leads” system is a triumph, fostering exploration and curiosity while giving players

the freedom to craft their own experience. The visuals and sound design are breathtaking, weaving a world that feels hauntingly alive. Combat and crafting mechanics add layers of tension and strategy, making every choice matter.

Yet, the game is not without its flaws. The slow and disorienting start may frustrate players unfamiliar with the genre, as the lack of clear objectives can leave newcomers feeling adrift. Additionally, the difficulty curve is steep, demanding perseverance from even seasoned players. Nevertheless, these challenges are a small price to pay for the richness of the journey that lies ahead.

Personal Experience: A Journey of Discovery

During my time with Atomfall, I experienced some of the most memorable moments I’ve encountered in gaming. One standout sequence involved uncovering a hidden scientist’s laboratory, where I discovered journal entries that detailed heart-wrenching experiments conducted in the name of survival. This sequence underscored the game’s ability to blend personal stories with its larger themes of human resilience and moral compromise.

Another unforgettable moment came while exploring a Pagan site at dusk, with the setting sun casting eerie shadows over ominous stone carvings. The stillness was broken only by the sound of leaves rustling, sending chills down my spine. Experiences like these make Atomfall not just a game, but a journey into a world steeped in atmosphere and intrigue.

overall tgg rating

Atomfall demands dedication and a willingness to embrace its challenges. The slow beginning and steep learning curve may not appeal to every player, but those who persevere will find a deeply rewarding and unforgettable experience. Its strengths in narrative, atmosphere, and player freedom far outweigh its shortcomings, solidifying its place as a standout title in the survival-action genre.

7.5/10

Audio

8/10

The ambient sounds, whether it’s the unsettling rustle of leaves, distant creaks, or the muffled hum of machinery, effortlessly heighten the tension and sense of foreboding. The haunting, periodinspired soundtrack adds a layer of authenticity, enhancing both emotional moments and exploration sequences. While highly effective, the audio occasionally lacks variety during extended play, which keeps it from achieving perfection, but its overall impact is undeniably memorable and deeply enriching.

Visuals

8/10

The meticulous environmental design captures every detail, from crumbling village ruins to the eerie glow of radioactive fallout, blending the desolation of a disaster-stricken Britain with moments of stark, melancholic beauty. The contrast between idyllic countryside and grim decay creates a unique aesthetic that feels both unsettling and compelling. While stunning and memorable, some textures and environmental assets occasionally lack the polish seen in other areas, but the overall visual experience remains a standout feature of the game. battles.

Playability

7/10

The “leads” system, replacing traditional quests, encourages organic exploration, making every discovery feel earned and personal. Combat is tense and strategic, requiring careful resource management, while the crafting system adds another layer of depth to survival. However, the game’s open-ended structure and lack of initial guidance can feel daunting, particularly to newcomers. Once past the steep learning curve, though, Atomfall reveals a richly rewarding gameplay experience that balances tension and player agency beautifully.

Delivery

7/10

The game’s strengths lie in its deeply engaging narrative, rich world-building, and innovative “leads” system, which invites players to forge their own path through its hauntingly atmospheric setting. Its compelling mix of exploration, combat, and crafting mechanics creates a gameplay loop that is both

challenging and rewarding. However, the initial stages suffer from a lack of guidance and a steep difficulty curve, which may deter fewer patient players. Despite these shortcomings, Atomfall delivers a memorable and thought-provoking journey that stands out as a triumph in the survival-action genre.

Version tested: Xbox Series X

Reviewed by:

Brandon Sawyer

Two Point Studios, the creative geniuses behind the beloved Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, have expanded their whimsical universe with Two Point Museum. Published by Sega, this game invites players to assume the role of a museum curator, responsible for creating and managing an engaging museum experience. My journey with Two Point Museum has been a rollercoaster of creativity, humour, and challenges, making it a compelling addition to the Two Point series.

Gameplay and Mechanics

My adventure in Two Point Museum began with designing the layout of my museum, selecting themes, and curating exhibits. The game’s interface is intuitive, allowing me to easily navigate through various management tasks. One of the standout features is the expeditions, where I sent my staff on global missions to acquire rare artifacts. This added an exciting element of unpredictability, as I had to strategically balance resources and staff to maximize my museum’s potential.

The creation tools are robust, offering a wide range of customization options. I spent hours meticulously designing exhibits and amenities, ensuring that each visitor had a unique and enjoyable experience. The humour that permeates the game, from quirky staff members to amusing in-game radio, kept me entertained throughout my journey.

Visuals and Sound

Two Point Museum’s visuals are charming and vibrant, with a cartoonish style that adds to the

game’s overall appeal. The attention to detail in the exhibits and museum layout is impressive, creating an immersive experience. The soundtrack is delightful, featuring catchy tunes that complement the lighthearted atmosphere. The in-game radio, filled with humorous commentary and gags, added an extra layer of entertainment that kept me engaged.

Story and Setting

The game’s setting is rich and varied, offering players the opportunity to build museums in different locales, each with its unique themes and challenges. The story is lighthearted and filled with humour, with characters that bring the world of Two Point Museum to life. The narrative elements are woven seamlessly into the gameplay, adding depth and context to the player’s journey.

Performance and Technical Issues

While my overall experience with Two Point Museum was enjoyable, I did encounter some technical issues. Glitches and crashes, particularly during extended play sessions, disrupted the flow of the game. These issues were frustrating and detracted from the overall experience. However, the developers have a history of addressing such issues with patches, so I anticipate improvements over time.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Two Point Museum does a commendable job of making the game accessible to a wide range of players. The game offers various difficulty settings and customization options,

allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferences. Additionally, the game includes features such as subtitles and colourblind modes, ensuring that it is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Challenges and Replayability

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Two Point Museum is its replayability. The game

offers a variety of museum themes, from natural history to spooky ghost exhibits, each with unique challenges and objectives. I found myself revisiting museums multiple times, unlocking new items and mechanics as I progressed.

This ensured that the game remained fresh and engaging, even after hours of play.

overall tgg rating

Two Point Museum is a delightful addition to the Two Point series, offering a unique and engaging experience for fans of management simulations. With its charming visuals, intuitive gameplay, and endless replayability, it is sure to captivate players for hours on end. Despite the technical hiccups I encountered, the game’s humour and creativity more than make up for any shortcomings.

8/10

Audio

8/10

Two Point Museum’s audio earns an 8/10 for its delightful soundtrack and engaging in-game radio, which contribute significantly to the game’s charming atmosphere. The catchy tunes are wellsuited to the lighthearted theme, and the humorous commentary on the radio adds an extra layer of entertainment. However, there are occasional repetitive sound effects and minor audio glitches that slightly detract from the overall experience. Despite these minor issues, the audio remains a standout feature that enhances the game’s immersive and enjoyable ambiance.

Visuals

8/10

Two Point Museum’s visuals earn an 8/10 for their charming and vibrant cartoonish style, which significantly enhances the game’s overall appeal. The attention to detail in the exhibits and museum layout is impressive, creating an immersive experience that keeps players engaged. However, there are occasional graphical glitches and minor performance issues that prevent the visuals from achieving a perfect score. Despite these minor setbacks, the delightful and engaging art style contributes greatly to the game’s captivating atmosphere.

Playability

7/10

Two Point Museum’s playability earns an 8/10 for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes the game accessible to players of all skill levels. The variety of museum themes and objectives adds depth and replayability, encouraging players to return and explore new challenges. However, occasional glitches and crashes can disrupt the gameplay experience, slightly detracting from the overall enjoyment. Despite these minor setbacks, the engaging mechanics and creative freedom provided by Two Point Museum ensure a highly enjoyable and replayable experience for players.

Delivery

7/10

Two Point Museum’s overall playability earns an 8/10 for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, engaging mechanics, and creative freedom. The game offers a variety of museum themes and objectives, ensuring that players are constantly challenged and entertained. The replayability factor

is high, with numerous items and mechanics to unlock as players progress. However, occasional technical issues, such as glitches and crashes, can disrupt the gameplay experience. Despite these minor setbacks, the game remains highly enjoyable and replayable, providing a captivating experience for players of all skill levels.

Version tested: Xbox Series X

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered brings together the fourth, fifth, and sixth games in the iconic Tomb Raider series: The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness. Developed by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics, this remastered collection offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans of the series, with significant visual and gameplay enhancements. This review delves into the finer details of each game, exploring the improvements, user experience, and overall impact of this remaster.

Visual Overhaul

One of the most striking aspects of this remaster is the visual overhaul. The character models have been meticulously updated, with detailed textures and revamped lighting that breathe new life into the classic games.

• The Last Revelation: Set in ancient Egypt, this game now features dramatic lighting effects that enhance the atmosphere of the tombs and temples. The shadows cast by Lara’s torch create a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing players deeper into the game’s rich environments. The updated textures reveal the intricate details of hieroglyphics and ancient carvings, making each tomb feel like a genuine archaeological discovery.

• Chronicles: The varied locations, from the rooftops of Rome to the depths of a Russian submarine, benefit from enhanced textures and lighting, making each scene more immersive. The attention to detail in the environments, such as the crumbling

• ruins of Rome or the claustrophobic corridors of the submarine, adds to the overall sense of adventure and exploration.

• The Angel of Darkness: The dark, gothic atmosphere of Paris and Prague is beautifully rendered in the remaster, adding to the game’s sense of mystery and tension. The rain-soaked streets of Paris and the eerie, abandoned buildings of Prague are brought to life with stunning visual fidelity, creating a hauntingly atmospheric experience.

Gameplay Experience

The gameplay remains largely faithful to the original titles, with some quality-of-life improvements. The modern control schemes are a welcome addition, although they can feel a bit cumbersome at times. The option to switch between original graphics and updated graphics at the press of a button is a fantastic feature, allowing players to experience the games as they were and as they are now.

Enhanced Features

• Photo Mode: One of the standout features of this remaster is the improved photo mode. Players can now capture stunning screenshots and create their own visual masterpieces within the game world. The ability to adjust lighting, apply filters, and frame shots perfectly adds a new level of creativity and enjoyment.

• Flyby Camera Mode: This intuitive and powerful feature adds another layer

• of enjoyment, allowing fans to explore the game’s environments from unique perspectives. Whether soaring above the rooftops of Rome or delving deep into the Egyptian tombs, the flyby camera mode provides breathtaking views that showcase the remastered visuals.

• Load Times and Frame Rates: The remastered collection offers a smooth and polished experience on the Xbox Series X. Load times are significantly reduced, and the improved frame rates ensure that the gameplay feels responsive and fluid. The increased frame rates enhance the overall responsiveness of the controls, making platforming and combat feel more precise and enjoyable.

The Last Revelation

In The Last Revelation, Lara Croft embarks on a thrilling journey through Egypt, unravelling an ancient prophecy and confronting her old mentor, Werner Von Croy. The story is rich with Egyptian mythology and offers a captivating narrative that keeps players engaged throughout the game.

Key Features:

• Environments: From the vast deserts to the intricate temples, the remastered visuals bring a new level of detail to the game’s environments. The lush oases, scorching deserts, and majestic temples are all rendered with stunning clarity, creating an immersive experience.

• Puzzle Design: The puzzles are challenging yet rewarding, often requiring players to think critically and explore their surroundings thoroughly. The remaster maintains the original complexity of the puzzles while improving the visual cues that help players understand the mechanics.

• Combat: The combat mechanics have been slightly refined, making encounters with enemies more fluid and dynamic. Lara’s movements are smoother, and the updated animations make combat feel more responsive and satisfying.

Chronicles

Chronicles takes a different approach by presenting Lara’s adventures through a series of flashbacks, narrated by her friends and associates after she is presumed dead. This structure allows players to experience key moments from Lara’s past, providing deeper insights into her character and motivations.

Key Features:

• Varied Locations: From the rooftops of Rome to the murky depths of a Russian submarine, the game offers a diverse range of environments to explore. Each location is meticulously detailed, with unique challenges and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

• New Abilities: Lara gains new abilities in each chapter, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. These abilities are tailored to the specific environments and challenges of each chapter, adding variety and depth to the gameplay.

• Narrative Depth: The storytelling in Chronicles is enhanced by the remastered visuals, making the emotional moments more impactful. The remaster brings the characters to life with improved facial animations and voice acting, making their stories more compelling.

The Angel of Darkness

The Angel of Darkness is arguably the most controversial entry in the series, but the remaster aims to address some of its original flaws. The story follows Lara as she investigates the murder of her former mentor, Von Croy, while uncovering a dark conspiracy that spans across Europe.

Key Features:

• Atmosphere: The dark, gothic atmosphere of Paris and Prague is beautifully rendered in the remaster, adding to the game’s sense of mystery and tension. The rain-soaked streets of Paris and the eerie, abandoned buildings of Prague are brought to life with stunning visual fidelity, creating a hauntingly atmospheric experience.

• Character Interactions: The improved facial animations and voice acting make character interactions more believable and engaging. Lara’s dialogue is delivered with more emotion and nuance, making her interactions with other characters more impactful.

• Stealth Mechanics: The stealth elements have been refined, offering players more options for how they approach each situation. The improved AI makes stealth gameplay more challenging and rewarding,

as players must carefully plan their movements and actions.

User Experience

The remastered collection offers a smooth and polished experience on the Xbox Series X. Load times are significantly reduced, and the improved frame rates ensure that the gameplay feels responsive and fluid. The option to toggle between original and updated graphics is a great touch, allowing players to appreciate the advancements while still honouring the original aesthetic.

Overall TGG Rating

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a must-have for fans of the series and classic games. While it doesn’t completely fix the issues with The Angel of Darkness, it does make the experience much more enjoyable. However, the remaster does not fully resolve some of the underlying gameplay issues, particularly in The Angel of Darkness. The visual enhancements and quality-of-life improvements make these games accessible to a new generation of players while still honouring the original releases.

7.5/10

Audio 8/10

The remastered audio is commendable, with enhanced soundtracks and effects that immerse players in the game’s environments. The atmospheric soundscapes, from the echoes within ancient tombs to the ambient city noises, create a captivating auditory experience. However, some of the original voice acting and audio design quirks remain, which can occasionally detract from the overall immersion.

Visuals 8/10

The visuals are a significant improvement over the originals, with updated character models, detailed textures, and revamped lighting that enhance the overall atmosphere. The environments, from the Egyptian tombs to the gothic streets of Paris, are rendered with stunning clarity and realism. However, some areas still show their age despite the enhancements, and a few textures occasionally fall short of modern standards. Overall, the visual quality of the remastered collection earns an 8/10. It provides a visually engaging experience that brings new life to the classic games, though not without a few minor imperfections.

Playability

7/10

The playability offers a mix of classic mechanics and modern enhancements. The updated control schemes improve the overall experience, making the games more accessible to new players while retaining the original charm for long-time fans. However, some elements, particularly in The Angel of Darkness, still feel dated and occasionally cumbersome. The quality-of-life improvements, such as reduced load times and smoother frame rates, enhance the responsiveness and fluidity of gameplay, but certain aspects of the original design can still hinder the experience.

Delivery

7/10

The overall delivery of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered provides a well-rounded package that balances nostalgia with modern improvements. The collection successfully brings classic gameplay to a new generation of gamers while satisfying long-time fans with enhanced visuals, improved audio, and refined playability. However, the remaster does not fully resolve all the original issues, particularly in The Angel of Darkness. The remaster is a significant step forward, but there are still areas where it could have gone further in terms of updating and refining the gameplay experience.

Version tested: Xbox Series X

Reviewed

by:

Brandon Sawyer

Thanks to Bandai Namco, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test on Xbox Series X. As a fan of FromSoftware’s games, I was thrilled to dive into this unique blend of roguelike, battle royale, and traditional Soulslike gameplay. Despite some initial technical hiccups, my experience with Nightreign was both exciting and promising.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Nightreign deviates from the traditional Elden Ring formula by introducing a procedurally generated map called Limveld, a reimagined version of Limgrave. The objective is to complete a three-day mission, culminating in a boss battle with one of eight Nightlords. During the network test, I faced off against Gladius Beast of Night, a formidable foe inspired by the three-headed dog Cerberus.

The game emphasizes cooperative play, with teams of three players working together to navigate the map, defeat mini-bosses, and gather resources. The shrinking map mechanic, reminiscent of battle royale games, added a layer of urgency and strategy to the gameplay, keeping me on my toes throughout the experience.

Each day in Nightreign presents a new set of challenges, with dynamic weather conditions and time-of-day changes affecting enemy behavior and visibility. This variety kept the gameplay engaging and unpredictable, encouraging my team to adapt our strategies on the fly.

Character Classes and Abilities

One of the standout features of Nightreign is the introduction of preset characters instead

of the traditional character creation system. The network test featured four classes: Wylder, Guardian, Duchess, and Recluse. Each class has unique abilities and strengths, catering to different playstyles. I personally enjoyed playing as the Duchess, who excels in nimble, high-damage attacks, while my teammates found success with the defensive support provided by the Guardian.

The abilities and skills of each class are well-balanced, allowing for effective team synergy. For example, Wylder’s stealth abilities complemented the Duchess’s aggressive playstyle, while Guardian’s defensive skills provided much-needed protection during intense encounters. This strategic depth added an extra layer of enjoyment to the cooperative gameplay.

Performance and Technical Issues

The network test was not without its challenges. On Xbox Series X, I encountered matchmaking issues and performance problems that hindered the overall experience. Server stability was a notable concern, leading to occasional disconnects and lag. However, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco were proactive in addressing these issues, releasing patches and updates to improve the overall experience. Despite these technical hiccups, the core gameplay shone through. Once the initial issues were resolved, the game showcased its potential as a fun and unique multiplayer experience. The responsive combat mechanics and fluid animations made every encounter feel satisfying and rewarding.

Visuals and Atmosphere

FromSoftware’s signature dark and atmospheric design is evident in Nightreign. The procedurally generated map retains the

eerie beauty of the original Elden Ring, with new landscape and building elements adding variety to the environment. The visuals and atmosphere truly immersed me in the game’s world, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging. The dynamic lighting and weather effects enhanced the sense of immersion, with foggy nights and thunderstorms adding to the game’s overall intensity. The detailed character and enemy designs further contributed to the game’s dark and foreboding atmosphere, making each encounter feel significant and memorable.

Sound Design and Music

The sound design and music in Nightreign are noteworthy, adding to the overall experience. The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s dark and eerie atmosphere, while the ambient sounds of the environment create a sense of immersion. The distinct audio cues for enemies and abilities

also played a crucial role in gameplay, helping me stay aware of my surroundings and react accordingly.

Conclusion

Elden Ring Nightreign has the makings of a compelling multiplayer game, blending familiar Soulslike mechanics with innovative roguelike and battle royale elements. While the network test highlighted some technical issues, the core gameplay and cooperative mechanics show immense promise. If FromSoftware can address the performance problems, Nightreign could become a standout addition to the Elden Ring universe. Overall, I would rate my experience with the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test on Xbox Series X an 8.5 out of 10. Thanks again to Bandai Namco for giving me the chance to experience this exciting new venture firsthand!

We can’t wait to play and review the full game when it launches on May 30, 2025

The Sims 25th Birthday Legacy Collection stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and revolutionary impact of the life simulation genre. Comprising the original Sims and The Sims 2, along with their respective expansion packs, this collection offers a nostalgic journey through the early days of The Sims.

The Sims: Legacy Collection

This segment encapsulates the essence of the original Sims game and its groundbreaking expansion packs: Livin’ Large, House Party, Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar, and Makin’ Magic. Released in 2000, The Sims revolutionized the gaming industry by introducing a life simulation experience that allowed players to create and control virtual people, known as Sims. The core mechanics of building homes, furnishing them, and managing the daily lives of Sims remain captivating.

Livin’ Large expanded the game’s horizons by introducing new objects, characters, and career paths, adding a layer of depth and variety to the gameplay. House Party brought a social dimension, allowing Sims to throw elaborate parties and interact with a wider range of guests. Hot Date introduced the concept of downtown areas, where Sims could go on romantic outings and engage in more complex relationships.

Vacation added a much-needed break from routine, offering vacation destinations where Sims could relax and unwind. Unleashed expanded the world with pets and new neighbourhood lots, enriching the gameplay with new dynamics. Superstar introduced the glitz and glamour of fame, allowing Sims to pursue careers in entertainment and interact with celebrities. Finally, Makin’ Magic brought a whimsical touch, adding magical abilities and mystical items that transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Difference from the Original Game:

• Enhanced Graphics: The original Sims had charming, pixelated graphics, while The Sims 2 introduced 3D rendering and more detailed character models, providing a more immersive experience.

• Performance Updates: Both The Sims and The Sims 2 in the Legacy Collection have been updated to ensure compatibility with modern systems, offering smoother gameplay.

• New Activities and Interactions: Expansion packs like Hot Date and Unleashed

• introduced dating, pets, and new neighbourhood lots, expanding the social and interactive aspects of the game.

While the original game may feel dated, its charm and innovation are undeniable, offering endless possibilities and hours of entertainment.

The Sims 2: Legacy Collection

Released in 2004, The Sims 2 represented a significant leap forward. This collection includes The Sims 2 and its acclaimed expansion packs: University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Bon Voyage, Seasons, Free Time, and Apartment Life.

Aging and Genetics: The most notable innovation in The Sims 2 is the introduction of aging and genetics. Sims now progress through distinct life stages, from infancy to old age, and pass on their genetic traits to their offspring. This generational aspect adds a profound sense of continuity and legacy to the gameplay, making each Sim’s life story truly unique.

Aspiration System: Another standout feature is the aspiration system, which gives each Sim specific goals and desires that shape their behaviour and interactions. Whether a Sim aspires to be wealthy, knowledgeable, popular, or romantically fulfilled, their aspirations influence their actions and decisions, adding depth and complexity to their lives.

Expansion Packs: Each expansion pack adds depth to the gameplay:

• University: Introduces the college life experience, complete with dorms, academic pursuits, and social interactions.

• Nightlife: Brings the excitement of dating and nightlife activities, allowing Sims to explore downtown areas, go on dates, and experience vibrant city life.

• Open for Business: Empowers Sims to start and run their own businesses, adding an entrepreneurial dimension to the game.

• Pets: Introduces a variety of pets, each with their own needs and behaviors, enriching the household dynamics.

• Bon Voyage: Takes Sims on exotic vacations, offering a range of travel destinations and cultural experiences.

• Seasons: Introduces the dynamic change of weather and seasons, affecting Sims’ lives and activities in meaningful ways.

• Free Time: Adds new hobbies and leisure activities, allowing Sims to pursue their passions and interests.

• Apartment Life: Brings the hustle and bustle of urban living, with apartments, neighbours, and community interactions adding a layer of realism to the game.

Difference from the Original Game:

• Aging and Genetics: Introduced in The Sims 2, adding depth and continuity to the gameplay.

• Aspiration System: Gives Sims specific goals and desires that shape their behaviour.

• Advanced Customization: More detailed character creation, building tools, and neighbourhood design.

• Enhanced Graphics: The Sims 2 features 3D rendering and more detailed character models.

• Performance Updates: Compatibility with modern systems ensures smoother gameplay.

Graphics and Art Style

The visual evolution from The Sims to The Sims 2 is noteworthy. The original Sims’ pixelated graphics have a nostalgic charm, while The Sims 2 introduces 3D rendering and more detailed character models. The art style in both games remain whimsical and playful, contributing to their timeless appeal.

Sound and Music

The iconic “Simlish” language and the game’s soundtrack play a significant role in creating an immersive experience. The upbeat and quirky music in The Sims complements the game’s lighthearted tone, while The Sims 2’s soundtrack is more varied, reflecting different life stages and moods.

Customization and Creativity

One of the series’ standout features is the level of customization it offers. Players can create unique Sims with personalized appearances, build and furnish homes, and design their neighbourhoods. The expansion packs in both collections add even more creative possibilities, from running businesses to mastering magic.

Replayability

The Sims series excels in replayability. The open-ended gameplay, combined with the numerous expansion packs, ensures that no two playthroughs are ever the same. Players can continually discover new stories, challenges, and experiences, keeping the game fresh and engaging.

Community and Modding

The Sims community has always been vibrant and active, contributing user-created content

and mods that enhance and expand the gameplay. From custom skins and objects to entirely new gameplay mechanics, the modding community has played a crucial role in the series’ longevity.

Technical Performance

Both The Sims and The Sims 2 run smoothly on modern systems, thanks to updates ensuring compatibility with Windows 10 and 11. While not fully remastered, the games’ performance improvements make for a seamless experience, with only minor quirks and limitations remaining.

Educational Value

The Sims series offers educational value by teaching players about time management, financial planning, and social interactions. Players can experiment with different life choices and see the consequences of their actions, making it a valuable learning tool.

Overall TGG Rating

The Sims 25th Birthday Legacy Collection is a remarkable journey through the history of one of gaming’s most iconic series. Each title offers unique experiences, from the foundational charm of the original Sims to the advanced mechanics of The Sims 2. While older titles may show their age, they remain an essential part of gaming history and a testament to the creativity and innovation that define The Sims series.

8.5/10

Audio 9/10

The audio design in The Sims series is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience. The iconic “Simlish” language adds a unique charm and humour, making interactions between Sims entertaining and memorable. The game’s soundtrack, with its upbeat and quirky music in The Sims and more varied tones in The Sims 2, perfectly complements the lighthearted and whimsical atmosphere of the game. The variety of soundtracks for different life stages and moods in The Sims 2 enhances the depth of the gameplay. The only minor drawback is that, while nostalgic, some of the audio elements in the original Sims may feel repetitive over extended play sessions.

Visuals 8/10

The visual evolution in The Sims series is impressive, showcasing a significant leap from the pixelated graphics of the original Sims to the detailed 3D rendering in The Sims 2. The original Sims’ visuals have a nostalgic charm, with their whimsical and playful art style that still holds appeal. However, The Sims 2 takes the visual experience to a new level with more detailed character models, intricate building designs, and a more immersive environment. The transition to 3D graphics allows for a greater range of creative expression and realism, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While the older titles may show their age, the visual improvements in The Sims 2 and the artistic consistency across the series contribute to its timeless appeal.

Playability

9/10

The Sims series offers exceptional playability with its open-ended gameplay, extensive customization options, and vibrant modding community. Players can create unique Sims, build homes, and explore numerous activities, ensuring no two playthroughs are ever the same. The aspiration system in The Sims 2 adds depth by giving Sims specific goals and desires, making their lives truly unique. The endless creative possibilities and engaging experiences keep players coming back for more, making The Sims series a highly replayable and enjoyable gaming experience.

Delivery

8/10

The overall delivery of The Sims 25th Birthday Legacy Collection is impressive, showcasing the series’ evolution and enduring appeal. The enhanced graphics, improved performance, and additional features introduced in The Sims 2 significantly elevate the gameplay experience. The comprehensive collection of expansion packs adds depth and variety, ensuring endless creative possibilities and replayability. The vibrant community and active modding scene further enrich the experience, keeping the games fresh and engaging. While some elements of the original games may feel dated, the charm and innovation of The Sims series remain undeniable. This collection is a must-have for fans and an excellent introduction for newcomers, celebrating the legacy of one of gaming’s most iconic series.

Version tested: PC EA App

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

exploring the sims 4 and new content

Recently, EA generously gifted us codes for an incredible selection of content for The Sims 4 which is free-to-play, the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack, the Lovestruck Expansion, the Comfy Gamer Kit, and the Secret Sanctuary Kit. Having spent time exploring each of these, I can confidently say they bring fresh layers of creativity and gameplay depth to the Sims universe. Here’s my take on each of these delightful additions.

Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack

Small Business Adventures

The Businesses & Hobbies expansion instantly stood out. Running small businesses is incredibly fun and highly customizable. I tried running a tattoo parlour and later opened a pottery workshop, and both felt unique thanks to the detailed mechanics. You can set entry fees, adjust price markups, and even choose which Sims can visit based on traits. The flexibility in business types allows for a wide range of entrepreneurial storytelling, and each venture feels personal and rewarding.

New Hobbies and Skills

Tattooing and pottery are fantastic skills to dive into. Tattooing brings a creative edge to the gameplay as you design and sell tattoos. Pottery offers a more relaxing experience, with crafted items like vases being both functional and sellable. These hobbies also make for great bonding moments when paired with the mentorship system.

Exploring Nordhaven

The new world of Nordhaven is breathtaking. Its Scandinavian charm, with cobblestone streets and cozy yet modern architecture, makes it one of my favorite Sims worlds to date. It feels alive and perfect for Sims who want to live close to their businesses. My Sims enjoyed the mix of residential and commercial lots, adding depth to their daily lives.

Social and Strategic Elements

I enjoyed mentoring other Sims in pottery and joining hobby meetups—it brought a sense of community to the game. Running a business, however, is where I had the most fun, especially with the new perks like Ultrasonic Whistle to manage customer flow. Balancing growth, customer satisfaction, and profitability felt rewarding without becoming overly complex.

What I Loved vs. What I Missed

While this pack adds a ton of new gameplay options, it feels like a natural extension of Get to Work, which might make some players question if it could’ve been an update instead of a standalone expansion. However, the added focus on hobbies and depth in customization ensures it stands on its own.

Price: £34.99/$34.99

Rating: 8/10

Lovestruck Expansion Pack

A Romantic Paradise

The Lovestruck Expansion focuses on romance in all its forms, from sweet first dates to deep lifelong partnerships. The standout feature is the new Romantic Satisfaction system, which tracks how fulfilled your Sims feel in their relationships. This adds an emotional layer that feels more dynamic than the static “relationship bars” we’re used to.

Turn-Ons, Turn-Offs, and Attraction Mechanics

I found the Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs system to be a game-changer. It gives Sims distinct preferences, which influence their chemistry with others. Pair that with the revamped attraction mechanics, and the result is a deeper, more nuanced portrayal of romantic connections.

Exploring Ciudad Enamorada

The new world, Ciudad Enamorada, is stunning. Whether it was taking my Sims for a scenic stroll along the Moonlit Riverwalk or staging a proposal in the Secret Garden of Love, the locations felt designed to elevate romantic storytelling. The world is small but packed with charm.

Special Events and Challenges

The addition of new date goals like creating an unforgettable first kiss was a lot of fun to play through. I also enjoyed the Matchmaker Challenge, where my Sims helped others find love for extra rewards—it’s a unique spin on relationship-focused gameplay.

What I Loved vs. What I Missed

The expansion’s focus on romance is both its strength and its limitation. While it caters beautifully to players who enjoy love-cantered narratives, it might not offer enough variety for others.

Price: £34.99/$34.99

Rating: 7.5/10

Comfy Gamer Kit

A Gamer’s Dream Setup

The Comfy Gamer Kit is every Simmer-builder’s delight. With gaming desks, ergonomic chairs, and clutter items like retro posters and mini cowplants, I was able to create the ultimate gaming lair for my Sims. The dual-monitor setups and RGB-lit items are so realistic, they made me a little envious of my Sims’ rooms!

Cohesive Aesthetic

The pastel palette is incredibly versatile, and the items blend well with existing packs and kits. I found myself using them not just in gaming setups but also for home offices and bedrooms.

What I Loved vs. What I Missed

While this kit’s focus on Build/Buy is fantastic for decorating, it doesn’t offer any gameplay elements, which might leave players wanting more interaction or functional features.

Price: £4.99/$4.99

Rating: 8.5/10

Secret Sanctuary Kit

Victorian Elegance

The Secret Sanctuary Kit strikes the perfect balance between mystery and grandeur. From the moment I used the secret bookcase door to create a hidden room, I was hooked. The antique chandeliers and plush wallpapers added a touch of luxury to my Sims’ homes.

Functional New Items

The addition of a working vanity was a pleasant surprise. My Sims could now freshen up, apply makeup, or simply admire their looks—small but immersive details like this make a big difference in gameplay.

Opulent CAS Items

The Victorian-inspired gowns, waistcoats, and accessories instantly became some of my favourites for period dramas or high-society storylines. I found myself creating characters inspired by historical settings to make the most of these elegant pieces.

What I Loved vs. What I Missed

While the items are stunning, the dual focus on CAS and Build/Buy means there’s slightly less content in each category. That said, everything included is exceptionally high quality and fits the theme perfectly.

Price: £4.99/$4.99

Rating: 7/10

Final Thoughts

EA’s generosity gave us the perfect chance to dive into an exciting range of Sims 4 content. While each expansion and kit bring something unique to the table, the overall experience left me feeling even more invested in crafting stories and designing spaces for my Sims. Whether you’re a builder, storyteller, or gameplay enthusiast, there’s something here to ignite your creativity.

AREVYA

Name: Elisabeth Sivertsen aka Arevya

Pronouns: She/Her

Content Type: Variety streamer, public speaker, and accessibility content creator

Hi Arevya! Thank you very much for taking the time to have a chat with us! How have you been and what have you been up to recently?

Oh I’m doing well, but if you might have seen on my social media, I’ve been a bit quiet lately and that is just because I’m a bit on a hiatus due to what I assume is a burnout December last year. I’m just taking my health really slow but I’m starting to get back now, which is really, really fun. I’m looking forward to start creating more and having fun again.

That’s brilliant to hear! Do you have anything in mind to what you want to do first? Are you jumping straight back into streaming?

So streaming will be a bit different from what I used to do before. Before I used to do three times a week quite religiously, every single week. But I figured out that that doesn’t work anymore with how my health is. I am disabled and I’m also chronically ill, so it’s been a trial and error, and I figure out that that didn’t work. So what I’m going to focus a bit more on now is YouTube. I’m not saying I’m going to abandon streaming, I’m still going to stream, but it’s going to be more like, this is something I want to do, so this is something I’m going to stream, or there are some updates in a game I want to do so this is what we are going to stream, instead of having a set time frame of being on stream. With ongoing health problems sometimes you just have to understand that it’s better for your audience and for yourself that you can have fun with what you do in your frames than to do what

everybody else say you should do, because having a schedule is smart, and is a lot smarter than not doing, but in the long run it was affecting my health so it wasn’t worth it. I know that a lot of the people that are watching me are also chronically ill and disabled so I also want to show that it is ok to sometimes say, “hey I can’t do this”, and that is ok to take care of myself and then come back and do it in a way that works for everyone.

Tell us a little bit about your content creation life? How long have you been doing it, and what made you want to start?

So now it’s been nine years, which is insane to think about. It is actually my now husband’s fault that I started streaming. We had been together for one year when he gifted me a copy of Fallout 4, and he said, hey, I know you’ve been watching streamers and YouTubers for years, and you always wanted to reach out and get your voice heard, so sit down and actually do it. He was in a band so he went to practice and he was just like, when I get home, you should have been streaming or at least have given it a try. Just log on and try, and if it wasn’t for you, you can just delete it and pretend it never happened. And I did it, and I have never looked back. I absolutely fell in love with it from day one. The reason for that is just because I, as many other people, have experienced extreme loneliness. So I studied in my hometown, which I think if I want to go back I would maybe study in another town because it’s a bit hard to get to know the student life when you study where you already have friends and

a community and everything. But then I ended up being more and more ill, and every time I got a new diagnostic and every time I got more ill, I got extremely more lonely and extremely more isolated because I couldn’t just jump up and join people and go out and do all of these things that students are supposed to do. Even though I did my studies part time, I had to focus extremely hard on just being able to complete my studies so going outside got harder and harder. Not because I didn’t want to, but because my health just said no. And then we figured out that, hey, streaming might actually be a way for me to still have some contact with humans and do what I love. I have always loved being a gamer.

Streaming has definitely been a fantastic platform for loads of people to connect online that never would have otherwise.

100%. It’s such a brilliant way of finding people when your life doesn’t necessarily let you. And of course, I absolutely love my in real life friends and I think that it’s also a really important bond to nurture, but it’s just the reality that it’s not every time that people can do that. One of the world’s biggest streamer, Ironmouse, I think she is immunocompromised and uses streaming as a way to connect with our humans, and that’s a brilliant way. It shows that you can have such a fulfilling life doing what you love and having these hobbies, especially gaming. I do a lot of accessibility work and gaming is one of the most, if not the most, accessible hobby you can have.

That’s exactly it, isn’t it? It has connected so many people, like you mentioned Ironmouse is a fantastic example of that, and yourself as well, doing all this, advocating for accessibility through content creation and streaming definitely helps connect a lot of people who may not otherwise know that something like that is out there, which is just fantastic.

Yes! It’s really really cool, and that’s like something I love about it. It’s the humans with it. I love games, don’t make me wrong, I’ve been gaming since I was like four years old or something, but the humans around it, that is what makes it really, really fun.

What has been your favourite moment being a

Oh a lot of cool things. Like we have raised over, I think it was $2,500 for Able Gamer Charity. That was really, really cool. It was absolutely mind blowing. And last year I did a whole week where I streamed the Final Fantasy remake, and I played it cosplaying Aerith, and it was just amazing because I ended up going from just a few people watching me to a lot of people watching the end. The last stream of that week we did like an 11-hour stream and I cried, people cried. The ending of the remake is just so, so, so brilliant and just being able to experience that with people. What that week was actually inspired by was the first time I ever played Final Fantasy 7 because that was actually on stream. I told people watching me like I had never played Final Fantasy 7 and a lot of people were like,

Arevya cosplaying as Aerith for a stream.

content creator so far?

“What? You have to have played that, it’s like a classic!” I think people sort of forget a bit that if you grew up in the 90s, early 2000, and especially if you were a girl at that time, gaming was rarely actually focused on you. My guy friends got a lot of games for Christmas and for their birthday. My parents gave me games because they knew it, but the rest of my family were like, “No, but that’s not for girls, they don’t play games.”. You only got games for your birthday and for Christmas or any other special occasion, and that was the given games you had to play,. and if you didn’t get anything else then you didn’t play it. That was just how it was. I had a lot of my guy friends talk about that connection of gaming and sharing games and stuff; I didn’t have that typical experience because I was a girl, and that is just reality of it. But what is really, really cool was that I have had the ability to play all of these games I missed in my childhood and early teenage years with my community. So when they realized that I have

Arevya cosplaying as Aerith for a stream.

never played Final Fantasy 7, they asked me if I could do it live on stream. Playing that game live on stream, I think, was the first time I really felt like we have made a community, we have made something together. It was like I had a bunch of people sitting around me and we played this game together; I got to see Aerith die for the first time and they got my live reaction and shock when that happened, and all of these things that a lot of people experienced when there were children they got to see me experience as a grown woman together with them. And that I think to this day, no matter all of these crazy amazing things I’ve done, that will always be like something that just sticks with to me and it’s my favourite moment ever.

I feel like some of that is more impactful as well as you’re playing it when you’re older rather than as a young child. You understand those sorts of scenes more.

A: Yeah, and for a lot of people that played it when they were a child, they didn’t understand. All the Final Fantasy games are really well written, in a way where they’re both written for a child to be able to play it and understand it, but not understand too much. And then when you play it as a grown up, I had such a completely different views on things than what other people had. So there were a lot of characters and scenes that happened where they went like, “Oh when I was a kid I reacted completely different.” But they did not understand that that was because, hey, you were a child, you didn’t actually understand the whole scene because you were a child. And then be able to see this through a grown-up’s eyes and realise that the story is REALLY well written. It was amazing.

What challenges have you encountered as a streamer when it comes to accessibility, or lack thereof?

This is a hard topic - so I said that one side of streaming is that it’s an open door, that open doors to a lot of things that sadly I don’t necessarily find in other places of my life, like the fact that I can easily connect to people, or the fact that gaming is accessible. But on the other side, streaming, if you want to do it more and just like have fun as a hobby, there is a rule. In the industry, everywhere you want to go, there

are rules you need to uphold to be able to get something and, that is just how it is. Like if you want to have a career in the medical field, you need to do x, y, z, if you want to have a career in this, you need to do x, y, z. That is just for everything. Sometimes you can be an outlaw and still be able to do things without following the rules, but that is rare and, few and far between. With streaming you have to be there. You have to get up and stream often, and you have to be there on top of it when everything happens. You are a live reactor to things that happen and you’re sort of like a TV show. You are a daytime TV show, and as soon as you take breaks, people forget you. And there is nothing wrong with it. Nobody is doing it being mean or malice or anything. We’re just humans. We just forget things if they’re not close to us all the time and that is just how it is. So, at the same time, I’m ill. I can wake up one day with my joints so swollen I can’t even leave my bed. There was so many times I’ve had to take like a long hiatus because, I just can’t. I just can’t continue. And that is sort of the hard part with it. I can’t play the game as you sort of should do. And that is the brutal reality with streaming. It’s not made for people with a lot of the illnesses that I have. I’m not saying that it is impossible because it’s not. Ironmouse, again, one of the biggest, Ironmouse also is really, really good at being there and actually streaming when she can. And she also have found this niche, or used to be a niche, with Vtubing and all of these amazing things. So I’m not saying it is impossible, but it is really a barrier.

Also, in general, streaming isn’t that accessible in that the program can be quite complicated. I have a blind friend, and it isn’t blind-friendly when it comes to the programs we use. And also the things we don’t have - I think it was last year we got alternative text on the panels we have on Twitch. Alternative text is a description of the image. So underneath your Twitch channel you can have a lot of images or text and images. And a lot of people, like myself, had just cool images to show things. But Twitch didn’t give us the opportunity to have those with alternative text. That means that if you have a screen reader or the image doesn’t load, it says that text box instead of it. So if you have a picture of a cloud and a puppy, it just reads out “A picture of a cloud and a puppy. The puppy

seems happy and the cloud is blue.” And that came last year. We still don’t have integrated subtitles for a lot of streams so we have to rely on third party things. And what happened to me, which I am so proud of being accessible, I haven’t been able to use live subtitles on my stream for two years because for some reason my computer just doesn’t want to use the thirdparty programs. Third parties are not good enough. It should be integrated in Twitch like a root system, and that’s it. So there are a lot of these things where the system is working sort of against you, and also the channels we are streaming on aren’t as accessible as they should be, and they don’t have the focus on it. That being said though, I went to TwitchCon last year and they were, impressively accessible. So I think there are waves that are for a change, but we are not there yet.

Seems like the accessibility changes are coming through, but it is slow.

Yes. I think it helps that we are all getting older. Accessibility, yes it helps and it’s made for people who needs it the most, people who have disabilities. But accessibility helps everyone. Like, live texting wouldn’t just help people who are hard of hearing or deaf, it would also help people who can’t have the stream on out loud or are chewing food or anything else. This will help everybody, and as older people get, you often face feeling your body not acting as it used to when you were younger, the more people go like, oh, we actually need to put in accessibility. So we’re getting there because people are feeling it themselves, but it takes time.

As a content creator, what is your favourite bit of tech, software or plugin that helps you do what you do, and why?

So a bit of background, I have something called cerebral palsy, which is a brain injury you get in the first year of your life. It is often just a physical disability, but with anything that happens to your body, your brain is never not connected to that. So when you’re really tired all the time, like ask anybody who has kids, if you’re really tired and don’t sleep, your brain is going to be affected. And due to me having cerebral palsy and also arthritis, I have a lot of pain and stiffness, and problems with my joints and body, which makes

me constantly tired and foggy and feeling a bit like my brain just works a bit slow. Not in the sense of not being intelligent or anything, but sort of like my brain has a lag. My brain is sort of like Windows Edge. Like it’s just so slow sometimes, in the fact that it just doesn’t want to find information quick enough, and that is just because my brain is focusing on the fact that I’m in daily pain. Because of that, I have gotten myself an Elgato teleprompter. So when I look at you right now, my camera is actually in a little box, and if I wanted to I could do the whole texting and everything else sent to me to come up to a screen there that would be in front of my camera. So whenever I have something important, like say I’m doing a sponsor and there is a really set line I need to say, I can just put it up there and it could look like I’m watching you but what I’m actually watching is my script. I do this when I make TikToks, I do this when I’m like YouTubes, and it’s brilliant. For me, memory

is just a really big challenge. Before when I needed to make a YouTube or need to make a TikTok, I sort of had to sit and like do line by line because it’s hard for me to remember. I can remember the big lines, and the big like context of something, but when you have to say it word for word afterwards, that is just hard for me. So doing things like that, having the teleprompter, absolutely amazing. Also when I game, I use the Xbox Adaptive Controller and I have a dual setup where I game with both my hands and my feet at the same time. So anything in a game that you need to have a button you hold for a long time, best example I know about, even though it’s not Xbox, Pokemon you have to hold B to run. If the game doesn’t let you do that with just one tap, I use my feet controllers to be able to just hold my foot on that button so that I just run. So those two I think are the biggest tech I use to actually help myself, to make it easier for me to stream and to game and had to have fun.

Arevya in her stream room

idea, just do it. Don’t sit on it. Just don’t wait because ideas are motivating when they start, but they fizzle out real quick. So just do it. Just jump on it. As soon as you get the idea, just start. You don’t need to wait. You can just have fun with it and test it out. Streaming and everything else. You just need to figure out what you want to do, and that will take a lot of tries. Like I’ve done so much. I’ve been a retro streamer, I have done makeup and a lot of stuff like that. I’ve done cosplay streaming, I have done in real life streaming, I have done baking streams, I have done cooking streams, I’ve done everything it sort of feels like, and still I’m learning new things every single time. So I just wish I would jump on that a bit quicker. I got it out of my system and figured it out that yeah, no, this was for me or no, this was not for me.

Your whole mentality with an idea, I’m completely on the same page. You can have an

idea and you’re super motivated for it, but I think people get stuck on trying to make it perfect before even starting. You just got to either learn on the way or make the mistakes. It won’t be perfect but the next one will be a bit better.

Yes, and done is better than perfect 100% of the time. When something is done 80%, that is it. Just publish it. I like to watch other YouTubers talk behind the scenes and streamers and stuff, all of them say the same thing - the one thing that went viral, the one thing that made them was something they were not 100% pleased with, because there was always that one thing you can do better. But what I’ve learned is that, that one thing, you can shift that one thing to next project. So whenever I make a TikTok, sometimes I do mistakes and then I go, I should not, not post this. I should just fix that mistake in the next TikTok or fix it in the next thing I’m working on, and I wish I learned that a bit quicker.

Arevya cosplaying as Princess Peach for a stream.

Arevya cosplaying as Princess Peach for a stream.

I think with content these days, having mistakes in it is more relatable, it’s more humanised. If there are no mistakes in it, if it’s perfect, then it feels too much like an ad, right? Like there is this big budget production behind it.

Yes. That is a lot of the legit critique for YouTube lately. Everything feels like you need to have a million budget behind it, and the old school, you and me talking or figuring something else have been lost. YouTube sometimes feel like it is just a big production, which is why TikTok was such a fresh breath of air, because they were now just people with their phone going like, hey, I have a story to tell. I’ve seen some parts of YouTube going back to be a bit more like, yeah we can have mistakes, this does not need to be a million production. We can have space for both of those things. We can both have Mr. Beast, and somebody just sitting in a room talking to a camera. There is space for both there.

Away from your content creation life, you’re also a public speaker and have been on panels talking about being a streamer as well as accessibility in the games industry. You did your first panel at MagiCon 2022 – what was that experience like and how did the opportunity come about?

So the opportunity came about because I, in ye olden days followed cosplayers. I love cosplayers. They are so cool and they are a glue in the gaming sphere because they put to life what we see and dream of when we play our games. So I had followed a really, really amazing cosplayer here in Norway called for Frostylva and I always commented like I was really starstruck and also comment on their stuff. I was just like, oh, she’s so cool. And then one day she sent me a mail saying, “We are starting this new con over in the town on the other side of the country. Do you want, together with 2 other people, come and do a talk about streaming?”. I was floored. This cosplayer I’ve been watching and looking up to for years just suddenly sent me a mail, and I was like, nah, this cannot be true. Verified it and it was true. And I was just like, YES! Compared to other people, I know people say they hate talking on the phone, they hate talking in public. I’m the complete opposite. I love it. Put me on the stage and I bloom. So I was just like, this is going to be amazing. And the reason why they did that is just because one of their values is to give new people or new interesting things a stage, that is part of what this con wanted to do. They have all of these amazing other things that are a bit more standard like in other cons, but one of the things they wanted to do is every single time they have the con, give somebody else a platform, and I was lucky enough to be the first one they thought about. They were like, she had talked about wanting to do panels. Nobody has tried to give her the opportunity. We can do it. So they gave me the opportunity and it’s just spurred from there. One thing led to another and I did some conferences and then I did Nordic Game Jam, and I have worked for a lot of studios. I have talked to extreme many conferences about teenagers and gaming here in Norway. I have travelled across Europe to do these talks and it’s been amazing. I love it every single time. I have a really good story to tell about how I was growing up having a brain

Arevya showing off the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Playstation Access Controller at a public speaking event, Photo by: Mulan Tsao Friis

injury I did not know about, and how gaming is important for me, and how it was important for me. And yeah, love every single second of it.

You mentioned you travelled pretty much all over the world for these events. How did you find the accessibility with these events? I know you mentioned TwitchCon did it quite well earlier.

I remember one time here in my local town, I was invited to a political speech to do a debate about being a minority online. That was really interesting because I got to say to them that, isn’t it ironic that you are a place that tries to be better, but then you have a really steep step to get up to the stage, like, what are you doing with this? I am, luckily enough, that a lot of my illnesses are mild. That means that as long as I do the preparation I need before and I do the preparation I need after, I can do a lot of things with event. Also because I’m a bit older I know my body really well. So I know what I can do, where can I give and where can I take? I also know how much can I give during a day and how much can I extend that with, and what the

consequences will be the next day. So that’s the luck with having lived with this body for so many years now with all of these problems. But a lot of places forget things, like, they set me up in a hotel but the hotel was on the other side of town because that was cheap. But I can’t do public transport that much in other countries because I need to sit. That’s okay, but then I need to send you a taxi or Uber invoice afterwards. So you saved on this hotel but might not have saved in the end.

Some events are better than others. Some are really good at asking me. I think that’s the most important, just ask. Ask “Do you have any needs? Do you have any accommodation?” Because of course you cannot know if you have never experienced living in my body. How on earth could you know what I need when I’m out traveling? So event planners just need to ask, and need to learn from their mistakes. They will do mistakes and then they need to go, okay we did this mistake this time, I don’t expect this is a one time thing because most disabilities you can’t see, they are invisible. Just expect you need to do better next time.

Arevya at her latest public speaking event, at “Rare Disease Day 2025”, Photo by: Trude Telle

So following on from that, are there any events, anywhere in the world, you would love to attend as an invited creator or to host a panel on?

Yes! A game developer conference, GDC in Germany. Absolutely. That is my goal. That is where I want to speak one day. I have such a unique story. Every single time I do a panel, or a talk, mostly the talks, or workshops, I try to do better than I did last time and what I need to work on. And it is to one day, hopefully end up on that stage, I really, really want to do that. Because that is what I have learned so much from. And I also think that my story is unique enough that I can motivate and make a lot of people understand that the difference between my story and their life aren’t as big as they think of, because it’s so easy to think about disabled creators, or disabled and chronically ill people as others, and then thinking about your life as your own. But that’s not true. They live closer to my reality than what they think. And that is reality for every single human being on this earth, as I said earlier. We will all experience being this one day. My story, what I talk about, and the way I talk is a way to make people understand. To build bridges. I hope one day that I can go there. Also, TwitchCon, that would be really cool because Twitch, is where I started it all so it would be like a full circle, so I wish for that as well. Those I think are the big ones.

Moving into more about accessibility in gaming - what do you think is often overlooked in the gaming industry when it comes to accessibility? And how do you think it can be addressed?

Information. It’s so simple. It is so simple and yet everyone forgets it. Information. Does your game have anything cool? Cool, write about it. Put it on your web page, put it on your Steam page, put it on your TikTok, put it on your Twitch. Put it on your Twitter. Put it on your YouTube. Show it. Because a lot of times I need to buy a game, which takes money. Download the game, which take time. Then play the game, and all of the sudden I face a barrier I cannot continue forward, say, a quick time event. Then I am going to get angry, I’m going to get tired, and I’m going to get miffed because I feel like it was a bad use of money and bad use of time that I can never get back. A lot of times these

things happen after the two hours you’re allowed to play before returning the game. So just be open. I think a lot of game developers think that people will be angry with them about being honest because the culture in the game industry has been quite rough, and still is quite rough in many ways, but they are so afraid of people being angry if they are honest about what they have. Some might be, but I feel like those are often the people who are just angry on other people’s behalf, because the people who actually want the information are just glad. If somebody has a game and they say “we have quick-time-events”, I’m just glad they said, because then I won’t play their game. And that is a net-neutral right? But if I play their game and get bored out from it because I can’t continue, because they have Quick-time-events, I’m just going to be angry, so that’s a negative reaction.

Arevya at TwitchCon 2024 showing off her badge that has a blue dot that gives her accessibility access to the con.

So just put it out there. If you have subtitles, write about it on your steam page. Write about it on your web page. Everything you have that is accessibility. Make it, show it. Tell it. Make this so much more normalized by just telling. And I think that would be the best thing that they can do. I can start by saying accessibility features or design, small things like that, but in the big old world, games are so different. If I say subtitles, well, what about games that doesn’t have any words spoken? If I said design, well, what about games that are made to be played with even your eyes closed? Because there are those games. What you have to add into your game is unique for that game and the vision the developer have. There is no standard. There is no one-standard. There are things that are like, these are the 5 to 10 things you should have, as long as they are added in your game and they are workable for your game. But information can be done by everyone. Everybody can add, for example, trigger warnings, and they can be behind spoiler tags. Everybody can add show which option you have. Everybody can tell if you can play your game with a controller or not. Everybody can tell if you can, button remap. Everybody can tell if you have subtitles and how big they can get. Everybody can do this. So information. Easy, but so often overlooked.

That also ties into the next question. When a new game is released, most gamers only factor to consider is whether the game looks good to them or not. As a disabled gamer, how often are you able to buy a game on release as I imagine there are a lot of other factors to consider?

I often get to do it because I am okay with buying a game and then not being able to work with it, because then that is a brilliant way for me to, one, send a mail to the developers and tell them, because this is my job so that’s not that realistic for me, but I have heard especially people that have disabilities that can quite easily be burdened from gaming. Like I have a friend that is a gamer without sight. He has never been able to see anything, SightlessKombat is his Twitch name, and he has been told a lot of times that he has to wait because he needs the information. He needs others to tell him it’s accessible for him instead of the game developers just telling him themself. So it is

that information thing. I of course use things as a learning opportunity, but that is not realistic for everybody else. It just adds on time, and also you don’t let yourself be hyped up that much anymore because you have been burned. I have been burned on things before that I was just like, yes, this game, yes, I am going to play this. Can’t wait. The next 80 hours I’m going to live in this game world, and then I start the game and nope, they don’t have controller support. Something so basic that everybody should have and now I can’t play it because I can only play it in increments of 30 minutes at a time. I’m not going to do that for an 80-hour game. No way in hell, that is just no. No game is that perfect. And then to be honest, I’m just going to play a slightly less boring game that I can play for three hours this evening when I have the time.

That’s the thing. I think there are so many games out there now, right? There are a lot to choose from. When you get one where it just doesn’t support your needs, you can just play a different one.

So there is a study - in America there’s 26,000 with upper limb problems or upper limb differences. That means they need accessibility to use one of their arms. 26,000. If you make anything accessible for them, this is not about gaming, this is in general about accessibility, if you make the world more accessible for them, you also help the 4 million people who has a disability that is temporary. So they have broken an arm. They have gotten a burn so they can’t move it. They have it in the cast. They have arthritis. Anything else. So by making the world accessible for those 26,000, you also make it accessible for those 4 million. You also helped the 8 million people that are situational disabled. If Luna was here now, my dog, and I wanted to scratch her ear, I can only use this arm because my other arm, by situation, I can’t use it. So then it would also help us. We know this by studies, if you help 26,000 people by making small accessibility adjustment, in total, you help 21 million people. And that is a scale that means that if you add just subtitles, you help so many more people, which also means the scope of your game open up to so many more people. And these are numbers I don’t think developers actually understand how many more people can play their game by small, easy adjustments.

A lot of gamers out have zero consideration for accessibility as it simply does not affect them. Why do you think it is important for everyone to fight for better accessibility in gaming?

Because it will affect everybody in the end, no matter what. If you get older and your eyesight get a bit worse. My eyes have been okay my whole life, but I every time I sit down in the living room to play something, I feel like the telly is just slightly further away each time. That is just reality, your eyesight gets worse by age. So one, just because it will happen to everybody. And I also think that you don’t know who around you need something because we don’t talk about it. So it is also about just being able to fester a community, to be able to be friends with your friends, to be able to have fun with them. And it doesn’t need to be big things. I’ve had so many streamers ask me, “But what can I do? I don’t need any accessibility, so I don’t want to play with it”. Good. Don’t play with it. What you can do is, in the start of a game you go into options, and you just say, “oh cool, they have accessibility. These are the accessibility settings”. You just normalise it. You just make it as normal as going in and checking that the

sound works, or like you do when you go in and rebind buttons because you prefer this over that. Just make it normalised so that when you have somebody in your community or you have somebody you game with who needs it, it’s a normal thing that is brought up. And it also helps that if you play something, and this I’ve experienced a lot of times, my friends are getting better than me with keeping up with accessibility in games. I have a gang of people that I game with every single evening, and a lot of times they send me a message saying they have this new game, and I always go, “but can I play it?” And then before I’ve even asked, they go, and you can play it. I have checked and I have figured out. So what it does do is that when you are in that situation yourself with somebody else, you can just help. You just know it. And it doesn’t take a lot. You would one day sit there and somebody say, oh, the text is so small and you remember, oh, but there is a setting, go and make the text bigger. There are these small things, and it doesn’t need to be life changing. Everybody doesn’t need to care as much as I do, that is not realistic. But when you log into a new game, check the settings, be curious, and make it normal. That’s all you need to do.

Arevya at her latest panel, at “Rare Disease Day 2025”, Photo by: Trude Telle

I think with that in mind things will become much more ingrained into what is the standard. Like button remapping for example, it’s such a basic standard thing now, but it never was the case, right? You never could just rebind buttons in games.

Like even the keyboard is thanks to a disabled person that couldn’t use a pen. So they made a typewriter keyboard for them. A lot of things we have in everyday life are due to accessibility, but it’s just normalised. My biggest job in this world is to make my job non-existent anymore. My dream is to one day not being needed. I just want to make myself redundant. That is all I want to do. Because then we’ve come so far that this is just as ingrained as everything else in gaming, as ingrained as, can I pause this game or not, as every other accessibility options.

Which video game have you experienced the best accessibility features in, and what about it impressed you?

This is a bit of hard question because for me a lot of games, if I really, really enjoy a game, I can power through a lot of games. So that is the way it is for me. The most accessible games out there are like Stories of Blossom, The Last

of Us 2, God of War Ragnarök. These are like the staple games that are the best. But every single game, no matter how accessible it is, will always have people that cannot play it. I have PTSD, and when I have struggles with that, it affects me every single day. And I try to keep my pulse a bit down so I don’t get too stressed because that just makes me feel a lot worse. So because of that, The Last of Us 2 will never be accessible for me because you can’t remove the zombies. So even though these games, we are talking about 60 to 80 settings you can turn on and off and like do things in the game. You can even play these two games, The last of Us 2 and God of War Ragnarök, without the screen. Just by listening to the game you can play it. I cannot say how accessible it is. It’s amazing. Still not the games for me, right? So it’s a bit hard because those are staples and they should get their glory and everything.

But a game that made me be really emotional was actually Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. I did this amazing tweet where I tweeted out that this game for the first time, made me feel not like a disabled gamer, not like a chronically ill gamer. Today I was just a gamer. And that is because they had a memory shard. So Prince of Persia is a Metroidvania game and anybody who has played a Metroidvania knows that you

Picture from one of Arevya’s YouTube videos where she test out the ByoWave Proteus Controller

can come to a part and its locked out for you. You cannot do that area yet. That is because you were supposed to find an item or something else in the game and then come back to this place. That is how Metroidvania works. But the problem with that is, for me, who struggles with memory, I struggle with knowing where to use things. I remember the feeling of knowing that I should use this item I just got, but I don’t remember where to go. So in Prince of Persia, they give you the possibility to put pictures on your map for places where you cannot continue. Say you missed the door and you need a key. You take a picture and that pops up on your map. So then when you travel around and two hours later you get a key, you can just look at your map and there’s a lot of different pictures and you can go through the picture to see, ah here was a locked door. Then you know where to go back. That feature is just the thing for me. I have never felt my cognitive problems just not having any impact on the game. And this is a hard game. Metroidvanias are hard. I enjoy Metroidvania, but this just didn’t ruin it for anyone. You could use it if you wanted to, and so many people use it, memory problems or not. It’s just a quality-of-life thing. They won a prize for it last year. They won the Innovation Accessibility Gamer Awards and they so deserved it because that game for me is just on top.

Also, this is why I really love remakes of games. I know remakes a lot of people hate it. But my favourite game from my childhood, Tomba 1, got remade to the PlayStation 5, and due to that, I could play it again because I could use my feet controller that I can use for the PlayStation Access Controller. So my favourite game from my childhood is now accessible for me just because it’s remade. It’s still not accessible for everybody because it’s a hard game and it’s a PS1 game, and they didn’t think about it at that time, but now it’s accessible for me.

I suppose that is not a consideration I have ever thought about with the remakes where it’s just having that accessibility to play it with modern technology. I’ve always had the mindset that they are remaking it for people playing for nostalgia or just trying to experience it for the first time. But yeah, the accessibility thing makes a whole lot of sense.

It was a really hard day for me that day because I still have the original copy, I still have the PlayStation 2, I still try to play it. Last time I played it on stream, I was just like, I can’t play it anymore. My arms are too locked up. I struggled with pain and stiffness and swelling in my joints for a week after streaming it. That was the day I realised that I’ve been locked out of my favourite childhood memories. I can never go back. And when I realised that that would be a remake, I cried. I saw it on my stream because somebody said it in my chat, “Tomba is getting a remake”, and I was just like, yeah right. This little niche game from Japan that nobody heard about, no way in hell. And I ugly cried because I could experience my childhood again. And it was magic.

Which brilliant segways to the next question, what is your earliest memory of experiencing gaming?

My mum. So memory problems, I don’t remember this. My mum tells me the story of, when I was little I used to go into the cupboard underneath the sink to get the bucket, put that bucket up on a stool so that I could reach up to the computer in our home office to play Lion King. I was around four years old. So I’ve been playing games for my whole life. I still have my transparent Gameboy Colour, that was purple, with Pokémon Yellow. So, yeah, I loved gaming, but as I said earlier it was a bit hard because gaming was not looked at as a thing that girls did. I grew up in Norway and Norway are quite equal on a lot of things with gender. So like, I still did a lot of gaming stuff and my parents still gave me gaming things. I had some guy friends and all of those games, so every time I was with them we gamed, and did people closer to me understand how important gaming was for me, getting sort of like a freedom when everything else in my life was really hard for me due to my cerebral palsy. Gaming was a place where I could get freedom. So my mum and dad gave me games because they saw how much I cared for it. But other people did not understand why a girl would be so interested in gaming because it was a typical guy hobby.

In no particular order, what would you consider to be your top 3 games as of this moment and why?

Final Fantasy 7, but I am going to be cheeky and put the Final Fantasy 7 remakes and the original one as one of my choices, because it’s just like the Final Fantasy 7 universe. It’s just so perfect. It was my top game for last year, but it wouldn’t be here without the original one, which is also so important. So I would say that.

And then I would say, Subnautica. Because oh my God, that was when I really started to understand that indie games are amazing. What are AAA games doing sometimes? Because indie games, oh my God, they just hit the heartstring that other people just don’t do. And the way that game is scary and relaxing, and it lets you play on your own terms. It’s challenging, but you can also just level up or get better equipment. And story is really good. Subnautica -chef’s kiss-.

Well now I’m a bit like, which should I say...

because there are so many games that have impacted me. Stardew Valley, Mario Party, Assassin’s Creed the original ones. But I think I want to give it to Tomba. If you’ve played it then welcome to the niche cult of Tomba. Most people don’t know what that game is, but maybe people can be a bit curious and look it up. Tomba is a game where, I used to joke to say that it was just like Zelda Ocarina of Time but just better. That was just B.S because I never played it. I played it for a stream last year, and Zelda Ocarina of Time is amazing. I can’t say that anymore. It’s in an amazing game. But Tomba is a 2 and a half D game. It’s when you can rotate the camera, so you go to an edge and you can push up and, and that rotates the camera. So it’s not full 3D. You’re a guy with bright pink hair, and some pigs that are evil come and steals your grandfather’s bracelet. You get knocked out and you lose all your powers, and then you need to go to this world that is under the power of the seven evil pigs, and you need to fight them one at a time. It

Arevya cosplaying as Aerith for a stream.

Arevya cosplaying as Aerith for a stream.

is Japan at its best. Japan late 90s, early 2000 gaming Japan. I love the weirdness they gave us. They did not care. They were just like, oh no, we have this crazy idea, let’s make it. And I loved it. And that game is in my heart because I’ve played it for more hours than I should ever have. My childhood love game. I’ll never forget it.

Are there any upcoming games in 2025 or maybe further on that you are excited to play?

I am actually looking forward to the new Assassin’s Creed game. One, because it’s set in Japan and I am a huge fan of Japan. We are going to travel there for my honeymoon, so that will just be cool. Also, Ubisoft are one of the studios that do the most accessibility, or are like front bearers of accessibility, so I would love to see what they have done there. But I also hope that this game will do good because Ubisoft needs to win. I used to love the Assassin’s Creed world a lot so I hope that they will maybe pull me back in. We will see.

I am a bit going away from AAA games. I think they’re cool and stuff, but a lot of times, AAA games want you to put 80 to 160 hours into the game. And to be honest, that is not realistic for me anymore because with the job I do, I want to do a lot of games, and I want to cover a lot of different games and learn a lot of different things. I cannot set off that amount of hours in one game. It’s a bit hard. So I’ve fallen off the big titles due to that. When there is a really special one, like when that last part of Final Fantasy comes out, I would just take off for five weeks from work and just do that one. Assassin’s Creed maybe, because Ubisoft are really accessible so in general I’m looking forward to it. But there are mostly indie games. Can we call maybe the maker of Stardew Valley, an indie developer? Their new game I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to the Squid Game we saw on PlayStation direct. I’m looking forward to, oh, what is that new game that is coming out that is like stop motion? South of Midnight? Yes. That one. I’m looking forward to both, because I think it’s cool as I’ve never seen that kind of story; it’s set in, like, South America and the stories and folk tales from there. Really, really cool. But also because I’m curious if they are bringing us accessibility. I know stop motion

for some people can be really hard for them, because it gets so jarring that they feel like something is wrong. So I’m looking forward to see how they did the accessibility around that. I work with a lot of indie game studios and it’s easier for me to connect with them, and it’s where I feel I can have the most impact. I love AAA. When a AAA does new accessibility, they change industry standards so positivity to them. But I, as one content creator, cannot change often what they do because they have whole teams that does accessibility for them. But indie game studios, I can talk to them, I can connect with them. I can like send them a Twitter notification and they will actually talk to me back. AAA games have bureaucracy, they are lost behind decisions and stuff, so if I have an idea they might listen to me, but it might take them 2 to 3 years to add it or things like that. And there’s nothing wrong with that, that is just reality. But an indie game, I can just change it in seconds. Oh, we need to have this font because this font can be easier to read. Oh yeah, give me two weeks and I will add it. And then in the next patch note you see it’s been added. I have a love for indie developers because of that. I think sometimes I think you mentioned earlier with indie games as well. I think it’s they, story wise, I think they’re a lot better sometimes compared to what it could be.

Are there any games you would absolutely love to play but they just don’t have the accessibility features to allow you to do so?

I would love to play Elden Ring with my husband. And I would love to play Bloodborne with him because it’s his favourite games. But they’re too hard for me. And this is hard for me as well because on one side, I respect FromSoftware a lot with saying no, because I think that accessibility always should be around the values of the game. So if their value is to be difficult, that is okay. And I’m okay with that, but I wish I could have an easier mode because then I could play with my husband and I want to play and see why he loves it so much. I literally, five times a week, watch him play it and I just can’t do it myself. Elden Ring and all of these FromSoft games are made on the fact that you need to try, and try, and try, and try and try. But when you don’t have the body that have the opportunity to try and try, try, try, try, try it, that’s

just not realistically possible. So yes, I wish I could play those games, but I understand why they don’t want to do it and I respect that. I just wish I could play them. In general, I just wish quick-time-events just stopped being a thing. Or at least can we just turn it off because that burns me out of so many games and it just annoys me because I can do so perfect, and then all of a sudden it asks me to do a quicktime-event. It’s not that I don’t understand it, my brain just doesn’t work like that. I’m sorry, but I can’t turn off my brain but you can turn off your quick-time-events.

Finally, what are you currently working on that you’d like to or are allowed to share with our readers?

Aaah that is the worst question you can ask because I’m under so many NDAs, I cannot talk about games that I’m working on. So I am working on my content creating, and I’m working on like a document that everybody can download. The first part of it is out. For my YouTube stuff I’m working on making easy to understand accessibility YouTubes. So if anybody have any questions, like specific accessibility topics they want me to make a YouTube about or TikTok, let me know, because that is what I’m here for. I’m sort of pop culture of accessibility. I just make it easy to understand, easy digestible, so it doesn’t need to be crazy hardcore. We can just keep it easy. And on Twitch I’m looking forward to co-working, doing this accessibility academy where they can come in and see me write this document and have a talk with me about accessibility live. By now you will have seen me do my first ever speedrun, an accessible speedrun. So I would have done that when the magazine is out. That will be fun. So come by and see how people with disabilities can still join all of these places, because you just need to find a game where it’s accessible for you.

And that’s it! Thank you very much again for taking the time to have this interview with us, it’s been an absolute pleasure. We wish you all the best in the future!

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0nehandedgamer

Name: Alex aka 0neHandedGamer

Pronouns: He/Him

Content Type: Gaming variety streamer and content creator

Hi Alex! Thank you very much for taking the time to have a chat with us! How have you been and what have you been up to recently?

In terms of with life, life is going good! I recently hit 1k followers on TikTok, which is a major milestone ticked off my list! In terms of content creation, its been very good, although I had a bit of setbacks here and there, unfortunately some of my accounts got compromised but I was able to get them back. I also did a podcast interview with MAGG, also known as MiddleAgedGamerGuyUK, on his Twitch channel recently, which was a brilliant experience.

Tell us a little bit about your content creation life? How long have you been doing it, and what made you want to start?

I’ve been a content creator since February of 2020, so roughly about 5 years or so. How I got into content creation was actually due to an event that is unfortunately no longer with us, which is Insomnia (the gaming festival) back in 2019. So how my story came to be was one day I went to an event with my family and I met some YouTubers under the name of Syndicate and Terroriser; I met them at a panel event and I was able to show off my talents. One of them, I think it was Terroriser, came up to me at one point, I mentioned I played games one-handed, and he said to me “No way that’s insane! Do me a favour, record yourself at the Call of Duty booth”, At the time it was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 I think. He asked me to record myself

and come back to his panel to show him the gameplay. The next day I did just that, showed him the gameplay and he was amazed, he even got Syndicate to come and look at it. We were chatting for a good 5-10 minutes and he asked if I ever considered doing content creation because with the way I played I could get noticed and grow in the space. Fast forward to February of 2020 I said to myself, I’m going to start streaming, and here we are now! The main reason why I decided to start content creation is, obviously I have a disability called cerebral palsy that affects the left side of my body, so everything I do is on my right side. For example on a PlayStation 5 controller, all my movement is on the right side, and the only thing I use on the left is L1 or L2 in instances where I need to aim or use an ability.

What has been your favourite moment being a content creator so far?

If I were to do a Top 3 kind of thing, then number one would be the opportunity to inspire others. Number two would be getting to meet people at events, and number three would be getting opportunities to work with brands, for example I’m partnered with Gamer Clothing, which is a merch brand that I currently got my merch on, and a brand called Thumb Soldiers which produce accessibility accessories for controllers, as well as being partnered with Ubisoft, which honestly I wouldn’t have thought I was going to get accepted by them so big thanks to them for being a part of my journey and not seeing me as just another PR stunt tick box.

Have you encountered any accessibility challenges when it comes to streaming?

Realistically I’ve not really had that much of a challenge. Setting up OBS was a bit of a struggle at first but the issues were stuff like getting the audio connectivity to work. I was fortunate to have my friends and family helping me, but in terms of the digital aspects like alerts and everything else I didn’t really encounter any difficulty as I just use YouTube tutorials for step-by-step guides.

Do you have any recommendations on gaming peripherals that really help you as a disabled gamer?

If I’m gaming on the PC I have something called the Azeron Cyro, a device for one handed-

gaming. In my opinion it is one of the best equipment I’ve used for PC gaming. I’ve grown up using a controller for gaming, mainly teaching myself how to use the PlayStation controllers one-handed, so learning how to game on the PC in terms of a mouse and keyboard setup was challenging. The Azeron Cyro is one of my goto peripherals when I do find myself gaming on my PC. There was also another mouse I used before the Azeron Cyro called the Corsair Scimitar; it had so many buttons I could use to bind different actions to and all controllable with one-hand, however I find the Zeron Cyro more intuitive to use, at least for me anyway.

I did try the PlayStation accessibility controller at the SpecialEffect panel at Insomnia; the concept is great, but I feel like they need a bit more improvement when it comes to accessibility

for someone like me. Personally, it doesn’t fit me very well but I have seen it work for other creators.

As a content creator, what is your favourite bit of tech, software or plugin that helps you do what you do, and why?

I multi-stream on Twitch and TikTok at the same time and the one plugin I have adopted, and it’s been fantastic, is Atrium. It allows me to produce my content in a vertical format as well as a horizontal format at the same time, and it carries over my streaming settings, overlays etc. Another plugin I found very useful is called

Casterlabs – it’s a plugin that helps with multistreaming. It gives you all the chat and events from Twitch and TikTok at the same time, in the same place.

Last but not least, I’ve got it sitting right next to me, is the Elgato Streamdeck, which for obvious reasons really help me do what I do as a disabled streamer and content creator.

From everything you have learned so far, what advice would you give to the 0nehandedgamer that was first starting out in streaming and creating content?

If I went back in time to the me 5 years ago that was first starting out, I would tell myself to listen to the closest people around you, like your closest family and friends. Also, don’t look at the viewership/numbers on your streams or social media, make content outside of streaming, and have fun with it. Connect with others and just have fun with what you do.

People will judge you but don’t let the haters win and just keep moving forward. A key thing I tell myself now is that no matter what life throws at me, just keep moving forward. Why fit in when you’re born to stand out!

Outside of streaming, you also attend creator and gaming events around the country. There are a lot of additional factors to consider for someone with a disability attending events, in your opinion do you think the pros outweigh the cons for a disabled creator to go to these events? How have these events helped you as

a creator?

From my perspective, the positive I see is getting to meet and network with people, and show off your personal brand. It’s an opportunity to show people how serious you take content creation, and show people who question my disability that I am in fact disabled.

Going to events have helped me massively. I struggle with confidence and receiving compliments so they have made me believe in myself and made me more confident. It has also helped me connect and work with brands as they get to see me and what I can offer.

Are there any events, anywhere in the world, you would love to attend as an invited creator?

I’m a huge wrestling fan so I would love to be able to go to an event like what IShowSpeed did and record at one of those events. I’d also love to get invited as a creator to a Comic Con as I’ve never been to one before!

I would also love to one day visit the HQ for brands like Sony, Ubisoft, SEGA, Bandai Namco, Rockstar. There are so many I could list!

What do you think is often overlooked in the gaming industry when it comes to accessibility? And how do you think it can be addressed?

I think accessibility options and peripherals should be spoken about more and implemented more. There needs to be more options out there available to account for the huge variety of different accessibility needs.

In terms of accessibility in the games itself, what I would love to see is more games giving you the ability to have a truly custom controller layout, allowing you to change and re-bind all the buttons on your specific controller, more flexibility with the key bindings.

When a new game is released, most gamers only factor to consider is whether the game looks good to them or not. As a disabled gamer, how often are you able get a game on release as I imagine there are a lot of other factors to consider?

If I was getting a game on PC, lets say Chained Together on Steam, the first thing I would look at is whether it has controller support. That is the biggest thing for me. If the game doesn’t have controller support then I won’t touch it. As much as I could use the Azeron Cyro I am much more comfortable using a controller as that is what I grew up with, and having to relearn techniques on a new system that I can do on a controller will take time, and sometimes I just want to jump into the game and enjoy the game instead of having to worry about the mechanics.

If a specific game doesn’t have controller support then I’ll either have to wait for the support to come later or not get it at all. That is the biggest thing that is upsetting to me as there are so many games on the PC that I would love to play. For example, when Valorant first came out it was PC only and you could only use mouse and keyboard.

A lot of gamers out have zero consideration for accessibility as it simply does not affect them. Why do you think it is important for everyone to fight for better accessibility in gaming?

In my opinion you are leaving people out if you

don’t account for accessibility. I know people that can’t play a lot of games due to a lack of accessibility or the accessibility in the games or peripherals just aren’t working properly. I don’t think there is an excuse to not have accessibility features in every game.

There are a lot on what game studios and developers can do when it comes to accessibility in gaming, but what can the average gamer do to help improve or support the cause?

Give as much feedback to the developers as possible with accessibility in mind even if they don’t require any accessibility. If you think of something or notice something that would benefit those who may need it then and make the game more accessible to more people, then definitely feed that back to the developers as much as possible.

Which video game have you experienced the best accessibility features in, and what about it impressed you?

Ghost of Tsushima – it’s a minor feature but if you swipe up on the dual sense controller it’ll give you the direction of the wind and gives you a visual way to proceed.

When it came to controller layout, GTA5 had a very good accessibility system as well. The game had an option to have controller presets, so it allowed me to update my controls without any problems, which was really good.

Are there any games you would absolutely love to play but they just don’t have the accessibility features to allow you to do so?

A PC game called Lockdown Protocol. Unfortunately, there is no controller support for it, so if you have a physical disability and you don’t have a specialist peripheral like the Azeron Cyro then you wouldn’t be able to play it. And even then, it is challenging due to how many buttons there are. I wish there was a feature where you could have a simplified input.

Another game is GTA5 roleplay, that game is very mouse and keyboard focused. Hopefully one day it can incorporate a preset system and additional accessibility features.

What is your earliest memory of experiencing gaming?

One of my first experience with gaming was playing FIFA with my cousin. It was a fun experience, despite my cousin completely destroying me at the game. Another one would be on Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2 on the PlayStation 2, not the EA version but the LucasFilm version, 2008 version? Another game, and this is a classic and I wish they would remaster this, is The Simpsons: Hit & Run; that was one of the best games I played when I was young. I also played a lot of golf games with my father, and sports and party games with the family, like using the PS2 Buzz Controllers.

In no particular order, what would you consider to be your top 3 games as of this moment and why?

Goodness me you’ve put me on the spot. Ok so my top 3 game as of right now would have to be:

Apex Legends is definitely up there for me. It gives me that adrenaline and thrill whenever I play it. I get so hyped when I play it.

Call of Duty would also be another one. I’m talking more of the old Call of Duty like Black Ops 2, purely because those were the games when I dedicated a lot of time to when I was young. It’s one of the key games that got me into gaming. It’s very nostalgic, especially with the zombies where I would be staying up late with my friends trying to get the highest rounds.

My third game would have to be from Nintendo Wii and it is Wii Resort. I really enjoyed this console. It was my go-to console gaming with my family.

I know we said 3 but I have to squeeze in one more as a special mention. It was Jungle Party on the PS2 and it used the Buzz Controllers. It’s similar to Pummel Party and Party Animals. These were a lot of fun as it brought my family closer together and built a lot of good memories.

Are there any upcoming games in 2025 that you are excited to play?

GTA6 is for sure one of them. Ghost of Yotei looks sick. As a huge wrestling fan I’m really looking forward to WWE 2K25, which by the time this interview is released should already be out. A game that is usually not what I would play but I want to give it a try is the new Borderlands 4. Another one would be Phantom Blade Zero, I saw the trailer and it gave me Ghost of Tsushima vibes so I’m really looking forward to that. Also Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and the reason why is because I have never played an Assassin’s Creed game and it looks like a good one to jump into as I am a fan of the Japanese setting.

Finally, what are you currently working on that you’d like to or are allowed to share with our readers?

I have a few things that are up in the air at the moment so watch this space for now. In terms of events, I will be going to MCR Twitch Meetup

in April, as well as Format in October. That’s all I can say at this point in regard to events I will be attending. I will also be on a podcast with Streamseed on the 8th of April where we will be talking about accessibility.

And that’s it! Thank you very much again for taking the time to have this interview with us, it’s been an absolute pleasure. We wish you all the best in the future!

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