Review: Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition

Daniel Waite
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Review: Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition

The gaming industry has treated us to some incredible franchises over the year. However, are there any that oozes charm and character like Oddworld? Abe is a much-loved hero that has undertaken some weird and wonderful adventures. Consequently, when I heard that Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition was coming to Xbox Series X/S, I was chuffed.

Developed and published by Oddworld Inhabitants, Inc., this is a story-rich adventure title. What’s more, it incorporates some classic platforming tropes, and it tests you with plenty of wicked puzzles. Furthermore, it is undeniably moreish and has oodles of replay value. 

This latest instalment can be enjoyed as a standalone experience. Yet, it is much better if you understand the bizarre Oddworld lore. Consequently, I’d recommend delving into each previous game before undertaking this incredible story.

 

Turn the lever and change the level.
Turn that lever.

Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition tells an excellent tale. 

Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition continues on from its predecessor. As such, the action begins with Abe trying to find his voice. Moreover, 300 ex-slaves (Mudokens) are chanting Abe’s name. Why? Well, they are celebrating the destruction of RuptureFarms and their newfound freedom. However, the party is unfortunately cut short when the group discovers a new threat.

With danger in the air, Abe must undertake another stomach-churning adventure. This time, he’ll discover the truth and abolish the lies that have brainwashed his people. By crafting tools and finding items, he must tackle foes or sneak into the shadows. Whatever you decide, you’ll enjoy up to 4 unique endings and an array of unforgettable characters. 

Rescue the Mudokens.
Can you help the remaining Mudokens?

Classic platforming that’s executed perfectly. 

The combination of old-school platforming and Abe’s ability to chant and possess others rarely gets old. Moreover, if you chuck the excellent crafting mechanics into the mix, you get a wonderful blend of puzzle and platforming elements. On top of this, the action is wonderfully punctuated by phenomenal cinematic. Now, this wouldn’t normally be so key, but the story is brilliantly interlaced with every other element of the gameplay. 

Alongside this, it has retained much of the original charm as you test your chanting and possession powers. These elements were incredible, especially as you navigated each world while carving paths to explore. Furthermore, the inclusion of collectables and plenty of leaderboards kept you coming back for more. What’s more, you are tasked with saving as many Mudokens as possible. Consequently, you’ll want to explore different avenues and test out unique solutions to see what works.

Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is a thing of beauty.

It was easy to love this game, especially if you adore the genre. However, no matter your thoughts on platformers, you must admire the artistry and cinematic. Subsequently, Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is a handsome-looking title with some truly breathtaking cutscenes. Furthermore, the level design is interesting and striking and the colour palette is out of this world. In short, it blew my mind.

The franchise may be 30-odd years old, yet it hasn’t lost its sense of humour. Abe may be a strange little creature, but he is witty and sharp and is guaranteed to make you chuckle. Moreover, the excellent soundtrack and cracking sound effects complete the package. As such, the audio brilliantly complements the visuals, and the action is atmospheric and rich as a result.

Abe and the Mudokens run from a trap.
Run!

Jump Abe, jump!

I didn’t want to find fault, but Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition has some problematic controls. Accordingly, Abe struggles to clamber up and down platforms, and this was frustrating. When a genre focuses on accuracy and usability, it disappoints even the hardiest of fans when things go wrong. Therefore, it would have been better if the developer had tidied up this issue before releasing it on the Xbox Series X/S.

Rarely have I experienced a fun and charming title that draws you back in repeatedly. However, I couldn’t get enough of each 20-hour playthrough. With medals to aim for, Mudokens to save, and alternative endings to enjoy, you’ll love every minute. Furthermore, the cinematic is truly spectacular, and the dialogue is hilarious.

Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is a must-play title. 

There are some phenomenal platforming experiences, but Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is one of the best. By utilising strong fundamentals and delivering a fascinating world to explore, you’ll be mesmerised from the off. On top of this, the action is addictive, stunning, and amusing. Moreover, aesthetically, it excels at every level. Accordingly, I adored it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you discover the truth and become the leader you should be? Use your powers, overcome the obstacles, and save your people any way you can. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos in Pennsylvania: Tips and Tricks to Get Started

Christopher John
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A Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos in Pennsylvania: Tips and Tricks to Get Started

Source: Unsplash

As more states in the United States pass legislation to legalise online gambling, the industry has exploded in popularity among Americans. One state that has jumped on this bandwagon is Pennsylvania, where slot machines and other kinds of gambling were legalised in 2017. Due to the abundance of options available, It could be tough for newcomers to online casinos to know where to begin. In this piece, we’ll cover the basics of playing at an online casino (Pennsylvania or elsewhere) and offer some helpful hints for newcomers.

Understand the Games and Their Rules

You should familiarise yourself with the available games and their regulations before beginning. Online casino games extend beyond standard slot machines and table games. Playing a game requires knowledge of its specific rules and strategies. It’s natural to think that players who have a better understanding of the games they played will have a higher likelihood of winning than novices.

In addition, many online casinos offer free demo versions of their games that can be used to practice and learn the rules before playing with real money.

Start with No Deposit Bonus Options

Source: Pixabay

If you are a new player in Pennsylvania, you should practice with free slot games first. Thus, we’ll introduce you to some PA no deposit options available, to begin with. Online casinos that give new players bonuses without asking them to make deposits are known as no-deposit bonuses. These bonuses can be free spins or extra cash that can be used to play games on the site.

Why do casinos give out free bonuses?  Most gambling establishments provide them as a way to attract customers. For example, if there are five casinos to choose from and one of them has a bonus, most people will pick the one with the bonus, which is also the best, because you may play without risking anything.

Security and trust are also of paramount importance to those who gamble online. Before you start playing, it’s necessary to make sure you are playing at reputable online casinos. You can achieve this by looking at ratings and comments made by other players or by visiting online forums dedicated to online gambling. In general, stay away from casinos with bad reviews or that make promises they can’t keep.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Last but not least, it’s imperative to establish and adhere to a spending limit when engaging in online casino gaming. The convenience of online gaming makes it simple to lose track of time spent playing; as a result, it’s vital to establish some sort of limit before diving in.

Set up a budget. Money management is the first rule of the game. According to an article by Warrington-Worldwide, it states “Always gamble with an amount you can afford to lose.” While creating a budget, take this into account. as well as how often you plan to play, and the kinds of games you intend to play. Once you have set a budget, stick to it and avoid chasing losses.

The Takeaway

The article concludes that online casino gaming can be a fun experience for beginners in Pennsylvania if the right steps are taken. This means taking advantage of no-deposit bonuses, choosing an online casino with a good reputation, learning how to play the games, and setting a budget. One should risk sensibly and within their financial limits. Self-exclusion programs and counselling services are just a couple of the measures Pennsylvania has taken to promote responsible gambling, and you can access them whenever you like. Overall, beginners can take pleasure in the thrill of online casino gaming while staying safe and responsible.

Review: Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor

Daniel Waite
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Review: Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor

The Warhammer world is a complex place of lore, gore, and violence. Consequently, jumping in with zero prior knowledge can be a daunting experience. What’s more, if you somehow pick up one of the gameplay-rich titles with branching skill trees and plenty of guns, the water is muddied further still. Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you as Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Ultimate Edition or Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor for short, adds drama and confusion to a well-followed franchise.

This 2018 title has been released for modern consoles, and the ultimate edition comes with all the bells and whistles. Developed by Neocore Games and published by Nacon, this is an action RPG. What’s more, it has a Diablo edge while retaining the Warhammer charm throughout. Furthermore, there are classes to pick from, weapons to equip, and skills to unlock. Moreover, it can be enjoyed solo, cooperatively, or online with friends. However, whichever mode you choose, it follows a similar process and the core mechanics rarely change.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor: a familiar story.

The plot borrows heavily from Dan Abnett’s Inquisitor Eisenhorn Warhammer Series. In theory, this is a phenomenal choice as the books give you a comfortable introduction to the Warhammer world. As such, you control a member of the Inquisition that has been sent on a mission. This hardened warrior must explore the abandoned monastery ship “Marty” and report its findings. So far, so good. However, these exciting ideas soon fall by the wayside as you see cracks in the logic. With 4 classes to pick from and minimal differences between them, the gameplay isn’t expansive enough.

On top of this, the stage design and core mechanics fail to work as intended. The developers wished for players to use set skills and the environment to their benefit. However, more often than not, neither the inquisitor nor the monsters understand these principles. Instead, you are left to run around a familiar world while either hacking and slashing or running and gunning your way to victory.

Alongside this, many of the missions revolve around evidence gathering or enemy annihilation. This isn’t to say it is boring, but I simply wished for something more in-depth and challenging. Thankfully, this is where the aforementioned skill tree saves the day.

You are pretty ugly.

Skill tree and crafting.

Where Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor comes to the fore is its detailed skill tree. You can adjust your hero in many ways, and depending on your class, you may opt for a more passive or aggressive approach, or improve specific combat styles. Each of the classes has a similar tree, except for the Psyker. This special warrior has 2 unique branches that add some additional spice to the action.

The crafting elements use an array of basic and advanced resources to help you on your journey. Alongside this, you will need to buy or find blueprints to craft certain items. Thankfully, there is a generous element of looting to be had, as well as the destructible environment to reward you with currency and items. These things ensure that you fully explore your surroundings to make the most of each environment. Though, if I was to be picky, the repetitive smashing of boxes and exploration of each small room soon becomes tedious. As such, it would have been better if scavenging was more rewarding.

3 space stations hug several planets.
The visuals were spectacular when they worked.

So much potential.

My biggest gripe with Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor is how much potential was on display. Disappointingly, the developers never excelled in one area. Instead, they produced a jack-of-all-trades experience that never truly takes off. Yes, there are plenty of great ideas, but nothing wows you. Accordingly, the skill tree and class options should have blown me away. However, there isn’t enough difference between the two, and the gameplay is negatively impacted.

What’s more, the level design should have been much better, and the AI should have been more intelligent. Unfortunately, the levels follow a similar design that becomes repetitive early on. Moreover, your enemies lack distinguishing features, and everything becomes a blur. This was increasingly frustrating, especially when you could see glimpses of brilliance. Sadly, though, the developer’s desire for hellish combat and a grim aesthetic backfire miserably.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor could have looked great.

When the visuals worked, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor was spectacular! However, the rinse-and-repeat level design makes the exploration element tedious. Yet, I enjoyed the combat animation, the use of a central hub between missions, and the excellent UI. Furthermore, the skill tree is easy to understand and navigate. Unfortunately, though, a lack of creativity and predictable stages undermines any positivity.

To make matters worse, the audio lacks oomph, and the acting is borderline absurd. Additionally, the familiar soundtrack lacks originality while increasing the tedium. Thankfully, though, the sound effects add energy to an otherwise dour affair.

A monstrous machine destroys its foes.
That’s some firepower.

Clunky controls.

I’ve never played this on PC, but I imagine it is much more enjoyable. Sadly, the port to console is blighted by clunky controls and a lack of accuracy. Moreover, the hero regularly shoots the cover he hides behind and avoiding your opponents is no mean feat. As such, it isn’t as enjoyable as it should be.

The underwhelming story, and lack of depth impact both the replay value and longevity. Yes, you can play this online or cooperatively, but unlike Diablo, it feels lacklustre. If you can put up with the shortcomings, you may enjoy the skill tree and the crafting elements, but other than this, it will leave you wanting.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor was disappointing.

I had high expectations, but they were dashed almost immediately. In theory, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Ultimate Edition should be a fantastic romp into a rich Warhammer world. In reality, it was frustrating, clunky, and lacking in depth. Consequently, I was left disappointed by nearly every element. As such, I won’t recommend that you buy it, but more information can be found here! Will you discover the truth and save the day? Choose your class, upgrade your inquisitor, and become a hero.

Review: Colossal Cave

Xavier Berry
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Review: Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave is a reimagining of an older game from 1976 known as Colossal cave adventure or simply Adventure. While the game does a wonderful job of bringing an older classic to a modern setting, it was a struggle to get through since the opening hours did not do much to draw me in. 

Story

The story here involves an unnamed protagonist going through a massive cave system that is filled with puzzles, creatures, and more. Since it departed from its original text adventure styles, you will be required to interact with everything from a first person perspective. The story feels extremely light and going through the cave seems to be the main objective. Things like snakes protecting treasure, Gold hungry dwarves, and a dragon would usually spell for a grand adventure but age has not been kind to this style of game.

The caves are dank, damp, and full of danger.

Gameplay

SInce this has moved away from the text based adventure, you will explore the caves and handle puzzles in a first person perspective. As you move around, there are a multitude of items and objects to interact with. While the story may be on the lighter side, the game does a wonderful job of making the caves seem mysterious and filled with danger. One of the first encounters I had was with a dwarf who was mining for gold. Once I got closer, he seemed startled and disappeared underground. Since there was hardly any conversation as to why the miner was here and what caused him to disappear, my curiosity started to grow. Colossal Cave relies on the player’s sense of adventure as a way to encourage them to move on. There is a hint system of some sorts but utilizing the system will take points away from the players score and hinders them from getting the max score by the end of the adventure. This is helpful for new players who just want to experience the game or for those who haven’t played an adventure game before hand. 

Interacting with certain objects will usually give a small description of the item and may also let you take it with you on your journey. With a small inventory space, it is important to be aware of what may be needed for a puzzle ahead. After a dangerous run in with some snakes blocking my passage, I did some backtracking to find a small bird sitting on a rock. After remembering a broken cage in the entrance of the cave, I was able to combine the bird with the cage and clear up one more inventory slot as well as find a new way to move forward. Colossal Cave does a good job of keeping you on your toes when it comes to finding puzzle solutions but sometimes the solution doesn’t feel like it makes the most sense. Thankfully the game is rooted in a fantasy setting so there is some wiggle room when it comes to solving these puzzles. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would say my time spent with Colossal Cave was well spent. It was a fun way to experience an older title brought up to modern times. Unfortunately, the charm is lost on those who don’t have any experience with this style of game and may be extremely off putting for those who like a little more guidance without having to be penalized for using the hint system. This is a wonderful nostalgia trip for many but unfortunately, Nostalgia isn’t enough for everyone. 

The Oscars 2023: Which Movies Are In The Running For Best Picture?

Christopher John
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There are plenty of reputable award shows, but any filmmaker has their eyes on the big prize: The Oscars. Win at this ceremony and your legacy as a valuable contributor to the world of cinema is all but assured. And when it comes to prizes, there’s none bigger than ‘Best Picture.’ West Side Story, Ben Hur, The Godfather Part II, Forrest Gump, Gladiator, and other all-out classics have won this much-coveted prize. Win it, and you’re among royalty. It’s another fierce competition for the prize this year, so who will come out on top? Everything Everywhere All At Once, and All Quiet On The Western Front, are firm favorites, but there’ll be more than a few people using a betting offer to back outsiders Tar and The Fabelmans to win. 

In this post, we’ll run through all the nominations and assess their chances of walking away with the statue. 

All Quiet On The Western Front

It’s hard to make a well-received adaptation of a much-loved book, but All Quiet on the Western Front certainly lived up to the pressure. While far from the perfect movie, the intense insight into the brutality of the war and the sensitive handling of the soldier’s experience makes it a potential Oscar winner, especially since the academy has been increasingly awarding the top gong to international movies recently. Still, perhaps this could be the year when the academy brings the award back to home soil by giving it to a domestic production. 

Elvis

Elvis has a lot going for it. For one thing, it managed to appeal to both younger and older audiences. Second, it’s a movie biopic, which have historically done well at the Oscars. What’s more it’s about Elvis, a popular culture icon who will have a lot of fans from within the voting block. On the slightly more pessimistic side, it is true that some reviewers were hardly in love with this movie, so any victory would be reliant on ‘the feel good nod to nostalgia’ factor, and no one’s sure how much appetite there is for that. 

Tar

Tar is somewhere near the bottom of the list of presumed favorites to win the prize, but if there’s going to be a surprise winner, then you’d have to back it. For starters, it’s a phenomenal, ambitious movie, and one that speaks to many issues that would likely appeal to Oscar voters. Plus, it’s won other awards recently, which always bodes well for a strong Oscars performance. However, as with Elvis, it would be wrong to say that it was a runaway success — some people loved the movie, while an almost equal number thought it was overrated. 

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Everything Everywhere All At Once is the runaway favorite for the Best Picture prize and you can see why — it’s a technically proficient, unique movie with great acting. If it did win, there would be no one arguing with the decision. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that favorites don’t always win the top prize — if anything, it can hurt their chances. Plus, the outright oddness of this movie means that it might be slightly too leftfield for the academy, which prefers conventional films. 

The Banshees of Inisherin

Don’t be surprised if The Banshees of Inisherin wins Best Picture. It’s not flash on any level (there’s no CGI anywhere), but that’ll work in its favor. It’s driven by a brilliant plot, script, and fantastic acting, and in the movie world, that counts for a lot. It might, however, be too lowkey to win such a big prize. 

The Fabelmans

It feels like The Fabelmans really could give Steven Spielberg another Oscar. After all, it’s essentially a love letter to Hollywood, and if the Oscars wanted to reclaim some of its magic, then this would be a good place to start. The argument against this movie is that it might be too traditional to win the top prize. It’s a fantastic, highly loveable movie, but it’s not exactly groundbreaking. Still, you have to imagine that Spielberg will win best director. 

Review: Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition

Daniel Waite
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Review: Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition

I love when a game divides its audience. Furthermore, the harder the gameplay is to understand, the greater the sense of achievement. Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition is like Marmite! Some players adore its cryptic approach and the lack of handholding, whilst others despise the minimalistic style and its confusing ways. Accordingly, I understand why it has caused so much hate, yet I adore its brutality and its weird art style.

Developed by Brainwash Face and Kittehface and published by Digerati, this is a pixelated platform shooter. What’s more, it has rogue-like elements and will kick your ass from beginning to end. On top of this, the Doppelganger Edition adds new gameplay that has never been experienced on console. Consequently, you can now enjoy local cooperative action as well as an arena mode.

Take a moment to upgrade your equipment.
Safety at last.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition is confusing as hell!

Confusion, darkness, and death are the core focus points for Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition. Subsequently, you have little to no idea of why you exist, or what the heck is happening. Effectively, the only thing that you are certain of is that you are armed with a gun, and there are monsters to kill. Moreover, you are likely to fail repeatedly and frustration will kick in.

On the surface, this is how clear Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition is. However, in reality, the developers have left small notes to help you piece together the story. Consequently, the hero must kill everything in sight to earn points. These points can then be returned to a shrine to unlock new weapons and make yourself stronger. Alternatively, you can keep going and risk it all. Furthermore, how you choose to progress is up to you, but if you push it too far, you will lose it all.

The hero blasts their way to victory.
Shoot and jump, shoot and jump.

Risk and reward.

Like its peers, this brutal rogue-like is a fine balance of risk and reward. But this game goes one step further. With limited guidance, you must understand the moment to back away and when to progress. Thankfully, though, there is no right or wrong approach. However, this will lull you into a false sense of security. As such, you will fail miserably, respawn, lick your wounds, and try again.

The action takes place across a collection of grim rooms. Within each of these tombs are collectables, monsters, treasures, and traps. What’s more, the further you progress, the tougher your opponents become. Yet, the harder they are, the greater the prize. Subsequently, you must study your foes, overcome their weaknesses, and improve your gear.

Each run culminates in a grim boss battle. This horrendous experience will test your patience, skill, and ability to stay calm. However, you can improve your stats with cards and attribute boosts. These mysterious elements are poorly explained, but if you are fortunate, and you get the balance right, you can increase your speeds, alter the size of your bullets, and much more. Accordingly, you can make the action a little easier and therefore, any progress is more straightforward.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition is uncomfortable to observe.

The minimalist style and mainly monochromatic colour palette enhance the eerie nature of this title. Moreover, the simple animation and character sprites work perfectly with the stripped-back style. The sinister backdrops and tiny spaces are uncomfortable to explore but wonderfully varied in design. However, the developer’s insistence on a cryptic approach undermines many of its excellent mechanics. Disappointingly, it is tough to understand the aforementioned stat-boosting cards, and more often than not, this is down to a lack of information. Had the developers been more generous with their explanations, then Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition would have been far better received.

Visually, I had some complaints. However, I cannot find fault with the incredible audio. The aggressive soundtrack adds drama to the fast-paced run-and-gun combat mechanics. What’s more, the weapons sound fantastic, and sound effects add to the atmosphere. Consequently, I couldn’t find fault with the audio, even if I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time.

One of the bosses that'll kick your ass.
Now you know you are in trouble.

The controls could have been better.

Mashing the action button to shoot your gun is not my idea of fun. Yet, this is exactly what you have to do. Subsequently, you’ll spend much of your time running, jumping, and shooting like a maniac. Consequently, there isn’t as much finesse as I’d have liked and this tarnishes the finish a bit. Alongside this, it was challenging to shoot in multiple directions and this increases the difficulty unfairly. Whenever you encounter flying enemies, they are unnecessarily tough to kill. As such, you run around like a headless chicken instead of being able to calmly pick them off. This was a shortcoming that should have been addressed to improve the gaming experience.

The addition of an arena mode and local cooperative action increases both longevity and replay value. On top of this, there are hundreds of levels to explore, plenty of skills to test out, and many weapons to play with. What’s more, you’ll die repeatedly, and this makes the action moreish and rewarding. Though it is undeniably tough, you won’t want to put it down.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition won’t please everyone.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Its brutality and lack of guidance will be off-putting for many. Furthermore, its simplicity will leave some players wanting. However, if you want a challenging and cryptic game that puts you through your paces, then look no further. With a grim and demonic aesthetic and a Souls-like cruelty to proceedings, this will make you scream and come back for more. I loved it even though it was tough as hell. As such, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you rescue the worshippers and improve your skills? Defeat grotesque monsters, explore grim dungeons, and survive for as long as possible.

Spoiler Free Review: Star Trek Picard Season 3: Episode 2

James Refelian
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Spoiler Free Review: Star Trek Picard Season 3: Episode 2

While this is as spoiler-free as a review can be, the images are taken from the episode.

Another week and another fantastic episode of Star Trek Picard has graced our screens. Episode 2, Disengage, having watched it a few times now, I’m seriously impressed as a Star Trek fan and just someone who writes about TV and film. Building on the first episode, season 3 ramps up the tension by introducing the season’s primary antagonist and dropping some major bombshells.

Episode Overview

Star Trek Picard Season 3 Episode 2 takes us on an emotional journey with both plots running together. Picking up with Raffi, we learn more about her character, which was gut-wrenching, and witness the arrival of her handler – the identity for which fans have been questioning for weeks. What transpired was a joyous moment for Trek fans, which I won’t spoil here!

As tensions mount, the main plot sees us back on the USS Titan A (such a good-looking ship!). We meet Vadic and her bounty hunter crew and witness the diplomatic style that makes Picard a Starfleet legend. Riker, meanwhile, is forced to take some matters into his own hands as his friend and former captain refuses to see the obvious.  

This episode primarily focuses on a standoff between Starfleet and Vadic’s ship of doom (which reminded me of the standoff between the Enterprise E and Shinzon in Star Trek Nemesis. The episode is incredibly well-written to build that tension, with the action kicking in during the final act. A particular highlight is the wonderful comedic lines given to Shaw throughout the episode – he basically feels like a reluctant caretaker for the shenanigans of Picard and Riker. We also get to see him in action and get more insight into his captaining style.

Acting in Star Trek Picard Season 3 Episode 2

The acting in episode 2 is as strong as the visuals and writing and builds on the high standard from episode 1. Ed Speleers is fantastic as the roguish, but charming, Jack. This episode is our first proper insight into this pivotal character. We see him operate in flashbacks and learn details about his origin and past. If you’re a fan of this character type (think Han Solo), you’ll love Jack – a very different character style for the franchise.

Michelle Hurd’s character, Raffi, is off by herself in a different plot strand. Presumably, at some point, it will tie up to the main story. What is incredible is how she walks that line between dedication to her duty and being totally broken. The emotional range of Hurd is exceptional, and you really feel for Raffi as she walks this line and the impossible decisions she must make. My only request is more of this storyline, please!

Captain Liam Shaw, played the wonderful Todd Stashwick, gets a little more screen time in Star Trek Picard Season 3 Episode 2, and we can all be thankful for that. While his introduction was frosty, fans can quickly warm up to the level of sarcasm and comedic timing we all dream of. Not only that, but he’s seen doing some captaining and what a brilliant captain he is. Stashwick portrays the no-nonsense Shaw with such finesse that I can totally understand why there was no other actor for the role. The precision and subtleness in his performance are a masterclass.

While all the cast is wonderful, and seeing more of the Titan crew is entertaining (a Titan spin-off is quite frankly a must at this point), Amanda Plummer steals the show. We are introduced to Vadic, this unusual entity in the world of Star Trek, and the performance is mind-blowing. Not only does Plummer make wonderful use of physicality and facial expressions to creep the heck out of you, but her delivery of the lines is spine-chilling. She gives a sense of total unpredictableness, while still being highly calculated and very well-informed about the opposition. I can’t wait to see how Vadic’s story plays out and the character’s impact on everyone else.

And then there was that moment…

Almost right at the end of the episode, we get a moment between Picard and Crusher that we haven’t had since the TNG days. There are no words spoken, but the looks, the emotion and the sheer brilliance of the flipping camera shots convey so much. It’s a beautiful and gut-wrenching scene that caps another home run from the entire Picard team.

Final Thoughts on Disengage

There’s definitely some stand-out moments of pure awesomeness in this episode. Ramming a tractor beam, flinging a ship, an appearance of a certain legacy character and Amanda Plummer. With all that goes on, that moment between Picard and Crusher was even more poignant and emotional.

It was hard to believe that episode one could be improved upon, but the quality remained consistent throughout episode 2. The writing was superb, with character development and comedy aplenty. Combine this was wonderful visuals and an engaging villain, and you get Star Trek at its absolute best. Roll on episode 3!

Star Trek Picard airs Thursday on Paramount+ in the USA and Friday on Amazon Prime and Paramount+ in the UK.

Unleash Your Inner Child: 5 Fun Activities to Do With Kids

Christopher John
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Unleash Your Inner Child: 5 Fun Activities to Do With Kids

Kids are a blast. They have so much energy and enthusiasm for life, and they’re always up for having fun. So if you’re looking for some ideas to spend time with your kids, look no further! This blog post will discuss four fun activities that will keep the whole family entertained. So put on your thinking caps and get ready to have some fun!

via Pexels

1) Have a picnic

Picnics are a fun way to spend time outdoors with your kids. Not only is it an opportunity to get some fresh air and sunshine, but it’s also a chance for the family to bond and enjoy each other’s company. When planning a picnic, make sure you have enough food for everyone, as well as beverages and snacks. If you want to add some more special touches, bring along some blankets or chairs and consider bringing sports equipment like frisbees or balls. Another great idea is to pick out a scenic spot in nature, such as by the lake or near a park. This will make your picnic even more memorable.

When packing food for the picnic, think about simple finger foods that can easily be carried outdoors. Sandwiches are always popular with kids, as are fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots and celery sticks with dip or hummus. Make sure to pack lots of water or other non-sugary drinks so that everyone stays hydrated throughout your adventure together.

Picnics provide families with an opportunity to unplug from technology and focus on quality time spent together. Taking turns sharing stories or playing games allows you to deepen connections between family members while having fun! With a little bit of creativity and effort, picnics are sure to be a hit with both parents and kids alike!

2) Get your game on

Playing video games with your kids can be a lot of fun! It’s a great way to bond and have quality time together. Bring out some of your child’s favorite retro video games and play together! Encourage them to show you how it works or even teach you how to play. You can also take turns playing against each other and see who wins the most rounds. Video games are also an excellent way for kids to learn about problem-solving and hand-eye coordination, so it’s not just about having fun but learning something too! Besides, outside of retro video games, there are old card games like Hearts, which you probably played as a kid, right? Well, you can even play that too and get your kid into it!

Additionally, board games are also a great way to spend time together. Classics like Monopoly, Sorry!, and Clue can be enjoyed by the whole family. They provide hours of fun, and you don’t have to have any special equipment or technology – just some friends, cards, or dice!

3) Go on an outdoor adventure

Going on an outdoor adventure with your kids can be a great opportunity to explore nature together and discover something new. Kids love the excitement of exploring unknown places and being able to try out different activities. Whether it’s going on a hike, playing in the park, or flying a kite, there are plenty of ways for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors together.

Don’t forget to come prepared for your adventure. Pack sunscreen and hats to protect against sunburns, as well as snacks and drinks so that everyone stays hydrated throughout the day. Also, consider bringing along binoculars or magnifying glasses so that kids can get up close views of plants and animals they may find along their journey.

In addition to exploring the natural environment around you, you could also plan some fun games or activities ahead of time. For example, bring along some frisbees or balls to play catch with, have races across meadows or forests, or create scavenger hunts where you search for specific items in nature (like rocks, leaves, sticks).

4) Enjoy a movie night

Movie nights are always a hit with kids and can be the perfect way to spend time together as a family. Pick out some of your child’s favorite movies or shows and watch them together. Pop some popcorn, make some snacks, and get cozy on the couch for an enjoyable evening!

If you want to add even more fun to your movie night, consider having themed decorations or activities related to the movie. For example, have everyone dress up in costumes based on their favorite characters or create trivia cards related to the film so that you can play along while watching. You could also have everyone draw scenes from the movie and hang them up around the house afterwards.

In conclusion, there are many ways to spend quality time with your family that both adults and kids can enjoy. Whether it’s going on a picnic, playing video games, exploring the outdoors, or having a movie night, you’re sure to find something fun to do together! With a little bit of creativity and effort, you’ll be able to create lasting memories that everyone in the family will cherish for years to come.

World Book Day – Building Confident Readers with tonies

Andrew Edney
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<strong>World Book Day – Building Confident Readers with tonies</strong>

As we look forward to celebrating World Book Day 2023, tonies® are helping to build confident readers through the magic of audiobooks. With an ever-growing Tonies library packed with popular childhood classics, the tonies collection brings stories to life and sparks a lifelong love of literature in all its forms.  So much so, over 1 billion minutes of audio were listened to on Tonieboxes in the UK in 2022! 

For those who are yet to experience the joy of the tonies range, the Toniebox is a magical, musical storybox built for children from nursery to school age, and beyond. It is brought to life with the Tonie range of hand painted characters, which are preloaded with story, music and educational content, and simply popped on top of the Toniebox for the audio adventure to begin. Celebrated authors include Julia Donaldson, Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Michael Rosen and Beatrix Potter, and there’s lots of timeless early years classics, including Spot the Dog, Giraffes Can’t Dance and Thomas & Friends. There are also educational titles from National Geographic, and Horrible Histories too.

Audio platforms are a fantastic literature resource for children of all ages and have been gaining increasing popularity in recent years.  Not only are tonies® audiobooks a wonderful way to spark an interest in literature, but they also play an important role in the first steps of helping young children learn to read.  It all begins with the spoken word and the acquisition of language.  

For pre-reading children, tonies audiobooks accelerate their exposure to a wide and interesting vocabulary, helping to improve speech – in a recent survey, 92% of parents agreed that the Toniebox supported their child’s speech development.

“Good early language skills are crucial for children’s futures: Early spoken language skills are the most significant predictor of literacy skills at age 11. One in four (23%) children who struggle with language at age five do not reach the expected standard in English at the end of primary school, compared with just 1 in 25 (4%) children who had good language skills at age five.” 

Waldfogel, J. (2012) Social Mobility Summit, The Sutton Trust, Save the Children 2015

tonies is also very beneficial for children with speech delays or SEN barriers slowing their acquisition of language skills.  As Dr Judith Brown, Head of Evidence and Research at the National Autistic Society, says: “Autistic children have differences in the way they communicate. Some autistic children don’t develop language in the same way as children who are not autistic and may not talk at the age expected by parents and professionals. For an autistic child to communicate effectively they must feel relaxed. Using audio platforms may have a calming effect for some autistic children and if they learn to use them independently, it can give them control over their environment. Active listening is the first stage of language development and can benefit any child.”

Sarah Lopes is one of many tonies customers who has found the Toniebox incredibly helpful for her 5-year-old autistic son: 

“Spencer learns his language through chunks and scripts and a lot of repeating what he hears. The Toniebox has helped his speech and language so much! He can use the copied language in his day-to-day life, and it’s helped him to read the books that go along with the Tonie characters. His speech is so clear now and we are able to understand what he is saying. We are so excited with how much it has helped him with this part of his autism.”

As children discover their favourite Tonie stories, they can take the next step in learning to read as they make the ‘decoding’ connection between the spoken and written word, whilst listening to the Toniebox and reading the accompanying storybook in tangent.  The auditory pauses, emphasis and tone of the narrator are incredibly beneficialfor teaching children the purpose and function of punctuation, such as full stops and commas, while also relaying emotion which is not so easily achievable with text alone.  

Factual books are an important source of educational information for children, but not all children are visual learners.  Auditory learners make up about 30% of the population and they remember information better when it’s delivered through sound or speech rather than written form.  For these children, tonies® National Geographic and Horrible Histories Tonie ranges help bridge the learning style divide.  

Additionally, there’s an ever-changing free library of educational audio content on the ‘mytonies’ app.  There are further learning resources from National Geographic and Horrible Histories, plus a full catalogue of free content from tonies educational partner Twinkl – the UK’s leading educational resources platform, which can be downloaded onto the Creative-Tonie that comes with every Toniebox Starter Set.  Twinkl have also produced a useful parents’ guide to listening and reading: Read here

“The first step to literacy is always listening. Tonies not only increases children’s vocabulary by teaching children what the language sounds like and what words mean, but also ignites their imagination and enjoyment of storytelling by listening to their favourite stories.” Laura Hardwick, Early Years Product Manager, Twinkl

The tonies collection – from the softly padded Toniebox, to the extensive selection of appealing Tonie stories – is the perfect range to entice even the most reluctant of readers to step into the story time sphere and begin to learn to read without realising. tonies, the leading audio platform, offers children who can formulate a sentence, but are unable to write yet, a playful path into early literacy.

For children who may not be read to regularly at home due to literacy issues with parents, or where English is not their parents’ native tongue, the Tonie story time collections enable them to enjoy the same stories as their classroom peers at home, whilst developing their English vocabulary for better long-term educational outcomes at school.  

As children, parents and educators across the UK and Ireland excitedly prepare for World Book Day, let’s celebrate the joy of books in all their forms.  The Toniebox’s instinctively easy controls allow children to listen to stories independently, making story time accessible whenever they want.  Simply turn it on, place a Tonie on top, control the volume and skip tracks by tapping or tilting the Toniebox, and let the audio story adventure begin!  It’s almost indestructible and has a long-lasting battery that allows for up to seven hours of continuous play, meaning stories can be enjoyed wherever they are!  Happy World Book Day 2023!  

tonies have recently launched their new reading hub for parents here  

Review: SimAirport

Daniel Waite
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Review: SimAirport

Holidays are an exciting time. You spend months or years planning the perfect break; you pay for your trip, and you get everything ready. However, no matter where you are going, there is always one major headache. Normally, that is the airport you are flying from and to. Every time you stand in the airport concourse, you think, why is this so appalling? What’s more, you begin to contemplate ways to improve your experience. Whether you add more shops, improve security, or increase the baggage drop area, anything has got to be better than the current setup, right? Well, now is your chance to prove your worth as you contemplate each of these ideas in SimAirport.

Developed by LVGameDev LLC and published by Ultimate Games S.A., this is an in-depth simulation title. What’s more, it understands its levels of complexity and provides a thorough tutorial to cover the basics. As the owner of each airport, you are responsible for every level of detail. Now, this distinct micromanagement approach will be off-putting for many. Yet, if you love statistics and tweaking minor gameplay elements, then you will adore this game.

The blueprints for the perfect airport.
Design the airport of your dreams.

SimAirport has a steep learning curve.

Normally, I don’t mind a heavy data dump. However, SimAirport pushes you to your limits. You must expand your airport while balancing the books, increasing passenger satisfaction, hiring staff, improving facilities, and appeasing each airline. On top of this, you are in charge of baggage delivery, security, queues, research, purchasing, and much, much more. Consequently, your head will be spinning as you learn the fundamentals.

Thankfully, though, the developers have used an easy-to-follow UI. Yet, this PC-ported game would be much easier with a mouse and keyboard. However, this to one side, SimAirport has done a great job of overcoming this issue, as many of the menus are hidden in subcategories that are simple to navigate.

The steep learning curve will turn some gamers’ stomachs. But if you love simulation games, I urge you to wade through the information and challenging elements to learn the basics. Thankfully, once you complete each of the meaty tutorials, you’ll love the complex nature of the gameplay and the balancing of money and satisfaction.

The passengers make it through security.
No one likes security.

Construction and airlines.

The core gameplay revolves around expanding your airport while attracting new airlines. Both elements are as important as one another as you build new gates, special runways, and different areas for each of the 16 aircraft. Furthermore, investing in research and improving the day-to-day business is essential if you wish to succeed. However, balancing these mechanics is easier said than done.

Unfortunately, if you take your eye off the ball, your passengers can become disgruntled. Whether it is an ugly environment, a lack of entertainment or food, slow queues, poor security, or losing baggage, it all adds up. As such, you must evolve your workspace slowly if you wish to be considered the best.

On top of these issues, you are responsible for your workforce, the selling of goods, and, of course, financing your business. Moreover, each airline will only join forces with you if you incentivise them. Consequently, you must offer lower prices without undermining your business model. Understandably, this is a tough ask, and every layer of micromanagement must be considered. Accordingly, SimAirport isn’t an easy game. However, once you get to grips with it, it is extremely rewarding and satisfying to play.

SimAirport has a simple art style.

Like its peers, SimAirport focuses on its gameplay rather than its visuals. Therefore, this won’t win awards for beauty, nor will it wow its audience. Instead, it does its job just right as you enjoy the top-down viewpoint. Alongside this, the clean interface is easy to navigate thanks to the submenus. Furthermore, the use of heatmaps and special zones ensures the action is easy to follow. Special coloured areas highlight satisfaction levels, bottlenecks in queues and so forth. Consequently, by using the right tools, you can easily solve any problems before they get out of hand.

The audio wasn’t impressive. As such, the use of “lift” music was both tedious and uninspiring. However, the calm nature of the songs and the basic sound effects worked with the theme and genre. Sadly, I can’t see how the developers could improve this element, as too much noise and energy would have been equally bad.

You are in charge, so you get to pick the planes.
What a fine plane.

Not the best of controls.

I know sim games work better on PC. Yet, there are some phenomenal ports to console. Unfortunately, SimAirport hasn’t fared so well and this impacts the gameplay. However, once you understand the shortcomings and the fundamentals, it isn’t so bad. Additionally, the aforementioned UI makes it much easier to play. My biggest complaint has to be the button setup! For unknown reasons, the developers insisted on using unusual inputs for each command. Instead of the A button for placing an object, you must use the bumper or triggers. Though this is a minor thing, it plays with your mind and takes some getting used to.

Like its peers, this oozes both replay value and longevity. If you can overcome the initial data dump and steep learning curve, you will enjoy a fulfilling and tough simulation experience. Moreover, no playthrough is the same and you can adjust your business model to suit a new approach.

SimAirport is challenging but rewarding.

It would be easy to become disgruntled with SimAirport. Unfortunately, its slow-paced action and the steep learning curve will turn many gamers’ stomachs. Yet, if you have patience and an eye for detail, you’ll enjoy this challenging but rewarding game. With plenty of layers of complexity and many unique business models, you can test yourself in many ways. As such, I enjoyed it and I recommend that you buy it here! Do you have the ability to run the perfect airport? Hire your staff, improve your facilities, and encourage every airline to fly with you.

Review: Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire

Daniel Waite
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Review: Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire

Parents can set unfair expectations upon their offspring. Consequently, the children will rebel, and all hell breaks loose. However, when your crime is to choose a vegan path, then being banished is a little unfair. Amusingly, or not so much for the hero, this is exactly what happens in Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire.

Developed by Digitality Games and published by Freedom Games, this is a survival roguelike title. What’s more, there are elements of base building and farming, and plenty of fighting and quests to endure. On top of this, you must appease your crazy uncles, feed a deadly sea monster, and survive wave after wave of hellish creatures. In short, it packs a lot of action into a simple concept, and that’s great. 

Voltaire tends to his crops to keep his hunger at bay.
Tend to your crops and keep your hunger at bay.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire tells an amusing tale. 

When your father is the head of a vampire coven, you are expected to fall into line. As such, when Voltaire decides that he prefers vegetables and compassion to blood and killing, his dad isn’t happy. Therefore, it is understandable that he is chased out of their sinister castle and banished to an eerie graveyard. However, the torture doesn’t end there, as Voltaire must fight hordes of awful foes.

Alongside the banishment, you must work with your uncles to complete quests, grow vegetables, and survive each night. The gameplay loop focuses on a 7-day/night cycle. During this time, you can hunt resources, search for treasure, water your plants, and upgrade your stats. However, you must manage your hunger or you’ll faint. Subsequently, if this happens, the day ends, and the night begins.

Nighttime is when you must fight for your life! Waves of monsters will attack you, your house, and your plants. If they succeed and they destroy your abode, you fail and you must start the day again. Accordingly, this is where the roguelike element comes into force. Thankfully, though, the developers are pretty generous and you lose minimal progress. 

It is time to fight one of the overlords.
Time to battle a grim overlord.

7 days to survive. 

A week is not a long time. Yet, Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire uses this timescale at its core. Consequently, you have 7 days to improve your skills, grow your defences, and prepare to battle an evil overlord. If you are successful, you may enter a portal and find a new home. Alternatively, you may stay and try to survive another week. 

Whatever you do, the gameplay stays the same. Therefore, it became a little repetitive, and I yearned for more content. Furthermore, once you’ve fed the lake monster, harvested your crops, and completed oodles of quests, you’ll hope the action evolves. Sadly, though, it does not. As such, this is where Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire falls short.

Alongside this, the game doesn’t know which genre it belongs to. Disappointingly, this lack of focus impacts the gameplay. On one hand, it is a farming and resource-gathering sim. On the other, there is basic base building, tower defence, and combat. However, neither side excels, and this was frustrating. Furthermore, the lack of depth impacts any tactical nuance. Consequently, the developers must tweak their ideas slightly while adding more content and resources. 

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire looks fantastic.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire may lack content, but it looks absolutely fantastic. Visually, this indie title has excelled in every element. Accordingly, the stage design is interesting and varied, the characters are fun, colourful, and exciting, and the animation is smooth and well-considered. On top of this, it performs perfectly on both Steam Deck and PC. As such, I cannot find fault with the art style or execution. 

The same compliment is levied towards the audio. I adored the clichéd Halloween soundtrack, the loud sound effects, and the silly nature of the theme. Moreover, the developers balanced the OTT noises with varied and interesting music. Accordingly, it set the scene without using a well-trodden or boring approach. 

The hero is on the search for resources.
Off to get some resources.

Excellent controls. 

Though Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire is relatively simple to play, the controls could have been complex and convoluted. However, thanks to an excellent tutorial, this is easy to pick up and play, no matter the format you prefer. Furthermore, the inputs are responsive, well laid out, and easy to master.

I’ve highlighted my disdain towards the content. But there is still longevity to be had and replay value to enjoy. Thanks to a rudimentary skill tree, some minor cosmetic upgrades, and a plethora of overlords to defeat, there is enough to keep you busy. Yet, I wish there was more depth to enhance the experience further. 

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire is great, but it’s not quite there, yet. 

Though I’ve bemoaned the lack of depth, I still loved what I experienced. Accordingly, Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire is a great indie game. With excellent combat, plenty of quests, and some wonderfully humorous moments, it’ll keep you entertained. Yet, without further development, I believe it’ll fall short of its full potential. As such, I recommend that you buy it here, despite its shortcomings! Life as a vegan shouldn’t be this tough. However, you must prove your father wrong by slaying every monster in sight. Therefore, learn new skills, grow weird vegetables, and survive for as long as you can. 

How movies and games have inspired other industries

Christopher John
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How movies and games have inspired other industries

We all love to settle down to a good movie or play the latest video games, and quite often our experiences can get us emotional. That’s because movies and games have ways of impacting us by making us see things from different perspectives or by taking us on an adventure of self-discovery.

But movies and games don’t just impact us, they in turn influence many industries around the world. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways that movies and games have inspired those outside of their own industries.

Introducing new technology

There are so many sci-fi films out there from Star Trek to Dune and you may be surprised that these films have inspired new technologies. What may well have seemed like futuristic tech at one point in time such as mobile phones, virtual reality, and drones, is now technology that we use every day on a regular basis.

We’re not quite yet at the stage of seeing flying cars and teleporting from one location to another, but who knows what technology films and video games will encourage next.

Mobile phone with augmented reality

Source: Pixabay

Lots more entertainment

Many of our favourite movies and games have also gone on to provide a load of extra entertainment long after we’ve watched or played them. The hit video game The Last of Us was recently made into a TV series and the popular anime game Persona went on to see a musical produced based on its story.

Movies and games have also gone on to influence other types of entertainment in industries such as iGaming. You can play popular slot games like Rainbow Riches at Buzz Bingo, which is partly inspired by the leprechaun in the iconic film Darby O’Gill and the Little People. The game includes the aesthetics and iconography inspired by this film’s interpretation of the folklore character, and you’ll have to make the most of their bonus offers if you want to walk away with his pot of gold. And that’s just one example of many, with an abundance of online casino games taking inspiration from classic films like Terminator and video games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Call in the Fashion Police

Fashion, is of course, all about personal taste. Sometimes we like what we see, other times we think it belongs in the trash. But did you know that in addition to themed clothes that show iconic characters and phrases from our favourite movies and games, there have been many trends set because of them too?

Whether it be for fancy dress purposes or more casual outings, there are many real-world fashion trends that have had their roots in movies over the years. Just look at the impact the likes of Grease had on the world following its release in 1978. And it’s not the only movie that has had an impact on fashion with the likes of Blade Runner, The Great Gatsby, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World just to name a few.

We’re not just talking about clothes either. That last film starring Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead inspired so many young people to dye their hair in bright colours.

Girl lying down wearing sunglasses with blue hair inspired by movies and games

Source: Pixabay

Closing thoughts on the impact of movies and games

As we can see, evidenced by everything we have spoken about above, movies and games have had a wide-reaching impact on many people around the world. From influencing technological development to inspiring the latest fashion trends, our favourite forms of entertainment have left quite a legacy behind them.

Review: Anker Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds

James Refelian
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<strong>Review: Anker Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds</strong>

If you’ve followed any of my reviews recently, you’ll know I love VR. So when a VR accessory comes along that can improve the experience, I’m intrigued. This time, it’s the Anker Soundcore VR P10 earbuds. While standalone VR headsets are great, they lack earphones out of the box. Step up Anker, who has developed a unique earbuds solution aimed at VR headsets. While the advertising states explicitly that they’re for the Meta Quest 2, using the earbuds is far more versatile.

Design

The case is a simple pebble shape with a nice matte-white finish and an embossed logo. Featuring one button on the back and an LED light on the front. The case has a magnetic closure, so it feels secure when carrying it around. Inside the case, the earbuds light up when opening and again feel secured by the magnets. I particularly like the design that the lid of the case has a spot for the dongle to attach magnetically. It’s simple but very effective. The dongle can be a bit fiddly to remove, so be careful!

The earbuds come with three sets of small, medium, and large tips and fit well in the ear canal. While wearing them during extended VR gameplay, they didn’t fall out, and I wasn’t concerned about the fit or ear fatigue.

Compatibility

One of the best features of the Anker Soundcore VR P10 earbuds is the wide range of compatibility. While one of the first ‘Meta approved’ solutions for Quest 2, the earbuds will just about work with any device that offers USB-C or Bluetooth connectivity.

In my testing, I could use the earbuds with my PS5, Nintendo Switch, PICO 4, Steam Deck, Android Phone and Windows PC. With the dongle, it’s super easy to plug in and go. I find the low latency much better when using the earbuds this way and would always recommend a dongle connection for gaming. It was also handy to keep the earbuds connected to my phone via Bluetooth; the dual connectivity works well. This meant that if a call came in during a play session, I didn’t have to scramble around to try and find another headset to connect to it.

Pros and Cons Of the Anker Soundcore VR P10

PROSCONS
+ Great sound quality– Lacks active noise cancellation
+ Multiple connectivity options/compatibility– The lows could be stronger
+ Dual connection support– Microphone is average
+ Great use of magnets in the case– Charging case has no water resistance
+ USB-C pass-through on the Dongle 
+ Gamery RGB lighting 
+ Earbuds have IPX4 water resistance 
+ Supporting app for easy use 

The Details

Using the earbuds was a good experience, with the excellent sound quality overall. The low latency was appreciated during gaming, and including a dongle makes connectivity easy. This is especially the case with, for example, my Windows PC, where Bluetooth connections have never been the most reliable. Technically, the earbuds can connect to several dongles and cycle through them in the app.

Another great feature of the Anker Soundcore VR P10 earbuds is the app. Its simple UI makes it easy to configure sound profiles and balance to taste; however, one of the downsides to these earbuds is the lack of depth in the lows.

This headset is touted as a premium option for gaming. With much gaming now on the go (Switch, Steam Deck… standalone VR if you’re brave), active noise cancellation would have been a handy feature, but sadly the earbuds don’t feature this. While I don’t often play online games that require voice chat, I did take a few calls during play sessions, and the feedback I got was that the microphone wasn’t the best in clarity. As such, if you need your teammates to be able to hear you perfectly every time, this might not be the headset for you.

While playing games on multiple platforms, or even using them with my Phone, and PC to watch content or listen to music/podcasts, I found them to be of fantastic quality. The latency was barely noticeable with each connection and better than some wireless headphones I’ve used. The 11mm driver combined with the codec results in a good, wide sound that feels full and provides decent details.

Regarding battery life, the earbuds last for around six hours, and the case will give you three total charges, which is fantastic for extended play sessions across multiple devices.

What’s in the Box?

The unboxing experience is satisfying. When you open the small-sized box, you’re presented with the charging case and earbuds. Removing them and lifting the top layer, you’ll find the cable and ear tips. General literature completes the package.

In the box, you get:

  • Charging Case x1
  • VR P10 Earbuds x2
  • USB-C Dongle x1
  • S/M/L Ear Tips x6
  • USB-C Cable
  • Instructions and Literature

Anker Soundcore VR P10 Specification

  • 11mm drivers
  • Ultra-low latency (less than 30ms)
  • IPX4 waterproof (for the earbuds only; the charging has no IPX rating)
  • 6 hours of usage per charge with a fully charged case providing three full charges
  • Multi-connectivity – Dongle and Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth, 5.2 with LC4/SBC,AAC

Final Thoughts on Anker Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds

Overall, the Anker Soundcore VR P10 earbuds offer fantastic quality for the price with a versatile use case. With multi-connectivity and the dongle, these ultra-low latency earbuds are fantastic for gamers on any platform, especially those using VR headsets. With a simple design, some added gamer elements and a good build, if you’re in the market for earphones, I would recommend them. This is despite lacking a little on the lows and with the sub-par microphone.

The Anker Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds are available now from Amazon for £79.99/$79.00.*

To find out more, you can view the Anker website.

* Price correct at the time of publication

                                                                                                                                                           

Review: Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart

Daniel Waite
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Review: Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart

As a parent, I’m very conscious of the games my children play. Consequently, I want them to explore a safe space without too much violence, gore, or profanities. As such, whenever Outright Games publish a new title, I know I can’t go wrong. This family-friendly publisher has delivered some amazing child-friendly games. Recently, it released Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart and my kids were extremely excited about getting started.

Developed by 3DClouds and published by Outright Games, this is a child-friendly racing title. What’s more, it has been created by the same team behind Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers. As such, if you have played this game, you’ll know exactly what to expect. This lighthearted experience is colourful, loud, and easy to play. Yet, if you ramp up the difficulty, the AI will push adults and experienced players throughout. Accordingly, it isn’t as easy as Blaze and this was a great move.

The competitors race towards Giganto.
Race past Giganto.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart has no story.

Disappointingly, the developers have incorporated no story at all. This was a shame, as the TV series has plenty of excellent characters and fun and quirky storylines. Unfortunately, the focus is purely on racing and I think this was a missed opportunity. However, let us not dwell on this point and move on to bigger and better things.

The gameplay revolves around 2 key modes. You may opt for a single race where you are free to choose any unlocked course or character. Alternatively, you can explore the adventure mode and take on 3 unique competitions. If you select the latter option, you will undertake 5 different races and if you win, you’ll unlock new skins for each character and a playable racer. On the other hand, you can take on friends and family and challenge one another to a race around your favourite track.

Get in your karts and start the race.
Time to start the race.

It’s all about the children.

What makes Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart so perfect is its child-friendly approach. Not only does the gameplay incorporate the main characters from the TV series, but the action can be as easy or as tough as you’d like. Accordingly, the developers have used an auto drive facility to help younger children learn the fundamentals.

This may seem like a silly idea, but if you have children, then you’ll know that it’s a godsend. Whenever you game with little people, the frustration of explaining the controls taints the experience. Yet, Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart overcomes this in the simplest of fashions. By allowing very young children to automate their vehicles, they learn the tracks and the gameplay without worrying about steering or acceleration. However, older players can choose their level of assistance and remove the auto driving at any point.

Alongside this, the tracks are simple to race around, and each has alternative routes and hidden pathways. This was another great move, as it allowed each player to explore each course as they wished. On top of this, there are power-ups to collect, skills to use, and ramps to increase your speed. What’s more, each race has its own perils and at times, you’ll have to avoid the attention of the big beast “Giganto”.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart lacks a modern polish.

3DClouds has created a super colourful world that captures the aesthetics of the TV series perfectly. However, the finish isn’t as polished as you’d hope to see. Furthermore, it doesn’t push modern consoles and this may disappoint some players. Yet, my children didn’t care, and the game performs admirably, whether you play it alone or with up to 3 others. Alongside this, the stage design is varied and well-considered, the UI is easy to understand, and each of the characters looks great. For a child-focused experience, the developers have done a great job.

The visuals are complemented by the in-keeping audio. With upbeat music, loud sound effects, and excellent soundbites, Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart gets it just right. Furthermore, if your children love the TV series, they’ll smile at the witty one-liners and the loud roar of “Giganto”. From an adult’s perspective, the audio is somewhat tedious, as the music is repetitive and the dialogue is limited. Yet, this isn’t designed for adults, so my complaints are pretty much mute.

Race up to 3 others in Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart.
Take on your friends in split screen.

Brilliant controls.

This isn’t as responsive as a serious racing title, but it doesn’t have to be. Unlikely its serious counterparts, Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart focuses on a fun experience. Accordingly, there isn’t the need to understand the balance of your kart, the acceleration, or any advanced elements. Instead, the action revolves around fun and a straightforward experience. As such, its simple approach ensures that the controls are responsive and easy to learn.

Where this is unfortunately lacking is the longevity and replay value. Once you unlock every track, skin, and character, there is little else to do. This was disappointing but understandable for a child-friendly game. If the developer added some additional modes, then this would improve the overall experience.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart is an excellent game for all the family.

Getting the right game for the family to enjoy isn’t an easy task. However, if you have young children, then they will adore this title. My munchkins couldn’t get enough of the colourful visuals, the loud audio, and the excellent stage design. What’s more, the driving aids make sure that arguments are kept to a minimum, and that the action is balanced. Accordingly, it was a big thumbs up from my tribe and I recommend that you buy it here! Do you fancy a race around Cretacia? Pick your dinosaur, get to the start line, and compete to be the victor.

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