We all love sports movies where the underdog is going against all odds and managing to become one of the best. Since horse racing has a rich history, we’ve seen this situation on plenty of occasions.
Throughout the years, there have been many horse legends that managed to reach incredible success and times that are still unbeatable even by modern standards of horse racing. If you are a fan of live horse racing, chances are you know some of the movies mentioned.
Such stories from the world of horse racing are highlighted in movies such as the Secretariat (2010) and Seabiscuit (2003).
Even though horse racing doesn’t get plenty of Hollywood action and there are not many movies in this niche, once in a while a jewel of a movie like Seabiscuit and Secretariat releases. These are one of the best movies and not only in the horse racing category but in all film industry.
As a horse racing enthusiast, it is hard to cross a red line between these movies and highlight the better ones since they are both legendary. But, let’s go through the details and find out what they are about.
Which one is better: Secretariat or Seabiscuit?
Secretariat (2010)
A racehorse’s owner attempts to save the stables of her father by turning him into a Triple Crown winner. Nevertheless, this doesn’t happen exclusively for glory, but also for survival.
The story is about dismal odds of victory, lovable characters who are down and out, and their journey to dig deep to make Secretariat a champion despite seemingly dismal odds.
Penny Chenery, the trainer, ends up taking on the responsibility of Secretariat, as well as her father’s stables as his dementia worsens.
Secretariat, the horse itself, is a supporting character in this movie. This story isn’t about proving Secretariat is the best horse. It’s about Penny and her crew creating the Triple Crown champion while they save Meadow Stable so her family’s legacy can continue.
Seabiscuit (2003)
During the Great Depression, a motley crew of trainers, jockeys, and horses meets unexpectedly. Seabiscuit is a more focused story about a racehorse. In addition to proving Seabiscuit is the real champion, the trio provides hope to the United States public, which is suffering from economic disaster.
As an owner, trainer, jockey, and especially Seabiscuit himself (known for his feistiness and spirited nature) come together to make history, Seabiscuit faces War Admiral, who was the Triple Crown winner the year before (1937).
Despite Seabiscuit’s valiant efforts, Secretariat was the only Triple Crown winner
There is no doubt that Seabiscuit is a better movie from a cinematic standpoint. Not only are the characters well-rounded and complex, but the social and economic backdrop gives the film a sense of context and worth.
On top of that, the production level is higher and therefore there are much better visuals.
It emphasizes how competition can provide a channel for strengthening the mind and heart by providing a channel for strengthening the Cheney family dynamics.
As a result, Seabiscuit is about overcoming incredible odds through the development of leadership and teamwork between a cast of very different characters, including the horse.
The Disney masterpiece Secretariat is a must-see for audiences of all ages. Seabiscuit, despite being rated PG-13, contains some harder themes and a much more complex plot.
Additionally, Seabiscuit is more focused on horse racing as a sport, and the competitiveness of horses. On the other hand, Secretariat is more of a story about a woman that managed to build a championship and is not focused on the horse and racing itself.
Final Words
Both movies are exceptional and would please every horse racing enthusiast. Despite that, since we live in a world where horse racing movies are hard to come by, we cannot be picky, especially when it comes to movies that tell the stories of absolute legends from horse racing history.
Play-to-earn games, sometimes known as P2E games, reward their players with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or cryptocurrency. Over the course of the past few years, they have gained widespread adoption and are now an essential component of the majority of metaverse projects. Every online service has its own cryptocurrency for rewarding users’ loyalty to that system. One of the key reasons for the meteoric rise of play-to-earn NFT games is that players can earn cryptocurrencies with actual value while playing these games and entertaining unique experiences
If you are someone who enjoys playing card games and is interested in trying your hand at earning cryptocurrency, then the following is a list of the top five NFT card games projects which help you earn in-game money while having a great deal of fun and excitement.
1. SPELLS OF GENESIS
Spells of Genesis (SoG) is the very first mobile game that was ever created with blockchain technology. The gameplay of SoG is inspired by old-school arcade games and features an action-oriented “point and click” interface in addition to the tactical depth of TCGs. In order for players to have any shot at winning, they need to construct a deck of cards through a combination of meticulous card collection and clever deck creation.
As you travel around the fantasy realm of Askian in pursuit of the most formidable squad you can assemble to take on a wide spectrum of adversaries, collect, trade, and combine the many different orbs you come across along the way. You can “blockchainize” the cards you bought to use in the game or you can “blockchainize” the blockchain collectibles you already have in your wallet.
Not only does Spells of Genesis include an engaging and authentic gameplay experience, but it also significantly integrates blockchain items in a number of its mechanics. Although the fundamental concept is straightforward and highly captivating, players will need to demonstrate some ingenuity if they wish to triumph over the other players.
2. KINGDOM KARNAGE
Kingdom Karnage is a fighting game developed by Kepithor Studios that is played in a turn-based fashion. Players are tasked with defending their own hero while simultaneously striving to vanquish that of their opponent. You have the ability to design a total of 30 of your own units (NFTs) by drawing inspiration from the game’s three pre-existing race factions: Humans, Undead, and Lycans (wolves). At this time, at least one further racial group is in the process of being established (Elvan).
Because the campaign mode of the game may be utilized to get a starting deck for free, you won’t have to spend any actual money in order to give the game a shot. You will need to earn cards in order to participate in the campaign for free, but you will not be able to convert these cards into real money because they are not NFTs.
In Kingdom Karnage, the hero you control and the forces under his or her command will be placed on the right side of the screen, opposite the hero and the soldiers controlled by the enemy. Depending on the game mode that you are playing, there are either two or three lanes available for the deployment of units and for the defense of heroes, respectively. Your forces are going to go along the lanes and engage any enemies that they come across while they are under your command.
There are numerous unique unit kinds, each with its own style of attack and movement. While some may rush forward, others will keep their distance and use long-range weapons. Cavalry, for example, can cover a lot of ground quickly and then charge in to attack. During the event, some of the units will attack a single foe or foes, while others will join the fray.
3. MYTHEREUM
Mythereum, a decentralized online trading card game, was developed on the Ethereum blockchain. Players construct their own unique decks of collectible playing cards to use in one-on-one duels against one another.
Each Mythereum Card is a one-of-a-kind asset decentralized on the Ethereum blockchain that can be bought, sold, or traded with other users. You can either accomplish this yourself or utilize a third-party marketplace like OpenSea. A pack contains brand-new cards from the most recent set. Mythex is an ERC-20 token gained during gameplay and used on further cards and improvements. Mythex can also be used to purchase carbon copies of already existing cards.
All card sets have a finite print run. When the print run is over, the edition is no longer for sale and the only way to obtain cards from it is through a willing trader or seller.
Genesis was the first set ever released, and there were only 5,000 copies of each card manufactured. This made it the most exclusive (sold out). For the second set, which is called Awakening, there will be exactly 50,000 copies of each card printed.
You can play the Survivor Edition for free, but you can only collect a total of 30 cards. The bonus is that this edition is available (3 packs). In the future, new editions will be made available; but, once a predetermined quantity of playing cards has been printed for a particular edition, there will be no more cards of that set made available for purchase.
4. CRYPTO SPELLS
“Crypto Spells,” a digital card game that simulates trading and uses blockchain technology to keep a public record of who owns which cards and how many copies of each have been created, is one example. Ethereum can be used to make in-game purchases and trades of cards.
The “mining” of cards for victory points is the goal of free combat. Participating in a free battle will increase your “Battle Points” and “Player Level.” A “mining ticket” is awarded to the player at the beginning of each new level. If you win a combat, you will still get experience points, but this may make your mining decisions more difficult.
5. CRYPTIC LEGENDS
Players who prefer games with a more relaxed tempo will enjoy Cryptic Legends. The goal of the game is to triumph over your rivals by amassing a stronger deck of cards, developing your heroes, and engaging in battles. You have control over the hero’s activities and the powers he possesses. Playing the game is a lot of fun due to the fact that each hero has their own set of unique abilities and pieces of equipment.
The Aethernity blockchain is what drives this cryptocurrency card game. You will require a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet in order to play the game Cryptic Legends
At EGX 2022, I was lucky enough to get hands-on with Sonic Frontiers and loved the latest iteration in the Sonic franchise. So, it’s hardly surprising that I was incredibly excited to check out the full release when it came out on 8 November 2022. But now that I’ve spent some time with it, has my initial impression changed?
Gameplay
Sonic Frontiers is different to every Sonic game I’ve ever played. Sure, you can head into Cyberspace to play fast-paced platforming on rails, similar to old Sonic games, but that isn’t where this game stands out. (Don’t get me wrong, the Cyberspace stages are not only much fun but also crucial to progressing the story!).
Sonic Frontiers stands out because you can free-roam with Sonic in full 3D for the first time. Controlling the little blue hedgehog as you explore vast islands is a true joy. It’s also impossibly easy to control and fun to go charging onto railings, jump-pads, and more as you explore up, down and all around. It’s not open-world in that it’s one gigantic area, though it’s multiple different islands, all with open-roam elements and feeling and looking very different.
The basic story is that Doctor Eggman goes to the Starfall Islands to steal the mysterious technology found there. This opens up access to Cyberspace and causes the Chaos Emeralds to be drawn to the islands. Sonic, Tails and Amy head to investigate and get sucked into Cyberspace before being deposited around the islands.
In the game, you play as Sonic and must combat enemies, solve environmental puzzles and zip around as you collect the items you need to unlock the Chaos Emeralds. The plot in Sonic Frontiers took me by surprise, I wasn’t expecting something with so much depth, and I found myself hooked on the story and the trials Sonic faces. Some elements might get lost on new people to the franchise, which is a shame, but it will still be gratifying.
While there is a sort of skill tree in Sonic Frontiers, it isn’t that deep and combat. As a result, it always feels natural and works well. The boss battles require skill, speed and timing but ultimately feel epic. There are side-quests, mini-games and more to explore as you progress through the islands. The enemies and environments all feel unique and different, so it never feels repetitive, either.
Sonic Frontiers Controls
Sonic Frontiers controls very nicely, both in the more traditional platforming sense as well as during the free-roam elements. I will always want to play Sonic games with a controller, though, and thankfully, the PC version has fantastic controller support.
Overall, I had no issues mastering different moves, although I will admit in certain areas, the timings of moves proved to be a challenge, and I found myself repeating puzzles/fights accordingly. I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, but if you’re one to get frustrated easily, then it’s something to be aware of!
Audio and Visuals
Sonic Frontiers is a next-gen game, so you would expect it to look good. I reviewed the game on PC, and I can confirm it does. The animations could be a little more polished in cutscenes, but overall, Sonic Frontiers delivers visual wonder.
The game takes you through several open-world style islands to explore throughout the story, which really made my jaw drop. The locations are next level. From desserts to open grasslands with waterfalls, each island offers something new, and the views can be breathtaking. On a few occasions, I slowed down to enjoy the vistas. This translates into the Cyberspace stages, too; they feel like classic Sonic levels (with nods to older design features) but very much enhanced for the time. With so much going on at once and to take in, I will admit I fell off the map more than once, not a flaw with the game but more my ability to focus on the level design than the super-speedy blue hedgehog I was supposed to be controlling!
The music in Sonic Frontiers is different than I’m used to in a Sonic game, but it works perfectly. Tomoya Ohtani has created a score with a lot more drama and atmosphere to suit the islands that Sonic is exploring as he tries to find his friends and the Chaos Emeralds. Several heavier rock tracks play during battles with the island bosses that ramp up the tension and action without overtaking the gameplay. From a sound effects and voice acting perspective, everything here is on-point.
Is Sonic Frontiers Worth Buying?
Sonic is a perfect blend of open-world action adventure and 3D platforming. It brings something new to the Sonic franchise while still having that frenzied fast-paced platforming experience. In my opinion, Sonic Frontiers is perhaps the best Sonic game since the original trilogy.
It sounds good, looks better, and is fun to play. From exploring the islands to the more traditional Sonic-style levels found in Cyberspace. This is a new era for Sonic and a very welcome one.
To find out more about Sonic Frontiers, head to the official website.
One of the most overused backstories is that of an alien invasion. When executed correctly, this idea is enthralling, interesting and full of mystery. However, when it misses the mark, it’s tedious, boring, and an instant turnoff. After Wave: Downfall sadly lands in the latter category, and this was disappointing.
Developed by 7 Raven Studios and published by Totalconsole, this is an arcade shooter. What’s more, this moderately paced title can be enjoyed solo or with others. Moreover, it has an array of difficulty settings and a campaign and arcade option. Consequently, it should have been fun and interesting. However, it is tired, dull, and unbelievably lacklustre.
After Wave: Downfall is uninspiring and insipid.
Sadly, After Wave: Downfall did little to inspire me. Unfortunately, it’s poorly executed plot and awful gameplay are dull and insipid. Disappointingly, much of the action is mindless and requires little skill. Furthermore, the tedium is likely to bring a toddler to tears.
The plot focuses on an alien species called Deathrix. These abominations released a mysterious meteorite that caused a deadly flood. Accordingly, it is now your job to kick their asses and save mankind. Depending on the difficulty setting, you’ll take on a range of challenging foes and an increased number of stages. Once you complete your playthrough, your score is calculated, and then, unfortunately, you are free to do it again.
What the heck is that?
Mindless gameplay and pointless upgrades.
After Wave: Downfall delivers some of the most pointless action I’ve ever experienced. No matter the difficulty, you’ll simply spam the shoot button and hope for the best. However, whenever that fails, you have 3 super weapons to fall back on. Rockets, barrels, missiles, mines, and more are used to decimate your foes. Sounds cool, right? Well, it should be, but it isn’t as zero thought process is required to progress. Subsequently, this was unbelievably disappointing, and the result was a mundane experience.
Each level comprises grunts, demi-bosses, and a giant creature to cap it off. As you wipe out each of the beasts, they drop stars and energy canisters. The latter powers your special weapons and is essential when things get crazy. The stars, on the other hand, are used to rate your performance. Why does that matter? Well, the better you do, the more credits you earn. In turn, this can be invested in improving your character or unlocking new heroes. Like the core concept, the upgrades amount to very little. Subsequently, it was another example of a poorly executed mechanic in a sea of utter disappointment.
Dodge the bombs and kill the beast.
After Wave: Downfall looks dated.
Classic arcade gaming is amazing for many reasons. One key element everyone loves is the vivid colours, interesting, but repetitive backdrops, and basic sprites. Luckily, this is one area that After Wave: Downfall got right. Though its finish was dated and borderline tired, it worked well with the theme and the genre. Furthermore, I liked the animation and the variety of enemies you face.
The audio was also well executed. With classic retro sounds and a high-energy soundtrack, it adds drama and fun to the proceedings. What’s more, it is reminiscent of other classic arcade titles, while retaining some fun and original moments.
Shoot your foes and collect the stars.
Suitable controls.
The control system was neither terrible nor was it great. With a reasonable UI and a simple approach, it was easy enough to pick up and play. However, nothing wowed me, and this left me feeling underwhelmed. Consequently, the suitable controls didn’t excite me, and the straightforward method made an easy game unfortunately a bit too simple.
The inclusion of cooperative action, and the arcade mode, was brilliant. By doing this, the developers added some much-needed depth and difficulty to their title. On top of this, it was fun to play with friends and this was a small plus point. Furthermore, if you are a completionist, this is the game for you. Why? Well, you’ll have it done and dusted in under 2 hours, without much effort.
After Wave: Downfall was disappointing.
Playing After Wave: Downfall left a bitter taste in my mouth. With only a few redeeming features, this is one of the most tedious games I’ve played. Sadly, its underwhelming gameplay repeatedly misses the mark and will disappoint you. Consequently, I can’t recommend it. However, more information can be found here! Can you save mankind and defeat the alien scum? You could, but it’ll be dull and tedious throughout.
Getting into the 3rd party world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can be daunting. Sifting through the near limitless number of sourcebooks can take hours, and even then, you aren’t guaranteed to find what you’re after. To make things a little easier for you, I’ve complied a finite selectin of supplements which I have personally used throughout my D&D tenure.
To keep things in line with my previous article, I won’t be going too in depth with these. Instead, I’ll merely offer a summary of what each book has to offer. New to D&D? You can learn how to play the game for free by heading over to D&DBeyond.com. If you’re curious about which official products you might want to start out with, then you can check out my beginner’s buyer guide here.
Player Books
Tome of Heroes
As we all know, D&D players love having additional character options to play around with. Whether it be new races, subclasses, backgrounds, or feats, enough is never truly enough. Enter Kobold Press’s Tome of Heroes to give the players exactly what they want. Bee druids? Check. Gigantic mushroom races? Check. Using plants to cast magic as a way to get closer to nature? Check and check.
Admittedly, DMs don’t get the short end of the stick when it comes to this book. However, the new downtime activities and party group options are a nice inclusion, and can certainly be added to a DMs toolkit.
In total, you get:
70+ subclasses
20+ races and subraces
19 backgrounds
15 feats
50+ spells
New magical disciplines called Hedge Magic and Draconic Rune Casting
New weapons, including rules on gunpowder
New tools and gear
And, of course, new magic items
For my money, the Tome of Heroes is the best D&D player expansion on the market, and rivals the likes of Tasha’s Cauldron and Xanathar’s Guide. It works perfectly alongside the Player’s Handbook, and, for the most part, the content is balanced to boot.
The Ultimate Guide to Alchemy, Crafting & Enchanting
I’ve always found it strange that 5e omitted professions from its ruleset. Yes, the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide do mention things like potion and poison crafting, but it always came across as tacked on and incomplete. I wanted something methodically thought out that would allow my players to get fully invested into every facet of their character. As it turns out, the Ultimate Guide to Alchemy, Crafting & Enchanting from Nord Games is exactly what I was looking for.
This book provides players with the opportunity to join professional/criminal bodies known as associations. Once they became a member of an association, they can learn a trade skill of their choice (alchemy, crafting, or enchanting). From there, they rank up by completing various tasks and quests which reward them with superior recipes and blueprints. Naturally, these allows players to create better items.
The items players can expect to create include pre-established D&D equipment, as well as new custom-made gear, and, of course, an abundance of magical items. It also has rules and tables for collecting, harvesting and foraging the ingredients players need for their creations.
I cannot state how much I love this book enough. It brings such a fresh outlook to the character progression process, and it does so in such a seamless and innate manner. Seriously, go out of your way to get this if you want a fleshed-out crafting system for your games.
Bestiaries
Tome of Beasts
3rd party bestiaries are a dime a dozen. Narrowing down the good from the bad? Now that’s the real challenge. This is where our reliable friends over at Kobold Press come in. Their Tome of Beasts contains a whopping 400+ creatures for you to include in your campaigns.
A few examples are:
A meerkat-esque creature called a Burrowling.
Flaming undead dogs named Lich Hound’s.
A reanimated unicorn called Shadhavar.
And, a Venus fly trap crossed with an oasis named Vesiculosa.
As with all of the official sourcebooks, each creature in the Tome of Beasts comes with its own unique stat block and blurb. For those that don’t know, this makes running your encounters incredibly simplistic, as all the necessary details are condensed down into absorbable chunks. Some special creatures have even been provided with their own lair descriptions to amplify their presence.
Additionally, the illustrations depicting the creatures are gorgeous, horrifying, and awe-inspiring, often all at the same time. Honestly, if you’re a DM hoping to find something as all-encompassing as the Monster Manual, then I wholeheartedly recommend Tome of Beasts.
Total Party Kill Bestiary
If you’re a DM looking for something that packs a little more punch, then perhaps you should check out 2CGaming’s TPK Bestiary. Inside this sinister book is a wide array of creatures aimed at challenging even the most veteran of D&D players.
It achieves this by compiling 100 creatures with a rating of 8 or higher on the CR scale, then expands on the CR ideology by providing each creature with a tactics section. This further mitigates the pain of running an encounter, and ensures a healthy, yet competitive challenge for all players. On top of this, it develops the rules surrounding how to run titanic sized creature more appropriately. This includes everything from being able to target individual appendages, appendages having their own turn order/actions, and, because of their size, rules about climbing the creature.
However, if you really enjoy making your players suffer, then lookout for the monsters marked with a skull. Foes brandished with this are unironically made to wipe your entire party. To showcase how ridiculous this can get, one of the behemoths marked with this insignia is a literal living mage tower. Is this evil for the DMs to make players fight something like this? Yeah, sure. But it is badass nonetheless.
Altogether, your typical high-end fights in the Monster Manual feel distinctly different than the ones presented in this book. As such, I like to think of TPK Bestiary as the boss battle supplement. When I want an encounter to be tough, memorable, and, above all else, entertaining, then this is the book I reach for. Just a fair warning in advance, the content in this book can get a bit… gruesome, so make sure to convey that to your table before going ahead with it.
World Building
Creating a world is no easy task. You have to come up with concepts that are purposive and intriguing, as well as being digestible for your players. Speaking from experience, this can take days, weeks, and sometimes even months to conceptualise, let alone come to fruition. Or, instead, by using the sourcebooks created by Nord Games, it can be accomplished in a few hours.
Spectacular Settlements
Spectacular Settlements provides DMs with numerous step-by-step guides to assist them in creating their own towns, cities, capitals, and fortresses. It has a wide assortment of customisation options to ensure that each settlement is far from mundane. All DMs have to do on their end is roll on a few tables. It really is that simple.
Don’t have time for that? Then you can also take advantage of the 64 pre-generated settlements this comes packaged with. These contain beautiful graphic depictions and maps of the region which allow you to flawlessly integrate them into your games.
Dangerous Destinations
Dangerous Destinations is the sister supplement to Spectacular Settlements. It focuses on developing and inhabiting locales outside of towns and cities. You have things like lush forests, abandoned mines, lost labyrinths, and many other noteworthy landmarks. It even includes advisories and key personal for DMs to toy around with. And, yes, much like its brother, it also includes 60 pictorial premade environments.
I’ve spent hours upon hours creating environments and landmarks with these two books simply due to how fun it is. If you need an extra drop of creative help, or are looking for something totally different in your world, then I’d suggest getting these.
World Filler
Now that you’ve created your world, you may want to include some finite aspects into it. The Remarkable series by Loresmyth is here to help you do just that.
Remarkable Shops & Their Wares
Starting off with Remarkable Shops, this sourcebook contains everything you need to create, manage, and operate a shop inside your own homebrew world. Want to know what sort of cliental your shop is geared towards? Maybe if the establishment is rich or poor? Or perhaps how a player may run their own shop? Well, all of this and more is detailed here.
On top of that, you also have 8 handmade shops which are full to the brim with personality and character. So much so that DMs could easily build entire questlines around them. I’ve done this in the past and it worked immensely well.
Remarkable Inns & Their Drinks
Next up is we have Remarkable Inns. Unsurprisingly, this is jam packed with information relating to running and maintaining taverns in a D&D setting. It does this by fostering RP and gameplay concepts that immerse the player into the game. Examples of this include bar fight scenarios, songs/tales, and, of course, gambling mini-games.
It also contains 8 individual inns that can be placed in your homebrew settings ad nauseum. These come with their own menu’s, rumour mills, and regular patrons that add an additional layer of authenticity to the establishments.
Remarkable Cults & Their Followers
Lastly, we have Remarkable Cults. As I’m sure you’ve all caught onto by now, this book documents a myriad of unlawful organisations to entice your players with. PCs will have the opportunity to gain access to services, information, followers, and other benefits, as they rank up through the criminal underbelly. They may even get the chance to become a cult founder themselves.
If you want something a little less evil may, then the upcoming Remarkable Guild’s sourcebook may be what you’re after. It follows the exact same concept as this supplement, albeit from a positive alignment standpoint. As of writing this, it is schedule to be released in early 2023.
Conclusion
And with that, we’re done! I really only scratched the surface of what’s possible in the world of 3rd party sourcebooks. However, I do believe these to be some of the best books that the market has to offer. As with the official D&D releases, you can purchase these either physically or digitally via their respective distributer’s website.
The very popular theme of Ancient Egypt in slots has long been known to all gamblers. This slot from Play’n’Go is a classic of the genre. The game is not overloaded with features. However, they are enough to make the process interesting and profitable. We are talking about the Book of Dead slot, which tells us about the adventures of the brave tomb raider Jack. What treasures will he find this time? Our Book of Dead slot review holds the key to answering this question.
How to win at Book of Dead slot
The slots work on randomizers, so it is impossible to predict when the winnings will fall out. In such a game, you need to rely on your luck and the skill will stop in time. But it has certain features that bring more profit. Here’s how to win at Book of Dead slot: you just need to use the bonus modes correctly.
The first one is the Gamble feature. It cannot be launched independently, it appears only after a winning combination. However, you can refuse to use it. Whether you choose this feature or not is up to you. But if your winnings turn out to be small, then it always makes sense to take a chance and try to increase it using this feature.
The meaning of the game is as follows: cards will quickly change face down on the screen. You need to guess its color or suit. The winnings are doubled or they are multiplied by 4 times.
Book of Dead slot machine can please not only this. There is a game with independent spins here. This means that you do not pay for them. The game gives out 10 such spins if 3 or more golden tomb symbols appear on the field.
By the way, this symbol is a Scatter and a Wild at the same time.
During the bonus round, a random character can fill the entire screen and bringing the maximum win on the lines. In this mode, it is absolutely possible to win a large amount and increase your initial bankroll.
Specifications
Before you visit Book of Dead slot sites, it is important to study its technical specifications. They will give an idea of the profitability of the slot. Main properties:
volatility: high, which means the winnings do not fall out as often as we would like, but there is a chance to win a large amount;
maximum multiplier: x5000 of the bet;
number of paylines: 10 pieces;
playing field layout: 5×3;
return percentage: 94.25%, but may vary.
The game was released back in 2016, but it is still popular today. Even though the Book of Dead slot RTP is not considered high, it is able to please you with its generous payouts.
For Irish players interested in exploring online gaming platforms, https://massiveattack.ie/ offers a selection of reputable online casinos.
How badly do you want to play another Souls-like? If you are an addict of the increasingly-common mechanic, then this 2D scrolling action title might not be the worst option for you, but it certainly doesn’t approach anywhere the genre’s best, ‘You get what you pay for’, as the saying goes.
Graphics-wise, you are greeted with a Youtube-advert quality of animation and ugly designs, followed by a single sentence plot, and a god-awful falling mechanic that sometimes you’ll walk away without a scratch from and others pathetically crumple and die instantly.
The ‘git gud’ crowd will be happy to know that the expected level of ‘stress inducing/kidney-stone producing’ difficulty is here in full force, providing frustrating deaths when even being surrounded by numerous weak enemies and one medium strength enemy is enough to see your downfall.
Unsurprisingly, gameplay is focused around dodging and parrying and both are implemented fairly well, with last second dodges and parries causing slow-motion maneuvers.
For me, this is the only redeemable part of the action, as defeating enemies’ results in body parts exploding in the exact same manner each time, and the string attacks, despite there being numerous different weapons, leave a lot to be desired, becoming stale rather quickly as you spam the attack button as your stamina meter bobs up and down.
Watcher Chronicles is not quite able to do the same, sadly.
What should be a strength of Watcher Chronicles, and what the entire hook of the game should revolve around, is actually Watcher’s biggest letdown – the bosses. Lacking difficulty and variety, they are only difficult until you figure out their first couple of lunges and then you can dodge and spam your 3-string basic attack ad nauseum. In some cases, you can just spam from the get-go and the boss won’t have even have time to react, allowing you to go the entire fight without sustaining any damage and making it last only a few seconds.
Rather than their difficulty, the main frustration is the length of the journey you need to re-embark on in order to fight them again due to save points being so far away.
With the enemies not holding up their end of the bargain, it’s lucky that the challenge to get your accrued XP back to base to level-up (before you die twice and lose it forever), is actually any fun at all. It’s the only real appreciative and rewarding gameplay loop in the game, the action and the increasingly stronger enemies playing a side-note to it throughout.
Even the easiest of foes can be your end.
If the visuals were improved and there was a semblance of a story, there might be something to try and trumpet here, or at least try and bring the gameplay up a level, but without it, you are eating crackers without the cream, and it’s not appetizing.
The design of the levels isn’t that much better either, with too much of an emphasis on 2D platforming with one of the most annoying falling mechanics I’ve ever come across, the height in which the game decides for your death seemingly arbitrary. It’s such a miserable way to die, based on how pathetic the animation looks.
There are so many other better games in the 2D Souls-like genre. Lost Epic (not pictured), for example, being a fantastic example that bests Watcher in all areas, and I scored 9/10 on this site.
With bland Souls-like gameplay and disappointing bosses, Watcher Chronicles joins the bottom of the pile in an ever-expanding genre with far better and more in-depth alternatives, ultimately leaving the game with nowhere to go but join the bargain bin of 2-minute platinum-chasers and mobile games.
The police, po-po, five-o, or whatever you call them, are a divisive bunch. Hate them or love them, they are there to serve and protect. However, there is always one bad apple in the mix, and they ruin everyone’s reputation. Yet, what would you do if you had the chance to step into their shoes and keep people safe? Would you be a law-abiding copper, or would you do as you please and be a badass renegade? Well, that option and many more are open to you as you become the latest recruit in Police Simulator: Patrol Officers.
Developed by Aesir Interactive and published by Astragon Entertainment GmbH, this is a police simulation title. What’s more, it can be enjoyed solo or with another player locally or online. As such, the action can be intense as each of you completes their tasks or helps one another to stop each law-breaking citizen. Though I’m sure it wasn’t intended, I laughed repeatedly as I completed my daily duties. The comical responses from every NPC and the sense of reward as you ticket illegally parked cars made me chuckle. However, more mature gamers will probably crack on with their job and clean up the streets without childish shenanigans.
A nice day to be a cop.
The plot of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Sadly, the developer’s strengths don’t seem to lie in storytelling. The basic plot focuses on a recruit who is chucked straight into the action. Yet, they are not asked to break up a drug ring or tackle gun crime. No, their opening task is to ticket illegally parked vehicles. Yep, you’ll spend your first shift playing traffic warden. As such, you’ll check for damaged vehicles, and report anyone who has an expired vehicular licence, a parking meter that has turned red, or if they are stopped in the wrong zone. Effectively, you are an annoying jobsworth who must clamp down on those nasty traffic offences that ruin everyone’s lives.
Fortunately, the latest recruit of Brighton PD quickly moves on to bigger and better things. You’ll unlock each of the 3 districts and earn duty badges for a job well done. Furthermore, you’ll unlock a police car, undertake speed checks, investigate crimes, ticket people for littering, and confiscate deadly weapons. On top of this, you’ll arrest drug dealers, prevent graffiti artists and help out at crash scenes. In short, there is plenty to see and do as you choose who to arrest and how to act.
Good cop, bad cop.
Life is all about choices, and in Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, you have free rein over every decision you make. Consequently, if someone breaks the law, you can give them a warning, fine them, or arrest them and send them to jail. However, at times, the water is muddied, and the decision isn’t so simple. Using your police computer and your sense of intuition, you must read telltale signs for drug and alcohol abuse. As such, if you think something is wrong, you’re best to act.
Sadly, though, you can’t always be right, and when things go south, it is your reputation that takes a hammering. Accordingly, during every shift, you can only make a limited number of mistakes. Make too many, and your bosses will fire you. So, what tools do you have at hand to help you out? Well, every person must provide you with ID and insurance if they are in a vehicle. With this in front of you, you can check to see if they are a legitimate citizen, or if they are pulling a fast one. Alongside this, you can check their history in the police database. Subsequently, if they have a rap sheet as long as your arm, then there is probable cause to search them for narcotics or deadly weapons.
Remember though, if you get it wrong, you will pay the consequences. This mechanic follows you throughout every shift and is a core component of this rather simple game. If you incorrectly tow a vehicle or give it a ticket, you’ll slide closer to losing your job. Furthermore, if you report someone for speeding, crash into another car, or act like a dick, it will backfire and your bosses won’t be very happy.
That RTC looks nasty.
Great concept, but poor delivery.
It’s fair to say that I loved Police Simulator: Patrol Officers’ core concept. However, its delivery leaves an awful lot to be desired! No matter what task you undertake, you will be met with glitches, bugs, and visual problems. Moreover, your request for backup often gets stuck in traffic, your perpetrator fails to follow instructions, and don’t get me started on the state of every RTC.
Disappointingly, the often game-breaking issues ruin the immersion and the fun factor. Whether you are playing solo or with another, you’ll sigh repeatedly as you can’t complete a set task. I know these are problems that are likely to be ironed out, but at the moment, they taint what is otherwise an enjoyable experience. The developers must acknowledge the problems they have, and cannot ignore how much they impact the end product. Consequently, if nothing is done to resolve the issues, this game will fail and it won’t get the backing it deserves.
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers was pleasant to the eye.
Though Police Simulator: Patrol Officers cannot be considered next-gen, it is still pleasant to the eye. Yes, I’ve bemoaned its glitches and problems, but mostly, the large city and varied districts are well constructed. Furthermore, the vehicles have a reasonable layer of detail, and the characters are varied and interesting. On top of this, I found the traffic setup to be realistic; the databases were easy to read and understand, and the navigation elements worked really well. However, the lip sync and cutscenes are pretty woeful, but they will make you laugh, so that’s a bonus.
Talking of cutscenes, the acting is dreadful. Yet again, though, the wooden delivery will have you roaring with laughter, so it mattered not. On top of this, you get a pretty realistic range of sound effects to enjoy. The police sirens are shrill, accurate, and bloody loud. Furthermore, the engines sound great, and the environmental noises bring the world to life.
Ask the questions and get the answers.
Surprisingly good controls.
I adored how easy this was to pick up and play. Moreover, inviting someone into your world was straightforward, and this was pleasant as well. Thanks to the excellent radial menus and well-considered button layout, you’ll be issuing tickets, scanning for speeding cars, and busting drug lords in no time. Sadly, my only complaint was how stiff the driving mechanics felt. The cars roll and drag themselves around every corner and this was unrealistic. Accordingly, driving the car was more hassle than it was worth and this was disappointing.
Thanks to its multiplayer action and massive world, there is plenty of longevity and replay value. What’s more, you are free to prevent whatever crime you wish. However, I would have liked a bit more meat on the bone when it comes to a back story. During every shift, you earn money, but this seems to go nowhere. Instead, it would have been nice to explore life outside of work and have the ability to spend your hard-earned cash. Yet, these are minor things, as the game has plenty of interesting tasks and jobs to overcome.
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers needs some ironing out.
There is so much to love about this title. However, its bugs are a real problem. For every positive, and there are many to be found, each of the issues completely undermines its potential. As such, I desperately want the developers to address the issues and improve their great title. If you can put up with some problematic elements, you’ll thoroughly enjoy everything on offer. Accordingly, I’m going to recommend you buy it despite its shortcomings. Can you clean up the streets of Brighton? Jump in your car, fine each lawbreaker, and remind people that crime doesn’t pay.
If you want to pre-qualify for the car refinance, the main factor is your debt-to-income ratio. This means that the money you owe each month is compared to how much you make each month. The lender will look at this ratio before deciding if they will give you a loan. So, if you want to pre-qualify for auto refinance, read further to know more.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
When applying for a new car refinance, you’ll likely be asked to provide information about your debt-to-income ratio. This is the amount of money you owe compared to how much you make. For example, the debt-to-income ratio is used by lenders when deciding how much money they’ll lend someone and what interest rate that person will receive.
The Vehicle’s Value
You can also pre-qualify for a car refinance based on the value of your vehicle. For example, a lender will want to know how much money you would get if you sold your car and used that money to purchase another vehicle. This is called residual value, an essential factor when determining how much a lender will lend you.
In addition to looking at current market values, lenders will look at historical data and their own internal statistics when considering what they’ll offer or whether they’ll make an offer. For example, they might do this by using industry averages or doing their calculations based on previous loans that were made under similar circumstances (e.g., credit score).
Length of Loan
When you refinance your car’s loan, the lender will want to know how long you want to keep the vehicle. The longer you keep the vehicle, the more money they can lend you and the more interest they will charge over time. The shorter you keep it, the less money they can lend and thus lower your monthly payments.
The duration of your new loan is also related to how much money you want to borrow and the current equity of your vehicle.
Original Loan Amount
The original loan amount is the total you originally paid to the bank when you bought your car. So it’s important to keep track of this number so that you can compare it against other offers later on. Make sure your original loan’s payment history is accurate, or your new lender may not accept it as proof. For example, suppose a lender does accept an inaccurate payment history. In that case, there could be delays in processing your application because they’ll need help to verify it easily and quickly with their records.
The Vehicle’s Age
To prequalify for a car refinance, you must consider the vehicle’s age. The longer the vehicle has been on the road, the more likely it is to depreciate in value. However, if your car is older than five years old, it may be difficult or impossible to refinance it at all.
Lantern by SoFi experts explains, “Lower monthly payments from a refinanced car loan are usually achieved as the result of a loan term.”
You can do a few things to prequalify for a car refinance. First, you can check your credit score, make sure your income is sufficient, determine how much the vehicle is worth in today’s market and determine its age.
You’re in a hurry, and you need money. Now. You’re not looking for a loan or a credit card; you just need cash in your bank account now. If that’s the case, there are ways to transfer funds instantly. How to transfer money instantly? While it may not be as fast as pulling out cash from an ATM or swiping your credit card for an online purchase, there are services available that will enable you to transfer money from one bank account to another within minutes – if not seconds – by using online banking platforms.
According to SoFi professionals, “Which money transfer method you choose depends on who you send the money to, how much money you need to send, where the recipient is located, and how quickly the money needs to get there.”
Add a New Bank Account
The first step to transferring money is to add a new bank account. To do this, you’ll need to go to the Accounts tab in your Bank of America app and click on Add a New Bank Account.
After clicking the Add a New Bank Account button, you’ll be taken through the steps of adding your bank information: enter your bank account number and name, along with its routing number. After that, select how you want to secure this new account (you can choose from text or voice).
Link Your Bank Account to Your Profile
If you want to transfer money from your bank account, the first thing that you’ll need to do is link your bank account to your profile. This can be done by tapping Add Bank Account in the top right corner of the screen.
You may see a notification asking if this is an eligible transaction type for your country.
If it is not eligible, you will be prompted with an option to add a new bank account instead. Once selected, enter your details and confirm them by tapping Next on each field.
Select the Receiver
Once you’ve selected your sender, the recipient will appear on the screen. If you want to make this transaction a payment, tap Pay from this person’s account. If not, tap Donate or Give as a gift and select the type of account (bank, credit card or debit card) where the money should come from.
Once you’ve selected your sending account and sent it off—and it’s important to note that there is no confirmation step after this point—the funds will begin making their way through to your friend or loved one instantly.
Transfer Money
Transferring money is a convenient way to send and receive funds from individuals, companies and organizations. The ability to transfer funds between banks enables you to control your finances in an efficient manner. There are several steps involved in transferring money:
Enter the amount you want to send.
Select the receiver.
Confirm your transaction by entering your password or Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Get Confirmation
After you send a transfer, you will receive an email confirmation. You can also receive notifications on your phone.
You can check the status of your transfer in the app or online by signing into your account and going to “Transfers” under “Transactions.”
You can cancel a pending transfer if necessary by clicking on the “Cancel” button next to it. If you cancel after several seconds, it might still go through, so be sure not to do this unless absolutely necessary!
If you want to add another bank account or change details about an existing one (such as routing number or account number), go back into Settings>Add Bank Account and follow along with those steps again.
If you love your gaming with a slice of rage and guaranteed failure, then keep on reading. Super Chicken Jumper is the latest title to get your blood boiling as you are killed over and over again. Furthermore, its simple approach, colourful aesthetics and cute graphics lull you into a false sense of security. However, though it is brutal and will make you scream, it is also undeniably addictive. Consequently, I love and loathe this monstrous title in equal measure.
Developed by Sewer Cat and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a hardcore retro platformer. What’s more, it can be played cooperatively as you both scream, bicker, and call each other names. As such, you may not wish to play this with your significant other, as divorce is a guarantee.
Just a chicken fighting a giant fish.
Super Chicken Jumper will destroy your soul!
I’ve played some rage-inducing games in my time, but Super Chicken Jumper is near the top. With its Flappy Bird-like gameplay and straightforward concept, it gets under your skin and demands you keep going. Furthermore, it comprises an endless option and some brutal and unfair challenges. Subsequently, every element of it will make you wince, as you fail more times than you’d like to mention.
The action revolves around a superhero chicken who is agile, talented, and hated by the villains of the world. This poultry superstar must help Mrs President and her army of advisors take down enormous bosses. En route, you’ll visit 6 unique worlds, unlock a plethora of new equipment, and take down an array of enemies. What’s more, there are plenty of obstacles to avoid as you dash from A to B in this hectic run ‘n’ gun experience.
Bloody penguins.
It’s as basic as it comes.
What makes Super Chicken Jumper so addictive is its basic concept. The chicken must run from left to right, while leaping trees, snowballs, fish, birds, and more. If he is hit, this secret spy dies, and you must restart the stage. Thankfully, he is armed with an array of tools and equipment to give him a fighting chance. Moreover, there are power-ups that can be collected to change the course of the game.
As you complete each stage, you’ll unlock new weaponry and a range of hats and shoes. Each of these items gives you a unique approach to the stage you are facing. Whether it is a boomerang, gun, knife, jetpack, running shoes, or umbrella hat, they all have their uses. Alongside this, you’ll collect bombs, a mushroom that turns you into a gargantuan chicken, and a poisoned mushroom that has an adverse effect. Each of these power-ups is completely random, and this adds to the fun.
Once you’ve overcome each level, you’ll face a mutated boss. These massive beasts are brutal as hell but follow a set routine. Accordingly, once you understand their attack pattern, you can formulate a plan and defeat them. This may sound easy, but it isn’t. Even if you know what they’ll do, each boss will still kick your ass repeatedly. Consequently, when you do defeat them, it is rewarding, enjoyable, and makes it worthwhile.
Super Chicken Jumper is a retro treat.
Retro gaming is all the rage. As such, I’ve grown fond of playing them on my Xbox Series X. Now, I know it doesn’t utilise the next-gen power, but I care not. Instead, I adore the sharp colours, the basic sprites, and the simple backdrops. Furthermore, the rough finish adds to the old-school charm. Alongside this, the rudimentary cinematic is hilarious and full of Anime girls. These cute images try to “sex up” the action, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, though, I chuckled repeatedly as the developers used plenty of stupid jokes to lighten the mood.
What was equally good was the audio. The jovial and energetic soundtrack was absolutely amazing. This is complemented by the shrill and repetitive sound effects. Whether it was the crash of a bullet, the ting of you jumping, or the sound of inevitable failure, it never got old.
Someone upset the forest witch.
Stripped-back controls.
The developers focused on a simple button layout. As such, Super Chicken Jumper is easy to pick up, but tough to master. It combines accurate action with twin stick elements. As such, it can be fiddly to perfect the shooting mechanics while avoiding never-ending threats. However, once you nail it, it is phenomenal and rewarding.
Talking of rewarding things, the endless and challenge modes deliver some of the hardest action I’ve experienced. You’ll fail repeatedly, swear even more, and wish you never started. Yet, it’s more addictive than crack cocaine and more rewarding than climbing Everest. Consequently, this basic game is tough to put down.
I hate and love Super Chicken Jumper!
Super Chicken Jumper gave me an insight into euphoric highs and depressing lows. When it works, you’ll adore everything it offers. Furthermore, you’ll laugh at the cinematic, enjoy the visuals, and adore the audio. Yet, when it’s horribly tough, you’ll want to punch a wall, swear repeatedly, and smash your controller. However, it is this scale of tough brilliance that makes it so good. Accordingly, I recommend that you buy it here! Don’t miss out on the chance to save the world. Become a chicken, destroy your enemies, and try not to smash your controller.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was at EGX 2022 talking to Fast Travel Games about VR and what to keep an eye on. One of the things we talked about was the new PICO headset, and I’m happy to say the PICO 4 is here – and I’ve been playing around with it! Virtual reality gaming is exciting. From the moment the headset goes over your eyes, you’re transported into immersive worlds beyond your imagination. For a while, there have only been a few players in the space making headsets of note, but how does the PICO 4 stack up against the competition?
PICO 4 Overview
On October 18, 2022, PICO 4 was released in Europe and parts of Asia (there’s no news yet on a US release date). ByteDance, the company that makes it, has done a fantastic job making a good-looking headset to compete with the Meta Quest 2 in the standalone VR headset space.
The PICO 4 has some pretty stand-out features, too, the passthrough being not only useful for when you need to see around you but opens new possibilities in the types of games and experiences available on the platform. Accessing it is fun, too – a sharp double tap to the side of the headset will enable the passthrough mode. This is ideal when you need to see passwords or simply check your surroundings. Utilising a 16MP RGB camera it also makes setting your play area and checking the dog isn’t in the way even easier.
It is worth pointing out that not only is the PICO 4 cheaper than the Meta Quest 2, but it also has a better resolution with its unique pancake lenses. With 6DoF tracking and integrated hand-tracking are both well done, and I was surprised by just how well the hand-tracking worked.
The controllers are nicely designed and use optical tracking instead of LiDAR. There were a couple of instances where they weren’t responsive, in what is known as a ‘dead zone’, but because of the design and the tracking ring placement, these didn’t occur often enough to make games unplayable or lessen the overall experience.
In terms of connectivity, PICO 4 offers users a wide variety. with Virtual Desktop, cable connection via USB-C, Streaming options, and the ability to record footage directly in the headset, it’s easy to create and share your VR gaming experiences.
Is the PICO 4 Comfortable?
The PICO 4 is perhaps the most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn. The comfort of the straps, the snug fit on the head, and superior weight distribution all work together to ensure premium comfort. As the weight is spread out around the headset (and not front-heavy), it feels lighter than the Quest 2, even though it weighs more. This means that when you do go in for those long VR gaming sessions, it never gets uncomfortable – my biggest complaint with the original PSVR. As a result, despite playing games for several hours, I never felt like I needed to take the headset off except to wipe away sweat which is more of a me problem. The PICO 4 is extremely comfortable.
Now, one of the key areas I look at when it comes to VR headsets is how it handles glasses – because I can’t see without them! I’m pleased to say the PICO 4 comes with an extra piece to increase the depth from the lenses to your face to keep them and your glasses protected. It can be a little tight taking the headset off with glasses on, but it’s a minor niggle.
The controllers are also well designed and fit in the hand well. I never had an issue reaching buttons and didn’t feel like they were too heavy to use in the more active games. With the included controller straps, you can also be sure to keep them securely in your hand!
Set-up and Configuration
The package, when it arrives, feels very premium, and this translates into the unboxing experience. Everything is neatly stored away with simplistic elegance, and the entire experience of discovering what was included was not only easy but also enjoyable. I know raving about how well-boxed something is can be exceptionally geeky, but it was that good an experience it was worth pointing out.
Setting up the device for use is as equally painless. Turn the device on, connect to the internet and register a PICO account if you don’t already have one. You can then set your play area and begin browsing the store for your first buy or check out some of the numerous videos that really showcase the power of this exceptional device.
Battery Life / Charging
The PICO 4 will give you a good two to three hours of game/watch time before it needs to be charged. Thankfully, this is done via USB-C, so you have options. Firstly, you can use the 20w fast-charging plug that comes in the box and get back up and running in no time. Alternatively, you can simply use a USB-C cable that you link your PICO 4 to a PC and charge while playing.
Either option feels fine, and I never felt like the device ran out of juice too quickly. So far, in the time I’ve had the device, I haven’t needed to replace the controller batteries. Each controller takes two AA batteries, and the process of swapping them out is hassle-free.
Audio and Visuals
Of course, the main thing the PICO 4 needs to be good at is providing exceptional audio and visuals. Thankfully the PICO 4 delivers on this. Using the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor provides exceptional processing power with energy efficiency. This means demanding titles like Half-Life Alyx can run in exceptional resolutions on this headset. Combined with the RAM allowing for smoother visuals, the experience is the best I’ve tried. This is also assisted by the impressive resolution – 2160×2160 pixels per eye, giving better overall visuals than standard 4K. Finally, the field of view is set at 105 degrees which outshines the competition and the PICO 4 predecessor. The 90Hz refresh rate was also more than adequate to ensure smooth visuals in every game I tested. Tracking is achieved with five cameras located around the top, bottom, and centre of the headset.
While I didn’t have the space myself to test it, the PICO 4 also allows for an incredible 10m x 10m play space. This is perfect when paired with the fitness application of the PICO 4 giving far more room for active movement.
The integrated speakers for the PICO 4 aren’t bad, with a bit more bass and less distortion than perhaps you would expect. However, it isn’t fantastic, and you’ll want to connect a headset for the best experience. While I wish the PICO 4 had a headphone jack, it sadly doesn’t. What it does offer is a solid Bluetooth connection, and I found it easy to pair with every Bluetooth headset or earbuds I had lying around.
Games Selection on the PICO 4
As a standalone headset, the PICO 4 has its own app store. In the store, you can purchase a variety of games from developers in pretty much every genre you can think of. From exclusives like Just Dance to amazing third-party titles like Cities VR and Gun Club VR. As well as in the headset, you can also manage your games from the handy companion app.
In addition to the incredible store of games (over 200, with more being added all the time), you can also connect to SteamVR and access everything there as you would expect.
If heart-pounding horror games or fast-paced sports and action games don’t take your fancy, then the PICO 4 has an impressive fitness angle. With various apps offering exercises for everyone. Combined with the dedicated PICO Fitness app, this is a great tool for those of us wanting to get a bit fitter. The platform offers calorie counting, as well as performance tracking across all your gaming.
As if all of this wasn’t enough, you have an internet browser and access to video apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, making it more than a gaming device.
Testing PICO 4 Games and Experiences
For this initial review, I checked out a few games from a few different genres to put the hardware through its paces. Don’t worry, though; full reviews for these games and many more are coming soon.
Les Mills Body Combat
Take the tried-and-true video-based body combat class and transform it into an immersive VR experience that sees you performing body combat moves to music and accurate timings. Not only was this a fun rhythm game, but it felt like a pretty good workout, too, as body movement, taking advantage of the tracking, was necessary to dodge certain obstacles. The instruction was clear, and the added incentive of the leaderboard system spurred me on through sheer competitiveness. This is a great game, but more importantly, is a fantastic fitness experience to take advantage of the PICO 4’s fitness app.
End Space
Unfortunately, in End Space, I experienced most of the controller inaccuracies, which made the start of the game slow and a little frustrating, but as soon as the level loaded up and I was in the cockpit of the spaceship, this all changed. End Space is a first-person sci-fi shooter that sits you in the cockpit. It is astonishingly beautiful, fast-paced, and genuinely exciting. Blasting enemies, flying a spaceship, and generally being in space is the stuff of dreams, now real. PICO 4 really shone with this title, the impressive visuals and smooth tracking combined made it a joyful experience.
Similarly, booting up Star Wars Squadrons from SteamVR was equally as impressive on PICO 4. The SteamVR interface works well, and the controllers adapt accordingly.
Gun Club VR
Gun Club VR is the firearm simulator you never knew you wanted to play. With an impressive array of weaponry and modes (from basic shooting galleries to zombie attacks), experience guns like you never have before. In VR, this means you must reload by physically taking a clip, inserting it, and readying the weapon. The whole experience is incredibly satisfying and very realistic. On PICO 4, the game looks amazing, sounds amazing, and the motions of changing and preparing your weapon work flawlessly.
Video
Hopping onto YouTube quickly, I enjoyed a cinema-like experience of watching a trailer for Andor before checking out one of the PICO 4 video experiences. The one I selected was a rollercoaster and genuinely had a lot of fun spiraling around at speed!
Technical Specifications
Processor
Qualcomm XR2 8 Cores 64 Bit 2.84GHz 7nm process technology
Storage
8GB+128GB 8GB+256GB
Wireless Connections
Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.1
When you get your PICO 4, the box will contain the following:
The PICO 4 VR headset
2x PICO 4 Controllers with batteries
A 20w fast-charge power adapter and USB-C cable
Controller straps
Nose pad
Glasses spacer
Literature
PICO 4 Price and Availability
The PICO 4 is available now from various online retailers in the UK and costs £379.99 at the time of writing. This is competitive pricing, as the PICO 4 is cheaper than the Meta Quest 2.
My Final Thoughts on the PICO 4
The PICO 4 is an exceptional powerhouse in the world of VR headsets, and I would go as far as to say the best you can buy right now if you want value for money. Its smooth, high-quality display, exceptional comfort, and simplicity of use make it perfect for die-hard VR fans and newcomers.
So, if you want a gift for yourself or the gamer in your life, during the holiday season, or just because, you won’t regret the PICO 4.
For more information on the PICO 4, head to the official website.
The world is changing and so is the way you work. AI has been around for a while now, but it’s only recently that it has become accessible to businesses large and small. In this article, you’ll look at top tools that can help you incorporate the power of AI into your operations:
AIOps
An AIOps platform is an AI solution that uses deep learning algorithms to predict a company’s operational performance. It’s based on past data and can be used for various applications, such as predicting customer behavior or identifying trends in your business.
The AIOps platform analyzes large amounts of data from your business over time to identify patterns in those patterns and make predictions based on those patterns.
According to Micro Focus experts, “AIOps is the multi-layered application of big data analytics and machine learning to IT operations data.”
For example, suppose you’re trying to improve customer retention rates. In that case, an AIOps platform may analyze historical information about customers who have canceled their service with your company in order to identify what factors typically lead up to cancellations (for example number of hours per week that each customer uses).
Simatic S7-300
The Simatic S7-300 is an excellent example of an industrial automation tool that complements AI-powered solutions. It’s used in manufacturing environments to automate processes, enhance precision, and improve system reliability. By integrating AI tools like AIOps with the Simatic S7-300 system, businesses can significantly enhance operational efficiency, predict equipment failures, and optimize production lines in real time.
Alpine
Alpine is a tool that uses AI to help businesses make better decisions. The software can help you manage your business by providing insights into your data, and it can also help you make more informed decisions about your business.
As an example: Alpine could be used to determine the most profitable product mix for any given month of the year. This would consider not just what products sold well historically but also weather patterns, seasonality trends, and other factors that may affect how many units of each product were bought during different times of year (or even at different times within each day).
Digital Genius
Digital Genius is a tool that allows you to create chatbots for your website. Using Digital Genius, you can create chatbots for your business or product. Your customers and users will then be able to interact with these chatbots on your website via text messaging.
With Digital Genius, users will be able to ask questions and receive answers in real-time. This means that they’ll be able to ask questions like: “What is the address of this restaurant?” or “What hours are they open?”
Saffron Natural Intelligence Platform
Saffron is a natural language processing platform that can be used to analyze text, images, video and audio. It can also be used for business intelligence, customer service and sales/marketing automation. The tool allows you to automate workflows using chatbots.
With Saffron, you can use a drag-and-drop interface and integrate it with other platforms such as Gmail or Salesforce. The platform uses machine learning technology that gets better as it processes more data (it learns from its mistakes).
There are a lot of tools out there that can help you incorporate AI into your operations. So you just have to find the best one for your business, and then it will be easy to get started with the implementation process.
Becoming a hero is no easy feat. You’ll have to tackle mountains of monsters, explore deep and dangerous dungeons, and appease many people. However, for some individuals, this is their calling. These ungodly beings love fame, but they adore the gold and treasure a bit more. Consequently, only death will stop them from completing their goal. Accordingly, this is exactly what happens in the excellent and addictive Bravery and Greed.
Developed by Rekka Games and published by Team17, this is a rogue-lite dungeon crawler. What’s more, it has hack ‘n’ slash elements and some strong fantasy themes. As such, it’ll take you on a whacky adventure as you and 3 others tackle damp caverns and gargantuan beasts as you attempt to find fame and fortune.
Bravery and Greed tells a familiar tale.
Whenever a game runs with a familiar approach, it often lacks originality. Luckily, though, this isn’t the case in Bravery and Greed. Instead, the familiar story and characters were fantastic as the zany and fast-paced action took centre stage. You control either a paladin, mage, rogue, or warrior who is determined to seek out fortune and fame, no matter the risk. Subsequently, the adventurers explore a range of dangerous locations while pitting their strengths against some crazy foes. If you are successful, you’ll be awarded gold and trinkets, and your journey will continue. However, if you die, and you will, you’ll have to start again.
This classic rogue-lite mechanic will drive its audience insane. The brutal approach is uncomfortable and often unfair, but when you get it right, it is rewarding and fun. As such, Bravery and Greed is pretty tough to put down, once you get started. Sadly, I was only able to play this alone, and I can imagine the online shenanigans increases both the replay value and enjoyment level exponentially. The gameplay focuses on 4 unique modes. These comprise a PvP and PvE option, survival mode, and the main adventure element. No matter which you select, you’ll enjoy the same roster of characters and the key gameplay mechanics.
Team up and destroy everything in sight.
Exploration, magic, and Metroidvania.
A fantasy game would be nothing without monsters and magic. Fortunately, Bravery and Greed is overflowing with both. As you explore each dungeon, you’ll encounter forgotten tomes, shrines, vendors, and much, much more. These interactive objects allow you to enhance your stats, purchase potions and wands, and take a bit of a gamble. If you get lucky, your hero will become stronger, faster, or healthier. However, if the gamble doesn’t pay off, you’ll be poisoned or cursed, and death is all but certain.
This cruel approach may seem unfair, but I loved that it added another brutal twist to the excellent gameplay. After all, what’s life if there isn’t a little danger involved? Furthermore, if things pay off, the rewards certainly outweigh the risk. On top of this, you’ll find new trinkets and equipment that enhance your hero’s stats further still. Accordingly, the longer you survive, the stronger you become.
If the guarantee of death isn’t enough, the developers chucked in a hefty dose of Metroidvania to make matters worse. Consequently, you’ll run into dead ends, encounter unnecessary traps, and waste plenty of time. Yet, this cruel mechanic made the game much more enjoyable. I adored the lack of direction and the freedom to go wherever I wanted. The only restriction you face is the end-of-stage bosses. These horrendous beasts are tough but beatable. If you are fortunate enough to slay them, a new area will open and your adventure will continue.
Will the Grim Reaper be on your side?
Bravery and Greed looks incredible.
I adored the gameplay and the tough mechanics, but the aesthetics were equally good. The old-school pixelated approach and sombre colour palette work perfectly with the theme and the genre. What’s more, the side-scrolling and 2D viewpoint ensure that you can navigate the world with no problems. Alongside this, the basic animation and OTT spells looked incredible. Then, you must consider the variety of backdrops and the interesting stage design. Thanks to the Metroidvania mechanics, each level is claustrophobic, tough to explore, and filled with mystery. This is brilliant, as it makes a hard game just a bit more uncomfortable.
The visuals were beautifully complemented by the excellent audio. The repetitive soundtrack should have been tedious and annoying. However, the familiar music and unrelenting bass add to the drama. Moreover, the hard-hitting sound effects are crass and loud, and enhance the fantasy theme.
Keep on top of your progress with this handy guide.
Simple and effective controls.
A wonderful tutorial ensures the fundamentals are understood immediately. Yet, the controls are so simple that you could easily jump into the action with no assistance. Furthermore, the excellent layout and responsive inputs help whenever it is hectic. Alongside this, each of the heroes has primary and secondary attacks that must be mastered. The rogue has a sword and bow, the mage a wand and elemental power, and so on, and so forth. By using each character wisely, you’ll overcome the toughest of situations and survive for as long as possible.
Thanks to the rogue-lite elements, Metroidvania stage design, and 4 game modes, there is plenty to see and do. However, that isn’t the end of the story. No, at the beginning of each run, you can use special cards to add skills, gold, and other buffs. Yet, each card has a downside that can make or break you. Whether it is a reduction in speed, a shared life bar, the introduction of Death, or more, it enhances the difficulty and keeps you on your toes.
Bravery and Greed is a brilliant addition to the genre.
The rogue-lite genre is saturated. As such, it can be tough to find a worthy title amongst the rubbish. Fortunately, Bravery and Greed is an excellent addition to the genre. With its amazing theme, fun characters, and tough mechanics, this will get under your skin and will keep you playing for hours. As such, I can easily recommend that you buy it here! Will you survive long enough to become rich and famous? Pick your hero, choose your perks, and hope that luck is on your side.
