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Review: The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story

Daniel Waite

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Apr 28, 2022

Review: The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story

Pain and suffering will break the most positive of people. However, what’s worse is when there is no escape! The people who are supposed to love you prolong this torturous experience and there is nothing you can do. This is the disturbing plot of The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story, a dark and sorrowful adventure.

Developed by Adam Sklar and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a horror puzzle title. It is creepy, enriched with lore, and will make you shudder. Furthermore, it has multiple endings, secrets to discover, and mysterious puzzles to solve. Sadly, though, it is a short game that has no save function. Consequently, you must be willing to play it in one sitting or risk losing your progress.

The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story is creepy and uncomfortable.

When a story focuses on misery and illness, it’s understandably tough to swallow. However, The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story ups the ante because of its characters and touching plot. Subsequently, it is uncomfortable to play and will send shivers down your spine. On top of this, the inclusion of jump scares and standard horror mechanics makes it worse, still. It plays to an array of familiar clichés, but at no point did it feel tired or well-trodden.

You are Wyatt Heyll, a young man stricken with multiple ailments from an early age. To try to help him, his parents injected him with the titular Sorrowvirus! This obnoxious remedy prevents the user from dying. Instead, they enter a state known as purgatory where they can heal and return to life. This sounds wonderful for Wyatt’s parents, but the hero simply wants this torture to end. He doesn’t want to be ill anymore, and he wants to be free from the surrounding pain. Your aim is to grant Wyatt his final wish and to help him escape the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth.

Running away is always a go-to option. — I suggest you run away.

Simple but effective.

Though much of the action is “old-hat”, I enjoyed its simple approach. Every element of The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story complements the other to create a seamless and bizarre experience. You’ll wander through claustrophobic halls while searching for clues and solving problems. While this happens, basic horror elements play out! You’ll hear creatures scurrying, horrible laughter, and eerie footsteps. In short, purgatory is creepy as hell.

The aforementioned short game time isn’t an issue as the action spans 4 unique playthroughs. During each chapter, you’ll see the world from a different perspective while having new puzzles to solve. Alongside this, you’ll discover memos, notebooks and journals that uncover the lore and truth of this cruel story. Consequently, if you like a slow but information-rich tale, then this ticks many boxes.

There are many puzzles to solve. — Which will you light first?

The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story is a little dated.

Graphics don’t make the game, and this is fortunate as The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story is a little dated. There are moments where the textures or characters are rough and aren’t polished. Now, this doesn’t impact the gameplay it simply taints the end product, slightly. However, this aside, the variety in each chapter is admirable, and it prevents the gameplay from becoming stale.

What I appreciated was the excellent and well-conceived audio. Listening to the emotive soundtrack blended with silence and bizarre sound effects was magical. The developers have done a fantastic job of creating this creepy and sorrowful world.

Time is an important concept in Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story. — Use time to your advantage.

The excellent UI makes it easy to play.

Excellent controls and a simple UI are key when a game is shocking and surreal. The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story could have been horrific to play. However, the brilliant UI and well-structured controls make it easy to understand. What’s more, the buttons are responsive, and this helps in the more unusual and less obvious situations.

The short playtime does affect its longevity, but it’s still thoroughly enjoyable, nonetheless. Scouring each location for clues was rewarding, as was solving each puzzle. Sadly, though, both the replay value and longevity are limited, but don’t let this put you off.

The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story is wonderfully weird.

This type of game usually makes me sigh. Many of the ideas have been done to death, and the action is tiresome. Yet, The Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story is different. Its combination of jump scares, puzzles, and lore is refreshing and interesting. Furthermore, the characters are endearing and the setting is unique and captivating. Yes, it could look better, but this isn’t a game-breaker. I loved its creepiness and I recommend you to buy it here! Will your suffering finally end? A cure or death is surely just around the corner?

Review: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Kara Phillips

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Apr 28, 2022

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13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a RPG, almost visual novel-esque title from Vanillaware. Published by Atlus, a company renowned for their expertise in RPG titles, you’d expect 13 Sentinels to be of the same caliber. To which it definitely is. Anyone searching for an engaging and heavily story based experience with dabbles of RTS will want to check this one out.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.

A mosaic of motives

The game explores the story of 13 protagonists. All of which are fighting an alien threat with the aid of advanced mech suits. So as you can probably imagine, 13 storylines are presented to the player to follow. Initially it is incredibly difficult to get to grips with what is happening. Who is who, and where this all feeds into itself. But after spending a good handful of hours with 13 Sentinels things begin to come together and make a lot of sense. The way players can approach these different storylines is completely different to an experience someone else may have. In a way, it makes what feels like an entirely unique experience to play through the game. There isn’t any right or wrong option, though there are consequences to your actions.

Each character you follow is pursuing the main conflict for a different purpose which is explained during their chapters. In turn, they all have their own actions and distinct style to combat which comes into play during the RTS element to the title. Piecing together the storyline of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is definitely not linear. Rather than beginning with one character and slowly introducing yourself to the 12 other protagonists, the whole thing unfolds similar to a George R.R. Martin novel. The player needs to slot together the pieces of the whole jigsaw before things really start to make sense, which is what makes this title so unique. The only downside is how long it takes to really get to grips with what is going on.

A space to think

Rather than following point after point of the same character, there’s a lot of room open for interpretation and speculation. Which is the main point I absolutely adored about this game. There is so much to keep you on your toes and there is so much to take into consideration. And when you think you’re finished, you can play again. You might not necessarily receive the same gameplay as the first time. This style of narrative can be extremely detrimental to gameplay if it isn’t done well. There isn’t much room for alright with a narrative so multiversal. Vanillaware makes it approachable and despite its initial confusion, very easy to understand when the ball gets rolling.

The main menu allows players to access an archive of information for each character. So should you be invested in one protagonist and forget the motives of another, you can easily go back and recap. I loved this feature. Mostly because my brain is like a sieve when it comes to remembering more than three things maximum. Having an archive of everything I need to know in a place that’s easily accessible definitely made my time with this game more enjoyable.

Aside from a story

Although the majority of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is dialogue based, encouraging a firm engagement with the story rather than any technical gameplay, there are several different elements throughout which give it more of a video game feel. When ‘suiting up’ and finally diving into the advanced mech technology, the game takes on a downward perspective on the cityscape and a real time strategy approach to combat.

During these sequences, you play as several suited protagonists and engage in a ‘stop and go’ combat. You take turns as each character planning out moves and utilizing different strengths to fend off the alien threat. Each mech suit has a cool down period. Allowing you the time to really think about how you’re going to play your next move. You use EP, which is sort of like mana, so you do have to think about your plays rather than rinsing the most powerful move.

There’s also space to upgrade your defensive and offensive strategy by gaining meta chips once a battle has been won. As the game progresses, obviously you’re likely to gain more of these and unlock more powerful upgrades. It also gives you something to aim for when engaging in battle. Rather than just doing it to pass the time until the next chapter comes along.

The aegis aesthetic

The appearance of this game deserves a special shout out too. Even though there isn’t much depth to how locations look in terms of perspective, every location is riddled with details. It is a stunning game to sit and admire, taking on a hand-drawn, watercolor style to it. The thirteen protagonists are easy to recognise without radiating a prominent ‘main character’ style. So they fit into the scenarios and locations they are in. The mech suits are towering without seeming out of place, and everything is neatly pulled together. It’s clear that the style of this game has been carefully thought out and executed to perfection. If the story doesn’t keep you coming back, the art style more than likely will.

Final Thoughts

As a whole, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an incredibly engaging game. It is equal parts entertaining and compelling whilst remaining fun and light. It’s super easy to pick up and pass the time, and is something that I constantly find myself thinking about. The story is thick enough to really sink your teeth into. There’s enough depth to keep you coming back to it time and time again. If you’re a fan of previously published titles from Atlus and Vanillaware, then I cannot recommend this enough.

Review: Tunche

Alex Chessun

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Apr 28, 2022

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Side-scrolling beat-em-up’s have a simplicity to them, a core concept so central to their identity and success that when it doesn’t land as you might expect it to, it can render an otherwise decent game dull and joyless. Tunche, unfortunately, is one such game as it knows exactly how to entertain, but strips out the fun and hides it behind grinding and upgrades, giving you RSI and a terrible first impression in the process.

A looker if ever you’ve seen one, Tunche’s hand-drawn animation entices with an almost Disney-like artisan approach, its detailed animation giving you hope for what’s to come, only for the aesthetics and design to fall flat, with its levels basic and a soundtrack that begs to be ignored. This then contributes to the game’s mediocre start as you are forced into earning currency to purchase moves and attack/health upgrades – to make the action even remotely fun – in sections of a level and with identical enemies that repeat over and over.

These rogue-lite elements grind my goat as crowds of very similar enemies can only be defeated one way efficiently – unless you want your hands to fall off. Attacking enemies from behind inflicts critical damage so you aim to shepherd them into a crowd, dash behind them and then launch into repeating combos until they fall backward, dash behind them again and rinse and repeat. Levels of increasing difficulty and the occasional boss do little to stem the tide of tedium, in fact, the former does the opposite in crowding yet more enemies on the screen, which makes me think that unless this is played co-op, there’s actually not much reason to jump-in to the rather tepid water.

Long combos are button-mashing affairs. A 76-hit combo only resulting in only a B-grade makes my wrists cry.

Each of the 5 upgradeable characters has its own physical and magic attacks, but other than a special move, critical attacks are the only real way forward, limiting the experience and how much fun you can have with it.

In a way, this reminds me a little of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles compilation that is due to be released shortly, in that you progress through (arcade) beat ’em up levels with similar enemies and repetitive attacks, but there are so many little details in the TMNT games that make such a big difference overall. In TMNT: Turtles in Time for example, there is level and enemy interaction as swinging an enemy side to side can hit objects or other enemies.

None of the enemies and their attacks affect each other in Tunche, even the suicidal animals that explode when they get close to you don’t affect the other enemies. TMNT also has great level variety with a different audio track for each, which would imbue each level with a personality of its own to the point where you could recognize them based on audio alone. Tunche has no such variety, and other than the bosses, I could never quite be sure how far I had progressed as every section is essentially the same.

The evil-looking Stitch amusingly makes reference to seeing you again as each playthrough has you starting from the beginning.

The upgrade system is also quite convoluted with its numerous currencies and types of abilities. Upgrades come in the form of two types – permanent and temporary, but the benefits of the two are dramatically different. Permanent ones are of huge help and can actually make the game somewhat enjoyable, but temporary ones are almost pointless as you can plow currency into them only to never actually receive them through the random spawns at the end of each area.

You also accrue a currency from the very beginning that has no explanation as to what it’s for until the end of the first stage, which is about as useful as the game’s talking Llama.

Not only is there no guarantee that you’ll ever see the benefit of the temporary upgrade, but for some reason, you are often required to achieve an A grade in the upcoming level for it even to kick in. This is much easier said than done, and to me is slightly counterintuitive as if you have already grinded enough to defeat the level that easily, you don’t exactly need more help.

These are two ‘portals’ if you like, offering to two different options for the upcoming section. I believe they relate to your reward, but even at this point I’m not even sure.

Other than the restrictive upgrades, there’s also an issue with long loading times, providing you with a surprisingly long wait from the base camp, but funnily enough what would normally be a cause for concern in any other game, in this case actually gives your hands a break from cramp-inducing dash-hit-dash-hit gameplay, and I actually consider it somewhat of a benefit.

Thankfully single-player is not the only way to play the game though as up to 4-player co-op is really where the game allows itself to shine, the aesthetically pleasing animation compounding its benefits as the screen fills with action. Sadly, this is just local co-op however and there are no online capabilities.

Tunche is a beat ’em up that goes in a little too strong on its rogue-lite elements, unnecessarily forcing standard features behind a grind of unlockables and making the action overly repetitive. With its formula relying so heavily on upgrades, instead of more enjoyable arcade action, it takes too long for the stunted gameplay to reveal its potential – unless you have someone else to play with.

Review: The Serpent Rogue

Daniel Waite

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Apr 27, 2022

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In a world filled with despair and destruction, it is easy to feel powerless. You are but one small being against mother nature and evil, so how can you compete? Worry not, as life is weird and wonderful and occasionally helps in mysterious ways. This is exactly what happens in The Serpent Rogue, a game about one being’s fight to save humanity.

Developed by Sengi Games and published by Team17, this is a dark action-adventure title. It uses a simple but eye-catching aesthetic, crafting mechanics, and clumsy combat. All these elements combine to deliver a challenging but enjoyable exploration game. Its approach and melancholy atmosphere reminded me of Don’t Starve. However, progress in The Serpent Rogue is slower and more experimental. Consequently, the lack of hand-holding and slow action will frustrate many.

The Serpent Rogue: a story of survival against the odds.

The world is being destroyed by a shadowy entity known as Morbus. This corrupted power mutates everything it touches. Animals die and then rise again, and plants and trees become twisted and dangerous. What’s more, a deadly storm hunts you at every turn. Subsequently, you must move quickly, plan on your feet, and use potions to your advantage. Combat is, of course, a choice, but it shouldn’t be your go-to option. Strangely, this action-adventure title wants you to craft your way to victory, and that takes a bit of getting used to.

You control a strange figure known only as the Warden. This masked individual is an expert in alchemy and must concoct potions to save the day. Furthermore, he is expected to experiment, scavenge for resources, and help the hapless surrounding humans. This combination of mechanics and loose story creates an unusual but enthralling survival game. Yes, its meandering pace will deter some, but I enjoyed its difficulty while exploring the corrupted lands.

The Serpent Rogue has an easy to navigate world map. — Where will you go?

Hard to get started.

I always struggle when games fail to hold my hand. Subsequently, The Serpent Rogue was difficult to get into. Sadly, a lack of tutorial enforces trial and error and death is all but guaranteed. However, this brutality makes it moreish and oddly addictive. You’ll craft goods, potions, and food as you explore your dank surroundings. You are also forced to research ingredients, tame wild creatures, and hire people to assist you. What’s more, your foes have strengths and weaknesses that must be exploited to be victorious. In short, multiple calculations must be made if you wish to succeed.

Now, you may worry that this is too vague. Yet, I adored its obsession with death and its morbid atmosphere. Furthermore, the gameplay is rewarding when you discover recipes, solve problems, and finally progress. It’s a game that will attract a hardcore following and is tough to put down once you understand its fundamentals. Yes, death is always tough to swallow, but it’s not the end of the world. If you die, and you will, your kit remains where you fell. However, if you die without collecting it, it will be lost forevermore. This mechanic adds a further layer of difficulty to a game that is already challenging enough.

As you can probably tell, The Serpent Rogue isn’t for the faint of heart! It’s tough, unfair, and will drive you barmy. Yet, it’s this horrendous nature that makes it so enjoyable! You’ll scour the deadly landscapes and find secret passages, all while scratching around for solutions. Now, I understand this won’t be for everyone, but I cherished its horrific nature.

The docks are essential when expanding your following. — Who will you find at the docks?

The bad points!

I’m a fan of degrading equipment, survival stats, and challenging gameplay. However, when you blend this with a lack of direction and clumsy combat, it’s pretty frustrating. The hero is uncharacteristically slow and has the agility of a tanker. Consequently, avoiding enemy blows is nigh on impossible. This impacts your ability to survive and causes unnecessary deaths.

Alongside this, every tool degrades in record time. Now, I know the game focuses on potions and buffs, but this was ridiculous. Melee weapons are pointless and as much use as a chocolate teapot. I believe the developers got this balance wrong, especially for the early action. Sadly, this imbalance will put many off enjoying the rewarding and enjoyable later story.

The Serpent Rogue is simple but striking.

In a world of death and destruction, there is an understandably sombre appearance. The Serpent Rogue capitalises on its melancholy nature with an array of darker tones and vivid reds. Furthermore, it has clean lines, a cartoon appearance, and many sinister characters. It enhances its simple style thanks to its basic UI and well-defined areas. The visuals won’t wow you, and there is no new ground broken. However, it was pleasant to look at morbidly.

This approach is continued with the heavy audio. There is a blend of calm songs and fast-paced dramatic music that makes the game uncomfortable to experience. The sense of urgency is clear whenever there is danger, and this puts you on edge throughout. What’s more, the sound effects are brutal and you’ll wince as blows are struck.

Have as many followers as you wish. — A bit greedy with the followers.

Slow but easy-to-understand controls.

Had the hero been quicker and more agile, The Serpent Rogue would have been much better. No matter how many potions you brew or equipment you make, you’ll scream at the cumbersome gameplay. It was a shame as the UI makes it an easy-to-understand game. Consequently, you’ll master the fundamentals quickly, and this makes it somewhat worse. The Warden’s slow movement is annoying and undermines much of the action. You’ll know what you want to do, but you won’t be able to avoid your foes or death.

If you put the poor movement to one side, you experience a game full of replay value and longevity. Thanks to its monstrous achievement list, massive amounts of craftable items, and a big world to explore, you’ll play this for hours. Yes, it takes some time to get into it, but if you can overcome this, you’ll love the challenge you’ll face.

The Serpent Rogue is challenging but rewarding.

If you adore a challenging game that doesn’t hold your hands, then love The Serpent Rogue. Its brutality won’t be for everyone, but I adored its rewarding gameplay, simple aesthetics, and addictive ways. The movement and combat let it down, but don’t let this prevent you from experiencing this gem of a title. Subsequently, I recommend you buy it here! Can you prevent the corrupted entity from taking over the world? Learn new recipes, craft items, and destroy every creature you face.

Review: Bus Driver Simulator Countryside

Natosha M

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Apr 27, 2022

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Review: Bus Driver Simulator Countryside

Have you ever wanted to not just ride inside a bus, but be the bus driver? In my own experience, I had in the past, I did think about driving a bus. Yet, I can’t get over the terrifying fear to drive a large bus with so many lives in my hand, all counting on me to safely bring them to their destinations. So I’m grateful there is a way to pretend to be a bus driver without all that pressure or fear, thanks to Bus Driver Simulator Countryside.

This game is an excellent way to be a great driver by using the tutorial stage to practice how to operate a bus correctly. Plus playing the game constantly, you only just get better at driving and doing the jobs being required to succeed. The buttons also are a piece of cake to work with, making it easy to control the bus. I honestly feel this game to be one of the easiest simulation-style driving games to play, without much time needed to learn how to work each function. Just makes it perfect for everyone.

Additionally, there are so many buses to choose from, which can be customized as you desire and many of the bus styles are related to the scenario; job, and locations you are stationed at. There is one valid observation about these buses, they all provide plenty of space for each passenger that enters or objects being delivered from one location to another. Even if some are a bit smaller in appearance from the outside, they all still can pack in plenty of people at one time. Plus if you use the camera and set it at a birdseye view, you can see all the beautiful sceneries at each visiting location you’ll travel through. That also includes daytime, nighttime, or just a change in the weather. Therefore, it might not be as scary to be a bus driver and possibly a bit more enjoyable, especially if it’s by playing this game!

Graphics 🚌

The visual appearance of each bus and the locations you’ll be traveling to and through are nicely designed. Yet, I feel it’s not as smooth when it comes to the digital appearance. It sort of gives me a pixelated or blurred impression. The grounds are barely raised and very similar to a flat surface with a slight texture, but more of just a color to match the weather or location it is trying to represent. I almost feel if it’s like a Playstation One game, how the graphics aren’t so crystal clear or very realistic, just a pretend to take on the real thing.

It’s not bad, in some way it reminds me of the first-ever game, The Sims I’ve played on the PS1 console. The people even appear just the same as in that game. They don’t appear to have that much difference from one another, many are the same person in the scene. So the game doesn’t really provide a large number of original passengers to be seen, just plenty of duplicates. This also goes for the buildings and objects in the game.

On a positive note, I do find that the driving portion and functions of the bus seem to move smoothly. Some of these really make for the bus to be a bit more realistic, like the lights turning on and off, the steering wheel moving when driving and the tires rotating when in motion, and the bus’s doors opening and closing as a real bus would. The bus isn’t the only thing that appears a bit more realistic. Even the passengers move like real people. However, if you get to see them on the bus, they may appear realistic. So great job on the graphics, but they also tend to collide with each other looking like a combined mess.

I do wish that there was more one can do with the customizing when it comes to the bus’s design. Adding color is fine, but it would be great to have a choice to give the buses a more edgy appearance or another few add-ons just for fun. The last issue is that the people, bus, and many objects could seem to vanish or go through other objects.

Sound 🚌

The music is soothing, like a bit of jazz and some extra upbeat tunes that can be played during the game. This is in the form of a radio, so it can be turned on or off. So it’s suitable and fits the travel feel of a bus ride, the music. I do find the sound effects to be perfect when it comes to the actions performed with the bus. Some include the sounds of each bus’s doors opening, the brakes, the windshield wipers, the lights, the bus’s engine starting, and a few more. Plus, I must comment on how nice the sound effects of the different weather changes are making it even more realistic.

I think, for the most part, the sounds in the game are perfect, except the music could be better. I just don’t like the be unable to hear what is going on in the game when the music is playing. Especially, during the tutorial stage when you want to know what actions you are doing is really taking effect. Then again changing the volume is a good thing to have! Even if they added the ability to choose a few different music stations by making it fit any player’s preference, that’s just me dreaming of what would be a nice addition.

Final Thoughts 🚌

I think being a bus driver would be interesting. I might not really want to be one in real life, but if ever being curious, this game provides that ability to drive so many buses and see if I have what it takes to get everyone safely to their destination. Furthermore, the entire driving around corners or just keeping the right speed seems very easy to do. I love that feature with the game, even more, that it changes how the bus drives when on different roads, like on dirt or when snow is on the ground.

The entire game is quite fun with plenty of tasks to accomplish, and many locations to visit! Plus, being able to make one’s own routes and the freedom to roam a little is quite nice. I feel the only two problems are that I wish some parts could be a bit clearer and more realistic, with some more customizing choices. Also, driving up hills or sloped locations can be very horrible. When you have no speed it is like slowly crawling to get to the leveled road to be able to move with speed again. Otherwise, the game isn’t too bad. Especially, if you loved the classic PS1 style graphics and don’t mind a limited amount of originality to the background visuals, the appearance of passengers, and the bus or objects around.

So if you are ready to be the bus driver, then it’s time to adjust those side mirrors, get the engine revved up, and start driving to the first bus stop. You don’t want to let the passengers down, they all have places to be and are counting on you to take them there.

Review: Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit

Andrew Edney

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Apr 27, 2022

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Review: Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit

Here is our review of the Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit.

The world’s favourite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Bring your movie hero in your living room with the Sonic Limited Edition Starter Kit.

With the Limited Edition, create your favourite character from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie. And if at one moment you change your mind, just change the shape and go with another hero!

Sonic is full of surprises and the Nanoleaf Shapes too with over 16 million colours! Change the mood and colours of your Limited Edition to a Sonic blue, a Tails yellow or a Knuckles red. Also find the new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 playlist in the app or download the guide for the perfect Sonic, Tails or Knuckles design.

You want to refresh your mind on the first Sonic movie before going to the cinema to see Sonic the Hedgehog 2? Connect your PC to the TV screen, syncup your Nanoleaf Shapes installation over the Nanoleaf Desktop App and press play.

Your Nanoleaf Shapes panels react as quickly to music in real time as Sonic speeds up to save the world from Knuckles and evil Robotnik. Put on the perfect playlist to keep pumped up like Sonic and see how the colours change at Sonic speed.

What’s in the Box?

The box contains 32 light panels, a power supply, linkers, a controller and mounting stickers along with simple instructions.

A Closer Look

Setting It Up

Once you have decided on your overall shape, in this case Sonic himself, you put the panels other using the linkers and place the mounting stickers on the back so that the panels fit to the wall. The image below shows what it looks like on the back when connected, although you would place each panel piece on the wall individually.

You then use the Nanoleaf app to add the creation and control everything from there.

And then your creation is complete!

Final Thoughts

Being a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, and having a trusty almost 6 year old assistant who loves Sonic, this was going to be a fun review.

Each of the limited edition boxes comes with everything you need to either make Sonic, Tails or Knuckles. There are 32 panels which are all used no matter who you pick.

Everything in the box is very neatly laid out and is protected so that the panels aren’t damaged in transit.

We took all the panels out and neatly laid them out ready to put them together. The decision was made to have Sonic (was there ever really another choice)?

This is where things weren’t as easy as we had hoped. There are no instructions in the box for making either Sonic, Tails or Knuckles. There is a very basic and generic getting started guide which wasn’t any real use in this instance (would have been fine if we were making our own patterns though). So we checked the app thinking there might be something there to follow – nope! In the end we managed to find a simple guide online (one page per character) that showed the back of the finished character and displayed the hash codes for the colours. Given its a limited edition set it wouldn’t have been difficult to have included those instructions in the box.

Following those instructions was simple and we put it all together before fixing it to the wall. We then took it all apart again to fit on the wall properly.

Whilst Nanoloaf say you can take the panels down and rearrange them easily, that is true, however you will need another complete set of mounting stickers (in this case 32 of them) which you would have to buy in order to put them up again, so it’s not very likely that you will be doing that very often. In fact, once the panels were secured to the wall, we decided to leave them there! They are big as well, Sonic is 60cm x 62cm, plus the power cable attached.

The other thing that would have been nice to include in the box would be some clips for the power cable. Without clips it just hangs there, it’s easy to sort but it would have been nice.

Everything is controlled via the Nanoleaf app, although there is a simple control panel that you can use, however depending on where you put the finished character it might not be reachable.

Once your creation is attached to the wall and you have added it to the app you can sit back and enjoy it. You can have it set on a static image (like Sonic), or you can choose from different options in the app, including either creating your own or downloading ones that either Nanoleaf or other owners have created. These including touch games which can be quite fun to play.

All in all the Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit is a really great piece of kit. It’s fun to build and play with, especially if you are a fan of Sonic, and don’t let the couple of little niggles I mention in the review put you off, its going to give hours and hours of fun to come.

The Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit is available now priced at £299.99.

You can learn more from the Nanoleaf website here.

Review: SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera

Daniel Waite

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Apr 26, 2022

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Your house is your castle, and everything within it is precious to you. Subsequently, you will want to protect your home from unwanted visitors. This is where security cameras are a must! They help to prevent crime, capture any dishonest acts as evidence and reassure homeowners. However, people worry that they are complex to use, overpriced, and unreliable. Well, worry no more as SwitchBot has released the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. This low cost, but high-quality product is a must-buy for anyone looking to improve their personal security.

User-friendly and straightforward tech is at the core of SwitchBot’s mantra. Therefore, unsurprisingly, the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera is simple to use, easy to install, and a cinch to manage. In short, it’s a great security tool to have whether you are tech-savvy or a complete technophobe. With many competitors to beat, this camera has to excel in many areas to stand out from its peers. In my experience, this is an exceptional device that offers high-quality imagery, excellent audio, a robust design, and a simple but effective free to use app. Subsequently, it stands head and shoulders above its competitors.

Key an eye on your pets when you are away from home. — Should you be on the bed?

What’s in the box of the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera?

The outer packaging is slim, lightweight, and flimsy. It’s emblazoned with the company logo and highlights the key features. The majority of the packaging is recyclable except for one small plastic bag.
The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. This small but imposing device is off white, has a smooth plastic exterior, and has many moving parts. It weighs around 200g and is approximately 4 inches tall. The camera has a rotational base and a movable lens. These are key to improving the range of visibility and help ensure privacy when needed.
USB power cable and adapter. The camera must be powered at all times and this long cable ensures that isn’t a problem.
Mounting kit. The easy to install mounting kit is simple to understand and great for your average DIY enthusiast. What’s more, a helpful sticker ensures no mistake will be made when mounting your camera.
Instruction manual. A straightforward and direct manual that explains the fundamentals.

Technical elements.

Model	W1801200
Product dimension	78 * 78 * 107 mm
Weight	200g
Colour	White
Material	PC+ABS
Compatibility	iOS 11.0+, Android 5.0+
Working environment	Indoor
Image resolution	1080p
Camera angle	360 degree horizontal, 115 degrees vertical
Way of control	SwitchBot App
Sensor	Image sensor
Night vision	850mm LED infrared night vision
Light	Red and green indicator light
Audio	Built-in microphone and speaker
Storage	Supports up to 128GB micro SD FAT32 format
Working temperature	-15 C to 45 C
Relative humidity	10% to 95% RH

We’ve all seen grainy and unrecognisable recordings from cheap and dated systems. Luckily, you won’t have that problem with the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. With a 360 degree horizontal and 115 degrees of vertical movement, you get an excellent field of view. Clarity is improved further still, thanks to its high-resolution lens. With a 2 million pixels f20 aperture lens, it delivers a crisp picture. The videos are recorded in 1080p with night vision included. This makes the camera super versatile for day and night use. Alongside this, the 8 infrared LEDs ensure you get excellent dusk to nighttime recordings as well.

Alongside this is motion detection recording and warnings. This helpful tool ensures that any environmental changes are captured immediately. Consequently, you can rest assured that the camera is keeping a watchful eye on your belongings. Any warnings are highlighted in the app and a live stream can be viewed to alleviate any concerns of wrongdoings. In conjunction with this, there is 2-way audio that enables you to listen to your camera and interact with anyone or anything in the area.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera has a handy Micro SD slot. — A handy Micro SD slot for up to 128GB of storage.

Could it be a pet or child monitor?

If you have furry friends or little people in your life, the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera should pique your interests. Thanks to the aforementioned motion detection Night vision, and 2-way audio, this could be an excellent pet or child monitor.

I’m sure you’ve wondered what your dog does while you are out. Or perhaps you have concerns they are anxious or scared without you. Well, how about keeping an eye on them with the ability to reassure them included? This is a reality with the live stream option via Wi-Fi. Having tested this on my “intelligent” border collie, I was able to observe him while scolding him for chewing a shoe. Subsequently, I think the camera did a great job of keeping me in the loop.

However, maybe you don’t have a dog, but little dependants instead? The camera could be a great transition between traditional baby monitors and no visibility at all. Just like with the pet issue, you can reassure youngsters from another room without having to climb stairs or leave the comfort of your bed.

Privacy is key!

In a world that is rightly obsessed with privacy, this camera has that covered as well. Included in the price is a privacy setting that places the camera to sleep. This was an excellent and reassuring decision from the manufacturers. There is nothing worse than thinking big brother is watching and sadly, CCTV doesn’t help the situation. However, I never felt like that with this device, as I could hide away the lens whenever I didn’t want it to watch.

As well as the privacy setting, there is the ability to record all footage on a MicroSD memory card. You can use up to 128 GBs of storage that can be controlled through the SwitchBot app. Luckily, it was straightforward to set up and easy to manage from your phone.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera has a fantastic two-way audio system. — Talk to them while you are away from home.

It has one drawback.

The necessity to use mains electricity was disappointing. I hoped that SwitchBot would have included a backup battery as this would have made it more versatile. Though this is a comparative issue with its competitors, I expected more. I wanted there to be a fallback if the power failed, but this wasn’t to be. It is a minor thing that taints an otherwise excellent product.

Is the Switchbot Pan/Tilt camera worth it?

Priced at under £30, you get an awful lot for your money. What’s more, it’s one of the easiest to set up and use devices on the market. Alongside this, it has a multi-faceted use and your privacy is its primary concern. My only complaint is the lack of a backup battery, but that is particularly picky on my behalf. If you are looking for a user-friendly camera that’s jam-packed with features, then buy it here! The Switchbot Pan/Tilt camera is now available to buy from Amazon as well.

Summary.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera is an excellent and affordable multi-use device. It can be used to monitor pets, children, or the security of your home. Thanks to its wonderful field of view and high-resolution lens, you experience crisp and detailed videos and images. Its setup and use are simplicity personified, and it’s an excellent camera for everyone, including security-conscious technophobes.

_{(More information on SwitchBot products can be found here!)}

Review: ROCCAT Burst Pro Air

Reviews
Tech

Daniel Waite

-

Apr 25, 2022

0

Gaming accessories are two a penny these days. However, high-end products are not so easy to come by. Consequently, getting the right gaming peripheral is easier said than done and mistakes are easily made. There are a few market-leading brands that stand out. ROCCAT, Razer, and Corsair are among the best I’ve tried, but they have a price point to match. The costly outlay may put off some gamers, but I recommend investing if you want the best experience. I’ve recently covered the ROCCAT Kone XP mouse, and I adored everything about it. Therefore, when the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air landed on my desk, I was excited to see what was on offer.

This wireless accessory is versatile, bright, stylish, and responsive. It has the build quality you come to expect from the ROCCAT range and looks gloriously vivid with its multi RGB lighting segments. Furthermore, it is lightweight, has a responsive nature, and comes loaded with the latest ROCCAT technology. What’s more, it has the normal mappable buttons, a DPI adjuster, a meaty but comfortable wheel, and it feels wonderful in your hand. So, let’s see what’s in the box before I discuss the technical aspects and my thoughts on it.

Both the white and black mice side by side. — Which will you choose?

What’s in the box of the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air?

Advertising and packaging are big business, and ROCCAT knows it. Subsequently, their design is striking, simple, and clean-cut. The mouse is delivered in a light, but strong cardboard box that is emblazoned with key selling points and the company logo. Inside, I was disappointed to see the mouse housed in a clear plastic container. Yes, I like that the accessory was protected, but in an environmental savvy world, plastic is not necessary.
ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse. A sturdy peripheral that can be purchased in black or white. It has a sleek outer casing that overlays an RGB honeycomb interior.
1.8m Phantom Flex USB-C Charging cable. This handy braided cable allows you to quick charge the mouse, or play wired if you so wish. It’s well built and has ample length for most “normal” gaming setups.
Wireless dongle. A small USB dongle that can be stored inside the mouse’s body to keep it safe.
A quick start guide. This helpful document matter-of-factly explains the fundamentals.

Clean and easy to read packaging. — Simple and clean packaging.

The Blue RGB setting. — Simple and clean packaging.

Technical aspects.

If you are going to invest heavily in a mouse for the best experience, you want it to be top-notch. Luckily, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse is jam-packed with market-leading technology. What’s more, its buttons feel weighty and robust, the central wheel has a comfortable and noticeable movement, and mapping the IE forward and backwards buttons is a simple task. Furthermore, there is a handy profile select button, DPI adjuster, and it moves smoothly thanks to the heat-treated PTFE gliders.

Buttery-smooth movement is only as good as the sensor that is provided. Luckily, the exclusive Owl-Eye optical sensor has a 19k resolution with a 400 IPS tracking speed. In short, it’s rapid as hell and picks up every minor movement you make. Subsequently, this is excellent for fast-paced gaming where accuracy is a must. Alongside this, the useful DPI button allows you to alter the twitch speed of the accessory on the fly. This is great if you are jumping between classes as it keeps you one step ahead of the competition.

Unlike mechanical alternatives, the Titan Optical Switches allow for an instantaneous response. The light actuated input is unbelievably quick, responsive, and is guaranteed for a whopping 100 million clicks. Accordingly, that’s an awful lot of gaming to be had from one super fast peripheral.

The RGB is set in 4 honeycomb sections. — The RGB segments are vivid and striking.

Wireless, Bluetooth, or wired?

Choosing whether to go wired or wireless is a tedious question. There are pros and cons to both, but luckily, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air has it all. It utilises both a 2.4 GHz wireless connection and a 5.2 Bluetooth alternative. When using either connection, I noticed no latency issues or connectivity problems. Furthermore, selecting either mode was easy thanks to the switch on the underside of the mouse. If you opt for the wireless option, the accessory has a massive 100-hour battery life. Moreover, as little as 10 minutes of fast-charging will offer up to 5 hours of gaming.

If you are old-school, the handy 1.8m Phantom Flex USB-C charging cable makes it wired. Though this wasn’t my go-to option, it was a handy workaround if you are out of charge. However, the aforementioned 10-minute charge quashes that concern almost immediately.

The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air comes in white or black. — Now, that’s a bright mouse.

Is the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air worth it?

At £89.99, it isn’t the most expensive mouse on the market. Yet, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air offers an awful lot of functionality for the outlay. Yes, there are alternatives available from Razer, but for me, it was just about perfect. I adored its RGB look, its lightweight design, and how comfortable it was to work with. What’s more, the buttons are responsive, easy to locate, and simple to map. Furthermore, the Owl-eye optical sensor is accurate, and this is assisted nicely by the heat-treated PTFE gliders. There was nothing to dislike about this mouse and I recommend you to buy it here! Get ahead of the game and add this stylish and performance-driven accessory to your collection.

Summary.

The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse is exceptional value for money. It is jam-packed with features, looks great, and is comfortable to use. What’s more, it has multiple connectivity options, is easy to personalise, and has a monster 100-hour battery life. Most importantly, though, it is responsive, and its owl-eye sensor is accurate. When milliseconds count, you want the best you can get, and ROCCAT is a market leader.

_{(More information on ROCCAT can be found here!)}

Review: Dark Deity

Natosha M

-

Apr 24, 2022

0

Are you ready to put your mind to work while playing an animated game called Dark Deity? It’s a game that is full of strategic planning, a vast assortment of magical and mighty heroes to add to your team, and many battlegrounds to fight the opposing teams on, those that are causing havoc to the world, Terrazael. Furthermore, the game includes an excellent story that may be a bit long on the narrative side, but perfect for those who love a good story leading to the next pursuits waiting to turn up next.

So if you feel you have what it takes to perform the task of being a hero, such as battling in many wars, and restoring the world to its peaceful, safe, and desired state. Then you may find Dark Deity to bring nothing but joy and excitement during gameplay. There is even a choice of choosing an even more difficult mode, present from the very start. If you want to take on more battles, rather than having to take on many different wars, then choosing the third option; the hardest mode will bring the player just that, more action and challenge! However, this game can provide anyone the option to make it suitable for their needs, which is great for beginners who don’t play games that require planning or want it to be too hard.

Graphics and Sound

There is nothing bad with the animated graphics in this game! It’s absolutely awesome and slightly breathe taking with that artwork of the background. The game has this fantasy and cartoonish appearance. Everything is perfectly clear, cheerful, and full of color, which includes the characters, backdrops, weapons, and much more. I even must add that the music is very well matched to the game. It builds the player up with such a strong and heroic adventure-style tune that plays as the game is turned on.

The entire game’s visual appearance and music work perfectly to bring such a wonderful battling experience. The transition from strategy and story is quite nice as well. Especially, how the characters are turned into these cute mini fighters on a battlefield, where the action takes place. When the narrative portion of the game begins again, each character goes back to their regular human height and design.

Lastly, I couldn’t find anything wrong with the art and the music. It’s astounding and really makes this game visually appealing and captivating. The movements and action scenes are smooth and immensely entertaining to watch when battling the enemies while on the battlefield.

Final Thoughts

I must say that the game is very entertaining, coming with so many action-filled battles and plenty to discover as the story goes on. It’s a perfect strategy game, requiring some planning before playing. The cartoon design makes it even more joyful, as it’s so much more cheerful and full of color. The game is so much simpler to understand how to battle and play, without realizing one must face an enemy when making a move. This isn’t necessary like many games I’ve played in the past. Plus, it’s even nicer for those who are learning how to play strategic games for the first time.

Even if you had a bad experience with a game demanding you position the characters on a board; battlefield, this game makes it quite easy to learn how to! There are just two things that I didn’t mind about the game. One is the long narrative portion of the game. At least, you can quickly click through the speech portion. However, I wish there was a way to skip right past these chat sessions, which the player doesn’t want to read.

The last one is that I rather it be a little less loading time required to play a new section. It may seem like it needs to load a bit much just to go from one thing to the next. The speed is not too slow, but it can be a bit much. However, these are all just small potatoes. I don’t feel anything I’ve mentioned to be a distraction or problem to anyone playing. It still is quite an excellent game to play.

Review: Anuchard

Daniel Waite

-

Apr 24, 2022

0

Man and beast can live in perfect harmony when they want to. However, this balance can be easily shifted and the consequences can be devastating. This is exactly what happens in Anuchard. It’s a game that blends humanity, the animal kingdom, and gargantuan all-powerful guardians.

Developed by StellarNull and published by Freedom Games, this is an adventure RPG tale. It uses some phenomenal retro gaming aspects and combines them with hand-drawn dungeons. What’s more, it has a bizarre story that is touching and comical. In short, it will fill older gamers with nostalgia, while appeasing younger players with its charm.

Anuchard has religion and supernatural qualities at its core. — Ring the bell and save those souls.

Anuchard is repetitive.

Sadly, the core concept of Anuchard is repetitive! The gameplay revolves around dangerous dungeons, many quests, and simple puzzles. Unfortunately, these rarely evolve and, subsequently, Déjà vu kicks in very early on. Now, this isn’t to say it’s boring, because it isn’t. It’s merely a game that follows a strict model, and this is part of its old-school ways. Consequently, to get the most out of this, you’ll have to lower your expectations a little.

The story is set in the kingdom of Anuchard. This was once a thriving and magical place that was blessed by 5 guardians. However, without warning, they left! The skies caved in and the world was destroyed. All that survived the destruction was a tiny sliver of land. Above ground, the people lived off the orchard and barely survived. Below the ground is a maze of tunnels in a place known as the dungeon. This magical and dangerous area is not for the faint of heart, and this is where you come in. Unbeknownst to you, you are the Bellwielder. This title is given to a hero who controls the Audros bell. You must delve deep into each dungeon to fight monsters, solve puzzles, and rescue trapped souls. Eventually, you will face each of the guardians and convince them to bless Anuchard and save the day.

Each dungeon has unique monsters. — How will you tackle each dungeon?

Simple puzzles and combat.

When a game focuses on puzzles and combat, you want to be challenged. However, sadly, this isn’t the case. Most of the puzzles found within Anuchard are simple and obvious. This understated approach was a mistake, as the gameplay was too easy. Consequently, most problems were solved in no time and this was disappointing. Luckily, though, there were some fleeting Eureka moments. These normally involved whacking a ball of light off several walls to activate a switch. Now, this involved dexterity, timing, and planning, and this was fantastic. I wish the developers had used this as its foundation. Had they done so, the action would have been vastly improved.

Each dungeon is constructed of several levels. To reach the end goal, you must avoid traps, unlock doors, and kill monsters. En route, you’ll discover hidden paths, collectables, and data records. These holograms were used to drip-feed the lore of the land. Subsequently, it was an excellent way of adding depth to the story and I applaud this approach. Navigating each area was fun, but it could have been much better if the aforementioned puzzles were tougher.

The combat was another area that should have been better! Disappointingly, it was much too easy and only the guardian encounters will test you. However, even they follow a predictable pattern and will quickly be vanquished. Yes, there is an array of monsters unique to each dungeon. But destroying them is all too familiar. Each foe has either a shield or not. If it has armour, you simply smash it against a wall and bludgeon it to death. However, if it arrives unprotected, things are simpler still as you just swing away until they are no more. Annoyingly, this is the extent of the fighting mechanics and, understandably, I wanted much more.

Anuchard is brilliantly old-school.

Anuchard has a pixelated and almost isometric approach. Its blend of earthy tones and garish colours is reminiscent of both Sega Mega Drive and SNES gaming. I adored this simple approach, as it was charming and easy to look at. This dated aesthetic extended to the wonderful and varied sprites. What’s more, the smaller areas, easy to navigate town, and uncomplicated dungeons, were never overwhelming.

The old-school style can also be heard in the whimsical audio. There is a lighthearted and enjoyable soundtrack and OTT but basic sound effects. I enjoyed how the music changed for each dungeon, and this alleviated some repetition.

The village chief is full of surprises. — What secrets does the chief hide?

Clumsy controls.

Unfortunately, the controls were cumbersome and tedious. Tiny and oddly placed hitboxes make selecting objects a challenging task. What’s more, the unresponsive buttons ensure that the tougher puzzles are just a bit harder. On top of this, I found myself rolling instead of hitting my foes. This was annoying and usually made combat unnecessarily frustrating. Other than this, the control layout is easy to understand and quick to master.

The ruined kingdom of Anuchard needs your help to rebuild it. Thankfully, a robot from the dungeons is willing to do the work. Unsurprisingly, though, they won’t do it for free and you must find resources hidden within each dungeon. If you don’t find every single item, you can’t rebuild the kingdom. Alongside this, you must locate every lost soul on your journey. These two elements, combined, add to longevity and replay value.

Anuchard is a repetitive retro RPG.

Anuchard had such potential to be fantastic. Sadly, however, it falls short because of its repetition and lack of difficulty. I enjoyed the quests, the whimsical characters, and the colourful landscapes. However, its poor controls, simple combat elements, repetitive ways, and mediocre puzzle mechanics undermine it. All things considered, I loved the retro approach and recommend it because of it. Can you save the kingdom and bring mankind and beasts back together? Search the dungeons, save the souls, and reanimate the guardians.

Review: Moon Knight Episode 4

Movies & TV

James Refelian

-

Apr 23, 2022

0

Spoiler Free Review Moon Knight Episode 4

Although this is a spoiler-free review of Moon Knight Episode 4 all images used have been taken from the episode.

Tipping over the halfway point Moon Knight Episode 4 delivers some creepy tomb raiding followed by psychological twists that weren’t expected but are welcome to see. Hot on the trails of Hawke’s villainous Harrow in search of Amet’s tomb Marc/Steven (Isaac) and Layla (Calamawy) find their destination in the desert of Egypt.

Things get very Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider from this point as most of the episode is spent creeping around the dark tomb trying to work out where the burial chamber is. Finally, Steven gets to shine here, and we see him come into his own, still afraid but for the first time very competent with his knowledge of Ancient Egypt. Marc has a few moments to shine in this part of the episode and Isaac continues to deliver a fantastic dual performance playing them both. What’s exceptional is that at no point in this episode does he hide behind the superhero persona. It’s refreshing to see a powerless superhero still be super.

Calamawy is standout in her performance. At this point, her character is one of the best ‘superhero sidekicks’ Marvel has ever given us. In fact, calling her a sidekick is a total disservice. The character has brains and an ability to kick ass. The moments where she saves the moment are wonderfully refreshing. The relationship between her and Steven/Marc starts to crack in this episode which is painful to see. I’m sure will be resolved and out in the open before the series end. Harrow is an untrustworthy narrator after all.

The creep factor is really on display in this episode with some disturbing imagery and discoveries within the tomb. Unfortunately, this is never really explained as to why it’s going on, and I hope this thread is concluded. Simply having ‘creepy/horror’ elements is a total disservice to an otherwise great episode.

Conclusion

Moon Knight Episode 4 continues to deliver high-quality visuals. The sets and the soundtrack are fantastic and I cannot fault the cinematography of this episode. The skill of the director and all involved really comes to light in the last act of the episode. Without going into spoiler territory, this section of the episode jars you mentally from what you’ve been watching previously. It makes you question everything. It’s well filmed, well-acted, and brilliantly unsettling. Ripped straight from the comics with a few teases on what’s to come, Moon Knight Episode 4 ended on a high. Waiting a week for the next episode is a killer!

Review: Tranya T10 Pro earbuds

Daniel Waite

-

Apr 23, 2022

0

Picking the right headphones or earbuds is a challenging task. There are many price points, technical aspects, and styles to choose from. Do you go for over the ear, wired earphones, or wireless earbuds? Whatever you choose, they have to be quality and within budget. Therefore, this is where the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds come into play. They are robust, affordable, and have excellent audio quality. What’s more, they are great for gaming, are certified IPX7 waterproof, and allow for Fast Type-C and wireless charging.

I know what you’re thinking. I just listed off a load of jargon and you have no idea of what I mean. If this is the case, I’ll break it down in simple terms for you. Effectively, the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds are versatile, easy to charge, and simple to use, all while delivering excellent quality audio.

Tranya T10 earbuds in pink. — Will you choose the pink earbuds?

What’s in the box of the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds?

The packaging is well built, stylish, and brilliant white. It has a simple but effective design and is emblazoned with the company logo and key selling points. I’m a bit of an eco fiend, so I appreciated the 99% recyclable packaging.
The Tranya T10 Pro earbuds. These are stylish and are finished with a matt black effect. The earbuds are contained in a wireless charging case.
Spare silicone tips. We are all unique and therefore, what fits me won’t fit you. Luckily, there is a selection of tips to ensure the earbuds are comfortable and secure.
USB-C charging cable. A short rubberised standard USB cable to charge the case.
User manual and sticker. A straightforward and small user manual explains the fundamentals.

A straightforward user manual. — A simple user manual.

Simple but effective packaging. — A simple user manual.

Technical aspects.

Earbuds battery	50mAh
Charging case battery	480mAh
Playtime	Up to 8 hours
Standby time	120 hours
Charging	Wireless charging and Type-C
Input	5V+/-0.25V
Charging time	Less than 2 hours
Bluetooth version	5.1
Bluetooth range	10 Metres
Driver type	Graphene-coated Dynamic
Bluetooth profiles	A2DP/HFP/HSP/AVRCP
Audio Codec	SBC
Microphone	4-Microphone system

I recently reviewed the Tranya T20 earbuds and the ROCCAT Syn Buds Air and both were fantastic. My benchmark is the ROCCAT earbuds, so I was interested to see how these compete.

Thanks to the 12mm Graphene Driver, the audio has a great depth of range and excellent bass. This is helped further by the Bass Boost mode that is activated from the left earbud. The deep and rich sounds were a pleasure to listen to while creating an immersive experience. What’s more, the low latency game mode and 5.1 Bluetooth system make the Tranya T10 earbuds the perfect gaming accessory. The charging case allows for 32 hours of sound and can be recharged using a wireless pad (sold separately) or the fast charge USB-C cable. Both methods are convenient and ensure you are rarely without juice.

With 4 microphones incorporated into the design, you experience crystal clear calls and excellent party chat when gaming. I had low expectations for the microphone capabilities, but I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike some of its peers, these earbuds have full controls on each device. This was an excellent choice as it makes it more user-friendly. Finally, the IPX7 waterproof certification ensures that you can comfortably use the earbuds on the move in all weather.

Tranya T10 earbuds has a massive battery life. — A whopping battery life.

Are the Tranya T10 earbuds worth it?

With many devices on the market, you may be feeling confused. However, I found the Tranya T10 earbuds to be great value for money and easy to use. They are jam-packed with features, come in a range of 6 colours, and have a fantastic battery life. What’s more, they have multiple audio settings, 5.1 Bluetooth, and can be charged wirelessly. Connecting them to your Android or iOS device is a cinch as well. Within moments, I had the earbuds connected, and I didn’t look back.

I adore an accessory that has multiple uses. Luckily, these earbuds are great for music, fantastic for gaming, perfect for phone calls, and wonderful when exercising. The waterproof rating ensures you can be confident when sweating and have no fears in the rain. On top of this, the 12mm Graphene Drivers deliver exceptional audio quality. If you want an affordable and well-built set of earbuds, then look no further. I like them and I recommend you to buy them here! An Amazon link for the product can be found here!

Summary.

The Tranya T10 earbuds are an amazing audio accessory. They will appeal to many markets because of their multi-faceted approach. Sadly, they don’t quite reach the heights of the ROCCAT earbuds, but they are priced accordingly. If you invest, you surely won’t be disappointed in both the audio and build quality.

_{(More information on Tranya products can be found here!)}

Review: Happy’s Humble Burger Farm

Natosha M

-

Apr 22, 2022

0

Happy’s Humble Burger Farm isn’t as humble or endearing as it might sound in the title. It has plenty of parts that might get to be a little tough to chew! In all honesty, it really may not be a game that is for everyone, but the ones that can tolerate a bit more gruesome and demanding gameplay will find this game to be entertaining. You must have a strong stomach to tolerate the grotesque combination of blood and food in the same game. At times, it can be a little unsettling and unsightly for those with sensitive stomachs and who fear what may be lurking in the dark.

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of gruesome or eerie-style games. Probably would explain the words I used on describing what this game is like, and maybe slightly warn others before trying it for themselves. It always freaked me out and normally ends up disgusting me to the point of never wanting to play the game again. Especially, cause you never know or want to know what may be coming up around the corner. However, I gave this game a try and force myself to play no matter what the game may demand of me.

Graphics

If dark and grim, sim-style cooking games are your thing, then you’ll really love how well this game captures that exact atmospheric setting throughout. It’s something you will look at and really get that spooky fear as you move through each portion of the game. In short, the graphics work perfectly with the gameplay, giving that achieved feeling the creators wanted you to get with Happy’s Humble Burger Farm.

Additionally, the game’s 3D visual appearance reminds me of games I’ve played during the Playstation One or early PS2 era. The colors in this game are very much on the darker side, even with the ability to see throughout, it’s still a bit darker than I would like. Consider playing a game in a black room with objects you can use or people you can speak to, only being lit up to see. However, there are locations with the lights being present and on, but many rooms and locations still seem to be a bit dim. Yet, you can still make out everything you are doing and looking for, which is a good thing.

So there really isn’t anything to complain about. All of the graphics go well with the outlook and what the game wants the players to incur as they move forward. Especially as it looks like a Resident Evil backdrop that collides with a burger sim, a restaurant-style game. On top of that, the food being served and the appearance of customers and objects all look creepy as well.

Music and Sounds

The sounds in the background really play an excellent role in this spooky spine-chilling game. It’s a little low, but when you can hear what is going on it does make for all those scary feelings you get from a horror flick. The people even sound strange in the game, like a Charlie Brown, as they don’t speak but just some noises come out and empty silence with just sound effects of other objects in the room that you enter, makes it scary as well. I do want to mention when playing, even at the highest volume you may need to make sure to be in a quiet room or area to hear the sounds that repeat in the background as they are quite low.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, I can’t say that this is a game I’d play often, it’s actually making me rethink ever having a burger or trying anything else in a cheap or strange fast food or mysterious restaurant. I may be an uneasy individual when it comes to gruesome images or scary scenes, and not as tough to withstand horror games as this one. So I tried my best to rate it on the quality and not the emotions and feelings I have just by what it appears to look or sound like.

Therefore, the game to me may appear too dark to see the surroundings and a little hard to hear the sounds in the background, but for a horrifying cooking game, it is quite tolerated. Especially, if it’s those searching for a gloomy sim game. I feel the controls were something that took time to get used to, something that is becoming quite normal for most games. I did enjoy the access to continuously cooking mode without the main story mode.

However, I think the appearance still isn’t somewhat appealing to me. I feel the graphics could have been a little better, like smoother, and maybe make the surroundings a bit more visible. Another thing that I couldn’t enjoy was the accuracy when cooking or giving the food to the customers. It’s got to be on point when it comes to tossing the food onto the stovetop or picking up the food to make the order. It’s really realistic, but just the entire recalling of controls and being nearby an object may take time to get the hang of it.

Thus, this game isn’t too bad but has a few flaws especially loading up. It’s challenging when you continue to move forward and have to serve so many more customers. Just like a regular tycoon or sim-style game, it’s very demanding and in a way neverending. However, I don’t think this is the type of game for myself. Even if it’s well done on covering the horror aspects and business running routine, it’s just too dark and strange for me.

Review: Ayo the Clown

Daniel Waite

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Apr 22, 2022

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Clowns are petrifying, horrible, and should never be considered funny. There is a reason they are the protagonists in many horror films, and that’s because they are evil! Subsequently, anything involving clowns usually has me running a mile. However, ironically, here I am reviewing the “cutesy” game, Ayo the Clown.

Developed by Cloud M1 and published by Eastasiasoft Limited, this is a side-scrolling platform title. It’s fantastically colourful, whimsical in nature, and has many levels filled with odd enemies, traps, and collectables. What’s more, it has enormous bosses, it looks great, and its mechanics are smooth and well-thought-out.

Ayo the Clown tells a familiar tale.

I don’t mind a rehashed story. After all, originality is hard to come by these days. Consequently, the plot of Ayo the Clown will feel familiar. There is a love interest, a missing dog, and a sense of danger. Moreover, everything is lost unless a hero steps forward.

So, no new ground has broken here, but let’s not be put off. Ayo’s best friend is Bo. He is a four-legged beast that is as loyal as they come. Therefore, when he goes missing, Ayo knows something is amiss! He must venture beyond his cosy circus and explore a world full of danger. He has plenty of potential but must learn new skills as he goes. Subsequently, he is one clown that must overcome every obstacle while saving his dog and the world.

Ayo has many special abilities. — Use your balloon to soar through the sky.

A healthy blend of old and new.

I enjoy retro gaming, but I cherish the times when the mould is broken. Luckily, Ayo the Clown does just this with its hearty blend of old and new mechanics. Each moderately sized stage is loaded with traps, enemies, secrets, and more. You must complete tasks such as finding chocolate or rescuing balloons to unlock new skills. Now, none of these quests is challenging, but they add a rewarding element to the gameplay.

You’ll learn to soar through the sky, jump, slide, attack, use tanks and helicopters, and more. Each new skill opens up paths that would otherwise remain locked. It was fantastic to expand each stage while searching for every collectable. However, unlike Metroidvania games, Ayo the Clown funnels you to a definitive finale. I loved this, as you were free to explore without the worry of becoming lost.

An excellent learning curve.

I love challenging platform games such as Super Meat Boy and OkunoKA Madness. Yet, sometimes I want a simple life. Luckily, the gentle learning curve and drip-fed mechanics prevent this from becoming overwhelming. On top of this, there are well-explained tutorials to ensure you never go wrong.

Don’t let this simplicity fool you, though, as Ayo the Clown is challenging. You’ll fall to your death, become impaled on spikes, or be slaughtered by monsters. However, this matters not, as there are many checkpoints to be used. Consequently, death is a mere inconvenience in this moderately challenging title.

Tanks are your friend. — Jump in and destroy everything.

Ayo the Clown is an excellent-looking indie title.

I was amazed by how great Ayo the Clown looks and performs. It is one of the best-looking indie titles that I’ve played in a long time. Both its gameplay and cinematic are striking, interesting, and colourful. Furthermore, it captures the tongue-in-cheek nature of the plot perfectly. Alongside this, I adored the interesting and varied stage design. Each world has a unique look with different mechanics. Whether you are climbing vines, smashing walls, or hitting weird switches, it was fantastic.

Each gameplay element is complemented by the excellent audio. The whimsical soundtrack has folksy undertones and was fun to listen to. What’s more, the excellent narration delivers a fairytale-like story. I adored the amazing cutscenes because of Ayo’s many mishaps.

Ayo the Clown has an eclectic blend of enemies. — Darn you robot boss.

Plenty to do, but easy to play.

Ayo the Clown crams in a lot of different mechanics. Subsequently, you may worry that it’ll be complicated. Luckily, though, this isn’t the case. Each ability is brilliantly explained and easy to understand. Furthermore, the action never feels rushed, so this helps the learning curve. Alongside the excellent layout, were responsive buttons that helped further still. In short, this is a user-friendly title that’s excellent for all gamers.

With plenty of collectables, abilities to learn and upgrade, levels to finish, quests to do, and bosses to fight, this is jam-packed. I was impressed with the depth of gameplay and the various bosses you must defeat. Consequently, I never tired of trying each level. This is a game that oozes both longevity and replay value as you’ll play it for hours on end.

Ayo the Clown is an excellent platform title.

The platform genre is saturated. Therefore, you need something special if you want to stand out. I think Ayo the Clown does just that, as it’s an excellent title. Its story is fun, the environments are interesting and vivid; the gameplay is challenging but fair, and it has plenty of collectables. It ticks all the boxes and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you rescue Bo and get the girl? Jump, slide and shoot your way through every level to become the hero you are destined to be.