I’m not a stranger to KiiBOOM products. I love the style, build quality, and impressive game-changing tech. However, something I don’t think about too much is the switches I am sent. Yes, actuation distance, responsiveness, and comfort are key to any review, but I’m usually happy with the preinstalled but hot-swappable options. This review flips my thinking as I was sent not 1, but 2 KiiBOOM switch sets to look at.
Though each set has unique attributes, I am going to look at both in this article . The first set is the Strawberry Jello set. The second set is the Flick switch set. Both are 5-pin pre-lubed products and can be used in any hot-swappable keyboard. Moreover, they are easy to handle and fitting them requires no soldering and little DIY knowledge. Consequently, they are the perfect option if you wish to transform your peripheral with little effort.
Why pick the KiiBOOM switch sets?
The Strawberry Jello set is available for $19.99 and has an impressive 50 million input guarantee. This is unbelievably good and will outlast most gamers needs. On top of this, they are a mechanical switch that is compatible with MX keycaps. This versatility is ideal if you don’t wish to change your familiar typing layout.
The pre-lubed switches deliver impressive fluidity for a high-end experience. Furthermore, I loved the clean and smooth movement and the polished acoustic control. These mechanical switches have a delightful soundscape that’ll appeal to retro gamers and office workers.
A slender actuation distance and responsive inputs are a must if you are a gamer. Alternatively, if you work for extended periods, you will not want heavy keystrokes affecting your work. Luckily, this KiiBOOM switch set has 40±5gf actuation force and 3.6±0.4mm total travel distance. Therefore, you enjoy high accuracy and pleasant feedback when using these switches.
Flick switch set.
The Flick switch set is available for $14.99. This pre-lubed linear mechanical set is the ideal option if you want to reduce cost without compromising on style and performance. They offer a 50 million input guarantee, and they are built to last. The 5-pin design is compatible with many major brands and can be incorporated with no soldering and little technical know-how.
Typing and gaming are a pleasure thanks to the smooth and consistent actuation distance. 45±15gf of actuation force is slightly higher than the other set, but the difference is minimal. This relatively light keystroke is ideal for marathon gaming sessions and lengthy office days. Moreover, the 3.6±0.2mm total travel distance delivers a deft touch for responsive movement when playing your favourite games.
Build quality.
Durability and high-end products ensure that the KiiBOOM switch sets are built to last. No matter which you select, you will not be disappointed. High-grade materials and a pre-lubed design help to reduce maintenance and wear and tear. The outcome is hassle-free gaming and typing for the life of the product.
Are the KiiBOOM switch sets worth it?
KiiBOOM delivers incredible switches with every product they sell. However, maybe you like the keyboard design but dislike the preinstalled switches. Thankfully, this is where the KiiBOOM switch sets come into play. You can customise your keyboard to your liking without worrying about soldering or technical know-how. This user-friendly approach is great and something that I appreciated. Furthermore, I love the durable design and smooth, responsive nature of each switch. Accordingly, I recommend buying the Strawberry Jello sethere, and the Flick switch sethere!
Based on R.L. Stine’s book series, Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is a puzzle-horror game where you must find out the mysteries pertaining to the small town of Little Creek. You take the role of Sloane, a curious teenager who goes out her way to solve the town’s mystery with her friends. A perfect setup for a spooky adventure that involves the mischief of monsters and magic.
Premise
As previously mentioned, you investigate the town of Little Creek as Sloane with her friends Harvey, Lydia, and Lizzy. Upon investigating the town, the gang sneaks into their local library. There they learn a group called the Monster Society are involved with the strange occurrences in the town. After Sloane goes to the basement of the library, she finds an ancient spellbook. This spellbook is one of your primary tools for puzzle-solving. As Sloane figures out the spellbook, her friends split up to the museum and theater. These two locations are the one of the most important in the game as they house two of this game’s major monsters. Those being the Masked Phantom from the theater and an ancient Mummy from the museum. As you progress through the game, you’ll find different spell patterns to unlock more areas of the town and defeat the major monsters.
Gameplay
With an introduction to the game out of the way, let’s talk about the gameplay. The gameplay is mostly puzzle-solving and stealth. Early on, you have access to a slingshot with different ammo types. It’s mainly used in puzzle-solving scenarios and dealing with enemies. My problem with the slingshot coincides with the game’s implemented stealth sections. If I had to sneak around an enemy in order to obtain an item, I could simply run past it and easily shoot it down with the slingshot. It felt like there was no threat at all from any of the basic enemies. The only ones that actually provided any semblance of challenge were the major monsters (Note: They are also unkillable, so your only choice is to avoid them). And of the various ammo types, some of them felt like they didn’t work half the time. For example, the noisemaker ammo is meant to draw a monster’s attention to where it was shot at. From the many attempts I’ve made using this ammo, the monsters would usually run towards my character instead of the spot I shot at.
I am aware that some of my criticisms of the game stem from it being too simple, but I am also aware that this game is targeted towards a younger audience. The puzzles weren’t complex, but I can see a kid stopping to think about what they need to do for them. I reached the end of the game at about 4 and half hours and was neither satisfied nor disappointed with my experience. It was exactly what I expected it to be, so I had no expectations of this game really engaging me. Of the few things I found nice about this game is that it did capture the experience of going through a Goosebumps story. The protagonists are kids to young teens who get caught up in the supernatural occurrences in their hometown. Not to mention that the unsettling nature of these stories is that monsters are in fact real and can be dangers to these kids.
Conclusion
Overall, Goosebumps Terror in Little Creek was pretty lackluster. Looking at the devs and publishers of the game, it kind of checks out that this game turned out this way. The developers PHL Collective and the publisher GameMill Entertainment are known for putting out low quality licensed kids games. Not to mention the pricing for Goosebumps, in my opinion, is not worth $40 USD for how short and barebones the experience was. On top of that, the game also has a $15 USD DLC pack that seems to only provide cosmetics, a 3D model viewer, and a concept art viewer. I can only recommend getting this game on a heavily discounted sale if you’re interested. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend this game, even if you wanted to buy it for your kids.
Welcome To Basingstoke by developer, Puppy Games, gives us a fun premise in an even more interesting setting. Zombies and aliens in Basingstoke, a small English town that many (including myself, I’m Irish) have never heard of. Brilliant. Most action, apocalyptic games gives us settings in massive cities like New York or Atlanta from The Walking Dead but Welcome To Basingstoke gives us something new. So, is it worth jumping into this roguelike action game to blast some zombies? Well, the answer is yes.
How Did The Interview Go?
Interviews for jobs are probably one of the most nerve wracking experiences in history. But nobody’s could be worse than the main character in Welcome To Basingstoke. In this game, players control a random character which can be randomised and chosen from a list. No named characters here, and every character can be changed throughout. But the plot is the same.
Our nameless protagonist is heading for an interview at what appears to be a scientific business company. You are given your visitor pass and you accidentally stumble upon them conducting secret experiments. And of course, they go wrong. After escaping a locked bathroom, you find that the entire office building and the town of Basingstoke has gone to Hell. Zombies prowl the streets with other alien looking creatures. Lasers are even blasted from the skies in some levels. Even tentacles pop up from the sewers looking to drag you to a watery grave. Like I said, the plot is simple and the game wastes no time in throwing you into it. But the gameplay is where the fun really begins.
Sausage Rolls Are Your Best Friend
Yes, you read that sub-heading right. Sausage rolls are the best tool in Welcome To Basingstoke. Let me explain. Welcome To Basingstoke is a top down game where you control a Minecraft type character as you navigate the zombie-infested streets and buildings of Basingstoke. Each level you must reach the end of the map to progress to the next level. One of the main mechanics of the game is looting. You scavenge supplies like truncheons, coffee and sausage rolls to survive. Truncheons can knock out enemies, coffee gives you speed boosts so you can zoom around the map, and sausage rolls can be used to distract zombies. Throwing sausage rolls can lure them to a certain area. Welcome To Basingstoke encourages many playstyles and stealth was my personal favorites. This is why sausage rolls were my best friend.
Stealth Or Guns Blazing?
The stealth gameplay is satisfying and the most safe. While you can beat up zombies with weapons like truncheons or rakes, they are limited. Even guns are low. Relying on stealth is essential at times to survive. I love when games give you many options. Zombies can hear your movements so you need to be careful when walking around. Levels are pitch dark and you can easily blend in. You do have access to a flashlight but this can attract zombies so you need to be careful when using it. Stealth is the best approach mostly because the zombies can kill you in one hit. Yes, you are one hit the entire game.
This is excellent as it makes the game more challenging and can lead to many tense situations. If you die, back to the beginning. Anything the player collects is stored at your camp after finishing the level. Players can only bring a certain number of items so it is important to choose carefully what you need to survive. Some levels also bring other enemies like the Wasteland levels where meteorites or lasers come crashing down to destroy you. Everything is out to kill you. This is why shops are important. You can purchase items like coffee or sausage rolls here, or the most expensive, the Insurance Policy.
The Insurance Policy allows you to save once during a level. Really handy if you made it far into a level. Can be a lifesaver. The campaign is short. You can pass all the levels in about 2-3 hours, depending on how many times you die. Also, the gameplay, while good and simple overall, can be clunky at times. I had problems with throwing items to distract enemies at times as it wouldn’t work at times. I think it is because of the aiming system. It automatically locks onto near enemies and I can cost you sometimes.
Welcome to Basingstoke PS5
Here Comes The Horde
Aside from the campaign mode, there is also a Horde mode. Here, you can choose different characters that have different items and loadouts. Some have SMGS, others shotguns. Lots of ways to approach the mode. It is really simple. You pick a character and level and just survive as long as you can. The longer you survive, the more difficult it becomes. More zombies and they get faster every time. Just a fun little game mode if you want to blast zombies away and try and break some world records. Not much else to say.
Verdict
Welcome To Basingstoke is a fun, little roguelike action zombie game. The campaign is short but each level offers plenty of replayability and ways to approach. Stealth is great in the game but so is the combat option. Aside from the auto-aim system which can throw you off and lead to a frustrating death, everything is near perfect. Zombies able to kill with one hit leads to a lot of intense, scary moments so the best need to use all their skills to survive. Horde mode is a welcome addition also, especially for those who want to shoot zombies and break records.
Bratz Rhythm and Style will appeal to a niche audience. This child-friendly endeavour is colourful, brash, and relatively simple. Furthermore, it has oodles of style as the Bratz Pack show their love of fashion.
This adventure title was developed by RecoTechnology and published by Outright Games. It is a single-player or local multiplayer game. Furthermore, it demands a rhythmic approach as buttons must be bashed in time with the music.
Bratz Rhythm and Style conquers the world one runway at a time.
Conquering the world can be done in many ways. The Bratz Pack has decided to use their sharp skills and fashion talent to prove their worth. However, things aren’t as easy as they seem, as they must understand the local trends and appease a large audience.
You control Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha, and Jade as they flaunt their style and help everyone they encounter. The journey takes them from London to Tokyo, and en route, they must invest in fashion and hit the gym if they wish to complete their world tour.
Basic gameplay.
Exploring each small location isn’t the most thrilling thing I’ve experienced. However, my kids adored the compact spaces and the easy-to-understand quests. Furthermore, changing clothes, adjusting makeup, and getting a new haircut made them giggle.
As you visit each location, you must talk to the locals to understand the latest trends. The hints help you to buy the right clothes and wear the right ensemble. Once you’ve completed your outfit, you must take to the runway. Here you’ll complete an array of simple rhythm-based games. If you outscore your opponent, you’ll win, and the gameplay loop begins again.
Adults beware, the action is rudimentary, and the gameplay will not test you. This could lead to annoyance and frustration. Thankfully, this is a game aimed toward 6-10-year-olds. Consequently, this age group will adore the simplicity and the refined ideas.
Bratz Rhythm and Style is super vibrant.
Unsurprisingly, Bratz Rhythm and Style is eye-wateringly vibrant. The clothes are unusual, and the range of makeup and haircuts lets your youngsters experiment. Each level has a simple design. Exploring the compact areas is a cinch, and a nice map helps you navigate. Though this isn’t a Next-Gen experience, the visuals are clean and colourful.
The audio drove me insane. Repetitive music and far too many off-the-cuff remarks made me grimace. However, my kids loved the “fierce” nature of the dialogue. Thankfully, everything was safe, and there were no curse words or inappropriate statements in place. Subsequently, your kids will be 100% safe while playing this title.
Decent controls.
Kids’ games need to be easy to play. Luckily, Bratz Rhythm and Style passes this test. On-screen instructions guide you through the necessary steps, and a helpful tutorial provides additional support. My girls mastered it in about 10 minutes, and I could leave them playing it without assistance.
Replay value is somewhat questionable. Though there are plenty of runway tests, gym games, and costumes to try, it won’t keep you hooked. If your kids wish to unlock everything, that will add a few hours to the base game. As such, expect to invest between 3 and 5 hours to complete it.
Bratz Rhythm and Style does its job admirably.
This isn’t a game for adults and isn’t being reviewed in that light. Accordingly, I’m looking at this from my kids’ perspective. They adored every moment. The colourful graphics, simple controls, loud audio, and small worlds appealed to them. Furthermore, they loved the mini-games and each city. Therefore, they give it a massive thumbs up, and I recommend buying it here! Can you become the queen of the runway? Explore each city, go shopping, and make sure your look is on point!
10,000mAh Power: Compact, airline-safe battery for all-day energy, built tough for travel.
13-Layer Safety: Full protection from overheating, overcharge, and short-circuit with smart power management.
Specifications
What’s in the box?
The box contains the charger, instructions and a charging cable.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
You can never have enough power for your devices – sooner or later you will be in a position where something you have and need to use will be low on power or worse still, out of power! This is where the UGREEN MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank comes into play. Carry this with you and you will have all the power you will need.
The power bank is a fairly lightweight so it’s easy to carry around in your bag, although maybe not your pocket.
The digital display on the side of the power bank showing how much charge is remaining is really useful. You can easily see just what you have left – this is much better than the usual 4 lights you get on most devices.
The battery in the power pack is really good – it’s 10,000 mAh meaning that depending on what you want to charge you can charge devices multiple times before you need to recharge the actual power bank itself.
You can charge your devices either using the built in cable, which is a really great feature as you won’t ever forget your cable, or you can place your device on the magnetic charging pad. The new Next-gen Qi2 pad charges an iPhone 16 Pro Max to 33% in 20 minutes.
This is a really useful device and I will be taking it around with me whenever I need a power bank!
The UGREEN MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is available now priced around $69.99.
Here we review the UGREEN MagFlow 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger.
Dual Device Wireless Charging Stand with Foldable Design, USB-C Port, and AirPods Compatibility.
Features
25W Wireless Fast Charge: Qi2-certified power charges iPhone 16 Pro Max to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Dual Charging Made Easy: Wirelessly charge iPhone & AirPods, plus a 5W USB-C port for extra devices.
Foldable & Travel-Ready: Slim folding design slips into any bag or pocket for space-saving use anywhere.
Strong Magnetic Hold: 16 magnets with 7N grip keep your phone perfectly aligned and secure.
Smart Cooling & Safety: NTC sensors track heat 200x/sec to prevent overheating and overcharge.
Specifications
What’s in the box?
The box contains the charger, a cable and some instructions.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The UGREEN MagFlow 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger is small and lightweight and can easily be carried around in your pocket or bag for use when you are out and about.
Once plugged in you can extend the top part in order to charge your phone leaving enough room below to charge your AirPods. There is even an extra port so that you can charge a 3rd device, although this will charge slower.
Your phone clicks nicely and securely in place and starts charging straight away.
This is a really useful device and I will be taking it around with me whenever I need a charger!
The UGREEN MagFlow 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger is available now priced around $44.99.
Borderlands 4 is out in the wild. Accordingly, fans of the franchise are gearing up for a frenzied and exciting adventure. I don’t blame them, as I adore every insane moment. When GUNNAR announced the Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses, I couldn’t resist.
These gaming glasses are the perfect companion if you love to search for loot and kill everything in sight. Alternatively, maybe you love the style and want to improve your eye health. Either way, this is one product that you don’t want to miss.
Dry eyes, fatigue, poor reactions, and headaches are side effects of blue light and eye strain. Thankfully, GUNNAR’s patented technology overcomes many of these issues. On top of this, they are well-built and they look superb.
What’s in the box of the Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses?
The packaging is simple. However, it is durable and can be recycled.
The Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses have a striking style and wonderful Easter Eggs.
A colourful soft case and microfiber cloth are provided. Furthermore, they are eye-catching, and I love the nod to the Borderlands franchise.
Technical aspects.
GUNNAR offer non-prescription and prescription lenses. The latter is available for -5 to +5 prescriptions and can be arranged at checkout. I’m reviewing the non-prescription amber-tinted lens. This signature option blocks 100% of UV light and 65% of harmful blue light. There is a 90% blue light sunglasses option if that takes your fancy.
If you’ve never heard of blue light protection lenses, you may be slightly confused. This wonderful technology makes modern living much more comfortable. Mobile phones, tablets, TVs, and monitors emit blue light rays. These harm your eye health. The results are not good, and dry and itchy eyes, fatigue, and headaches usually follow. Luckily, these gaming glasses reduce those symptoms almost immediately.
Build quality.
You will not be disappointed by the build quality. The patented lens technology has G-Shield protection. Consequently, the advanced polycarbonate material is scratch-resistant. Furthermore, the frames and lenses have a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
The frames are made from precision-engineered polymer. This durable material withstands heavy handling and the occasional fall. Additionally, the fixed multi-barrel hinges are smooth and robust. The result is a tough pair of glasses that are built to last.
The combination of soft and vibrant colours creates an eye-catching product. The Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses have some nice game-inspired details that’ll look fantastic when streaming to your audience.
Are the Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses worth it?
I’ve tried many great glasses from this company. They are all impressive and appeal to a wide audience. The Borderlands 4, Ripper glasses play it safe with a familiar frame style and interesting colourway. Furthermore, the accessories are attractive and perfect for the fan base. Accordingly, I think these are great and I recommend buying them here!
(More information on GUNNAR can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
Here is our review of PowerCord from Twelve South.
PowerCord simplifies charging from wall to device, combining a 30W fast charger and a USB-C cable into one cord. Just plug in and power up all USB-C compatible devices—no extra adapters required. PowerCord is simple, portable and ready to go.
No need to match cables to adapters.
Fast, 30W PD 3.0 charges all your USB-C devices.
Compatible with USB-C phones and devices.
Flat, durable cable stays tangle-free.
Low-profile plug fits easily in tight spaces.
Available in 4ft and 10ft length
One seamless solution. PowerCord combines a 30W wall adapter and USB-C cable into a single, streamlined design—no separate blocks, no extra cables. Just plug into the wall and charge. It’s the easiest way to power up without slowing down, whether you’re at home, the office, or on the move.
From the latest iPhones to Google Pixel, USB-C iPads, Android devices, earbuds, and even lightweight laptops like MacBook Air—PowerCord is built to charge them all. With smart PD 3.0 output and a wide input range, it’s your all-in-one charger for today’s most versatile tech.
Thoughtfully engineered to fit into tight spaces, PowerCord’s slim plug and downward cable angle keep your setup clean and clutter-free. Whether tucked behind furniture or carried in your bag, it stays out of the way—and looks right at home wherever you plug in.
Available in two lengths: 1,2 m / 4ft for everyday setups and 3 m / 10ft for extra reach. Choose from two elevated colorways—Slate or Dune. The durable, braided cable stays tangle-free, making it easy to match your setup and move freely wherever you plug in.
PowerCord from Twelve South is available now priced around £39.00 and is a must have if you travel or you just need another charger!
Here we take a closer look at Hunt A Killer: The Haunting at Wicker Ridge with Sam and Colby.
Relatable, the company known for turning social media trends into fun games and lifestyle products, has partnered with the ‘Viral Kings of Scare’ Sam Golbach and Colby Brock, on a chilling new interactive mystery game. Hunt A Killer: The Haunting at Wicker Ridge invites fans to step inside a paranormal investigation and solve a haunting alongside the creators themselves.
“We wanted to create a game that really puts fans in the middle of a ghost investigation,” said Sam and Colby in a joint statement. “Working with Relatable and the Hunt A Killer brand helped us bring that experience to life with twists, suspense, and everything we love about exploring the unknown.”
In the game, players become paranormal investigators, teaming up with Sam and Colby to uncover the truth behind a demon haunting the Wicker Ridge estate.
Designed for ages 14+, it’s a one-shot, single-use experience for one or more players, with a 45–60 minute playtime and an easy difficulty level. Using realistic props like a ghost comm box, planchette, documents, and exclusive digital footage of Sam and Colby, players must solve puzzles to name and banish the demon.
Digital assets are viewable on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Since launching in 2016, Hunt A Killer has become a leader in immersive mystery entertainment, known for reinventing at-home gameplay through rich storytelling and high-quality, realistic evidence. As the first major murder mystery-in-a-box brand, it brought investigations into living rooms nationwide and transformed the way people engage with true crime. With more than 4 million games sold worldwide, the brand continues to captivate a global audience of amateur sleuths and mystery fans through its open-format gameplay, which allows players to solve cases at their own pace and with any number of fellow detectives.
Here we take a closer look at the Fallout Toughness Vault Boy Phone Stand from EGX Pro.
Able to withstand more than simple foul language, the Toughness Vault Boy Mini Cable Guy is perfect for keeping your phone, glasses, earbuds, or anything else safe and secure. Whether you’re setting up your gaming station or just need a trusty companion on your desk, this Vault Boy’s thick skin has your back!
• Toughness Vault Boy mini holder
• Perfect for keeping your earbuds, phone, and other small gadgets organized
• Officially licensed by Bethesda, styled on the Toughness Vault Boy from Fallout
• Approx 4″ tall
The Fallout Toughness Vault Boy Phone Stand from EGX Pro is available now priced around £17.99.
We take a closer look at the Call of Duty Monkey Bomb Controller Holder and Phone Stand from EGX Pro.
Replenished after a Max Ammo power-up in Call of Duty, the explosive Monkey Bomb grenade is ready and waiting. Free from smashing his symbols and hordes of zombies, the destructive Monkey Bomb Cable Guy will hold your gaming controller, smart phone, or anything else you can fit onto his hands. Be careful – and don’t throw him, as he just might vaporise before your eyes.
• Monkey Bomb phone, remote control and gaming controller stand / holder • Compatible with most types of smartphones and console controllers, including the next-gen PlayStation 5 DualSense, Xbox Series S/X and all iPhones • Perfect for gifting to any Call of Duty player • Officially licensed by Activision – Call of Duty, styled on Monkey Bomb • Approx 8.5″ tall
The Call of Duty Monkey Bomb Controller Holder and Phone Stand from EGXPro is available now priced around £29.99
Shokz JointArc design made of flexible titanium alloy
Clip-on style earbud weighing 6.5g
Open-ear design for situational awareness
Powerful sound plus Dolby Audio
Dynamic Ear Detection
Four AI-powered noise cancelling mics for clear calls
10 hours listening time with a single charge, and a total of 40 hours with the charging case
6 hours of talk time with a single charge, and a total of 25 hours with the charging case
A 10-minute quick charge with the charging case provides 2 hours of listening time (audio playback)
Wireless charging compatible
Bluetooth 5.4
IP54 water resistance
270 days standby time
Two year warranty
Compatible profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
What’s in the box?
The box contains the OpenDots ONE, a guide guide and a charging cable.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The first thing that strikes you about the OpenDots ONE is its sleek and minimalist design. Available in Black or Grey, they are lightweight and ergonomically shaped, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. They clip comfortably around your ear and are held firmly in place.
At just 0.23oz (6.5g) per earbud and 1.38oz (39g) for the charging case, the OpenDots ONE is incredibly lightweight and portable. Slip them into your pocket and enjoy endless comfort while listening on-the-go.
In terms of sound quality, the OpenDots ONE does not disappoint. They deliver a balanced audio experience with crisp highs, rich mids, and satisfying bass. The earbuds excel at providing clarity making them an excellent choice for podcasts and audiobooks as well. Dolby Audio is also really good!
Battery life is a vital consideration for any pair of wireless earbuds, and the OpenDots ONE holds up well in this regard. You can expect around 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 30 hours of battery life, meaning you get 40 hours of playback when fully charged. Quick charging capabilities also ensure you’re never left without music for long – 10 minutes of charge will give you around 2 hours of playback.
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, the OpenDots ONE provides a stable and quick connection to your devices, minimising lag and enhancing overall user experience. The touch controls are intuitive and responsive, allowing users to play, pause, skip tracks, and take calls seamlessly. You can even make and receive phone calls – both earbuds have a microphone for the best possible quality.
Additionally, the earbuds boast an IP54 rating, proving light resistant to sweat and rain, which is perfect for active users who enjoy outdoor workouts or gym sessions.
And for anyone who has ever misplaced an earbud, you can easily locate them with a one click ringing feature.
Overall, the Shokz OpenDots ONE earbuds present a compelling option for anyone in the market for reliable, stylish, and high-quality wireless audio. With their excellent sound performance, comfortable fit, and user-friendly features, they are well-suited for both everyday use and more intense activities. Whether you’re a music fanatic or just need a good pair of earbuds for daily commutes, the OpenDots ONE should be on your shortlist.
The Shokz OpenDots ONE are available now priced around £179 and come in either Black or Grey.
Spike Chunsoft’s latest entry in its mind-bending mystery series lands on the Nintendo Switch 2 with a blend of surrealism, sci-fi intrigue, and layered gameplay.
No Sleep For Kaname Date does not fully maximise the Switch 2’s hardware potential, but runs smoothly, especially in performance mode.
A bizarre experience
If players are new to this series, they should expect a learning curve in terms of gameplay.
There is minimal combat in this game, it’s more like flipping between a detective TV show, a surreal escape room, and a psychological thriller.
This title has minimal hand-holding, especially for newcomers to this series, but once players click with the games unique rhythm, they will find this title to be a rewarding experience.
A learning curve for newcomers
The gameplay splits into three core modes:
Escape mode, Investigation Mode, Somnium Mode.
Escape Mode: The player must solve intricate puzzles inside surreal environments—think alien labs, haunted arcades, and conspiracy bunkers.
Players can rotate between characters mid-puzzle using the analogue sticks, and some challenges require combining their perspectives to unlock solutions. It’s tactile, clever, and fun.
Investigation mode: Players step into the shoes of Kaname Date, a detective with a cybernetic eye to scan environments, gather clues, and interrogate suspects.
It’s more point-and-click than action, but the writing and character interactions keep it engaging. There’s a new “Third Eye” overlay that highlights hidden objects and symbols—great for lore hunters, or completionists.
Somnium Mode: This mode is essentially a playable dream sequence. Players dive into the subconscious mind of a character, usually a character tied to a mystery or a crime.
Players must explore the characters inner world to uncover hidden memories, emotions and helpful clues. It’s reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077’s Braindance, but if Braindance got lost in a strange fever dream.
Performance & Visuals
Visually, the Switch 2 version runs at a smooth 60fps, but it doesn’t push the hardware in any meaningful way. The environments are vibrant and surreal, matching the series’ tone, but don’t expect a graphical leap from the original Switch titles.
Textures and lighting remain in line with late-era Switch games, thus the successor does not struggle with this title.
Quality mode boosts visual fidelity for those who prefer the games visuals and atmosphere over frame rate.
Mouse support allows for more precise control during investigations, especially while scanning environments and searching for clues, which is a nice addition for those who prefer a mouse over a controller.
No Sleep for Kaname Date: Where anime meets mind-bending mystery
Thanks to the Switch 2, players can enjoy No Sleep for Kaname Date in an enhanced way. With higher visuals, especially on the Switch 2’s quality mode, or at a crisp and stable 60fps with the performance mode.
Players can use the Switch 2’s mouse controls for more precise controls during an investigation. Load times are also improved in the switch 2 version, cutting load times almost in half, in comparison to the Switch version, making replaying investigations less tedious.
No Sleep for Kaname Date is a puzzle-driven mystery, with an interesting myriad of different characters.
The layered gameplay, split between dream dives, investigations and escape-room like puzzles, offer depth and charm, especially for returning fans.
Newcomers to this series may feel lost at first, but those who embrace the uniqueness and bizarreness of this game will find a rewarding experience.
9 Lives to Defend is the latest 2D arena shooter to be added to Xbox, having released on Steam much earlier this year. You play as Loki, a cat who defends his home from intruders that are insects, whilst its owners are away on vacation. You’ll have nine lives to fend off the intruders with a handful of different upgrade cards, amulets and special skills available to help you protect the house.
There are multiple different versions of Loki to choose from, with some stronger than others in specific aspects such as dash cooldown, main weapon damage and movement speed. Each of them have their own unique abilities, stats and weapons, allowing you to pick the cat which suits your play style or simply takes your fancy. Three of them are available straight away whilst the rest can be unlocked by completing specific tasks, which is the same case for the maps.
Upgrades are available for each Loki in the hideout, allowing you to improve certain stats up to maximum level five. In order to purchase upgrades you’ll need kibble which is the currency that you can gain from defeating enemies and opening chests, you’ll earn extra kibble for each boss you defeat and every time you win a match depending on the difficulty and the length you decide to choose.
The nine lives sometimes don’t seem like much especially when playing on wild or brutal difficulty
Wild and brutal difficulty are named that for a reason in this game, not only is it chaotic but it’s downright all over the place. Enemies and bosses move a lot faster, have a lot more health and you’re constantly dodging projectiles every couple of seconds especially after the halfway mark which sometimes makes it extremely hard to focus on so many things at once. With lots of enemies I would often find myself cornered accepting the fact that I would lose a life no matter how hard I tried to preserve them, you technically had 27 lives or rather you could take damage that many times, for each three hits you took you would lose a life. Now that sounds very generous which it is, considering most games you can only take a couple of hits before the words “game over” appear on screen.
Despite being able to take that many hits it often felt like they went in an instant. At the beginning of the matches up until around the first five minutes I would end up losing two lives maximum, this was purely because it wasn’t that chaotic and none of the annoying and hard hitting enemies spawned yet. But once it got over that mark I lost my lives extremely quickly. There were some points where I was able to hold onto a life for a minute or two, but then straight after I would lose one in ten seconds. Now this was partially down to the fact that the Loki I equipped wasn’t upgraded enough and that I didn’t have strong enough amulets, both of which determined how much I would struggle.
To put it bluntly, it’s next to impossible to beat a match regardless of the difficulty or length with any Loki which hasn’t had one single upgrade. The damage of the main weapon isn’t enough, the cooldown is too long and it takes a while to recharge the dash, which is arguably one of the most important abilities to upgrade. Though once you upgrade a certain Loki considerably and buy some good amulets, completing matches will be so much easier, granted it does take some time to get enough kibble to actually be able to max out abilities, but it’s worth it in the end.
There are also modifiers which allows you to add in extra obstacles if you’d like, making the matches a bit tougher but also granting you extra kibble towards upgrades. You can also gain them by completing missions and capturing chests, so the game doesn’t make the process of getting them grueling and long.
Despite the simple and straightforward combat, I found it rather refreshing and enjoyable
The combat mechanics aren’t exactly the most complicated or exciting aspect of Nine Lives to Defend, it quite literally consists of moving up, down, left and right. The main weapon attack fires automatically to the enemy closest to you, though you can manually control it by moving the analog stick into any direction to fire at specific enemies. I found this very useful when wanting to prioritize enemies which were very weak, but apart from that it was just something else to focus on amidst the chaos, there was also the chance of completely missing the attack which just put me off using it even more.
There are a ton of fun, wacky and unique abilities available to use each match which made the gameplay a lot more fun and unique. Upgrade cards give you abilities amongst other things to aid you in the match, allowing for different playstyles and combinations. Each time you leveled up you would have the option of 4 upgrade cards to pick, there were over 40 of them each with different effects. Some cards gave you access to new primary attacks depending on the Loki you’re playing as, it also gave you the chance of picking from several secondary attacks, some were quite frankly bizarre but honestly refreshing to see.
Other helpful ones included being able to refill a life, have seven chances to reroll the upgrade options given to you, add extra bowls of kibbles on the map which would replenish a life whenever you collected the specific amount to fill up the bar and many more. Upgrade cards could be upgraded to maximum level seven or five, with some a lot more beneficial than others. Most times I would often go for the same ones each match since I knew what ones were the strongest and most important, but to shake it up a bit some games I would completely go for a new build just so I could use at least each upgrade card once and see how powerful they can really be.
To add to the combat each Loki also had their own feline instinct, a power up if you’d like which essentially was a massive attack that was able to deal massive amounts of damage and take out a horde of enemies instantly. It didn’t come easy of course, you had to fill up the feline instinct bar by killing enemies. Some feline instincts are much more powerful than others depending on the Loki, regardless they’re really handy and saved my skin a lot especially when the big bosses appeared.
The enemies and bosses were a real handful at times despite their appearances
Like in most games enemies no matter how strong will always be annoying, whether it’s because they’re so common, hit hard or have specific attacks which either deal a lot of damage or inflict statuses on you. The enemies in Nine Lives to Defend aren’t any different, yeah they don’t carry a massive sword neither do they tower over you (apart from the bosses) but despite being only insects and animals they were still a threat, especially when playing on wild or brutal difficulty as mentioned earlier, since there are just so many of them at all times.
While most enemies didn’t pose much of a threat there were a couple I found that would always hit me or were just extremely annoying. One of which were the slugs which seemed to fire what looked like mucus in the form of a ball, now it only took one life off of you and they weren’t that fast either so dodging the projectiles wasn’t a problem at first, but once more enemies started piling in having to avoid getting hit by them as well as the mucus was quite difficult. Since there was so much going on I sometimes wouldn’t notice the several projectiles before it was too late, this actually ended up taking more lives off of me than I expected which is why I found the slugs to be a handful.
Another enemy which I disliked and thought were the biggest threat amongst the common enemies were the beetles, which shot a purple projectile that made you unable to control Loki for a couple of seconds, and getting hit by that when surrounded by several enemies most of the time ended up in losing a life, unless you picked the upgrade card which negated effects from projectiles, though that was only a single use.
I should also touch on the several bosses which you’ll encounter along the way, there aren’t too many of them but on the hardest modes they have a lot of health with their attacks dealing two hearts, so you really don’t want to get hit by any of them. They come in four minute intervals so you rarely had to deal with two at once unless you weren’t able to kill one in four minutes which is highly unlikely, that is unless you’re playing on wild or brutal difficulty with a Loki that hasn’t received any upgrades, in that case I wish you the best of luck because you’ll definitely need it.
Feline instinct was definitely the easiest way to defeat the bosses, I made sure that just before they appeared it was fully charged, so that I could use it straight away and it would most of the time take around a quarter off of their health or even more, though that depended on the difficulty. I also made sure to pick the upgrade card which charges feline instinct quicker, this made dealing with the bosses and large hordes of enemies so much easier.
Amulets also made dealing with bosses and enemies in general much easier too, especially the extremely powerful ones, though they do cost around 3000 kibble each, so it might take an hour or two of grinding to get your hands on them, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. There are quite a few of them, some offer small advantages whilst others completely change the game for you, which allow for several unique combinations when synergized with upgrade cards.
