Here is our review of the new Nanoleaf Smart Multicolour Floor Lamp.
Transform your space with the ambient illumination of our Matter-enabled Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp. Choose from 10 curated lighting Scenes designed to suit any mood, or create your own with over 16 million colours and tunable whites.
The slim and minimalistic design fits effortlessly into any room, adding the perfect amount of ambient or accent lighting.
Features
16+ Million Colours & Ultra Bright Tunable Whites Reacts to Sound and Music Set Schedules with a Smart Home Ecosystem Use with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Matter over Wi-Fi- Control with Built-In Controller, Nanoleaf App or with Voice Commands through a Smart Home Ecosystem
What’s in the box?
The box contains the power supply, stand, lamp components and screwdriver.
Final Thoughts
Setting up the floor lamp took a little bit of time – only because connecting the light strip into the base and making sure it fit perfectly was a little fiddly and you don’t want to rush it and risk damaging it.
Once you have set up the lamp and placed it where you want it’s then just a case of configuring it. You can use the Nanoleaf app or you can use other methods depending on what setup you have.
I found using the app was really easy and simple and I could easily choose from the 10 curated scenes or create my own. That’s half of the fun with Nanoleaf products, you can set it up exactly how you want it to me and make it as unique as you are.
If you need a floor lamp, and you want something unique and cool, then look no further than this one! In fact, why not get two?
The Nanoleaf Smart Multicolour Floor Lamp is available now priced around £69.99.
Here we take a closer look at the So Chill Infinity Mini Fridge from Canal Toys.
The ultimate accessory for gamers, tweens and teens. This cool mini fridge will keep your essentials perfectly chilled at home or on the go. Featuring a unique infinity light effect door that doubles up as a mirror.
The So Chill Mini Fridge has 12 LED light modes to match your style or mood. Perfect for gamers, influencers, beauty enthusiasts, students, and anyone who loves to keep it cool.
Customise with stickers to reflect your personality and powered by a 5V USB cable.
Features:
Showstopping Design: The mirrored door with vibrant, interchangeable colour-changing LEDs creates a dazzling display that will be the envy of your friends.
Road Trip Ready: Compact and portable with both home and car power options, it’s ideal for road trips, gaming sessions, or late-night study sessions.
Highly Versatile: Keeps drinks chilled, snacks ready, and even beauty products cool.
Easy to Customise: Customise your fridge to match your personality with the sticker sheet that is full of amazing designs.
Specifications:
4-Litre Capacity
Cools between 15-20 degrees below ambient temperature
USB power cord and car adapter included
LED lights with 12 interchangeable colour modes
Removable shelf for easy organisation
Includes a sheet of 90 fun stickers for personalisation.
The So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity is a sophisticated and compact refrigeration unit designed for modern lifestyles. Its sleek mirrored door, and has 12 ccolour-changing LED illuminations. With a 4-litre capacity it can hold drinks, snacks and beauty products.
The So Chill Infinity Mini Fridge from Canal Toys is available now priced around £44.99 from Smyths
Here is our review of the Kiwi Ears Aventus DJ ANC Wireless Headphones.
Kiwi Ears Aventus is a Bluetooth headset designed for DJs and gamers, featuring dual dynamic drivers for powerful, balanced sound. With hybrid ANC, 82-hour battery life, and customizable tuning, it offers comfort and performance. Its ergonomic design and RGB lighting make it perfect for long, immersive sessions.
Specifications
What’s in the box?
The box contains the headphones, instructions, tuning foam pads, cables and charging cable.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The headphones are fairly lightweight and are very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time. They come in a protective carry case which includes a clip to attach to your backpack or belt. The ear cups twist in order to make them easier to carry.
The sound quality is really good. The Aventus is meticulously tuned to provide an audiophile-grade tonal balance, following a mild Harman tuning curvature. It offers strong, impactful bass that seamlessly transitions into a neutral and natural midrange. The treble range is crafted to align with the human ear’s perceived frequency curvature, ensuring a comfortable and accurate listening experience. Additionally, the Aventus includes extra foam inserts in the packaging, allowing users to modify the tuning to better suit their personal preferences. This design reflects Kiwi Ear’s unwavering commitment to achieving the perfect tonal balance for audiophiles.
The headphones also support Active Noise Cancelling using a 5-microphone array. ANC works really well and can be used in either wired or wireless mode.
You can choose to either connect the headphones using one of the supplied cables, or you can use bluetooth. Either way connecting up to whatever you want to listen to is quick and easy.
The Aventus offers up to 82 hours of playback with ANC off, 45 hours with ANC on, and 18 hours with ANC and RGB lights, plus 4 hours from just 10 minutes of charging.
The Kiwi Ears Aventus DJ ANC Wireless Headphones are available now priced around $89.99 and would make a great addition whether you are gaming, listening to music or DJ’ing.
Here we take a closer look at the Minecraft: Creeper Cable Guy R.E.S.T Collectible Figure Device Holder from Cable Guys.
Introducing our Minecraft Creeper R.E.S.T Cable Guy! Inspired by the iconic character of the Minecraft universe, this Cable Guy embodies the explosive charm of the Creeper’s adventures. Crafted to securely hold your consoles and devices, it captures the essence of Minecraft’s endless possibilities. Whether you’re building magnificent structures or braving daring quests, let this Cable Guy be a symbol of the thrilling surprises and creativity that await you in the world of Minecraft. Elevate your gaming setup with the electrifying spirit of the Minecraft Creeper!
• Minecraft Creeper 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
• The perfect gift for any Minecraft Fan
• Officially licensed by Minecraft, styled on Creeper from Minecraft
The Minecraft: Creeper Cable Guy R.E.S.T Collectible Figure Device Holder from Cable Guys is available now priced around £29.99. This one is perfect for any fan of Minecraft!
The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard from SteelSeries is the perfect choice for mid-size workstations. Alternatively, maybe the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 keyboard is a little too small, and you want something more substantial. Either way, your gaming will improve, and you’ll adore the match-winning edge!
This wired-only keyboard focuses on lightning speeds, usability, vivid RGB, and next-level gaming tech. Though this sounds like a hefty list to tick off, SteelSeries achieves the mighty feat with ease. I’ve recently covered the Pro Mini and Apex Pro Gen 3 keyboard and was blown away. Consequently, I couldn’t wait to tackle this compact but highly versatile peripheral.
What’s in the box of the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard?
The packing is professional and alluring. I adore the vibrant imagery and the interesting key selling points.
The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard comes in 2 colours. I picked the clean white version. Alternatively, a simple black livery can be selected.
Reduce fatigue with the detachable wrist support.
Power the device with the strong, braided USB-C cable.
Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
A lack of a numpad can be a deal breaker for some gamers. Thankfully, SteelSeries offers a full range of sizes to accommodate every need. The TKL version is the middle ground, and it will appeal to many casual and elite players. Whether you love to type, game, or compete, this keyboard will appeal to you.
The wired-only approach delivers low-latency gaming and breathtakingly responsive inputs. Moreover, the actuation distance of each keystroke can be altered to create your perfect working platform. This user-friendly design ensures that you can work and play from the same device without compromise.
Changing settings on the fly is a wonderful tool that cannot be underestimated. Whether you wish to adjust your profile, settings, or check your system details, the handy OLED smart screen keeps you informed. This command centre allows you to activate the Rapid Trigger functionality without backing out of your game. Subsequently, you can adjust your gaming style without breaking away from the action.
Plenty of features.
Whether it is rapid inputs, pinpoint precision, customisable profiles, or dual functionality inputs, the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard has it all. Additionally, accessing each key feature is straightforward. The handy OLED smart screen and the free-to-download software make it simple to flit through settings and disable and enable key features.
Rapid Tap, Rapid Trigger, 2-in-1 action keys, and Protection Mode deliver market-leading results. Rapid Tap and Trigger work hand-in-hand to deliver precise inputs, adjustable actuation distance, and a match-winning edge. Whether you want instantaneous inputs or key prioritisation, this peripheral delivers it.
The features keep coming.
2-in-1 action keys ensure that multiple tasks can be completed from one keystroke. Walk with a light touch or sprint as the key is pushed in. This feature takes some getting used to, but it helps reduce fatigue and improves your response times and survival rates in FPS endeavours.
Protection mode reduces input sensitivity to unwanted keys. Consequently, “fat finger” and mistakes are reduced and kill streaks and high scores are increased. This simple idea is a game-changer and perfect for competitive gamers.
If split-second reactions are a must, you can alter the actuation distance from 0.1mm to 4mm. This customisable approach creates a dream keyboard that works no matter the job at hand. Typing emails, playing strategy games, or dominating the field in fast-paced affairs can all be achieved with this gaming device.
Finally, GG Quickset is a “cheating” tool for lazy gamers. SteelSeries has done the hard work and created plenty of preset profiles for the most popular games. Accordingly, you can use their settings and create the optimum approach for your favourite games.
Build quality.
This is a premium device made with high-end materials. The mechanical switches deliver a divine clacky sound. Furthermore, the sound-dampening foam delivers a pleasant soundscape. Each switch is 11 times faster and has 40 levels of adjustable actuation. Moreover, they are guaranteed for 100 million presses.
If you are a fan of RGB, you’ll adore this keyboard. The dynamic-per-key illumination supports Prism for an optimum light display. Additionally, there are 16.8 million colour options for a dream customisable experience.
The TKL form factor is perfect for small workstations. Though the lack of a numpad may be a sticking point, I like the compact design. Furthermore, the smart screen helps users to keep on top of their settings and their PC statistics.
Is the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard worth it?
If you love to game and you want a premium device, you need the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 keyboard in your life. This superb gaming peripheral looks amazing and is easy to use. Furthermore, it is packed with game-changing features. Accordingly, I adore this product and recommend buying it here!
(More information on SteelSeries can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
Here is our review of the Gunnar Campbell Glasses.
The Campbell embodies a stylish frame constructed of hybrid materials, namely acetate and stainless steel. Matte metal front with premium acetate temples in dark shades of grey and black, ensures a timeless feel. Available in amber and Clear-Pro tints, the ideal option for true colour accuracy.
Features
Stylish round style in a combination of stainless steel and acetate
Flexible spring hinges
GUNNAR patented lens technology
G-Shield® Plus lens coating: anti-reflective & smudge resistant
Blocks harmful blue light and 100% UV
Also available in prescription
Specifications
Lens width: 52 mm | lens height: 44 mm | nose: 19 mm | frame width: 136 mm | temple: 137 mm | weight: 20 grams (without packaging)
What’s in the box?
Tri-Fold Glasses Case
Microfiber Pouch
Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
12-month Warranty
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The build quality that makes the these glasses so impressive. The lightweight and spacious frames feel great to wear. Moreover, there were no pressure points and I could wear these for hours.
If you are heavy-handed, you’ll be pleased to know that the flexible spring hinges are robust. Therefore, if you mishandle your glasses, the arms will simply spring back into place. This was great as I loved this reassuring design. Moreover, it makes the frame more versatile and reduces the risk of tension if you have a wider face.
If you wish to combine style with practicality, then look no further.
Alongside this, the build quality is exceptional and these glasses are comfortable to wear.
You also get a very cool glasses case and a cleaning cloth too!
You can choose to have the lenses tinted or not, and if you have a prescription then you can order them with your prescription.
The Gunnar Campbell Glasses are available now starting at around $99. If these are quite your style then take a look at the Gunnar website as they have lots of styles available, one is bound to suit you.
The Fremont frame construction consists of hybrid materials, namely acetate and stainless steel. Matte metal rectangular front with premium acetate temples in dark shades of grey and black, ensures a timeless feel. Available in amber and Clear-Pro tints, the ideal option for true color accuracy. Key features: Change the first line to: Stylish round style in a combination of stainless steel and acetate.
Features
Contemporary rectangular silhouette acetate frame material
Flexible spring hinges
GUNNAR patented lens technology
G-Shield® Plus lens coating: anti-reflective & smudge resistant
Blocks harmful blue light and 100% UV
Also available in prescription
Specification
Lens width: 59 mm | lens height: 39 mm | nose: 17 mm | frame width: 137 mm | temple: 137 mm | weight: 20 grams (without packaging)
What’s in the box?
Tri-Fold Glasses Case
Microfiber Pouch
Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
12-month Warranty
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The build quality that makes the these glasses so impressive. The lightweight and spacious frames feel great to wear. Moreover, there were no pressure points and I could wear these for hours.
If you are heavy-handed, you’ll be pleased to know that the flexible spring hinges are robust. Therefore, if you mishandle your glasses, the arms will simply spring back into place. This was great as I loved this reassuring design. Moreover, it makes the frame more versatile and reduces the risk of tension if you have a wider face.
If you wish to combine style with practicality, then look no further.
Alongside this, the build quality is exceptional and these glasses are comfortable to wear.
You also get a very cool glasses case and a cleaning cloth too!
You can choose to have the lenses tinted or not, and if you have a prescription then you can order them with your prescription.
The Gunnar Fremont Glasses are available now starting at around $99. If these are quite your style then take a look at the Gunnar website as they have lots of styles available, one is bound to suit you.
SteelSeries is a company that guarantees excitement. Its top tech is incredible, and a match-winning edge is all but guaranteed. However, some of these awesome products can be considered costly. Consequently, it takes a lot of effort to bite the bullet and splurge the cash. Thankfully, the SteelSeries Easter surprise offers egg-cellent offers for a short period.
Whether you need earbuds, a gaming mouse, headphones, or a keyboard, this event has you covered. Up to 50% savings can be enjoyed (on specific lines), and selected earbuds can be engraved for free. Accordingly, there is something for every budget and taste.
Some of the deals during the SteelSeries Easter surprise.
Aerox 3 Custom.
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Custom mouse is a lightweight gaming marvel, designed for speed and precision. Weighing just 59g, its perforated shell ensures effortless gameplay while maintaining durability. The customizable RGB lighting offers vibrant, dynamic patterns to match your gaming setup. With AquaBarrier™ technology, it’s protected against spills, dust, and debris, ensuring long-lasting performance.
The TrueMove Core optical sensor delivers pixel-perfect accuracy, while Golden Micro IP54 switches provide crisp clicks and enhanced durability. Tailor your mouse with options for body colour, cable type, and mouse feet, including ceramic for frictionless gliding.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset is a premium audio solution for gamers and audiophiles. Featuring **Active Noise Cancellation**, it eliminates distractions for immersive gameplay, while the hear-through mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings.
Its **Hi-Res capable drivers** deliver crystal-clear sound with deep bass and precise mids. The headset supports **360° Spatial Audio**, enhancing situational awareness in games. With dual USB connections and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, it seamlessly mixes game and mobile audio. Furthermore, the hot-swappable battery system ensures uninterrupted playtime. Finally, it’s designed for comfort and durability, and is perfect for extended gaming sessions or daily use.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) keyboard is a compact powerhouse designed for gamers seeking precision and speed. Featuring OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches, it offers 40 levels of actuation, allowing you to customise keystrokes from feather-light touches to firm presses.
With Rapid Trigger technology, latency is minimised for faster response times. Moreover, the OLED Smart Display serves as a command centre for settings and updates. Its esports-ready tenkeyless design saves desk space while maintaining full functionality. Built with aircraft-grade aluminium, it ensures durability. Finally, the Apex Pro TKL combines cutting-edge technology and ergonomic design for an unparalleled gaming experience.
I’ve highlighted a small snippet of incredible deals available this Easter. SteelSeries wants you to have a cracking holiday, and these deals will top any chocolate egg. Accordingly, don’t delay and save money today.
(More information on SteelSeries can be found here!)
Chains of Freedom is a turn-based tactical RPG that plunges players into the heart of a bleak, dystopian vision of Eastern Europe. The game is set in a crumbling regime known only as “The Sovereignty,” a totalitarian state unraveling under the weight of a mysterious affliction called EDEN. This disease mutates the infected, causing grotesque crystalline growths and stripping away their humanity. You lead a hardened military squad tasked with confronting not only these dangerous mutations but also the tangled web of political and moral decay at the core of this broken world.
Mechanics necessary for the challenge
At its foundation, the gameplay revolves around tightly designed, grid-based combat encounters. Each encounter is a self-contained scenario where positioning, line of sight, and careful use of cover are crucial. Victory often hinges not on brute strength but on clever tactics—flanking enemies, setting up ambushes, or using elevation to your advantage. The enemies are brutal and varied, forcing you to adapt your approach from mission to mission.
What makes the combat stand out is how it’s interwoven with survival elements. Ammunition is scarce, health doesn’t regenerate between encounters, and careless aggression is frequently punished. This scarcity adds tension to every decision. Will you risk looting that abandoned house at the far end of the map, knowing it might hold the ammo you desperately need—or walk into an ambush and lose a squad member forever?
The game offers three difficulties which are indeed very different with not only varying health pools but also enemy variety. I personally went for the normal difficulty and I have to say I struggled at times. There are many mechanics the player can use to their advantage that are essential to keep restarts to a minimum. Between sneaking around, setting up ambushes, swapping and utilizing skill there are many ways to make encounters easier.
An OK story, beautifully presented
Narratively, Chains of Freedom leans hard into political paranoia and moral ambiguity. You’re not simply fighting monsters; you’re navigating a society on the brink of collapse. The EDEN infection may be the most visible threat, but beneath the surface are layers of corruption, lies, and betrayal. The narrative itself is nothing special with the familiar story beats we’ve seen so many times. It’s serves the point of driving the gameplay forward and the performance does it justice but certainly nothing unique.
Visually, the game uses a combination of detailed hand-drawn comic-style cutscenes and grim 3D environments. It’s not pushing technical boundaries, but it knows exactly what tone it’s aiming for. The decayed buildings, abandoned villages, and eerie caves are atmospheric and immersive. There’s a certain stark beauty in the ruined landscapes, and the enemy designs—especially the mutated infected—are grotesque in all the right ways. The art direction carries a consistent mood throughout, evoking a feeling of dread that stays with you even outside of combat.
Sound design plays a significant role in reinforcing that tension. The ambient audio—distant sirens, the crackle of radio static, infected groans. The best are the myriad of weapons all sound good and feel great to use. the meatiness of a shotgun never gets old.. The soundtrack is mostly minimalist, letting the environment speak for itself, though it occasionally surges during combat or story beats to good effect. Voice acting is solid, delivering just enough emotional nuance to ground the characters without becoming overly dramatic.
Criticism and conclusion
If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that Chains of Freedom leaves little room for error. It’s very difficult to pull back from an encounter if the ambush it set up wrong. Or getting caught while sneaking which results in every enemy in the encounter opening fire while your team stands in the open. This is an issue because poor planning almost always results in a restart instead of a difficult fight.
Still, for fans of tactical strategy games with survival elements, Chains of Freedom is a compelling and thoughtful experience. It succeeds creating encounters that give players a sense of pride when finishing them with casualties. It also succeeds in making players think about resources and whether they’re worth the reward. It certainly succeeded in keeping me hooked throughout the whole journey.
Did you ever decide to do business with the top enterprise in the field, only to feel like you’re not a priority? After all, they have the biggest market share and the dominant position in the field. They act like they’re the best, so they’re not too concerned with the prospect of you leaving. After all, they have more clients than they can handle, and a spillover isn’t catastrophic.
At the same time, someone in the second or third place cannot afford to part with any of their clients, which is why everyone feels like they get preferential treatment.
The same thing goes for choosing an online casino. For instance, if, instead of just going to Bovada directly, you check out Techopedia’s review of Bovada casino alternatives, you might find that it has more appealing bonuses or conditions.
This is just one example, but there are more benefits to picking a top casino alternative than taking the obvious route. Here are some others.
Big-name casinos don’t really have to try. Their users have been around for years and, at this point, are practically glued to the interface. They know where everything is, they’ve built habits, and they probably have a favorite slot or card table. The casino doesn’t have to win them over anymore.
When someone’s been using the same platform for so long, change starts feeling like a hassle. Even if there’s a better deal somewhere else, the idea of learning a new layout or going through the sign-up process can feel like too much work. That’s where alternatives come in strong.
Smaller or newer casinos can’t just wait around for users to find them. They have to actively compete – and that means offering something extra. So, they throw in all sorts of welcome perks to pull you in. It’s not about generosity; it’s about standing out and getting attention.
One of the easiest ways to do that is through welcome bonuses. These can include deposit matches, free spins, or just no-deposit rewards. Whatever form they take, they’re built to make you stop and think, “Why wouldn’t I try this out?” It’s a simple tactic, but it works surprisingly well.
Better customer service
Support is one of the main ways smaller casinos try to leave an impression. You’re not just another number in a massive queue when you reach out with a question or problem. You’ll often get quicker replies and more human responses, which already sets the tone for a better experience.
You’re much more likely to speak to an actual person instead of a script-reading chatbot or some automated system that loops you around the hours. That alone makes you feel like your time matters. It doesn’t fix every issue instantly, but it makes the whole thing less frustrating.
Alternative casinos know that they can’t afford bad reviews. One user having a poor experience and venting about it online could seriously hurt their reputation. The same goes for customer service scams. That’s why they go above and beyond to ensure things get resolved quickly, fairly, and in a way that makes you want to stick around.
They rely more on word-of-mouth and customer satisfaction than the top-tier giants. If they don’t treat you well, they know you’ll bounce – and probably tell your friends why. So, they double down on being helpful and approachable, and honestly, that’s the kind of service most people are actually looking for.
Less competition in tournaments and promotions
In smaller casinos, you’re not fighting a crowd of thousands just to place on a leaderboard. There’s a lot less competition, which means your chances of winning or ranking well in tournaments are way better. It’s not just about luck – it’s about having more room to shine.
With fewer players involved, these tournaments feel a little more personal. You can actually track your position, see familiar names pop up, and get a sense of community. That kind of experience is rare when you’re buried in a massive platform with thousands of anonymous participants.
Alternative casinos often run niche or experimental promotions. Maybe it’s a slot tournament around a new game or a blackjack weekend with custom rules. These kinds of things don’t always get the spotlight on bigger sites, but here, they’re center stage – and that makes them way more fun.
You won’t get lost in a sea of users. Your participation matters more, and it feels that way, too. If you’ve ever joined a tournament on a massive platform and felt invisible, trying one of these smaller setups could be a refreshing change. Sometimes, it’s nice to play where people notice you.
Flexible withdrawal and deposit limits
Big-name casinos tend to stick to the rules when it comes to money. Minimum deposits, high withdrawal thresholds, or weird waiting periods can all be part of the deal. It’s not necessarily bad – it’s just not always convenient, especially if you’re not a big spender or high roller.
Alternatives usually cater to more flexible player types. Maybe you’re someone who likes to deposit small amounts and play casually. Or maybe you want to throw in a bigger deposit now and then without feeling restricted. Smaller casinos often have more wiggle room to accommodate that.
These platforms are trying to win you over. They can’t afford to turn people away just because they don’t fit a certain mold. So, they offer quicker withdrawals, smaller minimum deposits, and generally smoother transactions. It’s one of the easiest ways they can stand out without ever touching the gameplay.
Some of them go a step further by accepting newer or more obscure payment methods. Think lesser-known e-wallets, region-specific services, or newer cryptocurrencies. That kind of flexibility makes a huge difference, especially if you’ve ever struggled to find a platform that actually lets you use your preferred method.
More experimental and unique games
Big casinos tend to play it safe when it comes to game selection. They stick with what works – familiar slots, trusted developers, and games that have mass appeal. But smaller or alternative platforms are where you’ll find the weird stuff, and that’s often where all the fun is.
These casinos are more willing to take risks. They partner with newer studios and test out experimental ideas because they want to offer something the big guys don’t. Maybe it’s a game with unusual mechanics, or maybe the visuals are totally off the wall. Either way, it’s not just the same old thing.
They’re faster when it comes to bringing in fresh releases. You don’t have to wait for the top platforms to run internal testing or squeeze something new into their already packed lineup. Alternative sites always look for the next exciting title that might draw new players.
A game gets more love and attention when it does well on these smaller platforms. Updates come quicker, and feedback is actually taken into account. That kind of back-and-forth between developers and casinos just isn’t something you get when you’re playing on the biggest, most corporate sites.
Conclusion
Sticking with what’s familiar is easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s better. Top casino alternatives often work harder to keep players happy, offering more flexible features, better odds in promos, and customer service that actually listens. Also, they’re way more generous with bonuses and loyalty rewards.
Developed and published by Lioncode Games, Wild Keepers Rising is an action roguelike, Bullet Hell/Heaven Guardian Collector with a fun and engaging storyline.
It’s hard to find words when a game takes you by surprise. Low hopes is how I will describe my feelings going into Wild Keepers Rising. With the 2d on 3d cardboard graphics and complete under-the-radar presentation on the Steam page, it looked like just another citizen from Generic-ville. But then, I pressed play.
Fresh Squeeze, Old Fruit
Wild Keepers Rising is, first and foremost, a Vampire Survivors-… Clone? Like?
You control a character who attacks by themselves. XP is collected from downed enemies, and after a certain amount is collected, you get an upgrade. However, everything changed when the Guardians came to play.
If I am to summarise, Wild Keepers Rising is another Vampire Survivors-like Bullet Hell/Heaven game, but with two unique elements. It has an easy-to-follow, constantly progressing plot, and it has Guardians.
A Hero and his Keepers
The story of Wild Keepers Rising is about a world being swarmed by parasitic forces of evil. Insect and plant – like, these creatures are trying to destroy everything. These mindless monsters were once removed from the earth by the powerful beings called guardians, but are now back to exact their revenge.
(I have forgotten the name of the main characters, so bear with me on this one.)
You have the choice between two characters, a boy with a sword or a girl with a bow. You do get a third option later on, an old man with the ability to provide buffs to allies, but he is useless.
Together, with the help of Guardians, you must destroy the enemies and take back the land…. So basic hero in a doomed world kind of stuff.
Let’s talk Guardians!
Guardians
Each guardian has a unique power, passive skill and special move that can help fight the enemies. For example, A cat that attacks with its claws can run fast and explode as a special move, killing a large portion of the enemies around the map.
You can have up to 4 guardians in a mission(one is randomly assigned each time you touch a summoning orb). When a guardian dies, they are taken out of battle for some time and respawn at the point of death. There are dozens of guardians and more unlock as you progress through the campaign.
A Quick Word on Vampire Survivors
The Vampire Survivors genre has proven itself to be incredibly addictive. Those short runs, constant upgrades, and chaotic enemy swarms make it hard to put down. But let’s be real: as fun as it is, it can get overwhelming, and worse, repetitive.
That’s where Wild Keepers Rising stands out. It takes the familiar loop we love and injects it with actual narrative momentum and a clever twist.
Guardians don’t just add variety in gameplay, they break up the monotony by giving each run a different strategic feel. That, with the addition of a progressing story and a world that feels like it’s worth saving, makes this more than just another survivor clone. It’s fresh, it’s engaging, and that’s exactly why Wild Keepers Rising works so well.
From Nowhere to My HeartKeepers
Wild Keepers Rising came out of nowhere and completely blindsided me in the best way possible. It’s a smart, stylish spin on the Vampire Survivors formula that cares about story and strategy. If you’ve burned out on bullet heaven clones but still crave that rush, this game is your next fix. Don’t sleep on it, play it!
Blue Prince is a difficult one for me to review, because a lot of my points about it are based on how it made me feel. It’s hard to explain. Have you ever booked a cottage for a holiday? Bear with me. You walk in and all the doors are closed. You might know the basic floorplan but when you grab a door handle, chances are you don’t know for sure what’s behind the door. There’s a little spark of mystery, at least until you open the door and find out that it’s just a bedroom. Exploring an unknown, yet comfortable space is an odd feeling.
It’s that feeling that Blue Prince evoked most strongly in me, with a dash of something sadder, but we’ll get to that later. Every door in Blue Prince leads to somewhere strange and, often, new. When you first start playing, you might ask the question, ‘is this really it?’. I can emphatically say that the answer is no. Despite the gentle gameplay loop, there are caverns of hidden depth. Truly, Blue Prince is a game that gives back the more you put in.
Architect’s Nightmare
On the surface, Blue Prince seems bizarrely simple. We play as Simon, a young lad whose uncle – the poshly named Herbert Sinclair – has passed away. In his will, he leaves Simon his giant mansion, with one twist: to keep it, Simon needs to find Room 46. The problem being, there are only 45 rooms in the mansion. I’m just glad we didn’t play as the people who had to try and execute this will. Anyway, Simon starts his quest to pick through what rooms he can find.
In terms of gameplay, if I were to compress it into a genre, I’d probably label it as ‘puzzle roguelike’. Every day, Simon goes into the entrance hall and is greeted with three doors. Interacting with one produces a ‘draft’; a set of three rooms to choose from. These rooms are broken down into broad categories. There are bedrooms, which restore energy; gardens; red rooms that inflict negative effects; hallways, and so on. An entire mansion chopped into bits and arranged at will, which resets each morning. Ever played Betrayal at House on the Hill? It feels a lot like that.
The basic route to Room 46 is broadly simple. Draft enough room types and you’ll get there. The depth comes through pretty much everything else. There are passcoded safes everywhere, for instance, as well as a variety of other puzzles that deepen the mystery. The key being that the clues are often in other rooms. It’s an excellent way of approaching puzzles from the perspective of a video game. The clues and puzzles may not appear in the same room, necessitating careful observation and, in my case, scribbling notes down like a madman. They just keep coming too. Each run uncovers new sets of puzzles. It’s excellent.
Searching For Answers
Let me give you one (veiled) example. On one of my later Blue Prince runs, I drafted a room full of statues. I could interact with the statues to put them in different states, but after poking around the room for ten minutes, I was out of ideas. Frustrated, I drafted another room and, idly glancing at the walls, found the solution. It had been staring at me for hours in previous runs. It’s very organic. Add to that the need to manage energy, as well as juggling keys and trying to avoid running into dead ends, and you often can’t dictate what puzzle you’ll solve when. You’ve got to embrace the whole, and keep moving.
Which I suppose ties in with the general themes of Blue Prince, at least as far as I interpreted it. Simon is a young kid – too young to be dealing with the things that have been put on him. I don’t want to spoil too much, but he doesn’t have a fantastic family life, and while his Uncle seemed fond of him, they didn’t seem close. The mansion, and its constant shifting rooms, feels like Simon picking through the past. At each turn he comes face-to-face with the eccentricities of his uncle and his own, sudden need for adulthood. Room 46 turns into an almost mystical challenge, that leads him through his family tree as much as through the house.
I could probably continue singing the praises of Blue Prince. Like it’s tendency to deliver powerful emotional blows on the tail of puzzle solving. But this is a review, so I must parade out the nitpicks. For one, as beautiful as the art (and music) is, the house rooms feel a touch sterile. Each type of room is in the exact same condition when drafted. I wanted little elements of Simon to break through, to shift things from his uncle. Also, while most puzzles are great, some rely on certain rooms being drafted next to each other. I have one puzzle solved in my notes, but I can’t actually solve it due to basic RNG, which isn’t great.
Blue Prince – Depth Of All Kinds
Blue Prince is best gone into with as little prior knowledge as possible. Which I guess makes this review redundant, but it’s true. The gradual unravelling of the layers is a key element. It’s very deliberately designed to make you underestimate it. My thinking ‘Is this really it?’ was perhaps deliberate, so that Blue Prince can laugh and shake its head. It’s not really it. Not by half. I suspect that attitude might turn people off, but I’m fifteen hours in and I’ve got a folder of screenshots, and a notebook of scribbles that all presumably fit in somewhere.
It remains a hard game to describe, though. You are just placing down room tiles, after all, while trying not to trap yourself. If it does interest you, my advice is twofold. First, if something looks a little out of place in a room, then for heaven’s sake, make a note of it. Secondly, don’t stop. Keep drafting new rooms, keep making new notes, keep starting new days. At some point it’ll click. Blue Prince truly understands the ‘game’ part of ‘puzzle game’, by presenting you with a beautiful mansion full of smart, out-of-the-way puzzles, and a depth that is truly staggering.
Tempopo is an absolute joy to play. The intricate puzzles, colourful worlds, and wholesome audio are captivating. Moreover, the lack of violence and danger ensures that younger gamers can enjoy every minute. Though some of the stages are challenging, the developer has included helpful hints to keep you going.
This colourful puzzle title was developed by Witch Beam and published by The Cult Games. It is a single-player game that uses a free-moving camera. This is essential as many of the puzzles require 3d investigation. This shifting perspective is easy to work with, and the gameplay flows nicely as a consequence.
Tempopo is delightfully cute.
Music raises your spirits and brings light to the darkest of situations. However, when Hana’s musical flowers are scattered across floating islands, all hell breaks loose. Her musical garden falls quiet, and control and order are no longer.
Thankfully, Hana has the ability to explore each island and rescue her beloved flowers. Furthermore, with the help of the Tempopo, she can solve every problem and bring music and life back to the magical garden.
Simple mechanics.
Tempopo’s core gameplay is broken down across 3 modes. Puzzle mode, adventure mode, and challenge mode are there to be beaten. Each option uses the same mechanics. However, adventure mode is aimed towards a younger audience. Most players will focus their energy on the puzzle mode. Yet the crème de la crème will test their grey matter with the cruel challenge mode.
Each map hosts a handful of flowers hidden behind obstacles. Moreover, there are occasionally monsters to avoid and loads of chasms to leap. Thankfully, tools are provided to overcome each of these problems. The Tempopo’s can be turned into blocks, smash through cubes, fly, turn on the spot, push obstacles, and more.
During each stage, you are given the right number of tools to complete the task. Accordingly, you must place the instructions correctly and watch the magic unfold. If you get it right, the creatures will create new paths and move obstacles as they collect every flower on offer. If you get it wrong, they’ll be eaten by the monsters or fall from each floating island.
Tempopo looks great.
Failure is all but guaranteed. However, this shouldn’t put you off. This beautiful game is a pleasure to look at, and playing it is a relaxing experience. The pastel colours and interesting stage design were wonderful. What’s more, the action only progresses when you conduct the creatures. Subsequently, there is no time pressure, and you can take as long as you like.
The audio is where Tempopo shines. BAFTA award-winning composer Jeff Van Dyck ploughs energy and feeling into every note and sound effect. The result is a glorious world that feels alive and special. I adore the music and the sense of movement. Though some puzzles were particularly challenging, each song brought a smile to my face.
Brilliantly accessible.
The developer has an inclusive mindset that guarantees an accessible approach. Whether it is helpful hints, a child-friendly mode, or special controller assistance, Tempopo has it all. Alongside this, the controls are easy to master, and the free-moving camera assists further.
The puzzle mode is loaded with levels. Subsequently, there is plenty to do. However, if this isn’t enough, there are roughly 60 more challenging stages to complete. These harder options will test the most competent puzzle fans and push you to return for more.
Tempopo is a fantastic indie game.
If you want to experience a beautiful and challenging puzzle game that bends and tests you throughout, this is the title for you. The music is stunning; each small world will make you think outside the box. Moreover, the lack of time pressure helps you to enjoy every moment. Accordingly, it is a fantastic indie game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you recover every magical flower? Explore the floating islands, overcome each obstacle, and get the garden singing in tune.
Sandisk has launched the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD for PlayStation5 Console and PC, giving gamers expanded storage, faster transfer speeds, and greater protection to securely carry their games wherever they go. This powerful SSD is available in 1TB for £101.99 and 2TB for £150.99 from shop.sandisk.com.
To meet the demands of gaming’s high-fidelity visuals and performance needs, Sandisk created this variation of the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to provide PlayStation enthusiasts with effortless storage space for their entire library of games, all in an officially licensed, portable form factor made to match your PlayStation gear.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD for PlayStation 5 Console and PC allows PlayStation gamers to:
Take Back Time – With enhanced read speeds up to 1000MB/s, gamers can quickly transfer games from external SSD archive to their PlayStation 5 internal storage.
Expand Their PlayStation 5 Library – Players can expand their space for the size of the newest and greatest PlayStation 5 titles, allowing them to store more games without having to delete old ones.
Game Directly on PC – For PlayStation PC games only, players can store their game library and play directly off this high-speed SSD when connected to PC.
Play Fearlessly – This SSD has an IP65 rating and up to 3-meter drop protection.
