Review: Castaway Station

Thomas Hopkinson
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Review: Castaway Station

Castaway station is a rogue-like card game set in a sci-fi based fantasy world. The developers for this game are an indie studio called Bad Zombie Games. It released last year, specifically on July 12th 2023 for PC (Steam).

This is one of those games I would describe as “fun, until it isn’t”. After a certain point, you enter autopilot and want the game to play itself. The narrative is a good motivator to keep going though, as it is quite interesting. It is the reason why I have kept playing the game and intend to play more. If you value narrative very highly then I can see you enjoying this game despite it’s flaws.

The search for castaways

Screenshot taken during the opening cutscene

The story of the game starts off with a bang… literally. Yu and her crew, who went to go survey an anomaly, end up stranded on a nearby planet after the main ship exploded. Yu, in a separate small ship, crash landed because of some debris from the main ship. The rest of her crew were in the main ship, with any survivors escaping with pods to the nearby planet. Yu has no idea how many people managed to survive the ordeal, but her goal is simple, to find people who did. It’s quite an eventful opening, one that hooks you in on the narrative for sure.

The characters are what make the narrative shine as a whole though. Each one feels real and well thought through. I found myself liking all the characters in this game, for different reasons. They all offer something different to the experience. My favourite character, as of now, would go to a certain foul mouthed robot, mostly because of the humour it provides to the game.

The narrative is a stand out element of this game and I found myself very invested in it.

What awaits you out there?

Screenshot of one of the mission maps.

The way you survey the land is by doing missions. On the mission screen it gives the option to choose from a few different missions. Once you beat all those available missions more will appear. Upon entering a mission, it brings up a map screen with different points of interest, which you visit sequentially. Sometimes there are missions that have branching paths, though the only thing you have to go on in regards to what you will see in a given area is the title of the area of interest. On each mission map there are three things you will come across, enemy encounters, rest spots and dialogue sections.

The dialogue sections are quite interesting as they result in different outcomes depending on what you choose. For example, one of them effected my next battle, while another caused a battle to happen. This is a good implementation of choices, as they actually matter to the gameplay. These dialogue choices also further add to the games narrative as a whole and allow you to forge a more personal journey as well as increase replay value.

Item rest points are areas were there are some items for you to pick up. These are very uninteresting but always welcome when you are in need of items. Items are quite useful in this game as they provide a range of effects ranging from positive ones for your characters to negative effects for the enemies.

Enemy encounters are were the battles happen. There is no way to know what enemies you will encounter before going in though so you have to be ready for anything. There can be any number of enemies show up, typically you find groups of weaker enemies and stronger enemies by themselves. Upon beating one of these encounters you get several rewards including some cards. The damage you have taken retains until the end of the mission so make sure to take care of your health during the different encounters. Should the health of a character reach 0, it’s not only the mission they go from, but the whole run.

While the gameplay is decent overall, it lacks variety, causing it to be extremely repetitive in nature.

Pick a card…. Not just any card though!

Screenshot of an encounter where I am selecting an enemy to use a card on.

Cards are what make this game what it is. Cards are lost when you expend their uses and do not return. You can restore the uses of a card though, which I would advise doing for good ones. I didn’t refresh cards at all myself, instead using the currency to upgrade weapons, which really hurt me in the long run.

There are quite a few different types of card. Attack cards and defence cards are straight forward doing exactly as you would think. Then there are the more interesting cards such as team work and location cards. Teamwork cards allow party members to help each other out in some way, these can be useful in taking down enemies efficiently. Location cards have all types of effects to them. They are tied to the environment you are battling in. Some can be quite useful while others can actually be harmful.

Each mission allows you to bring two characters. With the different combos available of characters and equipment I was able to get quite creative with my strategies. As well as their own unique main weapon, each character gets different cards from the same equipment so it’s important to see what equipment fits which character best. Though, with the somewhat lacking enemy variety once I found something that works I didn’t need to change it really.

The way the card system works makes it so that you want to waste your weaker cards so you can get new stronger cards. The issue with this is that it drags battles on for quite some time. However, if you don’t do this you aren’t playing optimally. Combat animations being quite slow further adds to the slowness of combat. I think the developers realised how slow it can be and added in the cards that allow you to escape, which I used often.

Now one of the coolest things about this game is that you can actually customise your own cards. I typically made a lot of low action point damage dealing cards as damage is always great to have. You can really do what you want with these though and I would encourage you to make a wide variety of custom cards. Each character has their own attributes you can tie to these custom cards as well, which can be useful. I should also note custom cards cannot be lost not matter how many times you use them. However, you can only use them once per encounter.

The card system as a whole is fairly good, though there are some problems with it.

Ugly monsters, beautiful presentation

Screenshot showing my favourite area visually.

This game features quite a smooth art style that is easy on the eyes. The monsters all look really good and are animated well, the same goes for the playable characters too. The game has many backgrounds it uses for enemy encounters and there is some great variety there, with all of them looking quite detailed.

The main thing I want to talk about here though is the cutscenes. These were a nice surprise to have in the game. They are in fact fully voiced too. I was always excited to see one these. Though, I am sad they are usually quite short and that there isn’t many of them, but I will take quality over quantity.

The sound in the game is very good. The music sets a good tone for the game’s atmosphere. I’m glad there is multiple battle tracks as I feel it could have gotten a bit annoying after a while. The different actions in the game all sound very punchy. In game design terms, it’s some good use of juicing. I appreciate the effort put in to the amount of sound in this game, some things didn’t really need to have a sound but it’s great they do.

The presentation is another aspect I think this game does well, it feels well polished in that sense.

A good entry point for both rogue–likes and card games

With how this game shaped up to be, I would say it is quite a good experience overall. I would really recommend it to people whom haven’t played this type of game before. I actually hadn’t played a card game myself before, never mind a rouge-like card game and found this one to be easy to understand. However, hardcore fans of both types of game may be left wanting a bit more from it. If you would like to get this game for yourself though you can visit the Steam page here.

Shōgun the Latest Japanese-Set Hit to Sweep Western Entertainment 

Andrew Edney
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Shōgun the Latest Japanese-Set Hit to Sweep Western Entertainment 

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay.com

It’s somewhat rare for a television show to sweep entertainment headlines in the winter months. This has become even more uncommon with the stacks of sludge dumped onto the many different streaming platforms, making it even more difficult for the masses to find and converge on a very good show. That all changed in 2024 with Shōgun – the FX-made historical drama miniseries that’s taken entertainment by storm. Set in 17th Century Japan, it’s another product set in or from the country that has, again, made it big with Western audiences.

Shōgun becomes the hit show we needed

There was an announcement that House of the Dragon, The Bear, and The Boys would all be returning at the same time in 2024, making for a blockbuster summer of TV. Thanks to Shōgun, though, we didn’t need to wait months before the best shows of the year hit the small screen. Despite the setting and story, unlike many live-action movies, Shōgun isn’t drawn from a Japanese-made story. Instead, it’s the second miniseries adaptation of the 1975 novel by British writer James Clavell. The first miniseries was released in 1980 to critical acclaim.

Its successor, 44 years later, has landed with very similar levels of praise. Released on February 27 for a ten-episode run, Roger Ebert gave the series a 3.5 out of 5.0 score, praising the writing and the expertise in the adaptation as a sign that great TV shows can still be made. Clearly, audiences were keen on such a show, with the first episodes hitting nine million views in the US to pip The Bear Season 2 as FX’s biggest hit premiere on Hulu. Shōgun has landed very, very well, to say the least.

The viewership and review scores speak for themselves and, being a miniseries, there’s a reduced chance of it failing to stick the landing – especially as the novel it’s adapting ends particularly well. One of its most appealing aspects is its setting. Feudal Japan and the legends of samurai warriors create instant intrigue in just about any medium of entertainment. Yet, strangely, it’s been a historically seldom-explored theme. Perhaps it’s because of the costs or the quality of what’s come before, but at least Shōgun isn’t alone in Japanese works making it big in the West.

Raw appeal of Japan

Japan, obviously, dominates one distinct medium of entertainment in Western markets, but hasn’t had a particularly prominent presence here for a while. The best samurai TV shows, like Lone Wolf and Cub, were made in the 70s, while The Trusted Confidant, which started in 2007, has barely made a dent in the West. The best of samurai cinema, of course, is credited to Akira Kurosawa. His black-and-white films from the 40s, 50s, and 60s – as well as his later works in colour – remain the epitome and a great source of inspiration in other mediums.

More modern productions have made way for animated films. This certainly isn’t a bad thing as the creations, particularly out of Studio Ghibli, are loved around the world and have won stacks of awards, but they are niche at the Western box office. Last year, of course, this trend was bucked by the record-breaking Godzilla Minus One. Hollywood’s 2014 Godzilla did well to change the focus to the human characters, but this Toho-made film took that to another level, fully earning its Academy Award and $104 million worldwide gross – $3.1 million of which came from the UK.

The interest in Japan has even been on the rise in other perhaps unexpected forms of entertainment. In a sector that has found much of its success by leaning into ancient Greek, ancient Egyptian, and Irish myths, some may be surprised that historical Japanese themes are finding a lot of success on the betting site. Ancient Warriors and Shogun of Time have quickly become hits among the established slots. It’s quite telling that, among the hundreds of slots spanning different themes and features, these two Japanese-themed ones are finding an audience.

Japanese fiction writers of different formats have also found their way to Western audiences en masse. In fact, of the two million works of translated fiction sold in the UK in 2023, one in four were Japanese, as were half of the top-selling titles, per Penguin. What You Are Looking for in the Library (2023) and The Art Skura (1984) are two of the big headline acts of this trend. Then, of course, there’s the manga. Reaching huge audiences, sales have exploded from 434,000 in 2012 to two million in 2022 in the UK alone. In 2024, the medium’s still selling very well.

Japanese-set and Japanese-made entertainment products are surging in the UK and further west right now, with Shōgun hopefully being just the start of a run of prestige Feudal Japan shows.

News: Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller

Daniel Waite
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News: Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller

The Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller from PowerA adds a sense of colour and style to your gaming set-up. This incredible accessory is the perfect option for gamers who wish to have a mappable controller with an amazing battery life. Additionally, its RGB lighting will brighten any room. Therefore, investing in this device is a no-brainer.

This completely wireless controller gives gamers the freedom to play without the risk of tripping. Moreover, the large battery life can be boosted with the handy 10-foot USB-C cable. As such, if you happen to run low on juice, you can stay in the game with ease. On top of this, there are RGB zones and rear mappable buttons that can be altered on the fly. Consequently, this is the ideal tool for lovers of all genres.

The features of the Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller.

Personalized RGB.

The Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller features multi-zone RGB lighting, offering 24 different colours across four individual lighting zones. With three dynamic lighting modes, gamers can create thousands of unique colour combinations, personalising their gaming experience like never before.

Immersive & Competitive Gaming Experience.

Thanks to its motion controls, users can delve deeper into their favourite games, experiencing fluid and responsive gameplay. Whether it’s aiming, steering, flying, or exploring, this controller offers exceptional immersion. Specifically designed to give any gamer an edge, this controller is equipped with two mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons, allowing players to program them on the fly, even during intense gaming sessions, without the need to navigate through system settings or apps. With this feature, gamers can gain a strategic advantage over their opponents.

Convenience & Comfort.

Users can enjoy wireless freedom with all Nintendo Switch models. With up to an impressive 20 hours of power on a single charge and the convenience of recharging through the 10 ft USB-C cable, players can focus on their gaming without worrying about their battery life. The controller’s design, textured grip, and analogue sticks guarantee hours of comfortable gaming experience.

When is the Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller available?

The Nintendo Switch Lumectra controller can be purchased now from PowerA.com and other major retailers. Its $59.99 may appear steep, but I believe that you get a lot of bang for your buck. Not only does this look fantastic, but it is filled with great tech. Accordingly, if you want something that looks unusual whilst offering a versatile approach, then this is the device for you.

News: The Gap

Daniel Waite
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News: The Gap

The Gap is a psychological puzzle title that takes you on a journey of madness and discovery. However, at its core, it has a touching story and a list of strong characters. Moreover, the bite-sized stages and slow and methodical gameplay keep you returning for more. This excellent title has been well-received by its audience. Accordingly, it has a whopping 100% Steam rating and an impressive 80% from Metacritic. Furthermore, here are my thoughts after I previewed it in August 2023.

You may be wondering why I am discussing a game that has already been released. Well, Crunching Koalas has released it on Nintendo Switch. Subsequently, you may enjoy this uncomfortable experience whilst commuting to work or between jobs. Furthermore, I recommend playing it with headphones as you can shut out the surrounding world whilst enjoying every eerie element.

What’s The Gap all about?

The Gap tells a story of one man’s struggle to find a cure for his family’s illness through the exploration of parallel realities, including memories dear to his heart, forcing him to dive deeper into his psyche. Joshua Hayes is a neuroscientist, whose family is affected by a rare neurological disorder that slowly eats away at one’s capability and mental well-being. The struggle and fight of the family are witnessed through the lens of his highest and lowest moments. While exploring the raw, minimalist spaces, he comes across items that act as gateways to his past.

When is it released?

If you love the idea of a dark and twisted psychological thriller on your Nintendo Switch, then The Gap will be right up your street. This creepy endeavour is now available with 10% off (available until the 10th of April) to celebrate the launch. As such, if this article has piqued your interest, you can click here to buy your copy.

(More information on Crunching Koalas can be found here!)

Review: Sea of Stars

Daniel Qi
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Review: Sea of Stars

The thing is, I had a great time with pixel-style, traditional JRPGs. The limitation of technology could only chain their presentation, not our imagination. That’s their magic. That is not to say I have never fantasized of liberating the presentations from their chains. I have dreamt of a good retro JRPG with a modern presentation for quite a while now. (Not something like FFVII Remake, don’t hate I love that game too)

Sea of Stars is a game like that. Set in a far-away world that has suffered the monstrosity committed by an evil-being generations ago yet to cleanse its haunting residuals, SoS appears to be a great attempt at presenting the classic JRPGs, while true to its form, with modern technology. Sit tight and get ready for an adventure alongside our protagonists Zale and Valere where you would find both ups and downs about this game. Most importantly, soon you will realize SoS is far more different to a classic JRPG than you might think.

How does it feel to dance Without Shackles?

The art of SoS is engrossing. That is to say even within all those other retro JRPGs like octopath travelers who have had a reputation for painting a breath-taking scenic world, SoS remain peerless. That’s the first difference you’ll notice: there is no JRPG that has been so virtually beautiful.

From giant waterfalls with colorful corals to an abandoned and haunted mansion, from the peak of a snow-covered mountain to a necromancer’s cave crawling with disgusting flesh-made necrocrafts, the basic for any fantasy game is how big the developer is really dare to dream, which is precisely what sets SoS’s aesthetics apart. There are so many iconic fantasies that you can find in SoS. Like the infamous ghost ship or a dragon palace twenty thousand leagues under the sea. There will always be something that you are not expecting.

Not only ambitious, SoS is beautifully refined and vivid. Without the limitation in technology, frankly, losing oneself in a game has never been so easy. That is, you really don’t need any dialogue or fights to start imersing yourself in another world when you see things like a giant dragon encircling a mountain, sleeping or a vortex formed out of nowhere sucking you right into the world beneath the ocean that belongs to the dead. It is not hyperbolic to claim that almost every frame in the world of SoS is wallpaper-worthy.

Sea of stars, image of the map of Sleep's Island, showing Port Town of Brisk, the Sleeper and the Coral Cascades.

Just a little bit more Action

Turn-base fights are difficult to design. It is boring if it is too simple. But then it takes too long to become enjoyable if it is too hard. Or it could soon become repetitive seeing your character do the same move no matter what spell you choose. Perhaps the gamer just likes feeling a little more involved.

SoS found their own way through those concerns. The first big highlights of its battle system is the distinctive animation of every move for every character. Take Zale, one of his signature spell Sunball is a move that begins with him summoning a scorching fireball in the palm of his hand, growing it bigger and bigger before releasing the dynamite-like explosion onto his opponent, whereas sol-strike is performed with him dashing through all his enemies like The Flash before flexing his blade at the end and conjure the solar magic to deal damage to those enemies marked by him. Those animations are not only beautiful but also carry this hereditary creativity of the game developers. In short, they are cool as hell.

Secondly, Sabotage Studio has also added an interesting feature of precision in the game. Are you the type of gamer that can not enjoy the fight without some skin in the game? You got it. In SoS, every action you take, whether it is defending against an enemy attack or performing one, there is a precise time to press the attack button. Only upon doing so you will respectively reduce damage intake or increase damage dealt. It doesn’t sound like much, some may even question the necessity of it. But trust me, this feature soon becomes very addictive and makes the fights almost instantly immersive.

Battle Scene of Sea of Stars, with Zale, Valere and Garl fighting against Mangler Fishes.

Treat me like a kid, but DON’T

I want fantasy games to be free, wild, unreasonable sometimes even. If I want something mundane and painfully logical I would just close the laptop and return to my daily life. But that doesn’t mean all you have to do is tell me a fairytale and I will convince myself. SoS certainly starts somewhere fantasy-like enough: a tormented world seeing its long awaited ray of hope.

The problem is, the story doesn’t get more interesting from there. Why? Firstly, the plot is way too crude. There is only a single narrative thread and with almost no twists or additional elements. Crude doesn’t always mean bad, but a monomyth requires a very strong story itself. SoS, unfortunately, just doesn’t have that story. For example, there is no story explaining why the Fleshmancer wants what they want, or why the two kids set on a journey to save the world other than being told so. Without any profound understanding or resonance with any character, why should we care?

What’s more, the battle of SoS lacks depth. This has actually been heralded very early on in the game when I realized that there are no buffing or debuffing spells. The essence of a turn-based battle is still the strategic interchange you have against your enemies no matter how well animated. In SoS, you are not required to remember weaknesses of your enemies, when to debuff or paralyze them so you could deal damage safely or when to focus on chipping away your enemies’s HP using poison while keeping your own team’s HP healthy to prevent a sudden death. The only thing you are required of is to use the right spell to interrupt your opponent’s spell when the indicator of what elements your enemy is weak towards pops up on your screen. This makes the battle of SoS feels like a combination of a rhythm game and Tetris.

Conclusion

Despite all its let-downs, SoS is still a very beautiful and enjoyable game, far from being bad. There are minor things both good and bad I have omitted for the sake of simplicity like how innovative the enemy design is or how the puzzles set are way too simple so most of the adventure part of the adventure feels like child-play, which I will leave for you to find out yourself. The only thing I will say here as a conclusion is that SoS is not a modern-remake of a classic JRPG. For the good parts, it is stunningly beautiful and way more easier to immerse in; for the bad part, it didn’t really have the true essence that makes a fantasy JRPG amazing: a deep, complicated battle system and touching, personal story. It might be retro, but different enough; it might be new, but resembles plenty.

Then again maybe no game will ever be similar to that game I had enjoyed in a distant summer. Perhaps SoS failed because it was only wearing the skin of a classic JRPG while being something else, or maybe it’s because I have grown up.

Events: Game Day X

Daniel Waite
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Events: Game Day X

It is that time of year again when gamers, developers, and anyone interested in the gaming industry come together and enjoy events. Game Day X (24th April 2024) wishes to push the boundaries and try something different. Accordingly, if you are a student with a view of breaking into this tough industry, then maybe this is the place to be. Alongside the immersive tech and developer stalls, interested parties can watch informative panels and take away gems of knowledge that will aid their gaming journey. Moreover, there is a conference running alongside it that is aimed at game dev students.

If that isn’t enough for you, you may undertake a workshop to create a game. This unusual idea informs developers and students of the psychology layer of creating a masterpiece. Additionally, there are keynote workshops for transferable skills and the problems that face the industry. Consequently, Game Day X wishes to bring everyone into one room and get them talking for the benefit of the industry. It is this collaborative approach combined with the immersive tech and the student focus that makes this event stand out from WASD and EGX.

What’s available at Game Day X?

Gamers – Those who play games.

Are you a gaming enthusiast looking for the latest and greatest in the gaming world? Look no further! This upcoming exhibition allows you to play new and unreleased video games and VR games, and try out cutting-edge technology like Virtual Ghost’s omnidirectional treadmills. Accordingly, why not join this event for an unforgettable gaming experience?

Student and Graduate Game Devs – Those learning to make games.

FIRST EVER STUDENT DEVELOPER CONFERENCE.​
  • Chat with the developers exhibiting.
  • Attend talks tailored specifically to your needs with a conference track designed specifically for students/grads.

​Don’t miss out on this unique chance to learn and grow in the gaming industry!

STUDENT & GRADUATE TRACK.​

Get ready to level up your game with the first conference, which has a dedicated student and grad track. Dive into the exciting world of game development, where you can play the latest games, meet the creative minds behind them, and attend talks just for you! Accordingly, don’t miss out on this epic chance to power up your skills and game on!

Game Developers – Those who make games.

  • Dive into workshops for hands-on learning and project feedback.​
  • Experience talks crafted for practical takeaways.​
  • Connect with industry experts, share ideas, and leave with actionable insights to elevate your projects.
DEVELOPER TRACK.​

Join the team for an exciting opportunity to level up your skills and grow your knowledge at this upcoming event. Listen to inspiring talks and participate in engaging workshops, all while networking with fellow developers. Don’t forget to check out the exhibition and chat with other devs to make the most of your experience. The aim of this conference is for you to walk away with practical takeaways you can implement at work. We can’t wait to see you there!

Immersive Technology.

The world of technology is changing. Consequently, the gaming industry must keep up. What better way than to throw its audience into an immersive experience? Game Day X grabs this idea by the balls while aiming to deliver some unforgettable moments!

Icaros from Untold Reality transports players into a world that they never knew existed. This VR gaming landscape will blow your mind. Whether you are soaring through the skies, exploring deep underwater environments, or racing your friends, you will be blown away. Alongside the gaming ideas, Icaros can be used for education and exploration. Subsequently, this is cutting-edge technology that you won’t want to miss.

On top of this, you can enjoy the AR world of HADO. This energetic endeavour will push you to your physical limits. Additionally, it is a great way to spend time with your friends. If this isn’t enough, the Omnidirectional treadmill will change the way you enjoy VR. Everyone has heard the horror stories of injuries and broken tech. Well, that should be a thing of the past as this treadmill offers you freedom and safety.

These are just some of the immersive technology on offer at Game Day X. Consequently, why not get down to the event and test it out for yourself?

An exciting opportunity for the gaming community.

No matter if you are a gamer or a would-be developer, Game Day X should appeal. This London-based event can be found at the Strand Building, King’s College, London on the 24th of April 2024. What’s more, the tickets are incredibly affordable when you consider the amount of activities, panels, and keynote workshops. On top of this, the innovative gaming and the yet-to-be-released titles should pique your interest.

Too many phenomenal developers are losing their way. Industry cuts and the cost of living crisis are destroying the heart and soul of this business. Subsequently, we must all come together to find a way to overcome problems and generate new ideas. Game Day X gives everyone that opportunity. As such, you do not want to miss this event. Accordingly, I suggest clicking here for more information and to purchase your ticket!

Review: Fallout Vault 33 Glasses

Daniel Waite
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Review: Fallout Vault 33 Glasses

The Fallout Vault 33 Glasses from GUNNAR are a must-have product for fans of the franchise! These incredible steampunk-inspired frames look awesome and feel even better on your face. Moreover, the incredible build quality and the attention to detail will bring a smile to your face. Alongside this, they complement the wonderful artistry and the cold imagery from both the video game and the TV series. Accordingly, if you wish to scratch that post-apocalyptic itch, then these glasses will do just that.

On top of the phenomenal build quality and the amazing style, you enjoy a whole host of health benefits. As such, if you love marathon gaming sessions, or you are glued to a monitor for work, then your mind and your eyes will appreciate these glasses. Available in 3 different lens types, you can enjoy amber-tinted, clear, or sunglasses. No matter which one you select, they all have a degree of blue light filter and each one protects you from harmful UV light. As such, they help to prevent dry eyes, headaches, eye strain, and much more.

What’s in the box of the Fallout Vault 33 Glasses?

  • The packaging is simple but effective. GUNNAR goes crazy with its boxes. However, once you get to the centre, you’ll love what you see.
  • The Fallout Vault 33 Glasses are spectacular to look at. The stainless steel frames are complemented by square frames. Additionally, the epic performance level lenses include GUNNAR’s patented lens system and their impressive G-Shield protection coating.
  • A limited-edition metal case keeps the glasses safe. This eye-catching extra will impress fans of the franchise.
  • The soft case and micro-fibre cloth keep the eyewear safe and clean when out and about.

Technical aspects.

The Fallout Vault 33 Glasses are loaded with patented technology that improves your gaming and work experience. The 65% blue light and 100% UV light protection are game-changers. Alternatively, you can enjoy 35% blue light protection with the clear lens option and 95% protection with the sunglasses version. Either way, each choice has a smudge-resistant coating and an anti-reflective layer. Both of these extras are perfect if you use Zoom or you enjoy streaming.

The health benefits of these glasses are instantly noticeable. Dry and itchy eyes are common complaints for office workers or PC gamers. Furthermore, headaches and eye strain are all too familiar as well. Thankfully, these issues can be reduced or eliminated if you invest in a pair of GUNNAR gaming glasses. The patented technology helps to retain lens moisture and this prevents that uncomfortable scratchy feeling. Moreover, the reduction in blue light exposure prevents headaches whilst increasing productivity and reducing fatigue.

Build quality.

GUNNAR never ceases to amaze me. Thankfully, these Epic level glasses will impress you as well. The stainless steel frames are comfortable and lightweight. Additionally, the nose support isn’t too tight and the spring hinges offer enough give to reduce pressure on your temples. On top of this, the slightly oversized lenses offer an impressive amber tint that reduces the glare from your monitor.

If the build quality of the glasses wasn’t impressive enough, the accessories are incredible! The hard metal case incorporates the Fallout theme whilst delivering a high level of protection. Alternatively, the soft case and micro-fibre cloth focus on a traditional but outlandish approach. Subsequently, they are garish, eye-catching, and perfect for every fan.

Are the Fallout Vault 33 Glasses worth it?

GUNNAR delivers again and again and again. Consequently, I knew that the Fallout Vault 33 Glasses would be an impressive investment. The steampunk style matches the post-apocalyptic theme and the incredible patented technology improves your reflexes and productivity. As such, these glasses are perfect for office workers and gamers alike. If you want an unusual pair of glasses that improves your eye health, then I suggest buying a pair here!

(More information on GUNNAR can be found here!)

The Fallout Vault 33 Glasses from GUNNAR have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! GUNNAR provided a sample for this review!)

Review: UGREEN Revodok Pro 312 USB-C Docking Station with GaN Fast Charger

Andrew Edney
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Review: UGREEN Revodok Pro 312 USB-C Docking Station with GaN Fast Charger

Here we review the UGREEN Revodok Pro 312 USB-C Docking Station with GaN Fast Charger.

The Revodok Max 213, the premier product of the Revodok Max Series, is specifically tailored for professionals in fields such as media, data/financial analysis, photography, audio/video production, engineering, and design. It epitomizes “Ultra-high Speed and Ultra-high Efficiency”, facilitating seamless collaboration and productivity in multi-device offices and high-performance equipment settings.

With its Thunderpoint 4 interface, the Revodok Max 213 offers a remarkable transmission speed, facilitating rapid file transfers. It also functions as a flexible monitor interface, ensuring smooth connectivity without sacrificing performance.

The Revodok Max 213 is highly adaptable, compatible with computers that have Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-C interfaces. It provides dual TF/SD card reading capabilities, convenient for professionals who frequently use memory cards. The device’s enhanced heat dissipation system, featuring a triple heat dissipation design with an aluminium shell, two-sided thermal aluminium sheet, and built-in heat dissipation silicone, guarantees optimal performance even during prolonged use.

Features

  • 12-in-1 Connectivity: Dual HDMI, DP, 100W PD, 10Gbps data, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/TF slots, 3.5mm Audio.
  • Triple Media Display: Connect 3 monitors for multitasking.
  • 100W Power Delivery: Fast charging with GaN Charger.
  • Transfer Files Quickly: 10Gbps data, 104 MB/s SD/TF access.
  • Wide Compatibility: Windows, macOS, M1/M2 MacBooks.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the docking station, power supply, two cables, a manual and a driver CD.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Revodok Max 213 is actually quite a small device that packs a big punch – there are 12 ports on it ranging from USB-A, USB-C, SD card slot, HDMI, DP and more. Pretty much anything you could need is included here!

Setting it up was very easily – connect the Revodok Max 213 to the power supply using one of the supplied cables and then use the other cable to connect it to your computer (Windows or Mac – in my case Mac). There is a driver CD included (if you don’t have a CD reader you can get the drivers from the UGREEN website) which you need to install as its the DisplayLink software needed for correct use of monitors and the RJ45 connector. This was quick and straightforward to do and I was up and running in no time.

There is a power button on the top of the Revodok Max 213 which you can use to switch it on and off.

Using the Revodok Max 213, you can connect an additional 3 monitors (along with your laptop monitor), which should be sufficient for even the most needy of setups.

The USB ports support speeds of up to 10Gbps (one of the USB-A and the USB-C ports are 10Gbps, the other 2 USB-A ports are 5Gbps). The Ethernet port supports speeds up to 1000Mbps.

Theres an audio port on there too for headphones and microphone usage.

You can even charge your phone using the 5V/3A port too!

If you want the best docking station on the market, with just about every connection you will need, then look no further than the Revodok Max 213!

The UGREEN Revodok Max 213 USB-C Docking Station with GaN Fast Charger is available now priced around £399.99 (at the time of writing the review UGREEN were selling it for £279.99).

You can learn more from the UGREEN website.

Review: Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights

Andrew Edney
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Review: Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights

Here we review the Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights – and yes, we know it’s April!

The ultimate gift for your… well, Christmas tree, Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights add customisable colour palettes and lighting animations to set the Christmas mood in an instant, with just the touch of a button or a simple voice command. Sync with your favourite holiday songs to watch as your lights dance to the beat – and they’re designed for both indoor and outdoor use too. Each set contains 250 LEDs capable of 16+ million colours and tunable whites. Use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Matter over Wi-Fi, or control with the attached controller, Nanoleaf app or smart ecosystem of your choice with voice. 

What’s in the box?

The box contains 20m worth of string lights, a plug and a quick start guide.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

And yes, I will say it again, we know it’s April, but this is when we are reviewing the Smart Holiday String Lights. And there’s nothing to stop you from using them anytime of the year, not just at Christmas!

As with other Nanoleaf products, they are very easy to setup and configure with the Nanoleaf app enabling you to customise them to exactly how you want to have them. In the 20m of lights, there are 250 individual lights – so you can go crazy if you want.

They can even react to music too – which is pretty cool.

The lights can be used inside or outside if you wish and are fully compatible with Google Home, Apple Home and even Alexa!

The Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights are available now priced around £119.99.

You can learn more from the Nanoleaf website.

Review: Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker

Here is our review of the Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker.

The Edifier MG300 Bluetooth speaker is complete with RGB cool lighting effects, unique design with simple and easy connection, yet produces perfect and wonderful sound quality.

Features

  • Enjoy cool RGB light effects with a savvy design enclosure that fits and blends well with modern desktop/tabletop setting
  • Enjoy the great-qualitymusic with high-quality 52mm drivers
  • Bluetooth, USB Connections
  • Easy operation by FULL control panel

What’s in the box?

The box contains the MG300 speaker and a manual.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

Setting up the MG300 is simple – plug the USB cable into a power source or computer, then use Bluetooth to connect to your chosen device. Or you can use the USB cable for a direct connection to your computer. Either option needs you to use the USB cable to gain power to use the MG300.

You can even use the speaker to make and receive calls if you are connected to your phone.

All of the controls are situated on the top of the MG300 – including a power button, play/pause, light effect switch, and volume!

The MG300 has RGB lighting effects with 6 different modes to match any mood!

Sound quality is very good – the power output is 2.5W+2.5W – so not the most powerful speaker around, but the quality is good for the price point and you won’t be disappointed.

The Edifier MG300 Multimedia Speaker is available now priced around £59.99.

You can learn more from the Edifier website.

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