Review: Don’t Let It Starve

Balazs Posta

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Jul 8, 2026

Don’t Let It Starve is a horror game, and I usually enjoy horror games, so I went into this one with full of hopes, and decent expectations. This is what happens when horror genre meets and combines with roguelite elements. Let me say this first, this game did not disappoint, and brought everything it needed.

Don’t Let It Starve is a 2026 horror roguelite game. Developed by Eduardo Scarpato, and published by Black Lantern Collective. In this game, you are trapped inside of an underground kitchen facility, where you are forced to feed the chef monster who has an insatiable hunger, making you prepare more and more food until you can.

Don’t Let It Starve welcomes you with an interesting artstyle and menu. The style of the game reminds me of Buckshot Roulette which also used this low-poly 3D models. In the menu, you can find an interesting menu, called Compendium. Here you can find what items and dishes you unlocked so far in your runs. Simply selecting ‘Start’ will load you into the next menu, where you can select the run you wish to complete. There are tons of them, and you need to complete specific tasks to unlock them. They also have difficulty options, so the runs are not only long, but challenging with each run.

Welcome To the Kitchen

Once you load in, a hungry chef will await you to show you around the place. He speaks perfect english and some mixed french to seem like it’s a great chef. It shows you the ingredients you are working with and the table you’re working on. Other than these very basic things, it refuse to show you anything else saying you should discover them for yourself. This is a good way to tell the players that “There are much more to this place than you think”, giving you a great mysterious experience.

The runs feature multiple rounds, where you must satisfy the Chef’s hunger, which can be found on the top left of your screen. The game will give you an X amount of bentos to work with, so make sure you make them count, as even one can mess up your run and ruin everything, and let me tell you…he will not be happy. If you don’t satisfy its hunger, it will eat you alive.

The "hungry" Chef showing what will happen if it's hungry after all the bentos used — **The Hungry Chef and its arms**

The Shivering Undergrounds

Don’t Let It Starve fuses the environment and the soundtrack together greately. The kitchen makes you feel like you are in a basement that hasn’t been used for years, making the horror factor count. The low-poly 3D artstyle ups that with the darker theme and the rusty walls.

There are several things in this kitchen. You have an exit that is locked behind a rusty lock, piece of papers on the walls, and even a safe. All of these things and items have their own purposes. The lock can be unlocked, the piece of papers are from past victims, or later given buffs. The safe needs to be unlocked for the next available run. There’s a trashcan which can serve as a bento disposal and a jumpscare element, because at random times a hand will come up and when you see it, it will disappear. Same jumpscare goes to the window, where the Chef will sometimes lean forward and jumpscare you. These extra things add to the horroristic style of Don’t Let It Starve, making you uncomfortable.

Some other usable things in the kitchen are meat grinder, and displays. Displays work as a buff system. You can get coins from the Chef or making small sized bentos. From those coins you can buy boosters that will multiply your bento score, or give other type of buffs. You can reroll them if you don’t find anything helpful. The first reroll on the run is for free. The meat grinder on the other hand can be used if you don’t have the required points for passing. You can chop off your arms, and get 25% of the required score. Disturbing, but fits the environment.

Served To the Table

Lastly, the fundemental item of the game, the table. It contains a lot of items, like cook book, a small bell, and obviously the bento box. Clicking on it will let you select the bento box size, which can be between three. The small will reward you with extra coins, while the biggest one will cost you coins. Good way to balance out the bento sizes and force the player into making decisions for bigger scores.

Once you selected the size, there will be several spaces available in the bento box. This is where the logistical part of Don’t Let It Starve begins. You are given 4 ingredients on top of the table, with an additional reroll button. You have to select the ingredient you want to use, and put it into the bento box. The ingredients feature a variety of items. It can be rice, olive, bread, chili. When these ingredients are shown, the game will also show their satisfactory value, which is different for each items. Placing ingredients and filling up a row will give you an extra 5% value, while filling the whole box will give 50% extra.

It also has a cook book, that will show you the available food combos and even your in-game stats like time played, and current round. You can even abandon your run in this book, so technically this works as a pause menu.

The small bell can be used if the bento box is missing 1-2 pieces and can’t be filled. Saves you a lot of time and helps you proceed.

Simple and Easy

The control is real simple, you can basically move and look around. That’s really it. You have a crouch mechanism in Don’t Let It Starve, but so far I found it underused and doesn’t help with anything, but it gives you more exploration option for the kitchen. There are some more controls for the bento making. You can rotate the food piece, or use ‘Ctrl’ if you want to cancel the currently selected piece and use another one. Placing it down is with clicking. Simply, and easy. Making the control seem effortless, but nice.

Benefits of Helping the Chef

Once the Chef is satisfied, it will give you some extra coins for your next round. Then it will give you the required satisfaction amount for your run, and you go again and again. After the round is complete, it will allow you to choose from the Chef’s Dish, which will bring up 3 seperate dishes with different buffs. The selected ones will be shown next to the window where the Chef is located.

**The Chef’s hunger if it’s not solved**

Once you die, the Chef will eat you for the extra protein and the game will proceed to the scoreboard. It will show you the tools you used as your power-ups, the Chef Dishes you used as buff items, and your run stats in the middle with time and rounds completed.

The Final Approval

I think this game is fun. I even told it to myself that its fun while playing. Its well-made, I love the artstyle, and the genre fits perfectly for Don’t Let It Starve. I knew this game won’t disappoint me by looking at its page and trailer. This game is recommended for those who enjoyed Buckshot Roulette‘s low-poly style, and a logistic based horror with roguelite buff elements. It does a lot of things well, while it has its small flaws. You can check the game out here, I think this game is totally worth it.

News: FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale

News
Tech

Daniel Waite

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Jul 8, 2026

0

If you’re in the market for new office equipment, you are going to want the best bang for your buck. Moreover, you’ll want comfort, exceptional build quality, and some of the best-looking furniture around. This is where FlexiSpot comes to the fore. They have extended their FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale until July 10^th. Accordingly, you have a couple of days to grab some amazing tech and save money!

Standing desks, office chairs, and home furniture are discounted during this extended sale. Furthermore, there is a final Free Order Giveaway on the 9^th of July at 09:00. Consequently, this gives customers the last chance to win their order free. Therefore, you’ll need to think and act fast if you want to make the most of the amazing offers.

What’s available during the FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale?

E7 Standing Desk.

The FlexiSpot E7 Standing Desk combines a robust dual-motor lifting system, sturdy steel frame and smooth electric height adjustment for ergonomic working. With programmable memory presets, generous weight capacity, anti-collision technology and integrated cable management, it delivers exceptional stability, comfort and flexibility for modern home or office workspaces.

Choose the FlexiSpot E7 for its outstanding stability, smooth height adjustment and premium build quality. Designed to support healthier working habits, it helps you switch effortlessly between sitting and standing while creating a more comfortable, productive workspace every day.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $289)}

E7 Plus Standing Desk.

The FlexiSpot E7 Plus Standing Desk features a robust four-leg steel frame, dual-motor lifting system and smooth electric height adjustment for exceptional stability. With programmable memory presets, a generous weight capacity, anti-collision technology and compatibility with desk accessories, it delivers ergonomic comfort and dependable performance for demanding workspaces.

Choose the FlexiSpot E7 Plus for unrivalled stability, outstanding strength and effortless height adjustment. Its four-leg design confidently supports demanding workstation setups while helping you alternate between sitting and standing for greater comfort, focus and productivity throughout the day.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $499)}

Ergonomic chair.

C7 Max Ergonomic Max Office Chair.

The FlexiSpot C7 Max Ergonomic Office Chair combines advanced ergonomic engineering with extensive adjustability for all-day comfort. Featuring self-adaptive lumbar support, 5D armrests, a height-adjustable backrest, reclining function, adjustable seat depth and a breathable mesh back, it delivers personalised support for healthier, more productive working.

Choose the FlexiSpot C7 Max for premium ergonomic support that adapts to your body. Its highly adjustable design encourages better posture, reduces fatigue during long working hours and provides lasting comfort for home or office use.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $449)}

C7 Morpher Ergonomic Office Chair.

The FlexiSpot C7 Morpher Ergonomic Office Chair delivers adaptable comfort through advanced ergonomic design and extensive adjustability. Featuring dynamic lumbar support, adjustable armrests, customisable recline settings, breathable materials and a supportive headrest, it promotes healthy posture and sustained comfort for productive work throughout the day.

Choose the FlexiSpot C7 Morpher for personalised ergonomic support that adapts to your working style. Its highly adjustable features help improve posture, reduce strain and provide lasting comfort, making long hours at a desk more comfortable and productive.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $649)}

Home furniture.

Kana Bed.

The FlexiSpot Kana Bed combines traditional Japanese joinery with solid wood craftsmanship to create a sturdy, minimalist bed frame. Designed for tool-free assembly, it features exceptional stability, quiet performance, breathable wooden slats and generous under-bed storage, bringing timeless style and lasting durability to any bedroom.

Choose the FlexiSpot Kana Bed for its beautiful solid wood construction, effortless assembly and exceptional stability. Its timeless Japanese-inspired design provides quiet, reliable support while creating a warm, elegant bedroom that’s built to last for years.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $349)}

Lotus Sofa.

The FlexiSpot Lotus Sofa blends contemporary style with everyday comfort through its spacious seating, supportive cushioning and durable upholstery. Designed for modern living, it offers a refined silhouette, sturdy construction and inviting softness, creating a versatile centrepiece that enhances relaxation while complementing a wide range of interiors.

Choose the FlexiSpot Lotus Sofa for its combination of elegant design, lasting comfort and practical durability. Its supportive cushions and generous seating create a welcoming space for relaxing, entertaining guests or enjoying everyday life in style.

_{(FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale price $369)}

Check the website for more offers.

This is a snapshot of the available offers during the extended FlexiSpot Independence Day Sale. I’ve tested many of their products and love them. Subsequently, I think you’ll adore the phenomenal, comfortable, and durable items they offer. I suggest you click here so you don’t miss out!

Review: Gunnar Ingrid Glasses

Andrew Edney

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Jul 8, 2026

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Here is our review of the Gunnar Ingrid Glasses.

Add a touch of sleek, elegant sophistication to your everyday digital eyewear with the Gunnar Ingrid Glasses. Part of the Kista Collection, Ingrid features a narrow cat-eye shape built from precision-engineered polymer frame material, giving you a style that works just as well on a video call as it does out running errands.

Reduce digital eye strain with GUNNAR’s patented lens technology and G-Shield lens coating, which cuts down on glare while resisting smudges. Choose between Amber and Clear lens tints depending on how much blue light blocking you need, and enjoy 100% UV protection no matter which you pick.

Named after Nordic technology hubs, the Kista Collection celebrates the role of women in tech, and Ingrid is one of the newest additions to that lineup, available in three colourways to suit your style.

Features

Narrow cat-eye shape in premium engineered polymer frame material.
Multi-barrel hinges for durability and a comfortable fit.
GUNNAR patented lens technology reduces digital eye strain.
G-Shield lens coating is anti-reflective and smudge-resistant.
Blocks harmful blue light and 100% UV.
Available in Amber or Clear lens tints.
Comes in three unique frame colours.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Ingrid Glasses, cleaning cloth and a microfibre pouch.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Gunnar Ingrid Glasses are lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, which matters if you are sitting in front of a screen for hours at a stretch.

The Amber lens tint blocks 65% of blue light at 450nm and is a great all-rounder for computer work, reading and data entry, while the Clear option blocks 35% and is better suited to anyone who prefers a lighter tint, such as those doing photo and video editing or graphic design work. Both options come with the G-Shield coating, which keeps reflections down and resists smudges from everyday handling.

The narrow cat-eye shape is genuinely one of the more elegant frames we have tried from GUNNAR, and it does not scream “gaming glasses” the way some of their other lines do, which makes it an easy pick for the office as much as for downtime at a screen.

Fit-wise, the frame width and temple length struck a good balance for us, and the nose bridge sat comfortably without any pinching, even after a few hours of wear.

The Gunnar Ingrid Glasses are available now priced at $64 and come in three different frame colours and two different lens tints..

You can learn more from the Gunnar website here.

Review: Voidling Bound

Ule Lopez

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Jul 8, 2026

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Today’s title is going to be a rather interesting one. People who are fond of Skylanders will have a fun rump with this title developed by the same folk who worked in the series. This is Voidling Bound, a game in which you are in charge of a farm of exotic monsters that will clean up the world of an alien mutagen through shooting mechanics. The game is a shooter in which you breed monsters, restore peace to various worlds, and then proceed to get better stats and mutations.

This might be a bit short compared to my other reviews because when you come down to it, whether or not you like Voidling Bound hinges on how much you like its simplistic gameplay loop. There’s really not much else that I can elaborate on since the story is nothing to write home about and the complexity is… Well, we’ll get there. So, without further ado, let’s get this started.

The Story of Voidling Bound

So, let’s get the story (what little there is of it) out of the way. In Voidling Bound you assume the role of a nameless ranger tasked with controlling these creatures called Voidlings. They are the only creatures able to kill the aliens that essentially wiped out most of humanity and have been spreading across multiple planets. Unfortunately, these creatures kind of don’t have the capability to think for themselves so they have to rely on you to guide them through the contamination and destroy the polluted areas while fighting off any and all opposition that gets in your way.

As you cleanse planets, you will go through several other worlds and meet other enemy factions that also will get in your way. But just as the enemy variety increases, so will the creatures at your disposal as well as the upgrades to your ship. It’s the bog standard RPG progression that you will find yourself coming back to frequently. Since creatures are pretty easy to level up, it’s easy to end up testing out a variety of creatures against the hostile forces.

The Bulk of Voidling Bound’s Gameplay

With the story out of the way, let’s focus on the real reason why you’d pick up Voidling Bound. That being the gameplay itself. As I’ve been pointing out, you have to use the creatures you find in the various planets to be able to stand up against the alien threat. Each of these creatures can evolve and gain different abilities, elemental attributes, and skill variations. You have to also level up these creatures, with each level providing points that can be distributed among several stats such as Vitality, Agility, and Strength.

The replayability from this game comes from discovering all the alternative forms and mutations you can create with these creatures and then sending them off to fight aliens. Some of these are more effective than others and some creatures can outright decimate hordes of aliens if given the right build. It’s pretty neat, especially when you get to near the end of the game where genetic splicing is introduced and you become able to fully customize your creatures. Suddenly, you become armed with creatures that can shoot shotgun-like pellets that do DoT damage or an AoE effect that is permanently active.

Every species also has a skill tree that needs to be invested into. All of the branches in it have several upgrades that range from your usual damage and range increase to passive buffs that improve their firing capabilities. Don’t worry if you think that this sounds labourious. The game provides with plenty of ways to get extra resources for leveling and mutating your creatures by doing the activities you usually do. You’ll find yourself exploring each of the creature upgrades out of curiosity and to further improve your best creatures rather than as a necessity.

Combat in Voidling Bound

So, now that we have prepared our creatures, we now have to see what awaits us in the perilous universe of Voidling Bound. The game plays as a third person shooter. You will encounter stages of several varieties ranging from exploration shenanigans where you’re rewarded for going off the beaten path or just go for a survival round where you fight off hordes of creatures, robots, and ancient beings. No matter the stage, every encounter will end with big boss-like enemies that need to be taken down in order to finish it.

Your creatures have access to 3 abilities and a melee attack. Each ability has a set elemental attribute which can be changed through splicing once you gain access to the feature. Every creature has a different type of “bullet.” Single-fire, shotgun-like, melee focused, homing pellets, all of the options are covered. The Primary and Secondary attack speak for themselves and can vary depending on the mutations. The Ultimate attack is available on a % Cooldown and will always be the same attribute as the primary element you chose for the creature.

While some creatures are better at exploration, others are better at handling the enemy threat quickly. This is important to note because some missions require you to speedrun through stages and some others face you off against gauntlets of enemies that will not stop until the timer reaches zero. It’s important to keep your creatures in tippy top shape and to constantly experiment with every alternative so that you can find a strategy that best suits you.

The Problems of Voidling Bound

As I mentioned before, Voidling Bound has a few problems that need to be ironed out with future updates. For one, the game doesn’t really have much going on in terms of its story if the first section wasn’t an obvious enough hint. While there is dialogue, it isn’t voiced and all of it is basically “Here’s the next thing you unlocked. Now, go play with it.” The narrative starts and stops with the premise and very little happens outside of the contents of the endgame.

I mentioned before that some of the creatures in this game are outright better than others but this point is driven home the moment you see creatures like the Glick and Nimiods which are absolutely incredible at exploration/enemy wave clearing. In fact, these were my go-to creatures that were used in abundance against bosses, especially with the Nimiod’s ability to hover, allowing it to bypass numerous threats. Maybe there’s further ways to cheese the game with the other creatures, but it’s hard to leave the comfort zone once you gain it.

This isn’t to mention how overly repetitive the game itself is. Voidling Bound has neat environments and cute creature designs. But they can only mask the overly repetitious gameplay loop for so long. Pick a mission, get new creatures, train them, repeat. It’s fun in short bursts, and very addictive at that. But when it comes to binge-playing? It can become a tad annoying. At the very least you can have some fun with the post game content but at that point, nearly every player will end up quitting and it becomes a bit of an acquired taste if you stay for it or not.

The Final Word

Overall, I liked my experience in Voidling Bound. The game can be fun and breeding/creating new creatures never lost its luster. It’s the lack of variety that ends up killing it for me and making me wish to play other games. However, I believe that if you play this game in short bursts, you’ll find yourself with a fun and addictive experience that can satiate your pallate while you are waiting for other content on your favorite games.

As I said, the creature designs are interesting, the gimmicks each creature has to offer are fun to play with, and the game is pretty fun for a simple romp. I will definitely boot this up every now and then to try out the Void Strikes mode and see how far I can get without losing my rewards. But for everyone else, if you like what you see, I’d suggest picking this game up and adding it to your collection.

Review: Aerox 9 Wireless mouse

Daniel Waite

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Jul 7, 2026

0

I love SteelSeries and every item they produce. They are loved by the eSports community for a very good reason, and I appreciate every gaming peripheral they create. I’ve been fortunate enough to cover many of their fine products, and I recently looked at their Towlie collaborative range. However, today, I’m looking at one of their most established products. The Aerox 9 Wireless mouse has long been loved by gamers from the MMO genre. I fancied seeing what the hype was all about, so here I am tackling this high-end gaming mouse.

I’m a little rusty when it comes to multiple input devices. I’ve been using a ROCCAT mouse for as long as I can remember, so adding 12 bindable side buttons took a little getting used to. However, once I got my head around the button positions and mastered the inputs, I couldn’t believe the difference it made to my gaming. The rapid thumb inputs, easy-to-bind buttons, and the fast-flowing mouse make this a gamer’s dream peripheral.

If key bindings and multiple inputs are not your thing, I recommend looking at one of the other Aerox mice. However, if you want an accurate, lightweight, and durable gaming mouse that improves your gaming performance, this peripheral must be on your radar. With hard-wearing switches, a pinpoint-accurate optical sensor, and some of the easiest software to master, this is one of the exceptional gaming mice available.

What’s in the box of the Aerox 9 Wireless mouse?

The packaging is slightly larger than expected. However, it is eye-catching, durable, and recyclable.
The Aerox 9 Wireless mouse has a honeycomb shell, vibrant RGB, and a large bank of customisable inputs. It is an ergonomic right-handed mouse with a low profile. Accordingly, it offers low-fatigue gaming for marathon MMO sessions.
An extension adaptor and USB dongle are provided.
Charge the device with the high-end USB cable.
Learn the fundamentals with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

The Aerox 9 Wireless mouse looks extremely complicated. The mappable inputs create an ominous style that may be off-putting for less experienced users. However, looks can be deceiving. This tech-packed accessory is surprisingly easy to use. Moreover, the impressive tech-laden device offers match-winning features that many of its peers fail to deliver.

First, I want to address the battery life. Although I like wired gaming, I prefer to use a wireless gaming mouse. The thought of a cable slowing me down makes me shudder. Accordingly, I demand a high-capacity battery and hours of gaming. Thankfully, this doesn’t let you down. One full charge offers up to 180 hours of gaming joy. This is incredible, especially as the fast-charging facility keeps you in the game for longer. Moreover, if you run out of charge, you can carry on playing while the device is charging.

The battery is complemented by the lag-free Quantum 2.0 Wireless technology via 2.4GHZ or 5.0 Bluetooth technology. The latter is stable and reliable while also offering low power draw. This technology delivers impressive 1000 Hz polling rates for some of the most responsive and accurate gaming you’ll experience. Furthermore, the SteelSeries TrueMove Air Sensor is mind-blowingly accurate. From 100-18k CPI and 400 IPS on SteelSeries QcK surfaces, this is one of the most responsive gaming peripherals you’ll experience.

The software.

If you’re looking at a mouse for the ultimate MMO experience, you’re unlikely to be new to the gaming industry. Furthermore, I’d imagine you are pretty comfortable with a mouse and keyboard. However, if you’re coming across from console, and you’re trying to master this setup, there will be a learning curve to endure. Thankfully, one of the easier aspects that you’ll master is the remarkable software.

Binding your inputs with other devices can prove to be a nightmare. Badly created software or a poor UI deliver an awful customer experience. Furthermore, you give up on creating the best profile for your gaming device. Thankfully, the free-to-download software is a joy to use. With intuitive instructions, easy-to-create profiles, and some minor trial and error, you’ll get your Aerox 9 Wireless mouse to perform exactly how you want.

The mappable buttons.

Using a normal gaming mouse is like riding a bike. If you’ve used one, you have pretty much used them all. Yes, there are unique performance measures and styles, but you can unbox any mouse and get to gaming. A customisable mouse is different. The comfort of the button positions and how easy it is to use make a huge difference.

With 18 customisable buttons and a vast 12-button panel, there is a lot to get used to. I have moderately sized hands and reasonably long digits. Consequently, I found it to be remarkably comfortable to use. The rearmost 3 buttons were a slight stretch, but this didn’t matter. I mapped around 9 key inputs at any time, so I got around this discomfort with ease.

Like the main inputs, the side buttons were easy to locate and intuitively positioned. Moreover, they were responsive and a pleasure to use. Although it took a little time to master, I found the slight learning curve worth it for the vast performance improvement.

Build quality.

The ergonomic honeycomb shell weighs under 90g, and this makes a huge difference during lengthy gaming sessions. Not only is comfort at the fore, but fatigue and pain in your wrists are vastly reduced. The lightweight design helps you to move the mouse at rapid speeds. Moreover, the high-end optical sensor delivers pinpoint accuracy no matter how heavy-handed you are.

The shell is designed to withstand typical gaming mishaps. If you suffer from rage quitting or lack patience, this mouse will battle through. Moreover, the switches are designed to last over 80 million clicks. This is almost a lifetime guarantee and will outlive many gamers.

The vibrant RGB has 3 unique zones and utilises PrismSync lighting. This RGB feature synchronises with other SteelSeries products and can be customised to create a basic or reactive lightshow that’ll impress your friends or your audience. The result is a vibrant or sleeper gaming mouse that matches your personality.

Finally, the Aerox 9 Wireless mouse has an IP54-rated AquaBarrier. This protects your peripheral from dust, dirt, oil, and debris. This is perfect for gamers who love to snack and drink while they play their favourite games.

Is the Aerox 9 Wireless mouse worth it?

This mouse has been created for the MMO world. Yes, it can be used for other genres, but you may not maximise its potential. Where this thrives is its customisable inputs and the side-mounted buttons. This gives you a match-winning edge without compromise. Therefore, it is a fantastic option if you love Wow, League of Legends, or Dota 2. Accordingly, I think it’s great, and I recommend buying it here!

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

The Aerox 9 Wireless mouse from SteelSeries has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold award.

_{(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)}

Review: Bellwright

Clint Blevins

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Jul 7, 2026

0

I’ll be the first person to admit that I don’t typically enjoy survival/ real time strategy RPGs. Bellwright is different. Something about this game really clicked with me. Creating your character, building your settlement, establishing yourself with other villages, hiring new workers who specialize in specific roles, you even have the option to choose what tasks you want prioritized. The depth that the settlement system has was something I frankly wasn’t expecting.

A Game Full of Options

Before starting the game you’ll need to create your character. The options in the creation menu at first glance feel in depth, but upon closer inspection they are actually rather shallow. Unlike other games the sliders feel more like presets and it makes fine tuning your character nearly impossible. It doesn’t help that in general Bellwrights character models give me an uncanny valley effect. Overall it isn’t the worst character creator. I’d probably give that to the division, but it also falls short of great character creators like saints row. Whatever faults that series had it has a killer character creator.

The Choices Don’t Stop at Character Creation

Once I was done making my character look stylish, I was ready to start the adventure. After seeing an admittedly interesting if not cliche introduction, the game loads in with your character near some ruins. A piece of paper explaining some lore about the nearest town activates the first quest. The quest tells you to go to the nearest town Haerndean. Once you arrive in town you’ll be instructed to meet with the elder, if you don’t meet with the elder the rest of the towns citizens will behave rather coldly toward you.

Helping the Elder and Other Townsfolk

After speaking with the elder he’ll want you to help out a hunter by the name of Lubomir. Lubomir, is the introduction to the companion system as well as the NPC who teaches you how to build and craft items for your settlement. This first quest is a pseudo tutorial mission, teaching you how building works, but also showing that when you help someone in a specific village by completing quests for them, you gain a reputation in that village. The higher your reputation the more workers you can hire to move to your own town.

Surprisingly in Depth Tech Tree and Selection Anxiety

One thing that makes me drop a game is when there are too many skills. Imagine my surprise when I open up the tech tree and see possibly hundreds of locked items. I get bad selection anxiety and it makes the game feel daunting and massive far too much for me. Luckily for me the tutorial helped ease me into the games mechanics and I actually found it relaxing to build and unlock new items.

A Closer Look at the Crafting System

To build housing, or other commodities like a fireplace or an outhouse, you need to place down a construction area. You then need to gather the materials. Materials take up room so in order to fix that you can place whatever materials you find at the construction site. This frees up your inventory so you can collect go and collect more materials. Don’t worry though you can automate these tasks later in the game by having citizens in your village become workers.

You can set these workers to prioritize certain tasks over others, you can even set more general priorities for the whole camp. I’m sure that I’ve mentioned it before but this part of the game feels much more in depth than I was expecting.

Workers and Guards

there are two options for the citizens of your settlement. you can turn them into workers, people who are there to make your life easier through automating tedious tasks, or guards to guard all the hard work you put into building. One thing I’m not sure how I feel about is the raid system. If you and your villagers die to raiders, they’ll start to dismantle your camp. If you don’t kill them when you respawn you can lose all the loot they take from you. I was lucky enough not to lose all my progress and get my stuff back but I can imagine how demotivated I would feel if I lost everything.

Raiders and Raider settlements

Similar to the friendly villages and towns in game. There are inversely hostile settlements sprinkled across the map that you can clear out. They have a difficulty teir system with 1 daimond being the easiest and 4 daimonds being the hardest. These settlements once cleared out will have chests full of unique loot. If you can handle the mediocre combat then it might be worth doing some of these in the early game. If you are more like me though it might be better to make your companions stronger first.

With Pros Comes Cons

No game is perfect and this game has its share of flaws. Time moves far too fast for one, there are times where it feels like I just started scavenging for resources and it will already be night. You’ll want to make sure you’ve talked to whoever you wanted to talk to because NPCs all go to sleep at the same time of night and in early game you won’t have the option to fast travel. The combat is by far my least favorite part of the game. I see the vision they were going for but it didn’t stick the landing. It was going for a similar combat system as for honor, where you move the analog stick in the direction you want to attack or block.

In Conclusion

This game has really good bones, with 12 or 13 hours in the game I feel I’ve barely scratched the surface. The good far outweigh the bad in my eyes and the game feels oddly relaxing. It gives me the vibes of those old mobile games like clash of clans. If you enjoyed the settlement system in the fallout games you’ll more than likely like this game as well. I would highly recommend this game.

Review: Solarpunk

Matt Cooper

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Jul 7, 2026

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In the era of survival games, up steps Solarpunk. Can this cosy new survival game make waves in an already crowded genre? Or are you left wondering what could have been?

Adventure Is Out There?

Survival games, or cosy survival and me, have never truly meshed together over the years. I often struggle with the brutal realities the games have and lose interest rapidly. So when indie developers Cyberwave announced Solarpunk, I immediately dismissed it as a game not for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Solarpunk is the exact style of cosy survival game I have been waiting for, but it’s not without its flaws.

From a narrative perspective, Solarpunk is extremely bare bones. The plot is simple: you create a character which is then dropped from the sky onto a floating island. The goal is to use the environment to survive and build a new life for yourself, whilst exploring. That is literally the story. There is no dialogue, no cutscenes, bar the opening, no text logs, nothing. If you are wanting a story you will be extremely disappointed. The adventure of the game is how you make it. The developers have put you in charge of deciding how the adventure unfolds which is quite admirable in some ways. For others, this immediately put them off.

Mine, Mine, Mine!

With no narrative at play, it was important for the developers to nail the gameplay loop for a cosy survival game. Whilst they have created an addictive loop, there are some glaring issues. When you are dropped onto the island, the game gives you a brief tutorial which does a solid job at setting you up for the adventure ahead. For veterans of this genre, the systems in place will feel familiar. You gather resources through chopping trees, mining ore etc. The starter island is all about learning the basics to build a crafting table, workbench and a home to store your resources. You are constantly gathering materials to unlock new items which eventually leads to building an airship.

Once you have built the airship you can fly to different islands and trade with a merchant to gain new upgrades for the ship to fly further and explore deeper. The freedom of the game is both its selling point and its weakness. I played the majority of my time with a friend in online co-op, which made it feel worthwhile. Playing solo, I often lacked motivation to do anything, as nothing was propelling me to go further. I would definitely advise playing in co-op overall due to its shared progression system which made working in a team feel so rewarding!

The Perils Of Survival

Solarpunk is billed as a cosy survival game but for players looking for real stakes, this is lacking. The only real threats on hand for the player are falling from heights and the game’s dynamic weather system which you can choose to enable or not. This weather system has lightning strikes which can damage your character; this adds some thrills but becomes tedious and frustrating after a while. For me, I loved the lack of threat on hand, as it allowed me to relax and focus on building and constructing my dream world. What I certainly didn’t enjoy was the game’s hunger and thirst systems which are hideously over the top. It takes only a few minutes in game for hunger and thirst to deplete, making it tiresome having to focus on drinking and eating so often.

The developers have put the game’s automation system front and centre in marketing as a huge selling point. I’m not sure if that was the wisest decision though. After building up your resources, you can unlock systems which automate farming and mining for you, through generators and cables. As someone who struggles with survival games, I thought I’d love this, but it annoyed me consistently. Obviously, every generator needs power, so before long, you are constantly depleting resources into these machines, only for them to last just a few minutes at a time. Perhaps this system can be tweaked over time by the developers. A solid, if inconsistent experience with gameplay.

A Muddled World

When it comes to visual presentation and performance, it’s a disappointing display. At times, the game can look beautiful with its cosy art style, reminding me of a something out of a Disney animation. Then unfortunately, you are ripped back to reality as environments look bland and reused across each island. There are only two biomes on display, making the game feel and look far too similar across each area. Then comes the bugs; too many visual bugs affected my time playing it, in particular an annoying bug where my co-op partner would cause a visual bug on my screen which could not be removed until we restarted the game.

Conversely, audio design and soundtrack do a solid, if unspectacular job. The audio design is consistent and sounds realistic as you chop down trees and mine ore. It’s just not very memorable for players. The same can be said about the soundtrack, which can be toggled as to how often you want it to appear. The cosy and soothing ambient beats do a good enough job to capture the feelings of the game but once more, they are not particularly memorable.

Verdict

When Solarpunk is at its best, I could get lost in this cosy world for hours, playing with my friends building and creating. The player choice and freedom are wonderful, as you fly around and explore this world. The problem is too often you are ripped out of that feeling with inconsistent systems, annoying bugs and visual discrepancies. This has the foundation of a great game which needs time and trust from the developers to flesh it out. Whether a player base will stay with them is the real question.

Review: Slaughter Void

Balazs Posta

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Jul 6, 2026

0

What happens when DOOM and Vampire Survivors meets a top-down 2D retro-style game? You get Slaughter Void. This game was everything that I didn’t expect. It’s a 2D dark fantasy slasher game, that was released in 2026. Developed by Dread Night, and published by Hyperstrange.

Into The Abyss

**The game’s opening scene, lore related**

When you open the game, it welcomes you with a dialogue that introduces the game’s story. It explains the dark fantasy world the game has to offer. Then it lands you into the main menu. The menu is a simple pixel art, that showcases the mysterious, dark fantasy theme the game has with multiple enemies and the game’s main character. Seeing the artstyle, I instantly thought that this game is a retro style of game, so it has a unique experience to offer. The menu is not overdone, making simplicity in this case more fit for the players.

When you start a new game, it will throw you into a big room with multiple other rooms connected to it. It feels like a maze, with limitless exits and mysteries. The final, big room is your main objective to reach, which can be done by defeating the enemies in the area. This is the tutorial area. You are an Arsi warrior, who tries to clear the Void by eradicating every hostile creature of the broken realms.

This is the point when the game introduces the soundtrack as well. It’s one of the best soundtracks I listened to, featuring a heavy metal type of soundtrack. This makes you feel hyped, motivated, and that non-stop action feeling that things are about to go crazy, making you feel immersed to the game’s environment. A great way to utilize the game and the soundtrack together.

Simple, yet intriguing

The game also introduces the controls. It is really simple, using WASD to move, and your mouse for aim. It utilizes both your keyboard and mouse at the same time.

With it, the attacks are also very simple. There are 3 types of attacks the game will introduce. There’s the basic attack, which rewards aggressive plays over passive ones. The other 2 are ranged and special attacks. Ranged attacks, or as the game calls them secondary attacks, are pick-up attacks, where you have to pick up arrows which you can throw at enemies from a distance. This does the opposite of the basic attack, it rewards passive plays over aggressive ones. But watch out, you only have 4 arrows to work with at once.

Your special attack can be activated once the bar in the middle has been fully loaded up. This can be done by defeating enemies, or just chaining combos together. When it’s filled up, just press the middle mouse button, and you can defeat multiple or sturdier enemies in front of you in one hit.

Unique features for a unique world

There are multiple unique and interesting mechanisms in the game. For example, there’s the kick system, which is introduced on the tutorial level. It’s very easy to utilize, you can kick down walls or other environmental elements that will kill enemies making your area fights much easier.

The other thing is the shield. There is obviously a shield system in the game, also introduced very early on. It can be gained multiple ways, so its easy for you to earn extra protection in this fast-paced environment.

**The shield is shown by the vibrant circle around the character**

When an enemy kills you, you need to respawn. This can be done by pressing ‘R’, and it will respawn you at the start of the area. Each levels are based on one big room with multiple rooms and a lot of fights, so it makes respawn valuable for speedrun tactics as well.

Utilizing The Hub

But the tutorial is still not over! Once you complete the level, The Huntress will enter the portal before you. Obviously you follow her, but instead of meeting her, you are welcomed by The Astronormer, who informs you that she has already passed through the room. He then proceeds to show you your resting room and hub where you can safely attend to your needs like relic, sword buys. There are no enemies in this place, so this is your safest place in the Void.

The game will then show you what it can offer. If you want to put on sturdier armor and stronger weapons, you can visit The Shrine of Inurta where you can do these things. There are traders too, who are the Twins. You can buy relics here, making you stronger in the battles and giving you an extra buff that helps you a lot. To the bottom left, there’s a blacksmith, where you can buy swords which deals more damage making bigger enemies easier to defeat.

And at the very top, you will find the big portal. This portal will let you travel between the locations the game will offer. You can return any time to the base.

Enter The Void

Once you travelled to one of the Void locations, you are welcomed by different environments. If you go to the Jungle, it is built around a jungle-like environment, but if you visit the Village, you will be welcomed by more of an indoor style of environment. Either way, the environments were cared about it, and this shows it.

Each area has more and more complex and sturdier enemies. There are close combat and ranged enemies. The ranged ones have different attack paterns, one might shoot just one way, while the other can shoot at three points at once. They are easy to evade, but you have to utilize your ranged attacks too to effectively and quickly kill them. Close combat enemies are way easier. They just need to be hit once, and they die instantly. Their only strength is their speed, but nothing else.

It’s Far From a Perfect Game

Once you complete a level, a scoreboard will be shown. This shows the time it was done in, and the actual worldwide scoreboard. The quicker you finish, the more reward you will get. They will obviously become harder and harder, making fast times harder and harder to complete. The difficulty scaling is a bit quicker than expected, but can be handled easily after a few tries. One fun thing I found during my playthrough was that the actual time has to be under the given time to give you better reward. For example, the Void reward earning needed 10.000 seconds, and I got 10.000, which didn’t count as Void. So it has to be under it, even if it’s just 0.001 seconds. It makes the game more tedious than it already is.

**My time matched the Void requirement, showing I didn’t earn it**

My other returning issue was the enemy attacks. Some enemies starts an attack, die during that, and still shoot you in their death. It’s a bit unfair, but a bit of caution and they are easy to avoid them.

Final Judgement

When you see this game for the first time, you will think that “Huh, this game doesn’t look interesting.”, but I got to say that’s wrong. The more you play it, the more addicted it feels. I would 100% recommend this game if you are looking for a short, fun game to play in your freetime. The game combines a lot of ideas, and does them right, with minor mistakes that can be fixed easily, and not even noticeable. If you decide to play this game be ready, because you will need to save the Void and stop the enemies before it’s too late!

Review: Paper Pure tablet

Reviews
Tech

Daniel Waite

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Jul 6, 2026

0

I’m a huge fan of the reMarkable brand. I’ve been using the writing tablets since the reMarkable 2, and I’ve reviewed the Paper Pro and the Paper Pro Move. Each offers a unique writing experience that is market-leading. However, the latest offering, the Paper Pure tablet, is a spiritual successor to the reMarkable 2. Therefore, it focuses on more refined qualities and a longer battery life.

Although the simplicity may disappoint those who use the Paper Pro, I like the monochromatic screen, the rapid UI, and the distraction-free design. Furthermore, the slim Folio case and the exceptional stylus make this a phenomenal writing tool with some deliberate restrictions. The lack of installable social media and external apps ensures that you cannot be distracted. Additionally, the feeling of pen on virtual paper was superb. Consequently, you retain a traditional and tactile experience with all the modern bells and whistles.

This larger writing tablet is perfect if you want a bigger screen size or carry your gear in a large shoulder bag or backpack. I stored mine in the UAG Civilian 20L Backpack, and it fits comfortably in the laptop compartment. However, if space is limited or you wish to have something more portable, the Paper Pro Move should be your go-to option.

What’s in the box of the Paper Pure tablet?

The packaging is alluring and professional. Moreover, it can be recycled.
The Paper Pure tablet has a 10.3” screen and a slim case. It has a streamlined design and one tactile button.
I was supplied with an attractive Folio case.
The Marker Plus is a premium writing tool.
Charge the device with the slim charging cable.
Learn the basics with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

A monochromatic-only screen may seem like a step backwards. However, if colour is not essential or you are using the Paper Pure tablet as an E-reader, this offers a comfortable and upmarket feel. The pleasant contrasts work exceptionally well because reMarkable can remove the unnecessary colour layer. This makes the black ink pop without being horribly intrusive.

The now-defunct reMarkable 2 unit was fantastic. Yet, time and technology move on. Therefore, if you invest in its spiritual successor, you’ll enjoy a quicker and smoother UI, improved battery life, and higher storage. Let me break down each of these essential elements for you.

The UI runs nicely with or without an Internet connection. However, if you want to use some key features, you’ll need a subscription and a Wi-Fi connection. One essential feature I use is the text-to-type conversion. This requires both additional elements, and this may be a sticking point for some. I wasn’t too worried as I simply waited until I got into the office to finish my work.

The improved battery life and 4x increase in storage are major upgrades. This tablet offers up to 3 weeks of use from one charge. This was fantastic as I could chuck it into my bag and forget about it. The battery charges quickly, and I was able to use it while it was plugged in. The storage is now increased to 32 GB. This may not be enough for heavy users, but I found it to be suitable for my needs and never ran out of space.

Distraction-free and a true writing experience.

The Paper Pure tablet is designed with immersion and distraction-free use at the fore. With no additional apps, Internet browsers, or noise, you can focus on your writing and reading and nothing else. This offers a clean working environment that is ideal for those who become easily distracted. We’ve all been there where messages are pinging off, or emails keep hitting your inbox. This prevents you from focusing on your work or enjoying your book. Luckily, these problems are a thing of the past as you lose yourself in your work or your favourite novel.

The refined UI ensures that you waste little time navigating complex menus. Furthermore, the ability to work with preloaded PDFs or change your paper from plain to lined was fantastic. This easy-to-handle design appeals to technophobes or anyone who wants a hassle-free experience.

What makes the Paper Pure tablet stand out from its peers is the amazing tactile nature of the Marker stylus on the screen. The feel of resistance and familiar scraping noise as the nib floats across the screen was exceptional. You forget that you are using technology to write your notes. Instead, you are connected with your work as you lose yourself in the moment. The lack of social apps and modern distractions lets you find your flow and reconnect with the joy of writing.

Usability.

The Paper Pure tablet has a deliberately small compatibility list. Accordingly, users can upload PDF, EPUB, JPEG, and PNG files. The latter 2 are automatically converted to PDFs whenever uploaded from the free-to-download phone or tablet app. This tiny list of files may seem frustratingly small, but I liked the simplicity. Working with mainly PDF format and mastering annotation is part of the appeal.

A non-subscription account is useful for basic tasks such as making notes, reading books, annotating files, and refined syncing. However, if you want to maximise potential, you’re best to invest in the “connect” service. This allows users to enjoy multiple benefits for only £39.90 for the year. Unlimited cloud storage, AI-powered tools, service integration with Google Drive and other similar platforms, and much more can be enjoyed.

Build quality.

If you are investing in a premium product, you are right to have high expectations. Well, the Paper Pure tablet will not disappoint! The stylus, folio case, accessories, and tablet offer an upmarket finish and a professional design. Each item is built with durability in mind, and the folio case is particularly hardwearing. This ensures that it’ll look like new no matter how many times you chuck it in your bag.

The textured glass screen is smooth to the touch, but the stylus offers minor resistance to replicate the feeling of a pen on paper. This is easy to maintain, and I didn’t struggle with keeping it clean. The folio is the ideal choice to keep the device protected and free from dust and other dirt.

If you like to write or read in bed, you may struggle a little with this tablet. Unlike its peers, this has no built-in light. Therefore, if you need to use it in the dark, you’ll have to use an external light source. This wasn’t a problem for me, but if you like to relax in the dark without switching on the lights, you will find this an issue.

Is the Paper Pure tablet worth it?

ReMarkable offers some incredible products, and choosing between its flagship models and its latest product is a bit of a minefield. However, I’m going to try to make this easy for you. If you need a larger colour screen and increased storage, the Pro model should be your port of call. Alternatively, if portability is your thing, the Pro Move is a must. However, if you are happy with a black-and-white screen and better battery life, the Paper Pure tablet offers the best of both worlds. On top of this, it is an affordable choice.

Whichever tablet you pick, you will not be disappointed. Designed with distraction-free work at the fore, you’ll reconnect with the love of writing. Moreover, moving away from your mobile phone or laptop feels incredible. There is also an environmental impact that cannot be ignored. Dropping paper for a modern alternative without undermining your writing experience is amazing. Accordingly, I love this tablet, and I recommend buying it here!

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

_{(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)}

Review: The House of Da Vinci Enhanced

Damien Gorman

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Jul 6, 2026

0

My patience has been rewarded.

I’ve been given a game that’s right up my alley. Which likely means I’ll be given some Dark Souls rip-off next, that’ll teach me for having fun.

If you’ve ever done an Escape Room and thought:

“Yeah, loved that, but what if it involved live firearms, explosions, and anachronisms aplenty?”

Ah yes, I love solving codex wheels with my x-ray pocket watch

Then The House of Da Vinci is for you.

And whilst Renaissance Italy might be a bit derivative as a location for a puzzle game, with Leonardo Da Vinci’s workshop just adding to the “well, duh” of it all, House of Da Vinci does a good immersing you neck deep in puzzles and intrigue quickly so you don’t get much time to be cynical. As is a reviewer’s prerogative.

It’s likely a good thing that House of Da Vinci drops you into the action as soon as possible because upon close examination the plot flitters off into the night much like Da Vinci’s helicopter. If it was ever more than a sketch, or if helicopters flittered.

To make a simple thing simpler, you are someone, you are tasked with meeting Leonardo Da Vinci in his workshop, for some reason he can’t just give you the key, there’s a plot or something. That’s the main thrust that’s supposed to grab you at the start of the game. Or maybe it isn’t meant to do that, maybe it’s just a framework to allow the folks over at Blue Brain Games to create a bunch of puzzles. In that regard, it does the job. Nothing flash.

There he goes, flying, like he never did

As to the puzzles, what often creates a great puzzle game is just as much the mechanics of the puzzle solving as the complexity or creativity of the puzzles themselves. In that, House of Da Vinci has a fairly simple control system, left-click to interact, right-click to go back, click and drag to manipulate objects. Done, three things. Now, they don’t always feel amazing, as with any point-and-click adventure, clicking on the wrong thing by accident, especially in a world without clearly defined hitboxes can be infuriating but for what it is, it works.

The puzzles range in difficulty from simple matching exercises to those sliding block puzzles that I’ve never been able to figure out. I assume they’re super difficult, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if I was the moron. The variety here isn’t anything you’ve not seen in an escape room but partnered with gloomy, dimly lit libraries, workshops and dungeons and you’ve a fairly intriguing setup that works well in tandem. Add on mysterious letters from Leo and you’ve a fairly compelling gameplay loop.

Musically, the game doesn’t do anything incredible, merely adding to layers of mystique with a soft undertone that lends to the spookiness of some of the set pieces.

Final point is I mentioned anachronisms above, and I don’t know if this counts but it feels closest to the right word. You can see into the past in House of Da Vinci, there’s a weird pocket watch type thing that let’s you see people’s movements in the past to solve puzzles as they did. Which honestly feels like cheating a bit but that shouldn’t detract from Leonardo Da Vinci inventing a time-travelling, scrying, watch. The way media portrays him has gotten steadily wilder ever since Assassin’s Creed 2 or maybe The Da Vinci Code.

Now on to complaints.

When I first fired up House of Da Vinci, the advertisements for the sequel games were overlayed with the menu options. I thought I’d done something wrong but upon adjusting the screen resolution everything was fine again. It’s still possible I made the error but just a word of warning if you end up purchasing this, you didn’t break it. It’s ok. As man of the hour Gianni Infantino would say:

“Chill and relax”

That’s a football joke for those who don’t follow. He’s a bad man.

Don’t tell me to chill Gianni, go back to your corner

In addition to graphical mishaps, the hint system is a little trigger happy, I don’t know the exact timings but after a period of not managing to solve the puzzle at hand, a chime will sound accompanied by a button you can click to get a hint. As an intrepid reviewer I decided to test this feature only to be told that I needed to find a key for a lock I didn’t have the key for. Now I’m no Da Vinci, but even I’d figured that one out. So not only do hints probably come a little quick for my liking, when they arrive, they’re not always particularly helpful.

Any other complaints I’d have would feel silly, such as some of the puzzles not being particularly clear in what you’re meant to do, but isn’t that part of puzzle?

Final thing before closing remarks, this is a bit of an old game, originally coming out in 2017, so some jank might be expected. The “Enhanced” part of the title was a re-release that dropped a couple of weeks ago. It’s not well advertised what part of the experience was enhanced outside of a sentence on the Steam page:

“We re-lit every single scene, so puzzles, mechanisms and hidden objects come alive like never before, and Leonardo’s workshop pulls you in deeper than ever.”

The lighting is quite good, highlights that Leo spent too much time making little models instead of curing cancer like he probably could have

Maybe that’s all they did, maybe not. But either way if you fancy a go of The House of Da Vinci then it’s not going to break the bank, probably, I don’t know your financial situation. House of Da Vinci is currently on sale on Steam for £1.69, that’s 90% off, and will be until July 9^th so give it a whirl before then if you’re so inclined.

I genuinely might play the sequels if they’re going cheap, each is a fairly short experience, ranging from about 6 to 8 hours so don’t go expecting a saga or anything.

All in all, The House of Da Vinci is a cheap and cheerful (not really, but it’s a saying) gameplay experience that puzzle and escape room fans will get plenty satisfaction from. The puzzles are well thought out, and the atmosphere lends well to the jeopardy of the situation even if it falls apart under scrutiny.

As to what football is on today, Portugal vs Spain baby, I expect and demand carnage.