The APNX AP1-V is a budget-oriented CPU air cooler that aims to provide decent cooling performance without breaking the bank. Its sleek design and RGB lighting target entry-level to mid-range PC builders. But does it deliver on its promises? Let’s find out.
Design and Build Quality
The AP1-V boasts a clean, minimalist aesthetic that complements most PC builds. The all-black finish gives it a premium look, while the integrated RGB lighting adds a touch of personality. Build quality is solid for its price point, with the aluminium fin stack feeling sturdy and well-constructed. The included fan is decent, offering adequate airflow for its size. Installation is generally straightforward, although some users might find the mounting mechanism fiddly.
Cooling Performance
The AP1-V’s cooling performance is respectable for its price range. It handles mid-range CPUs without breaking a sweat, keeping temperatures under control during normal use and light gaming. However, when pushed to its limits with demanding workloads or overclocking, the cooler starts to show its limitations. Temperatures can climb higher than ideal, necessitating the use of a more powerful cooler for extreme performance enthusiasts.
Noise Levels
The AP1-V is reasonably quiet under normal load conditions. The fan curve is well-tuned, keeping noise levels low during idle and light tasks. However, the fan ramps up when the CPU is under heavy stress, and the noise level becomes noticeable. While not unbearable, it’s something to consider if you prioritise silence.
Value for Money
The APNX AP1-V offers good value for money, especially for budget-conscious PC builders. It provides a decent balance of performance, aesthetics, and affordability. If you’re looking for a solid cooler to keep your mid-range CPU cool without spending a fortune, the AP1-V is worth considering. However, you might want to invest in a higher-end cooler if you plan on overclocking or running extremely demanding workloads.
Tech Specs
Model
AP1-V ARGB
Base Material
Aluminium block with HCTT Heat Core Touch Technology
Fin Material
Aluminium
Heat pipe
Dia. 6mm x 5
Dimension
With bracket: 128*92*157mm Without bracket: 128*76.5*157mm
TDP(Thermal Design Power)
245 W
Socket
LGA 1700/1200/115X AM4/AM5
Fan Dimensions (L x W x H)
120mm*120mm*25mm
Fan Speed
PWM 600-1800 rpm
Fan Starting Voltage
5V
Rated Voltage
12V
Rated Current
0.32 A
Power Consumption
3.84 W
Air Pressure
3.36 H2O/mm
Air Flow
76.3 CFM
Fan Noise Level
16.1-32.8 dBA
Bearing Type
Hydro bearing
MTBF
80000 hrs
Final Thoughts on the APNX AP1-V
The APNX AP1-V is a competent CPU cooler that delivers solid performance at an attractive price point. Its sleek design and RGB lighting make it a visually appealing choice for many PC builders. While it might not be the best option for extreme overclockers or heavy-duty workloads, it excels as a budget-friendly cooler for mainstream users. If you’re looking for a balance of performance and affordability, the AP1-V is definitely worth considering. Check out the APNX website for more information on this and other products.
The APNX C1 enters the mid-tower market with a bold design and a focus on airflow. This case, from AeroCool, caters to builders seeking a balance between aesthetics and thermal efficiency. We put the C1 through its paces to see if it lives up to its promises.
First Impressions and Design
The APNX C1 boasts a unique curved design with a prominent mesh front panel. This stylish facade prioritises airflow, a theme that continues throughout the case. A large tempered glass side panel showcases the inner workings of your system, and the overall build quality feels solid.
One of the most striking features is the inclusion of four pre-installed aRGB fans. Three 140mm fans in the front and a single 120mm fan in the rear. These FP1 fans offer decent aesthetics with bright and diffused RGB lighting. The case also includes a 5-port PWM and aRGB fan hub, providing ample control over the included fans and additional components you might add.
Building Experience of the APNX C1
The APNX C1 offers a user-friendly building experience. The side panels, including the tempered glass panel, are attached with a toolless mechanism, making access to the interior a breeze. The interior offers ample space for most ATX builds, with ample cable management options behind a removable shroud. The shroud also helps hide away any PSU cables, keeping the interior clean.
While spacious, there are a couple of minor limitations to consider. The cable management cutouts could be wider for easier manoeuvring of thicker cables. Additionally, while the case boasts support for E-ATX motherboards in an unofficial capacity, it might lead to tighter clearances around the CPU area.
Cooling Performance
The APNX C1 excels in airflow thanks to its comprehensive mesh design and the four included fans. Our testing showed impressive results, with CPU and GPU temperatures staying within safe limits even under load (our test system used an AMD 5900x paired with an RTX 3090 GPU). The case offers ample radiator support – up to a 360mm radiator on the top and front, making it suitable for liquid cooling enthusiasts. It’s worth noting that some users have reported minor clearance issues with specific radiators on the top mount.
Aesthetics and Noise Levels
The APNX C1 stands out with its curved design and prominent mesh front. The included aRGB fans add a nice touch of customisation, with various lighting effects and control options available through the included hub.
While the case prioritises airflow, the included fans operate relatively quietly. Even under load, the noise levels remained acceptable.
Tech Specs
Model
C1
Case Type
Mid Tower
Colors
Black, White, ChromaFlair
Body Material
SGCC
Front Panel Material
SECC
Steel Thickness
0.8mm
Motherboards
ATX/Micro ATX/mini-ITX
Case Dimensions (Internal)
230 x 477 x 440 mm (W x H x D)
Case Dimensions (Overall)
230 x 502 x 464 mm (W x H x D)
3.5” Drive Bays
3 Max. (3 x 3.5”/2.5″)
2.5” Drive Bays
3 Max. (3 x 2.5”/3.5”)
Expansion Slots
7
GPU Clearance
Supports GPU up to 395mm
CPU Cooler Clearance
Supports CPU cooler up to 166mm
Air Cooling
Front: 120mm x 3 or 140mm x 3 (Max.) (140mm ARGB Fan x 3 included) Top: 120mm x 3 or 140mm x 2 (Max.) Side: 120mm x 3 (Max.) Rear: 120mm x 1 (Max.) (120mm ARGB Fan x 1 included) CPU: 120mm x 1 (Max.)
ATX PSU (Including cables, up to 270mm) (Optional)
Final Thoughts on the APNX C1
The APNX C1 is a compelling option for mid-tower builders seeking a stylish case with excellent airflow capabilities. The case offers a user-friendly building experience, ample space for most ATX components, and impressive cooling potential. The inclusion of four pre-installed aRGB fans and a dedicated fan hub adds further value. Check out the APNX website for more information on this and other products.
Here we take a closer look at the So Slime Go Gooey Snails Slime Race Set.
Get ready for an epic slime race adventure with the So Slime Go Gooey Snails Slime Race set! Watch as the excitement unfolds with endless slime-filled fun. Simply add the slime to the slides, position the colourful snails, and let the thrilling race begin!
But the excitement doesn’t stop there – detach and squeeze the shell to suck in the slime sludge, then squeeze again to leave a gooey trail behind! Get ready for laughter and sensory fun as this playful set makes funny slurping sounds, creating an unforgettable slime racing experience for kids aged 5 and up!
Colourful snails slide down the slides filled with gooey slime
Detach and squeeze the shell to suck in the slime sludge
The slimes are super stretchy and fun to squish
Enjoy laughter-filled moments with hilarious slurping sounds
Here is our review of the SJCAM C200 PRO Action Camera.
Features
· 4K/30fps, 2K/60fps,1080P/120fps videos and 20MP photos · 16ft waterproof · 6-axis gyro stabilization · 135° Wide FOV with distortion correction · f/1.6 super large aperture for ultimate night vision · Face recognition, vertical screen, slow videos, car mode, etc. · 1.3″ touch screen
Specifications
What’s in the box?
The box contains the C200 PRO Action Camera, a waterproof case, base mount, frame mount, back clip, 3M stickers, helmet base, USB charging cable, cloth and instructions.
A Closer Look
There is also an app that you can use to configure and control the camera.
ScreenshotScreenshotScreenshotScreenshot
Final Thoughts
The SJCAM C200 PRO Action Camera is small – very small in fact! It can easily fit in your pocket and you can carry it around with you.
It has a high quality 1.3 inch colour touchscreen and is very responsive. You can set up and configure the C200 PRO from the camera itself or from the app which can be downloaded to either an iPhone or Android device.
When the battery is fully charged you can get around 2 hours of use out of it.
The picture quality is really good – you can record 4K at 30 fps and the field of view is really great too at 135 degrees. It also includes a built-in image stabiliser. You can also take 20MP photos too.
Everything you might need is included in the box – from a waterproof case to various mounts – whatever the task you need the C200 PRO for you are covered. The waterproof case is good for use up to 30 meters and should be good up to 5 meters without the case too.
All the footage is recorded on the memory card, you can remove the card and put it in your computer to look at and share any footage or you can use WiFi to share it straight away with someone. The built-in software also corrects for fisheye images so that you get a much more natural looking image and recording.
If you are looking for a good quality action camera thats small and easy to use and is reasonably priced, then look no further!
The SJCAM C200 PRO Action Camera is available now priced around £123.
If you are looking for a unique and fun time, then axe throwing at White Punks might interest you – we were invited down for a night!
Whistle Punks is the original axe-throwing bar in the UK, and the Oxford Circus location is the largest of its kind in Europe, boasting nine lanes and eighteen targets. Guests can also enjoy sourdough pizza, cocktails, craft beers, and ice cream from the on-site kitchen and bar.
We were invited down to experience the 70 minute session, which included our own personal instructor (we needed it) and our own personal lane. Depending on which package you choose, you can have your own lane, share a lane with others, or even just have a quick fling about – the choice is yours.
As well as the axe throwing, they also have a great food and drinks menu – I can recommend their pizza’s – we really enjoyed them! You can eat before, after or even during the axe throwing.
We started off with our instructor giving us a full safety briefing – after all, these are sharp axes and safety is paramount. Then a few demonstration throws from our instructor and it was our turn to have a go.
It’s not as easy as it looks – but thankfully our instructor was giving us help and guidance and it wasn’t long before we actually hit the target and the axe stayed in place!
One of my first throws actually went near the centre of the target (as you can see below). Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that over and over again – although I did manage to hit and remain on the target most of the time.
We were then shown how to throw the axe double handed and we had a few rounds of that.
After that we were shown different ways to throw the axe – our instruction referred to them as trick shots and then it was competition time!
The 70 minutes literally flew by (see what I did there) and it was so much fun we didn’t want it to end.
Younger players (12+) will have a great time at the family sessions, older teens (16+) are welcome in sessions that start before 6pm Sunday to Friday, and they have a shorter “Quick fling” format if you want a dedicated target for a smaller group. The classic fully instructed social ticket is ideal if you want to get out and meet people while learning a new skill and smashing a few bullseyes!
There are locations in London, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol.
The Pismo Strata Collection glasses from GUNNAR are stylish, comfortable, and ideal for professionals. These slim-framed glasses deliver a unique look that makes you stand out from the crowd. Moreover, the build quality is exceptional. Accordingly, if you want something that will last the test of time, this is the product for you.
Alongside this, these Epic-level glasses will improve your eye health and your productivity. Furthermore, the clear lenses utilise GUNNAR’s patented lens technology without impacting the colours in front of you. Unlike the amber-tinted lenses, these specs deliver crystal clear clarity when it matters most. Consequently, you don’t need to compromise if you are a graphic designer or photographer.
What’s in the box of the Pismo Strata Collection glasses?
The packaging is discreet and robust. Additionally, it can be recycled.
The Pismo Strata Collection glasses have an Onyx and Silver frame. Furthermore, the slim arms and narrow bridge deliver a comfortable fit.
A fold-flat carry case protects your eyewear.
Clean the lenses with the microfibre cloth.
Technical aspects.
GUNNAR delivers high-quality products that protect your eye health. Moreover, their patented lens technology reduces dry eyes whilst improving reaction times and productivity. Subsequently, this product is ideal if you work from home or spend plenty of time in front of a screen.
Unlike the amber-tinted lenses, the clear pro tint offers 20% blue light protection. Now, this may seem like a massive drop from the normal 65%, but you still feel the benefit. Additionally, the clear lenses are ideal if you need to see colour depth and contrast. Previously, the amber-tinted lenses caused minor issues for designers. Thankfully, the new clear pro option delivers a balance between health and work. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy 100% UV light protection. Accordingly, if you are taking a break and enjoying a brisk walk, you can reduce fatigue and the impact of the sun.
Prescription lenses.
If you require prescription lenses, GUNNAR has you covered. Though the -5 – +5 option comes at an additional cost, it allows you to have perfect 20/20 vision with the added GUNNAR glasses benefits. If this is something you require, you can select the prescription version from the product landing page. The process is painless and the manufacturer sorts everything out for you. This seamless process is impressive, and the turnaround time was quicker than expected.
Build quality.
I adore the health benefits. What’s more, the lack of dry and itchy eyes was a godsend. Yet, it is the build quality that makes the Pismo Strata Collection glasses so impressive. The lightweight and spacious frames feel great to wear. Moreover, there were no pressure points and I could wear these for hours. However, the narrow bridge may be problematic if you have a wider nose. As such, I suggest you check the measurements before ordering.
If you are heavy-handed, you’ll be pleased to know that the flexible spring hinges are robust. Therefore, if you mishandle your glasses, the arms will simply spring back into place. This was great as I loved this reassuring design. Moreover, it makes the frame more versatile and reduces the risk of tension if you have a wider face.
Finally, the square-style frame with layered magnesium-aluminium architecture is divine! The quality of the finish is second to none and I loved the tactile nature. If you are a professional who needs to make a fantastic first impression, then these are the glasses for you.
Are the Pismo Strata Collection glasses worth it?
If you wish to combine style with practicality, then look no further. The 20% blue light and 100% UV light protection are phenomenal. Furthermore, the clear lenses allow you to see crystal-clear colours without compromise. Alongside this, the build quality is exceptional and these glasses are comfortable to wear. Accordingly, I love them and I recommend buying them here!
I’m a candy bar mobile phone enthusiast. The simple design and versatile approach have always appealed to me. Even when Nokia released the weird but much-loved 7373, I stuck with my tried and tested design. Accordingly, my head wasn’t turned when manufacturers started to roll out fold phones. I’m always concerned about weak points and don’t get me started about the thought of a mobile phone and a Cornish sand sandwich. However, here I am looking at the HONOR Magic V2. This ultrathin mobile device has a dual screen, an impressive battery, and a wonderfully sleek design.
This phone has been created to give other flagship models a run for their money. To that end, HONOR has done an incredible job. It has a fantastic set of screens, and the foldable mechanism is smooth and has to be one of the best I’ve seen. Alongside this, the slim design stomps all over its competitors. This decision does come with some downsides. The phone has no IP rating. This was slightly problematic as I love running, cycling, and spending time outdoors. Additionally, a trip to the beach creates an unnerving experience. Alongside this concern, there is no wireless charging facility. This wasn’t an issue, but I’d have loved to combine this phone with my Acefast Wireless charging stand.
What’s in the box of the HONOR Magic V2?
The large box is sleek and professional. The black finish is eye-catching and everything can be recycled.
The HONOR Magic V2 is an amazing-looking device. The vivid screens and the smooth foldable mechanism are conversation starters. Furthermore, it weighs around 230 grams, so it is comfortable to hold for extended periods.
A USB-C to USB-C cable is provided for charging. Please note, that no USB adaptor is provided.
A rear protection case helps to prevent scratches.
Remove the SIM card with the tool.
Technical aspects.
The HONOR Magic V2 uses the impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Furthermore, it has 16 GB of RAM and an impressive 512 GB internal hard drive. The combination of RAM and high-end processing power ensures that you have no issues with gaming, streaming, or using your apps. What’s more, I noticed no performance issues with either the internal or external screens. The smooth gesture support and rapid transition between apps were fantastic. Though the Gen 2 isn’t the most modern processor, it didn’t matter. This phone performs exceptionally well, and you will not be disappointed.
Both the internal and external displays are OLED. The foldable screen is 2156 x 2344 pixels and capable of up to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Moreover, it supports HDR10+ and has a comfortable peak brightness of 1600 nits. The external screen, on the other hand, has a 1060 x 2376 resolution and is protected by HONOR’s drop-resistant NanoCrystal glass. This special material will prevent damage in certain circumstances.
Finally, battery life is king and the HONOR Magic V2 delivers are decent return. The 5000 mAh battery is capable of around 24 hours of use. Though it wasn’t as impressive as the HONOR Magic 6 Pro, I did enjoy the fast charging facility. If you have a 66W supercharge adaptor, you can get around 50% battery life boost in around 23 minutes. Alternatively, a full charge can be achieved in approximately 50 minutes.
Camera.
Unlike the candy bar alternatives, foldable phones aren’t renowned for their photography prowess. This device is no different, though the 3 rear lenses were decent for casual photographers. The main lens has 50 MPs and an aperture of f1.9. The wide lens delivers 50 MPs with a f2.0 and the telephoto lens delivers 20 MPs with a f2.4 aperture and 2.5 optical zoom. If you love your selfies, the front camera boasts 16 MP and you can record 4K resolution up to 60 FPS.
Though these figures won’t blow you away, they are more than suitable for most occasions. Moreover, the colour saturation is on point and I liked the depth of each photo. Thanks to optical image stabilisation (OIS), you can capture pictures quickly and not worry about unfortunate blurry images. Where this falls short is its low-light capture. Sadly, it isn’t as good as other models and that was disappointing. Yet, if you can get your lighting correct, this shouldn’t be a concern.
Build quality.
This handset is head and shoulders above its competitors when you consider build quality. The sleek material is great to look at and even better to handle. The lightweight design is perfectly balanced, and I couldn’t believe how slim it was. When the phone is folded, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a candy bar design. Yet, when it is unfolded, the ultrathin case is a thing of beauty.
As I manipulated the phone, there wasn’t a sense of fragility and I heard no noises. Instead, the mechanism is smooth, and I noticed no lines on the screen unless it was held at a particular angle. The centre point of the phone has no uncomfortable ridge and the large internal screen is buttery smooth.
Usability.
The Magic OS 8.0 is based on Android 14. This OS is smooth and works particularly well with the dual-screen functionality. You can use parallel space to run multiple independent apps simultaneously. Though this wasn’t something I needed or looked for, I was impressed with how well the Snapdragon processor handled the load. Additionally, as you first boot the device, you get a standard international arrangement. The Play Store, Maps, Google, and more are awaiting you. Furthermore, once you push through the reams of paperwork and user agreements, you can begin making the phone your own.
Unfortunately, though, if you like to customise your device, the options are limited. Now, this wasn’t a problem for me as I don’t care, but if you want to stand out from the crowd and make the phone truly yours, you will feel a little short-changed.
Is the HONOR Magic V2 worth it?
Buying a high-value phone is a big commitment. The HONOR Magic V2 is a device that sits at the top table, especially when you consider the price point. Yet, this tag has plenty of fancy features and premium build quality to back it up. The slim and professional design is hard-wearing, attractive, and great to use. What’s more, the battery life is impressive, and I loved the fast charging facility. The dual screens are vivid and the NanoCrystal glass reduces the risk of damage. Accordingly, this gives its competitors a run for their money and I recommend buying it here!
The FlexiSpot 8th anniversary sale is a great opportunity to improve your workspace without breaking the bank. Additionally, this fantastic company is offering the chance to win 99% off selected items on the 9th of August 2024 and the 29th of August 2024. Moreover, there are Early Bird discounts if you shop between the 1st and the 7th of August.
FlexiSpot’s sale runs through August, and I couldn’t be more excited! I love their products and our office is loaded with their standing desks and chairs. Furthermore, we’ve been lucky enough to look at their recliners; they are some of the most comfortable and well-made items we’ve tested. Consequently, if you wish to improve your working space and guarantee high-quality and long-lasting products, then you need to look no further!
What’s available during the FlexiSpot 8th anniversary sale?
Andrew covered this item and here is his summary. “The desk is really comfortable to use, has a lot of space and is really easy to position however you want it. My only criticism, and that’s also a strong word, is that there are two round holes in the desk top for cables but there are no caps provided so there are just big holes there which slightly detract from how good the desk top actually looks. You can buy caps easily for a few pounds that match but it would have been better to have included them in the box rather than having to source from a third party.“
I covered this in October 2023 and here are my concluding thoughts. “If you sit at a desk all day, you need a comfortable chair that supports your body. Fortunately, the BS8 office chair does just that. This incredible piece of office furniture is well-made and great to look at. Furthermore, it supports every aspect of your body to reduce fatigue and pressure on your back and hips. Accordingly, this chair is worth every penny!“
Another of our reviewed products. I looked at this in April 2023. “Available for £429.99, this is a hefty investment. Yet, it is money well spent as it ticks every box. Thanks to its ergonomic design, stylish finish, and adjustable parts, it is suitable for many users. Consequently, this is the perfect accompaniment to the FlexiSpot EHD2 or the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk. I think the FlexiSpot BS11 Pro chair is amazing and I recommend that you buy it!“
A big desk that is bound to impress. “Undoubtedly, I adore this desk. Not only is it robust and well-built, but it is great to look at as well. I cherish the environmentally friendly bamboo top and the stunningly simple metal finish. On top of this, the built-in charging point, the USB ports, and the excellent control unit make it easy to use. Furthermore, the small but effective draw and the cable management system are well considered. Subsequently, it ticks many boxes.
However, my favourite elements have to be the safety functionality and the health benefits. FlexiSpot has created a remarkable piece of furniture that overcomes many office-based issues. What’s more, they haven’t taken any shortcuts, and this was great to see. Accordingly, if you want a sturdy desk that looks amazing, has plenty of functionality, and is reassuringly safe to use, then look no further. I absolutely love this desk and I wholeheartedly recommend that you buy it!“
An amazing all-rounder desk. “The E7 Pro Plus Standing Desk is available for £499.99. Now, this may seem like a high price to pay, but I think that it is exceptionally good value for money. Every element of this office furniture is of high quality, and the choice of different desktops ensures that you have a desk that suits your tastes. On top of this, there is a 10-year warranty, and safety is FlexiSpot’s number one priority. I adored the child lock facility and the anti-collision technology. Additionally, the magnetic cable tidy and the cable cage prevent wires from becoming a trip hazard.
Alongside this, the ability to smoothly and quietly adjust the height of your desk is a game-changer. If you pair this desk with the BS12 Pro, you’ll have a comfortable set-up that protects your health and increases your productivity. As such, if you are looking to buy a comfortable, professional, and sleek desk that is a head-turner, then look no further. Consequently, I love this desk and I recommend that you buy it!“
An impressive office chair that will impress during the FlexiSpot 8th Anniversary sale. “If you game, stream, or work from home, then you won’t want a cheap office chair. Thankfully, this piece of furniture is available for £429.99 and I think that’s great value for money. Thanks to the adjustable lumber support, the central strut, and the excellent control panel, changing every element is a piece of cake. Accordingly, this is the perfect chair for would-be streamers, big-time gamers, and anyone who wants a comfortable office experience. If this article has piqued your interest, then I recommend that you buy this chair!“
A snippet of the products during the FlexiSpot 8th anniversary sale!
I have highlighted just a few of the incredible deals that are available this August. FlexiSpot is a leading light for office furniture. Moreover, they focus on your health and your well-being. As such, if you buy one of their products, your productivity will increase, and those horrible aches and pains should melt away. Don’t miss out on these incredible savings and click here to jump to the landing page!
Bounty Hunter 2024 is a remaster of the 2002 title of the same name. At the time, the original received mixed reviews from gamers and critics alike. Roll on 22 years, and the reception will be equally tepid. Disappointingly, the action feels stuck in its ways. Moreover, the clunk bounty system and repetitive gameplay are cumbersome and underwhelming. Yet, the story is interesting, and I like how it links in with the backstory from Attack of the Clones. Accordingly, if you are a fan of the films, you’ll enjoy the lore and the impressive character references.
Aspyr developed and published this action-adventure game. Furthermore, it is a single-player title from a third-person perspective. As the game progresses, you will gather new skills and enjoy some basic platforming elements. What’s more, there is plenty of combat, loads of missions, and an array of characters to interact with. Disappointingly, though, the gameplay is extremely linear and the path to success isn’t always obvious. When this happens, you have to waste time finding a solution or you have to grab a walkthrough to find a minor tunnel or grate to cut.
Bounty Hunter 2024 tells a fantastic Sci-Fi tale.
I love it when a game runs side-by-side with a much-loved film franchise. Bounty Hunter 2024 does this with every aspect of its lore-rich plot. Consequently, fans will adore every lore-laced moment and the ability to see other aspects of the story that they may have otherwise missed. Additionally, there is a sense of creative licence as the developer allows you to complete each bounty mission or ignore them at will. Effectively, you can let your blaster do the talking or take a more refined and considered approach.
The gameplay revolves around an ex-Mandalorian warrior called Jango Fett. This mercenary has been hired by the Sith Lord, Darth Tyranus, to eliminate the Dark Jedi, Komari Vosa. This mission should be straightforward, but many twists and turns and plenty of chapters of action stand between you and victory. Furthermore, there is a fantastic conspiracy to unravel, various criminal syndicates to tackle, and an old rival to deal with. In short, it keeps you on your toes despite the repetitive action.
6 chapters and plenty of gunfights.
I’d love to tell you that Bounty Hunter 2024 is an intense experience with plenty of depth. Sadly, I cannot, as 6 chapters, focus on a similar gameplay loop. As you explore each portion of the story, you are tasked with exploring a range of strange sci-fi locations. Each area looks unique, but the stage design and progression elements are very similar. You must overcome basic platforming tests and use your blaster to great effect. Each battle comprises a set of goons and a leader who needs to be taken in dead or alive. If you manage to capture them, you’ll earn more credits and have a sense of greater reward. Either way, it doesn’t impact proceedings too much, so feel free to do as you wish.
If you are not shooting or capturing your foes, you are creating new pathways to explore each maze-like zone. The tunnels can be used to avoid detection and your thermal laser lets you cut through an array of pesky grates. Alternatively, if you cannot get by with stealth, use your flamethrower, dual blasters, or handy Whipcord to get by. Finally, if a platform seems out of reach, you must use your trusty jetpack. This tricky tool requires pinpoint accuracy. Subsequently, some patience and a plan will help you to overcome any problems.
It is not a modern title.
Unlike other incredible remasters, I do not think Bounty Hunter 2024 translates well for a modern audience. Unfortunately, much of the action is clunky, slow, and dull. Moreover, the bounty hunter system breaks up a sense of immersion as you slow down the action and hope to find your intended victim. Undoubtedly, Star Wars fans will hate this impression, and they will adore it, no matter the shortcomings. However, everyone else will see past the wonderful story to identify the glaring issues.
Bounty Hunter 2024 retains the original visual charm.
When it was first released, the graphics were heralded as well polished, which was a triumph for the development team. Unfortunately, I cannot say it has aged well. Even though it has had a minor polish, it is blocky, chunky, and desperately stuck in its ways. What’s more, the textures are rough, and the animation is sluggish and tough to look at. I know graphics don’t define a gaming experience, but I cannot overlook how dated this title looks. On the plus side, I didn’t have any technical issues and the game ran smoothly from a performance aspect. Yet, I’m not sure if this is enough to overcome the glaring problems.
Where this excels is its fine audio. Every layer of the soundtrack and the sound effects transport you to the Star Wars universe. There is a sense of drama and despair as the ominous tracks play out. Furthermore, the sound effects are loud, shrill, and wonderfully sci-fi. Subsequently, they work perfectly with the theme and the action that unfolds.
Clunky controls.
The UI and the inputs weren’t as responsive as I hoped for. Scrolling through your weapons or using your visor to select the bounty scanner, feels arduous. What’s more, the platforming layers are telegraphed and everything feels on rails. This feeling matches the linear gameplay and the sense of restriction. As such, if you expect a free-flowing game, this will leave you wanting.
If you enjoy exploring each chapter, you will find a smattering of replay value and longevity. There are plenty of bounties to collect and mistakes are easily made. However, this aspect of the game can be completely ignored and you may bum-rush from one chapter to another if you wish. If you take this approach, you will easily fly through each element and your Star Wars experience will be concluded in no time.
Bounty Hunter 2024 wasn’t for me.
I feel like I’ve picked this title to pieces and perhaps that isn’t fair. I know that fans of the original and Star Wars lovers will fall for its dated charms. Yet, I don’t think it will be well-received by any other gamer. Unfortunately, much of the action doesn’t hit modern standards and this doesn’t compare to many of this year’s remastered titles. Accordingly, I begrudgingly recommend buying it here! (Based solely on the Star Wars aspect.) Can you prove your worth and eliminate a Dark Jedi? Master your skills, take down each syndicate, and complete your mission.
Veritus is a Top Down Pixel-art Action-RPG with brilliant real-time combat and addictive puzzle gameplay.
From the get-go, I will say that I was very impressed by my time with Veritus. Despite having to look up the name over and over again, I can safely say this was one unforgettable experience. Just a shame, the feeling does not last the whole way.
Pixel-art Plot
The king has been assassinated and the murderer still roams the castle, hidden within the shadows. The party of warriors who were supposed to keep said king alive, must now find the villain and bring them to justice.
Your guide is a golden spirit angel thingy called Enetha. After about every major point in the game, you meet her and she guides you to the next task.
In Veritus, You play as the Minor, a nameless pony-tailed avenger ready to solve puzzles, kick ass and take names. Alongside you, there is a party of adventurers that will help you on your way. While you don’t really control them, they all help in some shape or form. (except for one Lilly, who swims for you in certain parts of the game)
Companions:
First, you have, Myna: A pink-haired fan girl who wants to one day be as cool as you and fight monsters. The game portrayed her to be a little annoying but I found her endearing. Reminds me of my niece.
Oh, yes, she is the daughter of the miner. There is an incline that she might be adopted but I don’t believe it was ever confirmed.
Second, we are introduced to Zaegul: A half-human, half-giant rat who was a trader and messenger for the king. While shown in glimpses, it is made aware that Zaegul saw the king get murdered. He gives a letter that the king gave him to pass on, just before passing away.
The rest of our party consists of Sonny(A big bulky guy who is a chef), Uros( a very friendly yet dramatic Minatour who is a weapons management expert), Lilly(A sulky teen-like magical creature that hates everyone or maybe just likes to act sullen), then there is Lacrima. (A blue-tinted magical lady who is always happy.)
Finally, we have Lacrina, the actual head of the party. She is the one who gives us our instructions when not coming from Enetha. She is a hard-boiled and serious figure with some motherly- ness to her. Very interesting to talk to.
Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk about the gameplay.
Pixel-art Pow Wow
The main strength of the real-time combat RPG Veritus lies in the vast yet simple gameplay. Keeping a mix between hard action akin to the build of a Miner but also the ability to use a certain level of magic. It is all pretty cool stuff.
In your possession are an axe, a rope, a magic claw and one slot(for random stuff). The axe is used to attack enemies and destroy breakable objects, the magic claw can lift options and if you have the right magic power selected, it can even lift and throw enemies, the rope is used to either zip to enemies or items or pull them towards yourself
As you can see, this keeps the game going at a very fast pace.
UPGRADES
As the real-time combat RPG progresses you either find, unlock or craft new items to use. No, this is not some lazy crafting system. There is actually a brilliant gameplay piece to it.
At the start of every chapter, you will find yourself in a room surrounded by all your party members. Each member, barring Lily and Lacrina, provides you with one important service.
Let me explain in the same order I understood it:
Uros the Minatour, carries a large bag. You interact with him to change the effects and passives that you wish to have. For example, if you want the dashing special attack or the spinning one.
Zaegul carries an even bigger bag. For a measly 25 coins, he will give you one random item from his bag. These items can have one of two uses.
Sonny provides you with meals. Each meal will give you a temporary buff that lasts till the next time you die. It is your classic case of extra health, extra damage, extra speed, etc.
Finally, Yoro provides you with weapon and body upgrades. Bringing her a stack of 3 items, either found in the game or taken from Zaegul, you offer her recipes. She takes the instruction and magical blacksmiths give you some brand new weapons or gear.
While no exact indication of what a recipe will create, each time you use this feature, the material of your weapon changes, giving you a completely different style of gameplay.
However, despite the pretty gameplay look and feel, certain choices keep the score from reaching a perfect 10.
Niggles.
From the beginning, the navigation is horrendous. With no map or compass, a lot of the RPG has you walking from room to room and fighting respawning waves of enemies just on the small chance that this could be the way forward. At that point you would have gone on an hour-long track, only to make a U-turn at the end.
The save game system is very annoying. At the start of the missions, you will find these large paintings that you can enter Mario64 style. Inside, the castle’s ghost-ish butler, Scroon, greets you and offers to save the game and replenish your health. Every time you die, you return here.
I do not think I have to go into much detail on why that is annoying. At points you would be at the doorstep of a villain or maybe had just completed a very complicated movement puzzle, only to lose and have to return all the way back to the start of the level.
It does not reset progress, only takes you back.
Lastly, there is a place in the game where you can go back to old parts of Veritus and replay them. This was entirely glitched out. For one, when you go back, the puzzles are still solved. So puzzles required to access certain areas, well, no longer exist.
There is no way to return to the main game without finishing the play either so this means more of this feature just straight-up soft-lock the game. It is very annoying and stupid.
Pixel-art Perfection
However, despite all that, this was a very fun experience and one I will go back to even after this review so I can really dive deeper into real-time combat and RPG elements.
This is a real-time combat genre-defining piece and deserves a lot of praise from gamers. There is no need to go into the nitty gritty because, in the end, only one thing matters. Veritus is a beautiful Pixel-art game with very fun Action- RPG/ puzzle elements and I recommend it.
PS: Play with a controller. The Keyboard support is Horse Manure!
In 2018, with the release of Marvel’s spider-man, few years after the best superhero series in the video game industry (batman: arkham) released, Insomniac gave new life to superhero games, although the batman: arkham series is still at the top of the chart. but the passion and excitement of the past returned to this genre.
The wonderful design of New York and the very suitable map design for traversal with Spiderman’s web and powers, the unique design of the traversal mechanics with very high speed and variety made this game to be at the top of the table in terms of the traversal mechanics in open world games, and it continues to be Even today, it has the best traversal mechanics among open world games, the combat is very smooth and, of course, in some parts inspired by the Batman: Arkham series, it was very satisfying and immersed the player in excitement, speed and variety, the story of the game was also an original story that created a new story for Peter Parker that was not in the comics and movies.
Now it’s been 5 years since the release of the Marvel’s Spider-Man and its sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, has been released, expectations for insomniac games have risen and they should deliver a next-gen game to the players, improve the already top notch traversal mechanics, darker story, smoother combat, more diversity in abilities and skills, better boss fights and most importantly better side quests.
Spider-Man and its DLCs and Spider-Man: Miles Morales created a very deep introduction for SM2 with two Spider-Mans and added a lot of depth and layers to the story that is quite evident.
STORY
Before the release, Insomniac promised a darker story, and the presence of Venom and Kraven in the story promised a much darker, more exciting, more emotional and deeper story than before.
Insomniac has done his initial characterizations for Peter Parker, Miles Morales and their family/friends in SM and SM:MM very well, and has made the pain they have endured along the way completely understandable to the players, the initial and The important layer of the characterizations have been done and now it’s time to dig more into their lives and see a much deeper characterization of these characters.
This time, the personal life of the characters in the game is much more involved in their superhero life than before, and this has caused much more emotions behind all the words, fights and friendships, and plunges the player into the depth of the story.
From the sense of revenge that exists in the depth of the player’s feelings due to the previous games to forgiveness, from friendship to enmity, from enmity to friendship, weakness, strength, the story succeeds in conveying the emotions of the characters to the player.
As the story progresses, it gets darker and the surrounding world changes accordingly, showing off a wonderful atmosphere.
Surprises never end, and the further you go, the more you are surprised, and every time you say to yourself, it is not possible to be more surprised than this, but the story proves the opposite to you again and again.
The story is very detailed and memorable, and most of the parts of the story will remain in your head and will not be erased from your mind, even the parts that are not very important, and this level of memorable story cannot be found in so many games.
The same can be said about the attractiveness of the story, the player is always thirsty to continue and see the remaining.
The end of the story may be a bit disappointing compared to the initial ninety-nine percent of the story, and it may feel like some events were forced at the end for an unknown reason.
Except for the ending, another problem that can be added to is the short length of story. After finishing the story, my time play was thirteen hours, and if we assume that PS5 did not track play time accurate, it will still be fifteen hours at best.
And I didn’t skip any cutscenes, and I think 18 hours could have been a more appropriate length.
CHARACTER DESIGN
The characterization in the game is very deep, and the previous two games can be seen as a prelude to this, the formation of Peter and Miles’ friendship, the restoration of Mary Jane and Peter’s relationship, references to Harry and … in this game, these relationships are much more.
They are involved in the main story and are one of the main foundations of the story, Peter and Miles face their past during the story and try to deal with it, Peter with the death of aunt may and Miles with the death of his father.
The friendship between Miles and Peter is one of the most important parts of the story and the importance of Peter for Miles is quite visible, the efforts of Peter’s friends to help him when he is drawned in to the power of the symbiote would not have been possible without the previous introduction and deepening it.
It could have hurt the story a lot but happily the characterization is well done and kept the story strong.
GAMEPLAY
Spider-Man 2, after the initial cutscene, at the very beginning stage, shows off the powers of the PS5 and the achievements of the studio with the PS5, much faster speed in swing and running on buildings to the amazing web wing, which alone adds a new level to the gameplay.
After completing the first stage, you will gradually discover more abilities that you can unlock during the game.
First, let’s talk about the traversal mechanics, while we thought that Insomniac showed us the most perfect traversal mechanics in MSM and they are only going to improve the speed of the previous traversal mechanics with the help of SSD, Insomniac does magic once again.
In addition to the higher speed of the navigation system, tons of new things have been added to it that will amaze the player, the most important thing that has been added to the traversal is the web wing, which acts like wings and when you use them, you can fly around the city at a very high speed, the higher you are and use it, the longer you fly, and after a while, when its speed decreases, you can fly by webbing and re-opening the web wings or entering the wind tunnels and Keep flying again.
If you enter the air tunnel with web wings, you will fly at a much higher speed than normal and you will be amazed more than before.
The traversal mechanics are not only these basic abilities that are introduced at first, but you can unlock several new ways for smoother and faster traversal by upgrading your abilities.
The traversal in this game is definitely the best among open world games to date. In terms of the traversal, spider man 2 is definitely a next gen game and there is no way to deny this.
The combat is in its smoothest state and this time webs play a much bigger role, new gadgets have made more variety, but removing the weapon wheel doesn’t seem very logical and it has made the variety less than SM and SM:MM while in fight, but a completely new section has been added to the game (abilities) have been added to the game, which by holding L1 and pressing one of the X, square, triangle or circle button, performs one of the abilities that you have already placed and It can compensate for the lack of weapon wheel in terms of variety, but its absence is still strongly felt.
As in the previous games, each type of enemy must be defeated in a different way, and it is the same in SM2, with the difference that there is more variety, and of course, some can be defeated with several different moves.
you are always encouraged to use variable moves and make your gameplay more fun.
One of the best upgrades from the previous games is the addition of parry, previously you could only dodge the enemy’s blow, but parry mechanic has given a new life to battles and boss fights.
Boss fights now have a health bar and it has given them more excitement, the variety in how to fight boss fights is much more, in SM and SM:MM, a weak point for boss fights was usually shown and you only had to use that to defeat the boss, but now, in addition to various weaknesses, you can also defeat them with regular strikes.
Some of the finishers are old and from previous games, and some are new and have a good variety, but the old ones are a bit repetitive.
The skills and skill tree have become much wider, and by advancing the skill tree, the gameplay becomes more and more enjoyable.
LEVEL DESIGN
The level design of the game is wonderful, the player is given a lot of freedom to complete the stages with stealth or normal, and there are always different stages of enemies waiting for the players to entertain them, and each stage needs a diffrent strategy.
Missions are well laid out and the player never feels like they are chasing a pointless goal and just going from one point to another.
Each mission is different from the next mission and they never feel repeated.
The impact of events in the story of the game completely affects the missions and enemies and fully changes them.
The design of the interiors is always unique and at the same time suitable for stealth and mostly has a suitable space for normal fights.
The game’s map, like the previous versions, is perfect for spider-mans to swing, fly and move freely, which has greatly helped the traversal of the game and is quite evident.
SIDE-QUESTS
Side-quests and collectibles have become much better and entertaining.
Some side-quests have a great story and will surprise you, and some are very ordinary.
This time, unlike the previous games, after getting the last collectible from each series of collectibles, you will be given a very exciting final mission, which will give you a goal to collect collectibles rather than just for trophy.
DUALSENSE
The dualsense features are well used and the trigger effects works when swinging, and the haptic feedback becomes strong and weak according to the speed, while flying with the web wing, the haptic feedback changes as the speed increases and decreases.
VISUALS
The visuals in Spider-Man 2 were one of the most exciting changes for me from the very beginning of the introduction, after seeing Insomniac’s abilities in R&C: rift apart and the power of the ps5, it was completely predictable, and it was expected that we would see a next gen visual experience, and Insomniac games announced before the launch that they are using all of the ps5’s power.
Will Insomniac succeed in giving us the next-gen visuals we’ve all been waiting for since the beginning of this Gen? The short answer is yes.
Ray tracing is enabled on both fidelity and performance modes and it cannot be disabled, and this decision was completely right, the lack of reflections in buildings and water, especially now that the player’s movement over the water to the other side of the map is possible.
It could have been a huge hit to the visuals, swinging and flying past all that glassy buildings and not seeing the reflections is really unbearable.
Ray tracing takes the visuals to a whole new level, in one of the missions it shows so much use of ray tracing that it amazes you and you are stunned by the scene.
Half of the map is in the previous two games and the other half is new, the map that was in the previous versions has been completely renovated and has completely different textures and is very detailed, the new part of the map also has many such textures.
All the buildings now have an interior that you can look at and see that people are moving or doing something in it, and the interior is full of details.
Spider-Man 2 currently has the best visuals among open world games and Insomniac has managed to give us the next generation game that we have been waiting for.
CONCLUSION
Spider-Man 2 is what we want from a sequel, a much better story building on the foundations that the previous versions built, improving the gameplay in every possible way while the previous games are already among the best in terms of gameplay, using all the PS5’s powers and turning the game into a completely next-gen game, next-gen visuals, extraordinary and non-repetitive level design, deep characterization at the disposal of the story, use of dualsense’s features, much more entertaining boss fights, Much better cutscenes and Much better animations.
When firewall: zero hour was released, it quickly became one of the most popular PSVR games.
in terms of visuals and realism, if not the best, it was definitely one of the best, two squads of four, one team were attackers and one team were defenders and had to hack or protect a laptop.
The closest VR game to rainbow six siege is definitely attractive to many and this game will always be in the list of the best PSVR games in our minds, now first contact entertainment with firewall: ultra has developed the third PSVR2 game published by SIE, a game that has been one of the most anticipated PSVR2 games since its introduction due to the impressive success of its predecessor.
And now the question is whether firewall: ultra has been able to be as revolutionary as firewall: zero hour was for PSVR and become one of the best PSVR2 games?
GAMEPLAY
Gameplay is very fun, taking cover, sitting, much more freedom of action compared to tactical shooters on flat screen, more stress, being more realistic, communicating with team members with getsure or talking, hiding in the dark and disappearing from enemy’s vision, using special skills, closing your eyes to neutralize flash grenades Effect, all of these are very attractive for fans of this style, but the lack of manual reload reduces the sense of immersion in the game, when you are shooting and enjoying virtual reality, suddenly You have to press a button on the gun and suddenly your hands change the magazine of your gun without you doing anything and this is definitely annoying and even the manual reload animation is not good and detailed.
Aiming in the game should be done by holding the L2 button and adjust it by moving your head, and when you hold the gun’s optic in front of your eyes, the recoil of the gun will be very high and you will be in an unfair position against the person who is holding L2.
Aiming in this game is very frustrating and takes a while to get used to, but it will always be annoying.
To throw a grenade in the game, you have to select it from the menu with eye tracking, hold the R2 button, look with your eyes to where you want to throw it and release R2, while some find this use of eye tracking interesting, I think it reduces the immersion in the game and VR games should allow the player to throw grenades by its own hand.
At the time of release, leveling up in the game was very difficult and slow (it sped up after the 1.05 patch), which of course was because of the lack of assignments that are going to be added to the game at the beginning of the first season.
weapons currently don’t have a lot of variety, but the available weapons have unique details and are definitely one of the best, the vibration of the weapons works well with sense controllers and headset haptic and greatly increases the immersion.
EXFIL
In firewall: ultra, there is a new PVE game mode called exfil, which is very entertaining.
In this game mode, you have to hack three laptops with three other squad members, and after hacking all three laptops, go to the exfill point.
After you start hacking each laptop, enemies will attack you in different ways and you have to protect it until the end of the hack, without a doubt this game mode is surprisingly one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.
Each of the contractors have their own abilities and you can choose them as you wish, although currently one of them is very OP and can see the enemies who are making noise from behind the wall.
This contractor is free for those who purchased deluxe edition and those who purchased the standard version can purchase it with 150,000 crypto (in-game currency).
MAP DESIGN
The maps have a good design and there are many small and large details in them, some maps are remasters of firewall: zero hour’s maps and some maps are new, but all the maps are very open and in this section they are all similar.
in some parts of the maps there are crypto (in-game currency) and crypto miner that you can pick up.
MATCHMAKING
One of the biggest problems of firewall: zero hour was in the matchmaking section, where players spent many minutes in the lobby to be able to play one match, and one of the expectations of the old fans of the game was to fix this problem, which was still there when the game was released.
It takes between five and fifteen minutes for each match to start (after the 1.05 patch, this waiting time was reduced to approximately 3 to 8 minutes) and the two-minute timer that started after the two teams were filled was a very long pause (after 1.04 patch it was reduced to 30 seconds and after 1.05 patch it was increased to 45 seconds) many times players would leave the game in those two minutes and we had to wait again.
Approximate matchmaking time in exfil mode is between 2 and 4 minutes and is much faster than PVP mode.
VISUALS
As expected, in terms of visuals, Firewall Ultra is very stunning and unique, and without a doubt, if not the best, it is definitely one of the best VR games in terms of visuals, and it can be said that it is the closest VR game to the real world.
The extremely attractive lighting of the game is always impressive and can be seen in all areas of the game, the shadows are very detailed and you can see the shadow of all your weapons and weapon’s equipments (except knife) on the ground, wall and other surfaces.
CONCLUSION
firewall: ultra is not an exceptional game like the first version and the most important game of the platform it was released on.
But it’s definitely entertaining and fun (especially with friends) and you can spend a lot of time in it.
The patch that came out a week after the release of the game made it much better and regained the lost score of matchmaking.
Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best games released in the 9th generation, and the graphics of the game are extremely spectacular and special.
You may often find yourself lost in watching the scenery of the game or using photo mode for a long time Without realizing the passage of time.
the gameplay is fun and very breathtaking. Fighting with machines that are many times bigger than your size and they will attack you with all the power and weapons they have.
Some of them will go into the ground and suddenly attack you, some will jump at you, some will fly and some will shoot you from a distance and when all these machines attack you together they will make it very difficult for you.
While the game’s combat is very fun in my opinion, it may not be the same for everyone, the fights are not easy at all and from the beginning it may be a very difficult and annoying experience for players who have their first experience of the game or for players who are not very fast.
The story of the main game is mid or even bad like its predecessor.
STORY
Now, after a year has passed since the release of the game, a DLC called burning shores has been released, which actually takes place in Los Angeles, which is known as burning shores in the game.
After purchasing the DLC and entering the game, aloy Receives a message from Sylens and goes to visit him.
After talking with Sylens, she flies to burning shores and in the first few minutes when she arrives there, she meets her new friend Seyka. She is from the Quen tribe and the story of the DLC starts from here.
The story of the DLC is actually a continuation of the main story of the game, in terms of the story, we are again facing a mediocre or even bad story, and you are likely to skip a lot of conversations.
GAMEPLAY
In terms of gameplay, there have not been many changes compared to the base game, but the presence of those small changes is well felt and makes the game experience better, such as grappling to downed machines and hitting the final attack at the right time, crystals that are on the walls and you can blow them up by shooting them and hit your enemies hard, and definitely a new weapon that is completely different from the rest of the weapons in the game.
New weapon helps the variety of weapons but adding something that contradicts the core nature of the game’s core weapons that have existed since the first game is not very nice in my opinion.
There are some new machines in DLC, one of them that you can override and ride it, is waterwing that allows you to swim in water and fly and this feature is very interesting and definitely It makes this machine your favorite machine in the game.
FINAL BOSS
Finally, lets talk about the final boss fight of the game.
When the trailer was released and it showed that big machine against aloy, it made all the fans excited and fighting with such a big machine was unbelievable.
I was excited for the final boss fight all the 6 hours I was playing the game. Finally, when I got to the boss fight part, my jaw dropped and I was speechless, how great and glorious, and after it was over, I was just wondering if this is just a 9th gen DLC what to expect from games that are coming out in a few months and are completely 9th gen experience.
CONCLUSION
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is visually the best game I have ever played, and in terms of gameplay, it is enjoyable for me, although it may not be for everyone.
but the story is the biggest weakness of the game, and I don’t think the story will be great in Someone’s opinion and it may just be the difference between those who say it’s mid and those who say it’s bad.
But in different ways, this game completely shows off the power of the 9th generation console.
When Resident Evil 4 was released in 2005 with over-the-shoulder camera, it revolutionized not only the survival horror genre but also the shooter genre.
The original version of Resident Evil 4 is still worth playing in 2023 and is still one of the most enjoyable experiences in the video game world.
The fact that a game with graphic design and level design from 18 years ago is still named next to the name of modern horror games is a great achievement.
After resident evil 3 remake released, the fans of the franchise started their requests and speculations for the remake of the best game of the Resident Evil franchise, namely Resident Evil 4, but there were concerns, and that was the removal of different stages and areas in the remake.
Resident Evil 3 made the fans unhappy and angry, unlike the remake of Resident Evil 2, which can be safely said to be the best remake that has ever existed in the video game industry, now the concern is whether it will be as great as the re2 remake or as bad as the re3 remake.
STORY
The story has no noticeable change compared to the original version, the story is still an mediocre story, which was one of the flaws of the game even when the original version was released, but the Resident Evil series generally does not have high-level stories and their main focus is always gameplay.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay in the original version is considered a masterpiece for a 2005 game, and the production team’s great attention to the gameplay and the priority of the gameplay over the story created a wonderful and revolutionary gameplay that is enjoyable even in 2023.
Now this gameplay In an upgraded form, it gives new life to the game, shooting in the head and then kicking, which can throw the surrounding enemies back and give you time to think for a few moments, and the rest of the original gameplay parts, which are now playable with upgraded graphics and animations.
new gameplay parts such as parrying with knife, which is one of the most enjoyable moves in the game and of course it will decrease a large part of your knife’s health, stealth is a completely new part in the gameplay of Resident Evil 4 that can Make heavy combats a little easier.
fights are always crowded and stressful, and the game has no setbacks in terms of the number of enemies that will attack you in one moment, and in almost all combats, you will encounter an uncountable number of enemies, even if you are not a professional gamer.
You will create moments of action and cinematics, the joy you get after killing the last enemy of a legion of enemies, and the calming of your heart rate after many minutes of stress is amazing, killing an enemy holding lit dynamite in a crowd of Enemies and seeing the explosion, molotov thrown at you and dodging in time and burning the enemies that are chasing you is spectacular, at the same time the stress of running out of resources, being attacked from behind or facing axes that are thrown at you and … gives a lovely excitement to the game.
ENEMIES DESIGN
Almost all of the enemies are the same as the enemies of the original version, but now they are scarier and more realistic.
The graphic details of the enemies in the remake are stunning.
When you look at their corpses, you can see many details like parasites in their bodies, which gives you fear.
And it makes the remake much scarier than the original. In the remake, the AI of the enemies has not improved much and is not up to the level of today’s games.
BOSS DESIGN
The main boss fights of the game are mostly similar to each other and follow a certain formula and I don’t like the many similarities between them.
Boss fights can easily deplete the ammo you’ve spent hours collecting, and the stress of running out of ammo can be overwhelming.
The sense of horror that is present in normal game fights and mini boss fights is not present in the main boss fights, and more attention is paid to the action of the fight than the horror, which I see as a weakness, but the mini boss fights in the game are very great and they have kept the balance between horror and action and are much more enjoyable than the main boss fights.
DUALSENSE
DualSense has given the game a new and unique feeling, each gun has a different feel and not only in shooting and pressing R2 but also in aiming when aiming with heavier guns, L2 becomes heavier and you will definitely notice that you are using a heavier or lighter gun.
The haptic feedback works very well and contributes a lot to the sense of fear and the scary atmosphere of the game.
VISUALS
let’s talk about the visual of the game, which attracts my opinion more than anything else in the remake of games.
In terms of visuals, the game is a 2023 game, and it doesn’t look old in terms of visuals, but definitely its not a 9th generation experience, and it is only equal to the cross-generation games of 2023, but the 9th generation version of the game is an improvement over the 8th generation version.
The quality of the textures in the 9th generation version is significantly higher in some areas, and the shadows and lighting is spectacular thanks to raytracing.
The resolution, performance and loading speed are also better, which are the usual advantages of the 9th generation compared to the previous generation.
SOUND DESIGN
The sound design in the original game was wonderful and it is definitely one of the strengths of the original version. Now in this remake, this sound design has been improved and is completely equal to the sound design of the 2023 games.
The wonderful sound design of the game immerses you in the game world and makes the atmosphere of the game many times more frightening.
The sound of dry tree branches, the sound of small and large creatures’ footsteps, the sound of wooden houses, the sound of fire, the sound of villagers whispering, the sound of the wind, and etc. All this will scare you a lot.
CONCLUSION
This remake is one of the best remakes that ever existed and maybe the only remake that we can say is better than this will be Resident Evil 2 remake.
The story of the game is a mediocre story, the gameplay is very enjoyable and attractive, in terms of visuals, it is equal to Cross Gen 2023 games and has a stunning visual, the main boss fights are very similar to each other.
the sound design of the game is wonderful, the enemies have a good variety and only one new type of enemy has been added to the remake compared to the original version.
