Review: Revhead

Revhead is guilty of “many fingers in many pies”. Consequently, the end product is a confusing mess and the gameplay, movement, and enjoyment factor hit rock bottom. On top of this, visually, it looks worse than a PS1 game. As such, you have to be an avid fan of cars and racing if you wish to get anything out of this title.

This mechanic simulation title was developed by Creative Pudding Hungary and published by PlayWay SA. Moreover, there are racing elements and some business management moments. Accordingly, there should be plenty to see and do. Yet, it quickly became repetitive, and I struggled to stomach the appalling graphics and the clunky gameplay.

A race in the PS1 era.
Can you win this PS1-era race?

Revhead tells a ridiculous story.

Your friend Charlie is living in the arse end of nowhere. As such, he calls for your help to run his garage. Not one for turning down weird opportunities, you jump on the next plane and fly to Australia. Here, you discover a barren landscape that is filled with car-loving yokels. These “Revheads” love nothing more than racing cars and getting covered with oil.

This is where the story and the gameplay wonderfully combine. However, the depth of the action is so shallow that it is painful. Yet, if you can get over the pointless nature of the plot, you can enjoy the gameplay at a rudimentary level. If you are mechanically minded, or you enjoy tinkering with cars, then Revhead will be right up your street.

Explore Dooga county in Revhead.
Check out the map.

Grab the tools.

The majority of the action focuses on your ability to strip cars, buy new parts, and repair crap rundown vehicles. Additionally, you must adjust your car setup for each race you undertake. This element of the game was interesting, as any minor issues were exasperated during each track day. However, the clumsy nature of the mechanical gameplay was painful and frustrating.

You are expected to purchase vehicles, remove damaged parts, and buy second-hand replacements. Alternatively, you can go big and buy a new vehicle for each race. I loved the concept, but the execution was woeful. Navigating every menu was tiresome and there was too much detail, so it was hard to identify each part.

Alongside this, buying new parts or cars from the newspaper was painful! A simple laptop with a search option would have streamlined the process and improved the gameplay. Ultimately, this element defined the overall impression of Revhead. Effectively, it is a combination of good ideas that are horribly executed.

Revhead looks woeful.

I’m not usually bothered by graphics. However, Revhead made me feel sick. The dated and clunky visuals look appalling. Moreover, the animation is terrible, and the world is devoid of life. Alongside this, the textures are rough and the render distance is laughable. Then you must consider the lack of race tracks and the woeful UI. To conclude, visually, this is a car wreck of a game!

The audio is just as bad. The sound effects are dreadful and lifeless. What’s more, they are loud, obnoxious, and lacking creativity. On top of this, the action feels flat and the developers have created a lifeless mess. I expected this to be exciting and aggressive, but instead, it was dull and painful.

Which part will you replace in Revhead
What part needs to be replaced?

Awful controls.

A racing game should be a smooth and trouble-free experience. However, this was clumsy, cumbersome, and awful to play. Consequently, exploring the dull world was atrocious. Furthermore, it felt like you were steering a tanker rather than a sports car. Subsequently, each race was filled with over-steering, under-steering, and plenty of swearing.

Though there is a lot of content, there are only a handful of tracks available. This was disappointing, as the gameplay rarely changes. Alongside this, the jump in difficulty between the bottom and top tiers was ridiculous. Therefore, you need an expensive car with incredible parts to compete. As such, you had to grind out races or sell many parts to afford these machines. Sadly, this made the action feel repetitive, and it was an instant turnoff for me.

Revhead fails on every element.

Revhead could have been incredible. However, every element was poorly executed! The graphics are terrible, the audio is horrible, and the controls are woeful. Furthermore, the replay value and longevity are non-existent, and the story is shallow. Accordingly, this is one game that should be avoided. Yet, more information can be found here if you wish. Can you help Charlie to run a successful business? Fly to Oz, buy a car, and race for honour.

A Closer Look at Dragonbane

As we are now on the run up to Christmas, we take a closer look at Dragonbane.

In the oldest times, the world was ruled by dragons and demons. They were the primordial forces through which the world and its primeval matter was formed. They were opposing principles that made the world complete. Law and order versus chaos and madness. Dragons versus demons.

Dragonbane is a classic fantasy tabletop roleplaying game full of magic, mystery, and adventure. It is designed from the ground up to facilitate fast and furious play, with very little prep time and adventures that are a breeze to run. Dragonbane is a game with room for laughs at the table, while still offering brutal challenges for the adventurers.

This boxed core set includes:

  • Rulebook with fast and effective D20-based game rules for character creation, skills, combat, magic, and travel
  • Adventures book with eleven complete adventures, to be played separately or tied together in the epic Secret of the Dragon Emperor campaign
  • The booklet Alone in Deepfall Breach letting you play Dragonbane solo, without the need for a Gamemaster
  • Huge full-color map of the Misty Vale adventure setting
  • Illustrated playing cards for combat initiative, improvised weapons, adventures, and treasure
  • Ten transparent polyhedral dice, including two D20s with a custom design
  • Five pregenerated characters to play
  • Five blank character sheets
  • Cardboard standees representing various characters and monsters
  • Double-sided battle mat

The Dragonbane Bundle includes:

  • A copy of the boxed Dragonbane Core Set
  • A deluxe Dragonbane GM Screen
  • An extra Dragonbane Dice Set

The Dragonbane Bundle is available now priced around £68.47 and is aimed a 1 – 6 players, aged 12 and up and an average game should last around 2 hours.

You can learn more from the Free League Publishing website.

HitnSpin Casino — Play the Best Casino Games

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Best HitnSpin Casino Games 

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Online Slots

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Roulette

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Doctor Who Arrives In Magic The Gathering

For decades, Doctor Who™ has taken us on adventures through time and space. Now, in the year of the series’ 60th anniversary, Doctor Who™ comes to Magic. They’re bringing the Doctor, their companions, their foes, and more to you in the form of four Commander decks:

Blast from the Past
In 1963, the Doctor first appeared to audiences around the world. This deck honors those early years of Doctor Who™, spanning the show’s run from 1963 to 1989. Blast from the Past, a green-white-blue deck, is led by the Fourth Doctor. But he’s not alone. The Doctor travels with their companions, brought to Magic with the Doctor’s companion mechanic.

Timey-Wimey
Timey-Wimey is a deck all about the big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff that is time. This deck is run by the Tenth Doctor and his companion Rose Tyler. The two give this blue-red-white deck a theme of time manipulation, namely through the mechanic of time travel.

Time travel is a brand-new mechanic that focuses on the manipulation of time counters, something we first saw in 1994. With Doctor Who™, we’re giving it a new twist. Time travel lets you add and remove time counters, letting you play with suspend, vanishing, and other fun mechanics from across Magic. This deck places the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Doctor’s journeys in the spotlight, featuring characters, alien worlds, and exhilarating stories from across the Doctor’s many adventures.

Paradox Power

In Paradox Power, the wild nature of time is on full display as spells fly from all directions! In this green-blue-red deck, you can expect the unexpected when the Thirteenth Doctor and Yasmin Khan arrive. With the Twelfth Doctor and the Thirteenth Doctor being at the deck’s core, the paradox mechanic is working overdrive to create the exciting plays Commander is known for!

Masters of Evil

Wherever the Doctor does good, there is sure to be a villain doing evil. This blue-black-red deck is all about the terrifying foes the Doctor has combated over their many journeys through time. While several characters from across Doctor Who™ make an appearance, the deck focuses on the Daleks, the Cybermen, and the many incarnations of the Master. This is embodied with the villainous choice mechanic, seen here on Davros, Dalek Creator.

These decks are a labor of love, invoking the history of Doctor Who™ through the lens of Magic. Designers, writers, and artists worked to capture the world of Doctor Who™ in a way that made it exciting for fans of Doctor Who™ and Magic.

The Doctor has travelled across the universe on their many adventures, and so will you with the plane cards included in each Commander deck! These cards represent the iconic locales of Doctor Who™, with each deck containing ten new-to-Magic plane cards so that you can travel throughout time and space as chaos ensues.

Speaking of chaos, the Planechase format comes to Doctor Who™, amplified by the TARDIS. Appearing in each deck helmed by the Doctor, the TARDIS allows you to travel throughout the universe in search of your next adventure.

Each Commander deck will feature new cards that will be legal in Legacy, Vintage, and Commander. These cards are designed for Commander, accentuating the fun and social aspect of the format that players love.

Review: Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Hexagons Starter Kit

Here is our review of the Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Hexagons Starter Kit.

Specification

  • Luminous Flux Per Panel 100 lumens
  • Lifetime 25,000 hours
  • Communication Protocol WiFi (2.4 GHz b/g/n)
  • Dimmability Yes (via Nanoleaf App, Voice, Touch)
  • Mounting Type Via included double-sided tape or screw mounts (screws and anchors not included)
  • Nanoleaf AppControl via the Nanoleaf App (Android & iOS) for mobile/tablet or the Nanoleaf Desktop App (Windows & Mac)
  • Compatibility Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Nanoleaf Remote, SmartThings, Razer Chroma
  • Colour Temperature 1200K – 6500K
  • Colour Channel Configuration RGBW
  • Colour Capability More than 16 million
  • Colour Rendering Index (CRI)80

What’s in the box?

The box contains the 9 light panels, instructions, power supply, remote, connectors, stickers and a cleaning cloth.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

This range is the latest in Nanoleafs really cool sets for making you home or office really unique to you. This time the shapes are ultra black hexagons and they look really cool.

Once you have decided on your overall shape, you put the hexagons together which are held firmly in place by the connectors. You then can stick the hexagons to the wall. There really isn’t that much else to that actual physical creation of your shape. Play around with your design on the floor before you put it on the wall as it’s just easier to change things.

You then use the Nanoleaf app to add the creation and control everything from there, including the ambient whites (previous Nanoleaf products allowed you to choose from millions of colours), how it reacts to music, and so much more. The possibilities are endless! There are also 11 curated scenes to choose from as well – they all bring something different and it’s worth checking them all out to see what works for you. And one of the great things is that you can easily choose another scene whenever you want, all at the touch of a button. 

If you decide to change your line design after it’s been stuck to the wall, you are going to need to buy some more stickers – keep that in mind. They are really cheap though, so it might be worth getting some before you need them so as not to stifle your creativity.

The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Hexagons Starter Kit really do make your home or office stand out and are a lot of fun to set up. And the great thing is you can have them change colours and react differently whenever you want, all from the app too. They also look really good whether they are switched on or off!

If you want to create something unique and cool for your home or office, take a look at the Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Hexagons Starter Kit – you wont be disappointed.

The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Hexagons Starter Kit is available now priced around £179.99.

You can learn more from the Nanoleaf website.

A Closer Look at My First Adventure Books

As we are now on the run up to Christmas, we take a look at the My First Adventure Books – Stories in which you are the tiny hero!

Pack your bags, mini-heroes, and let the adventures begin with the award-winning playful series of interactive books, My First Adventure. 

Every read is an experience as you choose your own adventure. Each page divides into three, offering three different characters to play and an innovative wheel design. Once the story is over, start again and live a brand-new adventure with a new character. These 15-minute reads offer thousands of story combinations and are a fantastic first read for children.

Discovering Atlantis

Today, you’re setting off on an incredible adventure. Today, you’re going to roam the sea to find a hidden treasure.

Which submarine do you want?
– The Behemoth?
– The Manta?
– Or the Swordfish?

Choose carefully and plunge into this rather unusual story, a story in which each choice you make will change your adventure.

Discovering Atlantis is the second book in the My First Adventure collection of stories in which you are the tiny hero. Choose your character and plunge in this rather unusual story, a story where each choice you make will change your adventure.

Journey to Ochre Land

Today, you’re setting off on a long journey throughout the valley. Today, you’re going to try and find the cause of the great drought.

Who do you want to be for this adventure? Maïlune, the brave huntress? Issa the shepherdess, or Sumai, the wee amateur gatherer?

Choose carefully and plunge into this rather unusual story, a story where each choice you make will change your adventure.

Journey to Ochre Land is the fourth book in the “My First Adventure” collection of stories in which you are the tiny hero. Choose your character and plunge in this rather unusual story, a story where each choice you make will change your adventure.

Finding the Dragon

Today, you’re setting off on an incredible adventure. Today, you’re going to roam the world to find and adopt a dragon….

Who do you want to be in this adventure? Lina the tough nut? Sachat the stealer, or Timon the wizard?

Choose carefully and plunge into this rather unusual story, a story where each choice you make will change your adventure.

How do they work?

When I was kid (a very long time ago), I was a huge fan of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. I would read then for hours and hours, immersing myself in whatever adventure I was on. I couldn’t get enough of them.

Unlike those books, everything you need is included as part of the book.

Each corner of the book has a wheel that is used as you go through the story. The book is layed out so that you only see bottom corner of the wheel as you go through each page.

Yeah set of pages then gives you a choice which takes you on the next part of the adventure.

The My First Adventure Books are really great – they help your child to become part of a story, and they are great for helping with their reading. The whole book only takes around 15 minutes to go through, depending on their reading ability, and they book can be re-read by choosing different options and different characters.

Each of the My First Adventure Books are priced around £17.99 and were a huge hit with my trusty 7 year old reviewer!

You can learn more from the Zatu Games website.

Review: James Bond 007 Scalextric Set

As we are now on the run up to Christmas, it’s time to review the new James Bond 007 Scalextric Set.

ASTON MARTIN DB5 VS ASTON MARTIN V8

It’s been the British secret agent 007’s choice of vehicle whenever he finds himself in a high-speed pursuit. However, there can only be one iconic bond car.  This Scalextric set features various traps and obstacles to decide which is the best Aston Martin of all time. 

Aston Martin has been James Bond’s vehicle of choice throughout the 007 franchise, and this set celebrates his most iconic choices: the Aston Martin DB5 and Aston Martin V8. Together in this incredible 1:32 scale set the two cars can go on an epic chase, fighting their way past baddies, through traps and obstacles to be crowned the best Bond Aston Martin of all time!

What’s in the box?

The box contains 1x 15v Transformer, 1x Half Straight Powerbase, 2x Standard Straight, 12x Standard Curve 45 Deg, 1x Half Straight, 2x Chicane Tracks, 1x Straight Crossover, 2x Hand Controllers, 1x Aston Martin V8 Vantage, 1x Aston Martin DB5, 1x Leaflets Pack.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wanted to race two Aston Martins around a track, well now’s your chance!

Last year we reviewed the Micro Scalextric Set James Bond set and we loved it, now it’s time to race the normal size Scalextric cars around a track.

The attention to detail on the two cars is amazing, 007 is even driving both cars! The cars even have light up headlights so you can race in the dark if you want.

The cars really hold themselves to the track using what Scalextric describe as magnatraction. There is nothing worse than racing and the cars just keep coming off! That said, there are a few parts of the track that if you time it just right you can knock the other car off – now that is fun!

There is a crossroads piece of track which gives you the opportunity to knock your opponent off of the track, it’s not just a race anymore!

The controllers feel comfortable in your hand and are very responsive.

Once you have set up the track, which is fairly simple and quick, it’s time to choose which car is for which player – then its race time!

The James Bond 007 Scalextric Set (C1447M) is available now priced at £159.99 and is a web exclusive on the Scalextric website. If you have a James Bond fan in the family, then this is a really great Christmas present, it will bring hours of fun to the whole family!

You can learn more from the Scalextric website here.

Review: The Gap

I have something of a recurring thought when playing heavily story-focused games. I don’t think exploring stories through the medium of a video game is quite there yet. It feels like there’s many interesting ways we could interact our way through a story. I don’t mean this to be an indictment of The Gap; quite the opposite in fact. It brushes up against an interesting – and unique – way of exploring a story. I’ll get into the specifics of that in a moment but it’s something that narrative games have long wrestled with.

When you play a video game, the expectation is that you’re going to have some involvement. Whether that’s some grand choices that shape the world or just pushing a button to make your character bunny hop. The key element is you. Introducing a story into that mix risks the player essentially functioning as someone reading a book over someone else’s shoulder. My measure of narrative games is how they get around that issue. Let’s see how The Gap fares.

The Gap - A wall of images and papers linking back to The Cure

Déjà Vu

The first image you come across in The Gap is probably the best way to explain the overall feel of the plot. It’s a wall full of post-it notes, printed out pieces of paper and scribbled arrows connecting everything back to the single phrase, ‘The Cure’. Already we know that our player character hasn’t got all of his marbles together. Even before we get into the whole ‘parallel universe’ element. Turns out our hero has the ability to cross over into these, thanks to some help from the neurobots in his brain. Bots that look uncomfortably close to the squiddies from The Matrix.

This little slice of sci-fi is used as a framing device for quite the sensitive story. Most of your money’s worth is coming from the emotional gut punches that The Gap delivers. Without delving too far into spoiler territory, the central conflict comes from the diagnosis of a hereditary disease. Our protagonist – called Josh, by the way – slips off the handle as he tries to find a cure and ends up destroying himself in the process, his obsession with delving into other universes resulting in the loss of his own memories. It’s an interesting exploration of memory and grief, as well as a story about how these sorts of diagnoses can drive wedges in otherwise happy relationships. It’s a good concept, handled well.

The Gap - DON'T TRUST written on the blinds

Down Memory Lane

Part of the good handling is down to the writing, which takes pains to illustrate its characters before things went south, and the decent voice acting. The other part, though, is down to The Gap’s attempts to make use of the format. See, when we first start, we’re not sure what’s going on. We only piece the story together by hopping into memories – and different universes – where we get little snippets of information, without the full context. Some of these memories are happy – like pushing your daughter on a swing – and some are not. It’s a non-linear way of experiencing a story like this and it works well.

The aforementioned diagnosis is like a bomb hitting in the middle of the game. You begin to realise little things about previous memories and re-evaluate the happy ones as you try and place it into your mental timeline. It’s a great technique, that just elevates it out of the pool of narrative games. Having said that, our actual involvement doesn’t go much beyond looking at things and occasionally interacting. If the story doesn’t interest you, you’re left with nothing. There’s no interesting gameplay beyond the odd code input and incredibly light puzzles, which is a little disappointing. To use my earlier analogy, we are still looking over someone’s shoulder, only The Gap lets us control when to turn the pages. If that makes any sense.

The Gap - Josh's wife sits on a bench while his daughter sits on a swing

Short & Bittersweet

The Gap does enough to make me like it, but it’s held back by the issue that plagues many of these narrative games: it can’t think of a way to insert interesting and challenging gameplay into the mix. The ideal narrative game is one that would have interesting gameplay that furthers the story. Most games seem to approach it from the other way around. The Gap‘s non-linear story makes strides in the right direction. It’s a poignant story too, with some heavy emotional notes, though it does get a little convulted right at the end as it begins tying together the threads. Without spoilers, the last fifteen minutes is basically Josh having a deep discussion with himself.

I came away with a positive feeling, though it must be said that The Gap is quite brutally short. My total playtime was about two and a half hours, which is a little on the short side for £17, especially as this isn’t a game you’re going to want to replay endlessly. Still, it’s one worth picking up if you’ve got the means. The story is an important one, that effectively grounds its more ‘out there’ elements. It can’t quite pair it with meaningful gameplay, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction for narrative games.

(The Gap’s Steam Page)

Review: Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse

The Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse is a thing of beauty! This ergonomic mouse ignores the garish nature of RGB lighting and bizarrely patterned, hardened shells. Instead, it focuses on competitive gaming and responsive cutting-edge inputs. As such, any mere mortal can compete with the leading Esports gamers.

Alongside this, I was blown away by its lightweight nature. At only 62g, this mouse is as light as a feather and quicker than a cheetah. Accordingly, your opponents won’t know what’s hit them as you slice them apart at any competitive gaming event.

What’s in the box of the Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse?

  • The compact packaging is alluring and informative. The key selling points and attractive images ensure that you want to open the box immediately.
  • The Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse catches your eye. Its streamlined approach is understated but impressive. Moreover, the ergonomic design and textured finish are comfortable.
  • Make the most of the impressive polling speeds with the 4K dongle.
  • Charge your mouse or connect your dongle with the braided cable.
  • Spare stickers are provided to optimise your performance.
  • Learn the fundamentals with the quick start guide.

Technical aspects.

Glorious has long been renowned for its excellent gaming pedigree. Therefore, when they used their groundbreaking Model D mouse as a blueprint, I knew this iteration would be special. However, I was still amazed by the technical aspects!

This cracking peripheral offers up to 8 KHz Polling in compatible titles. On top of this, thanks to the BAMF 2.0 26K Sensor, you are afforded buttery smooth cursor movement and speed. Furthermore, the optical switches deliver 5x faster inputs to give you that competitive edge. Accordingly, this device is superb for FPS, or any title that requires pinpoint precision.

Word of warning, though, if you wish to get the best out of this mouse, you need a system that can keep up. Consequently, to achieve the highest polling speeds, you must have a monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and an Intel 9th Gen CPU.

The Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse is built to last.

Though the ergonomic design is straightforward, I loved the robust nature of this mouse. The wonderful curves sit perfectly in your right hand. Furthermore, the 2 additional side buttons are perfectly placed. Subsequently, when they are mapped, they make this a versatile accessory that changes the way you play.

On top of this, the PTFE mouse skates enable this device to slide over every surface. This compact feature complements the wonderful BAMF sensor. Finally, the DPI rate can be changed at the press of a button. On the underside, you’ll notice an LED that changes colour depending on the option you have chosen. This was a great design choice as you can flit between the preset modes without a care in the world.

Keep on clicking.

I love it when a manufacturer backs their quality with a massive guarantee. Glorious does this with its incredible 100M click guarantee! Thanks to the optical switches, you are assured that this will last the test of time. Moreover, you needn’t worry about faulty mechanical switches or incorrect inputs. As such, it is a reassuring companion for an elite gamer.

This mouse eliminates the concern about poor battery life. If you utilise the 1KHz polling rate, you’ll enjoy a whopping 80 hours of game time. However, this is vastly reduced if you play wirelessly at 4KHz. Yet, those who wish to push the envelope will not worry about battery life, as the 8KHz polling option can only be achieved through a wired connection.

Is the Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse worth it?

There are some incredible mice available. Subsequently, it can be tough to pick the right option. However, the Glorious Model D2 Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse gives you that match-winning edge that few of its peers offer. What’s more, the textured finish and ergonomic design are comfortable and hard to put down. Moreover, you can map the buttons thanks to the free-to-download Glorious app.

Alongside this, it delivers the fastest and most responsive polling rate and DPI that I’ve ever witnessed. As such, if you enjoy competitive gaming, you cannot afford to ignore this incredible peripheral. Glorious has somehow bettered their much-loved Model D mouse, and I have to recommend that you buy it here!

(More information on Glorious can be found here!)

The Glorious Model D Pro 4k/8K Hz edition mouse has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

Review: Warm Snow

Warm Snow is a beautiful game that will make you scream with rage. This tough endeavour will hand your arse to you regularly. Consequently, if you wish to make the most of this title, you’ll need the patience of a saint and a cool and calm mindset. However, if you don’t possess any of these characteristics, you’ll scream like a banshee and rage quit repeatedly.

This action rouge-lite was developed by bilibili Game and BadMudStudio and published by Microids. Moreover, this cruel endeavour has plenty of tactical moments and oodles of randomness to keep you playing. Accordingly, if you can wade through the maddening gameplay, you’ll discover a lore-rich experience and plenty of unique approaches.

The hero stands before a sealed door.
Where it all begins.

Warm Snow tells a strange tale.

I love a mysterious story that is fuelled by interesting lore. Thankfully, Warm Snow has this in abundance. Additionally, it is laced with interesting characters, loads of weapons, and plenty of relics and skills. On top of this, there are zombified monsters, sinister animals, and an oppressive world to explore.

You are Bi An, a hardened warrior of the Longwu era. Furthermore, you are battle-hardened, but you have never witnessed anything like the odd non-melting “Warm Snow”. This strange event turns your world upside down and chaos and disaster strike. 5 houses stand between you and the White Lotus. However, facing this strange entity isn’t an easy task. Death surrounds you and failure is all but assured. But if you can discover new weapons and skills, you may have enough power to defeat each house and save humanity.

A typical rogue-lite endeavour.

Rogue-lite games are nothing new. Yet, I love the cruel and repetitive gameplay and the unforgiving nature of the genre. Luckily, Warm Snow sticks to well-trodden mechanics whilst adding plenty of swordplay and mountains of dashing. Furthermore, you can alter your hero’s build to match your gameplay style.

This customisable approach was phenomenal as it created a tailor-made experience that rewards the hardiest of gamers. As you die, and you will, you are blessed with the ability to improve your character. Whether you increase your health, strength, or relic prowess is entirely your choice. Alongside this, you never know how each playthrough will unfold!

As you complete each mini-stage, you are given a choice of paths to take. Each one has a unique reward, such as a new weapon, health, a boss fight, or a fresh skill or item. Consequently, this is where the random nature of the game begins. Furthermore, there is an essence of gambling, as you never know if the path will improve your current set-up.

Which ability will you pick?
Pick your ability.

Smooth combat.

As you enter each new arena, you must tackle wave after wave of monstrous creatures. I was never bored with these fast-paced encounters, as I loved the gore, cruelty, and impact of each new skill you discovered. Furthermore, the smooth combat was fascinating. You’d dive through your opponents whilst throwing knives or setting them on fire.

If you successfully slay your foes, you are rewarded with an ounce of their soul. This in-game currency can be spent to buy new gear or replenish your health. As such, collecting every soul you can is an important task. As the game progresses, it is imperative that you have the best relics to increase your agility, speed, strength, and so forth. If you do not, you do not stand a chance to defeat each boss or the White Lotus.

Warm Snow is beautifully gory.

Warm Snow takes inspiration from silk paintings and oriental poetry. Subsequently, the art style is unusual, but striking. I adored the isometric viewpoint and the simple but effective character models. Additionally, the animation is smooth and there is enough variety to keep you focused. Moreover, though it is gory, it doesn’t go too far. Consequently, it wasn’t a blood bath, and I liked the balance between beauty and brutality.

The audio gets things right as well. The oriental soundtrack matches the theme and the snippets of acting are sinister, cruel, and perfect for the arduous task you face. On top of this, I loved the hard-hitting sound effects and the squelching of your blade through zombified flesh.

The hero faces a enormous monster.
A face for radio.

Excellent controls.

This is one title that doesn’t ease up. As such, it would have been easy to become overwhelmed by the action. Luckily, Warm Snow keeps you ahead of the game with its excellent control layout. The responsive inputs and easy-to-understand controls ensure that, though the gameplay is tough, it is easy to pick up and play.

Warm Snow is loaded with replay value and longevity. This excels thanks to its customisable character build, an array of skills, abilities, weapons, and the RNG approach to each playthrough. Additionally, there are plenty of difficulty settings to test out and a selection of modes to tackle.

Warm Snow isn’t Hades, but it is still great.

Everyone knows that Hades is the King/Queen of this genre. Sadly, though, Warm Snow doesn’t hit that standard. However, it is exceptionally good, and I enjoyed it immensely. My only gripe is the sheer cruelty of the initial action and how repetitive it becomes. Subsequently, if you despise this approach, this will probably drive you insane. Yet, if you like to grind your way past every obstacle, you’ll enjoy every moment. As such, I liked it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you master every skill and weapon and become a hero? Kill every monster, destroy the bosses, and overcome the White Lotus.

The Metaverse, NFTs, and the Future of Gaming

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The metaverse and NFTs have gained significant attention in recent years, with the metaverse being a virtual realm where people interact with each other and digital content and NFTs representing unique, non-replicable digital assets. These technologies are poised to reshape the gaming industry, and in this article, we’ll look into their current applications and potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape.

Uses of Metaverse in Gaming

Several games are already embracing the metaverse concept. Take, for example, Roblox, a platform enabling players to craft their virtual worlds and experiences. Similarly, Fortnite has hosted various virtual concerts and events, blurring the lines between real and virtual entertainment.

These games represent just the tip of the iceberg. The future promises even more immersive and interactive gaming experiences that push the boundaries of reality and virtual worlds.

There is only one way for gaming in the USA, as stats paint a picture of an industry on the up. However, there is still some way to go before the same can be said of the balance between states fully legalizing related gambling activities. While Nevada leads the way in gambling matters with the famous Vegas experience, states like Virginia are reluctant.

Virginia’s online gambling laws outright ban online casinos, making all forms of online gambling illegal in the state. The only legal gambling options are the state lottery, bingo halls, horse racing, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. As it stands, online casinos Virginia remain illegal; therefore, it is important to learn about the gambling laws of the state before engaging in any gambling activity.

Use of NFTs in Gaming

three different colored blocks with the letters nft and nft on them

NFTs are already making a significant impact in the gaming world. One notable application is the sale of in-game items as NFTs, allowing players to own and trade their digital assets. Further, NFTs are being utilized to create play-to-earn games, allowing players to earn cryptocurrency or other rewards.

Play-to-earn games, in particular, have the potential to be a game-changer for the industry. They provide a means for players to earn money while gaming, potentially making the hobby more accessible to those who may not have the funds to invest in in-game items.

Top Metaverse and NFT Projects

Small, passionate game developers are leading the charge in incorporating NFTs into their projects, capitalizing on these novel ideas, among other common technologies. Here are some standout NFT and Metaverse game projects making waves:

Axie Infinity: Launched by Sky Mavis in 2018, Axie Infinity is a decentralized play-to-earn (P2E) platform. Users purchase, breed, and battle creatures known as Axies, with the potential to upgrade and sell them on the secondary market. Boasting a market cap of nearly $7 billion, it sees about 2 million daily users actively trading rare and premium NFTs.

The Sandbox: This virtual world project aligns closely with the metaverse concept. Users can assume various roles, create, sell, and acquire digital assets, turning their experience into entertainment and profit. It is valued at around $4.1 billion and offers a unique marketplace for NFT items and opportunities for users to buy virtual land, often through platforms like OpenSea.

Decentraland: In development since 2015, Decentraland is one of the oldest metaverse projects. Evolving from basic pixels, it has become an interactive 3D world where users lead a second life in a detailed virtual space. Users can purchase virtual land, develop it, use it for advertising, and eventually sell it, with these virtual plots starting at a minimum price of 4.4 Ethereum.

Enjin: Established in 2009, Enjin is an NFT game platform primarily based on the Ethereum blockchain. It aims to merge blockchain technology with video games by creating and distributing in-game items. Enjin takes a unique approach to in-game NFTs, enabling users to mint NFTs and employ them in various games through the platform’s specialized tools and native token.

Thetan Arena: Built on blockchain technology, Thetan Arena is an esports game emphasizing skill-based competition and earning. It offers a well-crafted battle arena experience that encourages players to utilize their personal skills and teamwork. Combining elements of MOBA and Battle Royale and with monthly updates introducing new rewards and content, Thetan Arena is attracting a growing audience.

These projects represent the ingenuity and diversity within the NFT and Metaverse gaming realm, pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming and creating fresh opportunities for both developers and players.

How the Metaverse and NFTs Could Revolutionize Gaming

Looking forward, the metaverse and NFTs hold the promise of a gaming revolution. Here are some ways they could do so:

Immersive Experiences: The metaverse can usher in more immersive and interactive gaming encounters, allowing players to engage with each other and digital content in unprecedented ways.

Ownership of Digital Assets: NFTs can grant players true ownership of their digital assets, enabling them to trade, sell, or rent them to others.

Play-to-earn Games: The combination of the metaverse and NFTs can lead to the creation of play-to-earn games, potentially democratizing gaming by offering a means of income to players.

New Business Models: These technologies can open doors to novel business models for the gaming industry. For instance, games may be funded through NFT sales or by charging players a subscription fee to access the metaverse.

While the metaverse and NFTs are still in their infancy, they hold immense potential to transform the gaming industry. The future development and integration of these technologies will be fascinating to observe. They are poised to create new opportunities for gamers and game developers, reshaping how we perceive and engage with digital gaming.

Review: Days of Doom

Days of Doom attempts to mix things up. However, unfortunately, its tried and tested formula does little to impress you. Things are exasperated when you consider the zombie apocalypse theme. Accordingly, there is a distinct déjà vu feeling, even though some of the gameplay is unique.

This rogue-like tactical RPG was developed by Sneakybox and published by Atari. This fresh IP should make Atari fans jump with joy. Yet, I don’t think that will happen as the action falls flat far too often. Moreover, the gameplay loop is painfully repetitive, and getting the energy to try another round can be a step too far. Consequently, though there are some nice ideas, Days of Doom unfortunately falls short.

Burn those zombies in Days of Doom.
Burn baby burn!

Days of Doom tells a familiar tale.

The world is over as we know it. Unfortunately, zombies run riot and the few surviving humans must fight one another and the zombie horde if they wish to survive. This is no mean feat, as danger is at every turn. However, if you wish to make it to the hallowed land, you must venture into the wilderness and put your life on the line.

The gameplay loop is familiar! You must pick from a range of characters and take on a journey that comprises 6 zones. Each area has unique zombies and other traps to overcome. If you somehow survive them, you’ll move closer to the end goal. Yet, there are many hurdles that stand between you and the finish line.

As you study each map, you must consider the fuel in your truck and the nodes that are on offer. Furthermore, you need to navigate each point to get to the final battle. Accordingly, you can deviate from the main route if you wish, but this could lead to dire consequences.

You must upgrade your base to survive in Days of Doom.
Upgrade your base to get further.

A rundown home and turn-based combat.

The action focuses on 2 distinct areas. First, there is your rundown base. Here you will recruit new people, improve your gear, and upgrade your abilities. This safe haven is the hub at which every playthrough starts. As such, you can select your team, upgrade your equipment, and prepare to slay the zombie hordes.

The main aspect of Days of Doom is the turn-based combat. Every battle takes on a traditional grid-based approach. Subsequently, you know the limitations of your team and that of your opponents. Additionally, there are barrels of oil, water, and radioactive waste that can be used to hurt your foes. Alongside this, there is debris to hide behind to improve your defensive stats.

Unfortunately, though, each of these environmental tools does very little to improve the gameplay. For reasons unknown, the zombies home in on you like a heat-seeking missile. Accordingly, it is nigh on impossible to use the barrels or debris to your advantage. This was frustrating as it removed a key tactical element of the gameplay.

You must pick your fighters before you start your adventure.
Choose your fighters and start your adventure.

Special abilities.

Talking of tactics, each character has skills and abilities that can be combined. This was a phenomenal idea that genuinely created a unique twist to a well-trodden genre. Furthermore, as new characters were inducted into your clan, there were new and interesting ways to tackle every problem.

On top of this, there were unusual events and encounters to keep you on your toes. Sadly, most of these events were predictable. However, if you wanted to gather resources to keep your clan happy, you needed to scour every node. Additionally, the more XP you earned and the further you ventured, the more renown you gained. This was essential, as upgrading your base is an arduous job. Consequently, this makes the gameplay repetitive and there is a distinct sense of mindless grind.

Days of Doom is grim and sombre.

Though the gameplay didn’t resonate with me, I loved the grim and sombre aesthetic. Days of Doom paints a wonderfully disgusting image of an apocalyptic setting. With decrepit buildings, a range of horrific zombies, and blood-thirsty bandits to overcome, there is always a sense of danger and despair. Alongside this, the action is helped by the excellent camera angle and the clean UI. Moreover, the simple grid system is easy to follow and understand.

The audio does an amazing job of enhancing the atmosphere. The minor-toned and oppressive music is complemented by some crunching sound effects. As such, the brutal gameplay will send shivers down your spine.

Pick the route you wish to take in Days of Doom.
Which route will you take?

It is simple to play.

Though I didn’t like the heat-seeking zombies, I appreciated the excellent control layout. Subsequently, this is a tactical rogue-like that is easy to understand and simple to play. However, there are some nice tactical nuances that ensure it isn’t too straightforward.

Unfortunately, the replay value and longevity are impacted by the “grind” nature of the gameplay. The early stages are frustrating and underwhelming. As such, many newbies to the genre will be put off. If you can make it through the opening elements, there is some depth that makes you want to return.

Days of Doom is okay, but there are better titles.

I wasn’t blown away by Days of Doom. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough originality to make me sit up and take notice. Furthermore, the issues are compounded by the repetitive nature of the action. Consequently, many of you will switch off before the action gets going. However, despite these shortcomings, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you traverse the death-infused wilderness and make it to the safe haven? Pick your team, upgrade your base, and hope that luck is on your side.

Review: Remoska Prima portable oven

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The Remoska Prima portable oven (4L) is an incredible device to save money whilst maintaining a traditional cooking approach. This portable oven is suitable for your kitchen worktop, caravan, or campervan. Furthermore, as long as you have somewhere to plug it in, you can use this wonderful device to your heart’s content.

If you love to bake, grill, or cook a roast, then this energy-saving kitchen accessory will be right up your street. Thanks to the Teflon-coated pan and simple-to-use controls, this device can be used by amateur or master chefs alike. Additionally, its low energy consumption ensures that this will complement your Air Fryer whilst making your oven defunct.

What’s in the box of the Remoska Prima portable oven?

  • The colourful box is large, strong, and nice to look at. Adorned with key selling points and great imagery, it demands to be opened.
  • The Remoska Prima portable oven comes in 2 sizes, 2 and 4 litres. I opted for the larger option as it comfortably cooks for up to 5 people. The device comprises 3 parts; the large lid, the 29 cm Teflon bowl, and the sturdy base.
  • Power your device with the chunky 3A rubberised cable.
  • Learn the fundamentals with the easy-to-follow guide.

Technical aspects.

Before I venture into the usability, I’m compelled to highlight the cost-saving elements of this cooker. Most standard household cookers are energy monsters! Thankfully, the 4-litre version of the Remoska Prima portable oven uses no more than 580 Watts of energy. Accordingly, 1 hour of usage of this amazing device is the equivalent of 10 minutes of pre-heating of your oven. On top of this, you do not have to wait to start cooking. Thanks to the simple-to-use switch, you can start baking, grilling, and cooking immediately.

However, word of warning, you will need to read the instruction manual and some Remoska recipes to ensure that you are making the most of this traditional Czech device. Similar to the swap from oven to Air Fryer, this device requires a different approach. Accordingly, you may need to use water to reduce damage while you pre-heat the device. Yet, once you understand the basics, you’ll adore its versatile nature and how straightforward it is to use. Moreover, anything that is up to 6 times more economical than an oven will always get a thumbs up from me.

Usability.

As you can see, this device takes a little getting used to. Yet, once you understand its quirks, you’ll find it to be as user-friendly as other traditional cooking methods. Effectively, the constant temperature requires a watchful eye and some excellent recipes. However, when you get it right, you are rewarded with mouth-watering meals that are succulent and juicy. Thanks to the excellent porthole in the lid, you can watch your meat cooking, your vegetables baking, or your cakes rising. Subsequently, you won’t need to remove the lid to check your progress and this prevents the food from drying out.

I admit that the Remoska Prima portable oven took me a while to master. But now I have, I wouldn’t go back to my oven. When I combine this with my Ninja Air Fryer, I have everything I need to create a large meal for my family of 5. Furthermore; I enjoy the challenge that I faced with a new and unique way of cooking.

Build quality.

A portable oven must be easy to handle and well-built. Additionally, I want the pan to be easy to clean and the coating to last a long time. Thanks to the incredible non-stick Teflon coating, cooking and cleaning have never been so easy. What’s more, it didn’t matter if I was cooking pork or roasting a chicken; it was just as easy to clean, regardless. Moreover, you can use racks and silicone trays to separate your foods and improve your experience further.

The 4-litre version weighs an impressive 3 Kg. On top of this, the pan has a large 29 cm diameter. Consequently, this is heavy and big enough to be noticeable and sturdy, but light and compact enough to be useful in a caravan or motorhome. As such, you can improve your camping experience and reduce your costs when you are out and about.

Is the Remoska Prima portable oven worth it?

Energy bills have never been so high! As such, reducing your energy bills without undermining your cooking prowess has never been so important. Now, we all know that Air Fryers are great, but they don’t allow you to cook everything. Thankfully, though, this is where the Remoska Prima portable oven comes to the fore. This amazing traditional Czech device will change the way you cook forever. Alongside this, it is affordable, built to last, and it looks great. As such, I adored it and I recommend that you buy it here!

(More information on Remoska can be found here!)

The Remoska Prima portable oven has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

Review: Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones

The Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones from Nank are the older sibling of the now-defunct Runner Pro device. This all-new version aims to impress its audience with exceptional sound quality, usability, and build quality at an affordable price. Alongside this, it is versatile as you can use either MP3s or a Bluetooth connection.

On top of this, the device is fully waterproof and can be used for many water-based activities. Accordingly, if you love to swim, kayak, or paddleboard, you are assured that this device is suitable for your needs. However, can it compete with the likes of the Shokz Openfit earbuds?

What’s in the box of the Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones?

  • The compact packaging is simple but attractive. Furthermore, it is adorned with key selling points and can be recycled.
  • The Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones are lightweight and feel robust and well-built. Furthermore, they are only available in a black finish. The simple design comprises a magnetic charging port and three tactile buttons.
  • Charge the device with the specially designed magnetic charger.
  • Keep the headphones attached to your glasses or goggles with the silicone clip.
  • Reduce excess noise with the earplugs.
  • Learn the fundamentals with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

Whether you love to run, cycle, or swim, you want your music to be clear and easy to handle. Furthermore, if you can remove unnecessary wires, or run without your phone, then that is a massive bonus. Thankfully, the Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones allow you to run untethered. Thanks to the simple-to-use MP3 mode, you can leave your phone at home and still enjoy your favourite songs on the move.

These headphones have tackled some of the gripes of their predecessor. First, Nank has removed the microphone. Accordingly, they are 5 grams lighter. Alongside this, the storage space is 4 times bigger at 32 GB. Consequently, you should be able to install around 1000 songs! On top of this, it utilises Bluetooth 5.3. Accordingly, the connection is stronger and the power draw is much lower. This helps the 230 mAh battery to deliver around 8 hours of music at 60% volume.

Finally, if you wish to use these headphones in the water, you can thanks to the IP68 rating. Subsequently, they are resistant to sweat, dust, rainwater, and seawater. However, there is a limit of 20 meters depth and no more than 40 minutes of constant submersion.

Build quality and usability.

Headphones and sports go hand-in-hand. Yet, this doesn’t mean that all of them are fit for purpose. Thankfully, the Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones are flexible, robust, and can withstand knocks, drops, and bumps. On top of this, the excellent magnetic charging point doesn’t hold grime and dirt like some of its rivals. Furthermore, the excellent tactile buttons are simple to locate and easy to use. Consequently, they improve usability and make it easy to pause or skip songs when on the move.

Talking of usability, I loved how easy it was to charge and transfer MP3s onto the device. Moreover, thanks to the Bluetooth 5.3 system, connecting these headphones to your phone was a straightforward task. As such, this is the perfect audio accessory for any technophobes, sports people, or music experts.

Sound quality.

I adored the rich sound and decent bass that I experienced with this device. Furthermore, if I used the earplugs, I could remove unnecessary wind noise to improve my experience further. Accordingly, I could enjoy the same range of tones and depth of bass that other in-ear products offer. However, I didn’t need to potentially damage my eardrums as the sound is transferred via my bones rather than directly through my ears.

Another key feature to consider is your awareness when undertaking a sporting event. If you use noise-cancelling headphones, you have no understanding of the dangers you face. Yet, if you use this technology, you are always aware of approaching cars, other cyclists, or any vulnerable people you may encounter. Consequently, these headphones make you much safer than the in-ear alternative.

Are the Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones worth it?

Bone Conducting headphones are more commonplace these days. However, Shokz still has the market share. Yet, you shouldn’t discount other manufacturers, especially when they offer incredible alternatives at a fraction of the cost. This is exactly what Nank does with their devices that are comfortable, versatile, and user-friendly. Accordingly, I enjoyed my time with this product and I recommend that you buy it here!

(More information on Nank can be found here!)

The Runner Pro2 Bone Conducting headphones has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.