The Top Five Spin-The-Wheel Games

Christopher John
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The Top Five Spin-The-Wheel Games

Spinning the wheel always creates a dramatic moment for casino game players, where everything feels possible. The wheel’s tension lasts longer than a turn of a card or a dice roll. However, when most casino game enthusiasts hear about spin-the-wheel games, they always think about playing roulette. Fortunately, many online casinos offer several variants of entertaining games that utilize the wheel. On this site, you will find some of the most common wheel spinning games for those looking for an exciting and fun session at an online casino.

Big Six Wheel

The Big Six Wheel is an excellent spin-the-wheel game built around the infamous Wheel of Fortune. Its straightforward rules, paytable, and low wagering limits, make the game quite popular among players. 

The Big Six is not just a simple casino game but can also be played at fundraisers and carnivals or as a fun party game. It features a big vertical wheel with dollar signs and additional symbols, with players wagering on the symbol where the wheel will stop. The big spinning wheel is the most important thing about the Big Six Wheel, and most game versions will have the wheel standing upright rather than lying flat, just like in roulette.

Spin A Win

This is another interesting spin-the-wheel casino game created by Playtech. The wheel has segments labeled 40, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1, and two multiplier spaces. Players can bet on the main game and make side bets on evens, odds, and multipliers. You can also play Spin a Win Live, where you will be placed in front of a live dealer next to a wheel.

As a game of chance, the spinning wheel may land on any segment. The many pockets on the wheel may give players an impression of a jackpot wheel where things may seem more complicated to predict. However, you will enjoy a more roulette feeling when you start playing.

Money Wheel

The Money Wheel is worth checking out at Cobra Spins Casino for its alluring user interface and simplicity. The online game starts when you place your wager using chips on symbols of your choice. The online Money Wheel game is similar to the live version but operates as a digital table, and the wheel spins independently. You will get a payout if the spinning wheel stops at a symbol similar to your initial bets.

In this game, there are five numbered spaces that you can bet on that offer payouts between 1:1 and 20:1. You can also wager on bonus bets offering 45:1 payouts. Always remember that the results are random when you play virtual spin-the-wheel games on online casinos. However, a random number generator software is used instead of an actual spinning wheel.

Mega Wheel

The Mega Wheel is a fascinating online mega-wheel casino game developed by Pragmatic Play. This game has the same mechanics as the physical spinning wheel. It features 54 multi-colored segments, with each number signifying a corresponding payout for the players. 

Mega Wheel requires you to set your bankroll, determine your betting strategy, and wait for the wheel to land on your number. The Mega Wheel is played in many online casinos and is a popular spin-the-wheel variant among many gamblers. Casino gamers can get free spins, respins, and prize multipliers on the bonus wheel. With Mega Wheel, you can have a fun and engaging way of practicing your expertise on your wheel of fortune.

Adventures Beyond Wonderland

Adventures Beyond Wonderland is a spin-the-wheel game developed based on Alice in Wonderland. The online game has a spinning wheel featuring 54 segments, including three bonus games and four numbers. The two segments on the wheel are mainly Mystery segments, offering everyone additional prizes. 

The Mystery bonus and Wonderspins bonus games also have additional wheel games. In addition, there is a dice-based bonus game. The bonus rounds aim to incorporate lots of interest in the game, including augmented reality characters found in the Alice in Wonderland story. Furthermore, they boost the players’ chance of winning, making it fun to wager on these bonus games.

In Summary

Online spin-the-wheel games are an exciting and unique way to experience the thrill of playing casino games. These games are perfect for players who want to add some variety and fun that is different from slot machines and card games. The best thing about these games is their availability on several mobile casino platforms. This means you can play them anytime at your own convenience.

To kickstart your gaming experience with a small deposit, check out casino bonus 7€ for an exciting no-deposit bonus at various casinos.

The iPhone Tricks You Need to Know

Christopher John
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0
The iPhone Tricks You Need to Know

The iPhone is one of the most popular mobile devices on the market today, and for good reason. It’s a powerful, versatile device that has become an essential part of many people’s lives. While most iPhone users are familiar with the basics of the device, there are several hidden features that can greatly enhance the gaming experience. It is where the canadian online casino real money bet is at highest. 

Haptic Feedback

One of the most underrated features of the iPhone is haptic feedback. Haptic feedback is the sensation of touch or vibration that a device gives off in response to user input. In the case of the iPhone, haptic feedback is used to enhance the gaming experience by providing a more immersive experience. For example, when playing a racing game, haptic feedback can be used to simulate the sensation of driving over a bumpy road or hitting a curb. Similarly, in a shooting game, haptic feedback can be used to simulate the recoil of a gun or the impact of a bullet.

AirPlay

AirPlay is a feature that allows users to wirelessly stream content from their iPhone to an Apple TV or other compatible device. It is a game changer. This feature is particularly useful for gaming because it allows users to play games on a larger screen with more powerful speakers. For example, if you’re playing a game with friends, you can wirelessly connect your iPhone to a larger screen and everyone can enjoy the game together.

Game Center

What is that? Game Center is an app that comes pre-installed on all iPhones and is designed to make it easy for users to find and play games with other iPhone users. With Game Center, you can challenge friends to games, compare high scores, and even join multiplayer games. This feature is particularly useful for gamers who are looking for new challenges and want to connect with other players.

Siri

Siri is known to many. Apple’s voice assistant, and it can be a powerful tool for gamers. For example, if you’re playing a game and need help finding a certain item or completing a task, you can ask Siri for help. Siri can also be used to set reminders, send messages, and perform other tasks that can be useful while gaming. However, people do not make the best use of this feature. They simply say “Siri, call my husband” or “siri, set my alarm”. But, there is many important tasks siri can do.

Screen Recording

Screen recording is a feature that allows users to record their iPhone screen while playing a game. Yes, it is used for mor than stalking your ex. This feature can be useful for gamers who want to share their gameplay with friends or post videos on social media. Screen recording can also be used to create tutorials or walkthroughs for games that are particularly challenging.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows users to overlay virtual images onto the real world. This technology has been used to create some of the most innovative games on the App Store, such as Pokemon Go and Ingress. AR games can be incredibly immersive and can provide a unique gaming experience that cannot be replicated on other devices.

Accessibility Features

Finally, the iPhone has a range of accessibility features that can be particularly useful for gamers with disabilities. For example, the iPhone’s VoiceOver feature can be used to provide spoken feedback for visually impaired gamers. Similarly, the Switch Control feature can be used to control games using external switches or other assistive devices.

In the end of it all, the iPhone is a powerful device that has a range of features that can greatly enhance the gaming experience. No one can argue this. From haptic feedback to augmented reality, these features can help gamers immerse themselves in the game and enjoy it to the fullest. Additionally, the iPhone’s accessibility features can make gaming more accessible to a wider range of players. If you’re a gamer, a true gamer,  who is looking for new ways to enjoy your favorite games, be sure to explore these hidden features of the iPhone.

Where to Play Online Casino Games in Indiana

Christopher John
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0
Where to Play Online Casino Games in Indiana

As one of the states with legal online gambling, Indiana offers plenty of options for players who want to enjoy online casino games. With so many choices, however, it can be challenging to know where to begin. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best places to play online casino games in Indiana.

BetMGM

BetMGM is one of the most popular Indiana online casinos, and for good reason. The site offers a vast selection of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. BetMGM also has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate for both new and experienced players.

One of the standout features of BetMGM is its mobile app, which allows players to access the site on the go. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers all the same features as the desktop version of the site. BetMGM also offers a generous welcome bonus for new players, which includes a deposit match and free spins. There are also regular promotions and bonuses available for existing players.

DraftKings

In Indiana, you can also try DraftKings for online casino gaming. They have a variety of games like slots, table games, and live dealer games with an easy-to-use interface. Similar to BetMGM, DraftKings also has a mobile app that lets you enjoy their services while on the move. The app is available for both iOS and Android, and you will have access to all the features on the desktop version. New players can benefit from a generous welcome bonus offered by DraftKings, which includes free spins and a deposit match. Additionally, existing players can enjoy regular promotions and bonuses.

FanDuel

While FanDuel is famous for its sports betting platform, it also provides a variety of online casino games, such as slots, table games, and live dealer games, all presented in an easy-to-use interface.

FanDuel provides a mobile app that allows users to access their site while on the go. It is available on both iOS and Android devices and offers all the same features found on the desktop version. Similarly to BetMGM and DraftKings, FanDuel welcomes new players with a deposit match and free spins. Additionally, there are frequently occurring promotions and bonuses available for current players.

BetRivers

BetRivers is proving to be a popular choice for online casino gaming in Indiana. With an extensive game library that caters to all types of players, ranging from classic table games to live dealer action, this site promises to keep players engaged for hours. What’s more, the mobile app version of the site is a winner, making it easy for players to keep up with their favorite games on the go.

New players are also in for a treat with a generous welcome bonus package that includes a deposit match and free spins. Regular promotions and bonuses are also available for those who stick around. Overall, BetRivers has a welcoming, user-friendly vibe that is sure to please even the most discerning of online casino players.

Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino in Indiana is a beloved destination for gambling enthusiasts, and now, with its seamless online casino platform, players can enjoy the thrill of the casino from their own homes. The site offers endless options for entertainment, including virtual slots, table games, and live dealer action. The smooth and user-friendly interface ensures a seamless experience for players of all skill levels. What’s more, players can take their gaming experiences on the go with the mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices.

Conclusion

To summarize, Indiana has a variety of online casino games available for players to enjoy, such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, and Hollywood Casino – all of which have their own distinct features and advantages.

When choosing an online casino to play with, it’s essential to consider factors such as game selection, user interface, mobile app availability, and bonus offers. It’s also important to ensure that the site is licensed and regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission, as this ensures that the site is safe and secure.

Overall, online casino gaming in Indiana is an exciting and enjoyable experience that offers the chance to win real money from the comfort of your own home. With so many excellent options to choose from, there’s no reason not to give it a try. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up with one of these top online casinos in Indiana today and start playing your favorite games.

Review: Troublemaker: Raise your Gang

Xavier Berry
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0
Review: Troublemaker: Raise your Gang

Beat em ups are some of my favorite games to kick back with and enjoy. One exceptional example of this genre has to be the Yakuza series, which involves players doing everyday tasks when they aren’t knuckle deep in combat. The series has shown how important it is to balance out these multiple tasks as well as making the combat fluid and fun. Unfortunately, Troublemaker: Raise your gang does not hit the same high notes as other games in this genre and leaves a lot to be desired. 

Story

Troublemaker: Raise your gang follows the protagonist named Budi who is a high school delinquent who is gifted in the art of putting bullies in their place. The game starts off with our protagonist getting into a small scrap and getting into some heavy trouble when the police show up. His mother bails him out and tells him how important it is that he gets his act together before it’s too late. We find out that Budi lost his father a few years ago and that the small family is struggling with this loss. Budi’s mother explains that it is time they moved to and got Budi into a better school so that he can be more than just a street tough. Although he protests at the beginning, Budi soon finds himself at a new school with old problems. 

I personally had a hard time digesting the story due to a multitude of issues with the writing. Budi and the gang are all high school students and the writing has them speaking as if they have lived their entire lives on the internet with no interaction with the outside world.

The merchant is a direct reference to the merchant from Resident Evil 4 and the game makes sure you know this by both his design and the way he speaks. Rani, The internet icon of the group, is so wrapped up in live streaming all the fights and her internet presence that it’s hard to appreciate her character when it feels as if she is only there to pressure Budi into fights. 

Gameplay

Fighting is the main activity we will be taking part in during Budi’s journey and the game makes sure you are aware of how cool Budi is. There are moments where he will take on 4-5 different enemies in a fight only for one of his friends to talk about how cool it was or how unstoppable he is. Budi has a strong personality and wants to protect his friends but that’s about it for his character.

When we get into fights, the game gives us the usual heavy and light attack as well as an array of special attacks. There is also a parry mechanic but I found that it only worked a handful of times. The enemies are capable of interrupting your attacks and laying into Budi, which may result in a quick game over. During one of my fights with Zaenal, I got cornered against a wall and was unable to deliver any damage since he kept interrupting my attacks and the parry didn’t trigger. It was at this time that I dropped the game’s difficulty from normal down to easy simply so I could see the credits roll. 

When you aren’t fighting, there are some minor things you can do in the small school. At a certain point in the game, you unlock the ability to hang out with Budi’s girlfriend but by this point, I was ready to graduate from this troublesome school so I spent little time with her. Budi can earn money during his fights that can be used to purchase new skills as well as items that can recover his health during fights. Each new skill costs a handful of money but you can honestly get by with the bare basic attacks and the beginning skill. The skills you can obtain range from a basic chair being thrown at the enemy to an arrangement of pop culture references, including JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. When I saw a T-Pose attack, I lost all interest in trying to obtain the higher skills and just wanted to rush through the basic story. 

Final Thoughts

When I started this game, I was genuinely excited to see how Budi’s journey would end and was really rooting for him. By the time I hit the mid way point of the game, I was checking the achievements to see how much longer I would have to endure this game. There is a lot of good that can be salvaged from this game and if the team decided to do a sequel with another group, I hope that they can leave some of the internet humor behind. The game’s cast has the potential to be a lot stronger but this is buried behind a ton of vulgarity and inability to be fully aware of what is going on around them. I would love to recommend this game for those looking for a good beat em up but I strongly advise that you go into it with low expectations and understand that the game really relies on your ability to stomach mediocre combat, stale writing, and cheap humor. 

Review: DROP – System Breach

Kejuan Valentine
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0
Review: DROP – System Breach

Welcome to the world of cyber espionage! In “DROP – System Breach,” a fast-paced action-strategy hacking simulator, players are thrust into the thrilling world of hacking and data infiltration. Developed by Etherfield Studios, this game delivers an adrenaline-pumping experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats as they navigate through a series of missions in a virtual world filled with firewalls, enemy hackers, and high-stakes objectives.

One of the first things that caught my attention in “DROP – System Breach” was the game’s 2D graphics. While some may prefer the flashy 3D graphics of modern games, the retro-style pixel art of “DROP” adds a unique charm to the game. It’s even more interesting that it looks so brand new despite it being 2D. The visuals are crisp, clean, and well-designed, creating an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic hacking-themed games from the past. The use of color and lighting effects is especially noteworthy, adding depth and dimension to the game’s virtual environment. It really makes me feel like we’re inside a 2D Matrix.

One of the strengths of “DROP – System Breach” is its simplicity of controls. The game is essentially a point-and-click adventure, with players using their mouse (or controller) to interact with the game world. The controls are easy to understand and intuitive, allowing players to dive right into the action without a steep learning curve. This accessibility makes the game appealing to both experienced players and newcomers to the genre.

The gameplay is where I believe people might have mixed feelings. At first, the game starts off slow, allowing players to familiarize themselves with the mechanics and controls. But as the missions and story progress, the challenges become more unique and the difficulty spikes up, keeping players on their toes. However, that could push people away from playing this game. Players may find themselves dealing with multiple objectives, time limits, and the need to protect their firewall’s health from enemy hackers all at once. This can lead to a frantic and stressful gameplay experience, as players must quickly prioritize and strategize in order to complete their missions successfully. This level of complexity may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and some players may find it overwhelming or frustrating.

The missions in “DROP – System Breach” are both challenging and distinctive. From installing spyware on employees’ computers to retrieving or deleting information from files, pinging interfaces, solving puzzles, and more, players will face a variety of tasks that test their hacking skills. This dynamic approach to mission design keeps players engaged and motivated to constantly improve their skills and tackle increasingly complex challenges. However, it should be mentioned that “DROP – System Breach” does include procedural generation, which means that it has elements of repetition. While I personally enjoy roguelike games and procedural generation, it may also become boring to some players who prefer a more linear progression. Repeating the same missions and tasks multiple times can potentially lead to a sense of monotony, especially for those who prefer a more varied and dynamic gameplay experience.

In addition to the main missions, “DROP – System Breach” also offers a variety of side quests and challenges, adding replayability and extending the game’s lifespan. Players can also collect money from completing missions, allowing them to buy upgrades for their firewall, CPU processing speed, and their character’s hacking tools, making the experience more bearable.

PUZZLES!

In conclusion, “DROP – System Breach” is a fast-paced action-strategy hacking simulator that offers an attentive gameplay experience. While some players may find the chaos and difficulty spike later in the game stressful, and the roguelike elements repetitive, the game’s strengths in graphics, gameplay, and overall feeling make it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy the hacking genre and are up for a challenge. With its unique blend of retro-style 2D graphics, engaging missions, and upgrade options, “DROP – System Breach” is a charming game that will keep players engaged, despite its minor drawbacks. So gear up, sharpen your hacking skills, and get ready to breach the system in this thrilling cyber espionage adventure!

Star Wars : Ashoka New Trailer and Poster Revealed at Celebration London

Andrew Edney
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0
Star Wars : Ashoka New Trailer and Poster Revealed at Celebration London

Today, at STAR WARS Celebration in London, Disney+ and Lucasfilm unveiled the thrilling teaser trailer for the highly anticipated Disney+ original series “Ahsoka,” starring Rosario Dawson in the title role. Set after the fall of the Empire, “Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. 

In addition to Dawson, “Ahsoka” stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla. The series is written by Dave Filoni, who executive produces alongside Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck. Karen Gilchrist is co-executive producer. 

“Ahsoka” will debut exclusively on Disney+ in August 2023. 

Review: Heidelberg 1693

Daniel Waite
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Review: Heidelberg 1693

Heidelberg 1693 is a cruel game that twists the narrative of 17th-century Bavaria. With silent movie-inspired cinematic and a tough fantasy story to swallow, this is a grim endeavour that is challenging to complete. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy multiple endings, classic platforming mechanics, and an array of zombies and creepy monsters to hunt and kill. Consequently, this isn’t for the faint of heart, and even hardcore gamers will be tested throughout.

Developed by Andrade Games and published by RED ART GAMES, this is a 2D action title. What’s more, there are minor tactical nuances, a selection of sub-weapons to use, and buckets of blood and gore to endure. In short, it is a disgusting game that’ll make you weep. However, its cruel nature and overpowered bosses ensure that it is rewarding and enjoyable as well. Additionally, its aesthetics are reminiscent of a bygone console era. Accordingly, retro gamers will enjoy the simple side-scrolling approach and the rudimentary, albeit nasty graphics.

The hero stands upon a pillar and reloads his musket.
Stay up high and stay safe.

Heidelberg 1693 tells a harrowing tale.

You control one of King Louis XIV’s famous musketeers. This battle-hardened warrior is sent on a mission to rid 17th-century Germany of its zombie infestation. En route, you will encounter many historical characters from the era as you try to save the day. However, with branching storylines and tough moments, completing your goal is easier said than done.

Armed with a sword and your powerful musket, you must destroy an increasingly challenging wave of enemies. As you progress, you’ll encounter locked doors, traps, and portals to another dimension. If you activate these swirling gateways to hell, you’ll unleash more demonic beings that must be destroyed. However, with careful planning and an eye for detail, you can avoid unnecessary conflict and live to fight another day.

Use your sword and stab your opponents in Heidelberg 1693.
En garde.

Carve your path and select your weapon.

What makes Heidelberg 1693 so great is the tactical elements of the gameplay. Consequently, how you wish to deal with your enemies is entirely your choice! You can run in like a headless chicken while flailing your sword like a madman, or you can stand back, take your time, and unleash your powerful musket. However, with limited ammo and a slow reload time, you must be careful how you use your gun.

Alongside this, you will find sub-weapons that can turn the tide of each battle in your favour. Furthermore, you’ll find ways to replenish your health as well as additional ammo for your rifle. As such, you must be flexible in your approach and change your plan according to the enemies you face. On top of this, there are spikes and traps to avoid, as well as demonic beings to destroy. Accordingly, it is a hectic mess that is tough but rewarding to play.

As with most adventure games, you must face plenty of angry bosses en route. Heidelberg 1693 has some of the toughest overlords that I’ve encountered. As such, learning their weaknesses and strengths was a challenge. Luckily, however, the developers were generous with their checkpoints, so death and failure weren’t as harsh as they could have been.

Heidelberg 1693 is dank and grim.

I adored the hectic and challenging gameplay, but the visuals were better still. With excellent stage design and unique backdrops, I never tired of what I saw. Additionally, the grim and sombre colour palette matched the daunting nature of the gameplay. Furthermore, the excellent animation and fantastic sprites added to the variety. Though the basic design and simplicity fail to utilise the power of modern machines, I adored the retro style and the uncomfortable levels of gore.

The excellent gameplay was complemented by some amazing cinematic. Inspired by silent-era films, the drama oozes from each tough cutscene. Furthermore, the story evolves nicely, and you are introduced to a range of historical characters at the same time. Though the cinematic was equally grim and cruel, it was a nice break away from the harsh and relentless gameplay.

The brutality was enhanced by the cruel sound effects and dramatic music. With booming rifles, squelching limbs, and screams of pain, it is bone-chillingly horrific. Thankfully, though, the music drowns out much of the ear-splitting noises. However, during sombre and melancholy moments, you’ll have to endure the chilling nature of the sound effects.

The hero is being chased by a zombie.
Remain vigilant at all times.

Tricky controls.

Heidelberg 1693 is a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit macabre, title. However, the controls should have been much better. As such, shooting your musket wasn’t as easy as it should have been and this enhances the difficulty. The developers could have made the aiming mechanic much more user-friendly. Yet, they used the wrong analogue stick, and this makes it fiddly. Consequently, the controls aren’t as intuitive as they could have been, and this was frustrating.

With these issues to one side, you’ll enjoy plenty of replay value and longevity. Thanks to the difficult bosses and multiple endings, you are kept busy for hours. Luckily, though, the generous checkpoints ensure that failure isn’t so bad and with some practice, you’ll nail each gargantuan boss in turn.

Heidelberg 1693 is gloriously disgusting.

This is a bloodbath of a game! As such, with claret spurting all over the place, you can’t avoid how gloriously disgusting it is. Furthermore, the challenging combat and excellent stage design enhance the enjoyment factor and how moreish it is. Yes, the controls should have been better, but this isn’t a massive issue. Accordingly, despite this minor setback, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you slay every zombie you face? Grab your musket and sword and defeat anything that stands in your way.

Review: Remnant: From the Ashes

Damien Gorman
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0
Review: Remnant: From the Ashes

I’ll preface this by saying that soulslikes are not my cup of tea in any way shape or form. So much so in fact, my bio at the bottom of this article (if you make it that far) states my predilection for easier difficulty modes in all things (mostly video games because, well, you know). So being asked to review Remnant: From the Ashes was never going to be something I was fully comfortable/capable of. So now that I’ve fully put you off listening to my opinion, here is my review of Remnant: From the Ashes.

This review was conducted on Nintendo Switch as Remnant was recently ported to the console. So bear in mind that any critique may be unique to this particular edition of the game. Or not, who’s to say?

Remnant: From the Ashes was first released way back in pre-Covid times (remember those?), in the year 2019, a more innocent time. Developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing, it is a third-person action RPG taking its inspiration from FromSoftware’s Dark Souls games, but adding in the quirk of being able to shoot anything that goes bump in the dark, with a gun no less.

By now, gamers will be familiar with the soulslike genre, take the standard formula RPG, make it gruellingly tough, slap some lore over the top and you’re golden. Whilst that is likely an oversimplification, it isn’t far from the truth, especially in the case of Remnant: From the Ashes. The plot has you pitted against a somewhat botanical foe known only as ‘The Root’, which honestly just gave me Groot vibes, minus the affable nature as these trees are decidedly more likely to murder you just for existing. 

However, the story is not what you’re likely here for with Remnant: From the Ashes as it goes from story beat to story beat without ever truly innovating on a tired apocalyptic survival genre. Luckily for fans of soulslikes, the combat is mechanically tight, responsive, and suitably frantic enough to keep the game afloat by itself. You are tasked with systemically clearing a series of dungeons each inhabited by a variety of horrifying arboreal foes. As you advance through the procedurally created levels, you will collect loot and resources needed to upgrade your gear, a vital component of Remnant: From the Ashes. 

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail has never felt so apt. 

When you’re not fighting Treebeard’s disfigured cousins, you’re bouncing from crystal to crystal, Remnant’s version of the Dark Souls campfires. These take on a glowing red hue in opposition to the rest of the world which is a dull grey. It is custom at this point for post-apocalyptic worlds to be miserable however, I can’t help but feel that this trope is somewhat played out by now. Beyond my personal feelings, it does make picking out any details in the world exceptionally tricky, especially whilst playing in handheld mode. The experience does improve whilst docked but this was just the first of several issues, I had with Remnant: From the Ashes’ Switch port. 

First is the map, in handheld, this is tiny, almost worthless. I yearned for the days of mounting a magnifying glass to my GameBoy Colour whilst journeying through this strange, new world. Zooming in on it within the menus does little to alleviate this issue, making traversal less enjoyable which is always a bummer in any video game. 

Possibly the most frustrating, however, is the laborious loading times. Loading up the game can take anywhere between 30 seconds and a minute. Now this may be my ancient console, but I get the feeling that even the slightly more powerful OLED would struggle here. Whether this is a fault of the game, or the system is hard to say, but unfortunately, it is a common problem with Switch ports. Nintendo, release a new console soon, please. Cheers.  

Despite some issues visually, the core gameplay of Remnant: From the Ashes seems to have held up well in its trip cross-platform. Gunplay is excellent and the feel of quickly dispatching several horrors in a row with your choice of weapon is very satisfying. Class-wise, you have the choice of close, mid-range or long-range specialities. Each has unique weapons and skills associated with it, allowing for a variety of playstyles which serves the other aspect of Remnant that it leans heavily on.

Remnant: From the Ashes feels tailored to the co-op experience. Whilst the game is perfectly playable solo, certain locations and enemies feel built to be tackled in tandem with ‘friends’, a foreign concept to us nerds, I know. You can choose to play with actual acquaintances or play the matchmaking lottery and team up with an equally lonely soul (an exercise in frustration let me tell you). This will make the game slightly more difficult, scaling to the number of players, but dividing the attention of enemies makes things so much easier. As a soulslike hater, this was a godsend.

All in all, it feels difficult to recommend Remnant: From the Ashes as a Nintendo Switch title. If you like soulslikes, guns, trees, and grey things: maybe play this on any other console.

Chances are, it’s a pretty good game there. But here, it’s not a great experience. 

Review: Ravenbound

Josh Blackburn
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2
Review: Ravenbound

I must confess upfront that I’ve never quite gotten along with Soulslike games. Years of Excel spreadsheets and apple cider have dulled my reflexes enough that I can’t quite keep up with them. Yet I do adore Roguelikes/lites and at the end of the day, both are about punching a brick wall until it eventually breaks. So when Ravenbound promised to marry the two, I was quite interested. It’s a pairing that has some promise.

Unfortunately, Ravenbound didn’t stop there. It kept chucking things into the pot, throwing in an open world and card-based gameplay into the mix, stopping it all from cooking down properly. It’s ambitious, there’s no doubt about that, but Ravenbound struggles to blend it all and feels shallow as a result. After all, keep mixing paints together and all you’re going to be left with is gray.

Ravenbound - Raven Form

A Flock of Genres

Let’s strap Ravenbound to the vivisection table and start examining its parts, beginning with that open world. Ravenbound‘s world of Avalt is on its last legs. Back in its heyday, it had six protectors but after one of them stabbed the others in the back, it fell into ruin. To bring it back to life, its former protectors create a spirit in the form of a raven to inhabit vessels and hit a lot of things with swords. As stories go, it’s fairly interesting yet poorly told. So much is in plain, unvoiced text dumps, either vomited by NPCs or contained in giant stones. Ravenbound does far too much telling and not enough showing.

Still, its explorable world shows a bit more promise. It looks great for one and is littered with the remnants of old buildings being reclaimed by nature. Flying over the landscape and moving from glorious sunshine to driving rain felt great. For the first few runs, I’d slow my speed a bit and just watch the hills roll by. We’re a raven, remember, so we can fly. It’s actually a nice travel method. Transforming into an armoured warrior miles in the air and crashing down onto the heads of unsuspecting bandits never got old.

There is an issue with the open world though and it’s one that permeates all of Ravenbound: it’s ultimately shallow. You won’t find many interesting things there, outside of set combat zones that are scattered around the countryside. These fights show up as icons, so you zoom your feathered form down to them, fight, then immediatly take to the air again. Except you can only transform at set points on the map, so every fight was followed by trudging back to a raven point so I could get to the next one. Rather undermines the open world concept, unfortunately.

Ravenbound - Troll Combat

Dealing Out The Pain

Let’s examine the combat next. It’s standard soulslike affair. We have a light attack, heavy attack, block and dodge. Survival depends largely on your reflexes and reading enemy patterns. Its functional, if unexciting, but helped somewhat by the enemy variety. You have bandits, of course, but also trolls, strange floating women and giant, aggressive trees. That said, the combat works best against small handfuls of melee creatures because the camera enjoys getting in close. It does make the difficulty a bit all over the place, as the worst enemies will just fire stuff at you from off screen, doing massive damage. Given the RNG of the roguelite element, this can lead to some frustrating deaths.

Paired with this is the card system, which I actually liked. When you open a chest, or gather enough ‘fragments’ from corpses, you’ll get presented with a handful of cards. This includes new armour, weapons or buffs. You then need to hunt out enough mana to use them. While they don’t change up more than numbers (as weapon styles are locked in when you choose a character), it introduces a nice risk-reward system. Taking too many cards will cause ‘hatred’, which powers up the bosses. You can gamble on a good bit of gear but if your luck sucks then you’re going to be fighting an incredibly angry boss with a feather duster.

These boss fights are the points where all the systems get the closest to melding. It’s a 1-on-1 fight with a giant boss, who’s carrying a weapon twice your length. While I was a bit disappointed that every boss is an identical looking suit of armour, the 1v1 focus forces some tension into the combat. There are no healing items, bar one single card, so mistiming a dodge or block feels genuinely painful. Scraping by these fights by the skin of my teeth was one of my highlights with Ravenbound. Some feel a little unfair, like the lad with a giant axe, but it’s not too bad.

Ravenbound - Card System

Ravenlite

You’ll note I’ve been conspicuously avoiding talking about the Roguelite element and that’s because of one simple reason: I don’t really care for it. See, roguelites by definition require playing the same thing over and over. To make that work, the game needs enjoyable moment-to-moment gameplay and Ravenbound doesn’t have that. Before each boss there is precisely one simple sidequest and a requirement to convert a set number of fragments. Then it’s a 1v1 and repeat for the next boss. The only thing that changes are the cards, which is just a glorified roll of the dice at the end of the day.

I pushed through enough to kill all the bosses except the final one. Then Ravenbound told me I had to kill three previous bosses in a row but changed up nothing. It was side quest, fragments, boss, repeat. The varying difficult of the enemies meant I tended to fight the same types over and over. Dying on the third boss brought new levels of frustration because I knew I’d have to do the same damn thing over again. The scales fell from my eyes as I realised I’d just been going through a simple loop for the past three hours. In the end, I just kind of gave up.

My final word is this: I admire Ravenbound a lot more than I actually like it. It’s trying to merge together a host of different elements, which is by no means an easy task. When asked to describe it, I’d probably do that sideways, waggling hand motion. It’s not bad but not particularly good either. Its nice ideas are balanced out by the shallowness of the experience. If you want to see a game juggle far too many balls then give Ravenbound a look but I struggle to recommend it otherwise.

(Ravenbound‘s Steam Page)

Review: Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set

Daniel Waite
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Review: Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set

There are so many fantastic audio devices available for gaming that it can be hard to select the right one. Do you exclusively use headphones to improve your experience, or do you go loud and proud with a speaker setup? Whatever you decide, you want crisp tones, an excellent bass, and something that looks amazing. I think this is where the Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set comes into play. This affordable speaker system is compact, powerful, and easy to use. Furthermore, it doesn’t have garish RGB lighting and, as a consequence; it is nicely understated.

Alongside the excellent design quality, you get a straightforward setup, robust speakers, and a fantastic subwoofer. What’s more, there is an inline remote control and only a limited number of cables to worry about. Subsequently, the finished setup looks professional and clean. On top of this, there is a power saving feature as well as a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

What’s in the box of the Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set?

  • The large box is adorned with key images and information. Moreover, it is sturdy and the contents are protected thanks to the polystyrene shells. However, this does impact the ability to recycle, and that was disappointing. Furthermore, to make matters worse, every item is protected by a plastic bag and film. This was unnecessary, as there are plenty of environmentally friendly alternatives that could have been used.
  • The Speaker Set comprises a sizeable subwoofer and 2 satellite speakers. Each of the speakers has a colour-coded jack that matches the output port on the subwoofer. Accordingly, setting up the speakers was an easy task. To the side of the subwoofer are a power switch, a power save switch, 2 input and 2 output female jack ports, and a volume and bass control knob.
  • An inline wired controller allows you to adjust the volume with ease. Furthermore, there are 3.5mm jack ports for headphones and a microphone. This small device has a tactile base, and the knob is easy to adjust.
  • I was provided with a European power cable, as such, I used an alternative UK cable to power the device. However, adapters can be purchased if you don’t wish to buy a new cable.
  • A simple user guide highlights the technical specification of this speaker set.

Technical aspects.

GeneralType of Speaker 2.1
FeaturesPower Saving
Weight4900g
ControllerRemote wired
ControlsPower saving button, Volume, Bass
ConnectivityWired
BluetoothNo
InputPower source – Wall socket

The Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set offers rich forward-facing sound. Accordingly, unlike more expensive speakers or high-end headphones, you cannot get 3D audio or surround sound. However, for the price, this wasn’t a feature I expected to receive. Instead, the power output peak of 120 W and the 3×150 mm driver units deliver a warm and welcomed range of tones and bass. Furthermore, the combined 10 W output for each satellite speaker and 40 W for the subwoofer create a limited but immersive experience.

Each of the satellite speakers is sizeable, but not oppressive. The simple glossy black finish delivers an understated but clean edge to your gaming setup. Furthermore, each speaker has 1 inbuilt cable that is easy to route into the large and heavy subwoofer. This understandably cumbersome unit offers some hefty bass without blowing your head off. Moreover, the simple input and output option, control knobs, and switches make it a straightforward device to set up.

If I was to find a fault, it is that the switches should have been more accessible. Subsequently, if you push your subwoofer under your desk, you’ll have to move it if you wish to adjust the settings or change the power save mode. Thankfully, though, the inline control unit enables you to adjust your volume with ease. Yet, if you wish to alter the bass, this must still be done from the side-facing control knob.

Is the Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set worth it?

The Trust Tytan 2.1 Speaker Set will not break the bank. Available for around £80, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Furthermore, the excellent build quality, refined style, and balanced audio make this a desirable audio device. However, where they excel is their plug-and-play approach, the clean wiring system, and the inline control knob. Moreover, the ability to add headphones and a microphone to the remote was a stroke of genius.

If you are looking for an immersive surround sound system with all the bells and whistles, then this won’t be for you. But if you want a more straightforward setup with rich and direct audio and a clean professional finish, then this ticks those boxes. Alongside this, this speaker set is perfect for those gamers who have a high-end set of headphones but want a down-to-earth speaker system. Accordingly, if that is you, then I recommend that you buy them here!

(More information on Trust can be found here!)

Review: Vengeful Guardian Moonrider

Daniel Kelly
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Review: Vengeful Guardian Moonrider

Vengeful Guardian Moonrider, as you can probably tell from its badass, polysyllabic nonsense name, doesn’t particularly care about story. ‘Good samurai robot go kill bad samurai robots’. That’s the extent of it, which is fine. These types of games don’t need compelling stories, just compelling gameplay loops.

I find there are typically two kinds of retro revival games: ones which seek to revive the general atmosphere or difficulty of those games without directly copying them (Cuphead or Katana Zero), and those which seek to tap the gaming ‘oldheads’ on the shoulder and say “remember this?” while spitting out gameplay and environmental references like nobody’s watching (Bloodstained or Shovel Knight).

Moonrider is definitely in that latter group. It’s not like there’s anything wrong with either style, but they can be screwed up in uniquely different ways. Games like Moonrider can be screwed up if gameplay and design philosophy references are used without taking into account that they may not work alongside all of the other stuff you’ve decided to throw in. And, while still a good game, Moonrider absolutely falls into this trap.


The Style and Sound

Before talking about the gameplay, it’s important to note how wonderful the game’s pixel art can look. In recreating the feel of these sorts of games, often the visuals come up the rear as looking relatively lazy, but Moonrider is beautiful to look at.

The music, while not terribly memorable I thought, is at least in keeping with the 16-bit, 1980s faux-futuristic, ‘everything’s gone to hell so let’s kick ass’ vibe.

Each main stage has between one and three mini-bosses/ mini encounters, as well as a final boss. One detail I really found myself loving was that, before engaging in the actual fight with the stage’s boss, each one would speak in a bit-crushed, nigh inscrutable Japanese voice, presumably saying something injurious about how quickly I’m going to get my ass kicked.

The Stages

Though this initially appears to be a linear, Ninja Gaiden-esque game with a set number of stages and a definitive difficulty curve, it’s actually much more like Mega Man.

After beating the tutorial, you are booted to the stage select screen from where you can then select any of the 6 available stages. As per Mega Man tradition, there are a number of stages which can be beaten in any order that, once beaten, unlock the final stage.

The tutorial takes place in a fairly typical bionics lab, and so I was initially expecting for the first 2/3 levels to be in and around here, but the game has a knack for variety and ensures that every stage feel fairly different. From the rushing wind of leaping across airships, to the concomitant misery of yet another water level, there’s certainly a lot to experience.

The issue with this, as well as the stages being so short, is that it’s very easy to pinpoint the levels, or portions of levels which to you seem boring or poorly designed. For me, it was any time the game had some sections which ground the pace to a halt and forced me to either move with the screen, ride on a lift, ride on a motorcycle, or trudge through water.

There is one stage which is free of all of these problems, a forest stage. In this level, you have to constantly remain moving and on your toes in order to survive. This seems like the epitome of what the game is, but it’s a design which is almost never used again. Every few minutes the game stops you in your tracks and forces you through yet another tedious section.

In every stage there are either 1 or 2 collectibles. These are equippable power up chips which can give you anything from recharging MP to a double jump. These are often placed on opposite sides of branching paths or in tiny alcoves which you need to wall jump up to. There’s nothing wrong with these items as they stand, but once you collect them, there’s absolutely no reason for you to ever look for them again. On subsequent runs, this lack of exploration really highlights how short many of these stages actually are when they aren’t railroading you into a needlessly slow section.


The Gameplay

Moonrider is an action platformer, and it has all of the movement options you would expect therein. You have your standard slash, a run which is activated by either holding a button or double tapping a direction, a running slash which does much more damage than a regular slash but has significant startup to compensate, a wall jump, a dive kick, and an ‘unlockable’ double jump.

All the bones of the game are right, but I do have several issues. For one, the wall jump seems antithetical to the rest of your moveset. You are supposed to be a relentless warrior who is tearing through these levels, but the wall jump feels needlessly slow. This is one of those things that’s very difficult to explain, but it essentially just feels as though you have all the mobility in the world, until you have to touch a wall.

As well as this, the dash is mapped to both a dedicated button as well as a double tap input. The only reason dash/ run was ever mapped to double tap was because older arcade cabinets and controllers just didn’t have enough buttons, but now we evidently have more than we can even use, so why force me to work around the looming specter of an accidental dash when it’s already mapped to a button?

The combat is fine, which is to be expected, as none of the regular enemies are there to pose much of a threat, they are only meant to be threatening in conjunction with the platforming. This is the mill of attrition you have to survive before you reach every boss. All of this is fine.

My main problem with the gameplay comes from the aforementioned problem of unlockable chips. So many sections in this game are made with the express purpose of hiding these upgrades and once found, there’s no reason to explore these sections again. This is all fine, but the problem is that the game has a ranking system.

In every level you get graded from E to S, with the main factor seemingly being speed. I’m not always a fiend for S ranks, but I’ll get them if I can, and these S ranks are entirely superfluous. These rankings indicate that the entire game is built on speed (as getting hit doesn’t reduce your score significantly), but this is something which is ruined by the overwhelming number of slow sections.

On your 1st playthrough you’ll probably just be trying to survive, through you may still explore a little. Then, on your 2nd run of a level you’ll be looking for the upgrades. Finally, on your 3rd run and onward, you’ll be chasing S ranks. This is forced replayability, which is not replayability at all. Why weren’t upgrades just tied to rankings like this: first one unlocked at A rank, second unlocked at S rank. There is no tangible reason to chase these rankings, and many sections of most levels aren’t even built with speed in mind anyway, so I can’t imagine many would chase these for fun if trophies and achievements weren’t tied to them.


Conclusion

Moonrider feels like a nostalgic mish-mash of different ideas, with little care taken as to how each new idea will affect the whole.

This game is very fun on a first playthrough, and fairly dull on any subsequent ones. The game is not open enough to appeal to exploratory players who want to find its secrets, and the game is nowhere near tight enough to appeal to old school arcade players or rank chasers.

There’s almost certainly a plurality of people who fall into the middle somewhere and they’ll almost definitely love the game, but for me, it’s just a fairly good retro platformer; a game-type which I’m quickly becoming tired of.

How Web3 Technology Is Making Our World a Better Place

Christopher John
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How Web3 Technology Is Making Our World a Better Place

If you’re here, I’m guessing you’ve heard something about web 3 technology and want to learn more about it. It’s incredible how quickly the world is changing. From not having the internet to having nearly everything connected to it. This article will go into detail about what it is and the influence it will have on the globe. However, to fully comprehend what it is, we must go back in time to grasp its beginnings.

What is Web 3 technology?

For us to completely understand what it is, let us first dive into what is web 1 and Web 2 technology.

Web 1 technology was developed as the initial iteration of the Internet in the 1970s. There was a client-server architecture, which means that a computer processes, stores, and communicates data to the end user, who is now the client. It is also closely related to HTTP, or Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.

Web 2 technology, on the other hand, was developed in 2004 and became widespread in 2005 as a result of Google’s introduction of Gmail. Google, Facebook, Wikipedia, and YouTube all employ this technique. It enables people to communicate, produce, and share material. The best aspect of it was the development of social media platforms, which practically all of us utilize.

The definition of Web 3 technology

Web 3 technology is the wave of the future. It employs a decentralized architecture in which the development of websites and apps is not controlled and stored by a single business. This means that no one can access your data unless you permit them. To provide people more control over their data and content, Web 3 technology employs decentralized blockchain technology. This means that you cannot be spied on or hacked with this technology. Because of the additional capabilities that will be available in modern Web3 technologies in crypto gambling, this technology is being widely adopted by gambling companies.

Reasons why Web 3 technology is important

We are at the start of a new era that has the potential to disrupt and innovate nearly every industry on the globe. We will never shop, sell, share, or consume in the same manner again. Banks, industries, and even nations will exist in a new blockchain-driven world where everything is based on web 3 technology. If you are in an industry or business that has not yet been disrupted, it will be shortly. Here are some of the reasons why this technology is important.

1. It has greater security than ever before.

As you may know, Web 3 technology is based on decentralized blockchain technology. This means that no one can access or share your information. It is the safest technology ever created.

2. Decentralization by Web 3 technology.

Decentralization in Web 3 indicates that the apps are not created around a certain person or company. This data is held across billions of computers, which means that no one can share it unless the owner wants it shared.

3. It is built on blockchain technology.

Blockchain is a distributed ledger of transactions that is shared by many computers. Rather than a single central database, information is dispersed across many different users or computers, making it much more difficult to hack or breach or hack into it.

4. It gives people greater control over their data.

The current web hosting system is a monopoly that puts all of the power in the hands of a few companies. Web 3 decentralizes this process and allows individuals to control their data instead of having it owned by an entity other than themselves.

5. It has an open source and is accessible to everybody on the planet.

The internet was designed to be a place for people to share knowledge, but it has evolved into a place where firms can control what you see and how you interact with others. This technology provides us with an opportunity to reclaim control over our digital lives by ensuring that the software that manages our data is open source. This means that anyone may examine the code underlying any piece of software and ensure that it does what it claims it does without having to rely on anyone else to do the correct thing.

6. It has an identity layer 

This is the feature that allows users to control their identity and ensure that it is not being used without their permission or knowledge.

The impact of Web 3 technology

Web 3 is the next technological breakthrough. This technology has the same impact on our lives that the internet did when it was first introduced. We can now interact with individuals worldwide, shop online, produce and share material, and do so much more in such a short amount of time. 

We can indeed do so much more with this technology, which is where web 3 comes into play. This decentralized network provides us with greater transparency, security, and control. Creators are now able to sell their material through peer-to-peer marketing rather than a platform, allowing them more control.

Professionals see workforce decentralization, which means increased selling of skill sets through the decentralized system.

This technology also influences businesses in terms of increased brand awareness and customer security while interacting with their services.

Conclusion

The world is entering unknown territory as more individuals discover how Web3 can revolutionize the way we do business. People all across the world are starting to see how Web3 technology will improve their lives in novel and entertaining ways. There are numerous characteristics of this technology that make it intriguing, but it all comes down to a decision. People desire options, and Web3 technology allows them to do so.

Review: Contraband Police

Brett
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Review: Contraband Police

Contraband Police is a new simulation game from Crazy Rocks that pushes the boundaries of its genre. You are the new commander of an outpost tasked with watching the border and inspecting the documents of anyone attempting to enter the fictional Eastern European nation of Acaristan in 1981.

The gameplay loop will be immediately familiar to anyone who has played Papers, Please; you must examine an ever-growing pile of legal documents searching for any inconsistencies or expirations. Is the name on your ID Sokolov, but the name on your passport is Sokolev? Denied, go away! Did that driver shave his beard without updating his photo? Sorry buddy, get that fixed and try again.

Can I see your Passport, License, Cargo Manifest, and the receipts from your last three shopping trips, please?

The first twist to the gameplay is the titular contraband; the player will receive several clues about different smugglers that will attempt to trick you and sneak their dastardly goods in, ranging from a few packs of cigarettes to truly prodigious amounts of weaponry or cocaine. The player must find where the goods are hidden and dismantle those sections of the car before the contraband bursts out like candy a villainous pinata to for the player to collect, store, and deliver to the local police station while you drive the smuggler to a local quarry to serve out their sentence.

I had expected this to be the core gameplay loop: check papers, search vehicles for contraband, and do deliveries.  

And then they gave me a gun.

I am going to inspect so many tires with this bad boy.

This is where Crazy Rocks’ vision begins to truly deviate from their inspiration. Occasionally during an inspection your outpost will be attacked by bands of rebels, and the game quickly shifts from a dry simulation game into a first-person shooter. The gunplay itself is serviceable, but nothing to write home about. Each enemy has a small icon marking their position and only take a few shots to defeat, but there are often a large amount of them.

In response, the game adds another small innovation by offering a reasonably extensive suite of upgrades to help the player weather these assaults; more personnel, superior weaponry, and different vehicles that can themselves be upgraded. And you will want those vehicles, since some of those runners you’ll be chasing can drive pretty quickly.

This is the true gameplay loop: a balance between routine, ever-growing clerical work and short bursts of action, and it serves reasonably well. There are numerous optional activities that the player can engage in such as hunting for collectibles hidden across the map or diving into another gunfight, but these are pretty infrequent. Periodically, the game will ask the player to handle a local matter that gives some insight into the people living near your outpost and give a brief glimpse into the wider political struggle.

The game does have a couple issues; the first and most obvious being the frequent attacks you’ll endure simply driving about the map while doing your business. It’s fun to fight the bandits off the first few times, but the sheer frequency of attacks quickly made it a chore, and most players will likely either drive through the ambushes or, like me, simply turn off the roadside attacks in the options menu.

Contraband Police does have a few bugs; one persistent one I encountered sent me clipping under the map before teleporting my character a short distance away, but it did once send me halfway across the map.

Ultimately, Crazy Rocks makes a valiant attempt at evolving the formula but doesn’t quite stick the landing. If you want another game in the same vein as Papers, Please but with a little extra spice and an additional dimension then this is the absolutely game for you.

Review: Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar

Daniel Waite
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Review: Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar

Getting the right sound balance isn’t easy! Some systems are too loud, tinny, or simply have too much bass. Consequently, this can ruin the experience and undermine any game or movie you are enjoying. So, what is the solution? A soundbar can add depth to any existing setup with little effort. As such, this is an affordable way to overcome issues. The Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar delivers a healthy dose of tones and bass and it looks great as well.

With a handsome RGB display and a matt finish in black, it will complement most entertainment areas. Furthermore, it isn’t obnoxiously big, and it is easy to use. Subsequently, this is the perfect accompaniment for your TV or gaming setup. What’s more, it does not need to be plugged into a power supply as the USB cable powers the device. This was great, as it enhances its versatility and its usability.

The control knob of the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar is RGB as well.
A side image of the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar.
The front of the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar.

What’s in the box of the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar?

  • The packaging is simple but attractive. With basic images and key selling points, it has a basic but professional look. Furthermore, it is 100% recyclable and sturdy. Therefore, the contents are well protected when in transit.
  • This compact and well-designed speaker weighs only 700g! Moreover, the built-in USB and aux cable ensures that it can be used with a plethora of compatible devices. What’s more, the 40mm drivers and up to 12 W of power output offer a rich sound quality.
  • A simple user manual highlights the basic technical aspects of this speaker.

Technical aspects.

The Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar isn’t as advanced as some of its peers. Accordingly, with easy-to-understand controls, limited features, and no Bluetooth functionality, you may be put off. Yet, I urge you to reconsider. Why? Well, this is an excellent entry-level device that won’t break the bank, is simple to set up, and it performs admirably. What’s more, the fantastic RGB lights have 5 unique modes to choose from. Using the touch-sensitive switch, you can flit between modes, or turn the lights off altogether. As such, it looks perfect with other RGB items. What’s more, it isn’t garish or OTT and it doesn’t look out of place under your TV or monitor.

This speaker has 2 40 mm drivers to deliver a healthy range of tones and a nice quality bass. Additionally, the built-in volume control helps to prevent distorted sound and is easy to use. Alongside this, I loved the plug-and-play approach and which makes it appealing to technophobes and those who wish for a straightforward device.

Though I loved its rudimentary style and no-nonsense approach, a lack of Bluetooth or TWS was a little disappointing. However, I can’t complain too much as the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar isn’t aimed at a premium audience. Yet, its finish and RGB lights look fantastic whilst giving it a high-end aesthetic.

A simple black case protects the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar.

Usability and sound quality.

The lack of features may be a sticking point for some, but the usability and sound quality overcome many of these shortcomings. I experimented with my console, TV, mobile phone, and laptop. During each of these tests, the speaker was simple to set up and sounded fantastic. On top of this, the light display was mesmerising and altering the pattern was simple to achieve.

By plugging the device into any USB port, USB plug adapter, or power bank, you can switch it on instantly. This versatile powering method ensures that the soundbar can be used with ease across many situations. For example, in a pinch, it could be used as a portable speaker at a party or when you are down the beach. Now, I’m not saying that’s its primary use, but it would work nevertheless. Where this device excels is when watching a film or playing a game. The excellent sound quality is immersive and doesn’t crackle or pop like some of its peers. What’s more, the cables are flexible, long, and simple to work with. As such, OCD users will maintain their clean cable management system.

The Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar has an incredible RGB finish.

Is the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar worth it?

I can comfortably recommend the Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar despite the highlighted shortcomings. Yes, a lack of high-end features does sour the experience slightly, but the price point reflects this fact. What’s more, this speaker performs so well that I soon forgot about these issues. On top of this, once it is set up, you have nothing to worry about. Accordingly, its rudimentary approach and comfortable range of tones and bass were more than adequate. Alongside this, the build quality was fantastic, the RGB lights were vivid and easy to control, and the size and weight were not overwhelming. Therefore, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here!

(More information on Trust can be found here!)

The Trust GXT 619 THORNE soundbar has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.
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