The Mujjo Tech Case is a great case capable of carrying everything you need for longer trips – such as cables, plugs, a small camera and power supplies.
It is small, lightweight, and easy to carry, and it looks good too and can really carry a lot.
The outside pocket has a zip which is also covered to keep it protected.
The inside has elasticated pockets to safely store different sizes of gadgets and the case itself can open wide in order to easily access the contains.
The Mujjo Tech Case also comes with a 5 year guarantee – which is great.
The Mujjo Tech Case is available now in either Black or Navy Blue and is priced around £75 and is a must have if you travel and want to take that little bit more with you.
Here is our review of the PowerPic mod Wireless Charger from TwelveSouth.
PowerPic mod is a world-class wireless phone charger with a design as radical as wireless charging itself. With a mix of modern elegance and versatile charging options, PowerPic mod charges all phones, including phones in cases, with an aesthetic that looks like nothing else. The lucite-framed PowerPic mod can be positioned vertically or horizontally and is even customizable with any 4×6 photo or room-matching graphic. Wirelessly charge your phone on the stand that looks more like a work of art than a typical charging dock
What’s in the box?
The box contains the charger and stand, USB-C cable and owner’s guide.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The PowerPic mod Wireless Charger from TwelveSouth is small and lightweight and looks good sitting on a desk, a bookshelf, or anywhere else you want to put it.
There is a removable panel at the front of the frame (held on by small magnets) where you can place a 4×6 inch photograph if you want to – or you can just leave it empty – the choice is yours.
The charging panel can be used horizontally or vertically depending on your needs.
The USB-C charging cable included in the box is 60-inches long so provides enough distance to place the charger wherever you want – you do need to connect it to a wall outlet or USB-C socket providing a minimum of 20W of power though, so make sure you have that or you wont be able to charge properly.
The charger works with MagSafe devices and cases and even Android phones that support wireless charging.
If you are in the market for a wireless charger that looks great then look no further than the PowerPic mod Wireless Charger from TwelveSouth.
The PowerPic mod Wireless Charger is available now priced around £54.95.
The deck-building genre is hit-and-miss. Consequently, my experiences have been a bit of a mixed bag. However, I can say that they are amazing to play casually, and when they work, they are phenomenal. As such, when I was offered Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder, I wasn’t so certain. Yet, its interesting aesthetics and sinister theme piqued my interest. Therefore, I jumped in with full enthusiasm as I took a journey through hell.
Developed by Team Nadir and Black Eye Games, and published by the latter, this is a roguelike deckbuilder. What’s more, it has a fascinating twist on the usual tropes and grim foes and is simple to play once the fundamentals are mastered. Accordingly, I was soon hooked on its interesting concept and amazing art style.
Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder is available on Steam and Nintendo Switch, but isn’t verified for Steam Deck. However, I can assure you that it works perfectly on SD with only minor issues. Another point to note is that the amazing publishers at Crunching Koalas are the publishing team behind the Nintendo Switch version. However, Team Nadir are responsible for the transition from PC to Switch.
Welcome to the gates of hell.
Demons, sins, and sorrow all go hand-in-hand. Consequently, when you are asked to deep-dive a demonic portal to face off with a sin-loving demon, you know there will be problems. You may pick from 3 characters with unique traits. 2 of these individuals must be unlocked as the game progresses. Once you’ve chosen your hero, you must select which sin demon to tackle. Again, 1 is unlocked to start, and you must progress and improve your base to unlock more.
Once the rules of engagement are set, you start a journey on a layered path to the demon’s lair. Each circle is loaded with combat encounters, special unlockable nodes, shops, deck customisation points, and, potentially, a demi-demon. At the start of each layer, you open with a fight. Once you are successful, you may choose to progress inwards or activate the other nodes on that layer. If you manage to survive and reach the demon, you must kill them and choose to return to your base or continue onwards. If you proceed, the fights are harder, but the rewards are greater. Alternatively, if you return home, your treasure and resources are safe, and you live to fight another day.
Take that!
Resources and card crafting.
The aforementioned resources are key to your success. Every battle you undertake awards you skulls, shards, and more. These items are used to buy new buildings or upgrade existing structures. Furthermore, they unlock each character and open the pathways for new demons. Alongside this, you’ll get an array of new and impressive cards to craft during each run.
Like the resources, each battle offers you the opportunity to craft new cards for your deck. These temporary items offer you a tactical advantage during each encounter. Moreover, if you’ve improved your base, the chances of creating game-changing cards are much higher. During the crafting session, you may pick from three blue cards and three red cards. Each item has certain traits that can enhance or hinder your performance. Subsequently, you must be wise and think thoroughly before committing.
Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder has a steep (ish) learning curve.
When a game utilises a refined concept, you don’t expect a tough learning curve. Yet, Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder has a steep (ish) curve that is challenging to overcome. Fortunately, though, once you climb the data dump mountain, you won’t look back. Instead, you’ll master the fundamentals and then spend your time polishing your strategies.
This is what makes this deckbuilder so moreish. With roguelike mechanics and wonderfully balanced tactics, you must think many steps ahead. Moreover, the game keeps no secrets, and you know what to expect throughout. As such, you must formulate a plan, hope for a little luck, and work your way past each heinous demon.
Which hero will you pick?
A deckbuilder like no other.
The core gameplay focuses on the hero and their evil foe. Your enemy holds 3 cards in their hand. These tools are coloured red or blue and the reverse side is the opposite colour. Moreover, each card highlights your opponent’s reaction if the card is activated. Consequently, you know what will happen and potentially how to overcome it. In your hand, you hold cards that are both red and blue. What’s more, each colour has a set action, and it tells you what you need to use for each card. Effectively, it’ll highlight how many red or blue cards your opponent needs in order to use it. (Clear as mud so far?).
Once the criteria are matched, you will unleash defensive or offensive tactics. You may increase your armour, protect yourself with a shield, enhance your rage, slash your sword, and much, much more. Whatever you decide, you must calculate the risk vs reward. Subsequently, if you go on the attack, you must expect to be injured or worse. Therefore, studying your opponent’s hand and formulating a plan is the only way to succeed.
Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder is eerie and melancholy.
It was hard not to love the disgusting aesthetics of this title. With a simple but striking colour palette and basic animation, it is great to look at. What’s more, the character models and stripped-back UI enhance the eerie and melancholy nature of the gameplay. However, the best visual element is the comic strip-style attack animation. The in-your-face and OTT imagery is incredible to observe. The slick and stylish approach works wonderfully with the demonic plot and the oppressive setting.
This is then complemented by the awesome audio. The subtle but creepy music supports the action perfectly. Furthermore, the loud and crass sound effects add a dramatic layer. In short, the developers have done an amazing job of bringing this hellish world to life.
Which card will you play?
Excellent controls.
Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder works perfectly on both PC and Steam Deck. What’s more, I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Nintendo Switch port. Thanks to the minimalist UI and the excellent tutorial, you’ll enjoy the action immediately. However, mastering the finer points is no mean feat and takes a bit of effort. Yet, once you understand the fundamentals, you’ll love the clever layout and the intuitive controls.
As it’s a roguelike title, you know it is moreish and addictive. Accordingly, it’s hard to put down and has masses of replay value and longevity. With 3 characters to select from and an array of demons to study and defeat, each playthrough differs. On top of this, the opportunity to keep playing after you slay the demon makes it irresistible for hardcore gamers.
Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder is a fresh take on a well-trodden genre.
Rarely do you experience a fresh take on a classic genre. However, Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder was a pleasant surprise. With interesting mechanics and a grim and sinister atmosphere, it’s impressive to play. What’s more, its complex structure is deceptively simple once you get to grips with it. Consequently, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you enter the gates of hell and survive? Study the cards, plan your approach, and defeat every demonic being.
Despite the ubiquity of digital technology in the 21st century, few people understand how hacking actually works — which is why so many movies feature hacking sequences where some geek shouts about entering the mainframe. Hacking is so horribly misrepresented in mainstream media that true tech experts are surprised when a show or film gets the process right. If you are eager to see realistic hacking in action, you might find a place to watch any of the following seven movies, which are highly regarded as showing hacking how it actually is.
WarGames
The first hacking movie is also perhaps the most famous hacking movie — and it just so happens to be among the best hacking movies in terms of realism. Though no military defense strategy has ever involved a game-loving AI-driven supercomputer, the truth is that teens dedicated to computers in the 1980s and ‘90s could be considered world-class experts in hacking and that many had the skills and knowledge to infiltrate high-level systems. Still, there are many elements of this movie that make the hacking a bit unrealistic, even in 1983 when it was released.
Who am I?
Experts around the world agree that this German movie released in 2014 is by far the most realistic representation of the world of hacking and cybersecurity to date. Following a cybersecurity expert who gets pulled into a life of black-hat hacking, the film manages to balance excitement and intrigue with accurate depictions of the hacker’s lifestyle and activities. What’s more, many audience members attest to learning about cybersecurity from “Who am I?” which is more than many articles and trainings about cybersecurity can claim.
Blackhat
Starring Chris Hemsworth in a role as a convicted cybercriminal — a step outside his usual role as gorgeous hero — this 2015 movie showcases how the “bad guys” and the “good guys” in the realm of cybersecurity often have identical skills. The story pulls from real-life tales of black-hat hackers being caught and serving their sentence by offering their expertise to enhance cybersecurity. Interestingly, this film does highlight a way that cyberwarfare might evolve in the coming years and how hacking could be a critical skill not just for digital security but for international peace.
Hackers
Though the computer systems in use in this 1995 cult classic might be a bit outdated, the culture and language of the hackers remains surprisingly spot-on. Inspired by many stories of tweens and teens in the ‘80s and ‘90s responsible for devastating malware attacks, “Hackers” accurately depicts the fun and excitement that many hackers feel when they play around with computers. Though the psychedelic visuals may obscure the rather mundane process of hacking, the movie remains afavorite amongst cybersecurity pros.
Sneakers
This film from 1992 is one of the first and only movies to showcase penetration testers, whose job focuses on testing an organization’s defenses to find weaknesses before black-hat hackers can launch successful attacks that cause harm. The film talks at length about early methods of cybersecurity that are still widely used today, like encryption, and various methods of hacking are put on display, to include social engineering and phreaking. Fun to watch and also informative, “Sneakers” could be a useful introduction to business leaders who need to be convinced toinvest in managed cybersecurity solutions.
23
Another German film, and another film from the 1990s, this movie is the first on the list to bebased on a specific true story, in which a group of young computer users in Hannover perform escalating acts of hacking and eventually infiltrate government and military systems. Though the film does take some liberties to tell a more interesting story, the truth is that many hacking groups to this day begin as friends with shared interests and skills.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Unlike other films on this list, David Fincher’s outstanding adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s mystery novel does not make hacking its primary focus, but Lisbeth Salander’s hacking skills are undeniably accurate to real life. What makes this movie rank especially high in realism is the lack of aesthetic visuals used during the hacking sequences, as hacking almost never utilizes glamorous interfaces; rather, hackers either use the same tools that are available to everyone or else have functional solutions that they alone understand how to use.
Almost everyone has a digital device that they use every day, but almost no one has the skills and knowledge to function as a hacker. Perhaps watching the above films will convince more people to practice hacking — or else to install high-quality cybersecurity tools on all their devices.
Monoprice is a leading website that offers market-leading devices at an affordable price. Consequently, I was shocked when the team advised me of their upcoming sale! This limited-time offer runs until the 19th of February 2023 and allows gamers to revamp their whole desktop. So let’s wait no longer and see what the Monoprice Valentine’s roundup looks like.
What’s on sale during the Monoprice Valentine’s roundup?
This excellent Quad HD IPS monitor boasts a 165Hz native refresh rate, Adaptive-Sync technology for a blazing fast, tear‑free gaming, and entertainment experience, and a height-adjustable base. With Discount: $239.99 (40% off) MSRP: $399.99.
Thanks to IPS technology, it offers a wide colour gamut and wide viewing angles, while Adaptive-Sync technology ensures a smooth, tear‑free experience during intense, fast-action gameplay. With Discount: $159.99 (36% off) MSRP: $249.99.
Proving that sheer speed doesn’t have to come at the expense of colour performance, this gaming monitor features a next-generation, “ultrafast” AHVA panel, with a ferociously fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. With Discount: $149.99 (35% off) MSRP: $229.99.
It offers near 100% sRGB colour gamut and wide viewing angles, while AMD® FreeSync™ Premium technology ensures a smooth, tear‑free experience during intense, fast‑action gameplay. VESA® DisplayHDR™ 400 certification satisfies the display industry’s standard for true 8‑bit image quality, peak luminance of 500 cd/m2, higher contrast ratio, and wider colour gamut. With Discount: $224.99 (25% off) MSRP: $299.99.
This keyboard features high-performance Cherry MX mechanical switches, customizable RGB per-key illumination, excellent build quality, and maximum desk space for a clean, minimalist look and increased room to move your mouse. Available in Cherry MX blue and red.With Discount: $59.99 (40% off) MSRP: $99.99.
This studio-quality USB-C mic features four pickup/polar patterns. Consequently, it is well‑suited to different working environments and crystal-clear voice capture. With a metal housing, standard 5/8” threaded mount point and customizable LED accent lighting, the Sentry Streaming Mic looks great on any desk and ensures your voice is heard with pristine quality and detail. With Discount: $79.99 (20% off) MSRP: $99.99.
The Dark Matter™ Hyper‑K Gaming Mouse is lightweight, breathable and packs the industry’s best tech – including a Pixart 3389 optical sensor, Omron button switches and customizable RGB illumination. With Discount: $34.99 (13% off) MSRP: $39.99.
A website that you can trust.
Monoprice is a massive website that offers phenomenal gaming accessories and peripherals. Furthermore, the unbelievable prices are matched by their exceptional customer service. Moreover, international buyers needn’t worry as they ship to an array of countries. With a 4-5 star satisfaction rating, this is a website that you can trust. Accordingly, if you are looking to treat a loved one this Valentine’s Day, look no further than this Monoprice Valentine’s roundup.
(More information on Monoprice can be found here!)
If you are a coffee drinker and are interested in trying different blends, then a subscription from Beanz.com might be just what you are looking for!
The beanz.com platform by Sage provides an expanding digital destination to explore, learn, purchase,
and subscribe to 100 different coffees provided by 20 of the UK’s best specialty coffee roasters, including
Caravan Coffee Roasters Ltd, Assembly, Workshop, Ozone, and Notes.
beanz.com is designed to seamlessly complement Sage’s internationally renowned espresso and coffee
product portfolio and provide an easy pathway and better access to the top tier specialty coffee roasters.
All beanz.com featured roasters represent a growing group of best-in-class, renowned, and emerging
roasters.
With beanz.com, Sage aims to provide complete solutions to its customers with a total turnkey at-home
coffee experience. With up to 100 rotating seasonal and longer-term constant coffee offerings available,
the site ensures a variety of possibilities for the pro home barista or those just getting comfortable
making coffee. The platform offers dedicated expert advice, guidance on different roasts, and tips on how
to bring out the best tasting coffee right from the first brew. The customer can also filter the coffee
selection by a number of categories including roast preference, brew method, blend or single origin,
certifications, or simply choose the Barista’s Choice journey to receive new and exciting beans with every
delivery.
You can order whatever coffee you want, but if you are not sure what you want, or you want to try something different there is a quiz you can go through to help you.
Then you can take it from there and just wait for your coffee to arrive.
We ended up trying two different types and they were lovely – every two weeks we got to experience different blends.
This is a really great idea – obviously if you know the coffee you want you can just order it, but if you want to try different ones and maybe experience something you might not have tried before, this is a great way to do it.
Cult classics should never be messed with. However, we’ve seen many remakes, prequels, and other cash cows that drive fans insane. Rarely do these money spinners work, but when they do, they are incredible. One series that has bucked the trend is Resident Evil. Yet, can the same be said for another horror powerhouse, Dead Space? This year sees the release of the highly anticipated Dead Space (2023), so, was it worth the money, and is it worth the wait?
Developed by Motive and published by Electronic Arts, this is a sci-fi horror title. What’s more, it has RPG elements and retains much of the original charm. However, the developers have done an amazing job of adding new features to the weapons, brutal melee combat, and some much-needed acting. On top of this, the action is seamless and buttery smooth. Accordingly, it is a massive leap forward from the original, and something that lives up to the hype.
Something looks off about this place.
Dead Space (2023): Modern edge but the same phenomenal story.
The great thing about a phenomenal story is that you can relive it repeatedly. Consequently, it never becomes tiresome and will always remain a timeless classic. Dead Space (2023) lives by this idea. Though there are plenty of new elements and polished items, the plot is as original as you’d hope. Subsequently, fans will adore the modern edge, whereas newcomers are in for an incredible treat.
You control Isaac Clarke, an engineer on board the USG Ishimura. This vast mining vessel is normally awash with energy. However, disaster struck as Isaac discovers the mangled remains of the crew. Furthermore, his partner Nicole is missing on board this hulk of a spaceship. As such, this unlikely hero must use his tools, wits, and strength to overcome the Necromorphs. These hostile creatures stand between you and your beloved. Therefore, you must slaughter them and battle the odds to retain your sanity and save your partner.
Your stress levels will be tested.
Dead Space was renowned for its atmospheric ways. Thankfully, Dead Space (2023) remains truthful to its roots while testing your stress levels. As you wander the stark corridors, limbs of decapitated crewmembers litter your path. Alongside this, dismembered bodies and blood complete the backdrop. This grim world serves as a reminder of the dangers you now face. If this wasn’t bad enough, the developers have incorporated a new feature to ramp up the pressure. The Circuit breaker demands that you reroute power to different areas of the ship. This engulfs you in darkness and sends your heart rate racing.
This is only bettered by the Intensity Director. This wonderfully cruel mechanic reacts to your playthrough and chucks in curveballs to keep you guessing. The dynamic events are gut-wrenching as new enemies or hazards are thrown in your path. As such, every playthrough feels unique and every pair of underwear is freshly soiled.
Arghhhhhhh!!!!!
Gruesome combat and enhanced weaponry.
This franchise is renowned for its slick but gruesome combat. Thankfully, Dead Space (2023) has upped the ante again. With a new method known as peeling, the levels of gore are off the chart. As such, this stomach-churning approach may be deemed unnecessary. However, not only is it a brutal masterpiece, but it also identifies your foes’ stats. Alongside this, there are new tools to eviscerate skin and crush bones. Quite frankly, it is wonderfully calculating, uncomfortable, and disturbing. Yet, that’s what makes this franchise so brilliant.
On top of these features, veterans will note the improvements to each secondary weapon functionality. Though this wasn’t entirely necessary, as I loved the original arsenal of guns, I wasn’t going to turn down more heinous tools. You’ll play with proximity mines, bouncing saw blades, a beam of focused energy, and much more. Furthermore, you can upgrade your weapons or your RIG suit at a bench using power nodes. This upgrade element is essential if you wish to survive. By improving your gear, you’ll increase its attributes and turn yourself into a badass killing machine.
Dead Space (2023) looks incredible.
Unsurprisingly, Dead Space (2023) is polished within an inch of its life. Moreover, the seamless transition between each chapter ensures the gameplay flows perfectly. Alongside this, the excellent camera angle adds to the daunting atmosphere and the many jump scares. I adored every second of this game, even if my heart didn’t. The inclusion of dynamic events and stunning visuals make this wonderfully scary and unbelievably gruesome.
The original was an audiophile’s dream. Yet, this version somehow goes one better. With 3D atmospheric audio, you are engulfed by eerie sounds and blood-curdling screams. What’s more, the weapons are ear-piercing and your foes are petrifying. However, the pièce de résistance is the acting. The story is brought to life thanks to the stunning delivery of each line. I applaud the developers for taking a brave step to improve this excellent remake.
Time to fly around like Iron Man.
Stunning controls.
The additional mechanics have not tainted the excellent control system. Consequently, Dead Space (2023) is remarkably easy to play. With slick combat, responsive controls, and an intuitive UI, this is phenomenal to play. Furthermore, a thorough tutorial talks you through the fundamentals to make it simple to master.
The original kept gamers playing for hours. Thankfully, this remake will entertain you for many more. With dynamic events, plenty of collectables, and a massive ship to explore, you’ll love every second of it. What’s more, there is so much lore to discover that you’ll yearn to find it all. As such, this oozes both replay value and longevity.
Dead Space (2023) is a worthy remake.
Despite the odd bug here and there, Dead Space (2023) is an absolute masterpiece. Not only have the developers retained the original charm, but they’ve tweaked minor issues to improve every element. Furthermore, the acting adds depth to the story, and the seamless transitions between chapters are a strike of genius. On top of this, it looks spectacular and handles like a dream. Accordingly, it is a worthy remake and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you scour this dangerous vessel and find your beloved? Stay calm, hide in plain sight, and kill anything that moves.
Rarely does a developer create a perfect surreal space. Normally, they are not immersive enough, or they don’t allow your imagination to run free. However, Tonguc Bodur is a rare talent who creates magical dreamlike arenas. Luckily, I’ve played many of his games and I looked at Drizzlepath: Déjà vu in November 2021. I adored this beautiful game and as such was thrilled to be offered The Redress of Mira.
Developed by Tonguc Bodur and published by Eastasiasoft Limited, this is a surreal walking simulation title. What’s more, it flits from first to third-person perspective and has some puzzle and combat mechanics. Yet, its core concept focuses on its rich story, drip-fed lore, and creepy and unusual environment. As such, it comprises many key Bodur elements.
The Redress of Mira is a story of forgiveness or revenge.
I love a dramatic tale, and The Redress of Mira is as powerful as its peers. Yet, it allows its surroundings and environment to do much of the work. Consequently, the plot comes to life as you explore its strange and dark lands. On top of this, the surreal medieval setting is merely a front for a much deeper and more sinister story. Accordingly, there are some shocking twists in store.
You are a young woman called Mira. This powerful being is on a journey to find her inner peace. Growing up, she learned guarded secrets from her mother. Now, the girl wishes to discover the truth and uses her wits and power to succeed. Furthermore, by reading extracts from hidden books, and studying long-forgotten images, she can make sense of her existence.
A captivating world that is full of beauty.
A beautiful environment with minimal guidance.
Bodur is renowned for his stunning settings and immersive worlds. Thankfully, The Redress of Mira retains this model. Moreover, its dreamy and mystical setting is enhanced by a lack of guidance. Consequently, you’ll wander through an odd world that is full of bizarre imagery, dangerous creatures, and grim secrets.
On top of this, the strange nightmares and snippets of lore are fascinating. What’s more, the use of still images and extracts from each tome was confusing but interesting. At times, the two unique elements appeared fractured and strange. However, its shrouded nature worked perfectly with the eerie plot.
Simple puzzles, radioactive rabbits, and lacklustre combat.
There is lots to love about The Redress of Mira. Yet, there are plenty of unfortunate shortcomings as well. The simple puzzles, weird radioactive mana-inducing rabbits, and lacklustre combat let it down. Moreover, the third-person perspective is awful and the action and animation are laughable.
Unfortunately, many of the environmental-based puzzles require little to no thought process. Accordingly, you’ll fly through every problem with no issues whatsoever. Additionally, the luminescent rabbits are weird and poorly explained. These mana-carrying beasts power your wand and allow you to open pathways, activate switches, and fight. In theory, this should be an interesting, albeit odd mechanic. But in reality, it was a damp squib that never worked.
On top of this, the appalling combat is tedious, clunky, and poorly thought out. A not-so-hilarious Benny Hill chase culminates in a fallen warrior, some harsh words, and little else. Thankfully, the only saving grace is that this only happens 3 times.
Rarely do I find fault with Tonguc Bodur’s work, but each of these elements is terrible, rough, and poorly executed. Thankfully, though, the rest of the game is well-conceived. Otherwise, it would be doomed to failure.
Mira doesn’t look impressed.
Visually, The Redress of Mira is a mixed bag.
The first-person elements of The Redress of Mira are fantastic. As such, you’ll lose yourself in the medieval setting and the immersive world. However, it’s ruined by the third-person viewpoint. Whenever Mira pushes a box or climbs a vine, you observe some truly awful animation. Mira’s movement is kin to the offspring of a spider and a crab. If it wasn’t so hilarious, it would be dreadful. Yet, this is bettered by the genuinely terrible cutscenes and the interesting robotic walk. Amusingly, this could have easily been avoided if the third-person perspective was removed altogether.
Like the graphics, the audio is hit-and-miss. The acting is unfortunately terrible! It is wooden, hammy, and belongs to an amateur dramatic society. Yet, it is so bad that it is hilarious. Consequently, I laughed repeatedly at the lack of emotion and the poorly delivered lines. However, if we forget this for one moment, the music and sound effects are mind-blowing. The soundtrack is a spectacular blend of aggression, romance and fantasy. Subsequently, I adored this amazing and immersive treat.
What the hell is that?
Clumsy controls.
Though the UI and button layout is well thought out, the navigation was somewhat clumsy. Therefore, you’ll collide with the scenery, and hit hidden walls, and generally get stuck. As such, the immersive nature of the game is ruined.
Unfortunately, this short endeavour lacks replay value and longevity. Disappointingly, 3 hours are what stands between you and completion. Yes, there are 2 endings, but both can be experienced one after the other. Moreover, a lack of content or collectables means there are limited reasons to return.
The Redress of Mira is a rare miss from Bodur.
I never thought I’d say it, but The Redress of Mira is a rare miss from Bodur. This normally reliable developer has tried something new, and it has ruined the immersive approach. Furthermore, the visuals are far from the standard that I’ve come to expect. Accordingly, it was disappointing and I don’t recommend that you buy it! However, more information can be found here. This was an interesting idea that was poorly executed and badly delivered. As such, it was a shame, as Bodur usually executes every concept he conceives.
Working at a desk can cause many issues. Your back becomes sore, your hip flexors tighten, and your concentration wanes. Therefore, what is the solution? Do you spend 10 minutes an hour taking a break? This would help, but productivity would be impacted. Consequently, there has to be a better way! Well, Flexispot is a leading company that revolutionises every office space. Their ergonomic chairs and standing desks improve health, morale, and comfort. Accordingly, when I was offered the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk, I was never going to refuse.
We’ve been fortunate enough to cover many Flexispot items. I recently looked at the EHD2 Standing Desk and gave it a market-leading gold award. Therefore, I had high hopes for the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk. However, my first concern was the £699.99 price tag. Would this desk warrant such a hefty valuation? Well, in short, yes it does. The amazing build quality, striking finish, and functionality make it a stunning piece of office furniture.
What’s in the box of the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk?
This hefty desk is delivered in 2 boxes. This is a good thing as it weighs a ton and needs 2 people to move it. Once you get over this hurdle, you’ll notice that the contents are well-packaged and safely delivered. Disappointingly, however, Flexispot insists on using around 40% of non-recyclable products. Consequently, there is too much waste for my liking.
Inside the boxes, you’ll see a pair of sturdy legs, feet, tools, screws, a cable tidy, a power cable, and a bamboo desk. Each part is well protected by the packaging and is easy to identify.
A user manual. This easy-to-read guide can be dissected by both a pro and amateur DIY enthusiast. Accordingly, the desk is extremely easy to put together.
Constructing the desk.
Whenever a piece of furniture is this heavy, I worry that it’ll be horrendous to put it together. Thankfully, though, it was not. However, it recommends two people for the job, yet you can put it together alone. Moreover, thanks to the clearly labelled screws, the excellent tools, the amazing manual, and the straightforward setup, you’ll spend no more than 20 minutes constructing the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk. Word of warning, though, 2 people are needed to flip it over, so bear this in mind.
Alongside the basic construction elements, you must wire the electrical components. Now, this sounds complicated, but it isn’t. The plug-and-play approach ensures that you cannot go wrong. Each of the legs has an independent motor, and this is plugged into the Flexispot control unit. Additionally, the power supply comes wired, but the plug must be attached during the construction phase. However, this is simple to do and won’t cause any issues. Once the desk is put together and turned up the right way, you are good to go.
Technical aspects.
Standing desks need to be sturdy, robust, and accommodating to many people. Thankfully, the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk does all these things and more! Its bamboo desktop is hard-wearing and fantastic for the environment. Furthermore, it is durable, easy to clean, and fantastic to look at. It is paired with either a black or white metal frame and matching legs. This simple but effective style is fetching and attractive and gives the desk a modern finish. Moreover, an integrated desk enhances the storage space while keeping your desk clutter-free.
The dynamic loading capacity of up to 100kg is supported by two independent motors. These strong lifting devices keep the table balanced and offer a reassuringly sturdy base. What’s more, the table has a phenomenal height range of 60-124 cm. This is fantastic, as it allows users of different heights to comfortably use the desk. Moreover, you can adjust the height to enable both seated and standing working positions.
This may seem like a minor point, but I cherished this range of movement. Why? Well, if you suffer from groin, back, or shoulder injuries, being able to adjust the height of your desk is a massive deal. Furthermore, I loved how versatile it was, especially with 3 children in my household. Not only were they fascinated by the movement, but they were able to use it for their homework without the need for cushions or booster seats.
The Flexispot control unit.
The Flexispot control unit is conveniently placed on the underside of the desk. This well-placed unit allows you to preset 4 height programs as well as the ability to charge devices from a USB-A and USB-C port. Alongside this, there is an in-built charging unit to power your phone. Not only was this convenient, but it ensured that your desk remained wire-free.
Talking of wires, Flexispot has designed a caged wire housing for the underside of the desktop. This ensures that you don’t have a mangle of cables running beneath your workstation. Not only does this improve the finish, but it makes it much safer as it reduces trip hazards.
Whenever you move the desk, you may worry about crushing limbs or hitting your pets. Well, worry no more as Flexispot has an anti-collision system that prevents injuries. As both a father and a dog owner, this was reassuring. However, I wanted to test it for myself. Thankfully, I still have all my limbs, as the desk simply bounces back when it detects an obstacle. Accordingly, this is one feature that blew my mind.
Is the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk worth it?
Undoubtedly, I adore this desk. Not only is it robust and well-built, but it is great to look at as well. I cherish the environmentally friendly bamboo top and the stunningly simple metal finish. On top of this, the built-in charging point, the USB ports, and the excellent control unit make it easy to use. Furthermore, the small but effective draw and the cable management system are well considered. Subsequently, it ticks many boxes.
However, my favourite elements have to be the safety functionality and the health benefits. Flexispot has created a remarkable piece of furniture that overcomes many office-based issues. What’s more, they haven’t taken any shortcuts, and this was great to see. Accordingly, if you want a sturdy desk that looks amazing, has plenty of functionality, and is reassuringly safe to use, then look no further. I absolutely love this desk and I wholeheartedly recommend that you buy it here!
(More information on Flexispot can be found here!)
If you were to ask me to review a game based on fashion and modern annoyances, I’d probably turn my nose up at you. However, Fashion Police Squad landed on my desk and I couldn’t turn it away. Consequently, I was dubious, as I redeemed the key and installed it on my hard drive. Yet, the second it loaded up, my doubts melted away. Immediately, I fell for its camp charms, old-school aesthetics, and witty script. Furthermore, who doesn’t want to make the world more fabulous?
Developed by Mopeful Games and published by No More Robots, this is a tongue-in-cheek FPS. What’s more, it has an old-school aesthetic and is full of cutting dialogue and woke-smashing one-liners. Subsequently, it occasionally walks a fine line between absurd, offensive, and humorous. Yet, if you don’t get offended too easily, you’ll chuckle repeatedly as you rid the world of fashion crimes.
Watch out, the belt is about.
Fashion Police Squad vilifies modern annoyances.
I’m not normally a gamer who likes edgy content. I find it to be too risqué and this dominates the story and much of the gameplay. However, Fashion Police Squad is so funny that it overcomes these issues almost immediately. The thugs and bosses all represent different groups of irritating people. Whether it is the youngster who is loaded up with Monster energy drinks, the “Karen” who is always complaining, or the middle-aged man with his jeans around his knees, you must tackle them all. Subsequently, whichever character you encounter, you’ll adore dishing out some much-needed retribution.
You control Sergeant Des. He is a sassy fashionista that hates crimes against clothing. Moreover, this fabulous officer is supported by like-minded individuals as they rid the street of heinous outfits. As such, this police officer must walk the beat and shoot, stun, whip, and “bitch-slap” his way to success. En route, he must find secrets, grab loot, and swing across chasms. Furthermore, you must find scissors to cut ribbons to open new paths.
Though the bulk of the gameplay focuses on crimes against fashion, there is a classic story of betrayal and intrigue. Accordingly, the band of police officers must work together, be constructive with the truth, and trust no one. Yet, the gullible Sergeant Des is too trusting, and this ensures they undertake some dangerous and whacky adventures.
Socks with sandals…. What a disgrace.
Different guns and amazing stage design.
What makes Fashion Police Squad so great is its excellent stage design and the array of tools at your disposal. The developers have designed a mainly linear title. However, loot and secrets are hidden in plain sight. Subsequently, you must scour each stage and use your surroundings to find each collectable. This is easier said than done as electric gates and gaping chasms stand in your way. But if you use your trusty belt, you can switch off the electricity and swing from pole to pole as you gather every piece of swag.
Alongside this, each zany enemy that you encounter requires a different tool to take them down. You may be required to suck the colour from a Segway-riding punk or paintball a grey businessman. Alternatively, the Tailormade sewing machine can alter oversized suits, or stop a “Karen” in her path. On top of this, you’ll stun enemies with your belt or “bitch-slap” them with your fabulous glove. This incredibly powerful tool allows you to slap every foe for 15 seconds, and can only be used once your fab meter is full. As such, you won’t want to waste this game-changing weapon.
A fashion-conscious police officer would be nothing without some OTT bling. Thankfully, you can unlock new jewellery and outfits to assist you in your cause. Each fresh costume or accessory unlocks new attributes to help you in your role. Moreover, they can be mixed and matched and changed at the start of any mission.
Fashion Police Squad looks incredible, but dated.
Mopeful Games are inspired by old-school gaming. With pixelated graphics and vivid colours, this is right out of the 80s. Yet, there is a distinct modern polish in the animation and the way the weapons fire. Furthermore, the render distance is impressive, and the varied and large environments are incredible to explore. My only complaint is that every group of characters looks identical. Now, I understand that this is easier to work with, but I’d have liked some minor differences to improve the final product.
The audio made me chuckle repeatedly! The excellent but cliched one-liners were dry, funny, and borderline offensive. Accordingly, I adored the developer’s tongue-in-cheek approach. Whether it was the squeal of the Monster-loving youngster, or the demand to see a manager from Karen, it was terrific. On top of this, the soundtrack was high-energy, wonderfully synth, and suited to the theme and genre. Alongside this, the loud and obnoxious sound effects worked brilliantly.
Paintball the hell out of them all.
Simple controls.
Whenever a game drip-feeds new elements, I worry. Normally, the gameplay becomes convoluted and confusing. Yet, Fashion Police Squad is unbelievably easy to play. Thanks to an intelligent UI, simple radial menu, and stripped-back controls, you’ll master it in no time. What’s more, the inputs are responsive and accurate.
The game focuses on a linear mission-to-mission style. However, there are many challenges to overcome, a scoring system to champion, and plenty of collectables and secrets to find. As such, Fashion Police Squad will keep you coming back for more. My only complaint is that there is no sign of cooperative or multiplayer action. This would have been a nice touch that would have worked with the content.
Fashion Police Squad is a wonderful camp experience.
Rarely does a game surprise me. Yet, Fashion Police Squad did just that. Its camp ways, cutting dialogue, and elaborate colour palette were brilliant. Furthermore, its excellent story, zany characters, and attack on modern annoyances were incredible. I applaud the developer’s bravery and couldn’t get enough of this game. Consequently, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you clean the street of every crime? Grab your guns, search the streets, and deal with every fashion faux par.
The time has finally arrived, and this year’s Steam Next Fest starts today! With seven days of indie game developers showcasing their latest projects, there is bound to be something available for everyone.
What is Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest is a week-long love letter to indie games. Developers can showcase and promote their projects and make demos available to play. It’s also so much more, with community at its heart. From live streams to chatting with the devs themselves, It’s like a virtual indie game convention. From a developer side, it’s an opportunity to shout loud and proud about what you’ve been working on, get early interest and visibility and, best of all, real feedback.
What kind of games will I find?
Think of a genre, and there will be a game in it that will interest you. There’s literally a little of everything. From action RPGs to roguelite horror. From Space base simulation to bullet hell and racing. It’s a great opportunity to try out something new and see what kind of games are coming in your favourite genres. We’ll cover plenty of Steam Next Fest games, and this page will be updated, so you have a handy guide.
Game Links
[Coming Soon]
Get Gaming!
Steam Next Fest has officially begun, so download and enjoy those demos! Let us know in the comments what games you try, and what we should keep an eye on.
Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent is a relaxed Anime strategy RPG with cool visuals that both kids and adults can enjoy, as long as you aren’t looking for anything particularly hardcore, story or gameplay-wise.
Set in the world of Class of Heroes! – a series of PSP games also published by Acquire – where school kids save the world, you are a character named Alex who looks to do that very thing with characters he drags along on his journey. Interesting obstacles and sets of enemies are set on a board game-like stage, and with magic that you can summon characters (presumably straight out of their classroom) onto the battlefield.
Explaining the story in any more detail would be giving the kid-focused story more credit than it deserves and would likely bore you unconscious, so we’ll cut straight to the important part – the gameplay.
Different to previous games in the series which has first-person turn-based UI with health bars and static character avatars, Fractured Continent is an entirely different beast, with a colorful 3D map where you drag and drop your charming autonomous 2D avatars that bop up and down and from tile-to-tile and need to complete a goal on each map as they move in unison with your main character.
Every new map starts the same way. You have limited energy allowing you the ability to place only two characters on the board and your energy increases at a set rate based on the level of your characters and boosts from defeated enemies. With your increased energy total you can place more characters on the board, level-up the current ones or use your characters’ special moves. if your character is defeated, they sit on a cool-off period before they can be revived again.
The visuals are crisp and incredibly endearing, especially the animation of the characters as you pick them up and place them around the map, almost like you are the parent of some unruly kids that you can’t help but love.
The action itself is only somewhat strategic, in the sense that you need to micromanage your characters’ positions on the map as the timer is paused – which amusingly involves picking the characters up by the hand and plonking them down back on the board. It also requires you to know which characters suit which maps best and with a variety of different level designs, encourages you to tinker with your lineups and character types, and this is where the game is at it’s best, with a relaxed grind that doesn’t feel particularly stressful or taxing.
The ability to completely change your approach to each map, whether you challenge yourself by using only two characters for an entire map and use strategic placement and micromanaging of your team to completey boss a level with just two archers or take the opposite approach and have a specific role for everyone in your team or go full blitzkrieg, the possibilities are broad and flexible enough to spend many hours tweaking your team if you give yourself time enough to plunge into the mechanics.
The amusing way in which defeated enemies fling off the map as if launched off into space is super satisfying to watch.
As fun as gameplay is, however, there are some drawbacks with relying on this alone to pull you through to the end. It is possible to fast forward the actions of your characters when you feel that the game is getting repetitive, but forcing the player to pay attention to the placements of your characters’ unintelligent movements (and be unable to program them in manually), can lead to some frustrating supervision.
Ultimately, this brings me back to my opening gambit – Fractured Continent is both a light attempt at gameplay and story, so if you don’t wish to take it too seriously, you can have a good time, but if you do tend to delve into a game’s elements individually as you play them, you won’t be able to ignore how shallow its elements are.
As example of this is the integration of the story and gameplay which is almost laughably thin, as the team -which you can customize the name, gender and race of – only lives through the action on the battlefield and your upgrades in the menus, so the whole idea that they exist are related to a school and an associated story is quite a stretch.
In fact, apart from the main character, none of the characters that you interact with in the main story actually make an appearance or feature in your team (unless you pay for them as DLC, which might as well mean they don’t exist). Therefore, the story and the gameplay feel like two markedly separate entities.
In a glass half full kind of way, the paper-thin anime-esque story’s cliched characters don’t get in the way of you enjoying the gameplay, but it’s a wasted opportunity for the game to build layers for the characters you actually like. Building bonds between characters in terms of stronger attacks or small interactions would have made the experience far more well-rounded.
With decent core gameplay, but a discardable anime story and minimal depth, Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent is a game for casual strategy game fans who want to enjoy some lightweight mechanics without jumping in at the deep end, which – as a fan of this approach myself – there is certainly a market for, but just don’t expect to be wowed in any given area.
The world of business management is a cruel and unforgiving place. Furthermore, you have to be of a certain character to successfully run a business. We’ve all seen great business leaders like Elon Musk and Bill Gates. However, have you ever wondered what sacrifices they made to get to the top? Well, wonder no longer as Startup Company Console Edition is here to answer these questions.
Developed and published by Hovgaard Games, this is a business management sim. What’s more, it has some tongue-in-cheek moments as it pokes fun at established social media platforms. Accordingly, you’ll chuckle as you experience an immersive and content-rich simulation game.
Arrange the office for optimal performance.
Startup Company Console Edition lets you choose your path.
The key to a fantastic business is finding a unique idea, working hard, and having a great team around you. On top of this, you must reward excellent behaviour, be competitive with your peers, and stand out from the crowd. As you can see, that is a pretty big list. However, if you get things right, you’ll become wealthy and reap the rewards.
Startup Company Console Edition replicates this from the very beginning. At first, you must decide what venture to focus on, who your CEO is, and the name of your company. From here, you are free to do as you will. Accordingly, you must decide who to hire, what to pay them, and the business model you wish to follow. Unfortunately, though, this led to a heavy data dump and a testing learning curve. Yet, once you get over the initial hurdles, you experience a rich and fulfilling simulation title.
Choices, choices, choices!
The simulation genre is renowned for its in-depth gameplay. However, this one takes the biscuit. At every turn, you have problems to deal with as you must micromanage your team. Whether it is training, building components, balancing morale, or expanding your empire, there are plenty of plates to spin. On top of this, you must focus on revenue streams, researching new features, improving your website, and much more.
Alongside this, you’ll need to fight off your competitors while creating a world-beating USP. Accordingly, this takes plenty of planning, work, and time. Moreover, you’ll have to fire and hire your staff depending on the needs of your business. Perhaps you require more designers than developers? If this is the case, you must fire your team and rehire new workers. As such, you must be cold and calculating to ensure your business thrives.
Study the data and get ahead of your competition.
Money, money, money.
Hiring and firing and morale are all good, but money makes the world go round. Subsequently, the bulk of Startup Company Console Edition focuses on different revenue streams. You can pour your time into a subscription service with complementary add-ons, or stick to a standard ad-based service.
Whatever you decide, you need followers to ensure it works. Consequently, you are required to attract new fans and appease your existing fanbase by evolving your website and dealing with complaints. This is easier said than done, as it requires you to follow the analytical data and react accordingly. Furthermore, occasionally, you must do what is best for your company, no matter how divisive or unpopular the move is. This constant shift from cash flow and satisfaction was both challenging and rewarding.
Startup Company Console Edition is stark to look at.
With such an analytical approach, Startup Company Console Edition is stark to look at. Its stripped-back style and mellow colour palette do little to wow you. However, this basic approach ensures that it is easier to play. Furthermore, the excellent UI and well-considered radial menu help to alleviate confusion. Yet, unlike Theme Hospital or Two Point Campus, it lacks a colourful or humorous edge. This was disappointing, as this would have broken up the seriousness of the gameplay.
The underwhelming visuals are supported by a calm and chilled-out soundtrack. Though the simplicity of the music didn’t impress me, it worked well with the theme. Moreover, the lack of sound effects or acting reinforces its lacklustre nature.
Increase your Web page capacity.
Excellent controls.
I fear this genre when playing on a console. Why? Well, the controls tend to be awful. Thankfully, the developers have successfully ported this from PC. Moreover, the incredible UI and intuitive controls make it a wonderful game to play. Furthermore, thanks to the excellent tutorial and guide, you never fell lost or out of your depth.
Startup Company Console Edition is a time sink. With multiple paths to explore, and employees to fire and hire, no playthrough is the same. Consequently, this unsurprisingly oozes replay value and longevity.
Startup Company Console Edition is wonderfully unusual.
I love this genre, but Startup Company Console Edition took me by surprise. I expected it to perform similarly to Theme Hospital or Two Point Campus, but it didn’t. Instead, it focuses on micromanagement and data analysis. Subsequently, it demands an eye for detail and a methodical mind. This wonderfully unusual approach made it tough to pick up, but unbelievably rewarding once mastered. Accordingly, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you take the world by storm? Plan your business model, research new ideas, and manage the next big thing.
