Review: Justice Sucks

Daniel Waite
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Review: Justice Sucks

Robots are mankind’s future, apparently. They will complete mundane tasks and make our lives easier. However, science fiction has taught me a thing or two about robotics. Consequently, I know that this idealism will end with screaming, tears, and death. Unsurprisingly, this is exactly what happens in the gory and brilliantly crazy Justice Sucks.

Developed by Samurai Punk and developed by tinyBuild, this is a violent action game. What’s more, it has some strategy elements, plenty of levels, and gallons of blood to contend with. Yet, if you are squeamish, you can reduce the gore while retaining the hilariously violent gameplay.

The missions in Justice Sucks are random, amusing, and challenging.
It’s time for an explosive time.

Justice Sucks = Déjà vu!

When I was given Justice Sucks, I was sure I’d played it before. Everything about it seemed familiar, and I had a distinct déjà vu moment. Then it struck me. In 2021 I reviewed Roombo: First Blood. The original title was a much simpler and refined version of its sequel. But I loved it nonetheless and scored it a 7. Accordingly, I was hopeful that Samurai Punk would build on their strong foundations, and create a deep and brutal game for us all to enjoy.

Well, spoiler alert, they have done just that. Justice Sucks is much more grisly, angry, and disgusting than its predecessor. Subsequently, it’ll make you wince as you bludgeon your opponents to death. Moreover, the protagonist becomes all-powerful as he chews up their bodies and sucks up their blood. Oh, have I forgotten to mention that the hero is a robotic hoover?

You control Dusty, a robotic household hoover. He loves his family, and when their house is broken into, he goes rogue. By killing the burglars, it alerts the manufacturer, FamilyCorp of his misdemeanour. Consequently, the Warranty squad is called in to resolve the situation. As they arrive, a scuffle breaks out, and Dusty is sent flying into the TV. Here he merges with the TV world, and a surreal adventure begins.

Dusty can become a powerhouse.
Customise your robot and complete every mission.

Weird, but it’ll make you chuckle. 

Being teleported into a surreal world is just weird, but it gives the developers a creative licence. Thankfully, they grabbed the opportunity with both hands and the gameplay benefits considerably. The action is split among several worlds, each comprising an array of levels. During each stage, you are given unique tasks to complete and a limited amount of time to succeed. If you are victorious, you’ll be scored for your efforts and you’ll progress. This gameplay loop continues throughout, even if the objectives and goals differ slightly per world. 

As Dusty, you’ll be asked to move parcels, prevent robberies, kill invaders, clean up, and much, much more. As you explore each level, you will need to hide, hack, and steal items to use as weapons. The Warranty squad is determined to stop you, so you must be proactive and aggressive throughout. Yet, a little tactical nuance isn’t a bad thing. As such, using the shadows to hide, or hacking electrical supplies to shock would-be assailants is not a bad idea.

Alongside this, Dusty has an array of abilities and perks that he can unlock. These special elements give you a fighting chance and can be the difference between success and failure. The abilities are powered by blood, so the more people you kill, the more powerful you become. Subsequently, you’ll want to hoover each dead body, and clean up the claret they leave behind. 

Justice Sucks looks similar to the original. 

I adored the gameplay changes in Justice Sucks. Subsequently, I think the developers did a perfect job of enhancing the difficulty while retaining the gory charm. However, I wasn’t so impressed with the visuals. Unfortunately, there is little to decipher between the two games, and this was frustrating. Yes, it looks nice, and the stage design is interesting, but I would have liked a bigger improvement in the graphics, nevertheless.

The audio follows suit with its upbeat and familiar style. The high-adrenaline soundtrack works well with the gruesome gameplay and is complemented by wonderful sound effects. The noise of bones crunching, skin squelching, and blood spraying was incredible. When you combine the ear-splitting audio with the eye-opening visuals, you get quite a vivid and overwhelming experience.

Every stage will be scored.
Aim for the best score possible.

Confusing controls. 

When a title is as simple as Justice Sucks, you expect the controls to be easy to master. However, I was horribly wrong, as I struggled considerably to pick them up. With many submenus and plenty of buttons to understand, I was all fingers and thumbs. Yet, once you understand the fundamentals, it is enjoyable, straightforward, and well thought out.

With many levels to overcome, a scoring system to follow, and a global leaderboard for each stage, it’ll have you hooked. The only element it was missing was multiplayer action, and this was disappointing. Even if the developers stuck with couch cooperative gameplay, this would have scratched that itch.

Justice Sucks is good brutal fun. 

Though Samurai Punk went a little OTT with the gore and violence, I still think it works. Its core concept is brilliantly addictive, and I adored how challenging each level was. Furthermore, I believe they have improved on their first title. Accordingly, I loved it and I recommend you buy it here! Can you save your family and exit the TV realm? Suck, clean, and maim your way to victory. 

A Closer Look at NASA Interactive Robot Astronaut

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at NASA Interactive Robot Astronaut

With Christmas less than 2 months away, we take a closer look at the NASA Interactive Robot Astronaut.

This NASA Interactive robot responds to voice and touch. Talk to him and listen as he records and repeats your messages. Moves forward, backward, left and right.

Perfect for any space enthusiast, the NASA Interactive Robot Astronaut is a lot of fun to play with and will make a great Christmas present.

The NASA Interactive Robot Astronaut is available now priced around £29.99 and is aimed at ages 3 and up.

You can learn more from the ThumbsUp website.

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

A Closer Look at NASA RC Opportunity Mars Rover

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at NASA RC Opportunity Mars Rover

With Christmas less than 2 months away, we take a closer look at the NASA RC Opportunity Mars Rover.

Re-create the excitement of NASA’s exciting mission to Mars with our remote control model of Opportunity. Set your smartphone into the bracket and record your own exploration missions.

Perseverance’s innovative wheel tracks enable it to move forward, backward and even sideways just like the real Opportunity on Mars.

The NASA RC Opportunity Mars Rover is a lot of fun to play with, and whilst you can’t take it to Mars, you can certainly find places on Earth to play with it!

The NASA RC Opportunity Mars Rover is available now priced around £39.99.

You can learn more from the ThumbsUp website.

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

A Closer Look at Bubble Gun Extreme from ThumbsUp

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Bubble Gun Extreme from ThumbsUp

With Christmas just a few months a way, we take a closer look at Bubble Gun Extreme from ThumbsUp.

The Bubble Gun Extreme is a 60 hole automatic bubble launcher. Charge it up, dip it into the bubble solution provided, aim, pull the trigger and watch thousands of bubbles immerge and take over the skyline.

Super fun with kids and adults, the rechargeable Bubble Gun Extreme adopts an innovative rocket launcher design to make you the popular bubble player among your friends and family.

Bubble Gun Extreme from ThumbsUp is available now priced around £39.99 and its lots of fun (for the person holding the gun)!

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Review: The Fridge is Red

Xavier Berry
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Review: The Fridge is Red

The fridge is red is another entry in the crowded space of ps1-styled horror games and unfortunately the charm of that genre did not make up for this short experience. For those looking for a game with scares and thrills wrapped up in the older aesthetic, there are plenty titles out there that fulfill this need with a more interesting story but this may serve as a nice filler once players have burned through the rest of the genre.

Story

There is not much to be said here to be honest. Players can pick two different stories to follow when starting up the game. Fidgeted Sherri has players in a chair in front of a red refrigerator that moves around as if something is inside of it. As they look around the room, there are a multitude of notes that hint at something being inside of the refrigerator. As players solve the one puzzle that this story has, they then greeted with the main menu screen. I believe that this short story is to help build anticipation and serve as an entry point for the rest of the game but this isn’t explained right away so it was hard to tell initially.

Once players solve this little mystery, they can then move on to the next story titled for daddy to work, which revolves around a character being trapped in an  elevator before it comes crashing down. After a freak incident, players are thrust into a creepy environment, including having to navigate a hospital in search of their wife. The game features scratchy voice acting from each of the characters, but this wore out its welcome not too long after starting the game.

The fridge is red features 6 of these little stories and while some were more interesting than others, the experience overall was muddied by the weaker stories and unclear understanding of how they all connect.

Gameplay

The fridge is red has players navigating a multitude of creepy spaces in a first-person view with a creepy VHS filter thrown on top to add to that sense of unease. Personally, I would have loved to see a way to turn the filter off as well as the voice acting since both felt more nauseating than creepy, but these features will serve differently for each person.

The gameplay loop revolves around players starting a new chapter and then solving some of the minor puzzles that each chapter offers. Some puzzles require players to seek out additional items in the confined spaces while others require players to utilize the resources in the immediate area. For those looking for a strong puzzle experience, this game fails in that aspect.

Each chapter gives players a new experience to tackle and overcome, whether that be finding a wife in a hospital or avoiding a creepy monster that is chasing them as they drive down a snow-covered road. The chapters themselves are not extremely long and play time may last players around 2-3 hours if they speed from one chapter to the next with no issues.

Final thoughts

Overall, the fridge is red seems like a title that would hit it off well for those who are heavily invested in niche horror experiences but for those who are like myself, the intro did not do enough to get me hooked enough to fully understand what the story was behind the demonic red refrigerator. There were hints of a more coherent story throughout the game but since that interest was dashed on the rocks at the start, it was hard to want to piece everything together. The red fridge may be tempting for some to open, but it might be best that it remained closed.

Review: Way of the Hunter

Daniel Waite
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Review: Way of the Hunter

There’s no denying it. Hunting is a divisive topic. Yet, no matter what side of the fence you sit on, you must agree that the participants are skilful and patient. Now, I’m not talking about those asshole poachers who have no morality. No, I’m highlighting the men and women who take part in hunting as a licensed sport. This group and anyone who is fascinated by the subject will be keen to try Way of the Hunter.

Developed by Nine Rocks Games and published by THQ Nordic, this is a sports simulation title. What’s more, it has some business management elements and a nostalgia-fuelled story. As such, it isn’t just mindless shooting and gory violence. Instead, it highlights the finer points of the sport while giving you the opportunity to see what makes the protagonist tick.

Way of the Hunter has a beautiful and expansive world to explore.
What a stunning world to explore.

Way of the Hunter is slow, methodical, and oddly relaxing.

The last thing I expected from a hunting game was a relaxing experience. However, the stunning environment is undeniably breathtaking. Set in either the USA or Europe, you get to explore a plethora of biomes and unique locations. Moreover, each has specific animals and natural areas of concealment. As such, you must use your surroundings to your advantage if you wish to hunt every species. Yet, if you want, you can ignore that and simply enjoy walking around the stunning world. With babbling rivers, death-defying cliff faces, and thickly wooded areas, it is mind-blowing.

What was particularly great about Way of the Hunter was how the story forces you to explore. Each region and map are pivotal to key moments in the plot. Whether it was finding a childhood viewing spot, hunting legendary beasts, or helping the local restaurant, it all plays a key role. Yet, if you so wished you can run free and hunt whatever you wish. This freedom was intriguing, and I adored the lack of rigidity in its approach. 

It’s all about the gear. 

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail! This is the ethos of Way of the Hunter. Accordingly, there is a vast range of weapons, attachments and gear that can be purchased to improve your experience. Furthermore, different weapons are more effective against selected prey. As such, you’ll need to plan ahead if you wish to complete a successful hunt.

Once you’ve picked the right gun, you must arm yourself with binoculars and an animal lure/caller. These handy tools trick the animals and make your job much easier. But this is only half the challenge. When out and about, you must use your hunter sense to find clues, listen to noises, and find trails. What’s more, you’ll identify resting grounds, feeding areas, and watering holes. If successful, you can create a map of key areas for future hunts or specific quests.

Make sure you hit the vital organs.
Were you accurate enough?

Perks, your approach, and picking the right target. 

Having the right gear is essential, but your approach is more important, still. You must learn to be stealthy while using your surroundings wisely. Whether it’s long grass, craggy rocks, or a hunting tower, it matters not. Instead, you must stay out of sight, keep upwind, and not miss your shot. Talking of shots, a professional hunter only shoots to kill. If you damage your target and don’t hit a vital organ, it will have a slow and painful death. Consequently, you must focus on the head or heart shots. As sick as it sounds, getting this right is enthralling and unbelievably rewarding.

Alongside this, you must pick your target wisely. If you run around killing animals at will, you’ll decimate the population and it won’t recover. Therefore, you mustn’t overhunt one species or one sex. If you do, the consequences are dire and your hunting will become much harder. 

Finally, the more you do, the better you become. You’ll improve your hearing, hunter sense, lung capacity, and more. As such, the further you progress, the easier things become. You’ll purchase new licences to hunt in different areas, new scopes and rifles will destroy each trophy beast, and hiding becomes much easier. 

Way of the Hunter looks awesome. 

Except for some minor glitches, Way of the Hunter looks awesome. I adored the grand maps, the realistic animals, and the detailed weapons. Moreover, the varied locations keep things interesting, as do the animal animations. Observing birds flying, or large beasts trotting, was incredible. Alongside this, your hunter sense highlights any points of interest without reducing the realism or difficulty.

The visuals were one thing, but the audio was incredible. We all know that silence is deafening, but Way of the Hunter takes it to a new level. However, when it isn’t eerily silent, you’ll adore the sounds of nature, the crack of your rifle, or the brutal hum of your car engine. What’s more, every sound has been considered! The rush of a river, the rustle of the long grass, and the cracking of branches are, to name but a few.

Use the Hunter sense to track down your targets.
Your Hunter sense at work.

Incredibly easy to play. 

I’ve played many hunting and fishing games, and I’ve found them to be convoluted and unnecessarily complex. Thankfully, Way of the Hunter keeps things simple. Now, purists may argue that it doesn’t go far enough. Yet, I think the balance is just right. Because of its lack of complexity, you can focus on exploration and the hunt. 

Thanks to the interesting story, massive maps and each species to track, this has plenty of longevity. What’s more, the vast selection of weapons and unique locations to explore ensure you have a lot to do to master this game. 

Way of the Hunter was uncomfortably good. 

I’m not happy about enjoying a hunting game, but Way of the Hunter is extremely good. Everything about it is intuitive, and every minor success is rewarding. Consequently, I couldn’t help but enjoy it, even if it bent my moral compass. However, I liked it, and I recommend you buy it here! Can you master the art of hunting? Study your surroundings, purchase the right equipment, and take home a well-earned trophy. 

Review: Squares Multi-Colour Starter Kit from Twinkly

Andrew Edney
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Review: Squares Multi-Colour Starter Kit from Twinkly

Have you ever wanted to create a cool multicolour display you can control? If you have, you might want to check out our review of Squares Multi-Colour Starter Kit from Twinkly.

An interactive mosaic made of dazzling “mega” pixels, Twinkly Squares flawlessly marries technology and innovation with the sleek and elegance of interior design.

The first of its kind, Twinkly Squares’ smart LED wall panels each feature 64 premium app-controlled, addressable LEDs specifically designed for brightness and colour quality in 16 million colours and can be combined with up to 15 extension panels – bringing unlimited creative potential for any space. Whether it’s creating stunning 8-bit pixel artwork and GIFs, widgets including weather forecasts or clocks, or just colours and animations – the opportunities to create huge displays of beautiful artwork are endless. 

Easily configurable via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Twinkly Squares can be controlled using the free Twinkly app, available for iOS and Android, and voice-controlled with voice assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. Once the lights have been set up, the Twinkly app scans and maps each individual LED, allowing everyone to generate bespoke light design installations through a wide range of preset effects and animations, as well as the ability to create custom effects from scratch using the FX Wizard tool. 

To take home or office decoration to the next level, Twinkly Squares can also be combined with lights in the home via Twinkly Music, a USB device with a built-in microphone that interprets ambient sounds and music in the home and applies matching colours and effects to the lights.

What’s in the Box?

The Starter Kit includes 1 x master panel and 5 x extension panels, as well as a USB-C cable and power adapter. 

A Closer Look

Here are some of the things you could do with the Squares:

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a gamer or someone who wants something cool in the room, the Squares enable you to create something unique and very cool.

The starter kit comes with 6 panels to start off your personal masterpiece, you can buy more to add to those.

Set up each panel using the clips and cords into the pattern you want, then download the app to your device and configure them just how you want them to look and act. Each LED on each panel can be controlled so you can really let your imagination go wild.

You can create your own display or use one of the existing ones, the choice is yours and the possibilities are endless.

Using the app you can even schedule different things to happen – you’ll probably spend a lot of time just playing with all the various options trying really hard to find the one you want to keep because there are so many possibilities – but again, that’s half the fun.

If you have Razer Chroma RGB & Omen Light Studio you can set them up to sync with your gameplay, or you can have them sync up to your music.

The Squares also can be controlled using your voice using Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple home kit.

The Squares are really easy to set up, fun to watch and experience, and the possibilities are endless – you will want to add more and more and change up your Squares often!

The Squares Multi-Colour Starter Kit from Twinkly is available now priced around £249.99.   

You can learn more from the Twinkly website.

Three Great Games To Play For Fans of Ancient Egypt

Andrew Edney
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Three Great Games To Play For Fans of Ancient Egypt

A strong setting and a fascinating theme that catches people’s interest is the perfect combination that makes a video game.

For example, Red Dead Redemption 2 gained widespread popularity because it’s one of the best story-driven games that takes place in the Wild West. Another example is the action-adventure game Grand Theft Auto V which takes place in the fictional U.S. state of San Andreas and the city of Los Santos, which is roughly based on California and Los Angeles, respectively. Both take an interesting setting and backdrop and add layers of playability and engagement.

Games based on historical places and events are also likewise a sure way to capture audiences. Ancient Egypt is an era steeped in lore and imagery that is ripe for video games, both on console and mobile. You can see the impact Egypt has on gaming through mobile games, such as Age Of Pyramids: Ancient Egypt, which challenges gamers to build a civilization on the banks of the Nile River. You can also find an Egypt-themed title among the Foxy Bingo jackpot slots, namely the 4 Tombs of Tutankhamun. This game uses the themes and characters of Ancient Egypt as reflected in the king’s name and the repository for the remains of the dead. The mobile game Sphinx And The Cursed Mummy is another example which bears the name of one of the most iconic structures of ancient Egypt and is a fun mix of action, platforming, and puzzle solving.

These games demonstrate how recognisable this era is, as it’s used so often on mobile games. However, its impact on console games is a different matter. As console games need to be much deeper and more detailed, not all games based on ancient Egypt are a raging success. Thankfully, some of these console games do get it right, giving a great Ancient Egypt experience, and we’ll explore three of these games below.

1. Assassin’s Creed Origins

After years of developing a popular franchise, Assassin’s Creed Origins is another amazing addition to the collection. The game has an amazing storyline filled with missions, mysteries, and emotional scenes in historical settings like Alexandria and Memphis. Assassin’s Creed Origins takes players back to Ancient Egypt for a chance to traverse the land and discover some of the dark secrets of the past through the Assassin’s Brotherhood. The game features amazing architectural buildings and provides a wonderful open-world adventure that is both exciting and dangerous.

2. Predynastic Egypt

Predynastic Egypt is a marvellous game for those that would love to try building a civilization from the ground up. Fans of Ancient Egypt will appreciate this game because they’ll be able to explore the land prior to any pyramids and tombs in the area. They’ll start from the beginning, around 5000 B.C., and develop a strategy to lead their Egyptian tribe through the difficulties of becoming a great empire. Just like in the history books, players will have to go through wars, epidemics, and religious ceremonies, among other hardships, to reconstruct Egypt. Predynastic Egypt is a fantastic realistic simulation of Ancient Egypt’s era.

3. Nefertari: Journey to Eternity

For an immersing adventure into one of Ancient Egypt’s greatest queen’s tombs, Nefertari: Journey to Eternity is a must-play! This game employs VR technology and gives the players a chance to enter Queen Nefertari’s tomb and explore the deepest areas. Of course, there’s no electricity to light the way, so players are given an oil lamp as their only source of light into the dark corridors of eternity. The recreation of the tomb, amazing art, and meticulous details provides players with a realistic experience of traveling to Egypt and seeing the mythology and history of the empire.

Ancient Egypt was one of the most powerful kingdoms that ever ruled our world, and its rich history has attracted millions of enthusiasts all over the world. The memory of this great era is kept alive through many things, and games are one of them. Try these games out and experience the glory of one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen.

Review: Recon Cloud

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Recon Cloud

Cloud gaming has absolutely exploded! Consequently, where there is demand, there are manufacturers desperate to create new products. As such, the range of mobile gaming controllers is overwhelming. RiotPWR, Nacon, Gamesir, and Razer are to name but a few. However, we’re not here to talk about them. No, today I’m looking at a Turtle Beach controller called the Recon Cloud.

This futuristic accessory screams Cyberpunk and is fitted with many high-end features. What’s more, unlike many of its competitors, it can be used wirelessly and wired for a truly versatile experience. Moreover, it has customisable buttons and the fantastic Turtle Beach EQ presets. On top of this, it looks, feels, and acts like an official Microsoft controller. Therefore, it is reassuringly familiar, and this allows you to jump straight into the action.

The Turtle Beach Recon Cloud is designed for Xbox.
Designed for Xbox.

What’s in the box of the Recon Cloud controller?

  • The eye-catching box is slight and well-built. It is adorned with key selling points and some interesting imagery. Furthermore, it has the familiar Xbox green livery.
  • The Recon Cloud controller looks fantastic. It comes in a choice of two colours and has comfortable tactile grips. To the back, there are two mappable buttons, and on the front is the EQ control panel. Alongside this, there is a USB-C port for charging and a wired connection, and a port to secure the mobile phone clip.
  • Extendable mobile phone holder. This small rubberised clip is sturdy and will hold most mobile phones securely. 
  • USB-C cable. A braided cable for a wired connection or to charge the impressive 30-hour capacity battery.
  • User manual and Game Pass code. With many features available, you’ll want to study the user manual. Furthermore, a one-month subscription to Game Pass is included in the package. 
The compact packaging.
Check out the Recon Cloud controller.
The paperwork.
An extendable mobile phone clip.
Connect with the USB-C cable.
It is Game Pass time.
The complete package.

Technical aspects. 

Whenever you get a new controller, you want it to perform perfectly. Fortunately, the Recon Cloud is an amazing device. It’s designed to look, feel, and respond similarly to the official Microsoft pad. As such, you are reassured of its quality and usability. Thanks to its responsive inputs and comfortable travel distance, this is a great device for all genres. On top of this, the additional mappable buttons are incredible. Not only are they easy to customise, but their textured finish and placement make them irresistible to use. 

Alongside this, I was impressed by how easy it was to connect to various platforms. At the bottom of the controller is a switch that changes the connectivity from Bluetooth to wired. Subsequently, if you wish to play on your Xbox, you simply plug in the cable and away you go. If you are a PC gamer, you can choose your approach and play wirelessly or wired. However, if you wish to game online using your phone, this can be done in seconds. By simply connecting the handy mobile phone holder, the Recon Cloud becomes a portable gaming device. 

Now, you may worry that the seating position for the screen is uncomfortable. Well, worry not, as it can be adjusted to your liking. What’s more, it doesn’t sit too high up, nor is the screen uncomfortably close to the controller. Instead, Turtle Beach has got the balance just right. Another contentious issue with this type of mobile accessory is the weight. The concern focuses on the weight of the phone and how much this impacts usability. Well, fortunately, it did little to detract from the fantastic experience I had with this controller. Yes, it is noticeable, but after a few minutes, you forget all about it.

The Recon Cloud controller has an epic battery life.
Play wirelessly thanks to the 30+ hours of battery life.

Battery life and build quality. 

A wireless controller has to last the course. Thankfully, the Recon Cloud has a whopping 30-hour capacity. This is incredible as it competes and beats many more expensive peripherals. Moreover, charging the device is easy thanks to the handy USB-C cable. The controller batteries are charged whenever you play on a wired connection. Accordingly, you rarely run out of juice as the process takes less than 2-hours. 

There is an argument that wired connections outperform wireless ones. Sadly, I tend to agree with the logic. However, the difference in response rate and input lag is minimal. Fortunately, this controller performs admirably, and I had no issues at all. Yet, if you are playing competitively, you may wish to plug it in for optimum performance.

We all know that your gamepad takes a battering. Whether you drop it, throw it in a rage, or just play hours of Fifa or COD, it gets well used. Therefore, you need a device that is hard-wearing and built to last. Thankfully, the Recon Cloud ticks all of these boxes, and it looks fantastic at the same time. Its textured grips and robust buttons will last the course. Alongside this, the ports are well-positioned and the gaming clip is strong and sturdy. As such, I have no concerns about how long this device will last. 

Control the audio via the EQ interface.
The Turtle Beach EQ interface.

Is the Recon Cloud controller worth it?

Picking up a Cloud-ready device is extremely easy these days. The choices are almost endless, and it can be quite confusing. However, the Recon Cloud delivers an excellent gaming experience for both Cloud gaming and traditional methods. Consequently, it is fantastic value for money and stands out from its peers.

Alongside this, the exceptional EQ settings are mind-blowing. Whenever the controller is plugged in, you can access Turtle Beach’s amazing preset options. With Superhuman hearing, bass boost, and other options, it makes all the difference. Furthermore, you adjust your settings directly from the controller interface. Subsequently, this makes it quick, easy, and particularly user-friendly.

As you can tell, this device impressed me. I loved its versatility, its features, and its style. Moreover, the inclusion of mappable buttons, the EQ interface, and the tactile grips make it one of the best controllers I’ve used in a long time. Accordingly, this will make a phenomenal addition to anyone’s gaming setup. As such, I recommend you buy it here!

(More information on Turtle Beach can be found here!)

The Recon Cloud has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold award.

Review: Turtle Beach Recon 70

Daniel Waite
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Review: Turtle Beach Recon 70

Christmas is the time when people upgrade their gaming gear. However, if you are in the market for a new and improved headset, or you are new to gaming, then why wait? Turtle Beach is renowned for its amazing devices, and they offer some amazing products no matter the price point. Yet, if you are considering an entry-level accessory, look no further than the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones.

These durable and well-built headphones are extremely comfortable, and lightweight and offer surround sound on Xbox. Furthermore, the 40mm drivers deliver a rich range of tones. On top of that, the flip mic makes it the perfect device for solo or online gamers.

Can you see the camo headphones?

What’s in the box of the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones?

  • The compact cardboard packaging is sturdy and lightweight. Furthermore, it is emblazoned with striking images and key selling points. Finally, it is fully recyclable, and that is fantastic. 
  • The Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones. Available in a variety of colours, this stunning headset looks amazing in Arctic camo. Its simple design incorporates a volume wheel, cushioned ear pads, a small flip mic, and a built-in cable with a 3.5mm audio jack.
  • User guide, sticker, and warranty card. As standard, this accessory has a handy guide, some colourful stickers, and a warranty card in case of accidents. 
Compact and striking packaging.
User guide and paperwork.
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones.
The complete package.

Technical aspects. 

Depending on your budget, you’ll have different aspirations. Consequently, those buyers that focus on entry-level devices want great value, excellent sound, and amazing build quality. Fortunately, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones tick each of those boxes with ease. On top of this, they look stylish and they won’t break the bank.

One worry is that 40mm drivers usually provide a subpar performance. Yet, the audio was surprisingly good as it delivers a neat range of sound. Alongside this, it is optimised for Microsoft’s Windows Sonic for Headphones. Accordingly, you experience immersive audio for a really low price.

You must then consider the flip-to-mute microphone. This isn’t normally what I’d expect from a lower budget device. Instead, there is a reliance on inline controllers and manual mute switches. Therefore, this was an unexpected and pleasant additional feature. What’s more, the microphone delivers a crystal-clear sound. Therefore, it is an amazing device to use when playing FPS titles. 

Premium cushioned ear pads.

Build quality. 

So, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones sound great and have an amazing microphone. But what about the build quality? Thanks to the premium cushioned ear pads, you experience awesome comfort. The synthetic leather is breathable, and this prevents your ears from overheating. Accordingly, this is essential when playing long gaming sessions.

Alongside this, the adjustable headband is lightweight, yet rugged and tough. Subsequently, it’ll cope with heavy hands and the occasional bit of roughhousing. Finally, the camouflage finish deserves a mention. I adored its simple white-on-grey accents and how it complements other Turtle Beach products. 

The 3.5mm audio jack is versatile.

Are the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones worth it?

Entry-level headphones are two a penny, and I’ve recently covered the Trust GXT 411 Radius headphones. However, these are head and shoulders above their peers. Not only is it versatile with its 3.5mm audio jack, but it also delivers excellent sound quality. Accordingly, it is excellent value for money with no obvious shortcomings.

Every element of these headphones is brilliant, for the price. The 40mm drivers are balanced, the optimised surround sound on Xbox is immersive, and the build quality is incredible. Consequently, without hesitation, I recommend you buy them here!

(More information on Turtle Beach can be found here!) 

The Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones have received the Movies Games and Tech Goldaward.

Review: Gas Station Simulator

Daniel Waite
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Review: Gas Station Simulator

I have played some weird and wonderful simulation titles. Hell, my most recent one, Priest Simulator, knocked my socks off. However, when I spied Gas Station Simulator, I thought, at least I can try something a bit more “normal”. Yet, there is a possibility that running a virtual gas station will be mundane. However, I had high hopes that it would test me and keep me interested throughout.

Developed by MD Games SA and published by Drago Entertainment, this is a business management simulation title. What’s more, it has a wicked sense of humour and mafia undertones. Consequently, it’ll push you to your limits, make you chuckle, and will fill your heart with fear. As such, it adds some spice to the well-trodden mechanics. 

Gas Station Simulator is a family affair. 

Like the best businesses, your petrol station is a family affair. Well, that’s not entirely true, but your uncle plays a big part in financing your operation and offering some much-needed advice. The story or lack of one revolves around a young man who buys a rundown gas station. By working hard, he’ll improve the facilities, clean the business, and make his fortune. However, he must be wise as he could upset his uncle and lose it all. 

As with many games in this genre, the story plays second fiddle to the ongoing action. Subsequently, the over-arching plot makes no difference to how you perform or what you do. Yet, key components from the plot impact the way Gas Station Simulator plays out. If you borrow money, like any fledgling business will, you better pay it back. If you don’t, your uncle goes all “Godfather” on you, and his goons trash your place. There’s nothing like close family ties, eh? But if you stay on his good side, his cash injection is essential to keeping your business running.

In Gas Station Simulator you run a simple business.
Your business in all of its glory!

Many plates to spin. 

Like its peers, Gas Station Simulator demands that you spin many plates at once. Sadly, this can be quite difficult, overbearing, and stressful. Yet, that’s how running a business feels, so it adds to the realism. The core action focuses on 5 key elements: Stock management, cleaning, running the shop, fixing cars, and selling fuel. Accordingly, you’re a Jack of all trades and you must plan wisely if you wish to succeed. 

At first, the tasks and the gameplay are manageable. After all, all you must do is fuel some cars and tidy up. However, things soon heat up as you unload stock, fill shelves, serve customers, repair cars and sweep the floors. On top of this, an annoying boy sprays graffiti until you scare him off. Then, there are the crazy QTEs to contend with, as well. If you can manage all of these elements, you’ll successfully run a business and become increasingly popular. Yet, word of warning, this is no mean feat!

Mini-games and station improvements.

What I loved about Gas Station Simulator was its unusual mini-game approach. Every task you complete requires some skill to overcome. When fuelling the cars, you must stop the gauge as accurately as possible. Repairing cars requires certain items and a steady hand. Finally, running the shop demands fast reactions and quick thinking. Consequently, this unusual approach makes it stand out from others in the genre. What’s more, it enhances the difficulty and makes the gameplay much harder.

Thankfully, though, the developers used a generous learning curve. As such, the further you progress, the tougher things get. Therefore, as you upgrade each facility, the customer base becomes more demanding. They’ll want new stock, faster service, and a cleaner environment. Now, by yourself, this would be impossible! So, why not hire some staff to take away the pain? By installing trailers, you can take on some locals to do the worst jobs. This in theory is a great idea, but the more people you hire, the higher your outgoings are. Subsequently, you must balance expenses and income to be successful.

Your business starts as a messy investment.
It is probably best to tidy up.

Gas Station Simulator looks surprisingly good. 

I don’t play simulation games for their looks. However, Gas Station Simulator looks surprisingly good. I adored its rich colour palette and House Flipper aesthetics. Moreover, the smallish world is interesting as it hides many secrets. On top of this, there is a nice blend of characters and vehicles to interact with. Other than the looks, the action was smooth, and I experienced no frame rate problems or performance issues. However, there were a few visual glitches that were amusing and harmless.

The audio was just as good as well. With a distinct country and western edge, and deep Southern accents, it brilliantly sets the scene. Alongside this, the realistic sound effects and fancy environmental noises worked brilliantly. In short, the audio does amazingly to set the scene and keep things lighthearted.

You wouldn’t be running a gas station without pumping gas.

Excellent controls. 

Like House Flipper, Gas Station Simulator relies on a radial menu and a zonal interactivity system. Consequently, completing any maintenance task is easy and lacks complexity. On top of this, the responsive controls help with other key jobs. Therefore, every mini-game is fun and interesting. Moreover, the excellent tutorials ensure that the finer points are completely covered.

This genre oozes replay value, and this game is no different. Thanks to its varied approach, it’ll keep you going for hours. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy racing RC cars, picking locks, and stopping that kid from vandalising your business.

Gas Station Simulator is brilliantly addictive. 

My fear of being bored to tears never came true. Thanks to its interesting core concept, excellent key mechanics, and wacky QTEs, it keeps you on your toes. Moreover, hiring staff, renovating the business, and keeping everyone happy isn’t an easy task. Yet, though it’s challenging, it is thoroughly enjoyable and ridiculously addictive. It is for these reasons that I recommend you buy it here! Running a business isn’t easy. However, anything that is worthwhile rarely is. Accordingly, you must plan, appease your customers, and keep your uncle onside if you wish to be successful. 

The 5 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Ever Sold

Andrew Edney
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The 5 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Ever Sold

In the last couple of years, trading cards (particularly pokemon TCGs) have seen a resurgence in the resale market. Auction companies like Goldin Auction Companies, Heritage Auction, and PWCC Auctions have all record-breaking sales.

The pokemon frenzy continued when the YouTube-turned-star Paul Logan showed off his recently bought 5 million dollar pokemon card.

What’s more, Paul Logan set a new Guinness book of world record for the most expensive pokemon trading card ever sold.

What Makes Pokemon Cards Valuable?

Over the past couple of years, many online influencers have propelled back the popularity of the pokemon card collection. With cards being sold for more than millions in the auction house, it is understandable why pokemon cards are rising in popularity.

But what makes pokemon cards valuable?

Well, it all comes down to the rarity of the cards and their current conditions. These two factors determine how much the collectors are willing to pay for a single card. 

Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Ever Sold

When it comes to auctioned pokemon cards, the numbers tell you the complete story. If you grew up watching pokemon, you know how close this show has been to you and people like you. 

Below are the top 10 pokemon trading cards ever sold.

Illustrator Pikachu PSA 10 – $5,275,000

The top pokemon card on our list is Illustrator Pikachu. There were only 39 made in Japan as a part of the Pikachu illustration contest in 1998. The artwork that you see is done by none other than Atshuki Nishida, who was one of the top designers of Pikachu at that time. 

Sealed First Edition Pokemon Boxes – $3,500,000

Although everything was fake, we still can’t avoid putting this on our list. The pokemon card we are talking about is not just a single card but a pack of cards. Paul Logan bought the first edition pokemon box for $3.5 million only to know it was fake.

Illustrator Pikachu PSA 9 – $850,000

With only one 10 in the market, an Illustrator Pikachu 9 came into the market in 2022. It took the market by surprise. Despite the downturn in cards, this one shined brightly and got nearly $850,000 at Heritage Auctions.

Illustrator Pikachu PSA 7 – $720,000

This pokemon trading card was originally sold for $900,000 at Goldin Auctions in February. It was billed as the most expensive card to be bought in a public auction house. However, the original bidder backed out of the offer.

It was then offered to the remaining bidders, where the second most highest bidder was able to buy the card with 

Shadowless Charizard Sealed First Edition Booster Box – $432, 000

With a shadowless Charizard as the keycard in the box of cards, this stands at fifth on our list. While it might be standing at the end of the list, there are only a few of these cards, and they are among the rarest cards out there.

This one was sold in November 2021 at the PWCC auction house when the Crypto market was on fire. 

Create Your Own Collectables

By now, you must be thinking of starting your own collection of pokemon trading cards. If that is the case, here are the pokemon single cards. These cards might be only a few bucks, but they are certainly collectible.

With the right timing and search, you might find a rare card at a low price. So what are you waiting for? Buy your first pokemon trading card today.

If you’re a big fan of Pikachu but find the cost of Pokemon cards too high, you might want to consider collecting custom lapel pins instead. These pins can feature Pikachu in a variety of poses and expressions, making them a versatile and fun way to show off your love for this popular character. Not only are the pins easy to carry around, but they are also high-quality and affordable, making them a great addition to any collection.

We hope that you find this article helpful and enjoy learning new things about pokemon cards. We are also new to this bandwagon. So, if you know anything about pokemon cards, you are always open to sharing with us.

Review: Robotry!

Daniel Waite
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Review: Robotry!

There are only a few words that I fear. Yet, physics-based and platformer combined to bring me out in a cold sweat. Some time ago, I looked at Struggling, and this scarred me for life. Consequently, when Robotry! landed on my desk, I winced instantly. I knew I’d been a bad person in a previous life if I was to be punished this harshly. However, I sucked it up and got on with my job.

Developed and published by Lockpickle, this is an indie platformer with physics-based mechanics. What’s more, this annoyingly brutal game can be “enjoyed” solo or with 3 other sadomasochistic gamers. Subsequently, you can all have fun with the harsh gameplay and deceptively simple approach.

Robotry! hurts your soul!

Every moment with Robotry! is torture. The game loves to humiliate you while pushing you to your limits. Yet, this harsh approach makes it addictive, and oh-so rewarding. Though success is fleeting, it also makes your heart skip a beat. Accordingly, it drove me insane, and I didn’t want to put it down.

You control a juvenile robot who has no legs. Thankfully, a kind scientist fixes this problem. As he embarks on a journey, the robot must learn new skills, collect secret items, and open new areas in the central hub. All the while, he’ll become comfortable with his new form as he progressively becomes stronger and more acrobatic.

Robotry! has some interesting ways to move around.
Time to move that buggy.

Failure is par for the course.

Certain games all but assure you that failure is its core goal. Super Meat Boy, OkunoKA Madness, and Struggling are, to name but a few. Well, Robotry! is added to that list. Subsequently, if you beat any stage, you should wear it as a badge of honour. Now, you may think the action is complex or overbearing, but it isn’t. Instead, the idea is very simple. Move from point A to B without dying. Unfairly, it is the bit in between that’ll make you scream out loud.

The robot must use its gangly legs to move across each surface. Each of its extremities is controlled by your analogue sticks, and unsurprisingly, they rarely do as instructed. Accordingly, the results are rage-inducing and will make you want to quit. Yet, if you can master the basics, the developers upped the ante quite nicely. Therefore, you’ll learn to jump, swing, climb, and activate switches. What’s more, you’ll operate cranks, move platforms and make new bridges.

If you get to grips with all of that, you may wish to find the hidden collectable on each stage. By exploring every level thoroughly, you’ll find a mystery item that is used to open locked doors in the central hub. Word of warning, though, it isn’t easy and only the best and most patient Robotry! players will succeed.

Best of luck getting through that.

Robotry! has a basic but varied look.

If you can get over the maddening action, you’ll enjoy a colourful and varied art style. With some clever contrasting images, it is easy to identify the traps, enemies, and obstacles. What’s more, interactive items have a distinct look, and this helps further still. What was also great was the varied stage design. Each of the worlds has its own style to keep things fresh. Alongside this, the janky movement of the arms was both hilarious and annoying, but mainly hilarious. 

Another fine element to this zany title was the folksy and humorous music. Throughout each level, a simple blend of songs plays on a loop. Now, this may seem tedious, but the inoffensive soundtrack adds some much-needed lighthearted relief. Alongside the music were some strange sound effects. These out-of-this-world noises add to the humour and allow you to smile while you fail.

Can you help the frog?

The controls will drive you nuts. 

One of the big downsides to physics-based games is the floppy controls. No matter how good you are at the game, you never truly feel in control. Yet, when things come together, the result is euphoric. As such, there is a genuine sense of achievement when you master each skill. 

I’ve alluded to the 4 player action. Yet, I’ve failed to discuss how insane it is! Each player uses a limb of their robot. By working together, you’ll leap chasms, swing like a monkey, and solve each problem. But unsurprisingly, all the mirth comes at a cost. Arguments are guaranteed as you all pull in the wrong direction. Subsequently, it is maddening but gloriously annoying.

Robotry! drove me mad, but I loved it, nonetheless.

The developers got the difficulty just right. Though I cursed them, myself, and everything else, I couldn’t put it down. Its simplicity screams, “just one more try”, and its rage-inducing ways will make you yell. Better still, you can make your friends and family feel the pain as well. Consequently, I cherished its cruelty and I recommend you buy it here! Can you finish your adventure and master each skill? Probably not, but you’ll have fun trying. 

A Closer Look at Transformers Lightning Wheels Optimus Prime

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at Transformers Lightning Wheels Optimus Prime

With Christmas only a few months away, we take a closer look at Transformers Lightning Wheels Optimum Prime from Tomy.

Take the roads by a storm with the Monster Treads Optimus Prime Lightning Wheels vehicle! Roll Optimus back and forth to activate the light-up wheels. The faster they roll, the faster the lights flash! Measuring 7.5 inches tall and 9 inches long, the heroic leader is ready to drive the Autobots to victory. Features sturdy plastic construction and an on/off switch to conserve battery.

Requires 3 “AAA” batteries which are included.

Perfect for Transformers fans ages 3 years and up.

LIGHT UP WHEELS: The faster the vehicle is rolled, the faster the lights flash

STURDY DESIGN: Oversized, durable tires are ready for any terrain

EASY TO USE: Intuitive features and smooth rolling action make for stress-free playtime

Transformers Lightning Wheels Optimum Prime from Tomy is available now priced around £27.99 and is aimed at ages 3 and up.

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

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