Here is our review of the Pocketbook Panda Planner.
Plan your future with a futuristic planner! We partnered with our friends at Rocketbook to combine inspiration with innovation. Find inspiration in the Rocketbook Panda Planner’s reusable monthly, weekly, and daily planning pages which help you take back control of your life, one page at a time. Then, use the innovative synthetic paper which allows you to write smoothly with a Pilot FriXion pen, then magically wipe your planner clean with a damp cloth to crush your life goals year after year after year after…
What’s in the package?
The package contains the Rocketbook Panda Planner, pen, wipe and instructions.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The Rocketbook Panda Planner has undated monthly, weekly and daily templates to help organise your life. There are also goals and motivational templates too.
You can use the Pilot FriXion pen to write in the planner, and when you are finished you can used the cloth to wipe the page or pages clean and start again.
Don’t worry if you want to keep the pages, you can use the Rocketbook iOS (or Android) app which allows you can scan the pages and upload them to the cloud for storage and safekeeping. Scanning the pages are easy, the app uses the QR code on each page to help you with the process, including lining up the page perfectly.
You can set the app up so that anything you scan is automatically sent somewhere – for example to your email address or your Dropbox (or many other choices too). This is all pretty seamless and there are plenty of other options for you to use in the app too.
Overall the Rocketbook Panda Planner is a great way to help you organise your life, whether its for home, work or both!
The Rocketbook Panda Planner is available now, with the Executive A5 edition priced around £36.99 and the Letter A4 edition priced around £38.99. And you can choose from Infinity Black, Neptune Teal, Midnight Blue or Scarlett Sky (the one we review here).
Playing a horror game can be a thrilling and disturbing experience. However, many rely on cheap jump scares and dated tropes. Consequently, they can be tiresome, repetitive, and often aren’t as scary as intended. As such, when Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel landed on my desk, I was a little dubious. Yet, once I loaded in, I was hooked by its dark plot and creepy undertones.
Developed by Pulsatrix Studios and published by Maximum Games, this is a horror puzzle title. Alongside this, there are some minor combat elements. Unlike the fantastic Resident Evil series, which this has been heavily influenced by, this is slower-paced and not so combat-heavy. However, it makes up for this with its intelligent array of puzzles and eerie and often confusing plot.
I suggest you run for your life.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel lacks direction.
Whenever I tackle a horror game, I want a little guidance. Disappointingly, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel goes the opposite way. With no minimap, guide, or hints, it can often be misleading and confusing. This wouldn’t be so bad, but many of the puzzles require you to explore the vast hotel. Subsequently, you’ll easily become lost and this can be frustrating. Alongside this, there are many codes to decipher and combination locks to open. As such, you’ll have a lot to remember and many minor bits of information to comprehend.
Where the game excels, however, is its excellent, but strange plot. You control Roberto. He is a junior reporter who wishes to enter the world of investigative journalism. However, his dreams and desires soon turn into a nightmare. There are many strange and unexplained incidents in the town of Treve Trilhas. This small community is haunted by supernatural beings and, in particular, the St. Dinfna Hotel. After a week of questioning the locals, Roberto believes he has hit a “brick wall”. Accordingly, he becomes annoyed and is willing to give up. Yet, a strange anomaly occurs in his ensuite and the world turns to crap. From here, he must fight for his life while trying to understand what has happened.
Grab a pistol and shoot whatever appears.
A creepy world filled with mysteries.
What I loved about this title was the lack of combat and the focus on exploration. Yes, the lack of handholding irritated me, but I found the blend of mechanics intriguing. The action progresses thanks to an array of puzzles as well as the use of a special camera. This ordinary-looking device enables you to view an alternative dimension. Therefore, when it is used, your surroundings alter and new pathways are opened. On top of this, you’ll find hidden clues, secret boxes, and many collectables. This was incredible, as it made you examine each location in greater detail. Now, this may frustrate some players as it also slowed the action down. However, if you enjoy being meticulous, this will tick many boxes.
There is also a reliance on tools and keys to move the action forward. You must find key cards and tool boxes to unlock keypads, fix the lift, and break locks. This element adds to the well-trodden exploration mechanics, but it enhances the eerie and creepy nature of the gameplay. By sneaking through broken walls, chasing ghastly apparitions, or hearing unexplained noises, you’ll be kept on the edge of your seat.
Though there is a small arsenal of weapons to use, the game doesn’t push the combat mechanics. Instead, it expects you to focus on exploring your surroundings, solving problems, and finding the truth. As such, it stays true to its plot, and this reinforces the protagonist’s true desires. Whenever you do fight, there are 4 guns to select, a small roster of enemies to kill, and 3 main bosses to defeat. None of these encounters are challenging, but limited ammo impacts how trigger-happy you can be.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel isn’t as polished as expected.
Unlike Resident Evil, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel lacks polish. However, this isn’t a triple-A title, nor does it command the same price point. Consequently, I accepted its janky finish and occasional glitches. Yet, this doesn’t mean it looks terrible, as it is pleasant in an uncomfortable and haunting way. The dilapidated hotel is claustrophobic, oppressive, and hides many secrets. Alongside this, your foes look disgusting and the special camera mechanics add an interesting otherworldly layer. Furthermore, I adored the first-person perspective, as it made the action immersive and much scarier.
The fear factor is enhanced by the excellent audio. Minor toned music is utilised to set the scene, while overbearing sound effects complete the picture. Moreover, with nerve-wracking footsteps and the sound of crumbling infrastructure, it’s a tough soundscape to listen to. What’s more, the acting is serviceable without being exceptional. Again, this wasn’t a problem as I didn’t expect anything more from this indie developer.
Probably best to stay away from that.
Excellent controls and plenty of replay value.
When a game is slow-paced, the controls are the least of your concerns. Yet, having a nice layout and responsive inputs is still essential. Fortunately, you get exactly that, as well as a great tutorial to explain the fundamentals. Therefore, it is easy to pick up and focus on the task at hand.
If you were to rush through the story, you can expect around 8 hours of action. Yet, if you focus on the additional puzzles, and find every collectable, it’ll take much longer. On top of this, there is a New Game + mode that mixes things up. This is incredible as it keeps things fresh while adding to the longevity.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel is a confusing but great horror title.
Don’t be put off by the lack of triple-A action as Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel has a lot to offer. Yes, I didn’t appreciate its lack of direction, but I adored its puzzles, the occasional combat moments, and the horrific environment. Furthermore, its story is excellent and you feel for the protagonist. What’s more, it’s an excellent title for completionists even if it will test your resolve. Subsequently, I loved it and I recommend you to buy it here! Will you solve the mystery of Treve Trilhas, or are you destined to remain in the cursed hotel?
Have you ever wanted to be a school campus designer? Yet, not just any normal school designer with average academics that many will attend to learn from, but ones that are packed with fun, engaging, and entertaining, possibly more clowning around courses, sorta speak?
Two Point Campus isn’t your ordinary simulated, school campus building game. Instead, it’s based on building a fantasy-style school that has classes for learning some strange subjects that you’d never find in any ordinary university or campus of any kind. Don’t get me wrong, you can still have outdoor fields added for sports, classrooms for teaching, and many other electives that many will love to attend. However, these won’t be teaching you in the traditional way to learn computer science, art, math, business skills, and many other things. Instead, you can be making a campus that will teach you how to joust, be a wizard, be an awesome spy, become a great chef building giant-size foods, attend clubs for taking naps, those that love nature, and even a place to have the attendees dance their hearts away to rock bands. So get ready, cause this year it’s your time to build a campus that will not only be fun for those who will attend but a thrill for you to build!
🏫 How Was The Game 🏫
At first, the tutorial stage was basically the actual game, the career mode where you work on building the school step by step. Purchasing classrooms at the size you’d like and other specific places for the student to utilize, like dorm rooms, bathrooms and others. It really is a great start getting you to be a campus designer.
Plus, it really helps guide you through each step you’ll need to know before actually building a campus from scratch; on your own. That is cause there is a sandbox mode that will be available until you complete the needed beginning career mode portion. I honestly think they made that approach perfectly, because many may decide to just give it a shot without learning the basics and end up lost or confused.
However, the gameplay to many may come across as too easy and nothing like playing a more difficult game like the Sims or other simulated games with a much more realistic appeal. Especially the graphics you will see in this game is so much more cartoonish and easier for anyone to see on the screen. Everything is larger and just clear enough with a bright and charming background sound, making it welcoming for everyone to play.
So no matter what others may say. I love these cute, cartoonish simulated games. They are so much easier to move around and use the controller’s buttons to adjust the cameras for a close-up or a far-distance view. The choosing, purchasing, and building processes are easy to do, and keeping the students as well as the teachers; professors happy is not too hard either. This is one of those games I feel I can enjoy without too much brain stress or frustration from the start and while continuously playing.
Now thinking about the sandbox portion, it’s actually better when you can do anything you like in that mode with full control! To tell you the truth, I honestly love to build, without rules. So this entire game is allowing me to be creative and make campus the way I prefer or like! Plus, to see those strange and unique kids walking the building is interesting too. So many unique likes and electives to build, it’s always fun to change it up and play the game over and over again.
Now, I wish the entire game was 100% perfect, but there was only one big issue I came upon. There may be issues where the game may slow down to update with achievements or changes. However, it’s not a giant stall, it just is something you’ll notice a few times when you achieve something new or continue at certain portions of the game. Other than that, I honestly think this game is really great and nicely designed!
One last thing to mention is a tip if you downloaded this game and it doesn’t move from the start menu. You may require to unplug the power cord to finally be able to play the game. It seems the startup can be an issue with the game, which it was for me to fully boot up. So if this ever happens to anyone, unplug the console, wait 30 seconds, and plug the power cord back in should get it to play. I just wish that wasn’t something extra you need to do to get it to play, but most games tend to rely on this restart method after some time.
🏫 Final Thoughts 🏫
I honestly had high hopes for this game, before actually playing. Did it meet my expectations or did it let me down? Well, I can say it is so much easier to play for a child or an adult who wants a build their own school that isn’t tedious with so much to learn and too many buttons to recall. There is plenty of things you can add to make this school as interesting and fun as you like! Just think of it as child style Sims game, made easy with a more cartoony style graphic design.
Additionally, I love that the player holds the power in their hands, but it isn’t all just about fun and bringing entertaining courses to the students that are attending this university. The challenge of keeping them happy is what really makes this game a bit difficult and interesting, as well as the career mode challenges you are required to accomplish. So there are many goals that may be set in action like many simulated games, but keeping everyone happy is on top of the list. Remarkably, even with a few flaws, I can tell you that this game is still very entertaining and worth a try!
Random chance RPG stories are a phenomenal way to waste many hours. These enthralling tales take you on a roller-coaster adventure while driving you insane. No matter how much you plan, or how good you are, luck always plays a big part. Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is one such game that’ll have you hooked from the off.
Developed by Inkle and published by No Gravity Games, this is an action-adventure role-playing title. Based on the massively popular 4 book gaming series, this will have a strong fanbase. However, things are improved thanks to the experience of the development team. As a consequence, anyone that tackles this game will have a unique and thrilling experience.
Which option will you choose?
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is a truly epic experience.
This is one genre that rarely disappoints. If you love fantasy settings and massively wild stories, then you won’t regret a thing. As such, Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! offers a truly epic experience. Combining the emotional and lore-enriched world with a wonderful hand-drawn aesthetic creates something special. From the off, I adored the gritty characters, the excellent writing, and the seedy world I explored. The dark kingdom is full of danger, evil monsters, and quests. Accordingly, you’ll have plenty of decisions to make that alter the course of each playthrough.
The story focuses on 4 different chapters. However, there is a central theme that runs through each element. You control a hero who must wield a sword, cast magic, and charm his foes. He is sent on an adventure to retrieve the crown of Kings. As he undertakes his journey, he will explore caves, woodlands, cities, and vast wildernesses. En route, you must choose your path, decide which tasks to complete, and set your moral compass. Whatever you decide will impact your life. Therefore, you must be wise and accept your decisions. If you fail, or luck is not on your side, you will die and your adventure will be over.
Not every adventure end in fighting and death.
Decisions matter.
Like the adventure novels by Steve Jackson or Ian Livingstone, you soon realise that every decision truly matters. Whether you focus on magic, melee weapons, or purchasing rations, each choice will haunt you. What’s more, the game evolves as your relationships develop. Consequently, a malicious and hateful man will be feared, whereas a kind soul may be manipulated and controlled.
What I loved was how well the action flowed from chapter to chapter. Alongside this, I enjoyed the freedom to explore the kingdom at my pace. With many secrets hiding in plain sight, you never knew what to expect. Furthermore, you may miss large areas because of your lack of skills or the relationships you have formed. Accordingly, every playthrough is unique and intriguing.
No adventure fantasy fighting game would be complete without combat. Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! delivers this in spades as you maul your foes, slay them with magic, or charm your way to freedom. This stamina-based encounter is remarkably simple but complex enough to challenge you. If you focus on the arcane arts, you must pick your spell, spend your stamina, and observe the fallout. Alternatively, you can choose to attack or defend your opponent as you battle to the death. Of course, a passive approach can be taken as you lie, cheat, and trick your enemies. Whatever you choose, they beautifully support the story and the adventure you undertake.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is beautifully presented.
Without a doubt, Inkle has worked its magic with the story and the aesthetics. The table-top world is awash with sepia tones and rich colours. This is then enhanced by the excellent character models and the basic combat animation. Moreover, the vast amount of text is beautifully presented and easy to read. What amazed me most was how perfectly the developers brought the books to life. However, they added their twist to the gameplay, and this made it a bit more special.
Alongside the incredible visuals was dramatic audio. The soundtrack is wonderfully varied and is reminiscent of other major fantasy games. I cherished every emotive song and enjoyed how it added energy to the text-focused gameplay. On top of this, there are some interesting sound effects. Accordingly, the combat sounds brutal, and the magic is dreamy and surreal.
Fight to the death.
Excellent controls and UI.
Originally ported from PC, I was concerned it would be fiddly and complicated. Yet, I needn’t have worried as it is easy to play. With a great UI and straightforward tutorial, you understand the basics immediately. However, many advanced points require trial and error and this was fantastic. Therefore, you never become too comfortable with it, which adds to the drama.
Understandably, a fantasy adventure title with many plot branches will be long-winded. Consequently, Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! oozes replay value and longevity. Because of its many secrets and varied opponents, no playthrough is the same. This is amazing if you love the genre, as you’ll get the maximum out of each chapter. Consequently, this represents fantastic value for money as there are many hours of gameplay to experience.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is phenomenal.
If you enjoy fighting fantasy books, then you’ll love Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! Every element of this game captures the brilliance of Steve Jackson’s work. The environment and characters are fantastic and the writing is some of the best I’ve seen. Furthermore, it looks amazing and delivers drama at every turn. Subsequently, I can easily recommend that you buy it here! Can you find the crown and save your people from the archmage? Choose your path, make your decisions, and live with the consequences.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which I will be shortening to FF7R for this review, is an action-adventure RPG. It was developed and published by Square Enix in 2020 as part 1 of a 3-part series. Initially being exclusively licenced to Sony platforms, it was eventually ported to the Epic Games Store on Dec. 2021, then Steam in June 2022.
There is a LOT to discuss here. But to be up front, FF7R is a brilliantly crafted title. Albeit one that falls marginally short of the ‘masterpiece’ accolade.
What led us to FF7R?
In 2005, Sony used Final Fantasy VII in their tech demo to showcase the potential of the up-and-coming PS3. This inadvertently led to long-standing rumours surrounding a full-scale remake of the game. But it would take a further 10 years for Square Enix to begin development on FF7R. A process which would ultimately take a full 5 years to complete.
To say that gamers were excited by this announcement would be the understatement of the century. After all, the original FF7 often found itself in the GOAT conversation, usually being pitted against the likes of Ocarina of Time.
There was, and still is, a high expectation for the game to live up to its predecessor. It’s for this exact reason that Square Enix brought in key members of the original staff to work on the project. This included the likes of former director Yoshinori Kitase, and lead writer Hironobu Sakaguchi. However, not wanting to play it safe, they opted against a 1:1 remake, and instead decided to expand on the original games core identity.
With all that in mind, the question of “did they do it justice?” was firmly centred at the forefront of everyone’s collective minds. While some fans may be disappointed due to their unfathomable expectations, for the vast majority of players, I can safely say the answer is yes.
Narratively the same, but structurally different.
The premise of FF7R follows the former elite SOLDIER turned mercenary, Cloud Strife. His primary goal is to take down de fact dictators, and his former employers, the Shinra Electric Power Company. The resistance group, known as AVALANCHE, are equally set on destroying the corrupt enterprise for draining the planet of its life-stream, Mako.
Together, they formulate an operation to bomb one of the primary Mako reactors, located in the city of Midgar. The success of this mission unintentionally starts a chain reaction, forever changing the lives of our protagonist, AVALANCHE, Shinra, and an enemy long thought to be dead.
Fans of the original may read this and think that it’s pretty in line with the original. And they’d be correct to do so. The overarching narrative doesn’t differ much at all, but the inner workings of the story have. Out of fear of spoiling something, I’ll omit any finer details. All I’ll say is to expect to be perplexed and eager for more by the time you complete the game.
As I already mentioned, the staff behind FF7R wanted to mix things up, and avoid remaking the game 1:1. Understandably, some older fans may be slightly disheartened by this, but I’d argue that it keeps everything feeling fresh, especially narratively. For newer players, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You’ll still get to experience the same awesome story as before, merely with a new coat of paint.
Midgar and AVALANCHE.
FF7R is set within the fledgling metropolis of Midgar. The city itself is a technological marvel, consisting of an upper and lower plate that are segmented into districts. It was cynically constructed like this to segregate the rich citizens from the poor. Predictably, this has had catastrophic effects on the social hierarchy.
The vast majority of the game sees us exploring the abysmal conditions of the lower plate. We gain an insight into the everyday lives of the NPCs, along with the vast amount of trials and tribulations they suffer through. The team dynamic of AVALANCHE is also explored in greater detail, showcasing the family-esque bond they have with each other like never before.
It might have seemed risky to contain the entire game to Midgar, but after completing FF7R, I’m certainly glad they did. Expanding on the city, and its denizens, gave a concrete reason as to why we should hate Shinra. It also established why we should care about Cloud and AVALANCHE’s goals in the first place. Something that wasn’t really highlighted this early in the original. As such, FF7R massively outdoes its precursor in this field.
The iconic RPG party.
SPOILER WARNING:If you don’t want to be spoiled about who is playable in the game, then I’d suggest you move onto the next section.
Party dynamic in a group-based RPG is of the upmost importance. It could also be argued that FF7 has one of, if not the most, recognisable parties in the history of gaming. While we don’t have the full ensemble of the original quite yet, we do have updated and improved versions on some of the icons.
Who’s who?
Throughout the course of FF7R, you’ll take control of the aforementioned Cloud Strife. To put it bluntly, Cloud is an arrogant and cocky individual. He isn’t without a soul though, as he has the ability to show compassion to people in times of need. His background as a trained fighter allows him to wield the oversized Buster Sword with ease.
You’ll eventually team up with fellow AVALANCHE members Barret and Tifa. The former is a dad first, and a hot-headed activist second. Equally sharing Cloud’s hatred of Shinra, he wishes to eliminate the company by any means necessary. For unknown reasons, Barret also has a gun in place of his right arm. Apropos for him, he uses this to his advantage in combat scenarios.
Tifa, in contrast, is incredibly reserved and understanding of others. Often acting as the mother of the group, she provides emotional support for the people around her. At the same time, she is also an exceptionally talented fighter, choosing to use her lighting fast fists over a traditional weapon.
Lastly, we have Aerith. An optimistic and cheerful person who serves as a beacon of hope for the residents of Midgar. True to her character, she wields a stave as her weapon, and supports the team with various healing spells.
As a party, they have undeniable chemistry. Individually, they are all exceptionally captivating. You’re left wondering things like why Cloud abandoned Shinra, how Barret lost his arm, or where Aerith came from. It is magnificent character design, and I cannot state how much I love it enough.
FF7R marries old and new gameplay concepts together.
FF7R alters the turn-based mechanics of the original, into a real time, action-based system. This isn’t entirely unexpected given that the game is directed by Tetsuya Nomura of Kingdom Hearts fame. The new system, named Active Time Battle, or ATB for short, is a compromise between old and modern ideologies. For all intense and purposes, its real time mixed with strategy elements.
The ATB system works as follows. When entering combat, you’ll be placed in control of 1 party member, though you can freely change to anyone as and when you like. Using a regular attack builds up your ATB gauge. Once it is full, you are able to select an option from the command menu, be it a spell, ability, item or summon. While selecting an option, the in-game speed reduces dramatically, giving you amble time to finalise your decision.
In a surprise turn of events, the system turned out to be incredibly accessible. It doesn’t take any real length of time to become familiar with it. But it does take some practice to become efficient in maximising its capabilities. Above all else, and most importantly, it’s both gratifying and fun to play with.
Besides that, the real time component of the system functions as expected. You have to find the opportune moment to land your attack combos or risk being put in a vulnerable state. You can prevent this by dodging out of the way of incoming attacks via a Zelda-esque action roll. Altogether, this is easily one of the smoothest and immersive combat system I have played in recent memory.
FF7R lets you customise your character through equipment.
Customising your party members comes in the form of weapons, accessories and armour. –Materia is another way of doing so, but I’ll touch on that in a second.– Weapons in the game provide unique ways of mixing up your characters designated role. They can affect things like a character’s baseline attributes, or provide you with unique passive benefits.
This is all managed through the Skill Point system, or SP for short, which is an entirely new mechanic made for FF7R. You’ll gain extra SP to spend every time you level up, and unlock extra options to use them on as you rank up your weapons. SP is a limited resource though, so you’ll have to pick and choose those options carefully.
Accessories and armour boost your stats, and provide a plethora of unique effects as well. These range from debuff immunities, to spell potency increases and much more. Accessories are particularly useful, as they also give you access to more Materia slots. Speaking of which…
The excellent Materia system makes a comeback.
Materia also makes it return, remaining as ingenious now as it was 25 years ago. These are the items which grant your characters access to powerful spells, abilities and passives. It’s up to the player to decide which Materia loadout best suits each party member. Perhaps you want to kit one of them out as a healer, or maybe you want them to be a frontline tank. It’s a delicate decision, but one that is incredibly varied and rewarding if done right.
There are also special Materia which provides you access to the iconic summons. Unlike the original, you don’t call upon them freely on your turn. Instead, they’ll occasionally join you in battle when you’re fighting stronger enemies. Additionally, once summoned, they’ll stay on the battlefield for a minute or so, assisting the party with whatever they’re fighting.
I personally prefer they way they have implemented the summons in FF7R for two reasons. Firstly, it makes them feel much more special due to the rarity in which they show up. And secondly, they have been designated their own independent Materia slot.
This is important as each character is limited to the number of vacant Materia slots found on their weapon and accessory. Inherently, opening up another slot provides you with more options to customise your character. Without a doubt, the improvements made to the Materia system made an already excellent idea better.
Patent Square Enix art design.
During a time when Square Einx were known as SquareSoft, they were widely renowned for their graphical standards, alongside the likes of Blizzard Entertainment. Everything from their cinematics, right down to the pre-rendered backgrounds, were leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. While the remake isn’t quite pioneering at that level, it still manages to reach the upper echelon of visual fidelity.
The character models, particularly of the main cast, are unbelievably impressive. The artists have done an outstanding work in capturing the finite details, such as skin impressions and hair strands. The riggers and animators have also exceeded all expectations, as each party member truly acts like a living and breathing person. All of this is quite ironic considering the jagged polygon look of the original instantly dated itself back in 1997.
The game also does a valiant job of showcasing the disjointed nature of Midgar. Both socially amongst its residence, and politically against Shinra. For example, the ruinous slums, whose inhabitants have been left to fend for themselves, completely contrast the pompous, Vegas inspired Wall Market. It’s conflicting landmarks such as these that demonstrate the different ways people can cope with pressure. On Square’s part, it shows an incredible amount of self-awareness for these varied complexities.
Last-Gen Drawbacks for FF7R.
Sadly, it isn’t all spectacular on the art front. There are a number of textures which are noticeably shabby. These are mostly limited to secondary environmental assets, though it can also be spotted in some of the skyboxes as well. Of course, these aren’t going to massively impact your playthrough, but in comparison to everything else, they stand out like a sore thumb.
It’s worth noting that this is a direct port from the PS4 version of the game. For that generation, this quality is highly impressive. However, I had hoped that they’d improve on the ropy textures for the PS5 and PC releases. In saying that, the graphics are still absolutely stunning, and these minor complaints are just that. Minor.
A soundtrack for the ages… again!
The original soundtrack has been updated and re-arranged, featuring a diverse blend of orchestral and contemporary instrumentation. This fostered a new and unique sound for FF7R, all while retaining the atmosphere set by the original. As a massive fan of the original OST, I’m happy to say that it lives up to its predecessor.
In addition to the crisp reimagining, they also went above and beyond to create alternate takes of repeating tracks. For instance, the battle themes adjust slightly depending on the situation that is currently transpiring. While this isn’t something that was entirely necessary, it is massively appreciated nonetheless.
It also wouldn’t right to do an FF7 remake without having some input from the legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu. He contributes a new track to the OST called Hollow, which is as unnerving as it is deathly gripping. Sadly, this is his only new piece. But his presence can still be felt throughout, as a large majority of the OST is comprised of re-arrangements of his original work. Undisputedly, he is one of the best ever to do it, and FF7R makes it clear as to why that is.
Superb SFX, great voice acting, lacklustre voice direction.
Admittedly, I was slightly sceptical about the addition of voice acting in the remake. Thankfully, the actors knocked it out of the park, triumphantly capturing each character’s personalities faithfully from the original game. This isn’t limited to the main cast either. Secondary, and even background characters, are immaculately preformed. I personally found myself stopping to listen in on the everyday life of a Midgar dweller more than once.
While the actors themselves did great, the voice direction leaves a little to be desired. For spoiler reasons, I cannot highlight the questionable lines that I would like too. Trust me though, you’d instantly shake your head in disbelief upon hearing some of these deliveries.
Moving on, the sound effects are equally on the same level as the OST. Swords, guns, magic, monsters and everything in between, are crafted and recorded expertly. It not only meshes well with the on-screen action, but it further enhances the believability of the world. All in all, the sound department did a bang-up job.
INTERmission expansion.
The DLC, titled episode INTERmission, provides you with an additional 2 chapters to playthrough. For the duration of it, you’ll be playing as Yuffie Kisaragi, a Ninja of Wutai. I honestly can’t say much about the narrative without spoiling a massive section of the original campaign. So without saying anything, I found it to be an enjoyable addition to the main game, and hope they consider doing the same for Vincent Valentine in Rebirth.
Conclusion
FF7R is a fantastic reimaging of the iconic title. Refusing to classify itself as a nostalgia act, it expands upon the original narrative in new and exciting ways. The combat system has a seamless fluidity to it, allowing for engaging and entertaining gameplay sequences. Artistically, FF7R retains the level of quality players have come to expect from Square Enix, but it does falter ever so slightly in some environments. The updated rendition of the classic OST is outstanding from start to finish, with the sound design team matching it in every regard.
When all’s said and done, I would comfortably place FF7R as my current game of the year. Admittedly, the price point of £69.99 is utterly ridiculous. But if you happen to come across this on sale, then I’d highly recommend adding it to your collection and giving it a playthrough.
The wait is over and The Sea of Thieves Season 7 is here! It launched on 4th of August and while it brought many new additions to the game that had been asked for a while, some things we wanted are still not here. Overall RARE has done a very good job with the update except for a few annoying parts. I have spent my last week playing the Season 7 update, tried to explore all the nooks and crannies of the long-awaited Captaincy content. A fore warning, this review is going to be quite in-depth and will cover almost everything about the Captaincy update. So, if you are expecting a short read, this won’t be it. Without further ado, let us get into it!
BE THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR OWN SHIP!
The biggest thing in this update is being able to captain your own ship. How do you become a captain? And what does that bring?
Ship Ownership
Probably the most important part of this update is owning your own ship. Well RARE has made sure everyone gets to buy a ship. You don’t have to be a pirate legend to purchase a ship and the prices are quite low.
While I understand RARE’s determination to adhere to the new player audience, I think these ship prices are too low. Most of them can be purchased within a day of grinding. When everyone so easily gets to become a captain, being a captain doesn’t feel as special.
My biggest advice for any soon-to-be captains is that make sure you are completely happy with the name you choose. You can only change your ships’ name with Ancient Coins. And it’s not even a small amount. It costs 499 Ancient Coins to change the name. That is an absurdly high price. I hope RARE realizes what a bad decision this is and reverts it in the near future.
Before you set sail, you can set your ship settings, so that your crew-mates can’t change any customizations. This option can be reverted from the in-game crew menu as well.
Once you become a captain and set foot on your ship for the first time, you will be greeted by the Pirate Lord. He will give you a quick introduction to the captaincy content. I really liked this sequence. It doesn’t feel too much like a tutorial and has a pretty cool moment right at the beginning.
Ship Customization
Now let us talk about the ways you can customize your new awesome ship. Unfortunately, there is still no customization for the rowboat or the harpoons. But, If, you have a Sloop or a Brigantine; you will get to customize the table, drapes, bed, and rugs. And, if you have a Galleon, you will also get to customize the captain’s chair, chandeliers, and curtains. You can also place trinkets on various places along all the ships. These customizations are aesthetically pleasing but I can’t stop myself from stating the obvious. The captain’s cabin in neither the sloop nor the brig, look nearly as good as the galleon.
While I can see that there is limited space on the sloop and the brig, there could’ve been more places to put trinkets or some other way to make sure those ships felt unique too. Either way it still feels nice to decorate your own ship, your own way.
Now on to the monetary side of things, what will it cost you to customize your ship according to your desires? Well except for some of the trinkets, almost all these customizations need to be unlocked with milestones first. Since I will be talking about the milestones in-depth in the next part, for now I will only focus on the prices of the customizations.
How Expensive are These New Customizations?
The trinkets are quite affordable. However there are some trinkets, called “trophies” that need to be unlocked first. Other than that, almost every other customization piece is expensive. You will be paying 100k+ for many of these single pieces even after you’ve unlocked them with milestones. I suppose this is RARE’s way of giving players a place to spend money after the update.
There is one more part of the ship you can customize, and it applies to all ship types. The crest (where the ship’s name will go), banner, title, and flag of your ship. The banner and the title are free to equip after unlocking with milestones. The banner, title, and the ship and captain name will be displayed when another player approaches your ship, looks at it with a spyglass or sinks it.
Now onto the crest of the ship. This is quite an important piece. Once again you need to unlock them through milestones before being able to change it. However, I was quite disappointed with the “free” available options regarding the crests. To me they didn’t look nearly as appealing as the ones you can purchase from Pirate Emporium. And some of them are also obviously parts of existing ship sets. This could be considered a personal preference but I will be putting a screenshot for anyone who would like to compare.
Saving Your Customizations
All these customizations along with the previously available regular ship customizations can be saved on your captained ship. It will cost a bit of money to save each piece as default. The prices range from 2500 gold to 7500 gold. This is a very neat feature. I was a big fan of it until I had a glitch happen multiple times where my saved customizations reset. I had to pay again to save them onto my ship. This wasn’t a huge problem for me because it was not that expensive. But for a new player who grinded money to be able to save their customizations, this glitch would be upsetting.
Battle Scars
In addition to the customization options, being a captain will also make it so that, the battle scars on your ship with persist between sessions. You can repair your ship before sailing it, through the “my ships” menu, or through the shipwright after sailing. Of course, thiswill also cost money. Honestly, I understand the reasoning behind this feature, and it sounds cool as an idea. However, I can see how it would be annoying for some players and be seen as a waste of money.
Milestones
“Milestone system brings a lot of new things to do for the completionist pirate”. Is what I would’ve liked to say. But no, it doesn’t. Yes, it brings more statistics you can grind and new titles to equip, but there is nothing new in the game for it. You need to do everything you’ve already done AGAIN. Your commendations will not carry over. While it will be a great way to track progress for a new player, if you had played this game for a long time and had a lot of commendations already done, this will feel like just more grinding of the same things. There are milestones for SLEEPING. Literally hours of staring into a black screen. That sounds fun, doesn’t it?
There are 8 categories of milestones. You must grind all 8 of themseparately for your pirate, sloop, brigantine, and galleon. Once again, I’m appalled by RARE’s choice to not carry over your commendations. They could’ve at least carried over your pirate milestones and you would still need to grind for the ships’.
There is nothing special or new the milestone system brings to the game. It’s basically the commendation system in one single place. So, I would say this is the worst part of the update for me even though I enjoy working for commendations.
Captain’s Logbook
Another new addition to your captain’s cabin is the Captain’s Logbook. This book is located on your quest table and keeps a record of your ship’s activities. It mostly has statistics like; days since last sunk, gold earned, captained ships seen, etc. Some of these statistics will be consisting between sessions and some of them will only be current session based. Now the ships you sink will also drop the ships’ logbook. You can sell this to the reapers. The base value is 300 gold. But according to the game this value increases the longer the sunken ship was on the seas for. However I have sold about six or seven of these and they all were valued at 300 gold.
There is another issue I keep experiencing with the captain’s logbook. It doesn’t keep my statistics. I can see my gold earned for the ship through the milestones page, but it appears 0 on the captain’s logbook. Maybe this is caused by a glitch that will be fixed soon, but it is still annoying. So, I recommend players to be aware of this glitch and not pay too much attention to your logbook statistics.
SOVEREIGNS AND NEW ADDITIONS TO THE OUTPOSTS!
There are 2 more new additions to the outposts! If you ask me both changes are amazing quality of life additions. I’ve been using them casually ever since the update came out. They are simply very convenient.
New Shipwright Services
You can now buy Captain’s Voyages and extra supplies from the shipwright. You need to be captain for both these new services. The extra supplies include cannonballs, wood, throwables, fruit, meat, and worms. When bought they will automatically be sent to you ship. This addition doesn’t affect the ability to buy resource creates from the merchant either. So, you can buy both and start sailing with a nice number of supplies. I am honestly a big fan of this change. While I feel the amounts of these supplies could be made higher, it is still something to be happy about.
Captain’s Voyages
Now to talk about Captain’s Voyages There are 2 different difficult/length voyages for almost all the activities you can do as an emissary. For example, you can buy a treasure hunt for 400 gold, or you can buy one for 1500 gold, depending on how long you want to be on this voyage. This is a great idea! And it has a lot of potential to really create customized gameplay for a lot of players. However, It doesn’t work perfectly. I’ve tested the different “length” voyages a couple of times and the rewards were inconsistent. Sometimes the supposedly “longer” voyage took less time than the other one. And sometimes I was rewarded better from the “easier” voyage compared to the “harder” one. Assuming these problems can be addressed by RARE, this is still a very useful feature.
You can also buy combined voyages. These will have a bit of all the activities you can do as that specific company’s emissary. There are also mercenary voyages. These ones have a couple of activities from each company, combined in one bundle. All the available voyages here can be bought either in singles or as a 5-stack bundle. They will be stored on your ship in your captain’s voyages cabinet. You can start them just as you start regular voyages. One big difference is if you cancel a captain’s voyage, it will be destroyed.
Sovereigns
The last addition to the outposts is the colorfulSovereigns. They are a new trading group. They will take all the treasure you have and deliver it to the appropriate trading companies. Delivering your loot to sovereigns will count for the commendations, such as “deliver 10 Athena kegs to the mysterious stranger”.
You cannot give them reapers loot, like a ship’s flag or a humble gift. This is because they fear reapers and will not work with them. However, you can still give them loot if you are carrying a reaper’s flag. Keep in mind you won’t be getting extra gold if you deliver to the sovereigns as a reaper emissary.
The Sovereign’s shack have a rowboat docking spot and harpoons stations above to make unloading loot easier. Honestly this works like a charm. Selling loot has never been easier. I am a huge fan of this addition. One problem is that they will not accept any treasure if you aren’t a captain. If you are a crew member of a captained ship, your captain needs to be close by so that you can sell to the sovereigns.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW ON SEASON 7?
There is a new plunder pass as always and a couple of very crucial gameplay changes. Let’s get into it.
Plunder Pass
This season you will be able to unlock the Beachcomber’s ship and costume set if you have a Plunder Pass. This is once again a seasonal themed ship. I’m not a big fan of these ship sets so, personally I will be skipping it this season. But it is up to you to decide if you would like to have it or not.
Gameplay Changes
There are a couple of new gameplay changes. Some of them are long expected, while some of them are redundant. Here’s the full list and my thoughts about them.
There are now carriable stools washed up around the islands of Sea of Thieves. You can pick these up, put them anywhere you like and sit on them. That’s it really. I don’t really know who was asking for this, but it’s a cool little novelty addition I suppose.
Next is a long-awaited addition to the quest books and pages. You can now zoom in to any quest book page or quest page. You can use “F” on keyboard or, clicking right stick on the controller to access this feature. This has been especially useful on “X marks the spot” treasure hunts for me. I am glad RARE finally launched such an add-on. It really helps with the annoyance of trying to find treasure on huge islands.
You can no longer revive crew members on enemy ships. This feature was definitely added to stop spawn killing. And it really works. The fights last longer since you can’t just corner the enemy crew on their ship anymore.
Sloop Changes
There are big changes to the Sloop and the “solo sloop player”. Here is the list.
Respawn timers have been decreased for solo players.
The sloop’s mast now takes 2 chain shots or 3 regular cannonballs to fall. This is a massive buff to the sloop. The effects of this change are already there as the I’ve noticed an increase in number of sloops I see.
In addition to that there are also new respawn locations around the sloop and reduced knock back from cannonballs while on a sloop.
With these new changes, it is fair to say fighting on a sloop became a lot more advantageous. I hope the PVP fights will be lasting longer, and we will see less of “boarding” being an easy way to win.
CONCLUSION
The Captaincy Update brought a lot of new cool stuff to the Sea of Thieves. Captaining your own ship and customizing it is really engaging. And the perks you get for being a captain are also quite impactful. While there aren’t any new gameplay events added with this update yet, we might see some in the upcoming future. Overall, only part I’m disappointed with in this update is the milestones. Other than that, definitely a solid new season, with a lot of quality-of-life improvements.
I’ve always loved RPGs and growing up, I had plenty of amazing titles to pick from. Consequently, I’m a bit picky whenever I start a new experience in this genre. I adore modern open-world adaptations of classic tropes. However, you can’t beat a retro approach. Therefore, when Book Quest came to my attention, I snaffled it up.
Developed by Nerd Games and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a retro top-down RPG. It takes influence from the best the genre has to offer and will thrill nostalgia hunters. Subsequently, I instantly fell for its charms and its kitsch ways. Moreover, I adored its simple story, but I appreciate its lack of complexity won’t appease everyone. Though I’m biased, I must remain professional. As such, I’ll start to dissect the pros and cons of this colourful game.
Book Quest tells a classic story.
80s and 90s games are renowned for their absurdities. Accordingly, their stories, characters, and writing style are normally humorous and a little whacky. Luckily, Book Quest retains this style in its tongue-in-cheek, but classic story.
You control a young man who leads a quiet life. Subsequently, he yearns for adventure and to test his skills. However, he should be careful what he wishes for as his dreams become a reality. Unbeknownst to him, he allows his family spell book to be stolen whilst he raids a hidden chest. This error causes his grandfather to appear as an apparition, and so his journey begins. En route, he’ll solve problems, undertake mini-games, fight monsters, slay bosses, and eventually discover the truth.
This cliché-fuelled tale won’t surprise old-school gamers. Thanks to its witty writing and nonchalant NPCs, you’ll enjoy a classic and amusing experience. However, the text is filled with minor punctuation and spelling errors. As such, this was irritating, but it luckily didn’t affect the final product too much.
Dragons are nothing but trouble.
Classic mechanics and brutal bosses.
Though originality was lacking, I loved the familiar nature of the gameplay. The hero must slash bushes, collect items, and upgrade his equipment. What’s more, there is an array of puzzles to solve, enemies to slay, and secrets to discover. On top of this, there are plenty of quests to complete that progress the story nicely. As you explore the colourful pixelated world, you’ll encounter NPCs that require your help. Their tasks are rarely challenging, but they form a key part of the gameplay.
Alongside this, you must purchase and improve your equipment. The range of gear is limited, but it is essential if you wish you tackle the brutal bosses. These often overpowered abominations will drive you crazy. Their cruel ways will test your resolve as you die repeatedly. It’s not quite on the Soulsborne level, but it’s tough, nonetheless. As you overcome each one, you’ll visit a new area filled with obstacles and fresh foes. This repetitive approach is the gameplay loop and one that is familiar in all retro titles.
Finally, you’ll enjoy a plethora of mini-games. These simple tasks are poorly explained but fun to complete. Sadly, though, they won’t test you like the combat element, and this may frustrate some players. However, I enjoyed the break from the normal tropes, fighting, and quests.
How on earth will you avoid these spells.
Book Quest is a vivid pixelated dream.
Book Quest has done wonderfully to produce a modern but pixelated title. Its vivid colour palette, interesting and detailed sprites, and varied landscapes are amazing. What’s more, the text is easy to read and the level designs are complex enough to challenge you. Furthermore, it is filled with retro vibes and reminded me of Zelda. This is high praise, indeed, but credit where credit is due, and I loved how Book Quest is presented.
Disappointingly, though, the excellent finish was undone by a frame rate issue. Whenever a boss battle occurred, the action would slow to a nauseating crawl. As a consequence, this made it much tougher to play and uncomfortable to look at. Without this problem, the game would be amazing. As it is, this will tarnish the experience and will turn many gamers off.
The audio was flawed as well. When it worked, it was fantastic. Yet, it randomly stopped for no reason, and this caused massive gaps of silence. This wouldn’t be so bad, but the dramatic audio enhances the gameplay perfectly. Subsequently, when it was missing, the action was flat and lacked energy. What’s more, the sound effects weren’t varied enough. Therefore, most enemies used the same sound bites, and this was frustrating. Accordingly, the developers needed to be more experimental as this would have improved things without a doubt.
One of the many mini-games you’ll tackle.
Sluggish controls and weird hitboxes.
When a game relies on simple combat mechanics, you don’t expect any problems. Yet, Book Quest has sluggish controls and poor hitboxes. Therefore, it was unfairly difficult when the action was hectic. This was more apparent when tackling each boss. Instead of an enjoyable and challenging experience, you died repeatedly because of the poor controls. As a result, it was unnecessarily frustrating and this will discourage many gamers.
Because of its tough elements, there is some longevity. What’s more, the puzzles and mini-games add a degree of difficulty. Yet, once you complete this, there is little reason to return. Luckily, though, if you can overlook the niggling problems and brutal ways, you’ll enjoy your first playthrough. Consequently, it is good value for money even if it makes you scream.
Book Quest is good but is unnecessarily flawed.
Though I enjoyed Book Quest, it is unnecessarily flawed. As a consequence, it doesn’t reach its full potential and will put off would-be gamers. The bosses are unfairly difficult; the text is poorly proofread, and the frame rate issue is unforgivable. However, many of these problems can be patched and this will leave a thoroughly enjoyable title. Once the faults are rectified, I recommend you to buy it here! Will you recover your stolen spell book? Explore, solve problems, buy new gear, and tackle your foes.
Hollywood has done an excellent job of portraying hackers and the hacking process in an entirely fictional way. Typically, the hackers we see in movies are lone wolves, dress exclusively in hoodies, and know how to get into every single system within minutes. However, the reality is completely different. Hackers don’t all look alike, don’t know every single system like the back of their hands, and sure, they can’t guess just any password.
To shatter these myths and highlight what hackers actually do in real life, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 myths we see in movies and debunk them.
All Hackers Are Genius Youngsters
Among the most popular tropes we see in movies, the archetype of a lonely, young tech genius is probably the most prominent one. They will often be outcasts with no social life, dedicating most of their time to consuming tech-related knowledge and improving their craft. While there are definitely some hackers who fit this profile, it is not what the majority of hackers are like. Some of the most dangerous threat actors are seasoned professionals, more often than not working in teams rather than going at it alone.
Typing Super Fast
Another overused myth we see in movies depicting hacking is that all hackers type extremely fast, which is supposed to demonstrate that they’re good at what they do and have done it so many times that they can type this fast without any errors. What makes this trope even more comical is that they can type at the speed of light, even if their immediate surroundings are collapsing around them.
In reality, whether or not a hacker is a fast typer has no connection to how well he does his job. And more often than not, typing fast will result in more errors and, consequently, more issues that will need fixing later.
Immediate Access
We have all seen many scenes of hackers typing on their computer for 2 minutes and then declaring, “I’m in.” In these scenes, the hacker usually has to gain access to some remote system, which he is dealing with for the first time, yet somehow, he managed to figure it out in a matter of minutes. This is seldom the case when a hacker works with a new system.
Usually, a person would need more time and supportive tools. Additionally, they would also need to check some existing vulnerabilities, which usually takes quite a lot of time.
Using IP Address to Hack Into Accounts
Hollywood movies would have you believe you can hack someone by only knowing their IP address. While it’s true that your public IP address is on display unless you are using the best VPN, hacking into your accounts using an IP address is extremely difficult, although it’s not impossible. A more realistic threat that can come from having your IP address be public is that hackers can get ahold of other valuable information about you, like your city and even a Zip code.
Instantly Guessing a Password
Another trope that has nothing to do with the realities of hacking is instantly guessing someone’s password. Granted, getting into an account that uses a password like “1234” or the owner’s birthday is not too difficult. Still, most people these days have more complicated passwords, especially if they’re trying to protect sensitive data with it. It’s pretty unheard of to guess a difficult password on a first try, or even in minutes.
In real life, it usually takes hundreds or even thousands of guesses to get it right, but that would be pretty boring to watch on the big screen.
Finding the Right Information Instantly
Last but not least, the myth that is constantly overused in movies is that hackers can get relevant information instantly. This trope is especially popular in crime shows. An agent will ask a computer nerd where the suspect last used his device, and the computer nerd will have the answer for him in a matter of minutes. There is no directory that holds all this information that you can just look through and find the answer to.
These movies rarely reference all the paperwork one needs to fill out to request this kind of information in the first place, let alone the time and effort it takes to find out these details that are likely buried in an overwhelming pile of useless information.
A battle rages on between PC players. Consequently, There is one team who is committed to desktop gaming, and on the other side are the laptop super fans. Therefore, whichever team you back, you are going to be fiercely loyal. I chose the latter for convenience whenever I travel. However, overheating and laptop gaming go hand-in-hand. Subsequently, this is where the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand (GXT 1125) comes into play. This simple device is designed to keep you gaming and your machine cool.
This is a brilliantly basic concept that is a must-have for laptop gamers. Its 5 fan design looks great, works wonderfully, and helps to reduce fan noise. What’s more, it has fantastic build quality, is adjustable, and has a mobile phone holder for your convenience. Alongside this, it is light enough to stow in your bag and it has anti-slip technology.
Stay cool with the 5 fan system.
What’s in the box of the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand?
The rectangular box is adorned with imagery and key selling points. This lightweight container is a little flimsy, but the contents are still well-packaged. Inside, the device is held in place by two polystyrene stop ends. Sadly, this makes it difficult to recycle, and that was disappointing.
The Trust Laptop Cooling Stand is great to look at. It has a premium aluminium finish and 5 LED fans. Furthermore, it is designed for laptops up to 17″ and weighs less than 10 kg. Alongside this, a sturdy lifting arm allows you to adjust the seating position by 190 mm.
USB to USB cable. This small rubberised cable is used to power the stand from a laptop USB port.
Technical guide and sticker. A basic manual filled with key information and a Trust logo sticker.
The blue lighting looks amazing. Simple design. The phone holder. Simple packaging. Guide and sticker. USB to USB cableKeep your mobile device close at hand. A stable platform to game from. The full package.
Technical aspects.
Main material
Aluminium
Max. laptop size
17″
Max. weight
9.4 kg
Max. lift height
190 mm
Fan included
Yes 1 * 130 mm 4 * 50 mm
Height
50 mm
Width
400 mm
Depth
280 mm
Unlike its peers, the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand only has one setting. By powering it up, each of the 5 LED fans is activated. There is a large central fan that is flanked by 4 smaller ones. This design is well-considered as it gives the maximum coverage to the largest possible laptop. What’s more, with only one setting to consider, there is little that can go wrong.
What I particularly liked about the design was the sturdy lifting arm. With 5 different positions to consider, you can get your viewing angles perfect at any time. Furthermore, there are some well-positioned lugs to prevent your laptop from moving. Moreover, its anti-slip technology will keep your machine in place at all times. This was incredibly reassuring, especially when gaming on a moving vehicle.
Finally, there is nothing worse than a horrifically loud cooling system. Luckily, the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand peaks at a reasonable 45 dBa. Consequently, you won’t have to adjust your gaming audio, nor will others around you get annoyed. Yes, there are quieter alternatives, but I found this to be unobtrusive and fit for purpose.
Get the perfect viewing angle.
Is the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand worth it?
I’ve purchased and experimented with many cooling systems. However, I’m always left dissatisfied. Fortunately, the Trust Laptop Cooling Stand is different. Thanks to its uncomplicated approach, excellent build quality, and LED fans, it delivers on every level. Alongside this, it is relatively portable, easy to store, and inexpensive to purchase.
As such, it is an affordable device that’ll solve a serious gaming problem. Accordingly, if you own a laptop and want to overcome overheating issues, then this is your solution. It is an incredible device that can be used at home or on the move with ease. Furthermore, there is a detachable phone holder if you need to keep your mobile close by.
Summary.
It is tough to be passionate about such a simple device. Yet, I can’t help but love it. It looks great, is easy to use, it’s lightweight, and will complement any RGB setup. On top of this, your machine feels safe and the adjustable viewing angles make it comfortable to use. It is for all these reasons that I recommend you to buy it here!
RuneScape is similar to Minecraft in a way that it has been around forever, and still somehow manages to stay relevant today. 21 years have passed since RuneScape got released, with nearly 300 million accounts created in its lifetime. Now, more than 100,000 players regularly join game sessions to either trade, fight, or grind for resources and grind for RuneScape Gold. It is said that MMORPGs are nearing their end, but some titles, like RuneScape, keep proving everyone wrong.
So what is up with RuneScape; what makes it so interesting to this day, and is it worth playing and paying membership in 2022? Stay with us till the end to find out! RS3 is loved for its core mechanics and grinding potential, but sometimes, it gets dull to the point it deters players from playing further. At Chicks Gold, we offer cheap RS3 gold to help you avoid the grind or to buy a membership. Buy RS3 gold and quickly jump to late-game content with ease!
Gielinor
RuneScape’s Gielinor is a vast land brimming with wildlife, natural wonders, man-made structures, and hostile creatures looking to reset your progress in any way they can. What makes it even more interesting are NPCs, each with a story to tell or a quest to task you with. The sheer randomness of different events makes the world feel alive and explorable.
Quests in RuneScape are truly next-level, offering players the chance to relive stories of important figures from the Gielinor’s past and completely immerse in the RS3 experience. It also features a quest manager that helps players organize missions chronologically and by difficulty.
Gameplay
It is impossible to pinpoint a single feature that makes RuneScape popular, as it is the entire game itself that makes it replayable, unique, and memorable. Players can easily focus on skilling and look to progress their characters through trading and getting those 99s, or enter every single dungeon and slay bosses threatening Gielinor and its people to acquire insane loot. It is the freedom of choice that significantly ups the replayability paired with a plethora of quests and mini-stories each offering something unique and new.
Players have multiple ways to develop their accounts in RuneScape, through combat or non-combat means.
· Non-combat
Woodcutting, Farming, and Construction are all skills that do not require players to lift their swords to level. These can be very lucrative too, as players can later sell the obtained goods for big bucks. What makes these skills interesting is the fact that they can be done to relax as they do not require complex actions and players can get to the late game with these skills without fighting at all.
· Combat
RuneScape’s combat is very straightforward, as it is based on three combat types, melee, ranged, and magic. Essentially, use melee to beat ranged, ranged to beat magic, and magic to beat melee – simple! Having such a simple combat system helps balance game mechanics giving everyone an equal chance to show their skills in combat.
Graphics
The RuneScape 3 graphics look very modern and enhanced as opposed to the old-school version but thanks to polls and forums, developers have incorporated a Legacy Mode for those looking to return to RuneScape and experience the nostalgia.
Updates & events
Previously, Jagex was not paying much attention to the community, but today, we have forums and polls that include the players in the mix. This helps developers to precisely update those aspects of the game that are slacking as well as to add new content requested by the player base.
Regular events are also being featured, as a way to keep players interested in new, limited content releases. Usually, a new part of the map becomes available, or certain quest-related elements or NPCs spawn for players to interact with. They have to perform certain tasks to acquire event-exclusive items.
Pay-to-win?
This has been a theme for debate for the longest of times, mainly because F2P players can only experience so much of what Gielinor has to offer. Despite that, free accounts still have plenty to do with 38 quests and 17 skills and will hardly reach a point where they hit a plateau.
This does not mean that to fully experience RuneScape you have to pay for a content subscription, just that the membership system is made to restrict players from using the majority of RuneScape’s content and to urge them to pay. This is a standard practice of many free-to-play games so there is no need to raise any alarms.
Players can pay for their memberships with RS3 gold and that seems like a good deal to us. Think about it, you can get access to content available from 2001 till now, for free if you buy a membership with gold. But even when paying with real money, you will definitely get a good bang for your buck.
Our take
We believe that RuneScape will hardly meet its substitute, with a loyal community and a company that cares about its players. People love it for what it is; a classy, click-to-move MMORPG with a stunning environment and carefully thought-out quests. We strongly believe it is worth playing, as such experience newer MMORPGs cannot offer.
In 1996, the EGRET II arcade cabinet was released and was a raving success. Roll on 26 years and the EGRET II mini can now be purchased. There is no doubt that this retro machine will have old-school gamers salivating. As such, owning one of these limited edition consoles will be tough.
So, why is this machine so popular? Well, everyone adores a great retro game, and this comes preloaded with some of the best. This console comes preloaded with 40 awesome arcade classics and has some excellent modern features. What’s more, there is an array of additional controllers, a rotating monitor, and HDMI output. Alongside this, there is an SD slot to add more games and integrated sound through stereo speakers.
Check out this awesome retro machine.
Why buy it when you can emulate them for free?
Now, retro gaming isn’t new! As such, there are plenty of emulators and ROMs available. However, the EGRET II mini is a must for those that wish to impress. Not only does it perform perfectly, but it looks cool as hell as well. I mean, who doesn’t want a replica arcade cabinet in their gaming room or man/woman cave? Hell, I know I do.
This is the market that this console is aimed towards. Gamers who have some spare cash and a desire to have a conversation starter. Furthermore, it’s amazing to choose from an array of excellent titles, and whoop your mates like you are back in the 80s.
Check out the rotational screen.
What titles come with the EGRET II mini?
Build quality isn’t in question, nor can I fault the array of peripherals on offer. However, my biggest concern if I were to invest, would be the inbuilt games. Therefore, let’s look at what’s on offer.
Space Invaders 1978
Lunar Rescue 1979
Steel Worker 1980
Lupin the Third 1980
QIX 1981
Pirate Pete 1982
Adventure Canoe 1982
Elevator Action 1983
Chack’n Pop 1983
Outer Zone 1984
The FairyLand Story 1985
The Legend of Kage 1985
Bubble Bobble 1986
Halley’s Comet 1986
Kiki Kaikai 1986
Scramble Formation (Tokio) 1986
Rastan Saga (Rastan) 1987
Kyukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra) 1987
Rainbow Islands Extra 1988
The NewZealand Story 1988
Ramais 1988
TATSUJIN (Truxton) 1988
DonDokoDon 1989
Violence Fight 1989
Cadash 1989
Volfied 1989
Mizubaku Adventure (Liquid Kids) 1990
Gun Frontier (Gun & Frontier) 1990
Runark (Growl ) 1990
Hat Trick Hero (Football Champ) 1990
The Ninja Kids 1990
Metal Black 1991
RayForce (Gunlock) 1993
Kaiser Knuckle (Global Champion) 1994
Bubble Symphony (Bubble Bobble II) 1994
Elevator Action Returns (Elevator Action II) 1994
Darius Gaiden 1994
Dan-Ku-Ga 1994
Puzzle Bobble 2X (Bust-a-Move Again) 1995
Bubble Memories 1995
And the additional 10 on the SD expansion card:
Marine Date 1981
Strike Bowling 1982
Birdie King 1982
Arkanoid 1986
Plump Pop 1987
Arkanoid: Revenge of DoH 1987
Syvalion 1988
Cameltry 1989
Arkanoid Returns 1997
Puchi Carat 1997
I think we can all agree that there is something for everyone. Consequently, the EGRET II mini will be a welcome distraction from modern gaming. I know we all love COD, Fifa, and Elden Ring, but these are time-consuming endeavours. Instead, burn up some time with these mindless but addictive titles.
Technical aspects.
Measurements: 150mm (width) x 200mm (depth) x 209mm (height)
Maximum Power Current: 1.65 A (Console only)
Recommended Power Source: Above 5V/2.4A (12W)
Included Titles: 40
LCD Display: 5inch LCD display (Aspect ratio 4:3, resolution 1024×768)
Ports: SD card slot, power inlet (USB Type-C), HDMI port (for TV usage), 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 controller ports (USB Type-A)
What’s in the box of the EGRET II mini – Limited Blue Edition?
EGRET II mini – Limited Blue Edition
USB Type-C charging cable & HDMI cable (2m)
EGRET II mini – Paddle and Trackball Game Expansion Set
Instruction panel and exchangeable mini instruction cards (Japanese)
Taito Arcade Strategy Book for the 50 included titles
Three additional controllers.
This optional, special controller for the EGRET II mini uses the classic arcade control methods and includes 10 additional titles that take advantage of this feature on an SD card!
This optional, special controller for the EGRET II mini uses the same layout as the arcade itself, with 6 control buttons and a joystick that can be switched between 8 and 4-directions. Allows for 2 player battle or co-op.
This optional, special controller for the EGRET II mini uses a more home console-oriented layout, for those players who are more used to playing with modern console controllers. Allows for 2 player battle or co-op.
Summary.
The EGRET II mini is currently available for pre-order in the exclusive Western colour scheme. Alongside this, 3 different controllers can be purchased separately for the authentic experience. If you love retro gaming, then look no further than this miniature old-school arcade console.
Do you love the idea of running your own farm, taking care of everything by overseeing what goes on and what to do if things get troublesome? How about, do you enjoy a game that allows you to not only play on your own but also have a choice to challenge and build skills by going through a few career modes related to farming? Then maybe you should give the Farm Manager 2022 version a try! it’s the newest game for Nintendo Switch and will help you learn what it takes to run a farm and keep things thriving day by day.
Plus, there are so many fun challenges and plenty of engagement that as a manager, you’ll be required to handle. Don’t always think that employees are the only ones that do all the work, you aren’t just going to be standing around and watching. Instead, you’ll be involved with the important role of making important decisions, affording employees, and dealing with purchasing farming equipment, livestock, and many more items or buildings to add to the farm. Plus, with the weather changes and the occurrence of any type of disaster that may hit, you’ll need to know how to handle all of that as well! So do you think you have what it takes to be a farmer, but most importantly the manager of a farm? If so, then come check out what is in store for you in this game.
🚜 How Was The Game 🚜
The game starts out with four main gaming options, but mainly the one that really is worth trying is the one that relates to your understanding of the game better. That would be playing through the tutorial mode, and even better is to move forward and choose the second option that helps you learn and challenge what you were taught through the career mode. Each step and how to move through every piece feature are easily explained and can be acknowledged through these game modes. Since there are plenty of things you’ll need to understand so you can play the game without a problem, perfect beginner game choice.
There is one strange issue I noticed that isn’t the same as in the Xbox game mode, which I don’t recall it to be the same. During, the tutorial mode of the game, which is very easy to understand and play through each step. Yes, it does take time to get used to the controller to access each of the features. Regardless the completion is where it gets a little strange. There isn’t any congratulations or a special word of you created your first farm. Instead, it just returns you quickly to the main menu of the game, allowing you time to choose another one other option down the list to play, or if you want to play the tutorial stage again it’s still there too.
The third option is the Scenario Mode, which gives you certain tasks to accomplish inside an already established farm. You just have to do the task required, mainly told to you from when you select which scenario you’d like to try and also during the game. After completing a few tasks requested, then the stage is completed and you can move toward others which may take time and more work to accomplish. Another mode is great for skill building and adds an additional piece of gameplay to make this game even more interesting.
Lastly, the fourth option is Free Mode, close to playing a sandbox-style game. You are in charge and have no missions or goals to accomplish, it’s just your own personal farm to run and keep thriving. A game mode that is just as simple as telling you, here is a large amount of space and now do what you like and build a farm as big or small as you want. You’ll still have the job as the manager, but no important tasks to accomplish to move forward like in career mode. You just let your creativity go into play.
Now I did have a chance to try this game in the past for the Xbox One console and I honestly always felt this game to be awesome! I even like that now I can have it to play on my handheld Nintendo Switch console, which is also able to be played on the TV, and go with me when I want to play Farm Manager 2022. Additionally, I love the ease it has compared to some other realistic 3D-style farming games. Especially if you are an employee on the farm and not running it from the manager’s point of view.
The features that are included with this game will have you adding buildings, placing and purchasing new machines, and hiring employees to operate and take care of the crops and livestock you decide to buy. Besides purchasing only a few crops and livestock, you will also be able to raise a mixed type of livestock and crops. Plus, if you want you can take some time to oversee the production and operations by taking a close view with the adjustment of the camera and seeing from all sides what is happening and how everything is looking.
Next, there are some challenges like the weather changes that occur. You would have to make sure to know what to plant, how much, or how to care for certain livestock and plants that you are growing to make a profit on and feed. As bad weather can really cause havoc and even buildings may end up burning up in flames causing you to lose a building or requiring you to spend more money on repairs or replacement. That practically goes with a bunch of things that the weather can do. Then again, not everything lasts and not everything will survive.
In reality, this game brings plenty of realistic challenges and requires planning to keep the funds coming in as well as loans and avoiding disaster along the way. Just like being a tycoon, you will get to be in charge of how well the game plays day by day, all determined by how well you do your job. Plus, to be honest, I love this style of game more than just being a farmer working on the farm. As you are a leader that oversees everything and does what is needed to keep things running.
Lastly, there are two things that were a bit frustrating. I know all the steps are meant to make it easy, but sometimes I did get lost and confused, leading to a huge headache trying to figure out what I need to do to get certain tasks completed. Also, I want to mention that the text sometimes felt too small with so much being mentioned by the woman on top, guiding us through most of the game. For many, it’s just going to have you squinting most of the time. This was an issue I had while playing the Xbox version as well. However, if you get close up to the screen it’ll be easier, or if you just don’t have a problem reading small text, then it’s not the worst issue. Yet, many may suffer this as a problem.
Otherwise, I found nothing to be wrong with the speed, graphics, or sounds in the game. Plus, with so much that you can do during the game, you may think its loading time might stall or cause some type of issues, but in actuality, it didn’t. Everything from the sounds, change of weather, and the graphics and design of objects, characters, and many other items appear are so realistic. Additionally, the gameplay is easy it is to get a hang of, right from the start. You do need to get acquainted with the features as in many games, but after going through the career mode, which also acts like the tutorial stage of the game, everything becomes a piece of cake and from then on, it’s just so much fun to play and play over and over again!
🚜 Final Thoughts 🚜
I love these types of games, simulation games that also can be considered to play like a sandbox game too! It’s got career mode to get you understanding and also learning how to play. Then you have the chance to just build up your farm the way you like. After of course, learning how to play and use the different features, which there are plenty to learn, it does become easier to know how to build and run a farm as a great manager should!
I honestly loved the game, it’s easier to move around, but can be tricky in the beginning. However, it gets simpler after you play the game constantly. I don’t really feel there is anything so easier than Farm Manager as many other games out there that are similar to a simulated farming game. This game makes it easier to view everything on the farm and easily get the job required of you done correctly the first time. Except, some may find it a bit difficult or get confused at times, which can be a good reason to pause the game till you work the farm out and put it together. Also, for the details from the lady at the top of each tutorial, career or scenario mode can be a bit difficult to read. Yet on a good note, you can play the game as much as you like and always change it up, as there is no end to the possibilities and how to become a great manager!
Surreal adventure games are nothing new. These odd experiences are open to interpretation and can be wild and whacky. Occasionally, though, they are touching, memorable, and heartfelt. This is exactly what Voyage hopes to impart to its players. Subsequently, it is a very strange title that is confusing, unusual, but oh so beautiful.
Developed by Venturous and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a cinematic puzzle adventure title. It focuses on a collaborative approach, as such, it can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively. I tried both methods and loved each one. Therefore, if you are a lone gamer, you’ll have just as much fun as when you team up with another.
The light and bubbles indicate a new path that you must take.
Voyage: a short but mesmerising journey.
Normally, I frown whenever the gameplay is too short. This is especially true when I adore what I’m playing. Voyage is over far too quickly and this was disappointing. Set across 8 absurd and bizarre chapters, you and your friend must work together to progress. The core concept revolves around basic puzzles, climbing, pushing and pulling items, and activating switches. Consequently, many of the problems are easy to solve and much of the action is linear. This wasn’t a problem though, as the simplicity allowed me to focus on my crazy surroundings.
The story of Voyage centres around two survivors and their journey to get home. As they explore each level, they are haunted by apparitions of past encounters. These memories give them clues as to how to proceed, but the solutions are still shrouded in mystery. As you progress, you explore some zany and weird locations. By the end, the adventure comes full circle, and the truth is revealed. Without spoiling it for you, the conclusion will tug at your heartstrings. As such, it is a beautifully dramatic story told at a relaxing pace.
Pull your boat and continue the adventure.
No violence or words are needed.
Many will say that violence is a key part of any video game. However, I don’t believe it is always necessary. In fact, in Voyage, it wouldn’t be relevant, nor would it be suitable. Accordingly, a combat-free experience is on the cards. During your short time with it, there are no elements of danger. Instead, you enjoy the straightforward puzzles and incredibly detailed landscapes. Whether it’s a dusty desert, gargantuan spaceship, or haunting wasteland, they never fail to impress.
Alongside this, there is no dialogue. You’ll see no text, hear no words, and yet, it’s still an emotional masterpiece. The simple aesthetics and gentle pace are captivating. What’s more, the strange and often shrouded nature of the story holds your attention throughout.
Voyage looks and sounds incredible.
Indie titles have gone from strength to strength, and Voyage is a prime example. Thanks to its stunning looks and amazing audio, you are in for a cinematic treat. Its rich colour palette and wonderful hand-painted landscapes are eye-catching. I cherished the varied and intelligent stage design, but wish they were bigger and more complex. Though much of the action was linear, it lacked repetition, and this kept things fresh.
The audio beautifully complemented each chapter. The varied soundtrack created an eerie and haunting soundscape. Consequently, you quickly become immersed in this strange alien world. With no dialogue, it could have lacked energy or emotion. However, this wasn’t the case! The excellent composition injects pace when needed, and highlights loss and frailty perfectly. I adored every second of this cinematic treat and this is where it truly excels.
Battle the desert and find the secrets.
A simple game = simple controls.
The opening chapter doubles up as a basic tutorial. This was nice, but it wasn’t entirely necessary. Why? Because the controls are so simple, they are mastered immediately. Furthermore, the responsive inputs and stripped-back UI support it further still. If you play this cooperatively, the controls are even easier. However, solo gamers needn’t worry, as the fundamentals are a cinch to understand.
Where Voyage is lacking is both longevity and replay value. In under an hour, you’ll have completed it and discovered every secret. Subsequently, this was disappointing, as I wanted so much more. Sadly, there is no room for an alternative ending, nor could a New Game + mode be implemented. Luckily, though, the first and only playthrough is so good that it’s worthy of your time.
Voyage is breathtaking.
A game rarely gets most things right. Normally, there are plenty of shortcomings that can be improved. Voyage, however, is simply breathtaking and is, therefore, a stunning indie game. Consequently, I loved it and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you work together to solve the mystery and get home?
Engineered with world’s first coaxial dual-driver design with a powerful Ø11mm dynamic driver and piezoelectric ceramic tweeter, the HONOR Earbuds 3 Pro delivers a naturally resonant bass and clear melodious treble. Besides having anAdaptive Active Noise Cancellation (Adaptive ANC) that recognises ambient sounds and switches to various noise cancellation modes for an immersive and uninterrupted experience, consumers were drawn to the HONOR Earbuds 3 Pro, which is also the world’s first true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds to feature a 5C fast charging technology.
Features
● Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation
● Crystal-clear Audio
● Coaxial Dual-driver Design
● Incredibly Light and Comfortable
● Fast Charging & Long Battery Life
What’s in the box?
The box contains the Earbuds 3 Pro, charging case, charging cable, manual and spare tips.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
One of the first things you notice about the Earbuds 3 Pro is that they look a lot like Apple’s AirPods Pro, and that’s not a bad thing. These are grey rather than white and actually I prefer the look of the Earbuds 3 Pro. You can get them in white though if you really want to.
The charging case and the earbuds themselves are small and lightweight, making them both easy to carry around when not in use and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Talking of charging, 5 minutes of charging in the charging cases gives you 2 hours of charge which is delivered using 5C fast charging and provides 65% charge in around 10 minutes. Basically charge up the case and when the earbuds are not in use they will charge ready for you to use. The box contains a charging cable which just needs to be plugged into either a USB port or a USB plug. A full charge gives you around 6 hours and with the 24 hours of charge the case can hold, you shouldn’t run out of battery!
Pairing the Earbuds is really simple and quick and they connect back to the device easily when used again later.
The Earbuds are very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time, this is party down to the pressure-equalising front and rear vents.
There are controls on the Earbuds themselves that you can use, or you can use the HONOR AI Space app, or if its just volume controls you want you can do that from your device very easily.
The sounds quality is extremely good and is one of the best I have listened to on earbuds. They have adaptive Active Noise Cancellation which recognises noises in the environment and automatically switches to various noise cancelling modes, and they work very well.
There is also Call Noise AI Cancellation which really helps when making or receiving phone calls. This worked very well with the people I spoke to saying my voice was very clear.
The Earbuds 3 Pro work great with an HONOR phone, however if you want to use them with you iPhone (for example) there isn’t an app. They do work with an iPhone, but you don’t get all the additional features the HONOR AI Space offers.
If you are looking for a high quality comfortable pair of earbuds that have high quality sound and features, and you are looking for an alternative to Apple’s AirPods then you really need to take a look, and listen at the HONOR Earbuds 3 Pro.
The HONOR Earbuds 3 Pro are available now priced around £169.99 and are available in White or Gray.
