Review: Monstar Train 2

Saim Khurshid
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Review: Monstar Train 2

All aboard the rail of fame, as the public opinion shifts towards the mundane Monster Train.

Developed by KShiny Shoe and published by Big Fan Games, Monster Train 2 is a PVP roguelike card battler, the sequel to Monster Train.

I heard a lot of people harping about their love for the original Monster Train, the weight of the sequel giving them life. I never played the original, so this was going to be my first rodeo. A week later, I can safely say, what on earth were these harpers smoking? Luck-based waste of time nonsense!

The Lucky Strategy

I won’t get fancy. I am going to describe the gameplay of Monster Train 2 as simply as I can. You can be the judge.

The game begins with you getting some cards, which are either fighters or effect cards. These cards are randomised, and as the game continues, you get new cards and lose old ones.

When a round begins, you place soldiers on available spots in a 4-story building(on a train). These soldiers are your defenders who must defend a living lifebar that is at the fourth level.

At the start of each round, enemies appear on the 1st floor.

You can attack them using cards and apply debuffs. Any enemy that survives will move to the next floor in the following round. If they reach the final floor, they will attack your health bar, dealing damage with each attack.

To win, you must defeat every enemy in the rounds.

After each battle, you move your train to shops, upgrades, and eventually to the next battle.

As great as this concept sounds, the entire game falls into the shuffle of the cards. It is all about chance. If you get the right cards at the right time, you win. Otherwise, any real skill or strategy be damned, you lose.

Train goes Choo Choo.

In Monster Train 2, you take on the role of a conductor guiding a train through the depths of hell, carrying with you a precious cargo: a living, sentient flame that must be protected at all costs. The world has been overrun by divine forces aiming to snuff out this final ember of infernal power. 

Your mission is to defend the train from waves of invading celestial enemies while collecting and cataloguing every monster you defeat along the way.

Each monster that appears in the game is part of a growing bestiary. As you progress through battles, you encounter new enemies, and once defeated, their data is recorded into a massive living library. This archive serves both as a log of your accomplishments and a comprehensive record of the various fiends and factions that exist within the game’s universe. Over time, you’ll fill this library with detailed entries about each monster’s abilities, traits, and lore.

TrainWreck

In the end, Monster Train 2 is a ride that promises hellfire and havoc but mostly delivers a slot machine in disguise. Beneath the bold aesthetics, catchy animations, and endless streams of demonic jargon lies a game that seems more interested in flipping coins than rewarding planning or skill.

Sure, there are moments when the cards line up, your units hold their ground, and the monster library gets a new dusty entry. Strategy might give you the illusion of control, but don’t be fooled, this train doesn’t run on tactics, it runs on dice rolls.

Maybe that’s enough. Maybe the spectacle, the lore, and the familiar mechanics still hold some spark. But for newcomers like me, Monster Train 2 isn’t a calculated journey through the underworld.

Get off at the next station, if you can. This train doesn’t care who’s driving.

Review: Undivine

Daniel Waite
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Review: Undivine

Undivine is a dark endeavour that will appeal to a sadomasochistic audience. Its seamlessly never-ending labyrinthine world is eerie, uncomfortable, and a joy to explore. Moreover, there are RPG and souls-like elements to push you all the way.

Brainium Games developed and published this sinister Metroidvania. It is a single-player experience that twists your mind and reality. Furthermore, it has fast-flowing combat, a minor progression system, and plenty of relics and treasure to find. In an atypical genre style, you must find new powers to open otherwise locked gateways. Accordingly, there is plenty of back and forth as you progress. 

Undivine has a secretive and alluring plot.

If you want a dark, creepy, and weird plot, you’ve come to the right place. Undivine has a wonderfully secretive and alluring story. Additionally, its approach works perfectly with each key genre mechanic. Consequently, if this is your thing, you will adore this latest addition. 

You control a hero known as the traveller. This unknown warrior has a huge task on his hands. A giant chasm has opened in a desolate village. Other wannabe heroes have entered and never returned. Subsequently, this is a challenge you cannot refuse. As you enter the hole, things are not as they seem. Monsters, traps, puzzles, and a host of bosses await. Has the hero bitten off more than they can chew?

Typical Metroidvania. 

Undivine is as typical a Metroidvania as you’ll find. However, its opening gambit is easier than I expected. Exploring the first area flows at an unbelievable pace. Moreover, unlocking the first magical ability and tackling the opening boss was a walk in the park. Thankfully, things quickly ramp up as the world expands and puzzles, monsters, and bosses become increasingly tougher. 

The hero begins as a relatively weak individual. Yet, they soon master new talents and abilities. The talents improve your chances of survival. Whether it is increased mana or health, it all helps. The new abilities are where this shines! Wall climbing, power ground smashes, fire, teleportation, and much more await. Each of these powers unlocks rooms and unseen paths. The tightly knitted exploration thrives as a consequence.

The hero faces a large beast in Undivine.

Undivine looks grim. 

Describing a game as grim may not be the most complementary statement. However, Undivine is beautifully grim. Its pixelated aesthetic and dark colour palette create a despicable world to explore. Furthermore, the bosses and monsters are great to look at. 

The audio is just as good. Each area has its unique vibe, and the music complements it wonderfully. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy some outlandish sound effects. Your sword slices through the air, and your magic pings with a hellish zip. In short, Undivine is aesthetically pleasing. 

Excellent controls. 

Precision platforming combined with Metroidvania madness is a recipe for rage-quitting. Luckily, the excellent control setup kept me in check. As you progress, you must master your sword, magic, and abilities. Luckily, the responsive inputs ensure that this isn’t a tough learning curve. 

I adore it when a developer creates different playstyles. Undivine lets you combine a range of talents, armour, swords, and magic. The result is a variety of approaches that’ll appeal to a large audience. Furthermore, finding every secret and unlocking the full map is no mean feat. Subsequently, this will keep you busy for hours. 

Undivine is a great indie game. 

This may not be my favourite genre, but I love Undivine regardless. The setting is horrible but captivating. Moreover, the gameplay is fascinating, and I appreciate the different playstyles and varied bosses. Accordingly, I think it’s a great indie game and I recommend buying it here! Can you better the failed warriors? Explore the labyrinth, master your skills, and return to the surface.

Early Access Review: Utopia Must Fall

Josh Blackburn
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Early Access Review: Utopia Must Fall

Utopia Must Fall does one of my favourite things when it comes to futuristic settings. It takes the names of actual cities, then bolts on words like ‘neo’ or ‘hyper’ on the front of them. I love it. I wonder what prompts the city to make the change. Is it when you’ve put up enough glowing neon lights and giant TV screens? We can’t be that far away from ‘Neo New York’ then. Though personally, I’m more into ‘hyper’. ‘UltraHyperMega London’ is surely what we should be aiming for.

Anyhow, despite ostensibly being set in the future, Utopia Must Fall‘s gameplay is a definite shot into the past. It’s very deliberately modelled after arcade games. That sort of lays out what to expect. Very simple gameplay, bright colourful graphics, some upbeat music and a big, flashing high score counter at the top of the screen. Arcade games have their good and bad sides, though. Utopia Must Fall is extremely accessible and has a good, entertaining skeleton – but it’s lacking in staying power right how.

Utopia Must Fall

Neo London Has Fallen

The specific arcade games that Utopia Must Fall is calling back to are Missile Command and Asteroids, with a health dose of Space Invaders in there. You start a run by getting handed a city, which could be, say, HyperParis. It’s protected by a shield, and a giant cannon that follows your mouse cursor. You need to defend it from encroaching waves of asteroids and aliens, and all their assorted missiles. After each wave, you pick an upgrade from an extensive tree. That might be increasing your fire rate or shield strength, or spawning in a drone for help.

It’s an intensely bright and colourful experience. As you progress through the days, your screen will get filled with brightly coloured ships and rockets, and flashing explosions. If it gets too much, you can release a nuke to wipe out a section of the screen. You keep going until the enemy manages to punch through your shield and reduce your population to zero. The core loop is quite frantic, and fun as a result. My highest result came around day 27, and I was barely holding back the constant barrage of missiles. It’s bright, flashing insanity.

Utopia Must Fall

Midnight in HyperParis

That said, while I found the core gameplay of Utopia Must Fall quite fun, it didn’t really get its hooks into me. I had to vivisect that feeling for a while before getting to the bottom of it, because Utopia Must Fall has a lot going for it. There’s a staggering amount of enemy variety and a decent amount of upgrades. I think the problem lies on two fronts. Firstly, there’s just not much variety in the actual enemy designs. Coloured triangles don’t really look that different from each other. So, while each run is technically different, it all starts feeling the same.

The second point is related to the first, there just isn’t enough build variety yet to keep the runs interesting. Most of my upgrades follow the same lines. Invest in getting triple shot, gets some drones done, beef up the shields and increase nuke production. Then keep pressing on until the enemy missiles get too much. There need to be some truly exciting upgrades. In fact, the ‘refresh’ upgrades button is given a silly name each time. One of them is putting wheels on the city; very funny. But, honestly, why not? Moving the city would add a complete new dimension. Maybe we could split the city, giving us two targets but essentially, two lives? These are the things that keep me coming back.

Utopia Must Fall

Utopia Must Fall – A Good Skeleton

Maybe there are exciting upgrades way further down the tree, but I’m too incompetent to get there. As a result, I’m left with the sole draw: the high score. I’ve never really been one for chasing scores. In fact, I tend to set one that I’m vaguely happy with and then never think about it again. And that’s sad, because I’d like to think about Utopia Must Fall again. It has a lovely, fun core. It just needs to build on it. Perhaps literally, in a way. Maybe the image of our city could change the more upgrades we have?

That’s sort of what I need. The feeling that something is changing and improving as we go, beyond the hidden stats attached to the upgrades. The Steam description points towards some meta-progression in the future, which may help. As it is, I think it just needs more stuff in general. No bad place for an early access game to be in. If you want a fun little arcade game to soak up a few hours, check out Utopia Must Fall now. But if you’re patient, I’ve a feeling it might become much more than that in the future.

(Utopia Must Fall’s Steam Page)

Review: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Harry Delamore
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Review: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Alone and weak, you wake up in a prison with hardly a thing to your inventory. Anybody who has RPG experience knows this situation is nothing to fear; it’s not long before a guard is asking you for a backstory, portioning skill points, and constructing a character beyond a blank slate. What is even more apparent is that building such a character would serve no use between metal bars, so it’s hardly surprising when an answer to this predicament arrives in the form of a timely savior. As this mystery man helps you escape, your character, who has only just found a story, is quickly caught up in a spectacle more significant than any prison cell setting.

Seem familiar? In many ways, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, developed by Questline and published by Awaken Realms, is counting on that recognition. Much like the explosive appearance of the soulslike genre following From Software’s formula in recent years, Tainted Grail has no qualms existing in the shadow of its incredibly popular older sibling, The Elder Scrolls. By forgoing the evasive, self-conscious state of manipulation seen in many cases of mimicry, the title embraces the empty space of a series that hasn’t seen a new addition in over thirteen years. With so many fans left yearning, Tainted Grail’s predictability is far from a bad thing. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is their answer, a scrollslike, and a solid one at that.

While the emergence of a scrollslike genre may seem like a no-brainer given the stagnant state of its source series, the surprise release of this year’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster shifted the simplicity of Tainted Grail’s situation. With Oblivion fresh in gamers’ minds following a remarkable makeover, is the product of a smaller, unproven team capable of going toe-to-toe with its renovated relative? Thanks to self-aware design choices and an unexpected ambition in storytelling and style, Tainted Grail measures up to the competition. When the game isn’t crashing, that is.

Following in the Footsteps of a Giant

Tainted Grail’s world and narrative surprised me thanks to its efforts toward exploring Arthurian legend in a bold, stylized way. From the start, the influence of dark fantasy and H.R. Giger depict the title as a distinct retelling of a period otherwise rooted in a singular visual perspective. It wasn’t just artistic deviations that challenged and recontextualized my preconceived notions, however. The narrative’s creative liberties with Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and more construct a dense, morally complex state of affairs where a choice-based RPG can thrive. Because Tainted Grail’s lore draws on a board game of the same name, it contains confident, thought-out world-building that respected my time, a trait out of reach for many of the overbearing, context-heavy genre. 

The best stories of open-world role-playing tend to stem from the person holding the controller stumbling across one-of-a-kind, unexpected, and unscripted moments. While this frequently held true within my playthrough of Tainted Grail, Questline’s ability to write great characters and dialogue challenged this notion. My favorite anecdotes and characters arrived with a noticeable intention to test the borders of taboo subject matter. Topics such as religion, gender, sexual temptations, and suicide weren’t just briefly mentioned but factored into conversation choices in noteworthy ways. That’s not to say the writing is always profound and pensive. Tainted Grail also surprised me with its strength in humor, surfacing just enough to strike a comfortable balance with the title’s more hefty moments.

Each character, faction, and force within the realm of Avalon, split across three regions, contain their own motivations, agendas, and personalities. The story moves forward with enough instantaneous motivation to make each quest rational, and the ability to skip dialogue never seemed attractive to me outside of occasionally rough voice acting. Thankfully, the narrative’s leading stars aren’t among those affected, and I genuinely wanted to hear what they had to say, even if straying off the beaten path would threaten my retention of story beats carried from conversation to conversation. While it is far from a genre staple, I consistently longed for a feature similar to Final Fantasy XVI’s Active Time Lore to exist, allowing me to easily recount the who, what, where, and why of Avalon’s dense worldbuilding.

Doing the Unstuck

Tainted Grail’s combat is impressive until it stumbles over the unequal attention given to its systems. The swing of a blunt weapon lands with a satisfying, bone-rattling impact. Summoning an explosive ball of poisonous magic sizzles and spews, polluting those unfortunate enough to exist where it lands. Dashing out of an enemy’s heavy-sword swing provides the rewarding feeling of calculated reaction time. The attention given to designing these individual mechanics is a step above the competition, which only makes it more frustrating when they matter so little in the grand scheme of how battles play out. Enemies are spongey and inconsistent in behavior, soaking up any reason to approach combat tactically. These exchanges instead force the player to spam weapon swings and spells, wait for their stamina and mana meters to recharge, and then spam some more. This unwieldy approach reduces the gratification inherent in each individual combat maneuver, exhibiting conflict as an unflattering representation of what could have been.

It’s easy to be angered by the missed potential of Tainted Grail’s fighting, but at least the ambition shines through on a mechanical level. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the host of other problems Tainted Grail is stained by. For a game that so keenly understands what makes open-world RPGs work, oftentimes responding to and capitalizing on the genre’s elements, it dramatically misses this mark when it comes to having any response to technical issues. Across my twenty-five-hour playthrough, I encountered twelve crashes, a wildly inconsistent frame rate, and relied on the menu’s unstuck button more than one should.

Technical issues aside, Tainted Grail also contains a plethora of design issues I questioned throughout my time spent in Avalon. The lack of a mini-map, combined with the absence of any sort of map while within indoor spaces, hindered my progress more often than it encouraged me to explore. The campfire system, where you can access many resources necessary to your adventure, is only deployable under certain conditions, leading many dungeon expeditions to be short-lived just so I could leave, cook a few meals for health regeneration, and then return to my objective. The biggest of Tainted Grail’s issues, however, is in its unreasonable enemy scaling. Failing to meet the combat ability necessary for progression led to side quests acting as a mandatory means to gain experience. While I enjoyed my time spent with these secondary stories, it felt somewhat deceiving to angle optional experiences in such a way.

The Symptoms of Scale

While it may seem as though technical and design snags have trampled my former compliments towards Tainted Grail, that is far from the case. Even if the experience doesn’t measure up to its idolized peers in terms of pure content, presentation, or popularity, the game’s efforts in occupying a similar philosophy to all-time greats is an aspiration often avoided by smaller studios. Not only this, but the unique storytelling, tone, and writing of Tainted Grail invested me in ways that many RPG staples never have. Even if bugs bound me to a choppy, imperfect experience, I more often than not found myself lost in the world of Avalon and what it had to offer me. Above all else, rolling the credits left me excited to see what is next for Questline.

Review: Stylo turntable

Daniel Waite
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Review: Stylo turntable

The Stylo Turntable from Majority Audio is a superb nod to retro tech. Though it appears old-school, looks are deceiving! This superb and stylish audio device is packed full of modern technology. Furthermore, the delicious crackle of vinyl and that raw but beautiful soundscape will make your skin tingle. In short, if you want a pure music experience, a turntable and your favourite vinyl are the way to go.

I looked at the Moto turntable in 2024, and I was thoroughly impressed. Accordingly, when Majority Audio offered me their latest and greatest premium device, I couldn’t turn it down. Every aspect of this product made me smile. The sleek wooden base blends retro imagery with contemporary lines. Additionally, the aluminium platter offers an upmarket edge. On top of this, the control arm is carbon, and the AT3600L cartridge delivers warm and clean audio.

What’s in the box of the Stylo turntable?

  • The packaging is large and filled with interesting information. Majority Audio care for the environment, and every element can be recycled.
  • The Stylo Turntable combines an array of materials for a premium finish. Furthermore, it has Bluetooth output, RCA, and Phono-Pre amp functionality.
  • The plastic lid can be detached for cleaning or storage.
  • A host of wires is provided for power and audio connection.
  • Learn the basics with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

This impressive turntable does not have speakers included. Unlike Majority Audio’s other products, the Stylo Turntable avoids this approach. Though this may seem an odd choice, I like the clean finish, and serious users will ignore the built-in speakers anyway. Instead, you can utilise the Bluetooth 5.3 out connectivity or the supplied RCA cables. I went with Bluetooth as I like the clean look, and it was surprisingly easy to set up.

The turntable automatically identifies which connection method you are using, and a simple button turns the Bluetooth function off. As such, you never worry about connectivity. The Phono preamp ensures your audio experience is nearly perfect. Though purists will prefer an external option, I liked this user-friendly design. What’s more, it was one less thing to think about as I sat back and enjoyed my favourite records.

Other key features to note are the counterweight and anti-skating adjustment tools. I didn’t have to play with either of these elements, but it was nice to have in case I needed to adjust the stylus or replace the needle. Making alterations to either was simple, and the user manual explains the process thoroughly. Furthermore, there is a pitch control if you wish to alter the audio speed. Talking of speeds, this is suitable for 45 and 33 RPM. Moreover, it supports between 7-12″ records.

Audio quality.

Audio quality isn’t going to be the easiest thing to discuss. After all, the AT3600L cartridge is only going to be as good as the speakers you use. During testing, I used an array of Bluetooth and wired speakers. Most are considered middle to high end, and the results were impressive as a consequence. The normal hiss, clack, and clicking of vinyl formed the backbone of every track. Additionally, the Phono preamp did its job perfectly.

The AT3600L cartridge delivers a pleasant and rounded tonal range. Moreover, the bass isn’t overpowering, and the general sound quality is impressive. Though it has some serious competitors, I believe that Majority Audio has made the right decision. The result is a warm and charming experience that offers a modern but nostalgia-fuelled soundscape.

Build quality.

I was blown away by the build quality. Everything about this stunning turntable is a head-turner. The solid wooden base is refined and clean. Furthermore, the aluminium platter is strong and visually pleasing. It combines perfectly with the soft felt pad, and the sublime carbon tonal arm is the cherry on top of the cake. Alongside this, the dials are well labelled and there is a nice tactile nature to each one.

Setting up the device is a breeze, and it took me under 5 minutes to unbox it and get the music playing. If you decide to take your time, you will be up and running in under 10 minutes. Each of the core components was robust. However, I wouldn’t want to be too rough with any of the moving parts. As such, this is a device that is suitable for older teenagers and above.

Is the Stylo Turntable worth it?

Streaming, MP3 players, iPads, and every other modern tool have their uses. However, there is no way to replicate that authentic retro feel of a turntable. The movement, aesthetic, and sound bring you out in goosebumps. Additionally, owning your favourite song on vinyl is something special. As such, the Stylo Turntable is the perfect product to bring energy and magic back into your life.

It is stylish, easy to use, and a pleasure to look at. Furthermore, the ability to combine dated and modern tech was a game-changer. As such, I believe this is a magical product, and I highly recommend purchasing it here!

(More information on Majority Audio can be found here!)

The Stylo Turntable from Majority Audio has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

A Remarkable Man – Dr. Shuntaro Hida from Hiroshima to Fukushima

Andrew Edney
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A Remarkable Man – Dr. Shuntaro Hida from Hiroshima to Fukushima

Here we take a closer look at A Remarkable Man – Dr. Shuntaro Hida from Hiroshima to Fukushima.

A poignant, eye-opening portrait of a witness to the atomic bomb who dedicated his life to treating and advocating for radiation survivors.

As a young doctor, Shuntaro Hida (1917–2017) played an essential role in the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, which he witnessed firsthand only six kilometers from ground zero. Tending to the overwhelming number of victims, he would spend more than sixty years developing an unparalleled understanding of the harmful effects of radiation and warning against the reckless use of nuclear power.

Through intimate, thoughtful interviews and compelling reportage, Marc Petitjean has created a worthy tribute to this determined, inspiring man who stood up to complicit governments and businesses. It testifies to the power of individuals to effect change as well as the importance of collective action, as demonstrated by organizations such as Nihon Hidankyo, a survivors’ group that would receive the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

An Excerpt from the book

A Meeting 

The first time I met Dr. Shuntaro Hida was in April 2005 in a Shinto cemetery, lost in the countryside some two hundred kilometers south of Tokyo. He was eighty-eight years old at the time. A very dignified figure in a suit and tie, he’d come to pay his respects to his family tomb with his wife. A letter that I’d sent him a few months earlier had been enough to persuade him to contribute to the film project Atomic Wounds, which I wanted to make about the battles he’d fought. This survivor of the Hiroshima bomb, who’d been a few kilometers from the impact site at the time of the explosion, was one of the first doctors to record the sheer horror of the devastation. He was among the pioneers to suffer and catalog the appalling effects of radiation, which—in the absence of any rational explanation—was called the “Atomic Plague.” Thereafter, he spent his life treating victims of radiation; he struck me as the embodiment of an indisputable hero, someone who’d seen pure evil and stood up to it for long enough to remember what it looked like and to describe it.
I hoped that meeting him would give me access to a spiritual dimension that I felt must go hand in hand with the wisdom and humanity of such a man. But now that I was with him in that intimate moment when he was praying by his ancestors’ vault, I felt out of place. He himself seemed amazed that I’d turned up in this far-flung spot with an interpreter and a camera. Even so, he came over to us with a slight smile, and said, “Rumor had it that the city of Hiroshima was completely destroyed and there were no survivors. My father went there four or five days after to find out what had happened to me, but he had no idea where I might be. He left thinking I was dead and arranged a funeral here in this village. There was no body. Imagine his emotion when I came home.”
These few words about death, disappearance, and separation paradoxically established a close and lasting tie between us. A trip to Hiroshima together, several days spent in the hospital near Tokyo where he worked, and hours of interviews at his home over the next few years allowed us to build a respectful relationship. The day before I traveled home from that first visit, he concluded our interviews by saying “Because of nuclear technology, the era that lies ahead will be far more frightening and harder to live through, but I will keep fighting.” I wasn’t sure what he was envisioning, but given his experience I put my faith in this prophetic pronouncement by featuring it at the end of Blessures atomique, which I completed in 2006. In other words, five years before Fukushima.

On March 12, 2011, following a magnitude 9.1 earthquake and a tsunami that had devastated the northeast of Japan the day before, reactor number 1 at the Fukushima nuclear plant blew up, followed two days later by reactor number 3. This plunged Japan and the rest of the world into a state of high anxiety: Fukushima was now out of control.
At the time of the explosion at the nuclear power plant, I was with friends in Kyoto, and we immediately called Dr. Hida. He wasn’t surprised by the incident, merely disgusted by human stupidity, which he thought had instigated the catastrophe in a tragic, stuttering repetition of history. “You’ll see,” he said, “it’ll be the same as Hiroshima and Chernobyl, we’ll never know the true extent of the damage.”
I had come to view the Japanese as a conscientious people with a strong sense of duty, and therefore naively hoped the authorities would implement effective measures to protect and help the victims. But this didn’t really happen: many people were left to cope on their own and were unable to deal with the medical, economic, and human repercussions of the disaster. Following numerous demonstrations that rallied as many as sixty thousand people in Tokyo (unprecedented events in Japan, which doesn’t have the same tradition as many Western countries for public expressions of opinion), the government did commit to assessing the safety of the country’s fifty-four other reactors. This drew attention to the fact that some were in a state of disrepair and were in locations with a high risk of seismic activity. The state had initially stopped all reactors, but then started some up again, despite opposition from the public: the government was determined to relaunch the nuclear network.
Immediately after the disaster, civil society mobilized its response, and mothers in the Fukushima region openly expressed their fears and anger. Survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, known as hibakusha, were valued for their firsthand experience, and were equipped to listen to these new victims, to understand them and to help them. Which is why Dr. Hida, then aged ninety-four, was in great demand to advise victims of contamination, give talks, explain the risks to the media, and secure scientific data from the authorities. I was glad to see that his reputation crossed frontiers: in January 2012, the Paris-based Courrier international newspaper published a three-page article about him. With a view to continuing the work I’d started in 2005, I visited him in Tokyo, hoping that his experience of Hiroshima might help us understand how the Fukushima accident was really being handled. I kept thinking about what he’d said to me on the phone a year earlier: “You’ll see, it’ll be the same as Hiroshima and Chernobyl…”

A Remarkable Man – Dr. Shuntaro Hida from Hiroshima to Fukushima will be published on 24th June 2025 from Otherpress and will be available in either hardback ($25) or ebook ($14.99).

Review: Spirit Valor

Daniel Waite
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Review: Spirit Valor

Spirit Valor is another pixelated RPG that uses core mechanics from Alter Age. However, unlike its recently released peer, Spirit Valor doesn’t use form shifting as its Ace card. Instead, it focuses on spirits, magic, and other minor tricks to make it stand out from the crowd. This unusual approach works well as it beautifully intertwines the story, key characters, and combat mechanics.

This old-school RPG was developed by Exe Create and published by KEMCO. It is a single-player turn-based experience. Moreover, there are some nice traversal elements as you explore a large semi-open world. This freedom was welcome as the story and the never-ending fights were occasionally overwhelming. 

An outlandish story and Spirit Valor go hand-in-hand.

A classic RPG has to have an outlandish and borderline insane plot. If there are colourful characters and a sense of tension, then that makes it even better. Thankfully, Spirit Valor uses each of these storytelling ingredients. 

You play the role of a spirit who is bonded to Richard the Warrior. A fight with the dark overlord has failed, and you need the warrior to defeat the hulking monster and restore balance. If you fail, humanity and the spirit world will go into disarray. Accordingly, your mission is life and death. 

It’s all about the magic.

Though the story is great and the 4 main characters bounce off one another, it is the magic elements that take centre stage. The protagonist has free rein to cast spells; after all, he has a spirit as a friend. The other 3 must learn magic or capture magical essence from the foes they face. This mechanic makes an interesting progression idea that adds tactical layers.

Alongside this, there is the basic equipment, levelling up, and magical items to contend with. These ideas are not as interesting, deep, or captivating as the combat-infused magical moments. However, they are easy to understand and have a nice, familiar edge.

Spirit Valor is gloriously old-school. 

If you want a polished, modern game that uses the power of next-gen machines, Spirit Valor will disappoint. Yet, if you enjoy a walk down memory lane, you’ll smile from ear to ear. The vivid colours, simple settings, rudimentary animation, and crisp text are great to witness. Furthermore, each dungeon is unique, and this prevents repetition from kicking in. 

The audio is a blend of upbeat music and loud noises. The soundtrack blends drama and melancholy moments to great effect. Furthermore, each battle is a cacophony of melee weapons and fantasy magic.

Plenty to learn. 

Unlike Alter Age and other KEMCO titles, Spirit Valor has a harsher learning curve. This should have been a headache, but it wasn’t. As new elements are introduced, a handy tutorial talks you through each key idea. This was perfect as it prevents you from becoming frustrated. 

If you wish to test your RPG abilities, there are plenty of difficulty settings to play with. The hardest mode is a ball breaker and will push genre veterans to their limit. However, the easy and normal setting was a walk in the park. Subsequently, there is some replay value and longevity if you wish to test your skills. 

Spirit Valor is a great RPG. 

I wish I had picked this up for my Steam Deck. The action would work well on a handheld device as it is more casual than other RPGs. Regardless, it is great when tackling it on Xbox. The story is captivating, and I love the characters and their witty ways. Furthermore, the quests are easy to follow, and the world is a joy to explore. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you restore balance and save the day? Master your spells, explore a colourful world, and defeat the dark overlord.

Review: OpenFit 2 earphones

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: OpenFit 2 earphones

If you love cycling, walking, or running, you’re likely familiar with bone-conducting technology. Safety is paramount, and the use of noise-cancelling devices is generally frowned upon. Thankfully, Shokz has been an innovator in this field for years. I have covered many of their products, and today I’m looking at the OpenFit 2 earphones. I covered the previous iteration in 2023, and I loved it. Consequently, I had high hopes when the postman delivered these.

Shokz have released 2 unique versions of this new product. There are the OpenFit 2 earphones and OpenFit 2+ earphones. The latter is slightly more expensive, but it offers some quality-of-life technology that will impress hardcore athletes. The full information and tech breakdown can be found on the Skokz page.

These earphones focus on comfort, battery life, and incredible audio performance. Furthermore, your safety is paramount. Accordingly, though other companies claim to deliver exceptional bone or air-conducting functionality and next-level safety measures, you must turn to the market leaders for the best and safest sports products.

What’s in the box of the OpenFit 2 earphones?

  • The packaging is simple and refined. A basic cardboard sleeve highlights key selling points.
  • The OpenFit 2 earphones are lightweight and easy to maintain. The earhooks have been redesigned to improve comfort for longer exercise sessions. Moreover, they are IP55 rated for increased protection.
  • A small charging cable is provided.
  • Learn the basics with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

A premium device must deliver exceptional next-gen tech. Thankfully, the OpenFit 2 earphones do that with ease. Incredible battery life, phenomenal audio, and pinpoint audio accuracy are just some of the features you can expect. Bluetooth 5.4 offers a stable and strong connection with a low power draw. This simple-to-navigate feature can be accessed from any compatible device. Moreover, you’ll enjoy a healthy connection range that penetrates internal walls and other structures.

Directpitch 2.0 is a vast improvement over its predecessor. This advanced sound frequency allocation technology blends bass, tonal range, and treble for an immense audio experience. Furthermore, it guarantees transmission accuracy without jeopardising privacy. This is amazing for the user and anyone within their kinesphere. 

On top of this, you enjoy up to 11 hours of playtime from 1 charge. Additionally, the convenient charging case delivers a further 45+ hours of seamlessly never-ending power. If you do run out of juice, a 10-minute quick charge gets you up and running with 2 hours of battery power.

Audio quality.

Sports earphones are judged by their audio quality. Thankfully, the OpenFit 2 earphones excel in this department. The Directpitch 2.0 feature helps the user to enjoy their favourite songs. Whether you are walking, cycling, or running, this device does not let you down. Word of warning, high winds, cycling down hills, and loud vehicles impact audio clarity. This is to be expected as open-air technology creates a sense of freedom and situational awareness.

Though you may have to crank up the volume during excessive external moments, the audio does not crack! The accurate and impressive blend of tones, bass, and treble will please audiophiles. I had no problem with identifying each element of the tonal range. Furthermore, the position and shape of the earphones maximise your audio experience.

If you love to chat hands-free, the OpenFit 2 earphones have this covered. 4 AI-powered noise-cancelling microphones ensure every phone call goes off without a hitch. Unwanted ambient sounds are removed, and each conversation is smooth and clean. Moreover, I experienced no static or unwanted echoing. Consequently, these earphones are perfect if you need to take phone calls on the move.

Usability.

The OpenFit earphones have never let me down. However, the reliance on touch-only controls may annoy some users. Shokz have overcome this issue with a combination of tactile buttons and a touchscreen. This approach is ideal for changing settings, accepting phone calls, and fast-forwarding your music.

The new hook design guarantees comfort and speaker positioning. No matter how hard I worked these earphones, they never slipped, moved, or faltered. The gentle arch design feels great and can be worn with glasses. The result is a reassuring and reliable audio position during the most strenuous workouts.

Build quality.

Shokz isn’t considered a market leader for no reason. They use premium materials in every product they produce. Accordingly, users can expect a top-notch product whether they invest in the OpenFit 2 earphones or the 2+ model. The charging case doubles up as the perfect transportation tool. Keep your earphones safe and charged when they are not in use. Furthermore, they are the perfect size to slide into your pocket or backpack.

Keen athletes will exercise no matter the weather. Thankfully, the IP55 rating counters every poor weather front. Moreover, this rating guarantees protection from sweat and dust. Subsequently, you can abuse these earbuds a little without concern.

Are the OpenFit 2 earphones worth it?

If you are a keen athlete and you are a music lover, you shouldn’t look any further! Shokz offers some of the best tech in the industry, and their customer service and 2-year warranty will not disappoint. If you want the crème de la crème, I’d say invest a little more and push for the 2+ version. However, if you want to save some cash, you will not be upset with this product.

The OpenFit 2 earphones are incredible. The audio quality is second to none, and I adore the build quality. Furthermore, the ability to stay situationally aware while exercising is a must while training. Accordingly, I think they are fantastic and I recommend buying them here!

(More information on Shokz can be found here!)

The OpenFit 2 earphones from Shokz have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

Review: How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies

Daniel Waite
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Review: How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies

Nex Playground is a console I had the pleasure of reviewing recently. This special box of joy is the perfect gadget for gaming families. Moreover, if you love to get up and move while enjoying a video game, it has you covered. How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is the latest addition to the Nex Play Pass. Accordingly, if you’ve signed up for the 3-month or 12-month option, you can jump straight in.

This family-friendly fantasy adventure was developed and published by Nex. It is a single-player or 2-player cooperative title that demands you get off your bum and move. Each player must select their favourite dragon as they soar through the air, tackling an array of enemies. Dodging, weaving, fighting, and more can be enjoyed in this safe and child-focused game. 

How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies tells a fun tale. 

If you follow the franchise, you know that DreamWorks and Universal Pictures rarely hold back. Thankfully, this approach has been taken with this fun adventure title. You control a dragon handler who must protect the Isle of Berk from its foes. Once you jump on your ride, you must explore 6 unique locations. This on a rail exploration game pushes you through winding valleys, mountainous arenas, and lush waterfront locations.

The railed design prevents younger gamers from becoming lost. Though this could feel restrictive, the immersive control system and vibrant setting keep you alert. Additionally, you are free to attack whichever foe you like. This sense of freedom overrides the linear progression and keeps things moving nicely.

How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is clean but dated. 

Though How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies has a dated appeal, it is attractive regardless. Furthermore, the animation of each dragon was smooth and great to look at. It didn’t matter if you were shooting fireballs, weaving through rocks, or barrel rolling; it all looked great. Alongside this, I like the varied backdrops and the unique beasts on offer.

The audio delivers an upbeat and exciting atmosphere. Moreover, the sound effects are simple but effective. There are pleasant ambient noises to generate energy and bring the world to life. Though it rarely delivers new ideas, the audio and sound effects were impressive for a child-friendly experience.

Take to the skies and eliminate your foes in How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies.

Excellent controls.

Nex Playground’s motion sensor camera is beyond impressive. Regardless of whether you play this alone or with others, it never gets confused. It’ll identify every moving body part and react with accurate on-screen movement. Raising your hands, leaning your body, and ducking ensure your rider and dragon move in perfect harmony. 

Though How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is short, there are challenges to complete to pad things out. Furthermore, the ability to watch your kids play or join them on this adventure increases replay value and longevity. 

How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is perfect for families. 

Safe and fun family-friendly games are tough to come by. Thankfully, this one is brilliant for gamers of all ages. The action is the right side of challenging, and the levels are enjoyable. Furthermore, who doesn’t like to exercise while they play video games? If this has piqued your interest, I recommend clicking here for more information.

Review: Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

Dawid Wisniewski
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Review: Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a cult classic from the PlayStation 2 era that finally made its return in a cleaned-up form on modern consoles. It puts players in the boots of Jango Fett, the galaxy’s most fearsome bounty hunter (and the genetic blueprint for the Clone Army), in a gritty, cinematic prequel-era adventure. On PS5, the game benefits from some performance polish, but the core experience remains largely intact, blemishes and all.

What’s new?

The PS5 version is an upscaled port of the PS4/PS5 remaster, which means you’re getting sharper visuals, crisper UI, and a smoother frame rate (now locked at 60fps). Textures and geometry haven’t been modernised, so it’s very clearly a 2002 game under the hood. Lighting is a bit improved, and cutscenes look a little better, but don’t expect anything approaching a full remake.

Still, the stylised environments, grimy underworlds, industrial facilities, and populated commercial districts hold nostalgic charm. Along with the improved aiming and control of Jango, it makes for a great time to jump into this all-time classic.

The voice acting (featuring Temuera Morrison) is a major plus, lending authenticity and continuity to the game’s story. The sound design, laser fire, jetpack bursts, and alien languages are pure Star Wars, and the music blends original themes with new compositions effectively. This game feels like Star Wars, through and through. All with the enhancements received by the graphics.

Never played Bounty Hunter? Now’s a good time

At its core, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a third-person action-adventure game built around shooting, light exploration, and bounty collection. The player is armed with a deadly array of Mandalorian weaponry, starting with dual WESTAR blaster pistols, and unlocking more weapons/tools as the game progresses. Players will also be introduced to a jetpack very early on, which allows for brief bursts of flight. A key part of both platforming and combat. Though its fuel is limited and regenerates slowly, it adds a verticality that was uncommon for its era.

One of the game’s most unique systems is the bounty scanner, a first-person view mode where you can scan NPCs, identify bounties, and choose to capture them dead or alive. There are over 50 optional bounties scattered across the levels, and finding them adds a layer of side content that rewards careful exploration and attention to detail. Capturing bounties alive earns you more credits. However, it is riskier, as it often requires disarming the bounty in the middle of a firefight, with the potential for them to get caught in crossfire.

Level design is mostly linear, but each mission features sprawling, multi-tiered environments like Coruscant slums, prison ships, and spice mines. Objectives vary from assassinations and chases to arena-style boss fights and multi-part infiltration missions. However, checkpointing is inconsistent, and some longer missions can be punishing if you die near the end.

My conclusion

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter on PS4/PS5 is a loving time capsule. It’s not a modern game in structure or control feel, but for fans of Star Wars lore, especially the prequel trilogy and The Mandalorian-style bounty hunting fantasy, it offers a compelling ride. The upgraded performance makes it the best way to experience the game today, and the budget price makes it a fair pick-up for curious newcomers and nostalgic fans alike. manoeuvre.

Review: Ratshaker

Dawid Wisniewski
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0
Review: Ratshaker

Few games in recent memory have struck such a strange and unforgettable chord as Ratshaker. Developed by Sunscorched Studios, this short, first-person indie title is a blend of grotesque horror, absurd comedy, and psychological descent. It manages, in just under an hour of playtime, to leave a lasting impression—one that’s as fascinating as it is disturbing.

One of the most difficult games to put into words

At its core, Ratshaker is a game about shaking a rat. Yes, literally. The central mechanic involves grabbing a wide-eyed, squealing rat and shaking it violently whenever prompted. The game never explains why this is happening, at least not in a straightforward way, and that’s part of its charm, or horror. The more you play, the more you realise the shaking is a metaphor. For what? That’s left to interpretation, but possibilities range from coping mechanisms to guilt, trauma, or even madness.

The visuals are intentionally disorienting. Flesh-covered walls, endlessly looping rooms, and surreal architecture lend the game an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere. It’s not traditional horror with jumpscares and monsters; instead, Ratshaker creates dread through sheer discomfort. The sound design plays a huge role—rat squeals, distorted voices, and intrusive ambient noise never let you settle. It’s gross, yes, but it’s also deeply effective.

A gruseome horror… comedy?

Despite its crude premise, Ratshaker carries emotional and thematic weight. Players will notice subtle story elements suggesting themes of domestic abuse, mental illness, and self-loathing. The game never gives a clear narrative, but it drops enough fragments, a broken home, parental regret, an accident, that you’re left to piece together a disturbing backstory. It’s storytelling through implication, and it works surprisingly well.

The humor is pitch-black. The rat itself is cartoonish in art style and its behavior, the exaggerated squealing borders on parody. But that’s where Ratshaker thrives, in its ability to make you laugh, squirm, and then immediately question what the hell you’re doing. The absurdity becomes horror. You’re not just shaking a rat, you’re shaking yourself loose from reality.

It’s not for everyone. The content is undeniably triggering for some, and its gameplay is minimal. But that’s missing the point. Ratshaker isn’t about “fun” in a traditional sense. It’s an interactive short film, a psychological experiment, a crude catharsis.

For the price of a coffee and less time than a sitcom episode, Ratshaker offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will stick with you long after the credits roll, whether you want it to or not.

Review: Survive the Fall

Daniel Waite
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Review: Survive the Fall

When you consider survival apocalyptic games, I bet Fallout is the first that springs to mind. This isn’t a bad thing, after all, it is a masterpiece. However, I’m not here to talk about that wonderful game. Instead, I’m looking at Survive the Fall and its unique twist on the genre. This saturated marketplace is tough to navigate. Every developer and their dog wishes to use this cruel setting and well-trodden genre to their advantage. Yet, many get it wrong. Accordingly, can this one stand out from its peers and fight to survive?

This base-building and semi-open world adventure was developed by Angry Bulls Studio and published by Toplitz Productions. It is a single-player game that uses an isometric viewpoint. Furthermore, there are mountains of tough decisions to make, cruel encounters to deal with, and a small band of survivors to look after. In short, there are plenty of plates to spin if you wish to thrive.

Survive the Fall tells a dull story.

A meteor, toxic waste, death, destruction, and a glimmer of hope are the key ingredients in Survive the Fall. Unfortunately, the familiar story mechanics leave a lot to be desired, and I wasn’t hooked by the tale of humanity’s downfall. Moreover, the lead characters are reasonably dull, and this doesn’t help matters. Yet, if you can overcome the tepid storyline and dull protagonists, there is plenty of great action to enjoy.

There are factions, elements of political intrigue, NPCs, and a vast world to explore. On top of this, you must manage your camp as you fight for survival on many unique fronts. Whether it is humans who are affected by the “Stasis” or rebel factions who wish to steal your goods, you must stay alert and fight them all. A day/night cycle keeps you focused, and common survival game stats must be looked after. Health, food, and energy bars must all be topped up if you wish to be successful.

Managing different worlds.

Exploration and base building are where you waste your time. During the adventure segments, a team of up to 3 survivors must explore 3 huge biomes. Enemies, animals, and an array of obstacles stand in your way. Consequently, you must plan your approach as you use new tools and skills to unlock new areas and find unique resources. Talking of resources, you must scavenge every important item you find. The downside is your minute pockets and backpack. Unfortunately, you have limited space, and this causes untold frustration.

Fighting can and should be avoided at all costs. Luckily, stealth mechanics are good and using melee weapons keeps injury and unnecessary attention to a minimum. However, occasionally, you must fight to stay alive. When this happens, there is a great blend of melee and ranged weapons at your disposal. Moreover, you may pause the action to line up tasks and overcome a swathe of foes.

This approach was fantastic as things can become hectic. Additionally, injuries are devastating, and managing fallen survivors makes base building and exploration that little bit harder.

Superb base building.

Survive the Fall includes a fantastic base-building layer. Unlike other survival games, you must use resources and research points wisely if you wish to unlock your full potential. New buildings, tools, weapons, and farms must be unlocked to expand your world. Moreover, you must remove pockets of “Stasis” affected areas to maximise room.

Completing new buildings and creating essential tools isn’t that easy. The aforementioned day/night cycle keeps you on your toes. Moreover, remembering exactly what you need for your next expedition is easier said than done. Fire, ropes, crowbars, lockpicks, and more are needed if you wish to open every locked section.

Survive the Fall looks great.

Though this genre has been done to death, Survive the Fall stands out from the crowd. Visually, it is a gruesome pleasure. The dark and dank world has a disgusting, claustrophobic edge. What’s more, the top-down camera delivers a tight point of view for unpleasant surprises. This was great as you never felt comfortable. Additionally, it made the exploration elements tough, exciting, and brutal.

The audio delivers a sombre and melancholy atmosphere. Daunting music and chilling sound effects ensure you don’t stop moving. Moreover, the incredible ambient sounds prevent low points and empty segments. This was a good choice as the open world is large, and the energy and action could have plateaued.

Explore the broken plane in Survive the Fall.

Superb controls.

The developer has created an unbelievably user-friendly game. Though Survive the Fall has plenty of complex mechanics, everything is well explained. Moving from base building to open world exploration is a cinch, and managing your survivors was a joy. My only complaint was the inventory system. Things tend to get messy, and OCD gamers will have a meltdown.

I expected to blast through this game in no time. However, I’ve invested plenty of hours, and I’ve just about worked through the top layer of madness. This captivating title will take over your life if you let it. Furthermore, the risk of death and failure demands an eye for detail and a meticulous approach.

Survive the Fall is a great addition to the genre.

We know this genre is horribly saturated. However, Survive the Fall is a great addition. This excellent indie title is rewarding, challenging, and brilliantly captivating. The balance of base-building, survival elements, and exploration was wonderfully considered. However, the characters are dull, and the story is affected as a consequence. Despite this complaint, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you rebuild humanity? Explore the wasteland, expand your base, and overcome every obstacle.

News: Father’s Day guide 2025

Daniel Waite
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News: Father’s Day guide 2025

It is that time of year when dads can enjoy 1 day of peace. This Father’s Day guide 2025 highlights some of the great tech we have covered here at MGT. Moreover, there are some great sale bits from SteelSeries for tech-loving gamers. 

Whether you are looking for headphones, a keyboard, a gaming mouse, or a gadget, this guide will push you in the right direction. Furthermore, I plan to add more bits before the big day. Accordingly, you may wish to check back to see the latest and greatest deals.

The Father’s Day guide 2025!

SteelSeries.

SteelSeries is a gaming behemoth! Their tech is second to none, and they never disappoint me. I’ve tested many gaming peripherals, and I’m always blown away by the build quality, usability, and customisable approach. As such, when they offer up to 30% off selected products, it is worthy of a fanfare.

ARCTIS NOVA 3 – Priced at $109.99, this wireless set of headphones will impress. Furthermore, they come in 4 unique colours and can be paired with the Arctis mobile app.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 is a wired gaming headset designed for multi-platform compatibility, including PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices via USB-C. Weighing just 253g, it features the ComfortMAX system with four-point adjustability and breathable AirWeave memory foam ear cushions for extended comfort.

Its Nova Acoustic System incorporates custom 40mm neodymium drivers delivering high-fidelity audio, while 360° spatial audio enhances in-game immersion. The ClearCast Gen 2 microphone utilises AI-powered noise cancellation to ensure clear communication. Additionally, the headset boasts PrismSync RGB lighting with 16.8 million colour options, customizable through SteelSeries Engine software.

Ideal for gamers seeking a lightweight, versatile headset with immersive audio and clear communication capabilities.

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £99.99 (SteelSeries)

RIVAL 3 Gen 2 wired/wireless mouse – This comfortable mouse delivers improved speed and affordable luxury. Additionally, it is available in 3 colours.

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 is a versatile gaming mouse available in both wired and wireless models, designed to deliver high-performance gaming experiences. Key features include: TrueMove Air Optic Sensors, dual connectivity, a long battery life, and durable mechanical switches.

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £54.99 (SteelSeries)

Epomaker.

Epomaker Carbon60 keyboard – “Smaller form factor peripherals are becoming more popular. People love to game and work on the move, and they do not want to haul a huge device with them. Thankfully, this lightweight keyboard is both durable and comfortable, and it looks great. Additionally, thanks to the pre-installed macros, you retain full functionality.”

“Accordingly, if you want a unique, stylish, and fantastic keyboard to use that will get people talking, the Epomaker Carbon60 keyboard should be on your radar. It is affordable, versatile, and perfect for smaller workstations. Subsequently, I love it and I recommend buying.”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price $129.99 (Epomaker)

Epomaker Split65 keyboard – “I’ve tested many Epomaker products, and I have to say, I love them all. However, this one is just a little bit special. The ergonomic design is ideal for typing and gaming. Furthermore, I adore the split design. It is the ideal middle ground for anyone who wishes to change their typing approach.”

“Additionally, it’ll help you to master touch typing. Consequently, it is a win-win. Alongside this, the build quality is great and the polling rate is impressive. Accordingly, it is a no-brainer and I recommend buying it.”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price $119.99 (Epomaker)

The tech keeps coming.

Turtle Beach.

Recon 70 – “I always believe that a great headset is worth its weight in gold. However, stretching to a high-end peripheral can be off-putting. Subsequently, if you are on a budget but still want a reliable headset, the Recon 70 should pique your interest. It is comfortable, reliable, and easy to use. What’s more, it looks great, and Nintendo officially licenses it. Each of these elements makes this headset an impressive option. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it!”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £29.99 (Turtle Beach)

Afterglow Wave Wired controller – “Available for under $50, this controller is a bargain. The hall-effect triggers are smooth and responsive, and I love the customisation. What’s more, there is a colourway for every taste. Though the wired approach may not be your number one choice, I like the lack of battery and the convenience factor. Accordingly, I think this officially licensed gamepad is fantastic and recommend buying it.”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £34.99 (Turtle Beach)

Gomatic.

The Gomatic Vacuum Bag 2.0 XL – “This unisex vacuum compression backpack is tailored for both men and women, making it an excellent addition to your everyday essentials. As always, Gomatic offers free UK shipping to enhance your shopping experience. Simplify your organisation and travel routines with high-quality vacuum travel bags that provide exceptional value. Don’t wait—secure your Gomatic Vacuum Bag 2.0 today!”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £35.00 (GOMATIC)

GoCube edge.

The GoCube Edge – “Getting the GoCube Edge ready to use is really simple – make sure it’s fully charged by using the cable supplied. Then download the app and sync the GoCube to your device, and then it’s time to have fun. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the battery, and you can get anywhere between 3 and 60 hours of use out of it, depending on what you are doing and how you are playing.

“Whenever you move the cube, it appears in the app, so you can easily see everything you are doing. You can get hints and tips on how to complete, and many other fun activities. There are also lights and sounds that come from the cube.”

“The cube is small and lightweight and is very easy to use, whether you are 50 or 8 years old.”

Father’s Day guide 2025 price £59.99 (Very)

The Father’s Day guide 2025 is the tip of the iceberg.

We have covered many fantastic products this year. Accordingly, the Father’s Day guide 2025 is the tip of the iceberg. Our team has looked at bags, toys, gadgets, SSDs, keyboards, controllers, and much more. We only recommend the best products, and our honest articles give you an insight into our thoughts. I will add more to this guide and recommend checking back for more great ideas.

A Closer Look at Badness Level Stitch Phone Stand

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at Badness Level Stitch Phone Stand

Here we take a closer look at Badness Level Stitch Phone Stand from Cable Guys.

Introducing the Badness Level Stitch Holdem in a bold red and white style, a rebellious standout within the Stitch Holdem Collection. As part of the fantastic four, this Badness Level Stitch exudes a mischievous demeanor. Combining functionality with a touch of rebellion, the Badness Level Stitch Holdem is your go-to for keeping your phone secure or organizing earbuds. Elevate your daily essentials with a dose of edgy charm, courtesy of this unique Holdem.

• Badness Level Stitch mini holder

• Perfect for keeping your earbuds, phone, and other small gadgets organized

• Officially licensed by Disney, styled on Stitch from the Lilo & Stitch franchise

• Approx 4″ tall

If you are a fan of Lilo and Stitch, then you might want to take a look at these!

The Badness Level Stitch Phone Stand from Cable Guys is available now priced around £19.99.

You can learn more from the Cable Guys website here.

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