What is Windows Home Server?

Review: Carmageddon: Rogue Shift

Daniel Waite

-

Feb 3, 2026

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is the latest instalment of a much-loved franchise. This new addition adds rogue-like elements to the familiar core gameplay. This shift in dynamics may upset hardcore fans of the series, but I enjoyed the modern challenge, the grim settings, and the casual approach. Furthermore, the fear of losing it all is enough to keep you frosty throughout.

34BigThings developed and published this cruel racing and fighting endeavour. It is a single-player game that runs at 60+ FPS. This smooth visual experience was appreciated as the action is remarkably fast-paced and gory. Additionally, there is an array of missions on offer, plenty of upgrades to unlock, and loads of money, credits, and other items to discover and use. Consequently, it offers plenty of depth and mindless action to get your teeth into.

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is all about survival of the fittest!

Survival of the fittest is a cruel idea. No matter your level of skill, there is always an element of luck and money involved in success. Carmageddon: Rogue Shift plays with these ideas perfectly. Moreover, the dark and sinister futuristic world is a joy to explore. As players race around an array of hectic racetracks, the levels of gore and brutality are sharply brought into focus. Therefore, no matter how good you are, there is always a risk of failure.

The year is 2050, and the world is a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The Wasted roam the streets, and humanity is on its backside. This oppressive way of living is soul-destroying. However, there is a way out. The Carmageddon offers skilled drivers the chance to flee this disturbing existence. Your chances of survival are small, but anything is better than living in a grim and deadly world.

New mechanics, but a familiar mindset.

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift has moved away from its tried and tested formula. However, this didn’t bother me too much. I loved the short races, the sense of drama, and the random nature of each playthrough. Moreover, the different upgrades, weapons, and perks add a layer of excitement and danger that cannot be ignored.

As you complete each race, you are awarded with credits and tokens to purchase new gear and upgrade your existing equipment. This element is the difference between success and failure. Your original rust bucket car is vulnerable to attacks and lacks speed or the ability to tackle your opponents. Yet, once you upgrade it, or purchase new cars, you quickly become a mean killing machine. This is essential if you are to complete each run and take down every gargantuan boss.

Collectables and side missions.

Once you select your race, you are shown a side mission to improve your earning capabilities. Alongside this, you’ll rake in credits by finding a hidden skull, running over the Wasted, and smashing other cars. Although much of this can be ignored, it is a great way to focus your mind while increasing the chance to upgrade your vehicle.

As you race and battle, you must find ammo and repair orbs. These are essential as you cannot shoot your gun without ammo, and your car will quickly explode if you do not repair it. Additionally, any damage is carried over to the next event. Therefore, some foresight makes completing each event much easier.

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift looks great.

Despite its grim and earthy colour palette, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift looks great. I love the 60+ FPS and the excellent stage design. Moreover, the blend of longer and shorter races works incredibly well. As you progress, the backdrops change to keep things fresh. If I were to be picky, there isn’t enough variety in vehicular models and the Wasted are very rinse and repeat. However, you are moving so quickly that this is a minor complaint.

The audio is a nice blend of anger, danger, and unwanted noises. Each vehicle sounds aggressive, loud, and borderline annoying. Furthermore, the machine guns and rockets are shrill and obnoxious. Although this could become tedious, it works well in short bursts.

Excellent controls.

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is an arcade racer fighting game that doesn’t disappoint. The loose steering controls allow gamers to drift, weave, and work their magic as they navigate each winding course. Furthermore, the automated aiming for your guns lets you focus on driving and running down those pesky Wasted. This was a great design choice, even if it makes the combat element a little easier than needed.

Replay value and longevity are at the fore! Although the action can be a little repetitive, there is enough variety to keep you hooked. Different upgrades, races, and bosses per run ensure that no playthrough is the same. Additionally, as you fail, you’ll unlock new items to keep things fresh.

Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is a great addition to the series.

I admire what the developer has achieved with this grim and gruesome racing experience. Although purists may dislike the rogue-like twist, I enjoyed the brutality and the risk of losing it all. Furthermore, it is great to look at, despite the flailing limbs and horrible bloody moments. Accordingly, I think it’s fun, and I recommend buying it here! Can you overcome the odds and survive? Upgrade your car, destroy the Wasted, and fight for a new life!

Review: Nova Antarctica

Josh Blackburn

-

Feb 3, 2026

0

Nova Antarctica, RexLabo’s new story-focused survival game, reinforces my belief that cold weather is superior to hot. When it’s cold out, you can (usually) mitigate it by putting on more layers. There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes and all that. When it’s hot, though? There are only so many layers you can remove. Once you’re considering hanging up your skin on the coatrack, you know it’s much better to be cold. That said, I should perhaps draw the line at minus thirty, unless I intend to wear my entire wardrobe at once.

I’ll stick to games like The Long Dark and, indeed, Nova Antarctica for experiences like that. I’ve a fondness for survival games where the principal antagonist is the world around you. That is true survival to me, where you need to constantly be on your guard. However, I feel like Nova Antarctica cuts itself into too many pieces in the pursuit of exploration, and the end result feels muddled and frustrating. There is an intriguing survival game in here, but it needs to pump the brakes first.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Nova Antarctica opens with a young child travelling to the South Pole, to investigate a mysterious signal. Earth is in dire straits, with a series of disasters and wars wiping out much of the population. This signal is the last hope. I’m not entirely sure why they send a single child to investigate it, rather than a big boat of burly men, but here we are. The child must progress towards the source, scrounging up as many resources as they can along the way, and crafting anything they can’t find.

Nova Antarctica takes a rather streamlined approach to the survival genre. Rather than worrying about separate food and warmth meters, it’s condensed down into suit energy. If you run out of this, you die and start the stage over. Alongside this is stamina, which is mainly used for actions like mining and digging. It’s a system with some value, as it means a constant ticking clock. The weather changes every thirty seconds or so, meaning things can very quickly turn sour. The biggest danger being blizzards, which can kill you rapidly if you’re not behind cover.

Before we dig too much into the gameplay, I want to take a moment to comment on aesthetics. Snow covered landscapes naturally look beautiful and Nova Antarctica does them justice. There are ruins of human occupation everywhere, sitting half-buried in crisp white snow. It’s a pleasant game. There are also animals that you can rescue, and they trigger cutscenes about their (usually tragic) backstory. It’s heart-rending stuff at times. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the forest fire in the mid-game, which is appropriately intense. There’s no faulting the aesthetics here, and the music isn’t half-bad either.

Scrounging Up Supplies

The main goal of Nova Antarctica is to progress through various stages in order to reach the seed vault at the South Pole. The world map is broken up into smaller maps, called stages, which have clear entry and exit points. You could just hop straight through, but Nova Antarctica puts an emphasis on exploration. The constantly dwindling health means a source of supplies is essential, and there are usually little story fragments to be found. Each level has an animal to rescue too, which quite often brings gameplay benefits. Riding the wolf was definitely a standout.

I like this emphasis on exploration, but a lot of Nova Antarctica feels like it’s working against it. For one thing, health dwindles even when you’re warm so taking your time isn’t really an option. What’s more, the rapid weather changes mean there isn’t really a good time to explore, as blizzards are dealt with by hunkering down in one place. Half the time I had to abandon expeditions before they’d begun, because blizzards were coming in rapid succession. I had to bail on the stage so I didn’t run out of health kits. Doesn’t help that the map is absolute rubbish, making it hard to figure out where to head to. One bit of snowy wasteland looks like any other.

Towards the end, I just grabbed what supplies I could easily reach and left. It didn’t help the feeling that much of Nova Antarctica was spent just bumbling about. I would find things that would ‘purify’ my suit, for instance, without any idea what that meant. Communication stations can be repaired, which adds a little dialogue to the end of the stage, but I’ve no idea what else it does. I just seemed to wander from place to place, fiddling with machinery with no tangible benefit. It makes the exploration all the more frustrating, as I have no idea if I’m even doing anything.

Nova Antarctica – Muddled At Heart

There are other minor frustrations too. There’s only a small variety of materials to collect, so the difficulty drops off as you progress, as health and stamina items are cheap as chips to craft. I didn’t even feel the need to upgrade my tools, as I could find what I needed just lying around. Blizzards inconsistently destroy your crafted items too, so I had to abandon a cat because a storm destroyed my boxes and I didn’t have the time left to craft more. There are also quite a few bugs. I kept getting stuck on ledges or having buildings pop up around me. Then it all culminated in a depressing, unsatisfying ending, with a not-so-subtle nudge at playing through again.

In the end, I feel like Nova Antarctica is trying for a meditative experience, but the rapidly changing weather and constant ticking clock rather ruin it. It’s hard to meditate when someone’s holding a gun to the back of your head. There were moments where it came together, like building a shelter in a big ice field, but the individual stages are too small and exploration is too brutal for it to really stick in the head. A pleasant enough experience, if a little cold.

(Nova Antarctica‘s Steam Page)

The Psychology of “Staying In” a Match Through Micro Bets

News

Christopher John

-

Feb 3, 2026

0

The Psychology of “Staying In” a Match Through Micro Bets

There is a familiar moment during a live match when attention starts to drift. The score has not changed. The tempo slows. The outcome feels distant. For many viewers, that is where engagement usually fades. In sports betting, something different happens. Instead of disengaging, some viewers place a small bet. Not to win big. Not even because they strongly believe in the outcome. The bet exists for a simpler reason. It keeps them in the match. Micro bets did not emerge because people suddenly wanted to gamble more aggressively. They emerged because people wanted to stay connected to events that naturally ebb and flow.

Why small stakes feel psychologically different

From a psychological point of view, the size of a bet matters less than its function. Research on decision making under uncertainty shows that people respond strongly to personal involvement, even when the financial exposure is minimal. Once a choice is made, the brain treats the outcome as relevant. A small in-play wager creates what behavioral scientists call “attentional anchoring.” The match is no longer just happening on a screen. It is now linked to a personal decision. That link sharpens focus, even if the stake is trivial.

This is why micro bets often appear during quiet phases of a game. A corner kick. The next point. The next foul. These moments do not change the overall narrative, but they create short windows where engagement can be renewed.

Staying involved beats predicting outcomes

Traditional betting emphasized prediction. Pick the winner. Predict the score. Wait for the result. Micro betting shifts the purpose. The goal is not long-term accuracy. It is continuity. In live sports betting environments, especially on platforms like Betway that offer rapid in-play markets, small bets act more like checkpoints than forecasts. They reset attention. Each decision creates a reason to watch the next thirty seconds closely. Psychologically, this aligns with research on task engagement. Short, repeatable decisions are easier to sustain than a single high-stakes commitment. The brain prefers manageable uncertainty over prolonged waiting.

Emotional regulation, not just excitement

Another overlooked aspect of micro bets is emotional control. Large bets amplify stress. Small bets soften it. Studies building on Prospect Theory show that people are loss averse, but the emotional weight of a loss scales faster than the actual amount. A small loss is processed quickly. A large one lingers.

By keeping stakes low, bettors protect the viewing experience itself. The match remains enjoyable even when a bet fails. This is especially relevant in high-pressure games where fans care deeply about the result. A small wager keeps involvement high without turning the match into an emotional liability. In this sense, micro betting is less about chasing adrenaline and more about managing how a game feels to watch.

The illusion of agency matters

Micro bets also create a sense of control, even when outcomes are still random. Behavioral research shows that people value agency, sometimes more than success. Making frequent, low-impact choices gives the feeling of participation. The viewer is no longer passive. They are responding to the game as it unfolds. Importantly, this does not require the illusion to be accurate. It only needs to feel responsive. Live betting markets that update quickly reinforce that feeling by acknowledging the bettor’s presence in real time.

Why this behavior keeps growing

Micro betting fits modern viewing habits. Attention is fragmented. Matches are interrupted by notifications, messages, and second screens. Long periods of passive watching are harder to sustain than they used to be. Small, optional decisions offer a way to reconnect without demanding full commitment. That is why micro bets appear most often when the game slows down, not when it explodes with action. They are not replacing traditional bets. They are filling the gaps.

What it really means to “stay in”

From the outside, micro betting can look impulsive or unnecessary. From the inside, it serves a clear psychological role. It keeps attention anchored. It regulates emotion. It restores a sense of agency. On platforms like Betway, where in-play markets update continuously, these small decisions give viewers a way to stay connected without committing to a single outcome. In modern sports betting, “staying in” is no longer about predicting the final score. It is about finding small reasons to care about the next moment, even when the match itself seems to pause.

Review: Cats on Duty

Khloe Turner

-

Feb 3, 2026

0

Holy meow!

There is this undying, unique charm to millennial-esq “random humor” siphoned through . . . um, cats. Our feline friends (or fiends) are just so expressive, borderline unpredictable, and most importantly inseparable from us humans, as they are one of the most commonly owned pets in the world.

Going back to the early 2010s, there was the Nyan Cat: a kitty, pop-tart hybrid flying through space emitting rainbows. Oh, so random! Then, the unforgettable Exploding Kittens came out years later, and remains popular. That game is basically total cat chaos filled with gaffs and destruction. There is also the Steam game Catlateral Damage . . . which is exactly how it sounds.

We are becoming a bit tame in the cat craze department nowadays. Releases like Stray or Little Kitty, Big City prefer the lost cat storylines while still remaining fun and adventurous. Cozy games have been dominating the gaming space as well, with cat-centric titles like Cat Cafe Manager, and even back in 2014 there was Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector.

But, in July of 2024, developer Prikol Team and publisher ESDigital released Cats on Duty. If you had been missing that cringe but charming cat craziness – this is it. An action-based, real-time strategy game that is all about admiring goofy kitties wielding weapons and slaying incoming baddies.

Play Cats on Duty on the PlayStation 4 and 5, the Xbox Series X/S, PC, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch.

Purrfect Pandemonium

Cats on Duty is an interesting blend of Plants vs. Zombies and Bejeweled. It is puurrfect for thise who enjoy both match-3 and tower defense games . . . at the same time! Do not fret as it is not an overwhelming process. The tutorial is thoughtful and forgiving. Tips and tricks are given by this mega random, heterochromatic cat adorning a wizard robe. Their blocky look reminds me of Unikitty from The LEGO Movie.

There is no plot. Players simply develop a cat army to defend their homes against random monsters, like zombies, skeletons, bugs, and witches. Players get access to a variety of feline characters: the tabby Desperado with a sawed-off shotgun, the white cat Scout with the long-ranged bolt rifle, the plump fencer Lord Junior, an explosive litterbox saboteur, among others.

Kibble Crush

Cats on Duty operates a lot like its Plants vs. Zombies inspiration, where you must defend your territory against waves of mobs. Each wave and stage gets progressively more difficult. However, as the game says itself: it is “nothing difficult. The game is designed that way.”

Before starting, there are two difficulty settings. The “Kitty” difficulty is like easy mode, granting you more resources and slows down enemies. The “Cat” difficulty is a fair step-up, for those who “prefer to KILL.” You can change the difficulty at any point in time, even mid-game.

Before each wave begins, players get several freebie swaps at the match-3, which takes up the entire left half of the screen. As it can be inferred, you have to match three of the same color resource in a row or column to obtain it. “Resources” are cats for your army, or doors and litter boxes and such. You unlock more abilities and upgrades as you progress through the stages. Each color represents something: red tokens (the meat stick) are the little shotgun tabbies, and the blue fish tokens are the black cat gunmen, for example. Match as much as you can, but do this wisely. Once the monster-killing begins, for each enemy you slay, you gain extra swap attempts, but the wave will keep going simultaneously.

Kittens Exploding

You can’t do much at the start, but eventually players unlock the ability to move cat soldiers around the gridded battlefield; remove cats you accidentally place or do not want via a cruel squirt bottle; and if you line three of the same cat in a column or row, the kitty will upgrade and become beefier. Unfortunately, this is an automatic reaction. Cats will upgrade in that manner whether you want it or not, so place them down smartly. Anyways, resources are essentially unlimited as long as you strategize correctly.

if either a monster or cat dies, it becomes quite bloody. Players are able to adjust the pixelated blood and corpse volume to loads or none at all.

The Cat’s Pajamas

Cats on Duty has that classic, pixelated, almost Flash Player kind of look. The kitties are cute and a bit anthropomorphized. All the enemies look kind of weird, though. Overall, the art style is lowkey ugly but in an appealing way.

The setting continues to shift from suburbia to forests to deserts, and they each have their own quirks. It keeps it interesting. As for the soundtrack, it is pretty much a repeat of the same tunes but it’s quite catchy and dynamic. I never got bored of the sound.

You eventually unlock the encyclopedia to all the monsters and kitty soldier types. It gives adorable descriptions of their homicidal prowess.

Final thoughts

Cats on Duty is a breath of fresh air for tower defense fans. It captures that chaotic magnetism that cats have been associated with for decades, and is overall just a silly and bloody joyride. Of course, the game gets a bit redundant at times, some of the unlockable cats are a bit of a let down, and there’s also occasional and unusual difficulty spikes. However, I don’t think there has ever been a perfect tower defense game. Ahem, purrfect.

Cats on Duty is cheap, easy to get a hang of, and can be played in short bursts. I recommend this game to fans of the genre. I cannot really say that it would reach an audience beyond that though. While I have never been a tower defense fan, I did find appeal and enjoyment with this title.

Review: Focus A1 Pro headphones

Reviews
Tech

Daniel Waite

-

Feb 2, 2026

0

The Focus A1 Pro headphones are the latest audio product from OneOdio. I’ve recently reviewed their top-end Studio Max 1 Wireless headphones, and I was blown away. Therefore, I wasn’t going to say no when they offered another pair of headphones to look at. Unlike its bigger brother, the Focus A1 Pro headphones are designed as an entry-level option. However, don’t let this put you off. It is only the price point that gives this away. Every other aspect of these headphones is upmarket and impressive.

If you want wireless audio, ANC functionality, an impressive battery, comfortable earcups, and a stylish finish, this is the product for you. On top of this, they are easy to use, and they offer incredibly clear audio quality. The 40mm drivers are powerful, and the bass and tonal range are fantastic. Consequently, these offer the performance of high-end audio peripherals at a fraction of the cost.

What’s in the box of the Focus A1 Pro headphones?

The packaging is sleek, professional, and pleasant to look at. Furthermore, it is 100% recyclable.
The Focus A1 Pro headphones have soft protein cushioned over-earcups, tactile buttons, and lay-flat yokes. The design is refined, and I appreciate the simple style and the black finish.
A USB-C cable is provided to charge the headphones.
Learn the basics with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

The Focus A1 Pro headphones offer an impressive up to 70 hours of battery power. This reduces to 40 hours if you use the ANC feature, but either way, you’ll enjoy over 1 day of full usage before you have to plug the headset in. This battery power was impressive when you consider that they are available for under £50. When compared to other entry-level headphones, these are a standout performer.

If you run low on juice, you do not need to worry. Thankfully, the quick charging facility keeps you in the game for longer. If you are in a rush, you can boost your battery in 10 minutes to increase your listening time by around 5 hours.

Bluetooth 6.0 delivers seamless connectivity and a stable connection to any compatible device. I had no issues connecting this product to my laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. Furthermore, it was easy to flit between devices without having to play around with the settings. The 15m range was impressive, and I had no issues using this feature despite living in a granite cottage. Unlike other headphones, this didn’t falter even when you pushed it to the limit of its connectivity range.

I rarely use my headphones for calls, but during testing, I was impressed by the ANC mic functionality. This algorithm removes unwanted ambient sounds to deliver crisp microphone pickup. This is ideal if you have to take a business call when you visit a cafe, or you’re walking your dog.

Audio quality.

Audio quality is where headphones should rise and fall. If the sound quality is woeful, the headphones will fail to impress. However, decent drivers, an impressive tonal range, and balanced bass are a must for the best audio experience. Thankfully, the Focus A1 Pro headphones offer a hearty range of tones without distortion or an unwanted tinny mess. Moreover, the bass line is nicely balanced for a comfortable soundscape, no matter the genre.

Each tonal element can be picked out, and I liked the warm mids, clean highs, and deep lows. Furthermore, the bass complements every aspect without blowing your eardrums or brain. I spent much of my time with the volume at 50 to 55%. This was the optimum choice for battery and clarity. However, when I cranked the volume up, the bass never cracked, and there were no shrill notes or distortion.

Build quality.

200 grams of weight is impressively light for a pair of headphones. This makes the Focus A1 Pro headphones extremely comfortable to wear during lengthy gaming, music, or movie sessions. Alongside this, the comfortable material doesn’t overheat your ears or generate pressure on your temples or your skull. The lay-flat design is ideal if you prefer to keep your headphones around your neck without creating a bulky appearance. Moreover, the slightly smaller earcups are perfect if you don’t want obscenely large earcups that make a bold statement.

The combination of soft protein cushions and hardened plastic was impressive. The yokes are strong, and the hinged points are durable, resisting roughhousing and the occasional accident. The cushions cover your ears nicely, and they work well with the ANC functionality for a clearer audio experience. However, if you want to hear your surroundings, select the ambience awareness mode to stay alert to the outside world.

Are the Focus A1 Pro headphones worth it?

I was surprised by the Focus A1 Pro headphones! They offer some high-end tech options without breaking the bank. Whether it is exceptional audio, impressively clear microphone pickup, or amazing build quality, they deliver on every front. Accordingly, I think they are great, and I recommend buying them here! Grab yourself 20% off with code MoviesGames.

_{(More information on OneOdio can be found here!)}

The Focus A1 Pro headphones have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

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

Review: Pie in the Sky

Dawid Wisniewski

-

Feb 2, 2026

0

Some games don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they polish it, slap on a fresh coat of paint, and remind you why you loved it in the first place. Pie in the Sky is exactly that kind of game, a compact, heartfelt love letter to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater era, made with clear affection and understanding of what made those games special.

A tried and tested gameplay loop

The task system is where Pie in the Sky really wears its heart on its sleeve. Each map is packed with objectives that feel straight out of a THPS checklist. A high score challenge, collectibles, traversal goals and secret objectives. All pushing you to explore the space more creatively and efficiently. It’s a formula that still works, and the game knows better than to mess with it.

Beyond the main tasks, there’s a strong sense of curiosity baked into the design. Secrets are everywhere, rewarding players who experiment or pay attention to their surroundings. Some unlock cosmetics, giving you fun ways to personalize your winged villain, while others introduce small but clever map changes. From blocking the road preventing traffic from ruining your run to draining a whole canal. completing a map to 100% will also unlock skins which to my surprise where not just colour schemes but whole different models.

Short but sweet

After around three hours, I had completed all main missions and knocked out 60 of the 70 total tasks. On one hand, that brevity is a bit of a disappointment, the core gameplay is so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but want more. On the other, the experience never overstays its welcome. There’s no filler, no bloated progression, just a clean, focused burst of fun.

While I wish there was more content overall, the remaining challenges give me a good excuse to jump back in every now and again and eventually push toward that 100% completion. And honestly? That feels very on-brand for the genre this game is honouring.

My Conclusion

Pie in the Sky doesn’t try to be the next big game or promise constant updates to keep you hooked for years. Instead, it succeeds by being tight, nostalgic, and thoughtfully designed. It understands why Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and other titles of that era worked.

If you grew up chasing high scores, hunting secrets, and replaying the same map to leave no secret behind, Pie in the Sky will feel like coming home, even if the visit is a little shorter than you’d like. The price might seem on the steeper side with regards to the short play time but I would spend my money on it to support the indie developer in hopes for a more refined nostalgic trip in the future.

Review: Skewer Squad

Dawid Wisniewski

-

Feb 2, 2026

0

Skewer Squad is one of those rare indie games that feels like someone asked, “What if we made tower defence for foodies” and actually pulled it off. Released on February 2, 2026, this tiny yet delightful strategy title from indie developer Fake Owls delivers a bite-sized roguelite experience that’s surprisingly deep, and very addicting.

Core mechanics

From its pastel visuals to its whimsical premise, Skewer Squad may resemble the likes of Plants vs Zombies but immediately sets itself apart. You’re the newly appointed Grillmaster, tasked with defending your grill from a horde of cheeky rats who, for reasons only the developers truly know, have an insatiable craving for your tasty skewers. There’s no pretentious lore here, just pure, grilled-to-perfection fun.

The loop is what you would expect from a rougelite tower defence tower defence, pick the Grillmaster that fits your playstyle and start shooting rats with your preferred food in order to unlock more foods and seasonings. pretty standard stuff.

Jokes aside Skewer Squad gets pretty deep. There are ;

Two main types of food – Meats and Vegetables.
Two attack types – Shooters and blockers.
Multiple effects/tastes – for example spicy, sour or salty.
A multitude of seasonings, spices and sauces that either affect players overall stats or specific groups of food.

There of course also countless synergies, items with benefits that will make players change their entire strategy and enemies that will make players adapt on the fly. A core change to the genre is that you have space for 9 foods on your grill, or specifically on your skewers. Skewers that can be slid from side to side to optimise defence which means players are more engaged than simply putting down ‘towers’ and watching the game play itself.

Charming from graphics to humour

One of Skewer Squad’s biggest strengths is how approachable it is. The core mechanics are intuitive enough that you’ll understand the basics within minutes, yet there’s plenty of depth for players who enjoy experimenting with builds and combinations. The roguelite randomness keeps the game feeling fresh, and discovering new food synergies is consistently satisfying. With the art style and gameplay it actually reminds me a little of Commanders Quest which I have reviewed a while back.

The game’s personality also deserves praise. Its cheerful visuals, playful animations, and food-themed humour give it a distinct identity, helping it stand out in an increasingly crowded indie roguelite space. It never takes itself too seriously, and that charm goes a long way.

Despite the chaos, success still hinges on smart placement quick reactions, not only while defending but also adapting to the ever changing roster of enemies. Strong builds feel earned, and losses usually teach you something useful for the next attempt.

My Conclusion

Skewer Squad takes a simple, silly idea and turns it into a smart, addictive strategy experience. It’s fast, charming, and endlessly replayable, with just enough depth to keep you thinking between runs. If you enjoy tower defence games with a charming style and for a very affordable price this title is and extremely easy recommendation.

Review: Heroes Battle Awakening

Daniel Waite

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Heroes Battle Awakening is a Plants vs. Zombies-style top-down title that’ll scratch that defence itch. However, it isn’t as intense as its popular peer. Instead, it is an affordable indie game that is great as a casual endeavour.

Josep Hernandez has developed, and Eastasiasoft have published this short indie title. It utilises classic tower defence mechanics, and it has a fun fantasy theme. However, some levels can be a little tedious as limited planning and new monsters lead to trial and error. This may thrill you, but I found it more frustrating than enjoyable.

Heroes Battle Awakening tells a tale of monster vs monster.

You’d think that monsters would see eye to eye. After all, mankind hates them, and this should be enough to focus their attention. Yet, Heroes Battle Awakening tells a story of monster vs monster. This unusual approach was interesting, and I liked the fresh ideas. However, the plot has limited depth, and it rarely impacts the core mechanics.

The action spans 4 unique works, each with 10 stages. As you progress, new monsters are unlocked, and different foes create problems to overcome. If you manage to complete each world, you’ll face a skill-testing boss level. This final stage pushes you to the edge of failure. Accordingly, only the best players will make it all the way.

Simple mechanics.

Like its peers, Heroes Battle Awakening has relatively simple mechanics. The gaming world is framed around a grid-like map. Each wave of monsters walks from right to left as you place your troops and collect gold coins.

The coins must be used to buy more units to improve your chances of survival. Yet, this is easier said than done. Once you place a monster, it cannot be moved. Therefore, you must think wisely before you place your army.

With a large roster of creatures at your disposal, there are plenty of ways to complete each level. Whether it is a melee beast, a ranged monster, or something that can generate coins or explode on touch, you must select the right unit for the job at hand.

Heroes Battle Awakening has a cartoon edge.

Visually, Heroes Battle Awakening is pleasant to the eye. The vibrant colours and fun cartoon edge look great. Furthermore, the animation is smooth, and it performs well on PC and Steam Deck. I noticed no bugs or glitches. Moreover, I appreciated the varied appearance of each creature.

The audio is fun, upbeat, and occasionally sinister. This was great as it helps set the scene without being overbearing or annoying. Additionally, the sound effects have a nice fantasy edge.

Simple controls.

I played this with a mouse and keyboard and a gamepad, and it works incredibly well. I did have to adjust the sensitivity of my controller as it was far too fast. However, once it was sorted, everything worked well. If you have played this genre before, you’ll pick up the basics in no time. Alternatively, if this is your first rodeo, you’ll master the fundamentals quickly.

Replay value is questionable. Once you fly through each stage, there is little reason to return. This was a shame as I enjoyed the action and the colourful monsters.

Heroes Battle Awakening is simple but enjoyable.

Despite its lack of depth or originality, I enjoyed Heroes Battle Awakening. It offers enough to keep you interested, and it is relatively inexpensive. Therefore, it is a great option if you want a change of pace, and I recommend buying it here! Can you stop every monster? Choose your army, gather the coins, and hope that luck is on your side.

Poki Partners with Tall Team for Exclusive Obby Roads Web Launch

News

Christopher John

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Poki Partners with Tall Team for Exclusive Obby Roads Web Launch

The web gaming space continues to grow rapidly, and one of the most notable collaborations in late 2025 is the exclusive launch of Obby Roads on Poki’s global browser gaming website. This partnership brings together one of the most influential web play portals and a studio with a proven track record of web hits, creating a compelling example of how developers and browser-based game websites can work together to reach massive audiences.

Obby Roads is the latest title from Tall Team, the independent game studio best known for the enduring popularity of Smash Karts. By making Obby Roads exclusively available on Poki.com, both partners are positioning the game to reach millions of players worldwide, combining Poki’s strengths with Tall Team’s creative expertise.

A Partnership Built on Scale and Creative Trust

The core of this collaboration is straightforward: Poki offers a massive browser-based game website with global reach, and Tall Team brings engaging web game design that connects with players. Poki’s website field tests games, provides discoverability, and connects titles with hundreds of millions of active players. For Tall Team, partnering with Poki, whose infrastructure and audience scale dwarf what most independent studios can access on their own, can dramatically accelerate a game’s visibility and long-term engagement.

This dynamic is similar to how players explore choices across different categories of online experiences and how developers and publishers must evaluate platforms for reach and performance. For Tall Team, Poki’s ability to provide instant global availability with no downloads and cross-device play is a critical part of that calculus.

At the heart of the deal is mutual confidence. Poki’s leadership views Tall Team as a developer capable of creating not just viral moments, but games with lasting impact. Tall Team’s previous success with Smash Karts, which remains a top ten web title with millions of active players, gives Poki confidence that Obby Roads can attract and retain a broad audience.

Poki’s Perspective: Scale Meets Creativity

In announcing the launch with Medium, Michiel van Amerongen, co-founder of Poki, emphasised the synergy between the two organizations and why Tall Team was a natural fit for an exclusive release on the browser-based gaming website:

“As an independent studio with a team of eight, Tall Team has a proven ability to create and scale web hits like Smash Karts that maintain high daily players and strong community loyalty. With the launch of Obby Roads, we are proud to see that established developers are trusting Poki to provide the necessary scale and platform support for their newest titles.”

Michiel highlighted that this level of trust is not given lightly. Poki’s publishing arm collaborates with hundreds of developers, prioritizing games that demonstrate creative ambition alongside long-term engagement potential. In this case, Obby Roads, with its vibrant 3D obstacle racing gameplay and multiplayer design, aligned closely with Poki’s broader strategy to support deeply engaging and accessible browser games.

For Poki, the partnership reinforces its mission to be more than a catalogue of casual titles. By hosting an exclusive release from an experienced and proven studio, Poki continues to strengthen its position as a destination for high-quality web gaming experiences.

What Poki Brings to the Table

For Tall Team, partnering with Poki is not just about reach, though that is a major factor. Tall Team’s leadership emphasised the importance of working with a gaming website that understands web gaming’s unique requirements and has the infrastructure to support live title growth.

Tall Team’s co-founder explained that Poki’s ethos aligned with their vision for Obby Roads from early discussions, the partnership acting as the missing link for both giants. The game combines dynamic obstacle courses with vehicle advancement and multiplayer elements. It also benefits from Poki’s global distribution and technical support, including player account integration that saves progress during browser sessions for uninterrupted gameplay.

A Model for Web Game Partnerships

The collaboration between Poki and Tall Team on Obby Roads exemplifies how developers and gamers can find aligned interests and mutual trust. Poki gains a high-quality exclusive title from a proven studio, strengthening its catalog and providing fresh gameplay for its global audience. Tall Team gains access to an audience measured in tens of millions, along with the tools and expertise to support ongoing player engagement.

For players, the result is immediate. Obby Roads is now playable directly in browsers via Poki.com, allowing both new and returning gamers to explore Tall Team’s latest creation without downloads or barriers. For the industry, it highlights how strategic partnerships continue to shape how web games are launched and grow in 2026 and beyond.

Review: Status Pro X

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Here is our review of the Status Pro X.

From their website:

The Pro X is the next evolution in our wireless earbud lineup.

We maintained the celebrated hybrid triple driver acoustic system of the Between 3ANC and Between Pro, with some notable improvements: An enlarged 12mm dynamic driver, supported by two Balanced Armature drivers manufactured by Knowles, a leading producer of these precision-crafted specialty drivers.

We added high-resolution LDAC codec support, alongside a High Res Wireless Audio certification from the Japan Audio Society.

Additionally, we’ve “future-proofed” the Pro X with Bluetooth LE Audio support, enabling the LC3 codec and Auracast protocol.

But it’s not just sound quality where the Pro X takes a massive leap forward.

The Pro X are substantially smaller and ergonomically optimized, so they wear slimmer and sleeker in your ears, while maintaining a comfortable and secure fit.

Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency (Ambient Aware) Modes are radically improved, as is the companion app (available on iOS and Android), which allows full EQ customization, re-mapping of controls, FindMy support, and numerous other features to optimize your listening experience.

Massive R&D resources were dedicated to a key feature for wireless earbuds: call quality. We introduced Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement, which leverages deep neural net training to filter out background noise during voice communications.

Inside and out, the Pro X are in a class of their own.

Features

Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling
Block out distractions with over 52db of powerful noise reduction.

Optical Wearing Sensor
Auto-detects when they’re in your ears.

Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement
Clear calls, even in noisy environments.

Six Beam-Forming Microphones
Radically improved ANC, Transparency Mode, and Call Quality.

Bluetooth® 5.3 with Advanced Codecs
SBC, AAC, and LDAC — delivering 24-bit/96 kHz audio at bitrates up to 990 kbps.

Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast Support
Future-proofed for the next generation of Bluetooth, with LC3 codec support.

Triple Driver Acoustic System
12mm Dynamic Driver + Dual Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers.

Transparency Mode
Let in ambient sound with a click. Stay aware, stay connected.

IP55 Water & Dust Resistance
Handles sweat, splashes, and dirt.

Long-Lasting Battery Life
8 hours per charge, 24 hours total with the included charging case.

Status Hub App
Fine-tune your sound, manage your earbuds, and more in the Status Hub app for iOS & Android.

Superior Connectivity
Multipoint Connectivity. Android Fast Pair. Microsoft Swift Pair.

Wireless Charging
The Pro X support Qi Wireless Charging.

Sidetone Feature
External mics amplify your own voice during phone calls, so you don’t have to yell.

Find Lost Earbuds
GPS Tracking of lost earbuds with sound notifications.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the charing case and earbuds, extra tips, a charging cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Status Pro X is small and lightweight and easily fits into your pocket or bag. They also look good too!

When fully charged, the Status Pro X will last a good 24 hours – each full charge in the charging case gives 8 hours, although depending on the settings you use this could drop to around 5 or 6 hours per charge. The case can even be charged using wireless charging.

The earbuds themselves are vey comfortable, even for extended periods of time. You also get different size tips in the box so you can make sure you are using the most comfortable fit for your ears. They are also water resistant so you can get them a little wet without worrying too much.

Connected the Status Pro X to your device is really simple and takes only a few seconds.

Sound quality wise, the Status Pro X is very good and the active noise cancelling works very well, even in noisy environments, well that is other than very windy environments without making some settings changed.

The Status Hub app enables you to control a number of settings so that you can get the perfect sound for you, including changing the listening modes.

The Status Pro X is available now priced around £225 and is available in Black Alloy.

You can learn from the website here.

Review: PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Review: PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch

Here is our review of the PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch.

Get ready to take center stage on Fortnite Festival with the Riffmaster wireless guitar controller, officially licensed by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, & Nintendo Switch – OLED Model. This guitar also works with Nintendo Switch 2 – C Button not available. Designed to enhance your gaming experience, the lightweight guitar is perfect for both left- and right-handed players of all ages. With up to 30-foot low-latency wireless connection, you’ll enjoy complete freedom of movement. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 36 hours of playtime on a single charge, and the shoulder strap ensures comfortable play. Featuring a patented analog stick for precise control, the Riffmaster improves your rhythm gaming experience. The guitar also fully collapses allowing for easy travel or storage. Rock out to your favourite songs like never before!

Features

This guitar also works with Nintendo Switch 2 – C Button not available
Up to 30-foot low latency wireless connection
Built-in, rechargeable battery for up to 36-hours of play time per charge
Unique design that is suitable for both left- and right-handed players of all ages
Guitar is collapsible for easy storage or travel
Built-in, patented, guitar analog stick for easy navigation
Includes a shoulder strap for elevated comfort
Officially Licensed by Nintendo

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Riffmaster controller, a charging cable and a shoulder strap. There is also a leaflet with a QR code on for installation instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Riffmaster looks cool and holding it makes you feel like you are using a real guitar. It’s very light and you can hold it and play it for a while without aching! It feels very natural.

Putting the Riffmaster together was really simple – you just click and lock it into place. When you are finished you can collapse it back down for easier storage and transport, if necessary.

They have included a strap in the box, which is easy to fit and adjust, however it does slightly cover the charging port.

Once fully charged, the Riffmaster has about 36 hours of battery life, so more than enough for a play session.

The buttons and controls are very responsive and they are silent, which is a nice change if you are playing using headphones and trying not to annoy anyone else in the room. There is even a dedicated screenshot button too!

The Riffmaster really does pick up fingerprints so if this bothers you, make sure you have a cloth to hand to wipe it down after use.

At the time of writing this review, the only game that this version of the Riffmaster works with is Fornite Festival in Fortnite. It’s a lot of fun playing that, but lets hope that other games will get released because £129.99 for a controller that only works with a single game may feel like a lot of money for some people.

The PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch is available now priced around £129.99. There are also versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox.

You can learn more from the Turtle Beach website here.

Review: Kejoraa

Dawid Wisniewski

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Some games grab you with spectacle. Kejora doesn’t.
Instead, it invites you to sit down, breathe, and quietly notice that something is wrong.

Developed by Indonesian studio Berangin Creative, Kejora is a hand-drawn narrative puzzle platformer that blends childhood innocence with creeping unease. On the surface, it’s a story about a small village and a girl named Kejora. Underneath, it’s about memory, routine, and the discomfort of realizing that familiar things don’t always stay safe.

The story and how it plays

The core hook is simple and effective: Kejora’s village is stuck in a time loop, endlessly repeating the same day. At first, it feels cozy, people go about their lives, the scenery is warm and inviting, and nothing appears overtly hostile. This changes very quickly.

As you revisit the same places, small details start to feel off. Characters subtly change. Environments reveal hidden layers. The loop becomes less of a mechanic and more of a mood, reinforcing the sense that the village is trapped not just in time, but in denial.

Players take control of Kejora along her two friends Guntur and Jaka. While Kejora is the leader of the pack both friends have useful traits to help along the journey. As players uncover the village mystery across the beautifully drawn 2D landscapes, they will use their friends to move boulders, jump up to high platforms and break barricades.

Visuals are Kejora’s strongest point

Visually, Kejora is its strongest asset. Every environment is hand-drawn, with soft colours, expressive animations, and a warmth that recalls Ghibli animations. There’s a distinct Southeast Asian influence in architecture, clothing, and village life that gives the game a strong sense of identity.

The contrast between the art style and the darker undertones of the story works beautifully. The world looks inviting, even as it quietly unsettles you. It’s the kind of game where you’ll stop moving just to take in a background scene. Sound design complements this well. Music is gentle and sparingly used, allowing silence and ambient sounds to do a lot of emotional heavy lifting.

A short meaningful story

Kejora is a short, focused experience, and that works in its favour. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and it doesn’t pad itself with unnecessary mechanics. The pacing mirrors the narrative, slow, reflective, and occasionally tense.

That said, players looking for high replay value or deep mechanical complexity may find it a bit light. This is a game meant to be a one time journey.

My conclusion

Kejora isn’t loud. It isn’t flashy. And it isn’t trying to impress you with scale. What it does instead is quietly tell a story about change, fear, and the comfort — and danger — of staying the same.

I do have to say however that although the game’s visuals are fantastic and story meaningful. Kejora is very short. Also compared to other Indie titles I have covered it’s price tag is unfair for ~3 hours of gameplay with no replay value.

Review: Clawpunk

Daniel Waite

-

Jan 31, 2026

0

Clawpunk is the type of game that will push your buttons! It is fast-paced, tough, and often unfair. However, it is fun, colourful, and a good example of the rogue-like genre. If you hate your equipment and temporary progress being wiped after each loss, you may wish to look elsewhere. Alternatively, if you like a fresh challenge, while testing your skills and reactions, this is probably the game for you.

This pixelated arcade action adventure was developed by Kittens in Timespace and published by Megabit Publishing. It is a single-player game where falling to your goal is the aim of the game. If you fall too quickly and try to cheat your way to victory, you’ll be punished. Therefore, you must plan your descent if you wish to make it across each stage alive.

Clawpunk is a game about oppression and resistance!

Forall City is a dark and dangerous place. This crumbling metropolis has been overrun by villainous gangs and deadly machines. Furthermore, Mr F has no soul, and he cares not who he crushes. Thankfully, 9 modified cats are up to the task of thwarting this dictator. Each feline has a special set of skills that will overcome every obstacle. Yet, if they are not careful, they’ll be wiped out, and the resistance will fail.

The story rarely impacts the action. Instead, it is the fast-paced madness across the 4 key levels that sits in the foreground. Once you complete each unique stage, you must take on a final test of your skills. The last level will test the best players, and it almost broke me several times.

Destructible arenas.

In Clawpunk, it doesn’t matter which level you pick first. However, the cat you select makes a huge difference! Each hero has different attack methods to master. Moreover, the environment can be destroyed to avoid certain foes or to speed up your descent.

If you go too quickly, you’ll pique the interest of the dictator’s grunts. These heavily armed machines will smash you to pieces. Therefore, you want to try to avoid these hulking beasts as much as you can. This isn’t always easy, especially when you have limited health and even less time. Consequently, Clawpunk is a balancing act of fighting, stealth, and luck.

Clawpunk looks amazing.

I’m a sucker for neon lights and interesting stage design. Thankfully, this incorporates both nicely. The vivid colours and pixelated action are tough on the eyes. However, I didn’t care. As you fly through each level, the details blur into one. This creates a sense of speed and drama that works extremely well. Alongside this, the animation is smooth, and the game rarely falters when things go crazy. Therefore, Clawpunk is a joy to play.

The audio is as angry, loud, and aggressive as you’d expect. Each cat generates its own field of sound, and this creates a new and exciting adventure no matter which hero you pick. Moreover, the music drives you on as you avoid obstacles, search for collectables, and kill anything in sight.

Excellent controls.

This is one hell of a fast-paced game. Subsequently, I was glad that the controls were responsive and easy to understand. Moving, fighting, and grabbing surfaces was a cinch. Additionally, learning each hero’s style was a breeze. Therefore, you’ll master each kitty’s approach in no time at all.

Due to its genre, Clawpunk oozes replay value and longevity. You will die, fail, and curse repeatedly. Yet, once you understand the basics and you come to terms with losing, you’ll love the brutality and the challenge you’ll face.

Clawpunk is a great indie title.

I didn’t expect to like Clawpunk as much as I did. The simple mechanics, addictive gameplay, and challenging rogue-like elements kept me coming back for more. Furthermore, the choice of cats, tough enemies, and affordable price tag make this a great indie title. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you defeat Mr F? Pick your cat, master their style, and defeat every goon.

Review: TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds

Andrew Edney

-

Jan 31, 2026

0

Here is our review of the TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds.

Smart Touchscreen Charging Case – Exclusive to TOZO NC20 Pro

The NC20 Pro also debuts a Smart Charging Case with Touch Control, allowing users to check battery levels, switch modes, and manage functions directly from the case-bringing effortless control and a futuristic aesthetic to the everyday listening routine.

AI Assistance at Your Command – A New Way to Control Audio

Leading the series, the TOZO NC20 Pro introduces AI Assistance at Your Command, an intelligent companion that enhances daily convenience and productivity. From real-time translation and voice-based interaction to instant access to smart controls, the NC20 Pro transforms the listening experience into an intelligent, connected journey.

Studio-Grade Sound with LDAC & Hi-Res Audio Wireless

Both the NC20 and NC20 Pro earbuds are equipped with LDAC codec and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, delivering up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution for studio-quality audio performance. Whether it’s crisp treble, rich mids, or powerful bass, every detail is faithfully reproduced for high-fidelity listening.

Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation up to -52dB

Engineered with Adaptive Hybrid ANC, the NC20 Series effectively suppresses ambient sound by up to -52dB, providing a serene, distraction-free environment ideal for travel, work, or relaxation.

Exclusive SDLC Patented Acoustic Technology

Featuring 12mm dynamic drivers with TOZO’s Super Diamond-Like Carbon (SDLC) diaphragm, the NC20 Series achieves remarkable sonic precision-delivering extended frequency response from 12Hz to 44.1kHz and ultra-deep bass that resonates with realism.

Immersive Spatial Audio and AI-Enhanced Calls

The Immersive Spatial Audio feature creates a captivating 3D sound field, enveloping listeners in lifelike acoustics. Meanwhile, a six-mic system with AI-powered noise reduction ensures crystal-clear voice clarity, even in noisy environments.

Ultra-Low Latency, Seamless Connection, and Smart Adaptation

Powered by Bluetooth 5.4 and optimized for 50ms ultra-low latency, the NC20 Series guarantees smooth, lag-free audio for gaming and streaming. With smart in-ear detection and EarTune Sound Compensation, the earbuds adapt intuitively to user behaviour and hearing preferences.

With the TOZO NC20 Series, TOZO continues to lead the evolution of wireless sound-merging high-fidelity audio, advanced noise control, and intelligent AI-driven innovation into a sleek, modern design.

Final Thoughts

The TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds are small and lightweight. They easily slip into your pocket or bag. They are also very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time.

The most unique feature of the NC20 Pro is the touchscreen charging case. You can control all playback, check the battery levels, switch to different ANC modes, and even view real-time lyrics.

When fully charged you can get around 80 hours of playback. The earbuds themselves last between 12.5 and 16.5 hours, depending on whether you have ANC enabled or not. Either way, thats a decent charge!

Sound quality wise they are very good and work really well with whatever your source material is.

The TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds are available now priced around £66 and are available in Black, Champagne or Rose Gold.

You can learn more from the TOZO website here.