Review: Space Cats Tactics

Xavier Berry
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Review: Space Cats Tactics

Space Cats: Tactics combines a few of my favorite things like Space, Tactical RPGS, in depth systems, and of course, Cats. A lovely little game focused on the adventures of Captain Mitzi and his crew as they explore the depths of space while taking on dangerous missions as a mercenary attempting to steal a government ship. Things can get heated in the midst of combat and it is up to you to help guide the good Captain and his crew safely to the otherside. 

Our main character is Captain Mitzi, a mercenary who was hired to smuggle the ship, Curiosity, across the galaxy. There is one thing that you’ll notice right away is that the game is full of cat puns right from the start. If there is a play on words that you can think of, there is a good chance that it is here but that is to be expected from a game focused on Cats as the main character.

The cats were bred as war machines by humans but soon wanted to experience freedom of their own. After waging a war for themselves, the Cats were able to get their freedom but are now feared across the galaxy due to turning on those that created them. This is a typical sci-fi story and while it doesn’t go any deeper than that, it is nice to not have to memorize a plethora of made up terminology to keep up with things going on. Mitzi is as cocky as can be and this shows in every interaction he has with his crew and others but sadly that is about all there is for his character. In fact, most of the cast is full of one dimensional characters that don’t step out of their bland personality traits. This is rather disappointing since the cast is pretty small so they will wear out their welcome fast. Thankfully the gameplay is strong enough to make up for some of these shortcomings. 

You are tasked with controlling the ship and navigating through dangerous territory as you try to smuggle the ship out safely. Taking place on a grid based map, you will use action points to maneuver the ship across the map as well as engage in combat with other ships. You are able to utilize the cannons on board the Curiosity to blast asteroids and recover resources to help keep the ship running. 

Things get interesting when combat begins since the ship doesn’t automatically take an offensive stance. With the ability to zoom in and check out the interior of the ship, you are responsible for placing units in the right portions of the ship to get things moving. Want to use the guns on the ship? Better make sure you have a crew mate there. Got some cool cargo or need to refill on health before the end gets here? Now you have to move one of your crewmates from their position over to the cargo hold to make this happen. The importance of placing crewmembers in the right place is seen from the very beginning and mismanaging your crew can lead to an untimely end. There are even moments where fires may break out inside the ship, causing you to take damage over time. Since this can put a dent in your plans and might make escaping the enemy harder than it needs to be, it is important to know when it’s time to switch things up. 

While the game features a lengthy tutorial to get you into the game, there are some things that just come off as unclear and need better explanation. For example, I had a fire in my ship and I moved both of my crewmembers to the room to combat it. The animation showed them putting out the fire but there was no communication on how long it would take for the fire to be put out. I eventually had to redo the encounter simply due to my ship exploding from damage that I had no idea on how to fix. While this happened earlier in the game and is remedied once I can afford to have crew members dedicated to these tasks, this was a frustrating way to begin my journey with the team.

This is a generic space adventure with very basic features that may capture some while others struggle to get past the intro. With a few minor performance issues and some questionable design decisions, this is a simple game that is okay to pass the time with. Personally, I wish the characters had a bit more depth to them or even stepped outside of the stereotypical roles that they fill but the gameplay is okay enough to make up for that. For those who enjoy games like XCOM, I think you have a pur-fictly okay time with Mitzi and the crew. 

The Role of Call Centers in Modern Insurance

Christopher John
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The Role of Call Centers in Modern Insurance

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, insurance companies face the challenge of meeting ever-evolving customer expectations. While online platforms and apps have made policy management more accessible, the human connection remains pivotal in the insurance sector. Call centers bridge the gap between impersonal digital interactions and the need for human empathy, guidance, and support. This article delves into the multifaceted role of call centers in modern insurance and their contribution to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

First Line of Customer Interaction

Addressing Queries and Concerns

For many customers, call centers serve as the primary touchpoint for all insurance-related inquiries. Whether it’s understanding policy details, seeking clarification on premiums, or inquiring about additional coverages, the call center representatives provide immediate assistance.

Personalizing Customer Experience

Each customer’s needs and situations are unique. Call center agents play a vital role in personalizing interactions, ensuring that solutions provided align with individual requirements and preferences.

Crisis Management and Support

In times of emergencies, such as accidents or natural disasters, call centers become crucial. Agents not only guide policyholders through claim processes but also offer emotional support during trying times.

Claims Processing and Management

Initiating the Claims Process

When policyholders need to make a claim, their first action often involves contacting the call center. Agents guide them through the initial stages, ensuring all necessary documentation and information are in place.

Continuous Updates and Tracking

Throughout the claims process, customers seek updates. Call centers ensure transparency by providing real-time tracking, status updates, and expected timelines for claim resolution.

Handling Disputes and Concerns

Should disagreements arise regarding claim settlements or policy interpretations, call center representatives become mediators. They address concerns, clarify terms, and if needed, escalate matters to higher authorities within the insurance company.

Data Collection and Analysis

Gathering Customer Feedback

Call centers routinely collect feedback post-interaction. This feedback serves as invaluable data for insurance companies to refine their services, products, and customer interaction strategies.

Identifying Market Trends

The data amassed from countless customer interactions allows insurance companies to spot emerging trends, changing customer preferences, and potential areas of product or service expansion.

Enhancing Targeted Marketing Efforts

Based on interactions and queries, insurance companies can identify products of interest to specific customer segments. This insight aids in crafting more effective, targeted marketing campaigns.

Integration with Modern Technology

Implementing AI and Chatbots

While the human touch is irreplaceable, integrating AI-driven chatbots can enhance efficiency. These bots can handle routine queries, freeing up human agents for more complex issues.

Advanced Data Security Protocols

With the sensitive nature of information discussed, modern call centers incorporate robust data security measures. From encrypted communications to stringent data access controls, ensuring customer data protection is paramount.

Omni-channel Support Systems

Modern insurance call centers are no longer restricted to voice calls. They integrate various channels, from email and chat to social media, ensuring consistent and seamless customer support irrespective of the platform. You may also want to look into Unified Communications as a Service and all the advantages it can offer your business. It allows you to work across multiple channels and makes sure everyone is in the loop.

The Road Ahead: Future Prospects

Training and Skill Development

As insurance products evolve and become more complex, continuous training for call center agents will be essential. This ensures they remain updated and can offer accurate guidance to customers.

Expanding Roles

Call centers might soon handle more than just customer interactions. They could play a role in product development, utilizing the direct feedback and insights they gather from policyholders.

Incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Emerging technologies like AR and VR could be integrated into call centers, especially in areas like property insurance, allowing agents to virtually assess damages or guide customers through virtual scenarios.

Conclusion

While digital transformation continues to reshape the insurance landscape, the significance of call centers remains undiminished. They encapsulate the human essence of the insurance business, fostering trust, offering clarity, and ensuring customer satisfaction. As the industry progresses, call centers will continue to evolve, integrating technology while retaining their core human touch, reaffirming their indispensable role in modern insurance.

Why Do Movies Get Poker So Wrong?

Christopher John
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Why Do Movies Get Poker So Wrong?

Movies are fun – they tell stories that we want to hear. We often don’t care if the details are true, or even logical as long as it makes for a good movie. Now, ask an astrophysicist what they think about most Hollywood movies about space and they will fight down an urge to go on a long tirade about vacuum, sound, and the works.

Well, we may not understand much about laws of nature, but we do have a fairly sound grasp of poker, and we have been taken aback at how wrong all movies get poker nearly all the time. Today, we take a look at why this is – and we don’t insist that it’s necessarily a bad thing.

Does it make us angry? You bet. Is it all for the worse? We seriously doubt that. Let’s take a look at what we mean. 

Movies About Poker Use Poker as a Prop 

A truer word has never been spoken. From Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to Casino Royale, poker is used as a sort of prop, even though a big portion of the flick is focused on the game itself. There is the suspense, the secretive lifting of the edges of the cards to make sure that you have a King and an Ace, or that your opponent does, and that you are flying blindly into a bad decision.

Well, this is all used for dramatic effect. Poker is sort of a prop in its own movie, as it needs to help create conflicts, put the main characters into a pickle, or have them on the run from angered New York mobsters who are determined to collect their debt or start collecting body parts – this kind of thing.

This is understandable. Movies are all about telling stories, and sometimes even the movies about poker cannot really focus on the game itself or get it down accurately. Just think of James Bond who enjoyed both blackjack and baccarat, and some poker, and always seemed to have some insight that others did not.

Well, that’s not actually true. You simply cannot have insight by approaching a table, looking at the back of the cards, and going “oh, yes.” Speaking of 007, Casino Royale, one of the best movies in the entire franchise, had Daniel Craig, a great actor by all means, play a game of poker. Craig had no idea how the game played and he had zero interest (initially) in it. In fact, Craig’s co-star Mads Mikkelsen said that the actor “sucked at poker” – ouch. 

Of course, this does not mean that Casino Royale was not suspenseful or fun or that poker players didn’t enjoy it – they did, but they didn’t expect to find anything remotely accurate about how poker was represented.

Separating Fact from Fiction 

Now, there is another aspect to movies that feature poker and make it one of their main themes. Just because the movie will create conflict over a game of poker, it does not mean that the movie is about poker per se.

That is why it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Of course, when you see a hand played in the most incredulous way based on no information whatsoever other than someone’s bravado (which actually works in real life but not as often as you would like it to), it’s hard to fight down that discontent which nags at you and tells you that yes – they could have done it so much better.

They could have called Daniel Negreanu and just asked if that hand would make sense and what would be better – to just land it some small degree of credibility, you know. You can find better and more accurate games on virtually any online card room than you would in most poker movies.

You don’t believe us? Well, you can click this link to play now and see for yourself. Poker sites in the United States will definitely not have you believe that you can win any hand and you won’t find opponents who are cowered by your sudden show of machismo, so make sure that you factor this in.

Still, if you can sort of overlook the glaring issues with the factuality of the game, flicks about poker aren’t too bad after all. 

The Need for Romanticizing Poker in Movies

Not least, movies about poker are a huge selling point for the game. Poker has not always been so popular – in fact, it can definitely use even more advertisement. So, what of it if Daniel Craig doesn’t like poker, or he doesn’t care about being particularly good at it?

There are millions of people out there who have seen Casino Royale and entertained – briefly or not -the idea of playing poker themselves. And this is the exact point of having more of these movies about the game. They are ambassadors, they help build up an ecosystem and promote competitiveness.

Movies spark curiosity in viewers who may have thought of the game of poker as a sort of a snooze, just like Casino Royale’s director, Martin Campbell, thought. Poker is clearly so much more, and romanticizing the game in movies might anger people who are actually intimately familiar with the game. 

But if you look at this as a way to promote the game, get more people interested, and enjoy an even better, bigger, and stronger community – then the inaccuracies have been worth it. 

Review: Verne: The Shape Of Fantasy

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Verne: The Shape Of Fantasy

I mostly know Jules Verne from what’s seeped into the public consciousness. Though, admittedly, it’s got some things wrong. Phileas Fogg never flew in a hot air balloon, for example, no matter what you might see printed on a packet of crisps. Still, Verne’s flair for scientific imagination is well ingrained now. Despite never having read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Seas, I know of both the Nautilus, the fictional ‘monstrous’ submarine, and its Captain, Nemo. And as for Around The World In Eighty Days? Well, I mostly know that via Michael Palin.

It’s ripe territory then for a video game adaptation. Fantastical imagination can be all the more captivating once we’re given the chance to poke and prod it. Verne: The Shape of Fantasy attempts to fill that particular niche. From the outset, it’s clear it’s a game made with passion. The respect for Jules Verne oozes from every pore. As such, it does an admirable job of creating a fantastic world but, to me, it just doesn’t push things far enough in the gameplay department.

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy - The nautilus sails in the deep ocean

Voyages Extraordinaires

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy takes some of its broad strokes from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. We’re aboard the Nautilus, for one. It’s suitably monstrous; its bow fashioned to look like a colossal octopus. Captain Nemo is here too, barking orders at all and sundry. This is where most of the similarities end, though. After all, our protagonist is actual, real-life Jules Verne. I’m at least eighty percent sure that Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea wasn’t self-insert fiction. The danger of putting the actual author in the work is that it risks feeling like poor fan-fiction, where everyone constantly flatters them.

After all, authors are usually the least interesting part of their work. Unless they’re Hunter S. Thompson, I guess. Fortunately, Verne: The Shape of Fantasy puts in the work to make Verne feel like an actual character. The strongest theme is imagination, which at times does tend to fawn over Verne a bit too much. Still, I like how this theme is broken down into good – which allows us to create and invent – and bad – which causes fear and paranoia. This is encapsulated in the ‘Imag’, a tool that allows Verne to harness the power of his imagination. We’ll get to that in a moment.

The biggest boon to making a game about Jules Verne is the visuals. Verne (the in-game one) is on a quest to find the Flame of Hephaestus – an unlimited energy source. From the bustling corridors of the Nautilus, we travel to tropical islands and even stomp across the bottom of the ocean. The pixel art is gorgeous, with the scenery and backgrounds being a delight. Verne: The Shape of Fantasy knows it too, as it often gives us moments to stop and take a look at it. There’s one scene late in the game where a moss-covered dinosaur spine rises above an island, framed by a red, cloudy sky. Wonderful stuff.

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy - Verne descending in front of a giant octopus mural

The iMag Touch

The writing underneath is okay. There’s some good character dialogue. I like how conversations are branching, so you can dig into people’s lives or keep it straight to the point. There’s a reasonably detailed world too, which is being overrun by ‘The Nation’, which Nemo and the Nautilus are helping to fight, while poking through the remains of the Atlanteans. It can feel a little wishy-washy at times, but the ending (no spoilers, promise) clears things up. I do think it rushes a little though. Captain Nemo’s descent into madness comes lightning quick for example, without any time to get to know the non-mad Nemo. There are also strange typos throughout, with a lot of double negatives that destroy the meaning of a sentence. They’re repeated in the voice acting too, weirdly.

But we’ve described the world, now how do we get around it? Well, Verne: The Shape of Fantasy is an adventure game in spirit, with a puzzle aspect. We spend time strolling around picking up inventory items and using them where needed, and a lot of time solving ancient puzzles. The issue is that neither are really used to great effect. Granted, I wasn’t expecting Monkey Island but the inventory parts are few and far between, with solutions being obvious. The puzzles don’t fare much better.

It falls into the trap of not trusting the player. There are good puzzles in here – one that requires us to tie a specific type of knot stands out to me. Most of the time though, the solution is given in a little note on the side of the screen. That is to puzzles what photocopying the answer sheet is to exams. The ‘Imag’ has similar issues. It’s a torch-like device that allows you to change the reality of an object. So if something is destroyed, the imag can change reality so it won’t be. Verne: The Shape of Fantasy talks big about the potential of the Imag, but in practice it’s only really used to repair damaged masonry. A bit over-the-top when you could just fetch a couple of planks.

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy - tying a clove htich

Positively Vernian

Mixed in with that are a few brief stealth sections, too easy to dwell on. None of these elements are bad, on the contrary there are good ideas buried within. The rope example above could be a unique example of a puzzle, that could test both our knowledge of knots and how to tie them. Same with the Imag, there’s a lot of potential for branching paths there – something that seemed hinted at but never realised. The writing too, could benefit from stepping on the brake pedal and letting the characters breathe.

Still, I came away from Verne: The Shape of Fantasy with a positive feeling. I think the graphics and general world help to sell it, not to mention pulling from Verne’s greatest works. It was a joy just seeing what was coming next. At one point, I opened a window on the Nautilus to see a bizarre, betentacled fish floating past. It neatly encapsulated things for me. Verne: The Shape of Fantasy is a beautiful look into the fantastical world of Jules Verne. It has a whole lot of potential but, sadly, this isn’t realised as fully as it could be.

(Verne: The Shape of Fantasy’s Steam Page)

VALORANT Masters 2024 Shifts To Shanghai

Christopher John
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VALORANT Masters 2024 Shifts To Shanghai

Riot Games announced that they will host the VALORANT Masters international tournament in China during the 2024 VALORANT Champions Tour season. The tournament will be in Shanghai and will be the second international event of the 2024 season. Leo Faria, the Global Head of VALORANT Esports, said in a video that this event will celebrate the game’s first anniversary in China. VALORANT was introduced in China on July 12th, three years after its global release in June 2020. The Masters Shanghai tournament is scheduled for late Spring 2024. Details about the competition’s format, location, and ticket prices are yet to be announced.

Despite the fact that the game only launched in early July, following approval from the Chinese government in December 2022, China has had representatives at every VCT international event this year. EDward Gaming, a Chinese esports organization, made it to the lower bracket quarter finals at VCT Tokyo. Riot Games has announced that it intends to include China in the VCT by 2024.

VALORANT’s 2023 esports ecosystem is still in the works, with 16 teams scheduled to travel to Los Angeles, California, in August for the season’s grand finale. Since esports has always been the top priority for GG.Bet, this event will be under close monitoring, and you can wager on numerous wagering options, favorable odds, and fantastic bonuses. The location of VCT’s first international event in 2024 has yet to be determined. Shanghai has already hosted a significant Riot Games international event in the past, with the League of Legends World Championship taking place in the city in 2020. Also, let’s not forget Tencent is a Chinese entertainment company that owns Riot Games.

China Produced $10.6 Billion In ‘ESports Revenue’ In The First Half Of 2023, According To A Report

As one of the world’s major economies, China is also the greatest commercial market for esports. Over the previous decade, China has established itself as a global leader in esports, game creation, publishing, and tournament organization. The country is home to world champions in various games and some of the world’s major esports firms. China presently has the most active esports players and the biggest esports title game revenue. China was one of the first governments to recognize esports as a sport in the early 2000s.

At the 2023 Global E-sports Conference in Shanghai, China, a study detailing China’s esports sector development in the first half of 2023 was unveiled. According to the report, China’s domestic esports business generated 75.99 billion yuan (£8.31 billion, $10.6 billion) in revenue in the first six months of 2023 (January to June).

The China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association and the Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau organized the conference, which took place on July 28th. A release on the official Jing’an regional government website focused on the globalization of esports and the development of the esports business from an international perspective. A number of government officials and Chinese esports industry stakeholders, including Riot Games, NetEase, Perfect World, esports association representatives, the UAE Commercial Counsellor in China, and others, attended the conference.

According to China Daily, a Chinese government-owned publication, esports product sales accounted for 84.84% of the industry’s revenue during the six-month period, followed by ‘esports live streaming and games.’ According to the survey, China has 487 million esports users, according to China Daily. The income amount includes ‘product sales’ for esports games, which is notable. The definition of product sales is not provided. However, this likely includes revenues other than esports money, such as video game unit sales and microtransactions.

According to the Esports Advocate, China gained $21 billion (£16.4 billion) in esports revenue for 2022, with 81.52% of that money coming from game sales. Many other industry revenue reports do not include video game revenue from esports games in their esports revenue estimates because much of that revenue is not directly driven by esports. Market research firm Newzoo predicted that global industry sales would reach $1.38 billion (£1.08 billion) by the end of 2022 in its 2022 global esports industry study. Niko Partners, a market research firm, later estimated China’s esports business revenue for 2022 to be $445 million (£353 million). Separately at the conference, the China Esports Industry Research agency — a state-level agency established in April this year — signed a memorandum of agreement with the Brazilian National Esports Association and the Pan-American Esports Federation, according to a Jing’an announcement.

 

Review: Rain World

Daniel Waite
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Review: Rain World

Rain World is not a game for the faint of heart. This unbelievably cruel title offers little guidance as it kicks your ass repeatedly. What’s more, everything is out to get you as you learn your place in an inhospitable land. However, when the chips are down, you must make your own luck. This is exactly what happens as you learn the fundamentals and use the environment and your foes to your advantage.

This classic Metroidvania title is developed by Videocult and published by Akupura Games. What’s more, this tough experience relies on classic platforming elements and a huge slice of stealthy mechanics. Accordingly, you must be patient and learn as you go. If you cannot do this, the game will beat you within an inch of your life. Additionally, you will soon tire of its harsh gameplay and often unfair endeavours.

Nearly every creature wants to hunt you in Rain World.
Best to stay away from those creatures.

Rain World tells a sobering story.

You are a Slugcat. This cute but strange worm-like creature has been separated from its family. However, it won’t let this hiccup ruin its day. Instead, it allows vast numbers of predators to take that role. Consequently, every element you face will annihilate you in minutes. Alongside this, the brutal vegetation and intelligent AI are often too much to handle. Therefore, you must study your foes and memorise the labyrinthine world if you wish to survive.

To make matters worse, the world evolves as you fail. Subsequently, you must adjust your approach and be ready to learn new skills during every playthrough. I found this idea to be a step too far! A cruel and unkind game isn’t an issue. However, constantly moving the goalposts was almost too much to bear. As such, Rain World will turn off many gamers before they’ve had a chance to truly experience what is on offer.

Rain World is filled with dangerous locations.
This looks pretty dangerous!

Don’t get caught in the rain.

If predators and Slugcat-munching plants weren’t enough, you have to put up with flooding and starvation. These elements are key to your progress and your survival. If the rain begins, you must find a nest to hibernate. However, if you have not eaten enough food, you will not be able to rest and you will die. As such, time is of the essence and remembering where the food supplies are located is essential.

What impressed me, though, was the vast number of environments and rooms to trawl through. There are 12 diverse regions that host many unique creatures and plenty of problems to overcome. Alongside this, there are secrets to discover and a maze of pathways to traverse. In order to explore each area, you must learn new skills. Whether you are lobbing rocks at your foes, hurling spears to create new ledges, or wall jumping and crawling through pipes, it never gets old.

Rain World looks fantastic.

The varied biomes ensure that you are wowed at every turn. Moreover, Rain World has wonderful stylised pixel art that oozes an odd but captivating charm. Alongside this, the weird neon-infused lizards and horrendous plants will impress and disgust you equally. Furthermore, the insanely large map is overwhelming and awe-inspiring. At first glance, the enormous world is too much to take in. However, once you become familiar with the mechanics and the evil predators, you recognise each twist and turn. As such, the world isn’t as big as it seems, and you soon love the odd subterranean environment.

The audio was a little understated for my liking. Though the music does a great job of adding drama and suspense, there are too many moments of silence. This was disappointing, especially when you’ve died for the nth time. It would have been pleasant to have some mindless background music to take away the bitter taste of defeat.

Will the glowing creature help you?
Can this creature help?

Not enough guidance.

The sheer brutality of Rain World isn’t helped by the lack of a tutorial and virtually no hand-holding. I found this approach to be odd and quite off-putting. With no focal point and an unbelievably harsh environment to explore, it was tough to wade through the soul-destroying action. However, if you can put up with this approach, you experience a rewarding, yet strange Metroidvania title.

Ignorance and stubbornness make Rain World a moreish title. Additionally, every baby step and enemy that you overcome inspires you to keep coming back for more. On top of this, the ever-evolving predators and random spawn positions keep you on your toes. Now, this wasn’t exactly fair, but I couldn’t help but enjoy the action because of its sadomasochistic tendencies.

Rain World is an exceptionally cruel game.

I found Rain World to be oddly addictive and exceptionally cruel. Yet, I still loved everything it offered. The ever-changing enemies keep you on your toes, whilst the sinister flooding adds a layer of terror and suspense. Moreover, the vast world and diverse regions are stunningly beautiful and horrifically harsh. Accordingly, though it nearly broke me, I still recommend that you buy it here! Can you traverse the devastating landscape to reach your family? Study your surroundings, stay in the shadows, and keep out of the water.

The Impact of Video Games on Culture and Media

Christopher John
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The Impact of Video Games on Culture and Media

The gaming industry is massive, with video games leading the way in popularity and revenue. It has even surpassed film and music in terms of revenue generation. With such a vast reach, it’s no wonder video games have overlapped with multiple sectors for the better. Video games have penetrated and influenced several aspects of life making them a key pillar in today’s world. From music and film to education, here are some of the ways video games have merged with other sectors to create a more thrilling and engaging product.

Sports Betting

It’s no secret that video games have made a significant impact on the world of betting. They’ve done this in different ways, but one of the most important ones is through eSports. Lately, eSports have become incredibly popular in the gaming world, with lots of tournaments and events happening all over the globe. These eSports events are such a big deal that many teams have gained dedicated groups of fans who support them enthusiastically.

Looking back, some of these events have become so popular that fans now go to online sportsbooks to place bets on which team they think will win. And it’s not just one-sided either – these betting sites have done a great job in covering different eSports leagues and tournaments, and they provide the best chances for you to make your bets. Thanks to gaming, betting sites have gained more reach in places where they hadn’t before.

Music

In today’s rapidly changing music world, video games have influenced how we discover and enjoy music. The gaming industry, which is worth over $120 billion and has more than 5 billion gamers worldwide, surpassing both Hollywood and music. This makes it a significant avenue for artists to gain exposure. Games such as Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox are known for hosting virtual concerts that draw millions of viewers to watch musicians perform. 

This not only broadens the audience for musicians but also propels their reach beyond traditional boundaries. Video games also provide a platform for smaller artists to gain recognition, with 28% of Gen Z music listeners discovering new music through gaming. Games like FIFA also curate playlists, introducing players to lesser-known artists.

Film

Video games have left a significant mark on film over the years, movie studios have realised that these games attract huge audiences, and they’re starting to adapt their films to appeal to gamers. For example, movies like Pacific Rim and Tomb Raider are based on popular video game franchises. Also, The Last of Us, which is breaking viewing records, is just one example of this trend.

Interestingly, this crossover is happening in more ways than one. Game engines are being used to create realistic virtual environments and incorporate sophisticated graphics techniques. Directors also include video game elements in their narratives, blurring the lines between movies and gaming. As video games become more focused on interactive storytelling, it’s changing how we experience movies and games. 

Education

Video games have quietly made their mark on education, much to the surprise of parents who worry about their effects. Beyond the fun and adventure, video games support learning. Characters like Lara Croft, though virtual, inspire interest in subjects like history, geography, and maths. In fact, gaming is so popular that game-based learning has even emerged, combining the excitement of gaming and teaching. This approach transforms lessons into engaging games, motivating students and allowing them to practise new skills.

From geometry to leadership skills, biology to languages, these games are geared towards teaching new concepts. Additionally, studies have shown that well-balanced gaming can improve response times, teamwork, creativity, focus, strategy, leadership, critical thinking, and language acquisition. While parents worry about excessive gaming, understanding content ratings and setting limits can help ensure a balanced gaming experience for children, promoting both learning and social interaction.

Review: Forge of Olympus and Pub Kings by Pragmatic Play

Christopher John
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Review: Forge of Olympus and Pub Kings by Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is a top-rated online casino software development company that regularly offers new and exciting games. The brand constantly creates new content, with slots featuring amazing storylines, theming, and graphics—the newest two games tackle ancient mythology and Viking culture. Our review of these two games provides insight into these two new titles’ features and unique aspects. 

Forge of Olympus 

This unique slot game features a 96.25% return to player percentage with a 6×5 game grid. A fiery forge is seen in the background, with the godlike character ready to create new weapons in iron. The game grid includes shields, golden rings, and helmets ready to create a winning combination. Land eight or more matching symbols on the reels to trigger a winning combination. 

Once a win is earned, the symbols part of the match are removed from the board. You will then see new symbols fall into place. This can lead to even more wins, and multipliers can land on the reels. Multipliers can range from 2x to 100x, which helps to boost your win potential.

Forge of Olympus includes a bonus round where you will see each multiplier that lands increase in value. As you move across four levels, the multipliers grow to help you earn higher values and bigger prizes. Four, five, or six scatter icons anywhere on the reels will trigger ten, 15, or 20 free spins.

Pub Kings

A second new game by Pragmatic Play features the mighty Vikings enjoying a relaxing day at the local pub. The reels are colorful, with a lovely background and interesting characters on the game grid. The 5×4 grid includes 20 paylines, and you must score a matching symbol combination to earn a win. Scatters can appear on the first, third, and fifth reels with random awards from symbols valued up to 5,000x the bet! 

The RTP of this game is 96.08%, which helps to boost the overall return on investment as you play. You can earn random rewards based on play level and reel set. You can easily review the paytable to see how each level and reel will pay out. 

Land three scatters on the reels, and you earn ten free spins. The spin round has a progressive feature that helps you to earn more incentives. A Viking character represents each reel. After each free spin, each instance of the symbols is collected for the connected reel. If you have six of the same symbols on one reel, then you earn level one of random rewards for that reel. 

Continue to gather like symbols to progress up each level. Beers are also collected, and will provide awards for the symbol where you earn the most beer icons. 

Each of these new Pragmatic Play titles is fun to play and offers plenty of features and reward potential. The brand is also preparing to launch even more new games, so players will soon have additional titles to explore. 

Review: Exoprimal

Daniel Waite
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Review: Exoprimal

Exoprimal is a game that promises a lot but doesn’t always deliver. This online-only title will frustrate those that love an offline experience. Moreover, its action is unfortunately repetitive, even though there are plenty of sub-game modes and loads of customisation options. However, if you are on the fence and you subscribe to Game Pass, you needn’t worry. This Triple-A title is included in this exceptional Microsoft subscription service.

Developed and published by Capcom, this is a third-person shooter. What’s more, it has some incredible dinosaur encounters, some tactical elements, and an array of heroes to choose from. Accordingly, there is plenty of depth and loads of scope to maximise your potential. Whether you love to attack every enemy or protect your teammates, there is a character for you. Additionally, the competitive online action is moreish, and the game evolves depending on your level of skill. As such, no playthrough is ever the same.

Each hero has a unique loadout.
What a large gun you have.

Exoprimal tells a tale of a bleak future.

The year is 2043, and a dinosaur outbreak threatens mankind. However, there is a glimmer of hope thanks to the guidance of the Leviathan system. This often overbearing lifeform drags unexpectant fighters to a test arena known as Dinosaur Survival. Here, the warriors and their exosuits will be put through their paces. By tackling waves of unruly dinosaurs, and fighting against other warriors, mankind can design the ultimate exosuit. Only when this task is completed can the threat be wiped out and humanity will be saved.

This highly unbelievable setting forms the exciting backdrop for every combat encounter. As you jump into your exosuit, you are teamed up with players from various platforms. From here, you’ll enjoy a mixture of PvP and PvE action. Accordingly, this forces you to work together with your teammates to overcome every objective. Therefore, you’ll need to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your team before undertaking each mission.

Use your guns to wipe out the dinosaur horde.
Wipe out that horde.

Repetitive action but plenty of game modes. 

Exoprimal places all its eggs in one basket. Accordingly, Dinosaur Survival is the key focus for every mission. Moreover, this game mode helps to evolve the story. As such, players will experience different elements of the plot to their teammates. Furthermore, there is a season pass/battle pass approach to focus on during each mission. This element didn’t interest me as unlockable skins and emblems don’t float my boat. However, I know plenty of gamers adore these challenges.

As previously mentioned, the action flits between PvP and PvE modes. At times, you’ll need to work together to destroy swathes of Raptors or a large Carnaterous. Alternatively, you’ll enjoy a limited horde mode as you protect your VTOL. Alongside this, you may try out the capture the flag setting as you attempt to retrieve your opponents’ data key. On top of this, there is an array of other modes to enjoy.

Each mission comprises the Dinosaur Cull element, as well as a final mission objective. Furthermore, depending on your progress, you’ll experience different gameplay elements. As such, though the differences are minor, no playthrough is ever the same.

Exoprimal performs well. 

Fast-paced shooters must be buttery smooth and problem free. Fortunately, Exoprimal ticks both of these boxes. I was impressed by its pleasant frame rate and level of detail. Moreover, the excellent HUD and minimap enable you to plan your tactics. Alongside this, the unique exosuits and custom options were a joy to look at. However, the action makes you look inwards, and this causes you to overlook the stage design. The often claustrophobic arenas are interesting and varied. Yet, once you’ve experienced them repeatedly, you soon become bored with what you see. As such, I expected more from a high-end title.

The audio was perfect for the genre. The excellent cutscenes do a great job of adding drama and energy to the proceedings. However, the poor lip-syncing was disappointing. It made me laugh, but I’m not sure this was its intention. This to one side, though, you’ll adore the crashing sound effects and the roar of every dinosaur. The cacophony of sounds was ear-splitting and an ideal setting when battling prehistoric beasts.

Exoprimal is full of enormous dinosaurs.
Keep on shooting!

Excellent controls. 

If a shooting game handles badly, it kills any enjoyment. Exoprimal delivers a phenomenal shooting experience thanks to its amazing tutorial and varied gameplay approaches. Whether you wish to play as assault, tank, or support, there is a suit for you. Moreover, each hero has a set list of skills that must be mastered. Thankfully, this is an easy task because of the intuitive controller layout. Consequently, this is great fun whether you play on a console or PC.

Franchises such as COD and Battlefield keep their player base coming back for more. However, I can’t see this happening with Exoprimal. Though I enjoyed each Dinosaur Survival encounter, the action was too repetitive. Subsequently, this taints the finished product and leaves you wanting. Fortunately, though, Capcom has a plan to add more content. If this expands the core gameplay to remove the tedium, then Exoprimal may survive.

Exoprimal just misses the mark. 

In its current build, Exoprimal misses the mark. Yet, there is plenty to enjoy if you play it on Game Pass. If Capcom fulfils its promises and releases extra content, then it could become a niche but impressive addition to the genre. At this point, the game will be worth investing in. However, unless you have a great group of like-minded friends, this could become stale very quickly. Accordingly, I recommend trying it before you buy it. Further information can be found here! Can you help Leviathan to create the ultimate exosuit? Complete every mission, annihilate every dinosaur, and witness a cruel story unfold. 

Superman Legacy: What We Know So Far

Christopher John
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Superman Legacy: What We Know So Far

Since its announcement, DC’s upcoming Superman: Legacy has become one of the most anticipated films in the DC universe of the last few years. Rumours around the reboot’s plot, cast, and release details have flooded the internet over the summer, so let’s summarise the facts that we’ve been able to gather about the film so far.

The Release

Filming for Superman: Legacy is set to begin in January 2024, and the film will be released on the 11th of July 2025. This was announced in January by DC’s co-CEO James Gunn, who was later revealed as the director, writer, and producer of the film.

While Gunn has made it clear that the film is set to have a theatrical release on this day, many fans are already speculating about its release in streaming. Our guess is that the film will join DC’s recent blockbusters on Max (formerly HBO Max), which has been the exclusive streaming platform for the DC cinematic universe.

Max is only available in a few selected countries, so DC fans wanting to stream the film have the option of using a VPN service like ExpressVPN. A VPN is a virtual private network that ensures a secure, risk-free connection to the internet. In this case, a VPN could provide viewers with an IP address from a region where Max is available, such as the U.S., by encrypting their traffic, making it safe to stream any DC content.

The Cast

While the remaining cast of the film has not yet been signed off on, the main stars were announced in late June. The Politician star David Corenswet will be taking on the role of Superman, and Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Rachel Brosnahan has been cast as his love interest, Lois Lane.

The decision to replace Henry Cavill as Clark Kent, who had played this role in Justice League, Batman v Superman, and Man of Steel, was quite a controversial one, as reported by Screen Rant, as many fans expressed their disappointment in Cavill ceasing to personify the Kryptonian superhero.

The main speculation is now the role of Lex Luthor, Superman’s perpetual nemesis. Rumours about Glenn Howerton occupying Lex’s role surfaced after the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor shared a piece of fan art via an Instagram story of him in Lex Luthor’s green combat suit. Could be nothing – but we can dream!

The Story

The key thing there is to know about the Superman: Legacy story is that it is the first instalment in the first part of the new DC Universe reimagined by James Gunn, called “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters”. Marketed as a fresh take on DC’s superheroes, this new universe promises to deliver a never-before-seen angle on the narratives of the franchise’s beloved characters.

As stated by the Independent, James Gunn recently took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to debunk a rumour that Superman: Legacy would tell an origin story depicting Corenswet growing up as Clark – “there won’t be a Young Clark”, the co-chairman said. The rumour is thought to have originated following Cavill’s exit and replacement by Corenswet, who is 10 years younger than him.

We will hopefully have more news about Superman: Legacy once filming kicks off next year. Until then, the latest DC Studios film, Blue Beetle, is now playing in cinemas worldwide.

Review: Final Fantasy XVI

Damien Gorman
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Review: Final Fantasy XVI

Following in the footsteps of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, FFXVI takes the departure from turn-based combat one step further by attempting to become a full-blown action RPG. Does it succeed? Yes and no.

To be clear, the “no” portion of this review will be very brief and might not even concern you at all. It didn’t bother me in the slightest but in the interest of clarity, it has to be mentioned.

But before we get to that, some background.

Final Fantasy XVI is set in the realm of Valisthea, a realm beset by war, political in-fighting and ridiculously monstrous creatures known as Eikons. It’s basically Game of Thrones but a bit less interesting and a lot more Japanese.

You take on the role of Clive Rosfield, an absolute unit of a man who somehow isn’t dragged down by his first name. You are the first-born son of the House of Rosfield, a fact that doesn’t seem to have granted you any privileges as you didn’t awaken to the power of The Phoenix, one of the legendary Eikons mentioned above. Instead, this burden falls to your younger brother Joshua. After some betrayals and big explosions (I’ll not spoil anything), Clive is alone, his family dead and nowhere to go.

From here you find a band of outlaws, gain untold power, and become the Chosen One. All very classic Final Fantasy tropes but FFXVI does a good job of presenting likeable characters and giving depth and weight to the, frankly ludicrous, narrative.

With that said and done, the first thing anyone should notice when playing FFXVI is the grand scale of its set pieces. Giant monsters duking it out in the skies above Valisthea never gets boring, nor does it become played out. Each titanic clash is a feast for the eyes. FFXVI feels like the first truly next-gen title to me, although I can’t say I’ve played everything. The particle physics are spectacular and somehow despite the sheer volume of them on screen in certain fights, it never seems too noisy or complicated. The only negative I have in terms of graphics is that the frame rate for far-away creatures drops significantly, something all too common in modern-day video games.

Combat feels fine, the powers you are granted throughout the story are fun to experiment with but the sheer volume of fights against waves of similar enemies does get boring at times. They’ll freshen things up now and then with a mini-boss type enemy with a stagger gauge but even these get tiresome after a while. Bosses are genuinely tricky at times though and present a decent challenge although the game does come equipped with items that can make your life so much easier if you’re just here for the story.

The big debate is the move away from any time of turn-based mechanics to a more God of War-like system. Whilst long-time FF fans won’t be hugely on board here, I think the move makes sense in order to attract more players, whether or not it’s worked is up to Square Enix’s profit margins to tell us.

The sound design is superb, as you’d expect from a Final Fantasy game, Masayoshi Soken’s score is magnificent and grand in all the right places whilst being sombre and tender when the story calls for it. The voice cast absolutely nail it with Ben Starr (Clive), Ralph Ineson (Cid), and Katie Clarkson-Hill (Mid) being personal highlights. Additionally, I am obliged to mention, this game has at least two Geordie characters, so it’s an instant 10/10.

As for the RPG of it all. There are some elements that work and some that feel a tad pointless. There is a crafting system, which is fine but necessary as all you do is, between missions, head to the blacksmith, craft the best gear you can, and move on. There’s no real consideration for farming materials or anything to create the sword you like most. Also, there are only three gear slots anyway so why bother?

There’s a skill tree of sorts where you can upgrade your Eikon abilities to do more damage or last longer. Once again, it was something I interacted with for as little time as possible, sometimes even forgetting it was there altogether.

Finally, there are a ton of side quests that lead nowhere, very modern RPG. Some of the stories are good but some are just fetch quests with no real weight to them.

Final Fantasy XVI is an absolute triumph. One of the best modern-day action RPGs out there if you can stand the Final Fantasy-ness of it. For newcomers to the franchise, it’s best to start either here or with Final Fantasy VII Remake then go back if you like what you see. Fans of traditional games may not like the departure from the traditional style but there’s still a lot here to like in my opinion. My final (fantasy) comment is that Torgal is the best boy, and you can pet him as often as you like!

P.S. Sorry for the unusual quantity of screenshots, I just couldn’t leave any out, this game is gorgeous.

Review: Pimax Portal

James Refelian
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Review: Pimax Portal

If you love the Nintendo Switch form factor but need a lot more versatility, then the Android-powered Pimax Portal could be the handheld you’re looking for.

Model Versions

The Pimax Portal comes in three varieties: Portal (128 GB), Portal (256 GB) and the Portal QLED (256 GB), which is the version I tested. There are subtle differences beyond the storage capacity. Namely, the screen type used, device colour and additional ports. Broadly, however, they will all do the same thing – play virtually any game in stunning 4k quality.

The Portal Design and Build

The design of the Pimax Portal is sleek, modern, and reminiscent of a Nintendo Switch, which is a very good design. The Portal, however, has an incredible 5.5-inch 4k screen with a good brightness level, and the bezels aren’t too bad. The controllers snap onto the left and right-hand side using incredibly strong magnets with a satisfying snap. You can also snap them together as a sort-of mini-controller. I can’t fault this device’s build quality; it feels incredibly premium.

The joysticks have a nice LED light ring around them. The buttons feel nice to use, and I didn’t have an issue with the ‘D-pad’ design, as I know others have. On the top edge, you have the Micro-HDMI port, the power button, and the storage expansion tray. A pair of speakers and a single USB-C port for charging is on the bottom of the device. At the back of the console, you’ll see the fan and the variety of cameras needed for VR tracking.

Overall, the device feels good and isn’t too heavy to hold. The coating also doesn’t attract as many fingerprints as anticipated, which is a nice touch.

Functionality and UI

The UI works decently and resembles the Switch with cubes along a side-scrolling row of recently installed apps. What you also get, however, is a full Android folder/file management system which is great when downloading from your browser to keep things organised. I ran into a minor issue re-maximising a minimised screen, but I was often able to resolve this. Similarly, swiping occasionally didn’t register, but I suspect all of this will be fixed in later software updates. The device is easy to navigate, easy to add software to and easy to use. Everything is where you expect, and the level of control you have within settings is impressive.

With the inclusion of a Micro-HDMI port on the QLED model, it also acts as a portable screen which some people will find useful.

Gaming on Pimax Portal

Gaming on this 5.5-inch, 4k screen is a joy. Images are bright and crisp and, with up to 120hz refresh rate, incredibly smooth. Combined with the Qualcomm processor and GPU and this little handheld is a powerhouse. I was worried that the controllers, being Bluetooth, would have input lag, but this wasn’t the case at all. Similarly, you can snap off the magnetic controllers and use the touchscreen too. I didn’t notice any unresponsiveness from the screen either.

There are several ways you can play games on this device. Firstly, as it’s running Android, you can access the Play Store and all the wonderful mobile games. As expected, these ran with no issues and were installed seamlessly. Games loaded quickly, and gameplay worked well with controllers where the game supported it and the touchscreen when it didn’t.

The next option available to you (and if you have these services) is you can the Pimax Portal as a cloud gaming machine. I tested this using Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate and was pleasantly surprised at how well the Pimax handled the software. With decent connectivity, gaming on the go was a dream, and there’s something mind-blowing about loading up Forza Horizon 5, HALO or any other AAA game from Game Pass on a device the size of Nintendo Switch.

The device also supports VR gaming, but as the VR accessories weren’t provided for review, I haven’t been able to test this feature. Still, if it works as advertised, it’s a fantastic addition to an already impressive device.

The final area where this device shines is with emulators. I could boot up plenty of retro Wii, GameCube and PlayStation games without problems (once I’d worked out how the emulator worked!). The Pimax Portal handled everything perfectly. I experienced no performance issues, no overheating, and the battery had a decent lifespan of just under three hours for high-performance games.

One Hidden Talent

On the back of the Pimax Portal, you’ll notice five cameras. This is because the device is also able to support VR gaming. The company are currently developing the head strap to slot it into and the controller grips, but this is a phenomenal addition to an already impressive handheld console. While I couldn’t test this feature, the details Pimax have revealed look exciting.

They have based the strap on the VR headsets in their range, the Crystal and Crystal 8k, and once slotted, the Portal will be able to use the cameras for 6DoF tracking. The detachable controllers will fit into tracking ring adapters, and you’ll have a seamless VR experience. While there is an additional centre camera, MR is not yet supported, so the first generation of the strap won’t utilise this camera. Still, it’s exciting to think what Pimax can update later via software and version two of the strap.

Portal Isn’t Perfect

The Pimax Portal, while fantastic, isn’t perfect. There are a few bugs in the software that can be marginally frustrating, like swipes not quite working as they should, but these don’t put me off using the device, and I am sure that software updates will be ironed out over time.

I do dislike the lack of dedicated volume buttons, which feels like an oversight not to include on a device like this, but there is a workaround to stop you from having to go into the system settings every time you want to turn the volume up or down. You can hold the FN button on the right controller and then use the buttons on the top of the left-hand controller to turn the volume up and down. It’s a little clunky, but it does work.

The Portal could benefit from a dedicated kickstand (like the Switch) when you want to disconnect the controllers and use them in hand. But I’m sure a case will be made soon enough by someone.

What’s In the Box

  • * Portal Handheld
  • * Magnetic Controller(L)
  • * Magnetic Controller(R)
  • * USB Type-C Cable
  • * Quick Guide

Pimax Portal Technical Specification

ModelQLED Version (8+256)  Handheld Game Console (8GB+256GB) QLED Version
SKUConsole 8+256G+QLED MiniLED+DTS sound effect (Black)
ColourBlack
Joystick LEDLED Light
Console Dimensions225*89*14.2mm
ProcessorQualcomm® SnapDragon™ XR2
GPUQualcomm® Adreno™ 650
Game Mode: Up to 587MHz Energy Saving Mode: Up to 587MHz High-Performance Mode: Up to 855MHz
WirelessBT5.1 / 2.4GHz 5GHz 6GHz （Wifi 6E）
AudioVR audio / DTS
Display5.46″ LCD / 4K 2160*3840
Refresh Rateup to 120Hz
Colour Gamut110% NTSC(QD)
Contrast Ratio20000:1
Battery4000mAh (Non-detachable battery)
Rapid ChargeQualcomm QC, up to 18W
I/O ConnectionsBottom Type-C(USB3.1 & DP OUT)
Micro HDMISupport MicroHDMI cable & WiGig Wireless Streaming(Optional)
ExpansionTF Card

Final Thoughts on the Pimax Portal

This device is honestly astonishing. It’s incredibly well-built, and despite some minor annoyances, it works perfectly. Lightweight and robust, the Pimax Portal is fantastic for on-the-go gaming, and with the ability to use emulators, Android gaming and cloud-based services, it is incredibly versatile. It’s easy to recommend this device to anyone because it offers something for everyone with some great future potential.

Pimax Portal can be purchased from the Pimax website here, where you can also learn more about it.

Pimax Portal is priced from $369 for the base model, from $399 for the increased storage model and from $549 for the QLED model.  

Pimax Portal unit provided for review.

Review: AEW: Fight Forever

Daniel Waite
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Review: AEW: Fight Forever

AEW: Fight Forever delivers a fast-paced and easy-to-pickup wrestling experience. This frantic sports simulation title allows you to fight an array of legendary wrestlers across a selection of game modes. Moreover, there is an exceptional career mode and deep customisation options. Accordingly, if you love the glitz and glam of this sport, you’ll adore every moment.

Developed by YUKE’S and published by THQ Nordic, this is a sports simulation title. On top of this, it has an arcade edge and a fun and challenging online mode. Subsequently, it ticks many boxes. Whether you want to go it alone or team up with an online buddy, this game has it all.

The ring is covered in blood and is surrounded by barbed wire.
Keep away from the ropes.

AEW: Fight Forever is stupidly entertaining.

The All Elite Wrestling franchise has taken America by storm. The combination of legendary wrestlers and upcoming talent is something to behold. Additionally, the blend of fights and rules ensures that every encounter will keep you on your toes. As such, AEW: Fight Forever is stupidly entertaining no matter how much you love the sport or the franchise.

With plenty of game modes to choose from, you can opt for mindless one-off matches, mini-games, or a fully-fledged career. If you plump for the latter choice, you are free to pick whatever wrestler you fancy and take on a brutal regime. This game mode includes some fantastic cinematic, deep and enjoyable customisation options. Alongside this, you are responsible for your well-being and your results will impact your career.

Casual gaming.

If the demands of a career don’t take your fancy, then why not jump into an array of on-off fights? These simple to-set-up endeavours allow you to customise the rules and select whatever fighters you fancy. Consequently, you can undertake your own revenge match or create a whacky and challenging experience by setting your own rules.

If this doesn’t float your boat, you can undertake some crazy mini-games. These mindless events are short, fun, and as casual as you like. Moreover, they test your skills and abilities without the necessity of beating the snot out of your opponent. Accordingly, they make a pleasant break away from the brutality of each fight.

Use that bat to knock out your opponent.
That is going to hurt.

Wonderful combos.

Unlike other wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever focuses on simple moves and OTT combos. Furthermore, you can combine with your tag team partner to unleash hell upon your opponents. Alongside this, you are free to taunt, slap, kick, and grapple to your heart’s content. As such, you can make each encounter as entertaining or as brutal as you like.

Where this sports simulation is a letdown, is its training mode. If you wish to practise your finishing moves or tweak your basic attacks, you have no handholding. Subsequently, there is little to no guidance on how to improve or what you are doing wrong. Therefore, if you are new to the genre, or you simply have limited knowledge, you won’t know how to improve. This was an appalling approach that often leads to unnecessary frustration and a lot of trial and error.

AEW: Fight Forever looks good, but it could have been more polished.

Whenever you combine fast-paced arcade action with realistic character models, something has to give. Unfortunately, AEW: Fight Forever lacks a high-end polish and the lip-syncing is bloody awful. Alongside this, the strutting and posing are repetitive, and the workout element of your career is repetitive and lacking in interest.

Sadly, each of these shortcomings is hard to ignore. If you consider all the razzmatazz of the wrestling industry, you’d expect this to be bursting with energy and flair. Annoyingly, it is a bit of a damp squib that should have done much better. Even though the shortcomings irked me, I was impressed by the smooth animation and the range of special moves. However, it didn’t tick every box for me and I was left disappointed.

Though the visuals weren’t quite there, the audio was good. I liked the commentary, the crowd noises, and the usual harsh sound effects. The noise of every blow and the crunch of every kick was painful. Moreover, the scream of the ref counting and the deafening cheers were phenomenal.

Jump from the top rope and knock them out.
He won’t know what has hit him.

Simple controls.

Trying to keep up with your opponents should be a difficult task. Yet, AEW: Fight Forever is exceptionally easy to play. The simplified controls are straightforward, and executing your finishing or special moves is a cinch. However, the aforementioned tutorial does very little to help you out. As such, you have to endure some trial and error, especially if you wish to have a varied arsenal of moves at your disposal.

Replay value and longevity depend on your love of the sport and the franchise. Additionally, if you have some keen wrestling friends, you will get much more out of this experience. Yet, if you are a solo gamer, this is still enjoyable in small helpings. Whether you play online, offline, or the career mode, there is something for everyone.

AEW: Fight Forever is a great modern wrestling game.

Though wrestling isn’t my favourite sport, I appreciated the overall package. The customisation options were great and the career mode will fascinate every fan. On top of this, the online mode is perfect if you have like-minded friends. Alternatively, if you fancy a casual wrestling experience, then this fast-paced endeavour will be of interest. Consequently, AEW: Fight Forever is a great modern wrestling game. As such, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you battle your way to the top? Pick your wrestler, manage your well-being, and destroy anyone that stands in your way.

Review: Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

Andrew Edney
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Review: Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

Here is our review of the Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963).

Engineered to deliver unprecedented coverage and performance across your whole home. Get up to 10.8Gbps blazing fast speed to all devices in every room.

A new 6GHz WiFi 6E band provides a superhighway to deliver dedicated top speeds to the latest WiFi 6E-ready laptops, phones & tablets.

Orbi’s tall, elegant shape is no coincidence. Under the hood of an award-winning design, our patented antenna ensures superior WiFi coverage across your entire property.

Easily create up to 4 separate networks for WiFi 6E and smart home (IoT) devices to optimize overal network traffic.

The Orbi WiFi 6E mesh systems is supercharged for today’s data intensive devices and smart homes. Connect everything from PCs, phones, and TVs to security cameras, door locks, and more. Only Orbi can deliver so much device capacity with maximum speed for up to 200 devices.

The Orbi app makes it easy to install your Orbi and get it up and running in less than 15 minutes. Easily manage your home network even when you are not at home. Orbi is compatible with any internet service provider.

Features

  • The world’s most powerful whole-home WiFi system with up to 10.8Gbps WiFi speeds & coverage up to 7,500 sq. ft., including front & back yards
  • Exclusive Quad-Band technology & Dedicated Backhaul WiFi ensures max speeds for up to 200 connected devices
  • WiFi 6E opens up a new 6GHz band, delivering dedicated top speeds to the latest WiFi 6E-ready laptops, phones, & tablets
  • 10 Gig internet port unleashes the fastest download speeds of today & tomorrow. Connect to the latest cable or fiber Internet service up to 10Gbps
  • Patented antenna design boosts WiFi coverage & delivers high-performance WiFi across your entire home.
  • NETGEAR Armor software provides an automatic shield of security for your WiFi and connected devices (PC, phone, camera, TV, Echo, etc.) for real-time protection against hackers and added privacy with VPN. 1-year subscription included
  • Compatible with any internet service provider and sets up in minutes with the Orbi app

What’s in the box?

The box contains the router and two satellites, 3 power supplies, Ethernet cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

Once you have unpacked and connected up the Orbi router it’s time to work through the set up process. Connect to the Orbi WiFi network and follow the onscreen process using the Orbi App it’s really simple and strait forward. You can also use a web browser, but the app is easier.

Setting up the router is relatively straightforward and fairly quick – just follow each of the steps and you should be up and running in no time.

One of the steps during the setup is a firmware check – make sure that you upgrade to the latest version of the firmware otherwise you might run into some problems. 

Once you have your Orbi router and network configured just how you want it the next step is to place your satellite, or satellites where you want them. Once you have them physically located where you want them it’s just a case of clicking on Add Orbi Satellite from the menu and following the on-screen instructions.

You can choose to have your satellite or satellites connect to the router, or each other via WiFi – which depending on your walls and room layouts might work perfectly well, or if you have a wired connection near where you want the satellites you should connect the satellites to it. This then connects each satellite to the router using the Ethernet backhaul process which ensures you get the maximum possible speed from each satellite otherwise you will be limited to whatever speed the satellites will get when connecting either to the router or to each other. I noticed a significant speed and reliability increase when connecting the satellites to the router via Ethernet.

Then all you have to do is make any configuration settings you want and have your devices connect to the Orbi network and that’s it. Each satellite, along with the router also has Ethernet ports on the back so if you have devices that need a wired connection you can easily utilise those.

There are a lot of different configuration settings you can make – so do take the time to go through them all before you start connecting your devices as the web front end provides a lot of useful information as well.

The overall coverage you get with the Orbi is really great – and walking around where you do have coverage with your device provides a seamless constant connection. Speed wise I found the connection to be excellent when the satellites were connected to the router via Ethernet, and between very good and good when connected via Wi-Fi, although to be fair the was because of my particular setup, so make sure you do your own testing, but if you can use Ethernet for the satellite to router connections you won’t be disappointed.

If you are looking for the fastest and easiest to setup and use WiFi 6E Mesh system for your home then look no further than the Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, it’s fantastic and is a real game changer!

The Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) is available now priced around £1,699.99 and is available in either white (as reviewed) or black. You can also buy additional satellites for £699.99 if you need them but for most people the 2 satellites that come in the box will be sufficient.

You can learn more from the Orbi website.

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