Review: DREDGE

Josh Blackburn
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Review: DREDGE

My experience with DREDGE can be neatly encapsulated by describing a single moment. I was sailing around behind the town of Greater Marrow, catching flounders, and enjoying the calm sea and nice air. Then my hook caught and pulled up a flounder that was little more than a lump of mutated flesh. A Cyclopean Flounder, its head a pulsating mass. Suddenly, the water didn’t feel so calm; the air didn’t feel so nice. Something is wrong here.

This is DREDGE‘s greatest strength. Its core loop will fool you into thinking you’re playing a nice, relaxing life simulator. Catch some fish, upgrade your gear, enjoy the sights. Then you’ll hook something up or the sun will go down and you’ll realise things aren’t so nice. There’s eldritch in my life simulator.

Dredge - Scenery

Hook, Line and Ew

DREDGE starts with a fisherman taking an angling job in the town of Greater Marrow. His illustrious new career begins with him crashing into some jagged rocks. Starting as we mean to go on. Thankfully, we’re rescued and handed a new ship, with the instructions to haul in enough fish to pay off the debt. A sweet deal, frankly, because DREDGE‘s scenery is gorgeous. There’s a painted feel to the graphics that makes sailing into the deep blue a continuously enjoyable experience. Paired with the gentle music, the sight of leaping dolphins and the ambient sounds, it’s easy to get into a relaxing groove.

The main gameplay loop helps with this as well. You catch fish, at various depths, then haul them back to the nearest fishmonger to get your gold. Once you’ve paid off your debt, you’re free to spend the cash on upgrading your boat. Different fish require different rods or nets, so the more money you pour into your boat, the more you can get from fish. Space in the hold is limited, so you’ll naturally navigate to the pricier fish. This, and the main story quest, encourages exploration of the surrounding islands. It felt quite organic. Most islands I visited because I’d exhausted the pools of nearby fish and materials, rather than strictly following my quest log.

But, lest we forget, we can never fully relax. Mutated fish start popping up early on and catching a fish with a set of bloody, human teeth isn’t something you forget in a hurry. What’s more, when the sun goes down the veil is lifted completely. Trust me on this: upgrade the boat’s lights. The darkness makes us panic, causing us to see shapes in the fog. I dismissed this at first, thinking it a figment of a panicked mind, until I blasted my horn and it echoed back out of the fog. I watched as a shadow of my ship came towards me, only for it to morph into a giant angler fish and disable my engines. My hubris ended with me limping back home, praying to whatever God oversees small fishermen.

Dredge - Fishing

Sinking Deeper

DREDGE isn’t scary exactly, but seeks to get under the skin. It certainly burrowed under mine. Though it wouldn’t have worked if DREDGE wasn’t so well-rounded. Controlling the ship feels smooth, ensuring that every hull breach was my own stupid fault. The different mechanics all link together well too. Bigger upgrades take up more cargo space, meaning less room for fish, so choices come with a trade off. I don’t normally like inventory systems that force you to manage space, but DREDGE handles it well. Every fish has a slightly different shape, turning each voyage into a game of stinky Tetris.

That being said, there are a few mechanics that could’ve pushed the envelope a bit more. The first is crucial: the fishing itself. Fishing has a lot of potential when it comes to creepiness. A small hook descending down into the black, otherworldy ocean where anything could grab hold. I was a little disappointed when I drove over a fishing spot and was greeted with a simple quick time event. It may be a compromise due to the sheer amount of fishing involved, but it feels like it’s missing a trick. Hooking a deformed monstrosity would be a lot spookier if we could see it squelching towards our hook.

The second is the questing. Throughout the ocean there are many individuals, all in need of a fisherman. Before I gripe, I will say that I like the writing. Each character feels distinct and they deliver the requisite ominous dialogue well. There were even hints towards the endings layered in the dialogue, which reflected decent writing, even if the endings didn’t quite cash that cheque. Yet every quest we get is a simple fetch quest. Even the main story is just an elongated one of these. Given the tools on our boat (like the horn), I’d hoped for a little more diversification. At one point, I was talking to a soldier about how his comrades had been massacred by beasts lurking in the mangrove swamps, only for him to promptly send me off to catch a catfish.

Dredge - People

Quite A Catch

Marrying together fishing simulator and Lovecraftian nightmare is a difficult task but DREDGE pairs the two well. The day is spent gathering fish, cash and materials but the mutants make it so you can’t fully relax. The night is a panicked drive through tumultuous water, but the nice graphics and variety of night-time fish means it never gets old. The gameplay loop is the thread that keeps it all together. Admittedly, this may lead to something of a niche audience. It’s aiming for players who enjoy life simulators and then the subset of those that enjoy eldritch abominations.

Thankfully, I fall squarely into this niche and as a result I thoroughly enjoyed my time with DREDGE. Every time I stop playing, I itch to get back into it, just to see what variety of monstrous fish will be dragged up next. I’m impressed that this is Black Salt Games’ debut title. DREDGE is a wonderfully well-rounded game that hooked me straight away. While there are a few areas that could’ve benefitted from some envelope-pushing, DREDGE is a perfect marriage between relaxing fishing and skin-crawling nightmares.

(DREDGE Steam Page)

Boost your sessions with these top mobile gaming accessories 

Christopher John
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0
Boost your sessions with these top mobile gaming accessories 

Mobile gaming certainly has its limitations. Whether it’s due to poor battery power or inadequate controls, not all smartphones provide a solid gaming experience. Thankfully, a number of tried and tested accessories elevated mobile gaming’s offering and enabled smartphone users to enjoy playing games on their portable handheld devices in the best way possible. 

There are some excellent options out there 

Innovation has resulted in some truly remarkable products in this particular space. Now, in 2023, whether you’re playing an augmented reality masterpiece like Pokemon Go or you’re exploring the array of products at a real money online casino, such as themed slots like Warrior Conquest and table-based classics like poker, an extensive selection of accessories can be purchased to enhance certain mobile gaming releases.

The Skullcandy Indy earbuds offer top-sound quality 

Outside noise can hamper a gamer’s chances on a particular level. To end any outside disruptions, purchasing the Skullcandy Indy earbuds is recommended. They bring clear in-game sounds to gamers, they offer no latency, they’re capable of blocking out most outside noise, they’re incredibly comfortable to wear, and one charge will provide up to 16 hours of non-stop gaming. They even boast sweat, water and dust resistance features, too. 

The Charmast power bank is a beast 

One of the common annoyances associated with mobile gaming is the shoddy batteries many smartphones possess. No matter the title, gaming can drain a phone’s battery alarmingly quickly, resulting your gaming session being cut off too quickly. To combat this painful issue, consider buying a power bank like this one from Charmast, a device that houses a 10,000mAh battery that will charge your phone up with ease. It’s palm-sized, too. 

The Razer Kishi is one of the best controllers around 

Particularly popular with dedicated mobile gamers, the Razer Kishi is one of the best game controllers on the market right now and it’s entirely understandable as to why once you manage to get your hands on one. Lightweight and comfortable to grip, this favoured controller is easy to sync up to any android phone with a central USB-C port. Then, from there, it runs off your smartphone’s battery without needing a charge. Compact in size and easy to carry around, the Razer Kishi doesn’t offer any input lag, as well as being able to support pass-through charging. 

The Otterbox clip is a great alternative 

If controllers, such as the aforementioned Razer Kishi, don’t tickle your fancy, and you simply can’t warm to mobile controllers in general, then a mobile gaming clip is probably the answer. Otterbox has gained a glowing reputation for producing sturdy clips that allow gamers to convert their smartphone devices into a portable console. This handy clip holds a phone securely in place, too. 

Other top mobile gaming accessories include the Stratus Duo, Razer Hammerhead gaming earbuds, the Samsung 128GB Evo Select microSD, and MagicFiber Microfiber cleaning cloths. 

If you’re keen to step your game up and make the most of your mobile gaming sessions, then take a look at some of the accessories mobile gamers are turning to, and find one which fits you.

Review: Trophy

Natosha M
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Review: <strong>Trophy</strong>

If you are looking for a pixelated arcade-action game that reminds you of the 1980s but was published in 2023? Well then you must try this new game, Trophy! As you play the hero, Trophy, a metal-style-looking robot whose goal is to help bring peace back to the planet Gearus 9. Of course, this isn’t going to be a simple task! There are plenty of enemies, large bosses, and obstacles that will cause difficulty every step of the way, but with Trophy’s weapons and upgrades, there is going to be no stopping you!

Traveling Back In Time To The 8-Bit Era

From the very start, the game had me moved by the brilliant graphics and music, which just brought me back to the time of playing the NES or even the classic Gameboy. It was so simple back then to play a game, no strange 3D worlds to roam, just a one-way path from start to finish. The design is way easier to comprehend and look at, removing the pain of getting headaches or vertigo and providing just simple entertaining action, the way I like it!

I couldn’t find it easy to put the game down because each of the levels was not as easy to accomplish and had me spending some time trying to figure out the right way to get past each section. As the game is made up of one world with a boss level to play. So when I get playing, and I’m sure many may feel this way or not, I just can’t stop till I can complete the world or level I’m replaying over and over. What really intrigues me about this game is that it really reminds me of the classic action platformer games of the 8-bit era. It’s also just as equally difficult and requires time to think of a way to proceed.

Thankfully, there are passwords to save your spot if you happen to use all the lives you are given at the start or acquire while playing. The similarity is exactly like playing an old classic game, with a short lifespan you have to play. Even though I’m not a fan of limited gameplay because the lives are short, at least the passwords help make the game feel a bit easier to know you won’t worry about ever passing a portion of the game and can continue where you left off. Of course, have a piece of paper nearby so you can remember to write them down.

Another feature I love about this game is that you really don’t have to worry about accessing a different level in the game. There are 9, but the game allows you access to the 8 levels to play in any order. No worries if you can’t win one level right away, just move to another and go back to the other later. It’s pretty nice and changes the gameplay up, so you don’t have to keep failing over the same area until you want to go back to it.

Now for some negative features in the game, this includes the bosses, smaller enemies in the levels, and the level’s design. For me, when playing the bosses and the smaller enemies in the level made it feel impossible sometimes to win the game because of the way they were programmed. The speed of most moving objects and enemies, plus the location of the platforms to jump onto next don’t make a perfectly easy combination to get through. Especially, with the limited screen space and design of the area you are entering, they have a higher chance of destroying you.

Plus, add in a few glitches, where enemies tend to vanish on the screen, which can be difficult to watch out for because their attacks could also make it harder. Additionally, I do have one more negative feeling towards the game, when I’m trying to squat down, Trophy doesn’t squat! He can only stand, so to get the smaller enemies that are lower to the ground, well it’s a bit difficult to do, including bending down to avoid missiles and other things coming our way. Sadly, there is no way to get around this and it also makes the game difficult to win.

Final Thoughts

Trophy has been fun to play and try to beat even with a few issues I came upon. I would love to see a few changes occur, but the game is totally relatable to a classic 8-bit style game, transporting me back to the 1980s. I honestly can say that how the game is designed, may feel slightly like a beta game, but I guess that can totally add to the challenge effect and why it’s considered homebrewed. So there are indeed plenty of obstacles that will keep the player trying to figure out how to move forward.

Review: ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank

Every mobile piece of tech that you own demands to be charged! Now, this isn’t a problem when you are at home, but what happens if you are out for the day? Consequently, when this happens, it can be tough to keep your phone, watch, or earbuds charged. Furthermore, if you love to camp, then staying on top of your devices is harder still. Thankfully, the tech industry reacted to this problem by creating power banks. As such, these wonderful devices are not new, but the technology has evolved an awful lot. Accordingly, today I am looking at the ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank.

This incredible but simple accessory is an absolute game-changer if you need to charge your tech on the move. Moreover, it looks phenomenal with its array of colours and an easy-to-read LED screen. Alongside this, it is extremely safe to use as it protects against short circuit issues, over-voltage, and overcharge problems. What’s more, it has a fast charge facility and can charge multiple devices at once. Subsequently, it is the ideal companion on days out and trips with the family.

What’s in the box of the ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank?

  • The main packaging is colourful, interesting, and professional. With key selling points and some striking images, it begs to be opened. Furthermore, 90% of the box can be recycled, and this is a step in the right direction.
  • The ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank is a weighty beast. Yet, it doesn’t feel cumbersome, and it isn’t obnoxiously big either. I choose the lilac version and it is pleasant to the eye. At the top, there is a USB-C port and a USB-A port. To the side, a push button activates the LED screen. Finally, there is a wonderful transparent window that houses the LED screen while showing the innards of the Power Bank.
  • A small USB-C to USB-C cable is included. This colour-matched cable allows you to charge any USB-C device or you can charge the Power Bank if you have a suitable GAN or wall charger.
  • A simple user manual. Understand the fundamentals thanks to this easy-to-read guide.

Technical aspects.

I think it’s fair to say that a Power Bank doesn’t get the juices flowing. However, the ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank is pretty damn impressive. The compact design doesn’t compromise its power delivery or charging capacity. Additionally, the 2 charging ports allow you to simultaneously fast-charge 2 unique devices, which is incredible. With a 30W in and out rating, you are able to almost half the time it takes to charge your goods compared to its peers. This may seem like a minor thing, but when time is money, you want your phone, watch, or earphones charged as quickly as possible.

Alongside the fast-charge facility, you’ll note that this device is compatible with most mobile phones, sports watches, and earbuds or earphones. Subsequently, this makes this great device more appealing. The USB-C port supports – For Apple 2.4A / for Samsung 5V-2A / for DCP / for QC3.0 / QC4+ / for AFC / for FCP / for SCP / for PD2.0 / PD3.0. While the USB-A port supports – For Apple 2.4A / for Samsung 5V-2A / for DCP / for QC3.0 / for AFC / for FCP / for SCP.

On top of this, the ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank is reassuringly safe to use and is certified to aviation standards. Accordingly, you can take this on holiday with you without worrying about it being confiscated. ACEFAST has designed this to be protected from a range of issues. As such, you needn’t worry about overcharging, a short circuit, overcurrent, and other vital concerns. This means that you can confidently use this on your expensive tech and know that you have no concerns.

Build quality.

When something is being chucked in your bag and thrown around the place, you need it to be hard-wearing and robust. Thankfully, this device ticks these boxes. On top of this, the smooth and hardened case is great to look at and feels nice to hold. What’s more, you can choose from 4 striking colours to add some personality to your setup.

What was particularly great was the transparent window with the LED display. I loved being able to see the internal components even if it adds little to the usability. However, the display was a great move, as many of its peers use a more refined method. The screen is complemented by some well-placed lights that highlight when it is on charge and when it is low on power. Consequently, it is easy to identify what is happening and when you need to charge the bank itself.

Is the ACEFAST 20,000mAh Power Bank worth it?

There are so many positive elements to this simple but effective tool. The massive power capacity ensures that you can repeatedly fast-charge multiple devices before the juice runs out. Moreover, when it does run out, the 30W input helps to get you up and running in no time at all. On top of this, the dual charge facility makes this versatile and more user-friendly. Then you must consider the excellent display, the fantastic design, and the robust case. Additionally, it is unbelievably safe to use and is certified for aviation. Consequently, this is a phenomenal device and I recommend that you buy it here!

(More information on ACEFAST can be found here!)

Review: Zebra Oasis Shoes

Andrew Edney
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Review: Zebra Oasis Shoes

Here is our review of the Zebra Oasis Shoes.

Zebra Oasis (ZO) is a premium lifestyle brand dedicated to sustainability. Their focus is on creating high-quality footwear, apparel, and other textile products with a low environmental impact.

Their first shoes feature a unique detachable design using eco-friendly materials such as hemp. Their goal is to provide an exceptional wearing experience while minimising our impact on the environment and working towards 100% recyclability, biodegradability, and carbon neutrality.

Features

  • 100% Truly Recyclable: Just pull out the patented R-ring(‘R’ stands for ‘Reboot’) inside the shoe to separate the parts completely for recycling.
  • Recycled-CO₂-injected sole: Our 100% recyclable TPU foam utilizes innovative gas-assisted technology, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals in the foaming process and reducing existing CO₂.
  • World’s 1st Self-Adapting Hemp Flynit Upper: Perfectly fit for every foot. Blister-free. Breathable & Durable, inherently environmentally sustainable.
  • No Dye & Machine-washable: No extra pollution and emission during the process.
  • Foldable & Lightweight: Perfect travel options. Just step and go.
  • Versitile Design for All-day Wear including traveling, hiking, office work, etc.

A Closer Look

Wearing the Shoes

Final Thoughts

What makes these shoes truly unique is that they are 100% recyclable – just pull on the R-ring pull in the shoe and it all comes apart, and they are also made in a 100% sustainable way. The shoe sole is recyclable and the upper part is biodegradable.

The shoes can be easily cleaned in a washing machine and they can be folded up to make the easy to carry if you are travelling.

The shoes themselves are extremely comfortable and don’t need any breaking-in period. ZO shoes feature a lightweight and high-performing TPU sole and a durable, breathable hemp mesh upper that are so soft for any types of feet. These materials and design make ZO shoes suitable for all-day wear, including activities like traveling, hiking, and office work.

If you are looking for an extremely comfortable, sustainable and recyclable pair of shoes then you will definitely want to check out Zebra Oasis.

You can learn more from the Zebra Oasis website.

Review: Returnal

Xavier Berry
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Review: Returnal

Roguelikes tend to exist in a space where a story may help or hinder the gameplay. The frustration of starting a run over after a minor mistake can be a huge blemish on an experience and has the potential to end a player’s time with the game without seeing the full story. While I have not always been a fan of the genre, it has started to grow on me over these past few years with titles like Hades and Dead Cells being a big component in my experience with roguelikes. When Retrunal originally came out on the PS5, I missed out on it due to a plethora of other titles keeping me occupied but with its release on PC, it was time to change that. 

Story


Selene, our protagonist, is just as in the dark as we are once the game starts. After a rough crash on the planet Astropos, She embarks on a journey to piece together the puzzle that she’s been thrown into. During her adventure, Selene comes across statues and data fragments that hint at some strange occurrences with time on the planet. She soon comes to the understanding that each time she dies, the loop starts over once more with her emerging from her wrecked ship. This is a wonderful way to incorporate the looping gameplay that Returnal offers us. 

During the journey, there are a multitude of alien documents that helps shed some light on the situation. Selene, and the player, will often be thrown into situations where she has to explore her past memories. The change of perspective in these segments does a wonderful job of cranking up the creepiness of the planet since we will be exploring things such as her home from a first person perspective. Since this story takes place on a different planet, there is something chilling about seeing her house out of place and in the middle of unknown territory. 

Gameplay

Returnal is a roguelike that pulls from Housemarque’s experience of putting players in tough situations while maintaining their space on the screen. Their previous games put players in hectic battles where it was important to recognize enemy patterns and Returnal is no different. As you progress through the different chambers and environments on Astropos, enemies will bombard you with varying attack patterns and movements. For example, there are big dog-like enemies that will shoot out a basic line of orbs that are easy to dodge but a harder variant has a move that will rush the Selene. Thankfully she is equipped with a suite that allows her to dash and sprint at high speeds in order to avoid these obstacles. Pairing these dangerous enemies with an even dangerous environment can make for stressful encounters and a simple miscalculation can result in a run ending in frustration. While enemy designs may start to repeat themselves later on, their behavior can be drastically different from their other forms so gameplay doesn’t get too stale as you open up new areas. 

Spread throughout the planet are upgrades to Selene’s weapons as well as parasites that are able to provide different effects that may help, and sometimes hinder, your progress. The first couple of hours will involve a lot of alien and made up sci-fi verbiage being thrown at you but once everything starts to click, the game opens up a lot more. I found myself scanning the ground in the midst of a hectic encounter in hopes to find another little parasite that may give me the edge I need to finish the fight. As you take out enemies, there is an adrenaline system that builds up as you take out more enemies and these stacks disappear once you are hit, which means you are rewarded for playing effectively. 

There are also a ton of chests and items to pick up that are “Malignant” which means that there is a risk for picking these things up. This means that Selene can get stuck with a debuff that will make progressing much harder until certain requirements have been met. Pairing this with the Parasites means that players are always running the risk of making the game harder for themselves. This really forces you to be aware of what you are picking up and thinking about the risk of picking up another item. One wrong move can send you back to the ship with a run ended early or it can boost you just enough to get through the next encounter. 

Selene is equipped with a simple pistol in the beginning but as she explores the world, there is a chance she will find a new weapon that may behave differently than the one currently equipped. With 10 different types of weapons, it was alway a pleasant surprise to find one of my favorites in the middle of a tough run. Each weapon type also has a chance to have a different type of gun trait that may make shots more accurate or may inflict different status effects. All of this on top of some guns with alternate fire modes means that your arsenal may not always be the same in between runs. This approach keeps you on the edge of the seat in hopes of finding the right weapon to take on the next wave of enemies. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am pleased to see Housemarque’s work make it over to the PC. Both PS5 and Xbox controllers felt comfortable to play with without any hiccups and the game even makes use of the PS5’s adaptive triggers. Although I didn’t have any hiccups with my experience, I might make it a point to say that I was playing at 1080p at medium settings and did not try to play at a higher resolution or settings since I did not want that to impact my experience. Returnal is an interesting game and for those who want a roguelike that keeps the story hidden behind a challenging gameplay loop, this is a wonderful place to start. Astropos is full of mystery and danger but with enough runs, any player has the ability to master the tight combat offered up here. 

Review: Big Ambitions

James Refelian
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0
<strong>Review: Big Ambitions</strong>

We’ve all imagined what it would be like to start from nothing and build a business empire; well, wonder no more as Big Ambitions lets you do just that. With a bit of help from family (played out in the tutorial), you can go from nothing to something in a very ambitious life/business simulator.

Starting from Nothing

If you’re a fan of life simulators, then Big Ambitions may be of interest. You control the central character trying to make it New York City. From property to business, this game covers it all in an impressive depth.

As the character, you have some basic needs to keep up with – energy and hunger. These are taken care of by ensuring you send your character to eat and sleep. Also, make sure to buy groceries! This isn’t as in-depth as The SIMS, but it’s not really the game’s focus. There also doesn’t seem to be any penalty for letting it drop to nothing, save for a passing out animation and waking up in the hospital. It would have been nice if this had a penalty, like a charge for treatment, for example, and that groceries can go bad, so you have to build that lifestyle routine into the gameplay. This would add an extra level of immersion. As your character, you can also buy and rent property to live in – from a basic apartment to townhouses and penthouses. Naturally, you can furnish it how you like.

Where this game excelled and astonished me, though, was in how detailed the business simulator part of it is. Starting with a small business (in this case, retail), you can rent the store, design, and furnish it, buy stock, hire and fire staff and run the establishment. The goal, of course, is to make lots of money in the process. Initially, this involves driving all over town, grabbing what you need, but as you progress, you get access to importing goods, logistics and warehousing, and corporate headquarters. What do you do with all that money? Well, investment is a good idea. There doesn’t seem to be an end to the game, as with most simulation-type titles.

The game places you in a 3D world based on Manhattan, and you can navigate it freely. Not all buildings are accessible, but you can, for example, go into stores and pick up what you need for your apartment or business. You can then load it into your car, drive there, unload it and use a grid-based point-and-click system to place items. It’s a blend of playstyles, but it works well. In addition, there are a lot of UI screens to give you more information and let you manage your growing empire.

Devil in the Detail

There is a basic character creator, but don’t expect The SIMs’ level of customisation. Mostly, it serves the job, as the avatar isn’t the focus here. It is nice to be able to approximate yourself, however. In the game, you have several UI screens to help manage things. This includes a phone for arranging employment agencies to find candidates, a map with markers for different services, a general business analytics and control tab, and broader market news and feeds, allowing investments and a more profound understanding when working out what business to run. It’s all a little overwhelming, to begin with, but the tutorial is fantastic at walking you through what’s what.

I was impressed with the level of detail here. After you’ve hired a bunch of people, you can even go as far as to set their working hours and days to align with the hours you decided your business should be open for. Want a 24/7 fast food restaurant? You can. Want a gift shop that is only open on weekends? Also, possible. From coffee shops, law firms, design agencies, supermarkets and more. There are so many businesses to create.

You can also design a basic logo for your business which is a nice touch, and select the font of the store sign out front. I wasn’t expecting quite this level of detail from a business simulator, but wow, you could spend hours upon hours creating the perfect store before you’ve even started trading! Not to mention how all the items are customisable too.

Indeed, some Big Ambitions

If you have any big ambitions to start a business empire, or if you just like tycoon/simulation games, then Big Ambitions is for you. It’s an excellent simulator from Hovgaard Games and one I can see myself enjoying regularly. I hope they continue to improve things like object placement and maybe even introduce a penalty for not taking care of yourself. The sky is the limit as a PC game, and I can’t wait to see what they add!

Review: Karcher RCV 3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Karcher RCV 3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Here is our review of the Karcher RCV 3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

The smart RCV 3 comes with precise LiDAR navigation and convenient app control to fully customise your cleaning routine. The machine also has a wiping function for hard surfaces.

More time for the enjoyable things in life: the smart RCV 3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner takes over the floor cleaning. The RCV 3 robot systematically and independently cleans your hard floors and low-pile carpets. Dry dirt is reliably transported into the built-in waste container by the rotating brush, the side brush for the edges, and the fan. Where needed, the RCV 3 doesn’t just vacuum, but can also damp mop your hard floors. As the battery capacity decreases, the RCV 3 can regularly charge itself and, after the work is done, it always returns to the charging station. Via the app, the device will automatically create a map of the rooms by detecting the surroundings using built-in LiDAR navigation. Individual cleaning parameters can be set for every room – simply select which rooms should be vacuumed, mopped or not cleaned. Additional sensors prevent the device from falling and you can use a preset individual schedule or press a button on the device to start your cleaning. Voice output of the device will provide the most important information and status.

Specifications

What’s in the box?

The box contains the RCV 3 robot vacuum cleaner, manual and quick start guide, charging station and cable, 2 brushes, two dust containers and 2 wiping clothes.

A Closer Look

Using the RCV 3

Before you can start using the RCV 3 you need to install the Karcher Home Robots App. The app walks you through everything you need to do to add your robot to the app and set it up. From there you can control everything.

Final Thoughts

The RCV 3 comes very well packaged with each component carefully wrapped. You can follow the instructions in the quick start guide to get it all ready to be configured.

Setting up the RCV 3 using the app was actually really simple – just follow the steps and within a few minutes the RCV 3 is added and ready to be used.

The RCV 3, when fully charged, can clean for up to 120 minutes on a single charge. It will automatically return to the charging station when needed. Once the charging has completed the RCV 3 will continue on its cleaning mission.

Using LiDAR the RCV 3 scans the room and then cleans it step-by-step. It creates a map of the room so that it knows where all the normal obstacles are such as chairs, tables and so on. It uses collision sensors to detect and avoid obstacles and fall sensors to details steps and stairs so that it doesn’t accidentally fall down them. During the testing the RCV 3 got very close to the top of the stairs and I was a little concerned it was going to go down them but it didn’t (and I breathed a sigh of relief).

I was also concerned how it might be with moving obstacles (in my case 3 cats) – but it worked very well. I’m not sure the cats were overly impressed though! They haven’t tried to sit on it yet, but I imagine that’s just a matter of time!

The RCV 3 is fairly flat which enables it to go under furniture and clean – again I was concerned it might get stuck under the sofa but it actually worked really well.

There are different cleaning modes that can be selected – dry cleaning, wet cleaning and combination cleaning depending on the type of surface you want to clean. You can swap out various accessories as well.

There are also suction power options – quiet, standard, medium and turbo. And if you using the wet cleaning or combination cleaning modes you can choose water quantity – low, medium and high. The best thing to do it test out each of these to figure out what the best combination works for your environment.

The RCV 3 works really well wether you are using it on carpet, hard floors or a combination of both. The dust containers actually hold a lot more that you think they will and are very easy to empty and carry on going. The cloths are washable as well so they can be reused when they get too dirty.

I was always a little sceptical about robot vacuum cleaners but after putting the RCV 3 though it’s paces I’m a believer! This is a must have addition to any home!

The Karcher RCV 3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner is available now priced around £349.99.

You can learn more from the Karcher website.

Review: Steel Defier

Daniel Waite
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Review: Steel Defier

Steel Defier is one of those indie games that is bound to be overlooked. However, I urge you to reconsider. With straightforward gameplay, a short playtime, and easy-to-understand mechanics, it’s a wonderfully casual experience. Yet, its cruelty and labyrinthine world make the action more challenging than you’d expect. Consequently, it’s a deceptive title that’ll have you hooked in no time at all.

Developed by Viridino Studios and published by Ratalaika Games, this is an action survival title. What’s more, it is reminiscent of Disc Room as each arena is full of traps, danger, and almost guaranteed death. Furthermore, the random nature of each obstacle and the use of special abilities keep you on your toes. As such, it is tough to plan your approach, as the action is constantly shifting.

Steel Defier is a harsh game. 

Technology is supposed to advance mankind’s existence. Yet, if you’ve watched as much sci-fi as I have, you’ll know that it’s a bit of a myth. Unfortunately, artificial intelligence goes haywire, and it normally turns on its makers. When this happens, the aftermath isn’t a pretty sight. Moreover, blood, guts, and limbs are normally what remain.

Steel Defier paints a grim picture of this reality. You are a lone survivor on board a transport vessel. Dressed suspiciously in an orange jumpsuit, you must escape your prison cell and explore up to 40 small arenas. Regretfully, the defence system has malfunctioned and everyone else has been slaughtered. Accordingly, you must evade the AI traps as you carve your way to the exit.

The sweeping trap is a constant risk.
Damn the sweeping trap.

Deadly robots but no weapons. 

If I was being chased by deadly robots, I’d want a weapon to fight back. However, in Steel Defier, this isn’t an option. Instead, you must rely on your reactions and agility to succeed. Additionally, you’ll collect an array of special abilities such as dashing, slowing time, a magnetic field, and more. Impressively, each of these skills makes the action easier, and this helps you to overcome each robotic foe.

The aim of the game is simple. Each arena has a pressure plate that must be activated. Once this happens, the traps start to move. At first, the action is slow and the robots are easy to understand. However, things quickly heat up as more robots are added to the mix, and the gameplay becomes more hectic. To escape each arena, you must find and collect 15 key cards. Once one is picked up, another spawns in a random location. As such, you’ll have to dash, leap, and dodge your foes while collecting each key.

This idea was wonderfully stripped-back but perfectly executed. You’ll focus your attention on each key whilst using your peripheral vision to avoid each incoming robot. Consequently, it soon turns into a hectic nightmare as spinning blades, splitting boxes, and a sweeping beam bear down on you. Additionally, the slightest touch is enough to kill you and ruin your progress. Thankfully, though, if this happens, you merely lose that arena’s progress and nothing more.

The prisoner avoids the pointy traps.
Keep away from the pointy blocks.

Steel Defier is a low poly affair.

Indie developers love a dated aesthetic. As such, Steel Defier uses a low poly art style and repetitive assets to push its agenda. Now, this may seem like a complaint, but it isn’t. Accordingly, I adored the basic visuals, the contrasting colour palettes, and the easy-to-identify character models. Additionally, the claustrophobic nature of the labyrinthine world was uncomfortable and difficult to navigate. As such, this added to the challenge, and that was fine by me. 

Originality and gaming don’t always go hand-in-hand. However, with an original Synthwave soundtrack, Steel Defier hopes to impress its audience. I loved the 80s-era futuristic approach and the upbeat flow of every song. Alongside this, the brutal sound effects and shrill sirens add to the drama! Subsequently, if being chased by deadly robots didn’t worry you, the relentless sounds and ominous noises will get your heart racing instead.

The prisoner escapes a spinning blade.
Avoid the spinning blades.

Excellent controls. 

With so much going on, this game could have been a horrible mess. Thankfully, though, the responsive controls and simple layout make it a pleasure to play. On top of this, the fundamentals are well explained whenever you gain a new ability. Accordingly, it is easy to pick up, simple to master, and great fun to play. 

Where Steel Defier falls short, however, is its longevity and replay value. Disappointingly, you’ll complete each level and unlock every achievement in under an hour. Consequently, this is over long before you want it to be. Luckily, though, there is a survival mode, but this lacks depth and a leaderboard. As such, it fails to grab you and this impacts the replay value further still.

These issues could have easily been resolved if more content was added. Alternatively, if an NG+ mode was incorporated, a hardcore mode was added, extra robots were included, or additional chapters to the game were created, this would vastly improve things.

Steel Defier could have been the next Vampire Survivors.

Steel Defier is so good that it could have been the next Vampire Survivors. However, it’s far too short, and it lacks the required depth to reach this level. Consequently, this was disappointing, as I desperately want to score it an 8/10 or above. Yet, this wouldn’t be right, as no matter how much I loved it, it left me wanting. 

I adored the art style, the original soundtrack, and the excellent controls. Moreover, the simple concept was great and easy to understand. But I cannot ignore the fact that it isn’t long enough. Hopefully, the developers are still working on this project and more DLC will become available. If this happens, this will be a big hit for many gamers. Despite its painfully short playtime, I still recommend that you buy it here! Can you escape your prison cell? Avoid the robots, collect the keys, learn new skills, and make it to the landing bay in one piece. 

Review: Beasts of Maravilla Island

Damien Gorman
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Review: Beasts of Maravilla Island

At first glance Beasts of Maravilla Island comes off as a colourful, unique take on the genre that Pokémon Snap perfected (don’t @ me), but sadly the interest is barely skin deep as performance issues and a lack of depth hamper this adventure game from Banana Bird Studios and Whitethorn Games from ever soaring to the heights that its creatures awkwardly rise to.

Attempting to thread together what would otherwise be an aimless wander around a tropical island is the narrative device of the journal your Grandad left to you. Upon his death, I’m assuming. When I watched the trailers before firing this baby up, I was under the impression that you filled this journal in as you went with illustrations of the critters you encounter, making each player’s book a unique reflection on their time with Beasts of Maravilla Island. This was unfortunately not the case. Instead, your journal is already filled in and you just add some photos to the blank pages.

Let’s Talk Beasts

Speaking of photography, it is here where the game’s core mechanic lies. As you trek across the island you can snap a cornucopia of the various flora and fauna on display. Each new species registering in your journal once the photo is taken and whilst there are some nice instances of unique interactions between animals, orchestrating a monkey choir using the whistle button springs to mind, most of these are shallow and uninteresting, which in a game using wonder and exploration as a hook, is the opposite of good.

Additionally, there is little to no incentive to take these photographs outside of a completionist’s mania. There is a checklist of things to find and for the more unique species, a list of behaviours to study, but I never found myself particularly motivated to find them. I found myself towards the end of the game’s 1-hour runtime, just breezing through environments in an effort to reach a more compelling narrative conclusion.

The one positive that I think is there for all to see is how great a job this game does with colour. Environments are interesting and have a feeling of depth, the creatures moving through the world bring it a real sense of vibrancy. Allowing you to believe that this world is truly intriguing enough for both Marina and her grandfather to have been obsessed with it.

Puzzles? I Suppose

Mixed in with the photography and the cross-country trekking is the occasional puzzle. These typically revolve around using either your camera flash or your whistle to startle creatures or plants into creating a bridge or lift to help you access new areas. The concept here is nice but doesn’t get pushed to any sort of complexity that would make the mechanic interesting. Instead, they’re little more than roadblocks that only serve to extend your time in each biome on the island.

The only one that took me any longer than a minute was towards the end of the game where I had to persuade a beast to charge at me to demolish some pillars. This didn’t take me a while due to the difficulty of the puzzle, rather the beast would only charge after completing a certain set of animations that took a while, following which he would leap into the air for 5 seconds and repeat. If there were any real danger here maybe the threat would’ve kept me in suspense, as it is there was no repercussion for failure, no loss of health (probably due to the absence of a health bar), nothing.

A Journey in Jumping

The traversal mechanics of this game are as simple as running forwards. That’s all you need to know. There is no jump, sprint, throw, or anything of the sort. There is a crouch button which I might’ve used twice in the whole game but that’s it. Jumping across rivers and streams is as simple as aiming for a lily pad and running at it. Marina (the protagonist) will then rise into the air like a hot air balloon without so much as an animation that I could discern.

This review was done on PS5, a console that handles AAA games on the regular without any issues, and yet Beasts of Maravilla Island struggled with performance at times.

The environment features becoming hollow, stuttered running, and Marina getting stuck on stairs. These plagued my time with Beasts of Maravilla Island and perhaps some of my dislike stems from that. There was genuinely one point right at the end of the game where Marina must climb a long set of stairs to reach the peak of the island. I got stuck halfway up. Took about 3 minutes of trying to progress.

A Story in an Hour

Beasts of Maravilla Island was likely always going to have an issue with narrative given its very short runtime. Outside of an opening and closing cutscene, there isn’t much to the plot however what it does have is decently compelling and delivers a nice message about respecting the world around us, especially if we do not understand it.

But for a game valuing discovery and exploration, there are certain plot pieces that don’t quite hold up to scrutiny. For example, it comes to light that your grandfather stole something magical from the island and in doing so ravaged the environment. You, of course, correct this in your journey but you don’t once question the existence of magic, you just roll with it. I think I’d have more questions if I watched an entire biome spring from decay to recovery in 5 seconds but that might just be me.

A Flawed Attempt at Something Greater

Beasts of Maravilla Island creates a good backdrop for an exploration adventure game but then doesn’t deliver on the promise it holds. Some of the creatures are well-designed but there’s not enough of them. Some of the biomes are beautiful but there are not enough of them. Some of the plot is compelling but there’s not enough of it.

Performance issues aside, Beasts doesn’t go far enough in its creativity and that feels like a huge let-down for something so driven by the pursuit of the unknown.

Review: Witchcrafty

Daniel Waite
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Review: Witchcrafty

Witchcrafty is one of those games that draws you in with its cute dynamic and friendly aesthetics. However, you soon realise that this ball-breaking experience will chew you up and spit you out in an instant. Consequently, though I enjoyed my time with it, I shouted plenty of profanities while exploring its colourful fantasy world.

Developed by PigeonDev and published by Sometimes You, this is a puzzle platformer. What’s more, it has some mild Metroidvania elements, a wicked sense of humour, and some delicious lore chucked in for good measure. On top of this, there is a range of monsters to defeat, collectables to find, and some spells to unlock. As such, its simple ideas will reel you in, while its brutality will beat you around the head for good measure.

Witchcrafty tells a whimsy story.

Now, the plot of Witchcrafty won’t win any awards for originality. Yet, I loved the fun characters and amusing direction. Furthermore, the tongue-in-cheek lore adds to the mischievous nature. Consequently, there are plenty of lighthearted moments sandwiched between swearing and rage quitting.

You are a witch who lives in a delightful and peaceful enchanted wood. Sadly, the disgusting goblins have run amuck, and you are sent out by the wiser and older members of your clan to resolve the issue. Being naïve and a little green around the gills, you accept the quest even if it guarantees death. En route to discovering the truth, the heroine encounters monstrous beasts, cruel bosses, and plenty of traps. Yet, with the help of her spells and some flying brooms, she will uncover the mysteries and save the day.

The witch leaps over a pit of lava.
Hot, hot, hot.

Familiar mechanics.

The plot wasn’t the only familiar element of this game. No, Witchcrafty leans heavily on some well-trodden but enjoyable mechanics. The protagonist can jump, fall, and fight like her peers. However, where this stands out is the use of magic spells and the minor Metroidvania elements. As you explore each zone, you’ll unlock new spells to unblock pathways. Furthermore, there are shops with upgrade materials that must be revisited if you wish to complete the game.

On top of this, the developers were caught in two minds when it came to the difficulty settings. On one hand, the map is exposed from the off, and every element of treasure can be seen immediately. Now, I liked this Metroidvania-lite approach, but hardcore fans will not be happy. Subsequently, on the other hand, to appease those nutcases, the developers made the action unbelievably cruel. Therefore, failure and death are all but assured.

Disappointingly, if you die, and you will, you lose all your progress as you return to your last save point. This may not seem so bad, but there are limited locations where the action is recorded, and this means death is a painful experience. However, the developers aren’t monsters, and they placed a plethora of healing flowers throughout each stage to take the edge off. Sadly, though, destroying an army of monsters to gather said plants is easier said than done.

A journal of your spells.
Your guide to every spell you learn.

Evil bosses.

As with most platforming games, you must overcome ridiculous bosses to progress. As you’d expect, Witchcrafty follows suit. With a large arsenal of overpowered brutes and creatures to defeat, your skills are put to the test. Luckily, though, most of these monsters follow a set routine, and learning their weaknesses and improving the hero help to overcome each sticky situation.

Alongside this, the more spells you unlock, the easier things become. Yet, no matter how powerful you become, much of the boss-fighting action relies on quick thinking and even quicker reactions. Accordingly, you will die plenty of times as you try to defeat each ridiculous boss that you face.

Witchcrafty has an adorable art style.

Old-school pixelated graphics aren’t for everyone. I appreciate that modern machines are ridiculously powerful and basic indie games waste the opportunity to excel. However, this being said, I enjoyed the basic graphics, the rudimentary pixelated finish, and the vivid colours. Alongside this, the varied backdrop was interesting, and the animation was smooth and simple.

Disappointingly, though, I cannot overlook the game-breaking bug that causes you to die and lose your progress. Unfortunately, the hero occasionally freezes mid-frame. When this happens, the only way to break free is to be hit by one of your foes. Now, this may not seem so bad, but some of the creatures are ridiculously powerful and will kill you instantly. Furthermore, if there are no enemies to be seen, you have to quit the game in order to resolve the issue. Consequently, this isn’t acceptable and is something that needs to be addressed.

Thankfully, I couldn’t find fault with the audio. The blend of folksy songs, upbeat tunes, and crass sound effects all worked perfectly. Moreover, each spell had its own sound, and every chapter was unique. Furthermore, I loved the aggressive nature of each boss battle and this juxtaposed the calmer moments.

A room loaded with evil mushrooms.
So many mushrooms!

Sluggish controls.

I was disappointed by the badly implemented controls. Unfortunately, the inputs were not as responsive as I’d have liked and this impacts the action. Furthermore, this enhanced the difficulty, but not in a good way. Annoyingly, the sluggish controls caused you to die repeatedly, and that wasn’t acceptable. You’d become trapped in the scenery or you’d simply not attack when commanded to do so. As such, you’d be hit, lose your life, and ruin all of your progress. In short, I had no faith in the controls and this isn’t acceptable in a platforming experience.

The Metroidvania elements add to both the replay value and longevity. With blocked paths, new spells, and plenty of collectables, you’ll be forced to keep playing. Alongside this, you’ll want to collect every crystal and shard you find if you wish to unlock every available upgrade. What’s more, you must consider the brutal bosses and the likely risk of losing your life repeatedly.

Witchcrafty was fun and cute, but unnecessarily tough.

Witchcrafty has the elements to be a fantastic retro title. Disappointingly, though, it doesn’t get things quite right, and this undermines its potential. With a fun and quirky story, some excellent characters, and interesting monsters, it should have been great. However, performance issues, poor controls, and unfairly tough mechanics make this just miss the mark. Yet, I enjoyed it despite its shortcomings, and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you discover the mysteries that tarnish your land? Learn new spells, master your broomstick, and defeat every monster you face.

Review: ESR Halolock mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: ESR Halolock mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank

Here is our review of the ESR Halolock mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank.

ESR’s Halolock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank allows users to charge their phones whilst using the stand feature to prop up the device. The stand can be used to hold phones in either landscape or portrait which makes it ideal for calling friends or watching videos whilst simultaneously charging the device. Built-in magnets with 1000g of holding force align phones with the charger to ensure that MagSafe-style wireless charging automatically begins as soon the power bank is attached, meaning reliable charging is maintained throughout use.

The Kickstand is also designed to be portable, so users can charge their phones through the stand on the go! In addition to this, it is possible to choose to turn off the charging feature of the stand to save the power of the portable charger and use it solely as a stand, if power isn’t required.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Power Bank, cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Power Bank is quite small and can easily be carried out with you.

When you want to use it you have two options – either using MagSafe mode by either placing the phone onto the Power Bank, or by placing the Power Bank onto the phone, or by using a cable connecting from the Power Bank to the phone you want to charge. If you are in a rush, charging using a cable is quicker as it charges at 12W where as its 7.5W when using MagSafe.

When using MagSafe charging, the charging begins the moment the Power Bank and the phone connect. The Power Bank supports all caseless iPhone 14/13/12 series phones, MagSafe and HaloLock cases, and standard cases with the HaloLock Universal Ring.

The Power Bank is held onto the phone with very powerful magnets using 1000g of holding force so the Power Bank isn’t going to fall off when you are carrying the phone and Power Bank connected.

The Power Bank also supports pass-through charging so you can charge both the Power Bank and your phone at the same time.

When fully charged, the Power Bank can provide a range of charging – for example, you can fully charge an iPhone 13 mini from empty, or provide about 60% charge for an iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Power Bank is designed to provide a charging boost rather than multiple full charges for your phone.

As well as providing charging capability, the Kickstand Power Bank also acts as a stand by using the built-in stand arm. Just pull it out and place in the position you want, then place your phone on it.

There is also a power button on the side which you can use to turn off the charging capability if you only want to use it as a stand.

The ESR Halolock mini Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is available now priced around £44.99 for the 5,000mAh version and is available in either black or white.

You can learn more from the ESRGear website.

Review: ESR Halolock mini Wireless Power Bank

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: ESR Halolock mini Wireless Power Bank

Here is our review of the ESR Halolock mini Wireless Power Bank.

ESR’s Halolock MagSafe mini Wiress Power Bank is an ideal gadget for iPhone users and is compatible with iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max and the iPhone 13/12 series. Coming with a USB-C cable and available in both 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh, the built-in magnets align the phone to the power bank and automatically enables MagSafe-style charging as soon as the power bank is attached. Super convenient and fast, users can choose from 7.5W or 12W wired charging and the powerful magnets have 1000g of holding force keeping the phone safe, and securely locked to the power bank.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Power Bank, cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Power Bank is quite small and can easily be carried out.

When you want to use it you have two options – either using MagSafe mode by either placing the phone onto the Power Bank, or by placing the Power Bank onto the phone, or by using a cable connecting from the Power Bank to the phone you want to charge. If you are in a rush, charging using a cable is quicker as it charges at 12W where as its 7.5W when using MagSafe.

When using MagSafe charging, the charging begins the moment the Power Bank and the phone connect. The Power Bank supports all caseless iPhone 14/13/12 series phones, MagSafe and HaloLock cases, and standard cases with the HaloLock Universal Ring.

The Power Bank is held onto the phone with very powerful magnets using 1000g of holding force so the Power Bank isn’t going to fall off when you are carrying the phone and Power Bank connected.

The Power Bank also supports pass-through charging so you can charge both the Power Bank and your phone at the same time.

When fully charged, the Power Bank can provide a range of charging – for example, you can fully charge an iPhone 13 mini from empty, or provide about 60% charge for an iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Power Bank is designed to provide a charging boost rather than multiple full charges for your phone.

One other interesting feature is that because the Power Bank is quite small, when connected to the phone via MagSafe it doesn’t obscure the camera, so you can continue to take pictures when it’s attached.

The ESR Halolock mini Wireless Power Bank is available now priced around £35.99 for the 5,000mAh version and is available in either black or white.

You can learn more from the ESRGear website.

The 4 Defensive Driving Tips To Help You Avoid A Car Accident

Christopher John
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The 4 Defensive Driving Tips To Help You Avoid A Car Accident

The best accident insurance is to ensure you never get into one. That is to say that you can often avoid an accident even though there are some crazy drivers out there. Even when you aren’t going to be at fault, there are things you can do to not get into an accident in many circumstances. There are some techniques involved that are called defensive driving.

As drivers, we have a responsibility not only to ourselves but also to other road users. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, often resulting in serious consequences. But by using defensive driving techniques, we can significantly reduce the chances of these incidents occurring. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of defensive driving, providing you with practical techniques that can help you navigate the roads more safely and confidently and avoid needing a car accident lawyer like Lamber Goodnow. 

1 – Stay focused

It seems too obvious a thing even to mention, but many people must be reminded to stay focused when driving. The other issue is that many people think they are focused when they aren’t.

Staying focused is the cornerstone of defensive driving. When you’re behind the wheel, giving the road and the traffic around you your full attention is essential. This means eliminating distractions and concentrating on the task at hand. So, put your phone away, avoid fiddling with the radio, and save your deep thoughts for a more suitable time.

Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, so staying focused is crucial for your safety and that of other road users. One way to maintain focus is by continuously scanning the road ahead, checking your mirrors, and being aware of what’s happening in your peripheral vision. This active approach helps you stay engaged and react promptly to any changes in traffic or road conditions.

Remember mental distractions, too. Emotional stress, fatigue, or even a bad day can make it difficult to concentrate on driving. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or tired, take a break, clear your head, or have a quick nap if necessary. Remember, being focused and alert is your first line of defense against potential accidents.

2 – Keep a safe distance

Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles is essential in defensive driving. It’s all about giving yourself enough space and time to react if the unexpected occurs. Tailgating or following too closely can lead to rear-end collisions, which are both dangerous and avoidable. So, how do you ensure you’re maintaining the right distance?

One widely accepted technique is the three-second rule. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed point, such as a sign or a tree, start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand. If you reach that point before you finish counting, you’re too close and need to back off a bit. Of course, this is just a guideline – it’s essential to adjust your following distance depending on factors like traffic, road conditions, and weather.

It’s crucial to be extra cautious in rain, snow, or fog, as these conditions can reduce visibility and increase stopping distances. In such situations, doubling or even tripling the three-second rule is a wise move. When driving behind large vehicles, motorcycles, or bicycles, it’s best to give them even more space. These road users have different braking capabilities and maneuvering needs, so keeping a safe distance helps ensure everyone’s safety.

3 – Anticipate 

Anticipating potential hazards is a key element of defensive driving. It involves being proactive and looking out for anything that could potentially cause an accident. By staying one step ahead, you can make timely decisions and avoid dangerous situations. 

It’s about keeping your eyes moving and scanning the road ahead. Look for pedestrians, cyclists, or animals that might suddenly cross your path. Be aware of road signs, traffic signals, and any changes in traffic patterns, as these can help you predict potential issues. For example, if you see a “lane ends” sign, you can anticipate that drivers will merge and adjust your speed and position accordingly.

Another key aspect of anticipating hazards is paying attention to other drivers’ behavior. Are they signaling to change lanes, slowing down unexpectedly, or swerving? Recognizing these cues can give you valuable insight into their intentions, allowing you to react accordingly. Don’t forget to consider blind spots, too – yours and those of other vehicles, especially large trucks.

4 – Adapt to road and weather conditions

Adapting to road and weather conditions is a critical aspect of defensive driving. Adjusting your driving style according to what’s happening around you can help keep you and other road users safe. Let’s dive into how you can become a pro at adapting to various conditions and avoiding potential accidents.

Weather can be a game-changer when it comes to driving. Rain, snow, fog, and even strong winds can significantly impact your visibility and your vehicle’s handling. In these situations, reducing your speed is essential, as stopping distances increase on slippery roads. You’ll also want to increase your following distance, allowing more time to react if something goes wrong.

Use your headlights when driving in heavy rain or fog, even during the day. This helps improve your visibility and lets other drivers see you more clearly. However, avoid using high beams in fog, as the light can reflect and reduce visibility.

Adapting to road conditions is just as important as adjusting for weather. For instance, when navigating through construction zones or areas with uneven surfaces, proceed cautiously and reduce your speed. Be prepared for sudden lane changes and follow any temporary traffic signs or signals.

Conclusion

Defensive driving is an essential skill that can make a significant difference in keeping our roads safe. By mastering the techniques mentioned above, you’ll be better prepared to handle unexpected situations and avoid accidents. Remember, as drivers, we have a responsibility to ourselves and others on the road, and embracing defensive driving helps promote a safer driving culture for everyone.

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