Robots are viewed as servants. They are built for one task, and they better not screw up. If they do, we’ll simply replace them and get a better alternative. However, imagine how that makes the robots feel. A life of servitude down the drain and then you are left on the rubbish heap. Well, you can find out exactly what that is like if you grab a copy of C.A.R.L.
Developed by Morningstar Game Studio and Andrew Kenady and published by the latter, this is a retro platform title. What’s more, it is loaded with collectables, zany characters, and bite-size worlds. On top of this, the action is oddly addictive, deceptively approachable, and will tweak your nostalgia-filled heartstrings.
Collect the parts and progress.
C.A.R.L follows a classic formula.
Retro gaming is loved by indie developers. The classic formulas are well-trodden, and you guarantee an audience that’ll love the concept. C.A.R.L takes advantage of this with its bright aesthetics, simple approach, and witty dialogue. Furthermore, its straightforward approach is easy to pick up, but challenging to put down.
You control C.A.R.L, a daring young robot who is lost within the sprawling Kent Industries facility. Here, this unwitting hero will encounter an array of bots who have been discarded. Consequently, these angry automatons seek revenge against Mr Kent and his ungodly ways. As such, you are sent into the depths of this labyrinthine world to collect scrap metal, medals, discs, blueprints, and much more. En route, you’ll rescue fellow robots, avoid obstacles, and encounter crazy bosses. In short, it’s a hell of an adventure that is unbelievably familiar.
I loved the witty dialogue.
Standard mechanics.
What makes C.A.R.L great is its reliance on standard platforming mechanics. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s boring or dated, because it isn’t. Instead, you can jump straight into the action without thinking about it. Furthermore, as the game progresses, the hero gains new skills and becomes faster, stronger, and more reliable. Now, this may not seem like a big thing, but the bosses you encounter and the stage design all demand fast movement, strong weapons, and pinpoint accuracy.
Alongside this, the gameplay revolves around a central hub known as the DUMP. This stinking cesspit is the home to every abandoned and rescued being thrown out by the evil corporation. As such, they are hellbent on seeking revenge and will do anything to assist you. There is a “robot” who collects cards, a bar for refreshments, a fortune-teller, a mechanic, and a general. Each plays a part in helping you progress without detracting from the core gameplay.
C.A.R.L is wonderfully pixelated.
Retro gaming would be awful if it wasn’t for the fantastic aesthetics. With vivid colours, simple but effective stage design, and fun sprites, C.A.R.L ticks all the right boxes. Furthermore, the contrasting imagery allows you to identify enemies and traps with ease. What was particularly good was the variety of backdrops. Accordingly, each world had a unique look, and this keeps things fresh.
The developers have possibly gone a little OTT with the audio. The never-ending shrill soundtrack begins to get under your skin. What’s more, its punchy and upbeat tones are somewhat obnoxious. Consequently, as you repeatedly fail a level, it gets increasingly more frustrating to hear the same song on a loop. As such, I wished for more variety as this would have removed this problem.
Use your gun and destroy each robot.
Loose controls.
My biggest gripe has to be the controls. For unknown reasons, the control setup in C.A.R.L is loose and lacks accuracy. Subsequently, you die an awful lot. Fortunately, however, a save point isn’t too far away, but it’s still annoying, nevertheless. If the movement issues were resolved, the game would be vastly improved.
With many collectables to find and loads of stages to complete, it’ll keep you busy. What’s more, some of the bosses are undeniably brutal, and the dying issue ensures you come back for more. Therefore, this is a great title for completionists or those with a sadomasochistic mindset.
C.A.R.L is a fun but challenging indie title.
The opening stages lull you into a false sense of security. However, once you overcome them, the real challenge begins. Furthermore, if you love collectables, then C.A.R.L will tickle your fancy. Though it doesn’t break the mould, it is still an enjoyable experience. As such, I recommend you buy it here! Can you help the discarded robots to get revenge? Jump, shoot, and upgrade C.A.R.L to take down the cruel corporation.
A concept artist is a creative person who creates a digital sketch of a character, object, or location based on an idea. This profession is applicable only in CG – computer graphics (Computer Graphic). The artist works in programs on a computer or graphics tablet. Although in some cases sketches are done the old-fashioned way (on paper), this is rather an exception.
In this article, we will analyze what the profession of a concept artist is like, how this profession works in the gaming industry and tell you how to become a concept artist.
And if you are already familiar with this profession, try your hand at working as a game design intern.
What is the Job of a Concept Artist?
A concept artist is someone whose work never ends up in the final product. The person who inspires the team sets a certain vision and develops a certain image for different tasks: the world, character, creature, just an atmospheric sketch that says what the movie or game will be about.
What tasks does a concept artist solve
A Concept Artist is a specialist who digitally generates a sketch of a character, object or space that has never existed before. Therefore, the artist must have a good imagination and clearly understand the terms of reference of the customer.
Concept artist skills
It all depends on the level of the professional. The higher the level, the more skills the employee must have.
Basic skills:
Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop;
A good level of understanding of the basics of design (a sense of form, proportion, color, composition);
Ability to work in a given style;
Drawing concepts, props, locations, characters and effects;
Understanding composition, framing and styling;
Understanding light, color, rhythm when building a frame;
Ability to draw by hand in different styles.
For the Senior, Knowledge of Adobe After Effects and 3DS Max is added.
Concept Artist and Game Space
In the gaming industry, the work of a concept artist looks something like this: a large team of dozens of people is given a project, and they begin to make sketches, concept art. We can say that this is the most important stage in creating a full-fledged final picture.
Yes, there are many specialists working on concept art who have their own ideas in their heads. There are also concept artists who work alone, however, this is a kind of exception to the rule, because the person who was hired on this project alone must have incredible experience and knowledge in order to create suitable concept art on their own.
The specialist must have two categories of knowledge:
Universal. This is an understanding of human anatomy, lighting, color theory, spatial thinking;
Technical. Here you need to master the tools of Photoshop, be able to draw on paper and understand the basics of 3D. The main thing is that you need to be able to work in Photoshop, and at a very high level.
In addition, there are 4 types of concept artists:
Environment artist. He draws sketches of locations: land, trees, mountains, houses, rooms, interior items;
Character artist. This specialist should be able to draw any characters: people, fantastic creatures or animals;
Universal artist. He is good at drawing environments and characters.
Technical artist. This is a specific direction that is applicable only for the SCI-FI setting. The artist must perfectly understand the structure of technology, cars, weapons, be well versed in perspective and 3D.
How to become a concept artist
Where to start learning this profession? We will list all the possible options on how to become a concept artist from scratch:
Self Education. It includes watching videos from YouTube, free courses from various sites, educational literature, foreign tutorials. The advantage of such education is free of charge, and the disadvantages are the lack of a system, you will have to spend many years studying the material, knowledge may be unnecessary when applying for a job.
Online courses. There is a training program for this specialty, and you can learn a profession from scratch. Advantages: low price, short training period, relevant and structured knowledge, teachers give and check homework, during study, the emphasis is on practice, creating a high-quality portfolio, obtaining a state diploma. Sample, 100% employability.
And finally, a little tip: to quickly become a good specialist who can work in a team with other graphic designers and model unique ideas, we recommend taking online courses under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Despite it sitting in my collection for the past 4 years, I never got around to playing Octopath Traveler. Simply put, I just had other games lined up to play at the time. Ironically, Triangle Strategy, Octopath’s spiritual successor, was yet another title that I immediately set out to purchase. However, unlike the former, I made a resolute decision to play this one on the day of its release. And that is exactly what I did.
Set within Norzelia, the narrative follows the continents three major countries, Glenbrook, Aesfrost, and Hyzante. The three, who were in a long-standing conflict named “The Saltiron War”, called as such due to the hostilities over the planet’s rare resources salt and iron, have been at relative peace for a little over 3 decades.
Serenoa, heir to House Wolffort, and a pivotal member of Glenbrook, finds himself in an arranged marriage to Princess Frederica of Aesfrost. This pairing, along with the discovery of a new iron mine, seems to solidify a new age of tranquillity in the name of prosperity. Alas, as with all things politically, foul play is afoot, and it isn’t long before a new war campaign takes flight. It is up to Serenoa, and his allies old and new, to come together to decide the ultimate fate of Norzelia.
A slow, and sometimes sluggish affair.
As fair warning in advance, Triangle Strategy’s story is a real slow burner. Decidedly so, as the entire game can basically be summed up as an endless array of monotonous and exhaustive cutscenes. Seriously, you have to sit through roughly an hour of storytelling just to be able to play 20 minutes of the game. It’s utterly preposterous that Artdink expected new players to be excited about this. Excessive lore dumps are tedious at the best of times, especially when ladled with political talk, but this was ridiculous. Sadly, it is only the tip of the iceberg.
The main drawback of Triangle Strategy’s narrative is its constant need to reiterate its own points. Multiple cutscenes are dedicated to highlighting the same topics, using near identical phrasing, and reaffirming conclusions that the characters have already made. It is unfathomably dull, and a real chore to sit through.
I will say that the story does get better once you progress onto the actual meat of the game. The choices that you and your party make via the Scales of Conviction – more on that later – genuinely influence the world at large. As a result, individual playthroughs are completely unique, and provide a valid reason to play through the game a second time. However, the plot is riddled with an abundance of JRPG tropes and cliches. I myself didn’t mind that fact, but it’s entirely possible that some players may get bored due to this.
Phase through the gameplay.
Having played Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga recently, I was interested to see how Triangle Strategy’s gameplay would compare to it. The biggest difference between the two titles lays within their influences. On one hand, SoW is comparable to Ogre Battle, whereas Triangle Strategy is clearly inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics. Fundamentally, this means that the latter is less squad focused, and much more independent unit based.
Simplistic unit-based management.
The individual units are comprised of Serenoa and his allies. They all come equipped with their own set of skills, attributes, strengths, and weaknesses. Though, what they bring to the table specifically depends on their prefixed class. To give you an example, Frederica is a pyromancer that specialises in fire-based magic. This, of course, means that she’ll excel against enemies that are susceptible to fire. However, it also means that she will be vulnerable to ice form attacks.
In all honesty, I anticipated this system to be messy and convoluted. In actuality, it is remarkably intuitive and user friendly. The game explains everything in a concise, yet rigorous fashion, meaning that new players can easily adapt to this. The only downside is the inability to change a unit’s class, but, personally speaking, I never found that to be much of an issue.
Final Fantasy Tactics for the modern audience.
Combat sequences operate on a turned based system, and take place on a gridded battlefield. During a unit’s turn, they have the ability to move, and separately, preform an action. Actions encompass anything from a basic attack, to consuming a potion, or casting a spell/ability. Conveniently, the grid will highlight different colours depending on if a unit is in or outside an enemy’s attack range.
Advanced mechanics like high ground advantage, terrain conditions, and weather effects are also present and accounted for. This adds another layer of complexity to your encounters, and allows you to come up with optimal, or quirky strategies to defeat your foes. It’s also possible to combo moves together using these mechanics which is absurdly fun to do.
Without a doubt, the combat is by far the best thing about Triangle Strategy. It is immersive, engaging, and, at times, mighty challenging. On top of this, everything here is presented in a digestible manner, and is beyond effortless to control.
Unfortunately, as I’ve already alluded too, the combat only takes up roughly a 1⁄3rd of the games overall play length. This is way below the margin of what I expected going into this, and it is a massive disservice to its near impeccable battle sequences. You can partake in mock battle scenarios, but even then, it still feels a little short. Having said that, the combat is positively incredible, and I don’t want to take away from how much I enjoyed it.
Level up everything, why not.
Triangle Strategy provides you with a myriad of ways to upgrade your units. For starters, each unit has the ability to level up. Doing so boosts their baseline attributes, and has the added-on effect of unlocking new skills and passives to use. Similarly, a unit’s class can also be improved upon through the promotion system. This is a little harder to achieve though as it requires specific conditions to be met beforehand. However, promoting a unit’s class will reward you with increased stats, as well as new abilities.
As if that wasn’t enough, Triangle Strategy also allows you to rank up your unit’s weapons. Sadly, it isn’t as interesting as it sounds, as it is yet another way to increase a unit’s baseline stats and passives. Much like the classes, you can only upgrade your weapons once you have collected certain materials.
Besides levelling and ranking up, consumable items and accessories can be purchased from provisions and rare town merchants. Accessories are particularly useful as they provide units with special benefits. These can include things like guaranteeing the first turn at the start of combat, or increasing the unit’s resistance to magic damage.
Evidentially, the varying upgrade mechanics allow you to craft a unit with a particular focus in mind. Admittedly, it isn’t perfect, but it is engrossing enough that you can, and will, spend hours theorycrafting setups for all of your available units.
Explore and make choices that matter.
You aren’t given free rein to navigate around Norzelia as you please. Instead, the exploration phase places you within small set pieces that are reminiscent to traditional RPG towns. Inside these areas you can talk to NPCs, discover lootable items, and find the aforementioned merchants that sell rare items.
Making an effort to speak with NPCs will rewards you with additional information relating to the world at large. While this is nice touch from a lore standpoint, it also garners you valuable intel that can be used to sway your allies’ opinions during the games voting phase.
Speaking of which, the voting phase dictates which path Serenoa will take during narrative crossroads. It does this through the Scales of Conviction, an artifact that House Wolffort uses to give equal voting rights to its major political figures. As you may expect, your allies all have their own opinions, but you can try and persuade them by using the knowledge you’ve gained.
I found the Scales of Conviction to be a noteworthy mechanic that added a lot of intrigue into the storyline progression. Truth be told, they probably could have pushed this system further to emulate sandbox type scenarios. Still, even in its current form, it is pretty ingenious idea.
A bona fide visual experience.
Although Triangle Strategy’s art style is yet another element taken from Octopath Traveler, it still remains as one of my personal favourite graphical designs. The juxtaposition between the 2D character sprites and the 3D environments, both of which emulate a 16-bit thematic, create an oddly interesting spectacle. However, what truly amplifies this to the next level is the HD lighting. It transforms regular looking scenery into unique and captivating imagery. Pair this with the fantastic cinematography, and you get cutscenes that are undeniably breath-taking.
In addition to this, the VFX add another admirable contrast to the visual direction. They have been designed in a modernised anime style, with spells and item effects replicating something you’d see from Bones. What’s more, the way in which the water interacts with the in game lighting invokes unbelievably picturesque moments.
Music that rattles your bones.
Incidentally, the OST for Triangle Strategy was made by none other than Akira Senju, composer of the legendary FMA: Brotherhood series, which was developed by Bones. He brings his trademark symphonic sounds to the tracks, complete with lush strings, heroic horns, and triumphant percussion. This isn’t a short soundtrack either, clocking in at a staggering 4+ hours in length. Considering how much variation lays within the tracks, it is admirable to say the least. Even then, I’m still left wanting more, but I suppose that’s to be expected with Senju’s work.
Whilst I am appreciative that Triangle Strategy has voice acting, the execution can be a bit hit and miss. For instance, there are noticeable volume inconsistencies between the different actors. I wouldn’t label the audio balancing as horrendous, but it did break my immersion a few times throughout my playthrough. The performances themselves are mostly fine, though they are marred with anime tonalities that may rub some people the wrong way.
Lastly, to quickly touch on the sound effects, they too are exceptional. They coexist masterfully alongside the VFX, matching the anime aesthetic, and really driving home the intensity of the attacks, spells, moves and abilities.
Conclusion
Overall, Triangle Strategy is an entertaining tactical RPG, even if it does go out of its way to prevent its players from playing it. The tactical-based gameplay is intuitive, immersive, and challenging, and breathes a new sense of life into the genre. Narratively, the extensive cutscenes can be exhausting, and their eagerness to constantly reiterate themselves only makes things worse. However, the visual presentation is absolutely gorgeous, utilising a unique juxtaposition with 2D sprites, 3D environments, and HD lighting. Similarly, the soundtrack created by Akira Senju is exceptional, and rivals that of contemporary series such as Dragon Quest. If you enjoy tactical RPGs such as Fire Emblem, then this is probably something you’d be interested in. Just be warned ahead of time that you’ll be spending the majority of your playthrough looking at cutscenes.
Top Gun: Maverick has just been released on DVD, BluRay and 4K Ultra HD, and here is our spoiler free review.
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.
Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
As a huge fan of Top Gun (having seen it when it was originally released in the cinema) I was eagerly awaiting Top Gun: Maverick. With a lot of sequels, you worry that they won’t live up to the original, especially when its been 3 decades since the original.
As this is a spoiler free review, all I will say is that you have nothing to worry about. Top Gun: Maverick is a fantastic, fast paced, amazing ride and I’d even go as far as to say I enjoyed it even more than the original!
The music is great and the aerial shots and action is spectacular.
This is one movie you have to own, and the 4K edition is awesome.
Included in the 4K edition is over 80 minutes of bonus features, including the making of Top Gun: Maverick.
Top Gun: Maverick is available now to Download & Keep and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD.
With Christmas less than two months away now, we take a look at the HoMedics Smoothee IR.
Designed to enhance the appearance of your skin, the Smoothee is all about boosting your confidence and upgrading your self-care routine. Engineered to smooth areas of skin that are uneven, dimpled or lacking elasticity, the Smoothee will leave you with firmer, toned skin.
Mirroring the traditional Chinese method of cupping, the Smoothee uses vacuum technology to draw the skin up into a cup while providing a deep tissue massage.
Along with infrared heat, the built-in electronic pump enhances this process to loosen and disperse stubborn fat deposits within the layer of connective tissue to create a smoother surface appearance.
What’s in the box?
Smoothee IR
Large, Medium & Small Cups
Cooling Head
Replaceable Felt Filter
USB Charging Cable
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The HoMedics Smoothee IR is small and easy to use, fitting comfortably in your hand.
Everything you need is included it the box, including a USB charging cable. The battery life is very good too.
The HoMedics Smoothee IR is available now priced around £149.99.
With Christmas less than two months away now, we take a look at the HoMedics Remove Microdermabrasion.
Bringing professional spa skincare to your own home.
Remove Microdermabrasion is perfect for restoring youthful radiance to the skin, improving skin tone and texture, smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing the appearance of age spots and sun damage.
Remove gives your skin a thorough spring clean. Remove is designed with a diamond encrusted tip to deeply exfoliate the epidermis whilst the gentle vacuum massage sucks away and filters the outer layer of dead skin cells.
By clearing away the dead skin, you can make way for fresh cells to grow, leaving you with a smooth and radiant complexion. Like any deep exfoliation, a good moisturiser after every treatment is a must to make way for firmer and hydrated skin.
What’s in the box?
Remove Microdermabrasion
2 diamond tips – normal & sensitive
Charging base
Cleaning brush
Travel bag
Replacement wool filters
USB cable
Instruction manual
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The HoMedics Remove Microdermabrasion is small and lightweight but gets the job done.
Everything you need is included in the box, included a useful carry pouch to keep everything together and for taking outside the house if you need to.
Charging is via the supplied USB cable and it has good battery life.
The HoMedics Remove Microdermabrasion is available now priced around £149.99 but it’s currently on sale on the HoMedics website at the time of writing.
The simple availability of high-speed Internet and the rapid development of new technologies enhance the expansion of entertainment alternatives available to gamers. The number of players interested in online gaming at online mobile casinos is growing, and they now have access to previously unheard-of incentives, promotional offers, and other advantages. Today, we’ll talk about the most recent innovations that are having the most influence on the online gaming sector.
#1 – Innovative Mobile Technologies
Thanks to modern mobile devices, online gambling is expanding faster than software engineers could have expected. As a result, the creation of a mobile online casino CZK that provides each player with a satisfying conclusion is required. As a result, investments in new technologies are beneficial since service providers now have access to a larger number of mobile consumers. As a result, the online gaming experience that mobile users anticipate must readily meet their expectations.
#2 – HTML5
It is currently difficult to find a casino that does not include a browser-based alternative for playing their games. Most websites do not require any further adaptations from the user while playing games on smartphones and tablets. HTML5-based games provide greater versatility, lag-free gaming, and full device compatibility. If you like, you can switch between your devices instantaneously. What is more, top Aussie casinos from BestAuCasinosOnline ratings have full-fledged mobile apps that you can easily launch on your smartphone.
#3 – FaceID, 2FA, and Fingerprint Technologies
Making a gambling site safer is usually a good thing; therefore, websites will almost certainly take more effort to keep their customers safe. 2FA is the most modern technology that enables stronger and more powerful encryption. Players will not have to worry about playing the greatest casino games on their phones because their creators are likely to include additional security safeguards. FaceID and fingerprint technology provide extra security options to its users. This is one of the high-tech solutions for full data safety at casinos.
#4 – Options for Payment
One of the most important aspects that online gamers look for while seeking the best casino payment options is the ability to make a safe and convenient deposit and withdrawal. Some service providers have stringent deposit and withdrawal procedures, whilst others have a more flexible payment structure. Regardless of the case, both are targeted toward customer security. Nowadays, gamblers can use credit/ debit cards, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies to make casino wagers and cash out their wins.
#5 – LTE
The incidence of network outages is a challenge for mobile casinos. This might be aggravating for players who are in the middle of a game and have their gameplay interrupted. This will not be an issue with 5G networks. Because of the ultra-reliable networks, games will never be interrupted or lose connectivity. Casino games are big files that must be downloaded before they can be played. Fifth-generation networks provide much faster download rates for gamers. As a consequence, you won’t have to wait for lengthy downloads before you can start playing your favorite games.
Improved Mobile Gaming
As technology advances, mobile casinos will undoubtedly provide a better gaming experience. Improved mobile gaming is one of the primary technology breakthroughs that casinos might pursue in the future. The mobile casino will have an advantage over other platforms if they can make their games more exciting and appealing to gamers on the go.
This advancement is possible thanks to the ability of mobile devices to innovate. Because of their large market share, the developers have prospective consumers. Audio and visual quality are two of the most likely areas in which Android smartphones will improve. These are the characteristics that make mobile casino games appealing to players. Though gamers may not notice the music and visuals, they make a significant contribution to the gaming experience.
With this in mind, it is no wonder that leading game-dev companies are using the latest technologies in their products. HTML5, FaceID, and LTE – these are just some of the high-tech solutions that are currently driving the mobile gambling industry. Artificial intelligence, VR, blockchain, and machine learning are also expected to make the industry grow and develop further.
What I love about the gaming industry is how it evolves. It is an ever-changing beast that innovates and shifts almost daily. This flexible approach is highlighted when you research the Cloud gaming market. With many peripherals on offer, it can be confusing to get the right thing. There are phone clips, gamepads, cradles, and many more. However, the Turtle Beach Atom controller tries something different.
With its unique style and unusual design, it blends the usability of a standard controller with the flexibility of the Nintendo Joy-con pads. Furthermore, it looks futuristic, badass, and streamlined. Alongside this, it feels great in your hands, while being easy to use. Moreover, once you have it set up, it is incredibly straightforward and responsive. On top of this, its compact style makes it the perfect travelling companion.
Twist, pull, and game.
What’s in the box of the Turtle Beach Atom controller?
The compact packaging is great to look at. It is adorned with simple messages and some eye-catching imagery. What’s more, it is recyclable and protects the contents nicely.
The Turtle Beach Atom controller is unlike anything I’ve seen before. The device splits in two and has a cyberpunk style. Furthermore, the adjustable mobile clips are robust, strong, and can hold most modern phones.
USB-C charging cable. This device has an impressive 20-hour battery life. However, to keep it charged, you can use this or any other USB-C cable.
Game Pass code. A month’s Game Pass subscription for free.
User guide and warranty card. Register your device and get it set up in no time at all.
Technical aspects.
Connectivity
Bluetooth 4.2 or later
Compatibility
Android 8.0+
Battery life
20-hours +
Quick charge
2.5 hours from empty to full
Low latency gaming
Yes via a proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless link
Cloud gaming is all about comfort, battery life, and a low latency connection. Thankfully, the Turtle Beach Atom controller ticks every one of these boxes. Moreover, its design concept is incredible, and the familiar button layout makes it work like a dream.
The compact design is unusual but incredibly effective. If you love to game on the move, you don’t want a bulky controller weighing you down. Fortunately, this accessory is small enough to fit into your pocket without compromising comfort or usability. Furthermore, the concave analogue sticks are responsive and have a nice level of travel. On top of this, the sizeable buttons are comparable to the official Microsoft gamepads.
Alongside the comfortable design is the fantastic battery life. You’ll enjoy around 20 hours of playtime per charge. However, if you run low, you can recharge the batteries in under 3-hours. This was fantastic, as you’ll rarely run out of juice. Consequently, this is the perfect device for long gaming sessions.
Finally, if you like competitive gaming, you want a low-latency connection. The Turtle Beach Atom controller delivers a rapid connection via Bluetooth. The two devices are connected via independent modules across a proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless link. In English, this means that the devices run in sync with no noticeable lag issues. As such, whenever you play an FPS or sports title, you’ll enjoy responsive controls throughout.
A massive 20-hour battery life.
Is the Turtle Beach Atom controller worth it?
I’ve looked at plenty of Cloud Gaming accessories, and most of them have impressed me. However, the Turtle Beach Atom controller blew my mind. In theory, it doesn’t perform any better than the Nacon MG-X Pro, or the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud. Yet, I couldn’t help but love it. The fold-away style and compact design are conversation starters. What’s more, its choice of 3 colours and cyberpunk finish looks great.
Alongside side this, the familiar button layout, and amazingly quick connection, make it stand out. If I was to be picky, the lack of an audio port or pass-through charging facility was annoying. However, this is mitigated with the use of Bluetooth headphones. Sadly, though, if your phone runs out of charge, there is very little to be done. Yet, this issue is minor, considering every other great aspect. Accordingly, I adored this device and I recommend you buy it here!
(More information on Turtle Beach can be found here!)
Comedy often treads a very fine line. Consequently, what I find humorous may grate on you. As such, this genre is often divisive and can make its audience isolated and frustrated. However, I believe that Monty Python and similar performances get the balance just right. The blend of satire and downright stupid material have you laughing until your sides hurt. Therefore, when Once Upon a Jester released its Monty Python-liketrailer, I was hooked.
Developed by Bonte Avond and published by Crunching Koalas, this is a satirical and often stupid adventure title. What’s more, it has some minor puzzle elements, an awful lot of improv theatre, and plenty of hilarious moments. On top of this, its soundtrack is original, the visuals are fantastic, and did I mention that it plays out like a Monty Python skit?
It is poster making time.
Once Upon a Jester has an unbelievable plot.
A tale of deceit, love, and betrayal isn’t exactly original, but when you chuck in plenty of QTEs, a lot of improv theatre, and many crazy moments, it quickly gets out of hand. Well, this is exactly what happens in Once Upon a Jester. This short title will capture your imagination from the off, thanks to its zany writing, excellent acting, and absurd plot. Subsequently, I couldn’t put it down, as I fell for its charms, laughed repeatedly, and adored each theatrical moment.
You control a pair of buffoons known as Jester and Sok. These unlikely heroes are loveable, stupid, and wickedly deceptive. As such, they’ll do anything to make themselves happy no matter the cost. Accordingly, when they hear about the Royal Theatrical Spectacle, these would-be performers couldn’t resist. Why? Well, this opportunity allows them to get on stage and show the world what they are made of, but it also gives them the chance to steal the royal diamond. With their plan created, the pair must travel between 3 locations, performing their improv show, and earning bouquets of flowers. The first act to get 45 bouquets will qualify for the main event and perform in front of the royal family.
Sing your heart out.
Listen to the clues.
As with every great performance, you must know what your audience wants. As such, there is no point in putting on a horror show if your fans will hate it. Therefore, to make sure you choose the right genre, you must explore each area and converse with the locals. Here, they will give you clues about what they hate and love, and you must create your play around their ideas. On top of this, you’ll need to interact with your surroundings to earn stickers for each poster you create. This is a minor element, but it was fun to get your creative juices flowing, nevertheless.
Once you know what genre to focus on, you must decide the plot of your performance. There are 4 to choose from, and these unlock as you progress. Each one follows a unique story that will change depending on your choices and if you successfully complete a QTE. These quick time events often rely on memory skills, reactions, or simply running after Sok. Think about the Benny Hill chase music, and you have an idea of what I mean. If you get the genre right, complete each QTE, and appease the audience, you’ll earn 5 bouquets of flowers and you’ll be one step closer to stealing that diamond. If, though, you fall short, you must complete another play and progress accordingly.
Once Upon a Jester looks great.
Bonte Avond has created an incredibly vivid and interesting world to explore. However, each small location could have been bigger, with more objects and people to interact with. Yet, the compact areas shouldn’t put you off as the variety in backdrops, the interesting theatricals, and the bizarre character models are great to look at. Furthermore, I loved the 2D style and the vivid blend of colours. What’s more, the medieval and Baltic style gave Once Upon a Jester a folksy and fairy tale edge.
Alongside this, I adored the original and amusing audio. Whether it was the excellent songs, loud and OTT sound effects, or fantastic acting, I couldn’t get enough of it. Moreover, every element was created and performed by the developers. These talented individuals have created a side-splitting and eye-wateringly hilarious plot that never becomes tiresome. Furthermore, I cherished the random musical theatre burst of song and dance whenever there was a dramatic or shocking break in the story. Consequently, every moment was surprising, stupid, but oh so brilliant.
The crowd love a spooky scene.
Easy to play and perfect for your Steam Deck.
Once Upon a Jester performed admirably on both my Laptop and Steam Deck. Though this hasn’t been verified for the latter, I can attest to its performance and usability. Alongside this, the UI is well-constructed, and the inputs are responsive. This was important as the QTEs can occasionally be fiddly, and poor controls would have made this unbearable. However, what you get is a phenomenal experience with no bugs or performance issues.
If I was to complain about anything, it would be that Once Upon a Jester isn’t long enough. Furthermore, the replay value is reduced as there are limited collectables and no further game modes. Yet, if the developers were to create some DLC that took Jester and Sok on a different journey, this would be a welcome addition.
Once Upon a Jester is a laugh-a-minute experience.
I fell for the excellent and whimsy plot of Once Upon a Jester. Moreover, I adored its aesthetics, wonderful acting, and zany characters. On top of this, I loved the minor love story, the classic rivalry between performers, and the never-ending list of stupid jokes. As such, I laughed throughout, and never tired of what I saw or heard. If you love Monty Python, then you’ll cherish every second you spend with this incredible game. Accordingly, I can easily recommend that you buy this game here! Will you do enough to make it to the Royal Theatrical Spectacle? Listen to the locals, choose your plot, and steal that diamond.
Racing games have come on leaps and bounds. No longer are they monotonous, dull, and horrible to listen to. No, no matter the style, they are a fantastic form of entertainment. Whether it is a triple-A title or a simple indie game, they’ll keep you playing and will trigger your competitive edge. This is exactly what Super Woden GP tries to achieve. It captures some of the best elements of old-school racing and finishes off with some modern music, and excellent controls.
Developed by Vijuda and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a retro racing game. What’s more, its isometric viewpoint and pixelated graphics are representative of 90s gaming. Accordingly, I adored it from the off, and couldn’t wait to get stuck in. Thankfully, it was brilliant, mostly, and will be loved by veterans and newcomers to the genre.
It is rally time.
Super Woden GP relies on its gameplay.
Unlike some racing games, Super Woden GP has no story. Consequently, this disappointed me slightly. It would have been great to have a love interest or an overarching rivalry throughout. Instead, it relies heavily on its gameplay to see it through. Now, this wasn’t a problem, as it does a fantastic job with its driving mechanics, track layout, and races.
The action revolves around 4 race modes. You have a single race, a competition that comprises several events, an endurance section, and finally, a rally option. Each choice is competitive, fun, and addictive. However, you must work towards the endurance and rally modes as they are locked behind a progression tree. Furthermore, there are additional restrictions due to each vehicle’s bhp or pp. Accordingly, certain events prevent larger engine vehicles from partaking and this ensures that the action remains balanced.
Fight the rain and stay on track.
Stars, money, and oodles of cars.
Super Woden GP follows a simple process. Subsequently, there is no in-depth career mode. Instead, you work towards stars, bundles of cash, and mountains of cars. This basic approach was refreshing and gave the game a familiar arcade feel. Furthermore, the short, sharp races allow this to be enjoyed casually.
No matter which event you tackle, you’ll be awarded between 1 and 3 stars for the effort. If you finish 1st, you’ll be awarded 3 stars, 2nd, 2 stars, and 3rd is 1 star. These will then unlock further races as well as additional modes. On top of this, you’ll earn cash that is spent on an array of cars. There is a selection of styles available and they vary from road vehicles to rally cars. Moreover, you must purchase the right engine size for each race you tackle. Subsequently, you must be wise and not waste your money on unnecessary purchases.
Super Woden GP is brilliantly old-school.
Gameplay aside, I adored the visuals and the race design. The brilliantly old-school approach was captivating, stark, and beautifully pixelated. What’s more, the excellent mini-map, straightforward car design, and rudimentary weather fronts were wonderfully retro. On top of this, the isometric viewpoint was a great decision. Thanks to this excellent camera angle, you can easily observe every twist, turn, and opponent you are racing.
Alongside the fantastic visuals were some amazing tunes. I cherished every song as they added energy to this amazing title. Furthermore, they were accompanied by some shrill and uncomfortable sound effects. The roar of the engine, the screech of the tyres, and the crash of metal on metal were incredible.
Brrrr keep going.
Excellent controls.
Old-school racing titles had loose controls that were tough to handle. Luckily, Super Woden GP continues this tradition. As such, racing on a twisty and tight circuit is tough and unforgiving. What’s more, your opponents love to smash into you and this makes it harder still. However, with some practice, it is pleasurable and soon becomes second nature.
With no career mode or story, it does plateaux early on. Yet, this doesn’t mean that it’s boring. Instead, I enjoyed the repetitive action and its straightforward ways. Its rudimentary approach ensured that I focused on racing and nothing else. Alongside this, unlocking every race and earning every star is no mean feat. Accordingly, it’ll keep you playing if you want to do win every event.
Super Woden GP is a great retro experience.
Many games have tried to replicate the best retro racing titles. Yet, many of these miss the mark and fail miserably. Fortunately, Super Woden GP gets it spot on and is a fantastic retro experience. Consequently, if you want a trip down memory lane, you need to look no further. As such, I’m happy to recommend that you buy it here! Can you become the next big thing? Buy a car, pick a race, and go for gold.
Advancement in technology has changed mobile phone capabilities. Within a short time, we have moved from a position where we could have only used our phones to make calls and send text messages. With a mobile phone, there are loads of activities that you can perform in the comfort of your house. Talk of making payments, video calls, and playing mobile casinos Canada among other activities. We are spoilt for a choice when it comes to the capabilities of modern smartphones. As Michelle H. Thomas, casino expert points out, nowadays, players do not have to visit a physical platform to engage in their favorite casino games. At the comfort of their houses, they have at their disposal a variety of games including slots, blackjack, online poker, and roulette among others. And this is just a fraction of the capabilities of modern smartphones. Apart from the online casino on a smartphone, let’s examine what else you can do with your mobile device.
For beginners let’s start with understanding what a smartphone is. This is a cellular device that has among other features an inbuilt computer including other components that are not originally associated with phones. These include:
The web browsers
Operating system
And the ability to run apps
Connecting to the internet
Among the smartphone’s features is its capability to connect to the internet. This is where it derives its name. Modern smartphones are internet enabled and when incorporated with other technologies, you can use them for almost anything. You will be walking with a computer in your hands. Where you can perform most of the functions that can be done on a desktop or laptop.
Web browsing
Accessing websites is now easy. With a smartphone and some data bundles, you can view anything on the internet. This makes your smartphone a walking office. With this capability, you can send emails, do online transactions, and engage in games including casinos among others. Gone are the days when you have to use your laptop or desktop to browse the internet.
Social media
As part of the internet platform, social media have become popular. These are means through which businesses and individuals interact on real-time bases. With social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Tiktok, YouTube, and LinkedIn among others, you can chat, get news, and engage in online selling and buying among other activities.
The number of people and businesses using social media for interactions and business has been growing steadily. Initially, people were using their laptops and desktops to access social media. But with the growth of apps and mobile-optimized websites, almost all access to these platforms is through smartphones. Using our smartphones, we can interact through social media, send texts, and videos, and even makes voice calls, we can even use different types of apps, such as TikTok.
Tracking health
People have become health conscious and smartphones are at the center of everything. Using a variety of health apps, people are keeping track of what they eat, their activity levels, and their body vitals such as temperature, and blood pressure among others.
With the use of third-party wearable devices, one can connect with a smartphone and monitor vital body statistics. Using these platforms, they are also getting health information enabling them to live healthily. Although they are not a substitute for health checks that are conducted in a hospital, the use of these devices can give you a clue on when you need to seek medical attention.
Making online payment
There was a time when online payment was online restricted to a few platforms such as Visa and MasterCard among others. Nowadays, with your phone, you are carrying your whole bank. You can withdraw, deposit, send and receive money right in the comfort of your office or house. People are getting their smartphones connected with their bank accounts allowing them to carry out a load of activities. With a smartphone, there are no cases of late payment due to failure to get into the bank on time.
At any time of the day or night, you can have a transaction completed at your convenience. Smartphones have been hailed for increasing financial inclusivity, there is a significant proportion that could not access banks, but now with a phone, they can get all the services that they need. All one requires is a subscription to a mobile-based payment platform.
Gaming
There are a lot of pass time activities that one can engage in using a smartphone. With this internet-enabled gadget, you can play video games and even casino games. All that you have to do is access a site that is offering these entertainment options and your day or night is sorted.
It is hard to imagine how life would be without a smartphone. It has become almost part of our lives. We are almost addicted. With technological advancement, the capabilities of a modern smartphone will continue to increase. It is hard to imagine what a future smartphone will look like but one thing that can be easy to predict is that it will greatly enhance our lives.
You can also use phone reverse lookup on your smartphone, this feature will make life easier for you in unpredictable situations.
With this internet-enabled gadget, you can play video games and even casino games. All that you have to do is access a site that is offering these entertainment options like a slot game, and your day or night is sorted.
With Christmas less than 2 months away, we take a closer look at the Gomatic Travel Pack.
The GOMATIC Travel Pack was designed for everyday use and for those shorter 1-3 day trips. It’s made with durable, water-resistant materials and YKK zippers. Starting at 20L and expanding to 30L, this bag is slim but expands when you need to pack more.
The patent pending strap system allows you to go from backpack to briefcase carry for those times when you need to look more professional. The full perimeter zipper, magnetic water bottle pockets, RFID safe storage, and hidden pockets are just a few of the 20+ noteworthy features that make the Travel Pack the most functional travel pack ever!
On top of being packed with incredible functionality, the GOMATIC Travel Pack has a sleek minimalist design and gives you confidence for your life on the move.
Specifications
Weight: 1.89kg | Capacity: 20L-30L(expanded) | Outer Dimensions: (H/W/D) 47 x 30 x 10-24 cm
Laptop Compartment: 41 x 27 x 4 cm
The GOMATIC Travel Pack is really comfortable to use and is easily adjustable for extra comfort.
The GOMATIC Travel Pack is available now priced around £299.99 and its a must have item if you travel.
If you were to ask me if it was easy to jump into a series with twelve mainline games, nine of which have been localized out of sequence and on different platforms, I would probably say ‘no’, but Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero allows you to take the plunge effortlessly. Picking up with new characters who aren’t fully up to speed on the world and its workings themselves, you can learn together as they take you on their journey.
Divided into story arcs that follow different protagonists, the Trails series has four arcs (although reportedly only halfway the entire story) and Trails from Zero is the first game in the 2nd story arc with two entries. Zero‘s story actually runs concurrently with the next arc of four games – Trails of Cold Steel – eventually culminating in an epilogue entry and the beginning of the ongoing arc that is due to start being localized next year.
For some reason Trails of Cold Steel was actually released before Trails from Zero in the West despite being released 4 years earlier, so I experienced the series backwards in terms of design and approach, as Trails of Cold Steel was originally released on the PS3 with 3D character designs, whereas Zero was 2D on the PSP.
Initially I thought the ‘regression’ of visuals from 3D to 2D would be an issue, but somewhat surprisingly, the opposite is true as Trails of Cold Steel‘s barely touched PS3 visuals feel more than dated compared to today’s standards with empty maps that characters refer to as ‘bustling with life’ and it wasn’t until the third entry (released on PS4) that this improved.
The characterisation of opposing groups and governments, their histories, corruptions, motivations and machinations gives the Trails series more of a real-world vibe than most JRPGs.
In comparison, Trails from Zero has a refined 2D visual style that holds up far better, and while it might be a case of personal preference, there is something very charming about its 2D character sprites that the 3D anime-esque models lack – but that isn’t the only area where Zero feels like a step-up.
Outside of the battle system and dungeon action which largely remains the same, the Cold Steel arc takes an anime slice of life approach to the story, with a social and romance system with the story largely taking place on a student campus with slow sojourns out to barren maps and bland backstories in the 1st entry, but Zero‘s story is quicker on its feet, with slightly older characters thrown into the fire as a cobbled-together group on their first job, with a linear storyline and side missions that delve into the city of Crossbell and its characters, filling the maps with detail and NPCs and making the world feel like its reacting to the changes taking place in the world.
Some of the most monstrous and evil enemy designs don’t come till later on in this 40 hour experience, but they are worth the wait.
The city itself created as the world’s long-battling Eastern and Western factions came to a truce, creating a non-aggression pact and a geographical buffer in Crossbell, but in doing so – for the factions that never truly stopped fighting – meant a complex political situation for the city, as the world’s factions corrupt its politics for their own gain, and there is very little Crossbell and its residents can do about it, with political alliances and the non-aggression pact standing in their way.
Ignorance is bliss, however, and that’s where Lloyd Bannings and his group come in with an uncorrupted sense of justice and their own interesting links to the city, the unveiling of which, in parallel to the story, is very well done.
Zero also provides enough character depth and development to justify its young characters taking on the world (and its mother) and succeeding against characters they shouldn’t have even the remotest chance against, an issue many JRPGs attempt while trying to take themselves seriously.
The Active Time Battle (ATB) turn-based system is the same to Cold Steel‘s as you are able to move around battlefields choosing the distance in which you wish to attack as well as using special moves and team attacks to slow enemies down and push them down the order. It isn’t a revolutionary system and no changes have been made to it – or anything else in the game from the original release for that matter – but it gets the job done admirably, with plenty of room for tinkering with its quart system, a device that each character uses that holds jewels which provide seven elemental attacks, and it allows you to swap out all but your special abilities for a customized approach.
Running through the 2D feature-rich city is far from boring, but like the latter games there is a ‘fast-forward’ button instead of a run button as well as a fast-travel option.
Admittedly, the 3D animation in battle is more enjoyable to watch in the more recent entries, and at times it seems the resolution has been stretched too much, but apart from that, the excellent Japanese voice acting and English subtitling, as well as the Shenmue-esque soundtrack does a great job of conveying the emotion of its scenes, making this old man tear up in certain scenes. Even though I came to realize that the game has an ’emotional scene’ audio track, and I knew it was coming, it still got me every time.
One slight spanner in the works for the PS4 release – compared to the Switch and Steam release – is that for some reason the extra and improved features that Zero received in previous versions are omitted here despite all three platforms receiving a release on the very same day. Casual fans won’t notice much of difference until seeing footage side-by-side, but for diehard fans of the series, they might want to consider the a Switch or Steam release first.
Despite being a basic port of a title that lays smack-bang in the middle of a gargantuan series, Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero manages to be both approachable and thrilling, resulting in a classic 2D JRPG that shows up some of the latter 3D entries in both story and design, and has me excited to play the Trails series again.
It takes itself seriously apart the item boxes, which are littered with some witty, self-aware one-liners and jokes.
Audiophiles are a tough group to please. They only want the best tech on offer, but they also want it at a great price. However, is this even possible? Well, Urbinista thinks so, as they’ve created the Seoul earbuds.
These striking and lightweight earbuds are comfortable, and hard-wearing, and come in a range of 4 colours. What’s more, they are excellent for gaming, have a phenomenal battery life, and deliver a nice range of tones and a meaty bass line.
On top of this, you must consider the mid-range price point, the compact style, and how secure they feel in your ears. In short, these delightful earbuds pack a punch without breaking the bank.
Colourful and compact.
What’s in the box of the Seoul earbuds?
The colourful packaging matches the chosen livery of your accessory. As such, my purple box looked fantastic, compact, and eye-catching. Furthermore, the contents were protected and every element can be recycled.
The Seoul earbuds are housed in a wireless charging case. This handy device is secure, robust, and built to last. The earbuds are a nice size and look great when worn. What’s more, you can choose from black, blue, purple, and white.
Spare silicon tips. Every ear canal is different. Consequently, 3 ear tip sizes are available to ensure a snug fit.
USB-C charging cable. Charge your wireless case with this standard USB cable.
User manual and warranty card. Get started with this quick guide. Alternatively, a full guide is available via the QR code.
Technical aspects.
Playtime
8 hours
Total playtime
32 hours
Noise-cancelling microphones
Yes
Drivers
Dynamic 10mm
Charging
USB-C
Wireless charging
Yes
Rating
IPX4
Bluetooth
5.2
When selecting a gaming audio accessory, there are vital features to be aware of. Latency, driver size, and microphone clarity are essential for the best experience. Fortunately, the Seoul earbuds deliver a market-leading performance across each category.
Thanks to its 70 ms low latency for mobile gaming tech, you are never left behind. Consequently, every gunshot, footstep, or door slamming is heard immediately. What’s more, this is essential if you wish to compete with the best.
Alongside the authentic experience, you’ll want rich tones and booming bass. Thanks to the dynamic 10mm drivers, you hear a comfortable and varied range of tones. Furthermore, there is no distortion or crackling at either the top or bottom of the range. This is a must-have whenever you game, listen to music or watch videos. Fortunately, the Seoul earbuds don’t let you down or disappoint whatever the occasion.
Whether it’s hands-free phone calls or a party chat with friends, you want crisp and clear comms. Luckily, you get that as well. Thanks to the noise-cancelling microphones, your recipients will hear your voice and no other background noise.
The charging case is secure and well-built.
Versatile and easy to use.
What I particularly love about the Seoul earbuds is their versatility and user-friendly approach. Not only are they perfect for gaming, but they work well if you love to exercise. Thanks to the IPX4 rating, they are both water and sweat-resistant. On top of this, they sit snuggly in your ears and there is no risk of them falling out.
The reassuring fit is one thing, but are they easy to use? Well, yes! The simple-to-understand touch controls and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure they connect to your device with ease. Furthermore, they perform every instruction without compromise. Moreover, you can switch between voice commands, music, and gaming mode at the touch of a button. This simple approach was incredible, as you can call your friends, adjust the settings, and pause music without ever touching your phone.
Small but powerful.
Are the Seoul earbuds worth it?
I may have loved these colourful earbuds, but are they worth the investment? In short, absolutely. Thanks to their incredible 32-hour battery life, excellent build quality, and rich tones, these are the perfect gaming earbuds. Furthermore, the Seoul earbuds are comfortable, hard-wearing, and easy to use. Alongside this, Urbanista has developed an app to enhance your experience further still. Subsequently, I adored them and recommend you buy them here!
(More information on Urbanista can be found here!)
