Feature Article Archives - Page 4 of 9

The Last of Us Part II : Preview

June 9, 2020 Richard Armitt 1124 Views Ellie, Joel, Naughty Dog, Playstation, Sony, The Last of Us, The Last of Us 2, The Last of Us Part 2, Uncharted

It’s 2:47 am on a Tuesday morning, I got into a cold bed at 2:35 am after playing The Last of Us Part II. Again.

For clarity I just finished the area that is allowed to be previewed pre-embargo lifting and I can’t stop thinking about it. In fact I thought about it all the way to work. While I was at work, then all the way home. Being a week behind other outlets I wasn’t going to run a preview, but here we are.

In a couple of days full reviews will hit, next week the game will be out. For now we can lift the lid on a taste of what to expect.

Thanks again to Playstation and Naughty Dog for the opportunity to review The Last of Us Part II before release.

Championship Manager 97/98 (CM97/98) – in 2020

May 3, 2020 Richard Armitt 6623 Views Championship Manager, CM97/98, Football Manager, Goal, Soccer, Soccer Manager

Championship Manager 97/98 is an evergreen to me.

I can’t say exactly why, but like many of the converted it really is the equivalent of pulling an old sweater on. Born in a time where it strained an Intel 486, the game now runs like Ryan Giggs used to.

Whenever somebody Tweets up a best game ever poll or which game would you take to a desert island. Yep, I’m in like Flint with a quick and subtle CM97/98.

Maybe it was the time of my life that etched the game so deeply into my brain. This was my late twenties, and probably the period when I was most interested in football. Attending Premier League games over the years, feeling the joy of Aston Villa lifting the League Cup and more likely just needed a fantasy world.

PS5 Dualsense Feature Article Game News Gaming Hardware Playstation Sony

DualSense, PS5 – don’t judge a Book by its Cover

April 14, 2020 Richard Armitt 1508 Views Dualsense, Dualshock, Haptic, Light Bar, Playstation 5, PS4, PS5, Share Button

Easter 2020 came early when Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed: “the first images and design details of the DualSense wireless controller, the new wireless controller for PlayStation 5”. Being a few days before the holiday weekend it certainly gave all the thirsty gamers something to discuss. Fervently.

Given the consumable nature of Social Media and the way it spreads virus-like at unknown speeds. It was not surprising that the negativity outweighed the positive commenters. Because “Its the internet” and “They are all bored on lockdown”. Here’s an idea:

DualSense: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover.

All the discussion and ribald rivalry was only concerned with how the controller looked. The news being supported by a decent rap sheet of features was devoid of interest for many. Personally and to get it out of the way, I love the look. Love, love, love it, love the look.

Feature Article PC / Mac

Norton 360 Premium Lifelock, review

March 28, 2020 Gerard Campbell 2011 Views Anti Virus, Norton, PC, Security

Anti-virus software is one of things that’s a little bit like house and contents insurance:

You don’t feel you need it so you wonder why you’re paying the premiums. But something when goes wrong, you’re really glad you had it.

When it comes to anti-virus software, I’ve gone down the free route in the past. AVG, Avast, Karpersky, that sort of thing, which offer basic protection. Without the bells and whistles of the premium products like McAfee or Norton, which is what we’re reviewing here.

Game Pass Feature Article Nintendo PC / Mac PS4 PSVR Switch Console Xbox One

Happy New 2020 and putting a pin in 2019

January 16, 2020 Richard Armitt 925 Views 2019, Barrie, Concrete Genie, Gerard, Guy, highlights, retrospective

The rest of the team have had their turn. It is interesting to see that we have all been touched by different games over the last 12 months.

The standout for Guy being Control, although we do agree on Blood and Truth being a landmark title for PSVR. Whereas Barrie loved Outer Worlds, I tried it, but wasn’t in the right space. Maybe I need to give it another spin now the fuss has died down. Gerard plumped for Plague Tale, which is title I have seen often recommended, but never looked close enough.

The great thing is, it looks like my Pile of Shame is about to get at least 3 games bigger.

Right now, looking back at 2019 we had some great titles to play and it really is hard to pull out a shortlist of favourites. That said, here’s my take.

Gaming Feature Article PC / Mac PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

2019 – How did it stack up? (The Gerard Edition)

January 16, 2020 Richard Armitt 995 Views 2019, best games, Gerard, highlights, retrospective

I realised that I didn’t play that many games this year, which is kind of sad. Here’s to a better 2020 (and Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 Pro, thanks to my kids pre-ordering it for me for my birthday).

These are the most notable highlights.

Regards,

Gerard

Gaming Feature Article Nintendo PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

2019 – How did it stack up? (The Guy Edition)

January 15, 2020 Richard Armitt 1240 Views 2019, best games, Guy, highlights, retrospective

Guy takes a quick spin around his highlights of 2019 in gaming, it’s a mixed bag topped off with the evergreen action of Destiny2.

Gaming Feature Article Nintendo PC / Mac PS4 Xbox One

2019 – How Did It Stack Up? (The Barrie’s Highlights Edition)

January 9, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1314 Views 2019, Barrie, best games, highlights, retrospective

This years highlights for me are a bit tough. Basically because of all the older games I have been playing.

Thanks to Game Pass on the Xbox I have been enjoying a absolute plethora of classic titles and games I would otherwise not have looked at. And on the flip side many of the great releases in 2019 for me were actually remasters or re-releases.

So I will try and rattle off a few highlights, and of course a disappointment or two.

All these titles were played on the Xbox One X.

Feature Article

2019 Xmas Gift List

December 23, 2019 Richard Armitt 838 Views Bluemouth, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, XBOX, Xmas

This was supposed to be a cool Advent Calendar, but December ran away with itself and formatting became an issue.

So here are the survivors, things we can heartily recommend as Last Minute Gifts for the Gamer in your life.

Gaming Feature Article Hardware PS4 PSVR Video Content

3dRudder for PSVR : Q/A with Stanislas Chesnais

December 20, 2019 Richard Armitt 1671 Views 3dRudder, Bethesda, DoomVFR, No Man's Sky, Playstation, PSVR, Skyrim, Sony, The Wizards

We are no strangers to PSVR here at the site and its fair to say we are constantly surprised by the improvements being made in PSVR games. Something exciting on the horizon with future Australasian distribution is the 3dRudder.

As a feet-on experience it makes the difference and fills a gap. Anybody that has tried been challenged by movement in PSVR versions of Skyrim or DoomVFR (already on PC) would agree, if they were integrated 3dRudder would change the game.

Our thanks go to Stanislas Chesnais, CEO, for taking the time to answer our questions and hopefully pique some interest in the 3dRudder. Knowing The Wizards and wishing No Man’s Sky integration was on the horizon can’t wait to give it a spin. Literally.

Now, DoomVFR – time to lift your PSVR game.

PC / Mac Feature Article Gaming PSVR

Espire 1: VR Operative, Hands On

November 20, 2019 Richard Armitt 1162 Views Espire1, PAXAus, PSVR, VR

A blur of a few weeks ago at PAX I go to go hands-on with Espire1: VR Operative from Digital Lode. On that day the release had been pushed back to a loose ‘pre-xmas’. It felt appropriate to hold back until a day like today, when the launch date was finally announced.

And that Release Date is THIS WEEK! Yes, THIS WEEK!

The game has been described as a Stealth VR Shooter, Guy has been dribbling over it for months because to him, it’s Splinter Cell VR. Either way Espire 1: VR will certainly tick some boxes.

Espire1 has been put together by a passionate and driven micro team of developers. The game ‘feels’ like a release from a much bigger studio and deserves some attention. I can only hope the install base on the PSVR gives it a strong showing. I for one will be leaping into an Espire unit this weekend. To stealth, shoot, scan, climb and hack my way out of trouble.

Espire1: VR Operative – it’s VR Splinter Cell, what could go wrong?