Gaming

Psychonauts 2
GamingGame ReviewsMicrosoftPC / MacXbox Series SXbox Series X

Psychonauts 2, review

Gerard Campbell 1436 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Five years.

Five long years (actually, it’s more like five and a half years but what’s six months?)

That’s how long I’ve been waiting for Psychonauts 2 from Lucasfilm alumni Tim Schafer & his Double Fine Productions studio to be released since I backed it on crowd-funding platform Fig in January 2016.

I’ve long been a fan of Tim Schaefer’s work – don’t get into a conversation with me about how good Grim Fandango is – and while Broken Age didn’t do it for me, despite funding that, too, I jumped at the chance to crowd-fund Psychonauts 2 when I learned it needed help to be made. This was a chance to be part of game development history, right?

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i510600k
Hardware ReviewsGamingHardwarePC / Mac

Intel i5-10600K CPU review: The heart of a new PC build

Gerard Campbell 1485 Views ,  , 

Recently, Intel Australia/New Zealand got in touch and offered me the chance to test out its 10th Generation i5-10600K CPU – and I jumped at the chance.

I was keen to have the chance to re-build my PC with a newer generation CPU & see how Intel’s 10th Gen chip compares to the i5 8400 that I had been using for the past four years or so.

A big thanks to Intel Australia/New Zealand for the opportunity.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacXbox OneXbox Series SXbox Series X

Lawn Mowing Simulator Byte Size Review (XSX)

Barrie Clarke 985 Views ,  , 

After a few sessions of Hover Bovver for old times sake, I thought I better get some words down on the latest lawn mowing simulator to hit the market. Lawn Mower Simulator.

This time around it isn’t as easy as nipping into Jim’s shed and pinching his mower. This time you have to be fiscally sensible and run the actual business too. From uniforms to equipment, and even staff. You are the boss.

All the big brands are there, Toro, SCAG and STIGA. And yup, I haven’t heard of them either…

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Arcade Cabinet
GamingFeature ArticleHardwareVideo Content

Building the Arcade Dream, Part 1

Richard Armitt 2304 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Growing up in the 80’s gave the Arcade Machine a special place in my heart. While I wasnt ever able to fervently feed all my money into them I knew my way around. There was a time when you could stumble across a cabinet literally anywhere, from the local greasy spoon cafe to the common room at college. It was the best of times, etc. Even school swimming lessons would see us running across the road at the last minute after crowding a dark back room in a takeout. Shouting out ‘dibs’ on your mate’s last man in Frogger.

This is part one of a series. I’ve made my decision to go with the path of least resistance, in the next instalment I will share a wealth of useful resources I’ve been finding to make sense of the process. Along with some updates on the build itself.

For now, join me in wistful yearning to be able to play The Speed Rumbler again.

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MS Flight Simulator
GamingGame ReviewsMicrosoftPC / MacXbox Series SXbox Series X

MS Flight Simulator, Xbox Series X

Richard Armitt 1027 Views ,  , 

MS Flight Simulator, it’s here, finally here. Eleven months have literally ‘flown’ by since the amazing PC version hit the skies. Console gamers have had to wait patiently like Air New Zealand flights landing in Sydney, (behind Qantas arrivals).

Not only that, it’s also on bloody Gamepass, which is turning into the must have service on the planet.

Everybody with any itch to travel needs to experience this game at some level. If you haven’t got a kickass PC, get an Xbox, get Gamepass and get flying.

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RED SOLSTICE 2
GamingByte Size ReviewPC / Mac

Byte Sized review: Red Solstice 2: Survivors

Gerard Campbell 1325 Views ,  ,  , 

I never played the original Red Solstice so I can’t offer an opinion on its merits, good or otherwise, but Red Solstice 2: Survivors seems like a solid real-time action game with RPG mechanics.

It’s set on Mars where you control a battle-hardened marine having to help repel an invasion by the mutant Strol.

The story might not be original and the gameplay is nothing new but Red Solstice 2: Survivors is an enjoyable romp in a sci-fi inspired universe if you’re a fan of X-COM and it’s ilk.

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Nanoleaf Elements
GamingHardwareHardware Reviews

Nanoleaf Elements

Richard Armitt 1481 Views , 

The Nanoleaf Elements is the latest design in the Nanoleaf family. The tech has been around since 2012 when it was launched with a successful Kickstarter, since then the brand has gone from strength to strength. A shot spin around Instagram will show you the lengths that fans will go to to Nanoleaf their homes. On a personal note, I’d always been on the fence. A fan of LED technology and smart solutions, the product was intriguing to me, but never essential.

Now, thanks to Nanoleaf Australia I’ve had the chance to play around with the Nanoleaf Elements kit and safe to say, I’m on board.

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Open Country
GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPlaystationXbox Series SXbox Series X

Open Country (PS4) – Byte Size Review

Guy 1640 Views ,  , 

The “SIM” game genre has exploded in recent years. There are Simulation titles for every interest out there. Be it farming, train driving, hunting, car servicing or even PC building!?

There is a SIM for all shapes, sizes and passions. Well, Open Country slots into this SIM genre as an “Openworld, Hunting and Survival SIM” and has a lot of different aspects to it.

But unfortunately, it does none of them well.

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Death's Door Review
GamingGame ReviewsIndie GamePC / MacPlaystationXbox Series SXbox Series X

Death’s Door – the review

Dylan Burns 948 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Death’s Door has certainly piqued some interest in a relatively short space of time. Fortunately Gerard and Dylan were keen enough to follow up our preview with a deft 2-winger Death’s Door Review.

Site regulars, the boys share some interesting insight into the game.

It’s great to see how Death’s Door has bucked the norm in its genre and made its challenges enjoyable in a very nuanced way.

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Monster Hunter Stories 2
GamingGame ReviewsPC / MacPlaystationSwitch ConsoleXbox Series SXbox Series X

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (PC)

Richard Armitt 1220 Views ,  , 

Guest Reviewer Reagan Morris, takes the latest Monster Hunter for a spin.

Monster Hunter fans always want more Monster Hunter.

New demo? instant download. A sequel on a system you don’t already own? Add that to the pre-order.

Spin-off franchise with cutesy anime art and a jRPG turn-based monster vs monster battle system?
*long pause*
HELL YEAH LET’S GET ON THAT.

To the fans, it doesn’t matter what happens to the franchise as long as it’s good, and quite simply, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin delivers.

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Death's Door Review
GamingFeature ArticleIndie GamePC / MacPreviewXbox Series SXbox Series X

Death’s Door preview (PC)

Gerard Campbell 1157 Views ,  , 

If Devolver Digital is the king of the independent video game, then Death’s Door is the latest jewel in its already glittering crown – and what a big, beautiful, glittering head piece it is!

In fact, Death’s Door could be the sleeper hit of the year that I knew nothing about, but I’m glad I know about it now.

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