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GreedFall: The Dying World sets sail with confidence before sinking beneath an ocean of bad ideas and even poorer execution
12:00 pm | March 10, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

The original GreedFall was something of a balm for people starving for a particular flavor of sub-BioWare action role-playing games (RPGs) - games about reading lore codices and speaking to party members about their unresolved family drama.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: March 12, 2026

True to form for veteran “Temu versions of bigger RPGs” developer Spiders, it played like an earnest if haphazard version of The Witcher 2. GreedFall: The Dying World - no longer named GreedFall 2 to clarify its position as a prequel to the original - instead attempts to channel the spirit of classic late 90s or early 00s PC games as it becomes a real-time-with-pause tactical RPG.The other big shift is in your perspective: the original game cast you as a member of a noble house from a Europe-inspired industrialised nation, as it’s in the middle of colonising a new world of feather-wearing, magic-infused natives with a culture built out of thoughtlessly mashed together indigenous stereotypes. Presumably in response to criticism of their poorly handled parable of the colonisation of North America, Spiders has taken the bafflingly ill-advised decision to make it all an allegory for the transatlantic slave trade instead.

Troubled waters

A GreedFall: The Dying World screenshot showing third-person exploration in its fantasy world.

(Image credit: Nacon)

In The Dying World, you play as a member of a tribe indigenous to the fantasy island of Teer Fradee who is quickly ripped from their home by soldiers and shipped to the mainland in a prison ship. It’s a bold opening for a developer that doesn’t have a great track record for handling this sort of thing with any degree of sensitivity or consideration.Luckily, creative cowardice wins out, and you are immediately sprung from prison by a woman who is really very sorry about her job being to help ships bring back captured natives for cultish human experimentation. The rest of the game feels very much like a tour of apologism, as we find out that it’s actually only a few bad apples - and not the entire colonial apparatus - that has a penchant for human slavery and torture. It’s a shame how familiar things are, how quickly the player character becomes second fiddle to more traditional RPG stories starring your roster of deeply uninteresting party members. There is no opportunity for righteous fury at what all of these people have been doing to your homeland. You can’t go on a revenge rampage. You can’t assassinate business leaders. You just stumble along, being helpful and small while hoping someone in a position of power feels enough remorse to assist you in rescuing other captured natives or find a way home. The best you can hope for is for some official to possibly consider, maybe one day, looking into the whole slavery business.

A GreedFall: The Dying World screenshot showing some of the combat from a top-down perspective. The player is aiming an attack.

(Image credit: Nacon)

The lack of player agency can sometimes reach comical levels; you would think a party member becoming a captain of her own massive ship would be a solid ticket back home for the island natives. Raising it as a possibility makes the rest of the party act as if you’re being completely unreasonable to demand such an expensive and time-consuming diversion. It makes far more sense to help everyone else with whatever lingering lifelong mission they’ve been on first. It’s a bizarre decision for the studio to double down on the biggest weakness of the original game and flub the blank slate they had given themselves. There’s a game about a cool pirate lady going on adventures that they could have made, away from the baggage of the bad ideas they’d had. They’ve ended up with the worst of both worlds, lacking the conviction to focus on the indigenous storyline but also tarnishing the attempt to make a fun RPG about finding lost treasure and killing inexplicable packs of rabid monkeys in the countryside.

The trying world

A GreedFall: The Dying World screenshot showing the game's map screen.

(Image credit: Nacon)

The combat is also a step back. With GreedFall and Steelrising, it felt like Spiders had finally settled into a comfortable place with its attempts at real-time, vaguely soulslike combat. Here, it has looked at the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and the rest of the computer role-playing game (CRPG) revival, and tried something more tactical - ending up with a system very close to Dragon Age: Origins. Exploration is done via a traditional third-person camera, but at the press of a button, the camera pulls out to an almost isometric view, and time freezes - allowing you to get a handle on the details of each foe, queue up individual actions for each party member, and position them for defensive or offensive purposes. Unpausing keeps you in the tactical view, letting you monitor how things play out and decide when you need to pause again and adapt to the battle as it unfolds. Not that you’ll ever be really surprised by anything. Most encounters play out the same way; the same way they do in most CRPGs - sending out a tank to draw enemy attention away from your preferred assortment of spell casters, archers and thieves who all chip away at enemy defences or hit them with afflictions or cast favourable buffs on the tank. Sometimes there’ll be an explosive barrel.It works fine. The studio has done a genuinely commendable job at mapping this sort of thing onto a console controller - you never feel like you’re struggling against the absence of a scroll wheel or a keyboard. You might find yourself struggling to stay engaged in your third, drawn-out battle against a dozen rabid monkeys in a row - as you find yourself pausing and pausing to carry out the same tried and tested tactics you’ve been relying on for 20 hours. Outside of a few standout bosses, the game rarely throws you a curveball or forces you to think outside of the box.

A GreedFall: The Dying World screenshot showing the beginning of a combat encounter in some ancient ruins.

(Image credit: Nacon)

Fortunately, The Dying World features some robust difficulty and control options - letting you do everything from making it so that a single badly timed or placed spell can result in wiping out your own party or turning the game into a third-person autobattler with infinite health. If the combat ever starts to feel like a slog, you can essentially make it play itself while you enjoy exploring the world or furthering the narrative. Or if you prefer to turn it into something like a 90s computer classic, you could play the entire thing like it’s a real-time strategy with a fixed isometric camera as you click your way around the environment.As a Spiders fan in general, this is ultimately a deeply frustrating experience. There’s a lot to be appreciated here. The towns and cities of the continent are a densely packed delight to explore, once you’re finally given the freedom to do so. There’s a calming quality to being able to sit back and consider your options as you look down on the battlefield. But there’s only so long you can spend clicking on the same combination of skill icons in battles that all overstay their welcome. Only so many times you can grimace as the writing constantly trips over itself. It’s heart breaking to say, given the effort involved - and knowing there’s a strong likelihood this could be Spiders’ swansong - but this is a world they should have let this world die in peace.

Should I play GreedFall: The Dying World?

Play it if...

You enjoy comparing trousers
While GreedFall: The Dying World's encounters leave much to be desired, preparing for them is deeply satisfying if you're the type of person who likes pouring over the statistical details of every item of clothing equipped on your party members. There's a steady trickle of loot to sort through, and all of it is reflected visually, so you'll be agonizing between form and function.

You like looking at cobblestones and trees
The world might be dying, but it's very nice to look at. It takes too long to reach the point where you can freely explore the towns of the continent, but once you do, you'll find they're oozing with detail and atmosphere. Each nation feels genuinely distinct in terms of architecture and personality, while feeling grounded in the same world.

Don't play it if...

You like well thought-out fantasy settings
Focusing on the already poorly conceived and broadly drawn native culture of the original is a perplexing, unforced error. What could have been a course correction only leads to more missteps, as every hour sees some plot beat or piece of dialogue that will make any player who is culturally or historically sensitive suck air through their teeth and tug at their collar.

You are hoping to show off your tactical genius
GreedFall: The Dying World's more complex combat ends up feeling like a tedious slog rather than a true test of your intelligence. Most builds don't feel particularly unique or interesting, offering nothing you haven't seen a thousand times already. All you can really do is shovel in some artificial difficulty in the form of damage modifiers or friendly fire, which grates very quickly.

Accessibility features

The game lets you change a variety of aspects of combat to taste, from friendly or enemy damage levels to when the game pauses automatically or how the camera reacts in certain contexts. You can determine how much autonomy your party members have during a fight. There are three presets available, which offer different ways to experience and engage with combat, from minimal to exact. Subtitle options are limited to one background and three sizes, but there are no colourblind settings. Commendably, they have included something that every video game should release with - an Infinite Health toggle switch in the options menu.

How I reviewed GreedFall: The Dying World

I played through the main storyline and the major companion quests of Greedfall: The Dying World for over 40 hours on a stock PlayStation 5 hooked up to a 50” OLED TV. The HDR really shows off the wide range of deep, rich browns and reds that make up the towns and forests you’ll be spending your time in. I played using the Quality Mode, which caps the FPS at 30 frames per second (fps) - which I found had little impact on the tactical combat. The Performance Mode caps at 60, but the significant reduction in resolution makes the detailed environments appear fuzzy and cluttered. First reviewed March 2026

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a creative creature-collecting RPG that more than scratches my turn-based itch
6:00 pm | March 9, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Alongside heroic questing and tear-evoking character arcs, an integral part of any RPG experience is the grinding. From prancing around fields in search of herbs to trawling caves for high-level beasties, this inevitable practice makes up a sizable chunk of any save file.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: March 13, 2026

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the latest addition to Capcom’s beloved creature-catching dynasty, doesn’t shy away from this reality, providing moreish mechanical loops and plenty of side stories as you explore its glorious fantasy adventure.

Set in the pastoral kingdom of Azuria, you play as the prince or, in my case, the princess of the land, who, on top of their royal duties, acts as the leader of the Rangers, a group of eco-conscious warriors who maintain the land.

One day, during a routine realm-protecting venture, a group of troops from the less-than-thriving neighbouring kingdom of Vermeil is spotted, leading to a tense standoff between the two nations. What ensues is a complex action-packed role-playing game (RPG) that leads the regal heir to the throne down a pithy rabbit hole, opening up questions about their past as they venture beyond the edges of their home in search of answers.

One more troubling wrinkle here is that on top of the bureaucratic chaos, rogue monsters are becoming infected with a strange crystal sickness that turns them into raging, psychopathic beasts – very unfortunate timing. Over the runtime, these dual investigations start to intertwine, with Twisted Reflection culminating in an emotional finale I thoroughly enjoyed working towards.

A heavy helping of exposition and a host of time-consuming tutorials mean this expedition starts off slow, and seasoned Monster Hunter Stories players will likely need to button mash through much of this to get to the juicy turn-based meat. Still, if you’re new to the IP or this turn-based iteration, you’ll be well taken care of here.

The Wild Hunt

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

(Image credit: Capcom)

Unlike the mainline Monster Hunter series, Stories switches up combat, cleverly adapting the high-octane experience into a much more friendly turn-based one.

You’ll still need to target specific body parts of monsters, and use the right weapon to break foot bones, puncture inflatable necks, and break down health bars until the monster stops budging. Notably, you’ll have plenty of time to decide how to deconstruct your prey without fear of them running off or slaughtering you mercilessly. Important disclaimer, though — even with the extra time on your side, they still might.

In combat, you control yourself and your monster, sharing hearts in the process, though you’ll often fight with compatriots from the Rangers team, too. Each member specialises in a type of support, with the adorable pink-haired Thea offering a higher critical hit rate with the caveat of lower defence, where the chiselled Gaul tends to heal up your party with his utility belt of items.

Picking a solid ally is extremely important to success, especially as you face more feral opponents down the line. While you’ll inevitably stumble along the way to finding your perfect match, the process is gratifying nonetheless, with failure never feeling too punishing.

Best bit

A screenshot from Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflection

(Image credit: Capcom)

Nurturing digital pets can be hard work, but it’s extremely fulfilling. Twisted Reflection provides another opportunity for players to raise a lineage of virtual beings, procuring them in egg form and coaching them to become lovable killing machines. With six menacing protege pets in your pocket, you can name, train, and gleefully ride them across shifting horizons, bonding with your new buddies all the while.

As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed Twisted Reflections’ combat, and, beyond the expected elemental attacks, buffs, debuffs, and stamina bar to contend with, there is a standout feature here – the attack type system.

A carryover from the previous Monster Hunter Stories games, this system plays a lot like rock, paper, scissors, but instead of losing to a friend, your life is on the line. During a battle, you and your prey have a chance to target each other, leading to a nerve-racking head-to-head.

If you correctly guess the beast's type – between Power, Technical, and Speed – and deal the opposing damage type, you have a chance to boost your destructive power. However, if you lose, you’ll take more damage as a result. The more you fend off enemies, the more you’ll get a feel for countering attacks, which leads to a satisfying cycle that encourages you to take risks and bet on yourself.

Combat is more than just a means to an XP end, though, and you’ll also earn some handy monster parts which can be crafted into gear to fortify your stats. From a technical perspective, I found great joy in recycling guts and scales into bows and armour, with beloved monsters like the Chatacabra and Nerscylla reimagined into stylish defensive garb and weapons.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of this process, though, is that what you craft carries the visual markers of monster parts, too. Ergo, if you cook up the leftovers from a fight with a Kut Kut into gear, your fit will have a distinct orange-scaled look. There’s a lot to love about these hectic designs, particularly as the outfit you choose will show up in cutscenes, leading to some unintentionally hilarious interactions.

What’s most important, though, is that it provides you with a reason to go out and hunt specific creatures beyond story progression and XP alone, which is important as you glide towards the challenging late game.

Dragon Quest

MH Storis 3

(Image credit: Capcom)

Over the course of this expansive journey, you’ll venture into fresh biomes like jungles and deserts, sneaking peeks and battling against a wider variety of creatures. If you aren’t familiar with Monster Hunter, the series has always made an effort to ensure the eponymous monsters feel at home where you find them, and I’m happy to note that Twisted Reflection is no different.

Where the lakes and rivers of each biome house aquatic creatures like the salamander-esque Ludthroth or bulldog-faced Somnacanth, the plains feature packs of scrappy scavengers like the Velocidrome. These touches ensure the world has a lived-in feel, as if it existed long before you decided to drop in and start swinging your sword.

It’s clever that the creatures in your party are held to the same standard, and to reach the peaks and valleys of each area, you’ll have to switch between rides – your winged steed isn’t going to take a dip just because you want to collect some herbs. It’s a shame, then, that the platforming can be extremely hit-and-miss.

I lost count of how many times I fell off a solid edge, plummeting from tree stumps or slipping off a vertical cliff, only to have to scale whole mountains again. Invisible walls appear out of nowhere, too, swiftly taking you out of the fantasy. Given all the intentionally immersive features, it’s a shame that a game so geared toward exploration struggles to make the process fun in the long term.

Three characters walk toward a glowing cave in a snowy landscape in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

(Image credit: Capcom)

Side quests appear periodically across the saga, bolstering the story by reminding you that, on top of the impending threat of crystallised super monsters, you have a duty as a ranger, too. The missions are fairly simple fetch quests for the most part, sending you off to find specific monster eggs or herbs with some cute moments peppered in.

Thankfully, there are more focused friendship quests to complete, too, that feel much more thoughtfully written and allow you to embed in Twisted Reflection’s world and build richer relationships with the other rangers in your squad. Here you’ll get to know Kora, the tough warrior with a harrowing history, and Ogden, a warm if not eccentric father figure within the group.

If you don’t complete them as they appear, the story's pacing goes off kilter a touch, and you’ll find yourself warped back to maps that you almost certainly shouldn’t be visiting in context to the story at large. Still, if you can suspend your disbelief, the stories are silly and heartwarming, bolstered by spirited vocal performances from the game’s cast.

Should you play Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection?

Play it if...

You’re looking for a lengthy RPG set in a rich fantasy land
Monster Hunter 3 Stories: Twisted Reflection is a fantastic adventure, flush with fantasy fetch quests and heartwarming side stories to boot. Completionists will have hours upon hours of content at their fingertips.

You like the lore of the Monster Hunter series, but don’t love the speedy combat
Monster Hunter Stories trades the real-time combat of the mainline series for a much more approachable turn-based system. While there are quick-time events in battle, there is still ample time to react if you’re an anxious player.

Don't play it if...

You aren’t keen on grinding for XP
While there are plenty of side quests to check out, as well as a rogues' gallery of monsters to find, inevitably, you will need to grind out battles to level up your team. It’s not egregious by any means, but it is a core part of the experience.

Accessibility features

You can access Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection’s settings anytime from the pause menu. There’s a Controller and Mouse and Keyboard submenu where you can rebind keys for traversal, battling, and cutscenes to suit your preferences. In the Options submenu is you can toggle font size for subtitles and adjust cutscene dialogue to display speaker names. You can also adjust your minimap to rotate with the camera's orientation or remain fixed.

Where objectives are concerned, you can tweak the quest marker to always be on and choose to have a caution icon appear when you approach monsters of a much higher level than you own. Those struggling in combat can also choose to have a hint message appear if they lose in certain battles.

A fish on a plate for a meal in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

(Image credit: Capcom)

How I reviewed Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

We played Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection’s main campaign on PC for over fifty hours. During that time, we invested in the side quests, Ranger stories, and the habitat rehabilitation portion of the game, in addition to the main questline.

It was completed on a Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 (RTX 5070) with the internal speakers for audio. A mouse and keyboard were used intermittently, while the campaign was primarily played with an Xbox Wireless Controller.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February-March 2026

I spent a month with the Razer Enki Pro gaming chair, and my butt will eternally thank me
7:00 pm | March 8, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Comments: Off

Razer Enki Pro: One-minute review

The Razer Enki Pro is a premium, high-end gaming chair that provides you with immense comfort, to the point I would consider it one of the most comfortable gaming chairs I have ever sat in.

It offers exceptional lumbar support, even for those who enjoy sitting in weird positions in their chair - myself included. You get 4D armrests, which are a joy if you’re someone who prefers a certain position for typing and then another for gaming.

However, one of the major downsides here is the fact that it will set you back $999 / £999, which is double the cost of even some of the best gaming chairs on the market, like the Secretlab Titan Evo, which comes in at just $500 / £469.

At this hefty price point, you would expect a feature-packed seat with close to perfect ergonomics, but the Razer Enki Pro falls a tad short here. The Herman Miller x Logitech Embody gaming chair is another top-end premium seat, which comes with ergonomics designed to support your entire back and a 12-year warranty in comparison.

Another qualm I’ve got with the Razer Enki Pro, which is almost definitely more of a personal one, is the lack of style on offer from the chair here. It looks like a bog-standard gaming chair when it comes to colour, design and silhouette, which is a bit disappointing coming from Razer - whose products are typically very stylish.

Of course, this will be down to personal preference, but the hardback shell of the seat is just not for me.

The Razer Enki Pro gaming chair in a colorful gaming and office set-up.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Enki Pro: Price and availability

  • Costs $999 / £999 / AU$1799
  • Pricey when compared to similar gaming chairs
  • Only one colorway available

At just under $1000, the Razer Enki Pro is a pricey chair considering what’s on offer. Chairs that offer a similar feature set include the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 and the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL, which both come in closer to the $500 mark.

You can pick up the Razer Enki Pro in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Stock is limited in other regions thanks to how large and heavy the chair is, which can make shipping difficult.

You can grab a couple of special editions for the Razer Enki Pro, including the Lamborghini, Williams Esports, or Koenigsegg editions, which come in at a higher price point of $1,299 / £1,299, but the base chair only comes in a black and green colourway.

The chair often goes on sale over at the Razer website, where you can typically grab the seat at $100 / £100 off making the value proposition a little better.

Razer Enki Pro: Specs

Max weight of user

299lbs / 136kg

Max height of user

6’ 8” / 204cm

Recline angle

152 degrees with reactive seat tilt

Warranty

3 years limited

Lumbar support

Built-in lumbar arch

Material

Alcantara and EPU synthetic leather

Razer Enki Pro: Design and aesthetics

  • Extremely heavy
  • 4D armrests
  • Alcantara seat

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Razer Enki Pro, before even unboxing the chair, is the weight.

At around 30kg, this chair is extremely heavy, to the point that it feels weighty even when just moving it around or swivelling. While the weight does make the chair seem very heavy-duty, it can get annoying to constantly have to work hard to swivel the chair while you’re sitting in it, just because of how heavy it is.

A lot of this weight is likely down to the hard shell exterior of the seat, that isn’t my cup of tea in terms of style. It makes the chair appear bulky rather than sleek and slender, which is what I would prefer.

You have the benefit of 4D armrests, which is almost expected when spending this much on a gaming chair. These allow you to move the armrests completely so they can sit exactly as you like. They can be adjusted up and down, left and right, forwards and backwards, which makes this perfect for those who want their armrests a certain way for gaming and then another way for typing.

The Razer Enki Pro also comes with a 152-degree seat recline, which is pretty common in many gaming chairs. It also has weight-adjusted tilting, meaning you can lean back in the chair and it will adjust accordingly without the need for any manual adjustments.

I didn't use this feature very often because I’m currently trying my best to repair my absolutely awful posture by sitting up exceptionally straight all the time, but when I did decide to sit cross-legged in the seat, it was great to be able to comfortably lean back.

The Razer Enki Pro gaming chair in a colorful gaming and office set-up.

(Image credit: Future)

Something that sets the chair apart from alternatives on the market is the Alcantara leather, which feels like suede.

This is much harder wearing and moisture resistant when compared to typical leather, but still doesn’t absorb all of your sweat that some felt or cotton chairs do. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of the feel of the Alcantara, but again, this will be down to personal preference and taste.

In terms of the silhouette, you get 110-degree extended shoulder arches and a 21” base to allow for optimal weight distribution for long-lasting comfort and all-day gaming.

These wider shoulder arches make the chair suited to those who may have a wider frame, but it's worth noting that it has a maximum user weight of 136kg. You get built-in lumbar support - which isn’t adjustable - that encourages you to sit upright.

Razer Enki Pro: Comfort and adjustability

  • Adjustable headrest
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Able to sit for long periods without strain

After constructing the chair, it was very quick and easy for me to determine that the Razer Enki Pro was one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in. I typically find myself fidgeting a lot throughout the day, changing positions and trying to sit in weird ways just to feel comfortable, but this was an issue of the past - for the most part - with the Razer Enki Pro.

The lumbar support is pretty good; it would be nice to be able to adjust it to suit my back, but it still feels very comfortable even when I’m sitting at my desk all day long.

I feel content sitting in this chair for long periods of time without any strain. I often find myself getting up and stretching, and walking around every so often in my other chairs just because I feel achy and strained, but I didn’t need to do this in the Razer Enki Pro.

Of course, it's recommended to get up and move around at least once an hour if you’re sitting at a desk for long periods of time.

The one downside when it came to comfort was the headrest. It isn’t as well cushioned as I was expecting, so I ended up just removing it altogether. The headrest is magnetic, meaning that removing it or adjusting it is super simple, so no matter what your preference is, you’re able to get the headrest where you like it.

The Razer Enki Pro gaming chair in a colorful gaming and office set-up.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Enki Pro: Assembly

  • All tools in the box including a pair of gloves
  • Very heavy box
  • I’d recommend two people for assembly

When first unboxing and constructing the chair, I struggled a tad. I’ve built countless gaming chairs in my time, thanks to the never-ending stream of review seats, but the Razer Enki Pro takes the crown for being one of the heaviest chairs I’ve ever built.

However, it was very easy to put together in spite of that, with everything just sliding into place. It only needed eight screws to attach the back to the base of the seat, which was very simple, but lifting the actual base up and trying to slide it onto the guide rail was so difficult to do alone, and I needed to call in some help in order to do this.

While it could be done solo, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Should I buy the Razer Enki Pro?

Buy it if...

You want one of the most comfortable chairs money can buy
The Razer Enki Pro is one of the most comfortable seats I have ever used. It provided me with excellent lumbar support to the point I wasn’t achy or strained even after sitting for long periods of time.

You’re a fan of the ‘typical’ gamer aesthetic
Considering it comes in one black/green colourway and features a hard shell exterior, this chair is very ‘gamer-y’ in style.

Don't buy it if...

You want more features out of your gaming chair
With 4D armrests and weight-adjusted tilting, there isn’t a lot on offer from the Razer Enki Pro. Other chairs at this price point come with footrests, cooling systems and adjustable lumbar support.

Also consider...

If you’re not sold on the Razer Enki Pro or you just want to weigh up some other options then here’s how it compares to two other alternatives that we’ve reviewed.

Razer Enki Pro

Noblechairs Legend

Andaseat Kaiser 3 XL

Max weight of user

299lbs / 136kg

331lbs / 150kg

395lbs / 180kg

Max height of user

6’ 8” / 204cm

6’ 7” / 200cm

6’8” / 180cm

Recline angle

152 degrees with reactive seat tilt

90 - 125 degrees recline

90 - 165 degrees recline

Warranty

3 years limited

2 years

2 years

Lumbar support

Built-in lumbar arch

Yes

Yes (adjustable)

Material

Alcantara and EPU synthetic leather

High-tech faux leather

PVC leather or linen fabric

Noblechairs Legend
The Noblechairs Legend is a stunning chair that looks like it's been pulled straight out of a classy sports car. It looks and feels immaculate, and the material is plush and breathable. It provides you with amazing comfort even after extended periods of time.

Read our full Noblechairs Legend review

Andaseat Kaiser 3XL
The Andaseat Kaiser 3XL is designed for larger humans. Not only does it provide you with amazing comfort, but it also comes backed with features including adjustable lumbar support. It’s much more budget-friendly when compared to the Razer Enki Pro.

Read our full Andaseat Kaiser 3 XL review

How I tested the Razer Enki Pro

  • Sat in all day for work and all evening for gaming
  • Used for a month in total
  • Compared to other gaming chairs

I spent all day, every day, using the Razer Enki Pro for a month, including working all day and gaming all evening.

I would sit in it for multiple hours at a time, including full working days. I would adjust the armrests and recline often to change seat positions or to relax in the evenings when I was gaming.

I compared my experience to multiple other gaming chairs I have reviewed over the years, right down to the build experience and design, to the features on offer and the comfort.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2026

God of War Sons of Sparta review: This series’ metroidvania prequel is serviceable, but shines like a red orb on PlayStation Portal
4:00 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

If you're a God of War fan, you've likely noticed Sony's iconic, deity-destroying action series has been dominating the spotlight as of late. Following an announcement that the franchise's original trilogy is being remade, we got a first-look at Kratos and Atreus in Prime Video's upcoming live-action TV series adaptation.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 (on PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal)
Available on: PS5
Release date: February 12, 2026

But before a collective "Boy!" could be bellowed in celebration of all this news, we also got word that a new series' spin-off game is rumored to be in the works. Given that you'd need a Leviathan Axe to cut through all these recent reveals and rumors, you could be excused for overlooking God of War Sons of Sparta, a brand-new prequel entry that was shadow-dropped shortly after the Greek trilogy remake reveal.

A retro-flavored 2D action-platformer starring a teenage Kratos, Sons of Sparta is a far cry from what the franchise has previously delivered. Borrowing heavily from the Metroidvania genre, the smaller-scale game has also earned the ire of some players – including series' creator David Jaffe – who've been less than impressed by this fresh direction for the franchise.

But while the game never reaches the epic highs of its predecessors, I've mostly had a good time stabbing, puzzle-solving, and exploring the would-be god-slayer's early stomping grounds, especially when braving its land of Laconia on my PlayStation Portal.

A slow start, but stellar story

A screenshot of Kratos squaring up to a cyclops in God of War Sons of Sparta

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation/Santa Monica Studio/ShopTo )

Admittedly, Sons of Sparta doesn't make a fantastic first impression. Its action is slow to start, and its early environments sport a muted tone that can come off a bit drab on a large display, like the 65" 4K TV I started my journey on.

The game's combat and world didn't immediately grab me, but its characters and narrative did. A collaboration between Sony Santa Monica Studio, who penned the story, and Mega Cat Studios, Sons of Sparta is cleverly framed as a tale adult Kratos – voiced by the protagonist's first performer, TC Carson – tells his young daughter Calliope.

Narration from the older Kratos, as well as some fun exchanges between him and his little girl, are peppered throughout the lengthy campaign. But the bulk of the storytelling is delivered by young Kratos and his brother Deimos. The siblings, who are enduring the agoge in hopes of becoming Spartan soldiers, are richly realized with top-notch writing and quality voice acting.

In fact, it's the brothers' engaging, evolving dynamic that drew me to revisit the game on my PlayStation Portal after all but abandoning it following a short session on my PS5 Pro. And I'm so glad I returned to it, as Sons of Sparta is not only a perfect fit for the portable platform, but investing more time in it allowed me to appreciate what it had to offer after its subpar start.

Combat that ultimately clicks

A screenshot from God of War Sons of Sparta showing young Kratos holding up a head

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation/Santa Monica Studio/ShopTo )

The game's combat, which feels a bit plodding in the opening hours, really finds its footing a few hours in. Kratos can't do a whole lot with his equipped sword and shield initially, but it's not long before your inventory is brimming with abilities, upgrades, and skills. The franchise's familiar red orbs, as well as other collected resources, can be invested in a variety of offensive and defensive skills, while a number of weapon attachments can be acquired and upgraded.

The gods also get in on the action, gifting Kratos with a number of cool tools – like a fire-spewing tree branch – that can combat baddies, assist with puzzle-solving, and open previously obstructed parts of the map.

Speaking of the game's sprawling navigational interface, viewing and using the tool on the Portal's 8-inch, rectangular display immediately struck me with a satisfying sense of nostalgia. Having spent my youth studying maps in Metroid and Castlevania entries – as well as other classic side-scrollers – on Nintendo's many handhelds and Sony's own PlayStation Portable and Vita, it was a blast witnessing Sons of Sparta's map blossom in all directions on the more diminutive screen.

Playing with PlayStation Portal Power

A screenshot from God of War Sons of Sparta showing young Kratos and Deimos kneeling before an NPC

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation/Santa Monica Studio/ShopTo )

But playing on the Portal did more than recall my favorite map-navigating memories. The prequel's painterly, hand-drawn pixel art style really pops on the portable hardware's 1080p HD display. Where the game felt a bit small and swallowed up by my TV's 65" screen, its varied, vibrant environments arguably presented much better on the smaller LED screen.

Of course, the innate intimacy of playing on a portable platform also deserves credit for putting the game in its best light; I was able to appreciate far more detail playing Sons of Sparta a few inches from my face rather than squinting at it from across my living room.

It also doesn't hurt that the Portal's handgrips deliver the same immersion-ratcheting features as the PS5's DualSense Wireless Controller. From feeling the rhythmic cadence of Kratos readying his Solar Sling – another fun gift from the gods – to the intense, sustained pulse that builds when opening a treasure chest, the handheld's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are easily on par with the standard DualSense controller.

And speaking again to that more intimate portable experience, seeing Sons of Sparta's action unfold directly between those rumbling, vibrating handgrips adds a level of immersion and immediacy that playing on a console just can't match.

Godlike audio

A screenshot from God of War Sons of Sparta showing young Kratos in front of a bonfire save point

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation/Santa Monica Studio/ShopTo )

I further complemented my time behind Kratos' spear and shield by pairing Sony's PlayStation Pulse Elite headset with the Portal. As expected, this allowed me to absorb every detail of the game's dynamic soundscape, from ear-rattling boss encounters to the nuanced echo of water dripping in the game's atmospheric Grand Cistern environment.

Sons of Sparta is undoubtedly a smaller-scale entry in a series known for making big, bold, blood-soaked splashes with each release. But while the stakes of its story are lower, and it lacks some of the epic set pieces, cinema-rivaling effects, and adrenaline-pumping action of its predecessors, it still delivers a solid, albeit quite different, God of War action-adventure.

If you're expecting a 2D take on Kratos' previous god-slaying exploits, Sons of Sparta will likely disappoint. But if you're craving a fresh, canon story supported by a serviceable metroidvania structure, deep combat, and plenty of fan-pleasing call-outs to the larger franchise, this unconventional prequel's got you covered…especially when enjoyed on the PlayStation Portal.

Should you play God of War Sons of Sparta?

Play it if...

You're craving a new canon God of War story
God of War Sons of Sparta has its share of ups and downs in the gameplay department, but its prequel story and characters are consistently good. If you want to learn more about Kratos' young adult years and how they were shaped by his complex relationship with his brother Deimos, this entry is more than worth your time.

You're looking for the perfect game to play on your PlayStation Portal
From its retro art style and side-scrolling action to its platforming-fueled navigation and Castlevania-evoking map, Sons of Sparta looks and feels like the sort of game you might have sunk hours into while clutching a Nintendo handheld or Sony PSP. It's a perfect fit for the PlayStation Portal, one that arguably looks and plays better on the portable platform.

Don't play it if...

You're expecting the full God of War experience in 2D form
Sons of Sparta isn't a traditional God of War game presented as a 2D sidescroller, but rather a brand new direction for the franchise. More a metroidvania puzzle-platformer than gore-soaked action spectacle, the prequel will likely disappoint those expecting to jump in and carve through mythical creatures with Kratos' Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos.

Accessibility features

God of War Sons of Sparta includes an impressive suite of accessibility features, from various audio adjustments and visuals assists – including options for customizing color filters, text sizes, and blood and gore effects – to motion reduction aids and gameplay settings for decreasing difficulty.

In addition to including a number of presets for accessibility features, the game also offers plenty of individual selections for a more tailored experience.

A screenshot from God of War Sons of Sparta showing young Kratos running through a village

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation/Santa Monica Studio/ShopTo )

How I reviewed God of War Sons of Sparta

I played a few hours of God of War Sons of Sparta on my PlayStation 5 Pro, on my 65" 4K display, before fully committing to it – and enjoying it much more – on my PlayStation Portal, streamed from the Pro.

I tested Sons of Sparta's audio with both the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds and PlayStation Pulse Elite headset, with the bulk of my 25-hour playtime using the latter. I paid particular attention to how the game looked and played on the portable device versus the console, and noted the various ways it incorporated the handheld's DualSense features.

First reviewed February-March 2026

I haven’t sat in a plusher gaming chair than this one – but this affordable GTPlayer model has one drawback
7:00 pm | March 7, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Comments: Off

One-minute review

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)

The GTPlayer LR002 is a budget-friendly gaming chair that hopes to match the comfort levels of costlier competition.

It’s less aggressive in its gamer stylings than many others in this sector. You could even call it smart, and my review unit’s light grey and blue finish helped to showcase the chair’s lighter side.

However, the fabric doesn’t look or feel especially premium, and neither do the solid materials employed throughout the LR002’s construction. It certainly won’t trouble the likes of the Secretlab et al in terms of build quality.

An area where it does compete with the best gaming chairs, though, is cushioning. Not only is the seat soft and plump, but so too are the arm rests and backrest, which makes the LR002 a comfortable chair to sink into. The lumbar and head pillows are less plush, but still provide me with sufficient support in the right areas.

Things take a turn for the worse, though, when it comes to adjustability. The LR002 lacks any form of adjustments for the arm rests, and there’s no rocking function: if you want to lean back, you can recline the backrest to your desired angle, but once there, you’re locked in.

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)

The included footrest also disappoints, owing to its poor design and construction. It consistently failed to slide out smoothly, and even when fully retracted, I found it stopped far too short to be usable, even for someone of my short stature.

Taller gamers are also likely to be disappointed with the seat height range. Although it goes lower to the ground than many (something I often welcome), I imagine those six feet and over would find its maximum elevation too low.

Assembling the LR002 was mostly a straightforward process, thanks to the relatively light seat base and backrest. However, some of the bolts proved difficult to screw in fully, while the angles of some of the holes were awkward to reach.

With its reasonable price, the LR002 makes a compelling case in the budget gaming chair segment. It’s an even more attractive proposition with the huge discounts we’ve seen GTPlayer offer. However, if you’re tall or like plenty of adjustments in your seat, the LR002 is unlikely to satisfy.

GTPlayer LR002 review: Price and availability

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)
  • $159.99 / £149.99 / AU$703
  • Available worldwide
  • Cheap for a gaming chair

The GTPlayer LR002 costs $159.99 / £149.99 / AU$703 and is available now in most territories around the world. It comes in multiple colorways, half of which are monochromatic; two shades of blue, a brown, and an orange finish comprise the rest.

This is a decent price for a gaming chair, putting the LR002 at the budget-end of the spectrum. What’s more, we’ve seen it on sale for less than half price in the UK, making it even more of a bargain. This was direct from GTPlayer's website, although the original price listed here is substantially more than that on Amazon.

It competes with the likes of the Corsair TC100 Relaxed, which commands a similar price to the LR002. We think this is one of the best cheap gaming chairs around, thanks to its comfort levels and adjustability; the LR002 can match the TC100 in the former area, but not the latter.

If you're willing to part with more cash, but still want to steer clear of the most expensive models, the Asus ROG Destrier Core is a solid bet. Not only does this gaming chair offer more adjustments than the LR002, its unique mesh backrest improves breathability and lends a certain style to the unit that sets it apart from many others in the sector.

GTPlayer LR002 review: Specs

GTPlayer LR002

Price

$159.99 / £149.99 / AU$703

Dimensions

58.9 x 28.3 x 20.5in / 149.5 x 72 x 52cm

Max user weight

299.8lbs / 136kg

Min seat height

18.7in / 47.5cm

Seat width

20in / 51cm

Warranty

1 year

GTPlayer LR002 review: Design and aesthetics

  • Soft but basic looks
  • Cheap-feeling materials
  • Lightweight design

The LR002 takes the typical gaming chair approach in terms of overall form, although it’s softer and more rounded than others. These aspects make it a more inviting chair, in my view.

I was also fond of the light grey finish of my review unit, accented by light blue strips, which helps to make the LR002 look less austere than many others in this sector. Granted, it’s not the most elegant of designs, but it’s inoffensive and understated enough to suit most settings.

The lack of premium materials is perhaps the biggest aesthetic weakness of the LR002. The fabric, while smooth to the touch, looks and feels cheap. It’s more breathable than other gaming chair upholsteries, but I still think it’s too thick to keep me cool on a hot summer day.

The plastics used in the unit’s construction also look and feel like cut-price affairs. In their defense, they’re light, which helps to keep the chair’s weight down. In fact, the LR002 is one of the lightest gaming chairs I’ve come across.

There’s a strange hollowness to the backrest; it’s only partially filled, with what feel like small polystyrene balls. It crackled and popped as I leaned into it (it has plenty of give), which wasn’t something I was expecting or particularly wanting to feel, but fortunately, the effect wasn’t disruptive enough to ruin my time in the chair. The backrest is also very thin, which contributes to the aforementioned lightness of the LR002.

GTPlayer LR002 review: Comfort and adjustability

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)
  • Cushioned on all contactable surfaces
  • Lacks fundamental adjustments
  • Very poor footrest

The soft appearance of the LR002 translates to all-round comfort. It offers more cushioning than your typical gaming chair; this is especially true of the backrest and armrests, which put it ahead of many others, even those costing much more.

The strapped lumbar cushion works well, allowing for easy height adjustments while seated, yet it remains in place once you’ve found the ideal height. It’s smaller than those included with other gaming chairs, but it was sufficient to get the support I needed.

It’s a similar story with the head pillow. It’s less plush than others, but again, it provided just enough support for my head and neck. As you might expect, given the budget nature of the LR002, it doesn’t attach magnetically, but via a humble strap.

While the arms are comfortable, thanks to their generous cushioning, they’re quite narrow, which might pose a problem for some gamers. The bigger issue, though, is their complete lack of adjustability.

This is especially frustrating given that they move when the backrest is reclined — but this is the only scenario in which they do. I was lucky that their height was ideal for my seating position, but I imagine there’ll be many gamers who won’t find them suitable.

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)

Equally disappointing is the LR002’s lack of a tilt function. If you want to lean back, the backrest can recline all the way to 140 degrees — but once it’s set, the unforgiving rigidity prevents any form of rocking. At least the recline mechanism is smooth with no discernible notchiness, and the lever is easy to operate.

A retractable footrest is installed underneath the LR002. However, this has to be one of the most poorly designed examples I’ve come across. Every time I tried to slide it out, it would get stuck partway, requiring a few jiggles to set it free.

What’s more, the cushion itself doesn’t stay upright, requiring constant leg pressure to hold it in place. Worst of all, though, is its short extension. While it managed to support my legs, the front edge of the rest dug uncomfortably into the back of my calves — and I’m only 5”7. Anyone taller than this will find it laughably impractical.

Another issue for taller gamers is the seat height. The minimum setting is quite low to the ground, which is something I often welcome, but the maximum isn’t all that high. And since there’s only one size of the LR002, this could cause a problem for the long-legged.

GTPlayer LR002 review: Assembly

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)
  • Light base and backrest
  • Clear instructions
  • Tight bolts

Assembling the LR002 was mostly an easy process, barring a few minor frustrations. It comes with a hex key that features a grip handle, which, while useful, was a little too short to get the leverage I hoped for when tightening the bolts.

What’s more, none of these bolts or their insert points were greased even slightly, which made them even more difficult to screw into place. Some also proved incredibly resistant to the point that I thought their threads must be misaligned.

Both the backrest and seat base are light relative to those of other gaming chairs. This is always a blessing, since wrangling these into place is nearly always the most laborious aspect of any build.

The instruction manual is largely clear, and aside from some aforementioned bold issues, installing the other elements is easy. This includes the under-seat bracket, which can sometimes be a fiddly process.

However, I found the spokes for the wheel base tough to fix to the central hub, since the bolt holes lie in a somewhat inaccessible position. The manual instructs hitting them with force to get them in place, and it’s not joking: I would take care not to damage your floor during this part of the process.

Should I buy the GTPlayer LR002?

Buy it if...

You want soft cushioning
It’s not just the seat base that’s padded: the arms and backrest are suitably plush, too, which isn’t a given.View Deal

You don’t want to spend the earth
The LR002 is certainly one of the more affordable gaming chairs out there. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re tall
There’s only one size of the LR002, and the seat doesn’t go all that high. Also, the footrest barely extends far enough for those under six feet, let alone those over it.View Deal

You prioritize adjustability
The lack of adjustments is a real weak point of the LR002. There’s no adjustment at all for the arms, and there’s no tilt function for the seat.View Deal

GTPlayer LR002 review: Also consider...

Here are some alternatives to the GTPlayer LR002 if you need more in the way of adjustability or quality:

GTPlayer LR002

Asus ROG Destrier Core Gaming Chair

Corsair TC100 Relaxed

Price

$159.99 / £149.99 / AU$703

$629.99 / £499.99 (about AU$600)

$199 / £199 / AU$399

Dimensions

58.9 x 28.3 x 20.5in / 149.5 x 72 x 52cm

53.1 x 27.8 x 24.1in / 135 x 70.7 x 61.3cm

53.5 x 23.4 x 19.7in / 136 x 59 x 50cm

Max user weight

299.8lbs / 136kg

299.8lbs / 136kg

264lbs / 120kg

Min seat height

18.7in / 47.5cm

18.5in / 47cm

17.7in / 45cm

Seat width

20in / 51cm

20in / 51cm

21.2in / 54cm (incl. bolsters), 14.2in / 36cm (excl. bolsters)

Warranty

1 year

2 years

2 years

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
The Corsair TC100 Relaxed is one of the best budget gaming chairs around, thanks to the levels of comfort and adjustability it provides for the cost. And although the arm rests aren’t 4D, they can be adjusted for both height and width, unlike the LR002’s.

Read our full Corsair TC100 Relaxed review.View Deal

Asus ROG Destrier Core
If you want something that stands out from the crowd, the Asus ROG Destrier Core is a fine choice. Its mesh back not only looks good, but it also makes the chair very breathable. The Destrier Core also has more adjustments than the LR002, including a movable headrest, which isn’t always seen on gaming chairs.

Read our full Asus ROG Destrier Core review.View Deal

How I tested the GTPlayer LR002

GT player gaming chair

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for several days
  • Used for gaming and working
  • Plentiful gaming chair experience

I tested the GTPlayer LR002 for several days. I sat in it when gaming, working, and general browsing on both desktop and laptop devices. I made sure to try every adjustment and function available.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and experienced many chairs in that time, from office to gaming models. This includes those from high-end brands, such as Steelcase and Secretlab. I’ve also reviewed a number of gaming chairs previously, running the gamut of price points and functionality.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2026.

I tried Logitech’s new G325 Lightspeed gaming headset, and it was so comfortable I forgot I was wearing it
5:00 pm | March 6, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Logitech G325 Lightspeed: Two-minute review

Logitech definitely knows the strengths of the G325 Lightspeed, its new budget wireless gaming headset.

Advertised as a model that’s “just as suitable for an OOTD selfie or wearing out and about” as gaming, the impressively lightweight design and unique look make it well worth considering if you're after something more stylish than your standard gamer fare.

This is an incredibly comfortable headset that you should have no trouble wearing for extended periods of time, whether you’re gaming or taking calls at the office. Its memory foam earcups are super soft, and the thin plastic headband is reinforced with some effective padding.

The fact that it’s made almost entirely from thin plastic means that it doesn't feel anywhere near as premium as competitors like HyperX Cloud III or Razer BlackShark V3 X, but this is a reasonable compromise given the high level of comfort the resulting lightness brings.

The Logitech G325 Lightspeed on a white table.

(Image credit: Future)

The microphone represents a similar trade-off. On one hand, I love how streamlined the built-in beamforming microphone is - in fact, it’s almost invisible aside from a tiny little grille on the left earcup. There’s no messing around with a retractable arm or removable parts that you might end up losing.

On the other hand, there’s no denying that those models with dedicated microphone arms sound much better, even if they are a bit more frustrating to use. The mic of the G325 Lightspeed picks up a lot of background noise, despite the best efforts of Logitech’s “AI-powered noise reduction”, and leaves you sounding quite distant and grainy.

It’s perfectly adequate if you’re chatting with friends on a Discord call, but there are gaming headsets with much better microphone performance out there at this price, like those aforementioned alternatives.

This is also a very basic headset when it comes to features. The built-in controls are a volume rocker, Bluetooth pairing button, microphone mute switch, and that’s your lot. The headset is compatible with Logitech’s brilliant G Hub software, but it doesn’t offer much here aside from some EQ options and a couple of extra settings. This is going to be more than enough for most casual gamers.

The sound here is also good for the asking price, but not exceptional. Like other Logitech headsets, it sounds a bit flat out of the box without much bass, but it’s decently detailed and performs well in games.

With all of this in mind, you should already know whether the G325 Lightspeed is for you. If comfort and aesthetics are your priority, it’s an easy recommendation given the relatively low asking price - but those after booming sound or a crystal clear mic are better served with other options.

The Logitech G325 Lightspeed on a white table.

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech G325 Lightspeed: Price and availability

  • Costs $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$199.95
  • Three colors available
  • One of Logitech’s cheapest wireless models

Priced at $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$199.95, the G325 Lightspeed is one of the cheapest wireless gaming headsets Logitech makes right now.

This price point puts it in budget territory and, given the brand’s frequent generous discounts on other products, I wouldn’t be surprised you could scoop it up for around the $50 / £50 / AU$95 mark in the future.

At full price, it still represents quite good value, though, with much of the cost accounted for in the wireless capabilities and attractive design. There are three colorways available: a black with subtle purple accents, white with grey and mint green highlights, and a cute lilac with hints of orange.

Logitech G325 Lightspeed: Specs

Logitech G325 Lightspeed

Price

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$199.95

Weight

7.4oz / 212g

Compatibility

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, mobile

Connection type

Wireless (Lightspeed, Bluetooth 5.2)

Battery life

~24 hours

Features

Beamforming microphone

Software

Logitech G Hub (PC / Mobile)

Logitech G325 Lightspeed: Design and features

  • Attractive overall look
  • Very lightweight
  • Basic set of features

The design of the Logitech G325 Lightspeed eschews the usual gamer aesthetic of most headsets in favor of a more subtle look.

They’re sleek and seem more like a pair of music listening headphones than a gaming headset, which I quite like. You could easily wear these out of the house or in the office without embarrassment, which is certainly one of the biggest reasons to choose this model over others.

At only 7.4oz / 212g, the G325 Lightspeed is impressively lightweight, though it’s easy to see where Logitech has made the biggest sacrifices to achieve this. The headband feels particularly thin and cheap, with lots of flex to it. Importantly, it is still comfortable thanks to generous memory foam padding. The earcups, which can be adjusted up and down by a few inches, are similarly well-padded with memory foam cushioning.

The Logitech G325 Lightspeed on a white table.

(Image credit: Future)

The right earcup is completely plain aside from some subtle G325 branding, with all of this headset’s controls located on the back of the left one. There’s a power switch (situated beneath an LED indicator to denote battery level and charging status), a Bluetooth pairing button, a volume rocker, and a button to mute the microphone with a built-in and flush design on the front of the earcup.

The headset is compatible with the Logitech G Hub app, though it doesn’t give you access to many extra features. You can turn on side tone (which lets you hear yourself as you speak) or enable the microphone’s AI noise reduction features. There are also a number of audio presets to choose from, but the default one is well-balanced and a good fit for most uses.

The Logitech G325 Lightspeed on a white table.

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech G325 Lightspeed: Performance

  • Decent, balanced sound
  • As suitable for office work as gaming
  • Microphone could be better

Like other Logitech gaming headsets, the G325 Lightspeed sounds quite neutral out of the box. There is definitely some bass, but not overemphasized, and the mids and highs are decently presented. Is it the most detailed or breathtaking sound I’ve ever heard? No, but it’s firmly in line with what you should expect at this price.

I’ve been using the Logitech G325 Lightspeed for a few weeks now, and I never found the listening experience unpleasant, even when bobbing along to music as I worked. In games, the sound is more than sufficient for an enjoyable experience for a casual player, and this has been my go-to throughout my recent co-op playthrough of Resident Evil 6 and daily Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 matches.

Although I do have access to much better-sounding models, the ease of use of this one, not to mention the sheer comfort, is hard to argue with. Just plug the USB dongle in, and you’re ready to go.

I even like the built-in microphone despite its obvious flaws, too. This is not a gaming headset that you should use to start your streaming career, but the fact that the microphone is always present and incredibly unobtrusive is a plus. When I’m using the Astro A20 X, for example, I always have to dig the removable microphone out of my drawer and consciously attach it to my headset before I play - often struggling to find it in the process. Here, you just put the headset on, and you’re ready to go.

I do wish it did a better job of picking up your voice, though. I found that I often sounded quite quiet in comparison to other headsets, with a noticeably grainy quality to my voice. It also lets in an awful lot of background noise, with everything from typing to controller button presses picked up. This is easy to remedy with something like the Krisp noise suppression built into Discord, but still a clear area for improvement.

The battery life here isn’t anything special, but it’s good enough. Logitech claims that this headset will last more than 24 hours at 50% volume, and, in normal use, I found that it easily lasted about 20 hours at a time.

The Logitech G325 Lightspeed on a white table.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Logitech G325 Lightspeed?

Buy it if…

You want a light and comfortable headset
The Logitech G325 Lightspeed is incredibly comfortable thanks to its lightweight and generous memory foam padding. It’s one to choose if you want something that you can wear for hours and hours at a time.

You love the look
This headset also has quite a unique look that’s very different from most gaming models. Pick it up if you want something understated.

Don’t buy it if…

You need better sound
The sound here is good, but you can still get better performers for around the same price from brands like Razer or HyperX - especially if you don’t mind going for a wired alternative.

You want a great mic
The microphone here could do with some work. It gets the job done, but the performance isn’t as good as most models with a microphone arm.

Also consider...

Not sold on the Logitech G325 Lightspeed? See these two alternatives.

Logitech G325 Lightspeed

Razer BlackShark V3 X

HyperX Cloud III

Price

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$199.95

$99.99 / £99.99 / around AU$141

$99.99 / about £99.99 / AU$150

Weight

7.4oz / 212g

9.5oz / 270g

10.9oz / 310g

Compatibility

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, mobile

PC, Xbox Series X/S (Xbox version), Playstation 4/5, (PlayStation version), mobile

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, mobile

Connection type

Wireless (Lightspeed, Bluetooth 5.2)

2.4 GHz Wireless / Bluetooth / USB Wired

Wired (3.5mm)

Battery life

~24 hours

70 hours

N/A

Features

Beamforming microphone

7.1 virtual surround sound, unidirectional detachable cardioid mic

Detachable 10mm mic, DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio

Software

Logitech G Hub (PC / Mobile)

Razer Synapse (PC)

HyperX NGENUITY (PC)

Razer BlackShark V3 X
This budget-oriented BlackShark headset from Razer is more expensive and heavier than the G325, but it offers significantly better battery life and much punchier sound, not to mention plenty more features.

For more information, check out our full Razer BlackShark V3 X review

HyperX Cloud III
The HyperX Cloud III might be getting on in years, but it’s still a top contender and regularly on sale for around the same price as the G325. It’s wired, but it comes with a phenomenal microphone.

For more information, check out our full HyperX Cloud III reviewView Deal

How I tested the Logitech G325 Lightspeed

  • Tested for multiple weeks
  • Used with PC, PS5, and Xbox
  • Relied on for both work and play

I tested the Logitech G325 Lightspeed for multiple weeks, using it as my primary wireless gaming headset for both work and play.

I used it with my PC in addition to my PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, squeezing in plenty of game time with friends to test out the built-in mic. I also wore it daily while working, wearing it for online meetings and while listening to music, and found it to be a worthy companion.

I frequently compared its performance to a range of other models that I’ve tested, including the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, Astro A20 X, and SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, plus more premium alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and Astro A50 X.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February-March 2026

I’ve spent 40 hours cracking skulls and casting spells from behind Avowed’s Quarterstaff, and Obsidian’s action role-playing game is better than ever on PlayStation 5
4:00 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Following in the footsteps of Stalker: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed is another former Xbox-exclusive that has made its way to PlayStation platforms a year after its initial release.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: February 17, 2026

Similar to those titles, Obsidian Entertainment's fantasy action role-playing game isn't just sloppy seconds on the PS5 and PS5 Pro, but rather the definitive edition of an already fantastic experience.

Avowed's arrival on Sony's consoles not only benefits from a year's worth of additional polish and bug fixes, but also plenty of fresh content and PlayStation-specific bells and whistles, like brilliant DualSense Wireless Controller integration.

DuelSense-fueled fighting

Avowed player character attacking a skeletal wizard with a war hammer.

(Image credit: Microsoft / Obsidian Entertainment)

While I began an Avowed playthrough on my Xbox Series X a year ago, I didn't get to dig very deep into its rich, potential-packed universe. What I remember most from my brief time braving the Living Lands as an envoy of the Aedyr Empire is the game's rewarding combat, which feels better than ever on the PS5.

Fast, fluid, and superbly supported by weighty impacts of blades, bullets, and arcane abilities, the monster-slaying action was already satisfying as hell. But the combat's been amped up significantly thanks to the DualSense's immersion-ratcheting capabilities.

Obsidian didn't sleep on the gamepad's proprietary tech, fully leveraging its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to make every input – from meaty melee strikes to slow simmering spells – feel as fantastic in your hands as they look on the screen.

Of course, this also folds in that fresh content I mentioned above, as the game's massive anniversary update introduces a new Quarterstaff for wizard builds. No mere reskin of an existing melee weapon, this two-handed tool of destruction allows mages to crack skulls up-close – as well as unleash powerful spells – in an epic fashion that'd make Gandalf proud.

Coupled with its next-level DualSense effects, it's quickly become my favorite way to bring death to the Living Lands.

An update worthy of the gods

An Avowed location showing off a serene pond and a mountain in the background.

(Image credit: Microsoft / Obsidian Entertainment)

While the Quarterstaff is my personal favorite addition, this sorcerer's best friend barely scratches the surface of the brimming update.

A deep photo mode – with plenty of options for customizing effects, filters, and color gradients – as well as a New Game+ option, will keep both existing envoys and new recruits busy. Beyond that, a trio of new races – Orlans, Aumaua, and Dwarves – join the Humans and Elves, bringing more character customization, perks, and fresh personality and lore to this already layered fantasy universe.

Best bit

Wielding Avowed's new Quarterstaff weapon feels fantastic, allowing mage-leaning envoys to fluidly mix magic and melee attacks. More than just a flashy new tool to test out and toss back in my inventory, the two-handed death-dealer changed the way I approached combat, while also making the game's excellent enemy encounters even more engaging.

A slew of new difficulty modifiers also invite adventurers of all skill levels to tweak and tailor their experience to their hearts' content. Factor in the past year of smaller updates – adding everything from polish, bug fixes, and quality of life touches – and PlayStation fans are getting yet another definitive take on a title that was born on Xbox.

If the PlayStation version stumbles at all, it's in its lack of PS5 Pro-specific enhancements. It packs the now-standard quality (30 frames per second) and performance (60 frames per second) options, as well as a more in-the-middle setting for those with 120Hz displays. You can also chase faster performance by unlocking the frame rate, a welcome inclusion for sure. But there are no meaty ray-tracing features or other enhancements that allow you to truly harness everything under the Pro's hood.

And what is offered didn't seem to make much of an impact during my testing. In terms of both visuals and performance, my time playing on the Pro looked and felt pretty comparable to my Xbox Series X experience. Similarly, the standard PS5 and Pro seem to offer near-identical visual quality and performance, with no notable differences between the two.

Don't sleep on it a second time

Avowed

(Image credit: Microsoft)

While Pro owners might pine for more features to justify their pricey hardware purchase, the finger can be partially pointed at the fact that Avowed already played smoothly and impressed visually upon its release a year ago. That same sentiment translates to many other elements of the game, including its fantastic storytelling, colorful character interactions, and vibrant, varied world, covered extensively in TechRadar Gaming's original review of the game.

Unsurprisingly, upon its release, Avowed was another compelling, polished action-RPG from a studio that's been honing and perfecting its craft for over two decades, starting with 2004's Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Sadly, it got somewhat lost in the sea of last year's acclaimed genre entries.

Thankfully, that oversight can now be remedied with its PS5 release, which not only reintroduces everything that was great the first time we faced its fungal plague but also brings a brimming treasure chest of fresh features, enhancements, and content.

Whether you're a PlayStation owner craving the most immersive experience from behind the DualSense or an existing envoy ready to wield the Quarterstaff as one of the new races, Avowed's second coming is as impressive as a Living Lands sunset…which you'll definitely want to capture in photo mode.

Should you play Avowed on PS5?

Play it if...

You missed out on Avowed the first time
Given the glut of awesome RPGs that landed last year, you could be forgiven for overlooking Avowed's original release. That said, there's no excuse not to jump in now, as one of 2025's best genre entries is better than ever. If you're a fantasy RPG fan who missed this one the first time around, you're in for a real treat.

You've played Avowed, but have been craving fresh content
Even if you've already conquered the Dreamscourge, Avowed's anniversary update is reason enough to dive back in. Its New Game+, photo mode, and a trio of additional races offer fresh ways to experience the game, while its awesome, two-handed Quarterstaff is worth the price of admission (which is free if you already own the game) for wizard-wannabes.

You don't own an Xbox
If you're a PlayStation stalwart pining for a new action-RPG, Avowed has you covered and then some. Like last year's Stalker: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Obsidian's fantasy-fueled romp is another previous Xbox exclusive that arguably plays better on Sony's console thanks to its immersion-cranking controller.

Don't play it if...

You're a PlayStation 5 Pro owner looking to justify your purchase
Avowed offers up a visual feast running at a peppy framerate on the PS5 Pro, but the same can largely be said for its standard PS5 and Xbox Series X versions. If you're looking for meaningful Pro features and enhancements, you won't find them here.

Avowed player character fights a bear with a sword and spellbook

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Accessibility features

Prior to its PS5 release, Avowed already offered an admirable slate of accessibility options for camera adjustments, subtitle settings, difficulty levels, and even an arachnophobia mode for those averse to creepy crawlies. But the game's new version builds further on this solid foundation, especially in the difficulty department.

A new "custom" difficulty setting allows players to tweak over two dozen modifiers, adjusting everything from player damage and stamina to carrying capacity, enemy attack speed, and much more. But while Avowed more than delivers in most accessibility areas, it still doesn't offer the suite of colorblind options that have become pretty standard in other games.

How I reviewed Avowed on PS5

I explored The Living Lands for just over 40 hours, adventuring primarily on my PlayStation 5 Pro, but also putting plenty of time into my standard PS5 and Xbox Series X for visual and performance comparisons. I found the best, most balanced experience playing on my Pro in quality mode with the framerate unlocked.

I focused on testing the game's anniversary update additions, specifically its custom difficulty settings, new Quarterstaff weapon, races, and photo mode. I played primarily on my budget TCL 4K display, with HDR enabled and using its built-in stereo speakers, paying particular attention to the game's DualSense controller integration for vibration and audio effects. I also played a few hours on my PlayStation Portal with PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds.

First reviewed February 2026

WWE 2K26 review: The game keeps getting better, the monetization keeps getting worse
2:00 pm | March 5, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

My favorite thing about WWE 2K26 is a relatively minor feature. At the start of every match, you get the choice of what actions your character will take. Do you bumrush your opponent and try to knock them down out of the gate? Do you go in for a staredown or a handshake? Or do you hang back and play to the crowd? Yearly sports games don't tend to feature massive overhauls, but this implementation of a little bit of psychology shows me that deep down, Visual Concepts gets it.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: March 13, 2026 (Early access on March 6, 2026)

Since returning with WWE 2K22, these games have gotten steadily better with each release, and WWE 2K26 is no different. The grappling feels better thanks to the aforementioned change and an updated stamina system that forces you to play tactically; the roster is huge, and the updated match types are mostly winners. But as is the tale with the WWE 2K series, its improvements are undercut by what feels like new ways to make money.

Hotdogging and grandstanding

In-game screenshots from wrestling game WWE 2K26, showing wrestlers in the ring, making entrances, and the arena

(Image credit: Visual Concepts/2K)

One major change to WWE 2K26 is the absence of the traditional "buy a pack, get x wrestlers" DLC model. This year introduces the ringside pass, of which there will be 6 across the entire year. There's also a free route, which is how you unlock WWE Legends this year as opposed to previous years, where there was an in-game shop or unlock-everything DLC to grab. I don't blindly hate battle passes in games, but in 30 hours of playing WWE 2K26, I've barely hit the halfway point of the first pass.

Sure, there are ways to gain levels faster, such as your MyRise playthrough or Showcase mode – the latter of which is one-and-done – while the quickest ways seem to be through The Island and MyFaction, two modes that are playable without spending a penny but far easier for those who do invest. Paired with the ability to buy level skips, it feels like a rough trade from simply getting the characters you pay for – especially when there are still characters locked to MyFaction card drops through random number generating (RNG) on top of that. And while you can complete these battle passes at any time across the year, you can only work towards one at a time, meaning anyone who isn't playing consistently from day one will get left behind.

This is paired with another symptom of the yearly sports release, that some things just don't get touched. Aside from the ability to book intergender matches, MyGM – which should be my favorite mode as someone who was begging for a booker mode in these games from 2008-2022 – remains practically unchanged from WWE 2K25, and thus my same issues persist (namely, the super restrictive class and alignment systems).

Best in the World

In-game screenshots from wrestling game WWE 2K26, showing wrestlers in the ring, making entrances, and the arena

(Image credit: Visual Concepts/2K)

The highlight of this year's modes is 2K Showcase – the yearly mode focusing on a story, be that of a wrestler, a family, or a show in which you play recreations of classic matches – with this year's focusing on cover star CM Punk. While there are some notable omissions from the mode, like the absence of Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan from WWE, stopping those feuds from being included, it's a lengthy selection that covers the bases.

Punk notably had a very public falling out with WWE in 2014 before returning in 2023, and part of this year's Showcase is imagining what would happen if he didn't leave. These include the likes of his planned showdown with Triple H at Wrestlemania 30, taking on AJ Styles at his first Wrestlemania, and fighting Bray Wyatt as The Fiend. These are the absolute highlights of this mode and made me wish deep down we could've seen them happen in real life.

I typically prefer MyRise – a storyline featuring a created character – most years, but sadly, I'm a bit let down by this year's edition. Don't get me wrong, The Comeback and the story of The Archetype is one of the best stories told in the series to date, but you can feel the budget ripped out of this mode as you play.

As opposed to the separate men's and women's division stories of previous years, it's pretty much the exact same story across both, with recurring dialogue and events, just with women instead of men in roles. And like last year, side quests are gone entirely; instead, you play Rise matches, which are simple exhibition matches against wrestlers to earn stars. These are fine as a side thing to buff your character, but you're forced to play them between pretty much every main storyline, and it feels like tedious, artificial padding.

Boy Stable

In-game screenshots from wrestling game WWE 2K26, showing wrestlers in the ring, making entrances, and the arena

(Image credit: Visual Concepts/2K)

After hating it last year (I called it "a superfluous mode that feels focused on money"), The Island returns this year, and shockingly, it feels a lot more interesting. Instead of still images and text, the mode features actual cutscenes this year, making it feel like an extension of MyRise in ways.

But once again, you create a new character for The Island, and this character’s stats are upgraded via VC – the game’s premium paid currency, which can also be earned in-game. So if you want to play one of the mode's towers, which challenge you to play a gauntlet of matches on one health bar, you're going to have a far rougher time with your base stats. Plus, you can battle other players online on The Island, and I don't need to tell you that the person who spends money will have a better time.

Best Bit

In-game screenshots from wrestling game WWE 2K26, showing wrestlers in the ring, making entrances, and the arena

(Image credit: Visual Concepts/2K)

The CM Punk Showcase mode, filling in the blanks of his decade-long WWE absence, was filled with genuinely great 'What If?' moments, like him retiring Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 35 or answering John Cena's US title open challenge.

But ultimately, I think, why would I want to spend money on this? I received a review code for the Monday Night Wars Edition of the game, which comes with a substantial amount of VC anyway, but I still feel like I'm wasting it to buff up a character I frankly don't care about. And given MyRise has gotten smaller both years The Island has been included, I can't say I'm a fan of this tradeoff from one of my favorite modes to one I can't see myself thinking about too often.

I'd much rather save the VC for MyFaction – the game's Ultimate Team equivalent. But not because I'm madly into MyFaction, but because exclusive versions of superstars are often locked behind this mode's RNG. Do you want Drew McIntyre's 2010 version with his fantastic theme song? Better hope you get him. What about Booker T's iconic King Booker gimmick? Well, you're going to need to get five Oddities cards, which are random drops. Plus, you straight up can't play certain missions or challenges without having access to certain cards, so get spending, I guess.

WWE 2K26 continues the series tradition of frustrating me with every entry. There's a fantastic wrestling game in there; the roster is great, the showcase is an excellent piece of throwback and fantasy about one of the best wrestlers of all time, and MyRise continues to be a fun story despite feeling majorly cut back. But the Ringside Pass is another red flag on top of the existing red flags of previous years and something that will need to be significantly tweaked for me to consider it a suitable replacement for the previous method.

Should you play WWE 2K26?

Play it if...

You want a great wrestling game
WWE 2K26 is great grappler that improves upon last year's entry in solid iterative ways. It's not going to be a major overhaul for series regulars, but smart changes make for a more engaging battle system. And there's a lot of it among the specific modes.

You're a fan of wrestling history
The CM Punk Showcase mode is already a brilliant edition in its own right, but the inclusion of those "what if I never left" matches offers an interesting take on what is one of the most significant events in wrestling history.

Don't play it if...

You get fomo
You won't unlock everything in WWE 2K26. It's updated all year with new exclusive characters locked to MyFaction cards, and with the addition of grindy battle passes this year, that's only going to get worse.

You're extremely averse to microtransactions
You can play WWE 2K26 entirely without spending a penny, but some of the modes are made far more accessible and easier for those willing to put a bit of coin in.

Accessibility features

WWE 2K26's accessibility features are mainly focused around mini-games. You can change the timing-based pinfall minigame to a rapid press motion if you please, or change the rapid press submission game to a slider, alongside the option to include held inputs for both, but these won't be changed for any online modes. Outside of that, there's not much to write home about, with four difficulty options and manual AI sliders. However, there are no options for colorblindness, unfortunately.

How I reviewed WWE 2K26

I played 30 hours of WWE 2K26 on PS5 Pro using a DualSense Wireless Controller, and an LG C5 OLED TV with its built-in sound.

During this time, I played all of Showcase mode, a Babyface men's division run of MyRise, and the first few chapters of a Heel women's division run. I played a few months of My GM and Universe mode, a few chapters of The Island, and about four hours of MyFaction – mostly the towers. I also played a good few regular matches along the way.

First reviewed February-March 2026

Pokémon Pokopia is my favorite Nintendo game in years, but its ‘narcissistic’ Pokémon are too polite for my liking
4:00 pm | March 2, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Comments: Off

Pokémon Pokopia has been somewhat of a mystery since its first announcement; it was evidently set to be a cozy game, but of what variety few could tell. Well, the answer is here; it’s part life sim, part town-building sim, part sandbox, and 100% great fun.

Nintendo passing the reins to Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force for this proved wise; their experience in making Dragon Quest Builders 2 proved invaluable in balancing Pokopia’s Animal Crossing-like cuteness and coziness with a solid storyline and satisfying gameplay loop. It's most certainly one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: March 5, 2025

As you’d expect, there’s always at least a little room for improvement, but overall, I am solidly impressed with the results; I found Pokopia incredibly hard to put down, and considering I’ve been working on a deadline to write up my review, that’s proved problematic!

Some prospective fans might be surprised to find that Pokopia is pretty story-driven; there’s ample side-questing, construction work, and resource collection to be enjoyed, too, but you’ll need to progress through the main quest lines to unlock new powers, areas, and Pokémon. While I love a sandbox game, the story focus of Pokopia really helps draw out the experience; had I not been working to a deadline, I could have comfortably enjoyed the first chapter (which I completed in roughly eight hours) for thrice as long.

I’m willing to hedge my bets that this will be a hugely popular title for the Nintendo Switch 2, and perhaps even a system seller; limited perhaps only by the fact that non-Pokémon fans might assume you’d need to love the monster-collecting role-playing games to enjoy Pokopia. Sure, you might miss out on a few references here and there, but I’d point any cozy game lover in the direction of Pokopia in a heartbeat.

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

Kanto region as you’ve never seen it before

In Pokopia, you play as a Ditto who awakens to a post-apocalyptic and alarmingly underpopulated world. It’s your mission to restore the land to its former glory, entice back the missing Pokémon, and perhaps, even, the humans that seem to have completely vanished without a trace. It’s a great concept with some surprisingly dark undertones, though no more sinister than movies like WALL-E, which broach similar topics.

For the uninitiated, the Ditto species has the ability to transform into other creatures; it’s relatively rare that the ability is used to transform into humans, but this particular Ditto, longing for its long-lost trainer, can maintain their former partner’s human form. Even more unusually, it’s able to concurrently mimic other Pokémon’s abilities, and it’s with these powers you’ll terraform the land around you. By all accounts, it seems like we’re in the Kanto region; in-game clues hint as much, though I’ve not reached a point in the main storyline where there’s absolute confirmation on that.

There’s a solid variety of really useful skills on offer, from Bulbasaur’s grass-growing Leafage to the power to glide acquired later in the game. These scale with you as your adventure progresses in a really satisfying way, speeding up the rate at which you can improve the environment and travel around the world. They do come with limitations; you’ve got a PP meter that refills each day, however, it’s pretty easy to refuel.

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

To learn these abilities, Ditto needs to see them in action, so the first call to order is creating habitats that missing Pokémon can live in. As you explore the various locations in the game, you’ll find hints for different habitats, which use a combination of natural objects like rocks, trees, flowers, and tall grass, environmental factors like height, as well as man-made furnishings to lure home different species.

Many are relatively easy to form, but some will require you to find or build items. I’d wager that despite powering through the storyline, I’m only about halfway through both the Pokédex and Habitat dex; there’s a lot of content to enjoy here.

It takes a village

The rarity of the Pokémon dictates how quickly it will appear, but after some waiting, different species will arrive and offer their support to Ditto as it works to improve the local towns. Each Pokémon has abilities to help these efforts; some can refine items like bricks and ingots, others can join your party to help as you quest around town, and some just know how to bring a great vibe to any function with abilities like Hype. Each have their own likes and dislikes, too, when it comes to decor.

Much like in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there are archetypes for characters and dialogue, and while there are lots of different topics, there’s a fair amount of duplication in line delivery when you stop to chat with Pokémon. It’s somewhat understandable given just how many species there are, but it’s frustratingly close to nailing it. The first time you meet a Pokémon, there’s a unique interaction that gives you a good idea of the wide-ranging personalities of these species, only to be quickly traded for more generic interactions. Conversations between other Pokémon are pretty consistently charming, at least, and show off their unique qualities much better.

Plus, there’s a distinct lack of sass here, too; you’re told Pokémon like Dartrix are “narcissistic” in the Pokédex, and yet he’s sweet as pie most of the time when you interact. Given there are so many mischievous, egotistical, and even downright aggressive Pokémon species, this feels like another missed opportunity from Nintendo to bring back some bite to its characters.

Best bit

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

Listening in as Kricketot helped Diglett find his groove in an impromptu jam sesh. So. Darn. CUTE. I also love the photo opportunities to capture various Pokémon hanging out in the wild.

Still, I love that the Pokémon walk around your town, interacting with furnishings and decor you’ve placed as well as eachother. Sometimes they’ll bound over to you for a chat, to make a request or even to play a minigame like hide and seek – while these are pretty easy, it’s nice to break away and build your relationships. The world feels really lively, and I wasn’t convinced it would from early game footage nor my demo experience last month; I’m always glad to be wrong in moments like this.

Some smaller details like this do get lost in the mix; for example, sometimes, you might struggle to find a specific Pokémon you need. Presumably to offload the weight of having lots of Pokémon in one area at once, sometimes the game will remove residents from the world – but they also can just have strayed far from home. I happened to notice that it was possible to use the Pokédex to search for them around the map, and it’s only through an item description that I learned you could use honey on a habitat to summon its resident back into the world. Missing these tips meant I spent a good few hours earlier in my gameplay running in circles, ironically, trying to find Far’fetchd.

Broadly, though, the game handles these quality-of-life features and attention to detail incredibly well, and feels like Nintendo learned a lot of huge lessons from the early versions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, even if I can still foresee an impatient younger player missing a trick or two and facing some frustration off the back of it.

Make a house a home

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

The centrepiece of each town is its Pokémon center, which you’ll need to rebuild; thankfully, the PC stationed nearby grants access to the Poké Life app, where you’ll find daily challenges and shop items to help on your journey as well as launch multiplayer modes and claim rewards.

Broadly, you progress through the game by improving the town’s environment level, which can also be tracked on the PC. You accomplish this by improving the habitats of your new pals; each day, they’ll request everything from decor to environmental changes, and meeting their demands will help you level up. You might find that these satisfaction levels even change for the worse if, for example, it starts raining and your fire Pokémon doesn’t have shelter, so it’s well worth checking in every day to see how things are changing for your Poképals.

If a Pokémon’s natural habitat just isn’t working out, that’s fine too; you can build everything from quick and space-efficient shanty huts for smaller species to grander block houses that multiple Pokémon can call home. Making your own structures and placing blocks can be a teensy bit fiddly at times, especially if you’re repairing pathways or dealing with larger-scale buildings, but you can use mouse mode, which allows for a little more fine motor control. Personally, I didn’t get on with this control system; however, I have dyspraxia, so I struggle with mouse mode at the best of times. I can see some players finding it useful, though.

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

There are also ample opportunities for customization, especially when it comes to building. I think players are going to have a lot of fun with this feature, which will be massively appreciated when it comes to the multiplayer experience, where players can show off their home islands.

Plus, some great tech mechanics make building much more than a cosmetic exercise, some of which I’ve barely scratched the surface of; from minecarts to electricity circuits and beyond, it will take a lot to recreate the world as humans left it. Thankfully, Drifloon can whisk you away to a different dream island every day, where you can gather more resources if you’re running dry.

Strafing difficulty levels

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

Overall, the game is quite well balanced in terms of difficulty, but there are a lot of shortcuts you can figure out to speed your way through questlines and unlock more powerful moves more quickly.

The real-time element of the game is great for pacing, but it does have its quirks. Certain tasks like teams of Pokémon taking on construction work or processing materials, make you wait for the results, but in both cases, you can still make use of the Pokémon for other tasks at the same time, unless they’re operating machinery. And anyway, it’s actually pretty easy to build multi-resident houses yourself in Pokopia; all you really need is a one-block high wall, a doorway, three pieces of furniture, and voila, you can move in a few Pokémon and more quickly improve their satisfaction levels.

Plus, ome Pokémon abilities are pretty busted. You can bring most plant-type Pokémon along with you to any vegetable gardens you’ve planted and use their abilities to speed up crop growth – sure, they might run out of energy, but a quick Leppa berry sees them hop straight back to work. I’d have preferred it if, like with furnaces and other workstations, farming had been an assignable task, as its current setup somewhat flies in the face of the real-time cycle.

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

These kinds of min/maxing workarounds are often tantalizing, but it’s up to you as the player to moderate yourself and choose to enjoy the non-demanding pace Pokopia offers. Perhaps the game could have a few more guardrails, but it doesn’t make it any worse to play unless you’re looking for reasons to rush through.

Besides, there’s just so much to do in Pokopia. You want to build a museum and proudly display your collectibles? You got it. Want to focus on rebuilding all that which the humans left behind? There’s plenty of ruins to go around. Want to shirk off Ditto’s mission and just create 3D models of Pokémon out of dirt blocks? You do you, boo boo.

Most of my issues with this game have been surface-level, really; the attention to detail here is fantastic, it’s consistently great fun to play, and brimming with evident care for the now-30-year-old franchise.

Every aspect of Pokopia feels like a warm hug; the graphics are super cute, the interfaces are clean, the music is bright and comforting, and it’s full of life. It’s a breath of fresh air to have a spin-off that adds so much to the already-teeming world of Pokémon, and I, for one, am incredibly excited to see how players design their own cities and islands.

Should you play Pokémon Pokopia?

Play it if...

You love a peaceful adventure
Part life-sim, part sandbox, part town-building sim, there’s a lot to love about Pokémon Pokopia and very little to raise your blood pressure.

You’re craving some self-expression
From character design to furnishings to building materials and beyond, you can really make the world of Pokémon feel like your own with very few restrictions.

You want an environmental feast
Pokopia is so darn cute to look at. Cutesy pastel hues, animated and vibrant Pokémon, and a great stripped-back soothing soundtrack make it a wonderful and immersive cozy experience.

Don't play it if...

You want Pokémon battles
While even I hoped for some semblance of classic Pokémon fighting, in a trainer-less world, it makes little sense to include any fighting mechanics.

You have poor self-control
The worst thing about this game, really, is that it’s easy to work around a lot of its real-time restrictions. If, like me, you’ve got poor impulse control and crave the dopamine hit of completed tasks, you might struggle to enjoy the slow pace – but there’s still plenty to enjoy.

Accessibility features

There are many of the standard expected accessibility features: text speed, customizable controls, camera speed and distance controls, as well as auto-adjust/follow.

However, outside of these, there’s little on offer; I’d expect and hope at the very least for font size adjustments, control sensitivity, UI settings, and closed captions for in-game sound effects, which would drastically improve the experience for a wide range of prospective players. I really hope these come in a future update.

Screenshots from Pokémon Pokopia

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

How I reviewed Pokémon Pokopia

I spent 40 hours playing Pokémon Pokopia on my Nintendo Switch 2, working my way through as much of the main quest as possible in that time while also working towards rebuilding the various towns to my taste. I completed most of the early-game side quests, gathered a sizeable chunk of collectibles, and created a wide variety of habitats for my Pokémon.

I mostly played in docked mode, playing with my Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and using standard settings on my Sony KD-49XH8096 TV, using Logitech Multimedia Z200 speakers or my Corsair Void MAX Wireless v2, but I also spent around 6 hours in handheld mode and tried mouse mode for easier block placement.

I compared my experience with Pokémon Pokopia to some of my favorite cozy, sandbox, and town-building games, from titles like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, and Terraria to Animal Crossing: New Horizons and games from the Two Point tycoon series.

The GameSir G7 Pro is one of the brand’s most customizable models yet, and it’s fantastic
2:00 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

GameSir G7 Pro: one-minute review

GameSir is a controller brand that’s only gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Reliably offering forward-thinking controllers for Xbox and Switch consoles as well as PC and mobile, they’re (typically) competitively priced and offer more features and longevity than even first-party gamepads.

That trend continues with the GameSir G7 Pro, which has easily entered my top three on the GameSir tier list alongside the GameSir Tarantula Pro and GameSir Kaleid. Many of the features that make those other two pads so desirable are present and accounted for here: Hall effect sticks that prevent drift, as well as fantastic trigger lock and remappable button options.

On top of that, the G7 Pro leans into modularity. Similar to the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded or Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E., the G7 Pro has swappable d-pad and stick top modules (though the extra stick tops here are identical and act more like spares). You’ve also got the option to swap out the controller’s face and grip plates, though that’s strictly for cosmetic purposes.

Almost everything about the controller exudes quality; I’d use the G7 Pro over the official option any day. The only slight misstep here that prevents it from earning a perfect five stars, for me, is the face buttons. While using tactile micro switch tech like others in the GameSir lineup, these have a strange halfway bump that makes for a pretty lumpy press feel. It’s something you’ll likely get used to over time, but I definitely prefer the cleaner presses found on the GameSir Kaleid and competing pads like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.

GameSir G7 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir G7 Pro: Price and availability

  • List price: $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)
  • Available to buy now at GameSir’s website, as well as Amazon
  • Multiple colorways and special editions exist at various price points

The standard GameSir G7 Pro comes in at $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114), slightly pricier than most other GameSir models, though this is understandable when taking the additional modularity into account.

Many colorways and special editions are available for the G7 Pro, some based on games developed by teams in China, including Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Zenless Zone Zero. The latter even includes a layered keychain and is the one I received for this review.

As mentioned, prices vary for these special editions, and you can also pick up compatible face plates and stick tops from the GameSir website if you so desire.

GameSir G7 Pro: specs

Price

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

Dimensions

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

Weight

9.6oz / 272g

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 12 hours

GameSir G7 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir G7 Pro: design and features

Like many controllers in the ‘Designed for Xbox’ stable, the GameSir G7 Pro bears the approximate silhouette of the Xbox Wireless Controller. It’s a similar size and weight, but there are a number of improvements here that put the G7 Pro lightyears ahead of the official model.

From a pure look and feel perspective, I love this thing. The swappable faceplates add a good bit of personality and put forward a more cost-effective solution than Xbox’s own Design Lab, if you’re into the cosmetics of a controller, of course. The rubberized grips on the rear of the pad are sublime, too; among the sturdiest and most comfortable I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

Staying on the rear of the controller for a second, you have a pair of remappable buttons that are strictly optional; you can flick a small switch on either side to fully lock the button, preventing you from pressing it if you’d prefer. You’ll also find the trigger lock toggles back here, as well as a switch for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity options.

The front of the pad is pretty standard stuff. You have an Xbox-like asymmetrical stick layout here, as well as the d-pad, face buttons, and Home and share buttons. A Multifunction button also exists here, as it does on other GameSir controllers.

This is immediately useful if you want to make quick and simple adjustments, such as headset and mic volume adjustment, and remappable button assignment. You can do all this in the GameSir Nexus app on Xbox and PC, too, but having on-device shortcuts in addition to that is a real boon.

GameSir G7 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir G7 Pro: performance

Once again, GameSir has provided a near-luxurious play experience at a mid-range price with the G7 Pro. Hall effect sticks are pretty standard nowadays (and arguably expected), but they’re here and feel great nonetheless.

One thing that really impressed me about the G7 Pro is its trigger locks. Again, nothing new, but I almost always prefer the tighter press of a digital trigger if given the option. On the G7 Pro, they work flawlessly, and it offers one of the most tactile and responsive digital trigger options in the business.

Immediacy really is the keyword here. The micro switch-powered d-pad, as well as the claw grip bumpers and rear remappable buttons, all offer such clicky and immediate responsiveness that I can highly recommend this controller if you’re a competitive gamer.

The one misstep here has to be the face buttons, though, and it’s a real shame they don’t feel quite as nice as everything else on the G7 Pro. Here, as mentioned above, there’s an awkward half-press that makes the face buttons feel uncomfortably bumpy at first. I got used to it after some time with the controller, but the quality of them here is a noticeable step down from the brand’s other products.

On battery life, I managed roughly 12 hours on a single charge. That’s about average for wireless controllers at this price point, so no real complaints here. The inclusion of a charging dock is a really nice touch, and I found that it charges the controller fairly quickly, going from empty to full in about two hours.

GameSir G7 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the GameSir G7 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a controller that’s all about responsiveness
Immediacy really is the name of the game here. From the optional digital trigger locks to the d-pad and bumpers, everything about the G7 Pro is so tactile and clicky. It’s one of the most satisfying controller experiences I’ve had in quite a while.

You enjoy controller customization
Swappable face plates are a nice touch with the G7 Pro. GameSir sells a range of designs separately, making it easy to find a style that suits your preferences.

Don't buy it if...

Those face buttons sound annoying to you
Really the only downside of the G7 Pro is its face buttons. They just feel a little awkward and out of place compared to the immediacy and responsiveness of the rest of the pad’s modules. While far from unusable - and certainly not unresponsive - the relatively spongy feel is a letdown here.

Also consider...

If the GameSir G7 Pro isn’t quite what you’re after, here are a couple more recommendations that might fit your preferences a little better.

GameSir G7 Pro

8BitDo Ultimate 2

GameSir Tarantula Pro

Price

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)

Dimensions

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm

Weight

9.6oz / 272g

8.7oz / 246g

11.52oz / 325g

Compatibility

PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile

PC, Nintendo Switch

PC, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

PC, Android (Switch version sold separately)

PC, Switch, Switch 2, Android, iOS

Battery life

Around 12 hours

10-15 hours

Around 12 hours

8BitDo Ultimate 2
Arguably the best controller in 8BitDo’s repertoire, it offers drift-eliminating TMR thumbsticks, improved remappable buttons, eye-catching RGB ring lights, and a sublimely smooth play experience overall. I highly recommend this one if you’re in the market for an affordable yet feature-rich PC controller.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review

GameSir Tarantula Pro
One of my favorite GameSir pads, the Tarantula Pro adopts a symmetrical stick layout like PlayStation’s DualSense Wireless Controller. You’re also getting high-quality TMR sticks here, and the build quality feels wonderfully premium despite the relatively affordable price.

Read our full GameSir Tarantula Pro review

How I tested the GameSir G7 Pro

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Primarily tested on PC with both wireless and wired connections
  • Played a wide variety of single and multiplayer games

My GameSir G7 Pro testing largely took place on PC, using the controller in both wired and wireless capacities. As a fan of the best fighting games, I found the G7 Pro, its circular d-pad, and clicky remappable buttons, to be a wonderful fit for Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

I also got plenty of use out of its digital trigger option, allowing for quick and responsive access to alternate hotbars in Final Fantasy 14 Online.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January-February 2026

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