Organizer
Gadget news
Sniper Elite: Resistance review: more of the same, and that’s great
5:00 pm | January 27, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

When Sniper Elite 5 was released back in 2022, it really felt like Rebellion had finally nailed down its World War 2 stealth sim. Clearly, the team felt the same way as Sniper Elite: Resistance is more of Sniper Elite 5.

This time around the mantle is handed over to Karl’s long-time co-op partner Harry Hawker, who just so happens to also be on a mission in France in 1944. Despite feeling like a bit of an expansion pack, Sniper Elite: Resistance is a full-blown entry, with even more to do than in the previous game.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC (Via Steam)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: January 28, 2025

In typical Sniper Elite fashion, Resistance follows the well-trodden plotline of ‘the Nazis have developed a new superweapon that could turn the tide of World War 2; you’ve got to stop it’ that we’ve seen before in Sniper Elite 3 and 5.

This time around Harry is working with the local resistance fighters to take down the Kliene Blume nerve agent, which could have devastating effects should the Germans follow through with it. It’s a somewhat predictable storyline, but that’s not really why you’re here anyway.

In the Sniper Elite series you play through missions, each one containing its own miniature open world or sandbox packed with specific objectives and hidden secrets for you to take at your own leisure. I absolutely loved this approach in previous entries, and it’s just as good in Sniper Elite: Resistance.

One fear I had going in was whether the levels would feel too similar to Sniper Elite 5 due to both games being set in 1944 France, but for the most part, things feel distinct enough to warrant a return trip. Although some stages are a touch familiar – this game’s Lock, Stock, and Barrel mission feels extremely similar to the previous entry’s Occupied Residence.

Plus, there are familiar areas like Chateau houses and train stations not only returning from 5 but, multiple appearing across the game. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, and the levels themselves are still jam-packed and varied (outside of level four just being an expanded version of the first stage).

We bring the boom

A screenshot of a sniper scope in Sniper Elite Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

And of course, there’s the gunplay. As you would expect from a series named after it, the sniping is the star of the show once again. There are a tonne of helpful features – like the slowdown reticule that shows you where the bullet will land – that allow even a first-time player to nail satisfying long-range shots.

This is complimented by the X-Ray system, which shows a slow-motion animation of the bullet impacting with your chosen Nazi, and you’re treated to an in-depth look at how your shot obliterates their skull, guts, or testicles in graphic detail. It can be a bit off-putting at times (the teeth animation is horrid), but it’s just over the top enough to not feel disturbing.

However, the most impressive – and satisfying – bit of Sniper Elite is when you disregard these and work with wind markers and bullet drop estimates built into your scope to nail that perfect shot yourself. You also have access to the likes of machine guns, pistols, and explosive weaponry to cause a bit of fuss with or to get you out of scrapes when things awry. You could absolutely play the game running around with a machine gun, but the non-sniping weapons aren’t quite as satisfying as the main event.

I’m also a big fan of close-quarters combat; being able to sneak up on enemies for a takedown is a great risk/reward that allows you to stay silent while taking the risk to approach an enemy. Sniper Elite: Resistance is a great sniping game, but it's possibly even better as a stealth game.

Spy vs. Spy

A screenshot of a sniper sneaking up on an enemy in Sniper Elite Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

There are a few multiplayer modes available in Sniper Elite: Resistance, including a wave survival mode and standard multiplayer modes like Free For All and Team Deathmatch. However, I was unable to find a match of these during the review period, with no option for bot matches available.

But I did get some matches of the returning Axis invasion mode, which allows you to invade or be invaded during a single-player game. Once you get the pop-up alerting you that a Sniper Jaeger has arrived, it immediately changes the tone of a mission. While you can try and complete your objectives as normal, that extra layer of tension can either allow the Sniper Jaeger to get the drop on you or inadvertently alert the existing enemies as you search for them.

Both sides of this mode are the absolute highlight of the game; the one-versus-one cat-and-mouse game that is introduced is such a satisfying addition that completely changes the game. And there’s nothing better than being able to outdo your opponent and take them out via a well-placed snipe or sneaking up on them for a close-range takedown.

Have a propa-ganda

A screenshot of a sniper overlooking a dam in Sniper Elite Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

Sprinkled throughout the maps of Sniper Elite: Resistance are propaganda posters for the French resistance fighters. Collecting these in each map will unlock a new mission set in that map in the brand new Propaganda Challenge mode.

These are bite-sized arcade-style encounters that challenge your skills in the game's various departments to take down a number of enemies within a time limit.

There’s stealth – which arms you with just a pistol and a dream – where unseen takedowns will add time to your clock. The sniping challenges give you a great look across the map as you pick off enemies one by one, with each headshot adding time.

Best bit

A screenshot of the xray mode in Sniper Elite Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

Axis Invasions continue to be the greatest addition to the series. Invading or being invaded by another player mid-mission is always a treat, and the multiplayer stealth and sniping battles are incredibly satisfying, especially when you sneak in that perfect headshot.

While these only last a few minutes, and are only available in seven of the game’s missions, the Propaganda Challenge mode is a great new addition. It gives me the same feeling that Resident Evil’s mercenaries mode does.

Running through a stage and planning the optimal route adds a nice bit of extra replayability as you aim to boost your score each time. I would love to see this mode be expanded on, either via DLC (downloadable content) or whatever the next game is, because it left me wanting more.

I played Sniper Elite: Resistance at 1440p/120fps with HDR on PC. The settings on Ultra for texture detail and Medium for the other options. The game itself ran pretty much perfectly, with only a few noticeable drops here and there.

However, there were a few glitches in my experience. I had a few moments where Harry would get himself stuck on stairs or ledges. A particularly annoying one was in a mission where I had the option to poison a target; however, the prompt to use the poison in his drink never appeared, leading me to be locked out of the bonus kill option for that mission.

Should you play Sniper Elite: Resistance?

Play it if...

You want more Sniper Elite 5
Sniper Elite: Resistance is an expansion of the mechanics and modes introduced in the last entry. The return to France makes some maps feel familiar, but the new levels stand up to the high standards of Sniper Elite 5.

You’re looking for a fun stealth game
While the name may imply a focus on sniping, Sniper Elite: Resistance is a level-based open-zone stealth game with a lot in common with the likes of Metal Gear Solid 5 and Hitman: World of Assassination.

Don't play it if...

You got your fill of Sniper Elite 5
On the other side of the coin, if you have played Sniper Elite 5 or simply got your fill of it three years ago, Sniper Elite: Resistance is more of that. The French setting doesn’t reuse levels from 5, but some feel extremely familiar. Plus, there are no new mechanics to speak of.

You don’t have patience
Sniper Elite Resistance can be extremely punishing if you don't plan things out carefully. While I revel in the challenge of stealth, I can imagine the game getting quite frustrating if you aren’t attuned to it. Plus, with the propaganda missions and weapon upgrades being spread across the maps, the slow pace may make things drag. View Deal

Accessibility

Sniper Elite: Resistance has a number of accessibility features, including subtitle options, auto-run and climb, HUD opacity settings, and aim assist. The game also features adjustable difficulty and settings like Automatic skill upgrades.

You can adjust the subtitle colors, and there are three color-blind settings; however, these are just labeled 1, 2, and 3 rather than listing the name of the specific color blindness. There is a diagram shown to help you decide, however.

How I reviewed Sniper Elite: Resistance

A screenshot of a sniper firing on enemy soldiers on a dam in Sniper Elite Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

I played roughly 15 hours of Sniper Elite: Resistance. During this time I completed the main campaign, completed every Propaganda Challenge mode mission with a gold rating, and played a number of rounds of Axis Invasion as an attacker.

I reviewed the game on a gaming PC, which runs with a Nvidia RTX 3060Ti graphics card and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor. I used a Samsung Odyssey G5 27" Curved Gaming Monitor with a Sony 3D Pulse Headset and played the game using a DualSense wireless controller.

First reviewed January 2025

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro review: a gaming mouse with odd proportions but stellar performance
12:29 pm | January 22, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mice Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: two-minute review

At first glance, the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro is rather restrained in its appearance as gaming mice go. Its straightfoward design is rather inconspicuous, and the white model I've reviewed here is only offset by black side buttons and accents on the scroll wheel. The logo is inconspicuous and there’s no RGB lighting either. So far, so conventional.

However, the design of the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro's front end is less so. The mouse buttons are raised steeply at the back, and curve down sharply before cutting short, which means the contact point is biased towards your fingertips, more so than I’ve experienced with many other gaming mice.

The M68 Pro weighs just 55g, and there aren’t too many full-size wireless gaming mice lighter than this. It undercuts the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming mouse, by eight grams. The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air is one of the rare few that’s even leaner, tipping the scales at just 47g.

The two primary buttons on the M68 Pro feel solid yet easy to fully depress, and the same is true of the side buttons. The scroll wheel is notched well, making for smooth yet controlled spins, and the rubber layer offers plenty of grip, helping to make clicks feel secure. Overall, the M68 Pro seems to be a well-constructed gaming mouse.

The skates are quite thin, so you do feel hard desktop surfaces a little when maneuvering. Despite this, the M68 Pro doesn’t scratch or bottom out, as other gaming mice with insufficient padding do. This is impressive, especially considering there are only two skates on the top and bottom (although the included spare set features a piece for the sensor too). This is still a mouse I would recommend only using with a mouse pad, though, in order to get the best out of it.

The USB port is also located on the right rear side of the M68 Pro, a placement that will no doubt prove contentious, bucking the typical front-end trend (perhaps the snub-nose design leaves no internal room for this placement).

However, it does have the advantage of eliminating drag, although the included braided cable for wired play is light enough to make this no concern regardless. The port is also deeply recessed, so there’s no fear of accidental disconnection. The one major proviso, though, is that you’re right-handed and have your desktop on the right; if it’s on your left, then the cable is liable to get in the way.

Pressing the bottom button, which toggles between various settings and modes, can be awkward, as it sits flush with the underside surface. This is especially the case when pressing in combination with the two side buttons to toggle between the sensor modes, and I struggled to activate it consistently.

Front view of Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro on table

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, altering most of the settings on the M68 Pro is very awkward, since many require various odd button combinations. Worst of all, the buttons still register normal input when you're trying to activate the combinations, which means you have to be very careful about what window you’re on and where the cursor is.

These combinations are a necessary compromise given the lack of buttons and software, but keeping them active when holding them down is a serious misstep. Another gripe I have is that selected parameters are only indicated via different colors displayed on the small side LED, so you’ll likely have to keep referring back to the manual til they’re ingrained in your memory.

Once you get your head around these button combinations, though, there’s a wide selection of adjustments present on the M68 Pro. Despite having no software, there are eight onboard CPI settings to choose from, offering enough scope to dial in levels precise enough for most gamers. There are also four debounce time increments, ranging from 2ms to 12ms, which again should be more than enough to meet individual preferences.

There are only two lift-off distances (1mm and 2mm) to choose from, although this isn’t out of the ordinary, and while there are six polling rates to choose from (or four when wired, topping out at 1K), I can’t see many people wanting more than three for low (125Hz), mid (1K), and high (8K) values. There’s also an option to toggle motion sync on and off.

Underneath of Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro on table

(Image credit: Future)

Once you start gaming, though, the M68 Pro starts to shine. That aforementioned fingertip emphasis encouraged by sloping mouse buttons makes for a more tactile experience. It meant I could get a better grip when lifting off before swipes, and somehow gave me a greater sense of connection to the on-screen action, especially when aiming. The different sensor modes are also effective, with Pro Gaming mode being remarkably snappy and precise, perfect for FPS titles.

Cherry claims the M68 Pro’s battery can last up to 90 hours on a single charge. Although I wasn’t able to get an exact measurement, I can say that after several days of testing, the LED was still green, indicating a percentage of between 75-100%.

To show the battery level, you have to hold down both side buttons and the left mouse button for three seconds, another inconvenient method if you’re still connected to your machine, since again the buttons will still operate. There are four colors representing the 25% increments, and since there’s no software, there’s no way to get a more accurate assessment than this.

All things considered, the M68 Pro is a high-caliber wireless gaming mouse with a few design quirks that may please some but deter others. It’s not what you’d call cheap, but it does beat perhaps its closest rival, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, when it comes to pricing.

The DeathAdder can be tweaked with Razer’s in-depth Synapse software, though, which is more convenient. And if you can live without an 8K polling rate and an inbuilt battery, the Cooler Master MM311 is a viable alternative with exceptional value, given it’s still wireless.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro with accessories on table

(Image credit: Future)

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: price & availability

  • $129 / £139 / AU$214
  • Black, white, and Team Vitality editions
  • Mid-range value

The M68 Pro costs $129 / £139 / AU$214. There’s one white colorway and two black variants: one with gray accents and another with yellow that also sports the logo of esports organization Team Vitality in place of Cherry XTRFY’s.

It’s cheaper than our pick for the best wireless gaming mouse, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, yet still competes with it spec-for-spec, as both have an 8K polling rate and the M68 Pro is even lighter.

However, there are more budget-friendly wireless options around, such as the Cooler Master MM311, which is the best gaming mouse for those on a budget – it’s massively cheaper than the M68 Pro and many other wireless gaming mice for that matter. However, its polling rate tops out at 1K, and it requires a single AA battery. Still, if you’re not after eSport-level performance, this may be a better alternative.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: specs

Should I buy the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want elite performance
The 8K polling rate will delight many pro-level players, and the overall performance when gaming is terrific.

You want something you can really grip
The short, raking front end makes the M68 Pro a joy to hold in my opinion - although it may not be to every gamer’s taste.

Don't buy it if...

You want multiple connectivity modes
There’s only one way to connect wirelessly, and using the mouse in wired mode may not suit everyone’s setup, considering the USB-C port is on the right.

You’re on a budget
Although it’s slightly cheaper than some big-name rivals, including Razer, there are alternatives offering better value if you don’t need that ultra-high polling rate.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: also consider

Cooler Master MM311
If you can live without that 8K polling rate – which more casual gamers can – then the MM311 is an excellent budget choice. In our review, we found it was still capable enough thanks to its great performance. It doesn’t have an inbuilt battery, requiring an AA battery to power, but that’s a minor inconvenience considering its price tag. Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.

Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro
Another state-of-the-art gaming mouse with an 8K polling rate, the DeathAdder V3 Pro is only marginally more expensive than the M68 Pro, yet it has the advantage of integrating with Razer’s excellent Synapse software. It’s hard to find fault with this gaming mouse, which is why it currently claims the top spot as the best wireless gaming mouse overall in our view. Read our Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro review.

How I tested the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro

  • Tested for several days
  • Played various games
  • 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the M68 Pro for several days. During this time, I used it for gaming, working, and casual tasking.

I played titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Master Collection Version, and Fear the Spotlight, in order to cover a variety of genres.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and have experienced many mice during that time. I have also reviewed numerous gaming mice, all with various connectivity options, sizes, polling rates, and features.

First reviewed: October 2024

Read more about how we test

Manba One review: a tweakable controller with a few design issues
5:00 pm | November 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Manba One: one-minute review

Back of Manba One on table

(Image credit: Future)

The Manba One is a wireless controller with an inbuilt screen for accessing the various tweaks available to tailor the gaming experience to your preferences.

Its design mimics the Xbox Wireless Controller, although the white variant features a removable transparent front cover that reveals some of the inner workings – which, along with the RGB lighting on either side, helps to make the Manba One more distinctive.

However, the relatively short grips caused me some discomfort, mainly due to the sharp angle at which they tail off towards the triggers. Those with smaller hands may be fine (although mine aren’t even that big), but I prefer the grip designs of popular controllers, such as the aforementioned Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense.

The overall build quality is good: the face buttons are more akin to mouse clicks, but pleasingly tactile all the same, while the D-pad is more damped and operates smoothly. However, the rear 'M' buttons are too small and thin to be convenient, and all too easy to mispress. The bumpers are also a little awkward to reach given their thickness, and the triggers are quite short and less indented than those on some of the best PC controllers.

Worst of all, though, is that the left stick – on my unit at least – can stick in an elevated position, in turn causing it to get stuck in certain directions when using it, which is a serious problem. Thankfully, this issue was resolved easily by pressing the stick back into place, but it’s a design fault that needs to be addressed, if indeed it affects all units.

Since there’s no software for the Manba One, all adjustments are made via its onboard display, and thankfully the interface is clear and easy to use. From here, you can rebind buttons, activate turbo mode, and assign the four remappable M buttons to a series of button presses. You can also adjust trigger travel, as well as the deadzone and curve for the joysticks. Four profile slots are available to save your configurations, including one dedicated to Switch controls.

In practice, the Manba One performs well, on both PC and the Nintendo Switch. The buttons are snappy and easy to use, although the triggers don’t offer the most feedback, since their travel is quite short. However, the ability to lock the travel is a welcome addition, and proves very useful for shooters when you want to perform quick taps.

The joysticks are also precise and smooth, and the curve options do make a difference. I found that the High Performance curve, for instance, was especially useful for racing games, as it allowed for both precise micro-adjustments and full-lock steering quickly.

Given its asking price, the Manba One represents good value considering its features and performance. The official Xbox Wireless Controller is cheaper, but barebones in comparison, and it doesn’t even come with a rechargeable battery. If you’re after similar levels of customization, then you’ll usually have to part with a lot more cash. The Manba One, therefore, is a worthy choice for those after a precise, tweakable controller.

Manba One review: Price and availability

  • $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105)
  • Available now in Black and White colorways
  • Good price compared to the competition

The Manba One costs $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105) and is available now. It comes in two colorways, black and white, the latter of which features a transparent front cover. The joysticks are replaceable, with a taller pair included in the box. Also included is a dock for wireless charging.

It’s more expensive than the Xbox Wireless Controller, one of the best PC controllers around and a popular choice for many PC players, but not by much. It has more features than this pad, including a built-in display, four programmable rear buttons, and numerous other tweaks and customizations. However, unlike the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Manba One has no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Compared to more feature-laden controllers, the Manba One looks like a veritable bargain. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, for example – our pick as the best PC controller for those with cash to splash – is considerably more expensive. However, this gamepad is more advanced, featuring mechanical buttons and the headset audio control.

The Manba One matches it for joystick hardware, though, as both pads use Hall effect technology – but the thumbsticks themselves can’t be switched out on the Stealth Ultra, as they can on the Manba One. Also, as mentioned in our Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra review, we weren’t fans of its companion software.

Manba One review: specs

Manba One in charging dock on table

(Image credit: Future)

Manba One review: design and features

  • Inbuilt screen
  • Snappy, tactile buttons
  • Some comfort issues

The Manba One adopts a rather classic controller design, with a similar shape and layout to Xbox controllers, but with a slightly more angular, aggressive appearance. There’s also some customizable RGB lighting on the sides to liven up proceedings, as well as some subtle gray accents on the white variant.

This colorway also features a transparent front cover, letting you see the exoskeleton lurking beneath, which fades to silver towards the bottom. The rear of the pad is lightly textured on the grips, but there’s no additional padding as some of the best PC controllers and best Xbox controllers feature.

The grips themselves are also quite short and curve abruptly towards the triggers. As a result, I didn’t find the Manba One as comfortable to hold as more popular controllers, such as the Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense. However, those with smaller hands may have no issue.

Compared to those other controllers, the face buttons on the Manba One are less damped as well, feeling and sounding more like mouse buttons, but satisfying to use nonetheless. The D-pad, though, feels more cushioned and is smooth to operate. The sticks are average in size and feature a soft rubber material on top, offering just enough grip. A taller pair of sticks are included in the box and are easy to replace.

The triggers are another point of departure for the Manba One. They’re quite short with shallow indentations, and offer less travel and resistance than you might expect. However, the stroke lock is a clever addition, as it reduces travel considerably to allow for rapid firing.

Another welcome feature is their dotted texture, which does help with grip. This can also be found on the bumpers, although it’s a shame these are bulky with an awkward shape, as it makes them uncomfortable to use for long periods. Thankfully, the same can’t be said about the home buttons: these are positioned right at the bottom of the controller, below the D-pad and right analog stick. This keeps them out of the way, yet they’re still easy to access when needed.

The build quality of the Manba One is hard to fault – in most places. The screen is prone to micro-scratches all too easily, but more worrying is an issue I experienced on my test unit: the left analog stick managed to get stuck in a raised position, and in this state, it would in turn catch in certain directions when operating it – a cardinal sin for any joystick. Thankfully, this was a one-off problem, and simply pushing the stick back down into its original, intended seat was enough to prevent it reoccurring. However, it’s still a fault worth noting.

The included charging station matches the simple yet sleek design of the controller itself, into which the Manba One fits like a glove. It also features a compartment underneath to store the sizable Bluetooth dongle.

There’s no external software app for the Manba One on either PC or mobile: every adjustment and tweak is made via a menu displayed on its screen. There are options to rebind buttons and toggle turbo mode, as well as assign the four back M buttons to a series of up to 20 buttons in a row.

You can also adjust the deadzone for the analog sticks, as well the curve. There are four options to choose from on this front, ranging from a default, linear curve to a High Performance option, which Manba claims is ideal for racing and shooting games.

There are four profile slots to store your setups, including one dedicated to Switch controls, but unfortunately, you can’t rename them. There are also tools for testing buttons and calibrating the joysticks, triggers, and motion control (for the gyroscope when playing certain Switch games). You can set the vibration strength too, with four levels to choose from, or turn it off completely.

Back of Manba One on table

(Image credit: Future)

Manba One review: performance

  • Snappy and responsive
  • Useful adjustments
  • Triggers lack feel

Gaming with the Manba One is mostly an enjoyable experience. The sticks offer smooth and precise movements, while the buttons are responsive and tactile. However, the triggers fail to offer the best feedback, as their travel is too short to offer the kind of finely graded control you want from analog inputs. The underneath M buttons are also hard to use in the heat of the moment, given their small size and awkward position; you can’t use a more flat-fingered approach, as you can with a more traditional, paddle-like designs.

Personally, I’ve always preferred D-pads with separate buttons for each direction, rather than the integrated design on the Manba One, as I find they give me more control and precision in games where such inputs are crucial. I needn’t have worried, though. When playing Tekken 8, for instance, where D-pad inputs are complex, I had little issue hitting the directions I wanted to hit. That circular shape also helps to roll seamlessly between multiple directions, yet each is still easy to actuate individually without accidentally triggering adjacent directions, which can happen on D-pads with a singular component.

The various tweaks available on the Manba One also made a difference. Using the High Performance curve for racing games, for instance, was a marked improvement. When playing Assetto Corsa, it offered much better car control, as I could make minute steering corrections and drastic changes of direction equally well, depending on how far I moved the stick.

This same curve is also recommended for shooters, although I found that the default, linear curve offered less sensitive and more precise looking and aiming. The locks on the back that shorten the trigger length also work for enabling rapid shooting.

One of the great advantages of the display is the ability to adjust settings on the fly. Accessing the menu mid-game works well for the most part, although having to hold the home button for three seconds to activate it is a little inconvenient; I wish it were a little quicker.

It’s a shame also that the M buttons can’t be programmed as modifiers; to toggle the curve of the analog sticks, for instance, which would be useful for situations requiring momentary decreases in sensitivity, such as aiming, acting like a sniper button on a mouse. I found the M buttons all too easy to trigger too, especially when using the D-pad or face buttons intensely, as I naturally tightened my grip on the back of the controller.

In addition to PC, I also used the Manba One with a Nintendo Switch, connecting via Bluetooth without needing the included dongle. Like the best Nintendo Switch controllers, connecting the Manba One to the console is easy, and it worked flawlessly.

The battery life of the Manba One is claimed to be about 10 hours or more, and this was roughly in line with what I experienced, although it was hard to get an accurate measurement of battery levels, since no percentage is given on the inbuilt screen. Charging via the included dock takes about four and a half hours according to Manba, and again this proved relatively accurate.

Close-up of Manba One d-pad and left joystick

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Manba One?

Buy it if...

You want solid performance
The buttons are mostly great to use, and the Hall effect joysticks offer precise movements and different curves to choose from.

You want tweakable inputs
There are plenty of adjustments you can make on the Manba One, plus the display means you can make them on the fly.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most comfortable pad
Personally, I found the contours of the Manba One didn’t fit my hand as neatly as I would’ve liked, and the rear M buttons can get in the way.

You want console play
Although it’s compatible with the Switch, PS5 and Xbox gaming are out of the picture here.

Also consider...

If the Manba One isn't doing it for you, here's a couple of other controllers we recommend

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller
As the best PC controller and best Xbox controller, the official Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller is hard to beat for unadulterated gaming. There’s no fancy features to be found here, but it nails the basics: it’s comfortable, practical, versatile and performs very well. It’s also reasonably priced, although a few missteps, such as no rechargeable battery as standard, go against it.

Read our Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller review

Victrix Pro BFG
If you want modularity, then the Victrix Pro BFG is hard to beat. Not only is it compatible with PC, it’s also one of the best PS5 controllers you can buy, thanks to its multiple face buttons, joystick, and D-pad upgrades – including a module designed for fighting games. There’s four reprogrammable back paddles as well. It will set you back, though.

Read our Victrix Pro BFG review

How I tested the Manba One

  • Tested for several days
  • Played a variety of genres on PC and Switch
  • 25+ years gaming experience

I tested the Manba One for several days. During that time, I used it to play a variety of titles, including shooters, racing simulators and fighting games, in order to test every aspect of the controller. These included Black Mesa, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Master Collection Version, Assetto Corsa, and Tekken 8. I tested the Manba One on PCs – both Windows 10 and 11 – and the Nintendo Switch.

I also made sure to use and tweak every available feature and setting on the Manba One via the built-in display. I also tried out the included replaceable joysticks and the wireless charging dock.

I have been gaming for over 25 years across numerous platforms, all the way from the NES and other Nintendo consoles to most generations of PlayStation and PC. During that time I have used a number of controllers, from official devices to third-party ones. I’ve also tested many other gaming peripherals, including mice and keyboards.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 review – solid sneak
10:00 am | October 23, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Platform reviewed: PS5

Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC

Release date: October 24, 2023

It’s rare to see a series commit to a feeling as hard as the Metal Gear stealth games. Whether you’re diving into Metal Gear or Metal Gear Solid 2, you’ll fill the same role: a super-spy sneaking his way into an enemy stronghold with nothing on you but a pack of smokes and a will to succeed.

From there, each game plays out like an action-thriller, equal parts stealth and explosive violence as your operative pulls a thread and unravels a sprawling conspiracy as time ticks away. Often this will involve throwing down with some fantastic bosses and a few giant mechs too - the Metal Gears hinted at in the title. Meanwhile, the same motifs come up again and again: terse radio calls, military firepower, and that slightly anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach, the nervousness you get just before you get spotted in a neighborhood-sized game of hide-and-seek tag. 

Later games in the series amp up the cinematic production but also the intricacies of the stealth action and the combat - the latter of which making you feel like a cornered animal with your back to the wall, desperately trying to hit the enemy hard before scurrying back to a safe place to lick your wound and count your remaining ammo. But no matter how much extra computing power flows into the series, the original Metal Gear and the games that crept out after it never lost that core feeling of stealthy action.

Excuse the history lesson, but there’s no way around it. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 packages up the first five games in the franchise into one bumper collection of tactical espionage action. This means you get Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, in addition to a heap of special features and regional add-ons like the superb VR Missions. These are re-releases rather than full remasters, so fans of the original games will find that they play exactly how you remember, and look a tiny bit shinier. 

A solid recommendation

Screenshot of Snake's face in Metal Gear Solid 3

(Image credit: Konami)

For new players, it’s hard to emphasize quite how influential the Metal Gear Solid games in particular were, and the good news is that they’ve mostly aged well, and are definitely worth picking up even now all these years later. Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are top-down and have a sort of retro chic because they’re old enough to be the sort of games that current indies are trying to riff off of. Metal Gear Solid is the only one in the bunch to have aged badly, but there will still be a good audience for how difficult the stealth actually is here to pull off, compared to the more forgiving - and much more interesting - detection systems in Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3. 

In every case, the mechanical act of playing the game is tight and interesting. The systems here are every bit as solid as stealth games like Hitman, Combat still works. Later games have location based damage and you can take soldiers out of the fight by shooting their gun arm, or slow them down by hitting them in the legs. However, it's imprecise, so often you'll find something cool has happened by accident - a grenade you threw in panic has crippled a response team's ability to keep up with you, or a stray bullet meant for someone else has stopped a guard being able to shoot you. Better yet, hit an alert guard in the radio in Metal Gear Solid 2 and he'll be unable to report seeing you, keeping the alarm un-raised and giving you time to clean up your mess. 

Best bit

Snake hiding on board an oil tanker

(Image credit: Konami)

Metal Gear Solid 2’s tanker prologue was iconic then, and it’s iconic now. Sneaking around a rain-slick tanker’s deck picking off Russian Spetsnaz is a perfect example of how auteur Hideo Kojima obsesses over not just the vibe of his work, but also the way each mechanic interacts with each other. 

But the controls are where things start to suffer. Holding your gun ready to fire and moving requires you to hold two of the face buttons on your controller in tandem, and it’s often easier to move yourself into position to take out an enemy than to actually aim your weapon. Bizarrely, this works to make combat feel like something to be avoided, and it encourages you to get your sneak on. 

Although how you do that is up to you. Something quite incredible about all three of the Metal Gear Solid games included here is how intricate they are, and the options that they give you. Take the humble cardboard box. In Metal Gear Solid you can use it to hide yourself from enemies and surveillance cameras, but you can also use it to ship yourself around the Shadow Moses facility by stowing away on trucks like an early iteration of fast travel. You can even get a wolf to urinate on it, covering you in their scent so that wolves in the game no longer attack you. 

This is a recurrent theme - the intricate interactions, not the wolf urine. Although cardboard boxes do play a large part of every Master Collection game - who knew - there’s a huge number of simple systems that actually turn out to be incredibly complex, making the games feel impossibly deep even though they’re actually very simple.

Sneak and destroy

Solid snake hides in first area of Metal Gear Solid

(Image credit: Konami)

Soldiers in all three games feel intelligent but are actually very stupid indeed. They follow pre-set paths and behave in predictable ways, but the first time you’re cornered in Metal Gear Solid 2 and the game’s radar turns off to give way to a tight-angle shot of a squad clearing out the area they had previously trapped you in? You’ll jump to your feet. You’ll feel a rush of adrenaline that few games can match. Better yet, each of the stealth masterpieces have tight runtimes. Players used to the long-winded arcs of modern games will probably be stunned by how quickly Metal Gear Solid lets you get into the heart of its mystery, and it’s easily finishable in a handful of hours if you’re moving with purpose. The other games in the collection are the same: you get to the meat quickly, and then things keep moving at a steady pace until the credits roll. 

I don’t know how much I subscribe to auteur theory, but I will say Hideo Kojima and his team of collaborators managed to make one of the most interesting stealth games of all time with Metal Gear Solid, before doing it all over again with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and then accidentally inventing the survival genre with the slightly lesser Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 10 years before anyone else. Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are also worth playing, but don’t quite hit the same high notes. 

The games’ stories pinball between spy fiction and some absolutely ridiculous conspiracy theories and supernatural elements. It’s to the credit of the writing team that these twists always feel earned and no matter how ridiculous things get, most players will be along for the ride every step of the way. Where it gets grim are the archaic parts that fans have long tried to wave off as foibles of auteur Hideo Kojima. There’s no other word for it but gross when Metal Gear Solid hero Solid Snake celebrates sneaking into an enemy base by skeezing all over his school-age intelligence operator Mei Ling, before immediately changing tack to hit on the older doctor that was on the same call. It’s easy to see the tip of the hat to James Bond , but it feels less like leading-man charm and more like 007 had drunkenly staggered into a family reunion to try his luck with everyone he wasn’t related to. 

In Metal Gear Solid 2, Snake can hide inside a locker and kiss the posters of half-naked women taped inside with a loud lip-smacking noise. I grew up with these games, and I adore them even now, but it’s hard to defend the treatment and view of women in just about every game in the series. Metal Gear Solid 3 lets you switch to first-person mode during cutscenes just to look at the barely concealed chest of the KGB spy Eva during cutscenes. It won’t hinder most people’s enjoyment of the game, but this is the sort of thing that titillates teenagers, and as a man now in my mid-30s often spending cutscenes trying to shovel snacks into my mouth, I often found myself wishing Hideo Kojima and his team of writers had made their spies a little less horny and a lot more covert with their intentions.

Regardless, this collection is both a treasure trove in terms of video game preservation but also a terrific option for new players who are starved by the drought of top-notch stealth. While the fact these versions are a repackaged collection of the 2012 remasters may annoy some, there's no denying that every game here has stood the test of time, despite the fact half of the games included are over 25 years old. 

Dig in, they don’t do tactical espionage action like this anymore. 

Accessibility

Outside of basic subtitling, there's next to nothing here. Each of the games in the collection comes with its own option menu, but it's exclusively full of options to turn off blood or other details related to how the game works. Accessibility isn't catered for at all here. 

How we reviewed

I played through each of the games in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 on PS5. This took around 35 hours, but I found I already had the muscle memory to get through most of the areas in Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 promptly, massively reducing how much I had to puzzle or stealth my way through as long-optimized routes from over a decade ago appear to be seared into my brain.

I also tried several of the included extra content packs, which added more stealth but felt somewhat superfluous; a nice addition for players who  may feel the need to sneak even after the credits have rolled. 

If you're craving more sneaking, see how Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the series’ first true stealth game. For more general recommendations, check out the best single-player games on PC.