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SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless review – the best PS5 headset yet
6:06 pm | March 6, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ is a premium PS5 headset that focuses on delivering leading audio quality and comfort, and it uses all the console-specific audio hardware. The latest iteration from the manufacturer builds on the original 2020 model, this time with a significantly improved battery and more versatility through USB-C and quick charging. 

It deserves pole position as the best PS5 headset available right now. Given its price-to-performance ratio, wide market availability, and audio quality, this is the PS5 headset that acts as a benchmark to test all others on the platform to come in 2023.  

Price and Availability

You can currently get your hands on the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless for $149.99 / £174.99 / AU$338 in the US, the UK, and Australia respectively. It’s available in either black or white color schemes. Recently, it’s been possible to find the PS5 gaming headset significantly cheaper than the sticker price.  

Design and Features

On-cup controls on the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+

(Image credit: Future)

The SteelSeries Arctis headset line has a distinct look that the 7P+ Wireless continues. You’ve got a ski-band head strap and a retractable microphone complete with the Sidetone mic monitoring. All the controls can be found on the back of both cups when you wear this PS5 headset. On the left side, you’ve got a dedicated mute button, volume roller, USB-C for charging and connection, and a 3.5mm jack. Your power button and a dedicated wheel to control the mic monitoring are on the right side. 

Thanks to its large, plush ear cushions made of what the company describes as “AirWeave” material, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless is second to none when it comes to comfort. This breathable fabric won’t get warm when on your head for hours on end, unlike cheaper leatherette. 

The USB-C receive is the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless’ most exciting feature because it means the headset can be used on loads of devices, besides your PS5. The headset is also compatible with Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC, and some of the best Android phones. If you’re in the market for a versatile gaming headset, this could be the one for you. 

Performance

SteelSeries Arctis 7P+

(Image credit: Future)

Gaming on the PS5 with the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless is one of the best headset experiences ever. I’ve reviewed countless different models over the years, and the sound quality and versatility of this one aren’t easily rivaled. That’s unsurprising, as this version features the same 40mm custom neodymium drivers of the company’s flagship models, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Pro.

The biggest difference that separates the older SteelSeries 7P from the 7P+ is this new model's greatly improved battery life. That’s because you can expect around 30 hours of playback when plugged into your PS5 instead of the roughly 24 hours from the 2020 model. One particular feature I’ve really been enjoying is the quick charging via USB-C. SteelSeries claims you can get a full three hours of playback from just 15 minutes of charging. In my testing, I have to say that’s right on the money, meaning you won’t have to wait around long to get a gaming session in. 

Like the excellent PS5 Pulse 3D headset, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless takes full advantage of the TempestTech PS5 3D Audio, so some of the best PS5 games support the enhanced virtual surround sound technology. There are not many PS5 headsets that can do that, making this a more premium option than Sony’s official offering. 

SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ microphone

(Image credit: Future)

Gaming with the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless has been excellent. The nuances in the audio drivers picked up the spatial sounds in games like The Last of Us and Dead Space making for an immersive experience. Games where music is more prominent were a particular highlight, including Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, especially in the mix between gunfire and pumping Synthwave techno. 

Listening to music with the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless is decent. While no rival for some of the best headphones on the market, this PS5 gaming headset does a more-than-serviceable job. More tame genres had better success, as songs like Mr. Tillman by Father John Misty and Granite by Sleep Token came through loud and clear. Extreme metal had more mixed results, with heavier tracks like Insomnium’s Lilian and Cannibal Corpse’s Inhumane Harvest not quite having quite enough punch. Because media playback is secondary behind gaming, it’s far from the worst I’ve used this year. 

Overall, I’m very impressed with what the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless does for the money. As a mid-range effort from the brand specifically engineered for console, you can’t ask for much better at its price. 

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless headset?

Buy if... 

You want a PS5 headset with a long battery life

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless features 30 hours of playback so it’s good to go for many gaming sessions without needing to be juiced up

3D Audio is a must

SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless fully supports the TempestTech 3D audio for supported PS5 games. 

You want a versatile gaming headset

Through the USB-C receiver, you use this gaming headset on more than just your PS5 as the Nintendo Switch, PS5, and smartphones are also supported. 

Don't buy if... 

You already own the SteelSeries Arctis 7P

There isn’t much more of a jump between the original model and this new version so if you’re already in the SteelSeries ecosystem this isn’t an essential upgrade. 

Dead Space review – redefining a survival horror classic
8:37 pm | February 3, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off
Review information

Time played: 15 hours
Platform: PS5 

It’s been 15 years since we first walked the metal corridors of the USG Ishimura, a mining ship once built to crack planets into pieces, now overwhelmed by hellish creatures. If you return to the original Dead Space, you’ll find it’s held up less well than its sequels. Its controls are clunky, its color palette muddy, and its combat fiddly. In an era of remakes and remasters, Dead Space is one of the few that justifies it. A classic of the genre, that is ripe to find a new audience.

Once again, you step into the heavy boots of engineer Isaac Clarke and search the decks of the derelict Ishimura, looking for answers and the missing crew, your girlfriend among them.

EA Motive has faithfully rebuilt Isaac Clarke’s survival horror adventure for a new audience, giving it far more than a graphical facelift. This isn’t a remaster, after all, but a remake. The developer has redesigned sections of the game and made use of all the technology modern consoles can bring to bear – the haptics and adaptive triggers of the PS5’s DualSense controller, in particular – and it breathes new life into this old adventure.

Depending on how much exploration you do aboard the USG Ishimura, you can expect the experience of Dead Space to last anywhere from 12 to 25 hours. That’s about the right length, given the intensity of the action. If you’re a returning fan, you may not be scared by the Necromorphs in their various forms. For me, it was like greeting old friends, and it rekindled my love for the series.  

Necromorphs in the Dead Space remake

(Image credit: EA )

Dead Space price and release date

  •  What is it? A ground-up remake of the original Dead Space  
  •  Release date: Out now 
  •  Price: $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$109.95  
  •  What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC 

New Arrivals   

While the story of Dead Space remains broadly the same in the remake, a significant change is that Clarke is now a fully-voiced protagonist, instead of his previous mute self. Gunner Wright, returning from Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3, does a masterful job of bringing urgency to the situation. He only speaks when in conversation with his crew or other people he meets aboard the ship, so you don’t have to worry about him making jokes or talking to himself. 

EA Motive hasn’t been beholden to the original game’s design, making transformative changes for the better. Some of the first game’s more frustrating moments have been retooled, to become more enjoyable, while still challenging. This is helped by the new zero-gravity flight controls, retrofitted from Dead Space 2. Boss fights, like your battle with the Leviathan, a gaping maw armed with grabbing tentacles, are still tough, but your new freedom of movement gives you finer control to dodge attacks. It’s not that the fight is easier, but you have more responsibility for your failures. If the Leviathan grabs you, it feels like your fault for not getting out of the way, not a failure of the fiddly controls like in the original game.

New mechanics spice up the established formula, such as circuit breakers and security gate doors, which give you a way to modify encounters. Circuit breakers let you kill the lights in an area to power up a lift or doors a set of doors you need to get to your objective, heightening the tension by forcing you to fight blind, in other moments, you can turn off the life support, keeping the lights on but meaning you’re running on limited time. 

It’s a small inclusion, but it means that you’re often thrown into desperate struggles instead of just gingerly walking down a hallway or doing some light puzzle-solving. The security ratings are locked behind levels of clearance from level 1 and up, which grant you access to everything from secret doors hiding goodies to extra side missions, chests, and schematics. They’re a great incentive for backtracking or replaying the story again in New Game+.

Isaac flies around in zero gravity

(Image credit: EA)

Obliteration Imminent  

In the Dead Space remake, your old guns have new weight, thanks to the smart use of the DualSense controller and a redesigned dismemberment system. Each weapon feels radically different through the PS5’s gamepad, and seeing the impact of your shots, blasting off Necromorph limbs lands much more effectively than in the original. 

It also helps that the Dead Space remake runs incredibly well on PS5, too. You’ve got your choice between the performance mode that runs the game in 1440p, that’s enabled by default, and the ray tracing mode, which makes Dead Space run at 30fps but features jaw-dropping visuals in 4K. I spent the majority of my time with the game with ray tracing enabled to check out the gorgeous lighting and real-time reflections, but later favored performance mode for the fully-fledged 60fps when the combat encounters wrapped up near the finish line in those last few chapters. 

Dead Space works as a self-contained story for first-time players, but there’s so much more lore added for those returning fans like myself that strengthens its connection to the sequels. 

The future is looking bright for the Dead Space series, and, hopefully, the success of this remake will mean that Dead Space 2 could receive the same treatment, or even possibly a Dead Space 4 later down the line. All I know is that 2023 is shaping up to be an amazing year for the genre, especially with Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil 4 set to receive similar treatment in the months to follow.  

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro review
4:58 pm | January 26, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

The Razer Kraken Kitty Edition V2 Pro is the latest iteration of the boutique brand's long-running cutesy gaming headset range. Armed with the company’s latest audio technology and excellent comfort, this model easily has what it takes to be considered one of the best PS5 headsets or one of the best wired gaming headsets of 2023. 

As a versatile gaming headset for all occasions, the Razer Kraken Kitty Edition V2 Pro proves that there’s a lot of substance behind the style. While its pink flair is front and center, there’s more to the headset than meets the eye. 

Price and Availability

The Razer Kraken Kitty Edition V2 Pro currently retails for $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$289 and it is available in regions such as the US, the UK, and Australia as well as Europe and Asia. Released in October 2022, you can pick the headset up either through Razer’s storefront or a wide variety of online and in-store retailers. You’ve got your choice of two color schemes, either quartz pink or black and green. I’m reviewing the delightful pink version.  

Design and Features

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The main draw of the Razer Kraken Kitty Edition V2 Pro is its looks. It’s adorable. Originally cat ear-focused, the Kraken headsets now sport the option for bunny and bear ears, too. What’s more, each of these interchangeable add-ons supports Razer’s RGB Chroma lighting, so you can have your ears light up and change color as you play – which can look amazing on a live stream. Previous models of the Kraken only had lighting in the cups themselves, which was much less visible.

When it comes to what’s inside the cups, It’s similar to other headsets in the Razer Kraken line, such as the excellent Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense from last year. You’re getting passive noise cancellation courtesy of the leatherette and memory foam cups, with the tried and true 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers blasting sound into your ears. As expected from a headset in this price range, 7.1 surround sound comes as standard as well for supported consoles like the PS5. 

Keep in mind that the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is a wired gaming headset with a braided USB-A cable that’s 2m / 6.7ft long. This means that you will ideally be positioned fairly close to your PS5 or Nintendo Switch if you use these on a console. While a generous length compared to some wires I’ve seen on corded headsets, you may be better suited to one of the best wireless gaming headsets if you primarily game from the sofa instead of one of the best gaming desks. Another neat touch of this package is the included Razer HyperClear Cardioid microphone which can be detached when not in use. 

Performance

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Testing the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro on my PS5 and my Razer Blade 15, one of the best gaming laptops, I was generally impressed. My ears are well-tuned to the feel and the depth of sound that the 50mm Titanium TriForce drivers deliver, as the aforementioned V3 HyperSense had been my daily driver for well over a year now. 

That’s not to take away from the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro. The sound quality across the board is excellent for the under $200 / £200 / AU$300 price range, as this model punches well above its weight. In my testing, I found that Isaac Clarke’s heavy footsteps aboard the USG Ishimura in Dead Space carried the right amount of weight, with the distant wailing of Necromorphs, and slamming doors on floors below captured accurately. I’ve widely considered the 2008 original title to have some of the most atmospheric sound design of any modern horror game, and this was reflected well in one moment involving a vacuum in space as the sounds were heavily muted in flux seamlessly. 

Where the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro delivers on most is in competitive titles. Everything from the subtle gear changes of my Yamaha R1 in Ride 4, to the suitably brutal single-leg takedowns in UFC 4 made a fair bit of difference to my performance. In the former, I found myself being braver with tighter corners knowing I could hear the quick shifter engage accurately. As someone who’s ridden their fair share of bikes in the past, it was nice to get to really hear what an engine hum really sounds like at speed. 

Shooters are a joy with this gaming headset. I spent a fair few hours deeply invested in Battlefield 2042’s Team Deathmatch and Conquest modes to great success. Sniping from the top of the antenna tower on the Caspian Border map made for a true test of the in-ear drivers, capturing the sky-piercing screech of my SWS-10 rifle round as it connected with its target, the bullet’s trajectory ending with a suitably meaty thunk. I was also pleasantly surprised to hear enemy footsteps as they climbed the stairs underneath me, meaning that I could take out my would-be aggressor as they arrived at the top of the staircase. 

I’m still not fully sold on the microphone that comes with the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro. It sounds fine but it’s certainly no replacement for the best USB microphones on the market. However, considering this headset is geared at streamers and content creators, who will likely invest in a separate mic, it’s unlikely to be much of an issue. As someone who owns a lot of audio recording equipment, I was unphased by the average but expected output of the cardioid mic. I could be heard when chatting to the squad, and that’s the most important thing, after all, but you wouldn’t use this for anything other than that. 

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Listening to music with the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. From how these things look, you would expect pop hits from the likes of Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Willow, and Florence + The Machine to sound full, and fortunately, this kind of music sings with this headset. The bass presence was particularly noticeable in The Weeknd’s High for This, with the hazy, thick, synths in the introduction coming through particularly strong. I was also impressed by softer-sounding songs, such as The Next 20th Century by Father John Misty and It’s Called: Freefall by Rainbow Kitten Surprise. These two tracks are noticeably stripped-back, with quieter central vocals taking prominence in the mix, and lush instrumentation acting more as a support to the singers.

Of course, I also wanted to make the bright pink kitty headset play some death metal and I can say that it passes with flying colors in the heavy department, too. Everything from the pummelling oppression of Distant’s Argent Justice to Kruelty’s beat-down-infused brutal death metal had the weight and punch to really sell the percussion and bass. Softer metal artists like Katatonia and Sleep Token, who primarily use clean vocals, could be heard prominently as well.

Overall, I really do enjoy the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headset for what it is, but you’re paying a premium on the looks. If you’re solely interested in getting the same sound quality and comfort, then the cheaper Kraken V3 HyperSense (which retails for $129 / £129 / AU$224 and includes in-ear haptics) may be the better bet. Alternatively, there’s the Razer Kraken V3 which is exactly half the price of this newer release without the rumble. With that said, if you’re in the market for something that’s this pretty and practical, then the new Kitty model is hard to fault.

Should you buy the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headset?

Buy if… 

You want a great headset for streaming

The RGB lighting and unique aesthetics mean that the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is going to stand out from the majority of ‘gamer’ black models on the market when on air. 

You want excellent sound quality

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is great for both gaming and listening to music, so there’s no need to swap it out for certain functions. 

Don’t buy if…  

You want to game on the sofa

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is a wired headset with a cable length of 2m / 6.7ft, so that’s a bit of stretch then you’ll want to consider a wireless alternative such as the Razer Kraken BT Kitty Edition instead. 

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