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PowerA OPS v1 review: a cheaper v3 Pro alternative that gets the job done
4:56 pm | September 27, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

PowerA OPS v1: One-minute review

The PowerA OPS v1 is a wireless PC controller that's also compatible with mobile devices and cloud gaming services. Being a cheaper alternative to the PowerA OPS v3 Pro, it understandably misses out on some of that controller's standout features. Those include Lumectra RGB lighting, 'quick-twist' thumbsticks and the remappable bumper buttons.

That said, the OPS v1 is still a decent option if you're on a budget. Drift-resistant Hall effect thumbsticks are present here, as well as four remappable buttons on the rear which can be programmed on the controller itself with a dedicated button. You're also getting a Turbo button function and support for 2.4Ghz, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity.

One particularly impressive aspect of the OPS v1 is that the textured grips on this controller actually feel nicer than on the OPS v3 Pro. On the more expensive gamepad, I found the textured grips to be a touch too rough over longer play sessions. Here, they are unintrusive and provide the perfect amount of grip for comfortable sessions of any length.

The controller itself - and its various buttons, bumpers and triggers - do feel quite cheap overall with some rather flimsy-feeling plastic being used. It's not horrendous by any means, but certainly a downgrade when compared to the v3 Pro and many of the best PC controllers out there today.

PowerA OPS v1

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v1: Price and availability

  • $49.99 / £49.99 for the standard model
  • Special Fortnite edition for $54.99 / £54.99
  • Available at PowerA in the US and Amazon in the UK

The PowerA OPS v1 launched in August 2024, and is available to purchase for $49.99 / £49.99. It's available at PowerA's own website in the US, but those in the UK will need to rely on retailers like Amazon to secure the bag there. A Fortnite edition is also available (pictured throughout the review) which features a distinct livery. This one comes in slightly pricier at $54.99 / £54.99.

This is significantly cheaper than the PowerA OPS v3 Pro which costs $99.99 / £99.99 and is a solid alternative at half the price. As mentioned, the lower price point does mean that the OPS v1 is pared back when it comes to features, so you may wish to keep that in mind when comparing the two models.

Admittedly, at this price point, the OPS v1 has some very stiff competition in the form of the GameSir T4 Kaleid which goes for $41.99 / £41.99. You are losing out on wireless connectivity with GameSir's pad, but it's more than made up for in excellent build quality, superb micro switch buttons, and a lovely RGB profile.

PowerA OPS v1: Specs

PowerA OPS v1

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v1: Design and features

  • Cheap-feeling build
  • Textured grips are preferable compared to the OPS v3 Pro
  • Rather plain, all-black aesthetic

As a more budget-friendly controller, you can expect the PowerA OPS v1 to be slightly pared back in terms of design and feature set, especially compared to the OPS v3 Pro. Firstly, build quality on the OPS v1 is lacking in comparison, with a cheaper plastic presumably to keep the gamepad's costs down.

Much like with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, I'm also not a fan of the plain, all-black aesthetic for the OPS v1's standard model. The special edition Fortnite version is certainly more eye-catching, though, and is the model I'd recommend going with if you're willing to spend 5 bucks extra (and, naturally, if you're a fan of the free-to-play shooter).

One aspect of the OPS v1's design I do really like is the texture on the rear of the grips themselves, and on the bumpers and triggers. The textured grips on the OPS v3 Pro were a little too rough for my liking. Here, though, they're a comparatively light touch and actually feel far more comfortable as a result. The added texture on the bumpers and triggers is also a really nice touch.

PowerA OPS v1

(Image credit: Future)

As for features, the OPS v1 shows up with the Hall effect thumbsticks that are swiftly becoming the standard for third-party controllers. It's now quite rare that I test a controller that lacks Hall effect, but it is great to see more affordable gamepads adopt the technology. Sony and Nintendo, please take notes.

The OPS v1 also shares some features with its pricier counterpart. You're still getting four remappable buttons on the rear of the pad, as well as three-stage trigger locks and three types of connectivity (2.4GHz, Bluetooth and wired via USB-C). The box includes a USB-C cable, too. But unlike the v3 Pro, there's sadly no charging dock bundled with the OPS v1.

PowerA OPS v1: Performance

  • Perfectly responsive during wireless play
  • A decent 20 hours of battery life
  • Like the OPS v3 Pro, trigger locks don't work great

There's really not much to complain about when it comes to the PowerA OPS v1's performance while actually gaming. I tested games across a wide variety of genres in my Steam library, including Street Fighter 6, Final Fantasy 14 Online, Cyberpunk 2077 and Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance. All that is to say the OPS v1 is a perfectly adequate controller no matter what kind of single-player games you're into.

A 2.4GHz wireless adapter is included in the box, offering 500Hz polling rate which is solidly responsive for wireless play. I'd still recommend going wired if you're interested in playing the best fighting games or the best FPS games for peak responsiveness, but you can't go wrong either way here.

PowerA OPS v1

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, as was the case with the v3 Pro, the OPS v1's trigger locks are hit-and-miss. When unlocked, or set to lock halfway, the triggers work perfectly fine. However, I found that the highest notch simply didn't work for any of the games I tested. That's a huge shame as it's a feature that's always nice to see on cheaper gamepads.

As for battery life, you're getting around 20 hours here according to the manufacturer. I did find this to be accurate during my time testing the controller, as I did have to charge up from empty after around a week of play that consisted of 2-3 hour sessions each day. Expect the OPS v1 to take a few hours to charge back to full, too, when hooked up via USB-C. For optimum efficiency here, I'd recommend charging with the cable included and potentially leaving it hooked up overnight so you don't have to wait.

Should I buy the PowerA OPS v1?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for a solid and affordable PC controller
Coming in below the $50 / £50 mark, the PowerA OPS v1 offers good value and a decent feature set given its price tag.

You’re after a versatile and customizable PC controller
With Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons and trigger locks, there's plenty of options for customization on the OPS v1.

Don't buy it if...

You're hoping for better build quality
The PowerA OPS v1 sadly falters in the build quality department, with cheap-feeling plastic for its casing, buttons, and triggers.

Also consider...

If the PowerA OPS v1 misses the mark for you, we’ve got a couple of other suggestions that we’ve tested and reviewed for your consideration below.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro
This smartly-priced Pro controller locks in with Hall effect sticks and gorgeous Lumectra RGB lighting, making it worth checking out at the sub-$100 / £100 price tag. There are some design frustrations here, but it's still a very capable gamepad.

For more information, read our full PowerA OPS v3 Pro review.

GameSir T4 Kaleid
This is still my favorite budget-priced PC controller that's also compatible with Nintendo Switch. It's wired only, but comes in slightly cheaper than the OPS v1 and offers excellent build quality, sublime micro switch buttons and a lovely RGB profile.

For more information, read our full GameSir T4 Kaleid controller review. 

How I tested the PowerA OPS v1

PowerA OPS v1

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for one week, 2-3 hour sessions each day
  • Played primarily on PC across a wide variety of games
  • Compared and contrasted to the pricier PowerA OPS v3 Pro

I tested the PowerA OPS v1 over the course of about a week, tackling 2-3 hour gaming sessions each day. During my time with the gamepad, I found I only needed to charge it up once. That total time lasted around 20 hours, lining up with PowerA's battery life claim.

I made sure to test a wide variety of games on PC, including Cyberpunk 2077, Fields of Mistria, Vampire Survivors, Street Fighter 6 and Final Fantasy 14 Online. This is a mix of my go-to games and some I determined to be a great fit for the budget OPS v1.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

PowerA OPS v3 Pro review: a decent PC controller with some notable flaws
3:00 pm | September 21, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: One-minute review

The PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller makes a strong case with a variety of desirable features. Those include Hall effect sticks with novel ‘quick-twist’ tech, six remappable buttons, micro switches in the face buttons and d-pad, and the brand’s patented Lumectra RGB lighting.

It’s a solid effort on paper, but there are a few things that hold the OPS v3 Pro back from becoming one of the best PC controllers out there. The gamepad simply falls short in many of its design aspects. Its remappable buttons on the rear of the controller feel awkwardly placed, and the ones at the top jut out just a little too broadly. Elsewhere, the micro switch face buttons aren’t particularly tactile, and the relatively low trigger lock sensitivity prevents the highest setting from working across most games I tested.

It’s definitely not all bad news, though, and there’s still plenty to like about the OPS v3 Pro. As ever, I’m a huge fan of PowerA’s customizable Lumectra lighting. The quick-twist thumbsticks are intuitive and a genuinely great addition, allowing you to play with taller shafts without the need to swap them out entirely. Furthermore, the clicky d-pad and bumpers are a delight, and that 30-plus hour battery life seriously impresses.

A bit of a mixed bag overall, then, but if you’re looking for a sub-$100 / £100 PC controller, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro still offers plenty of great features to offset those negatives.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Price and availability

  • $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179
  • Cheaper than other controllers with comparable feature sets
  • Available at PowerA in the US and Amazon in the UK

The PowerA OPS v3 Pro launched in August 2024, and is available to purchase for $99.99 / £99.99. In the US, it can be bought directly from PowerA, whereas UK shoppers will need to rely on Amazon to secure the gamepad. In Australia, JB Hi-Fi is your best bet.

In terms of price, the OPS v3 Pro is significantly cheaper than other controllers with comparable feature sets. Those include the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro ($199.99 / £199.99) and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 ($179.99 / £159.99). 

The relatively lower price point of PowerA’s controller naturally comes with some caveats, such as lesser build quality overall and a lack of polish on features like the trigger locks and textured grips. However, those looking for a competent ‘Pro’ level controller with a robust feature set will find one here.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Specs

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Design and features

  • Innovative quick-twist thumbsticks
  • Textured grips feel quite rough
  • Lumectra RGB is still very impressive

There’s plenty to like about the PowerA OPS v3 Pro’s design. One of the controller’s headline features is its ‘quick-twist’ thumbsticks. This lets the player raise or lower the height of the stick’s shaft without needing to swap it out entirely. It’s a really handy solution that makes the controller a great option for folks who value no-fuss customization.

As was the case with the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch, the v3 Pro also features the brand’s bespoke Lumectra RGB lighting. Lumectra lets players do a few fancy things with their RGB preferences. By holding the dedicated ‘LED’ button on the rear of the gamepad, you can cycle through six different RGB zones - the d-pad, face buttons, left and right sides of the controller, and both thumbsticks) and apply different colors and patterns to each. You can be quite reserved with Lumectra, or go buck wild with various RGB flavors should you choose, and I’ve always been a fan of it because of this. Above all, it’s fun to mess around with.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of features, you’re getting the usual ‘Pro’ controller setup. Micro switch face buttons and d-pad, Hall effect thumbsticks, six remappable buttons, three-stage trigger locks and textured grips. The rear of the gamepad has buttons dedicated to Lumectra customization and remappable button input assignment, as well as a three-way switch that lets you swap between 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and USB-C connectivity. A 3.5mm headphone port rounds off the feature set in terms of design. It is worth noting here that the OPS v3 Pro is strictly a PC controller and won’t work on consoles. For platform-specific pads, consider browsing our guides to the best PS5 controllers or the best Xbox controllers instead.

While there is plenty to like here, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro is hampered by a few key design weaknesses. For one, the textured grips - while usually welcome on a controller like this - feel very rough to the touch. This, along with the awkward placement of those rear remappable buttons (they’re slightly misaligned with where your fingertips naturally rest) lead to a slightly uncomfortable play experience. While it doesn’t render the v3 Pro unusable, you may want to consider a more standard Xbox Wireless Controller or even a GameSir T4 Kaleid for longer gaming sessions from a comfort perspective.

While hit and miss on design aspects, then, one thing that does boost the v3 Pro’s value is the inclusion of a charging stand. Much like the 8BitDo Ultimate, the v3 Pro’s stand is incredibly convenient; simply hook it up to your PC via USB-C, magnetically attach the gamepad to the top and you’re good to go. Charge time is a little slow at 3-4 hours from empty to full, so we’d recommend an overnight charge to avoid waiting.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Performance

  • Sublime d-pad and bumpers
  • Top notch 30-hour battery life
  • Micro switch face buttons miss the mark

Much like the PowerA OPS v3 Pro’s overall design, performance has a number of hits and misses, too. The controller cannot be faulted on battery life; during my two weeks testing the controller - which included around two to three hours of gaming across most days - I never once needed to charge it. PowerA touts battery life of around 30 hours, and this appears to be accurate in my experience.

In terms of individual buttons and such, the d-pad and bumpers, powered by micro switches, are sublime. They have the perfect amount of clicky tactility and are simply a joy to use, especially with competitive games that often require rapid inputs. Games I tested that fit this criterion include Guilty Gear Strive, Final Fantasy 14 Online, and Fortnite. I found the controller to be a good fit for all three. Plus, with a 1,000Hz polling rate when wired to PC (and 500Hz via 2.4Ghz wireless), it’s fantastically responsive on its target platform. 

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Other areas of the gamepad are a bit of a letdown when it comes to overall performance. For one, while there are three stages of trigger lock, the lowest sensitivity setting (with the shortest trigger press) failed to work across all games tested. The trigger press simply didn’t register at this setting. And for the other two, there really isn’t much difference. 

As a result, I think you’d be better off leaving the trigger lock settings entirely default. This is a shame, as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro’s trigger lock settings are similar - with three distinct settings - and work beautifully on PC and console. It’s things like this that firmly cement the OPS v3 Pro as the more budget option with decidedly less polish.

Another problem area lies with the micro switch face buttons. While perfectly responsive, there’s a slight bump on the way down as you press the button. While certainly not a huge issue, it does take away much of the tactility and thus the novelty of having micro switch-based buttons.

Should I buy the PowerA OPS v3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for a good value PC controller
Controllers with this kind of feature set tend to push well above $100 / £100. The OPS v3 Pro comes in at just under that, making it relatively more affordable than its ‘Pro’ level competition.

You’re after a versatile and customizable PC controller
Fully customizable Lumectra RGB, delightful quick-twist thumbsticks and half a dozen remappable buttons make for a highly versatile controller.

Don't buy it if...

A top-quality level of design is a must-have in your controllers
Between awkwardly placed remappable buttons, rough textured grips and face buttons that feel slightly off, there are a lot of smaller frustrations with the OPS v3 Pro that build up to an experience that’s not as satisfying as it could be.

Also consider...

If the PowerA OPS v3 Pro isn’t quite doing it for you, we’ve got a couple of other options that we’ve tested and reviewed for your consideration below.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
This is the absolute best premium PC and Xbox controller you can buy right now. It’s much pricier, but it makes up for all the OPS v3 Pro’s shortcomings with more satisfying tactile feedback, better build quality and compatibility with Xbox.

For more information, read our full Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review.

GameSir T4 Kaleid
It’s a cheaper option and doesn’t have nearly the same number of features as the OPS v3 Pro. However, this is my favorite budget-friendly PC controller, with sublime-feeling Hall effect thumbsticks, tactile micro switch buttons and a gorgeous translucent build complete with RGB lighting.

For more information read our full GameSir T4 Kaleid controller review. 

How I tested the PowerA OPS v3 Pro

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the PowerA OPS v3 Pro across a wide variety of games on PC, including some of the best fighting games like Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 8 and the newly-released Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. Here, I found the superbly responsive d-pad and bumpers to be a perfect fit for this genre. Elsewhere, I made sure to test a wide range of titles, including Fortnite, Fall Guys, Final Fantasy 14 Online and Elden Ring.

One aspect that surprised me most about the OPS v3 Pro was its ultra-resilient battery life. During my two weeks with the gamepad, from full charge, I never once had the top up, which leads me to believe that PowerA’s estimates of 30 hours is absolutely doable here.

During my testing of the PowerA OPS v3 Pro, I integrated it into my overall gaming PC setup which includes the Razer Fujin Pro gaming chair, an AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor and Razer BlackShark V2 X wired headset.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review: easy to recommend
6:00 pm | August 31, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5: One-minute review

If you're looking for one of the best SSDs for PS5, then you can’t go wrong with the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5. This officially licensed drive may look a little plain compared to some of the flashier options out there, like the WD Black SN850 or Samsung 990 Pro, but it still delivers great performance where it counts. 

It exceeds the drive specifications recommended by Sony and recorded a solid 6,459 MB/s read speed using the PlayStation 5’s own internal benchmark. In real terms, this means no noticeable decrease in the performance of any of the best PS5 games compared to the console’s internal storage. It also helps facilitate speedy and smooth game transfers and installations.

For added peace of mind, the drive comes with a generous five-year limited warranty out of the box. The PS5 first went on sale in November 2020, so, judging by the lifespan of previous Sony consoles, that half-decade warranty should be enough to see you through the rest of the console generation.

The 1TB model is readily available at a range of retailers and comes in at a good price in both the US and UK. While it’s also easy to recommend the 2TB model in the US, it’s a little harder to find in the UK and can therefore be quite expensive in the region. Still, like other SSDs, the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 frequently receives excellent discounts around major sales periods, so it's always one to watch out for. 

There is also a 4TB model available, which goes for around $389.99 (roughly £328.36) though stock seems incredibly limited. This 4TB model also doesn't seem to be sold at all in the UK right now. This is a real shame, especially when we’re seeing more and more even higher-capacity 8TB drives enter the market such as the new 8TB WD Black SN850P. 

With the file sizes of some of the most popular PS5 releases only increasing, those who want to store a larger number of games would be better served by easier-to-find alternatives or even one of the best PS5 external hard drives instead.

The Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 fitted into a launch PS5.

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5: Price and availability

  • 1TB is $99.99 / £99.90
  • 2TB is $159.99 / £159.90
  • 4TB is around $389.99 

The 1TB Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 for $99.99 / £99.90 while the 2TB model is $159.99 / £159.90. Stock of the 2TB capacity seems quite scarce in the UK, though so it often appears above that price. 

While the 1TB drive is a very solid value in both regions, when you bear in mind its officially licensed status, you should certainly avoid purchasing the 2TB model in the UK until it is available at around RRP.

The 4TB variant goes for around $389.99 but is not easy to find and does not appear to be sold in the UK. This is definitely a shame and will be a dealbreaker for those who want to keep many large games, like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or Horizon Forbidden West, installed at the same time. 

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5: Specs

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5: Design and features

Even by PS5 SSD standards, the design of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 is definitely on the plain side. It comes fitted with a very boxy heatsink that makes the drive look like a small black rectangle attached to some connector pins. It’s quite a thick heatsink too, though I was pleased to find that I fit in the PS5’s M.2 SSD bay perfectly. 

While there are no LEDs present here, the heatsink is decorated with a small blue groove and a white Seagate logo. I can’t deny that I would have appreciated something a little more exciting, but it’s hard to complain when you’re ultimately not going to see the drive when it’s in use anyway. 

The retail packaging is good and contains an easy-to-open plastic case with plenty of padding to keep the drive snug and protected on the move - always great to see. The box features prominent PS5 branding, plus some basic information about the drive’s five-year warranty that directs you to the Seagate website.

The bottom of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD.

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5: Performance

The performance of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but still very good on the whole. It reached a 6,459 MB/s read speed with the internal PS5 SSD benchmark and performed well on a range of real-world file transfer tests.

Copying a 55.86GB installation of Zenless Zone Zero from internal storage took just 24 seconds while 50.49GB of Star Wars Outlaws was moved in just 21.5 seconds. Similar performance was observed with larger games, like the 100.1GB Final Fantasy 16 which was copied in only 43 seconds. 

Transferring smaller titles was also a breeze. The 30.71GB Alone in the Dark remake was fully copied in just 14.8 seconds and the 9.92GB Asphalt Legends Unite took only 6 seconds. Finally, the miniscule 1.65GB Angry Birds Star Wars was fully copied in 1 second. Jumping into all of these games, loading times were snappy and on par with those when playing from the PS5’s internal storage. These figures are only slightly behind the times that I recorded on the high-end Samsung 990 Pro, so great results overall. 

I also did not observe any major performance decrease over periods of extended use. The drive was able to copy multiple large games without breaking a sweat, which suggests that the included heatsink works effectively.

A top down view of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5?

Buy it if...

You want an officially licensed drive
You can’t go wrong with an officially licensed PS5 SSD. The Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 is within the specification recommended by Sony, includes a heatsink out of the box, and fits easily in the console.

You want a 1TB PS5 SSD
The 1TB model of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 is widely available and comes in at a very reasonable price. If you’re searching for a 1TB drive for your console, then this is definitely one to keep in mind.

Don't buy it if...

You need a 4TB drive
While there is a 4TB model of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, it is hard to find. You should consider other more readily available options if you would prefer or need a 4TB SSD.

Also consider...

If you’re not sold on the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, then consider these two compelling alternatives.

Samsung 990 Pro
The Samsung 990 Pro is the PS5 SSD to beat. It has a great design and boasts blazing fast speeds. Just bear in mind that it is more expensive than the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

WD Black SN850
The WD Black SN850 is an older model that is slower than the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5. Still, it’s within the recommended spec and could be a good alternative if you find it on sale.

For more information, check out our full WD Black SN850 review.

A close-up shot of the connector of the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5

  • Fitted to my personal PS5 
  • Used to store and transfer games 
  • Used in-built PS5 benchmark 

I tested the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 for a week, fitting it to my personal PS5 console and spending a day running a wide variety of tests. I recorded the data from the in-built PS5 storage benchmark, plus copied a wide variety of games to the drive. I was careful to test the drive with a good range of different file sizes in order to assess its performance.

Throughout my time with the drive, I compared the experience and its design to my hands-on testing of other PS5 SSD drives. This included the Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850, WD Black SN850P, and more.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

Visions of Mana review: a thoroughly decent RPG that lacks ambition
6:57 pm | August 29, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off
Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: August 29, 2024

Visions of Mana is the first original entry in the legendary Square Enix roleplaying game (RPG) franchise after a smattering of well-received remakes and remasters. Does the new game live up to venerated titles of the series’ history? Well, that’ll all depend on what kind of experience you’re looking for.

Off the jump, the most noticeable thing about Visions of Mana is its jaw-dropping visuals. This vividly-colored world really jumps out on an HDR-compatible display, and the game staunchly sets itself apart from the grimdark photorealism of other modern RPGs. Mana’s graphics aren’t state of the art but its visuals nonetheless leave a lasting impression - particularly within its larger cities and sprawling explorable zones.

Being an action RPG, developer Square Enix has managed to craft an interesting - if occasionally cumbersome - combat system. With straightforward combo strings and a range of magic spells, it’s a simple combat system that adds depth with Visions of Mana’s impressive class system that - when applied to the game’s five playable party members - allows you to unlock tons of abilities for highly customizable play. This is easily Visions’ strongest selling point, and worth checking out for alone.

With that all said, I can’t in good conscience say that Visions of Mana will stand the test of time. It’s a highly repetitive game from start to finish, and while its plot has bags of potential with some strong initial narrative hooks, statically-animated cutscenes, and ho-hum voice acting takes much away from the overall experience. Visions of Mana reminds me of Tales of Arise in that sense; a fundamentally great game that fumbles on some of the genre’s core foundations - ultimately leading to a game that likely won’t live long in the memory, and sadly not among the best RPGs we've played this year.

Sell your soul

Visions of Mana

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Visions of Mana is set in a beautiful world with an unenviable burden. Once every few years, the patron Faerie visits each major region of the world to choose an alm - a person of incredible talent and willpower. These alms are typically assigned the element that governs the region they hail from, be that fire, earth, light, darkness, the moon, and so on. These alms, along with a person chosen as a protective ‘Soul Guard’, must make a pilgrimage to the Mana Tree at the center of the world to offer up their lives as sacrifices to sustain life for everyone else.

It’s a strong premise with an immediate hook, and as such, the initial story beats in Visions of Mana are exceptionally compelling. That’s especially so considering regions that fail to deliver an alm to the Mana Tree are met with catastrophe. As a result, we’re given a setup with immediately high stakes, and it paints a picture of an incredibly cruel and unfair world where anything short of perfection is met with disaster.

Our protagonist, Val, has been chosen as the Soul Guard for the latest pilgrimage. What complicates matters is that his significant other, Hinna, has also been selected as the alm of fire. Again, this is a fantastic hook; Val and Hinna are excited to travel the world, but neither wants to have to permanently say goodbye at journey’s end. A quandary arises; do they give into the sacrifice to avert widespread chaos, or do they try and find another way that doesn’t require such a price?

Unfortunately, I found that Visions of Mana’s narrative doesn’t quite explore its themes as well as it should. The game’s darker moments don’t really land due to some extremely static cutscenes with near-unchanging facial expressions. Narratively, such moments also aren’t given much time to really set in, especially as we move from area to area at a surprisingly rapid pace. Things do pick up again in the final acts, thankfully, but large chunks of the story are left feeling hollow and underdeveloped which is a shame.

Our main characters, similarly, don’t offer a whole lot in terms of personality or quirks beyond surface-level stuff. Their designs are lovely and varied, but they almost uniformly feel quite cookie-cutter in terms of overall character development which takes much of the drama out of the plot.

Fight it out

Visions of Mana

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Combat, similarly, is quite the mixed bag. The good news is that Visions’ combat system is very straightforward, making it an easy game to just pick up and play. The bad? This simplicity is let down by some pretty clunky movement and combat feel. 

The characters and their various weapon types have a range of basic and special attacks that can be strung together for combos. Each party member can also learn a variety of spells and activate devastating Class Strikes for big damage when that move’s gauge is full.

Visions of Mana’s class system is easily the game’s most impressive feature. Each of the game’s five party members has a base class when you first meet them. Then, eight more classes are unlocked as you progress through the game, governed by each of the game’s elementals. That makes for a total of 45 classes, with each party member having access to nine each.

Classes get stronger by unlocking new abilities in the Elemental Plot skill tree. Here, each class has a strictly linear track of skills to unlock, redeemable with skill points earned through battle. That linearity might seem disappointing, but it’s somewhat offset by the fact that classes are able to mix and match many of these skills. 

Best bit

Visions of Mana

(Image credit: Square Enix)

I loved the class customization aspect of Visions of Mana. I was hugely impressed by the variety of classes on offer, as well as their unique aesthetics, weapon types, and various spells and abilities that can be unlocked. The fact you can take some spells from one class and apply them to another only heightens this, allowing for some truly fluid combinations within your three-person party.

As an example, I was able to turn Palamena into a damage powerhouse with the Darkness-aligned Reaper class. She has naturally high magic stats, so assigning spells of various elements to this class meant she could adapt to any given situation. Careena, meanwhile, works great as a buffer and healer and most of her classes revolve around this, so kitting her out with spells and skills to both buff characters and minimize the risk of status effects allowed her to be a mainstay in my team of three.

Characters can then further be augmented with the use of Ability Seeds. You’ll find these by opening chests or converting enemy Corestones (items that are randomly dropped from enemies containing their essence) into them once you unlock the ability to do so. Ability Seeds can provide skills and benefits not found within the Elemental Plot tree, and can really help a character reach their full potential.

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to character builds, then, and that’s awesome. Sadly, the act of combat itself can be a bit cumbersome. Overall movement feels quite slow and occasionally unresponsive. When you jump, your character loses a bunch of momentum which seems counterintuitive for the kind of game this is. The flow of combat, overall, feels similar to Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana, albeit less polished and significantly slower. This is a shame, as the vast amount of customization in Visions of Mana has laid the groundwork for what could be a truly excellent combat system. Here’s hoping Square Enix can apply some finer touches via post-launch patches. 

Take a hike

Visions of Mana

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Visions of Mana absolutely nails it in the presentation department. This is a richly colorful game, and the vibrant palette really helps its world to feel alive. It’s not quite an open world here; rather, we have a number of large, explorable zones that are filled with a manageable amount of things to do.

Scattered throughout these gorgeous zones - which range from volcanic jungles to mesmerizing landscapes of ice - are treasure chests, optional combat shrines, and various environmental interactions that make use of your collected elements. The game isn’t absolutely awash with side quests, though the ones that are here boil down to simple monster-slaying or fetch quests that typically amount to little reward. Unlike The Witcher 3 or Final Fantasy 16, you’re not really missing much - narratively or otherwise - by skipping side quests in Visions of Mana.

The soundtrack also sadly doesn’t do much to stand out among the bustle of cities or the throes of combat. It very much takes a back seat and sounds quite low in the mix at default settings. Some later boss and area themes really do slap, however, so it’s not a total dud. It’s just not up to the very high standard set here by the likes of Secret of Mana or Trials of Mana.

In better news, Visions of Mana is superbly optimized on PlayStation 5. The game’s performance mode is especially impressive, managing to hold a smooth 60fps in most occasions, with the odd noticeable dip happening in busier areas or encounters. While I did note a couple of instances where the game froze up for a couple of seconds during exploration, these were thankfully a very rare exception to an otherwise pleasantly stable experience. 

Accessibility

Visions of Mana has a very basic - but welcome - accessibility suite. Subtitles are supported, as well as text language support for English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese players. You can also fully customize the game’s control scheme and adjust camera sensitivity settings.

Should I play Visions of Mana?

Play it if...

You want a simple and cozy action RPG
Visions of Mana is far from groundbreaking, but it just might scratch that itch if you’re looking for a breezy, straightforward action RPG experience. 

You love class customization
The various classes and the cross-class customization they bring in terms of build variety add much-needed depth to the game, and it’s definitely its biggest selling point.

Don't play it if...

You were hoping for a stronger narrative
Despite its very strong initial hooks, Visions of Mana fails to keep the momentum going through its 30-hour runtime. 

You prefer fluid, fast-paced combat
Combat in Visions of Mana often feels clunky with cumbersome movement and alarmingly short melee attack range. 

How we reviewed Visions of Mana

I played Visions of Mana to story completion, which took around 30 hours. All the while, I sprinkled in plenty of environment exploration, completing numerous side quests and trying out various class combinations with the game’s five heroes. I played the game on PS5 on an LG CX OLED TV with a DualSense Edge controller, but do note that there aren’t any notable haptic feedback or adaptive trigger implementations here.

First reviewed August 2024.

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail review: a promising new beginning in both story and content
6:20 pm | August 2, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off
Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: July 2, 2024 

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail is the fifth major expansion for the increasingly popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), and for many of us who are caught up in terms of story and content, it’s one that has some impossibly large shoes to fill.

In terms of story at least, Dawntrail is coming off the back of two unequivocally legendary expansions in Shadowbringers (2019) and Endwalker (2021). The former launched the game’s popularity into the stratosphere, while the latter wrapped up the decade-long Hydaelyn/Zodiark saga with terrifyingly high stakes and arguably one of the most satisfying conclusions in gaming history.

Dawntrail isn’t that, opting instead to kick off a brand new story arc in an entirely new region far to the west. And honestly, that’s perfectly okay. If you go in with the right expectations, Dawntrail still provides an incredibly fulfilling main scenario experience, rich with incredible worldbuilding, infectiously likable characters and a focus on a diverse range of cultures and their histories. While not quite as expertly paced as those two expansions that came before it, I once again felt beyond satisfied once the credits had rolled.

Where Dawntrail has other expansions beat, however, is in the quality of its encounter design and the noticeably higher challenge provided by even the non-high level content. While never back-breakingly hard (outside of Extreme trials and Savage raids, that is), you nonetheless have to dial in much more frequently. As a result, I’m extremely confident in the direction Creative Studio 3 has opted to take here, and I can’t wait for Dawntrail to be expanded in future patches. 

Go west

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Dawntrail takes you, the Warrior of Light, to an entire continent you’ve yet to explore: Tural. Quite unlike large swathes of Eorzea - where everyone sounds like they’re from Wigan - Tural is a veritable cultural hotpot strongly inspired by various South American regions. The sprawling capital city of Tuliyollal is where your journey begins after a particularly perilous trip across the seas.

In Dawntrail, your goal is to aid Wuk Lamat, one of four claimants to Tuliyollal’s throne in its rite of succession. Objectives are twofold here; in order for Wuk Lamat to become Dawnservant, you must help her locate the legendary city of gold which her father - the current sitting ruler - discovered the gateway to decades ago.

Of course, this is far easier said than done. Opening the entrance to the golden city first requires you to find seven keystones entrusted to several cultural figureheads across Tural. By completing their tasks, you'll earn those keystones.

Best bit

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

While nearly every aspect of Dawntrail forms a complete and satisfying whole, my favorite addition has to be the Pictomancer job. As a previous Red Mage and Summoner main, I feel Pictomancer is the most unique and most fun casting job Final Fantasy 14 has had to date. I’m strongly considering making it my main job for Savage raid progression.

But as mentioned, this is a four-way race, and those other three are equally as keen on becoming Dawnservant as Wuk Lamat is. First there’s Koana, Wuk’s adopted brother who spent much of his life studying to the east in Sharlayan. As a result, he’s incredibly sharp-minded, and wishes to utilize Sharlayan’s technologies to help Tural prosper. 

Then there’s Zoraal Ja, the current ruler’s son and a man of very few words. Driven by pure ambition, Zoraal Ja makes for a terrifying presence during the rite of succession’s various trials. Lastly, there’s Bakool Ja Ja, something of a scoundrel who typically resorts to underhanded tactics to eke out every advantage he can.

There’s a rich tapestry of characters here, but Dawntrail makes it clear that Wuk Lamat is the expansion’s protagonist - and it’s one of the smartest things Creative Studio 3 has done here with Dawntrail’s plot. Initially, Wuk Lamat comes across as very naive and inexperienced despite her heart of gold. 

While some may find this to be irksome, she’s also a distinctly human character; she’s afraid of heights, gets seasick and has a serious case of imposter syndrome. However, she grows exponentially over the course of the story. Wuk’s passion for her country and love of her people is what gives her an edge over the competition. And crucially, she learns to recognize when people cannot be reasoned with, and becomes unafraid to perform drastic actions should the need arise. I think she’s a wonderful addition to Final Fantasy 14’s cast and I hope she sticks around for the long run.

To go any further would spoil Dawntrail’s story, but despite the seemingly lower stakes, the narrative is filled with its own twists and turns that form an unpredictable and entertaining plot, despite the occasional stint where the story’s pacing tends to drop off a little. 

This pace is the weakest aspect of Dawntrail’s main scenario. It’s by no means awful, mind, but it’s a little more uneven than Shadowbringers and Endwalker. 

Let me paint a picture

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

As with prior expansions, Dawntrail adds two new playable jobs (or classes for the uninitiated). This time we have two new damage-dealing jobs that add plenty of flair to the game. First is the melee DPS, Viper, which makes use of twin swords that can be combined into a single double-edged blade.

Viper can feel incredibly busy at first, with multiple combos, buffs and debuffs to maintain uptime on. It’s also a relatively fast-paced job, even by melee DPS standards, leading to a playstyle that’s both rapid and demanding. Thankfully, it is still fairly navigable; a yellow border around skills on your hotbar indicates which button you should be pressing next. This makes it very easy to keep track of fights while keeping your hotbars in your peripheral vision.

The second new job - and my favorite of the two - is Pictomancer. This is a casting DPS that utilizes aether-infused paint and motifs to deal damage and provide buffs to allies. Like Viper, Pictomancer initially seems more complex than it actually is, especially as its rotation is a bit more free-flowing than most other DPS roles. But after a little practice, you’ll be quite literally painting up a storm in no time.

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

As usual, a number of existing jobs have also received updates and - in some cases - major reworks. Monk, for example, feels excellent now thanks to a smart streamlining of its rotation. Instead of needing to upkeep a damage buff and a damage-over-time effect, one of your combos now generates orb stacks that effectively power up your more hard-hitting skills. On top of that, additional utility has been granted in the form of two extremely powerful ranged attacks.

Healer job Astrologian has also had a much-needed rework. Its card drawing system now has some additional depth, and there’s much more utility. Additionally, Astros now have two stacks of Lightspeed on a shorter cooldown, allowing them to instantly cast both damage and healing abilities more frequently.

The broader picture is that now, at Level 100, most of Final Fantasy 14’s jobs are beginning to feel somewhat complete. For example, jobs like Warrior and Reaper have seen very little changes outside of one or two new abilities or burst phase enders. The only real dud I’ve noticed is Summoner, which feels largely unchanged from its controversial Endwalker rework outside of the new form for Bahamut. Summoner, I feel, definitely could use more juice and I hope Creative Studio 3 considers looking over the job in future patches. 

Locked in

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Dawntrail’s launch features all the party-based content we’ve come to expect from a new expansion: eight four-player dungeons (three of which are max level ‘Expert’ dungeons), three eight-player trials (essentially large-scale boss encounters, two of which have ‘Extreme’ difficulty variants) and the first of three eight-player raid tiers (which contains four boss fights with ‘Normal’ and ‘Savage’ variants).

Progression, then, isn’t anything we haven’t seen before. That may be frustrating to some players hoping for something a little different as we kick off a brand new story arc for Final Fantasy 14. However, I feel this setup does play to this expansion’s benefit, especially as the overall challenge has seen a noticeable uptick at the casual level. Around the time you reach the Level 95 dungeon, you’ll definitely feel like you have to lock in more as bosses begin throwing out more creative mechanics. It leads to a latter half that’s genuinely thrilling, without ever treading into unfair territory.

"The Arcadion is set up to be a quintessential tournament arc for our Warrior of Light..."

The Level 100 Expert dungeons, especially, surprised me with their difficulty compared to Endwalker’s. You have to learn and pay attention, and it wasn’t uncommon for parties to get caught up on a boss or two during progression. Should you fail, you can now respawn directly outside the boss room which is a huge timesaver and a smart way to eliminate the previous ‘walk of shame’ - which had players trudge through an entire empty section of dungeon just to get back to a boss.

This steeper difficulty also applies to Dawntrail’s eight-player raid series; The Arcadion. Set up to be a quintessential tournament arc for our Warrior of Light, this first tier features four fights with some wonderfully inventive mechanics. As an example, the first encounter’s boss begins to break the brittle platforms beneath them partway into the fight. Next, they target a player whom they’ll launch into the air after a few seconds. Said player will need to adjust their position so that, after being launched, they land on a tile that hasn’t been broken. Otherwise, they’ll plummet to their death. It’s a brilliantly thematic mechanic that really helps set the tone of the raid going forward. 

The sights and sounds

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Lastly, I’d be remiss to not talk about the graphical overhaul that’s arrived as of Dawntrail’s release. The fundamental look of the game hasn’t changed much, but a much-needed upgrade to lighting, shadows and texture quality allow for a jaw-dropping facelift.

It’s partly why I’m glad that Dawntrail’s initial zones are relatively realistic in their design. The jungles of Kozama’uka, the rocky mounts of Urqopacha, and the swampy forests of Yak’tel all look breathtaking thanks to the overhaul. Certain weather conditions, like rain, are especially slick here, with light realistically bouncing off of wet surfaces.

It’s not just the new Dawntrail zones that have seen this upgrade, either. Checking out some older content, I was amazed by how much the overhaul has transformed some areas. While many locations have only received a light touch, dungeons like Syrcus Tower have received such an impressive upgrade that I almost didn’t recognize them at first.

Character models have seen a significant upgrade, too. Light interacts with skin more naturally than before. The au ra race’s horns are far more detailed, and touches like the way light shines through the softer parts of ears is wonderful attention to detail.

And of course, composer Masayoshi Soken has provided a near-immaculate soundtrack for the expansion; Dawntrail features some of his best work yet. New town and zone themes are some of my favorites to date, and later dungeon and trial themes are particularly hard-hitting, spanning orchestral, metal and drum-and-bass genres. 

Accessibility

Final Fantasy 14 in general offers numerous accessibility settings through its options menus. Your heads-up-display (HUD) can be fully customized for size, opacity and even complexity. UI elements such as player, NPC and enemy names can also be color-coded to your liking as well.

Elsewhere, in the dedicated accessibility settings tab, there are options for clear visual alerts and three distinct colorblind filters (protanopia, deuteranopia and tritanopia).

Finally, Final Fantasy 14 has full controller support across consoles and PC, with a dedicated 'cross hotbar' system designed around the face buttons, d-pad and triggers. PlayStation controllers including the DualSense and DualShock 4 also have touchpad support, allowing you to control a mouse cursor with the controller. Finally, holding LB/L1 and pressing in the right stick brings up a virtual mouse which can be moved with the analog stick and left/right click is assigned to the triggers.

Should I play Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail?

Play it if...

You’re all caught up with the story so far
In this case, you’re already invested in the Final Fantasy 14 experience, and Dawntrail provides yet another high-quality expansion with an exceptional main scenario and deeply engaging content. 

You want to be surprised
Without spoiling anything, Dawntrail’s second half is astonishing in its creativity, and the writers maintain the ability to present mature themes in some incredibly impactful ways. 

Don't play it if...

You’re just getting started
Well, here it’s probably more accurate to say that you can’t play Dawntrail. At least not before playing through the base game and the four expansions before it. 

How we reviewed Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail

As was the case with prior expansions, it took me roughly 30 hours to clear Dawntrail’s main scenario quest line. This took my Monk job from Level 90 to the new maximum of Level 100. Upon clearing, I went back and leveled more of my favorite jobs including Reaper, Warrior, Pictomancer, and Astrologian to get a feel for their changes and what the new vocations bring to the game.

Before going ahead with this review, I also made sure to wait for The Arcadion raid tier to be released, which came two weeks after the expansion’s launch. Since then, I’ve cleared the ‘Normal’ mode version of the raid tier each week for the weekly rewards, played almost every day to earn tomestone currency for better gear, and have successfully completed the first of two Extreme trials. 

GameSir Kaleid review: one of the best PC controllers, now available for Xbox
6:42 pm | June 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The GameSir Kaleid fixes one of the few problems I had with its predecessor, the GameSir T4 Kaleid (for the sake of simplicity, I’ll refer to it as the ‘T4’ from now on): it lacked compatibility with Xbox consoles, despite having the console’s ‘ABXY’ face button layout.

Now, GameSir has released a version of one of the best PC controllers that's compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC. However, the Kaleid does lose the Nintendo Switch compatibility enjoyed by the T4, so it isn’t the definitive option if you have to choose between the two based on your console of choice.

The GameSir Kaleid is identical to the T4 in almost every way. If you’re familiar with the T4 and its excellent micro switch buttons and Hall effect thumbsticks, you’re getting those same features here. The only notable differences are the darker translucent shell, a mildly improved D-pad, and a slightly higher price tag.

GameSir Kaleid

(Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

  •  $49.99 / £59.99 
  •  Pricier than the T4 Kaleid ($41.99 / £41.99) 
  •  US and UK availability (not currently available in Australia) 

The GameSir Kaleid launched on May 30, 2024, and can be bought either from GameSir’s website or the brand’s Amazon store page. It’s priced at $49.99 / £59.99, which is a good bit more than the T4 in the US ($41.99), and significantly more than in in the UK (£41.99). Overall, it’s similarly priced in comparison to the Xbox Wireless Controller ($59.99 / £54.99), though the GameSir wins out here in terms of overall features and customizability.

It’s worth noting that if this will be your first time purchasing a GameSir product, you can pick up the Kaleid from the brand’s official website with an 8% discount as a new customer. This brings the price of the Kaleid down to $46.99 / £56: a small saving, but noteworthy all the same.

Specs

GameSir Kaleid

(Image credit: Future)

Design and features

The new GameSir Kaleid is practically identical to the T4 in terms of features. That includes Hall-effect thumbsticks to practically eliminate the risk of drift, plus welcome ancillary features like remappable rear buttons, and a central multi-function button useful for adjusting trigger stop distance, the brightness of the controller’s RGB effects, overall RGB patterns, thumbstick dead zones and button layout profile creation.

Yes, that delightful RGB lighting remains in the new Kaleid. And despite the darker translucent shell, the lighting still manages to shine brightly. In fact, I think the subtler translucency helps the RGB effect stand out much more effectively here; it looks great encased in that darker shell.

Otherwise, this is, by and large, the same controller as the T4, albeit with Xbox console compatibility in place of Nintendo Switch. This nicely positions it as a top contender for one of the best Xbox controllers in its price range. 

The new Kaleid retains that same Xbox Wireless Controller-adjacent build and button layout, and the central GameSir-branded Home button is replaced with the official Xbox logo. And yes, the Kaleid features the ‘Designed for Xbox’ seal of approval, meaning it’ll work with Xbox consoles out of the box with no fuss. 

GameSir Kaleid

(Image credit: Future)

Performance

The T4 is one of my favorite PC controllers and my go-to controller for fighting games in particular, owing to its snappy micro switch buttons and drift-resistant Hall effect thumbsticks. Both of those are found here and feel just as excellent to play with.

One thing of note is that the new Kaleid’s D-pad is a step up from the T4's. Like the face buttons, it’s now micro switch-based, feeling much more tactile and responsive as a result. All other modules, meanwhile, including the shoulder buttons, triggers, sticks, and central Home and sharing buttons, feel practically identical. It also shares the T4’s lack of wireless functionality, unfortunately, so you’ll be relying on a wired USB-C connection (a cable is included in the box). This may be a dealbreaker if you typically prefer wireless play.

It’s also worth noting that you can further customize the Kaleid with the GameSir Nexus app, available on PC and now Xbox consoles as well. The dedicated controller software is genuinely excellent, allowing you to adjust thumbstick dead zones, RGB lighting patterns and brightness settings, trigger sensitivity, and map the functions of the extra rear buttons. Much of this can also be done via the controller’s multifunction button, by holding it down and referring to the button inputs found in the included manual. However, I preferred having a visual guide for my changes via the app, making it much easier to fine-tune my controller’s setup.

gamesir kaleid

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the GameSir Kaleid?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If the GameSir Kaleid isn’t quite what you’re looking for, consider the following two options, which we believe are strong alternative picks.

GameSir Kaleid

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the GameSir Kaleid

  •  Tested nearly every day for a week 
  •  Tested with Xbox and PC games 
  •  Compared with other recommended and affordable Xbox controllers 

I tested the GameSir Kaleid over a week, starting on Xbox Series X with titles including Halo Infinite, Elden Ring, Sea of Thieves, and Forza Horizon 5. I downloaded the GameSir Nexus app on the console and created numerous custom profiles based on a variety of game genres for an enhanced experience with each. I also tested the controller in conjunction with similarly excellent Xbox gamepads, such as the Xbox Wireless Controller and the Victrix Gambit.

Moving over to PC, I tested the GameSir Kaleid with a range of Steam titles, including Elden Ring once again, Final Fantasy 14 Online, and Tekken 8. My experience here was largely similar to that of the T4, given that they are, by and large, identical. As such, less testing was required here as it provided a similarly high-quality experience overall.

First reviewed June 2024

Rainbow 2 Pro wireless controller review – a superb Pro Controller alternative
5:46 pm | February 27, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

BIGBIG WON may not be the most well-known gaming hardware manufacturer in the West, but in the Rainbow 2 Pro, it’s been able to provide what I strongly believe to be one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers you can buy.

Almost everything about the Rainbow 2 Pro is of excellent quality, from its comfy textured grips and Xbox-like shell to the near-immaculate face buttons, bumpers, and ancillary remappable buttons. With Pro-adjacent features like Hall effect sticks, trigger locks, and full gyro support, the Rainbow 2 Pro absolutely gives the Nintendo Switch Pro controller a run for its money.

It’s also in a similar price bracket to Nintendo’s official gamepad, coming in at $64.99 / £64.99 for the controller by itself. A more fleshed-out package that adds an alternative D-pad, swappable thumbstick caps, and a charging dock is also available to purchase for $79.99 / £79.99.

Design and features

Rainbow 2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

At first glance, the Rainbow 2 Pro strongly resembles the Xbox Wireless Controller, or indeed the Nintendo Switch Pro controller with its similar semi-translucent finish. Its face buttons match the layout of Xbox’s pad, which you’d think would be a strange choice for a Switch-focused gamepad. However, this is likely to cater to folks playing on PC as well as Android and iOS devices. Smartly, the Rainbow 2 Pro does feature the Switch layout notation via small text graphics in the center of the face buttons.

The controller feels fantastic to hold right away. A slightly compact chassis and textured grips allow the Rainbow 2 Pro to rest firmly in the hands. This is doubly crucial given the controller’s support for gyro aiming; you’ll never once feel the controller slip or lose grip as you play titles like Splatoon 3 or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which both strongly feature motion-based input.

The real winner here, in terms of design, is the placement of the four remappable buttons. There are two placed on the back where you’d typically find them on Pro-adjacent gamepads. But an additional two are situated up top, between the triggers. I find this to be an ingenious placement, freeing up the rear of the controller from too much clutter and rendering it easy to click with your index fingers. They’re mechanical, too, offering a delightful clicky feel.

There’s a row of functions at the bottom of the controller, allowing players to access additional convenient features. These include being able to access a Turbo function for swifter inputs, and a button that, when held, lets you assign inputs to those remappable modules.

Unfortunately, there are a few odd quirks to keep in mind. While the thumbsticks are perfectly fine and responsive in movement, clicking them in for L3 and R3 inputs feels uncomfortably mushy, almost like there’s something sitting beneath them. Furthermore, the default four-way D-pad can be inaccurate; I preferred to use the Xbox-like eight-way model that’s included in the box, which I found to be much better overall. 

Lastly, swapping from XInput (used for PC) to Nintendo Switch input is a little awkward; you’ll need to firmly hold down the pad’s Home button, along with a face button, to switch between them. This is something that’s buried in the instruction manual, and won’t be immediately clear to those who plan on using the Rainbow 2 Pro for both PC and Switch. 

Performance and battery life

Rainbow 2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Said design quirks don’t stop the Rainbow 2 Pro from being an absolutely fantastic controller to play with. First off, it’s got robust connectivity options. You can, of course, hook it up via USB-C to your console or device. And for wireless players, a 2.4GHz dongle is included in the box. As for Bluetooth, once I’d figured out how to enable Switch mode, the controller connected wirelessly to the console noticeably quicker than other Bluetooth-ready gamepads.

The play experience with the Rainbow 2 Pro is also sublime. Hall effect sticks and triggers are incredibly responsive and sturdy. Meanwhile, its ancillary buttons, such as Start, Select, screenshots, and Function buttons, are all easily within reach. The trigger locks are also an excellent touch for Switch users, as the console typically relies on digital inputs for the majority of the best Nintendo Switch games.

Battery life isn’t quite the best, however. Playing wirelessly, you’ll get roughly 15 hours on a full charge. This falls behind the 20-30 hours offered by the 8BitDo Ultimate and the absurd 40+ found with the official Nintendo Switch Pro controller. Still, 15 hours is far from bad. And if you opt for the model that comes with a charging dock, you’ll have a convenient and bespoke way to charge your controller in just a couple of hours.

Should I buy the Rainbow 2 Pro?

Rainbow 2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The Rainbow 2 Pro is a phenomenal gamepad for both Nintendo Switch and PC, with just a small handful of design oddities muddying the waters. However, these quirks are nothing deal-breaking. And if you’re looking for a controller that’s comfortable, responsive, and features a lovely RGB profile within its semi-translucent design, it’s an easy recommendation from us. 

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we reviewed the Rainbow 2 Pro

I tested the Rainbow 2 Pro across Nintendo Switch and PC. Through playing Splatoon 3, I was able to appreciate its responsiveness and high level of accuracy with the gyro aiming. The controller felt at home with other titles, too, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Tears of the Kingdom, and Final Fantasy 14 Online. All of which have decently complex control schemes that the Rainbow 2 Pro handled with ease.

For more coverage on Nintendo Switch hardware, consider browsing our guides to the best Nintendo Switch accessories and best Nintendo Switch controllers. 

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review – fully reincarnated
5:00 pm | February 22, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off
Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5
Release date: February 29, 2024

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is dense, rewarding, and confident in the tale it’s telling. Dramatic, playful, and dynamic, action role-playing game (RPG) Rebirth takes a cavalier attitude to its storytelling and mechanics - a move that almost always pays off. The well-paced and intriguing storyline is punctuated by satisfying character moments and thrilling battles, only let down by the rare half-baked idea that doesn’t quite hit the mark. 

On his quest to stop the villainous Sephiroth from destroying the world, protagonist Cloud has an entourage of varied and well-realized companions, each with their own distinctive personalities, goals, and ambitions. The dialogue between these characters is memorable, moving, and often humorous, too. 

Banter between party members is defined by an organic sense of chemistry that’s rare beyond the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3. High-quality facial animations complete with tentative lip twitches and lingering glances help enrich the game’s sense of drama and emotional stakes, creating a memorable and poignant experience. 

Those who fight further 

Yuffie and Cait Sith use a synergy attack

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Rebirth’s predecessor Final Fantasy 7 Remake famously dispensed with the original Final Fantasy 7’s turn-based battle system in favor of a hybrid setup that features pausable real-time combat. Rebirth doubles down on this change, offering battles that feel not only strategic but also fluid and responsive. Every aspect of the combat has been iterated upon. Characters move more deliberately, their dodges and parries feeling lifted from an action game proper rather than an RPG dressed up as one. A perfect parry will even render you immune to damage for a short time - a brave new mechanic that keeps players on their toes.  

This dynamism makes customization more meaningful, a feat that Rebirth delivers by offering oodles of Materia, which can be equipped to give your characters access to different passive and active abilities. This fleshes out the strategic layer in combat. As you battle, you’ll build up ATB - action points that you can cash in for specific spells or abilities. With the touch of a button, combat is paused, allowing you to execute these moves. This is a source of endless meaningful decisions and helps create joyful friction, keeping things fresh and engaging even during more routine battles. 

Best bit

Cissnei in Gongaga jungle

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Fighting a giant mech on top of a Mako reactor was particularly memorable, as were the pilot’s hammy monologues. Fraught with dramatic tension, stunning visuals, and nail-biting combat, this battle highlighted everything there is to love about Final Fantasy spectacle. 

As you battle, you’re able to rapidly switch between different party members, taking control of Cloud’s companions with ease. Each playable character handles very differently in battle, helping not only to add a sense of variety but also to reinforce the characters’ own personalities. 

The stalwart, reliable Barret is slow-moving. His dodge has a shorter range than his allies, but he makes up for this by being tough as nails, slowly but surely advancing as his gun arm spits hot lead. Red XIII moves rapidly, like a wild animal; his unique ‘Vengeance’ mechanic rewarding him for taking risks and successfully blocking attacks. Aerith is a deliberate and methodical spellcaster, placing glyphs on the ground to control the battlefield, and supporting her allies with consistent stability - much like she does outside of combat, too. In dialogue scenes, Aerith acts as the backbone of the party, guiding her friends with a sense of purposeful compassion. Seeing this mirrored in Rebirth’s combat is a real treat. 

It’s the little things 

Costa del Sol at dusk

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Unlike Final Fantasy 7 Remake which took place in the packed megapolis of Midgar, Rebirth has you travel beyond its walls, exploring an expansive semi-open world. However, rather than using this as a way to shoehorn in dozens of tedious sidequests and extraneous tasks, developer Square Enix designed Rebirth’s explorable zones with a sense of restraint. While there are plenty of side-quests, they tend to exist in short, sharp bursts, amounting to bite-sized mini-games or battles with optional objectives. Never do these diversions distract from the weight of the main storyline. 

Some side-quests do seem dull on paper; you’ll sometimes be tracking down a missing item or escorting something across the map. What gives these missions texture, however, is how each of them focuses on a specific one of Cloud’s companions, using the side-quest as a pretext for meaningful character interactions. 

A game of Queen's Blood in FF7 Remake

(Image credit: Square Enix)

What could be an uninspired escort quest in Junon quickly becomes something more when it causes Barret to raise concerns about his attitude toward parenthood and his anxieties around his daughter growing up. Parts of the conversation are played for laughs, with Barret comedically lamenting his daughter “flying the nest,” but there’s a real overtone of emotional sensitivity and nuance, too. 

Accessibility features

Camera options menu in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is light on accessibility features but not without plenty of options for camera customization. Screen shake can be toggled and camera distance and responsiveness can all be adjusted to suit tastes. There are also multiple difficulty levels, including ‘Dynamic’ which adjusts automatically based on your performance.

Not every side activity benefits from Square Enix’s more restrained approach, though. The occasional task remains a chore. Though almost all of the mini-games make for amusing distractions, some fall flat. Highlights include the Chocobo racing game, a loving send-up of Mario Kart 8, and Queen’s Blood, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s deep and rewarding collectible card game. 

Unfortunately, there are moments where the RPG overreaches. In one dire section, the player must use the DualSense controller touchpad to throw blocks around a dungeon to activate switches and solve puzzles. The section is derivative and torturous - a half-baked idea that is given center stage for a tedious half-hour due to the RPG’s unabashed (and occasionally misplaced) confidence.

Never-ending story 

Cloud leaps towards Sephiroth with his giant sword swung over his head

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Rebirth shows similar confidence when it comes to storytelling, almost always with strong results. Like an industrial drill slowly breaking through layers of concrete, the RPG retells Final Fantasy 7’s second act with consistent momentum. Open-world sections are broken up by hub towns and dungeons, all of which give Rebirth a pleasing ebb and flow where tension can build and fall across an accommodating backdrop of varying environments and contexts. 

Rebirth’s core characters grow and change throughout, their personalities reshaped under the deliberate weight of the RPG’s tightly constructed central story. For instance, as he did in the original, Cloud is forced to confront questions surrounding his identity and sense of self. What’s masterful about Rebirth is how seamlessly the stakes rise. As Sephiroth increasingly uses his supernatural influence to control Cloud, it feels like a frog slowly boiling in a pot, unaware that it’s overheating until it’s too late.

The remake trilogy is sticking to its guns - a move that’s worthy of respect

The tale Rebirth has to tell does differ from what’s offered in the original. While these differences seem minute for the vast majority of the story, the RPG’s final section is a high-concept set piece worthy of Kingdom Hearts 3 or Death Stranding in its simultaneous display of artistic bravery and obtuseness. The final act of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will ignite the internet with fan theories. While some will find it distasteful, it’s clear that the remake trilogy is sticking to its guns - a move that’s worthy of respect.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth proves that the remake trilogy isn’t a remake in the strictest sense. However, if you’re looking to go on another thrilling adventure with Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Yuffie, and Red XIII, then you’ve come to the right place - just don’t expect it to be the adventure you’re used to.

Looking for other immersive titles? Check out our lists of the best RPGs and the best story games.

Sony Inzone H5 review – hits the mid-range sweet spot
5:42 pm | January 16, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Sony Inzone H5 finds itself in the middle of the pack of the company’s gaming headset range. However, the set is less ‘middle of the road’ and much more ‘hits the sweet spot’ given its balance of performance, features, and pricing. In many ways, I found all my expectations to be greatly exceeded.

If you’re looking for one of the best PS5 headsets in that mid-range price bracket, then you should consider the H5, especially if you’re after something more feature-rich than the relatively bare-bones (albeit still very solid) Sony Inzone H3. Furthermore, the H5 offers a quality audio and party chat experience that easily holds its own in the face of the much pricier Sony Inzone H7 headset.

Standout aspects of the Sony Inzone H5 include its exceptional audio and pristine microphone quality. When paired with the headset’s equally excellent battery life, you’ve got a product that easily justifies its mid-range price tag. An incredibly high level of comfort is another string to its bow, too. With only a couple of minor gripes to contend with, I highly recommend the Sony Inzone H5 if you’re looking for a mid-range powerhouse for your PlayStation 5 console or PC.

The Sony Inzone H5 gaming headset comes in white or black and has a retail price of $149.99 / £139.99, firmly placing it in the mid-range bracket alongside similarly excellent PS5 sets like the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless. Readily available to buy from Sony’s official online store or retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Currys, it’s also significantly more affordable than the Sony Inzone H7 ($229 / £169).

Design and features

Sony Inzone H5

(Image credit: Future)

The Sony Inzone H5 shares the same sleek, curved, and white design aesthetic as the other members of the Inzone headset family while also maintaining the impressive build quality we’ve come to know from the range. The outer headband has a subtle textured feel and the ear cups are built with a sturdy plastic that’s resistant to wear and tear. 

The plush ear pads and head cushion provide a superb level of comfort that makes the headset pleasant to use for longer periods. I did find the cushioning began to irritate my ears after around four to five hours of constant use. This was swiftly remedied with a quick 10-20 minute break, however.

The headset features an on-board microphone that unfortunately cannot be removed from the device. This makes it largely unsuitable for on-the-go or outdoor usage. That being said, the mic is built to the same high level of quality found all over the headset and has enough flexibility and sturdiness to rest in a position that suits you best.

Lastly, several onboard inputs set the H5 apart from the cheaper H3 model. Next to the power button on the right cup are two switches that affect game-to-chat audio balancing. On the rear of the left cup, you’ve got a volume dial as well as the USB-C and 3.5mm jack ports for wired use (both cables included along with the wireless dongle). I found all of these modules to be easily locatable while the headset was being worn, making quick adjustments during play incredibly easy to do.

Performance and battery life

Sony Inzone H5

(Image credit: Future)

Regardless of whether you primarily play on PS5 or PC (PS4 isn’t listed on the box, but the headset will work on Sony’s last-gen machine), the Sony Inzone H5 offers fantastic audio quality for both play and casual music listening. Better yet, its built-in 360 Spatial Sound support helps bring the best PS5 games’ audio design to the forefront by improving dynamic range. Not only does this help the best single-player games feel that much more immersive, but the headset’s ability to pick up on the volume and direction of even very subtle sounds makes it an excellent choice for online multiplayer games where spatial awareness can be key to success.

Dropping into matches of PUBG Battlegrounds, I felt I was able to make progress more effectively, especially in those opening few circles where listening out for distant noises is crucial in surviving while you loot and build your loadout. And in the realm of single-player, I was even more enraptured by the bustling streets of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name’s Sotenbori district.

The headset’s bass profile is especially impressive, providing punchy lows that don’t register as overly muddy or drown out other audio. This strength in bass was especially welcome when paired with Guilty Gear Strive’s thunderous metal soundtrack. It also helped to highlight particularly meaty explosions in games like Returnal and Doom Eternal.

Voice chat quality is also a particular high note. Jumping into a party chat with friends to play online multiplayer in Gran Turismo 7 and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, I was clearly heard by others, and I found my voice registered with an impressively high level of clarity. Overall, the Sony Inzone H5 is a fantastic choice for players who regularly play with friends online.

Another highlight of the Sony Inzone H5 is its brilliant battery life. You’ll get roughly 25-28 hours on a full charge. However, I did notice a relatively long charging time, taking approximately three to four hours to go from empty to full. As a result, it’ll pay to charge the headset overnight if you’re able to do so.

Rounding out the package is the Inzone Hub, which is the range’s dedicated PC customization app. Overall, this app is a fairly mixed bag, and its PC exclusivity means that PS5 players will have to rely on their console’s relatively limited audio settings to tinker with their sound. As far as I could tell, EQ settings on PC did not save to the headset for use on PS5. That’s a shame, as it’s a feature enjoyed by the RIG 600 Pro HS headset and its dedicated PC and mobile app.

The Inzone Hub has basic equalizer and dynamic range controls. There are a couple of preset EQs for bass boosting and general music listening, and users are also able to make their own custom profiles to better suit their preferences, which is welcome. However, aside from toggling spatial sound and automatic power-off, that’s really all you’re getting from the Inzone Hub.

Should I buy the Sony Inzone H5?

Sony Inzone H5

(Image credit: Future)

Overall, the Sony Inzone H5 is extremely easy to recommend if you’re looking for a new PS5 headset and operating with a mid-range budget. While PS5 players may miss some of the extra customization afforded to PC players via the Inzone Hub app, the out-of-the-box experience still impresses with high-quality, immersion-enhancing audio and a terrific microphone that makes it ideal for online play and party chatter. It’s definitely one of the best wireless gaming headsets available in the mid-range price bracket. 

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we reviewed the Sony Inzone H5 gaming headset

I tested the Sony Inzone H5 over a week and a half, primarily with PS5 games that boast rich audio design such as Gran Turismo 7, Returnal, and PUBG Battlegrounds. I also hooked it up to my PC with the USB dongle and found the rather basic Inzone Hub app to still offer some customization that helped titles like Final Fantasy 14 Online and Doom Eternal stand out even more when played via Steam.

In comparison to my usual, everyday headset - the RIG 600 Pro HS - I found audio and mic quality to be comparable in quality. However, the Sony Inzone H5 certainly wins when it comes to build quality and slightly edges out in the realm of comfort.

Looking for more PlayStation 5-focused hardware? Be sure to have a browse of our best PS5 controllers and best PS5 accessories pages for top recommendations. 

Sony Inzone Buds review – fantastic sound that comes with caveats
5:18 pm | October 27, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Sony Inzone Buds for PlayStation 5, mobile, and PC, are a seriously impressive pair of gaming earbuds that surpass the competition in several aspects. It’s quite clear that Sony wanted its new gaming earbuds to be best-in-class, and there are many areas where it achieves as such.

It’s absolutely nailed the design of the earbuds with premium build quality and intuitive on-board touch controls. But things get even better when it comes to the Inzone Buds’ overall audio performance. Presenting richly detailed audio that’s enhanced by a wide dynamic range and spatial audio support, they transcend being just ideal for casual music listening and are incredible for all media and games.

Performance in-game can vary, though, with a rather muddy register for audio on the lower end of the sound stage. Throw in an additional blemish when it comes to awkward Bluetooth connectivity and you’ll find there are some frustrations to be had with the Inzone Buds. However, superb battery life does help to sweeten the deal here, and it’s easy to place them among the best gaming earbuds you can buy today.

Price and availability

You can pick up the Sony Inzone buds right now for $199.99 / £179.99 / AU$249.95. That puts them in the same ballpark as the Apple AirPods 3 in terms of price range, and slightly more expensive than the PS5’s Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed gaming earbuds.

Design and features

Sony Inzone Buds

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the box, the Sony Inzone Buds come housed in a sturdy, but rather basic charging case. This features a pairing button, a USB-C port on the rear for charging, and a sole LED up front that handles signifiers for things like battery and pairing. Pop the magnetically-sealed case open to reveal the Inzone Buds themselves and the included USB-C 2.4GHz dongle slotted between them in a dedicated space. The package handily includes six additional tips of varying sizes and a USB-C cable for charging purposes.

The flat base of the carry case means it’ll sit on any level surface easily. Though because the earbuds rest flat inside the case, it means it’s got a rather wide build compared to the likes of the Turtle Beach Scout Air and Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed. As a result, it’s not really the most pocket-friendly carry case out there.

The Inzone Buds themselves are expertly crafted. Whether you opt for the white or black colorway, the simple yet classy design doesn’t draw much attention, making the buds perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. I’m especially a fan of the contrast between the matte chassis and glossier material used for the on-board touch controls.

The ear-facing sides of the Inzone Buds are also handily marked with left and right ear designations. Lifting them out of the case and placing them in your ears, you’ll hear brief but audible jingles letting you know they’re switched on. A voice will also relay to you which mode the buds are currently in - either Bluetooth or USB transceiver.

One of the best things about the Sony Inzone Buds is their high level of comfort and non-slip design. During longer listening sessions, I never once felt I had to readjust the earbuds, nor did they ever run warm or begin to irritate my ears. This allowed for a sublimely unintrusive listening experience.

Lastly, the included USB-C dongle features a switch with two settings separating PS5 and mobile use from PC. A white LED on its base indicates it’s turned on, and there’s a handy reset button should you need to revert its settings back to the default USB transceiver option.

Performance and battery life

Sony Inzone Buds

(Image credit: Future)

The Sony Inzone Buds provide a joyous listening experience. Music and vocals are rendered clearly and with rich detail. I found them to be especially nice for tracks led by electronic instruments or powerful vocal performances. Sonic Frontiers’ EDM-laced Cyber Space levels sounded extra punchy, and in Final Fantasy 14 Online, Amanda Achen’s impactful voice helped tracks like Flow and Return to Oblivion hit especially hard. That strong vocal register means the buds are similarly excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.

One area where the earbuds don’t perform as well is in that lower profile. Bassier audio, or particularly loud sound effects, came across as fairly muddy and lacking in detail. It’s by no means atrocious, but when playing Gran Turismo 7, I noticed that the low engine roars and tire screeching sounded noticeably lower quality. They’re also not fantastic when several sound effects are occurring all at once. That’s a common situation in Final Fantasy 14 Online, where there are weapon skill effects and character chatter happening constantly. In busier eight and 24-man raid content, it all registered as rather soupy.

On PS5, the Inzone buds are helped by support for 3D audio, be that Sony’s own Tempest 3D or Dolby Atmos which was recently added to the current-gen console. While these modes did help to elevate the sound stage somewhat, it doesn’t quite compare to the transformative effect offered by some of the best PS5 headsets or best wireless gaming headsets out there like the SteelSeries Arctis 9 or the Sony Inzone H9.

The spatial audio experience is improved somewhat on PC, as here’s where you can download the Inzone Hub app for a greater degree of customization. There’s a rather irksome setup process here, though, as you’ll need to physically take pictures of your ear for the software to generate an audio profile that suits you best. The effort involved, sadly, isn’t really worth it, as again the spatial audio provided isn’t as rich or dynamic as you’d get on a traditional gaming headset with larger drivers.

There is also some frustration to be had with the Inzone Buds’ approach to Bluetooth connectivity. While they paired just fine on my Android phone, my Nintendo Switch OLED wasn’t able to recognize them at all. You won’t be able to hook them up to an iOS device via Bluetooth, either. Once in Bluetooth mode, the right bud simply refused to switch back to USB transceiver mode, too, even when unpairing them from my phone and slotting in the USB-C dongle. A hard reset via the bottom switch of the dongle was required here. That fixed the problem but was an annoyance nonetheless.

The buds have a built-in microphone as well, and while it’s fine for general phone calls, voice chat performance in games left something to be desired. My voice came across as fairly quiet, even when adjusting settings to compensate. They get the job done, for sure, but if you’re getting caught up in the heated firefights of Fortnite or PUBG Battlegrounds, you may wish to swap out for a more traditional gaming headset for more reliable communication.

Thankfully, the Inzone Buds greatly impress when it comes to battery life. Offering a huge 12 hours of battery life on a single charge through 2.4GHz connection (and roughly 24 via Bluetooth), there’ll be more than enough battery there for most users in a single day. The charging case also provides an additional 24 hours of battery before needing to be juiced up.

Should I buy the Sony Inzone Buds?

Sony Inzone Buds

(Image credit: Future)

The Sony Inzone buds are easily some of the best gaming earbuds out there right now. With impressive audio in spite of those muddy lows, and superb noise canceling and battery life, they’re absolutely worth the price of admission. While I do wish they had better spatial audio performance and a more consistent Bluetooth performance, they are overall a step up from most gaming earbuds on the market today. 

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

How we reviewed the Sony Inzone Buds

I tested the Sony Inzone Buds over the course of about a week, switching frequently between PS5, mobile, and PC use. As a versatile set of buds, it was important to get a feel for musical performance as well as how they handle gaming audio. As a result, much time was spent in games with excellent sound design, such as Gran Turismo 7, Control, Demon’s Souls and Final Fantasy 14 Online.

Prefer a headset over earbuds? Be sure to take a look at our best Xbox Series X headsets guide, as well as our more general look at the best wired gaming headsets. 

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