Author: Jay Allsopp

Microsoft’s June showcase gave us a lot of reasons to be optimistic for the future of the company. After the unmitigated disaster of the Redfall launch, Microsoft really needed to provide some kind of lifeline for Xbox fans; gamers were getting worried that the studio had nothing up its sleeve in terms of killer apps, but that turned out not to be the case.  We may not have learned quite as much about games like Fable as we wanted to, but we’re still excited for the upcoming Xbox lineup; Starfield and Forza Motorsport have our attention in particular. Before…

Have you ever lost a USB drive that contained important information? There’s no feeling more terrifying than that drop in the pit of your stomach when you realise that the drive you’ve been carrying isn’t with you anymore.  You can’t remember where you dropped it, but you know the files that were on it, and you really don’t want anybody else to see them; they could be business secrets or personal information, but whatever the case may be, you’re terrified someone else is going to get their hands on that data now. That’s where companies like iStorage, which makes the…

E3 2023’s cancellation has done absolutely nothing to stem the tide of game publishers and developers wanting to show off their latest exciting works. Whether it’s Ubisoft giving us in-depth looks at the gameplay for some of its upcoming titles or Xbox firing off trailer after trailer, summer 2023 has been a great time for game reveals, surprises, and old favourites making triumphant returns. Here are some of the best game announcements, release dates, and other reveals we got to see as part of this year’s definitely-not-E3 celebration of all things gaming! Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater That’s…

It’s been a funny old year for Microsoft so far, hasn’t it? Early last year, the company announced it would acquire Activision Blizzard, one of the biggest game developers and publishers in the world, for a staggering $68.7 billion. This year saw that deal frustrated by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which means Microsoft might not get its fairytale wedding after all. In addition, the high-profile and very public failure of Arkane’s Redfall means Microsoft is hurting for essential gaming experiences to draw people towards Xbox hardware. It’s time for Microsoft to step up to the plate, so…

After the absolutely mammoth success that was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (a success that’s only going to keep growing, we have no doubt), the Nintendo Switch seems to be sitting pretty atop a throne nobody else can challenge.  Tears of the Kingdom is going to take some serious beating, not only from Nintendo itself but also from other triple-A challengers, and so nobody could blame Nintendo and its console for taking a victory lap in July. However, there are still more great Switch games to come, so let’s take a look at the best Nintendo…

It can sometimes feel like PC gaming is in a somewhat rough spot. Many games being released for the platform are landing in the form of lacklustre ports with poor optimisation, meaning that even PC gamers with the latest and greatest hardware are being left out in the cold in many cases.  Even with that being said, though, for many, PC remains the best platform on which to play thanks to its extensive customisation options, superior graphical capabilities (assuming you’ve got a top-of-the-range machine, of course) and huge software library. That library is set to expand even further soon,…

It’s hard to feel like Nintendo isn’t reaching the end of an era. Despite the fact that Nintendo of America head Doug Bowser has assured gamers and journalists alike that the Switch isn’t nearing the end of its life, the console is inarguably beginning to struggle with some of its more demanding games in a technical sense. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet pushed the Switch to its absolute limits and beyond, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will also put the console through its paces. With that in mind, the lineup for Switch games in June 2023…

Sometimes, it feels like PC gamers are especially hard done by. Recently, somewhat lacklustre ports of The Last of Us Part I and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor caused consternation among PC gamers, who lamented the games’ poor performance even on higher-end machines, and there are plenty of other examples of major AAA game releases seemingly snubbing PC gamers.  Even still, we think that PC gaming remains one of the most exciting and engaging ways to enjoy games, so let’s take a look at the best PC games coming in June 2023. Let’s hope these games’ PC versions are ready…

Microsoft may not be trying to win the hardware race, but it’s certainly doing a good job of providing quality hardware nonetheless. The Xbox Series X is trailing the PS5 in terms of sales, but the comparison isn’t quite fair thanks to Microsoft’s less powerful, less costly Xbox Series S (although sales for the two combined are still lagging behind Sony’s machine). Still, if you’re an Xbox Series X/S owner, you’ll find lots of games to look forward to in June 2023, so let’s take a look at the best titles heading to Microsoft’s console ecosystem this month. Killer…

Unless you’ve completely avoided all popular culture for the last 25 years, it’s pretty much impossible that you haven’t at least heard of South Park. The satirical animated show created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker got its start all the way back in 1997, and it’s arguably still going strong today; many fans say it hasn’t lost its lustre in the same way as, say, Family Guy or The Simpsons have.  Of course, one area in which South Park does endure a somewhat spotty legacy is the world of gaming. Compiling a list of “the best” South Park…

Whether it’s their backward compatibility, streaming capabilities, or impressive controllers, XBOX games have become popular for several reasons. It is affordable console and diverse subscription service make it a top choice for gamers. While there are several XBOX games that you can try, here are the seven best XBOX games that you should play in 2023. Halo Infinite Developed by 343 Industries, Halo Infinite is a popular Xbox multiplayer shooter game that was released back in 2021. It’s one of the additions to the popular Halo series and has the most extensive Master Chief campaign of all time.  Halo Infinite…

Despite stiff competition from Valve’s handheld, the Steam Deck, as well as the recently-announced Asus ROG Ally, the Nintendo Switch is still very much in the fight. Its ailing technology was already fairly dated when the console was first released, but as a platform for playing less technically demanding indie games (as well as Nintendo first-party releases), the Switch remains unparalleled. May 2023 represents another excellent month for Switch games, with one flagship release in particular presenting a worthy reason to get excited. Here are the best Nintendo Switch games for May 2023. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of…

Sony’s PlayStation 3 is perhaps not quite remembered as a flop, but the Xbox 360 is considered the winner of its respective generation by many. This, however, is a misunderstanding; sales data shows us that the PS3 actually sold better than the Xbox 360, so in terms of pure numbers, the PlayStation 3 emerged victorious.  That’s at least in part thanks to a huge library of great games, not least of which were single-player masterpieces like The Last of Us and God of War 3. However, the PS3’s multiplayer lineup is not to be sniffed at either, so let’s take…

When you’re putting together a high-quality streaming or recording setup, you can’t skimp on quality when it comes to your microphone. While your screen recording software is, of course, incredibly important, if you don’t sound great while you’re streaming or recording, then people will quickly switch off your stream and go elsewhere. That’s why you need to make absolutely sure that you have a high-quality microphone to give you that crucial edge. Of course, it can be hard to know what a quality mic looks like, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of money to get…

2023 has already proven to be an excellent year when it comes to gaming. With tentpole releases like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space rubbing shoulders with surprise drops like Metroid Prime Remastered and Hi-Fi Rush, there’s plenty to keep you occupied so far this year, no matter which system you’re playing on.  However, there’s more to come; 2023 is far from finished, and huge franchises like Final Fantasy and Diablo are getting new instalments this year, joining highly anticipated outings from developers like Bethesda. Before we get there, though, there’s plenty to come in the next month. Here are…

According to the most recent sales data, the PlayStation 2, otherwise known as the PS2, is the best-selling console of all time. Despite stiff competition from runaway success stories like the Nintendo Wii and the Game Boy, the PS2 has managed to remain on the throne thanks to its extensive library, its excellent controller, and its range of great accessories and add-ons.  Of course, a great console is nothing without robust multiplayer support as well, so in no particular order, let’s take a look at the 20 best multiplayer games for PS2.  TimeSplitters 2 A brand new TimeSplitters…

RuneScape is one of the oldest and most well-respected free-to-play MMORPGs on the market. If you went to school in the early 2000s, then the chances are good that you met someone who played this game. Perhaps you even played it yourself!  Still, the RuneScape of the modern day looks very different to the one that was released all those years ago. Modern RuneScape has lots of extra visual flair and user interface improvements, although if you want an idea of what the classic experience was like, you can check out Old School RuneScape, which aims to recreate the…

Recently, Squanch Games’ High on Life was released, making ripples throughout the gaming community for its disruptive humour and distinctive first-person shooter gameplay. Squanch’s creation is pretty unique; it blends Rick and Morty-style comedy with relatively open-ended shooting, as well as a cast of guns that have distinct personalities and chatter away as you’re firing them.  As such, finding games that are exactly like High on Life is pretty hard, but there are plenty of titles out there similar to it, some of which it was arguably directly influenced by. Here are 12 games similar to High on Life! 1.…

If you haven’t tried Oslo Albet’s excellent Fireboy and Watergirl series, you definitely should. This Flash game series tasked two players with exploring a series of exciting locations, and each player had a different set of abilities, meaning you’d need to coordinate your play carefully with your co-op partner in order to succeed. While there may not be a ton of games exactly like Fireboy and Watergirl out there, you will find no shortage of excellent co-op experiences that demand you and your partner keep your wits about you. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 12 games similar…

In early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started to take effect in a serious way, something magical happened. Amidst the doom and gloom, Nintendo released Animal Crossing: New Horizons, giving everyone with a Switch a way to escape from their real lives and tend to a beautiful island full of adorable animal residents.  Nintendo’s long-term support for its games isn’t great, unfortunately, which means New Horizons probably won’t receive any further major updates, but don’t worry, because other devs are on the case. Here are 12 games similar to Animal Crossing. 1. Stardew Valley For a long time, the twin…

Some of the best games around have intense, high-octane combat that has you chasing down enemies and blasting them into oblivion. Sometimes, though, you just want to put down the gun, pick up a farming tool, and grow some crops while you get to know the local townsfolk.  Luckily, the burgeoning life sim genre, originally spearheaded by the classic Harvest Moon franchise, is here to cater to just that urge. When it comes to the best Harvest Moon game, your options might not be as clear-cut as you think, though, so let’s take a look at the best this genre…

The Nintendo Wii still has plenty of mileage left in it. While the console itself has been discontinued, and developers aren’t making games for it anymore, there are still plenty of gamers out there who swear by the Wii and still play its library on a regular basis. Nintendo franchise stalwarts made reliable appearances on the Wii, and new games also asserted themselves to great effect, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the 20 best multiplayer Wii games to enjoy with your friends! 1. Mario Kart Wii It’s debatable whether or not Mario Kart Wii is the…

Snooker is one of the most widely enjoyed sports globally, with millions of fans who enjoy this competitive game. It is instantly recognizable based on the distinctive green cloth, colorful ball and six pockets. The nature of snooker means that it translates into a video game format extremely well and there are hundreds of options out there to test your metal on the felt in a digital format. Although another cue sport, pool, is very popular in gaming, finding a great snooker title can be a little more difficult. With the cost of video games on the rise, many players…

Are you considering becoming a streamer on YouTube, Twitch, or another platform? If so, then you’ll probably need to consider getting a live streaming encoder at some point. Live streaming encoders are pieces of hardware or software that render your video into a different format, thus allowing it to be broadcast over live streaming services. At some point, you’re almost certainly going to have need of a live streaming encoder, but it can be hard to know which one to pick up. We’re here to help. Here are the 10 best live streaming encoders out there, both hardware and software-based.…

There are so many streaming subscription services nowadays that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Between Netflix, Amazon Prime, iPlayer (if you’re in the UK and pay your TV license, that is), and various others, it’s difficult to know what movies or TV shows you can watch on which streaming services. Now, Disney has thrown its own hat into the mix with Disney Plus (or Disney+), its very own streaming service that contains lots of Disney-exclusive content. Let’s take a look at the 15 best movies currently streaming on Disney Plus. Avengers: Endgame Of course,…

If you’ve ever played SingStar, then you’ll know there’s nothing quite like it for getting the party started. SingStar got its start on the PS2 way back in 2004 and came bundled with microphones that connected to the PS2’s USB ports, allowing gamers to indulge in a little karaoke at parties. Since then, the SingStar name has yielded a huge amount of games covering diverse pop and rock genres. Unfortunately, SingStar appears to now be dormant, as the popularity of peripheral-based party games wanes. However, if you want a SingStar-style experience on modern gaming devices, we’ve got you covered. Here…

If you’ve played Tribez (or, to give it its full title, The Tribez: Build A Village) then you’ll know just how addictive it can be. This little idle city-builder sucks you in with incredibly simple yet compelling gameplay mechanics, leading to that “just one more minute” mentality prized by so many developers. Of course, there’s always a chance that you’re done with playing Tribez and you’re looking for something similar to fill the gap. We’re here to help. Here are the best games like Tribez to check out on your mobile (or potentially on other devices!) in 2022. The Simpsons:…

When we say Castlevania, we’re really referring to two very different gameplay styles. The original Castlevania was released back in 1986 and is a linear platformer in which hero Simon Belmont must traverse a series of levels full of hazards and enemies. Beginning with 1987’s Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, however, and continuing with 1997’s Symphony of the Night, a more non-linear gameplay style emerged for the franchise. Fear not: whichever of the two styles you prefer, you’re covered on the Switch. Here’s our list of the best Switch games like Castlevania (whichever type you like!) in 2022. Bloodstained: Ritual of…

When it comes to cultural phenomena, there’s nothing quite like The Simpsons. After getting its start as a series of shorts back in 1987, the show started in earnest in 1989, going on to become one of the most beloved animations in history. Many people say The Simpsons has lost its way since then; it’s arguable that the show peaked around season five or six, and it’s only gotten weaker over the intervening years.  Whatever your personal opinion about The Simpsons might be, the fact is that there have been more than a handful of great games made about everyone’s…

In the mid-2000s, the Need for Speed series was in its heyday. The franchise was going from strength to strength, with each new successive instalment winning the admiration of racing fans and novices alike. Most of what are considered to be the best Need for Speed games are concentrated around the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s; it’s fair to say the games dropped off after that point. One of the best Need for Speed games was Need for Speed: Underground, which perfectly balanced the gearhead aspects of the franchise with its more accessible racing gameplay. If you’ve got some nostalgia…

Whether you like tinkering with cars or driving them, the world of video games is extremely well-served in the vehicle department. There’s something compelling about the mere act of hopping into a car and driving to wherever, and there’s also something inordinately satisfying about being able to pop the hood and poke around inside a vehicle’s innards so you can get a better idea of how it works. Whichever one you prefer, there are plenty of options for you, so let’s take a look at the 10 best car simulator games out there right now. 1. Gran Turismo 7…