Design

The RodeCaster Pro II is a sleek bit of kit which is comprehensive yet understandable on the face of it. From a top-down point of view, you’ve got a 5.5-inch HD touchscreen with haptic feedback, six channel fading sliders with corresponding channel buttons above them (with dedicated mute and monitoring below), as well as a rotary encoder dial, dedicated recording button, and eight physical smart pads on the right-hand side. Suffice to say, you’re certainly getting the full gallery experience here, with this setup proving immediately familiar to anyone who has ever been inside a recording studio or radio desk. 

Turning the RodeCaster Pro II around and you’re presented with all the connectivity options that you would hope to find in a premium mixing desk / interface combo such as this. Power is delivered through USB-C, and there are two dedicated further USB-C ports for connectivity for devices such as your computer, and phone as well as iPad or other gaming tablets.

There’s also an Ethernet port for those wanting a wired connection. As far as outputs are concerned, you’re spoiled for choice here with 4x 1/4-inch outputs for headphone monitoring and left and right outputs for speakers or external devices. You can even record directly to Micro SD.

The aesthetics of the RodeCaster Pro II match the overall clean and straightforward design language that the Australian audio brand is known for and, on the surface, isn’t immediately too different from the first model from nearly four years ago. My particular review unit came with a specially engineered plastic hard cover that lightly sits on top of the interface (which retails for $50). While certainly a nice to have and non-essential add-on, I’d recommend the cover to anyone wanting to keep the various buttons, dials, pads, and sliders dust-free.

Features

Living up to the promise of being the ‘world’s most powerful all-in-one audio production solution’, you won’t be surprised to hear that the RodeCaster Pro II is full to bursting with features for just about any use you can think of. The quad-core audio engine, complete with 512MB of internal flash memory, powers the Studio-grade Aphex audio processing and Resolution preamps for low noise to high gain pickup which I’ll explain in detail a little further on.

For PC streamers, you’re also to connect to two computers at once through USB-C running separate audio sources which will no doubt be ideal for the hardcore streamers using the main rig and a laptop for chat monitoring, too. This is also useful for those wanting specific control over their volume mixers for the likes of Discord, Apple Music, your game audio, and microphone input, but more on that later. 

One of the most useful features of the Rodecaster Pro II is how it integrates with the Rode Central desktop application which can be used to tweak your settings, customize the RGB lighting, and save your specified presets as well as download firmware updates. New features are coming all the time, with a major update being released in my time testing the unit, so you’ll want to be connected to the internet if possible here for the best software version possible. For maximum compatibility, the device is also MFi certified for iOS devices, and can connect through Bluetooth as well.

Performance

In my extensive testing with the RodeCaster Pro II, I’ve been continuously impressed with what this all-in-one production interface can do. I should clarify that while the main purpose of this device may be aimed at podcasters, I have been using it in everything from streaming across Twitch and YouTube, to recording music, and as my main setup for voice calls alongside the Rode NTH 100 and Rode PodMic. If you’re already immersed in the Rode ecosystem for any of the Australian brand’s gear, then you’ll be well catered to with this interface. 

There’s a level of versatility and control to the RodeCaster Pro II that makes it ideal for streaming, and that’s perhaps going to be the greatest strength of this device when compared to some other audio interfaces. For example, while the unit has six physical sliders which can be dialed to your desired level, you can then further fine-tune more specifically with options in the touchscreen interface. I found in my testing that using the specifically engineered ‘PodMic’ setting in the operating system made by mic be picked up cleanly with strong control over the pre-amp and dampening settings. It’s worth noting that other Condensor / cardioid microphones, such as the Shure SM7B are included, too, so you’re not just limited to Rode-only gear here. 

You can make things as easy or as complicated as you want here, and for me, that meant moving the gallery-style slider up roughly 3/4 of the way to avoid any clipping, and then scaling back the sensitivity in the software. This is where those Revolution preamps come into their own, with an accurate, and clean sound profile meaning I didn’t have to use a booster or crank the gain to be heard accurately. A small touch, but one that in all my years of using interfaces and XLR microphones is certainly appreciated here as a quality of life upgrade. 

We’ve briefly touched on Smart Pads above, innovating on the original’s sound pads with a new level of customizability here. Not unlike the Elgato Stream Deck and other powerful live streaming shorthand bits of kit, these colored pads can be programmed to do a wide range of different things. Through the Rode Central software, you can upload and program your own sound effects, modulation, and sound bites onto these. While I cannot speak as to what other people will use them for, I used these pads with a fade-in and out feature as well as utilizing the Back Channel Mode to cleanly check in on my feed without having to mess around with my physical settings. You could very easily use them as hotkeys for donation notifications, bits, subscriber jingles, or whatever else appeals in a pinch. 

The four Neutrik combo inputs on the front (either for XLR or 1/4-inch jack) proved to be very effective for tracking electric guitar. I was surprised to find specified settings for running instruments through the RodeCaster Pro II, and the same extent in volume, gain, and level control very much applies to direct signal as well. The suite of preamps and post-processing effects can be tailored to your preferences, but in my testing, I choose to keep things as clean and ‘dry’ as possible. I did notice that the Revolution pre-amp made by guitar sound a fair bit brighter and louder without coming in too hot when tracking through Cockos Reaper and using plugins like Bias FX 2, Bias AMP 2, and EZ Mix 2. My previous interfaces to the RodeCaster Pro II, a Behringer U-phoria UMC202 HD, and before that the Focusrite Scarlett Solo really do pale in comparison here.

What’s particularly powerful about the Rodecaster Pro II for musicians is how you can use the deck’s physical and software-based mixing features to delicately balance the sound of your instruments and vocals being tracked at the same time. While many audio interfaces do give you options to plug both (or more) in at once, I’ve never felt the confidence to mix on the fly so effortlessly as what I’ve heard through this unit.

Should you buy the Rode Rodecaster Pro II? 

If you’re someone who wants to take content creation in any form to the next level then the Rode Rodecaster Pro II is an easy recommendation for musicians, podcasters, live streamers, and anyone else who wants more control over their audio. If you’re someone who already has experience with the original Rodecaster Pro from December 2018, I personally believe that there’s enough new here to justify an upgrade to the latest and greatest, too. 

How we tested the Rode RodeCaster Pro II

I’ve been using the RodeCaster Pro II for around three weeks in everything from producing music in programs such as Reaper using plugins from Bias and Toontrack, to live streaming in OBS Streamlabs. I have also been using the RodeCaster Pro II to power my PodMic microphone through the 48V Phantom Power to talk with friends on various desktop applications as well as speak to colleagues through Google Meet. 

Complete your setup with one of the best webcams, best green screens, and best ring lights on the market. 

The Verdict

5

5 out of 5

Rode Rodecaster Pro II

The RodeCaster Pro II innovates on the original model as an all-in-one powerhouse interface and audio production studio. Whether you’re a streamer, musician, or podcaster, the brand’s latest effort is an encompassing solution for all creators.

The post Rode RodeCaster Pro II review: “An encompassing solution for all creators” appeared first on Game News.

BenQ’s GS50 was released in October 2021 but now is the perfect time to pick one up for a great summer of outdoor viewing. BenQ has long been a leading name in projection and has made a fuss about this launch: boasting that the GS50 is the first smart portable outdoor projector with 2.1-channel Bluetooth audio. Is it a leap forward for portable projection?

Design & Features

The GS50’s casing is tasteful and slightly quirky. It looks more like a posh case for picnic equipment you’d get from a high-end retailer rather than a case for a top projector for gaming contender – but the smart white casing of the main section means that on the shelf it blends in well with home décor. The carry handle on the side makes it easy to carry around, as does a rugged feeling carry case which could be mistaken for a cool bag before closer inspection. It needs a bag, as it’s far too big to slip into a pocket. The plastic case is hardwearing, rated to withstand a fall of over two feet (carrying height), and it’s splash resistant.

The little leg at the front which enables you to tilt the unit up to 15 degrees is a smart and very fun feature that is very well integrated. The GS50 is overall extremely easy to set up – start-up is very quick while keystoning and focus are automatic on launch and can be easily updated via the remote should the projector get moved slightly. Just point it at a surface, switch it on and within seconds you can begin spending twenty minutes arguing about what to watch.

The sound is really excellent, with two 5w tweeters and one 10w woofer. At home, we kept the volume comparatively low – 10 out of 50 for the most part. This is key for an outdoor projector: you don’t want to have to lug around a set of speakers as well. The GS50 provides unbelievable volume from its fairly small case, and even with the sound blaring there’s no notable distortion.

Battery life is stated at two hours, but I managed closer to three using the low power mode and an HDMI input, so easily enough time for most films. But if you want to watch the Snyder Cut around the campfire you can further power it with a USB-C battery pack. There’s also 16GB of internal storage to download content to – a rare boast even for portable projectors. Like the vast majority of portable units, there’s no zoom so picture size entirely depends on placement.

The operating system is Android 9.0, which is becoming a default for this generation of smart projectors. It works smoothly and has a wide range of apps available. But, as ever, there are key apps missing – most notably Netflix (unless you want to do some complicated workarounds). At this point, I’m more annoyed that I have to keep writing this than I am about the practicality of needing to boot the PS5 to watch Queer Eye. I beg Netflix to license the app for more projectors, if not for the sake of their consumers but for us pampered reviewers who have to keep explaining it’s not the manufacturer’s fault these apps don’t have permission to be used on their units.

Performance

Picture quality is a sharp HD, with smooth motion even for quick sports. The colour is lush and immersive too which is particularly great when using it as a projectors for PS5 and in RPGs. We’re used to portable projectors running 720p, so true 1080p here is impressive. This might not be the best picture you get for the money but it’s truly great for a portable unit. It was only when A/B-ing against a 4K projector that I noticed any drop in picture quality and depth of colour, otherwise I was very happy with this image for casual watching and gaming.

Unusually for BenQ, there’s no dedicated gaming mode, and input lag is stated at 62ms. It’s fine for casual gaming – I got through the drinking contest rhythm games of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla without issue and my performance on FPSs was no worse than usual – but hardcore or competitive gamers would want faster, and should probably look to something like the BenQ X1300i. Darker areas were a slight strain with ambient light, but there were no complaints in a dark room.

The image stands up well to ambient light – looking great even in the afternoon sun with patio windows open. When outdoors and even on a poor surface with the sun out, the projector produced a picture that would be watchable, and, of course, after sunset, it really excels.

Overall – should you buy it?

Everything about this feels built for quality portability. Yes, there are trade-offs in being “only” Full HD, but the picture is easily good enough for casual home-usage. But don’t think of the GS50 as a good Full HD 1080p projector at a premium price. The excellent battery life and truly exceptional sound make this a great projector to take out and about. The price is slightly higher than a good HD home projector, but it’s available slightly cheaper than one of its recent portable rivals: the also excellent XGIMI Halo+, with features like carry case and internal storage which the Halo+ lacks (albeit the XGIMI is much smaller in form).

It might not end up replacing my home projector, but I wouldn’t expect a portable projector to do so. However, we did use the GS50 in place of that for most of the last month, which is a real vote of confidence for it. I definitely wish I’d had this to review while on glamping trips over the last few summers!

How we tested the BenQ GS50

We put the BenQ GS50 through it’s paces in a number of ways, but a large amount of time spent casual watching dominated – a Charmed binge and re-watching Gravity Falls in the evenings, plus All Elite Wrestling Dynamite action led the way. The battery was put to the test by streaming the last day of the season Match of the Day on a sleepy Monday morning, with sport mode helping the picture. For games, I’m working my way through Assassins Creed Valhalla’s newer content (the landscapes looked fantastic) and for a co-op replay of Borderlands 3 (with the cartoon graphics as colourful as ever).

Outdoor testing happened by projecting onto the side of my block of flats from the street while hoping no one asked what on earth I was doing. If a projector can look good in that position, it’s really quite something, and the GS50 passed that test.

You can read more about our holistic approach to gaming tech in our hardware policy, and read more about how we test gaming projectors at GamesRadar+ here.

If you are shopping for a projector this year, don’t forget to pick up one of the best projector screens or one of the best outdoor projector screens if you’re looking to embrace the summer too.

The Verdict

4.5

4.5 out of 5

BenQ GS50 1080p Wireless Projector

The BenQ GS50 is a big step up for portable projectors, giving true HD picture and amazing sound.

The post BenQ GS50 review: “Built for quality portability” appeared first on Game News.

Pitch it to me again

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Mario Strikers: Battle League starts with a fairly in-depth tutorial explaining all of its footballiest mechanics, and they’re respectably deep. There are multiple kinds of passes, stamina mechanics, several varieties of tackle and a nice little rhythmic element wherein timing your passes and strikes perfectly gives them some extra oomph.

That was the bulk of the tutorial… followed by a brief, perfunctory handwave about items and the cinematic Hyper Strikes that filled the advertising material, as if to say “oh, and there’s also some kooky Mario stuff in there if that’s your thing I guess”. This very much set the tone of the experience, which was a distinct sense that I’d come into Mario Strikers expecting something from it that it wasn’t willing to provide.

Red flags and yellow cards

Honestly, Mario Strikers: Battle League is a slightly thin experience overall. No story campaign, only 10 playable characters, six items (including the completely broken Mario Invincibility Star, which might as well equate to a free goal), and a bunch of other odd design choices that feel hollow enough to leave an empty echo when you tap them. 

For example, actually keeping track of the ball is often frustrating amid the constant chaos of color, with no UI element to highlight it – an issue that gets worse when you switch to handheld mode. The goalkeepers are always completely AI-controlled (because it’s not like you’d want to have any actual input in your final line of defense), so scoring often feels less about skill than the game rolling dice for the keeper’s reflexes. There’s gear to customize your players’ stats, but considering these hats and gloves just shuffle the numbers around, there’s no need to boost Luigi’s raw power when you could skip past it all and just pick a preset heavyweight like Bowser or Wario instead. And there are multiple single-player tournaments hard-coded in, but even now I’m not sure what the difference between most of them was, or if the game was just presenting me with different trophies for doing the same thing over and over. 

The one that really threw me is that there’s a cool feature that allows you to choose and customize your half of the Stadium around the pitch – Bowser’s Castle, Mushroom Kingdom, etc – and watch it fuse together with your opponent’s choice. That’s a cool idea, and in fact, the first thing that happens every time a match begins is the grand, dramatic merging of these two landscapes… 

But it doesn’t do anything! The game mechanics don’t change, it doesn’t alter how you play, and 95% of the time you can’t even see the Stadium you’ve chosen because you’re looking solely at the pitch via a top-down perspective. I kept checking through the tutorials and in-game guide, convinced I’d missed some essential element about this or the other gameplay elements that seemed to be lacking substance. If I was missing something, I never found it.

It’s a fundamental shift in design philosophies that feels at odds with its madcap, excitable tone. In sibling games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, the zany, arcadey elements are the whole point, the twist on the formula that brings them to life and makes them memorable. But in Mario Strikers, it’s the opposite – the footballing is central, and the Mario elements limply hang off it like party streamers off Jürgen Klopp’s spectacles.

Bend it like Bob-omb

All of which is not to say there’s nothing fun about Battle League. In certain moments the meatier football mechanics come together with some energy, and there’s always something satisfying about the one-two-three ricochet of passing the ball between players, finally leading to a weighty kick that coils in the air around the goalie’s reaching fingers and stretches the net behind him.

I also really liked the animations, at least until they started repeating themselves. They’re colourful, dynamic, full of personality and excess, and have a flourish that gives the characters energy and identity. When Rosalina does a Hyper Strike, the ball orbits around the moon before coming back to her for the follow-up kick, frozen in crystalline ice. When Donkey Kong wins a game, he swings about the field on jungle vines, whooping and dancing. When Peach sees the enemy team score, it’s charming watching her take deep breaths and try to cool her temper before she does something to disgrace the monarchy.

I just really wish that joie de vivre had carried over to the gameplay of Mario Strikers, which at its core is an average football arcade game with a few Nintendo-brand bells and whistles resting on it. I guess I had fun at times, but I suspect deep down that if I’d paid full retail price for it, I would’ve come away feeling a lot less charitable about the whole thing. Maybe snatch it up when it’s discounted and you’re looking for a household party game – otherwise, all but the most fervent football fanatics can probably skip this one.

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch OLED with a code provided by the publisher.

The Verdict

2.5

2.5 out of 5

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Though occasionally likable and basically inoffensive, Mario Strikers: Battle League struggles to build on its ideas and ends up feeling pretty undercooked as an experience.

The post Mario Strikers: Battle League review – “A slightly thin experience overall” appeared first on Game News.

Design

The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo should be familiar to anyone who has had their hands on any of the brand’s video card lines before. That means there’s the company’s outstanding build quality, aggressive styling, and efficient cooling here. The key difference with this model that separates it from others, though, is the size and weight of the thing itself, being considerably larger, and much heavier, than that of the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Amp Holo. The same angular tried-and-true triple fan setup is very much in full force here, with the added exception of a frankly ridiculously-sized heatsink. You won’t be shocked to hear that the BFGPU refresh suitably lives up to its name-sake in this respect. 

The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo utilizes a 12-pin power connector as opposed to the Founders Edition’s new 16-pin, with an adapter included in the box. Unlike the RTX 3090 or other high-end Ampere GPUs, this new model needs 3x 8-pin connectors to get powered up, whereas most graphics cards only require one or two. In my testing, this meant having to unscrew my power supply from the back of our build, route an additional PCIe cable through the back of the case, and then hook up the RTX 3090 Ti. After all, this video card is the first to be PCIe 5.0 ready and it shows. Nvidia recommends an 850W minimum PSU, but I would personally say that you want at least a 1000W to give yourself the overhead (as is in our test machine).

GamesRadar Test System

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 GAMING X ATX
RAM: Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 16GB @ 5200MHz  
CPU cooler: Corsair iCue H150i Elite RGB 360mm
PSU: Corsair RM1000x
Case: Corsair iCue 5000T

As expected for a graphics card that’s this heavy, the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo comes with an RGB GPU support bracket in the box to help the GPU from sagging under its own weight. Depending on which PC case you have this behemoth inside of, you may need to use it, too. Our GamesRadar test PC is built inside of the Corsair 5000T, so thankfully we had more than enough room in the larger-than-average Mid Tower to accommodate the card with its three-slot requirement. If you’ve got a smaller chassis to work with then you may need to look elsewhere for your next video card as I would personally recommend a larger Mid Tower or a Full Tower for a GPU like this.

Speaking of its weight, the metal RGB LED Backplate fused to the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo is suitably heavy-duty. As with the rest of the Amp Holo line, lighting is a big feature of what makes these Zotac video cards so popular in the first place, and the RTX 3090 Ti doesn’t disappoint. There’s a large light strip on the side and the backplate illuminates brightly when powered up.

Features

The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo features a slightly higher boost clock than that of the Founders Edition model, able to reach up to 1890 MHz as opposed to the original’s 1860 MHz. It may not sound like much, but could squeeze out an extra frame or two when overclocking. There’s also support for the FireStorm Utility program for this very purpose of fine-tuning, as well as being Nvidia NVLink compatible should SLI be a priority for you.

You’ll find your standard fare of connectivity options with 3x DisplayPort 1.4a and 1x HDMI 2.1 here, so you’ve got all the necessary connections that your gaming monitor needs. This means support of up to 4K120 with HDR or 8K60, at least theoretically. 

As for the RTX 3090 Ti itself, it’s very much a minor and iterative upgrade over the original BFGPU that launched nearly a year ago. This model features the same 24GB GDDR6X memory and 384-bit bus width, but does benefit from 256 extra CUDA cores (10,752 total), two extra RT cores (84 altogether), and eight more Tensor cores (336 total). This very minor increase means that the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo is capable of 1,008 GB/s Bandwidth (just shy of 1TB/s) and 21 Gbps effective memory clock, being the fastest consumer video card for gaming you can get. 

Performance

Those are certainly some impressive figures, but they wouldn’t mean much if the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo didn’t deliver, and it certainly does for the most part. The BFGPU refresh is billed for its ability to deliver the highest-end 4K gaming, and this model didn’t have any trouble with anything I threw at it in my testing, with the notable example of Cyberpunk 2077. It should be said, however, that said title is rather woefully unoptimized, but more on the specifics a little later. 

RTX 3090 Ti benchmarks

Time Spy: 20,176
Time Spy Extreme (4K): 10,531
Fire Strike Extreme (1440p): 24,842
Fire Strike Ultra (2160p): 14,189
Port Royal: 14,809

Our test system is geared out with the latest PCIe 5.0 compatible hardware to give the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo access to as much bandwidth as possible, and the figures don’t lie. Both native 1440p and 2160p performance was critically evaluated in my testing as well as utilizing Nvidia DLSS in Performance mode in the interest of parity where available.

I’ll cut to the chase and tell you that, yes, the RTX 3090 Ti is slightly faster than the original model, with roughly a 9% maximum increase over the first BFGPU when we had our hands on it inside several of the best gaming PCs in the past. With its extra 100w power requirement over the stock RTX 3090, though, requiring 450W (29% more than the original’s 350W), I’m not entirely convinced that the slight boost in performance is actually worth it, leaving the price hike aside.

Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Amp Extreme Holo game benchmarks

Here’s how the Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Amp Extreme Holo got on when pushed to its limit in demanding ray tracing titles

Cyberpunk 2077: 

2160p Ultra (Psycho ray tracing) DLSS on: 60 FPS
2160p Ultra (Psycho ray tracing) DLSS off: 21 FPS
1440p Ultra (Psycho ray tracing) DLSS on: 91 FPS
1440p Ultra (Psycho ray tracing) DLSS off: 43 FPS

Control:

2160p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS on: 80 FPS
2160p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS off: 48 FPS
1440p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS on: 122 FPS
1440p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS off: 85 FPS

Metro Exodus (PC Enhanced Edition): 

2160p Ultra (Extreme ray tracing) DLSS on: 114 FPS
2160p Ultra (Extreme ray tracing) DLSS off: 70 FPS
1440p Ultra (Extreme ray tracing) DLSS on: 155 FPS
1440p Ultra (Extreme ray tracing) DLSS off: 90 FPS

Guardians of the Galaxy: 

2160p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS on: 120 FPS
2160p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS off: 107 FPS
1440p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS on: 120 FPS
1440p Ultra (ray tracing) DLSS off: 120 FPS

All games tested at their highest possible settings; DLSS set to ‘Performance’ mode unless otherwise stated. 

Native 4K performance (no A.I. upscaling) provided more-than-playable frame rates averaging around 70 FPS if you take all the games tested on the whole. Keep in mind, though, that’s with ray tracing maxed out, too, which really is best served when used in tandem with Nvidia DLSS. Switch that tech on, and the numbers noticeably skyrocket to well above the 100 FPS mark, as is evidenced in the likes of Control and Guardians of the Galaxy. However iterative, that’s very impressive, with the latter title maintaining a solid 4K120, which is likely to become a very popular resolution/framerate pairing in the future of PC gaming sooner rather than later.

Revisiting Night City again in 2160p reveals just how small of a jump we’re talking between the RTX 3090 (which gave us just shy of 60 FPS consistently when inside the Acer Predator Orion 7000) and the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo’s rock-solid 60 FPS with DLSS enabled. Native performance in this title still isn’t good, as I recorded frame rates of around 21 FPS through the game’s benchmark feature that was added in Patch 1.5; not exactly setting the world on fire for a $2,099.99 GPU. Regardless, 4K120 is absolutely within reach, and even far exceeded in demanding games, like Metro Exodus‘ average of 114 FPS shows.

You’re paying one hell of a premium for that performance advantage though, but it goes give a good indication of what the bandwidth afforded by PCIe 5.0 can do on the platform. This means that you no longer have to drop the resolution in order to keep the frame rates higher than 60 – which isn’t really possible from any other video cards right now in 2022. 

Should you buy the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo? 

The RTX 3090 Ti is the fastest and most powerful graphics card aimed at gamers, however, it’s also incredibly difficult to recommend due to how little of an improvement it is, and just how late in the day this GPU was released. It’s no secret that the RTX 3090 Ti was supposed to be released earlier than it was, having been teased at CES 2022 back in January, and yet even that feels too little too late. 

With its $2,100 price tag, $600 more than the first BFGPU was at launch, the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo just doesn’t provide enough of a performance boost to actually justify the high cost. The GPU is clearly pushing the limits of Ampere on its GA102 board, however, with the RTX 40 series likely releasing this year, it’s a very bitter pill to swallow. The RTX 3090 Ti feels like it’s just testing the waters of what the next generation of graphics cards is going to be with its PCIe 5 compatibility, and in my opinion, this almost makes those who adopt this video card beta-testers.

Just like how entry-level Ampere was able to keep up with previously flagship Turing models, the RTX 30-series’ successor line will likely boast significant performance improvements across the board. If you want the best of the best for right now, then there’s no harm in investing in the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo for those who can afford it, as its prowess is undeniable, it just feels as though its too much and too late for most people. 

There is a silver lining, though, for those gamers who want to find RTX 3090 Ti stock as the newest Ampere GPU is available at MSRP in both the US and UK, so availability certainly isn’t a problem here. Considering it’s still challenging to find RTX 3090 stock nearer to actual retail value, the option is there. 

Buy if… 

• You want to achieve 4K120 
• You’re after the most powerful GPU that money can buy 
• You’ve been meaning to upgrade for a long time

Don’t buy if…

• You want good value for money 
• You can find the RTX 3090 nearer MSRP 
• You have a smaller gaming PC case / PSU

How we tested the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo

I used the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Extreme Amp Holo inside of our GamesRadar test system over the span of a week, benching the video card in demanding games as well as through 3D Mark, too. Evaluations were made based upon the card’s 1440p and 4K prowess, and our rig was connected up to monitors of both resolutions. 

You can find out more about how we test graphics cards in our full GamesRadar Hardware Policy. 

The Verdict

3

3 out of 5

Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Amp Extreme Holo

The RTX 3090 Ti is the most powerful and fastest graphics card for gaming on the market, but it boasts such a minimal increase over the original at such a high price and power draw that it’s really hard to recommend. With the new line of Nvidia graphics cards likely to be released this year, the Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Amp Extreme Holo is a case of too little, too late for the vast majority of PC gamers.

The post Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Amp Extreme Holo review: “Too big, too much, too late” appeared first on Game News.

The Aerox 9 largely succeeds, due to the fact that it’s one of the only gaming mice on the market to prioritize weight while also offering a 12-panel series of programmable buttons. To see just how well this device stacks up against all the best gaming mouse models on the market, though, I put this 89g rodent through its paces. 

Design

The only thing that differentiates the SteelSeries Aerox 9 from the slightly cheaper Aerox 5 Wireless is that slab of additional macro buttons on the side. That means you’re still getting the solid build quality and premium materials featured across the range. 

The shape remains as well, however. I have fairly small hands, so the longer form factor here doesn’t work as well for me as it may do for someone with a little more space around their palm. In particular, the long slope towards the back nestles in a little too tight, which sometimes leaves aim feeling sluggish – like I’m dragging everything from the pad of my palm, rather than the tips of my fingers. This was only noticeable during particularly close shots, of course, and particularly in a sniper position. 

However, I still appreciate the softer material running across the honeycomb shell. Unlike many gaming mice utilizing this design to achieve a lower weight, there’s no coarse roughness to this surface texture and it even offered a little extra grip along the main click buttons as well. Those running with a finger tip grip will struggle to stay comfortable here, however, by virtue of both the length and the fact that the honeycomb texture reaches just above the main body of the mouse. 

On to what truly makes the SteelSeries Aerox 9 unique, though – the buttons. While it’s excellent to see a 12-button array featured on a mouse designed with weight in mind, their placement does render some of them unusable. Interestingly, this is a frustration I also found with the Aerox 5’s paddle and sniper options. In both cases, there’s just far too much actuation force required to hit these buttons reliably and in a high pressure setting. 

In the case of the Aerox 9, I do appreciate a heavier switch here – the panel is always going to be under your left thumb so it’s nice not to have to worry about accidental clicks. However, SteelSeries has gone too far in this direction, to the extent that I could only actively use three quarters of the macros available to me (numbers 1, 2, and 3 are positioned too far away to even attempt hitting those heavier switches). 

Features

Essential Info

Price: $149.99 / £139.99
Form factor: Right-handed
DPI: 18,000
IPS: Up to 400
Switches: Golden Micro IP54 Switches
Connectivity: Wired / Wireless (2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.0)
Feet: 100% PTFE
Weight: 89g

While the SteelSeries Aerox 5 Wireless was a little too heavy at 74g to really be considered an “ultra lightweight” gaming mouse, the Aerox 9 has a get out of jail free card up its sleeve. Yes, it’s even heavier – at 89g – but this is a MOBA / MMO mouse. There are only a few pointers with this level of macro customization available right now. The wireless Razer Naga Pro weighs in at 117g, and even the wired Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite clocks 122g. 89g is starting to look seriously impressive considering the level of macro control open to you – it’s the only option for those currently on the hunt for a lightweight MMO wireless gaming mouse. 

Elsewhere, you’re picking up a solid 2.4GHz connection, as well as Bluetooth and wired options. I generally only used the 2.4GHz option, save for a few wired sessions while charging. Those were rare, though – SteelSeries’ assertion that there’s a 180 hour battery life packed in here certainly rings true. I ran for a week of regular use without needing to charge, though RGB was firmly shut off during that time. 

You can opt to run a light show through the bottom of the SteelSeries Aerox 9, but I found that most of the LEDs were strangely situated on the underside of the device. Plus, even the small panel at the rear of the mouse was covered by my hand during use. 

Of course, all your configurations will be run through the SteelSeries Swarm software. I have my own gripes about this program; it’s a very crowded affair, with a swathe of product ads to wade through before you can easily find your own gear. Still, it’s comprehensive and will give tinkerers plenty to play with when fine-tuning their experience. 

If you’re concerned about grime and grit falling through those honeycomb holes, it’s also worth noting that the Aerox 9 features “AquaBarrier technology”. That’s a fancy way of saying that any dust or liquid that does slide through the cracks won’t harm the circuitry underneath. I couldn’t see any signs of build up on my own test device. 

Performance

Design gripes aside, I found the SteelSeries Aerox 9 to be smooth and reliable in battle. The skates lining the underside of the pointer worked hard to keep everything floating along nicely, allowing me to easily swing the camera and take some particularly last-minute panic shots in Apex Legends. The sensor maintained its precision and tracking even with DPI notched up, though I comfortably sit at under 4,000 DPI anyway. 

While the extra length of the design meant more intense sessions felt a little more cumbersome, I wasn’t undershooting all that much once the feel was ingrained into muscle memory – I just had to work a little harder to line up particularly finnicky targets. In fact, I averaged a 95% accuracy rating when really pushing the Aerox 9 to its limits on 3D Aim Trainer (opens in new tab) – just 1% down from my score with the blindingly fast Razer Viper V2 Pro at the helm. That’s slightly higher than my general score in such mini-games with my daily driver – the Razer Basilisk V3. 

Programming each of the 12 side buttons is a manual job, creating a preset for each game yourself. It’s easy enough to do, but don’t expect to jump into ready-made profiles for your favorite MMO / MOBA straight away. 

Should you buy the SteelSeries Aerox 9? 

The SteelSeries Aerox 9 is an impressive device, but it’s only a must-see for those on the hunt for a wireless MMO / MOBA title that doesn’t pack the usual weight of such a design. If you’re after an everyday device, that $149.99 price point does look a little high, especially considering there are far lighter (and cheaper) gaming mice on the market. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro may be a little older, but it comes in at just $79.99 and offers a good level of additional customization on top. 

If it’s those extra buttons and don’t mind picking up a heavier device, we’d recommend taking a look at the Razer Naga Pro as well – the MSRP is the same, but it’s regularly found on sale for under $100. 

How we tested the SteelSeries Aerox 9

I tested the SteelSeries Aerox 9 over the course of one week, alongside testing of the slightly cheaper Aerox 5. I used the Aerox 9 for both work and play during this time, testing speed and response times on Apex Legends, macro functionality and ease of use on Sea of Thieves. 

For more information on how we test gaming mice, and how we make all our recommendations, take a look at our full GameRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We’re also rounding up all the best Razer mouse models on the market as well as all the latest cheap gaming mouse deals as well. Or, for a full setup, take a look at the best gaming keyboards available now.

The Verdict

4

4 out of 5

SteelSeries Aerox 9 review: “The lightest MMO / MOBA mouse we’ve tested”

The SteelSeries Aerox 9 is an excellent piece of kit worthy of any MMO / MOBA fan’s attention. Combining a lightweight design with excellent battery life and a buttery smooth overall feel, there’s plenty to love here – though those with small hands may struggle for full control.

The post SteelSeries Aerox 9 review: “The lightest MMO / MOBA mouse weve tested” appeared first on Game News.

What’s perhaps more surprising is that few other games attempted to follow this novel idea. Bureau of Investigation has finally picked up the baton by giving the concept a neat twist. As you may have guessed from the title, in this board game you’re not Sherlock Holmes; you’re the FBI, delving into the mysteries of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos.

What is it, and how does it work?

Essential info

– Game type: Co-op mystery
– Players: 1 – 8
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Lasts: 90 mins
– Ages: 14+
– Price: $40 / £38
– Play if you enjoy: Consulting Detective, Arkham Horror, Cthulhu mythos, escape rooms

Inside the box, there are five case booklets which begin by describing the mystery you are being asked to solve. There is also a relevant newspaper clipping for each, a double-sided map, and a gazetteer in which you can look up names and businesses. Both the numbers on the map and the names in the gazetteer correspond to codes that you can look up in the scenario booklet, a bit like an adventure book.

The difference is that while an adventure gamebook will instruct you where you can go from a given paragraph, Bureau of Investigation is open-ended and relies on you joining the dots. This is hard to explain without spoilers, but let’s try. In the first scenario, there are three dead bodies but only one gives you a code to go to the site where it was found. For the other two, you’ve got to scan the text for clues and work out for yourself, using the accompanying documents, what the relevant locations are.

Once you’ve got a site, you have the choice of either interviewing the people there or staking it out for observation. Each action has a separate entry in the scenario book and can yield different information. But you need to make the choice sparingly because you only have a limited number of actions you can take before you run out of time and the scenario ends (though sometimes, the results of one action can extend the number of actions you have overall).

When you run out of time, you have to choose three locations to send officers to try and resolve the mystery. At the back of the book, there’s a page to tell you whether the chosen locations are correct or not, and it awards you a points value for each. Score four or more to win, seven or more for a commendation. There’s also a full explanation of the mystery if you want, mainly because it’s quite possible to avert the danger and get a good score without fully grasping what’s going on. If so, and you don’t read the explanation, you can try playing again for additional clues to work it out yourself.

Is it any good?

Bureau of Investigation can be played solo or as an addition to your collection of cooperative board games, with the latter meaning players take turns deciding on what actions to undertake. It works fine both ways, but the latter highlights what an odd bird this is. Unlike almost every other cooperative game you’ve played, there are no ‘right’ answers. Rather, there is genuine cooperation as players discuss the clues they have and try to reach a conclusion over which is likely to be most productive. This makes it stand out in the sea of identikit puzzle or narrative-based co-op titles.

For some, that’s reason enough to walk away from this. If you stick with it, though, you’ll uncover quite a novel experience. The first two cases are relatively easy to crack so long as you’re paying attention. After that, things become more difficult. Although this never reaches the mind-bending levels of the Consulting Detective series, the later cases can still leave you stuck in a frustrating rut with no leads to follow. The addition of the mystery, leaving you able to delve again to try and resolve the full story, does give it a bit of extra mystery and replay value, though.

After the first case, further scenarios introduce further wrinkles to the formula. The second case has a time-based element, where you can revisit scenes and interviewees for possible additional information as the investigation progresses. The third and fifth both add elements of spatial movement to the challenge, while the fourth is something of an information dump. It’s a good amount of variety to get your teeth into. In all of them, the action limit, an addition to the Consulting Detective formula borrowed from another game called Mythos Tales, helps to inject some much-needed tension into proceedings.

The other major addition, the split between interviews and investigation at each location, is less successful. Often it rewards sensible decision making, such as a public official. You might expect such an individual to give you useful information, but without a suggestion that they’re corrupt, tailing them is unlikely to turn up anything helpful. However, this is not always the case, and the mechanic can waste those valuable actions. Worse, it can lead to nonsensical situations such as tipping off a criminal they’re under investigation with an interview, only to find they’re still operating freely for you to stake out their hideout.

In a similar vein, Bureau of Investigation: : Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere often poses some rather unlikely problems in the name of trying to make an engaging game. As an FBI agent you would not, in reality, have to spend time trying to work out where the local police station is; you’d either know, or your superiors would have told you. But here it’s something you have to sort out for yourself. There are examples of these kinds of improbably pedestrian puzzles littering all five scenarios, and they’re frustrating in addition to removing you from the narrative.

As such, the writing is fine. Given you’re going to spend a lot of time reading and analysing the text then, ideally, you’d want it more than ‘fine’, but it suffices to deliver character and atmosphere to proceedings. The publisher is French, however, and while the English translation is both passable and parsable, it contains idiosyncrasies that can make a native speaker stop and re-read. Which is perhaps not a fault in a game that rewards close reading and analysis.

Overall – should you buy Bureau of Investigation?

Whether this is a game for you or not depends on your reaction to two things. The first is the idea that it requires neither strategy nor luck, but a mixture of textual interpretation, good notes, and making conceptual links. The second is your tolerance for the mythos of arch-racist H. P. Lovecraft. Not that there’s anything problematic in this game, but many find his ideas repellent and hackneyed enough to reject anything related to them. 

If neither applies to you, then, despite a few issues and a limited replay value, Bureau of Investigation is worth your time as a clever novelty.

The Verdict

3.5

3.5 out of 5

Bureau of Investigation

Bureau of Investigation offers enough co-op fun to warrant a look, but there are cracks beneath the surface.

The post Bureau of Investigation review: “A clever novelty” appeared first on Game News.

At $139.99 / £109.99, the new miniature Mountain Everest 60 is a fairly pricey affair, though one look at the world of high-end gaming keyboards shows it’s clear that the overall experience on offer here is a steal. Investing in quality over quantity, the brand’s first keyboard, the Mountain Everest Max, launched two years ago. The new release is a scaled down version with some particularly thoughtful improvements on the original.

The Mountain Everest 60 is a 60% gaming keyboard like no other. That goes beyond the handy arrow buttons and optional modular number pad, though, and straight to the source; the in-house Mountain switches. These are some of the most pleasing springs I’ve had my hands on, and when taken with the thoughtful design, comfortable shape, and suave RGB effects they push the Mountain name even further into the limelight. 

I got to grips with the Everest 60 over the course of four weeks, using it as a daily driver in both work and play to find out just how well it lives up to its predecessor. 

Design

• Smaller footprint but still packs useful arrow keys
• RGB light strip remains 
• Great build quality overall

A 60% layout usually eschews all extraneous functions so that your keyboard can focus on core gameplay without having to worry about space for arrow buttons and a function row. That means I often have a hard time fully settling into a 60% keyboard, particularly when it comes to productivity. Rerouting buttons via a function layer has always felt like a band-aid on the broken leg of this layout, serving neither gamers nor office aficionados. Spotting the arrow keys fully intact on the Mountain Everest 60 (nestled between delete and shift keys no less), was my first indication that I was going to have a good time with this keyboard. 

You’re getting standard 60% design elsewhere, with no function row, home, insert, or end keys. However, those are the only sacrifices you’re making to get this smaller footprint, and that’s pretty damn impressive. Sure, it’s longer than the likes of the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 or Razer Huntsman Mini, but there’s still plenty of space to swing a mouse and the modular design means you can attach the optional number pad to the left or right of the deck as well.

That black brushed design has stuck around from the Everest Max, though it is less noticeable due to the reduced bezel size here. The RGB is bold and bright, and I was particularly pleased to find the LED light strip stuck between the two panels has made a return. It’s a subtle touch that I always enjoyed in the original model; a hint of color without glaring it across your desktop.

Overall, this feels like a reliably sturdy deck. The USB-C connection between the number pad and the main keyboard also feels a little less precarious, by virtue of a slightly longer connection panel compared to the original in the Everest Max. Magnetic feet risers are also included, with three increments of height available. I placed the whole deck on the highest setting, for ultra-ergonomics and was particularly pleased with the comfort on offer.

Features

• No space for previously released modular components
• Linear, tactile, or speed linear switches available
• Tactile texture on PBT doubleshot keycaps

Essential Info

Average price: $139.99 / £109.99
Type: Mechanical (hot-swappable)
Size: 60%
Switches: Mountain Linear 45
Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Media keys: None
Wrist rest: None
USB passthrough: None
Tested on an Asus TUF Dash F15 gaming laptop

Existing Mountain fans will be disappointed to learn that the modular components shipped with the Everest Max model aren’t compatible with the new Everest 60. As hard as I tried, there’s no connecting my beloved digital display dial to this deck, the bezels are simply too skinny to support the lip of the device. Plus, the programmable macro buttons on the original number pad are nowhere to be found this time around. That’s a little disappointing, it was these touches that solidified the Mountain Everest Max’s position on my desktop long-term and I can’t help but feel some of the spark has been lost in their absence. 

Of course, with a 60% design and a slightly lower price point, the Everest 60 isn’t trying to be the all-in-one command centre its ancestor was. In truth, there’s a new set of features that propel the new release into the spotlight; and they’re all under the keys.

Our testing unit shipped with Mountain Linear 45 switches, a particularly snappy set of springs with a super-fast debounce and a satisfying heft to them. These aren’t heavy switches, but the force required to actuate is far greater than other linears in my arsenal, without ever feeling cumbersome. It’s a strange sensation; with a soft, smooth landing but – at the same time – a satisfying clack to each keypress. Thankfully, these switches come factory lubed, so there’s no need to take the deck apart before even plugging it in.

Of course, if you don’t get on with the Linear 45s, Mountain is also shipping the Everest 60 with its Tactile 55 and Linear 45 Speed switches. This is a hot-swappable keyboard, though, so you can also trade them out for anything you’d prefer, thanks to the 3 and 5-pin seats.

On top of those switches, you’ll find a set of PBT doubleshot keycaps, which I was particularly relieved to find. The original Max model shipped with ABS domes, and cheap-feeling ones at that. It was a frustration I held firmly against that $300 MSRP, but thankfully you’ll find nicely tactile, durable keycaps here. The surface texture is also pleasantly grainy, feeling infinitely better under the hand and keeping things fresh even during those longer (read sweatier) sessions.

Performance

• Comfortable but satisfying switches
• Weight of keys prevents unwanted keypresses 
• No rattle or ping

The Mountain Everest 60 owes a lot of its performance prowess to those switches. They’re truly outdoing themselves here, offering up a comfortable tension without fatigue, and a comfortable bottom-out that feels speedy and crisp in its debounce. Needless to say, typing feels fantastic. I averaged 92WPM in typing speed tests on this deck, with 98% accuracy. That’s a nice improvement over same-day tests on the original Max (90WPM at 96% accuracy), largely down to the fact that the increased resistance under here makes for a particularly precise typing experience, and those PBT keycaps offer greater purchase across the top as well. 

I wasn’t quite typing at the breakneck speed afforded by the Keychron Q2 (measuring in at 96WPM at 99% accuracy) with its lower travel distances and lighter actuation force, but I did prefer the extra weight to the Everest overall. 

During gameplay, the snappiness and weight of those keys made for precise shots and speedy dodges. Reaching around the WASD keys was easy and scampering across the keyboard during more intense Apex Legends moments felt natural as well. Response times were solid across Borderlands 2 and Apex, though wouldn’t hold up to more competitive decks with faster scan and polling rates.

The auditory profile of the Mountain Everest 60 was also impressive. There’s a silicon mat placed in the main housing here, with extra foam lining the PCB and sitting between the PCB and top plate. That all makes for excellent dampening, and a solid thud to boot. I never noticed any stabilizer twang or switch reverb running through the chassis; something that did present as an early problem with the original model.

Should you buy the Mountain Everest 60?

The Mountain Everest 60 is a serious contender for the best 60% keyboard out there. Its form factor strikes a perfect balance; saving space while still providing access to useful arrow keys. This is a particularly versatile deck (just look at that modular number pad, for instance) that will certainly look good and play well on anyone’s desk. At a fairly high asking price, I’d recommend this more for those on the hunt for an enthusiast-level typing experience than anyone looking for a suite of controls at their fingertips. 

The Everest 60 doesn’t offer the same level of sheer functionality as its predecessor, the Everest Max, did, but does represent a nice halfway point between a tiny 60% device and a TKL. If you’re looking to downsize, but don’t want to remove too much functionality, this is a solid bet. However, if you’re after blistering speed at the expense of all other functions, we’d recommend checking out the HyperX Alloy Origins 60. 

How we tested the Mountain Everest 60

I ran the Mountain Everest 60 through everyday work and play over the course of four weeks, using the deck as my main driver throughout. I tested response times, debounce, and switch feel using Apex Legends and Borderlands 2, while also testing actuation speeds and scan rates on platformers like Celeste and Hollow Knight. I also fully stripped the Everest 60 to check the ease of hot-swapping its switches and performed typing tests using TypingTest.com (opens in new tab). 

You can find out more about how we test gaming keyboards right here, or check out how we make all our recommendations in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We’re also rounding up all the best Razer keyboards and our top tips for budget gaming keyboards as well. Or, for the perfect partner, check out the best gaming mouse options on the market. 

The Verdict

3.5

3.5 out of 5

Mountain Everest 60 review: “Excellent quality with a thoughtful design”

The Mountain Everest 60 offers a rare halfway position between the miniscule 60% form factor and the functionality of a TKL. While you’re dropping some of the modular features that made the original release so great, the overall experience and typing feel here is second to none.

The post Mountain Everest 60 review: “Excellent quality with a thoughtful design” appeared first on Game News.

Those occasional ‘wow’ occurrences aside, there’s not much truly new in The Show 22. Because where do you go when, in gameplay terms, you’ve been on elite form for two decades? ‘Cosmetic’ is a straightforward yet strong answer, and richer facial animation really stands out. Batters take a deep breath, cheeks expanding, before entering the box. Complaints over strike calls look familiar to Show veterans in their body movements, but now the batter’s brow furrows, and it’s almost possible to read lips. In sports, this matters, even if it’s ultimately canned and superficial with no actual game impact.

Fast facts: MLB The Show 22

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
Release date: April 5, 2022
Developer: Sony San Diego
Publisher: Sony

Credit is deserved for bringing facial definition into MLB The Show 22, yet the visual package wanes in other areas. Glorious as stadiums appear from the batter’s box, when a ball exits the park, the Snack Attack concession stand remains, unchanged since the PlayStation 3, smeared textures and all. Angular, awkward fans defeat the realism during mid-inning cutaways. Grass poking through painted logos looks less like turf than a close-up of someone desperately in need of a shave. The jump to PS5 hasn’t done much for the graphical presentation – yet.

From inside the booth

If there’s a singular presentation tweak worthy of discussion, it’s Matt Vasgersian’s retirement from the virtual commentary booth. He’s called The Show since 2006, and while undeniably routine and stale in recent years, Vasgersian became the series’ voice. Replacing him is Cubs/ESPN regular John Sciambi. Despite the repetition (Sciambi doesn’t have 15+ years of calls recorded) and occasional inaccuracy, he handles the material convincingly. It’s a worthy performance alongside color man Chris Singleton, and together, there’s a baseline to build on.

The pair commentates a slightly tweaked on-field MLB The Show 22, notably with regards to fielding. Errors occur with greater frequency when controlling lower-rated players, with arm strength and accuracy now critical to consider. In playing through the mostly untouched solo career Road to the Show, some games prove painful; trying to get a jump on tight shots into the outfield or snagging a ball driven into the gap become impossible without greater reaction numbers. The plus, then, is AA and AAA ball feel like minor leagues, creating a satisfying skill gap when (eventually) called up to the MLB.

Ahead of release the dev team has been keen to trumpet improved ball physics. The year-to-year change in this department is subtle to the point of being barely noticeable, but behavior off the bat has undoubtedly changed if you make a broader comparison to, say, five years ago. Combined with the sound, nailing a perfect swing feels stellar, the authenticity marvelous. Add in varying degrees of rumble in the controller (a hard hit tingling like a real bat, albeit with no pain), and there’s no better effect in this genre.

March to October to March to October again

Gaining momentum, the smartly conceived March to October mode earns depth this year, including multiple seasons, and that includes the off-season, making this a speedier way through a franchise (while franchise mode, of course, exists on its own too). Given the MLB’s season length, March to October simplifies things, playing only key moments for a chosen team, plus their minor leaguers that can lead to surprise call-ups (and send downs). Yet, both these modes lack requested GM features, weakening their depth when compared to other sports franchises.

However, The Show 22 does boast cross-console play, meaning franchise save files can be shared between PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch editions. This hasn’t been missed since Sony chose to nuke the PlayStation Vita, but now with a Nintendo Switch version, portability again matters.

Although played largely pre-release, it’s worth mentioning online struggles (also with cross-platform play). Stability wavered wildly during sessions, even with perfect connections according to the on-screen readouts. It’s not a great start to a new two-on-two or three-on-three co-op mode. There’s no genuine depth to speak of (it’s only one-off exhibitions) and baseball isn’t that conducive to video game team play, but it’s a pleasing addition with room to grow. Players take turns between batting and running, with pitching and fielding duties split between innings. But again, missing that pitch meter timing due to a lag skip and giving a teammate fits isn’t fun for anyone.

Cash money

Elsewhere, there’s the Diamond Dynasty money sink, same as it ever was, adding veteran Hall of Fame players into the mix. As a Mariners fan, it’s great seeing Randy Johnson represented, although the idea of needing to open digital packs to acquire him isn’t ideal. Consider the push to pay real money to access more packs, and it’s less ideal still. Besides, given The Show 22 recycles the enjoyable retro mode (complete with music mimicking the Super Nintendo great Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball), a better choice might be to include full throwback teams rather than one-off superstars, similar to what NBA 2K did when Michael Jordan became the cover athlete. There, full ‘90s era rosters were recreated for a true nostalgia jolt. However, keeping them pinned behind a paywall isn’t the answer.

Gripes aside, MLB The Show 22 remains a fun, authentic and comprehensive simulation, among the industry’s best. Ignoring the surrounding marketplace pressure to reiterate and innovate, Sony’s series sits alongside NBA 2K as the premier pro sports offering. It’s a consistent tie, both visually and where features are concerned – and we’re still only two games into the new generation. Meaning next year’s baseball vs basketball face-off should be a true humdinger. 

Reviewed on PS5 with a code provided by the publisher.

The Verdict

4

4 out of 5

MLB The Show 22

Still surprisingly swing-and-miss online, but for long-lasting and moreish solo play, NBA 2K22 is its only competitor in a two-horse championship duel.

The post MLB The Show 22 review: “Fun, authentic and comprehensive baseball” appeared first on Game News.

Design & Features

It’s not just the picture that is large: the Aura is huge, larger than most of its competitors. A sturdy unit is needed to support it – ideally, one which is hard to move as knocking the base means readjusting for the optimal angle. Its smart black and grey casing is neutral enough to fit most living rooms without being drab.

I’m always impressed by the quick setup of XGIMI projectors, which are also much faster on everyday launch than many competitors. It would be even faster to set up out of the box if I had an Android phone to launch from, but I was still streaming to it within only a few minutes of switching it on. The 2400 lumen laser is so powerful that there’s a built-in feature to instantly switch it off if there’s any obstruction between the source and projection surface – a great safety feature but it did kick in a few times while I was nailing down the precise position of the projector to fit the screen. Once that was done, the eight-point image correction was great for making the picture square without much fuss.

The built-in Android system is easy to use and full of apps to stream direct from wifi, although some remain unavailable – most crucially Netflix. This is common across Android projectors and seems to be down to Netflix not licensing the app for use on them rather than the fault of the OS or manufacturer so I won’t count it against the Aura. Plus, the three HDMI inputs and wide range of casting options mean that there’s no shortage of ways to connect a device running Netflix. The only problem with the Android OS is that it’s slightly slow, but again this is nitpicking as it is not frustratingly slow.

Performance

Sometimes the biggest part of performance isn’t in the resolution stats or the refresh rate. Because of the ultra-short throw, there was no shadow when walking around my living room. I didn’t have to duck out of the way of my wife’s boss battles, and she didn’t have to wait for the ball to go out of play when I was watching football for fear of blocking the screen. After five years with a projector as our main media source, this change is nearly revolutionary!

The Aura says 4K on the box, but as is often the case this is not native 4K. It uses Expanded Pixel Resolution (XPR) to generate a “faux-K” image. If you have to have native 4K in an ultra-short throw then you’ll need to shell out a bit more than the Aura’s price point, but the difference between native resolution and pixel shifting is increasingly negligible in modern projectors. 

If you’re looking for the best projector for PS5 or Xbox Series X, the Aura could be for you as its picture is wonderfully sharp and has excellent depth of colour. Horizon Forbidden West’s amazing landscapes pop with vibrant shades, and the cutscenes are breathtaking. Like most ultra short throws, darker tones can slightly struggle to get their detail across, but not horrendously. It’s best for Marvel movies, but it can more than cope with DC. Being so close to the projection surface means it is less affected by ambient light than traditional projectors, but I did notice as good weather hit that very bright sunlight was affecting the edge closer to the patio windows.

There are five image modes: Movie, Office, Football, Game, and Custom, but it’s surprising that only Custom and Game offer much further customisation. They are useful to switch between: Football mode, in particular, is good for a range of sports (approved for bringing out the green of both soccer and cricket pitches) and the 60Hz motion compensation technology (MEMC) keeps the action smooth however frantic it gets. Game mode reduces the input lag to 43ms, strong for an ultra-short-throw projector, although, like almost all projectors, short of what competitive gamers would seek. For most casual gamers, however, it’s safely within tolerance.

The sound is truly excellent, and likely the best I’ve ever had from a projector. After a month of use, I’m yet to connect it to our surround sound. XGIMI projectors generally boast excellent Harman Kardon speakers, and the four 15W units present on the Aura give a sound that fills the room while keeping everything clear. The projector itself is whisper quiet, even without being covered by the sound output.

Overall – should you buy it?

The XGIMI Aura is simply a fantastic projector for anyone looking for something approaching high-end in a short-throw unit, and it’s also a projector that shows that ultra-short throw projectors can be much more living-room friendly than traditional throw projectors. I didn’t realise quite how much I was annoyed by the projection being blocked by people walking around until using this model. However, it does struggle with some of the issues that these units can give: a lack of definition in darker scenes, and you will get a slightly sharper image, and likely native 4K, in a longer throw projector at this price point. If you have to have the sharpest picture you can afford then a traditional projector would probably edge this out, but the trade-off isn’t huge, especially when gaining such convenience of the ultra-short throw which makes a huge difference to living with a projector as your main media source.

How we test the XGIMI Aura projector

I tested the XGIMI Aura mostly by using it as my main living room projector. For testing with video I was streaming football and cricket through the UK’s BT Sport app direct to the projector, with a range of apps streamed from the PS5 or a laptop, giving a good mix of fast moving sport and binge-watch-worthy TV shows. For curiosity I also tested some key fight sections of Birds of Prey on ultra high definition blu-ray – my go to for 4K images with vibrant colour and shadow.

Game testing came mostly from long sessions of Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 to put it through its paces for new-gen graphics, plus Assassins Creed Valhalla for tomb areas to check out how it copes with darker images.

You can read more about our holistic approach to gaming tech in our hardware policy, and read more about how we test gaming projectors at GamesRadar+ here.

If you are shopping for a projector this year, don’t forget to pick up one of the best projector screens or one of the best outdoor projector screens if you’re looking to embrace the summer too.

The Verdict

4.5

4.5 out of 5

Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector

The XGIMI Aura is a fantastic 4K unit with exceptional sound for a projector, giving huge ultra short throw images at a reasonable price.

The post XGIMI Aura review: “Simply a fantastic projector” appeared first on Game News.

The Bubble is something different. Lighter and sillier, it tracks three tumultuous months in the pandemic-delayed production of Cliff Beasts 6: The Battle for Everest: Memories of a Requiem, a $100m action blockbuster that looks like it belongs on the Syfy channel (why are movies within movies always so dire?). 

Taking real-life inspiration from the shooting of Jurassic World: Dominion, which suffered numerous Covid-related delays, Cliff Beasts 6 sees actors Dieter Bravo (Pedro Pascal), Carol Cobb (Karen Gillan), Sean Knox (Keegan-Michael Key) and separated husband and wife Dustin Mulray (David Duchovny) and Lauren Van Chance (Leslie Mann) battle dinosaurs at high altitude… and then, off screen, boredom, horniness and each other as they maintain their bubble within a stately English hotel. Meanwhile, studio head Paula (Kate McKinnon) is forever poking her Pterodactyl-sized beak in via Zoom calls from ski resorts and safaris – she of course jumped the queue to get her vaccine early.

Written by Apatow and Pam Brady (Team America: World Police, Lady Dynamite), The Bubble often feels hastily knocked together despite arriving a year too late, with several smaller productions (Staged, Locked Down, Together) getting their pandemic punches in first. The targets are obvious, from insecure, egocentric actors to TikTok influencers (played by Apatow and Mann’s real-life daughter, Iris Apatow) to a hip young director (Fred Armisen) finding his hands tied on a studio blockbuster. But like Velociraptor Blue in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, the satire threatens to be vicious but is frequently tame. At 126 minutes, it’s also half an hour too long.

But if you’re in the mood for some throwaway fun, Apatow’s Bubble won’t burst yours. Scenes of actors rehearsing their stunts and action choreography especially amuse – Key’s Knox took Cliff Beasts 6 on the condition he could pilot the chopper, surely a knowing nod given the “Cruise movie” is the only other film in production – and a gallery of cameos keep things interesting.

The Bubble is now on Netflix. For more, check out the best Netflix movies currently streaming.

The Verdict

2

2 out of 5

The Bubble review, Netflix: “Judd Apatow gets frivolous, to patchy effect”

After pretty much inventing the modern-day comedy drama, Judd Apatow here gets frivolous, to patchy effect.

The post The Bubble review: Apatow gets frivolous, to patchy effect” appeared first on Game News.