HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap review

HTC asks owners of its Vive VR kit to put down another two hundred bucks for a Deluxe Audio Strap.

Whilst there’s no doubt in my mind that the HTC Vive offers the best VR experience available right now, it’s not the most comfortable device to strap to your noggin. Out of the three main VR devices, the HTC Vive’s standard elastic strap is by far the worst mounting method. Top marks for comfort go to the PlayStation VR then followed by the Oculus Rift. Continue reading HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap review

Small, but perfectly formed – Alienware 13 laptop review

Alienware’s latest incarnation of their 13-inch laptop packs a powerhouse of a PC within the tiny chassis.

There was a time when I’d have laughed at you for suggesting that I gaze at a computer monitor smaller than 21-inches. Times have changed, and whilst I’m happy with three 27-inch monitors for the desktop rig, when I’m on the move, I want compact. Continue reading Small, but perfectly formed – Alienware 13 laptop review

Codemasters invites us to get dirty, again

Codemasters have put the pedal to the metal to bring us the most accessible Dirt game yet…unless you want to play in VR.

The last game in the veteran rally series was the spin-off title, Dirt Rally. It was seen by many as Codemasters’ apology to real rally fans for over-doing the Ken Block-inspired AWESOME of the last few games. It was also an uncompromising bastard to play. And I mean that in the nicest possible way.

With Dirt Rally if you were likely a poor rally driver in real life, you were going to be a poor player in the game, which for sim gamers is exactly what you want. There are no restarts in real life (even if there is in Dirt Rally). Continue reading Codemasters invites us to get dirty, again

Does Bethesda’s Prey reboot deliver?

Bethesda taps Dishonored’s Arkane Studios to reboot the 2006 video game, Prey.

I quite liked the original Prey, developed by Human Head Studios and published by 2K. It was about a native American getting abducted by aliens. The protagonist could use his Cherokee heritage to spirit-walk, or something, in order to escape the alien spaceship. A sequel was planned, but never materialised.

You can forget all about the previous paragraph, as the 2017 Prey shares only a name with the original game. Continue reading Does Bethesda’s Prey reboot deliver?

Return to Vvardenfell in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind

Bethesda and Zenimax Online invite players to return to the island of Vvardenfell in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind.

In the three years since the release of The Elder Scrolls Online, Bethesda’s massively-multiplayer online take on their award-winning game franchise has matured considerably. After dumping the game’s subscription-only access for a free-to-play model, for the Tamriel Unlimited relaunch, the game is now open for both casual players and hardcore fans alike. Continue reading Return to Vvardenfell in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind

Star Trek: Bridge Crew HTC Vive review

VR gaming may have just found its killer app.

Captain’s log Stardate: 270517 The USS Aegis has been dispatched to the edge of the Neutral Zone, as part of the shakedown cruise, prior to our survey of the area known as The Trench. Our mission will be to find a new home world for the decimated Vulcan people.

And so begins Ubisoft’s Star Trek: Bridge Crew. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t let out a little whoop when the ship in distress on my first mission to the edge of the Neutral Zone revealed itself as the Kobayashi Maru. It’s a ship that Star Trek aficionados know to be the no-win scenario, a training test that has only been beaten once, by a certain James T. Kirk. Continue reading Star Trek: Bridge Crew HTC Vive review

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