The soundtrack arrives on multiple vinyl and CD editions on April 24, with pre-orders open now.

To celebrate the soundtrack's release, Valve is also offering Half-Life: Alyx at 70% off, dropping the VR masterpiece to just $17.99.

The upcoming physical editions of the Half-Life: Alyx soundtrack arrive in the three following editions:

• 6 LP Vinyl Box Set Edition - This massive set features the full 72-track soundtrack pressed on six 180 gram heavyweight vinyl LPs. Each record is wrapped in its own unique sleeve, and comes packed into a lift-top box. In addition, the set includes a 24x48" poster and a download card for a digital version of the full soundtrack. This set is limited to just 2,000 copies, and is only purchasable through Ipecac Recordings' online shop.
• 2 LP Vinyl Edition - This edition, available in three color variants, features 21 tracks from the soundtrack on two 180 gram heavyweight LPs. The set includes a custom jacket, a 24x48" poster, and a download card for the full 72-track soundtrack. This edition is available through Ipecac US, Townsend UK, and Bandcamp.
• 4 CD Edition - Last but not least, the full 72 track soundtrack is available on four CDs, which come in a foldout digipak case.

Those not interested in collecting physical albums can find the full digital edition on most major streaming platforms, and on Steam, where it's temporarily available at 60% off.

The various albums are available at several shops, and you can see them all here.

The Magician VR: The Cursed Wand is an upcoming fantasy VR action-adventure for Quest available to wishlist now.

Focused around the idea of real wand-gesture spellcasting in VR, The Magician VR: The Cursed Wand is a new fantasy game that can be wishlisted now on the Meta Horizon Store. Tracing wand gestures in the air to form spell patterns, a variety of spells, as shown in the trailer, will be at players’ disposal, from streams of water to remove fire to more offensive-based attacks. Made by Master Crowd Games, their previous work in the virtual reality space was a game called Rock Invasion VR, also for Quest.

Set in an apocalyptic 20th-century city called Crowville under siege by unknowable forces, The Magician VR plans to offer an arcade-based survival mode based on defeating endless waves of enemies. New magic and upgrades to spells will be earned based on performance on each level, offering replayability to try to survive even longer on each round. Based on the images shown, apart from the ghouls hungry for flesh, much bigger boss-type enemies will be confronted at some point.

The game will also have a campaign, with "structured progression" through key locations.

Aiming to please both casual and hardcore fans, the pick-up-and-play mechanics are promised to be backed by deep gameplay features as the magical powers progress. The stylized visuals and ominous original soundtrack neatly tie the package together, which the developer notes is not completely done and could change by the time the full game releases.

The Magician VR: The Cursed Wand is available to wishlist now on Quest.

Lynx-R2, coming "this summer", is set to have the widest field of view of any standalone headset to date.

French startup Lynx repeatedly failed to meet its deadlines for its R1 headset, which it Kickstarted, and while originally envisioned as a $500 competitor to Meta Quest headsets, the price for new orders rose to $850 and then $1300 as the company pivoted to primarily targeting businesses.

Lynx’s New Headset Won’t Run Android XR, But Will Have Widest Standalone FOV

Lynx says its new headset won’t run Android XR, as Google “terminated” its agreement, but will have by far the widest field of view of any standalone.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Now, Lynx has revealed the key specifications of its next headset, which it first teased in October.

At the time, Lynx founder Stan Larroque told UploadVR that his company has "learned so much with the R1", and will not do a crowdfunding campaign. A month later, Lynx revealed that Google had "terminated" its agreement to use Android XR, such that it will instead run LynxOS, the company's own open-source Android fork.

Similar to Quest 3 and Pico 4 Ultra, Lynx-R2 is a fully standalone headset powered by Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 chipset and 16GB RAM, with two color passthrough cameras, four tracking cameras, as well as a depth sensor and IR illuminators.

It has an open periphery design, like Samsung Galaxy XR, with the ability to flip the visor up at any time.

What distinguishes Lynx-R2 from these other standalone headsets is its aspheric pancake lenses, developed in partnership with Israeli startup Hypervision. According to Lynx, R2 achieves a field of view of 126° horizontal and 103° vertical. That would make it one of the widest field of view VR headsets to ship as a product anyone can buy, and by far the widest standalone of any kind.

These remarkable lenses are paired with 2312×2160 LCD displays. And Lynx says it's getting the displays for just $30 each, because its development was paid for by Meta, which according to Lynx, planned to use them in the canceled 2026 Quest 4 candidate.

To achieve a reasonable passthrough image quality over the wide field of view, Lynx is using 3K×3K color cameras, advanced Sony IMX616 sensors capturing 10 megapixels per eye at a 90Hz rate, higher than Apple Vision Pro.

Lynx claims an end-to-end latency of between 12 and 20 milliseconds, compared to the 12 milliseconds of Apple Vision Pro.

It's notable that while other headsets like Quest 3 and Vision Pro have lower camera resolution than display resolution, Lynx-R2 has the opposite.

Further, Lynx says R2 has the slimmest "black line" between passthrough and natural peripheral vision of any passthrough headset, obstructing just 6% of the total field of view of the wearer. This black line is slimmer than even typical smart glasses, the startup claims, and it shared a short through-the-lens video captured by a GoPro with a wide-angle lens.

Meanwhile, the four tracking cameras on the corners of the front enable positional, hand, and controller tracking, while the 0.5 megapixel depth sensor enables 3D room scanning and spatial anchors.

According to the company, Lynx-R2 is designed to be open, modular, and repairable. LynxOS, its Android fork, is open source, and the headset has an open bootloader. Buyers will have raw unrestricted access to the sensors via APIs. Lynx says it will publish IO schematics for developers who want to add additional sensors. And R2 is built with screws instead of glue, with the company planning to sell spare parts like batteries, mainboards, and camera modules to customers.

Lynx-R2 is set to arrive "this summer", priced somewhere between Meta Quest 3 and Samsung Galaxy XR. Unlike with R1, Lynx will not be doing preorders this time. According to Larroque, when it's available to buy, it will be ready to ship immediately.

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At CES earlier this month, MSI revealed its newly overhauled Prestige laptop line. Now just a few weeks later, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ and its larger Prestige 16 variants are all available in the US.

The updated lineup adopts a slimmer profile, down to 0.47 inches at its thinnest. Despite the reduced thickness, the Prestige laptops remain just as durable. All models include modern security features such as a discrete TPM 2.0 module, fingerprint reader, IR webcam with shutter, and MSI’s Smart Guard protection.

Depending on the model, the new Prestige laptops can be configured all the way up to a brand-new Intel Core Ultra 9 388H processor. This gives plenty of performance for AI applications, alongside improved integrated Arc graphics. Efficiency gains also have an impact on battery life, with these laptops rated for over 30 hours of continuous HD video playback on a charge. Underneath the hood, cooling is handled by a vapor chamber and a dual-fan system, keeping noise levels low and thermals in check.

To match the Prestige name, these laptops ship with very high-spec displays. The Prestige 14 Flip AI+ features a 14‑inch FHD+ OLED touchscreen with 100% DCI‑P3 coverage and SGS low‑blue‑light certification. The 16‑inch models step up to 2.8K OLED panels with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification, and optional touch support. Ambient light and adaptive color sensors are included to maintain consistent image quality in different lighting conditions.

For users who prefer flexible workflows, the Prestige Flip variants offer 2‑in‑1 convertibility with stylus support. All models include a Copilot key, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, DTS‑enhanced audio with dual speakers and dual woofers, and a full suite of ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4, USB‑A, HDMI 2.1 and an audio combo jack.

The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the Prestige 16 AI+ and the Prestige 16 Flip AI+ are all available in the US now, with prices starting at $1,299. EU availability is expected in the coming months.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on getting a new laptop for 2026?

Razer has launched the beta version of Razer Synapse Web, a lightweight web application that lets users customise their Razer peripherals in Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera. This new platform eliminates the need for full software installation, making it a handy tool for esports tournaments, LAN environments, or shared systems where administrative locks prevent traditional software setup.

The web app focuses on speed and essential features. Users can adjust Chroma RGB Quick Effects, refine key settings, and manage onboard profiles directly within the browser interface. At launch, only the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro line will be supported, but we can expect more peripherals in the future.

While Synapse 4 remains the primary hub for deep integration and multi-device synchronisation, Synapse Web serves as a high-performance alternative for rapid adjustments in competitive scenarios. This “web-native” approach ensures that a gamer's specific performance tuning is always just a URL away, regardless of the PC they are using.

KitGuru says: For any user who jumps from system to system, being able to tweak their peripherals on the go is quite handy. However, most users will probably be glad that with Synapse Web, they won't need to install any software to customise their peripherals.

While Sony has yet to make any official announcements regarding the PlayStation 6 console, there have been some hints along the way. For instance, PlayStation hardware lead, Mark Cerny, has discussed continuing to work with AMD on new technology for a future console. For the past couple of years, many have been anticipating a 2028 launch date for next-generation consoles, but one analyst is now predicting a longer timetable.

As spotted by VGC, an MST Financial analyst recently claimed in a forecast for Sony that the PlayStation 5 lifecycle is going to be extended, and that the successor won't be released by 2028 as previously anticipated.

There are a number of good reasons for a PlayStation 6 delay right now. For starters, Sony has yet to convert a good number of PS4 users over to the new system. On top of that, the recent AI boom has led to massive price increases for things like memory and SSDs, which could make building a new console a much more expensive endeavour than initially planned over the next couple of years. Many consumers are expected to hold on to current-generation or older hardware while prices are in flux.

There are still a number of big generation-defining games also still to be released. Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to lead to the sale of many PS5 consoles towards the end of this year. Premier first party studios like Naughty Dog have also yet to release a brand-new title during the PS5 generation and many other studios also have new games in the oven, specifically targeting the PS5.

If the forecast is accurate, then the PS6 may not arrive until 2029 or later. However, it is worth noting that this is just one analyst's opinion, and the tech space tends to move at a rapid pace. Sony itself has not yet made any statements around its next-gen hardware plans.

KitGuru Says: Rumour has it that the PlayStation 6 will see Sony tapping back into the portable market. As for when we'll see it, that is still up for debate.

This week, Kingston announced that its IronKey Keypad 200 USB drives, including the KP200 and KP200C, have achieved NIST FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 validation. The certification places the KP200 line alongside the already‑approved IronKey D500S, strengthening Kingston’s position in supplying independently verified, tamper‑resistant data storage.

FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 is the latest U.S. government cryptographic hardware standard and is widely recognised across Europe as a benchmark for security. Level 3 requires physical tamper resistance, identity‑based authentication, protected key handling, separation of critical interfaces, and safeguards against abnormal voltage or temperature conditions. Certification is granted following testing by NIST‑accredited labs and a final review by NIST.

The KP200 series are keypad‑based drives compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and mobile devices via USB‑A or USB‑C. They are designed for environments where encrypted removable media is required to load or transfer software on medical, industrial, scientific, and other OT systems. NIST’s new SP 1334 guidance also highlights the need for stronger USB security in OT infrastructure.

The KP200 series includes dual Admin/User PINs, optional Global and Session Read‑Only modes to prevent unauthorised changes or malware exposure, and IP68 dust‑ and water‑resistance. The USB drives are available with up to 512GB of storage and come with a three-year warranty.

KitGuru Says: The number of cyber attacks carried out has grown each year, so data security is always important, especially when working in sensitive fields.

Obsidian has been slowly working away on Grounded 2 in early access since its reveal last year. This month, the game is getting its first major update, titled ‘The Toxic Tangle', adding a new biome to explore, alongside new enemies and even a new gun-toting mount.

First up is the new Garden biome, which transforms the greenhouse into a dense, vertical maze of vines, crawlspaces, and hidden stashes. Players will encounter everything from pumpkin patches to carrot thickets, alongside aggressive wildlife and plenty of resources to overcome new hazards.

Players will also be able to use a giant ladybug as a tank-style mount, complete with its own water cannon for clearing out pests. Speaking of pests, players will encounter new enemy types, including earwigs, potato beetles, wooly aphid and even a giant snake for a late-game challenge. The Masked Stranger also makes a return, hinting at new mysteries still to come.

Mutations have been reworked into active and passive types, with passives now tied to weapon loadouts for smoother combat flow. Builders gain expanded options with new sets such as the Pumpkin Kit, updated Mushroom Kit, Scale Roof Set, improved Acorn Stairs, and long‑requested floor hatches.

Looking ahead, Playgrounds Mode returns in February via the Public Test Beta, bringing back creation tools from the first Grounded.

KitGuru Says: Did many of you play the original Grounded? Have you jumped into Grounded 2 yet or are you waiting for it to get closer to V1.0?

Intel has officially entered the next era of AI upscaling with the release of XeSS 3, featuring Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) technology. Integrated into the latest graphics driver (versions 32.0.101.8425 and 32.0.101.8362), XeSS 3 supports 2x, 3x, and 4x frame multiplication, similar to Nvidia's DLSS 4. One of the most significant advantages of this rollout is backward compatibility. Users can enable Frame Generation in any XeSS 2 supported game through the Intel Graphics control panel. 

The driver update also marks the launch of Intel's new integrated graphics solutions, the Arc B390 and B370, which power the Core Ultra 3 (Panther Lake) mobile CPU family. XeSS 3 is designed to run on any Arc hardware equipped with XMX units, covering the original A-series, the new B-series discrete cards, and integrated solutions across the Meteor Lake, Lunar Lake, and Arrow Lake families. Early hands-on testing suggests that while image quality is high with minimal artefacts, users may experience higher input lag in fast-paced titles, a common hurdle for frame generation technologies that Intel is working to mitigate.

Beyond the new features, the driver also introduces critical stability fixes, including a resolution for crashes in the Pragmata demo and a fix for incorrect Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reporting in the display settings. Moreover, Intel has acknowledged several known issues under investigation, including application crashes in games such as Star Citizen, The Finals, and Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Users experiencing these issues are encouraged to report them through the Intel Arc Control feedback tool. The full patch notes can be found below:

Highlights:

• Launch driver for Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc B390, B370 GPUs (Codename Panther Lake).
  • Intel XeSS 3 Support: Introducing Multi-Frame Generation
    • XeSS Multi-Frame Generation builds upon XeSS Frame Generation by inserting up to 3 generated frames between two rendered frames, going from a 1:1 ratio to 3:1 for an ultra-smooth gameplay experience.

Fixed Issues:

• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Graphics Software Fixed Issues
  • Variable Refresh Rate range in Display page may show incorrect values.

Known Issues:

• Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Ghost of Tsushima (DX12) may exhibit color corruption on terrains during gameplay.
  • The Finals (DX12) may experience an intermittent application crash.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (DX11) may experience an application crash during game launch.
• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 1 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay.
  • Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay on some notebooks with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Topaz Video AI may experience visual artifacts when using certain AI models.
• Intel Graphics Software Known Issues
  • When using the Settings > Preferences > Reset all settings option in Windows 10, the application may experience an intermittent crash. Settings can be reset from individual pages without issue.
  • Intel Graphics Software may sometimes experience a single application crash on the first re-arrange of metrics within the Select metrics window. Subsequent usage will not be affected by this crash again.
  • Combined Display may intermittently not function as expected while combining displays or resetting settings.

KitGuru says: Intel may have taken a while to launch its own MFG tech, but now that it's finally here, gamers playing games on Arc graphics can easily get an FPS boost in a bunch of games.