Six months after its introduction at CES 2025, the HDMI Forum officially approved the HDMI 2.2 standard. This upgrade dramatically boosts the maximum bandwidth to 96 Gbps, unlocking support for resolutions as extreme as 16K at 60Hz. However, users should be aware that achieving this will necessitate new “Ultra96”-certified cables, as HDMI 2.2 cannot operate at its peak without them.

The new HDMI version is a considerable leap forward for high-resolution and high-refresh rate content. While its predecessor, HDMI 2.1, already began to strain with uncompressed 8K at 60Hz, the new HDMI 2.2 specification can handle bandwidth-hungry scenarios like 12K at 120Hz and even 16K at 60Hz. It also supports up to 4K resolution at 240Hz and 8K at 60Hz in a full 4:4:4 format, with complete 10-bit and 12-bit colour depth.

One user-friendly change introduced with HDMI 2.2 is the mandatory labelling system. Learning from the confusion surrounding HDMI 2.1, where numerous cables failed to meet advertised specifications, the HDMI Forum will now require the “Ultra96” branding on all authorised cables. To ensure the label is correctly applied, manufacturers must test each cable. This should make it simple to find a truly HDMI 2.2-compliant cable.

The new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) adds another layer of refinement. This feature enhances audio-visual synchronisation, particularly in complex multi-device setups involving soundbars, AV receivers, or elaborate home theatre chains. LIP enables devices to communicate latency information to each other and automatically adjust sync, effectively eliminating the lag between visuals and audio.

While there's no official debut date for compatible devices, AMD's next-gen Radeon series is rumoured to feature HDMI 2.2. However, early leaks suggest not all models will offer the full 96 Gbps capability, with some possibly capping at 80 Gbps.

KitGuru says: While HDMI continues strengthening its lead in the living room and home entertainment space, DisplayPort is traditionally preferred in the PC gaming monitor market. HDMI 2.2 certainly has the potential to shift that balance. Still, its widespread adoption will depend heavily on how quickly manufacturers integrate the new standard.

The post HDMI 2.2 specification revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

Studio NightDive found success with its remaster of System Shock 1 a couple of years ago. Now, the fan favourite sequel, System Shock 2, is getting the same treatment.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is available starting today. The game is available on Steam, promising various improvements over the original, including cross-platform co-op multiplayer, expanded mod support and more.

The game has launched to a ‘Positive' overall user review score on Steam, with fans pointing to the game's mod support and QoL updates as key selling points.

Here is the full list of key improvements packed into the System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster:

• Cross-Play Co-Op multiplayer.
• Choose from 3 branches of the Military; O.S.A, Marines or Navy and experiment with different play styles.
• Additional Mod Support
• Up to 144FPS performance with ultra-widescreen support.
• 50 Achievements to unlock.
• Enhanced Characters, Weapon Models and Animations.
• Optimized Controller support.
• Quality of Life Improvements.

System Shock 2 takes place in the year 2114. Players awake from cryo sleep on the FTL ship Von Braun, unable to remember any details about who you are, where you are going, or what it is you are supposed to do. Quickly, you realise something has gone horribly wrong on board the ship, with deadly robots and hybrid mutants roaming the halls. On top of that, you have to deal with SHODAN, a rogue AI that wants to destroy humankind.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up the System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster for a new playthrough? 

The post System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster launches to positive Steam reviews first appeared on KitGuru.

Death Stranding 2 is out today and the game is already off to a good start thanks to an influx of glowing reviews. Some have already managed to beat the game, only to spot an odd name in the end credits – Nintendo. So why is Nintendo's name in the credits of this PS5 exclusive? 

Nintendo Pictures Co. LTD appears in the end credits for Death Stranding 2. No, Nintendo did not have a hand in the creation of the game. However, during development, Kojima Productions did work with Dynamo Pictures for cinematic sequences. Dynamo Pictures also worked on the first Death Stranding game, as well as various other projects like Persona 5, Monster Hunter World.

 

Nintendo acquired Dynamo Pictures in the second half of 2022 to beef up its in-house cinematics. Since then, the company has rebranded to Nintendo Pictures and has primarily worked on Nintendo games like Pikmin 4, Super Mario RPG and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

As Nintendo owns Dynamo Pictures now, and the company has rebranded, Nintendo's name appears in the credits for Death Stranding 2.

For now, Death Stranding 2 is a PlayStation 5 exclusive game. However, a PC version is expected next year. As Death Stranding 1 ended up branching out to other console platforms, we would expect to see the same happen with Death Stranding 2, but it could take a couple of years.

KitGuru Says: Are you picking up Death Stranding 2 this week? 

The post Why does Nintendo appear in the credits for Death Stranding 2? first appeared on KitGuru.

Stalker 2 just received a massive update today, fixing hundreds of bugs and overhauling the A-Life system to deliver on the promised vision for the game prior to launch. Alongside this, GSC Game World has also opened the game up for modding, with a whopping 700GB modding tool kit.

If you want to make mods for Stalker 2, you best have plenty of storage space. The full version of the modkit currently calls for close to 700GB of storage space. The kit requires a 471GB download, which when unpacked and installed, takes up 659GB of space. Having a normal copy of the game installed will eat up another 150GB, so mod developers may need to dedicate a whole 1TB SSD just to this one game and project.

While there are some large modkits out there, GSC Game World's kit for Stalker 2 dwarfs them all. The closest is Baldur's Gate 3 for instance has a 150GB modkit.

Speaking with PCGamer, a GSC Game World spokesperson explained that the reason for the file size is that it contains every asset used in the game, fully uncompressed. This initial release is just phase one though, so the file size may come down a bit in future updates.

KitGuru Says: It sounds like modders will have free reign over what to do with Stalker 2, which opens up some very exciting opportunities for projects.

The post Stalker 2 modding kit requires over 650GB of storage space first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, five more titles are joining the GeForce Now library, headlined by System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, which is available on Steam starting today.

The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is now available on PC and consoles. The game brings back the classic shooter in new and improved form and so far, fans seem to be happy with it, as the game sits with an overall ‘Positive' user review score on Steam.

As for this week, the following titles are available on GeForce Now starting this week:

• System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (New release on Steam, June 26)
• Broken Age (Steam)
• Easy Red 2 (Steam)
• Sandwich Simulator (Steam)
• We Happy Few (Steam)

While GeForce Now can be accessed for free, those wanting a better experience may consider upgrading to one of the paid tiers. Currently, the Performance tier membership is 40% off for a six-month membership until the 6th of July, and day-passes are also on sale for 40% off at the moment if you want to jump in and test cloud gaming for a few hours.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this week's additions to GeForce Now? 

The post Five more games join GeForce Now this week first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia unveiled a significant evolution in its DLSS upscaling technology at CES 2025, introducing a new model as part of the DLSS 4 upgrade. This advancement, which also includes enhancements to DLSS Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and DLAA, marks Nvidia's first implementation of a transformer-based AI model in a real-time application.

After a beta phase spanning almost six months, this transformer-based DLSS model is now out of beta (version 310.3.0). This development lays the groundwork for Nvidia's future upscaling and image quality models. Given that CNN-based DLSS was utilised for over six years, it is plausible that this new transformer-based technique will similarly evolve and improve over an extended period.

Previously, DLSS relied on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to generate pixels by focusing on localised areas within current and preceding frames. However, Nvidia recognized that CNNs had reached their performance ceiling, and simply releasing new upscaling profiles was no longer sufficient to drive further image quality improvements.

The new transformer model represents a more sophisticated approach. It boasts twice as many parameters as prior DLSS upscaling models and fundamentally shifts its focus from localised content. Instead, this visual transformer analyses the entire frame and evaluates the importance of each pixel, even tracking their significance across multiple frames.

Nvidia asserts that its transformer model allows a more comprehensive understanding of scenes, bringing numerous benefits. Those include stabler pixels, effectively reducing shimmering and other visual artifacts, diminishing ghosting, and better preserving fine details, especially during motion. In addition, edges appear smoother, and the overall image quality for ray reconstruction is substantially enhanced, particularly in scenes with challenging lighting conditions.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried the DLSS transformer model? Did you notice any difference compared to the older CNN-based models?

The post Nvidia DLSS transformer model leaves beta first appeared on KitGuru.

Philips has introduced the Evnia 27M2N3501PA, a new addition to its Evnia 3000 gaming monitor series. This model is positioned as a comprehensive solution for competitive gamers, integrating a range of technologies at an accessible price point, including the new Philips Evnia Precision Centre software.

The Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA features a 27-inch Fast IPS panel, delivering QHD (2560×1440) resolution for clear and detailed visuals. For fast-paced gaming, the monitor offers an overclockable 260Hz refresh rate and a 0.3ms MPRT with Smart MBR, aiming to provide smooth visuals and optimal brightness during intense action. Adaptive-Sync technology and Low Input Lag are also present to reduce screen tearing and minimise input delay, respectively.

A new software utility, the Evnia Precision Centre, allows users to customise monitor settings and gaming profiles. This dashboard enables fine-tuning of settings, mode switching, and resolution adjustments. In addition, Image enhancement features such as Stark ShadowBoost, SmartContrast, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) are also included to improve visuals.

The monitor packs a decent amount of ergonomics right out of the box, featuring an adjustable SmartErgoBase that provides height, swivel, tilt, and pivot adjustments. Moreover, Flicker-Free technology and LowBlue mode are integrated to help reduce eye fatigue. The monitor also incorporates built-in stereo speakers. The Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA is expected to be available for purchase in late June with an MSRP of £209.00.

KitGuru says: Considering its specs, looks, and pricing, the new Philips Evnia monitor looks like quite a good deal.

The post Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA delivers 260Hz QHD gaming for under £210 first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft's End-of-Life plans for Windows 10 have been known for years. The OS is hitting its end-of-life date this October, which typically means no more free security updates and no more feature updates. However, Windows 10 users will have the option of opting in for a year of ‘extended support'.

End of life and end of support are terms that refer to the end of technical support and security updates for Windows 10. After 10 years, this older version of Windows will no longer receive free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes. For consumers, end of support means that Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows for the latest critical updates.

On October 14th, Windows 10 will reach EoL status. However, the ESU programme, which provides extended support for legacy operating systems for an annual fee, will ensure additional support after this date. Typically, the ESU programme costs $30 a year to make use of, and for that price, Microsoft will still issue critical security updates and offer technical support, but there will be no additional ‘feature' upgrades.

You can opt into the ESU for Windows 10 for free for the first year by enabling Windows Backup to sync your backups to OneDrive. The catch is that you only get 5GB of OneDrive storage for free, which won't be enough to back up all of your files. So to take advantage of the ‘free' year of extended support for Windows 10, you'll need to pay Microsoft for extra OneDrive storage. The workaround for this is to use your Microsoft Reward points to pay for extended security instead.

The extended security programme for Windows 10 will end on October 13th 2026, but enterprise customers will have the option of paying for an extra three years of support.

KitGuru Says: Are you still running Windows 10 on your main PC?

The post Microsoft offers free year of extended security updates to Windows 10 users first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, Epic Games reached a settlement with the FTC, agreeing to pay over $500 million in penalties for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in Fortnite. The company was accused of designing its menus in such a way that players could easily make ‘accidental' purchases. Now, Epic Games has been forced to undergo another round of refunds to players. 

Epic Games will be refunding an additional $126 million to US-based Fortnite players. This is part of the earlier FTC settlement, as Epic Games set aside $245 million for refunds at the time, and sent out around $72 million of that in December 2024. Now, this second wave of refunds will see $126 million being sent back to consumers who made purchases in Fortnite between certain dates.

As reported by PCGamer, around 969,173 payments were sent back out over the last two days as part of this refund effort. This additional wave of refunds has also led to an extended deadline, so if you are in the US and think you may qualify to receive part of this settlement, you have until July 9th to fill out the claim form.

Each claim is valued differently, so it is unclear how much money you could get back in the settlement claim. Chances are, it will be a relatively small amount, as there are over a million claimants already.

KitGuru Says: The COPPA violation ultimately cost Epic Games over half a billion USD, but with Fortnite continuing to be one of the biggest games in the world, it is not going to make a dent in the company's short-term or long-term prospects. 

The post Epic Games is sending back $126 million to Fortnite players first appeared on KitGuru.

The Little Nightmares series has grown to become a rather beloved franchise since its initial release back in 2017, spawning a sequel in 2021 – with the 3rd entry set to arrive this year. As part of a recent ‘Little Nightmares Showcase Event’ Bandai Namco officially announced multiple new projects alongside the long-awaited release date for Little Nightmares III.

Though the biggest news from the Little Nightmares showcase was the official announcement of the 3rd entry’s release date (launching on the 10th of October 2025), Bandai Namco also confirmed that the long-awaited Enhanced Edition of Little Nightmares I is scheduled to arrive on the same day.

In an odd move however, anyone who pre-orders the 3rd game will gain “Early Access” to this enhanced edition immediately – with the rest needing to wait until October.

Beyond this, the publisher also unveiled Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes. Said to be ‘Coming Soon’ little is known about this project, aside from the fact that it is being developed by Iconik Studio. Though far from the most well known VR studio, the team have released a number of games – most recently Hunting VR.

Finally, Bandai Namco also confirmed that the Little Nightmares series has sold over 20 million copies; not bad for a series which ostensibly consists of just two games so far.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the showcase? Which project are you most excited for? Do you have faith in SuperMassive Games handling Little Nightmares III? Let us know down below.

The post Little Nightmares III gets official release date as series hits new sales milestone first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in late 2021 Netflix officially launched their video games service, offering both original and partnered content to all subscribers ‘free’ of charge. In the years since, the service has grown nicely, adding many big-name titles including the GTA Trilogy; Hades; Sonic Mania and dozens more. Unfortunately, as with pretty much all subscription services, a whole host of games are set to leave – including the aforementioned Hades.

Following roughly a dozen games being removed from Netflix’s service late last year, the streaming giant has now unveiled a list of 22 games (collated by What’sOnNetflix) which are set to be “leaving soon” on the 15th of July:

• Battleship
• Braid, Anniversary Edition
• Carmen Sandiego
• CoComelon: Play with JJ
• Death’s Door
• Diner Out: Merge Cafe
• Dumb Ways to Die
• Ghost Detective
• Hades
• Katana ZERO
• LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed
• Ludo King
• Monument Valley 1, 2 and 3
• Rainbow Six: SMOL
• Raji: An Ancient Epic
• SpongeBob: Bubble Pop F.U.N.
• TED Tumblewords
• The Case of the Golden Idol
• The Rise of the Golden Idol
• Vineyard Valley

While some of these games are unlikely to be missed too badly, the likes of Hades; Katana Zero; Braid; Death’s Door and more leaving the service represents a big blow – especially with the GTA titles having been removed back in December.

Combine this with a bunch of their own first-party plans falling to the wayside, and Netflix may be distancing itself from the games industry somewhat.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Netflix's gaming efforts? Did they have a good thing going for a while there? Should the removed titles be offered to purchase separately though the iOS/Android app stores? Let us know down below.

The post Almost two-dozen titles are leaving Netflix Games next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Just over a month ago, Microsoft officially announced that the Xbox console-exclusive Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II would be coming to PlayStation 5 “this Summer” via an ‘enhanced’ release. While details remained light at the time, we’ve now gotten a breakdown on the game’s release date, price, features and bonus content.

Taking to the Xbox Wire Blog, Will Potter – the Senior Communications Manager at Ninja Theory – wrote: “We’re happy to announce that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced will arrive on August 12 as a free update for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. A PlayStation 5 version will be released on the same day.”

The Standard Edition of this enhanced release will cost $49.99, with a Deluxe Edition available for $69.99. While somewhat pricey given the game’s relative length and age, the premium edition also includes the first game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice “optimized for PlayStation 5” – alongside a digital soundtrack.

It is currently unknown whether the first game’s PS5 version will be made available outside of this deluxe edition, but here’s to hoping.

Of course, being an ‘Enhanced’ version, the upcoming release/update introduces a bunch of improvements and additions, namely:

• Performance Mode on PS5/Pro and Xbox Series X
• New ‘Very High’ fidelity preset on PC
• Official Steam Deck verification
• Return of the Dark Rot mechanic from the first game as an “additional challenge”
• Improved photo mode
• 4 hours of developer commentary

While it seems as though much of the time taken with this update revolves around optimising the game, the Enhanced release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II should feel like a much more fleshed out overall package. Hopefully the PS5 version of Senua’s Sacrifice is offered as a standalone title later down the line.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the enhanced release? Are you surprised to see the game getting Steam Deck verified? Are there any missing features which you were hoping to see added? Let us know down below.

The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced gets official price and release date first appeared on KitGuru.

Since Sony’s PlayStation Plus revamp a couple years back, the console maker has semi-regularly added day-one 3rd party titles to its subscription service. That said, Sony has yet to bring any of its own games day-and-date, claiming it to be infeasible back in 2022. Cut to 3 years later and unsurprisingly, PlayStation has no plans to alter its strategy in this regard.

In a recent interview with the publication GameFile, the VP of global services at PlayStation – Nick Maguire – was asked about the notion of Sony bringing its first-party games to PlayStation Plus day-and-date with its official launch.

Unsurprisingly, Sony’s strategy (which has been working well for them so far) will not change any time soon, with Maguire stating: “We've sort of stayed true to our strategy across the board, where we're not looking to put games in day and date.”

They continued, “Our strategy of finding four or five independent day-and-date titles—and using that to complement our strategy of bringing games in when they're 12, 18 months old or older—that balance for us is working really well across the platform.”

Considering the fact that their current strategy – devised back in 2022 – has “surpassed [Sony’s] expectations” leading to “engagement in Plus [which] has never been higher than it is right now,” a change in tactics would make little sense.

That said, it will be interesting to see whether anything special is in the works for PlayStation Plus’ 15th birthday.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the current incarnation of PS Plus? Is it worth the asking price? Do you subscribe monthly, quarterly or yearly? Let us know down below.

The post Sony reaffirms first-party PlayStation games won’t join PS Plus day-one first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, Sony offers 3 titles for ‘free’ to all those with a PlayStation Plus subscription. In celebration of the service’s 15th birthday, Sony has announced the line-up for July’s PS Plus Essential tier – alongside a bunch of “celebratory activities we have planned this summer.”

Available to add to your library from the 1st of July until the 4th of August, all PlayStation Plus subscribers can look forward to the following:

• Diablo IV | PS5, PS4
• The King of Fighters XV | PS5, PS4
• Jusant | PS5

As mentioned, beyond this, Sony also announced a bunch of 15th Anniversary Celebrations. Though more is planned to take place over the Summer months, a number of bonuses are available right now, including:

• WWE 2K25 PS+ Premium Game Trial
• Monster Hunter Wilds PS+ Premium Game Trial
• Valorant PS+ Pack
• PlayStation Store Exclusive Offer Weekend (27–29 June)
• 15th Anniversary PS+ tournament (28th June)
• Online Multiplayer Weekend (28–29 June)

While these various events are welcome, the biggest gift so far seems to be the aforementioned PS Plus Essential line-up for July. Hopefully Sony maintains this level of quality for the remainder of the year.

In case you missed it, a number of July’s PS Plus Premium classics were also confirmed earlier this month, the details of which can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of July’s offering? What’s your favourite fighting game franchise? How big is your PS Plus Essential library? Let us know down below.

The post Diablo IV, Jusant and more join PlayStation Plus in July first appeared on KitGuru.

Following years of waiting, the much-anticipated STALKER 2 finally launched late last year. While the title certainly received plenty of praise, the game was far from hitting its full potential. One of the biggest compromises was in the game’s famous A-Life system. Fortunately, with patch 1.5, this mechanic has been overhauled.

In the months following the launch of STALKER 2 late last year, the team at GSC Game World released a bunch of patches featuring thousands of fixes and improvements. One of the team’s biggest challenges was with its A-Life system – a mechanic which simulates and tracks all NPCs from across the map for a more lively and dynamic experience.

Previous patches brought significant improvements to the system. However, with this latest update, GSC have introduced A-Life 2.0; the improvements to which include:

• Life in the Zone is now simulated for all characters, not just those in the player's view.
• Characters continue to live their lives and pursue their goals in the Zone until they meet their end.
• The player can meet the same stalkers after some time.
• Players may encounter more A-Life characters resting or interacting in various locations, adding to the world's immersion.
• Characters will no longer respawn directly in front of the player. When the player clears the mutants' lair, for example, those mutants won't simply reappear moments later.
• A-Life Director will no longer respawn characters at the edge of visualization. Instead, respawn moved further away from the player, while maintaining the Zone's population.
• Visualization range is slightly increased. Characters now appear in visualization range with relevant animations and equipped weapons. This reduces the ‘pop-in’ effect and contributes to a more seamless character visualization.

As with pretty much all previous STALKER 2 updates, the full list of changes is highly extensive. Available to view HERE, some of the other notable improvements include:

• New weapons
• Mutant part looting
• New Anomaly
• AI and Combat improvements
• Balance changes
• Improved mod support

The STALKER series became famous in-part due to its unique A-Life system, and so it is encouraging to see the much-lauded feature finally make its way into the sequel properly. That said, it will be interesting to see if/how it differs – even now – to the previous titles.

KitGuru says: What do you think of STALKER 2’s many updates? Did the game launch too early? Should more open world titles introduce an A-Life like system? Let us know down below.

The post STALKER 2 update 1.5 overhauls the game’s A-Life system first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia has officially revealed the GeForce RTX 5050, a new mid-range gaming GPU for desktop and laptop platforms. The desktop version will start at $249, with laptops featuring the RTX 5050 expected to begin at approximately $999. Both variants are slated for availability in the second half of July 2025.

The RTX 5050 is designed for 1080p AAA gaming at medium to high settings. It supports DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, allowing users to push framerates higher than expected from an entry-level gaming GPU.

The desktop RTX 5050 utilises the “GB207” silicon, which is fully enabled, featuring 20 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) for a total of 2560 CUDA cores, 80 Tensor cores, and 20 RT cores. It also includes 80 Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) and 32 Render Output Units (ROPs). The GPU's base clock is 2.31GHz, with a boost clock of 2.57GHz. It has 8GB of VRAM (GDDR6 on desktop and GDDR7 on laptop) on a 128-bit memory bus. Nvidia did not specify the memory speed, but seeing the desktop version has a memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s, we assume the memory will run at 20 Gbps. As for the laptop version, it has a memory bandwidth of 384 GB/s, meaning the memory will run at 24 Gbps.

The desktop GPU has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 130W, allowing AIC partners to use 6-pin PCIe power connectors, though 8-pin PCIe is also expected. The laptop variant has a TGP up to 115W. Both models feature the latest NVENC and NVDEC video accelerators and a current display engine.

KitGuru says: Do you think the Nvidia RTX 5050 has what it takes to make a stand in the desktop market? What about its laptop version?

The post Nvidia introduces the RTX 5050 GPU for desktops and laptops first appeared on KitGuru.

Skullcandy is launching a new entry into the gaming headset market with the launch of the Crusher Plyr 720. This new headset is notable for being the first gaming-focused product to incorporate Skullcandy's patented Crusher multi-sensory bass technology, combined with an open-back design.

The Crusher Plyr 720 integrates Skullcandy's new multi-sensory bass with THX Spatial Audio and an open-back acoustic design. This combination seeks to provide a distinct auditory and tactile experience: explosions are designed to resonate more, engine sounds are deeper, and an opponent's approach can be pinpointed to a specific direction.

The open-back acoustics and positional audio tuning contribute to a spacious soundstage. The headset features dual Crusher drivers that, according to Skullcandy, allow gamers to perceive events in the game by feeling them before they are seen or heard. Unlike typical haptic headphones, the Crusher Plyr 720's drivers direct sound into the head and ears, rather than just around the latter. Skullcandy claims this results in a more visceral sensation akin to adding an adjustable subwoofer.

The Crusher Plyr 720 also offers audio management through the Skull-HQ app, allowing users to customise their sensory experience. For console and mobile gamers, THX Spatial Audio with head tracking is available via the Skullcandy Mobile App. The headset is designed for cross-platform compatibility and is available in two models: Multi-Platform, which offers wireless play on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile, with wired support for Xbox, and “Designed for Xbox”, which provides support for wireless play on Xbox, as well as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile. Both versions of the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 are priced at $259.99 and will be available through the company's website and Amazon.

KitGuru says: There are not many open-back wireless gaming headsets out there, so this is quite unique. 

The post Skullcandy Crusher Plyr 720 headset brings wireless open-back audio to PC and console first appeared on KitGuru.

Noctua has officially revealed its next-generation flagship 120mm fan, the NF-A12x25 G2. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the G2 introduces a refined blade geometry and a new motor design, promising a significant leap in performance-to-noise efficiency. 

The NF-A12x25 G2 is the successor to the NF-A12x25 and stands as the 120mm sibling to the already acclaimed 140mm NF-A14x25 G2. Like its forebear, this fan is crafted from Noctua's proprietary Sterrox LCP compound, enabling an incredibly tight tip clearance of just 0.5mm. However, the G2 version pushes the boundaries further with an enhanced progressive bend impeller featuring winglets, flow acceleration channels, and a redesigned centrifugal turbulator hub.

The NF-A12x25 G2 is designed as a versatile all-rounder, delivering superb results across various applications. It performs admirably in low-impedance, airflow-oriented scenarios like case cooling and in high-impedance, static pressure-demanding situations with heatsinks and water cooling radiators. For application-specific optimisation, the fan's Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame can be paired with the included NA-AVG1 anti-vibration gasket for a tighter seal on radiators. Enthusiasts can opt for the separately sold NA-IS1-12 inlet side spacer frame, which can enhance suction acoustics and improve flow rates in some “pull” configurations.

Noctua's ultra-low-loss etaPERF motor powers this fan, which uses its Smooth Commutation Drive 2 technology to improve energy efficiency and running smoothness. The fans also feature SupraTorque, which allows the fan to leverage additional torque headroom. This ensures it maintains its desired speed even when operating against significant back pressure, leading to superior performance on heatsinks and radiators.

The NF-A12x25 G2 is available in three distinct versions. The standard PWM model offers a maximum speed of 1800 RPM. For those prioritising silence, a quiet LS-PWM variant tops out at 1100 RPM. Lastly, the Sx2-PP combination pack is also offered, bundling two fans with a slight speed offset of +/- ~50 RPM. This subtle offset is particularly beneficial in push-pull operations or multi-fan setups (like case cooling or radiators), helping to mitigate buzzing or other undesirable auditory interactions that can occur when fans run at perfectly synchronised speeds.

Backed by a 6-year manufacturer's warranty, the NF-A12x25 G2 establishes a new benchmark within Noctua's portfolio. The Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM, NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM, and NF-A12x25 G2 PWM Sx2-PP are priced at €/$34.90, €/$34.90, and €/$64.90, respectively.

KitGuru says: Although expensive, the first reviews suggest that it's indeed Noctua's best 120mm fan to date. However, other brands have strong alternatives for about the same price.

The post Noctua launches next-gen NF-A12x25 G2 fans first appeared on KitGuru.

Marvel Rivals took the world by storm when it released late last year, going on to amass over 40 million players in under 3 months. Despite a peak concurrent player count of almost 650k on Steam back during the launch of Season 1, the game’s honeymoon period seems to have ended  – with both player counts and review scores falling.

A little over 6 months on from its initial launch, Marvel Rivals has started to see its popularity wane, with peak daily player counts on Steam (via SteamDB) consistently falling under 100,000 for the first since the game’s explosive arrival.

Beyond this, reviews for the title have also taken a turn for the worse, with recent Marvel Rivals reviews sitting at a ‘Mixed’ on Steam – with some of the concerns surrounding decreasing performance; EOMM issues; balancing and more.

That said, with the upcoming launch of Season 3, Marvel Rivals is set to overhaul how its updates are rolled out, with a new character being released each month for a total of 3 a Season.

Whether the increased rate of new content will help improve the overall experience or exacerbate current issues we will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Marvel Rivals 6 months on? Are you still playing? If not, what caused you to stop? Let us know down below.

The post Marvel Rivals falls to ‘Mixed’ recent rating ahead of major Season overhaul first appeared on KitGuru.

We shall have to wait a while longer for the SilverStone FLP02 retro tower case that we saw at Computex 2025. In the meantime we were offered the new FLP01 which is also retro, but is HTPC instead of a tower. Whether you like it or not, there is no denying the FLP01 brings a breath of fresh air to the world of glass PC cases that are decked with RGB lighting.

Time stamps
00:00 Start
01:00 What's this all about?
01:36 A look inside / capabilities
03:45 Hardware and some limitations
08:51 Final fixes
09:15 It's built
09:35 Some testing
10:48 Closing Thoughts

Main features

• Universal drive cage design compatible with 5.25″, 3.5″, and 2.5″ storage drives
• Equipped with 1 x USB Type-C port
• Retro floppy disk-style optical drive bay cover
• Positive air pressure design ensures superior cooling performance, quieter operation, and effective dust prevention.
• Includes quick-access filters for easy maintenance.

Specification:

• Motherboard support: SSI-CEB, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
• Power supply support: ATX.
• Expansion slots: 7+1.
• Included fans: 1x 120mm right side.
• Fan mounts: 2x 120mm right side, 1x 120mm left side, 2x 80mm rear.
• Radiator mounts: None:
• 5.25-inch optical drive bays: 1x external bay.
• Internal drive bays: 1x 3.5-inch, 1x 2.5-inch.
• Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, combo audio jack.
• Dimensions: 170mm H x 362mm D x 440mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, Intel Arc B580 graphics card and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the SilverStone FLP01‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
• CPU Cooler: AMD Wraith Stealth
• Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
• Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Intel Arc B580 12GB
• Power supply: Seasonic Focus GX-1000 Gold
• SSD: Crucial T700 Gen5 M.2 NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

For the first time in living memory we are not posting a chart showing temperatures at various fan speeds for the SilverStone FLP01. The reason is that this case puts a strict limit on the height of the CPU cooler, and this is especially true if you are using the optical drive bay. As we show in our video the drive mount over-shadows the CPU socket so your options are limited. We ended up using a lightweight Ryzen 5 9600X CPU which draws 88W and ran at 95 degrees C under load while our Intel Arc B580 graphics card ran at 78 degrees C.

Closing Thoughts

Let's make the obvious point that the SilverStone FLP01 is an oddball PC case that is unlikely to interest the mainstream user.

It has quirky traditional looks and an HTPC form factor that are fun for those of us with long memories, however they won't be much of a selling point to the younger generation. Having said that, if you like retro the SilverStone FLP01 will surely be right up your alley.

The other main feature of the FLP01 is it's support for a 5.25-inch optical drive and this also presents a small problem. You have to choose your CPU cooler carefully to ensure it fits inside the case and also clears the drive bay hardware. This shouldn't be an issue for the typical low power CPU you use in an HTPC but is a severe restriction in a gaming PC.

You can buy the SilverStone FLP01 for £135.99 HERE.

Pros:

• Humorous retro styling.
• Support for a 5.25-inch optical drive and 3.5-inch HDD.
• Plenty of space for a full sized motherboard and PSU.

Cons:

• Limited options for CPU cooling.
• This case would look bizarre as an HTPC under your TV.
• Pricing is a bit steep and only includes one 120mm fan.

KitGuru says: The SilverStone FLP01 is quirky and different but not really our cup of tea.

The post SilverStone FLP01 – The 80s Called, They Want Their Case Back first appeared on KitGuru.

If Techland is known for one thing, it’s supporting their titles for up to a decade after launch with a bunch of free and substantial updates. Despite its sequel now having been out for 3 years, the 10-years-old Dying Light from 2015 is set to receive a major update later this week.

Earlier in the year, Techland announced that Dying Light 1 would be receiving an update later in 2025 in celebration of the game’s 10th anniversary. Now, the team have fully detailed the update, taking to their blog to say:

“This week, we're not just looking forward – we're rolling out significant updates for both the original Dying Light and Dying Light 2: Stay Human. We promised to support our games for a long time, and we're committed to continuing that support, right through and beyond the launch of Dying Light: The Beast.”

Described as a ‘retouch’ and not a remaster, the patch – which is set to go live tomorrow on the 26th of June – brings with it some pretty notable visual improvements.

According to the team, textures have been enhanced across the board alongside better lighting and physics based rendering “improving how metallic surfaces reflect light or react physically to the world which makes them look a lot more realistic.”

Beyond these, the maximum level-of-detail range has been extended by almost 1/3rd and up-to 8K ‘Ultra’ shadow resolution options have been added – which in combination with the improved lighting makes “a lot of surfaces that previously looked rather flat now really pop out and get depth.”

Beyond visuals, the update also remastered all the game’s OST while also adding “brand new tracks and ambient sounds throughout the game”. All in all, an excellent update – especially for free.

Dying Light Retouched Update arrives on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on the 26th of June. Full details on the listed improvements can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Retouched release? Are you going to hop back into Dying Light? Let us know down below.

The post Dying Light celebrates 10th anniversary with free ‘Retouched’ update first appeared on KitGuru.

Ahead of the Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo released a smartphone app called ‘Nintendo Today’ which has since offered various titbits of new information, tips and more. In an interesting move, the console maker chose to use its mobile app to announce the release date for their Basketball title Drag x Drive.

Making the initial announcement via the Nintendo Today app, the company confirmed that the 3v3 Rocket League-esque Basketball title Drag x Drive is set to come to Nintendo Switch 2 on the 14th of August.

First unveiled back during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, relatively little attention was given to Drag x Drive – with it seemingly being a somewhat smaller title in scope.

Sure enough, this seems to be the case, with the upcoming Nintendo published title available now to pre-order for just £16.99.

With the Switch 2, it is clear that Nintendo is covering all of its bases price-wise. From the £75 Mario Kart World to the £7.99 Welcome Tour (though that arguably should’ve been free), it seems we can expect a lot of variable pricing for Nintendo published games this generation.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nintendo’s current price strategy? Are you more accepting of higher cost AAA games if smaller experiences are priced appropriately? Let us know down below.

The post Nintendo-published Drag x Drive launches this August with a modest price tag first appeared on KitGuru.

As we move further into the PlayStation 5 generation, the PS4 emulator ‘ShadPS4’ has been taking strides in becoming a more fully-fledged and playable experience. Following a ton of great work on getting Bloodborne to work on PC, another title trapped on the PS4 – Driveclub – has reached its own progress milestone.

In the wake of the recent release of ShadPS4 version 0.9.1, one of the biggest games which was still trapped on Sony's last-gen system (Driveclub) has seen a ton of improvements.

As recent as version 0.8, the game was barely able to boot. Now however, players have been able to get in-game and mess around with various aspects of the racing title – at 60fps for the first time (though with many issues still present of course).

For context, Driveclub was released for the PS4 back in 2014, and while it received some criticism, history has been quite kind on the game – with many fans still mourning the title’s official shutdown back in 2020.

Unlike Bloodborne, which HAS to get a current-generation release at some point or another, Driveclub is likely to remain a relic of the PS4 era. As such, it is exciting to see so much progress being made to ShadPS4.

Of course, there is still a ton of work to be done, with the most recent report putting just under 10% of tested titles as being ‘playable’ on ShadPS4. As we’ve seen over the past year however, progress has been ‘progressing’ quite quickly, and so it’s only a matter of time before Driveclub is revived.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Driveclub back in the day? Would you like to see the series return in any official capacity? What PS4 exclusives would you want to check out? Let us know down below.

The post PS4 emulator ShadPS4 makes strides in bringing Driveclub to PC first appeared on KitGuru.

Thermaltake has introduced the WAir CPU cooler, an air-cooling solution designed for workstation applications involving demanding tasks like 3D rendering and AI processing.

Brought to our attention by ITHome (via TechPowerUp), Thermaltake's new cooler measures 143.2 x 115 x 165mm and features a single-tower heatsink with aluminium fins. It is compatible with Intel LGA4677 and AMD sTR5/SP6 sockets and is rated to provide a cooling capacity of up to 500W TDP. The heatsink has six 6mm diameter copper heat pipes connected to a nickel-plated copper base. High-quality solder paste is used at the interfaces between the heat pipes and the heatsink fins and between the heat pipes and the copper base to optimise thermal conductivity.

The WAir cooler is equipped with two Thermaltake ToughFan14 Pro fans. Each of these 140mm fans operates at speeds ranging from 500 to 1500RPM, controlled via PWM. The fans utilise liquid crystal polymer (LCP) blades, designed to reduce vibration at higher speeds. Each fan provides an airflow of up to 83.4 CFM, a static pressure of 1.86 mm-H₂O, and a noise level of 24.4 dBA. They connect via 4-pin PWM connectors and have a rated operational life of 50,000 hours. The fan positions on the cooler can be adjusted to accommodate various memory module heights.

Thermaltake has not yet provided specific pricing or details on availability for the WAir CPU cooler series.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Seeing its specs, the Thermaltake WAir seems quite capable for a compact workstation CPU cooler. However, those planning on getting one of these to cool a high-core-count CPU might be better off waiting for reviews or using another cooling solution that has been proven to be more robust.

The post Thermaltake’s new WAir CPU coolers take aim at workstations first appeared on KitGuru.

This month, Capcom finally revealed Resident Evil 9. The latest mainline game, officially titled ‘Resident Evil Requiem', isn't due out until next year but fans have been quick to express their interest, with the game being wishlisted over 1 million times. 

Capcom revealed on its social channels this week that Resident Evil Requiem has surpassed one million wishlists. That figure accounts for wishlists across several stores, including PSN, the Xbox Store, and PC platforms like Steam.

Requiem for the dead. Nightmare for the over one million of you who wishlisted #ResidentEvilRequiem! Thank you! pic.twitter.com/frEzJWKVzA

— Resident Evil (@RE_Games) June 23, 2025

Resident Evil Requiem is not yet available to pre-order, but those who wishlist the game will be notified when pre-orders go live, and they'll be notified again when the game releases.

Resident Evil Requiem is releasing on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 27th 2026, The game caps off what fans refer to as the ‘reboot' trilogy, which began with the release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, saving the franchise from a string of poorly received titles.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Resident Evil Village ended up selling three million copies during its launch week. So far, signs are pointing to a similarly positive launch for the sequel. 

The post Over 1 million players have wishlisted Resident Evil Requiem first appeared on KitGuru.

Since completing the $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late 2023, Microsoft has been looking to pump up Xbox's profit margins. That effort has already led to several rounds of job cuts, with another now set to take place starting this week. 

Bloomberg's Jason Schreier has learned that Microsoft is about to announce another round of job cuts, and sources anticipate that Xbox will be hit pretty hard. According to The Verge, managers at Microsoft have already been briefed on plans, but they have yet to be revealed to lower-level employees.

This will be described as a ‘restructuring' of Xbox and will also see Xbox teams in certain regions being culled. Specifically, it is claimed that some smaller Xbox teams in central Europe will be impacted.

Microsoft had already announced plans to cut 6000 jobs across its various divisions back in May. This next round of layoffs will be in addition to that. In 2024, Microsoft also cut thousands of roles across its gaming divisions.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The full scope of this has yet to be revealed but with the news hitting the press, Microsoft should publicly confirm its plans this week. 

The post Xbox to be hit with ‘major layoffs’ first appeared on KitGuru.

Ahead of the Switch 2 launch, Nintendo did hold a Nintendo Direct stream to showcase a number of launch-day and launch-period titles for the new console. However, outside of this summer, we know very little about the Switch 2 release schedule for the rest of 2025. That should change quite soon, as a Nintendo Direct is now expected in July.

Nintendo skipped this month's Summer Game Fest for new game announcements but news is just around the corner. According to popular Nintendo-focused YouTuber, BeatEmUps, a Nintendo Direct is going to happen in July.

Aside from discussing the rumoured Direct, he also delved into a few of the games expected to be shown, including the likes of The Witcher 3, Death Stranding, Metroid Prime 4, Animal Crossing and new GameCube titles for the Switch 2's emulator.

Most of these are safe bets for third-party titles, as Death Stranding is now available on everything, from PS5, to the iPhone and even Xbox. CD Projekt Red and Atlus are both well-known for their strong support of Nintendo platforms. On the first-party front, Metroid Prime 4 fans are already on red alert after recent public advertisements for the game proclaimed that it was ‘available now', leading to rumours that the release date could be much closer than previously thought.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Nintendo did just announce plans for Gamescom 2025, so if there is a Direct in July, some of what is shown could be playable at demo booths for attendees.

The post Switch 2 Nintendo Direct showcase tipped for July first appeared on KitGuru.

Following on from leaks last week, Meta and Microsoft have officially announced the Quest 3S Xbox Edition VR headset. It is a weird collaboration, as Xbox has had very little to do with VR gaming over the past decade. 

The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition comes with an Xbox controller, alongside the usual motion controllers. The headset itself swaps from its typical white design to a black design, and the Xbox logo can be seen on the front faceplate.

The Xbox Edition headset also comes with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, so you can use the Game Pass VR app to stream Xbox console games to a virtual cinema screen in the VR headset. The bundle also includes three month's of Meta's subscription service, Horizon+, which grants access to free VR games every month.

This is part of Microsoft's ‘This is an Xbox' campaign, aiming to shift the public perception of Xbox from a console hardware brand to a platform-agnostic gaming service.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I do wonder how many people are going to see this and be confused when they can't hook it up to an Xbox console. 

The post Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Peak, a new physics-based climbing simulator born from the collaborative minds of Aggro Crab (known for Another Crab's Treasure) and Landfall (the creators behind Totally Accurate Battle Simulator), has achieved a significant sales milestone less than a week after its release. The game has officially sold a million copies in its first six days, a remarkable feat given that it is currently available exclusively on Steam.

The impressive sales figures immediately sparked questions from fans regarding a potential console release. In a response on the official Landfall X account, the company stated it's “too early to say” but expressed hope for a console launch. Given Peak's success on PC, such sales numbers will undoubtedly strengthen the case for wider platform availability.

Peak's surge in popularity appears to follow a similar trajectory to other streaming-friendly indie hits like Lethal Company and Chained Together. The game's premise, where players must work together to scale a treacherous mountain, translates perfectly into engaging stream content. Watching streamers navigate treacherous climbs and inevitably tumble offers a unique brand of entertainment that resonates with the audience. Adding to its replayability, Peak features a dynamic map that changes daily. Even if players conquer today's challenging mountain, a new one awaits them and their friends tomorrow, ensuring a fresh experience with each session.

It remains to be seen if Peak can maintain its lofty position at the summit of the sales charts or if it will be displaced by the next “flavour of the month”. For those eager to test their climbing prowess, Peak is currently available on PC via Steam.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Peak? What do you think of it?

The post Peak has sold 1 million copies in one week first appeared on KitGuru.

Hytale is a game that many Minecraft fans will be aware of. The game began life as a modified multiplayer server for Minecraft before spinning out into a standalone game. It has been in development for over a decade and when Riot acquired the studio behind the game in 2020, many thought that the long road to release would soon be over. Unfortunately, that was not the case and now, Hytale has officially been cancelled.

Hypixel Studios is ‘winding down' over the next few months and Hytale has officially been cancelled, founder and CEO, Noxy, confirmed this week. It appears that Riot was unhappy with the ever-increasing scope of the game and slow progress towards an actual release of the game.

Noxy essentially confirms this in his statement on the cancellation, saying: “Our technical ambitions grew more complex, and even after a major reboot of the game engine, the team found that Hytale still wasn’t as far along as it needed to be. It became clear we’d need a lot more time to get it to a place where it could support the ambitious vision for the game.”

Riot has funded Hytale's development for ten years at this stage. The company first invested in the project back in 2015 and then spent more money acquiring the studio in 2020. Now, five years after that, there was still no release date in sight.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Part of game development is setting up creative boundaries, otherwise you end up in a cycle of constantly trying to crack ‘the next big thing', leading to feature creep and constant delays. This seems to be exactly what Hypixel struggled with while making Hytale.

The post Riot cancels Hytale five years after acquisition first appeared on KitGuru.

Arc System Works, the developer behind beloved fighting games like Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ, is gearing up for a dedicated “Arc System Works Showcase” on June 27th, 2025. While the stream itself is scheduled to start at 1:50 AM BST, the thumbnail reads the actual event will kick off at 2:00 AM BST.

Fans tuning into the livestream can anticipate a look at the studio's ongoing efforts, including updates on existing titles and the unveiling of entirely new projects developed and published by Arc System Works. A highlight confirmed for the showcase is the reveal of a new project spearheaded by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the creator of the Guilty Gear series, known for his integral role in character design, story, and even the soundtrack.

The showcase arrives on the heels of the recent revelation of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, a new 4v4 tag team fighting game developed by Arc System Works in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games. Announced in June, this title is slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. This title reimagines legendary Marvel characters with a distinct visual style influenced by Japanese animation. Confirmed characters include Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Storm, Doctor Doom, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Ghost Rider. While not explicitly stated as a focal point for the showcase, its recent announcement makes it a strong candidate for further details during the event.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: What other games are you expecting to see during the Arc System Works showcase?

The post Arc System Works will showcase new fighting games this month first appeared on KitGuru.

As with many live-service titles, Call of Duty has been going all-in on its crossovers for quite some time now. Following the likes of Squid Game; Jay and Silent Bob; the TMNT and Seth Rogen, Beavis and Butt-Head are set to soon answer the Call of Duty.

Ahead of the launch of Season 4 Reloaded for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the team at Treyarch have teased the game’s next big crossover, taking to Twitter to say: “Mike Judge’s Beavis & Butt-Head are coming to Call of Duty Season 04 Reloaded” – sharing alongside it a first-look at the upcoming operators.

As has been the case with a couple different skins over the Seasons, these upcoming operators feature a cell-shaded aesthetic.

Little else is known about this crossover at the moment. Based on previous collabs however, these skins could either be purchased through the game’s shop as a bundle (costing between £15-£25), or if Microsoft/Activision are feeling ‘generous’ might be obtained through a premium event pass – costing around £10.

Regardless, we should hear more on what to expect from Season 4 Reloaded over the coming days; ahead of its launch likely sometime before the end of the month.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this upcoming crossover? Do you bother spending any money on bundles? Has Call of Duty lost its identity over the years? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Call of Duty x Beavis and Butt-Head officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

As they have done for a few years now, publisher THQ Nordic is hosting its own online video game showcase. Set to go live on the 1st of August, 2025’s THQ Nordic Digital Showcase will feature “a feast of world premiere announcements” and much more.

Releasing a teaser trailer to YouTube, THQ Nordic announced the 2025 edition of their annual Digital games showcase, writing: “Saddle your horses, rev your engines, and hold your breath – our Digital Showcase 2025 is charging back onto your screens August 1st, 2025!”

According to the publisher, “This year’s showcase promises a feast of world premiere announcements, fresh updates on previously announced titles, and a few surprises we didn’t hint at already… or did we?”

Set to go live at 8pm BST, we already know some of the games which will be featured, including the likes of Wreckfest 2; the Gothic 1 Remake; Titan Quest II; REANIMAL and The Eternal Life of Goldman. Of course, as stated by THQ above, expect some surprises in store as well.

Over the years, THQ Nordic has published a ton of games from a plethora of franchises, and so these ‘surprises’ could range from a new Darksiders to SpongeBob or even Destroy All Humans. You have a little over a month to speculate on what’s coming.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you enjoy THQ Nordic’s games? What dormant franchises would you like to see revived? Let us know down below.

The post THQ Nordic announces its 2025 Digital Games Showcase first appeared on KitGuru.

After a great deal of waiting, excitement and intrigue, Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is nearly upon us, with the game set to officially launch on the 26th of June. Ahead of its arrival on PS5, critic reviews for the sequel have gone live – with DS2 seeing ‘Universal Acclaim’.

With a Metacritic score of 90 (based on roughly 100 reviews), Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has not only managed to far exceed its predecessor rating-wise, but also just about squeezed itself into the prestigious ‘Universal Acclaim’ club.

Death Stranding was a rather controversial game when it released back in 2019, with some loving the unique vibes and gameplay – while others viewed it as little more than a ‘walking simulator.’

Kojima seemed to take this to heart, with Death Stranding 2 said to have had its action and combat “significantly improved without taking over the experience.”

That said, DS2 is still clearly a sequel to the original Death Stranding, with Kojima going even more ‘Kojima’ with its concepts and execution.

As such, it will be interesting to see what players think of the sequel – especially as the first game proved to be even more divisive in their eyes.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to DS2? What would you want from a sequel? Does more action sound like a positive to you? Let us know down below.

The post Death Stranding 2: On The Beach receives Universal Acclaim as critic reviews go live first appeared on KitGuru.

As part of the recent announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally, one of the biggest unique-selling-points for the upcoming handheld from Microsoft is its supposed tight integration between hardware and software – with Microsoft promising that players won’t be tied down to a single digital storefront. In aid of this effort, the company has now begun to detail its upcoming ‘Aggregated Gaming Library’ feature.

Taking to the Xbox Wire Blog, Manisha Oza – Product Manager for the Xbox Platform – wrote: “Hey Xbox Insiders, starting this week users enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview can get a first look at the new aggregated gaming library in the Xbox PC app for Windows 11 PCs and handheld devices.”

As stated, the feature is set to fully roll out later this year alongside the ROG Xbox Ally’s official launch. That said, an early form of this new library is being made available, with the team explaining:

“With the aggregated gaming library, players can conveniently launch games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net and other leading PC storefronts from a single library within the Xbox PC app. Whether you’re on a Windows PC or a handheld device, your Xbox library, hundreds of Game Pass titles, and all your installed games from leading PC storefronts will now be at your fingertips.”

Offering slightly more information, Microsoft claims that any newly installed games should “automatically appear in ‘My library’ within the Xbox PC app, as well as the ‘Most recent’ list of titles in the sidebar.”

Of course, this will be far from the first attempt at collating PC users’ libraries, with the likes of GOG having such a feature for many years.

That said, in looking at how the Steam Deck handles storefronts other than Steam (aka not the best), Microsoft could have something quite neat on their hands – assuming it is as seamless as they claim.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Microsoft’s handheld plans? Will the streamlined version of Windows be enough of a USP? Let us know down below.

The post Microsoft offers first look at new universal gaming library for Xbox PC app first appeared on KitGuru.

A couple of weeks back, CD Projekt Red teased a new update for Cyberpunk 2077. The new 2.3 update was initially supposed to be out for players this week, but unfortunately, it has hit a last-minute delay, but CD Projekt Red has given us a few more details on what to expect. 

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 will be similar in scope to previous content patches, like the previous 2.2 update. Unfortunately, CDPR doesn't want to reveal more than that until the patch is ready to hit all platforms. It is unclear why the update needed to be delayed, but CD Projekt Red did just add another console to support, increasing the workload a little bit for these updates. Update 2.3 for Cyberpunk 2077 should release on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 at the same time.

It sounds like there is not a concrete release date for the patch yet, but hopefully this is something simple, like a late console certification approval or something. Each console platform has a different process for approving patches, so sometimes we do see studios struggle to line things up for all platforms simultaneously. The most recent example of this was MindsEye, which had its day-one patch delayed on Xbox.

Recently, there have been rumours about a new Cyberpunk 2077 DLC in development in collaboration with Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered developer, Virtuos. However, this rumour has nothing to do with Update 2.3 and there has been no new information since the initial rumour began doing the rounds online a few weeks ago.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: What are you hoping to see from Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3? 

The post Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 delayed first appeared on KitGuru.

Dune: Awakening has seen huge success since its launch a couple of weeks ago. The game continues to hold an extremely high concurrent player count on Steam, and now the game has hit a new milestone, surpassing one million copies sold. 

Dune: Awakening has now sold more than one million copies, making it Funcom's fastest selling game to date. The game has seen a much higher level of success than Funcom's previous survival hit, Conan Exiles, which was also popular, but took a year to reach one million copies sold.

As part of the milestone celebration, Funcom revealed a few fun stats from the game's first two weeks on the market. Since launch, players have been eaten by worms over 800,000 times, and more than 600,000 players have lost the battle in PvP, although PvP is in kind of a weird spot at the moment thanks to the helicopter meta. Over 120 million building pieces have been used to craft bases, just shy of 70K players have lost their lives to sandstorms and many, many grams of Spice have been consumed.

Dune: Awakening has maintained a high concurrent player count since launch as well. SteamDB shows that close to 190,000 players were all logged in at once in the weekend after launch. Depending on the time of day, the game tends to hover with over 100K active players at all times, with a few drops into the 50K region in quieter hours.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have you been playing Dune: Awakening since launch? 

The post Dune: Awakening surpasses 1 million copies sold first appeared on KitGuru.

The whispers surrounding AMD's next-generation graphics architecture are picking up. While definitive branding remains unknown, with names like UDNA and RDNA 5 still circulating, it's becoming increasingly evident that this architecture represents a significant leap for discrete graphics cards and the semi-custom chips targeting the next-generation game consoles.

Kepler_L2 (via Wccftech) has offered a fresh update on the “UDNA” architecture. The leaker asserts that Sony's PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's next-generation Xbox will use this new architecture. This aligns with previous confirmations from Microsoft regarding their intent to utilise the Navi 4 successor in the upcoming Xbox and underscores the recently announced multi-year agreement between AMD and Microsoft for future gaming hardware.

Kepler's projections for UDNA's performance are particularly interesting. He anticipates a 20% increase in traditional rasterisation performance but predicts more substantial gains for ray tracing and AI workloads, expecting about twice the performance. Since RDNA 4 already marked a significant improvement over RDNA 3 in these specific areas, RDNA 5/UDNA appears poised to push these capabilities further.

Finally, the leaker addressed a long-standing point of speculation, confirming that these new GPUs will not integrate a 3D V-Cache on the graphics side. While there haven't been strong rumours to suggest otherwise, this clarifies that the large stacked cache, as seen in Ryzen CPUs, will not be a feature of AMD's next-gen graphics processors.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Seeing that both consoles are supposed to feature similar hardware, it seems the difference between these two will once again lie in the software and games. If that's the case, Xbox might have to reinvent itself again, as its current strategy for consoles isn't working as expected.

The post PlayStation 6 and next-gen Xbox to use same AMD GPU architecture first appeared on KitGuru.

A couple of years back, Blizzard announced a bold change to its World of Warcraft development plans. For the first time, WoW is getting a trilogy of inter-connected expansions. The first released to plenty of praise from fans, now, Blizzard is gearing up to reveal expansion 2, titled Midnight.

World of Warcraft: Midnight, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga and follow-up to The War Within, will be revealed in August as part of Blizzard's Gamescom attendance.

Here is Blizzard's full announcement:

“World of Warcraft will be at gamescom 2025! Join us for five days of non-stop community celebration. Get ready for a Mythic Dungeon and Arena Showcase, Cosplay Showcase, Developer and Creator Meet and Greets, and much more. During the show you’ll get exclusive news and updates on the next chapter of the World of Warcraft®: Worldsoul Saga—Midnight —directly from the development team, along with a few additional surprises we have in store.”

It is unclear when Midnight but hopefully Blizzard will shed some light on that at Gamescom next month. Gamescom is the world's largest gaming expo and has only grown in the years since E3 ceased operation. This year's event begins on the 20th of August, ending on the 24th of August. As always, the expo takes place in Cologne, Germany.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Did you jump back into WoW for the last expansion? Are you looking forward to Midnight?  

The post World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion to be revealed at Gamescom first appeared on KitGuru.

FBC: Firebreak launched last week but interest in the title quickly fell flat. The game has struggled to garner any significant player base on Steam, and feedback for the game has been quite negative for a variety of reasons. Now, Remedy says it is going over the feedback and preparing changes.

FBC: Firebreak is supposed to be a Control spin-off, taking place in The Oldest House. Unfortunately, the return to this grand playground does not make a very good first impression, with the first hours of the game being bogged down by grindy missions and a lack of interesting starting gear for each class.

Remedy says a large part of this bad first impression is due to a lack of onboarding:

“The game's first hours do not provide a great experience due to a combination of things. Some of this is down to a lack of onboarding (more about that in a bit), explaining the game’s systems, how to take advantage of the tools at your disposal, and a lack of clarity as to what to do in the Jobs and how to do the work effectively”.

This is something I can attest to. As I have PS+ Premium, I gave the game an install on my PS5 at launch and loaded into a few jobs with random groups. The end result was a messy experience as we all fumbled around trying to figure things out on the fly. The game doesn't immediately play to its strengths either, as the starting gear is all very generic and quite boring. Apparently, gameplay does improve once you start to access higher tier weapons.

“The power fantasy isn’t great in the first hours of the game as starting (tier 1) weapons feel weak, and unlocking higher-tier weapons requires a bit too much grinding”, Remedy said. In future updates, Remedy will work on getting players to the ‘fun' quicker.

Hopefully some of these updates don't take too long, as the game could have potential with less grind and quicker and easier access to better gear.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This game made a bad first impression for me, but I'd be willing to give it another chance after updates.

The post Remedy acknowledges bad first impression for FBC: Firebreak first appeared on KitGuru.