Today we review one of Corsair's new power supplies from their updated HX series. Corsair are releasing three models in this range – the HX1000i Shift, the HX1200i Shift and the one we are looking at today, the HX1500i Shift. These modular units have achieved Cybenetics Platinum certification which is reassuring to see.

These new units are the first HXi series power supplies with a side mounted Shift interface. We covered these power supplies recently in our news stories along with seeing them at Computex earlier in the year. They also ship with a built in iCUE LINK system hub to ease system building and aid cable management.

This built in iCUE LINK System hub is not designed as a passthrough system, as it is external to the power supply, so iCUE LINK systems do not need to mount a system hub inside the case. The benefits of this are obvious as system builders will no longer need a six pin PCIe connector for power. This System Hub supports up to 24 devices across two channels, so it is just as capable as the other model.

While Corsair are still selling the standard HXi models, the Shift versions have the following updates:

• HXi Shift has side-mounted connectors.
• HXi Shift has a built-in iCUE LINK System Hub.
• HXi Shift has a native 12V-2×6 connector/cable, with 2x connectors on HX1500i Shift. HXi uses standard Type 4 connectors and Type 4 to 12V-2×6 cables.
• HXi Shift has outlines around the connectors to reduce confusion about connector types.
• The HX1500i Shift includes dual 12V-2×6 connectors for multi-GPU builds.
• HXi Shift uses flexible Type-5 cables, and HXi uses Type-4 cables.

Key Features:

• Integrated iCUE LINK System Hub – The first power supply with an embedded iCUE LINK System Hub makes it easier than ever before to configure an iCUE LINK cooling system. You can attach iCUE LINK devices directly to the power supply, which can control and synchronize a total of 24 devices.
• Fully Modular Cabling: Connect only the cables your system needs, making clean and tidy builds easy.
• ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 Ready.
• Dual EPS12V Connectors: For full compatibility with modern motherboards.
• 140mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Fan: Delivers extremely quiet and long-lasting fan performance.
• Powerful CORSAIR iCUE Software: Create custom fan speed, monitor power settings, and toggle between single and multi-rail overcurrent protection (OCP) on-the-fly.
• Zero RPM Fan Mode: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near-silent operation.
• Cybenetics Platinum Certified: Up to 91% overall efficiency for low power consumption and cooler temperatures.
• 100% Japanese 105°C Electrolytic Capacitors: Premium internal components ensure reliable power delivery and long-term reliability.
• Fully Digital Platform: Resonant LLC topology and DC-to-DC conversion provides clean, consistent power and minimizes coil whine and noise for quiet operation.
• Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.

The post Corsair HX1500i Shift (2025) PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Steam Next Fest has returned. This week, there are hundreds of new game demos to try, giving you the opportunity to sample a lot of promising new indie titles due out later this year and beyond. Here, we lay out a few of our recommendations for some of the standout demos available this week. 

There are thousands of games included in this event overall. Some of them range from big-name IPs, like Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown, to experimental indie titles like Final Sentence, which combines elements of battle royale with a typing simulation.

Here are a few recommendations for those looking for a place to start:

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era – a turn-based grand strategy game based on the Heroes of Might and Magic saga.

Final Sentence – a Battle Royale where players compete with typewriters. It is such a wild idea that you really should try it.

The Midnight Walkers – a new PvPvE zombie shooter due to launch in November. This one is for fans of games like Left 4 Dead or The Killing Floor, but with some more tactically-driven gameplay elements.

Painkiller – a classic fast-paced arena shooter in which you take on a relentless horde of demons, either solo or with friends.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 – due for release next year, this demo gives you an early look at this sequel featuring fast-paced tactical combat with strategic management sim components.

Let It Die: Inferno – the original Let it Die was a legendary free-to-play soulslike game. This new game, Inferno, challenges players to descend into the abyss and conquer the Reaper's challenge.

Bladesong – the new demo features the full first chapter of the game's story mode, putting players at the gates of Eren Keep, one of the last few safe havens for mankind. Here, you will forge blades for the refugees in the camp and explore the ruins of the Lost City.

Steam Next Fest will end on October 20th but many demos may remain available past that date. You can find every demo from the entire event, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are there any demos you'll be trying during Steam Next Fest? 

The post Steam Next Fest is back – here are some demo recommendations first appeared on KitGuru.

The be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 3 is ready to hit the market. The new cooler makes use of a slimmer and more compact design, allowing for taller RAM to be used, and making the cooler more suitable for Mini-ITX systems.

The Pure Rock Slim 3 ships with dedicated AMD and Intel mounting frames, simplifying installation through the use of minimal screws. At its core, three nickel-plated high-performance 6mm heat pipes with heat-pipe direct-touch technology transport heat efficiently to the fin stack, delivering a high 130W TDP cooling capacity for entry-level gaming and multimedia systems.

A specially designed be quiet! 100mm PWM fan is rated for a claimed maximum noise level of just 24.8 dBA. PWM control allows users to fine-tune the balance between airflow and acoustics, ensuring smooth system performance under varying loads.

The be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 3 will be available starting October 28, at a suggested retail price of $29.90/€26.90.

KitGuru Says: Are you building a compact system for media playback or maybe some low-power gaming?

The post be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 3 debuts for ultra-compact PCs first appeared on KitGuru.

Black Myth Wukong achieved huge success following the game’s arrival last year – selling over 25 million copies and amassing a peak concurrent player count of more than 2.4 million on Steam alone. That said, the action-RPG was far from perfect, with performance issues holding the overall experience back. Though this did improve somewhat with time, the team at Game Science have now announced and released a massive 90GB patch.

Making the announcement on their socials, the Black Myth Wukong team unveiled and detailed this massive surprise patch, writing: “Dear Destined Ones, A new update for #BlackMythWukong is on the way. In addition to regular bug fixes, it will also include some performance optimizations.”

The full patch notes can be found HERE, but some of the most notable changes/improvements include the following:

• AMD’s FSR4 integration
• Improved Compatibility Mode
• Adjusted the default graphics settings for certain graphics cards
• Significantly improved the lighting quality when Global Illumination is set to low
• Adjusted Performance Mode (on PS5) back to 60Hz, reducing input latency and achieving higher resolution than before

• Previous PS5 Performance mode renamed to ‘Legacy’
• Improved the game's loading speed (PS5)
• Improved the clarity of certain textures (PS5)
• Improved CPU and rendering performance in numerous scenarios
• Improved memory usage in numerous scenarios
• Improved the quality of motion blur to mitigate the aliasing issues that occur when the camera pans

As mentioned, these are just some of the many improvements made with this latest update, with other more specific issues also being addressed (such as DLSS and XeSS related bugs, rendering errors and more).

Black Myth Wukong is a visual showpiece which was unfortunately hampered by its inconsistent performance. Hopefully this update has resolved a majority of these issues, making it not only prettier, but a more enjoyable experience to physically play.

KitGuru says: Did you struggle with Black Myth Wukong’s performance at launch? Why do you think it’s taken so long for this patch to come out? Let us know down below.

The post Black Myth Wukong gets massive performance patch on PS5 and PC first appeared on KitGuru.

SpongeBob Square Pants has made a surprising comeback in the video game space, with THQ Nordic reviving the franchise via the Battle for Bikini Bottom remake a couple years ago – followed up by The Cosmic Shake in 2023. Ahead of the official launch of Purple Lamp Studios’ 3rd SpongeBob title ‘Titans of the Tide’ next month, THQ Nordic has now made available a free demo for all to enjoy.

With SpongeBob Square Pants: Titans of the Tide set to officially launch in just over a month’s time, developer Purple Lamp Studios and publisher THQ Nordic have now released a free demo for all to download and enjoy.

Featuring “the first levels of the game” this demo gives players the opportunity to try Titans of the Tide’s new gimmick – that being the ability to “switch seamlessly between SpongeBob and Patrick” while checking out each of their unique abilities.

For the uninitiated, SpongeBob Square Pants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated was a remake of the classic PlayStation 2 title. Released back in 2020, the game received a mixed reception from critics; though a much warmer fan response.

THQ Nordic then followed this up with The Cosmic Shake in 2023. Unlike the last entry, this was a brand new original title which felt like a successor to Rehydrated in many ways – for better and for worse.

Given the somewhat split reception towards the previous two entries, it is encouraging to see Purple Lamp Studios / THQ Nordic offering a demo for all to check out and try before spending money on the title. Early impressions appear to be positive, and so hopefully the full game manages to maintain its quality. We won’t have to wait long to find out.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Titans of the Tide? Will you check out the demo? Do you appreciate the return of SpongeBob to the video game space? Let us know down below.

The post SpongeBob Square Pants: Titans of the Tide demo available now first appeared on KitGuru.

Despite being the highest grossing media franchise of all time, GameFreak’s Pokémon games have for the better part of a decade felt as though they have been developed on a shoestring budget. Thanks to a recent data leak, we now know this to be not too far from the truth – with the upcoming Pokémon Legends Z-A having cost just $13 million to make.

In October of 2024 GameFreak was subject to a massive data breach in which a ton of internal details were publicised, including source code, codenames and more. One year later and the second half of the documents have now been shared.

Alongside details and codenames for the next 5 years worth of Pokémon games, the data breach also included a breakdown of the budgets for upcoming entries in the series.

As shared by Stealth40k via BlueSky, the soon-to-be-released Legends Z-A was developed with a measly 2 Billion Yen budget – approximately $13 million.

Of course, $13 million is no small sum, but considering many indie games wind up costing more than this, Pokémon Z-A (which will likely push between 20-30 million units) could theoretically sell for a single Dollar and still make a profit.

The next mainline Pokémon entry however will up the budget by roughly 50% to 3 Billion yen ($20 Million). Given that it will usher in the 10th generation of Pokémon however, this still feels miniscule in comparison to other first-party AAA titles (which can cost up to $300 million).

While there is of course an argument to be made that many current AAA titles have far inflated budgets, spending $13 Million on a game which will easily make over a Billion in its first few days on the market does feel quite cheap.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the leaked documents? Are you surprised by just how cheap Pokémon games are to make? What do you think is holding back the Pokémon games the most: Nintendo, GameFreak or the budget itself? Let us know down below.

The post Leak reveals just how little Pokémon Legends Z-A cost to develop first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, the Pokémon Company / GameFreak suffered a massive data breach, causing all sorts of internal documents, codenames and more to be published online for all to see. One year later, the same hacker has resurfaced, offering a ton more details – including Pokémon’s plans for the rest of the decade.

As collated by Resetera user ‘Atheerios’ a second wave of leaks have emerged regarding the Pokémon franchise and its future.

While we of course have the upcoming Legends Z-A to look forward to, GameFreak / Nintendo already have the next 4 entries lined up.

According to the leak, the next mainline entry is codenamed Gaia. Set to arrive in 2026 (with DLC dropping in 2027), this will mark the 10th generation of Pokémon games and is said to be released under the names Pokémon ‘Wind’ and ‘Waves’.

Next up is codenamed Ringo – the 3rd entry in the Legends series. Though less is known about this game, the title will seemingly take place in the Galar region and is currently slated to arrive in 2027.

Following this is codename ‘Seed’ which appears to be a relatively ambitious title (for Pokémon at least), taking players across multiple regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh.

Finally, 2030 will see the release of Gen 11. Unfortunately, no other details are known about this game currently.

The Pokémon series is a highly iterative one, with each successive entry doing relatively little to separate itself from the pack. Considering the fact that GameFreak appears to be working on multiple generations worth of games at the same time, this perhaps makes sense.

KitGuru says: What do you think of GameFreak’s development formula? Are they doing too much at once? What are your expectations for Gen 10 aka Wind / Waves? Let us know down below.

The post Data breach reveals the next 5 years worth of Pokémon games first appeared on KitGuru.

The world of Avatar is returning to the fighting game scene, but this time, it's getting a dedicated title all to itself. A new studio, Gameplay Group International, has revealed Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, a new one-on-one fighter featuring a hand-drawn 2D art style that perfectly captures the look of the beloved animated series.

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is a traditional 1v1 fighter, but with a couple of interesting twists. Similar to the Kameo system in Mortal Kombat 1, players can call on support characters to assist with special moves and combos. The combat itself is built around a “flow system” that is said to emphasise fluid movement and mobility.

Moreover, the game will feature a single-player campaign with its own unique plot, offering a new story for fans of the franchise. The game will launch with a roster of 12 playable characters, including fan favourites like Aang, Korra, Zuko, and Toph, with more fighters planned as post-launch DLC.

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game will launch on Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S in summer 2026. Developers have confirmed that the game will support full crossplay across all platforms.

KitGuru says: While fans have been able to play as Aang and Korra in other games, this one is the first dedicated fighting game for the franchise. It's also not the only Avatar game in the works, as Saber Interactive is also creating an action RPG based on the property.

The post New Avatar fighting game coming to PC and consoles first appeared on KitGuru.

For anyone who has invested in AMD's AM5 platform, news has just surfaced that confirms the socket's long-term viability. Leaked marketing materials and official videos from motherboard partners Asus and ASRock have provided the first concrete proof that upcoming B850 series motherboards will be compatible with the upcoming Zen 6-based CPUs.

The evidence, spotted by Ruby_Rapids and on ASRock's own Bilibili channel (via VideoCardz), explicitly lists “Zen 6” support on promotional materials for new B850 motherboards. This is the first time we've seen motherboard manufacturers themselves confirm forward compatibility beyond the current Zen 5 generation, effectively guaranteeing a simple, drop-in upgrade path for anyone on the AM5 platform.

This is a massive validation of AMD's promise to support the AM5 socket until at least 2027. While reputable leakers had suggested this would be the case, seeing it printed in official marketing materials from major board partners all but cements it as fact. It means that a B850 motherboard purchased today for a Ryzen 9000 series CPU should only require a BIOS update to support a next-generation Zen 6 processor when it launches.

Although the marketing material only confirms that the B850 will support the upcoming processors, we assume the same can be said for the X870(E) and B840 motherboards.

KitGuru says: AMD's commitment to socket longevity continues to impress, assuming this is all accurate. 

The post AM5 motherboards will reportedly support Zen 6 CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

While Age of Empires 2 has been eating up all the headlines recently thanks to new DLCs, the latest entry in the series, Age of Empires 4, was a very decent comeback game. Now, it appears that World's Edge is gearing up for Age of Empires 5, which may utilise an entirely new engine for the series. 

As spotted by eagle-eyed fans on Reddit, World's Edge is now hiring for developers to aid in the support of “AAA pipeline for unannounced titles using Unreal Engine 5”. The job listings indicate a shift away from the previous engines to Epic Games' popular Unreal Engine technology.

It is unlikely that a new Age of Empires game would be announced in the coming year. However, 2027 marks the series' 30th anniversary, which would make it an excellent landing spot for a new game after a lengthy break from Age of Empires 4.

Fans should expect a new round of historical single-player campaign scenarios, as well as a renewed push for Age of Empires multiplayer should a new game come around in the next couple of years.

KitGuru Says: Did you play Age of Empires 4 when it came out? Would you play Age of Empires 5? 

The post Age of Empires studio hiring for unannounced Unreal Engine 5 game first appeared on KitGuru.

For years, fans have been hoping for a revival of the Dissidia Final Fantasy series. This weekend, Square Enix granted that wish, but with a twist. A new entry in the Final Fantasy fighting game series has been officially announced, but it's not coming to consoles or PC. Instead, the next battle between heroes and villains will take place exclusively on iOS and Android mobile devices.

The announcement, which dropped on social media and the official Square Enix website, was met with scepticism from much of the community. This is rooted in Square Enix's less-than-stellar track record with its live-service mobile spin-offs. Fans were quick to point to the fates of past Final Fantasy mobile titles like Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia and Final Fantasy: Record Keeper, both of which were shut down after a few years.

For now, the future of the Dissidia franchise lies on mobile. A full reveal, including the game's official title and a first look at gameplay, is scheduled for this Tuesday, October 14th.

KitGuru says: Final Fantasy mobile games have been a bit of a mixed bag in the past. It will be interesting to see how this one looks when its revealed tomorrow.

The post A new Dissidia Final Fantasy is coming, but it’s a mobile game first appeared on KitGuru.

It has long been rumoured that Valve is working on a new VR headset under the codename Deckard. Now, it is claimed that production on Valve's next generation VR product has begun. 

UploadVR reports that Chinese analyst firm, XR Research Institute, estimates that around 400,000 to 600,000 new VR headsets are being produced, with a potential announcement due before the end of the year.

The next VR headset from Valve may launch under the name ‘Steam Frame‘, which was a recently filed trademark from Valve. It is also expected that the new VR headset will be a wireless device but not necessarily a Quest competitor. The headset may focus on low-latency streaming from your PC, rather than running games on the headset itself.

If Valve is indeed making moves, then there will likely be some leaks via software like SteamVR. Recent leaks have also pointed to the existence of a new Half Life title deep in development, although it is expected to be a PC game, not a VR exclusive.

KitGuru Says: How much would a new VR headset from Valve need to cost in order for you to consider buying one? 

The post Report claims Valve has begun production on new Steam VR headset first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent weeks, art leaks have revealed evidence of several cancelled Xbox games, ranging from Perfect Dark to Zenimax Online Studios' cancelled MMO. Now, a new leak has revealed a few screenshots from Rare's now cancelled game, Everwild. 

MP1st found the screenshots through the website of an unnamed artist who worked on the game. It shows a handful of in-game scenes, as well as UI elements like inventory menus and the graphics settings screen. Some of the collectable resources in this early development build were figments, mosaics, seeds and plants.

Apparently, the images come from a version of the game “relatively close” to its cancellation. It is clear that a plan for the game was taking shape prior to the cancellation, but it was still very early on.

At this point, Everwild will no longer be coming out. Rare was one of a number of studios to be hit by layoffs at Microsoft this year, although a small portion of the Everwild team is now working on Sea of Thieves instead. At this time, it is unclear what we can expect out of Rare beyond continued updates for Sea of Thieves.

KitGuru Says: Previous reports have claimed that Everwild went through many stops and starts after being announced in 2019. Based on these screenshots, it would have been a survival / crafting game of sorts. 

The post Screenshots of Rare’s Everwild leak following cancellation first appeared on KitGuru.

Antec has two new cases heading to the European market in November. The new P30 Air and P30 ARGB cases offer support for multiple cooling configurations, with a design prioritised towards ventilation for optimal airflow.

Both versions have the same overall design with large, perforated intake areas around the case. However, the P30 ARGB has the added benefit of pre-installed RGB fans, while the P30 Air has standard black fans.

These cases offer space for up to a 360mm radiator for liquid cooling, with large cable-management space at the back to minimise airflow obstruction within the main chamber. A tempered glass side panel gives a suitably sized window into your system.

The case has a steel frame with mesh front panels, with removable dust filters placed around to protect your components. The Front-panel I/O includes USB, USB 3.x, audio jacks and LED control.

The P30 Air and P30 ARGB will be available starting November, priced at £79.99 / €89.99.

KitGuru Says: Are you shopping around for a new build? Will you be opting for an airflow focused chassis like this?

The post Antec launches P30 Air and P30 ARGB airflow-optimised PC cases first appeared on KitGuru.

While the immediate reaction to Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2 was spoiled by Microsoft’s reveal that it would be the first title from the publisher to launch at $80, the game itself looks to be a solid follow-up to 2017’s RPG. Of course, Microsoft ultimately rescinded on their $80 price tag, and so with just under two weeks to go the team at Obsidian have now revealed that The Outer Worlds 2 has officially gone Gold.

As reported by the Xbox-focused Klobrille, The Outer Worlds 2 has now officially Gone Gold ahead of its launch on the 29th of October (or the 23rd/24th for those with ‘Advanced Access’ via the Premium Edition).

For the uninitiated, ‘Going Gold’ means that The Outer Worlds 2 master disc (if it has one) has been submitted to the game’s publisher. After this, discs can then be pressed with finalised software and digital storefronts can upload the 1.0 version of the game ready for release.

It’s a process that every game in development goes through, and means that (aside from post-launch patches and DLC) The Outer Worlds 2 should be complete and ready to play.

As mentioned, The Outer Worlds 2 did not have the smoothest of introductions, with its big blowout showcase earlier this year being mired by talk of Microsoft’s game price hike to $80.

While the revised price tag of $70 is still too much for some, as a sequel, The Outer Worlds 2 looks to offer plenty of improvements over the first entry. Hopefully the relatively short period between going gold and its official release is no cause for concern.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the next Outer Worlds? Is the game worth $70 in your mind? What are your expectations for the sequel? Let us know down below.

The post The Outer Worlds 2 has gone Gold ahead of launch later this month first appeared on KitGuru.

This is the Montech HyperFlow Digital – a 360mm AIO cooler with a digital display, RGB lighting, and black or white colour options. In this review, we’ll take a look at the design, ease of installation and test how it performs in terms of thermals and noise. So if you're considering this £90 cooler for your next build, here’s all you need to know before making a decision…

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:37 Sizes and Prices
01:09 Some Features / Overview
03:13 CPU block
03:48 Radiator / Pump / Tubing
04:15 Digital Display
04:53 Fans
06:15 Accessories
07:16 Test System and Installation Process
10:05 Thermal Performance and Noise output
11:57 Is it worth buying?

Features:

• HyperFlow Digital features an Integrated 7‑segment digital display that shows real‑time CPU and GPU temperature. E28 ARGB performance fans (120 mm) with 800 ~2200 RPM PWM Speed range, offering strong airflow & static pressure.
• It's equipped with a slim 27 mm thick, high‑density radiator with 20 fins per inch fin array, 12 waterways and it's available in 240mm and 360mm form factors, plus black and white colour options.
• HyperFlow Digital supports wide socket compatibility (Intel & AMD), pre‑installed fans & thermal paste for easier installation, plus a 6‑year warranty.

Specifications:

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA115X / 1200 / 20XX / 1700 / 1851, AMD AM3 / AM4 / AM5
• Radiator Material: Aluminium
• Radiator Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 27mm
• Radiator Tube Length: 400mm
• CPU Block/Pump Dimensions: 67.2 x 67.2 x 52.3mm
• Pump Speed: 3100RPM±10%
• Cold Plate Material: Micro-Skived Copper
• Pump Connector: 4-Pin PWM
• VRM Fan: N/A
• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 28mm
• Fan Speed (PWM): 800~2200 RPM ±10%
• Fan Max Airflow: 96.27CFM
• Fan Max Static Pressure: 4.13mmH2O
• Fan Noise: 36.25dBA
• Fan Bearing: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
• Fan Connector: 4-Pin PWM
• LCD Screen: Digital Display
• Warranty: 6 Year

The post Montech HyperFlow Digital 360 AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.

While the first entry in their second attempt at a live-action Mortal Kombat film may not have held as much cultural awareness as the classic 90s entries, Warner Bros. seems quite confident in the upcoming Mortal Kombat II – recently pushing the film back to a more favourable season. Though the sequel is now slated to arrive in May of next year, a 3rd entry is announced to already be in the works.

As reported by the publication Deadline, during the most recent New York Comic-Con Mortal Kombat III was officially confirmed to be happening, with Jeremy Slater said to be returning to screenwrite the 3rd entry.

According to Deadline, Warner Bros. is “very high on the second film” leading to their decision to greenlight the 3rd entry well before MKII has hit the screens.

As mentioned, 2021’s Mortal Kombat film came and went with little fanfare, receiving a mixed reception and amassing just $84 million off of a $55 million budget.

That said, the trailer for the sequel blew up following its release earlier this year, becoming the most-watched red-band trailer of all time with 107 million views in its first 24 hours.

Beyond this, Mortal Kombat II is certainly moving away somewhat from the first entry, with the sequel set to include the likes of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage; focusing on more recognisable faces.

Of course, early excitement is just that, and so we will have to wait and see how the film is received when it arrives in May of next year – and whether WB jumped the gun a bit with the announcement of a 3rd entry.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of 2021’s Mortal Kombat? Do you have hopes for the sequel? Is Karl Urban as Johnny Cage a big draw for you? Let us know down below.

The post Mortal Kombat III film announced ahead of MKII’s arrival next year first appeared on KitGuru.

Though the series is far past its heyday, Serious Sam is still a classic, featuring fast-paced FPS shooting, tons of enemies and plenty of explosions. In celebration of Serious Sam 2’s 20th anniversary, studio Croteam have announced and released a surprise – yet welcome – update on Steam: Adding new content, visual enhancements, quality of life improvements and more.

Making the announcement via the game’s Steam page, the devs at Croteam detailed this surprise anniversary update, writing:

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since one of our boldest and most colorful adventures –  Serious Sam 2! A game that’s been both loved and debated, but never ignored, packed with wild ideas, vibrant worlds, and tons of personality that made it truly one of a kind. To celebrate this milestone, we’re rolling out a special Anniversary Update, packed with ways to show off your undying love for Sam 2 and to keep those Serious vibes alive for years to come!”

Sure enough, this update introduces a ton of quality of life improvements, visual enhancements and much more – including but not limited to:

• Official integration of the highly-popular ‘Renovation Mod’
• Redrawing of HUD icons and other menu images in HD while maintaining its visual aesthetic
• Updated fonts for improved clarity and scaling on all screen resolutions
• Weapon animation fixes
• Numerous texture/material improvements
• Updated boot-up video
• Movies now play in full screen
• Gameplay and balance adjustments
• Additional control options
• Various multiplayer fixes

As mentioned, the list of changes is extensive and covers a wide range of elements, from level-specific fixes to decades-old bugs and more. The full patch notes can be found HERE.

While not quite a remaster, this 20th anniversary update is a welcome surprise to all fans of the classic Serious Sam 2, preserving it for many more years to come.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Serious Sam franchise? How did it compare to other fast-paced FPS shooters from its time? Would you want to see another attempt at Serious Sam? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Serious Sam 2 gets surprise 20th anniversary update on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years we’ve seen Apple lean more heavily into the video game market, with their greatest push being the release of various major AAA console games ported to iOS. Following the likes of HITMAN; Death Stranding; Resident Evil and more, Remedy’s excellent CONTROL has been announced for iPhone, iPad and even the Apple Vision Pro.

Making the surprise announcement via BlueSky, the team at Remedy wrote: “Apple takes CONTROL! You will soon be able to enter the Oldest House on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro alongside Mac. Play with a game controller, or tap into the action with touch controls.”

So far, little else has been revealed regarding the port, with the only other detail announced being that the game is slated to arrive in “Early 2026.”

While CONTROL was originally released for last-gen systems, its heavy emphasis on physics could strain the 8th-gen consoles somewhat, and so it will be interesting to see what the game looks and runs like on the latest iPhones / iPad.

Regarding the Apple Vision Pro, though not officially stated, this port will most likely function the same as the iPhone / iPad versions – except being blown up on a large digital screen as opposed to a full VR port.

We will have to wait and find out, but regardless it is exciting to see more console/PC developers bringing their games over to smartphones.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Apple’s recent gaming efforts? Would you play a game like CONTROL on your phone? What about in a few years’ time? Let us know down below.

The post CONTROL officially announced for iPhone / iPad first appeared on KitGuru.

If you've ever wanted to review tech, then this is a perfect opportunity as we are now hiring for a new reviewer to join our team! Prior experience is not strictly necessary, but we would like to see some example works from applicants. 

We are looking for someone who will be able to produce reviews of a range of tech gear in video format and in the KitGuru style. Any experience in this sector is beneficial, however we are open to all applicants provided you can give us a sample of your written and video work so we can assess your abilities.

KitGuru is a great company to work with, we are all tech enthusiasts who enjoy gaming, so we all have very similar interests. Behind the scenes it is very close-knit environment and many of our team have been with us for several years.

To be considered for this position you need:

• Skillset to present well on camera – and in English.
• The ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills.
• Some knowledge of video editing would be useful, but we have that capability in-house if we find the right candidate.
• Strong writing ability.
• This is a freelance position.

The successful applicant must be based in the United Kingdom, and we pay very well for this kind of work. If you are interested and feel you can meet the criteria above and want to work in this fast-moving sector then please send your CV along with any samples of your work to our Editor in Chief, Allan Campbell – allan(at)kitguru.net.

KitGuru says: We look forward to receiving your application!

The post KitGuru is hiring – tech reviewer applications open! first appeared on KitGuru.

Alphacool has launched a new version of its premium metal case fan, adding a splash of colour to the design. The new Apex Stealth Metal Aurora takes the existing high-end, metal-framed fan and, as the name suggests, integrates addressable RGB illumination for builders who want both premium construction and customisable lighting.

The new Stealth Metal Aurora fan retains all the high-end features of the original Stealth Metal. This includes the solid aluminium frame, a long-lasting Hydro Dynamic Bearing (HDB), and Alphacool's patent-pending decoupling technology, which is designed to isolate motor vibrations for near-silent operation (rated at 36.4 dBA). The fans are also daisy-chainable for clean and easy cable management, a welcome feature for any builder.

The addition of the ARGB lighting provides a new visual highlight for the fan. Alphacool claims the fans still offer the same high static pressure (3.35 mmH2O), making them a great fit for use on radiators or in cases with restrictive airflow paths. With an RPM range of 300-2600, this fan can provide up to 59.79 CFM of air.

The Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Aurora fans are available to purchase now directly from the Alphacool online store. They are available in three finishes: a chrome version and a matte black version for €24.98 each, and a white version for €26.98.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: These new fans look to be a fantastic premium option for any high-end build. However, their price isn't particularly welcoming, restricting them to a niche within the DIY community.

The post Alphacool’s premium Apex Stealth metal fans now come with RGB first appeared on KitGuru.

While I had a very smooth experience with Battlefield 6 in the run up to launch day, all of my testing had been done within Steam, so it came as quite a surprise when the game unlocked on Friday and PC players were having issues with the EA App. The developers have been quick to fix entitlement issues for those impacted and to smooth things over for those locked out at launch, there will be some freebies given out to players. 

When Battlefield 6 first unlocked on Friday night, a number of PC players were unable to access the game via the EA App. The developers have now offered “an apology with perks” to smooth things over. The list of free perks includes twelve hour-long XP boosters for rank progression and an additional twelve hour-long XP boosters for weapons.

Players should find these items ready to claim in their inbox before the end of the weekend. On top of that, all impacted players will also get the first Battlefield 6 battle pass for free. If you bought the standard edition, you get Season 1's battle pass. If you bought the Phantom Edition, which already includes the first battle pass, then you will get the Season 2 pass for free.

It is perhaps the best apology EA has ever issued, as these items will make a meaningful difference for players. Typically, in situations like this, the compensation offered to players for downtime is significantly less than what players are being given here.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Were you caught up in the EA app downtime on Friday? Have you already received your Battlefield 6 freebies? 

The post EA unlocks battle pass and XP boosts for all players impacted by Battlefield 6 outage first appeared on KitGuru.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), along with its global partners, has released its massive 2025 Global Power of Play study. Based on a survey of over 24,000 players across 21 countries, the report paints a clear picture of why people game and the positive impacts it has on their social, emotional, and mental well-being.

While “fun” remains the number one reason people play video games (cited by 66% of respondents), the study (via Engadget) shows that mental health benefits are almost equally important. A huge 58% of players globally use games for stress relief, with 77% agreeing that gaming helps them feel less stressed and 70% reporting it reduces anxiety. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of players credit games with assisting them to feel less lonely by connecting them with others.

The benefits extend beyond mental health into real-world skill development. The report found that a majority of players believe gaming improves their creativity (77%), problem-solving skills (76%), and ability to work in a team (74%). For many, this has had a direct impact on their lives, with 43% of players saying that gaming has influenced their academic or career path.

Gaming has also solidified its place as a central social platform. This is particularly true for younger players (aged 16-35), where 67% reported having met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through playing video games. The report also continues to shatter old stereotypes about who a “gamer” is. The average age of a global player is now 41, and the gender split is nearly even at 51% male and 48% female. Those interested in reading the detailed report can do so HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: To you, what was the most surprising data in this report?

The post ESA Power of Play 2025 report highlights the benefits of gaming first appeared on KitGuru.

It is time to call it a day on the Xbox Series X/S generation. What started off as a promising campaign backed by Microsoft’s (at the time) newly acquired studios has dwindled into a mess of studio closures, game cancellations and perhaps most depressingly, price hikes.

Microsoft has just raised the price of the Xbox Series X console five years after its debut and to top it off, they are now also charging 50% more per month for a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The more I think about it, the less it appears that Microsoft had any concrete plans for its studios.

The Initiative was set up with world class talent, only for Microsoft to push them back out the door and hand the keys to Perfect Dark over to Crystal Dynamics. One year after properly revealing that game to the world, it was cancelled and The Initiative was shut down.

Turn 10 Studios, once hailed as a premier studio known for getting the absolute most out of Xbox hardware, has been gutted and relegated to support studio status. Zenimax Online Studios – also gutted, despite reports of a highly promising new MMO project. Tango Gameworks, Microsoft’s lone foothold in the Japanese game development market, was sold off after shipping one of the best surprise games of 2024 in Hi-FI Rush.

Arkane Austin, the studio best known for its work on immersive sims like Prey, was shut down after being saddled with Redfall, a game that nobody wanted to buy and more importantly, nobody at the studio wanted to make.

Rare Studios has undergone major cuts after failing to ship a game since Sea of Thieves. Creative Affinity’s Halo spin-off game was cancelled. Contraband, a game prominently announced in 2021, had its funding pulled this year, leaving the studio behind it to scramble for a new publisher.

At the rate things are going over at Xbox, I’ll consider it a miracle if the Fable reboot actually makes it out of the door.

On the back of all these cuts, cancellations and closures, Microsoft now wants to charge more money for Game Pass. They claim they’ve shipped more day-one games on the service than ever before, but how many of those games were actually impactful? If Call of Duty couldn’t make a meaningful dent, what makes them think that a dozen extra indie games and a few first-party AAA titles will?

Game Pass has secured some decent third-party deals in the past, but they are few and far between. The only ones I ended up booting up my Xbox app for in recent years were A Plague Tale: Requiem, Stalker 2, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Atomic Hearts and Rematch. Out of that bunch, there are only two that I would actually buy. Outside of that, I primarily used my subscription to play a maximum of four day-one Xbox titles a year.

Microsoft justified the recent Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price increase with the promise of 75 day-one games next year. Fable will be one, Gears E-Day will be another, COD 2026 will also make it over. Who knows what the other 70+ titles will be, but history has so far conditioned me to expect maybe one or two standouts for the year, while the rest will be thoroughly uninteresting.

Additions like Ubisoft Classics and Fortnite Crew do absolutely nothing to move the needle. Most have already had their fill of Assassin’s Creed and if they haven’t, then the older games in the series can be purchased all together for around the same price as one month of Game Pass Ultimate. If you love Fortnite enough to subscribe to it, then chances are, you aren’t playing much on Game Pass anyway, so I ask – who are these additions for?

These additions to the package can’t be bringing much value to the average subscriber outside of fringe cases. Xbox could turn to its improved cloud gaming offering and call that value, but how big is the cloud gaming market really? In court as part of its argument for why the Activision Blizzard acquisition should be approved, Microsoft admitted that cloud gaming barely has a market right now. As a result, Activision games are available under a free license to all cloud gaming services.

With Game Pass Ultimate rising to around £240 per year, it is now more affordable for me to just buy the 3-4 Xbox games I want on Steam than to carry on with my subscription. Sure, the ‘value' has been ‘boosted' in other areas, but are they areas anyone really cares about? Is a Fortnite battle pass and expanded access to old Ubisoft titles something that meaningfully changes the value proposition of Game Pass Ultimate to the tune of 50% more money per month? To me, the answer is no.

It just really feels like they jumped the gun, expecting the illusion of good value to hold up, without doing enough to earn that reputation.

There is one lone subscription offering here that might still be worth it. PC Game Pass still exists and still includes all of the same benefits it had prior to the recent restructuring, at around £10 less per month than Game Pass Ultimate. But how long will it be before Microsoft decides to move the goalposts there too? My guess would be not too long.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you sticking with Game Pass after the recent price hike? 

The post KitGuru Games: After 7 years, I’m cancelling Xbox Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.