Call of Duty Modern Warfare II delivers exactly what the hardcore fans of the franchise wanted from the popular first-person shooter while also onboarding new players into the game.

Infinity Ward, the developers of this chapter and the original Modern Warfare II released back in 2009, are at their absolute best here with stunning lifelike characters and environments and brilliant and responsive game play.

For this review we played the game on the PlayStation 5.

The campaign is a lot more straightforward and the multiplayer mode, the bread and butter of the franchise, was a lot better than we expected.

In the campaign, we’re reintroduced to favourite characters – Ghost, Price and Soap – who are the main characters on the mission to discover how American nuclear weapons ended up in the hands of one of the world’s most notorious terrorists.

There are 17 missions to complete in the campaign and the action takes us from the deserts of the middle east to other locations including Mexico, Spain and Amsterdam.

And it’s not just a straight up shooter (it is most of the time) but often the player has to stay in the shadows or sit still in long grass to avoid detection.

In other missions you’re driving vehicles and shooting and jumping on to other vehicles to stay alive and providing overwatch – and firepower – for an attack on a compound from a circling spy plane.

In one section, you have to guide Ghost through an enemy base by hacking into the security cameras to find the safest path.

You also get to do a bit of swimming as well so you can dive underwater and sneak up on your enemies and avoid their fire.

There’s also a wide variety of weapons you get to use as well from sniper rifles and grenade launchers to mounted machine guns as well as the regular machine guns, pistols and silencers.

There were a couple of times where it wasn’t immediately obvious what you needed to do next and the location of the weapon you needed for the mission.

We got to the very last mission of the campaign and it kept crashing and coming up with an error.

To get around this we had to delete the game and reinstall it. Luckily, we had the checkpoint saved and we were able to resume and complete the campaign.

But for us it’s the multiplayer that keeps us coming back to the game.

Our favourite is Team Deathmatch, but you can jump into a free-for-all, search and destroy and even rescue missions.

Or one can be served up at random.

And there are also large-scale battles like 20 v 20 Team Deathmatch.

Whatever your playing style happens to be and what sort of games you like, the Call of Duty Modern Warfare II multiplayer will give you what you need.

Now let’s talk about the weapons and perks.

As we’ve seen in other Call of Duty games, players get a chance rank up to access more powerful weapons and they also get a chance to improve aspects of their weapons like the barrel, scope, the grip, size of the ammunition magazine.

It takes a lot of work and a lot of games to get your weapon to a decent level but it’s worth it.

The maps also offer a nice variety in terms of design, size and layout.

The Breenbergh Hotel has both tight corners, long range areas and multiple levels while El Asilo is a larger map to suit both run and gunners and snipers and there’s plenty of room to move inside the buildings and lots of space outside as well.

Another interesting map is Santa Sena Border Crossing – a tight layout that’s littered with destroyed cars in the narrow funnel of the US-Mexican border.

All 12 multiplayer maps offer their own quirks, bottlenecks and hiding places for campers.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II is available now on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.

VERDICT

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II review – brilliant experience for fans and new players appeared first on Tech Guide.

How do I improve my Wi-Fi? That is the question we get asked quite often and our answer is always the same – with a mesh system and Netgear’s new Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the best you can buy right now.

Having solid wi-fi at home is so important whether it’s to work or learn from home or to enjoy your favourite streaming services and play competitively online anywhere in your home.

The real issue most Australians face is their NBN-issued modem/router is not always near their most important connected devices.

The modem part is fine, but the reach of the router part is useless unless you’re standing next to it.

A mesh wi-fi system like the new Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the solution to this common problem.

Whether you live in a long narrow house or multi-storey home, you want your wi-fi to be consistent no matter where you happen to be.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E provides four bands of coverage in your home including a 6Ghz, two 5Ghz and a 2.4Ghz channel.

The Netgear Orbi also creates a dedicated 2.4Ghz band making it even easier to connect your smart devices which operate on this 2.4Ghz band.

Then there are two 5GHz bands, one for the main traffic of the house and the other acting as a dedicated backhaul.

This dedicated 5Ghz channel allows data to flow from the satellites back to the modem so it’s not going to impose on the other channels and cost you any bandwidth or speed.

And the all-new 6Ghz band is reserved for the fastest devices in your home, those that are compatible with the Wi-Fi 6E standard including some of the latest smartphones and laptops.

On this band users will find noticeably faster speeds between the modem and the device to ensure smooth streaming and fast gaming on your network.

In fact, the 6Ghz band has more than twice the bandwidth of 5Ghz and eliminates any interference and congestion so you’re getting impressive speeds for your connected Wi-Fi 6E devices.

Setting up the device is quite simple.

Using the Netgear Orbi app, you connect the main router to your existing modem and the two other Orbi satellites are then positioned around your home.

The units themselves have a slick design but nothing too flashy that won’t fit your home’s decor.

Netgear says you should unplug your modem from the power point before connecting the Orbi main router and plugging in the satellites.

Once everything is connected and powered up, the name of the network and its password, displayed on a sticker on the main router will be seen on your list of networks on your mobile device.

Once connected, the app does the rest including locating your satellites and allowing you to rename the network and set a different password.

Our install took about 20 minutes and that included walking around the house plugging in the new Orbi products and downloading a firmware update for the system.

The router and the satellites also have multi gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections to nearby devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles.

The Orbi Wi-Fi 6E system can support 16 simultaneous Wi-Fi streams – that’s good to know especially when you have people in your household streaming on their own devices and different smart TVs.

The Orbi main router has support for up to 10Gbps internet speeds so it can future proof your home network.

At the time of writing our review, we were hoping that our NBN fibre upgrade would be complete and offer up to 1Gbps speeds through our Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection.

And that’s the speed you would get throughout your entire home thanks to the mesh network created by the Orbi system.

Currently our NBN plan is 100Mbps down and 40Mbps up and our speed tests showed we were getting every bit of that speed we were already paying for.

Actually, we were getting more than 100Mbps speeds when we did three separate tests literally in the three furthest corners of our home.

The other great benefit of a system like the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the capacity to connect more than 70 devices – many of us are already there with the popularity of smart home and security products.

The movement of data within your home – separate to the sheer speed of the internet coming into your home – is what makes the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E a great choice to be able to view simultaneous 4K and eventually 8K streams in our homes smoothly and without buffering.

The system can provide wall-to-wall coverage for homes up to 840 square metres in size and you can increase that coverage with the addition of more satellites.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is not cheap at $2,799 but customers need to remember there are three Wi-Fi 6E routers in the pack.

The cost of a single Wi-Fi 6E router is about $1,100 so there is actually some value with three at less than $3,000.

VERDICT

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the best mesh system you can buy right now. If who want a better and more reliable wi-fi experience to enjoy your entertainment, remain connected and to be able work and learn effectively – the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E should be considered as an investment to ensure that quality today and into the future.

The post Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E review – ultimate solution for fast and consistent wi-fi at home appeared first on Tech Guide.

Sound quality in gaming has become as good if not better than what we hear in movies and one way to get right in the centre of it is with the Panasonic SoundSlayer wearable gaming speaker.

No, that’s not a typo – it’s a wearable speaker.

It sits around your neck which is smart because it places the speakers right below your ears, so you are literally surrounded by sound.

The SoundSlayer goes around the back of your neck and rests on your shoulders.

It fits snugly on your neck and it’s not heavy (244g) so you can comfortably wear the SoundSlayer for hours at a time.

The other advantage of the SoundSlayer is you can still be aware of your surroundings – unlike a pair of headphones which cut you off from the rest of the world.

With SoundSlayer you can hear the ambient sound so not a good set up if you’re in a noisy environment.

And other people can hear everything in the same way as if you’re playing through the TV’s speakers or through computer speakers.

But the real benefit here is hearing the surround sound through onboard 4CH speakers that are placed at the front and back on the left and right.

And because each channel is right below your ears you can easily hear the separation and appreciate the directional sound in your game.

The SoundSlayer will work through the USB cable with a PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch (when in TV mode).

It has a 3m USB cable so you can still sit on the couch if you’re playing through your TV.

And there’s a microphone onboard as well with built-in echo noise cancellation so you can be clearly heard.

So how does it sound?

Answer: Amazing. That’s because everything is happening right next to your ears.

We were pleasantly surprised by the quality as well as the effect of spreading the sounds around us like we had speakers placed around the room.

The top volume has been set conservatively – you don’t want a speaker near your – it’s different to headphones.

There are different game sound modes – including a first-person shooter mode (that was our favourite), a role-playing game mode and voice mode so you can hear clearer dialogue.

The first-person shooter mode lets you clearly hear footsteps and other ambient sounds in the game so you can place your enemies and other obstacles.

The role-playing mode has more of a surround sound feel to place you right at the centre of the fantasy world.

You can also use the SoundSlayer to hear your music and watch your movies – there are modes for that as well.

Are these better than regular gaming headphones?

Yes and no.

Yes, because you get a better surround effect with the SoundSlayer.

And no because it has slightly inferior audio quality than you would with the headphones you can buy for the same price and because everyone can hear your game or movie.

The Panasonic SoundSlayer is available now and is priced at $329.

VERDICT

The Panasonic SoundSlayer offer a new way to enjoy the sound while playing a game and brings a surround sound experience that headphones can’t match.

The post Panasonic SoundSlayer review – wearable speaker puts you in the middle of the game appeared first on Tech Guide.

Call of Duty Vanguard delivers exactly what fans of the franchise expect with an action-packed story, incredible first-person situations and locations and an excellent multiplayer mode.

The game is set during World War II and looks and sounds amazing.

We were really struck with the incredible photo realistic world and extraordinarily lifelike characters we were watching.

This is without a doubt the most advanced Call of Duty game ever produced with incredible realism combined with excellent performances and jaw-dropping action sequences and challenges.

It takes players to multiple locations and puts them right in the middle of some of the key battles that shaped the outcome of the war.

When the game opens in Hamburg in 1945, we’re introduced to the main characters including Australian soldier private Lucas Riggs, British officers Arthur Kingsley and Richard Webb, Russian Polina Petrova and American Wade Jackson.

They are part of a squad whose immediate mission is to retrieve sensitive documents before they are shipped out on a submarine.

And keep an eye out for Lost and Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan who plays one of the German officers who is tasked with interrogating the squad.

It’s action from the outset with a dramatic pursuit and shootout on a high-speed train in a downpour.

The game changes points of view so players get to assume the roles of all the squad members at one point.

The Australian soldier Riggs is one of the main characters and it was great to hear his Aussie accent, slang and sledges throughout the game.

And while there is a solid narrative and missions the squad must complete, a lot of the action takes place in a series of flashbacks that offer the colourful back stories of each of the characters and how they wound up together.

The game takes you through the main theatres of the war and into various terrains and situations.

Locations include Berlin, Hamburg, Tonga, Stalingrad, the Battle of Midway, Papua New Guinea, Tobruk and El Alamein.

But the story also weaves in the machinations of the upper echelons of the German war machine and the strategic movements officers are making to advance their own careers.

The game does a great job in weaving in the game’s story with actual events of World War II.

And while the game is meant to be a first-person shooter, there is still plenty of variety in the tasks and missions a player must complete.

At one point you are even given a tremendous first-person experience in the cockpit of a dive bomber while involved in a dogfight with Japanese aircraft and facing off against monstrous enemy aircraft carriers.

But Call of Duty vanguard is not always about shooting.

There are sections of the game where you need to remain in the shadows and use stealth to complete your missions.

There were some sections of the game where it wasn’t immediately obvious where you needed to go.

There were also a few frustrating points where more checkpoints could have been added to avoid having to replay long and arduous battles after being killed near the end of the mission.

But these are only minor complaints.

Overall, the campaign is an enjoyable adventure that provides a stunning audio and visual experience and puts you right in the centre of the battle so you can appreciate what our soldiers were up against.

The multiplayer mode, a true favourite of diehard Call of Duty fans, does not disappoint with 20 maps available from day one – the most ever released with a new Call of Duty title.

They also cover numerous locations across the Pacific, Eastern front, North Africa and the Western Front.

There’s also a nice variety of map sizes so you can get the tight run and gun scenarios along with larger maps where tactics and weapon choice play a bigger part.

The multiplayer games also pit varying numbers of players against each other so it’s not just a straight 6 v 6 for your Team Deathmatch.

There are sometimes up to 24 players on either side to really create some mayhem.

We loved the added touch of choosing an MVP from the game.

The top three players a nominated for their achievements in the game while others can vote for their favourite.

We’re proud to say that we were awarded an MVP during one of our online battles.

For the diehards, it’s not much different to what we’ve seen in the past, which is a good thing but there are several new features to entice new players including the ability to work on your own or as part of a roaming patrol unit.

VERDICT

Call of Duty Vanguard delivers an incredibly sensory experience in the campaign and multiplayer modes that will be enjoyed by long term fans of the game and will be equally attractive to anyone new to the blockbuster franchise.

The post Call of Duty Vanguard review – an incredible first-person experience appeared first on Tech Guide.

The iPhone has become one of the most popular gaming devices in the world and Backbone One now provides the physical controls to take the game to a whole other level.

The Backbone One also comes into its own after the recent launch of the Xbox Cloud Gaming service which allows customers to play the latest Xbox games on their iPhone.

It’s also compatible with Apple Arcade, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Remote Play, PS Remote Play, Steam Link, Stadia and Amazon Luna.

Backbone One is compatible with a number of games for those players who want more than the touch controls of the screen.

Backbone One has an expandable design so you can fit iPhones back to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus all the way up to the recently released iPhone 13.

If you have the iPhone 13 Pro or the iPhone 13 Pro Max, you will need an adapter. You can email Backbone to obtain one – support@playbackbone.com.

If there’s a case on your iPhone – it will also need to be removed for the best fit.

You also need to be running iOS 13 or later on your iPhone as well.

The Backbone One looks like a controller that’s been split in half with the space in the middle expandable to accommodate the various size iPhones.

On the right half is the Lighting plug that connects the iPhone to the Backbone One to enable the controls in the compatible games.

Having that Lightning connection also means it doesn’t require a battery because it draws aits power from the iPhone. That’s one less thing you need to remember to charge.

On the left side is a joystick, directional keys, a button to record gameplay and another to mute the game.

On the right side is another joystick, A and B, X and Y buttons, shortcut button to the Backbone app and a menu key.

But it doesn’t stop there. There are also two shoulder buttons on each side.

The Backbone One without an iPhone inside it is 17.62cm wide and can extend to a maximum size of 25.76cm. It weighs 138g on its own and you can add the weight of the iPhone you’re using to working out the total weight.

The Backbone app is like your home base that links you to all the compatible games and services.

In the menu system you can take even more control by calibrating the joysticks and mapping the buttons to suit the game and your preferences.

When the iPhone is placed in the Backbone One it has a nice balanced feel in your hands with all the controls right there at your fingertips.

Playing games on the iPhone with the touchscreen controls just doesn’t offer the same experience as playing with a controller in your hands.

With the controls on the screen, it means you’re also covering part of the screen and limiting the game’s real estate.

We’ve found touch controls are not always as accurate or responsive as a physical button or joystick.

What helps is a fast wi-fi network as well. Any kind of lag you experience is more likely to be your network rather than the Backbone One.

We spend some time playing Call of Duty – a game we play on our PlayStation console.

But the mobile version wasn’t of interest because of the hit and miss nature of the control interface.

The Backbone One is literally a game-changer. Playing Call of Duty with the Backbone One felt almost exactly like playing on a console.

The tactile feel and familiarity were brilliant and really adds another layer to playability of the game.

Up until now we only ever liked to play puzzle games and the odd driving game on the iPhone.

But now, our choices have expanded thanks to having these physical controls.

The Backbone One is available now and is priced $179.99. It is available from The Gamesmen, Amazon, Catch.com.au, Mwave Australia, Scorptec, Kogan.com and from the Backbone website.

VERDICT

If you’re a fan of mobile gaming on your iPhone and want to take your gameplay to the next level, then you need to get your hands on the Backbone One.

The post Backbone One controller review – a real game-changer for iPhone players appeared first on Tech Guide.

Every year each Call of Duty game faces the same problem – following up the previous version game with something better. Each entry of the famous franchise Is always a hard act to follow but Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War still manages something fresh and exciting.

The game takes us back to the early 80s when tensions between the US and Russia were at an all-time high and the Cold War was in full swing.

And the game gets off to a flyer when one of the opening scenes features a stunningly realistic US President Ronald Reagan in a secret meeting greenlighting the mission and giving the operatives permission to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Right off the bat you know you’re in for one hell of a ride. And that’s exactly what you get.

Those old enough to actually remember that period, like me, will enjoy the nostalgic step back in time that’s reinforced right down to the fashion, the music and the politics.

Players assume the role of Bell in the game who becomes part of an elite team tasked with tracking down a rogue operative and a US-made nuclear device.

At its heart, Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War is still a first person shooter but it’s remarkable the amount of time you spend not actually shooting but trying to avoid detection, pick locks, infiltrate Russian military bases and solve problems to get to the next level.

But don’t get me wrong, there are still some amazing scenes and set pieces and action sequences that will take your breath away.

What this version of Call of Duty offers at some points is a “choose your own adventure” type approach where your actions and responses to other characters affect the flow of the story.

At numerous points you get to choose what to do and what to say. For example, you tracked down an informant – do you take them with you an interrogate them or throw them off a roof?

In your role as Bell, you are even given the option of including your name, skin colour and other traits that not only personalise the experience but also affect the flow of the game as well.

Parents, be warned – there are some graphic scenes and action so it’s not for the young ones.

The game takes you to a number of exotic locations on its numerous missions which all look amazing on The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X next generation consoles. We completed the campaign on the PlayStation 5.

Fans of the Call of Duty Black Ops instalments will also recognise the return of two characters from the original – Woods and Mason – who partner up with you to help you achieve your objectives.

There is real pace and urgency to the storyline provided by the ticking clock in the shape of a rogue operative and a nuclear device out in the wild.

Your character Bell is instrumental in the missions and has to not only use his cunning and experience in the missions at hand but also delve into his past to find the answers.

This call back takes us back to the Vietnam War where we try to piece together information that could help in the current early 80s crisis.

Gameplay is fluid and there’s a real flow of where you need to be and the mission at hand.

There are numerous interactions you have whether it’s collecting evidence, staying in the shadows on the streets of Berlin, ziplining down a snow-covered mountain while firing your weapon, piloting a gunship through battlefields, fighting your way through a simulated American town in Eastern Europe or battling through the jungles of Vietnam.

The campaign was a decent length without dragging on but for a great number of players it’s the multiplayer action they’re after.

In the multiplayer Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

It actually goes back to basics with its popular online mode to give players a satisfying and engaging experience without being overwhelmed by too many weapon choices and other upgrades.

The maps in the multiplayer are also interesting and different.

The environments take players from the desert to the snow and to the jungle and even out to sea.

And they also lend themselves to various tactics whether you prefer to run and gun or sit back and pick off the enemy through a sniper scope.

Zombie mode in Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War is back and once again you have to deal with wave after wave of the undead as you fight to stay alive.

players can choose to play a session where you work your way to an evacuation point after 10 rounds.

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold Wars is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

VERDICT

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War ticks all the boxes for fans of the gigantic franchise with an engaging campaign that brilliantly captures the look, spirit and tensions of a bygone era. And on the multiplayer side, players will be satisfied with the simpler but still compelling format that stays faithful to the core elements that make it so enjoyable.

The post Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War review – engaging campaign and excellent multiplayer appeared first on Tech Guide.

It’s finally here. The PlayStation 5 went on sale this week and is set to propel gaming to an all-new altitude thanks to the incredible improvements under the hood.

The PS5 has one of the most flamboyant designs we’ve ever seen on a product but we’re happy to report the beauty goes far beyond skin deep.

Under the hood the PlayStation 5 has some remarkable specs Including the X86 AMD Ryzen eight-core 16 thread processor, 16GB RAM and the 825GB SSD solid state drive.

The unit itself is a lot bigger than its predecessor, the PlayStation 4, with a unique shape and design.

The PlayStation 5 only just fit into our equipment rack which needed to be adjusted to handle the bulkier size and shape and.

Included with the PS5 is a small stand that is required if the user wants to stand the console in the upright position.

That same stand also needs to be used to stabilise the PS five even when it’s laid on its side to fit inside your entertainment unit.

A closer inspection of the console reveals remarkable attention to detail and a very interesting texture which is made up of millions of circles, crosses, squares and triangles which make up the PlayStation symbols.

These can also be found on the controller as well and helps add even greater grip.

The onboard optical drive can handle 4K UHD discs and is also backwards compatible to play Blu-ray and DVD.

Speaking of backwards compatibility, users can also hold on to their PS4 game library and play them on the PlayStation 5 as well.

In terms of connectivity, the PS5 also supports Wi-Fi 6 – the faster wireless standard that’s used by the latest routers and mesh wi-fi systems.

Another huge change can be seen with the new dual sense controller which is noticeably weightier then the previous PS4 controller.

The stick and button layout are basically the same with the new adaptive triggers able to be utilised in different ways depending on the game you’re playing.

The triggers can be used like normal in a first person shooter but then act in a totally different way in another game where the trigger action can go to another level.

For example, in the Astro’s Playroom game (which is pre-loaded on the PS5) the adaptive trigger allowed us to unlock a turbo boost function once it got past a certain point.

You can expect game developers to unleash their imagination to utilise this feature in future games.

But what really steals the show is the haptic feedback through the controller.

Before, with the PS4 controller, it was basically a one size fits all vibration but now there are several layers and subtleties to give the player more detailed feedback than ever before.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller also has a microphone on board so you can be talking to your friends online without having to wear a headset.

The controller can also be used to control movement thanks to the six-axis motion sensing system on board.

Users will be able to rotate items in the game just by rotating the controller in their hand.

We noticed a huge improvement in battery life with the new DualSense controller which offered up to 12 hours of use on a single charge.

That will be gratefully accepted by those players who don’t want to stop the game to charge their controller.

When you turn on the PlayStation 5 you will notice a redesigned user interface that has been simplified to make navigating the menus even easier.

The menu system is separated into two sections – Games and Media.

Doing this reduces the on-screen clutter and makes it easier for the user to get to the game or the content they want to enjoy.

Naturally, the PlayStation Store is front and centre in the game section as are all the installed titles.

On the media side users are able to instal all the popular streaming services including Netflix, Apple TV and Disney+.

The minute you start playing games on the PlayStation 5 you are hit between the eyes with the incredible improvement in graphics and detail.

The native 4K resolution really takes things to another level and offers compatibility with higher frame rate TVs.

The PlayStation 5 offers a 120Hz refresh rate and, on compatible TVs like LG OLEDs and Samsung QLED TVs and other recently released smart TVs, you’ll be rewarded with even more frames and detail and smoothness.

If you needed any more convincing of investing in a new 4K TV then this will surely be it.

Playing the latest game Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War, we noticed so many new textures and remarkable detail from the sheen of reflection of a character’s skin to the way light falls and plays on an object.

We’ve never seen realism like this before in a game.

There is a decent selection of exclusive PlayStation 5 launch day games with numerous third party titles also on the way.

The PlayStation 5 is priced at $749 and is available now – if you can find one.

We’re hearing there will be more stock arriving in Australia in mid-December so keep an eye on your favourite retailer to secure your unit.

VERDICT

The PlayStation 5 has set a new benchmark with remarkable hardware and power to provide a gaming experience that has never looked or performed better.

The post PlayStation 5 review – games have never looked this good appeared first on Tech Guide.

It’s a monolith. It’s a block, It’s a big rectangle. It’s big. It’s beautiful. It’s ugly. It’s boring. It’s brilliant, Call the Xbox Series X what you want – but what you can’t argue with is that it is seriously powerful and a huge improvement across the board.

The less is more design has already seen a love it or hate it reaction.

For us, we quite like the simplicity and understated look and feel. This isn’t something you wear or carry out in public.

Quite frankly we think a lot of other gamers probably thought the same way. It’s not going to win any beauty contests but it would win an arm wrestle.

But ironically the PlayStation 5 is the complete opposite.

It’s flamboyant and with literal flare and looks like it was designed by Elton John after a big night out. And that’s a good thing But that’s another review altogether.

The Xbox Series  is here and now.

The unit, when on its side, can barely fit inside an entertainment unit. Ours just scraped in – but that was fine.

If you have the room, you can display the Xbox Series X upright – which is what we also did.

And even when the console is on – there is just one light shining out of one corner – the Xbox logo.

The controller was also pretty much the same as the previous Xbox controller just a little thinner.

What we did like were the textured grips to make it grippier during long play sessions.

There’s also an extra button – the share button…

It has a nice weight to it but it still feel quite plasticky.

But there is something else new – the user interface has had a makeover and is a bit easier to navigate.

You can still the see Microsoft and Windows DNA that’s evident with lots of squares and familiar clusters of menus and options but generally it was an improvement.

Creating a passcode was interesting with the buttons on the controller corresponding with different numbers – and it didn’t show the numbers as you chose your six digit code.

We’ll have to rely on muscle memory and make sure we hit the right combination of buttons, bumpers and directional keys.

But what we enjoyed reading were the specs for the Xbox Series X. Now that’s impressive.

1TB SSD (solid state drive) that’s expandable, 8-core CPU, Custom RDNA GPU and 16GB RAM.

There’s also support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision – so it sounds as good as it looks.

What’s also interesting it the fact it can handle 120Hz refresh rates.

The higher the refresh rate the more smooth and life like the images are.

Yes you can play your games in 4K but the added refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz is like the cherry on top – it makes it so much better.

This, of course, depends on the 4K TV you own. If it supports 120Hz, like the latest LG OLEDs and Samsung QLEDS, then you’re going to have an even greater experience.

As luck would have it, we had both of those TVs and we used them for our testing.

Games like Alien Isolation and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla looked incredible with such remarkable details down to the sheen of sweat on a character’s skin or the reflection of light off someone’s eyes.

These minute details are testament to the added detail and the sheer processing power that can put them there.

There are 30 games that have been optimised for Xbox Series X, so far.

These include DIRT 5, Forza Horizon 4, Maneater, Sea of Thieves, Watch Dog: Legions and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

But this is a marathon not a sprint.

The Xbox Series X will be here for years to come.

Microsoft built it – and they will come.

Of course there will also be the marquee games like Call of Duty that will also supports Xbox Series including the very latest title – Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War.

One of the best features of the Xbox Series X – apart from the specs and stunning performance – is the Xbox Game Pass which is like Netflix for games.

As a matter of fact you can also watch Netflix through the Xbox Series X as well as other streaming services so it becomes an all-round entertainment package. And there’s also Apple TV, Disney+ and Stan.

But back to Xbox Game Pass – $15.95 a month for Game Pass Ultimate – gives players access to the latest Xbox games and many old favourites.

If you sign up you don’t have to buy games individually for up to $100 a pop – you can access them through Xbox Game Pass when they drop. Shut up and take my money!

The Xbox Series X is available now for $749.

VERDICT

The Xbox Series X is a huge step in the right direction that will become even more valuable as more developers take advantage of its extraordinary specs. There could have been more games at launch but your patience will be truly rewarded.

The post Xbox Series X review – a huge step forward for gaming appeared first on Tech Guide.

Playing the latest games are so much more enjoyable with great sound and the new HyperX Cloud Singer Core wireless headset can provide just that without disturbing anyone else in your household.

The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless headset + 7.1 offers virtual surround sound when playing PC games with the aid of the HyperX NGENUITY software.

It connects wirelessly to your PC through the included USB receiver and also works with PlayStation 4 and Xbox as well.

The headphones are comfortable to wear with nicely padded earcups and headband so you can wear it for hours.

It’s also pretty light at 244g and the steel sliders make it a perfect fit whether you’ve got a small head or a large noggin like we do.

Controls are pretty simple – there is only a power button and a dial that looks after your volume and your mic volume.

You can’t control the volume and mic volume separately so if you like playing your game loud you might not be able to hear yourself talking.

But just over the mid volume level was the sweet spot to hear the action and the mic.

Speaking of the mike, it’s on an adjustable arm that you can easily position near your mouth.

It also a swivel action which not only gets it out of your way but also mutes the mic as well.

The mic arm is not removable but swivelling it out of the way is good enough here.

You can only enjoy the 7.1 virtual surround sound when connected to a PC but you still get decent surround sound when connected to PS4 or the Xbox.

So whether you’re playing a game or watching a movie – you can experience the virtual surround through the HyperX NGENUITY software (sorry Mac users, it’s PC only).

There was distinct difference with the 7.1 virtual sound which sounded amazing while we were watching Star Wars Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker.

The onboard 40mm drivers are big and bold and naturally deliver explosions and gunfire and other louder sounds superbly but it does also have the nuance to hear a lot of details as well.

This is especially important with a game so you can hear what’s going on around you.

We also connected the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core to our PlayStation 4 to play Call of Duty Modern Warfare multiplayer and, despite not getting the 7.1 quality you’d get with a PC game, it was still detailed enough to provide a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

It was really easy to hear the footsteps of an approaching enemy player and hear the unmistakable sound of gunfire and explosions.

There is no 3.5mm audio cable or a 3.5mm headphone jack for that matter but that’s not a dealbreaker. The headset works great wirelessly

The battery life on a full charge is about 17 hours which is plenty of play time before you need to charge the headset through the USB-C port.

The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless headset + 7.1 is just $169 and really punches above its weight.

VERDICT

Yes there are better – and more expensive – headsets but the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless headset + 7.1 offers impressive quality and value. Great bang for your buck.

The post HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless headset + 7.1 review – great bang for your buck appeared first on Tech Guide.

When it comes to audio Sennheiser has a reputation for providing great quality and that expertise has now entered the gaming space with the GSP 370 wireless headset.

The headset provides a wire free low latency connection to a PC, Mac or Sony PlayStation 4.

For our review we connected the Sennheiser GSP 370 to our PlayStation 4 while we were playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multiplayer.

We connected the headphones to the PS4 with the included USB dongle.

The headphones have a closed acoustic design with integrated digital sound processing to ensure you get an all-enveloping directional experience.

Audio quality was impressive and it gave a great mixture of clarity and bass performance.

The result was a rich sound that made you feel even more immersed in the game.

And if you’re playing on a Windows PC, the Sennheiser GSP 370 can be even further personalised with the Sennheiser Gaming Suite software which offers surround sound modes, an equaliser, ready-to-use presets for different genres of games and microphone options.

But not only does it offer great audio, the GSP 370 also shuts out the outside world with ear cups that passively cut off the outside world.

The onboard microphone includes noise cancellation so background noise is minimised and you can be heard quite clearly even at the height of battle when you need to talk to your teammates.

To mute the microphone, you simply lift up the boom arm up and out of your way.

On the design side, the Sennheiser GSP 370 is built for comfort so you can spend hours wearing them while you’re playing.

The ear cups are made from soft memory foam and there are also soft support on the headband as well.

The headband is actually split so it reduces pressure on your head.

The earphones have a ball joint hinge so it angles the ear cup correctly to your ear so you can get the best fit.

There is a single volume knob on the right ear cup so it’s easy to adjust the volume.

Although there is no separate volume control for chat like there is on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 which is actually $100 cheaper.

But one of the best features of the Sennheiser GSP 370 is the battery life which is an amazing 100 hours – that’s a lot of play before you need to recharge them with the included microUSB cable.

That works out to be four months of game play if you play six hours a week.

The Sennheiser GSP 370 gaming headset is available now and is priced at $349.95.

VERDICT

The Sennheiser GSP 370 gaming headset brings the company’s signature audio quality to the gaming world to immerse players even deeper into their game and with a battery that can last for months.

The post Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless Gaming Headset review – immerse yourself further in the game appeared first on Tech Guide.

If there’s one thing you need when playing a competitive online game it’s focus. You need to keep your eyes open and your ears open. What really helps with the latter is the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset offers DTS 7.1 Surround Sound as well as Active Noise Cancellation.

And these gaming headphones are also wireless and connect to the PS4 (there’s a version for Xbox One as well) via the Bluetooth dongle which plugs into one of the console’s USB port.

For our review we got hold of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset for PS4 which has blue logos and styling on the mainly black headphones.

The Xbox One version has the green logo and styling to match that device.

On the left earcup are all the controls, charging port and the microphone.

The On/Off button and Bluetooth pairing button are large enough to find with one hand and activate while you’re still wearing the headset.

There are also dedicated volume controls – one for the game sounds and for chat. You can even control the volume of your own voice in the headphones.

Each ear cup has a 50mm powerful speaker while the flip-up high sensitivity microphone can pick your voice clearly to ensure you’re heard.

And when you’re just listening, the microphone can flip up and actually blend onto the Turtle Beach headphone’s design.

Speaking of design, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset look a little bulkier than regular  Bluetooth headphones made to listen to music.

There are comfortable ear pads which offer the same comfort in hour one of gaming to hour five and beyond.

Now the latest games – we reviewed the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset while playing the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – have a rich and detailed soundtrack.

It’s not just movies that get the great music and surround sound and sound effects.

The latest games offer a beautiful cacophony of sound that’s as good as any movie.

Now when you’re playing online competitively being able to hear your surroundings is the difference between life and death.

With the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset you get 7.1 channel surround sound and 3D Audio so you can hear everything going on around you.

And because the channel separation is so good even while wearing headphones you can hear where the sounds are coming from.

Footsteps coming up behind you is usually the enemy so now you can easily hear them and not be caught by surprise.

The sound quality is also amazing and that quality really punctuates the game with immersive audio across a range of frequencies and with awesome bass for all those explosions as well.

There is also a companion app that works with the headphones and from here you can set various modes and equaliser presets like Bass Boost, Signature Sound, Treble Boos and Vocal Boost.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset also have active noise cancellation so all the sound around you is sucked out the room so you can focus on your game.

The ANC is so good – there was more than one occasion where I couldn’t hear my wife calling me. That’s how good they are.

Another exclusive feature for Turtle Beach is Superhuman Hearing – a feature that can give you the competitive advantage when making split-second in-game life-altering decisions.

And you’re not just stuck with using the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset for just gaming.

The headphones can be used with smartphones, tablets and computers as well.

Battery life on a single charge with the onboard 1,000mAh lithium polymer battery will be up to 10 hours – that’s plenty of time to play a few games.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset

Price: $249

VERDICT

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset is an essential tool for serious gamers who want to have the edge on their opponents.

The post Turtle Beach Stealth 700 gaming headset review – gives you the competitive edge appeared first on Tech Guide.

It’s one of the biggest game franchises of all time – and it’s back. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a rebooting of the original 2007 game that sent the first person shooter into the stratosphere.

It might have the same name as the 2007 blockbuster but the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare takes the brand to a whole new level.

There are some familiar elements and characters that return but all in all – it is a brand-new campaign.

And the extremely popular multiplayer modes that set Call of Duty above the rest also delivers quite a punch.

If you have a 4K HDR TV and a decent surround sound system, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare looks and sounds like a blockbuster movie that you’re a part of.

The character realism, especially in all the linking scenes between battles, is absolutely extraordinary.

And, unlike recent Call of Duty games, there is no gimmickry and special powers and exoskeletons that turn soldiers into superheroes.

This is real and accurate and with no gimmicks.

It’s all about gameplay, story and characters.

Last year’s Call of Duty didn’t even have a campaign – it was a series of short missions that was supposed to make sense after being completed.

We’re happy that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare decided to bring the campaign back.

CAMPAIGN

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is set in the present day with a contemporary story involving terrorist attacks and stolen chemical weapons.

The story opens with a man wearing a suicide vest stepping out of a van in the middle of Piccadilly Circus in London.

In the next scene, we’re in the fictional country of Urzikstan as part of an elite squad trying to recapture a stolen shipment of poisonous gas from the Russian military.

Players switch between the roles of Alex, an American undercover military operative, and British soldier Kyle Garrick who is a member Captain Price’s team – that’s the same Price from the original Modern Warfare.

But that’s the only similarity.

The new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a heart-pounding ride that puts you in the middle of the action.

The game looks and sounds amazing.

The campaign, which runs for up to 8 hours, puts players into some frighteningly realistic situations and visceral encounters.

Players go from battling terrorists in the middle of London to avoiding detection by Russian soldiers in Urzikstan and fighting their way out of an overrun US embassy.

There is also a remarkable section of the game where you are free to navigate the mission between different buildings in any order.

But the catch is, you’re in total darkness wearing night vision goggles and have to complete your objective by stealth using your instincts and instructions by radio from Captain Price who is in an overwatch position.

At the heart of the story are brother and sister freedom fighters Farah and Hadir who want to see their home country of Urzikstan free of Russian tyranny.

They have the biggest journey in the story which includes some remarkable flashbacks that give players a harrowing glimpse of how they became part of this résistance force.

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a first person shooter, there are also some creative sections where you don’t actually have a gun in your hand.

One particularly inventive section sees you guiding an embassy worker to safety on the phone while switching between various security cameras.

Another shows players seeing Farah perspective as she is rescued from beneath a pile of rubble following an explosion.

The scene ends with her trying to hide in her home from a Russian soldier after he killed her father.

Players also have to defuse a bomb in exactly the right sequence.

But you also get your hands on plenty of weapons including armoured RC drones which are used to bring down enemy helicopters, long-range and devastatingly powerful sniper rifles and lasers which allow you to paint a target to call in a rocket attack.

It is this variety that keeps the game entertaining and fast paced until the very end.

Let’s just say, and this isn’t giving away any of the story, we can expect a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in our future.

A word of warning for parents, this is a game for adults only with a lot of content that would be disturbing to a young player in terms of violence and context.

It is for that very reason that the game has an R18+ rating.

MULTIPLAYER

The multiplayer mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is arguably the most popular aspect of the franchise.

And the great news is this latest instalment not only maintains the standard but takes it to the next level.

This would be without a doubt the best online shooter you can play.

The maps are varied and detailed to suit players whether they prefer long-range weapons or run and gun style.

There are some large maps which offer players room to move and areas that may put you in the sights of a sniper and some more intimate maps with a lot of tight corners and passages for closer combat.

There are your usual flavours including Team Deathmatch and Domination.

One thing we liked was respawning and seeing from above what section of the map you are about to land in.

This took the mystery out of working out where you are and where the enemy is located.

There now a new 2×2 multiplayer mode called Gunfight which pits duos against one another in short sharp 40 second bursts with the first team to score six points declared the weather.

It is designed for those players who want a quick hit of online play without the longer commitment of the full-blown multiplayer mode.

VERDICT

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a masterpiece in terms of design, gameplay, story and execution. The campaign is an absolute thrill ride and the multiplayer mode is also better than ever. If you’re a fan of this franchise, or are new to first person shooters, this is the game for you.

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare review – a heart-pounding thrill ride appeared first on Tech Guide.

When Disneyland opened Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge less than three months ago there was a lot of fanfare – a lot of pressure for the $1.4 billion investment to be a success. We decided to check it out for ourselves.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is located in the north-eastern corner of Disneyland and takes up 56,000 square metres of space and took five years to bring to life.

After Disney purchased Lucasfilm and set an ambitious schedule of new films, incorporating Star Wars into an even larger presence at Disneyland was just a matter of time.

So has Disney’s gamble paid off?

Just this week there were reports Disney’s attendance was down three per cent and the expected high crowds at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge hadn’t materialised.

What we can tell you for ourselves that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is an amazing achievement and a remarkable section of the Star Wars universe that has been brought to life.

Crowd levels were solid – as much as other areas of the park – and you could still easily find your way around.

Here’s our review of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

We are massive Star Wars fans and, like a lot of other people around the world, any mention of the franchise will get our attention.

But not everyone is as fanatical as us.

The minute Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened we made plans to get here as soon as we could.

The opportunity wad this week and we weren’t disappointed.

Just seeing the life-size version of the Millennium Falcon almost brought a tear to our eyes.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is meant to be the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Baatu where the evil First Order has an obvious presence but the Resistance is building.

Unlike the other lands at Disneyland, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is designed to be more than just rides and the opportunity to get a photo with a stormtrooper.

The vision for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge was far greater. It was meant to allow visitors to create their own story and adventure.

The cast members (what Disneyland calls their employees) are all in on their roles and they all stay in character.

As I was lining up for the Smuggler’s Run ride aboard the Millennium Falcon, I asked one of the staff members how long they had been working at Disneyland.

She replied she has been living on Baatu her entire life.

Even store workers talk about wishing to visit my planet when they hear I’m from Australia.

And they don’t talk about things costing dollars and cents. If an item is $7.99 – they say it is 8.64 credits (including tax) – but they do accept cash and all major credit cards.

I bought a hat in one of the stores and the man on the counter offered me the receipt “just in case you get stopped by the troopers”.

I thought this was a great touch and helped you get immersed in this amazing world.

The place itself is remarkable with so much attention to detail that will have Star Wars fans spotting various objects and creatures and masks and ships.

Even if you’re not a diehard fan, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge would still be appealing because it lets you step into the world.

Now if you expect to see Darth Vader, the old school storm troopers and Luke Skywalker you’re going to be disappointed.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is set very much in the sequel trilogy timeline after Episode VII The  Force Awakens and Episode VIII The Last Jedi.

This will appeal to the kids and your family who were growing up with these new chapters.

But for everyone else, from a tragic fan like myself to those even with mild interest in Star Wars will really enjoy Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

You’ll see Chewbacca and Rey and the First Order stormtroopers and, if you’re lucky, Kylo Ren will make an appearance.

And they all stay in character asking if you’re a Resistance sympathiser or if you’d like to join the First Order.

They don’t just stand there like Mickey Mouse and pose for pictures all the time.

Sometimes they do, it just depends on their mood and what’s happening around them.

We went to enquire about the lightsabre building at Savi’s workshop and when the woman behind the counter spotted the First Order storm troopers she quickly removed the lightsaber information from the counter until they left the area.

Even though there is only one ride open – Smuggler’s Run (another ride, Rise of the Resistance is opening in January) – there is still a lot to do at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

You can’t see the outside world from Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – you can’t even see the other parts of Disneyland.

There are experiences, encounters and a very clever treasure hunt app to enjoy.

And of course plenty of places to eat and buy merchandise.

SMUGGLER’S RUN

This is the only ride open in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at the moment and is a fun experience that will literally get you into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and take the controls.

All of my childhood fantasies of flying the Millennium Falcon were fulfilled on this ride.

When you arrive to come aboard you’re assigned one of six  positions in the cockpit – with two pilots, two engineers and two gunners.

Each has their role to play and has to press buttons and pull levers and actually pilot the ship to complete the mission.

I was lucky enough to get the pilot role in the right-hand seat normally occupied by Chewbacca and my job was to control the ship going up and down. The left pilot’s job was to control left right.

These controls worked to a degree to make you feel like you were contributing, but the ride is pretty much on rails and holding the control just adds to the enjoyment.

The highlight for me was pulling the lever to send the Falcon into lightspeed. In that moment I was a child again and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

The good thing about the ride is the attention to detail in the recreation of the interior of not only the cockpit but also the other areas of the ship which we have seen in the films including the circular holochess table and the padded circular passageways.

 

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Take us to lightspeed!! Jumping into hyperspace aboard the Millenium Falcon at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at @Disneyland. #starwars #starwarsgalaxysedge #disneyland

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If the goal is to make you feel like you are actually on the Millennium Falcon – the ride creators have succeeded admirably.

BUILD A LIGHTSABER AND A DROID

Visitors have the opportunity to build their own lightsaber and create their own astro-mech droid.

We opted to build our own lightsaber but a lot of the younger visitors will no doubt prefer the Droid Depot which will allow them to construct their own controllable BB Series or R Series drawings and personalise them with various colours, domes, connection plates, bodies and motivators.

Each droid is priced at $US99.99 plus tax and comes with a carry box and instructions.

To build your own lightsabre, you need to make a booking through the app and, when it’s time for your session, you head to Savi’s Workshop.

This experience is priced at $US199.99 plus tax which brings it to $US215.

Users get to choose from one of four themes for their lightsaber – Peace and Justice, Power and Control, Elemental Nature and Protection and Defence.

We opted for Power and Control.

The experience begins when you are taken into the workshop by the Gatherers and given one of 12 stations inside.

The Gatherers talk to you about the mythology of the lightsaber and explain how it is powered by the various coloured Kyber crystals and take you through the colours the great Jedi and Sith have chosen before you.

You’re asked then to close your eyes and see which colour calls to you before you make your choice. The colour you choose will determined the colour of your blade when it is ignited.

We went for the green Kyber crystal and then a tray of parts was placed in front of us.

You start by inserting the crystal and then choose the activator, grips, emitter and pommel you prefer.

They are all metal pieces and are quite sturdy and we were impressed by the quality.

When you’re done, you’ve got quite a solid and heavy lightsaber handle in your hands.

After placing your completed lightsaber in front of you, the Gatherers come around and inspect each one before inserting it into a small portal below the desktop to attach your blade.

You are then asked to step forward to activate your lightsaber and it fires up and reveals the colour of the blade through the small window on the benchtop.

 

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Building my own lightsaber and Savi’s Workshop at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at @disneyland #starwars #disneyland #starwarsgalaxysedge

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The panel slides open and you can see your completed lightsaber for the first time.

What you’re left with is a high-quality lightsaber that you designed.

The Gatherers provide a padded carry sleeve and then ask you to go make your mark in the universe.

We were keen to buy additional crystals for the lightsaber to be able to change the blade’s colour.

Remarkably, changing the crystal not only changes the colour of the blade but also the sound of the ignition and idle and motion sounds of the lightsabre.

So naturally we wanted more.

When we went to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities to purchase the other crystals we were told we needed to buy a $US49.95 Jedi or Sith Holocron before we could buy another $US12.83 Kyber crystal – a total purchase now more than $US60

I knew that you were able to buy these individually when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened but this is no longer the case.

I was given several reasons why you could not but then I found out the truth.

Customers have been buying every crystal available and then listing them on eBay at vastly inflated prices.

So what does Disneyland do? They forced customers to buy a $US50 item to buy a single crystal thinking this will deter opportunistic customers.

What it has done is made these other crystals people are selling on eBay even more valuable.

An item is valuable because it is rare but giving customers the opportunity to buy as many as they want would make these eBay listings even less important and bring the value back down to normal.

APP TREASURE HUNT

The Disneyland app is excellent – it helps visitors navigate the park, check out the wait times on rides and make FastPass reservations.

But within the app are also games you can play while waiting in line for your ride.

At Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars: Datapad lets you explore the area even further.

It’s like a virtual treasure hunt which uses Bluetooth and location-based services.

Users build a profile and earn points by hacking control panels, droids, ships and even the Millennium Falcon itself.

The hackable objects show up within the app when you are close by and you are given 45 seconds to solve the puzzle to complete the hack.

When successful there are various reactions from watching the buttons light up and make sounds to louder beeps and chirps and even making the Millennium Falcons lights turn on.

The Datapad also includes a scanner and users will notice numerous crates scattered around Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge which have QR codes on them.

Users scanned these codes and solve a puzzle to find out what’s inside and to include in their stash.

Players can even tune antennas to earn points and build up their profile and their credits to earn rewards.

There were many people who didn’t realise this was a possibility but we found it was a nice touch and made us want to explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge even more.

FOOD AND DRINK

And of course, you can’t be roaming the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on an empty stomach and there are numerous places for you to eat.

At Docking Bay 7 you can choose exotically named meals of chicken, ribs or salads an order them through the Disneyland app.

We placed a mobile order and skipped the line at Docking Bay 7 and we had our food within 10 minutes.

On one day we had the Smoked Kaadu Ribs and the next have the Fried Endorian Tip-yip (crispy chicken) and both were excellent.

There are numerous other food stations including Oga’s Cantina where you can sample exotic concoctions for young and old – but here you need to make a reservation up to two weeks in advance.

You can also try the blue and green milk made famous in the Star Wars films and other frozen treats at the Milk Stand.

We gave the blue milk a try and it tasted like an icy fruit smoothie.

They also sell spherical Coke and Diet Coke bottles which are only available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and make great souvenirs.

VERDICT

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is amazing and is only going to get better as more rides are added and the experience is fine-tuned.

Whether you are an avid fan like us, have children who like Star Wars or are curious to experience life on another planet it is most definitely worth a visit.

The recent headlines of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge being a failure couldn’t be further from the truth.

The post Here’s our review of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland – an amazing experience appeared first on Tech Guide.

For those who want to enjoy some amazing gaming nostalgia, take a look at the PlayStation Classic – an excellent – and miniaturised – reimagining of the original Sony console.

When you unpack the PlayStation Classic console from the box, you will be struck by just how cute it is – it’s actually 45 per cent smaller than the original.

But it looks exactly the same and memories will come flooding back the second you get it in your hands.

It has stayed true to the original down to the last detail.

PlayStation Classic also comes with two wired controllers – these are not miniature, they are thankfully the same size as what we remembered back in 1994.

But with that cable it means, just like the old days, that you have to sit pretty close to your TV.

The console is connected to your television using an included HDMI cable and it is powered with the included microUSB cable.

But you have to find your own USB charger to plug in the wall – the one that charges your phone or

your tablet should be okay.

Each controller connects to the front of the mini console with their respective USB cable.

When you fire it up, it’s like someone switched on a time machine.

Seeing that intro screen with the old PlayStation logo gave us a warm feeling inside.

What makes this deal even better is the fact there are 20 of the best games from that era included with the console.

Here’s the full list of games:

– Battle Arena Toshinden

– Cool Boarders 2

– Destruction Derby

– Final Fantasy VII

– Grand Theft Auto

– Intelligent Qube

– Jumping Flash

– Metal Gear Solid

– Mr Driller

– Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

– Rayman

– Resident Evil Director’s Cut

– Revelations: Persona

– Ridge Racer Type 4

– Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo

– Syphon Filter

– Tekken 3

– Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6

– Twisted Metal

– Wild Arms

Now these don’t hold a candle to the games you can play on today’s consoles but they sure as hell give us a sense of where we’ve come from and what we considered at the time was the cutting edge of gaming.

Yes, they’re pretty clunky but there’s no denying the nostalgia factor and sheer sense of old school fun that they can provide.

Back in 1994 we had squared TVs and that’s exactly what you get with these games – they only fill the middle section of your TV.

But again, that’s what makes them feel authentic because that’s how we played it back then.

Our favourites were Resident Evil: Directors Cut, Twisted Metal, Rayman and Metal Gear Solid.

Another great feature is the virtual memory cards which allow you to save your progress in the games.

And having two controllers means twice the fun so you can take on your friends and family and enjoy it all together.

PlayStation Classic is available now and is priced at $149.99.

VERDICT

We’ve seen a lot of these retro consoles being reintroduced but we think the PlayStation Classic is the best of the bunch.

The post PlayStation Classic review – mini gaming console will take you down memory lane appeared first on Tech Guide.

Call of Duty Black Ops 4 is the latest version of the blockbuster franchise but this year it’s not your typical release but it still manages to deliver exactly what the fans want.

COD has been around for many years and has been shared among a small group of developers including Treyarch who has returned for this instalment.

But this time out there is no single player campaign. Yes, you heard that that right, no campaign.

While the campaign has been a staple of the franchise and attracted some big names and big voices – two-time academy award winner Kevin Spacey starred a couple of years ago (not sure how that would have been received today)  – the most popular part of the game has always been the multiplayer aspect.

There is no on-rails story as such in Black Ops 4, you can get to pick up fragments of a story when you step in and play each of the various characters.

Some players might be searching the menus for the campaign so don’t worry you’re not going mad.

Usually the campaign has links to the multiplayer maps and that is the case with these episodic character missions.

But if you mainly play COD for the multiplayer mode, you’re not going to be disappointed.

There are the usual multiplayer modes like Team Deathmatch and Domination along with an improved Zombies which has three campaigns within it.

But the real star of the show is Blackout – a last man standing mode that might remind people of Fortnite’s Battle Royale.

While Fortnite wasn’t the first Battle Royale format, it most certainly popularised it and made it mainstream.

COD Black Ops 4 has created an excellent Battle Royale last man standing game.

It even starts with players gliding in to the largest COD multiplayer map ever created.

And then the hunt is on to find weapons and the tactical approach begins.

You can also choose to be part of a four-man squad in this humungous map.

But no matter what you choose, it still feels unmistakably like you’re still playing Call of Duty.

The previous Black Ops III was roundly criticised by COD megafans for being too over the top with soldier boosts and equipment that gave them super human powers.

Thankfully on Black Ops 4 that’s been pared back so you need to rely on your skills and weapon selection to succeed.

Speaking of weapons, the selection on Black Ops 4 are amazing. The arsenal suits various types of players from run and gunners to more tactical players and snipers.

The weapons are super high tech and gameplay offers the same feel as was made famous in previous iterations of the game.

This means that anyone who has ever enjoyed a previous version of COD will be able to pick up a controller and dive headlong into the game.

The maps are also compelling with lots of tight corners and bottlenecks to test the best players.

And for snipers there are also some long and wide open spaces for you to keep a close eye on.

We particularly liked the new inclusions of razor wire and shield which means you can set traps for your opponents like a spider waiting for an insect to stumble into their web.

VERDICT

Call of Duty Black Ops 4 might not have a dedicated campaign but it does retain all of its DNA to make this an unmistakable trademark experience for fans of this hugely popular franchise.

The post Call of Duty Black Ops 4 review – delivers for fans with one major change appeared first on Tech Guide.

Anyone’s who’s into online gaming – whether it’s Fortnite or Call of Duty – will identify the value of a good headset and the HyperX Cloud headset has got everything you need to keep you immersed in the game.

The HyperX Cloud headset ticks all the boxes when it comes to audio quality, durability and comfort.

It has a sturdy aluminium frame along with padded memory foam cushions which are comfortable even for the longest gaming sessions.

The headset even has a two year warranty.

The HyperX Cloud headset allows users to enjoy their games without disturbing their household and to also communicate with your fellow online players.

Also at your fingertips are convenient in-line controls so you can mute your microphone or adjust the audio.

The noise cancelling microphone is also detachable for those times when you just want to enjoy a game on your own or just use it to listen to music.

For our review, we tested out the PS4 version of the HyperX Cloud headset which had the distinct blue aluminium frame and blue stitching on the headband as well as the distinctive PlayStation symbol above each year cup.

The headset was comfortable to wear thanks to an easy adjustment and the padding on both the ear cups and on the headband.

They only weigh 337g with the microphone and 325g without.

We connected the cord to our PS4 controller to be able to hear the in-game audio and also to hear and speak to our online teammates.

Under the hood are 53mm drivers with neodymium magnets which deliver impressive sound quality with clear crisp audio and enhanced bass.

It also sounded great when we were listening to our music.

And with the pro-gaming optimised closed cup design you also get passive noise cancellation as well.

The HyperX Cloud headset also has versions for PC, Xbox One, Xbox One S and Mac.

They are available now and priced at hundred $129.

They are affordably priced it would have been nice to have a case or carry bag to store them in between gaming sessions.

We’re sure customers would have been willing to pay a few extra dollars to have that included in the box.

HyperX Cloud

Price: $129

VERDICT

The HyperX Cloud headset really punches above its weight in terms of audio quality, comfort and durability and makes an ideal companion if you love playing games.

The post HyperX Cloud headset review – audio quality and comfort to play for hours appeared first on Tech Guide.

There are already a number of streaming devices on the market but the NVIDIA Shield offers a few extras you won’t find on other products specially if you’re as much into gaming as streaming the latest TV shows and movie.

Running the Android operating system, NVIDIA Shield offers everything you’d expect including Netflix and Stan streaming services.

The unit is surprisingly small – slightly larger than a smartphone and comes with a small controller and (if you pay a little more) an impressive gaming controller.

But NVIDIA’s DNA is also evident here so you can also play Android games in comparable quality to a regular (and far more expensive) gaming console.

Better still if you are a die-hard PC gamer, it’s also possible to stream your PC gaming experience to the NVIDIA Shield which is connected to the best screen in the house – your 4K Ultra High Definition TV.

It’s a great alternative for those gamers who don’t have a 4K monitor attached to their dedicated gaming PC.

To stream your game wireless from your PC must have a Pascal architecture or later GeForce GTX 10 series GPU.

And the latency is amazing – we saw a live demo of this feature and the lag was virtually non-existent.

Our only  gripe was the sensitivity of the gaming controller which we had to adjust in the settings of each game.

We couldn’t find the universal settings for the controller within the NVIDIA Shield’s main settings.

The forums suggested disconnecting and reconnecting the controller but this didn’t solve the problem.

The interface is well organised and really easy to navigate.

As a streaming device, the NVIDIA Shield has excellent credentials and can stream 4K HDR content through your favourite services including Netflix, Stan, Amazon Video and YouTube.

Of course, you also have access to Google Play Movies and TV.

And, thanks to the Android operating system, users also have the ability to utilise the built-in Chromecast capabilities to cast up to 4K content from their mobile device and apps like Foxtel Now, for example, which can’t be installed on the NVIDIA Shield.

As an added bonus, if you are existing within the Android ecosystem, users can also access their photos and calendar.

Naturally, the device also offers voice search and control whether you want to find information, search for content, get directions and travel times or order an Uber or a pizza.

The NVIDIA Shield can also act as a smart home hub thanks to support for Zigbee and Z-Wave devices.

Other smart home devices connected to your Wi-Fi can also be controlled including smart lights and security cameras.

If you have any Nest products set up at home, you can install the nest app and view live video feed from your cameras.

The NVIDIA Shield is priced at $249.95 for the regular version and $329.95 for the gaming edition with the gaming controller.

VERDICT

The NVIDIA Shield has numerous strengths and has enough features to suit all types of customers. If you’re looking for a streaming device that will also allow you to stretch your legs in the gaming world then the NVIDIA Shield is the device for you.

The post NVIDIA Shield review – an impressive streaming device for 4K content and games appeared first on Tech Guide.

D-Link’s new modem router – the AC5300 MU-MIMO Cobra – is the fastest it has ever produced and it’s designed to deliver fast Wi-Fi speeds especially for NBN customers.

The Cobra DSL-5300 has a built-in VDSL2 and ADSL2+ modem along with a dedicated Gigabit WAN (wide area network) port and four Gigabit LAN (local area network) ports.

The product has an aggressive design with eight high gain antennas that contribute to the stronger wi-fi coverage and performance.

This new device builds on D-Link’s heritage from the award-winning Taipan modem router and brings with it the latest generation of MU-MIMO multi user – multiple input multiple output) Wave 2 wireless support.

This helps ramp up to speed to an impressive 5.3Gbps combined across the three on-board Wi-Fi bands.

It’s perfectly suited for users connected to the NBN thanks to its built-in VDSL2 capabilities.

And on the wi-fi side, the Cobra also has it where it counts with PowerZone coverage so it has enough reach to cover your entire home.

Under the hood is a 1.8Ghz quad-core processor and the latest MU-MIMO Wave 2 Tri-Band wi-fi which means you can handle multiple people in your home streaming 4K video, lag-free online gaming and high-quality audio streaming throughout the home simultaneously.

With D-Link’s SmartConnect technology, the Cobra modem router automatically assigns your device to the best and clearest band available at that time.

Intelligent Traffic uses a QoS (quality of service) engine to select the fastest Wi-Fi for every device in your home. This prevents older devices from affecting the overall performance of the network.

Advanced SmartBeam Forming also improves coverage by directing the bandwidth to your devices as you move around in your home which means you can still stream video, surf the web and play your online games from anywhere in the house without a noticeable loss in performance.

From Cobra’s browser-based dashboard, users can also enable parental controls, block devices from connecting to the network as well as monitor Internet activity.

Is also possible to create a guest wi-fi network for visitors without giving away your main network password.

On the rear panel uses will also find USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.  The USB 3.0 port can be used to connect a media drive so you can share the contents on the network while the USB 2.0 port makes it possible to network a printer.

And it’s also easy to install thanks to D-Link’s excellent installation wizard which steps you through the set up in minutes.

During this process, you can also change the network name and password.

But all of these features don’t come cheap – the D-Link Cobra modem router is priced at $749 but with the demand for robust connectivity, a reliable wi-fi network and the growing number of devices, customers should be willing to pay for that dependability.

One thing we didn’t like was the large power brick needed to plug in the product. It means you need to find room for it as well as the modem router itself which has a decent footprint (it’s 40cm at its widest point).

We would also have liked to see more Ethernet ports. Rival models have six ports – two more than the Cobra.

If you have a lot of smart devices in your home like speakers, lights, appliances and security cameras, a product like the Cobra can handle all these connections with ease.

You also have peace of mind of knowing the product is future proof. If you are yet to connect to the NBN, the Cobra is compatible when you are finally connected.

VERDICT

D-Link has delivered a blazing fast modem router with the new Cobra DSL-5300 – it can easily keep up with the connectivity needs of the modern home today and also well into the future.

The post D-Link Cobra modem router review – blazing speed and coverage for modern users appeared first on Tech Guide.

There’s isn’t a true Star Wars fan around who hasn’t once imagined wielding a lightsabre and using the Force. Thanks to the new Lenovo Jedi Challenges – it has turned that imagination to reality – augmented reality to be precise.

Jedi Challenges literally puts a lightsabre in your hands and pits you against Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, Darth Vader and others.

And not only that you can play Holochess – on the same board we first saw aboard the Millennium Falcon in the original 1977 Star Wars film – you can also direct troops in massive ground battles.

And it all comes through the Lenovo Mirage AR headset which places your opponents in your surroundings.

It’s powered through the Jedi Challenges app which runs on your smartphone which is inserted into the headset using a special tray that can accommodate most late model handsets.

We also understand that the Jedi Challenges app will be updated when the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi is released in cinemas.

One of the additions to the game will be an all-new opponent from the film. Can’t wait for that!

For our review, we used the iPhone 8 Plus but the system only uses a section of the phone’s display so you’re getting a consistent experience regardless of the size and brand of your smartphone.

But the other impressive part of Jedi Challenges is the exquisite replica lightsaber. It looks just like the one given to Luke Skywalker in Episode IV lightsaber which is actually Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber in Episode III.

It is impressively detailed and accurate and, speaking as Star Wars collector, it’s as good as the many replicas I’ve seen and bought over the years that cost more than the Jedi Challenges $399 pricetag.

So that’s a big tick from me right there – and I haven’t even turned it on yet.

It’s pretty easy to get set – pair the lightsaber, calibrate the lightsaber (you have to draw a figure eight in the air) and you’re good to go.

With the app running on your phone, the headset reflects the image into your eyeline so you can see your surroundings as well as the menu system, your opponents and the playing area in front of you.

A small battery-powered tracking beacon is placed on the floor in front of you. It’s best to give yourself some room – a couple of metres in all directions.

When it’s go time – you get to activate the lightsaber and it’s a thrill to not only hear the amazing ignition sound but also see the blade light up on the lightsaber hilt you’re holding.

You can choose to play holochess or take part in the ground battle but we just wanted to swing that lightsaber.

And being called Jedi Challenges, the object of the game is to not only build up your lightsaber skills but also develop your Jedi powers.

Before you take on your main opponent, you get to practice against Imperial droids and Stormtroopers and learn how to deflect a laser fire and slash them with your lightsaber if they get too close.

Jedi Challenges offers guidance on where your lightsaber needs to be to deflect the blows and these gradually get faster and more complicated as the action intensifies.

Players build up points as they strike their opponent to drain their energy and claim victory.

The menu system is like looking at a star map with different planets offering different opponents and levels as your skills improve.

Before fighting a new opponent, you are given a short training session to learn new methods of combat and defence.

As you move through the levels you learn to dodge and duck to avoid injury while looking for the openings where you can unleash your own attack with your lightsaber.

When you progress to take on Darth Vader, you will need to harness all the skills you’ve learned to beat him.

You have to dodge left and right and duck to avoid his attacks as well as plan your own.

Don’t for a minute think just swinging wildly will get you through, it’s a lot more precise than you think.

And if you think it sounds physical, you’re absolutely right.

Playing Jedi Challenges certainly got our heart rate up and raised a sweat so you’re exercising as much as having fun.

When playing holochess or the ground battles it’s not as physical as a lightsaber dual but still very entertaining.

You can see the images in front of you and watch the battle unfold and direct your troops on the floor of your room.

The quality of the image coming through the app on the smart phone inside headset is surprisingly good.

Although there are some moments when there is reflection and you see images in the corner of your eye but this doesn’t detract from the game at all.

One suggestion we had was expanding the challenges.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could choose to be a Jedi or a Sith at the start of the game and fight different opponents according to that choice?

Maybe you could even buy a replica Darth Vader lightsaber if you choose the Sith path – that opens up a sale to fans of the game and collectors.

If you choose Sith, you’d be able to take on Luke Skywalker, Obi-wan Kenobi, Qui-gon Gin, Rey and even Yoda in your battles.

We suppose Lucasfilm might not like the idea of seeing these heroes defeated in the game.

VERDICT

Jedi Challenges provides an entertaining and memorable experience for any Star Wars fan.

The Force is definitely strong with this one.

The post Jedi Challenges review – live the Star Wars fantasy of wielding a lightsaber appeared first on Tech Guide.

Call of Duty WWII is the latest instalment of the blockbuster franchise and it has gone back to its roots with a stunning game set in the European theatre of the Second World War.

The game’s storyline follows the progress of the allies from the unforgettable storming of the beach in Normandy and doing battle all the way to Paris and into Germany.

COD: WWII is a welcome return for players with the game going back to where it all started.

And Sledgehammer Games and Raven, the title’s publishers, have captured perfectly the gritty, boots on the ground battles with so much realism and emotion that you feel like you’ve gone back in time.

The Call of Duty franchise has become a monster hit but in recent years it has rolled out futuristic settings and stories that are filled with high tech weaponry and machinery.

With COD: WWII, all that gimmickry is gone and has been replaced by historically accurate locations and battles along with memorable characters.

The game’s creators even connected with World War II veterans to ensure they captured the same spirit and comradery from the front lines.

And they nailed it.

The characters are interesting and memorable and that’s helped by the fact the realism is greater than ever before.

You’d swear you’re watching a movie when you see the scenes unfold. We had to remind ourselves this was actually a game.

The game’s cast and voice actors are also impressive including Josh Duhamel as Sergeant William Pierson.

COD: WWII follows the story of Ronald “Red” Daniels –  a member of the US 1st Infantry Division who also teams up with members of the British forces and the French Resistance.

The weaponry and locations are super accurate right from the opening frames where the soldiers pour onto the beach at Normandy under heavy fire.

It reminded us of Saving Private Ryan and gives the audience the same intense and realistic view of what took place on those bloodied shores.

Except we weren’t just watching the action, we were a part of it and it made it even more heart-pounding and life-like.

It’s a battle with historically accurate weapons so the enemy doesn’t have an unfair advantage. It’s all about courage and resilience, not technology.

Some players, who entered the Call of Duty universe in recent years, may find this a little frustrating without whiz-bang weapons and exo-skeletons that give them superhuman strength and allow them to leap over obstacles.

But COD purists will welcome the return to the historical setting – this is the real DNA of the franchise can be found.

The campaign follows a historically accurate path that is easy to follow without the twists, and turns and betrayals of the more recent versions.

Yet there are still plenty of surprises for players who take up arms on the ground, in jeeps and in tanks.

At one point, you even take control of an anti-aircraft gun trying to shoot down marauding German fighter planes.

One of the most popular features of any Call of Duty game is multiplayer and this time out there are even more ways to play online.

The new War Mode allows players to join the Allies or Axis forces and battle it out in team driven objective missions.

Players can also choose different paths for their multiplayer careers with Divisions.

Now you can choose to fight for either the Airborne Division, Mountain Division, Infantry Division, Armoured Division and the Expeditionary Division.

Each offers a different look, feel and characteristics to the games and this added choice means you will never tire of multiplayer.

With Headquarters, there is now also a social aspect of the game where players can connect with fans and friends.

And, yes, the zombies are also back as you battle the chilling and powerful Nazi Zombies.

VERDICT

Call of Duty: WWII is an excellent game and it returns to where it all began with an action-packed campaign and thrilling multiplayer with all the realism and none of the recent gimmickry.  If you’re a true COD fan, you’re going to love this game.

The post Call of Duty: WWII game review – unforgettable action and realism appeared first on Tech Guide.