21 Sep
Blog

Kena: Bridge of Spirits Review: A Legendary Adventure

Kena faces a giant boss in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits Review: A Legendary Adventure

RRP $ 40.00

"Kena: Bridge of Spirits is as beautifully and elegantly designed as a big budget game, which makes it a statement debut for Ember Lab."

advantages

  • Satisfactory exploration

  • Adorable red mechanic

  • Hard but fair fights

  • Elegant complexity curve

  • Wonderful look

disadvantage

  • Frustrating attack patterns

  • Cutscenes stutter

At first glance, few would guess that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a self-released debut project from a small studio. The adventure game is as good as it can be, with great graphics, cutscenes that rival (if not outperform) modern CG animated films, and rock-hard gameplay mechanics. If there was ever any doubt that the barrier between “Indie” and “AAA” had eroded over the years, here is a game that breaks all remaining walls.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits was developed by Ember Lab and comes through the Epic Games Store with the confidence of a first-party game from Sony on PS4, PS5 and PC. It pulls elements from Zelda, Uncharted, Dark Souls, and many more heavy hitters above its weight class to knock its genre a knockout blow. It's no surprise that it's in the spotlight during Sony's state-of-play streams and this year's Tribeca Festival. This is the kind of statement debut that needs attention.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an exquisitely crafted adventure that blends classic and modern game design concepts with ease. Whether it comes to reefing Pikmin with its resourceful creature control mechanics or engaging in deceptively challenging battles, it excels in everything it does. The whole thing is rounded off by a poignant, Miyazaki-like story, which is told through profound world formation and cutscenes in cinema quality.

The legend of Kena

When it first debuted, Kena: Bridge of Spirits made some early comparisons with The Legend of Zelda series. These were certainly justified, but it doesn't paint a complete picture of the game. It is bursting with inspiration based on decades of video game history. The general framework feels timeless; Kena is a rod-wielding heroine who sets out to find a mountain shrine in a poisoned world that has been abandoned by all but monsters.

Kena looks at a poisoned lightbulb in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Many of its structural beats are familiar, but in a warm, calming way. Players tackle well-designed platform sections, hunt relics that lead them to every nook and cranny of a sprawling map, and find a slew of collectible secrets dotted around every nook and cranny. It's a classic video game premise that's kind of nostalgic for any era, but every bit of it is glowed until it twinkles.

Exploring in Kena: Bridge of Spirits always feels satisfying as each tool has a clear purpose that is easy to keep track of.

Take exploration, for example. Kena doesn't have as many tools as Link, but each is equally important for navigation. Her arrows allow her to jump flowers like a hookshot, she can climb Uncharted walls, and a ghost bomb in the middle of the game magically rebuilds broken structures to create the game's cleverest platform puzzles. Exploring in Kena: Bridge of Spirits always feels satisfying as each tool has a clear purpose that is easy to follow. there is no mechanical fluff to slow the pace.

The most adorable idea, however, comes from a surprising game: Pikmin. Kena can collect and control adorable black creatures called Red that swarm and squeak around her like the soot sprites from Spirited Away. The red permeates Kena's traditional adventure systems with its most imaginative ideas. You can lift items to reveal collectibles, lug around rocks that create new platforms, or form a water-like swarm that can break through thorny roadblocks. Every time I discovered a new interaction, I screamed with joy – both because I was amazed at how many creative possibilities the game can expand on a simple system, and because they are just so damn cute. You can even wear tiny cowboy hats!

Kena commands a Red Army in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Yeah, I'm serious about the last part. Another vintage piece of Kena's DNA is the Collect-a-Thon setup. There are many optional items around the world, but each one is worthwhile for a variety of reasons. The reds themselves serve as a clever but functional collectible as the swarm level up and gain new skills when Kena finds enough creatures. There are also quite a few small hats that can be found over chests and combat challenges, and each red can be outfitted with a different one. That doesn't affect gameplay, but it sure makes a fun change.

That speaks for the core strength of Kena: It's always playful. Every new tool, platform puzzle, or buried treasure brings another delightful surprise that rewards anyone willing to get lost in a digital adventure.

Don't be lazy

Don't be fooled by the cute creatures and cones, though: Kena will be deceptively tough. The fight is just as important here as the exploration and also well thought out. Initially, players only use a light and heavy staff attack to fight enemies in close combat. But the game does an excellent job of gradually increasing the possibilities for players. It's a graceful curve of complexity that naturally builds up with the difficulty of the game.

Kena soon gains the ability to shoot arrows from her staff, adding a ranged component to the mix. Bombs add another layer around halfway through the game and bring some puzzle mechanics into the fight. A stony boss can only be damaged if Kena uses bombs to expose the wooden skin underneath. Each item also has a few select upgrades, each of which feels useful and is not just a nice but useless perk.

Kena faces a giant boss in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

The reds also play an excellent supporting role in battles. When Kena has built up enough determination, she can use the reds for various purposes. You can swarm around an enemy to briefly distract them, heal Kena through blooming flowers on the battlefield, or even penetrate them with weapons to create powerful special attacks. Every time I had enough energy, I had to make decisions about how I would command the reds. Should I heal myself while my health is low or fire a red arrow for additional damage? It's a strategic depth that makes red seem almost like an RPG magic system.

Shielding and evasion also play a big role in battles and give the battles a manageable advantage of Dark Souls. Kena has a ghost bubble that acts as a shield in battle. Block too often and it will break, but activate it at the right moment and it will parry enemies and leave them vulnerable for a few seconds. While my instincts initially insisted on avoiding it, it quickly became critical to my battle plan.

It's a graceful curve of complexity that naturally builds up with the difficulty of the game.

It is important to have a plan as the fights get serious in the back half of the game. The challenge, of course, increases with fights that feel tough but are achievable. While fights tend to feel fair, they offer some of the rare moments of frustration in the game. Certain enemy attacks can go surprisingly far, making them a little difficult to read or avoid. Some creatures also seem to have the ability to turn anything they throw into a homing missile. I constantly felt like I was dodging a rock cleanly, only to turn into a curve ball and beam on my head.

However, these moments are rare. Most of the time, I felt totally in control in combat because I had a good understanding of all of my tools. At the penultimate boss, I found myself pinning a bomb on an enemy, firing them with a rot-infused arrow to do additional ranged damage while detonating them, charging forward to close the range, and my shield activated at the right time to fend off an attack and swing my staff to quickly lower its health bar. Kena gets players to this point at a constant pace, making sure they have enough time to fully grasp the potential of a tool before introducing a new idea that adds more depth.

Eat your heart out, Hollywood

The developer Ember Lab started out as an animation studio and that is easy to see. One of the first things players will notice when Kena boots up is that it offers beautiful graphics that couldn't possibly seem like they came from a small, first-time game studio. Environments pop thanks to a rich color palette that contrasts the cool blues and greens of the natural world with neon-like splashes of red and burnt-out browns. Every little character is brought to life with animation details, including every single red.

The high production value is particularly evident in the game's cutscenes, which really look like they were taken from a high budget CG animated film. It feels like Ember Lab is pushing video game animation to the limit here – which can be seen as some of the game's busier sequences tend to experience noticeable frame rate stutters.

Kena stands in front of a waterfall in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

All of these pretty pictures are well received because Kena's true strength is expressed in the form of his story. The game plays like a classic Hayao Miyazaki movie (think Princess Mononoke or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds), with Kena fighting to preserve the natural beauty. Ultimately, she is on the lookout for an environmental disaster that has caused an entire village to flee. On her way to the shrine, she interacts with the spirits of those who could not stop him. The ghosts hanging around here mourn a once beautiful place and highlight the personal pain that arises from our failure to protect the world around us.

The high production value is particularly evident in the game's cutscenes, which really look like they were taken from a high budget CG animated film.

But Kena is not a story of darkness and doom. It pauses to instill empathy for those overwhelmed with pain, but it still moves forward offering hope for the future. The game hangs on moments of environmental catharsis when Kena uses the rot to turn dead areas back into blooming, grassy plains. Watching gnarled wood and toxic gas return to lush hills (an effect that occurs seamlessly in the game thanks to next-gen technology) turns Kena: Bridge of Spirits into a true power fantasy. Not one in which a grizzled soldier with a massive weapon destroys everything in sight, but one in which even the smallest person has the power to rebuild the world around him.

It's not that easy in our own world, but Kena is a much-needed optimism for players young and old.

Our opinion

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the best adventure game in years and a clear highlight of the latest console cycle. Both the exploration and combat components become increasingly complex with tools that always have a clear purpose. This sleek mechanical design focuses on the game's compelling storyline, which tells a painful but hopeful story of an environmental disaster. There are a lot of points of comparison when you break it all down, but Kena: Bridge of Spirits puts every little influence together into its own great mix.

Is there a better alternative?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the adventure game to beat, but Kena is the best option for PS5 owners right now.

How long it will take?

The story takes about 10 hours to complete with a healthy collection. Finding everything will keep the game time extended, as will the Master Difficulty Mode, which will be unlocked upon completion.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Forget Deathloop and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: This is the defining console exclusive to the PS5's debut year.

Editor's recommendations



20 Sep
Blog

Edifier NeoBuds Pro Review: Impressive, Affordable Audio

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.

Edifier NeoBuds Pro reviewed: A new standard for affordable audio

RRP $ 129.00

"You won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency for less than $ 250."

advantages

  • Great sound

  • Comfortable fit

  • Very effective noise cancellation

  • Excellent transparency mode

  • Good call quality

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No in-ear detection

  • Few phones offer LHDC support

The best true wireless earbuds have a lot in common: great sound, great noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and lots of ways to customize your experience through a smartphone app. But they also usually cost between $ 200 and $ 350. So if a set of true wireless earbuds had all of these features but at a much lower price, say $ 129, they'd be a game changer, right? Edifier certainly hopes so – its $ 129 NeoBuds Pro has everything it needs on paper, at least, to challenge Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser. Deliver? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Contents of the Edifier NeoBuds Pro pack.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier went over the top when it comes to the presentation experience for the NeoBuds Pro. The box, with its large dimensions, magnetic closures, and tons of protective foam, screams high-end luxury, but that leads to a recycling nightmare. I'd love to see the company take a page out of Sony's playbook – the $ 280 WF-1000XM4 comes in a tiny, fully recyclable box.

In the box you will find the NeoBuds Pro, its charging case, a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, a nylon carrying case, some printed material and a huge selection of antibacterial silicone earbuds in seven sizes (one set is pre-installed ).

draft

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The NeoBuds Pro belong to the same family of earphones as the Edifier NB2, NB2 Pro and Earfun Air Pro (Edifier helped design it). They look a lot like these other earbuds, with the same AirPods Pro-style ergonomic shape and tiny silver stems. However, the NeoBuds are more compact than their older siblings and have rounded contours on the stems that give them a more sophisticated look and feel. You may not agree, but I think they look great.

Thanks to their flat position, getting in and out is a breeze, although the charging case is slightly larger than models like the AirPods Pro.

The combination of matte black plastic and a brushed aluminum accent panel on the top of the lid continues the high-end vibe of the charging case, and the lid flips open easily and stays open until you fold it shut.

A huge selection of earplugs should enable a comfortable and secure fit.

But the coolest part of the NeoBuds Pro is the red LED charge indicator strip that sits right in the front groove of the case. It pulsates and animates from side to side, like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica or maybe Kitt from Knight Rider if you like your tech friendly rather than threatening.

The only thing missing is wireless charging. Edifier doesn't seem to like wireless charging as none of their true wireless earbuds offer it.

With an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, the earbuds are cheap compared to most high-end alternatives.

Comfort, controls and connections

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Smooth, rounded contours and the huge selection of earplugs should make it easy to get a comfortable and secure fit with the NeoBuds. I found the standard tips ideal for my ears and was able to wear them for several hours without discomfort. Stem-style earbuds can sometimes feel a bit unsafe as the stems can prevent you from pushing the earbuds deep enough into your ear canals, but that wasn't a problem with the NeoBuds. While it's not quite as safe as models with ear hooks or ear fins, switching to one of the larger earbud sets should provide plenty of support while running or exercising at the gym.

The NeoBuds use touch-sensitive surfaces at the very top of the stems for control. They offer good sensitivity out of the box, but Edifier cleverly added the ability to adjust that sensitivity within the Edifier Connect app. You can also customize the function of the controls on each earbud, but there's a catch: despite supporting a wide range of functions, from volume to ANC mode, there are only two actions per earbud – double-tap and triple-tap. That means you can choose from a wide variety of commands, but only four of them can be accessed through the earbuds.

Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss.

Why Edifier chose not to support additional gestures like single-tap or tap-and-hold (which would give you a total of eight commands) is a mystery and hopefully will be changed with a future firmware update. The control options are also a bit bizarre – the volume control is available, but the volume is always reduced with the right earbud, while the volume must always be done with the left.

But perhaps the biggest oversight is the lack of an automatic pause when you remove the earbuds. In contrast to its sibling, the NB2 Pro, the NeoBuds Pro lack in-ear sensors.

Each earbud can be used independently, but you should make sure that the earbud you choose has the commands it needs. Thankfully, answering / ending calls is available on both headphones by default.

The NeoBuds Pro are very easy to pair – just open the lid and search for the device in your Bluetooth settings. The connection is rock solid and surprisingly strong. Edifier claims a working distance of only 32 feet, but I was able to move 50 feet from my iPhone 11, even through two walls.

Sound quality

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier has positioned the NeoBuds as the first true wireless earbuds with "Hi-Res wireless audio" thanks to their ability to reproduce sounds between 20 Hz and 40 kHz and their support for the LHDC Bluetooth codec. But unless you happen to own one of the few smartphones that comes with LHDC, you probably won't experience these buds to the fullest. In fact, the only phone listed on the LHDC website is the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro, a model that is not sold in the US.

Hi-res chops aside, the NeoBuds Pro sound fantastic. They use a hybrid driver design that couples a dynamic low-frequency driver with a Knowles balanced armature driver that delivers the highs. It's an unusual setup for true wireless earbuds, and the result is big, bombastic sound that is also well-detailed. The sound is not quite as nuanced as with the Sennheiser or Master & Dynamic earphones, but it is still exciting and very haunting.

With very good stereo imaging, your soundstage is wide and detailed, so you can follow individual instruments and vocals as you enter and exit the mix.

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point.

You can choose from two preset EQ modes in the Edifier app: Classic, which offers a relatively neutral signature, and Dynamic, which drives both the lows and highs for an almost overwhelming performance, with bass levels that make your fills rattle bring. Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss. You can also enable a special low latency gaming mode if you find there is a delay between your screen and the audio, but I found the regular mode perfectly adequate.

By default, the NeoBuds Pro seem best for bass- and beat-heavy genres like rap and hip-hop, but there's plenty of leeway to tweak the signature for other genres via the custom EQ mode that lets you create your own and can save presets. Unfortunately, it's a confusing user interface with items like “Q-Factor” and frequencies that can be adjusted in 1 Hz increments. However, it is possible to make various settings. If the bass is too strong or the mids are too weak for you, you can change them.

Noise cancellation and transparency

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point. And frankly, they come very close to the performance you get from the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or the Apple AirPods Pro. You get two ANC modes: Low and High. Low reduces background noise while high mode does its best to eliminate it completely. Strolling through a busy downtown neighborhood to listen to a podcast is a perfect test of ANC, as spoken word content tends to suffer much more than music when it has to compete with other sounds. With High mode enabled, I could hear my podcasts with ease. It also does a great job of booming noises like bathroom fans – a good barometer of how those buds deal with the constant white noise of a jet engine on board an airplane.

The transparency mode (which Edifier calls Ambient mode) is just as good, letting in a lot of external noise, including your own voice, which makes it feel like you're not wearing any earbuds at all. This is something that less transparent systems can hardly achieve. It's also adjustable in the app, so you can choose to let a little less noise enter your ears or just amplify those sounds a little.

The best part is that toggling between ANC and transparency with the tap controls is quick and doesn't force you to go through "standard" mode. The standard mode turns off ANC and transparency, which can save some battery life, and you can activate it from the app at any time if necessary.

Battery life

Edifier NeoBuds Pro charging case ..Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier claims that you get five hours per charge in the earbuds and 20 hours of total listening time in the charging case when using ANC, and that those numbers increase to six and 24 hours, respectively, when you run without the ANC. After playing a music stream at 50% volume with the ANC on, I had exactly five hours of life before the earbuds were turned off.

A quick 10 minute charge gives you an extra hour of playtime, and both the earbuds and charging case can be fully charged in an hour.

Those stats aren't exactly the best – in fact, they're on the low end of what we can expect these days – but you should still use them for a full day without finding a charger.

Call quality

Get decent calls with the NeoBuds Pro. Background noises are kept in check, and I only noticed a little compression when those noises were particularly loud. Your voice won't always sound full and detailed, but it will remain clear and audible, which is the most important thing.

Unfortunately, Edifier does not support sidetone (the ability to hear your own voice clearly during a call). When you make or answer a call, the earbuds automatically turn off ANC and transparency, and there is no way to turn them back on via the tap controls or the app until the call is over. In fact, there is no way to use the app while on a call – it thinks the headphones are disconnected during the call.

Edifier Connect app

Speaking of the app, I think Edifier still has a lot to do. The home screen offers a great overview of the NeoBuds Pro's battery level – including the case the buds sit in – as well as quick access to ANC / transparency modes. And if you're an iOS user, you can add a widget to your Today home screen. However, access to features like EQ and customizing the controls is not intuitive as they are buried in secondary screens or menus.

But I really don't like the Mall and Discover tabs, which are simply windows into Edifier's website to buy more of the company's products. They have nothing to do with how the earbuds work and make it difficult to navigate an already confusing user interface.

Our opinion

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro set a new standard for sound quality, ANC and transparency at an affordable price. They're missing some features, and I wish they had more control options, but they're still a great set of true wireless earbuds.

Is there a better alternative?

I'm confident you won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency at this price point, but if other features are more important, consider these options:

  • Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, $ 100: Great Sound, Wireless Charging, In-Ear Detection. They also have more control than the NeoBuds, but their ANC and transparency are not that good.
  • Amazon Echo Buds (Gen 2)$ 120 ($ 140 with wireless charging): Great sound, in-ear detection, and great call quality, plus the ability to use hands-free voice commands with Alexa. But the battery life is poor and their ANC isn't as good as the NeoBuds. If you want, you can charge wirelessly.

How long will they last?

The NeoBuds Pro seem to be very well made and offer good protection with their IP54 rating. I suspect they will last for many years if you take care of them. Edifier supports them with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. the NeoBuds Pro may not have all of the competition's features, but for sound, ANC, and transparency – arguably the most important features – they kill it.

Editor's recommendations



18 Sep
Blog

Peloton Bike Review: It’s All About the Experience

Peloton Bike Review Lifestyle 4 by

Peloton Bike Review: Big for the Experience, Bigger for the Personalities

RRP $ 1,895.00

"The Peloton Bike is only part of the larger Peloton experience that will help you achieve your goals."

advantages

  • Energetic instructors

  • Multiple courses for your needs

  • Great choice of music

  • Solid piece of hardware

disadvantage

  • Not much is possible without a subscription

  • Unusual ergonomics

You've watched the commercials, seen a pop-up ad while browsing the internet, or maybe even noticed that an actual store opened near you. Yes, the Peloton Bike is without a doubt the most popular training device of all. Everywhere you look it's on your face with instructors shouting fancy catchphrases and inspirational remarks to get you going. And you know what? There is no escape.

Well, I finally gave in and plunged into the world of Peloton to see what the hype is about. Even when my maximum fitness motivation is behind me, I still try to keep myself in shape as much as possible – and that means I invest seriously in using the Peloton bike for a period of three months. With so much time I've spent on the bike, I have a lot of thoughts about whether it really is the indispensable training device.

Serious cardio exercise

The first area I dive into with the Peloton Bike is whether or not it gets you in tip-top shape. In all honesty, it all depends on your commitment because in the three months I have been riding I haven't lost any weight. In fact, I gained a few pounds instead.

It goes without saying that you're doing some cardio workout on a bike, especially if you opt for a high-intensity class that requires you to peddle like crazy for short periods of time throughout the workout. Your quadriceps get the most attention on the Peloton Bike, especially when you are working with high resistance and a high cadence. More importantly, I ended up drenched in sweat, including the 20-minute classes that I prefer the most. At the end of three months, I found that my stamina was greatly improved compared to when I started.

I found that my stamina had improved a lot compared to my early days.

For someone who has struggled with chronic foot problems in the past few years, cycling has become my favorite activity for cardio workouts. Even when I had to "get out of the saddle," there was never a time I thought it would be too strenuous on my foot. However, I can't say that about my derriere.

Some strange ergonomics

The setup process will teach you how to best set up the Peloton Bike for a comfortable ride. Despite all the adjustments, I've found over time that there are some flaws in the design that are hard to miss. They're not deal-breakers, but if you talk to them it could make for a more ergonomic and comfortable bike.

Let me talk about the narrow seat first and foremost. If you ride in the saddle for more than five minutes it becomes (literally) painful, which is why I like workouts that involve biking out of the saddle. It will help prevent your butt from getting sore. However, these are some classes that will require you to sit throughout the class. Now I'd really like to think of a wider seat as an option, but it doesn't look like one is available.

Peloton bike against white background.

Second, I wish the 21.5-inch HD touchscreen was a little closer – as I often stretched my arms out when trying to interact with it while cycling. When you cycle vigorously, it is difficult to press the icon to give someone a high five. If it was placed a little higher and a little closer to me it would be much better, but the only articulation available is tilt.

Finally, there are the pedals, which allow me to have the correct foot position throughout my workout. While Peloton does have its own set of cycling shoes for $ 125 per pair, you can buy some from another manufacturer if the cost is too high. After the first week of cycling, I found that maintaining my cadence requires a combination of pushing and pulling with the legs. Once you master it you will be better at handling some of the grueling classes.

However, getting off the Peloton bike has always been tricky – I think it takes a lot of strength to get your feet off the pedals. Well, the firm grip is wonderful for keeping my feet on the pedals, but the process of turning my foot sideways to break the connection can sometimes feel impossible. I would have liked something simpler and simpler.

Come on you got this

The advertising doesn't lie. What makes the peloton ecosystem so enjoyable are the enthusiastic teachers who lead the courses. In fact, some of them get so excited about the music they're playing that they stop pedaling to dance – all of which add to the experience. You will quickly get a feel for the different personalities who run the courses.

I really like how you can filter the courses Peloton offers, which gives users a good variety based on musical preferences, teachers, and time. The latter is especially noteworthy because I wasn't expecting to find so many 20-minute classes to choose from, but there are a lot. The only gripe I have with filtering is that there is no way to choose a class based on the difficulty level.

Train with the peloton bike.

The user interface is pretty simple, with the majority of the display being dominated by the teacher. Screen details such as cadence, power and resistance are visible throughout the training, as are details about music tracks and a leaderboard with active participants. I love that there are few distractions so I can focus on my cadence. However, I've had several instances where the stream froze and then needed to be cached to continue.

While I struggled to maintain the intensity with every workout, and often found myself just above the lowest difficulty level, I must admit that over time I found it easier to do the full length of each workout. The high-intensity riding lessons certainly helped to increase my endurance. And of course I love hearing some of the stories the teachers tell during class, which breaks the monotony of just hearing routine instructions in the right form.

Not much is possible without a subscription

Well, not only is Peloton isolated, but one big problem I have with connected fitness equipment today is that if you don't keep up with the subscription, those machines become useless. You really can't get past the main login screen with the Peloton Bike unless you have two requirements – you have an internet connection and an active subscription.

Touchscreen on the Peloton Bike.

You're already spending a fortune on the hardware itself, but you still have to raise the $ 39 membership fee to get the most out of the bike. Yes, there is an option to just ride your back to track performance metrics and even stroll around some charming places led by Peloton instructors, but you still need to be connected and have an active membership. It's a touchy subject for me because you really can't do anything else without those two things.

The monthly costs are comparable to those of the competition, such as the workouts and classes offered by Mirror and Tempo Studio. In addition to the usual bike workouts, you will also find courses for yoga, meditation and bootcamp. It's an OK mix, but it doesn't have quite the variety of classes that Mirror offers.

Our opinion

There's nothing here that other bikes can't do. You sit in it, pedal and sweat your butt off as best you can. The biggest draw for the peloton bike, however, is the peloton experience with its charismatic instructors, governing bodies and music. Speaking of music, it offers a wide range of genres.

If biking rather than running as your cardio workout of choice, the Peloton Bike for $ 1,895 will immerse you in the Peloton world and give you exactly the workout you need. With so many customizations, courses, music, and instructors to choose from, you'll find just the right thing to motivate you to get back in the saddle.

Is there a better alternative?

It really depends on what type of workout you want to do at home. For those looking for the best for the money, Apple Fitness + offers a wide range of on-demand courses that you can take at a fraction of the cost. In the meantime, if you're looking for a tech-savvy piece of hardware for the home, this is the Mirror from Lululemon is a chic looking connected fitness mirror that offers one of the most diverse sets of instructor-led workouts for the home.

How long it will take?

The Peloton Bike looks and feels polished. From the sturdy metal frame to the sharp touchscreen display, it is high quality in every respect. There is a one-year limited warranty that covers the Peloton Bike against defects, and the frame is backed by a five-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. As long as you train consistently you will build stamina over time, but the lessons and energy of the instructors will never bore you.

Editor's recommendations



18 Sep
Blog

MSI Creator Z16 Review: Gamer Meets Creator

The MSI Creator Z16 open on a coffee table.

MSI Creator Z16 Laptop Review: Gamer Meets Creator

RRP $ 2,727.00

"The MSI Creator Z16 has its charms, but it can't quite beat its competitors when it matters."

advantages

  • High refresh rate screen

  • Excellent content creation performance

  • Clicky, comfortable keyboard

  • Thin, slim case

  • Not a bad slot machine

disadvantage

  • Small, thin touchpad

  • Very expensive

  • Mediocre battery life

Everyone wants to try the MacBook Pro. The Creator Z16 is MSI's attempt to take on the 16-inch model, and on paper it looks like a viable alternative.

It has the same high-resolution 16:10 screen and ultra-thin body. It's even priced similarly sky-high, with a launch configuration costing $ 2,549.

But the MSI Creator Z16 has to do whatever it takes to distract buyers from the MacBook Pro or even Windows competitors like the Dell XPS 17, Asus Vivobook Pro X16, or a host of others. The Creator Z16 has a unique set of features, but its appeal is likely to be limited to those with a unique interest in PC gaming and content creation.

draft

The closed lid of the MSI Creator Z16.

The MSI Creator Z16 is a strange bird. The inspiration from the MacBook Pro is of course in the foreground, be it the color "Space Gray", the rounded corners or even the 16-inch 16:10 display. But many of these features have become standard in a technology world that closely follows Apple's example.

What distinguishes the Creator Z16? Well, MSI is primarily known as a gaming company, and it shows. Despite its supposed target audience for the Creator Z16, MSI was unable to completely shake off these PC gaming trappings.

The most obvious element is the keyboard's RGB backlight, powered by SteelSeries. The per-key RGB backlight is an exclusive effect on gaming laptops and peripherals, and it's daunting to see it here. Sure, it isn't hard to turn it into static color, but it's weird to pay extra for something that most non-gamers don't want.

The other holdover from his gaming roots are the vents. I can appreciate good airflow in a system, but the Creator Z16's extra vents force other elements of the laptop into awkward places. The extensive row of vents above the keyboard pushes the touchpad down to be squat. Meanwhile, the ventilation openings on the side walls also push the ports further down in the device. That's not an inconvenience, but it makes for a cumbersome looking setup. Again, it's a common thing to see in a gaming laptop – just not a content creator laptop.

The MSI Creator Z16 opens in front of a window.

There are no doubt some who appreciate the light gaming influences of the Creator Z16. There are even advantages in terms of performance and display. But from an aesthetic point of view, MSI still needs to clean up a bit before the Creator Z16 is competitive.

However, MSI has managed to make the Creator Z16 impressively thin. It's only 0.64 inches thick, which is almost exactly the same as the 16-inch MacBook Pro. That makes it thinner than options like the Dell XPS 15 and ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4. It's also a bit heavier than all of those laptops at 5.07 pounds. There's enough extra weight to easily tell the difference when you're carrying it in a bag or just moving from room to room.

The side and top bezels are quite small, but the laptop has a sizeable lower chin, especially when compared to the Dell XPS 15. It's not all that extraordinary, but it certainly isn't the most cutting-edge laptop either.

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A close-up of the MSI Creator Z16's display.

The MSI Creator Z16 offers a 16-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600. This is a 16:10 format that corresponds exactly to the size and shape of the MacBook Pro 16-inch. This is no coincidence either.

However, the resolution is missing a bit. While the screen looks sharp enough for casual work for this screen size, you'll find that many of the Creator Z16's competitors use a higher resolution. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a resolution of 3072 x 1920, while many Windows competitors offer a higher-resolution 4K display.

However, the MSI Creator Z16 has a few key features that give it the upper hand over the 16-inch MacBook Pro and a number of other laptops. First, it has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Yes, that's another holdover from MSI's gaming roots – and it helps give the Creator Z16 a more legitimate PC gaming experience.

But smoother animation is a boon for everything else you do as well. Whether it's moving the cursor or scrolling a web page, everything is improved with a higher refresh rate. We'll see this more in the future, especially with OLED panels, but so far it remains one of a kind that gives the Creator Z16 an interesting edge.

The second notable feature of this display is its touch capability. While it's pretty common in Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 15, the MacBook Pro 16-inch lacks it. I don't expect developers will rely on the touchscreen too much, but it's a nice addition for casual use.

In terms of image quality, the MSI Creator Z16 has a few different color modes that you can take advantage of. Content creators will be drawn to Display P3 mode. This produces the best color saturation and accuracy, which was impressive. With 100% sRGB, 91% AdobeRGB, and 93% P3, it's just as colorful as the MacBook Pro. The Delta-E of just 0.76 is a fantastically low average color error. All of this makes for the kind of display that professional color graders and photo editors will love.

The brightness and the contrast didn't tear me out of the water. The screen achieved 385 cd / m² and had a contrast ratio of 800: 1 at 100% brightness. OLED laptops such as the Samsung panels of the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X or Dell XPS 15 shine here.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard and touchpad are mixed in the MSI Creator Z16. On the one hand, the keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with large keycaps, clicking keys and a fairly standard layout. The full-size arrow keys are nice but can take a bit of getting used to.

A small curiosity in the layout is the lack of a function key on the left. Instead, MSI has opted for an enlarged control button. You still have a function key on the right side of the layout, but only as a half key shared with a second control key.

Keyboard and touchpad of the MSI Creator Z16.

As I mentioned in the design section, the keyboard has RGB backlighting per key, although the SteelSeries software isn't the most useful. For what it's worth, the indicator light on the Caps button on my test device didn't come on when I turned it on.

The touchpad is where my bigger problems are. It's both too small and poorly implemented. Due to the placement of the keyboard (see the Design section above for more information), the touchpad has been squeezed into a squat shape. This is one of the smaller touchpads you'd find on a laptop designed with the creative in mind. Most of the designs follow the MacBook Pro in that they feature an enlarged touchpad that leaves plenty of room.

However, the click of the touchpad is the most frustrating part. While tracking and gestures are fluid on the glass surface, the click mechanism is not well executed. It squeezes when you apply pressure and then requires a second squeeze to register a click, and I found the mechanism too loud and stiff. Although I got used to the faulty touchpad over weeks, going back to a MacBook Pro or XPS laptop felt heavenly.

If this were a gaming laptop, the importance of the touchpad is diminished. This is disappointing on a device where the touchpad is expected to be the primary input.

Ports

The side connections of the MSI Creator Z16.

The MSI Creator Z16 has a fairly limited number of ports. On the left you will find a USB-A 3.2 Gen2 port, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, a headphone jack and an AC power adapter. On the right side you have access to another USB-A, USB-C and a micro SD card slot.

This is disappointing in several ways. There are two different approaches that competing laptops take. Laptops like the MacBook Pro 16-inch stick with only four Thunderbolt 4 ports, which provide the device with a lot of power, make a separate power supply unit superfluous and simplify set-up. The other option is to throw in the entire kitchen sink, including HDMI, USB-A, and SD card slots. The MSI Creator Z16 is somewhere in between. It doesn't include HDMI, requires an A / C adapter to provide full power to the device, and only has a micro SD card slot instead of a full size.

This will be an inconvenience for creatives who mainly work outside of the camera and are forced to use adapters and dongles when uploading raw content.

power

The MSI Creator Z16 has packed some powerful components in its thin case. MSI doesn't sell cheap configurations of the Creator Z16, which is not a bad thing. It's a high-end device for a professional audience. The starting configuration for $ 2,549 still gives you an Intel Core i7-11800H, an RTX 3060 (with up to 65 watts of graphics), 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage. This basic configuration even comes with the same 1440p 120Hz screen.

My test unit was a slightly revamped model that increased the storage to 32GB and storage to 1TB, bringing the price up to $ 2,727 (you can buy it on Amazon starting at $ 2,599). If you want to spend more than three grand, you get it with an additional terabyte of memory and a higher clocked Core i9 processor.

What you get with the Creator Z16 is a very powerful (and expensive) laptop regardless of the exact configuration. In most benchmarks, it is in the same range as the XPS 15 and 17 and the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.

Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) PCMark 10 Pugetbench Premiere Pro
MSI Creator Z16 (Core i7-11800H) 1444/9615 102 6486 738
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (Core i7-11800H) 1519/10497 106 6251 432
Dell XPS 15 (Core i7-11800H) 1513/9979 103 6024 509
Dell XPS 17 (Core i7-11800H) 1525/10145 109 6209 692
Asus Vivobook Pro 16X (Ryzen 9 5900HX) 1486/11478 90 6486 6287

The video editing was an outstanding benchmark for the MSI Creator Z16 in my tests. In Pugetbench Premiere Pro, which tests everything from applying effects to exporting timelines, the Creator Z16 took home the prize for the high score, backed up by an incredible score on the video playback. Yes, that means it even beat the Dell XPS 17.

What's the secret? Well, I mentioned earlier the numerous vents in the case that could allow the system to push the components harder without overheating. The processor was able to sustain around 4.5 GHz throughout PCMark 10, with occasional bursts above 5.0 GHz. The internal temperatures never rose above 95 degrees Celsius during the test. That's hot, but it's pretty much what you see in similar systems.

The fans can get really loud. If you dare to change the fan settings to "Performance" you will see what I mean. That'll get you even higher scores than I listed above, but the fan speed is pretty unbearable. In the meantime, the Creator Z16 does an excellent job of keeping surface temperatures down while you don't do anything intense. Thanks again to the thermal, which includes three fans and five heat pipes.

The MSI Creator Z16 with Fortnite plays on the screen.

When playing games or video editing, the surface around the WASD keys can of course get quite hot.

The MSI Creator Z16 is also a good choice for someone who wants to do PC gaming on the side. The RTX 3060 is a powerful graphics card, and the 120 Hz refresh rate allows these higher frame rates to be used.

3DMark time spy Battlefield V Assassin's Creed Valhalla Civilization VI Fourteen days
MSI Creator Z16 (RTX 3060) 6322 102 fps 50 fps 92 fps 56 fps
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (RTX 3060) 6691 106 fps 48 fps n / A 85 fps
Dell XPS 15 (RTX 3050 Ti) 4540 103 fps n / A 73 fps 50 fps
Dell XPS 17 (RTX 3060) 7039 109 fps n / A 104 fps 78 fps
Asus Vivobook Pro 16X (RTX 3050 Ti) 4601 90 fps n / A 68 fps 57 fps

The games listed above were tested at 1080p (or 1920 x 1200 for 16:10 laptops) at maximum graphics settings. The XPS 17 remains the fastest in the group for most games, aside from the great Fortnite performance of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4. There are dozen of factors that affect a game's frame rate on a laptop, and the Creator Z16 resides in the middle and swaps hits with other laptops in this category. Thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, you'll likely prefer to play in 1920 x 1200, which offers a much smoother gaming experience.

The fact that it can even handle difficult games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla at 50 frames per second (fps) is impressive.

Battery life

Inside the MSI Creator Z16 is a 90 watt hour battery. That sounds great, but it wasn't enough to make this laptop a battery life champion. Among other laptops in this category, all of which have high-resolution screens and RTX graphics cards, the Creator Z16 is one of the worst in terms of battery life.

The Creator Z16 can last up to over eight hours just watching a local video. With light surfing on the Internet, it is five hours and 20 minutes. In my actual workload, which consists of more multitasking and web applications, that drops to less than five hours. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme gets you two extra hours, while a Ryzen-based laptop like the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X gets an astonishing 16 hours on the same test.

Part of the problem with the Creator Z16 could be the higher refresh rate screen, which you can switch down to 60Hz for a little more juice.

Cameras and sensors

The keyboard deck of the MSI Creator Z16.

The MSI Creator Z16 has the standard set of cameras and sensors. A 720p webcam is located above the display. These kinds of bad cameras are typical of laptops – and have been for years. You can occasionally find a 1080p webcam in 2021 laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 or even MSI's own GE76 Raider gaming laptop.

Unfortunately, the Creator Z16 sticks to 720p and the results aren't impressive. In bright light, your video calls will appear faded to match your skin tone. There are strong artifacts and strange colors in lower lighting. It's not ideal if your daily work involves a lot of video calls. On the other hand, a laptop like the Dell XPS 15 isn't going to do you any better.

MSI also includes an IR camera for Windows Hello facial authentication. You can also log on to Windows using the fingerprint reader, which is located directly below the arrow keys. The placement is a little strange, but fingerprints are registered well.

Our opinion

The MSI Creator Z16 is the right laptop for a very specific person. If you're looking for a laptop for content creation but don't want to miss out on the PC gaming experience, the MSI Creator Z16 manages that balance better than most. The 120 Hz screen and the excellent performance make it shine in both worlds.

But with its lower resolution display, mediocre battery life, defective touchpad, and high price, its flaws are a few too many.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme, now in its fourth generation, is a great alternative with better configuration options (up to an RTX 3080 and Core i9) and a cheaper price.

The Dell XPS 15 and 17 are also good competitors. The XPS 15 isn't quite as powerful, but it has a design that I prefer and options for a 4K OLED screen.

I wouldn't recommend buying the current Intel-powered MacBook Pro 16-inch, but the rumored update to the M1X MacBook Pro is waiting in the wings and looks pretty impressive.

How long it will take?

The MSI Creator Z16 is an expensive laptop, so you should expect a lifespan of at least four or five years. The performance and components are all high end and should keep you productive for many years. The solid build quality should meanwhile hold up well.

MSI offers one year of accidental damage protection with a limit of one damage per laptop. If you want an extended warranty, you have to rely on what online retailers have to offer.

Should you buy it?

For most people, the answer is no. There are laptops out there that are better at focusing on content creation. The exception is for someone who wants a 120Hz screen without sacrificing content creation performance.

Editor's recommendations



17 Sep
Blog

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ Review: Big Buds, Big Sound

With both earbuds removed, open the Beoplay EQ case.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ in the test: big buds, big sound – big price

RRP $ 399.00

“Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay EQ true wireless earbuds are $ 400, so is the price justified? Yes, if you value tradition, excellent workmanship and construction as well as a distinctive sound signature. "

advantages

  • Pronounced signature sound

  • Long range, reliable Bluetooth

  • Wireless charging

  • High quality metal components and housing

  • Effective adaptive ANC

disadvantage

  • Earphones don't always sit properly in the case

  • No adjustment for touch controls

  • No support for virtual assistants

There has been some talk at Digital Trends lately about not really having to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good pair of true wireless earbuds. I recently enjoyed the $ 99 Nothing Ear 1 earbuds while my colleague Simon Cohen tested a number of similar models and concluded that $ 100 is more than enough to get a great one, unless of course , You are a true audiophile pair of true wireless earbuds.

Where's the $ 400 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ? It's all about heritage, audio appreciation, and the very big sound they deliver that opens your wallet a little bit more.

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It is immediately clear that the Beoplay EQ are not small earbuds. The case is considerably larger than an Apple AirPods Pro-Bud and even larger than the Beoplay E8-Bud. That means they stick out quite a bit from your ear and are definitely not subtle. Each weighs 8 grams, so you can feel them in your ear more than a lighter bud like the Apple AirPods Pro. But the metal case and glossy end caps with the eye-catching B&O logo look great. The box contains four silicone earbuds that offer a flexible size selection for even the smallest ears.

Beoplay EQ earbuds on an iPhone 12 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, I initially had problems holding the Beoplay EQs securely in my ears. The large silicone tips were too big and the middle ones a bit too small, so that you can quickly get started with activities. Fortunately, Bang & Olufsen includes a pair of Comply Sport 200 foam nibs in the package. They are really excellent and immediately resolved the fit issue. In addition, they also helped to minimize the effects of weight, and I found them extremely comfortable to wear for a long time, with slight fatigue not showing up until about four hours.

The earphones are housed in a stylish aluminum case in the colors Black Anthracite or Sand Gold. It's a discreetly designed piece with Bang & Olufsen branding on the top of the case and a non-slip base so it doesn't slip off the table. It looks really great. The buds are held at an angle on the inside and are very easy to remove, but putting them back in is tedious. They are held magnetically, but you need to be very precise when inserting them correctly or the buds will not sit or charge. It just needs to be slightly out of alignment too.

I often listen to podcasts to help me fall asleep and in my semi-awake state it was frustrating to play around with the case and earbuds and most of the time I would wake up in the morning to find that an earbud was not inserted properly and not charged. Once you know you need to check this out, it probably won't happen, but it's nothing like other true wireless earbuds that suggests the pretty case is all form over function.

Hold the Beoplay EQ cabinet.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There's a tiny LED light on the outside that shows the charge level, but the top of the case doesn't seem to have a magnet to keep it securely closed, or if it does, it's pretty dim. However, it's compact and much more practical than the leather-covered case of the Beoplay E8, as the aluminum case should look better for longer.

You certainly pay a premium for the quality workmanship and materials, as well as the brand name, but there's nothing really wrong with that, especially when the product is as stylish, portable and classy as the Beoplay EQ.

Controls and functions

The earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.2, which offers excellent range and rock-solid reliability, and use Qualcomm's AptX Adaptive Codec, so they deliver the same sound quality as AptX and AptX HD, but adapt to the best possible sound depending on the audio source and environment Quality play. The earbuds also support AAC and SBC codecs.

Beoplay EQ with app on the iPhone 12 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You interact with the EQs via touch-sensitive controls that have to learn a plethora of gestures, differ for each bud and cannot be adjusted in the app. There are too many double-tap commands and the earbuds get confused. For example, you can double-tap the left bud to toggle between Active Noice Canceling (ANC) modes, but you can also double-tap and hold to decrease the volume. It's okay to sit still, but difficult to modulate when you're moving. Also, due to the sensitivity of the controls, it is far too easy to pause playback while temporarily adjusting the fit of an earbud.

The Beoplay EQ is Bang & Olufsen's first pair of true wireless earphones with Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (AANC). This clever technology uses the six omnidirectional microphones in the earphones to adapt the ANC in real time to the ambient noise in your environment. Think of it as a more personalized version of the normal ANC. I used the EQs indoors and outdoors and didn't really notice the adaptive part, and think that's a pretty good thing. Most of the time it kept ANC active and only slipped into transparency mode a few times. Since I was one of those times having a conversation outside, it seems to be working fine. A function that B&O calls "Own Voice" made me sound less echo in my ears even in transparency mode.

Beoplay EQ earbuds in the ear.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I found ANC mode's isolation very effective, minimizing all noise in my house and on the street, even if I only heard the spoken word. I didn't notice any added pressure in my ears, but there is a small hiss when the ANC is on and nothing is playing. The adaptive part can be deactivated in the app if you prefer manual control of the ANC. I also like that you can only use one earbud at a time which is handy for making calls.

The included app has an adjustable equalizer mode, a battery indicator for each earbud and the case, and a few other settings, including turning on an automatic standby mode where the earbuds turn off after 15 minutes of inactivity. What's unusual about Beoplay EQ is that there's no way to use a virtual assistant, a feature found on most competing earphones regardless of price.

sound

The Beoplay EQ is equipped with 6.8mm electrodynamic drivers and Bang & Olufsen has not held back when it comes to tuning. The earbuds are pretty big, but the sound is bigger. From the wide soundstage to the deep, powerful bass and breathtaking voice control, the Beoplay EQs sound fantastic. I've heard with an iPhone 12 Pro, an iPad Pro (2020), a OnePlus Nord 2, and an Asus Zenfone 8.

The old Beoplay H8 were the first headphones I really loved, and the Beoplay EQs remind me: they're full of depth, energy, warmth and detail. I far prefer the sound here from the Beoplay E8s, which for some reason never quite hits the sweet spot. What I mean? When everything comes together just right. It struck me especially when I was listening to Yasashii Dake Nara from Nogizaka46, where the sweet but powerful vocals shine, but are not quite as up front on the soundstage as, for example, headphones from Audio-Technica, which gives you the orchestra in this special way appreciate can pursue even more. The Beoplay EQs get it right.

The top of the Beoplay EQ cabinet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The back of the Beoplay EQ cabinet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Beoplay EQ earphones in a case.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Beoplay EQ earphones are pulled out of the case when viewed from the side.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

CloZees Inner Peace demonstrates both the wide soundstage and the details, along with the sheer power of the Beoplay EQ. There is nice, thick bass everywhere, with the entire synthesizer madness of the track remaining clear and defined. The complex bassline in Red Velvets Queendom remains controlled and never overwhelms the vocals while still delivering the required level of warm thump. In my ears I find the way B&O tunes the bass to be preferred over the Sennheiser, for example, with more authority and a harder punch.

You pay a lot for the Beoplay EQ, but that's why. You are not getting an off-the-shelf audio tune from a newbie, but rather all of Bang & Olufsen's 95 years of experience in beautifully designed and engineered earphones. Big and bold, but full of delicious detail, the EQs deliver all of this remarkable legacy straight to your ears. If you like this, you will be very happy with your purchase.

Battery and charging

B&O states that the battery provides approximately 6.5 hours of playback with ANC or 7.5 hours without ANC. The case stores enough energy for two more charges and takes an hour and 40 minutes to charge. In my experience, the EQs seem to come very close to the times stated by B&O and come in use after about six hours before they have to be charged with the ANC switched on.

The charging port on the Beoplay EQ case.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The case has a USB Type-C port on the back, or you can use a Qi wireless charging pad to charge it. I used the bottom plate on the Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 and it worked with no issues.

Price and availability

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ is available now through Bang & Olufsen online and in its retail stores for $ 399 in the US or £ 349 in the UK.

Our opinion

If your mission is to pay the least amount for a new pair of true wireless headphones, the Beoplay EQs are not for you. What do you get for four times the price of the Nothing Ear 1, for example? On up to 100 years of musical knowledge and high-quality product design. As much as I like the Nothing earphones, the quality is nowhere near the Beoplay EQs. The workmanship of the housing, the feel of the metal and the safety and comfort of the compliance tips provided make the EQs stand out as a quality product even before you hear them.

The sound is almost perfectly matched, ready for a bombastic or relaxing listening pleasure, depending on the mood and choice of music. The ANC kept the outside world away from my ears and the transparency mode isn't intrusive or too artificial. The 6 hour usage and two extra charges from the case mean it will last a couple of weeks (work) if you use it for a couple of hours or so per day.

With Beoplay EQ, you pay for quality, from design and construction to sound and battery life. Not all of these aspects are indispensable for everyone, but the Beoplay EQ brings them all together in one very desirable package for those who expect a little more from headphones.

Is there a better alternative?

The high price of the Beoplay EQ means you have to be really taken with the brand's style. Anyone looking for just a pair of true wireless earbuds would be well advised to check out the cheaper options, including the Nothing Ear 1, but if you're looking for higher quality sound, a distinctive audio signature and are looking to spend more money, then Beoplay EQs are good choices, but there are others to consider.

The $ 280 Sony WF-1000XM4 are our current top pick for true wireless earbuds and are notoriously hard to beat for sound quality, plus they feature adaptive active noise cancellation. Anyone who wants to spend that much on true wireless earbuds is likely to be heavily influenced by style and sound quality as well. The $ 299 Master & Dynamic MW08 looks and sounds great, and the boutique audio brand has a distinctive and always very enjoyable sound signature. his own, similar to B&O. That's before you consider Apple's AirPods Pro and a host of others.

How long will they last?

The earphones have a waterproof rating of IP54, so they are protected against sweat and dust and should also be used in the rain. The aluminum case has not yet been scratched and will certainly protect the earphones well. Bang & Olufsen has already delivered a software update since it was launched in mid-August, which is installed via the app. All of this, along with great sound, means you should be happy with Beoplay EQs for years after you buy them.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you value brand heritage, quality and a distinctive signature sound, the Beoplay EQ is well worth the enjoyment.

Editor's recommendations



17 Sep
Blog

Razer Huntsman V2 TKL Review: A Fantastic Wired Keyboard

The palm rest of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless

RRP $ 150.00

"The Huntsman V2 TKL from Razer is a gaming keyboard that impresses with its smooth switches."

advantages

  • Oh-so smooth linear opto-mechanical switches

  • Great comfort and ergonomics of the palm rest

  • Quiet typing

  • Tidy design

  • Detachable USB-C cable

disadvantage

  • No media buttons

  • While the palm rest is comfortable, there are a handful of problems

  • No tactile switch option

Razer is releasing a new TKL gaming keyboard today, just a week after the launch of its new Basilisk V3 gaming mouse. This one is called the Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless, and we have a sample on hand to see if it's good and worthy of competing with the best gaming keyboards you can buy.

The Huntsman V2 TKL is part of the Huntsman line of ultra-performance wired gaming keyboards that are designed to excel in competitive gaming without costing as insane as the BlackWidow series.

As a result, they aren't the most feature-packed boards, but the Hunstman V2 TKL proves that its superb switches and form factor are still a fantastic PC gaming companion.

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Overview of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

When you look at the Huntsman TKL, the first thing you notice is the simple design – it's just a simple TKL keyboard with no fancy extras in the periphery. The media keys are built into the F keys instead of being dedicated, there is no volume control, and there aren't tons of RGB qualities in all sorts of disgusting nooks. There's some RGB there, but it's just under the main buttons.

Combine that simplicity with the all-black design and aluminum top plate, and you get a fairly slim keyboard that, oddly enough, doesn't attract much attention. Razer used to be a company that built eccentrically styled devices that were unmistakably "gamers," but these days it seems to be leaning towards slimmer, more sophisticated designs. Maybe it will grow up along with its core audience.

Also included with the Huntsman V2 TKL – and this is probably the biggest upgrade compared to the original – is a synthetic leather palm rest. I first got to know this soft, plush palm rest with the BlackWidow V3 Pro and I'm still just as in love with it. The height is perfect for comfort and because it's so soft it makes typing a real pleasure.

Oblique view of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

There are a couple of caveats: the softness won't last forever – I feel like the thin material wears out relatively quickly by peeling off relatively quickly, and on warm days it can just be a little too plushy for you to beg for something need to be more breathable.

Fortunately, Razer also sells its palm rests separately from the keyboards. So if you type enough to wear them out, replacing them shouldn't be a problem. Plus, the palm rest isn't actually attached to the keyboard – there's not even a magnet holding it in place.

The keyboard is connected to your PC with a detachable, braided USB-C cable.

The switches

The reason you want to buy a Razer Huntsman keyboard is because of the optical switches, or as Razer calls them, the optomechanical switches. These hit the market in 2018 and enjoyed rapid popularity for good reason.

Turns on the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

Our sample of the Huntsman V2 TKL came with the red linear version of the switches, and these are by far my favorite. In general, I'm a tactile (brown) switch type, but on a keyboard as geared towards gaming as the Huntsman V2 TKL, I prefer a linear switch. Thanks Razer for that. The keyboard is also available with clickable optical switches, but there is no tactile option.

But what do I like so much about the optomechanical switches? It's the smoothness.

Razer markets the optical switches as faster and touts them in all sorts of wondrous terms like "the speed of light" and "the fastest performance you'll ever experience," but I don't care about those things. Sure, in a scientific test they could outperform classic electro-mechanical switches because they don't have to take debouncing into account, but if you can find me a person who can determine the speed difference in a blind test, I'll buy you a beer. Maybe two.

Buttons on the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

But the suppleness. I can hardly describe it, as I have only come across a few switches that offer similar smoothness. With a switch like Cherry or Gateron Red you could lubricate them and mount damping O-rings on the stems – and only with all this effort could you achieve the same smooth suspension travel.

The way the switches move is so smooth that it exudes a sense of luxury that you don't get with many keyboards – at least not without stepping into expensive custom keyboard territory.

It is the ease of movement of the opto-mechanical switch that makes the Huntsman V2 TKL so appealing.

The switches are also almost noiseless. Thanks to a sound-absorbing foam layer inside the keyboard, this is one of the quieter mechanical keyboards you will find.

There's just one catch: because the switches are optical, they consume more power than traditional electro-mechanical keys, which means the keyboard cannot be wireless. So there is a cable. And the stabilizers aren't the same as those on Cherry-based boards. Most keys will fit, but the longer keys will not. However, the standard keycaps are double-shot PBT, so most people don't bother updating them.

Gaming performance

When starting out in gaming, the Huntsman V2 TKL is a happy companion. The keyboard's smaller layout isn't quite as game-friendly as something really small like the Razer Huntsman Mini or the BlackWidow V3 Mini or the Corsair K65 RGB Mini, but because of the additional mouse space, it's miles better than a full-size keyboard. This allows me to play at a lower DPI, which results in more accurate recordings.

Side profile of the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

Combine that with the comfortable palm rest, height, and sleek switches and you'll largely forget about the keyboard while gaming – and that's the best compliment I can give a keyboard. It's all just smooth sailing.

While the keyboard polls at 8,000 Hz, 1,000 is enough, and Corsair's K70 RGB TKL Champion Edition has already shown that you don't need 8,000 Hz on a keyboard.

Our opinion

Razer's Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless is a simple but well-executed TKL keyboard for PC gamers. It's not wireless, which is not possible with optical switches (not without very limited battery life). It also doesn't have media buttons and I have a couple of issues with the included palm rest.

Despite these nitpicks, however, you will fall head over heels for it due to the excellent opto-mechanical switches and comfortable form factor.

Are there alternatives?

The next alternative from Logitech is the G Pro mechanical keyboard, which offers largely the same range of functions. But it doesn't come with the same great switches or the comfy palm rest, so I'd go for the Razer of the two.

Corsair now offers the K70 RGB TKL Champion Series, which has media keys and also carries out 8K polling, but, like the Logitech board, does not have the same convenient switches. The palm rest is also missing here.

How long it will take?

The Huntsman V2 TKL should last at least five years of normal use, although I expect the palm rest to need replacing early during that time – maybe twice. Razer covers the keyboard with a two-year warranty.

Should I buy it?

Yes sir. Priced at $ 150, the Huntsman V2 TKL is one of the best TKL keyboards available today.

Editor's recommendations



17 Sep
Blog

GoPro Hero 10 Black Review: An Excellent Evolution

GoPro Hero 10 robust.

GoPro Hero 10 Black Review: An Excellent Development

RRP $ 499.00

"Don't judge a camera by its housing, this new hero is full of hidden talents."

advantages

  • 5.3K 60 fps video recording

  • Improved stabilization

  • Automatic cloud storage integration

  • 2.7k 240 fps slow motion

  • The touchscreen interface is remarkably useful when it is wet

disadvantage

  • Image quality and stabilization deteriorate significantly in low light

  • Short battery life

Often challenged but never conquered, GoPro has dominated the action camera scene since it existed. The GoPro Hero 10 Black shows why this product line is so successful. I'll get right out of it and say that this is certainly the best action camera out there right now, as well as the best action camera ever.

If you're looking to buy a new action camera, this is almost certainly the one you should get. So the question here is really whether existing GoPro owners of the Hero 9 or even the Hero 8 will find the tenth generation or not a convincing upgrade.

draft

If you put the Hero 9 Black and Hero 10 Black side by side, the only notable design change you will notice is that the logo is now blue. Otherwise, it has the same selfie screen on the front and the same touchscreen that spans almost the entire back of the camera. It has the same premium weather resistance and ruggedness, the same fold-out bracket, the same placement of the power and mode buttons, and the battery / microSD card slot.

However, this is actually a good thing as I don't see how it could be improved and it allows the Hero 10 Black to be compatible with all the accessories that worked with its predecessor. This includes things like the GoPro Media Mod and the Max Lens Mod, though compatibility with the latter will have to wait for the firmware update scheduled for November 16, 2021.

GoPro Hero 10 front view.Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

Despite its similar appearance, the Hero 10's lens cap actually received some pretty significant upgrades that I really appreciated. The glass now has a hydrophobic, water-repellent coating that made for much clearer shots when swimming with the camera, and it's more scratch-resistant and less prone to ghosting.

I have to praise GoPro for the packaging, which is plastic-free and has a pretty nice travel case. It is clear that a lot of emphasis has been placed on reducing waste, which is both good for the environment and saves the disposal of a mountain of unnecessary waste.

GoPro Hero 10 case.Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

power

With any camera, the most important factor is the quality of its pictures and / or videos. For the most part, the Hero 10 knocks out of the park in this regard. The Hero 10's improved image quality comes from its new GP2 processor, which allows it to take full advantage of its 23 MP sensor. In the Hero 9, the resolution of still images was limited to 20 MP and video to 5K with 30 frames per second (fps). The Hero 10 can take full 23MP still photos and record 5.3K videos at up to 60 fps.

The Hero 10 beats it out of the park in terms of image / video quality.

Although the increase in resolution is not noticeable in practice, video recording at 60 fps is a big upgrade. This means that it is now possible to do slow motion with resolutions greater than 4K. It might well be debated whether 5.3K is useful at all for most videographers, but an important factor is that if you shoot at 5.3K, you can pull 15.8MP stills out of the video (19.6MP stills with 5K ). I was very happy with these stills and found them to be a huge step up over stills from 4K video.

Of course, 5.3K is just the tip of the iceberg of the Hero 10's video capabilities. For me, the most exciting aspect of this camera is the leap forward it makes for slow motion video at lower resolutions.

GoPro Hero 10 sample treesAndy Zahn / Digital Trends

The frame rate compared to the Hero 9 has not only doubled at 5K, but also at 4K and 2.7K. That is 120fps 4K video and Super-Duper-Slow-Mo 240fps at 2.7K. With the right subject, some really stunning footage can be captured, and with a lot more detail than the 1080p slow motion I'm used to from other cameras. The disadvantage is that at super high frame rates, especially at 240fps, artifacts definitely occur.

It's by far the best digital image stabilization I've ever used.

Another major upgrade that solidifies my love for the Hero 10 is the new Hypersmooth 4.0 video stabilization. It's by far the best digital image stabilization I've ever used, and it really gave results comparable to a mechanical gimbal in many situations. As I rode my bike down a gravel road with the camera in hand, I was able to capture usable footage from the rough ground without noticeable tremors.

Walking on the Hero 10 also gave stable results, although running on a bumpy path through the forest turned out to be a little too much. The tilt limiter has been increased from 27 degrees to 45 degrees, which means that the camera can hold the horizon better when activated.

GoPro Hero 10 tripod.Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

Although the new, more powerful processor improves performance in poor lighting conditions, there is no getting around the laws of physics. Image quality degrades a lot in low light, although I have to say the results were better than some other cameras I've used that have similarly small image sensors.

I was very impressed with the audio. Even on a windy bike ride on a busy road, the Hero 10 delivered usable recordings. It's good enough that I want to have it fully incorporated into the production of my own videos.

I was very impressed with the audio.

I also have to emphasize the time lapse functions of the Hero 10. In addition to the more traditional standard time laps, they also include Hyperlapse and Nightlapse. This is one of the things I use action cameras for the most. The small size and durable, waterproof properties of the Hero 10 make it the perfect device for leaving the weather outside to capture long time-lapses in changing weather or traffic on a city street.

software

The onboard software of the Hero 10 is quick and easy to use via the touchscreen and the mode selection button. The new processor makes everything from booting to menu navigation faster, and the rear screen runs at higher frame rates so the live view better matches the footage being captured.

The Hero 10 can also be controlled remotely via the Quik app, which also includes some very handy editing functions. I honestly said that I preferred some aspects of editing footage with this app on my phone over using Adobe Premiere on my PC.

Connectivity

I am very impressed with the seamless connection between my phone and the Hero 10. Just open the app and turn on the camera and the two will automatically connect with no fuss once you've enabled all permissions in your phone setup. This ease of use has made me much more likely to use the app with the Hero 10. Most other camera companion apps are so cumbersome to connect devices that the effort is usually not worth it.

The Hero 10 goes one step further because with a GoPro subscription you get free, unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos taken with the device, and the Hero 10 can do this automatically when it is charged. Simply connect the camera to your home WiFi via the app and you no longer have to worry about transferring recordings from your camera to your computer via USB (although you can instead if you prefer or if you have a weak internet have connection). Once in the cloud and again with a strong internet connection, your footage can be quickly downloaded to any device.

I was very impressed with the seamless connection between my phone and the Hero 10.

For me, this ability was more of a tempting vision of the future than reality, as my internet connection at home runs at around 10 Mbit / s on good days. For those who have decent, modern broadband internet, the automatic cloud storage is a very valuable feature.

Another feature worth mentioning is that the Hero 10 now enables live streaming in 1080p with Hypersmooth enabled. The front display can be used for framing, making the Hero 10 a compelling option for various live streaming applications.

GoPro Hero 10 LCD screen.Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

battery

When I first started using the Hero 10, I was a bit shocked at how quickly the battery drained. Just a short session with it will burn off most of the juice, but it's important to put this in the context of the device. I use action cameras to capture short clips, typically less than a minute long, and while the battery pack has a remarkably short lifespan, I never really felt limited by it. That said, you'll want to use a few extra batteries, especially if you want to record in 5.3K or high frame rates.

Price and availability

With an MSRP of $ 499, the GoPro Hero 10 Black seems quite expensive at first, especially when you consider that this is $ 50 more than the Hero 9, which was launched a year ago however, it helps reduce this significantly if you choose to subscribe to GoPro. With the subscription, the total cost is only $ 399, which is much easier to swallow, and you can enjoy all the benefits of the GoPro subscription for a year.

After your first year, this subscription will cost you $ 5 a month or $ 50 a year, and for that price, I would personally consider it a bargain, especially if you have an internet connection that allows high-resolution footage to be automatically uploaded. The subscription offers other benefits such as discounts and the replacement of damaged cameras.

An accessory pack is also available with the Hero 10 for $ 50 and includes a shorty tripod, magnetic rotating clip, additional battery, and a 32GB microSD card.

GoPro Hero 10 top down view.Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

Our opinion

the GoPro Hero 10 Black may on the surface look like a clone of its predecessor, but once you get under the hood, you'll find that almost everything about this camera has undergone a drastic upgrade. At a time when everyone carries a powerful camera in the form of a smartphone, it is difficult to develop a compelling dedicated camera. The Hero 10 does this by being tough where your phone is fragile and by offering an amazing level of versatility, making it suitable for a wide variety of different uses. Action may be where it shines, but the truth is that if you are creating videos of any kind, this is a tool that should be in your kit.

Is there a better alternative?

No, there is no camera like the Hero 10 that outperforms it. However, if you need something that fits into a smaller budget, the Hero 9 Black is available for $ 349 and the Hero 8 Black is available for just $ 279. Both are still great options, though I'd recommend the DJI Osmo Action for $ 200 on the Hero 8. Alternatively, you can opt for a 360-degree camera such as the GoPro Max or the Insta360 One X2.

How long it will take?

A new GoPro Hero is as much a fall season staple as pumpkin spice, but each new iteration remains a relevant and powerful tool for years to come. Of course, that depends on how roughly you handle these sturdy little cameras. However, if you choose the GoPro subscription, you can get a replacement camera (two per year) for a fraction of the cost of a new camera. This is a great advantage with cameras that are designed to be at risk.

Should you buy it?

If you are looking for a new action camera this is the clear and obvious choice. For owners of existing Hero cameras, the enormous increase in slow-motion functions alone can make the upgrade worthwhile.

Editor's recommendations



16 Sep
Blog

Lost Judgment Review: Yakuza Spin-off Loses the Plot

Yagami slide kicks an enemy in Lost Judgment.

Lost Judgment Review: Yakuza spin-off loses plot

RRP $ 60.00

"Lost Judgment is a mechanically solid Yakuza spin-off, but its tangled story makes it feel like a TV show that ran a few seasons too long."

advantages

  • Polished yakuza gameplay

  • Faster fight

  • Healthy side stories

  • Tons of activities

disadvantage

  • Simplified investigation

  • Inconvenient property

  • Lack of ease

If Yakuza is a goofy soap opera, Lost Judgment is hardened procedural drama. Both genres have similarities, especially when it comes to melodramas, but the difference lies in how seriously they take themselves. Soap operas tend to be naughty, really indulge in their exaggerated emotions, and take it to the edge of comedy. Procedures like Law and Order aren't quite as tongue-in-cheek. It's not easy to make fun of a grizzly murder.

It's an important distinction that yakuza fans should keep in mind. Lost Judgment is a mechanically well-known spin-off of the long-running action RPG series, but it has a completely different tone. We no longer see Kamurocho through the eyes of an adorable Himbo or a bright-eyed outsider, but rather a die-hard detective investigating a disgusting array of crimes. Kamurocho may look the same, but the streets feel a little darker this time.

Lost Judgment exacerbates Yakuza's traditional beat-em-up battle and adds a lot more game variety thanks to its detective premise. However, its story is much more chaotic and deals with a bevy of sensitive subjects that are not always handled with grace.

Go out on the street

While Lost Judgment is classified as a spin-off, it's actually a replacement for the traditional yakuza experience. Like its predecessor, Judgment from 2018, the story takes place in Takayuki Nagami, an independent detective who works on the same criminal streets we've seen in almost every yakuza game. As in these titles, Nagami jumps back and forth between a few small, open cities that are densely populated with missions, side quests, and mini-games. I am always amazed how much I don't mind going back to Kamurocho thanks to the clever use of space. No road feels useless; There are enough attractions to make it feel like a living space.

For those who found Yakuza: How a Dragon's Leap into Turn-Based Combat disappointing, Lost Judgment is a return to the good old days. That is, the good old days when you beat the snot out of people in real time. The fight here is an upgrade as fights feel faster and more fluid than games like Yakuza Kiwami. A faster fighter than Kiryu, Nagami uses three different styles to defeat enemies. With a slew of move upgrades to choose from and loads of tough contextual specialty attacks, combat feels more complex than ever. Kiryu was a cumbersome powerhouse, but Nagami is a force of nature that ricochets off walls and emerges from the ground to hit surprising Hurricanranas.

Yagami slide kicks an enemy in Lost Judgment.

It's not just the fight that feels different from Nagami's perspective. Since he's a detective, more happens in the gameplay. He can park walls to sneak into buildings, use gadgets to investigate crime scenes, and sneakily track suspects. The beat-to-beat gameplay in Lost Judgment adds a lot more variety and prevents it from feeling like a beat-em-up button tamper. When it comes to fighting, they have a little extra weight. After all, when Nagami has to get his hands dirty, Nagami prefers to go quiet so you know something has gone wrong.

Despite this simplicity, Lost Judgment feels like a better use of the Yakuza framework in many ways.

Many of the side systems are simplified which makes them unobtrusive but not always exciting to play. Investigation Sections are little more than a point-and-click mini-game for finding clues. When players are asked to sift through accumulated evidence to solve a loose ending, all they have to do is click through a list of documents until they find the right one. There is no consequence in saying something ridiculous in court or showing someone a completely independent piece of evidence.

Despite this simplicity, Lost Judgment feels like a better use of the Yakuza framework in many ways. Strolling the streets of the city and examining every little alley narrative makes a lot of sense here. Something as basic as side quests feels more motivated because they're designed to have Nagami pick up cases instead of getting unhappy into a goofy conflict on the street. Everything feels more conscious, which makes the game feel like a smart replacement for the main yakuza games (which will reflect Like a Dragon in the future).

law and order

While the game is mechanically solid, it wades into tricky narrative territory. And since a large part of the game is spent with dialog-heavy cutscenes, that stands out in the end. The story begins when a rotting corpse is discovered in a warehouse, covered in blood and covered in insects. This is not just a simple murder case. Multiple storylines entwine, including a bullying crisis at a local school and a pull button.

The latter is sure to generate a lot of backlash. The crime itself is inconvenient, but the role it plays in the main story becomes confusing and grotesque. I won't go into that there, but it's a moment where I wonder if Lost Judgment bites off more than it can thematically chew. It covers sensitive topics like bullying and sexual harassment, but is not always graceful in presentation.

The Lost Judgment story ultimately feels like a good show that goes on a few seasons too long.

The story is ultimately about the tangled webs that form when our judicial systems fail. The different players all fall victim to the system to different degrees. Everyone struggles to find solutions to problems that courts simply cannot solve. It's less black and white than yakuza's sometimes caricatured portrayal of organized crime in which thugs are thugs and sometimes poignant for it.

The main character of Judgment shows someone a picture on their cell phone.

The problem here is that Lost Judgment is a little too invested in a twisted TV series plot to cover these ambitious topics. Major revelations end up feeling like the kind of cheap cliffhangers designed to keep audiences busy. Sacrifice becomes a slippery subject as the characters' power dynamics keep changing, turning meaningful, real-world commentary into pulp fiction.

The Lost Judgment story ultimately feels like a good show that goes on a few seasons too long. The plot twists as if a studio had ordered two unexpected seasons just before the last one. Characters spin more than a WWE wrestler, which makes Nagami look like an amateur who trusts everyone. Yakuza's soap opera shocks are still there, but they are out of place in a much more serious story.

Night on the town

As with yakuza games, the main storyline is only one aspect of Lost Judgment. Its cities are full of smaller stories and activities. Nagami can play a game of shogi in the street, drive drone races, or play fully emulated classic Sega games in his office. These little additional details have always given Yakuza its special charm and are not lost here. It's just wonderful to take a break from a tense story and relax in the batting cages with well-designed mini-games.

While some of the activities are well known, others bring new energy to cities. There are a few surprisingly entertaining "VR" games out there, including a neon-filled version of Mario Party. There's a silly rhythm-based dance mini-game that replaces karaoke. Most noticeable is that Nagami always has a skateboard with which he can cruise around town. It's not particularly complex, but it's both stylish and practical as a locomotive tool.

Nagami dances with high school students in Lost Judgment.

In addition, there are some impressive side missions this time around. The game essentially features an entire side campaign in which Nagami helps a school's mystery club solve a number of cases. Given how heavy and messy the main story is, it's a healthier series of stories that steal the show. I wish the whole game was more of an '80s school comedy with a self-serious Nagami who became an ignorant mentor to kids.

… The verdict may loosen up a little in future installments.

It's one of the few places that Lost Judgment is rightly funny, and that's the biggest let down here. Yakuza tells serious crime stories, but that is always offset by noisy, funny side quests that plunge into the absurd. No side quest here is as fun as helping a man safely cross a bridge while wearing a jacket that will make everyone beat him up. Nothing made me laugh like Kiryu, who was accidentally tricked into buying dirty magazines for a child. In comparison, everything here is a little more grounded. You wouldn't call Nagami a fool.

For me, this lightness is really the heart of Yakuza. Comedy adds depth to its story and characters. Kiryu would be a boring protagonist if it weren't for the sitcom side quests that highlight his sillier side. The rift in the Yakuza franchise created by Like a Dragon isn't all about real-time vs. turn-based combat. If Like a Dragon and Lost Judgment are any clue, the main Yakuza games will retain their sense of humor, while the Judgment titles tend more towards weighty drama (i.e., if the series still exists). Players can choose whichever they like more, but Judgment could be a little looser in future installments.

Our opinion

Lost Judgment is a fitting replacement for the traditional yakuza style, even if it doesn't share the same heart or humor. The fight feels better than ever and there's just more to do thanks to various detective mechanics that keep everything from getting too boring. This strong gameplay ultimately disappoints with a tangled and sometimes insensitive story that fails to quite fulfill its thematic ambitions. The bones are still there, however, which makes this another great excuse to see what's going on in Kamurocho.

Is there a better alternative?

I would recommend starting with the main line of the Yakuza series before getting into it. Yakuza 0 or the Kiwami games don't play as well, but they feel more structured.

How long it will take?

The game lasts up to 30 hours and that number increases quite a bit thanks to the optional school missions, 42 side quests and various mini-games.

Should you buy it?

No. If you haven't shopped into the franchise yet, this is unlikely to change your mind. This game is more for hardcore yakuza fans who miss its traditional fighting style, although by and large it's not quite as satisfying.

Editor's recommendations



16 Sep
Blog

Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Review: Competitive Mouse

Corsair Saber Pro Wireless on a black background.

Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless Review: Competitive Mouse, Competitive Price

RRP $ 110.00

"The Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless offers all the functions of the best wireless eSport mice, only for less money."

advantages

  • 2,000 Hz polling rate

  • Flexible iCue software

  • Comfortable design with palm grip

  • Only 79 grams

  • Two wireless modes

disadvantage

  • Limited extra buttons

  • One RGB zone only

In the world of esports mice, it's usually hard to get excited about another barebone mouse – especially if it's an update to an existing model. This is the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless. It's almost identical to the $ 60 Saber RGB Pro, just no cables and at almost twice the price.

Even so, it's cheaper than the competition and comes with specs to look forward to.

You can buy a great wireless gaming mouse like the Logitech G305 for less than half the price, yes. But with an updated sensor, two wireless modes, and software that goes beyond RGB lighting, the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless is a great gaming mouse that beats the competition.

draft

Corsair Saber Pro Wireless on a black background.

The Saber Pro Wireless is part of Corsair's Champion Series, a line of products designed in collaboration with eSports athletes for optimal performance. In terms of dimensions, it is identical to the available Saber Pro, only with the wire cut off. However, the wireless model is only a hair heavier – 79 grams versus 74 grams.

It's not ambidextrous like the Logitech G Pro, which is the direct competitor of the Saber Pro Wireless. Instead, the top shell is offset to the left for a right-handed design and protrudes about 10mm further out at the front. A high center gives you a lot of support in relation to the palm grip. The claw grip works too, although I prefer something smaller like the Razer Viper Ultimate because I don't have the biggest hands.

The Saber Pro Wireless doesn't need looks given its price.

Because of its looks, the Saber Pro Wireless is not going to win any awards. It's a black mouse with an RGB Corsair logo on the back (which you can customize via iCue). It's even less noticeable than the wired Saber Pro. The wireless model lacks lighting around the scroll wheel and does not display the DPI scale on the side of the mouse.

Still, given its price, the Saber Pro Wireless doesn't need any looks. It's $ 20 cheaper than the Logitech Pro and $ 50 cheaper than the Razer Viper Ultimate. There are cheaper wireless mice like the Steelseries Rival 3, but nothing with specs that rival the Saber Pro Wireless.

Sensor and buttons

The Saber Pro Wireless features Corsair's Marksman 26K DPI sensor, which you can adjust in iCue in 1 DPI increments. According to Corsair, the mouse has a tracking resolution of 650 IPS and you can set a query rate of up to 2,000 Hz. This rate corresponds to a response time of 0.5 ms in wired mode, and Corsair claims "wireless transmission under 1 ms" with its slipstream technology.

Corsair Saber Pro Wireless with the scroll wheel.

Compared to the wired Saber Pro, the polling rate appears to be a downgrade. The wired model supports a polling rate of up to 8000 Hz. However, each step above 1000 Hz divides a millisecond. So the higher you go, the less return you will get. And 2,000 Hz is fast enough, so this spec is less of a downgrade than it might seem.

No one should reasonably be using a 26K DPI mouse, but the Saber Pro Wireless allows you to. Wireless gaming mice like the Razer Orochi V2 score with 18K DPI. For higher demands, you'll need to turn to Logitech's flagship options with its 25K Hero sensor like the Logitech Pro X Superlight.

I used the Saber Pro Wireless as my only mouse for about a week – and I still use it. As someone who spends at least a couple of hours every night in Destiny 2, the Saber Pro Wireless could keep up. I switched to my Razer Viper Ultimate and an older Corsair M65 with no noticeable difference out of shape.

Corsair says the Saber Pro Wireless has seven programmable buttons, even though I only counted six (and six only show up in iCue). In addition to left, right and middle mouse clicks, you have a DPI setting button in the middle and thumb buttons for forward and backward on the left. You can reassign any of the buttons in iCue, as well as assign macros or functions to them.

No one should reasonably be using a 26K DPI mouse, but the Saber Pro Wireless allows you to.

The left and right click buttons use Omron switches that are rated for 50 million clicks. They're also Corsair's Quickstrike buttons, which means there is no gap between the switch and the button. Honestly, I can't tell any difference from other high-end gaming mice, so this seems to be mostly marketing fluff. Omron switches, however, are nice to have and to be expected for a mouse of this class.

Connectivity and battery life

According to Corsair's pricing, wireless is worth about $ 50 more on the Saber Pro Wireless. And it is. The slipstream wireless tech held up perfectly in a nervous shooter like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, as well as a slower action game like Resident Evil Village. When switching between wired and wireless, I could never tell the difference.

Slipstream isn't all you have access to, however. The Saber Pro Wireless also works with Bluetooth 4.2, and you can switch between the two with a toggle on the mouse button. As someone who likes to use PC peripherals on my Nvidia Shield, the Saber Pro is a perfect match for the Bluetooth-enabled Logitech G915 TKL keyboard.

Corsair says the Saber Pro can last up to 90 hours on one charge, which is a lot longer than it sounds like. I immediately started using the Saber Pro without charging it. Even then, the mouse lasted a full week before it needed to be charged, and it warned me via a little red LED on top before it ran out.

The wireless dongle for the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless.

The battery life is 90 hours in Bluetooth mode without lighting. If you want to use slipstream, that drops to 60 hours. Even so, I never had battery life issues even when using Slipstream with the lights on. By default, the mouse goes to sleep after 15 minutes, so you can save some juice while you're away.

Once the battery is empty, you can connect the included USB-C cable for charging while you continue to use the mouse. I've got used to this on my Razer Viper Ultimate, so I'm glad Corsair added a wired mode as well. The charging port is sunk slightly to handle the bulk of the cable, although I would have liked Corsair to have moved it a little further back. The included cable protrudes about half an inch in wired mode.

software

Bundled software is usually an afterthought, but iCue, on the other hand, is a reason to get the Saber Pro Wireless. Corsair has kept adding to this software and is now better than ever. Lighting is the least interesting part of the software, at least for the Saber Pro Wireless.

As mentioned earlier, you can rebind any of the six buttons. In addition to keystrokes, mouse functions and special language keys, you can also use macros. I used the built-in macro recorder to create a 591 step macro and it worked. The recorder even records delays so that you can execute complex input strings at the push of a button.

The macro recorder in Corsair's iCue software.

There are a variety of options in iCue. Switching between languages ​​on the keyboard, starting apps with one key and programming complex macros are all possible – and they are also easy to set up in iCue.

You can divide the DPI in iCue into five profiles that are saved on the mouse. Once you've set these, you can use the mouse on all computers without iCue installed. Along with the DPI settings, you can organize lighting and button mappings into three built-in profiles that travel with the mouse.

There is also a lot going on in the settings. You can turn off DPI adjustment, which is useful for avoiding gaming mishaps, and you can adjust the time after the mouse falls asleep. As is typical for iCue, you can also calibrate the sensor to your surface and pair the mouse again if it gets disconnected. Out of the box, the mouse worked for me straight away, even without iCue installed.

Corsair has gone deep instead of far with iCue. Logitech's G-Hub is useful, if not nearly as deep as iCue, and Razer has several apps that focus on overall PC performance, not customizing peripherals. Simply put, iCue is packed with functionality for peripheral devices while maintaining accessibility.

Our opinion

The Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless is not for everyone. You can save a lot of money on mice like the Rival 3 that have lower specs but still hold up for the average gamer.

However, if you are a serious esports gamer, you will love the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless. With an insanely high DPI sensor, long battery life, and a price that beats other top peripheral brands, it's a simple mouse for competitive gamers.

Are there alternatives?

Yes sir. The Razer Viper Ultimate and Logitech Pro are both excellent ambidextrous mice, but they're a bit more expensive.

The Steelseries Rival 3 is a much cheaper alternative, although it doesn't have such a nice sensor.

How long it will take?

The Omron switches on the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless are rated for 50 million clicks. If you clicked 10,000 a day – which is unlikely – it would last just under 14 years. Realistically, you can use Saber Pro Wireless for over 15 years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you're looking for a high quality wireless mouse that covers the basics. However, it depends on the type of games you are playing. Something like the Razer Naga is better suited for MMOs with its extra buttons, while the Corsair M65 has a blunt design that is easier to use in shooters.

Editor's recommendations



16 Sep
Blog

Skatebird Review: A Game About Birds That Can Skate

A fiery bird in Skatebird.

Skatebird Review: It's not a Tony Hawk, but it does contain tiny hawks

RRP $ 19.99

"Skatebird's rough skating mechanics are balanced by his charming humor in the Internet age."

advantages

  • Laughable writing

  • Generally adorable

  • Killer skating soundtrack

disadvantage

  • Controls awful

  • Shaky physics

The genre of skateboarding games has many established kings. If you're looking for something very arcade-esque, play Tony Hawks Pro Skater, while Skate 2 or 3 offers a slightly more realistic (but still completely bombastic) experience. Regardless of how you look at it, these two franchises own the skating genre, much like Call of Duty and Battlefield own multiplayer shooters of their own. There are others out there, but they don't stack up.

Now we have Skatebird that pops up out of nowhere and instantly shows that while it won't take the crown from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, it was never designed to do it. Instead, Skatebird is here so people can have a fun, if sometimes frustrating, time. It's a goofy arcade skateboarding game full of funny dialogue and goofy references that doesn't promise anyone the skating game of their dreams. But at least it will brighten your day.

For the birds

The entire premise of Skatebird is written in its name, and if you're not used to such jokes, just leave this review right now. You are a bird that makes ice skates. Skatebird sounds like a skateboard. Understand? Great, go on.

In Skatebird you drag, fly and chirp (or as the game calls it, “screm”) as a tiny, gnarled bird through everyday areas. The game has all the trappings of a typical arcade skating game, starting with character customization, where players can choose what kind of bird they want to be and what goofy accessories to wear. Of course, I took a cowboy hat with me, which was always worn.

The required joke is made in Skatebird.Thought Skatebird wasn't making a Tony Hawk joke?

After a brief introduction, players are thrown straight into the first area of ​​the game: a huge bedroom that belongs to their bird's great friend. Unfortunately, Big Friend is feeling down, so the skater along with a herd of others decides to flee the room, find out why the friend is so bad, and fix the problem with the power of ice skating.

Skatebird's story is a play on words, all with a subtle background of anti-capitalist sentiments …

In short, the bird's owner does a shitty job at a shitty tech startup that the Birds of course sabotage by first rerouting the boss's AC from his office and to everyone else, then destroying servers and more. Skatebird's story is word play at a time, all with a subtle backdrop of anti-capitalist sentiments, and if the idea of ​​capitalism-hating birds doesn't bring a smile to your face, I beg you to get a feel for the humor.

Better to fly

It's a shame to say, but the goofy story and stupid jokes of Skatebird are the stars here. The game stays in its arcade style, with each face button controlling a move. One button does an ollie, another grinds, another grabs, etc. That's the best thing about Skatebird: It's easy to control. You decide when your bird grabs or grinds. It is much, much more difficult to influence whether you will actually land successfully after a trick.

Skating in Skatebird has all the grace of a bird on a skateboard, which exactly isn't. The bird is more like a fish in the air flapping around with no sense of direction. I did tricks and then tried to land on the ground only to have the board pointed at a 45 degree angle for some reason, resulting in my bird absolutely eating tar. The game seems to provide for this, however, by giving players control of their trapped bird, which can be rolled around for fun, but that feeling only lasts through a couple of failed landings.

Rest over a roof in Skatebird.

Getting around with wheels on the ground is no better, as Skatebird's wobbly physics engine regularly decides that a small bump against an object is enough to knock your bird down. However, at other times you will build up speed and hit a wall without turning around because the game apparently still thinks you are accelerating which means you need to get out.

Situations like this get even more annoying when you realize that it is not that easy to build up speed in Skatebird. Birds, of course, can't pump on a skateboard. Instead, the game has a "Fancy" meter that players fill by going up and down ramps to go faster. Before taking a big jump or long grind, there is a need to wind your way down some ramps while making sure you don't bump into anything or fall off the board, which can be a frustrating challenge.

Skating in Skatebird has all the grace of a bird on a skateboard, which exactly isn't.

What Skatebird lacks in grace it makes up for in charm. While roughly half of my moment-to-moment gameplay was spent getting upset with my bird for choosing to see what the sidewalk looks like up close, the other half was spent grinning like a fool. Walking around to the game's fantastic soundtrack, which goes perfectly with other skating game soundtracks and is likely to land on my Spotify soon, is an absolute blast. Small touches like this made everything else bearable.

Our opinion

I don't think Skatebird was made the best skate game ever, mainly because it's so far from being as good as that. Instead, Skatebird is here to be a distraction – something fun and goofy, to get you off things. Admittedly, it's hard to think of rent or other heavy issues when you're playing a stupid little game about a stupid little bird on a stupid little skateboard.

When you buy Skatebird, don't expect it to reinvent the genre. It doesn't. But this game could have been about birds diving and exploring underwater (working title: Skubird), and as long as it had the same charm and sense of humor, I would have enjoyed it anyway.

Is there a better alternative?

If you are looking for a good arcade skating game, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2 is an easy choice.

How long it will take?

I put about five hours into Skatebird, but if I tried to collect every collectible and beat every mission it would probably take more than seven.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but with the caveat that you dampen all expectations. Skatebird is not a game about skating birds, it is a game about birds who can ice skate.

Editor's recommendations



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