1UpEmily, Author at Team Retro

TCL C7K 65″ Premium QD-Mini LED Review

We’ve been testing the brand new 65” C7K QD-Mini LED TV from TCL for the past week — and it’s packed with everything you need to get the best out of movies and gaming.

It’s available in a range of sizes, from 50” all the way up to 115”, but for this review, we’re focusing on the 65” model — which is a popular size for a lot of living rooms and gaming setups.

Let’s take a look at what makes this display stand out.

Design and Build

The C7K has a super clean design—minimal bezels, a modern floating stand, and a slim overall profile that looks great wall-mounted or sitting on a unit.

There’s also a nicely placed USB port on the bottom right corner, which is great if you’re plugging in a hard drive or media stick and don’t want to fumble around the back of the unit.

Picture Quality

Now for the picture quality. This is where the C7K really starts to shine. It’s running a QD-Mini LED panel with 1008 local dimming zones, which gives you excellent black levels, bright highlights, and vivid colours.

The 2600 nits peak brightness makes HDR content really pop, and the 7000:1 contrast ratio holds up well even in darker scenes. Colours are powered by TCL’s Quantum Dot layer and CrystGlow HVA panel, delivering rich tones without oversaturation.

The TV also includes Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, and AiPQ Pro processing, which helps upscale lower resolution content and keeps things looking sharp and smooth. We tested everything from YouTube to Blu-rays and 4K streams—detail and clarity were consistently excellent.

There are multiple picture modes to choose from:

Vivid – Cranks the brightness and colour saturation, great for daytime viewing
Movie – Prioritises colour accuracy, ideal for film lovers
Smart HDR – Boosts contrast and detail dynamically
Game – Optimised for low latency and fast motion
Sports, PC, and Low Power modes are also available
Plus, dynamic Dolby Vision IQ, Bright, Dark, and Game modes that auto-adjust depending on your content

For most of our testing, Movie mode gave us the most natural results, while Dolby Vision IQ was perfect for HDR content. We actually found IQ to deliver a slightly brighter image.

Gaming Performance

Now Gamers — this one’s for you. The C7K supports up to 144Hz at 4K, plus a wild 288Hz VRR mode @ 2K for compatible PC setups. You also get ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro, and TCL’s Game Master 2.0 suite.

There’s also a handy Game Bar overlay that lets you check refresh rate, toggle settings, and quickly switch between presets. It’s a pretty handy feature that saves you digging through menus mid-session.

On top of that, the Game Bar gives you fast access to three picture presets, tailored for gaming:

Original – which offers a balanced picture for most games
FPS – which brightens dark areas to help spot enemies
And RPG – which boosts saturation and contrast for more cinematic gameplay

We tested a bunch of games across PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch—including Death Stranding 2, Black Ops 6, and Tears of the Kingdom—and honestly, everything looked and played great.

On the PS5, titles like Death Stranding 2 really showed off the cinematic strengths of the panel. The wide colour gamut and deep contrast gave the world an incredible sense of depth—shadows were inky, and highlights popped without blowing out detail.

Black Ops 6 was a perfect test for motion handling. Whether we were sprinting through high-action maps or scanning dark corners, the FPS picture preset paired with VRR delivered super smooth gameplay with no noticeable tearing or stuttering.

Over on Xbox Series X, we tested games like Forza Horizon 5 and Doom The Dark Ages — and at 120Hz, the response felt ultra-fast. The extra brightness helped maintain punchy colours even during chaotic scenes with explosions, fire, or night driving.

Even the Nintendo Switch held its own. We jumped into Tears of the Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, and the upscaling did a fantastic job cleaning up the lower-res output. Colours were vibrant, and the image stayed crisp despite the lower native resolution.

Whether it was 30, 60, or 120 frames per second, the C7K handled everything beautifully. VRR kept gameplay fluid, and the input lag was low enough that we never felt like we were fighting the controls — even in fast-paced online matches.

Audio

A pleasant surprise with the C7K is just how good the sound is. Thanks to Bang & Olufsen audio, it’s surprisingly immersive. Clear mids, decent low-end, and excellent stereo imaging. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which really comes into play when watching movies or playing games with spatial audio.

There are a few presets too—Movie, Music, Game—each giving you a slightly different flavour depending on the content.

Smart Features & Interface

The C7K runs Google TV, so you’ve got access to all the major apps—Netflix, Prime, Disney+, YouTube—plus built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant support.

Navigation is quick, the UI feels snappy, and voice controls work smoothly with the mic-enabled remote. Setup was straightforward, and we didn’t run into any lag or bugs while jumping between sources or streaming content.

Conclusion

So, is the TCL 65” C7K worth it?

If you’re after a TV that delivers decent HDR, top-notch gaming performance, and premium audio, it’s hard to beat at this price point. TCL’s QD-Mini LED technology continues to impress, and this panel delivers in almost every area.

LEGO Horizon Adventures Review

Story

LEGO Horizon Adventures closely follows the original Horizon Zero Dawn storyline, putting you in the shoes of Aloy as you embark on your adventure. This being my first LEGO game, I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was super surprised with how much I enjoyed this cross-over. The team blends the serious tone of Aloy’s story with a fresh, fun take on the HZD universe.

Co-op Experience

Once you finish the prologue, co-op play is unlocked. You can play co-op locally on the same system or online; however, there is no cross-play option. Although it can be played solo, this game shines in two-player mode. A bonus for trophy hunters: achievements unlock for both accounts when playing co-op.

Difficulty Settings and Visual Modes

LEGO Horizon Adventures offers five distinct difficulty settings, ranging from “Story” mode for those who prefer a laid-back experience to “Hero” mode for players seeking a real challenge. Whether you’re in it for the narrative or the thrill of combat, there’s a difficulty level to match your preference.

There are also two visual modes to choose from. Performance Mode (for smoother gameplay) and Fidelity Mode (for enhanced visual quality).

All these options are easily adjustable in the settings menu, even mid-game. For this review, I played on the “Adventurer” difficulty with the game set to Fidelity mode.

Similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn

Stealth elements, a beloved feature from the HZD series, are present in this LEGO adaptation. Hiding in tall grass automatically engages stealth mode, allowing you to sneak up on enemies. You can also use Aloy’s trusty Focus to scan enemies and identify their weak points – a must for newcomers.

Much like HZD you can traverse ledges, collect health from plants and find hidden treasure caches across the map. The one thing that is hugely different is that you have infinite arrows so there is no need to craft those. There are also elements that you can use such as fire to shoot through to create fire arrows, ice water to freeze, electricity to shock and so on. Using your surroundings to take down enemies is a must in some areas of the game and I had quite a bit of fun doing so.

Gadgets and Enemies

Early in the game, you start unlocking gadgets like blast boots and a quirky hot dog stand, which enhance gameplay with unique abilities. Enemies include both machines and cultists, offering a mix of familiar foes and new challenges. The level design is impressive, particularly when exploring machine-building factories (cauldrons), accompanied by fantastic background music.

LEGO Bricks and Customisation

The game includes two types of collectible LEGO bricks: small bronze, silver or gold ones scattered throughout the map and larger gold bricks. These can be used to purchase items for your village, Mother’s Heart, as well as character costumes. Building mechanics are also incorporated, allowing players to construct structures on select sites as you level up, which often rewards additional bricks. As you progress, new buildable areas unlock, expanding the customisation options.

And it doesn’t stop there customisation is extensive, with a wide variety of costumes to unlock. I found myself spending quite a bit of time perfecting my character’s look.

Skill Tree

The skill tree system at the All-Mother Tree allows players to unlock upgrades using collected bricks. With 16 perks and up to 3 tiers per upgrade, the progression of levelling up applies to player one and your co-op partner.

Level Design and Map Exploration
One aspect where the game falls short is the level design’s repetitiveness. For instance, rescuing the Nora tribe involves a cycle of completing levels and returning to Mother’s Heart. This structure, while straightforward, can feel linear compared to the open-world freedom of the original Horizon Zero Dawn. However, the machine-building factories are a highlight, featuring stunning visuals and an excellent soundtrack. Additionally, the playful banter between characters during these levels adds a lighthearted touch, making each stage more enjoyable and fun to play through.

Additional Playable Characters
You can also unlock other playable characters like Teersa, who throws bombs, Varl, who has a spear, and Errand, who wields a powerful club. While Teersa’s bomb throws have limited range, they are highly effective in dealing damage. Varl, I feel was equally as fun to play as Aloy and Errand, players may find, like me, that you’re limited with his club.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game as someone other than Aloy and think that the team did a great job in perfecting the combat for each character.

Verdict
LEGO Horizon Adventures on the PlayStation 5 is a charming, family-friendly take on a beloved game. It combines the familiar mechanics of HZD with LEGO’s signature humour and creativity, making it a fun experience whether you’re playing solo or in co-op. Despite some repetitive level design, the game’s visuals, engaging fun combat and hilarious dialogue make it a worthy addition to any LEGO or Horizon fan’s collection.

Final Rating: 8/10

Pros: Beautiful visuals, intuitive co-op, fun customisation options, and creative gameplay.
Cons: Linear level design and lack of cross-play support.

PlayStation Portal Review

In this video we will cover everything you need to know about PlayStations latest accessory. Thank you to PlayStation Australia for early access to a PlayStation Portal Review Unit.

In Australia the Portal releases on February 2nd. This PlayStation 5 accessory gives the player access to games on their PS5 over a home Wi-Fi connection, without the need for a TV. It can also be used OUTSIDE the home which we will also test in this review.

First of all, the Portal features an 8” 1080P LCD display capable of 60fps. It harnesses the same immersive haptic feedback and adaptive triggers found in the Dual Sense controller, and can last on-average, around 6 hours on full brightness.

For audio you can use the built-in stereo speakers, or a PlayStation Link enabled device such as the latest PULSE Explore wireless earbuds. You also have the option to connect wired headphones via a 3.5mm jack.

Let’s kick this video off with 3 frequently asked questions about the PlayStation Portal.

1) Does the Portal have any limitations?

As this is a remote play device, some accessories & games aren’t supported, such as the PlayStation Camera, PSVR2 and VR games. Some PS5 functions also can’t be used such as Share Play and Movie playback.

2) Do you need a PlayStation Plus membership to use your Portal?

In short, NO, but if you are trying to access multiplayer games, then you would need to have an active membership.

3) What are the recommended connection requirements?

First of all, the PlayStation Portal and PS5 need to be logged into the same PlayStation user account. It’s also suggested that you enable ‘Turn on PS5 from Network when in Rest Mode’.

PlayStation recommends you connect your Portal via a 5Ghz Wi-fi connection within your home. They also recommend that your PS5 is connected via Ethernet directly to your modem/router. When using your Portal outside of your home network, an internet connection of at least 15Mbps should give you stable gameplay.

It’s now time to unbox and set up the PlayStation Portal.

Upon opening the PS Portal, the box has a premium feel and I like the use of grey with the accents on the tab for the PlayStation icons.

I really like the button placement with Power, PlayStation Link and Volume found across the top. On the front side we have the PS button, Share and Menu buttons. Triggers, D-Pad and Action buttons have the same placement as the DualSense but one thing to note is that the thumbsticks are smaller than the original design.

Either side of the thumbsticks you’ll also find on-screen placements for the Touchpad, and at any time you can swipe down from the top right hand corner to bring up your Portal settings menu.

Turning on for the first time you need to hold the Power button in for 5 seconds until the unit powers up.

It will then prompt a series of updates as you can see on screen. This process takes anywhere between 10-15 minutes.

Now it’s time to connect to your PS5. First you’ll need to head to your System settings on your PS5 and enable Remote Play. Then go to Power Saving > Features available in Rest Mode, and turn on ‘Stay Connected to the Internet’ and enable ‘Turning on PS5 from Network’.

Then back on your Portal, sign-in to your PlayStation account. We’ve found the quickest way is by scanning the QR code on-screen via the PS App on your phone.

So now that we’re connected, let’s jump into a game. For our initial tests we decided to play inside on our home network. Our PS5 is currently connected via the 5Ghz band to our Asus AC86U, and the Portal to the same 5Ghz SSID.

We should also mention here that it’s recommended you disable Smart Connect or ‘Band Steering’ on your router so your network has separate 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. You always want your Portal connected to the 5Ghz band which supports the fastest transfer speeds.

To do this review justice, we tested several games we’re familiar with.

While playing single player games, input lag is noticeable but only because we were really looking for it. It is more apparent however in fast moving games but less-so in games with no combat such as Super Crazy Rhythm Castle.

We didn’t experience any drop outs, and the picture stayed sharp the entire time. Not once did the quality reduce due to bandwidth issues, however sometimes you can see the occasional stutter. With multiplayer games such as Call of Duty, input lag is much more perceptible and we did see the occasional artifact due to its fast motion, but it didn’t make it unplayable.

Next up was testing Remote Play outside of our home network. By hotspotting to our phone, we tested the Portal over both 4G and 5G mobile networks. Even on a slow 25Mbps connection, latency felt minimal, the picture quality remained clear and we were surprised to only have the one dropout.

While paying extremely close attention in Spider-Man 2, we did notice that textures loaded slightly slower, but it was hard to identify without swinging close to a building. We did again experience occasional stuttering but it was so minor it wasn’t enough to affect our gameplay. Overall though we are extremely impressed with the Portal and its Remote Play capabilities both within a home network and offsite.

Now for more on the audio side of things. The built-in stereo speakers are located on the top side of the screen and are much louder than we expected, particularly when using the device at home.

For those playing in a public space or wanting more privacy then you can sync your Portal up with PlayStation’s latest Link-enabled devices. The PULSE Explore wireless earbuds are a fantastic choice here. While offering ultra-low latency & lossless audio, they also match the Portal’s sleek design.

Something to keep in mind though, the Portal doesn’t feature Bluetooth connectivity.. So PlayStation Link enabled devices are the only way to experience truly wireless audio. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack however so you can connect your existing gaming headsets.

So, our final thoughts after 3 days of testing the Portal.

Overall it’s a very exciting, but risky release for PlayStation. The majority of people with an uncongested Wi-Fi network won’t have any issues and will experience fun and immersive gameplay, just as they would if using their PS5 on a regular TV.

Remote Play outside of your normal home network is also very achievable as long as you have a steady Wi-Fi or Mobile connection that meets PlayStation’s recommended requirements.

The crisp, bright display and full-featured Dual Sense controller is an absolute standout on the Portal and gives it that premium feel right from the get-go. Battery life was ample and we managed to squeeze out around 5 hours with full brightness and haptic settings.

We fell in love with this accessory more than we thought we would and at the price point think it’s the ideal companion not only for PlayStation fanboys, but also for those living in a share house or gamers with a family who have limited TV time.

TCL C845 75″ Mini LED Review

The TCL C845 uses a brand new VA panel with updated AI image processor, and is even brighter than its predecessor, but how does it stack up in a home environment?

Let’s put it to the test.

TCL’s latest 4K Mini LED sets up to be a fantastic display for gamers. It includes 4 HDMI connections, with 2 of them being HDMI 2.1. One of these offers 144Hz support for PC gaming while the other supports 120Hz, perfect for current-gen consoles. Out of the two remaining HDMI 2.0 ports, you’ll also find one dedicated eARC channel for returning audio to a soundbar or receiver.

Much like previous models it still features the Google TV interface, supports all the same video and audio formats such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD, and is very well priced in the market.

The 75” Model we’re reviewing here is made up of 720 local dimming zones, up from 360 in last years’ model, resulting in a peak brightness of 2000 nits for HDR10+ content – twice the peak brightness of the C835.

Out of the box, the C845 defaults to low-power picture mode. While not a bad looking picture setting for a dark room, it does seem to reduce the overall contrast and brightness so you’ll want to change this for each input.

By navigating to the Picture settings menu you’ll find the following picture modes: Vivid, Low Power, Smart HDR, Sports, Movie, Game and PC, plus IMAX enhanced and Dolby Vision modes which are automatically applied when viewing supported content.

For general movie and TV viewing, Movie Mode definitely offers the most natural looking picture and is what we defaulted to in a majority of our tests. Smart HDR also offered an accurate range of colours while producing a much brighter image.

Sports mode is also a great feature for sporting fanatics as it provides additional smoothing, brightness and saturation – perfect for fast-moving content such as football or racing.

Contrast and dynamic range is what you’d expect from a Mini LED panel, with content looking excellent in a well lit room. Contrast is advertised at a respectable 7000:1, however due to the overall brightness of this display, the local dimming algorithm can affect blacks when watching in a fully darkened space, giving a slightly washed out look depending on the content. Blooming however, thanks to TCL’s latest AiPQ Processor, is barely noticeable and is one of the main reasons we love TCL’s Mini LED displays.

For Dolby Vision content we get 4 picture presets which include, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark and Dolby Vision Game. We found Dolby Vision IQ to perform best in a bright room as it uses a light sensor to adjust the HDR picture to best match lighting conditions, however for some content we viewed in a dark environment we did prefer Dolby Vision Dark.

Then we have PC Mode which offers increased sharpness and chroma subsampling, ideal for those wanting clear text when using it as a PC monitor.

Last but not least, Game Mode which offers 3 separate sub-picture presets. This is part of TCL’s larger Game Master mode, an all-in-one optimization setting enabling VRR and ALLM. It can be accessed by pressing the 3 line button on the remote control, and once enabled tells the display to automatically adjust its refresh rate in real-time to match your PS5 or Xbox Series X. It will also reduce lag by disabling any unnecessary features that would normally hog your display’s processor.

To complement this mode, TCL has also included an easy to use toolbox called Game Bar. This can be displayed by holding the same button on the remote. From here you have instant access to real-time display statistics, gaming aids, HGiG options and those additional sub-picture modes – Original, FPV, and RPG.

During all our tests we found the Original setting to be the most accurate as the other modes applied too much contrast and saturation.

On the PS5 we swung into Spider-Man 2 for its bright, but fast moving action sequences, and then Alan Wake 2 to test the display’s handling of super dark content. We also tested Forza Motorsport on the Xbox Series X along with Super Mario Bros Wonder on the Nintendo Switch.

We really wanted to showcase what gaming looks like in a room with plenty of ambient light, plus how this super bright display holds up in a pitch black environment.

With each game we played, the display held up well and didn’t exhibit any sign of tearing or stuttering. Gameplay was smooth and the TV displayed an impressive dynamic range. Colours were fairly accurate Even in a dark room the local dimming algorithm displayed extraordinary contrast.

Viewing angles and screen reflections were also something we paid close attention to in this review. The C845 offers a 178 degree wide viewing angle, and combined with TCL’s ultra-low reflection screen, we were extremely impressed with the retention of colours and brightness and different angles across our room.

Now for the Audio side of things. The C845 features a 2.1 Onkyo speaker setup with rear-facing subwoofer. It supports DTS and Atmos, and comes with 7 sound presets, Standard, Movie, Music, Voice, Game, Sports and Dynamic. Overall it produces a very immersive sound with clearer, punchier bass than you’d expect from a built-in configuration.

So our final thoughts. The C845 from TCL has exceeded our expectations. Its super bright Mini LED display is perfect for living rooms with plenty of light, while its Local Dimming algorithm holds up extremely well, even when viewing in a dark environment. We feel that TCL also got the Movie picture mode right with this model, keeping brightness increased while retaining natural colours.

Gaming however was definitely our favourite experience with this display. With 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and features like the TCL Game Bar, the C845 is a gamers ultimate workhorse. What really impressed us however, was its colour accuracy, obvious brightness, and surprisingly even the contrast and dynamic range.

For its price you won’t find much else that can match what TCL have done here with the C845.

It’s available now from Australian retailers

AORUS 17X AZF (2023) Review

Today we’re taking a look at Gigabyte’s latest flagship laptop, the AORUS 17X AZF. It’s been a few years since sitting behind the wheel of one of these behemoths, so I’m excited to check out the new specs and design changes.

Immediately I noticed a huge weight difference compared to the model I reviewed in 2020. This year’s model weighs in at just 2.8KG while the dimensions are a lot more conservative, with a thickness of 2.18cm, width of 39.6cm and depth of 29.3cm.

Now, let’s delve into the specs.

Model: AORUS 17X AZF
Panel: 17.3” 240Hz display with Quad-HD 1440P resolution
CPU: 13th Gen “Raptor Lake” Intel Core i9 HX Series
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile with 16GB of GDDR6 Memory
RAM: 32GB DDR5 RAM
Storage: 2 x 1TB M.2 SSD
Battery: 99 Watt-hour

On the rear of the laptop you’ll find a HDMI 2.1 port, one mini Display Port, ethernet port and a DC in. On the left is the combined microphone and headphone audio jack, plus 2 USB 3.2 Type-A ports. Then on the right is another USB 3.2 port along with a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port which also supports USB-C charging.

With a chassis structured mostly of milled aluminium, the laptop is durable while not feeling too heavy. It’s actually one of the lightest 17” laptops around.

The textured design and patented glass touchpad give it the premium feel its price tag demands, while the RGB Fusion keyboard, and light bar at the rear, allow the user to create their own customisable lighting style.

It features a 6 row island-style keyboard, with 2mm long key travel and anti-ghosting N-key rollover which supports 80 simultaneous key presses. Through the Gigabyte Control Center you can also customise the colours of each key along with 12 different lighting effects. Effects can also be created for different games which is a nice touch.

As the model number suggests, the AORUS 17X houses a huge 17.3” display. Together with its Quad-HD 1440P resolution and high 240Hz refresh rate, it provides the perfect balance for a smooth and sharp gameplay experience.

It’s not the brightest display I’ve seen but it’s ideal for on-the-go, and you can still connect up to 3 external 4k monitors if you’re looking for more deskspace. It also covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space, and comes with low blue light and flicker-free certifications. So not only is this great for gamers, but also for creative professionals.

The 17X laptop offers impressive audio performance with two 2.5 watt speakers, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. Gamers will also benefit from the inclusion of DTS Sound Unbound, which allows full immersion through spatial audio, and the application which features DTS Headphone:X, currently supports a database of more than 500+ tuned headphones. This technology enhances audio quality, making every gaming session captivating, along with other entertainment like movies and music.

The AORUS 17X AZF is fitted with a Windforce Infinity cooling system, which has been improved over the previous model and is now 35% more cooling efficient. Underneath, the unit has 4 powerful 12V fans, 2 heat-pipes, vapour chamber and 4 airflow exhausts.

The side vents accommodate 324 cooling fins which are distributed over the exhaust vents. As a result of this updated design approach, I found the 17X to remain cool even under demanding conditions.

The AORUS 17X is armed with a 13th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, and paired with a RTX 4090 Mobile GPU. It’s hard to believe there’s a 4090 inside when they keep making the chassis smaller!

So let’s talk about how well the 17X performed for us. In our testing we played Forza 5, Doom Eternal and Battletoads. Graphically I did not experience any tearing or lag. I also felt that the display looked incredible at the frame rates we continued to push it to.

Of course you will need to tweak the settings of each game to get the most out of the 17X. Overall however, we found that with the laptop set to Gaming mode in the Gigabyte Control Center, and the Fan control set to Power, the games we tested would consistently hit 160-180 FPS at 1440P with no extra tweaking.

CONCLUSION

The 2023 version of the AORUS 17X model showcases subtle design enhancements that undoubtedly enhance the user experience. Personally, I am particularly fond of the relocation of the DC port to the back of the laptop, and I believe the redesign has been executed exceptionally well.

This laptop is not only a high-performance device for gamers, but it also caters to the needs of content creators. If you’re seeking the best of both worlds, I recommend considering the 17X AZF model. Furthermore, the sheer power of this laptop is mind-boggling; I still can’t believe that we’re testing a gaming laptop with a 4090 in such a compact chassis.

After thoroughly testing the 2023 17X model for four weeks, including gaming, everyday use, and video editing, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time with it. From the subtle design improvements to its incredible performance, and more than adequate battery life, this laptop is an outstanding choice for gamers looking to upgrade or anyone in need of a new laptop.

Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores Review

The story of Aloy continues in the Burning Shores DLC exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Let’s jump right in!

On April 19th the Burning Shores DLC was released. Surprisingly it is exclusive to the PS5 console and you must of course have completed Forbidden West main story before you can jump into the game. HFW was one of the games I enjoyed in 2022 but I never really connected with Aloy no matter how many hours I have played the games. Yes, I’m a fan of the series, but, doesn’t sit in any of my top ten or even top twenty games … So how did I feel about Burning Shores?

Aloy must travel to Los Angeles to battle a new threat to the world. In this new chapter of her story we travel to an incredible coastal region that is filled with volcanic activity and new machines. Upon booting this game up I sighed thinking, are we going to see a story that is fun, but at times has bland storytelling? … But man was I wrong.

At the start of the game you’ll meet Sekya, a skilled Quen marine, who you’ll sail off with on our expedition. During this first part of the game I instantly felt something that I waited for in both HZD and HFW – connection to Aloy and so much excitement to see where this journey takes me.

One of the standouts for me in the Burning Shores DLC is the incredible attention to detail in the design of the coastal area, water and vibrancy of the jungle. It looks stunning. The other aspect is the new DLC quests with a compelling main story and engaging characters that once you start to uncover their interesting stories I wanted to complete all of the side quests. The puzzle solving was challenging and with a tonne of cool collectables to find it made exploring the greater region an absolute joy.

Aloy’s story felt well rounded in Burning Shores and I loved the more complex side of her I felt I finally got to see. Burning Shores may have been for some short but for us it felt the perfect length. We did encounter a few technical issues and frame rate drops but these were mainly in larger areas such as the Dinosaur theme park and very few when in battle. The main story boss does play out similarly to the previous games with Aloy battling it out with a mega villain called Londra. In Burning Shores you learn more of Londra and how diabolical he is to others giving Aloy more than enough reason to take him down. Without any spoilers the end battle is thrilling, challenging and downright epic. It was the best fight that I’ve ever played in the franchise.

In conclusion, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC is a must-play for fans of the series. Its captivating storyline, breathtaking visuals, and engaging gameplay mechanics provide a thrilling and immersive experience. The length is perfect and it gives more insight into Aloy, and the DLC delivers an exciting new chapter to the Horizon universe, leaving players eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.

Anda Seat Kaiser 3 Gaming Chair Review

Choosing a gaming chair for our gaming room was a tough decision. Comfort was a priority, especially since I spend 8 hours editing videos. When Bluemouth Interactive offered us the opportunity to try out the ANDA Seat Kaiser 3 chair, I was intrigued by its specifications.

The chair I’m reviewing is the Anda Seat Kaiser 3 Series, a high-quality gaming chair available in various colours. Among the options, the grey fabric model stood out as my personal favourite. The Kaiser 3 series offers both Large and XL sizes, and the one we’re discussing in this review is the extra large variant.

On paper the Kaiser 3 gaming chair offers:

Full body support with it’s extra thick, high density foam
4-way adaptive lumber support
Large stable base
Magnetic neck pillow and arm rests
Easy assembley

The assembly of this Andra Seat chair was incredibly easy, taking less than 30 minutes to set up straight out of the box. Its premium gaming design combines elements from competitors and elevates them with enhanced ergonomic support, which is particularly beneficial for individuals like myself who experience back pain. With its extra dense foam and adaptive lumber support, I consider it one of the best chairs I’ve ever used for both gaming and day-to-day work.

The Kaiser 3 also boasts a sturdy base and smooth rollers, allowing for effortless movement on my carpeted floor in my workspace. The adjustable height and armrests operate seamlessly, and the added feature of a 165° reclining position is perfect for those who enjoy leaning back while gaming.

One unique design aspect that caught my attention is the use of magnetic armrests and neck pillow. It’s a genius feature that significantly reduces the time spent during chair assembly. The only minor criticism I have is that the armrests tend to pop off easily, although I appreciate the design concept.

Now, let’s discuss the XL size. Despite its larger dimensions, it never feels too big for me. I actually love the size and the additional comfort it provides, especially during prolonged sitting sessions. After using the Kaiser 3 for four weeks, I’m thoroughly impressed with its comfort and support. The premium design and finishes of the Kaiser 3 will leave you satisfied. If you require extra support, I highly recommend opting for the XL version, as its comfortable build and excellent 4-way adaptive lumber support are particularly beneficial for individuals with back pain.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Review

HyperX has recently introduced the Pulsefire Haste 2 wired mouse during CES 2023. This latest model boasts a sleek appearance, and still maintains its ultra lightweight design. HyperX has also made significant improvements to the sensor and switches, and an 8,000 polling rate.

Specifications

Weight: 53g design

Connectivity: wired
Sensor: HyperX 26K Sensor
Buttons: 6 programmable buttons
Max DPI: of up to 26,000
Polling rate: 8000 Hz polling rate
Features: Compatible with NGENUITY software
Colours: Black or white (also available in a wireless version)

Despite the updated design, the ultra-lightweight structure has been maintained without any compromise. HyperX has chosen to retain the mouse’s original shape, excluding the honeycomb pattern. This decision allows the HyperX logo to occupy a prominent position on the mouse.

A side-by-side comparison of the two reveals that HyperX has successfully preserved the Pulsefire Haste’s signature design while incorporating new improvements. This has resulted in a visually impressive new mouse that retains the features gamers have come to love.

Another design feature is utilising the NGENUITY software for RGB customisation plus adjusting the DPI presets. There are four you can change by adding your own or removing them to adjust to your play style.

Overall, the updated design of the Pulsefire Haste has resulted in a better-performing mouse with the introduction of the new model. During our testing, we found that the mouse was comfortable to use for extended periods, regardless of whether we were gaming, working, or editing videos. The ultra-lightweight design of the Pulsefire Haste 2, combined with its improved features for faster performance, make it an excellent choice for gamers. We were impressed with its precision while playing The Last of Us Part 1, as it allowed for effortless movement. With its great features and affordable price point, the Pulsefire Haste 2 wired gaming mouse from HyperX is a must-have for anyone in the market for a new gaming mouse.

The mouse comes in black or white and will be available in stores from April 18th, 2023.

PRISM+ Q55 Ultra Review

If you’re in the market for a new TV, you might want to consider the Q55 Ultra from Singapore’s leading monitor brand, PRISM+.

The all-new Q55 Ultra is one of the first displays in their lineup to feature QLED technology, which brings more vibrant colours and brighter images. In addition to the new panel, this TV also provides support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision which further improve the visual quality of content by providing a more accurate and realistic picture.

It features a 4K60 QLED Panel with Full-Array Local Dimming which utilises an array of LED lights located behind the entire screen, rather than just at the edges or bottom. This creates more precise and localised dimming zones and results in better contrast and black levels compared to regular local dimming.

Included in the box is the display, stand, remote control and 3.5mm composite adapter. We also went with the optional Kanva tripod stand so we could place the TV anywhere in our room. The stand was easy to set up and adjust to any height with its VESA mounting.

Now, gamers – don’t consider the lack of 120hz on this display to be a problem, as there are other factors more important in determining the overall gaming experience. These include response times, colour accuracy, and viewing angles, all of which the Q55 Ultra handles well. Additionally, while playing games on PS5 and Xbox, we usually select a balanced display mode that offers a more detailed 4K resolution at either 30 or 60 frames per second, making the absence of 120hz on this display less important in terms of gameplay immersion.

During our time with the Q55 Ultra we sat down and played Hogwarts Legacy on the PS5, Hi-Fi Rush on the Xbox Series X and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. We even connected up a Sega Mega Drive via the included 3.5mm composite input adapter to see how the TV looked with retro titles. On every occasion, we were thoroughly pleased with the picture quality, colour accuracy, and overall brightness of the display.

We also thought for those with old consoles the 3.5mm composite input adapter was a great touch and a feature we wanted to highlight.

As for the audio, the Q55 Ultra offers two 10 watt speakers which produce clear, well-balanced sound that is enjoyable to listen to. The dialogue is crisp and easy to understand, and the bass response is robust enough to add depth to action movies and games.

Additionally, the TV supports Dolby Atmos technology, which provides an immersive 3D audio experience. This technology creates a multi-dimensional soundstage that makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. The Dolby Atmos support is especially useful for games and movies that have a lot of sound effects and surround sound.

If built-in speakers aren’t for you then the TV also provides audio output options by the way of OPTICAL and HDMI ARC.

During our testing we watched various TV shows such as The Last of Us and Yellowstone. We also streamed 4K content and utilised Disney+ for Dolby Vision content and movies like Moana looked incredible.

There are a number of picture modes which you can select on the Q55 Ultra which are VIVID, Standard, Sport, Movie, Energy saving, and then User mode which allows you to manually adjust brightness, contrast & colour temperature.

Another cool feature is Filmmaker mode. When activated, it disables certain post-processing effects, such as motion smoothing and noise reduction, which can alter the original intended look and feel of the content. In a nutshell it allows you to view the movie in a setting that more closely matches how the filmmaker intended.

We leant towards leaving it set to VIVID when watching movie or video content of any sort.

The inclusion of the Premium ZeroBezel on this model, along with its sleek and modern design, adds to its overall appeal. When paired with the Kanva tripod stand, which we chose, the TV creates a stunning visual aesthetic that complements any room. The combination of these features results in an attractive and elegant package.

Complementing the panel is the Google TV operating system. With this you can easily access all of your favourite streaming services, apps, and games. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, setup is a breeze, and the voice search function makes it even easier to find what you’re looking for. In addition to the updated UI is a redesigned remote that features a number of Google TV shortcuts along with a programmable hotkey.

Overall, the PRISM+ Q55 Ultra QLED Google TV is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, smart TV. The picture quality, sound, and smart features are all top-notch, and the sleek design is a nice bonus. If you’re in the market for a new TV, this one should definitely be on your shortlist.

It’s available now via the PRISM+ website:
Q55 Ultra: http://www.prismplus.com.au/teamretro-q55ultra
Kanva Tripod: http://www.prismplus.com.au/teamretro-kanvatripodtvstand

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Review

In 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a 3D adventure, was released and was quite popular with new players to the franchise and long-time fans. Personally, I enjoyed the cute and fun levels, but nothing beats the classic 2D side-scrolling Kirby games that I grew up with.

The latest remaster from Nintendo is known in PAL regions as Kirby’s Adventure Wii, which was originally released in 2011. It was announced late last year that it was going to get the remaster treatment. If you are new to Kirby, Return to Dream Land follows Kirby on a mission to help Magolor, an alien who crashed their ship onto Kirby’s planet, Popstar. With Magolor stranded, he needs help to repair the Lor Starcutter (ship), and Kirby agrees to recover the scattered broken pieces.

During the gameplay, you travel to different worlds to retrieve these pieces, and along the way, you inhale enemies and copy their abilities. The levels are well remastered, bright and colourful, and a lot of fun to play, but for side-scrolling adept players, it won’t be much of a challenge. I will say, though, it’s so much fun. The game still stands strong as a contender as a great platformer all these years later, but by the time I rolled the credits, I did find some repetition built in there and didn’t always want to go for collecting every single item in the game. Perhaps I’ll go back through and do those at a later stage. Once you finish the game, you can increase the difficulty in Extra Mode, making gameplay a lot harder. There are also additional secrets popped into the game, but you just have to get through the first playthrough to unlock those.

On top of the extra unlockable secrets, there are a few differences in the game. Of course, there are the graphics, which look fantastic on the OLED Switch or TV, but Kirby has different abilities he can copy from new enemies. One of which is the Mech suit! If I had the choice of using this ability, I would always choose it as the flying and bombing abilities weren’t just fun; they worked so well.
If you played the Wii version, you’ll also be surprised at the two new modes created for the 2023 Nintendo Switch version, which includes a post-game mode, Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler. In the epilogue, you play as Magolor, defeating enemies and collecting magic points, which you then spend to upgrade your abilities. The second new mode is Merry Magoland, an amusement park where you can play a range of mini-games. These games are so much fun and can be played with four people. The mini-games also have their own achievements the player can complete, and you can unlock additional masks. Our favourites are, of course, the boss masks, which look adorable when Kirby wears them.

So is this a perfect remaster? We’d have to say a big yes as Kirby’s Return to Dreamland excels in graphically enhancing the game whilst keeping its 2D charm. The 2023 Switch version, with the addition of two new modes, gives players something to come back to and have fun with. This game is solid and sets a challenge of true skill if you want to 100% the game, and we think it’s well worth adding this incredible title to your Switch collection.

Team Retro

All posts by : 1UpEmily