Released on all major formats as a remaster of 2007’s Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, it gathers the original game, its ‘Revenge of the Plague Lord’ expansion pack and the extra content from ‘The Legend Returns’ into a single slick package. 

In terms of additions, it brings a new class as well as dozens of fresh items and fully redrawn artwork suitable for modern, high-resolution screens. 

The big question is in a world of world-beating indie puzzlers like Ball x Pit and Balatro, does this loop of gem-matching combat and RPG progression still have what it takes? 

Check out our review to find out!

Story

The narrative frame remains largely unchanged from the original release – you’re a budding hero in the world of Etheria, initially running errands and squashing monster problems before being drawn into a wider conflict, involving everything from undead hordes to political machinations.

Immortal Edition stitches the original’s main plot and expansions into a single campaign, expanding both the map and tidily weaving additional questlines into the existing structure.

Writing is brisk and functional with dialogue appearing in short text windows with character portraits, rarely overstaying its welcome. 

You accept contracts, chase rumours and confront bosses, each interaction pushing you back to the world map and, more importantly, another battle board. 

The tone is classic high fantasy RPG with a slightly knowing wink, full of valiant heroes, scheming villains and a handful of self-aware asides.

What the remaster does particularly well is organisation. Expansion content that once sat apart now feels like a natural extension of the central story. 

Optional questlines, side challenges and extra modes are surfaced more clearly, so you are less likely to miss them or to lose track of where you were…oh, and it’s all played as a turn-based match-3 puzzler in the vein of Bejeweled – hence the novelty of Puzzle Quest!

Gameplay

Mechanically, Immortal Edition stays firmly rooted in the rules and patterns of the original from all those years ago. 

Battles play out on a shared grid filled with coloured mana gems, skulls and special tiles. On your turn, you swap adjacent pieces to make matches of three or more. Matching skulls deals direct damage, while matching colours feeds your mana pools. 

You then spend that mana on class-specific spells which can damage foes, manipulate the board, shield you or inflict status effects. Crucially, both you and the enemy pull from the same board, so every move has the potential to set up a lucrative cascade of attacks for either side.

These simple foundations provide the underpinning to a surprisingly deep web of systems. The class-based selection means each character has distinct spell lists that encourage varied playstyles, from control-focused builds that constantly reshape the board to brute-force approaches that stack skull damage. 

Gear adds passive bonuses and new triggers, companions provide further modifiers, and captured enemies can be researched to expand your arsenal. The Legend Returns content adds even more wrinkles, and Immortal Edition layers a new class – the Swordmaster – as well as rejigs existing ones to offer a well-balanced roster.

The long-running point of contention has always been the game’s devious AI. Many players feel that enemies enjoy suspiciously lucky runs when new gems drop in, leading to accusations that the computer ‘cheats’. 

Immortal Edition is not immune from this debate – the developers have been explicit in saying the AI does not have hidden information or modified odds, and recent patches have even toned down how often opponents can chain large combos from off-screen drops, precisely because those moments felt rigged, regardless of the underlying maths.

In practice, perceived unfairness is reduced…but certainly not gone. You will occasionally watch an enemy string together a multi-match turn from a single swap and feel your blood pressure rise. The flip side is that when you engineer a devastating chain yourself, it still feels brilliant. That tension, and the knowledge that your next move could tip the board dramatically, remains a big part of the game’s appeal.

Outside combat, Immortal Edition retains light strategy elements. You can upgrade cities to unlock new options, train and equip companions, capture monsters to learn their abilities, research spells and manage mounts. 

None of these systems are especially complex by modern standards, but they provide welcome texture between battles and reinforce the sense that you are building a hero over time.

Audio

The soundtrack leans on orchestral fantasy themes that loop quietly in the background. They are not the sort of tracks you will rush to add to a playlist, but they sit comfortably beneath long sessions without becoming distracting. Different regions and key story beats get slightly varied motifs, giving a gentle sense of place.

Sound effects are crisp and informative. Gem matches chime pleasantly, skull hits land with a satisfying crack, and spells have distinct audio signatures that make it easier to track what has just happened in a busy turn. Given how much of the experience involves staring at a static board, audio feedback is vital for keeping the flow engaging.

Voice work is minimal, mostly limited to interface barks and the odd stinger. It underlines actions rather than driving the storytelling, which fits the series’ roots.

Performance

Technically, Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is light on requirements but thoughtful in its update. All the original assets have been redrawn or cleaned up for HD and 4K displays.

Gems now have distinct shapes as well as colours to aid accessibility, character portraits are sharper and environmental art on the world map reads more cleanly. The overall presentation still has the feel of a mid-2000s game at heart, but viewed through a much clearer lens.

On a modern PC, performance is effectively a non-issue. Load times between the world map and battles are short, the interface scales nicely to different resolutions and even very modest hardware has no trouble running the game smoothly. 

Options menus focus more on animation speed and input preferences than on graphics sliders, which makes sense given the underlying design.

There have been some complaints levelled at the new visuals feeling a bit over-smoothed or plastic-y compared with the original’s grittier look, with some speculating about AI-assisted art. 

There is no confirmation from Infinity Plus 2 or 505 that any generative tools were used, and official messaging simply denotes the assets as redrawn for modern resolutions. The more concrete criticism is that, stylistically, the art is functional rather than delivering a radical improvement, where preference is likely to depend on individual taste and degree of nostalgia.

Verdict

Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition on PC is a respectful restoration of a stone-cold classic. Infinity Plus 2 and 505 Games have pulled together nearly twenty years of content, sharpened the presentation, added a handful of sensible tweaks and presented the whole package in a way that feels at home on current hardware – making this perfect for the Steam Deck. 

The core loop of out-thinking opponents on a shared match-3 board while sculpting a personalised hero remains as compelling as ever, and few modern games have matched its particular blend of puzzle tension and RPG tinkering.

At the same time, the age of the design shows. The campaign is long and occasionally grindy, the story is transparently a delivery mechanism for more battles, and even with tweaks the AI will sometimes feel like it has stolen a win. The visual refresh makes the game easier on the eyes, but does not disguise its roots.

For newcomers, this is easily the best way to experience Puzzle Quest. For returning fans, value will depend on how keen you are to revisit familiar quests with cleaner art and a bit of extra content. 

Where that sits on your buy list will largely come down to how much fondness you have for lining up three gems in a row, and hoping the next drop is in your favour…

Byron Simpson

The post Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition Review – PC appeared first on CRISP..

Formula Legends is the product of Italian indie studio 3DClouds, turning its focus from family-friendly fare (if you’ve driven a virtual Hot Wheels car or Paw Patrol vehicle in the past few years, they likely had something to do with it) to a more focused love letter to open-wheel motorsport. 

It presents itself as a sim-cade tribute to the history of Formula-style racing, steering clear of official licences in favour of stylised cars and circuits seen from a slightly elevated camera, capturing the feel of carving clean laps through decades of ever-evolving machinery.

Story

Formula Legends uses a loose ‘career’ framing in which you act as an unnamed driver stepping through different eras. Each chapter focuses on a particular decade, introduced by short text snippets that highlight key themes: the early days of minimal aerodynamics, the arrival of wings and turbo boosts, and the march towards hybrid power and ever-greater safety measures.

That framing does a fabulous job of giving context to both handling and circuit changes, all of which feel distinct and evocative of steering hurtling pieces of metal at breakneck speed.

Early events place you in cigar-shaped machines with limited grip and plenty of body roll, while later chapters hand you high-downforce cars that can grip the tarmac at alarming rates. 

Optional challenges, such as era-specific time trials or overtaking scenarios, slot between championship races to break up the flow.

What you get is a carefully crafted tour through 3DClouds’ interpretation of the sport’s evolution, told gracefully through how each decade’s cars and tracks feel.

Gameplay

Handling is where Formula Legends earns its place on the grid. Viewed from a top-down or high-angled perspective, cars respond crisply but predictably. The steering has enough weight that changes of direction feel meaningful, yet the game never tips into twitchiness – the result of post-launch refinement and very vocal fan feedback. 

Braking points still matter, apexes still count, and you quickly learn which corners invite bravery and which will punish overconfidence.

Each era feels genuinely distinct. Older cars squirm under acceleration and demand respect on corner exit, especially in the wet. 

As aerodynamic grip ramps up in later years, you can brake later and carry far more speed through sweeping curves, but you are punished if you ride kerbs too aggressively. The overall model sits firmly in sim-cade territory: the fundamentals of good driving are rewarded, but you are not wrestling with complex setup menus or tweaking the minutiae of tyre models.

Assists are available for steering, braking and traction, making the game friendly to newcomers. Turn them off, and there is enough nuance to keep more experienced players engaged, particularly when chasing leaderboards or shaving tenths off a personal best. The onboard cameras are present for a cockpit view of the action, but the game is clearly designed around its elevated view, which remains the cleanest way to read the road ahead.

Circuits are fictional yet clearly inspired by real-world venues in countries such as Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan, along with more modern street-style layouts in city and desert settings. Layouts evolve as you move through eras, mirroring how real tracks gain chicanes, safety features and new sections over time. That evolution gives revisits a pleasant sense of déjà vu: your old braking marker might still be roughly right, but the corner beyond it has changed.

Similarly, lightly tweaked names and liveries will definitely draw a smirk from Formula 1 aficionados, as you overtake ‘Mike Shoemaker’ in his trademark ‘Ferenzo’.

It also captures the tactical element of weather conditions, where the game can dynamically turn from a sunny day to a torrential downpour, with shrewd tyre changes and cautious driving making all the difference between a win and crashing out.

Multiplayer, whether online or on the sofa, benefits from the clarity of the viewpoint. You can see rivals’ lines into corners and plan your own moves with more information than a traditional low camera usually provides. Contact is light and rarely catastrophic, which suits the balanced tone between arcade action and racing realism.

Audio

Engine sound does a lot to sell the variety of vehicles – early cars emit urgent, mechanical howls, while later turbo and hybrid machines add deeper growls and more complex layers of whine and whoosh. It is not a forensic recreation of specific engines, but each has a distinct audio character, which helps sell the sense of time passing even if you are not staring at the HUD.

Music takes a back seat during races, surfacing more in menus and interludes. When it does appear, it tends to be understated and in keeping with the respectful, almost documentary tone 3DClouds is going for. The game keeps licensed music out of the way and encourages you to focus on the cars themselves.

Effects for kerb strikes, off-track excursions, and light contact are reserved but informative. You feel and hear when you have pushed a little too far, without every mistake being accompanied by theatrical crunches.

Performance

Formula Legends’ clean art style pays dividends on Series X. Cars have a slightly boxy, stylised look that reads well from above, with liveries and shapes that communicate their era at a glance. Trackside scenery is simplified but attractive, and the colour palette is bold without becoming garish. The overall effect is closer to a detailed toy set than a photo-real broadcast.

Performance is strong. Frame rates are stable in single player and hold up well in busy grids. Weather variations and time-of-day changes do not introduce noticeable stutter, and load times between sessions are short. The game is available on a wide range of platforms, but the Series X version takes advantage of the hardware mainly through resolution, silky gameplay and stability rather than lavish effects.

Input response feels tight, which is especially important when you are operating at the limit of grip in late-game machinery. There are no obvious hiccups or latency spikes to blame when you miss an apex.

Verdict

Formula Legends on Xbox Series X is a thoughtfully pitched – and keenly priced at under £20 – tribute to the fastest sport on four wheels, opting for clarity and capturing the feel over licences and spectacle. 3DClouds uses the top-down perspective and time-hopping structure to emphasise the rhythm of a good lap and the way cars have changed across decades, and in that it largely succeeds. 

Handling is satisfying, the circuits are well judged, and the historical framing gives the campaign a pleasant sense of progression.

Limitations are easy to list: there are no real-world teams or drivers, the career mode is lean compared with heavyweight sims, and cockpit-view purists may never fully click with the default camera. If you can live with those boundaries, you will find a stylish, engaging racer that earns its place alongside more serious titles as a complementary experience.

Where you place it on your star chart will come down to how much you value feel over official branding, but it deserves to be on the podium of your purchase list.

Byron Simpson

The post Formula Legends Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Developed by The Game Kitchen (of Blasphemous fame) and published with the support of Dotemu and Koei Tecmo, this surprising sequel is relatively lean in runtime, but rich in moment-to-moment satisfaction. When Ragebound is in full flow, it feels unstoppable, pulling you into a trance of precise strikes and flowing movement that more than earns the right to stand up as an entry in the lauded franchise.

Story

It is not a complex tale, but it serves its purpose elegantly.

The story stays true to Ninja Gaiden’s tradition of putting gameplay above elaborate plotting, but let’s remember that the sequences in the NES original were some of the first cut-scenes ever, so story does certainly count for something.

When a demon invasion hits Hayabusa Village, fledgling shinobi Kenji Mozu steps up to defend it in the absence of his master, Ryu Hayabusa. The young ninja soon crosses paths with Kumori, a kunoichi from the rival Black Spider Clan. Their unlikely partnership leads to a fusion of powers, setting the stage for a showdown against the resurrection of an ancient Demon Lord.

The narrative is concise, moving quickly between stages and keeping the action front and centre. Cutscenes are short, with functional dialogue and stylish framing that recall classic anime – the relationship between Kumori and Kenji does take some amusing turns – while recurring characters help maintain a sense of progression across the journey.

Gameplay

At its heart, Ragebound is a pureblood Ninja Gaiden at its core, and is all about mastery. Kenji’s move set is small, but focused and endlessly expressive. The katana slash forms the backbone of your offence, the Guillotine Boost doubles as both an aerial attack to chain combos as well as a traversal tool, the dash gives you speed and positioning, whilst the dodge roll lets you slip through danger with pinpoint timing.

Every move in his arsenal has both weight and purpose. The katana slash feels sharp and responsive, the Guillotine Boost delivers satisfying control in the air, the dash offers reliable gap-closing, and the dodge roll rewards precise timing.

The Hypercharge mechanic is what ties the combat loop together, however. Matching the right attack to the right enemy colour floods the screen with energy and grants a one-hit kill potential. It adds an extra layer of decision-making to every fight, encouraging calculated risks to maximise efficiency.

Enemy variety ensures you never coast. Standard foes keep the rhythm, but shielded soldiers, ranged attackers, and teleporting assassins will punish any lapse in focus. Boss battles are highlights, with each encounter built around unique patterns and cinematic presentation.

Platforming is as finely tuned as the combat. Levels encourage chaining movement abilities into smooth sequences, using wall runs, aerial attacks, and enemy bounces to clear hazards. Maintaining momentum feels rewarding and tests both precision and awareness.

Hard Mode ramps things up to evoke memories of the NES version once again – altering enemy placement, increasing aggression, and changing attack behaviours, creating what feels like an alternate version of the game. For players who master the main campaign, it offers a fresh and genuinely challenging second run.

One notable shortfall, however, is the sense of progression in character skill. Upgrades exist, but they are conservative in design, focusing mostly on minor health boosts, stamina tweaks, or incremental weapon enhancements. These additions are helpful but rarely feel transformative. You unlock them, nod in approval, and carry on playing exactly as you did before.

There is merit in this approach. By keeping Kenji’s core move set intact from start to finish, Ragebound ensures the spotlight stays on player skill rather than character stats. The satisfaction comes from mastering timing, spacing, and awareness, not from stacking bonuses.

It keeps the game lean and primarily skill-based, true to the Ninja Gaiden ethos.

That said, some players will wish for more variety. Alternate weapons, branching ability paths, or even cosmetic rewards could have given long-term play a greater sense of personal expression. Without them, the campaign risks feeling front-loaded.

You learn the essentials early on and spend the rest of the game refining, rather than evolving, your style. For purists, this simplicity may be welcome, but it felt to me like a missed opportunity to deepen the experience.

Audio and Performance

Visually, Ragebound is exceptional. The pixel art is crisp and richly detailed, and each stage has a distinct personality that keeps the world engaging. Boss sprites are large and animated with expressive detail. Attacks feel heavy and purposeful, and visual effects are strong without overwhelming clarity.

The soundtrack is a standout. Composed by Sergio de Prado with contributions from original Ninja Gaiden composers Keiji Yamagishi and Ryuichi Nitta, it blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern synths for an eclectic, if slightly more serviceable than memorable selection of tunes. Tracks are tightly matched to the action, rising in intensity during boss fights and softening in quieter interludes.

Sound effects deliver clarity and impact. The clash of steel, the thud of a perfect strike, and the crackle of Hypercharge activation all enhance the sense of control. Ambient audio such as wind, distant bells, and murmured crowd noise adds depth to the setting, without distracting from the gameplay.

Minor issues do exist from a performance perspective, which are particularly apparent as this game is so exacting in what it asks of you. Beautiful, yet busy backgrounds can occasionally make hazards harder to read, and rare platform clipping can cause unexpected falls.

Final Verdict

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a confident return for one of gaming’s most demanding franchises. It is fast, stylish, and focused on the fundamentals, offering an experience that values skill and precision above all else.

It is short, and the upgrade system could have been expanded, but these are small flaws in a game that delivers such a consistently satisfying loop. Every slash, dodge, and counter feels earned, and the replay value for those chasing mastery is significant.

It offers a pure, uncluttered slice of action platforming. For those familiar with the NES originals – or even the Xbox instalments first time around, it is a worthy revival. For newcomers, it is a demanding – but fair – introduction to the series’ trademark difficulty.

Code supplied by publisher for review.

Byron Simpson

The post Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Brain Rot Blaster is a one-time deal. No restarts, no extra lives, just a breakneck FPS sprint through the most toxic corners of the internet, wrapped in equal parts quirky pixel art and biting satire.

Each level throws you into battle with outsized online archetypes that cut a little close to the bone, with gameplay and stylings both taking a liberal bit of influence from indie hit – and personal fave – Fashion Police Squad.

Armed with a OnePlus Nord 5, players tear through everything from demented influencers armed with selfie sticks to blockchain-obsessed crypto-bros spouting “Web 3.0!” at the top of their lungs, with a few wellness gurus and alpha males also trying their best to come between you and a bit of peace and tranquillity.

All a bit of light-hearted ribbing, but the origins of the game stem from some eye-opening research around the UK’s scrolling habits.

More than half of us ‘doomscroll’ in bed, whilst a third of device users get swept up in cycles of depressing news and frivolous reality dramas. Everything from lost sleep to hours wasted is observed in OnePlus’ findings, with behavioural psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos saying this constant exposure to distressing content chips away at our own mental clarity.

The scroll becomes a reflex, offering distraction but stealing focus away from what matters most, with many losing creative energy and real-world connection without even realising it – burning through the equivalent of two full days a month on content that leaves us only feeling worse.

Celina Shi, Chief Marketing Officer of OnePlus Europe, stated: “OnePlus has taken action by launching Brain Rot Blaster, a satirical game that holds up a mirror to our scrolling habits.  Like the game, the OnePlus Nord 5 empowers users to break the scroll cycle, unlock creativity, and live by our Never Settle mindset.”

So weaving in both a relevant statement on our own mental health with an elegant plug for the new OnePlus Nord 5 handset – a device which has its own ‘Zen Mode’, letting you escape the digital deluge by running a deep‑focus timer.

Once activated, the phone locks down most apps and silences alerts, while still allowing essential tasks like camera use or phone calls. You can choose durations from a minute up to two hours, with themed visuals and ambient soundscapes to help you mindfully unwind.

The OnePlus Nord 5 is available now from £399 at the OnePlus UK site, and Brain Rot Blaster is still live, for now…find it before it deletes itself!

Byron Simpson

The post OnePlus Creates Game That Deletes Itself To Fight Mobile ‘Brain Rot’ appeared first on CRISP..

This top-down, open-world police sim wears its influences proudly, borrowing aesthetic cues from L.A. Noire, their own previous effort American Fugitive, and a stack of VHS-era buddy cop flicks.

It’s a refreshing proposition, delivered with confidence. But while the badge may shine, the uniform doesn’t always fit.

The Beat Goes On

You play as Officer Nick Cordell, a newly assigned cop patrolling a city where corruption creeps in from the gutters upward. The story leans into well-worn noir tropes – revenge, following a father’s footsteps into the force, systemic rot – but delivers them with enough cinematic flair and environmental detail to make them stick.

Sounds cliched, but the city of Averno isn’t just a backdrop – it’s a character in itself. Street signs glow with promise and menace as the world slowly opens up, the dispatcher’s voice crackles from your cruiser’s radio, and every alley feels like it has a story, even if the people walking it sometimes behave like extras in a B-movie. The writing is functional, the performances mixed, but the vibe? Spot on.

Wheels Good, Guns Bad

Where The Precinct excels is behind the wheel. Pursuits are the backbone of its gameplay loop, and they’re a joy – tight, frantic, and packed with cinematic touches. Pulling off PIT manoeuvres or weaving through traffic as your siren blares feels genuinely exciting, and that sense of tension and destructible environments carries across the driving experience.

Unfortunately, when the sirens stop and you’re on foot, things fall flat. Gunplay is stiff, animations are limited, and the cover system feels like a throwback in the worst sense. You’re encouraged to apprehend suspects non-lethally, which is fine in principle, but the mechanics often make it more frustrating than rewarding.

A great aspect is the degree to which you’re expected to carry out civic duties – giving citations for parking violations, pat-downs, remembering to read Miranda Rights to every perp, choosing the correct crimes to charge them with, and even bundling them into the back of a cop car is a cool immersive element which is deftly handled, despite complex console controls.

The procedural mission generation gives your shifts purpose, but they cycle quickly – respond to a theft, chase down a mugger, break up a fight, rinse and repeat. There’s fun to be had in the repetition, especially early on, but don’t expect long-term variety.

Sights and Sounds

The soundtrack, composed by Gavin Harrison and Sleepless Nights, is a highlight. Retro synths, cinematic cues, and deep basslines give Averno a real identity. Whether you’re tailing a suspect or cruising aimlessly, the pulsating music keeps things consistent and compelling.

On Xbox Series X, The Precinct runs at a locked 30fps with solid visual fidelity. Load times are reasonable, and the game handles large-scale chases well. Series S, however, is less reliable. Frame pacing issues, stuttering during high-speed segments, and softer image quality all detract from the experience.

The game offers basic accessibility features – scalable subtitles and remappable controls – but nothing beyond the standard console-level options. It’s functional but falls short of the bar being set by other titles in 2025.

There’s no multiplayer, but replayability comes from how you choose to play. Be a by-the-book cop or dispense street justice – the city and your standing react accordingly, at least to a point.

After around 15 to 20 hours, most players will have seen much of the mechanics and mission types on offer.

A dense set of levelling mechanics, as well as a Mordor-style web of putting lower-level baddies behind bars to gain access to gang bosses lends some real overall depth to proceedings.

Even after a couple of early patches, The Precinct still shows signs of needing backup. Cars that spawn on top of one another, NPCs trapped in endless loops, and UI overlays that don’t clear are all present. A particularly painful save bug saw us lose hours of progress…busting us back down to Officer.

The Precinct launches without microtransactions or content paywalls and at £24.99, it’s priced smartly for what’s on offer. It’s not a sprawling epic, although the story evolves in interesting – and unexpected – directions.

Final Verdict

Fallen Tree Games has delivered a distinctive take on the open-world formula – one that swaps chaos for cadence, and does so with genuine style.

The Precinct is at its best when it lets you lean into the rhythm of the job – responding to calls, chasing perps, and soaking in the atmosphere. When it falters, it’s solely due to a creeping sense of repetition, occasional combat jank, and performance inconsistency.

A fresh spin on the genre with strong style and focused ambition. Rough around the edges, but well worth pounding the pavement for.

Code supplied by publisher for review.

Byron Simpson

The post The Precinct Review – XBOX Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Known for its commitment to design and sound excellence, this marks a bold expansion into a space dominated by established giants.

With a focus on blending superior hardware and wireless ecosystem integration, the Ace seeks to deliver the signature Sonos experience in a portable, personal form factor. But does it succeed in living up to the brand’s lofty reputation? Let’s dive in.

Minimalist Sophistication

Sonos has long mastered the art of blending aesthetics with functionality, and the Ace headphones are no exception. These headphones strike a balance between form and function, with a sleek and understated design that screams modern sophistication.

The matte-finished earcups are smooth to the touch, while the stainless-steel headband adds a sense of durability without sacrificing style. This is a device that feels as good as it looks, and lent a real sense of style to the Soft White model reviewed.

The ear cushions, crafted from plush memory foam and wrapped in vegan leather, provide a level of comfort that makes extended listening sessions a pleasure.

They offer a snug fit that blocks out a massive amount of external noise – even before activating noise cancellation. That said, the earcups might feel a touch tight for users with larger ears, which could be a consideration for those seeking all-day wearability. In terms of replacing, a clever magnetic construction means a real ease of switching these out and adjustments for comfort.

Durability is a key consideration for premium headphones, and the Ace delivers in this regard.

The stainless-steel frame feels robust and well-constructed, capable of withstanding the rigours of daily use. The earcups and headband show no signs of creaking or looseness, even after extended testing. It’s clear that Sonos has designed these headphones with longevity in mind, ensuring they’ll remain a reliable companion for years to come.

Balanced Brilliance

If there’s one area where Sonos rarely falters, it’s sound quality. The Ace delivers an audio performance that’s nothing short of stellar, courtesy of its custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers in each ear cup.

The sound profile is meticulously tuned, with bright, sparkling highs that bring vocals to life, and mids that are rich and immersive, ensuring instruments sound natural and distinct.

Bass lovers won’t be disappointed either. The low-end is full-bodied without being overpowering, creating a balanced mix that caters to a wide array of musical genres. Whether you’re diving into the lush orchestration of a symphony or losing yourself in the thumping beats of a hip-hop track, the Ace brings it all to life with precision and clarity.

A Quiet Triumph

The Ace’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is another feather in its cap. It effectively drowns out environmental noise, whether you’re commuting on a noisy train or working in a bustling café. While the ANC is a real standout feature here, and combined with the secure fit, I found it both more than capable for most everyday scenarios and a fair bit more effective than the Bose QC Ultras I use at drowning out the din of a daily commute.

What sets the Ace apart is how natural the sound remains with ANC activated. There’s no noticeable distortion or loss of detail, which is a common pitfall for many noise-cancelling headphones. It’s clear that Sonos has put thought – and significant effort – into creating an ANC experience that complements rather than competes with the sound quality.

Ecosystem Integration Needs a Remix

For those already entrenched in the Sonos ecosystem, the Ace offers some truly impressive features.

The standout is the TV Audio Swap function, which allows you to transfer sound seamlessly from a compatible Sonos soundbar to the headphones.

This is particularly useful for late-night viewing, where you can enjoy immersive audio without disturbing others. With support for Dolby Atmos and dynamic head tracking, it elevates your home theatre experience to a whole new level.

The head tracking can be a little disorienting however, as it creates a virtual position for the TV’s audio in front of you as though listening without headphones, so turning to the left or right shifts the sound accordingly – definitely one to test to one’s own taste.

However, there are caveats. The TV Audio Swap feature is currently limited to newer Sonos devices, such as the Arc soundbar, and its setup initially required an iOS device.

Efforts to pair with my OnePlus 13 were unsuccessful in creation of a consistent connection, but was solved with another Android device. While the integration is a step in the right direction, it feels like Sonos hasn’t fully unlocked its potential just yet.

App Support

Sonos’s app has always been a selling point for its intuitive design and robust features, but with the Ace, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The app is essential for initial setup and accessing features like EQ adjustment, but its functionality is surprisingly limited when the headphones are connected solely via Bluetooth.

Even features like auto shut-off or wear detection – pausing the audio when removing the device – was inconsistent or unavailable unless the Ace is directly connected via the app, a bit of an oversight, as I found times where the battery had drained, simply through forgetting to manually turn it off after use.

You can’t as deftly control playback or view currently playing audio through the app – a surprising oversight for a company known for seamless user experiences. These limitations create a disconnect between the Ace headphones and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, making them feel more like an isolated product rather than an integrated part of the brand’s offerings.

Solid Battery Life Hits The Right Notes

The Sonos Ace boasts a respectable battery life, offering up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC activated. While this is competitive in the premium headphone market, it doesn’t quite push the boundaries set by some rivals.

Fast charging, however, is a saving grace – just 15 minutes of charging can provide an additional five hours of listening time, which is perfect for users on the go.

Front Row Pricing

At £449, the Sonos Ace firmly plants itself in the premium headphone category, competing with heavyweights like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Its price tag reflects the level of quality and innovation on offer, but whether it represents value for money depends on your needs.

For users who already own Sonos products and can take advantage of features like TV Audio Swap, the Ace is a natural and worthwhile addition – even more so if you’re an iPhone owner.

Verdict

The Sonos Ace is an undeniably impressive debut in the over-ear headphone market. Its combination of stellar sound quality, premium design, and effective noise cancellation makes it a strong contender for anyone seeking high-end audio gear.

However, the shortcomings on the software side – particularly the limitations of the Sonos app and the selective compatibility of key features – are slight drawbacks to the overall experience. Sonos has built a remarkable piece of hardware, but to truly compete in this space, it needs to bring its software and ecosystem integration up to the same standard – based on the progress made in the intervening period since launch, we have every confidence in their commitment to evolving this experience as they gain learnings in this new category.

For now, the Ace is a headphone that shoots for the stars, but only needs a few software tweaks to take it to the limits of what it can deliver.

Byron Simpson

The post Sonos Ace Headphones Review: Stellar Hardware, Software Takes A Beat appeared first on CRISP..

Story – Nostalgic Frenzy with a Twist

At its core, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a faithful adaptation of iconic battles and story arcs, encapsulated within the “Episode Battle” mode. This mode allows players to relive the franchise’s legendary battles, from the early clashes with the Saiyans to epic confrontations with universe-destroying antagonists. But the magic doesn’t end with merely following the main arcs of Dragon Ball lore.

Sparking Zero takes it a step further, offering “what-if” scenarios that enable players to explore alternate outcomes to familiar battles. Have you ever wondered how the story would’ve panned out if Vegeta had bested Goku in their initial showdown? Or if Frieza had emerged victorious on Namek? Sparking Zero answers these questions, providing endless possibilities for storytelling that will keep fans guessing.

The plot delivery, however, is a bit of a mixed bag.

While the game’s what-if scenarios are thrilling, the pacing can feel disjointed, like reading the cliff notes of entire sagas. Long-time fans will appreciate the subtle nods and easter eggs peppered throughout, yet new players might find themselves lost amid fragmented story snippets. The result is a format that caters heavily to seasoned fans, offering little in the way of backstory or context for those less familiar with Dragon Ball lore. The absence of a structured narrative guide means new players may struggle to keep track of the numerous characters, arcs, and transformations.

Still, for die-hard fans, these story fragments are a treasure trove of nostalgia. Each episode is designed to keep players on their toes, incorporating specific objectives within battles. Completing these objectives not only unlocks extra scenes but also opens new pathways within the story, adding a layer of depth and replayability to the game.

Graphics & Audio – Faithful Homage with a Few Hiccups

One of the most commendable aspects of Sparking Zero is how it captures the aesthetic of the Dragon Ball universe, translating it into a vibrant, interactive experience. Character models have been meticulously crafted to mirror their anime counterparts, from Goku’s spiky Super Saiyan hair to Frieza’s imposing final form. The game’s environments are equally impressive, recreating key locations like Planet Namek, the World Tournament stage, and the barren wastelands where so many battles have taken place. Even minor visual details, such as the craters left behind by powerful attacks, add to the immersive experience.

However, while the visuals are stunning during gameplay, the cutscenes don’t always keep pace. Many of these story moments rely on static frames, with minimal animation, making them feel more like a slideshow than the fluid, action-packed scenes fans might expect. This lack of animation can disrupt the narrative immersion, especially when contrasted with the energetic, vibrant fighting sequences.

In terms of audio, Sparking Zero truly shines. The game brings in voice actors from both the Japanese and English versions of the anime, delivering a performance that’s sure to resonate with long-time fans. Hearing Goku shout “Kamehameha!” or Vegeta deliver one of his fiery monologues never gets old, and the sound effects during combat, from the crackling of energy beams to the ground-shaking thuds of punches, are as crisp as ever. However, the soundtrack, though true to the anime’s themes, doesn’t stray much from familiar tunes. While this may please purists, it may leave players hoping for a fresher audio experience slightly underwhelmed.

Gameplay – Frenzied Fun or Button-Mashing Mayhem?

The Budokai Tenkaichi series has always been celebrated for its accessible yet deeply rewarding combat mechanics, and Sparking Zero proudly carries on this tradition. With over 180 playable characters, this instalment boasts one of the largest rosters in fighting game history. From classic characters like Goku and Vegeta to lesser-seen figures such as Goku Black and Jiren, the game caters to all fan favourites. However, this vast character pool is somewhat deceptive, as multiple forms of the same character (think 19 versions of Goku) populate a good chunk of the roster.

Gameplay mechanics revolve around simple button combinations, making combat feel intuitive and beginner-friendly. The emphasis is on flashy, anime-style moves rather than complex combos, which works well in a game based on a high-energy series like Dragon Ball. Special moves are easy to execute, allowing players to pull off jaw-dropping attacks without a steep learning curve. However, this simplicity also leads to one of the game’s main drawbacks: repetition. Battles can quickly devolve into button-mashing sessions, particularly in single-player mode, where opponents often lack the tactical prowess of human players.

Nevertheless, Sparking Zero includes a range of mechanics to deepen the combat experience. The game encourages players to focus on defensive strategies, like building Ki and timing counters to capitalise on opponents’ openings. The strategic element is especially noticeable in tougher battles, where victory hinges on more than just brute force. Additionally, Sparking Zero introduces a Custom Battle mode, which allows players to create and share their own unique scenarios. This mode injects fresh creativity into the game, letting players recreate iconic scenes or invent entirely new ones, all while setting specific victory conditions. It’s like Dragon Ball meets a sandbox mode, and for fans with a creative streak, it’s an absolute goldmine.

Additional Features – Multiplayer & Customisation

Beyond its single-player offerings, Sparking Zero features both online and offline multiplayer, where players can pit their favourite characters against one another in epic clashes. Split-screen multiplayer, a staple of previous games, makes a welcome return, though limited to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber map. This restriction is likely due to performance limitations, as the map is minimalistic, with fewer elements to render during the intense split-screen battles.

The game also offers customisation options, including unlockable costumes, collectable cutscenes, and alternate music tracks. These collectables provide additional motivation for players to revisit battles and achieve specific objectives, offering a satisfying sense of progression. While the costume selection is extensive, with references to some of Dragon Ball’s more obscure moments, it lacks certain fan favourites, like Vegeta’s infamous pink “Badman” shirt. Still, the sheer volume of content will keep completionists busy for hours on end.

Verdict – For the Fans, By the Fans

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is, at its heart, a love letter to Dragon Ball enthusiasts. It’s packed with fan service, from its immense character roster to its nods to classic battles and “what-if” scenarios. The game’s strengths lie in its dedication to recreating the look, feel, and energy of the Dragon Ball universe. Yet, it falls short in areas that modern players might take for granted, such as the depth of its cutscene animations and the complexity of its combat.

For newcomers, Sparking Zero may be a challenging entry point due to its fragmented storytelling and occasionally repetitive gameplay. But for long-time fans, it’s an irresistible blend of nostalgia and new content. The expansive roster and creative possibilities in Custom Battle mode ensure that there’s always something new to discover, even after the main story arcs are complete.

In essence, Sparking Zero is a game made with fans in mind, and it delivers on most of what they could ask for. However, with a few tweaks to the story pacing, animation quality, and perhaps a deeper combat system, it could have been a near-perfect title for both veterans and newcomers alike.

Byron Simpson

The post Dragonball: Sparking! ZERO Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Developed by VEA Games, this is a love letter to platforming’s finest era, when pixel-perfect jumps and collect-a-thons ruled the day.

Donning the vibrant aesthetic of classic 90s platformers and dragging them to current-gen consoles, this title pits players against the nefarious Grimbald, challenging them to guide (Niko or Luna) through a colourful series of worlds.

The game’s engaging blend of retro style and modern accessibility make it an undeniable charmer, with a few surprising twists along the way.

Story

The narrative in Nikoderiko is a simple but delightful affair. Our heroes, Niko and Luna, are on a mission to recover a powerful relic stolen by the dastardly Grimbald, a villain as sinister as he is humorous. Grimbald, along with his ragtag Cobring minions, has scattered parts of this relic across the land.

Each stage is a bite-sized adventure where players explore wildly varied biomes, each offering its unique take on enemies, secrets, and hazards.

It’s a straightforward premise, but it’s executed with such lighthearted charm that players will likely find themselves drawn to the adventure just for the chance to see what quirky character or unusual level mechanic they’ll encounter next.

The welcome addition of full voice acting and character animations add flair, lending each encounter a fresh cartoonish sense of humour, especially in a genre not typically known for its storytelling.

While it may not explore complex themes, the story’s simplicity is a perfect fit for the genre, keeping players focused on the platforming without getting bogged down in heavy narrative exposition. Nikoderiko’s charm is in the small details – the quirky enemy designs, the playful dialogue, and the occasional cutscene that hints at a deeper backstory for Niko, Luna, and their world.

Graphics & Audio

The graphics in Nikoderiko are as playful as they are polished, capturing the essence of classic platformers with a modern twist. Each world is vibrant and distinct, from glowing crystal caves to lush tropical jungles.

The attention to detail in environmental textures ensures the game looks as charming in motion as it does in stills.

VEA Games went to great lengths to create a universe that feels alive, thanks in no small part to the dynamic lighting effects that highlight everything from pools of toxic waste to the glistening collectables scattered across each level. These visuals are enhanced by a UI that, while minimalistic, never detracts from the lush scenery and quirky enemies.

The soundtrack, composed by the legendary David Wise, brings a nostalgic layer of immersion. Each tune is carefully crafted to match the tone of the environment, whether you’re exploring a frosty landscape or dodging lava in a volcanic cave. Wise’s signature style shines, and you may find yourself humming along to tunes long after putting the controller down.

Every jump, slide, and barrel roll is accompanied by sound effects that capture the tactile joy of classic platformers, making each encounter that much more satisfying. The audio design is a standout, and the soundtrack alone might be worth the price of admission for fans of retro gaming.

Gameplay

The heart of Nikoderiko lies in its gameplay, which draws on a mix of classic influences while injecting a few fresh ideas of its own. Nikoderiko offers a mix of 2.5D platforming and fully 3D exploration sections, giving players the best of both worlds. Niko and Luna each have unique abilities—ground pounds, slides, glides—that add depth to the game’s traversal and combat mechanics. These abilities become essential as players encounter a variety of enemies, some of which require creative approaches to defeat.

For example, enemies with spiky armour need to be tackled from behind, while larger foes must be dealt with through ground-pounding attacks.

VEA Games introduces a slew of platforming tropes with their spin: barrel blasts, minecart chases, and underwater segments filled with rideable seahorses. Each world ends with a boss battle, featuring villains that are as challenging as they are charmingly animated. The bosses are designed to test players’ mastery of the mechanics learned in each world, often requiring multiple retries to succeed. Though the difficulty may peak in these boss battles, health pickups are frequent enough that players won’t find the challenge frustrating—just engaging.

Collectables abound, including letters spelling “NIKO” in each level, as well as hidden treasures and bonus stages.

These elements add replayability, though the game’s relatively short length (about 6-7 hours) means completionists will likely wrap things up in a couple of sessions. The game includes a couch co-op mode, which is a wonderful addition, especially for families. However, the co-op experience can feel chaotic at times due to the frequent shifts in camera perspective, occasionally causing characters to become briefly misplaced off-screen.

Verdict

Though it may borrow heavily from genre classics, Nikoderiko brings an abundance of joy, nostalgia, and accessibility to the platforming scene.

It’s a carefully crafted homage to beloved franchises like Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, with enough original touches to make it stand out.

Its accessible gameplay, combined with lush visuals and a soundtrack that’s pure ear candy, make Nikoderiko a must-play for fans of the genre and newcomers alike. The modest difficulty ensures it’s suitable for players of all ages, while seasoned platforming enthusiasts will still find enough to keep them engaged.

If you’re seeking a platformer that oozes charm and combines the best of retro gaming with modern polish, Nikoderiko: The Magical World should be on your radar. It’s the perfect game for nostalgic players looking for a fresh yet familiar experience and is a delightful addition to any platforming fan’s library.

Byron Simpson

The post Nikoderiko: The Magical World Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Byron Simpson

The post EE Turns Half-Term Chaos Into Entertainment With ‘The Circus’ appeared first on CRISP..

Byron Simpson

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