Developed by Petit Fabrik and Fair Play Labs and published by GameMill, it arrives on Xbox Series X as a top-down, real-time action RPG designed first and foremost for kids and families. SpongeBob as a knight, Katara as a spellcaster, Leonardo swinging katanas in a fantasy sewer: it is a setup that writes its own charm. The key question is whether the game beneath all that crossover energy has enough staying power – find out in our CRISP. review!

Story

The premise has the light-hearted, high-concept feel of a cartoon Christmas special. A magical artefact known as the Dice of Destiny fractures reality and stitches together shards of various Nickelodeon worlds into one fantasy realm. 

Bikini Bottom resurfaces as a medieval port town. The Turtles’ home sewers twist into a sprawling catacomb. Other locations from across the Nicktoons universe pop up as hub areas, dungeons and set-pieces, all with a fantasy glaze.

You move around a world map, travelling between these zones and picking up quests from familiar faces. Objectives tend to be straightforward: clear out a dungeon, rescue a captured character, recover a lost object, or confront a themed boss. 

Dialogue is snappy, fully voiced and filled with references. SpongeBob’s boundless enthusiasm, Sandy’s confidence and the Turtles’ sibling banter all come through clearly, even in short exchanges.

The overarching narrative – fix the dice, defeat the villain meddling with reality and restore the worlds – is predictable but appropriate. Stakes are high enough to feel important while remaining firmly in cartoon territory. There are no grim twists or tonal lurches, which makes this very easy to recommend as a shared game for younger players.

Gameplay

Moment to moment, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny plays like a simplified, family-friendly Diablo. You pick a hero from a roster of reimagined Nicktoons, then guide them through dungeons from a top-down perspective, fighting enemies in real time. Each character fits a clear archetype. Sandy Cheeks becomes a whirlwind of melee damage, Katara leans into ranged elemental spells and support, while Leonardo focuses on agile swordplay and crowd control. The abilities and animations line up nicely with each character’s personality, which helps sell the fantasy.

Controls are straightforward. One button handles your basic attack, others trigger special abilities on short cooldowns, and dodges or blocks are forgiving. As you earn experience, you level up and invest points in small skill trees. These do not go particularly deep, but they allow you to tilt a hero towards toughness, damage output or team support. Loot drops in the form of weapons, armour and trinkets add another layer of simple progression, with clear numerical upgrades rather than dense stats.

Co-op is the real star of the show. Up to four players can adventure together locally, dropping in and out freely. The camera does a solid job of keeping everyone in frame, and revive windows are generous enough that less experienced players can experiment without constantly dragging the group back to checkpoints. 

The lack of friendly fire is a blessing in crowded fights, and the difficulty curve is tuned to keep mixed-age parties moving rather than to punish mistakes.

The main drawback is repetition. Dungeons reuse room templates and puzzle ideas frequently, and the pool of enemy types is limited. You will face a lot of similar monsters, sometimes recoloured or slightly tweaked, across different areas. Boss fights add some variety with simple mechanics and larger arenas, but long sessions can start to blur together for adults even if children are still delighted to see their favourites on screen.

Audio

Audio does a lot of the heavy lifting in making this feel like a true Nicktoons crossover. Key characters sound close to their TV incarnations, and their barks in combat or comments in hub areas capture the tone of the shows. Lines repeat over time, as you would expect, but there is enough variety early on to keep things lively.

The soundtrack sits comfortably between fantasy adventure and Saturday-morning cartoon. Hub areas are accompanied by light, catchy tracks, while dungeons have more atmospheric pieces that avoid tipping into genuine menace. Boss encounters ramp things up just enough to feel important without overwhelming younger ears.

Sound effects are clear and distinct. Weapon swings, spell casts, shield pops and environmental hazards all have their own audio cues. That clarity is important when the screen fills with players and enemies, and it makes it easier for children to understand what their actions are doing.

Performance

On Xbox Series X, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny looks neat rather than spectacular. Character models are colourful and expressive, with big silhouettes that work well from a top-down angle. Environments are embellished with enough detail to feel like real places without becoming visually noisy. The overall aesthetic leans into the feel of a high-resolution cartoon, with smooth animation and bold colours.

Performance is generally solid. Frame rates hold up in single player and local co-op, even when four players are firing off abilities amid groups of enemies. Load times between zones and dungeons are reasonable, and quick resume support makes it easy to dip in for a short run and come back later. Camera quirks occasionally appear when players pull in opposite directions, but the game usually resets itself quickly.

There is no online co-op, which might disappoint some, but for its intended role as a family sofa game, that limitation is easier to forgive.

Verdict

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a warm, approachable action RPG that succeeds at what it sets out to do. It gives kids a straightforward way to go on a fantasy adventure with characters they already love, and it gives adults a co-op experience simple enough to share without hours of explanation. Builds are shallow but satisfying, the tone is consistently bright and the moment-to-moment play has an easy charm.

Its shortcomings are clear: recycled dungeon chunks, a modest technical ceiling and limited depth for solo players. Yet as a family-friendly co-op title, it does enough right to earn a place in the rotation. If your household still lights up when SpongeBob or the Turtles appear on screen, rolling the Dice of Destiny together is an easy recommendation. You can decide how many stars that is worth.

Max Boker

The post Nicktoons and The Dice of Destiny Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

With an emphasis on supernatural mystery and immersive lore, the game incarnation of Unknown 9: Awakening offers a distinct narrative experience focused on unravelling ancient secrets. But does this title offer a complete journey or leave players grappling in the dark? Here’s a closer look.

Story

Unknown 9 presents players with a character-driven narrative centering around Haroona, a young woman with the unique ability to access “The Fold,” a hidden dimension that allows her to glimpse truths beyond the physical realm.

Raised on the streets of Kolkata, Haroona is far from the typical hero. She navigates a reality woven with mystical powers, dark secrets, and powerful organisations like the Ascendants, who seek control over the ancient and dangerous knowledge of the “Unknown 9.” The story is built on lore-heavy foundations, creating a universe filled with ancient rivalries, hidden realms, and philosophical intrigue.

Reflector’s approach to storytelling is commendable, as they focus on Haroona’s self-discovery and relationship with her powers while also hinting at the grander schemes of her world. However, as the game progresses, the storyline occasionally feels patchy, leaving gaps that could benefit from deeper exploration.

Key details about Haroona’s abilities and her connection to the Fold remain vague, with only hints offered instead of complete insights. Reflector’s focus on establishing a narrative across multiple media is evident; while the in-game story stands on its own, it does feel like the game is designed to push players toward the extended lore in other places, potentially leaving some players feeling that the story is a bit incomplete.

The universe itself is compelling enough to draw in players who enjoy mysterious and supernatural settings, yet it occasionally feels as if Reflector has sacrificed story clarity for future storytelling opportunities.

Haroona’s character is likeable and relatable, particularly as an outsider in her own world, and players can empathise with her journey of self-discovery. Still, for a game that delves into the mysteries of existence and the supernatural, some elements are handled superficially, which could have been avoided with more narrative focus within the game itself.

Graphics / Audio

Reflector Entertainment has crafted a game that’s visually impressive, especially in its environmental design. From lush, chaotic jungles to hauntingly atmospheric Gothic estates, each area is meticulously designed to evoke a sense of mystery and wonder. One of the game’s standout elements is “The Fold” itself—an alternate dimension accessible only to Haroona.

When she peeks into The Fold, the world transforms into an ethereal, spectral version of itself, with hidden objects and paths revealed in shimmering, surreal colours. This mechanic adds a unique visual flavour to the exploration and problem-solving elements, creating a clear distinction between the seen and unseen worlds.

However, the game’s overall polish is inconsistent. While the environments are richly detailed and enhanced by dynamic lighting, certain graphical flaws, like stiff facial animations and occasional lighting glitches, can detract from the immersion. These issues don’t ruin the experience, but they do pull players out of the moment from time to time, especially in scenes where Haroona’s emotional journey is central. Reflector’s art team deserves recognition for the creativity and detail in their world-building, but these technical flaws keep the game from reaching its full visual potential.

The sound design, in contrast, is one of the strongest elements of the game. Anya Chalotra’s voice acting for Haroona is superb, adding depth and nuance to her character and giving weight to her journey. The background score, an eerie mix of world music and ambient tones, further enhances the atmosphere, making every scene feel steeped in mystery and tension.

Reflector’s audio team has gone above and beyond in capturing the ambient sounds of each location, whether it’s the bustle of Kolkata or the whispers in an ancient ruin. This attention to detail in sound design helps immerse players in Haroona’s world, even during the game’s slower narrative beats.

Gameplay

Reflector’s Stepping mechanic is perhaps the most unique and innovative feature of Unknown 9.

Haroona can “Step” into the minds of enemies, taking control of their actions to distract, manipulate, or attack others. This mechanic offers a strategic layer to combat, allowing players to tackle encounters in varied, creative ways. Stepping is limited by “Umbral tokens,” a resource that players must manage carefully to avoid running out during combat. As a tool, Stepping brings a fresh and thrilling element to gameplay, letting players turn the tide of battle by cleverly using enemy resources to their advantage.

Despite its potential, Stepping’s usage is somewhat constrained by design. While the mechanic is effective for individual takedowns or crowd control, it’s less helpful in larger encounters against tougher enemies like Gearheads, who are immune to Haroona’s supernatural powers. These encounters force players to fall back on melee combat, which can feel clunky and less satisfying. This limitation in Stepping’s versatility somewhat restricts players from fully engaging with the game’s core supernatural themes, especially as more combat sequences rely on direct fighting.

Combat in Unknown 9 is an uneven mix of stealth, supernatural abilities, and melee. Reflector’s design initially encourages a stealth approach, with Haroona able to sneak through tall grass and perform silent takedowns. She can use her psychic abilities, like “Peek,” to view enemies and hidden paths, making stealth encounters strategic and engaging.

As combat progresses, however, the game shifts towards melee battles, where Haroona is often outnumbered and forced into hand-to-hand confrontations. This shift can feel disjointed, as the melee mechanics lack the fluidity and responsiveness that would make these sequences enjoyable.

Reflector attempts to keep combat dynamic by introducing enemy types that counter Haroona’s abilities, such as the aforementioned Gearheads. These enemies add challenge but also limit player options, forcing a play style that doesn’t always fit with Haroona’s supernatural powers. The hand-to-hand combat can become repetitive, with limited move sets and basic combos that make fights feel less dynamic over time. Additionally, some technical issues, like unresponsive controls and imprecise hit detection exacerbate the combat’s limitations, turning encounters that should feel intense into a bit of a chore.

Beyond combat, Unknown 9 includes a strong exploration component, with Reflector utilising The Fold as a tool for discovery. Players can “peek” into this alternate dimension to uncover hidden paths, puzzles, and collectables. The Fold adds an engaging layer to puzzle-solving, requiring players to switch between the visible world and The Fold to unlock hidden passages or find clues. These sequences are a refreshing break from combat and help to reinforce the game’s supernatural themes.

While The Fold offers a unique perspective on exploration, the puzzles themselves are relatively straightforward, focusing more on spatial awareness than complex problem-solving. Reflector’s approach here works well within the story’s framework, but those seeking intricate or challenging puzzles might find the gameplay a bit too simple. That said, the blend of exploration and puzzle-solving is a strength, keeping players engaged even during slower narrative moments.

Verdict

Reflector Entertainment has laid a strong foundation with Unknown 9: Awakening, offering players a tantalising glimpse into a world brimming with mystery and supernatural intrigue. The Stepping mechanic and The Fold both bring fresh ideas to the gameplay, creating a unique experience that blends stealth, strategy, and exploration. Reflector’s dedication to world-building and atmosphere shines through, making the game’s lore-rich universe an enticing setting for future expansions.

However, Unknown 9 is not without its shortcomings. The story, while ambitious, occasionally lacks depth in its exploration of characters and themes, leaving certain elements feeling incomplete. Combat’s reliance on melee encounters, coupled with occasional technical issues, can detract from the game’s otherwise immersive experience. Reflector’s desire to craft a larger transmedia narrative is clear, but it would have benefited from a bit more polish within the game itself, giving players a fully satisfying stand-alone experience.

For players drawn to supernatural mysteries and rich, lore-driven universes, Unknown 9: Awakening is worth exploring. With some refinement in future entries, Reflector’s universe has the potential to grow into something truly captivating. As it stands, this first chapter is an intriguing, if occasionally rough, journey into the unknown.

Max Boker

The post Unknown 9: Awakening Review – Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..

Get ready to sleigh your gift game this CRISPmas, We’ve curated the coolest goodies to make your holiday shopping a breeze. Let’s jingle all the way to the perfect presents.

Tech

Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer

£299

Capture exactly what you see and hear with the new ultra-wide 12 MP camera and five-mic system. Take high-quality photos and immersive videos and live stream it all to Facebook and Instagram.

Buy Now

PS5 Slim

£479

Experience lightning-fast loading with an ultra-high speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio all in a brand new slim form factor

Buy Now

XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K Projector

£1749

One of our 2023 Editors Choice Products of the year. The Horizon Ultra 4K from XGIMI is a game changer of a projector with a sleek design and top-end picture quality. For a limited time only the Horizon Ultra comes with a free TV dongle and an extra 5% off your purchase using our exclusive code CRISPEXCLU

Buy Now

Bose QC Ultra

£399

World-class noise cancellation, quieter than ever before. Breakthrough spatialised audio for more immersive listening and elevated design with luxe materials for unrivalled comfort. These are winners.

Buy Now

Sonos Move 2

£449

Connect to all your favourite audio content with WiFi and Bluetooth®, and enjoy up to 24 hours of non-stop playback. Rated IP56, this portable speaker is both dust and water resistant, making it perfect for outdoor use.

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Chipolo One Spot 4 Pack

£89

Add Chipolo ONE Spot to the Apple Find My app and hundreds of millions of friends in the Find My network will help you find your missing keys. When your keys are hiding nearby, play a very loud sound to locate them. Get a notification when you accidentally leave your keys behind or when the Apple Find My network locates your missing item.

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Food and Drink

Jura 14 Rye Cask

£43

Fabulous 14-year-old single malt from Jura, this expression was matured in a selection of American white oak, bourbon, and American rye whiskey barrels. This crafty combo of casks imparts a delightful layering of vanilla, caramel, tropical fruit, and warming, prickly spice – a splendid dram for sipping at the end of a long day. You can also personalise your own label and Jura will send you the label in the post – free of charge.

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Havana Club Selección de Maestros 

£59

For those seeking to leave a lasting impression on a rum aficionado with an impeccably stocked bar cart this holiday season, Havana Club Selección de Maestros is the ultimate choice. Meticulously crafted by the esteemed Maestros del Ron Cubano, this rum delivers an exquisite journey through the world of taste. 

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Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru

£32

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Premier Cru is a celebration of the region of Murcia in Spain, and the stunning citrus it produces. Sustainably sourced Murcian Fino lemons, mandarins and sweet Navel oranges of exceptional quality are hand-picked and hand-peeled from the late harvest when their aromas and flavours are most intense. 

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Nikka From the Barrel Whisky

£46.50

The award-winning Nikka Whisky From The Barrel blend is absolutely full of flavour, bottled at 51.4% ABV. The blend combines both single malt and grain whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, which are then married in a huge variety of casks, including bourbon barrels, sherry butts and refill hogsheads.

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Sport, Health and Fitness

L.A.B. Golf Custom Putters

From $559

Outrageous stability. Now available for Standard-Length, ArmLock, and Broomstick builds.

One of our Products of the Year.

Buy Now

ON Cloudboom Echo 3

£260

A fusion of CloudTec® and Helion™ HF for our fastest race-day shoe. Get ready to outrun your echo.

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DIY Gravel Frame Bike Build Kit

£410

Build your own bike out of Bamboo with a kit from Bombay Bicycle Club. The frames are compatible with all major groupset manufacturers and can be fitted up with a Shimano GRX or Rohloff geared hub.

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Grooming

King C Gillette Stylemaster

£20

The King C. Gillette Style Master is 1 simple tool offering 3 stubble styling options. As a unique asset for self-expression, choosing a stubble style allows for creativity, with many men switching between styles depending on the occasion.

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Fashion and Clothing

Arne Court Trainer

£105

A contemporary progression of our Essential Leather Trainer, finished with a slightly chunky yet wearable rubber sole.

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CRISP. Golf Cap

£25

It’s probably the best hat in the whole entire world. Worn by A-list celebrities and some shit ones too.

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Home and Garden

Sage Barista Express

£529

Create third-wave speciality coffee at home from bean to espresso in less than a minute. The Barista Express allows you to grind the beans right before extraction for rich full flavour and precise temperature control ensures optimal espresso extraction. Be hands-on like a barista with manual microfoam milk texturing to deliver authentic results in no time at all.

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Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

£309

Bonfire pushes the limits of both combustion airflow efficiency and minimalist outdoor design with its all stainless steel construction. It was brilliantly engineered to provide a backyard fire experience that cannot be duplicated. The new 2.0 version features a removable base plate and ash pan for easy cleaning.

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Experiences

WSET Level 1 Wine Course

from £160

A Wine & Spirit Education Trust wine course is the perfect gift for any wine lover. It’s now possible to take WSET’s globally recognised Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Wines courses online from start to finish as well as in person at wine schools across the UK. The knowledge gained will stay with you forever and it’s a great way of learning how to navigate wine lists and impress friends and family with your wine knowledge.

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Other

Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk

£179

With Casa Pop-Up Desk, get comfy, focused work done anywhere in the home. Once you’re done? Fold it out of sight, out of mind. Casa has all you need to work from home in one compact kit, with a wireless keyboard, wireless touchpad and a book-like case that transforms into a laptop stand.

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Liquid Death Nixon Death Clock III

£240

The new Death Clock III from Nixon x Liquid Death is the pinnacle of timepiece achievement. Sleek, modern, and capable of possessing your body to use it like a meat puppet to do its unspeakable bidding, the Death Clock won’t ever let you go.

Buy Now

Max Boker

The post CRISPmas Gift Guide – December 2023 appeared first on CRISP..

Havana Club, the globally revered rum maestro, has just unveiled the Havana Club 7 Años limited edition gold bottle, your passport to celebrating the most fabulous time of the year in pure style.

This dazzling bottle, a masterpiece born from the creative minds at AT Paris, is a feast for the eyes. Picture a label with metallic hues and a texture that screams sophistication. This bottle is about as CRISP as it gets.

Whether gracing your dinner table or being gifted as a timeless treasure this holiday season, its design pays homage to the velvety smooth spirit and unparalleled Cuban craftsmanship.

But hold onto your hats because the thrill doesn’t end there! Brace yourself for an extra dash of magic – an augmented reality (AR) experience baked right into the design. Yes, you heard that right! Hop onto Havana Club’s Instagram, click the link in their bio, and voila! You’ll find yourself whisked away to a mesmerizing golden world. Explore Havana’s cultural wonders, with the iconic La Giraldilla reigning supreme, all from the comfort of your screen.

Havana Club didn’t stop at just the bottle. They’ve joined forces with fashion photography maven Yulia Shadrinsky, renowned for her backstage captures and luxe campaigns with big shots like Burberry and Rick Owens. Shadrinsky has magically blended fashion with Havana Club 7 Años, bringing you a collection of show-stopping shots that’ll leave you amazed.

Havana Club Gold is making a cameo for a limited time only, Find it at supermarkets across the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, priced at £27 and €25

Max Boker

The post Get Ready to Sparkle with Havana Club 7 Gold Limited Edition appeared first on CRISP..

Since its inception in 1928, Motorola has been a trailblazer in technology. Among its iconic milestones, the Apollo 11 moon landing stands out as a testament to Motorola’s pioneering radio equipment, enabling the historic earth-to-moon communications that transmitted Neil Armstrong’s iconic words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Fast-forwarding to the early 2000s, the birth of the razr V3 revolutionized cellphone design. Its vibrant colors, sleek clamshell design, and ultra-thin profile swiftly transformed it into a global fashion symbol.

Building on this legacy, Motorola has unleashed the latest evolution of the razr series. The motorola razr 40 ultra, a reimagination of the foldable form with the largest external display in the foldable smartphone realm.

Expanding its horizons, Motorola’s Edge family has set new standards. In the past year, it introduced some of the slimmest smartphones to date, unveiled an industry-first 200MP main camera sensor, forged an exclusive global partnership with PANTONE™, and introduced fresh device finishes, including the innovative use of vegan leather.

The Edge family continuously pushes boundaries, reshaping the smartphone landscape in appearance, tactile experience, and capabilities.

What’s next for Motorola?

While embracing its rich history, Motorola remains steadfastly focused on the present and future. Noteworthy advancements include bespoke business edition devices like the Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola, leveraging the expertise of Lenovo’s esteemed PC sub-brands such as ThinkPad.

The lineup extends to modern ThinkBook laptops tailored for SMBs, premium Yoga PCs catering to consumers and creators, and the boundary-pushing gaming realm under Lenovo Legion, catering to the most avid gaming enthusiasts.

It’s fair to say we’ll be watching this space.

Max Boker

The post Motorola Celebrates 95th Anniversary appeared first on CRISP..

Sennheiser is clearly a name needing little introduction in the audio world, with the German manufacturer delivering high-quality headphones for close to a century. 

Fast-forwarding to the present day, the Momentum series has been one of its leading lines of cans, offering a premium aural experience at a competitive price point.

The latest iteration, the Momentum 4 Wireless, aims to continue the legacy of delivering superb sound quality, comfort and features in a premium wireless over-ear headphone design.

Given the steep current competition from the likes of Sony, Bose and Apple, how do they fare? More importantly, are they worth the asking price of a hair under £310?

I spent some time listening closely with – and to – the Momentum 4 Wireless to find out.

Design and comfort

The first thing you’ll notice about the Momentum 4 Wireless is that they are a departure from the near-iconic aesthetic of Sennheiser’s Momentum 3. 

Those distinctive – almost utilitarian – metal sliders, leather headbands and oval ear cups give way to a merger of metal and plastic which sees it visually fit in far more with its competition.

The Momentum 4 Wireless has a more minimalist and understated appearance, swathed in matte tones (of either black, white or denim blue) and a fabric finish, a thickly padded headband, and round – yet flattened – ear cups.

Definitely a divisive move that results in a pair of headphones from Sennheiser which look equal parts stylish and similar…but certainly less of an audiophile and more like a contemporary style statement wearing these.

The good news is that these changes not only do not compromise the sound experience in the slightest but also bring improvements when it comes to comfort.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless are incredibly comfortable to wear, thanks to their lightweight (only 293g, a 10-gram saving over its predecessor, but a good 40 grams heavier than Bose’s new QuietComfort Ultras), soft memory foam ear pads, and easily adjustable headband. 

Fit is reassuringly secure, and whilst turning on the active noise cancellation (ANC) certainly caused a sensation of ear pressure that can occur with premium headsets, it very effectively shuts out noise (more on this later).

The ear cups have touch-sensitive controls that allow you to play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, activate voice assistants and toggle ANC and transparency modes.

 The controls are responsive and intuitive, stretching as far as even enabling two-finger gestures to access some of the latter noise-cancelling related settings – initially a lot of directional gestures to take in, but the reassuring recognition of these movements makes them quickly second nature on the Momentum 4s.

Further customisation is also offered on the dedicated Sennheiser Smart Control app, which also allows for firmware updates when connected to your mobile. 

The right ear cup also houses a power button, a USB-C charging port, and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening, whilst the headphones also automatically pause music upon removal – not necessarily a bullet point, but only a recent addition to Bose headphones, so a welcome addition here.

The ear cups have hinges that enable the Momentum 4’s to fold flat – although not in on themselves – for easy storage. 

The Momentum 4 Wireless also comes with a practical hard case, USB-C, and 3.5mm cables.

Features and battery life

The Momentum 4 Wireless has a lot of features to offer, starting with their excellent ANC. The headphones use four microphones to analyse and cancel out ambient noise, and they do a very good job of it. 

Whether you’re in a busy street, a noisy office or a quiet bedroom, the Momentum 4 Wireless can create a peaceful and immersive listening environment for you, cutting through the din of daily life.

One interesting aspect of the noise canceling is that it’s not necessarily at discrete levels – although those exist – but rather entirely customisable in terms of how much you wish to tune out the world, using either the app or direct touch controls to manipulate. You can adjust the ANC intensity manually using a slider in the app, which I’d definitely suggest tweaking to your tastes as the initial feeling was fairly strong.

The headphones also have a ‘transparency’ mode that lets you hear your surroundings without taking them off, incredibly useful for when you need to have a conversation, as well as maintaining all-important awareness of one’s environment.

Another feature of the Momentum 4 Wireless is its support for voice assistants, such as Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, Alexa and Samsung’s Bixby – all of whom work with minimal effort or issue. 

You can access them by tapping and holding the right ear cup, or by saying the wake word (for Alexa only). 

The voice assistants work well, thanks to the clear microphones and the stable Bluetooth 5.2 connection. You can also use the headphones for making and taking calls, and the call quality is both crisp and customisable in terms of even the ability to hear your own voice, thanks to Sidetone.

It stops that sometimes weird muted sensation of not being able to hear oneself whilst on calls and using noise cancellation, but can’t say it’s entirely natural to hear your own voice piped back into your ears either…but it’s a welcome option!

One of the most impressive features of the Momentum 4 Wireless is its battery life. The headphones can last up to 60 hours on a single charge, which is simply phenomenal for wireless headphones in general, let alone those offering such comprehensive noise cancelling options. Even with ANC on, they can still last up to 40 hours, which is more than enough for most users. 

And if you do run out of juice, you can get a frankly astounding 10 hours of playback from a quick 15-minute charge, thanks to the fast-charging technology.

The headphones also have a Tile tracker built-in, which means you can locate them using the Tile app on your smartphone. This is handy for when you misplace them or leave them behind somewhere. You can also use the app to ring the headphones, see their last known location, and mark them as lost – nothing short of a phenomenal feature.

Sound quality

Of course, the most important feature of any headphones is their sound quality, and the Momentum 4 Wireless does not disappoint in this regard. The headphones deliver a balanced, neutral and musical sound that is faithful to the original recording, but also engaging and enjoyable to listen to.

The headphones have a dynamic 40mm driver in each ear cup, and they support high-resolution audio codecs such as aptX, aptX HD, AAC and SBC. They also have an equaliser in the app that lets you tweak the sound to your liking, or choose from some presets.

The bass is tight, punchy and well-controlled, without being overpowering or boomy. The mids are clear, detailed and natural, with good vocal presence and tonality. The highs are crisp, smooth and airy, without being harsh or sibilant. The soundstage is wide, spacious and immersive, with good separation and imaging.

The Momentum 4 Wireless can handle any genre of music, from rock to jazz, from pop to classical, from hip-hop to EDM. They can also deliver a cinematic experience for movies and games, thanks to their excellent sound quality and ANC. Whether you’re listening to a quiet acoustic track or a loud action scene, the Momentum 4 Wireless can reproduce it faithfully and convincingly.

The noise cancelling itself is a hair short of that found in flagship competitors – a side-by-side test on the particularly audible Metropolitan Line found that underlying sounds weren’t quite as dampened in Senheisser’s effort than that of the latest Bose headset, but when considering the price difference as well as the ridiculous battery life, it’s a far closer run thing with all aspects considered.

Verdict

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are nothing less than a sonic triumph. They offer a balanced, neutral and warm sound that is hard to beat at this price range. They also have a best-in-class battery life, a suite of impressive customisation features and a comfortable fit. 

The only downside is their uniform design, which might not appeal to fans of previous iterations. But if you can look past that, you’ll find a pair of headphones that are more than worth your money.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth for Crystal-Clear Calls w/ Adaptive Noise Cancellation, 60h Battery Life, Customizable Sound & Lightweight Folding Design, Black

Amazon.co.uk £279.00 Currys.co.uk £269.00 Currys.co.uk £269.00

Last Amazon price update was: April 13, 2026 6:28 pm

Max Boker

The post Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones review appeared first on CRISP..

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is the latest installment in the blockbuster first-person shooter franchise that has captivated millions of gamers around the world.

The game is the latest reimagining rather than remakes of the classic Modern Warfare entries, taking the set-pieces and characters from the seminal franchise, and giving them updates for modern sensibilities.

The game’s campaign picks up from the explosive events of 2022’s Modern Warfare 2 (the first back-to-back storyline sequel in Call of Duty’s history), with the world on the brink of destruction, and elite Task Force 141 remaining the only thing between us and nuclear-fueled oblivion.

Multiplayer has also returned (obviously), but an interesting decision is to bring back all of the classic maps from CoD’s past, to give a new – yet nostalgic – spin on things. Add to that an open-world revamp to fan-favourite Zombies mode, and 2023’s entry of Call of Duty is quite the mixture.

But does Modern Warfare III live up to the hype and deliver a satisfying installment, or is it getting a little too familiar?

A Pulse-Pounding Ride Goes Off-Script

The annual Call of Duty campaign is a staple in many households – each November’s entry (save some notable exceptions) is home to a playable action movie, complete with all of the pyrotechnics, heroism and bombast of its big-screen movie brethren.

This year’s installment continues the events of Modern Warfare 2, with strong connective tissue all the way back to the flashpoint that was the 2019 reboot, Modern Warfare. All of the key protagonists of Captain Price, Soap, Ghost, and Gaz make a reappearance, as well as General Shepherd and the notorious war criminal Vladimir Makarov.

It remains a globetrotting adventure and from a first mission heavily reminiscent of breaking out Captain Price from jail in iconic level ‘The Gulag’ from MW2, to echoes of the atrocities committed by Makarov in 2009’s effort with another aviation-related incident, the campaign does its best to evoke missions past.

However, fans will know that the current storyline has already veered significantly off-course, making for interesting novel perspectives on our characters, as well as making room for great new ones like Farah, back once again and played with verve and determination by Claudia Domit.

Levels are set everywhere from a thinly-veiled London’s Embankment to idyllic off-shore tax havens, as well as the usual snow-capped mountains and army bases.

The beats will hit hardest for those who have followed the plot closely over the past three games, but the slightly anarchic story still sticks the landing for the most part, with the motion capture and facial performances all being a standout feature for all involved.

The most interesting developments are actually in the form of it being a significantly shorter campaign this time around – it took me around five hours on Veteran to complete – as well as ‘open combat missions’, where the usual linear Call of Duty campaign thrill ride takes a detour…

The Thrill of The Chase

The best place to start in terms of gameplay changes is in the campaign, where of the fifteen or so missions, a good proportion of them do away with the team-based, heavily scripted format we’ve known for the past few decades, to give way to something far more reminiscent of the recent ‘DMZ’ mode, found in Warzone.

You’re plonked – solo – on a map, given a number of objectives that can be completed with a significant degree of freedom in terms of both order and method. Weapons are procured from supply crates dotted around the level, and the same armour boosts and one-time-use perks found in the battle royale pop up here.

It’s certainly a bold change, and the premise is an incredibly exciting one. There’s a lot of effort gone into dynamic and contextual chatter between your avatar and the crew in your ear, giving pointers to areas of interest, rules of engagement, or even plot exposition as you potter around.

However, those who are fans of the huge CoD set-piece moments will be a little disappointed, as you have to find your own fun with this change from it being essentially on-rails to open plan for large swathes of the campaign.

We can tell this is quite a divisive move, but some levels – scaling 12 floors of an enemy-filled tower block a la The Raid in ‘Highrise’ for example – show the potential when open combat missions are a bit more hemmed in.

You get your AC-130 mission, you get your ‘All Ghillied Up’ stealthing through enemy guards mission, you get your ‘undercover in an enemy base’ mission – Call of Duty still knows how to play the hits from a gameplay perspective, but sometimes you just want them to release a new album…

With Sledgehammer Games on production duties for this installment, they’ve delivered tight moment-to-moment gunplay and a slight – yet entertaining – campaign.

Wealth Opens Doors

However, it’s the all-important multiplayer that keeps fans engaged every year, and this time it’s a mixture of old and new.

All sixteen incredible maps from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 make a return, replete with all of the modern gameplay mechanics and graphics 2023 can deliver.

The old muscle memory kicks in quickly, and the snappy action, the addition of dolphin dives and slides as well as a bevy of weapon attachments and a kit-driven perks system construct a novel wrapper around the classic core experience, offering up something entirely different.

Don’t get me wrong – the horrible sight lines on Highrise still make you a prime target for snipers, and Rust is still four minutes of abrupt chaos – but it brings a new refinement to the anarchy, as well as all manner of treadmill mechanics to keep you playing long into the wee hours.

All of the modes are here, from Team Deathmatch to objective-driven efforts like Domination.

Equally interesting is the return of the Zombies mode, with all-new open-world sensibilities. Combining elements of DMZ, Warzone, and mission-based objectives with the shambling horrors, it’s easy to spend countless hours wandering around this mode alone – it was far better than it had any right to be, to be honest! Definitely the surprise highlight of the online bunch.

Flaws also persist in some horrible spawning, and the skill-based matchmaking lulls you into a false sense of superiority before crushing your hopes and dreams, but these are all mainstays to CoD, and as Modern Warfare 3 receives its patches, balance updates and ideally new maps, the meta-game evolves and the long term players will see the greatest rewards.

The gating of many weapons, perks and kill streaks behind beating daily challenges is a particularly devious way to drip-feed fun over weeks rather than days, as are the obvious battle passes and paid cosmetic options – all absent the first time around.

However, when you see Groot jumping into you and blasting at Homelander, whilst Snoop Dogg wanders around aimlessly in the background, it’s patently clear that the Fortnite effect, for better or worse, has had a huge impact on the Call of Duty ecosystem.

In summary, CoD’s multiplayer is as addictive a timesink as its ever been, the campaign is fun but a little uninspired by being so inspired by CoDs past, and the gameplay is the tight modern combat and longer TTKs we’ve grown to love since 2019 – more of the same in a good way, with some of the franchise’s best ever maps.

A Bittersweet Symphony

Graphics and audio were a mixed bag – great to still have a wealth of customisation features despite being on PS5. Silky smooth 120Hz frame rates, choosing FOV, amounts of grain on screen, even the FidelityFX settings to adjust visuals are all welcome once again…but either the graphics just weren’t as impactful (or we’ve gotten used to them) vs. MW 2019.

There’s no equivalent to the incredible ‘Clean House’ mission, where lighting, animation and gameplay came together to create a level of realism almost unmatched in the series.

Equally the multiplayer makes it easier to see the visual improvements and sheer level of detail in a map like ‘Favela’ is almost sensory overload, but whether it is a change in art direction or the visuals are just softer than before, making MWIII a great looking game, but no longer the technical showcase I’d invite my mates round to witness.

In terms of audio, Call of Duty still remains in the upper echelon when it comes to making the most of a high-end setup – directional audio and being able to hear footsteps or the source of gunfire genuinely give you the upper hand during a skirmish, and this installment remains no slouch in delivering that.

Music is suitably epic – albeit a little forgettable courtest of Walter Mair…but if you pony up a few CoD points, you can purchase the amazing Hans Zimmer score from 2009’s MW2 (sorry for bringing up that title yet again!) to play throughout the online modes.

It was available in last year’s entry and in Warzone and will carry over to this year’s installment if purchased.

So all in all, definitely not a dip in production values in the audio-visual department, it simply feels like with such steep competition in the space, what was stellar for prior entries now has CoD merely keeping up.

Verdict

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is a worthy successor to the rebooted sub-series, delivering a thrilling and immersive campaign, a revamped and expanded multiplayer, and a groundbreaking open-world zombies mode.

Fans of the original Modern Warfare trilogy will appreciate the return of familiar faces, locations, and gameplay features, while newcomers will enjoy decent graphics, fluid mechanics, and varied options.

The game is not without its flaws, however, as some of the open combat missions can feel a tad repetitive if not entered into the right spirit of experimentation and exploration, the story can be predictable at times, and the zombie mode can be overwhelming for solo players.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Modern Warfare III is a must-play for any first-person shooter enthusiast, offering hours of action-packed entertainment and a satisfying coda to the saga of Task Force 141.

Max Boker

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) Review – Playstation 5 appeared first on CRISP..

The highlight of the evening was the transformation of the venue into a real-life, immersive gaming map, meticulously recreating the iconic Terminal map from the game.

Headlining the event was the renowned electronic music duo Chase & Status, providing a fitting soundtrack to an unforgettable night in the gaming industry.

The recreation spared no detail, offering fans life-sized, interactive homages that allowed them to relive their most cherished gaming moments with real-world authenticity.

From the entry point, mimicking the game’s starting zone with airline check-in desks, to a recreated security area enhancing the sense of immersion, every corner of the venue was brought to life. The beloved in-game fast-food joint, Burger Town Restaurant, was also faithfully recreated, inviting fans to indulge in the culinary fiction of the franchise.

These touchpoints weren’t just static set pieces but interactive experiences, providing attendees with a multi-sensory dive into Modern Warfare.

The launch event, strategically held one day before the game’s official release in the UK, offered guests an exclusive opportunity to experience early gameplay on PlayStation®5. The evening was further enriched with electrifying DJ sets from DnB trailblazers Chase & Status and DnB sensation DJ and producer Bou.

Lucky fans who secured their spots through competitions were treated to a full Terminal experience. From checking in and navigating a recreated security area to enjoying a meal at the famous Burger Town, attendees could explore the space, get hands-on with the game, and even receive a Soap-style trim at the Monster Energy barbers.

Notable figures, including Alex Iwobi, Fran Kirby, ArrDee, and King Combs, son of Diddy, were among those in attendance, eagerly jumping onto the PS5™ banks to experience the latest edition of the franchise firsthand.

As a bonus, select attendees left with a surprise ‘lost luggage’ item when collecting their coats, which included exclusive Modern Warfare III merchandise and PlayStation peripherals.

The event was a fusion of nostalgia and innovation, cementing itself as a milestone in the convergence of gaming and real-world experiences.

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as of April 4, 2026 1:58 pm

Max Boker

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Launch Takes Gaming to New Heights with Real-Life Recreation of Iconic Terminal Map appeared first on CRISP..

With the core entries lauded for their complex and engaging narratives, pioneering stealth-based gameplay, memorable characters, and cinematic presentation, having them all wrapped up with an excellent selection of bonus content including documentaries, art galleries, music players, and digital graphic novels makes for a stellar first impression.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Vol 1 is a collection of the first five main games of the series: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, as well as Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

Also included are the many different versions – by region for the latter ‘Solid’ titles (meaning the Japan-only Integral, as well as Substance / Subsistence are here, complete with extras), and by console for the original Metal Gear and its sequel – allowing fans to pore over the many similarities and differences in the incarnations of protagonist Solid Snake over the years.

But how do games from as early as 1987 hold up in 2023? Is it worth revisiting these classics, or were they better left in the past? Let’s find out.

The Reality Is No Match For The Legend

The first thing that stands out about this collection is the graphical upgrade – or lack of it – for many of the titles on display.

That’s not entirely fair, as MGS 2 and 3 have been remastered in HD resolution and 60 frames per second, with enhanced lighting, shadows, textures, and effects, but the original Metal Gear Solid retains its low resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio, as well as slightly blocky characters and famous PS1 texture shimmering as you make your way around Shadow Moses Island.

The games look stunning on modern hardware given their advanced age, originally released for PlayStation 2 and pushing the older hardware to its limits.

The remastering process has been faithful to the original art direction and style of the games while adding some subtle improvements and details.

For example, the character models have been updated with more realistic facial expressions and animations, the environments have been enriched with more objects and vegetation, and cutscenes have been re-rendered at a slightly higher quality.

However, it’s important to note that all of the heavy lifting was originally done by porting house Bluepoint back in 2011 for their own Metal Gear Solid HD collection, with little retouching done beyond that, despite the twelve-year gap.

Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 are actually displayed at their native 720p resolution from the PS2, lower than the touted 1080p by Konami in earlier communications.

Even then, there have been some strange bugs introduced in the migration to current generation systems, with the occasional hitch when accessing the iconic Codec to speak to your teammates, or visual issues.

Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are also still in their original pixellated forms, originally launching on the NES or Japan-only MSX consoles, which means they look very dated and primitive compared to the rest of the games.

These games are more suitable for nostalgic fans or curious newcomers who are dedicated to experiencing the origins of the series.

A shame, and with the wonder of modern consoles, hopefully issues that can be rectified over time with patches.

So whilst the graphics of this collection are impressive and respectful of the original games for the most part, capturing the essence and atmosphere of each game while bringing them to a new generation of gamers, there has been little done by the way of enhancing the visuals themselves to make them current – a sorely missed opportunity.

A Complex Cold War Narrative

The story of this collection spans six decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s, and follows the exploits of various special forces operatives, such as Naked Snake, Solid Snake, and Raiden, all of whom are involved in a global conflict revolving around the titular superweapon, “Metal Gear”, a bipedal walking tank with the ability to launch nuclear weapons from anywhere on the planet.

The plot also explores the themes of war, politics, philosophy, identity, loyalty, and betrayal, as well as the relationships and motivations of the characters – heady stuff for a franchise with such humble beginnings.

The rich and diverse narrative combines historical events, fictional scenarios, and sci-fi elements – becoming a trademark of Kojima’s dense, ‘ripped from the headlines’ style of storytelling.

Presentation is peerlessly cinematic – yet interactive – featuring cutscenes, conversations and gameplay choices that can dramatically affect the outcome of the story. Another trademark are the – often divisive – humourous elements and fourth-wall-breaking moments that make the Metal Gear series so mind-bendingly unique.

However, the story of this collection can also be confusing and convoluted at times, requiring some prior knowledge to fully understand and appreciate – making the entire series available in one package all the better.

The story is also not told in chronological order, which creates some interesting inconsistencies and retcons – as well as plot holes – that can affect the coherence and continuity of the story.

Ultimately, Metal Gear is in equal parts captivating and confusing, requiring some patience and attention to follow and truly enjoy the weaving spycraft narrative.

A Stealthy Blast from the Past

The gameplay of this collection is mostly unchanged from the original games, which is both a blessing and a curse.

On one hand, the gameplay is still fun and engaging, offering a variety of options and strategies to complete each mission. On the other hand, the gameplay can also feel dated and clunky at times, especially compared to some of the innovations introduced by modern stealth games.

The collection preserves the original controls and mechanics of each game, which means that they are not always intuitive or consistent.

For example, Metal Gear Solid uses fixed – yet cinematic – camera angles that can limit your vision and awareness at times, while Metal Gear Solid 2 uses a third-person camera that can be freely rotated but not zoomed in or out.

The inventory system is also different in each game, requiring you to pause the game and navigate through menus that rotate around the screen’s borders to access your items and weapons.

The collection does offer some quality-of-life improvements and options to make the gameplay smoother and more accessible. For example, you can switch between different control schemes that suit your preference or platform.

You can also adjust the difficulty level and toggle some features such as auto-aiming or radar display.

The gameplay of this collection is still enjoyable and challenging, offering a satisfying stealth experience that rewards creativity and experimentation. However, it can also be frustrating and cumbersome at times, requiring patience and adaptation to overcome its limitations and quirks – especially on the original MGS which is still a paragon of plot and game design.

Can’t Say Goodbye To Yesterday

The audio of this collection is another highlight that deserves praise. The collection features remastered soundtracks for each game, composed by some of the best talents in the industry.

The soundtracks are diverse and fitting for each game’s setting and mood. They range from atmospheric and ambient tracks that create tension and suspense, to epic orchestral tracks that accompany dramatic moments and boss battles.

Classic soundtracks also include some iconic themes such as “The Best Is Yet To Come”, “Snake Eater”, “Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday”, and “Metal Gear Solid Main Theme”.

The collection features the original voice acting and sound effects for each game, which add more personality and immersion to the characters and the world – as well as all of the language options that have been added over the years.

The voice acting is as superb and memorable as ever, featuring some of the best voice actors in the industry, whilst sound effects are realistic and crisp, enhancing the feedback and impact of your actions.

Verdict

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1 is a good – but not ideal – way to experience or revisit some of the best games ever made.

The collection offers a slight graphical upgrade and immersive and engaging gameplay. The collection also includes literally hours of bonus content that adds huge amounts of value and replayability to the package.

Some of those small shortcomings –  low resolution and a lack of optimization – can detract from the overall experience.

The collection’s name naturally indicates that latter entries might arrive in a (currently unannounced) Vol. 2, where we hope that some of the feedback around this one is received in just adding another pass of even more love, care and attention for the seminal series.

Nevertheless, Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Vol 1 is a solid remaster of a legendary series that deserves both attention and appreciation. Whether you are a fan or a newcomer to Solid Snake’s sneaking missions, you will find something to enjoy, explore and admire in this collection.

Max Boker

The post Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Vol 1 Review – A Solid Remaster of a Seminal Series appeared first on CRISP..

As with all great titles a sequel was inevitable, and Peppa Pig: World Adventures takes the gaming fun global, as the name suggests.

As such, we thought it best to get an expert in the field to review this one, so 5-year old Talitha has taken her hand to journalism, and put together her honest thoughts for CRISP…

Graphics

The graphics are so pretty! The colors are so bright and the characters look just like they do in the show!

I love how the world looks like it’s made out of paper! It’s so cool how you can see all the little details like the buildings and landmarks when you go around the world!

(Peppa Pig: World Adventures continues from the original in doing a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of the show by looking indistinguishable from the real thing, as well as enabling little ones to create their own custom character and truly feel part of proceedings.)

Gameplay

The game is so much fun! You get to play as Peppa Pig and go on adventures all around the world! You get to play and run and collect souvenirs!

It’s so easy to play that I can do it all by myself. I love how there are so many different places to visit – New York was my favourite! 

The story is really cool. You get to go on adventures with Peppa Pig and her family, but can also stay at home or ride your bike and go to playgroup.

There was lots more to do in this one. I liked seeing Susie Sheep, and I loved building my house just the way I liked it, it had huge windows and was pink.

I liked the cruises, but sometimes I got lost in Barcelona.

(Expanding on the locales of the original, the ability to not only visit Peppa’s house and play dress-up, but also take a cruise to one of eight destinations from Australia to Paris, and play a fairly simplistic set of one-button games.

Definitely nothing taxing in here for children 3 or above, but plenty to keep them interested! Be warned, there’s a starring role for the Queen upon the trip to London, and a heartfelt tribute to her passing had the house in floods of tears…)

Overall

Peppa Pig World Adventures is such a fun game for kids! It’s so easy to play that I  do it all by myself!

The graphics are so pretty and the characters look just like they do in the show! The story is really fun too because you get to go on holiday with Peppa Pig and her family!

I would definitely give this game five stars out of five!

(A decent effort – although a tad shallow if your miniature gamer knows their way around a controller – Peppa Pig: World Adventures does a sterling job in immersing children into the globetrotting story, as well as giving some light exploration and some fun distractions along the way.)

Max Boker

The post Peppa Pig World Adventures Review: Xbox Series X appeared first on CRISP..