Tag: Video games

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Mobile Syrup

Fantasy Football: 2023 Video Game Edition [SyrupArcade Cast 3]

Even if you’re not into sports, you’re likely familiar with fantasy football. The idea of drafting players or teams early on to see how they fare down the line certainly makes for some good discussion.

However, we at MobileSyrup are decidedly not into sports, so instead, we’ve drawn inspiration from these sorts of fantasy drafts and, naturally, applied that to video games. Specifically, we’ve dedicated our third episode of the nascent SyrupArcade Cast to which 2023 games we think will review the best on OpenCritic.

To start, we assembled a quartet of big gaming fans consisting of regular SyrupArcade Cast hosts Dean Daley and Brad Shankar, as well as MobileSyrup contributors Chris Brown and Steve Vegvari. From there, each of us were given the chance to pick three games that we believe will be among the top-scoring of the year. We’ll also do a follow-up podcast in the middle of the year — after more titles are announced at the likes of E3 and Summer Game Fest — to add two more picks for a total of five each.

Who snagged The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Where did Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 end up? What about Starfield, Final Fantasy XVI, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor or one of the many other games launching this year? Tune in to the latest episode of the SyrupArcade Cast to find out!

As always, you can listen to the SyrupCast below or find the podcast on your favourite streaming platform.

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You can find last month’s Game Awards-focused episode here.

Image credit: Nintendo

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Mobile Syrup

Handheld cloud gaming space heats up with Razer’s new Edge handheld

The cloud-based handheld gaming device war is heating up.

First, there was Logitech’s G Cloud, and now, there’s Razer’s Edge cloud-based gaming handheld. At CES 2023, Razer confirmed the portable runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform, and that it will release on January 26th for $399.99 USD (roughly $537 CAD).

A 5G-compatible Verizon-exclusive version of the device will be available for $600 USD (about $806 CAD), but we likely won’t see it in Canada unless Razer forges a partnership with a carrier, alongside a ‘Founder’s Edition’ that costs $499 USD (approximately $672 CAD) that includes Razer’s Hammerhead wireless earbuds.

The gaming device itself looks a lot like a Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller with an Android 12-powered tablet attached to it (the tablet portion even detaches, just like if you were using the Kishi V2 Pro with a smartphone).

Other notable specs include a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 2,400 x 1080 pixel resolution, 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage. The Edge also features a 5,000mAh battery, two mics and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

While the tablet streams games from the cloud via Xbox Cloud Gaming, Epic Games and Nvidia GeForce Now, it can also run Android games and apps locally because it’s Android 12-based.

The Razer Edge is available to pre-order now with a $5 USD (about $6.72 CAD) deposit.

At CES, Razer also revealed its Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar with head-tracking AI technology. You can find all of our coverage from CES 2023 here.

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Mobile Syrup

Pedro Pascal says it was ‘essential’ to film HBO’s The Last of Us in Alberta

The Last of Us could be the next big HBO series.

The prestige TV network has invested a Game of Thrones-esque budget of at least $100 million USD (about $135.9 million CAD) into the show, signifying its interest in the PlayStation video game adaptation. It also hails from award-winning creators Neil Druckmann (one of the game’s original lead developers) and Craig Mazin (the mind behind Chernobyl).

That’s all been covered quite extensively, but what you might not know is that the entire series was shot in Alberta over the course of a year. In fact, it’s that Canadian filming location that star Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, is saying was “essential” to the whole production.

Speaking to MobileSyrup during a broader roundtable interview about The Last of Us, Pascal and co-star Bella Ramsey (Ellie) heaped praise on the province and its crew.

“The Canadian crew that we had was so wonderful. They were so consistently passionate throughout the whole year. There was never a moment where it felt like no one wanted to be there. Even on the really hard, long nights we spent shooting, everyone was so pleased to be there and passionate about the work we were collectively creating.”

“I feel like being there was essential to the experience — that we couldn’t have done it anywhere else,” adds Pascal. “Physically, one, but also for our crew and the warmth and the dedication and everybody really in it together and caring as much. There wasn’t a fraction of apathy in the entire experience, and honestly, it felt Canadian to me.”

The Last of Us follows Joel, a grizzled survivor who’s tasked with transporting Ellie across a post-pandemic U.S. on a critical mission. The story spans all four seasons, making Alberta the perfect setting to capture all types of weather.

For more from Pascal and Ramsey, as well as Druckmann, Mazin and actors Gabriel Luna and Merle Dandridge, check out our full feature.

HBO’s The Last of Us will premiere in Canada exclusively on Crave on January 15th.

Image credit: HBO

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Mobile Syrup

HTC reveals new Vive XR Elite standalone VR headset

Once a leader in the consumer virtual reality space with the Vive, HTC’s more recent VR efforts have been focused on enterprise use cases.

However, that direction seems to be shifting with its new headset. At CES 2023, HTC showed off the Vive XR Elite, a new high-end VR headset designed to compete with the Meta Quest Pro.

The XR Elite looks like a standard VR headset, though its goggle-like design is more pronounced than what we’ve seen from HTC in the past, with the HTC Vive Flow being the one notable exception. The battery is also located in the back of the Vive Elite XR, taking weight off your face when you have it on, and the headset is overall 13 percent lighter than the Meta Quest Pro.

Other features include 2K displays for each eye with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 110-degree field of view. Under the hood, the XR Elite features a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR 2 processor, 12GB of RAM and 120GB of storage. Like the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro, the Vive XR Elite can be plugged into a gaming PC over USB-C for a higher-end, desktop-powered VR experience. Battery life comes in at two hours alongside 30W fast charging that offers a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.

The headset also ships with two wireless controllers that support hand-tracking. Additionally, it features a built-in full-colour RGB camera for mixed reality (MR) passthrough. HTC says that the headset features dials that allow you to adjust its lenses for prescriptions but that you can also wear it with glasses if you remove the battery and fit it with temple pads.

Unlike nearly every VR headset, you can fold up the XR Elite and slide it into a compact travel case like a pair of sunglasses. There’s even a retractable charging cable, making it easier to pack up the headset and tuck it away.

HTC says the XR Elite will have 100 games available at launch, along with Vive Connect.

The Vive XR Elite is available for pre-order now for $1,549, and the headset will be available to purchase in late February.

Image credit: HTC

Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Sony says the PlayStation 5 shortage is over

During Sony’s CES 2023 keynote, the company’s gaming division leader, Jim Ryan, confirmed that the PlayStation 5 shortage is over.

Until recently, stories regarding PS5 restocks have been top traffic performers on MobileSyrup, but over the last few months, there’s been far less interest in restock coverage. Further, at least anecdotally and online, the console seems to remain in stock for far longer than it did even just a year ago.

Still, I’ve yet actually to see a PS5 in stock at a physical retailer, while the Xbox Series X seems to be everywhere.

During the keynote, Ryan said, “PS5 supply improved towards the end of last year,” before saying that “everyone who wants a PS5 should have a much easier time finding one at retailers globally, starting from this point forward.” Ryan also revealed that December was the biggest month of PlayStation 5 sales ever.

Sony’s PlayStation 5 was released in November 2020 amid the height of the pandemic and global supply chain issues, leading to scarcity and ridiculous prices from resellers.

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Mobile Syrup

This Xbox controller features a built-in OLED display

Asus loves to put screens in everything.

The company’s new ROG Raikiri Pro Xbox/PC gamepad includes a customizable 1.3-inch OLED display that displays information like charging status, an option to mute your microphone, your active profile, animations, text and more.

The display seems entirely unnecessary, but at the same time, it’s still pretty cool.

Other features include Bluetooth, RF and USB-C connectivity, alongside an ESS DAC to improve audio quality from its 3.5mm headphone jack. Unfortunately, the controller can only connect to the Xbox through USB-C, which means it isn’t wireless on console.

Along with the familiar Xbox controller layout, there are four programmable rear buttons and trigger locks, similar to Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. Further, there’s an app that allows you to alter the gamepad’s deadzones, vibrations and more.

While a built-in screen is undeniably cool, it doesn’t seem to have an actual practical purpose, and I also question how it could affect battery life, considering that that the controller can connect to PCs wirelessly.

It’s unclear how much the Raikiri Pro will cost, but Asus says it will release in the first quarter of this year.

Image credit: PR Newswire

Source: PR Newswire

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Mobile Syrup

The Last of Us multiplayer game will be revealed in 2023

More information about The Last of Us’ standalone multiplayer game is still coming in 2023.

In a recent blog post, The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann revealed the news, teasing a new piece of concept art for the upcoming multiplayer title. Druckmann also looks back at the past 10 years of the franchise, the recent release of The Last of Us Part I for the PlayStation 5 and HBO’s TV adaptation of the series that launches on January 15th.

The new concept art shows two characters in what seems to be a ruined coastal city looking at a giant cruise ship. Previously released concept art showed two characters, one with a molotov cocktail and another with a sniper rifle, standing on what appears to be a balcony.

In the blog post, Druckmann says that later in 2023, Naughty Dog “will begin to offer” additional “details” about The Last of Us’ multiplayer game. Beyond this, nothing else is revealed about the upcoming title.

A multiplayer mode called ‘Factions’ was featured in the original release of The Last of Us on PS3 and the remaster for the PS4, but it skipped the more recent PS5 remake of the title.

Image credit: Naughty Dog

Source: Naughty Dog

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Mobile Syrup

Elden Ring mod makes Pokémon Scarlet and Violet look better than ever

While games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 feature some pretty impressive mods, this is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen.

A modder (@Arestame_Arkeid) has blended Pokémon Scarlet and Violet into Elden Ring, making the former titles much prettier.

In the mod, you can use spirit summons and a Koraidon as your spectral steed. Additionally, the modder replaced several enemies with Pokémon, such as the Magma Wyrm with Skeledirge and the Black Knife Assassins with Meowscarada. The best of them all is the Walking Mausoleums are now giant Pokémon Centers.

Overall, the mod seems pretty great, and it’s definitely the best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has ever looked. Of course, like most mods and projects tied to Nintendo properties, it’s not likely that this mod will be around for very long if it gets a public release.

Source: @Arestame_Arkeid Via: Kotaku

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox Digital Game sale discounts titles like Gotham Knights, Far Cry 5 and more

WB Montreal’s open-world Gotham is expansive and well-realized.

Xbox’s Digital Game sale has a number of games on sale at a discounted price, including Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Far Cry 5, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and more.

Below are some of the deal highlights:

Image credit: WB

Via: Lbabinz

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Mobile Syrup

Here are some of 2022’s best gaming accessories reviewed by MobileSyrup

2022 saw the release of several new gaming accessories and peripherals from the likes of giants like Razer, Microsoft, Turtle Beach and more.

From gaming controllers and headphones to mice and LED lights for your gaming space, here are some of the best gaming accessories MobileSyrup covered in 2022.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2

The Turtle Beach Steal 700 Gen 2s are one of the more comfy gaming headsets we reviewed this year. Their ear cups are made of a black synthetic leather with memory foam cushioning that feels firm and cups your ear well, while a layer of “Aerofit” cooling gel lined into the ear cushion helps keep your head and ears cool during extended gaming sessions.

The headset’s main strength is its compatibility. The headphones are officially licensed by Microsoft for the Xbox, so it’s a given that they work well with Microsoft’s consoles. However, they work equally well with the PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch and PC, thanks to the included 2.4GHz mini-USB transmitter.

The headphones can pair with your devices using Bluetooth too, which means they work with your Android and iOS smartphones, and feature impressive 40+ hours of battery life on a single charge.

On the audio side of things, “the headset offers distortion-free highs and booming full-body bass that you can feel. I could hear every little detail in the games I tested, and it made for an engaging experience,” reads our review of the headset. 

Read the complete review here for in-depth information about the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2s.

The headset is available at the Turtle Beach store and on Amazon for $199.99.

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro

The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro was released in August this year, and has quickly become one of the best gaming mice on the market. The Basilisk V3 Pro sports a HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3, a ton of programmable buttons, Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, and all the RGB lighting you could want in a gaming mouse.

The Basilisk V3 Pro sports a USB-C port on the front, so you can plug it in and use it while charging, or you can choose to purchase an additional dock to charge the mouse wirelessly. It features a thumb button for activating the ‘Sensitivity Clutch,’ a feature to temporarily reduce or increase mouse sensitivity.

Further, similar to most modern gaming mice, the Basilisk V3 Pro features a DPI button to cycle through different sensitivities. However, what’s impressive is that the Basilisk V3 shows the DPI on your computer screen when cycling. This is much more accessible than showing a little LED light with a different colour for each DPI setting, especially since those LED presets are always hard to remember.

You can learn more about Basilisk V3 Pro here. The mouse starts at $219.99.

Razer Viper V2 Pro

Unlike the Basilisk V3 Pro, Razer took a more minimalist approach with the Viper V2 Pro. The Viper V2 Pro gaming mouse combines the company’s technical prowess with a fluff-less layout that makes the mouse suitable for those looking for a high-performance mouse and nothing more.

The mouse has no RGB lights, allowing Razer to get rid of the extra weight they carry. It weighs in at just 58g, making it one of the lighter gaming mice on the market. The omission of two side buttons on the right, while retaining the side buttons on the left also allow the mouse to boast a lower weight.

On the battery side of things, according to Razer, the battery is good for eighty hours per charge. In my experience, however, the fifty- to sixty-hour mark seems to be the more accurate battery life for the Viper V2 Pro. Viper V2 Pro features Razer’s latest Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor that allows the mouse to reach a peak DPI of 30,000 and comfortably track when used directly on your table, glass or a mousepad.

If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight gaming mouse, without all the extra fluff, the Viper V2 Pro is a solid contender.

Learn more about the gaming mouse here.

The Viper V2 Pro is available at Razer’s website and Best Buy in Black and White colourways for $189.99 and $161.98, respectively.

Microsoft’s custom Xbox Elite Series 2 controller

Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is notorious for quality control issues. Although it is considered one of the best controllers ever by MobileSyrup editor-in-chief Patrick O’Rourke, the Elite Series 2’s faulty hardware makes it hard to recommend.

That changed with Microsoft’s new custom Design Lab Elite Series 2 gamepad.

It is unclear if Microsoft is using a different part supplier or manufacturing process for the Design Lab Elite Series 2. However, it seems the tech giant has solved the controller’s hardware issues.

For those unaware, the Elite Series 2 charges through USB-C, features Bluetooth connectivity and includes thumbsticks with adjustable tension. In total, the gamepad comes with six replaceable thumbsticks, including two standard ones, two that are similar to the Xbox 360 controller, alongside a tall and wider-ridged option. Additionally, you can also swap the D-Pad for a circular version.

On the battery side of things, the controller is good for roughly 40 hours per charge, while compatibility with iOS, Android, PC and even Apple TV makes the controller a versatile choice.

The Design Lab Elite Series 2 starts at $149.99 for the base controller, which doesn’t include paddles or additional thumbsticks. The version that offers all of the accessories starts at $209.99.

Follow the link to learn more about Microsoft’s new custom Design Lab Elite Series 2 gamepad.

Govee DreamView G1 Pro

Govee’s DreamView G1 Pro isn’t necessarily a gaming accessory, but instead, it decorates your gaming space.

The DreamView G1 Pro is a set of two light bars that go on each side of your PC monitor, paired with a fish-eye lens camera that sits on top of your monitor. The camera scans for colours on your screen, and tries to replicate them out of the light bars. In addition, with the G1 Pro, you also get a tube-like LED light strip that attaches to the back of your monitor, which also replicates the colours on your screen.

The light bars are sleek, but their output is very bright and punchy, and the same goes for the rear-attached light tube.

Their brightness can be adjusted from the Govee Home app, and I doubt you’ll ever have them cranked up to a hundred. The app also lets you control the lights you want to use.

It features several modes, including video mode (that replicates the colour on your screen), ‘Music’ mode that changes the light colour depending on audio cues, ‘Colour’ mode, that lets you independently choose colours for the bars and the tube light, and a ‘Scene’ mode with several presets.

The Govee DreamView G1 Pro Gaming Light isn’t listed on Govee’s Canadian webstore. However, it is available in its U.S. store for $129.99 (roughly $166 CAD).

Learn more about the DreamView G1 Pro here.

Razer Huntsman Mini

Razer’s Huntsman Mini is a 60 percent wired keyboard with 61 optical-mechanical (purple) switches. It ditches the number pad, arrow keys and the function keys, giving you access only to the keys that matter while gaming.

The keycaps on the Huntsman Mini are Razer’s ‘Doubleshot PBT’ keycaps with a textured finish that feel great to press, and aren’t as loud as a traditional mechanical keyboard but still offer the right amount of sound feedback. The keyboard connects to your PC through the accompanying braided USB Type-C cable that is long enough to be tucked away. The cable isn’t proprietary, and any Type-C cable that you own will do the work if you wish to mix things up.

Like a true gamer gadget, the keyboard features backlit RGB, with the keyboard offering a wide range of colours and effects to choose from directly in the Razer Synapse application.

The Razer Huntsman Mini is currently available to order from Amazon and Best Buy for $142.98.

Learn more about the 60 percent keyboard here.

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