Modder ‘Tommygunner321’ has released three mods that add 32 new immersive interiors to Fallout 4. And, since these mods add new free content to the game, I highly recommend downloading them. Going into more details, the first mod adds 10 new interiors to the College District of Cambridge. The second mod adds 12 interiors to … Continue reading These Fallout 4 Mods Add 32 Brand New Immersive Interiors→
Revolution Team, the modding team behind GTA Vice City NextGen Edition, has announced GTA: San Andreas NextGen Edition. This project aims to bring the entirety of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to GTA 5’s RAGE Engine. Like GTA Vice City NextGen Edition, GTA San Andreas NextGen Edition will feel like a remaster of the original … Continue reading Modders are bringing GTA: San Andreas to GTA 5’s RAGE Engine→
Modder ‘Kongmeng’ has released an amazing new mod for Dragon Ball FighterZ. This mod allows you to play as Yami Yugi from the Yu-Gi-Oh!! anime. Normally, you’d assume that this would have been a simple character swap mod. But no, this is more than that. Yugi has his own moves, and he can summon a … Continue reading Dragon Ball FighterZ Just Got an Amazing Yu-Gi-Oh!! Character Mod→
Forever Entertainment has announced that FRONT MISSION 3: Remake will be coming to PC on January 30th, 2026. To celebrate this announcement, the publisher released a free PC demo that you can download from Steam. FRONT MISSION 3: Remake is a tactical RPG set in a future where nations and corporations compete for dominance in … Continue reading FRONT MISSION 3: Remake is coming to PC on January 30th, PC demo released→
Full spoilers follow for Stranger Things: Season 5, Vol. 2, which consists of three of Season 5's eight episodes. Vol. 2 premieres December 25 on Netflix and the series finale debuts December 31. Read our review of Vol. 1 here.
Fear not, Stranger Things watchers who are nervous creators Matt and Ross Duffer can’t possibly answer all of their unsolved mysteries – Season 5, Vol. 2 is an answer-palooza for many of the mythology mysteries that have plagued the residents of Hawkins going back to Season 1. There’s so much going on in this trifecta of episodes, it’s a little overwhelming to process just how much is revealed about the mythology – and between characters – in the three-and-a-half hours that span this volume.
And that’s not to mention that you might want to dig out your Texas Instruments scientific calculators, because Mr. Clark (Randy Havens), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Erica (Priah Ferguson) and even Murray (Brett Gelman) will be taking us all to school — in a very entertaining way — as we get the real 411 about the Upside Down, the Rightside Up and something called the exotic matter holding it all together.
"Chapter Five: Shock Jock” is the second episode this season directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist) and picks up from the cliffhanger where Noah Schnapp’s Will the Sorcerer went all Eleven on the Demogorgons. In the wake of his destruction, the heroes of Hawkins take stock of their losses… and realize that all 12 kids have been kidnapped into the Upside Down by Mr. Whatsit/Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). He’s plugged all of them into his hive, but they just think they’re being protected in his faux-perfect Creel house. Having learned from Holly Wheeler’s (Nell Fisher) wandering, he’s got them locked down for safe-keeping until he needs to use his “perfect vessels” for his endgame plan.
In the Rightside Up, Will and company figure out that he’s able to siphon power from Vecna because of their connection. So, unlike Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) powers, proximity is required for Will to get juiced up to fight Vecna. And Lucas’ (Caleb McLaughlin) theory that November 6 will be the day that Vecna’s plans will become known triggers an implied countdown clock that fuels these episodes, and which unspool over one day. Darabont has a deft hand in keeping “Chapter Five” light on its feet, shifting between multiple settings, some high-concept quantum physics chatter, and several much-needed character moments — hello, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton).
All of that is set-up for the ultimate mythology deep dive in "Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz," directed by series executive producer Shawn Levy. Consider this the science class episode of the bunch, as Dustin downloads his big wormhole theory that connects Hawkins and Vecna’s The Abyss. All the praise to writer Kate Trefry for packing a tremendous amount of science talk into this segment while parceling it out in ways that make it understandable for all the Steve Harringtons in the house. Does all of it need to be so layered and complex? Probably not, but it’s handed off amongst several characters who excitedly share the details with one another like everyone is stupid (us included). They make the exposition medicine go down easy.
Also tempering the heaviness of those theories is the parallel adventures of Max (Sadie Sink) and Holly working together to get out of Henry’s head (aka Max’s cave). If we’re awarding MVPs for this volume, Fisher’s Holly earns a gold star for being such a charming addition to the lineup so late in the game. She holds her own in every emotional scene with Sink, and does the character work needed to invest the audience in her plight. Not an easy feat when she could have easily come across as stealing precious time from more established characters.
"Chapter Seven: The Bridge" is yet another grand convergence for the cast as all the various factions come back together at WSQK to figure out a plan strong enough to prevent Vecna from merging realities and wiping out their very existence. Everyone plays a part, including minor characters who share in the hero energy like Robin’s girlfriend Vickie (Amybeth McNulty), Mr. Clark, and another feisty turn by Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono).
Vol. 2 absolutely moves the needle when it comes to those all-important who, what, where, and when answers we've been waiting for. Now, we wait for the big one… why?
Another positive is how Kali/Eight (Linnea Berthelsen) is woven into these last hours in such a satisfying way. It’s like the Duffers recognized how unfair it was that she became synonymous with the most maligned episode of the series — Season 2’s "Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister," — so they’ve given her a gracious do-over. The show’s leaning into her shared history with El means Hopper now has some competition in the familial overprotective department. Kali and Eleven’s sisterly bond is entirely unique to their history, and putting them back together adds a new layer of complications when it comes to the decisions that El makes. They survived an immeasurable level of trauma together in Brenner’s lab, so there’s a lot of weight behind Kali’s argument that it's their duty to prevent it from happening again, even if that interferes with El’s plans for a “happy ending.”
On the checklist of things that don’t work so well, Linda Hamilton’s Dr. Kay is, so far, the Duffers’ least developed of their roster of ‘80s-era actors cast in the series. Don’t get me wrong – Hamilton hasn’t lost her skills when it comes to throwing around dumb underlings, or snarling out orders. But as a well-defined character, Dr. Kay is but a pale shadow of Dr. Brenner. There’s still no context for why she’s all-in about bringing back the number program, which makes her disappointingly one-note. I would have loved to see Hamilton get Paul Reiser-quality material, but that seems unlikely with just two hours left to the series.
Also, this isn’t the best season for Winona Ryder’s Joyce, as she’s strictly been in mom mode. And while that’s important for Will’s character and their bond, it’s limiting for a character who has grown so much up to this point. It’s clear that the romance between Hopper and Joyce — which fueled all of Season 4 — has reverted to best friend mode again. Sure, they’re together, but where’s the love? They don’t need to make out but this season is robbing us of the kind of emotional scenes these two can rip our hearts out with.
Aside from those quibbles, Stranger Things Season 5, Vol. 2 absolutely moves the needle consequentially when it comes to those all-important who, what, where, and when answers to the questions the audience has been waiting for. Now, we wait for the big one… why? As Max reminds us, Vecna started out as a human and there’s still some left in there. Will that be the key to his defeat? If they figure out his secrets, can they bring him back to the light and save Hawkins too?
Boxing Day sales are usually loud, bloated, and full of discounts of the "quotation mark kind" that look better than they feel, so I went in deliberately picky this time. I've ignored the filler, skipped the eternal backlog traps, and pulled out the handful of deals that genuinely deserve attention across consoles and PC. These are the games I would recommend to mates with little to no caveat, because the price is right and the experience still absolutely holds up.
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 26th anniversary of Turok: Rage Wars, pretty much the only birthday worth talking about today. I've got to be perfectly honest by saying that it didn't personally blow my mind like a shot from Turok 2's cerebral bore gun. I guess I just wasn't interested in a plotless MP-focused entry in the series at the time (and GoldenEye was still the undisputed king of 4P split-screen anyway).
That said, I still played many a round of FFA, CTF, and a goofy Frag Tag where somebody randomly became a monkey. Rage Wars also continued, and indeed expanded upon, the franchise's stable of creative and chaotic weaponry. Case in points: the "Inflator" that used needles of compressed air to violently explode people and the Aliens-tastic "Chest Burster" rifle. Pretty straightforward, that last one.
Pokemon Violet (-25%) A$60 An open-world shake-up for the series with co-op exploration, uneven performance, and some of the most genuinely interesting new creatures Game Freak has designed in years.
Skyrim Ann. (-60%) A$36 Bethesda's forever RPG bundled with Creation Club content, fishing included, and somehow still capable of stealing entire weekends a decade later.
Prince of Persia: TLC (-60%) A$19.90 A slick, combat-heavy Metroidvania with time powers, smart difficulty options, and a level of polish Ubisoft rarely gets enough credit for.
No Man's Sky (-60%) A$32 Once infamous, now quietly miraculous, this space sim has been rebuilt through years of free updates and still feels impossible on Switch hardware.
BioShock: The Col. (-80%) A$18 Three landmark shooters, unforgettable twists, and one of gaming's most analysed openings, all in a single absurdly cheap package.
Kingdom Come Deliverance: Royal Ed. (-90%) A$8 A brutally realistic medieval RPG that refuses to hold your hand and is better for it, jank and all.
Alan Wake Rem. (-85%) A$6.70 Remedy's cult thriller remastered, complete with meta storytelling that hits differently once you've played Control.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (-29%) A$49.90 Still one of the hardest kart racers around, with rubber-banding that absolutely does not care about your feelings.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Del. (-60%) A$14 A fourth-wall demolition exercise that actively mocks your expectations, including the expectation that this description will behave normally.
Trine: Ult. Col. (-80%) A$18 A gorgeous physics-based puzzle platformer bundle that shines brightest in couch co-op.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
If you're after a high-end PC handheld, the hottest options are invariably powered by AMD's Z2 Extreme processors, like the headline-grabbing Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and OLED-equipped Lenovo Legion Go 2. There is a third choice now – MSI's new Claw A8 BZ2EM, which comes between the Asus and Lenovo machines in price, while offering a large 8-inch display, long battery life and the new Xbox Full Screen Experience. Does the new Claw do enough to shift the needle, or is the BZ2EM destined to the same anonymous fate as MSI's first Intel-powered Claw handheld?
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Design
The Claw A8 BZ2EM offers a few design tweaks versus the previous Intel-powered Claw A8 AI+, with a redesigned button layout and relocated fans that aren't too dissimilar to the competing Asus ROG Xbox Ally X or Lenovo Legion Go 2. However, the sharp, angular lines and relatively slim dimensions do set it apart, especially from the more rounded Lenovo machine. My review unit came in white, but a lime green model is also available; the construction is plastic throughout.
The back of the device looks a bit basic compared to its more sculpted rivals, with prominent ridges running near the left and right sides to give your hands extra purchase, and relatively small shoulder buttons and triggers, but there's only a small net compromise in terms of overall comfort. I didn't find the device too heavy to hold for longer gaming sessions, but coming to this class of device from something like a Switch or Switch 2, then there is still a noticeable increase in heft.
The Hall Effect sticks and triggers work brilliantly, and ought to last much longer than the potentiometer-based alternatives on earlier gaming handhelds and last-gen gamepads. There's also RGB lighting circling the joysticks, which can be customised or disabled, and two further buttons on the rear which can be customised.
The good news is that the speakers and display (on which more in a bit) are generally excellent, so you can become quite immersed, especially while holding the Claw close to your face. Of course, there's also Bluetooth, plus a 3.5mm port and two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports up top for connecting headphones. The two USB-C ports are capable, supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode, but as they're right next to each other, extremely wide USB-C dongles may block the other port. I prefer devices that split USB-C ports between the top and bottom for that reason – the Ayaneo 2S even comes with two at the top and one on the bottom! – but at least you get multiple USB-C ports in general, making USB-C hubs slightly less essential. A fingerprint reader is built into the power button on the top left, so you don't need to use the touchscreen (or gamepad) to log into Windows.
The BZ2EM comes with a larger 2280 NVMe slot compared to its Intel-powered brother, meaning full-size desktop NVMe SSDs can be installed if you fancy a storage upgrade; these are typically cheaper per gigabyte than the smaller 2230 drives often required for PC handhelds. With 1TB by default, you're probably unlikely to need that upgrade too soon, though.
A MicroSD slot is also available, and makes for an even more affordable way to add (slower) game storage. 24GB of RAM is also included, which is less than the 32GB found on the Intel-based Claw but the same as the other Z2 Extreme handhelds from Asus and Lenovo.
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Display
The MSI Claw A8 is equipped with an eight-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display that's a tad taller than that on the ROG Xbox Ally X, with a 16:10 aspect ratio instead of the usual 16:9. That extra screen real estate isn't hugely impactful for most games or watching videos, but it is nice for reading news and scrolling through your library. You do pay a small price in terms of performance though, with the extra pixel count meaning that frame-rates in fully GPU-limited scenarios ought to be around 90 percent of what they would be on an equivalent 1920x1080 display. We'll see if that difference is reflected in the performance numbers, but there are plenty of other factors with the potential to impact frame-rates, so it's not a deal-breaker by any means.
The Claw's screen does support high refresh gaming, topping out at 120Hz, which provides a nice boost to temporal resolution that is key for fast-paced or timing-sensitive games, whether tracking targets in Call of Duty or timing parries in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Perhaps more critically, VRR is also available to smooth out uneven frame-rates, reduce judder and eliminate screen tearing without the traditional input lag penalty of v-sync. VRR is still not standard amongst handheld displays, despite these handhelds being much more resource-constrained than desktop PCs or consoles, so its inclusion here is worth celebrating.
Pixel response times here are some way off top-class Fast IPS monitors – as well as OLEDs of any description – but given that you're unlikely to be clutching in Counter-Strike 2 here, this isn't too disagreeable. Finally, the screen gets bright enough for use in well-lit rooms or overcast days outdoors, maxing out at around 500 nits. That's some way off the peak figures of recent flagship smartphones, but more than enough for most use-cases, and I had no issues while testing in admittedly British conditions.
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Software
This incarnation of the MSI Claw A8 shares a Z2 Extreme processor with the ROG Xbox Ally X, so it's perhaps no surprise that the Claw has also been updated with support for the new Xbox Full Screen Experience. I won't recap its features in full, as Jackie has already done so comprehensively in the Xbox Ally X review, but suffice it to say that the main thrust arrives on MSI's handheld intact.
You can choose to boot directly into a full-screen Xbox app, with games from multiple sources (e.g. Steam, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, etc) all visible in a unified launcher, and unnecessary Windows services are blocked from starting, potentially allowing for better performance. You can easily drop into the full Windows desktop, a process that takes less than a second, but you need to reboot the machine to regain its full performance potential afterwards.
This all worked smoothly, but the MSI Center M application isn't integrated as gracefully as the equivalent Armoury Crate software on the ROG Xbox Ally devices. For one, the MSI software pops up over the top of the Xbox interface on boot (until you manually disable it from doing so), and annoying pop-ups appear whenever MSI's "AI" detects you are entering a game (until you manually disable it from doing so). I appreciate the machine (theoretically) tuning its performance based on what it's doing, but it's frustrating to see a "INTELLIGENT GAMING" pop-up literally cover the screen, especially when you're already in a game and you've just clicked on a menu item (something that happened in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6). Once these elements are disabled, the MSI Center M app is relatively barebones in its Game Bar integration, but you do have the option to set custom power limits and fan curves, start games (yup, it's another launcher) and toggle various settings.
While Windows 11 is now better suited to gaming handhelds, with a better setup process and more relevant features, there's still a ways to go until it matches what Valve has accomplished with SteamOS. The Steam Deck's operating system remains significantly more streamlined, and with the Steam Machine and Steam Frame on the way early next year, I wouldn't expect its development to slow down any time soon. I'd suggest trying SteamOS (probably via Bazzite) on any gaming handheld you end up buying, including the Claw, if you're not already familiar with it from the Steam Deck.
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Performance
The Claw A8 BZ2EM is equipped with the premiere handheld chipset right now, AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which offers a small but meaningful performance advantage over handhelds like the original ROG Ally or Steam Deck OLED. The Z2 Extreme is also found in the ROG Xbox Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go 2, both of which we've tested, so I was interested to see how MSI's version compares. Despite sharing a chipset, performance can vary significantly depending on power modes, cooling potential and resolution, so how does the Claw fare?
In short, the Claw A8 BZ2EM is an average performer, turning in performances that tie or trail the Legion Go 2 and Xbox Ally X. Starting with the 3DMark synthetic benchmarks, all running at 1080p, the Steel Nomad DX12 ray tracing test has the Claw scoring 597 points, coming in between the 606-point Xbox Ally X and the 588-point Legion Go 2. Time Spy, an earlier DX12 test without RT, has the Claw trailing both rivals at 3711 points; the Legion Go 2 is slightly faster at 3936 points and the Xbox Ally X leads at 4098 points. The Night Raid test is more oriented towards mobile devices, and has the same order with similar margins: Claw A8 BZ2EM at 29.8K points, Legion Go 2 at 31.7K points and the Xbox Ally X at 33.8K points.
Actual gaming benchmarks show worryingly larger margins, with the Claw scoring a 37fps average in the integrated Black Ops 6 while running in the Xbox Full Screen Experience, trailing the Legion Go 2 (39fps) and Xbox Ally X (41fps). Given that the game is running at slightly different resolutions, this sort of five to 10 percent margin for the two 1920x1200 machines against the 1920x1080 Xbox Ally X is exactly what we would expect. Note that we're testing at extreme settings using FSR 3 quality upscaling, so there's some latitude here to turn graphical niceties down in case you want to play multiplayer at a solid 60fps.
Moving to Cyberpunk 2077, using high settings and FSR quality upscaling, the Claw again trails, with a 34fps average versus 37fps on the Legion Go 2 and 44fps (!) on the Xbox Ally X. That's a larger margin of victory for the Xbox Ally X, as it runs around 30 percent faster than the Claw.
The Claw equals the Legion Go 2 in Forza, with matched 65fps averages, with the Xbox Ally X some 18 percent faster at 77fps. That's under the Full Screen Experience; if we run the same test on the Windows desktop, the Claw scores 59fps. Going the other way, we can boost frame-rates to an impressive 72fps average running under FSE and with the handheld's maximum power mode engaged.
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Battery Life
Battery life tests used to be easy – you would charge a laptop to 100 percent, unplug it, watch it for a few hours and then go down to the pub. These days, modern chipsets and screens are good at really stretching the increasingly high capacity batteries they're being paired with, and even on a gaming handheld you can expect more than a full workday of battery life when using it for light office tasks. The MSI Claw BZ2EM doesn't disappoint, with PCMark10's battery test concluding after a marathon 11 hours and 31 minutes. That's a bit more than the ROG Xbox Ally X, which managed 9 hours and 48 minutes, and the Lenovo Legion Go 2, which capped out at 10 hours and 52 minutes.
Of course, testing the battery while gaming is more relevant, and playing through the more challenging DLC areas of Cyberpunk 2077, it took 2 hours and 48 minutes before the battery conked out. For context, the Xbox Ally X managed around 2 hours and 34 minutes in similar testing, a little ahead of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 2 hours and 17 minutes. That makes the Claw A8 the best performer of the three, though not by enough of a margin to truly make a difference.
MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM – Price
At £850 in the UK, the Claw A8 BZ2EM is £50 more expensive than the £800 ROG Xbox Ally X. That makes it one of the most expensive gaming handhelds available, though for context the only other mainstream Z2 Extreme handheld is the £1100 Lenovo Legion Go 2, so it's all relative. I don't think that there's much to separate the Claw A8 BZ2EM and ROG Xbox Ally X in terms of hardware, beyond the slightly larger screen on the MSI machine, so the pricing here isn't too surprising. Of course, you're still paying a significant premium here for portability, with similarly expensive laptops and desktops offering much better performance, but the Claw A8 BZ2EM is at least in touch with other premium handhelds equipped with best-in-class chipsets.
Will is deputy tech editor for IGN, specialising in PC hardware, sim racing and display tech. He has been publishing about games and technology since 2001 (age 12). Will was formerly Deputy Editor at Digital Foundry. He is currently playing Battlefield 6.
2025 is almost behind us. Contrary to last year’s article, our GOTY has gone live earlier. The reason we’ve decided to publish it earlier is so we can have enough time for the rest of our yearly articles. Because I know that a lot of you are waiting for our Top 10 Optimized PC Games … Continue reading Here are DSOGaming’s Games of the Year 2025→
Talented modder ‘JulioNIB’ has released a public free version of his Superman mod for Grand Theft Auto 5. This mod will let you wreak havoc in Los Santos as the Man of Steel. And the best part? There is a custom skin that lets you play as Henry Cavill’s Superman. As Superman, players can use … Continue reading You can now play as Henry Cavill’s Superman in Grand Theft Auto 5→
Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored article Written by KeysOff With Windows 10 now officially out of support, PCs still running it no longer receive security patches or critical updates — making an upgrade more important than ever. The good news is that switching doesn’t have to be expensive. During the Keysoff Christmas Sale, you … Continue reading Enhance your workflow with MS Office 2021 & Windows 11 Pro from just $14 on Christmas Sale→
I spend an embarrassing amount of time watching prices move, partly out of professional duty and partly because I hate paying full price. This week’s crop finally rewarded the obsession. There are a few deals here that feel less like discounts and more like apologies. Happy hoidays and even happier savings to you all.
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 29th birthday of Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, arguably gaming's greatest seasonal freebie. Mind you, last year's Christmas level update for Astro Bot sure does come a close second.
Sega threw Chrissy NiGHTS in with my purchase of a select Sega Saturn game, and it was basically a little advent calendar whose content shifted in sync with my console's internal clock. Beating a level (reskinned in a wintry and/or outright Christmas theme) earned you limited chances to solve a tile-matching puzzle to unlock 25 "Presents." The best of the bunch? A mini-sandbox level starring Sonic the Hedgehog that ends with a satisfying Eggman scrambling. I adore this demo disc and replay it every year without fail.
Hollow Knight (-50%) A$8.70 A masterclass in atmosphere and map design from Team Cherry, and still one of the best examples of how far patience and polish can carry a small studio.
Borderlands 3 Ult. (-50%) A$44.60 The full loot-shooter package with every major expansion included, and far better paced now than it was at launch.
Gris (-82%) A$4.20 A wordless platformer about grief and recovery, elevated by art direction that still gets cited in design talks years later.
Immortals Fenyx Rising (-85%) A$8.90 Ubisoft Quebec’s playful take on open world design, packed with myth jokes and puzzle shrines that clearly learned from Breath of the Wild.
The Witcher 3 Comp. (-75%) A$19.90 Still one of the strongest RPG narratives ever made, and borderline witchcraft that it runs this well on Switch.
Rogue Legacy (-90%) A$1.60 A roguelite that popularised generational progression, and remains dangerously moreish in short bursts.
Nightreign Sekker's Ed. (-60%) A$34 A lavish physical release for Elden Ring fans who enjoy maps, art books and a bit of shelf flex.
Diablo IV (-73%) A$30 After multiple seasonal overhauls, Blizzard’s action RPG finally feels tuned for long term play rather than launch week spikes.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! (-58%) A$42.30 A historical spin-off that swaps neon streets for samurai drama, while keeping the series’ trademark absurd side stories intact.
Blasphemous (-80%) A$7.40 Grim, pixelated soulslike combat inspired by Spanish religious art, and far more unsettling than its screenshots suggest.
Dredge (-60%) A$13.90 A fishing loop that slowly reveals cosmic horror, built around risk management rather than reflexes.
Xbox One
Assassin's Creed Valhalla (-61%) A$39 A sprawling Viking epic best enjoyed as a slow burn, with side arcs that often outshine the main plot.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (-75%) A$22.40 Rockstar’s most meticulously detailed world, where even minor NPC routines feel authored with obsessive care.
Xbox Wireless Controller Carbon Black (-26%) A$74 Still one of the most comfortable controllers around, and a sensible spare if yours has survived too many rage quits.
Kingdom Come Deliverance II (-50%) A$57.40 A hardcore medieval RPG sequel that doubles down on historical accuracy, right down to combat techniques drawn from manuscripts.
Marvel's Spider-Man Miles Morales (-48%) A$49 Shorter than the first game but packed with confidence, and still one of the best showcases for PS5 performance.
Triangle Strategy (-60%) A$36.30 A tactics RPG that prioritises political storytelling, with choices that genuinely lock and unlock narrative paths.
Hogwarts Legacy (-85%) A$14.90 A richly detailed wizarding sandbox that rewards exploration, especially if you enjoy poking behind every moving staircase.
Yoku's Island Express (-90%) A$2.40 A joyous mashup of pinball tables and platforming that feels hand built for smiling through a single sitting.
PS4
Neo The World Ends With You (-53%) A$39.90 A stylish sequel that modernises its combat systems without losing the series’ fashion obsessed identity.
NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22 (-50%) A$44.90 A melancholy RPG remaster that contextualises Automata, filled with narrative tricks that still catch players off guard.
Persona 5 Strikers (-55%) A$45 A surprisingly faithful sequel that swaps turn based combat for musou action while keeping character chemistry intact.
Dead Island 2 (-90%) A$7.40 Weighty melee combat and absurd gore tech combine into a zombie game that knows exactly what it wants to be.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (-50%) A$52.40 A confident continuation that expands the remake project, layering character moments between bombastic set pieces.
Kena Bridge of Spirits (-70%) A$17.90 A debut from former animators that looks like a Pixar film, but hides a tougher combat edge than expected.
Death's Door (-80%) A$5.90 Tight isometric combat and a surprisingly sincere story about burnout, told through a sword wielding crow.
Overcooked All You Can Eat (-75%) A$14.20 Chaotic co-op perfection that stress tests friendships, now bundled with every kitchen and quality of life upgrade.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
Christmas Eve is here, and if you still haven't managed to find a gift for the holiday season, today is your last chance to save on a PlayStation 5 Pro. PlayStation's holiday sale started a few weeks back, and this discount on the PS5 Pro will end tomorrow on Christmas Day. If you've been holding out, don't miss your chance to save $100 off Sony's most premium console.
PlayStation 5 Pro for $649
Without question, the PlayStation 5 Pro is the most powerful console on the market. This console is packed with extra horsepower to make games run better than PlayStation 5, and for many games, the difference is very noticeable. Utilizing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Resident Evil Village, Returnal, and Alan Wake 2 are all day-and-night differences compared to PS5.
Most games will see increased frame rates and resolutions, but PS5 Pro also brings in support for Advanced Ray-Tracing. This can be seen in games that have ray-traced lighting, with the Pro offering more support than was possible with PS5. If you already own a PS5, the Pro might not be a very attractive purchase at $649. However, if you're entering the console space and choosing between the Xbox Series X or PS5 Pro, the price difference between the two today is negligible.
While it's possible that PS5 Pro might go on sale in the Spring, I wouldn't count on a better discount showing up for quite a while. If you have even the slightest bit of interest in picking one up, today is the best time to do so. Outside of this holiday sale, we have only seen a $100 discount for a few days in June 2025.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
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