While initial impressions surrounding Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed left plenty to be desired (in part due to a disparity between fan expectations based on pre-release trailers and the final product), the game itself did offer plenty of fun in its own right, with satisfying wand combat, solid exploration and more. One year on from the game’s release on Xbox and PC, Avowed is now officially available on Sony’s PlayStation 5 – released in alignment with the game’s big anniversary update.
“It has been one year since the launch of Avowed and the team is ending its post-launch roadmap with a substantial anniversary update built with both returning and new players in mind. This release delivers long-requested community features and a broad slate of quality-of-life improvements, including a fan driven feature to bring Avowed even closer to its Pillars of Eternity franchise roots.”
The full list of everything having been added with the update can be found HERE. but some of the most notable include:
Three new playable species
Dwarves
Orlans
Aumaua
Camp mirror for full character/species customisation
Stat bonuses for each species
Stat bonuses for each background
New Game+ with additional modifiers
Full custom difficulty modification
New Quarterstaff weapon type
Photo mode
The full patch notes can be found HERE and goes into far greater depth regarding the minutiae of the update. That said, while this latest update does not fundamentally change Avowed or overhaul it, version 2.0 feels like what the developers always intended the game’s experience to be.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this anniversary update? Is it too little too late? What did you think Avowed would be like prior to its launch? Let us know down below.
With an area of just 1.98 square micrometers, researchers at the Vienna University of Technology, in collaboration with storage startup Cerabyte, have set a new Guinness World Record. The QR code they developed is smaller than most bacteria, making it a technological milestone in the field of materials and data storage research. Guinness World Records […]
A patent dispute over the H.265 video codec has immediate consequences for two major PC manufacturers in Germany. Following a ruling by the Munich I Regional Court, Acer and Asus are no longer allowed to sell certain products directly on the German market for the time being. The background to this is a lawsuit filed […]
Intel is taking a tougher stance. “AI PC” is set to become a de facto standard rather than just a marketing buzzword. According to statements by Intel Japan CEO Makoto Ohno, the company expects every second PC sold by 2026 to be an AI PC. This is not casual optimism, but a strategic announcement. And […]
The warning does not come from an analyst, but from the front line. K.S. Pua, CEO of Phison, speaks openly of a structural shift in the memory market. DRAM and NAND shortages are not cyclical, but systemic. And they could continue until 2030 or even beyond. This is not a short-term dip. It is a […]
The high-gloss finish of the AirPods Pro has been an integral part of Apple’s design language for years. The polished surface looks elegant and minimalist, blending seamlessly with the rest of the company’s product portfolio. At the same time, this very aesthetic has a well-known disadvantage: the white, reflective material attracts fingerprints, dust particles, and […]
With the H2 Flow, NZXT is positioning itself much more aggressively in the high-performance SFF segment for the first time. The Mini-ITX case, which measures just 20.7 liters, is designed to accommodate powerful hardware without forcing the typical compromises of classic small form factor designs. The H2 Flow features a vertical SFF layout with a […]
The PlayStation VR2 port of VR soulslike action RPG Grimlord is "nearing completion", according to the development team.
Metalcat Interactive's community manager confirmed the action RPG's pending release on Discord, but did not specify a date.
The team behind Grimlord confirmed several months ago that they were working on a PSVR2 port in its Discord. In response to a question about a release date, Metalcat community manager 'KUPOkinz' stated "yup that is set to release very soon actually, its in final stages... I would say less than a month."
Another developer followed up, saying "Yes, despite the many difficulties, it is nearing completion. We had to upgrade the engine to version 5.6 because versions 5.3 and 5.5 had some bugs. Very few teams are making VR games with UE5. Sony and Epic could offer very limited assistance."
Neither specified a release date, but less than a month from now puts the estimated date in early to mid March.
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Grimlord full release trailer
The dark fantasy soulslike action RPG originally started in Early Access on Steam in June of 2023. A Quest port followed on App Lab in January 2024 with the final 1.0 release for both platforms dropping in December 2024. It promises a ten-hour single-player campaign and also added an arena mode in its Sands of Glory update in May 2025. A multiplayer mode is also in development.
Grimlord is available now on Meta Quest and Steam for $29.99.
Over in Germany, Acer and ASUS are in hot water with Nokia and the courts thanks to a patent infringement injunction related to those companies' use of popular video codecs. As a result, PCs from these manufacturers can no longer be sold in Germany. ASUS has released an official response confirming that its official website and store are suspended
ORICO K20 Mini Magnetic Portable SSD: $209 (2TB) The ORICO K20 Mini is a compact, durable and highly-portable external SSD, with competitive performance and a unique trick up its sleeve. Durable Enclosure Good Performance Highly Portable Attaches To Magsafe Devices Activity Indicator Best Performance Requires USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Not Quite As Fast...
The ambidextrous VUK innovates in several ways. Aside from featuring a dual-sensor design, it also implements SR latch debouncing for the lowest possible click latency. The VUK only weighs 36 g, despite being medium size and having no holes in the upper shell. PixArt's PAW3950 sensor and 8000 Hz wireless complete the package.
The Epomaker HE30 is a one-handed, 30% keyboard/keypad designed specifically for competitive gaming, prioritising precision and responsiveness. At its core are factory-lubed magnetic switches that use Hall-effect technology, enabling a highly customisable typing experience.
These switches are Epomaker's own Purple Magnetic, featuring an adjustable trigger point range from 0.1 mm to 3.4 mm, with a precision of 0.01 mm, enabling players to set movement keys for near-instant actuation while keeping ability keys deeper to prevent accidental presses. To ensure professional-grade speed, the HE30 supports an 8K polling rate, delivering a near-instantaneous 0.125 ms latency.
Equipped with 36 fully programmable keys, the HE30 allows users to remap functions and bind macros through web-based software. It incorporates several advanced input technologies, including Snap Key (SOCD), which prioritises the most recent opposite-direction input to prevent character stalling during intense movement. Additionally, it supports Dynamic Keystroke (DKS), allowing a single keypress to trigger up to four distinct actions based on the stroke's depth. The keypad also features N-Key Rollover (NKRO) to ensure every input is registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
The HE30's compact design was engineered to leave maximum space for low-sensitivity mouse movements favoured by FPS players. For builders on the move, it includes a detachable wrist strap, making it easy to secure the device to gear bags for travel. The build quality is further enhanced by double-shot PBT keycaps that resist oil and wear, and a tray-mounted structure with multi-layered noise reduction that provides a “creamy” acoustic profile during play.
Available in black and orange or white and purple, the HE30 includes south-facing per-key RGB backlighting and independent side light strips, both of which can be customised with various dynamic modes. The Epomaker HE30 is available for purchase on the official Epomaker website, as well as on Amazon and AliExpress, with a retail price of $44.99.
KitGuru says: Gaming keypads aren't common, but they do have a few fans. However, one of the most common issues with these is their prices, something Epomaker might have fixed with the HE30.
Nerds of a certain vintage get real wistful about Unreal Tournament '99, and rightfully so, but many will argue that it's the later Unreal Engine 2-based games that truly defined Unreal Tournament's identity. Unreal Tournament 2003 and the follow-up Unreal Tournament 2004 were among the first games to actively embrace the formalized concept
Nintendo Switch owners have been able to scoop up some nice gaming deals thanks to the President’s Day sale happening at the moment. Now, it’s time for PlayStation 5 owners to feast on some great deals of their own. Here are some of the best bargains we’ve spotted for those who own a PS5.
NBA 2K26 (64% off)
Basketball season is in full
You probably already know that you can manually install a fresh copy of Windows using your own install media. You can create this install media using Microsoft's tool, or you can use a tool like Rufus, which allows you to bypass the onerous and arbitrary system requirements of modern Windows versions. At least, you can do that as long as you
As a platform for selling games, Steam has garnered some deserved praise for its lax approach to moderation, allowing developers to break into the market and players to speak as harshly as they like on awful PC ports or game-breaking updates. That laissez-faire methodology also seems to have some negative consequences, as it is reportedly
NZXT is taking another stab at the SFF case, nearly six years after the original H1. The H2 Flow sports the same form factor but has been redesigned from the ground up. This successor manages to be a solid option for those looking to build a compact system, even if NZXT is trying to market a few parts of it as better than they actually are.
Watching a movie or chilling out with a meditative VR experience can meaningfully expand the use case and the amount of time someone might be willing to spend in a headset.
Unfortunately there are many factors that push against this trend. Most notably the soft cloth head straps that ship with the Quest 3 and 3S (and the Quest 2 previously) are not comfortable for many people, especially for longer sessions.
The dream of a personal theater to view movies and other entertainment is not new, born out of the Oculus revolution. But early VR was developed mainly for gaming, with head straps prioritizing stability on the head for movement rather than comfort lying down.
The lying down use case is now being served by many more consumer choices than ever before. I've been testing these options to bring them to light for others like me, who are seeking a comfortable solution.
Apexinno A3 Ultra-Light Head Strap
Photo: Craig Storm
Apexinno has introduced a new lightweight head strap that uses a silicone accordion rear strap, reminiscent of the Apple knit straps for Vision Pro. The top strap is a fabric and Velcro piece that sits front-to-back to provide lift on the headset to reduce pressure on the face and cheekbones.
The A3 successfully replicates much of the satisfying gathering, cupping sensation that the Apple knit straps provide on the back of the head. It makes for a comfortable and lightweight solution that essentially disappears once you're lying down. There is a scroll wheel on the right hand side that tightens the rear strap. To loosen you pull outward on the knob and the rear strap relaxes.
For someone looking for a solution similar to the Apple Vision Pro Knit strap but for far less money, and without having to go with 3rd party adapters, the Apexinno A3 is a compelling choice. You can find the A3 available for $29.99 on the Apexinno website or Amazon.com
Editor’s Note: Apexinno provided a review unit of the A3 head strap for this article.
Kiwi Design K4 Flex Comfort Elite Head Strap
Photo: Craig Storm
Kiwi Design’s K4 Flex takes a different approach. It combines a rigid yet flexible rear pad and elastic side straps to create a secure yet very comfortable experience for the user. The rear is well cushioned with a synthetic leather pad and a front-to-rear top strap is also present to provide lift for the headset off the face. Also noticeable is the high level of fit and finish and attention to detail in the design and construction of the K4 Flex. It feels and behaves like a high-quality product.
In practice this is one of the most comfortable head straps I've used on my Quest. During lying down sessions the rear pad is more apparent than the Apexinno, and some people might find it not as suited to full horizontal VR. However, it is well padded and flexible enough that it was never uncomfortable for me, just noticeable.
My impression of the K4 Flex is that it neatly falls between a true lying down solution and a capable elite-style head strap, with some valuable qualities of both types. And in the end might be the most compelling for all-around use.
The K4 Flex is available on the Kiwi Design website for $34.99 or Amazon.com.
Meta Quest 3 Stock Head Strap With 3rd Party Head Pad
Photo: Craig Storm
A low cost solution I found that greatly improved the comfort of the stock Meta Quest head strap is the addition of a rear head pad. This spreads the pressure of the strap more widely and evenly across the back of the head and reduces the “hot spots” where I would get sore using the stock strap alone.
These are commonly available on Amazon and other online marketplaces. Apexinno features one on their website. I purchased mine from AliExpress for less than $10.
Apple Vision Pro Dual Knit Band With 3rd Party Adapters
Photo: Craig Storm
I previously wrote about my experience adapting an Apple Dual Knit band to my Meta Quest 3, using 3rd party adapters from an Etsy vendor. While this is easily the most expensive solution here, it also has some unique advantages.
The Dual Knit strap is exceptionally well made and designed, no surprise given its Apple design and lofty price tag. The woven material is soft and luxurious to the touch. The adjustment knob serves a dual function, and does so with a feeling of quality and precision. The tungsten weights built into the rear strap and the cross-head design instead of a front-to-back design means that weight is managed differently. Given the Quest 3’s lighter weight than the Vision Pro, this makes for a very balanced and comfortable solution that offers terrific adjustability.
The comfort of Apple's design demonstrates that the Vision Pro was designed with the reclined or lying down use case in mind. Quest owners can now experience Apple's design choices for themselves.
Thoughts On Comfort & Convenience
One added benefit of these soft straps is the convenience afforded when traveling with your Quest. I was able to simply roll the entire thing up, headset and strap, into a sweatshirt and stick it in my bag – no special travel case required. As someone who travels for work frequently, it's not a small thing to have that option. Convenience is king when making decisions about what to bring along.
What all of these options really highlight is an acknowledgment of the broader spectrum of how many people actually use VR. For years, head strap design decisions were built around the assumption that users would be standing, moving, and playing. But a lot of us also want to lean back, watch a movie, or spend some quiet time in a headset. Comfort for those moments looks different than it does for active gaming, and the industry is finally starting to recognize that.
If you thought your Bambu X1 Carbon was fast, a new 3D printing technique that can fabricate complex millimeter-scale objects in just 0.6 seconds may bring some buyer's remorse. To achieve such performance, the tech uses holographic light fields to solidify resin all at once, obviously taking away the wait needed for layer-by-layer process
Don't let an aging wireless router hold back your home network. These days, practically everything is downloaded and streamed, from triple-A games to movies and TV shows. Practically everything is a connected device too, and if your router is a few generations old, then consider upgrading to take advantage of features only found in later protocols.
Wi-Fi
Apple is preparing to integrate a native video experience directly into the Apple Podcasts app this spring (the feature is also currently available in limited beta). With the company aiming to provide a seamless transition between listening and watching, Apple Podcasts is positioning to bring some heat to the likes of YouTube and Spotify.
Announced
There have been rumblings of Apple launching new products in the coming weeks and there's now a confirmed event to go along with the chatter. Apple has been sending out invitations for what it's describing as a "special Apple Experience" in New York. There's no mention or even hint of what products will be announced, but we have some guesses.
Apple
Alphacool has expanded its water‑cooling lineup with the Core Distro Plate V2, a redesigned distribution plate aimed at simplifying custom loop planning and installation. The updated model focuses on flexibility, offering a slimmer profile, revised port layout and an integrated drain port to support shorter tubing runs and easier maintenance.
The plate is manufactured from clear acrylic glass to provide an unobstructed view of the coolant, with digital aRGB lighting built in for system illumination. You will also find chrome‑plated brass G1/4 fittings are embedded directly into the acrylic body to improve durability and reduce the risk of leaks.
Alphacool has also reworked the pump mounting system, allowing users to install VPP/D5 or DDC pumps depending on their build requirements. The included VPP Apex pump uses a ceramic shaft and updated motor design intended to deliver quieter, more efficient operation through PWM control. A Core Push Mounting Kit is supplied for secure installation.
The Core Distro Plate V.2 is available in 240mm and 360mm sizes, with options for left or right-side pump placement to accommodate different case layouts. The 240mm version will be priced at €249.98 while the 360mm version will be priced at €279.98.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on making the jump to a custom watercooling loop this year? Will you be opting for a Distro Plate to simplify the whole process?
From time to time, physical copies of highly anticipated videogames make their way out to fans early. Some very notable examples of this in recent years include the likes of Starfield, Kingdom Hearts 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Capcom has found itself joining that list this week with Resident Evil Requiem.
Physical copies of Resident Evil Requiem are now out in the wild, following on from a report that distributors began receiving physical copies of the game earlier this week. With some fans now in possession of the game, it is likely that spoilers and leaks will follow.
Capcom will end up issuing DMCA takedown notices against early footage uploaded to sites like YouTube and Twitch, but these leaks often spread fast, so some gamers may encounter spoilers despite these efforts.
If you are planning on picking up Resident Evil Requiem when it drops on February 27th, you would do well to avoid the certain subreddit pages and gaming forums, as well as the For You page on sites like X / Twitter.
KitGuru Says: Resident Evil Requiem is set to serve as a grand finale to the excellent ‘soft reboot' trilogy, which kicked off with Resident Evil 7 many years ago. Are you looking forward to the new game?
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