The update brings 25 new cards, a new card type, new legendary cards for each faction, fully revitalized card artwork, and more.
Cards & Tankards, a free-to-play VR social game where players hang out and battle each other in collectible card games and other traditional board games, will receive a massive update in March. The coming update ushers in Season 3, and brings several significant additions to the game as well as new mechanics and features including:
25-card expansion at launch, with an additional 25 cards released gradually throughout Season 3
New card type: Relics are available to all factions, summoned into play like "creatures" but do not participate in combat and do not exhaust when played. Each Relic contains a limited number of Sparks of Aether, which are spent to activate its effects. Once those sparks are depleted, the Relic is destroyed. Relics are designed to add long term planning and resource management to gameplay without overwhelming the board state.
New Legendary Cards (one per faction)
Major mechanical balancing derived through collaboration between the development team and the community-driven Card Design and Balance Team
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The forthcoming update follows on from last year's major update, which added a new social area, chess and checkers boards, new physical shops to peruse, taverns in which to chill, and hidden corners tucked amongst a bustling town center.
The developer team has spent the period between updates rolling out several major quality of life and progression adjustments, including:
Achievements System in the Town, rewarding milestones with gold and titles
Global Deck Sharing via the Town Schoolhouse
Deck Sharing and Copying directly from the deck editor
Daily Quests and Streak Rewards
Focus Card System to guarantee specific cards over time
Expanded Deck Building, allowing over 40 cards for theory crafting
Deck Privacy Settings to hide deck information while editing
The team has also recently rebuilt the card visuals, giving all the cards a fresh and modern look.
Cards & Tankards is available on Quest and Steam, and the update is coming in March.
One of Meta Quest's top-selling VR brawlers will make the leap to PC VR headsets in spring.
Haymaker is a physics-first VR combat brawler focused on authentic body mechanics and replayability. You'll grab, grapple, block, kick, and strike adaptive AI enemies across a variety of environments specifically built for mayhem such as a skyscraper rooftop, a seedy billiard parlor, and more.
Console Studios has just announced both a content update for its physics-based VR brawler Haymaker, and that it intends to bring the title to PC VR via Steam in just a few months' time. The updated Steam release will also benefit from enhanced graphics and dynamic lighting.
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In addition to the Steam port, Haymaker will receive noteworthy updates on Quest, where the game has been available in Early Access since November. Coming updates include an expanded sandbox mode with deeper character customization and fresh designs to diversify the game's brutal street fights, a new MMA-style Octagon arena, and a tournament mode.
When the Steam port launches, it will do so with content parity with the Quest version.
Haymaker is available in Early Access on Quest headsets, priced at $14.99. It's currently on Meta's top-seller list, and has a strong 4.7/5 user rating.
As Intel prepares for the late 2026 debut of its Core Ultra Series “Nova Lake-S” processors, new leaks have revealed the details for the accompanying 900-series “Nova Point” chipset family. This generation marks a significant shift in platform architecture, introducing the LGA 1954 socket and a more granular approach to chipset segmentation.
According to Jaykihn (via VideoCardz), the lineup will include five distinct PCH variants: Z990, Z970, W980, Q970, and B960. Most notably, Intel is reportedly skipping the “H970” tier entirely due to consistently low demand, instead focusing on two enthusiast-grade options. Starting with the flagship Z990, it will be the only consumer chipset to offer both multiplier and base clock (BCLK) overclocking, alongside a massive I/O boost. It reportedly features 48 PCIe lanes in total, including 12 PCIe 5.0 lanes directly from the chipset.
A new entry to the lineup is the Z970, which sits just below the flagship and targets the enthusiast-mainstream crowd. While it retains support for multiplier-unlocked “K” series processors and memory overclocking, it reportedly lacks BCLK tuning. Moreover, it does not provide any PCIe 5.0 lanes from the chipset itself, sticking to a 14-lane PCIe 4.0 configuration. This model reportedly shares a smaller physical PCH die with the B960, which acts as the high-volume mainstream choice. The B960 maintains memory overclocking support but strips away CPU frequency adjustments entirely.
The “Nova Point” platform is claimed to significantly widen the communication pipe between the CPU and the motherboard. While the Z990, W980, and Q970 are claimed to use a DMI Gen 5 x4 link (delivering roughly 128 Gbps of bandwidth), the more affordable Z970 and B960 use a narrower DMI Gen 5 x2 link. This segmentation suggests that high-end Z990 boards will be significantly better equipped for systems running multiple Gen 5 NVMe drives and high-bandwidth USB4 peripherals simultaneously without hitting a data bottleneck.
From the processor side, Nova Lake-S is rumoured to provide up to 32 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. This is a massive jump from the 20 lanes found on Arrow Lake, theoretically allowing a full x16 Gen 5 graphics card to run alongside two or even three Gen 5 x4 SSDs connected directly to the CPU. The processor's direct connectivity is also getting a decent boost, with the high-end chipsets supporting two 40 Gbps USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports routed through the processor.
KitGuru says: Intel's decision to split the Z-series into Z990 and Z970 could lower the entry price for overclocking-ready motherboards. By using smaller, more efficient silicon for the Z970 and B960, manufacturers can likely produce cheaper boards that still satisfy the core “K-series” audience, which only cares about multiplier tuning. However, for those looking to build “god-tier” workstations with quadruple Gen 5 SSDs and dual Thunderbolt ports, the Z990 seems to be the only path forward.
Antec has announced the Vortex View 360, a 360mm all‑in‑one liquid cooler that combines the company’s first integrated LCD pump‑top display with Asetek’s latest 9th‑generation cooling platform.
The cooler features a full‑colour LCD panel on the pump head, allowing users to show system stats, custom graphics, or animations. It’s paired with a redesigned Asetek pump and impeller rated for up to 400W TDP, delivering improved thermal efficiency and reduced vibration. Antec says the pump operates up to 30% quieter than previous designs, reaching sub‑14 dBA at 2800 RPM.
The Vortex View 360 uses a high‑efficiency 360mm radiator and high‑airflow fans aimed at sustained cooling for modern high‑core CPUs. It ships with elastic high‑density tubing, pre‑applied thermal paste, and broad socket support, including Intel LGA115X / 1200 / 1700 / 1851 and AMD AM4 / AM5.
The launch also debuts iUnity 2.0, Antec’s updated control software for fan and pump curves, per‑zone RGB lighting, and LCD customization. The platform integrates with the cooler’s ARGB backlighting for coordinated effects. The cooler features a clean, modern design intended to fit both minimalist and RGB‑heavy builds, with subtle lighting around the pump to complement the display.
Pre‑applied thermal paste and streamlined installation hardware
The Antec Vortex View 360 will be available starting today, priced around £244.99.
KitGuru Says: Antec's new flagship AIO has arrived, complete with its impressive display – we will have a full review coming up soon so stay tuned for our in-depth testing.
Asus has expanded its flagship gaming monitor lineup with the ROG Strix OLED XG27UQDMS, bringing high-refresh 4K gaming to a smaller display size. This model is built around a third-generation QD-OLED panel designed to balance the motion clarity required for competitive games with the image quality that users want for their favourite AAA titles.
While its 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) provides a high pixel density for sharp text and imagery, the XG27UQDMS's (via NotebookCheck) headline feature is the 240 Hz native refresh rate, delivering fluid visuals previously limited to lower-resolution panels. The display has a 0.03 ms GTG response time, eliminating motion blur even in fast-paced competitive shooters. For HDR enthusiasts, the XG27UQDMS carries a VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certification, hitting a peak luminance of 1000 nits (at 3% APL) and a static contrast ratio of 1,500,000:1. The panel covers 99% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut with native 10-bit colour depth, ensuring colour accuracy that meets professional creative standards out of the box.
To safeguard the longevity of the organic pixels, Asus has integrated its ROG OLED Care Pro suite, which includes a Neo Proximity Sensor that automatically dims or blacks out the screen when the user is not detected. Connectivity is geared toward the modern enthusiast, featuring two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth and a DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC). Asus also includes a versatile stand with a small footprint, a mobile device groove, and a built-in tripod socket for streamers.
For gaming-specific optimisation, the monitor utilises ROG Gaming AI features, such as Dynamic Shadow Boost and Dynamic Crosshair, as well as offering support for FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility. The display is now available to pre-order in some retailers starting at around £740.
KitGuru says: Are you thinking of making the jump to a new OLED monitor this year?
Akko has announced the launch of the Dash, a gaming mouse that follows the increasingly common strategy of offering a single shell across multiple internal configurations.
Positioned to compete in the ultra-lightweight segment, the Dash (via Cowcotland) features an ambidextrous chassis with an open bottom design, achieving remarkably low weights of 40 grams for the black variant and 41 grams for the white variant. The dimensions are supposedly tailored for smaller to medium hands, measuring 175.6 x 90.9 x 37.1 mm, which allows for a variety of grip styles, including claw and fingertip.
The lineup is divided into three distinct versions, starting with the Dash Max, the entry-level offering. This model features the PixArt PAW3395 sensor paired with a Realtek 8762 controller. While it is limited to a standard 1000 Hz polling rate, it supposedly makes up for this with impressive battery life, claiming up to 86 days of use via Bluetooth thanks to its 300 mAh internal cell. This version is equipped with Akko’s proprietary optical switches and a TTC Gold scroll wheel encoder and retails for £34.95/$45.99/€39.55 (VAT not included).
For enthusiasts seeking a higher-end alternative, the Dash Ultra comes with the PAW3950 sensor and a Nordic 54L15 controller. This hardware combination is claimed to support polling rates up to 8000 Hz in wired mode. Interestingly, Akko has supposedly released two variants of the Ultra: one utilising the standard Akko optical switches and a second version featuring Omron optical switches. The Omron-equipped model is claimed to offer a slight boost in maximum sensitivity, reaching 42,000 DPI, compared to the 30,000 DPI of the standard Ultra and Max models. Pricing for the Ultra tier ranges from £45.59/$59.99/€51.59 to £53.19/$69.99/€60.19 (VAT not included).
While the hardware specifications are competitive, some might find the software approach a bit dated. Unlike some of its competitors, which are transitioning to web-based, driverless configuration tools, Akko still requires a traditional Windows-only driver for customisation. This could be a minor hurdle for those who frequently switch between different operating systems or machines. Moreover, the inclusion of multiple sets of skates is a nice touch.
KitGuru says: While the reliance on a traditional software driver is a slight step back in an era of web-based utilities, the aggressive pricing of the Dash Ultra makes it a very tempting alternative.
Intel looks to be entering the final stages of preparation for its Arrow Lake Refresh (Core Ultra Series 2 Plus) desktop launch, with new benchmarks for the mid-range Core Ultra 5 250K Plus surfacing on Geekbench.The “16th Gen” is expected to act as the final performance push for the LGA-1851 socket before the much-anticipated transition to Nova Lake later this year.
The leaked benchmark (via Benchleaks) provides our first real look at how the upcoming CPU handles the increased core counts and tuned clock speeds planned for the refresh. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scored 3,113 points in the single-core test and 15,251 points in the multi-core test in a system equipped with an Asus Prime Z890-P WIFI motherboard with 32 GB of RAM.
While the single-core result shows a healthy lead over many standard Core Ultra 5 245K runs (which typically land under 3,000), the multi-core score is curiously lower than the 17,000-18,000 range often seen from the current 245K. This discrepancy is likely due to the early nature of the testing and may be resolved as BIOS optimisations and final retail silicon reach the market.
Technically, the 250K Plus offers a notable jump in core density for the Ultra 5 tier. It is claimed to be an 18-core processor featuring a 6P+12E configuration, up from the 14-core (6P+8E) layout of the 245K. The chip reportedly features a 5.3 GHz P-core boost and natively supports DDR5-7200 memory. Despite the extra efficiency cores, the processor is expected to maintain its 125W base and 159W maximum turbo power ratings.
KitGuru says: The Arrow Lake Refresh is shaping up to be an interesting, albeit short-lived, chapter for Intel. With the high-end Core Ultra 9 290K Plus reportedly cancelled to avoid product overlap, the weight of this generation rests on the 270K and 250K Plus models. Based on the leaked benchmarks of these two chips, do you think they'll have a place in the current market?
Intel's current Core Ultra 200-series processors offer excellent productivity performance, competent gaming performance, and solid power efficiency. A lot of fans are banking on the company's next-generation Nova Lake parts to be its true return to form, though, and the first generation to provide a credible challenge to AMD's X3D-powered
Soul Retreat is a new Quest 3 & 3S app that uses real-world location captures to take users on a relaxing virtual getaway.
The new VR meditation app from Soul Retreat Labs takes users to photorealistic landscapes inspired by real locations like Scotland's Glen Coe and Spain's La Besurta.
These soothing locales have been recreated through a system the developer calls GroundedPresence, an advanced photogrammetry stack. The result is a realistic experience that replicates the feeling of relaxing on a sunny beach or hiking through breezy hills.
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A voiceover guides you through their meditation, talking you through breathing exercises or telling short stories to distract you from whatever stress you have in the day, and you can shift the time from day to night with a simple gesture or voice command. This narrator adapts with each session, with the studio promising a personalized experience.
Soul Retreat is currently available to download for free on Meta Quest 3 and 3S, with an optional Soul Retreat Plus subscription service costing either $6.99 a month, $34.99 a year, or a $69.99 lifetime payment.
The free option gives you access to two environments with a third being rotated weekly, while the paid option lets you explore all 10 current retreats. More will be added as Soul Retreat continues its development, the studio promises.
Alongside the announcement of the new Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT Crimson Desert Edition graphics card, AMD has also launched its latest game bundle. For the next couple of months, anyone buying an eligible Ryzen processor or Radeon graphics card, or an eligible AMD-powered laptop, will be eligible for a free copy of Pearl Abyss's new single-player action game.
In Crimson Desert, fans will play as Kliff, a member of the Greymanes who survives a deadly ambush from a rival clan, the Black Bears. Over the course of the game, you will travel a large world to reunite your fallen group and fight back against deadly bosses. While the game shares a similar name, it is not connected to Pearl Abyss's previous title – Black Desert.
You can see the full list of eligible products in the table below:
ASUS TUF Gaming A14
ASUS ROG Strix G16
ASUS ROG Strix G18
ASUS ROG Flow Z13
HP OMEN MAX 16
HP OMEN 16
Lenovo Legion Pro 5
Lenovo Legion Pro 7
Lenovo Legion 5
MSI Raider A16
MSI Raider A18
MSI Crosshair A18
Gigabyte Aero X16
Razer Blade 16
Razer Blade 14
AMD Ryzen AI Series
AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series
AMD Ryzen AI 9 300 Series
AMD Ryzen AI 7 300 Series
AMD Ryzen AI Max Series
AMD Ryzen 9000HX / 9000X3D Series
AMD Ryzen 8000HX Series
AMD Ryzen 7000HX / 7000X3D Series
You can see the full list of eligible products and participating retailers, along with the terms and conditions for claiming your copy of the game, HERE. The bundle will end in late April, so you have plenty of time to get your upgrade in.
KitGuru Says: What do you think of AMD's latest game bundle? Will you be taking advantage of it while it lasts?
The Corsair Makr Pro 75 attempts to bridge the gap between high-end custom mechanical keyboards and the gaming market. With a £219.99 price tag, a CNC aluminium case, and Hall Effect switches, it looks like a heavyweight contender on paper. But does this hybrid design offer the best of both worlds, or does it compromise too much on both fronts?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:10 Carlos Thoughts
01:40 Highlight Specs / Battery
02:38 Is this too much?
04:32 Gasket mounted design?
05:35 Metal poles
06:12 Keycap quality
06:50 Stabilisers and switches
08:40 RGB implementation
09:17 Ghost key presses and calibration
10:56 Gaming experience after calibration
11:47 8000Hz?
12:25 Good value?
13:35 Sound tests
Specifications:
Media and volume controls: Yes
Keyboard report rate: Up to 8,000 Hz with AXON
On-board memory: 8 MB
Onboard profiles: 5
Keyboard product family: N/A
Adjustable height: Yes
Wired connectivity: USB Type-A
Keyboard connectivity: Wired
Keyboard cable material: Braided
Win lock: FN shortcut
Key rollover: Full key (NKRO) with 100% anti-ghosting
Key switches: CORSAIR MGX V2
Keyboard layout: UK (UK)
Keyboard warranty: 2 years
Keyboard compatibility: PC, Mac®; Windows® 10 or macOS® 10.15; internet connection required for iCUE software download; CORSAIR Web Hub
Weight: 1.282 kg
Closing Thoughts
The Corsair Makr Pro 75 is a keyboard with a split personality. From a build perspective, the full aluminum chassis has undeniable quality, and the exterior design lines are sleek and inviting. However, Corsair's decision to pack the case with over 200g of foam and silicone results in a “dead” sound profile that removes all character from the sound. Furthermore, while it technically uses a gasket mount, the tightly packed interior and 14 standoff screws result in a stiff typing feel that lacks the bounce I personally tend to prefer. It doesn't have to be a trampoline, but some space for movement helps you feel like you are not typing against a hard surface.
On the performance side, the Hall Effect implementation is a mixed bag. Once properly set up, the gaming experience is fantastic. The Rapid Trigger implementation is responsive, and for competitive titles, the difference is night and day compared to traditional mechanical switches. However, the out-of-the-box experience was marked by calibration issues where keys would ghost-press themselves, requiring a tedious manual calibration process to fix. The 8000Hz polling rate exists, though we're still not sure about any real-world performance benefits compared to 1000Hz.
Ultimately, at £219.99, the Makr Pro 75 sits in an interesting spot. It offers premium materials that gaming brands usually lack, but falls short of the typing feel found in custom boards of similar price. It is still a solid choice for a gamer who wants a metal board without the hassle of sourcing parts, making it worth buying overall, but for the pure enthusiast or the budget-conscious gamer, it won't be a top choice.
You can buy the Corsair Makr Pro 75 for £219.99 HERE.
Pros:
Excellent gaming performance and Rapid Trigger implementation (post manual calibration).
Premium CNC aluminum case with easy internal access for customization.
Smooth out of the box switches.
Hot-swappable with other Hall Effect switches
Cons:
High price compared to specialized competitors.
Over-dampened sound profile lacks character.
Out-of-box calibration bugs (ghost inputs).
Stiff typing feel despite gasket mounting.
KitGuru says: The Makr Pro 75 delivers on raw gaming performance and build materials, but it is let down by some software bugs and an only “OK” typing experience.
AGON by AOC has added the 23.8‑inch 24G4ZR and 27‑inch 27G4ZR to its G4 lineup, combining 260Hz overclocked performance and sub‑millisecond response times with entry‑level pricing. Tilt‑only versions, the 24G4ZRE and 27G4ZRE, will follow for buyers who want the same panel performance at even lower cost.
Both monitors use Fast IPS panels with a native 240Hz refresh rate, 0.3ms MPRT, and Adaptive‑Sync with official NVIDIA G‑SYNC compatibility. MBR Sync allows backlight strobing and variable refresh rates across a 48Hz–260Hz range, keeping motion sharp without tearing or stutter. Overclocking to 260Hz is enabled through the OSD or AOC’s G‑Menu software. Colour performance remains strong, with the 27‑inch models rated at 121.5% sRGB and 92.3% DCI‑P3, and the 23.8‑inch versions at 111.7% sRGB and 87.7% DCI‑P3. All models offer 300 nits brightness and 178° viewing angles.
The 24G4ZR and 27G4ZR include full ergonomic stands with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustment, plus a compact esports‑style base and a three‑sided frameless design suited to multi‑monitor setups. Connectivity includes 2× HDMI 2.0 and 1× DisplayPort 1.4, while flicker‑free operation and hardware low‑blue‑light modes aim to reduce eye strain. The ZRE variants retain the same panel and specs but use a tilt‑only stand.
AGON positions the 23.8‑inch models for players who prefer a compact competitive layout, while the 27‑inch versions offer a larger view without sacrificing speed. All four monitors share identical refresh rates and response times, letting buyers choose purely on size and ergonomics.
The AOC GAMING 24G4ZR, 27G4ZR, 24G4ZRE, and 27G4ZRE launch in February 2026 at £129, £149, £109, and £129 respectively.
KitGuru Says: At these prices, the latest AOC Agon monitors look to be an absolute bargain.
AMD announced a new graphics card game bundle earlier today and now, Nvidia is also throwing its hat into the ring. The latest GeForce RTX 50 game bundle will grant anyone upgrading soon with a free copy of Capcom's latest survival horror game, Resident Evil Requiem.
The Resident Evil Requiem bundle is now available at participating retailers, counting for anyone who buys an RTX 5070 or better. RTX 50-powered laptops are also included, also applying to RTX 5070 laptop models or better.
Aside from the new game bundle, today Nvidia is also announcing the next round of DLSS-supported titles, including the likes of Yakuza Kiwami 3, High on Life 2, and Reanimal, all of which are launching in the coming days.
KitGuru Says: What do you think of the latest RTX GPU game bundle?
Sapphire is back with another collaborative, limited edition graphics card. This time, Sapphire is teaming up with Pearl Abyss, producing a limited edition RX 9070 XT with a fresh coat of paint to match the upcoming game, Crimson Desert.
Crimson Desert is an open‑world, single‑player action‑adventure game from Pearl Abyss set in the harsh, war‑torn continent of Pywel. You play as Kliff, a member of the Greymanes, who sets out to reunite his scattered comrades after a devastating ambush. The game blends fast, visceral combat with exploration, horseback travel, large‑scale boss encounters, and a wide range of side activities such as crafting, hunting, and cooking.
The new limited-edition graphics card features iconic game artwork on the Quick Connect MagniPlate. The ARGB light strip can be customised to match the game’s atmosphere with your preferred colour aesthetic, and remains completely unobstructed thanks to the STEALTH Hidden Power Cable, which seamlessly conceals external power cables.
You can see the full specs for the graphics card in the table below:
Crimson Desert Edition Quick Connect MagniPlate
STEALTH Hidden Power Cable
12V‑2×6(H++) External Power Connector (3×8‑pin power adapter included)
Honeywell PTM7950 Thermal Interface Material (TIM)
AeroCurve Fan Blade
Free Flow
FrameDefense
Integrated Cooling Module
Cold Rolled Steel Frame
Tri‑X Cooling Technology
High TG Copper PCB
Optimized Composite Heatpipes
Metal Backplate
ARGB Light Bar
Fan Quick Connect
Two‑Ball Bearing Fans
Premium 16‑Phase Digital Power Design
Fuse Protection
Intelligent Fan Control
Precision Fan Control
TriXX Supported
Performance vs. Efficiency Quicksets
Glow!
Fan Check
TriXX Boost
External RGB LED MB Synchronization
Accessories Bundled
L‑Shape Support Bracket
3‑pin 5V ARGB Cable
Crimson Desert Edition Magnetic Backplate
12V‑2×6(H++) to PCI Express 3×8‑pin power adapter
Naturally, this graphics card is also part of the latest AMD game bundle, so if you buy the graphics card when it hits shelves this month, you'll also get to redeem a free copy of the game. Full details on that can be found HERE.
KitGuru Says: What do you think of Sapphire's latest limited-edition GPU? What game would you like to see them collaborate with next?
According to the studio, this new project is said to be a “completely new game title” which will act as the “culmination of the technology, strength, and courage [CyberConnect2] has cultivated thus far.”
What this means exactly is unknown, especially with CyberConnect’s titles being relatively small in scope typically. That said, the team is certainly talented and so it will be interesting to see what this announcement winds up being.
Apple is once again (reportedly) preparing to equip the upcoming AirPods Pro 4 with infrared cameras designed to let the earbuds "see" the world around you. Most likely, and assuming if this rumor holds out, this could enable hand gestures and enhanced spatial audio capabilities with VR integration being a possibility.
Next AirPods Pro
Building a new PC these days can be a financial challenge due to soaring memory prices, though if you're willing to bite the bullet anyway or already have RAM that you can apply to a new build, then do yourself a solid and check out this deal on an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor. Available at Woot (owned by Amazon), we've never seen it listed
Scientists at the University of Trento have uncovered the first direct evidence of a subsurface feature beneath Venus: a massive underground lava tube on the most volcanically active planet in the Solar System.
Published this week in the Nature journal, the finding was actually made by re-analyzing archival radar data from NASA’s Magellan
In an unexpected bit of news, Toyota has unveiled a proprietary game engine called Fluorite. Nope, this doesn't mean the company is entering the game development any time soon, but rather, is something we could likely see powering its future cars.
Developed by Very Good Ventures and Toyota Connected North America, Fluorite was introduced
There was a time when cutting the cord could save you big money versus paying for a satellite or traditional cable TV package. Those days are gone, perhaps for good, though one of the best streaming services is rolling out more affordable plans. That would be YouTube TV, and streaming subscribers now have several new tiers to choose from,
G.Skill has agreed to pay $2.4 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it "deceptively advertised and labeled" the speed of its DDR5 and DDR4 desktop memory modules. The settlement allows G.Skill to put the matter to rest without admitting any wrongdoing, and it avoids having a court decide of G.Skill's memory speed labels violated
Crossings offers up incredibly visceral and engaging combat by keeping things simple while still offering a variety of choices for players. However, it has a lot of rough edges that show the more you play it.
Coincidentally or not, Crossings is one of two Norse mythology-based roguelites that released for Meta Quest in December. However, the similarities between it and Soul Assembly's Street Gods end with the setting. Neat Corp, whose previous titles include the stealth thriller Budget Cuts series and cozy island farming sim Garden of the Sea, set a dark tone from the instant you load in. With the previously delayed co-op mode and Steam version now available, read on for our full review.
The Facts
What is it?: A Norse mythology roguelike Platforms: Meta Quest 3/3S; SteamVR (played natively on Quest 3 and SteamVR via Virtual Desktop) Release Date: December 18, 2025 (Quest); February 6, 2026 (Steam) Developer: Neat Corp Publisher: Creature Label Price: $9.99
Crossings on Meta Quest. Captured by UploadVR
In Crossings, you awaken in the Norse afterlife, starting in a forest blanketed in fog with a choice of weapons to start your run with. Each weapon has a tier, damage stats, and special gesture-based combo attacks that offer a buff such as a damage multiplier or status ailment, if performed correctly. If you pick another weapon, it simply replaces the original. There is no full body avatar here, just hands and wrists, which are replaced with your weapon (primary hand) or item (secondary hand) when in use. The floating hands are nothing new to VR, but seeing them disappear in favor of an item was jarring and a bit immersion breaking.
You continuously come across weapons in treasure chests, so you're not married to the same weapon until the run ends. Some of the perks you come across are tied to specific weapon types, like increasing the block damage when using a club, incentivizing you to backtrack for a weapon you passed on earlier because there's an upgrade available.
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Fighting an enemy in Crossings. Captured on Quest 3 by UploadVR.
The same goes for magic. Each run starts with the same three wind magic attacks, triggered by a simple, unarmed, dual-arm gesture: crush, lift, and push. As the run progresses, you come across podiums with three statues offering your choice of replacement spells for one of the gestures, bringing different more powerful elemental attacks. Every perk and spell replacement costs units of either health or mana. You will randomly get offered a choice of an extra unit of health or mana from translucent statues that pop up after defeating enemies, so you're never forced to skip an upgrade because you can't 'afford' it.
The combat is almost brilliant in its simplicity. It feels, for lack of a better term, chunky. Enemies visibly take damage and react accordingly when hit. Every hit registers thanks to terrific sound design and the standard fighters can quickly close the distance on you with far-ranging leaping attacks or throwing spears. A lone enemy is a threat to hurt you in Crossings which is a nice change of pace from the horde-like feeling in other roguelites.
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Fighting a boss in Crossings - Captured on Steam by UploadVR
This is still a roguelite though, so expect to see the same enemies quite often. Getting to the third boss fight only to find out it's the same (or very similar) model as the first with a couple of new attacks was a bit of a letdown. Also, this is a slower-paced, more measured rogue, closer to something like In Death or Ancient Dungeon VR than the recent Roboquest. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I quite enjoyed it. Just a point of comparison.
You will spend just as much time exploring and looting as in combat. Successful runs can get quite lengthy, so if you are doing well and fully exploring an area, expect to be in headset for over an hour before you go down. A run save feature would be welcome in future updates.
Comfort
Crossings uses artificial stick-based locomotion. You can choose between snap and smooth turning, but there are no settings for degrees on snap turning or speed for smooth turning. There are also no available vignettes for those prone to motion sickness.
Your weapon defaults to your primary hand with your inventory appearing on your other hand, but this can be changed in settings.
Unfortunately, Crossings still shows signs of an early release. The options lack, well, options like turn speed/angles and vignettes. You can only run in a straight line. Trying to strafe or draw your weapon slows you back down. The magic gestures, specifically the crush spell, can be hit-or-miss at times. I used push more than anything else simply because it registered more consistently than crush or lift. At times, I triggered them accidentally and lost mana.
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Selecting an upgrade. Captured on Quest 3 by UploadVR.
Then there's the co-op gameplay. Crossings originally released in Early Access on Quest without the promised co-op mode. That was added later, shortly before the Steam release, and it still feels unfinished. There is no voice chat, which to my understanding was a deliberate move by the developers to force communication via body language and hand motions. A curious choice when Discord exists (and will soon have native Quest integration) and players on Quest can use the Horizon OS voice chat to communicate. I'm curious how many players will opt for the silent communication approach as intended.
Your friend joins with a full body, a curious choice given you yourself just have hands. Mercifully, you do not see your buddy's arm transform into a club/sword/axe/mace when they pull their weapon, but the weapon floats awkwardly at their wrist instead of appearing to be actually held. Same with the bow and arrow and the lamp that keeps you on the right path forward. This doesn't affect the gameplay, but it's tough to unsee.
The aforementioned translucent statues randomly appear for each player while being unseen by the other. When you both arrive at the upgrade statues, if one player selects an upgrade, that statue shuts down, even if the other player wanted the upgrade in the other hand. Passing inventory items, like potions, to each other was quite cumbersome. It's surprisingly clunky, especially coming from a seasoned developer like Neat Corp. Crossings in general feels better as a singleplayer experience than a co-op one.
PC Specs Used
For this review, Crossings was played and captured on both Meta Quest 3 and PC. My PC uses an RTX 5070 Ti with a Ryzen 5 5600X processor and 64GB of RAM.
When playing on PC, Crossings was played on a Quest 3 using Virtual Desktop on the Ultra preset. The in-game graphics were set to the highest level.
You can find the minimum and recommended specs on the Steam page to learn more.
From a technical standpoint, Crossings nails the atmosphere. Fog is used quite liberally, even in some interior areas, but that's to be expected since you're in the afterlife. This is paired with excellent music and sound design to create a dark, unnerving world. However, the world-building here is light. Ethereal voices make references to whatever quest you're on and runs play out in a mostly linear fashion, despite the open maps to explore.
In terms of fidelity, there's not a great deal of difference between the standalone and PC versions. Visually, it does feel like the Quest version was the priority. Both versions were performant with no major bugs or issues to speak of, other than occasional hitching in co-op.
Crossings - The Final Verdict
Crossings manages to mask its flaws with strong, well-designed combat and a moody atmospheric world to explore. The co-op experience comes up short and the game lacks several comfort features, but these are all fixable issues and with an attractive $10 price point, it's a welcome addition to one of the most crowded genres in VR.
UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our review guidelines.
The SilverStone FLP02 isn't the most sensible case choice. It won't be as functional as other mid towers out there nor is it more affordable. This case is all about nostalgia and it manages to hit the mark, with lots of details to give you a throwback to the 1980s and '90s, making the FLP02 perfect for those wanting a memorable sleeper build, going back to the roots of what it meant to build your own system 30-35 years ago.
be quiet! have already been quite active in 2026 and today we check out another one of their power supplies – the Pure Power 13 M. be quiet! are releasing six models in this series across various capacities, and we have the flagship 1200W model on our test bench. These power supplies are fully modular and both 80 Plus and Cybenetics Gold rated.
These new Pure Power 13 M power units are ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 compatible and offer semi-passive cooling. be quiet! are offering a 10-year warranty and while they aren't made in Germany, they claim ‘product conception, design and quality control in Germany'. I doubt they mean they are checking every unit made in China in their offices in Germany later, but it's a point be quiet! want to push. Make of it what you will.
Overall pricing certainly seems quite competitive based on the chart we were sent above.
Product Features (from be quiet!'s marketing materials):
Compatibility and Convenience
ATX 3.1 form factor with up to 5 PCIe connectors for current- and next-gen GPUs.
Full PCIe 5.1 and PCIe 6+2 compatibility with both cables in scope of delivery.
Handles massive power excursions.
Exceptionally Quiet Operation
Pure Power 13 M is a semi-passive PSU, only cooled actively when necessary, for a quieter operation.
Exceptionally silent 120mm be quiet! fan is temperature-controlled to strike the best balance between effective cooling and quietness.
Airflow-optimized fan blades reduce turbulence, allowing for best-of-class quiet functioning with excellent airflow.
Engineering and Efficiency
80 PLUS® Gold certification means very high operating efficiency for its class of up to 94.4%.
Advanced stability and voltage regulation thanks to LLC technology.
Up to 1200 Watts of continuous power.
Modular cable management for maximum flexibility.
Outstanding Service and Support
10-year manufacturer's warranty.
Product conception, design and quality control in Germany.
Connexion
