KitGuru visited Acer HQ in Lugano earlier this year to get hands-on with the next generation of laptops for the Nitro, Predator, Aspire and Swift ranges. Today, we are able to share everything we learned and saw, with the new laptops being officially announced ahead of Computex. 

Unlike ultraportables, where weight and battery life dominate, Acer Predator systems prioritise power, thermal headroom and user control – key elements for running demanding games, heavy production workloads or AI-enhanced applications. Traditionally they will be designed around peak specifications, but the models we got hands-on with were fitted with RTX 5070 graphics – with a parting message that “The best is yet to come” – which naturally leads to speculation that more models will be introduced before the end of Q3 2025.

Both new models in Acer’s 2025 Predator AI refresh – the Helios Neo 14 AI and Triton 14 AI – bring with them significant upgrades, including Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs. Shared core specifications include:

• Up to 32GB LPDDR5X memory
• Up to 2TB NVMe SSD storage, though only the Triton uses PCIe Gen 5
• Up to RTX 5070 Laptop GPU
• Support for Thunderbolt 4, Windows 11, AI-enhanced video and audio processing, and PredatorSense system tuning software

Both systems also include Acer’s PurifiedView 2.0 and PurifiedVoice 2.0, which use AI to optimise webcam and microphone performance. They each offer high-resolution WQXGA+ (2880×1800) displays with DCI-P3 100% coverage, and both feature high-speed wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E on the Neo, and Wi-Fi 7 on the Triton. We’re not quite sure why the entire range would not have been fitted with WiFi-7, but in real world use-case scenarios – you’re unlikely to feel the difference.

So what is the difference between the Helios Neo 14 AI and the Triton 14 AI? Well, the Helios Neo 14 features a 14.5-inch 120Hz WQXGA+ display, combined with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor. It uses LPDDR5X 6400MHz memory and offers up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. The thermal solution includes 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, Vortex Flow, vector heat pipes, and liquid metal grease, making this configuration ideal for high frame-rate gaming and sustained GPU workloads in a compact chassis.

The Predator Triton 14 AI is positioned more toward creators and premium users, the Triton 14 AI includes a 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen with Calman verification and a Core Ultra 9 288V processor with RTX graphics. Notably, it features much faster 8533MHz LPDDR5X memory and PCIe Gen 5 SSD support—a clear step up in bandwidth. It also introduces a 6-speaker array, per-key RGB lighting, haptic touchpad with pen input, graphene thermal interface, and a vapor chamber, indicating a stronger emphasis on content creation and premium thermals.

The Acer Aspire was originally introduced in the late 1990s. The latest refresh is built around Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative and looks to respond to a growing demand for accessible systems capable of supporting AI-assisted workflows and enhanced multitasking.

So what do these new models have in common? The new Aspire AI models – Aspire 14 AI, Aspire 16 AI (Snapdragon) and Aspire 16 AI (Intel) share a consistent foundation in both industrial design and technical specification. All three feature a slim aluminium chassis with a 180-degree hinge and offer battery life rated up to 22 hours. The displays support 16:10 aspect ratios, with optional touchscreen functionality.

On the specification side, each model supports up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. AI functionality is a central feature across the range, with Copilot+ PC support, integrated Copilot and Cocreator tools and Acer’s own enhancements for voice and video, including PurifiedVoice and PurifiedView (both version 2.0). Other commonalities include IR cameras with privacy shutters, integrated security features, HDMI output (up to 8K), and microSD card readers. Connectivity standards are also high across the board, with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3 or newer.

It's not exactly the case that all of Ace's new laptop are available in black or white – with a choice of three CPUs – but it's close.

The Aspire 14 AI is the most compact model in the line-up, featuring a 14-inch OLED display (16:10 aspect ratio). It is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI processor and includes Wi-Fi 6E. The size and weight make it more suitable for users prioritising mobility.

Aspire 16 AI is built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon X platform with an 8-core CPU and a 45 TOPS NPU, this variant features a 16-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports Wi-Fi 7 and is positioned as the model most aligned with extended battery life and native ARM optimisation for AI tasks.

Finally, the Intel based Aspire 16 AI uses a 16-inch form factor, incorporating an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with Arc graphics. It includes a 2K OLED display, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.4, suggesting a stronger emphasis on high-speed peripheral compatibility and enhanced display fidelity.

Since its inception, Acer’s Swift line has focused on delivering thin, lightweight laptops designed to balance usability, style, and efficiency. Positioned between entry-level consumer devices and high-spec productivity systems, Swift has historically targeted users who need strong day-to-day performance in a chassis that won’t weigh down a bag or briefcase.

When you’re in a shop, the difference between 1.1kg and 1.6kg can seem minute, but if you’re carrying it on your shoulder all day long – you start to notice the extra half a kilo.

For 2025, the Swift range evolves again with the introduction of the AI-enhanced Swift Go 16, Swift X 14, and Swift Edge 14. All three are part of the Copilot+ PC initiative with NPU acceleration for AI-assisted workflows and enhanced battery management. Despite their compact builds and modest positioning in the market, these systems incorporate a number of flagship-level features—particularly around display quality, AI capabilities, and connectivity.

What do the specifications have in common?  Well, all three models feature:

• Intel Core Ultra 9 processors with 48 TOPS AI compute capability
• Up to 32GB LPDDR5X memory and up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSDs (1TB max on Swift Edge)
• Copilot+ PC features, including Microsoft Copilot and Acer's PurifiedVoice, PurifiedView, and User Sensing (all in version 2.0)
• OLED panels with at least 2K resolution and 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage
• VESA DisplayHDR 500, Eyesafe Certified 2.0, and facial recognition via IR webcams
• Wi-Fi 6E or 7, Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Slim chassis designs with 180° hinges, and all are EPEAT Gold certified

That leaves the key differences. Swift Go 16 AI is a larger-format device with a 16-inch OLED display (2K, 120Hz), this model aims to balance workspace, battery life, and overall flexibility. It includes an enhanced multi-control touchpad, HDMI 2.1, and a weight of around 1.5 kg – which is still competitive for its class.

Swift X 14 is the most performance-oriented of the three, the Swift X incorporates a 3K OLED panel, up to an RTX 5070 Laptop GPU (Studio validation), and stylus-supported haptic touchpad. It’s still relatively light at under 1.6 kg, and clearly targets creators or power users seeking a lightweight system with discrete graphics support.

Finally, the Swift Edge 14 AI (seen here in white) weighs in at less than 1kg – prioritising mobility while retaining most of the AI and display features seen across the range. It uses Corning Gorilla Matte Pro Glass for added durability and offers a 14-inch 2K OLED panel, making it one of the lightest OLED Copilot+ laptops in its class. If you’re considering ‘working on the go’, then it would be worth you checking this unit out in a local store – just to experience what a 1kg laptop feels like.

Microsoft’s insistence on a 40 TOPS minimum for Copilot+ PCs feels more like a marketing line than a meaningful performance threshold, especially when even ‘entry-level’ discrete GPUs like the RTX 5070 can deliver over 2,000 TOPS without breaking a sweat. The idea is that NPUs offer ultra-low power AI processing for tasks like live transcription or background blur – without waking the fans or hitting battery life too hard.

To make a judgement, we will need to see final ‘street pricing’ and to test them thoroughly but, on paper, Acer certainly seems to have a competitive line-up for 2025. Will be interesting to see just how much of a difference ‘local AI’ makes to ever day users. We will probably have a handle on that by this time next year.

KitGuru Says: We'll be seeing many more laptops over the next week, as Computex 2025 gets underway. Stay tuned for our daily updates and reporting straight from the event. 

The post Acer launches brand new Aspire, Swift and Predator laptops first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, we learned that the founder of one of PlayStation's newest multiplayer-focused game studios, Jade Raymond, had stepped down and left the company. As it turns out, there might be more to the story, with reports painting a worrying picture for Haven's first title, Fairgames. 

Originally announced in 2023 as ‘Fairgame$', the multiplayer title is set to offer co-op heists with quick action-packed matches and live service elements. The game was one of at least a dozen ‘live service' titles greenlit under Jim Ryan's tenure as head of PlayStation. After Ryan departed, Sony began cancelling many of these projects, but Fairgames was one of just a handful to survive. Now, Sony might actually be regretting that decision.

According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, external playtests for Fairgame$, now rebranded as ‘Fairgames', took place in recent weeks and there is now internal concern as to how well the game will be received. The game was also recently delayed from its planned 2025 launch to ‘Spring 2026', which now puts the title in competition with Grand Theft Auto 6.

Sony PlayStation has not yet made any announcements about Fairgames, nor has it publicly shown any gameplay. So far, the only real look we've had at the game is a CGI reveal trailer, released two years ago.

KitGuru Says: Concord failed to grasp an audience and as a result, the studio behind it was shut down. If Fairgames faces similar launch struggles, Haven Studios may have a short-lived history. 

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After leaving Google following the closure of the Stadia cloud gaming service, Jade Raymond set up a new studio. Quickly after coming up with plans for their first game, Haven Studios was acquired by Sony to join PlayStation Studios. Now, ahead of the release of that first game, Raymond has left the studio.

As reported by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, Jade Raymond has left Haven Studios. Sony did not give much of a reason for the sudden departure, but the company said it remains committed to Haven Studios and their first game, titled ‘Fairgames'.

“Jade Raymond has been an incredible partner and visionary force in founding Haven Studios. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and contributions, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.”

While an exact reason for the departure is not given, the report does note that this came several weeks after a playtest of Fairgames. It is rumoured that this playtest did not go very well, creating some concern for this game's ability to succeed.

KitGuru Says: Given this news, we'll no doubt be hearing more about Fairgames in the months ahead, as external playtests tend to result in leaks. 

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5 years on from the game’s initial 2019 release, Sony officially launched Days Gone Remastered for PS5 and PC last month. While a solid upgrade overall (especially with its $10 price tag for owners of the previous release) the PS5 version in particular was missing some expected features. As part of the game’s latest patch however, PS5 players can now benefit from a 40FPS balanced mode, VRR support and more.

Making the announcement on BlueSky, the team at Bend Studio wrote: “We have an update beginning to roll out globally addressing player feedback, along with a new Balanced graphics mode, and VRR support.”

The full patch notes can be found HERE, but some of the most notable additions/improvements include the following:

• Added a new ‘Balanced’ render mode to the Graphics menu
  • PS5 – 1800p at 40fps
  • PS5 Pro – 2160p (using PSSR) at 40fps
• VRR support now enabled
• Improved loading times and streaming optimizations
• Updated input lag to feel more consistent across all render options
• Unlocked map FPS
• Overall audio mix improved.
• Various audio adjustments
• Gyro Aiming fixes

Sony’s first-party PlayStation releases have been quite good at supporting 40fps modes as well as VRR and so Days Gone Remastered lacking both at launch was somewhat surprising.

That said, it is welcome at least to see these additions coming within a month of the remaster’s launch.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Days Gone Remastered overall? Is it a solid effort? Do you use 40fps balanced modes if they are available? Let us know down below.

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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is almost upon us, with the next project from Kojima set to arrive in just over a month on the 26th of June. Ahead of this, the studio has announced the Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2 – coming to a dozen locations starting next month.

Making the announcement via a press release, the team officially unveiled its DS2 pre-release marketing plans, writing: “KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS confirmed today that the studio is gearing up to visit 12 locations across the globe to celebrate the launch of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, arriving exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26th, 2025. Fans around the world will be able to join a celebration of all things DEATH STRANDING as part of a World Tour, with special guests and events at each stop.”

Exact details on what these events will entail is currently unknown, but given that some of the shows are taking place long after the game’s launch, it’s safe to assume that this event will likely serve as a fan celebration – more so than a simple marketing tour.

With that, the full list of dates and locations are as follows:

• 8th June – Los Angeles  
• 14th June – Sydney   
• 26th June – Tokyo  
• 28th June – Paris  
• 30th June – London  
• 4th July – Seoul  
• 6th July – Taipei  
• 9th July – Hong Kong  
• 12th July – Shanghai  
• August – Riyadh  
• October – Sao Paulo  
• November – Lucca 

Death Stranding was a highly unique and evocative game which – while it did not resonate with everyone – offered a strong and compelling message alongside a surprisingly calming gameplay loop. Hopefully the Death Stranding 2 World Tour proves to be just as unique and memorable as the game itself.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for DS2? What do you think these fan events will entail? Will you try to attend one of the shows? Let us know down below.

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The last time we featured a Valkyrie AIO was in our 8-way AIO showdown round-up review back in 2023. Since then, the company has been a little quiet, however they are back with some new coolers including the SURGE 125 200W air cooler. In this review, though, we are taking a closer look at the V360 Lite AIO from Valkyrie with its ‘Mecha Aesthetic' top cover and what the company says is a high-speed pump previously reserved for its top-tier offerings. Let's see how this £110 AIO stacks up against the competition.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:55 Pricing and options
01:21 Overview & compatibility
02:07 The Pump top cover
04:04 The Radiator / Tubing
05:53 CPU Block
06:33 Fans
07:42 Accessories
08:20 Installation
09:51 Noise and Thermal Testing
11:40 Closing Thoughts

Features:

• Valkyrie says that the V-Lite series is a performance-focused AIO, featuring a high-speed pump that was previously reserved for its top-tier offerings and capable of speeds up to 2800 rpm.
• The distinctive pump design stands out with mechanical aesthetics and a magnetic cover that rotates in 90-degree increments for always upright installation.
• Included Valkyrie B12 fans feature high static pressure, fluid dynamic bearing and PWM speed control between 800 – 2150 rpm and it comes with a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.

Specifications:

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA 115X/1155/1156/1200/1366/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5
• Radiator Material: Aluminium
• Radiator Dimensions: 379 x 120 x 27 mm
• Radiator Tube Length: 450mm
• CPU Block/Pump Dimensions: 86 x 74 x 68.5 mm
• Pump Speed: 800 – 2800RPM ± 10%
• Cold Plate Material: Micro Skived Copper
• Pump Connector: 4-pin (PWM) + 3-pin ARGB
• VRM Fan: N/A
• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
• Fan Speed (PWM): 800 – 2150RPM ± 10%
• Fan Max Airflow: 81.68CFM (Max)
• Fan Max Air Pressure: 4.0 mmH2O (Max)
• Noise (dBA): 30.5dBa (Max)
• Fan Bearing: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
• Fan Connector: 4-pin (PWM) + 3-pin ARGB
• LCD Screen: N/A
• Warranty: 5 Years

The post Valkyrie V360 Lite AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Last month, Ubisoft officially showcased the next major DLC set to come to Star Wars Outlaws – A Pirate’s Fortune. In alignment with this DLC now being officially available, the publisher has released Outlaws’ next big free ‘title update’ 1.6, bringing with it a ton of welcome changes, additions and quality of life improvements.

Releasing the patch notes onto their blog, Ubisoft officially detailed Star Wars: Outlaws’ Title Update 1.6, writing: “The new update arrives alongside our brand-new story pack, A Pirate's Fortune, bringing new improvements and fixes. It also includes a free new cosmetic pack inspired by Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, available to all players!”

The full list of changes and additions can be found HERE, but some of the most notable include:

• The ability to free-fire Kay's blaster while riding your speeder
• Seamless switching between two-handed weapons and Kay's blaster
• Enhanced Trailblazer customization with new passive systems
• New space contracts with multiple challenge types and rewards

Other ancillary fixes include the following:

• Improved shooting when behind cover
• Improved enemy AI when moving to cover/being suppressed
• Improved Kay's movement animations on stairs and slopes
• Miyuki Traders have been upgraded to full vendors
• Performance improvements during climbing
• Improved attaching and releasing input when using the grappling hook
• Kay is now thrown off the speeder when hit by a melee attack
• RTXDI improvements
• Ray Reconstruction improvements
• Various accessibility improvements

While Ubisoft titles do have a penchant to release in less-than-complete states, there is no denying that the publisher is willing to make rather sweeping changes and fixes to ensure the game gets closer to meeting fan expectations. It’s just a shame that we’ve had to wait so many months for some of these improvements.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest update? Does Ubisoft rely too much on post-launch support? Let us know down below.

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While the Epic Games Store gives away a game or two each week to all those with an Epic account, on occasion the platform holder will up the value of games being offered. Such is the case right now, with Dead Island 2 and Happy Game being given away for free as part of the Epic Games Store’s MEGA Sale.

Available to add to your library from now until the 22nd of May at 4PM, this week’s free headlining title is Dead Island 2 – the long awaited sequel to 2011’s first person Zombie experience.

Following years of delays and multiple development studio switches, the sequel finally launched back in 2023 to pretty decent reviews overall, with particular praise being given to the game’s brutal FLESH gore system.

While not included with the free package, Dead Island 2 did receive two sets of post-launch DLC (alongside other free updates), with the SoLA and Haus expansions currently on sale for 30% off.

Happy Game meanwhile is an indie horror puzzler in which you must “endure and escape three unforgettable nightmares” all the while solving “deeply disturbing puzzles in (not so) charming environments.”

Both Dead Island 2 and Happy Game are available to add to your library for the next week, at which point they will be replaced by two as-of-yet-unknown games, alongside ‘Deliver At All Costs.’

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Did you enjoy Dead Island 2 more or less than the average person? What titles do you hope will be offered next week? Let us know down below.

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Antec had revealed its latest AIO liquid cooler, the Vortex View. One look at it quickly makes the name clear, as it features a massive, rotatable 5-inch display mounted onto the CPU block.

The Votex View AIO cooler stands out with its 360° rotatable 5-inch IPS display. Whether mounted vertically or horizontally, the display can be adjusted seamlessly to fit the setup. Behind the display is an integrated addressable RGB backglow, designed to subtly illuminate surrounding components and fully controllable through the iUnity software platform.

Speaking of the iUnity software, Antec has rebuilt it from the ground up for expanded functionality and smoother system integration. This includes things like fan and pump curve control, multi-device sync and more.

The Antec Vortex View will be demoed at Computex, so we should learn more about the launch window and intended price then. We'll be attending Computex once again this year, so stay tuned for video updates from Leo.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you like a large CPU display like this, or do you prefer smaller displays integrated into the block?

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This week came with the unfortunate news that Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link was cancelled. However, Square Enix is keen to show progress on Kingdom Hearts 4, which is still deep into development.

In an update shared today, Square Enix revealed a set of new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4, giving fans a new look at both cinematic scenes and gameplay:

To our Kingdom Hearts community,

We’re currently working hard on Kingdom Hearts IV and will continue pouring ourselves into the game’s development. We’re dedicated to making this an experience that lives up to your expectations! [1/2] pic.twitter.com/4lbg6l2ErZ

— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) May 15, 2025

The screenshots were accompanied by the following statement: “We’re currently working hard on Kingdom Hearts IV and will continue pouring ourselves into the game’s development. We’re dedicated to making this an experience that lives up to your expectations.”

“We’ve seen how excited you are, and we are truly grateful from the bottom of our hearts. We are equally excited and can’t wait to share more about Kingdom Hearts IV when the time is right. Until then, we appreciate your patience.”

There is no release date for Kingdom Hearts 4, but it is expected to release before the next mainline Final Fantasy game (Final Fantasy 17).

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It has been around four years since Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced. It seems we are no closer to a release date yet, but I'm expecting that to change in 2026.

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Fans are eager to get more information about Persona 6, or official information on the rumoured Persona 4 remake. However, Atlus has other plans for the time being. A new Persona 5 spin-off is on the way – Persona 5: The Phantom X. 

Persona 5: The Phantom X is set to release for mobile devices and PC, skipping consoles. The game is set in the same universe as Persona 5 but features a new cast of characters.

As far as gameplay goes, it is pretty faithful to the traditional Persona experience with a mix of social scenes and exploring dungeons. Battles are turn-based, just as they are in the mainline Persona games.

Later this year, Atlus is rumoured to be announcing a remake of Persona 4, following a similar formula to Persona 3: Reload. Persona 6 is also said to be in the works, but it isn't expected to release this year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: As this is a mobile game, a lot of the enjoyment will hinge on the game's reliance on microtransactions. 

The post Atlus announces Persona 5: The Phantom X for PC and mobile first appeared on KitGuru.

Just ahead of what's expected to be a busy Computex for mid-range GPU announcements from competitors, Intel's official Arc social media accounts have been dropping hints about a more powerful graphics card. In response to fans asking for a beefier GPU following an Arc Pro announcement, Intel's X account replied with phrases like “stay tuned,” “we're just getting started,” and “more to come” over the last week. This is widely interpreted as hinting at the long-rumored Arc ‘Battlemage' B770.

The timing for these teasers (via VideoCardz) appears deliberate, as Nvidia prepares to debut the RTX 5060 and AMD is set to introduce the RX 9060 XT next week. This suggests that Intel may be planning its own mid-range rival.

Based on previous reports, the Arc B770 is rumoured to feature between 24 and 32 Xe2 CUs, paired with a 256-bit memory bus and up to 16GB of GDDR6 memory. These specs would position the B770 as a direct competitor to Nvidia's RTX 5060 and AMD's RX 9060 XT in the mid-range gaming segment.

While it's not confirmed whether Intel plans to announce the Arc B770 at Computex next week or hold a separate solo livestream event later, the social media interactions have sparked interest among enthusiasts.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think we'll see Intel's Arc B770 at Computex? What are your expectations for this GPU in terms of performance and pricing?

The post Intel may announce Arc B770 graphics card soon first appeared on KitGuru.

The classic Stalker games are making a return to the spotlight. GSC Game World launched the long-awaited sequel, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl last year. Now for 2025, the studio is releasing ‘Enhanced Edition' versions of the original trilogy of games. 

Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition is a package that includes Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl, Stalker: Clear Sky and Stalker: Call of Prypiat. The re-release will include visual upgrades like enhanced lighting and shadows, updated textures, improved models for NPCs, weapons and environments, as well as smaller tweaks like increased field of view.

The Enhanced Editions will be made available on modern consoles for the very first time too. This trilogy of games originally released between 2006 and 2009 and were PC exclusive. Classic versions of the game came to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PS4 last year.

Now, anyone who owns the classic edition games will get the Enhanced Edition upgrade for free across PC and consoles. Xbox Series X/S and PS5 owners will also benefit from new performance options, such as 4K/30FPS or 4K/60FPS with upscaling.

Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition will be available starting on the 20th of May.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If you've never played the original games, then now is a great time to clear some time and give them a download. 

The post GSC Game World announces Stalker Enhanced Edition trilogy first appeared on KitGuru.

Ubisoft's latest earnings call has revealed changes in its release roadmap, with the publisher revealing several major projects have been postponed. These delays are intended to give the titles more development time to improve quality, following lessons learned from Assassin's Creed Shadows' delay. 

CEO Yves Guillemot (via Eurogamer) stated these impacted titles come from five of Ubisoft's top brands: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, The Division, and Ghost Recon. Despite these postponements, Ubisoft did list the games still slated for release within the current fiscal year. This pipeline includes Anno 117: Pax Romana, the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, Rainbow Six Mobile, The Division spin-off Resurgence, and other titles yet to be unveiled. Additionally, planned content includes Assassin's Creed Shadows' first major expansion later this year and the ‘X' upgrade for Rainbow Six Siege in June.

For the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2025, Ubisoft reported revenue of €1.85 billion, slightly below their objective, attributed to “lower-than-expected partnerships due to timing impacts”. Assassin's Creed Shadows was their biggest release, but a new sales/players number wasn't provided (the latest known figure was 3 million players in its first week). Its financial performance was said to “reaffirm the strength and resilience” of the brand, with Shadows achieving the series' second-highest first-day sales revenue (after Valhalla) and reaching 160 million total playable hours across all users. Ubisoft also noted annual unique player counts for their top brands, with Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six seeing around 30 million each for the fourth consecutive year, while Far Cry had around 20 million players.

In efforts to reduce expenses, Ubisoft stated it successfully cut fixed costs by €200 million, with plans to cut a further €100 million over the next two years. Their headcount is now 17,782 individuals, a reduction of around 3000 since September 2022 via layoffs and reduced recruiting.

More details are expected later this year regarding Ubisoft's plan to build a new subsidiary with Tencent that will encompass their three largest franchises: Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry. This new division will focus on improving narrative-driven solo experiences, expanding live service offerings with a better multiplayer component and more frequent content updates, and targeting underpenetrated markets like mobile and China.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in any games Ubisoft has confirmed for this fiscal year?

The post Ubisoft is pushing some big launches to 2026 and 2027 first appeared on KitGuru.

Since launch, Sony has raised the price of PS5 consoles in most regions across the world. The most recent price hike hit the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand just weeks ago. Now, due to US trade tariffs, Sony is considering another price hike. 

Presumably the next price increase, if it does occur, will indeed impact US consumers. Previous price rises have seen the PS5 become £40 more expensive, which would be around $50 USD.

Sony confirmed it is considering price changes in its latest earnings call (via Eurogamer). Currently the company has three months' worth of stock in the US, but after that, it may have to pass the costs of trade tariffs onto the consumer through an adjusted price for the PS5, PS5 Digital and PS5 Pro. Other accessories, like the DualSense controller, may also be affected.

In response to a question about potentially bringing PS5 manufacturing to the US, Sony CEO, Hiroki Totoki said “it needs to be considered going forward”.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: PS5 prices have gone up across the world, and despite the PS6 being just a couple of years away, we may see the PS5 price rise even further. 

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It is Thursday, which means it is time for another GeForce Now update. Each week, Nvidia announces new titles joining the cloud gaming library. This week sees five more games added, including day-one support for DOOM: The Dark Ages.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the latest game in the modern reboot series. It is a prequel to the events of DOOM (2016), taking players into a medieval-inspired realm to slay demons both new and old.

Here is the full list of titles joining the library today:

• The Precinct (New release on Steam, May 13)
• Blacksmith Master (New release on Steam, May 15)
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (New release on Steam, May 15)
• DOOM: The Dark Ages (New release on Steam, Battle.net and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, May 15)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)

There will be many more games joining GeForce Now in the coming weeks.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this week's GeForce Now lineup? 

The post GeForce Now adds DOOM: The Dark Ages and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus has expanded its ROG Strix gaming monitor line-up with two new OLED models, the XG32UCWMG and XG32UCWG. While QD-OLED monitors have dominated the market over the last couple of years, these ones are the first in the world to offer 4K WOLED panels with TrueBlack Glossy film.

This anti-reflective panel coating, designed specifically for ROG, aims to drastically reduce ambient reflections by 38% compared to previous glossy WOLED panels. This helps preserve true blacks even under bright lights and potentially reduces eye fatigue. Asus's Clear Pixel Edge technology is also included to help eliminate colour fringing on text and fine lines.

Another interesting feature of these monitors is the one-tap Dual mode. This allows gamers to quickly switch between the native 4K (UHD) resolution and a lower FHD (1080p) resolution, unlocking refresh rates of up to 480 Hz for the XG32UCWMG and 330 Hz for the XG32UCWG in FHD mode. Thanks to it, it eliminates the need to choose between visual quality and competitive speed. Built on 4K WOLED panels, these displays offer OLED's signature near-instantaneous response time (up to 1 ms GtG) and excellent motion clarity, supported by technologies like Extreme Low Motion Blur and OLED Anti-Flicker 2.0. The monitors also include DisplayHDR 400 certification and wide colour coverage, hitting around 125% of sRGB and 96% of DCI-P3.

Beyond performance, Asus has packed in advanced features for panel longevity and user convenience. An updated OLED Care Pro suite includes pixel refreshes, picture shifting, and logo brightness limiting to mitigate burn-in risk. Then there's the Neo Proximity sensor, which detects user presence, automatically muting the screen when you step away to preserve the panel and instantly waking it upon your return (with adjustable distance). For added peace of mind, a three-year burn-in guarantee is included with each display.

The monitors feature a new ultra-compact stand, designed for space-saving with a 60% lower footprint than previous ROG 32-inch OLED stands. Despite being more compact, it offers the same full ergonomic adjustments, including tilt, swivel, and height adjustment. Built-in Auto KVM allows seamless switching between two connected PCs using a single keyboard and mouse, and the DisplayWidget Centre program further simplifies settings, KVM control, and firmware updates from the desktop. Both monitors provide multiple ports, including two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, one USB-C with 15-watt power delivery, a USB hub, and a headphone jack.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Which of the two Asus ROG XG32U monitors do you prefer?

The post Asus unveils ROG Strix OLED monitors with TrueBlack Glossy coating first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, someone claimed to have breached Valve's Steam servers, coming away with account information for over 89 million users. Something seemed a bit fishy about the claim at the time, but now, Valve has confirmed that no data breach has taken place.

In a statement shared today on Steam, Valve said that after examining the claimed leak, it has determined that it is in fact an SMS cache, containing no information on Steam accounts.

“The leak consisted of older text messages that included one-time codes that were only valid for 15-minute time frames and the phone numbers they were sent to. The leaked data did not associate the phone numbers with a Steam account, password information, payment information or other personal data”, Valve wrote.

Valve continues to explain that old text messages can't be used to gain access to a Steam account, and that there are extra protections in place when an account attempts to change email or password using SMS:

“Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account, and whenever a code is used to change your Steam email or password using SMS, you will receive a confirmation via email and/or Steam secure messages.”

As SMS is an unencrypted messaging system, most sites and services recommend using an authenticator app instead. The Steam mobile app can be set up as an authenticator pretty easily, so you should be using that instead of SMS authentication if you are serious about keeping your account safe.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: There was no Steam hack but more people should start using the Steam authenticator rather than SMS. If you haven't changed over, now would be a good time to do so.

The post Valve confirms Steam has not suffered a data breach first appeared on KitGuru.

While not quite the PSP3 that some may have hoped for, Sony’s PlayStation Portal Remote Play peripheral has been a surprise hit since its launch back in November of 2023. In the year and a half following, the handheld has received a strong level of support from Sony, bringing additional functionality. This seems to be paying off, with the PS Portal said to be a “strong and profitable peripheral.”

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Sony’s President and CEO Hiroki Totoki spoke on the ongoing success of the PlayStation Portal, calling it (as transcribed by Genki_JPN) a “strong and profitable peripheral” which they will continue to focus on moving forward.

For context, while we’ve not gotten any official sales numbers for the Portal, the handheld had originally sold out of its initial stock in just two days following its arrival in November of 2023.

Since then, the device has continued to improve, adding new functionality such as cloud streaming alongside other smaller quality-of-life improvements.

Back in February of last year Sony reaffirmed the ongoing success of the Portal, stating at the time “although we don’t have any numbers to share, the demand has continued to exceed our expectations.”

Based on recent rumours which claim that Sony could be working on a proper dedicated gaming handheld, it seems their experiment with the PlayStation Portal has been and continues to be a massive success. It will be interesting to see how Sony approaches future PS Portal updates.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Did the PS Portal exceed your expectations? Has this given PlayStation the confidence to make another PSP? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Sony’s PlayStation Portal continues to be a “strong and profitable peripheral” first appeared on KitGuru.

Switching up their typical development cycle, NetherRealm Studios followed up 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11 not with a 3rd InJustice game, but instead another entry in the Mortal Kombat series: MK1. Reception towards the game was mild, with its post-launch support receiving particular criticism. Unfortunately (or fortunately), after less than two years, Mortal Kombat 1 is officially over – announcing the game's Definitive Edition.

Making the announcement via a press release, the teams at NetherRealm and Warner Bros. officially unveiled the Mortal Kombat 1 Definitive Edition – featuring all of the previously-released content alongside a couple new extras, namely:

“New character skins (outfits) for Johnny Cage, Kitana, Scorpion, and Shao Kahn inspired by New Line Cinema’s upcoming Mortal Kombat II film” alongside “the Mortal Kombat (2021) movie character skin (outfit) for Sub-Zero; and the tournament themed character skin (outfit) for Liu Kang.”

While not outwardly stated as being the end of MK1’s post-launch support, no further DLC has been announced, and considering the fact that this is labelled as the ‘Definitive Edition’ it’s safe to say that NetherRealm are done with Mortal Kombat 1.

This also lines up with previous leaks/rumours which claimed that WB cancelled their plans for future DLC content back in November of last year.

All in all, with sales for MK1 tracking behind that of MK11, and their proclaimed “years of support” ending after less than two years, it seems quite clear that following up Mortal Kombat with another MK title might not have paid off.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of MK1? Was it a step back compared to 11? Where do you want NetherRealm to go from here? Let us know down below.

The post WB announced Mortal Kombat 1 Definitive Edition as post-launch support ends first appeared on KitGuru.

KitGuru has recently reviewed the Montech HS01 Pro case with mesh front panel and now we are looking at the HS02 Pro with curved glass. This case is all about the visuals and it maximises the punch of those five ARGB fans in the floor and rear of the case that provide a fabulous light show.

Main features

• HS02 Artistic Showcase
  Features an 8° Curved Glass front panel for a seamless, distortion-free view, turning your build into a visual masterpiece.
• Build Your Way
  Reversible case orientation + rotatable PCIe slots let you display components horizontally or vertically—no extra mounts needed.
  Enhanced Cooling
  A vertical airflow design (bottom intake, top exhaust) maximizes heat dissipation for high-performance setups.
• Sleek & Thoughtful Design
  Hidden-connector motherboards, concealed cable management, and an integrated structure keep your build clean and elegant.

Specification:

• Motherboard support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
• Power supply support: ATX, SFX-L, SFX.
• Expansion slots: 5.
• Included fans: 3x GF Pro 120 ARGB PWM bottom intake, 2x GF Pro 120 ARGB PWM rear exhaust.
• Fan mounts: 3x 120mm roof, 2x 120mm rear, 3x 120mm floor.
• Radiator mounts: 360mm roof, 120mm rear, 240mm floor.
• 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
• Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch or 4x 2.5-inch.
• Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.0 type-A, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C 20Gbps, audio.
• Dimensions: 368mm H x 480mm D x 235mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, a Radeon RX 6950XT graphics card and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Montech HS02 Pro’s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
• CPU Cooler: Montech Hyperflow ARGB 360
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Pro Ice
• Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6950XT Nitro+ Pure 16GB
• Power supply: Montech Titan PLA 1000W
• SSD: Crucial T700 M.2 NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

The cooling performance of the Montech HS02 Pro is perfectly decent, and better than we might expect for a case that has glass at the front and side. The main air intake is from the bottom and we have plenty of exhaust capability in the rear and the roof.

Closing Thoughts

We began this review of the Montech HS02 Pro with relatively low expectations, as we figured the front glass would choke air flow, and we ended it with warm feelings.

The case looks good, the glass panels pop off and on with ease and the HS02 Pro looks good and also feels decent and solid. The downside with the HS02 Pro is that it includes a number of neat ideas that allow you to invert the case or stand the GPU upright, however as we showed in our HS01 Pro review HERE those features can get a bit fiddly.

The airflow path from the bottom of the case works much the same as a case with side intake, however the result is that the front of the case has a smooth and unbroken appearance. While the inclusion of five 120mm ARGB fans boosts the value for money argument in favour of the HS02 Pro it still ends up being relatively expensive. Indeed Montech themselves offer plenty of models around the £60 mark.

You can buy the Montech HS02 Pro for £109.99 HERE.

Pros:

• Stylish good looks with curved glass front panel.
• 5x 120mm ARGB fans are part of the Pro package.
• A 6-way PWM and ARGB hub is included.
• Supports BTF motherboards with hidden cables.

Cons:

• Motherboard, PSU and graphics installation can be a fiddly process.
• If you go for a vertical GPU, the PCIe bracket can get awkward.
• Limited to an ATX motherboard with no support for E-ATX.

KitGuru says: Keep your build simple and the HS02 Pro could be a winner.

The post Montech HS02 Pro Case Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2020, Ubisoft officially announced and unveiled their remake of the classic Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Initially planned to launch in early 2021, the game was delayed multiple times and even rebooted – changing development studios along the way. Many years later, it seems the game is nearing completion, with it set to arrive this fiscal year.

As part of Ubisoft’s latest fiscal earnings report, the publisher offered an update on the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, stating:

“The FY2025-26 [April 2025 – March 2026] guidance will benefit from strong back-catalog that will notably rely on Assassin's Creed Shadows and the release of Siege X which is expected to strongly grow franchise net bookings, regular partnerships as well as the following line-up: Anno 117: Pax Romana, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, Rainbow Six Mobile and The Division Resurgence. Other titles will be announced at a later stage.”

While of course focused on more than just The Sands of Time, this represents a rather significant update for the game, with the previous report from almost a year ago penning the title for a vague 2026 release.

While this could still happen, it is encouraging to know that The Sands of Time Remake could arrive as early as this year. It will be interesting to see what the game looks like when it is finally re-revealed – and whether fan complaints will have been addressed.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this release window? Does this give you more confidence in the project? What did you think of the original remake? Let us know down below.

The post Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake confirmed for FY2025 release first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent years we have seen a rather significant rise in the number of Early Access indie games which have gone viral, with 2025 being no different. Though no official sales figures have been shared, one of this year’s biggest surprise hits – Schedule 1 – is estimated to be closing in on 10 million total copies sold, with R.E.P.O. doing even better.

Sharing their list of the top 10 best-selling Steam games in April 2025, Alinea Analytics’ data reveals two titles which currently stand above the rest.

Despite not launching in April, both Schedule 1 and R.E.P.O. dominated last month’s charts, with the former stated to have sold 4.7 million copies in April, bringing its total sales since its Early Access launch in late March to 7.7 million.

R.E.P.O. on the other hand sold-through 3.7 million units during the month of April, bringing its total estimated sales to 13 million since its Early Access arrival in late February.

Of course, while both games benefited from a great deal of online attention, the fact that two of the best-selling titles of the year on Steam are not only indie games, but Early Access ones to boot, is worthy of note.

It will be interesting to see whether both titles can maintain their current momentum. We will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you played either of these games? What do you think? Why do certain titles see such rapid and viral success? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Early Access indie games dominate Steam sales charts first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve is taking steps to expand its Steam Deck Verified program as its SteamOS platform begins appearing on hardware from other manufacturers. They've launched a new SteamOS compatibility system, specifically designed for “any device running SteamOS that is not a Steam Deck”. This move comes just as SteamOS-powered devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S are set to debut this month, marking Valve's readiness for its OS to move beyond its own hardware.

The SteamOS Compatibility rating system is designed to quickly inform users whether a game is supported (or not) by SteamOS on their non-Deck device. Valve says this includes checking features like core game functionality, launcher integration, and anti-cheat support. Games that pass these standards will be marked as SteamOS Compatible, while those that do not will be labelled as SteamOS Unsupported. Importantly, this rating does not assess performance, acknowledging that how well a game runs will vary significantly between devices running SteamOS.

Similar to the green checkmark for Steam Deck Verified, a new blue checkmark will display a successful SteamOS Compatibility rating. Valve initially intends to apply this rating to over 18,000 Steam games. Users already running the SteamOS beta on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S or Asus ROG Ally should see the updated compatibility ratings in the coming weeks.

For developers, the process for generating SteamOS Compatibility ratings is automated, with Valve using current Steam Deck ratings as the basis. Valve stated in their FAQ that “SteamOS Compatibility results will all be the same or higher than Steam Deck Verified results,” implying that if a game works on a Steam Deck, it should also work on other devices running SteamOS.

KitGuru says: Even if it doesn't ensure the game will run fine on a system, one should note that most upcoming SteamOS handhelds are at least as good as the Steam Deck. So, if it runs well on the Deck, it should run equally or better on other handhelds with SteamOS.

The post Valve introduces new game rating system for non-Steam Deck devices first appeared on KitGuru.

Zotac is preparing for the official debut of its second-generation gaming handheld, the Zone 2, set to be unveiled later this month at Computex 2025 in Taipei. Ahead of the show, Zotac revealed an important detail about the upcoming handheld: Zone 2 will run an ‘all-new Manjaro Linux-based OS' designed explicitly for gaming handhelds.

Development on the Zone 2 has been ongoing since Zotac first promised the device in December, followed by a prototype reveal at CES in January. Zotac's first Zone model was somewhat late to the market compared to competitors like the ROG Ally, and four months after the CES prototype reveal, it appears development is still underway for the Zone 2. There is no information regarding when the handheld will be ready for release, but some details are starting to emerge.

Based on Zotac's special Computex 2025 page, the Zone 2 is expected to feature AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU paired with an OLED display, maintaining a similar screen to the previous version. Moreover, the company's press release also mentioned it would feature a Manjaro Linux-based OS specifically designed for handheld PCs, so there will be no SteamOS for the Zone 2, at least for now.

With Computex 2025 scheduled for next week, from May 20th to 23rd, we can expect Zotac to release more details on their switch from Windows to Linux for the OS, what features this ‘all-new Manjaro Linux-based OS' will offer, and hopefully, provide information on the release date.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think Zotac should have just gone with SteamOS for the Zone 2, or is it better to try something else to differentiate itself from the competition?

The post Zotac unveils Zone 2 gaming handheld running Manjaro Linux first appeared on KitGuru.

The next round of titles for PlayStation Plus Extra have been announced. Sony's PS5 alternative to Game Pass will add a fresh set of games on the 20th of May, including one of last year's biggest anime games. 

Sand Land, the video game based on Akira Toriyama's one-shot manga, will be available to all PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers this month. Atlus RPG, Soul Hackers 2, is also joining the list, along with Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, rounding out the Ani-May update.

Here is the full list of games joining the PlayStation Plus library on May 20th:

• Sand Land (PS4, PS5)
• Soul Hackers 2 (PS5)
• Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted (PS4, PS5)
• Battlefield V (PS4)
• STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy (PS4, PS5)
• Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising (PS4, PS5)
• Humankind (PS4, PS5)
• Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (PS5)
• Gloomhaven (PS4, PS5)

PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will get an additional ‘classic' game for their expanded library – Battle Engine Aquila.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on installing any of this month's new PlayStation Plus titles? 

The post PlayStation Plus adds Sand Land, Battlefield, Stalker and more first appeared on KitGuru.

When Nintendo announced the Switch 2, it did not confirm the technical specifications for the chip powering the console. Now a few weeks ahead of launch, the specifications for the Switch 2's Nvidia SoC have been revealed.

Digital Foundry has confirmed the technical specifications for the Switch 2's SoC. While the Switch 1 utilised a Tegra X1 chip based on its Maxwell GPU architecture, the Switch 2 will use an Nvidia T239 chip with graphics based on the much newer Ampere architecture. There is also confirmation on how much of the system's resources are reserved for operating things like the OS and background processes, versus how much of the hardware is accessible for games.

Here are the specs for the Switch 2 processor, up against the original Switch 1 chip:

Processor	Switch 2 (Nvidia T239)	Switch (Nvidia Tegra X1)
CPU Cores	8x ARM Cortex A78C (2x cores reserved for OS)	4x ARM Cortex A57 (1x core reserved for OS)
CPU clock speeds	1101MHz (docked) 998MHz (mobile)	1020MHz (docked & mobile)
GPU Architecture	Ampere	Maxwell
CUDA Cores	1536	256
GPU clock speeds	1008MHz (docked) 561MHz (mobile)	768MHz (docked) 460MHz (mobile)
RAM	12GB LPDDR5 (3GB reserved for OS)	4GB LPDDR4 (0.8GB reserved for OS)
Memory Interface Bandwidth	102GB/s (docked) 68GB/s (mobile)	25GB/s (docked) 21GB/s (mobile)

The GPU in the Switch 2 is ray-tracing capable, measuring in at 10 gigarays per second while mobile and 20 gigarays per second while docked. However, so far, no game for the Switch 2 makes use of ray-traced graphics, so don't go into this expecting the same level of graphical fidelity we find on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S consoles.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on the 5th of June. Current-gen titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake have been confirmed for the console, and many Switch 1 titles are receiving graphical updates for the new Switch 2 hardware.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is going to be a very interesting Summer with the Switch 2 dropping. We'll no doubt see an increase in third-party AAA support in the second half of the year too. 

The post The full specs for Switch 2’s Nvidia processor revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has officially launched a new series of CPUs to bring the Zen 5 architecture to entry-level servers and commercial systems. These are the Zen 5-based EPYC 4005-series processors, leveraging the familiar AM5 socket form factor to bring the latest AMD CPU architecture to small businesses, edge deployments, and hosting providers.

The EPYC 4005 series offers up to 16 cores and 32 threads, a core count specifically chosen to align with the baseline Windows Server 2025 licensing limits. These CPUs are built similarly to AMD's Ryzen 9000 processors, featuring Zen 5 CCDs with the same 8MB of L2 cache (1MB per core), 32MB of unified L3 cache, and an I/O die. The flagship EPYC 4585PX variant includes 64MB of 3D V-Cache for enhanced performance in specific workloads. All models include a dual-channel DDR5 memory controller supporting up to 192GB of DDR5-5600 memory with ECC. Thermal design power ranges from 65W up to 170W.

The new EPYC ‘Grado' platform features some security features worth mentioning: a dedicated security processor, secure boot, TPM 2.0, and memory encryption capabilities. Connectivity is robust, featuring 28 PCIe 5.0 lanes, modern display outputs like DisplayPort 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, and flexible USB options including up to 20G Type-C and optional USB4. Below, you can find a table with all the EPYC 4005 CPUs listed:

Name	# of CPU Cores	# of Threads	Max. Boost Clock	Base Clock	L3 Cache	Default TDP
AMD EPYC 4585PX	16	32	Up to 5.7 GHz	4.3 GHz	128 MB	170W
AMD EPYC 4565P	16	32	Up to 5.7 GHz	4.3 GHz	64 MB	170W
AMD EPYC 4545P	16	32	Up to 5.4 GHz	3 GHz	64 MB	65W
AMD EPYC 4465P	12	24	Up to 5.4 GHz	3.4 GHz	64 MB	65W
AMD EPYC 4345P	8	16	Up to 5.5 GHz	3.8 GHz	32 MB	65W
AMD EPYC 4245P	6	12	Up to 5.4 GHz	3.9 GHz	32 MB	65W

AMD compares the EPYC 4005 series against Intel's Xeon E-2400 and Xeon 6300P CPUs, highlighting their core count advantage (up to 16 cores vs. Intel's up to 8). According to AMD's benchmarks, this leads to noticeably better performance, citing the 16-core EPYC 4565P as being 1.83x faster than Intel's eight-core Xeon 6369P in specific tests. Despite the performance difference, the EPYC 4565P is also positioned as being slightly less expensive compared to the Intel CPU, alongside other advantages like DDR5-5600 support and a larger L3 cache.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: It would be interesting to see how the new EPYC 4005 processors compare to the Ryzen 9000 series in everyday tasks..

The post AMD releases EPYC 4005 series enterprise CPUs with up to 16 Zen 5 cores first appeared on KitGuru.

Square Enix has revealed its latest financial results, seeing an overall year-on-year sales dip. However, Square Enix CEO, Takashi Kiryu, was quick to remind everyone that the company is in the middle of a ‘reboot' as it pivots towards multiplatform development. 

In recent years, Square Enix has primarily developed massive exclusives for PS5. However, after Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth both failed to meet sales expectations, Square Enix kicked off a new effort to transform its studios for multiplatform development. That effort began last year, and Square Enix has not released a tentpole title since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

In the earnings report (via Eurogamer) Square Enix confirmed that its digital entertainment (video games) revenue dropped by 18 percent compared to the previous year. However, operating income saw an increase.

Looking ahead at the rest of the year, Square Enix has Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Bravely Default as major titles for the Switch 2 launch this summer, followed by Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD-2D Remake later in the year for PC, PlayStation and Switch.

Due to the end of service for many mobile games in Square Enix's arsenal, mobile game revenue dipped this year too. However, the upcoming release of Final Fantasy 14 Mobile should bring a big boost.

Future tentpole releases, like the anticipated third part to the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, Dragon Quest 12 and Kingdom Hearts 4, should be multiplatform at release, which should in turn improve overall sales.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Square Enix will turn things around. These dips are to be expected in a year lacking a new game from one of the publisher's most well-known IP. 

The post Square Enix reports sales drop amid ‘reboot’ towards multiplatform development first appeared on KitGuru.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly risen to be one of the most critically acclaimed games of the year. The game is already available on PC, PS5 and Xbox, but a Switch 2 version could be next in line. 

Speaking in an interview (via Eurogamer), Expedition 33 director, Guillaume Broche, teased a Switch 2 version of the game, saying that the massive success of the game has opened up new doors, adding that a Switch 2 version of the game “could be interesting”.

While the Switch 2 is a significant power upgrade from the Switch 1, as the console has yet to release, we've yet to see how well the hardware handles many current-gen third-party games, particularly those built on Unreal Engine 5.

Pre-release hands-on demos of Cyberpunk 2077 running on the console did look good, but we won't know how easy it will be for current-gen projects to include the Switch 2 in development plans until the console has spent some time on the market and we have a broader sample size.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on getting a Switch 2? Do you think we'll see more current-gen UE5 titles coming to the console? 

The post Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 teased for Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, Square Enix announced a new Kingdom Hearts project – Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link. The game was set offer Pokémon Go style mechanics, where players are encouraged to explore their surroundings and play on the move. Now, the game appears to have been cancelled. 

Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link was initially announced as part of the series' 20th anniversary. In an announcement released today, Square Enix confirmed that it has “made the decision to cancel” development on the game.

“Although we worked hard on developing and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time”, the statement reads.

While Missing Link is cancelled, the statement does end with a reminder that “the Kingdom Hearts series will continue” and that Kingdom Hearts 4 is still in development.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Missing Link isn't the first Pokémon Go clone to fail. Microsoft attempted something similar with Minecraft to no avail, and similar titles in the Monster Hunter and Witcher franchises have also struggled. 

The post Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link cancelled but Kingdom Hearts 4 still in development first appeared on KitGuru.

EA Motive has been slowly working away on its next major game, based on Marvel's Iron Man. Recent job listings have given us a little insight into the plan for the game. 

EA's recruitment site has been updated with new job listings for the Iron Man project. As spotted by Insider Gaming, EA Motive is hiring for a Level Designer, who will oversee the creation of “major singleplayer levels”, indicating that the plan is to structure the game around levels and not a massive open world.

These levels could be expansive open zones like in Obsidian's Avowed, or they could be more traditional levels, with no open-world element at all, nobody really knows outside of EA at this time.

EA's Iron Man game is being built with Unreal Engine 5. So far, the game has not been shown off publicly and no release date has been announced.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: An Iron Man game should be incredibly fun but we've yet to see anything. Hopefully some reveals are in the works. 

The post EA’s Iron Man game might be level-based, not open world first appeared on KitGuru.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an asymmetrical multiplayer title based on the classic horror franchise which sees players “take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims” – not too dissimilar to the likes of Dead By Daylight or the Friday The 13th video game. Published by the same team behind the aforementioned Friday The 13th, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has unfortunately shared a similar fate – with its post-launch updates ending suddenly and with little fanfare.

Making the surprise announcement on their blog, the publishers at Gun Interactive wrote: “we’re at a point where we feel The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has reached its full potential,” adding that the game “will not be receiving any further future content or support. This means that there will be no more DLC, balance updates, or bug fixes, after our upcoming May patch.”

While the team confirmed that players “can still expect a few more patches in the future in order to transition towards peer-to-peer matchmaking” alongside the fact that the game will not be delisted, this marks what they have deemed “the natural creative end” to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

While perhaps an earlier end-of-life than many had hoped – especially given that the game surpassed 4 million players in its first month thanks in part to a day-one Game Pass launch – at the very least it seems as though The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has ended in a spot deemed by the team themselves, as opposed to Friday The 13th’s sudden shutdown.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Were you one of the 4+ million players? Will you keep playing even after post-launch support ends? Why do you think they made this decision? Let us know down below.

The post The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is getting one final update first appeared on KitGuru.

It's been a while since we last reviewed a screen from Philips Evnia, but that changes today as we analyse the 27M2N8500. Offering the same 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED panel that we've seen from the likes of the MSI 271QRX and Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3, the 27M2N8500 isn't doing anything groundbreaking with its technology. That said, with an RRP drop to just £500 as of May 1st, it's sure to raise an eyebrow or two, so let's dive in and see if this display is worth the cash…

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:49 Meet the Evnia 27M2N8500
01:23 Design first impressions
03:32 The usual QD-OLED caveats
04:46 Panel analysis – default settings
07:21 sRGB mode and calibrated results
08:12 Response times + motion clarity
09:06 The gaming experience
09:53 HDR performance
11:50 Best HDR mode to use?
12:37 Closing thoughts

There's no doubt the Philips Evnia 27M2N8500's USP is its overall value proposition. Based on a PCPartPicker analysis, this is one of the most affordable OLED screens on the market – yes, there are cheaper screens available, but none offering a 360Hz refresh rate. The next cheapest 360Hz model appears to be the Alienware AW2725DF at £569.

Of course, just by being the cheapest doesn't mean the 27M2N8500 is automatically worth buying. We put it through our extensive test suite today to find out just how good it really is.

Specification:

• Panel Size: 26.5 inch/67.3 cm
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Monitor Panel Type: QD OLED
• Pixel pitch: 0.2292 x 0.2292 mm
• Brightness: SDR: 250 (APL 100%) nit, HDR: 450 (APL 10%) nit, HDR E/P: 1000 (APL 3%) nit
• Display colours: Colour support 1.07 billion colours (10-bit)
• Colour gamut (typical): DCI-P3:98.5%, sRGB: 147.5%, NTSC 120%, Adobe RGB 118%*
• Contrast ratio (typical): 1,500,000:1
• SmartContrast: Mega Infinity DCR
• Response time (typical): 0.03 ms (Grey to Grey)*
• Viewing angle: 178º (H)/178º (V) @ C/R > 10000
• Picture enhancement: SmartImage game
• Maximum resolution: HDMI/DP: 2560 x 1440 @ 360 Hz
• Effective viewing area: 590.42 (H) x 333.72 (V) mm
• Scanning Frequency: 30–510 kHz (H)/48–360 Hz (V)
• sRGB: Yes
• Delta E: <2 (sRGB)
• Flicker-free: Yes
• Pixel Density: 110.84 PPI
• LowBlue Mode: Yes
• Display Screen Coating: Anti-reflection, 2H
• Low Input Lag: Yes
• EasyRead: Yes
• AMD FreeSync technology: Premium Pro
• G-SYNC: Yes
• HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified
• Ambiglow: 3 sided
• Pixel format: RGB Q-Stripe*
• Clear MR Tier: 13,000
• Signal Input: HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, USB-B x 1
• Sync Input: Separate Sync
• Audio (In/Out): Headphone out
• HDCP: HDCP 1.4 (HDMI/DisplayPort), HDCP 2.2 (HDMI/DisplayPort), HDCP 2.3 (HDMI/DisplayPort)
• USB Hub: USB-B upstream x 1, USB-A downstream x 2 (downstream with x 1 fast charge B.C 1.2), USB 3.2 Gen 1/5 Gbps
• Height adjustment: 130 mm
• Swivel: -/+ 20 degree
• Tilt: -5/20 degree

Firmware tested: V1.05

The post Philips Evnia 27M2N8500 Review (1440p/360Hz QD-OLED) first appeared on KitGuru.

Last month, Frogwares announced a surprise remaster for their H.P. Lovecraft-inspired action-adventure title The Sinking City. Set to be a free update for current owners of this 2019 title, the team have now detailed all of the many enhancements arriving with this Remastered release – available now.

Back in early April, the team at Frogwares officially announced The Sinking City Remastered for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series devices. While no launch date was provided at the time, they did offer initial details on what this new release will bring with it, namely:

• Enhanced locations with additional levels of detail and objects
• 4K textures and improved reflections
• Addition of a Photo Mode
• Support for DLSS, FSR and TSR upscaling

With the remaster officially out and available right now, we’ve gotten a bunch more information on what exactly has changed. Beyond what has been mentioned above, the remaster also offers:

• Full visual overhaul with new lighting and effects
• Improved materials
• HDR support
• Lumen global illumination and ray tracing
• Improved controls; combat; balance; crowds and more

As mentioned, The Sinking City Remastered is a free upgrade for all those who already own the original game. That said due to legal issues with the title’s original publisher back in 2019, only those with the 2021 re-release (published by Frogwares themselves) are eligible for the free upgrade.

All those who do not own the game meanwhile can purchase The Sinking City Remastered for £37 (or just £18.50 for the next week).

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the remaster’s changes? Do you own the original game? Should more remasters introduce fundamental changes like combat and NPCs? Let us know down below.

The post The Sinking City Remastered is available now as a free upgrade first appeared on KitGuru.

Since its release last year, Arrowhead Game Studios have kept Helldivers 2 fresh and active thanks to continued support through the addition of new weapons, stratagems, enemies and more. In what is one of its biggest updates yet, Helldivers 2 is getting a ton of game-changing additions, including a new loadout system with added forms of progression and much more.

Making the announcement on the PlayStation Blog, Katherine Baskin of Arrowhead Game Studios wrote: “Helldivers, get to your Super Destroyers! In a surprise turn of events that even our top researchers couldn’t predict, the Illuminate have finally revealed their intentions, emerging from the Meridian singularity, and setting a course for Super Earth.”

This new update – dubbed the Galactic Emergency – represents one of Helldivers 2’s biggest content drops yet, adding a ton of stuff including but not limited to:

• Multiple new Illuminate enemies
  • Stingray
  • Crescent Overseer
  • Fleshmob
• Loadout customisation
  • Weapon leveling
  • Unlockable attachments
  • Weapon camos/patterns
• Expansion of old Warbonds
• SuperStore overhaul with no more item rotations

The addition of a weapon levelling and loadout system alone expands the potential of Helldivers 2 tenfold, offering a much greater sense of progression, personalisation and fun. Hopefully the team at Arrowhead continues to introduce further such substantial changes/additions.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest update? Is there enough to draw you back to the game? How big of a deal is the new loadout system? Let us know down below.

The post Helldivers 2 update brings new loadout system, enemies and much more first appeared on KitGuru.

Since its launch back in late 2016 / early 2017, ATLUS have released countless spin-offs for its much-lauded JRPG Persona 5. The latest title to have been released was Persona 5: The Phantom X for mobile and PC. Currently limited to very select regions, it seems the game is finally headed for a global release.

Taking to Twitter, the official ATLUS page teased fans with the following: ”Think you dropped this…Stay tuned!” alongside an image clearly based on Persona 5’s art style and aesthetic.

Though nothing else has been shared at this time, fans have speculated that this teaser could be referring to the long-awaited international release of Persona 5: The Phantom X.

For the uninitiated, this gacha title was confirmed to be releasing globally almost a year ago back in July 2024. What’s more, P5X was also stated to be coming to consoles at some point following its global mobile/PC launch.

Considering the fact that it’s been almost a year since the announcement, hopefully ATLUS has been working on both the international version as well as the console release. We won’t have to wait long to find out.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you been waiting for P5X to come to the west? What’s your general thoughts on gacha games? How many more Persona 5 spin-offs do you think we’ll get? Let us know down below.

The post ATLUS teases upcoming Persona 5 announcement first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve’s SteamOS has been a huge hit for the platform, with the company’s Steam Deck handheld reaping the benefits of this new operating system. With SteamOS officially set to arrive onto other non-valve handhelds, the platform has announced a new expansion to its game compatibility rating.

Taking to its blog to make the announcement, Valve officially unveiled their latest change to SteamOS’ game compatibility system, writing:

“With the Legion Go S – Powered by SteamOS shipping soon, we are expanding Deck Verified and introducing SteamOS Compatibility ratings. These new ratings will roll out over the next few weeks.”

Though somewhat similar to the Steam Deck’s own compatibility ratings, this expansion to the function sits alongside Valve’s official handheld, offering a slightly different metric for analysis.

According to the company, “If a game and all of its middleware are supported on SteamOS, we will mark it as SteamOS Compatible. If not, it’s marked as SteamOS Unsupported.”

It is worth noting that while Valve estimates that around 18,000 titles should be SteamOS verified from the get-go, they cannot guarantee that all verified titles will run smoothly on these devices as “this rating does not include testing results for performance and input, since we will not know (and have not tested) how all titles will run on all potential hardware.”

Full details on this new SteamOS verification system can be found HERE, including an FAQ section.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to more SteamOS handhelds? How do you think the Legion Go S compares to the Steam Deck? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Valve expands game verification to all SteamOS devices first appeared on KitGuru.

Just days before its anticipated reveal at Computex next week, new leaks are shedding more light on AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics card, including clock speeds, video ports, and its PCIe interface.

Hardware leaker @momomo_us has revealed details circulating among retailers, including previously unseen specifications. The new information includes game clocks listed at 2700 MHz and 2780 MHz. This suggests the RX 9060 XT's typical game clock will be faster than the boost clock of the RX 9070. Boost clock speeds have also been leaked, with the highest boost clock documented for the RX 9060 XT sitting at 3320 MHz, notably higher than the RX 9070 XT's 3100 MHz boost.

The leak also suggests the Navi 44 GPU will use a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface. That's particularly useful for those who wish to pair the GPU with PCIe 4.0 systems, as 16x lanes shouldn't hinder performance. The leak also verifies that the card will be powered by a single 8-pin power connector and feature 2x DisplayPorts and an HDMI port, consistent with other RX 9060 XT variants seen thus far.

Unofficially, the Radeon RX 9060 XT is expected to feature 2048 Stream Processors and be available in 16 GB and 8 GB memory options, both running at 20 Gbps across a 128-bit memory bus. AMD has not officially shared any pricing, performance benchmarks, or power specifications, which are expected to be revealed soon, potentially at Computex.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Seeing the rumoured specs for the Radeon RX 9060 XT, do you think it will be better, worse, or about the same as the RTX 5060 Ti in rasterisation?

The post AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT claimed to have higher clock speeds than the RX 9070 first appeared on KitGuru.

Guerrilla Games is pretty well known for being a leaky studio at this point. Through various sources, we've learned about the multiplayer Horizon spin-off early, and now, we are also starting to see leaks around plans for Horizon 3. 

The next major installment in the Horizon series is claimed to be targeting a 2027 launch, according to a new potential leaker on the scene, TCMFGames. The account claims that Horizon 3, which will complete Aloy's trilogy, may also be a cross-generation game, releasing for both PS5 and the PlayStation 6, which is expected to arrive in 2027.

The Horizon series so far has sold 30 million copies, spanning two games – Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. The third game in the trilogy will supposedly focus on Nemesis, a rogue AI heading towards earth, as shown during the events of Forbidden West.

It is also claimed that the long-rumoured Horizon multiplayer spin-off will release before the next major single-player game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It feels a bit too soon to be talking about next-gen consoles, as the pandemic led to so many game delays. Still, it seems as though the industry will be forging ahead, with both Microsoft and Sony apparently targeting 2027 for new hardware launches. 

The post Horizon Forbidden West sequel reportedly targeting 2027 cross-gen launch first appeared on KitGuru.