One of the standout e-ink slates around is finally getting upgraded. The reMarkable’s third-gen tablet is its first with a ‘pro’ moniker, but it’s appropriate. The Paper Pro has a bigger display and, crucially, a color screen. It’s an e-paper slate with a stylus (or keyboard) for reading, writing or editing your own documents.
I’ll never stop being intrigued by e-ink devices, and color is a nice addition. The new Paper Pro has a different look and feel too, less like just another tablet. The edge band is sharper but still comfortable to hold. It’s also the first reMarkable with a frontlight — addressing another bugbear of reMarkable owners over the last few years. The reMarkable Paper Pro is available to order today from the company’s website for $579 with the standard Marker stylus.
With the $400 Hero 13 Black, the company is bolstering its position as the go-to action cam with more versatility and features aimed at high-level users who’ve probably owned a GoPro or two for years. GPS is back, the battery is bigger and there are upgrades to slow-motion capture and more, but the big news might be outside of the camera unit itself. A new family of modular lenses includes ultra-wide, anamorphic (unfortunately not ready for testing) and macro, as well as a ND (neutral density) filter four-pack. However, the camera sensor is largely unchanged.
They want those trophy achievements before the game goes offline.
Sony and Firewalk Studios have stopped selling the PS5 and PC game before taking it offline this Friday, two weeks after its launch. And yet, some folks are still striving to unlock Concord’s Platinum trophy before it goes. The most time-consuming trophy requires players to reach a reputation level of 100. Some Concord players have found a way to speed up matches and farm XP faster: jump to their deaths off the map, over and over again. It seems they’re primarily doing so in Rivalry, a mode in which players only have one life and don’t respawn.
The race to build the most compelling AI PC processors continues, and this time, it’s Intel’s turn to boast the top TOPs and more. Back in June, we learned these Lunar Lake laptop chips would feature a powerful 48 TOPS (tera operations per second) neural processing unit for AI work, and, surprisingly enough, they’d also sport up to 32GB of built-in memory for faster performance and lower power consumption. If you like numbers associated with RAM, NPU, GPU, TOPS and FLOPS, read on.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-remarkables-new-e-ink-tablet-has-a-color-display-111510657.html?src=rss
GoPro’s latest action cam has officially broken cover, after a few leaks spoiled some of the surprises. With the Hero 13 Black, the company is bolstering its position as the go-to action cam with more versatility and features aimed at high-level users who’ve probably owned a GoPro or two for years. GPS is back, the battery is bigger and there are upgrades to slow-motion capture and more, but the big news might be outside of the camera unit itself.
The biggest upgrade may be the new family of modular lenses it’s calling the HB Series. In addition to ultra-wide, anamorphic (unfortunately not ready for testing) and macro, GoPro is introducing an ND (neutral density) filter four-pack, aimed at amping up motion blur.
Photo by Mat Smith/Engadget
If you’re a GoPro fan, you’re probably aware that the company has already dabbled in filters with the Max Lens Mods for the Hero 12, but the company has taken it a lot further here. All the new HB-Series lenses are waterproof and compatible with GoPro’s HyperSmooth video processing. Crucially for non-professionals, the Hero 13 Black will automatically adjust camera settings, including resolution, frame rate and even your Protune settings to match what's attached. This means you may be locked out of certain capture modes, frame rates or resolutions if the lens isn’t compatible. But that’s preferable to recording something special with a lens, only to discover afterward that it looks like a mess or cropped the best parts out.
Depending on how you plan to use your new GoPro, some lenses will offer more utility than others. While I’ve only had the camera for a few days, the Ultra Wide Lens ($100) seems like the most tempting addition. With a new 1:1 aspect ratio, it means you can decide whether your video is vertical or horizontal after capture. The lens expands the field of view to 177 degrees and can still capture 4K at 60fps. During my testing, I liked the flexibility to use footage in both orientations, and not having to fuss so much about framing.
If you’re looking at the Hero 13 Black as an additional camera for interesting cutaway shots and close-ups, the Macro Lens ($130) might tempt you. With a minimal focus distance of 11cm (4.3 inches), that’s four times closer than the GoPro’s original lens. This lens also includes its own rotating ring to hone in on the right focal length. (There’s even a focus peaking option, hidden away in Protune settings).
During GoPro’s presentation, it was the Anamorphic Lens Mod ($130) I was most intrigued by, but I’ll have to wait to test that out. Able to capture video with a 21:9 aspect ratio, it’s pitched as a lens for “professional-level artistic filmmaking.”
The footage is de-squeezed while being captured, making for easier editing. (De-squeezing is the process of correcting any oval-shaped image distortion caused by anamorphic lenses.) I like the notion of an action-cam cropping those mushy stretched edges for punchier footage. Plus, it’ll capture lens flares, too.
When it came to ND filters, I found them challenging to work with in the past, even when they were built into traditional cameras. This is where GoPro’s auto-detection makes a lot of sense. Alongside adjustments to shutter speed to suit the filter and available light, the Hero 13 Black will even indicate arrows if it thinks a stronger (or weaker) ND filter would be better within the four-pack ($70). However, you can’t combine these HD-series accessories, so you can’t use an ND filter with the Macro lens, for example. There’s a new “AutoCinematic” shutter option to optimize motion blur while holding onto image stabilization, while a Motion Blur Protune option lets you tweak exactly how much blur you want.
So what about the camera itself? The Hero 13 Black has a 10-percent bigger battery than its predecessor and can capture around one and a half hours of 4K video at 30fps. There’s also improved thermal performance both when it’s static or moving with airflow. GoPro says the new camera has longer runtimes in both hot and cold environments, claiming that some of the biggest improvements will come if you’re used to capturing in 10-bit video, another nod to pro users.
Photo by Mat Smith/Engadget
GoPro has boosted ultra-slow-motion capture to 400 frames per second at 720p resolution. However, this is burst capture, limited to 15 seconds of real-time recording. At its maximum resolution of 5.3K, the Hero 13 Black can capture 120fps for up to five seconds. The Hero 13 Black also supports Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), an industry-standard HDR format that should yield the highest dynamic range yet on GoPro video.
As I teased earlier, GPS is back, too. This means you’ll be able to search for footage based on location, but the camera can capture telemetry data like speed, path and altitude, pulling that data into your video file. You can then bring this stuff to life with overlay graphics added through GoPro’s Quik app.
There are a lot of smaller, useful UI improvements and upgrades. I won’t touch on all of them, but the most notable may be compatibility with AirPods and other wireless headphones over Bluetooth. The Hero 13 black can capture sounds in a Standard Audio Mode, what GoPro calls “balanced, true-to-life sound,” or there’s a Voice Audio Mode to prioritize speech. With WiFi 6 compatibility, you can also transfer your videos and shots up to 40 percent faster to your smartphone. That’s a true quality-of-life upgrade you’ll notice immediately if you’ve ever had to wait around for files to transfer from action cams (or any camera) over WiFi.
If you’re used to extended shooting (or time-lapse capture), the Hero 13 Black’s new Contacto magnetic door and power cable could be very useful, too. With a pogo-pin style latch, the cable can charge or power the camera from external USB-C battery packs or an adapter plugged into the wall. Notably, it will power the camera even if there’s no battery inside.
GoPro has also decided to add a third mount, a magnetic latch system that works with several new mounts (sold separately). If you’re not here for the peripheral upsell, however, there are still fold-down mounting fingers for extra-secure installation and the standard 1/4-20 mounting threads for your existing tripods and mounts. I love the new magnetic mounts, but now I want one for my tripod, one with a clamp, one for everything. (In the company’s defense, its newest camera is compatible with over 60 GoPro mounts and accessories. It has identical proportions to the Hero 12 Black.)
Photo by Mat Smith/Engadget
If you were hoping for a 1-inch sensor you’ll have to wait a little longer. Current GoPro users may be slightly disappointed by what seems to be the same camera sensor. Many devotees online hoped for a larger sensor to boost low-light performance and picture quality. A lot of the upgrades and additions here seem aimed at high-level users, but it’s those same people hoping for a substantial hardware upgrade beneath all the UI improvements and peripheral additions.
The Hero 13 Black is priced at $400 for the standalone camera, while a Creator Edition ($600) bundles the camera with a Volta Power Grip, Media Mod and Light Mod. The company has teased more bundles that will combine its new camera with lenses and other accessories.
All are available for preorder today at GoPro.com and will ship on September 10.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/gopro-hero-13-black-release-date-price-hands-on-impressions-130027978.html?src=rss
The X TV app — teased earlier this year — is out in beta on Amazon Fire TVs, Google TVs and some LG sets. The short teaser video included in the beta app announcement shows a typical-looking streaming video interface sewn into what looks like Google’s version of the X app. There are rows of links to videos for the very small number of original videos on the platform, like content from SpaceX, Tesla and… Tucker Carlson. Naturally, there might (should?) be a bigger range of video once it gets out of beta, but if you’re not a Musk fan, you’re probably long divorced from X anyhow.
The source code is in the Android Open Source Project.
Strangely missing from last month's Google Pixel launch event, Android 15’s source code is finally out. Android 15 will be available on select Pixel models soon, with support for phones from Samsung, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus and Oppo coming in the next few months. Some of the more interesting features include smart volume adjustment and improved split-screen app access.
Google’s second foldable has arrived. The Pixel 9 Pro fold has refined hardware, superior cameras and a long-lasting battery. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s internal display has an almost square 1:1 aspect ratio, 8 inches wide diagonally, larger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel. Google just needs to iron out a few software quirks — something we’re saying about most foldable.
Sony will refund everyone who bought the team shooter.
Developer Firewalk Studios says it’s taking Concord offline on September 6, just two weeks after its release, to “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.” You can no longer buy Concord digitally, and Sony will refund everyone who bought the $40 game. Game director Ryan Ellis wrote on the PlayStation Blog that the team recognized “aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended.” There are lots of reasons Concord didn’t take off, from its so-so gameplay and lack of captivating characters to heavyweight competition from other free-to-play team shooters, think Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone and Sony’s own Destiny 2.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-x-tv-app-wobbles-onto-your-big-screen-111502220.html?src=rss
No stranger to heady prices, Bang & Olufsen is taking its high-end design (and price multiplier) to headphones with the Beoplay H100. Following the $999 Beoplay H95, the H100 is over 50 percent more expensive, at $1,549.
In B&O tradition, the Beoplay H100 is made of premium materials, with lambskin leather pads and a scratch-resistant glass touch interface on the outside of the ear cups. The company says it was inspired by fine jewelry for the black, sand and apricot color options. B&O says it doubled the active noise cancellation (ANC) performance of the H95 for this set, with 10 microphones to help offer an improved transparency mode.
The company says the H95 has been its “most successful headphones to date,” but it didn’t specify whether that was units sold or sheer insane profit margins. Still, I want to try a pair.
The New York Times’ daily word game isn’t exactly easy. The solve rate dips below 50 percent some days, apparently, so why not rub it in? I mean, highlight the most common mistakes? After winning or losing each day’s game, you can saunter to the Connections Bot. As with the bot for Wordle, you’ll see how well you did compared with other players and receive a skill score out of 99. This is primarily based on how few mistakes you make.
It’s after maddening prices for Oasis’ reunion tour.
The UK government will look into the company’s dynamic pricing model after millions of Oasis fans scrambled over the weekend for tickets to the band’s reunion tour . Once fans got through hours-long queues to make their purchase, some found the price of a standing ticket was suddenly 2.5 times more expensive — in one case, going up from £135 to £337.50 ($177 to $444). Ticketmaster often gives customers just seconds to decide whether to complete a purchase once tickets are in their cart, so they don’t have much time to determine whether such a hefty price increase is worth it. It was also a great time to resurface a vintage Liam Gallagher tweet from 2017, complaining about ticket prices to see his brother’s band, which was touring the US.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-bang--olufsens-new-headphones-cost-over-1500-111432298.html?src=rss
Thank Goodness You’re Here is here; a gravy-flavored palate cleanser from all the action-adventures, Souls-likes and Metroidvanias I’ve played the last few months.
Published by Panic Inc., the same company that unleashed Untitled Goose Game into the world, there’s a certain throughline, even if the aesthetic and tone is very different. Presented in cartoon style somewhere between Cartoon Network and educational ‘toons for preschoolers, it’s an aggressively English, charmingly northern “slap-former”, where you play as an unnamed tiny man, who’s come for a job interview at town hall. After being fobbed off by the receptionist, he has to kill time in the fictional northern-England town called Barnsworth, which is definitely 80 percent Barnsley, 20 percent plausible deniability.
Thank Goodness You’re Here is almost the opposite of the anarchy introduced by Untitled Goose Game: you’re trying to help. Despite having no connection to Barnsworth, our little hero — in varying degrees of tininess — is inadvertently pulled into plumbing tasks, fetch quests and surreal dream-sequence meat-mangling, without ever being asked if he can help.
Coal Supper
While it is a video game, it’s more like a loosely connected bunch of set pieces and vignettes. Controls are simple: you steer the little guy around the town, able only to punch (well, slap) and jump. There are a few low-stakes platforming sections, but he isn’t attempting to be Mario. A lot of the joy comes from Barnsworth itself, with its nodding in-jokes, posters and signage running the comedy gamut from buttock slapping and visual gags, through to Yorkshire dialect gags and even a few digs at gaming – ludonarrative be damned!
There’s a running joke about wheelie-bins (in the UK, most of our garbage cans are on wheels) that made me laugh on a Sunday evening – the most dour part of my week.
It’s all actually funny. The writing and voicing help enrich this surreal little town as you explore, with Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows) headlining and a lot of UK comedy talent including The Delightful Sausage’s Chris Cantrill, currently co-creator of BBC’s Icklewick FM, which shares a similar surreal “northern” kind humor. (Cantrill was also just nominated for Best Show at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.)
The only drawback, one that comes from the on–the-rails style of play, is that it’s tragically short. But it’s dense with jokes and knowing nods I’m on my second playthrough, taking in all the details, like the horny elderly couple who are never involved with any of your tasks, but always on the sidelines; the cheesy dad-jokery if you linger in a scene and let the characters to talk (“I’m eating for two now… Plus I’m pregnant”); the lightly barbed references to economic decline in the north, and the unashamed exaggeration of northern or working-class stereotypes, many of which will go over American (and south-of-England) players’ heads.
A great example is when you launch the game, and it’ll ask a question in a heavy Yorkshire dialect. Answer ‘wrong’, and the game will play out with standard english text, answer right and all the menus will be loaded with northern slang. There's nowt to panic 'bout, mind: you can flip between 'em in t' menu at any time.
It’s a short but rich experience. It's worth playing for the sheet lunacy of the final set piece, possibly my favorite gaming moment of the year.
Thank Goodness You’re Here is out now on Mac, PC, PS5 and Switch.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/thank-goodness-youre-here-is-a-vibrant-funny-unashamedly-silly-game-133030648.html?src=rss
It’s Labor Day, so tech news typically slows down. We’ve still got some intriguing headlines to share, though, like, er, a new Tamagotchi. Bandai’s newest digital pet is made with recycled eggshells. The Original Tamagotchi Celebration digital pet is even colored like a tan/brown egg, with green and white designs with pink accents and buttons.
In ways, it’s a bit of a throwback compared to the recently released Tamagotchis. In May, the company re-released Tamagotchi Connection, the model with a faux antenna, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Last year’s Tamagotchi Uni had WiFi connectivity and gave users access to the Tamaverse.
This one is a little more basic, and it’s available at Amazon, currently on pre-order for $30.
Mission Control is trying to help figure out the source of a pulsing noise.
Starliner is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station and return to Earth, uncrewed, in just a matter of days, but it’s keeping the team busy before it departs. On Saturday, astronaut Butch Wilmore alerted NASA’s Mission Control to an unexplained “strange noise” coming from a speaker in the spacecraft. You can hear the mystery sound right here, around the 45-second mark.
Given the speed of tech news and announcements, sometimes our more involved reviews might pass under the radar. Our bi-weekly (ish) recap should make sure nothing gets missed. This second edition includes our reviews of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the latest CoPilot+ laptop from Dell.
The final summer holiday weekend is here, and there are Labor Day sales. Historically, Labor Day isn’t a big deal for tech bargains, but there are usually a few worth your time. Some good deals cut a chunk of change off several MacBook models.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-a-tamagotchi-made-with-real-egg-111507644.html?src=rss
X briefly discouraged users from viewing a link to an NPR story about Donald Trump’s recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery. NPR reporter Stephen Fowler posted a link to a story in which he quoted an Army official who said an employee at Arlington National Cemetery was “abruptly pushed aside” during an event attended by Trump and members of his campaign earlier this week. Clicking on the story generated an X warning message saying, “this link may be unsafe.” It stated it could be malicious, violent, spammy or otherwise violate the platform’s rules. In a statement to an NPR reporter, an X spokesperson claimed the warning appeared due to a “false positive.” It’s now been removed.
It might be an innocent mistake, but X owner Musk has been a vocal supporter of Trump this election. Musk has also publicly feuded with NPR in the past — weird fight to pick — adding a “state-affiliated media” label to its account for several months last year. NPR hasn’t posted from its main account on X since the label was added.
The PS5 Pro could be announced in mid-September and will likely hit store shelves sometime during the holiday season, according to insider information published by VGC. First of all, it’ll actually be called the PS5 Pro, with the leaker claiming to have access to the packaging design, but they didn’t feel comfortable sharing copyrighted images. However, specs? We don’t know. Disc drive option? Maybe. Other leaks have hinted at the console’s power. A YouTuber leaked apparently official documentation from Sony that shared some of the console’s specifications, but the video was pulled down at Sony’s behest. It has also been rumored the GPU will have 33.5 teraflops versus the standard PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. Don’t expect a three-times more powerful console: Recent changes in AMD’s architecture make it difficult to directly compare teraflop numbers.
They could lead to crop-tending robots that sense subtle chemical reactions.
Researchers at Cornell University tapped into fungal mycelia to power a pair of proof-of-concept robots. Mycelia, the underground fungal network that can sprout mushrooms as its above-ground fruit, can sense light and chemical reactions and communicate through electrical signals. Researchers created two robots: a soft spider-like one and a four-wheeled buggy. The researchers used mycelia’s light-sensing abilities to control the machines using ultraviolet light.
The latest round in the Spotify vs. Apple battle concerns… volume. According to Spotify, Apple “discontinued the technology” on volume buttons for Spotify Connect. Yeah, it’s baffling.
Spotify Connect allows you to sync with speakers, TVs and other devices from inside the streaming app. It works with either Bluetooth or WiFi. Apple told Spotify it requires apps to integrate with HomePod to access the technology that controls the volume on iPhones. The streaming company added this issue doesn’t affect Bluetooth or AirPlay connections, nor does it impact Android users.
Nintendo has stopped offering repairs for the New Nintendo 3DS. Sure, it’s a decade old, but apparently Nintendo has simply run out of parts. Third-party repair platform iFixit currently has a stock of replacement parts and guides for the handheld in its online catalog. US customers can still take advantage of Nintendo’s repair service for late-model 3DS XLs. For now.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-x-labeled-an-npr-story-about-trump-as-unsafe-112554172.html?src=rss
GameStop has announced it’s launching a group of retro game retail locations, which will stock physical consoles, discs and cartridges from classic Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox and Sega platforms. The company announced on X it’ll cover 18 classic systems, from NES through to PS Vita. You can search for retro-friendly locations within a 100-mile radius on Gamestop’s website, but most will find these stores as rare as a mint-in-box copy of Chrono Trigger.
It does make a degree of business sense for the games retailer. When most of us download our games from online stores — or get them delivered by Amazon — a combination of physical media and a degree of expertise could capitalize on GameStop’s strengths. The biggest challenge could be piracy.
The billionaire must remain in France for the foreseeable future.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been formally charged by French prosecutors and is barred from leaving the country. Durov was officially charged on Wednesday with “complicity in distributing child pornography, illegal drugs and hacking software” on the messaging app he founded. He must stay in France “under court monitoring” and check in at a police station twice a week while the investigation continues.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a first-person shooter from PlayStation. Firewalk Studios’ debut game, the 5v5 team shooter Concord, however, hasn’t captured the imagination of gamers. Is it the lackluster characters or the at-times unashamed Guardians of the Galaxy vibe theft? Well, they probably don’t help, but under 700 concurrent players on Steam (and no fanfare announcements from Sony on player counts / copies sold) point to a dud.
Anecdotally, no one’s been asking me to play the team shooter — no one’s even asked what I thought about Concord.
However, Engadget’s Kris Holt points out that PlayStation has been having a good year. Helldivers 2, published by Sony, is having a great year while the PlayStation Portal and PSVR 2 hardware continue to find willing buyers, thanks to strong support from handheld gamers. And some VR headset discounts.
Apple’s latest iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 developer betas include a few more Apple Intelligence features. The most notable is a Clean Up tool in the Photos app, very much like Google’s Magic Eraser. The Photos app will identify distracting background elements for you, so you should be able to remove them with a tap. Otherwise, you can circle or brush over an object you want to nix. The tool is compatible with every image on your camera roll too.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 first appeared with an intriguing trailer as part of Microsoft's summer showcase, teasing a dream world where squads of adventurers fight in a bid to defeat “The Paintress” who is gradually shaving years off the maximum life that people could live.
It’s a very JRPG-sounding premise. It’s the first title from new French studio Sandfall Interactive, set in a bleak, ethereal world inspired by Belle Époque-era France (spot the twisted Eiffel Tower), adding slightly more reason to battle this powerful, mysterious Paintress. You’ll play a team of Expeditioners, exploring fantastical landscapes and fighting monsters to defeat the Paintress. It sounds vague because well, I don’t quite understand what the hell is going on. I went back to the trailer – perhaps that will help clarify things.
Clear as mud. But that’s fine, this is a fantasy RPG — I didn't expect to understand the story from the outset. I recently watched some hands-off gameplay with Guillaume Broche, Creative Director for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the game’s producer, François Meurisse.
We toured a handful of levels and locations, also introducing a handful of the party characters. You’ll start the game with Gustave. Each party member has their own unique battle mechanic, which charges up during battles. You can increase the charge speed with judicious guarding, dodging and parrying. With Gustave’s robotic arm, for example, he can build up a shock attack that he can unleash early for extra damage, or charge up further for an extra aggressive strike.
Maelle, Gustave’s adoptive sister who goes missing early in the game, has a stance technique that can augment her battle stats after an attack from her fencing saber. The game is turn-based, with enemies and allies able to attack (or recover) in a predetermined order. This is augmented with some action RPG touches and QTEs (quick-time events) where you’ll need to defend with precision timing. Get enough parries in a row, and characters will damage the enemy heavily. I got to see a boss monster strike my entire party — fortunately, you only have to nail the dodge once for the entire team to block or parry. The fights themselves are reminiscent of Persona 5, with dramatic camera-angle shifts, inky, paint-themed special effects and a focus on the beautiful character (and monster) design. Special attacks and spells use ability points, which are also replenished from successful guarding and QTE timing. In short, you will still have to pay attention during battles. Sorry.
Alongside Maelle and Gustave, the party in the demo was rounded out by Lune, apparently the team’s mage. You’ll come across the rest of your expeditionary party during the adventure, in typical JRPG style. Broche told me at the outset that Expedition 33 was a tribute to the classic RPGs of the ‘90s, even if it looks nothing like them. Outside of pixelated Switch adventures, turn-based RPGs have long fallen out of favor, replaced by action RPGs, even for remade titles. This is Sandfall Interactive’s attempt to reinvigorate the turn-based RPG for 2024.
Each character has a dedicated weapon type that can be gradually enhanced and strengthened, adding new abilities as the character grows. I caught a glimpse of a complicated skill tree that players will get to chip away at. Elemental attacks will depend on the weapon your character is wielding, likely meaning some careful party creation (or customization) will be needed later in the game.
Beyond elemental weaknesses, some enemies will also have shielding that will protect them from your attacks. As you progress, some will have visible weaknesses that players will have to shoot at – usually with visual tells, like the weak spots on early anchor enemies. This free-aim system is also used in the environments. I saw a few ‘shooting’ puzzles used to unlock treasure and other rewards. Expedition 33 will be separated into different thematic areas, each offering alternative routes (some may offer extra treasure or tougher enemies) and visual landmarks that will offer more insight into the world and lore. The developers said that much of the story will have to be unearthed by players themselves, hunting down collectible notes from the husks of failed expeditions of the past.
Sandfall Interactive
The early environments I saw of Expedition 33 were gorgeous. One of the initial areas is built as if you’re walking along the bottom of the ocean, laced with plankton, coral and curtains of seaweed. In fact, the beautiful world is only outdone by the character models. The team seems to have put a lot of effort into making its heroes emote and react in a way you wouldn’t have seen in RPGs of old.
I’m wary of how much of an RPG epic the Sandfall Interactive team will be able to make, given its size. While I didn't get to play Expedition 33 at this point, I wonder how much exploration will be possible in the finished game and whether it will reward players’ curiosity beyond plot lore and mournful letters from dead expeditions.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and PC.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/clair-obscur-expedition-33-is-a-turn-based-rpg-with-beautiful-artistic-flair-130050721.html?src=rss
As a regular reader of TMA, you might have picked up on regular references to the addictive card-game-that-isn’t-a-card-game, Balatro. If you want to get technical, it’s a single-player poker-themed rogue-like deck builder game where you build and modify your decks with powerful joker cards to overcome scores that increase in each round. (I am aware of how boring that makes it sound, but trust me: It’s amazing)
If you’re not playing it yet, get on it. The makers have announced a collaboration with a handful of games, introducing new themed decks based on The Witcher, Vampire Survivors (another addictive game recently added to Apple Arcade), Dave the Diver and Among Us.
These themed decks are seemingly the only twist. There are no super-powered new jokers, but a new challenge is welcome. Now, where’s that mobile version? According to the creator of Black Mirror, it could end humanity.
French authorities have arrested Telegram boss Pavel Durov on charges that include money laundering and distributing child pornography. The charges reportedly come from a judicial investigation opened in July against an unnamed individual. The arrest has sparked debate around how much responsibility platform owners have for content on their platforms. Telegram denies the charges, while Elon Musk (ugh) has called for Durov’s release. French President Emmanuel Macron defended the arrest, stating France is committed to upholding the law.
The XPS 13 is a capable and stylish Copilot+ PC, but it’s still slower than the Intel model, at times. On top of that, it doesn’t run some games and apps. Sadly, battery life is also surprisingly average. With an NPU capable of 45TOPS, the laptop is better equipped for future AI features.
HMD’s Barbie Phone finally has pricing and release info. The Mattel-sanctioned hot pink flip-phone launches in October — only 15 months after Greta Gerwig’s movie hit theaters! — for $129. Better late than never? Or just… never?
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-why-arent-you-playing-balatro-yet-111600293.html?src=rss