Author: Jay Allsopp

Sony’s PlayStation 3 is perhaps not quite remembered as a flop, but the Xbox 360 is considered the winner of its respective generation by many. This, however, is a misunderstanding; sales data shows us that the PS3 actually sold better than the Xbox 360, so in terms of pure numbers, the PlayStation 3 emerged victorious.  That’s at least in part thanks to a huge library of great games, not least of which were single-player masterpieces like The Last of Us and God of War 3. However, the PS3’s multiplayer lineup is not to be sniffed at either, so let’s take…

When you’re putting together a high-quality streaming or recording setup, you can’t skimp on quality when it comes to your microphone. While your screen recording software is, of course, incredibly important, if you don’t sound great while you’re streaming or recording, then people will quickly switch off your stream and go elsewhere. That’s why you need to make absolutely sure that you have a high-quality microphone to give you that crucial edge. Of course, it can be hard to know what a quality mic looks like, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of money to get…

2023 has already proven to be an excellent year when it comes to gaming. With tentpole releases like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space rubbing shoulders with surprise drops like Metroid Prime Remastered and Hi-Fi Rush, there’s plenty to keep you occupied so far this year, no matter which system you’re playing on.  However, there’s more to come; 2023 is far from finished, and huge franchises like Final Fantasy and Diablo are getting new instalments this year, joining highly anticipated outings from developers like Bethesda. Before we get there, though, there’s plenty to come in the next month. Here are…

According to the most recent sales data, the PlayStation 2, otherwise known as the PS2, is the best-selling console of all time. Despite stiff competition from runaway success stories like the Nintendo Wii and the Game Boy, the PS2 has managed to remain on the throne thanks to its extensive library, its excellent controller, and its range of great accessories and add-ons.  Of course, a great console is nothing without robust multiplayer support as well, so in no particular order, let’s take a look at the 20 best multiplayer games for PS2.  TimeSplitters 2 A brand new TimeSplitters…

RuneScape is one of the oldest and most well-respected free-to-play MMORPGs on the market. If you went to school in the early 2000s, then the chances are good that you met someone who played this game. Perhaps you even played it yourself!  Still, the RuneScape of the modern day looks very different to the one that was released all those years ago. Modern RuneScape has lots of extra visual flair and user interface improvements, although if you want an idea of what the classic experience was like, you can check out Old School RuneScape, which aims to recreate the…

Recently, Squanch Games’ High on Life was released, making ripples throughout the gaming community for its disruptive humour and distinctive first-person shooter gameplay. Squanch’s creation is pretty unique; it blends Rick and Morty-style comedy with relatively open-ended shooting, as well as a cast of guns that have distinct personalities and chatter away as you’re firing them.  As such, finding games that are exactly like High on Life is pretty hard, but there are plenty of titles out there similar to it, some of which it was arguably directly influenced by. Here are 12 games similar to High on Life! 1.…

If you haven’t tried Oslo Albet’s excellent Fireboy and Watergirl series, you definitely should. This Flash game series tasked two players with exploring a series of exciting locations, and each player had a different set of abilities, meaning you’d need to coordinate your play carefully with your co-op partner in order to succeed. While there may not be a ton of games exactly like Fireboy and Watergirl out there, you will find no shortage of excellent co-op experiences that demand you and your partner keep your wits about you. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 12 games similar…

In early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started to take effect in a serious way, something magical happened. Amidst the doom and gloom, Nintendo released Animal Crossing: New Horizons, giving everyone with a Switch a way to escape from their real lives and tend to a beautiful island full of adorable animal residents.  Nintendo’s long-term support for its games isn’t great, unfortunately, which means New Horizons probably won’t receive any further major updates, but don’t worry, because other devs are on the case. Here are 12 games similar to Animal Crossing. 1. Stardew Valley For a long time, the twin…

Some of the best games around have intense, high-octane combat that has you chasing down enemies and blasting them into oblivion. Sometimes, though, you just want to put down the gun, pick up a farming tool, and grow some crops while you get to know the local townsfolk.  Luckily, the burgeoning life sim genre, originally spearheaded by the classic Harvest Moon franchise, is here to cater to just that urge. When it comes to the best Harvest Moon game, your options might not be as clear-cut as you think, though, so let’s take a look at the best this genre…

The Nintendo Wii still has plenty of mileage left in it. While the console itself has been discontinued, and developers aren’t making games for it anymore, there are still plenty of gamers out there who swear by the Wii and still play its library on a regular basis. Nintendo franchise stalwarts made reliable appearances on the Wii, and new games also asserted themselves to great effect, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the 20 best multiplayer Wii games to enjoy with your friends! 1. Mario Kart Wii It’s debatable whether or not Mario Kart Wii is the…

Snooker is one of the most widely enjoyed sports globally, with millions of fans who enjoy this competitive game. It is instantly recognizable based on the distinctive green cloth, colorful ball and six pockets. The nature of snooker means that it translates into a video game format extremely well and there are hundreds of options out there to test your metal on the felt in a digital format. Although another cue sport, pool, is very popular in gaming, finding a great snooker title can be a little more difficult. With the cost of video games on the rise, many players…

Are you considering becoming a streamer on YouTube, Twitch, or another platform? If so, then you’ll probably need to consider getting a live streaming encoder at some point. Live streaming encoders are pieces of hardware or software that render your video into a different format, thus allowing it to be broadcast over live streaming services. At some point, you’re almost certainly going to have need of a live streaming encoder, but it can be hard to know which one to pick up. We’re here to help. Here are the 10 best live streaming encoders out there, both hardware and software-based.…

There are so many streaming subscription services nowadays that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Between Netflix, Amazon Prime, iPlayer (if you’re in the UK and pay your TV license, that is), and various others, it’s difficult to know what movies or TV shows you can watch on which streaming services. Now, Disney has thrown its own hat into the mix with Disney Plus (or Disney+), its very own streaming service that contains lots of Disney-exclusive content. Let’s take a look at the 15 best movies currently streaming on Disney Plus. Avengers: Endgame Of course,…

If you’ve ever played SingStar, then you’ll know there’s nothing quite like it for getting the party started. SingStar got its start on the PS2 way back in 2004 and came bundled with microphones that connected to the PS2’s USB ports, allowing gamers to indulge in a little karaoke at parties. Since then, the SingStar name has yielded a huge amount of games covering diverse pop and rock genres. Unfortunately, SingStar appears to now be dormant, as the popularity of peripheral-based party games wanes. However, if you want a SingStar-style experience on modern gaming devices, we’ve got you covered. Here…

If you’ve played Tribez (or, to give it its full title, The Tribez: Build A Village) then you’ll know just how addictive it can be. This little idle city-builder sucks you in with incredibly simple yet compelling gameplay mechanics, leading to that “just one more minute” mentality prized by so many developers. Of course, there’s always a chance that you’re done with playing Tribez and you’re looking for something similar to fill the gap. We’re here to help. Here are the best games like Tribez to check out on your mobile (or potentially on other devices!) in 2022. The Simpsons:…

When we say Castlevania, we’re really referring to two very different gameplay styles. The original Castlevania was released back in 1986 and is a linear platformer in which hero Simon Belmont must traverse a series of levels full of hazards and enemies. Beginning with 1987’s Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, however, and continuing with 1997’s Symphony of the Night, a more non-linear gameplay style emerged for the franchise. Fear not: whichever of the two styles you prefer, you’re covered on the Switch. Here’s our list of the best Switch games like Castlevania (whichever type you like!) in 2022. Bloodstained: Ritual of…

When it comes to cultural phenomena, there’s nothing quite like The Simpsons. After getting its start as a series of shorts back in 1987, the show started in earnest in 1989, going on to become one of the most beloved animations in history. Many people say The Simpsons has lost its way since then; it’s arguable that the show peaked around season five or six, and it’s only gotten weaker over the intervening years.  Whatever your personal opinion about The Simpsons might be, the fact is that there have been more than a handful of great games made about everyone’s…

In the mid-2000s, the Need for Speed series was in its heyday. The franchise was going from strength to strength, with each new successive instalment winning the admiration of racing fans and novices alike. Most of what are considered to be the best Need for Speed games are concentrated around the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s; it’s fair to say the games dropped off after that point. One of the best Need for Speed games was Need for Speed: Underground, which perfectly balanced the gearhead aspects of the franchise with its more accessible racing gameplay. If you’ve got some nostalgia…

Whether you like tinkering with cars or driving them, the world of video games is extremely well-served in the vehicle department. There’s something compelling about the mere act of hopping into a car and driving to wherever, and there’s also something inordinately satisfying about being able to pop the hood and poke around inside a vehicle’s innards so you can get a better idea of how it works. Whichever one you prefer, there are plenty of options for you, so let’s take a look at the 10 best car simulator games out there right now. 1. Gran Turismo 7…

It’s a great time to start investing in VR. While virtual reality technology has arguably been a little too unwieldy and expensive to justify a purchase before now, the advent of PlayStation VR2, as well as more affordable headsets like the Meta Quest 2, shows that companies are serious about VR and the leaps forward in immersion that it offers. As such, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that there are a host of excellent VR experiences coming in 2023. Let’s take a look at the 20 best VR games releasing this year. The Walking Dead: Saints &…

If there’s one genre for which VR is absolutely perfect, it’s horror. There are few gaming genres that can inspire such visceral emotion as horror, so removing one of the barriers to immersion – that is to say, the player’s distance from the action – makes things even more tense and thrilling. As you can probably imagine, developers have already begun to take advantage of this opportunity, and as such, there are tons of VR horror games out there. They’re not all created equal, though, so let’s take a look at the 10 best VR horror games you can play…

There are few things more rewarding than taking care of a pet. Having an animal companion in your home for whom you are completely responsible gives you a new perspective on life; it shows you what’s really important and rearranges your priorities. However, many people can’t have pets for various reasons, which can be a source of anxiety and sadness for them. Thankfully, video games are here to offer that experience vicariously. Here are the 15 best virtual pet games out there right now, so you can know what it’s really like to have a little animal best friend. A…

Nintendo’s N64 console was the first venture by the company to embrace true 3D. While games like Star Fox had flirted with rudimentary forms of the technology before, the N64 presented fully polygonal environments for players to explore in games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64.  Happily, if you were the kind of gamer who liked to have friends round for a few bouts of something competitive (or co-operative, of course), the N64 also boasted four controller ports without needing to buy additional peripherals.  Of course, that also meant it was important for the…

Gaming can be an incredible medium for storytelling. Interactivity means that a video game can tell stories in ways that other media simply can’t; they can make us inhabit a character intimately and personally, feeling every action they take and every decision they make with a connection that non-interactive media can’t give us.  As you’d imagine, there are many games out there that take advantage of this incredible potential, so let’s take a look at the 20 best story-driven games to play right now. 1. Final Fantasy VII Many Final Fantasy games have come and gone since the seventh…

If modern AAA games just aren’t doing it for you, rest assured that you’re not alone. There’s a refreshing simplicity to retro gaming; most retro games choose one or two things to do and do those things very well, rather than trying to appeal to as many demographics as possible. The vaults of retro gaming are full of treasures both appreciated and underrated, so without further ado, let’s take a look at 20 classic retro games that are well worth revisiting. 1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island We’re going to try to limit ourselves to one game per franchise…

For many months now, speculation has swirled regarding when Nintendo is planning to announce its Switch successor. Many say that the current console is underpowered, pointing to games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as evidence that the Switch simply doesn’t have the technical prowess to keep up with graphical and performance advances.  If you ask us, though, the Switch still has plenty of life left in it; the console is perfectly capable of playing most indie games, and it can run Nintendo’s own first-party endeavours just fine, too. Here are the best Nintendo Switch games arriving in April 2023. …

April 2023 is shaping up to be another bumper month for video game releases. All three of the major console players currently on the market are getting some pretty heavy-hitting titles in April, and whether you’re into single-player story-driven adventures or you’re a more multiplayer-focused gamer, you’ll find plenty to love.  The last-gen consoles still have some life in them, but we’re seeing more and more major titles start to make the shift to current-gen only, so if you haven’t already picked up a PS5,  Xbox Series X/S, or Switch, now might be the time to do so. Here are…

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S console lineup continues to offer excellent choice and value for money. This is largely thanks to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which contains a huge lineup of varied titles that are sure to cater to pretty much anyone’s tastes. However, a lot of gamers tend to forget that there are plenty of games available outside of the Game Pass ecosystem, with new titles being released just as consistently as ever. Here are the best Xbox Series X/S games coming in April 2023. Meet Your Maker (April 4th) Super Mario Maker didn’t quite prove as…

There was a time when anything free in the world of gaming would have been regarded with suspicion. If a game was free, it was either a demo, a shareware product, or too good to be true. Now, free-to-play games are the dominant business model when it comes to online multiplayer games, and single-player games are also moving into that space. With that in mind, you’ve got a lot of options if you want to game without spending any money these days. Here are the 20 best free-to-play games available online right now. 1. Apex Legends EA and Respawn’s…

Rest in peace, Kinect: we hardly knew ye. The Kinect was originally introduced in 2010 as an additional accessory for Microsoft’s hugely popular Xbox 360, bringing motion and voice control to the console. A lack of killer apps for the peripheral, as well as some strange missteps on Microsoft’s part when it came to the Xbox One, led to Kinect’s pretty much complete failure, but that doesn’t mean there were no decent games for it. Here are the 25 best Xbox 360 Kinect games you can play. 1. Dead Space 3 In retrospect, Dead Space 3 wasn’t a great game…

Gaming is a hobby that can easily be enjoyed solo or alongside other players. Whether you’re facing off against your pals in friendly competition or working alongside them for some jolly cooperation, gaming can bring us together just as easily as it can help us to test our skills. Some of the best multiplayer games out there facilitate fierce competition between us, bringing out the best in us (and sometimes the worst). Here are the 20 best games for competitive multiplayer out there right now. 1. League of Legends It’s hard to imagine a better game for competitive multiplayer…