As a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I bring the latest findings from the tech industry to our readers. Specializing in processors, graphics cards, and more, I strive to deliver detailed insights that keep our audience well-informed and engaged. Periodically, I also delve into the vibrant world of gaming to share captivating stories.
Story Highlight
AMD outperformed Intel in 2024 with strong product launches and sales.
Intel faced issues with its 13th and 14th-gen CPUs, especially the Core Ultra 200S series.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU sold out fast, and remained in high demand despite stock shortages.
As 2024 draws to a close, AMD has had an outstanding year in the CPU market. In terms of successful launches, robust sales, and satisfied consumers, AMD has surpassed its primary rival, Intel.
Why it matters: The 9800X3D sales compared to the 7800X3D highlight its strong demand and popularity, especially among gamers. Despite stock shortages, the 9800X3D outsold the 7800X3D and all other 9000X models.
Since launch the AMD Ryzen 9800X3D has been in high demand sold out in a matter of minutes at well-known stores, making the processor still hard to get today.
Sales figures recently released by German retailer, Mindfactory, demonstrated the 9800X3D’s impressive performance. Mindfactory has sold 8650 units since the market launch. This is more than all Ryzen 9000X (non-X3D) sales combined and also more per day than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
AMD is currently dominating the sales chart, as the table demonstrates. That said, the company also occupies all ten of the top slots in best-selling processors. However, sales of the 9800X3D would have been significantly greater if stock problems hadn’t been there.
Hopefully, AMD will be able to further improve their dominance and sales number with the start of the new year, especially when 9800X3D becomes widely available at its original MSRP. Let us know your thoughts in the comments or visit the official Tech4Gamers forums.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
CDPR saw an increase of about 71% in its stock value in 2024.
This was largely led by The Witcher 4’s release and sales on recent titles.
Studios like Ubisoft, Remedy, and Unity saw an over 40% decrease in values.
CD Projekt Red hasn’t had a lot going on last year, but it did reveal The Witcher 4, a much-anticipated title. Also, constant sales on Cyberpunk, and The Witcher 3 combined with the hype of the reveal saw CDPR stocks grow by a massive 71% in 2024.
Why it matters: Despite not having any major releases in 2024, CDPR has seen its value rise considerably due to the Witcher 4’s hype, setting a strong start for 2025.
CDPR saw big growth in 2024
According to Dr. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games, CDPR saw a 71.09% increase in stocks. It was followed by Roblox seeing an increase of 34.54%. Take-Two, EA, and Embracer also had similar trends, while some major studios’ values dropped massively in 2024.
Ubisoft, Unity, and Remedy all saw stock values fall by over 40%. This is primarily worrying for Ubisoft as the company had some major releases this year which flopped badly, leading to the company being on the verge of bankruptcy.
The Witcher 4 hype has helped CDPR with a successful year
Following the reveal of The Witcher 4, The Witcher 3 saw a big resurgence hitting over 40K players. Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty sales also contributed to the matter.
CDPR hasn’t revealed any release window for The Witcher 4, but it did say that there will be a shorter window from now on from the time it reveals a game and launches it. So, we can be sure we’ll find out more about the title soon.
What are your thoughts on CDPR stocks rising by 71% in 2024 and expectations of The Witcher 4? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Star Citizen grossed over $116 million through crowdfunding in 2024.
This was the game’s second-best year ever, just $1 million shy of its record-breaking 2023.
However, no final release date is set for the MMO shooter as of now.
Funded solely by the fans, Star Citizen has amassed over $700 million over its ten years of development. Since, Cloud Imperium started the Kickstarter funds back in 2013, the game has been reliant on financial support from fans, selling ships and other in-game content to raise money.
Developer Cloud Imperium Games has received a lot of criticism for this with the studio also getting into some legal troubles. However, despite all the problems, Star Citizen had its second-best crowd funding year in 2024, raking in a whopping $116 million.
Why This Matters: Star Citizen has been one of the most controversial games in history due to its long development cycle and methods of acquiring funds. With another massive payday for Cloud Imperium in 2024, it will be interesting to see when the game launches.
The game was just $1 million shy of the record it set last year in 2024 when it made $117 million through the sale of in-game content and crowdfunding. Star Citizen made a very impressive $21 million in December alone, taking up its overall gross for this year to $774 million.
The Game Once Again Made Over $100 Million In Crowd Funding
With the amount it has raised across a decade of development, the MMO shooting title is now the most expensive game ever made in gaming history. But, with no end in sight for the early access period, we might have to wait a little before Star Citizen is playable.
The single-player story mode version of the game, titled Squadron 42 has also received a lot of hype, with its start-studded cast of A-list actors like Gary Oldman, Henry Cavill, and Gillian Anderson supporting impressive gameplay that got its first reveal at CitizenCon 2024.
No release date for the Star Citizen project has been confirmed but predictions do suggest that it may finally stick its landing in 2026. However, with such a long time in between the announcement and release, there is no knowing if the original hype will persist.
Are you excited for Star Citizen and Squadron 42? Will you pick up the game when it releases? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
At Tech4Gamers, I streamline helpful guides from my personal experience, ensuring swift resolutions for your PC or gaming console. My expertise extends to crafting beginner-friendly How-To Guides for everyday tech devices. Let’s get you back to gaming without delays!
Story Highlights
Haptic Feedback is among the latest technologies to grace the gaming world, allowing sensory output for players.
With haptics, players can submit themselves to the gaming experience, visualizing and feeling every bit of the adventure and rush.
Research suggests a positive response in the gaming community to this technological advancement.
Gone are the days when players were just passive agents in the gaming environment. With the technological revolution, haptic feedback takes the gaming experience up by miles. Now, players can actively relate to the gaming world by feeling and sensing different elements of it.
What Is Haptic Feedback?
Haptic feedback refers to the phenomena of receiving tactile information from the virtual environment of the game to your body through vibrations and sensations to heighten your senses. Bring to mind the vibrations you feel when typing on your smartphone’s keypad, haptic feedback is exactly that.
Devices that support the haptic feedback output include console controllers, such as DualSense 5, smartphones, or AR/VR devices. While gaming, haptic feedback increases the user immersion tenfold by letting you indulge completely in the gaming experience.
DualSense 5 Controllers With Haptic Feedback (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Imagine you are swimming through a stream of fresh water and the controller allows you to physically feel sensations similar to that of cold water. Or feel the tension of recoiling your weapon through an intense shootout or physically pulling brakes on a racing car. The DualSense controller actually has all these features.
How Haptic Feedback Adds Realism
One-way gaming sessions via traditional controllers using only buttons and analog sticks have become old-school. Times have changed and with the more advanced interactive controllers, two-way gaming has become a reality.
Take it as you walk on an icy surface in snowy weather. The controller responds by producing vibrations to mimic the cold sensations of ice to make you feel as if you are physically present there.
I personally loved the haptic immersion in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. I could actually feel the difference in physical tension in the R2 triggers when reloading a rifle or a simple pistol. From the slight pull pressure of a pistol to the sturdy pull of a heavy sniper, it is a different kind of experience.
Reloading Weapon In COD (Image By Tech4Gamers)
It lets you feel the severity of the impact on player interaction, falls, and when throwing objects or using weapons.
In Astro Bot, the controller produces thinner vibrations when walking on icy surfaces to mimic the feeling of gliding. Furthermore, you can feel random vibrations on the controller when it rains to sense the raindrops on your palm. Fascinating, no? In Ratchet and Clank, the same controller lets you feel the pressure of throwing a grenade at your enemies.
Research Evidence
Hermann et al. (2020) tested a prototype Directed Feedback Controller, which produces haptic feedback from all directions in a VR game. 77% of the participants affirmed that it enhanced the game immersion for them.
Gaming And Haptics (Image By Boreas Technologies)
Another experiment exploring the role of haptics in digital games found that 8/10 participants felt more immersed in the video game due to the haptic feedback. One participant particularly reported that haptic feedback helps warn players when they are going off-road, especially when their eyes are focused on the road ahead.
Wrap Up
Therefore, enough research evidence supports the idea that players love the use of haptics in games. Once it becomes mainstream, the gaming experience will be unmatched.
Although the technology is mindblowing, I believe that adding too much of something makes the experience unpleasurable and it becomes annoying after some time. It is highly important that the developers add the correct balance of haptics in games and not overdo it. Otherwise, the innovation could backfire fast as gaming is a very dear experience for those of us who live for it.
Being a keyboard enthusiast, I specialize in reviewing, modding, and critiquing them for the people. If you’re a Razer fanboy, my only goal is to convert you to the dark side 😈.
After the massively successful Galaxy80, Epomaker is back with a new entry in the series trying to spin back the same formula with the Galaxy70. It’s a new layout with a refined design and almost identical pricing but unlike its bigger brother which you can buy as a barebones kit, this only comes as a fully preassembled board.
The Galaxy70 is also part of the few budget aluminum keyboards that rival DIY kits like the Lucky65 in terms of component quality. Not only that, but it also comes in direct competition with the Epomaker’s own P75 both features and price wise, so let’s see who comes out on top.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Huzaifa Haroon is our keyboard expert with years of experience in building and testing custom keyboards.
130+ peripherals tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
500+ hours spent testing different peripherals for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Key Takeaways
The Epomaker Galaxy70 is a robust keyboard with solid sound, feel, build quality and aesthetics.
Buy the Galaxy70 if you’re in search for a creamy-sounding keyboard that doesn’t break the bank.
Avoid the Galaxy70 if you’re a gamer looking to get the best performance out of your peripherals.
Epomaker has set apart the Galaxy70 in the sea of budget aluminum keyboards with its incredible build. The board feels like a tank; it’s heavy, very well-built, and features a unique design. The rounded corners and soft angles are suited to those looking for a less aggressive aesthetic without compromising on any fundamentals.
Unboxing Experience
The Epomaker Galaxy70 comes in an unassuming box that has the name of the board plastered across the front with no picture. You slide out the top paper sleeve to get to the black box that’s underneath. There’s a single tab in the center to get inside.
Epomaker Galaxy70 box (Image by T4G)
The board is wrapped in plastic with the manual at the bottom and the accessories toward the side. You don’t get as much with the Galaxy70 as you do with the Epomaker P75 despite both of them costing identical. Even the included USB cable is a generic one instead of the braided kind you get with the P75.
Here’s everything you get in the box:
1x Galaxy70 (with dongle)
1x Keycap/Switch Puller
1x USB Cable
2x Extra Switches
1x Manual
Everything included with the Epomaker Galaxy70 (Image by T4G)
Build & Design
Epomaker has constructed the Galaxy70 out of aluminum but it’s not CNC’d as far as I can tell and features a unique design. Instead of sharp edges and with squared lines, the board is rounded off at every possible angle. The corners, especially, are even softer than they were on the Galaxy80, but the bezels are still symmetrical across the perimeter.
Epomaker Galaxy70 from the front (Image by T4G)
Galaxy70 also has a unique powder-coated finish. You can tell it doesn’t look like the clean anodization seen in, say, a Lucky65 or most other aluminum boards. The surface treatment is similar to that of a cast ironpan. Very gritty but the texture itself isn’t obtrusive, instead if you run your fingers across it feels quite comfortable.
There’s a knob in the corner right above the navigation cluster. Below that, there’s a very well-diffused LED bar that adds some flair. Moving further down, there’s a magnetic badge next to the arrow keys that houses the 2.4Ghz wireless receiver. Always appreciate it when companies find a clever way to include on-board storage for the dongle.
The Knob & The Dongle
1 of 2
The back only continues the same design philosophy. The borders are bent inwards, so it feels like the top case is almost draping over the bottom like a fabric. There are a few rounded rubber feet and a “weight” in the center. It’s technically just a plasticplate with a transparent layer on top of it.
Epomaker Galaxy70 from the back (Image by T4G)
I personally don’t like the sci-fi design Epomaker has put here, and this area of the board is a scratch magnet. You cannot keep it clean. At first, I thought this was a protector of some sorts but trying to pry at the corners quickly busted that myth. I much prefer the simple logo of the Epomaker P75 or a proper weight like the one on the Record Alice instead.
The sides of the Galaxy70 are pretty bland. Despite the rounded shapes, you get a standard box-on-wedge side profile. The top of the case has a centered USB port next to the power switch. There’s also a weird cutout on the right side that puzzled me, but I quickly figured it out after opening the board. More on this in the Connectivity section.
Epomaker Galaxy70 USB port and mysterious cutout (Image by T4G)
Last but certainly not the least, the build quality is incredible. The board weighs almost 1.7KG and feels like a robust product in every way. Its heft reminds me once again of the Epomaker P75 but for some reason, this board feels heavier. The typing angle is 6-degrees with a front height of 18mm so it’s easy on your hands, too.
Epomaker Galaxy70 side profile (Image by T4G)
Layout & Features
As the name suggests, the Galaxy70 is a 75% keyboard, but it’s got an unusual layout that takes up a lot more space. Instead of 3 or 4 nav keys laid out vertically, they’re in a square cluster and, of course, there’s a volume knob atop. All it’s missing is 2 extra nav keys and 1 function key, and it’ll turn into a TKL both layout and size-wise.
The knob is also different from most others. While it’s still really satisfying, the ratcheting mechanism raises volume by increments of 4 instead of 2. If you want the two-step control, you have to kind of stop mid-rotation before it clicks into the next ratchet. Sometimes, it doesn’t do any of this so it’s like a guessing game with limited consistency.
The other interesting feature of this board is the LED bar under the nav cluster, but Epomaker doesn’t do a lot with it. You can switch between a few different colors and 3 animated effects but that’s it. No software customization. The LED bar does act as an indicator for the connection modes.
That brings us nicely into the fact that this is a wirelesskeyboard. The LED bar glows red for a few seconds when plugged in, green on the 2.4GHz mode and blue for when connected via Bluetooth. It doesn’t do anything to show charging levels or things like Caps Lock but, to Epomaker’s credit, the LEDs are diffused incredibly well, and it looks nice.
Epomaker Galaxy70 flex cuts (Image by T4G)
Lastly, the Galaxy70 is gasket-mounted with silicone beans that go all around the plate. It has a thin 1.2mm PCB and a PP plate, both have flexcuts. There’s plenty of layers inside for sound dampening like the plate foam, IXPE sheet, multiple PET sheets and some PCB foam as well.
The layers that make up the Galaxy70 | Epomaker
The Fundamentals
I’m not super impressed by the Galaxy70 so far beyond its build quality, but there’s a lot more praise to follow when going over its components.
Keycaps
Epomaker is using MDAprofile keycaps on the Galaxy70 that feel almost low-profile. They are made out of PBT with a doubleshot process, so the quality is very high. They’re thick, have no molding marks and the texture is delightful. It’s a little rougher than most PBT caps but not as gritty as something like GMK.
The Keycaps
1 of 3
The MDA profile is interesting. Think of it as XDA but sculpted. I found it very comfortable to type on and it produced some very deep thocks as you’ll hear in the sound test. All of the legends were super crisp as well. If you choose the retro colorway of the Galaxy70, you’ll get dye-sub Cherry profile keycaps instead and doubleshot with the blue one.
The curve of the MDA keycaps in the Epomaker Galaxy70 (Image by T4G)
Switches
There are two switch options to choose from: EpomakerZebra and HuanoBlossomOddyssey and a third EpomakerWisteria (linear) if you buy the blue variant. We already tried the Zebras and loved them in the P75, so we have the Huano Blossoms in our unit. Long story short, these are just as good.
The Huano Blossom Odyssey switches inside the Epomaker Galaxy70 (Image by T4G)
The Huanos have a standard 45g weight with a 22mm spring, so they feel snappy to type on. They’re factory lubed to perfection. The stem and top housing are made from POK (plastic) while the bottom is PA66 (nylon). I found there to be pretty much no stem wobble, and all the switches are consistent across the board.
Stabilizers
The Galaxy70 has plate-mount stabs that come prelubed from the factory and they’re virtually perfect. I noticed no ticking or weird rattle at all. They sound and feel great. There is no support for screw-in stabs, but you won’t need to replace these anyways.
The Stabilizers
1 of 2
Internal Structure
I usually don’t talk about the internal structure of a board separately, but the Galaxy70 fascinated me. Like many, it has a pretty normal top and bottom case that can be undone with screws hidden behind some keycaps. Before lifting up the top, the volume knob was a chore to get out as it’s really jammed in there.
Epomaker Galaxy70 is held together by 6 screws (Image by T4G)
Once inside, I saw gaskets around the entire perimeter of the plate, including the sides. But strangely enough two of the gaskets at the top were fittedinthe wrongway. I don’t know if this was on purpose or a mistake at the factory during assembly but either way it was a funny mishap.
Epomaker Galaxy70 gaskets (Image by T4G)
Moving on, beneath the PCB-plate assembly were a lot of wires and no case foam. I spotted some questionable cable routing stemming from a small PCB labeled “Galaxy100,” which leads me to assume that they’re using this same chip for all the Galaxy boards. But what are all these wires doing exactly?
Epomaker Galaxy70 internal layout (Image by T4G)
There was a JST cable connecting the daughterboard to the PCB and another connecting the battery. However, there was a third cable stretching across the PCB toward the USB port. Turns out, this was enabling the wireless connectivity. The cutout next to the USB port I mentioned earlier is a wireless antenna—something I’ve never seen in a keyboard before.
Epomaker Galaxy70 wireless antenna (Image by T4G)
Performance & Connectivity
Being a wireless keyboard, the Epomaker Galaxy70 comes with a 4000mAh battery that lasts a long time. I got through two days of comfortable heavy usage with RGB on and you’ll likely get more than a week with it off. Similar to the Epomaker P75, the endurance is great, but unlike the P75, it does miss some inputs when in its inactive state.
Speaking of which, I had a frustrating wireless experience with the Galaxy70. When I first set it up, the keyboard wouldn’t even connect using the 2.4GHz dongle, and none of the Fn key shortcuts worked. After some back and forth, I had to use the software to remap the Fn key to itself and that fixed the issue.
I simply selected the Fn key in the software, assigned it as “Fn” again.
Unfortunately, the problems didn’t stop there. While I never noticed any delay or lag, there were frequent bursts of connection dropouts where the board would just spam a key I was typing. Often, I would press the backspace in these situations, only for the board to spam that and delete a good chunk of whatever I was writing.
I have faced this issue with some other boards before but never to this degree. What’s more telling is just last week I tested the Epomaker P75 on the same desk setup, using the same computer, plugged into the same USB port and that worked flawlessly. This is probably where the weird wireless antenna design of the P75 holds it back.
Epomaker Galaxy70 battery (Image by T4G)
Therefore, I can’t recommend it for any wireless use, even if sometimes the experience was better. When plugged in, though, it’s perfectly fine. It has sub 5ms latency which is perfect for competitive gaming and due the excellent switches, keycaps and stabs, it was always a joy to type on.
Typing Experience
The Galaxy70 has a somewhat compromised typing experience. On one hand, it has perfectly tuned stabilizers that both sound and feel amazing. The switches work harmoniously with the keycaps to create a low-pitched, creamy sound that is very satisfying to hear.
All the sound dampening then only helps elevate the acoustics even more. This is truly a “thocky” keyboard in the purest form of the word. The gasket performance is also solid with a decent bit of flex. It’s not bouncy and every keypress has a firm impact but at the same time, you can certainly get a lot of softness if you try to.
On the other hand, the wireless performance is poor to the point where I can’t recommend it in good consciousness. It works great while plugged in but what’s the point of paying for a wireless keyboard when that entire part isn’t reliable to begin with? It’s a great typing experience, amazing even, but only if you’re using it wired.
The Software
There is no QMK/VIA support for the Galaxy70 as it uses the Epomaker Driver, a proprietary app for its software. But it’s not the same Epomaker Driver as the one used for Shadow-X or others. Instead, it’s a customized version with a different UI and feature-set. There’s a galaxytheme going on that looks worse in my opinion.
The text inside the software isn’t very sharp and you can’t resize the window either. Regardless, all of the necessary functionality is here. You get stuff like customkeymapping, profiles, macros, lighting controls and even animated music effects laid out in tabs toward the left. None of it is intuitive but it gets the job done.
The homepage for the Galaxy70 flavor of the Epomaker Driver
Notably, there is no customization of any kind for the LED bar. You can’t change what the volume knob does either. Per-key RGB control is still present, and you can play around with that in its own tab. There are a total of 19 RGB effects and 11 music effects that react to whatever audio is playing on your computer. Most of them are pretty smooth.
There is one special option in the “System Settings” tab that caught my eye. A software-induced delay to combat key chatter. This lets you adjust the delay before a keypress is registered, with Level 1 offering the fastest response but a higher risk of chatter, and Level 5 adding delay to stabilize input and prevent unintended multiple presses.
Key Response Time delay in Epomaker Driver
For me this was set at Level 2 out of the box, but I did test Level 1 as well for latency and higher levels to stabilize the spam issues I was having. There was some improvement but nothing noteworthy and I shouldn’t have to sacrifice fast response times for more a more reliable typing experience in the first place.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If:
✅ You want a well-built keyboard that doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to quality yet still retains a great price.
✅ You like a different design than what’s trending. The Galaxy70’s rounded shape mixed with premium build is unlike anything else on the market.
✅ You value sound above all else as the Galaxy70 has a supremely satisfying sound signature that is downright heavenly to any ear.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You want the best budget aluminum keyboard as for the same price you can get the Epomaker P75, which is a better overall package.
❌ You prioritize wireless connectivity. The Galaxy70 has subpar wireless performance that hinders its reliability.
❌ You want QMK/VIA support. There is custom software for the Galaxy70 but it’s far from perfect.
My Thoughts
The Epomaker Galaxy70 presents a tragic tale of the cost of ambition. In pursuit of high-end build quality, Epomaker lost sight of one of the main things that make or break your keyboard: performance. By no means is it a bad contender but the insane unreliability of its wireless mode can simply not be excused.
A couple years ago, this kind of build mixed with the stock typing experience and the price would compensate for any deficiencies in design. Today, however, the market is different and with the same company producing better keyboards for the same price, the Galaxy70 remains a great board only brought down by one fatal flaw.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlights
RDR1 and RDR2 both have great stories which can be played in any order.
However, the better option would be to follow the chronological order because of the character development and backstory introduced in RDR2.
The only downside to playing RDR2 before RDR1 is the sudden difference in game mechanics, which may leave a bitter taste in some players’ mouths.
In the early days, storytelling was not an essential part of a video game’s success. Decades later, however, the storytelling element is one of the bases for a game’s success, and developers are putting more and more effort into producing original and well-written storylines.
However, very few of the development companies can compete with Rockstar when it comes to telling stories in their games, especially in the Red Dead Redemption franchise.
Chronological Order Makes More Sense
There’s no doubt that the Red Dead franchise contains probably the greatest storyline ever created in video games. Both games contain masterpiece stories that can be understood and enjoyed as a prequel and sequel combo or as separate stories as well.
However, as we know, Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually the prequel, and Red Dead Redemption 1 is the sequel. I believe they should be played in chronological order instead of in the release order.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Prologue (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The reason for this is obvious, but let me elaborate on it further. RDR1 starts with John as the protagonist, who is trying to find the members of his former gang. A majority of the characters that appear later in the game are introduced in RDR2.
They are not just introduced as side characters, but each of their presences is felt in the game, and the character development is done well in the prequel.
The Character Development Done In RDR2 Can Make Things More Interesting
If you play RDR1 first, you will have an element of mystery about these side characters. You will wonder about their backstory and how they ended up in this situation, which is an interesting thing in itself.
But if you have already played RDR2 and then hopped on to RDR1, the emotions you carry with you regarding the game’s story provide a much different playthrough experience. You get curious about where the sequel can take you as the ending in RDR2 already felt like the end of the world.
Character Development In RDR2 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Moreover, in my playthrough, I experienced a slight lack of elaboration on the backstory of the characters in RDR1. Not that the storytelling wasn’t good enough or anything, but it gave us a decent idea about what had happened and why things turned the way they did.
But in some way, it doesn’t trigger your emotions as you haven’t actually seen or played that part of the story. But if you have played it first, you observe the story in a much more enjoyable way.
The Downside Of Playing RDR2 Before RDR1
The only downside of playing RDR1 before RDR2 is that everything gets downgraded as you make the transition between the two games. Don’t get me wrong, RDR1’s gameplay is great, but obviously, it can’t compete with its sequel, which came eight years later.
The difference in the graphics is huge. The game mechanics differ, too, and the game content, like side activities, also has differences in quality and quantity.
Dismemberment In RDR2 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
In short, if you are someone whose expectations get high very easily and or can’t enjoy old games with old graphics and animations, this may not be a very enjoyable playthrough for you in terms of gameplay. The story setup will still pay off, though, as it makes the storyline much better.
So, if you haven’t played any of the Red Dead Redemption games and are planning to give them a go, or have already played them and are willing to visit the Wild West one more time, this is the best order to play in.
At Tech4Gamers, he is recognized for his insightful features and opinion pieces, where he blends his passion for gaming with a keen understanding of technological trends. His work, marked by depth and accessibility, makes him a respected voice in the tech and gaming community.
Story Highlights
Zephon offers a post-apocalyptic world with rich storytelling.
The strategy element in Zephon makes it a must-play for gamers who enjoy tactical decision-making and planning.
The unique factions and characters give the game endless replayability making each playthrough unique.
The beauty of post-apocalyptic games lies in their haunting setting and the compelling stories of survival they tell. For fans of the post-apocalyptic survival genre Zephon emerges as a standout game.
The game was created by Proxy Studios that are also the creators for 4X games such as Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War. Zephon masterfully blends elements of survival strategy with the horrors of an apocalypse making it a must-play in my books. The game is available on Steam right now on winter sale at 10% off.
A World Ravaged by Catastrophe
Zephon transports its players into a desolate Earth in which humanity is at the brink of extinction. The setting is detailed with crumbling cities, mutated creatures and remnants of advanced technology hinting at a bygone era of greatness.
Post Apocalyptic World of Zephon- Image Credits [Steam]If you’re a fan of games such as Humankind available on Nintendo and Civilization, then Zephon is the game for you as it is similar in some ways. This world-building pulls players into feelings of both despair as well as hope making every decision weighty and impactful.
Deep Strategic Gameplay
If you’re a fan of 4X strategy games, you will feel right at home playing Zephon. The game challenges players to explore a post-apocalyptic hostile world, expand their territory, manage resources, and eliminate threats both human and non-human.
The game may seem like your typical survival strategy game but in essence, it forces players to think beyond mere expansion. Unlike in traditional 4X games in Zephon players have to constantly manage resources with a constant threat of mutants and other threats and hazards.
User Zakalwe on Steam community alongside many other gave positive reviews on the game saying even though it may seem like a re-skinned Gladius at first, it’s much better.
Unique Factions and Customization
One of the most attractive features of Zephon is its diverse factions each with their distinct philosophies and playstyles. Whether you play as a technocrat clinging to remnants of advanced technology or as a tribal member focused on rebuilding harmony with nature; the choices you make shape not only your gameplay but also the story.
Choosing Leader Zephon – Image Credits [Pinterest]Upon the multiple faction options, the game allows players to extensively customize their own units and strategies allowing players to craft a playstyle that suits their idea of survival.
A Narrative-Driven Experience
Unlike many other strategy games Zephon puts much emphasis on storytelling. The game put its narrative together through dynamic events, moral dilemmas and interactions with other factions.
Each decision taken in the game has an impact and often blurs the line between right and wrong. The narrative depth of Zephon makes it a rich and attractive game for those who crave engaging storylines.
The game has managed to make quite the fan following with many saying they enjoy the experience and multiple factions on Reddit. Fans are praying on the games success and are expecting more content from the developers.
I think I'm gonna relentlessly shill Zephon cause I really like it and want it to be successful so the devs make more content for it.
A post-apocalyptic game is only as good as its ability to immerse players into itself. Zephon delivers itself in this aspect by masterfully capturing the desolation and eerie beauty of its setting. On top of the stunning visuals the game has a haunting soundtrack that underscores the games tension and drama.
Although the post-apocalyptic genre is crowded with titles Zephon sets itself apart by merging the tactical depth of strategy games with the narrative story telling of role-playing games.
It’s a game which compels players to think, adapt and immerse themselves in a world where survival is the prime objective and anything but granted. The game has been getting a lot of attention from fans of the genre showing its success.
For gamers seeking a balance between strategy, narrative and atmosphere Zephon delivers a truly unique experience. The ability of the game to develop a thoughtful gameplay with emotionally resonant story telling ensures that players stay hooked till the end.
To me, Zephon sets a new benchmark when it comes to post-apocalyptic games considering the fact that it bridges the gap between tactical strategy and immersive world-building games.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Black Myth: Wukong’s director confirms the Xbox Series S is challenging to optimize for.
He stated that the console’s limited memory is the major reason for the delay.
The director still hopes to bring the title to Xbox fans in the future.
Black Myth: Wukong won several awards in the gaming industry last year, recently claiming Steam’s Game of The Year title. The action RPG has become a smash hit on both PlayStation and PC, but Xbox fans have yet to join the fun due to an unforeseen delay on the platform.
While it was previously speculated that this delay was caused by the Xbox Series S or potential exclusivity from PlayStation, Game Science has finally broken its silence on the matter. As per the director, optimization for the Xbox Series S is the main culprit.
Why it matters: The Xbox Series S has been criticized for its limited hardware on many occasions. It seems such instances will continue to show up moving forward.
Black Myth: Wukong Is Highly Demanding Across All Platforms
The latest update on the situation comes directly from director Feng Ji, who recently took to Weibo and discussed his thoughts on winning the Steam Game of The Year.
He noted that winning such awards was an emotional moment, though it would have been nice to receive similar praise from Xbox players. The director then confirmed that the Xbox Series S’ 10GB of memory is the main reason Black Myth: Wukong has yet to arrive on the platform.
That 10GB shared memory (without optimization experience) really can’t be taken down.
-Feng Ji
While disappointing, the team’s optimization challenges are not too surprising. Black Myth: Wukong already struggled to perform well on the PS5, even failing to impress on the recently released PS5 Pro.
Sun Wukong’s Antics Can Even Push The PS5 Pro To Its Limits
As such, Game Science likely needs more time to offer a compatible version for the budget Microsoft console. At the very least, fans can rest assured that the team will eventually bring Sun Wukong’s iconic journey to their platform.
What are your thoughts on Game Science facing optimization challenges? Let us know in the comments, and continue the discussion on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
Story Highlight
PS Plus subscribers are upset about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League being included in the January 2025 lineup.
Users question the value of including a flawed game in the PS Plus offerings.
Many users have shared their frustration online, with some asking for a cheaper PS Plus option to skip this month’s games.
PlayStation’s announcement of the January 2025 PS Plus games, including Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, has drawn strong criticism from subscribers. Many players are upset, pointing to the game’s troubled past and questioning why it’s being offered as a free title this month.
It is important to remember that after season 4 of Suicide Squad, the game will no longer receive content updates. Episode 8 will be released this month, and it’ll essentially die at that point.
Why it matters: PS Plus subscribers worry about the game’s quality and question why a title with such a troubled history is being offered.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League: PS Plus or Minus?
When Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League came out in 2024 it quickly received criticism for technical problems and gameplay issues. Players reported bugs, performance lag, and the game being literally unplayable.
In response, Sony started offering refunds to unhappy customers, admitting the game had serious unplayable issues. This was a rare move for a major release and showed how bad the problems were.
Now, PlayStation is giving out this game to PS Plus monthly subscribers, and fans are not happy about it. Many feel it doesn’t add value and reflects badly on PlayStation’s game selection.
On PlayStation’s announcement tweet, one user said that including Suicide Squad in the PS Plus lineup was already bad, but adding Concord and Dustborn would have completed the trio of disappointing games.
One user commented that the live service for Suicide Squad has already been canceled and jokingly suggested adding Concord to the lineup too. One outraged fan straight up said they’d rather pay less for PS Plus if it meant being able to skip this month’s games.
It will be interesting to see how PlayStation handles this controversy and if any changes are made to future PS Plus lineups. The outcome could impact the service’s reputation and user satisfaction in the long run.
In the meantime, players looking for alternatives can enjoy other titles in January’s PS Plus lineup, like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe.
Will you give the game a chance on PS Plus or is it a hard pass? Let us know in the comments, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
Story Highlight
Assasin’s Creed Shadows was delayed due to Ubisoft’s back-to-back failures.
The game was also criticized on an extreme level, especially by the Japanese fandom.
Despite the issues, AC Shadows has become the top wishlisted title on Epic Games but is way below on Steam.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows was one of the most talked about titles of 2024. While the game still hasn’t been released, it was perhaps the most controversial game last year, and nothing is stopping it from this year’s, too.
However, there is always a dark horse waiting every year to take up the position, so shadows might be in the safe spot. AC Shadows has been under massive heat ever since more content to the fandom was revealed last year.
Despite the controversy, the title is currently the top wishlisted game on Epic Games.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, One of The Most Controversial Games, Is Currently The Most Wishlisted Title on Epic
As you can see in the image above, AC Shadows is the most wishilsted title, leaving behind games like Mini Royale, 33 Immortals, and even Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. This might not be that surprising to some, given how massive Assassin’s Creed fandom is, but still, due to the controversy, many might not have expected to perform well.
However, Epic Games isn’t the best platform when it comes to PC gaming, so this doesn’t indicate the sales will be strong. Steam is considered the best gaming platform on PC, and Shadows is currently ranked 122 in the Top Wishlists category.
There is still over a month before the release, so it is likely to climb through the ranks. For those who are unaware, Assassin’s Creed Shadow was supposed to be released last year in November, but due to the massive failure of Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft delayed the game so it could deliver its fandom the best experience.
AC Shadows Previews Are Rumored To Go Live On 20th January
It should be noted that a thoroughly conducted report indicated that Ubisoft is likely to go bankrupt in 2025. So, if its upcoming Assassin’s Creed title fails to generate some huge profit, it will hit rock bottom.
What do you think about the upcoming AC title dominating Epic Games’ top wishlist category? Are you excited about it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.
At Tech4gamers, I cover all sorts of gaming news. Whether it’s a leak of any upcoming game or an update, an announcement, or a rumour, I like to write about it all. Over the weekend, I sit and write features where I talk about games that I miss or want to see return.
Story Highlight
Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t been officially announced yet.
Among many rumors, it was also recently reported that the Switch 2 would be as powerful as PS4 Pro.
However, a credible insider has suggested that the recent rumor is the funniest one he has seen so far.
Over the last year, much information about Switch 2 has been leaked online, including the fact that console hardware will be more capable than most people think.
Among many leaks, it was also reported that the Switch 2 will be as powerful as the PS4 Pro. However, one of the most reliable insiders in the industry has made a tweet stating that it is the funniest rumor he has come across so far.
Why it matters: The official announcement of the console is likely to be made in the following months, so such rumors being struck down removes false hope.
Nintendo Switch Sales Have Been Surpassed PS2 Sales In The US
Just recently, Tom Warren made a tweet about the recent rumor circulating on the internet that the Switch 2 would be more powerful than the PS4 Pro.
Previously, it was suggested that Switch 2 would possess power similar to that of PS4 Pro, but Tom seems to believe otherwise.
there are so many rumors floating around about the Switch 2, but the funniest one is about it being as powerful as a PS4 Pro.
-Tom Warren
While Tom is very credible, it’s best to take this news with a grain of salt as Nintendo has not officially disclosed anything about the hardware of Switch 2.
While recent events have suggested that Switch 2 would be released somewhere around March 2025, the plans may have been changed, and the console may be launched after Nintendo’s current financial year.
Do you think the console will be more powerful than PS4 Pro? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or be a part of Tech4Gamers Official Forums.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Russia has revealed details about its two in-development domestic consoles, but people find the specs amusing.
One of them will use the Elbrus processor, which is significantly weaker compared to Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
The other console is based on cloud gaming services using cheap consumer hardware.
Gamers in Russia have faced several difficulties ever since the war with Ukraine started due to sanctions placed by other countries. Prime Minister Putin is now combating this dilemma by producing in-house game consoles, and details for them have just been revealed.
New reports suggest that Russia is currently whipping up two exclusive game consoles, but their specifications have caused more amusement than surprise in the industry.
Why it matters: Russia is working on two exclusive game consoles, but the revealed specs have made gamers already come up with amusing takes.
One of Russia’s domestic game consoles will use the Elbrus processor.
A blog post by Russian site Habr confirms that Russia is working on a console that utilizes the Elbrus processor, which it admits is weaker than Xbox and PlayStation consoles. The other console is cloud-based using cheap consumer hardware, as a RBC report suggests.
Gamers over forums like Reddit have taken to create memes and joke around with the specifications. Some speculate that the Elbrus-based console might only run weak or extremely simple titles, while others wonder if Russia can even pull this off.
Some even argue that it might just be a custom PC that can play a bunch of pirated stuff.
The Reddit posts are filled with memes amid serious discussions.
Russia first revealed its interest in developing in-house game consoles in March 2024. However, only little is known so far, so take the info with a grain of salt.
Do you think Russia’s exclusive consoles will ever be able to take the industry giants head-on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.
