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
Capcom has announced new games for Onimusha and Okami.
The Japanese studio wants to bring back more classic franchises in the future.
Fans hope to see new games for IPs like Dino Crisis, Marvel vs. Capcom, Viewtiful Joe, and God Hand.
The Game Awards 2024 proved to be an incredible showcase for new games like The Witcher 4, Elden Ring Nightrein, and Naughty Dog’s first new IP in a decade. While these reveals were all crowd-pleasers, Capcom’s trailers arguably won everyone over.
The publisher has confirmed the unexpected return of both Onimusha and Okami, but this is not all. As per Capcom, even more dormant IPs will be brought back in the future.
Why it matters: The Japanese gaming giant has a wealth of first-party games in its back catalogue that fans have longed to see in the modern era.
Capcom has partnered with legendary director Hideki Kamiya for the Okami sequel after nearly two whole decades. On the other hand, Onimusha is set to return with a proper new game after over a decade, although it received a remaster earlier in 2018.
As per Capcom, this is just the beginning. In an official press release, the publisher will continue reviving franchises from its portfolio to fulfil fan demands.
Capcom is focusing on re-activating dormant IPs that haven’t had a new title launch recently.
-Capcom
While there’s no saying which IPs will be revived, the likes of Dino Crisis and Marvel vs. Capcom are high up on the list. Since the studio is working with Hideki Kamiya again, the long-anticipated sequel to God Hand could also become a reality eventually.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Arrives In 2026
The publisher remastered Dead Rising recently. This remaster was part of the same initiative, so future revivals could involve remasters and remakes, in addition to original entries.
What are your thoughts on the studio’s plans? Which franchise do you hope to see revived? Let us know in the comments, and continue the discussions on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
As Tech4Gamers’ Wiki Editor, I dissect gaming products, offering detailed perspectives on a variety of PCMR hardware ranging from the Best Motherboards and CPUs to the Best GPUs, RAM, and PSUs.
Story Highlights
A new uncharted game on the PlayStation 5 can unlock the console’s potential.
Considering the epilogue of Uncharted 4, the story has many new exciting opportunities.
It will also be interesting to see how well Naughty Dog utilizes the PS5’s capabilities to bring us game mechanics that reach new heights.
Uncharted is one of the finest franchises in the world of video games. Over the years, Naughty Dog has provided us with some spectacular games through this franchise that were great action and story-wise.
The franchise comprises six games, and Uncharted 4 is the main story’s conclusion. Although the franchise’s end was satisfying, a final main story Uncharted game on the new generation of consoles wouldn’t hurt.
New Opportunities For Stories
A fresh, uncharted game can be good for several reasons. One of them is the story revolving around the game. The story in Uncharted 4 brought a fitting end to Nathan Drake, giving him a proper goodbye and a happy ending.
However, as we saw in the game’s epilogue, Nathan has a daughter. Cassie. She was so keen to learn about the secret Nate was hiding from her, Nate’s past glories. This opens doors for a new protagonist in the next uncharted game.
Cassie Finding Out Nate’s Secret (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Cassie taking the lead in the game to continue her father’s Legacy can be a full-circle moment, as Nate also used her mother’s footsteps as stepping stones in his treasure-hunting journeys.
Cassie can be the protagonist of the next game, but that doesn’t mean Nate can’t participate in the adventures. It would be heartwarming to see a father and daughter duo finding treasures and solving mysteries together.
But as Nate will be in his 50s during the events of the next uncharted game, he won’t be able to do much climbing. However, the developers can still give him a Sully-like arc and throw in some chapters where we can play as Nate.
Nate In The Epilogue Of Uncharted 4 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
This will add a touch of nostalgia to the game, reminding players of Nathan Drake’s high-flying days. The treasures or adventures the two would pursue in the game can be rooted in the salvage business Nate owned at the end of Uncharted 4.
Inclusion Of Samuel Drake As A Playable Character
Apart from Nate and Cassie, Nate’s brother, Samuel Drake can be given screen time as a playable character. In Uncharted 4, Sam had an exciting character arc. He was the sole reason he and Nate could find Henry Avery’s lost treasure.
His character was handled well from start to end, and his bond with Nate could have been explored more. Sam’s impressive character would be great to add to the next Uncharted game, as there are various storytelling opportunities around him.
Samuel Drake In Uncharted 4 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
They can also explore the time in Sam’s life when he was separated from Nate during the prison escape in Panama and when he was reunited with him 15 years later. In short, Sam has a vast potential to be included in the game.
Massive Room For Improved Gameplay On The Latest Generation Of Gaming
Another big reason there needs to be another Uncharted game is the fantastic gameplay this franchise has brought to the table over the years. The action has been nonstop and improved from the start of the series.
We got Uncharted 1, 2, and 3 on the PlayStation 3 and Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy on the PlayStation 4. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that all the Uncharted games utilized the PlayStations’ capabilities pretty well.
The smooth, satisfying, and well-paced gameplay they brought by utilizing the power of those consoles won everyone’s hearts and is a big reason why the franchise became so successful.
Many people, including me, bought a PlayStation solely to play the Uncharted series. If the same energy is brought into building a new Uncharted game for the PlayStation 5, the results can be what everyone wants from the PS5.
There still aren’t many games that can unlock the potential of PS5’s hardware, but the next Uncharted game, besides GTA 6, might be the one to do it.
It would be breathtaking to see visually realistic graphics, action-packed sequences, and smooth, high-flying parkour gameplay on the latest generation of console gaming. This move can also motivate people to buy PlayStation 5, so it’s a win-win situation for Sony.
As a Hardware Expert at Tech4Gamers, I bring my decade-long expertise in electronics design, embedded solutions, and prototyping. My knack for exposing misconceptions in the tech world finds a perfect outlet here.
GuliKit introduced its TMR (Tunnel MagnetoResistance) technology in 2024, which provides even lower power consumption and much better stability and performance compared to the traditional hall-effect sensors.
I recently got the chance to play around with GuliKit’s TMR sticks for my PS5 DualSense Wireless controller. Even though my controller was pretty new, I still felt some hiccups during gameplay on a few instances.
With that in mind, I dove straight into modding my controller with GuliKit’s TMR joysticks. In this review, I’ll break down why analog joysticks often run into problems and how Hall-effect technology solves them. I’ll also guide you through the installation process step by step, covering everything from removing the original joysticks to installing the new ones, calibrating them, and testing the performance to see the difference before and after the upgrade
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Arsalan Shakil is our tech expert who loves modding mice and controllers and testing power supplies.
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 GuliKit TMR Joysticks are a premium, drift-free joystick upgrade designed for serious gamers, offering exceptional durability, precision, and comfort.
You should buy the GuliKit TMR Joysticks if your controller has the stick-drift issue and you have experience with soldering.
You should not buy the GuliKit TMR Joysticks if you don’t have a soldering station. You can have a professional do the replacement, but that may increase the modding cost.
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The Wear And Tear Of Analog Sticks
PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Joysticks for the Game Controllers are the high refresh rate for the Gaming Monitors, which both revolutionized motion fluidity and changed the game forever.
Potentiometers on the Sticks
Thin Carbon Film (inside of the joystick)
Even the very first Gaming Consoles incorporated analog dials as the games at that time were limited to only horizontal and vertical movements with no other input options. Analog dials or joysticks are basically potentiometers that change their resistance based on their viper position over a thin Carbon film layer. This change in resistance translates into minor voltage changes, which are then converted to digital signals via the ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) of the MCU (Microcontroller Unit).
Because of its mechanical nature with moving parts inside, continuous and prolonged use of such analog sticks eventually wears out the thin carbon film layer, causing abnormalities in actual resistance values. And if you think it’s only you guys, the Gamers, who cry, “I am sick of these sticks”, just for once, think of the sufferings of Audio Engineers with the gazillions of analog dials in their sound mixing controllers!
With the advancement in technologies in almost every industry, where even the switches of Gaming Mice and Keyboards have now shifted to either Optical or Hall-effect switches for superior, extremely fast, and durable performance, similar advancement in analog sticks was destined and pretty much inevitable.
Hall-Effect Sticks: A Tried and Tested Concept
A few readers will find it extremely surprising that the concept and use of Hall-effect sticks/sensors have been around for decades! They were even used in Sega Dreamcast controllers back in the old days, and they would still work fine without any drift issues.
Hall-effect sensors work similarly to potentiometers; where in a potentiometer, the viper’s movement over the thin carbon film changes voltage values, the Hall-effect sensor, on the other hand, changes the voltage levels depending on the proximity of the magnet attached to its viper (via magnetic field principle)
Now, there’s been a myth among Gamers regarding why big manufacturers are not willing to upgrade their controllers with Hall-effect sensor sticks, and it all boils down to “Planned Obsolescence”.
Whereas I believe big manufacturers (due to their insanely high production) tend to have the “if it ain’t FULLY broken, then don’t fix it” attitude, hence why they don’t want to redesign their existing products that often.
Contrary to what many people think, it’s not entirely due to planned obsolescence.
Hall-effect sensor sticks (in their early days) required significantly more current than the analog sticks and had a few operational differences that would require slight design changes. Because of their high power consumption, wired controllers would have had hall-effect sticks, and wireless ones would still have used analog. This difference in design would have required a separate assembly line/production/development, etc, the kind of hassle Sony/Microsoft didn’t really want to get themselves into.
The Rise Of Modern Hall-Effect Sticks
GuliKit TMR Joysticks TMR Sticks for different Controllers
Hall-effect sensors (especially TMR from GuliKit) have matured quite well, but they still require a tad bit more time for companies like Alps to re-engineer their existing analog sticks to Hall-effect ones, and Sony/Microsoft is likely to go with a well-established and reputable brand for their sticks than a newly established from Shenzhen and that’s exactly what happened in the gaming mice industry for their optical switches variants, we only started seeing big mouse manufacturers opting for optical switches only when Omron finally made its own. But Gamers ain’t got time for that, and they want the solution NOW! And thanks to innovative brands like GuliKit, they won’t really have to.
GuliKit first started making replacement Hall-effect sticks for controllers, and with their extensive R&D, they now have Electromagnetic as well as TMR-based sticks. Their commitment to innovation truly reflects their motto
“GuliKit is a design-driven brand of game accessories. Everything we do is for breakthroughs and innovations.”
Unboxing The GuliKit’s TMR Joysticks
GuliKit TMR Box
GuliKit TMR Unboxing
GuliKit’s TMR Joysticks came in a nice and small package with their King Kong Ring anti-slip texture Thumbstick which felt really smooth, even better than the original ones.
The Joysticks
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GuliKit KKR Thumbknob Top View (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Gulikit KKR Thumbknob Side View (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Gulikit Thumbknob (Image By Tech4Gamers)
GuliKit Joystick (Image By Tech4Gamers)
GuliKit Joystick with KKR Thumbknob (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The sticks’ movement felt similar to PS5 DualSense’s, so there won’t be any issues in adapting to the GuliKit’s sticks.
Circularity Test Results Before The Mod
Original PS5 DualSense Sticks Circularity Test (Image By Tech4Gamers)
To check how well my PS5 DualSense sticks perform, I went on to test it at HardwareTester’s website, which provides testing of different controllers.
Circularity test results showed why I felt a few hiccups in my joysticks, especially in the left one. Even a newly unboxed controller will still show around a 5% circularity error, but a 10% error is when you start to feel an issue while gaming.
When your RTX 4090 is running fine on an 850W PSU, and you know it’s going to end up BSODing your PC at some point eventually, and out of nowhere, you get a 1000W PSU, won’t you just immediately put it in your PC? Regardless of how cumbersome or time-consuming the entire replacement process will be? Well, that’s exactly what I did, and oh boy, did I not anticipate the challenges it might come with!
Teardown
I highly recommend watching a few teardown and stick replacement tutorials/videos first on YouTube and only taking on this endeavor if you have adequate soldering skills and, more importantly, a decent-quality soldering iron.
Desoldering The Old Joysticks
Desoldering
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Original PS5 DualSense Sticks (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Stick Desoldering Process (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Sticks Desoldered Sucessfully (Image By Tech4Gamers)
I watched a few tutorials, and though almost all of them warned about how difficult it could be to actually desolder and take the joysticks out of the DualSense PCB, I was still quite confident and had high hopes because of my exceptional soldering skills.
It was only when I finally started to desolder that I witnessed it was not going to end up well. The thick ground copper planes on the PCB and the metal shroud of the stick were soaking in all the heat from the soldering iron and were making it extremely difficult for the solder-sucker to suck in the melted solder and free the stick’s pins from the PCB. I then had to take help from a hot air gun which acted as a catalyst and aided my soldering iron to properly melt the solder, which was effectively sucked in by the solder sucker.
If you don’t have a hot air gun, then a hair dryer will work fine as long as you keep it in close proximity for prolonged periods while desoldering with your soldering iron.
Make sure to apply leaded solder before doing the desoldering process with your iron, as the pre-applied solder paste is lead-free, which is extremely difficult to melt; mixing it with leaded solder will significantly reduce its melting point.
Soldering The GuliKit TMR Joysticks
GuliKit TMR Sticks Installed
Gulikit TMR Sticks Soldered Side
After the sticks were removed, proper cleaning is required from Isopropyl Alcohol wipes. The new replacement sticks from GuliKit are now ready to be installed. The process of soldering the new sticks will also require a hot air gun, but at a much lower temperature (at around 100C) this time; this will help the solder to melt evenly and have a firm connection with the GuliKit’s TMR sticks’ pins.
Everything was put back together in the end, but the fix has still not been done. The final step is to calibrate the new sticks via the DualShock-tools website and then save the calibrated data to the controller’s memory. This step is very important as otherwise, your sticks will go absolutely haywire.
Calibration
Calibration Process (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The calibration process is pretty much straightforward and well-guided. After you’re done with the calibration, you can check whether the sticks have been properly calibrated using the HardwareTester tool. If you see some abnormalities in the stick values, you should go back and recalibrate your controller.
Circularity Test Results After The Mod
After Calibration (Image By Tech4Gamers)
After calibrating my DualSense Wireless controller the 2nd time, I was quite comfortable with the results. 4.6% circularity error for the left stick and 5.5% on the right equates to a brand-spanking new controller.
GuliKit Sticks slightly off-center (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The center point on the sticks wasn’t dead centered (even after multiple recalibrations because of my OCD), but this seems to be not a big issue and doesn’t have any effect when playing games, which I later discovered.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You want a drift-free joystick for long-term reliability: If joystick drift keeps ruining your gaming sessions, TMR sticks are a solid fix. Unlike analog sticks, they don’t wear out over time, so you get consistent performance for the long haul.
✅You value comfort during extended play sessions: KKR thumb-knobs are built for comfort and durability, making them ideal for long gaming marathons—even when things get sweaty.
✅You’re serious about gaming and appreciate quality mods: If you’re the kind of gamer who values premium performance and doesn’t mind spending time or money on high-quality upgrades, this mod is a great choice.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You lack soldering skills or the necessary tools: This isn’t a beginner-friendly mod. Without advanced soldering experience or the right tools, you’ll probably need professional help to install it.
❌You prefer a plug-and-play solution: If you’re after a simple upgrade with minimal effort, this mod’s complexity might make it more trouble than it’s worth.
My Thoughts After Two Weeks Of Usage
The GuliKit’s TMR joysticks felt slightly smooth in movements and significantly better in terms of their feel, thanks to their textured and anti-friction thumb-knob design. It’s been around two weeks, and I have not yet encountered any issues or drift in stick values. And because there’s no internal viper in the sticks rubbing against the carbon film layer wearing it down from time to time, I can be absolutely certain that these newer and much-improved joysticks are going to last way longer than any analog sticks in the market. The newer sticks, regardless of how advanced they are, after years of use, are eventually going to wear out in some way because of their mechanical nature (for their movement’s structure). So, I am very optimistic about how future innovation will reshape the design of today’s joysticks.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Black Ops 6 revitalizes the franchise with a semi-open world, revamped movement, and a focus on spy espionage.
Heavily influenced by Mission Impossible and the Hitman games, Black Ops 6 offers various missions focusing on infiltrating and targeting high-level targets.
With its longest campaign yet at 8 hours, Black Ops 6 blends diverse missions, such as a casino heist, with traditional frontline battles, setting the stage for more expansive storytelling in future entries.
The Black Ops series is back with a bang and is one of the strongest entries in the Call of Duty franchise since 2019’s Modern Warfare. There’s a lot of new stuff around this time with the game, with a revamped movement system and tons of new features.
Finally beating the same old game allegations, Black Ops 6 excels in all 3 main game departments: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. However, in my playthrough, I found the game’s story mode fully revamped.
Exploring the proper theme of Black Ops missions, the game delves into Spy Spionage missions with a more semi-open world setting. Combined with a decent storyline featuring the series’ strongest characters, Black Ops 6 is the most refreshing campaign I’ve played in years.
Why It Matters: For a franchise that was getting stale due to yearly releases and not much change with each entry, Black Ops 6 brings promising changes for the future and keeps us optimistic.
The Game Has A Lot of Mission Impossible And Hitman Influence
I can’t get enough of Hitman games
Jumping straight in, I noticed a lot of Mission Impossible and Hitman influence in Black Ops 6, although the latter one is in terms of mission design. While still not a sandbox-level design, Black Ops 6 has tons of freedom in playstyle and how to approach each objective and side mission.
The game also features a wide variety of gadgets this time. A swaying throwing knife reminiscent of the remote-controlled Batarang from the Arkham games and RC bombs makes you really feel like a spy.
The premise is quite simple, though. As rogue agents, you’ll have to hunt down high-target individuals without official government backing and dig up friendly and enemy secrets.
As such, Black Ops 6 features some memorable real-life figures from the Gulf War era, such as Bill Clinton, whose political gala you’d have to infiltrate in one mission. Saddam Hussein also appears in the game, and one mission involves raiding his palace.
After every mission, you return to your safehouse, which is a hub for all the game’s missions and progress. You can learn more about your comrades and buy upgrades, too. While this feature has been around for the last few entries, Black Ops 6 expands on this.
One Of The Longest Campaigns In The Franchise
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 features one of the best campaigns in the series
Despite their good quality, call of Duty’s campaigns are never the most memorable part of the game. Those games usually offer a 4-6 hours campaign that can be completed within one sitting.
With Black Ops 6, however, things have changed for the better. While not a significant margin, the new campaign now clocks around 8 hours.
There’s a lot of mission variety in the game, which will have you roaming around different environments and parts of the world. For instance, one mission is a casino heist with multiple points of infiltration that won’t affect the mission’s outcome but are different playstyles, opening new opportunities and interaction with other NPCs.
That said, the campaign has its frontline moments, too, with bits of it set at the frontlines of the battles. There’s enough variety to please old-school Call of Duty fans as well as newer fans while giving them a much fresh outlook on the game.
New Beginnings For Call Of Duty
Leaks suggest the next Call of Duty game is a Modern Warfare title
While the Microsoft acquisition of Activision didn’t play a part in this, the franchise is about to change forever. It’s actually evolving, and Black Ops 6 was just testing grounds for the series’ campaign, which I speculate will be given more attention in the future.
Potentially, future Call of Duty campaigns will be even more engaging and take a much more expansive take on its mission style, something closer to the Hitman games. That is a welcome change; however, I want that strictly for the Black Ops series. The Modern Warfare games are best to stick towards the frontline action.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Stalker 2 is one of the most detailed and visually appealing games in years, and being a survival game, it has some contrast with Fallout games.
However, Stalker 2 plays tougher, tends to incline toward realism and horrorcore, and plays like a simulator compared to Fallout.
Stalker 2 has raised my expectations for the next Fallout game, which is expected to be released before 2026 at the earliest.
Stalker 2 has finally been released, and despite all its technical difficulties, which I’m willing to overlook, I think the game is almost perfect. I haven’t seen such a detailed and visually appealing game out of the gate since Witcher 3.
Developers of GSC Game World outdid themselves with the sequel, and the 17 years of waiting were worthwhile at every moment. Stalker 2 is a survival sandbox game that cleverly blends multiple genres and is a strong GOTY candidate.
From the initial gameplay, I expected it to be somewhat closer to the Metro games, given the plot similarities and how the original developers of the first game made Metro games. However, Stalker 2 has a striking similarity to Fallout due to the open-world and RPG elements, and it has subconsciously curbed my hunger for the true next-gen Fallout game I have been waiting for for almost a decade.
Why It Matters: Fans have made several demands that Fallout be turned into a horror game. However, Stalker 2 best meets that need with a unique twist of survival and horrorcore elements.
Fallout Meets Soulslike
Stalker 2 Is One Of The Most Challenging FPS I’ve Played
Straight down, both Fallout and Stalker games are characters surviving in an open-world sandbox wasteland. The Fallout games are more towards the satirical spectrum, emphasising humor and irony on how disastrous the society in those games was.
Stalker 2, on the other hand, leans more towards the war’s ugliness and its aftermath’s effect on the land and its people. While both games have survival and RPG elements that involve character building, inventory, and weapons leveling, Stalker 2’s more towards realism.
Naturally, Stalker 2 becomes a horror because of its survival elements. Stalker 2 is what a souls-like game would be if it was a first-person shooter. As such, all difficulty levels in the game will have you dying multiple times because there’s so much worldwide, including human enemies, creatures, and the radiation from the nuclear attack.
Scourging the buildings and exploring narrow dark hallways is similar to the Metro experience, but those games weren’t exactly open-world but rather a bit linear. Despite Metro Exodus going open-world, it wasn’t a sandbox, and the map was still limited compared to what Stalker 2 has to offer.
Regarding the plot details, I found Stalker 2 somewhat close to Fallout New Vegas. However, Stalker 2’s protagonist, Skif, is just another survivor on the mainland rather than a hero.
However, his choices deeply impact The Zone and can shape the entire narrative of the post-apocalyptic open world. Stalker 2 prioritizes player freedom more than Fallout games, which is a bold statement. However, Stalker 2 is more about the narrative rather than the player’s build and customization.
Stalker 2 Has Raised My Expectations For The Next Fallout Game
Xbox Reportedly Plans To Launch Fallout 5 Before 2030
While I understand the severe difference between Stalker and Fallout as IPs, the obvious similarities between the games can’t be undermined. Especially the survival theme, which is exactly why Fallout is so popular in the first place.
However, Stalker 2’s intertwined story, level details, and open-world elements have certainly upped my expectations for the next Fallout game. Coming back from the disastrous launch of Fallout 76, they already have a lot to make for.
While I do admit that Fallout 76 has now become better with patches and updates, the franchise has been gassed a lot witcccccccccccccccccccccccccccch the positive reception of Prime’s Fallout TV show.
The unfortunate news is that the next Fallout game is quite distant, and we still have to wait for The Elder Scrolls 6’s release.
In the meantime, I will enjoy my time with Stalker 2, which takes almost 100 hours to complete fully. Knowing there is so much to explore and routes to take, I will revisit the game quite a few times before the next Fallout game releases.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Rocksteady’s conclusion to the Arkham series was well done with Arkham Knight, which features some of the best bosses and storylines.
Even with major antagonists such as the Joker and Two-Face, Arkham Knight shines on lesser-known villains like Firefly and Professor Pyg.
The game’s best side quest is Azrael’s, whose outcome is decided by the anti-hero himself.
Rocksteady’s work on the Batman Arkham games is no less than a masterpiece, and no matter how many times I replay those games, I still can’t get enough of the Dark Knight. For me, Arkham Games perfectly translates all of Batman’s mythos, unlike anyone else in the comics.
While many would pick Batman Arkham City as the best in the series, Arkham Knight is no less. The ending to the Arkham saga was on a high note as the Dark Knight saves Gotham City from impending doom by heroically sacrificing himself.
There are multiple reasons why Batman Arkham Knight is my favorite superhero video game. I love how it has so many boss varieties that are different from those of its predecessors. This time around, the game went fully open-world and showcased the detective side of our beloved superhero.
Why It Matters: Boss battles are a huge aspect of any video game and truly showcase the game’s storytelling and spectacle moments. However, with Arkham Knight, every other aspect was nailed so well that the game’s bosses often get overshadowed by the rest of the game’s elements.
Gotham’s Most Wanted
Professor Pyg’s Missions In Arkham Knight Were Truly Disturbing
We’ve had enough of the infamous Batman villains such as The Joker, Scarecrow, Riddler, and Two-Face. Don’t get me wrong, the Arkham series nailed them and showcased why the media uses these villains all over again, but the main difference here is how Batman Arkham Knight managed to cram other lesser-known villains here, too.
To be clear, these lesser-known villains are still prevalent in other Batman media, but the mainstream audience doesn’t know them. I’d start with Professor Pyg, who had the game’s most twisted and thrilling storyline.
Professor Pyg’s saga is one of the reasons why Batman Arkham Knight has an M rating. His side missions start from mutilated corpses all over Gotham, who are just one of Professor Pyg’s victims, as he performs terrible surgeries on his victims to make them appear perfect.
Even after finding him, you’ll have to beat up Dollotrons, the victims of Pyg’s perfectionism. It’s truly horrifying to wander them off and beat them with them having no sense of pain.
Another worthy criminal is Firefly, an ex-stuntman who is yet another victim of a traumatic event that led him to become scarred and mentally sick after getting burnt. As such, his motives are to burn down Gotham and its fire stations to purge it of corruption.
His missions are Batmobile sequences, and as Batman, you’d have to chase him down as he wrecks chaos flying away. Those chasing sequences look straight out of an action movie, and Firefly’s voice acting is just the cherry on top.
Savior Or Destroyer?
Azrael Is One Of The Most Interesting Characters From Batman’s Mythos
In Batman Arkham City, there’s a sort of easter egg where Azrael stalks from afar in the beginning sequences of the game. However, the character is fully explored by Arkham Knight.
By far, Azrael is the most memorable character in the game, especially because he’s somewhat like Batman. Even the quest name “Heir To The Cowl” implies that he can carry on the Dark Knight’s legacy.
Azrael’s dialogue implies the end of Batman; to some extent, it is a subtle foreshadowing. Bruce considers Azrael Gotham’s next saviour, but to prove himself, he has to go through several of Batman’s trials.
You can choose the ending to this quest, either to attempt to kill Batman or walk away and continue on your own path. Trying to kill Batman does end up in the Dark Knight apprehending you and sending you to the Gotham prison alongside the rest of the criminals.
Azrael’s story was brief but an exciting one nonetheless. I was hoping for the series to discover the character more in the following entries, but it never came to fruition. Azrael is a notable anti-hero in the comics and has even taken upon the cowl when Bane broke Batman’s back.
There are several other storylines in the game that are just as exciting, such as Deacon Blackfire’s cult and Hush trying to take over Wayne’s enterprise. However, Deadshot’s boss battle was terribly done, considering how well his encounter with Batman was in Arkham Origins.
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 Highlights
The GTX 960 offers good performance at an affordable price making it a favorite among budget conscious gamers.
Despite its age the GTX 960 can handle demanding games at medium to high settings.
The graphics card is power efficient and reliable.
Nvidia has been a producer of graphics cards for years now. In a world where graphics cards such as the RTX 4090 and RTX 3090 dominate discussions it may seem unusual for someone to sing praises for the GeForce GTX 960.
The GTX 960 is a part of Nvidia’s 900 series. Despite its age and the advancements in GPU technology this this mid-range card from 2015 holds a special place in my setup. Let’s go through why I still use the GTX 960 and why it remains to be a good choice for gamers.
A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
When it was released the GTX 960 was praised for its balance between performance and affordability. Even today it remains a great graphics card on the cheaper end of the spectrum having all drivers needed available on Nvidia’s site.
For gamers looking for a graphics card but lack the budget to buy the latest hardware the 960 is a great option. However, if still wanting to buy a newer model gamers can try buying used cards that are not hefty on the pricing.
Still Capable of Handling Demanding Titles
Having a base clock speed of 1127MHz and a boost clock speed of 1178MHz the GTX 960 is able to run high-demanding titles such as the Witcher 3 which has set bar for open world RPGs. In my experience, this card has help up remarkably against newer games. While I still cat crank every setting to ultra, I can still enjoy a smooth gaming experience.
Even GTA 5 runs smoothly at 1080p with respectable frame rates using this GPU. I have played the Shadow of the Tomb Raider, God of War, Elden Ring and more using the GTX 960 with great results. This proves that the Nvidia GTX 960 still has some fight left in it. The cards 2GB VRAM may seem limiting by today’s standards but it can still deliver an enjoyable experience.
Efficient and Reliable
Another reason why I continue to use the GTX 960 is its efficiency. The cards design has a main focus on power efficiency this means it does not require a high-wattage power supply. This makes the card perfect for those with older low powered hardware not looking to upgrade the entire rig to support a new graphics card.
Despite cards like the GeForce RTX 4070, it’s just not as power efficient and budget friendly as the GTX 960. In all the years I’ve had the GTX 960, I’ve never had any issues with overheating or performance degradation. This kind of reliability is rare and valuable in newer cards hence why I keep using the GTX 960.
Another reason I continue to use the GTX 960 is its efficiency. The card’s design prioritizes power efficiency, meaning it doesn’t require a high-wattage power supply to run effectively. This makes it an excellent choice for those with older or lower-powered systems who might not want to upgrade their entire rig just to support a new graphics card.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
A Nostalgic Value
For many gamers including myself, the GTX 960 represents a piece of gaming history. It was a card that provided great performance and reliability during a pivotal time in the industry.
Holding on to it for me feels like keeping a piece of that era alive not to mention it can handle a lot that I throw at it. It strangely reminds me of the countless hours I spent gaming exploring vast open worlds, battling opponents and getting lost in the immersive stories.
While it’s indeed true that the GTX 960 can’t compete with newer models such as the RTX 3060 and GTX 1070 it’s still a great option for those with low budget. Its reliability and performance make it classic that still holds its own even in 2024. I highly recommend this graphics card to anyone out there wanting a low-cost setup.
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 Highlights
The game utilizes surreal mind-bending visuals to leave a pyschological impact on players.
The artist’s painting reveals the haunting story of his broken family and his gradual descent into madness.
The game compels you to uncover the artist’s tragic past through exploration and clues.
Layers of fear combines a haunting narrative with factors such as the obsession and loss of the artist.
If there’s one game that has left a deep, unsettling impression on me it has to be “Layers of Fear”. It’s more than just a horror game; it’s an exploration of human psyche, creative ambition and the impact of loss and obsession.
With each step I took in gtheame I found myself captivated by the games blend of psychological horror, storytelling and the atmosphere it created. Let me walk you through why “Layers of Fear” had me hooked from start to finish.
A Masterpiece of Psychological Horror
The game is available on Steam for purchase with it being one of the most played horror games out there. “Layers of Fear” immerses players in a world that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare. The games strength does not lie in jump scares or gore but is in its psychological horror. The mind-bending visuals and creeping sense of dread keeps players on edge.
Layers of Fear the Masterpiece – Image Credits (WCCFTech)
Each room transforms in unexpected ways, with corridors shifting and entire areas morphing into different landscapes that feel like a descent into madness. Every element in the game is crafted to depict the deteriorating mind of the protagonist allowing for great game reviews.
Completing the “Masterpiece” Amid Tragedy
The game was developed by the same team that made the remake of Silent Hill 2. The central goal in Layers of Fear is simple, you’re tasked with completing the artists unfinished masterpiece. With each brushstroke, the tragic layers of the artist’s life start to unravel, and you begin to see the horrors that fuel his work.
Silent Hill 2 Remake – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
The “masterpiece” isn’t just a painting but works as a manifestation of the artists fractured mind, capturing the heartbreak, loss and madness that has consumed him. Each stage of the painting uncovers painful memories and horrors related to the artist’s family and his strained relationship with them.
This is where the games genius shines; you’re not observing as a third party but are an active participant uncovering the story piece by piece. As you search for materials to complete the art piece every brushstroke reveals the tragic cost of the artist’s art.
Compelling Storytelling Through Exploration
When I say that Layers of Fear is different from other games such as Resident Evil 2 which just turned 26 years old or Outlast, I mean it. The game utilizes exploration to pull its players deeper into its story. Layers of Fear compels its players to push forward not only to complete the painting but to understand the horrors that shaped the artists descent.
Through the letters, fragmented memories, and eerie paintings scattered throughout the mansion, you start piecing together the fractured narrative of a family torn apart by obsession and tragedy.
If you haven't seen Layers of Fear you should look at it. One of the best indie horrors I've ever played.
In the game the house itself feels like a living entity, filled with many secrets that make you uncover what went wrong for the artist. The game’s storytelling doesn’t rely on straightforward exposition. Instead, it uses subtle clues, visual metaphors, and environmental storytelling to slowly reveal the trauma and loss that haunt the artist.
This approach kept me engaged, always searching for the next piece of the puzzle, hungry to learn more about the family’s fate and what drove the artist into his spiral of despair.
Layers of Fear Mansion Corridor – Image Credits (Pinterest)
A Perfectly Crafted Atmosphere That Lingers
The game excels in crafting a deep unsettling atmosphere that stayed with me long after I finished the game. All aspects such as the sound design, faint whispers, chilling music, creaks and more kept me on edge. Unlike games such as Left 4 Dead 2 which was created after the first game broke, layers of fear plays with the gamers mind. Although not scary at all as you are thinking the game offers psychedelic horror aspects.
Each room and corridor in the game is designed as to portray the artists chaotic state of mind. The attention to detail, from the realistic textures to the disturbing artwork on the walls everything in conjunction with each other make the game a psychological horror masterpiece.
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
A verified Switch 2 unit has allegedly leaked online, as investigated by a mod of the popular r/NintendoSwitch2 subreddit.
The new Switch will feature Hall Effect Joy-Cons, a screen with a similar size to the Steam Deck, and more upgrades.
Despite the examined evidence claiming the leak is real, we still suggest taking it with a pinch of salt.
After Nintendo Switch’s tremendous success and longevity over the years, many eyes in the gaming scene are anticipating the company’s next console. Not much is still known; a slew of rumors in the past have suggested that it will simply be the next iteration of the Switch with a $499 price tag. Unfortunately, no leaks with convincing evidence have leaked before, but that might have changed just now.
A verified non-powered next Switch console has reportedly appeared in the wild. It is simply called the ‘Switch 2’ and features the highly requested Hall Effect Joy-Cons to eliminate drifting.
Why it matters: A Switch 2 unit leaking out in the wild even ahead of the official reveal could have huge effects on the industry. The leaker currently cannot publicly share details for fear of being tracked.
The Reddit leaker u/NextHandheld on the r/NintendoSwitch2 subreddit has allegedly got their hands on the next Switch, a claim that was once doubted until the mod u/MacksNotCool got verifiable evidence from him. The leaker has not turned on the device or publicly shared details for fear of somehow being tracked by Nintendo.
It is bigger than the traditional Switch, with the main visual difference being in the back, ‘like the Joycon release button and the U-shaped kickstand.’ It will seemingly be announced in January 2025 and is lighter than the Steam Deck but heavier than the Switch.
Additionally, the screen is the same size as the Steam Deck, and there is also ‘something new’ in the Joy-Cons for creative experiences.
Do you think this Switch 2 leak confirming Hall Effect Joy-Cons and other incredible specs is legit, or is it another hoax waiting to be debunked? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official 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
Elden Ring dominated TGA by winning Game of the Year award in 2022.
The game has received a lot of recognition and is by far the ost popular title released by FromSoftware.
It has now sold over 28.6 million copies as revealed by the latest developer’s press release.
Elden Ring changed the open-world and RPG genre when it was released in 2022. Many developers took inspiration from this game and started developing the Soulslike genre, which is clearly being saturated now.
That said, the FromSoftware title introduced many new players to the genre, and thanks to that, it became the most successful title the developer has ever released. The dominance of this title continues even after two years, as it has sold over 28.6 million copies.
Why it matters: Elden Ring is designed as a title that welcomes any type of player, as there are just so many options for playing the game. While it can be challenging to play, that is simply the nature of FromSoftware games.
Elden Ring’s DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Is The Highest Rated Expansion of All Time
FromSoftware officially announced this number in a recent press release. The press release’s main focus is the game’s spin-off Nightreign, which has many players hyped.
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, a spin-off title of the action RPG ELDEN RING, which has shipped over 28.6 million copies worldwide and was jointly developed by the two companies, will be released worldwide in 2025.
-FromSoftware
This report seems to conclude the data by the end of September 2024. The last sales update of the dark fantasy RPG title was revealed in June. Back then, it was revealed that the title had sold 25 million copies, so it sold 3.6 million in just over 3 months, which is pretty good.
Its DLC has likely played an important role in boosting sales, as it was among this year’s hot topics. Fans should also note that the entire Dark Souls franchise has sold over 27 million copies, and Elden Ring managed to break this record alone.
What do you think of Elden Ring’s new sales milestone? What are your thoughts regarding this successful RPG? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
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.
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2K has discontinued its proprietary Fusion Engine for Mafia: The Old Country.
Instead, Hangar 13 will be using the Unreal Engine 5 for development.
This marks yet another studio shifting to UE5 from its in-house engine.
2K recently debuted the first look at the highly-anticipated Mafia: The Old Country at The Game Awards 2024. Like many other studios, 2K and Hangar 13 are also giving up on their proprietary Fusion Engine in favor of Unreal Engine 5.
Why it matters: Despite its many issues, Unreal Engine 5 is continuing to be the default engine for most studios. Earlier, we saw CDPR and Halo studios shifting from its RED Engine, and now 2K has done the same.
Mafia: The Old Country Will Utilize Unreal Engine 5
The Fusion engine is a proprietary engine enhanced by Hangar 13, based on 2K’s Illusion Engine developed for Mafia 2. Even the most recent entry, Mafia: The Definitive Edition, was developed using their proprietary platform.
However, with Mafia: The Old Country, 2K is taking a very different approach and switching over to Unreal Engine 5, as confirmed by the official website. While it is a powerhouse that delivers great visuals with ray-traced reflections and shadows, it has its cons.
Soak in sun-drenched Mediterranean scenery with picture-perfect visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5.
Mafia: The Old Country New Trailer at TGA 2024
For one, the engine has regular problems with stuttering, even with the most high-end GPUs. Moreover, UE5 games have been a literal disaster when it comes to optimizations. A recent example includes Stalker 2.
Nonetheless, Mafia developers are confident in their decision. Mafia: The Old Country is poised for a mid-2025 launch, so we can expect more coverage soon.
What are your thoughts on Mafia: The Old Country utilizing Unreal Engine 5? Let us know 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
Xbox is now abandoning permanent console exclusives from now on.
All the first-party titles that launch on Xbox consoles will eventually appear on other platforms.
Official remarks in the past have also hinted at similar strategies, but take these rumors with a pinch of salt.
The console industry is changing rapidly, with the value of exclusives and differences in hardware diminishing day by day. So, all the giant console makers in the gaming scene have been forced to adapt new strategies to ensure prolonged survival.
As the first adapter, Microsoft is spearheading one of the most controversial and arguably successful strategies: releasing most of its first-party titles onto other consoles.
Now, it is about to double down on this path, as Xbox has decided to eliminate permanent console exclusives altogether.
Why it matters: Xbox abandoning permanent console exclusives means that every first-party title that releases will make its way onto other platforms, whether fans like it or not.
Industry insider Jez Corden claims all Xbox games will come to PlayStation over time.
In a new Twitter statement, popular insider Jez Corden claims that the era of Xbox having permanent console exclusives has already ended. Every game we get to play on Xbox will eventually launch on PlayStation and PC over time.
But the era of Xbox having permanent console exclusives is over.
-Jez Corden
There is already definite proof of this claim, like the announcement that a sequel to the Xbox-exclusive franchise, Outer Worlds 2, will launch on PlayStation from the start.
Indiana Jones is also eventually set to arrive on PlayStation 5.
All in all, it is best to take these claims with a grain of salt. While Xbox’s current trajectory is heading towards no exclusives, no official statement has affirmed these rumors for now.
Do you think Xbox will not launch any permanent first-party titles at all, or will Microsoft secure some once in a while? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.
