Venba is described as a narrative cooking video game, but to my surprise, it was much more than that. Underneath its colorful graphics is a game with soul, and heartbreaking moments that will make you tear up. I played and completed Venba via Game Pass on Xbox Series X in about 2 hours (yes, it’s a super short game), and here’s my review.

Venba Review

Venba is all about an immigrant Tamil family coping with their life in Canada in the 80s and 90s. The main character in this game is Venba, a lovely lady whose journey as a mom trying to give her family the best possible life will end up tugging at your heartstrings. Soon, Venba and her husband Pavalam have a child named Kavin.

What connects the parents to their roots in India is food – delicious, mouth-watering food. But since Kavin is born and brought up in Canada, things are different from his perspective. I won’t give much away but this, basically, forms the core of the simple story of the game.

Players will emotionally connect to Venba and feel for her, as she grows old and her son grows up in a foreign land. I found myself silently sobbing toward the end, all because it’s a completely realistic scenario that most parents go through. If you are someone who can relate to the story first-hand (of being an empty nester, being an immigrant parent, or a child of one), this game is going to stay with you for a while.

Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. – Harriet van Horne

For most of the game, you will be pressing a button to take the conversations further. Occasionally, there will be dialogue options to choose from, as responses. As you’ll see, Venba and Paavalan undergo trying times related to jobs and fitting into the new society which is completely different from India. You’ll see Venba’s attempts at ensuring Kavin doesn’t forget how to speak his mother tongue, while also helping her husband cope with rejections and struggles. Amidst the future which looks bleak at this point, the one thing that lifts spirits is food – but Kavin seems to reject it, much to the dismay of Venba. The story goes through multiple time jumps and the cooking happens at all stages, for different reasons.

Cooking is love made visible. – Anonymous

While the cooking mechanics are simple – just drag and drop the item into a cooking pot (or on one occasion, a Puttu maker) – it isn’t a cooking game that only involves mindlessly bringing the ingredients together in a pan. They are puzzles with a challenging aspect to them, which can be confusing if you aren’t much of a cook or haven’t dabbled in cooking South Indian food before. The gameplay revolves around cooking based on an old recipe book that has faded text and torn pages. The tough part is understanding the order of adding ingredients, figuring out what the missing lines of text could be, and creating a flavorful masterpiece without a single error. The whole process is engaging and keeps you hooked. Just make sure to not press the ‘revert the entire thing’ button right in the middle of a complicated recipe accidentally (like me).

I had fun while trying to figure it out and honestly ended up learning a lot about Tamil recipes. There’s lots of detail in the chalk-drawing style 2D graphics because the food looks super yummy on-screen. I am definitely going to try making Rasam, Biryani, and more in real life. Thanks to Venba and her mum’s recipe book!

The people who give you their food, give you their heart. – Cesar Chavez

Verdict

Overall, if you have 2 hours to spare on a quick, casual visual novel – you should play Venba. It’s a fresh theme for a game (previously only seen in films, series, and books) that weaves the cooking gameplay almost seamlessly into its story. The graphics are unique and eye-catching and the awesome music takes things up a notch. As the credits appear on a book with pages being turned, it’s evident that this game is all about transformation – of people, of relationships, and of food.

If you liked this Venba review, be sure to check out our Reviews category for more!

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Venba Review – Food Is Love, Food Is Life for more information.

Alienware x16 R1 series introduces a new edition powered by 13th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU. The same variant has an i9-13900 HK CPU Model followed by similar specs. Thanks to Dell for providing us with this new variant that effectively touts a seamless gaming performance at 2k resolution. However Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 variant still holds enough power to deliver gaming at 4K resolution but with some hiccups. This is what this review is all about, in short for buyers who have lined up an Alienware gaming laptop in their shopping list then do read till the end.

Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 Specs & Features:

• Model: Alienware x16 R1
• Color: Lunar Silver
• OS: Windows 11 Pro x64
• Microsoft Office & Student 2021
• 1080p @30fps, FHD RGB+RI Camera
• AlienFX RGB Backlit (per-key) Alienware CherryMX Mechanical Keyboard
• Multi-Touch Gesture Premium Precision Gass Non-RGB Touchpad with AlienFX Lighting LED
• Dual Array Microphone
• 2x 2W Tweeter Speaker
• 4x 3W Woofer Speaker
• AlienFX Light Zones Chassis

Hardware:

• OS: Windows 11 Pro x64
• Display: 16” QHD (2560×1600) 165HZ IPS
• CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700 2.4Ghz
• RAM: 16GB (Expandable Upto 32GB)
• GPU: GeForce RTX 4080 12GB
• SSD: PM9A1 NVME Samsung 1TB (Expandable Upto 4TB. 2 Slots)
• Wifi: Killer 6E AX1675i 160Mhz
• DirectX: 12
• 6 Cell, 90h BAttery

Design:

The Alienware x16 R1 model tested by us comes in Lunar Silver color with Alienware LED branding on the back. This adds a serious look to the laptop, which makes the model specifically stand out as unique, as it’s a premium piece of machine. On the front side, there is a 16-inch QHD display that produces a max resolution of 2560×1600 @240Hz. Below is AlienFX RGB Backlit CherryMX mechanical gaming keyboard. Due to the small form factor, there are no separate numerical keys. Gaming is smooth on the keyboard and backlit does add vibrant looks to the entire model.

Below the keyboard is the RGB Touchpad, it stays in sleep mode and triggers on touch. This multi-touch gesture touchpad features LED AlienFX Lightning. All connectivity ports sit on the backside which makes it much easier to use on a Desk setup. Here is a list of all connectivity ports.

• 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 with PowerShare
• 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort
• 1 Thunderbolt 4 Port with Power Delivery & DisplayPort
• 1x HDMI 2.1 Port
• 1x Mini DisplayPort
• 1x Headset & Mic Combo
• 1x MicroSD-Card Slot
• Intel Killer Wi-Fi 160Mhz
• Bluetooth 5.0+

Alienware x16 R1 does not come with a LAN port but Dell provides a Type-C to LAN Adapter. There is nothing on the right and left side. Speakers sit on the front above the keypad and they are loud enough for gaming. Anyone sitting around 3 to 4 feet away from the system can enjoy loud audio.

Overall Alienware x16 R1 has a premium look with a gaming touch. It is an attractive machine and the light-dark color combination makes it look amazing. Opening the lid is effortless, there are strong and stable hinges holding the screen. It would be correct to say it is a slim model but holds the power of a high-end gaming machine.

Gaming Performance:

In our test, Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 variant is powerful enough to deliver seamless gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p. Pushing it to 4K is still possible, yet the system gets hot soon and the fan noise is loud. With DLSS On, graphics are crisp and life-like. Thanks to the RTX 4080 12GB that can easily take load of any DLSS support video game at their max graphic settings. But still, the performance varies as the resolution changes. For example, games like Forza Horizon 5 do not budge at 1080p or 2K resolution. On 4K with screen recording on the game, lags are visible at the start. Later when everything is loaded there are no artifacts and lagging issues.

A common problem at 4K is heat and low ram warning with all possible settings on. Our test shows the Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 variant is good enough to handle 2K gaming at the dual screen. On battery, the overall gaming is good but with a power cord attached. On battery, it is not fair to expect long hours of gameplay. Here are some of our tests played on different resolutions for different games. All games were tested with DLSS On.

1920×1080 Gaming Test:

2560×1440 Gaming Test:

3840×2160 Gaming Test:

Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 can deliver 4K on a secondary monitor. The laptop’s display supports a max 2K resolution. Gaming is awesome at 1080p and 2K, got more battery life on a lower resolution, and when graphics are set to medium. But there is an RTX 4080 card, so it’s a waste of power if you are not enjoying anything at or above 2K. The laptop does have a USB-C + DisplayPort combo. Thanks to these multi-connectivity options gamers can enjoy seamless resolution on HDMI or DisplayPort.

All games tested are with DLSS On. The graphics were crisp, clear, and life-like. RTX 4080 12GB is a beast sitting in the model that easily handles high-end graphic settings. It looks like 1080 is a distant picture now, where 2K becomes the new favorite if there is a machine like Alienware x16 R1 Core i7. With gaming, the system is also perfect for video editing and rendering. Having 1TB of storage resolves the issue of low storage, which is quiet enough and necessary for gaming models. With three games installed approx 500GB was easily consumed and due to enough space left, it is easy to use up for Screen Recording. An ideal storage size for content creators. But if you prefer 4K rendering then it is necessary to expand the same up to 2TB to 4TB at a minimum. It adds the freedom to install a lot of games, with enough space left for another important task. Also, it is best to have a minimum of 32GB RAM when it comes to higher-end gaming.

For battery, during games, it is not more than an hour while on standard usage you can get 2 to 3 hrs of max battery life. Performance-oriented usage will demand more power, this is where you will have to keep the power cord attached.

Benchmarking Reports:

Here are some actual benchmarking reports run on the Alienware X16 R1 i7 model. The goal of these reports is to evaluate the overall capacity of the model. Starting from the SSD. Alienware X16 R1 uses a Samsung NVMe SSD drive. There are two slots so you can expand that max to 4TB. SSDs are necessary components that have a direct impact on the system’s performance. Especially when you are playing games with DLSS on.

Verdict:

Alienware x16 R1 (Core i7) is a powerful 16-inch gaming laptop. Heating is a common noticeable issue in gaming systems. This is our first gaming laptop test, so I will not really put this as a drawback. The potential hides in the amount of heat the system can handle during playing games. And while using Alienware x16 R1 (Core i7) I am quite satisfied to see even though the chassis is running hot, there is no issue with the performance. It is right to say if you are ready to pay for the performance then Alienware x16 R1 will deliver what is promises. Dell has been able to pack all gaming features into this tiny 16-inch form factor offering an enjoyable gaming experience.

Alienware x16 (Core i7) is slim, yet heavy. 6 Pounds (2.72 kg) with a huge 330w power brick it is not easy to move with. This is a common scenario with all gaming laptops. What matters is the amount of gaming features they carry. This is where Alienware x16 (Core i7) proves to be a satisfactory and performance-oriented gaming laptop.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Alienware x16 R1 Core i7 Gaming Laptop Review for more information.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was revealed during the PlayStation 5 reveal event on June 11, 2020, and the game was released on June 11, 2021, for the PlayStation 5. It is one of the first PS5 exclusives to showcase raytracing and utilize the console’s full potential. With little to no loading screens in various game segments, it pushed the boundaries of what a next-gen game can do.

The game was developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the ninth main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and a sequel to Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus. Rift Apart was praised for its visuals, gameplay, and humor, and it received a score of 88/100 on Metacritic. A PC port was released on July 26, 2023. Were you thinking about getting it? Read till the end for everything you need to know.

What’s New in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PC Port?

Here’s what’s new in this PC port:

• PC Optimized Graphics
  • Experience the latest performance-enhancing upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS, and Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection.
  • Unlock your framerate and enjoy the smoothest possible gameplay.
  • Enhance your image quality with NVIDIA DLSS.
• Ultra-Wide Monitor Support
  • Immerse yourself in the game with ultra-wide support for 21:9, 32:9, and 48:9 resolutions.
  • Experience the game’s vast world in all its glory.
• Ray-Traced Reflections and Shadows
  • Bring the worlds of Ratchet and Clank to life with ray-traced reflections and shadows.
  • See your surroundings’ reflections in metals, water puddles, and other surfaces.
  • Experience the shadows of buildings and objects cast in real time.
• Controls and Customization
  • Play with the DualSense controller to experience haptic feedback and dynamic trigger effects.
  • Or choose a mouse and keyboard and customize your controls to your liking.

In-game actions come to life in your hands with haptic feedback and dynamic trigger effects while playing on a wired connection, thanks to the PS5 DualSense controller. Also, the wide range of graphical choices guarantees that you will play the way that best suits your style. And as a cherry on top, you have many aspect ratios.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PC Review

To save you time, let me tell you if the game is worth it. Yes, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a great game. It has won praise from critics for its humor, playability, and aesthetic appeal. Plus, it was acclaimed for having some of the most stunning visuals ever seen in a 3D platformer, and it started as a “next-generation” visual showcase during the PlayStation 5 reveal event. The seamless and captivating gameplay and the top-notch, humorous plot components also received acclaim.

Here are some of the things that people liked about Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart:

• The visuals: The game is breathtaking, with some of the most gorgeous visuals ever seen in a 3D platformer. The game runs smoothly at over 60 frames per second on most high-end PCs and has extraordinarily rich character models, scenery, and effects.
• The gameplay: Just as spectacular as the graphics is the gameplay. New gameplay elements in the game include the capacity to switch between several planets in the new dimension. Also, when compared to earlier Ratchet & Clank games, the fighting is more agile and exciting.
• The humor: The game’s clever language and slapstick comedy will have you giggling the entire time you play it.

As a whole, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is an excellent game that will undoubtedly delight both series regulars and newcomers alike. The PC port is the best way to enjoy this fantastic game since it has excellent graphics, apart from its cleaner gameplay (on PC with new improvements), and humor. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a 3D platformer you should check out if you like the genre. It’s a fantastic game that will keep you occupied for many hours.

Story

In Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Ratchet and Clank collaborate with Rivet and Kit, their dimensional counterparts, to stop Nefarious from destroying the multiverse. Ratchet now receives a new Dimensionator from Clank, which was supposed to enable him to traverse dimensions and track down his family. But this new Dimensionator was taken by Dr. Nefarious. Nefarious uses it to cause havoc in a separate dimension after teleporting the group there. Ratchet, Clank, Rivet, and Kit must utilize the Dimensionator to stop Nefarious and preserve the entire multiverse.

They encounter several new people that aid them on their trip, such as Gary, a cosmic prophet, and other new characters, as well as the new dimensional equivalents of fan favorites Captain Qwark, Skidd, and Pierre.

This fast-moving, entertaining drama has a lot of humor and action. The voice acting is excellent, and the characters are well-developed.

Both the game and the narrative are entertaining. Fans of the series and those who appreciate 3D platformers must play it. This game has spectacular visuals, including some of the most amazing 3D platformer images ever created.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is among the greatest in the whole franchise. The fighting is exciting and fluid, and the controls are precise and responsive. The game also includes many brand-new gameplay elements, like the capacity to traverse several dimensional planets with almost no loading screen.

The sensation of speed in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s gameplay is one of its strongest features. You’ll move quickly through stages, hopping across platforms and shooting opponents as the game is always in fast-paced motion. With a large selection of weaponry (unlocked in your journey), the fight is also quite enjoyable.

Another fantastic improvement to the gameplay is the capability to move between various planets in the new dimension (it’s so good, I have to mention it once again). By doing so, you can discover new worlds, secret treasures, and challenges. There are parts of the game where you are ported across many dimensions and even encounter brand-new enemy types from various other dimensions. Each of the dimensions has a distinct ambiance and is aesthetically gorgeous.

Fans of the franchise and newbies will enjoy the fast-paced, captivating, and aesthetically spectacular gameplay in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

Sound

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has excellent audio. The voice acting is top-notch, the sound effects are immersive, and the music is catchy and cheerful.

Mark Mothersbaugh, who also created the music for the earlier Ratchet & Clank games, composed the soundtrack for Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. The song’s symphonic and electronic composition effectively encapsulates the game’s fervor and thrill in this new age.

You will also love the new outstanding voice acting as well. Characters come to life thanks to the performers, whose energetic and personable performances make these new-gen characters more lifelike.

Even on a mid-range gaming headphone, you will notice it has immersive sound effects. Weapons firing, explosions, and beating enemies with your melee all provide beautiful sounds. Additionally, the sound effects contribute to the game’s mood.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has an outlandish sound design overall. It contributes significantly to the game’s appeal. The sound effects, voice acting, and music are all of the highest caliber, enhancing the gameplay beautifully.

Graphics

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has stunning visuals. The game’s in-house Insomniac Engine v. 4.0 technology produces some of the most graphically stunning 3D platformer visuals ever. The game operates at about 140+ fluid frames per second on high-end PCs. It features extraordinarily complex character models with hair & fur, landscapes with high draw distance, raytraced surfaces, and spectacular particle effects.

Ray tracing’s utilization in the game is exceptionally excellent. For new gamers, Ray tracing is a technique that can produce almost photorealistic graphics by simulating how light interacts in the actual environment. Ray tracing creates realistic reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

The locations in the game are also quite intricate. Every location, from the lush Sargasso woodlands to the futuristic neon-lit alleys of Nefarious City, is rich in detail. These new worlds are also teeming with life. Big animals, smaller sentient species, wandering robots, and other enemy types exist in many of them.

The character designs in the game are also excellent. The movements of Ratchet, Clank, Rivet, and Kit are smooth and lifelike, and each character is highly detailed. The opponents in the game are likewise attractively made, and their voice lines appear straight from a comic book. All these elements make this one of the best platformers a PlayStation Studio ever produced.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has excellent visuals throughout. The game is a sensory feast, and the graphics significantly affect how pleasant it is. Even the pickiest gamers will be blown away.

Here are some aspects of Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart’s visuals that I found appealing:

1. Ray tracing is effectively used throughout the environment.
2. All the levels in the game are highly intricate.
3. Top-notch character models with fabulous fur, thanks to DLSS frame generation.
4. On most high-end PCs, the game plays well at over 144 frames per second.

An NVIDIA RTX card is now essential for connecting these. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart looks better than ever, thanks to Ray Tracing, the new DLSS 3, and other technological marvels.

PC Performance & DLSS 3

New Deep Learning Super Sampling technology from Nvidia called DLSS 3 is intended to boost gaming performance and visual quality. In DLSS 3 (to put it in simpler terms), lower-quality pictures are upscaled to higher resolution using AI, producing smoother framerates and crisper graphics.

One of the numerous new games that support DLSS 3 on the PC is Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. The game looks fantastic on PC, but DLSS 3 ups the ante. The visuals are much clearer, and during my testing on RTX 4080, the game touches 180 frames per second with DLSS 3 enabled.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has four distinct DLSS 3 settings: Quality, Balanced, Performance, and Ultra Performance. The Ultra Performance level offers the highest performance, while the Quality setting offers the finest visual quality. A reasonable compromise between image quality and performance may be found between the Balanced and Performance settings.

On my review unit Alienware laptop and my computer with an RTX 4080 graphics card, as mentioned, I tried DLSS 3 on them. The game played at a smooth 80+ to 120+ frames per second at 4K resolution and a whooping 180+ FPS in 1440p with the Quality option while DLSS 3 was enabled. Compared to DLSS 2.0, the generated frames’ image quality was much better, and no artifacts were visible to the eyes of a regular player (unless you are looking for them like me).

I also put DLSS 3’s Performance and Balanced settings to the test. The game played smoothly at 144+ frames per second at 4K resolution while using the Balanced option, and the visual quality was exceptional. The game played smoothly at 200+ frames per second at 1440p resolution when the Performance level was used, even in heavy fight scenes. The visual quality was still respectable.

All around, DLSS 3 in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart impressed me. It offers a sizable speed gain and a perceptible image quality enhancement.

The advantages of DLSS 3 in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart are as follows:

1. Increased performance: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s performance can be seriously improved using DLSS 3, enabling you to play the game at higher resolutions and framerates.
2. Improved image quality: DLSS 3 can further enhance the visual quality of Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, giving the game a better, more detailed appearance.
3. Less obvious artifacts: DLSS 3 creates less obvious artifacts than earlier DLSS iterations.

Here are some of the drawbacks of using DLSS 3 in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart:

1. Not all cards support DLSS 3. Especially if you go back a generation.
   • DLSS 3 only works with NVIDIA’s 4000-series RTX graphics cards.
2. DLSS 3 may introduce some minor visual artifacts which are being fixed by the devs in recent patches.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart gains a lot with the addition of DLSS 3. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s DLSS 3 should be enabled if you have an RTX graphics card.

Options in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

A prominent game changer in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is the various upscaling technologies the devs managed to add to the port. You can switch between the different upscaling algorithms to suit your needs. They include Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection, NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, ad Intel XeSS.

Compared to Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection (the default on the PS5), some upscaling methods enable you to play the game at a higher resolution than the PS5 version. For example, DLSS 3 was the best choice for me here. Tinkering with various values of DLSS 3 and other NVIDIA settings produced a sharper image with fewer overall jagged pixels. You will surely notice these differences when you are seated near your display.

I picked DLSS 3 over others mainly because it supported the game’s ray-traced reflections and exterior shadows. Talking about the raytracing, both my test units, an Alienware x16 (review coming up soon) and my main rig with an RTX 4080, were able to create reflections far better than the ones in PS5.

All the objects were reproduced in raytracing must clearly and were not blurry as in the PS5 version. Apart from raytracing, DLSS 3 always came on top among all the upscaling options. It performed better in high-action scenes with action-packed, particle effects were crisp, and even hair & fur on the characters were much more detailed.

If you plan to use the raytracing set to high, AMD FSR 2 lacks the capabilities of other algorithms. Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection and Intel XeSS were to perform well in high RT options. And as PlayStation games are known to use the checkerboard rendering technique, carried to the Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart if you opt for a high RT setting. And as DLSS 3 and checkerboarding run on different principles, you will find a slight mismatch in the reflected visuals. Apart from this, DLSS 3 is the best one to select among all the options.

DLSS 3 also works wonders on ray-traced shadows, which is lacking in the PS5 version of the game. But there is an issue with the game. Ray-traced shadows do not work on moving objects. This means when you look at the trees and plants moving with the wind, the RT shadows don’t reflect this. This is due to an issue at the game dev’s end rather than your GPU. We hope this will be fixed in a patch in the future.

You might first notice the hair quality when playing on a 4K monitor. The hair quality on PS5 is comparable to the medium hair quality option on PC. From here, the detailing goes up.

But the game still feels not polished yet by the developers considering the artifact issues and antialiasing glitches you see when DLSS Frame Generation is turned on. Considering how well Insomniac managed to implement RT & DLSS into their previous PC ports, like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which Nixxes Software, Ratchet & Clank also ported: Rift Apart feels like it needed a bit more time to utilize the full potential of a new RTX card.

This lack of polishing by Nixxes Software was evident in the game during the launch day. Thankfully, most of the bugs & graphical instabilities were fixed in newer patches. But Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart feels like a game that missed an opportunity here to fulfill the eye candy dreams of a high-end PC user.

The game is not flawed in any way at all. It is just this port missed the mark by a bit. A few more months in the ‘port’ cycle might have done it justice. But as of now, we can only hope for further patches from devs to improve the game’s graphical fidelity.

NVIDIA Reflex: Make Your Gameplay More Responsive

Yes, DLSS 3 is exclusive to 4000-series RTX cards. But for older GPU users, something magical is also in store here. NVIDIA Reflex may be activated in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by users of GeForce GTX 900 Series graphics cards and newer. NVIDIA Reflex can cut system latency by up to 48% once turned on. This implies that every gaming action will happen more quickly, providing you an advantage in multiplayer games and enhancing single-player games.

With the help of the NVIDIA Reflex technology, your gaming experience will be more responsive. This will enable you to successfully execute difficult leaps, evade opponent assaults, and generally improve your game experience.

Open the NVIDIA Control Panel and select Manage 3D Settings > Programme Settings to turn on NVIDIA Reflex. Pick Ratchet and Clank: Rift. Activate the NVIDIA Reflex option after removing it from the list of programs.

The system latency should significantly decrease if NVIDIA Reflex is activated. Using the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer, you may gauge the reduction in latency. The following are some advantages of using NVIDIA Reflex:

• Improved response times: NVIDIA Reflex can help you respond to game events more quickly, providing an advantage.
• Playing more fluidly is possible thanks to NVIDIA Reflex, which helps lessen input latency and increase responsiveness.
• Accuracy is increased thanks to NVIDIA Reflex, which makes hitting targets simpler.
• NVIDIA Reflex is a fantastic choice to enhance your gaming experience.

All GeForce GTX 900 Series graphics cards and newer users are eligible to use this technology for free. So give it a shot and see how it can improve the responsiveness of your games.

NVIDIA RTX IO GPU Accelerated Storage Technology

New GPU-accelerated storage technology called NVIDIA RTX IO is used in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. This revolutionary function speeds up the loading of assets, facilitating Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s fluid portal-jumping action. This aids in quickly loading all the worlds you see during the dimension-hopping scenes if you have watched the game’s trailer.

Verdict

Fans of the franchise or anybody who appreciates a decent platformer must download Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, a graphically spectacular and entertaining action-adventure game. The game has excellent aesthetics, many tools and weaponry, and hectic and captivating gameplay.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s strong PC port supports various resolutions and frame rates. The game also has multiple extra features, such as DLSS 3 and support for DualSense controllers.

Visually gorgeous game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart gains a lot from DLSS 3. With DLSS, the game’s vivid colors and intricate settings come to life, and the performance improvement is substantial. With DLSS turned on, you can achieve a smooth framerate even with less powerful hardware.

Along with the graphical upgrades, DLSS also lessens input lag, improving the game’s responsiveness. This helps immensely in quick-paced action scenes.

DLSS is a need if you wish to play Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on a PC. The game looks and feels better, thanks to the free performance improvement.

The pros and cons of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC are as follows:

• Pros:
  • With DLSS enabled, stunning visuals
  • Significantly improved performance
  • Minimizes input latency
  • Similar options for customization, like Spider-Man ports
  • Support for DualSense controllers
• Cons:
  • A few graphics issues
  • It needs a new gen GPU to operate at high settings.

In conclusion, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an excellent PC version with considerable advantages from DLSS 3. If you enjoy platformers or are just looking for a visually impressive action-adventure game, you should check it out. DLSS 3 is a fantastic addition to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, in my opinion. It improves the game’s appearance, feel, and performance without a cost. Anyone who likes action-adventure games or graphically amazing games should play this one. I suggest giving this game a try if you have an RTX card and if you’re still thinking about purchasing this game.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart PC Performance Review for more information.

Payday 3 is releasing on September 21, 2023, and we recently got to explore and experience its closed beta. If you’re planning on getting the game and want to know more about what you can expect, here are our thoughts and first impressions of the next installment of a hit franchise.

Payday 3 Closed Beta First Impressions

Right off the bat, Payday 3 is a wonderful co-op game made especially fun when everyone involved plays it the way it’s meant to be played – by filling their roles to pull off a perfectly planned heist. Payday 3 takes place after the ending of Payday 2 where the heisters went separate ways and left their lives of crime, but something re-motivates the Payday Gang to continue the life of crime. We were happy to see that the original crew of characters Dallas, Chains, Wolf, and Hoxton, are all here. The new location of New York City is a great change from Washington D.C. in Payday 2. New York City’s narrow alleyways and busy streets with traffic made the game environment even more dynamic.

Since Payday 3 runs on Unreal Engine 4, compared to previous installments which used Diesel engine, the graphics look amazing. Hi-res textures, mask materials, smoke effects, and ragdoll physics, all look great because of the new engine. Gameplay-wise, we enjoyed playing the same iconic formula as Payday 2 but felt that 3 refines that, adding more depth to the crimes with game-changing differences like more advanced surveillance, security guards, aggressive cops, etc.

We got to play the Closed Beta with one heist Secure Capital Bank. Based on our experience, we would suggest the Bots’ AI is made smarter if possible. As of now, they simply follow you around the entire heist. Of course, the Bots were useful in gun fights since they are always around you – they will protect you from cops while you carry out your task to complete the objective. Surprisingly, the bot teammates are pretty decent shooters and will always come to revive you when you get knocked down.

Heists

Payday 3 has challenging heists and objectives. Pulling off a perfect heist will require careful planning, coordination, communication, and skills. Every heist can be done in stealth by carefully observing and understanding the environment and then making your moves – which was great. Heists get more challenging when increased in difficulty. We loved that on higher difficulty there are more security guards, surveillance cams are indestructible and cops are even more aggressive and accurate.

Pulling off a heist with perfect precision stealth without alerting anyone feels rewarding. But if things go south, there is always room for some bullets to let loose.

Cash secured from successful heists can be used to buy cosmetics like masks, suits, paints, gun skins, etc. Or you can also convert cash into C-stack. C-stacks are encrypted currency inside CRIME.NET. Once exchanged, C-stack cannot be converted back into cash. C-stack can be used to buy more exclusive weapons and cosmetics.

As of now in the closed beta, there was not much to buy with C-stack. Character and gun customizations are plenty, ranging from mask varieties to gun skins and attachments. All Cosmetics, Guns, and Paint jobs can be purchased with in-game currency gained during the heist. More cosmetics, guns, and other gadgets are unlocked as you level up such as the type of armor, gun attachments like sights, grips, barrels, etc.

Graphics & Sound

Graphics-wise the game is a big step up from Payday 2. Unreal Engine 4 really shines in recreating an amazing New York environment, character models, guns, and other textures and effects. With stunning visuals, the game is backed up by excellent sound design. Firing Rifle rings out across New York streets sounds great and the muffled sound of a silenced pistol feels as good as other stealth games.

Based on the Closed Beta we played, Payday 3 is a great game to play with friends. The game rewards you smartly and handsomely after pulling a stealthy approach to bank robbery. Avoiding armed conflicts, most heists allow for a skilled crew to ace them without the cops ever getting involved. Built and improved on the previous installments, Payday 3 looks like a big step up on the graphical side. Waiting to see what other mission structures we get to see when the game is fully released. We’re looking forward to the next beta and final launch!

Check out more Gamer Tweak reviews right here.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Payday 3 Closed Beta – First Impressions for more information.

It’s no surprise that Square Enix’s beloved Final Fantasy series is a household name in the gaming community. And so, when the sixteenth installment of the franchise hit the shelves in mid-June, the excitement was palpable. With a combat system that is reminiscent of Devil May Cry and an environment setting inspired by Game of Thrones, Final Fantasy 16 managed to combine the best of both worlds. If you have played the FFXVI demo, there are chances that you might be sold on the game already. However, if you are not and still have doubts lingering in your mind, then check out our non-spoiler review of Final Fantasy 16.

Final Fantasy 16 Spoiler-Free Review

So, the question on every player’s mind is – “Should you play other Final Fantasy games before jumping into this one?” To cut to the chase, the answer is no. You don’t need to play any previous Final Fantasy game before getting FF16. The game is a standalone entry which means that everything is brand new right from the world, characters, and the plotline itself. However, for those trying to get up to speed with Final Fantasy terminologies or the story as a whole, Square Enix has added a beautiful feature called Active Time Lore.

The Active Time Lore (ATL) system has turned out to be one of the most remarkable features ever seen in a game.

Introduced in FF16, Active Time Lore helps players understand concepts that are most relevant to the current storyline in the game. So, if players have failed to pick up on an idea that Clive and his party were discussing from a recent cutscene, they just need to open the ATL. Doing so opens a short summary in the form of written text which helps players keep up with the current FF16 plot.

Story and Setting

Final Fantasy 16’s plot makes players step into the shoes of Clive Rosfield – the main protagonist. He served as a bodyguard to his younger brother Joshua Rosfield during his teenage years. But a chain of events unfolds which sees Clive being exiled. We won’t reveal much of the plot here as it’s quite long and ridden with spoilers. However, one thing that you should know is that FFXVI’s setting is inspired by the critically acclaimed TV show Game of Thrones. And the producer Naoki Yoshida has not shied away from accepting this fact.

The world of Valishtea, FF16’s setting, is split into two continents known as Ash and Storm. They are called Mothercrystals and supply Aether energy to drive civilization. However, the overuse of these Mothercrystals leads to a crisis called the Blight. The most powerful force in Valishtea is the Eikons, each representing a different element. They are controlled by human hosts called Dominants. Though they don’t fight each other, things take a sharp turn after the appearance of the second Eikon of Fire, Ifrit. This disrupts the entire balance and becomes the Rising Action of the Final Fantasy 16 plot.

Combat System

The combat system will put your multi-tasking skills to the test. You will need to inflict a chain of combo attacks, switch between your Eikons, and use their abilities. All this while having to dodge the enemy’s attacks. If you are not well-versed in action games, then you will surely take time to learn the ropes. We’d advise you to play on Story Mode to prevent being overwhelmed.

Cinematic Strikes and Evasions in FF16 are two stunning combat maneuvers introduced by Square Enix. They are special moves that trigger during a fight with a boss or a tough enemy in the game. They are only activated during certain cutscenes.

Coming to the party system, Final Fantasy 16 stands out from its previous installments. Players can only control one party member – the dog Torgal. The rest of the party members keep changing as Clive progresses through the main campaign. They fight like any AI companions would and sadly offer little to no help in battle. The amusing part is that Pet Torgal is more effective than Clive’s companions in Final Fantasy 16.

Side Quests and Post-Game Content

While the side quests seem bland in FFXVI, Square Enix has turned it up a notch by including post-game content which is rich in quality. Since the side quests appear to be straightforward and simple, they offer no real challenge to players. However, beauty is often seen in the finer details. The side quests do a tremendous job of allowing players to deep-dive into the lives of the people of Valisthea. Completing them will help you better understand the situation between the Bearers and the Dominants. The side quests have a bigger focus on lore and world-building rather than turning into a puzzle that is tricky to solve.

Square Enix has turned it up a notch by including post-game content which is rich in quality and extremely interesting.

The immersive post-game content in FF16 further enhances the replayability factor as a whole. The Final Fantasy mode is the main reason why post-game content is so interesting in this game. It is a difficulty level that is unlocked after you complete the entire main story campaign of FFXVI. Players can access this mode through the New Game Plus feature which allows them to carry over their possessions, abilities, and level progression. Since it’s the highest difficulty mode available, you will clash against tougher enemies across Valisthea. So, what’s the point of going through all this struggle? The Ultima Weapon – the insanely powerful and elusive sword will be available for crafting through a side quest in the Final Fantasy mode.

Final Fantasy 16 is an absolute marvel as far as visual gameplay and soundtrack is concerned.

Graphics and Soundtrack

Speaking of its visuals and graphics, Final Fantasy 16 is a feast for the eyes. Players can either focus on high resolutions or better performance (FPS) from the in-game setting. The game churns out spectacular character designs, intricately crafted environments, and the like. Whatever setting you choose, FF16 is an absolute marvel as far as visual gameplay is concerned.
One of the most understated and indispensable elements of any game is its soundtrack. Final Fantasy XVI aces in this department as well with room to spare. The stellar voice acting for each character and a background score that builds tension or calm as per the situation is truly spectacular.

Verdict

Square Enix have done a commendable job in honoring the legacy of the Final Fantasy series with FFXVI. The developers have stuck to the franchise’s basics which would definitely impress newcomers and veterans alike. The Active Time Lore system is set to completely revolutionize the way we play games. It is quite rightly a game changer and will set the ball rolling for other game developers to follow suit. The captivating story, engaging combat system, and breathtaking visuals leave a lasting impression on players. All in all, Final Fantasy 16 is a must-buy and you should have no reason to think twice before jumping into the dark fantasy world of Valisthea.

For more reviews of your favorite games, check out our Review section on Gamer Tweak.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit FF16 Review – When Devil May Cry Met Game Of Thrones for more information.

“It’s light’s out and away we go” on a new journey with F1 23. After months of waiting, I finally got my hands on the new game and to be fair, Formula 1 is really turning out to be the Pinnacle of Virtual Motorsport as well. After playing F1 22, the difference in gameplay and graphics are on a different level. And with Las Vegas turning up this season, it would be a treat for players to go through the new track before any of the drivers do. Getting in the cockpit this time around feels equally amazing owing to the changes that Codemasters has brought on. The game is simply in a league of its own now with the Career Mode, World Drive, and the latest part of Braking Point that started with F1 21. If you cannot wait for the new game to turn up or have any lingering doubts on whether you should go for the game or not, our F1 23 Review should clear all of them.

F1 23 Review

If you are an F1 fan like me, the visuals, car handling, and driveability will make you want to hop into Career Mode and fire up the car. As a Mercedes-AMG Petronas fan, I quickly started the Career Mode to take a Flying Lap through Bahrain with the new W14. With Red Bull dominance still continuing this season, fans might also want to check out how the RB 19 cockpit feels while on the track. Having said that, the new F1 World was also an interesting game mode to look into. Also, the continued story of Braking Point was no less than a drama. Probably Netflix did it better with Drive to Survive but Braking Point had dramas of its own. Along with that, the iconic voice of Crofty makes some of the starts even more exciting as I wait for light’s out.

Driveability

The gamepad driveability in F1 23 trumps any installments in the series. Although driving in F1 22 was difficult because of the new regulations and heavier cars, those troubles have been comfortably sorted out. Handling these bulky cars is no longer a trouble and even driving them through street circuits is far more comfortable. Last year, I crashed into the walls of street circuits far more than I would like to remember. However, even going through Baku this time around felt like a cruise and if I had a VR set on, I probably would have got the feel of actually going through one of the best street circuits in Formula 1. Additionally, the understeer and oversteer from last year have reduced quite a lot on the gamepad. Although it might come down to skill differences, the tight turns and the slow corners are easy to counter this time.

Career Mode

Apart from multiplayer, Career Mode is going to be the most obvious choice that fans make. You can either create your own fictional team or play with one of the teams as their driver. My obvious choice was starting with Mercedes-AMG Petronas and going for the World Driver’s Championship. However, I did make my team and fought for the Constructors Championship for some time. Although I did not finish it, creating your own team is a different experience, one that players should try. Clarifying my situation, I did not complete it because I wanted to explore the other game modes and drive the W14 of course. However, I would like Lewis Hamilton to sign for my team at some point in the future so I will get back to it soon enough.

F1 23 – The Braking Point Continues

The latest story once again continues with Aiden Jackson as the driver of Konnersport, an eleventh team that has been added for the purpose of the story. However, the story this time focuses on more than just Aiden Jackson. Devon Buttler, the long time-nemesis of Aiden returns to action this time driving for Konnersport and we can also witness the addition of Callie Mayer, an F2 driver with a high potential. The story also features Davidoff Buttler (father of Devon) as the CEO of Konnersport and the resulting drama is quite a lot. And even though most of the flow is quite expected and predictable, there are instances in the story that have been surprising.

Just like the first part, players will have to complete set objectives and if they can exceed expectations, the bonus objectives are the perfect rewards that you need. Even the cutscenes have a better element to them when compared to last time out. Players can even earn a few different interview questions based on bonus objectives so that is worth exploring. It’s fair to say that Codemasters have given a lot of effort on F1 23 and this review certainly reflects a lot on that.

Continuing with Braking Point 2, Devon continues his role as the heel character in the story and Mayer definitely grabs some of the spotlight. Although this does push Aiden a little behind these two (in terms of character development), there is certainly more for us to see in the future. To be fair, even as a heel, Devon does look like a pretty impressive character in Braking Point 2. The one thing about Braking Point that I hope changes in the future is that even in the Hard mode, you find it a little too easy to overcompensate and collect bonus objectives.

F1 World Series

F1 World is a fresh change and even though there will be differences in opinions regarding this, it is certainly a standalone mode worthy of praise. Although it replaces F1 Life, F1 World is anything like it. If it is similar to anything, I would say it resembles the Career Mode. Not in the depths of the mode, but the basic approach feels a lot similar. Players have to complete daily, weekly, and seasonal challenges to claim the rewards. Along with that, there is the entire process of having to upgrade your F1 World Car. As I said, playing this mode will come down to personal preferences and whether you are comfortable with the upgrading process and the rewards.

The rewards and upgrades that players get from the objectives and challenges are miscellaneous and random. You might get one of the parts for your car or even a Race Director that improves your performance. Since this means that players don’t really get what they want, they might choose to play another mode. Although I certainly liked this idea and the entire system, some players might want to have an upgrade for this loot-based system. One of the best things about F1 World is that you can race at iconic tracks without having to go through the troubles of three practice sessions (or two + sprint) and a qualifying. Players can directly jump into the race on their F1 World Car. So if you are short on time to complete an entire race in Career Mode, F1 World is the next best thing for a few random laps.

Verdict

F1 23 is the Pinnacle of Virtual Motorsport and the upgrade packages from F1 22 are working here. Whether you would want to play with your favorite team or relax and race around iconic circuits, F1 23 has it all. With so many changes in gameplay, graphics, and driveability, we expect the Multiplayer mode to be a hit as well. Although I would not want to say that Codemasters have outdone themselves (so that they do it again), they have created an experience way better than I expected. With another exciting chapter of Braking Point coming to an end, players will be looking forward to the next season. And with this, we hope this F1 23 Review turns into a happy racing experience. You can also check out our other Reviews while you are here.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit F1 23 Review – The Pinnacle Of Virtual Motorsport for more information.

After the disappointing run of its predecessor, Street Fighter 6 feels like nothing less than a redemption for Capcom. Consider it as a re-imagination of a 2D fighting game with a mix of open-world game elements. I have been playing it since its release on June 2, 2023, & there is still a lot to discover. From Classic & Modern Controls to World Tour, Battle Hub, and Fighting Grounds, this game has exceeded our expectations. So after almost a week of gaming, here’s our Street Fighter 6 Review that will help you make a better call before you get your hands on this game.

Street Fighter 6 Review

Let’s be honest here, Capcom did a great job by adding the new World Tour & Battle Hub feature in Street Fighter 6. I mean, as a gamer, I will not spend 60 Bucks on a game unless I am a loyal fan of the franchise. But the developers had some other plans for all of us. You don’t have to play all the previous games in order to get a grip on this one. Even a newbie with no prior knowledge about this series can enjoy Street Fighter 6.

If you are more into role-playing, then the World Tour mode is what you will enjoy the most. And for those who want pure action, Street Fighter 6 offers you Battle Hub and Fighting Grounds, which we will talk about later on. There’s an awesome roster of 18 new and returning characters that serve as a cherry on top.

Fighting is the Love Language in a Street Fighter game. Keeping that in mind, Capcom has tailored 3 of the most engaging game modes ever. It’s time I introduce you to these ground-breaking concepts.

World Tour Mode – Game Changer in Fighting Genre

Compared with other games in the series, Street Fighter 6 will treat you with plenty of fresh content. Thanks to the World Tour mode, can now create your Avatar in a detailed fashion before indulging more into the story. As you progress in this mode, you will get to know more about the SF characters in a unique way through cutscenes and dialogues. In addition to that, you can also interact with NPCs and fight them for rewards.

Apart from this, there is a new combat mechanic added in Street Fighter 6 known as the Drive Gauge. So each player starts with a Drive Gauge filled with 6 bars which are found directly under the health bar. When the Drive Gauge is filled, you can execute Special Moves like Drive Parries, Drive Rushes, Drive Reversals, Overdrives, and Drive Impacts. Now, I would like to give you a piece of advice – do not spam Drive Moves mindlessly. Sadly, I made this mistake and it cost me a big match in Fighting Grounds. Each time your Drive Gauge becomes empty, you will enter a Burnout state where your character will take more damage. However, you can fill the Drive Gauge again by attacking or blocking incoming strikes.

Battle Hub Mode – Best Matchmaking Lobby Ever!

Battle Hub is a Lobby-type area where players from all over the globe enter to find a worthy opponent. This area is filled with arcade machines that you can access to challenge opponents. In the meanwhile, if you are bored, then you can climb upstairs to create some pop music. You can become a DJ by using the DJ mixer and make others groove on your beats.

Fighting Grounds Mode – Action like Never Before

Finally, all the Veteran Players will be rewarded with Fighting Grounds in Street Fighter 6. This is where your years of experience will pay you back. Fighting Grounds is a collection of unique match types such as:

• Tutorial & Combo Trials
  • Practice every move, super move, and combo
• Versus
  • One on One or a Team Battle against CPU or a Friend
• Online Battle
  • Play against online players (Supports Cross Platform Play)
• Ranked Match
  • Defeat opponents to earn League Points (LP) and increase your Rank for rewards
• Casual Match
  • Same as Ranked Match but no ranks are affected
• Custom Room
  • Create a Room and add players for a fun battle
• Extreme Battle (Special Match)
  • Fight your opponent with added gimmicks to make it challenging.
• Arcade
  • Play as a Street Fighter 6 Character and know their story while battling against CPU.

Controls – Play as per your Comfort

The developers worked so hard to take care of both the seasoned and new players. Modern Controls & Classic Controls are two of the most talked about highlights of the gameplay mechanics of Street Fighter 6. While Modern Control allows you to enjoy the game with a 4-button control configuration, the latter uses a 6-button traditional control scheme. I personally used the Modern Control because there are fewer control combos to memorize in it.

One of the most intriguing things about Street Fighter 6 is that it allows you to play with an Arcade Stick. For an enthusiast gamer, it would be a great opportunity to get an upper hand using this made-for-fighting controller.

Final Thoughts

After spending an entire day on World Tour, the storyline got too predictable. Once the boredom begin to hit, I took frequent breaks and spent some time playing Versus or Extreme Battles which was really fun. Often, I took some time out to explore the hidden sections of the map and luckily found characters like Watcher (superhero). Not to boast but I defeated him during my first attempt. Also, it was fun to try out the move styles of the characters in Battle Hub.

Now comes the moment of truth – Is Street Fighter 6 really worth your money?

According to me, the game is worth a try even for a new player. The variety of combat moves it offers is something you must experience. So it is safe to say that Street Fighter 6 has managed to set a bar for all the upcoming Capcom Games.

That was our unbiased Street Fighter 6 Review. If you liked reading this guide, then we have a bunch of other Review Articles for you. Make sure to check them out and find out if any game suits you best.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Street Fighter 6 Review – Refreshed & Reimagined for more information.

Blizzard’s latest offering, Diablo 4 has been highly anticipated for many years. This time, it’s all about the resurrection of Lilith and the horrifying evils that it will bring to Sanctuary. Whether you are a big-time fan of the series or dipping your toes into the franchise for the first time – here’s our Diablo 4 review (with no spoilers) that will break down everything great and everything that can be better in this deliciously hellish experience.

Diablo 4 Review

If you are a veteran, you’ll quickly realize that the core elements of the gameplay remain the same (hack-slash-loot-repeat), but they are more refined than ever before. The goal is to keep killing enemy mobs and bosses, collect better gear/items and upgrade your abilities until you are a force to be reckoned with. But Diablo 4 somehow manages to keep things fresh even at the endgame primarily because of the huge variety of equipment, skills, enemy types, dungeons, conduit powers, intriguing quests, and much more.

There won’t be a single moment to get bored. The hostile environment will keep you on your toes (especially if you’re playing on World Tier II on your first playthrough) and you will think twice before trying to switch up your build while you’re out in the open world. Reminder to self: Always do that in a town or in a perfectly safe area.

“Sanctuary was never meant for humankind. It was forged as a refuge from the war between the high heavens and the burning hells.”

The campaign takes us through lots of beautifully revolting environments right from icy regions to slippery swamps – each with its own type of mobs, creatures, and bosses. Players who’ve experienced Diablo 3 will see familiar locations in D4, so keep an eye out for that.

Towards the end, we even get to the coast – the graphics of which will manage to take your breath away. The textures are super detailed, right from the blood-soaked cellar floors to the reflections on ice – it’s all pretty mindblowing to see after D3. Along with the visuals, the background music and sound effects ensure that you are immersed completely. The cutscenes are very well-made and I expect nothing less from Blizzard.

The verticality in the game is a welcome change from Diablo 3. It’s too much fun to climb up ladders, get to the top of cliffs, and even traverse from one point to another hanging by a rope.

“You think me mad, old friend. But I know these dreams. They tell of the future. Hell is coming, brother. Hell is coming.”

Aside from main quests, there’s a lot to do in Diablo 4 and I found myself getting distracted ever so often. Do I join an event, complete a dungeon/cellar/stronghold, ask an NPC ‘what’s wrong’ even though I have a backlog of pending objectives, or find the locations of all waypoints and Lilith’s altars first? It was a dilemma – the kind that made it hard for me to put down the controller. It doesn’t help that every dungeon seemed uniquely designed which makes the dungeon-crawling aspect interesting even if you do it for the hundredth time. Diablo has mastered the art of level design and we love to see it.

“As long as I’m here, they are the prey. And I am the hunter.”

I played as Rogue, one of the best classes that the game has to offer and I enjoyed every moment of it with another party member who played as Necromancer.

Let me paint a picture of how our battles went:

As my Rogue’s blades cut through enemy throats (even three at a time), my poison trap slowed them and knocked them down. Meanwhile, the Golem went ham on the boss as the minions took down the smaller beasts. I escaped the AoE attacks with my Dash and double evades. Soon enough, my cooldowns reset and so went my cold-imbued arrows straight toward the corrupted foe. Last but not least, an Ultimate from the Necromancer and Rogue ended up giving the final blow, and the sweet sound of drops popping out of a terrifying enemy that we defeated after our fourth attempt, became music to my ears.

This was just one build, but I cannot wait to try a Twisted Blades build that is gaining quite a lot of popularity among Rogue fans. Overall, I’d say that the synergy between Rogue and Necro is better than my experience of playing Sorcereress with Barbarian during the beta, but your experience will surely be different from mine.

“Hurry now… the sands of time slow for no one!”

Leveling up is a grind – but the best part is that it never feels like it. The enemies and bosses get progressively tougher and will force you to focus harder, but the difficulty is amped up in such a way that it doesn’t seem impossible to beat them.

All you need to do is go back to town, repair and upgrade your gear, respec your skills to focus on a particular boss, check the aspects, add sockets and gems, change your equipped items to give you more resistance of a certain type and figure out how to get more healing when you’ve run out of potions mid-battle. Phew. Sounds like a lot of effort, but once you do this and go back to the boss and end up beating the crap out of them, the euphoria is pretty fricking good.

If you look for the feeling of being a god-mode hero/savior in a game, Diablo 4 is sure to do it for you. Just devote your time to creating a build that you are comfortable with and consider every aspect of your armor, boots, helmet, weapons, jewelry, etc. And once you have the almost-perfect combo, you will enjoy the boss fights even more.

“The first three were dead before they hit the ground. The others weren’t so lucky.”

The build options are so extensive that you might find yourself getting lost in the endless permutations and combinations of skills for each class you are trying out. As you keep getting Ability Points, you will feel excited to spend them on a skill, skill upgrade, ultimate, passive, or even those smaller skills that may make a big difference.

In case you want to experiment with a different build, you can spend Gold to reassign the Ability points, but the cost of it is massive towards the endgame. So make sure to collect every single gold drop you get along the way because you will need it to upgrade your weapons too.

All in all, the planning and coding of the skill tree and how it impacts the gameplay is impressive, to say the least. Huge shoutout to the entire team for living up to the challenge of this mammoth undertaking.

“Death, at last, shall spread its wings over all.”

Coming to the story – it’s good, it’s engaging. The story continues in a similar vein of the previous Diablo games and sticks to a certain formula which I’m not mad about. While the story itself isn’t the main highlight of this game – the storytelling is. There are surprise discoveries, sudden boss fights, and twists you may not be expecting.

The voice acting is impeccable, especially by Lorath. The Horadrim is voiced by Ralph Ineson who has previously portrayed Charles Vane in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag as well as Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones. His baritone voice will grab your attention and funnily enough, he’s got a sense of humor. These are some of the much-needed light moments in a game that is mostly packed with death, blood, and shocking scenes.

There are 5 classes in Diablo 4 – Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Druid, and Necromancer. You can choose one that best fits your preferred playstyle for your campaign, but after that, you can entirely skip the campaign for your second character.

All classes are fun to play depending on what you prefer. While Necromancer can be a formidable force with their reanimated minions and Golem, Rogue is a lone ranger who depends on speed, traps, and close and long-range attacks.

Sorcerer is a class that’s beautiful to look at with magical attacks and summons that deal great damage. Meanwhile, Barbarian and Druid are tanky classes that can easily face some heat from enemies up close. You can then build up from the basics by adding more aggressive abilities to the Barbarian and adding shapeshifting magical powers to Druid. The possibilities are endless.

“After a while, the scars serve as their own layer of armor.”

Customizing characters before you start is fun because they’ve added lots of options right from hairstyles, tattoos, makeup, etc. But once your character begins their journey, you can only change their markings, jewelry, and outfits but not their hairstyle. Players can switch up the look of their character’s clothes without losing their stats by using the Transmog system, which honestly has some pretty cool options.

“Hatred has returned, and she shall not relent until she has corrupted us all.”

Lilith, the Mother of Sanctuary and Daughter of Hatred will be an enigma because she appears very few times throughout the campaign, but whenever she appears, you won’t be able to look away. Yep, even when the unspeakable things happening on screen may make you physically squirm.

While playing the campaign, you will soon realize her motivations and it’s up to you to decide whether personally you believe in her ideology or not. She’s not a one-dimensional ‘I want to destroy the world because I feel like it’s villain, which is great. But due to that, you don’t really end up fearing this beautiful demon lady compared to the fearsome Diablo, you know what I mean? Of course, this is just me nitpicking. But as soon as you finish the story, the real thrill begins. Diablo’s live service feature and end content will keep you hooked for months and even years. Plus, much like D3, there will be expansions that take the story ahead, so there’s a lot to look forward to.

I did have a few hiccups with quest markers disappearing, and horses galloping in the same location due to possible server load but hopefully, upcoming patches fix that. Riding a horse in tight spaces was also a bit difficult but the fact that your horse can get scared and drop you off reminded me of RDR2 and The Witcher. Those were some nice little details.

“We do not see what has been done, we only see what remains to be done.”

During a time when unfinished buggy games are released (*cough* you know what I’m talking about), Diablo 4 overcomes expectations and manages to give players a complete experience. After that, the adventure is just getting started. Since this game is online only, your internet speed has to be pretty darn good to run a game like this smoothly, because you don’t want to get stuck while surrounded by a mob. Or worse, in a PvP zone.

Speaking of post-endgame, you get loads of new things to do in Diablo 4. New World Tiers get unlocked (Nightmare & Torment), by level 50 you unlock the Paragon Board which takes skill trees to the next level, there are Nightmare Dungeons to clear and more.

If you like pain, you can also try the Hardcore mode, where your character dies permanently after dying the first time.

Diablo 4 DLSS Performance Review

Author for DLSS Performance Test Part: Shreyansh Shah

We got a chance to test Diablo 4 DLSS performance on two different systems. One is an Alienware x17 R2 laptop and the second is on a gaming pc powered by Nvidia RTX 4080 FE. On the gaming laptop, we tested Diablo 4 DLSS 2 at Ultra-High settings, and on the RTX 4080FE system, we tested the game for DLSS3.

Diablo 4 Alienware x17 R2 DLSS 2 Test:

• CPU – 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
• GPU – 16GB GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
• RAM – 32GB (2×16 DDR5 4800MHz)
• SSD – 1TB (M.2 PCIe NVMe, SSD)
• 17.3” QHD 2560×1440 @165Hz Display

On the laptop, we ran Diablo 4 in different modes. Like Quality, Balanced, Performance, and Ultra Performance. All these pre-defined modes are available under Diablo 4’s DLSS 2 graphic settings.

There were some frame drops during the cutscene but the fights were as lively and majestic as one would expect from RTX cards. Nvidia claimed that the average performance of Diablo IV would multiply almost by 2.5x on a 4K with DLSS 2 and DLSS 3. Having experienced it firsthand, I can surely agree with this claim.

Although there was no lag or stutters, the frame rates on DLSS 2 were completely different from what I saw on DLSS 3. DLSS 3 was smoother and better, both DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 were on different machines, and that may prove to be the difference between the performances and frame rates of both technologies.

DLSS 2 on Alienware x17 R2 offered a consistent and high frame rate and it was way beyond what I was expecting when I started playing Diablo 4 on a laptop. The next test was on RTX 4080 FE 16GB + DLSS 3, and this also proved to be something that was elevating the game to another level.

RTX 4080 FE 16GB DLSS 3 Test:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 7950x
• GPU – 16GB GeForce RTX 4080 FE
• RAM – 32GB (2×16 DDR5 4800MHz)
• SSD – 1TB (M.2 PCIe NVMe, SSD)
• 32inch G32QC Gigabyte Gaming Monitor

If DLSS 2 improved the performance of Diablo 4 on a laptop, you can surely expect DLSS 3 to change the course of gaming when you pair it with a powerful performer like the RTX 4080 FE. As a Sorceror with a Lightning build, I was surely in for a treat with all the surreal graphics and the powerful performance of the GPU.

Along with that, I was also greeted with consistently high frame rates without experiencing any kind of drop. This was one of the best features of DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 where they left no room for any kind of complaints regarding the performance, the outlook of the game, or any kind of drop. As a Diablo veteran who went through the entire campaign as a Rogue, the gameplay of a Sorceror was even better than before. Having played Sorceror during the Diablo IV Beta, I could see a massive change between the performance last time out and this time.

Since numerous changes have occurred since the beta, it wouldn’t be fair to only give you one comparison. However, the DLSS 3 works like a beast of some form. Whether it was the snowy regions at the start, the mobs outside Kyovashad, or the mines, this experience was quite different and better than any other. If I was to compare the performances of DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 (on their respective machines), it would be difficult to choose one. Since there can only be one winner, DLSS 3 does surpass DLSS 2 in comparison. Although neither displayed any kind of problem and were quite similar in performance I would still say DLSS 3 was much smoother than the other. After experiencing the game on both DLSS 2 and DLSS 3, it’s safe the say that players choosing either of them will have a completely surreal gameplay traversing through Sanctuary.

For gamers who prefer mobility and on-the-go gaming then gaming laptops fit well, for this Alienware x17 R2 is one of the high-end gaming laptops that can serve DLSS 2 well. For more information, you can check our Resident Evil 4 Remake Performance review which is tested on the same laptop.

And for hardware fanatics, who prefer to build their monster-pc going with Nvidia RTX 4080 FE is one viable choice. As it gives you years of lag-free gaming experience at 4K settings with DLSS 3 support. You cannot just miss experiencing how well RTX can upgrade the entire gaming experience on ultra-hd resolutions.

Verdict

Diablo 4 gets everything about the ‘hack and slash, action RPG, dungeon crawling genre’ right. The graphics are top-notch and the combat is truly the epitome of everything that has been great in the previous main entries of the franchise. The campaign has interesting characters that will keep you involved and the variety provided in the classes, combat, and build options are exceptional. Not many games can offer the kind of replayability that Diablo IV does and if grinding to get better and more OP is something you like to do, you should definitely play this game.

Yes, it is not for everyone, but if you can manage to get your hands on it (and are sure to not put down the game for a long time), it’s worth it. You can also wait for a sale in the future because this game is going to be fun and relevant for a really long time, so don’t worry if you can’t grab it right away.

And that’s our Diablo 4 review. If you liked reading this, be sure to head over to our Reviews section for more of our insights about other recent games!

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Diablo 4 Review: Ritual Gone Right for more information.

Being a fan of the prequel and the original Star Wars movies, the Fallen Order was an absolute treat for me. Ever since its sequel was announced, I was pretty hyped and more concerned to know how the Star Wars Jedi Survivor will turn out. Set after five years in the year 9 BBY, this game takes place roughly during the Obi-Wan TV show. Without delving too much into the canon timelines, I was more intrigued about the OG Mantis crew and if Respawn could deliver a perfect sequel. Is this “Soulslike” sequel worth playing and spending light hours on? Check out our spoiler-free Star Wars Jedi Survivor review to know its ultimate verdict.

Star Wars Jedi Survivor Review

Honestly, Star Wars Jedi Survivor feels like an exclusive Disney special with epic story-telling, lore, cameos, & impactful character development. Rather than a distraught Jedi re-learning the ways of Force, Jedi Survivor picks up right where we left Cal. He is longer a young Padawan hiding from the Imperials and has grown more over the past five years. No! I am not talking about Cal’s beard but him as a Jedi Knight trying to take on the Empire. Cal now has independent choices to make without any mentors or guidance.

What I loved about this sequel is that Respawn managed to pull off a majestic and expansive world setting. Balancing between the big landscapes and the wildlife environment, this was a perfect Soulslike experience for me as a Star Wars fan. Throughout the playthrough, I couldn’t help but appreciate the evolved combat system and new gameplay mechanics. While exploring the planets and abandoned High Republic chambers, there were times I lost track of time discovering the new gameplay elements.

Among these additions is the new Ascension cable designed as a grappling hook to reach new places. Speaking of the traversal system, the game also introduced various mounts allowing Cal to tame and befriend. Unlike forceful canon appearances, I felt Jedi Survivor had more meaningful cameos with a huge potential of connecting the missing dots.

Considering the narrative so far, it won’t be much of a challenge to bring Cameron Monaghon’s Cal Kestis & BD-1 to their live-action debut. But until that comes to reality, let me breakdown the best things in our Star Wars Jedi Survivor review:

Combat, Lightsaber Stances, & Customization – Unlimited Power!

Picking up the single, double-bladed, and dual-wield saber stances from Fallen Order, Cal gets two new lightsaber stances throughout the gameplay. These two stances are the Han-Solo-inspired Blaster stance and Kylo Ren’s Crossguard stance. While you can only choose two stances at a time, you can swap them at a Meditation point whenever you want to.

The new Crossguard stance works pretty much like a Colossal or Heavy weapon. But with more finishers and kill animations. When playing with the Blaster Stance, I couldn’t help but imagine George Lucas making Han Solo a Jedi. But then, we wouldn’t have gotten the awkward deleted scene between Leia & Luke.

Canon jokes aside, you can also assign skill points to these lightsaber stances and respec all skills at any Meditation point. Similar to the Fallen Order, you can customize the colors of your Lightsaber according to your preference. But now, you don’t have to get a Kyber crystal every time you change your Saber’s color.

Cal & BD-1’s Customization – Expansive Options

Unlike Fallen Order, you are given more Customization options to change the appearance of Cal Kestis & BD-1. While you could only alter the paint job of BD, you are given more customization options including its Audio sensors, head, eyes, body, and legs. Likewise, you can change how Cal looks in the game with Jedi-appropriate attire, hairstyle, & more.

Returning Characters, Companions & Narratives

Although the entire crew of Mantis parted ways, every character had genuine reasons to leave and return for more adventures. Talking of the returning cast, Merrin, Greez, and Cere reunite with Cal & BD at some point in the story. But along with Cal, their narratives had an impactful character development over the past five years too. While Merrin & Cere are sporting new hairstyles, they are stronger and wiser than ever.

Coming to the first companion of the story, Bode Akuna, I loved how his story arc and narrative play out throughout the game. Once you meet Bode, you will know more about the Companion system and how it can help during challenging fights. With every companion having their skills, you don’t have to watch their health or babysit them around. Instead, you have the liberty to use their abilities to fight your way through enemies and some boss fights.

Imperials, Droids, & Raiders – Peak Star Wars Humor!

Aside from the Tin Bins and Imps, the Survivor had a fresh variety of enemies namely the Bedlam raiders with a pretty strong motivation. If you are a fan of the Clone Wars, you would also love to fight the Separatist B1 droids salvaged by the Raiders. But while tearing them vertically or horizontally apart is satisfying, I enjoyed listening to their funny conversations more. It was fun listening to the humorous laser-brain talk among these Droids and Stormtroopers.

Set in the post-Order 66 era between the Revenge of Sith & A New Hope, Survivor had some best canon references & cameos. The sequel naturally fits right into the timeline making it a part of the larger universe.

Lore, Cameos, & Star Wars’ Connections – This is the Way!

As you start with the gameplay, we see Cal Kestis working as a Resistance fighter under Saw Gerrera. If you have seen Clone Wars, Andor, or played Fallen Order, you will catch this Star Wars connection right away. Considering the Jedi Survivor is canon to the Star Wars universe, you will witness several such cameos, references, and connections. While that remains unspoiled from us, none of these cameos or connections feels out of place or forceful.

Being a Star Wars fan, you would enjoy every bit of these brief moments of fan service.

Verdict

Dank Farrik! The Star Wars Jedi Survivor expands everything that was missing in the previous installments and makes notable additions to the near-perfect Fallen Order. After nearly spending 25-27 hours, I can’t wait to hop back to the Jedi Survivor for some more Duel action and exploration. As for me, I think the Force is too strong with this sequel game.

A good time to be a Star Wars fan, it is! In my opinion, playing Cal as a fully trained Jedi Knight and Force user is ultimately the best part of The Jedi Survivor. To unlock the Jedi abilities, skills, or stances, you don’t have to re-learn or go through a cutscene revealing backstory. Instead, you are given full control and unlock them naturally in the game as you progress.

That’s all for our Star Wars Jedi Survivor review. If you enjoyed reading this, check out more Reviews in our dedicated section right here on Gamer Tweak.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit Star Wars Jedi Survivor Review: The Force Is Too Strong! for more information.

The closed beta for the XDefiant, Ubisoft’s newest free-to-play arena shooter game has begun with soaring players. Being a part of the Ubisoft Originals, this arena shooter game pits Ubisoft characters from different universes against one another. While currently a work in progress, the closed beta streams on Twitch has already more views than COD’s MW2 & Warzone, combined. With seasonal updates every three months, Xdefiant will also have new factions, characters, maps, cosmetics, weapons, & a new battle pass. But does the closed beta strike a chord & is it worth it? Check out our early preview for the first impressions of the XDefiant closed beta.

XDefiant Closed Beta Early Preview

Rather than beating around the bush, let me get straight to the main point. The closed beta for XDefiant has been a sheer chaotic and outrageously fast-paced joyride till now. The maps are vibrantly refreshing overall with an ability to hop over different objects. While it can be confusing to grasp the setting of these maps initially, constantly grinding on them helped me a lot. But that’s not the best part about this FPS game.

In my opinion, the best part of XDefiant is that the devs are implementing the changes by listening to the feedback. Due to the progression & bugs, the devs decided to unlock all weapons, loadouts, and attachments for everyone. While formerly having a Tom Clancy title, XDefiant features characters from other Ubisoft universes. This includes factions from Tom Clancy’s Phantoms, The Division, & Splinter Cell. Aside from this Clancyverse crossover, this shooter game also brings characters from Watch Dogs 2 and Far Cry 6.

This opens a door for a lot of possibilities. Fancy, a modern take on a character from the Assassin’s Creed series? With constant seasonal updates, this crossover might be possible someday. But before we get ahead of ourselves, XDefiant’s gameplay mechanics might need a bit more polishing with many adjustments. But considering the changes from its first pre-alpha version to the current beta, there have been a lot of improvements over time. So, I am pretty sure the devs will resolve any underlying issues.

Since Ubisoft is open to feedback, we can expect many changes till the XDefiant comes out in the future. Until then, let me breakdown the best things about the closed beta in our XDefiant Early Preview:

Factions & Characters – Massive Crossovers

Starting with the different Factions, there is no storyline or narrative based on the characters. As with shooter games like Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, or Valorant, these factions are like classes. Choosing them decides what skills, passives, and ultimates you will have for the rest of the round. After grinding for hours on this game, I liked how every faction has different counters.

Before hopping on to the match, we suggest heading to the Factions tab to understand every character. This will help you grasp the abilities, passive traits, and their ultimates or “ultra” as referred to in the game.

Speaking of which, here are all the Factions and their game titles:

• Cleaner (Pyro Technicians): Tom Clancy’s The Division
• Phantom (Future Soldiers): Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Phantom
• Libertad (Freedom Fighters): Far Cry 6
• Echelon (Super Spies): Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
• Dedsec (Cyber Attackers): Watch Dogs 2

For me, playing Echelons have been a good experience as their main ability involves Invisibility. You can use its Digital Ghillie Suit to destroy your opponents in stealth. Similar to every faction, you can counter other Echelons by using the ultimate, Sonar Goggles. This ultra helps you reveal the enemies and take them down with a 5.7 Pistol.

Additionally, I also enjoyed wreaking havoc with the Dedsec characters. These characters can temporarily prevent enemies from using their abilities, ultras, or seeing the mini-map. Nevertheless, you can try all the factions and choose the best before the Close beta ends on April 23rd at 11 PM PT.

Game Modes – Incredibly Fast-Paced

XDefiant’s closed beta game modes included Escort, Zone Control, Domination, Occupy, & recently added ranked matches. Due to the recent bugs and progression issues, the devs added a new game mode called Hot Shot. The game modes like Domination, Zone Control, & Occupy felt similar to Call of Duty. But with the added Welcome Playlist, you can mix all these modes to grind for a longer time.

While playing any of the game modes in XDefiant, I could not help but die instantly. Honestly, at first, I thought it was a skill issue. Then, I realized the overall setting of all these game modes is pretty fast-paced. So, if you want to catch up, you must get accustomed to the Player movements, abilities, & most importantly the maps. Once you grasp and get the hook of all those things, it will be a cakewalk.

During the closed beta, one of the things I liked the most was the smooth player movements and weapons. It was pretty fun to simply slide away or melee attack with your weapons in close range.

Maps – Colorful & Vibrant

If you share a love for Punk rock artwork, you are about to have a great time grinding on some XDefiant’s maps. In total, there are 14 maps with a variety of themes and setting you can go for. I enjoyed seeing the vibrant colors featured on these maps. These maps matched the tone that the devs are targeting. Every map has its secrets such as Vents and Perrons that you can utilize to surprise your opponents.

Is XDefiant the Call of Duty Killer?

In my opinion, I don’t think XDefiant can kill or beat the Call of Duty. Instead, this game has great potential and can be a huge competitor to COD games like Modern Warfare 2 or Warzone 2. It has better map designs and smoother player movements like old COD games.

As the ranked mode will feature skill-based matchmaking, COD fans might get what they wanted for a long time in MW2. But nowadays, with a plethora of shooter games dropping now and then, XDefiant will need to make major changes to stand out. And for that, we suggest players keep on sharing their feedback with devs.

We will be sharing a final review when the game comes out, later this year. So, stay tuned!

That’s all with the XDefiant Early Preview and First Impressions. If you enjoyed reading this, check out our more Reviews right here on Gamer Tweak.

Source: Gamer Tweak. Visit XDefiant Early Preview: COD Killer? for more information.