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Showing posts with the label Harry Padoan

Stellar Blade for Nintendo Switch 2 review: more solid than stellar

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The over-the-top, action-heavy, ultra-stylish Stellar Blade has landed on Nintendo Switch 2, giving this ex-PS5 exclusive a chance to shine in front of a brand-new audience. Review info Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PC Release date: November 5, 2026 (Switch 2) Porting this cinematic, explosive action-adventure title onto the Switch 2 has undoubtedly been a tough test for developer Shift Up, but just how well have they scored? I’ve put around 15 hours into Stellar Blade on Nintendo’s hybrid console, during which time I’ve worked through most of the story, completed a number of side missions, and collected a whole lot of cans. So, here’s whether I think Stellar Blade on Nintendo Switch 2 is worth your time and money. Save the world on Switch 2 (Image credit: Shift Up) While I’m more interested in discussing the quality of Stellar Blade on Switch 2 as a...

SteelSeries Rival Pro Mini review: S-tier performance in a compact package

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SteelSeries Rival Pro Mini review The SteelSeries Rival Pro Mini might just be perfect for you, if you're looking for a compact gaming mouse that makes no sacrifices when it comes to performance. The SteelSeries Rival Pro Mini has everything a competitive gamer could ever want, be that true 8K polling, programmable buttons, 42K DPI sensitivity… you name it. It even brings ‘infinite power supply’ tech to the table, meaning you’ll have next to no downtime when duking it out against your opponents. However, this mouse doesn’t come cheap. At $179.99 / £169.99 (about AU$250), it sits firmly in the premium category, meaning it has to go above and beyond to prove itself against the best mice on the market. But is it truly worth that steep asking price? Here’s my view after hours of intensive testing. Let’s start things off by looking at some of the features that the Rival Pro Mini has to offer. I m...

SteelSeries Rival Pro review: peak performance with endless playtime

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SteelSeries Rival Pro review The SteelSeries Rival Pro feels as if it's really pushing the boundaries of what a gaming mouse can do. Even when I glanced at the specs sheet, I was mightily impressed with the features on offer: interference-free ‘true’ 8K polling, hot-swappable batteries for endless play, and 42,000 DPI sensitivity. But it’s one thing having a good set of specs, and another performing well in practice. So just how good is the SteelSeries Rival Pro? And is it worth its asking price of $179.99 / £169.99 (about AU$250)? Here’s my verdict after hours of testing. First of all, this mouse feels incredibly comfortable to use — in fact, it's up there with some of the best mice as far as ergonomics are concerned. It strikes a happy medium in terms of size, and it fits perfectly in my hand — though it's worth noting that this model is for right-handers only, whereas the ambidext...

Tales of Eternia Remastered review: a real blast from the past

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Back in 2000, Bandai Namco published the third game in the beloved Tales series, Tales of Eternia . It was received very well at launch, being praised for its high-octane action combat, charming cast, and humorous script — though the Western versions on the original PlayStation and PSP were held back by their omission of skits (character-driven dialogue scenes) and slightly subpar voice acting. But now, Tales of Eternia Remastered — developed by TOSE Co. — is here, aiming to remedy these issues and refine the game for a modern audience. Review info Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Release date: October 16, 2026 I’ve spent just north of 30 hours with Tales of Eternia Remastered , playing through the main story, completing side quests, and exploring the realms of Inferia and Celestia. So, how effectively does...

Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review: an excellent yet affordable way to chill out

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Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch review In 2026, we experienced a record-hot summer in the UK, as did a lot of other countries around the world. As a result, people were rushing online to pick up a new fan to prevent themselves from struggling with the intense heat. But for many, their efforts were in vain: mass shortages shocked the nation, leaving many struggling to cool down. As a result, it may be well worth grabbing a fan sooner rather than later, in order to avoid potential shortages that could hit consumers in 2027. And I’ve just tested a new fan that I consider to be a top option for dealing with scorching temperatures, the Meaco Sefte Tower Fan 19-inch. Like a lot of the best fans , this Meaco model offers a wide variety of power modes that can suit any situation. There are 12 power levels to be exact, with the lowest providing a subtle yet satisfying breeze, and the highest delivering a mi...

Lavazza MilkEasy Plus review: affordable frothing made easy

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Lavazza MilkEasy Plus review As my millennial colleagues often say: "you don’t wanna see me before my morning coffee". And there's truth to that: having a cappuccino on first waking has become something of a ritual for me; it's more effective than an alarm clock for getting me up and doing anything useful, at least. And since getting my hands on the Lavazza MilkEasy Plus, making a quick drink every day has never been so easy. As the name suggests, the Lavazza MilkEasy Plus is an incredibly simple to use, and it’s ideal for anyone who wants to whip up a cold or hot caffeinated beverage at home. It comes with four settings: hot milk, foamed milk, hot cappuccino, and cold cappuccino. I’ve tried all of these out over a month-long period of testing, using both dairy and plant-based milks. Should you get one for yourself? Here’s my verdict. Straight off the bat, something I love about...

JBL Bar 800MK2 review: awesome Atmos and surround sound in one package

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JBL Bar 800MK2 review The JBL Bar 800MK2 is the mid-range option in the audio specialist’s MK2 line, delivering surround sound though its main bar, detachable rear speakers, and mighty subwoofer. It comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, a wide range of connectivity options, and an expansive 7.1 channel configuration — but is it actually worth buying? I’ve spent a bunch of hours testing the JBL Bar 800MK2 for myself, putting it to the test with 4K UHD Blu-rays as well as Dolby Atmos and stereo format music. Here’s whether I’d recommend it or not. Let’s start by talking about performance, an area where this model certainly excels. Like a lot of the best soundbars , the JBL Bar 800MK2 produces beautifully expansive sound with powerful bass and clear dialogue, and it consistently impressed me during testing. It makes use of six full-range drivers and two tweeters in the main bar, two full rangers...