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Latest articles from our Acer Corner blog

Hands-On with the Predator Triton 14 (2025): Acer’s Compact Gaming Beast
Welcome back to an extra-special edition of Acer Corner. Today we’re dialing the number of the beast - the compact gaming beast that is the Acer Predator Triton 14! Unveiled at Computex 2025, the Predator Triton 14 is a next-gen AI PC ready to tackle all of your most demanding creativity tasks while also delivering top-tier gaming performance. If you’re a creative professional, content creator, gamer, or anyone who demands more from their gaming laptop, then the Predator Triton 14 delivers the goods: performance, portability, and innovation, all in one sleek device. Read on to get the lowdown on Acer’s ultimate solution for portable work and play. Computex 2025? Yes, before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Predator Triton 14, a few words about COMPUTEX 2025. Held annually in Taipei’s TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall (TaiNEX), Asia’s leading exhibition of AIoT and startups showcases the latest, greatest technological innovations from all over the globe. This year’s COMPUTEX runs from 20 May to 23 May 2025 (9.30 am - 5.30 pm), with 1,400 exhibitors from 29 countries or regions. The show is open to the general public on Friday 23rd May, and the focus for 2025 is the latest tech trends: AI & Robotics, Next-Gen Tech, and Future Mobility. Among those innovations is Acer’s Predator Triton 14 -so get your tickets ready, because COMPUTEX 2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever! Triton 14: fundamentals Returning to the star of the show, the Acer Predator Triton 14, let’s take this gaming powerhouse for a test drive and see what solar system we land on. Open the anti-fingerprint coated, smudge-free sandblasted charcoal black aluminum chassis, and you’ll discover a fully customizable per-key RGB keyboard to light up your world. Dig a little deeper and the Predator Triton 14 features up to 32GB LPDDR5x 8533MHz of RAM, and an equally impressive up to 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD. Sufficient to get things done, don’t you think? CPU The Predator Triton 14 is powered by an (up to) Intel® Core Ultra 9 288V (Lunar Lake V) CPU. Ultra 200V series processors are the go-to choice for power users who demand thin, sleek laptops that can handle all of their requirements, providing unmatched efficiency as well as seamless performance. Delivering long battery life partnered with cool, quiet performance, the Ultra 200V series CPUs also deliver up to 48 AI TOPS, for a superior Copilot+ PC experience. Prepare for a new era of smooth performance and AI-driven task smashing with the Ultra 200V series processors. GPU Moving on to the graphics card, the Predator Triton 14 comes equipped with up to NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 5070 Laptop GPU (798 AI TOPS). Powered by the very latest NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs deliver game-changing capabilities for gamers and creators alike. With more growl than a grizzly bear, the RTX 50 Series kicks open the door to a brave new world of gaming and creation experiences imbued with next-level graphics fidelity. On top of vastly improved graphics, NVIDIA DLSS 4 provides you with a revolutionary suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost FPS, reduce latency, and augment image quality. Finally, NVIDIA Studio will unshackle your creativity, while multiplying your performance and generating images at speeds unseen. We could go on all day about these GPUs and the boost they’ll give to your gaming and creativity, but let’s get back to the beast, and check out the innovative display. OLED & finger touch Turn on the Triton 14, and you’ll discover breathtaking visuals, courtesy of the 14.5-inch OLED display. All of your favorite gaming and creative content come to life with unmatched clarity at a WQXGA+ resolution of 2880 x 1800. Unsure, well certified full-spectrum color accuracy leaves no doubts, as the Triton 14 display has 100% DCI-P3 and is Calman Verified. A stand out feature of this display is the responsive finger touch support: interact effortlessly with your screen, for a truly intuitive and seamless user experience. Haptic touchpad & active stylus The Triton 14 excels at lifting the overall user experience to new levels, thanks to the intuitive haptic touch pad and stylus. Providing tactile feedback, the haptic touchpad improves control with increased accuracy and responsiveness. This touchpad skips on metallic buttons, for a sleeker, minimalist design that also boosts longevity. Stylus support is another cool feature of the Triton 14. The bundled active stylus is your ticket to efficient interaction with AI tools, providing a fresh approach to inputting ideas. With no setup required, simply pick up and write while the active stylus detects 4,096 pressure levels, provides tilt support, and a responsive 10g-450g pen tip force, for an authentic writing and drawing experience. Effortlessly cool With all of this power comes great responsibility. To stay cool. Thankfully, the Triton 14 is equipped with a veritable arsenal of state-of-the-art cooling technologies, notably Graphene TIM (Thermal Interface Material -not a reissue of The Replacements album). Offering 14.5% increase in thermal capacity over traditional thermal grease, Graphene TIM is lightweight, low density, and the way forward when it comes to reducing heat buildup and maintaining system stability under the scale-tipping loads. Let’s not forget the dual 6th Gen AeroBlade metal fans with the world’s thinnest blades, as well as the vapor chamber and Vortex Flow technology to ensure that the Triton 14 stays constantly cool. AI throughout The pulse of AI runs through the Triton 14’s metal veins. From human presence detection powered by AI vision sensors to enhance your security and save your battery to Acer’s very own AI features, this is an AI augmented beast. Take control and personalize your device with PredatorSense: all of the laptop’s AI related features conveniently located in one easily accessible app. The number of the beast: 14 We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering Acer’s Predator Triton 14, the compact gaming beast that’s ready to rock your creative and gaming worlds. Make space for this laptop in your life, and come check it out at COMPUTEX 2025 if you’re in Taipei from 20 May to 23 May. If you can’t make it to the expo, be sure to find a retailer with the Triton 14, and experience the premium AI-powered gaming laptop for yourself.
Swift Edge 14 (2025) Preview: What’s New in Acer’s Ultralight Laptop for 2025
The Swift Edge 14 is Acer’s brand-new ultralight laptop for 2025 and is perfect for users who crave maximum productivity on the go. This versatile AI laptop is suitable for working from home, hybrid work settings, or downtime, letting users easily achieve a work-life balance. With added features to protect against virtual attacks, this durable and secure laptop keeps data safe when connecting to public Wi-Fi. The iconic Swift Edge 14 epitomizes speed and agility while maintaining a minimalist and clean design. It also includes a skin-friendly keyboard that feels like velvet to the touch. The keyboard surface is delicate and smooth, providing a comfortable typing experience while balancing aesthetics and performance. This impressive keyboard design offers outstanding wear and stain resistance, boosting its overall durability. Acer Swift Edge 14 Specifications Acer’s newest high-performance AI laptop boasts an ultra-thin and light chassis to enhance productivity and efficiency. Let’s review its specifications now. * 180-degree hinge * Weight: 2.20 lbs (1 kg) * Screen size: 14 inches (35.56 cm) * Thickness: 0.36 inches (9.3 mm) * 3K OLED display, 90Hz * World-first anti-glare and anti-reflection glass * Eyesafe 2.0 certified (OLED) * HDR TrueBlack 500 certified (OLED) * Intel Lunar Lake processor with 48 TOPS NPU * Intel Arc graphics with 1.5x performance gain * Memory: up to 32GB LPDDR5X * SSD: up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 * Battery life: 29 hours * Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 or above, Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) * DTS:X Ultra * 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL, MicroSD card slot, 2 x USB with USB4 * 1080p FHD IR camera Acer Swift Edge 14 Features With 100% recycled packaging and PCR in its chassis, the Acer Swift Edge 14 is built with sustainability in mind. Here are some more product features. 1. Copilot+ PC features The Acer Swift Edge 14 includes Microsoft Copilot, an AI-generated tool that increases productivity by replacing repetitive tasks. This includes Recall, which utilizes Windows Copilot Runtime to help users find documents, websites, and apps on their computer using clues or the activity timeline. Moreover, Live Captions is a useful accessibility feature that generates captions for any audio or video content, and can even translate audio from 44 languages into English. Similarly, AI Studio Effects offers AI features such as background blurring, voice focus, creative filters, and an eye contact teleprompter to the device camera. 2. Next Gen AI AI features enhance the Acer Swift Edge 14’s productivity capabilities, cultivating a healthier work-life balance for users. For example, AcerSense is a software application that gives an overview of hardware diagnostic tools and software updates in a user-friendly dashboard, helping users resolve issues quickly. Moreover, Acer User Sensing™ 2.0 detects the user’s presence to boost security and provide helpful reminders, while LiveArt 2.0 lets users create unique AI-powered stickers and images. 3. Military-grade durability The Acer Swift Edge 14 adheres to U.S. military standards. While operating, it is tested in temperatures between -32°C (-25.6°F) and 49°C (120.2°F) to confirm it can withstand harsh conditions. Devices are also subjected to vibrational tests to ensure that materials can endure transportation. They are also dropped 26 times from a height of 122cm (48 inches) onto each corner, side, and panel and inspected for damage after each drop. The Acer Swift Edge 14 release at COMPUTEX 2025 COMPUTEX is a global exhibition focusing on AIoT and offers a platform for showcasing technological innovations. The exhibition takes place from May 20th - 23rd at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei, Taiwan, and will feature trends like AI and Robotics, Next-Gen Tech, and Future Mobility. There will also be speeches from keynote speakers like Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, Young Liu, Chairman and CEO of Foxconn, and Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm. The Acer Swift Edge 14 will be unveiled at COMPUTEX 2025, allowing visitors to experience the device's features firsthand. Step into the future with the Acer Swift Edge 14 The Acer Swift Edge 14 is a cutting-edge AI laptop with productivity-enhancing features. It is lightweight, ultra-thin, and reaches 29 hours of battery life on a single charge. Windows Copilot+ features like Recall, Live Captions, and AI Studio Effects help to streamline tasks and increase efficiency. The Acer Swift Edge 14 will be showcased at the COMPUTEX exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, between May 20th and 23rd.
What is COMPUTEX and What to Expect from Acer at COMPUTEX 2025?
It’s that time of year again, the season of…COMPUTEX! Whether you’re a seasoned computer expo vet, or a newbie bound for the green shores of Formosa to visit COMPUTEX 2025, you’re in the right place. Asia’s leading exhibition of AIoT and startups is back, and ready to showcase the latest, greatest technological innovations from all over the globe. This year’s expo will have 1,400 exhibitors from 29 countries or regions, and is going to be bigger and better than ever. COMPUTEX 2025 will focus on the latest tech trends: AI & Robotics, Next-Gen Tech, and Future Mobility. If you’re COMPUTEX-curious, read on to discover all you need to know about COMPUTEX 2025, including the history, location, and dates of the expo, as well as how to get a hold of tickets. We'll finish up by giving you a sneak preview into what Acer will be getting up to at this year's COMPUTEX, as well as a glimpse of a few yet to be revealed devices. Let’s get amongst it! What is COMPUTEX? As you may have already gathered, COMPUTEX is the leading global ICT and IoT expo. This annual computer exhibition, is also known as COMPUTEX Taipei, and the Taipei International Information Technology Show. Starting out as the Taipei Computer Show way back in 1981, the expo has grown in scope and scale in line with global developments, from floppy disks to AI & Robotics. Named COMPUTEX in 1986, the expo began showcasing Taiwanese SMB’s products, rapidly growing into a truly international expo. Today, COMPUTEX is one of the biggest and most important platforms worldwide for computer manufacturers to showcase their goods to the world. Acer has been an integral part of the COMPUTEX picture since they first exhibited their 8-bit and 16-bit Chinese and English PCs at the expo way back in 1984. Enough looking back into the past, let’s look forward to the expo and find out more key info! Where is COMPUTEX 2025? Taipei is a big place, but not to worry. If you plan to visit the expo, then you’ll need to make your way to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 (TaiNEX 1), and Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2 (TaiNEX 2). Here’s a useful map of the exhibition areas for COMPUTEX 2025. To get to COMPUTEX 2025, we recommend taking advantage of Taipei’s fantastic public transport system, here’s TaiNEX’s very own transport guide, to get you to the expo from downtown, or straight from the airport. When is COMPUTEX 2025? We’ve covered the where, but what about the when? This year’s expo is slightly earlier than last year’s, and will run from 20 May to 23 May 2025 from 9.30 am - 5.30 pm. Be sure to check out the COMPUTEX Activity Calendar, as there are many events before the 20 May, notably NVIDIA CEO Keynote, by Jensen Huang. Take note, some events and keynotes will take place at locations outside of the TaiNEX halls, mostly at select locations within Nangang district. Tickets, please? If you’re coming to COMPUTEX, you’ll need a ticket. Industry professionals planning to visit COMPUTEX 2025 should register online before 00:00 (UTC+8) on May 19. To register, please follow these simple steps: * Pre-register at www.computextaipei.com.tw (Visitor → Pre-Registration). * First, register as a TAITRA member (for free), then follow the steps to complete the registration process. * A confirmation email will be sent with a QR code and a Pre-registration Number. * Please show the QR code along with two business cards in exchange for a visitor's badge. * Each email account can be registered only once. * On-site Registration: Open from May 19 to 23. Simply fill out the information at the on-site registration counter. The general public (18 years and above) are welcome to attend COMPUTEX 2025 on May 23. Tickets may be purchased on the day, and cost NT$200 per person, while concession tickets are NT$100 each. You can also pre-register here for tickets. Finally, follow the COMPUTEX code! Not computer code, but the code of conduct: No offensive-smelling clothing, slippers, or carrying unhygienic items that negatively affect the exhibition environment! Acer @COMPUTEX 2025 If you’re coming to the expo, be sure to visit Acer at COMPUTEX 2025 on the 4F of Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 at booth M0104. This year we’ll be unveiling some truly groundbreaking devices. Let’s take a quick peek at two of the most exciting laptops you’re likely to run into at the expo, the 2025 Predator Triton 14, and the Swift Edge 14. Predator Triton 14 AI Attention gamers! This 14 inch creativity and gaming powerhouse is purpose-built for creative pros and gamers on the go. The ultimate solution for AI-powered play and creation, the Triton 14 AI is a Copilot+ PC that comes with (up to) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, delivering a whopping 798 AI TOPS. Dripping with AI credibility, this is the beast to simply smash the competition with (up to) Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU (48 AI TOPS). Breathtaking visuals come as standard, thanks to the 14.5" OLED display with a WQXGA+ resolution of 2880 x 1800. The Triton 14 AI also boasts (up to) 32 GB RAM and (up to) 2 TB SSD, so whatever you do, this laptop will help you do it better. We could ramble on for days about the many stunning features of the Triton 14 AI, but we’ll leave it at that for today, come see for yourself at COMPUTEX 2025. Swift Edge 14 When it comes to working on the go, the Swift Edge 14 will help you maximize your productivity and secure your data wherever your work takes you. Lightweight, durable and eminently capable, the Swift Edge 14 is a Copilot+ PC that delivers a speedy, sleek, and slim laptop experience. The tapered high grade magnesium-aluminum chassis is ultra-slim (9.3mm-16.6mm), with a 180-degree hinge on the 3K OLED display. This display is a world first, featuring both anti-glare and anti-reflection technology. Equipped with an Intel Lunar Lake processor with 48 TOPS NPU and Intel Arc graphics with 1.5x performance gain, the Swift Edge 14 features next gen AI that can handle any task you throw at it. If you’re serious about your business productivity and efficiency, then get a serious secured-core PC, the Swift Edge 14. Next stop: COMPUTEX 2025 We hope you’ve enjoyed getting the lowdown on this year's expo. If you’re coming to COMPUTEX 2025, make sure you register ahead of time, and be sure to visit Acer on the 4F of Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 at booth M0104. Remember, COMPUTEX 2025 runs from 20 May to 23 May 2025 from 9.30 am - 5.30 pm. See you there!
Top Bus Simulator Games to Play in 2025
Bus driving games let you see what it’s like to control a big bus in different places. You can follow the rules, pick up passengers, and stay on time, or drive a little wild and see what happens. Some games let you speed, run red lights, or take risky turns. Others focus more on safe and smooth driving. No matter how you play, these are the best bus simulator games to check out in 2025. 1. OMSI 2: Steam Edition OMSI 2: Steam Edition, developed by MR Software and released on December 12, 2013, is a deeply realistic bus driving simulator that focuses on technical accuracy and immersive detail. Set in 1980s Berlin, it features historic routes, complex bus mechanics, and hands-on controls like ticketing, gear shifting, and door operation. While the graphics feel outdated and the game can suffer from performance issues, its strong modding community and authentic driving experience make it a favorite among sim purists. If you’re looking for a true-to-life bus sim with a steep learning curve and endless customization, OMSI 2 is worth checking out. 2. Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop, developed by stillalive studios and released on September 7, 2021, is a feature-rich driving sim that blends structured route management with open-world freedom. Set across two expansive maps—Angel Shores (USA) and Seaside Valley (Europe)—the game offers a fleet of 30 officially licensed buses, including electric, articulated, and double-decker models. The "Next Stop" update adds a career mode that merges sandbox play with progression-based objectives. Players can stick to realistic driving or embrace the chaos by ramming traffic, skipping stops, or fining passengers mid-route. While the game can suffer from spotty AI and some clunky interface moments, its flexibility, quirky mechanics, and oddly satisfying ticket-checking system make it a surprisingly addictive experience for both casual and hardcore sim fans. 3. City Bus Manager City Bus Manager, developed by PeDePe and released in Early Access on November 10, 2022, is a bus tycoon game that lets you build and manage your own public transport company, and the standout feature is that you can do it in any city in the world. Thanks to integration with OpenStreetMap, you can plan bus routes through real-world locations, whether it’s your hometown or a famous city abroad. That feature alone adds a layer of personal engagement rarely seen in the genre. At its core, the game is about building a bus depot, hiring staff, buying buses, and expanding routes. You’ll need to maintain your fleet, manage ticket prices, keep customers happy, and optimize operations to stay profitable. Your success depends on things like bus cleanliness, driver behavior, reliability, and punctuality. You can even train staff and unlock better tech through a research tree. While the depth isn’t groundbreaking, it’s solid enough to stay engaging. Visually, the game is functional but basic. The graphics are simple, the map looks like a board game, and the sound design is minimal. Still, the interface is smooth, performance is stable, and the depot-building system adds a nice touch of management complexity. The game lacks polish in areas like map routing logic and visual appeal. But it’s stable, decently deep, and backed by an active developer team that encourages community feedback and updates. If you enjoy tycoon sims and like the idea of running buses through real cities, City Bus Manager is worth a look, especially if it goes on sale. It’s not the flashiest sim out there, but it’s got charm and potential. 4. Night Bus Night Bus, developed by Liquid Static Studio and released on April 8, 2024, is a short but haunting indie game that blends mundane bus driving with psychological horror. Set in a retro-styled version of 1999 New Zealand, you play as a night-shift bus driver tasked with picking up passengers, collecting fares, and making scheduled stops. On the surface, it feels like a stripped-down simulator, but things quickly spiral into something far more eerie. The game’s low-poly visuals and VHS-inspired aesthetic give it a nostalgic yet unsettling feel. As you drive through the dim, quiet streets, small oddities start to creep in: glitches in the CCTV feed, passengers behaving strangely, or stops that don’t quite make sense. These details slowly build tension, turning a routine night shift into a chilling experience. With multiple endings based on player choices, Night Bus rewards curiosity and replayability. Interacting with passengers, skipping stops, or deviating from your route can all shape the outcome. While it’s not a traditional sim, Night Bus offers a clever twist on the genre and stands out as one of the most unique bus-themed games you can play in 2025. 5. The Bus The Bus, developed by TML-Studios, is one of the most ambitious bus driving simulators available in 2025. Set in a 1:1 scale recreation of Berlin, the game offers a detailed and immersive experience with officially licensed buses from brands like Scania, MAN, and Mercedes-Benz. Players can drive real-world routes such as TXL and 200 while managing ticket sales, passenger interactions, and traffic rules in a city that changes with dynamic weather and day-night cycles. Built on Unreal Engine 5, The Bus delivers impressive visuals and smooth performance, with detailed interiors and realistic driving physics. It supports multiple control setups and includes modding tools for custom content. Although still in Early Access, the game continues to evolve with regular updates, and the roadmap promises features like multiplayer and expanded management systems. For players who want a high-fidelity urban driving sim, The Bus is one of the best titles to play right now. 6. Bus World Bus World, developed by KishMish Games, is a standout title in the bus simulator genre thanks to its unusual and thrilling premise: driving passengers through disaster zones. Released in 2023 after an Early Access period, the game offers both scenario-based missions and a free roam mode, set across three distinct regions, Iceland, Southern China, and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Each map introduces different environmental hazards like geysers, lava flows, tsunamis, and radiation, turning every route into a high-stakes challenge. Gameplay mixes traditional bus driving with survival-style mechanics. You’ll still be picking up passengers and staying on schedule, but timing is everything when you're dodging volcanic eruptions or racing rising floodwaters. The missions are surprisingly tense and often require strategic detours or split-second decisions to avoid failure. While the physics and audio are a bit rough around the edges, the game supports racing wheels and TrackIR, which enhances immersion for sim enthusiasts. Visually, Bus World is modest but atmospheric, capturing the urgency and danger of each region. The variety of buses, from modern coaches to older Soviet-era models, adds to the charm. It may not be the most polished sim on the market, but its originality, intense scenarios, and replayability make Bus World one of the most unique bus games you can play in 2025.
How To Factory Reset a Chromebook
Google Chromebooks are user-friendly laptops that are designed for going online. Chromebooks are suitable for light use and encourage users to save documents to the Cloud rather than the device itself. Instead of including a bunch of fancy features, Chromebooks offer a slimmed-down set of functions and capabilities. Google Chromebooks use the Chrome OS, a Linux-based operating system previously used by computer enthusiasts. Chromebooks are optimized for streamlined web-based usage, allowing users to browse the web, work on Google Docs, watch videos, and send emails without being bogged down with unnecessary files and apps. What is a factory reset? Occasionally, users may wish to return a Chromebook to its default factory state. This is known as a factory reset, or Powerwash in Google terms, and erases all data, settings, and installed applications. Why would you want to Powerwash a Chromebook? There are two main reasons why users may wish to Powerwash a Chromebook. Although the Chromebook OS is not as complex as other operating systems, stubborn issues that are only resolved by a factory reset may still creep up. Moreover, it is also advisable to Powerwash a Chromebook to remove all personal data when selling it to a new user. Some friendly reminders before Powerwashing a Chromebook Files saved to the Chromebook local storage are usually stored in the Downloads folder, which should be backed up before initiating a Powerwash. Although most user-specific documents are saved on the Cloud, Powerwashing a Chromebook removes local files and settings that cannot be recovered once this action is complete. Moreover, all previously used Google accounts and associated settings will be removed during a Powerwash, so usernames and passwords should be safely noted down elsewhere. How to factory reset a Chromebook There are two ways you can return a Chromebook to its default state. The first is through the Chrome Browser. * Open the Chrome browser. * Click the three vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner of the browser window. * Select Settings. * Click Advanced. * Scroll to find the Reset settings and select Powerwash. * A pop-up dialog will appear. Click Restart. * The Chromebook will restart and begin the Powerwash process. * When prompted, sign in with your Google Account credentials if required. Another way to factory reset a Chromebook is via the login screen. * When the Chrome OS login screen is showing, and before authenticating, press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+R. * A pop-up dialog will appear. Click Restart. * The Chromebook will restart and return to the login page. * Another pop-up dialog will appear. Click Powerwash, then click Confirm Powerwash. * The Powerwash process will begin. * When prompted, sign in with your Google Account credentials if required. It may not be possible to Powerwash a publicly used Chromebook used for workplace or school purposes. Back to basics: factory resetting a Chromebook It may occasionally be necessary to factory reset, or Powerwash, a Chromebook due to ongoing issues or before selling the device to a new user. It is crucial to remember that this action will permanently delete all files, applications, and settings that were not there when the device was new. Users can Powerwash a Chromebook either through the Chrome browser or the login screen, signing into their Google Account after the process is complete.
Best Early Game Tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just one of the best RPGs of 2025. It’s one of the most impressive debut titles in recent memory. Developed by the small but remarkably talented team at Sandfall Interactive, this turn-based epic blends the mechanical depth of classic JRPGs with the artistic flair of French theater and Belle Époque aesthetics. With a team of just over 30 people, Sandfall has delivered a game so visually striking and mechanically refined that it’s earned praise far beyond gaming circles. Even French President Emmanuel Macron took notice, saying, "Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and all the creators of Expedition 33. You are a shining example of French audacity and creativity." That said, Expedition 33 doesn’t hold your hand. Its systems are deep, its secrets well-hidden, and its early-game learning curve can catch newcomers off guard. Whether you're new to turn-based combat or just want to make the most of your first few hours, here are ten essential early-game tips to help you survive the journey and unlock the game's full potential. 1. Master the art of parrying In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, parrying isn't just defensive; it's one of the most important ways to control the pace of battle. A successful parry negates damage, grants AP, and opens opportunities for counterattacks. If you manage to parry an enemy’s area attack, your whole team can respond with a powerful group counter. Timing is key. Unlike action games where you parry at the start of an attack, this system rewards a slight delay. Watch the animation and strike during the midpoint for best results. 2. Upgrade your weapons early and often Weapons improve dramatically with upgrades, gaining both higher scaling and new abilities. A basic sword with C-rank scaling might eventually reach S-rank, giving a huge boost in damage. Some weapons unlock unique traits or multi-hit effects as they level up. Be sure to review each weapon's primary stat scaling and elemental affinity before deciding where to invest your resources. Keeping weapons up to date is often more impactful than grinding levels. 3. Spare the unpainted Nevrons You’ll occasionally encounter white Nevrons who offer dialogue or quests instead of battle. Don’t attack them. Sparing these NPCs and completing their quests can lead to exclusive Pictos, powerful items, and a bonus of 100 Lumina capacity later on. Your choices here also influence later-game outcomes. If you’ve already attacked them, consider reloading an earlier autosave. Otherwise, it’s worth starting a fresh run to maximize long-term benefits. 4. Upgrade your Lumina capacity at camp Once you recruit Myel, you’ll gain access to the camp’s curator. He allows you to spend Color of Lumina items to increase your total Lumina points. This system determines how many passive abilities you can equip at once, so expanding your pool is essential as you gain new Pictos. Be sure to distribute upgrades evenly across your party to avoid falling behind with underused characters. 5. Pay attention to enemy affinities Every enemy has specific elemental weaknesses and resistances. Hitting a weak point can massively shorten a fight, while using the wrong element might heal them. For example, casting fire on a fire-type enemy not only deals no damage but may restore their HP. Equip a variety of elemental attacks across your party and experiment when facing new foes. Once you’ve discovered an enemy’s weakness, adapt your gear or spell loadout to exploit it. 6. Use lamp posts to guide exploration If you're unsure where to go next, follow the lit lamp posts scattered through dungeons and overworld paths. These lights typically mark the story route. Use this to your advantage. If you want to explore side paths and collect hidden items, head toward the unlit or alternate routes first. Lamps serve as a subtle form of navigation, and learning to read them helps you avoid missing useful rewards. 7. Use 'Load Previous Saves' when needed The game only shows one save file at the main menu, but you can load earlier autosaves from the pause menu. This is a lifesaver if you regret a decision, miss a quest, or encounter a bug. Just pause the game, select "Load Previous Saves," and scroll to find the point you want. It's a hidden but crucial feature for avoiding mistakes or replaying key moments without restarting the entire game. 8. Bring shield-breaking skills to key fights Around a third of the way through the game, enemies start using shields that absorb your attacks until broken. Regular damage won’t cut it. Skills like Myel’s "Breaking Rules" can destroy multiple shields in one hit and even refund AP based on the number removed. Make sure at least one character in your active lineup can bypass shields efficiently, or you risk wasting turns and losing momentum in harder encounters. 9. Prioritize agility, vitality, and luck early When leveling up, focus your stat points on agility, vitality, and luck. Agility increases turn speed, which helps you act more often and control battle tempo. Vitality boosts survivability and scales with healing effects, while luck enhances critical hit chances and synergizes with crit-based Pictos. These three stats give the best return in the early game, before you start fine-tuning for weapon-specific builds or unlocking high-end equipment. 10. Grab every glowing item you see Color-coded items scattered throughout the world are essential to your progression. Red items are new weapons, blue ones are Pictos that unlock Lumina skills, white ones give you Chroma currency, and purple ones contain upgrade materials like Color of Lumina, catalyst shards, or tint refills. These resources respawn in some areas and are often hidden behind breakable objects or puzzles. Don’t skip them—your strength depends on consistent scavenging. Elevate your experience with Acer’s Predator and Nitro series. Built for demanding gamers and creators alike, Predator delivers uncompromising power and advanced cooling for the most intense sessions, while Nitro strikes the perfect balance of performance and value with high-refresh-rate displays and customizable hardware. Discover the full lineup and configure your next PC at Acer’s official website.
How to Disable Lock Screen Widgets on Windows 11
Windows devices will display a lock screen when left unattended, requiring a password or biometric input to activate for additional security. If you want to add a personal touch to your computer, consider changing the lock screen background to a family photo or a holiday snap. Otherwise, Windows 11 devices may automatically select lock screen advertisements, including banner alerts and news updates. As the Windows 11 lock screen is fully customizable, you can also choose so-called widgets that may be of interest, such as local traffic information. Moreover, the Weather and more app shows dynamic, real-time updates on weather conditions, finance, and sports. These Windows lock screen widgets provide useful information at a glance, offering tailored content to boost the user experience. Why should I disable widgets on the Windows 11 lock screen? While Windows 11 lock screen widgets are useful for updates, they can also be annoying or distracting. Users may also be concerned about unnecessary clutter or potential battery drainage from lock screen widgets. As such, they may prefer to disable them. How to disable or enable lock screen widgets in Windows 11 To enable widgets on the Windows 11 lock screen: * Go to Settings * Click Personalization * Select Lock screen * Click Lock screen status * Choose an option from the dropdown box. To disable widgets on the Windows 11 lock screen: * Head to Settings * Click Personalization * Select Lock screen * Click Lock screen status * Choose None from the dropdown box. The lowdown on Windows 11 lock screen widgets Windows 11 lock screen widgets provide helpful information about the weather, stock markets, and traffic. This adds a hint of personality to devices, especially when combined with a customized background image. However, users may wish to disable lock screen widgets if they find them distracting or unnecessary. Simply follow the instructions above to switch off lock screen widgets and enjoy a clutter-free screen.
Why 32GB of RAM Should Be the New Standard for Gaming PCs
PC gaming has changed a lot in the last few years. Modern games demand more from your system than ever before. Developers now build larger, more detailed worlds. Ray tracing, massive open worlds, and high-resolution textures are common even in mid-tier games. Because of these changes, 32GB of RAM should now be considered the standard for any serious gaming PC. What is RAM? RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is a part of your computer that stores data your system needs to access quickly. Unlike a hard drive or SSD, RAM only holds data while your computer is turned on. Once you shut down, it clears out and resets. There are several types of RAM, with DDR (Double Data Rate) being the most common. Today, most systems use either DDR4 or the newer DDR5 memory. Here’s a basic breakdown: * DDR4: Reliable and still widely used, but slower compared to newer options. * DDR5: Faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and better efficiency. Ideal for gaming PCs being built or upgraded today. Upgrading to DDR5 provides better loading times, smoother gameplay, and better performance when multitasking or running heavy applications. Why is RAM important for your pc and gaming? RAM plays a key role in how well your PC handles games and programs. It works by keeping important data ready for your CPU and GPU. When you are gaming, RAM loads textures, models, sounds, and other assets that the system needs fast. Not having enough RAM can cause several problems: * Slower load times: Games may take longer to load levels or menus. * Performance drops: Frame rates may dip during busy scenes. * Stuttering: Games can freeze for short periods while the system tries to grab needed files. * System slowdowns: Background programs, like Discord and browsers, can start to drag your whole system down if RAM runs out. RAM is the bridge that keeps your processor and graphics card working at full speed without having to pull data from slower storage drives. What happens during a game if you don't have enough RAM? If you are playing a demanding game and do not have enough RAM, your system struggles. Windows will try to offload data to the page file, which is part of your SSD or hard drive. But no matter how fast your storage is, it is still much slower than RAM. Here is what you might experience: * Frame stutter and spikes: The game struggles to load textures and assets quickly enough, leading to uneven frame pacing and sudden dips in performance. * Longer load times: Levels and textures load more slowly, sometimes mid-game, breaking immersion. * System slowdown: Windows moves less critical tasks into the much slower page file (stored on your SSD), causing massive performance drops when you alt-tab or try multitasking. In heavy games like Hogwarts Legacy or The Last of Us Part I, running with just 16GB of RAM often leads to traversal stutter, asset pop-ins, and an overall less polished gaming experience. What drove the increase in RAM use for games? Games today use more RAM than they used to for several reasons. Game engines like Unreal Engine 5 introduce new technology that loads more detailed models and lighting. Developers are designing bigger, richer game worlds, and they expect players to have stronger systems. Some of the key drivers include: * Unreal Engine 5 features: Games built with Unreal Engine 5, such as Marvel Rivals, now use complex technologies like Nanite and Lumen, both of which are extremely RAM-intensive. * Ray tracing: Advanced lighting and reflection techniques load heavy assets into memory, requiring more system resources even on medium settings. * Higher resolution textures: 4K textures and large open-world assets need extra space. * Background multitasking: Gamers today often stream, run Discord, and watch videos while gaming, all of which eat into available RAM. * Less optimization: Modern games often assume players have ample resources, leading developers to set higher minimum requirements without as much optimization. Games like Hogwarts Legacy, Marvel Rivals, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are clear examples where 16GB of RAM is no longer enough for a smooth experience at high settings. Why 32gb should be the new standard Based on testing across many modern titles, 32GB of RAM offers a big advantage without being wasteful. It prepares you for current AAA games and the next few years of new releases without breaking the bank. Here are the reasons why 32GB makes sense: * Headroom for today and tomorrow: While 16GB can still "technically" run many games today, it’s often barely enough, especially as titles like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Hogwarts Legacy eat 20GB+ when background tasks are included. Performance gains: Testing shows that upgrading from 16GB to 32GB can yield tangible benefits. In Marvel Rivals, framerate improved by around 40% just by moving to 32GB RAM. Even older engines like Helldivers 2 showed gains. * Affordable pricing: DDR5 memory prices have fallen sharply. A good 32GB DDR5-6000 kit can be found for just $75–90 USD, barely 25% more than 16GB kits but offering double the capacity. * Better multitasking: If you’re running Discord, Chrome, OBS, or background apps while gaming, 32GB prevents slowdowns caused by page file swapping. * Future-proofing: With developers pushing tech boundaries and Unreal Engine 5 becoming more common, having 32GB ensures your system won't choke on future releases. Right now, a 16GB setup will still run many games fine, but headroom is tight. New releases will only push memory needs higher. Upgrading to 32GB ensures that your gaming experience stays smooth today and tomorrow. Final thoughts For anyone building or upgrading a gaming PC in 2025 and beyond, 32GB of DDR5 RAM should be seen as the standard, not an optional luxury. With modern games demanding more, and memory prices so reasonable, it’s a smart move that will keep your rig performing smoothly for years to come.
Must use Add-ons and Extensions for Firefox Users
Welcome, web browser to our voyage into the world of add-ons and extensions for Firefox. While there are many web browsers out there, most of us tend to stick to the big dogs: Chrome, Safari, Edge, and of course, Firefox. Launched by Mozilla in 2004, Firefox is a browser that’s famous for putting you, the user first. Equipped with solid protection features, including easy to manage cookie settings, built-in pop-up blockers, and enhanced tracking protection, Firefox is also highly customizable. From a Firefox translator extension to Bitwarden Firefox extension, the sheer volume of extensions available for this browser are a major pull for many users: small add-ons to boost browser functionality, and build a browser that is truly yours. If you’re a Firefox user, then you’re likely reading this article through said browser, if not, give it a try, and see how the add-ons and extensions for Firefox can revolutionize your web browsing experience. Let’s jump straight in and check out 10 of the best Firefox extensions. 1. uBlock Origin If you’re peeved with popups, aggravated by ads, and tired of trackers, then you may need a dose of uBlock Origin. This wide-spectrum content blocker by Raymond Hill puts memory efficiency and CPU first. In addition to blocking ads, trackers, popups, coin miners and more, uBlock Origin, or uBO (as it's called by those in the know) can be customized by simple point-and-click to block JavaScript locally or globally. Free, open source with a public license, uBlock Origin is also surprisingly a potentially effective tech for energy conservation, as blocking ads saves electricity! 2. YouTube SponsorBlock Another open-source, crowdsourced extension for Firefox, https://sponsor.ajay.app/ can give you the power to automatically skip annoying, time wasting sponsor messages on YouTube. You’ll never have to sit through an annoying toothpaste ad before watching your favorite YouTube content ever again, as SponsorBlock automatically checks its database for reported sponsors, then skips them. Get involved and join over 13 million users, and submit your very own sponsors that deserve to be skipped. 3. Bitwarden Password Manager Don’t get bit by forgetting or mislaying your passwords, get Bitwarden and ensure that all of your passwords are safe and sound. The Bitwarden extension for Firefox is a simple, trustworthy password manager with a free plan available for unlimited devices. Even if you’re already using another password manager, you can easily migrate your data, including passwords, credit cards, and even secrets to Bitwarden with a few simple clicks. Finally, zero-knowledge encryption ensures that you, and only you can access your information. 4. Proton VPN Firefox extension Switzerland may not immediately conjure up images of VPN farms, but Proton VPN Firefox extension bills itself as a Swiss VPN that you can trust. Lightning fast, reliable, and secure as the vaults of a Swiss bank, Proton VPN keeps a strict no logs policy in accordance with Swiss law. Proton VPN enables you to bypass censorship and access “the truth”, or simply unblock and watch popular streaming services. Open-source, and transparent, you can easily check the code for yourself, while independent audits will let you decide if Proton VPN cuts the mustard. 5. Bypass Paywall Clean If you’re looking to get into the festival without a ticket, then Bypass Paywall Clean can get you in for free. This open-source browser extension circumvents paywalls, allowing users to access paid-content without handing over a penny. Do beware though, that this type of extension may violate the T&Cs of the website you visit. In plainspeak it could be illegal, so if you don’t want to take your chances with the long arm of the law, then try 12ft, and see if it works for you. 6. Unhook As we navigate the wild pastures of YouTube, at times it can feel like we’re a fish, dodging hooks baited with all kinds of distractions. Unhook cuts the line, or severs the net, depending on how you use it. Simple and effective, Unhook can be used to hide related videos, suggestion walls, shorts, comments and pretty much every other potential distraction that might be lurking on the ‘Tube. Simply toggle through the many options to make your YouTube experience less distracting. 7. Viewhance Customize the built-in media viewer in Firefox to your heart’s content with Viewhance. Unlimited possibilities and functionality are only a few clicks away with Viewhance, without even needing to leave your browser! Featuring super-easy navigation, as well as custom playback and display, if you’re a regular user of the built-on media viewer in Firefox, Viewhance will massively enhance your media experience, from work to play. 8. Dark Reader If you didn’t realize that the white background of this website was straining your eyes, try Dark Reader and you’ll discover that with inverted colors, you can read for hours without strain! Particularly suited to night readers, Dark Reader can be enabled for all websites or particular domains, with the choice of dark or light mode, as well as customizable brightness, contrast, and sepia options. Over 8 million users can’t be wrong, and for individuals, a one-time payment of $9.99 delivers Dark Reader for life. 9. Auto Tab Discard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ityhxUPp3y8 As the name suggests, Auto Tab Discard automatically (or manually if you choose) discards inactive, idle, and forgotten tabs. This browser extension can seriously assist your battery life by disabling JavaScript code as well as DOM events on discarded tabs. Memory usage is reduced by discarding idle tabs, while a convenient list of hostnames and regular expressions can be inputted to exclude them from auto-discarding. 10. TWP Short for Translate Web Pages, the last of our extensions today has the ability to traverse linguistic and cultural barriers. TWP allows users to choose the translation service of their choice, and translate full pages, selected text, and even PDF documents. Forget the wait, TWP translates pages in real time: this add-on can increase productivity, translating desired content in a single click, without the hassle of opening new tabs. Add-on, add-off We hope that you’ve enjoyed discovering ten of our favorite add-ons and extensions for Firefox. As you may have noticed, there are add-ons and extensions galore available to maximize every aspect of your Firefox browsing experience. Take the plunge and try one today, see where it takes you!
Best Underwater Video Games to Dive Into in 2025
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the mysteries of the deep without leaving dry land, 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for underwater games. From immersive diving games and scenic scuba diving game experiences to pulse-pounding underwater survival games and even the occasional underwater horror game, there’s something for every kind of ocean explorer. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing game about diving or a tense descent into the abyss, these titles let you plunge into a world where the unknown waits beneath the surface. 1. Dave the Diver Dave the Diver is one of those rare games that constantly surprises you, blending underwater exploration, restaurant management, RPG mechanics, and an endless stream of quirky minigames into a deeply satisfying loop. You play as Dave, a slightly out-of-shape diver tasked with hunting fish during the day and running a bustling sushi restaurant at night. The deeper you go into the Blue Hole, the more secrets, dangers, and bizarre sea creatures you uncover. The game balances lighthearted storytelling with genuinely strategic gameplay. Diving involves careful oxygen and inventory management, and combat can range from harpooning fish to tranquilizing massive sharks. Between dives, you’ll upgrade your gear, customize your staff, and expand your culinary empire. The pacing is tight, the humor lands, and the variety of content never stops. In 2024, Mintrocket doubled down on the fun with a Dredge crossover DLC, bringing cosmic horror into Dave’s colorful world. This update introduces night dives filled with twisted sea monsters, dark visual themes, and potential nods to Dredge’s sanity mechanics. It adds a creepy layer of risk to Dave’s otherwise upbeat routine, creating an unexpected but welcome contrast that expands the game’s underwater universe. Packed with charm, chaos, and now a little Lovecraft, Dave the Diver continues to be one of the most creative indie hits in recent years. 2. Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss is a narrative-rich underwater mystery developed by Subjective Realities and published in 2023. Set in the early 20th century, you play as Cam, a diver investigating the wreck of the S.S. Thalassa after a salvage mission goes disastrously wrong. What begins as a sunken treasure hunt turns into a deeply emotional investigation into the fate of the crew. The game isn’t focused on realism but instead crafts a moody, immersive world where oxygen tanks never run out and lamps never die. The highlight is its interactive deduction board, which you’ll use to connect documents, letters, and clues scattered across six decks of the submerged vessel. While animations can feel slow and the voice volume occasionally dips, the game’s richly atmospheric setting and personal, human storytelling pull you in. Thalassa is less about survival and more about discovery, offering a meditative, slow-burn dive into grief, memory, and mystery. 3. Barotrauma Released in 2023 by Finnish developer FakeFish and Undertow Games, Barotrauma is a tense, often chaotic 2D co-op survival game set deep beneath the frozen surface of Jupiter’s moon, Europa. Earth is uninhabitable, and what’s left of humanity now survives in submarines prowling a pitch-black ocean filled with things far worse than crushing pressure. The game combines management sim mechanics with moments of pure horror. Players take on different crew roles (Captain, Engineer, Medic, Security Officer) and must work together to keep their vessel operational while fending off alien sea creatures, electrical failures, fires, and each other’s mistakes. What makes Barotrauma truly shine is its balance between routine and panic. One minute you're calmly navigating icy waters or fixing a reactor, and the next you’re plugging hull breaches with monsters clawing their way inside. It’s at its best with friends, especially when teamwork quickly breaks down into chaos. The game’s chunky pixel art might not impress visually, but it adds charm to the dread. While complex systems and lackluster AI bots might overwhelm solo players, Barotrauma thrives on unpredictability, making it one of the most memorable co-op underwater horror games out there. 4. Subnautica Developed by Unknown Worlds and released in 2018, Subnautica is a masterclass in open-world survival and one of the most immersive underwater games ever made. The game begins with your crash landing on an alien ocean planet, and from there, it becomes a gripping blend of exploration, crafting, and existential terror. What sets Subnautica apart is its atmosphere. Its biomes range from serene coral reefs to abyssal trenches teeming with predatory leviathans. There’s no hand-holding as you dive deeper and unlock new tools, submarines, and habitats to survive the crushing depths. Its sound design and ambient music intensify the feeling of isolation, and the positional audio often signals when something massive is stalking you just out of sight. Unlike many survival games, Subnautica also tells a compelling story through logs, radio transmissions, and environmental storytelling. It’s a rare example of a survival game where the plot feels meaningful and well-paced. The DLC, Subnautica: Below Zero, offers a more personal narrative and a smaller map, but introduces new tech, modular vehicles, and arctic biomes. Playing as xenobiologist Robin Ayou, you’ll unravel a corporate cover-up while navigating icy waters, using gadgets like the Sea Truck and Snowfox hoverbike. Though more compact, it’s packed with detail and variety, delivering a fresh, frosty take on the original's formula. Both the base game and Below Zero maintain an incredible sense of immersion and awe. Whether you’re uncovering alien secrets or barely surviving an encounter with a leviathan, Subnautica remains a masterclass in environmental design and open-world pacing. It’s one of the finest aquatic survival experiences ever made. 5. Dredge Dredge is a slow-burning, atmospheric fishing game wrapped in cosmic horror and quiet dread. You pilot a lone trawler across a fog-covered archipelago, dredging up twisted sea life and long-buried secrets. Its core loop, catch fish by day, avoid madness by night, is simple yet hypnotic, blending checklist progression with creeping tension. The world is brought to life through a minimalist art style and haunting audio design. Each region has its own lore, puzzles, and fish to discover, keeping the game interesting across its tight 12-hour runtime. While the upgrade system is fairly linear, the pacing and mood make up for it. Beyond the base game, two DLCs expand its haunting world. The Pale Reach introduces a glacial new region filled with icy waters and hidden relics, while The Iron Rig brings an environmental twist. This larger expansion sends you back through each biome to uncover the effects of corporate pollution and unnatural drilling. While the plot leans into metaphor, it never forgets its gameplay roots, new materials, powerful upgrades, and quality-of-life tools like portable repair kits and teleport anchors deepen the experience without losing its tight focus. While some players may critique the lack of player agency in narrative decisions, the gameplay remains immersive and rewarding. Balancing inventory space, managing sanity, and choosing when to risk a night sail keeps the tension sharp across the 15–20 hour journey. Dredge, developed by Black Salt Games and published in 2023, has earned widespread acclaim for its originality and execution. It won “Best Indie Game” at the Golden Joystick Awards and received nominations at The Game Awards 2023 and BAFTA Game Awards 2024. It’s a standout experience that combines eerie exploration, tight resource management, and deeply unsettling storytelling into one unforgettable voyage. 6. Nauticrawl Nauticrawl is a genre-blending roguelike from developer Andrea Interguglielmi, released in 2019, that drops you into the cockpit of a mysterious machine, and refuses to explain how anything works. There’s no tutorial, no guidance, just a mess of levers, dials, and switches to decipher through trial and error. The game is essentially one giant puzzle. You must learn how to power up the machine, navigate hostile terrain, manage resources, and avoid enemies, all while gradually unraveling the system’s logic. Its turn-based mechanics and permanent consequences create a tense atmosphere, especially during your early, mistake-filled runs. Though its difficulty eases as you gain experience, the sense of discovery remains strong. The game’s cockpit-only perspective and detailed interface make every button press feel impactful, and the ambient sound design enhances immersion. While the narrative is minimal and mostly fixed, Nauticrawl thrives on its unique concept and the thrill of experimentation, making it a memorable dive into the unknown. 7. Maneater Maneater flips the open-world action formula on its head by putting you in control of a vengeful shark, not a human. Developed and published by Tripwire Interactive in 2020, the game begins with a brutal shark-hunter killing your mother, only for you, her pup, to escape and grow stronger with one goal in mind: revenge. Set in the sun-soaked yet blood-soaked waters of Port Clovis, the game lets you level up your shark by hunting sea life and humans, unlocking wild evolutionary upgrades like electric fins and bone armor. Combat is chaotic and satisfying, and swimming through its detailed underwater environments is a constant visual treat. Presented in the style of a nature documentary parody, narrated by Chris Parnell, Maneater adds some humor to its otherwise violent romp. While mission design gets repetitive, kill X number of enemies, rinse and repeat, the act of playing as a superpowered shark rarely loses its appeal. Exploration, power progression, and sheer novelty carry the experience. It’s not deep in gameplay or story, but it knows what it is and runs with it: a shameless, fun, blood-soaked “shARkPG.” 8. Crab God Crab God is a charming colony management game developed by Chaos Theory Games and published by Firesquid in 2024. It plays like a lighter, crab-themed take on the Kingdom series, with shorter gameplay loops and a focus on strategic team-building and survival. You control a group of five crabs, each assigned to roles like Gardener, Scavenger, Worshipper, Builder, or Hunter. Balancing their abilities is key to gathering food, defending your colony at night, and unlocking permanent bonuses. Staying longer in each level gives you more rewards but also ramps up difficulty, pushing you to carefully manage risk and sacrifice. Each run feeds into the next, with mechanics that let you resurrect powerful crabs if you fail, encouraging experimentation rather than punishing mistakes. Ritual stones and randomized bonuses add variation, while achievements nudge players to try different strategies with each run. While the game currently suffers from a few bugged achievements, the core gameplay loop is satisfying, accessible, and surprisingly tactical. The colorful art and gentle pacing make it appealing even for those new to the genre. Crab God may not have a deep story, but its playful design and achievement-focused structure offer plenty of replay value for fans of bite-sized, strategic management sims. 9. Loddlenaut Loddlenaut is a chill, cleanup-focused adventure where you restore a polluted alien ocean one trash pile at a time. Playing as a lone diver on the planet GUP-14, you’ll vacuum microplastics, scrub toxic gunk, and recycle debris to upgrade your tools, all while helping cute, axolotl-like creatures called loddles reclaim their home. The gameplay is simple but satisfying. As you unlock new zones, you’ll upgrade your gear and use gadgets to manage oxygen and access new areas. Loddles follow you around, chirp back in response to your lights, and evolve depending on how you care for them, adding charm without complexity. While its cozy vibes and tactile feedback shine, the game doesn’t shy away from subtle environmental commentary. Despite your efforts, trash gradually returns, hinting at the limits of individual action. Developed by Moon Lagoon and published by Secret Mode, Loddlenaut is soothing, adorable, and quietly sobering beneath its cheerful surface. 10. IronWolf VR IronWolf VR is an immersive World War II submarine simulation built specifically for PC VR. Developed by Ionized Studios and released in 2022, it puts players directly inside a fully interactive U-boat, where every switch, dial, and hatch must be manually operated as you track convoys, launch torpedoes, and evade enemy destroyers. From the creak of your hull under pressure to the thunder of nearby depth charges, the sound design and tactile controls elevate the tension to impressive levels. Each compartment of your submarine is richly detailed, offering roles like navigation, weapons management, and engineering. You can play solo with automation support or command a crew in multiplayer, where coordination becomes essential. While combat can be exhilarating, especially manning the deck gun, IronWolf VR also requires patience. Positioning, escaping, and repairing damage take time, particularly when playing alone. An open-world mode adds strategic depth, requiring fuel and ammo management across longer campaigns. Predefined missions are also available for quick sessions and a solid challenge. Though it suffers from occasional downtime and repetitive repair mechanics, IronWolf VR delivers one of the most authentic and atmospheric submarine experiences in VR to date. For fans of tactical simulation and WWII naval warfare, this is a standout title.