STACK #263 September 2026

YOUR

TO MOVIES, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & TECH TO MOVIES, TV,

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

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ISSUE 263 SEP ’26

STACK Issue 263 SEPTEMBER 2026 “If you cage the beast, the beast will get angry!” WIN!

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Looking for a challenge? Mythical Pokémon Arceus is hiding somewhere in this issue - can you spot him? Flip through and find out.

CONTENTS

ISSUE 263 SEP

GAMING 6 Take 5/Charts/Q5/Wham, bam, game exam! 8 Playing with fire: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave preview 10 A red-letter day: The Blood of the Dawnwalker interview 12 A sword to the wise: Onimusha: Way of the Sword preview 14 Kick it to me! EA Sports FC 27 Q+A 16 Feel good, pink! Razer | Pokémon Pikachu & Eevee Collection 18 Let’s block! Minecraft Dungeons II preview 19 Claw and order! Marvel’s Wolverine interview 20 Shapeshifter! Razer Naga V3 Pro Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse 22-23 What’s out this month? MOVIES & TV 26 Take 5/Charts/Cinema highlights/ Bob J’s Film Buff Bafflers 27 Spielberg’s next close encounter: Disclosure Day /Rebel with a cape: Supergirl 28 Hero or villain? The Death of Robin Hood / Tethered in Dead Man’s Wire 30 Curry Barker: Horror’s new Obsession / LaMonica Garrett: Man of War 32 4K all the way 34 What’s out this month?/Reel classics: New from Imprint Films 35 New Exploding Kittens games 36 Happy birthday Pokémon! MUSIC 40 Take 5/My first album/ STACK exchange 41 New albums: Beabadoobee - Pylon / Angus & Julia Stone - Karaoke Bar 44 New albums: Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun: Girls Trip /Ecca Vandal - Looking for People to Unfollow 45 New album: The HU - Hun 46 New albums: Alex Warren - Wildchild / Nothing But Thieves - Stray Dogs 48 Vital vinyl: The Smiths - Best I + II 50-51 What’s out this month? TECH FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 4-5 Pokémon joins the Toniebox 2 6-8 What’s new across the Google Pixel 11 series? 10 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 vs Z Fold7 12 How to protect your new Samsung Galaxy Z 14 Bose QC Headphones Gen 2: What’s new? 16 What’s the best TV for watching footy finals? 18 Upsize your TV for the footy finals 20 The LG Wallpaper OLED W6 TV is a stunner! 22 Enjoy big screen 4K viewing with the XGIMI Elfin Flip projector 24 What’s new from EZVIZ security 31 Is the HyperX Omen 16 your new gaming laptop? 32 Why do you need a dedicated gaming monitor? 34 Which gaming monitor is right for you? 36 Air frying with the Ninja Crispi Pro 38 Check out the swish Breville Noir range 40 Philips All-in-One trimmer range 26 Dell’s XPS 13 laptop is seriously thin! 30 Meet the flexible HP OmniBook 5 Flip

2026

WELCOME

We all get excited at team STACK when the mag includes a free poster. For us, it dials deep into nostalgia, back to the days of buying magazines solely for the poster advertised on the front. Raiding Blu Tack from existing posters or risking the ire of your mum by using thumb tacks to stick up your latest artwork was a rite of passage. Well, this month we get to do it all again with the excellent – and free – pull-out Wolverine poster marking the September 15 release of Marvel’s Wolverine on PlayStation 5. It’s been 17 years since a scrappy, movie tie-in solo Wolverine game released, but now he’s back with arguably the best studio for the task at the helm. Prior to Marvel’s Wolverine (and, of course, Ratchet and Clank), Insomniac Games delivered three incredible Spider-Man titles that turned web slinging into one of gaming’s most joyful mechanics. Insomniac’s Wolverine trades Spider-Man’s sunny heroics for something darker and more brutal, dropping players into Logan’s fractured, rage-filled world before the X-Men even existed. And if the studio’s track record holds, it’ll be just as hard to put down. So dig out the Blu Tack, brace for your mum’s wrath, and get that poster up on the wall – some rites of passage never get old. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

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Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones, James O’Connor Contributors Jeff Jenkins, Billy Pinnell, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Trista McConville, Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2026 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

4 SEPTEMBER 2026

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BEST SELLERS at

What’s your earliest video gaming memory?

AUGUST 2026

Aside from filling my uncle’s gold N64 Ocarina of Time cartridge with Play Doh, I have fond memories of my brother and I watching him play through The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess . I was completely enamoured by the story, the world, and the characters. I will die on the hill that Twilight Princess is the best The Legend of Zelda game!

SEPTEMBER

’ s ROVING REPORTER

What’s your all-time favourite game or game series?

1 HALO: CAMPAIGN EVOLVED

Pokémon for nostalgic reasons, but NieR: Automata comes in at a very close second place! I love games with beautifully done and immersive atmospheres and soundtracks.

2 SPLATOON RAIDERS

PARIS S. @ JB Burwood, NSW

3 MARVEL TOKON: FIGHTING SOULS

What have you been playing most lately?

4 ASSASSIN’S CREED

What’s the best thing about working in games at JB?

BLACK FLAG RESYNCED

Aside from League of Legends , I’m back on Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix – I love rhythm games!

During my time in games, I especially love chatting to people buying streaming gear about what they’re currently playing, especially when they’re new to streaming! There’s a noticeable shift from hesitation and nerves about getting into streaming to excitement when they begin to open up about what they’re enjoying and are excited about. I think some of my favourite customer interactions have come about as a result of the streaming cabinet. Thank you, Elgato capture cards!

5 MARIO KART WORLD

You can only have one games console from any era – what would it be and why?

6 MORTAL SHELL II

Hands down Nintendo Wii, easy. Wii Sports, WarioWare, Twilight Princess, Wii Play, the Mii Channel music. Need I say more? I’m entertained for hours, be it on my own or with guests.

7 METAL GEAR SOLID:

MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 2

8 THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION

Are you up to answering all eight of this month’s game related posers?

1. What was the title of the first Marvel game from developer Insomniac? 2. Which actor first played Geralt of Rivera in The Witcher TV series? 3. What was the name of the main protagonist in 2001’s Onimusha: Warlords ? 4 . What was the name of the game that preceded Call of the Elder Gods ? 5. In what decade did the first officially licensed Hot Wheels game release? 6. Which two Fire Emblem characters featured in 2001’s Super Smash Bros. Melee ? 7. What was the name of the protagonist in 2019’s Control ? 8. What weather phenomenon gave the original Silent Hill its distinct look?

9 STAR WARS

ZERO COMPANY

GAME EXAM

10 POKÉMON POKOPIA

!

ANSWERS on page 23

1 What was the first game that you played? Bomberman 2 What was the last game that you finished? Mass Effect 2: Legendary Edition 3 What’s your favourite video game/series of all time? Red Dead Redemption 2 4 What do you think is the most underrated video game of all time? Citizen Sleeper 5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? Red Dead Redemption 2

Writer at Rebel Wolves, developer of The Blood of Dawnwalker PIOTR KUCHARSKI

Bomberman

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release Super Smash Bros. Melee , and they soon proved to be a hit worldwide. This led to Nintendo deciding to release Fire Emblem outside of Japan, with the series’ seventh title, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade , reaching

DYK?

GENRE: RPG MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

The “Fire Emblem” of the title refers to a super

Western Game Boy Advance handhelds under the guise of simply Fire Emblem . Proving extremely

powerful element that’s usually represented by either a royal

weapon, crest, or shield, symbolising the strength of war and dragons.

popular, all subsequent titles – except for one, the Famicom remake Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the

Emblem on DS - have received worldwide releases. So much Fire Emblem ! Since that first outing back in 1990, there have been 17 mainline Fire Emblem games – three of which were remakes – as well as five spin-off titles that have released on Nintendo hardware. Of the latter, one of the most intriguing was for the Wii U, a collision of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE . It later arrived on Switch as Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore , to many rave reviews. In 2017 we also had all the fun of the first of two crossovers with the Dynasty Warriors series, Fire Emblem Warriors . Weave of Fortune! Everything that fans love about the Fire Emblem series returns in the hot new adventure Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave for Nintendo Switch 2. Prepare to be hurled into the dazzling chaos of the Heroic Games, where victory means one wish and defeat means fading into legend. The Dagdan Empire has thrived under divine rule for centuries, and now warriors from every corner gather in the city of Dagsion to chase glory. Players guide one of four contenders – Cai, Dietrich, Theodora, or Leda - as they battle rivals, forge

For 36 years now, the Fire Emblem series of epic fantasy tactical RPGs has captivated players, serving their desire for enthralling strategic gaming. With Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave arriving this month, we take a quick look back at the much-loved franchise. Words Amy Flower Where it began…

Way back in 1990, the first Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light , was released in Japan for Nintendo’s Family Computer, or Famicom console (which we knew as the Nintendo Entertainment System). The game was a labour of love for a group of four likeminded developers, headed up by Shouzou Kaga, who came together in 1987 over their desire to create their own world, after having fallen heavily for Square’s Final Fantasy series. While that first game didn’t fare so well with reviewers, it did act as a kicking off point for what is now one of Nintendo’s most enduring franchises, and it also established several tactical RPG tropes that have become staples within the genre, including the oft infuriating “permadeath”. You’re gone! If you haven’t encountered the term “permadeath”, or indeed the game mechanic, it’s fairly self-explanatory in that once you’re dead, you’re gone from the game – permanent death.

The concept remained a staple of the Fire Emblem series right up until 2010’s twelfth entry, Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem on the Nintendo DS. From then on, a compromise was reached whereby players could choose between a “Classic” mode, which continued the permadeath tradition, or ‘Casual’ mode, where their fallen character would be resurrected and ready to fight again in the next battle. Go west! For more than a decade, the Fire Emblem series remained exclusive to its native Japan. In 2001, however, its popular characters Marth and Roy were included as fighters in the GameCube

alliances, and chase dreams, vengeance, or redemption. Between clashes, there’s training, recruiting, and exploring beyond the city walls, amassing the strength required to survive the brutal trials of the Games, and to shape a destiny that’s worthy of the gods.

• Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is out Sep 17

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GENRE: Action RPG MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

A RED-LETTER DAY

A new IP from a studio with serious The Witcher pedigree? That’s this month’s The Blood of Dawnwalker , an intriguing vampire-soaked tale.We sat down for a chat with Piotr Kucharski, writer at Polish developer Rebel Wolves, to find out more about this exciting new action RPG. Words Amy Flower

“To get a full story, you have to play once, because this is the story of Coen trying to find his way in this new reality and also trying to save his family. So basically, if you play once, you will learn the story. You will get the full adventure. But the different playthroughs and the level of engagement you choose for yourself will give you more layers of the story. “So, for example, you will probably be able to find out more about Francis, the antagonist, or the other vampires that join him, because we have prepared for all those lore maniacs that want to lick the walls and find everything possible. You won't find all the answers in this one, but if you learn some things, you’ll get some reward in the next instalments of the game. “I think it's a neat thing that both players and Coen, they are the babes in the wood, so to speak, lost and finding their way, and it's only up to the player and the choices they make how much they will find out about what's really happening.” Hopes are high amongst the Rebel Wolves team that the game will find an eager audience. “Firstly, I hope they’ll create their own stories and that

Y ou might think that with it known that your sparkling new studio features people who worked on The Witcher, such as Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the Rebel Wolves team might feel extra pressure. Surprisingly, they don’t. “We talked about this and we’ll not avoid comparisons, especially when that's who our CEO is,” says Kucharski. “Konrad was one of the main people behind The Witcher , so we welcome the comparison because The Witcher III was marvellous, and one of the golden stars for playing games. But also, we’re making our own thing, and we really feel confident about the IP and our original ideas.” With an aim to make a series of games that move through time, a classic vampire story unfolded. “The people behind it were Konrad, again, and Jakub Szamalek, who is our narrative director,” reveals Kucharski. “They were talking about many things, and one of them was how to make a game that would be a saga in which you’d play the same character, which would also move from periods of times going forward. So, of course, vampirism was the easiest answer. “They also talked about werewolves and the dual nature of them, so being a human by day and by night.

DYK?

The Blood of Dawnwalker is just the first episode in a series of planned games that will culminate in present times.

they’ll create their own Coens, so to speak. But also, I just really hope as a writer,

“We drew inspiration from quite a lot of folklore, legend, and so on, especially from the area we live in – we are, as you know, from Poland,” says Kucharski

especially, that when they finish the

game, they’ll remember some emotional beats,” Kucharski tell us. “You know, they’ll feel like, ‘This is something that is staying with me’ – some quotes, some scenes, and so on, because to us, creating a narrative-driven game is all about evoking emotions in players. So, if at the end of the day they played The Blood of Dawnwalker and they cried a bit, I would be very happy.”

with a smile. “In Slavic mythology, instead of folklore, vampires are a thing. They’re also I think in Germanic folklore, and in Romanian folklore, so we drew from those. “We added our own twists to make it an original idea, but also one in which people who love vampires will feel at home. But there will also be something for them to explore and find out some new things about vampires.” In an interesting turn, The Blood of Dawnwalker gives players an in-game 30-day and 30-night window in which to play through, so to get all aspects of the story you’d need to play through more than once. Kucharski explains...

In the end, they came up with the Dawnwalker, a creature that would be a mix of both.” It isn’t necessarily a predictable vampire tale, as the team have taken aspects from many cultures, as well as adding their own twists.

• The Blood of Dawnwalker is out Sep 3

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The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Code Vein II

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were introduced, adding to the series’ established cinematic aesthetic. Then, in 2004, Onimusha 3: Demon

Siege made quite the creative leap, pairing feudal Japan with modern Paris via a time travel storyline. French actor Jean Reno portrayed Jacques Blanc, who shared protagonist duties with the original game’s hero, Samanosuke Akechi. One more time... With developers by now pushing the PS2 to its limits, 2006 saw the arrival of a new beginning in the series, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams . It featured multiple playable characters, expanded environments, and deeper RPG elements. While ambitious, it didn’t resonate with fans like the original trilogy did, and other than some spin-offs – including Onimusha Tactics on Game Boy Advance and the PS2 brawler Blade Warriors - the Onimusha franchise fell from Capcom’s favour for many years. Revival! The series eventually reappeared in 2018, via a remaster of Onimusha: Warlords ,

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

While it started as an experiment, Onimusha went on to become one of Capcom’s most treasured series. Blending samurai cinema, survival horror, and epic fantasy, the legend returns this month in Onimusha:Way of the Sword . Let’s take a historical journey... Words Amy Flower A SWORD TO THE WISE

which was eventually followed by a remaster of Onimusha 2 in 2025. As well as fanning the flames of nostalgia for original fans, these re-releases introduced

As of December 2025, the Onimusha franchise has sold over nine million copies worldwide, which makes it one of Capcom’s top ten best-selling series. DYK?

the world of Onimusha to a welcoming new audience. The Way

In the beginning… The concept for Onimusha was born back in 1997, when Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto proposed Sengoku Biohazard , which was essentially a samurai-themed remix of the smash hit Resident Evil ’s trap-filled mansion experience. Initially planned for the failed Nintendo 64 64DD disk drive peripheral, the project shifted to the original PlayStation, before ultimately landing on the PlayStation 2, after the PS1 version was binned midway into its development. This apparent misfortune was ultimately advantageous. The power of the PS2 enabled Capcom’s boffins to create a rich, atmospheric world of feudal Japanese aesthetics and demons known as Genma, brought together by cinematic storytelling that was enhanced via motion-captured performances. The game’s protagonist, Samanosuke Akechi, was modelled after actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, which kicked off a tradition of using real-life actors in the series. Warlords Released in 2001, Onimusha: Warlords became an instant hit – and went on to be the first PS2 title to sell over two million copies. While the game’s fixed camera angles,

The rekindled success of the franchise led to the December 2024 announcement of Onimusha:

Way of the Sword . After two decades, this is an entirely new main series entry that’s set in Japan’s Edo period. Directed by Satoru Nihei, who has previously worked on such classic Capcom IPs as Okami and Sengoku Basara , the game features legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as its Oni-Gauntlet-wielding protagonist. As well as the return of the Oni Gauntlet, the game is set to feature refined swordplay, plus the ability to explore historic Kyoto. Iconic elements such as soul absorption, issen counters, and the classic downward thrust are also set to return, in what Capcom are billing as a modern yet faithful revival.

Xxxxxx

puzzle-based progression, and confined environments were all reminiscent of Resident Evil , the additional sword-based combat and soul-absorption mechanics made it very much its own beast. Players used the Oni Gauntlet to absorb Genma souls, which provided fuel for upgrading weapons and restoring health, as well as unlocking new abilities. This mechanic, which represented the eternal struggle between humanity and demonic corruption, became a defining feature of the series. Two sequels In 2002, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny introduced a new protagonist, Jubei Yagyu, and deepened the game’s character interactions. Combat was refined, and branching story paths

• Onimusha: Way of the Sword is out Sep 4

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©CAPCOM.

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WOMEN RISING “In the first 26 days following FC 26 ’s launch, Women’s Player Items were used more than one billion times in online Ultimate Team matches, up nearly 30% year over year.”

philosophies over multiple seasons. We’ve also overhauled how players perform and develop throughout their careers. Dynamic OVR allows ratings to rise and fall based on factors like form, confidence, fitness, injuries, and playing time. New Growth Profiles add more variety to long-term development, reflecting how real players can break through, peak, and decline at very different stages of their careers. With staggering advances in AI generally, how have you harnessed the technology to improve FC 27 ? AI has long been part of how we develop more responsive and authentic football experiences, from gameplay systems to presentation. Where AI is used, our focus is on enhancing the player experience and supporting the people who help bring the game to life. In FC 27 , one example is AI-supported commentary, which helps create more dynamic match storytelling. When it comes to commentary and talent, this is a collaboration with approved talent and rights holders. Our focus is on using technology responsibly to improve the experience for players. What excites you the most personally about EA Sports FC 27 ? For me, it's the new skill-based crossing system. It's a great example of the direction we're taking gameplay in for FC 27 , giving players more control while making key moments feel more rewarding. Delivering the perfect cross now takes more precision and timing, and when you connect with a diving header or create a great chance from wide areas, it feels genuinely satisfying. It's one of those changes that adds more depth to gameplay while still feeling authentic to football.

GENRE: Sports MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

It’s that time of year when soccer fans get justifiably super excited, as EA Sports FC 27 heads our way.We spoke with senior game design director Kantcho Doskov to learn more about what’s in store in this year’s model. Words Amy Flower KICK IT TO ME!

How did you harness community feedback in shaping your priorities and design choices for FC 27 ? Community feedback continues to be at the centre of how we develop EA Sports FC . Across FC 24, FC 25, and FC 26 , we’ve listened closely to what players love, where they see opportunities to improve, and what they want to see reflected in-game from the real-world sport. Those insights have helped shape our priorities for FC 27 . You can see that directly in gameplay, where we’ve made changes in response to community feedback, including intelligent curved runs, off-balance dribbling, spatial awareness, and defensive and attacking AI. Can you please outline any significant changes in gameplay? We’re focused on giving players more control and creating more expressive gameplay across both attacking and defending. Authentic Gameplay 2.0 brings more personality to the players and greater variety in opposition tactics. We’ve also improved off ball movement, with attacking runs that better recognise space, defensive positioning, and the offside line, alongside new manually triggered run options that give players more control. Manual runs have also been refined to create more authentic attacking situations and better reflect a player’s positioning and responsibilities. Defending has also been rebalanced to reward manual decision making, while off-balance dribbling creates more dynamic one-on-one encounters. We’ve also reworked heading and finishing from crosses and corners, with greater precision required for clean contact and more

variety in how players attack the ball.

The big new thing this year isThe Grounds – an open-world mode. Can you please tell us more? The Grounds is our new social football playground and the biggest update to Clubs yet. It brings up to 100 players together in a shared world built around a central Terrace and three distinct districts inspired by football cultures from around the world. It’s a place to meet up with friends, play small sided matches and casual Kickabouts, connect with football mentors, and express your football identity beyond the match. With Clubs at the heart of the experience, players have more ways to connect, compete, recruit teammates, and progress together. Career mode has been given an overhaul – how have you improved upon it? One of the biggest changes is the rebuilt Transfer Market. We’ve partnered with TransferRoom on a new player variation model, expanded negotiations, and improved AI so clubs recruit, spend, and build their squads with more distinct

• EA Sports FC 27 is out Sep 25

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Meet Pikachu and Eevee

Pikachu Possibly the most recognisable of them all, Pikachu is a small, yellow Electric type Pokémon known for its lightning-bolt tail and red cheeks that store electricity for powerful attacks. Eevee Eevee is a cute, Normal type Pokémon that’s celebrated for its adaptability thanks to its unstable genetic makeup, which allows it to evolve into many different forms. FEEL GOOD, PINK!

Pickachu and Eevee are the latest Pokémon stars to appear in a collaboration with Razer. It brings us a fabulously cheerful cosy-themed collection that features a keyboard, headset, mouse, and mouse mat. Words Amy Flower

excellent speed and durability. Meanwhile, an 8500 DPI optical sensor allows fine-tuned

Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless Low Profile Gaming Keyboard

adjustments in 50 DPI steps for accuracy that’s just how you like it. A Speedflex cable minimises drag so that you

get smoother mouse movements, while feet made of 100% PTFE bring smooth gliding on any suitable surface. A Razer Chroma RGB gradient under-glow delivers dynamic lighting that syncs with hundreds of supported games, while onboard memory stores your last Synapse profile for reliable performance, no matter where you’re playing. Razer Gigantus V2 Soft Gaming Mouse Mat A delightfully soft gaming mouse pad, this is built for accurate aiming and smooth swipes. A textured micro-weave cloth surface supports great mouse accuracy and responsiveness, while a high thread count makes for graceful gliding. The package is completed by a thick 3mm rubber base that stays flat and adds cushioning for the wrist, while also helping to avoid slipping when in heated gameplay battles. Razer

The low-profile keys and shorter switches of the Ornata V3 deliver a more ergonomic hand position, which aims to minimise strain during those marathon gaming sessions. Inside, Razer Mecha-Membrane switches bring pleasingly clicky feedback that’s coupled with a soft, cushioned feel for accurate – and satisfying - keystrokes. Outside, tough UV-coated keycaps resist fading and scratches, while eight Razer Chroma RGB lighting zones offer 16.8 million colours to play with. Take advantage of extensive customisation and dynamic effects across hundreds of Chroma-integrated games. Other pleasing features include dedicated backlit media keys, which offer quick control over playback, brightness, and volume, while a magnetic soft-touch wrist rest provides comfort and support for those just-one more-game times.

When chatting in-game you want to be heard, and the inbuilt Hyperclear cardioid mic has been designed to deliver more voice and less noise – and, when not in use, it retracts into the headset, so it’s never in your way. Want more? OK! There’s a convertible USB-A or USB-C connection, Razer Chroma RGB lighting with up to 16.8 million colours, and pleasing comfort thanks to hybrid leatherette and fabric memory foam cushions. Razer Cobra Wired Gaming Mouse Razer

Razer Kraken V4 X Wired Gaming Headset Ideal for PC gaming, this wired headset boasts two Razer TriForce 40mm drivers to deliver powerful sound that promises superb highs, mids, Kraken V4

• The Razer Pikachu & Eevee

Precise control and comfort even in the longest gaming sessions is the aim, and this 58-gram Razer Cobra is wired for performance. Inside there are Gen-3 Optical Switches rated for 90 million clicks with 0.2 ms actuation, so you get

Collection is available now!

and lows, supporting up to 7.1 channel surround sound.

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NEW GRIDS ON THE BLOCK

creatures, and environmental storytelling are more faithful to the main game. The world is less abstract and more grounded in Minecraft ’s logic. What’s instore for multiplayer fans? LdL: Multiplayer is still core to the experience, but the systems are redesigned to support the new world structure. Players can split up, explore independently, or regroup for combat. The goal is to make co-op feel more dynamic and less tied to linear progression. Minecraft Dungeons II is set to take explorers far beyond the linear dungeon crawler roots of the original, with a richer, more systemic world awaiting. Interconnected biomes are introduced, each with its own environmental rules, secrets, and traversal mechanics that evolve as you progress. Enemy factions are now set to behave dynamically, with the forming of patrols, ambushes, and territorial battles making the world feel much more alive. Gear will now be bound to regional identity, meaning items found in one biome may have unique traits or enchantment interactions that aren’t available elsewhere. There will also be persistent world changes, with such results as outposts being cleared, villages restored, and shortcuts unlocked that can reshape future runs.

GENRE: Action RPG MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

One of the highlights of this year’s Summer Game Fest was a developer Q+A with two of the people behind this month’s Minecraft Dungeons II – creative director Måns Olson, and design director Laura de Llorens. Here’s what they had to say about the hotly anticipated sequel. Words Bec Summer LET’S BLOCK!

Why was the decision made to create a sequel, rather than expanding the original Minecraft Dungeons ? MO: The team felt they had ‘hit the ceiling’ of what the original engine and structure could support. We wanted to build a game with true exploration, interconnected environments, and more systemic gameplay, which required starting fresh. The sequel is meant to feel closer to vanilla Minecraft in terms of world logic and player freedom. How is exploration different this time? LdL: The first game was built around linear missions. Minecraft Dungeons II shifts to open, connected regions where players can roam, discover secrets, and revisit areas. The world is designed to feel like a real place, not a sequence of levels. Traversal tools and verticality play a much bigger role. The original game was accessible for allcomers. How are you approaching difficulty this time out? MO: Players who loved the first game have grown up. The sequel ages up with them – offering more challenge, more build depth, and more meaningful gear choices. It’s still approachable, but the ceiling is much higher for players who want complexity. What changes are you bringing to the game’s gear and loot? LdL: Loot is more customisable, modular, and build-defining. Instead of just finding stronger versions of the same items, players can

Minecraft Dungeons II for the original Nintendo Switch is coming in November. DYK?

So, would you say that Minecraft Dungeons II is still a dungeon crawler? MO: Yes, but it’s a dungeon crawler with exploration, systems, and player agency layered on top. We describe it as an action adventure dungeon crawler set in a living world. What was the biggest lesson that you took onboard from the first game? LdL: Players wanted more freedom, more build expression, and more reasons to revisit areas. The sequel is built around those desires. We also learned how

The original Minecraft Dungeons started out as a Nintendo 3DS project that had nothing to do with Minecraft . DYK?

tailor gear to their playstyle. Enchantments, perks, and synergies matter more. We want loot to feel like a real RPG system, not just a treadmill.

much players value co-op, so we’ve invested heavily in making it smoother and more flexible.

How does this sequel bring us closer to classic Minecraft ? MO: The team wanted the sequel to feel more like Minecraft ’s world – biomes, structures,

• Minecraft Dungeons II is out Sep 29

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FEATURE GAMING

WOLVIE! WOLVIE! WOLVIE! OI! OI! OI!

After Hugh Jackman, star of Marvel’s Wolverine Liam McIntyre is the second Aussie actor to play Logan. We asked Reiner-Reed what he was like to work with... “Liam is a fantastic actor to work with. His dedication to delivering a believable Wolverine is felt every time he’s on the mocap stage or in the VO booth. What I love about his delivery is he’s able to get the rage and anger you expect from Wolverine, but also subtle emotional moments which are important when we have a character who isn’t always the best at voicing his emotions.”

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

Weapon X hits our screens this month in PS5 exclusive Marvel’s Wolverine .We had a chat with Jess Reiner-Reed, the game’s senior project director at Insomniac, to learn more about the much-anticipated game. Words Amy Flower S ince debuting in Marvel Comics back in 1974, we’ve borne witness to several takes on Wolverine. Insomniac worked closely with Marvel to nail down their game ready version. “We worked with the team at Marvel games us a chance to include some shared Marvel references that fans will spot, but there’s no crossover in our game between characters. “ Marvel’s Wolverine focuses on telling CLAW AND ORDER!

to regen. This didn’t feel like Logan. Instead, Logan is someone who would stay in the battle, and we wanted to incorporate that feeling of running towards danger even when your health is dire into our gameplay loop. “During combat, Logan will increase his Rage tiers by taking out enemies aggressively or performing certain attacks, the higher the Rage tier the more lethal moves you have access too. Through Rage tiers you also have access to Last Stand, which is when Logan’s heart has nearly stopped in battle from too much damage, and you have a chance to use your healing factor to get back into the fight.” With so many potential ideas to include, the Insomniac team remained focused on the big prize. “Game development is all about iteration,” says Reiner-Reed. “We experiment, prototype, conduct playtests. Ultimately, when looking at all the ideas for Marvel’s Wolverine , we kept focusing on the North Star – ‘What’s going to give the player the ultimate Wolverine experience?’ There are always so many ideas, but part of our responsibility is making sure we pick the right ones for Logan and our adventure.” Reiner-Reed is confident that they nailed it. “I’m so happy with everything we did get into the game, the environments and characters look gorgeous, combat is fun, storytelling and cinematics are top-notch, and the game runs at a

Logan’s story, in a world where mutants are often in the shadows. In past Spider-Man games, superheroes are often appreciated and get high-fives on the street, but in Marvel’s Wolverine , Logan and other mutants are often seen as outcasts – or worse - and are under attack and in danger of capture.”

closely to craft our Wolverine adventure,” confirms Reiner-Reed. “Right from the start, we knew we had to get claw combat right. When you pick up the controller you want to feel the power of having

adamantium claws. It was also important to stay true to character by representing his mutant powers through gameplay, including his enhanced animalistic senses and healing abilities.”

It may be the same universe, but it’s set to be a much wider one to explore. “Logan is not a guy who stays put in one place for very long,” says Reiner-Reed with a smile. “In Marvel’s Wolverine Logan’s on a mission that will

Naturally, keeping a certain look was crucial. “There are also a few visual aspects that were important to keep intact. Logan is canonically short, so we planned that aspect from the beginning – making sure that when lining up all our characters Logan is visibly shorter,” reveals Reiner-Reed. “Logan’s body hair was also the subject of multiple conversations across departments. Logan is a hairy guy, and we wanted to make sure that part of his character was well represented in-game.” Fans of Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man games will be happy to hear that Marvel’s Wolverine is set in the same universe. But don’t necessarily expect to hang out with Spidey. “ Marvel’s Wolverine takes place in our Insomniac Marvel universe of 1048, the same as our Marvel’s Spider-Man titles,” Reiner-Reed tells us. “Being in the same universe gives

take him around the world to discovers the mysteries of his past. During this adventure he’ll head to various locales including a remote snowy area in Canada, the streets of Shinjuku, and two canonical Marvel locations – the jungles of Telambang and Lowtown in Madripoor.” We wondered whether the team faced any challenges creating the combat when Logan is so robust and hard to kill... “During development we did try different options to utilise

Logan’s mutant healing factor during combat,” admits Reiner-Reed. “There were earlier versions of his healing factor that incentivised the player to retreat/ hide and wait for health

smooth 60fps on a base PS5. There isn’t anything that keeps me up at night wishing we got it in.”

• Marvel’s Wolverine is out Sep 15

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GAMING FEATURE

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You can even enable Scroll Acceleration in Razer’s handy Synapse app to dynamically speed up long document or menu navigation. Crispy clicks! On the inside, Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-4 deliver speed and durability via light-based actuation. As there are no physical contact points, they avoid mechanical wear, resulting in a raft of benefits, including a 100 million-click lifespan, zero debounce delay, 12% lighter click force, and crisper, more tactile feedback. Every click is registered at lightspeed, delivering reliable performance for hours at a time. Precision Razer Focus Pro 50K Optical Sensor Gen-3 pushes accuracy to new levels with 50,000 DPI, 930 IPS tracking, and 99.8% resolution precision. Meanwhile, Frame Sync tech reduces latency, by cleverly scanning just in time for each movement. This keeps camera turns and cursor flicks super-smooth and predictable. Razer Synapse also lets you fine-tune the Naga V3 Pro to your exact grip and playstyle. Adjusting lift-off distance, matching sensitivity from another mouse, or tweaking DPI one step at a time being just some of the helpful tweaks that are available. Wireless freedom! With Razer HyperSpeed

Not just another gaming mouse, the Razer Naga V3 Pro is the perfect tool for players who jump between genres. Raiding in an MMO? Dropping into a battle royale? Grinding away at everyday tasks? Adapt for them all on the fly, thanks to clever modular design. Words Amy Flower A chameleon SHAPESHIFTER!

Smart scrolling The Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel Gen-2 introduces four distinct modes. Precision Tactile is an ultra-fine, high-step scrolling mode for

Wireless, you’re looking at low-latency performance for competitive play, while if you’re going casual, Bluetooth

The headline feature of the Naga V3 Pro is its three swappable side plates. Each designed for a different style of play, they snap on magnetically, letting you switch layouts in mere seconds. The 12-button plate (ideal for MMOs) is a grid that was inspired by classic phone keypads, that keeps a dozen abilities, macros, or mounts ready under your thumb. The six-button plate (the MOBA and Battle Royale master) delivers a layout that reduces thumb travel and registers cleanly from any angle you come at it via, making it ideal for fast skill sequence drops or quick pings. The classic two-button plate (for shooters

offers extended battery life. Expect up to 155 hours of play via HyperSpeed, or up to 280 hours on Bluetooth. USB-C charging and wireless charging support round out the flexible

navigating menus and inventories, while Tactile is a notched, accurate scrolling mode ideal for cycling weapons or abilities. Free-Spin allows smooth, fast scrolling for rapid navigation, and Smart-Reel automatically switches between tactile and free-spin, depending upon how fast you scroll.

power options. Profiling

Five onboard profiles can be stored, letting you switch setups instantly. Meanwhile, Smart Profiles in Synapse can automatically load the correct configuration when you launch a game. Who it’s for?

and everyday stuff) is lightweight and simple, as ready for shooters as it is for general mouse use. Across all the plates, you can access up to 23 programmable buttons, which includes two new quick-access edge buttons situated near the left click, allowing for instant DPI shifts. Plus, as they feature doubleshot-moulded keycaps, you know that they won’t fade or peel, even after marathon sessions. There’s also a physically lockable ring-finger button. Designed to stay active only when you want it, it’s perfect for players who rely on modifiers but hate those pesky accidental presses.

The Naga V3 Pro is built for players who venture beyond just the one genre of game. If you’re

looking for one mouse that can rule MMOs,

• The Razer Naga V3 Pro Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse is available now!

MOBAs, battle royales, and FPS titles, as well as all those everyday

tasks, while adding deep customisation and competition-grade performance to the mix, then this is the gaming mouse for you.

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GAMING PREVIEWS

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WHAT’S OUT Words Amy Flower

No matter what style of game is your vibe, there’s sure amongst these fresh releases heading to JB this month.

EDITOR’S PICK MARVEL’S WOLVERINE RELEASE DATE: Sep 15 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No From introducing us to Spyro the Dragon on the PlayStation, through to the many adventures of Ratchet & Clank across all PlayStation generations, Insomniac Games have given the world a whole lot of gaming joy. This, of course, includes three Marvel’s Spider-Man games, which redefined how deeply comic book lore could be mined to deliver truly unforgettable – and super entertaining - gaming experiences. So, Marvel’s Wolverine comes with big expectations – no pressure! We’ll be stepping into Logan's shoes in this wholly new action adventure, which will be largely based on the character’s comic book mythology, combined with other media appearances by the Ol' Canucklehead. Story-wise, rejoining Team X, Wolverine helps to investigate the disappearance of mutants. And yes, it’ll be set in the same universe as the Spidey games. Having platinumed all three Insomniac Spider-Man encounters, to say that we’re looking forward to getting our claws into this new Marvel outing would be a massive understatement. Bring it on, bub!

ORBITALS RELEASE DATE: Sep 3 GENRE: Puzzle adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes

CALL OF THE ELDER GODS RELEASE DATE: Sep 10 GENRE: Puzzle adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Shadowy visions and impossible dreams pull Harry Everhart and Evangeline

Hot from the brain of a former member of co-op superstars Hazelight Studios,

Orbitals sees two intrepid explorers blast off into a retro-anime cosmos, navigating a cosmic storm, meeting quirky creatures, and solving puzzles as they try to save their home. Using their individual skills, Maki and Omura need sharp thinking and teamwork to uncover the strange wonders that await them in this anime-styled co-op adventure.

Drayton into a mystery that began in 2020’s Call of the Sea . Their search for truth at Miskatonic University unravels ancient forces, as they face reality-bending puzzles while searching for answers from New England all the way to the Aussie outback. This cool physical Miskatonic edition offers an artbook, ID card, digital soundtrack, and trio of postcards.

THE BLOOD OF DAWNWALKER RELEASE DATE: Sep 3 GENRE: Action RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No Prepare for blood-letting dark fantasy adventure set in 14th century Europe,

HOT WHEELS: INFINITE RUSH RELEASE DATE: Sep 10 GENRE: Racing FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Jump behind the wheels of 150-plus iconic Hot Wheels rides and blast across

as vampires rise from the shadows to seize power. We’ll play as Coen, a newly turned Dawnwalker who’s torn between two worlds while fighting to save his family – be it with sword or claws. Choices made will shape the open-world story, as we navigate shifting day-and-night abilities, and face decisions that push time ever forward.

four vibrant islands that are packed with stunts, secrets, and other challenges. As you drift through neon canals and blaze across deserts, you’ll build a massive car collection to use in taking down each island’s Rush Master boss. A new track builder lets you create wild tracks, while local or online multiplayer will have you racing for gold against your friends.

NBA 2K27 RELEASE DATE: Sep 4 GENRE: Sports FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes This year’s model of the basketball mega-game sees boundless energy

FIRE EMBLEM: FORTUNE’S WEAVE RELEASE DATE: Sep 17 GENRE: RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No The 18th core entry in the storied Fire Emblem tactical RPG series, continuing

fuelling every mode, as you chase greatness across the latest incarnations of MyCAREER, MyTEAM, and MyNBA. Build your MyPLAYER legends in The City and create unstoppable lineups for the ages with stars from the NBA and WNBA, all in single or multiplayer modes, powered by ProPLAY moves that mirror real NBA action.

the much loved Three Houses story, this new adventure will drop us in the middle of a gladiatorial event known as the Heroic Games. They’re hosted by the Divine Sovereign, who promises wish fulfilment to the victors, with entrants coming from all walks of life, all with desires and motivations that are just as varied.

ONIMUSHA: WAY OF THE SWORD RELEASE DATE: Sep 4 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: No After 20 years, we’re finally set to get our eager hands on a new instalment in

PAW PATROL: DINO WORLD RELEASE DATE: Sep 18 GENRE: Action adventure FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: Yes Uh-oh! Dino Island is in chaos, so it’s up to our beloved PAW Patrol pups to leap

Capcom’s legendary Onimusha series. Set during the Edo period, we’ll follow samurai Miyamoto Musashi through a dark fantasy reimagining of Kyoto, as he takes on rival swordsmen, demons, and assorted other supernatural threats. Players will harvest souls while engaging in swordplay that requires great skill and agility to succeed.

into a roaring open-world rescue adventure! With dino experts Rex and Timmy guiding the way, the pups explore jungles, caves, plains, and even secret beaches to help reunite lost dinosaurs with their families. Complete with two-player co-op, this pup powered prehistoric quest also lets you customise your pups, with cool accessories, skins, and decorations.

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