Author: Matthew Arcari

Matthew Arcari is the games and technology editor at The AU Review. You can find him on X at @sirchunkee, or at the Dagobah System, chilling with Luke and Yoda.

Pre-loading for Grand Theft Auto 6 begins on November 10, but you’ll need to prepare some storage

Rockstar Games has announced that GTA 6 will begin pre-loading from the 10th of November, over a week before the game’s official release on the 19th of November. The pre-loading will begin at midnight, depending on your local time zone, which might be worth checking. While that’s great news, giving us a chance to have…

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Bethesda has confirmed the title for the next Elder Scrolls game

Bethesda has decided to pull the trigger on the name for the next Elder Scrolls game, now officially titled The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel. The 9-minute developer update was shown off in the midst of a 40th anniversary celebration for the publisher, but much like that initial reveal so many years ago, there’s not really…

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Interview: Infinity Ward’s Associate Design Director Alex Norris on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s campaign and newest features

We recently got the chance to chat to Infinity Ward’s Associate Design Director Alex Norris about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s latest campaign and some of its newest and most escorting features. Hi Alex, we just wanted to say a huge thanks for taking the time to chat with us as! 1. What sets this…

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a non-stop thrill ride and a solid return to form

I feel like I mention this at the start of every Call of Duty review, but I’ll say it again. Call of Duty is my preferred franchise for multiplayer gaming, and I’m generally playing each year’s instalment, regardless of the varying levels of quality. Yes, there have been multiple ups and downs over the years,…

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Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a fun, blood-soaked sequel

For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed the first Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun game. While it might have been a little shallow and repetitive in parts, it’s an incredibly competent and fun boomer shooter. Thankfully, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 has taken notes and kept the receipts, because even though it’s not perfect, it’s a much more varied…

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Toy Story: Retro Roundup! + Toy Story 3: Complete Edition is a fun exploration of the franchise

Some of my earliest memories with film were of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. So naturally, I grew up alongside those games as they were released on various platforms. I played most of them when they came out (yes, I’m that old) and actually still have most of these original copies in my collection…

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Interview: The Coalition’s Design Director Raul Figueroa and Lead Story Producer Vee Nyarko on the inspirations behind Gears of War: E-Day

In light of the recent release of Gears of War: E-Day, we got the chance to sit down with The Coalition’s Design Director Raul Figueroa and Lead Story Producer Vee Nyarko to discuss the inspirations behind this new prequel, and even their favourite Gears games. Hi Raul and Vee, we hope you’re well, and we thank you…

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Interview: Xbox Head of Design Carl Ledbetter and Design Director Chris Kujawski on vision and intention for Xbox’s 25 years of consoles

In celebrating Xbox’s 25th anniversary, we took the time to chat with Xbox Head of Design Carl Ledbetter and Design Director Chris Kujawski about their design choices for each Xbox console, and just what goes into making them fun and unique, yet an important piece of the same console family. Hi, Carl and Chris. Just…

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The Corsair Sabre V3 Pro Ultralight Wireless Ergo gaming mouse is a worthy upgrade from its predecessor

Looking for the right gaming mouse can make your head spin. On some level, they’re all good, and it really comes down to personal taste, honing in on those exclusive features and improvements that cater to your gaming preferences. In many ways, the Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight Wireless gaming mouse was that for me….

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Hellraiser: Revival nails the intended tone, but disappoints with shallow gameplay

1987’s Hellraiser is one of those films I have vivid memories of, simply because I had watched it at an age that is, and should be considered, way too young. I was into horror movies as a young teen and thought the edgiest, and at times most brutal, films were the ones to watch. The…

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Grand Theft Auto 6 just dropped its launch trailer

It’s hard to believe we’re this close now, but in what feels like the final, big marketing push for Rockstar Games, we now have the official launch trailer of Grand Theft Auto 6. It’s showing off a tone we’ve already captured through much of the previous footage, but it seems like we’re getting more than…

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The Dell Pro 7 Rechargeable Compact Keyboard and Mouse (KM746) is a decent combo for everyday use

The number of keyboards and mice seems to be growing by the day, and Dell have decided to jump into the fold with their Pro 7 Rechargeable Compact Keyboard and Mouse (KM746). This wireless combo is sleek and minimal, providing a decent option for those potentially working from home, or those looking for a lighter,…

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Star Wars: Galactic Racer is fast, furious and fun

I’m a massive Star Wars fan, but I’m also a massive fan of arcade-style racing games like Wipeout and Burnout. So if you haven’t heard of Star Wars: Galactic Racer yet, that’s the best pitch I can really give you. Merging those franchises is not only a genius idea, but it has provided some of…

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Ghost of Yotei’s latest DLC shines bright as a worthy addition to the core expereince

While I personally prefer Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei is still one of the best PS5 exclusives you can play right now. Ghost of Yotei’s latest DLC bundle includes a new story, Echoes of Sekigahara, along with a new roguelike mode titled Most Wanted. While I think the Echoes of Sekigahara storyline does a…

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PAX Aus 2026: Hands-On with Alien: Isolation 2

Aliens might be one of the best science fiction films of all time, but that’s an easy one. Here’s a take that’s a little hotter: Alien: Isolation is one of the best horror games of the last generation. With that, you could imagine that I was particularly excited to check out Alien: Isolation 2. It’s…

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PAX Aus 2026: Hands-On with Total War: Warhammer 40,000

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. But apparently there’s a new Total War: Warhammer 40,000 game coming out too. While I’m a fan of the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, I sadly have never played a Total War game, and I’m not really sure why. But thanks to the good folks…

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PAX Aus 2026: Hands-On with Stranger Than Heaven

If you’re a fan of the Like a Dragon games (formerly known as Yakuza), then Stranger Than Heaven might already be on your radar. It certainly was on mine, and thanks to the good folks at Sega at PAX Aus 2026, we got the chance to sit down for some hands-on time. As you would…

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Gears of War: E-Day marks an incredible return for the franchise

Not counting Gears Tactics (which is incredibly underrated), it’s hard to believe we haven’t had a mainline Gears game since Gears 5 in 2019. While that was also a fantastic experience in its own right, it was hard to tell exactly where the franchise would go next. And in the years that followed, the conversation…

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Minecraft Dungeons II is a decent action-infused romp with friends

I hadn’t played the first Minecraft Dungeons when it was released in 2020, but it’s not because I wasn’t interested. I’m a massive Diablo fan, so a dungeon crawler such as this, infused with the craftiness and vibrancy of Minecraft, seems like a great idea. In many ways, Minecraft Dungeons II is a solid, functional…

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Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve successfully merges satisfying gameplay with a memorable story

I hate to admit it, but before this review, I’ve never played an Ace Combat game. I had certainly seen snippets of gameplay and had come to know how beloved the franchise was, but it was something I had never come across prior to Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. And now that I’m here,…

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EA Sports FC 27 is a fun time that still feels like a work in progress

That time of year has come once again, and EA Sports FC 27 is here to bring the franchise into another round of squad updates, gameplay improvements, and new modes to enjoy both solo and with friends. For the most part, EA Sports FC 27 excels as far as gameplay is concerned, even if most…

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The Viture Pro 2 XR Glasses effortlessly blend luxury and portability

There might be a few options out there, but I admittedly have next to no experience with AR/XR glasses before trying out the Viture Pro 2 XR Glasses. But upon doing a little more research, why wouldn’t I want to try something like this? You mean I can have a massive screen on my face…

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Nintendo, World of Warcraft and Bandai Namco are joining the PAX Aus 2026 expo floor line-up

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again, as we prepare for PAX Aus. What might already feel like Christmas for gaming and pop culture fans will now get that much bigger, with the addition of Nintendo, World of Warcraft and Bandai Namco Entertainment joining the expo floor line-up this year. Play Some…

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Dune: Awakening makes for a fun time on Arrakis

I’m a massive fan of Dune, be it Frank Herbert’s original books, Denis Villeneuve’s more recent films, or even David Lynch’s underrated 1984 adaptation; I’m always looking for an excuse to return to the desert planet of Arrakis. Anyone who has delved into this world before will be aware of the expansive lore, long list…

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The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds are a fantastic, well-rounded premium option

Sennheiser has made some of the most well-built, premium headphones across both the in-ear and over-ear markets for quite some time now, and the previous Momentum True Wireless 4 were a great example of that. In many ways, the Momentum True Wireless 5 in-ear headphones feel like a more refined version of their older sibling,…

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The SOUNDPEATS UU2 (Pop Clip2) Clip-On Open Ear Earbuds serve as a decent, entry-level alternative

I use earbuds daily, and while I use traditional earbuds for the most part, I have always appreciated the open-ear design to help users to keep track of their surroundings; a helpful feature when you’re taking the dogs for a walk at night or want to stay aware of the nearby traffic on a bike…

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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is a package worth picking up

I reviewed Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 when it launched in 2023, and thought that while those games could have used a nicer 1080p polish, they still hold up incredibly well on modern platforms. Not to mention the clean menus, loads of bonus content and even some older original NES titles, it’s a no-brainer…

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PAX Aus 2026 has unveiled its expo floor line-up

PAX Aus 202 is right around the corner, taking place over the weekend from October 9-12 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year feels crazier than ever, with new games to try, esports to watch, creators to chat to, interactive experiences to join and goodies to buy. SEGA will have four playable titles…

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Onimusha: Way of the Sword revives the franchise with its best entry yet

I don’t have much of a connection to the original Onimusha games from the PS2 era, but I did play them briefly. While that was many years ago, I did review the more recent remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, and felt that it had plenty to offer both new and existing fans amongst modern-day action…

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Marvel’s Wolverine is as entertaining as it is brutal

Insomniac Games did such a great job with Marvel’s Spider-Man over the course of three titles that I would personally trust them with any superhero game they wanted to tackle. With that being said, Wolverine is one of my absolute favourites, and I really can’t believe it’s here. In many ways, Marvel’s Wolverine absolutely nails…

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