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.

Here’s everything announced at September’s 2023 Nintendo Direct

September’s Nintendo Direct certainly did not disappoint, throwing trailers for some of their biggest upcoming exclusives and tried party titles. We’ve covered all the trailers for everything announced in the 40-minute stream below. Enjoy! PRINCESS PEACH: SHOWTIME! REVEALED AS THE TITLE FOR HER NEW SOLO GAME PAPER MARIO: THE THOUSAND YEAR DOOR IS BEING REMADE…

Read more

Tech Review: The Aspera AS8 falters in places, but still provides incredible value

We recently took the time to check out and review Australian-owned Aspera Mobile’s latest entry-level handset, the AS5. While we found it far from perfect, it’s undoubtedly one of the best phones you can get for A$99, packing in an impressive amount of features like facial recognition and dual-sim compatibility. The AS8 is undoubtedly a…

Read more

Tech Review: The Aspera AS5 provides some impressive bang for your buck

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Australian-owned company Aspera Mobile has launched the AS5, a new entry-level 4G handset with an impressive amount of features at just A$99. Yes, you read that right. It’s admittedly a great price for a phone that includes some nifty features like facial recognition and dual-sim compatibility, all while running on…

Read more

Game Review: Tunic is still as incredible as it was a year ago

I had played Tunic when it was released back in March of 2022, but must admit, I never really gave it the chance it deserved. I definitely liked it but simply didn’t put enough time into it in order to uncover its deeper notes and nuances. A year later, Tunic is one of the best…

Read more

Game Review: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon provides strong combat and deep customisation

It feels like it’s been over a decade since I played an Armoured Core game last; well, that’s because it has been. Armoured Core 5 might have been released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 way back in 2012, but the team at FromSoftware have decided it’s about time to suit up and deliver,…

Read more

Game Preview: EA Sports FC 24 steps up when it counts

It seems like only yesterday that we found out that EA Sports and FIFA were parting ways, granting the long-running football franchise a seemingly new identity. Name change aside, EA Sports FC 24 does its best to freshen up many of the game’s nuanced mechanics and motion capture, in ways that feel new and exciting,…

Read more

Game Review: Red Dead Redemption’s latest port is still worth playing

Before we start this review, let’s get one thing out of the way. Red Dead Redemption is not only one of developer Rockstar’s best games but also one of the best games ever made. While I prefer Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s still much to be said about Red Dead Redemption’s relevance in 2023, given…

Read more

Game Review: Immortals of Aveum shines with clean combat and vibrant visuals

I’m a sucker for magic and fantasy as much as the next guy. Immortals of Aveum comes out swinging, dishing out some gorgeous visuals, clean first-person combat and a story that, while not groundbreaking in terms of lore and emotional depth, does help things churn along at a consistent pace. Its repetitive encounters and linear…

Read more

Game Preview: Mortal Kombat 1 refines an otherwise solid formula

Mortal Kombat 1 might be rebooting the narrative, even if the long-running fighting franchise relies on a successful, established formula to pave its way forward. We got our hands on the recent closed beta over the weekend, and we can safely say that Mortal Kombat 1 is a downright enjoyable fighter thanks to some splendid…

Read more

Interview: Dave Lockman talks Moving Out 2’s newest features

We recently got the chance to chat with Dave Lockman, Game Designer at Australian developer SMG Studio on the newest features, modes and cooperative play in Moving Out 2, the sequel to the wildly popular physics-based simulator, Moving Out. Greetings and hope you’re well. Just wanted to say a massive thank you for taking the time…

Read more

MOZA Racing announces new R3 Bundle for Xbox and PC

MOZA Racing currently specialises in some of the most high-end racing simulator setups that money can buy. To top it off, they have recently announced the R3 Bundle, a trio of racing simulation components that have been created in collaboration with Microsoft to be the first officially licensed racing simulator for Xbox, making this the…

Read more

Interview: David Kelley talks NBA 2K24’s soundtrack and the 25th anniversary of the NBA 2K franchise

With the release of NBA 2K24 right around the corner, we got the chance to speak with David Kelley, Director of Partnerships and Licensing at 2K about the upcoming NBA 2K24 soundtrack and its various influences and inspirations that also culminate in honouring the 25th anniversary of the NBA 2K franchise itself. Thanks for taking…

Read more

Game Preview: Payday 3 sticks to its successful formula

I got into the Payday franchise with Payday 2, and much later than expected. While I had first played Payday 2 way back on the PlayStation 3 upon its release, I hadn’t really sunk my teeth into its offerings until earlier this year, when I picked it up on Xbox Game Pass. And boy am…

Read more

Aspera Mobile launches new and feature-packed AS8 4G smart phone

Hot off the heels of the affordable AS5 4G smartphone, Australia’s Aspera Mobile has launched the AS8 4G, one of the most feature-packed budget smartphones you can find for just A$149. Also compatible with 4G networks, the AS8 4G will add to Aspera’s recent goal to combat the rising cost of living. Aspera Mobile has…

Read more

Game Review: Disney Illusion Island lacks challenge, but looks gorgeous

I’m a huge fan of Mickey Mouse and in turn many of Disney’s attempts at giving Mickey his own gaming franchise. While there are admittedly dozens, with each varying in quality, there’s no denying some of them absolutely rule; Castle of Illusion and Mickey’s Wild Adventure, we’re looking at you. The art style and cooperative…

Read more

Game Review: Atlas Fallen is a flawed, yet intriguing action-RPG

For as little as I had known about Atlas Fallen prior to its release, its final trailers had admittedly hooked me. From the solid third-person combat to sleek traversal and platforming, it seemed there was plenty to look forward to. This proved to be true in many respects, as most of those aspects stood out…

Read more

Game Review: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart absolutely shines on PC

It’s no secret that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart already shines as both a sequel to the long-running PlayStation franchise and a window into the next generation of gaming. While PlayStation’s recent string of PC ports has been rather great (sorry to The Last of Us: Part 1), Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart proves yet…

Read more

Tech Review: The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is a solid headset for a premium price

Over the years, Turtle Beach has certainly nailed a solid range of comfortable and versatile headsets across a variety of price points. But for as much as they’ve dabbled in that top shelf, they now seem ready to comfortably play in that space with the Stealth Pro headset. This wireless headset packs in all the…

Read more

Tech Review: Shokz OpenFit headphones provide comfort and quality

For as long as Shokz has developed bone-conduction headphones, they’ve never really drawn me in. Maybe I was worried about the lack of audio quality, or even the overall comfortability of adjusting to these around my head during day-to-day activities. Enter the OpenFit headphones. Shokz has pivoted in a way, instead choosing to focus on…

Read more

Aspera Mobile launches new and affordable AS5 4G smart phone

Australia’s Aspera Mobile has decided to celebrate its 10-year anniversary by launching a brand-new range of affordable, yet feature-packed smartphones. The first smartphone in the range will be the unlocked AS5 compatible with 4G networks, which will launch at just A$99. In response to the rising cost of living, Aspera Mobile intended to pack as…

Read more

Game Review: Exoprimal is a fun and inventive multiplayer romp

Capcom has been tearing it up in 2023. Between their Resident Evil 4 remake and what is otherwise one of the best fighting games in years in Street Fighter 6, anyone would be impressed with those two games alone in a single year. But then comes Exoprimal, a third-person multiplayer game based around mech suits…

Read more

Tech Review: The Asus ROG Azoth gaming keyboard feels as good as it looks

As long-winded as the name might sound, the Asus ROG Azoth 75% wireless mechanical gaming keyboard gets a lot right. For the premium A$399 price tag, it provides a sleek design, sturdy build quality, and satisfying and responsive NX switches. While it feels great to use for gaming and general typing, the featured corner OLED…

Read more

5 things we want to see in the upcoming Black Panther game

Electronic Arts have announced that they are working on a new single-player Black Panther game, led by their new studio known as Cliffhanger Games, in partnership with Marvel Games. Cliffhanger Games will also be working under Kevin Stephens who had previously served as studio head at developer Monoloth Productions, who are known for their fantastic…

Read more

Tech Review: The OPPO Find N2 Flip is flipping the script

It’s safe to say that OPPO has become fairly acquainted with mobile phones over the past few years. While they’ve provided a wide range of both entry-level and high-value handsets, there’s also no doubt that phones are shifting into another era of, let’s just say, flexibility. Brands like Samsung and Motorola are very much into…

Read more

NBA 2K24 will allow players to relive Kobe Bryant’s greatest NBA moments

NBA 2K24 will not only feature NBA legend Kobe Bryant as its cover athlete but introduce several new features for another year of simulated NBA goodness. Right out of the gate, NBA 2K24 will launch with crossplay for online activity between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players. As Kobe returns to the NBA 2K…

Read more

Kobe Bryant announced as NBA 2K24 cover star

While it’s now official, it only felt natural. The late, great 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA World Champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant will grace the cover of the upcoming NBA 2K24. Kobe will feature on two versions of the game, including the special NBA…

Read more

Tech Review: The BlueAnt X6 party speaker provides punch and value

BlueAnt is no stranger to the Bluetooth speaker game. While we’ve reviewed some smaller speakers in the past like the X0i and X1i, we now have the pleasure of checking out one of BlueAnt’s larger offerings. Valued at A$579, the X6 party speaker provides some impressive, balanced sound along with a laundry list of handy…

Read more

Game Review: Aliens: Dark Descent is a competent, yet uneven experience

I’m a massive fan of the Alien franchise. So much so, that Aliens still sits well within my top ten films of all time. Yes, there’s a list, but let’s put that aside for now. Aliens: Dark Descent is yet another attempt to bring validity and ultimately justice to the long-running franchise in video game…

Read more

Tech Review: The OPPO Enco X2 earbuds provide a fantastic alternative

While OPPO has been known for a wide range of Android phones over the past few years, they’ve also built up an impressive range of earbuds, with the Enco X2 earbuds proving to be their latest foray into the premium space. The Enco X2 earbuds certainly have more than a few boxes in terms of…

Read more

Tech Review: The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard is an absolute winner

SteelSeries is no stranger to crafting some seriously premium gaming peripherals. I had personally been using the Apex Pro Mini prior to this review and had been loving it ever since. The only real issue with that keyboard is, that I’m not a huge fan of 60% keyboards, and do prefer the slightly larger TKL…

Read more