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.

Review: Is Simify eSIM a reliable option for travelling abroad? And how do you use it?

It’s arguably never been easier to stay connected while travelling overseas and abroad, but it’s also arguably never been more complicated. Sure, you can hang onto your existing SIMs and pay for international roaming or expensive data charges as you go, which is not always recommended, or buy a SIM as soon as you get…

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Unpacking the 007 First Light State of Play showcase

We just got our first decent look at 007 First Light with a brand-new State of Play showcase, dedicated to Britain’s most iconic spy. The showcase took us through a 20-minute mission filled with espionage, stealth and bucket loads of action, complete with a smaller, more guided 10-minute look at how gameplay elements and options…

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007 First Light is getting its own State of Play showcase this week

We only got our first look at the long-awaited 007 First Light a couple of months ago, but it seems as though the team at IO Interactive are already keen to give us a deeper look. According to a recent PlayStation.Blog post, 007 First Light will be getting its own State of Play showcase on…

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Mafia: The Old Country is a riveting trip through the Sicilian underworld

Before we get into this review, there are a few things you should know about me. I’m an Australian with Italian heritage, and my favourite film of all time is The Godfather. My grandparents are actually from Sicily, and I can even speak the Sicilian dialect myself. And to top it all off, I’ll be…

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Simify eSIMs allow you to buy before you fly, helping you beat international roaming fees and telecommunication crackdowns

If you’re planning to travel overseas anytime soon, it’s worth considering how you’ll stay in touch with others while you’re away. Of course, there’s Wi-Fi just about everywhere these days, but when you’re out and about, in between those hotspots, things could get a little tricky. Simify is aiming to fix this problem with their…

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Battlefield 6 has officially been revealed

Electronic Arts and Battlefield Studios have revealed the first official look at Battlefield 6 with a brand new trailer, highlighting its new campaign. The trailer shows the United States President addressing U.S. citizens regarding a recent attack by the group Pax Armata, which appears to be at odds with NATO prior to the events of…

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Battlefield 6 to be fully revealed on Friday

While it’s been a long time coming, Battlefield 6 will officially be revealed in detail very soon. At this stage, we’ll receive the first official trailer on Friday, the 24th of July at 1:00 AM. We got some potential story hints in a small X post that mentions the group Pax Armata, who is seemingly…

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Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered feels fantastic as a complete package

It’s remastered games like these that are beginning to make me feel old. The original Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver was one of the first games I played on my original PlayStation when it released back in 1999. Sure I was only five when it released (you can do the math as to how old…

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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 hits the sweet spot for fans and newcomers alike

It feels like we don’t get enough skateboarding games these days. So, naturally, when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 dropped back in 2020, it felt like the return we were all waiting for. As a collection, it felt like the ultimate package, refining its visuals and mechanics, all while keeping its core intact….

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Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the best 3D platformers of the modern era

Can you believe that Donkey Kong Banaza is only the second 3D Donkey Kong game ever and the first one in 25 years, since Donkey Kong 64? While you let that sink in, it’s also worth taking the time to consider what incredible weight such a sequel or follow-up would even bring with it in…

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Unpacking PlayStation’s Ghost of Yōtei State of Play showcase

We got another look at Ghost of Yōtei thanks to a dedicated State of Play showcase, which focused solely on gameplay, along with some newer features. Hosted by Sucker Punch Productions’ creative directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox, the stream showed off just under 20 minutes of new gameplay, highlighting protagonist Atsu’s quest for revenge…

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Cover athletes for alternate editions of NBA 2K26 have been revealed

Hot off the heels of NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reveal as the cover athlete for the standard edition of NBA 2K26, we now have our remaining cover athletes for the game’s alternate and special editions. Chicago Sky forward and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese will be featured on the WNBA Edition of NBA 2K26. The physical edition…

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New update lets players experience The Last of Us Part II Remastered in chronological order

Naughty Dog and Nixxes have announced via a PlayStation Blog post that the Last of Us Part II Remastered will be receiving a Chronological mode in a free update. This mode will allow players to experience the events of The Last of Us Part II without the flashback structure of the original game cutting back and…

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NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been revealed as the cover star for NBA 2K26

2K has revealed overnight that the reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the cover athlete for the standard edition of NBA 2K26. It only makes sense. Aside from the winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, he’s wrapped up a scoring title, All-Star and All-NBA selections, along with both…

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The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 serves as another travel essential

Twelve South’s AirFly devices have been quite popular for a while now, providing users with various ways to connect their wireless audio devices in a range of situations, including flights, car rides and even gaming sessions. The AirFly Pro 2 doesn’t necessarily reinvent the formula in terms of what it’s providing most users, but it…

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The Tefal Easy Fry Silence 5L Air Fryer is a solid, quieter everyday option

Air fryers really do feel like a dime a dozen these days and have easily become one of the more convenient ways to whip up some quick meals around the house, instead of relying on a conventional oven or oil-based deep fryer. Most of them set themselves apart with larger or smaller capacities, a range…

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The eBay Tabletop Hall will welcome Warhammer and other franchises at PAX Aus 2025

It’s getting closer once again, as PAX Aus 2025 ramps up the hype for its massive weekend at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday, the 10th of October to Sunday, the 12th of October, 2025. While tabletop games have always been a major part of the weekend, PAX Aus 2025 has announced a…

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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach improves upon its predecessor in almost every way

In the lead-up to the launch of the first Death Stranding back in 2019, it’s safe to say the stakes were high. Hideo Kojima had left Konami, founded his own development company in Kojima Productions Co., Ltd. and created one of the more ambiguous games we had seen in quite some time. Was it a horror…

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Our Gears of War: Reloaded beta impressions

Gears of War is back again, and boy, does it feel strange to talk about its availability on the PlayStation 5. Gears of War: Reloaded is essentially a remaster of the original Gears of War, now polished and made available on a new platform. We got the chance to partake in the recent beta, which…

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is another solid iteration on a classic

I must say, the Nintendo Switch got it right with the original Pro Controller. Maybe it was the uncomfortable Joy-Cons, which were way too small, but after begging for an alternative, the Pro Controller brought the goods. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller feels like Nintendo understood what we were already happy with. With a…

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera has its flaws, but serves its purpose

We recently reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2 and thought it would be a good idea to include this in our main review, as one comprehensive article that covers all accessories. But given that the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera doesn’t come with the console, we feel it deserves its own review. The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera…

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The Nintendo Switch 2 feels like the evolution we’ve been waiting for

It’s hard to believe the original Nintendo Switch was released back in 2017. It’s a true testament to that console that it lasted this long and remained popular practically until the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. That being said, this new console, while pushing the platform forward in terms of its outright grunt, also…

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Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is charming in parts, and boring in others

In one of the more interesting reviews I’ve had to write in a while, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour serves as an introductory guide to using and learning about your brand-new console. In certain ways, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour does its job well. Through a series of mini-games and quizzes, you not only learn about…

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Mario Kart World is a fantastic step forward for the franchise

Can you believe it’s been over a decade since we’ve had a new Mario Kart game? But along with the Nintendo Switch 2, here we are. In many ways, Mario Kart World is an awesome follow-up to an almost perfect kart-racer that has stood the test of time. On the fresh hardware, it looks fantastic…

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The OPPO A5 Pro 5G falters in places, but still provides some decent value

OPPO is no stranger to a wide variety of entry-level, mid-range, and even premium phones for various users and budgets. Their newest entry-level option, the A5 Pro 5G, proves to be a decent choice in certain areas. For A$399, you’re getting fantastic battery life, 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging, and plenty of software support for added…

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The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds provide fantastic audio quality on a budget

While Skullcandy have certainly been around for a while with a diverse range of headphones, earbuds, and everything in between, their newest pair of earbuds has taken a bit of a detour from the norm. Pairing up with Bose to deliver a new form of high-fidelity audio proves Skullcandy isn’t messing around this time, providing…

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Here’s every announcement from the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase

PlayStation’s surprise State of Play, Summer Game Fest, Future Games Show and now, Xbox Games Showcase. It’s been a crazy weekend for game announcements, and we’re not done yet. Here’s every announcement from the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, along with The Outer Wilds 2 Direct. Enjoy! ASUS ROG XBOX ALLY THE OUTER WORLDS 2 CALL…

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F1 25 fine-tunes the experience with fantastic results

Be it the stellar career of Lewis Hamilton, the recent domination of Max Verstappen, or the current rise of Aussie Oscar Piastri, Codemasters’ F1 games have been relatively fantastic over the years. They generally look great, play well and feature an impressive list of modes that remain true to the depth and authenticity of the…

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Here’s when and where you can watch the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase

It’s been a crazy weekend for game announcements and the like, and the Xbox Games Showcase is next in line. It will also be followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, which will take a deeper dive into the game. You can catch the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct on…

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Here’s every announcement from the Future Games Show 2025 showcase

If you’ve heard me say this recently, I do apologise, but it hasd been a nig weekend. Between PlayStation’s surprise State of Play, Summer Game Fest and the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase, it is enough to make your head spin. However, if you’re not spinning just yet, we have all the announcements from the Future…

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