Editorials
Windows 10 IRL: potential requires refinement to materialize
I’ve been using Windows all my life. Since my very first PC back in the 90s, I have been hooked on Microsoft’s operating system – but not much else. Windows has always been my sanctuary because I grew up with it and used all the mainstream home OS versions to date. Windows 95 was the main OS we used at school, but XP was for the longest time, my best friend. I remember that Windows XP, present for part of my childhood and teen years, was the bomb. I never ever had to fiddle with it, not even after doing my usual meddling of the day – primarily tweaking stuff with apps, playing in BIOS and innocent things like that. I did try Ubuntu and Linux at different points in my life, and while both impressed me with their performance, the user interface was not my cup of tea. I had already become rooted in the Windows world. Those were the days! Now, I’m using Windows 10, and it seems like I have to put twice the effort into making things work properly.
Windows 10 is better than Windows 8.1, but Windows 7 would still be my pick – if I had the patience to go through another full OS installation – thanks to its stability and broad range of compatibility. Since installing the new OS, I’ve been having only trouble. It’s not all because of Windows, but a lot of it is. I upgraded to Windows 10 from 8.1 on a shiny new PC I just assembled and while the upgrade process was smooth, I had to do it twice. The first installation was causing me trouble, and this second one isn’t a lot better either. Admittedly, the second OS install was brought on primarily by me trying to root a Chinaphone that got me some nasty adware or who knows what it was. I can’t attribute the fault solely to myself, since I’m pretty confident about my abilities to discern between a malicious site and a safe one, being used to it since childhood. Also, Chrome and Windows Defender usually warn me about these things. It was also Windows Defender, whom I had relied on since Windows XP, who failed to detect the trojan or adware trying to infiltrate my PC.
This might sound stupid, but I freaked out. I hadn’t dealt with any sort of malware, adware, trojan or virus since I was in my early teen years, when Limewire and DC++ were my guilty pleasures, so I panicked and immediately did a clean install, without remembering to do some reseach. It would have been pretty impossible anyways, because the adware, which I suspect it was, restricted access to all system files and apps on Windows 10, and fed me advertising and popups. Being unfamiliar with the new OS from the start, I didn’t even attempt to clean the computer. The only thing I remember is my search engine in Chrome being set to istartpageing, about which I haven’t dug up much that would be relevant to my situation. I was baffled that Windows Defender could have let such a thing slip, or Chrome for that matter. Since I had been researching ways of getting SP Flash tool to recognize my device and flash a new firmware on it, I never strayed from Google, XDA forums and discussion forums towards downloading exe files. I had been served a warning, which quickly disappeared without giving me a chance to click “remove”, and the deed was done.
So the adware was the main problem, but I rushed to reinstall for other reasons beside panicking. On a brand new system, with pretty good specs but an inferior Intel HD graphics card, I was getting so many BSODs (Blue Screen of Death) that it had become quite frightening. I had gotten a few on Windows 8.1 in relation to the graphics drivers being incompatible, but I managed to fix that pretty rapidly. On Windows 10, however, I get a lot of them, with various error messages. Memory management, irql_not_less_or_equal and a couple of others I forgot about. It’s not a major inconvenience, because luckily my PC boots pretty fast and I usually have a habit of saving and backing up stuff often – because of Chrome, by the way. Nonetheless, it’s an annoying occurrence that to me shows Windows 10 still needs a good bit of work. These BSODs usually require complicated fixes that involve meddling with registry files, update files and system stuff like that, which I no longer have the time for. The first and second installations I did present themselves with largely the same issues. Although I would love to meddle and learn about how Windows 10 works, I would rather get on with my work – which I do lose sometimes during these BSODs. I think Microsoft might have released this OS a bit too early for consumers. Those of you who aren’t keen on fiddling with system settings and files should avoid Windows 10 for a while – a couple of months, maybe? At its core, Windows 10 is amazing, but it’s not consumer-friendly yet.
I need to establish that the design and user interface of Windows 10 are to my liking and I’ve come to like the changes. The tiles and graphic elements of Windows 8.1 are blended with Windows 7 interface properties that make the user interface that much easier to work with. However, features that should be highlights of the OS still need work. OneNote still needs a bit of that WinWORD functionality and familiarity and Microsoft apps need a bit of familiar touch and better suggestion algorithms. Microsoft Edge is most in need of improvements aside from the OS, in my opinion, because it is supposed to be a crucial part of the ecosystem Microsoft is trying to establish.
Edge is such a nice addition to Windows 10 and its smooth performance is inspiring, but the lack of customization, which is very important for web users, ruins the entire experience. Minor issues like not being able to change save locations or organize favorites make the entire browser very hard and time-consuming to use. Although I want to wholeheartedly switch to its neat, minimalist design (because Chrome is driving me crazy), these issues prevent me from doing so. Options that were there in IE are not, and although IE as a whole was not the best, the user interface and interaction was much more refined than it is with Microsoft Edge.
The bottom line is that Windows 10 is a great success, but before focusing on anything else, these crucial interface, performance and compatibility issues should be fixed. After doing some research on various forums and discussion groups, I found that many Windows 10 users had exactly the same complaints as I do. To me, these aren’t going to be deal-breakers, because I truly can’t and won’t move away from the platform because I see a future for it. Others might not, and many are dissatisfied with the user experience. However, even more people say the things I do: it has potential and it needs work, but we support it. The OS has not yet come to a point where it’s plain annoying all the time. It has moments, let’s just say, but thanks to the engaged community, things move along at a pretty fast pace – in most cases, but not all. There seems to be more engagement with Windows 10, I think because at its core, it’s so much better thought-out than any other OS until now. I need to come back once again to the fact that the potential is huge with the OS, now all that’s left to do is refine.
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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