In this edition of the GamingShogun 2021 gift guide series, we’re looking at our favorite keyboards from this year. Where would we be without keyboards? We’d be relying on speech-to-text or brainwaves or… Who knows?! Anyway, here are the keyboards…
Corsair K100 RGB ($229.99)
Corsair’s K100 RGB gaming keyboard is priced fairly high for most budgets. However, if you’re a serious gamer looking for a mechanical gaming keyboard with some amazing build quality and optical key switches, you won’t be disappointed with the K100 RGB. Its Corsair OPX optical mechanical key switches are satisfying to use and fairly silent with only a 1.0mm actuation distance. Corsair even has added some under-keyboard cable management spaces to make sure your desktop stays as tidy as possible.
Razer’s Huntsman V2 is my personal gaming keyboard. I simply love the Razer optical key switches, and this model comes in both clicky and silent varieties – plus, the Huntsman V2 comes with some nifty media controls which I use every day. Overall, for $200 dollars, you can’t go wrong with the Razer Huntsman V2.
Coming in at roughly $80 dollars, the Cooler Master CK552 brings hefty, mechanical keyboard functionality with an economic price. The CK552 is also available in three different key switch types: Red, blue, and brown! Of the keyboards in this gift guide, this is also the only one with true mechanical key switches, not optical switches. It’s also completely plug and play, there is no software to deal with or profiles to setup.
Today, SQUARE ENIX® announced that Marvel’s Avengers patch 2.2 is now available, bringing with it an entirely new four-player Raid to take on the villain Klaw as well as a new Hero exclusive to PlayStation, Spider-Man.
In addition to the Raid and Hero, the update brings with it several new and improved systems, including:
Shipments – The Shipments feature provides an entirely new path to earn coveted cosmetics, resources, and other items strictly through gameplay, a highly requested option from the Marvel’s Avengers community. Each Shipment costs 500 Units (the currency earned while playing the game) and pulls from a collection of nearly 250 possible items, with a small chance of rewarding a premium Outfit unavailable via any other means of acquisition. But luck isn’t required to get the Outfit; players will automatically receive it after claiming 100 Shipments. A blog with more information about the Shipments feature is available to read at https://avengers.square-enix-games.com/en-us/news/earned-cosmetics-dev-blog/.
Power-Level Increase – The maximum Power Level achievable has increased from 150 to 175. Acquiring the best gear requires players to complete the game’s toughest challenge: the new four-player Klaw Raid: Discordant Sound on Elite mode, its hardest difficulty level.
Gear Upgrading – Players can now recycle gear of a higher power level to upgrade their current gear to match the higher-power level of the consumed item, with few exceptions. A blog detailing the gear upgrade system is available at https://avengers.square-enix-games.com/en-us/news/gear-resources-rework-blog.
A Marvel’s Avengers WAR TABLE Deep Dive dedicated to patch 2.2 premiered on November 29 and offered an extensive look at what players can expect from the update.
Today’s update adds to a game already packed with content, bringing new features and continuing the game’s story through the ongoing Avengers Initiative. Marvel’s Avengers now offers several campaigns, nine playable heroes (ten on PlayStation platforms), and endless multiplayer co-op action for up to four players.
About the New Raid: Discordant Sound
Raids in Marvel’s Avengers are one of the truest tests of end-game teamwork. They require advanced tactics and the full cooperation of a four-player team equipped with the highest-end gear. The Raid offers two difficulty levels: Normal and Elite mode, which ratchets up the challenge even further, but also offers the game’s best rewards.
Following the events of the War for Wakanda Expansion, the sonic monster Klaw has returned to the Vibranium Mound to destroy Wakanda. Black Panther and the Avengers must stop him before he can succeed!
About Spider-Man and the With Great Power Hero Event
The legendary web slinger Spider-Man is now available exclusively to PlayStation players in today’s update along with the Spider-Man: With Great Power Hero Event. Spider-Man’s high-flying acrobatics bring an entirely new way to experience the game either solo or with friends, and his unique movement and combat abilities are sure to be a great addition to any Strike Team taking on missions in the Avengers Initiative.
Players will experience Spider-Man’s story through unlockable challenges woven throughout the Avengers Initiative. Peter Parker learns of a deadly new threat and must partner with the Avengers to stop AIM from acquiring technology that could make their synthoid army unstoppable. Insistent on keeping his identity hidden, Parker forms a tentative friendship with Ms. Marvel and Black Widow and must struggle with the new dynamics of working with a team. Will he join up full time with the Avengers, or stay independent in his fight against AIM?
Cold Iron Studios, is proud to announce that Season 2 of Aliens: Fireteam Elite will be available on December 14, for all players across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4 and Steam™.
Following the September release of Season 1: Phalanx, this new season includes free items for all players, including a new mode called Point Defense. This fast-paced alternative to Horde Mode will challenge players in a new survival-based defensive match where your fireteam must protect, repair, and hold 3 different strategic points through multiple attack waves from the xenomorph hive. Players may buy temporary consumables to even the odds by utilizing Fabrication Points earned during the mode and can unlock up to 20 new rewards by completing the mode at various difficulties.
Season 2: Point Defense features the following free content:
New Game Mode: Point Defense.
New Feature: Lifetime Stats
New weapons, attachments, and cosmetics added to the game as Point Defense rewards or at the in-game store.
New challenge cards.
Coinciding with the release of Season 2, the second Endeavor Pass DLC Pack, The Nostromo Salvage Pack, will also be made available. Emerging from a 57-year hypersleep, this pack includes over 20 exclusive items, including two Nostromo-themed class kit skin designs, eight weapon colors, four decals, four head accessories, four emotes, and more!
The complete 4-DLC Endeavor Pass is included with the Deluxe Edition of the game, available for $69.99. Individual Endeavor Pass cosmetic DLC packs are available separately for $9.99 each. The Standard Edition of the game is available for $39.99, with an option to upgrade this to the Deluxe Edition.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
Additional information can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Discord, YouTube, or the official website at www.AliensFireteamElite.com.
Over the weekend, Techland passed another production milestone for their upcoming open world game. Dying Light 2 Stay Human earned a golden status, meaning the game is ready to be published and discs can now start to be manufactured, ready to hit store shelves on February 4, 2022.
“We are very excited about this and now we can truly feel that this is actually happening! After so many years of hard work we are proudly looking forward to the release of Dying Light 2 Stay Human.” said Tymon Smektała, Lead Game Designer.
He also mentioned that the work is not over yet and the gold status does not mean it’s time to slow down. “This is it. The final and crucial moment for us. The game is ready to be manufactured, but we will not slow down. The fact that the game is done and we hit the gold status two months before the release is a great sign but it doesn’t mean that our work ends here. There are still some upgrades and tweaks to add, and community feedback to implement, but the base is solid and ready to play. I’m extremely proud of the whole team!
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is an ambitious action-RPG with an open world set in the Modern Dark Ages. The long-awaited game has occupied the Number One place on Steam’s Wishlist charts since September 2020, and the studio is aware of the community’s high expectations. After positive feedback from media and influencers all over the world following hands-on preview sessions, Techland wants to spend the next two months implementing additional feedback while polishing and optimizing the game even more to meet those high expectations.
Techland recently invited viewers to watch the next episode of Dying 2 Know, Episode 5, where 15 minutes of new gameplay will be shown to fans. This episode will be live to watch on twitch.tv/techland on December 2, 2021 at 12 PM PT / 9 PM CET.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human, published by Techland, launches February 4 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch (Cloud Version). Pre-orders can be placed at dyinglightgame.com/preorder. All pre-orders will come with an exclusive digital Reload Pack, featuring a unique outfit, weapon, and paraglider skin.
The legendary strategy franchise is back, combining heart-pounding combat with new layers of strategy in a breathtaking Mediterranean setting. Relic Entertainment™ and SEGA® Europe Ltd. are excited to announce that players around the world will be able to play the brand-new Company of Heroes™ 3 Multiplayer Pre-Alpha tomorrow, before the game’s full release in 2022. Players can head over to CompanyOfHeroes.com to join CoH-Development and pre-load the free Multiplayer Pre-Alpha right now!
The Multiplayer Pre-Alpha will allow players to jump online and get a first glimpse at some exciting new multiplayer combat. They can experience four Italian maps in a variety of game modes, including co-op vs AI opponents, competitive PvP and Skirmish vs AI, while trying out familiar and brand-new features like Full Tactical Pause in skirmish mode, vehicle side armour, Verticality, Battlegroups, and Veterancy. Two classic factions return, the US forces and The Wehrmacht, each bringing their unique and game-changing abilities to the battlefield. More factions will be revealed in the run up to launch, with Company of Heroes 3 promising more content than ever before.
Over on Relic’s community platform CoH-Development, passionate players have already been sharing their valuable feedback since Company of Heroes 3 was announced with a Pre-Alpha Preview this summer. The studio is looking forward to hearing from its community yet again on the upcoming Multiplayer Pre-Alpha to ensure that, with the gathered feedback, they deliver the biggest and best multiplayer experience at launch yet.
How to get access to CoH3
The Company of Heroes 3 Multiplayer Pre-Alpha is available for pre-load on Steam right now, and playable from Tuesday, 30th November 5:00PM GMT until Tuesday, 7th December 04:00AM GMT. Anyone that already has a COH-Development account, and has played the first Pre-Alpha, can simply head over to their Steam library, pre-load the Multiplayer Pre-Alpha and play the slice from its launch. New players can sign up to COH-Development for free here and link their Steam account to get access to the game tomorrow.
For more information about Company of Heroes 3 head to www.companyofheroes.com, You can follow the game on YouTube, Twitter, Discord, Twitch and Facebook. For more information about SEGA Europe, log on to www.sega.co.uk and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and Twitter.
In this edition of the 2021 GamingShogun Holiday Gift Guide series, we take a look at our top audio output-related gifts for that certain someone on your shopping list (or even just a “you gift”). This category is all about audio output, and that means we are looking at speakers, soundbars, headphones, etc.
Soundbars
Soundbars are a great category of speaker for home or office as they’re so versatile. Packed into a narrow, more portable form factor can be a wellspring of surround sound technology. With this being a very popular market, we thought we’d separate out our picks for both gaming and home theater sound bars.
Gaming Soundbars
The Creative Labs Sound Blaster Katana V2 ($329.99)
Creative Labs Sound BlasterX Katana soundbar was an excellent purchase back in 2019 (and still today), but Creative has taken the Katana to the next level with the Katana V2. Not only does it have Dolby decoding capabilities (although no Atmos support), it also has a plethora of connectivity options sure to fit in with your home entertainment system or office gaming computer ecosystem. The Katana V2 is capable of some powerful, room-filling sound and even has pre-set equalizer settings for a variety of uses (music, gaming, etc.). As a nice bonus, it also features some beautiful RGB lighting (which can be disabled if you’re not an RGB lighting fan – for shame).
Samsung’s 3.1.2 channel Q700A Q Series Soundbar is a monster of audio perfection. Not only does it support full Dolby Atmos and DTS: X decoding but, also, it has the option to pair up some additional wireless Dolby Atmos rear speakers for even more surround sound goodness. Its got a high price point but if you are desiring the utmost audio quality from your home theater setup and don’t want a discrete surround sound solution, you won’t be disappointed by the Samsung Q700A Q series soundbar.
Another Creative Labs soundbar graces this gift guide – this time, in the home theater category. No, it’s not the Creative SXFI CARRIER. It’s the CARRIER’s little, younger sibling, the Stage360. Costing a fraction of what the CARRIER does, the Stage360 features near and far-field virtual surround sound modes with Dolby Atmos support. It also allows users to connect up to two HDMI 2.0 devices and an additional device through the optical input. Despite the fact that it does not have a wireless subwoofer, its ample features make up for it in spades – especially at its hyper-reasonable price point.
EPOS H6Pro Open and Closed Acoustic Gaming Headphones ($179.99)
EPOS (the company that formerly made gaming headphones for Sennheiser) has been releasing some very good headphones this year. Our favorite of the bunch, and the one that earned a spot in this gift guide, is the EPOS H6Pro – both in closed and open-backed varieties (depending on what you prefer). Both variations of this set of wired headphones offer crystal clear soundstages (which actually sound amazing while just listening to music too) along with comfy padding for most head shapes. Something to note about the H6Pro headset is that it takes a lot from its roots and is not meant to be an ear-exploding bass-pumping experience. Instead, these were meant to provide as clear, natural sound as possible.
Razer’s lineup of headphones seems to grow by the day and keeping up with them can be tedious. They have headphones for just about any platform or use case. For my money, however, the best gaming headset for your money is the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. It’s super-comfy, features amazing passive outside noise cancelation thanks to its closed-back design, and supports THX Spatial Audio surround sound for elevating your intense gameplay sessions. Even better is that it supports both wired and wireless modes (using Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless connection).
Apple has come into their own as a headphone and earbud-maker and each iteration seems to improve upon what came before (except for those uncomfortable AirPods third generation – what were they thinking there?!?). The AirPods Max are stylish, lightweight, comfortable, and feature some crystal clear sound. With the addition of spatial audio with position tracking support, listening to your favorite playlist is like attending your own personal concert. In addition, this makes for some very satisfying movie-watching even from a small smartphone screen. You can even pair the wireless AirPods Max to your Apple TV – nifty!
From all of us at GamingShogun.com, we hope you have a thankful, joyous, and fun Thanksgiving. May your turkey’s be warm, hearths be inviting, and company be merry.
Arrow closes 2021 out with two new must-own box sets and a late eighties sci-fi comedy. The party starts on December 7 with Giallo Essentials [Yellow Edition]. Arrow continues to celebrate Italian cult cinema with three more black-gloved thrillers, all remastered in stunning 2K restorations from the original camera negatives. Set includes Sergio Martino’s Torso, Andrea Bianchi’s Strip Nude for Your Killer, and Massimo Dallamano’s What Have They Done to Your Daughters? The 3-disc set represents the best of what giallo has to offer, from psychosexual disorders to motorcycle-rider killers and everything in between.
On December 14, Arrow takes a more light-hearted approach with the release of Richard Benjamin’s sci-fi/comedy, My Stepmother Is an Alien. Kim Basinger stars as an alien sent to Earth on a secret mission to seduce a single father (Dan Aykroyd) that has accidentally disrupted her planet’s gravity. The film was a box-office bombed and panned by critics upon its initial release but has gained cult status in recent years with fans praising the performances of Basinger and Jon Lovitz. Young future Buffy stars Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green co-star. The Arrow release features a brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative and a new interview with Benjamin.
Also releasing on December 28 is Shawscope Volume One. This 10-disc mega-box set containing 8 blu-rays and 2 CDs, is not only the most anticipated release of the year but is arguably one of the most anticipated releases since blu-ray first launched as a format in 2006. Shaw Brothers Studios officially originated in 1958 as the successor to the Tianyi Film Company. Under the leadership of Run Run Shaw, the company popularized kung fu films and launched many careers of some of Hong Kong’s biggest stars. The studio’s films have had a lasting impact, going on to influence the likes of Quentin Tarantino and the Wu-Tang Clan. With the release of Shawscope Volume One, Arrow looks to shine a much-deserved light on 12 kung fu classics from the Godfathers of Hong Kong Cinema.
King Boxer, also known as Five Fingers of Death, is the story of two martial arts schools preparing for a big tournament. The film helped launch the kung fu craze in North America, earning praise for director Chang-Wha Chung’s distinct style and fast-paced action.
Boxer from Shantung follows a poverty-stricken fighter (Chen Kuan-tai) that heads to Shanghai with hopes of finding a life of luxury. Instead, he gets caught up in a world of corruption and gang warfare, forcing him to rely on his unique fighting style to survive. A young John Woo served as assistant director.
After the destruction of the Shaolin Temple, five students seek vengeance by mastering their own individual fighting styles in Five Shaolin Masters. Known in some regions as 5 Masters of Death, this bonafide kung fu classic was directed by Chang Cheh and features action choreography from Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing.
The Shaolin Temple stands as the lone place capable of resisting and defeating the Qing Dynasty. With the Qings determined to exterminate the Shaolin, the temple realizes they must quickly train more fighters in their obscure style in order to protect the ways of the Shaolin.
Looking to capitalize on the 1976 King Kong remake, the Shaw Brothers took a stab at the giant ape genre with The Mighty Peking Man. Hailed by Film School Rejects as “a true work of genius” and awarded three-out-four stars by Roger Ebert for “general goofiness,” The Mighty Peking Man is a one-of-a-kind film certain to thrill all audiences.
In Challenge of the Masters, a young Gordon Liu stars as a teenager that is constantly beaten by students at a rival school. Desperate to be trained by a father that refuses to do so, the teen sets out to learn from his father’s teacher and avenge those that have wronged both him and his school.
Based on the life of Hung Hsi-kuan, Executioners from Shaolin is about a son that must learn both the fighting styles of his father and mother in order to defeat Pai Mei. Executioners from Shaolin was dubbed an “essential old school classic” by Mark Pollard of Kung Fu Cinema and sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan.
Tan Tung (Alexander Fu Sheng), a young street fighter, escapes the murderous violence of Hong Kong by moving to San Francisco in Chinatown Kid. Unfortunately, he becomes tangled up with the local gangs and crosses the feared crime boss, the White Dragon (Kuo Chui).
Chang Cheh’s Five Venoms, also known as Five Deadly Venoms, is one of the most famous kung fu films ever made. A dying martial arts teacher instructs his five last students to track down the previous five and defeat any that are evil. The film’s cultural impact stretches wide, being referenced in Kim’s Convenience, Kill Bill, and by rappers 2Pac and the Wu-Tang Clan.
In Cheh’s Crippled Avengers, four men are brutally injured by martial arts master Chu Twin (Chen Kuan Tai) and his son, Chu Cho Chang (Lu Feng). The four men, now each suffering from a different disability, join forces to train and get revenge on the men that crippled them.
Gordon Liu stars as Chinese kung fu student Ho Tao in Heroes of the East. After an arranged marriage to a Japanese woman, he inadvertently insults her family in an argument over which country has the better martial arts style. To prove himself, Ho must square off with seven of Japan’s top martial artists. Heroes of the East is notable for portraying Japanese martial artists as heroes alongside the more traditional kung fu fighters from the Hong Kong movies of the day.
Unlike most Shaw Brothers’ productions, Dirty Ho trades in the revenge plot and instead delivers the story of a prince posing as a jeweler that hires a thief to protect him from those attempting to assassinate him and take his throne. This martial arts comedy reunites Gordon Liu with The 36th Chamber of Shaolin director, Lau Kar-leung.
This limited-edition set includes hours of bonus content including new and archived interviews, newly commissioned artwork for each film, and a 60-page booklet with writing on the films, including cast and crew info and trivia. This is the first of multiple Shawscope volumes Arrow plans to release in the future.
1C Entertainment and Best Way are delighted to announce Men of War II, the next entry in the widely acclaimed real-time strategy franchise Men of War. The announcement was made at the Golden Joystick Awards 2021, and showcased the new and exciting features that the original creator of the series has prepared for this next instalment. Men of War II will march to victory on Steam for PC in 2022.
After spawning multiple expansions and spin-offs since Men Of War’s debut, Men Of War II returns to the series’ roots to rebuild and redefine real-time strategy gameplay. The new Front Line mechanic is the bedrock of exciting dynamic encounters, where the push-and-pull of each skirmish directly affects territory borders. Manage attritional battles and break through undefended lines to advance the areas of maps under control, digging trenches and supporting troops in newly won territory.
Assume greater command of the battlefield with the enhanced Direct Vision feature to focus solely on one unit at any time and upgrade, change, or repair equipment on the fly. Level the theater of war with powerful armor and artillery capable of destroying buildings and weapon emplacements, while choosing from an arsenal including 45 battalions and more than 300 vehicles, all painstakingly designed with complete historical accuracy.
Two story campaigns – playable in single-player or up to five-player online co-op – let commanders engage in battle on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. Take control of the courageous Allied Forces pushing their way through a devastated France, and the steadfast Soviets defending their lands from the menacing Third Reich army. In returning to World War II, Best Way shines a spotlight on battles and scenarios never-before-seen in the series, with conflicts such as the Battle of the Falaise pocket and Operation Bagration.
Prepare to face enemy armies in intense bouts of all-out war in the series’ most advanced online multiplayer mode yet. Select the Allies, Soviets, or Germans and engage against other commanders’ armies. Choose from a wide range of skirmish and challenge maps, each created with strict attention to detail, making each arena authentic to the time period. Commanders can also join forces with other armies in online co-op, sending combined units against the new-and-improved AI in bloody mass combat.
The ravaged battlefields of Europe are enhanced with realistic physics and fully destructible objects, letting generals shape the warzone to their liking. Immersive sound design captures the guttural, terse, and chaotic cacophonies with lifelike explosions, the chattering of machine guns, and the treads of German Panzers. Full mod support gives commanders endless opportunities in creating new battle scenarios with a special level design and modding toolset.
“Men of War II has an emphasis on tactical decision-making, engaging campaigns, and most importantly, historical accuracy, “ said Nikolay Barishnikov, CEO at 1C Entertainment. “We want to give players the most authentic and entertaining experience possible. With our destructible environments, plethora of units to choose from, and full mod support, aspiring commanders can experience WWII on their own terms.”
Men of War II will be available via Steam and other stores for PC in 2022.
RØDE has introduced a brand-new addition to its range of industry-leading compact wearable microphones. The Lavalier II is a premium lavalier microphone that is ideal for the most demanding audio and video applications. Boasting a revolutionary low-profile design, superior sound quality and professional features, it offers the ultimate performance for everything from broadcast applications and filmmaking to all kinds of content creation.
KEY FEATURES OF THE LAVALIER II:
Premium lavalier microphone for high-quality audio capture in broadcast, filmmaking and content creation applications
Revolutionary low-profile design and ultra-compact mounting clip – incredibly discreet and easy to conceal
Broadcast-grade sound quality with flat frequency response and omnidirectional polar pattern
3.5mm TRS locking connector
Premium accessory kit – includes a pop filter, mini furry windshield, mounting clip, coloured ID rings and zip case
REVOLUTIONARY LOW-PROFILE DESIGN
The Lavalier II features a revolutionary low-profile design that sets it apart from all other lavalier microphones. Utilising state-of-the-art capsule technology and a unique form factor, the Lavalier II can sit flush against clothing and other mounting surfaces. This makes it incredibly discreet, giving users more freedom and versatility when mic’ing up themselves or talent. It also features an innovative mounting clip that is ultra-compact, and a flat cable that is neat and unobtrusive, making threading it through clothing a breeze.
SUPERIOR SOUND FOR SUPERIOR CONTENT
The Lavalier II delivers broadcast-grade sound suitable for a range of recording applications. It has a very flat frequency response and will capture rich, detailed audio with incredibly low noise. Its omnidirectional polar pattern picks up crystal-clear sound from all directions, meaning the Lavalier II is very forgiving when it comes to placement.
The Lavalier II offers outstanding performance for everything from broadcast applications and filmmaking to content creation, livestreaming and even podcasting. It pairs perfectly with a wide variety of audio devices, including the hugely popular RØDE Wireless GO II and newly released AI-Micro, and features a 3.5mm locking connector for use with professional wireless microphone systems.
PREMIUM ACCESSORY KIT
The Lavalier II comes with a premium accessory kit. This includes a high-quality pop filter and mini furry windshield for recording outdoors, the compact mounting clip (which includes easy cable management slots), a set of coloured identification rings for keeping track of microphones in multi-mic setups, and a handy zip case for keeping the Lavalier II and accessories safe, neat and organised.
The Lavalier II is shipping worldwide now. Check out the Lavalier II at rode.com/lavalier-ii.
