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System Requirements

Among Us

Before you buy it’s time to answer the biggest question any PC gamer ever has – what settings can I run that title on?

Today we’re taking a look at the hit indie title Among Us and if you have a PC built-in pretty much the last decade, the answer is yes, you can run it. However if you want to be super 100% absolutely sure, here at the minimum system specs:

  • CPU: SSE2 instruction set support
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 SP1+
  • VIDEO CARD: Info
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 250 MBWe told you it wasn’t particularly demanding didn’t we? Will you be opting to play Among Us or one of the newer titles with similar gameplay but utilising more advanced graphics?
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System Requirements

Bioshock Collection

One of the greatest shooter trilogies ever released, now remastered on PC. Plus PC players can finally get their hands on the divide finale Bioshock Infinite, released for the first time on PC.

If you’ve never played the titles before we certainly don’t want to spoil it for you past them being an amazing mash up of shooter, with a healthy dose of horror and rpg elements thrown in for good measure. Here’s exactly what your PC will need to run them at it’s best:

System Requirements (Minimum)

  • CPU: Intel Core 2 DUO E6750 2.66 GHz / AMD Athlon X2 2.7 GHz
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 64-bit. Platform Update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
  • VIDEO CARD: DirectX11 Compatible, AMD Radeon HD 7770 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: BioShock 25GB; BioShock 2 25GB; BioShock Infinite 20GB; Total for all three games 70GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 1024 MB

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: Info
  • CPU SPEED: 3GHz Quad-Core Processor
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 64-bit. Platform Update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
  • VIDEO CARD: 2GB ATI Radeon HD 7970, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or better
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: BioShock 25GB; BioShock 2 25GB; BioShock Infinite 30GB; Total for all three games 80GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2048 MB

So will you be taking a trip down to Rapture on your current build or putting some time into upgrading first? Either way, ‘would you kindly’ hurry up and get playing through these classics sooner rather than later!

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System Requirements

Assassins Creed Odyssey

Before you buy it’s time to answer the biggest question any PC gamer ever has – what settings can I run that title on?

Today we’re looking at Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed Odyssey, one of, if not the best title in the franchise, certainly since Black Flag right?

System Requirements (Minimum)

  • CPU: AMD FX 6300 @ 3.8 GHz, Ryzen 3 – 1200, Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.1 GHz
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only)
  • VIDEO CARD: AMD Radeon R9 285 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (2GB VRAM with Shader Model 5.0)
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 46GB available hard drive space
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2048 MB

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0 GHz, Ryzen 5 – 1400, Intel Core i7-3770 @ 3.5 GHz
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only)
  • VIDEO CARD: AMD Radeon R9 290 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4GB VRAM or more with Shader Model 5.0) or better
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 46 GB available hard drive space
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MB

What do you think? Can your current PC build handle it? Plus how do you think it stacks up to the latest Assassins Creed Valhalla in terms of graphical performance?

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System Requirements

The Binding of Isaac: Reborn

Before you buy it’s time to answer the biggest question any PC gamer ever has – what settings can I run that title on?

Although it’s a tiny indie title, The Binding of Isaac: Reborn is one game where a missed frame can result in death so it’s worth making extra sure you can run it without a hitch. That being said, it’s unlikely you’re PC is going to be so out of date it has any trouble. Here’s the system requirements:

System Requirements (Minimum)

  • CPU: Core 2 Duo
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • OS: Windows XP
  • VIDEO CARD: Discreet video card
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 449 MB available space

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: Info
  • CPU SPEED: 2.4 GHz Quad Core 2.0 (or higher)
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 8 / 7 / Vista / XP
  • VIDEO CARD: Intel HD Graphics 4000 and higher, ATI Radeon HD Series 4650 and higher, Nvidia GeForce 2xx Series and up
  • PIXEL SHADER: 4.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 4.0
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 449 MB available spaceSo there you have it, nice and easy to run, the real frustration comes in when you’re actually playing the title. Keep strafing folks!
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Reviews

Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age

More than eleven years after its initial release on the PlayStation 2, where it sold almost six million copies, Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age is a re-release of the classic Final Fantasy 12 for the PlayStation 4. With the title having never been brought to PlayStation Now and with no PlayStation Classic version or backwards compatibility. This is both an opportunity for gamers who grew up with the title to return to the world of Ivalice, as well as for new fans to be introduced to the fast-paced combat of the first in the modern iteration of FF games; complete with a gripping storyline filled with military occupations, rebel resistances, and superpowers poised for worldwide conflict. Final Fantasy 12 has always stood apart from the other entries in the 30 years since the series was first released, focusing on these larger political issues rather than the more character, and often primarily romantic, storylines of the other titles in the FF series, particularly the instalments released before 12.

Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age, game review, review

The Zodiac Age is more of a re-release than a re-master, although the graphics have been touched up to bring them closer to modern video game standards. It would be unfair to claim they’ve undergone a full re-master of the visuals. However, the title was one of the most stunning to be released on the PlayStation 2 and little work was needed to smooth off the rough edges, bringing the title to life with a kind of living painting style of graphics.

There’s also a host of new additions to the game play, including most significantly, the Zodiac System. The original title allowed players to give any character any ability and the means to use any weapon, magic, or armour type the player decided. This gave players a great sense of freedom working their way through the game’s huge story, yet towards the endgame, you would often find yourself with a party of increasing similar characters behaving in very similar ways. The Zodiac Age puts a stop to this by forcing players to set each character a maximum of two ‘jobs’, classes which define the abilities and equipment available for that character. At first, it may seem like a real removal of player choice for fans of the original title. But players will quickly grow used to the system and the added focus on big decisions when choosing which skills and abilities to acquire adds a sense of weight to player decisions, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

There’s also the addition of new bosses, weapons and armour, a fresh recording of the soundtrack, faster load times (a huge blessing) and a trial mode, which functions as a kind of survival mode with 100 rounds of increasingly difficult enemies for your main game party to face. The longer you survive, the better the rewards you’ll receive when you’re finally wiped out.

Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age, game review, review

More controversial additions include the ability to bring up a full map of the area you’re currently in, yet without removing the mini map from the top right-hand corner of the screen. That’s a lot of map for one screen. The game would also have benefited from a faster way to sell the wealth of loot accumulated from enemies, rather than selecting the type and number of each item you wish to sell. This last point is made more important by the addition of a ‘speed mode’ which increases game play by 2x or 4x regular play speed. This drastically speeds up levelling in a particular area, or ‘grinding’ as the term has become commonly known, although arguably removes the sense of accomplishment that the original title offered when crossing the huge open world Square Enix has created.

These huge journeys across the world are linked well with The Zodiac Age‘s storyline, which is particularly Westernised and arguably the least ‘Japanese’ of the iconic series released to date. It’s focus on warring superpowers is a perfect platform for discussions of revenge, military occupation and invasion and, in some stages, even straying into the ideas of war crimes. Beneath FF: The Zodiac Age‘s captivating shiny visuals, is a story that addresses some of the largest darkest issues that are more relevant today than they were when the title was originally released.

Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age, game review, review

Final Fantasy: The Zodiac Age is a reminder of just why the creative, original and intelligent title has stayed with so many video game fans since its release over a decade ago. The new version has added some useful elements, but at the core of the game is the same sense of scale that converted a generation to RPG titles. Whether you’re new to the world or revisiting your youth, The Zodiac Age is the perfect title to take over your gaming schedule.

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System Requirements

Grand Theft Auto 5

 

One of Rockstars greatest accomplishments, even more than five years after it’s initial release. Whether you’re playing for the gameplay, realism, huge modding community, multiplayer or core storyline, GTA5 is one of the true 5 star titles of the last decade.

We’re likely to be waiting a fair bit longer until GTA6 so if you’re interested in playing the title on your current build, here’s exactly what power you’ll need to get the most out of the huge open world.

Minimum Requirements

  • AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • OS: Windows 10 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 Bit Service Pack 2*
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)
  • PIXEL SHADER: 4.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 4.0
  • SOUND CARD: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 72 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 1 GB

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHz (8 CPUs)
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 10 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD 7870 2GB
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 72 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2 GB

Do you agree with the thousands of gamers that have updated their builds specifically for GTA5 or will you be happy running it at minimum settings? Let us know and your predictions for GTA6.

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System Requirements

Call of Duty: Warzone

Activision’s flagship brand Call of Duty takes a shot at the battle royale formula and actually manages to keep it fresh! Yep even with dozens of different versions of the game type incorporating everything from building traps and defensive positions to incorporating marine life and zombies, CoD: Warzone proves that solid gameplay is all the battle royale games need to keep an audience glued.

With it’s free to play setup there’s no excuse for not giving it a chance, so long as your PC setup can handle it that is. Check out the minimum and recommended requirements below.

System Requirements (Minimum)

  • CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 7 64-Bit (SP1) or Windows 10 64-Bit (1709 or later)
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon HD 7950
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 175 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2048 MB

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X Processor
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 12 GB
  • OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest Service Pack)
  • VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 4GB / GTX 1660 6GB or AMD Radeon R9 390 / AMD RX 580
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
  • SOUND CARD: Yes
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 175 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MB

What would you recommend for a CoD: Warzone build? Let us know!

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System Requirements

Valorant

The free to play 5 v 5 character-focused FPS has been taking the PC gaming world by storm. With the long wait since the last Overwatch update gamers have been looking for something new to keep them entertained until the sequel releases some time in 2021.

Valorant has eagerly filled that void and here’s exactly what system you’ll require to play Riot Games multiplayer madness.

System Requirements (Minimum)

  • CPU: Intel i3-370M
  • CPU SPEED: Info
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
  • VIDEO CARD: Intel HD 3000
  • PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 3.0

Recommended Requirements

  • CPU: Core i5-4460
  • CPU SPEED:
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
  • VIDEO CARD: GTX 1050 Ti
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MBLets settle it gamers, Overwatch or Valorant – which takes the team shooter crown for you?
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Reviews

The Flame in the Flood

The Flame in the Flood was entirely funded by a Kickstarter campaign that aimed for $150,000 and received over $250,000. It’s a pretty apt metaphor for The Flame in the Flood, an indie title which goes above and beyond considering you can pick up ‘The Complete Edition’ from this month on Playstation and Xbox last and current gen titles for under £10.

It takes place in a post-apocalyptic South America that’s as original as it is addictive. Players take on the role of a young girl named Scout and choose one of two faithful dog companions, Aesop or Daisy. The two of you are tasked with finding out just what happened to humanity, and the game teases clues as to the events that unfolded to result in the abandoned churches, overgrown cabins and desolate wastelands that the player will come across in their travels.

TFITF_Ruins_River.pngThe means of said travel is one of ‘The Flame in the Flood’s biggest draws. Players are washed along by a near endless river, navigating debris, islands and the remnants of civilisation as they go, all the while deciding whether to stop and search for supplies at a range of randomly generated points of interest as they go.

These on foot areas, and the river itself, are defined by the game’s distinct art style, lonesome storyline and the music of the hugely talented Chuck Ragan, who provides the soundtrack to the game. His soundtrack kicks in as the player hits certain milestones on the river and feel almost like narration to the otherwise speechless tale of post apocalyptia.

TFITF_Rustwater_Station.pngBest described as a travelling survival game, aspects of ‘The Flame in the Flood’ will remind veterans of the survival genre of classics such as the ‘Don’t Starve’ series, which also makes use of a distinct art style and lonely tones. Where ‘Don’t Starve’ focuses on building up bases to whether to the constant threats of the world, ‘The Flame in the Flood’ has you take a much more active approach in its gameplay. The river especially for example is quick paced, and rather than your survival be based on your stats, its most often based on your skill and judgement at steering you and your wooden raft out of harms way and towards sites of potential resources such as clean water, food and various medicines.

Scout_Camp_A.pngIt’s only gameplay downside is one that’s commonplace in titles that feature randomly generated content. Although no two areas will appear, or play the same, there can be instances where surviving feels impossible, simply down to some bad luck with the games random supply offerings. One minute you’ll be showered with supplies, the next you’ll find yourself begging the video game gods for a specific item, whether it be a bandage to help you heal from a wound, a cure for a poison, or just any kind of food that will help you stave off the relentless hunger and thirst that will often spell the players demise.

All in all The Flame in the Flood manages to stand out with a wealth of outside of the box thinking, from its unique view of the post-apocalyptic South, to its distinct imagery of rolling rivers and combination of wilderness and post apocalyptia. All wrapped up in Chuck Ragan’s country soundtrack, The Flame in the Flood offers an experience that few games are able to, it offers something unique and genuinely memorable. Seriously, for under a tenner, why wouldn’t you pick it up?