PlayStation State Of Play June 2025 Recap
Ahead of the Summer Game Fest 2025 Main Show over the weekend, PlayStation has started the ball rolling with its State of Play showcase for this month, featuring almost an hour of non-stop title reveals and offering a glimpse of what's in store for Sony's console.
Here's a recap of all the major announcements and trailers revealed during the showcase, from hotly-anticipated upcoming titles like 007 First Light and Silent Hill f to long-rumoured remasters like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles :
Following a tease this week by developer IO Interactive, we finally have our first look at 007 First Light , due for release in 2026, which will follow a fresh-faced James Bond as he embarks on his journey as a special agent. Despite being mostly cinematic, brief snippets of gameplay tease the same third-person stealth action that fans of the Hitman series would no doubt be familiar with, alongside intense car chases and explosive set-pieces worthy of a Bond adventure.
Survival horror fans are in for a treat, as Konami's upcoming Silent Hill f is set to bring outworldly madness to 1960s Japan, with a gameplay trailer featuring not only brutal close-quarters combat against grotesque, deformed monstrosities, but also an unhealthy dose of psychological trauma the series is so well-known for. Fans don't even have to wait that long too, as the game is due out on 25 September this year.
Arc System Works, the folks behind the Guilty Gear fighting game series and Dragon Ball FighterZ , have announced their next fighting game, Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls , which features 4v4 battles between Marvel heroes and villains like Iron Man, Captain America, Storm and Doctor Doom, and will be released in 2026 on the PS5 and PC.
Square Enix is revitalising its classic grid-based strategy RPG with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles , offering both classic and enhanced versions of the game when it hits the PS5 on 30 September 2025. The enhanced version will feature fully voiced dialogue, an updated UI, graphical improvements and a new difficulty setting, while the classic version will combine the original 1997 version with the War of the Lions translation, while introducing features like auto saves.
Souls-like fans can experience the rise of a Shogun in Nioh 3 , the upcoming sequel to Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja's dark samurai action RPG series, which now features intense battles with man and Yokai alike, utilising two distinct combat styles, Samurai and Ninja. The game's Alpha Demo is also out now on the PlayStation store, so eager fans can hop in and experience the action while they wait for the game's 2026 release.
It might not be the big gameplay reveal fans were hoping for, but rather a teaser of a teaser, as Sony has announced a dedicated Ghost of Yōtei State of Play coming in July 2025, with the upcoming showcase focused entirely on Sucker Punch's next open-world Samurai adventure, with 'an extended look at new and evolved gameplay mechanics'.
Konami's stealth-action remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater , has landed a brief but action-packed gameplay trailer ahead of its launch on 28 August 2025, offering not only glimpses of its reimagined stealth and combat, but also a cheeky nod to Japan Studio's classic video game Ape Escape with its revamped Snake vs. Monkey minigame, with a mysterious hint at the end of more to come.
After its last appearance in 2023, Capcom's newest IP, Pragmata , has returned with a new gameplay trailer, showing off its 'two-in-one twist of action and strategy', where players will control both of its two protagonists, Hugh and Diana, simultaneously. More details on how this will actually work will likely come closer to the game's newly announced 2026 release window.
Grasshopper Manufacture, the minds behind action hack-and-slash games like No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw , have revealed their latest action title, Romeo Is a Dead Man , with a wild gameplay trailer showcasing on-brand levels of absurdity and gore, with the title heading to the PS5 in 2026.
Set years before the events of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night , Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is a 2.5D side-scrolling action RPG headed to PS5 in 2026, centred around Leo and the fearless Black Wolves as they prepare to storm the cursed Ethereal Castle and confront the rising darkness.
As the latest instalment in the Digimon Story series, Digimon Story Time Stranger is set for release on 3 October 2025 and will feature a story spanning both the human and Digital worlds, with players embodying the role of an agent as they collect and raise an array of Digimon to fight in turn-based battles.
It's all about putting one foot in front of the other… literally. Baby Steps, a comedic third-person platformer in the vein of Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy , lets players take on the role of Nate, an unemployed bum who discovers the greatest power of them all, walking. Struggle with the most simple of movements when the game launches on 8 September 2025.
Inspired by the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, origami, Hirogami is a 3D action platformer launching on 3 September 2025 featuring a fan-wielding 'folding' master Hiro, who can take on various paper animal forms as he embarks on a mystical journey to save his home from deadly digital invaders.
Hailing from the team behind the souls-like side-scroller Blasphemous , Koei Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings an old-school arcade twist to the acclaimed Ninja Gaiden series when it launches on 31 July 2025.
Survival climber Cairn is heading to the PS5 on 5 November 2025, and players can try their hands at its unforgiving heights as a demo is also available on the PlayStation Store, offering a preview of its Tenzen mountain ridge segment.
From the acclaimed retro restoration team Digital Eclipse, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection marks the definitive historical archive of the franchise's origins and featuring over 20 different versions of the games across arcade, console, and handheld platforms, all faithfully restored for the modern generation when it releases for the PS4 and PS5 in 2025.
Sony has unveiled its Project Defiant wireless fight stick, featuring ultra-low latency wireless and wired play options alongside an ergonomic design for all fighting game lovers out there. More details on the gaming peripheral are still forthcoming, such as detailed technical specifications and its official product name.
Thief is back, and this time, things are about to get extra immersive, as the next game in the legendary stealth franchise, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow , reimagines the game as a VR-only title, allowing players to live out their ultimate thieving fantasies like pickpocketing guards, picking locks and searching for secret compartments to hidden treasures when the game launches later this year for the PlayStation VR2.
Tides of Tomorrow is set to reimagine multiplayer game storytelling when it launches on 24 February 2026, featuring a unique 'following' gameplay system, where players can choose to follow the storylines of other players, dealing with their choices and consequences along the way.
Sea of Remnants is an upcoming free-to-play 'voyage-themed' RPG featuring elements of survival, base-building and ocean exploration supplemented by its wood mannequin-esque character design and turn-based combat, due for release sometime in 2026.
Abzu and The Pathless developer Giant Squid has announced their next title, Sword of the Sea , heading to the PS5 and the PlayStation Plus catalogue on 19 August 2025. Players can expect more of the same awe-inspiring visuals from the renowned artist behind Journey , in an atmospheric surfing adventure to mend a barren world.
It's time to par-tee, as Bandai Namco and Hyde's Everybody's Golf Hot Shots expands the long-running golfing series with a cast of new and unique characters, including video gaming icon Pac-Man. Launching on 5 September 2025, the game includes courses from 10 different regions around the world with varying weather conditions and times of day.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
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Geek Culture
8 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Predator: Killer of Killers
There's no denying how much of an impact the Predator franchise has left on the monster movie genre, evolving from its humble beginnings in 1987 with a relatively straightforward, almost slasher movie-like premise, to a massively successful series of films spanning time, space and even crossing over to another franchise, pitting man against monster across Earth and beyond. Still, there was a space that even the titular apex hunter had yet to conquer – the animated one – or at least until now, as the franchise's latest outing, Predator: Killer of Killers , not only aims to break new ground in the field of animated films, but to also bundle three stories into one with its ambitious anthology format, featuring different Predators on the hunt across three periods of human history. But as with its predecessors, it's the humans and not the alien hunters who continue to take centre stage, as the ugly creatures remain mostly cloaked and in the shadows across the film's three short story segments: The Shield sees a Viking raiding party led by Ursa and her son Anders taking revenge on an opposing faction led by Zorun, a brutal warlord responsible for the death of the shield-maiden's father; The Sword focuses on a pair of brothers in feudal Japan forced to go against each other after a childhood betrayal; and The Bullet, which follows an aspiring pilot during World War II as his squadron encounters something in the sky far deadlier than the German Luftwaffe. Despite literally being in the title of the show and placed front and centre in promotional material, each Predator variant across the three chapters is mostly left on the sidelines, delegated until the closing minutes of its associated story for the big reveal and final showdown. Granted, the little screentime given to each hunter is certainly impactful, as not only do each Predator look intimidating in their own right, but each also fits nicely into their respective timelines. Take the Vikings' Predator, for example, a massive, muscle-bound brute that leaves viewers questioning how it could have even kept to the shadows in the first place, decked out in appropriately low-tech weaponry (for a Predator, at least), armed with a single hand-cranked shockwave device in place of its missing right arm. There is still advanced equipment used by the creature, but the story focuses more on the ancient fight, as the Viking age brings the franchise the furthest back the series has gone, since its 1719 setting in 2022's Prey . This same level of culturally appropriate detail extends to the two other hunters as well, with the Japan-era Predator equipped with all the stealth-centric tools fitting of a ninja during the time period, or the technologically advanced spaceship which stalks the skies of World War II, leading to an intense chapter set almost exclusively in the air. That being said, with the majority of each chapter focuses on the story of human conflict, the film ultimately falls victim to its own ambitions, as by cramming three stories into a short 90-minute runtime, the speedy pace of each means that there simply isn't enough time for audiences to develop any sort of emotional attachment to the newly introduced characters. To put it another way, it's tough to truly grasp the Viking Ursa's pain and anger when the backstory of her father's death lasts no longer than five minutes, or the sting of a brother's betrayal when their shared relationship is only depicted on-screen via a short montage. Frankly, the movie would have benefited more if it had been spread across more fleshed-out episodes as a miniseries instead. Granted, when the action does kick in, it's truly a sight to behold, with decapitations, dismemberments, and disembowelment alike as the Predator makes quick and gory work of almost all who stand in its way, supplemented by a fluid stepped animation style similar to that seen in the recent Spider-verse films from Sony's Spider-Man series. Still, it's simultaneously satisfying yet disappointing to see what is supposedly the world's greatest hunters get outsmarted by a bunch of mere humans, although, as the film's title so aptly puts it, it takes a killer to kill a killer. Yet, amidst all the glorious animated bloodshed occurring on screen, one can't help but wonder how much more epic the action would look if the film were made in live-action instead. As impressive as the film's animated scenes are, it can't emulate the same visceral feel of seeing actual blood and guts (or at least, CGI-ed ones) pouring out of an unfortunate soul as they scream in agony. And for a franchise so rooted in graphic violence, the shift to animation, while offering a new perspective, does unfortunately present a step down in terms of its thrill-factor. Despite its missteps and missed opportunities, it's still heartening to see an almost 40-year-old franchise continuing to take risks to freshen up the monster movie formula. With its comparatively 'family-friendlier' visual style that's more accessible while still retaining on-brand amounts of violence, along with some interesting nods along the way to other shows in the franchise, Predator: Killer of Killers serves as a commendable starting point for those looking to dip their toes into the franchise, while still offering something refreshing for long time series veterans, just don't expect its move to animation to blow anyone's minds, well, apart from some of the unfortunate on-screen victims. So what's the point of this film? Aside from bringing audiences a closer look at the various Predators across time, look out for a blink and you'll miss it cameo from a franchise favourite character. Given Trachtenberg's larger involvement in the franchise, with his live-action Predator: Badlands out later this year, this could jolly well be his attempt at bringing back a prey he has an affinity for. Summary Predator: Killer of Killers pits man against monster in the yet-to-be-conquered animation space, and while there are no true winners, the film itself included, it's always something special when a franchise chooses to break convention and try something new, no matter the success of the final result. Story - 7/10 Direction - 7.5/10 Characterisation - 6.5/10 Geek Satisfaction - 7/10 Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Disney+ Predator Predator Killer of Killers Review
Geek Culture
8 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Zenless Zone Zero: All You Need To Know About The Version 2.0 Update
It's been a year since Zenless Zone Zero turned heads with flashy, fast-paced combat inspired by Street Fighter , snazzy character designs, and an intriguing post-apocalyptic story, and the urban fantasy world has grown a fair bit since. From exploring the starting district of Sixth Street to finding allies in the Cunning Hares, Belobog Heavy Industries, and Victoria Housekeeping Co., players have crossed paths with more characters from other factions as the story progressed, which also saw some tweaks to the formula – most notably, the total overhaul of the game's TV Mode in Update 1.2. Coinciding with the game's first anniversary, Version 2.0 promises to be a significant patch that offers a wealth of new content, including a continuation of the overarching narrative, a new S-rank agent, a new map area, various quality-of-life improvements, and more. This time, Proxies will be whisked away to a fresh part of New Eridu called Waifi Peninsula, where an encounter with High Preceptor Yixuan awaits. Here's what to expect from the next checkpoint in their journey. Following the conclusion of the first chapter in Phaethon's story, the 2.0 update turns the spotlight away from Janus Quarter to Throne Quarter's Waifei Peninsula, situated near the dangerous Lemnian Hollow. The former Hollow monitoring outpost is valued for its abundance of Porcelume, an Ether Corruption-resistant material that drives the mining industry. Between the capitalistic ways of the TOP Alliance leadership and the abuse of Porcelume by Hollow-worshipping Exaltist cultists, who contain its power deep underground, the locale faces the looming threat of a disaster. Yixuan, one of the new central figures, enlists the player's help to uncover a conspiracy involving faction conflicts in the main quest, 'Where Clouds Embrace the Dawn', as Sarah's plans and the secrets of the Phaethon siblings unravel on the side. Waifei Peninsula is home to several key locations in Version 2.0: Failume Heights, a bustling cliffside city with plenty of sun, sea, and good food; Suibian Temple, the rest zone where the Proxy undergoes their training with Yixuan and her disciple, Ju Fufu; and Aerospace City, the site of the Porcelume mining operation in Lemnian Hollow. The introduction of Suibian Temple, now a shadow of its former glory, adds a new management element to the core gameplay. As part of the restoration process, players have to craft items for sale, send Bangboo out to explore and adventure, and upgrade their Management Level. Doing so grants various rewards, including exclusive Proxy outfits and accessories. Elsewhere, Aerospace City brings new exploration and combat mechanics. Fissure Beacons allow for teleportation to specific locations, while Perception Techniques – comprising Disintegration, Revelation, and Insight – are used to identify hidden paths, highlight specific items, or break Miasma Tumours in rapid succession. There's also Marcel Files, where Star Anchor Data is collected by controlling Eous, who gains a new hammer attack that can break objects and trigger special mechanisms, as well as Ether Tuning, requiring a ball to pass through all the control points on a curve. Speaking of Miasma, some enemies in Lemnian Hollow inflict Miasma Corruption upon landing a strike to build up Miasma Containment, denoted by a pink-coloured bar at the bottom of the screen. When it reaches the threshold, all agents in the team receive damage based on a percentage of their current HP, with some enemy skills generating a special substance called Miasma Pool, causing additional effects. More powerful foes can also activate the Miasmic Field and gain a Miasmic Shield, but don't forget to keep an eye out for the Exalting Hymnist in Twilight state, who will continue summoning Ethereal beings from Miasma creatures until defeated. Taking centrestage in Season 2 of Zenless Zone Zero is the faction of Yunkui Summit, led by Yixuan. The yellow-caped Wayfarer is joined by Ju Fufu and Pan Yinhu, stepping into the main story alongside another new faction: Angels of Delusion. First teased pre-launch, the virtual idol group currently has three known members and shares a connection with Astra Yao. The Defense Force's Obol Squad will join in on the action, marking the return of Soldier 11 and Trigger. Phase 1 kicks off with Yixuan, who carries the Auric Ink attribute and Rupture specialty. Her channel, titled 'Lonely Wayfarer Beyond', runs till 25 June alongside the rerun for Astra Yao (Ether, Support), with increased rates for A-Rank agents Pan Yihu (Physical, Defense) and Pulchra Fellini (Physical, Stun). The full lowdown of Yixuan's kit is as follows: Basic Attack: Cirrus Strike (tap) – Perform up to five attacks forward, dealing Auric Ink damage. This skill's Anti-Interrupt Level increases during the 3rd and 4th hit. – Perform up to five attacks forward, dealing Auric Ink damage. This skill's Anti-Interrupt Level increases during the 3rd and 4th hit. Basic Attack: Ink – Veil Cloud Coalescence (hold) – Deploy a Grand Tai Chi Formation, dealing Auric Ink damage. When the skill ends, automatically launch the 5th hit of Basic Attack: Cirrus Strike. – Deploy a Grand Tai Chi Formation, dealing Auric Ink damage. When the skill ends, automatically launch the 5th hit of Basic Attack: Cirrus Strike. Basic Attack: Auric Attack – With Auric Ink Point, activate Dodge: Nimbus Step, then tap or hold for the basic attack, which deploys an array that continuously deals Auric Ink damage. When the skill ends, it automatically triggers Basic Attack: Qingming Eruption. – With Auric Ink Point, activate Dodge: Nimbus Step, then tap or hold for the basic attack, which deploys an array that continuously deals Auric Ink damage. When the skill ends, it automatically triggers Basic Attack: Qingming Eruption. Basic Attack: Qingming Eruption – Spreads her wings to launch an explosive attack, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. – Spreads her wings to launch an explosive attack, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Dodge: Nimbus Step – Enter a high-speed Light as Air state. When activated in Investigation Zone Mode, automatically collect from all resource pickup points within range. While in the Light as Air state, use the joystick to steer and release to stop. Character is invulnerable at the moment this skill activates. – Enter a high-speed Light as Air state. When activated in Investigation Zone Mode, automatically collect from all resource pickup points within range. While in the Light as Air state, use the joystick to steer and release to stop. Character is invulnerable at the moment this skill activates. Dodge Counter: Banishing Blow – Launch a series of attacks on enemies ahead, dealing Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. – Launch a series of attacks on enemies ahead, dealing Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Defensive Assist: Clear Sky Surge – Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. – Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Special Attack: Shadow-Ignition – Swiftly retreat, then attack forward, dealing Auric Ink damage. While retreating, a Perfect Dodge can be triggered, but cannot be followed up with a Dodge Counter. Anti-Interrupt Level is increased while using this skill. – Swiftly retreat, then attack forward, dealing Auric Ink damage. While retreating, a Perfect Dodge can be triggered, but cannot be followed up with a Dodge Counter. Anti-Interrupt Level is increased while using this skill. EX Special Attack: Ink Manifestation (condensed) – Charge continuously, and release key to launch an upward wing attack, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. While charging, incoming attacks are automatically blocked and will activate the upward wing attack. – Charge continuously, and release key to launch an upward wing attack, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. While charging, incoming attacks are automatically blocked and will activate the upward wing attack. EX Special Attack: Cloud-Shaper – Continuously charge up, channelling energy around enemies to deal damage over time, up to a max of 2s, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. Once fully charged or if interrupted, automatically trigger EX Special Attack: Ashen Ink Becomes Shadow. At the moment the skill is activated, a Perfect Dodge can be triggered. After the Perfect Dodge, enter the Vital View state. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Continuously charge up, channelling energy around enemies to deal damage over time, up to a max of 2s, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. Once fully charged or if interrupted, automatically trigger EX Special Attack: Ashen Ink Becomes Shadow. At the moment the skill is activated, a Perfect Dodge can be triggered. After the Perfect Dodge, enter the Vital View state. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. EX Special Attack: Ashen Ink Becomes Shadow – When the energy orb appears and contracts, it deals Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. – When the energy orb appears and contracts, it deals Auric Ink damage. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Ultimate: Qingming Skyshade – Launch a barrage of wing attacks, then guide countless talismans to attack, dealing massive Auric Ink damage. Upon activating this skill, Yixuan evenly redistributes the squad's HP. Phase 2 spotlights Ju Fufu, an S-rank agent with Fire and Stun alignment. Caesar King (Physical, Defense) is due for a rerun during this window, with A-rankers Ben Bigger (Fire, Defense) and Corin Wickes (Physical, Attack) enjoying a drop-rate boost. Corresponding with the above runs are the first phase of W-Engine rollouts Qingming Birdcage and Elegant Vanity, designed exclusively for Yixuan and Astra Yao, respectively. Phase 2 features Roaring Fur-nance and Tusks of Fury, optimised for Ju Fufu and Caesar. The Rupture effect tagged to Qingming Birdcage reads: 'Crit Rate increases 20%. When the equipper launches an EX Special Attack, the character gains the Qingming Companion effect, stacking up to 2 times and lasting 15s. On entering combat, immediately gain 2 stacks. Repeated triggers reset the duration. Each stack of the Qingming Companion effect increases the equipper's Ether DMG by 8% and increases Ultimate or EX Special Attack Ether Sheer DMG by 10%.' Other new W-Engines include Tremor Trigram Vessel (A-rank Defense), Radiowave Journey (A-rank Rupture), Puzzle Sphere (A-rank Rupture), Reel Projector (A-rank Defense), and [Cinder] Cobalt (B-Rank Rupture). Belion is the newest addition to the S-Rank Bangboo roster in Version 2.0. Taking after Chinese guardian lions, the Yunkui Summit member will be a permanent fixture in Signal Search, aligned to the Physical attribute. The robot's active skill, Phoenix Ball Dance, hurls a stone ball at the enemy that bounces between them, dealing massive Physical damage to all enemies hit. When there are two or more Yunkui Summit characters in the player's squad, the Way of Clouds additional ability increases Belion's damage by 25 percent, and reduces the cooldown of its Active Skill by four seconds upon the activation of an agent's Ultimate. Lastly, Silver Lion Crash sees Belion performing a spinning, ramming attack on enemies ahead that inflicts massive Physical damage. Additionally, players can expect new cosmetics for Yixuan, Belle, and Wise. While Yixuan's Trails of Ink outfit is only purchasable from the in-game store, the latter two can be obtained for free after completing specific commissions in Where Clouds Embrace the Dawn. Rounding out the Version 2.0 experience is a series of new events, scenarios, alternate game modes, and more. Festival Channel is an anniversary special that rewards players with their choice of a standard S-rank agent and W-Engine, on top of 1,600 Polychromes and an exclusive title and avatar, while the Legend of the Tiger Warrior agent story reveals more about Ju Fufu. Alongside check-in bonuses, other notable highlights include Failume Heights Sightseeing Guide, Gravitational Attraction, Soul of Steel: Golden Bond, Holographic Onslaught Arena, Operation Yum, Golden Proxy Awards: Annual Ceremony, Hollow Zero: Phantom Paths, Hollow Zero: Lost Void, and triple yield for Combat Training and Special Cleanup. Version 2.0 was previously touted as 'a significant update and milestone moment' during its dedicated deep-dive livestream, and the content array is certainly proof of that. With major lore drops, new areas and characters to explore, and a slew of quality-of-life changes, Zenless Zone Zero is starting its second year on a strong note. Happy anniversary, fellow Proxies! Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.0 is now available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Android, and iOS. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. HoYoverse mihoyo Version 2.0 zenless zone zero
Geek Culture
8 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Logitech G522 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset — Review
Young gamers may focus on a good keyboard and mouse for their gaming set-up, but it's the pro players who understand that a pair of solid headphones also forms part of a formidable arsenal against others. From audio quality that can make the difference between victory and defeat, to the comfort and weight that affects players and their well-being, and of course, a crystal clear microphone pivotal in communicating strategies and crucial callouts, there's more to a set of headphones than one might think. The Logitech G552 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset ticks off all the boxes, though, giving players a competitive edge from a company that has been playing the hardware game for quite a while. Keeping in line with the brand's minimalist and sleek design, the G552 Lightspeed sports a matte black headband and earcups that, in the vein of gaming, sports a healthy dose of RGB along the outline of where the band meets the earcups, with colours and effects that can be customised within the Logitech G HUB application. The memory foam earcups come wrapped in a soft mesh fabric that elevates comfort levels further, and this solid addition to Logitech's award-winning G5 series of gaming peripherals comes fitted with a comfortable adjustable fabric band that comes with two slots that can be used to accommodate the various head sizes of users. What makes the Logitech G522 Lightspeed stand out is how lightweight it is, at 290g, making it feel almost featherlight on the head. While it may not be as light as the Logitech G435, at 165g, this headset doesn't weigh your head down even after 10 hours of constant use. Combined with its light headband pressure that keeps the G552 Lightspeed in place, the unit has become our go-to headphones for long days at work and participating in the preservation of freedom across a variety of gaming titles. With up to 70 hours of battery life without the use of its RGB lighting and 30 hours with its default lighting turned on. It also has a 30-metre range that keeps you connected even as you roam around the home and away from your PC, as the unit offers you extensive portability and connectivity. The controls are located at the rear of the left earcup, with a small bump to guide and orient your fingers. The closest control is the volume wheel located right next to the bump, alongside the Bluetooth and Power buttons, while located below the volume wheel is a textured microphone mute button, as well as a USB-C port for charging and for updating the headphone's firmware. Despite its gaming pedigree, the headphones can only be used with the PlayStation 5, PC and mobile devices via wireless connection with the provided LIGHTSPEED dongle or Bluetooth, or via a wired USB connection with the included USB-A to USB-C cable. There is a 3.5mm jack, but it is solely reserved for its removable and adjustable full bandwidth 48kHz 16-bit omnidirectional microphone, placed in a trapezoid port at the front of the left earcup. However, the fear is that the microphone feels elastic, so users may overestimate the angle at which it maxes out before getting damaged. This means a conservative amount of force is recommended while manipulating it. The quality of the audio output is impressive for an attached microphone, so if you don't have a dedicated microphone, you can rely on it. Still, the lack of a dedicated 3.5mm audio jack, especially with plenty of real estate on the unit, seems like a wasted opportunity, especially if owners were to misplace their wireless dongle, damage the USB-C port or have the Bluetooth option simply refuse to work. Its design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, though customers may have a gripe with how it has a mostly plastic build, which gives rise to questions as to how durable this pair of S$239 headset costs. Thankfully, the headphones are as sturdy as they are flexible, so only an inordinate amount of force could damage them. It also does away with the classic hinge at the earcups most gaming headsets are designed around, eliminating another concern for points susceptible to wear and tear. The plastic itself is made from 27 percent post-consumer plastic (PCR) and comes in all-paper packaging, displaying Logitech's efforts in reducing environmental impact. When it comes to audio quality, the 40mm PRO G graphene drivers housed in Self-Contained Audio Modules work well, until you realise that the unfortunate acronym – S.C.A.M – seems counterintuitive, only made funnier with the knowledge that Logitech is actually aware of it. The drivers do a great job of delivering great bass and decent trebles within their SCAM housing, ensuring that the drivers do not run into any interference with other modules within the earcups. Beyond games, the headset works wonderfully with music, as listening to the jazz rendition of 'I Am Better Off' by Wildson brought forth the singer's warm and mellow solo vocals, with the bass from the full band accompaniment cutting nicely through the various percussion instruments, supported by the rounded piano music. How this translates to your gaming experience is that gunshots ring true while shotgun blasts pack a nice kick. Players can hear the rumble from a tank coursing through a field, providing covering fire in a game like Squad , and be comforted by the sound of the turret adjusting its angle and sending a High Explosive round to its target. The G552 offers a wide soundstage that helps with properly identifying the spatial nuances in-game, setting it up for some accurate imaging. It is also accurate enough, as we were able to pick up the directions where sounds are coming from, which is important for players to know if the source of audio cues is at level with the player or at an elevation. Imagine playing tactical games like Rainbow Six Siege X , where audio cues from around the buildings become the best form of intel for what is coming at you. The Logitech G Hub Application allows you to change up the EQ on the unit, and through the Blue VO!CE option, players are able to tweak how their voice sounds through the microphone, from emulating an FM radio, to offering a variety of options to adjust, to get the sound you'd want others to hear. One noticeable improvement over its predecessors is the larger earcups that make it suitable for folks sporting glasses or earrings, but more importantly, also give your ears more real estate to breathe, instead of having them clamped in and soaking up sweat from long hours of gaming. Thankfully, the earcups, with their breathable fabric, stay cool after long hours of usage. There is one drawback to the G522 LIGHTSPEED headset, however, which is that it lacks simultaneous Bluetooth. What this means is that both the dongle and Bluetooth cannot be used at the same time, so users won't be able to stay connected to the phone while maintaining its connection to a device using the dongle, and would have to manually switch between devices. All in all, these points of contention are mostly quelled by how solid the performance of the headphones is, from the quality of the microphone, its great sounding audio and comfortable overall design. The G552 LIGHTSPEED is the best gaming headset in its price range, offering so much value compared to other pricier options. This headset is an excellent pick for anyone looking for an upgrade. Summary The epitome of form and function that delivers in almost every department. Lightweight, superbly comfortable, great-sounding audio and an amazing microphone to boot make this the benchmark for gaming headsets. No frills, only pure performance. 9.3/10 Aesthetics - 9/10 Build Quality - 8/10 Performance - 10/10 Value - 10/10 Geek Satisfaction - 9.5/10 Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.
