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fps

The Division 2 has got the mood

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moody storm in The Division 2

Ever since taking a break with Destiny 2 I’ve been missing having a “dick around” shooter. The Division 2 seemed like the perfect fit being featured in a recent Xbox sale – tons of exploration, solo viable, and plenty of legitimately new content to enjoy before hopping onto an inevitable hamster wheel. The Destiny 2 hamster wheel is fun, but things get stale without breaks.

I originally tried it out on PS4, and I’m almost positive it was a free PS Plus game at the time. The only problem is that it was closer to the peak of the pandemic frenzy so it played a little too close to home at the time what with the narrative setup of the game.

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Halo Infinite’s campaign looks modern in the best way possible

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halo infinite you're safe now

Halo has always had a certain flavor to the hype behind it. Most notable for me was the run up to Halo 3. Bungie enveloped my teenage mind with visions of expansive sci-fi settings and the ways in which I’d get lost in its multiplayer. Halo 3’s marketing was simply something to be felt. In many ways, it was also the peak of the Halo hype machine.

Each release of Halo has left its mark on my gaming career, but it’s also become murkier ever since the release of Halo Reach. I had my fill of over 100 hours with Bungie’s last hoorah, but 343’s entries never truly got their hooks in me. I didn’t feel the connection with my gut that earlier titles provided. Punctuated by the latest release of Halo Infinite’s campaign overview, this lapse in loyalty seems to finally be coming to an end. For the first time in years, it feels fantastic to be invested in the Halo franchise.

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Xbox Series X|S performance boosts are a clean slate for gaming

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xbox boost mode

The authenticity and fidelity of Red Dead Redemption 2 blew me away on the PS4. I had never experienced anything quite like it. Interwoven systems, emergent gameplay, idyllic landscapes – it felt like next-generation gaming had come a little early. But going back to it now, after buying an Xbox Series X, puts into perspective something that was sorely lacking at times on the PS4 and Xbox One – performance.

Microsoft’s newest console has been an utter treat in this department. Games new and old are performant and look incredible. This standard was touched on with the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, but not nearly to the extent that the Xbox Series X|S have cleaned up performance.

Not all games have gotten the next-gen treatment. But by and large I’ve never had as great of a time diving into a back catalog as I have with my Xbox Series X. New titles have only upped the ante of performance and visuals.

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PS4 essentials: can the PS4 run at 120 fps?

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how many hz

Each year it seems like there are a set of must have features across gaming. In 2021, that means high refresh rates, 8K support, and a slew of new ways to increase general fluidity.

If you’re someone looking to hop on the 120 fps bandwagon with your PS4, you’ll unfortunately have to wait until you lock down a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

No PS4 models support 120 fps both due to power and required spec of HDMI. It goes without saying that the PS4 also can’t handle 144 fps.

High refresh rates have only just now broken into the console space thanks to the bleeding edge tech found in the Xbox Series X and PS5.

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Display essentials: do monitors affect fps?

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from hz to fps

Despite TV manufacturers catering to gamers, monitors largely remain a much better option in terms of faster response times. New TVs offer features like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate, but monitors have offered much better latency for over a decade.

While not important to all players, lower latency and higher fps means more fluid gameplay and a greater level of control. For those playing first-person shooters and fighting games, a better response time can mean a competitive advantage over those playing on laggy displays or lower specced machines.

Just how do monitors affect fps?

Technically, monitors only affect fps indirectly. They’re responsible for the visible frame rate that a player will see, and it’s the reason why those with powerful machines opt for 144Hz displays.

No matter the in game fps, a 60Hz display will only ever output 60 fps.

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Does PS5 have DisplayPort?

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ps5 displayport

One of the best aspects of the continuing evolution of consoles has been the methodical shift towards bringing PC like functionality.

From genres previously exclusive to the PC to added tools, systems like the PS5 show that we’re long past the days of being relegated to a slim subset of features.

A side effect of these blurred lines has been the increased usage of PC monitors to game on systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Thankfully, this use case is as easy as ever and even more pronounced with added features to monitors such as HDR, high refresh rates, and increased resolutions.

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PS5 FPS: your guide to next-gen framerate

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ps5 fps

The next generation of consoles is right around the corner and with it are a whole host of new tech buzzwords. 8K, variable refresh rate, auto low latency, HDMI 2.1 – the list goes on and generally makes for a certifiably confusing time as a player.

One gameplay element that has heavily entrenched itself with the PS5 marketing machine as of the late is the attitude towards FPS and how it will play out over the coming years.

Both the technical advancements of HDMI 2.1 and the increase in computational power brought by the PlayStation 5 offer exciting possibilities in terms of framerate.

How is the game of FPS likely to pan out?

Read on for a comprehensive guide on recent developments and how they may affect gameplay fluidity.

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PS4 noise: why Sony’s console gets as loud as it does

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ps4 loud

There are few things in life that can break immersion like a noisy console. Unfortunately for Sony fans, the PS4 has plagued thousands of players with the infamous “jet engine” spectrum of sound.

Running into the issue of a rambunctious sounding console isn’t a guarantee, but it’s enough of a risk to do your homework in order to minimize the annoyance.

Whether you’re buying a PS4 for the first time, looking to upgrade, or quiet an existing console, there are a few things you can do make the noisiness less maddening.

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Enter New Light: playing (enjoying?) Destiny again

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destiny 2 dreaming city skybox

Through peaks and (deep) valleys, shrugging off the Destiny franchise in search of something more stable is something thousands have experienced. For me, it was the lackluster launch of Destiny 2 that instigated my longest break from the series.

The sheen was there, sure, but a lack of execution and bite sized content lead the iteration to the height of what can make the series so unrewarding. But as any toxic relationship goes, it was only inevitable that I crawl back.

I, and I’m sure many other series veterans, couldn’t help but fend off Bungie’s new free to play initiative (dubbed New Light). And while some of the fringed edges still remain, doing so has been a surprisingly positive experience.

Quite simply, the game is flush even for New Light players, and there’s plenty to sink you’re teeth into if you’re a lapsed player looking to play Destiny 2 again.

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The problem with mouse and keyboard on console

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the problem with mouse and keyboard on consoles

From the ability to flick to an overall enhanced sense of control, mouse and keyboard is undoubtedly the most efficient way to play shooters. And although relegated to PC in the past, the growth of shooters has helped the input bleed into the console space.

The result?

The slow but steady transition has turned what was once an even playing ground into endless mess of frustration, paranoia, and second guessing.

Hopefully, mouse and keyboard will eventually offer players seamless customization and choice, but for the time being its inclusion on the PS4 and Xbox One is nothing more than a nuisance.

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