Gaming

Horizon Forbidden West Review: Back to save us from machines

Aloy continues her journey to the west

Published

February 15, 2022

GadgetMatch

The much-awaited Horizon sequel is here and, right off the bat, we’re telling you that it’s all worth the wait. Guerilla Games’ Horizon Forbidden West is the latest must-play AAA title for every current and last-gen PlayStation owner.

If you haven’t played Horizon Zero Dawn, you should start playing now. It’s a fantastic PlayStation exclusive and with Forbidden West already on the horizon (pun intended), you’re gonna need to catch up.

Warning: Slight spoilers ahead!

Horizon Forbidden West is set six months after the end of Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy is again faced with a new threat to the planet and must head… west. This means we get to see more of Horizon’s dystopian future where tribes rule and animals are machines.

The game’s timeline is one of the most impressive things about it. As a suckers for anything tech with a twist, we got sucked into it. Open world games usually get boring after a while and you kinda get tired of exploring every corner, but not Horizon and definitely not in the forbidden west.

This game is meant to be played on the PS5

We played Forbidden West on the PS5 in Performance Mode which provides smooth 60fps gaming albeit not at its sharpest state. If you want to see Aloy’s world in absolute sharpness, there’s the Resolution Mode for native 4K rendering but it runs at 30fps only.

We tried both during the prologue and our eyes got spoiled with the game’s higher framerate option. Naturally, we went on and played in Performance Mode throughout. Good thing the drop in pixel clarity is minor and it’s only noticeable when you look for it.

Since we’re already talking about visuals, let’s get right into the graphics of the game. In one word: stunning. Zero Dawn is one of the best-looking games for the PS4 and Forbidden West is the most visually pleasing PS5 game to date!

Forbidden West runs on Decima — Guerilla Games’ proprietary game engine. The folks there truly know how to get the best quality out of it. The level of detail in Forbidden West is top-notch; it feels like a cinematic animated action movie rendered in real-time.

We don’t have the exact words to describe how visually stunning this game is, so we’ll let these screengrabs do the “talking”:

I know, you might be thinking that it looks similar to Zero Dawn, which we agree with to some extent. However, everything is 200% better!

The foliage, the facial and body features, the landscape, the machines, and the whole world of Horizon got the solid visual upgrade it deserves.

The most noticeable visual enhancement can be seen in the character models. The fine details of the outfits, the body hairs, and the sheen on the face — especially with the face paints.

Lore worthy of its own series

Horizon, if it’s a show, is definitely something that we would watch on the TV and even on the big screen should there be an adaptation. Although, to play and be the character in the game is probably the best way to experience the lore.

The unique setting in the future is a core strength of this game and we live for it. What we’re not living for is the premise of Forbidden West: Aloy, like any protagonist especially if a hero, is out to save the world again. That was also her main goal in the first installment and sadly, she didn’t exactly save the world.

During the prologue, there’s not much to get excited about but as you progress in the Forbidden West, there are twists and turns. And that’s where things get exciting.

Forbidden West

Aloy brings her friends to the forbidden west and along the way, she will also meet new characters. There are a lot of characters to talk to in the game, a few will stand out, and, like in the first installment, they will joim you in the final battle.

If there are friends, there are also enemies lurking around the map. Not just new machines, but also rebels that’ll fight you to death and they make exploration much more interesting.

As Aloy, you’re the key to almost everything that’s happening in the world and all the inaccessible places in the forbidden west. That’s why you have a lot to explore while you’re completing the main story or even after it.

The tribes of Forbidden West are more worthy of your time than Zero Dawn’s, which means you have a lot of exploring to do.

Riding the machines is always fun, particularly when you’re already able to override a flying machine. The new map is slightly bigger or just about the same, but the main storyline and the side quests complement each other resulting in a game that runs like a well-oiled machine.

What’s it like to be Aloy again?

It’s been nearly 5 years since we first played as Aloy, and if you’ve clocked in a number of hours in Zero Dawn, you’re going to be very familiar with how Aloy moves and fights in the wild.

Aside from Aloy’s updated character model, she also learned a few new tricks plus weapons to use. While the bow and arrow are still Aloy’s signature, don’t be afraid to use what’s in your arsenal.

Aloy’s spear can now do better melee attacks (with combos!). Plus, there are explosive spears and launchers to spice up combats. Don’t forget that tall grasses are your best friend throughout the map. There are a lot of ways to fight beastly machines and bloodthirsty rebels.

Aloy’s skills can be upgraded and you have the freedom to choose whichever type of Aloy you want to have. Be sure to plan your skill tree — which has been expanded from four to six — based on how you want to progress in the game. Your playstyle will be important as you get deeper into the forbidden west.

Is it perfect? Nearly.

Yes, obviously, we love Horizon Forbidden West. It’s a well-written, technically polished title that will most likely be another hit for PlayStation. With the game coming to both PS4 and PS5, both generations of consoles have the chance to enjoy Guerilla’s newest masterpiece.

The game might feel familiar to those who have played Zero Dawn. Some might even say it brings nothing new to the table, and that’s okay. I’m not expecting a brand new game; it doesn’t need a new approach in its series like God Of War (2018). We expected Forbidden West to continue Zero Dawn much like how we expect a second season from a beloved TV show — to give us more of what we loved about it.

Horizon Forbidden West is a PlayStation Exclusive and will officially be out on February 18.

Gaming

Now Playing: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Nostalgia does a lot of heavy lifting.

Published

August 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Like any millennial, I love a good dose of nostalgia. These days, however, nostalgia is no longer a scarce resource. Remakes and reboots abound, the entertainment world heavily seesaws between all the franchises that made our child- and teenagerhood so fun. Today, the ever-spinning roulette lands on Assassin’s Creed Black Flag.

Launched not too long ago, the original Black Flag was a pirate life simulator disguised as an Assassin’s Creed game. It was a refreshing breath of fresh air for the series coming after the controversial ending of Desmond Miles’ arc. Unsurprisingly, the game is still the most universally lauded entry in the entire franchise. So, if you ignore how recently it came out, Black Flag makes sense as the first Assassin’s Creed to ever get a remake.

But do we actually need this much nostalgia?

New clothes for the original

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced plays like a dream. It’s the original game but with updated graphics and combat.

Now, the original game still plays very smoothly today. I’d even hazard that the original graphics are still serviceable today, albeit tinged with a tiny bit of datedness. Basically, if I boot up my copy of the original, there’s a very good chance that I’d still find it perfectly modern.

That said, Black Flag Resynced has amazing graphics. There’s a clear difference that elevates the original to heights that put it at par with the newer games. Parkour and combat are also smoother. If you’ve played Shadows or Valhalla, Black Flag Resynced is easy to pick up (or pick up again, for most of you).

There are a few additions, including story content for some characters or even entirely new ones introduced. To be honest, I don’t think they add a lot to the experience, but the additions aren’t bad things at least.

The real meat comes from the tinier quality-of-life changes added to the overall game. For example, those pesky trailing missions are now gone. Stealth is better. Finally, that terrible modern-day storyline was completely removed.

It’s fair to say that Black Flag Resynced is a better version of the game than its original. But, again, is that really enough to warrant buying a new and even more expensive version of a game you bought long ago?

The problem with nostalgia

Earlier this year, I played Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, a remake of the eponymous game from the Yakuza franchise. Though the new version had a substantial expansion bundled inside, it was essentially a trip down memory lane clothed in a “new” skin.

Yes, the nostalgia is largely effective. But after a while, the doubt crept in: It’s just a reskin with some new content. Worse, the reskin is a coat of paint that the series has been using for so many years now.

Black Flag Resynced starts to feel the same. Eventually, the appeal of playing a beloved game runs out, especially since it’s a game that hasn’t been out long enough to develop a more intense form of longing. As such, there’s a bigger burden for it to prove why it should exist.

It’s a hard sell. The original game is just much too recent. In fact, it still holds up well today, despite some inconveniences. The new version is, like Yakuza Kiwami 3, mostly translating the game into a modern system familiar to modern players. But it’s a system that hasn’t really changed much over the years. With another game following the same format, it’s all blending into a homogenous soup.

The Assassin’s Creed franchise needs a reinvention. Though the previous Shadows fulfilled a generational wish to bring the series to feudal Japan, it was just another Assassin’s Creed game but with two protagonists. It’s the same thing with Black Flag Resynced, just another Assassin’s Creed game but with better graphics (and ship combat).

Nostalgia is doing a lot of heavy lifting in Black Flag Resynced. The game isn’t really a reinvention, and if you’ve played the newer titles recently, nostalgia might not be enough.

Is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced your GameMatch?

If you’ve played the original and just want to experience the same game on a modern system, then Black Flag Resynced is perfect for you. It’s the same enjoyable experience with a bundle of small quality-of-life improvements.

However, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. If you’re tired of the same old Assassin’s Creed formula, the remake probably won’t do much for you, either.

Gaming

Kingdom Hearts IV is coming in late 2027

The announcement came during D23

Published

August 17, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

SQUARE ENIX and Disney & Pixar Games have confirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV will release in late 2027.

The announcement came during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026. A new trailer also debuted during the Disney Entertainment Showcase, revealing a new in-game world inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco.

The trailer was later shown in an extended version during a D23 panel celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary.

Sora returns to Quadratum

Kingdom Hearts IV continues Sora’s journey through the mysterious city of Quadratum. The city has been overrun by dark creatures known as the Heartless.

Sora will once again travel through worlds inspired by Disney and Pixar. Along the way, he will encounter new characters and gain new powers.

The latest trailer also confirms the return of Donald Duck and Goofy. Players will be able to take control of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as they search for Sora.

The new trailer offers a closer look at the next chapter of the long-running action-RPG series.

An anime series is also in development

SQUARE ENIX and Disney also announced a new Kingdom Hearts anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+.

The series is currently in development in collaboration with series creator Tetsuya Nomura and the creative team at SQUARE ENIX. It is currently listed under the working title Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts celebrated its 25th anniversary with the D23 panel, which brought together members of the creative team and voice cast. The panel also explored how the franchise has brought together Disney, Pixar, and SQUARE ENIX over the years.

Kingdom Hearts IV will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in late 2027. The game is already available to wishlist.

The extended D23 trailer is available on YouTube.

Entertainment

Box office: Brand New Day set to surpass US$ 2 billion, drives Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 resurgence

Sony Pictures’ fourth Tom Holland feature film sets records

Published

August 13, 2026

GadgetMatch

The box office performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been nothing short of spectacular.

Sony Pictures’ fourth feature film featuring Tom Holland as the titular protagonist broke the domestic opening day record.

This feat narrowly beat the previous record set by another Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film in Avengers Endgame.

That strong opening continued in the next few weeks as Brand New Day became became the fastest to reach the US$ 500 million mark, breaching the milestone in just seven days, per LA Times.

The movie is already the highest grossing film of 2026, beating Toy Story 5.

Which such massive success so far, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is on pace to beat Avengers: Infinity War for worldwide total gross.

With over US$ 1.7 billion grossed in just two weeks, the film is projected to surpass any point between the US$ 2.1 billion to US$ 2.3 billion mark.

It will become only the eighth ever film to surpass that mark once it reaches at least US$ 2 billion.

The others are: Avatar (2009), Endgame (2019), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Ne Zha (2025), Titanic (1997), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Infinity War (2018).

However, Endgame still holds an advantage, thanks to its international launch in major markets. The epic conclusion to the MCU’s Infinity Saga grossed US$ 2.79 billion during its 2019 run. And you will have to adjust that value slightly due to inflation.

In the Philippines, a strong market, Brand New Day has just eclipsed the PhP 1 billion mark, which is roughly about US$ 17.2 billion.

For comparison, it will definitely surpass Infinity War at some point, while Endgame grossed PhP 1.8 billion total or about US$ 34.56 billion at the time.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 experiences resurgence

Moreover, the film’s success also triggered a transmedia halo effect with Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also experiencing a resurgence in sales and player engagement.

Per IGN citing Alinea Analytics, since the film’s release, the game sold over 300,000 more copies across PlayStation 5 and Steam within a two-week span.

This is the equivalent to over US$ 11 million in revenue for Sony and Insomniac Games.

Plus, for the first time since the title’s launch in 2023, it experienced more than one million daily active users.

A combination of movie hype plus some timely discounts contributed to the game’s resurgence, also proving that the Spider-Man franchise has always been one of the biggest and most relevant IPs of all time.