Gaming

SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada looks promising and demanding

Survival of humanity through AI

Published

October 1, 2024

Gab Orlina

A world set in the future can mean two things. Either the world is about to achieve some level of utopia or is trying to survive a dystopia. With technological advancements coming in droves, humanity stands at the literal crossroad as survival is of utmost importance. Several games have tackled this concept in the past. They involved a little bit of artificial intelligence here and there.

One such addition to the plentiful list of games is SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada. It’s a techno-RPG set in a future Earth now overrun by a violent environment. Humans have been forced to retreat underground, and the only way to survive is by scavenging resources on dangerous surfaces. All of this would need to be achieved with a little help of technological advancements to combat the surroundings.

I got a chance to see what the game was about during its Closed Network Test. Safe to say, it’s a promising game with a lot of unique features that makes it stand out from other post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPGs out there.

An AI that has your back

As soon as the CNT started, you are greeted by the tutorial that introduces the Magus and your own CRADLECOFFIN. Admittedly, I was confused at first as to what they wanted you to do when it was just to look at three specific screens. After about 20 minutes, you’re off to explore the wonders of the world with your own Magus guiding you through.

Similar to any RPG, customization is the forefront of every early game task list. Luckily, SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada has a ton of that going around. The obvious one primarily revolves around your Magus. It can be and look any way you like — just not too offensive. For your own CRADLECOFFIN, I pretty much glossed over changing anything since the default design was all good.

Your Magus comes with its own set of skills. These are quite essential as you go through your excursions. Unfortunately, I only ever got to utilize the one that was unlocked at the start of the test. So, my experience with the rest is limited. However, these skills aid you when you’re in a pinch so you can’t go wrong with them.

The harshest environment on the planet

Part of the first few missions in the CNT was excavating the most important mineral for humanity’s survival: the AO Crystals. These are crucial in rebuilding and improving the settlement you’re residing in for the whole game. They are scattered all over the surface world. Fortunately, they’re pretty easy to spot through your Magus and extracted in a short amount of time. The only problem though is that, well, you got company up there

The first wave of enemies you’ll encounter are violent creatures known as Enders, and they’re everywhere and in every form. Once an Ender detects where you are, the fight is on as you will need your arsenal of weapons to stop them. Once you get past them, you will potentially need to deal with other players in the server that can beat you if you’re not prepared.

However, the biggest obstacle you have to face throughout your excursions is the rain. At several points in the day, much like in real life, it will rain and deal chip damage to your CRADLECOFFIN — which you can’t allow to happen. Good thing your Magus also gives you weather updates, but it effectively stops your progress too.

Every second counts when you’re out there

Remember the CRADLECOFFIN you’re in? Now, as it turns out, for every excursion you have, you only get about thirty minutes as indicated by the COFFIN’s battery life. This, in turn, makes every adventure into a time-based stage wherein you need to accomplish your tasks and make it to the exit point unscathed.

It is rather different compared to other survival RPGs in the sense that every move contributes to achieving your goals. Also, every resource is valuable. During the first few excursions, it’s not as demanding yet. You only really need the bare minimum resources. However, I have a feeling that the latter stages and tasks will require you to maximize the full 30-minute timer.

What I found that was great was that the only thing derailing you in each adventure is the rain, especially when excavating AO Crystals. You can start the process of the excavation and stop halfway through to deal with Enders or other players, and still come back to finish the job. It does make those tasks a lot easier and more manageable. However, they need to be accomplished before your battery runs out.

Survival of humanity has demanding stakes

SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada, however way you slice it, is simple in the beginning but demands a lot the longer you play. In a survival-type of an RPG, managing your time, resources, and ammunition is crucial in getting through all your tasks. With the environment not being in your favor in some cases, it can feel like a race against time.

In the limited time I got to play it within the CNT, however, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and battling enemies. Knowing that the tasks can be quite easy to accomplish, it doesn’t feel that big of an ask to deal with the obstacles right then and there. I know that’s only a taste of the full game, but there is a good reason to be excited!

Related Topics:Bandai Namco SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada

Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.

Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.

Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.

This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.

If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.

Gaming

BlizzCon 2026 announces World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

StarCraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and more also get news

Published

September 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

Blizzard Entertainment kicked off BlizzCon 2026 with a packed Opening Ceremony featuring new games, major expansions, updates, and other announcements across its biggest franchises.

Blizzard Entertainment President Johanna Faries opened the event at the Anaheim Convention Center, celebrating the community behind the company’s games and the teams that bring its worlds to life.

World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

The biggest announcement was World of Warcraft: Forever, a new World of Warcraft experience launching November 5 AEDT, with its beta beginning September 18 AEST. The new experience will feature three zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and a new Skyborne race.

Blizzard also officially announced Diablo V, marking the next era of the franchise. The game is set to launch in North America in Spring 2029, with Sanctuary having fallen and Diablo having won.

StarCraft is also returning with a new story-driven, open-world shooter. The game is currently planned for a Spring 2030 release in North America.

Beyond games, Blizzard revealed that an animated series set in the Diablo universe is in development with Netflix. The company says this is only the beginning of its plans to expand its universes beyond gaming.

For Warcraft III Reforged, the new Forsaken Kingdom campaign is available today. It marks the Warcraft RTS series’ first new storyline in more than 23 years and explores the fall of Lordaeron and the origins of the Undercity. The accompanying 3.0 update also brings graphical improvements and a revamped World Editor.

Heroes of the Storm is adding Xal’atath as its newest Hero. She arrives in the Nexus on September 29 AEST, with her PTR release scheduled for September 15 AEST.

Existing games updates

Meanwhile, Diablo IV is preparing for its next major content drop. Season of Hell’s Legacy begins September 16 AEST and celebrates the franchise’s 30-year history with the return of the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain, alongside themed rewards and gear.

The legendary Amazon class will also arrive in the first half of 2027 as part of Diablo IV’s first class pack. The Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection is additionally coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 16 AEST with cross-platform play and cross-progression.

For World of Warcraft, Blizzard teased the next major update for Midnight. Eclipse (12.2) will see Xal’atath move closer to her goal of claiming Azeroth’s Worldsoul. Blizzard also offered another look at The Last Titan, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga and a major culmination of more than two decades of Warcraft storytelling. More information is coming early next year.

Overwatch is getting a major update with Season 5. The season introduces new Support Hero Doctrine, reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and the new Watchpoint: Grimsvötn map. It will also conclude The Reign of Talon, Overwatch’s first year-long narrative arc.

LE SSERAFIM & YOASABI

BlizzCon also featured performances from YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM. YOASOBI will perform during the first-ever esports halftime show at BlizzCon, while LE SSERAFIM will return to the Main Stage to close the weekend. A new LE SSERAFIM in-game collaboration is available now, with another Overwatch Spotlight scheduled for February 2027.

Finally, Hearthstone is getting its first new class in more than six years. The Monk arrives in 2027, while the upcoming Reign of the Black Empire expansion takes players back to the earliest age of Azeroth. It introduces the Assemble keyword, which combines two cards into a new one. Battlegrounds is also adding Aberrations as a new minion type.

BlizzCon 2026 is now underway, with Blizzard promising more announcements and details throughout the weekend.

Gaming

Xbox saves Kojima’s PHYSINT after PlayStation drops support

PlayStation says the separation was mutual, but Kojima hints otherwise.

Published

September 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Things aren’t going well in the PlayStation camp. After two months of frankly questionable decisions, the company adds another to the pile by dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT.

For a while now, Kojima and PlayStation were in a very productive relationship with the Death Stranding duology, a critically acclaimed collection of titles for the platform. When things looked like they were going well, Kojima announced PHYSINT, an espionage-themed game which reminded fans way too much of Metal Gear Solid.

If you were investing in a PlayStation 5 to play Kojima’s latest thriller, you might want to move your chips elsewhere now. PlayStation has just dropped support for the espionage game, meaning PHYSINT will no longer be a first-party title for the platform.

Though PlayStation claims that the decision came after “careful consideration,” Kojima himself has said that the move was “unexpected,” going against PlayStation’s assurance of a mutual separation.

Very quickly, Xbox has announced that their platform will support PHYSINT instead. It’s a big get for the competing brand because Xbox Game Studios is already supporting OD, Kojima’s other upcoming horror project starring Sophia Lillis.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say more. As is tradition, Kojima will not explain much more about his upcoming titles. In fact, OD’s trailer barely says anything. One thing’s for sure, though: we’re all in for quite a ride.