Features

Favorite Games of 2023

It’s been a PACKED year for gaming

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The Game Awards 2023 just wrapped and now it’s our turn to shine the spotlight on the games that we enjoyed this year. It has been a packed 2023 when it comes to games and there are only so many hours in a year. If your fave isn’t year, we likely just didn’t have time to play them. But for the ones we played, these are our Favorite Games of 2023.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Luigi: In a year absolutely stacked with must-play games, it’s unbelievable that there are only one or two titles that are definitely Game of the Year contenders. Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of those games. 

Even if you’re not a fan of turn-based RPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 streamlines the D&D experience while keeping it hard to master. Plus, it has one of the most immersive stories and voice acting in a modern game. With thousands and thousands of different branches to pursue, it’s way too easy to spend hundreds of hours just exploring this immense game.

SEE ALSO: Why you should play Baldur’s Gate 3

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

Rodneil: Insomniac Games doesn’t miss. The company behind the newest set of Spider-Man games is largely considered the MVP of the PlayStation 5 so far due to both the quality and quantity of games they’ve released since the dawn of the current generation consoles. 

Their latest outing, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, was again a huge hit. While not a perfect game (no game is), it took the lessons it learned from Spider-Man PS4 and Spider-Man: Miles Morales and made things better. It’s arguably the best story-driven action-adventure game out right now and we can’t wait to play its inevitable DLC. 

SEE ALSO: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 review

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Luigi: Mario’s Switch era is defined in three dimensions. Between Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8, the iconic franchise showed off its chops through its less conventional genres. Now, however, our favorite plumber is back to its side-scrolling roots.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a refreshing evolution of the formula. Level after level, the game comes up with so many fresh ideas. Besides just getting past levels, it’s enjoyable to see what crazy concept is lurking behind the next screen.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Luigi: While Elden Ring continues development on its first DLC, FromSoftware resurrects one of its earlier franchises through Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. While the mecha genre hasn’t been popular for a while, Armored Core VI brings its unique mix-and-match gameplay to modern systems.

Though daunting at first, it’s easy to master your mech. Experimentation is fun. Every battle feels like an epic duel. Plus, you’ve got FromSoftware’s usual show-don’t-tell storytelling. All in all, it’s a satisfying game that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

SEE ALSO: Armored  Core VI review: Tough-as-nails intro to the mecha genre

Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI

Rodneil: As far as Final Fantasy titles go, FFXVI is the biggest departure from what we know about the franchise. The story is darker, the RPG elements bare, and the combat going full-on action. It shines on two fronts: action combat and bombastic boss battles. 

The FFXVI boss battles are larger than life, earth-shattering, and flat-out epic. It took the Summons from the franchise and weaved them into the story in a satisfying and jaw-dropping manner. 

SEE ALSO: Final Fantasy XVI review: Reigniting the embers of a waning flame

Street Fighter 6

Outfit 3

Rodneil: Most fighting game enthusiasts had their start on Street Fighter 2. Now, the franchise is back, equipped with the lessons from its previous releases. Like a warrior coming back from defeat, Street Fighter 6 came out like a house on fire featuring improved art style, combat, and a single-player mode to keep even the fighting-game newbies engaged. 

Content continues to trickle in too. Outfit 3 was just announced and a trailer featuring its collaboration with the upcoming SpyXFamily movie set the internet buzzing. 

Hi-Fi Rush

Rodneil: Best shadow drop of 2023. Literally nobody saw it coming and that was one of the things it had going for it. Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm, action game with the vibes of a Saturday morning cartoon. 

It’s fun with enough of a challenge and a pretty short game overall with completion pegged at just 11 hours. 

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Luigi: After the success of Breath of the Wild, it was tough to imagine where the Legend of Zelda could go next. Tears of the Kingdom blows away all expectations. While the previous game’s map is still there, the sequel ups the ante by adding floating islands and aerial navigation.

Oh, and there’s an insanely creative machine crafting system. Breath of the Wild thrived under the idea of “if you can dream it, it’s possible,” Tears of the Kingdom goes even further by adding a new system to tackle its wide, wide world.

Honkai: Star Rail

Rodneil: Genshin Impact but turn-based? That’s an oversimplification but that’s the easiest way to describe this latest hit from HoYoverse. Honkai: Star Rail features the same captivating animé art style with a plethora of characters to pull and add to your roster. 

The turn-based combat encourages beating the opponents right away and the bombastic super attacks make it very entertaining. Plus it’s now available on every platform except the Switch. 

SEE ALSO: Honkai: Star Rail: Turn-based Genshin Impact?

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Luigi: Okay, we cheated. Cyberpunk 2077 technically isn’t a game released in 2023. However, the huge 2.0 update (and the release of Phantom Liberty) released a few months ago earns the game a mention on this list. The game now is so far from its catastrophic launch back in 2020 that it might as well be an all-new release.

Coupled with its DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 is at the level that CD Projekt Red envisioned it to be. It’s an enjoyable and immersive adventure through a futuristic world. Plus, after the lackluster launch of Bethesda’s Starfield, it’s nice to have a more capable sci-fi RPG to fall back on.

Tutorials

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

It’s as easy as a single tap.

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Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!

Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.

Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:

Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”

Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.

Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.

Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.

Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.

Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.

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Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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Features

GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey

A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.

It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.

Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.

While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.


All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

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