Gaming

Patapon 2 Remastered review: Held back by a beat

Staying true to the original, except for a few things

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When I first got a PlayStation Portable, Patapon 2 was not in my list of games to purchase upon receiving it. I gravitated towards games that mostly included combat or exploration — the two things Patapon, as a whole, wasn’t. Even when the first game got remastered for the PlayStation 4, I still didn’t bother trying it out.

So I’ve decided to finally give Patapon 2 Remastered a shot, with knowledge of the first game from some of my friends. I wanted a change of pace from all the shooter and racing games that I needed to just settle down for a bit. Maybe a game about rhythm and matching button mashing to drum beats can be a good change of pace.

Faithful to the original?

Patapon 2 Remastered brings back the core gameplay of the 2009 original, which is pretty simple. It’s a game of matching the beat of the Patapons’ drums using every button on the right of the controller. In order to progress through the game, you will learn button combinations to move, attack, and defend against enemies. Also, to add more power to attacks, you have to sustain the combos without going off-sync.

If this is your first time ever playing any Patapon game, it’s a game mechanic that requires some patience. Timing the button presses to the beat alone is actually stress-inducing enough, but it’s not a steep learning curve. After some practice, you will get used to it; even if you mess up, there’s no penalty.

For those who have played the original game before, it’s nothing groundbreaking. The overall experience of the original is preserved in many ways, from the beat-matching to the combat style. If anything, gameplay feels a lot stricter in terms of syncing your button presses. But there is one flaw that the remaster has, which I’ll get to later.

Beautified original

I felt like the only real change this remaster has is in its visuals. I get it, the technology at the time of its release fails in comparison to today so that had to be expected. But, this wasn’t just slapping in crisper lines and darkening the fill on the Patapon army.

Overall, Patapon 2 Remastered gained the HD facelift that improved depth in background and character outlines. Colors in the background are more vibrant, and they hardly ever looked washed compared to the original. Animations were also snappier by comparison, proving that timing is of great importance for a game like this.

Differences and flaws from the original

Although, like any remaster done in the last few years, some things had to change. For one, the multiplayer option for certain features was removed. Patapon 2 for the PS4 is now just a single player adventure game, which isn’t much of a dealbreaker anyway. In its place, though, the game gives you all friendship-based equipment to use. Older players may have mixed feelings over this, but it really depends on how much you value nostalgia.

And another thing that’s changed, or at least is now a problem, is some level of input lag. The original game on the PSP didn’t have that much input lag — last time I checked. The game somehow thrived on smaller screens, so button mashing seemed like a total breeze at the time.

When you transition that to much larger screens, plus more enhanced visuals and controls, the problem starts to settle in. Several times, I literally kept saying, “I swear I pushed the button on the beat” whenever I input the right combinations. I know I should keep trying harder to match the drum beat, but even if I do match the beat it just won’t work. It’s wasting precious combos for stronger attacks.

Should you give it a try?

Listen, Patapon 2 Remastered is one good game when you need to pass some time. It’s all rhythm-based, and with enough patience and mastery you’ll finish the game in no time. If you’re one of the more nostalgic fans out there, it remains true to most of the original game.

I still fairly enjoyed the game even with the amount of input lag I experienced. I even found myself jamming to the beat just to keep the combo streak going. Also, I didn’t mind that it was now just a single player game, which I think most people would enjoy.

Overall, it’s one of those classic games that’s worth giving a try. It’s not as action-packed, and not as visually breathtaking, but it is fun to play on your own.

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CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION physical edition now available for Switch 2

Zack Fair’s story comes to Switch 2.

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September 24, 2026

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Crisis Core

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and SQUARE ENIX have released the physical edition of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION for Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia.

Players can also purchase the game digitally on the platform. Availability may vary by region and retailer.

Zack Fair’s story returns

Set in the mako-powered metropolis of Midgar, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION follows Zack Fair, a young operative in Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit.

Zack investigates the mysterious disappearance of SOLDIER operatives alongside his mentor, Angeal, and the legendary Sephiroth. His journey reveals the events that shaped the world of FINAL FANTASY VII and his connection to Cloud Strife.

The game revisits Zack’s story with an HD graphical overhaul of its character models, user interface, and environments. It also features fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, alongside an updated action-combat system.

Players can trigger Limit Breaks and Summons as they battle their way through the story. The game also supports handheld and docked play on Nintendo Switch 2.

A look back at Zack’s legacy

Originally released as a remaster of the PSP classic, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION offers a refreshed take on one of the franchise’s most significant prequel stories.

In our GadgetMatch review, we explored how the remaster brings Zack Fair’s journey to modern platforms while preserving the emotional core of his story.

The release also gives players another way to experience the events leading into FINAL FANTASY VII, ahead of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, the third and final entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake series.

For more information about CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION and other Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia titles, visit the official website.

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Gaming

Dune: Awakening makes it way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X

Surviving the harsh land of Arrakis one sandstorm and bloodlust at a time

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September 22, 2026

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Back in June of 2025, Funcom released its multi-nominated open world survival game, Dune: Awakening. Inspired by the renowned movie franchise, the game takes place within the deserts of Arrakis as players survive and thrive through intense combat and strategic decision making. Now, in the big 2026, Funcom is finally bringing that experience to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players as Dune: Awakening officially launches on console!

For the newbies finally getting it on console, here’s all you need to know:

Take the lead or do it together

Dune: Awakening takes you into the desolate land of Arrakis, and gives you the option to do it on Single Player or Multiplayer upfront. Through your own bidding in strategy, combat, and resource management, your goals are simple: survive the terrain, make more allies than enemies, and conquer the land through your affiliation to the powers that be.

This version of the game is as exact and as one-to-one as it possibly could with the PC version released last year, down to the story arcs, quests, and PvE/PvP areas you take on. Since launch, Funcom has introduced new weapons, areas, and cosmetics through DLCs that will be available to console players, as well. Also, several key features in story and mission progression that have changed on the PC version will take into effect.

If you want to engage with multiplayer, it is still a viable option when you want to gather more resources and reinforce your bases against other players and the natural elements. However, you still won’t be able to host your own server on a console just yet, as it is more stable to do so on the PC version.

Become whoever and whatever to survive

Character customization became the game’s bread and butter through its extensively library of features and unique take on story progression. As you begin your journey, Lady Jessica welcomes you in and asks you on your origin story, mentorship, and initial skill set — all of which are to your choosing based on your play style. Honestly, none of these completely influence the difficulty in progressing the story too much but it will give you full control of the experience.

As you progress further into the game, you will unlock more skills and abilities to aid you in your quest for power and survival. These will help you earn XP, along with accomplishing tasks, gathering resources and researching newer technologies, plus engaging in combat both within the PvE and PvP areas. Ultimately, you and, potentially, other players must build enough rapport and influence to shape the world of Arrakis to your liking.

Consistent visual expectations

For most players on the PC version, graphical fidelity relied heavily on the hardware of choice. When transitioning the game into a console-friendly environment, Funcom worked out the details seamlessly by adding a Performance and Quality mode. In this fashion, you can opt for crystal-clear graphics at a decent 30 FPS or go for a constant 60 FPS to keep up with the action.

Left: Performance | Right: Quality

No matter which mode you choose, the overall visual identity of the game doesn’t change drastically. Environments look rich and vibrant, while the tiniest of details within character models are preserved. Although, given frame rate differences, rendering of background elements also reflects that but it won’t ruin the gaming experience.

Dune: Awakening will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22. For Xbox Game Pass owners, this will also be a Day One release with Play Anywhere support and cross-play within Xbox and PC players upon launch.

Funcom has also planned an exciting map update later this year plus potential DLC tie-ins to the upcoming Dune: Part Three theatrical release in December.

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Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

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September 15, 2026

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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.

SEE ALSO: Valve announces its own console called the Steam Machine

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