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

Switch 2 now lets you play old games in 1080p

It tricks old games into thinking that the console is docked.

Published

March 18, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The Switch 2’s popularity is astonishing, to say the least. Just recently, a single game, Pokémon Pokopia, was responsible for taking the free times of over two million players on the Switch 2. Now, Nintendo has released a new feature which should make the console much more playable, especially for those who already had the original Switch.

Today, the Switch 2 received the 22.0.0 system update. Though the update is mostly a variety of smaller updates, one feature, called the Handheld Mode Boost, stands out among the rest. As per the patch notes, “Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Nintendo Switch software to run as if the console is being played in TV mode.” Put simply, the feature will unlock 1080p resolution for older games.

For gamers who had the original Switch, game resolution was a huge problem. The first console lived on a 720p screen, so the early games supported only lower resolutions. The only exception is when the console was docked, which allows 1080p resolution.

Now, the Switch 2 supports backwards compatibility. Players can access their older Switch games on the new console. The catch, however, is that these games are still stuck in 720p. Some titles, at least, have released an update to increase resolution on the new console.

Handheld Mode Boost tricks the console into thinking that it’s hooked up to the dock. In effect, the game will play in 1080p. The catch, however, is that it also thinks that the Joy-Cons are a single Pro controller, so players might lose some game features. It’s still a decent price to pay, though.

In other news, the update has also updated the naming of the “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea” to “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/Southeast Asia,” potentially hinting that Southeast Asia might finally get an online store.

Gaming

NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 can turn your favorite AAA game into AI slop

DLSS 5 will launch on select games.

Published

March 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Have you ever wondered why RAM prices are going up this year? Everyone is rightfully saying that AI is the reason for the price hike, but it’s hard to palpably see why. Today, NVIDIA is showing off where its hard-earned profits are going by revealing DLSS 5.

For gamers who don’t have a particularly strong machine, NVIDIA’s DLSS technology upscales a game’s graphics quality and frame rate to artificially keep up with newer hardware. A few months ago, the company unveiled DLSS 4.5, which marks the latest step to help games sparkle. Today, with DLSS 5, the technology is going all-in on AI.

In a tech demo, NVIDIA showcased the latest version of the technology. This time, the feature will use photoreal lighting and materials to alter graphics. It can allegedly analyze a scene’s elements — including hair, fabric, and translucent skin — based simply on a single frame.

The demo’s most prominent example is Resident Evil Requiem. Grace Ashcroft, the gamer’s protagonist, evolves from her doll-like appearance into… well, something you might see on an AI-generated mobile game ad.

NVIDIA claims that the new version will make games look closer to real life. The jury is still out, especially with such a low sample size. However, in this writer’s humble opinion, it’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. I’d rather play with what the developer originally intended for their game than with yet another generic AI filter.

The new feature is rolling out to some of the biggest games today including Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Hogwarts Legacy, Resident Evil Requiem, and Where Winds Meet.

Gaming

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.1: Dark secrets within the Phantasmoon Games

Ashveil becomes playable character

Published

March 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

The Version 4.1 update for Honkai: Star Rail will be available on March 25. Called “Unraveled for Daybreak”, the update will continue to revolve around the story of Planarcadia.

Here, the Astral Express Crew is invited to attend the grand Star Rail FEST, a fan festival inspired by their past interstellar journeys.

In the process, they will join a new 5-Star Character, Ashveil, as they uncover the dark secrets lurking during the Phantasmoon Games.

Star Rail FEST

This festival features three major open zones: the Belobog Zone, Xianzhou Luofu Zone, and Penacony Zone.

The festival is set-up after the Trailblazer has successfully obtained the mask of the supplicant to participate in the Phantasmoon Games. Pearl, the CEO of Planarcadia, then collaborates with the Astral Experss Crew to hold a grand exposition.

Citizens of Planarcadia can board a special Pom-Pom front shuttle express through Interplanar Jump to enjoy the highlights of their trailblaze journey.

Trailblazers can witness giant balloon figures, immerse themselves in a duel against the Lord Ravager Phantylia, and charge headlong at The Great Septimus.

Meanwhile, the festival’s organizer, Pearluxe Corp, will also have an area unlocked: Pearluxe Tower. Inside is a newly ultra-poseable model, “Alloy King Pom-Pom” and a variety of mechatron-themed interactive activities.

However, beneath the revelry, conspiracies are abound, and various crises will soon follow.

Ashveil joins the list of playable characters

This marks the start of a new adventure for the Trailblazers, to be joined by famous detective, Ashveil.

This 5-star Lightning-Type (Path of The Hunt) “detective unreliable” will showcase his serious and dependable side as a playable character.

Ashveil uses his Technique to inflict a Stunned state on enemies within a certain range. After entering combat, he can increase the CRIT DMG of all allies and selects one enemy to be the Bait.

As long as the Bait is on the field, the DEF of all enemies will be reduced. And when Ashveil uses his Skill on the Bait again, he will deal extra DMG and recover Skill Points for the entire team.

Moreover, when a teammate attacks the same Bait, Ashveil unleashes a Follow-Up ATK and gradually accumulates Gluttony in combat. Consuming this can further enhance the unit’s Follow-Up capabilities.

At the end of the last story stage, he will enter the Phantasmoon Games and begin investigating the murder case that occurred in the Dovebrook District.

He will work alongside the Astral Express Crew to uncover the conspiracy hidden beneath the surface of the elation feast to deliver justice for the fallen.

More features

In addition, Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.1 will launch with the Wispae War Saga. The Trailblazer can lead various types of wispae soldiers to battle in the Graphia Academy.

Here, they can defeat powerful champions by employing different strategies, upgrading wispae, and using spell cards and capsules with different effects.

Players can acquire both rewards and engage in even more challenging matches against outsider adversaries.