Daily Archives: June 25, 2025

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review – The Alters: Facing Yourself Is the Real Challenge

If you ever thought working with random people was hard, The Alters challenges you with something even worse: collaborating with different versions of yourself. This new title from 11 bit studios blends unconventional gameplay elements into a strange yet fascinating experience. Its mechanics feel like a mix of Death Stranding’s exploration, Fallout Shelter’s base management, and Mass Effect’s choice-driven conversations. Despite how odd that sounds, this combination successfully breaks traditional genre boundaries.

The story centers on Jan Doski, the sole survivor of a space crash on an uninhabitable planet. Lacking the skills or physical capacity to survive or escape, Jan turns to a quantum machine that allows him to create multiple versions of himself—each from alternate timelines shaped by different life choices. These “Alters” aren’t simple clones; they have their own personalities, skills, and emotional baggage, making every interaction feel rich and unpredictable.

Gameplay revolves around managing resources like food, maintenance, and engineering while directing the Alters and maintaining their emotional stability. If morale drops, they might refuse to cooperate or even sabotage your progress. The real-time progression adds constant pressure, as the player must make key decisions quickly. Meanwhile, exploration is vital to gather materials needed to expand the base and build new labs.

Visually, the game is stunning—especially the outdoor environments, which evoke a melancholic and introspective atmosphere. The base interiors may feel generic, but they serve their purpose. A standout element is the voice work by Alex Jordan, who brings each Alter to life with unique accents and vocal nuances. While the lack of combat and slow pace might not appeal to everyone, The Alters delivers a bold, emotionally resonant narrative experience that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore its many branching paths.

Final Score: 4/5

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review of Splitgate 2 — When Innovation Isn’t Enough

When Splitgate launched in 2019, it surprised players by combining classic arena shooter gameplay reminiscent of Halo with the portal mechanics inspired by Portal. It arrived at a time when the genre was desperately in need of something fresh, and Splitgate delivered with an innovative concept. Now, six years later, Splitgate 2 is here with a new graphics engine, improved gameplay, and the ambition to compete with the big names in the multiplayer scene. Unfortunately, that same ambition is also its greatest weakness.

The strongest aspect of Splitgate 2 remains its gameplay. Using portals to move around the maps or set deadly traps for your enemies adds a tactical dimension few shooters can match. The gunplay is fast, responsive, and the game consistently runs above 60 FPS. Despite that, the visual presentation is underwhelming, with generic map designs and an art direction that’s anything but memorable.

One of the biggest additions is the new Battle Royale mode, offering team-based matches in segmented zones. While refreshing in concept, the experience doesn’t stand out in a market already saturated with similar offerings. However, the real issue is the progression system. Everything—your character, your weapons—levels up, but with three different factions, mandatory weekly missions, and a paid Battle Pass, progression quickly becomes a chore. To make matters worse, several weapons and game modes are locked behind this system, making the experience frustrating for new players.

Adding to the frustration is a cosmetics store with wildly overpriced skins, ranging from $20 to $50, with little justification for the cost. The absence of a story mode and a near-total lack of music further weakens the experience.

Splitgate 2 has a solid gameplay foundation, but it’s surrounded by monetization systems and progression mechanics that drag down what could’ve been a stellar return. If you’re looking for a multiplayer shooter with a unique mechanic, it can provide several hours of fun. But if you want a complete and fair experience, better options are out there.

Final Score: 3/5

Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Xbox

Xbox 360 Gets a Surprise 2025 Update

After nearly two decades, Microsoft quietly rolled out a system update for the Xbox 360—yes, the console that launched in 2005 and whose digital store officially closed in July 2024! This blog post dives into what changed, why it matters, and how fans reacted.

When the Xbox 360 hit shelves in November 2005, it redefined console online play, selling over 80 million units worldwide and spawning genre-defining titles like Halo 3 and Gears of War. Despite two newer generations arriving since—the Xbox One in 2013 and the Series X|S in 2020—many gamers still cherish their 360s for a mix of nostalgia and exclusive library gems.

What’s in the June 2025 Update?

Although the Xbox 360 store shuttered last summer, users powering on today will find a refreshed dashboard that addresses long-standing visual quirks and adds a dash of marketing flair:

  • Fixed Thumbnails: Game art no longer appears stretched when a disc is inserted—a fix that Redditors hailed as “actually good”.
  • Dashboard Tiles Restored: Empty spaces left when store-related tiles were removed are now filled with new graphics, including promo images for Xbox Series X|S.
  • Subtle UI Polish: Menu fonts and background transitions feel smoother, giving the aging interface a surprisingly modern sheen.

Most of these tweaks rolled out first to U.S. consoles, though reports indicate a gradual global rollout as well.

Why Bother with an Old Console?

This mid-life facelift might seem odd, but Microsoft’s motivations likely include:

  1. Preserving User Experience: Even post-store, backward compatibility keeps many 360 titles alive on newer hardware. A clean dashboard underpins that legacy.
  2. Brand Continuity: Promoting Series X|S on legacy hardware nudges die-hard fans toward upgrades without being too heavy-handed.
  3. Goodwill Gesture: A small but meaningful nod to the community that helped build Xbox into a household name.

In a landscape where consoles age out faster than ever, this demonstrates a rare dedication to a product long past its prime.

Across Reddit and Bluesky, longtime 360 owners expressed genuine surprise and gratitude:

  • “No more stretched game thumbnails—my 360 looks so nice!”
  • “Feels like Microsoft remembered we still exist.”
  • “Ads for Series X|S are cheeky but not overbearing.”

Many joked that Microsoft clearly assumes we’re “two generations behind”—but the overall sentiment is that a little love goes a long way.

What This Means Going Forward

While it’s unlikely we’ll see major feature drops or new services for the 360, this update underscores a few trends:

  • Extended Lifespans: Consoles can remain relevant beyond expected support windows.
  • Backward-Compatibility as a Pillar: Keeping old libraries accessible drives long-term brand loyalty.
  • Micro-Marketing: Legacy platforms can serve as low-friction channels to highlight new products.

For anyone still booting up their Xbox 360, this is more than a cosmetic tweak—it’s a reminder that in gaming, the past never truly fades away.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation, Xbox

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced – Your Ultimate Guide for PS5, Xbox Series X & Series S

When Ninja Theory’s breathtaking sequel first launched in May 2024, it set a new bar for immersive storytelling and technical prowess. This August 12, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced arrives as a free update on Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam/Xbox on PC) and, for the first time, PlayStation 5. Whether you’re wielding DualSense or enjoying razor-sharp Xbox visuals, here’s everything you need to know—broken down by platform—to squeeze the most out of Senua’s updated saga.

What’s Inside the “Enhanced” Update

  1. Performance Mode
    • Xbox Series X & PS5: Toggle a 60 FPS option for dramatically smoother combat and camera pans.
    • Xbox Series S: Stays at 30 FPS due to hardware limits.
    • PC: New “Very High” preset pushes fidelity even further if your rig can handle it.
  2. Graphics & Fidelity Boosts
    • Refined lighting, textures and volumetric effects across all platforms.
    • On Series X and PC “Very High,” dynamic 4K (Series X) and ray-tracing tweaks deepen the visual realism.
  3. The Dark Rot Returns
    • An optional permadeath challenge from the original game. Each failure grows the Dark Rot—if it reaches Senua’s mind, you lose all progress. Perfect for speedrunners and hardcore fans.
  4. Enhanced Photo Mode
    • Expanded toolkit with a brand-new “Motion” tab for cinematic video captures.
    • Tweak depth-of-field, camera shake, filters and more to craft showstopping screenshots or clips in 4K (where supported).
  5. Developer Commentary
    • Over four hours of in-game developer and cast insights.
    • Tap into Ninja Theory’s creative process as you explore Iceland’s haunting vistas.

PlayStation 5 Expectations

  • Release & Editions
    • Launches August 12 for $49.99 (Standard) or $69.99 (Deluxe).
    • Deluxe includes a PS5-optimized Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice plus its soundtrack.
    • PS4 owners of the original Sacrifice get a free PS5 upgrade.
  • DualSense Integration
    • Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback simulate the weight of Senua’s blade and the thrum of her heartbeat.
    • 3D audio spatialization intensifies whispers and environmental cues.
  • Performance & Quality
    • 60 FPS Performance Mode at native or checkerboard‐upscaled 4K.
    • Fast SSD loading slashes scene-transition times.
    • Photo Mode and developer commentary mirror Xbox/PC features.
  • Other Perks
    • Preorder bonuses include the Hellblade II OST and exclusive PS5 loading screens.

Xbox Series X Expectations

  • Cost & Upgrade
    • Free update on Day One if you already own Hellblade II or play via Game Pass.
  • Performance Mode
    • 60 FPS toggle with stable frame-times.
    • Dynamic 4K rendering, with ray-traced shadows and reflections optimized for Series X hardware.
  • “Very High” PC-Style Preset
    • Developers ported the high-end PC preset to Series X, pushing fidelity beyond the original launch build.
  • Extras
    • Full Photo Mode, Dark Rot, and developer commentary.
    • HDR-calibrated output for compatible TVs.

Xbox Series S Expectations

  • Cost & Upgrade
    • Same free update via Game Pass or digital library on August 12.
  • Frame-Rate & Resolution
    • Locked at 30 FPS to maintain stability.
    • Scales between 1080p and dynamic 1440p under the hood.
  • Visual & UX Enhancements
    • Improved texture streaming and lighting tweaks over the original release.
    • Photo Mode and commentary included—even on S’s slimmer hardware footprint.
  • Load Speeds
    • Faster load times courtesy of the internal SSD, shrinking wait times compared to Series X.

Why This Update Matters

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II isn’t just a visual feast—it’s an emotional journey that delves deep into trauma, mythology and the fragility of the human mind. The Enhanced update makes this voyage more accessible, more challenging and more cinematic across every next-gen platform. Whether you crave lightning-fast responsiveness at 60 FPS or want to savor every frame in Photo Mode, Ninja Theory has meticulously optimized Senua’s world for your hardware of choice.

Mark your calendars for August 12, sharpen your blades and prepare to face your inner darkness—enhanced and unleashed on your console of choice.

Business, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Why Sony Refuses to Copy Xbox Game Pass: The Strategy Behind Delaying First-Party PS Plus Releases

For years, Xbox Game Pass has redefined subscriptions by offering every new first-party title on day one. Sony, however, remains resolute: it will not add its blockbuster PlayStation exclusives to PS Plus at launch. Instead of chasing the instant-gratification model, PlayStation leans on a hybrid approach—boosting indie and third-party day-one titles while drip-feeding first-party hits 12–18 months after release. Let’s unpack why, how it works, and what it means for gamers, developers, and content creators alike.

The Status Quo: PS Plus vs. Game Pass

  • Game Pass: Subscribers get every first-party Xbox title—Halo, Forza, Starfield—on launch day across cloud, console, and PC.
  • PS Plus: Three tiers (Essential, Extra, Premium) with monthly “free” games, a sizable back catalog, cloud streaming (Premium only), and day-one indie drop-ins. First-party blockbusters arrive well after they’ve maximized retail and digital sales.

Sony’s logic? Protect the “virtuous cycle” of studio investment → high-quality games → strong sales → more investment. As former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan warned, dumping new AAA titles into PS Plus at launch would undermine studio budgets and the quality that gamers expect.

In a June 2025 interview, PlayStation VP of Global Services Nick Maguire reiterated the company’s stance:

“We’ve stayed true to our strategy… we’re not looking to put games in day and date.”

Sony balances two pillars:

  1. Selective day-one additions—4–5 indie/third-party titles per year to freshen the service.
  2. Delayed first-party integration—bringing blockbuster exclusives to PS Plus 12, 18 months, or longer after launch, once the title’s initial revenue peak has passed.

This “indie first, AAA later” approach gives subscribers immediate perks, preserves premium launch sales, and re-ignites interest in older hits around sequel announcements or DLC drops.

The Indie Advantage: Spotlighting Emerging Talent

Since Resogun’s PS4 launch-day drop and Destruction All-Stars on PS5, Sony’s indie strategy has exploded. Recent day-one PS Plus titles include:

  • FBC: Firebreak (Remedy Entertainment)
  • The Plucky Squire
  • Dave the Diver
  • Animal Well
  • Tales of Kenzera: Zau
  • Stray

By cherry-picking standout indies, PlayStation:

  • Provides value to subscribers without sacrificing AAA revenue.
  • Elevates small studios to a global audience overnight.
  • Fosters loyalty among indies, who see PS Plus as a launchpad for discovery.

For content creators, these indie drops are gold: you can cover fresh titles that haven’t saturated YouTube or TikTok, driving unique engagement and SEO traction.

Patience is a virtue here. First-party hits like God of War Ragnarök or Horizon Forbidden West typically arrive on PS Plus after their initial sales run—often aligning with big discounts, expansions, or anniversaries. That delay:

  • Maximizes profit from early adopters.
  • Keeps catalog offerings rotating and newsworthy.
  • Positions PS Plus as a way to catch up on the “classics” you might’ve missed at launch.

If you’re building a content calendar, plan AAA deep dives and retrospectives around that 12–18-month window—viewers who skipped the original release will be searching for “is it worth it?” guides.

Retro Rewind: Curating Classics in Premium

Beyond day-one indies and delayed blockbusters, the Premium tier offers a rotating “Classics” vault. Maguire says Sony aims for at least one retro addition per month, sometimes cycling out older titles to keep the lineup fresh—think Resistance, Infamous, or PS2 fan favorites.

For historians of gaming, this is a treasure trove. If you’re passionate about preservation, spotlight hidden gems in your blog or videos—show how these classics influenced modern design and culture.

Sony has admitted it would revisit its policy if market conditions shift, but for now, the “day-one first-party” ship has sailed elsewhere. As streaming and cloud-only subscribers grow, we might see hybrid models—but expect Sony to guard its tentpole franchises fiercely in that early launch window.

PS Plus Essential for July 2025 announced

Sony is all-in on PlayStation Plus, says its most expensive tier is thriving
Sony kicks off PS Plus’ 15th anniversary by chatting with Game File about the past, present and future of its gaming subscription service: Talking price, catalogue tweaks and where the PS3 games are.
Source/Via
Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Nvidia announced the GeForce RTX 5050 as new midrange alternative

When budget meets ambition, magic happens. Enter NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 5050—a card that brings the full Blackwell treatment (AI, ray tracing, DLSS 4) to anyone upgrading from a GTX 16-series or aging first-gen RTX. At just $249, it punches well above its weight, letting you game, stream and experiment with on-GPU AI without mortgaging your next build.

Built on Blackwell, the RTX 5050 packs 2,560 CUDA cores, 5th-gen Tensor cores (421 TOPS AI throughput) and 4th-gen RT cores. That means you get:

  • DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation (real frames, not just pixels).
  • NVIDIA Reflex 2 with Frame Warp for sub-flicker latency.
  • Neural Rendering tools for digital humans and on-the-fly AI assistants in games.

These features turn 1080p AAA gaming into a buttery, future-proof experience—and give streamers and YouTubers hardware-accelerated denoising plus studio-grade encoders.

Power, Thermals & Real-World Performance
Clocked at 2.31 GHz base and 2.57 GHz boost, the RTX 5050 stays within a 130 W TGP envelope. A quality 550 W PSU in a mid-tower is all you need. According to NVIDIA’s in-house tests, you’ll see roughly:

  • +60% raster performance vs. RTX 3050
  • Parity with RTX 4060 in many titles

Expect stable 60 fps on high settings in the latest AAA at 1080p and 144 Hz+ headroom for esports favorites.

Specs at a Glance
• 8 GB GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus (320 GB/s bandwidth)
• 3× DisplayPort 2.1b, 1× HDMI 2.1b
• 9th-gen NVENC / 6th-gen NVDEC for streaming/video work
• No Founders Edition—partners (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.) will ship custom-cooled, overclocked models

Who Should Upgrade?

  • 1080p gamers tired of frame dips and wanting DLSS 4’s next-gen boost.
  • Budget content creators craving real-time AI denoising & hardware encoding.
  • AI hobbyists keen on on-card inference for experimental mods, shaders or digital characters.

The RTX 5050 marks NVIDIA’s pledge that cutting-edge AI/graphics won’t stay confined to flagship cards. In the coming months, we’ll see:

  • Broader DLSS 4 adoption across indie and AAA titles.
  • Community-built AI modding tools (texture upscaling, procedural asset creation).
  • GeForce Now integrations tapping 50-series features in the cloud.

Ready to plan your next build? Pair the RTX 5050 with an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X for a balanced 1080p powerhouse, or push into 1440p with an Intel Core i5-13600K. Either way, you’re stepping into the Blackwell era without breaking the bank—let’s talk motherboard, RAM and PSU choices next!

Games, Gaming, Mobile, News

When Netflix Hits Pause: The July 2025 Mobile Game Purge—and Why It’s Not the First Time

Netflix’s push into mobile gaming promised a laid-back way to play premium titles on the couch or commute. But as July rolls in, subscribers are waking up to a big list of departures: over 20 games are vanishing from Netflix Games, including indie darlings and blockbuster exclusives.

Later this month, Netflix will pull 21 mobile games from its library. Here are some of the most eye-catching departures:

  • Hades (iOS exclusive) – bows out July 1
  • Monument Valley, Monument Valley 2 and Monument Valley 3 – leave July 14
  • Braid: Anniversary Edition – leaves July 14
  • Death’s Door – leaves July 14
  • Carmen Sandiego, Katana Zero, Raji: An Ancient Epic, Ludo King, Rainbow Six: SMOL and more…

These titles span puzzle masterpieces, roguelike legends, and high-profile licensed IPs. Once exclusively available through Netflix’s mobile app, most won’t reappear on the App Store or Google Play—at least not immediately.

Not a One-Off: A History of Game Cuts

Netflix’s mobile games arm has weathered multiple trimming rounds in the past year:

  • December 2024 saw its first major wave of removals, with a handful of exclusive titles quietly disappearing.
  • February 2025 brought an early-month cull of six games, underscoring the volatility of licensing deals and development cancellations.
  • This spring, Bandersnatch—the Emmy-winning interactive Black Mirror special—left the platform on May 12, part of Netflix’s broader pullback from interactive storytelling.
  • In June 2025, Devolver Digital’s acclaimed Poinpy also exited Netflix, though the studio is actively working to re-release it on app stores outside the service.

These waves signal that Netflix’s gaming strategy has been in constant flux, shifting with executive changes and market realities.

On why the purges keep coming? Well, several factors explain these recurrent cutbacks:

  1. Licensing Expirations: Many Netflix Games are based on third-party IP (e.g., Carmen Sandiego, SpongeBob), meaning contracts end and renewals get pricey or complex.
  2. Studio Restructuring: Following the closure of its AAA game studio in October 2024 and the departure of gaming lead Mike Verdu, Netflix has streamlined its gaming roadmap, canceling planned projects like Tales of the Shire and Crashlands 2.
  3. Strategic Refocus: Internal sources indicate Netflix will slow down mobile-only launches and funnel resources into “big-screen” experiences—cloud gaming on TV, web, and consoles—leveraging its strongest TV and film IPs for deeper cross-platform experiences.

What This Means for Players

If you’ve been holding off on trying Hades or Monument Valley on your phone, now’s the time to dive in. After these deadlines, your only recourse may be hunting down alternative releases or waiting for studios to re-release titles independently. In fact, Devolver Digital has already pledged to bring Katana Zero, Death’s Door, and Poinpy to traditional app stores “as soon as possible”.

While these cuts feel abrupt, they’re part of a larger maturation. Netflix Games is testing what resonates—big IP tie-ins, family-friendly titles, and tentpole crossovers with hit shows. Upcoming cloud gaming bets, like Ghost Detective on TV and Spirit Crossing (an MMO), alongside live WWE 2K streams, suggest that Netflix isn’t abandoning games—it’s refining its focus to align with core streaming strengths and subscriber behavior.

So, is this the first time Netflix has yanked games? Absolutely not. July 2025 marks the latest, largest tranche in an ongoing curation cycle. It highlights the balancing act of hosting licensed content while crafting a sustainable, long-term gaming ecosystem.

Netflix To Remove Over 20 Mobile Games Including Monument Valley Trilogy and Hades
Almost 20% of Netflix’s mobile game library is scheduled to depart soon.
Source/Via