TechRadar News

• The final Star Wars Zero Company trailer has been released
• The trailer has confirmed the return of Captain Rex, and fans are hyped
• Star Wars Zero Company launches on August 27

Bit Reactor has released the final trailer for Star Wars Zero Company, which confirms the return of another fan-favorite Star Wars character.

Last month, the studio revealed the Zero Company cast and confirmed that Anakin Skywalker will be in the game, voiced by The Clone Wars actor Matt Lanter (I've played as him in my preview, and he's awesome).

Now, fans can also look forward to seeing the return of yet another fan-favorite character, Captain Rex, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic's 501st Legion, as revealed in the game's final trailer.

Rex appears for a split second, gearing up for a fight, suggesting he could arrive during a story-central battle.

Bit Reactor hasn't confirmed if the Clone Trooper will be playable, but I certainly hope so. Fans are also sharing their excitement, since it's been far too long since Rex has been involved in any Star Wars stories.

"You're as beautiful as the day i lost you," one fan wrote on X, as another replied to the trailer, "OUR BOYYYY IS BACK. CAPTAIN REX IS ACTUALLY BACK."

"REX LETS FREAKING GOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" someone else wrote.

It won't be long before fans get to meet Captain Rex again, because Star Wars Zero Company launches on August 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S.

Bit Reactor has confirmed that the game will take up to 40 hours to finish, but it won't have a New Game Plus mode.

I've played more than 15 hours of Star Wars Zero Company, and I'm hugely impressed with the story so far, the isometric turn-based tactics combat, and customization.

"Some Star Wars fans who have never played a TBT game might feel put off from trying out Zero Company, so the question is: Can fans unfamiliar with the TBT genre still enjoy this game? I would say absolutely!" I wrote.

"As a massive Star Wars fan and someone who enjoys TBT but has never played XCOM, Zero Company easily made me familiar with the mechanics and, so far, offers a cohesive experience that combines the joy of Star Wars storytelling with compelling tactical gameplay."

Secretlab's running a big back-to-school sale right now, with discounts on furniture like the Magnus Pro standing desk and the excellent Titan Evo - the most comfortable gaming chair we've ever tested.

But if you're looking for a true office chair, I strongly recommend the Secretlab Atlas, which starts at $519. That's $10 cheaper than the sale price for the base Titan Evo. In the UK, the Atlas is priced from £429 right now.

Confusingly, it's not part of the back-to-school sale, but in my experience it's a more refined seating experience for work. And it absolutely saved my wife's back pain thanks to its supportive design.

The Secretlab Atlas is one of those office chairs that genuinely impresses me every time I use it. I actually look forward to sitting in it. It's not some ultra-padded and cushioned gaming chair designed for reclining during long play session like the Titan Evo is, and I reckon it's all the stronger for it.

In the UK: now £429View Deal

Why we recommend it

There are several reasons why I think Secretlab nailed it with the company's first true office chair.

The main reason is that my wife has been suffering back pains during pregnancy (if you know, you know).

Of all the chairs I have around my house - armchairs, office chairs, everything - the Secretlab Atlas was the only one that brought her any relief while working from home.

There's a big reason for that.

This chair is surprisingly firm and surprisingly comfortable. That's absolutely critical for sitting with the proper posture for an eight-hour work day where you need true back support.

Sinking into an ultra-padded office chair tends to feel comfortable at first. But because it doesn't offer full support where it's needed most, after a short amount of time it becomes a nightmare especially if, like my wife, you're trying to relieve back pain.

So, in real-world performance, the Atlas has absolutely delivered.

In his 4-star review, our gaming editor Dash called it "a capable Herman Miller competitor," highlighting the style, reasonable price, support, and premium build.

Having one in our home office, I agree with all of that. It feels a whole lot more premium than the price might lead you to believe - especially when compared to chairs retailing for over $1000, like the Steelcase Leap, another excellent office chair for back pain relief.

The Atlas also has a sleek silhouette that doesn't look out of place in a home office. It simply doesn't dominate the scenery the way bulky gaming chairs do.

It has a range of adjustment mechanisms for better ergonomics, that clunk solidly and pleasantly into place for tailored comfort. The only issue I have, echoed in our review, is that the regular version can feel low. For anyone of average height and above, I'd recommend getting the larger Secretlab Atlas, which is rated for users up to 6'5".

For more options, see my guide to the best office chairs my team and I have tested.

Price context & historical value

The Secretlab Atlas has a retail price starting at $519 / £429 for the fabric cookies and cream variant.

That's been the price since its release. So, there isn't any discount to be had here. However, for work, I'd 100% recommend saving $10 (or, in the UK, spending £10 more) and selecting the Atlas over the Titan Evo.

In any case, I suggest sticking to the fabric coverings for work, as the leatherette ones, which cost more, can get hot over the course of a working day.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Secretlab Atlas if...

You want a supportive, brilliantly constructed work chair, that blends into the home office, rather than dominates it.

❌ Skip the Secretlab Atlas if...

You need an ultra-soft and cushioned gaming chair that pulls double-duty for work. That's not the pitch for the Atlas, which is specifically built as an office chair.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

First off, this isn't a gaming chair. Sure, you can use it for gaming, but while it might resemble a Titan Evo, it's been specifically designed for offices and home offices. I've previously detailed the core differences in design in this article here.

Secondly, the regular version of the chair does feel low to the ground. As a man of average height, I didn't find this to be an issue when sitting down - in fact, it's very comfortable. But it's also definitely noticeable. Opt for the larger version if you need a little more elevation.

As a task chair, the Secretlab Atlas is also quite firm, which is how a good office chair should be, as it means it's more supportive around the lower back and shoulders. It's one of the main reasons why it soothed my wife's back pain compared to softer chairs. However, I know some people prefer a more cushioned seat.

• Check out the back-to-school sale at Secretlab

Even though it might still feel like summer, football season starts next month, with the NFL kicking off on September 9. That means it's time to upgrade your home cinema setup with a brand-new TV, and I'm here to help you find the best display and, most importantly, save money.

• Shop Best Buy's full anniversary sale

Best Buy has a huge anniversary sale this week, which means incredible deals on top-rated TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, TCL, and Insignia. I've rounded up the 11 best TVS for watching football below, including a wide range of 4K, QLED and OLED displays.

You can find record-low prices on brand-new 2026 models, like LG's 65-inch C6 OLED TV for $1,799.99 (a $900 discount), as well as big-screen budget displays, including TCL's 75-inch S5 4K Fire TV for an unbelievable price of just $399.99. Other highlights that I recommend watching your favorite team on include Samsung's 75-inch R85H Micro RGB for $999.99 and LG's massive 77-inch B5 OLED TV for $1,399.99.

Shop more of Best Buy's top TV deals for watching football below, and keep in mind these are limited-time offers that expire this Sunday at Midnight.

11 TV deals I recommend for watching football

55-inch F50 Series 4K Smart Fire TV: was $349.99 now $199.99
Get the best-selling Insignia 55-inch F50 Series 4K TV for an incredible $199.99. The Insignia F50 Series TV features 4K HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, smart capabilities with Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal

55-inch F70 Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Fire TV: was $699.99 now $249.99
Insignia's F70 Series QLED TV boasts Mini-LED and Quantum Dot technology, delivering bold, vibrant colors and lifelike images. You also get Dolby Atmos Audio, smart capabilities with the Fire operating system, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal

QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $149.99
A 58-inch QLED TV for $149.99 is an incredible deal, especially since this is a new 2026 model. While the Hisense QD50 isn't a premium display, it offers QLED technology, which delivers superior brightness and more vivid colors. You're also getting Dolby Vision, Game Mode Plus, and Roku's streaming platform.View Deal

65-inch C6 OLED TV: was $2699.99 now $1799.99
The LG C6 is the successor to our best-rated TV, LG's C5 OLED, and it has a whopping $900 discount at Best Buy's sale. The 2026 OLED TV delivers more accurate, brighter colors than the C5 with powerful contrast thanks to its new Alpha 11 AI processor. The C6 also includes impressive gaming features and LG's intuitive smart TV platform.

Read our full LG C6 reviewView Deal

65-inch LS03FA The Frame QLED TV: was $1599.99 now $999.99
If you've been eyeing Samsung's gorgeous The Frame QLED TV, Best Buy has the 65-inch model on sale for its lowest price yet. The 2025 Samsung Frame TV features Pantone art-validated colors that deliver lifelike images. The display now comes with Streams, a complimentary set of artwork streamed from the Samsung Art Store.View Deal

65-inch G6 OLED 4K TV: was $3399.99 now $2999.99
The LG G6 is a pricey TV, but this flagship OLED delivers superb picture quality and unbeatable gaming performance. It uses a new-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel and a new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor to deliver a better bright-room viewing experience than the previous model. With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting a full suite of features, the G6 is also a fantastic gaming display.

Read our full LG G6 reviewView Deal

75-inch S5 4K LED Fire TV: was $649.99 now $399.99
The TCL 75-inch S5 4K LED TV supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 Plus, HDR10, and HLG, while there’s Dolby Atmos sound and a built-in subwoofer. It also has a dedicated Game Mode for lower input lag and latency, and Motion Rate 240 technology for smoother motion. It’s all wrapped up in a highly attractive price tag for a screen of this size.View Deal

Best Buy has an impressive discount on Samsung's 2026 75-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K Smart TV. Perfect for watching football, Samsung's R85H Series delivers brilliant colors that come to life thanks to its Micro RGB technology and AI engine. Today's whopping $800 discount brings the price down to a record low.View Deal

77-inch B5 OLED 4K Smart TV: was $2999.99 now $1399.99
The LG B5 is this year's best budget OLED TV, and Best Buy has a massive 53% discount on the 77-inch model. Released last year, the LG B5 is TechRadar's best budget OLED TV and was awarded four and a half stars in our review. The LG display delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast. You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports and new AI tools, including AI Search, AI Concierge, and an improved AI Chatbot.

Read our full LG B5 reviewView Deal

77-inch Bravia XR8B Smart Google TV: was $2999.99 now $2499.99
If you're looking for a big-screen premium display to watch your favorite team, Sony's 77-inch Bravia XR8B OLED TV is now at a record-low price of $2,499.99. Sony's Bravia 8 features a sleek, slim design, a wide viewing angle, brilliant images with deep contrast, and cinematic sound across the entire screen.View Deal

85-inch QM7L Mini LED TV: was $2499.99 now $1699.99
A massive $800 price cut makes this 85-inch TCL QM7L a great choice if you're looking for a truly big-screen TV for football season. This 2026 model features impressive brightness and plenty of pop thanks to its Mini-LED display, and it also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K gaming. Of course, the main selling point here is this particular TV's massive 85-inch display, which will make it the centerpiece of any room. View Deal

DDR5 memory is crazily expensive right now, especially compared to this time last year, and big, genuine discounts are hard to find. Case in point, the price of the 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM kit has dropped to $260 (was $285) at Newegg.

A modest saving, but given the outrageous prices we've seen on memory recently, we'll take any discount we can get. Here, you're getting two 8GB DDR5-6000 modules with CL36 latency and 36-44-44 timings. Support for both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 also makes it easier to run the memory at its rated performance on compatible AMD and Intel systems.

Each module features a solid aluminum heat spreader and ten individually addressable RGB LEDs. Corsair's iCUE software lets you customize the lighting, monitor frequency and control onboard voltage regulation.

16GB Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 RAM: was $284.99 now $259.99
Corsair's dual-channel kit includes 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5-6000 memory with CL36 timings, AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 support, onboard voltage regulation, aluminum heat spreaders and ten-zone RGB lighting.View Deal

Why we recommend it

DDR5-6000 remains a great speed for a general-purpose desktop, and this kit combines it with the convenience of profiles for both AMD and Intel platforms, making it a more flexible option if you're after memory for a new build rather than upgrading an existing machine.

The RGB is also much better than simply adding an illuminated strip. Each module has ten individually addressable LEDs, with Corsair iCUE providing control over the lighting alongside real-time frequency monitoring and voltage regulation.

This is also a dual-channel 2x8GB kit, so you're getting two matched modules rather than a single 16GB stick.

Price context & historical value

Newegg normally lists this 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB kit at $284.99, but the current deal brings it down to $259.99. That's $25 off, or around 9%.

Admittedly, that's not an enormous saving, and it's still well over what you would have paid for the same kit a year ago. The attraction is primarily getting a specific DDR5-6000 RGB kit for a little less.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB kit if...

You need DDR5 memory now and don't want to wait for prices to improve. DDR5-6000 with CL36 timings is a solid fit for a modern PC, and AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 support gives you broad compatibility with supported platforms.

The RGB lighting is also a draw if the modules will be visible through your case, with ten individually addressable LEDs per stick controlled via Corsair iCUE.

❌ Skip the 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB kit if...

You can wait for DDR5 prices to come down. The current $25 saving is small, although it does come at a time when DDR5 prices are severely high.

You should also consider a 32GB kit if your budget allows. This 2x8GB configuration gives you 16GB total, which is still usable, but 32GB offers far more headroom for creative tasks and heavier multitasking.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Capacity is the biggest consideration. You get 16GB across two 8GB modules, which is still enough for many desktop workloads, but 32GB provides considerably more headroom for multitasking and content creation.

Using two DIMM slots for 16GB can also affect your future upgrade path. If you expect to need 32GB at some point in the future, buying a 2x16GB kit from the may make more sense than replacing these modules later.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg

If you need a good Windows laptop for work, college or general home use, Dell's 15.6" 2K Touchscreen Laptop is currently $600 (was $1100) at Best Buy.

Designed to comfortably handle everyday tasks, its 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U has 10 cores and can boost to 5GHz, backed by 16GB of DDR5-4400 memory and a 512GB PCIe SSD. The 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen gives you a large working area, and a dedicated numeric keypad makes it particularly useful for spreadsheets, accounts and other business or college work involving lots of numbers.

15.6" 2k Touchscreen Laptop - Intel 13th Generation Core I7 1355u 2023 - 16gb Memory - 512 Gb Storage - Carbon Black: was $1099.99 now $599.99
This 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop combines a 10-core Core i7-1355U processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Full HD IPS display, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C and Windows 11 Home.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The combination of a Core i7 processor, 16GB DDR5 memory and a 512GB SSD gives this Dell a well-balanced specification for everyday use.

Alongside Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, there are USB-C 3.2, USB-A 3.2 and USB-A 2.0 ports, HDMI 1.4, an SD card reader and a headphone jack. The full-size keyboard and numeric keypad also make it a sensible choice for business and college work.

At 4.28 pounds, it's reasonably portable for a full-size 15.6-inch laptop, although this is more of an everyday workhorse than an ultraportable.

Price context & historical value

Best Buy has slashed the price of this Dell laptop from $1,099.99 to $599.99, saving you $500, a substantial cut on a laptop with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD.

At its $1,099.99 regular price, several of the compromises would be harder to overlook, particularly the basic integrated graphics, 220-nit display and lack of a backlit keyboard. At $599.99, it's a good all-rounder for someone primarily interested in productivity and everyday computing tasks.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Dell 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop if...

You want a full-size laptop for business, studying, home working or everyday computing. The Core i7 processor provides plenty of performance for office applications, web browsing, video calls and other everyday workloads.

The touchscreen adds another way to navigate Windows, and the separate numeric keypad is useful if you spend much of your day working with spreadsheets or figures. Its 15.6-inch screen also provides considerably more workspace than smaller 13-inch and 14-inch laptops.

❌ Skip the Dell 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop if...

You need serious graphics performance. This model relies on Intel UHD integrated graphics, so it isn't designed for demanding gaming, 3D rendering or GPU-heavy creative workloads.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The main compromise is that this isn't a laptop for demanding graphics-heavy creative work. Intel UHD integrated graphics are fine for everyday productivity and media, but you'll want a dedicated GPU for more intensive visual workloads.

The 220-nit display is also relatively modest in brightness, particularly if you plan to work outdoors or in brightly lit rooms. There's no backlit keyboard either, which is worth bearing in mind if you regularly work after dark.

• Shop the full 60th anniversary sale at Best Buy

The reMarkable line is some of the best e-ink handwriting tablets we've ever tested - our hardware editor uses his collection every day for taking digital notes. And right now, the 11.8in reMarkable Paper Pro is down to $699 (was $799) and 7.3in reMarkable Paper Pro Move now $469 (was $569) at Best Buy,

The full-size reMarkable Paper Pro includes the Marker Plus and Premium Leather Book Folio. Its 11.8-inch color display gives you plenty of room for handwritten notes, PDFs, sketches and ebooks, making it the better choice if you mainly work at a desk or want the closest thing to a large digital notebook.

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move drops from $569 to $469 and also includes the Marker Plus, along with a Mosaic Weave Book Folio. Its 7.3-inch Canvas Color e-ink display fits into a device smaller than a paperback, so this is the one to choose if you want something you can easily carry with you.

The Paper Pro combines an 11.8-inch 2160 x 1620 color display with 64GB storage, Wi-Fi and USB-C charging, with the Marker Plus and Premium Leather Book Folio included.View Deal

Paper Pro Move features a 7.3-inch 1696 x 954 color e-ink display, 64GB storage, 2GB RAM, USB-C charging, Wi-Fi and up to two weeks of battery life.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Both devices solve the same problem in very different ways. In his four-star review of the Paper Pro, our expert Philip said: "This is a luxury tablet, so it’s the most expensive in its class, but it feels as premium as it looks, especially if you buy a nice Book Folio." He also called it an "incredibly well-built device, and it has a premium finish and design that is truly… impeccable."

In his five-star review of the Paper Pro Move, Philip said it was "the rare gadget that gives me exactly what I wished for, nothing more and nothing less." He went on to add that: "The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is a thin and very lightweight writing tablet that feels incredibly solid for its subtle heft. I had no trouble holding the tablet in the palm of my left hand and writing comfortably across the whole page with my right. Then I just tucked the tablet into the back pocket of my jeans."

Price context & historical value

Best Buy has slashed $100 off both models. The reMarkable Paper Pro drops from $799 to $699, while the Paper Pro Move falls from $569 to $469. We haven't seen either of these exact bundles sell for less.

The identical saving doesn't make them equally expensive, of course. The Move remains $230 cheaper and is the more accessible option if you mainly want handwritten notes on the go. The full-size Paper Pro costs considerably more, but you're paying for its much larger 11.8-inch display and much larger working area.

Which should you buy?

✅ Buy the reMarkable Paper Pro if...

You want the larger canvas. The 11.8-inch display gives you far more room for handwritten notes, detailed sketches and full-page PDFs, so it makes the most sense for creators, students and professionals who expect to spend long periods working on the device.

It's also the better option if you're trying to replace a conventional notebook or pad on your desk. The larger screen makes it easier to see more of a document at once.

✅ Buy the reMarkable Paper Pro Move if...

Portability matters more than screen size. At 7.3 inches and 8.16 ounces, the Paper Pro Move is much easier to carry around and is small enough to slip into a bag or even a large jacket pocket.

It still gives you handwriting-to-text conversion, searchable handwritten notes, cloud syncing and a paper-like color display and a two-week battery life.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Neither of these should be treated as a conventional Android or iPad-style tablet. Their lack of apps and distractions is central to the appeal, but it also means they can't be used for tasks like video streaming, games, social media or apps.

The choice between them really comes down to screen size versus portability. If PDFs, sketches and large pages are important, the Paper Pro's bigger display is worth having. If you primarily take notes in meetings or while on the go, the Paper Pro Move is a better choice and much easier to carry.

• Shop the full 60th anniversary sale at Best Buy

• Hostinger launches AI Builder, moving beyond initial web design to help users set up and run backends, ecommerce, and marketing automatically
• AI Builder was driven by demand, with non-traditional builds like SaaS, apps, and internal tools growing fivefold in the last 12 months
• The new tool benefits from Hostinger’s infrastructure, with no third-party setup needed for many projects.

Top web hosting Hostinger has announced the launch of its new AI Builder platform, which aims to move beyond AI-generated websites by combining AI-led creation and visual control with backend infrastructure, ecommerce, embedded AI, and marketing.

The company says taking this approach aims to shift AI’s involvement from generating a first version to setting up and operating the systems behind a project.

The new tool was launched following a noticeable change in what Hostinger customers are building, highlighting research which found a year ago fewer than 4% of projects created on its platform fell outside of the traditional website category. More recently, nearly one-in-five projects are software-as-a-service (SaaS) products, learning platforms, and internal tools, a fivefold increase in the past 12 months.

More than a traditional website

SaaS projects of this type require more than a traditional website. Hostinger’s new tool will help users deal with everything from authentication and data to infrastructure. It will also help businesses find, reach, and keep new customers.

Where many AI platforms help you build a tool, then leave it to the user to assemble the components and deal with the infrastructure themselves, Hostinger benefits from built-in backend, marketing, and ecommerce systems.

"The next battle in online presence is not about who can generate a homepage in 30 seconds," said Auksė Žirgulė, Vice President of Product at Hostinger.

"It is about what happens next. Can the AI open the store, create the user management system, help attract customers, and keep improving the project? That's the direction we're taking with AI Builder."

AI Builder goes beyond the usual ‘prompt to build’ approach, allowing users to upload a whole range of content as a starting point. For example, a restaurant may upload a menu PDF, a designer may upload a screenshot or reference image, and a business owner can paste the link to an outdated website they want to modernize.

Hostinger’s AI Builder is now available globally to new and existing customers. For more information and to get started, you can visit the AI Builder page.

• Geekom has admitted a software driver contained malware
• A LAN driver on a legacy page was hosting the Asruex backdoor
• The malware can track keystrokes, steal passwords, and intercept data

Hardware maker Geekom has admitted that a network driver for multiple mini PC variants hosted Asruex backdoor malware, potentially putting users at risk

The LAN driver for Geekom’s range of A7, A8, AE7, AE8, AX7 Pro and AX8 Pro mini-PCs hosted the malicious package with administrator-level permissions that allowed it to monitor everything you type, steal data, and even swipe passwords from your machine. The malicious software also connects to a command and control (C2) network to send and receive information from hackers.

Geekom has issued an apology and removed the software package in question, but if you have a Geekom mini PC from the aforementioned range and have installed the LAN driver, I’d definitely recommend doing a full system virus scan, with a wipe and reset just to be sure.

Geekom ships malware-riddled LAN driver

Videocardz first broke the story after investigating claims from a Reddit user who reported finding a malicious executable file contained within the LAN driver.

Videocardz then independently investigated the claim using FileScan.IO, MetaDefender VirusTotal, and YARAify. Each antivirus engine detected the executable as malicious.

In Geekom’s statement about the malicious file, the company said that the driver was hosted on a “legacy page [that] had already been replaced and was no longer accessible through the normal Support navigation, although it remained indexed by search engines.”

So when users searched for the LAN driver using Google, the result that came up was the malicious file. I always recommend users install drivers and other software from the official distributor rather than using Google listings as hackers can use tactics such as SEO poisoning or promoted pages to offer dodgy software. But in this case the legacy page was official.

Geekom has confirmed that none of its mini PC range were shipped with the malicious driver preinstalled, so if you haven’t directly downloaded the malicious software from the legacy page, you should be okay. But consider running a Windows Defender scan to be sure.

In order to guarantee that your mini PC is free of the malicious driver, perform a complete wipe and reset of Windows, and install a new Windows image direct from Microsoft’s official page. Going forward, only install software and drivers from the official support pages of the manufacturer.

It's been a while since the last one, so Amazon is back with another sale on a handful of top Garmin smartwatches. We rate several of these devices for their stunning displays, excellent tracking, and slick designs — with many of them our top picks for various health and fitness needs at a range of different budgets. My top eight picks from the latest Garmin sale at Amazon are below.

• See all Garmin deals at Amazon

I've picked out entry-level fitness trackers for those just starting out, dedicated running watches for those working up to everything from a first 5k to a first marathon, and hardy all-purpose wearables that will guide you on more challenging outdoor adventures.

Our expert health and fitness testers have tried many Garmin devices and these are the ones they would recommend as the best Garmin watches you can buy. For example, there's the classic Garmin Forerunner 265 for $349.99 for runners, a more affordable Garmin Vívoactive 5 at $189.99 for the gym-goer, and this Garmin Fenix 8 for $749.99 for multisport enthusiasts.

Even though summer is drawing to a close, there's still time to get your exercise regimen in place and one of these smartwatches could offer just the extra incentive you need to get your routine in place for the cooler months ahead and start tracking your progress.

8 best Garmin deals for Memorial Day

Garmin Forerunner 265

Garmin Vívoactive 5

Garmin Venu 4

Garmin Instinct 3 (50mm)

Garmin Fēnix 8 (47mm)

Garmin Enduro 3

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar (45mm)

Garmin Forerunner 965

• A new 'It Happens on PS5' ad features Grand Theft Auto 6 footage
• Fans are excited about a newly added trunk sound effect
• Fans are eagerly awaiting the 'Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look'

Sony has released a new PlayStation 5 ad featuring Grand Theft Auto 6, and fans are getting excited over a new sound effect.

If you're out of the loop, the 'It Happens on PS5' physical ad campaign has just launched around the world, which highlights PlayStation's "biggest moments of play."

A new commercial also dropped and was swiftly brigaded by fans still angry with Sony's plan to end physical game disc production, and features games such as Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and 007 First Light, as well as upcoming titles like Marvel’s Wolverine and God of War Laufey.

GTA 6 is also featured, showing a live-action shot from Miami, clips from previous trailers, and a billboard in Poland. The thing is, the ad doesn't even feature new GTA 6 footage, but it's the shot of Lucia and Jason from inside a car trunk that has fans excited.

The same scene, which appears to be running at 60 frames per second (fps), first appeared in Trailer 2, but this version includes a sound effect of the car trunk closing. Yeah, that's it.

GTA 6 trunk closing sound effect heard in the new PS clip. pic.twitter.com/ZT88G8GOi9August 17, 2026

"GTA 6 appears in a new PlayStation commercial. Previously seen footage features new audio, including the sound of the trunk closing," a viral X post reads.

Rockstar Games plans to treat us to an extended look, premiering on Netflix on August 27, but it seems fans can't seem to hold out much longer.

"Rockstar Games is watching people get excited for the sound of trunk closing and probably thinking to themselves that maybe they overdid it with the silent treatment. Anyway, the sound of that trunk closing is extremely realistic I LOVE IT," one user replied.

"We’re so desperate for GTA 6 marketing that a trunk closing sound is exciting," a fan said, as another wrote, "Yup, that sounds like a trunk closing alright."

Someone also pointed out that the sound effect could have been edited on top of the footage by Sony for its ad, but either way, the upcoming extended look can't come soon enough.

GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S.

• Star Wars: Galactic Racer has call-backs that span the whole film series
• Iconic locations and recognizable characters will appear in the upcoming racing game
• The game's set to launch on October 6, 2026

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is shaping up to be the ultimate racing experience for Star Wars fans, letting you speed through a mix of new beloved locations (including the iconic Boonta Eve Classic course) as legendary characters like Sebulba and Ben Quadinaros.

It's not all based on The Phantom Menace, though, and in my recent couple of hours hands-on with the game, I spent plenty of time in the sandy starship-strewn desert of Jakku, seen in The Force Awakens, and other recognizable planets that haven't been revealed quite yet.

The game takes place in the Outer Rim, the perilous outskirts of the galaxy, in the New Republic Era right after the events of Return of the Jedi. According to Lucasfilm Games executive producer Craig Derrick, the setting was chosen because the game is "about telling a local story" rather than a grand intergalactic conflict.

"Sometimes putting a story in the Outer Rim helps distance it a little bit from all the bigger stakes that you see sometimes in our films," he says. "And it shows that these characters have a real life."

The team also says the decision was inspired by real-world history. "We wanted to tell a story of the beginning of this league and how it's put together," begins Kieran Crimmins, creative director at developer Fuse Games.

"And there was a kind of mirroring there of real life. The empire has just fallen, so a little bit like the end of World War Two. Here, there was a big rise in racing with all the ex-pilots, and ex-military people who were still very capable behind the wheel, becoming pilots."

This is best exemplified by Griff Halloran (who some might recognize from the Star Wars Resistance animated series), an ex-Tie fighter pilot who still wears his battered old armor in-game.

The chosen time period also gives the team plenty of license to draw on all the Star Wars movies in some way. "There's a great thing where you can pull from all the different time periods," adds Crimmins. "Particularly the kind of original trilogy and the prequel trilogy, and there is an absolute plethora of depth, not only in lore and character, but also the machines used and the design language used."

Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches for Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC on October 6, 2026.

The demo that convinced me happened at an art exhibition I'd built myself.

We couldn't afford a team of docents, so I put together a side project to stand in for one. There was no prompt box and nothing to type. You pointed your phone at something and it told you what you were looking at. Then the show closed, and people kept using it anyway.

They pointed it at buildings, flowers, their kids' toys, posters on the street, none of which had anything to do with the exhibition.

Without anyone asking them to, they had decided a camera should be able to explain the world back to them.

That expectation is now the industry's to deliver on, and it arrives just as AI shifts from a training problem to an inference one, with more of the real work happening on-device while someone points a phone at an uncooperative real world.

A model needs different things from a frame than your eye does: edges to lock onto, and structure it can recover when the shot is full of glare or blur. The color and contrast that make a photo look good are, to the model, mostly in the way.

The sensor you'd want for a human viewer and the one you'd want for a model call for different designs.

The sensor has become a perception problem, and the people building real-time vision systems now care about it the way photographers once did.

Where the sensor came from

Eric Fossum's CMOS active-pixel sensor, developed in the early 1990s, is why a capable camera now sits in nearly every pocket.

His later work heads somewhere else entirely: the Quanta Image Sensor, which counts individual photons. That arc previews what is happening to AI now: it runs from capturing a frame a person will like toward capturing the cleanest signal for a machine to reason over.

The sensor is turning into an instrument of perception, and photography is becoming only one of the things it is for.

Why inference changes the job

Inference is what makes the problem urgent. Back when AI was mostly about training, the camera's role was indirect: it produced data to be labeled and learned from later, at leisure. Inference is not leisurely. It happens live, on a device short on power and already running warm.

When a system has to recognize something while you're still pointing at it and answer before the moment passes, the weakest link is whatever reaches the model, and it sets the ceiling on everything the product can do.

Part of the industry is still betting on the wrong thing. The assumption is that a big enough model will clean up whatever the camera hands it. I've watched this hold up product roadmaps for two years running, and I don't think it survives contact with physics.

No amount of model size recovers detail that motion blur or glare already destroyed, or that a beauty-first pipeline discarded before the model ever saw the frame. The bottleneck is moving upstream, toward the sensor and what sits between it and the model.

What the hardware is already doing

Some sensors now do part of the processing on-chip, so the first computations happen before data leaves the pixel array. Event-based sensors, sometimes called neuromorphic, register only the parts of a scene that change, which suits real-time perception far better than streaming whole frames. Global shutters help too, by cutting the motion artifacts that wreck machine reading.

Even high dynamic range, long tuned to make skies dramatic, is being retuned around what a model can read cleanly in high contrast. Different as these are, they point the same way, toward a version of the world a model can work with.

From recognition to reasoning

The obvious thing to build is visual search: you point at something and get a label back. Point your phone at a menu, though, and what you want is help deciding what to eat; point it at a poster, and the useful move might be saving the event to your calendar. Recognizing the object is only the starting condition. The product lives in knowing what should happen next. That move is where the sensor becomes the first link in a longer chain of interpretation, beyond simple capture.

I never meant to build a camera product at all; it began as a cheap way to avoid hiring docents for one exhibition. But that small project taught me the instinct is already out there. The next camera race will run across the entire stack: the sensor, the image pipeline, the edge compute, the model orchestration, and what the system does with an answer.

Device makers have spent years perfecting image quality, and they will have to take inference quality just as seriously. And whoever writes the software can't treat capture as someone else's problem: how a signal is grabbed and routed shapes the result long before a user sees it. The old boundary between hardware and software matters less the further you push into real-time perception.

Startups still have room here. Their advantage is speed of definition: framing a problem before the larger players finish arguing about it. Generic model capability, on its own, is getting harder to defend. The open question is what happens once a single system can see, reason about what's in front of it, and act on the same event, and who gets there first with a product that holds together.

Human eyes vs machine minds

My bet is that the next few years will sort companies into two camps: the ones optimizing for human eyes and the ones optimizing for what a machine has to read. Inside a flagship phone, those goals still overlap enough to ignore the difference.

As a strategy, they are already diverging. The more durable position belongs to whoever can turn the messy real world into the cleanest signal for a machine to reason over.

And that starts at the sensor.

We've reviewed, rated, and ranked the best camera phones.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• Star Wars: Galactic Racer lets players pilot vehicles as iconic characters from the movie series like Sebulba and Ben Quadinaros
• Lucasfilm Games executive producer Craig Derrick says "it's important to have some returning characters"
• Creative director Kieran Crimmins would "absolutely love" to see players try and emulate Sebulba's iconic podracing stance by playing with their feet

The upcoming arcade racing game Star Wars: Galactic Racer finally lets every Star Wars fan live out their ultimate fantasy: piloting a pod racer as legendary The Phantom Menace character Sebulba.

In just a few hours of hands-on at a recent preview event, I spotted the now grey-haired alien in both the game's Scenario mode and its intense online player-versus-player battles, where he appears alongside other movie favorites including the only marginally less iconic Ben Quadinaros. There are also plenty of newcomers, like the story mode protagonist Shade or their unapologetically Scouse-sounding companion Hibi.

"I think it's important to have some returning characters if they're important, if they're meaningful," explains Lucasfilm Games executive producer Craig Derrick. "I don't think we want to move to cameos for the sake of cameos; it feels cheap. But in the case of Sebulba and some of the other characters you may meet in this game, they actually have a real point and real presence in the story.

"It drives that story forward in a way that feels not only connected to the larger film franchise in the way that you've seen those characters before, but they actually have a real point. They have a real reason for being there, and so the fans get that instant flush of familiarity."

Although his presence in the game seems to follow his "mischievous" characterization in the film, Derrick teases that there might be some surprises in store for fans that play with their expectations.

"His mischievousness is [a huge part of his character]. It's an immediate read," he explains. "

"I hope our players come in and know the character before maybe the characters in our game do. Maybe some of his reputation precedes him a little bit in this, and then we get to play with that. We get to play with it both in terms of like 'how do we lean into what you already know?' and 'how do you subvert it?' Maybe the character changes his stripes a little bit... Or not."

Personality aside, one of the most memorable aspects of Sebulba is his unique pod racing position that involves piloting his craft with his feet. Asked whether players should try and emulate this for the most authentic experience, Kieran Crimmins, creative director at Galactic Racer developer Fuse Games, appears eager to see it tried.

"I think if they're not controlling it with their feet, then are they really playing the game properly?" he asks. "I would absolutely love to see someone try and do that. [...] Please send me the footage."

If you fancy getting your grippers out and giving it a go, Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches for Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC on October 6, 2026.

• Polaroid and Pokémon have jointly announced a range of Pokémon-themed instant cameras and accessories
• Cameras include a version of the Polaroid Now Gen 3 styled after a Poké Ball, and versions of the Go Gen 3 styled after Pikachu and Sylveon
• All the releases, including Pokémon-styled film and accessories, will be limited edition

I’m on the record as being a huge Polaroid fan — but this latest unexpected collab from the brand has me wishing I’d waited a little longer before buying my Polaroid Go Gen 3.

Polaroid has teamed up with Pokémon to help celebrate 30 years of the pocket-monster mega-franchise (the first Pokémon games were released for the Game Boy in 1996) and has produced a range of limited-edition Pokémon-themed cameras and accessories.

As you probably agree from the images above, the most eye-catching of the bunch is the Pikachu-styled version of the Polaroid Go Gen 3, colored in the character’s iconic shade of electric yellow, complete with a yellow hand-strap in the lightning-bolt shade of Pikachu’s tail and a drawing of the little guy on the camera body.

Yes, that is a Poké Ball-themed camera case. (Image credit: Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / Polaroid)

There's also the Sylveon-styled version of the same camera, with a strap in the Fairy-type Pokémon’s colors of pink, white and blue. Alternatively, you could pick up a version of the larger Polaroid Now Gen 3, which takes full-size I-Type film, in the classic red, white and black colors of a Poké Ball. Although, in a small touch that I absolutely adore, all three cameras have Poké Ball-shaped shutter buttons.

(Image credit: Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / Polaroid)

If you, like me, already own your Polaroid cameras, there are still ways you can get in on the Pokémon fun. The collab also includes Polaroid Go and I-Type film in Pokémon styling, with frames themed after iconic monsters like Charmander, Clefairy and Squirtle in addition to Pikachu and Sylveon, and a Pokémon-themed camera strap. And — I just love these — you can also get a camera case and photo album for your Polaroid Go in the shape and style of a Poké Ball!

The special-edition Go Gen 3 versions in Pikachu and Sylveon styles can be picked up for $99.99 / £89.99 (around AU$140), while the Poké Ball-themed version of the Now Gen 3 starts at $139.99 / £129.99 (around AU$198).

Special editions of I-Type film will be priced at $22.99 USD / £21.99 (around AU$32) while the Go film will be $24.99 / £21.99 (around AU$35). Basically, a couple of dollars over regular Polaroid film.

The three camera complete with stylized frames. (Image credit: Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / Polaroid)

The whole lot will be available for pre-order from Polaroid and the Pokémon Center in the US, UK and Canada from August 25, and will go on general sale from October 6. And it’s all going to be in limited quantities — so if you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan who wants to get in on the instant-photography fun, you might not want to wait!

• Hacker “TheHatman” claims to have stolen millions of Azure/Entra employee records from major firms
• Data includes names, emails, job titles, privileged accounts; risks include impersonation and fraud
• Victims dispute scope, but researchers say infostealer‑based theft makes the leaks likely authentic

A cybercriminal is selling millions of user records on the dark web, which they claim to have stolen from large organizations such as McDonalds, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wyndham Hotels.

A hacker going by the alias “TheHatman” posted multiple threads on dark web forums, claiming to have stolen information from Azure and Entra environments.

TheHatman said they broke in using compromised login credentials, targeting almost a dozen organizations.

What was stolen and from whom?

Among the victims and the number of records exposed, are:

McDonald’s Corporation: 1,700,000 records
TCS (Tata Consultancy Services): 800,000 records
Vodafone: 425,000 records
HCL Technologies: 250,000 records
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG): 185,000 records
Kyndryl: 170,000 records
Gap Inc.: 80,000 records
Hexaware Technologies: 20,000 records
Wyndham Hotels: 9,000 records

They are now looking for a buyer: “I’m selling McDonald’s Corporation internal employee dump downloaded directly from Azure Tenant using compromised credentials,” TheHatman said in one of the posts.

In their writeup, security researchers from Cybernews said they analyzed one of the samples posted on the dark web and said the entries were “consistent with Azure directory exports”.

They contained employee names, emails, phone numbers, job titles, workplace addresses, IDs, the departments they work in, user group memberships, service accounts, and highly privileged account records.

What are the risks?

Stealing information such as names, email addresses, and workplace details might not sound like a worrisome breach of privacy, but the implications are rather big. Cybercriminals can use it to impersonate a business partner or a major client, and try to trick their employees into installing ransomware, or making a fraudulent wire transaction. That way, they can escalate what seems like a relatively benign breach, into a full-blown cyberattack with material and legal consequences.

For example, a criminal might discover a Vodafone employee that regularly handles payments to a particular supplier. They might impersonate that supplier’s finance director, engage in conversation and, while requesting a new payment, warn that the company changed their bank account. This is not a purely theoretical scenario - it’s been documented time and time again.

What did the victims say?

Most organizations are yet to give an official statement about these claims. Gap told BleepingComputer that it found no evidence of the breach and suggested that the attackers merely repackaged data from an older incident.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that the data in question is limited in scope, non-sensitive and dated back to several years ago. Notably, there is no evidence to suggest that our corporate systems have been compromised,” Gap told the publication.

Tata Consultancy Services notified the Indian National Stock Exchange about the breach last week, also suggesting that this was a resurfacing of an older incident.

“The Company has investigated the matter and has not found any credible evidence of a breach of TCS systems or customer environments,” TCS said in the filing. “The information referenced appears to be more than four years old and limited to basic employee information. There is no indication that customer data, customer systems, or TCS operational systems have been impacted.”

TCS said the attackers broke in using credential stuffing, something that could have only been done years ago: “The attacker claims to have used password spray and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) fatigue as the attack vector. The Company has had strong safeguards in place against such techniques for more than two years.”

Not everyone agrees with that assessment, though. Security researchers Hudson Rock believe the attackers stole login credentials with an infostealer, rather than through password spraying.

“Judging by the massive size of the organizations impacted, it appears highly likely that this campaign originates from targeted exploitation of Infostealer infections rather than a systemic zero-day vulnerability in Azure,” the researchers said in their report. “If this were a widespread vulnerability, we would likely see a much broader spectrum of organizations impacted, including smaller businesses, rather than just these massive Fortune 500-level enterprises.”

Hudson Rock also described the stolen data as “likely highly authentic”, hinting that just because it’s older, it doesn’t mean it’s not useful.

• Spotify's Playlist Notes tool allows you to add background to the songs in your personal playlists
• It's also coming to editorial playlist, allowing Spotify's editors to give context behind their recommendations
• The best part is that it's not powered by AI

Spotify is enriching its personalization features once again, and this time, the best music streaming service is allowing you to add your thoughts in note-form to the playlists you make.

Playlist Notes lets you add short 250-character entries to the songs, podcast episodes, and audiobooks you add to your playlists, giving you a way to add context and background to your choices — because the personal stories behind your favorite songs deserve to be heard.

The tool builds on Spotify’s User Notes feature, which rolled out a short while ago, but only allowed you to add notes to songs and not other audio formats. Now, if for example a song or podcast episode reminds you of a specific date, a fun trip, or evokes a sense of nostalgia, you can keep a record of that memory and display it front and center in your playlists, kind of like a diary entry.

It’s also very easy to add notes. All you need to do is go to a playlist you’ve created or collaborated on, and tap the three-dot icon next to a track and select ‘Add note’. From there you can type your short entry, hit ‘Save’, and your note will appear under the track in a similar way to Prompted Playlists — except you’re the author, not AI.

(Image credit: Spotify)

It’s not just users who’ll be able to use Playlist Notes; Spotify is also encouraging its editorial curators to use it, giving you a glimpse into the context behind the team’s recommendations. This started with New Music Friday’s recent upgrade, and now Playlist Notes are being expanded to a roster of other editorial playlists.

From today, Free and Premium users aged 16 and over in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand will be able to read Playlist Notes in Spotify-curated playlists. This includes the following: Today’s Top Hits, RapCaviar, Hot Country, All New Pop, mint, and Fresh Finds Hip-Hop.

Savor and relive the good times

(Image credit: Spotify)

Listening to music is so much more than a leisurely activity — it connects us to our good memories, bad moments, and everything in between. Regardless of how much or how little you engage with music, everyone has auditory connections to specific moments in their lives, and Playlist Notes reinforces this.

Granted, Spotify’s existing roster of playlist tools and options is quite dense, and there’s also a focus on AI-powered ones, but Playlist Notes might be one of the platform’s most valuable additions yet — especially for those who like to get personal when making playlists.

For the past four years, I’ve been rounding up my favorite songs into annual playlists, starting a new one at the beginning of each year. It’s been my go-to way of keeping track of my favorite releases each year, but having a tool like Playlist Notes back then would have been even more helpful for keeping tabs on where I was when I first heard a particular song, or if a friend recommended it to me.

But it’s not just that. What appeals to me the most about Playlist Notes is that, for once, it’s not an AI tool. Every note you enter is written by you. There are no text prompts or suggestions getting in the way, it’s 100% your thoughts. It’s also a useful addition to Spotify’s editorial playlists.

I’m always on the hunt for new music recommendations, and navigating Spotify’s own playlists is just one part of my discovery regime. But I also have a thirst for knowledge, and reading the background of editors’ recommendations is oh so quenching. Luckily, not every song in these playlists have notes so it’s not overpowered with text, and you can easily toggle them off so they disappear.

Out of all the personalization features for playlists, Playlist Notes is one I think I could integrate into my listening habits. Perhaps not as much for my own, but there’s a whole world full of music out there that I’m dying to learn more about.

• Researchers have created a wearable patch that detects poisons
• It sends a haptic buzz to your arm whenever toxins are sensed
• Each poison type has its own haptic feedback pattern

There are many professions that regularly put people in contact with dangerous substances — bacteria, toxic gases, you name it. What if there was a way to quickly and easily detect these hazardous compounds before they damage your health?

Well, new research suggests there might be just such a method. A paper published in the journal Device (via North Carolina State University) details how a wearable skin patch could warn you if a range of hazardous elements are found. If that happens, it delivers “target-specific vibrations to alert the wearer” of the risk to their health.

That means you can tell in an instant what the patch is trying to tell you — a certain vibration might mean one toxin has been identified, while a different form of haptic feedback may correspond to a different poison. The user can then take appropriate action without a delay or the need for additional tests.

This approach has the advantage of being highly direct. Other patches exist that can also sense environmental contaminants, but many of these send warnings to your smartphone. That’s impractical if you don’t have your phone or if you’re trying to use it while wearing protective gear. A vibration-based skin patch, on the other hand, can tell you what’s happening without you even needing to look at it.

Life-saving tech

The patch can be adapted to work on robots. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The patch is currently able to detect six contaminants: heavy metals, particulate matter, high or low temperatures, humidity, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxide gases. It’s also rechargeable and uses a solar-powered battery to stay topped up in use.

A key facet of the patch is its modularity. According to Amay Bandodkar, a corresponding author of the paper, the modularity means “you can add or remove sensors that monitor for whichever hazards are most relevant to the application,” a feature that makes the device “extremely flexible.”

The patch isn’t just useful for humans, as the developers have created a version that can be applied to robots. This harnesses an “e-skin” made from piezoelectric material that can then be attached to a robot. When it detects toxins, it sends an electrical signal to the robot warning it of the danger.

It’s an interesting example of wearable technology moving beyond simple health analysis into something more serious. Who knows — maybe one day it could save your life.

I reviewed Nioh 3 back in January of this year, and it quickly cemented itself as one of the best soulslike games in my eyes.

Changes it made to the series' formula, including a clear distinction between Samurai and Ninja styles, as well as a shift to vast explorable open maps, really helped it to stand out from the pack.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: August 19, 2026

Now the game's first of two major expansions, Hell Rising, has arrived. It's not as expansive as Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree or Lies of P: Overture (it took me around 8-10 hours to complete all main missions and a handful of side quests), but it is more Nioh 3 in the best way possible.

Long story short, if you enjoyed Nioh 3 and played it all the way to completion, you'll find a lot more to love about Hell Rising. You can expect all-new enemy types, challenging boss encounters, a new weapon archetype, as well as a sprinkling of added skills, ninjutsu, and onmyo magic.

You will need to be caught up in order to properly access the DLC, though. Hell Rising requires you to have beaten the base game, and you'll want to be rocking a competent endgame build to face its higher difficulty and level recommendations. Enemies hit harder than ever, and bosses are among the toughest in Nioh 3 as a whole. So be sure to kit yourself in Divine tier gear (ideally with your preferred set bonuses) before jumping in.

Beyond the grave

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Nioh 3: Hell Rising takes place in 1651 during Japan's short-lived Keian era.

After being appointed Shogun at the end of the base game, protagonist Takechiyo learns of a resurgence of the Crucible and the demonic forces brought on by it. So, they travel to the Keian era with their spirit allies in order to quell the threat for good.

It's a simple setup, but I enjoyed Hell Rising's narrative. New allies join the fight alongside Takechiyo, including Yagyu Jubei and Rodrigo—a swordsman and politician hailing from Spain. New cutscenes typically bookend major boss fights, and I must say a late-game twist has beautifully set up the upcoming second expansion (a release date for which has yet to be revealed).

Best bit

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Area variety is really impressive in Nioh 3: Hell Rising. You'll traverse water-logged villages, skirt around an active volcano, as well as invade a laboratory staffed by foreign alchemists looking to harness yokai power for themselves. Levels have a surprising amount of verticality, too, helping the new map to feel suitably dense.

You do have kind of a test to pass in order to access the DLC proper, and that comes in the form of Yagyu Jubei.

He's essentially the gatekeeper boss for Hell Rising; the game's way of checking if you're truly ready for the challenges ahead. I actually found him to be among the hardest of the new bosses. He's fast, and commands wind and water elemental attacks. Oh, he's also really good at dodging through your ninjutsu techniques, so building up status effects on him is a challenge in and of itself.

Before the fight, though, the DLC almost immediately introduces you to the new Hoko and Shield weapon archetype. I think they're a fantastic addition to Nioh 3's roster of armaments, and there are versions for both Samurai and Ninja styles.

Your gameplan with the Hoko and Shield is to time your strong attacks (and certain Martial Art skills) to negate incoming enemy attacks. They're a more defensive weapon by nature, and its skill tree includes abilities to both engage and disengage enemies at a distance, as well as ranged attacks such as tossing the shield in various ways. It's a high-risk, high-reward weapon type that I ended up using for a decent chunk of the DLC's runtime.

I loved my time with Nioh 3: Hell Rising, and I'm now eagerly anticipating the second expansion and all the additions and new bosses that brings. I do have a couple of issues with Hell Rising, though, that I hope get addressed in future content.

For one, bosses from the base game get reused quite frequently. You'll see many of the base game's yokai bosses at least once in Hell Rising (one particularly annoying one actually appeared twice).

I found it a shame because the DLC's new bosses are all wonderful, engaging challenges. Recycling these older bosses with no noticeable changes felt like padding, and weren't much of a challenge beyond their larger health pools and higher attack power.

There were also some particularly mean enemy ambushes late on in the DLC, particularly in the Crucible zone that acts as its capstone. You'll be shoved into tight corridors and tiny rooms fairly frequently here, as mobs of yokai swarm in. It was the only time during the DLC that I felt the game was being just a touch unfair.

Should I play Nioh 3: Hell Rising?Play it if...

You loved Nioh 3
Yes, this one's fairly obvious, but I think Hell Rising is currently the pinnacle of what Nioh 3 has to offer. If you loved the base game and you're simply wanting more, you'll get a lot out of this first expansion.

You're excited for more build variety options
The Hoko and Shield weapon, along with all-new ninjutsu, onmyo magic, and yokai Soul Cores, all expand your options when it comes to building a Samurai or Ninja (or both!) kit that best suits your playstyle. Better yet, you can take it all back into the base game if you're keen to replay it on the higher Shogun's Journey difficulty.

Don't play it if...

You were hoping for a meatier package
At 8-10 hours, Hell Rising is a relatively bite-sized expansion. It's still excellent at this length, but if you're wanting something more sizable, I'd recommend waiting until the second expansion comes out so you can play both back to back.

Accessibility features

Nioh 3: Hell Rising's accessibility features remain the same as they were in the base game. For more information, check out our full Nioh 3 review in order to get a brief overview of what's on offer.

How I reviewed Nioh 3: Hell Rising

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Nioh 3: Hell Rising took me approximately 8-10 hours to finish on my first playthrough of it. That included all main missions and bosses, exploring most of the new map, and completing a handful of side quests.

I played the expansion on PC, carrying my base game character from my original Nioh 3 review into the DLC. I played through Hell Rising with the Valve Steam Controller (2026), and used my RIG 900 Max HS gaming headset for more immersive audio.

First reviewed August 2026

Nioh 3 is one of the best soulslike games I've played in quite some time, and now that I've completed and reviewed the new Hell Rising expansion, it's only gone up in my estimations. Hell Rising is an excellent start to Nioh 3's two-part downloadable content series, and I can't wait for its follow-up.

Before playing Hell Rising for myself, though, I had the chance to interview key development staff at Team Ninja about the expansion — namely, game directors Masaki Fujita and Atsushi Takahashi as well as producer Kohei Shibata.

The three discussed various aspects of Nioh 3: Hell Rising, including its plot following on from the base game, its new weapon types, and some collectible additions making their debut in the expansion. Read on if you want to learn more from the developers themselves before you dive into the hellish Edo-Keian period for yourself.

Bloody succession

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

In terms of story, Hell Rising picks up right after the events of Nioh 3.

"The DLC takes place after the main story," said game director Masaki Fujita, "and much of its content assumes that players have already cleared the base game." As such, you do need to have beaten Nioh 3's base game to access the DLC in the first place.

"At the end of the main game, the protagonist became shogun," Fujita continued, "and the events and incidents that unfold during the shogun's reign involve key figures and instigators, as well as people on the shogunate side who worked to resolve them—in other words, the shogun's retainers. Many of the characters appearing in the DLC fill one of those roles."

One character Fujita is referring to here is Yagyu Jubei, a popular historical figure who has been portrayed in countless media. You might know the name from Capcom's Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, in which the main protagonist is named as such. He makes an appearance in Nioh 3: Hell Rising, donning the iconic eyepatch he's often portrayed with.

Curiously, Hell Rising takes place in 1651 — a year after the real Yagyu Jubei's death.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

On Hell Rising's premise and setting of the Keian period, Fujita added: "The Keian era comes right after Takechiyo’s [Nioh 3's player character] reign as the third shogun. The events that unfold in that period are heavily shaped by the influence of his rule. In this title, by leaping through time into the future, you come to witness both the light and dark sides of your own reign. We’d like you to see how that experience is reflected in the conclusion across both DLC Vol. 1 and Vol. 2."

Fujita also commented on what Hell Rising's new setting allowed Team Ninja to achieve beyond its efforts with the base game, saying: "In the base game, the Edo period was only represented by a small part of Edo Castle, and Bakumatsu [Nioh 3's final major area and time period] was so devastated that it couldn’t really convey the culture and customs of the Edo period.

"So this is the first time in the series we’ve had a stage that truly feels like the Edo period. We’ve scattered little Edo-period details throughout, and I’m most looking forward to seeing how players react to them."

Shields up

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Before playing Hell Rising, I was curious to learn more about its new weapon type: the Hoko and Shield. This versatile weapon pairs a short spear with a large shield, and my feelings of its in-game mechanics seem to reflect Team Ninja's plan for this new archetype.

"There are actually two weapon types: Hoko and Shield and Ninja Hoko and Shield," explained game director Atsushi Takahashi.

"Their defining trait is that they combine offense and defense into one. Normally, you'd deal with an enemy attack by guarding or evading, then strike during the opening that follows.

"With these weapons, however, you can read the timing of an enemy's attack and, by parrying at just the right moment, deflect it and immediately counter with your own attack."

Personally, I found it not to be a parry in the traditional sense; that's something Nioh 3's Samurai style actually already has built into its guarding via the Deflect skill. The Hoko and Shield, meanwhile, more so negate the enemy's attack, allowing you to power through it without taking damage.

"In Samurai style," Takahashi added, "the Hoko and Shield lets you time strong attacks and certain Martial Arts to knock away enemy blows with your shield while driving in with the hoko spear.

"Meanwhile, the Ninja Hoko and Shield is a more versatile weapon. It doesn't just deflect attacks with the shield — it can also be thrown, ridden, and woven together with spear attacks. You can launch techniques, leap into the air, and even hurl the shield from above, letting you move freely and keep enemies off balance."

Takahashi seemed especially proud of this new weapon type, noting that it had "been designed as a high-risk, high-reward weapon, where you throw yourself into enemy attacks and earn a big payoff by deflecting them at just the right moment. I'd love for players to take it up against the tougher enemies in Hell Rising."

Raising hell

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

I questioned the team on miscellaneous additions and new features players can expect with the release of Nioh 3: Hell Rising. Fujita noted that while there aren't any dedicated new game modes coming with the DLC, "we are adding 'Enlightened One's Journey' for the game's third playthrough, as well as 'Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scroll,' an expanded piece of content built on the idea of the picture scroll mode from previous titles."

Takahashi added: "We haven't added any new traversal options, but the DLC does expand the content through collectible story pieces such as notes and letters in [the form of] 'Nioh Story Fragments'. These not only reveal more about the characters' inner lives, but also let you feel the culture of Edo's townspeople and the reign of Takechiyo."

I also asked if players can expect any improvements to performance, namely with the game's PC port. My experience at launch (and since) has been largely fine, but I know that's not the case for everyone. Fujita said: "We don't have a specific timeline, but we are currently looking into performance improvements to make the game even more comfortable to play. Once we have a clearer path forward, we plan to address them as appropriate."

Finally, given publisher Koei Tecmo's staunch support of the Nintendo Switch 2 platform — including the release of quality ports like Dynasty Warriors Origins, Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening, and Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake — I couldn't help but quiz the team on if they thought Nioh 3 would be a good fit for the handheld platform.

This is where game producer Kohei Shibata chimed in, saying: "I can't comment on Nioh 3, but the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition, also developed by Team Ninja, is scheduled to launch on September 3. Please look forward to that as well!"

• Fans have descended on Sony's new 'It Happens on PS5' ad featuring Grand Theft Auto 6
• They're protesting the decision to end physical disc production in January 2028
• The ad campaign also highlights other upcoming games like Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey

PlayStation fans still angry with Sony's plan to end physical game disc production have brigaded yet another video comment section, this time a PS5 ad featuring Grand Theft Auto 6.

Sony has just launched the 'It Happens on PS5' physical ad campaign across the world, which highlights "the biggest moments of play" featuring games such as Marvel’s Wolverine, 007 First Light, and God of War Laufey.

"Today, we’re launching a new It Happens on PS5 hero advert highlighting what’s available on PS5 as well as what’s ahead for players in the coming months," the accompanying PS blog reads.

"The advert invites players to discover what PS5 makes possible, taking viewers on a fast-paced journey through bold and unexpected moments, featuring larger-than-life scenes, from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elite basketball skills that get the streets bouncing to a high-speed jet ski chase."

GTA 6 is also featured ahead of the game's November 19 launch, and while some fans are feeling the excitement, many are continuing to voice their disappointment with Sony and its decision to kill game discs in January 2028.

After previously swarming the comment section of the most recent Marvel's Wolverine cinematic trailer, as well as several other PlayStation videos, fans have now descended on the 'It Happens on PS5' ad to make their thoughts known.

"Discs used to happen on PS5," the top comment reads, as another user wrote, "It happens that there used to be discs."

If you continue scrolling through the comments, it's difficult to pinpoint any positive mention of the ad, with the majority either urging Sony to backtrack on its decision or criticising the company.

"I used to buy PS products for more than 30 years. It won't happen again," a fan said.

Despite the ongoing pushback, and after remaining silent on the matter for weeks, Sony CFO Lin Tao recently addressed the situation during the company's Q1 2026 earnings announcement, confirming that it is "cautiously" moving forward with its decision (via IGN).

While we know upcoming games like Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey will have physical discs at launch, GTA 6's physical edition won't, and will instead offer a digital code in a box, which has also added to the controversy.

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick recently explained the reasoning for this decision, saying, "Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed. It's already a digital business."