How live updating of online maps is helping humanitarian work around the world. Read...

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Pin Traveler for $29.99 and map your adventures with ease. Tired of losing track of your travel memories? Pin Traveler Premium Plan offers the perfect solution for digital nomads, adventurers, and travel enthusiasts who want to document every journey with style. With a lifetime subscription on sale for $29.99 (reg. $45), you can pin past destinations, plan future travels, and even share your personalized map with friends on social media. Pin Traveler goes beyond just marking places on a map. It allows you to add photos and notes to each pin, turning your travel log into a visual story of your adventures. Plus, the Chrome extension makes it easy to save articles, photos, and travel inspiration directly from your browser. Whether you’re exploring new cities or planning a trip, it keeps everything organized in one place. The platform also offers customizable themes and markers to make your map truly your own. Want to collaborate? Pin Traveler lets you share maps with others, perfect for planning trips with friends or family. With lifetime access for just $29.99, Pin Traveler turns your wanderlust into a detailed, interactive journal you can always look back on.   Pin Traveler Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription – $29.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Residents say the proposed controversial maps “essentially rendered our property uninsurable”. Read...

Residents say the proposed controversial maps `essentially rendered our property uninsurable`. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsThe RGB accents are neatSupports both dual wireless and wired connectivity and easy charging via a USB cableYou get access to a total of 21 commands via the Easy-Shift [+] buttonConsThere’s not a lot of space for your thumb to restThe battery life is shorter than its predecessorIt’s quite expensive compared to the Roccat Kone AirOur VerdictThe Turtle Beach Kone II Air features a list of nice upgrades over the Roccat Kone Air that make it both quicker and easier to use. With 21 programmable commands and a comfy ergonomic design, this mouse is just ideal for MMOs. Best Prices Today: Turtle Beach Kone II Air Retailer Price Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Roccat Kone Air gaming mouse was a looker, but since it had no RGB it wasn’t great for playing with in the dark. The Turtle Beach Kone II Air changes that up with flashy, well-placed RGB that really revs up the styling. It also gets a sensor upgrade to 26,000 DPI that provides a nice uptick to speed and tracking. The winning design that made the Roccat Kone Air so comfy makes a comeback but now there are two buttons behind the mouse wheel that make settings changes on the fly much easier. Additionally, the Kone II Air gets easier charging than its predecessor. A USB cable does the job, with no need for AA batteries. The price tag hurts a little though: Right now you’ll pay $119.99, that’s more than double the price of the Kone Air. If you like to hit targets at the farthest corners of maps, like I do, this mouse is ideal for that… Turtle beach Kone II Air design and build Some Roccat mice (now Turtle Beach mice) make big impacts with their all-in RGB styling. They’re the kind of mice that make me switch off the lights to get the gaming vibes happening. The Kone II Air is one of those mice. Sporting two RGB light strips on the top and one in its scroll wheel, it’s remarkably bold and flashy. The RGB comprises two programmable zones, which are tweakable in the Swarm II companion app, so you can flex your creativity. The mouse’s overall shape looks clean, and fresh. The design is almost a replica of the Roccat Kone Air except there’s now an extra button behind the scroll wheel above the DPI switcher. This switches scroll-wheel modes. Further reading: See our roundup of the best wireless gaming mice to learn about competing products. The Turtle beach Kone II Air is a large mouse that easily fits a large or medium hand.  The Turtle beach Kone II Air is a large mouse that easily fits a large or medium hand.  Dominic Bayley / IDG The Turtle beach Kone II Air is a large mouse that easily fits a large or medium hand.  Dominic Bayley / IDG Dominic Bayley / IDG These two buttons combine with five more to make a total of seven, while a four-directional mouse wheel adds left/right functionality to the usual up/down you see in most other mice. The chassis is really big even by MMO mouse standards. It measures 5.20 x 3.23 x 1.69 inches, which gives you plenty of space to relax your hand and stretch out. A quick comparison with the Razer Naga V2 Pro (4.7 x 2.97 x 1.72 inches) gives an indication of just how big it is. That size difference makes it ideal for large hands, although everything is still within reach if you have more of a medium-sized hand. A weight of 3.88 ounces (110 grams) bestows a hefty feel, which has advantages. It means the Kone II Air feels powerful and tangible — unlike the feeling you get from ultra-light esports mice. Turtle Beach Kone II Air connectivity Unlike the Roccat Kone Air which lacked wired connectivity, the Kone II Air has a full set of connectivity options, and these are very easy to use. The lowest-latency wireless option is 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, accessible via a small USB-A dongle. Bluetooth connectivity is easy enough to switch to, requiring just a flick of a toggle on the underside.When you’re finished playing you can store the mouse’s USB dongle in an open compartment underneath if you wish, which can help save it from getting lost. The Turtle Beach Kone II Air features large PTFE feet and a dongle storage compartment.  The Turtle Beach Kone II Air features large PTFE feet and a dongle storage compartment.  Dominic Bayley / IDG The Turtle Beach Kone II Air features large PTFE feet and a dongle storage compartment.  Dominic Bayley / IDG Dominic Bayley / IDG You can also tether the Kone II Air to your PC with the flexible USB-A to USB-C cable, which has the benefit of charging it at the same time. Once fully charged, you get approximately 130 hours in Wi-Fi mode and 350 hours in Bluetooth mode, which is a lot less than the Kone Air’s 800 hours. But on the plus side, you no longer need to replace AA batteries. Turtle Beach Kone II Air performance The Kone II Air is powered by a 26K Owl-Eye optical sensor. Among its technical specifications are a maximum resolution of 26,000 DPI, maximum speed of 650 inches-per-second (IPS), and maximum acceleration of 50 g. Suffice it to say, it tracks like a dream and is both quick and sensitive. The mouse’s ergonomic design gives it great handling. I got excellent leverage from the high back that allowed me to drive quickly from the center of my palm but slow down just as fast so that I didn’t overextend shots. It proved equally maneuverable in a palm, claw, or fingertip grip. On the left flank is a thumb rest. It’s more of an alcove really, since there’s a paddle — the mouse’s Easy-Shift [+] button — at its lower border that prevents you fully resting. Pressing this paddle down allowed me to access extra programmable commands: Seven commands became 21, which was plenty for accessing a smorgasbord of abilities in WoW. Using the alcove did take some getting used to, though. That’s because my thumb was wedged between three buttons. I soon found a good workaround to this was to simply adopt a lighter grip. The alcove where you rest your thumb. The Easy-Shift [+] button is at the bottom.  The alcove where you rest your thumb. The Easy-Shift [+] button is at the bottom.  Dominic Bayley / IDG The alcove where you rest your thumb. The Easy-Shift [+] button is at the bottom.  Dominic Bayley / IDG Dominic Bayley / IDG The Kone II Air may be a little heavier than some mice, but its big PTFE feet save it from being sluggish. The glide feels remarkably fluid. Tackling micro movements is surprisingly easy for a mouse this size, too. The mouse’s weightiness is an advantage when making large sweeping movements. It provides just the right balance between acceleration and stopping. So, if you like to hit targets at the farthest corners of maps, like I do, this mouse is ideal for that. The buttons, which feature Titan Optical switches, feel very soft. They have a distinct clickiness that you can hear above your game sound. For me that sound became an ever-encouraging reminder of the shots I fired, attacks I blocked, and spells I released. Should you buy the Turtle Beach Kone II Air? The Turtle Beach Kone II Air embodies a bright and flashy RGB look that distinguishes it from the Kone Air. It forges new ground with its wired connectivity, and a rechargeable battery too. Its current price tag of $119.99 does make it more than double the price of the $50 Roccat Kone Air, however. Regarding performance, this mouse is a real gem. It’s both fast and precise, and with a total of seven buttons and 21 commands accessible via its Easy-Shift [+] paddle, it’s just ideal for games where you want quick access to a revolving list of abilities. Read...

Last month, Google quietly killed off Google Sky Maps. But there’s still another way to virtually explore most of the solar system a la Google Maps: it’s called Google Maps in Space. Google Maps in Space allows you to zoom over the surface of the Earth like you can in regular Google Maps, except here you can also fly over Mercury, Venus, Mars, plus several moons — not just our own but also Ganymede, Europa, and even Pluto’s moon, Charon. In all, you can explore 21 different heavenly bodies as well as the International Space Station with Google Maps in Space. (Google says that you can add the same interplanetary locations on Google Earth Pro, but I tried and couldn’t find a way to explore them.) Google Maps in Space is a great supplement for any school assignment about Mars or Venus, but it’s also just a fun and educational way to explore our Solar System. If you’ve ever been to a local observatory and wanted a closer look at what you’re seeing through the telescope, then Google Sky Maps is the way to go. With Google’s changes, though, the old way of accessing planets via Google Sky Maps has changed. Google Sky, Google Mars, and Google Moon have all been shut down. Here’s the new way of accessing Google Maps in Space, courtesy of Google. How to use Google Maps in Space First, go to Google Maps in Space. (Note that if you leave off the trailing slash in the URL, you’ll receive an error message. To make sure you arrive at the right site, simply click our link.) Once there, hover over Layers at the bottom-left corner of the screen, which will show Earth by default. When the new options appear, select More, then mark the checkbox for Globe view. Finally, restart Google Maps in Space. Navigate to the “More” tab in Google Earth to turn on the ability to see planets. Navigate to the “More” tab in Google Earth to turn on the ability to see planets.IDG Navigate to the “More” tab in Google Earth to turn on the ability to see planets.IDG IDG You should now see Earth along with a list of planets and moons in the left-hand navigation bar. Clicking any of them will replace Earth with the chosen planet. (As of now, there doesn’t seem to be a convenient way to exit Google Earth to get back to the list of planets, so you’ll have to back out to Google Maps in Space if you get distracted exploring Earth.) You can zoom in closer or farther away by using the mouse wheel. You’ll also notice a toggle between 2D and 3D at the bottom-right corner of the screen. In 3D view, you can adjust perspective by holding Ctrl and using the mouse. Unfortunately, you can’t search for, say, “Vader Crater” on Charon, so you’ll have to search out landmarks for yourself. Peer through a telescope at the Moon… then see what you’re looking at. Peer through a telescope at the Moon… then see what you’re looking at.IDG Peer through a telescope at the Moon… then see what you’re looking at.IDG IDG The only “catch” is the International Space Station, which is (at press time) the site of a bit of drama, as a pair of astronauts have been left there after issues with the Boeing Starliner forced a return to Earth. Google Maps in Space treats the ISS like Street View, which allows you to hopscotch down a street from vantage point to vantage point. The camerawork lacks depth and the interface is a bit wonky. Otherwise, enjoy exploring the Solar System! Read...

New Zealand is littered with cellphone coverage black holes, with one so large it covers a whole town. Read...

Old-fashioned address books and rolodexes are becoming an increasingly rare sight as the world goes digital. What’s more, digital address books are not something you need to buy separately. If you have an email address with Google (Gmail), Microsoft (Outlook), or Apple (iCloud), for example, an address book, or contact list as it’s usually called, is also included. What is Google Contacts? Google Contacts is the service that Gmail uses when you send emails. If a person is entered here, you don’t have to type the full email address manually, it will appear when you start typing their name in the To field. But Google Contacts doesn’t just keep track of email addresses. You can also add things like phone numbers, postal addresses, postcodes, dates of birth, and places of work. The point is that you can keep everything in one place, and you only have to do it once. The data contained in the contact list is used not only by Gmail but also by other services. In other words, you can look up a person’s home in Google Maps and get a reminder of their birthday in Google Calendar. You can also send meeting invitations in Google Meet and share documents in Google Sheets. If you have an Android phone, it will also use the phone numbers in Google Contacts to make calls — and you can see who is calling you in plain text. Because Google Contacts is so widely used, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s always up to date and complete. What are the risks? Your contact list is valuable, and it’s important to be careful about sharing it. This is especially true for mobile apps that often ask for access to your contacts. Of course, you also need to decide whether you want to give Google access to your contacts. Many people see this as a problem from a privacy perspective. As always, there is a trade-off between simplicity and security, and here each user has to choose how to make it. What are the options? In this article, I’m focusing on Google’s contact list, but competitors’ services work in much the same way. For example, if you prefer to use Microsoft’s option, there is an address book called Outlook People. To use it, surf to www.outlook.com and log in. Click on the icon with small squares in the top-left corner. Click on the More apps and select People. You can also browse to outlook.live.com/people. The setup is similar to what we describe here for Google services. Getting started Foundry Foundry Foundry To open your contact list, surf to contacts.google.com and log in. To add new contacts, tap Create contact > Create a contact. Fill in the details shown or select Show more. View and edit Click on the Contacts to view your entire contact list and clicking on a person will display their contact details. You can change these via Edit at the top right and you can also mark someone as a favorite — or delete the contact. You can also add a photo of your contact here. Foundry Foundry Foundry Check interactions By opening a contact, you can also see your interactions in the right-hand column. This shows, for example, your latest emails and files that you have shared with each other. Of course, you can click on these to open them in Gmail or Google Drive, for example. Star your favorites People you contact often can be starred. This means that they appear at the top of various listings. This feature is also called Favorites. To star a person, open their contact card and click on the star at the top right. You can also hover your mouse over a person’s name to display the same star. Click again to remove the star. Group work with labels Foundry Foundry Foundry For those who work together with others, it is smart to create groups in the contact list. A group, or Label as it’s called in the Google world, is a collection of contacts, and the point is that you can interact with all of them in one go. For example, you can create a group for the association board and another for your colleagues. When you want to send emails, you don’t have to type in the addresses one by one. Similarly, you can invite everyone to a video meeting or share files. You can add labels via a person’s “contact card.” Press the Label > Create a label or use an existing one already displayed in the list. Editing the labels All your labels are displayed under the Labels heading in the left-hand menu. Click on a label to see which contacts are included here. You can also rest your mouse on the label name to bring up icons to rename the label and to delete it. Merge Foundry Foundry Foundry If you have accidentally entered the same person twice, it is easy to merge them. Select the duplicates in the contact list and press Merge-icon in the top-right corner. You can also select Merge and fix in the left-hand menu to do this automatically for the whole contact list. Importing contacts Foundry Foundry Foundry If you have an address list from another application, you can press Import > Select the file and locate the list. Follow the instructions to import. You can also select Create contact > Create multiple contacts to add many at once. Hide a contact It can be tempting to delete people you rarely contact, but this is unnecessarily drastic. Instead, choose to hide them. They will no longer be visible in the regular contact list, but you can bring them up at any time. To do this, tap the three dots to the right of a contact and select Hide from contacts. To find hidden contacts, tap Other contacts in the menu on the left. Use Android… Foundry Foundry Foundry You’ll get the best overview on your computer, but Google Contacts is also available as an Android app. The layout is much the same, although it is adapted for a smaller screen. If the app is missing, you can search for Google Contacts via the Google Play Store. … or iPhone The Google Contacts app is only available for Android, but if you have an iPhone or iPad, you can link your Google contacts list to the Apple Contacts app. You do this by opening Settings on your iPhone/iPad. Here you tap on Passwords and accounts > Add account > Google. Enter your email address and password, press Next button and follow the instructions. Use the right phonebook Some mobiles have their own phone book where contacts are stored locally. This means it doesn’t end up in your Google contacts list and can’t be accessed anywhere else. In other words, when you’re asked how to save, make sure you do it in your Google Account. Increase security Foundry Foundry Foundry The more you work with different Google services, the more important it becomes to think about security. You can increase it by switching on so-called Two-step verification. You will need a code delivered to your mobile phone to log in. Switch on the feature by browsing to myaccount.google.com, log in, and select Security, yo log in to Google. Press the button Two-step verification and a wizard will start showing you how to do it. Take control of the automation Does your contact list include people you didn’t add yourself? The explanation is that Google automatically adds people you’ve had contact with. If you want to avoid this, here’s how: Google account. Surf to myaccount.google.com, log in, and select People & sharing in the left menu. Under the heading Contacts you can switch off Contact info from interactions and Contact info from your devices. Gmail. Surf to www.gmail.com and log in. Press the settings icon at the top right and select See all settings > General settings. Go to Create contacts for auto-complete and select I’ll add contacts myself. Print your address book Do you feel insecure just having your contact list in the cloud? You can choose to print it on paper (or as a pdf file). Open the Contacts in the left menu to view your contact list and press Print-button in the top right corner. Now you get to choose what to print — and how to do it. Read...

Microsoft Flight Simulator has etched out a spot in the gaming hall of fame as one of the most popular flight simulators of all time, complete with licenses for numerous real aircraft plus detailed maps of cities. When Microsoft rebooted Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2020, many people thought that would be the version to be perpetually updated — but this year, Microsoft announced they’d be releasing a completely new version called Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. It’s not just going to be an update; it’s going to include several new features and tons of new content. Here are all the key details you need to know about MSFS 2024. What new content and features will be in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? Perhaps the most important new feature in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a new career path called Career in Aviation. You’ll be able to choose between various specializations, with each one helped or hindered by the type of aircraft you fly. The following career paths have been announced so far: Mountain rescue Agriculture Air racing Research flights Firefighting from the air Cargo transport by helicopter Industrial cargo transport Passenger transport by private jet Skydiving operations Aerial construction Low altitude training Glider pilot Photo safari If you found it hard to motivate yourself to explore in Microsoft Flight Simulator, or if you just want more goals and challenges to pursue, then these offerings will keep you busy for a while. Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.Microsoft Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.Microsoft Microsoft Based on the various specializations listed above, you can also expect completely new types of aircraft — including gliders, airships, and hot air balloons — that all handle differently, require greater flying skills, and significantly expand the possibilities for travel. And for the first time in the franchise’s history, you’ll be able to leave the cockpit of your aircraft and walk around the world as your character. You’ll also be able to jump onto the wings of any aircraft or even parachute down to the ground. Other new features include more realistic vegetation and extensive weather effects, including dense snow, tornadoes, and auroras. All four seasons will be simulated in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The first trailer from Xbox Games Showcase 2024. On top of all that, overall engine that drives Flight Simulator will be significantly improved with shorter loading times (thanks to cloud streaming) and lighter system requirements. However, more detailed information isn’t yet available. Which aircraft are available in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? Microsoft has yet to announce a full list of the aircraft that will be available in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. According to the developers, however, there will be several new airliners that weren’t previously included. We assume that the selection will be huge, also due to the new types of transport. When will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be released? According to Microsoft, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be released on November 19, 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. The predecessor Xbox One is unfortunately being left behind. (But you’ll be able to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 via Xbox Cloud Gaming!) Related: Which cloud gaming service is right for you? How much will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cost? Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is expected to cost between $59.99 and $69.99 at launch, depending on the platform. However, if you’re subscribed to PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you’ll receive the flight sim free of charge on day one as part of the subscription. Related: Game Pass just got Microsoft 365’d How big will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be? According to initial statements by Microsoft Flight Simulator head Jörg Neumann, the 2024 version will only take up 50GB of storage space. That’s tiny when you consider the sheer size of the world. Microsoft will store and process the 2.5 petabytes (that’s about 2,500 terabytes) of pure aerial image data in its own cloud to enable fast loading times on as many systems as possible. Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft What will happen to the current Microsoft Flight Simulator? Since Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a new standalone game, the previous version of Microsoft Flight Simulator won’t be required — and if you’re already playing that, you don’t have to worry about losing all the content you’ve purchased for it. Microsoft promises that all official aircraft and airports included in Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as practically all Marketplace add-ons will also be supported in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and won’t need to be purchased again. There may be exceptions, particularly when add-on developers aren’t able to port their content to the new version. (Microsoft elaborates in the official FAQ.) But access to all content via the Flight Simulator Content Manager remains guaranteed for the time being. For content that’s already been purchased in MSFS 2020, upgrades to content produced by Microsoft (e.g., Reno Air Races, Local Legends, Famous Flyers, Expert Series) will be free of charge for players. Read...

Black Myth: Wukong immediately appealed to my 1980s nostalgia. Fueled by my memories of the TV show Monkey Magic, I naturally jumped at the chance to play the iconic Monkey (in this case Monke) in a game similarly inspired by the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West. I’m in good company according to the game’s Developer Game Science, which reported initial sales of 10 million downloads in the first three days of its release. That astounding figure even beats sales of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring, which says a lot. If you haven’t bought the game yet, it’s pure magic — from its fast-paced combat to mad boss fights, there are many hours of staff-splitting fun to be had. That said, one thing puzzles me: Why on earth are people calling it a Soulslike? Black Myth: Wukong isn’t a Soulslike, even if it does borrow some of FromSoftware’s game mechanics. It is, however, a refreshing new take on an action game that I really want to see more of. FromSoftware’s brilliant Souls mechanics are diffusing into the broader action category – even into titles that are brave enough to be quite different… What is a Soulslike game? Developer FromSoftware’s games have given rise to the genre “Soulslike,” which is testament to how groundbreaking they really are. I cut my teeth in this genre with Dark Souls, but Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree really refined the experience with their enthralling mix of environments and ghoulish beasts. A whole bunch of other games have followed suit capitalizing on that winning formula, games like Lies of P and Ashen. What makes these games Soulslike is a complex conflagration of FromSoftware-like gameplay mechanics and design. But to name a few of the hard-to-ignore hallmarks, most have large intricate maps with circular pathways, high difficulty, and gameplay that hinges on the use of stamina bars. Their player combat mechanics lean heavily on dodge-and-roll melee attacks, and they also feature tons of boss fights. FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a true Soulslike that’s been lauded as one of the best games of its kind.  FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a true Soulslike that’s been lauded as one of the best games of its kind.  FromSoftware FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a true Soulslike that’s been lauded as one of the best games of its kind.  FromSoftware FromSoftware Adding to that list of mechanics, these games have checkpoint systems with player progression hinging on them reaching set locations. Most also have upgradeable items and player abilities and enemies that respawn. Players also get penalized when they die, either losing loot or XP. Soulslike gameplay, then, revolves around a balance between risk and reward. There’s a lot at stake in venturing out into the world to take on foes, which makes any kind of progression hard but thoroughly satisfying. Why Black Myth: Wukong isn’t a Soulslike Black Myth: Wukong doesn’t thumb its nose at all those mechanics. Rather, it incorporates the best parts of each while forging its own path. That’s refreshing, because it means it appeals to players that love action games but simply don’t like, or are getting a little fatigued with, the sameness of Soulsian mechanics. But how exactly is the game different? Take the boss battles, for instance. Like most Soulslike games, bosses are plentiful, and some are as hard as heck to defeat. But while boss attacks in Soulslikes tends to focus on intensity and high damage in hits, bosses in Black Myth: Wukong have smarter combat mechanics and a greater variety of moves. There’s not as much emphasis on cheaply won attacks either. That keeps gameplay fluid and engaging. It also demands more from you the player. I found myself in deep concentration most of the time, my eyes glued to my screen watching intently for opportunities to deliver my blows — such was the intricacy of battles. In Black Myth: Wukong combat is intricate.  In Black Myth: Wukong combat is intricate.  Game Science In Black Myth: Wukong combat is intricate.  Game Science Game Science If you invest in developing skills, they won’t go to waste as they can in Shadow of the Erdtree, where you could easily run afoul of cheeky area of effect (AOE) attacks from big bosses. You will last a little longer each attempt, which ultimately is more of a kick when you finally take down bosses like Erlang or Supreme Inspector. That doesn’t mean combat is easy. Unlike Elden Ring, in Black Myth: Wukong there are more nuances to combat to learn. There’s no block or parry to lean on, for instance. Similarly, button mashing won’t get you very far. There aren’t as many combos as in the Soulslike Star Wars Jedi Survivor, either. Indeed, rather than just seeming to be cloned from FromSoftware’s master moves archive, like Yaske’s in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows could be — yawn! — Monke’s moves feel new and exciting. To succeed, you must time your attacks and apply special moves. Black Myth: Wukong’s story is inspired by the classic tale Journey to the West. Black Myth: Wukong’s story is inspired by the classic tale Journey to the West. Game Science Black Myth: Wukong’s story is inspired by the classic tale Journey to the West. Game Science Game Science The maps, too, are also completely non-Soulslike, in that they’re not vast open spaces requiring endless exploration. Instead, you must follow a beaten path between bosses. In Black Myth: Wukong linear progression makes complete sense. It syncs nicely with the game’s backstory, one that’s steeped in Chinese mythos and history. You are, in fact, experiencing an interpretation of an ancient tale that you’re invited to get engrossed in. Journey to the West, written in the 16th Century, is one of the most influential stories in East Asia even today, and so it’s a tale worth knowing. It’s also easier to follow than most Dark Souls games. Monke’s moves keep gameplay interesting.  Monke’s moves keep gameplay interesting.  Game Science Monke’s moves keep gameplay interesting.  Game Science Game Science The linear progression also makes comparing and contrasting progress with friends a little easier too. The experience ultimately feels closer to God of War than any Soulslike game I’ve ever played. Checkpoints do play a part in your player’s progression, but while you could get seriously bogged down in Elden Ring or Dark Soul’s III, in Black Myth: Wukong progression doesn’t feel as stagnant or prone to luck. That’s mostly because there is no penalty for dying. It’s also due to the fact that your stamina bar is a little more forgiving. Yes, managing stamina is required to pull off moves in combat but after a few upgrades it has a lot less effect than in some Soulsian titles. One thing I also can’t overlook is the game’s support for Nvidia DLSS Super Resolution and AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution right out of the box — unlike some janky Souls titles. That may seem trivial to some, but it’s no small thing for us at PCWorld, where we’re forever trying to optimize games for our hardware. Why a mislabel isn’t helpful The fact that Black Myth: Wukong has been mislabeled a Soulslike speaks volumes about what’s happening in the action genre right now. FromSoftware’s brilliant Souls mechanics are diffusing into the broader action category — even into titles that are brave enough to be quite different. While that’s understandable, it’s not helpful to label all of these titles “Soulslike.” Doing so infers that the action genre is somehow static, which is certainly not the case. Black Myth: Wukong proves the action game genre is evolving.  Black Myth: Wukong proves the action game genre is evolving.  Game Science Black Myth: Wukong proves the action game genre is evolving.  Game Science Game Science Black Myth: Wukong proves action games are continually evolving — taking the best parts of what’s come before but adding a whole lot of new and exciting mechanics of their own. That’s an encouraging sign. It’s also testament to Game Science’s development process. The company has obviously put making the best game possible ahead of trying to conform to a formula — one that may have struck a chord in the past, but that some players are getting a little tired of. That’s great news for everyone. Read...