Technology

For months, dialogue on my soundbar sounded muddy and inconsistent, and I assumed the hardware was to blame. It wasn't. A small shift in placement solved almost the entire problem.

Bambu Lab might be best known for its 3D printers, but today, it's taking the next step in conquering the maker space with the R1. The Bambu Lab R1 is the brand's first dedicated laser with a 55W CO2 glass tube, and after spending a few weeks with it, I am thoroughly impressed.

You no longer have to get an iPhone to use Adobe's flagship video editor on your smartphone. Almost a year later, Adobe has released Premiere for Android as a free editor for anyone serious about mobile video production, albeit with limits.

My computer speakers aren't very good. Sometimes I wonder if sticking my phone in a coffee can would sound better. I used to own a nice set of M-Audio monitors that I used for my record player. But they broke. So I replaced them with a $15 set of Logitech computer speakers. I can usually get them to sound fine by messing around with different settings in the audio apps I use, but they still didn't sound great. But I found a solution to make them sound better (that didn't require buying new speakers): Easy Effects for Linux.

The Raspberry Pi has found its way into hundreds, if not thousands, of projects, some of which you may own without realizing it. This includes kits built around retail single-board computers, compute modules that are embedded in the hardware, and microcontrollers that perform secondary functions.

If you don't have $100 (or more) for a standalone Windows license, then you can download any distro of Linux for free right now and have a working computer in just a few minutes. However, the cost of something can be measured in more than just dollar bills, and there are more than a few ways Linux ends up costing you more than a commercial operating system like Windows or macOS.

The best early Prime Day Pokémon deals at a glance: Best TCG deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 (save vs. market price) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.95 (save $12.05) Get Deal Best video game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch 2) $44.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best book deal Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $41.98 (save $18.01) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day may still be on the horizon, but there are already plenty of Pokémon discounts to score on trading cards, Nintendo Switch games, books, and much more. Collectors everywhere have been focused on buying the 30th Celebration expansion, but this kind of sale is the perfect way to catch up on past collections.

Prime Day will run from Oct. 6-7, so be sure to keep this page bookmarked for plenty of other deals in the build-up to the sale going live. In the meantime, these are my favorite early Pokémon Prime Day deals you can buy right now.

Best Pokémon TCG deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

After temporarily jumping back up to $200+ due to low supply, the Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration ETB is back at $89.99 — still a massive $168.94 under TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $177.93. 

The catch is availability, as Amazon is selling the box through its invitation system. You need to hit "request invite" rather than buy it immediately. If Amazon selects your request, you'll receive a limited window to complete the purchase. 

If you’re successful, you’ll get this glorious box including nine 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy trading cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

More Pokémon dealsPokémon TCG deals

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black 3 Booster Pack Blister (Binacle) — $22.89 $29.99 (save $7.10)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolutions Perfect Order 3-Pack Blister (Chikorita) — $23.63 $29.99 (save $6.36)

• Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection — Series 2 — $26.87 $59.99 (save $33.12)

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Journey Together Booster Bundle — $52.95 $59.99 (save $7.04) 

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Surging Sparks Booster Bundle — $74.65 $81.00 (save $6.35)

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box — $89.49 $99.99 (save $10.50)

Pokémon Lego deals

• LEGO Pokémon Eevee (72151) — $47.95 $59.99 (save $12.04)

Pokémon Nintendo Switch game deals

• Detective Pikachu Returns — $46.92 $49.99 (save $3.07)

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch 1) — $49.44 $59.99 (save $10.55)

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! — $53.87 $59.99 (save $6.12)

• Pokémon Legends: Arceus — $54.49 $59.99 (save $5.50)

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2) — $59 $69.99 (save $10.55)

Pokémon book deals

• Pokémon Timelines: A Journey Through the Animated Series — $9.87 $29.99 (save $20.12)

• Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology — $13.97 $14.99 (save $1.02)

• Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide — $41.98 $59.99 (save $18.01)

Given how many iPhones, Macs and other gadgets it sells, it's sometimes easy to forget that Apple is also a content company. To promote its many digital content platforms like Apple Music and Apple TV, the company produces TV shows, movies, and hosts exclusive live concerts which you can find on Apple Music.

Now, the company has a very fancy place to hosts those concerts. Apple Music Hall is a new live music venue at London's Battersea Power Station, and it looks amazing.

That looks cozy. Credit: Apple

With capacity for 600 attendees, the Apple Music Hall is designed to host "bespoke, intimate performances." The space has a very industrial chic design, with bricks, fluted arches, and bronze balconies, but it's also a high-tech affair, with a 48-speaker spatial sound system positioned all around the audience.

Once a coal-fired power station, the Batersea Power Station is now a shopping and entertainment complex. Credit: Apple

Of course, besides being a beautiful concert venue, it's a production facility, with two dedicated, pro-grade recording and mix studios. Apple says that every performance can be captured as a multitrack recording and mixed in Spatial Audio. The space is equipped with 16 cameras, so an artist performing there can "walk out with a finished Spatial Audio recording, a broadcast-ready mix, and multicamera video — all from a single show."

For info on tickets and upcoming shows, go to the venue's website (though no lineups have been revealed yet).

Apple's London-based radio hosts will now broadcast live out of Battersea. Credit: Apple

Apple also announced it will broadcast all of Apple Music Radio's London-based shows live out of its new radio studios in Battersea.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

The sex lives of young adults — or lack thereof — have been subject to scrutiny over the past few years. Much hand-wringing has occurred over whether Gen Z is sexually repressed, or whether there's a "sex recession" happening.

Now, we have some new data about it.

In a study by the Kinsey Institute, Playboy, and emergency contraceptive brand Julie, "The State of Sex Among Gen Z," the sex recession question is answered, but it's not clean-cut. The report includes findings from 2,373 U.S. adults between 18 and 29. That breaks down into 48 percent men and 48 percent women, 63 percent heterosexual, 53 percent single, and 42 percent in relationships.

SEE ALSO: A 'masturbation consultant' for an AI companion company tells all

A major finding of the study is that the sex recession appears to be real, but it's complicated. There's no one explanation for why this is happening; economic, technological, psychological, and social factors all play a part. And while most young adults report low levels of sexual activity, they have moderate to high sexual desire.

Less sex, partnered or solo

Previous reports found that today's young adults are having less sex than those of years past.

The State of Sex Among Gen Z found that 29 percent of participants had no sexual partners in the last three months, and 19 percent have never had a partner. Thirty-one percent aren't sexually active.

Around a third (36 percent) haven't even masturbated in the last three months.

Of those who have had sex in the last quarter, 45 percent had one partner. These findings are pretty consistent among different sexual orientations, except for gay participants; the number of them who've had one partner was 34 percent, and they reported having 10+ partners more than any other group at 13 percent.

While many may not be having sex or self-loving, they are kissing. Nearly half (49 percent) of all participants reported kissing nearly every day (this is more the case for those in a relationship, 72 percent, versus 29 percent of singles). Around a quarter (27 percent), however, reported zero kissing in that same time frame. Sad.

Most singles (74 percent), though, reported moderate, high, and very high sexual desire. So why aren't they acting on it?

Why young adults aren't having sex

The researchers didn't just ask about sexual frequency — they dug into why. Two-thirds (67 percent) reported limited opportunities to meet potential partners. Sixty percent agreed that "dating is exhausting" and "not worth the effort." Around the same number cited fear of rejection as a barrier.

Forty-two percent agreed with the statement "Sex is NOT a high priority for me right now."

Other statements that many participants agreed on were that they haven't met someone who met their standards, and that using dating apps feels exhausting (a common refrain in 2026).

Is it...the phones?

One reason attributed to the lack of sex, even from some experts, is: "It's the damn phones." The study didn't have hard-and-fast findings about this, but it suggested that the internet might be meeting some of Gen Z's sexual needs.

Overall, 38 percent of participants stated that digital sexual content, including pornography and erotic media, fulfills some of their sexual needs. (That number jumps up to 46 percent of men and 45 percent of single participants.) Around a third (31 percent) of overall participants stated that pornography reduces their interest in partnered sex.

Some are choosing online connections over physical ones. Thirty-two percent said they sometimes choose digital or solo sexual experiences instead of partnered sex, and 28 percent said spending time on screens (or digital activities) reduces their motivation to pursue in-person sexual connections.

Sex recession, economic recession?

It's not all about the phones, though. Financial stress has negatively impacted the sex lives of 37 percent of all participants, and even more (43 percent) stated that financial concerns make it harder for them to date or maintain romantic relationships. The payment service Zelle found similar in its new Economics of Dating Report.

Slightly fewer participants (39 percent) said money concerns make them less likely to pursue or engage in romantic or sexual activities, and the same number of people said the cost of dating limits their opportunities to meet and maintain relationships.

The cost of living also affects whether young adults can live on their own, sending reverberations throughout other parts of their lives. Around a third (34 percent) live with parents, and nearly two-thirds of those (64 percent) reported zero sexual partners in the past three months.

(Some) satisfaction, guaranteed

Despite all of this, most participants (55 percent) were satisfied with their sex life, including 73 percent of those in relationships. Regarding young adults' relationship with sex, the most common answer was that it feels fulfilling and consistent (32 percent). Nearly half of partnered participants said they're having the amount of sex they want, compared to a third of singles.

Twenty-one percent, though, would like more sexual activity in their lives.

Fewer people are voluntarily celibate (13 percent), and five percent said their relationship with sex feels negative or frustrating. Most participants, however, viewed their sex lives as average (37 percent) or better than average (25 percent), with a quarter thinking it is below average.

Do young adults themselves believe there's a sex recession? Half don't, but a quarter said yes. The rest were unsure. Some actually believe they're having more sex.

"I think people may be having slightly more sex than in the past because of innovations like dating/hook-up apps," an anonymous participant wrote. "However, I don't think people are having as much sex as is shown on TV or social media."

The same participant also thinks the "sex recession" is multifaceted: "I think right now, many are struggling economically and socially and likely having less sex as a result."

Another participant stated, "I think they might be having anywhere from the same amount to more, because of how open people have become and because technology has changed the whole sex scene in modern times."

So, perception might be different from reality.

Check out other insights from "The State of Sex Among Gen Z" on Playboy's website.

The best early Prime Day deals on fitness trackers: Best Garmin deal Garmin vívoactive 6 $229.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best Fitbit deal Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple Watch SE 3 $249 (save $30) Get Deal Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $259.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's next major shopping event is just around the corner: Prime Big Deal Days takes place on Oct. 6-7. The two-day sale will bring exclusive discounts for Prime members across thousands of products, but if you're hoping to grab some early bargains, you don't need to wait until October to start saving. Amazon has already started dropping early deals ahead of the event.

Fitness trackers are among the products already getting the early Prime Day treatment, with Garmin, Fitbit, Apple, and other popular brands seeing strong discounts. We've rounded up the best deals you can shop right now, so you can grab a new tracker before the main event officially begins.

Best Garmin deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 6 $229.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The Garmin vívoactive 6 has a bright AMOLED display and up to 11 days of battery life, with health insights including Body Battery, sleep coaching, stress tracking, and wrist-based heart rate. It also packs more than 80 sports apps, personalized workouts, and advanced training and recovery features. And right now, it's at its best-ever price at Amazon.

More Garmin deals

• Garmin vívoactive 5 — $181.97 $299.99 (save $118.02)

• Garmin Forerunner 165 — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Instinct 3 — $299 $449.99 (save $150.99)

• Garmin fēnix 8 — $999.99 $1,062.43 (save $62.44)

Best Fitbit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

The Fitbit Sense 2 tracks stress, sleep, and activity, with features including all-day stress tracking, sleep stages, a Sleep Score, and 24/7 heart-rate monitoring. It also has built-in GPS, more than 40 exercise modes, and a battery life of six-plus days.

More Fitbit deals

• Fitbit Charge 6 — $133.90 $159.95 (save $26.05)

• Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 $249 at Amazon
$279 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Currently, the only Apple Watch deal at Amazon is on the Apple Watch SE 3, which tracks workouts, sleep, and a range of other health metrics, including heart rate and overnight data through the Vitals app. It also gives you sleep apnea notifications, period tracking, and wrist temperature sensing, alongside features such as fall and crash detection.

Best Samsung deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $259.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has a slimmer design than previous models, with built-in features such as run coaching for different distances, Energy Score, which combines data from your sleep, activity, and heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring. And right now at Amazon, it's on sale for $40 off.

More Samsung deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 — $185 $249.99 (save $64.99)

Phone makers used to spend years chasing the thinnest flagship possible, and buyers mostly shrugged. The sales numbers have been in for a long time; the compromises are obvious, and I still don't get why there are attempts at bringing thin phones back. Still, here's why an extra millimeter or two is worth it.

The rising cost of living has impacted singles for years now, and a new report from payment service Zelle shares new insights on just how much their bank accounts influence how (and if) they find love.

Zelle's Economics of Dating Report found that the vast majority (84 percent) of Gen Z and millennial daters say rising cost has affected their dating lives (according to an Aug. 2026 national survey of 1,800 Gen Z and millennial adults who've dated within the past year).

SEE ALSO: The 9 best free dating apps that literally cost $0 to sign up and use

Around a third (32 percent) said they're going on fewer dates, and one in 10 (11 percent) have stopped dating because they can't afford it.

As Mashable reported this year, socioeconomic factors can definitely hinder dating. Not only can some young people not afford dates, but more are living at home and can't buy a home. This can then delay when people get married and have children.

But for those young adults still in the dating pool, Zelle's report found that some respondents are choosing less expensive activities (40 percent), preferring more frequent economical dates to occasional expensive ones (38 percent), and suggesting free activities (37 percent).

And in this economy, being seen as frugal is a good thing. Thirty-eight percent said they judged someone positively for planning an affordable, thoughtful date — more than the 23 percent who said the same for someone who put together an extravagant, high-end one.

Other financial green flags include being thoughtful with money (56 percent), being honest and transparent about money (54 percent), planning a thoughtful, budget-friendly date (52 percent), and paying without making the situation awkward (52 percent).

On the flipside, there are some red flags when it comes to money and dating, such as making someone uncomfortable about what they can afford, expecting the other person to pay for everything, complaining about every price, and talking too much about income — all of which 47 percent of participants said gave them the ick. Around the same amount, 46 percent, also flagged making a big deal about paying.

Money anxiety abounds these days, including when trying to find a partner. Among women respondents, being rejected and spending too much ranked equally as sources of dating anxiety (37 percent). Other sources of anxiety are spending too much on a date (34 percent of participants said this), making sure a date fits within their budget (29 percent), discussing finances (28 percent), and asking who pays (25 percent).

Twenty-six percent said they won't bring up payment with their date at all.

This all seems like glum news, but at least 89 percent of daters are still putting themselves out there. There are dating apps you can use for free and low-cost outings, too, like a walk in the park. Otherwise, some singles might find themselves turning to AI for a cheaper date.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's well under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

For Pokémon fans, there are few greater pleasures than finding product at way below market price. And that's exactly what you'll get with Amazon's current price on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box.

As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available on Amazon for just $89.99. According to the market price listing at TCG Player, that's a total saving of $88.64 vs. the current market price of $178.63.

The catch is that you can't just rock up on Amazon and buy one. It's so in-demand that Amazon requires potential buyers to click the "request invite" button, which puts you in a random ballot to actually purchase one.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is under market price at Walmart — buy for under $60 while stocks last

If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that will be valid for 72 hours. But don't wait around — at this price, there's no guarantee that this Elite Trainer Box will still be in stock.

If your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you may receive an invitation after restocks. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Don't miss the chance to grab the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box at $89.99 — almost half of the current market price.

SAVE $1,000: As of Sept. 22, the Roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum and Mop is down to $999.98 at Amazon. That’s a 50% discount and a match for its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop combo $999.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal

Keeping your floors spotless usually means spending hours behind a traditional vacuum or dropping a small fortune on a high-end robot cleaner. But when a flagship model drops down to half price, the decision gets a lot easier.

As of Sept. 22, Amazon has chopped $1,000 off the Roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum and Mop, bringing it down to $999.98. That markdown brings this ultra-premium, feature-packed automated cleaner back down to its best price on record.

When Mashable reviewer Leah Stodart tested the Z70 hands-on, she found the arm could be a bit slow — struggling with heavier shoes or unfamiliar fabrics — but it consistently cleared away everyday clutter like socks and lightweight footwear before making its cleaning pass. Even if you ignore the arm entirely, the cleaning hardware hits monster specs. You're getting 22,000Pa of suction power, which easily pulls deep-seated pet hair and dust out of plush carpets.

Despite holding a mechanical arm and a high-powered motor, the Z70 maintains an ultra-slim 3.14-inch profile that slides under low-clearance couches and TV stands without getting wedged. For hard floors, it uses dual spinning mop pads that swing out on a motorized hinge to scrub along baseboards and corners, and is backed by an automatically heated water tank to break down dried spills.

When it's done, it navigates back to a fully automated dock that washes the mops with 176°F hot water, dries them with warm air, dispenses its own cleaning solution, and empties its own dustbin for up to seven weeks of hands-off maintenance. In our review, the Saros Z70 lost points solely due to its massive price tag. At $1,000 off, those minor quirks are a lot easier to forgive.

Ready to automate your floor care? Lock in the Roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum and Mop for half off today.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is now available for $58.98 at Walmart, down from $67.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin $58.98 at Amazon
$67.99 Save $9.01   Pre-order Here

Amazon has been the go-to for the Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration ETB, but the retailer has been a bit slow adding the rest of the range. However, Walmart has been quick with discounts on both readily available boxes and tins — as well as products you can preorder for later this year. 

As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is $58.98 at Walmart, reduced from $67.99 for a $9.01 saving. The preorder is sold and shipped by marketplace seller Cataclysm Games, with free shipping and an estimated Dec. 12 arrival — just over a week after the tin’s Dec. 4 release date. 

That’s the lowest price we’ve seen so far and is well under the market price, estimated by the dedicated trading card selling platform TCGplayer at $65.68. Meanwhile, listings there only go as low as $76.50 with shipping included. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration expansion has launched: Where to buy, best deals, and market price

Inside the tin are four Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs (six cards in each) and a foil Sylveon ex promo card.

Walmart also includes its preorder price guarantee with the listing, so you'll pay the lower price if it drops again before release. 

If you’re eager for any particular cards from the expansion now, you can buy almost any Pokémon single card from the 30th Celebration expansion right now on TCGplayer. 

I love the convenience of my battery-powered home security cameras, but buying a dozen new AA batteries every few months—not so much. Most of the big-name security and smart device brands, like Arlo and Blink, strongly advise against rechargeable batteries, but I tried it anyway, and the results are better than I expected.

When you play as many video games as I do, only a select few really stick in your mind for years after you finish them. Control, a 2019 action-adventure game, was one of those.

Mashable gave Control its Game of the Year award that year, and for good reason: It's a mind-bending and totally sick shooter that can be cleanly summarized as "you play as a Jedi with a gun in a haunted office building." It was, at the time, the best synthesis of developer Remedy's signature style with actually competent gunplay, something the studio had struggled with at points in the past. I'd argue it was only surpassed by 2023's Alan Wake II in that regard, but that's like choosing a favorite child.

I wish I was as enthusiastic about Control Resonant, the new follow-up to the 2019 original that I am still working my way through. But, while Resonant maintains the creepy vibes, non-Euclidean geometry, and action combat that make you feel extremely cool on a regular basis of the original, its new setting of a supernaturally warped Manhattan significantly reduces the charm in both an aesthetic and mechanical sense.

SEE ALSO: 'Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave' is one of the biggest and best Switch 2 exclusives yet I love New York City, but I loved The Oldest House more This stuff can be really cool at times. Credit: Remedy/Steam

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Control Resonant is that the concepts Remedy chose to play around with are sound, but are kind of bland in practice.

Control was a third-person shooter with psychic powers set inside The Oldest House, an imposing government building in Manhattan with a mind of its own and the ability to shift its innards around at will. It made for an incredible setting, as protagonist Jesse Faden would frequently find herself fighting horrible monstrosities among office cubicles, which in turn would be mere feet away from terrors that defied conventional description. The best part is that it was all a relatively mundane part of the job for employees of the Federal Bureau of Control, a fictional government agency dedicated to investigating the supernatural.

Resonant turns all of that on its head by shifting the perspective to Dylan, Jesse's brother, who had been imprisoned as an experimental test subject in The Oldest House. What was previously contained within the building's walls has spilled out into Manhattan, profoundly transforming the architecture of the city and its inhabitants, and it's up to Dylan to do something about it.

I have not seen much of Jesse so far. Credit: Remedy/Steam

Whereas Jesse was an ordinary civilian fighting her way through a mysterious government compound, Dylan is the opposite; he's only ever known The Oldest House as an adult, and Manhattan is new to him. That's a great idea that, unfortunately, doesn't work all that well in my time with the game, which I have not finished just yet. Dylan is sort of a wet blanket who doesn't have a lot of interesting things to say most of the time, and this version of Manhattan often feels like it could've been any sufficiently dense urban environment instead.

There are glimpses of greatness here, with city streets that have been turned entirely vertical, requiring the use of gravity-shifting powers to navigate them. But for the most part, you're just running around what feels like a generic video game city with the same three coffee shops, laundromats, and bodegas copied and pasted in each explorable zone. There are optional activities in each neighborhood, which mostly amount to "go to an icon on the map, fight some monsters, and get a reward." It's shockingly uninspired at times for a Remedy game.

None of it so far has matched what made The Oldest House so special in Control. All of the stylistic flair from the original, like big sans serif title cards and redacted government documents, is here, but they don't hit the same the second time around. I'm open to the possibility that Resonant finds its footing later on, but from what I've played, the quasi-open-world aspect of it has been my least favorite part of the game.

The fighting is fun, but it can occasionally be a drag This part of the game is usually pretty alright. Credit: Remedy/Steam

That's not to say Control Resonant is all bad, of course. I actually quite like the combat, which trades Jesse's shape-shifting gun for Dylan's shape-shifting melee weapon, turning it into a sort of Devil May Cry-like action game with RPG-esque upgrade elements. There are several different weapon types, customizable combo finishers, and status effects to inflict upon enemies with occasionally explosive results. All of that combines with Dylan's exceptionally agile movement abilities to create combat encounters that are speedy and intense at their best.

But even then, there are problems to contend with. Some combat encounters simply involve too many enemies to be fun, and will often devolve into the player smashing the attack button over and over again just to clear some space on the screen. Bigger enemies tend to just be large damage sponges that don't require a lot of thought to kill, and there was even one entire area I played through that was just not enjoyable in the slightest due to some of the enemy behavior there.

From where I'm sitting, the telekinetic gunplay of Control was generally more exciting than this, even if I do like a lot of what's going on in Resonant. Boss fights, at least, have been generally spectacular in my time with the game, and knowing Remedy, there are bound to be unexpected tricks before the credits roll.

Control Resonant is, generally, an OK time, but it has the unfortunate distinction of being the sequel to one of the coolest games of the past decade. I appreciate Remedy's willingness to throw aside what it did before and try new things, but in this case, what was there before worked better.

Control Resonant is available for pre-order now for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S; it will be released on Oct. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Remedy 'Control Resonant for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S $59.88 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

If you have a Roku, then you know the home screen is no stranger to advertisements. Whether you're scrolling through your apps or just taking in the pretty landscape of Roku City, ads are everywhere.

I've always thought a PC's power button should be fairly self-explanatory. Press it, and the computer shuts down safely. But Windows 11 is never that straightforward. It gives you several choices for what that button actually does, including one that makes shutting down your PC much simpler.