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Whether you need a bit of artistic inspiration or a solid dose of silliness, Audity can be relied on to paint a smile on your face.

Character designer Audrey Hopkins has been thrilling her 13.2 million followers on TikTok with her whimsical and weird drawings on her Audity channel. There, she draws inspiration from movies, TV, music, and her husband, Richard Conley, to create wonderfully silly — and oft sexy — characters.

She's made a Soda Pop hunk inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, crafted illustrations of all 50 states as people, and re-imagined her hubby in a slew of creative ways, including merman and anime babe.

Hopkins also creates cartoon character mash-ups, like Beauty and the Beast's Lumiere with Child's Play's Chucky. And for those seeking similarly chaotic drawing challenges, she and Conley have created the WannaDraw app, which generates random pairings as a jumping-off point for users to doodle wild sketches all their own.

SEE ALSO: Audity credits her success to her muse and keeping things fun

In a joint interview in Mashable's Creator Hub at Vidcon 2026, Hopkins and Conley also revealed which tools of the trade they've employed in their content creation.

For those artists looking to take their digital drawing to the next level, this In My Bag is for you.

Audity's essentials for digital drawing

"First one that I definitely can't live without is definitely my iPad, that's what I draw on," Hopkins began.

To that Conley gently interjected, "iPad Pro."

2020 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB) - Silver (4th Generation) $0 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy

"Yeah, iPad Pro," she concurred, noting, "He does all the technical stuff for me. But yeah, my iPad Pro and my [Apple] pencil — which I lose constantly. I don't know why, but it always goes into the ether [once] you put it down."

From there, Conley noted, "and the very thick grip—"

"My pencil grip!" She chirped, finishing his sentence, "Dear God, without that pencil grip — I highly recommend anyone out there with an Apple pencil, get you a pencil grip."

Audity noted that drawing so much can cause muscle pain, and she's found the grip is an aid in reducing strain. "I've been having pretty bad carpal tunnel," she noted, "So I've been getting more braces and other things like that, and like compression stuff."

Her other big tool: their app, WannaDraw.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable Creator Hub/Savage Interactive/Apple How WannaDraw was created

Conley, the app's designer, explained Wanna Draw's origins, saying, "In 2020, Audrey did the random drawing generator series. And she was using just random gif images on Google Images. And she ran out of options after a few videos. We wanted to expand to a more complicated idea prompt/generator kind of thing. So we made an iPhone/Android app. It's been a lot. It's been a big learning process."

Hopkins added that she'd ask Conley, who has a background in web design, if he could build her a webpage to generate mash-up suggestions. It began as a gif. "Then people started asking where they could use it," she recalled.

They were approached by developers who showed an interest in building such an app. Hopkins noted Conley "had only ever made websites at that point." But rather than handing off their idea to an outside developer, he did the research at their kitchen table and learned how to make an app all their own.

Five years later, WannaDraw has over a million downloads, and while she writes the prompts, he's still the one maintaining Wanna Draw's tech side.

Conley said, "It's a two-person team, just her and I on the app. So it's a little silly, but it's —"

"Meant to be!" Hopkins interjected, finishing the thought. "You know? We're a little silly."

Dropout is an Audity essential

In our Creator Playbook interview, Hopkins shared that her dream project would be creating the character designs for Dropout's popular actual play series Dimension 20, created by Brennan Lee Mulligan. So, it's little surprise that she counts a Dropout subscription as an essential to her process.

She likes to have videos or music on while she draws, and Dropout has plenty that inspires her. "Dropout Subscription is a must, actually," she mused. "I watch their stuff a lot. I like consuming other really interesting things, and [supporting] people who make really unique types of media. Like, I feel like just being around and seeing other people who are super passionate about what they're doing is the thing that inspires me more than anything else," she said, then turned to Conley and added, "That and you!"

Catch up on Mashable's complete VidCon 2026 coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and reporting from the convention floor.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Whether you need a bit of artistic inspiration or a solid dose of silliness, Audity can be relied on to paint a smile on your face.

Character designer Audrey Hopkins has been thrilling her 13.2 million followers on TikTok with her whimsical and weird drawings on her Audity channel. There, she draws inspiration from movies, TV, music, and her husband, Richard Conley, to create wonderfully silly — and oft sexy — characters.

She's made a Soda Pop hunk inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, crafted illustrations of all 50 states as people, and re-imagined her hubby in a slew of creative ways, including merman and anime babe.

Hopkins also creates cartoon character mash-ups, like Beauty and the Beast's Lumiere with Child's Play's Chucky. And for those seeking similarly chaotic drawing challenges, she and Conley have created the WannaDraw app, which generates random pairings as a jumping-off point for users to doodle wild sketches all their own.

SEE ALSO: Audity credits her success to her muse and keeping things fun

In a joint interview in Mashable's Creator Hub at Vidcon 2026, Hopkins and Conley also revealed which tools of the trade they've employed in their content creation.

For those artists looking to take their digital drawing to the next level, this In My Bag is for you.

Audity's essentials for digital drawing

"First one that I definitely can't live without is definitely my iPad, that's what I draw on," Hopkins began.

To that Conley gently interjected, "iPad Pro."

2020 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB) - Silver (4th Generation) $0 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy

"Yeah, iPad Pro," she concurred, noting, "He does all the technical stuff for me. But yeah, my iPad Pro and my [Apple] pencil — which I lose constantly. I don't know why, but it always goes into the ether [once] you put it down."

From there, Conley noted, "and the very thick grip—"

"My pencil grip!" She chirped, finishing his sentence, "Dear God, without that pencil grip — I highly recommend anyone out there with an Apple pencil, get you a pencil grip."

Audity noted that drawing so much can cause muscle pain, and she's found the grip is an aid in reducing strain. "I've been having pretty bad carpal tunnel," she noted, "So I've been getting more braces and other things like that, and like compression stuff."

Her other big tool: their app, WannaDraw.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable Creator Hub/Savage Interactive/Apple How WannaDraw was created

Conley, the app's designer, explained Wanna Draw's origins, saying, "In 2020, Audrey did the random drawing generator series. And she was using just random gif images on Google Images. And she ran out of options after a few videos. We wanted to expand to a more complicated idea prompt/generator kind of thing. So we made an iPhone/Android app. It's been a lot. It's been a big learning process."

Hopkins added that she'd ask Conley, who has a background in web design, if he could build her a webpage to generate mash-up suggestions. It began as a gif. "Then people started asking where they could use it," she recalled.

They were approached by developers who showed an interest in building such an app. Hopkins noted Conley "had only ever made websites at that point." But rather than handing off their idea to an outside developer, he did the research at their kitchen table and learned how to make an app all their own.

Five years later, WannaDraw has over a million downloads, and while she writes the prompts, he's still the one maintaining Wanna Draw's tech side.

Conley said, "It's a two-person team, just her and I on the app. So it's a little silly, but it's —"

"Meant to be!" Hopkins interjected, finishing the thought. "You know? We're a little silly."

Dropout is an Audity essential

In our Creator Playbook interview, Hopkins shared that her dream project would be creating the character designs for Dropout's popular actual play series Dimension 20, created by Brennan Lee Mulligan. So, it's little surprise that she counts a Dropout subscription as an essential to her process.

She likes to have videos or music on while she draws, and Dropout has plenty that inspires her. "Dropout Subscription is a must, actually," she mused. "I watch their stuff a lot. I like consuming other really interesting things, and [supporting] people who make really unique types of media. Like, I feel like just being around and seeing other people who are super passionate about what they're doing is the thing that inspires me more than anything else," she said, then turned to Conley and added, "That and you!"

Catch up on Mashable's complete VidCon 2026 coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and reporting from the convention floor.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

TL;DR: Get Pok Pok Lifetime for $59.99 (reg. $250) and replace repetitive, ad-filled kids’ apps with award-winning, Montessori-inspired games that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and independent play.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01   Get Deal

If you’ve ever handed your toddler a tablet and instantly regretted it, Pok Pok might just restore your faith in screen time. This innovative, Montessori-inspired app turns digital play into something that actually feels okay for both kids and parents.

Designed for ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok replaces those noisy, overstimulating apps with calm, open-ended play that encourages creativity, independence, and curiosity.

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Kids explore a beautifully hand-drawn world filled with toys that grow alongside them — from early cause-and-effect puzzles to more advanced STEM-style challenges. It’s like a digital game sandbox for little minds.

Every sound, color, and motion in Pok Pok is crafted to feel soothing and natural — no flashing ads, no pressure to “win,” and no hidden purchases. It’s also fully COPPA-certified, meaning it meets strict safety standards for children’s digital content. Parents can relax knowing their kids are learning, not zoning out.

Pok Pok’s thoughtful approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Pok Pok is the winner of the Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award and a 2023 App Store Award winner, recognition that reflects its focus on quality educational experiences rather than maximizing screen time.

Perfect for travel, quiet time, or rainy afternoons, Pok Pok runs offline, so playtime never depends on Wi-Fi.

At this low price, this lifetime subscription is the kind of tech investment that doesn’t come with a side of parental guilt — giving your child a fun, educational start in a calm digital space built just for them.

Get lifetime access to Pok Pok while it’s on sale for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get Pok Pok Lifetime for $59.99 (reg. $250) and replace repetitive, ad-filled kids’ apps with award-winning, Montessori-inspired games that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and independent play.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01   Get Deal

If you’ve ever handed your toddler a tablet and instantly regretted it, Pok Pok might just restore your faith in screen time. This innovative, Montessori-inspired app turns digital play into something that actually feels okay for both kids and parents.

Designed for ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok replaces those noisy, overstimulating apps with calm, open-ended play that encourages creativity, independence, and curiosity.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Kids explore a beautifully hand-drawn world filled with toys that grow alongside them — from early cause-and-effect puzzles to more advanced STEM-style challenges. It’s like a digital game sandbox for little minds.

Every sound, color, and motion in Pok Pok is crafted to feel soothing and natural — no flashing ads, no pressure to “win,” and no hidden purchases. It’s also fully COPPA-certified, meaning it meets strict safety standards for children’s digital content. Parents can relax knowing their kids are learning, not zoning out.

Pok Pok’s thoughtful approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Pok Pok is the winner of the Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award and a 2023 App Store Award winner, recognition that reflects its focus on quality educational experiences rather than maximizing screen time.

Perfect for travel, quiet time, or rainy afternoons, Pok Pok runs offline, so playtime never depends on Wi-Fi.

At this low price, this lifetime subscription is the kind of tech investment that doesn’t come with a side of parental guilt — giving your child a fun, educational start in a calm digital space built just for them.

Get lifetime access to Pok Pok while it’s on sale for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: flowkey’s 5-year Classic Plan subscription is currently on sale for $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flowkey flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription) $79.99
$899 Save $819.01   Get Deal

Learning piano isn’t something most people accomplish in a month or two. That’s why the flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan offers five years of access for $79.99 (reg. $899), giving you plenty of time to build skills without worrying about another renewal.

While there are many piano learning apps, flowkey’s five-year plan offers an exceptionally long runway for anyone who wants to keep up with the hobby. Whether you’re starting as a beginner or picking the piano back up after years away, the app combines guided lessons with instant feedback to help you improve at your own pace.

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As you play, flowkey listens and lets you know whether you’ve hit the correct notes before progressing. Wait Mode, slow-motion playback, looping difficult passages, and separate right- and left-hand practice are all designed to help you achieve challenging sections instead of rushing through them.

The subscription also includes over 1,000 classical and public-domain songs alongside lessons covering music theory, chords, rhythm, hand positioning, and reading sheet music. Pieces are available at multiple skill levels, so you can continue practicing familiar music as your confidence grows rather than constantly switching to new material.

Since this 5-year subscription works across laptops, tablets, and phones, it’s easy to fit in practice whenever you have a few spare minutes. Better yet, this offer is available to both new and existing flowkey users, making it just as useful if you’ve already started learning and simply want to extend your access.

If you’ve been meaning to spend more time at the keyboard, the flowkey Piano Learning App’s Classic Plan is available for $79.99 (reg. $899), giving you years of structured lessons for less than the cost of a few in-person classes.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

New parenthood becomes a nightmare right out of Finnish folklore in Hanna Bergholm's Nightborn.

The Hatching director once again pulls us into a disturbing, visceral tale of maternity, leaning on lore to explore, as Bergholm says in the film's press notes, "the messy, difficult, and sometimes 'ugly' side of parental love." Compartment No. 6's Seidi Haarla and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint are pushed to the limit in this body horror, with a word of caution, perhaps, for viewers who've recently become parents.

But what about that wild ending? What does it all mean? If you haven't watched the Shudder film, beware the spoilers ahead — and really, go and watch it. It'll mess you up.

SEE ALSO: Horrific 'Nightborn' trailer looks like one for new parents to avoid What is Nightborn about? Seidi Haarla and Rupert Grint in "Nightborn." Credit: Pietari Peltola

Saga (Haarla) and Jon (Grint) are deliriously happy newlyweds, who have moved from London to start a family in Saga's childhood home. Set deep in the Finnish woods, the house is more than a fixer-upper, with the floorboards rotting, wallpaper peeling, and actual trees growing through its crumbling structure.

Not wasting any time, Saga and Jon get right to conceiving a child, deciding the best place for it is in a grove of twisted trees that appear rather... person-like. Twiggy hands reach out for them, deep moans echo through the trunks, and it's clear the woods have a vested interest in making sure life, uh, finds a way.

When their child Kuura (a Finnish name meaning "frost" Saga hears from the forest) is born, strange things begin. Saga knows there's something inhuman about her gremlin-like baby (and it's not just the full body of hair and tiny tail sprout). Kuura burns in sunlight, hates clothes, and only wants to drink blood, and more than a few relatives suffer violent attacks from the increasingly creepy youngster. Saga refuses to call Kuura "him," instead leaning into "it," "that thing," or "little monster," and finding herself driven to primal outbursts.

Saga and Jon's opinions about what's "best" for their child begin to wildly differ — and things get out of hand.

What happens at the end of Nightborn? Seidi Haarla as Saga. Credit: Pietari Peltola

After a stream of disturbing events, Nightborn reaches a moment of pure chaos as Saga and Jon wrestle viciously with each other over Kuura. Jon intends to take the child from Saga, brutally declaring her "unfit" to be his mother, as they try to tear each other apart. If we didn't think Kuura possessed otherworldly powers before, we get to see them in furious action here, as the child calls to the forest to stop this madness. Unfortunately for Jon, he's impaled by one of the assisting trees.

Did Kuura mean to skewer his father, to avoid his insistence on table manners? Probably, as Kuura then feasts on his father, joined by Saga, who wrenches out Jon's heart and shares it with her son in a quiet little banquet.

As the sun rises, Saga stumbles out of her now Evil Dead-looking house, to see Kuura waddling unclothed toward the woods. Then, we see the trees come to life, confirming those face-like forms as magical beings, and they beckon to the child in a welcoming gesture. Saga and Kuura share a moment of acknowledgment before she sends him off into the woods with a weary smile.

What does it all mean? Trolls run these woods. Credit: Pietari Peltola

Essentially, trolls are afoot — mythological beings of Nordic folklore. The beings that welcome Kuura at the end of the film are trolls, confirmed through their listing in the credits as such. And it's clear Saga's family has been connected to the trolls surrounding their home for generations.

"In the Nordic countries, there’s a longstanding mythology of trolls living in the forests. In ancient times, people truly believed that trolls inhabited the woods and had a kind of control over nature. And in Nightborn, the forest reflects Saga's emotions and the animalistic, primitive physical side of humankind," says Bergholm in the film's press notes.

"But I also wanted to create my own interpretation of this mythology. In this film’s logic some humans and trolls have interacted for generations, so perhaps all of us carry a bit of troll's blood. That troll's blood might make some of us feel different, awkward in social situations, or out of step with social norms."

Jon's mother (Rebecca Lacey), earlier in the film, tells Saga she "read local tales here say that if you don't bless a child the trolls will take them," and speaks of "some families [that] still have troll blood running through their veins." It's clear Saga does, as she physically takes on the same hairy attributes as Kuura, finds her pregnant belly replicating a troll-like tree trunk, and joins Kuura in a diet of raw meat. By conceiving Kuura among them in the trolls' woods, Saga reconnects with their magic and gives birth to a little baby troll that can't be "raised."

Featured Video For You Is This The End of Hollywood's ‘Bad Moms’?

It's also clear Saga's grandmother had experiences with the trolls. Saga tells Jon she was forbidden by to visit the forest as a child, though she used to sneak out there. Saga's mother (Pirkko Saisio) says her grandmother "believed there were some... whatever," during a phone call, and her sister Taru (Pamela Tola) says their she'd filled the yard with cold iron junk to "keep them away." When Kuura is burned by the cold iron of a gift from Jon's father (John Thomson), Saga bursts into laughter, later saying aloud to her son, "I know what you are."

Saga's own history, whether physically or metaphorically, as a "troll" is also recalled by her mother and Taru. Saga's mother not-so-subtly tells her she was a "terrible child" and that "Saga always liked more trees than people." Taru lambasts her sister for being "shitty" to grow up with, and the actual "monster" in the room.

Ultimately, Bergholm uses these mythological creatures as a means to explore the animalistic, brutal side of motherhood, with Saga struggling with her little troll before she embraces her inner ferality.

"The story really grew out of my own feelings and experiences as a mother: those complex, sometimes difficult emotions, and how challenging love for your child can be," the director said in the film's press notes. "Parenting is not always easy, and when a child isn’t quite what you expected — a happy, easy-going baby — you begin to question how to be a parent to them."

We also don't see Kuura's face until the final frame, a decision that keeps us wondering whether the child has fangs or the like. Bergholm deliberately kept the child's face offscreen, saying in press notes, "I really wanted to keep the mystery regarding the baby's face. This way, the viewer shares the feeling the protagonist has all the way through: There is something very wrong with the child, but it is impossible to say what."

Essentially, trolls!

Nightborn is now streaming on Shudder.

Let me guess: you want to explore kink-based fun, but you're new to the fet-world and just don't know where to start. Well, the first thing to do is find an appropriate app, a platform that's kink-friendly and packed with like-minded folk who want to let the freak flag fly. Experienced kinksters will know all too well that regular dating apps don't always cut it. So, how do you find your people?

Perhaps you have a foot fetish, or you're into spanking or BDSM. Maybe you have no idea what you might be into, but want to find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your options and go on a journey of sexual self-discovery. 

As always, the internet has an answer, with at least two platforms we recommend for exploring all those kinks and much more: AdultFriendFinder and FetLife. All it takes is just a few minutes on either of those sites. You'll know instantly that you're in the right place. There's an abundance of NSFW content, plus even more spice to discover once you start using the search functions and looking for connections.

Something else AdultFriendFinder and FetLife have in common is user demographics. Both skew male, which is standard across the whole online dating world. One notable difference, though, is age. The average user on FetLife is 25, and AdultFriendFinder users tend to be in their 30s. That being said, both sites feature a diverse range of genders, sexual orientations, ages, and kink communities. In other words, there's something for everyone.

But while both sites are designed to accommodate sex-positive communities, they each have their own ways of working and bringing kind-lovers together. You may find that one of these sites suits you better than the other, though we recommend looking at both.

Keep reading for a rundown of the major differences in how AFF and FetLife cater to kinksters.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: FetLife FetLife   Learn More Where AdultFriendFinder excelsFaster connections

FetLife is great and very popular, but it also takes time to build a following, earn credibility, and be taken seriously on the site. In fact, while you can message strangers, the site's culture discourages it, and unsolicited messages are often ignored. On AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, the opposite rule reigns. In fact, it's much more like a traditional dating site, in the sense that connecting with strangers online is closer to the site's purpose, whereas FetLife is more of a social media website for building local kink communities. 

In addition to the one-on-one aspect, AdultFriendFinder hosts live webcam shows and community discussion forums, offering users multiple ways to connect quickly.  

Better site interface

This one might be controversial, since the AFF site is notoriously dated, but FetLife's interface is downright confusing, a mix between Facebook and Instagram, with much more limited search functionality. While both sites will allow you to search by specific kinks (and both sites offer exhaustive lists of kink options), the search functionality and filter options on AdultFriendFinder are more comprehensive and more user-friendly.

This isn't an accident, by the way. FetLife deliberately disables search by age, gender, and sexual orientation because, in their words, they are "a social network and not a dating site."

Live shows

FetLife allows users to host videos, but it doesn't have a dedicated, live webcam service. Some users do offer that, of course, but they do so on third-party sites, and usually behind a paywall. AFF, on the other hand, makes live streaming a significant part of its community experience and allows you to search through webcam shows by the streamer's location or the show's interest/topic, which often revolves around a specific kink. 

SEE ALSO: 4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr

In other words, if you're content to watch, AFF delivers some excellent, kink-centric live action, and much of it is accessible without upgrading to a paid subscription.

Where FetLife excelsFree accounts have more freedom

The most noticeable difference between FetLife and AFF is how much more freedom is afforded to non-paying accounts. On AdultFriendFinder, profiles are locked behind a paywall, so only paying members can read bios, scroll through photos, or see a comprehensive list of kinks. FetLife, on the other hand, operates more like Instagram for kinksters, delivering large photos, comprehensive bios, and even a web of connections comparable to what you might see on Facebook, from friends and romantic partners to subs, doms, and mentors, if applicable. 

Even more important, free FetLife users can contact each other in one-on-one messages without having to give up their credit card information, which definitely makes it easier to establish a personal connection.

One major limitation of free accounts is that they're prevented from watching videos. Because raunchy videos are a mainstay of many profiles, this is definitely a hindrance, though not an especially annoying one. 

The site promotes in-person events

Perhaps the biggest benefit of FetLife over AdultFriendFinder is that the former is much more focused on real-life connections, whereas AdultFriendFinder seems content to let people play in the virtual world. 

The Events tab at the top of the FetLife banner allows you to see, at a glance, all of the nearby, kink-friendly events, from informal meet-and-greets to full-on costume and masquerade balls. Best of all, you can filter by sub-type (Party, Educational, Social, Conference/Festival, Sex Party) or just look for events that your FetLife friends are attending.

SEE ALSO: Hinge's latest feature makes date planning a little easier

These in-person events are such an important part of the FetLife experience, even when they're not officially affiliated with the website, that they should be considered integral to the site itself. In fact, it's pretty common to see people indicate, in their profiles, that they won't message or "friend" anyone that they haven't already met at an IRL event. 

Kink discovery

Because of its community emphasis and dedication to exploring sexuality in a safe, consensual and informed way, FetLife offers users not only the means to connect with others but also to better connect with themselves. There's the community-sourced Kinktionary, for example, a Wiki-like resource covering topical aspects of human sexuality from the ins and outs of gay culture to a comprehensive list of sex toys and their uses, as well as dedicated groups to not only explore kinks but also introduce people to the BDSM lifestyle (we recommend you check out the Novices & Newbies section if you're a first-time visitor). 

AdultFriendFinder isn't totally without these resources, but they're not as user-friendly or as accessible to total newcomers to the world of kink.

The bottom line

Both AFF and FetLife are premier destinations for internet kinksters, and you can't really go wrong with either. Both sites have large user bases, comprehensive kink-focused spaces, and a non-judgmental atmosphere that makes it easy to let loose.

That said, if you're looking for the fastest possible connection or are content to confine your kink to the digital world for the time being, AdultFriendFinder does a better job of connecting people quickly. If, on the other hand, you want to integrate into your local kink community and maybe discover the underground nightclubs and VIP parties reserved only for the naughtiest of the naughty, FetLife will do right by you.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 4, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a good deal on a pair of headphones, you can't skip this latest Amazon discount on the Beats Solo 4.

These headphones regularly go on sale, but they rarely drop to $99.95. Not only is that a 50% discount and a saving of $100, but this is also the lowest-ever price for this model. However, there is a small catch. The only colorway available at this price is metallic pink. Other colors, including matte black and slate blue, are also on sale, but for the slightly higher cost of $129.95.

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But for under $100, you truly can't go wrong with these headphones. They have a custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers designed to deliver that powerful Beats sound. They also benefit from Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.

They have an ultralight ergonomic design too, with a flex-grip headband and adjustable, angled ear cups for a secure fit. They're comfortable for all-day use, thanks to their UltraPlush ear cushions.

For battery life, expect up to 50 hours of use, with Fast Fuel delivering up to five hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge. That's ideal for when you're heading out the door in a rush.

Ready to upgrade to great sound? These Beats headphones are available on sale at Amazon right now.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 4, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a good deal on a pair of headphones, you can't skip this latest Amazon discount on the Beats Solo 4.

These headphones regularly go on sale, but they rarely drop to $99.95. Not only is that a 50% discount and a saving of $100, but this is also the lowest-ever price for this model. However, there is a small catch. The only colorway available at this price is metallic pink. Other colors, including matte black and slate blue, are also on sale, but for the slightly higher cost of $129.95.

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But for under $100, you truly can't go wrong with these headphones. They have a custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers designed to deliver that powerful Beats sound. They also benefit from Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.

They have an ultralight ergonomic design too, with a flex-grip headband and adjustable, angled ear cups for a secure fit. They're comfortable for all-day use, thanks to their UltraPlush ear cushions.

For battery life, expect up to 50 hours of use, with Fast Fuel delivering up to five hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge. That's ideal for when you're heading out the door in a rush.

Ready to upgrade to great sound? These Beats headphones are available on sale at Amazon right now.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 4, the Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED is on sale for $1,049.99. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Big-screen TVs don't have to come with a big price tag.

Amazon's Ember range combines QLED picture quality with the Fire TV experience and built-in Alexa voice controls, so you can access streaming apps, smart home features, and more with ease. And right now, you can save on the massive Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED. As of Aug. 4, the list price has dropped from $1,999.99 to $1,049.99, saving you $150.

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This TV runs on the redesigned 2026 Fire TV experience, which gives you a brand-new interface with content categories, the ability to pin your most-used apps, and personalized recommendations from Alexa+. The TV also supports cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass without a console, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

For the visuals, it benefits from a 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and full-array local dimming, so everything you watch is incredible quality. And thanks to its WiFi 6 support and the new quad-core processor, apps and streaming move fast and without buffering.

Plus, this TV also includes Amazon's new Omnisense technology. This means the TV uses built-in sensors to wake the display when someone enters the room, displaying artwork of your choice or resuming whatever you've been watching.

This TV deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 4, the Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED is on sale for $1,049.99. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Big-screen TVs don't have to come with a big price tag.

Amazon's Ember range combines QLED picture quality with the Fire TV experience and built-in Alexa voice controls, so you can access streaming apps, smart home features, and more with ease. And right now, you can save on the massive Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED. As of Aug. 4, the list price has dropped from $1,999.99 to $1,049.99, saving you $150.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This TV runs on the redesigned 2026 Fire TV experience, which gives you a brand-new interface with content categories, the ability to pin your most-used apps, and personalized recommendations from Alexa+. The TV also supports cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass without a console, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

For the visuals, it benefits from a 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and full-array local dimming, so everything you watch is incredible quality. And thanks to its WiFi 6 support and the new quad-core processor, apps and streaming move fast and without buffering.

Plus, this TV also includes Amazon's new Omnisense technology. This means the TV uses built-in sensors to wake the display when someone enters the room, displaying artwork of your choice or resuming whatever you've been watching.

This TV deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

Snap held its Q2 2026 earnings call on Monday, with CEO Evan Spiegel speaking about the company's hopes and the public's response to its upcoming Specs AR glasses. 

Currently available for pre-order, Snap's Specs are scheduled to launch on Sept. 16 and will set buyers back the formidable sum of $2,195. It's an intimidating price tag which may scare off some consumers. Still, Spiegel believes Specs are the future of Snap. The company has invested significantly in the AR glasses, which have been in development for over 10 years, and sees Specs as an important milestone.

SEE ALSO: All about the Specs AR glasses, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel

"Our largest long-term opportunity is Specs, a new kind of computer built into see-through glasses," Spiegel said early in Monday's earnings call. "Specs are designed for a future in which AI does more work on our behalf and people spend less time operating screens."

Despite this vision, it's unclear whether public anticipation for Specs' release is meeting Snap's expectations. When asked about pre-order volumes, Spiegel claimed there has been "a huge amount of interest" in the AR glasses since they were announced in June. Even so, he did not offer any exact numbers, leaving it ambiguous as to whether such interest has materially translated into pre-orders.

"What we're hearing from folks is really that they want to try Specs," said Spiegel. "It's obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195." 

Featured Video For You Gen Z men are becoming more religious online

Spiegel noted that developers understood the "technical leaps" Snap has made with Specs. However, when it came to the general public's response, he focused on the importance of people getting to try the AR glasses after their September launch.

"I think for the broader public and consumers, it's going to be really important for folks to go hands-on," Spiegel continued. "I think Sept. 16 at our upcoming launch event will be an important starting point for that consumer-oriented journey. Certainly, a lot of exciting momentum around Spectacles and we're really looking forward to getting these in folks' hands so that they can experience the platform for themselves."

This may suggest that pre-order numbers haven't yet reached the volume Snap had been hoping for. Even so, the company is confidently backing Specs as the next big revolutionary product, and trusting that it will prove itself at launch. Spiegel stated that there is a significant opportunity to create the "next computing platform," referencing the introduction of desktop computers to office jobs.

Snap CFO Doug Hott also spoke about Specs during the earnings call, stating that the company is currently focused on product quality, customer experience, and ecosystem.

"I think looking forward on Sept. 16, we'll be sharing a lot more about all the different ways people can use Specs, how they fit into people's lives, and we're just really excited to get Specs into folks' hands later this year," said Hott.

Snap announced $1.6 billion in revenue this quarter — a 19 percent increase year over year, which was above expectations. Even so, the company still operated at a net loss of $164 million in Q2. Snap laid off 16 percent of its workforce earlier this year, with Spiegel stating that it aimed to lower its annual costs by $500 million before the year's end.

Snap held its Q2 2026 earnings call on Monday, with CEO Evan Spiegel speaking about the company's hopes and the public's response to its upcoming Specs AR glasses. 

Currently available for pre-order, Snap's Specs are scheduled to launch on Sept. 16 and will set buyers back the formidable sum of $2,195. It's an intimidating price tag which may scare off some consumers. Still, Spiegel believes Specs are the future of Snap. The company has invested significantly in the AR glasses, which have been in development for over 10 years, and sees Specs as an important milestone.

"Our largest long-term opportunity is Specs, a new kind of computer built into see-through glasses," Spiegel said early in Monday's earnings call. "Specs are designed for a future in which AI does more work on our behalf and people spend less time operating screens."

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Despite this vision, it's unclear whether public anticipation for Specs' release is meeting Snap's expectations. When asked about pre-order volumes, Spiegel claimed there has been "a huge amount of interest" in the AR glasses since they were announced in June. Even so, he did not offer any exact numbers, leaving it ambiguous as to whether such interest has materially translated into pre-orders.

"What we're hearing from folks is really that they want to try Specs," said Spiegel. "It's obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195." 

SEE ALSO: All about the Specs AR glasses, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel

Spiegel noted that developers understood the "technical leaps" Snap has made with Specs. However, when it came to the general public's response, he focused on the importance of people getting to try the AR glasses after their September launch.

"I think for the broader public and consumers, it's going to be really important for folks to go hands-on," Spiegel continued. "I think Sept. 16 at our upcoming launch event will be an important starting point for that consumer-oriented journey. Certainly, a lot of exciting momentum around Spectacles and we're really looking forward to getting these in folks' hands so that they can experience the platform for themselves."

This may suggest that pre-order numbers haven't yet reached the volume Snap had been hoping for. Even so, the company is confidently backing Specs as the next big revolutionary product, and trusting that it will prove itself at launch. Spiegel stated that there is a significant opportunity to create the "next computing platform," referencing the introduction of desktop computers to office jobs.

Snap CFO Doug Hott also spoke about Specs during the earnings call, stating that the company is currently focused on product quality, customer experience, and ecosystem.

"I think looking forward on Sept. 16, we'll be sharing a lot more about all the different ways people can use Specs, how they fit into people's lives, and we're just really excited to get Specs into folks' hands later this year," said Hott.

Snap announced $1.6 billion in revenue this quarter — a 19 percent increase year over year, which was above expectations. Even so, the company still operated at a net loss of $164 million in Q2. Snap laid off 16 percent of its workforce earlier this year, with Spiegel stating that it aimed to lower its annual costs by $500 million before the year's end.

Featured Video For You Gen Z men are becoming more religious online

TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We've been treated to some truly special sporting moments this summer, but nothing really came close to the 2026 World Cup. This tournament delivered in so many ways: we saw huge performances from big names like Haaland, we got shock results like Cape Verde stealing a draw from eventual champions Spain, and there was heaps of controversy, as usual.

Now that domestic seasons are returning, are we fatigued from a summer of sport? Absolutely not. We're impatient for rivalries to be renewed in some of the most competitive leagues in the world. And if we're talking truly unpredictable action from elite clubs in incredibly passionate stadiums, it's tough to beat the Premier League.

How will Arsenal cope with the pressure of being champions? Will Manchester City bounce back from the loss of iconic manager Pep Guardiola? Can Manchester United finally compete at the top end of the standings again? There are so many questions to be answered as the Premier League returns.

If you want to watch the 2026-27 Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Premier League?

The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system. The league is contested by 20 clubs, with each team playing 38 fixtures: two against each other, one home and one away.

The defending champions are Arsenal.

When is the Premier League?

The opening match round of the 2026/27 Premier League season will start on Aug. 21. The season runs until the final round of fixtures on May 30.

How to watch the Premier League for free

CazéTV will be showing select Premier League fixtures for free on their YouTube channel.

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Premier League by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Premier League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Premier League without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus coverage of Ligue 1 and La Liga) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for CazeTV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream for free on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We've been treated to some truly special sporting moments this summer, but nothing really came close to the 2026 World Cup. This tournament delivered in so many ways: we saw huge performances from big names like Haaland, we got shock results like Cape Verde stealing a draw from eventual champions Spain, and there was heaps of controversy, as usual.

Now that domestic seasons are returning, are we fatigued from a summer of sport? Absolutely not. We're impatient for rivalries to be renewed in some of the most competitive leagues in the world. And if we're talking truly unpredictable action from elite clubs in incredibly passionate stadiums, it's tough to beat the Premier League.

How will Arsenal cope with the pressure of being champions? Will Manchester City bounce back from the loss of iconic manager Pep Guardiola? Can Manchester United finally compete at the top end of the standings again? There are so many questions to be answered as the Premier League returns.

If you want to watch the 2026-27 Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Premier League?

The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system. The league is contested by 20 clubs, with each team playing 38 fixtures: two against each other, one home and one away.

The defending champions are Arsenal.

When is the Premier League?

The opening match round of the 2026/27 Premier League season will start on Aug. 21. The season runs until the final round of fixtures on May 30.

How to watch the Premier League for free

CazéTV will be showing select Premier League fixtures for free on their YouTube channel.

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Premier League by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Premier League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Premier League without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus coverage of Ligue 1 and La Liga) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for CazeTV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream for free on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched hockey or baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Pitching staff

• Green: Midwest mascots

• Blue: Incomplete NHL team

• Purple: Black and Gold

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Baseball Pitching Roles

• Green: Big Ten Teams

• Blue: Second Words in NHL Team Names

• Purple: Pittsburgh Steelers

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #680 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Baseball Pitching Roles: ACE, CLOSER, OPENER, SETUP

• Big Ten Teams: BADGERS, DUCKS, GOLDEN GOPHERS, HUSKIES

• Second Words in NHL Team Names: JACKETS, KNIGHTS, LEAFS, WINGS

• Pittsburgh Steelers: HIGHSMITH, METCALF, QUEEN, WATT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Game Freak’s enduring legacy is being the developer of the Pokémon franchise alongside Nintendo. While that certainly has its perks like keeping the office lights on, it shouldn’t be surprising that Game Freak wants to branch out. It’s been done so over the years with smaller games like Giga Wrecker Alt, Little Town Hero, and Tembo the Badass Elephant.

Now, Game Freak is back with the action-adventure game Beast of Reincarnation. It’s the studio’s biggest game yet, but is it big enough to step out from Pokémon’s massive shadow?

The combat is sublime, along with its breathtaking art direction and intriguing open-world zones. However, Beast of Reincarnation is muzzled by its confusing story pacing and dull cast of characters.

Not Nier enough Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

Beast of Reincarnation follows a young girl named Emma as she travels through a post-apocalyptic Japan to stop the titular monster from rising again and spreading a corruption called Blight. Much like Stellar Blade, Beast of Reincarnation attempts to emulate the profound themes of existentialism, artificial intelligence, sentience, and humanity found in the excellent Nier: Automata. But they fail to understand what made Yoko Taro’s masterpiece so compelling: the characters.

Emma isn’t exactly a riveting character up until the last few moments of the story. At that point, there’s a giant exposition dump explaining about how the world came to be. Characters that you met halfway through the story suddenly come back towards the end, and they somehow have some crucial involvement. The jarring pacing doesn’t really allow for much personal development of the side characters, let alone Emma’s.

It also doesn’t help that the English voice acting isn’t the best. It’s understandable that Emma is supposed to be an emotionless individual, given that she was an outcast due to her sickness. But Emma, and the rest of the cast, for that matter, sound incredibly bored throughout the entire journey. How can I get immersed if the characters themselves sound like they don’t even want to be there?

The subtitles are also astronomically tiny, with no options to make them bigger. This made it harder to follow the story, especially if you chose the Japanese voice acting instead.

A beautiful apocalypse Credit: Game Freak

Despite the underwhelming story, I enjoyed my time traveling through post-apocalyptic Japan in between cutscenes. While Beast of Reincarnation isn’t a true open-world, there’s plenty of places to explore. There are 12 distinct zones that you can travel between, with different environments showing off rustic forests, giant craters, and flooded dilapidated city ruins.

But what impressed me more was Beast of Reincarnation’s verticality. Since Emma is immune to the Blight, she’s able to manifest her plant-like powers through her hair to reach towering heights. I had a lot of fun scaling tall structures and creating ledges over the top of enemies so I could take them out unaware, Assassin’s Creed-style.

Emma’s canine companion, Koo, can also sniff out items and collectibles as they pass by, marking them. While some players might see this as cheapening the exploration, I found it to be really convenient and respectful of my time. In particular, I appreciated Koo’s sleuthing when it came to finding Dragon Shrines all across the different maps. When you accumulate enough, Emma is rewarded with extra stims to heal herself during battle.

Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

The game’s visuals are gorgeous, too. The realistic art direction is a departure from the cartoony and cute creatures we’ve seen Game Freak create for Pokémon. Sure, humanity has died out, but the hostile golems and blight-inflicted malefacts consisting of giant bears, birds, and deer still make the world feel lively. The emphasis on plant life also makes the environments feel hopeful, like a Studio Ghibli movie, rather than the catastrophic dread of a game like The Last of Us.

However, I wish boss battles were more unique. Many of them are against giant creatures called Nushi, but they all have almost the same attack patterns and even designs. I got tired of fighting the nearly identical huge four-legged creatures after the third time.

More bite than bark Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

Thankfully, the combat gives Beast of Reincarnation the much-needed claws, sinking into you and keeping you entertained. Though it might initially feel like a Soulslike at first because of the sharp difficulty curve, the game eventually provides you with more skills, opening the combat up to feel more like a straightforward action game.

There’s a heavy emphasis on parrying, similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Every time Emma successfully parries, her Entanglement meter fills up, which allows her to unleash devastating attacks with her hair. And when breaking an enemy’s stamina, she can perform flashy finishers. The flow of battle feels very satisfying, fast-paced, and fun.

Upon successfully parrying attacks, you activate the special abilities of Emma’s various katanas. There’s one where she recovers a portion of her health for a few seconds upon a successful parry, which was immensely helpful, especially during boss fights. My personal favorite katana was a late-game one that dealt additional poison and electric damage. I loved watching the crackling purple lightning strikes crash down whenever I swung my sword.

Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

While Koo fights autonomously, you can pull up a menu that slows down time and issue direct commands to him to use his own special attacks, such as summoning vines to immobilize enemies for Emma to unleash fury on, or conjuring a flowerbed that gradually restores her HP. It’s very similar to Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy’s “Classic” combat mode. It’s a beneficial feature that lets you have more control over Koo’s actions, and thematically strengthens the camaraderie between them.

At $60, Beast of Reincarnation is a good value for a 25-30 hour experience. By thoroughly exploring the world, you can get even more mileage out of it. It’s also available on Xbox Game Pass via the Ultimate tier.

You can play the game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

Beast of Reincarnation (PS5 and Xbox Series X) $59.99 at Best Buy
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Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
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