Gaming and Tech Guide Early 2025

It’s the start of 2025 and with it, a need to get your hands on the latest and greatest tech and games of the last year. Never fear, I have you covered with some unseen gems you need to try out ASAP.

This is just a taste of what was released at the end of 2024, but hands down some of the best. From webcam to simulation games, this has something for everyone.

Planet Coaster 2

For those of us who love a good simulation game, look no further than Frontier’s newest entry into the genre, with the brilliant follow-up to their own Planet Coaster. With a raft of new features, ideas, options and even water parks, there are hundreds of hours of creativity on offer here. You’re limited by your imagination, nothing less.

Planet Coaster 2 is like any sim game out there – undoubtedly more intuitive on a PC, however it is still incredibly fun on a console. The controls could have been frustrating, but end up second nature quickly, and depending on the type of player you are, you could create the best park, or the most chaotic park at a whim.

ROG Strix XG27UCG

The ROG Strix XG27UCG is a brand-new monitor from ROG ASUS that boasts fantastic high-end hardware, a strong and futuristic design, as well as unique RGB features that will make it stand out within your PC setup.

For anyone looking to make a change within their PC setup, the ROG Strix XG27UCG is the perfect monitor to get them started. It includes numerous features for the everyday gamer to improve their gameplay style as well as ensure that they are running their games at the perfect resolution and frame rate.

If you are looking for a long-lasting monitor that provides some of the best gaming features to date, then the ROG Strix XG27UCG monitor is the perfect chance to jump into the PC gaming world and experience some of the best features that gaming has to offer.

ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP

The ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is the next monitor from the ROG ASUS brand that provides high-end equipment for its users along with some extra design features and stylish RGB features that make the user feel like they are playing on a device from the future.

A unique ergonomic stand design that allows the user to allow them to position their monitor in plenty of different positions, rotate it to suit a numerous monitor setup and even a unique light projector feature that adds to the futuristic style that this monitor boasts.

For anyone who is looking to upgrade their PC monitor, or move into the high-end portion of monitors, then this monitor is the perfect option as it utilizes plenty of features that improve the gaming scene whether they be HDR, high resolution, high FPS, and so much more.

However, for those who are only using PC gaming as a pass-time, this kind of monitor might be a bit too high in their price range as it does reach an expensive cost of around £1,348 in the UK which is where this monitor recently went on sale.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

The best entry in the franchise for years, it’s done a lot to remove the bad taste of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 from everyone’s mouths. In development for four years, Treyarch put every bit of their blood, sweat and tears into making the game something they could be proud of, and as importantly, something the fans wanted to play.

A meaty campaign, a worthy multiplayer (with some fan-favourite modes returning), and of course Warzone all bundled together in one neat package. Throw in the new movement system and you’ll swear you’re playing an entirely new game of a different franchise.

Maono PD200X USB/XLR Podcast Dynamic Microphone

The Maono PD200X USB/XLR Podcast Dynamic Microphone is the next step in microphone technology and is the perfect device for streamers and content creators as it provides clear audio thanks to its high-end technology.

With two different connection options that allow the user to connect the microphone to either their PC for streaming and content creation purposes or the possibility to connect the device to a mixer there are plenty of options for the user to decide from that could create a whole new experience.

If you are looking for a well-designed microphone, the Maono PD200X USB/XLR Podcast Dynamic Microphone is a perfect choice as it has an amazing button and dial features that can control the microphone as well as any headset that is connected to the microphone itself.

To make using the device easier, there is also the option to download an application from the official Maono website that allows the user to have even more control of their microphone to ensure that their experience is what they want and expect from a high-end microphone.

Elgato Stream Deck Neo

The Elgato Stream Deck Neo is the first device out of 5 from the Elgato Neo family of equipment and is a major part of the brand’s streaming and content creation line of devices. This device is mainly used to help streamers and content creators control their devices from a simple click of a button, while also being able to make fast and easy changes when necessary.

This means that the user can pause their stream, change their screen, alter the sound, mute their microphone, add sound effects, and so much more at the simple click of a button. Along with such a useful and easy-to-use setup, the device boasts a plug-n-play setup ensuring that users don’t need long setups or complicated applications to run the numerous devices from the Elgato Neo family.

To allow customization however, there is the option for the device to have an application that will allow the user to alter the LCD keys so that they trigger certain reactions on their PC allowing a fully customizable experience for the user.

Marvel Rivals

A Free-to-play game that absolutely must be played by any Marvel fan worth their salt. Take on the mantle of 33 (and counting) heroes and fight for the multiverse. From MCU favorites like Iron Man to little known, deep cuts like Jeff the Land Shark, there’s something for everyone, and as it sweeps the world in popularity, you’d be mad to ignore this 5v5 squad shooter.

Elgato Wave Neo

The Elgato Wave Neo is the second device from the Elgato Neo family of Streaming and content creative equipment and its function in this family is that of the microphone. This device is very important when it comes to streaming and content creating as it can be quite boring to record something while not being able to record your own voice and add your own flare to the content you are creating.

Due to high-end technology and a plug-and-play feature, the user is able to run this device straight away while also being able to adjust the audio quality using the application that is available from the Elgato official website if the user is looking to alter their experience if need be.

To make this microphone even more interesting is the fact that it comes with its own stand allowing the user to position the microphone wherever they want, or if need be the thread of the microphone uses a ¼”, 5/8”, and 3/8” thread allowing the user flexibility in their options.

Elgato Facecam Neo

The Elgato Facecam Neo is the third device from the Elgato Neo family of devices and is probably the most important device for a streamer and content creator to own as this allows the user to show their face to their viewers allowing a more personal and deeper interaction.

Due to the facecam’s brilliant lens, auto-focusing, lens cover, and other features, it is the perfect device for those who are looking to get involved in streaming and content creating especially for those who are only just starting out in the industry.

Thanks to the plug-n-play feature, it is very simple and easy to use the Elgato Facecam Neo, but for those who are looking to refine their experience and ensure that the facecam stays at one resolution and frame rate, the application that comes with the device on the Elgato official website is key to ensuring these settings are in the perfect range to suit the user.

Whether it be to alter the brightness, the contrast, or any other visual settings that could improve the visuals of the face cam, the application is the perfect first stop to ensure a wonderful streaming experience.

Elgato Key Light Neo

The Elgato Key Light Neo is the fourth device from the Elgato Neo family of devices and it is an LED key light that uses new technology to provide some of the best lighting effects for the current day streamers and content creators. Thanks to the different buttons and dials on the Elgato Key Light Neo, the user is able to adjust the Key Light to suit their needs, whether they need to use a warm or cool light is entirely up to them at the click of a button.

Along with this the user is able to adjust the brightness of the Key Light at the simple rotation of a dial to ensure that when the light alters in their surroundings they are able to alternate the Key Light to suit to ensure a perfectly lit environment. To make this even easier the device even comes with an application that allows a more refined alteration to these different settings to ensure that the user can fine-tune their experience so that it fits their needs without having to risk over-exposing or under-exposing their scenery.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Is it unusual to include a six/seven year old game in a holiday guide? Sure. Is it a great choice? Yep. The sequel is set to drop at the beginning of February 2025, and now would be a good time to return to the medieval epic, brush up on your skills and make merry with ale, and blood with sword as you work your way through the story of Henry, as he finds himself alone and exposed. It’s also pretty fun to be running around as a medieval commoner role-playing a knight.

Elgato Game Capture Neo

The final piece of equipment from the Elgato Neo family of streaming devices is the Elgato Game Capture Neo, which will mainly come in handy for those who are looking to stream game-captured footage from their consoles to their PCs. This device allows the user to transfer their footage from another device onto their PC to make streaming even easier. Since this device also utilizes plug-and-play features, it is a simple device that only requires plugging and then capturing away.

What makes this device so interesting is that it can work with nearly any console especially more recent devices, and can provide a perfect picture that fits with some of the most powerful devices on the market.
This sort of device is the perfect stepping in point for gaming streamers as it allows for ease of use while ensuring good quality streaming content for people to enjoy around the world.

Corsair Virtuoso Max Headset

If premium headsets are what you’re after, then you’d be silly to ignore the newly released Virtuouso Max from Corsair. Compatible with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and even Nintendo, it’s a no-brainer, and that’s before you even slap one on your head.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a headset on the market with the same value for money, and if we were to show a full review, this would be scoring high up there. If you’re looking for a new headset for yourself or your loved ones, look no further.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered

A remaster years in the making, we couldn’t have been happier when we saw it finally drop. Announced weeks before release, we didn’t have long to wait to enjoy Aspyr Media’s revival of a much-loved vampire-wraith protagonist Raziel and his adventures in the gothic hub of Nosgoth (and time).

Anyone with a fondness for cult classic remakes should check it out, and certainly anyone who remembers booting the game up the first time round some twenty years ago should as well.