Best Gaming Gadgets: Tech Awards 2024 Editor’s Choice

If you are reading this site, chances are, you’re a gamer. Gaming is a huge business these days, and it’s supported by an industry that is constantly innovating and breaking boundaries. Cutting-edge tech often makes its way to gaming gadgets first. Here are our recommendations to improve your gaming experience.

Read on and find out who the winners are in each category!

Other segments include the Best devices for the Home, Best of Mobile Gadgets, Best of Gaming (this article). Not to forget, our Readers’ Choice results for the Best Tech Brands. 

Best Graphics Card

NVIDIA’s dominance of the consumer GPU market has been relentless, and it has continued that march with the release of their GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU earlier this year. The RTX 4080 Super replaces the vanilla RTX 4080 and sells at a more palatable launch price of US$999 than the original’s US$1,199.

In our Best Graphics Card category for this year’s Tech Awards, we picked three of the best RTX 4080 Super cards that we could land our hands on.

Here are our nominees:

• ASUS ROG Strix Geforce RTX 4080 Super 16GB OC Edition
• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Super Master
• MSI GeForce RTX 4080 Super Expert

Note: Zotac was unfortunately unable to send us a test unit during our qualification period.

And the winner is…

While the Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Super Master looks no different from the original RTX 4080 Master that it replaces, we like that Gigabyte made some big improvements with the new card.

For starters, it uses a stronger metal back plate that it says enhances the structure of the graphics card to give it better protection against warping of the circuit board over time. Gigabyte also bundled the same anti-sag bracket that you can install on the end of the card to give it additional reinforcement against sagging, although this won’t work with E-ATX-sized motherboards.

The PCB itself also boasts a dust-resistant coating, which protects it from everything from dust to insects, dropped screws, and abrasion. It is moisture and corrosion-resistant as well, which is supposed to prevent unwanted conduction paths and board damage, and should shrug off high-humidity climates as well – perfect for our Singapore weather.

Ultimately, what made the Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Super the top dog in this category is its superior performance and competitive pricing of S$1,889 in comparison to the other nominees.

Note: The Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Super Master is available at Lazada and at all official retail channels that sell Gigabyte graphics cards.

For more details on how we rated our nominees and to learn about our experience with each graphics card, check out the full reviews and articles listed in the References section below. 

Below, we cover how the other two nominees fared in a snapshot.

ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB OC Edition - Ideal for a full ROG build

The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB OC Edition is a really good-looking card and should be the final puzzle for gamers who are building a DIY PC with ROG components. While the performance difference between it and the winning Gigabyte Aorus card is marginal at best, its more expensive price tag for no additional gains is the only reason it lost out this time around.

Note: The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB OC Edition is available at Lazada for S$1,999.

MSI GeForce RTX 4080 Super Expert – Best Looking GeForce RTX 4080 Super Card

The MSI GeForce RTX 4080 Super Expert is the most unique of the nominees in this category in that it’s not a traditional gaming-focused card (it doesn’t even have RGB lighting!). MSI’s Expert cards are aimed at workstations and content creators, but there’s no reason why they can’t fit into a gaming PC. We think it’s so refreshing to see a design that’s not all about RGB and loud “gaming” style and colours.

The RTX 4080 Super Expert is the perfect example of how sometimes being simple in design can even be cool and beautiful. We also like how it is perhaps the most truthful adaptation of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4080 Super Founders Edition card design with its dual-axial flow-through cooler architectures.

Note: The MSI GeForce RTX 4080 Super Expert can be purchased for S$1,879 at Lazada.

References:

• Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Super Master review
• ROG Strix Geforce RTX 4080 Super 16GB OC Edition review

Best Gaming Laptop

PC gaming laptops have come a long way, thanks in no small part to advancements in CPU and GPU technologies – such as NVIDIA’s brilliant DLSS that offers image enhancement and resolution upscaling. Today’s gaming laptops are not only truly portable and slim, but also pack some serious firepower that is more than capable of running hardware-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal.

This year’s Best Gaming Laptop criteria is simple. Firstly, we are only judging gaming-grade laptops that are no smaller or larger than 16-inch because we felt that this new form factor offers the right balance of portability and power. Next, nominated gaming laptops must also be reasonably portable, in-line with the latest trends and be no heavier than 2.5kg. We do not expect that brands must have the fastest and greatest processors in their laptop, but the models reviewed must be available for purchase in Singapore and, ideally, their best for the above criteria. We're not assessing desktop-replacement class laptops. Last but not least, we are only considering gaming laptop models launched between April 2023 and April 2024.

Here are the nominees:

• Acer Predator Helios 16
• Aftershock Rift 16X
• Alienware x16 R2
• ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16
• Gigabyte Aorus 16X
• Lenovo Legion 9i
• MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio A1V
• Razer Blade 16

Note: HP Omen couldn't send us a review unit to test.

And the winner is…

To be able to put in the fastest – and extremely hot – Intel and NVIDIA processors inside a chassis that’s only 22.7mm at its thickest part is already remarkable, but to be able to cool the Intel Core i9-14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU enough and minimise power throttling in the same svelte body is an elusive dark art that not many laptop makers seem to be able to achieve. But boy did Lenovo did it with the Legion 9i (Gen 9), outgunning all other nominated laptops convincingly.

Not only is the Legion 9i consistently the best performer in our benchmarks, but it is also able to accomplish it while remaining cool – in fact the Legion 9i was the ‘coolest’ gaming laptop in our temperature tests. Lenovo’s much touted integrated liquid cooling (Lenovo calls it Legion Coldfront) is surely working its magic effectively here. All this meant that the Legion 9i could handle most of the latest games with ease, and with a brilliant mini-LED display games look gorgeous too.

The Legion 9i is also cool in the aesthetics department: We do think it is the best-looking gaming laptop your money can buy. The carbon pattern on the forged carbon lid is unique and no two laptops look the same, and the RGB band that wraps around the lower body is tastefully done and not excessive – the Legion 9i will look at home in your gaming room or in a work meeting room.

Its only weakness is its battery life, which is one of the poorest in our tests. But all things considered, the Lenovo Legion 9i is easily hands-down the best gaming laptop that we’ve come across. Chapeu, Lenovo.

The Lenovo Legion 9i is available from S$5,599 at Lenovo’s e-store (our test unit configuration costs S$6,691).

For more details on how we rated our nominees and to find out our usage experience of each gaming laptop, check out the full reviews and articles listed in the references section below. In the meantime, here's how the other nominees fared in a snapshot.

Gigabyte Aorus 16X – For gamers with a tight budget

The Aorus 16X is Gigabyte’s 16-inch gaming laptop series but the brand keeps the specs of this range a little more modest – it is only releasing the laptop with an Intel Core i7-14650HX paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU in Singapore. At S$2,699, it feels like Gigabyte is content to push the Aorus 16X in the midrange price bracket.

That said, don’t let the price tag fool you. The Aorus 16X’s 2,560 x 1,600 resolution IPS display has a 165Hz refresh rate, supports Dolby Vision and the colours and contrasts are great. The laptop’s design also feels solid. There’s no creaky plastic, the hinge feels nice in action, and the lid doesn’t have too much flex. At just over 2kg, it’s a reasonably good weight for a gaming laptop this size and with this kind of hardware.

The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is available for S$2,799 at the official Gigabyte LazMall store and S$2,699 at Techyard.

Alienware x16 R2 – The most unique-looking 16-inch gaming laptop

Our Alienware x16 R2 test unit came with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor pair with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. On paper, the x16 R2 should match the Legion 9i in performance but in reality the laptop seems to be hampered by the slower Intel Core Ultra 9 185 processor. The Core Ultra here may be less powerful than Intel’s Core i9-14900HX but they are better at power efficiency, which makes them suitable for productivity laptops but less so for gaming laptops where power should take precedence – and these show in our benchmarks (see charts above).

But performance aside, the Alienware laptop catches our eyes with its unique design. There’s simply no other gaming laptop quite like it, with its silver all-metal chassis and mechanical keyboard. Its speakers are also the best (and loudest) out of all the laptops we tested here, with deep bass and fantastic mids. The display is a bit of a mixed bag; It supports Dolby Vision but oddly omits HDR, which is kind of a letdown for a gaming laptop.

The Alienware x16 R2 is available on Dell.com from S$3,299 (our test unit configuration costs S$5,306).

Acer Predator Helios 16 – Value for money

Acer’s top-of-the-line 16-inch gaming laptop comes equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU and its performance is not far off from other gaming laptops with similar specifications.

While we have no complains about the overall sleek black chassis, we are not too impressed by how “plasticky” the design can feel and how it just looks ordinary compared to the rest of the competition. The Helios 16’s design just didn’t feel adventurous and not quite what we would expect from a high-end gaming laptop. Worse, its power brick is also the biggest and heaviest out of all the nominated laptops here and looks straight out of an OEM flea market.

Acer really should have shown the same love for the Predator Helio 16’s aesthetics as much as it did for the laptop’s innards. Because if gaming performance is solely what you are after, then the Predator Helio 16's price tag of S$3,899 makes it jaw-droppingly value for money.

The Acer Predator Helio 16 is available for S$3,899 on Acer’s website and S$2,700 at the Gain City LazMall store.

Razer Blade 16 – The one with the most beautiful OLED display

There was something attractive about the Razer Blade's black monolithic design when it was first launched, but we feel that the Blade notebooks have kind of lost their edge in the looks factor over the years. Take the Blade 16 for instance, where nothing much has changed compared to its 2023 predecessor – it’s still incredibly expensive (our test unit configuration costs S$5,399) and it is also quite chonky.

For a gaming laptop that comes with an Intel Core i9-14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, the Blade 16’s performance met our expectations compared to similar nominated models with similar specs. That said, the QHD OLED display is really astonishingly good – quite possibly our favourite screen here – and the Blade 16’s build is top-notch.

The Razer Blade 16 is available for S$4,991 at the Razer Online Store and S$4,699 at the official Razer LazMall store. You can also find it at Amazon.

Aftershock Rift 16X – Good gaming performance

Homegrown Aftershock’s Rift 16X is the company’s latest 16-inch flagship. Our test unit came with an Intel Core i9-14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU. At S$4,124 for our test unit’s configuration that’s a pretty good value for money package since it also comes with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.

Looks-wise, the Rift 16X is pretty much a no-frills gaming laptop – there are fancy logos or emblems – and we think Aftershock might have restrained a little too much here. The Rift 16X just seems a little too plain, even with its customisable LED light bar on the front lid. If you can look past this, the Rift 16X offers pretty good gaming performance.

The Aftershock Rift 16X is available on Aftershock’s website for S$4,124 (our test unit configuration.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 – A luxurious and premium-looking gaming notebook

The new Zephyrus G16 saw some radical changes from its predecessor from last year. Gone is the cool Anime Matrix design on the lid, which we really loved and thought gave the gaming laptop a unique look. In its place is a strip of LED light that stretches from the top to the lower corners of the Zephyrus G16 lid. It still looks good and stylish, but it just does not “pop” the way it used to.

That said, the Zephyrus G16 feels more premium than ever now, thanks to its milled aluminium chassis. Perhaps the exclusion of the Anime Matrix lid has made the new Zephyrus looks a little more plain Jane now, but we have to admit it’s so well-built that it still exudes quality and thoughtfulness from ROG’s designers. There are plain-looking laptops, and there are beautifully plain gaming laptops like the Zephyrus G16.

Our only gripe with the Zephyrus G16 is its pricing. For S$4,299, you are get a gaming laptop powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. For that money, some of the gaming laptops in our list comes with a GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU.

The ROG Zephyrus G16 can be purchased for S$4,299 on the ASUS e-store and the official ASUS store at Shopee.

MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio A1V – Sleek and lightweight

The MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio A1V is one of the sleekest and most lightweight, not to mention attractive too, gaming laptops that we’ve come across. Apart from the Legion 9i, it’s also the only gaming laptop not to come in a typical black or white chassis – instead, in a nice blue hue whose tones change strikingly when viewed at different angles. It’s really MSI’s best-looking gaming laptop to-date, if we dare say so.

Shame then, that premium design can only go so far because despite having an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU the Stealth 16’s overall gaming performance is less than stellar and does not quite justify the high price of S$5,599.

The MSI Studio 16 AI Studio A1V is available for S$5,599 on MSI’s Lazada store.

References

• Gigabyte Aorus 16X (tested and scored internally)
• Alienware x16 R2 (review coming soon)
• Acer Predator Helios 16 (tested and scored internally)
• Razer Blade 16 (tested and scored internally)
• Lenovo Legion 9i (review coming soon)
• Aftershock Rift 16X (tested and scored internally)
• ROG Zephyrus G16 (review coming soon)
• MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio A1V (tested and scored internally)

Best Gaming Handheld

Not to be mistaken for traditional gaming handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, our Best Gaming Handheld is focused on PC gaming handhelds that started emerging over the last couple of years – kickstarted by Steam’s very own Deck. The Steam Deck is still the gold standard here in our opinion, but its Linux-based OS – SteamOS – can be restrictive, and even overwhelming, for gamers who are not familiar enough with Linux to tinker around with it.

But there are now Windows-based gaming handheld alternatives, and these devices are literally miniaturised Windows PCs, so apart from Steam gamers can also easily install non-Steam launchers such as those from Epic Games, GOG and even Microsoft’s own Game Pass.

Our qualification requirements for the Best Gaming Handheld category are straightforward: They must be from established brands that are available at retail locally, have support for local warranties and services (hence, we did not consider devices from indie brands or from Kickstarter), and of course, these handhelds must be Windows-based. Lastly, our qualification period to assess these gaming handhelds is their release, and availability should be between April 2023 and April 2024.

Here are our nominees:

• ASUS ROG Ally
• Lenovo Legion Go
• MSI Claw

And the winner is…

The Legion Go takes our cake not only because of its gaming performance (thanks to the AMD Ryzen Z1 processor), but also how Lenovo went with a different approach as compared to other brands. Its Switch-inspired controllers allow players to detach the controllers and use the device in a tabletop mode, giving it a versatility that the Ally and Claw do not by allowing you to enjoy the large screen from a distance. Speaking of screens, the Legion Go also has a more generous 8.8-inch display, which works better than the smaller displays on the Ally and Claw – no thanks to the inherent challenges of Windows gaming on a small screen.

An intriguing feature on the Legion Go is FPS Mode, which is activated by a switch on the underside of the right controller, transforming it into a hybrid of a joystick and mouse. Accompanied by a magnetic stand for stability, this mode allows for swift, mouse-like cursor movements, positioning the buttons in a surprisingly natural position for this grip, which I thought works pretty well for first-person shooter games. Its gaming utility software, the Legion Space app, is also the most polished and user-friendly (the latest May 2024 update makes it even more superior).

The Legion Go is not perfect of course. Its battery life is decent at best, and its bulkiness may not be loved by some gamers – even if the larger screen offers some practical usage for quick productivity work such as web surfing and emails. But all things considered, we think it is the best all-rounded Windows gaming handheld today.

Check out our full review for more details.

Note: The Legion Go is available for purchase for S$1,151 at Lenovo's e-store here.

For more details on how we rated our nominees and to learn about our experience with each device, check out the full reviews and articles listed in the References section below. 

Below, we cover how the other two nominees fared in a snapshot.

ROG Ally

Like the Legion Go, the ROG Ally gaming handheld is also powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This makes the performances of both devices very identical, although the Ally comes with a smaller 7-inch display and slightly better battery life.

In truth, the ROG Ally feels like a more simplified version of the Legion Go and that’s not exactly a criticism. Its form factor is slimmer and more svelte, and we know of gamers who would rather have a lighter and smaller handheld like it. Size and form factor is a matter of personal taste, but we felt that the lack of a back stand and removable controllers (like the Legion Go) makes it less versatile – and tiring to hold for lengthy periods.

But that’s not to say that the ROG Ally isn’t a good Windows-based gaming handheld. It’s only unfortunate for it that Lenovo’s handheld edges it by a little with its overall better functionalities. This outcome still holds true if you're wondering about the soon-to-be-launched ROG Ally X, which is still quite similar to the original Ally.

Note: The ROG Ally launched for S$999 and is available on the ASUS SG Store.

MSI Claw

The MSI Claw is unique in that it is the first and the only gaming handheld to be powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor and the integrated Arc GPU. Unfortunately, this meant that it launched much later than the ROG Ally and Legion Go to make it an interesting Intel alternative. Intel’s struggle with Arc optimisations for games is well-known, and this has impacted the Claw’s gaming performance out of the door. So not only does it perform the worst in our gaming benchmarks, but it also has the unwanted honour of being the most expensive gaming handheld at S$1,239 at launch too.

It also looks so like the ROG Ally that it has invited unwanted mockery among gamers. That said, the MSI Claw isn’t a bad handheld, it just needs a good price correction that better reflects its performance when compared to the competition out there. It’s impossible for it to be the “best performing” gaming handheld now, but at least there’s an opportunity for the Claw to be a “best” in terms of value -- if MSI repositions its offering.

Note: The MSI Claw is available at Challenger for S$1,239.

References:

• Lenovo Legion Go review
• ASUS ROG Ally review
• MSI Claw review

Best Gaming Monitor

Ultrawide gaming monitors are gaining popularity amongst PC gamers looking for an immersive gaming experience. These monitors offer more horizontal space, allowing gamers to see more of their surroundings in games that support wider aspect ratios like 21:9 or the even more extreme 32:9. As such, this is our main scope for assessing the best gaming monitor category.

But it’s not just PC games that benefit from these ultrawide monitors. All of the display space is even better for ramping up your productivity and working with multiple apps on one screen. For example, a 49-inch ultrawide gaming monitor offers the same display space as two 27-inch gaming monitors – and without a “border” cutting in the middle of the screen.

For our “Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor” criteria, we are looking at premium, top-of-the-line models with an OLED panel that is 45 inches across or larger. They must be gaming-grade models, launched between April 2023 and April 2024 and available officially in Singapore.

Here are our nominees:

• Acer Predator X45 (45-inch)
• ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD (49-inch)
• LG 45GR95QE UltraGear WQHD Curved OLED (45-inch)
• MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED (49-inch)
• Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC (49-inch)

Note: Brands such as Alienware and HP that do not have a gaming-grade monitor with the screen sizes we're looking for, do not qualify. LG does have a 49-inch ultra-wide monitor but it’s not an “UltraGear” gaming-grade model, while Acer’s Predator X49 QD-OLED is not available in Singapore at the point of qualification. 

And the winner is…

In all fairness to the nominees that use a QD-OLED or OLED panel, the differences in terms of display quality are marginal. That is to say, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD produces the kind of output you would expect from a high-quality OLED panel (trivia: Samsung is the only supplier of QD-OLED panels) – gorgeous pictures with the deepest blacks and vibrant colours.

But we really like how ASUS has squeezed in a lot of connectivity features into the ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD, including a USB Type-A port on the underside and one facing upwards on the right rear. It’s a stroke of genius, as they are very convenient to reach with the odd cable or USB stick. If you’ve tried contorting your upper body and struggled to reach the back of your monitor to get a charging cable connected, you’ll know what I mean. We are surprised how so many monitor brands have not thought about this.

We also have to bring up the Smart KVM feature of this ROG monitor, which truly takes advantage of the expansive display space that a 49-inch monitor affords. Smart KVM essentially allows you to control two computers with one keyboard and mouse, with both screens split across the wide display. When you move your mouse between one side of the screen and the other, it’ll automatically switch control between the two devices, all without the need for specialised software or additional hardware. You can even copy a file from one device and paste it to the other – thanks to its speedy USB 3.2 support. The monitor even comes with a full-function USB Type-C port with 90W power delivery so that you can charge up a connected device, like a laptop, even while connecting it to the display.

Well done, ASUS.

Note: The ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD is available on ASUS e-store for S$2,499.

*Launch SRP was used when considering value.

In the meantime, here's how the other nominees fared in a snapshot.

Acer Predator X45

It’s really hard to not like a gaming monitor with an OLED panel. The Acer Predator X45 produces excellent colour accuracy, and the colour range is what we expected of an OLED gaming monitor.

But the Predator X45 stands out not by having features, but the lack of them. For instance, there are no HDMI 2.1 ports (it only supports HDMI 2.0), and it's also worth noting that its underside ports are also the hardest to reach compared to the other gaming monitors featured in this Tech Awards category.

For a rather exorbitant launch price of $2,998, we really expected a bit more from the Acer Predator X45.

Note: The Acer Predator X45 is available on Acer's webstore for S$2,998.

LG WQHD UltraGear 45-inch Curved OLED – The best 45-inch OLED gaming monitor

The WQHD UltraGear Curve OLED is a 45-inch OLED gaming monitor from LG. That means it comes with gaming features such as a fast 240Hz refresh rate with 0.03ms response time. It also supports NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. It even offers a 3.5mm audio jack that supports DTS Headphone:X, which offers accurate spatialisation and localisation when enjoying 3D audio with compatible headphones.

Design wise, we like how LG has designed this UltraGear gaming monitor with razor-thin bezels that frame its 45-inch screen. Oddly enough, there are no physical buttons on the monitor to control the on-screen display – you can only do so with the bundled remote control. That’s kind of a big risk because if the remote control is ever misplaced, you’ll never be able to access the monitor’s settings.

With great picture output, this LG UltraGear is a neat 45-inch option. Be careful where you place the remote control, though.

Note: The LG WQHD UltraGear 45" Curve OLED is available at Courts Online and Harvey Norman for S$2,724.

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED

With its massive 49-inch QD-OLED panel, speedy 175Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, MSI has made a striking gaming display.

Like the ROG Swift 49-inch, the MSI MPG gaming monitor also gets a USB hub and KVM feature. This means you can switch connected mice and keyboards and two computers, but it’s a little surprising that MSI added USB 2.0 ports only, while the ROG equivalent got USB 3.2 support.

Design-wise, the MSI MPG 49-inch is pretty much no-frills. Unlike the other nominated models here, there are no RGB lights, and we would even go as far as to say that the monitor is the most plain-looking of all. Looks are in the eye of the beholder, but we don’t think it’s hard to argue that the MSI MPG 491CQP gaming monitor does not have much to differentiate it from the rest of the competitors as far as looks are concerned.

Note: The MSI MPG 491CQP is available at Lazada for S$2,749.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC – The most feature-rich 49-inch OLED gaming monitor

Like the other QD-OLED gaming monitors, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 has a great display output that produces stunning image with deep contrast and saturated colour. It also has the best calibrated colour of the box and comes with the fastest refresh rate of 240Hz. The Odyssey OLED G9 looks really beautiful too.

It comes packed with features including Samsung TV Plus and Game Hub for streaming online content without the need to be hooked up to a computer or any other device. It even comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay.

But the Odyssey OLED G9 also comes with the most convoluted on-screen menu that we have ever come across in a gaming monitor, making its vast sea of features and options confusing to navigate because it comes in two different versions – one is focused on gaming and another that looks like Samsung’s standard TV menu. There’s a degree of learning curve for first-timers.

Despite that, we would go as far as saying that the Odyssey OLED G9 is on par with the winning ROG Swift gaming monitor, and gamers won’t go wrong picking either. But while the features on the Odyssey OLED G9 are aplenty and impressive, we think that the ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD just offers better practical usage with its well-placed USB ports and impressive KVM features.

 Note: The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is available at the Samsung Online Store for S$2,588 (usual $3,430).

References

• Acer Predator X45 (tested and scored internally)
• ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD (review coming soon)
• LG WQHD UltraGear 45-inch Curved OLED (review coming soon)
• MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED (tested and scored internally)
• Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC (review coming soon)

Game of the Year

Between April 2023 and April 2024, we saw an awful lot of awesome games released for PC and consoles put together. This makes our task of picking our best game of the year an incredibly difficult task. There are so many titles to consider for the different genres and platforms – and most turn out to be great in their own ways. But after going through and re-evaluating them on every possible criteria – gameplay, visual fidelity, audio design and most importantly, the fun factor, we have narrowed down three of our favourite nominees. While we had to force ourselves to pick one winner, in truth all of these games are deserving winners in our hearts.

Here they are:

• Helldivers 2 (PS5 & PC)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)
• Unicorn Overlord (PS5 & Switch)

And the winner is…

Helldivers 2 is a frenetic online third-person shooter, where the stakes are as high as the intensity of its firefights. Drawing inspiration from the cult classic Starship Troopers, the game thrusts humanity into the throes of intergalactic warfare, with the so-called Super Earth's peace and democratic ideals under siege from extraterrestrial threats. The opening sequence alone, rich in satire and visceral violence reminiscent of Paul Verhoeven's directorial flair, sets a compelling stage for the narrative. It's essentially a recruitment drive for the Helldivers, tasked with safeguarding democracy across the cosmos.

Despite the game’s rocky start, it embodies the chaotic thrill of interstellar conflict. The game's ability to blend satirical elements with high-octane gameplay invites a comparison to classic science fiction. Preparing for a dive into enemy territories involves strategic selection of gear, where players outfit themselves with a primary weapon, a secondary armament, and, crucially, a set of stratagems. These stratagems are the bread and butter of tactical gameplay, ranging from bombardments that rain destruction from above to support utilities that bolster the squad's defences and resupply capabilities.

We have played many live service games, but none quite as captivating as Helldivers 2.

For more details on how we rated our nominees and to learn about our experience with each title, check out the full reviews and articles listed in the References section below. Please also note that the ratings compiled have been adjusted based on how the game titles fare against each other at this juncture as opposed to how we rated the game at the point of review; for example, Legend of Zelda was first reviewed nearly a year ago. 

Here’s how the rest of our nominees fared.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Like its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, which redefined the open-world RPG genre, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom upped the ante by making Hyrule bigger, more dangerous but crucially, more fun.

The sequel features a few new skills that Link can use to aid his adventures as well, of which the most interesting ones are the Ultrahand and Fuse skills. Ultrahand lets players pick up, move, and rotate objects and attach them together. This handy skill lets you create almost anything you want, from bridges to vehicles, using the various items scattered across the map. This almost sandbox-style play lets players be truly creative with what they make and how they can use their new creations to interact with the game world.

The Fuse skill lets players combine weapons, shields, and arrows with other in-game items to create new combinations that may have new powers and effect, or better stats. The best part about Fuse is that you can use it to combine almost anything together, sometimes to hilarious results. For example, you can combine a stick (which is a weapon) with a piece of raw meat, or Fuse an arrow with a mushroom. A lot of the fun lies in trying out different combinations, as some of the more zany ones may prove to be surprisingly useful in combat.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an absolute joyride, with a combat system that rewards creativity, an expansive map begging to be explored, and an atmospheric experience that immerses you fully in its hauntingly beautiful world.

Unicorn Overlord

Unicorn Overlord is one of those games where it’s immensely challenging to review and write. For one, the game is huge with a capital H. We spent more than 45 hours with the game and yet only just scratched the surface of Fevrith's varied landscapes – from its lush grasslands and harsh deserts to the serpentine mountain trails and enchanting forests. Yet despite the lengthy game time, Unicorn Overlord is one of those rare games that makes you keep coming back for more.

Developed by Vanillaware, creators of classics such as Odin Sphere and more recently 13 Sentinals: Aegis Rim, and published by Atlus (also behind greats titles like Personal 5 and the Shin Megami Tensei series), Unicorn Overlord is a tactical role-playing game that’s often compared to classics such as Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics from the 90s, and speaks volume to the kind of expectations that gamers have of its developers. But we can say this with confidence: Unicorn Overlord is this generation’s tactical RPG flag bearer.

References:

• Helldivers 2 (PS5 & PC)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)
• Unicorn Overlord (PS5 & Switch)