Gaming

Microsoft has announced that it is buying US gaming giant Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $68.7 billion set to complete in 2023.  

Whether it was a gameplay element, story twist or graphic/audio highlight, what was the moment that had you slack-jawed with wonder during your gaming exploits? Leave your best examples in the thread.  

We're only a few weeks into the new year but what games have you beaten already in 2022? Was it the latest Triple AAA you received at Christmas or did you go back and replay an old favourite? Let us know in the comments.  

Our top picks of just some of the standout videogames to put on your shopping list for the year ahead…  

The SoundSlayer SC-GN01 wearable gaming speaker adds new Final Fantasy graphics for a distinctive look and is optimised for use with FF XIV Online.  

We cherry pick a handful of our favourite gaming moments from the past 12 months. What did we miss?  

Whether it's a huge mainstream hit or a cult classic, what video games that are held in high esteem by others fail to light your fire?  

Master Chief returns to Zeta Halo with a few extra tricks up his sleeve for a romp through an open-world campaign that's impressively cinematic and free-flowing fun. The free multiplayer experience adds thrilling action too with more modes and maps to come.  

It's great to revisit the streets of Liberty City, Vice City and the multiple locations in San Andreas. Added to the great stories and acting are new combat and movement controls from GTA: V and some nice looking textures in 4K. Unfortunately, no amount of nostalgic, rose-tinted fuzziness can skirt the fact there are loads of bugs and some odd remastering choices.  

Focusing purely on multiplayer, with up to 128 players causing unbridled chaos across PCs and new-gen consoles, 2042 certainly delivers on spectacle; but when it comes to the actual gameplay it’s a little more hit and miss…  

It's good to be back in the WWII fray with a punchy, great-looking campaign mode employing a number of strategies and gameplay styles. There's a slightly underwhelming multiplayer mode but the zombies make up for it.  

Forza Horizon 5 features the largest and most diverse map in the arcade driving series, a new weather system and mini multiplayer games alongside a huge number of cars to add to your collection. Is all this enough to make it stand out from its excellent predecessor?  

With gaming being such a time (and often resource) sink, how does your partner handle your hobby? Do they just 'tolerate' it or actively engage with it. Are you both in the same room doing separate activities or do you have a specific time /space for gaming? Let us know how the games go down in your household.  

After the po-faced and worthy The Avengers, Square Enix shifts gear to an altogether more light-hearted and bants filled experience for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, which maintains a decidedly old school single player approach. And remember, don't call them 'Plucky', they don't know what it means,...  

Netflix has started a global rollout of its first video games to Android mobile users as it expands its content options beyond just video.  

Sony's makeover of 2019's Death Stranding for the PS5 polishes an already stunning world and adds some new weapons and side missions... but does it make the story any less bamboozling?  

What's the first gaming experience that you can recall? Something age-appropriate or did you 'borrow' an older sibling's wildly unsuitable titles? Recall your traumatic childhood (or adulthood if you were a late starter!) here.  

The only revolution on display is the uprising you’ll get to lead into battle, as Far Cry 6 focuses purely on delivering more of what made the series great in the first place.