Silkbulb Test is a game in which, going by its demo, you are strapped to a chair and made to answer questions projected onto a screen. You answer the questions by looking ponderously down and pressing the big red and yellow buttons on the desk in front of you. The questions begin with relatively innocuous, CAPTCHA-style inquiries, such as “is this a door?” accompanied by a picture of a face. A few minutes later, there’s stuff like “Are you alone?” and “Is it safe to be alone?” and “You are alone” and yep, time to smash Pause or better, throw the Steam Deck behind the sofa and go stare out the window for a while.
PlayStation game The Last of Us 2 will see a release on PC according to a reliable leaker.
Dealabs’ reliable leaker Billbil-kun, who has a long list of accurate PlayStation reveals under their belt, reported the PC version of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us 2 is essentially wrapped up, but is potentially being held back to coincide with the 2025 release of Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us show.
Sony is yet to comment.
The Last of Us 2 first launched on PlayStation 4 in June 2020 before releasing on PlayStation 5 in remastered form in January 2024. A PC version of The Last of Us 2 would come as no surprise, given Sony has already released the first game on PC.
The company’s strategy is to release its big single-player games on PlayStation consoles first, before coming to PC later. The Last of Us launched on PC in March 2023. Perhaps The Last of Us 2 will launch on PC in March 2025.
Before then, Sony Santa Monica’s God of War: Ragnarok launches on PC on September 19, 2024. Live service PlayStation games, however, launch on PlayStation 5 and PC at the same time. Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2 did exactly that earlier this year and went on to become the fastest-selling PlayStation game of all time with an incredible 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks. The upcoming Concord, another live service shooter, is also set to launch on PS5 and PC on the same day later this year.
It’s worth noting that all PlayStation games on PC, even single-player only games, now require a PlayStation Network account to work, much to the annoyance of some Steam users. God of War: Ragnarok launches on PC with the new PlayStation overlay featuring shared trophies and more that was introduced with the PC version of Ghost of Tsushima.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Witchy roguelike Hades 2 got a fresh update yesterday that sees a bunch of weapons getting stompier, thumpier, and, yes, whompier. It’s like the hammer of Hephaestus himself was put to work on the entire armory. The Moonstone Axe’s heavier attacks now channel faster, for one thing, which could make the most sluggish of the weapons a little more viable. I haven’t had a go at the re-jigged bashing yet myself but I trust from these patch notes it will be subtly noticeable.
Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is just around the corner, offering the ‘definitive’ experience of the fifth mainline game with two major campaigns and a host of quality-of-life upgrades.
Our own review isn’t too far off, but if you’re interested in what the folks over at Famitsu think of it, then you’re in luck. Thanks to Ryokutya2089 and Gematsu, we can confirm that the first official review for Vengeance has scored the game an impressive 36/40, split 9/9/9/9 across four reviewers as usual.
Mortal Kombat 1 now has Homelander as a DLC character, and players are already finding cool Easter eggs with the supervillain.
Homelander, from the phenomenally popular Prime Video show The Boys, launches in NetherRealm’s gory fighting game with a number of references, but one Brutality in particular was found to include unique dialogue that hat tips an infamous scene.
Warning! Spoilers for The Boys Season 2 follow:
In The Boys Season 2 premiere The Big Ride, Homelander is introduced to Blindspot, a candidate for replacing the now-deceased Translucent’s spot in The Seven. Blindspot is blind but possesses superhuman hearing and agility. Homelander, clearly unimpressed, bashes Blindspot’s ears in, declaring him “just another useless f***ing blind guy.”
All Mortal Kombat 1 characters have Brutalities — unique moves that end a match in a particularly brutal fashion. They’re triggered by doing an extra input command on top of a specific combo ender or move that wins the final round. Most of the characters in the game have six brutalities, but ever since Mortal Kombat 1 launched in September last year, players have discovered secret Brutalities, too.
Homelander’s Brutality is similar to the ear bash he performs on Blindspot in the show, leaving his opponent screaming in agony on the floor. But, if Homelander performs this Brutality on Kenshi, he says the line from the show: “just another useless f***ing blind guy.” Kenshi, Mortal Kombat fans will know, is a blind swordsman who uses telekinetic abilities to defeat his opponents — and perfect fodder for Homelander’s quip.
It’s a cool nod to The Boys, but not everything about Mortal Kombat 1’s Homelander is a perfect recreation of the on-screen character. For example, Warner Bros. has remained coy about the voice actor behind Mortal Kombat 1’s Homelander. Antony Starr, who plays Homelander in The Boys, does not voice the character, much to the disappointment of fans. Omni-Man voice actor J. K. Simmons reprised his role for Mortal Kombat 1, as did Peacemaker actor John Cena. It is unclear why Starr did not do the same here.
The Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Pack includes the Jean-Claude Van Damme character skin for Johnny Cage (available now), and one-week early access to six playable DLC characters: Omni-Man (available now), Quan Chi (available now), Peacemaker (available now), Ermac (available now), Homelander (available now), and the upcoming Takeda Takahashi, as well as five DLC Kameo fighters. The Boys Season 4, meanwhile, kicks off June 13.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
I’ve set aside some time this evening for Destiny 2‘s latest expansion The Final Shape, which launched last night. My pal Liam suggested we play this evening because Bungie’s servers would inevitably go up in flames the moment it launched. And what do you know? The right decision was made. Are we smug about it? Yes. Anyway, the good news is that Bungie have put out a few of those fires, though there are still a few bugs to fix.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie has issued an apology to disgruntled fans who struggled to play The Final Shape expansion at launch.
The Final Shape launched on June 4 and Destiny 2 soon ran into significant server issues that prevented players from making progress through the hotly anticipated campaign. Many reported being booted from campaign levels, missing out on crucial cutscenes and losing progress. Bungie tweeted progress updates as it worked to ease the problems, but for many players the night was a write-off.
On Steam, the user review rating for The Final Shape is, predictably, ‘mostly negative’. “Best 40 bucks I ever spent and best two hours of my life… My favorite part was when Cayde said ‘Destiny 2 servers are not available. Dismiss this message to try again,’ ” reads one review. “Today is a good day to collect all the error codes if you still haven’t got them all,” reads another.
Now, Bungie has tweeted to address the various problems. “Hey everyone, if connection issues have blocked you from playing or enjoying The Final Shape today, we want to apologize,” the Sony-owned studio said. “We’re hard at work trying to resolve each of these issues as quickly as possible, and many of the connection issues from this morning have already been fixed.”
“If connection issues have blocked you from playing or enjoying The Final Shape today, we want to apologize.
Bungie has rolled out a number of restarts in a bid to tackle errors causing players to get kicked out of activities, which it said “remains our highest priority issue to resolve.” Those who missed a cutscene can replay the mission by accessing the Replayable Missions node in the middle of the Pale Heart map, Bungie advised. There are cutscenes at the end of Mission 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
“We built The Final Shape to be an exciting, cathartic, story-driven adventure for everyone to enjoy,” Bungie continued. “We’re truly sorry if connection issues and instability is getting in the way of that experience, and we promise to keep working until these issues are resolved.”
We built The Final Shape to be an exciting, cathartic, story-driven adventure for everyone to enjoy. We’re truly sorry if connection issues and instability is getting in the way of that experience, and we promise to keep working until these issues are resolved.
It’s a tough start for The Final Shape, which does appear to have reignited interest in the long-running shooter. Destiny 2 Steam concurrent players peaked at an impressive 315,285, a figure high enough to make the top five most-played games on Valve’s platform. Microsoft and Sony do not provide player numbers for Xbox and PlayStation.
The Final Shape concludes Destiny’s overarching story by placing the player inside the Traveler in a face-off against the mysterious The Witness. It’s the culmination of 10 years of often bewildering Destiny storytelling, and has left fans wondering what’s next. Some are speculating Bungie has Destiny 3 up its sleeve.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
The best Xbox Series X/S headsets provide a high level of immersion so you can enjoy your favorite games as they were intended. We understand that not all headsets suit everyone, so that’s why we’ve provided a wide range of gaming headsets to match your gaming style and unique requirements.
TL;DR – These are our picks for the Best Xbox Series X/S Headsets:
The Xbox Wireless Headset is the official platform gaming headset, and it partners perfectly with the Xbox Series X/S, even matching the console’s design. For under $100, you get simplicity in pairing thanks to its use of the Xbox Wireless standard. An easy connection over Bluetooth or a USB-C dongle is also available for a host of other devices, and as a wireless option, it offers a 15-hour battery life to last through your longest gaming marathons.
This headset doesn’t lack performance or features, offering 40mm drivers to pump out sound—with an especially booming bass—on par with other mid-range headsets and rocking support of Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphone: X. The integration of the Xbox Accessories App allows you to adjust the EQ presets, making the audio customized to your ears. And though the Xbox Wireless Headset totes a mainly plastic build, it’s durable with intuitive dials for volume and game/chat mix on the earcups, as well as easy-to-find buttons for device pairing and mic mute.
2. Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
Best Wireless Xbox Headset
Slightly heavier than the Gen 2 version of the same headset, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 oozes style, and offers plenty of functions that make the extra weight worthwhile. You can easily access all of the headset’s controls on the left earcup, with some offering multiple functions. Once you get used to the placement and what each button does, it becomes a breeze to navigate through the settings.
With its 50mm Nanoclear drivers and a frequency response of 20Hz – 20KHz, you can expect clear, crisp audio with plenty of punchy bass. If you’re familiar with Turtle Beach headsets, you’ll be familiar with the SuperHuman Hearing feature which boosts certain game sounds, making it an ideal pick for FPS games.
For those who like to customize their audio, the Swarm II app offers enough settings including microphone sensitivity, audio presents, and so on. The added bonus being the two 10-band equalizers, allowing you to adjust game audio and microphone sound separately. And at under $100, this headset is a steal if you value good audio, ease of use, and durability.
3. Corsair HS35
Best Budget Xbox Headset
Pros:
Excellent build quality
Crisp, clear microphone
Cons:
Audio can get muddy
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a quality headset for your Xbox, and the Corsair HS35 is proof. For under $50, you get a great-looking, light headset with a build quality that punches high above its weight. Its plush, memory phone earcups house impressive 50mm drivers and several easy-to-reach controls. You are limited to only a wired connection using a 3.5mm jack, but that makes it a simple plug-and-play option.
This budget gaming headset offers a decent sound performance akin to most headsets in this price bracket. Some may find the bass a bit heavy and muddy, drowning out higher frequencies. But when you turn down the volume a bit, the audio shortcomings are less distracting. However, the microphone, which is Discord-certified, is surprisingly crisp, ensuring clear communication between you and your teammates.
4. HyperX CloudX Stinger Core
Best Budget Wireless Xbox Headset
Pros:
Xbox Wireless protocol support for simple pairing to Xbox
Clear microphone
Cons:
No Bluetooth support
Wireless Xbox Series X headsets usually come at a heavy premium, costing a couple hundred bucks just to have freedom from wires. Luckily, HyperX has made a name for itself over the last few years, creating some of the best budget headsets around. The HyperX CloudX Stinger Core takes the success that’s made the Cloud Stinger one of the best gaming headsets on the market, strips back all the unnecessary features in order to deliver an affordable wireless gaming headset for the masses.
Sure, it doesn’t support virtual surround sound or a Bluetooth connection, but does that matter when you can usually find this wireless gaming headset for under a hundred bucks? We’ve used dozens of HyperX gaming headsets over the years and can tell you the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core is perfect if you want a no-frills gaming headset that just works.
Though the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 may be one of the cheapest headset on our list, it’s packing everything you need for an immersive, enjoyable gaming experience. With the same drivers as the Arctis Nova 7, this headset’s sound quality is surprisingly great. There’s even support for Microsoft’s Spatial Audio to make the most of sound cues in games, while EQ settings can be adjusted using the SteelSeries GG app on PC.
SteelSeries didn’t forget comfort in the design of the Arctis Nova 1, so you’ll find the headset has a lightweight, height-adjustable build and plush, breathable earcups. Dropping wireless connectivity also helps keep the weight and price lower. That means the only way to connect to your devices is via the 3.5mm jack, making for a simple plug-and-play connection to your Xbox.
With most headsets, you start to feel fatigued after a few hours of wear, but thanks to SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X’s design, you should last almost as long as its impressive 38-hour battery life. Similar to its predecessor, the Arctis 7X, this headset offers an adjustable ski-band headband and soft, breathable fabric memory foam earcups for cool, comfortable gameplay.
The Arctis Nova 7X packs more than just all-day comfort, as your favorite games sound great thanks to the Sonar software, which allows you to tune EQ settings and take advantage of spatial audio. Communication between teammates is also sharp and precise when using the retractable, noise-cancelling microphone. Also on offer is multi-device connectivity via a 2.4GHz dongle, while Bluetooth is available for pairing a plethora of other devices, and you can even use both simultaneously.
Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to pair a whole host of devices with a headset, and the Razer Kaira Pro offers solid Bluetooth 5.0 support. Therefore, in addition to its use of Xbox Wireless for a seamless connection to your Xbox Series X/S, you can easily connect to your smartphone, tablet, or gaming laptop over Bluetooth. And you can do both simultaneously, so while listening to the action of your favorite shooter through Xbox, you can also jam out to music over your phone connected with Bluetooth.
The Razer Kaira Pro comes loaded with other fun features, like RGB lighting on the earcup to amp up your playing experience, and the headset still manages to last up to 15 hours with RGB turned on. The earcups also offer controls for everything from adjusting the headset’s sound settings to switching between devices, which may be overwhelming to figure out at first. You even get two mics, a removable wired mic and one built-in.
Noise distractions are unavoidable, especially if you live with roommates or in a bustling metropolis, so grabbing a headset with powerful noise cancellation like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is vital. On offer is a hybrid noise-canceling system with four mics that adjust based on what you’re listening to and what it picks up in your environment. Improved earcups also help with sound isolation, and a simple button press activates a transparency mode to reveal what’s happening around you.
With SteelSeries latest, we see the biggest design shift since the start of the Arctis lineup with now telescoping arms on its adjustable headband to better accommodates larger head sizes. The earcups are also slimmer and sleeker, giving off less of a gaming headset vibe and more of wireless headphones look. And one of our favorite features remains intact with a few upgrades, the hot-swappable rechargeable battery system.
SteelSeries recently announced a new white edition of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, adding a bit more comfort and slightly better ANC while keeping everything else we love about the headset the same.
9. Audeze Maxwell
Best Audiophile Xbox Headset
Pros:
Next-level sound quality
80-hour battery life
Cons:
Heavy and bulky
Audiophiles will rejoice when they hear the soundstage of the high-fidelity Audeze Maxwell. Everything from the in-game sound to music mix comes across clearly, while the sound cues remain easily discernable. Unlike the Audeze Penrose X that previously held this spot, the Xbox version of this headset offers Dolby Atmos support for immersive spatial audio delivered through the 90mm planar magnetic drivers with Fluxor magnet arrays and Fazor Waveguides.
As for connectivity, the Maxwell has you covered with a USB-C wired option or wireless dongle to enjoy high-res sound up to 24-bit/96kHz. While Bluetooth 5.3 lets you connect to multiple devices, even supporting the LDAC codec and the low latency LC3plus and LC3 codecs. Beyond audio greatness, this headset offers a suspension headband and contoured earpads for all-day comfort, and we mean all day for several days, with its wild 80-hour battery life.
10. Bang-Olufsen Beoplay Portal
Best Premium Xbox Headset
Pros:
Superior audio quality
Active noise cancellation
Cons:
Shorter battery life
B&O’s Beoplay Portal offers a high-end gaming headset that looks good, sounds good, and feels good. Once you move past the cost, you can enjoy the comfortable, lightweight design that steps away from the look of traditional gaming headsets. With superb audio quality, they’re perfect for everything from listening to your favorite album or basking in the roar of Dolby Atmos enabled game audio pipped from the Xbox Series X/S.
In a world full of distractions, it’s sometimes hard to stay focused on your game, so active noise cancellation should come in handy. Another convenient feature is Xbox Wireless for seamless pairing with your console, while Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio jack are available for all your other devices. Unfortunately, you can’t use Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously like other headsets on this list, and you’ll also find the 12-hour battery could be better.
11. Logitech G Astro A50 X
Best Premium Xbox Headset
Pros:
Insanely immersive sound
HDMI 2.1 passthrough
Cons:
Seriously expensive
If you have the budget to splash out on the Logitech G Astro A50 X headset, you will not be disappointed. This bad boy works across Xbox, PS5, and PC, so you can connect to all platforms seamlessly, and at once! Simply tap between them using the on-ear controls. But, aside from its features, this Xbox Series X headset is going to win users over with its large 40mm drivers, offering clear audio and a wide soundstage.
While the audio is of course the highlight here, you’ll want others to hear you sound as good as you can hear them. Thanks to the broadcast-quality mic, your voice will come across clear and crisp, thanks to Logitech’s 48kHz full-bandwidth Lightspeed mic uplink. Enjoy up to 24 hours of gaming, then simply click the headset back into its docking station to charge.
Where to Get the Best Xbox Headset in the UK
How to Pick the Best Xbox Series X/S Headset
Choosing the best headset for your Xbox Series X/S can enhance your gaming experience tenfold, offering you immersive sound quality, clear communication, and comfortable wear during those epic gaming sessions.
But, before you decide what you want in a gaming headset, you’ll need to determine your budget as this can vastly change the landscape of what’s on offer. Next up, comfort is paramount when it comes to gaming headsets, especially if you’re planning on indulging in marathon gaming sessions. Look for headsets with plush ear cushions, an adjustable headband, and lightweight design to ensure maximum comfort, even during those long hours of gaming.
To create an immersive experience, your chosen headset should offer great sound quality. A headset with clear, crisp audio and robust bass will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the gaming world, picking up subtle sound cues like footsteps or distant gunfire with ease. Some headsets even offer advanced features like spatial audio and surround sound, which can provide a more immersive and realistic gaming experience.
Depending on whether you have multiple devices of consoles, you might want to consider connectivity options. For example, a headset with Bluetooth will be more versatile.
If you spend a lot of time gaming with your friends, you shouldn’t forget about microphone quality. A headset with a high-quality microphone and noise-canceling technology will allow you to communicate clearly with your teammates and coordinate strategies effectively during multiplayer games.
For those with a larger budget, you can weigh up the need for additional features or accessories that come with the headset, such as customizable EQ settings, programmable buttons, and software support.
FAQs
Do You Need Specific Headphones for the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X and Series S are compatible with a range of different headsets. Wireless and wired headsets will both work, as well as those connected via Bluetooth.
Does the Xbox Series X Have a Headphone Jack?
No, the Xbox Series X doesn’t have a headphone jack, but you can plug a headset with a 3.5mm jack into an Xbox controller, like the Xbox Wireless Controller, that is paired to the console.
Can I Use AirPods on an Xbox?
You can’t connect your AirPods directly to your Xbox console, but there are workarounds. For example, you can connect your AirPods to your TV via Bluetooth, or using the Xbox app on your phone.
Michelle Rae Uy is a freelance tech and travel writer, part-time production editor, and a full-time traveler from Los Angeles, California. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles, London and the rest of the world. Follow her on Instagram @straywithRae.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.
Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda has previously mentioned how Travis Touchdown from the No More Heroes series could potentially return one day, but in his latest interview, he’s not so sure about it.
Speaking to our friends at Eurogamer during ‘MomoCon 2024’ last month, Suda51 noted how the rights of the series are still obviously with Marvelous (rather than his studio Grasshopper Manufacture, who joined NetEase in 2021), so in case you weren’t already aware of it – it’s no longer his call to make:
Celebrating the winners of the World Championship.
Occasionally, Nintendo will offer free items via its Switch Home Menu news channel and the latest promotion allows Inklings (and Octolings) to redeem a free banner in Splatoon 3.
