If you’re looking for a story to completely immerse yourself in and you’re a fan of the medieval era that’s rich in story, then Daedalic entertainment has just the tale for you. Ken Follet’s The Pillars of the Earth retold the popular novel in a beautifully illustrated point-and-click adventure game that was released back in 2017. But now it has finally made its way to the Switch’s library. 

The story tells a tale of three unlikely people coming together amidst famine, war, and other political distress that each is involved with in some way. Their ultimate goal is to rebuild the broken cathedral in Kingsbridge, England in the 12th century. You take control and watch the stories of Jack the outsider, Aliena the noblewoman, and Philip the monk. Each walks different paths in life with very different stories. But we watch as the three’s stories inevitably become entwined over the course of 20 years. 

As a point-and-click adventure, it’s very welcome on the Nintendo Switch. The port runs incredibly well and the controls for the most part are very fluid. You’ll have a basic inventory controlled and scrolled between by the right joy-con, while you’re controlling your character with the left joy-con. When you’re interacting with others, objects, and animals, you will have a series of options to choose from and the topic of conversation can be changed when you select a particular item from your inventory.

A Story Told On The Go

There really is no sense of urgency while playing this game, but there are a few instances where you’ll need to time some button presses’ as well as timed dialogue choices. The choices you make actually feel impactful in the world and the setting around you, however, there were moments where if you pick the undesired option, the game will force you back into the previous menu to pick the more appropriate action. This can feel a bit frustrating but considering this is based on a book, there are only so many different story paths that you can take.

There aren’t a lot of puzzles however sometimes you might receive an item you have no idea what to do with. It can be a bit of trial and error trying to figure out who or where it belongs to. But that’s kind of part of the fun. You might accidentally give something to someone and gain favor from that character without meaning to.

As I wasn’t familiar with this title or the book, I was in awe while watching the trailer. The beautiful art style spoke volumes, even with a more mute and almost dreary color pallet. While playing this, I was thoroughly impressed and fell in love with the more simplistic yet dynamic art. The character portraits were expressive yet powerful and with 200 unique hand-painted environments, it looked fantastic whether I was playing the Nintendo Switch docked or handheld. I was thrilled to see just how the next environment would outdo the last. However, because the story and gameplay are on the slower end, certain things can become quite mundane and even tedious. Especially when most of the game is dialogue driven, monotony sets in after a while. 

Beautiful Art With Some Amazing Musical & Vocal Talents

However, Pillars of the Earth does boast amazing fully voiced acting in both English and German. The voice actors chosen for this project are excellent, and you can hear their pain and their passion in their voices. They do incredibly well to immerse you further into their world. There were some pacing issues, particularly with long pauses. It works well in a film where you can see the subtleties in changes in their expression. But because we’re dealing with 2D portraits, this can sometimes come off as a bit strange and awkward.

I also did notice that there were many times the voiceover was not in sync with the lip flaps. I watch a lot of Virtual Streamers who use a similar format to get the same effect to resemble speaking with a GIF. So seeing this actually didn’t bother me at all. But I can certainly see how some may feel a bit irked by this. 

On top of the beautifully displayed artwork and excellent voice acting is the wonderful soundtrack that tied everything together. The orchestral soundtrack by FILMharmonic, Prague is simply superb and really completes the narrative, and really sets the tone. 

Ken Follet’s The Pillars of the Earth is an excellent novel packed into a stunning point-and-click adventure. While it may be on the slower side for some, it’s certainly a story that I would recommend to others. With heavy subject matter set in the 12th-century of England, it can come across as dark and almost somber. But the moments of humor and triumph are well worth the play through. 

*** Switch code provided by the publisher ***

The post Ken Follet’s The Pillars Of The Earth (Switch) Review – A Dreary Tale Told Beautifully appeared first on COGconnected.

After a fulfilling week of work, I know our friends here at COGConnected enjoy a nice weekend full of relaxation, gaming, and catching up with friends or chores. But of course, the weekend wouldn’t be complete without our weekly Cosplay features. This weekend we are featuring a talented German cosplayer, Selina AKA Krystl Cosplay. Krystyl has been in the cosplay scene since 2010 so you know she has a ton of amazing cosplay experience. Scroll on through to find our favorite cosplays of hers.

Nefertari Vivi – One Piece

Mika Asagi – GunGrave G.O.R.E

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the talented Jean WanWan or check out the beautiful Millia that’ll keep you warm. And we can’t forget the fantastic cosplay TikToks of course!

The post The Stunning Krystl Cosplay Is Serving Up Beautiful & Fierce Looks appeared first on COGconnected.

Are your PC gaming accessories wearing down? Well, there is a ton of amazing hardware on sale right now that you really need to check out. Whether you need new accessories in order to comfortably do homework or stream on Twitch, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. Scroll on through to see all of the great savings you can get.

Keyboards

Corsair K70 PRO RG  Gaming Keyboard – $129.99 ($50.00 off)

Logitech G613 – Wireless Gaming Keyboard – $71.99 ($58.00 off)

Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard – $88.05 ($31.94 off)

Corsair K70 Pro MINI Wireless 60% Gaming Keyboard – $139.99 ($40.00 off)

Logitech G Pro League of Legends Gaming Keyboard – $59.48 ($70.51 off)

Mice

Logitech G600 MMO Wired Gaming Mouse – $34.99 ($45.00 off)

Razer Basilisk Wireless Gaming Mouse – $79.99 ($70.00 off)

Logitech G903 Wireless Gaming Mouse – $90.98 ($59.01 off)

Razer DeathAdder V2 Wireless Gaming Mouse – $59.99 ($70.00 off)

Corsair M65 Pro Gaming Mouse – $32.68 ($27.31 off)

Headsets

Logitech G Pro Blue League of Legends Wired Headset – $59.99 ($70.00 off)

Razer Kraken Gaming Headset – Green – $43.99 ($36.00 off)

Logitech G432 Wired Headset – $44.07 ($35.92 off)

Logitech G435 Wireless Headset – $29.99 ($50.00 off)

Corsair HS80 RGB Gaming Headset – $74.99 ($25.00 off)

Were there any deals you absolutely couldn’t pass up? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check back for the latest deals on offer. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there! Happy gaming!

The post From Wireless Mice To Headsets – The Best Gaming Accessories On Sale Now appeared first on COGconnected.

While many of us are still experiencing some cold weather, why not take the time to cozy up with some new games? This weekend there are a ton of fantastic games on sale including the newly released Pokémon Violet and Legends. But those aren’t the only things on sale that’ll save you a buck! Scroll on through to see all of the fantastic deals!

Pokémon Violet (Switch) – $51.59 ($8.40 off)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch) – $50.97 ($9.02 off)

The Quarry (Xbox Series X) – $25.51 ($44.48 off)

So Many Amazing Games, Which Will You Start Up?

Soulstice: Deluxe Edition (PS5) – $36.93 ($13.06 off)

Gotham Knights (PS5) – $35.97 ($34.02 off)

Sonic Frontiers (PS5) – $37.71 ($22.28 off)

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5) – $46.67 ($23.32 off)

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch) – $55.45 ($4.54 off)

World War Z: Aftermath (PS5) – $36.99 ($11.00 off)

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Pokémon Violet, The Quarry & Many More Amazing Games on Sale This Weekend appeared first on COGconnected.

Another week has come and gone and our cosplay fans know what that means over at COGConnected. That’s right, it’s time to feature our next wonderful cosplayer! This weekend we’re taking a look at the beautiful cosplay of Larissa Rochefort. A passionate gamer, someone whose heavily involved with Esports to cosplay; art, and gaming has always surrounded her and now she’s sharing her love with all of us. Check out some of our favorite cosplay shots of hers.

Lisa  ‘A Sobriquet Under Shade’ outfit – Genshin Impact

Rosaria – Genshin Impact

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the talented Lina or check out the beautiful Anissa that’ll keep you warm. And we can’t forget the spicy cosplay TikToks of course!

The post Larissa Rochefort Effortlessly Bringing Our Favorite Waifus To Life appeared first on COGconnected.

Is your pc gear starting to get old? Maybe you’ve thought about upping your gameplay experience but you’re on a budget. Well, we’ve done the leg work and we’ve found some of the best gaming accessories at fantastic prices to increase your playability while also saving you some cash. From new keyboards to mice, we’ve found some of the best of the best. Be sure to scroll on through to check it out!

Keyboards

Corsair K70 PRO RG  Gaming Keyboard – $129.99 ($50.00 off)

Logitech G PRO PC Gaming Keyboard – $83.00 ($46.99 off)

ROCCAT Vulcan 121 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – $79.99 ($80.00 off)

RAZER BlackWidow Mini 65% Wireless Gaming Keyboard – $86.99 ($38.99 off)

Logitech G413 – Gaming Keyboard – $59.99 ($30.00 off)

Mice

Logitech G502 Wired Gaming Mouse – $35.59 ($44.40 off)

Razer Naga Trinity Gaming Mouse – $70.99 ($29.00 off)

Logitech G604 Wireless Gaming Mouse – $53.28 ($46.71 off)

Razer Mamba Elite Gaming Mouse – $27.99 ($62.00 off)

ROCCAT Kone Air Wireless Gaming Mouse – $49.99 ($20.00 off)

Headsets

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wired Headset – $182.00 ($67.99 off)

Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset – White – $165.60 ($34.39 off)

Razer Barracuda Wireless Headset – White – $64.99 ($95.00 off)

Logitech G PRO X Wireless Headset – $173.26 ($56.73 off)

Razer Kraken Gaming Headset – Green – $45.99 ($34.00 off)

Were there any deals you absolutely couldn’t pass up? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check back for the latest deals on offer. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there! Happy gaming!

The post Save Big On PC Accessories & Game Like Your Favorite Streamers Now appeared first on COGconnected.

Groundhog Phil has predicted another 6 weeks of winter so it’s going to be cold for a little while longer! So while we keep warm, why not start up on a new adventure in the meantime? This weekend there are a ton of fantastic games that you can get absolutely lost in all the while saving some dollars. Scroll on through to see all of the fantastic deals!

Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong (PS5) – $9.99 ($40.00 off)

Elden Ring (PS5) – $52.99 ($7.00 off)

Returnal (PS5) – $41.49 ($28.50 off)

The Callisto Protocol (PS5) – $49.99 ($20.00 off)

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R (PS5) – $29.99 ($20.00 off)

Gotham Knights (Xbox Series X) – $39.95 ($30.04 off)

Sniper Elite 5 (Xbox Series X) – $39.99 ($20.00 off)

Tactics Ogre: Reborn (Switch) – $39.99 ($10.00 off)

Hokko Life (Switch) – $29.99 ($10.00 off)

Dragon Ball: The Breakers Special Edition (Switch) – $18.99 ($11.00 off)

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Embark On A New Adventure With The Best Titles On Sale This Weekend appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s always the right time when it comes to upgrading your gaming accessories but unfortunately, some things are just priced a bit out of our range. But luckily for us, we here at COGConnected are always looking for a good deal and this weekend we found some amazing essentials that will boost your gaming experience while saving you some money. Whether you need a new mouse, headphones, or other items, we have got you covered!

Keyboards

Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Keyboard – $99.99 ($30.00 off)

Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard – $99.99 ($100.00 off)

Razer BlackWidow Mini 65% Wireless Gaming Keyboard – $99.99 ($100.00 off)

ROCCAT Vulcan 121 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – $79.99 ($39.58 off)

Logitech G713 Wired Gaming Keyboard – $149.99 ($20.00 off)

Mice

Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse – $19.88 ($60.00 off)

Logitech G600 MMO Wired Gaming Mouse – $34.99 ($45.00 off)

ROCCAT Burst Pro Wired Gaming Mouse – $39.95 ($20.00 off)

ROCCAT Kone Aimo Remastered Wired Gaming Mouse – $59.99 ($20.00 off)

Headsets

Logitech GPRO X Gaming Headset – $59.99 ($70.00 off)

Razer Barracuda Wireless Gaming Headset – $80.99 ($79.00 off)

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset – $145.99 ($84.00 off)

Corsair HS08 RGB Wireless Gaming Headset – $109.99 ($40.00 off)

ASUS ROG Strix Wireless Gaming Headset – $134.00 ($65.99 off)

Other Accessories

Blue Yeti Microphone – $89.99 ($40.00 off)

Elgato Stream Deck 15 Macro Keys – $129.99 ($20.00 off)

Razer Ripsaw HD Streaming Capture Card – $149.99 ($10.00 off)

Were there any deals you absolutely couldn’t pass up? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter.  If you want to see the best deals for console gaming, be sure to check out yesterday’s list. Be sure to check back for the latest deals on offer. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there! Happy gaming!

The post Start The New Year Right With Some New Accessories At Hot Prices appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s a new weekend and our cosplay fans know what that means! That’s right, we are back at it again with another cosplay spotlight feature. This weekend we are featuring the incredibly talented Tingilya Cosplay. Tingilya is a German cosplayer and has been cosplaying for four years. Four years may not seem like a long time, but she’s already got an impressive repertoire of cosplays under her belt. Especially not to mention her workmanship and skills as a costume designer is seriously something else. Scroll on through to check out some of our favorite cosplays!

Quartz – Gun Grave Gore

Vault Dweller – Fallout 78

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the talented Anissa or check out some festive TikToks that’ll keep you warm. And we can’t forget the handsome Raisor Cosplay of course!

The post Tingilya Is Showing Off Her Master Class Cosplay With Stunning Class & Skill appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s the start of a new year, so why not kick it off right with a new adventure? This weekend there are a ton of fantastic console games at stellar low prices that you don’t want to miss out on. Don’t miss out on Horizon Forbidden West and save 22%! Got a Need for Speed? Well, you can purchase it right now for a whopping 38% off. It doesn’t get better than this! Check out the rest of the amazing deals below.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits Deluxe Edition (PS5) – $29.98 ($20.01 off)

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5) – $54.90 ($15.09 off)

Need For Speed Unbound (PS5) – $43.59 ($26.40 off)

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles (PS4/PS5) – $29.99 ($30.00 off)

Marvel’s Midnight Suns Enhanced Edition (PS5/Xbox Series X) – $49.99 ($20.00 off)

Sonic Frontiers (PS5/Xbox Series X/Switch) – $39.99 ($20.00 off)

Soul Hackers 2: Launch Edition (Xbox Series X/PS5) – $29.99 ($30.00 off)

Deathloop (PS5) – $21.96 ($38.03 off)

New Tales From the Borderlands Deluxe Edition (Switch) – $19.99 ($30.00 off)

Dragon Ball: The Breakers Special Edition (Switch) – $19.99 ($10.00 off)

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Switch) – $28.50 ($31.49 off)

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (Switch) – $39.97 ($20.02 off)

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Start Up A New Adventure While Saving Big On Some Of The Best Games appeared first on COGconnected.

Christmas and holiday shipping can be a hassle, but we here at COGConnected want to help you out by finding you the best deals currently available. For that gamer in your life, getting a new mouse, keyboard or anything can be a huge step in a new gaming direction so why not take a look and see what’s on sale this weekend?

Keyboards

Logitech G915 – Wireless PC Gaming Keyboard – $159.99 ($229.99 off)

Razer Ornata Chroma Mechanical Keyboard – $49.99 ($50.00 off)

Corsair K57 RGB Wireless Gaming Keyboard – $99.99 ($30.00 off)

Corsair K70 RGB Gaming Keyboard – $119.99 ($50.00 off)

Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard – $89.99 ($40.00 off)

Logitech G213 Mechanical Keyboard – $37.98 ($32.01 off)

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Keyboard – $139.99 ($60.00 off)

Mice

Logitech G502 Gaming Mouse – $29.99 ($50.00 off)

Corsair M65 PRO Gaming Mouse – $34.98 ($25.00 off)

Razer Viper Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse – $59.99 ($90.00 off)

Razer Naga Trinity Gaming Mouse – $59.99 ($40.00 off)

Logitech G903 Wireless Gaming Mouse – $89.99 ($60.00 off)

Razer DeathAdder Wireless Gaming Mouse – $69.99 ($60.00 off)

Razer Orochi Wireless Gaming Mouse – White – $39.99 ($30.00 off)

Headsets

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset – $119.99 ($60.00 off)

Razer Kraken Gaming Headset – $39.99 ($40.00 off)

Corsair VOID RGB Wireless Gaming Headset – $79.99 ($30.00 off)

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset – Espresso – $137.95 ($92.04 off)

Logitech G535 Wireless Gaming Headset – $79.99 ($50.00 off)

Logitech G435 Wireless Gaming Headset – $49.88 ($30.11 off)

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Gaming Headset – $183.57 ($66.42 off)

Other Accessories

Razer Seiren X Microphone – $49.99 ($50.00 off)

Logitech Blue Yeti Microphone – $9.99 ($40.00 off)

Elgato Wave:3 Microphone – $109.95 ($40.04 off)

Razer Wolverine Xbox One Controller – $99.89 ($60.10 off)

SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Controller – $34.95 ($25.00 off)

Were there any deals you absolutely couldn’t pass up? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter.  If you want to see the best deals for console gaming, be sure to check out yesterday’s list. Be sure to check back for the latest deals on offer. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there! Happy gaming!

The post The Best Deals on PC Accessories – Pick Up The Perfect Christmas Gift appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s the weekend and our cosplay fans know exactly what that means! That’s right, we are featuring another fantastic cosplayer who deserves all of the love and attention! Elle AKA Sailor Virgo is a Floridian cosplayer whose been in the cosplay scene since 2007. She’s been sharing her craft with video game and anime fans alike and bringing some of our favorite waifus to life. Scroll on through to see some of our favorite shots!

Esmeraude from the Black Moon Clan – Sailor Moon

Gwenn Stacy – Spiderman

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the talented Azane or check out some saucy TikToks that’ll keep you warm. And we can’t forget the stunning Crystal Fae of course!

The post The Stunning Sailor Virgo – Serving Us Fierce Looks & Cosplays appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s the holiday season and the days are getting colder. That’s why now is the time to bundle up with a brand-new game. And it’s also the holiday season, so why not pick up a console game for yourself or for the gamer in your life? There are a ton of fantastic games on sale this weekend from Tiny Tina’s Wonderland to Mario + Rabbids. Scroll on through to see find all of the best deals!

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (Switch) – $39.97 ($20.02 off)

New Tales From the Borderlands Deluxe Edition (Switch) – $29.99 ($20.00 off)

Gotham Knights Standard Edition (PS5) – $59.50 ($10.49 off)

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Next Level Edition (PS5) – $42.06 ($27.93 off)

Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo – Limited Edition (Xbox Series X) – $29.99 ($20.00 off)

Dying Light 2 Stay Human (PS4/PS5) – $29.99 ($30.00 off)

Soulstice: Deluxe Edition (Xbox Series X) – $29.99 ($20.00 off)

Soul Hackers 2: Launch Edition (Xbox Series X/PS5) – $38.38/$39.99 ($21.61/$20.00 off)

Deathloop (PS5) – $29.44 ($30.55 off)

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Xbox One) – $28.96 ($21.03 off)

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Amazing Deals On Some Of The Best Console Games To Keep You Warm appeared first on COGconnected.

Welcome back our cosplay fans! It’s getting cold out there so let’s all bundle up and check out the amazing cosplayer feature for this week. Today we’re taking a peek at the talented Amanda, better known online as AKr Cos. Not only are they making our anime and video game waifu and husbando dreams come true, but they’re also delivering even more for their fans with all of the extra content they put out on their Patreon. Scroll on through to check out our favorite cosplays!

BeetleJuice

Ghost Face – Scream

Genderbent Chuckie

Freddy – Nightmare On Elm Street

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the gorgeous Crystal Fae or check out some saucy TikToks. And we can’t forget the talented Ellemonade.

The post AKrCOS IS Bringing To Life Our Favorite Video Game & Anime Characters appeared first on COGconnected.

Have you ever thought you had good commentary skills when you were gaming? Or perhaps there’s a certain opinion you have on a certain genre or fandom that you want to get out there? Well no matter what you decide you want to do, sometimes trying to figure out what the best equipment there is out there that won’t break the bank too much without losing any kind of stream or broadcasting abilities. Today we’ve compiled some must needed essentials to get you started on your content creation from mics with crystal clear audio to a capture card. Scroll on through to see what items we reccomend!

HyperX QuadCast USB Condenser Mic – $96.00

Grab your audience’s attention immediately with this colorful and powerful microphone. Whether you’re using this for podcasting, streaming, voice acting, or more, you can select four different polar patterns to fit your needs. Need to mute quickly cause your sibling burst into your room? The quick tap-to-mute sensor is easy to use and easy to know when you are in the clear to save your stream from some embarrassing conversation.

Razer Seiren V2 USB Condenser Mic  – $82.24

It may be small, but it packs a punch! The Razer Seiren V2 is 25mm and the sleek pill like designs really saves you some space on your desk. And despite it’s small size, it still gives you that superior broadcast quality with it’s supercardiod pattern to drown out background noises. It also features an easy to get to mute and gain controls for on the fly audio adjusting.

Elgato Stream Deck  – $111.00

Change everything with a single button. The Elgato Stream Deck is an incredibly useful piece of hardware for streamers. Each key is fully customizable and can even chain a string of commands. There are also a ton of plugins you can use that’s accessible from the Stream deck PC app. Apply sound effects, games, counters and so much more to make your streams more unique.

Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card  – $155.00

For the streamers who may want to stream from your console, this is the tool for you. With this external capture card, you can broadcast those games you can’t play on PC with ease. The HD60 S+  can stream at a native 1080P60 and you can even record your game play at 4K60 with pretty low latency when you’re using your PS4 or Xbox Series X.

Razer WolverineWired Game Controller  – $104.95

There are some games that are just more comfortable being played with a controller. And now you can do it with comfort and with some remappable buttons. You can customize this controller further with the internchangeable D pads and thumb sticks to play your games the way you want to. You can also play in style with a ton of different colour profiles to set yourself apart.

There is a wide array of items out there that can help you with your stream or broadcasting jobs, the list never ends! But the accessories here is a sure fire way to start you off on that journey with ease – and without spending a fortune. Is there anything on this list that you picked up or were considering getting? Let us know in the comments below!

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Get Started Streaming With These Essential PC Gaming Accessories appeared first on COGconnected.

Welcome to this week’s Cosplay feature here at COGConnected. This weekend we’re revisiting the talented cosplayer, Hendo Art, that we first took a look at in 2019. Her cosplays were already amazing at that time, but it’s been a few years, what has she been up to cosplay-wise since then? Well, it’s been a lot! Hendo hasn’t slowed down or stopped at all and if anything, has been giving us even more amazing looks! Check out our recent favorite cosplays of hers!

Look at this amazing cosplay of Tiny Tina from Tiny Tina’s Wonderland

Look at all the work that went into all of her accessories! These look like they are straight from the game.

The post The Illustrious Hendo Art Cosplay Is Showing Us Her Skilled Craftmanship appeared first on COGconnected.

As gamers, we are always looking out for the next big adventure we want to go on next. New games can get pricy but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them! This week we are counting down the top 10 games that are on sale right now! Seriously, these deals can’t be beaten. Who said adventures needed to be expensive? Immerse yourself in the beautiful and unforgiving world of Ghostwire Tokyo or on a peaceful farming adventure in Hokko Life. Scroll on through to find all of the fantastic games that deserve your attention right now.

Kena: Bridge of the Spirits – Deluxe Edition (PS5) – $39.97 ($10.02 off)

Ghostwire: Tokyo – Standard Edition (PS5) – $29.99 ($30.00 off)

Elden Ring (PS5) – $49.94 ($10.05 off)

Evil Dead: The Game (PS4) – $29.98 ($10.01 off)

Dying Light 2 Stay Human (PS4) – $33.60 ($26.39 off)

Soul Hackers 2: Launch Edition (Xbox Series X) – $54.00 ($5.99 off)

Deathloop (Xbox Series X) – $59.99 ($10.00 off)

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Xbox One) – $35.42 ($14.57 off)

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Switch) – $53.85 ($6.15 off)

Hokko Life (Switch) – $29.99 ($10.00 off)

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Top 10 Console Game Deals – Prices Slashed This Week appeared first on COGconnected.

Are your PC gaming accessories wearing down? Well, there is a ton of amazing hardware on sale right now that you really need to check out. Whether you need new accessories in order to comfortably do homework or stream on Twitch, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. Scroll on through to see all of the great savings you can get.

Keyboards

Logitech G915 – Wireless PC Gaming Keyboard – $184.00 ($45.99 off)

NZXT Mechanical Keyboard – $99.99 ($30.00 off)

Razer Ornata Chroma Gaming Keyboard – $49.99 ($50.00 off)

Corsair K100 Mechanical Keyboard – $99.99 ($79.01 off)

ROCCAT Vulcan Mechanical Keyboard – $99.99 ($60.00 off)

Mice

Corsair Nightsword Gaming Mouse – $63.95 ($26.04 off)

Razer Basilisk X Wireless Gaming Mouse – $35.00 ($24.99 off)

Corsair Sabre Gaming Mouse – $38.49 ($21.5 off)

Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse – $37.98 ($32.01 off)

Headsets

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset – $119.99 ($60.00 off)

Logitech G733 Wireless Gaming Headset – $127.50 ($22.49 off)

Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Gaming Headset – $189.03 ($40.96 off)

Other Accessories

Razer Wolverine Wired Gaming Pro Controller – $129.99 ($20.00 off)

Xbox Wireless Controller Pulse Red – $54.66 ($10.33 off)

HyperX QuadCast USB Condenser Mic – $86.00 ($53.99 off)

Elgato Stream Deck -15 keys – $112.00 ($67.99 off)

Did you spy any accessories you need to upgrade right away? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter.  Be sure to check back for the latest deals on offer. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there! Happy gaming!

The post Upgrade Your Gaming Experience With Epic Deals On The Best Accessories appeared first on COGconnected.

If you live near a decently sized arcade, there’s a chance you’ve seen the arcade game with two giant drums. The music is loud and the screen shows a rhythm track where you’re supposed to hit your sticks in tune with the music. I’d only seen this game in malls before and until now, hadn’t known that the Taiko no Tatsujin series had been popular in Japan for some time. And now with the latest entry into the series: Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, we can further practice and drum to our heart’s content and become a drumming master!

You find yourself moving to the fictional Omiko city with the dreams of becoming the best Taiko Master. But you won’t be going on this journey alone as you have the guidance of Don-Chan and Kumo-kyun to help. These adorable mascots will give you tips and hints as well as offer anecdotes as you improve your skills. Don-Chan will then take you to the five main areas of Omiko city: Thunderclap Shrine, the main Taiko drumming mode, Taiko Land for party games, Dondolo Town for online play. The store is where you can purchase outfits, instruments, and more. And last but not least, your bedroom to change your outfits, look at your memories and adjust your settings.

Same Great Gameplay

The gameplay for Rhythm Festival is an easy-to-pick-up game. But as you build your skill, the harder difficulties can be tough to master. A series of notes will slide from the side of the screen and players will need to hit the corresponding ‘don’ and ‘ka’ at the correct time. There are four main modes you can take on the drumming challenge: buttons, motion controls, touch screen, or the official drum accessory itself. Everything works as expected, and quite well, however, there are some pros and cons for some of the modes. The standard button modes, whether you’re playing docked or if you have one motion controller, work well. The motion controls will have you the most immersed in the drumming itself. However, its accuracy does seem to become a bit inconsistent especially for the faster-paced songs.

I found myself having the most fun and had much more accuracy when I played on the touch screen. But if you’re the type of person who likes a clean screen, this option may not be for you. Ultimately I’m told the best and most immersive play you’ll get is from the official Drum Controller for its accuracy. However as I don’t have access to this controller, I can’t give my complete thoughts on this. Though from seeing the videos online of the Drum controller, I can only imagine how fun it is to play and use.

Rhythm Festival is also the first Taiko no Tatsujin to include a practice mode. Some of the songs may seem easy at first but some of the titles are deceptively hard. By playing in Practice mode, you can work towards completing those songs so you’ll be ready to show off that speed and accuracy in Oni mode.

There’s So Much To Do, You’ll Never Get Bored

This is my first real foray into a Taiko game, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from its music roster. But I have to stay, I was more than pleasantly surprised. There are 80 songs on the list ranging from original songs, to popular anime openings, and much more. It’s an incredible lineup for sure, but what are you supposed to do when you make it through every song? Well, don’t worry because there’s the new Taiko Music Pass. Out with the old days of buying individual songs as DLC for around $4.99 USD or more. For a low monthly or tri-monthly charge, you can upgrade your music library to a whopping 500 songs. Between all of this music and all of the different game modes, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth.

So there’s the main drumming mode, but what else is there? Well, you can participate in The Great Toy War, which has you playing against other players or AI opponents. Determine who’s the better drummer – but with an added twist. You’ll be using power-ups that will aid your performance by confusing your opponents or even yourself if you aren’t careful.

You can play with up to 4 people locally or online in Big Bang Mode which lets players perform a song together. On top of all of these modes, there’s a decent amount of customization here as well. And with the incredibly bold and vivid art style, you can make your character stand out even more.

Rhythm games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking to get into one, look no further. Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a wonderful entry game and if you get it bundled with the drum controller, there’ll be no stopping you. If you don’t want to shell out for the controller, that’s ok. Playing it in the other three modes is equally as fun. There’s a large range of music types so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re just dipping your toes in or a veteran rhythm player, the amount of content in the base game alone without the music pass will be sure to give you endless hours of playtime.

*** Switch code provided by the publisher ***

The post Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Switch Review – Become A Taiko Master appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s never too early or too late to start checking out new deals on PC accessories that may need some upgrading on your current rig. This weekend we’ve found the best accessories at sweet low prices. Been needing to upgrade that headset with the mic that keeps fading in and out? Whatever you’re looking for, scroll on through to find even more great deals!

Headsets

Logitech G PRO League of Legends Gaming Headset – $88.99 ($129.99 off)

EPOS GAME ONE Gaming Headset – $98.04 ($151.91 off)

Drop + Sennheiser PC38X Wired Gaming Headset – $149.00 ($31.00 off)

Logitech G432 Wired Gaming Headset – $35.49 ($44.50 off)

Razer Kraken Ultimate Gaming Headset – $64.99 ($65 off)

Keyboards

Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard – $99.99 ($99.00 off)

Razer BlackWidow Mini Gaming Keyboard – $97.00 ($32.99 off)

Corsair K70 RGB Gaming Keyboard – $108.61 ($41.38 off)

Corsair K60 RGB Gaming Keyboard – $64.31 ($45.68 off)

Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard – $49.88 ($10.11 off)

Mice

Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Gaming Mouse – $49.98 ($17.51 off)

Logitech G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse – $105.49 ($24.50 off)

Razer Mamba Elite Wired Gaming Mouse – $38.25 ($51.74 off)

Corsair M65 RGB Gaming Mouse – $42.49 ($27.50 off)

Corsair Nightsword Gaming Mouse – $47.95 ($27.04 off)

Other Accessories

Elgato Stream Deck w/ 15 keys – $117.00 ($32.99 off)

Razer Wolverine Xbox One Controller – $104.85 ($55.14 off)

Logitech Blue Yeti USB Mic – $115.04 ($14.95 off)

Headphone Stand w/ USB Chargers – $23.99 ($26.00 off)

Did you end up grabbing any new items? What’s your favourite brand? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter. Need a new game? Check out yesterday’s feature for some amazing games that have sweet discounted prices. Happy gaming!

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.

Follow us on Twitter HERE.

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The post Upgrade Your Gaming Rig With The Top PC Accessories This Weekend appeared first on COGconnected.

It’s back-to-school season and money can be a little tight! That’s why we’ve done the legwork to find some of the best games to get lost in while also at a fantastic deal! While some kids have already started and others won’t be starting till after this weekend, that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for games! When you finish up your homework and it’s the weekend without any plans, why not kick back and relax for a bit with a hot new title at fantastically reduced prices to save you some cash? Scroll on through to find all of the great deals!

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Chaotic Great Edition – PS4/XBX – $59.99 ($30.00 off)/ PS5 – $49.98 ($40.01 off)

Ratchet & Clank – PS5 – $54.95 ($15.04 off)

DEATHLOOP Standard Edition- PS5 – $31.52 ($28.47 off)

The Quarry – PS4 – $39.98 ($20.01 off)/PS5/XBX – $49.99 ($20.00 off)

Evil Dead: The Game – PS5 – $23.97 ($16.02 off)

Lost Judgement – PS4 – $26.94 ($33.05 off)/ PS5 – $36.95 ($23.04 off)/ XBX – $35.99 ($24.00 off)

Don’t Let These Deals Slip By!

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin – PS4/ PS5 – $43.99 ($16.00 off)/ XBX – $39.99 ($20.00 off)

Colors Live – Switch – $39.99 ($10.00 off)

Dying Light 2 Stay Human – PS4/PS5/XBSX – $39.99 ($20.00 off)

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – PS5 – $19.99 ($40.00 off)

Elden Ring – PS5 – $49.94 ($10.05 off)/PS4 – $49.94 ($10.01 off)/ Xbox Series X – $49.94 ($10.01 off)

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – PS5 – $39.99 ($30.00 off)/PS4 – $27.99 ($32.00 off)

So many amazing deals this weekend! Was there anything that caught your eye? Is there a game you’re hoping will go on sale next that you didn’t see here? Let us know in the comments below, or give us a shout on Facebook and Twitter. Make sure to check back tomorrow for another round of fantastic deals for the best gaming accessories. We’ll also be back next weekend with another round of fantastic game deals. And don’t forget to share the love and discoveries with your friends and fellow gamers out there!

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.

Follow us on Twitter HERE.

Our Facebook page HERE.

Our Instagram page HERE.

Listen to our podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

The post The Top 12 Games On Sale This Long Weekend That Will Take You Away appeared first on COGconnected.

If you’ve got a gaming itch for an action-packed anime hack-n-slash, Dusk Diver 2 may just be for you. The original Dusk Diver was released in 2019 with great reviews. Fans of the series can now continue Yumo’s adventures with the console release on the PS4, and the PS5 in the West. While Dusk Diver 2 was released on PC earlier this year, this console release is said to promise us new features, improved combat, and better visuals. 

Time To Take On The Beasts 

Dusk Diver 2 follows our protagonist Yumo, a year after the events of the first series. Now working and going to college, Yumo has to try and balance her regular life with her duty to save the world from interdimensional beasts. Unfortunately, it seems that these beasts are beginning to leak out into the real world and Yumo and her team need to figure out why. Working with her team, dive through fissures into various dimensions to fight Chaos Beasts. As you begin the story, it can be hard to grasp everything going on as it attempts to recount the events of the first game. The preview, while helpful for in filling in the blanks, still leaves a bit unanswered and you’ll be stumbling around getting used to some of the terminology. 

Once you’ve dove into your first fissure and entered your first foray into battle, you’ll find that the gameplay is fast, swift, and very easy to pick up. You can perform a series of combos with standard, normal, and heavy attacks. You’ll also need to time your dodges and counters perfectly to do even more damage. You’ll also have two gauges that will need to be filled which can be done as you fight. You can increase your SP gauge and once you’ve built up enough, you can use your special attacks. You can equip three specials that can be used, alternating between them while they are on cooldown. The other gauge you’ll slowly fill will enable you to activate your burst mode, which powers our fighters up to deal even more damage. 

A Little Something For Every Play Style

And Yumo isn’t alone in the fight either. Unlike the first Dusk Diver which had you playing as Yumo alone, the sequel has given her some help – all with different play styles. While Yumo is certainly the best for pulling off swift attacks and fun combos, there’s also a combatant who is a heavier but stronger fighter, another with more area of effect attacks and one that has more of a long-distance focus. It’s a great way to mix up the gameplay whenever you feel like things are getting a bit stagnant!

The level and environmental design are really well thought out. When you aren’t fighting monsters, you’ll be running around Taipei city in the Ximending district itself. It is decently sized and feels very lived in. I did notice that in some areas, some textures took longer to load in than others, with the occasional NPC beaming in out of nowhere. Aside from that, Taipei is really vibrant – running around, talking to NPCs, and gathering quests is a nice experience. You can even eat at restaurants, which will give our characters a buff!

Vibrant Colors & Well Thought-Out Designs 

The level designs for once we start up our brawls are imaginative and well thought out! While some levels aren’t as flashy as others, you can tell that the developers took a lot of time to make some really stand out. Even the first map we go through is all inspired by an arcade. Neon lights surround you, and one part of the map is modelled after an air hockey table. Imagine trying to fight a horde of demons while an air hockey puck is rolling around the table! Not all of the levels are as thought out as the arcade map. However, many of them still offer a lot of thought and charm

I feel like I don’t see the option to manually control stats for my characters as much in gaming anymore. As you fight, you earn experience through battle. When you’ve saved up enough, you can choose what stat to raise and what character to give it to. 

Well, It All Can’t Be Perfect

My experience playing Dusk Diver 2 on the PS4 was ultimately decent overall. The gameplay was fast and fun, the story was interesting, and visually the game is very eye-catching. There were some issues with dropped frames. Especially with how hectic the battles were and the number of enemies there could be at once. As mentioned previously, there were some moments where textures and NPCs loaded in. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to take away from my experience. However, the dropped frame rates get increasingly worse here and there. As the game goes on and the battles become more intense. My biggest gripe was the number of menus you had to slog through for the tutorial. They popped up before every battle. And when you’re itching to get back into the fight, having to read through another tutorial menu was a pain. 

If you’re a fan of Persona 5 with a dash of Yakuza, I can certainly recommend Dusk Diver 2. The characters are incredibly likeable, the environment is bright and vivid. Despite not knowing the full context of the story from the original game, the story in this title was still intriguing. JRPG fans and fans of the hack-n-slash genre should definitely add this one to their playlist. 

*** PS4 code provided by the publisher ***

The post Dusk Diver 2 Review – Promising Fast Action RPG appeared first on COGconnected.

The end of summer is coming up right around the corner. It’s probably a good time to figure out what kind of gear you, or perhaps your children, will be equipped with for the school year. Look no further if you want to spoil yourself, a child, or a loved one with some fantastic accessories! We’ve curated the perfect back-to-school accessories list that will make working on your PC a little easier for class assignments but also for gaming. 

Tile 2-Pack BlueTooth Trackers – $44.99

Losing your items can happen at any moment, whether you’ve left them behind by accident or if it’s fallen out of your bag. With the Tile BlueTooth Tracker starter kit, attach one end of the Tile to your backpack, key ring or whatever else, feel better knowing that you won’t be without your belongings for long with these trackers in place. Have a few other items that you’re worried about losing? You can always buy extra trackers and sync them to your main hub!

Razer Huntsman RGB Keyboard – $69.99

When you’re living in a small dorm, trying to get as much extra space is important. And getting the Hunstman Keyboard not only guarantees you a cool RGB glow as you game but a comfortable typing experience as well in a more compact shell.

Corsair K55 PRO RGB Keyboard – $49.99

There are a ton of brands out there but none does them quite like Corsair. When you need a little bit more control over your PC settings, the Corsair K55 is the perfect entry-level full-sized keyboard. This keyboard also boasts six dedicated macro keys that can be set up in the iCue software, which is perfect for keying up different actions, especially if you’re a streamer.

Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse – $19.50

The Razer DeathAdder is sleek, light and has two extra dedicated DPI buttons which can be customized for gaming or creative work. Built with ergonomics in mind, you’ll have a comfortable and accurate mouse.

Razer Basilisk Gaming Mouse – $38.13

The Basilisk comes to us with an even more ergonomic design. Perfect for those long gaming or work sessions that require long hours. And with the USB dongle included inside, you can also live a wireless life.

Logitech Blue Yeti USB Microphone – $89.99

Whether you’re a student, streamer or both, your audience and classmates will be able to hear you clearly.

Seagate Portable 2TB External HDD – $61.99

A Portable External HDD is perfect for carrying around those important documents. It’s also perfect to use as a storage device for your PS4 if you need extra storage for games.

Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 1 TB Internal SSD- $103.30

Getting a new PC is expensive, but at least we can upgrade the parts inside! Installing an extra 1 TB SSD will guarantee that you’ll have an adequate amount of space for those papers you’ll have to write or projects you’ll have to design.

Razer Rogue V3 15.6″ Backpack  – $95.04

The Rogue backpack is made with a waterproof material to protect your equipment from the weather. The main compartment is big enough for a 15-inch laptop and has a clean green interior to make for a very eye-catching bag.

Lenovo Legion 15.6″ Backpack  – $48.71

The Lenovo Legion is built with comfort and style in mind. The main compartment can fit a 15.6″ gaming laptop as well as a sleek-looking quick-access front compartment. It even has a side pocket for your water bottle.

Shopping for back-to-school stuff for yourself or for a child is never easy. But with this list, we hope we were able to help out! Is there any other essential item you think we’re missing? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to keep it locked to COGconnected as we’ll give you updates on new developments. 

The post Top 10 Must Have Accessories – Perfect For Back To School Needs appeared first on COGconnected.

The days are hot and the cosplays are getting hotter! This weekend check out the talented cosplayer, Caytie Cosplay! We’ve featured her once before earlier this year but time has passed and there’s been a plethora of new cosplays for you to see. If you weren’t convinced to follow her socials before, you’ll certainly want to now. When she’s not working as a Marketing Writer for Riot Games, she’s hard at work at her craft. Scroll on through to see our favourite picks of the summer!

Gwennom – Spiderverse

Star Guardian Kai’Sa – League of Legends

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay!

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the gorgeous Ani-Mia or check out the talented Maridah Cosplay. And of course, you should check out this spicy TikTok cosplay compilation.

The post Caytie Cosplay Is Bringing In The Heat With These Amazing Works appeared first on COGconnected.

Just when you thought you were about to cool off, we thought we’d turn the dial to heat things back up! We are back with another Cosplay feature, this week featuring the talented Eothen Cosplay. Eothen makes some incredible cosplays and has also competed and won in numerous competitions. His love for his craft is easily seen in the cosplays he creates, so let’s check out some of our favourite picks!

Howl Pendragon – Howl’s Moving Castle

San – Princess Mononoke

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the gorgeous It’s Raining Neon or check out the talented Twerkin Gherkin Cosplay. And of course, you should check out this spicy TikTok cosplay compilation.

The post Eothen Cosplay Is Heating Up The Cosplay Scene This Summer appeared first on COGconnected.