Forums

If you’re thinking about jumping into the PC gaming scene for the first time or looking to replace a creaky display that’s starting to show its age, there are several decisions you'll have to make before you even start your search for a new gaming monitor. One consideration involves curved vs. flat monitors--for PC gamers looking to up their immersion, curved monitors are an increasingly popular option, both in standard 16:9 resolution and in their ultrawide format. But which display, curved or flat, is better for gaming, and what are the key differences? The answer, of course, depends on your gaming habits, your budget, and a number of other factors, but here we've broken down the key things to keep in mind about curved and flat gaming monitors to help you determine which display best suits your lifestyle. Benefits of a curved gaming monitor The Samsung CHG9 curved monitor is a beast of a display at 49 inches.Pros Added immersion for supported games Ultrawide screen is great for having multiple open tabs Supports high resolutions Improved picture quality Reduces eye strain Improved color consistency Cons The wider the monitor, the heavier it is More demand on graphics card Takes up a lot of desk real estate Curved shape can make it difficult to assess visual work If you haven't used a curved monitor before, you may be wondering what advantages this kind of display has over the traditional flat-screen monitor. The most basic answer is that curved monitors are designed to extend the image in an arc around your field of vision so that you view the edges of the screen with your peripheral vision, instead of viewing it as a flat image. As a result, curved monitors are primarily beneficial for their heightened immersion--the image (or what's happening in your game) surrounds you instead of just being in front of you. For those seeking better productivity, curved ultrawide monitors can be great for multitasking or working on a project that requires you to have multiple tabs open at once. Some studies even suggest that curved monitors may also reduce eye strain, which can help decrease fatigue over long, competitive gaming sessions. The curved screen also ensures that each pixel is angled toward you, providing better color consistency than a similarly sized flat-screen display. On the other hand, a larger curved monitor won't natively display all of your PC games at the right resolution. In order to take advantage of the full display, a game will need to include support for ultrawide resolutions like 3440×1440 or 2560×1080, which can make supported games look great. However, curved monitors will add black bars to the side of the screen while playing unsupported games. And if you intend to use your PC for art or video editing, a curved monitor may make it difficult to tell if your lines or crops are straight. Alternatively, what looks good on an ultrawide monitor may look off on a standard display or phone screen. Benefits of a flat gaming monitor The Acer Nitro XV272U is a standard flat-screen monitor with a 27-inch 1440p display and 144Hz.Pros Tends to be more lightweight Better for certain kinds of work Natively supports aspect ratios for the vast majority of games Generally cheaper Good for dual-monitor setups Cons Loses the immersion of ultrawide displays Picture quality and color consistency worsen near the edges of the screen While a flat monitor can't provide the added immersion that a curved monitor does, it has the benefit of being able to display the vast majority of games without any tweaks--and for less money, as they're generally smaller and cheaper. Most games are designed with a flat monitor's 16:9 aspect ratio in mind, so they will look great out of the box with a wide variety of resolutions. Additionally, if you plan to use your PC for creative work--such as digital art or video editing--a flat monitor will give you a much better idea of what your typical audience will see when they interact with it. And if you plan to have more than one person view your monitor, whether you're watching a movie or playing co-op, a flat screen works better. Of course, if you want some of the benefits of an ultrawide curved monitor, you can shell out for a second screen and accomplish a similar effect with a dual-monitor setup. However, using one flat-screen monitor won’t get you the same immersion as a curved screen. Whereas a curved display hugs your peripheral vision and provides a more consistent image and color quality, these aspects get slightly worse toward the edges on a flat-screen display. Curved vs. flat monitors: How they compare Though one isn't inherently better than the other, there are a few key aspects that affect your overall gaming experience with a curved or flat monitor. Here's a closer look at how they compare: Size and weight Curved monitors are usually significantly wider than flat-screen monitors, and, as mentioned above, this is designed to heighten immersion--the screen needs to be wide in order to encompass the player's peripheral vision. Compared to a flat monitor, the curved edges also make it easier to see the whole screen at once while sitting close to your monitor. Flat screens tend to range in width from 23 to 27 inches (though you can still find plenty ranging from 32 to 43 inches and even bigger). At 27 inches, the Acer Nitro XV272U is a fairly average size for a flat-screen monitor. Curved monitors, on the other hand, typically begin at 27 inches and stretch out from there. Samsung's CHG9 Series ultrawide, for example, is staggering at 49 inches wide--over four feet. With added width comes added weight, of course--that Samsung display weighs in at 33.1 pounds. The LG 34WN80C-B, a more typical ultrawide monitor that measures 34 inches wide, is still quite heavy at 23.3 pounds. Though obviously smaller, the 27-inch Acer is significantly lighter, at 10.82 pounds. So if you plan to mount an ultrawide monitor, it goes without saying that you will need a sturdier wall mount than you would for a smaller display. If you don't plan to mount it, you'll need to make room on your gaming desk and, depending on how wide the screen is, potentially to the left and right of your battle station as well. As you make a decision about whether a curved or flat monitor is right for you, make sure you look into the quality of their stands. With an ultrawide monitor, the last thing you want is a wobbly stand. Color quality The quality and quantity of colors that flat-screen and curved monitors can display vary with each individual monitor. An increasing number of gaming monitors support HDR, allowing for high-quality luminosity with bright whites and dark blacks. It is worth noting, though, that a curved monitor’s screen can provide better color consistency because every pixel is, ideally, angled toward you. On a flat screen, colors can appear slightly off the further they get away from you and the more extreme the angle from which you’re viewing them. Hardware As the width of the monitor increases, the number of pixels on the display increases as well. So in order to run games on an ultrawide monitor at high frame rates, you will need a graphics card that can handle the additional output. If you can find one, any of Nvidia's 3000 series of graphics cards should be up to the challenge. Refresh rates Regardless of whether you go with a curved or flat monitor, refresh rates obviously vary widely, from the standard 60Hz of budget monitors up to 144Hz, 240Hz, and even higher if you aim to play competitively. Because of the size of curved monitors, however--at least if you're wanting the full experience--you'll likely end up paying more for a higher refresh rate curved monitor than you would for a flat-screen one. Final thoughts on curved vs. flat monitors When it comes to picking the best gaming monitor for you, your mileage may vary depending on which games you play and what you use your monitor for outside of gaming. Flat-screen monitors are reliably useful for a variety of tasks, including video editing and digital art, but curved monitors provide some extra oomph for the games that can make good use of their added pixels. These ultrawide displays can be great for work and play, but it's up to each buyer to decide if they need the added width and consider the weight and real estate that goes along with it. If you really care about maxing out your visuals, for your own personal enjoyment or for that extra competitive edge, an ultrawide monitor might be the way to go. That said, you should also be prepared to pay more for a good-quality curved monitor than the average flat screen. If you plan to play games locally or watch movies on it with friends, a flat screen is a better way to go as all participants will be able to see the whole screen. And because flat screens tend to be cheaper, you may want to consider opting for an angled dual-monitor display that achieves a very similar effect to a curved ultrawide, though the angle will be much sharper. Both setups can be great for competitive online gaming, but a curved monitor may make it easier to notice details that you might otherwise miss on the edges of a flat screen. That said, it can take slightly longer to move your cursor across an ultrawide screen, slowing response time. Productivity is a bit of a wash. The added width of a curved monitor is great for viewing multiple full-sized tabs at once, which can be great if you're doing research or working in a spreadsheet. But if your work is visual in nature, the curvature of the screen may be unhelpful as you attempt to assess your work. Curved and flat monitors to consider For the PC gamer who's willing to spend for max performance, we recommend the Asus Rog Swift PG35VQ. This 31.5-inch curved ultrawide monitor boasts a 200Hz refresh rate, HDR, a fully adjustable stand, and native support for G-Sync. It's ideal for anyone serious about competitive performance who doesn't need to worry about price. If you're interested in a curved monitor but price is an object, we recommend the Acer ED323QUR Abidpx. With a manageable price tag, this competitive display still boasts a 144Hz refresh rate and includes support for both HDMI and DisplayPort. With native support for FreeSync, this monitor was designed with AMD graphics cards in mind. However, if you want to forego the curved screen, the Razer Raptor 27 Gaming Monitor is a great option at a mid-to-high price range. This G-Sync-enabled display features a 144Hz refresh rate, a sturdy aluminum base, and HDR support. See our full Razer Raptor 27 review for more of our thoughts on Razer's debut gaming monitor. For more solid options that won't break the bank, see our picks for the best cheap gaming monitors, and for console gamers, the best monitors for PS5 and Xbox Series X. For more on what to look for in a new gaming monitor, check out our guide to monitor technologies in 2021, from G-Sync and FreeSync to HDR in monitors, refresh rates and response times, DisplayPort vs. HDMI, and more. View the full article

Developer People Can Fly is slowly addressing Outriders' inventory wipe glitch. Not everyone will see all items in their inventory restored; the studio has placed affected users in separate groups to compartmentalize specific cases. But most players should expect at least 20 Legendaries to be restored sometime soon. In a lengthy Reddit post, senior community manager Toby Palm outlined the process People Can Fly is undergoing to restore the inventories of those affected players. It starts by splitting the player base into three groups--Groups A, B, and C--to determine the severity of the glitch's impact. Group A has it the worst, with characters labeled "unplayable" due to the glitch and error messages when connecting to Outriders' servers. This group makes up "most of the affected players," according to Palm. Group B has characters that were affected by the glitch but not deemed unplayable. Group C is every other player in the community. After defining how each group has been affected, Palm outlined which items in the inventory will be restored. For those in Group A, everything will be reinstated regardless of item rarity. Group B is a little more specific: Up to 20 Legendaries that were wiped will be replaced. There's nothing to be restored for Group C. People Can Fly did not confirm an exact date for when inventories will be restored. Palm said that the studio "need a bit more time to make sure that the process is running precisely as intended." Some players have started seeing their inventories being replaced with gear of equal or better quality than the original item. Palm also specified why reinstating wiped inventories isn't as simple as "restore from backup." Each Outriders profile has to be scanned for possible inventory corruption. After that, the item histories of affected players are cross-referenced against People Can Fly's analytic metrics to determine which pieces of gear were lost. Because some players, like Group A, were hit harder by the glitch than others, the restoration process is long. Despite no date being attached, Palm said the studio is "working to an 'ASAP' schedule" to resolve the issue. In other Outriders news, publisher Square Enix said that the inventory wipe glitch is the "highest priority" for both the company and People Can Fly. Earlier this month, People Can Fly promised "additional countermeasures" to combat the insidious bug. Despite these launch-day hiccups and dropping on Game Pass, Outriders still managed to climb the sales charts on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. View the full article

PGA Tour 2K21 was generally well-received, but one piece of consistent feedback is that club swinging can be improved. People have complained and voiced their opinions that the swing animations could look and perform better. 2K Sports is now responding to this feedback and has announce that "some adjustments" are on the way to club swinging to bolster authenticity and improve gameplay. Unfortunately, 2K's statement is extremely vague; it doesn't mention any specifics on what's changing. 2K Sports did not say when these promised swing changes will be released. The game launched all the way back in August 2020, so it's noteworthy that the studio continues to patch the game so long after release when a new entry is presumably coming up soon. The PGA Tour 2K series won't be the only major licensed golf game on the market for much longer, as EA Sports has revived its PGA Tour series and will launch a new game called EA Sports PGA Tour featuring all four Major tournaments, including The Masters. 2K's golf series got a major boost recently as well, signing Tiger Woods to a multi-year exclusive deal that will see the golfer consult on the franchise. For more, check out GameSpot's PGA Tour 2K21 review. "PGA Tour 2K21 improves on the mostly stellar foundation of The Golf Club series, offering the most realistic and pure golf experience in a game to date," reviewer Steven Petite said. View the full article

PlayStation Now has been one of the only ways to play many PlayStation classics on modern hardware, but the streaming service has been disappointingly limited to just 720p since its launch. That's changing soon, as Sony starts rolling out 1080p support across all PlayStation Now regions. Sony has announced that during the following weeks it will start supporting 1080p streaming for games on PlayStation Now that support it. This will be especially important for many PS4 titles on the service, including Horizon Zero Dawn, Borderlands 3, and Marvel's Avengers. This only applies to games that you stream--any PS4 titles that you can download will still support the same resolutions as digital or disc versions. The update will roll out across all regions, which includes the US, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Sony didn't take the opportunity to announce any additional regions for the service. PlayStation Now is available on PS5, PS4, and PC, and is one of the only ways to play many PS2 and PS3 titles on these platforms. Earlier this week Sony backtracked on the decision to shut down both the PS Vita and PS3 stores, meaning you can continue to purchase games for the consoles if you still have them. The PSP store, however, will still be closing later this year. View the full article

Steam users can grab Quiplash, an iconic part of the Jackbox party games for free starting today as part of a larger Jackbox Party Pack sale. To pick up Quiplash, simply find the game on the Steam Store and add it to your account. If you're away from your computer at the moment, you can add the game to your account via the Steam app as well. There's no rush either way though, as the pun-filled game will be free for the next four days, until April 26 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. See on Steam Keep in mind though that this is the earliest version of Quiplash, from 2015. The newest version of the game, Quiplash 3, is only available as part of The Jackbox Party Pack 7, which released this past October. Luckily, if you want to pick up that Jackbox Party Pack game it's on sale, along with every other Jackbox title. The Jackbox Party Pack 7 is currently discounted by 35%, while other, earlier iterations of the party game bundles are up to 60% off. You can find a list of the discounts down below. Jackbox Party Pack Steam sale The Jackbox Party Pack 7 -- $19.49 ($30) The Jackbox Party Pack 6 -- $18 ($30) The Jackbox Party Pack 5 -- $16.49 ($30) The Jackbox Party Pack 4 -- $12.49 ($25) The Jackbox Party Pack 3 -- $15 ($25) The Jackbox Party Pack 2 -- $10 ($25) The Jackbox Party Pack -- $10 ($25) Fibbage XL -- $4.49 ($10) Drawful 2 -- $4.49 ($10) View the full article

Nintendo has rolled out a new update for Tetris 99. In addition to squashing a few unspecified bugs, this patch adds the ability to exchange tickets for six previous event-exclusive themes, giving you another chance to unlock them. Contrary to the wording of Nintendo's patch notes, you can now exchange tickets you've earned for some special in-game themes in the Customize menu--not the other way around. The themes include those based on Luigi's Mansion 3, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, and Paper Mario: The Origami King. These themes were all previously available as part of different Maximus Cups. If you didn't unlock them during their respective event, you can now grab the themes for 30 tickets apiece. The tickets themselves can be earned by completing daily challenges in the game. These can range from clearing a certain number of lines to getting a specific number of KOs during a match. It should be noted that this currently only applies to some older themes. More recent ones, such as the Bowser's Fury theme that was available during March's Maximus Cup, cannot yet be unlocked via tickets. Nintendo has made previous themes available again in the past, however, so the company will likely give you another opportunity to unlock the Bowser's Fury theme sometime down the line. Tetris 99 is developed by Arika, which also worked on the recently released Pac-Man 99. Much like Tetris, Pac-Man 99 is an online battle royale-style game that's free to download and play for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. The game also has some paid DLC that adds offline modes and themes based on other classic Bandai Namco games. Tetris 99 Ver. 2.2.0 Patch Notes Feature You can now exchange some of your previously downloaded event themes (Special Themes) for game tickets using the Customize menu. Each event theme is worth 30 tickets. Overview The gameplay has been improved by addressing a few additional bugs. View the full article

Racing fans should get ready to start their engines as Turn 10 Studios has confirmed the first playtesting for the new Forza Motorsport. The confirmation came via a tweet on the official Forza Motorsport account reading "The first round of invites for the Forza Motorsport playtest have gone out to a small group of participants! We'll be expanding that number as development progresses, so stay tuned for your chance to join." Playtesting for the new Forza was mentioned during the most recent Forza Monthly video, where Turn 10 creative director Chris Esaki confirmed not only public testing, but an entirely new approach to game development. “Our new approach to development is really allowing us to get some of our details right”, Esaki said, “just to ensure that you, your friends, and the communities you are building and are a part of will really enjoy and thrive in this world of Forza Motorsport.” Invites are being sent first to members of the Forza Panel, Turn 10’s official feedback program. Esaki also confirmed this in the April 5 Forza Monthly, saying “the only way to get your hands on this part of the new Forza Motorsport title is to be a part of that panel. We're going to continue to plan this type of testing as we go in the months ahead, and get more and more people from the community in and enjoying this experience." Players interested in becoming part of the Forza Panel can apply here. The new Forza Motorsport was announced during Microsoft’s Xbox Series X event in July 2020 and billed as a “reimagining of the series” that will take “what has made Forza Motorsport great over the past 15 years and pairing it with new game concepts and new technologies.” View the full article

A classic action-RPG has gotten new life this year. Nier Replicant ver 1.22474487139, a remake of the original 2010 game, is out this week on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. A precursor to PlatinumGames' Nier Automata, Replicant helped establish the world of Nier that would later be explored in that breakout hit. But the original release was met with poor sales and middling reviews, making it ripe for a modernized facelift. How well does it revitalize the cult classic? The critical reception has been largely positive, citing the revamped combat system and a new appreciation for Yoko Taro's charming sensibilities. Though some critics have cited elements that didn't age well, like its quest and level design, the bright spots largely appear to outshine the antiquated shortcomings. "If Nier: Automata was about discovering your humanity in a world devoid of life, Nier Replicant is about a world desperately fighting to preserve what humanity it has left, and often failing to do so," Michael Higham wrote in GameSpot's Nier Replicant review. "Those you fight for, fight with, and fight against--and you, the protagonist--all have a stake and responsibility in the plight. There's an ever-present melancholy that hangs over the violent world of Nier, and the more you fight on, the more you understand just how tragic human life can be. It's tempting to wallow in sorrow, but once you've seen Nier Replicant's conclusions in their entirety, you'll come to cherish its moments of warmth as well." To give you a broader picture, we've compiled some reviews from around the industry. For even more impressions, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic. Game: Nier Replicant ver 1.22474487139 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Developer: Square Enix Release Date: April 22 Price: $60 / £60 GameSpot -- 8/10 "I'm not going to lie, Nier Replicant made me ugly-cry on several occasions. Kainé, Emil, and Weiss will win your heart with their earnest and endearing personalities, making their tragic journey with you and tremendous story moments hit hard. Despite some significant gameplay enhancements, the lengths you have to go to see the story all the way through will be a test of your willpower. But for all its antiquated designs retained from the original version, it's worth the effort in the end. Thus, Nier Replicant is essential for anyone who has love for Automata, and it's a special experience on its own." -- Michael Higham [Full Review] The Gamer -- 5/5 "When I wrapped up my experience with Nier Replicant, I realized it was the most satisfied I'd ever felt after working so hard for a particular ending. Yoko Taro asking me to relive the same experiences again and again wasn't a repetitive journey, but a more meaningful reflection on a cycle of hate, pain, and trauma. Nier Replicant is Yoko Taro's best work, brought up to modern standards, and finally delivered in the presentation its tale always deserved." -- Andrea Shearon [Full Review] Siliconera -- 9/10 "NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is a more approachable version of an emotional and thought-provoking RPG. This is a game people might not have known what to do with years ago. Now, following the success of NieR: Automata, it's presented with additional accessibility options, better looking and smoother gameplay, and additional content that gently builds on what was already there. It's an opportunity to connect, question, and put your emotions through the wringer yet again." -- Jenni Lada [Full Review] Destructoid -- 8.5/10 "There aren't many games like NieR Replicant, and I'm not just talking about in the modern era, but since 2010 as a whole. Whatever power that be helped Yoko Taro become world-famous, to the point where he can keep making these weird masterpieces, in any format: thank you." -- Chris Carter [Full Review] Game Informer -- 8.25/10 "Nier Replicant's colorful characters, sprawling story, and updated gameplay mechanics help make up for its old-fashioned quest design and empty world." -- Jason Guisao [Full Review] Digital Trends -- 3.5/5 "NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… confirms that the original NieR was both way ahead of its time and far behind it. The story is tremendously captivating and it's only gotten better with newly added content. On the other side of the coin, the repetitive gameplay feels outdated even by 2010 standards. Those who press through the 30-hour adventure will be rewarded with a bold narrative odyssey. It may even outdo NieR Automata in retrospect, but it's hard to blame anyone who’d rather watch it all on YouTube instead of playing it for themselves." -- Giovanni Colantonio [Full Review] Video Games Chronicle -- 3/5 "Nier Replicant is at once an improvement over the original while still retaining its dated design frustrations that's not quite at the bar of modern remasters. Yet for all its flaws, the story, bolstered by its grand otherworldly score, has the same deep emotional depths that first won over new fans, and if nothing else, you won't find a more mismatched bunch of outcasts worth caring about." -- Alan Wen [Full Review] View the full article

Call of Duty fans eager to learn more about the next installment in the mainline series might want to get comfortable. Activision's Call of Duty boss, Robert Kostich, said in a new interview that the reveal of 2021's new game--which is believed to be another World War II entry from Sledgehammer Games--might not happen until later in the year than normal. Asked directly by GamesBeat if the announcement of this year's Call of Duty game would be shifted later in the year, Kostich confirmed, "We're probably shifting a bit more in that direction." Part of the reason why Activision is shifting its announcement schedule for the new Call of Duty game is because so much is happening in the free-to-play battle royale game Warzone. Season 3 kicked off today, April 22, and Activision seemingly wants to keep the focus on that game for the time being. "We want to focus on that with the community, focus on the journey with them," he said. Kostich also teased that the reveal of this year's new premium Call of Duty game could happen, at least in part, inside Warzone as was the case for the Black Ops Cold War reveal in 2020. "As you saw last year, we did some cool things in terms of integrating the reveal of Black Ops into Warzone. Those are the things we want to orchestrate and provide to our community, letting them discover Call of Duty themselves in their play experience," Kostich said. "That part's been fun for us and our development teams. Marketing is changing within Call of Duty, how we get the community to participate and uncover things for us. It might be happening later, but it's all part of a broader agenda to bring the community along on a fun journey." Historically, Activision would announce the year's new Call of Duty game in April or May, with more reveals planned for June during E3. That formula has changed in recent years thanks in part to changes for E3 and a variety of other factors. This year's new Call of Duty is rumored to be Call of Duty: WWII Vanguard. Sledgehammer Games, which developed 2017's Call of Duty: WWII, is said to be the developer. In addition to the rumored new Call of Duty game, Sledgehammer is a support studio for Warzone. View the full article

Xbox's FPS Boost feature, which was unveiled back in February 2021 and only available for a handful of backward compatible Xbox One titles, has expanded to series like Battlefield, Star Wars Battlefront, and Titanfall. In a post by Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, FPS Boost can now be toggled in games such as Battlefield V, Mirror's Edge Catalyst, Star Wars Battlefront 2, and Titanfall 2. These are just the highlights from the growing list of Xbox One games that can take advantage of the feature, which uses the Xbox Series X|S's more advanced hardware to nearly doubles a game's frame rate to smoothen the experience. FPS Boost for some games, like Fallout 4 and Star Wars Battlefront 2, is turned off by default. Hryb said the Xbox team "had to reduce a game's resolution to ensure it both runs smoothly and plays great." However, the feature can be easily toggled on in the Settings menu under Compatibility Options. Players can also check to see if the game is running in FPS Boost mode by simply tapping the Xbox button on the controller. Other titles on the list include two other Battlefield entries (Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 4), the three third-person shooter Plant vs. Zombies games (Battle for Neighborville, Garden Warfare, and Garden Warfare 2), Unravel 2, and Sea of Solitude. They join the Bethesda titles that also take advantage of FPS Boost. New Xbox Games That Can Use FPS Boost Battlefield 1 Battlefield 4 Mirror's Edge Catalyst Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 Sea of Solitude Star Wars Battlefront Star Wars Battlefront 2 Titanfall Titanfall 2 Unravel 2 All titles on this list, with the exception of Sea of Solitude, run at 120hz on Xbox Series X while in FPS Boost mode. Most games here, again aside from Sea of Solitude, run at 120hz on Xbox Series S. Battlefield 1, Battlefield V, Star Wars Battlefront 2, and Titanfall weren't specified to run at 60 or 120hz on Series S. In other Xbox news, the company has revealed the second wave of Game Pass titles dropping this month. The subscription service will see Destroy All Humans, MLB The Show 21, and Phogs all get added to the list. View the full article