NEWS: GUNNAR Optiks Celebrates Fallout’s 28th Anniversary with Vault 33 Glasses

By Jon Donnis

If there's one thing Fallout fans love as much as looting a Super Duper Mart or listening to "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" on the Pip-Boy radio, it's the mix of retro style and high-tech survival gear. GUNNAR Optiks seems to understand that perfectly. To celebrate the 28th anniversary of Fallout, the company has launched a special collaboration inspired by Vault 33, complete with a generous anniversary deal. From October 10 to 12, players, collectors, and wanderers alike can grab a pair of Fallout Vault 33 Glasses or Sunglasses for just $69.30 instead of the usual $99, simply by using the promo code FALLOUT28 at checkout. There's no fine print or purchase limit, just straight-up savings that feel almost too good for the post-apocalypse.

The Vault 33 Glasses are clearly designed with gamers in mind. Built from a combination of stainless steel and nylon, the square frame has a smart, retro-futuristic look that feels like it could have been pulled straight from a Vault-Tec prototype lab. The olive metal temples add a touch of authenticity that fans will recognise instantly. It's the kind of style that feels perfectly at home whether you're grinding through Fallout 4's Commonwealth wasteland or binge-watching the Fallout TV adaptation on Prime Video. Flexible spring hinges make the fit comfortable for long sessions, while the built-in side shields subtly cut out peripheral glare. These aren't novelty items; they're practical, well-engineered glasses that merge form and function in the way the Fallout universe always hinted technology should.

Under the hood (or rather, behind the lenses), GUNNAR's signature technology does the heavy lifting. The patented lens design reduces digital eye strain, which is a blessing for anyone who spends hours in front of a screen, whether you're modding Fallout: New Vegas or raiding in 76. The G-Shield® Plus coating adds a double layer of defence, providing anti-reflective and smudge-resistant protection while blocking 100% of UV rays and harmful blue light. This means sharper focus, less eye fatigue, and fewer headaches after long sessions, something every gamer and late-night Vault Dweller can appreciate.

There's also a sense of collectability here. Each pair comes with a collector's case, microfibre pouch, cleaning cloth, and a 12-month warranty, all stamped with official Fallout and Amazon Studios branding. It's a nice touch for fans who take pride in owning official memorabilia from their favourite franchise. It feels like something you'd find tucked away in a Vault locker, carefully preserved, practical, and unmistakably cool.

What's particularly clever about this collaboration is how seamlessly it ties into the Fallout world. The Vault 33 branding gives the glasses a sense of belonging, like standard-issue eyewear for explorers of the wasteland. They strike that perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity, appealing not only to hardcore gamers but also to those who simply love the design aesthetic that's made Fallout endure for nearly three decades.

In a gaming landscape full of crossover gimmicks, this one genuinely hits the mark. It's more than a marketing tie-in; it's a product that serves a real purpose. Whether you're crafting settlements, dodging Deathclaws, or working long hours in front of a screen, the Vault 33 Glasses bring a touch of Fallout style and serious functionality to your daily grind. For fans of the series, it's the closest thing to equipping a wearable perk, one that protects your eyes instead of just boosting your Charisma.

GUNNAR's Fallout Vault 33 Glasses are the kind of gear any Vault Dweller would be proud to add to their loadout. They're sleek, practical, and unmistakably Fallout, bridging the gap between the game's imaginative world and real-life comfort. And with the limited-time anniversary discount, there's never been a better excuse to treat your eyes, or your inner gamer, to something special before venturing back into the wasteland.

Check out https://gunnar.com/products/fallout-vault-33-glasses

But be quick if you want the discount, don't forget to use the promo code FALLOUT28 at checkout.

Thanks as always to GUNNAR Optiks, our favourite glasses maker!

NEWS: Furi - From Cult Game to High-Octane TV Adventure

By Jon Donnis

This autumn, the cult action game Furi leaps from console to screen with a bold new sci-fi miniseries from Midnight Embers, arriving on digital platforms this November.

The series plunges straight into the game's intense, stylised universe, keeping its sharp visual edge while adding a touch of grounded realism. Futuristic landscapes, precise martial arts, and pulse-pounding action collide in a story that balances spectacle with emotion. Imagine the grit of John Wick, the creativity of Samurai Jack, and the neon energy of Cyberpunk, all fused into one relentless ride.

Developed alongside The Game Bakers, the show stays faithful to the source material while exploring its characters more deeply. Their struggles feel raw and human, adding weight to the action. The soundtrack returns too, featuring cult favourites Carpenter Brut, Danger, and The Toxic Avenger. His track My Only Chance, already streamed over 14 million times, powers the series with the same intensity fans loved in the game.

With millions of downloads and a devoted following, Furi earned critical praise. Gamespot called it a game that "lures you in with a cool lead character and a powerful soundtrack" and leaves a lasting impression. Recent DLC releases in 2022 and 2023 have broadened the fan base further, making this the ideal time for the series to debut on 8 November 2025.

The story follows The Rider, a lone warrior freed from a mysterious, otherworldly prison by a figure known as The Voice. To reclaim his freedom and uncover the truth, he must battle through surreal and dangerous realms, each ruled by powerful Guardians. Every fight brings him closer to understanding what is truly at stake for his species.

Along the way, other warriors emerge, each fighting for their own reasons. Some seek redemption, others power, love, or pride. In this universe, everyone believes their cause is just, yet no one is entirely right or wrong, and every choice leaves its mark.

Showrunner, writer, and lead actor Barty Shepherd (The Moment Trap: The Lennon Dream, Next Big Thing, Sinners Haven) guides the series with both emotional depth and martial arts precision, alongside producer Lucy Miles, who brings experience from major projects for Amazon, Netflix, and Apple. Shepherd's martial arts background adds authenticity, honed over years of stage and screen work, including performances at the Royal Opera House.

The cast is filled with emerging talent. Yanick Ghanty plays The Voice (Hullraisers, The Dumping Ground), joined by James Unsworth, Julian London, Olivia Jannesson, Ermar Alexander, Fabio Miale, Tamaira Hesson, and Charlie Griffiths. Each brings skill, presence, and a hint of mystery to this extraordinary world.

Furi promises a thrilling, visually striking experience. Step into the fight, feel the rhythm, and immerse yourself in this unforgettable universe.

REVIEW: Build a Bridge (2025 Video Game) - By BoomBit

Review by Jon Donnis

BoomBit's 2025 puzzle game Build a Bridge is a celebration of creativity, problem-solving, and the occasional spectacular failure. From the very first level, it makes clear that this is a sandbox where players can be meticulous engineers or wild inventors, experimenting with ideas and learning through trial and error. Every level offers a chance to craft a bridge that works perfectly or watch it collapse in a brilliantly entertaining way. The satisfaction of seeing a blueprint turn into a functioning structure is immense, and the game does a fantastic job of making both success and failure equally rewarding.

Players face a variety of environments and vehicles, from standard cars and buses to trucks and monster trucks, all testing the strength and ingenuity of your designs. The game's 2D planning phase allows for precise design using wood, metal, and cables, each with its own physical properties, before watching your construction come alive in a stylised 3D mode. The physics engine is remarkably reliable, making each collapse feel natural rather than forced, and the game's visual clarity ensures every bridge, every vehicle, and every fall is easy to follow and enjoy. The 86 levels offer a smooth progression in difficulty, and optional extra challenges push players to revisit previous levels, adding an extra layer of depth for those chasing full completion. Challenges might involve building within a budget, testing how much of a bridge can fail while still succeeding, or other clever twists that keep players thinking creatively.

What truly sets Build a Bridge apart is its accessibility. Unlike some puzzle games that punish experimentation, this one encourages it. Players can approach levels with a careful, analytical mindset or dive in with reckless enthusiasm, knowing that each failure is a lesson rather than a setback. The game balances fun and challenge well, offering a relaxed mode for casual experimentation alongside the more demanding standard puzzles. The design encourages creativity while maintaining a sense of structure, ensuring that even the more complex levels remain approachable and satisfying.

However, Build a Bridge is not without its limitations. The bridge-building genre is crowded, with a long list of competing titles, many of which follow similar principles. This makes true originality a challenge, and while the game executes its concept exceptionally well, it does not reinvent the wheel. Players seeking something radically new might find themselves longing for a fresh mechanic or narrative element beyond the established formula. Despite this, the game's polish, level design, and balance of creativity and challenge make it one of the stronger entries in the genre.

Build a Bridge is a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle experience that rewards ingenuity, patience, and a sense of fun. Its combination of precise engineering challenges, playful experimentation, and satisfying physics-based results creates a game that is easy to pick up but endlessly engaging. The graphics, physics, and level design are all top-notch, and the optional challenges provide plenty of replayability. While it lacks a truly original twist to distinguish it from its competitors, it more than makes up for this with sheer enjoyment and accessibility. For anyone who loves puzzles, design, or watching glorious collapses, Build a Bridge is hard to beat. I would give it a solid 8.5 out of 10, with only the crowded market and lack of true originality holding it back from a higher score.

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/694110/Build_a_Bridge/

REVIEW: Formula Legends (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Formula Legends is clearly the type of game made by people who love motorsport, developed by 3DClouds, it's a bold attempt to bottle up six decades of open-wheel racing and hand it to Xbox players in one stylised package. At first glance, it feels like a real celebration of the sport, though a few frustrations hold it back from becoming the classic it wants to be.

Hungary Modern Early 20s

Visually, the game is a treat. The art style has a sharp, almost painterly edge to it that gives every circuit and car personality. The variety helps too. One moment you're hurtling through a sunlit marina in a car that looks like it's been lifted straight out of the 1960s, the next you're strapping into a futuristic machine bristling with energy recovery systems and digital dashboards. It's playful rather than hyper-realistic, but that's part of the charm.

The circuits are another highlight. Fourteen locations, each inspired by historic venues, evolve as the decades roll by. You notice the little changes, from broadcast overlays to trackside details, and it all feeds into the sense of travelling through different eras of racing. When the tracks open out, they flow brilliantly, offering a decent challenge without feeling unfair.

Italia Modern Early 00s 

Where Formula Legends really shines is in its atmosphere. There's something genuinely fun about recognising which legendary driver a fictional rival is meant to resemble. Story Mode makes good use of history too, letting you dip into key eras and stringing it together with enough narrative to keep things moving.

But then you hit the handling. And this is where the excitement wobbles. The cars never quite feel right. Cornering is heavy, almost sluggish, while straights feel oddly floaty, as if grip comes and goes without warning. It makes racing inconsistent, which is a problem for a game that's trying to find a balance between simulation and arcade thrills. The "sim-cade" approach is a tricky line to walk, and here it feels like the game hasn't quite nailed either end of the spectrum.

Mexico Modern Mid 10s

Another drawback is the lack of official names. This isn't a licensed product, and while the fictional universe has its charm, some players may find themselves wishing for the authenticity of real drivers and teams. The game's reinterpretations are often clever, but they never fully replace the thrill of seeing familiar legends officially represented.

Even so, there's plenty here to enjoy. Formula Legends is fun, it looks great, and it's stuffed with neat touches that show real affection for motorsport. The core issue is that the handling holds it back. If 3DClouds can fine-tune the driving model, this could go from being a solid racer to something special. Right now, it's close but not quite there.

Score: 6 out of 10, a stylish love letter to racing history that just needs better driving feel to match its ambition.

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/formula-legends/9p9vj822jrh9

REVIEW: Car Driving School Simulator (2025 Video Game) - On PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Car Driving School Simulator from BoomBit manages to strike a pretty decent balance between education and entertainment. On paper, a game that asks you to follow traffic rules sounds like it could be dry, even tedious. In practice, it's surprisingly engaging. The eight environments are impressively detailed, each offering its own quirks and challenges. From sunny Californian streets to snowy Aspen roads, and the busy avenues of New York, Tokyo, and Las Vegas, the variety keeps the experience fresh.

The game's vehicle roster is a definite highlight. Thirty cars range from everyday sedans and rugged 4x4s to muscle cars and even a supercar, giving players plenty of options to suit different missions or moods, driving with a trailer presents a definitive challenge. Handling feels solid across the board, and the optional first-person mode puts you firmly in the driver's seat, however its basically unplayable in my opinion, and doesn't really work, back to the old behind the car viewpoint for me. Traffic and pedestrian AI add another layer of tension, though it can be inconsistent. Sometimes it feels like everyone else is bending or outright ignoring the rules, which can be frustrating but also a little amusing once you get the hang of it.

Dynamic weather changes are another touch that keeps driving from feeling repetitive. Rain or snow can drastically alter handling, forcing you to adjust your approach rather than just barreling down the same streets mindlessly, remember to put your wipers on, or turn them off if needed, or else it will be marked against you. Free roam mode is a welcome addition for anyone who just wants to explore the maps at their own pace, offering a more relaxed counterpoint to the structured lessons and challenges.

On the downside, the AI's unpredictability can be jarring, especially when a pedestrian or car behaves erratically. It is arguably part of the challenge, but it occasionally feels unfair. The lack of UK-specific levels is also noticeable, particularly for players used to left-hand driving.

Car Driving School Simulator delivers a solid, fun experience that stands out in the driving sim genre. The balance of challenge, variety, and accessibility makes it appealing to both casual players and those seeking a bit more structure. It's not perfect, but there's enough thought and polish here to make it a satisfying drive.

I would give Car Driving School Simulator a 7.5 out of 10. With expanded content or additional maps, it could easily become a staple for fans of driving sims.

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3563700/Car_Driving_School_Simulator/