Bits: The Byteside Blog
Our 30 best video games of 2021
From Psychonauts 2 to Unpacking, it's been yet another brilliant year for gaming. Here are our picks for the best video games of 2021.
Our best tech buys of 2021
We've tested a bunch of tech this year, from keyboards to mesh routers and a whole lot of stuff in between. Here's our best tech picks for 2021.
There'll never be One True Metaverse
And that's a good thing.
WoW vs FFXIV vs Elder Scrolls Online: which MMO suits you?
Having spent ample time across the three biggest MMOs, Seamus shares his thoughts on what style of fun lies at the heart of each game.
Halo Infinite campaign review: open-world combat evolved
Halo Infinite's campaign combines a great story with the best parts of open-world design, without losing the series' beloved soul.
Hearthstone Mercenaries review: great ideas locked behind a grind
Complex layers of skill-based play are a feature of Mercenaries, but all too soon you hit a grind wall that is less fun than it should be.
Byteside is hiring an Editorial Assistant - are you the one?
Byteside is seeking a part-time content assistant to help produce podcasts, articles, and other content covering ICT and digital industries.
How to backup and restore a new Apple Watch correctly
Backing up, updating and transferring your settings to a new Apple Watch is a confusing mess. Here's how to get it done properly.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2): an easy top choice soundbar under $1,000
With the Dolby Atmos upgrade and a more spacious sound experience, the second generation Beam is an excellent soundbar at a great price.
HTC Vive Pro 2 review: ahead of the curve (too far?)
5K resolution @ 120Hz is amazing on paper, but sweet spot clarity is limited and you need an epic GPU to reach Vive Pro 2's full potential.
SteelSeries Prime hardware nails your fuss-free frags
The Prime mice and headset dial back the bling in favour of esports performance at a mid-tier price, making it a winner for many buyers.
The therapist in your phone: are apps the answer to our mental health crisis?
We check in with users and professionals for insights on the value of digital mental health services in offering anywhere, anytime support.
How two books, one broken computer and an out-of-print tabletop game led to The Veil: Inheritance
After venturing into the post-cyberpunk scene, the aesthetics and philosophy of bio-punk were a natural next-stop for Fraser Simon's RPG.
Amazon Astro's sad destiny
Remember CLOi? Exactly...
Slow down for 'new phone' day
When upgrading to a new phone, it's worth taking the moment to think about everything you do with it.
Has that MVP got the right V?
And why Ray-Ban Stories aren't all that viable.
Deathloop's capacity to surprise is the most compelling reason to keep looping
Deathloop's opening hours are full of all sorts of delicious story hooks and gameplay surprises, which has me excited for what's to come.
Lost in the settings
I know my way around system menus. And I love exploring how to optimise the tools I use. The fact they exist can often be a big part of whether I feel like it’s safe to fall in love with a given piece of software – is this willing to let me make it work ‘just right’?
Data and how you slice it
There's always a reason to present data in very specific ways.
A retelling of anxiety through the thoughtful platformer Celeste
Unlike so many media depictions of anxiety, Celeste reflects the messy, non-linear nature of dealing with mental illness.
