• Best PS5 Headset 2021

    PlayStation 5 doesn’t just improve your gaming lifestyle with gorgeous graphical upgrades, it also rounds out your experience with breathtaking 3D sound. The new PS5 console’s appropriately monikered Tempest 3D Audio feature is a spatial audio technology designed to envelop you in a squall of surround sound. That’s right; instead of adopting an existing 3D audio technology like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, Sony created its own. And, it’s supposed to expand its support over time.

    At the moment though, Tempest 3D Audio’s full sound prowess only works on a few gaming headsets. The good news is the technology should work on any headset compatible with the console, which leads us to the best PS5 headsets. Beyond compatibility with (or better yet, optimization for) the console, the best PS5 headset must also offer excellent sound quality, a clear mic, a comfortable fit, and great gaming features. And, it doesn’t hurt if it looks great on your head as well. You also need to like what you’re hearing and do so comfortably as well. For the best PS5 headsets, here are our top picks:

    TL;DR – These are our picks for the Best PS5 Headsets:

    1. Sony Pulse 3D

    Best PS5 Headset

    If there’s one PS5 headset that can truly paint pictures with sound and the assistance of Sony’s Tempest Engine, that would be the Sony Pulse 3D. After all, Sony did design the headset specifically to give gamers that full 3D audio experience that the PS5 is capable of, fine-tuning it for its 3D audio tech. In fact, this headset was launched alongside the console so they are a match made in sonic heaven. It’s got a few other aces up its sleeves as well. It’s sleek, light and very comfortable. It’s got a good quality mic. And, it’s got a pretty affordable price tag.

    It has its share of shortcomings – the 12-hour battery life will frustrate those who abhor having to charge their devices constantly. It could also be built more robustly and have a few more features like a top-quality mic, better noise isolation and even a better fit for glasses-wearing gamers. Even Bluetooth connectivity would have been nice. However, seeing as it is the first of its kind, it’s already a great headset with everything any PS5 player needs to get started.

    2. Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2

    Best PS5 Headset for Multiplayer

    If full Tempest 3D Audio support isn’t your top priority – the feature works on most headsets compatible with PS5, anyway – then the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is your best bet. It sits at the same price point as the Sony Pulse 3D, but instead of you paying for the Tempest fine-tuning, you’re paying for other features instead. Among those are Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing tech, which enhances all the sound details critical to your game, and the ProSpecs feature, which lets you comfortably wear the headset with your glasses on. There’s also that convenient flip-to-mute mic and longer battery life of 15 hours.

    There’s a bit more clamping force on these than other PS5 headsets, it’s a bit bare on connectivity options, and the construction is mostly plastic. But, it certainly makes up for those with its nice features, affordable price, and great performance. Plus, if you’re tired of the same all-black gaming peripherals, its white option pairs well with the PS5.

    3. Arctis Prime

    Best Wired PS5 Headset

    As SteelSeries’ more affordable offering in its Arctis line, the Arctis Prime is a bit trimmed down on features and sticks to the essentials. However, it hasn’t lost that signature Arctis sound we love and even audiophiles can appreciate. What the Prime lacks in frills, it makes up for in solid construction, breathable comfort, decent noise isolation, and naturally, great sound.

    It’s the best budget option, therefore, for PS5 gamers who just aren’t completely sold on wireless peripherals. Plug that 3.5mm jack to your PS5 gamepad, and you’re good to go – not to mention it also takes advantage of that 3D audio goodness. Granted, some folks would prefer more features on their headsets, but those who prefer a more back to basics approach, it’s a winner.

    4. SteelSeries Arctis 7P+

    Best Wireless PS5 Headset

    Shelling out a bit more cash might be worth it for those gamers who take their audio seriously and like to dabble in just about any console or gaming system. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ works with just about any system – not to mention both USB and USB-C transmitters – so you can have one headset to rule them all. It also has up to 30 hours of battery life, essentially beating Sony’s own offering. Naturally, being an Arctis headset, it boasts good sound quality, solid build quality, and great comfort – as well as the line’s ClearCast bidirectional retractable mic.

    Oh, and did we mention it comes with full Tempest 3D AudioTech compatibility? That’s right. This wireless PS5 headset will give you the full experience when it comes to the PS5’s coveted 3D audio immersion. So yeah, while this is a bit on the pricier side, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. Strangely enough, however, this might not be as good for music listening. But, we’re here for gaming, aren’t we?

    5. Razer Barracuda X

    Best PS5 Headset With Tempest 3D Audio

    Razer’s hat in the PS5 ring is all about immersion. The Razer Barracuda X is among the very few full adopters of Sony’s Tempest 3D AudioTech and it also offers THX Spatial Audio support for a 7.1 surround sound experience. Basically, whether you're playing on your PS5 or PC, this headset will put your right in the middle of the action. Just know that the THX Spatial Audio feature requires a paid app to activate, but it’s a one time fee for a lifetime of immersive gaming.

    There are other things we love about the Barracuda X as well – besides that funky 80s-esque moniker. It’s got a decently long battery life, is lightweight, plus a sleek and minimalist design that lets it pass for a regular pair of headphones. Pull out that detachable mic, and no one’s going to look at you weird when you’re on the plane or on a bus.

    6. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2

    Most Versatile PS5 Headset

    The first thing you’ll notice about the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is how luxurious it is to wear, like you’ve just wrapped around your head a cloud. It’s thanks to its cooling gel-infused plush memory foam ear pads. But, that’s not the only thing that makes this headset comfortable. Its ProSpecs design makes it possible for glasses-wearing gamers to enjoy their game in comfort as well. Performance-wise, it boasts great sound, up to 20 hours of battery life, and Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing features. It also supports virtual 7.1 surround sound through Windows Sonic.

    At this point, we might as well just make a bulleted list of its skills… Adding to its versatility is its compact USB wireless dongle. It comes with Bluetooth as well so you can pair it with your PC quickly and without fuss if you want to switch between platforms.

    7. Audeze Penrose

    Best Audiophile PS5 Headset

    The Audeze Penrose isn’t perfect. In fact, its initial fit has given us headaches. Quite literally. Its sound, however, is simply impeccable, hitting audiophile-level quality that we rarely ever see on gaming headsets. Some of Arctis’ high-end offerings might come close, but the Penrose still slays them all. So, if you’re more discerning about your sound, this might just be the PS5 gaming headset for you. As long as you’re ok with paying a premium, that is, as it doesn’t come cheap.

    You might be able to take comfort in the fact that it offers a lot of features, however. Multi-platform compatibility and multiple connectivity options add to its value. Then you factor in that terrific mic and the fact that you can use it for media consumption as well, and you’re getting a high return on investment. Just make sure to break it in.

    8. Astro A50

    Best High-End PS5 Headset

    To use the Astro A50 with your PS5, you’re going to need a few things and plug a bunch of cables on a bunch of ports on three different devices: your PS5, the A50 base station, and the Astro HDMI adapter for PS5. Don’t worry; the setup is pretty straightforward. It’s just a bunch of steps. So, why even bother? Well, excellent sound, Dolby surround sound processing, and Game:Voice balancing are only three of the many reasons. The Astro A50 is among the best gaming headsets out there, and that’s true for PS5 gaming as well.

    It’s also among the most comfortable – seriously, we could wear this for hours and not notice that it’s there – and one of the most versatile. In fact, if you already own the latest model, all you need to do is get that HDMI adapter and you’re all set. Got both PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles? Just get an additional Astro A50 charging base for Xbox Series X/S as well and you can share one headset across the two consoles.

    Michelle Rae Uy is a freelance tech and travel writer, part-time production editor, and a full-time traveler from Los Angeles, California. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles, London and the rest of the world. Follow her on Instagram @straywithRae.

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    Netflix’s Harder They Fall Pays Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

    The Harder They Fall, which debuts on Netflix today, includes a nice tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

    A post from Netflix's Strong Black Lead Twitter account says, "Our favorite trivia from #TheHarderTheyFall might be the fact that the train is named after our forever king, Chadwick Aaron Boseman."

    In the photo above, you can see the train car in the film says "C. A. BOSEMAN" on the side in honor of the late actor. If you watch the movie, keep an eye out for the train that shows up a few seconds after the 27-minute mark.

    Boseman passed away in August 2020 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was known for playing Black Panther in the MCU, as well as playing Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.

    Other tributes to Boseman since his passing include a statement from Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, nods in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and a change to the Black Panther intro on Disney+.

    The Harder They Fall is a Western film with an all Black leading cast, including Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, and Regina King. We called the movie "amazing", saying, "The Harder They Fall both subverts and embraces the Western tradition with some spectacular shootouts, slick dialogue, and a top-notch ensemble cast firing on all cylinders."

    Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

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    Take-Two Is Preparing for a Major Surge in Big Game Releases

    Take-Two, the parent company behind Rockstar, 2K, and Private Division, appears to be cooking up something big.

    For the last year and change, they've been telling shareholders to expect a significant, hefty release slate down the pipeline, promising last fiscal year a total of 93 games in the coming five years, and more recently outlining its plans for a slate of "immersive core releases" over the next three years.

    During today's earnings call, Take-Two continued to lay out expectations in a similar manner. Between April of 2022 and March of 2024, it's preparing over 60 new releases: 23 "immersive core" titles, similar to its 2K sports games, GTA, and Red Dead Redemption; six games from its independent game publishing label, Private Division; 20 mobile games, four "mid-core" games that are either arcade titles like WWE Battlegrounds or just generally smaller in scope than, say, GTA; and nine games that are either ports or remasters.

    That's a significant uptick from what Take-Two has produced in the past, specifically in the immersive core department. In recent years, Take-Two has largely produced a few big games per year, mostly annual 2K releases and then, sporadically, a GTA or Red Dead. On average, to get to 23 in that time frame, it would need to produce seven to eight big blockbuster games each year of that period. That's a lot of GTAs.

    We can see the very beginnings of this in Take-Two's current upcoming slate, which had NBA 2K22 out in September, WWE 2K22 set for March, and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands also in March. Looking into next year, we know about Midnight Suns (which just got delayed into the second half of 2022) and Kerbal Space Program 2 planned for fiscal 2023 (which Take-Two is counting as immersive core despite being under the Private Division label). It's also a fairly safe bet to expect the company to keep bringing out NBA 2K and WWE 2K games on a fairly regular basis, and there's an NFL game in the works that's been delayed past March of 2022 (though that may fall under the "arcade" banner).

    A look at Take-Two's investor slide presentation shows how they're preparing for this cascade. On a slide showing new hire numbers by fiscal year, Take-Two shows that from 2012 to 2017, it was only hiring a few hundred people per year. But in 2017, it jumped to hiring around 700 folks, and in 2019 and 2020 it hired a similar amount. Today's earnings report included the detail that Take-Two brought in 350 new developers in this quarter alone, not including more senior hires, and in a conversation with IGN, CEO Strauss Zelnick said Take-Two was now somewhere around 7,200 employees strong worldwide. As of it's 2020 annual report, the company was at about 5,800 — that's a 1,400 person jump since March of last year, and during a global pandemic too.

    Take-Two certainly has the resources for this surge. It's experienced consistent growth in its net bookings year after year, and expects to do so again in the current fiscal year. Just this last quarter, it brought in $985 million in net bookings. That's only up 3% year-over-year. But when you consider that it's been able to sustain net bookings growth since the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, that's fairly significant.

    Meanwhile, GTA V continues to sell absurd quantities — another five million in the last quarter, bringing it to 155 million units sold total over its lifetime — alongside Red Dead Redemption 2 (39 million total) and NBA 2K22 (five million total). Even smaller titles like The Outer Worlds (four million total) are doing very well for it. It's enough that the company raised its earnings projections for the full year today, despite delaying a massive Marvel game into next fiscal year — a move that would normally see projections take a hit.

    All this put together makes it apparent that we're about to see a big ramp-up of game announcements from Take-Two, most likely beginning sometime next year if everything is to be marketed in time to make these projections come true. While plenty of those big releases are likely to be 2K Sports titles and possibly more adventurous new ideas like Midnight Suns and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, rumors continue to swirl about GTA 6 — a game that would certainly fit in with the "immersive core" description.

    Fortunately for fans, the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition is coming up later this month, keeping the hope alive for now.

    Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

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    Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Ending Explained

    Square-Enix's Guardians of the Galaxy game puts players into Star Lord’s jet-boots to boss around everyone’s space-faring A-holes. As we covered in our review, it's a winning Marvel formula. But this new game exists outside of the MCU and the comic book versions we know and love, and these Guardians aren’t afraid to carve out their own section of the galaxy.

    So how exactly does the game's climactic ending draw from the Marvel Comics source material, and what does that tell us about the direction of a potential sequel? Let's take a deep dive into the ending, but beware of full spoilers ahead for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy!

    Showtime, A-Holes!

    Remember when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 teased the debut of Adam Warlock? Well, it turns out Square-Enix beat Marvel Studios to the punch by making this supposed cosmic messiah the final villain of their game.

    As the game reveals, Adam Warlock has a serious dark side known as Magus. Though Warlock attempted to seal Magus inside the Soul Stone (yes, the same Soul Stone Thanos was after in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame), the fanatical Church of Universal Truth manages to bring Magus back. They harness the power of Faith Energy, brainwashing thousands of innocent people into giving Magus the energy he needs to assume physical form. Even Nikki Gold, Star-Lord’s supposed daughter, is part of this plot to usher in a cosmic apocalypse.

    Fortunately, the Guardians manage to do the impossible and prevent Magus from returning to full power. Nikki comes to terms with her mother’s death, breaks free from Magus’ control and unleashes her latent abilities. Warlock then absorbs Magus’ spirit back into his own body, making himself whole once more.

    Guardians does have one more curveball to throw our way before the end, though. Warlock discovers too late he’s not strong enough to fight off Magus’ evil influence. In a scene similar to the climax of the first Guardians movie, Star-Lord wields the Soul Stone himself and manages to trap Magus’ spirit inside once again. So, basically, the galaxy is back to square one again.

    Why can Star-Lord wield an Infinity Stone without dying? In the movies, we learn he’s the son of Ego, a Celestial who takes the form of a living planet. But the game follows the comic books instead, revealing Star-Lord’s father is J’Son, ruler of the Spartax Empire. But either way, the point is that he’s more than just an ordinary human.

    Guardians ends with Warlock taking back the Soul Stone and promising to seek out the Guardians if he needs their help, while Nikki becomes the official sixth member of the team. She may not actually be Star-Lord’s biological daughter, but she’s a member of the family all the same.

    Adam Warlock, Magus and Thanos

    So who exactly is Adam Warlock, and why is he the main villain of the game? In the comics, he may be one of the few heroes able to stand up to Thanos, but fans know this golden messiah is truly his own worst enemy.

    This character first appeared in an early issue of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four, where a group of earth scientists create a genetically perfect being known as “Him.” However, it’s really writer/artist Jim Starlin who deserves credit for fleshing out the character and his twisted relationship with his darker half. Basically, Magus is a corrupted version of Warlock from the future, one who is driven insane by the power of the Soul Stone. Magus forms the Church of Universal Truth to weaponize the faith of an entire galaxy.

    Warlock ultimately defeats his evil self by travelling into the future and stealing his own soul, ensuring Magus can never be born. That’s comic book logic for you.

    It’s Warlock who discovers the Soul Stone is just one of six Infinity Stones that control the fundamental forces of creation in the Marvel Universe. Warlock plays a big part in defeating Thanos during 1991’s Infinity Gauntlet crossover. In the aftermath, he forms the Infinity Watch, a team of six heroes who each guard one Stone and ensure the full gauntlet can never be reconstructed.

    And because no one in the Marvel Universe ever stays dead forever, Adam Warlock has continued to fight an uphill battle in preventing Magus’ return. As long as Warlock exists, Magus will always be a threat.

    So where does Thanos fit into the game’s plot? Surprisingly, the Mad Titan is already dead by this point. We learn Drax finally made good on his mission to kill Thanos, cutting short a galaxy-wide killing spree by Thanos and his Chitauri army. This is also something that happened in the comics, with Drax slaying Thanos during the climax of 2006’s Annihilation. But again, no one ever stays dead forever, and Thanos is eventually resurrected to help deal with an even bigger threat. Speaking of which, Annihilation may just give us some clues as to where the story is headed in a second Guardians game…

    A Guardians of the Galaxy Sequel?

    While Square-Enix has yet to officially announce Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 2, we have to imagine a sequel is already in the early stages of development. The real question is where the story goes from here.

    Even though the core team lineup in the game follows the example of the first Guardians movie and the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, the actual plot is heavily inspired by comics like Annihilation, Annihilation: Conquest and the 2008 Guardians of the Galaxy series.

    The main throughline connecting all those cosmic storylines is the idea that devastating events like the Annihilation Wave have weakened the fabric of space and time. Adam Warlock forms a new version of the Guardians specifically to prevent more intergalactic catastrophes from occurring and tearing open the barriers between dimensions.

    Needless to say, the team fails in that mission. 2010’s The Thanos Imperative features an all-out war between the Guardians and a group of HP Lovecraft-style monsters from a realm known as the Cancerverse. Even Warlock succumbs to his dark side and becomes Magus again.

    We could see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 loosely adapting that storyline. Now that Peter Quill and his team have proven themselves as galaxy savers, they may be tasked with patrolling the cosmos and preventing new disasters that could tear holes in space and time. As in The Thanos Imperative, the climax may show us what happens when the team fails and new threats are let into the Marvel Universe. Like the comic, the game may even bring in a resurrected Thanos as backup against this new threat.

    With the first game introducing the Soul Stone, it’s also possible the full Infinity Gauntlet will be a major plot device next time. Maybe the game will revolve around the Guardians hunting for the stones before another Marvel villain can harness their power.

    We’d also expect a sequel to put plenty of focus on Nikki Gold, both as a new AI-controlled character and in terms of her relationship with Star-Lord. In the comics, Nikki is a member of the 31st Century version of the Guardians, so we might also see re-imagined versions of other futuristic Guardians like Vance Astro or Charlie-27.

    The sequel might also dig deeper into Star-Lord’s family history. Maybe his father J’Son will be a villain, someone who uses the chaotic aftermath of the battle with Magus to consolidate his power and gain new territory for the Spartax Empire. Let’s just say that Star-Lord’s dad isn’t the noble hero he’s always made him out to be.

    On that note, what did YOU think of Guardians of the Galaxy? Where do you want to see the story go next? What’s your dream Guardians squad, and what features or mechanics would you want in version 2.0? Let’s hear your best theories down in the comments.

    Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

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    The Launch Date of EA Sports PGA Tour Has Been Delayed

    The official Twitter account for EA Sports PGA Tour announced today that the game has been delayed, promising an update will follow in the coming months.

    "Hey golf fans, we wanted to let you know that we are shifting the launch date of EA Sports PGA Tour," the Tweet reads. "We're excited to bring championship golf to you and will be providing more information on our launch plans in the coming months."

    EA first announced the title in March and it was slated for release in spring 2022. Described as a "next-gen" golf game, the title would allow players to compete in the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Championship, and the Open Championship. It will be the first title released as part of a new deal between EA and the PGA Tour and the first new game using that license since 2015's Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.

    While the game will allow players to challenge many professional golfers, they won't be able to play Tiger Woods since he has an exclusive deal with 2K that placed him in PGA Tour 2K21, which released in August. His contract with EA ended in 2013, which also resulted in the end of the Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour series.

    Save for a few shots of the courses it will support, EA has revealed little of its new PGA Tour game since its original announcement. It's being touted as a "next-gen golf game," with a firm release date yet to be announced.

    Samantha Nelson is an IGN freelance writer. Find her on Twitter @samanthanelson1.

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