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I tested Zluri and found it delivers complete SaaS management, with excellent discovery tools, security, and cost-saving features

by admin May 22, 2025

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Zluri provides a comprehensive software asset management platform that helps IT teams see and control their SaaS applications from start to finish. We found it great for discovering apps across the organization, even the most elusive shadow IT. During our tests, Zluri’s easy-to-use dashboard helped us track usage, manage licenses, and optimize spending on a range of business software.

The platform’s main strength is its discovery engine. It uses 9 different methods to ensure 100% SaaS discoverability. We were impressed by how quickly Zluri connected with existing systems like SSO, financial tools, and browser extensions. The automated workflows for onboarding and offboarding employees can save your IT team a lot of time. It automatically manages access based on employee status changes, too.

Cost optimization is another area where Zluri excels. It helps you spot underused subscriptions and duplicate apps. We liked the renewal monitoring feature, which tracks end dates and sends reminders. This prevents missed renewals and opens up chances for negotiation. AI-powered license forecasting helps with budgeting, allowing your team to make informed decisions about software.

Zluri: Plans and pricing

Zluri has a flexible pricing model based on employee count. Plans start at about $4-8 per user each month for their core SaaS management platform. The pricing includes Standard, Professional, and Enterprise options. Higher tiers come with extra features like advanced automation, custom integrations, and dedicated support.

In our testing, the Professional plan stood out for mid-sized organizations. It strikes a good balance of features and value. This plan gives access to key tools such as application discovery, license management, and basic workflow automation.

Zluri also offers a free trial. This lets organizations test the platform before subscribing. We liked the clear pricing model — there were no hidden fees or surprises during our evaluation. For larger enterprises, Zluri offers custom pricing. This can be tailored to include specific modules or integration options based on needs.

(Image credit: Zluri)

Zluri: Features

Zluri’s complete SaaS management platform has many strong features. During testing, we found it great for spotting shadow IT and improving workflows for IT admins. Here are the key features that stood out during our evaluation:

Application discovery and management

Zluri’s discovery engine was very effective at finding SaaS apps used in our testing, even those not approved by IT. We were impressed by how the platform connected with our financial systems, SSO providers, and browser agents to build a complete app inventory. The central dashboard simplified categorizing apps, tracking usage metrics, and spotting security risks. This gave us clear visibility into the whole SaaS landscape.

Automated workflows

The workflow automation features reduce admin work by simplifying onboarding, offboarding, and access management. The pre-built workflows were easy to customize, allowing us to automate license assignments and access revocations.

Another great thing is that the platform integrates with HR software systems, so employee status changes automatically trigger updates to software access. This reduces security risks and keeps you compliant with internal policies.

License optimization

Zluri’s license management features uncovered major cost-saving opportunities in our sample portfolio. The platform’s analytics showed us underused licenses, duplicate subscriptions, and chances to consolidate or downgrade. We especially liked the renewal calendar, which gave alerts for upcoming renewals. This could help the procurement team negotiate better and avoid unwanted auto-renewals.

Compliance safeguards

The security and compliance features give lots of useful insights into vulnerabilities in a software ecosystem. We found the risk assessment dashboard particularly helpful for spotting applications with poor security practices or compliance issues. The access certification workflows make it easy to review user permissions, so that regulatory requirements can be met even with less administrative work.

(Image credit: Zluri)

Zluri: Analytics

Zluri’s analytics offer deep insights via data visualization into SaaS usage, spending, and security. The easy-to-use dashboards provide both broad overviews and detailed views. This helps IT admins spot trends, anomalies, and chances for optimization quickly. We found the spend analytics especially useful. They clearly visualized costs by department, application category, and time period. This helped us find ways to combine redundant tools and renegotiate contracts.

User-level analytics give clear insights into application adoption and engagement across the organization. We were able to track inactive users, find power users, and monitor license usage. This data could help you make smart choices about resource allocation. The customizable reports also generate specific insights for different stakeholders, making it easier to get to the issues you care about.

(Image credit: Zluri)

Zluri: Ease of use

Zluri’s user interface balances strong functionality with an easy-to-use design. This makes it friendly for teams new to SaaS management. The dashboard is clean and organized, showing key metrics at a glance. You can navigate it easily to get detailed views for specific applications, departments, or users. During testing, we were able to master the interface quickly, after only a brief orientation. Contextual help features also offer useful guidance for complex tasks.

The platform’s workflow automation cuts down the learning curve even more by simplifying common tasks that usually need several steps. We liked the smart design of the application discovery process, which can integrate with various data sources without coding. Some of the advanced features, like custom integrations and complex workflows, need technical skills however. Still, Zluri offers templates and wizards to make these features easier to access.

(Image credit: Zluri)

Zluri: Support

Zluri provides different support options based on pricing plans. All customers can access email support, knowledge base resources, and regular webinars. In our evaluation, we found the support team to be both responsive and knowledgeable. They usually reply to inquiries within a few hours and offer clear, actionable solutions. The platform’s implementation specialists are especially helpful during setup. They give personalized guidance for integrating with your systems and customizing workflows to meet your needs.

(Image credit: Zluri)

Zluri: Security

Zluri shows a strong commitment to security. It has SOC 2 Type II certification, regular penetration testing, and robust data encryption for data both in transit and at rest. The platform’s handling of user permissions is also pretty robust. It offers granular role-based access controls, letting organizations define what team members can see and change in the system based on their jobs.

Zluri’s clear security documentation was another highlight during our research. But it doesn’t just commit to these security standards for its own platform. Zluri can proactively spot security risks in your existing SaaS ecosystem. This includes applications without proper security certifications or those storing sensitive data.

Zluri: The Competition

Zluri has many competitors, including BetterCloud, Torii, and Productiv. Each has its strengths and focus areas.

BetterCloud excels in workflow automation and has been around longer. However, Zluri’s discovery engine is better at spotting shadow IT. Its interface is also more user-friendly for daily tasks.

Torii offers similar core features, focusing on automated workflows and a sleek interface. Still, Zluri stands out with stronger financial optimization and vendor management.

Productiv is all about application engagement analytics and benchmarking. This appeals to organizations that value adoption metrics and ROI analysis. For enterprises using ServiceNow, Productiv’s SaaS Operations Management module provides integration benefits. However, it lacks the same depth and specialization as Zluri.

While each competitor has unique strengths, Zluri provides the best mix of discovery, cost optimization, workflow automation, and ease of use.

Zluri: Final Verdict

Zluri delivers on its promise of great SaaS management. It offers strong discovery features, an easy-to-use interface, and useful cost optimization tools.

During our evaluation, we found the platform excels at finding shadow IT, improving workflows, and giving insights to optimize software spending.

The initial setup does take time and resources. Some advanced features can be harder to learn. Still, Zluri’s ongoing improvements and helpful support team make it a strong option for organizations with a complex tech stack.

We’ve listed the best IT documentation tool.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Grow A Garden Is One Of The Most Popular Games On The Planet

by admin May 22, 2025

It’s likely that you’ve never played or even heard of Grow a Garden, a new user-created experience in Roblox. But millions of people have. In fact, the very simple farming sim at one point had over 5 million active players, beating out games like Counter-Strike 2 and Marvel Rivals on Steam. It’s likely Grow a Garden is one of the most played games on the planet right now. And it was developed by a teenager in a few days.

The Top 10 Most Played Games On Steam Deck: February 2024 Edition

On May 21, as highlighted in a new report by GameFile, Grow a Garden has become the most popular game on Roblox, which itself is a massive platform with millions of active users. As I write this on a Wednesday, Grow a Garden is hovering at around 1 million CCUs (Concurrent Users), making it easily the most popular game on Roblox. It would also outrank everything on Steam except Counter-Strike 2, according to SteamDB. But on May 17 (a Saturday), Grow a Garden had over 5 million active players, the first game to ever do so on Roblox. At that number, Grow a Garden would be nearly twice as popular as PUBG on its best day which, at a peak of just over 3.2 million, still holds the record on Steam.

So yeah, Grow a Garden is popular. The simple farming game was developed by a teenager according to Janzen Madsen, the owner of Splitting Point, a game studio which has taken over management of the game since it hit the big time. Madsen told GameFile that the unnamed creator still retains “like 50 percent of the game.”

Madsen told the outlet that the original creator made Grow a Garden in about three days. And it shows. Watching gameplay of it, the menus, visuals, and gameplay are very basic and look more like a prototype of something that will be finished later. But this is the game. And millions of people around the world are playing it everyday, growing crops and sharing videos of their adventures on TikTok.

While some might be surprised that something like Grow a Garden is reaching millions of players, the reality is that Roblox has become a massive platform. It recently, with the help of hit games like Grow a Garden, reached over 16 million active users. Games like Brookhaven, Dress to Impress, and Adopt Me are more likely to be the games kids are playing these days than GTA, Call of Duty, or even Minecraft.

Of course, anything that’s this popular and making this much money is bound to be filled with bad actors and scammers. And yes, there’s a very well-documented seedy underbelly of Roblox, with allegations that kids are being exploited by adults and evidence of some truly horrible shit happening in servers around the game. But so far, Grow a Garden seems to be a mostly wholesome piece of the Roblox ecosystem. It’s also a sign that we are entering a new era of video games, even if I’m not sure it’s a better one.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

Why did Bitcoin just hit an all-time high?

by admin May 22, 2025

Bitcoin surged past $110,000 on Wednesday evening, setting a new all-time high as crypto rallied hard.

The previous peak for Bitcoin (BTC), reached during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, was surpassed in late morning trading, according to crypto.news data. The buying momentum sustained after U.S. equity markets closed with the largest cryptocurrency by market cap pushing above $110,000.

Bitcoin has gained more than 4.5% in the past 24 hours and over 23% in the last month, reflecting a sharp reversal from April’s downturn.

U.S. equities

The rally mirrors the broader recovery in U.S. equities, despite Wednesday’s sell-off on Wall Street. Since late April, the S&P 500 has climbed 15%, while the Nasdaq is up more than 21%. Analysts attribute the bounce to growing optimism that President Trump’s trade policies may be less aggressive than initially feared.

After introducing steep tariffs in early April—including a blanket 10% import tax and additional penalties for Chinese goods—the White House signaled a partial retreat.

A 90-day pause on the most severe measures was announced last week by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent following negotiations with Chinese officials.

Bitcoin initially fell to a two-month low of $76,000 shortly after Trump unveiled the tariffs, reflecting market fears over a broader global slowdown.

Despite Bitcoin’s reputation as a hedge against traditional financial assets, it often trades in tandem with risk-on equities, especially tech stocks.

What’s going on with Bitcoin?

Some of Bitcoin’s momentum appears driven by crypto-native catalysts. Enclave Markets CEO Phil Wirtjes said the rally was “likely aided by policy advancements,” particularly bipartisan progress on stablecoin legislation.

A draft bill that would establish clearer rules for USD-backed digital tokens has gained traction in the Senate.

Institutional demand has also picked up. Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $329 million in inflows over the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin’s latest rally raises questions about how much of its performance is driven by macro versus crypto-native factors.

While regulatory clarity and ETF inflows are key tailwinds, the correlation with stocks suggests that investor appetite for risk remains a dominant force in both arenas.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Amalgam Founder Charged With Running ‘Sham Blockchain’, Taking $1M From Investors

by admin May 22, 2025

Prosecutors have charged Jeremy Jordan-Jones, the self-styled founder of a now-defunct crypto startup called Amalgam, with fraud, alleging that he swindled investors in his “sham blockchain” of more than $1 million, using the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.

According to prosecutors, Jordan-Jones painted Amalgam as a tech company that created blockchain-based point-of-sale payment systems, which he claimed had multi-million-dollar partnerships with sports teams including the Golden State Warriors and a professional soccer team in England’s Premier League, as well as a big restaurant conglomerate with more than 500 restaurants. None of these partnerships existed, prosecutors said. Jordan-Jones also allegedly solicited investments from would-be investors by telling them the money would be used to facilitate the listing of Amalgam’s non-existent crypto token on a crypto exchange.

While allegedly spinning stories for investors — including a venture capital firm, identified in a 2022 Forbes article as Brown Venture Group — prosecutors say Jordan-Jones was blowing their money on a luxurious lifestyle for himself, including “hotels and restaurants in Miami,” car payments, and designer clothing.

“Jordan-Jones, capitalizing on the publicity around blockchain technology, perpetrated a brazen scheme to defraud investors,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in a Tuesday press announcement. “He touted his company as a groundbreaking blockchain startup, backed by high-profile partnerships. In reality, Jordan-Jones’s company was a sham, and investors’ funds were siphoned off to bankroll his lavish lifestyle. This should be an example to would-be financial fraudsters that the women and men of the Southern District and the FBI are watching and to the investing public that fraudsters often use the promise of new technology to cloak their schemes.”

Additionally, prosecutors have accused Jordan-Jones of providing falsified documents to a financial institution, which he used to fraudulently obtain a corporate credit card, running up a $350,000 balance before the bank closed his account.

Jordan-Jones has been charged with one count each of wire fraud, securities fraud, making false statements to a financial institution and aggravated identity theft — charges which carry a combined maximum sentence of 82 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

The best MagSafe and Qi2 chargers for iPhones (and the Galaxy S25)

by admin May 22, 2025

Wireless charging is slower and less efficient than plugging in a wire, but it’s certainly convenient — especially when you add magnets. Most people who have an iPhone 12 or later (except the 16E) and want a magnetic charger should get a Qi2 charger. Any Qi2-certified charger will charge a MagSafe iPhone up to 15W — just as fast as MagSafe on any phone but the 25W-capable iPhone 16. Qi2 chargers are also less expensive than MagSafe-certified ones, and there are many more options. And unlike MagSafe, Qi2 is an open standard.

All of Samsung’s Galaxy S25-series phones — including the new S25 Edge — are “Qi2 Ready,” which means they don’t have the magnets, but they can charge up to 15W on a Qi2 charger when paired with a Qi2 Ready magnetic case. While it’s disappointing that Samsung didn’t include Qi2 in the phones themselves, most people use a case, so this feels like a small price to pay for access to the huge ecosystem of Qi2 accessories. If you use Android and like the sound of Qi2, we expect Google and others to release more Qi2-compatible phones later this year.

Qi2 adds some much-needed simplicity to the magnetic charging ecosystem. The options that once consisted of MagSafe-certified chargers (made or licensed by Apple, capable of 15W charging on iPhones) and “MagSafe-compatible” chargers (made by third parties, capable of 7.5W charging on iPhones) are now being replaced by Qi2.

Unless you can get a great deal or you have an iPhone 16, the only MagSafe-certified charger still worth considering is Apple’s improved puck. The 16-series iPhones can charge up to 25W on the new charger and the new charger only. The new charger is also Qi2-certified, so it’s worth considering for once.

$49

Apple’s updated MagSafe Charger is the only model that can currently supply up to 25W power to iPhone 16 series phones. It even works with non-Apple Qi2 devices.

$110

The excellent 3-in-1 BoostCharge Pro stand offers 15W wireless charging and a refined design, one that allows the attached phone to tilt.

$70

Anker’s MagGo power bank features 6,600mAh capacity and a built-in stand that, while bigger than it needs to be, is far sturdier than the kickstands on competing models.

$20

You’ll need to supply your own USB-C power adapter, but ESR’s compact Qi2 charger remains a great budget pick that can be either vent- or dash-mounted in your car.

There’s little reason to get a “MagSafe-compatible” charger unless you’re an Android user with a magnetic phone case on a phone that isn’t Qi2 Ready. The original Qi phones fall back to 5W charging on Qi2 but can charge up to 10W with a regular Qi charger, while Qi2 Ready phones can charge up to 15W when paired with the proper magnet case and charger.

Confused? Check out the table below that summarizes these charging speed nuances, and read on for our favorites of the Qi2 and MagSafe pucks, stands, 3-in-1 chargers, and battery packs we’ve tested so far.

MagSafe / Qi2 Maximum charge rates

Charger type

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro

iPhone 12 – 15

Non-Qi2 phones

New Apple MagSafe / Qi2 chargerUp to 25WUp to 15W5WQi2Up to 15WUp to 15W5WMagSafe-certifiedUp to 15WUp to 15W (12W for Minis)less than 5W (Apple being Apple)MagSafe-compatible / Qi with magnetsUp to 7.5WUp to 7.5WUp to 10W

What we’re looking for

Qi2 or MagSafe certification

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The Qi2 certification ensures not just proper 15W charging, but also the strength and position of the alignment magnets. Anybody can slap a ring of magnets around a cheap Qi coil and call it MagSafe-compatible, but if it isn’t certified, you won’t get more than 7.5W charging from it, and there’s no guarantee that the magnets will be strong enough. MagSafe certification is fine too, but MagSafe chargers tend to be more expensive than Qi2, aren’t compatible with non-iPhones, and (with the exception of the new one) aren’t any faster than Qi2.

Convenience

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Does it include the AC adapter? Is the cable long enough? Can it charge more than one device?

Portability

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Does the charger travel easily, or is it best left in one spot to never move?

Design

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Is it janky or refined? Does it have clever design elements or bonus features?

Value

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Does this charger offer a better value than most, or at least justify its price?

Best for the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro

$49

Apple’s updated magnetic charging puck is available in two sizes, 1m and 2m, and supports 15W MagSafe / Qi2 charging as well as 25W charging on the iPhone 16 only.

Certification: MagSafe, Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 25W (iPhone 16), 15W (Qi2) / Cable length: 6.6ft / 2m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: no / Warranty: One year

While Qi2 is as fast as MagSafe on the iPhones 12 through 15, Apple has moved the goalposts with the iPhone 16 generation. The new phones can charge at up to 25W with the updated MagSafe Charger — making it the best choice for owners of the latest iPhone. It’s great to see faster wireless charging, but it does mean you’re again incentivized to buy Apple’s puck over cheaper, more widely available Qi2 options.

For once, there’s good reason to consider the Apple puck. It’s Qi2-certified as well as MagSafe, so it’ll work with non-Apple Qi2 devices, should those materialize. And the company has finally added a version with a 2m / 6.6ft cable instead of only offering a too-short 1m / 3.3ft one. Get the longer one. You’ll also need an AC adapter since it doesn’t come with one. Both Anker and Nomad, among others, have options that are smaller and cheaper than Apple’s USB-C chargers. Nomad’s, in particular, has a nice, flat design.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Best Qi2 charging puck overall

$19

The latest version of Anker’s magnetic MagGo charging pads supports 15W Qi2 and has a five-foot USB-C cable.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes, optional / Warranty: Two years

Any Qi2-certified charger will charge any MagSafe iPhone at 15W (except for the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini, which top out at 12W). If you just want a basic puck, we like Anker’s MagGo Qi2 wireless charging pad. Its five-foot cable is shorter than the 6.6-foot one on Apple’s new MagSafe charger, but it’s also $20 cheaper. When you consider that Anker includes an AC adapter and Apple doesn’t, it’s more like $40 cheaper. Unless you have an iPhone 16 and really want that 25W charging, the Anker Qi2 puck is a better value.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Best Qi2 3-in-1 charger for travel

$117

The Satechi 3-in-1 has a sturdy aluminum frame and folds flat for travel. Its included 45W power adapter allows simultaneous charging of a Qi2 phone, wireless earbuds, and Apple Watch (with fast-charging).

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes / Warranty: One year

The Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand makes a great travel charger for people who hit the road with an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It folds up flat and compact enough to easily slip into a bag or carry-on pocket, and it includes a 45W power plug with prong adapters that cover most of the globe. Its aluminum and faux-leather construction is also substantial enough, and its design elevated enough, to be the main 3-in-1 charger on your desk once you’re back home. (There’s also a 2-in-1 version without the Apple Watch charger, which is similarly nice but doesn’t come with an AC adapter.)

$82

Anker’s Qi2-certified MagGo Wireless Charging Station unfolds to wirelessly charge a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a pair of AirPods, all at the same time.

Anker’s folding 3-in-1 is smaller and more compact than the Satechi — it’s more like a bar of soap than a bar of chocolate — but it doesn’t include prong adapters. Also, its lighter build makes it easy to accidentally pick up the whole charger when you just meant to grab your phone and gives it more limited articulation for home desktop use. It’s best suited for frequent travelers who don’t want to pack up their home charger before every trip.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

Best Qi2 3-in-1 stand for home

$110

The latest version of Belkin’s 3-in-1 BoostCharge Pro stand uses Qi2 for 15W wireless charging and a refined design allowing the attached phone to tilt. It also comes with a compact 36W USB-C power adapter.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Apple Watch fast charging: Yes / Cable length: about 5ft / 1.5m (permanently attached) / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: Yes / Warranty: Two years

Once again, the Belkin “tree” towers over all others when it comes to a 3-in-1 for home use. The latest version fixes some of our minor grievances from its predecessors while adopting the Qi2 standard. It now uses an included 36W USB-C power adapter instead of a gigantic plug with a barrel connector, and the elevated Qi2 mount can tilt your phone in a variety of angles. Its nylon-wrapped USB-C cable isn’t detachable, but at least it’s about five feet long.

— Antonio G. Di Benedetto

$70

A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: about 5ft / 1.5m / Connector type: 12V AC / AC adapter included: Attached / Warranty: Two years

Staff opinions on this orb are, frankly, divided, but I had it on my desk for a while, and after I sent it back, I missed it enough that I bought one. This Death Star-looking thing has a Qi2 pad on the front and two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC outlets on the back, with up to 67W charging between them. Fully utilized, yeah, it’s gonna look like a cable octopus, but it’s nice to have something in arm’s reach that can charge your phone, your laptop, and whatever else you’ve got going on.

$70

A 6,600mAh Qi2 power bank with a hefty built-in stand. It’s bigger than it needs to be but the stand is a lot sturdier than the flimsy kickstands on other magnetic power banks.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: up to 15W / Cell capacity: 25.41Wh (6,600mAh) / Connector type: USB-C / Warranty: Two years

This folding Qi2 battery pack doubles as a phone stand and has 6,600mAh capacity, which is more than enough to fully charge even an iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can also charge from its USB-C port if you prefer. It’s not the slimmest Qi2 battery, but it’s sturdy enough to hold the phone in landscape mode without toppling, which is nice.

Read our hands-on with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K).

$20

A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review.

Certification: Qi2 / Wireless charge output: 15W / Cable length: 3.3ft / 1m / Connector type: USB-C / AC adapter included: No / Warranty: One year

The Verge’s Thomas Ricker and I both like this compact Qi2 car charger. It can be either vent- or dash-mounted, and it’s inexpensive, though you’ll have to supply your own USB-C power adapter. I bought the “CryoBoost” version, which has a cooling fan, since I live in sweltering Texas. And since my car is ancient and my old Bluetooth FM transmitter’s USB port couldn’t power the Qi2 pad, I also got this 60W FM transmitter / USB-C charger thing. It plugs into the 12V (the “cigarette lighter”) port and has an integrated coiled 30W USB-C cable, which I use for the ESR Qi2 charger, plus another 30W USB-C PD port, a USB-A port, and the aforementioned Bluetooth FM transmitter. Honestly, a killer deal.

There are a ton of Qi2 car mounts out there, and we have a few more in the queue, but this one’s good!

Read our full review of the ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger.

Other chargers worth considering

Now that Qi2 is widely available, it’s a safe bet that you’re at least getting something decent if it’s Qi2-certified and it’s from a reputable brand. While our best-ofs above don’t cover every single make and model of charger out there, we’re frequently testing units from the likes of Anker, Belkin, Casetify, Mophie, Nomad, Satechi, Ugreen, Peak Design, Zens, Sharge, and ESR. If there’s a Qi2 charger from one of them that seems like a good fit for your particular needs and your budget, it’s likely worth a shot. When in doubt, know the retailer’s return policy and the manufacturer’s warranty if it ends up not being to your liking.

Update, May 21st: Adjusted pricing / availability for several options and noted that the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge also supports Qi2 charging when paired with the proper case.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Updated 2025 top 50 MLB prospects: Anthony, Chandler, more

by admin May 22, 2025

Kiley McDanielMay 21, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
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- ESPN MLB Insider
- Kiley McDaniel covers MLB prospects, the MLB Draft and more, including trades and free agency.
- Has worked for three MLB teams.

Now that we’re nearly two months into the 2025 MLB season, many of the best young players going into the season have graduated from top 100 eligibility and a new wave of prospects has started shining.

And since this is also the time of year when the conversation across the sport shifts into trade speculation, it’s the perfect opportunity to update my minor league prospect ranking — just before some of these players appear in deals over the coming months.

Though we have recently updated the rankings of the top 10 prospects in all 30 MLB farm systems (and will continue to do so monthly throughout the season), this is my first update to the offseason top 100 prospects list. You can read that intro for info on the Future Value (FV) tiers and deeper scouting reports. Players in the big leagues are eligible for this update (MLB rookie eligibility rules apply here — 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster), but players projected to lose eligibility in the next week or so are not included.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

To be clear, these are the players who have graduated (or are about to this season), taking them out of the mix for a spot: Roki Sasaki (No. 1 on preseason top 100), Dylan Crews (No. 6), Jackson Jobe (No. 7), Jasson Dominguez (No. 24), Kristian Campbell (No. 26), Jacob Wilson (No. 31), Drake Baldwin (No. 44), Cam Smith (No. 73). Matt Shaw, Nick Kurtz and Agustin Ramirez are included below, but they should graduate within the next month.

Now on to the top 50 MLB prospects, along with those who just missed out.

60 FV Tier

Roman Anthony has ascended to the No. 1 spot in our rankings. Is a call-up to Boston in his immediate future? Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

1. Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

Anthony held serve as the default top prospect after Sasaki graduated from the No. 1 spot. The only real area for improvement left in Anthony’s offensive game is turning more of his 30-plus-homer-level raw power into home runs with better or more consistent lift/pull to his swing.

2. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Chandler was a raw high school pitching prospect in the 2021 draft, given the time he spent as a quarterback, shortstop and switch-hitter before the Pirates took him in the third round. He’s now a polished, big league-ready potential front-line starter. His high-90s, plus-plus heater is possibly the best in the minor leagues, and he also has two above-average breakers, a plus changeup and above-average command.

3. Leodalis De Vries, SS, San Diego Padres

De Vries gets the edge among a group of three high-upside teenage shortstops appearing in a row. He has the best on-base and pull/lift skills of the three, while also being a switch-hitter who is at least as good defensively at shortstop as the other two. De Vries has the tools to be above average at everything, with potential for 25-30 homers.

MLB prospect rankings for 2025

How bright is your team’s future? Kiley McDaniel ranks the top prospects and farm systems entering the 2025 MLB season.

Top 100 MLB prospects » | 101-200 »
Ranking all 30 farm systems » | Team top 10s »
Bold predictions » | Fantasy: Names to watch »

4. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers

Walcott has gone from a long shot shortstop to now looking like an average long-term defender at the position, as is sometimes the case with big, athletic infielders (like current Rangers shortstop Corey Seager). Walcott has the most power of the three teen shortstops, with a shot to one day hit 40 homers, though his soft skills (on-base, pull/lift) are a notch behind De Vries.

5. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers

You heard about him here first last summer, when I put him at No. 45 in my August top 100 while he was still playing in the Dominican Summer League. When watching Made, I can’t help but see some of the same actions and posture of Ozzie Albies, but Made is five or six inches taller so he has more physical upside. To wit: Made’s exit velos (he just turned 18 this month) are within a tick or two of Albies’ career bests. It’s too early to know exactly what position he’ll end up playing (shortstop or second base) or what his ultimate offensive profile will be, but he looks like a potential star.

6. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
7. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

Mayer and Lawlar have been ranked very close to each other (or literally back-to-back) going all the way back to the 2021 draft, and here they are again. Lawlar is back in the big leagues after a strong start, and Mayer is in Triple-A and seems like an option to debut later this season. Lawlar is a better runner and defender, and Mayer is a left-handed hitter and a better pure hitter.

8. Max Clark, OF, Detroit Tigers
9. Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins

I’ve also had Clark and Jenkins basically back-to-back since they both went in the top five picks in the 2023 draft. Injuries have limited how much Jenkins has been on the field, but he has been outstanding when he plays: a plus-plus hitter with plus power who can help at all three outfield spots. Clark is a plus-plus runner who is a definite center fielder and has solid-average raw power, but his hit tool and approach are plus.

10. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners
11. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

Emerson and McGonigle both were selected in the back half of the first round as high school hitters in the 2023 draft. Both are possible shortstops who will probably play more second base in the big leagues, especially if their teams have a plus defender there. They are plus hitters with a good approach and above-average raw power projections, along with some feel to get to it in games.

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12. Chase Burns, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Burns might not look like a command specialist with his loud delivery and upper-90s fastball, but he’s in the strike zone an awful lot. His 86-90 mph slider is possibly the best breaking ball in the minor leagues, and his fastball sits 96-100 mph.

13. Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles
14. Dalton Rushing, C, Los Angeles Dodgers

Both Basallo and Rushing are solid (but not great) defenders with power-over-hit profiles. Rushing just got called up, and Basallo is already in Triple-A and still only 20 years old. Rushing has a much better approach — Basallo still chases too much — but Basallo has three grades more raw power, so he gets the edge due to upside and age.

15. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies

Miller is a shortstop who probably slides over to third base in the big leagues, and Bazzana should stick at second base. Bazzana is a slightly better runner and on-base threat, and Miller has more raw power. I’ll go with Bazzana’s soft skills, but their outlooks at the big league level are similar. (Bazzana will sit out at least eight to 10 weeks because of an oblique strain.)

17. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers

I can’t get the Yordan Alvarez comparison I heard at least a year ago out of my head when evaluating De Paula. He won’t offer much speed or defensive value, but he has 30-homer upside and a great approach.

55 FV Tier

Jac Caglianone is off to a strong start in the minors. Will the 2024 draft pick make his Kansas City debut this season? AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

18. Jac Caglianone, 1B, Kansas City Royals
19. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
20. Jett Williams, SS, New York Mets
21. Zyhir Hope, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
22. Bryce Rainer, SS, Detroit Tigers
23. Andrew Painter, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
24. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
25. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres
26. Chase Dollander, RHP, Colorado Rockies
27. Carson Williams, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
28. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox
29. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
30. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee
31. Cole Young, SS, Seattle Mariners
32. J.J. Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
33. Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox
34. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees
35. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins

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Caglianone continues to make progress, but there are some other big arrow-up prospects from the 2024 draft here, with Griffin, Rainer and Kurtz all up a good bit. Griffin’s swing concerns have calmed significantly, and his upside is still very high. Rainer has hit more and shown more power than I expected, and Kurtz’s shoulder issues seem to have been overstated at draft time. I’ve always been high on Williams, and he’s back to being healthy and performing — as is Painter. Misiorowski is throwing strikes in Triple-A … which could be for real? Nimmala, Hope and Lombard are some arrow-up hitters who were distinct possibilities to do so when they appeared on the preseason list.

50 FV Tier

Moises Ballesteros collected his first major league hit during a brief May call-up by the Cubs. Sam Navarro/Imagn Images

36. Moises Ballesteros, C, Chicago Cubs
37. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins
38. Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs
39. Luke Keaschall, 2B, Minnesota Twins
40. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians
41. Coby Mayo, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
42. Jonny Farmelo, CF, Seattle Mariners
43. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds
44. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
45. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants
46. Brady House, 3B, Washington Nationals
47. Agustin Ramirez, C, Miami Marlins
48. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
49. Chase Petty, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
50. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets

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Tong, Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean are the top three Mets arms and I’ve shuffled them again from the team top 10s earlier this month, as Tong now narrowly looks like the best of the group for me. McLean has the most upside, if his command can take another step forward. Keaschall, Ballesteros and Ramirez have all hit more than I expected, and Horton’s velo/stuff is fully back and he is getting a big league shot in Chicago.

There are a several notable players who just got squeezed off the list (Jarlin Susana, Hagen Smith, Cooper Pratt and Alex Freeland among them) or are rising fast but couldn’t quite get on this time (including Andrew Salas, Luke Dickerson, Slade Caldwell, Caleb Bonemer, Ryan Sloan, Payton Tolle and Gage Jump). I’d also keep an eye on Blue Jays LHP Johnny King and Cardinals C Rainiel Rodriguez (both on the team lists) as my summer picks to click.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Dogecoin Makes Meaningful Correction: Key Pullback Pattern Points To Looming Rally

by admin May 22, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Popular dog-themed meme coin, Dogecoin, may have witnessed a bearish performance in the last few days, but this waning price action could benefit its price dynamics. Technical developments show that the current pullback is a signal of an impending major rally in DOGE’s price.

Bullish Structure Forming On Dogecoin Chart

After a period of bullish performance, Dogecoin’s price experienced a retracement, which led to a correction or consolidation phase. However, recent analysis from Trader Tardigrade, a seasoned crypto analyst and investor, reveals that the correction phase is about to come to an end, and a rally is just around the corner.

In the analysis shared on the X platform, Trader Tardigrade stated that DOGE is gearing up for a major rise as a key technical pattern emerges on the daily chart, a typical sign of a possible uptrend. The meme-inspired cryptocurrency is currently consolidating within this key structure, often associated with trend continuation after cooling off from recent highs.

Specifically, the meme coin has formed a Channel Pullback. Combined with stable support levels and rising market sentiment, this channel formation raises the possibility that DOGE is preparing for a significant rise in the upcoming days.

Looking at the chart, this channel pullback previously appeared between late April and early May. Following a breakout from the pattern, Dogecoin saw a notable rise from $0.17 to $0.25 in less than a week. With the structure reappearing, the expert contends that a breakout, which he believes is inevitable, is likely to trigger a similar upward trend.

A recurrence of a bullish pattern | Source: Trader Tardigrade on X

Should the breakout mirror the previous scenario, Trader Tardigrade has predicted a surge from current price levels to the $0.265 mark. DOGE’s reclaiming this level in tandem with significant buying pressure might act as a launchpad to a continued rally toward higher targets.

Dogecoin’s bullish signal extends beyond the 1-day chart. In another post, Trader Tardigrade highlighted a growing momentum in the 3-day time frame, which increases the potential for a rebound.

Following his examination of the 3-day chart, the expert found an Expanding Triangle formation, a key reversal pattern after a widening consolidation phase. Given that the market is slowly turning positive, a breakout from the pattern is expected to cause a rally to $0.275 and beyond.

A Remarkable Price Growth For DOGE Incoming

A view of a much larger time frame shows that DOGE’s price is headed for a new all-time high before the ongoing cycle concludes. Trader Tardigrade has underlined the recurrence of a bullish structure that triggered a massive bullish move for the meme coin on the 6-month time frame.

During the 2017 and 2021 cycles, this macro pattern kick-started DOGE’s final rally all the way to its peak in each cycle. While the structure has reemerged, Trader Tardigrade foresees a similar spike that could lead to a cycle top for Dogecoin. The expert chart reveals that the meme coin might reach a top from the $6 level and above.

DOGE trading at $0.22 on the 1D chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Ace Ventura Limited Edition 4K Steelbook Preorders Restocked At Amazon

by admin May 22, 2025

If you weren’t a regular moviegoer in 1994, then it must have been a confusing year, thanks to everyone around you peppering their speech with “Alriiiiiiighty then” catchphrases. Jim Carrey’s breakout year at the box office started with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and at long last, that comedy classic is releasing on 4K Blu-ray on July 29. The Limited Edition Steelbook version is available to preorder for $33 at Walmart or $36 at Amazon.

Amazon has sold out of preorders once already (at full price), but if it remains in stock this time, we’d expect the retailer to match Walmart’s price prior to launch. That said, it’s also possible that the price-matching will go the other way, and Walmart increases its price to $36.

$33 at Walmart | $36 at Amazon (was $45) | Releases July 29

The 4K Blu-ray edition of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was created using the original 35mm camera negative. It supports Dolby Vision with HDR10 and DTS-HD 5.1 Surround Sound. There aren’t any new bonus features, but the audio commentary with director Tom Shadyac is included on both the 4K Blu-ray disc and remastered 1080p Blu-ray disc. The latter should offer better visual and audio quality than the original Blu-ray release since it is based on the 4K transfer. The Blu-ray disc also has the theatrical trailer.

The original 1997 laserdisc release of Pet Detective had three episodes of the Ace Ventura animated series, but unfortunately those episodes have never been included with subsequent Blu-ray releases.

The steelbook case features original artwork of Ventura’s signature hairstyle and a pigeon worth $25,000 resting on Jim Carrey’s head.

$40 | Releases July 29

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is also getting a standard edition 4K Blu-ray release on the same day. Though it’s officially called a “Collector’s Edition,” make no mistake that the collectible version is the aforementioned Steelbook Edition. This edition includes a standard plastic case and cardboard sleeve with one of the promotional images for the theatrical release.

At the time of writing on May 21, this edition is actually more expensive than the Limited Edition Steelbook at both retailers.

Ace Ventura was one of the biggest comedy films of the mid-1990s, thanks mostly to Jim Carrey’s wild performance as the titular pet detective. While the movie does have some content that is very dated when viewed through a modern lens, it’s still a laugh riot thanks to the constant flow of one-liners and a solid mystery at its core. A sequel would arrive a few years later and it saw Ventura travel to Africa–much to the relief of several dozen Buddhist monks–but this one hasn’t received a 4K Blu-ray release yet. You can find it on Blu-ray, or as part of an Ace Ventura Blu-ray double feature.

To complete the set, you can also pick up Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr. on DVD. We’re not saying you should avoid it, but this prequel can induce a level of cringe so bad that it generates its own gravity. It’s a soulless cash-grab at best, and if you watch it, you might need to buy a new Blu-ray player because you’ll likely fling yours through the nearest window after watching just a few minutes of this movie.

In related Jim Carrey news, you can pick up Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on 4K Blu-ray right now. The threequel saw Carrey star once again as Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his character’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik.

There are two different steelbook case designs to choose from: Sonic and an Amazon-exclusive Shadow variant. You can complete the Carrey trilogy with Sonic the Hedgehog Bonus Stage Steelbook Edition for $28.30 (was $30.46) and the Sonic 2 Steelbook Edition for $18.45 (was $29).

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May 22, 2025 0 comments

An image of the Lies of P protagonist standing in a barren snowy area overlooking a grand mansion

Product Reviews

In an uncontroversial move that will bother no one, Lies of P is getting an easy mode

by admin May 22, 2025

Lies of P, the Dark Souls-flavored RPG starring Pinocchio, will get a big expansion later this year in the form of Overture. To complement the new content, the game will receive a free update at around the same time, introducing a Boss Rush mode, a “Battle Memories” mode that will let us tweak the difficulty settings of the game’s boss battles, and—uncontroversially—two new difficulty modes.

When the free update drops in summer, Lies of P will get not one but two new easier difficulty modes, named ‘Butterfly’s Guidance’ and ‘Awakened Puppet’. This flies against conventional Soulslike logic, though for exactly what reason depends on who you ask. For Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki himself, overcoming insurmountable odds is “a fundamental part of the experience. Turning down difficulty would strip the game of that joy—which, in my eyes, would break the game itself”.

This debate crops up at least biannually, and is usually fought brutally. It’s possible to have complex views on the easy mode question, though my views are uncomplex: Lies of P succeeds because it’s tense, and if the tension is siphoned out of it, so is a core aspect of its appeal. Am I glad that people who want an easy mode will get one? No. I don’t think all things should be for all people: that’s dumb. If that was a universally obeyed truth, we wouldn’t have niche modern classics like Baldur’s Gate 3, Clair Obscur, or Labyrinth of the Demon King.

Following the breakout success of Metaphor Refantazio, Atlus’ only action-RPG gets a second lease of life on Switch 2 (and it’s pretty good, too)

by admin May 22, 2025

By now, you should know what to expect from an Atlus game. Whether you’re wading into the Boschian fever dream of Metaphor Refantazio or winding your way down the seven circles of hell in Shin Megami Tensei, Atlus likes it dark. Dark and weird. Unconstrained by the trappings of normalcy. A bit edgy and a bit juvenile, but all provocative and goth.

Raidou Kuzonha vs. The Soulless Army is no exception. The curious PS2 game (which enjoyed a 2006 release in Japan and North America, and 2007 in PAL regions) carries on Atlus’ fascination with the occult and the Satanic, but with one major variation from all the developer’s other titles: this one is an action-RPG.

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Now, you need to immediately get your brain away from the idea it’s a Soulslike, or anything similar. It’s more of a hack-and-slash, peppered with the need for strategic flourish. Unlike previous MegaTen games (and their use of the phenomenal Press Turn system), your protagonist, Raidou Kuzunoha, can attack with either his close range sword or his long range gun. But this wouldn’t be a MegaTen game without demons, so of course Kuzunoha can also summon two demons at a time to help in battle.

At launch, this game was fine. I’m a MegaTen sicko, so of course I played this as soon as it hit the PAL market (I also played the sequel, later, which is better in almost every way). It wasn’t anything to write home about, really, and the combat was grating more than it was inventive. But, oh my, how all that has changed now – nearly two decades later.

Coming to the Switch 2 at launch, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Remastered is a bit of a misnomer. What we’re getting here is more of an enhanced version, and one that actually feels like a natural and intentional growth of the original game. And do you know why that is? Because, somehow, many of the same developers that worked on Raidou and its sequel during the PS2 era are still at the studio.

This is Tsuchigumo, and I don’t think he likes you very much. | Image credit: Atlus

Yeah, I know, right? What’s effectively happened here is that Atlus has been able to say to its staff: “hey, remember that game you very nearly got right at launch in 2006? Have another swing at it. Load it with all those cool combat ideas you wanted, improve the systems, take what we’ve learned in the last 19 years and go wild”. And the result is an enhanced piece of niche role-playing history that plays better than ever.

First up, Atlus has remade the game’s pre-rendered backgrounds into actual 3D. Everything looked fine before, but now there’s more interactivity, more impetus to get off the beaten path (and, potentially, more to actually do – negating some criticism of the game’s short length from its release). Atlus has crammed more demons into the roster, too, meaning you’ve got more freedom in how you approach battles, as well as more options for summoning and fusing. Again, this feels like a direct reply to criticisms of the game’s small offering at launch in 2006. If you’re a MegaTen sicko, you’ll appreciate the additions of demons like Idun, Hayataro, and more from SMT:5.

The combat upgrades themselves – more status effects, a more streamlined menu, more movement for Raidou in battle, more control over your demons – all seem to have been retroactively added into the game from the second in the series. No complaints, here; Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon improved upon the first game in nearly every way. It makes for a far better experience than the original game, and one that actually stands up pretty well in 2025. It’s not exactly going to blow newcomers away, but it’s novel – and a perfect ‘on the go’ kinda game to show off on the Switch 2’s fancy hardware.

I’ll defeat you with the power of friendship and this gun I found. | Image credit: Atlus

Another small quality-of-life thing that’s worth mentioning is the encounter rate. It’s been fixed. No more random encounters. Instead, demons are visible on-screen and you (sort of) get to choose when to engage. To make things even more engaging, we’ve got English voice acting, too… And you know what? It’s pretty good!

And that may be what makes this re-release so appealing to me, actually. The original Raidou games contain some of the most enjoyable, and memorable, narrative moments from any title Atlus has ever made. Yes, that includes Persona. There is a humour to these games that really works – and the interactions between Raidou himself and his familiar cat Gouto is a great example of good games writing: tutorializing whilst delivering story.

Your demons have all those powers outside battle (so you can reveal the hidden thoughts of NPCs – often vulgar, always funny – or roleplay as a detective to see more in a given scene). The weird, occult-leaning setting of 1920s Japan is fairly unique, and Atlus does well to dive into how curious it is, understanding that it’s a time of change, a time of anxiety, but also of excitement and growth. Having this coloured in with competent and fun voice-acting is something I didn’t know I needed.

Batles are a bit complicated, but once you nail the rhythm, they work well. | Image credit: Atlus

This is a far better product than I was expecting, honestly. The Shin Megami Tensei 3 remaster was fairly basic and barebones, but this… this is a shining example of how you can re-release a game some 19 years later and have it actually offer something new, and fix things that the original version lacked. After a brief preview, this has gone from ‘hm, that’s interesting’ to ‘oh, well I’m going to buy that, then.’ Your mileage may vary, of course, but I think this is a fascinating example of what Atlus can cook up with its legacy titles.

Now, where’s my Digital Devil Saga 1 + 2 HD Remaster, ey?

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May 22, 2025 0 comments