The Best Things About Persona 5 Strikers: Music, Menus, Makoto, And More

The Persona train isn’t stopping anytime soon with the upcoming Persona 5 Strikers launching next month. After getting hands-on with the game, I’m mostly impressed with its shift to Warriors-style action combat and happy to be with its familiar cast of characters again for a new journey. In my Persona 5 Strikers preview, I detailed the new storyline, quirks of the revamped battle system, and the ways in which it’s a lighter approach to the original game.

However, I still need room to highlight the little things that I love about the game so far–from the incredible music and flashy menus to great subtle characterizations and cutscenes. These elements have helped elevate the experience beyond a mere hack-and-slash adaptation thus far, and also remind us why we love the original game to begin with. If you want a detailed breakdown of the game’s early-goings, be sure to watch our in-depth discussion below.

New Music Worthy Of Praise

I feel like I’ve written about Persona soundtracks and the work of Atlus’ sound team many times already, but Persona 5 Strikers gives me plenty of reasons to do it again. With folks like Atsushi Kitajoh and Gota Masuoka working with the acid jazz and hard rock foundation set by Shoji Meguro, we have more songs to jam out to.

I found it a bit hard to get past the main menu because the theme song “Strikers” is so damn catchy and groovy, perfectly looping forever. While we don’t get the iconic “Life Will Change” when things reach a climax in the Metaverse, we do have “Daredevil” which exudes its own sense of unwavering confidence and invulnerability. There’s also a new standard battle theme called “What You Wish For“; however, the chaos of combat sometimes drowns out this uptempo jazz rock track that rightfully deserves multiple listens. That’s just scratching the surface, too.

Remixes Of Our Favorites Tunes

A number of songs from the Persona 5 are used in Strikers and remain untouched, and it’s great to hear those tunes again. But it’s a different kind of excitement to hear old favorites remixed.

I’ve said my piece about Strikers’ remix of “Last Surprise” in great detail, but I’ll say it one more time here: this melodic punk/metal twist to Persona 5’s heralded battle theme may even surpass the original version. “Rivers In The Desert” also has a heavier remix that picks up the tempo and layers in some extra distorted guitars. While the original arrangements were just right for the vibe Persona 5 was going for, these new renditions are better fits for the fast-paced action combat in Strikers. They’ll make you wish you could get up and fight shadows yourself.

Letting Your Favorite Be The Star

I mention this in my preview, but what helps spotlight the other members of the Phantom Thieves in Strikers is that you can choose who to take direct control of when exploring the Metaverse, instead of always having Joker take the lead. Folks have their favorite character and now they can be the star of the show. It’s a relatively small thing, but adds a bit of fresh excitement, especially since Makoto can now lead the way darting across cover points, jumping between rooftops, and tearing masks off shadows to initiate an ambush. Really though, it makes this feel more like it’s everyone’s journey, too.

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Each Character’s Individuality Shines

In combat, each character functions differently. While they all follow a similar combo pattern, the properties and effects of each of their combos are unique. For example, Haru’s axe swings are heavy and can lead to a spinning AOE attack, while Ryuji can charge up a bat swing for increased damage. Makoto can hop on Johanna and crash through mobs of shadows, and Morgana can do something similar by turning into the cat bus. One of the best things about this cast is their individuality, and it really shines through in the actual gameplay experience.

Morgana’s Little Steppy Steps

I know there are Morgana haters out there, but I love cats vewy much and I have a soft spot for Morgana. Of course, when controlling anyone else in the Metaverse, they’ll take normal human-sized strides while running, but how the hell does Morgana keep pace when you control him? Well, when you do, he does these quick little steps while his big ol’ head is wobbling around, it’s cute uwu.

A Wild Yakuza Reference Appears

In the opening chapter, you’ll be able to walk around familiar areas in Tokyo. You can’t really engage with the world the same way you could in the original game, but you can chat with your friends who are posted up around town. If you approach Makoto by the movie theater in Central Street, she’ll hit you with a wild Yakuza reference.

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Way to market a Sega game in a Sega game, I guess they heard we like Sega games. Real talk; you should check out that game or at least peep my Yakuza: Like a Dragon review to see what all the fuss is about–it even made it in our list of the 10 best games of 2020.

Sweet Pre-rendered Cutscenes

One thing I wish Persona 5 (and Royal) had was more animated cutscenes. These were a treat that showed the characters in pivotal story moments with an anime-inspired likeness. While Strikers has a few of its own, there are also pre-rendered cutscenes that are sort of an in-between. They seemed a bit weird at first in a G-mod sort of way, but they’ve been really well done so far, giving a bit more flash and style to the story’s critical moments.

Sophia, Humanity’s Companion

Sophia is one of the new faces in Persona 5 Strikers and joins the squad right at the start. She takes on a human form in the Metaverse and acts as a phone-based artificial intelligence in the real world, earning her self-proclaimed title of “humanity’s companion.” She fits in well with the rest of the crew with her own charm and combat sensibilities, while also being your guide in the Metaverse. She’s a sentient AI without memories, but please, Atlus, don’t make us fight her in some wild plot twist.

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The Unnecessarily Swagged Out Menus

In-game menus never looked so good until Persona 5, and Strikers carries that tradition by nearly one-upping the original. Checking your items shifts to a purple spotlight with Haru and Morgana opening a chest, the equip menu shows Joker and Ryuji trying to act hard, the party menu has Joker and Ann sitting on a roof under pink-hued lights–basically, everyone gets to be a showoff and I love it. Sophia, as your shopkeeper, gets her own bubbly menu and animations when you’re buying items and equipment.

Maybe they’re not the best functionally since some transitions aren’t exactly swift, but the cool factor more than makes up for it.

The Phantom Thieves Know What They’re About

The Phantom Thieves don’t trust cops, straight up. Persona 5 made that quite clear, but in case you didn’t pick up on it, Strikers gives you a stark reminder. It’s born out of a distrust for authority figures who have been responsible for the trauma they faced in the past, and they don’t seem to be backing down in this new game.

A new character, Zenkichi Hasegawa, is a detective tasked with keeping an eye on the Phantom Thieves’ movements as they’re suspected of causing abnormal behaviors in the real world again. There’s much more to him than the opening hours let on, but their initial distrust towards him makes no bones about where they stand. Haru says so, and says it with her chest. Yusuke backs her up too. If you have a problem with it, take it up with them.

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Now Playing: Persona 5 Strikers: How It Compares To The Original

The Marksman Review

IGN serves a global audience, so with The Marksman now playing in theaters, we are publishing our review from Matt Fowler who watched the movie via a digital screener. Read more on IGN’s policy on movie reviews in light of COVID-19 here. IGN strongly encourages anyone considering going to a movie theater during the COVID-19 pandemic to check their local public health and safety guidelines before buying a ticket.

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Liam Neeson’s deep-voiced, grizzled charisma, which has served him super well as a later-in-life action star, isn’t quite enough to pull The Marksman up and out of its formulaic dregs.

The second directorial effort from producer Robert Lorenz, who’s been behind most of Clint Eastwood’s 21st-century films, (including Gran Torino, which this film echos in certain ways), The Marksman — which uses Neeson’s character’s skill with a rifle far too infrequently to warrant that title — is a rather humdrum slice of “good guy with a gun” dad porn. Obviously, Neeson is no stranger to revenge cinema, but this is his first dalliance with problematic grumpiness.

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You could see how The Marksman was crafted with an Eastwood-type in mind, complete with Eastwood’s political leanings perhaps, but the film skirts the more serious issues it uses as a backdrop in order to unspool a color-by-numbers tale involving an old Marine teaching disrespectful punks a lesson. In this case, the Marine is Neeson’s Arizona rancher, Jim Hanson, and the troublemakers are Cartel hitmen.

Hanson, whose property rests on the US/Mexico border, is sort of vaguely bigoted. His cantankerous nature is explained-away (ish) by the fact that he’s recently widowed and the bank’s about to foreclose on his land, but he’s still a man who’s perennially bothered and put out by Mexicans crossing onto his property illegally, always reporting them to Border Patrol when he spots them. We also see Hanson needing quick work and being distressed when he’s denied a ditch digging job because of day laborers.

Nothing is said outright about Hanson’s prejudices, which is probably a wise move, but it’s also a cowardly move that works to water down anything potentially interesting. Painting him with a broad “misanthrope” brush feels like a cop-out when you see who exactly, in the movie, he’s peeved with. Things are only winked at here, with phrases like “if only the government would do something about the mess down here” and “the way things are now.” It all just smacks of the creators realizing, as they roll through production, that this, possibly, was the wrong time to make this movie.

Hanson’s fading life, one of desolation, is interrupted by a Mexican mother and son fleeing Cartel assassins and winding up on his ranch. In a quick skirmish with the killers, the mother is mortally wounded, the brother of the lead Cartel goon (Juan Pablo Raba) is taken out, and Hanson finds himself begrudgingly fulfilling a promise to the late woman to take her boy, Miguel (Jacob Perez), to Chicago to be with his cousins. As payment, so that he can prevent his land from being sold off, Hanson figures he’ll use the duffle bag of Cartel cash that the mom was carrying.

As you might expect, Hanson and Miguel bond during their long cross-country pickup truck trek, and the cold codger begins to warm to his companion, eventually seeing this journey as a last-good-deed mission. Ultimately, it’s not a terrible story. It’s watchable, in all the weakest ways that descriptor implies. Just because it’s not fresh doesn’t mean it can’t be effective at times. Tropes exist for a reason, as they are the easiest ways discovered to deliver emotional arcs and morality plays. Of course, Neeson’s playing a reluctant killer here. One who tells Miguel “there’s absolutely nothing that feels good about killing another man.” The movie itself might disagree as the genre is one designed to specifically dish out vengeance.

Vikings’ Katheryn Winnick is wasted here in what’s become the all-too-common “woman on the phone” role, where, as Hanson’s stepdaughter, and a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, she gets a lot of scenes where she has to plead with him to come home and let the system handle things. What starts off as a possibly promising part fizzles out halfway through the film and finds no closure. The movie’s ending feels right enough, and dour enough, though it also just reinforces vigilantism in the ways these types of stories usually do.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Multiplayer Leaks: Heists, Deathmatch Coming?

It’s been another big week for CD Projekt Red, with studio co-founder Marcin Iwinski releasing an apology for the state the game launched in and a roadmap for its future. But that wasn’t the only Cyberpunk 2077 news to hit this week.

Originally reported by DSOgaming, dataminers have allegedly found references to Cyberpunk’s upcoming multiplayer mode in the game files, including mentions of a heist gameplay mode. Lucy, Jean-Luc, and Jake discuss what the leaks mean, as well as what they’d like to see from Cyberpunk’s multiplayer. They also list off some quality-of-life changes they’d love to see implemented in the game’s single player, including changes to how clothes work, remapping certain keys, as well as fixes for driving issues.

Earlier this week, the gang also broke down CD Projekt Red’s apology and roadmap video and dissected what it means for the future of the game. You can check out that video and the rest of our Cyberpunk content on youtube.com/GameSpot.

Original report: https://www.dsogaming.com/news/first-cyberpunk-2077-multiplayer-details-leaked-dataminers/

GameSpot report: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-multiplayer-could-involve-heists-according-to-dataminers/1100-6486153/

Nintendo Switch Accounted For Nearly All Consoles Sold In Japan Last Year

The Nintendo Switch remains an extremely hot console–figuratively, of course–nearly four years after its launch, and this is especially true in Japan. The console appears to have accounted for a remarkable 87% of all consoles sold in the country during 2020, even with the launch of two newer systems at the end of the year.

According to Famitsu and shared via GamesIndustry.biz, about 6.85 million consoles were sold in Japan during the year–that’s all game consoles put together. Of those, 5.9 million were either the Nintendo Switch or the Switch Lite, while the PS4 and PS5 combined to sell about 798,000 units. This leaves very little room for other consoles to reach that 6.85 million number, and with the Xbox brand not having much weight in Japan, that’s to be expected.

Overall, the Nintendo Switch has sold more than 68 million systems worldwide, and it should overtake the Nintendo 3DS in 2021. It has already eclipsed the 3DS in terms of software sales, as it has become an extremely popular platform for third-party and indie developers. The Switch’s predecessor, the Wii U, only managed a little over 13.5 million units sold during its lifetime, while the Wii still stands as Nintendo’s best-selling home console with more than 100 million systems sold.

Nintendo has yet to confirm its existence, but we’ve heard several reports of an enhanced “Switch Pro” releasing this year, as well. According to a dataminer, the console could include an OLED screen and support for 4K output when docked.

Now Playing: How Nintendo’s Greatest Failure Led To The Switch

Firearms Expert Reacts To MORE Escape From Tarkov Guns

Escape From Tarkov is a brutally realistic take on the first person shooter genre, and its fictional region of Norvinsk is full to the brim contemporary firearms like the MK-18 Mjölnir DMR, the FN FAL battle rifle, and the Dragunov sniper rifle.

In the above video, Jonathan Ferguson–a weapons expert and Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries–breaks down the weapons of Escape From Tarkov, and compares their in-game depictions against their real-world counterparts.

If you’re interested in seeing more of Jonathan, you can check out more from the Royal Armouries right here. –https://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalArm…

If you would like to support the Royal Armouries, you can make a charitable donation to the museum here. – https://royalarmouries.org/support-us/donations/

And if you would like to become a member of the Royal Armouries, you can get membership here. – https://royalarmouries.org/support-us/membership/

Hitman 2 PC Owners Can’t Play Levels In Hitman 3 For Free

Hitman 3 is offering players the chance to play the entire “World of Assassination” trilogy within one game client, with levels from the first two games available for import. This content is free to those who bought the console games, but it’s going to cost you if you plan to play on PC.

In the game’s official pre-launch guide, IO Interactive explained the game’s Access Pass system, which is what will give you free access to previous Hitman games’ content if you own them. On PlayStation and Xbox, this is possible by going into the in-game store for Hitman 2 and claiming the Access Pass, which also means you won’t have to keep the disc in your system to use this content with Hitman 3.

Because the PC version of Hitman 3 is only going to be available on the Epic Games Store at launch–a place Hitman 2 is not available–you cannot get the Access Pass for free. However, it will be available for 80% off during the first two weeks the game is available. The content from the 2016 Hitman is available to anyone who buys Hitman 3 on the Epic Games Store within the first 10 days. Anyone who redeemed the first game when it was free earlier on Epic Games Store will also get access to it in Hitman 3 for free on PC, even if it’s past that window.

Hitman 3 releases on January 20 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch via the cloud. On the PS4 version, you’ll be able to play all three games’ levels via PlayStation VR, as well. This will be included for free if you buy the PS5-only copy to ensure compatibility, but both versions need to be installed to support it and you need to use the DualShock 4 controller instead of the DualSense.

Now Playing: Hitman 3 – Assassination Mission Gameplay

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Cyberpunk 2077 Developers Report Unrealistic Expectations From Studio Heads

In the wake of the tumultuous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, several CD Projekt Red employees have spoken out about the game’s development and how it could have been released in such a rough, unfinished state. The problems appear to stem not only from unrealistic development expectations, but also a marketing campaign that seemed destined to over-promise on the final product.

Speaking to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, an anonymous member of the Cyberpunk 2077 development team said a major issue stemmed from the game’s engine being created simultaneously with the game. They likened it to putting down tracks in front of a moving train to keep it from crashing, instead of building the track first. The game’s development didn’t begin in earnest until around 2016, despite being announced several years earlier, as most of CD Projekt Red continued work on The Witcher 3.

The game’s state at launch would have been derided no matter what fans’ expectations were–a game crashing over and over again and simply not working properly will do that–but matters weren’t helped by its marketing and E3 debut. The demonstration we saw at E3 2018 contained material that wouldn’t be released in the final game, with the release date announced at the same time seen as unreasonable, according to the report. The anonymous employees who spoke to Bloomberg said they felt 2022 would be a more reasonable release window.

CD Projekt Red continues to work on addressing Cyberpunk 2077’s issues, but it remains to be seen if the game will ever run in an acceptable state on Xbox One and PS4 systems. It’s currently not available to buy digitally from the PlayStation Store at all, and the full next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions aren’t expected until late this year. Refunds were offered to those on consoles who bought the game early, both through select retailers and CD Projekt itself.

Now Playing: Cyberpunk 2077 – Best Bugs And Glitches

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Cyberpunk 2077 Developers Did Not Believe It Was Ready for Launch in 2020

Cyberpunk 2077 was 2020’s hottest game, and it was shaping up to be a good enough launch when reviews for the PC version began trickling out a few days before its December 12 release date. But once players got their hands on Cyberpunk 2077, especially the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, excitement turned into frustration as players encountered bugs, glitches, and more.

In a report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, developers at CD Projekt Red knew the game was not ready for launch in 2020. According to one developer, “they expected the game to be ready in 2022,” based on the progress the team was making back in 2019.

Beyond just bugs and glitches, Cyberpunk 2077’s overall performance and playability on consoles like the base PS4 and Xbox One have been reviled. IGN gave the console versions of Cyberpunk 2077, specifically, a four in its review.

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One hurdle was that the developers tried to develop the engine and the game simultaneously, a decision one developer on Cyberpunk says was like “trying to drive a train while the tracks are being laid in front of you at the same time,” according to Bloomberg.

Cyberpunk 2077’s console versions, not the PC version, have been hammered by players for glitches and bugs, some bugs which are game-breaking and end up crashing the entire game or sometimes the system it’s being played on.

Developers seemingly pushed through challenges by believing they could overcome these obstacles themselves, similar to the infamous “BioWare Magic,” but Cyberpunk 2077 was also developed through periods of intense crunch.

In a follow-up tweet, Schreier claims that despite promises from management that crunch would not be required, some managers guilted employees into working more hours by saying other employees will work longer to pick up the slack. Salaries were also reportedly low, with one junior programmer reportedly making around $700 a month.

In a video message to the public earlier this week CD Projekt Red co-founder Marcin Iwiński says improving the performance of Cyberpunk 2077 is now the studio’s number one priority, pushing back the launch of the next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X version and planned free DLC. It should be noted that current PS5 and Series X players are actually playing backward-compatible versions of the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Cyberpunk.

But during this message, Iwiński claimed that CDPR’s internal testing did not show many of the bugs and issues players eventually encountered on consoles. A statement some on social media says does a disservice to QA Testers, whose jobs it is to find and evaluate bugs and performance issues.

As for why early previews of Cyberpunk 2077 demoed to the public at events like E3 2019 looked better than the final product, that’s because the demo was “entirely fake,” according to the report. Neither code nor the gameplay was finalized when the demo was made, and months spent working on the fake demo took away from developing the full game.

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The backlash has led CDPR to offer an unprecedented full-refund policy for Cyberpunk 2077. But while Sony says it will honor the refunds, it also announced it will remove digital copies of Cyberpunk 2077 from the PSN store until its issues are resolved.

Furthermore, CDPR faces class-action lawsuits over misrepresenting the game to consumers, and the company is under investigation from consumer advocacy groups over claims the product is not indicative of what was promised. Nevertheless, Cyberpunk 2077 sold over 13 million copies, despite the refunds, and managed to fully recoup its development and marketing costs.

Read the full story at Bloomberg.

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Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Best Gaming Chair For 2021: Top Chairs For PC And Console Gaming

A gaming chair is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to your setup. Gaming chairs are specifically made for comfort, with an ergonomic shape designed to help reduce stress on your body while sitting for long durations. While there are plenty of gaming chairs out there across a huge range of price points, the best gaming chair will feature a great blend of comfort, looks, and durability. We’ve compiled a list of the best gaming chairs that fit these requirements, from PC gaming chairs to office chairs and more.

Nowadays, the most popular gaming chair style is the desk chair that often resembles a race car seat. As such, our list includes a handful of those types of gaming chairs, each of which offers its own benefits. But gaming chairs come in all shapes and sizes, so we’ve also included a few options that work well if you’re not planning to game at your desk. Though none of these chairs are outlandishly expensive, most of them are $300 or more. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, make sure to check out our guide to the best budget gaming chairs. For more essential gaming equipment for your setup, we have roundups of the best gaming desks, best gaming headsets, and the best capture cards for streaming on Twitch and YouTube.

Secretlab Omega/Titan Series

The good:

  • Premium materials are incredibly durable
  • Extremely comfortable and adjustable with 4D armrests
  • Wide variety of themes to choose from

The bad:

Since 2014, Secretlab has led the way with its ever-growing line of gaming chairs, honing its craft to offer the best combination of price and quality you can find. Secretlab has two main series of chairs, both of which utilize the same design philosophy and are equally great. The Omega Series, which now includes dozens of different designs, is designed for gamers who are 5’11” or shorter. The Titan Series chairs come with lengthier backrests designed for taller gamers, though it’s really a matter of personal preference. The Omega and Titan Series have the classic gaming chair look, with an ample backrest and wide seat cushion with raised edges. The premium metal 4D armrests are highly adjustable, the backrest fully reclines, the caster wheels offer a smooth roll, and it also features a multi-tilt suspension system. Each chair comes with a memory foam head pillow and lumbar support for added comfort.

Omega/Titan Series chairs nail the two most important qualities: comfort and durability. Secretlab chairs are built with a special cold-cure foam that provides a pleasant sitting experience along with maximum durability. They don’t lose their shape, which means you can rest assured you’ll get years of use without deteriorating quality. While it may be a small thing for some, it should be noted that Secretlab chairs are incredibly easy to assemble.

You have a choice of three different fabric options with the Omega and Titan Series. The default is Prime 2.0 PU Leather, a strong material that doesn’t fray. Softweave fabric creates a more cushiony experience for a slight upcharge, and NAPA Leather is available for a premium price. Secretlab is unparalleled when it comes to variety. There are various stock models that are almost always available as well as a bevy of special edition chairs with designs hailing from popular games, pop culture staples, and esports teams.

Razer Iskur

The good:

  • Lumbar support cushion is a cut above the rest
  • Stylish design
  • Premium feel
  • 4D adjustable armrests

The bad:

  • Expensive at $500
  • Difficult to assemble

Razer’s first foray into the gaming chair market is a dream. The Razer Iskur is a stylish and innovative ergonomic gaming chair that features the best lumbar support we’ve tried. While most gaming chairs have a small, detachable lumbar pillow, the Iskur has an ergonomically designed lumbar support that’s central to the design of the chair. It’s large and contours to the shape of your back, providing support across a larger area. The lumbar support is also unique in that it’s adjustable, so you can position it to the shape of your spine.

The fine-tuned customization extends far beyond just the lumbar support. You can easily tinker with the angle and height of the chair, and its 4D adjustable armrests allow movement in multiple directions so you can find your perfect position. It also comes with a detachable head cushion made of memory foam. The Iskur is made with high-density foam that molds to your body for optimal comfort, and it’s wrapped in synthetic leather that is both soft and durable. As a Razer product, it’s unsurprising that it has a cool design. The jet black color and green stitching give it that iconic Razer look.

Even though the Iskur is a wonderful ergonomic chair, it does have a couple of downsides–both of which are apparent before you ever sit on it for the first time. At $500, it’s the priciest chair on this list. It’s also sort of a pain to assemble, with screws that are tough to secure and heavier parts than you’d expect. You’ll want to assemble it with the help of another person to avoid as much frustration as possible. That said, if you are in need of better lumbar support, the Iskur is as good as it gets.

Respawn Specter

The good:

  • Mesh material offers plenty of support and allows airflow
  • Great ergonomics from contoured back and adjustable headrest
  • Quick assembly

The bad:

  • Doesn’t recline very far back

If you’re looking for an ergonomic gaming chair that doesn’t really look like a chair for “gamers,” Respawn’s Specter model is a wonderful choice. This contoured computer chair is made out of strong but elastic mesh material, which creates far more comfort than you’d expect from looking at it. The ergonomics are what really stand out here, with a curved cushion that eliminates stress on your legs and a three-piece backrest that provides excellent lumbar, neck, and head support. The PU leather headrest is adjustable, too, so it works well no matter your height.

While the Specter doesn’t recline very far back, it does have adjustable tilt tension that can come in handy. You can also move the seat to fit your preferences, lower and raise the armrests, and adjust the height. The Specter probably has one of the quickest and easiest assemblies around, as it takes no more than 15 minutes to get up and running. It’s available in Onyx Black and Graphite Gray.

Noblechairs Icon

The good:

  • Unique design stands out
  • Backrest has a sleek but ergonomic profile
  • Cold-foam cushion contours to your shape

The bad:

  • Lacks variety when it comes to color options
  • Pricey

Though not as well-known as Secretlab, Noblechairs also makes some of the best gaming chairs on the market today. And if you’re not enamored with the “racecar” look of most premium chairs, Noblechairs’ Icon model is an intriguing option. With an understated design and elegant argyle pattern on the backrest, the Icon looks like a cross between a gaming chair and a high-end desk chair. The backrest has a unique shape, with less pronounced wings and a sleeker profile at the top.

Made of premium materials, the Icon is ultra-comfortable and withstands the wear and tear of everyday use. The cold foam cushion used throughout is covered by thick faux leather. The Icon has all of the customization options you’d expect, including reclining up to 135 degrees, adjustable armrests, and neck/lumbar cushions.

Thanks to its unique design, the Icon is built for gamers of all shapes and sizes. It comes in a variety of color schemes, but most of them are primarily black. It’s certainly not a flashy chair, but the Icon is a high-quality pick that lives up to its lofty name.

Corsair T2 Road Warrior

The good:

  • Adjusts to fit your needs
  • Stellar ergonomic design
  • Rollerblade-style wheels are quite cool

The bad:

  • Design doesn’t stand out

As one of the leading PC peripheral manufacturers, Corsair has made its mark on everything from keyboards to headsets. If you’re a Corsair fan and want to complement your gaming setup with a superb PC gaming chair, the Corsair T2 Road Warrior is a super-comfortable and well-designed option. With adjustable neck and lumbar cushions, an ample seat cushion, and an ergonomically designed backrest, the Road Warrior has all of the basic elements you should look for in a chair.

The Road Warrior also has an adjustable height, 170-degree reclining, fully movable armrests, and a lightweight but sturdy frame that makes it easy to move. Unlike most gaming chairs, the Road Warrior has slim wheels that resemble rollerblades. It’s not a feature that is really needed in a gaming chair, but it does make the Road Warrior name make sense. The perforated leather on the backrest can be accented in black, white, blue, yellow, or red.

Homall S-Racer

The good:

  • Affordable price
  • Comfortable and ergonomically designed
  • Nice variety of colors to choose from

The bad:

  • Doesn’t hold up as long as other chairs on this list

While the more expensive gaming chairs on this list tend to feature premium materials that withstand the test of time, you can still get a solid gaming chair without breaking the bank. The Homall S-Racer is our favorite sub-$200 gaming chair. As one of the most popular gaming chairs on Amazon, the Homall S-Racer boasts over 30,000 user reviews and holds a 4.4/5 average rating. It has the classic gaming chair look and comes in a myriad of color schemes. The price ranges from $150 to $180 depending on which style you choose, which is roughly half the price of most of the chairs on this list.

The Homall S-Racer features most of the adjustability options you’d expect, including full reclining, rocking, and a movable lumbar cushion. However, the armrests aren’t adjustable. You sacrifice some comfort with the Homall S-Racer, and it likely won’t hold up as well as the premium chairs we’ve mentioned, but it still has a nice ergonomic design and is better than your average desk chair for gaming.

X Rocker Pro Series H3

The good:

  • Great for console gaming on TVs
  • Padded seat promotes comfort
  • Built-in speakers and subwoofer
  • Easy to store

The bad:

  • Ergonomics are lacking for lumbar support
  • Floor rockers aren’t great for those prone to sore knees

Though gaming chairs have moved toward being designed for desk use over the past decade, console gamers who play on a TV may want something different. That’s where floor rockers come in. Rocker chairs have been around for decades and could be viewed as the “original” gaming chair, and technological advancements have only made them more impressive. Our pick here is the X Rocker Pro, a fully-featured rocker chair with premium padding and a great look.

The X Rocker Pro has four built-in speakers and a subwoofer to blast in-game music wirelessly and provide a more immersive experience. It also features vibration to accompany the audio. The X Rocker Pro is an easy chair to store if you don’t want it in the center of a room all the time: The armrests and backrest fold to make it compact enough to fit in a closet when not in use.

Homall Gaming Recliner

The good:

  • Great for console gaming on TVs
  • Lumbar support has a massager for added comfort

The bad:

  • Takes up a lot of space
  • Plain color scheme

Homall’s gaming recliner is another solid option for those looking for a living room gaming chair. Designed specifically with console gaming on TVs in mind, Homall’s gaming recliner is fairly unique in the space. It looks much like a conventional recliner, though where it separates itself is with the lumbar and neck supports. Similar to a desk gaming chair, Homall’s gaming recliner is focused on comfort for lengthy gaming sessions. And the lumbar cushion doubles as a massager with three different modes of vibration.

The recliner certainly maintains the general aesthetics of conventional gaming chairs with its PU leather and sleek look. But this is also a gaming chair that will work great for lounging and watching TV thanks to its reclining capabilities and retractable footrest. Pockets on each side add a bit of storage space for small accessories, remotes, and other items you want to have close by. The chair comes in black/red, black/blue, and black/white–however, black is the dominant color for all three models.

Moon Pod

The good:

  • Promotes a feeling of weightlessness that’s calming
  • Contours to the shape of your body
  • Great for those who need to sit closer to their TV

The bad:

  • Not great for small living spaces
  • Pricey and can get more expensive with add-ons

Bean bag chairs have long been a gaming staple, especially for kids and teens. Admittedly, the average bean bag chair isn’t the most comfortable option for adults. The Moon Pod, however, is anything but an average bean bag chair. While not technically a “gaming product,” the Moon Pod absolutely works as a high-end living room chair for those who want to sit closer to their TV while gaming (especially for those games where the text is annoyingly small). It also works well for those who are working from home and need to take a break from their office chair. Unlike most bean bag chairs, the Moon Pod’s design is specifically aimed at providing an ergonomic lounging experience. The Moon Pod contours and adapts to your positioning, providing back and lumbar support. The bean bag, which is appropriately shaped like a pod, features high-density beads that are packed to simulate the sensation of weightlessness, and it’s incredibly relaxing to sink into.

At $300, however, the Moon Pod is extremely pricey for a bean bag, and there are add-ons that raise the price even more. The Crescent back pillow, which is helpful for additional back support, tacks on another $129 to the price. For that reason, we recommend just getting the base product first to try it out before snagging any add-ons, though we will say the combination of the Moon Pod and the Crescent feels absolutely incredible. It’s worth mentioning our sister brand CNET currently has a promo code, CNET15, that slashes $15 off the Moon Pod.

The Moon Pod itself is also quite large, taking up approximately four square feet, so you definitely need to have a spot picked out for it or somewhere that you can store it between uses. That said, this is the most comfortable bean bag chair around and checks all of the boxes for a solid living room gaming chair.