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Refreshed PlayStation 5: slimmer, lighter and slightly more storage

Posted on October 11, 2023October 11, 2023 by Martin Brinkmann

Sony released the original PlayStation 5 console in two versions three years ago. One PS5 included a Blu-Ray disc drive, the other did not.

This initial version of the PS5 won’t be available for much longer. Sony unveiled a new, slimmer version of the PlayStation 5. This version will replace the classic version of the console this year.

The new model is lighter and slimmer, but that is not the only difference. Sony plans to replace the original model with the new one. Old models are no longer in production but they remain available until the remaining stock is depleted.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Refreshed Sony PlayStation 5 with detachable disc drive

The new version of the PS5 is slimmer and lighter than the classic version. While not called Slim by Sony, it is definitely a smaller version. The new PS5 is offered in two versions, one with a Blu-Ray disc, the other without, just like the original models.

The weight of the disc-based version drops from 3.9 kg to 3.2 kg and dimensions shrink to 36 x 10 x 22 cm from 39 x 10 x 26 cm.

The disc-less model’s weight is 2.6 kg, down from 3.4 kg, and the size shrinks to 36 x 8 x 22 cm from 39 x 9 x 26 cm.

Weight and dimensions are not the only characteristics that change. Owners of the disc-less version may purchase a Blu-Ray drive to turn it into a PS5 console with disc drive. The new Blu-Ray drive may be attached to the console. It is sold separately for 79.99 USD | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY according to Sony. The add-on drive is only compatible with the new PS5, not the classic disc-less version.

This is not the only difference though. The consoles include a a horizontal stand. A vertical stand may be purchased separately for 29.99 USD | 29.99 EURO | 24.99 GBP | 3,980 JPY.

Last but not least, PS5 Console Covers will become available in early 2024. These will change the look of the console. Covers start at 54.99 USD | 54.99 EUR | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY.

Refreshed Sony PlayStation 5: hardware changes and price

Sony’s new PlayStation 5 models use the same hardware components as the classic versions, with one exception. The hard drives of both models have a size of 1 TB now, compared to 825 GB of the old models.

The new PS5 models have two USB-C ports at the front and one USB-A port at the back. The original version has an USB-C and an USB-A port in the front. Everything else looks identical.

Availability of the new consoles

The new PlayStation 5 models will be released in November in the United States. The price of the disc version is $499.99 and the price of the disc-less version $449.99. The base price of the disc-less version jumped by $50.

Here is the retail price in other regions:

Europe

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 549.99 EUR
PS5 Digital Edition – 449.99 EUR

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 479.99 GBP
PS5 Digital Edition – 389.99 GBP

Japan

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 66,980 JPY (includes tax)
PS5 Digital Edition – 59,980 JPY (includes tax)

The new models will roll out worldwide soon thereafter according to Sony.

Verdict

The new Sony PlayStation 5 Slim console is different from the original one in several ways. The option to purchase the Blu-Ray drive as an add-on is a welcome addition. The console offers 175 GB of extra storage, which is always great, considering that games can easily exceed 100 GB nowadays.

No USB-A port on the front may make it more difficult for some users to play on the system while the controller is charging. There is also the question of heat and whether the slimmer design has an impact on that. It is hotter on average than the larger, but older, models?

Most owners of the original PS5 won’t likely migrate to the new console. The extra bit of storage and the slimmer dimensions may tempt some, however. I’d wait for tests to come out to make sure that heating is not a problem in these newer versions.

The increased price of the digital version makes it even less attractive than before. It is just $50 cheaper than the disc-based version, which allows PS5 owners to share games with friends and resell purchased games.

Now You: do you own a PS5 or plan to?

How to change the install location of Steam games

Posted on October 7, 2023October 7, 2023 by Martin Brinkmann

Steam games can be installed on any drive or partition on the system. The default installation path is always the main drive, but users may select a different drive.

Reasons for doing so include running out of space on the main drive, putting games that require less speed on slower drives, or to improve manageability.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to install Steam games on any drive.

Installing Steam Games

Valve Software, maker of Steam, improved the Steam client significantly in the past years. One of the improvements added support for installing Steam games on different drives.

The process is straightforward and identical for all games, apps and other content:

Select the game that you want to install.
Activate the install button on the page.
- Tip: you may also right-click on any game to select install from its context menu.
The install dialog lists all available installation locations. Each location lists the available free storage.
Select one with the mouse or by tapping on it to make it the target for the installation.
Activate the install button to start the download and installation of the game.

If a drive is not listed, select the cogwheel icon to jump to the Storage settings. Display the list of available drives there with a click on the arrow icon and select “add drive” to add a new drive for game installations.

Tip: please note that you may also use the “add drive” option to add a new folder of a drive that is already used by Steam. Valve confirms this on the Steam Help website. Note that the instructions ask the user to click on a plus button at the top, but do not point out that it becomes available only after expanding the menu.

Making another location the default on Steam

Steam resets the installation location to the main one each time a game is installed. There is an option to make another location the default, but it is well hidden.

Select the Steam menu at the top and then Settings.
Switch to the Storage section when the Steam Settings window opens.
Select the location that you want to make the new default from the menu at the top.
Click on the three-dots icon on the page and select the “make default” option.

This makes the selected location the new default installation path on Steam. In other words, it is selected by default whenever the install action is selected on Steam.

Manage installed games on Steam

Select Steam and then Settings from the menu that opens to open the Settings in a new window.

Switch to Storage with a click. Steam lists all games installed on the main drive. You may click on the arrow icon at the top to list games installed on a different drive. Note that you may also add a new drive, e.g., an external drive.

Each game is listed with its name, size on disk and the last playtime. The install path is also listed on the page.

Check the box next to a game and then the “uninstall” button to remove it from the PC.

There is also an option to move a game to another drive; this is useful in some cases, including:

To make room for another game, system updates or anything else that requires a certain amount of storage.
To move a game to a faster or slower drive.
To move a game to a drive with more free storage. Useful if you plan to install an update or DLC.

Cursed Treasure 2: Game of the week

Posted on October 1, 2023October 1, 2023 by Martin Brinkmann

Cursed Treasure 2 is the successor of the popular Cursed Treasure game by Iriysoft. It is a well-designed tower defense game that is available for mobile platforms, Steam and also as a web-based version.

A word on ads and in-game monetization

Cursed Treasure 2 is a game that is light on ads, at least when it comes to the Android and web-based versions, which I played. There are no ads during gameplay or even after levels. You may watch an ad to double the experience gained in a level, but that is about it and completely optional.

An option to make a purchase to remove all ads is provided, but it is unclear how much it costs. Users may want to stay away from that option because of that.

Cursed Treasure 2: the Game

Cursed Treasure 2 follows the main game philosophy of most tower defense games. Players place towers on the map that attack rushing waves of enemies. The main goal of the game is to prevent the enemies from reaching your treasure and stealing all the gems. It is game over for the map when enemies manage to steal them all.

The game lets players place towers nearly everywhere. Some locations are blocked, but the majority aren’t. The three core towers, Den, Temple and Crypt attack enemies with arrows, fire and magic. These can be upgraded and different paths become available for towers. The Temple tower, for example, can be upgraded to shoot two fire beams at enemies or unleash an area of attack damage regularly.

Towers gain experience when they shoot at enemies. Once they reach a certain threshold, they may be upgraded. Upgrading makes them stronger, e.g., by increasing damage or abilities.

The two core currencies in the game are money and mana. Money is used to build and upgrade towers, and to influence some of the independent buildings on the map. Mana is used to influence other buildings and used for spell casting.

Experience points and skills

Players earn experience points while playing the game. They need to complete a level or fail to earn experience.

Experience is used to level up and this awards players with skill points. These points are invested into the three skill trees Orcs, Undead and Demons, which correspond to the three core tower types Den, Crypt and Temple.

Skills fall into several groups. Some improve mana or gold during game start or while performing certain actions in the game. Ancestral Wisdom, for instance, adds 30 mana at start for each invested skill points, which is a lot.

Another group of skills makes placing towers, upgrading towers, cutting trees or casting mana cheaper or more rewarding.

A third group increases random rewards that defeated enemies may drop. The fourth and final group increase damage output. Any invested skill gives the corresponding tower a bonus, such as faster recharge times or increased range.

Spellcasting

Spellcasting plays an import role in the game. Player spells are limited to just two and certain items. The two spells are Meteor and Terror.

Meteor fires a a blazing rock from the sky on the designated target location, hitting all enemies in range. It can be improved with skills, so that it leaves a smoldering pool on the ground that damages enemies who step on it.

Terror frightens enemies in range. Frightened enemies move back the path for as long as they are frightened. Another positive effect of casting terror is that negative effects are removed from towers and that they are protected from effects for three seconds.

Items play a big part as well. There are three scrolls that enemies may drop. Players may activate the scrolls at any time with a tap or click to cast their spell. The spells are polymorph, which transforms enemies into chicken, stasis, which keeps them in place, and thunder, which damages them with lightning.

Enemies may drop coins, mana potions or skulls. Coins and potions give the player money or mana. Skulls allow players to cheat. They may be used to gain lots of gold or mana, return all gems to the treasure or wreak havoc on all enemies on the screen.

The enemies

A tower defense game would be nothing without a good assortment of enemies.

Cursed Treasure 2 delivers in this area. It distinguishes between regular enemies, champions and bosses. Regular enemies range from peasants and guards to enemies with special abilities.

Valkyries can fly over water and lakes, monks heal enemies and paladins are immune to most magic. There is a good variety of regular enemies and the level designers have done a good job at creating the levels and enemy waves.

Champions are special enemies that have more health and usually special abilities as well. The Templar, for instance can’t be frightened, is protected against evil magic and has a spell that halves damage and fire rate of nearby towers.

Bosses are even tougher enemies and they almost always have one or multiple abilities. The General, for instance, is protected by armor, may summon knights and Valkyries, may give mass magic armor to allies and has a final rush ability that breaks the armor but increases the speed of the General.

Gameplay and story

If there is one area in which Cursed Treasure 2 fails to deliver, it is the story. A dark overlord has set sight on the treasures of the kingdom, and it is the player’s task to protect the gems from the evil creature.

Each map adds a bit to the story, but most players may skip reading these altogether, as they don’t miss much.

Gameplay, on the other hand, is excellent. Players who like Tower Defense games will enjoy this game. It is well designed, but never unfair. Some maps may look impossible on first try, at least when it comes to protecting all gems, but all it may take is to add a few more points into skills.

Where to play Cursed Treasure 2

You can play the game online using any modern web browser. Check it out on Crazy Games, Kongregate or Gameforge.

The game is also freely available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

Steam gamers may play it on Steam, but it costs $4.99 on the platform.

Cursed Treasure 2 Verdict

Cursed Treasure 2 is an excellent tower defense game. You need to like the genre to enjoy it, but if you do, you will certainly have hours of fun playing it.

It is quick to jump in and play a map, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The game explains some of its concepts during the first levels, which may help new players understand core game mechanics.