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The Timex 80 36mm (pictured) with a stainless steel expansion band watch. (Image source: Timex)

Sub-$100 Timex watches with style as well as substance

CheckMag Timex is still a go-to for affordable, reliable watches with styles ranging from retro digital to rugged field and dress designs. Here are 5 of the best models under/around $100 that get you a balance of value, durability, and eve...

Anubhav Sharma, 17 Sep 2025 14:48

Evil returns to its roots. The Conjuring: Last Rites—the final chapter begins. A still from the TV show. (Image source: Official trailer)

The Conjuring hits new heights — and now gets a TV future

The Conjuring: Last Rites just delivered the biggest horror opening weekend of all time, leaving every other spooky franchise trembling in its wake. With box office numbers climbing higher than any jump scare, it’s a record-breaki...

Jonathan Bester, 17 Sep 2025 09:39

Getting started with Xbox Remote Play on the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro was straightforward. (Image source - Lenovo)

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro and Xbox Remote Play: A smooth combo

Released November 19, 2021, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro doubles as a portable Xbox Remote Play screen with 60 FPS, low latency, and stunning AMOLED visuals.

Darryl Linington, 16 Sep 2025 16:59

Magnificent cities and pretty vineyards in Anno 117 (Image source: Screenshot - Steam Trailer)

Anno 117: How easy is it for beginners to get started? My first experience with the building strategy series

For my brief benchmark preview, I ventured into the Anno series for the first time. My only previous experience with the genre was with The Settlers 2 and Civilization 2 many years ago. Here are my initial impressions of how well ...

Christian Hintze, 16 Sep 2025 12:45

Every time I try to use the Portal with my Series S, I brace for disappointment. (Image source: bang-olufsen.com)

Beoplay Portal Xbox long-term review: Premium sound held back by connection issues

The Beoplay Portal Xbox headset offers audiophile sound and Dolby Atmos capabilities, but years of connection issues with the Xbox Series X/S render it unreliable.

Darryl Linington, 15 Sep 2025 14:40

To achieve the show's distinct, '70s-inspired aesthetic, the camera bodies were paired with Panavision C Series anamorphic lenses. (Image source: Apple TV+)

Severance season 3: The camera equipment that could shape this incredible show

It is anticipated that the production team for Season 3 will continue to utilize the same core equipment, including the Sony Venice 2 camera system.

Darryl Linington, 13 Sep 2025 11:33

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers interesting camera upgrades, but Apple is cutting corners in some areas. (Image source: Apple)

Apple's misleading iPhone 17 Pro camera marketing distracts customers from the real weaknesses

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro has received two significant camera upgrades - a 48 MP telephoto camera with a larger sensor and an 18 MP selfie camera with a square sensor. However, Apple has failed to address a major weakness of the pre...

Hannes Brecher, 11 Sep 2025 21:19

The sense of menace in Season 2 is forever present, humming like a bass note. (Image source: Apple TV+)

Severance season 2 review: Bigger, stranger, and beautifully filmed

Severance Season 2 is a visually stunning, ambitious follow-up that deepens character arcs, expands Lumon’s world, and delivers bold, strange, and unforgettable storytelling.

Darryl Linington, 11 Sep 2025 11:13

A picture of Ludens which serves as a mascot for Kojima Productions (image source: Kojima Productions)

Hideo Kojima says a singular conversation in early job interview changed his entire career path

A meeting with an HR manager early in Hideo Kojima's career sparked a conversation that may have been crucial to a series of events that allowed for the legendary Metal Gear Solid franchise to be born.

Rahim Amir Noorali, 11 Sep 2025 07:39

Apple Music and Windows truly feel like they are incompatible - that Apple did a half-assed job of porting one of their key apps to the most popular PC OS in the world. (Image source: Apple, Microsoft, Anubhav Sharma - Notebookcheck)

Apple Music for Windows: Why its garbage listening experience has been failing loyal users since 2023

CheckMag What kind of music app doesn’t let you listen to music? Apple Music on Windows, that's what. Since its port to Windows in 2023, users face constant audio dropouts, broken volume controls, and sync failures, turning what should be ...

Anubhav Sharma, 10 Sep 2025 13:05

Close-up of the Apple iPhone Air rear camera module in white finish (Image source: Apple)

iPhone Air is cool, but I wanted an iPhone 17 Plus

CheckMag Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup brings major upgrades across the board, from ProMotion on the base model to a brand-new iPhone Air. But with the Plus variant missing this year, I’m forced into a choice I never asked for.

Anmol Dubey, 10 Sep 2025 09:20

Nova launcher installed on the TECNO Spark 40 Pro+ (Image Source: Antony Muchiri)

Nova Launcher is shutting down for good

Nova Launcher, the most popular third-party launcher for Android, is shutting down after developer Kevin Barry leaving Branch, the company that acquired it in 2022. The app, once the default choice for users who wanted control ove...

Antony Muchiri, 08 Sep 2025 18:57

YouTube's latest UI experiment for the web restores the volume button to its original spot, but drops the skip and miniplayer buttons. (Image source: Kristen Spradin / Notebookcheck)

YouTube's controversial video player redesign is popping up again, and honestly, it doesn't look half bad

YouTube is rolling out another test of its redesigned web video player, five months after its first attempt drew backlash. The updated look is cleaner and more transparent, with the volume slider back to its original position. How...

Kristen Spradlin, 08 Sep 2025 17:37

Severance is also a sharp parody of office culture under late-stage capitalism. (Image source: Apple TV+)

Severance season 1 review: A chilling blend of satire, sci-fi, and identity

Severance on Apple TV+ delivers a chilling mix of sci-fi, satire, and corporate mystery, with Adam Scott leading one of the decade’s most original dramas.

Darryl Linington, 06 Sep 2025 14:46

Apple also advertises the saving of people via SOS features. (Symbolic image, no use of a satellite connection, image source: Apple)

Lifesaver or paywall disaster? Why the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could make Garmin look old in regard to satellite communication

Apple's Watch Ultra 3 may deal a significant blow to Garmin and its Fenix 8 Pro, particularly from a marketing perspective. For customers, the choice of manufacturer could not only have financial implications but also an impact ...

Silvio Werner, 06 Sep 2025 13:59

K-Pop Demon Hunters -Mira, Rumi and Zoey (Image source - Netflix)

K-Pop Demon Hunters: The animation and music behind Netflix’s record-breaker

Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters blends anime, 2D/3D fusion, and Korean culture to set new records and redefine modern animation.

Darryl Linington, 05 Sep 2025 13:27

A screenshot from Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus that shows off the turn-based tactics gameplay. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | XCOM with a techno-cultist skin: Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus 80% off for a limited time

If you are interested in the recently announced Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II, this may be a great time to check out the 2018 original, which is now 80% off on Steam. The XCOM-inspired turn-based tactics game also comes with an ...

Rohith Bhaskar, 04 Sep 2025 17:57

Lois Lane and Superman pause amid Metropolis rubble (Image source: Warner Bros. Pictures / Jessica Miglio via Batman News)

Superman, rendered: The engineering that makes James Gunn’s reboot feel new

James Gunn’s Superman (2025) doesn’t try to win the loudness war. It wins the clarity war. The team stacked practical flight rigs, photographed skies on an LED stage, locked the show’s look before VFX, and built the sound mix in t...

Jonathan Bester, 03 Sep 2025 12:17

Fate Trigger will be playable again early next year (image source: Steam)

Fate Trigger initial impressions: Rough around the edges with plenty of scope for improvement

Fate Trigger is a free-to-play game that is somewhat reminiscent of Fortnite. Its closed beta ended recently, and the game will enter early access sometime in Q1 2026. It is a stereotypical Battle Royale game that attempts to stan...

Anil Ganti, 02 Sep 2025 14:34

An image of Mevita walking outdoors (Image source: JSK Tendon Group / Kento Kawaharazuka; cropped screenshot)

This simple, open-source bipedal robot is a DIY makers' dream

A team of engineers at the University of Tokyo has unveiled Mevita — an open-source bipedal robot designed to be strong yet simple to build. The robot uses a minimal number of individual metal parts, which can all be ordered onlin...

Chibuike Okpara, 02 Sep 2025 04:19

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (Image Source: Google)

Google Pixel 10a specs leak brings disappointing news

The budget-friendly "Pixel a" lineup is known for its balance of features and price. However, the first spec leaks for the Google Pixel 10a are here, and they bring bad news. Rumors speak of Google reusing old hardware, including ...

Jean Leon, 01 Sep 2025 19:14

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are compatible with non-Samsung smartphones, too. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Deal | This Galaxy Buds 3 Pro discount makes the Galaxy Buds 3 FE dead on arrival

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE will be available to buy in a week for $149.99. However, the more premium Galaxy Buds 3 Pro can be purchased for just $123.99 on Amazon.

Habeeb Onawole, 28 Aug 2025 22:49

The Motorola Edge 2025 (pictured) has a curved display, but its successor might ditch it for a flat one. (Image source: Motorola)

Leak hints the Motorola Edge 2026 may lose its (curved) edge, and that's a good thing

Motorola's Edge series is known for its curved displays which look aesthetically nice but can be a pain to deal with. Now, it seems Motorola has taken feedback from users and plans to switch to a flat display for next year's Motor...

Habeeb Onawole, 28 Aug 2025 17:04

Is the Nubia RedMagic 6R still a relevant gaming device? (Image source: Darryl Linington - Notebookcheck)

RedMagic 6R: A budget gaming champion in 2025

Is the Nubia RedMagic 6R still a good gaming phone in 2025? I revisit ZTE’s 2021 release to see if its performance and features hold up today.

Darryl Linington, 28 Aug 2025 01:11

From right to left (pictured) - Casio Edifice EFS-S641TMS-1A, and the ECB-S10NIS-7AJR Heritage Edition. (Image source: Casio)

Casio Edifice x motorsport: The history of collab watches with NISMO, TOM’S, Honda, and AlphaTauri

CheckMag Casio Edifice’s collabs span across Honda Racing/Type R, NISMO, TOM’S, Scuderia AlphaTauri/Toro Rosso, and Initial D/MF Ghost, with limited runs featuring team colors, special materials, and logos, including the new ECB-S10NIS-7AJ...

Anubhav Sharma, 25 Aug 2025 17:35

An in-game screenshot from Splitgate 2 (image source: SteamDB)

Splitgate 2 developers want something fans seldom give: A second chance

The development team behind Splitgate 2, 1047 Games, is appealing to gamers who were originally interested in the franchise to give them one more chance after a less-than-stellar launch and several controversies.

Rahim Amir Noorali, 23 Aug 2025 21:53

Battlefield 1 feels like the perfect Battlefield game, no shade on Battlefield 6. (Image source: Anubhav Sharma/Notebookcheck)

I played Battlefield 1 immediately after Battlefield 6’s Open Beta - and I didn't want to leave

CheckMag I tried the Battlefield 6 Open Beta, then jumped back into Battlefield 1. These are my thoughts on how they feel different in gameplay, map size, pacing, and teamwork. It's impressive how BF1 holds up well to this day - and that i...

Anubhav Sharma, 23 Aug 2025 15:17

From left to right (pictured), the Shanling M0 Pro, FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini, and the FiiO M21. (Image source: Shanling, FiiO)

6 feature-loaded Digital Audio Players that are surprisingly affordable

CheckMag Budget digital audio players can now deliver premium features which were once exclusive to flagship models. From the $60 FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini to the $129 Shanling M0 Pro, this list sheds light on 6 affordable DAPs that offer mor...

Anubhav Sharma, 22 Aug 2025 18:12

Framework may soon launch a Laptop 18 as an upgrade to its 16-inch gaming laptop

Framework has been having a lot of fun with cryptic clues in its most recent device launches, and the latest hint seems to suggest that the Framework 16 might just be getting an 18-inch display and chassis upgrade.

Julian van der Merwe, 22 Aug 2025 07:18

Analogue has only ever shown shiny Analogue 3D product renders. (Image source: Analogue)

The Analogue 3D is fast becoming another vaporware Smach Z disaster

Surprise, surprise, the Analogue 3D has been delayed again. Allegedly now 'at 99%' development after an original Q1 2025 release date, the Analogue 3D is going the way of the infamous Smach Z, with Analogue having never even shown...

Alex Alderson, 21 Aug 2025 13:14

On r/battlestations, you can find retro-futuristic builds that merely look good, as well as functional setups with high computing power. Pictured - three different setups from the subreddit. (Image source: r/battlestations - Edited)

The craziest, most upvoted PC setups on r/battlestations

CheckMag r/battlestations is a pretty popular subreddit, where users flex their PC setups. Amidst hundreds of builds being posted each week, some have reached the very top of that list. Here are 8 unique, striking PC builds that have garne...

Anubhav Sharma, 20 Aug 2025 17:57

Batman: Arkham Knight game image on Steam. (Image source: Steam)

Batman: Arkham Knight gets an HD texture pack that makes it more beautiful than ever

The acclaimed game Batman: Arkham Knight now benefits from an HD texture pack that considerably improves visual comfort. And the end result is quite impressive, taking you back to the streets of Gotham City more beautiful than eve...

Alexis Stegmann, 18 Aug 2025 10:33

Metal Gear Solid 2 introduces players to Raiden, who's the protagonist instead of Snake from MGS1. (Image source: u/cokeadope via r/MetalGearSolid subreddit)

One of the best game sequels ever made, it is even more relevant in 2025

CheckMag Metal Gear Solid 2 took the stealth action of the first game and pushed it to a whole new level. It surprised players with bold story choices and twists that still spark debate over two decades after its release. That's why MGS2 i...

Anubhav Sharma, 15 Aug 2025 21:22

An image showing a battle between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul in LEGO. (Image source: matyasvargaphoto - Pixabay)

A new LEGO set from this legendary license has just leaked and it will delight millions of fans

Star Wars fans will be able to enjoy a new legendary LEGO set representing the Death Star. But be careful, because even if this set is sublime and will delight thousands of people, its price is an important factor to consider, to...

Alexis Stegmann, 11 Aug 2025 18:16

Where Winds Meet is one of the 6 free-to-play games featured in the list, and visually, it rivals some AA and AAA titles out there. Pictured - a screenshot from the game. (Image source: Steam)

Extremely promising free-to-play Steam games that will launch soon

CheckMag From zombie MMOs and pirate survival to wuxia open worlds and roguelite billiards, these six upcoming free-to-play Steam games exhibit a lot of potential. Some of these can be tried out right now, thanks to demos and ongoing playt...

Anubhav Sharma, 09 Aug 2025 15:46

First impressions: Battlefield 6 Open Beta feels like a real return to form

CheckMag Battlefield 6’s Open Beta has brought back chaos, destruction, and squad play the series is known for. It has hints of Battlefield 3’s pace mixed in with some of Battlefield 1’s immersion. Here's what I thought about BF6 during my...

Anubhav Sharma, 08 Aug 2025 11:19

Reddit is positioning itself to become your go-to search engine

Reddit is actively working to become a primary search destination by leveraging its vast archive of human-to-human conversations. During its second-quarter 2025 earnings call, the company confirmed that making Reddit a go-to searc...

Antony Muchiri, 05 Aug 2025 19:13

Jemma Redgrave returns as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart to lead UNIT in the newest spinoff of the Doctor Who universe. (Image source: BBC)

UNITing the Whoniverse: What we know about the new spin‑off

The TARDIS is silent; the timelines, uncertain. As The War Between the Land and the Sea rises from the depths, so does a fresh wave of Whovian world-building. In this reflection on past spin-offs like Torchwood, Class, and The Sar...

Jonathan Bester, 05 Aug 2025 17:24

Dexter at York Street Station—no longer hiding in shadows, but moving through a city built on systems he now hunts from within. (Image source: Paramount Plus)

Dexter goes corporate: Why Resurrection is targeting institutions, not just killers

Dexter Morgan now hunts institutions—not just killers—inside New York’s sleek façade. Skyscrapers, hotel lobbies, and moneyed backrooms are the man's new hunting grounds in Dexter: Resurrection.

Jonathan Bester, 05 Aug 2025 17:05

Two fans (image source: GamersNexus YouTube channel)

Noctua's attempt to make the perfect fan — Noctua engineer outlines limitations in current fan design

In a technical discussion hosted by Gamers Nexus, Noctua’s Jacob Dellinger offers a detailed breakdown of PC cooling fan design fundamentals, from blade geometry and acoustics to airflow and heatsink resistance. While current desi...

Sebastian Jankowski, 05 Aug 2025 03:45

Spec Ops: The Line is a brutally evocative narrative that is unlike any other shooting game ever made. (Image source: Steam)

A love letter to one of the best action-shooter games ever made

CheckMag Released in 2012, Spec Ops: The Line looked like a typical military shooter - but beneath its dusty exterior was a brutal, introspective story that challenged players' morality and reshaped how we view violence in video games. Thi...

Anubhav Sharma, 05 Aug 2025 00:49

A game controler that's falling apart and a bewildered man (image source: Stop Killing Games YouTube channel)

One man vs the games industry: Stop Killing Games pushes governments to act, then burns out

Ross Scott’s Stop Killing Games initiative, credited with catalyzing global action against the deletion of paid digital games, is winding down its direct activism. With key legislative and regulatory efforts now in motion across t...

Sebastian Jankowski, 04 Aug 2025 19:52

Squid game TV series season 3 (Image source: AI-generated image)

Squid Game season 3 review: When the stakes are human

Squid Game Season 3 doesn’t just continue the story; it flips it inside out. The violence remains—but it’s the emotion underneath that cuts deepest. The show no longer relies on shock to land its punches. Now, it aims lower. Somew...

Jonathan Bester, 04 Aug 2025 18:13

Lip-Bu Tan (Image source: Intel corporation)

Cadence export violations cast shadow over Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s tenure

Cadence Design Systems has admitted to violating U.S. export control laws by selling chip design tools to Chinese military-linked entities during Lip-Bu Tan’s time as CEO. With Tan now leading Intel—and with no personal consequenc...

Sebastian Jankowski, 04 Aug 2025 09:23

Plastic bottles (Image source: tanvi sharma via Unsplash)

Plastic health crisis fuels urgency for treaty as industry pushes back

Plastics are now tied to serious health effects across all stages of life, from developmental damage in infants to cancer risks in adults. Yet as global talks move toward a plastics treaty to curb production and protect public hea...

Sebastian Jankowski, 04 Aug 2025 02:58

PC game releases this August (Image Source: Respective game studios)

PC game releases I'm most excited about this August

CheckMag August 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for PC gaming in recent memory. From big-name remakes like Gears of War: Reloaded and Metal Gear Solid Delta to indie standouts like Sword of the Sea and Discounty, this mo...

Antony Muchiri, 03 Aug 2025 10:55

Turning mercury into gold (image source: ChatGPT DALL·E)

Gold from mercury? How a tokamak fusion reactor may generate precious metal through neutron transmutation

Fusion startup Marathon Fusion claims its theoretical reactor design could generate up to 3000 kg of gold per year by converting mercury inside a layered neutron blanket. The process would also produce tritium fuel for deuterium-t...

Sebastian Jankowski, 01 Aug 2025 01:48

From left to right: The rag & bone × Casio Vintage Premium, the A$AP Ferg GA-110FRG-7AER, and Supreme × The North Face DW-6900SNF-1A. (Image source: Casio. G-Central)

14 iconic Casio collab watches that became instant collectibles upon launch

CheckMag Casio has maintained its relevance over the years due to many reasons - one of them being collaborations with other brands and pop-culture icons. There have been countless collabs since the first one in 1997 - this list covers 14 ...

Anubhav Sharma, 31 Jul 2025 22:03

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Flip 7: Redditor’s 'disappointing camera' complaints draw agreement before post is removed

Samsung officially launched its latest generation of foldables on July 9, with 3 devices on roll call: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. These devices have received their fair share of criticism for reasons...

Chibuike Okpara, 31 Jul 2025 08:58

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the latest phone to suffer through the JerryRigEverything durability tests. (Image source: JerryRigEverything on YouTube)

JerryRigEverything claims "dehumanizing" Samsung Mobile US interaction, announces switch to non-Galaxy daily driver

Serial smartphone reviewer Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything has claimed that after a "dehumanizing" chat with a Samsung Mobile US rep, he is switching over to a non-Samsung phone for the first time in 10 years. The development ca...

Fawad Murtaza, 29 Jul 2025 15:05

Opinion

Sub-$100 Timex watches with style as well as substance

The Conjuring hits new heights — and now gets a TV future

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro and Xbox Remote Play: A smooth combo

Anno 117: How easy is it for beginners to get started? My first experience with the building strategy series

Beoplay Portal Xbox long-term review: Premium sound held back by connection issues

Severance season 3: The camera equipment that could shape this incredible show

Apple's misleading iPhone 17 Pro camera marketing distracts customers from the real weaknesses

Severance season 2 review: Bigger, stranger, and beautifully filmed

Hideo Kojima says a singular conversation in early job interview changed his entire career path

Apple Music for Windows: Why its garbage listening experience has been failing loyal users since 2023

iPhone Air is cool, but I wanted an iPhone 17 Plus

Nova Launcher is shutting down for good

YouTube's controversial video player redesign is popping up again, and honestly, it doesn't look half bad

Severance season 1 review: A chilling blend of satire, sci-fi, and identity

Lifesaver or paywall disaster? Why the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could make Garmin look old in regard to satellite communication

K-Pop Demon Hunters: The animation and music behind Netflix’s record-breaker

Deal | XCOM with a techno-cultist skin: Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus 80% off for a limited time

Superman, rendered: The engineering that makes James Gunn’s reboot feel new

Fate Trigger initial impressions: Rough around the edges with plenty of scope for improvement

This simple, open-source bipedal robot is a DIY makers' dream

Google Pixel 10a specs leak brings disappointing news

Deal | This Galaxy Buds 3 Pro discount makes the Galaxy Buds 3 FE dead on arrival

Leak hints the Motorola Edge 2026 may lose its (curved) edge, and that's a good thing

RedMagic 6R: A budget gaming champion in 2025

Casio Edifice x motorsport: The history of collab watches with NISMO, TOM’S, Honda, and AlphaTauri

Splitgate 2 developers want something fans seldom give: A second chance

I played Battlefield 1 immediately after Battlefield 6’s Open Beta - and I didn't want to leave

6 feature-loaded Digital Audio Players that are surprisingly affordable

Framework may soon launch a Laptop 18 as an upgrade to its 16-inch gaming laptop

The Analogue 3D is fast becoming another vaporware Smach Z disaster

The craziest, most upvoted PC setups on r/battlestations

Batman: Arkham Knight gets an HD texture pack that makes it more beautiful than ever

One of the best game sequels ever made, it is even more relevant in 2025

A new LEGO set from this legendary license has just leaked and it will delight millions of fans

Extremely promising free-to-play Steam games that will launch soon

First impressions: Battlefield 6 Open Beta feels like a real return to form

Reddit is positioning itself to become your go-to search engine

UNITing the Whoniverse: What we know about the new spin‑off

Dexter goes corporate: Why Resurrection is targeting institutions, not just killers

Noctua's attempt to make the perfect fan — Noctua engineer outlines limitations in current fan design

A love letter to one of the best action-shooter games ever made

One man vs the games industry: Stop Killing Games pushes governments to act, then burns out

Squid Game season 3 review: When the stakes are human

Cadence export violations cast shadow over Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s tenure

Plastic health crisis fuels urgency for treaty as industry pushes back

PC game releases I'm most excited about this August

Gold from mercury? How a tokamak fusion reactor may generate precious metal through neutron transmutation

14 iconic Casio collab watches that became instant collectibles upon launch

Flip 7: Redditor’s 'disappointing camera' complaints draw agreement before post is removed

JerryRigEverything claims "dehumanizing" Samsung Mobile US interaction, announces switch to non-Galaxy daily driver

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First impressions: Battlefield 6 Open Beta feels like a real return to form