At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Excellent full-color night vision Sharp 3K video resolution Smart motion detection with human and vehicle filtering Cons No included microSD card No AI-driven features beyond basic smart detection Our Verdict The Annke NightChroma NC500 is a rock-solid budget camera that delivers sharp, full-color surveillance–including at night–and smart detection where it counts. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly security camera that doesn’t skimp on nighttime clarity, the Annke NightChroma NC500 is worth a look. This wired 3K PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera captures full-color video even in total darkness, something you don’t typically get at its modest $64.99 price point (that was the sale price at the time of this review; MSRP is $99.99). That combination of sharp imaging and vivid night vision makes it an appealing option for DIYers setting up their own security systems–especially those who are also looking for a local networked storage option–as well as homeowners looking to add reliable coverage without blowing their budget. The Annke NightChroma NC500 doesn’t try to dazzle with extras; it focuses on doing the basics really well, and that’s what makes it such a strong buy. Design and features The Annke NC500 is available in both bullet and turret styles; I tested the bullet version. It has the no-nonsense look of a classic security camera—long and cylindrical, with a sturdy mounting bracket that makes it easy to aim exactly where you need coverage. The housing is made of aluminum and feels solid and well-built, with an IP67 weatherization rating that protects it against dust and rain (it can withstand being immersed in up to 3.3 feet of water for as long as 30 minutes). It can also operate in extreme temperatures, with an operating range of -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees F (-30 to 60 degrees C). (To find out more about how well devices are protected from the elements, read our informative guide to IP codes at the preceding link.) Whether it’s scorching summer heat or a winter freeze, the Annke NC500 is built to hold up outdoors. The compact bullet-style camera supports Power over Ethernet, meaning power and a network connection are supplied by a single cable, simplifying outdoor installations. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Beneath its rugged exterior, the camera is more impressive than its price might suggest. It captures video with 3K resolution (3072 × 1728 pixels), providing a significant leap in detail over standard 1080p (1920 x 1080). That’s especially useful for identifying faces, license plates, or small movements at a distance. But what really sets this camera apart from the competition at this price is its low-light performance. The Annke NC500 uses a large f/1.0 aperture and a backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor, both of which help it gather more light after dark. Combined with Annke’s Acme Color Night Vision technology, the camera can deliver full-color footage even in near-total darkness. A built-in soft supplement light discreetly activates in 0 lux conditions, boosting low-light performance without the harsh glare of a spotlight or the grayscale fallback of infrared night vision. Other useful features include a built-in microphone for audio capture and support for local storage (up to 256GB via a microSD card that you’ll need to supply your own. Video is compressed using the efficient H.265+ codec, which helps reduce file sizes without sacrificing image quality. Setup and performance Support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) means both data and power travel over the same ethernet cable, simplifying wiring and delivering added flexibility as to where you install the camera–you’re not limited to locations near an electrical outlet. As long as you have a PoE-capable ethernet switch or a PoE injector you can use with your existing switch or roouter, one cable from your router or NVR (network video recorder) is all it takes to power the camera and get it online. The NC500 is designed to work seamlessly with Annke’s own NVR systems; if you’re using a third-party recorder, you’ll want to confirm compatibility before purchasing. The Annke Vision app has a spare, intutitive design that makes it easy to control the camera and customize its settings. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Once connected, setup is handled through the Annke Vision app, which offers a relatively smooth user experience. You can view live footage, play back recorded video, adjust camera settings, and set up motion detection alerts. The motion detection feature allows you to fine-tune sensitivity levels, helping reduce false alarms from wind-blown trees or passing cars. In terms of performance, the NC500 punches well above its weight. Its night-vision capabilities are particularly strong—footage is captured in full color and is impressively clear even when the ambient light drops to near zero. This gives it a significant edge over traditional IR-based night-vision cameras, which often revert to grainy black-and-white imagery when operating in full darkness. During my testing, the camera maintained sharp image quality in both rainy and bright conditions, and the sturdy build showed no signs of stress during a spring downpour. The onboard microphone also did a decent job picking up conversation, handy for capturing more context in your recordings. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. The camera’s smart detection capabilities are a clear step up from basic motion alerts. It can distinguish between people and vehicles, which helps cut down on false alarms from things like swaying branches or neighborhood pets. In my testing, motion alerts were timely and mostly accurate, with only the occasional missed detection or unnecessary ping. You can tweak sensitivity and set motion zones in the app to further reduce noise, making the alerts more useful and less disruptive. Should you buy the Annke NightChroma NC500? The Annke NC500 doesn’t try to dazzle with extras; it focuses on doing the basics really well, and that’s what makes it such a strong buy. You get sharp video, reliable full-color night vision, and motion detection that’s smart enough to tell a person from a passing car. That’s more than enough to stand out in a crowded budget security camera market.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here There’s a lot to look forward to in Helldivers 2. PlayStation has seemingly leaked the date of the next HD2 major update, and it’s right around the corner. The invasion of Super Earth has also been deemed inevitable by Arrowhead, and a leaker has shared gameplay of “Super Earth Mega Cities” under attack with “SEAF troops on the battlefield” and more. While the next big update seems to be arriving in less than a week, before then Arrowhead are aiming to fix the Helldivers 2 “stratagem spawning glitch” that is irking many players. Helldivers 2 dev confirms hotfix incoming for “stratagem spawning glitch” Since the release of Helldivers 2 update 01.003.000 on May 13th, there have been complaints about a “stratagem spawning glitch”. Fortunately, on Discord, Arrowhead community manager, Baskinator, has just confirmed the studio is aware of the glitch and that they are “preparing a hotfix tentatively scheduled for tomorrow”. Image credit: Helldivers Discord As of writing, this means the current intent from Arrowhead is to release the hotfix on May 16th. However, because it’s “tentatively scheduled for tomorrow,” there is the possibility it may not come out as planned. On Reddit, there have been complaints about the glitch since the release of update 01.003.000. Basically, the glitch is a duplication bug, and one Reddit post shows gameplay of someone calling in “100 380mm barrages,” resulting in just pure carnage. Aside from the duplication bug simply existing, the big problem is that it is causing the game to frequently crash for many players. According to one comment, “orbital gas strikes, any support items and any turrets seem fine and don’t cause crashes,” but “barrage, gatling, most eagles, and especially any vehicles,” have a “high chance of game crashing”. Another Reddit post begs people to please stop abusing the glitch because “every match someone is doing it and it constantly causes me to crash”. In this Reddit thread, one user bemoaned, “Just crashed at extraction on a tier 9 mission because one moron did this. The run was so fun otherwise, I can’t ever enjoy one thing man…”. Fortunately, for frustrated players, a hotfix is incoming and planned for May 16th. Hopefully it comes out as “tentatively scheduled” so Super Earth soldiers can go back to enjoying the game. For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to the best warbonds ranked, along with the best stratagems and best throwables. We have also a guide to the best weapons, and, if you’re coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch of tips and tricks to help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield. Helldivers 2 Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5 Genre(s): Action, Shooter, Third Person 8 VideoGamer Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Capcom Vs. SNK 2 – a good old fashioned brawl (Capcom) The latest in Capcom’s series of retro fighting game compilations focuses on Capcom Vs. SNK and GameCentral favourite Power Stone. Every time we talk to anyone from Capcom, no matter what the subject is, we always ask about a new sequel to Power Stone. We’ve been doing it for over a decade now, mostly just to annoy them, but now, finally, the series has returned. We don’t know how many other people are excited about that fact – probably not many, given the length of the franchise’s absence – but we couldn’t be happier. At the same time, it can be a depressing jolt of reality when you return to a game after many years, with memories of its greatness, and realise that time has not been kind to it. Power Stone, and some of the other games in this collection, are over a quarter of a century old but, to our relief, they’re still highly enjoyable today, with that classic Capcom combination of swagger and cheesy exuberance. In fact, it’s remarkable just how well Capcom fighting games tend to endure, as evidenced by the previously released Capcom Fighting Collection and Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. A cynical mind might accuse this third title of starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel but that’s not fair, as while these games might not be as well known they’re every bit as interesting as Capcom’s more famous headliners. Although it contained a number of unrelated titles, the main focus of the first Capcom Fighting Collection was the Darkstalkers series, with all five original arcade games included. There’s a less clear-cut theme for this one, but the most high-profile inclusions (if you’re a Power Stone philistine) are probably the two Capcom Vs. SNK games. There is something that connects all but one of the games though and that’s that all of them were also ported to the Dreamcast, as everything but Capcom Fighting Evolution was released in a narrow window between 1998 and 2001. That matches up exactly with the life and death of Sega’s last console, of which Capcom was one of the most prolific supporters. That creates a slight problem though, in that all these versions of the games are based on the original coin-ops – which the majority of people will never have played – and not the more familiar Dreamcast editions. That’s a real shame, because a lot of ancillary options have been lost in the process, particularly for something like Power Stone 2, which had an additional Adventure mode involving unlocking extra weapons and items. That’s not to suggest this is a lazy compilation though; like the previous ones it’s anything but. It’s just unfortunately the emphasis is solely on the arcade versions. As such, you get both the English and Japanese versions of each game, plus museum content, in-game achievements, and brand new online options including casual, ranked, and custom matches. Each game also has a new training mode, where the button presses are indicated on-screen; you can pause and restart the single-player modes at any time; and there’s a ton of controller and difficultly level options, including the chance for one button specials. There’s alternative sound mixes too, plenty of screen filter options, and they even bothered to scan in the original arcade marquee cards, that explained how the games work. We’ll go through the games in chronological order, which starts with 3D fighter Plasma Sword: Nightmare Of Bilstein. Probably the most obscure title in the collection, it’s known as Star Gladiator 2 in Japan and is essentially a sci-fi take on Soulcalibur, completely with faux lightsabers. It also shares a lot of DNA with Street Fighter EX but even in 1998 it was considered a generic outing, with sub-par graphics. Although it’s still miles better than contemporary Star Wars: Masters Of Teräs Käs. Power Stone doesn’t necessarily look that great in screenshots (Capcom) The first Power Stone was released in 1999 and we strongly feel it’s one of the most underappreciated fighting games of all time, especially when it comes to the use of 3D space. Instead of just sidling round your opponent you have full freedom of movement in a small 3D arena, using objects, walls, and architecture to increase your attack options, as well as picking up weapons and the titular power stones. Collect all of the latter and you briefly transform into a powered-up form, similar to the Infinity Gem gimmick from Marvel Super Heroes. The downside to this is that there are no real combos, except doing the same attack multiple times, and a very limited number of special moves, but that’s not really the point. What the game loses in technical complexity it gains in terms of tactical intrigue, as you use the stage, and your opponents’ desire to get to a weapon or power stone before you, to your advantage. Admittedly, it’s still not exactly a deep game but the foundation was there to build it into something more complex. As it was though, Capcom went in the opposite direction for Power Stone 2 and while there were a few clones at the time, such as Shrek SuperSlam, the concept sadly just faded away. Which is a real shame because we’ve always felt it would make the perfect template for a new Super Smash Bros., especially after Ultimate left the series with nowhere else to go. 2000’s Power Stone 2 takes the same concept and rather than trying to deepen the combat it turns the crazy up to 11. The four-player brawls occur over larger stages, which often transform during battle, and there’s a much larger range of weapons, as well turrets and even moving vehicles to take control of. With four people who know what they’re doing (which the AI often does not) it’s glorious chaos but unfortunately that’s as far as the concept ever went. If you want a more technical fighter then you need look no further than Capcom Vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro, the first of several crossovers created with publishing rival SNK. SNK made a bunch of Card Fighters Clash games, plus a fighter for the Neo Geo Pocket, and the disappointing SNK Vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, but it’s Capcom’s two games which are considered the best thing to come out of the team-up. Despite the name, the only non-Street Fighter character from Capcom is Morrigan, while SNK’s line-up is based on The King Of Fighters (which itself is a crossover of various SNK franchises, such as Fatal Fury). You can choose attack meters derived from either Street Fighter Alpha or The King of Fighters ’98, although there were other modes and features in the Dreamcast version. Project Justice, aka Rival Schools 2, is another relative obscurity, at least in the West, but is arguably Capcom’s best 3D fighter (in the non-Power Stone sense of the concept). It’s a 3v3 team fighter but while there’s a lot more depth and complexity to the combat than Plasma Sword it still comes across as a little late to the party, compared to something like Tekken – which had been around for six years at this point. The lone Street Fighter game in the collection is Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, which is a bit of a random pick but a very well regarded entry and the last in the Alpha sub-series of prequel titles. The pixel graphics are great and the introduction of the different ‘-ism’ fighting styles went on to have quite an impact on Capcom fighting games in general. Power Stone aside, Capcom Vs. SNK 2: Mark Of The Millennium 2001 is the star of the collection, with a much larger selection of characters than the original, although the number of non-Street Fighter characters is still frustratingly small. More Trending The system for selecting your team is one of the biggest gameplay changes, with a ratio system that limits the selection according to the character’s power and not just how many fighters there are – which, again, went on to influence many future games. 2004’s Capcom Fighting Evolution (aka Capcom Fighting Jam) is the most recent entry in the collection but easily the least interesting. It’s a very half-hearted crossover fighter, featuring characters from Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Red Earth. It barely even scratches the surface of the Capcom Vs. Capcom game that fans have long yearned for, with sprites stolen from Capcom Vs. SNK 2 – except with simplified animation and a lot of missing moves. Despite the odd dud game, all of these fighting collections have been great and while it does depend to a degree on how much nostalgia you have for the titles, most of them are significant in some way – and we’d dearly like to see new entries in the Power Stone and Capcom Vs. SNK series. The missing Dreamcast versions are a real shame but even without that Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a fascinating and sensibly priced compilation, that has clearly been produced with a lot of love and effort. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 review summary In Short: Another excellent compilation of forgotten Capcom fighters, with the revival of Power Stone and Capcom Vs. SNK being especially welcome – even if it’s a shame these aren’t the Dreamcast versions. Pros: Almost all the games are interesting and enjoyable, while the range of new options, including fully featured online, training modes, and difficulty and display options are top notch. Cons: It’s a real shame that the Dreamcast versions aren’t included, as they had a lot of extra content and modes. Capcom Fighting Evolution is rubbish. Score: 8/10 Formats: PlayStation 4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PCPrice: £34.99Publisher: CapcomDeveloper: CapcomRelease Date: 16th May 2025Age Rating: 16 Project Justice is an interesting curio (Capcom) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

“What. Is. THAT?” At Remedy HQ, me and two other writers getting a first hands-on with the forthcoming FBC: Firebreak have hit a problem. Namely, a strange, ever-changing black-grey mass, aimlessly and unnervingly stuttering around the Quarry we’re currently exploring. We have no idea what it is until we get close enough to recognize it—an Astral Spike from Firebreak’s ‘prequel,’ Control. But by then, it’s too late. Our screams that soon follow confirm it’s still just as deadly as ever. It’s not the only surprise I encountered in my extensive playthrough of the already slick and utterly engaging first-person squad-based shooter, launching June 17 on PlayStation 5. Here’s what I discovered from a fair few rounds of firefighting a paranatural invasion in the Oldest House. Live as a team or die alone repeatedly The focus on creating a team of three for the game’s player vs. environment (PvE) set-up is to hone in on the three classes of the game, known as Crisis Kits. I plumped for the Jump Kit, which specializes in crowd control and power management, while my two teammates went for the Fix Kit (a repair and tech expert) and Splash Kit (a water dealer and status support for other players). These Kits are designed to complement and collaborate in tasks and attacks, so trying to be a maverick only leads to death, likely yours. Communication is absolutely essential – especially as it’s easy to get caught in friendly fire – and taking full advantage of the Kits’ tools is the only way to survive the endless supply of rampaging hordes. And given that you possess a limited number of respawns between your team, reviving each other on the field is the best way to stay in the game, not always easy when dozens of Hiss beasties surround you. Crafting the perfect loadout In addition to the expected rifles, shotguns, and pistols, each Kit consists of three types of equipment: a tool, augment, and item. My Jump Kit’s initial loadout features an Electro-Kinetic Charge Impactor tool for shocking enemies, powering up generators, and even jumping long distances, and a BOOMbox item that distracts enemies once it’s charged. The systemic subtleties of each Kit’s equipment is where the teamwork comes into play. My Splash Kit comrade-in-arms uses his Crank-Operated Fluidic Ejector tool to wet the beasts, which maximizes my electrocution attack on them. At the same time, our Fix Kit buddy utilizes his Swivel Turret item that automatically tracks and unleashes a volley of rounds at any stragglers. Like the best co-op shooters, FBC: Firebreak encourages you to improvise under increasingly difficult odds, while not being afraid of the hilarity that comes with the chaos. There’s a mischievous glee from the Remedy staff when they unlock our Kits’ augments, and I soon see why. Once charged, my augment – named the AI19 Garden Gnome – fired out an unassuming gnome that unleashed a massive electrical storm that was far too close to my entire team and got us all electrocuted. My bad. Playing with piggy banks and paper Of course, it’s not all just fighting (or accidentally maiming your teammates) with things like the enemy igniting AI44 Teapot or the incredibly significant damage of the ‘break on contact but reforming’ AI16 Piggy Bank. FBC’s director and Control’s protagonist, Jesse Faden, has given you specific tasks to ensure the invasion of Hiss is contained. In this build of the game, I have access to three of the five Jobs that will be present at launch. Hot Fix challenges you to repair a number of heat fans and ultimately reseal the Maintenance Sector’s paranatural Furnace. Paper Chase requires the destruction of a set number of sticky notes, as well as surviving the shuffling sticky note monsters. Ground Control drops you into Black Rock Quarry to kill Astral Leeches in order to uncover irradiated pearls that need to be collected into a shuttle and launched into orbit. Each well-designed level offers opportunities to use the Kits’ different abilities, such as the Fix Kit’s wrench providing quick repairs to broken fans that lets you sidestep the button matching sub-game other Kits might need to perform, or the Splash Kit’s Humidifier spraying healing water to wash off radiation. But the Jobs also bring their fair share of downright terrifying moments, such as the confrontation with the literally giant sticky note boss monster, Sticky Ricky, which requires you to power up surrounding generators before you can hurt it. Or the aforementioned nightmare-inducing Astral Spikes that haunt the Quarry. ​​ Customization and corruption keep you guessing With its satisfying gunplay and smooth controls that feel at home on the DualSense wireless controller, there’s a lot to look forward to with FBC: Firebreak. Plenty of extra tantalizing elements will be expanded for launch, too, such as the many unlockable customizable gears and cosmetics for weapons, equipment, armor, or level unlock perks, such as the chance for electrified bullets or the ability to shake off radiation or fire by jumping up and down. There’s even a Corruption Level modifier that introduces Corrupted Items that cause additional hazards, such as low gravity or—the horrifying one I encountered, which led to many deaths—super fast enemies. It’s all designed to make the most of movement and character status-based systems, creating unpredictable results that set up FBC: Firebreak to be a compelling and ever-evolving experience. The doors to the Oldest House reopen when FBC: Firebreak shoots onto PS5 on June 17, with day one availability for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members as part of PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. And for anyone who still has any doubts, don’t worry – Remedy has this all under Control.

Minutes into my mission, I'm having second thoughts. Gunning down a dozen zombie-like enemies is a lot for a lowly office worker in the Federal Bureau of Control. At first, it's hard to have faith in my gear -- a backpack water jug with a cannon for drenching enemies. But then my fellow FBC squad mate (a secretary or middle manager, I forget which) uses his kit to zap all the soaked foes at once. With our third coworker slamming their wrench into anything that moves, we barely manage to fix up some broken fans before sprinting for the elevator as the doors close on the enemy horde.Welcome to FBC Firebreak. Media got a chance to play the game for a few hours in an online preview ahead of its release on June 17. Six in-game years after the events of Remedy Entertainment's seminal 2019 game Control, the FBC headquarters is still partially occupied by the otherworldly Hiss invaders. But the brave workforce of the FBC has stepped up, and as one of the agency's rangers or secretaries or middle managers, it's up to players to drive them out of the offices. FBC Firebeak is a departure for Remedy as its first game built to be multiplayer rather than its decades of single-player adventures. But the studio's newest title is a smaller-scope "AA" game, unlike the flagship AAA releases like Alan Wake II, Control and its other prior hits. However, Firebreak's $40 price tag (or $50 for the deluxe edition) that matches its more modest scope will be welcome to players reeling from the sticker shock of $80 games coming from Nintendo and Microsoft.In my preview, I could see how Remedy is attempting to blend its signature style of weird, funky gunplay into a multiplayer setting, and mostly succeeds. There's a lot of character to the world it's built, and players will likely enjoy taking on the role of supernatural emergency responders as a change of pace from the gunplay-heavy squad shooters they know. But diehard fans of the studio's storytelling-heavy approach will have to adjust to the new game's fast co-op pace.And they'll have to get used to its difficulty, because FBC Firebreak is hard.I'll give you an example: My two squad mates -- one of whom was CNET video editor Sean Booker --  and I dropped into one of the three missions available to us. We each picked a gun and one of three equipment backpacks, each offering unique tools that work best when combined -- a key way the game encourages teamwork. We set the mission to normal difficulty, and out we went. Remedy EntertainmentThe mission (or "job" in Firebreak talk) we chose was Paper Chase, wherein our squad is tasked with cleaning up a plague of supernatural Post-it notes. Like other areas of FBC headquarters, the offices we explored -- faithfully recreated with '60s shag rugs and retro decor from 2019's Control -- had been warped by the invading Hiss, making things even stranger. That meant we weren't just fighting Hiss-possessed FBC workers clawing and shooting at us -- we also had to gun down humanoid golems made of Post-its.Our third squad mate dropped out due to GPU compatibility issues, so our CNET twosome cleared out gobs of Post-its haunting the office floor, all while getting slammed with unending hordes of enemies. We ran out of bullets pretty quickly. My colleague Booker had a mechanic's kit with a mean wrench he could swing around -- it also let him repair gadgets scattered around the level faster. Meanwhile, my backpack water blaster did little more than stagger enemies, relying on a one-two combo with the shock kit carried by our now-dropped-out squad mate.With my weak melee and frequent deaths, Booker and I barely made it back to the elevator to finish the job. For the rest of our preview, we stuck to the easiest difficulty. The equipment kits, called Crisis Kits, come in three varieties (left to right): Jump Kit with shock area attacks, Fix Kit with a wrench and deployable turret and Splash Kit with a water cannon and healing humidifier. Remedy EntertainmentSquad up or die tryingTechnically, you can drop into a "job" all by your lonesome, but I wouldn't recommend it. They're built to be challenging for three people, and I can attest how it's a difficult enough experience with two, even on an easier setting. Four-person squads just weren't balanced, as Remedy developers previously told me, which made sense as I fought tooth-and-nail through narrow hallways, roomy offices and spacious mines that would've felt crowded with more than two other teammates.There are other tools at your disposal to take into jobs, like grenades, deployable equipment to use with your backpack kit and a rechargeable super ability (which we didn't get far enough along to tinker with) -- all gradually unlocked as you level up. Decked out in more gear, we stood a better chance of withstanding hordes of enemies. When I slammed down a jug filled by my water backpack that sprayed healing in a radius around it, we withstood waves of foes that had previously wiped us out.But we still weren't eager to tip the difficulty back up to normal, and how much players struggle may be a make-or-break point for Firebreak's player experience. It's a balance that could be tweaked in many ways before the game comes out in June, from enemy health and behavior to kit effectiveness and ammo availability. Remedy reinforced that the preview we saw was a work in progress, so I'd expect some tinkering to come, but the game walks a tricky line in encouraging (and borderline requiring) cooperation through its unique mechanics and tasks while allowing player flexibility -- after all, the strangers filling your online co-op squad will come in a variety of skill levels and attitudes.In its current state, getting swamped by wave after wave of Hiss while feeling my kit's inadequacy is a bit worrisome. The game shows promise with its unique setting, gameplay and niche in the multiplayer shooter space -- one that favors weirdness and intriguing mechanics over sweaty gunplay. Remedy EntertainmentCo-op in the Alan Wake universeAs the FBC Firebreak developers explained in our briefing before the preview, the game was designed with three core pillars. The most obvious of those was on display when we booted up the game: there should be as little standing between players booting up the game and getting to the action. No cutscenes, plot diversions or dense dialogue to get in the way of jumping into a job.That leads to the game's second pillar: every player gets the same content -- no progression roadblocks or paid DLC to split up a squad. For the $40 entry fee, players will get whatever the Firebreak developers introduce to the game -- which at the moment are two additional jobs coming sometime after the game's launch. This ties into one of my main annoyances during the preview: progression felt too slow to unlock enough items that made me feel effective in the field. It makes sense if Remedy wants a longer progression runway to keep players coming back -- for new equipment, better weapons and more cosmetics to outfit their Firebreak workers.The last pillar was the one I saw the least of -- mainly because we didn't see much of the game: that FBC Firebreak delivers action and moments found "only in Control." From the preview, this bore out in the reliance on kit equipment over guns -- even without my third squad mate following up with an electricity blast, I discovered my water gun could stagger enemies when charged up, leaving my other squad mate to batter them with his wrench. This mixes in a dose of absurdity with the frenetic terror of Hiss hordes. Remedy EntertainmentIn practice, FBC Firebreak feels like a mixture of Left 4 Dead and Ghostbusters, which is a fun and funky blend that shakes up the tired squad shooter genre. But its focus on quickly moving players in and out of jobs leaves little room for the kind of secret-hunting and lore-digging that defined past Remedy games. To that end, it's tough to imagine whether the studio's diehard fans will embrace Firebreak's loops running the same missions without heavy storytelling, let alone standout moments like Control's Ashtray Maze or Alan Wake II's We Sing musical sequence. Firebreak's developers previously told me they don't believe those memorable moments really fit in a multiplayer game, especially if it means forcing players to relive them repeatedly. They're probably right, but it means the new game will need to rely on emergent moments born from unpredictable, often ridiculous situations -- the kind of had-to-be-there memories that help a game stand out.With no more of FBC director Jesse Faden's story until Control 2, and no required story content in Firebreak, the new game seems poised to truly stand on its own. And without any detail on how Firebreak ties into the greater Remedyverse storyline shared across the studio's games, or how much lore it has tucked away waiting for players to discover, Firebreak will sink or swim based on how fun it is to run around as an office drone saving your workplace with wild gadgets and guns. A lot of that remains to be seen.  Watch this: I Attended the Public Nintendo Switch 2 Experience

A few summers ago, when the culture was moving through micro trends as fast as they could be Instagrammed, Cottage Core was born. The trend, which came out of a Covid-influenced romanticism for living close to nature (but not ruffing it, à la gorpcore, fashion’s cousin trend), inspired an infusion of chintz and whicker-filled interiors, and, of course, lush English-style gardens.Flash forward to 2025. All those cottage gardens planted in early 2020—rustic, sophisticated, chic—are at their peak. And there really is something to an outdoor space that merges with the indoors, is there not? On a warm summer evening, when the bougainvillea is in bloom, and the grass is a bit damp, what could be more appealing than a home built to nestle into a fantastical garden.Here, we’ve collected some of our favorite cottage gardens. They range from fairy house gardens to campground landscape, historical (Anne Hathaway’s famed cottage that has inspired Shakespeare devotees the world over) to contemporary compound gardens in the woods.While we may have a specific notion of a cottage garden, but they are—and should be—as unique as the people who tend them. One lesson for planting your own? A small space is an asset rather than a limitation.Below, you’ll find 15 of our favorite cottage gardens from Marin County California to Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.William Jess LairdThis Amagansett cottage was literally designed for “summertime snoozes.” It’s also a good reminder that a delicate slate garden pathway can take you far. Designer Melissa Lee noted how “unexpected” the whole place felt, surrounded by the many mansions of the Hamptons. As she rightfully notes, the charm is in the surprise. A suggestion of mystery always adds to a cottage! Think The Secret Garden or the unexpectedly expansive Weasley Family home.Noe DewittVines climb up this 1920s English Art and Crafts style cottage in the Hamptons. The elegant and eclectic cottage was re-designed by Nick Olsen to emphasize outdoor living with comfy couches, a tiled patio and a pool.William James LairdThis pink cottage kitchen looks out over a garden in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Designer Clive Lonstein’s work is vibrant and unexpected, particularly for a modest Connecticut cottage built in the late 1800s. In a way though, the bright colors all throughout the house are a reflection of the original design for the house. The architect, Ehrick Rossiter was known for his own whimsy, and even included a turret in this design. This cottage is a great reminder to leave the door open all summer long.Stephen Kent JohnsonThis former fishing shack in Provincetown proves that a sprawling garden can fit into a small space. From Windex yellow fox gloves to arching lavender, this is a bucolic slice of heaven. A classic shingled home, complete with flower boxes and a white picket fence, it has a deeply cottage-core sequence backstory. It was used as an artist studio for William Maynard until his death in 2016, and when it was sold, prospective buyers were asked to write why they wanted to live there.Rachael SmithWe love an indoor / outdoor cottage garden. Ideally, you have a branch that grows through a window, like this one in Suzie de Rohan Willner’s English Country Garden. It is a charming marriage of dynamics: English and French, contemporary and historical, and, of course just as eclectic as a cottage should be. Willner notes, “The whole house is a collection of things from each period of my and my husband’s lives. I love to pick up bibs and bobs and it all comes together very happily.”Chronicle / Alamy Stock PhotoKate Middleton’s Adelaide Cottage conjures images of an Arthurian fantasy. The Wales family made this their Windsor home since 2023. Built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide (the German-born wife of William IV, who was the Uncle of Queen Victoria). It went through a transformative renovation in 2015 which left the historical decorations in tact. Fun fact: the Wales family pay market rent for their use of the home.Photo 12//Getty ImagesThe poet, actor, and playwright Anne Hathaway’s famed cottage and accompanying garden must have inspired her husband’s plays (that would be Shakespeare). This might be what comes to mind when you think of a cottage garden. Now open to the public daily, it was originally built more than 500 years ago, and is the site of Hathaway’s own birth in 1556.CostcoThis Costco (yes, Costco!) shed turned cottage is an ideal backdrop for your cottage garden fantasy. If you’re feeling very DIY this year, start here. Priced at $6,499, it measures 12’ x 24’ feet, a perfect amount of space for your own summer hide away or gardening shed.Richard PowersThis glass house is a reminder that a cottage garden doesn’t have to follow a prescribed style. The Amagansett cottage, originally built in 1960, is a marvel of mid-century design, an aesthetic reflected in the mod-furniture choices. Again, we love a stylistic mix in an updated cottage. Japanese Maple Trees complete the woodsy vibe.© David Hockney, Photo By Jonathan WilkinsonDavid Hockney illustrated his own cottage garden during the Pandemic. His drawing is illustrative of the benefits of an English garden: a bit wild, extremely lush, and more green than anything else. If we could, we’d jump right into this scene like Mary Poppins on a rainy day.John M. Hall for ELLE DecorHere’s a rule of thumb: trust Ina Garten. This cottage-like structure, on the grounds of the East Hampton home Garten shares with her husband Jeffrey, is perennially perfect. Note, too, the green and purple color scheme here. This is perhaps the dream cottage garden and something of a childhood playhouse. It has just enough space for a cozy chat and is a reminder that you can build your own little cottage on a very small plot of land.Photo 12//Getty ImagesMarie Antoinette’s Hamlet on the grounds of Versailles still sets the standard for the cottage garden with a thatched roof, hedges, and roses straight out of a fairy tale. During the former French Queen’s reign, her hamlet was used as a faux farm house, where she and her young daughter, Princess Marie Thérèse, would dress as idealized versions of French peasant farmers and milk cows. The interior, though, of this modest cottage, is appropriately grand with silk furnishings and canopy beds.Douglas FriedmanA garden that proves succulents and cottages are a match made in heaven. This one, in Marin County, California, adds a bit of desert flair. On the other side of this cottage is a water way and a perfect little dock for launching paddle boards. We love how the greens liven up this side of the house and create a completely different, almost modern desert-like, aesthetic. As with any great cottage garden, there is a distinctly transportive factor.Michael CliffordA light wood sauna and cold plunge on the grounds of Jenni Kayne’s Hudson Valley farmhouse are hidden behind shrubbery for a sense of privacy against a wide open landscape. We love the idea of adding a spa-like ambiance to a cottage garden as well as finding inventive ways to use the space. This is exactly where we want to be in the summer!Getty ImagesThis is sort of cheating, but Bunny Williams is a necessary inclusion! Williams’s Oak Spring Garden in Upperville, Virginia continues to inspire garden and cottage enthusiasts the world over. Rather than one cottage, the grounds of Williams’s large estate feature a guest cottage and a basket house, both of which are charming in the extreme.Dorothy ScarboroughDorothy Scarborough (she/her) is the assistant to the Editor in Chief of Town & Country and Elle Decor.