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The Impact of Virtual Reality on Astronauts’ Lives in Space

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On board the International Space Station, astronauts use multiple virtual reality headsets for their psychological well-being, mental health and entertainment. The headsets used have included HTC's Vive Focus 3 on board the Orbital Complex since November. This helmet is designed to maintain the mental health of astronauts as part of a unique “space therapy” experiment. It is the astronaut of the European Space Agency, the Dane Andreas Mogensen, who is testing it in real conditions. A few days ago it was decided that Andreas Mogensen would also use this helmet for his physical activity!

Virtual Reality and AI to Improve Mental Health of Astronauts and Patients

A decision that can be explained by the fact that it is “essential to maintain the physical health of astronauts in microgravity. Not only for the success of a mission, but also for their long-term health, and it also contributes to mental health,” explains Thomas AE Andersen, CEO of the Danish aerospace company. He added that “the physical challenges of living in a low-gravity environment cannot be underestimated, given the loss of muscle mass and bone density that astronauts suffer.”

“It is important to maintain the physical health of astronauts in weightlessness. Not just for the success of a mission, but for their long-term health, and it also contributes to mental health.”

Specifically, the HTC headset complements a Fergo exercise bike and offers a virtual reality (VR) experience developed by the Danish aerospace company. With the Vive Focus 3, Andreas can enjoy a synchronized visual and physical experience during his training. The landscape in the virtual reality experience evolves in real time and the Vive Focus 3 communicates with the Fergo via Bluetooth to adjust resistance depending on the terrain. Andreas can choose from five different cycling routes, all of which were filmed in Denmark. A scenario with unique views of Loekken beach proposed by a 10-year-old girl from Saltum, winner of a competition in Denmark, was also part of the experience.

Very significant loss of muscle and bone mass

Experts have pointed out that astronauts can lose up to 40% of their muscle mass and 12% of their bone mass during a five-month mission, “equivalent to transforming a 20-year-old into a 60-year-old over a period of time.” of three months”. Astronauts must therefore complete a daily training program to minimize the effects of weightlessness. Andreas also mentioned that the Vive Focus 3 allows him to mentally recharge his batteries by recreating feelings of nature through the sounds of virtual reality.

In conclusion, the use of HTC's Vive Focus 3 virtual reality headset on board the ISS is an important advance for the well-being of astronauts. Not only does it support their mental health, but it is now also used for their physical training. This initiative aims to counteract the negative effects of microgravity on astronauts' physical health, such as loss of muscle and bone mass. By recreating the feelings of nature through virtual reality sounds, Vive Focus 3 can also contribute to the mental well-being of astronauts by providing a virtual escape to familiar and calming environments. This technological advancement demonstrates HTC's continued commitment to “innovating and using virtual reality to improve the lives of astronauts and humanity,” said Cher Wang, president and co-founder of HTC.

A word from Thomas Dexier, Associate Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at HTC Vive.

Thomas Dexier: Microgravity puts enormous strain on the human body. Loss of muscle mass and bone density is guaranteed. So astronauts have to exercise for two hours a day, and just to minimize the effects of microgravity, there is no prevention. And having to do something for two hours every day can be very monotonous and demoralizing. It is also important to note that the International Space Station is a very cramped and noisy environment. There are machines constantly in use and there is no way to get new landscapes! To create videos for the Vive Focus 3, Danish Aerospace filmed bike routes in Andreas' native Denmark and then adapted them to the efforts on the Fergo bike. Not only does he see his home country, but when he pedals faster, the images become faster. Likewise, the bike's resistance changes when going up a hill or riding on sand.

Futura: Has the “space therapy” of your VR headset shown positive effects during use?

Thomas Dexier: Instead of responding on behalf of HTC VIVE, we can share comments from Andreas Mogensen when he conducted a live Q&A session from the International Space Station with the Wild Nature Foundation on January 17th. Andreas said: “I miss the earth. Really. It's a beautiful sight to sit in the dome and look down on our blue planet, but it's not the same. I miss the warm sun. I miss the breeze. I miss the smell of grass and trees. I miss just opening a door and walking outside – yes, and the sound of nature. It's a very, very artificial laboratory that we're in. One of the experiences I have here is a virtual reality set that I use to refresh myself to help my psyche and it is really wonderful. One of the things I love about this VR set is the sound, the birds singing and the sound of the wind blowing through the reeds and leaves. I love it and I miss it. »

Futura: What are the upcoming developments for the VR headset?

Thomas Dexier: We can't go into too much detail, but it's really exciting to have already successfully completed two large experiments. We are optimistic that there will be further use cases for mental and physical health, and we are ready to see how we can support beyond these initial experiments, such as operating machines on the outside of the space station.

Futura: Is your VR headset used as part of NASA's Artemis program?

Thomas Dexier: We can't speak for NASA, but the US agency is well placed to see the results. NASA is already using Vive hardware at Johnson Space Center as part of basic training before astronauts fly into space.

Innovation in space: a VR headset to maintain astronauts' mental health

Article by Remy Decourt, published on November 11, 2023

The next mission to resupply the International Space Station with a SpaceXSpaceX Dragon cargo ship is planned in a few days. The equipment being sent to the astronauts includes a virtual reality headset from HTC, designed to protect the astronauts' mental health. This is a unique “space therapy” experience. It is the astronaut of the European Space Agency, the Dane Andreas Mogensen, who will test it in real conditions.

The health of astronauts in space is an important concern for space agencies. And it is being taken all the more seriously as the next phases of human exploration are being prepared – which will see humans living on the MoonMoon early in the next decade – and the first manned missions to Mars and an asteroid.

When it comes to astronaut health, there are many points to pay attention to. You should know that space travel has effects on the bones, muscles and several organs of the body, such as eye diseases, venous thrombosis, thrombosis or even sensory disorders combined with radiation and a change in the cardiovascular system. Astronauts' mental health is also affected when they are in orbit.

During a space mission, regardless of the duration, astronauts live in a certain isolation, a very unstimulating environment with repetitive tasks and perform stressful and tense work that can be mentally demanding but, above all, has the potential to lead to psychological disorders. Mental health.

Virtual reality for headsets to relieve pressure and stress

To remedy this situation, space agencies have planned a whole arsenal of preventative measures to counteract these undesirable effects. Specifically, astronauts commit to more or less relaxing physical activity, to good sleep and to periods of real relaxation with moments of communication that allow astronauts to stay in touch with their family and friends on Earth. “Technology” is a fantastic tool for this. To communicate, astronauts use space telephony, the Internet and video conferencing systems and, the latest innovation, virtual reality! The latter proves to be a tool that could become indispensable for future manned missions.

In space, Thomas Pesquet will be able to “teleport” himself to Earth on his bicycle

A unique space therapy

In this regard, Nord-Space Aps has launched a virtual mental balance support initiative aimed at meeting the specific needs of astronauts to maintain their mental health in orbit. This “space therapy” in virtual reality is carried out using the HTC VIVE Focus 3 headset with the simulator mode, specifically designed and adapted to operate in zero gravity. It is the European astronaut and Danish citizen Andreas Mogensen, currently on board the ISS as part of the Huginn mission, who will be the first astronaut in space to use a virtual reality headset for prevention.

A helmet configured to function properly in orbit

In the past, using a VR headset in zero gravity presented several tracking and orientation challenges, as the movement, rolling, and drifting of content caused nausea and made it difficult for astronauts to read the content contained within the helmet. In microgravity, there are no gravity vectors to align the orientation, which of course causes drift to the point where the VR headset becomes unusable and unstable. In previous projects with other VR headsets, tracking loss occurred after just a few minutes.

Nord-Space Aps, HTC and XRHealth therefore worked together to design a virtual reality platform that can be operated in space using a simulator mode and a special tracking method via the controllers. This headset, configured to be used in zero gravity conditions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in virtual reality, was chosen over several other headsets.

For HTC, having its headset chosen by NASA, ESA, President and co-founder of HTC. As for Eran Orr, CEO of Critical.” For Per Lundahl Thomsen, Chief Technology Officer at Nord-Space Aps, creating a virtual platform that addresses the mental health needs of astronauts during their isolation is critical for them to to maintain a healthy lifestyle after returning to Earth.

The Impact of Virtual Reality on Astronauts’ Lives in Space Read More »

Blue whale DNA shows they are endangering their population!

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Blue whales breed with other species of whales, including fin whales, more often than you might think. Examination of their genome revealed that it contained unexpected amounts of fin whale DNA, suggesting frequent mating between the two species as well as with their hybrid offspring.

“Size isn’t everything,” said American columnist Bill Vaughan about the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculusBalaenoptera musculus). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is the largest mammal currently living on Earth, but its status is critically endangered.

One factor that could likely hinder population recovery is inbreeding, which was studied in a population of Atlantic blue whales by scientists at the journal Conservation Genetics. The results are unexpected, to say the least: 100% of the 31 individuals examined possessed fin whale DNA (Balaenoptera physalusBalaenoptera physalus), accounting for an average of 3.5% of the entire genome.

Hybrid DNA in unexpected quantities

We have known for several years that these two species can hybridize, a 2018 study even demonstrated the fertility of their hybrid offspring. The latter, in particular, is able to reproduce with blue whales and this genetic process has a name: it is introgression. So-called “backcross” individuals arise, which result from the transfer of genes from one species to another after repeated hybridizations. What surprised scientists, however, was the amount of hybrid DNA found in the sequenced genomes. “The level of interspecies introgression we found was unexpected and much higher than previously reported,” notes study co-author Mark Engstrom, a geneticist and ecologist at the University of Toronto.

A unidirectional and localized phenomenon

In contrast, scientists have found no evidence that fin whales inherited blue whale DNA through introgression. It appears that “only blue whales are able, or perhaps willing, to breed with these hybrids,” says Mark Engstrom. This could be because there are many more fin whales than blue whales. » Furthermore, introgression between fin whales and blue whales appears to be a phenomenon that, for no explicit reason, only affects the North Atlantic.

Then how about inbreeding?

Although there is no evidence of negative effects on the blue whale, the researcher fears that in the long term this introgression will reduce the amount of specific DNA of these whales in the population, which risks making them less resilient to changes in their environment, in particular caused by humans. The good news is that the originally targeted inbreeding rates are much lower than expected because of gene flow connecting them to other populations elsewhere in the world, facilitated by ocean currents. This would be a sign of better genetic diversity and therefore greater resilience to obstacles that hinder the recovery of this population. The genetic dynamics discovered are insights that could shape the future of conservation strategies for iconic marine species.

Blue whale DNA shows they are endangering their population! Read More »

Where is the world's largest camera for observing the universe?

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Astronomy camera desert ChileThe Chilean desert sky is one of the clearest in the world and allows for optimal observation of the universe. Hinatea Chatal Hinatea Chatal 02/18/2024 3:15 p.m. 5 min

She does that The size of a small car and weighs 2.8 tons. It costs 800 million dollarsthe largest camera in the world will begin to explore the universe and take images by the first quarter of 2025. It will be installed on a telescope under construction “and allows you to scan the sky like never before before,” reveal those responsible for the US-financed project.

Instead of studying one star in detail one star at a timecan study the LSST camera (Space-Time Research as a Legacy for Posterity). billions of stars at the same time, a revolution in the world of astronomy! In order to do this, it “will sweep across the sky every 3 days.” by repeating the movement endlessly,” reports France24.

Mapping the Milky Way

Thanks to this high-performance camera, scientists can create a catalog very accurate images of the solar systemmap the milky way and Learn more about energy and dark matter. The machine is equipped with one 3,200 megapixel digital sensor. A screen is not enough to view the captured images.

In total, over 300 medium-sized HDTVs together are required to read a single image! The telescope that will record the camera is equipped with a mirror with a diameter of 8.4 m! Within 10 years the camera will have proven itself Information about 20 million galaxies, 17 billion stars and 6 million space objects.

Microbes in the soil: an inexhaustible source of energy for cells and batteries?Microbes in the soil: an inexhaustible source of energy for cells and batteries?

In the 1960s, when the first Chilean international observatory was installed On Cerro Tololo the telescope was only 40 cm in size! And that was him arrived “on the back of a mule, because there was no road,” laughs Stephen Heathcote, director of the Cerro Tololo Observatory (Chile).

A clear sky for stargazing…

The scientists decided to do soInstall the camera in northern Chile. A little more precise in Cerro Pachon, 560 km north of the capital Santiago. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is at over 2,500 m altitude. And is named after the American astronomer who discovered dark matter. This observatory fis one of the best astronomy centers in the South American country.

Why Chile? First of all, the conditions necessary for good observation of the stars, namely: a low cloud cover and dry climate. The place where the The sky is the purest on the planet occurs in Chile desert areas in the north of the country, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes.

Certainly many Other countries have powerful observation deviceslike the United States, Australia, China and even Spain, but “the “Chile is unbeatable” when it comes to astronomy. The country welcomes you Telescopes from more than 30 countries are among the most powerful in the world (ALLA Space Telescope and the Extremely Large Telescope, which will begin scanning the sky in 2027).

New light on the mysteries of the Gate of Babylon thanks to archaeomagnetism techniques!New light on the mysteries of the Gate of Babylon thanks to archaeomagnetism techniques!

According to the president of the Chilean Astronomical Society, Chile is home to a third of the world's most powerful telescopes on its territory. With this sophisticated machine in addition The country maintains its position in the field of astronomical observation.

Where is the world's largest camera for observing the universe? Read More »

Why is unleaded gasoline called “unleaded”?

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Have you ever wondered why you hear about it while pumping gas? Petrol green how how lead-free“? But what does lead-free mean? Because gasoline once contained a dangerous additive based on this metal.

In fact, gasoline has been added since the 1930s Tetraethyl lead Or SUCH: a connection with a function Anti-knock agentThis prevents the gasoline from igniting prematurely and thus avoids damage to the engine protect certain components such as Valves.

Additive tetraethyl lead

The TEL, the use of which was introduced by the engineer Thomas Midgley and society General MotorsHowever, it was extreme toxic to workers and with negative effects on the development of the nervous system residents of the most polluted areas; It has also been the main obstacle to the use of catalytic converters to reduce automobile emissions.

For this reason, it has been in the United States since the 1970s leaded gasoline were slow replaced the typology we call today Green. The transition was also made possible by the advancement of technologies and materials used in car and motorcycle engines, as well as the addition of other compounds to replace TEL, such as: benzene.

Save gas

In Italy leaded gasoline, also called leaded gasoline Red Or Great, Was marketed until 2001, the year of the final withdrawal from the market. Distinguishing between the two types is important for drivers “old” cars or motorcycles Not compatible with unleaded petrolHowever, it has become embedded in the language and will perhaps continue to confuse young drivers for several decades.

Why is unleaded gasoline called “unleaded”? Read More »

€400 discount on this laptop with RTX 4050

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With its RTX 4050, the HP Victus 16-s0016nf offers solid performance to satisfy gamers on a budget. And today, thanks to this offer on Rue du Commerce, those interested can save 300 euros.

E400 discount on this laptop with RTX 4050HP Victus 16-s0016nf

With a nice configuration built around an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, the HP Victus 16-s0016nf laptop PC is a powerful gaming device at a very reduced price. It is capable of running ultra games in good conditions, all for less than 800 euros.

What does the HP Victus 16-s0016nf offer?

  • A 16.1-inch Full HD 144Hz screen
  • An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card
  • The Ryzen 5 7640HS + 16GB RAM + 512GB NVME SSD combo

The HP Victus 16-s0016nf costs 1,099.99 euros, but thanks to this 27% discount, the notebook is now available on the Rue du Commerce website for 799.99 euros.

An efficient machine to play in Full HD

The HP Victus 16 is definitely a dedicated laptop PC for gaming. Yes, the RTX 4050 is the entry-level model of the 4000 series, but it allows you to run all current games in Full HD. However, with the latest hits you have to make some sacrifices in terms of graphics in order to maintain good fluidity, but you can still benefit from Nvidia technologies such as ray tracing and DLSS 3.

Under the hood we have a fairly muscular configuration. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS chip, clocked at 4.3GHz and up to 5GHz, complemented by 16GB of RAM to run a large number of tasks simultaneously. There's also a 512GB SSD for faster device and game startup, as well as significantly reduced loading times.

Decent degrees

When it comes to design, we appreciate its clear lines and, thanks to its finesse, it can even be confused with Ultrabooks. The whole thing looks rather elegant and is easy to transport (2 kg). Connectivity is quite generous with a USB-C port, three USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port and a headphone microphone jack.

Another centerpiece of this design: the 16.1-inch screen, which features a Full HD IPS panel at 144 Hz, ensuring a smooth and responsive gaming experience. As for autonomy, the manufacturer promises up to 7.5 hours of autonomy, but you shouldn't expect that much from a laptop PC for gaming, since the components require a lot of gaming resources.

To discover more references in this field, we invite you to consult our buying guide on the best gaming laptops in 2024.

Some links in this article are affiliated. We explain everything to you here.

€400 discount on this laptop with RTX 4050 Read More »

Can space debris fall to Earth?

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Return of the ERS-2 satellite to Earth: Threat of space debris?Return of the ERS-2 satellite to Earth: Threat of space debris? Marc Hay Marc Hay 02/18/2024 12:00 5 min

The countdown begins : the European satellite ERS-2, a veteran of Earth observation, is preparing for an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere around February 20, 2024.

Although this return has been long planned, it is a cause for growing concern As for possible space debris that could reach the surface of our planet.

Will the ERS-2 satellite completely disintegrate upon entering the atmosphere? What is the real threat of space debris to Earth? Answers in this article.

Atmospheric re-entry is imminent!

The ERS-2 satellite launched in 1995 represents one of the first generations of earth observation satellites, This marks an important milestone in European space research.

Its imminent return to our planet, scheduled for around February 20, sparks both fascination and concern.

Greenland is getting greener and that's not good news!Greenland is getting greener and that's not good news!

While most of its mass is expected to burn up upon re-entry into the atmosphere, Fragments weighing 100 to 200 kilograms could reach the ground, although the risk to the population remains minimal.

This atmospheric re-entry is being closely monitored by the European Space Agency (ESA). as well as from international partners to track progress and assess possible risks.

Space debris is a real problem

This uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere highlights a much larger problem: that of space debris.

With more than 2,500 objects entering the atmosphere in 2023, With a total mass of more than 300 tons, the Earth orbits have become Highways full of broken satellites, debris and launch vehicles. While some of these objects are removed in a controlled manner, most follow an unpredictable trajectory and pose a potential threat to active spaceflight equipment and the safety of astronauts.

Return of the ERS-2 satellite to Earth: fragments weighing 100 to 200 kilograms could reach Earth!

ESA is sounding the alarm about this problem, Emphasizing the need to take measures to reduce the proliferation of space debris and ensure safety in space.

ESA's Space Security Efforts

Faced with this growing threat, ESA is intensifying its efforts to ensure security in space.

With the launch of the space security program with an investment of 1.2 billion euros The agency's goal is to develop technologies and strategies to monitor, prevent and clean up space debris.

This dangerous pesticide is banned, but is still made in England and is flooding the planet!This dangerous pesticide is banned, but is still made in England and is flooding the planet!

Current initiatives include: the development of end-of-life deorbiting techniques for satellites and the promotion of best practices to limit the production of debris during satellite construction and operation.

ESA also works with other space agencies and international organizations Develop standards and regulations to maintain the integrity of the space environment.

Kessler syndrome

The ESA warns against this “Kessler syndrome” a massive scenario in which collisions in orbit multiply exponentially, A vicious circle of destruction and the creation of new debris is created.

This scenario, if it occurred, could render certain Earth orbits unusable, This puts space activities and essential services such as communications, navigation and Earth observation at risk.

Smoking: A Shocking Study Reveals the Little-Known Effects of Smoking on Our Immune System!Smoking: A Shocking Study Reveals the Little-Known Effects of Smoking on Our Immune System!

As the ERS-2 satellite prepares to complete its journey into space, its return to Earth raises crucial questions about space debris management and space security. You can follow the return of the ERS-2 satellite on the ESA website.

Item reference:

Uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry of a European Earth observation satellite – Sciences et Avenir

Can space debris fall to Earth? Read More »

Why this cool Samsung prototype really saw the light of day

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A patent filed by Samsung Display allows the manufacturer to protect the concept of a working prototype that it has already exhibited at CES 2024 and that Frandroid was able to discover. Enough to give hope that the device will one day come to market.

Why this cool Samsung prototype really saw the light ofThe Samsung Flex Hybrid prototype that folds and extends // Source: Frandroid

When we think of the concept of a foldable smartphone, we naturally think of Samsung. The Korean brand is undoubtedly the one that has invested the most time and resources in this category of devices – even if the competition is getting tougher. And after releasing the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in 2023, the brand is probably working on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in 2024… but not only that.

At CES 2024 in Las Vegas in January, Frandroid had the opportunity to see several interesting Samsung display prototypes. Particularly among them was the Flex hybrid.

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However, the website Caliber Cleaning and the leaker xleaks7 ended up in the hands of a patent filed in the US in February (PDF) from the same Samsung Display branch. The document describes exactly the concept of the Flex Hybrid.

Rendering of a foldable and extendable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7

Rendering of a foldable and expandable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7

Rendering of a foldable and extendable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7

Rendering of a foldable and expandable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7

The concept of the Samsung Flex Hybrid

The Samsung Flex Hybrid is a prototype that takes on the look of a Galaxy Z Fold. It is a foldable smartphone that can be opened and closed like a book. But there is a little special feature here: the inner screen is not only foldable, but also extendable. Therefore, it is possible to slightly increase the size of the panel by pulling one of the edges of the device.

The idea is to be able to benefit from a larger display if desired. But the idea is also to have the possibility of expanding the screen when the smartphone is folded. We then benefit from a small vertical strip on the side that can be practical for viewing notifications or interacting with certain widgets.

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To enable this expansion, the inner shade is partially rolled up. And if desired, the plate can be completely folded out and unfolded.

Reasons to believe it?

It is precisely this hybrid smartphone concept that describes the Samsung display patent, which was filed a month after we discovered the prototype. Enough to point out that the Korean giant has some ideas for this type of device.

A patent does not necessarily mean that a product will subsequently be commercialized. Still, it is an important document to protect an idea just in case. However, here we see that Samsung has planned the administrative aspect to protect its back, but also the technological part by being able to exhibit a working prototype.

Some would say that all that remains is to refine the design and produce it on a large scale… It is more complicated than that, of course, but there is reason to believe it.

Would you like to join a community of enthusiasts? Our Discord welcomes you, it is a place of mutual help and passion about technology.

Why this cool Samsung prototype really saw the light of day Read More »

The Time Shift Warrior”, the game that Hack'n'Slash wanted to reinvent

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If you follow video game news at all, you already know that the number of so-called “independent” games has exploded recently, with thousands of titles being released each year on Steam (the main gaming platform) alone. (PC) . To survive in this ocean, it is better to be supported by a powerful publisher. And that's exactly what the French from Sand Door Studio have managed to do by releasing their latest game, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, from Quantic Dream, to which we owe in particular Detroit: Become Human, Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain.

For the philistines, let's remember that in hack'n'slash-like games you take control of a character in an isometric view, that is, with a camera placed at a height. The goal is often to slaughter hordes of enemies, sometimes with RPG (role-playing game) components, with skills and equipment that evolve over the course of the adventure. The genre has been around for decades, but it's actually the Diablo series that gives it its reputation.

Now back to Lysfanga. The game we are testing here is currently only available on PC. It enriches the hack'n'slash genre with a daring proposal, proposing a fusion between frenetic action and strategic thinking through the unprecedented use of time travel mechanisms, with Imë, a warrior in charge of protecting the Kingdom of Antala temporal powers granted by the Goddess of Time.

Never-before-seen game mechanics

Although at first glance it seems like a simple clone of Hades, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior turns out to be much more. It stands out from the title of the Supergiant Games studio with truly innovative gameplay. The heart of the game is based on a time loop mechanic in which the player uses clones, called afterglows, to fight.

Specifically, the user is given the task of clearing arenas populated with enemies. The first phase is no different from a classic hack'n'slash, as only Lysfanga is visible on the screen. However, a kind of hourglass with a relatively short time limit ticks down quickly – so quickly that it is impossible to finish the game in one go.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

However, when the last grain of sand falls and your time is up, you travel back in time. And there comes a temporal clone – the famous Remanence – to assist you by performing exactly the same actions that you did in the first round. This means you don't have to worry about eliminating enemies or activating mechanics you've already taken care of. At the start of the third round there are two Afterglows that repeat your actions identically. And so forth.

Therefore, measures must be planned in advance to make optimal use of this mechanism. As the levels progress and become more difficult, the number of rounds increases. And whoever says additional towers says new afterglow. At the end of the level you can quickly count on a real small army to support you. But that doesn't mean you can just charge forward with your head down.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

The game also becomes more complex by introducing enemies that require specific tactical approaches and judiciously using Afterglow to exploit enemy weaknesses. Levels are designed to encourage strategic planning, requiring players to think about the best approach to each battle, taking into account the order of objectives and optimal use of skills. As you've probably understood, Lysfanga is completely redefining the hack'n'slash experience by introducing this tactical dimension.

A pretty world… that sounds hollow

The game mechanics are extremely original, but the same cannot be said for the scenario. Set in the imaginary kingdom of Antala, the story follows the adventures of Imë, a warrior gifted with worldly powers by the Goddess of Time to save her world from an ancient threat.

Unless it's unpleasant, the scenario only serves as a stopover between action scenes. The narrative structure therefore usually seems very simple. It revolves around progression through various battle arenas, interspersed with narrative sequences.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

However, these narrative moments are not very exciting and the player sometimes even perceives them as unwelcome interruptions and not as an enriching gaming experience.

Additionally, the search for collectibles, while encouraging to explore, isn't really integrated into the main story and quickly becomes monotonous. The character writing style is of the same ilk and the various protagonists that cross your path seriously lack depth and often boil down to archetypes without much originality.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

Again, it's not disastrous, but it's not the story or the interactions with one or the other that will make Lysfanga a landmark. This is all the more a shame because the developers managed to create a fairly pleasant universe with a game-specific mythology.

To end this part on a slightly more positive note, it should be noted that on a few occasions the game manages to create a connection between gameplay and narrative, particularly through the use of Imë's temporal powers. We won't tell you more so as not to spoil it, but we know that these rare moments give a taste of what Lysfanga could have offered with greater integration of narrative into gameplay.

On the technical side

That's a shame because the visual aspect invites you to immerse yourself in the world of the game. Graphically, the title of Sand Door Studio shows a quite remarkable artistic direction, drawing inspiration from the orientalist paintings of the 19th century. The game universe, bathed in shades of blue and purple, is reminiscent of stories from One Thousand and One Nights and medieval Arab-Persian architecture.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

This successful visual representation is supported by high-quality lighting effects, textures and animations. Without being memorable, the sound design is consistent, with oriental musical compositions that do not clash with the artistic direction. Finally, the game runs on Unity and works perfectly on not too demanding configurations. The minimum configuration recommended by Sand Door Studio is as follows: Intel Core I5-2300 @ 2.80GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 3200G, 8GB RAM, GeForce GX 780 [3GB] / Radeon RX 580.

We didn't have such a modest configuration on hand to test the game, but it still feels a bit light to us, especially when it comes to the exploration scenes. Because, as surprising as it may seem, it is the latter that seem to be the most demanding in terms of resources. On Steam Deck, for example, the combat phases flow perfectly, which is crucial for a title that relies on precision and timing of actions.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

In fact, the game is fully playable on Valve's PC console, as long as the few lags only occur in the exploration phases. However, we spent the majority of the sessions on a Huawei MateBook 16s (2022).

So a non-gaming PC, but still has a Core i7-12700H processor and 16 GB of RAM. However, this remains lower than the editor's recommended configuration: Intel Core i7 10700k / AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB and GeForce RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5700 XT. However, we had no fluidity issues with our MateBook 16s and the level of detail was perfect.

The end is only the beginning

Let's end this overview of Lysfanga with its replayability and post-game content. After completing the main story, players can delve into various challenges and game modes that extend the experience well beyond the initial ending. Battle Arenas, the heart of the gaming experience, offer optional time goals for those who want to fully master each level. This pursuit of improvement encourages you to revisit battle scenes, refine strategies, and explore all the possibilities that Lysfanga's unique gameplay mechanics offer.

Review of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior©Sand Door Studio

Additionally, the game introduces post-game level variations, with combat modifiers that refresh clashes and provide more difficult challenges. These changes add a new dimension to familiar battles and require players to adapt their tactics.

While this isn't the most exciting point of this game, completionists will be pleased to learn that searching for collectibles, hidden artifacts, forgotten powers, and other equipment upgrades also provides a reason to delve back into the game to discover all of its secrets.

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