Matan Basteker – Page 3

June 18, 2026June 29, 2026

Zenbook Cafe & Creative Hub: Where Art, Technology, and Gaming Converge in the Heart of Tel Aviv

In the heart of Tel Aviv, inside the unique space of the historic Matmon Library at Romano House, ASUS recently launched the Zenbook Cafe & Creative Hub, a four-day pop-up experience designed to bring together technology, creativity, design, and innovative thinking.

More than just a product showcase, the event transformed the library into a collaborative workspace and creative center, featuring expert talks, industry discussions, artistic exhibitions, and hands-on experiences with ASUS’s latest devices. The opening event, held last Wednesday, attracted creators, technology professionals, students, designers, and gaming enthusiasts eager to explore the growing relationship between advanced technology and modern digital creativity.

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Xsolla Club: Building A Home For The Gaming Industry

Last Monday, I attended an event by Xsolla in Tel Aviv.

At first, it felt like another gaming industry gathering.

But this wasn’t another standard networking event.

It was the announcement of something much bigger.

A new hub built specifically for people in the gaming industry. A place designed for thinking, collaborating, meeting people from across the industry, and creating new ideas together.

And according to the vision presented during the event:

This is only the beginning…

The Tel Aviv location is the first gaming hub of its kind created by Xsolla, with plans to open more spaces like this around the world in the future.

The space itself includes gaming rooms where developers can test games, meeting rooms for small teams, quiet working areas, shared workspaces, and even a dedicated podcast room.

During the event, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nikita Sherman,

I had the opportunity to sit down with Nikita Sherman, SVP Business Development Mediterranean at Xsolla, who leads the company’s partnerships, ecosystem growth, and industry initiatives across the region.

May 10, 2026June 29, 2026

Wardrum Review: A Tactical Rhythm RPG That Shines in Combat but Struggles With Replayability

If you have ever wondered what would happen if turn based tactical combat met rhythm mechanics, Wardrum delivers exactly that concept. Instead of simply selecting abilities and watching them play out, every attack, buff, and special skill asks you to stay on beat. Timing becomes just as important as positioning, creating a surprisingly engaging blend of strategy and musical precision. After spending several hours with the game, I found myself genuinely enjoying its combat system, even if the overall experience did not completely live up to its roguelite ambitions.

April 9, 2026May 14, 2026

Killing Floor 3 Review: Teamwork, Tension, and Terror in 2091

Written by Hamudi Mhamamid

Stepping into the world of Killing Floor 3 transports me back to those golden days of 2014 gaming, where frenzied team based shooters like Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty Zombies kept me glued to my seat. Set in 2091, the game thrusts you into the role of a Nightfall operative, fighting alongside up to five teammates against the relentless waves of Horzine’s monstrous zeds. That familiar sense of escalating tension paired with frantic strategies instantly hooked me, a beautiful blend of nostalgia and fresh challenges that never lets up.

What I love most is how Killing Floor 3 captures that classic round based intensity without trying to reinvent the wheel. The AI-driven zeds have been smartly redesigned to be faster, deadlier, and more tactical, making each encounter pulse acing and unpredictable. But it’s the raw excitement of facing these creatures with a squad that truly shines, the adrenaline while coordinating your attacks, rushing to revive fallen teammates, and managing resources is just electric.

February 19, 2026May 14, 2026

Into the Ural Anomalies: A Personal Journey in Future War Tactics

A Turn-Based Battlefield Set in a Gripping Mystery
The story pulls you into a near-future Ural region plagued by disappearances and bizarre anomalies. As the commander of a Special Operations Forces (SOF) squad, your role is to investigate these disturbances, only to uncover a far more significant threat: an aggressive alien invasion.

What truly struck me was how the developers carefully built up the mystery. Mysterious geomagnetic events, people vanishing without a trace, and strange atmospheric phenomena create a compelling narrative hook. The storytelling gives weight to your tactical decisions. Every new mission site reveals more clues and ramps up the suspense, making it feel like you’re both a strategist and a detective.

January 12, 2026May 14, 2026

The Art of Battle and Craftsmanship in Blades of Fire

Stepping into the world of Blades of Fire, I quickly realized that I was about to experience something special. Developed by the acclaimed studio MercurySteam, this action-adventure game invites players into the role of Aran de Lira, a firstborn of the King’s Ward, caught in the midst of a kingdom where steel is turned to stone by the spell of the newly crowned Queen Nerea. With only the legendary divine metal left in play wielded solely by the Queen’s monstrous army my journey began not only as a player but as an adventurer eager to forge a legend.

January 8, 2026May 14, 2026

Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks – Maximum Carnage, Minimum Depth

A Year in the Fast Lane

After nearly a year in early access, where Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks was available for free, the game has officially launched with a price tag albeit at a discount. This shift in strategy raised my eyebrows. I can’t ignore the distinct feeling that the game initially aimed to capture the free to play crowd with the expectation of monetizing down the road, only to change course and put a price on it at launch. If you’re going to make that move, you have to deliver something exceptional something that justifies asking players to open their wallets after having gotten a free taste.

Booting up Speed Freeks, I found myself thinking: Is the final product compelling enough to warrant charging for it? From the get go, the answer seems to be a solid “maybe.” There’s no denying the fun factor the thrills and chaos that a Warhammer themed vehicular mayhem game promises are alive and well here. But with that enjoyment comes a creeping awareness of how quickly the excitement plateaus.

January 1, 2026May 14, 2026

When Mechs Meet Monarchs: My Experience with Bonaparte

Bonaparte – A Mechanized Revolution offers a fresh and intriguing take on the French Revolution, set in an alternate 1789 Paris where the Bonaparte legacy continues through characters Céline or César Bonaparte. This turn based strategy game tasks you with navigating a politically charged landscape, deciding whether to defend the monarchy, push for reform, or fully embrace the revolutionary spirit. What makes this game stand out immediately is its blend of political intrigue and tactical military combat, where you must manage armies, recruit soldiers, and command colossal mechanized units on the battlefield.

December 25, 2025May 14, 2026

Alpha Response: When Tactical Ambition Meets Chaotic Action

Stepping Into the Line of Fire

Alpha Response, the latest project from Gooseman the legendary mind behind Counter-Strike immediately caught my attention. As someone who grew up on tactical shooters, the promise of a game that puts you in the boots of elite police units worldwide was too tempting to ignore. The premise is simple yet compelling: respond to critical situations, save innocent lives, and bring order to chaos. But as I dove deeper, I found a game that both thrilled and frustrated me in equal measure.
From the very first mission, Alpha Response throws you into the thick of things. There’s no hand holding, no lengthy tutorials just you, your squad, and a city teetering on the edge. The adrenaline rush is real, especially when you’re not sure if the next door hides a terrified hostage or a shotgun wielding criminal. That tension, that split second decision making, is where the game truly shines.

December 24, 2025June 29, 2026

Artis Impact Review: A Beautiful RPG Where Stunning Art Carries an Imperfect Adventure

There are plenty of indie RPGs inspired by the classics, but very few manage to leave a lasting impression through personality alone. Artis Impact immediately caught my attention because of its gorgeous hand-drawn pixel art and charming presentation. Developed over four years by a single Malaysian developer, Mas, the game clearly represents an incredible amount of passion and dedication. While it does not reinvent the RPG genre mechanically, it succeeds in creating a memorable atmosphere that stayed with me long after I finished playing.

What surprised me the most was how quickly the game won me over with its humor and its cast of characters. Even in a world devastated by catastrophe, Artis Impact refuses to become overly dark or depressing. Instead, it focuses on everyday life, small conversations, and human connections that make the setting feel surprisingly hopeful.