News

Little Nightmares 3 is set to arrive later this year. As such, there's still a lot to learn about the upcoming indie horror game and how it plans to build on the foundations the previous two games have laid down.Now that Little Nightmares 3 has been fully revealed, and received a release date, we know a fair bit about it. We have played the game now too, read our thoughts as part of our Little Nightmares 3 preview.With the original Little Nightmares landing on our list of the best horror games, alongside our best indie horror games, the third installment of the series has a lot of expectations to meet. But if you were a fan of the first two games, it’s an upcoming game worth keeping an eye on. With that in mind, we're here to provide a look at gameplay, latest news, and trailers. Here’s everything we know about Little Nightmares 3 so far.Little Nightmares 3 - cut to the chaseWhat is it? The third installment of the Little Nightmares seriesWhen can I play it? October 10, 2025What can I play it on? PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox OneWho makes it? Supermassive GamesLittle Nightmares 3 release date and platforms(Image credit: Supermassive Games)Little Nightmares 3 will launch October 10, 2025. You’ll be able to play Little Nightmares 3 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, and Xbox One, so there’s a huge variety of platforms to choose from once you’re ready to dive in.Little Nightmares 3 trailersThe most recent trailer for Little Nightmares 3 reveals the game's October release date, and features new gameplay. Check it out below:A trailer for Little Nightmares 3 debuted during Gamescom Opening Night Live. 2024 It focuses on the co-op gameplay that'll be the focus of the game. Check it out below:The reveal trailer for Little Nightmares 3 was shown as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2023, and offers a fairly generous look at the new setting of the title, alongside the two new protagonists called Low and Alone. Unusually, we aren’t revisiting Mono and Six of the original Little Nightmares and its sequel, but that does mean there is an entirely new blank slate to build upon for this game.In the trailer, we meet the two new protagonists alongside a number of new enemies, as well as a glimpse at several new environments to navigate. We also got a first look at the new array of enemies, including a monstrous baby and several large, human-like creatures.The end of the trailer presents a release window of 2024 (later delayed to 2025), alongside listing the platforms the game will be available on. The full trailer can be seen below:Little Nightmares 3 story and setting(Image credit: Supermassive Games)With only a few trailers under our belts, and not a lot of other information out in the wild, there’s still a lot we don’t know about Little Nightmares 3. Little Nightmares is a pretty lore-heavy game, so we do expect more information to come to light as we learn more about the release date of the game, but for now, we’ve got a decent chunk to sink our teeth into when it comes to the story and setting of the game.The story follows two new protagonists called Low and Alone, both of whom have different abilities that will aid your experience with the game. Although we don’t know the backstory of these characters, we expect more to unravel as we crawl closer to the game’s release. Both characters are armed with a weapon unique to them, and you’ll be able to select which character you wish to play which is a franchise first.Despite not knowing much about the backstory of these characters, we do know that they are working in tandem in order to escape the setting, and similarly to how Mono and Six work in Little Nightmares 2, we are expecting the duo to support one another when it comes to the puzzle solving and potentially combat side of the game.Whether or not the character you choose to play has an impact on how the story plays out is currently unclear, but it would be a cool addition to expand the lore of Little Nightmares, especially since Supermassive Games is the team behind this game. Given how the stories weave together in both Until Dawn and The Quarry that Supermassive made it would be an intriguing addition to the Little Nightmares series if your actions had a butterfly effect too.In terms of setting, Little Nightmares 3 takes place in a new environment called “The Spiral” which is described as a cluster of dystopian lands built upon disturbed delusions. As we move further into 2025, we are expecting more information regarding the setting to be shared.Little Nightmares 3 gameplayWith Little Nightmares 3 being a puzzle-platform horror adventure game, there’s a lot to expect from its haunting gameplay. We’ve only had a brief look at the in-game content from the reveal and subsequent trailers, but it appears to follow the same style of content as the previous two games. Because of this, we’re anticipating the game to present a lot of traditional Little Nightmares mechanics, such as sneaking past enemies to solve puzzles in larger-than-life environments, alongside elements like tense chase scenes, and platforming throughout different areas.However, we are expecting combat to be more prominent in Little Nightmares 3 since both Low and Alone are each equipped with a weapon. For players who select to play as Low, you’ll be armed with a bow and arrow, whereas players who select Alone will be armed with a wrench. This could indicate more instances of combat with various enemies, alongside utilizing these weapons for any puzzle-solving or quick escapes you might have to navigate.Excitingly, Little Nightmares 3 will also be the first game in the series to include co-op play, so you won’t have to go through the entire adventure solo. We’re anticipating this game to become one of the best co-op games, especially since Little Nightmares 2 felt as though it should be multiplayer, but the feature wasn’t implemented.As a game that relies on two characters throughout its content, whether that is during puzzle solving or platforming, or even as a pair of extra hands during boss battle-esque combat, multiplayer will be a huge benefit for the game. Similarly to information regarding the story and setting, we are expecting more to come to the surface about what the game offers to set itself apart from the last two games.In an 18-minute playthrough published by Bandai Namco, we get a first look at how co-op will feel. While the vast majority of this trailer walks us through an entirely new setting, we do gain a feel for the puzzle-solving element of the game and how crucial teamwork will be regarding progression. It seems as if both Low and Alone will not be able to progress without one another, and for once it might be preferable to play the game with a companion rather than entirely solo.It also appears that there will be instances within the game where you are separated from one another in order to solve puzzles. Interestingly, the game doesn't use split-screen and instead focuses on one character at a time when the pair are split. With no couch co-op, this is an interesting way to approach separation since one player will effectively lose access to their character for a bit, but it does reduce the risk of getting lost within the map.Little Nightmares 3 FAQWill Little Nightmares 3 be multiplayer?Little Nightmares 3 will feature multiplayer at launch. You'll be able to jump into online co-op to control Low and Alone, or play solo with an AI companion. Unfortunately, there's no local co-op mode planned at present.Who is making Little Nightmares 3?While the first two Little Nightmares games were handled by Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares 3 is being developed by Supermassive Games under Bandai Namco. This is primarily due to Tarsier Studios having been bought by Embracer group, with Bandai Namco having retained the IP rights to the Little Nightmares franchise.Little Nightmares 3 news(Image credit: Supermassive Games)Little Nightmares 3 delayed to 2025In a post on the game's official Twitter, developer Supermassive games announced a delay for Little Nightmares 3. It's been pushed into 2025, with no further release info given for now.18 minutes of Little Nightmares 3 gameplay has been releasedWe've received our first look at in-game content within Little Nightmares 3 through a fairly lengthy video walking us through one of the games new settings - the Necropolis. We get a look at how the pair will work together in order to progress through the setting, alongside a small look at combat and the games first boss.Little Nightmares 3 will not support couch co-op It has been announced that Little Nightmares 3 will not have couch co-op in order to preserve "atmosphere and immersion." While the title is the first in the series to have any sort of multiplayer, players will need independent devices to play with one another. That said, both players will not need a copy of the game, and similar to It Takes Two, a friend pass will allow a second player to jump in.Little Nightmares 3 reveal trailer shown at Gamescom Opening Night Live Little Nightmares 3 was announced with a new reveal trailer as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023. This was the first look at the game and what we can expect. Within the trailer, we quickly meet two new protagonists alongside a brief look at the new setting of the game, before it closes out with a release window and its available platforms.You Might Also Like...The best multiplayer games on PCPlay these best story games for great narrativesBest Game Pass games in 2025

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be released for PS5 on August 12. We knew the port was coming this summer, and now we have an actual date. Ninja Theory says the title will be optimized for both the standard-issue PS5 and the more powerful PS5 Pro. This is a real homecoming for the franchise, as Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was originally released for PS4 back in 2017.

That PS5 release date coincides with the cross-platform launch of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced. This version includes a performance mode that pushes the frame rate up to 60FPS. Ninja Theory says this results in smoother gameplay that's "especially noticeable during combat and fast-moving moments." This mode won't be available for Xbox Series S.

The PC version is getting a new "Very High" preset to push the settings to the max and the update includes optimizations to make the game Steam Deck Verified. We love to see it.

Hellblade II Enhanced also includes a new gameplay mode that significantly amps up the difficulty, complete with perma-death. Beyond that, there's a developer commentary track and a refreshed photo mode. These features arrive as a free update. The PS5 version of the game will cost $50, though there's a Deluxe Edition available for $70 that also includes the soundtrack and an optimized version of the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

For the uninitiated, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a third-person adventure that first hit the Xbox and PC in 2024. The brutal and gorgeous game is set in Iceland during the 10th century. We called it an outstanding "interactive brutality visualizer" in our original review, going on to call out the game's "extended, extremely anxious and violent vibe." Let's hear it for simulated violence!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/senuas-saga-hellblade-2-hits-ps5-on-august-12-151731215.html?src=rss

Sophos surveys organizations which have suffered ransomware attacksOn average, they paid 85% of the demandsThe average demand has dropped to $1.3 million this year so farNew research from Sophos has found as ransomware attacks have become more prolific than ever, more and more companies are caving to demands, with organizations in paying an average of 85% of the ransom.The median ransom demand has dropped from $2 million in 2024, to $1.3 million in 2025. Around half (53%) of those who paid, gave over less than half of the initial demand, but worryingly, 18% paid more than was originally asked for - with the UK paying an average of 103%Recently, ransomware attacks have been soaring to new highs and costing more than ever, not just in payments, but also in lost data, downtime, and regulatory fines - with Sophos’ survey revealing an average of $1.83 million in recovery costs for firms with between 1,00-5,000 employees.Data at riskJust under half (49%) of organizations surveyed chose to pay the ransom, a slight increase from the 56% in 2024.This is despite some Governments implementing a ransomware payment ban, which forbids public sector organizations from handing any money over to ransom gangs - and private organizations are urged to do the same.In a ransomware attack, the primary goal for criminals is data, and the survey found data encryption is at its lowest level in six years - with 50% of attacks resulting in data encryption, down from 70% in 2024.If criminals get a hold of your data and encrypt it they can essentially hold your systems hostage and seriously disrupt your operations - so fewer encryptions the better.It’s not all doom and gloom though, as 97% of organizations that had data encrypted were able to recover it.The initial technical root of attacks was most commonly (32%) through exploited vulnerabilities, with malicious emails (23%) and compromised credentials (30%) close behind.Unfortunately, a lack of expertise was the most common operational root cause - with 40% of respondents citing this - as well as unknown security gaps (40%) and a lack of necessary cybersecurity products or expertise (39%). This shows that organizations are fundamentally underprepared for the ever-growing threat of ransomware.“For many organizations, the chance of being compromised by ransomware actors is just a part of doing business in 2025. The good news is that, thanks to this increased awareness, many companies are arming themselves with resources to limit damage. This includes hiring incident responders who can not only lower ransom payments but also speed up recovery and even stop attacks in progress,” says Chester Wisniewski, director, field CISO, Sophos.“Of course, ransomware can still be ‘cured’ by tackling the root causes of attacks: exploited vulnerabilities, lack of visibility into the attack surface, and too few resources. We’re seeing more companies recognize they need help and moving to Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services for defense. MDR coupled with proactive security strategies, such as multifactor authentication and patching, can go a long way in preventing ransomware from the start.”You might also likeTake a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for the best AI tools on offerThis new ransomware could be deadly for your most precious files - here's how to stay protected

US stores see equipment prices rise by around 10%Canon EOS R1 price has increased by $500Further tariff-led increases could be on the way soonEarlier this year, both Canon and Nikon warned consumers that prices of their products would be affected by US tariffs – and now those price hikes have begun in earnest. As reported by DP Review, who have been tracking the US prices of Canon and Nikon gear on the companies’ own websites as well as Amazon, there has been a clear spike in prices in recent weeks.Nikon cameras and lenses, for instance, have risen by an average of 10.5%. Canon prices have jumped by as much as $500 on certain items (over the price listed when the product was first announced), and on average have increased by 9.7%. Other manufacturers have made similar increases; Sigma, for instance, bumped up its lens prices in the US by 10% earlier in June.For Canon, the products that have most increased in price are higher-end cameras such as the Canon EOS R1 and Canon EOS R3, which have risen by $500 and $400 respectively over their launch prices. However, both models had been significantly discounted from their launch prices ahead of these recent rises, so the increases are actually much larger than they seem.Nikon, meanwhile, seems to have hiked prices on all its lenses manufactured in China, with the biggest percentage increase going to the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D prime: $134.95 to $199.95. That’s a price increase of almost 50%.Nikon's China-manufactured lenses, such as the 50mm f/1.4G, have had significant price hikes this week. (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)More rises on the way?Not all items have been affected, but this could potentially due to stock from the pre-tariff era being still available. Once this has been sold and new stock needs to be imported from outside of the US, this stock could also be subject to price increases.It’s a somewhat bleak picture for US-based camera consumers, and sadly it could yet get worse. On 9 July, the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is due to end, which could mean countries where camera gear is manufactured, such as Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, could be subject to tariffs as high as 24%, 37% and 46% respectively. Companies may choose to absorb some or all of the tariff-led increases, of course; they could also hike prices even further in order to maintain their profit margin.So, what does this mean for the US consumer? In all likelihood, it means that prices on cameras and lenses will rise even further – and that now might be the best time to invest in that piece of equipment you need. If you’re based in the US and are thinking of buying new gear, make sure to check out our buying guides for the best beginner mirrorless cameras, best compact cameras, best cameras for photography, best cameras for vlogging, best travel cameras and more.You might also take the price hikes as a sign that you should master and maximise the equipment you already have rather than replace it with expensive new gear. Check out our camera how to guides and learn how to get more from your existing gear, whether it’s perfecting your astrophotography or using Adobe Photoshop to make your shots sing.You might also like...‘We will raise prices’: Canon sends camera price hike warning as DJI’s best vlogging camera doubles in price due to US tariffsCanon reportedly U-turns on price drops for two of its most popular cameras – and it could be the tip of the tariffs icebergCamera rumors for 2025: new gear we're expecting soon from DJI, Sony, Canon and more

Apple is rolling out a notable update for its Sports app. Just ahead of the Wimbledon Championships getting under way, Apple is adding point-by-point tennis scores to Sports. You'll be able to get live updates from Grand Slam and ATP Masters 1000-level matches and view details like the results of a player's previous matches in the tournament.

Also in the 3.0 version of Apple Sports, baseball fans can view pitcher and batter matchups at the top of every MLB scoreboard. On the home screen, you'll now be able to see a list of upcoming events by league. You can rearrange the order that leagues are shown in, though your favorite teams will always appear at the top.

In recent months, Apple has added NASCAR and F1 to Sports, along with support for more soccer competitions. Other recent additions include rankings on league pages, highlighted goal scorers at the top of NHL games and a new way to share game details with friends and family via Messages and social media platforms so they can stay up to date as well.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-apple-sports-app-now-offers-tennis-scores-just-in-time-for-wimbledon-155439959.html?src=rss

For the last month, I’ve had the not-so-arduous task of comparing the shiny new Sony WH-1000XM6 against their biggest rivals. Yep, I’ve tried wireless headphones from everyone, including all the big hitters like Apple, Bose Sonos…you name it! But as the headline has already spilled, there’s only one pair of headphones I’d recommend to all – and that’s Sony’s latest flagship cans.In my Sony WH-1000XM6 review I made it clear – these are an exceptional pair of headphones that serve up a delicious cocktail of spectacular sound quality, a delightful design and, most importantly, class-leading noise cancellation. And so, it will be of little surprise that the XM6 swiftly pushed their way into our list of the best headphones.Still, some of the competition is incredibly fierce. Models such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 earned a glowing five-star review from us – and believe me, they’re the real deal. But I can’t help but feel that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the better pick for most people. Why? I’ll break it down into three key reasons.1. Shutting off the outside worldIf we’re talking ANC, there’s simply no one out there that can top Sony right now. That's right, the WH-1000XM6 offer the best noise cancelling I’ve ever tested on a pair of over-ear headphones. Yes, even better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. And substantially superior to Sony’s previous effort, the Sony WH-1000XM5.That’s because Sony’s latest cans harness the power of a new and improved QN3 HD noise cancelling processor, which fine tunes 12 microphones in real time to shut off the outside world. Oh, there’s also AI onboard, which does a bit of extra legwork to keep pesky external sounds from creeping in.Whether I was walking near a traffic-heavy road, working in a chatter-filled room or vacuuming my apartment, the XM6 induced silence – or at least, near-silence. So, whether you’re looking to make those morning commutes a bit more bearable or perhaps just feeling a little anti-social, you can trust the XM6 to keep you locked into your favorite tracks and movies.Oh, one more thing about that phenomenal mic system. It also helps to offer crystal-clear calling, with six beamforming mics helping to bring the focus to your mouth. Again, AI is at hand to carve out clamors from your surroundings, and this works incredibly well.I attended a demo at Sony’s 5020 Studio in Madrid, where someone walked into an artificially noisy environment, but after placing the XM6 on and making a call, the only thing I could hear was their voice. You really are getting next-level clarity with these headphones – and yes, they’re considerably better in this area than previous models like the Sony WH-1000XM4.The Sony WH-1000XM6 beside their ancestor, the WH-1000XM4 (Image credit: Future)2. Fluid, fool-proof controlsSo, Sony’s come on significantly in the realms of ANC and call quality. But something else that’s been refined is the touch controls. On the XM6, swiping forwards and back to skip or return to a track, flicking and holding to adjust volume, and double tapping to pause or play music feels so incredibly smooth.In fact, the XM6 supply the most intuitive, fluid touch controls I’ve ever seen on a pair of headphones. You can even cover the right earcup to enable passthrough mode – how cool is that?!And after testing some rival models, I came to appreciate those touch controls even more. I absolutely adore the open, expansive, yet coherent sound of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 – I think for the money, they arguably offer the best sound quality on the market right now. Yep, maybe even a bit better than the XM6 which, by the way, sound absolutely fantastic! But unfortunately for the Px7 S3, they’re limited to basic button controls which felt like such a downgrade to me after extensively using the XM6. This alone kept me going back to the Sony contender.For reference, if you want to skip tracks on the Bowers headphones, you’ve got to double press the play button – and it’s three presses to go back. That, to me, feels a little rigid…and behind the times. Similarly, the Apple AirPods Max, which offer enticingly expansive audio, a beautiful design and excellent usability for iPhone users, are held back by physical controls (among other things).I appreciate that some may find touch controls a little irritating. Perhaps you’ll accidentally skip a track when taking the headphones off. Maybe you’ll pause your music when adjusting your luscious locks. But the XM6 handle touch beautifully. I’m yet to experience any accidental playback alterations or the like. Touch controls – when done right like this – are so much more than a nice-to-have now.(Image credit: Future)3. All the features you could ever want…and then someI could cap this off by talking about the beautifully balanced, dynamic sound of the XM6. I could even talk about their slim, comfortable design which brings foldability back to the fore. But instead, I want to talk about the insanely broad, yet detailed feature-list you get on these Sony headphones.Yes, of course you get that phenomenal ANC and calling. But with the Sound Connect app, you unlock so much more. There’s scene-based listening and adaptive audio, which adjusts depending on your environment. There’s LDAC and DSEE for accessing higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth. And now, there’s a 10-band EQ tab, which comes with a Find Your Equalizer listening test too.But I’m only scratching the surface! There’s even more, from Auracast through to a Cinema listening mode that really help to set the XM6 apart from their rivals. They truly have everything you could want from a pair of the best noise cancelling headphones and more.Combine that with the above reasons and you’re looking at a pair of true all-rounders. The Sony WH-1000XM6 have every base covered, and nail all the fundamentals like sound quality and noise cancellation. So, if there’s one pair of the best over-ear headphones I recommend to everyone…it has to be these.But wait – this is an open discussion rather than a final decision! Do you agree? If you already have the Sony WH-1000XM6, what are your impressions thus far? I’d be interested to hear from you, so feel free let me know your thoughts in the comments. Most of all, enjoy the music.You might also likeSony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort UltraSony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Prime Video's newest most-watched show We Were Liars has received a mixed response from the critics, so it's had audiences talking for better or worse.The new addition to one of the best streaming services is currently the number one most-watched show on Prime Video. It's closely followed behind by another thriller called The Better Sister, which I also recommend you watch.Despite both TV shows being popular, neither will make the cut for our best Prime Video shows list unfortunately, and that's because of the mixed reviews. However, while We Were Liars currently has a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, I still think you should watch it.Its score isn't too low, but it does deserve better, in my opinion, which is why I'm recommending it today. Read on to find out why.Why I recommend We Were Liars on Prime VideoI was immediately hooked by the plot of this series, as it follows a young woman named Cadence who experiences a head injury during her fifteenth summer on her family's private island, leaving her with amnesia.At first, she seems to have it all. She lives a privileged life and an enviable one, but she soon finds herself in the dark as she has to piece together all the memories she's lost, which leads her down a shocking path.It's based on the young adult novel of the same name, which is billed as a psychological horror. While the TV adaptation takes a more thriller route and feels more widely accessible, I think it's a very strong retelling of the novel.If you're in the mood to unravel a mystery and get to the bottom of what happened during "summer fifteen", as it's referred to, you'll likely find yourself glued to the screen. It's only eight episodes, so it's very easy to get lost in the story.I loved the performances here too. I've been a fan of Emily Alyn Lind's work since she starred in the Netflix slasher The Babysitter, and she's very good at bringing complex characters to life. Cadence is going through a lot, and Lind's performance as her is very layered and compelling.This might not be everyone's cup of tea, admittedly, especially if you're not really into young adult dramas. But I was pleasantly surprised by just how engaging this one is, and I feel it does enough to stand out among other thriller titles.If you need more Prime Video recommendations, why not check out these six most-watched TV shows that you absolutely have to stream.You might also likeApple TV+ had multiple new streaming hits in 2025, but these 4 are actually worth watchingCan't decide between Netflix and Prime Video? Here's which streaming service I'm keeping in June 2025Prime Video added 50 new movies in June including three of my all-time favorites

M3GAN was an unexpected hit, and for good reason: It was the best killer toy horror film since Child's Play, combining comedy and camp with a meme-worthy android lead. For the sequel, writer/director Gerard Johnstone (working off a story from him and the first film's writer Akela Cooper), have taken a few notes from Terminator 2. This time around, there's an even more evil android on the scene (Amelia, played by Ivanna Sakhno) who wants AI to rule the world. And there's only one somewhat less evil android that can stop her: M3GAN.

If that setup sounds silly and campy to you, well... it is. That's the point. More so than the first film, M3GAN 2.0 leans into the sheer silliness of its premise and is all the more fun for it. It's also not really a horror movie this time, it's a full-on action film with tons of gunplay, hand-to-hand combat and one wingsuit infiltration sequence that would be right at home in a Mission: Impossible film.

Universal Pictures

Speaking of Mission: Impossible, it's hard not to notice that M3GAN 2.0 features practically the same AI takeover plotline that bogged down The Final Reckoning. The difference here is that it's actually somewhat well-informed — M3GAN 2.0 isn't just about "evil AI," it also explores (however briefly) the notion of AI autonomy, technology regulation and ethics. (For God sakes, there's a killer Section 230 joke that only tech-savvy readers would understand.)

M3GAN 2.0 once again centers on Gemma (Allison Williams), the engineer who originally created M3GAN, and her niece Cady (Violet McGraw). Following the events of the first film, Gemma was briefly sent to jail but reemerges as a technology critic. (Isn't it funny how many "tech critics" pop up after making bank from Big Tech?) She then teams up with a tech ethicist (Aristotle Athari) to push governments for stronger technology regulation, especially when it comes to AI.

The existence of Amelia seems to prove her point. In the opening of M3GAN 2.0, we watch as she goes on a covert mission to rescue a military scientist, only to disobey her programming and kill him instead. It turns out Amelia was built on the bones of M3GAN's design, and for some reason she's aiming to kill everyone involved with her creation. That mission inevitably leads back to Gemma and Cady, of course.

Universal Pictures

It's not a spoiler to say that M3GAN didn't really die at the end of the first movie. Turns out, she backed herself up to the cloud and has been watching Gemma and Cady via their smart home devices. After a set piece involving inept FBI agents, M3GAN convinces Gemma that she needs some sort of physical body to stop Amelia. Funnily enough, her first new outfit is the not at all fictional Moxie child companion robot I tested a few years ago. (Embodied, the startup behind Moxie, folded last year, leaving its handful of customers with a dead robot. That may be why Moxie M3GAN is allowed to swear.)

M3GAN gets her wish and, like the Six Million Dollar Man, receives a fully upgraded body, one that's better, faster and stronger. (And also one that's more befitting of Amie Donald, the talented young actress who plays her.) And at that point, the movie turns into a full-on action fest as M3GAN infiltrates a tech lab to save Cady. Thankfully, MEGAN 2.0 understands the assignment: Fight scenes are energetic and well-choreographed, and Johnstone makes sure that everything is easily legible. The multitude of Steven Seagal references also makes it clear he's a fan of schlocky action cinema.

Universal Pictures

Johnstone is also clearly a tech nerd: the film is filled with references to places like Xerox PARC, one of the early R&D labs that developed concepts like the GUI (graphical user interface) and mouse. There’s an Elon Musk analog, played by the great Jemaine Clement, who has an over-inflated ego and an obsession with brain interface devices. And the film pokes fun at anti-tech crusaders, who sometimes push back against any sort of technological advancement as inherently evil.

M3GAN 2.0 balances a smart view of tech alongside sheer summer movie fun. And while it runs close to two hours, it never feels like a slog like the nearly three-hour long The Final Reckoning. Both movies are about the impending doom of an AI apocalypse, but M3GAN 2.0 manages to do it without being too self-serious and far more well-informed. Now that it seems like we’re just a few clicks away from some sort of tech apocalypse, poking fun at it just seems like a better way to cope.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/m3gan-20-review-the-ai-camp-queen-pulls-a-terminator-2-160049818.html?src=rss