1. eHealth Insurance Affiliate Program:

eHealth is a popular health insurance marketplace that offers a wide range of health insurance plans. Their affiliate program offers a commission rate of up to $50 per lead, making it one of the highest paying health insurance affiliate programs available. The program provides affiliates with access to a wide range of marketing materials, including banners, text links, and email templates, to help them promote eHealth insurance plans.

2. HealthInsurance.com Affiliate Program:

HealthInsurance.com is another popular health insurance marketplace that offers a variety of health insurance plans. Their affiliate program offers a commission rate of up to $35 per lead. The program provides affiliates with a range of marketing materials, including banners, text links, and email templates, to help them promote HealthInsurance.com plans.

3. UnitedHealthcare Affiliate Program:

UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest health insurance providers in the United States. Their affiliate program offers a commission rate of up to $150 per sale. Affiliates can promote a wide range of health insurance plans, including individual and family plans, Medicare plans, and employer-sponsored plans. The program provides affiliates with marketing materials, including banners and text links, to help them promote UnitedHealthcare plans.

4. Allianz Global Assistance Affiliate Program:

Allianz Global Assistance is a global provider of travel insurance and emergency assistance services. Their affiliate program offers a commission rate of up to 10% per sale. Affiliates can promote a range of travel insurance plans, including single trip, annual, and group plans. The program provides affiliates with access to marketing materials, including banners, text links, and email templates, to help them promote Allianz Global Assistance plans.

5. HealthSherpa Affiliate Program:

HealthSherpa is a health insurance marketplace that offers affordable health insurance plans. Their affiliate program offers a commission rate of up to $30 per lead. The program provides affiliates with a range of marketing materials, including banners, text links, and email templates, to help them promote HealthSherpa plans.

Conclusion:

Health insurance affiliate programs are a great way to earn commissions by promoting health insurance plans. The programs listed above offer high commission rates and a range of marketing materials to help affiliates promote health insurance plans effectively. When choosing a health insurance affiliate program, it is essential to consider the commission rate, marketing materials, and the quality of the plans being offered. By partnering with the right health insurance affiliate program, affiliates can earn significant commissions while helping people find affordable health insurance plans.

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1. Shop around for the best rates

The first step to lower your health insurance premium is to shop around and compare rates from different insurance providers. You can use online comparison tools to get quotes from various insurance companies and see which one offers the best rate. When comparing rates, make sure you consider the deductibles, co-payments, and other out-of-pocket expenses as well.

2. Choose a higher deductible

One way to lower your health insurance premium is to choose a higher deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. By choosing a higher deductible, you can lower your premium because the insurance company takes on less risk. However, be sure you can afford the higher deductible in case you need to use your insurance.

3. Consider a Health Savings Account

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. HSAs are available to individuals who have a high-deductible health plan. By contributing to an HSA, you can lower your taxable income and use the money to pay for medical expenses tax-free. Additionally, some employers may match your contributions, which can further lower your healthcare costs.

4. Live a healthy lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle can not only improve your overall health but also lower your health insurance premiums. Insurance companies may offer lower rates to people who maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and do not smoke. Additionally, some insurance plans may offer discounts for participating in wellness programs or completing health screenings.

5. Consider a different type of plan

Another way to lower your health insurance premium is to consider a different type of plan. For example, a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) may offer lower premiums than a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) because HMOs typically have more restrictions on which healthcare providers you can see. If you rarely see a doctor, a high-deductible health plan with a health savings account may be a good option.

In conclusion, lowering your health insurance premium requires some effort and research, but it can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. By shopping around, choosing a higher deductible, considering a Health Savings Account, living a healthy lifestyle, and exploring different plan options, you can find a plan that meets your healthcare needs and fits your budget.

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Step 1: Know Your Needs

The first step in finding the best car insurance policy is to know your needs. Before you start your search, ask yourself some questions, such as:

• What is the make and model of your car?
• What is the age and condition of your car?
• How many miles do you drive per year?
• What is your driving record?
• What level of coverage do you need?

Having a clear idea of your needs will help you narrow down your search and find the most suitable car insurance policy.

Step 2: Research the Market

Once you have a clear idea of your needs, the next step is to research the market. There are many car insurance providers available in the market, and each offers different policies and prices. Researching the market will help you compare different car insurance policies and find the best one for you.

You can start by searching for car insurance providers online. Many insurance providers have their websites, where you can find information about their policies and prices. You can also use comparison websites to compare different policies and prices from multiple providers. These websites allow you to enter your details and get quotes from various providers, making it easier to compare and find the best car insurance policy.

Step 3: Check the Policy Coverage

When comparing car insurance policies, it is essential to check the policy coverage. Car insurance policies usually cover different types of damages and liabilities, and the level of coverage varies from policy to policy. The most common types of coverage include:

• Liability Coverage: This covers damages and injuries that you may cause to other people or their property while driving your car.
• Collision Coverage: This covers damages to your car resulting from a collision with another car or object.
• Comprehensive Coverage: This covers damages to your car resulting from non-collision incidents, such as theft, fire, or natural disasters.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage: This covers medical expenses and lost wages resulting from injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.

When comparing car insurance policies, make sure to check the level of coverage offered by each policy and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Step 4: Check the Deductibles

The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance company starts paying for damages. When comparing car insurance policies, make sure to check the deductibles for each policy. A higher deductible means lower premiums, but it also means that you will have to pay more out of pocket if you get into an accident. On the other hand, a lower deductible means higher premiums but less out-of-pocket expenses in case of an accident.

When choosing a car insurance policy, it is essential to find the right balance between the deductible and the premiums. Consider your budget and the likelihood of getting into an accident when choosing the deductible.

Step 5: Check the Discounts

Many car insurance providers offer discounts to their customers. These discounts can help you save money on your premiums. When comparing car insurance policies, make sure to check the discounts offered by each provider. Some common discounts include:

• Multi-car Discount: This is a discount given to customers who insure more than one car with the same provider.
• Good Driver Discount: This is a discount given to customers with a good driving record.
• Low Mileage Discount: This is a discount given to customers who drive fewer miles per year.

The post How to Find and Compare the Best Car Insurance Online Easily? appeared first on Lifeyet News.

Known for sporting some truly excellent PS4 exclusives, as well as top notch cross-platform releases of course, there are so many games here that are worth your time. There are still some excellent upcoming PS4 games, but we’ve not included the likes of Elden Ring or Horizon Forbidden West because they are best experienced on the latest generation of hardware if you’re able to do that.

But, what’s great is that all of these are also playable on PS5, with some coming with snazzy graphical and performance upgrades for free. Plus, if you’ve missed out on any of them, there are so many of the top PS4 games available as part of the PlayStation Plus Collection too, which is an exclusive library of titles available to PS5 owners as part of their PS Plus subscription. A lot of these games will also soon be included for free as part of new PS Plus membership tiers, with the Extra and PS Plus Premium games libraries.   

30. Dark Souls 3

Dark Souls, the series that spawned a hundred imitators thanks to its emphasis on difficult-but-fair gameplay, came to a close with Dark Souls 3, but what a way to go out. Featuring a variety of awe-inspiring locales (some grotesque, some majestic), the same finely-tuned combat fans had come to expect, and a new emphasis on speed and versatility inspired by FromSoftware’s own Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 is a wonderful encapsulation of the series as a whole; not as scattered as Dark Souls 2, not as rough around the edges as the original. If you’ve been curious about the Souls games, this is where you should start.

29. Death Stranding

Death Stranding released to huge fanfare this year, and whether you enjoy Hideo Kojima’s strange stories or can find satisfaction in its ‘walking simulator on energy drinks’ gameplay, it’s a game that will define the tail-end of the PS4 generation. You play as Sam Porter Bridges, a post-apocalyptic delivery man in a world populated by survivors, Timefall rain showers – which age and ultimately destroy anything they touch –  and Beached Things, or BTs – spirits of the dead unable to pass on. There’s also Mules, bandits driven mad by a lust for packages, nightmarish villains Cliff and Higgs, and BB, your Bridge Baby who helps you avoid the BTs. Kojima has filled the game with celebrities too, with Norman Reedus as Sam, Margaret Qualley as Mama, and an embarrassment of cameos from his contacts book. You may not always love it, but you’ll never have played anything like it either. 

28. Final Fantasy 15

Four adrenaline-driven teens embark on the journey of a lifetime, but this ain’t no Road Trip(opens in new tab). The RPG tale of Prince Noctis and his merry band straddles fantasy and reality with almost balletic grace, throwing in titanic monsters and classic missions alongside conversations about the weather and visuals that just sing “America”. Final Fantasy 15’s story is bonkers and its final destination a genuine surprise, but it’s still a winding, delight-strewn road that Square converts are duty-bound to travel – with sufficient appeal in its blockbuster battles and eclectic quest mix to suck in Fantasy novices, too. 

27. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Doubling down on all the intelligence, uncompromising emotional grit, and giddy, hilariously brutal Nazi killing that made its predecessor such a special game, Wolfenstein 2 has an even lesser tolerance for messing about. Transposing BJ Blazkowicz’s intensely personal war to an alternative ’60s America twisted into an ugly parody of itself by Nazi rule, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus brings the same aggressive focus on combat and character, alongside a newfound relevance and indignation. Not that it’s all seriousness and soul-searching. Wolfenstein’s kinetic, high-risk, high-reward combat is even better tuned up, with customizable dual-wielding laying on even more strategic carnage, just as hatchets and exo abilities blow up the stealth. Brainy, brawny, big, brash, and beautiful, MachineGames’ new wave of Wolfenstein remains some of the smartest and most unique FPS around. 

26. Doom

This modern reboot is worthy of the name Doom, and is basically the FPS equivalent of a muscular body: it’s speedy, empowering, and hits incredibly hard. You awake as the classic Doomguy to begin another spree of demon genocide on a Mars colony, with a surprisingly intriguing plotline that explains how you’re able to murder so many Hellspawn. There’s a primal satisfaction to whipping out a Super Shotgun, blasting an Imp’s innards into oblivion, and then performing a lighting-fast, stunningly violent Glory Kill on the demon who caught shrapnel just behind him. The classic weapons and enemy types benefit from new additions like upgrades and double-jumping, making Doom one of the most frenetically fun shooters of all time. Also, you can grab it super cheap now.

25. Dishonored 2

The first Dishonored was so great there isn’t much room for manoeuvre here, in terms of quality: you’re again getting an options-packed adventure brimming with deftly woven narrative tales, set in a thoroughly believable world. What Dishonored 2, set 15 years later, adds is a second playable character – choose between original hero Corvo or super-powerful protege Emily. Supernatural abilities such as the latter’s grapple-like Far Reach again deliver both flair and fun, while a small-but-major improvement to melee combat is being able to turn a parry into a non-lethal knockout, making murder less of a necessity if stealth is your jam. The only notable drawback is assumed knowledge – the storyline makes little sense if you’ve not played the first game.  

24. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Exactly two decades on from her PlayStation debut – hence the PS4 version of Rise of the Tomb Raider being subtitled the ’20 Year Celebration’ edition – Lara Croft delivers another must-own round of substantive combat and taxing-yet-enjoyable puzzling. The storyline, with Ms. Croft venturing through Siberia in an attempt to complete her father’s work in the lost city of Kitezh, doesn’t scream originality but packs in some genuine shocks, while the platforming and zip-lining mechanics take Lara to heights she’s never before reached – and not just figuratively. Choose to pick it up on PS4 and you also get all previous DLC, a new co-op Endurance option, and Blood Ties single-player content. And you really should choose to pick it up.

23. Fallout 4

Hitting PS4 with the atomic force of a Fat Boy, Fallout 4’s excellent gunplay and crafting systems can trigger a nasty case of RPG-itis. Don’t worry though, there’s a Stimpak for that. There’s so much to do in this post-apocalypse it’s almost terrifying and quite often you’ll set off to complete a mission and get completely side-tracked when you find something wonderful/horrific along the way. Giving the main character a proper voice adds an extra layer of polish to proceedings, and the expanded set of companions and customization options are very welcome too. It’s not without its faults (or vaults), but the scale of Bethesda’s wasteland will keep you bunkered down for weeks. Slosh in the extensive DLC additions available in the complete Game of the Year version and you’ll never want to return from the Wasteland. 

22. Titanfall 2

Titanfall 2 is an absolute colossus of a game. It was one of the biggest surprises of 2016, as it delivered a smart campaign and enhanced the killer multiplayer of the original (which was Xbox-only). The story is overflowing with unique twists in a genre that long ago anchored itself in a sea of wash-rinse-repeat, offering true freedom while still retaining a sense of the familiar. Its navigation and combat feel truly three-dimensional, and its big-gun battles are an adrenaline rush even Optimus Prime would struggle to contain. A special, special game which, in execution, is anything but robotic. 

21. Monster Hunter World

We knew Monster Hunter World was going to deliver something special but no one expected quite the level of depth and beauty awaiting within Capcom’s updated action RPG, or how quickly we’d add it to our list of best PS4 games. Despite being the most accessible Monster Hunter yet, you’re still going to have to wade through some intimidating tutorials to get to the good stuff but smash through that wall and be dangerously prepared to lose all of your time here. Endless weapon types, huge creatures, constantly gorgeous environments, and a terrifyingly addictive loot for spoils system means Monster Hunter will have its claws in you from the get-go. Oh, and don’t forget to aim for those weakspots. You’ll thank us later. If you’re looking for more help, check out our Monster Hunter World tips. 

20. Battlefield 1

Battlefield 1 takes the epic shooter series back to World War 1, and the result is some of the grittiest, bloodiest FPS action you’ll ever see. This instalment has a great little story mode, which follows the exploits of several troops fighting on all fronts of the conflict, but it’s all about the multiplayer with Battlefield. The variety of maps and modes is staggering here – especially with all the content added by the various DLC packs (most of which are now completely free for ALL users). Whether you prefer to stick as a soldier, or choose to drive tanks or pilot aircraft, there’s a role for you in the chaotic online arena. The highlight of it all is Operations mode, which sets massive 64-player conflicts over the course of several maps, giving a real sense of back and forth battle.

19. Detroit: Become Human

Detroit: Become Home from developer Quantic Dream is a fascinating story game that centers on Detroit in the year 2038. Society has created Androids to do all their menial tasks and low-paid jobs, but Detroit: Become Human explores what happens when the Androids gain sentience and start to break their programming. One of the most beautiful games on PS4, Detroit is all about progressing the story, rather than having full control over the action, so you need to be prepared to involve yourself in a proper, engaging story before you play. Embrace Detroit’s narrative, relish the choices it forces you to make, and this could be one of the most unique, interesting games you’ll ever play on PS4. It’s impossible to see even half the game in a single playthrough too, so there’s heaps of value here.

18. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

With about 100+ hours of stuff to do in ancient Greece, and the choice of two lead characters, there’s amazing value to be had in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. While the pair of leads – Alexios and Kassandra – are both strong personalities, it’s the world that’s the real star here. Whether you’re dashing across it on a steed, or sailing around it in your own, fully-crewed ship, the sheer variety of things to see and do is staggering. There’s a full RPG system to tinker with, adding more depth than any previous Creed, and a revamped combat system that really highlights the nuances of the character customization options. While the formula has come a long, long way from the series’ pure stealth origins, making this the most action-heavy Assassin’s Creed to date, the heart of the franchise is still in there, with world-ending conspiracies and engaging sub-plots ever present. Sure, there’s a lot of competition for your game time in 2018, but Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a high-watermark for Assassin’s Creed games and deserves your attention.

17. The Division 2

With The Division 2, Ubisoft absolutely nailed how to make a sequel. It took everything that was right with the original game, and made it better, but also managed to iron out all the niggles and problems people had, to make a game that’s full of stuff to do, a lengthy endgame and story missions that are utterly brilliant. And what’s more, it’s always getting better. There’s a whole year’s more content still to come, including new story missions, eight-player raids, more exotics and more. It’s a seriously fantastic looter shooter that’s going to keep on giving for years to come. 

16. Bloodborne

Bloodborne was PS4’s first truly great, bespokely created exclusive. In Yharnam, From Software has made one of the most unerringly atmospheric worlds on PlayStation. This is a city that drips with dread; every corner potentially hiding a grotesque beast or fascinatingly twisted piece of lore. Though there may be fewer weapons than in Dark Souls, the new Trick variants (capable of morphing between long and short-form states) are among the most empowering virtual slaughtering tools you’ll ever find. With the finest third-person melee combat in all of games, drool-worthy art design, and the most twisted monsters in the biz, this is a gorgeously gothic must-have. Bit hard, mind.

15. Persona 5

Admit it, if you’re familiar with the Persona series, you probably saw this comiiiiiiiin’(opens in new tab). And if you’re not familiar, here’s the jist: you are a high school student who (between class and socializing with friends) fights monsters, capturing or otherwise convincing them to lend their power to your quest. And what is that quest, you may ask? Why, to fight against a world run by adults who have let their hearts grow cold, of course. To do this, you enter a realm tied to each major antagonist’s twisted psyche, facing down their literal demons. So yeah. One part Pokemon, one part high school simulator, one part Psychonauts, all backed by a groovy soundtrack.

14. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The original survival horror is back to reclaim its throne as one of PS4’s best scarefests with this first-person reboot. Resident Evil 7 is a complete reinvention for the series, drawing in the terror close with a new camera and a palette of fear that’s very much aware of modern horror films.  The game follows Ethan as he searches for his missing wife in a Louisiana swamp, a trip that soon goes very wrong when the Baker family show up. This is a much more low-key, slow-burning sort of fear than the last couple of game’s action blowouts, focusing on a more slasher movie-style pursuit through a large, crumbling house. But, despite the overhaul, things like inventory management, puzzles, weapons, and items still feel unmissably Resi. It’s a great Resident Evil game, but more importantly, a great horror game in its own right.  

13. Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata may not be the most expansive, content-filled, or open-ended RPG in the world (or even on this list), but it’s definitely the best game to star an android dressed in gothic Lolita fashion while waxing philosophical about the nature of humanity, morality, and free will. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, while a unique and award-winning soundtrack ranges from exciting to melancholy to mystical to inspiring. This is the type of game where you take side quests from a robot that models itself after early 20th century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre before flying off in your power armor to battle a giant kaiju machine with lasers and 10-foot long katanas. It’s weird, wild, and not to be missed.

12. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

The true successes of Uncharted 4 lie in the details. Oh, sure, you have the big action set-pieces that the series is known for, where everything hero Nathan Drake touches falls apart around him in Michael Bay levels of destruction. And the attention to detail in those moments – how wood splinters into pieces under gunfire, or how Nathan’s clothing gets caked in mud during a high-octane car chase – certainly makes it shine as a bit of impressive tech to show off to your friends. But it’s how Uncharted nails the small moments that makes it truly great. For the first time in the series, Naughty Dog has given the series’ characters some room to grow as actual people, filling in the details where you least expect them to, and these smaller moments make the big ones feel all that more impactful. As explosive as Uncharted 4 is, it’s also deeply personal – and it’s a hell of a showpiece for your PS4, to boot. 

11. Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima takes an Assassin’s Creed-style Japan, with a Red Dead Redemption 2-sized world, and blends in an entire library’s worth of Akira Kurosawa movies to create the perfect swan song for the PS4. It manages to give you a new love of feudal Japan, and with a world so full of things to do, every moment you spend in its world is a treat. This is a worthy swan song for the PS4, and a tribute to the Japanese culture it so clearly reveres. 

10. What Remains of Edith Finch

Sure, by now you’ve probably heard all the hype, and it might have even put you off slightly in that weird hipster way that hype always manages, but What Remains of Edith Finch is one of those beautiful reminders that games can make you feel everything. Exploring her family home, the titular Edith Finch gradually uncovers the stories of the Finch’s through the ages, each one opening up a new experience and story. From exploring a Halloween horror adventure in a graphic novel to simply flying a kite, every chapter is a new surprise. To give away any more is to spoil the magic of this walking sim but yes, it will break your heart and make you cry, but only in the best possible way. What Remains of Edith Finch is a beautiful experience that never feels emotionally manipulative, only ever incredibly human, and a poignant reflection on the stories that make us who we are. Even if we didn’t always know it. 

9. Grand Theft Auto 5

The magic of GTA 5 and its reappearance on current-gen hardware isn’t in the improved textures, shinier cars or even the brilliantly executed new first-person mode. It’s in the way each addition and improvement combines to enthral and seduce you all over again to sink another blissful 50 hours into Los Santos without it ever feeling like a re-run. Also: an unhealthy dose of first-person cat-stomping. If tabby-kicking isn’t your thing, GTA: Online – with its mega online Heists, improved character creator and, y’know, end of the mystery of Mount Chiliad – is sure to gets it claws into you. Quite simply, it represents the definitive edition of the greatest open-world game ever made, which hold up well in 2018.

8. Fortnite

Fortnite is the most fun you can have on PS4 for free – and I do mean totally free, because you don’t even need a PS Plus subscription to play online. Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode has taken the world by storm, enchanting players with intense shootouts and towering build battles as they compete to be the last of 100 standing. Regular developer updates add new weapons, modes, and thoughtful tweaks to baseline mechanics every week, keeping the game fresh even if you already have a few dozen wins under your belt. And don’t forget about Save the World mode if you’re in the mood for something more cooperative, though you will have to pay to play that one (for now).

7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The White Wolf himself finally rides onto PS4 in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and brings with him one of the most diverse and challenging RPG worlds ever seen. Mesmerizing to look at and utterly engrossing to play, CD Projekt Red’s farewell to Geralt is a new high for the genre. What really impresses are the genuinely entertaining missions, and the eclectic cast of characters that bring the world to life. While combat can be challenging at first, once you get into it, there’s enough depth here to keep you interested for the duration. Not to mention it’s been further bolstered by the often-astonishing Witcher 3: Blood and Wine expansion. Essential in every way.

6. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Konami might try to scrub Hideo Kojima’s name from the ultimate in tactical espionage action, but it’ll never remove his fingerprints. While retaining that distinct storytelling and sense of wonder that defines the Metal Gear series, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain offers a level of freedom and creativity unheard of in any sandbox. It’s something to be explored for days, weeks, months – each little secret and hidden slice of gameplay just waiting to be found and to make players rethink the way they approach the game. Plus, it’s got a killer ’80s soundtrack, and some wonderfully gruff voice-acting from Kiefer Sutherland. Grand, majestic and bittersweet, this is an instant classic and one of the finest things you can shove into your PS4. It’s also been re-released as MGS5: The Definitive Experience, which contains prologue MGS5: Ground Zeroes plus all the Metal Gear Online DLC items, so that’s definitely the version to go for.

5. Marvel’s Spider-Man

Swinging straight into the top five (sorry, yes, that’s the most played-out pun ever) Spider-Man PS4 is one of the most fun, immediately joyful games you’ll ever pop into your PlayStation. It looks incredible, sure, and the game itself is massive, but what impresses most is the feel of swinging around New York as the web-slinger himself. There’s plenty to do, and the variety of non-story stuff is impressive, but the real beauty lies in the slick, free, and utterly wonderful swinging. The fact that the story has all the heart and humor of Spidey’s latest Marvel outings only enhances an already brilliant super-hero game. With a neat Photo Editor included, and a stack of DLC to get involved with, you could be playing Spider-Man for months… and still have a grin on your face when you’ve finished.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 and its glorious open world that’s filled with things to do, and people to meet/rob/kill, is quite the masterpiece of game making. The world is so realistic you may have to pinch yourself that its not real as the morning mist rolls in, or the sun breaks through the clouds in the afternoon. And the story. Oh boy, the story. Obviously, we won’t be crowned the sheriff of spoilertown here, but it’s as gloriously epic as you’d expect from a Rockstar game – even if the opening few hours are a little slow. It’s a wonderful world to live in for a few weeks / months, because there’s so much to see and discover that you’re going to be wondering what the heck that thing is on that mountain for a while to come. 

3. Horizon: Zero Dawn

As beautiful as it is deep, Horizon: Zero Dawn creates an astonishingly rich world to explore and get lost in. On top of all that post-apocalyptic prettiness, the core gameplay loop of hunting and taking down various mechanical creatures is the real draw here. The use of slower weapons like bows creates a far more tactical take on the action – you have to think about your strategies and consider your options rather than just charge in blasting. As well as learning how to get by in a world that hates you, there’s just so much to see and do as you chase side quests, meet new factions and try to unravel the compelling mystery behind corrupted machines and a lost past. Once you’re done with the main game, there is a sizeable, challenging expansion with The Frozen Wilds. Easily one of the best games of this generation.

2. God of War

God of War is – in many ways – a complete fresh for this action series. While Kratos is still very angry, the game still features moments of horrific violence, and the action continues to be smooth and brutal, the whole structure and pace has been completely revamped. Now you’re free to explore the world and unearth all its secrets as you go through, and there are so many layers to this game. Puzzles are incredibly smart, set-pieces impress, and Kratos is a much more rounded character – especially when it comes to the interactions with Atreus, his son. It also helps that the game looks staggeringly good, from scripted scenes to the way combat flows freely, all taking place in a world that feels alive and historied.  There’s no better showcase game for PS4. It’s a gorgeous exclusive that reinvents one of the console’s longest-serving, most loved characters. It’s heaps of fun to play, and the game just keeps inviting you to dig deeper and deeper to discover all its goodies. And you will. You’ll be playing this for a long, long time.

1. Last of Us Part 2

The Last of Us 2 is finally here, and oh boy was it worth the wait. Ellie is back with an all-new story that will kick you in the stomach repeatedly with how much emotion it’s packing. Brutal violence is matched with one of the most engrossing game storylines of all time, full of moments that will make you question so much, and leave you with thoughts that I think will last most of us until the PS6… This is an absurdly ambitious epic that goes beyond anything we could have imagined for a sequel, and stands as one of the games we’ll be talking about for generations to come.

The post Best PS4 games to play right now appeared first on Lifeyet News.

Many of the best games on DS were built around that distinctive stylus – a method of play that made the console more accessible and approachable – and made smart use of both screens. Nintendo wanted the system to be appealing to players outside of traditional circles, and as a result the library spans over 2000 games. Given the breadth of options, it made putting together a ranking of the 25 best DS games of all-time somewhat difficult… but not impossible. Let’s get into it.  

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Best Nintendo DS games

25. Hotel Dusk: Room 215

Developer: Cing
Released: 2007

Developer Cing may have long since disbanded but its legacy lives on thanks to titles like Hotel Dusk and its equally enjoyable follow-up, Last Window: The Secret Of Cape West. Played with the DS held vertically, Hotel Dusk feels like a virtual book where you read engaging dialogue but can use your stylus to traverse the titular hotel and solve numerous clever puzzles. The mystery behind the hotel unfolds beautifully thanks to engaging characters, a strong narrative, and great pacing, while the distinctive art style also helps it stand apart from similar games on Nintendo’s system. Cing’s Another Code: Two Memories, is equally worthy of your time.

24. Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise

Developer: Rare
Released: 2008

The original Viva Pinata was planned for Pocket PCs, so it’s nice that Tim Stamper’s original idea has come full circle and is now playable in your hand. One of the most impressive aspects of Pocket Paradise is not only its distinctive isometric visuals but just how similar it is to the original Xbox 360 release. Granted, it lacks its spectacular aesthetics and certain elements have been cut, but the core game is all here, allowing you to tend your garden and breed new Pinatas to your heart’s content, while the clever stylus controls and context-sensitive top screen makes it easy to tend the needs of your many cute critters.

23. Pokemon Conquest

Developer: Tecmo Koei
Released: 2012

Nintendo’s decision to pair its popular Pokémon series with Tecmo Koei’s Nobunaga’s Ambition franchise makes a lot more sense when you realize just how popular Koei’s strategy game is in Japan. While some will be disappointed that only 649 Pokémon are included and that many of their special moves are missing, you can’t fault how solid the game’s many battles are or the balanced combat mechanics at its core. Like the best crossovers, it pulls key elements from both games but isn’t afraid to forge its own identity as you explore the gorgeous Ransei Region with your loyal Eevee.

22. Trauma Center: Under The Knife 2

Developer: Vanguard
Released: 2008

Turn your humble stylus into a scalpel, laser, or even a defibrillator as you attempt to patch up patients in Vanguard’s enjoyable sequel. Set three years after the events of the DS original, the plot is delightfully absurd and focuses on returning Doctor Derek Stiles, who is struggling to use his famed Healing Touch (which allows you to slow down time during play). Each patient you encounter requires various techniques, from blitzing viruses and suturing up wounds, to performing delicate skin grafts and even fixing broken bones. It makes for a ridiculous blend of pressure and fun as your trembling fingers and sweating forehead would happily trade it all in for a simple game of Operation.

21. The Legend Of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2007

Interestingly, Zelda’s DS adventures didn’t quite match the majesty of the earlier Game Boy games, although they remain compelling releases in their own rights. We’ve opted for The Phantom Hourglass over Spirit Tracks because we feel it makes far better use of the touchscreen and we like the way you continually have to return to and explore a gigantic dungeon rather than tackling smaller ones like in other Zelda titles. It looks lovely too, retaining the distinctive cel-shaded look of The Wind Waker and its mechanically rich, offering new items to use, while the Phantom Hourglass of the title gives you a unique way to explore the vibrant game world.

20. Planet Puzzle League

Developer: Intelligent Systems
Released: 2007

Nintendo’s dual-screen console is awash with great puzzle games, but this is the puzzler that rarely leaves our console’s cartridge slot. Known as Panel De Pon in Japan this gem of a title from Intelligent Systems requires you to match colored tiles into groups of three or more before your bin fills up. Blocks can be moved with a simple swipe of the stylus and there are a number of different gameplay modes to enjoy as well that range from clearing all the blocks above a Clear line to scoring as many points as possible in a set time limit. Throw in some fantastic multiplayer modes and a fun selection of Daily Challenges and Planet Puzzle League becomes incredibly hard to put down.

19. Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Developer: Chunsoft
Released: 2009

Chunsoft’s first entry in its Zero Escape series is a cracking adventure and a brilliant entry point to the visual novel genre. The strength of 999 is easily its expertly crafted story, which focuses on Junpei, who wakes up in a cabin on a cruise liner and discovers he’s trapped with eight other victims. The writing throughout is excellent, but it’s complemented by some truly masterful puzzles in the form of Escape sections which will truly test your grey matter. Filled with twists and turns and requiring multiple playthroughs in order to reach its true ending, 999 is a slice of brilliance that shockingly never received a European release.

18. The World Ends With You

Developer: Square Enix / Jupiter
Released: 2007

Granted this collaboration from Square Enix and Jupiter is available on iOS and Nintendo Switch now, but neither can fully replicate the uniqueness of playing it on DS. Aside from its modern-day setting, highly stylized characters, and energetic soundtrack, the thing that really sets TWEWY apart from its peers is the utterly unique combat system it uses. Combat takes place across the DS’s two screens and you need to manage both at once using face buttons and the stylus. It’s maddingly frustrating at first, akin to rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time, but when it finally comes together it delivers an experience that’s every bit as special as its unique-looking characters.

17. Animal Crossing: Wild World

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2005

Who would have thought Nintendo’s world of cute anthropomorphic critters would work so well on a handheld? Wild World took everything that was great about the GameCube game and introduced online aspects to make visiting the villages of friends and family even easier. While the loss of classic NES games was a bitter pill to swallow, its solid online aspects and high level of customization meant you still had plenty to keep you busy. It also highlights just how suitable the franchise is for gaming on the move, as the ability to go for a quick fishing session or dig up some fossils ensures none of your spare time is ever wasted.

16. WarioWare Touched!

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2005

While Project Rub is another great selection of stylus-based mini-games, WarioWare pulls off the same concept with much greater style. It largely follows the same template as earlier games in the series, giving you a few seconds to complete a specific task, but as you’d expect, the zany games on offer here make excellent use of the DS’s unique abilities. One minute you are prodding cats and swatting flies, the next you’re covering food in ketchup or controlling a remote control car as you attempt to escape an infant. It’s ridiculously silly and while it lacks the inventiveness of Project Rub, its sheer diversity and range of games more than compensates.

15. Pokemon Black & White

Developer: Game Freak
Released: 2010

Radical overhaul and Pokémon aren’t typically words that go together, but Game Freak did at least attempt to inject numerous new ideas into its hugely successful series. The most obvious is the new battle mechanics that have been introduced and it’s now possible to throw out three Pokémon at once for scraps to create a formidable line-up. Rotation battles are similar, but allow you to rotate your cute critters at will, to give you a better chance in battle. Aesthetically the games are a big improvement over Diamond and Pearl and there are numerous new sidequests and cool new mini-games. Pokémon games have always been ambitious in their scope and Black & White set new standards for Junichi Masuda and his team to improve upon.

14. Chrono Trigger

Developer: Square
Released: 2008

While we don’t typically like to feature remasters in lists such as this, every gamer needs to experience Chrono Trigger as it’s one of the best JRPGs of all time. While the DS version is rapidly rising in price, it’s still a far cheaper alternative to the US SNES release and features numerous enhancements, too. It features all the extras from the later PlayStation port, makes great use of the DS’s touch screen controls, boasts a default run option, and numerous other quality of life tweaks. It’s the perfect way to enjoy Square’s impressive time-spanning adventure and is one of the best RPGs to be found on the system.

13. Tetris DS

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2006

Aside from its simplistic and evergreen game mechanics, one of the greatest strengths of Tetris is just how versatile it is. This 2006 release from Nintendo SPD marries the popular tile-rotating game to some of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises and the end result is one of the system’s best puzzlers. There are six distinct modes that range from the standard version of Tetris to fun offerings like Mission, which requires you to complete specific challenges in a certain amount of time, and Catch, which has you blasting Metroids while manipulating a central tile. It’s all augmented by an excellent multiplayer mode, meaning Tetris DS is a game that will last you for ages.

12. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Developer: Capcom
Released: 2005

Capcom’s series remained consistently solid on DS and the first five made it to the west (only Ace Attorney Investigations 2 was a Japanese exclusive). We’ve chosen the original game not just because it introduces many of the characters who will constantly crop up in the later games, but also because it’s a solid improvement over the GBA original (which was also a Japanese exclusive) and has some excellent cases. The courtroom battles have always been a highlight of the series and you’ll feel tremendously smug when you’re able to trip your opponent up and prove that they’re telling you a pack of porkies. Best of all however is the final case which fully utilizes the capabilities of the DS to make you feel like an actual detective as you investigate crime scenes.

11. Kirby: Canvas Curse

Developer: HAL Laboratory
Released: 2005

Some of the greatest DS games are those that treat popular franchises in new and interesting ways and Kirby’s first adventure on the system is a perfect example. Rather than directly control the lovable pink blob, you instead use your stylus to create rainbow paths to guide him through each stage. You only have a limited amount of ink to create paths, so you need to ensure your reserves stay full by managing Kirby as effectively as possible. Enemies are also dealt with via stylus abuse and you’ll soon find yourself frantically rubbing and poking the screen so you can reach the next stage. The end result is one of the most inventive games in the series.

10. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

Developer: Level-5
Released: 2008

The third game in Level-5’s popular puzzle series remains the best one to date. Professor Layton and Luke’s new adventure doesn’t just impress thanks to the cleverness of its puzzles, but also in their sheer diversity. There are over 160 different puzzles here for the pair to solve, which will have you tackling everything from number-based conundrums and visual-based headscratchers, to simple sliding puzzles and cerebral logic ticklers. Even if you do find certain puzzles too tricky to manage there’s a generous hint system in place which means you’re never too far away from enjoying the excellent unfolding story at the heart of the game.

9. Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow

Developer: Konami
Released: 2005

All three Castlevania DS games are worthy of your collection, but Dawn Of Sorrow is the one we continually return to the most. While its touchscreen uses are poorly implemented (you draw seals to finish off bosses) everything else is pure Metroidvania and it’s a worthy follow-up to the GBA hit, Aria Of Sorrow. Protagonist Soma Cruz returns and so too does the Tactical Soul system, which has been enhanced in numerous ways so souls can be also traded in to upgrade and create new weapons. Graphically it’s a staggering update over its GBA predecessor thanks to atmospheric locations and some gargantuan and loathsome-looking bosses.

8. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Developer: Capcom
Released: 2010

In addition to creating the Phoenix Wright games, Shu Takumi also bamboozled gamers with this excellent adventure. Protagonist Sissel is an amnesia-stricken spirit and it’s your task to discover what happened to him as you traverse both the Ghost World and the real world. Being a spirit Sissel has to rely on inanimate objects to move around in the Ghost World, but he can also possess corpses and even question them to learn clues about their deaths. Once armed, he has four minutes to go back and potentially prevent them from dying. It’s a neat mechanic and Sissel can perform similar feats in the real world where he can use his tricks to manipulate events that will help progress the excellent story.

7. Bangai-O Spirits

Developer: Treasure
Released: 2008

The DS is very underserved when it comes to shoot-’em-ups but it does have this wonderfully chaotic offering from Treasure to even things out. Everything about Treasure’s game is absolutely crazy, from its absurd plot to the insane amount of missiles that can fill the play area when things get heated up. It effortlessly blends hardcore shooting with clever puzzles and constantly keeps you on your toes with inventive curveballs that ensure no two levels ever feel the same. And when you do get bored of the 160-odd stages that Bangai-O Spirits throws at you there’s the option to create your own, cleverly encode them as sound files and then share them with others.

6. New Super Mario Bros.

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2006

As Nintendo continued to push Mario’s 3D games to outrageous new heights, his traditional side-on adventures fell by the wayside. When New Super Mario Bros made its debut in 2006 there hadn’t been a mainline side-on game since Super Mario World in 1990. You soon forget that lengthy gap once you dive into the game’s cleverly constructed levels and discover delightful new power-ups like the mega mushroom that causes Mario to increase in size, destroying anything he comes into contact with or the Mini Mushroom that shrinks him down and is essential for reaching certain levels. It’s a brilliant return to form for the popular plumber and 30 million copies were sold as a result.

5. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

Developer: AlphaDream
Released: 2009

The DS has a huge number of great RPGs, but none of them can compete with the brilliance of Nintendo’s dynamic duo. Alpha Dream’s achingly funny adventure continues to build on the combat mechanics introduced in the earlier games but mixes things up by introducing Bowser as a playable character, who doesn’t realize that Mario and Luigi are carrying out their own adventure inside his body via the bottom screen. It’s a superb set-up for a game and the action routinely switches between the two screens as the trio attempt to take down Fawful. Filled with inventive touches – enemies Bowser inhales are then sent to the Mario brothers to fight – and blessed by a razor-sharp script, Bowser’s Inside Story is the most fun you can have on Nintendo’s dual-screen console.

4. Advance Wars: Dual Strike

Developer: Intelligent Systems
Released: 2005

Dual Strike gets its moniker because it’s the first game in the series to let you take two Commanding Officers (or COs) into battle. It also introduces a wide range of new units, including the powerful Megatank, adds a number of new COs to the roster, and even lets you wage war across both screens during certain battles, which makes them even more strategic as a result. All the original game modes return, including the continuation of the story introduced in the GBA games, as well as two new modes: Survival and Combat. A sequel, Advance Wars: Dark Conflict arrived in 2008, with a brand-new story and stark aesthetic style that divided gamers as it wasn’t in line with the cheery look of earlier games. Both games are tremendous strategy releases.

3. Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan

Developer: iNiS Corporation
Released: 2005

We’ve seen the DS stylus used in a number of unique ways, but using it to power the skills of a cheerleading squad is easily one of the most entertaining. While many rhythm action games are content to simply let you bash buttons in time to the rhythm of a song, Ouendan’s design goes a step further as you use your stylus to follow patterns and tap different areas of the screen. It’s mechanically perfect and bolstered by some incredible tunes that complement the on-screen action and the often engaging stories that take place on the top screen. The English alternative, Elite Beat Agents is also fun to play, but the tracklisting is nowhere near as strong. And don’t worry about the Japanese barrier, it’s easy to break through for both Ouendan and its 2007 sequel.

2. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Developer: Rockstar
Released: 2009

Only Rockstar would have the stones to ship a drug deal simulator on a Nintendo console. Even more impressive is the fact that Chinatown Wars’ sideline in drug peddling is just that, as the main drive of Rockstar’s game is a polished revenge story focusing on Triad member Huang Lee who is left for dead in the game’s explosive opening and must retrieve the family heirloom that was stolen from him. Chinatown Wars not only features some truly memorable missions, but it also makes excellent use of the DS, from using the stylus to break into vehicles, to whistling into the DS’s mic to hail a cab. Graphically impressive and steeped in Rockstar’s typical polish and swagger, it proved once and for all that a Nintendo console was more than capable of containing the impressive worlds that Rockstar can so effortlessly create.

1. Mario Kart DS

Developer: Nintendo
Released: 2005

Nintendo’s fifth main game in its popular series introduced a number of firsts that helped it stay ahead of the competition. It was the first game in the franchise to allow players from around the world to battle each other (although it wasn’t always the smoothest of experiences), new items like the Bullet Bill and Blooper make their debut and there’s a fun new battle mode called Shine Runners, which will lead to plenty of arguments with your mates. 16 brand-new tracks are spread across four cups and there’s an additional 16 retro tracks featuring classic courses from the earlier SNES, N64, GBA, and GameCube releases. Mario Kart DS is absolutely drowning in content and we’ve not even mentioned the exceptional and exclusive Mission Mode that stretches the game’s longevity even further. Add in the tight racing mechanics that have remained a mainstay of the series since its inception and you have the best DS experience money can buy.

The post 25 best DS games of all-time appeared first on Lifeyet News.

We’ve picked out the best game review sites and video game news sites on the internet to help with this. Whether you want to check on a game’s quality before buying it, or just want to browse the latest gaming headlines, one of these great game websites will serve you well.

A Word on Mainstream Gaming Sites

Video games journalism has gone through a lot of problems in the past decade. We’ll spare specific details here, but suffice it to say that several well-known video game websites have suffered major breaches of ethics: collusion, undisclosed financial ties, and cronyism, among other behaviors.

Additionally, for many gaming sites, the focus has shifted away from reviewing games based primarily on their gameplay and quality. Now, some sites emphasize social and political issues above all else, or even have authors who treat some articles like their personal blog. Other gaming sites have branched out to cover other forms of entertainment (like movies, TV, and music) to the detriment of their gaming coverage.

We encourage you to research these issues and draw your own conclusions about whether you want to follow such mainstream gaming sites. Whatever sites you do choose to read, it’s important that you pay attention to the writers you’re reading, not just the site. There really isn’t a “best game review site” for everyone, since quality differs among the authors at various sites.

1. Destructoid

Destructoid is a great all-around gaming site with a bit of everything. It publishes articles regularly, with lots of news posts, reviews, and features appearing each week. This includes updates on certain games, previews of upcoming games, and opinion pieces.

It’s not just a gaming news site, though. Destructoid publishes reviews of console and PC games, as well as mobile titles and even DLC. Its reviews are straightforward, and you can read Destructoid’s scoring system to understand how it rates games.

Top off this coverage with video content and community forums, and you’ve got a solid video game website anyone can enjoy.

2. GamesRadar+

Another gaming news site that offers a healthy balance of content, GamesRadar+ provides news, reviews, features, hands-on looks at new games, and more. You can view reviews and guides for games on your favorite system, or check out the latest news and reviews.

GamesRadar+ doesn’t review the volume of games many other sites do. At the time of writing, the site’s latest batch of reviews includes a few big-name games, but are mostly hardware reviews. This shows that the staff takes their time and doesn’t rush out reviews.

In the reviews, clear Pros/Cons lists and a summary of the verdict make them easy to skim. Overall, GamesRadar+ provides lots of content to check out, as well as quick stories for staying abreast of gaming news.

3. Game Informer

Game Informer is a long-running video game magazine that also has a website. Unlike other gaming websites that also feature content for movies and TV, this one is all about games (occasionally covering movies and TV based on games). You’ll find news, previews of upcoming games, reviews, and features.

It’s an old-school take on a game website in the overcomplicated modern age, which is welcome. Many of the staff are longtime game players, and the site has a professional feel to it. It summarizes its reviews with a number, which not all gaming sites do nowadays.

Overall, Game Informer is a website run by people who love video games, built for players. The site doesn’t review every little game, but what’s here is excellent and there’s no political nonsense to worry about.

4. Metacritic

If you don’t feel like wading through detailed reviews and just want a quick score to see if a game is worth playing, Metacritic is for you. It’s not a review website in itself, but instead aggregates scores from various game review websites (like Rotten Tomatoes and similar websites do for movies).

Search for a game, and you’ll see a weighted score from 1-100. You can click through to read individual reviews, or compare what the critics thought to user reviews.

A lot of the time, it’s hard to sum up a game’s quality in a single number. Thus, many people have issues with the weight placed on Metacritic, but it’s a fine place to start your research on a game. Just remember that a numbered score isn’t everything.

5. Nintendo Life

As its name suggests, this is one of the best gaming websites for Nintendo enthusiasts. Nintendo Life specializes in covering the Nintendo Switch, 3DS, eShop, and similar topics. You’ll find reviews, news, features, and even original videos.

The guides stand out here. They provide help for major games, such as type weaknesses in Pokémon or how to spot fake paintings in Animal Crossing. The site reviews downloadable eShop titles as well as mainstream releases, so there’s a lot of coverage.

With a pleasant community in the forums and comment sections, this is a must-visit for all Nintendo fans.

6. GameSpot

GameSpot is a well-known gaming site that’s worth a visit. You’ll find popular and recent news on its homepage, along with lists of upcoming games and recent reviews.

The site reviews games, both popular and small, on every platform. For something a little different, you can also check out its video shows and forums to connect with other gamers.

There are some occasional quirks with its reviews, like the writer mentioning that they didn’t play through the entire game. Because of this, it is nice to see a summary of what the reviewer played at the bottom of the article. But overall, it’s a quality resource.

7. Christ Centered Gamer

With the above discussion of bias in games, you might think a site with an obvious predisposition is an odd choice to include. But Christ Centered Gamer has received praise for its clear reviews from people concerned about the ethics of mainstream game sites.

Unlike sites that let author biases influence their ranking of a game’s quality, this site separates its reviews into two scores. One scores the game technically on its gameplay, controls, and other qualities. The other scores the morality of the game, based on factors like language, sexual content, and similar.

If you’re a person of faith, or want more information about video games for your children beyond the basic game age rating, you can take the morality score into account. But if you don’t care about that, you can skip right past it and still enjoy a quality review of the game on its own merits.

This page isn’t as well-known as some other game review sites, but it’s up-front about its biases and hasn’t had concerning breaches of ethics. You may find that refreshing.

Websites for User-Written Game Reviews

The above sites are all professional publications for game news and reviews. However, don’t forget that there are tons of resources online to read user-created reviews too. Since opinions on games are subjective, you might prefer to read several reviews from everyday players in addition to, or instead of, professional articles.

YouTube

Anyone with an opinion and a YouTube channel can make a video reviewing a game. If you prefer to watch gameplay for a game instead of just reading about it, this is a great option. Chances are that you’ll be able to find someone talking about the game you’re interested in. Have a look at the best YouTube game review channels to start.

GameFAQS

In addition to being one of the best places for game walkthroughs, GameFAQs is a useful resource for user reviews of games too. Search for a game and check its Reviews tab to see what others thought about it.

These reviews don’t follow any particular pattern, so it’s up to each person to discuss what they feel is important and structure the review accordingly.

Steam

Steam has a handy review system that makes it easy to see what a lot of other players thought about the game. Just scroll down on any game’s page on Steam to take a look. You can filter by positive or negative reviews, how long the reviewer played the game, and other criteria. It’s even possible to see a graph of reviews over time.

A lot of games feature “funny” reviews, which aren’t that useful, but you can filter some of those out with Steam’s tools. Others can give awards for reviews, and the most helpful ones rise to the top. Even if you don’t play on PC, checking Steam reviews for any game that you’re interested in is a helpful resource.

The Top Video Game Websites Worth Your Time

The best video game websites aren’t necessarily the ones you hear about often. Many game websites have major drawbacks—whether it’s a lack of ethics, poorly justified review scores, or a radical bias. But these sites are great places to get your video game reviews, as well as some news.

In addition to these options, it’s a good idea to find some Twitch streamers that you enjoy. Game websites employ dozens of people, which makes it difficult to find a consistent voice. With a single streamer, you can understand their preferences and better see if a game is right for you. Plus, seeing a game in real-time for yourself always helps.

The post 7 Best Gaming News Sites and Game Review Sites appeared first on Lifeyet News.

And then, you have to consider other video streaming sites like Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitch, and so on. That’s a lot of data flowing around—and if your ISP caps your monthly data allowance, then all this video streaming can be expensive.

The solution is to capture or download online videos to watch offline, allowing you to re-watch videos as many times as you want without wasting data.

Here are some of the best tools for capturing and downloading videos to watch offline.

1. Video DownloadHelper

Available on: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Lynda, Twitter, Udemy, and hundreds of other sites.

Video DownloadHelper is easily one of the most useful browser extensions for downloading streaming videos that you’ll ever install. The downside (sort of) is that you have to install it on your browser; if you already run numerous extensions, the last thing you need is another one making Chrome even slower. But if you download numerous videos daily, Video DownloadHelper is definitely worth it.

The extension adds a button next to your browser’s address bar. Whenever you come across an online video, just click the button to download any video on the current page. Use the pop-up box to decide where to save it on your computer. Just note that the Chrome version of the extension can’t download YouTube videos. If that’s what you want, use the Firefox version.

2. 4K Video Downloader

Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Flickr, Dailymotion, and several other sites.

4K Video Downloader is the most straightforward tool to capture video from a website. We recommend it if you want a no-hassle option that requires close to zero effort on your part. It works quickly and doesn’t throttle your download, plus it’s straightforward to get to grips with.

Just copy the URL of an online video and paste it into 4K Video Downloader. You can paste links to YouTube playlists or YouTube channels to download every video available. In fact, you can even subscribe to YouTube channels and auto-download new videos as they’re made available. You can also download the annotations and subtitles in YouTube videos.

Video downloads are available in 8K, 4K, 1080p, or 720p (as long as the source video was uploaded at that resolution, of course). In addition, you can also download videos in MP4, MKV, and FLV formats. Or, you can download only the audio portion in MP3 or M4A formats.

3. Freemake Video Downloader

Available on: Windows, Mac

Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Liveleak, Veoh, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and dozens of other sites.

Freemake Video Downloader is one of the most popular video downloading tools for any site. It’s easy to use and relatively flexible as far as quality and format options are concerned. However, the one big downside is that you can only download up to 4K videos. Additionally, unless you subscribe to one of the app’s paid plans, you won’t download anything above 720p.

Despite these shortcomings, videos can be downloaded in a handful of formats, including AVI, FLV, MKV, MP4, and WMV. If you only want the audio portion, videos can also be downloaded in MP3 format. The actual process only requires the URL of the video—just copy and paste it in.

4. JDownloader

Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Supported sites: Nearly any site with streaming video.

JDownloader is a stream downloader but with a twist. You take the URL of any page that has a video on it, paste it into the app, and it will scan the page for all the videos it can detect. You get to pick which of the detected videos you want to download.

The nice thing about JDownloader is that you don’t need the direct URL of a specific video. For example, take a MakeUseOf article with five embedded videos, and all of them will be available to download. No need to fumble around finding out the direct URL of the video. This makes it effortless to capture several videos at once.

However, be aware that the installer comes with bundleware, which is where other programs are pushed to you that you don’t need. When you run the installer, you’ll come across a page that offers to install “Bing Search” or something else. On this page, the buttons will change to Decline and Accept. Ensure you click Decline because this will prevent bundleware from being installed on your system.

5. youtube-dl

Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Crunchyroll, Metacafe, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and thousands of other sites.

youtube-dl is a tool for advanced users who are comfortable using the command line. If you prefer graphical interfaces, save yourself the headache and just use one of the ones listed above.

But if you’re okay with command line utilities, then youtube-dl offers the most flexibility of any video downloading tool. It’s complicated enough to have a non-trivial learning curve though, so prepare to read the documentation, or else you’ll be lost.

You could also try youtube-dl-gui, which is an unofficial front-end user interface that’s available for Windows and Linux. Despite its steep learning curve, youtube-dl can download streaming videos from select platforms like Crunchyroll.

Features include several video selection and quality parameters, playlist processing, download rate limit, batch video downloading, automatic naming of files, the inclusion of ads, and downloading subtitles (for sites like YouTube).

The following formats are supported: 3GP, AAC, FLV, M4A, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, and WEBM.

The Last Resort for Capturing Online Videos

If you encounter a video that isn’t supported by any of the above tools, the last resort is to play the video in full-screen mode and record your screen as it plays.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it normally works when nothing else does. Keep in mind, however, that some sites and apps (especially TV streaming services) will not let a screen recorder capture the footage. When you go to play the video back again, you will just be faced with a blank screen.

The post 5 Best Tools to Download Streaming Video appeared first on Lifeyet News.

Whether you’re already fit or just starting your fitness journey, check out these mobile exercise apps for women and get moving today.

1. Workout for Women: Fit at Home

Working out at home is an excellent starting point, especially if you feel intimidated by going to the gym. And if you’re looking to get fit for the warmer months, you might be interested in the special summer workouts on the Workout for Women app. These exercises can help boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your skin during bikini season.

Getting started with the Workout for Women app is super simple, and it’s easy to find a workout suited to your needs. Each week, there are unique challenges and workouts for different parts of your body—including your arms, thighs, and abs.

2. Sweat

Created by the popular personal trainer Kayla Itsines, Sweat is one of the best personal training apps around. Start by choosing your three most important goals, your fitness level, training styles, and whether you want to train at home or in the gym.

The Sweat app features a unique virtual community of women from all around the world. Being a part of a fitness community can help you stay motivated, encourage you to reach your workout goals, and offer a sense of sisterhood. Besides tons of workout programs, Sweat has a meal planner, a monthly calendar, and a progress tracker.

3. Lose Weight App for Women

Getting older leads to a slower metabolism, which results in weight gain. According to Harvard Health Publishing, abdominal weight gain for women means a higher risk of having a heart attack. So, it’s vital for women to get rid of that extra belly fat.

The Lose Weight App for Women is perfect for trimming off excess fat around the abdominal area, especially the Lose Belly Fat program. The program includes daily fat-burning exercises, such as bicycle crunches and mountain climbers, over the course of five weeks.

4. StrongHer

Because women come in all shapes and sizes, having a workout plan suited specifically to you is essential. StrongHer is an amazing fitness and nutrition app that provides you with a weekly workout schedule based on your particular body measurements.

Five daily workout sessions make up the schedule, and you’ll also get an additional weekly challenge session that you can do anytime to amp up your week. The app also conveniently tracks your steps, calories burned, water consumed, and all the food you’ve eaten.

5. Workout for Women | 7M Women

It can be a complicated process to lose unwanted fat, especially for women who have more body fat than men naturally, as stated by research from ScienceDaily. Workout for Women has a massive collection of fat-blasting workouts, ranging from beginner squats and boxing to Tabata and quick HIIT workout sessions.

The Daily 7 is a quick daily workout session on the app that you can squeeze in during lunch or after work. All it takes is seven minutes a day to work up a sweat and burn away calories!

6. LadyFIT

LadyFIT is an amazing mobile app with easy-to-follow instructions and customizable workouts that target all the important areas of the female body. Your goal might be to focus on your arms and chest area since no woman wants to have their arms jiggle when they move them.

If you want your arms to be toned and strong, the best way to get results is to take part in the LadyFIT Arm Workout program. Additionally, an awesome feature of the app is that you can rate the difficulty of each workout you complete, and the app adjusts the next workout based on your response.

7. WeFit

As a woman, you might be cautious when doing muscle-building exercises because you’re afraid you’re going to look bulky. Yet, you can get lovely, lean muscles with the correct training. The WeFit app features the right toning workouts for women that focus on your chest, abs, arms, shoulders, and legs.

The app allows you to target specific areas, such as your chest area, and then provides effective beginner workouts as well as intermediate, advanced, and beast workout plans. The workout plans are all five weeks long, getting harder as you progress and increase your overall fitness level.

8. Barre | Down Dog

Barre is a low-impact, beginner-friendly, full-body workout that women love. Barre is beneficial for women in particular because of the simple but brutal movements that strengthen and lengthen muscles. It is a combination of ballet, Pilates, and yoga, which means you can have the body of a ballet dancer in no time.

The Barre Down Dog app is basic, simple to use, and ideal for those who are beginners to barre. Start by picking an interval length, the body parts you want to focus on, and tunes to work out to. The app then provides you with a personalized, 10-minute barre workout session to do at home.

Workout Apps for Women That Want Results

Often, it’s tough to decide on a workout schedule and then stick to it. Additionally, it’s even tougher to stick to it if you don’t see results. It’s easy to stay on top of a workout plan and achieve effective results with the help of a mobile workout app—all from the comfort of your own home!

As a woman, exercising daily can have a powerful effect on your health. So do you want to make regular physical activity a priority in your life? Make sure to try out a few of these great workout apps available to women to stay happy, healthy, and strong.

The post The 8 Best Mobile Apps for Women to Get Fit, Toned, and Healthy appeared first on Lifeyet News.

Some of the best workout apps will coach you along as you exercise, but that’s not always what you want. You can have a set workout routine in mind, like the 7-minute workout or a variation of that, or different types of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). So all you need is a timer or a stopwatch. That’s where these free apps come in.

1. Seconds (Android, iOS, Web): Multiple Interval Timers for Training and Workouts

Seconds is a popular interval timer app for workouts and exercises, available mainly as a mobile app. You’ll find templates for several common interval training styles like Tabata, HIIT, stretching, calisthenics, boxing, MMA, and more.

Each workout is fully customizable, where you can add the exercises, give each a defined color, and set a custom timer for it. Seconds includes text-to-speech to read out the exercise name, as well as countdown the last three seconds of any interval. You can also flip it sideways to make it a large full-screen monitor, which is great for working out in groups.

You can also use Seconds through a web browser. Here, you can create an online timer for Tabata, HIIT, circuit training, rounds, or any custom workout. Again, you can name the exercises, the number of sets, rest intervals, and warm-up and cool-down intervals.

The free version of Seconds, much like the Web version, restricts you to using a timer only once. If you want to use the same timer or workout plan again, either upgrade to Seconds Pro or re-create the plan anew.

2. Exercise Timer (Android, iOS): Customizable Voice Alerts for Countdowns and Workouts

If you don’t want to keep looking at your screen, Exercise Timer’s fantastic voice alerts make it the best app for you. The highly customizable alerts and speech features are enough to keep you on track. Choose from vibration, bell sound, and text-to-speech voice alerts for exercise start, finish, half-time, countdown, and laps. The app can also read out the next exercise five seconds early, and lower your music volume so you can hear it clearly.

Much like the voice alerts, Exercise Timer is customizable in other aspects too. You can add a preparation time for each exercise in a workout, keep the screen on when the app is open, and enable fullscreen mode.

When you add any exercise to your routine, try to choose from Exercise Timer’s catalog. This way, the app can also show an exercise description, along with a small animated GIF of what the exercise is.

Once everything is set up, start your workout for uninterrupted exercising. You can view a workout in large-screen mode that shows the timer, the next two exercises, and the GIF; or in a list view mode that shows all the sets you’ll be doing.

Most of these features are available in the free version of Exercise Timer, making it a robust timer app for workouts. However, the free version limits you to only two custom workouts, three skips per workout, and includes video ads before you can start or end the training.

3. Time Rise (Android): Best Free Sand Clock or Hourglass Timer App

The simplicity of a sand clock or hourglass is fantastic for a workout, especially interval training. It’s a clear visual indicator of time for any set of exercises, and something that all can see in a group workout. And once it’s done, you can flip it around to start the next set.

Time Rise is one of the best free sand clock app for a digital version of the hourglass. First, set the timer to any amount that you want in seconds, minutes, or hours. Then, flip the phone or tablet upside down. The whole phone will fill up with color from bottom to top, just like sand filling up the glass. And there’s a countdown clock too, for a combined large visual cue. Once you’re done, flip the phone to restart the clock.

You can also set a notification chime (customizable from your ringtones) when the clock runs out. It’s a nice additional digital feature to a standard hourglass sand timer.

Download: Time Rise for Android (Free)

While there are several hourglass apps on Android, unfortunately, iPhone doesn’t offer any great alternatives to sand clock apps. The best you can do is Hourglass 2, which looks like Time Rise but misses key features like a notification chime and auto-resume by flipping it a second time.

Download: Hourglass 2 for iOS (Free)

4. Timerdoro (Web): Mobile-Friendly Browser Timer to Set a Series of Alarms

Timerdoro borrows its name from the famous Pomodro productivity method. While the web app is made for productivity techniques, you can easily adapt it to workout routines and exercise circuits. Plus, it works wonderfully well on mobile browsers too.

When you create a new timer, give it a headline and set the amount of time for the first interval. Hovering over the box, you’ll see a + icon to add a second interval. From a dropdown menu, you can choose the chime or sound to play when the timer goes off. This includes motivational messages like “Keep going!” or different types of alarms and bells.

You can add as many intervals as you want, and create multiple timers too. Also, if you register for Timerdoro, you can save all the timers you create to access them again later.

Unfortunately, you can’t customize the notification message or add a name for each interval to remind you what exercise to do next. But that’s a small miss, especially for people who know their workout circuits and just want a good timer accessible on desktop and mobile.

5. Speaking Timer (Android) and SpeakTimer (iOS): Speaking Stopwatch and Countdown App

If you mix cardio like running with your workout routines, you’ll like an app like Speaking Timer, which mixes a timer and a stopwatch. There’s a focus on voice prompts and vibration alerts in the app to avoid looking at the screen in the middle of your exercise.

Both aspects are flexible. You can save timers for different purposes, adding a set interval time and a countdown time (10 to zero or five to zero). Unfortunately, you can’t get a countdown between intervals, but you could always do a series of timers for that.

The stopwatch keeps your screen on as you run, and will again announce intervals as set by you. At any point, you can tap the Lap button to indicate you’ve finished a lap, and the app will calculate how long you took on that lap. It sucks that you can’t add these laps through a voice command, saving you from ever having to touch your phone during your runs.

For iOS users, the default stopwatch in iPhone is a fantastic app and you actually don’t need to install anything more. For an audible timer, we’d recommend SpeakTimer, which surpasses Speaking Timer by letting you add custom messages. So you could add your entire workout plan, which it will read out as the time expires.

Focus on the Exercise, Not the Numbers

The purpose of these timers and countdown apps is simple. They do the counting, while you focus purely on the actual exercise. The less your mind is occupied with how many seconds it has been, the more you can enjoy your workout.

The post 5 Best Countdown Timer Apps for Interval Training and Workouts appeared first on Lifeyet News.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR WORKING OUT

These days have been tough for you. Don’t stop doing it. You are worth the best!

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I am very happy for you. Hope that this diet and sport will become your lifestyle. You can always turn to me!

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Every step forward is a winning. You have won and look amazing! Good girl!

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Can you reveal the secrets of your slimming? You look wonderful! Don’t stop!

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Has anyone told you that you look like another person? I am really happy for you! You are a perfect example of persistence!

MOTIVATIONAL WORDS FOR WORKING OUT

You look as good as never. This diet is perfect for you. Don’t give up!

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Wow! You look perfect! Don‘t stop exercising.

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Weight is only a number. You have to love yourself. I always support you and your decisions!

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You are so strong and brave. I know that you will fulfil your desires. Continue your efforts to exercise!

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I really believe in you. You are full of energy and optimism. Never stop achieving your goals!

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FOR WORKING OUT

You shouldn’t want to be slim, you should want to be fit and healthy and that is not the same thing, but you still have to work the same, so stop sitting and get up!

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Don’t say “I’ll start tomorrow”, don’t postpone your beauty and health until the next day, next week or month. You know perfectly that you can start it right now. You really can do it, just believe in yourself!

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No one ever said, “Oh wow, I really regret that workout…”. So just start and trust me you will reach your goal!

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Just stop wishing for a nice body if you’re not going to do anything for it. If you really want a perfect body, then start doing everything you can to achieve it!

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Remember that every day you use to work out, you are getting closer to your goal. That is an achievement already!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR FITNESS

Every fit person you see has started with the same excuses as you, but they took a grip and now they look amazing. Do the same thing and conquer a perfect body, health and even the whole world!

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Physical exercises will make you strong both: physically and mentally. It will help you to achieve the desired body and also teach you self-discipline and endurance. Don’t give up!

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When you think you can’t any more… Well, this is kind of true, because you really can’t give up. Every day you are getting better then you were yesterday. Every day you’re becoming more and more confident. Carry on!

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Losing weight may not be easy, but as soon as you start you just can’t stop. Even if you think that it’s over and you say “I can’t do this any more”, you still can. Just believe in it and then do 10 more squats!

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Every pound you lose is a gain for your self-esteem. Remember it every time when you’re about to give up.

FITNESS QUOTES FOR MOTIVATION

Don’t look at fit bodies of other man and think, “Oh wow, I’ll never become so fit”. It’s true, because you’ll be even better. Stand in front of the mirror and say, “My body is going to be more wow than that!”

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Working out may be hard at first, but when you get addicted you will work harder and harder every day!

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If you really dream about a perfect body, then you have to pick yourself up and prepare for a long and exhausting process of becoming healthier and fitter!

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First of all, you have to believe that you can do it! Don’t exercise to be skinny, exercise to be fit and healthy, and know that it doesn’t happen overnight.

MOTIVATIONAL TEXTS FOR FITNESS

You shouldn’t want another girl’s/man’s body, you should want your own, but healthier, stronger and better than before!

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Stop. Look at yourself in the mirror. That is your competition, not anyone else, and remember once you start you will succeed.

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It takes a few weeks to see the results on yourself, maybe a few months for your friends and family. And after a year or so the world will see how beautiful you’ll become. Keep going!

WORKING OUT QUOTES FOR INSPIRATION

When you start working out, even the littlest progress is better than no progress! Start slow, and you will end up reaching your goal!

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Making exercise and proper nutrition will help you not only to improve your body, but also health. It’s really worth every single sweat drop you’ll have, so be strong and don’t give up until you get the result!

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You have to think that when you start working out, you will be closer every day to your goal. Remember that every sweat drop is a tear of your crying fat!

The post MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR WORKING OUT AND LOSING WEIGHT appeared first on Lifeyet News.