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Turtle Beach is celebrating the new generation of consoles with the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2, a headset that comes in two flavours: one for the PS5 and the other for Xbox Series X. 

Coming in at a mid-range price, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 offers an abundance of audio capabilities and other features that will likely prove overkill for your average console player.

While it doesn’t reach the high standards set by some of its rivals, those after a competitively priced and incredibly capable gaming headset will be more than satisfied with the Stealth 700 Gen 2. 

Price and availability

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 currently retails at £129.99/$149.99/€151.68 for both its PlayStation and Xbox Series X/S variants. At the time of writing, the official website is sold out of both, but expect this situation to change as stock levels return to normal. 

You’ll likely have an easier time tracking one down from third-party retailers such as Amazon or Game, although the situation there remains equally as turbulent. 

Design – A bulky yet comfortable beast of plastic 

• A bulky headset with a plastic aesthetic some might not enjoy 
• Feels comfortable to wear and incredibly durable
• Buttons and inputs all feel intuitively placed across the body 

The plastic that has long dominated Turtle Beach products returns with the Stealth 700 Gen 2, so those hoping for a more premium finish will likely be left feeling underwhelmed. This is a hefty beast of plastic, with only a small amount of metal thrown in for good measure. 

However, as a consequence the Stealth 700 Gen 2 feels incredibly durable, and will likely stand tall in the face of a few unintended drops to the floor or rough handling by younger players. In terms of quality, they feel a step up on Turtle Beach’s cheaper products. 

That being said, a more considered aesthetic would have been appreciated since they’re designed for specific platforms. Instead, we simply have a black and silver body. As someone who normally uses the PS5 Pulse 3D headset, perhaps I’ve grown too used to matching peripherals. 

In terms of inputs, everything is on the left earcup. Buttons for Bluetooth connectivity, power, and audio are all nestled closely together. Volume and balance wheels are found just above them, with obvious indentations making it relatively easy to adjust things without pulling the headset off completely.

The headband is plastic, much like everything else here, but sharp metal innards can be seen clearly. Be careful not to trap your fingers while extending or closing the device after use; I’ve made that mistake with Turtle Beach products in the past. As for the earcups, they’re incredibly snug and comfortable – although glasses-wearers may find them a tad irritating, given how tightly the Stealth 700 Gen 2 hug the head.  

You charge the headset via USB-C, and it connects seamlessly to my Xbox Series X using Xbox Wireless, the same method as a wireless controller. The PlayStation version requires you to plug in the bundled dongle, but is equally as seamless once everything is up and running and arguably more versatile since the adapter an be used for PC and Switch in docked mode. 

Voice chat is intuitive for both variants, with the mic switching on dynamically as you pull it down from its holding position. 

Audio and mic – Punchy sound and a crystal-clear microphone impress 

• 50mm nanoclear drivers result in clear, impactful sound 
• Doesn’t match more expensive headsets for audio quality
• Microphone is crystal-clear, and can be switched on with ease 

The Stealth 700 Gen 2 comes fitted with 50mm nanoclear neodymium drivers that emit a smooth, satisfying soundscape that also isn’t afraid to make an explosive impact when it matters. Smooth sounds such as the flowing of rivers and casual banter of Yakuza: Like a Dragon pop just as much as the unpredictable firefights of Modern Warfare. 

This headset strikes a wonderful balance regardless of what you’re playing, which is especially impressive given the conservative asking price. Cooling gel-infused ear cushions ensure all of the sound is trapped within your ears, stopping any leakage from the game itself, voice chat and all other applications in which you’re engaged. 

You won’t be able to intricately differentiate each layer of audio as you can through the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, with some sounds appearing muddy and inconsistent when chaos befalls more hectic, action-based titles. Orchestral arrangements in Final Fantasy XIV sound fantastic, yet music enthusiasts hoping to pick apart each and every instrument will be disappointed. Nevertheless, the overall tone is left completely untouched thanks to the headset’s fantastic speakers. 

The microphone isn’t the most attractive piece of design. It’s a lump of plastic housed within the left earcup, which can be flipped down and switched on whenever you need it. I adore the intuitive nature of this design, meaning you’ll never need to go through the fuss of muting yourself or actually spending an entire match of Overwatch not realising that your rambles at the useless Widowmaker have been heard by the entire lobby. Yes, that happened to me. 

Beyond such accidents, the microphone is more than adequate for regular gameplay and partying up with friends. I wouldn’t depend on it for accurate voice recording, but this likely isn’t something the average gamer will even consider. The Stealth 700 Gen 2 can be connected to a mobile device to take calls and listen to music, although it’s likely a little too bulky to wear in public, and it’s impossible to fold it up for easier storage. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 conclusion

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a sold gaming headset for console gamers. Launching two separate models optimised for the two next-gen consoles – PS5 and Xbox Series X – is a nice touch, although you can arguably find better value if you’re a PC gamer.

That all said, the plastic build could well be a major turn off for most gamers, while the similarly priced first-party gaming headsets, Sony Pulse 3D Headset and Xbox Wireless Headset, arguably pack better features for their respective consoles.

You should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 if…

• You want a dedicated console headset
  With variants available for both Xbox and PlayStation, this is a headset that works great, sounds great and will likely only become more useful as exclusives are released for next-gen consoles.

• You want a quality headset without breaking the bank
  Coming in at £129.99, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a gaming headset with a high asking price, but it certainly doesn’t break the bank. Despite this, it offers a number of distinct features and excellent audio quality.

• You want to use it across console, PC and mobile
  So long as you’ve got a Bluetooth dongle, this is a headset that can be used across multiple platforms with relative ease. It isn’t confined to the console it was made for, which is excellent for those who jump between different machines on a regular basis.

You should not buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 if…

• You’re not a fan of plastic design
  Like many of its products, this headset is awash with plastic across the entire body, complimented by a reinforced metal headband to shake things up. If you want a more attractive peripheral, perhaps go for Sony and Microsoft’s official options. 

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The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a premium gaming keyboard with a rare talent: customisable actuation points for every key. 

While this won’t alter the feel of the keyboard, it will allow you to customise the sensitivity of each key. For example, you could set the WASD keys to be super sensitive so they trigger from the slightest of presses, while you could configure the ‘G’ key to require a deeper press to avoid accidental grenade tosses.

While this new gaming keyboard innovation is certainly impressive, it’s not quite as fleshed out as the likes of the Wooting One or Razer Huntsman V2 Analog, which can bind multiple inputs to a single key at different actuation points. But the SteelSeries Apex Pro is £50 cheaper than the latter, with an RRP of £199.99.

While it’s expensive, the Apex Pro more than justifies its asking price with a range of impressive features and build quality that sits among the higher echelon of devices I’ve reviewed in recent years. Those looking for a comfortable, robust and customisable keyboard of the highest calibre needn’t look much further than this. 

Price and availability

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is available right now, from both the official SteelSeries store and third-party retailers such as Amazon.

The Apex Pro is officially priced at £199.99/$199.99/€229.99, although it is possible to get it even cheaper from the likes of Amazon Renewed.

Design and build – Stylish, durable and endlessly customisable

• A £200 gaming keyboard clearly aimed at enthusiasts 
• Sports an aluminium alloy frame described as “aircraft” grade
• Comes with an optional magnetic wrist-rest for extra comfort 

Upon removing it from the packaging, the Apex Pro left an immediately striking impression. It possesses a notable heft, landing on my desk with a ‘thunk’ as I plugged it in and was greeted by a gorgeous display of RGB lighting. The aluminium-alloy frame has been described as “aircraft” grade, meaning it could likely withstand a lot of punishment, although I wouldn’t recommend hurling it against a wall if you want all the keys to remain intact. 

That aside, knowing the Apex Pro will certainly last through a decent amount of wear and tear makes it feel like a premium product, a facet further reinforced by its slick OLED smart display, scroll wheel and assortment of other features that elevate it above a standard gaming keyboard. You’ll also find a USB passthrough port on the back, ideal for plugging in controllers or other devices that may be removed in quick succession. 

You can customise the aforementioned OLED display with a number of different statistics, or even modify it yourself to display bespoke images or text to fit your preferences. I’ll admit, it’s a fairly needless feature for the majority of gamers, but when used correctly, it’s a delightfully complimentary element that I’ve come to appreciate during my time with it.

By standard, the OLED screen will flip between the current temperature and usage of your GPU, CPU and RAM. This is great for testing how hard the latest games might be pushing your rig, or evaluating how many Google Chrome tabs it can withstand before buckling.

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Delve into the customisation settings, however, and this display becomes an overwhelming basket of possibilities. It can be used to show your current music, control the actuation points of different keys, or even offer an easy way to switch between different profiles at the touch of a button

You can also adjust volume and pause videos and other media with the scroll wheel and accompanying button. It only takes up a small amount of the keyboard’s overall real estate, but this smart display is arguably what makes the Apex Pro stand out next to much of the competition. Animated GIFs and images can even be transplanted onto the display, but such a feat will require plentiful determination and extremely small custom resolution formats. 

Performance – A gaming keyboard that sits at the top of the pile

• Actuation point can be customised for every key
• Key actuation points range from 0.4 to 3.6mm
• Smart display creates a compelling multimedia experience 

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is easily one of the best gaming keyboards I’ve used in recent years, possessing so many unique features and a blazing fast performance that it’s honestly hard to fault.

The keyboard is built using SteelSeries’ distinct OmniPoint switches. These boast a very snappy 0.7 millisecond response time, with an actuation point of just 0.4 millimetres. As a result, the Apex Pro feels supremely satisfying to use on a daily basis, whether smacking thousands of words into Google Docs, or playing a few rounds of Overwatch in the evening. This isn’t simply a peripheral for gamers, although it certainly leans heavily in that direction. 

Each key features an actuation point ranging from 0.4 to 3.6mm, which can be customised to your liking. Bespoke actuation points housed in their own switchable profiles will be ideal for gamers who are seriously specific about the responsiveness of their keyboard. For example, competitive players could have one profile focused on Overwatch, while another can be dedicated to League of Legends. Switching between them is performed with a couple of button presses, so long as everything is confirmed in SteelSeries Engine beforehand. 

It’s relatively seamless, and the difference you can make in how keys respond to your touch is genuinely astonishing at times. More casual gamers will likely be happy with the Apex Pro’s default setup, since it feels perfectly snappy outside of the box with minimal fiddling, although ignoring this feature arguably defeats the point of buying such an expensive peripheral. 

The only major issue here is that customising the actuation point for every key for individual games can be a lengthy and intimidating process, so it’s probably best reserved for your most played games. The added time required to use this keyboard to its full potential might deter some, but I really think the extra bit of education is more than worthwhile. However, it is a shame that you can’t bind two functions to a single key like you can with the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and Wooting One.

SteelSeries has said the Apex Pro will withstand over 100 million keypresses, so expect to keep it around for years to come upon throwing down £200. I’ve been using it for several weeks now, and I haven’t noticed any drop in performance or ease of use. If anything, the Apex Pro has only grown more intuitive as I’ve begun to gel with its unique design sensibilities, only strengthened further by sensitive yet durable keys that allow me to type at blistering speeds with little to no mistakes. 

Software and lighting – Gorgeous RGB display with plenty of room to experiment

• The RGB customisation options are almost limitless 
• You can have it sync to music and a selection of games 
• Easy to play around with in SteelSeries Engine 

The Apex Pro’s RGB lighting possesses the same level of absurd customisation as the keys themselves, with all of your options being housed in SteelSeries’ bespoke programme. It’s easy to use, allowing you to register a number of profiles, each with their own distinct lighting patterns. Individual keys can be adorned with their own colour, so you could potentially make any image you like, so long as it worked within the space offered. 

RGB lighting can be made to pulse or explode in a cavalcade of bright colours if you so desire, or even pulse alongside music, games and applications to make the experience more immersive. Once again, you’ll need to dedicate a bit of your own time to learn how the Apex Pro works best, but in my opinion it’s worth the investment. This is some of the best RGB lighting I’ve seen on a gaming keyboard in some time, proving itself to be both explosive and subtle in equal measure. 

SteelSeries Apex Pro conclusion

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a fantastic gaming keyboard, featuring fast and snappy mechanical switches, while also bragging innovative features such as configurable actuation points and an OLED display.

It’s a shame that the Apex Pro misses out on dual-key functions, making the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog a more tempting proposition if you’re prepared to fork out an extra £50, yet the SteelSeries Apex Pro is still one of the absolute best gaming keyboard options you can currently buy.

You should buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro if…

• You want one of the best gaming keyboards around
  The SteelSeries Apex Pro has received significant praise from players and critics alike, and such reception is more than deserved. If you want one of the best keyboards available right now, this is one well worth considering.

• Customisation is important to you
  This is a keyboard that offers a robust level of customisation, not only for its RGB lighting, but also for the actuation of the keys themselves. You can dig incredibly deep here if you so desire, so this could be one for hardcore tech fans. 

• You’re a competitive player
  The ability to switch between different performance profiles at the touch of a button makes the Apex Pro an ideal keyboard for competitive gamers. It’s sharp, accurate and comfortable to use in a way that would hugely benefit such an environment. 

You should not buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro if…

• Price is an obstacle
  Coming in at £200, this is a very high-end gaming keyboard, and honestly provides an experience that reflects such an asking price. But if you want something cheaper, there are plenty of great options out there.

• You want something simple
  A time investment is required to use the SteelSeries Apex Pro to its full potential, so consumers looking for a keyboard that is simply “plug in and play” might want to look elsewhere. That being said, the vanilla offering here remains stunning in spite of this. 

• You want dual functions per key
  The SteelSeries Apex Pro has an abundance of features, but misses out on the capability of assigning two functions to a single key with differing actuation points. If you’re willing to spend extra for this feature, check out the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.

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It Takes Two is a co-operative platforming adventure that follows a dysfunctional couple as they seek to return to their normal bodies and reunite with their daughter.

The failings of relationships are seldom depicted in games. The handsome hero is often slowly but surely working his way towards earning a sexy sweetheart right before the credits roll. Unless it’s done for dramatic poignancy, the realistic obstacles of modern-day relationships are avoided in favour of a more alluring power fantasy.

It Takes Two seeks to address such clichés, using the boiling tension between its lead protagonists – Cody and May – as the driving force behind its charming mixture of drama and comedy. What drives this bickering couple apart is ultimately what will pull them back together again, as they seek to recognise the flaws that once irked them in favour of achieving something greater. 

After playing the opening hours, It Takes Two is a wonderfully imaginative romantic comedy with some ingenious platforming ideas, even if its core narrative ethos falls into the realm of saccharine at times. Hazelight has taken the inconsistencies that brought down A Way Out to create something much greater here, and I can’t wait for the full experience. 

It Takes Two is a platforming adventure with a creative new twist

• From the creators behind A Way Out and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
• A co-op platforming adventure where you work together to defeat enemies and save puzzles
• Pitches itself as a romantic comedy as this dysfunctional couple must work together

Hazelight has never nailed realistic protagonists, with its vocal performances often coming across as poorly delivered or woefully clichéd in equal measure. It seems to recognise such flaws with It Takes Two, as the opening moments use such foils to set up its platforming mishaps with ease. Cody and May are a couple who are preparing to divorce, deciding to let their young daughter know at the dinner table. 

The young girl rushes to the family’s absurdly large shed and opens a tome known as “The Book of Love” – which, in typical fairytale fashion, comes to life as she bursts into tears upon its pages. Unfortunately, the personified book is an obvious stereotype who struts and jives across the screen while offering nonsensical advice to our dual protagonists. I’d burn him on a fire, if I could.

Once the book comes to life, our heroes awaken alongside it, finding themselves now made of wood, wool and other trinkets. Once said circumstances sink in, Cody and May seek to reunite with their daughter and let them know that everything will be okay. It won’t – her parents are getting divorced – but a bit of comfort never hurt nobody. From here, it’s off to the platforming races.

From its opening moments, It Takes Two establishes itself as a truly unique take on the genre. Much like A Way Out before it, this is a game that can only be played cooperatively. A solitary playthrough is impossible, with the screen being constantly split between you and your partner, showing where you are in the world to assist with coming puzzles and platforms. It’s a brilliant idea, and has never been done this well before. 

Each player has their own unique items and weapons in each new level

The opening level takes place within the family shed, which is a sprawling labyrinth of tools, boxes and shelves. It’s a perfect tutorial environment, encouraging you to experiment with obstacles in a way that complements It Takes Two’s cooperative nature. For example, an opened can turned on its side is present immediately after I take control, and my first instinct is to jump inside and start running like it’s a makeshift hamster wheel. 

I’m rewarded by dynamic movement, the speed of which is only increased as my co-op partner hops in and runs alongside me. It’s so satisfying, and a positive sign of things to come in It Takes Two. After gathering a handful of fuses and restoring power to the shed, we stumble upon two tools that define this opening section – a nail and head of a hammer. 

Each character is given a key item throughout each level that complements the other. I used my hammer to strike switches and other items, oftentimes hoisting up platforms for my friend to jump upon. On the flip-side, his nails can be used as temporary swinging posts, perfect for jumping onto with the claw of my hammer to reach new areas. 

It’s a true lightbulb moment as you decipher exactly what your new tools are capable of, and how well they gel with the environment in which each level exists. While the opening stage is fairly pedestrian in terms of its visual aesthetic, things quickly take a turn for the spectacular. The second level is situated within a tree, which twists a typical back garden accessory into a genuinely magnificent world of unparalleled scale. 

The world uses its miniature design to create some truly grand spaces to explore

• The shrunk circumstances of our heroes result in some excellent level ideas 
• Most levels provide each player with a unique mechanic to play with 
• Each stage is filled with bold and unexpected new ideas

Within the wooden confines exists a civil war between hardened squirrels and swarming wasps, battling for territory they both wish to call home. The parents are worshipped as gods, or scorned as invaders who came in to take over a once prosperous land. It’s a compelling piece of mythology that gives exploration of this space far deeper meaning, with walls decorated with ageing polaroids, ancient paintings and stolen items from the house. 

The squirrels are depicted as grumpy military veterans who have been fighting this war for years, while the wasps are saintly figures who worship a false sense of royalty. It turns out their Queen is a squirrel in disguise, and it’s your job to infiltrate the hive and put a stop to this charade. What follows is one of the most imaginative platforming adventures I’ve had in years – and, yes, that also includes ones made by Nintendo. 

I’m armed with an explosive rifle, while my partner is in possession of a launcher capable of firing flammable sap onto wasps and other items. Together, we can produce an endless display of explosions that are used for both solving puzzles and dispatching evil stingers. Combining our repertoire of powers together feels intuitive within seconds, with It Takes Two feeling like a breeze to play in almost every way. 

Movement does feel floaty at first, but it quickly lends itself to the sharp reactions required to avoid enemy attacks and survive in boss battles, which match the pace of titles such as NieR: Automata. Cody and May flip about the environment with absurd athleticism, posing a level of challenge I honestly wasn’t expecting. Given its subject matter, a difficulty setting that does away with the consequences of death would be most welcome for gaming newcomers. 

A platforming adventure you can only experience with another player

Outside of the main path you’ll find optional mini-games that pit Cody and May against each other in some deviously creative competitive outings. They’re over in a matter of minutes, encouraging replay value as you desperately try to hit targets or compete in fictional arcade titles alongside your distant partner. The chemistry and dialogue exhibited by Cody and May during these sequences reinforce their tumultuous relationship, and provide hints that perhaps there’s room for them to come back together.

Each character having a clearly defined role that can’t exist without the other is sheer brilliance, particularly in the face of a narrative that constantly plays off the fact that Cody and May are planning to go their separate ways. Part of me is worried that It Takes Two will have a picture-perfect ending without any realistic portrayal of relationships, but considering the overall tone, perhaps that’s the right thing to do.

During some moments, the split-screen motif will move aside as you both simultaneously control a vehicle or take on a screen-filling boss. Situations such as this are few and far between, but are definite highlights. My preview build concluded as we both controllers a miniature aeroplane as he soared towards the house, falling to pieces until nothing but a vulnerable frame remained.

First impressions

It Takes Two is some of the most fun I’ve had with a game this year. Me and my partner screamed with endless delight at its conveyor belt of cute, innovative ideas for a genre that seldom tries new things outside of a few beloved exceptions.

I’ve only played two levels, but Hazelight has already exhibited more creativity that many other titles achieve in their entirety. In terms of multiplayer platforming adventures, this could set a new benchmark for the medium.

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