When looking for a new gaming headset, having the headset vibrate while immersed in a game of COD: Vanguard is probably not the first point on your list.

Curiously, the principle of haptic feedback may actually not seem as strange as first expected when packed into a headset like Razer's latest. It is intended to add a layer of immersion in the form of interesting vibrations along with in-game audio, and that is all to the point. In an FPS game, for example, tactile feedback is enabled and chugging along in the background, regardless of whether you are in a menu or aimlessly firing at an enemy. [A few rounds of CS:GO, in particular, paid dividends in the form of low-frequency rumbling sounds. Haptics also reacted to the music in the menus and sound effects when selecting weapons, which was a bit off-putting at times, but overall made the experience ultimately feel a bit more realistic.

What intrigued me the most, however, was the experience of tactile feedback when listening to music. The low-frequency rumble seemed to work best with heavy-hitting songs and songs with prominent bass lines, such as Porcupine Tree's "Blackest Eyes" and Chic's "Good Times," for example. However, while cool, the algorithm that the tactile feedback relied on was incorrect in that it either added enough vibration or too much, depending on the song.

Perhaps Hypersense is a bit of a gimmick to add novelty rather than a full-blown game-changing element to Kraken V3. In my testing, I used it for a few rounds of CS:GO and after listening to quite a few different songs, decided to turn it off. It's a cool addition and makes things more realistic, but the novelty wears off quickly. With HyperSense turned off, it becomes the standard Kraken V3, which is a great gaming headset in its own right, even without the haptic feedback. [As for the actual audio, Razer got a decent headset with the Kraken V3 HyperSense. Audio is crisp, clear, and well balanced, and even with tactile feedback enabled, the bass is not over-emphasized like other headsets.

As for the microphone, the Kraken V3 HyperSense's microphone has Razer's very clear communication capabilities and is nicely flexible for when you need to move it out of the way. The microphone is also removable for storage or when you want to use the Kraken V3 HyperSense as headphones rather than as a headset.

Of course, another key to maximizing immersion is how comfortable the headset is and how good the passive noise isolation is. In short, the Kraken V3 HyperSense is very comfortable and the passive noise isolation is certainly commendable.

There is a large amount of padding, from the breathable memory foam in the headband to the plush leatherette ear cushions, which are perfect for long gaming sessions while also helping to block out unwanted noise. Of course, you won't get proper active noise cancellation (ANC) here, but when it comes to passive isolation, there are few better headsets in my opinion.

The overall look of the Kraken V3 HyperSense is a nice blend of metal and plastic, a bit more professional than other gaming headsets; perhaps to be expected given the asking price of around $130 (£130 GBP, AUD $225) but it is definitely a well-made headset.

For Razer, the RGB lighting may also seem unremarkable. For some, the inclusion of RGB lighting on such a device may seem a bit pointless, as they cannot see it while in use.

Full integration with Razer's Synapse software is also included with the Kraken V3 HyperSense, allowing you to control the RGB lighting with a handful of presets, tweak the EQ settings to balance everything, and enable THX Spatial Audio It can also be enabled.

The Kraken V3 HyperSense is a great headset and a very intriguing addition to Razer's long-running Kraken line. Its tactile feedback adds an extra layer of immersion, but sometimes feels more like a novelty than a solid, quick feature, thus limiting its overall impact. And while the sleek looks, excellent build quality, and clear, premium audio are not to be missed, you'd probably save a small fortune and a bit of novelty by purchasing the standard Kraken V3.