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With Govee frequently collaborating with popular movies and games, it’s only natural that the manufacturer would embrace anime.Neon Genesis Evangelionis an especially attractive target for gaming components. Asus previously branded everything frommotherboardsto mice with its artwork. While not as essential to a build, other accessories add to the atmosphere in a gaming room. Govee’s latestsmart lightscelebrate the series' most famous humanoid mecha, the EVA-01.
The Evangelion Gaming Light Bars and the special edition Glide Y Lights and Wall Light create the ultimate setup. Govee’s Light Bars are the most affordable option for surrounding monitors and producing stunning RGB backlighting. Buyers can expect effects inspired by dramaticEvangelionfight scenes along with elaborate packaging. Game Rant recently tested these smart lights to see how they reflected this Japanese anime’s unique characters and style.
Govee Evangelion Gaming Light Bars
Inspired by the influential Japanese anime series, the Govee Evangelion Gaming Light Bars are the best way to add distinctive lighting to a gaming setup. These bright RGBIC smart lights are perfect for surrounding monitors and casting ample backlighting on walls. The Evangelion Gaming Light Bars include a wired controller for adjusting lighting patterns, brightness, and syncing the lights to music. Gamers can also control the lights in the Govee mobile app or through Google Home or Alexa voice commands. Fans of the Evangelion franchise will find several lighting schemes that pay tribute to the anime, or users can design their own in DIY mode.
Contents of Package
Govee didn’t just slap theEvangelionname on the existingGaming Light Barspackaging. The newmecha anime-themedlights arrive for buyers wrapped in an outer black and red paper shell. Inside the cover is a purple and green box paying tribute to EVA Unit-01. Many of the included parts are in individual smaller containers. Gamers receive a pair of light bars with bases, a wired control box, a power adapter, screws, an audio cable, and some top-secret documents and instructions. Any fan of theEvangelionseries should appreciate the collectible nature of Govee’s multi-layered box.
Installation
Unlike other Govee light bars that can be installed on the back ofgaming monitors, the freestanding Evangelion Light Bars are meant to surround displays. That said, while the lights are on the tall side, enterprising buyers could probably find a way to mount them almost anywhere. Govee provides buyers with stands that easily screw onto the base of the purple plastic lights. To increase their stability, there are also adhesive pads that supplement the screws.
The left and right light bars are connected with permanent wires, and users can later specify their orientation in the Govee Home app. Installers then attach the control box to the lights using a USB cable. On the back of the controller is a power adapter jack and an analog audio cable port.
The remainder of the setup with the Evangelion Light Bars takes place in the mobile app. After scanning the area, the app should detect the bars through Bluetooth. Installers should then connect them to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network for voice commands and control outside the software. Unfortunately, the light bars currently don’t support Matter, which makes it simpler for a household of smart devices to connect. That’s a bit disappointing when other new lights in the Evangelion collection, like theGaming Wall Light, are compatible with the smart home protocol. As with mostGovee lights, the Light Bars still work with Google Home and Alexa.
Design
While many Govee lights seem ordinary without illumination, the Evangelion Collection looks stylish, whether on or off. The tall, thin bars have a dual-faceted design: a long, lighted section on one side and purple-colored hard plastic on the other. AdditionalLED lightshelp to highlight the Govee logo below the anime-inspired artwork. There is nothing stopping gamers from having the Light Bars face them directly, but even at lower brightness levels, the lights are overpowering.
The included stands keep the Light Bars upright even after minor collisions. Despite their lightweight stature, the lights can survive inevitable falls fromgaming desks.
Even with the wired controller, Govee stays true to the purple color scheme with an Eva mecha depicted on its side. The box is divided into four quadrants, and when combined with the dial, changes to music modes or allows gamers to modify the lights' brightness.
Cable management may become an issue, especially if gamers have an analog audio cable connected to the controller. Fortunately, most buyers will position the lights far enough toward the back of a desk for wires to stay hidden.
Software
In the app, owners of the Light Bars are greeted with the usual options standard with Govee products. Scene Mode is probably what mostEvangelionfans will want to experiment with first. The packaging includes a credit card issued by the NERV organization, tasked with combating the Angels in the anime series. A bar code on the reverse of the card enablessmartphoneusers to unlock specialEvangelionlighting effects in the app.Otherwise, there are more conventional but still spectacular scenes with a festive nature or celebrating special occasions.
Govee’s RGBIC technology enables gamers to assign segments of each Light Bar different colors. Color Mode becomes a playground for designing custom effects, or users can stick to one solid hue. Much more complicated custom effects are available in DIY Mode, where it’s encouraged to share and download scenes from other Govee customers.
With the Evangelion Light Bars, Govee also focuses on its reactive music features. Users can set the lights to monitor sounds from a phone or the device’s own mic. Alternatively, the Light Bars can respond to music with a headphone cable connection.
The Govee Home app is straightforward enough when toggling the four main modes. However, when creating groups of lights with the Light Bars or exploring other features, the software can be a chore to navigate. Govee also offers a desktop program for more limited scene changes. More significantly, Govee Desktop unlocks capabilities like Razer Chroma control, whereRGB keyboardsand mice sync with lights. A PC can also program reactive lighting based on what is being shown on a screen.
Performance and Usage
Govee encourages buyers to purchase the Evangelion Light Bars with the Gaming Wall Light and Glide Y Lights. Still, even acting alone, the Light Bars put on an impressive display. In this test setup, the edge of the desk is a decent distance from the white wall behind it, but the lights are powerful enough to cast an expansive glow.
Whether red, blue, green, or something in between, thebacklightingextends the dynamic visuals of games beyond the edges of a monitor. Some EVA-specific effects include Angel Attack, AT Field, and Berserk, which match the attacks and abilities seen in the anime series. IfEvangelionfanatics want to create an even more immersive experience, they can utilize DreamView while watching an EP. It seems the feature needs Govee Desktop for set up rather than the mobile app, but the color palette of any scene will be reflected on the Light Bars.
When used with other Govee lights, scenes that work across multiple devices bring entire gaming rooms to life. Behind the light bars above are the Evangelion Gaming Wall Light and theGlide Hexagon Light Panels Ultra, which Game Rant reviewed in the past. Response times to scene changes can vary across different lights, but it’s a cohesive display nonetheless.
Razer Chroma integration with the Light Bars works smoothly after installing a plugin in the Synapse software. More recently, Corsair jumped on board to make its RGB peripherals compatible with many Govee lights. In supported titles, gamers will see an entire setup synchronized with flashes that signal in-game events and achievements. Replicating the animated scenes in the Govee Home app takes more work, but single-color schemes suit relaxing or working hours.
Many buyers will want to try out the audio features of the Evangelion Light Bars, which are often positioned nearPC speakers. The lights have an integrated mic that responds to pulsating beats, but other options exist. Besides using a smartphone to capture audio, the Light Bars ship with a cable that splits signals from a PC to a pair of headphones and an audio jack on the controller. This is the lights' most mysterious and poorly explained ability, but it doesn’t dramatically improve the system’s performance.
The Evangelion Light Bars don’t break any new ground for smart lighting technology. Even so, their styling adds some distinctiveness to Govee’s lights, which face increasing competition. The Light Bars are one of the most practicalgaming desk accessories, as they have a small footprint, and their backlighting is subtle enough to keep on continuously.
Verdict
The Evangelion Gaming Light Bars and the special edition Glide Y Lights and Wall Light create the ultimate setup. Govee’s Light Bars are the most affordable option for surrounding monitors and producing stunning RGB backlighting. Buyers can expect effects inspired by dramaticEvangelionfight scenes and elaborate packaging. Game Rant recently tested these smart lights to see how they reflected this Japanese anime’s unique characters and style.
Compared to Govee’s previous Gaming Light Bars, theEvangelionedition is pricier without a discount. Still, if buyers are fans of the anime, they should appreciate the extra effort with its packaging and design. Top secret documents that give access to mecha-inspired light effects add enjoyment when watching the anime.
The small base of the Light Bars makes them easy to fit into any setup without sacrificing brightness. Buyers should strongly consider the Evangelion Light Bars as a simple way to add flair to a gaming desk.
Budget gaming lights
$35 at Amazon
Wide smart home platform compatibility
$87 at Amazon
Customizable wall line lighting
$200 at Amazon
The light bar concept isn’t new to Govee, which offers cheaper alternatives.Govee’s Smart LED Light Barsare more compact and have optional mounting hardware for installation on the back of monitors. ThePhilips Hue Play Light Baris pricey, considering the cheapest configuration includes only one light and requires a separately purchased Hue Bridge. However, this smart light’s build quality is top-notch, and the bridge makes it compatible with Matter, Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa. Finally,Evangelionfans with a sufficient budget will be drawn to the special editionGaming Wall Lightthat fosters creativity with interlocking lines.
FAQ
Q: Why is Neon Genesis Evangelion so popular?
Neon Genesis Evangelion developed a cult following with highly developed and relatable teenage characters. At the same time, the series showcases a convincing animation style as these young mecha pilots battle the enemy Angels.
Q: What is the best placement for smart light bars?
One of the most attractive qualities of smart light bars is their versatility. Many of these lights from Govee, Philips Hue, and other manufacturers cast backlighting on blank walls. Buyers can often place them standing around monitors or on the back of screens to mimic scenery in games and movies.
