D&D Radiant Citadel’s Pam Punzalan Is Proud of Her Filipino Heritage: “No One Can Rob Me of That”

Anyone who’s grown up in a traditional household probably feels some kind of disconnect between the desire to talk about their culture in their own words, versus doing so in an “authentic” way. While taking care not to be offensive is always commendable, sometimes you’re going to have to ruffle a few feathers to say what needs to be said.

Pam Punzalan is one of many writers from diverse walks of life telling a story in D&D ‘s Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel. Her adventure, Beyond Tangled Roots, is a deeply spiritual story with its roots in Filipino culture.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

With that in mind, she says Between Tangled Roots offers something many eurocentric tabletop gamers might not be used to facing- a side effect of your story being rooted in a culture whose history was changed from colonialism. Pam didn’t mince her words on the matter- this adventure was made knowing that it would likely alienate more traditional D&D audiences.
We managed to speak to Pamela about Between Tangled Roots, being of Filipino heritage and the collaborative effort of putting together D&D’s Radiant Citadel.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Aside from sharing your own culture, are there any elements in the adventure that came about from collaborating with the other writers in the Radiant Citadel?
Pam: Truth be told, the version of the adventure you see in the book would not have been possible without collaboration. Personally, I’ve always considered myself a narrative designer more than a game designer with respect to tabletop roleplaying games. I know, in theory, what might be interesting for a play group to do, but I feel like I’m poor when it comes to execution. I’m especially poor when it’s a system that’s as extensive as 5E. Direct consultation with my editors and reading the works of my co-writers helped me streamline the mess of ideas I had for “Between Tangled Roots” and helped everything come together!
Of course, that part of the response covers the structural things and fiddly bits. The goal for all of us was to present alternative ways for players from all walks of life, especially white walks of life, to engage with a high fantasy world that drew powerful imagery and ideas from non-white cultures. I wanted to find my own way to tackle a post-colonial dilemma: “how does one confront the sins of a complicated past, where there is no easy Right or Wrong?” How players respond to this query with the actions and words of their characters in “Between Tangled Roots” will reveal plenty about how one engages with imperialism, conquest, and the scars of war.

Does it excite you to know people might be incorporating elements of The Philippines’ culture into their D&D adventures?
Pam: Yeah, although it would be remiss of me to say that this isn’t already happening because of so many other projects before this one. Radiant Citadel itself stands on the shoulders of giants, ones summoned by countless people of color working from the centers of power of this industry for better inclusion, representation, and diversity.
Furthermore, it’s been exciting times for Southeast Asian designers and players since 2019. Conventions like Session Zero – hosted in Manila first, then hosted online for a wider international audience – and online movements like #RPGSEA helped Southeast Asian folks in tabletop connect with each other, and be seen by people beyond the region. The Islands of Sina Una is one big love note for Filipinos and by Filipinos to anyone of our kababayan who want to see themselves in D&D. My adventure is just the latest in a continuing story of showing representations of the Philippines in tabletop roleplaying games, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it contributes to introducing my country and its wonders to non-Filipinos.

I think with a lot of traditional culture, there’s sometimes a fear that you have to interpret it 1:1 in a new setting or it’s sometimes seen as “disrespectful”, which often can lead to feeling creative frustration. Did you ever worry about that with Between Tangled Roots?
Pam: I did, and I want to tell any future designers in the room this: “Fantasy is fantasy; speak your truths, but do not let it be burdened by the need to be “authentic”. “Authenticity” is a concept that is too often appropriated by terrible people seeking to uphold the status quo, and oppress people who do not fit in with whims and interests of those in power. It is especially hard for Filipino designers, for we will always get comments like “if you didn’t include THIS particular thing, or THAT particular idea, or use so-and-so monster from OUR mythology, you’re not Filipino”.
Fantasy is the playground in which we can, in our own small ways, tackle universalities about our grounded, lived experiences. We can dream about what never happened, what never will be, how we WISH things went in our history, and how we want our FUTURE to be. I settled, in my heart, that no matter what others say, I am a Filipino woman raised in Manila, capable of seeing things about the city I come from and the people I am surrounded by as I understand it. There will always be things about my own country and my own people that I will not understand, and not see – but that is the same for every Filipino, and it is arrogance for anyone to presume to be an “authority” on what makes the Philippines, the Philippines – or that which is Filipino, “Filipino”. No one can rob me of that.
No designer should ever be robbed of the opportunity to speak truths about themselves and their country. They don’t need to carry the full weight of nationhood with every word they put down for their work. They only need to carry their heart, and communicate its words as they hear them to other people. Trust me: those who matter will listen. Those who see you, will see you.
“They don’t need to carry the full weight of nationhood with every word they put down for their work. They only need to carry their heart, and communicate its words as they hear them to other people. Trust me: those who matter will listen. Those who see you, will see you”.
In your own words, what’s your ideal fusion of the Philippines culture and typical High Fantasy?
Pam: Honestly, “ideal” for me would be less about what goes into the actual work, and more about whether the author or designer was happy with the result for themselves. The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands, multiple ethnic groups, multiple religious groups, and multiple realities. “High Fantasy” is too often a monolith with the same tired, often Western-inspired tropes.
I don’t want current and future Filipino designers to be beholden to my standards when it comes to their design and the worlds they wish to portray. If they say it is “Filipino” for them, and is able to communicate everything they wanted to communicate to other people, then I’m happy for them, and will support them 100% of the way. The only real exceptions I’d have here is if the work perpetuates harmful stereotypes that do violence upon me and my own, as a queer person and a woman.
We don’t need more violence for violence’s sake, more pro-colonial/pro-imperialist agendas, and more sensationalist stories that glorify pillaging and pain. We also don’t need work that attempts to revise the truths of our history – like the fact that we were colonized several times, that World War II ruined our country, and that things like Martial Law happened. Explore the “what ifs”, but do as minimal harm as you can with them. And tread carefully when you are designing experiences that are not your own: poverty, war, imperialism, racism, bigotry. These things do not exist for your pleasure and “personal growth”.

Speaking of the culture, are there any specific cultural values you wanted included in the adventure?
Pam: “Utang ng loob” – a “depth of the inside” or “debt of the soul” – is a very Filipino thing that I wanted to try and tackle in design. Our version of a soul debt supercedes the individuals involved: it is inter-generational, inherited by one’s children, who then pass it to their children’s children, and so on so forth. Every time I used to describe this to my foreign friends, they’d find the concept riveting. A few would be able to articulate their own cultural equivalents, but not quite match what we have going down here, and how it effects the way things are for a Filipino throughout their life, especially if they were living in a predominantly Filipino community.
“Between Tangled Roots” has an antagonist who is defined, from the top of his head down to the business end of his weapon, by utang ng loob. He was my first very serious attempt at using this cultural value in one of my designs. I’m excited to see how people take to him!

Between Tangled Roots is just one of many adventures featured in D&D: Journeys Through The Radiant Citadel. The book is available for purchase now, letting you try out a whole host of new adventures from a veritable treasury of writers. Our thanks to Pam for answering our questions about the D&D adventure.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Dungeons & DragonsJourney Through The Radiant CitadelPam Punzalan


Knight Slinger’s  warriors are now more powerful

GAMEVIL and COCOONBEAT now bring new updates and improvements to their RPG mobile game, Knight Slinger to further enhance the RPG elements and creative touch mechanics. You can now transcend your warriors for a brand new level of power. As for now, you can transcend Sun Wukong, Xuanzang, Sierra, Gayle, and Mia. Check out the pictures of transcended warriors below! Other than that, there will be a new jewelry system to supplement the transcended warriors. A seventh rune slot will made available too. From the news we get from the developers, a guide system is currently developing and will be shown to the players very soon.

Knight Slinger is bringing an innovative style of gameplay to the mobile platforms by combining RPG and clever touch mechanics. Every update comes with new characters and features in order to improve Knight Slinger and players’ experience. Last but not least, GAMEVIL is hoping that players would enjoy the updates as they are working on improving the game.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidGameviliOSKnight SlingerMobile


Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island Review – A Lost Gem [Spoiler-Free]

Even if you weren’t aware of it, chances are you’ve seen something out of Cucuruz Doan’s Island, the lost episode of the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The episode was dropped from repeat broadcasts, and the self-contained nature of the episode made no viewer the wiser for years.

Well, it’s back with a thirst for vengeance in the form of Cucuruz Doan’s Island, this time as a full-on theatrical release. Considering how much Gundam fans loved the Gundam The Origin series, the adventures of Amuro Ray on Cucuruz Doan’s island was the perfect fit for a re-release. Considering the core of the episode was written as part of the original series, it surely wouldn’t run into any of the pitfalls modern Gundam runs into.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Just as how I watched Gundam Hathaway as a two-parter with Char’s Counter-Attack, it should be noted that thanks to morally gray YouTube accounts, I have *actually* seen the original series too. Watching the original after the movie really recontextualizes just what the movie was trying to do- and unlike Hathaway, actually puts it in a way more favorable light.
Cucuruz Doan Re:Make
As anyone who noticed the movie wasn’t half an hour long might have guessed, Cucuruz Doan’s Island was not, in fact, a 1:1 remake of the infamous lost episode. Instead, it very much feels like what remakes should be- a new director was given the same brief the old one was, and then left to do their own spin on it. While some may see this as sacrilege, I quite liked it- the chance to go back to an episode that no one liked back in the day and actually fix it is a rare chance, and the changes are actually substantial rather than some weird George Lucas-ing of the originals.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Like, there’s not even a fork in the road- the start of Doan is just straight up not the start of the anime. The first thing they did was remove the bizarre B-plot of the original- Amuro trying to do a cool Super Robot trope of docking his Gundam in the air. Instead of being to the island by chance, the White Base crew are sent to the island by the biggest Gundam villain of all time- beurocracy. Admittedly I hadn’t seen the episode until after the movie, which I think was the optimal way to enjoy this since the fact Bright was being pushed around by terrible bosses made me not bat an eye and assume this was just how the episode was.

Admittedly, the story does run into some problems if you’re not a Gundam die-hard. The episode is the 15th of the original series, taking place after recent events such as the mass production of the GM mobile suit- the movie never really explains this outside of throwaway dialogue, and simply starts with Amuro pouting and Bright telling him to get over himself.
I feel like some sort of exposition at the start would have been great, since ideally you would expect some new fans in the audience. After all, Gundam is cool, right? If you wanted to check out the cool giant robot everyone’s talking about, wouldn’t you start with the new movie that’s in cinemas right now? The addition of the incompetent bosses also makes for a weird sense of film logic- in the movie, a ship with two GMs are suddenly destroyed on an island, and White Base are sent to go investigate Zeon remnants living there. Considering how much heavier later Gundam stuff treats any potential Zeon threat, it felt downright jarring to even hear it implied “There might be a guy who is ideologically pro-colony-drop on this island, but I don’t care how it gets resolved”.
Did I mention Doan is also hot? More like Cucuruz DILF am I right?
Still, Gundam is as Gundam does, and the plot does move forward into one of my favorite Gundam tropes- in which our young hero is forced to live with “the enemy” and learns a lesson about how individual people have a lot of capacity for good, even if they did technically contribute by association to the canon eradication of Australia. These are Gundam’s strongest episodes by far, enough that Unicorn does it twice and I’m glad that the movie keeps pace with the message- Cucuruz Doan himself is a good guy. That’s why he’s on the island, looking after kids.
We also get a bit more characterization of Amuro that anyone who hadn’t seen 0079 might be surprised to see- he’s not the overly cynical ace pilot from Char’s Counterattack, he’s Shinji from Evangelion if girls actually liked him. Theres’ a great sequence where Amuro has a nightmare that serves as his real character introduction, where you see the world from his view. While the movie never dwells on it (can’t upstage Doan, after all), it’s nice to see that Amuro does actually have internal conflict about the fact that he’s just another cog in the great space war machine.
The fact that I have this much to say about it is a good thing- a lot of mecha anime will try to be deep for the sake of being deep but actually turn up with nothing to say, like a girl who thinks saying “looking for banter” but having no conversational skills is a winning Tinder combination. You could actually slot Cucuruz Doan’s Island as just a super long replacement episode and it would feel tonally consistent with the rest of the original series, although the jump in visual quality would be laughable.
A Desert Island Never Looked So Good
One thing I have to applaud about Cucuruz Doan’s Island is that it looks amazing. It’s no surprise, since it uses the Origin-style 3D mobile suits with 2D drawings for the characters. The art style can be best described as fun- characters are still made of identifiable shapes, and are almost more cartoony than anime in a lot of cases.
As for the action, what’s to say? Gundam’s action sequences have always been top notch. Thankfully, even though a key plot element involves Cucuruz Doan refusing to turn the lights on, the series avoids the pitch-black of Gundam Hathaway. Admittedly there aren’t that many eye-catching scenes- the desert island nature of the setting means there aren’t that many chances to do something cool with the cinematography. That being said, it’s a good looking movie, as it should be.

I’m especially a big fan of the Southern Cross- as an elite team of Zeon soldiers, their action sequences are a total delight. You’re treated to a few scenes of them earning their deadly reputation, and the choreography of them dashing around in their special Zakus always makes me giddy.
Of course, the star of the movie is one Mr Doan himself. His sequences are great because his Zaku moves in a really unique way due to how old it is- it can’t do hover manouvers, but he’s enough of a slugger that it will fight like a freaking savage.
The “Low-run” always be a cool trope
While it obviously lacks the flair of the zero gravity combat you’d see in the space battles, the fights you get in the movie are definitely worth the price of admission in their own right. Just don’t expect anything too long and drawn out. It’s Gundam, after all, and the roots of the story are still its character drama.
Listen, Bandai’s Got Bills, Too
Of course, just like how Gundam The Origin added weirdly way too many specialized mobile suits at the supposed start of their service, the same can be said for Cucuruz Doan’s Island. You can literally spot which characters are probably going to get a P-Bandai kit, be it Doan’s own Zaku (which, to its credit, looks more like the off-model Zakus from the original episode and actually makes it feel visually unique) or the special weapons GMs that appear only to job, as GMs are want to do.
To it’s credit,. this might be one of the most unique P-Bandai Zakus I’ve ever seen
I mean, credit where credit’s due- some of these mobile suits are really cool-looking. I’m especially a fan of the Zakus of the Southern Cross- who sport unique weapons such as glowing heat daggers and a sword. I’m just hoping that they’re not all P-Bandai, since I think the HG Origin Zaku has pretty much been done to death at this point, and it would be a great show of good faith.
And while there are a lot of P-Bandai-Bait, I have to applaud the incredible restraint it must have took to keep things feeling consistent with the timeline- no matter how many variants you see, the mobile suits are all ultimately just Zakus, GMs and, regrettably, the Guncannon. Considering the absolute lack of restraint titles like Gundam Hathaway or Unicorn had with chucking every mobile suit under the sun and just being shy of having a QR code to buy them on the website, I’m glad that effort was taken to actually keep things looking in-universe.
Closing Salvo

All in all, I really enjoyed Cucuruz Doan’s Island. Admittedly it’s a hard sell for new Gundam fans thanks to its place in the continuity- but I feel like “It’s a hard sell because of the continuity” might as well be the slogan for anything UC-branded at this point.
As far as remakes go, it’s a master class in how to adapt an old story- it’s not pointlessly obsessed with making things 1:1 because, well, the old thing sucked. Instead what you have is a much more complete-feeling retelling of the story- Amuro still learns that not every Zeon soldier is an Australia-hating colony dropper, but you also have the chance to make beloved characters like Sayla Mass and Lieutenant Slegger more charming in the little screentime they get.
Admittedly it’s got pacing issues- the story cuts very weirdly between the “Amuro lives on a farm” and “Need I remind you there is a space war currently happening” portions of the movie in really weird ways, but I’m sure some nerd will chalk it up to “The core of Gundam was telling you that people can have normal mundane lives while horrible war crimes are happening”. But they’re almost forgivable because the movie has no real flaws that haven’t always been endemic to the Gundam series despite hitting new highs.
Also, this movie should be praised for giving us an updated, remastered version of Bright Noa’s iconic slap. I’ll buy a Zaku just for that.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Cucuruz Doan's IslandGundam


Original Japanese Voice Actors Return For Netflix’s One Piece Live Action Adaptation

The original Japanese voice actors from the One Piece anime will reprise their roles in the One Piece live-action series, available on Netflix globally on the 31st of August 2023.

Fans at Anime Expo 2023 in Los Angeles were the first to watch a video of Mayumi Tanaka, the original anime voice of Monkey D. Luffy, welcoming Iñaki Godoy to the Straw Hats with symbolic gifting of Luffy’s iconic straw hat. You can watch the clip below:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

The full cast of Japanese original voice actors will be joining Mayumi Tanaka to bring the Japanese-language version of the live-action Netflix One Piece to life with Kazuya Nakai as Roronoa Zoro, Akemi Okamura as Nami, Kappei Yamaguchi as Usopp, and Hiroaki Hirata as Sanji.
“I’ve been voicing Luffy for more than 23 years now, and I think everyone has a little bit of Luffy in their heart. Iñaki, who performs Luffy in this live-action series, is so fun and joyful that he really makes a perfect Luffy” shared Mayumi Tanaka. “I’m thrilled to be able to voice Luffy in this adaptation as well. One Piece is a story whose words and images can resonate with you in different ways depending on your situation or perspective at any given moment, allowing for new discoveries all the time.  And of course, nothing would bring me greater joy than if people who’ve never experienced One Piece can become part of the family beginning with this show”.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, One Piece, to become King of the Pirates. But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.

Check This Out Next

Tags: One Pieceone piece Netflix


MSI reveals the MSI APP Player that let users enjoy mobile games on their gaming laptops!

Other than showcasing their latest gaming products, MSI also reveals an exciting upcoming software – the MSI APP Player in Computex Taipei 2018! The MSI APP Player is developed under an exclusive collaboration with BlueStacks, where it will be available only on MSI devices.

The software could run most of the popular mobile games such as Arena of Valor, Clash of Clans and Garena Free Fire. You will be able to enjoy your mobile games with better performance, bigger display and easier control using the software, while it could also take advantage of the interactive RGB keyboard lighting for better gaming visual experience. You can launch multiple games and switch them freely as well.

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Apparently, MSI APP Player could be an ultimate cheater tool as you could play mobile games on a bigger display with better performance compared to those who are using a smartphone. You don’t need to charge your smartphone frequently too! Be careful mobile players!

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidBlueStacksMobileMSIMSI APP PlayerPC


Arc The Lad R available for pre-registration

Arc The Lad R, the mobile title based on the Arc the Lad franchise, has opened pre-registration for Android and iOS devices. The game is available for pre-registration worldwide except mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea.

You can watch some of the gameplay here:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Note that the Japanese version of the game is already available in Japan’s App Store and Play Store. ForwardWorks Corporation released Arc The Lad R in Japan back in 2018.
The game’s global version is published by Boltrend Games. Players may recognise this company as the publisher for the recently released Disgaea RPG.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

As Arc The Lad R is currently in pre-registration, players who pre-register will be able to earn rewards like most mobile titles. Players who pre-register for Arc The Lad R will receive:

Spirit Stones (free) x 200
10-Draw Rare Gacha Ticket x 1

Currently, Boltrend Games has yet to officially announce the launch date of Arc The Lad R global. However, according to the game’s App Store page, the game is expected to launch next month on 11th May 2021.
Arc The Lad R is a sequel to Arc The Lad II which launched for the Sony PlayStation back in 1996.
You can pre-register for the game on the App Store and Play Store. To learn more about the game, visit its official website.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Arc the LadArc the Lad RBoltrend GamesForwardWorks


Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap coming to mobile!

Wonder Boy first came out in 1986 as an arcade game and has spanned over a few sequels on several platforms such as Master System, Sega Genesis and most recently, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

The game started out as a non-stop moving side-scrolling platformer to pressure players but Ryuichi Nishizawa, the designer could not play it, so he had it removed. Then, the first Wonder Boy game incorporates an element where players race against time but the following titles includes RPG elements and shoot’em’up gameplay.

Now, Lizardcube along with Playdigious and Dotemu has announced Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap for iOS and Android.The game was a remake of the 1989 game Wonder Boy III: The Dragons’s Trap and was redesigned by Lizardcube back in 2017 for PC and consoles.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The mobile adaptation will offer the same beautiful hand-drawn animation just like the PC and console counterparts and that’s not all because players feeling the nostalgia can play the game in 8-bit mode as well.

It’s expected to launch globally on May 30. For more information, you may head over to their official site. Have you played the game before or will it be your first when the game debuts? Let us know down the comments!

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidDotemuiOSLizardcubeMobilePlaydigiousWonder BoyWonder Boy III: The Dragons's TrapWonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap


Houshou Marine Nendoroid Now Available For Preorder

Good Smile Company has announced the Houshou Marine Nendoroid is now officially available for preorder, letting you own the first of 3 upcoming figures featuring the Hololive Vtuber.

The figure is available for preorder via the Good Smile website, where it costs 6200 Yen (RM239.47).  It is expected to ship in April 2022.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

The Houshou Marine Nendoroid features the captain of the Houshou Pirates in the signature Nendoroid chibi-style, with a host of accessories. These include the coat that was added to her design after her debut, as well as alternate face plates and a removable eyepatch. She also comes with her golden skull, Dokuro-kun.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The figure also comes with alternate arms, allowing you to recreate a variety of the Vtuber’s expressive poses as seen in her 3D streams.
This is far from the only Houshou Marine figure in production by Good Smile Company, however. As a member of Hololive’s 3rd Generation, the character is also getting a Figma action figure, though details on that are sparse. Currently, the Usada Pekora Figma, first of the batch, is available for preorder.
Aside from that the character is also getting a scale figure. Prototypes of the scale figure have been shown at previous WonFes events, though details on it are still scarce.

Check This Out Next

Tags: GOOD SMILE COMPANYHololiveVtuberVTubers


Nier: Automata For Nintendo Switch Has Pre-Order Bonus Item Revealed

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Square Enix has unveiled details for the pre-order bonus item for the physical version of Nier: Automata The End of Yorha Edition on Nintendo Switch.
Pre-order the physical package version of the game and you will receive an Original Design Package Sleeve Switch Case of Nier: Automata as a bonus item.

You can see a picture of the Package sleeve below. The sleeve depicts the character A2 standing over the game’s post-apocalytic world. There should be another side of the sleeve featuring a picture of 2B and 9S but we don’t have a picture of it at this moment.

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Due to the limited quantity, the distribution of the bonus may end without prior notice. Moreover, the package art design of Nier: Automata The End of Yorha Edition for Asia has also been revealed.

Nier Automata is the sequel to the PS3 and Xbox 360 game Nier which in itself was a spin-off of the Drakengard series. The game is a hack ‘n slash RPG developed by Platinum Games.
It revolves around a group of androids fighting for humanity against a group of machine invaders created by a group of aliens.
Nier: Automata The End of Yorha Edition was previously released for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The Switch version will be released with six new costumes for the main characters as well as four new accessories.
The game will be coming to The Nintendo Switch on the 6th of October, 2022.

Check This Out Next

Tags: NieR AutomataPlatinum GamesSquare Enix


Arknights Doctor Nendoroid previewed, pre-orders open 19 September

As announced at the Arknights CN second anniversary, the Doctor is in with their own Nendoroid. Images can be found through the weibo post, with Good Smile Company’s socials expected to announce it closer to the pre-order date. Priced at 339 Chinese Yuan, pre-orders for the Nendoroid will begin 19 September 2021 with an expected shipping date of June 2022. The only listed pre-order bonus item is an acrylic strap.

The doctor comes with various parts as is typical of a Nendoroid, with items Arknights fans are sure to recognize:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

The almost memetic blue kettle, unfortunately sans instant noodles
Apparent shock at seeing an Originium Slug
The burning 6-star Headhunting Bag
Full Sanity Doctor with a wad of LMD
Regular Doctor

Of the remaining Nendoroids announced, Skadi and Saria remain, presumably we can expect for later in the year, besides the scale figures also in the works. One of the recent ones have been Skadi’s Coral Coast scale, herself with pre-orders closing 28 September 2021.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

At present, the global servers are currently having the Darknights Memoir rerun, while CN is gearing up to release a main story update in Chapter 9: Stormwatch. That’s not likely to be something global players will be getting anytime soon, but at least we can enjoy some foresight.
 Download

Arknights GlobalPublisher: Yostar IncDeveloper: HypergryphRelease Date: 2020-01-16Android, iOS
Take on the role of a key member of Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical company that fights both a deadly infection and the unrest it leaves in its wake. Together with your leader Amiya, you’ll recruit Operators, train them, then assign them to various operations to protect the innocent and resist those who would thrust the world into turmoil.

Your tactics will determine the future of Rhodes Island. Fight for the Dawn!

Check This Out Next

Tags: ArknightsGOOD SMILE COMPANYHypergryph


What Makes A Good Video Game Remake?

This article on ‘How The Velvet Room Connects The Themes of Persona’ was available a week earlier through the Gamerbraves Newsletter. Sign up for free to gain access to more articles about news and trends in the gaming industry and community.

Original Article: 2023 will see the return of the Dead Space franchise with a remake of the original game. While it’s exciting to see such a celebrated survival horror series return there are always a number of questions that come along with making a remake.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

When recreating a piece of media that everyone’s familiar with, there’ll always be certain expectations about what it’ll involve. What’s going to be changed, what’ll remain the same, and probably most importantly, why does this need to be remade?
Video game remakes come in all shapes and sizes, some faithful to the original game while others make drastic differences. One thing that’s especially interesting is the recent trend of remaking more modern games. Well, I say modern but a lot of these are over ten years old.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

With games like Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, and Demon Souls, which all play mostly fine but by today’s standards, what changes can be made to justify paying $60-70 USD to play them all over again? For today, let’s look at what generally makes a successful video game remake for modern consoles.
Updating The Original
This might sound counter-intuitive at first but I think the first thing important for a video game remake is not to just straight-up copy the original. When we think of video game remakes, we usually consider them more or less the same game but with a new graphical overhaul and that’s not a bad thing but it also doesn’t mean should be exactly the same either.
One of the main reasons people request remakes in the first place is that the original game may not be very accessible, whether that’d be just finding the game due to being on an older console or the gameplay itself being dated. A remake can be a prompt time to iron out the kinks in these older titles and if you can, it’s best to do so because those flaws will be even more apparent when repackaging it as a modern game.

A good example of this is the 2018 remake of Secret of Mana, a classic SNES Action RPG. The remake was more or less the same game as the original Secret of Mana and included all of its flaws like the bad hit detection, cumbersome menus, and awkward combat.
The point here is even if you can add even it’s just a few quality-of-life features, they’re worth adding to the remake. Even games that attempt to be as accurate to the original version as possible like The Demon Souls Remake made subtle but numerous changes like omnidirectional rolling, as well as new weapons and armor to ensure a tighter version of the title. They may not necessarily convince veterans to double dip but for newcomers, these are now the best way to experience these older titles.
Going Past The Original
For some remakes, however, it isn’t enough to just give the original a new coat of paint, they need to completely reimagine the game from the ground up. Implementing new story beats, and even changing the combat for modern audiences.
This takes on an even bigger task, as you’re now asking how much you wish to change from the original and what should be left intact. We all know how fiercely protective some people can be of their favorite games and would prefer for them not to be altered in the slightest.
Resident Evil 2

The biggest example of this is probably the 2019 Resident Evil 2 Remake. This game saw the original’s classic survival horror fixed camera angles and tank controls replaced with modern Resident Evil over-the-shoulder camera and third-person shooting with a more cinematic take on cutscenes and visuals. Overall it feels like an entirely different game from the original PS1 title.
Yet it’s still faithful to Resident Evil 2, in fact, it expands on everything offered in that original game. The remake not only brought The Police Station to life but made it a true house of terror, cast in shadow with remnants of the dead around every corner. The enemy is also far more intimidating. This is the first Resident Evil where I actually thought the zombies were scary. When they sink their teeth into you, it looks visibly painful.
The most notable new addition however is the increased role of Mr. X. In the original game, he would show up at set events in the new game plus but here, he chases you the entire game right from the start making him far more memorable and anxiety-inducing. It feels as though the remake tapped into the full potential of the character to make him an even bigger threat than he already was. Resident Evil 2 Remake may have a lot of differences from the original but it captures the dark atmosphere the original was aiming for and uses modern technology to recreate it to great effect.
Back To Dead Space

The new Dead Space Remake will be coming out on the 27th of January. While I haven’t played the game much, it already seems to have the makings of a good remake. It fully recreates the gore and horror of the original while also adding new elements like seamless loading sequences, the new ‘peeling system’ to break enemies apart and the protagonist no longer being silent. These are aspects that both modernize and expand on the original.
There’s no one way to remake a game but they usually have two goals in mind: bring back the old fans with a new entry and bring in new fans that want to play for the first time. With this in mind, accessibility and faithfulness are most important to game remakes. Old games may not hit modern audiences the same way they did before so making the gameplay more accessible, even if it’s something as simple as upping the framerate can be a significant change that brings more people in.
Faithfulness is the harder one to pin down. I don’t believe being faithful means simply recreating the original game shot for shot, but rather grasping what it is that made the original so loved in the first place. The various worlds and mechanics of Live A Live, or the joys of exploring and collecting Pokemon in an older region, pinning these down and expanding on them is a big part of what made their remakes so fun and interesting for both newcomers and returning fans.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Dead Space RemakeResident Evil 2 RemakeSecret of Mana


Gate of Nightmares to launch on 26 October 2021

Square Enix has just announced that it will be launching Gate of Nightmares on the Android and iOS platforms on 26 October 2021. We are also treated to the last trailer for the game which showcases its battle system and graphics.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

As previously reported, Gate of Nightmares is a new fantasy action RPG from Square Enix. Here is a synopsis of the plot.
Gate of Nightmares is a traditional fantasy adventure of swords and magic, set in both the “real world” where people live, and “Remurias,” a world of mixed up dreams made manifest. When Emma, a girl who became a “Nightwalker” and commands monsters known as “Nightmares,” which are born from bad dreams, encounters Azel, a mysterious boy the Nightmares like, she gets wrapped up in an adventure where the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

All the characters that appear in the game are newly illustrated by Hiro Mashima, and the scenario by Jin Fujisawa is fully voiced.

As an added bonus, the official site also put up a special manual to introduce the game’s worldview and system, which you can check out here. Any further updates can also be kept up to tabs with via its official Twitter account.

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidGate of NightmaresiOSSquare Enix


House of Ashes gameplay reveal later this May

The next instalment of the Dark Pictures Anthology, House of Ashes, will be giving its first look at gameplay on 27 / 28 May 2021, depending on your timezone.

Iraq, 2003. In the shadow of the Zagros mountains a military unit comes under fire from Iraqi forces. The resulting firefight causes an earth tremor where both sides fall into the ruins of a buried Sumerian temple. With all communication severed, our protagonists are trapped in a terrifying underworld they must navigate to escape, unaware that something ancient and evil has awakened in the shadows and has found a new prey to hunt.

Enthusiasts can look forward to seeing their first look at House of Ashes gameplay at:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

27 May, 17:00 BST / 18:00 CEST
27 May, 09:00 PDT / 12:00 EDT
28 May, 00:00 HKT

While you wait, there’s also a teaser trailer for you below:
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The original story blurb is as follows:
Iraq, 2003. As the conflict draws to a close, CIA field operative Rachel King joins an elite military unit on a raid of a suspected underground chemical weapons facility in the shadow of the Zagros Mountains.
Arriving at the coordinates, the unit is ambushed by a local patrol led by Sergeant Salim Othman. During the battle, an earthquake opens sinkholes in the ground, pitching both sides into the ruins of a buried Sumerian temple. In the darkness beneath the Arabian Desert, something evil is awakened. Savage and unstoppable, a nest of ancient and unearthly creatures has a new prey to hunt.
Horrific discoveries and impossible decisions face the survivors as they strive to navigate the underworld and escape the terrifying threat. Will they each prioritize their own survival, or put aside their fears and their personal rivalries to fight together as one?
House of Ashes is slated for release on Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, Playstation 5, Playstation 4 and PC in 2021.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Dark Pictures AnthologyHouse of AshesSupermassive GamesThe Dark Pictures


Phasmophobia Hantu Update Now Live

The new Phasmophobia update has gone live, adding the Hantu ghost based on South East Asian culture.

In a Steam forum post, developers Kinetic Games announced several of the new features coming to the game, including two new ghost types.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

The new ghost types coming to Phasmophobia are the South East Asian Hantu, as well as the Japanese Yokai.
Kinetic Games haven’t elaborated on how the Hantu ghost type would work, though it sports a pretty familiar design for anyone who’s enjoyed South East Asian horror.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Here’s the full list of new content in the update, as per the patch notes:

Added a new ghost type Yokai.
Added a new ghost type Hantu.
Added a new daily challenge “Capture a 3 star ghost photo”.
Added a new daily challenge “Capture a Dirty Water photo”.
Added a way to reset corrupt save files. This is a very rare occurrence, if you get this please join our discord and ask for help.
Added a profanity filter for user and server names. Please report if your name is not offensive and is being caught by this.
Added a sell button in the item store that will give you back 50% of the price.
Added text to show the name of the level below the map in the truck.
Added a confirmation timer if you change your resolution.
Added a new small house map called Willow Street House. This map has no closets or lockers to hide inside and has been designed around hiding behind furniture.

Phasmophobia is a horror game on PC, which uses speech recognition technology to force you to take a more active role in hunting spirits.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Kinetic GamesPhasmophobia


Apex Legends Mobile begins closed beta in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Respawn Entertainment have announced the start of closed beta tests for Apex Legends Mobile in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines via their official Twitter. While no specifics regarding the closed beta access was provided, Android users in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines presumably will be selected when they pre-register for Apex Legends Mobile through the Google Play Store, according to the game’s description. It reads as follows:

HEADS UP: We’re currently testing this early version of Apex Legends Mobile with a limited number of players! Pre-register now for a chance to become one of the first players invited to test.

The mobile devices supported by this test do not represent the finally launched version, and we will support more models in the future.
___
Live like a hero, play like a Legend! Apex Legends™ Mobile is here.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Multiplayer squads, first-person and third-person shooter gameplay and innovative combat are waiting for you on the battlefield! Jump into intense combat where survival is the only thing that matters. Prove that you have what it takes to make it out alive.
Legends from all corners of the Frontier have flocked to compete in the Apex Games for fame, fortune, and glory. Choose your Legend from a diverse lineup of outlaws, soldiers, misfits and misanthropes. Legends such as Wraith, Bloodhound, Caustic, Gibraltar, and Lifeline await. Strategy is key while making your selection. Find a hero that matches your play style, customize them with unique skins, and leave your mark.
Fast paced innovative combat with shorter matches and more exhilarating action! Squad up with two other players and combine your skill sets to create the ultimate team. Battle against 19 other squads in 60-person battle royale games.
Master your legend’s abilities and make strategic calls as chaos ensues. Combat comes with new, innovative features such as Jumpmaster Deployments to create epic flights—and fights.
Live like a hero, play like a Legend — download Apex Legends Mobile today!

Apex LegendsPublisher: EADeveloper: Respawn EntertainmentRelease Date: 2019-02-04Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Battle with Legends in this battle royale game! May the best team of 3 win.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Apex LegendsApex legends mobileElectronic ArtsRespawn Entertainment


Jim Ryan says PS Plus Will Have “All The Big Name” Publishers On It

When asked about the games coming to the revamped PS Plus, Jim Ryan says that the service will have all the “big name” publishers on it.

On the Official Playstation Podcast, the CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment was asked about what games would be coming to the Playstation Plus live service. He said he couldn’t give any specific names however they would have all the major game companies and a wide selection of genres.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

“I’m going to play a little hard to get on that one, but I can tell you free that we have massive publisher participation in this program. We have all the big names present,”
“We have big publishers, we have small indie publishers. We have over 200 partners working with us to put their content into PlayStation Plus, so the lineup is going to be really strong.”
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Last week Sony announced that they will be revamping their online service Playstation Plus. It will be merged with Playstation Now and feature a three-tier structure with higher tiers giving players access to over 400 games.
Big name games that have been confirmed to be coming to the PS Plus service include:

Death Stranding
God of War (2018)
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
Mortal Kombat 11
Returnal

The fact that these are more recent PS4 and PS5 releases does imply that more modern games will be coming to the platform, however, Ryan has previously stated that First party Playstation titles will not be coming to the platform on the day of their release as it could hurt their release and it “wouldn’t make any sense.”
The new PlayStation plus overhaul is due to launch in June of 2022.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Jim RyanPlaystationPlayStation Plus


Genshin Impact Has A New Publisher Named Cognosphere

Genshin Impact has officially changed its publisher from miHoYo to Cognosphere, though it’s not the massive paradigm shift you might think it is.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

If you look at the Genshin Impact listing on the Epic Games Store, you’ll see that it’s already been changed to a company called Cognosphere, with some players reporting that their payments are even being listed as going to the new company instead of miHoYo.
If you’re thinking miHoYo had sold their insanely profitable mobile game, however, you’d be wrong. Cognosphere is a company owned by miHoYo, registered in Singapore as opposed to the Shanghai-based miHoYo.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Why miHoYo Is Letting Cognosphere Publish Genshin Impact
While miHoYo hasn’t officially released a statement on the reason, anyone who’s been following the mobile games industry would probably have a good guess as to why.
Over the past year China has continuously tightened its restrictions and regulations on what can or can’t be shown in media. Considering the rules only apply to games published in China, the best way to get out of dodge would be to simply assign the game to a publisher registered outside of China (Cognosphere is technically a Singaporean company owned by miHoYo), and you immediately have more wiggle room with China’s rules.
miHoYo’s not the first company to do this- Tencent has been reportedly doing it for a while now (Arena of Valor, the global release of Honor of Kings is published by Netmarble), which allows them to develop content not in line with China’s regulations for international release (such as aggressive gacha mechanics) and then simply remove them for the Chinese build of their game, like they did with Fortnite.
Sadly, if you’re one of those people who writes long essays about miHoYo intentionally making Genshin Impact worse for fun, this isn’t the descending messiah you’d think it was. However, it would protect global versions of Genshin Impact from the fallout of any more administrative meddling from China’s government.
 Download

Genshin ImpactPublisher: miHoYoDeveloper: miHoYoRelease Date: 2020-09-28Android, iOS, PlayStation 4
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.

You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.

Check This Out Next

Tags: CognosphereGenshin ImpactmiHoYo


Diablo Immortal Season Three Battle Pass kicks off

Diablo Immortal is getting its next batch of updates with the arrival of the Season Three battle pass. This is considered a “mini update”, with new content coming every two weeks in either Mini or Major flavours. “Mini” consists of Battle Pass seasons, in-game events, feature updates and more, while Major ones are for gameplay features, storyline expansions, other in-game events and more, though the labels will not be mutually exclusive.

ASPECT OF JUSTICE

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Season Three of the Diablo Immortal Battle Pass will begin 4 August 2022, 03:00 server time and runs until 1 September 2022, 02:59 server time, with the Aspect of Justice offering 40-ranks worth of challenges and rewards including Legendary Gems, Crests, Hilts, and more. You can opt for the paid Empowered Battle Pass and Collector’s Empowered Battle Pass.

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Both Empowered Battle Passes will include all rank rewards from the standard free pass, an Empowered track which provides additional rewards, gilded Aspect of Justice Weapon cosmetic, unlocked at rank one, and the radiant Aspect of Justice Armor cosmetic, unlocked at rank 40, with the Collector’s version granting the Aspect of Justice Avatar Frame, Portal cosmetic, and a ten-rank boost upon purchase.
WRATHBONE INVASION DAILY
Come together at 12:00 server time every day to repel bloodthirsty elite demons. Should her minions fail, Gorgothra will send an empowered echo of her likeness to finish the job herself. Wrathborne Invasion can only be completed once a day, with the top three damage dealers able to get six Enchanted Dust as a bonus reward. Additional Wrathborne will invade should they be discovered by Rayek’s Helliquary.
HUNGERING MOON
Fulfill the moon’s demands for Moonslivers to trade for Blessings. Acquire seven of these Blessings to trade for a random reward, and should you offer enough, it could even present you with its favour. The moon hungers from 12 August 2022, 03:00 server time to 15 August 2022, 03:00 server time.
The full patch notes on hotfixes, bug fixes and other features can be found through the official blog.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Blizzard EntertainmentDiabloDiablo Immortal


Sony INZONE H9 Headset Review – Get in the Zone with the INZONE

The Sony INZONE H9 headset is one of the entries to the Inzone series of headsets, offering users gaming-friendly features that will heighten one’s experience in game and without further ado, let’s get right into the review.

Design
Just by looking at the design for the Sony INZONE H9 headsets, you can see that it shares a lot of similarities with the PlayStation 5, and that’s because it actually works seamlessly for the PlayStation 5 consoles with the supports the console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech provides. The whole design for the headset is that it’s white in colour, other than the expandable arm and the earcup padding which are in black.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Speaking about the earcups, the Sony INZONE H9 offers a leather padding for the earcups, a feature which isn’t present for the other INZONE headsets. The leather padding offers a great amount of comfort for me, especially for those long gaming sessions that I tend to have with doing dungeon runs and raids in the critically acclaimed MMORPG – Final Fantasy XIV online.
While it does offer comfort, I’m personally not a big fan of the material being made of leather because I have a tendency of sweating easily. But fortunately enough, it doesn’t take too much effort for me to wipe off the sweat. Another gripe that I have with the INZONE H9 being majority white in colour, is that it needs a lot of extra effort to keeping the headset clean. While the design is made to pair with the clean and slick design of the PlayStation 5, it would be appreciated to have other colour choices for me to choose from.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The INZONE H9 also offers accessibility controls on both sides of the earcups. On the left, there are the volume scroll wheel, a button for the Noise Cancelling / Ambient Sound mode as well as a USB port type-C and a port for the microphone. While on the right side, there’s the power button, the bluetooth button as well as a special button for raising and lowering your audio while you chat with friends during gaming sessions.
One thing I appreciate about the INZONE H9 is that it offers swiveling earcups so that it’s very easy to carry around, whether you have it rested around your neck or if it’s fit inside your bag.  Although you might need a bigger space for your bag because the headset is on the bigger size.

Experience and INZONE Hub
As previously mentioned, the INZONE H9 is a pretty big headset in terms of size. And while the plastic material of the headset does make it feel like its fragile, but it’s still a sturdy headset regardless.
The headset comes with a USB receiver for you to connect the headset to a PC or a PlayStation 5. There’s also a switch for the targeted platforms, meaning that you should make sure to switch it to the PlayStation 5 when playing on the console. And to use it on the console, just plug the USB in and you’ll be able to use all the features of the INZONE H9 headset.
For PC users, you’ll need to have the third party app called INZONE Hub installed to have all the features available when using the headset on your PC or laptops. Once you’ve connected the headset, you’ll have access to customise and make your own sound profiles.
But if you’re not as tech savvy when it comes to creating sound profiles, not to worry, you can use the preset profile that are on the the INZONE Hub. The app also lets you adjust volumes, change the headset mode as well as personalising the Spatial Sounds for the INZONE H9.
Audio and Mic
Over the course of my time using the INZONE H9, I played through some games that allows me to utilise the 3D audio from the spatial sound technology of the headset. While in PUBG, I was able to hear the footsteps of any nearby enemies and while in Stray, I was able to enjoy the environmental sounds while strolling through the city.
I had also used the headset while listening to music on Spotify and also watching videos on YouTube and Netflix. While using the preset sound profile, I found that it does enhance my music listening and movie watching experiences as it make the sound quality better.
While the Active Noise Cancelling mode was active, the surrounding sound does feel isolated but not entirely as I was still able to hear the sounds coming from my room’s fan and the Ambient mode also lets you hear your surrounding while talking with someone.
The mic on the INZONE H9 is pretty decent, while talking on discord with my friends, they told me that my voice was particularly more loud and clear than usual but other than that, there’s not much else that can be said for the mic.
Battery Life
Throughout our review, the battery life for the Sony INZONE H9 is relatively good and it lives up to the advertised 32 hours that Sony had said. If you’re a casual users, the headset can even last up longer than a week, which is great. The time that you have to take to fully recharge the headset won’t take long either thanks to the fast-charging USB cable.
Verdict

While being the more premium INZONE headset, the H9 is the best gaming headset there is if you’re looking for one to use on PC and the PlayStation 5. With the PlayStation releasing more games for PC, you might want a companion headset to experience those PlayStation games. And while the PlayStation 5 already have its Pulse 3D headset, the INZONE H9 isn’t a bad replacement to it since it’s a lot more comfortable to wear.
Although, I do wish that the quality for the microphone is a bit better to make up for that, the audio performance is amazing, which is also elevated with the INZONE Hub. If you have the budget for it, the H9 is a good pick up but if you don’t, you can consider the H3 and H7 as a more budget friendly alternative.

For more information and review on the Sony INZONE H9 headset, do check out the official product page here.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Gaming HeadsetReviewSony Inzone H9


Honkai Impact 3rd will run Genshin Impact collab

Honkai Impact 3rd will be running a Genshin Impact collab with version 4.9. Keqing and Fischl will be the characters representing Genshin Impact in the Honkai universe, while there will be an outfit based on Klee as part of the collab. Along with the Electro duo, new weapons will also be added to the game, with one available in the Foundry while the other will be gacha. Fischl will be available as a log in bonus, and will be permanent to the game. Paimon also makes an appearance as a fairy.

Players will be battling various enemies from Genshin as part of the event, including Slime, Ruin Guards and Andrius.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

After all the theorizing fans have done connecting Honkai to Genshin, and who people have assumed to be Yae Sakura making an appearance in a Genshin stream, it’s hardly any surprise miHoYo is doing crossovers with its own properties. In any case, fans for the global release can look forward to this eventually, surely.
This isn’t the first time Honkai Impact has run a collab with another IP- the game had added a new valkyrie based on Asuka from the Evangelion series previously. Considering that many of the combat styles from Genshin Impact have analogues in Honkai, crossovers wouldn’t be too hard to do. There’s also the case of the game’s multiple shared voice actors, across the various dubs. For example, Lisa’s JP dub shares a voice actor with the Valkyrie Himeko Murata.
 Download

Honkai Impact 3rdDeveloper: miHoYoRelease Date: 2016-10-14Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows
“Honkai, a mysterious force that annihilated human civilization on several occasions, has re-emerged in this once peaceful world...”
A squad of young girls burdened with the very last hopes of humanity must fight for survival in this apocalyptic world filled with zombies and Honkai beasts.
As the Captain of the Hyperion, you must lead these girls into battle against zombies and Honkai beasts in various locales around the world. Experience the girls’ unique personalities, challenge and conquer various raids and stages, and enjoy the rich storyline of the Honkai Universe! Join the Valkyries and fight for all that is beautiful in the world!

Check This Out Next

Tags: Genshin ImpactHonkai Impact 3rdmiHoYo


New trailer out for Nioh 2 Complete Edition on PC

On YouTube, IGN uploaded a new trailer for Nioh 2 Complete Edition. This sequel to the action RPG Nioh will finally be available for PC owners.

The sub 2-minute video highlighted various features. These include support for HDR monitors, 144hz monitors, 4k, ultra wide-screens, and other features. You can watch the stunning gameplay footage and PC overview showcased in the trailer here:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Nioh 2 Complete Edition contains the base game as well as all released DLC expansions. These are:

The Tengu’s Disciple
Darkness in the Capital
The First Samurai

Steam describes the Complete Edition of Nioh 2 as such:
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Battle hordes of yokai in this masocore Action RPG. Create your protagonist and embark on an adventure through a myriad of locales across Japan during the Sengoku period. Utilize the new Yokai Shift ability to defeat even the most ferocious yokai and be prepared to brave through Dark Realms created by your enemies.
In addition, the Steam version of the game comes with an exclusive Valve Helmet. To unlock the helmet, players will need to access the Shrine menu and select the Boons tab.
The game will be out on Steam on 5th February 2021.
You can read our review of Nioh 2 on the PS4 here. You can also check out developer Team Ninja’s Twitter page to stay updated with the latest developments on the game.

Nioh 2Publisher: Sony Interactive EntertainmentDeveloper: Team NinjaRelease Date: 2020-03-13PlayStation 4
Defy your own mortality and unleash your inner darkness across the violent feudal land of Sengoku era Japan and the deadly Dark Realm, in this savage action RPG sequel.

Check This Out Next

Tags: NiohNioh 2Team Ninja


FIFA 23 Player Ratings: First Look and website unveiled

EA Sports has begun unveiling the FIFA 23 Ratings for the best male footballers in the world. This follows the Ambassador Roster Ratings for FIFA 23, with the Top 23 Men’s Player Ratings available through the website.

Let the debates begin, with the ultimate Top 23:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Karim Benzema, 91 – Real Madrid
Robert Lewandowski, 91 – FC Barcelona
Kylian Mbappé, 91 – Paris Saint-Germain
Kevin De Bruyne, 91 – Manchester City
Lionel Messi, 91 – Paris Saint-Germain
Mohamed Salah, 90 – Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk, 90 – Liverpool
Cristiano Ronaldo, 90 – Manchester United
Thibaut Courtois, 90 – Real Madrid
Manuel Neuer, 90 – Bayern München
Neymar Jr, 89 – Paris Saint-Germain
Son Heung-min, 89 – Tottenham Hotspur
Sadio Mané, 89 – Bayern München
Joshua Kimmich, 89 – Bayern München
Casemiro, 89 – Manchester United
Alisson, 89 – Liverpool
Harry Kane, 89 – Tottenham Hotspur
Ederson, 89 – Manchester City
N’Golo Kanté, 89 – Chelsea
Jan Oblak, 89 – Atlético de Madrid
Erling Haaland, 88 – Manchester City
Toni Kroos, 88 – Real Madrid
Marquinhos, 88 – Paris Saint-Germain

Over the course of next week, the best of the best will continue to be revealed, including the Premier League Most Improved, Bundesliga 5 Star Skillers, and much more. At the week’s end, the top 1,000 player ratings will be unveiled and fans across the globe can begin debating their favorite players.

Tuesday, Sept. 13: Premier League and Most Improved
Wednesday, Sept. 14: LaLiga and Best U21
Thursday, Sept. 15: Bundesliga and 5 Star Skillers
Friday, Sept. 16: Serie A, Ligue 1, Career Mode Highest Potential
Saturday, Sept. 17: Best Passers and Best Dribblers
Sunday, Sept. 18: Full Database, Fastest Players, Career Mode Gems

Women’s Ratings will also be arriving 21 – 22 September to offer fans a fresh look at the most authentic integration ever for women’s leagues. FIFA 23 will launch worldwide PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on 30 September. Early access for Ultimate Edition begins 27 September 2022.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Check This Out Next

Tags: EAEA SportsElectronic ArtsFIFAFIFA 23


Escape with the emperor: Zhanhu’s Gambit in For Honor event is live

The final Year 3 seasonal event for For Honor is here in Zhanhu’s Gambit. This event will be playable until 2 January across all available platforms. Delve into the journey of Sun Da and his role in the conflict between the Wu Lin and the Blackstone Legion. This limited-time game mode will have various customization items and rewards themed around the event, including orders, arcade quest, outfits, weapons, effects, emotes and ornaments.

Relive the escape of the Wu Lin Emperor from the Blackstone Legion in the aftermath of their conflict at Qiang’s Pass in this new limited-time game mode in the Emperor’s Escape event. The four-player PvE mode will see players escorting the Emperor and protecting him from hordes of enemies to secure his escape. Players will need to capture zones to move across the map.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

With every captured zone, the Emperor progresses there, unlocking a new one for capture. Increasingly stronger assailants will be doing their best to stop players, including “cursed” enemies with special modifiers. You’ll be needing teamwork and skill to keep the Emperor alive until you reach and defeat the Blackstone commander.

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The Zhanhu’s Gambit Bundle will be available to purchase at 45,000 Steel per Hero until January 6. Items such as outfits, emotes, effects and ornaments will be included. Prices may differ based on items players have already unlocked from the bundle, and you can see the full list of items here. How will Zhanhu’s Gambit work out for you in For Honor?
Following three years of continuous improvements, For Honor has confirmed the continuing growth of the game, with a fourth year of support in 2020. Year 4 is titled ‘Year of the Reckoning’, bringing an additional year’s worth of free content to the game which includes four new Seasons, two new Heroes and new armor sets.

For HonorPublisher: UbisoftDeveloper: UbisoftRelease Date: 2017-02-14Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Be one of the history's legend and fight FOR HONOR!

Check This Out Next

Tags: For HonorUbisoftZhanhu's Gambit


Fans worry over apparent lack of direction for Genshin Impact end game

Fans have been discussing a recent interview that touches on the future and potential end game of Genshin Impact, of which seems unclear.

TALKING POINTS
Let’s start off with summarizing the content of the interview, via Gamespot:

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Shorter update cycle will not influence quality of gameplay and content
No plans for end game content similar to Spiral Abyss to avoid “excessive anxiety” for players. Aside from the card game, they are “working on designing more interesting gameplay in the future”

New battlegrounds, challenge levels and team builds will not power creep older characters
No plans regarding new elemental reactions following Dendro’s introduction
Options to redeem materials from periodic events, but no conclusive answer regarding resin regeneration
Working on solutions to relive past events, tutorial adjustments, client optimization, etc.
No plans on Traveler outfits, permanent versions of story-related accessories
Stay Tuned TM for potential Hoyoverse collaborations for Genshin

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

like there’s no way they expect TCG to carry the entire endgame content for the next 3+ years be serious hoyo
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

— bwaap 💫✨ (@enocbwaap) October 3, 2022

You can find comments for people saying that they should “stop playing Genshin Impact so much” if they’re worried about the lack of content, much less end game, saying it’s “enough” for the busy people. Conversely, the content that does exist, for the busy or otherwise, simply doesn’t appeal, and they’ve stopped playing altogether. Even when they do come back, it seems like it’s a pile up of quests, rather than “interesting” content.
There are apparent speculations that Genshin was made to solely fund Honkai, whichever way you’d like to take that. Amongst the common comments you can find within this one Tweet thread’s replies include:

Replayable past events (apparently being worked on)
Something related to artifacts to reroll a chosen stat
Unclaimed Welkin Blessings to go to mail if you don’t log in
Alternative game modes inspired by Alchemy Stars‘ Calamity Codex, Elemental Spires, or even repurposing Honkai Impact 3rd‘s Elysian Realm

via the Honkai Impact 3rd Wiki
For now, we only have the Genius Invokation card game confirmed as new permanent content for Genshin Impact, whether or not it’s considered actual “end game” content. We don’t have the full details on how the card game works either, so we can only wait to reserve judgment.
Genshin Impact could benefit from much longer roadmaps to inform players of upcoming plans instead of being defeatist, saying they shouldn’t be expecting change, and all the negative opinions. The interview doesn’t seem to have assured people at all, jumping to conclusions that Hoyoverse just doesn’t appear to have any concrete ideas for the future.
Leaks for the game remain prevalent if you know where to look, which you could take to mean that the people are tired of waiting, of lack of open communication, even if leaking things could come at high cost. There’s likely still many years yet for Genshin Impact, but no one but the dev team knows where this ride will go.
 Download

Genshin ImpactPublisher: miHoYoDeveloper: miHoYoRelease Date: 2020-09-28Android, iOS, PlayStation 4
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.

You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.

Check This Out Next

Tags: Genshin ImpactHoyoversemiHoYo


HUAWEI introduces HUAWEI P30 Series in Malaysia starting from RM2,699!

With the recent success of HUAWEI launching its revolutionary HUAWEI P30 Series in Paris, the Supercamera smartphone has made its way to Malaysia. The P30 Series will be out in Malaysia this 6th of April and will be available for RM2,699 for the HUAWEI P30, RM3,799 and RM4,399 for both different specs for HUAWEI P30 Pro.

The P30 Series have a goal in mind and that is to “Rewrite the Rules of Photography”. By doing so, HUAWEI has equipped it with the SuperSpectrum Sensor, an optical SuperZoom Lens, a Time of Flight Camera, and enhanced optical and AI images stabilization technology. In addition, it gives user the privilege to capture photos and videos like never before. For instance, the optical zoom is ridiculously good because it can zoom up to 50x! More over, you can capture cameras even in a room of complete darkness and it’ll still give you a quality picture which is a first in the smartphone industry.
HUAWEI P30 Series Specifications

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

HUAWEI P30:

Operating System: EMUI 9.1
Display: 6.1 inch OLED Display (2340×1080)
CPU: Kirin 980 octa-core processor
RAM: 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM
Camera: Front camera (32MP, f/2.0) + Rear Leica Triple camera (40MP, f/1.8 + 16MP, f/2.2 + 8MP, f/2.4)
Battery: 3,650mAh + HUAWEI SuperCharge
Screen Fingerprint Recognition
GPU: Mali G76
Water & Dust Resistant: IP53
Colors- Breathing Crystal, Aurora, and Black

HUAWEI P30 Pro:

Operating System: EMUI 9.1
Display: 6.47 inch Curved OLED Display (2340×1080)
CPU: Kirin 980 octa-core processor
RAM: 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM / 8GB RAM + 512GB ROM
Camera: Front camera (32MP, f/2.0) + Rear Leica Quad camera (40MP, f/1.6 + 20MP, f/2.2 + 8MP, f/2.4 + TOF Camera)
Battery: 4,200mAh + HUAWEI SuperCharge + HUAWEI Wireless Quick Charge
Screen Fingerprint Recognition
GPU: Mali-G76
Colors: Breathing Crystal, Aurora, and Black
Water & Dust Resistant: IP68

HUAWEI Back-UP
Launch Promotion Goodies
Moreover, Malaysians stand a chance to receive 1 of 6,000 units of the HUAWEI Backup nationwide worth RM599! That’s not all because with every purchase of HUAWEI P30 Pro comes with a FREE HUAWEI Snorkeling Case worth RM428, while other consumers who purchase HUAWEI P30 will get a FREE Wireless Charging Case worth RM268.
HUAWEI P30
The price for HUAWEI P30 (8GB + 128GB) will be priced at RM 2,699 and will be available from 6th of April 2019.
HUAWEI P30 Pro
HUAWEI P30 Pro
Where as HUAWEI P30 Pro (8GB+256GB) will be priced at RM3,799 and the (8GB + 512GB) version for RM4,399.
HUAWEI Watch GT & HUAWEI Matebook 13
HUAWEI Watch GT
Those aside, a few HUAWEI mobile devices made an appearance along the P30 series as well. One of the mobile devices is the HUAWEI Watch GT, a smart watch that is known for its long-lasting durability and top-notch performance.
HUAWEI Watch GT 46mm
There will be two variations to the watch, with one at 42mm and the other one at 46mm. As for colors, orange and dark green will be on the 46mm edition whereas the 42mm edition will be available in black and white.
HUAWEI Watch GT 42mm
The 46mm version will be available starting fro 6th April for RM899 while the 42mm version will be available on 4th May onward at RM799.
HUAWEI Matebook 13
Other than the watch, there’s also the HUAWEI MateBook 13. A sleek and chic laptop that features the remarkable HUAWEI Share 3.0 with OneHop technology which allows one to transfer files between Windows and Android devices very easily.
HUAWEI Share with OneHop
The laptop too will be available on 6th April, offering the i5 Version (8GB RAM+ 256GB SSD Storage) for RM3,999 and i7 Version (8GB RAM+ 512GB SSD Storage) for RM4,399.
If you’re eager to get your hands on one of these new devices, you can pre-order them here. For more information, you can visit their Official Facebook page. What do you think of the HUAWEI P30 Series? Amazing right! Leave your thoughts down below the comments!

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidHuaweiHUAWEI MateBook 13HUAWEI P30HUAWEI P30 ProHUAWEI P30 SeriesHUAWEI Watch GTMalaysiaMobile PhoneTech


Mega Man game series producer on Mega Man X DiVE’s development concept

After previously talking with Mizuno Keisuke about Mega Man X DiVE‘s character design, we have another release from Capcom Taiwan on Tsuchiya Kazuhiro! You may know him as the Mega Man series game producer

It’s been a while since the CBT of the game. Tsuchiya offers some of his views regarding the systems and game world view of Mega Man X DiVE. First off, he says the “Deep Log” setting of the game allows for scenarios that could never be achievable in the main games.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

X and Zero will be able to fight together, alongside Vile with a saber. That won’t be all you can look forward to in the game either!
Attention has been given to reproducing the feeling of using a gamepad to play the game; from dashing to wall climbing within Mega Man X DiVE.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

Smartphones are so common these days, and anyone can simply pick up this game to try. Hence, says Tsuchiya, this is why the PVP and Co-op systems are in the game. You’ll be able to battle against, or cooperate with players from all over the world!
Tsuchiya mentions Zero is his favourite character in the Mega Man X series. Did you know Zero’s name is written as the number “0” to signify a “beginning”? There’s some symbolic meaning with his name written with the last letter of the English alphabet (Z), and Tsuchiya gradually grew to love the character.
It’ll be a while yet before Mega Man X DiVE officially launches, but Tsuchiya wants to bring a new experience to players with the game. Stay tuned for more!
You can check out their website, Facebook and Twitter.
 Download

Mega Man X DiVEPublisher: CapcomDeveloper: CapcomRelease Date: 2020-03-24Android, iOS
An upcoming spin off for the Mega Man X franchise! Play as Mega Man X and his allies to find and delete the source causing all the errors!

Check This Out Next

Tags: CapcomCAPCOM TaiwanMega ManMega Man XMega Man X DiVERockManRockman X DiveTsuchiya Kazuhiro


ASUS reveals new 2022 Vivobook series lineup

Earlier today, ASUS revealed its new 2022 lineup of Vivobook Pro series, Vivobook S series and Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Artist Edition laptops. These 2022 Vivobook series laptops were announced during ASUS’ launch event, The Pinnacle of Performance.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Vivobook Pro series
The affordable, high-performance Vivobook Pro series is designed for aspiring creators. New models for 2022 include the 16-inch Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (N7601/M7601), the 15.6-inch Vivobook Pro 15X OLED (K6501/M6501), the 14.5-inch Vivobook Pro 14X OLED (N7401), the 16-inch Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602), and the 15.6-inch Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (K6502/K6500/M6500).
These powerful creator laptops feature top-notch specifications that represent incredible value for money, with high-performance components including up to 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900H or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processors with up to 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, studio-grade NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics, and an ultrafast 2 TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD. ASUS IceCool Pro thermal technology allows creators to harness a total combined CPU and GPU TDP of up to 140 W.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The world’s first 16-inch 3.2K 120 Hz OLED display, a world-leading 15.6-inch 2.8K 120 Hz OLED display and a 4K 60 Hz OLED NanoEdge 600-nit display are perfect for creative activities, with refresh rates up to 120 Hz and 0.2 ms response times. They are PANTONE® Validated for industry-standard color rendering, up to VESA™ True Black 600 certified for high contrast and deep blacks, and have a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. For enhanced eye care, they are also TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue-light emissions.

Adding to the creator-friendly features of the new Vivobook Pro models are the fast I/O capabilities, which include a 40 Gbps Thunderbolt™ 4 or USB4® port and HDMI® 2.1, along with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports, an SD Express 7.0 microSD card reader, a 2.5 GbE LAN port, and the latest WiFi 6E. Budding creators will also appreciate the unique and intuitive ASUS DialPad virtual rotary control for their creative apps in combination with the ProArt Creator Hub app, as well as the long-lasting up to 90 Wh battery and US military-grade durability.
Vivobook Pro series laptops deliver an immersive, multi-dimensional entertainment experience, thanks to a Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos® audio system, which uses a smart amplifier for powerful, distortion-free sound. Crystal-clear video communications are enabled by the FHD webcam with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR) technology.

Vivobook S series
Vivobook S series laptops are the thinnest and lightest in the Vivobook family, with a chassis profile measuring from just 17.9 mm thin and weighing from as little as 1.6 kg, yet they offer performance levels normally associated with much bulkier models — they are some of the world’s first thin and light laptops capable of a 45 W TDP CPU performance.
The 2022 Vivobook S series lineup includes the 14.5-inch Vivobook S 14X OLED (S5402/M5402), the 16- inch Vivobook S 16X OLED (S5602/M5602), the 14-inch Vivobook S 14 OLED (K3402/M3402), and the 15.6-inch Vivobook S 15 OLED (K3502/M3502).
These ultra-modern laptops feature metal lids for the S 14/15 models or an all-metal construction for the premium S 14X/16X models. The all-new chassis design makes a real style statement, with a choice of youthful new colors — Indie Black, Neutral Grey or Brave Green for S 14/15, and Midnight Black, Solar Silver or Sand Grey for S 14X/16X — and a raised logo tab on the lid.

High-performance components include up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7 12700H (with Intel Evo™ certification on selected models) or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPUs, along with Intel Iris® Xe or AMD Radeon™ graphics, upgradable 16 GB DDR4 RAM and an ultrafast 1 TB PCIe SSD. Vivobook S series laptops are some of the first thin and light laptops in their class capable of CPU performance up to a groundbreaking 45-watt thermal design power (TDP). This gives them a benchmark performance in Cinebench R20 that’s up to 2.1X faster than the previous generation. This achievement is enabled by exclusive ASUS IceCool thermal technology that efficiently accelerates heat transfer and prevents throttling.
The Vivobook S series laptops use world-class OLED NanoEdge displays with resolutions of up to 4K and response times as low as 0.2 ms, and they also feature the world’s first 14.5-inch and 15.6-inch 2.8K 120 Hz OLED panels. These displays have a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, are VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certified and are PANTONE Validated for color accuracy. TÜV Rheinland low blue-light certification ensures eye comfort during long viewing sessions.
User-friendly design is a key feature of the Vivobook S series, with convenient lay-flat 180° hinges for versatility. The powerful Harman Kardon-certified audio system includes ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology for crystal-clear communications. A physical webcam shield and ASUS 3DNR technology make conference calls safer and clearer.

Heartfelt design
Vivobook laptops are designed to make the user’s life easier and simpler. The full-size ASUS ErgoSense keyboard has an incredibly satisfying feel, with the optimum bounce and travel calculated with fine-tuned precision. The keys have a long 1.4 mm travel, and the keycaps have a 0.2 mm dish for comfort. The ASUS ErgoSense touchpad is now larger and more responsive than ever.
The surface of any laptop harbors thousands of potentially harmful bacteria. To keep selected Vivobook models hygienic, they’re protected by ASUS Antibacterial Guard — a surface treatment that keeps the bugs at bay. ASUS Antibacterial Guard has been scientifically proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria by more than 99% over a 24-hour period, ensuring the protected surfaces of the laptop stay clean and sanitary for longer, and reducing the spread of potentially harmful bacteria via contact.
For convenient I/O, all new Vivobook models include either an ultrafast Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® or USB4 port that supports fast charging and up to 40 Gbps data transfers, and an advanced HDMI 2.1 port that supports up to two 4K 120 Hz or one 8K 60 Hz external monitors, so users can easily connect all their latest peripherals, displays, or projectors to help them import, export, share or display their content faster and more conveniently than ever.

Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Artist Editions
The Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Philip Colbert Edition and the Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Steven Harrington Edition are two extraordinary limited-edition versions of the vivaciously versatile 2-in-1 portable companion that’s already wowing the world with its stylish looks and innovative design.
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned artists Philip Colbert and Steven Harrington, the Artist Editions feature themed hardware, exclusive accessories and packaging, all designed in collaboration with the artists themselves. These eye-catching editions each represent the unique world-view of the artist, with specially commissioned themed accessories — including a cover stand, smart cover, sleeve, stylus holder and more — and packing featuring their original artwork. Both editions are also available with an optional artist-designed ASUS Marshmallow mouse.
Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Philip Colbert Edition and Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Steven Harrington Edition are based on the world’s first 13.3-inch Windows detachable OLED laptop — which rewrites the rules to make it easier to enjoy everything, everywhere. Now, users have no need to carry multiple devices for work and entertainment — this multi-talented and fun-filled personal companion does it all, thanks to its brilliant OLED touchscreen, smart cover stand with 170° hinge, quad-core Intel® processor, and high-precision ASUS Pen 2.0.

To learn more about ASUS Vivobook series laptop, visit the Vivobook series page on the official ASUS website.

Check This Out Next

Tags: ASUSASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLEDASUS Vivobook Pro 14X OLEDASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLEDASUS Vivobook Pro 15X OLEDASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLEDASUS Vivobook S 14 OLEDASUS Vivobook S 14X OLEDASUS Vivobook S 15 OLEDASUS Vivobook S 16X OLED


Here’s what you call cutting edge – Razer Blade Pro 17 review

The Razer Blade series is finally here, least of all, the Razer Blade Pro 17 that made its way into our hands. You can read all about the series and their prices here, while we get right into the review for the Razer Blade Pro 17.

EXTERNAL OVERVIEW

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

Out of the box, you get this sleek, black machine, emblazoned with the instantly recognizable three-headed green snake logo emblazoned on the lid. It’s made out of aluminum metal for a nice, sturdy body. Thanks to the use of electroplating technology, your beloved laptop will have a greatly reduced chance of scratches. However, this doesn’t exclude fingerprint marks, so you would want to wipe down the machine every now and again. Besides that, the laptop weighs 2.74kg and is 1.9cm thick, making it reasonably easy to carry wherever you need to go.
It would probably go without saying the Pro 17’s keyboard has a Razer Chroma independent backlight module, meaning 16.8 million colours and a variety of lighting effects. The speakers are on the left and right to the keyboard, shifting the keyboard’s position on the body. It’s probably gonna take some time for you to get used to the slightly off keyboard positioning.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

It’s worth having offset typing (at least until you get used to it) for the speakers, which comes with Dolby Atmos sound effect support and 7.1 surround sound that’s crystal clear, so no external speakers needed. Moving down to the touchpad, it’s a one-piece glass installation that has Microsoft Precision Touch for the multi-touch gesture operations. It functions, nothing especially exceptional about it.
Back up again to the monitor, you have a 17.3-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 300Hz refresh rate, and is calibrated for Adobe RGB, for those popping colours. You don’t need to worry much about eye strain either, thanks to the anti-glare matte coating. The screen looks bigger as the Blade Pro 17 utilizes a narrow frame of 6mm, so enjoy those chef’s kiss visuals.

POWERING THE INTERNALS
After all that bombastic external looks, it should be matched with powerful hardware to boot. Our model unit is equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q graphics card, 10th generation 8-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe. The RAM can be up to 64GB, while storage can be up to 2TB. Considering how massive games are these days, you’d probably want a larger configuration for storage.

The laptop’s kept cool with dual fans for both the CPU and GPU, as well as an additional small fan on the bottom that works to lower the temperature of the electric board. This fan’s speed can be adjusted via Razer Synapse. Typically, the fan will be almost completely silent, but when you crank it up, then yes, it will sound like your laptop is trying to take off. The machine can still feel hot on the surface, especially on the back, so try to avoid having it on your lap.
PRACTICAL TESTING
VALORANT

While this game would probably run on toasters, that doesn’t mean we can’t crank it up to its highest settings and set the FPS cap to 500 FPS. Without recording, hitting 300 FPS or higher is possible. Once the effects start flying, it can go down to a mere 184 FPS for a couple of seconds. Otherwise, you can expect an average of 220 to 240 FPS, and a 300Hz screen will help greatly with that shooting accuracy too.
GHOSTRUNNER

What about a game that requires a certain level of graphic fidelity and reaction speed? In testing Ghostunner, the average FPS is roughly about 140 to 150, with up to 180 FPS possible. You’d want to see what’s coming at you after all, and the Blade Pro 17 will assist in that just fine. Skills not packaged. Read our review to see what we mean.
DEATH STRANDING

Kojima’s grand project of delivery and sightseeing can take quite the toll on machines, especially with the various PC-added features. Cranking it up to the highest quality to really take in the sights of a post-apocalyptic America, FPS fluctuated between 110 to 150, which is still twice more than the oft-touted 60 FPS baseline. If you wanted to go hog wild with the photo mode and check out every pore of Norman Reedus’ face, you can do so with the Blade Pro 17.
WATCH DOGS: LEGION

With “fancy” options like light and shadow tracking, to mention just one, for this game to be the prettiest it can be, you’d love something that can really carry it, besides actually loading in the world. The Blade Pro 17 falters some here, due to the high demands this game asks for. On high quality, the FPS can maintain 50 to 60, but on Ultra, it dips to 35 to 45. If you want to consistently hit that 60, you’ll have to tune it down just a tad. Check out our review of the game here.
Here are some additional benchmarks:
PCMARK 10

CINEBENCH

3D MARK

VERDICT

Gaming laptops tend to be bulky and far heavier to make them almost impractical to lug around, despite being, well, a laptop. Razer’s gone simple in design, and its thinness helps it stand out from the crowd. For the most part, if you’re looking for one powerful laptop to play many, if not all, of the most demanding games, the Razer Blade 17 Pro will serve you well.
Learn more about getting your own Blade series here.

Check This Out Next

Tags: RazerRazer BladeRazer Blade Pro 17


The Promised Neverland smartphone game now live

CyberAgent and GOODROID have finally launched The Promised Neverland: Escape from the Hunting Grounds for the Android and iOS platforms. The time between announcement and launch was rather brief, which does suggest that the game was worked on a while ago.

Related Posts

Pokemon Sleep Now Available In Malaysia

GamerBraves Newsletter Vol. 103 – The Glory of The Barbie/Oppenheimer Double Feature

In any case, the game’s store page description, as provided by Gematsu, reads as follows:
About
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @GamerBraves
and Tweet us
Tweet to @GamerBraves

The official The Promised Neverland online escape game. Match and cooperate with other players in real-time, while defeating Demons and searching for an escape. Enjoy cooperative play with others while basking in the world of The Promised Neverland.
Key Features

Maps Themed After Various Scenes – Various maps from The Promised Neverland appear, including Grace Field and Goldy Pond.
Mix and Match Your Characters and Weapons – A large number of characters appear in the game. And since there are also all sorts of weapons, you can mix and match your favorite characters and weapons in your goal to escape.
Items That Help You Escape – Use items effective against the Demons trying to stop you from escaping to keep them at bay and escape.

Having surpassed the pre-registration mark of 63,194 (Emma’s identification number), everyone will be rewarded with 3,000 diamonds as freebies. Use it wisely for your gacha rolls or stock up for a rainy day.
 Download

The Promised Neverland: Escape the Hunting GroundsPublisher: CyberAgentRelease Date: 2021-04-22Android, iOS
The official The Promised Neverland online escape game. Match and cooperate with other players in real-time, while defeating Demons and searching for an escape. Enjoy cooperative play with others while basking in the world of The Promised Neverland.

Check This Out Next

Tags: AndroidiOSThe Promised Neverland