No More Heroes 3 Revealed; Oh, And Also These Games From This Surprise Nintendo Direct

Nintendo sure loves dishing out some decent game announcements without following any rhyme or reason whatsoever. That’s what we love about the Big N sometimes, because this random Nintendo Direct video houses some special reveals.
Here are the games that were elaborated further upon.
Bravely Default 2

This Square Enix Nintendo Switch JRPG is still on track for next year, complete with a mixed bag of VO awkwardness and OTT deliveries. The game’s plot is reminiscent of the first two Bravely Default titles: there’s an underlying world-ending plot and our heroes have to murder a bunch of Asterisk/Job holders to gain their respective Jobs and power on through. I’m sure there’s a ton of grinding involved, as well as some tricky combat challenges that old-school players will love.

Thanks to feedback from the March demo this year, the game’s difficulty and controls will be tweaked and refined further. Do expect this JRPG to land on 26th February 2021.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
The original Harvest Moon developers have a new entry in their Story of Seasons game for Nintendo Switch. Farm, marry people, and do the things you love in a Harvest Moon game that’s everything in the past series except its name. Available 23rd March 2021.
Surviving The Aftermath
A Paradox Interactive and Iceflak Studios turn-based survival game. Out for Nintendo Switch in Spring 2021.
Immortals: Fenyx Rising

This Legend of Zelda-esque Greek action-adventure title from Ubisoft is making its way onto the Switch this 3rd December.
Hitman 3: Cloud Version
The third Hitman is making its way in cloud form on Nintendo Switch. Hope your internet connection’s rock-solid.
Control: Cloud Version

Last year’s hit action-adventure game is getting a stream cloud version for the Nintendo Switch. It’s available now for you to try out on the Nintendo eShop.
No More Heroes 3

The only reason we care about this Nintendo Direct is this game, period. Just like the past two games, No More Heroes 3 pits players in the shoes of otaku madman Travis Touchdown who wields a beam katana and still uses toilets as save points. Instead of fighting assassins on Earth, he now has to fight assassins from different planets to secure his rightful spot as the top-ranking killer. The game still retains its third-person beam-katana melee combat, complete with suplexes and a ton of ultraviolence.
Part 3 will be out in 2021. As a bonus, No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle are getting ported onto the Nintendo Switch. And they’re available today on the Nintendo eShop. Huzzah!
And for those worried about the NMH port, it’s the uncensored North American port. Blood fountains and dismemberment galore!

Full Nintendo Direct vid below.


No Straight Roads Is The First Malaysian Epic Games Store Exclusive [Update]

Update 30/8/19: It’s confirmed; No Straight Roads is an Epic Games exclusive for PC alongside a few other notable indie titles. Also, we’ve added some comments from people regarding the Epic Store news.

Original story
The music-laced action game No Straight Roads from Metronomik has been getting a lot of good responses whenever and wherever it’s being showcased so far. But this latest rumour may possibly be its most divisive yet among PC fans.
According to Gamer Matters writer Putera Danial and a few sources close to us, the Malaysian-made title might be an Epic Games Store exclusive; a first of sorts. It’s not official yet, but it may be.

To clarify, an announcement at an MDEC event today teased that No Straight Roads MAY be coming to Epic Games Store. No official word if it is an exclusive or not. https://t.co/hkx4SQuOED
â€” Gamer Matters (@GamerMatters) August 9, 2019
Honestly, this doesn’t seem too surprising, since the EGS is definitely the better option, especially for new and/or indie game developers. This is thanks to its more generous sharing of profits as compared to Steam, though we’re not sure if the public gaming populace may see that and instead treat Epic as “the devil responsible for Fortnite”.
The Expected Praise & Backlash
Right after Metronomik announced the news on its Facebook page, a lot of people responded. Some good, some bad.

For the people picking the PlayStation version over the PC version because they prefer one money-making corporation over the other, good on you, I guess.
We’re currently reaching out to Metronomik for confirmation about this. The game is scheduled for an early 2020 release for PC and PS4.


Doctor Who Is Returning On New Years Day 2021

Doctor Who Series 12 ended earlier this year in March 2020. The BBC has announced that the long-running sci-fi series will finally return with a special New Years Day episode on 1 January 2021.
Revolution Of The Daleks will feature the return of the main cast, as well as special guest stars like John Barrowman’s fan-favourite Captain Jack Harness, Dame Harriet Walter, and more.

The official synopsis reads:
Viewers last saw the Thirteenth Doctor at the end of series 12 where her fate was left hanging in the balance as she was locked away in a high-security alien prison with no hope of escape. In the upcoming festive special, Yaz, Ryan and Graham are far away on Earth and having to carry on with their lives without her. However, they soon discover a disturbing plan forming. A plan which involves a Dalek. How can you fight a Dalek without the Doctor?Even with Captain Jackâ€™s help, the gang are set to face one of their biggest and most frightening challenges yetâ€¦
As a Whovian myself, I’ve had mixed feelings about Jodie Whittaker’s turn as The (Thirteenth) Doctor, but more Doctor Who content is always welcome.

In other related news, Malaysian developer Kaigan Games is currently working on a Doctor Who mobile game.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Lies Of P and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Are Teaming Up For A Collaboration

Publisher Neowiz and developer Round8 Studio have officially announced a collaboration for their upcoming Soulslike action RPG, Lies of P and the currently available Koei Tecmo and Team NINJA’s action RPG title, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty earlier today via Twitter.
Lies of P is an action RPG based on the classic tale of Pinocchio. Players will assume the role of Pinocchio and solve mysteries and disasters that happened in the city of Krat and meet familiar characters who can be either their allies or foe. The game is set to launch on 19 September 2023 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, as well as Xbox Game Pass. However, the demo is now available on all platforms as well.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Players fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within. The action RPG game was launched on 3 March 2023 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam, alongside Xbox Game Pass.
No other specifics of the collaboration were given but will be unveiled at a later time.
Check out the 11 minutes of gameplay featuring combat and boss fight for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty below.


Valve Has No Plans For “Steam Pass”; Will Help Microsoft Put Game Pass On Steam Though

Following the release of the portable PC/laptop type-thing Steam Deck, Steam platform creator Valve spoke out about the future.
During a PC Gamer interview, Valve president Gabe Newell said that it isn’t interested in making its own subscription service ala Xbox Game Pass.
“I don’t think it’s something that we think we need to do ourselves, building a subscription service at this time. But for their customers it’s clearly a popular option, and we’d be more than happy to work with them to get that on Steam.”
We’ve seen a bit of effort being made by Steam to add in Game Pass-like features on the platform. EA Play, EA’s subscription service, was added to Steam back in 2020. So anything’s possible.
This business decision may eventually happen since it would help both Valve and Microsoft; just not soon. Valve and AMD are currently finalizing driver compatibility for installing Windows on the Steam Deck. When that’s sorted, you can probably just boot up your Xbox PC Game Pass account and setup on Steam Deck instead.


Check Out This Fan Remake Of The Very First Rayman Game

The 1995 RaymanÂ for the Atari Jaguar (and eventually for the PC and PS1) was quite a challenging 2D platforming title. It also garnered a lot of fans who figured they want to bring it back with some much-needed changes.
And they did, with Rayman Redemption, a fan-made mod of the original Rayman but with new additions like:

New levels in addition to the original game’s stages, now modified to be a bit more fair.
New power-ups like the ability to create rainbow platforms from your fists.
Difficulty modifiers if you prefer that 1995 platforming challenge in your limbless platforming adventure. Or if you want to play it casually.

You can download this game for free, now on Game Jolt.
The trailer for the fan-mod game is below.


An In-Depth Analysis Of The ESPN Apex Legends EXP Invitational

The hero shooter battle royale by Respawn Entertainment, Apex Legends, has just concluded its largest esports event: the EXP Invitational. Team SoloMid (TSM) was crowned as the ultimate champions of the battle royale.
Team SoloMid
The recent EXP Invitational gave players a great look at how the pros play. If you missed it, you can catch all the action from both days here.
The Apex Legends meta is constantly shifting thanks to changes and tweaks the devs slipped in to further improve the game. One does not need to look hard to see these changes, just look at the new hop-ups which proved to shake the meta when it was first introduced in Season 2, and it was extensively used by the pros.
Let’s see a breakdown of what the EXP Invitational pros ran for their matches.
Legendary Findings

The most popular Legends over the weekend was undoubtedly Wraith, Wattson and PathfinderÂ with more than 5 teams running the same lineup to great effect. Tempo Storm, Sentinels, TSM, Reciprocity all ran this lineup, to name a few teams.
Variations of the lineup were also seen, often swapping one Legend to another such as Lifeline for her quick healing potential.
This connects well with data back from Season 1, pointing out the most picked Legends back then.
Stats as of 8 June from play-apex.net
Before Wattson was launched, the defence Legends saw minimal usage across matches due to their huge hitbox and subpar abilities.

So, is the Wraith, Wattson and Pathfinder lineup the ultimate winning combination? The answer is “yes”, but with a small caveat.

First of all, let’s see what these Legends bring to the table. Wraith has great survivability and provides decent mobility while granting valuable invincibility to teammates all around.
The same goes to Pathfinder, albeit without the invincibility. In a game where mobility is paramount, these two Legends are S-tier despite receiving 5% more damage with the Low Profile perk, which doesn’t really matter as long as the player is dodging and darting while shooting.
These Legends can also provide flanking routes and escape plans through their abilities. I’d say they’re perfect for high-octane battles that are abundant in Apex Legends.
System Shock

Wattson, the latest addition to the Legends roster, saw a lot of screentime during the EXP Invitational. This is because of a few interesting points of interests. Firstly, she can barricade buildings, denying exit or entry. Secondly, her ult is a godsend in the last circles where battles are fought right in the open with scarce cover.
Wattson’s fences can deny potential flanking routes when deployed properly while forcing opponents to go into her squad’s kill zonesÂ to deal with the situation. Right off the bat, it is clear why Wattson is the superior defence legend compared to the other two; Gibraltar and Caustic, in which both require very strict situations to shine.
Her ultimate can provide great cover against ordnance and throwables, especially when cover is a premium in those late-game scenarios. While mobility is important, taking cover is another important factor in clinching a win.

In short, this lineup has a good balance between turtling and mobility.

Even the Season 1 data shows Wraith and Pathfinder, alongside Lifeline, taking the Top 3 spot for win rate.
Stats as of 8 June from play-apex.net
This strong lineup has a few caveats, such as it is very loadout dependant, meaning you need to loot properly to dish out optimal damage since there is no damage-dealing ults nor offensive tactical abilities.
Wattson also has no escape abilities, often relying on her teammates to get her out of sticky situations. This also means hot-drops are deadly for her and her teammates.

Does this mean other heroes that weren’t picked aren’t viable at all? Short answer: It really depends.

The long answer: Well, in a purely competitive environment, their abilities aren’t as helpful as the top three used Legends over the weekend. Let’s put Caustic in example; his Nox gas is painful and obscures opponents’ vision, yes, but it also slows down and obscures all your teammate’s vision too, effectively negating all advantage of bringing numbers into a fight.

Another Legend that wasn’t picked at all was Bangalore. Her skill set isn’t as valuable as the others in terms of competitive matches. Not to mention, her ult, Rolling Thunder, is just a joke, dealing close to no damage and has a long delay, giving enemies ample time to relocate.

But who are we to say no to your playstyle, if you enjoy playing as the less popular Legends, then, by all means, please continue. I enjoy playing Caustic once in a while.
NEXT PAGE: BEST WEAPONS


Star Wars Celebration 2022: Andor Trailer, The Mandalorian Season 3 & More

The first day of Star Wars Celebration 2022 kicked off with a bang, as a special Star Wars Celebration Lucasfilm Showcase took place. It featured several major announcements not just related to Star Wars like Andor and The Mandalorian, but also other Lucasfilm projects like Indiana Jones 5 and Willow.
Andor Trailer And Release Date

Arguably the biggest reveal of the night was the release of the first trailer for the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series, Andor.
The Andor series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly (who will portray a young Mon Mothma), Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is the creator and showrunner.
Season 1 will consist of 12 episodes, taking place five years before the events of Rogue One A Star Wars Story. Season 2 will consist of 12 episodes as well, which will cover the remaining four years before Rogue One. According to Gilroy, the final scene of the series will directly lead into the events of Rogue One.
Andor will premiere on Disney+ on 31 August 2022.

#Andor, a limited series, streaming August 31 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/J00VgyU1DB
— Star Wars (@starwars) May 26, 2022

The Mandalorian Season 3 & Ahsoka Season 1

The Mandalorian and Grogu continue their journey in Season 3 of #TheMandalorian, streaming February 2023 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/GXPfUIugNp
— Star Wars (@starwars) May 26, 2022

During the event, Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau announced that The Mandalorian Season 3 and Ahsoka Season 1 will both premiere in 2023. The Mandalorian Season 3 already has a release window, which will be in February 2023.
A teaser was shown at the event (which has yet to be released to the public), which depicted Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin going to the Mandalorian home planet, Mandalore, and reuniting with Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, an Original series starring Jude Law, from executive producers Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, is streaming in 2023 only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/cEP3uXO4Aw
— Star Wars (@starwars) May 26, 2022

Amidst all that, they still had time to announce a new Star Wars series; Star Wars Skeleton Crew. The show takes place after the events of Star Wars Episode VI Return Of The Jedi, around the same timeframe as The Mandalorian. The only thing we know about this series is that it will feature children as its protagonists. Director Jon Watts and writer Chris Ford are the showrunners for the series. It will also star Jude Law in an undisclosed role.
Indiana Jones 5 Release Date

In 2023, Harrison Ford returns as the legendary #IndianaJones. Check out this first look of the new James Mangold-directed film. pic.twitter.com/ALs82tsmXw
— Indiana Jones (@IndianaJones) May 26, 2022

Yes, Indiana Jones isn’t related to Star Wars, but it’s also under Lucasfilm, and it not only stars Harrison Ford, but also features music composed by John Williams. During the event, Harrison Ford appeared to announce that Indiana Jones 5 will premiere on 30 June 2023.
James Mangold of Logan fame is the director of the movie. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Antonia Banderas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook and Shaunette Renée Wilson.
Willow

What does Willow have to do with Star Wars? Well, they’re both under Lucasfilm, and they both star Warwick Davis. The original Willow movie came out in 1988, and the new Willow series will be set 10 years after the events of the first movie.
The series will see three new heroes in search of Willow. Davis Warwick reprises his role from the first movie, with Ellie Bamber, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori and Cailee Spaeny joining the franchise. Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle serve as co-showrunners, with The End of the F***ing World creator Jonathan Entwistle directing the pilot.
Willow will premiere on Disney+ on 30 November 2022.
All of that were only from the opening of Star Wars Celebration 2022, so stay tuned on Kakuchopurei as we cover the latest news and updates, If you haven’t, check out our interview with Hayden Christensen ahead of the premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi on 27 May 2022:


Got Money To Burn, FF7 Fans? These Charms Will Solve That Problem

Do you want some jewellery to go with your soon-to-be-yours expensive Final Fantasy VII Remake watch? Then you may be interested in these bad boy charms.
And I do mean literal “bad boys”; these charms are inspired by Final Fantasy VII characters Cloud, Sephiroth, and Vincent. You can get them from the Square Enix store this June 2020.
They don’t come cheap: each of them cost over US$130. For that amount of money though, you’ll get some pretty cool detailing, a weapon for each charm that represents each character, and an orb on the top. For those keeping score, that’s a Buster Sword for Cloud, Masamune and angel wings for Sephiroth, and claws-cape for edgelord Vincent Valentine.

Final Fantasy VII Remake will be out on 10th April for PS4. Check out our thoughts on the recent build here, as well as our recap of the spinoffs.


adobo Esports Mobile Legends Mythical Bowl Assembles Philippine’s Ad Agencies

Organized by Philippine’s advertising industryâ€™s definitive source for information adobo Magazine, the adobo Esports Mobile Legends Mythical Bowl will focus on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, with teams comprising of 16 professional advertising agencies in the country.
The aim of the tournament is to strengthen the camaraderie within the advertising community, as well as notable for being the first-ever inter-agency league in the Philippines. It began on 6 August 2020 and will continue to take place until the Grand Finals on 1 September 2020.
https://www.facebook.com/adoboEsports/photos/a.316187843089820/316292019746069/?type=3&theater
The participating teams include:
1. Ace Saatchi & Saatchi
2. AdSpark
3. BBDO Guerrero
4. DDB Philippines
5. Dentsu Jayme Syfu
6. GIGIL
7. IPG Mediabrands
8. McCann Worldgroup Philippines x Seven AD
9. MullenLowe Philippines
10. NuWorks Interactive Labs
11. Ogilvy Philippines
12. Propel Manila
13. Publicis JimenezBasic
14. TBWA \ Santiago Mangada Puno
15. VMLY&R
16. Wunderman Thompson Philippines

Specific matches happen every Tuesday and Thursday, all of which are streamed live at the adobo Esports Facebook page.
The teams will be divided into four groups and compete on 6, 11, 13, and 18 August 2020 from 7pm onwards with two matches every night. They will be commentated by shoutcasters such as TDZ, Midnight, Nomad PH, Leo, and Uomi.
Winners from the four nights will move up into the two-part quarterfinals on 20 and 25 August 2020. The final four teams will then fight it out in the semifinals on 27 August 2020 to the determine who will make to the Grand Finals on 1 September 2020.
adobo magazine President and Editor-in-Chief Angel Guerrero said:

â€œWe created this tournament to connect the ad community online and have them meet-up, compete, have fun, and win some prizes.
We are taking the agenciesâ€™ competitive spirit online, and shifting the pitches from the board room or zoom room to a game of Mobile Legends â€” a way to relieve the hardworking-from-home agency people and hopefully, spark joy.â€

The tournament will also award additional awards to the League MVP, Best Marksman, Best Mage, Best Assassin, Best Fighter, Best Support, Best Logo, and Best Tank of the tournament.
The first season of the adobo Esports Mobile Legends Mythical Bowl is co-presented by Globe, ASUS ROG, and E-Project.


Xenoblade Chronicles 3 OST Will Be Out This July; All Of It

You don’t have to hear Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s music through YouTube videos and 2022 features like mine anymore; you can now check it out legit in the coming months.
Composer group Procyon, led by legendary musician Yasunori Mitsuda, has announced the official Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Original Soundtrack, which will be out on 29th July. The OST will contain 9 CDs of over 140 tracks (about 9 hours), including music from the additional story in Expansion Volume 4. This also means that the final Xenoblade 3 DLC will be out before that month; it’s the DLC featuring an adult Rex and Shulk fighting a rogue Alvis.
The OST’s Limited Edition and Regular Edition will feature a new illustration made specifically for the soundtrack by Masatsugu Saito, who was in charge of the game’s character design. The Limited Edition includes two 1/3 Scale Mini Replicas of the flutes used when recording the music, one of “Seishin no Fue” (Noah’s flute) and one of “Kishin no Fue” (Mio’s flute). Also included in the Limited Edition is a card featuring Masatsugu Saito’s new illustration with printed signatures of the composers on the back side.
The Limited Edition also includes an 80-page booklet, although many sections are only available in Japanese (please refer to the information below for more details). It also costs 16,800 yen (US$170+).
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 came out for Nintendo Switch last year; it’s one of the year’s best JRPGs in a long while due to its story, gameplay, and meaty side quests.


[Rumour] The King of Fighters XV Will Feature These DLC Characters & More Old Favourites

Someone at SNK might get fired. Or promoted, depending on how you look at it.
The final few characters of 2D fighting game The King of Fighters XV have been confirmed (via Reddit). In fact, the game will feature a number of DLC characters who are from various SNK fighting games. They are…

…Kula, Maxima, and Elisabeth. Kula and Maxima may be joining up with K’ for the K’ team, while Elisabeth will be with Ash and Kukri for a brand-new team.

The game’s final boss will be some dude named Otoma. No idea who this might be; it’s definitely a brand-new character.
The game’s DLC characters will be:

-Rock, B.Jenet, and Gato, who will form the Garou Team.

-GeeseÂ Howard, Billy Kane, and Yamazaki. The trio will form the Southtown Team.

-Haohmaru, Nakoruru, and Darli Dagger, who will form the Samurai Shodown team.

-Omega Rugal, who represents himself because he never was a team player.
Again, take this with a grain of salt until SNK confirms this with official trailers and reveals.


World War 2 Game Ground Of Aces Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Swiss-Polish developer Blindflug Studios has revealed their new project Ground Of Aces, a base-building game set during the Second World War. The game is being developed for PC, with a planned release in 2024. A Kickstarter campaign launches today to support the development.
In Ground Of Aces, players will be able to build and micromanage a World War II air base that is inhabited by a diverse cast of pilots and crew members. While you can play Ground of Aces in a never-ending free-build mode, the Theatre Campaigns will give you specific glimpses into World War II and the challenges air bases and their crews had to face, such as the story of the Battle of Britain. It is inspired by free-form base builder games like Rimworld and Going Medieval and history strategy games like Hearts of Iron IV. The art style will pay homage to the “ligne claire” style of Franco-Belgian comics like Biggles and Buck Danny.
Your base is laid out by your own choices and thus individual and unique. It serves as your personal home for your planes and crew members. Base inhabitants are not just resources, they are people shaped by the war. Every person matters and has their own personality. You will get to know every character on the base and will mourn every loss. Throughout the campaign, you will get access to historically significant aircraft. These planes will have upgradeable parts and you can even individualise them in your own visual style. Experience its battles from the perspective of your air base crew. Prepare for missions, send out your pilots and be ready for attacks by the enemy.
Blindflug Studios co-founder and executive producer Moritz Zumbühl has been working on the idea for Ground of Aces for several years:
“As a big history, aviation and base building fan, I noticed the lack of base building games focused on World War II airfields. Together with my team, we want to fill this gap. We are very excited to finally share this passion project with the gaming community and fellow World War II history buffs.”
Check out the trailer below:


Frozen 2’s Elsa Won’t Be Getting A Girlfriend Or Boyfriend; Here’s Why

2013’s Frozen remains Disney’s biggest highest-grossing animated movie of all time (discounting 2019’s The Lion King live-action remake), having garnered over US$1.276 billion. Elsa is now just as iconic as other Disney princesses like Cinderella and Snow White, perhaps even more.
However, what distinguishes Elsa from other princesses or queens in Disney’s library is that she doesn’t have a love interest of any kind. Her relationship with her sister Anna formed the emotional crux of the first movie.
The popular “Let It Go” song sung by Elsa in the first movie has since been adopted as an LGBTQI anthem and the first trailer for the upcoming Frozen 2 gave us a glimpse of a new mysterious female character, which has sparked fan discussions online about a potential girlfriend for the character.
Unfortunately, that won’t be happening.
She looks too young to be anyone’s girlfriend anyways.
Speaking with IGN at D23 Expo last weekend, Frozen 2 songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez confirmed that Elsa will not be getting a girlfriend, boyfriend, or romantic interest in Frozen 2.
Anderson-Lopez said:

“Like the first movie, Elsa is not just defined by a romantic interest.
There’s so many movies that define a woman by her romantic interest.
That’s not a story that we wanted to tell at this point in time.
What we really wanted to tell was if you have these powers, how do you grow and change and find your place in the world and find answers that haven’t been found before?”

Instead of exploring unnecessary romantic avenues for Elsa, Frozen 2 is set to answer the question of how and why Elsa has her ice powers (essentially her origin), as well as what exactly happened to their parents (where they were going and what caused their deaths).

Frozen 2 is slated to release on 22 November 2019. It will feature the returning voices of Idina Menzel (Elsa), Kristen Bell (Anna), Josh Gad (Olaf), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), and Santino Fontana (Hans), as well as newcomers in the form of Evan Rachel Wood (Queen Iduna, the mother of Elsa and Anna) andÂ  Sterling K. Brown (Lieutenant Matthias).
In the meantime, rewatch the hauntingly beautiful trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi4LMpSDccc&w=560&h=315]


Portal Writer Wants To Start Working On Portal 3

Erik Wolpaw is best known for co-writing the iconic Portal 1 and 2. It’s been years since Portal 2 came out in 2011, but he has voiced out an interest in making Portal 3. However, that might be nothing more than a pipe dream right now.
According to a report by VGC, Wolpaw spoke on the Kiwi Talkz podcast, saying:
“We’ve gotta start Portal 3. That’s my message to… to whoever. I am not getting any younger. We are reaching the point where it’s crazy to think [that we’re] literally going to be too old to work on Portal 3, so we should just do it.”
However, he also said that it will not be easy for Valve to greenlight a Portal 3.
He added:
“Oh yeah, I would love to. I’d work on another Portal in a second, but I can’t make it happen by myself. “Oh, I could advocate for it […] it might help a little bit, but the problem is [Valve has] 300 employees and I don’t know exactly the breakdown – how many of them are on the production side versus Steam business side versus legal versus whatever.
So there’s a lot of opportunity cost to taking 75 people and trying to get a game made. As much as it seem like Valve often [is] just a bunch of people sitting around sipping gin and tonics by a pool, everybody’s working.
They’re working all the time, it’s just you don’t always see the [result], it doesn’t always end up coming out, or it comes out years later, it gets turned into something else. So everybody is accounted for, I guess is what I’m saying. People are all doing something.
So you’d almost have to take them – it’s like a revolution – [and] stir up a bunch of people to leave what they’re currently working on and come work on something else, in this case it would be Portal 3.”
Then, there’s also the question of whether Portal 3 would be profitable enough for Valve. It would likely make a lot of money, but Wolpaw said that Valve might expect more, like “Counter-Strike Global Offensive” levels of money.
He continued:
“Hey, you’re preaching to the choir here, you’d make some money.
The problem is, you would make money, but what kind of money will you make? Are you gonna make Counter-Strike: GO money? Probably not.
“But having said that, maybe every game doesn’t need to make Counter-Strike: GO money, you know, Gabe, if you’re listening.”


Computex 2019 Recap: All The Gaming Highlights You Need To Know

Computex 2019, one of the world’s biggest expos for everything related to computers, is about to end today after taking place in Taipei, Taiwan from 28 May to 1 June 2019. All the major computer companies and brands converge at the event to announce their latest products and tech, some of which are directly linked with gaming.
Check out all the biggest gaming news from Computex 2019 below:
AMD

AMD really stole the show at this year’s Computex, as it announced its next-generation GPUs in the form of the new Radeon RX 5000-series Navi GPUs, which acts as direct rivals to NVIDIA’s new RTX GPUs. They will also be the first GPUs to support PCIe 4.0 technology.
During its keynote presentation, the computer giant revealed that Sony’s next-gen PlayStation 5 console will be equipped with that same new Radeon RX 5000 GPU and a customized version of the Zen 2 processor (third-generation AMD Ryzen chips with double the cache of its predecessor).
What all of this means is that games powered AMD’s new GPU will deliver better gaming performances not only for PCs but also for next-gen consoles in the near future.
ASUS

With ASUS celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, they announced a bunch of new devices at Computex 2019, including the incredible new ASUS ROG Strix XG17 portable gaming monitor with an insane 240Hz refresh rate. You can plug in everything from a PC, your console (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch) and even your smartphone.
This includes new ROG gaming laptops like the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR III, Hero III and Zephyrus S.
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR III G731 and Hero III G731 are definite powerhouses as they will not only be the first ever to feature a 17-inch display with 240Hz refresh rate and 4K UHD resolution but with the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics backing all that hardware.
A special Glacier Blue variant was also announced for the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX502, Zephyrus M GU502, Strix G531, and Strix G731.
Dell

Dell also announced new gaming laptops as part of its Computex 2019 lineup. These include the new Alienware M15 and M17, as well as the new Dell Inspiron models. The new Alienware gaming laptops are notable for featuring 9th Generation Intel Core i9-9980HK processors and the insanely powerful NVIDIA RTX2080 Max-Q.
For more details and information on the specs of these laptops, head on over here.
HyperX

If gaming computer peripherals are your thing, look no further than HyperX’s new products announced at Computex 2019. These include new gaming headsets, keyboards, and more. Head on over here to check out some of these products.
HP

The biggest highlight of HP’s Computex 2019 is surely the newly-announced HP VR Backpack. It’s exactly what the name implies, a portable PC capable of deliveringÂ  VR experiences everywhere the user goes, and you wear it on your back like a backpack.
It’s powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU, so you’ll basically be carrying around an incredibly powerful machine on your back. This is the future, folks.
Intel

Intel announced its unique Honeycomb Glacier prototype laptop, which is quite different than anything else on show at Computex 2019. It’s a dual-screen laptop with a specialized hinge that allows the second screen to be propped neatly under the first.
It remains to be seen what the second screen could be used for but the prototype models at Computex 2019 feature League of Legends on the main screen, with the second screen being used for showing stats or chats of the game.
NVIDIA

Compared to AMD, NVIDIA didn’t make as big of a splash at Computex 2019. However, they did announce its new line of NVIDIA Quadro RTX GPUs, which are designed for larger and more powerful gaming laptops, as well as boasting the company’s new Turing architecture.
New gaming laptops powered by these new more powerful GPUs will arrive in the second half of 2019. According to NVIDIA, they will “deliver desktop-level performance and capabilities in a mobile form factor”.


Samurai Shodown’s Latest Addition Is Still A Top Tier Pick

Samurai Shodown veterans may remember umbrella-wielding swordskid Shizumaru Hisame, known for dominating Samurai Shodown V Special tournaments alongside Kyoshiro, Ukyo, and Kusaregedo.

Welp, he’s back in 2019’s Samurai Shodown via a 16th September update. Unlike Kyoshiro however, he’s anything but nerfed.
Things are looking good for the parasol-wielding kid meta-wise. Imagine if your shoto fighter (ala Haohmaru) is slightly short and can delay his airtime multiple times during jumps. And has a pretty hard-to-react overhead. And a move he can charge and instakill anyone if it’s held for over 80 seconds ala SF’s Boxer. That’s Shizumaru in a nutshell.
And based on these finds from notable fighting game folks, he’s a force to be reckoned with. I used him like Haohmaru (run + A, run +B & uppercut, etc.) and got a good number of wins online. However, the following videos prove that I’ve only scratched the surface…

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh #SAMURAISHODOWNhttps://t.co/uLIwx1KfwA pic.twitter.com/PlLuYwa7oJ
— Lex (@FoxLex_) September 16, 2019

This character is strong. #SS_SZ #EmbraceDeath #SamuraiShodown pic.twitter.com/fBO02mTZqz
— sonicsol (@sonic_sol) September 16, 2019

… Oh no…#EmbraceDeath #SamuraiShodown #SS_SZ pic.twitter.com/9adysgdpZ3
— Benji Buckley (@BenjiTopaz) September 16, 2019

#SAMURAISHODOWN Shizumaru can keep charging while unarmed. Simple FYIhttps://t.co/x31CSUSUER pic.twitter.com/TqSoSEuqtR
— Olaf / ??? / #MusclesForMary / #??????? (@OlafRedland) September 16, 2019

???? ??????????????????????????????????????????? #????????? #SS_SHhttps://t.co/HACYuMFH0F pic.twitter.com/b8hm7YYfb9
— Reversi14452 (@Reversi14452) September 16, 2019

It’s too soon to tell whether Shizumaru’s truly reclaiming his top tier status since Samurai Shodown V Special since he just came out yesterday. But hey; he’s a free DLC character. Can’t complain about that, right?


Overwatch Anniversary 2018 Skins Leaked

The 2018 Overwatch Anniversary event is supposed to drop in two days but the hero skins we are set to get this time around have already been leaked via posts on Reddit and Imgur. These leaks follow earlier revealsÂ last week where we were teased of a new Junkrat skin which we dubbed ‘Searat’ while the soon to be released Symmetra skin, Magician Symmetra was officially unveiled during last weekend’s Overwatch League matches.

Happy anniversary Overwatch! #OWL2018
ðŸ‘€ Check out this SNEAK PEEK at Magician Symmetra! https://t.co/U6dIipgQGs pic.twitter.com/Mgtnew8yQ6
â€” Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) May 19, 2018
Of the 11 leaked skins, three are Epic (250 coins) while the other eight are Legendary skins (3000 coins). The leaks were in Chinese characters so we nicknamed these skins based on our creativity – so do remember they aren’t final. If you can read Chinese characters, then do enlighten us in the comments section below.
So without further ado, here are the skins set to be available during the Anniversary Event 2018, starting May 22nd 2018.

				Cyclops Bastion

				OgRisa

				Zatanna Symmetra

				Torb Borg

				Sea Rat

				McSherlock

				Pimp Fist

				Asgard Brigette

				Boring Beats Lucio

				Ellen Tracer

				Cylon 76

Pic Credits: Imgur
Our verdict? They all look sweet but we are kinda bummed that we won’t be getting any new Ana, Pharah nor Moira skins this time around. On the flipside, Moira should be getting her own dance emote.
Along with these skins, the dancing emotes which were introduced in last year’s event will again be available in the lootboxes, or for purchase. Heroes who weren’t available back then will receive a brand new dance emote as not to leave anyone out of the dance party. Other event-specific skins will also be obtainable during the limited period of the Anniversary celebration.
It ain’t all just about the skins though. We finally got to see the new Deathmatch map, Petra as well. Hopefully, a place where one-tricks can go to hone their skills without affecting other players’ experience.

Hazards beyond this point. Trespassers risk serious injury or elimination. ðŸ›‘ðŸš§
Prepare to explore the ancient ruins of Petraâ€”our new Deathmatch map coming soon to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One! pic.twitter.com/pU2qXPHrGr
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) May 19, 2018


The Mageseeker A League Of Legends Story Launches Next Month

Riot Games’ Riot Forge and Digital Sun have announced that action RPG The Mageseeker A League Of Legends Story will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG on 18 April 2023.
Developed by Digital Sun, creators of Moonlighter, The Mageseeker A League Of Legends Story is an action RPG that takes place in the League of Legends universe. In the kingdom of Demacia, the Mageseekers hold the power to oppress magic-using citizens in the name of public order–by inducting and indoctrinating them, locking them away, or driving them into hiding.
Players assume the role of Sylas, a spell-stealing mage who has just broken free of his unjust captivity at the Mageseekers’ hands. Wielding the chains that once bound you, you must liberate your homeland from tyranny, one Mageseeker at a time.
The Mageseeker A League Of Legends Story is one of several League Of Legends spinoff games coming out in 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


Rockstar Shelves GTA 4 & Red Dead Redemption Remasters To Focus On GTA 6

According to a new report from Kotaku, Rockstar Games is shelving all remakes and remasters following the failure of Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy The Definitive Edition, which includes GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption. The reason for doing so is allegedly to focus all efforts and resources towards the development of GTA 6.
What’s interesting is that Kotaku’s report corroborates information that was first released by games industry insider and Twitter user Tez2 yesterday.

As per a reliable source with clear accuracy on Rockstar plans, remasters of GTA IV & RDR1 were on the table a few years ago, but Rockstar chose not to proceed with the projects in mind.
The poor reception of the Trilogy DE might be a reason behind that decision.#GTAIV #RDR1
— Tez2 (@TezFunz2) July 4, 2022

According to the same sources, however, Rockstar Games could still make GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption remakes or remasters in the far future after GTA 6 eventually launches, whenever that may be. At the time of writing. Rockstar Games has yet to officially comment on Kotaku’s report.
The last official update we received from Rockstar Games was back in February 2022 when the developer officially confirmed that GTA 6 is already in active development. If Rockstar Games does indeed focus entirely on GTA 6, we might be getting the latest installment of the franchise sooner than expected. Still, considering that GTA 5 came out almost a decade ago all the way back in 2013, no release date is too soon.


Fallout 4: New Vegas Mod Team Shows Progress With Latest Video

Believe it or not, there’s currently a development team working to adapt the entirety of Obsidian Entertainment’s Fallout: New Vegas into the newer Fallout 4 engine. Initially launching in 2017, they have since recreated the opening of the original game, inserted dynamic weather effects, and now their latest video showcases even more progress.
This new video recreates fan-favourite NPC Oliver Swanick. If you’ve played Fallout: New Vegas, you’ll be familiar with him as the guy who won the lottery near the town of Nipton (where those Roman wannabes just pillaged) and won’t shut up about it. He later gets devoured alive by radscorpions but it wasn’t the player’s fault (or was it?).
However, in order to avoid copyright infringement by the folks over at Bethesda, the dev team have hired new voice actors for the Fallout 4: New Vegas mod. Check out their glorious work in action below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Mnh9WIDCo&w=560&h=315]


Another One Piece Musou Game Is Coming Out Next Year

Bandai Namco, Koei Tecmo, and Omega Force have announced yet another One Piece musou game, and it’s coming out next year. One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 was revealed at the Anime Expo 2019 last weekend during Bandai Namco’s ‘Play Anime’ panel.
According to the game’s description on the official website, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 follows:

“Luffy and the Straw Hats from the beginning as they make their journey through different islands and onwards in the hopes of finding the illustrious treasureâ€”the One Piece.”

That doesn’t exactly tell us much about the upcoming game, but sequels to action musou games (and musou games in general) usually don’t feature many differences or improvements, other than the addition of new characters and story content. The gameplay pretty much retains the same one-man army hack-and-slash mechanics.
One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC sometime in 2020. In the meantime, check out the trailer below, where a kaiju-sized Luffy goes up against a similarly-gigantic woman with a sword.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoWQKfjluYo&w=560&h=315]


HBO GO January 2023: Our Picks & Highlights

Happy New Year!
I’m sure you won’t want to waste time sifting through HBO GO’s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming site updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so I’m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for HBO GO January 2023 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
Mechamato Season 2 (13 January 2023)

Tune in for fresh new adventures in a brand-new season that sees Amato and Mechabot battle evil with robots in their ongoing mission to keep the world safe. Stream Season 1 of Mechamato on HBO GO to find out how this power duo met and witness more of their awesome abilities!
Premieres Friday, January 13 on HBO GO.

The Last Of Us (16 January 2023)

Based on the critically acclaimed video game, this HBO Original drama series takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heart-breaking journey, as they both must traverse the US and depend on each other for survival. The nine-episode first season stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
Premieres Monday, Jan 16 at 10pm on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.

Top Gun Maverick (21 January 2023)
Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Maverick then finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission no living pilot has ever encountered. Stars Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Glen Powell.
Premieres Saturday, January 21 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.

Jerry & Marge Go Large (28 January 2023)
Bryan Cranston as Jerry Selbee and Annette Bening as Marge Selbee in Jerry and Marge Go Large streaming on Paramount+. Photo credit: Jake Giles Netter/Paramount+
Inspired by the remarkable true story of retiree Jerry Selbee who discovers a mathematical loophole in the Massachusetts lottery and, with the help of his wife, Marge, wins millions and uses the money to revive their small Michigan town. Stars Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening, Larry Wilmore, Rainn Wilson, Anna Camp, Ann Harada, Jake McDorman, Michael McKean and Uly Schlesinger.
Premieres Saturday, January 28 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.


League Of Legends Join Forces With Mastercard For 10th Anniversary Celebration

Mastercard has announced that it will â€œThank the Fansâ€ of League Of Legends Esports to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Worlds.
Coinciding with the World Championship in Shanghai, where the annually anticipated Opening Ceremony presented by Mastercard will precede the competition.
In addition to a broadcast spot debuting in English and Mandarin, Mastercard will debut a series of Digital Priceless Experiences featuring pro players, streamers and on-air talent, a special capsule collection created in partnership with Riot Games and CLOAK, and the limited release of in-game digital goods known as Riot Points (RP).
Mastercard Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Raja Rajamannar said:
â€œWhen Mastercard delivers experiences that people are passionate about, we see unequivocal joy and excitement among our consumers, and the passion League of Legends esports fans have for the game is undeniable. Iâ€™m excited to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the esport by thanking the fans, players and shoutcasters by curating once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. This sport brings people of different backgrounds and ages from around the world together through a common interest – and that is priceless.â€
Digital Priceless Experiences supporting Thank the Fans will begin launching on Priceless.com starting from 31 October 2020 at 6pm CST (Shanghai/Malaysia time), with new experiences unveiled hourly for ten hours, available for RSVP on a first-come, first-served basis.
From workshops to meet-and-greets, these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities feature top streamers and shoutcasters, such as a Worlds Recap with G2 Esports head coach GrabbZ and a Shoutcaster Workshop with Ender and Excoundrel.
Mastercard is simultaneously releasing a capsule collection on Priceless.com designed in partnership with Riot Games and gaming lifestyle brand CLOAK. Featuring a signature cloak, long sleeve t-shirt, duffel bag and puzzle, the collectionâ€™s design was inspired by the overall League of Legends esports 10th anniversary â€œTake Overâ€ campaign with each item selling for US$10 to commemorate the occasion.
For the first 10 hours, Mastercard will also distribute a limited amount of 1,380 RP bundles per hour on a first-come, first-serve basis to fans as a thank you for an amazing decade of League of Legends esports.
Riot Games Head of Global Esports Partnerships and Business Development Naz Aletaha said:
â€œThanks to the support of Mastercard and their Priceless platform, weâ€™ve been able to elevate the game and competitions for fans around the world. The power of partnerships, like the one we have with Mastercard, allows us to expand our reach and enhance the connection with our community.â€


[Rumour] Resident Evil Revelations 3 Is In Development For The Nintendo Switch

We’re getting Resident Evil Village later this year, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from continuing to spin. The latest rumour is from the Dusk Golem, the same guy that predicted Resident Evil Village back in early 2020, so there might be some truth to what he’s now saying.
According to his latest tweets, a new Resident Evil game is in development for the Nintendo Switch, and it was originally Resident Evil Revelations 3 before apparently being retitled to Resident Evil Outrage. It is slated to be a timed exclusive for the Nintendo Switch before getting released on other platforms like presumably the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

(2/2) very least. Releases as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, along with Village, almost definitely going to be a Switch timed exclusive.
But that'll be announced later this year, for now Village is deserving of the attention, and out in just a few months now!
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) February 14, 2021

He also claims that Resident Evil Outrage has a bigger budget than either 2012’s Resident Evil Revelations or 2015’s Resident Evil Revelations 2. It’s supposedly been in development in the past four years and has a budget closer to Resident Evil Village, as well as being closer to the size and scale of 2000’s Resident Evil Code Veronica.

It's had a higher budget and a lot more dev time than either Rev 1 or 2, for the record it's been in dev for like 4 years & a budget closer to Village's. I think they may not use the Rev name in part because of that.
It'll be more like a Code Veronica tier title than anything https://t.co/WcaHcZVMZA
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) February 14, 2021

What’s interesting is that there was also a Resident Evil Outrage game slated for release in Q4 2021 listed in the controversial Capcom leaks in late 2020. Capcom did tease more to come to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary this year in 2021, so Resident Evil Outrage might be just that. However, none of this has been officially confirmed, so take everything with a pinch of salt.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei!


Retro PC Gamers; There’s A New DOSBox Coming To Town

If you want to play some old abandonware PC games with an emulator worthy for this age, you may want to check out DOSBox Pure.
Made by indie developer Bernhard Schelling, this new version of the open-source DOS emulator will be compatible with current emulation frontend app RetroArch. Here are the bells and whistles DOSBox Pure provide:

You can launch games directly from zip files and mount CD images from them instead of, you know, unzipping them onto a separate folder.
Offers full controller support; mouse, keyboard, joystick mapping. The latter’s in case you want to run the original X-Wing PC game.
Cheat menu, and the option to search for new cheats in a game’s code.
Save states, so that you can cheese your way through a tough 90s turn-based game like X-COM and Jagged Alliance.
MIDI support with SoundFonts.
Database featuring 20 years worth of old PC games, so you can find some niche info on games like Raptor and Tyrian.

DOSBox Pure will be out winter 2020.


[Rumor] Diablo 4 Will Be Out Next April

Activision Blizzard’s fifth action RPG iteration (since Diablo Immortal is the fourth) will be out in the next six months according to trusted sources.
A report on Windows Central states that the game will be out on April 2023. The game’s release date will be announced and made official at this year’s Game Awards/The Geoff Keighley trailers show on 8th December. In fact, you can pre-order the game starting on 8th December once it’s announced.
There will be a physical Collector’s Edition with in-game goodies in other Blizzard titles, as per the tradition for new mainline Blizzard games. Also, there will be an Early Access and Open Beta version of the game available on February 2023. And much to the chagrin/joy for gamers everywhere, Diablo 4 will “adopt a season-based live service supported by microtransactions”.
Hopefully, all the microtransactions in Diablo 4 will be purely cosmetics, or else Activision Blizzard will have another PR nightmare and launch woes just like Overwatch 2 is experiencing right now.


These Final Fantasy XIV Mardi Gras Floats Are Moogle-Tastic

Australia seems to have all the fun when it comes to putting up floats of JRPG beasties for a public festival.
To celebrate the coming together of the Sydney Gaymer community, the group collaborated with Square Enix to create the first-ever Final Fantasy XIV Online floats for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade during 2 March. 80 members marched with the FFXIV-themed float under the “Realms United” banner.
The Moogle, Cactuar, and Cherry Bomb made their debut during the 2019 Parade Night, and they look like they’re having the time of their lives being put out on display.

Here’s a closing statement from organizer Peak Distapan:
This collaboration could never have been realised without the efforts of our community. WhenÂ FFXIVÂ took part in PAX Australia, it was theÂ FFXIVÂ players in Australia who offered us the greatest welcome and utmost support. This led on to our community and Sydney Gaymers working together to make the collaboration a reality.
To see it makes me very happy indeed, both as the person in charge ofÂ FFXIVÂ and also as just another player of the game.Â FFXIVÂ is another world that continues to grow and expand online. In that world people become adventurers, known as the Warriors of Light, and can continue to be free. I would like to continue developing this world, hand in hand with communities across the globe.
In related news, FFXIV will be getting a new expansion called Shadowbringers. It’ll be out 2 July for PC and PS4.


One-Punch Man Season 3 Anime Officially Announced

One-Punch Man fans have been waiting a long time but One-Punch Man Season 3 has finally been officially announced by the official website earlier today.
Chikashi Kubota, the character designer for One-Punch Man Season 1 and Season 2, drew the official key art teaser visual for One-Punch Man Season 3 (see below):

The first anime season aired in Japan from October to December 2015, while the second season began in April 2019. It’s been three years since Season 2, so fans have been clamouring for a new season for a while now.
However, there is currently no confirmation on which studio will be producing One-Punch Man Season 3 or when it will premiere, so no release date or release window as of yet.
In other related news, Sony Pictures and Fast & Furious director Justin Lin are working on a live-action One-Punch Man movie. You can also head on over here for my review of the One-Punch Man A Hero Nobody Knows fighting game for consoles and PC.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/645644779584939/


Ubisoft Plans To Expand The Assassin’s Creed Developer Team By 40%

Ubisoft has exciting plans for the future of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. The company’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, announced that they intend to significantly expand the team of developers working on the series in the coming years. This move is part of their ongoing effort to allocate resources more effectively.

What’s next for Assassin’s Creed?

The next instalment in this long-standing gaming series is called Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Fans can look forward to its release before March 31, 2024, within Ubisoft’s current fiscal year. During a product showcase event held by Ubisoft last September, they unveiled six upcoming Assassin’s Creed games, Mirage being one of them.
The following titles in the series are currently codenamed Red and Hexe, and they will be part of the new Assassin’s Creed Infinity franchise hub. Red, developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, takes place in feudal Japan. With the same creative director, it promises to offer an immersive experience for fans.
Ubisoft Montreal is working on Hexe, which reportedly explores the witch trials that occurred during the later years of the Holy Roman Empire. These two flagship entries in the series are eagerly anticipated by players.
Additionally, Ubisoft is actively developing a standalone multiplayer game set in the Assassin’s Creed universe. They are also working on Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade, a mobile game set in China, and collaborating with Netflix on another mobile series entry.
Ubisoft celebrated the success of the Assassin’s Creed franchise during their last fiscal year, which ended in March. The company reported that the number of active users reached an all-time high. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla saw a remarkable 44% increase in players compared to Assassin’s Creed Origins, and a 19% increase compared to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey within a comparable timeframe. These achievements resulted in significant revenue growth, with a notable increase in net bookings of 82% and 61% respectively.
It’s an exciting time for Assassin’s Creed fans as Ubisoft ramps up development efforts, expands the team, and introduces new experiences in this beloved gaming franchise.


Final Fantasy XIV Producer Shares More Tidbits About Final Fantasy XVI: Main Story Complete

For those waiting for Tokyo Game Show 2021-period news about Final Fantasy XVI, the long-awaited mothership entry to the RPG series, you’ll have to keep waiting. You can, however, keep yourself sated with these tidbits from a recent RPG topic livestream featuring FFXIV/FFXIV producer Naoki Yoshida and Final Fantasy father/Fantasian director Hironobu Sakaguchi.
When asked about the status and progress of FFXVI, he said that the game’s main story is complete and the team is now working on side quests. The in-game models are almost complete and they’re hard at work polishing the game.
The game’s main plot was worked on at the start of the game’s production -we guess it’s around late 2015- and the team did not grow in size until Yoshida and Square Enix knew what they wanted to make after a year or so. After the story was prioritized, they increased the team’s manpower to start development in full.
That’s the advice Yoshida mentioned during the TGS 2021 RPG talk (link below): start small and then expand when everything has been ironed out by the small team. Do not start off a project like this with a big team and then fumble it during development, which is what Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus went through two decades ago. Good to know that Square Enix is learning from its past mistakes.

On a related note, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker will be out later this year on 23rd November.


Turn-Based Tactical Adventure Miasma Chronicles Launches This May

Miasma Chronicles, the post-apocalyptic tactical adventure from Mutant Year Zero Road To Eden creators The Bearded Ladies and publisher 505 Games, is set for launch on 24 May 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The tactical adventure sees players take on the role of Elvis, a young man abandoned by his mother in the wastelands of America, with only his robot ‘brother’ Diggs for company. Together they must unravel the mystery of the Miasma, a mysterious entity that threatens the last vestiges of humanity and turns all who come in contact with it into barbaric corruptions of their former selves.
Armed with a mysterious glove that can control the ‘Miasma’, Elvis and Diggs will be joined by a fellowship of outlandish characters on their quest as they roam stunningly rendered environments with dangers lurking around every corner. Employ turn-based tactics in intense combat in a real-time world while searching for the truth behind the Miasma… all while Elvis learns the devastating power behind his mysterious Miasma-controlling glove.
A story of chosen family, mutant killers, sweeping post-apocalyptic American landscapes and powergloves, Miasma Chronicles launches digitally RM109. A retail version of the game will also be available from 9 June 2023 in Europe and from 20 June 2023 in North America.


The Best David Cage Moments In Video Game History

Article originally posted on March 2018.
Detroit: Become Human now has a release date, which David Cage and Quantic Dream announced recently. The question is whether they were any f***s given in the first place.
Update: we gave some f***s. Read our Detroit: Become Human review here.
In all seriousness, David Cage and Quantic Dream have entertained us to no end. Whether he’s the guy who tried to sell to us that polygons are emotions, or the guy who knew Ellen Page just because she starred in her game (and then got mad because there was a nude model of her in the game’s code), Cage is an international treasure.
Much like Peter Molyneux, Hideki Kamiya (who recently blocked me on his Twitter feed for praising his series), and Suda 51, Cage is a video game auteur we need in our gaming lives so that we can revel in his madness.
To celebrate Detroit: Become Human’s release date announcement, we look back at the best moments of David Cage and Quantic Dreams’ cinematic tour de forces – is that even a word? Keep in mind that “best” here doesn’t necessarily mean “Oscar-worthy performances”; it just means the ones we remember dear to our hearts whether they were intentionally comical or not.
Okay fine, they were all comical and did not age well, but it’s entertaining and makes for great YouTube timesinks if nothing else.
Omikron: The Nomad’s Soul’s Intro That Pretty Much Sums Up Every David Cage Game Ever

Softcore teasing, action scenes you can never fully control, some message about humanity and the future somewhere, and supernatural bulls***: sometimes these punchlines just write themselves. To be fair, this David Cage production is a lot more “video game”-like than the rest of the games on this list.
Mr. Anderson, We’ve Been Expecting You (Fahrenheit)

When you bill your game as a “paranormal thriller”, this is the last thing we expect.
Guitar Sexy Time (Fahrenheit)

Probably the only reason why Lucas learned how to play the guitar. Just like us back in high school. Keeping it honest, eh Cage?
Carrie On (Beyond: Two Souls)

(via IGN)
Context: Jodie was invited to a party; people were acting like jerks to her. She ends up locked in a closet. Her ghost buddy Aidan helps her out. She asks him to wreak havoc. Not sure how Brian de Palma feels about this though.
Character-Breaking Sexy Time (Heavy Rain)

Madison and Ethan would never hook up given their character traits, flaws, and even their current situation. But then Heavy Rain gives you an option to see them make out and get at it.
Well, if you wanted to see more Madison 3D polygonal boobage, I won’t judge. Those are some damn fine silicones, I must say…
Happy International Women’s Day, everyone!
Press X To Jason (Heavy Rain)
Who could forget this timeless David Cage classic? This is the infamous bit where Ethan goes looking for his son Jason in a mall that has a ton of red balloons randomly placed as red herrings -symbolism!

Normally in film, this would be a very tragic scene with a lot of gravitas and tension if you have the right actor to pull it off. But in a video game setting where the player can spam X to yell out their imaginary son’s name? And each yell sounds even more out-of-place and is obviously ADR filler? And with your main character’s face taking a downhill turn into the uncanny valley? It’s pure comedy gold.
Cheers, David Cage. We need more auteurs like you so that the video game world can be a lot more colourful and unique. Granted, this may not be the serious emotion-filled vision you wanted, but them’s the breaks, eh?
Bonus
If you want a list of David Cage tropes to quote at parties, scroll down below. This is all courtesy of Super Best Friends Play.

If you are a female character you will be white, have dark and/or short to shoulder-length hair, and be pretty vapid and uninteresting.
Weird camera zooms and pans will be used to try and emphasize some sort of tension or dramatic turn of events, but always wind up being unintentionally hilarious, awkward, and uncomfortable.
If you own a giant, cavernous apartment with a confusing layout, there’s no better way to navigate it than with unintuitive and stiff controls.
Your video game protagonist being able to do “realistic” things like pissing or showering. Now, this doesn’t make them more relatable or grounded, as it doesn’t actually expand upon their individual personality or characteristics. David Cage thinks it does though!
There will be a character of Asian descent, and his accent will be racist.
Make sure any illusions to a darker story are presented early on through very heavy-handed “vision” sequences. Instead of these scenes building dread or intrigue naturally, slap the players in the face with your “what a twist” moment.
You have to have a minimum of at least one stripper scene in your games. Because if you don’t then no one will take you seriously as a film director. I mean game director.
Instead of making interesting combat mechanics… don’t.
Since it’s really hard to write compelling scenes that have a certain rhyme or reason, just have your main character equipped with a phone or some type of communication device. That way, story events can just happen out of nowhere with no real justification and build-up.
Always makes sure to show mental health issues in one way and one way only! Anyone with a mental health issue, therefore, MUST be a stammering Frankenstein-like monster!


New PlayStation State Of Play Is Happening This Thursday

A new PlayStation State Of Play is taking place at 6 am GMT+8 on 10 March 2022. According to the PlayStation Blog, the live stream promises “new reveals and eye-catching updates for PS5 and PS4 titles”.
However, there won’t be any updates on PlayStation VR2 titles or hardware in this broadcast. The show will clock in around 20 minutes, with a special focus on highlighting great games coming from Japanese publishers and a few updates from other developers located around the world.
You can catch the broadcast live on TwitchÂ andÂ YouTube. The last State Of Play took place in February 2022, which focused entirely on Gran Turismo 7.


New Trek To Yomi Trailer Showcases Striking Black-And-White Samurai Combat

Devolver Digital has released the latest trailer for its upcoming feudal Japan black-and-white samurai game Trek to Yomi.Â
The new gameplay trailer below shows off a lot of swordplay along with some combat using spears, guns, and cannons. All of this is in an Akira Kurosawa aesthetic and on a 2D plane, mind you. The game’s description states that it relies on players using patience and timing to get through the fights in Trek to Yomi. It even teases some supernatural things going on.
The game’s story is written by Leonard Menchari who made 2D PC throwback game The Eternal Castle, as well as by Alec Meer whom you may know as the co-founder of game news website Rock, Paper, Shotgun and also No Man’s Sky.

Trek to Yomi will be out in Spring 2022 for PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5.


The First Mobile Legends Tournament of 2019 Is In Malaysia

The first Mobile Legends Bang Bang tournament of 2019 is set to take place at The Rift, Mid Valley Megamall in Malaysia on 19 and 20 January 2019. OrganizedÂ by The Magic Rain and VIP Mobile Arena, admission for entry is free and open to everyone of all ages.

The main event is the Mobile Legends Legendary Throne tournament, which will utilize a unique format where participants are not required to have their own teams. Instead, every player will receive new randomized teammates in every round to test their ability to adapt to new playstyles.
The winning team of each round will then join the Leaderboard and qualify for the Grand Finals on Day 2 of the tournament. Online registration is open from now to 3PM on 20 January 2019.Â  However, there will be early qualifiers from now until 13 January 219, giving players an even earlier opportunity of entering the tournament’s Leaderboard.
Besides the main event, there will be other exciting activities for both Mobile Legends players and non-players to participate in. First up is the Streamer Showdown on 19 January 2019, where players can grab the chance to play with famous streamers like Catnipx, MrCocan, Ikuto00, and FanCFreakz.
Additionally, Mobile Legends fans can look forward to catching a match between pro teams Traitor e-Sports and ICON MY on 20 January 2019. Last but not least, everyone else can participate in the Treasure Hunt to win goodies and redeem free passes to The Rift attractions, including many of its VR games and rides.
For the latest updates and details, head on over to the official event Facebook page here.


Animangaki 2021: 5 Reasons You Should Check Out This Online Anime Convention

The pandemic is still lingering in 2021, but that isn’t going to stop Malaysians from getting their anime convention on. With Animangaki 2021 happening later this week & the next few, here are a few reasons why you should check out this year’s iteration online. In no particular order, of course.
#5. Loads of Artists & Merch
There’s a huge number of artists and cosplayers selling their art and pictures online. The marketplace will be open from 6th to 22nd August; that’s quite a long while to get your doujin fix sorted.
Here’s the confirmed list in picture form:

#4. The Magic Rain
Our pals from The Magic Rain have two awesome online events: one’s an ACG Treasure Hunt with cosplayer/TikTok user Pudds. All you need is a QR code scanner and Google Maps on your phone. Then take on Pudd’s challenge by tuning to the stream at 9:15pm on the 6th of August.

The next event is an ACG Feud Game Show featuring Yuki Christy, Papakei, Aqlif, Shockz, Amos, and Aimontea. Pudds will be hosting the game show on the 6th of August, live on Animangaki’s social media channels.
#3. A Pretty Nifty Fighting Game Tournament Series

Our pals from Infinite Carnage are hosting a slew of kick-ass fighting game tournaments on the 21st and 22nd of August. Dubbed as the Infinite Carnage Cage Matches, players will be duking it out in bouts of Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 7, and the 12.3th Touhou Project.
#2. Live Music Performances
While watching a concert offline is nice and all, staying alive during a pandemic is much better. Celebrate life with an online concert featuring anime/animated show music covers and original tunes from Animangaki’s performers.

These include Meelz, Kururu, ALida, Patriots, Ray Mak, Simple Jam, æ¡¿åDrumstick, æœˆå®µâ—‡ã‚¯ãƒ¬ã‚·ã‚§ãƒ³ãƒ† (Luna Crescente), Sol Spectra, Re:TurN-Circus-!, æš–çˆ Stove, Pumpkin Nest Maid CafÃ©, TUKUYOMI, and Windy. Phew!
#1. It’ll Keep Animangaki Going
By helping the Animangaki organizers out and attending this online expo for the slew of days it’s on, you’re doing them a solid and helping them get back on their feet when it’s safe to have offline anime events again. We do need to band together and show these folks our support, even if it’s only for a couple of hours.


TGS 2019: Konami Fails To Impress With New Mobile Castlevania Trailer

I’d like to takeÂ  a moment to offer my condolences to all Castlevania fans out there. You guys should just stick to playing to Bloodstained.
Konami has dropped a new trailer for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the latest entry in the Castlevania series which will be released for iOS and Android devices later this year. Check it out:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSDM4URXHxs&w=560&h=315]
To be honest, the combat does look like it’ll be somewhat enjoyable seeing as how it goes beyond what most mobile games usually offer. Taking into consideration that it’ll also have co-op multiplayer, it does actually seems a bit promising.
There’s also going to be a unique multiplayer mode called Bounty Hunt where you compete against other players to collect as many coins as possible while avoiding traps and other hazards in the map.

Unfortunately, it’s still chained down by all the weaknesses that come with being a mobile game. The visuals look noticeably dull and we have no idea what kind of monetization the game will be employing if it turns out to be a free-to-download title.
Being a Japanese-made mobile game, it’s hard not to anticipate the game being filled with an annoying amount of gacha mechanics that will make it hard for players to actually get the content they want through the main gameplay be it playable characters, weapons, magic skills, and whatever else the game offers.

If it turns out to be one of those premium mobile games you need to buy, that might be even worse because I don’t think many people will actually want to spend money to play Castlevania on their phones. Konami should at least add the game into Apple Arcade’s catalogue so that iOS users will be more inclined to play it.
So yeah, let’s just stick to Bloodstained for now.


The Best Games To Play On The Xbox And PC Game Pass [Update]

So, Xbox Game Pass: it’s a subscription service featuring a ton of games you can play for a monthly fee. Lots and lots of titles.
You’ve heard the news. You’ve seen the reception and numbers. And now it’s available (sort of) in Malaysia. You’ve been considering: Is it worth it, or should I hold back? Will I regret this decision? What if it does not have any games to play?
Is Game Pass worth the hype? It is! But what should you play once you’ve put down money for the monthly subscription fee of RM15/US$15?
Fret not. We at Kakuchopurei are here to not only recommend you the best games to play, but also which subscriptions are best for you which, let’s be honest; sometimes sounds too good to be true. You’ve probably heard of it on social media or from your friends but never had the chance to delve deeper into it.
So today, allow us to run you through a quick crash course of the Xbox Game Pass: it’s a subscription-based service available on the Xbox and PC. Think Game Pass as Microsoft’s response to the PS Plus. Just like Sony’s offering, as long as your subscription is active, you are able to access – download and play a slew of titles in their library ranging from more recent to older ones. Just several times bigger thanks to its robust library.
Today we are listing a good mix of modern, select-picks and certified classics just waiting for you the second you activate your subscription.
Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode is a great way to get everyone on board the shooter if they have an inkling of love for the multiplayer PvP FPS genre. The single-player campaign ain’t half bad too. And it’s all free on Xbox and PC Game Pass!
Forza Horizon 5

The best racing game of 2021, and arguably 2022 that isn’t laden with microtransactions for super-expensive cars and grind-heavy mechanics. Just race all the courses in this game’s version of Mexico, get cars and Forza credits, and also tear the asphalt and grass while you’re driving on -and through- the countryside. Fun stuff, even for non-racing fans who just want the feeling of driving a fast car or off-road vehicle and faff about.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

One of 2021’s best action adventure game featuring a Marvel Comics/MCU property is kind of like Mass Effect, but made by the folks behind the new Deus Ex games. It’s not as deep, but it’s a fun ride and is much closer in spirit with the GotG comics than the movie ever will be.
Tunic

This Legend of Zelda homage with Dark Souls-like combat and difficulty hits all the right notes for fans of both genres. It’s cute, it’s 8 to 10+ hours if you want to uncover all its mysteries, and it’s challenging without being too unfair with its puzzles and combat. A breakthrough 2022 indie hit if you need a less taxing ordeal than Elden Ring.
Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Speaking of challenging games, these two search action 2D titles will test your platforming skills. They not only come with lovely aesthetics and a rich Gareth Coker soundtrack, but they come with ball-busting action that’s tough but fair.
Outriders
It is very rare to see a triple-A level game being included in a subscription service right at launch, yet here we are. Developed by the folks who previously worked on Gears and Bulletstorm, Outriders exemplifies what can be achieved if a studio doubled down on their core strengths, while also incorporating all the cool elements from games preceding it. The game’s major update a few months back changes up the game for the better, from the endgame to even the servers. So now’s a good time as any to jump in.
Check out our review of the game here & our guides.

Gears 5: GotY Edition
A great third-person shooter that epitomizes everything one would expect from Xbox’s next-gen machine. Superb sights and sounds all around, the GotY edition also comes with the Hivebusters expansion campaign which does not disappoint. If you’re looking for a game to instantly kill off any buyer’s remorse – or even to convince a friend that a next-gen Microsoft console is the way to go, then you cannot go wrong with Gears 5: GotY.

Otherwise, you can always revisit the classics from your Xbox 360 days, from where it all started.
All the Yakuza Games
Sega’s action adventure titles featuring gangsters with hearts of gold, oodles of side quests with ridiculous scenarios, drama and plot twists that rival all the Japanese and Korean dramas you’ve seen or heard about, and shirtless duels between tattooed muscled men.
These games are brilliant, they’re bonkers, and they somewhat satiate anyone’s longing and wanderlust for Japan. Not only are you able to delve into the grim yet intriguing world of underground Japan – you get all the games in the whole franchise. Save for the most recent title, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, you’re essentially getting the whole enchilada.

Bethesda Games
It’s getting ridiculous at this point, isn’t it? Anyway, there are a ton of Bethesda open world and action games worth checking out, from the Doom reboot to both Dishonored games and its DLC. Heck, even Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Fallout New Vegas (the best of the bunch) are all free to play on Xbox and PC Game Pass thanks to Microsoft buying Bethesda for an effton of money.

2021 Versions of Your Annual Releases
For those who aren’t fans of yearly iterations of the same games as they are essentially roster updates – we have great news. Microsoft have added in 2021 versions of a number of sports titles which should tickle your fancy. In a case of a bit of something for everyone, baseball also joins in on the fray later this month with MLB The Show joining the cast at launch.
Together with EA Play attached onto Xbox and PC Game Pass, you can now check out the FIFA titles you want.

THESE Classics and Must-Haves
As if the ones listed above aren’t enough, here are more titles that should send you reaching out for your wallet. All the Halo games? Check, and also Halo Infinite to boot. Titanfall and Titanfall 2? Check. Grand Theft Auto 5 and its online counterpart? Check.

At the cost of US$14.99/month (RM15 per month) with the first month being only US$1, the total annual cost of ~US$166 would definitely knock you off your seat moreover once you convert it to say, Malaysian Ringgit which is about RM685.00.
That’s at least three full-fledged AAA titles! But once you consider the number of games you are able to access plus many more recently released games – suddenly everything looks like a steal, doesn’t it?
Recently, they’ve also expanded their realms to PC, with over 100 titles being made available as well. Set to shake the PC gaming market to the core, you can give it a try by downloading the PC launcher here. Oh yes. It’s readily available for anyone already on the Ultimate plan for their Xbox.

Who said there are no games on the Xbox? Play is indeed limitless.


Diablo IV Is Going Back To Its Dark Roots [Update]

It’s official: Diablo IV is real after much leaking and speculation. And a demo is playable at BlizzCon 2019.
So what’s new in this action RPG? Well, not much save for a grittier and darker art style and tone, but really, what needs changing? Diablo IV’s main themes are “darkness”, “world”, and “legacy”. The game will retain its gore and dark themes from parts 1 and 2; the game’s reveal trailer where a band of thieves unwittingly become blood sacrifices to resurrect new baddie Lilith (via Rathma her son, I think?).

The core action RPG gameplay will be a hybrid of Diablo II and Diablo III. Basically dark cathedrals and dungeons, and randomized levels; old-school all the way but with D3 quality of life updates and a non-linear open-world -a first in the series.
So far, three classes have been announced: the Barbarian, Sorceress, and Druid. The Barbarian hits things hard and can switch between four different weapons rapidly, the Sorceress casts loads of awesome spells from part 2, and the Druid can shapeshift into a kickass bear for maximum damage. The trio will have customizable talent trees and skills, a deep loot system, runes & runewords, and personalized mounts for traversing the open world.
And the gameplay Blizzard showed off looks pretty wicked and on par in being a current-gen isometric action RPG. Lots of combat and skills/spells to cast, and demons great and small to test them on. Diablo IV will also provide opportunities for groups of players to encounter each other in the same shared world.

Yeah, about that “shared world” bit: Diablo IV will not have an offline mode and will require an internet connection to play. According to a PC Gamer interview with the game’s lead designer Joe Shely, he said that the best way to flesh out and make sense of the game’s open-world is via keeping the game online on servers.

“There’s a large, seamless, connected, and shared space in the world, going down into dungeons, being able to group with your friends, trading and PvP. We feel that the best way to experience that is in a world that is online.”

So basically Diablo IV is shaping up to be an MMO-type kinda game. You can still play solo, but not offline. Guess some things from Diablo III needed to be kept intact, even a potential Error 37 repeat on part 4’s launch day.
It’ll be out for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. No Switch version though. Diablo IV has no release date as of yet, but really, that’s standard for Blizzard these days when they announce new games. Oh, and it’ll be sold as a base game and expansions model; no microtransactions nonsense here.
Stay tuned to Kakuchopurei for more details on Diablo IV;Â you’ll get to fight this guy below in the demo at BlizzCon 2019.


These New PS4 Dual Packs Offer Two Games For The Price Of One

Sony Interactive Entertainment Hong Kong Limited Singapore Branch (SIES) has announced that two new PS4 Dual Packs will become available for sale starting from 17 January 2019. Each of these Dual Packs offers two games for the price of one.
The PS4 Masterpiece Pack offers two excellent games from 2018, including Sony Santa Monica’s God of War and Quantic Dream’s Detroit: Become Human, for a retail price of only RM209.

Meanwhile, the PS4 â€œSEN NO KISEKIâ€ Entry Pack offers the traditional Chinese/Korean version of the first two titles in THE LEGEND OF HEROES: SEN NO KISEKI JRPG franchise, including Thors Military Academy 1204 and The Erebonian Civil War, for a retail price of only RM169.

In other related news, PlayStation Asia also released a new God of War PS4 Pro bundle earlier this month. Check out the list of PlayStation Authorized Dealers, Sony Stores, and Sony Centres in Malaysia over at this link to locate the nearest branch.


Arkanoid Eternal Battle Trailer Unveils New Battle Royale Mode

Microids has announced the details of Arkanoid Eternal Battleâ€˜s unique cross-play Battle Royale mode in a new trailer, as well as the content for the gameâ€™s Limited Edition package. Developed by talented studio Pastagames, Arkanoid Eternal Battle invites players to discover or rediscover the iconic block breaker in a fully modernized and revamped version where you can compete online with up to 25 players in the Eternal Battle mode.
A playable demo of the gameâ€™s Battle Royale mode is available now on Steam. Speaking of retail versions, players who feel deep nostalgia for the arcades of the â€˜80s and â€˜90s can now check out the content of the cool retro-looking Limited Edition package, which is already available for pre-order.
The Limited Edition includes:

The full game for PS5, PS4 or Nintendo Switch
A 3D lenticular
A 16-page instructions booklet
The original soundtrack (digital format)
A sheet of stickers
Exclusive in-game bonuses

Additionally, players who pre-order the retail version at participating retailers will get theÂ Space Scout Pack, a set of exclusive digital bonuses including a dedicated in-game Arkanoid background and a series of frame layouts.

In the Eternal Battle mode, 25 players must compete in a scoring race where the winner is the very last one standing. Players have infinite lives, but losing the energy ball decreases your score by 10%, and players with the lowest score will be eliminated at regular intervals. You can save yourself from elimination by taking advantage of a signature Arkanoid feature: special powers. You will be granted access to an assortment of abilities, depending on your position in the race.
When only 4 players are left, the Eternal Battle enters its final stage. Your opponent becomes none other than DOH himself. Hit him as many times as you can to score some juicy extra points. Every 45 seconds, DOH will get rid of the player with the lowest score. The player with the highest score at the end of this phase faces DOH alone. If you manage to defeat him, youâ€™ll win the game.
Arkanoid Eternal Battle will launch on 27 October 2022 on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One consoles, Xbox Series X/S and PC. In North America, the retail versions will be available on 8 November 2022.


Final Fantasy VII Remake’s Timed Exclusivity Ends In April 2021

PlayStation 4 gamers can look forward to playing Square Enix’s upcoming Final Fantasy VII Remake action RPG title later this 10th April. As for other platform users and PC gamers looking forward to a port of the game, you may have to wait a tad longer.
According to an updated box art on the Square Enix website (via Twinfinite), the remake’s timed exclusivity to the PlayStation will end in April 2021. Just like with most Epic Games exclusives, it now has a time limit of one year after its release date.
This basically means that Square Enix may release a PC version of the game (or maybe a Switch or Xbox Series X version as well?) though it won’t be out exactly after the 10th of April next year. Just remember: Final Fantasy XV took a year-and-a-half before it got the ultimate Windows port.
So are you one of those guys with a stern iron will to wait that long for a PC version? I know I’m not: I’m getting the game as soon as it’s out on shelves. Anyway, here’s a trailer to remind you of all the cool stuff that’s happening in the game like a fully-rendered Red XIII and Cloud in drag.Â


A Blade Runner Remaster Is Coming

The 1997 Blade Runner point-and-click adventure game is getting a remaster for current-gen consoles and PC (via Steam). Nightdive Studios, which restored games like System Shock and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, is teaming up with film production company Alcon Entertainment for this endeavour.
As originally reported by Hollywood Reporter, the Blade Runner: Enhanced EditionÂ will be restored using Nightdive’s KEX engine, which was also used for System Shock and Turok. Updated visuals and widescreen resolutions aside, there will also be keyboard and controller customization, among other features. The original translations for languages like German, French, and Chinese will be maintained too.
Nightdive’s head of business development Larry Kuperman told Hollywood Reporter that because the original source code was lost, the studio “painstakingly reverse-engineered the code, importing it into our own KEX engine, a powerful tool that allows us to do console ports of classic titles, even in the face of quite challenging situations”.
While the graphics will be updated, Nightdive will keep Westwood’s original vision intact. “Blade Runner is still a jaw-dropping achievement on every level, so while weâ€™re using KEX to upgrade the graphics and respectfully elevate the gaming experience in a way youâ€™ve never seen before, weâ€™re still preserving Westwoodâ€™s vision and gameplay in all its glory,â€ said Nightdive CEO Stephen Kick.
The original version of the game can be found on GOG for $9.99 (RM42.76). You play as detective Ray McCoy, who is on the hunt for rogue androids and uses something called ESPER to identify replicants. The story is non-linear and features cast members from the original film, like Sean Young and James Hong.

Adventure games are one of the many genres I’m not really into, but Blade Runner certainly has a nice sense of style and atmosphere. I’m looking forward to seeing how Nightdive remasters the experience.
In the meantime, you can hear a sample of the Blade Runner game OST below.


The Dead Space Remake Has An Alternate Ending Based On Leaked Trophies

A list of trophies on achievement site Exophase states that the upcoming Dead Space remake may have more than one ending.
We won’t mention the trophy name since it’s spoiler material, but we can list the description: “See the alternative ending on any difficulty mode”. Another trophy indicates that Dead Space has a New Game Plus mode, which means there’s a bit more replayability in the remake.
To recap, the original Dead Space in 2008 only had one ending, confirming that the remake may allegedly have extra story content that isn’t seen anywhere else. We have no idea how the new ending will be unlocked. At least until the game’s release date on 27 January.
The Dead Space remake will be out for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5.


Deathloop DLC Teased By Voice Actor

One of the voice actors for the game Deathloop, Jason Kelley, hinted in an interview with Streamily.com that there may be a DLC or a sequel in the works for the game.
During the interview, Kelley was asked about the codenames used during the recording process for Deathloop, and Kelley mentioned that he might be returning for additional content for the game. Ozioma Akagha, who played the character Julianna in the game, was also present for the interview.
“I can’t say because they’re still sometimes hiring us under the codenames,” after making this statement, he appeared shocked, suggesting that he may have accidentally disclosed something he was not supposed to reveal.

Ozioma Akagha, the voice actor who played Julianna in Deathloop, mentioned that she has a reputation similar to Tom Holland, who is synonymous with accidentally disclosing information about the movies he has appeared in.
“I am Tom Holland at everything. They didn’t tell me anything because I don’t know how to shut up,” she said after Kelley’s slip.
It is possible that the hint of a DLC or sequel for Deathloop was simply an accidental slip of the tongue by one of the voice actors. However, until there is an official announcement from Arkane Lyon, the company behind the development of Deathloop, it is best not to get too excited about the possibility of additional content for the game.
Deathloop is a first-person shooter video game that was developed by Arkane Lyon, the same studio responsible for creating Dishonored and Dishonored 2. Prior to Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft, the game was promoted as a PlayStation 5 exclusive.