Check Out This Award-Winning, Hilarious and Meta World of Warships Ad

Every year YouTube holds its Ad of the Year Contest, and in this year’s â€œAd that Frees Your Inner Gamerâ€ category, World of Warships has won first place despite going up against other ads for popular games like Fortnite and League of Legends.
The World of Warships ad won the award probably thanks to its tongue-in-cheek nature, going full-on meta. Running at only 43 seconds in duration, the narrator must have had the best time of his life with the ad, asking viewers “why the hell they haven’t played” the free-to-playÂ Wargaming naval multiplayer online game.
Want to avenge the Titanic? The game lets you shoot an iceberg. The award-winning ad features a hilarious Yamato running gag, and also literally tells you what the game’s core gameplay is like (shooting ships and most of the time, missing and hitting the water instead).
“World of Warships is often dominantly perceived through its strategic and historical angle,â€ said World of Warships Product Marketing Director Yan Emanov. â€œWhile we are proud of these aspects, our game offers much more to players. Therefore, with this video, we wanted to put more emphasis on its fun and entertaining side.â€
Check out the â€œYou Havenâ€™t Played World of Warships Yet?!â€ ad below to see what the fuss is all about.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nFlVPmzA9I&w=560&h=315]


Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup Returns In 2021

Mobile Legends: Southeast Asia Cup is making a huge comeback in 2021 that will feature in-game activities, mini-events, and #MLBB stars.
Twelve teams from Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, and more) will be competing for a prize pool of US$150,000.
Fans can expect to see old or retired Mobile Legends: Bang Bang players making a legendary comeback exclusively for MSC as special guests. Players can look forward to time-limited skins that will be available from 29 May to 13 June 2021 through MSC in-game activities and the â€œDoubleÂ  Event.â€

This will be the first time that the regional tournament is presented online, in view of coronavirusÂ developments and player safety. The website will also feature diverse activities and initiatives for fans to participate in.
Moonton Games MSC Head Han Ziwei said:
“We are excited to bring MSC back this year to reunite Southeast Asian fans and support theirÂ  national teams with pride.
We will continueÂ  to work closely with our partners to bring exhilarating experiences to our community and reenactÂ  certain activities offline.â€Â
Moonton is working closely with local esports associations and teams to ensure that the players will have a safe setup and venue to compete for the tournament. All measures are compliant with local government policies.
In the meantime, you can alsoÂ head on over hereÂ for the full schedule and teams for the currently-ongoing Mobile Legends MPL Malaysia Season 7.


Nintendo Direct June 2023: All The Games & Announcements

The Nintendo Direct June 2023 live stream took place earlier today and it was full of game announcements. The biggest reveals included a bunch of Mario games (Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, etc.), a release date for the Nintendo Switch Detective Pikachu game (finally!), and loads more.
Check out all the games and our full coverage below:

DETECTIVE PIKACHU RETURNS THIS OCTOBER

A SUPER MARIO RPG REMAKE LAUNCHES THIS NOVEMBER

SILENT HOPE IS AN UPCOMING ROGUELITE SLATED FOR OCTOBER

A NEW PRINCESS PEACH GAME & AN UPDATED LUIGI’S MANSION DARK MOON ARE COMING IN 2024

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS THE DARK PRINCE DROPS ON SWITCH THIS DECEMBER

PENNY’S BIG BREAKAWAY FEATURES YOYOS & 3D PLATFORMING; OUT EARLY 2024

STAR OCEAN: THE SECOND STORY GETS A REMAKE; OUT THIS NOVEMBER

NINTENDO ANNOUNCES NEW 2D MARIO GAME, SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER

METAL GEAR SOLID MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 1 DEPLOYS THIS OCTOBER

MYTHFORCE IS A NEW FIRST-PERSON ROGUELIKE GAME WITH SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON VISUALS

THE BATMAN ARKHAM TRILOGY COMES TO SWITCH THIS FALL

PIKMIN 4 DEMO RELEASES ON SWITCH NEXT WEEK

HEADBANGERS RHYTHM ROYALE IS A NEW SWITCH PARTY GAME WITH MUSIC-BASED MINIGAMES


The New Guilty Gear Will Be Playable At This Year’s JAEPO

The Japan Amusement Expo (JAEPO) is always a blast to visit and check out during the weekend if you happen to be in Japan and love video games and arcade culture. Here’s one more reason to queue up and check it out: Guilty Gear – Strive arcade cabinets.
That’s right: the latest Guilty Gear game, the one that isn’t out yet and is getting a ton of controversy for its simplification & “streamlining”, is playable at JAEPO 2020. The expo will be at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Tokyo, on 7th-8th February. The six playable characters in this build are Sol, Ky, May, Axl, Chipp, and Potemkin.
Speaking of controversy, a huge number of pros and fighting game enthusiasts are concerned over the game’s current changes. I’m not well-versed with Guilty Gear‘s ever-changing mechanics, but I do know that allegedly turning your fighting game into an esports-savvy spectacle is not going to do you any favours. Especially if it’s a game series in need of more new blood.

???????????????????????????????#GuiltyGear #GuiltyGearStrive #GGST pic.twitter.com/ZGpDKCsZ6g
— ??@????…? (@sena_kazuma) January 24, 2020

One cool thing about the new airdash is that the startup of the airdash seems to be entirely in that hangtime pause. You can see multiple times here that May just rockets forward with jH immediately AS she advances which isn't possible in pre-Strive https://t.co/LegwlLkxKJ
— Bears (@AMurderOfBears) January 24, 2020

Still, there’s ample time for Arc System Works to correct their course of action. The game is scheduled for Fall 2020 on PS4.
The last time we were at JAEPO, we interviewed pros like Tokido and Fudo in the midst of a special JESU-sanctioned Asia vs Japan tournament. Check it out below.


This Mandalorian Gets Her Own Hot Toys Figure

Several Mandalorians have already gotten their own Hot Toys figures, but now it’s finally Koska Reeves’ turn. As a member of the Nite Owls, Koska Reeves is a fierce Mandalorian who fights alongside the legendary Bo-Katan Kryze in her pursuit to reclaim Mandalore.
During their journey, the Nite Owls cross paths with Din Djarin and assist him in saving the mysterious alien foundling Grogu. Hot Toys has announced the new 1/6th scale Koska Reeves collectible figure.
The Koska Reeves collectible figure features newly developed head sculpt with great likeness and detailed hair sculpture, Mandalorian helmet and armor with weathering effects, skillfully tailored under-suit, a jetpack with booster fire effects, a blaster rifle, a blaster pistol, a wired grappling hook, a flamethrower effect, a themed display stand and backdrop.
Check it out below:


The Top 50 NPCs In Video Games History

You have seen the Free Guy trailer starring Ryan Reynolds, right? Itâ€™s essentially about an NPC who gets free will and becomes a hero to combat all the bad guys populating the open-world game heâ€™s stuck in, possibly programmed by Taika Waititiâ€™s character.

Itâ€™s pretty awesome that weâ€™ve come so far to have a movie celebrating the concept of an NPC in video games. And the fact that someone greenlit this idea in the first place; mainstreaming for the win!
In lieu of an upcoming summer movie that brings up NPCs and because it’s so close to the end of 2019, we shall pay tribute by showcasing our favourite and memorable NPCs in video game history. Whether theyâ€™re just standing around waiting for you to talk to them, or theyâ€™re tagalongs for escort missions, these are our favourite supporting casts and extras. The side characters, if you will.
Why top 50? Because thereâ€™s too many of them that we canâ€™t just relegate it to just 10 or 20. If you readers love what we have here and need another 50, weâ€™ll do that for you in the near future. Just holler.
#1. Claptrap – Borderlands series

The ever-trusty gate opener and comic relief bot of Pandora, ready to be at your side whenever possible.Â
For the purists: weâ€™re counting BL1, BL2, and BL3 Claptrap, not Pre-sequel Claptrap as heâ€™s a different model.Â
#2. Marcus – Borderlands series

He sells you guns and ammo, and is rather adamant towards capitalism and all. A gunrunner we can truly get behind, even if he sells for the opposing team.Â
#3. Mr Torgue High-Five Flexington – Borderlands series

The best thing to come out from the Campaign of Carnage expansion. Heâ€™s just a laugh riot to listen to.Â
#4. Scooter – Borderlands series

â€œCATCH-A-RIDDDEEEEEE!!!!â€ â€œThis hereâ€™s where cars live.â€ â€œLetâ€™s get you one.â€
See you, space cowboy. You were still taken from us too soon.
#5. Samuel Beechworth – Dishonored

Heâ€™ll help you figure out if youâ€™re taking the good or bad path of Dishonored. Whether he helps you and realigns your moral compass, or backstabs you in the last mission is entirely up to your temperament.Â
#6. Cortana – Halo series

Your friendly neighbourhood half-naked AI that helps out your Spartan warrior to fight the Covenant and all those other extra bad guys. She’s known for making quips during battle, being prophetic about things in the game’s lore, and also act as a male gaze for the Halo fanbase.Â
#7. Roy Campbell – Metal Gear series

Your straight-laced handler in most of Metal Gear. He’s made all the funnier when he reads out blatant PlayStation and Nintendo cross-over nonsense with a straight voice.
#8. Hal Emmerich – Metal Gear series

Câ€™mon, how can you not put this trivia-filled smartass otaku on this list? Sure, he does pee on the spot when confronted by armed killers, but wouldnâ€™t you?
Plus, his relationship with Solid Snake (heterosexual, we must stress) and his adopted daughter Sunny is probably the only reason you stuck around for Metal Gear Solid 4â€™s cutscenes and story bombs.Â
Pity his dad is quite a douche.Â
#9. Professor E.Gad, Luigiâ€™s Mansion series

The doctor with the gadgets and the tools to help Luigi bust ghosts. And making him feel good in the process too. You won’t get far in Luigi’s Mansion without his help.Â
#10. Deadman, Death Stranding

Weâ€™re only putting him here because itâ€™s Guillermo del Toro in a video game, talking exposition about the weird-ass-yet-pretty world of Death Stranding. And also one of our pals from Aksiz did a pretty cool cosplay on the Hideo Kojima-created NPC.Â
NEXT


The Top 10 Disney Villains Of All Time

Maleficent will be the first classic Disney villain to receive not one, but two live-action movies featuring the iconic antagonist as the main character (albeit in a more sympathetic light). She first appeared in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty back in 1959 but remains one of the best Disney villains even 60 years later.
In commemoration of the upcomingÂ Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil, I’m listing down the top ten best Disney villains of all-time (including both animated and live-action properties, but excluding anything from Pixar).
10. Captain Hook – Peter Pan (1953)

When you think about it, there’s not much to fear about an over-the-top villain who can’t even defeat a bunch of kids in furry costumes on a relatively small island. While he does come close to killing Peter Pan and those pesky Lost Boys on several occasions, it usually ends in comical situations that send him running back to his ship.

His flamboyant nature, fear of the crocodile that ate his left hand, and his bumbling interactions with his right-hand Smee all make him a memorable villain.

Even after multiple live-action versions (from Dustin Hoffman’s Hook in 1991 and Garret Hedlund’s younger Hook in 2015’s Pan), the Disney version remains the most iconic.
9. Mother Gothel – Tangled (2010)

One of the newer Disney movie villains to be featured on this list, Mother Gothel is nefarious for the same reasons that abusive parents are in the real world. She pretended to love Rapunzel, when in fact she was simply using her hair’s magical qualities to stay unnaturally young.
Her acts are not downright evil, but she manipulates Rapunzel emotionally, guilt-tripping her in order to force Rapunzel to stay in the tower.

Her musical number “Mother Knows Best” perfectly encapsulates this, claiming that whatever she tells Rapunzel to do is in her best interests when it’s just meant to be repressive and mentally-abusing.

8. Queen Of Hearts – Alice In Wonderland (1951)

The Queen Of Hearts can best be described as the animated equivalent of Prince Joffrey from Game Of Thrones. Both are royal brats who are prone to impulsive temper tantrums and anyone who sparks their ire will immediately bear the consequences, however irrational or seemingly mundane the reason is.
The imagery of her face turning red and screaming the iconic line “Off with their heads!” and her wild unpredictable behaviour makes for a great villain or fodder to the adventurous and well-meaning protagonist, Alice.
7. Davy Jones – Pirates Of The Caribbean (2006, 2007)

The only live-action Disney villain on this list, Bill Nighy’s performance as the captain of the Flying Dutchman and scourge of pirates and seamen alike, Davy Jones, was memorable and part of what made both the second and third Pirates Of The Caribbean actually watchable.

Without him, it would’ve just been the bumbling and idiotic Jack Sparrow filling up the screentime. That’s not even mentioning the great CGI and motion-capture wizardry that went into bringing Davy Jones to life, winning the Academy Award for Visual Effects in 2006.

Nighy delivered lines with evil panache, evoking the seriousness of an old-timey villain with a twirly moustache. His trademark and most quotable line remain the iconic delivery of the phrase “Do you fear death? and variations thereof.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLelxlmkMrQ&w=560&h=315]
6. Hades – Hercules (1997)

The Greek god of the underworld, Hades, is often depicted to be the very definition of evil, from the way he looks and acts.

However, James Wood portrayed him to be more charismatic and sassy in a sleazy way, much like Hollywood agents or car salesmen are, which is refreshing compared to other outright evil Disney villains.

He often makes sarcastic and witty remarks, making for a fun and entertaining villain who we all love to hate. His manic energy makes him the highlight of every scene he’s in, especially when he’s interacting with the naive and straight-as-an-arrow protagonist, Hercules.
5. Ursula – The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ursula is a manipulative she-devil, tricking Ariel into a one-sided contract (causing her to lose her voice) and later using said stolen voice to convince Prince Eric that she’s the one who saved her, thereby making sure that Ariel can never fulfil the contract’s condition of getting a true love’s kiss from him.

Her collection of ‘poor unfortunate souls’ was enough to show how much of a depraved master manipulator Ursula truly is.

She craves for power and turning into a giant at the end of The Little Mermaid was just a taste of what she would do with absolute power, which fortunately was cut short by Prince Eric impaling her with an entire ship.
4. Scar – Lion King (1994)

Scar traumatised the childhoods of many innocent kids, when he killed Simba’s father, Mufasa, by sending him to a violent death by Wildebeest stampede. He was one of the few villains who actually won, taking over the Pride Lands for many years before an adult Simba would eventually liberate it.
Scar’s evilicious “Be Prepared” also remains one of the best villainous musical numbers, thanks to Jeremy Irons’ charm-oozing performance. Ultimately, Scar is memorable because he isn’t overtly evil or petty like other Disney villains, but is instead just willing to do anything to achieve his lofty ambitions.
3. Queen Grimhilde – Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Everyone knows her simply as the Evil Queen from Snow White, and that’s an apt description, considering that she’s the very first Disney villain (well, not if you count Mickey’s nemesis, Pete, from 1928’s Steamboat Willie).

Queen Grimhilde’s motivation for wanting Snow White dead is essentially petty jealousy. That’s all there is to it, which is terrifying because it happens in the real world too.

There’s a reason why envy is one of the seven deadly sins, and the Evil Queen is proof of that. The poisoned apple is so iconic that the term is now used to refer to anyone who has great looks but a rotten personality.
2. Maleficent – Sleeping Beauty (1959)

As a kid, I felt terrified during the iconic scene when Maleficent interrupts the party at the castle and curses Princess Aurora to deathly slumber by finger-prickling. I think it was the way her remorseless and unfeeling voice narrated the curse that scared me the most.

Cursing/harming an innocent baby is one of the evilest acts imaginable, and if Maleficent is capable of that, what else can she do? She exudes pure evil in a way that not many other Disney villains do.

Oh, and she can also turn into a menacing fire-breathing dragon.
It’s not surprising that Square Enix ultimately chose her to be the number one Disney villain in the Kingdom Hearts franchise.
1. Claude Frollo – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

There are many reasons why Frollo is on top of this list. Despite perhaps not being as popular as the other villains, he’s the only one to have made me truly uncomfortable, even as a child. So much so, that I never rewatched The Hunchback of Notre Dame ever since.

Frollo is the darkest and most sinister Disney villain, because of how close to reality he is. We’ve seen evil men like him in the real world, religious holier-than-thou zealots who not only believe that his beliefs make him superior to everyone else, but that he commits these nefarious acts in the name of religion.
It’s only fitting that he is voiced by the late-but-great Tony Jay.Â The actor hasÂ  played iconic villain roles -the Elder God in the Legacy of Kain series chief among many- but his portrayal of Judge Frollo is truly the height of his prestigious career.

As an aside, it was only when I got older that I realised how twisted Frollo really is. He despises the French gipsy population that he wants to actively exterminate them, but still lusts after the female gipsy character, Esmeralda. Just listen to Frollo’s not-so-subtle musical number, “Hellfire (which I didn’t truly comprehend as a kid)”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkGb6DlbcD0&w=560&h=315]


Malaysian Cinemas Will Let You Play Games On The Big Screen

It looks like the lack of movies are having a more dire impact on local cinemas than we thought. Malaysian cinemas are now offering their cinema halls for the experience of playing your games on the big screens.
That’s right, you no longer have to be a millionaire and have a personal cinema at your house. You can simply book a hall at either GSC or TGV cinemas.
TGV Cinemas is offering three different packages. The base Master package gives you three hours for RM180, while the Epic package offers three hours of usage and five regular popcorn combos for RM230. The most expensive is the Legend Package at RM280, which gives you four hours and a choice of five regular popcorn or hot food combos.
However, they will only accept any console that uses HDMI, with the exception of PCs or laptops. To book, you can email TGV at sales@tgv.com.my. You have to book one week in advance and those who book a hall will stand a chance to win a PS4 console.
TGVâ€™s cinema bookings will be available at all TGV locations until 30 November 2020, except for certain locations due to the CMCO.

https://www.facebook.com/TGVCinemas/posts/3970899989605042

On the other hand, GSC cinemas offer two different packages. The first costs RM188 for three hours. The second more expensive package offers three hours with food and drinks at RM250, alongside an addition RM200 voucher that’s valid from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.
You have to book 14 days in advance, and the GSC cinema bookings are only available at GSC Queensbay Mall, GSC Ipoh Parade, GSC Paradigm Mall JB and GSC AEON Bandaraya Melaka. To book, you can email marketing@gsc.com.my.

https://www.facebook.com/GSCinemas/posts/10159403461682275


Here Are Call of Duty: WWII System Requirements on PC

We are just days away from Call of Duty: WWII and preloading is now available on Steam. Along with that, developers Sledgehammer Games has released the finalized system requirements for our PC gamer friends out there. Do you think your rig can hack it? Let’s find out.
Minimum:

OS:Â Windows 7 64-Bit or later
CPU:Â CPU: Intel Core i3 3225 3.3 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1400
RAM:Â 8GB RAM
HDD:Â 90GB HD space
Video:Â Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 @ 2 GB / GTX 1050 or ATI Radeon HD 7850 @ 2GB / AMD RX 550
DirectX:Â Version 11.0 compatible video card or equivalent
Network:Â Broadband Internet connection
Sound Card:Â DirectX Compatible

Recommended:

CPU:Â Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X
RAM:Â 12GB RAM
HDD:Â 90GB HD space
Video:Â Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / GTX 1060 @ 6GB or AMD Radeon R9 390 / AMD RX 580
DirectX:Â Version 11.0 compatible video card or equivalent
Network:Â Broadband Internet connection
Sound Card:Â DirectX Compatible

They also added thatÂ multi-monitor and HDR support will be in place at launch andÂ that aim assist, which was not enabled in the beta, will remain disabled in the full version of the game.Â “As we mentioned during the Beta, we believe this will further ensure an optimal gameplay experience natively for PC players,” Sledgehammer clarified.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dvJxuBgoIc&w=560&h=315]
Call of Duty: WW2 will be released onÂ 3 November 2017Â for PS4, Xbox One and PC (via Steam).


New Cyberpunk 2077 Trailer Showcases The Action In Night City

During the first Cyberpunk 2077 Night City Wire live stream presentation, CD Projekt Red unveiled a trailer with brand new gameplay footage. According to the developers, this new trailer features only footage from the first few quests in the game’s ‘prologue’. The game looks amazing and the hype is only increasing at this point.
The trailer highlights the seedy underbelly of Night City and introduces Jackie (one of the player’s companions in the game), the mysterious Arasaka corporation, and more of the blazing first-person shooting combat.

What’s interesting is that the game will also be playable on the PS5 and Xbox Series X when they launch this holiday 2020. At a later unspecified date, a free upgrade will come to Cyberpunk 2077 will take full advantage of next-gen hardware. Those who already own the game on PS4 and Xbox One will be able to upgrade their games to next-gen for free.
In other related news, a Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime was also announced alongside the new trailer. In the meantime, check out the new trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixl31324UxE&w=560&h=315]


Capcom’s Resident Evil Lead & Bandai Namco’s Tekken Boss Talk About PS5 Stuff

According to a recent interview on Japan’s Weekly Famitsu (via Twinfinite), Capcom’s Head of Consumer Games Developer Division 1/Resident Evil lead Jun Takeuchi and Bandai Namco’s newly-appointed General Manager (and still Tekken boss) Katsuhiro Harada was asked to give their thoughts about PlayStation’s next-generation console.
These range from their expectations as developers and producers, and ideas generated by what most of us know of the PS5. The interview starts off with Takeuchi mentioning these points:

He feels that Sony is serious about improving the user experience with the PS5.
The shorter load times offered by the system’s high-bandwidth SSD and its efficient use of memory will contribute to reducing the time users spend waiting for their games to load.
Action games will especially be improved thanks to processing and storage speeds. He wishes to make new content that can take advantage of that performance.
He would also like to push the virtual reality technology in Resident Evil 7 one step further into more realistic experiences.

The other half of the interview then focuses on Harada’s input.

As a hardcore PC gamer, he guessed that the console would have a fast custom-made SSD that would also be cost-efficient, with bandwidth wider than a PC.
The console’s solid-state storage and cache will be reminiscent of the arcade board era of the 80s and 90s where game data was light and chips were based on ROM and RAM.
Harada’s main focus regarding the PS5 is on development efficiency. He said that it’s possible to save time while creating background data and other baked data via ray-tracing.
He also sees 3D audio as a welcome element for a home console in order to enrich the experience and the immersion. He would personally like to make use of the feature for people with visual handicaps with functions that enhance the perception of the interface and gameplay.
As a gamer, he wishes for a sharp gameplay experience with hardware that users can install in their own room.Â
He also wishes VR tech would be more user-friendly. It’s not just about specs but about convenience and fast frame rates.

Are you excited for the next PlayStation console like these heads and developers are? Let us know.


Ultraman & Japanese Spider-Man Writer Shozo Uehara Dies

Screenwriter Shozo Uehara has passed away on 2 January 2020 at the age of 82 due to liver cancer. He was best known for writing tokusatsu series like Ultraman and the iconic 1978 Japanese Spider-Man show.
Uehara was born in Okinawa in 1937. He joined Tsuburaya Productions in Tokyo, and later Toei Productions. His death was made public after his funeral (via Yahoo Japan). Uehara’s passing is a loss for tokusatsu fans and the industry as a whole.
Check out the highlights and best parts of the Japanese Spider-Man below as we remember the late legend.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYIRZoyavw&w=560&h=315]


These Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Shoes Will Help You Defeat The Dragon Lord

Gearbox Loot and Gearbox Software have announced the Akedo Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Black Signature Top shoes. It’s priced at US$67.99, or roughly RM300+.
It’s a high-top trainer with a 100 percent canvas upper and high-definition printed sides, as well as an Akedo gum sole. The size choices range from UK3 to UK12.
You can head on over to the official website to buy the Akedo Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Black Signature Top now.
Check out the shoe below:

For more on Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, check out our Legendary Weapons guide for the game which will be updated with guns from the Molten Mirrors DLC, as well as our class tier list.


Monster Hunter World Reaches Monstrous New Sales Milestone

Capcom has announced that Monster Hunter World has reached yet more sales milestones. Monster Hunter World expansion Iceborne sales have exceeded four million units, while sales for the base game alone have already surpassed a whopping 15 million.
That achievement makes Monster Hunter World the best-selling single title in Capcom history (via GamesIndustry.biz). Meanwhile, Devil May Cry V sold a total of 2.1 million units last year, and Resident Evil 2 sold 4.2 million copies. Lifetime sales of the Resident Evil franchise have now surpassed an impressive 91 million.
I have no idea how a game like Monster Hunter World can sell so many copies without a decent plot or narrative, but it’s just not my cup of tea. In the meantime, head on over here for some Monster Hunter-themed glasses. I’m not kidding about that.


Eternals Final Trailer Explains How It Ties To The MCU

Marvel Studios has released the final trailer for its upcoming Eternals,Â ahead of its slated premiere date of 5 November 2021.
Eternals Takes Place Post-Avengers Endgame
Ajak (Salma Hayek).
At the beginning of the trailer, Ajak (played by Salma Hayek) explains the situation at hand to Ikaris (played by Richard Madden). She also confirms that the events of the movie take place post-Avengers Endgame.
She said:
“Five years ago, Thanos erased half of the population of the universe. But the people of this planet brought everyone back with a snap of a finger.”
However, the events have caused an unexpected conflict for them, as “the sudden return of the population provided the necessary energy for the emergence to begin.”
The emergence of the Deviants? The Deviants are the ancient enemies of the Eternals.
The Reason Why The Eternals Have Never Appeared In The MCU
One of the Deviants.
Later in the trailer, we see that Sersi (played by Gemma Chan) tells Dane Whitman (played by Kit Harrington) she’s an Eternal. She and the rest of the immortal heroes, the Eternals, came here 7,000 years ago, since the dawn of man, to “protect humans from the Deviants.”
Dane wants to understand why didn’t they help fight Thanos or any of the other terrible events that unfolded throughout history.
Sersi replied:
“We were instructed not to interfere in any human conflicts unless Deviants were involved.”
Well, that conveniently explains why the Eternals have never interfered in the human world before; all in one brief sentence.
Who instructed the Eternals not to interfere? Well, it was the Celestials (who created them in the first place).
One of the Celestials.
Ikaris (Richard Madden) unleashing his signature eye beams.
This Will Be The Eternals’ First Reunion In Centuries
Don Lee as Gilgamesh (left), Angelina Jolie as Thena (right).
Sersi also reveals that she hasn’t seen some of the other Eternal teammates for centuries. With the monstrous creatures, the Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, Ikaris decides that it’s time for them to “find the others” and defend humanity once again.
As the epic story unfolds, Sersi and Ikaris reunite with Kingo (played by Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (played by Lia McHugh), Gilgamesh (played by Don Lee), Thena (played by Angelina Jolie), Makkari (played by Lauren Ridloff), Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry), and Druig (played by Barry Keoghan).
The Leader Of The Deviants Is Named Kro
Kro facing down Thena (Angelina Jolie).
In the trailer, the Deviant Kro can be heard saying to the Eternals, “You can’t protect any of them.”
Another one of the Celestials.
Check out the new poster and final trailer for Eternals below:


UNIQLO Launches Second Line Of Spy X Family Attire

UNIQLO has announced the launch of the second part of SPY x FAMILY UT, its collaboration with the SPY x FAMILY anime series. This latest installment in the collection echoes the excitement building around the highly anticipated second season of the anime airing. The collection includes KIDS items for the first time, allowing parents and children to enjoy the UTs together. Fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming broadcast can enjoy the world of SPY x FAMILY a little earlier through UT.
Original designs featuring adorable images of Anya and Bond

Designs featuring Anya, one of the most popular characters in the first release, are humorously depicted through surprised face, mischievous face, crying face, and various other expressions. The family dog Bond, adopted by the Forgers and possessing the ability to glimpse the future, appears for the first time. The portrayal of the characters, including stitched designs on the chest, and combinations with Anya, is sure to delight fans. The body colors are pale tones that parents and children can coordinate to enjoy together.
Collaboration Overview
Scheduled launch date: Monday, 1 December 2022
Lineup: ADULTS T-shirts 4 items (RM59.90), KIDS T-shirts 3 items (RM39.90)
Store availability: All UNIQLO stores in Malaysia, and the online store


Here’s Your First Official Look At Nightwing’s Costume From Titans

Fans have been waiting almost two entire seasons for former Robin Dick Grayson to take up the mantle of Nightwing on the DC Universe exclusive series Titans. That’s not even mentioning comic book fans who have been waiting for a live-action version of the character for years.
For context, Dick Grayson first became Nightwing more than three decades ago in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 published in July 1984. In Titans, he will embrace his new mantle in the upcoming final episode of season 2, aptly titled “Nightwing”, which will be releasing on 29 November 2019.
Well, fans, feast your eyes on the official Nightwing suit from Titans below, in all its glory.

It looks pretty good if I do say so myself. However, all that heavy armour and padding may be counter-intuitive to the fact that Dick Grayson favours flexibility and the ability to flex his acrobatic skills in combat, which he’ll probably have a problem with when wearing such a suit.
The comic book version of the costume is inspired by what a real acrobat would wear, in order to maximize one’s acrobatic flexibility. If it’s armoured and padded, it’ll just weigh him down.
On why it took so long for Dick Grayson to become Nightwing on Titans, showrunner Greg Walker said, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:

â€œItâ€™s a personal journey that he needs to go on.
So he goes on this atonement journey in the last third of the season, trying to figure out who he is and what his relationship to heroism is and what his relationship is to the other Titans.
Thatâ€™s what we were going for the whole time.
We felt like we needed to think about it on a character level rather than having him show up and be like, â€˜Awesome suit, right?â€™â€

Check out more pictures of the Nightwing costume below, along with what seems to be Donna Troy AKA Wonder Girl’s costume showcased alongside it.


Far Cry 6 Will Have A Voiced Protagonist & Can Be A Him Or Her

Who needs silent protagonists when you are a multicultural video game-making company who can afford Gustavo Fring and Miguel from Coco in your action-adventure first-person shooter game? Ubisoft is ditching that trope and is going to bring back a voiced protagonist in Far Cry 6, but with a few twists.
Players will control a protagonist named Dani Rojas, who is a native of the island of Yara, the backdrop of Far Cry 6 which is a city in the midst of a guerilla revolution against Presidente Anton Castillo and this regime. And here’s the cool part: Dani Rojas can either be either male or female, just like in Ubisoft’s last Assassin’s Creed title. Dani not only will have ties to the island, but also will be featured in the game’s cutscenes.
According to a GameSpot interview, the game’s narrative director Navid Khavari are fleshing out its protagonist this time and adding more context to the character, the revolution storyline in the game, and the cultural aspects of Yara.

“What’s interesting about Dani is that while they were raised in Yara, they aren’t necessarily looking to be part of a guerilla movement from the onset.
One of the interesting aspects for us was seeing this character swept up in the movement, being drawn into it in that way, and embracing the almost David versus Goliath conflict across the entire island.
For the series, it’ll be fresh for players to see Dani in cutscenes, to be able to see them make decisions, and interact with other characters.”

One can criticize Ubisoft for trying its best to homogenize its games by adding bits from one and then combining it nonsensically with another; the Ghost Recon games fall victim to this. On the other, the Far Cry games could use some spicing up; this might help in-between the killing and open-world destruction you’ll be doing 80% of the time. Let’s hope the gameplay is on-par with Far Cry 4 and Blood Dragon and less like New Dawn.
Check out our full recap of Ubisoft Forward here.Â


Windjammers 2 Guide: How To Toss Your Flying Power Disc Like A Pro

Windjammers 2 is out right now, and it’s clearly the future of 2022 sports games that only costs US$20 to play.
Truth be told, it’s technically a fighting game, but you still score points and play on a court just like most legitimate sports featuring goalposts and the art of catching and receiving. As such, you’ll need to learn some tricks of the trade when playing competitively online be it on Ranked or Quick Play.
Here are some lifehacks to get you ahead of this game’s futuristic frisbee, we mean, Flying Power Disc sport of champions. All inputs are based on the Xbox controller and numpad notations (236 for Hadouken motion).
Walk, Don’t Slide
Whether you’re using a Heavy or Light character (especially Light characters), use your walk speed to get into position for better shots. For Heavy characters that need to Slide like W.Kessell, walk before you slide if you can.
A Windjammer beginner’s first mistake is to slide/dash all across the screen. Slide only if you’re confident with your catch. Also, if you slide into a wall, you get extra recovery frames meaning you’ll be slowed down a tad.
Practice with Arcade Mode And Versus On Higher Difficulties
If you want the true Windjammers 2 casual experience, play through the game’s Arcade mode on Normal. If you want to play competitively and stand a chance online, however, you need to play the game on higher difficulty levels.
Play it on Hard or on “level 8” on the Versus Computer option. It sucks that there’s no practice or training mode at the moment, but for now, your only shot at training by yourself is beating Arcade Mode on Hard, while also playing some of the more reflex-based minigames on tap.
Know Your Shots & Options

Here’s a breakdown of each shot in the game:
Straight Shot – Press A to shoot while aiming using the Left Stick/D-Pad. Standard fast shot; if you’re receiving these, you must press A and X just as you catch it to either throw your own faster version of the shot or do a Slap Shot that whip super faster shots back to your opponent. Pressing B instead will make you do a Drop Shot that lands close to the front net; perfect for catching opponents off-guard when they’re camping at the back.
Lob Shot – Press B to throw a lob shot in a direction determined by the Left Stick/D-pad. Use this if you’ve conditioned your opponent to expect fast and faster shots to throw them off.
Curve Shot – Move the Left Stick/D-Pad in a circular fashion and press the A button to curve your shot. 789A for shots that curve south, and 123A for shots that curve north.
Jump – A good score-making option. If your opponent lobs a shot, you can catch it by pressing Y to jump, then immediately press A and any direction to throw the disc onto the ground. If your opponent doesn’t catch it in time, you score points.
Slide – Press A if you’re not holding the disc to cover further ground to catch oncoming discs on your side ofÂ  the court. Different characters have different slide distances; keep that in mind. Like we said above, use this only to catch discs out of your reach and if you absolutely cannot walk to it. There’s a short recovery period too, so you can’t abuse it.
Toss – Pressing A and having your Left Stick at neutral when you’re catching a shot will make you do a Toss. The flying power disc flies up in the air with a crosshair underneath. The longer you’re under the crosshairs, the more charged up you get. This lets you do a…
Super Shot – Once charged up, press 8 or 2 + A to do a character’s special Super Shot. These range from curvy shots that push opponents back to even confusing zig zag shots. Different characters have different kinds of Super Shots.
Super Spin – Once charged up, do the circular motion + the A button to do a Super Spin curve shot that hits hard and also bounces off the walls in a confusing fashion. 789A for shots that curve south, and 123A for shots that curve north.
Super Lob – Once charged up, press B and any direction to do a Super Lob that lands and spins forward like a fast buzzsaw.
Deflects & Slap Shots – Yes, you can deflect and slap shot both regular and Super Shots/Spins/Lobs, but only if you time your A, X, and B button presses right along with the appropriate inputs. For instance, 789A when you’re about to catch a Super Shot will let you throw your own Super Spin in retaliation. Get the timing wrong, and you’ll get pushed back and throw a regular shot.
On The Super Meter

The Super Meter is pretty important in Windjammers 2. Here’s a breakdown:
Super Meter – If your Super Meter is full from all the throwing and receiving, you can press A+B (or RB) to do your own Super Shot without any charging up needed.
Super Defense – If you see a fast shot coming your way and are too late to catch it, or if it’s on the ground, press A+B (or RB) to automatically Toss the disc up in the air, making you able to charge up and do other counter shots.
This only works if you’re close to the disc. This is very important to use when playing competitively; a Super Defense can mean life or death in Windjammers 2.

Windjammers 2’s Many Courts
Just like any sports game worth their salt, Windjammers 2 has tons of courts for players to try out. Here’s a breakdown.

Beach – Default level everyone gravitates onto. Narrow, with goalposts evenly divided. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 3 points, while centre post is 5 points. Discs that land on the beach are worth 2 points if not caught.

Rooftop – Wide court with tiny top and bottom goalposts, as well as two obstacles on the top and bottom left of the centre net. The obstacles do not move from disc ricochets. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 5 points while the big centre goalpost is worth 3 points. Discs that land on the court are worth 4 points if not caught.

Tiled – Narrow court, with the centre goalpost being bigger than the corner posts. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 5 points, while the centre post is worth 3 points. Discs that land on the court are worth 4 points if not caught.

Junkyard – Narrow court with two obstacles at the center that can be moved via disc ricochets. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 3 points while the centre goalpost is worth 5 points. The three posts are even-sized.

Clay – Wide court with two obstacles at the center of the front net; they cannot be moved via disc ricochets. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 3 points and are slightly bigger than the centre post. Center goalpost is worth 5 points. Discs that land on the court are worth 4 points if not caught.

Casino – Wide court with a unique scoring mechanic: at the start of the fight, the court determines how much the goal score is: 1,2,3,5, and 8. If the disc you’re holding is worth 3 points, you score 3 points for that goal. The numbers are determined randomly. Will most likely be the least-picked stage in esports and competitive play.

Ring – Narrow court with top and bottom goalposts that are wider than the middle one. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 5 points while the centre post is 3 points.

Arena – Narrow court with evenly-sized goalposts. Top and bottom posts are worth 3 points, while the center posts are 5 points.

Stadium – Wide court with the top and bottom goalposts being extremely wide. Top and bottom goalposts are worth 3 points. The centre goalpost is worth 5 points and will change width depending on how well you score. If you’re doing well and are leading, the red goalpost gets wider and wider until your opponent scores a goal. Discs that land on the floor are worth 2 points if not caught.
Best Courts To Pick
Beach – Narrow and standard for most matches.
Tiled – If you love doing curved and corner shots, this court is great for you.
Arena – A great court for comebacks.
Character Tier List (To Be Determined)
This bit will be updated in the future; the game just came out and needs about 3 months to make educated predictions on this.
Having said that, L.Biaggi and J.Costa are great beginner characters to start with. They have average speed and decent tricky power shots, as well as have decent run speed to cover the court.

Character Endings


Scarlet Nexus Is On Xbox Game Pass Right Now; New DLC Coming Soon

During the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2021 Live Stream, the company announced that the Bandai Namco JRPG Scarlet Nexus will be on Xbox Game Pass effective immediately. As in right now; on console, PC, tablet, and Cloud Gaming (via touch controls).
In addition, the JRPG will be getting new DLC via a 1.04 update, which features new bonding episodes, crush visions, and new costumes. We’re guessing this DLC will also be out on PS4/PS5/PC versions of Scarlet Nexus on the same time frame, which is “coming soon” according to the trailer.

On a related note, Xbox also reminded everyone that Octopath Traveler, Yakuza 7, NieR Automata, Dragon Quest 11, and Katamari Damacy are on Xbox Game Pass. Heck, even Spike Chunsoft’s adventure game AI: Somnium Files is on Xbox Game Pass right now (both console and PC).
For more news on Scarlet Nexus, check out our glowing review of the JRPG. In the meantime, check out the DLC trailer below.


Here Are Your eFootball PES 2020 PC Specs

While most gamers who play football/soccer games tend to do so on consoles where they usually play couch co-op with buddies, they are still very popular on other platforms like PC (Steam). However, is your PC or laptop good enough to run Konami’s upcoming eFootballÂ PES 2020?
The official PES Twitter account revealed the minimum and recommended PC specifications for PES 2020. Expectedly, they’re not that demanding, which is the norm for sports games which basically reuse the same engine with minor tweaks each year.
Check out the PC specs below:
Minimum

Intel Core i5-3470/AMD FX 4350 CPU
4GB RAM
NVidia GTX 670/AMD Radeon HD7870 graphics card
2GB VRAM
40GB Hard Drive Space

Recommended

Intel Core i7-3770/AMD FX 8350
8GB RAM
NVidia GTX 760/AMD Radeon R9 270X
4GB VRAM
40GB Hard Drive Space

Going to be playing #eFootballPES2020 on PC (Steam) this year? ðŸ–¥
Check out the specs to make sure you can see that #PlayingIsBelieving when the game lands on September 10th! pic.twitter.com/FsVHp775mt
â€” eFootball PES (@officialpes) July 30, 2019

Hereâ€™s everything we know about PES 2020 so far:

TheÂ Standard EditionÂ of the game will featureÂ Lionel MessiÂ on the cover while theÂ Legend EditionÂ will feature the equally legendaryÂ Ronaldinho.
Master League returnsÂ with a powerful new interactive dialogue system that allows players to control story progression, with the option of choosing between iconic managers like Zico, Cruyff & Maradona.
Brand new Matchday modeÂ will allow players to come together for weekly events to compete in matches and secure victory against their rivals.
Renewed partnership with Barcelona FCÂ means that the Camp Nou stadium remains exclusive to PES 2020.

eFootball PES 2020 is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One and PC onÂ 10 September 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer for the PES 2020 demo below, which is already available to download now.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzW_kD8gE0g&w=560&h=315]


Ms. Marvel Episode 3 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The third episode of Ms. Marvel is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. l’ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you haven’t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, now’s your chance to stop reading.
Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel” is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero megafan with an oversized imagination, particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet? Kamala feels like she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home, that is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with superpowers, right?
Check out my breakdown of Ms. Marvel Episode 1 and Episode 2 here.
Also, check out my breakdowns of Moon Knight Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6 here.
You can check out my previous breakdowns of Hawkeye Episodes 1 and 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here and Episode 5. and Episode 6 here.
In addition, you can check out my previous breakdowns of Marvel’s What If? Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9 here.
If you haven’t, you can check out my previous breakdowns and easter egg articles for WandaVision Episode 1 and 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9.
For The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns for Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns of Loki episodes, check out Episode 1 here, Episode 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here, Episode 5 here and Episode 6 here.

There Are Two Bangles!

That’s Aisha Khan, Kamala’s great grandmother, in 1942 British-occupied India finding the bangle (the same bangle which gave Kamala her powers).
What’s interesting is that the man in Aisha’s group mentions that there should be two bangles. That’s fascinating, because in the comics, the original Captain Marvel AKA Mar-Vell used the Nega Bands, of which there are two (one for each hand). The Nega Bands gave him his powers and allowed him to travel to the Negative Zone while switching places with another person.
Now, we have even further proof that the bangles might be the MCU’s version of the Nega Bands.

Also, the hand on which the bangle is found on looks like the skin is blue. A Kree? Even further evidence of the Nega Bands.

The Ten Rings Logo

That’s the logo of the Ten Rings organization on the floor of the temple. The Ten Rings is a criminal and terrorist organization founded by Xu Wenwu as seen in Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.
Kamala Is Part Djinn

Najma, a friend of Kamala’s great grandmother Aisha, drops the bombshell that Aisha, her and a few other people are from another dimension.
She also calls the energy that Kamala manipulates to make hard light constructs using her bangles as Noor (which is Arabic for light). Najma also reveals that Kamran has the potential for his own Noor.
In the comics, Kamran is an Inhuman (Kamala is also an Inhuman in the comics) who has the power to emit and store a glowing bioluminescent energy, as well as expel this energy as a shock or transfer it into an object, which causes it to glow and explode.

Najma also revealed that the dimension is the Noor dimension and they’re called the Clandestines, but also known as Ajnabi, Majnoon, Unseen, and… Djinn.
Yes, that means Kamala is part Djinn as well.
A Djinn…
In the comics, the ClanDestine was secret family of long-lived supervillains created in 1994 by British writer/artist Alan Davis. However, they’re pretty obscure. In the comics, they’re not Djinn, but were given powers by a Djinn.

Bruno Mentions Dr. Erik Selvigg

Remember him?
Doctor Erik Selvig is a renowned astrophysicist and the teacher of Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis. We first saw him in Thor and he’s reappeared a bunch of times in the MCU. He knows stuff about different dimensions.
Good Is Not A Thing You Are, Good Is A Thing You Do

The imam’s words to Kamala is directly from the comics written by G. Willow Wilson in Ms. Marvel Issue 5 Volume 1.

Kamala Is Going To Karachi

Kamala is going to Karachi in the next episode, as her grandmother, Nani, calls her to tell her that she saw the same vision of a train.
We only have three episodes left. Until then, excelsior!


Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Celebrates First Anniversary

Believe it or not, it’s already a year since we were graced by the current king of best-selling fighting game and fastest-selling Nintendo Switch game. No matter how you look it, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most successful execution of “easy to learn, hard to master” in a fighting game.
Happy first anniversary to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU)! The game just turned one on 7 December 2019. The game’s official Twitter page tweeted out some celebratory screenshots in conjunction with the 1st year anniversary. Check them out:

SSBU director Masahiro Sakurai also shared a few words through his Twitter account, showing appreciation to both fans and developers of the game. It’s good to see the tweet also has his typical deadpan humour which Smash fans have grown very fond of.

1??????1?????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/bR6iSdJG7D
— ?? ?? / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) December 7, 2019

About a month ago, SSBU was crowned as the best-selling fighting game of all time after achieving 15.7 million units sold, beating Street Fighter II which had been warming the seat for almost three decades with a total of 15.5 million units sold. As the best-selling Nintendo Switch game in the console’s history, SSBU sold 12 million copies in just three weeks.
Here’s to more crazy battles and amazing memories with one of the best fighting game series ever made. Happy birthday Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!


Blanka Playable In SFV After Chinese New Year; Comes With Cute Story Costume

Street Fighter’s most annoying troll character is back. That’s right; Blanka (or Jimmy) will be back this February 20 with mash-centric Electric attacks and Blanka Rolls/Rainbow Rolls aplenty in Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition.
Check him out in action on this new Capcom trailer.

His V-Skill is the Coward’s Crouch, where he lays on the ground to avoid any high or mid move completely, then follows up with either a scoop throw or an arched jump.
His V-Trigger I powers up his Blanka Ball and electric Attack with follow-up and forward-pushing abilities. He also gets to use his trademark Grand Shave Rolling (ie the one where you hold the button to charge up the roll ala Sonic Spin Dash).

His V-Trigger II gives him a flexible ball move that travels in any direction. Including high up in the air, which looks like it’s taking cues from Darkstalker’s Talbain.

But forget all that; what we care about is this Gumby-esque outfit he has if you complete his Story Mode.

D’awwww… at the very least being trolled by Blanka will be a lot more tolerable with this skin.
Here is his story mode description that led to this weirdly adorable turn of events:
In SFV: AE, Blanka is living peacefully with his mother, and has adapted well to being introduced back into society. One day, a suspicious salesman approaches him and offers a way to make Blanka famous by mass producing a doll made in Blankaâ€™s likeness. Will it work?
Because fighting game stories are meant to go bonkers. I sure as hell would main Blanka with this outfit. Even pro gamer Justin Wong, who will appear on an Astro EGG esports segment in the near future, approves of this plushy skin:

BRUH… WHO WOULDNT MAIN BLANKA IF YOU CAN LOOK LIKE THIS!!! pic.twitter.com/wUNUSFTptW
— Justin Wong (@JWonggg) February 12, 2018

Here are more pics of his Nostalgia and Battle costume, but we’d rather just get the best skin for Blanka for free.


Live A Live Will Make You Feel Love For Classic JRPGs All Over Again

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: JRPG with multiple protagonists that eventually converge
The Japanese role-playing game genre has always prided itself with getting a ragtag bunch of heroes from different walks of life banding with each other to combat a common foe or escalating situation that threatens them and the world. But what if those heroes are instead from different eras and act on their own accord, with their goals somehow lining up within said lifetimes and somehow converging in the end?
Well, that’s what Live A Live is: a JRPG that pits you in control of not one but eight protagonists who have different-yet-similar destinies that line up with each other. This 2022 version is a remake of the 1994 title on the Super Nintendo/Famicom that was exclusive to Japan, until now.
Live Telecast

As the player, you guide each hero through their story from start to finish. These range from a jaded cowboy who learns the meaning of protecting others to even a caveman who tries to unite both his own tribe and a rival one, with the entire storyline using nothing but grunts and human sounds mimicking some semblance of speech. There’s even a storyline involving a maintenance robot who’s trying to find out what’s causing unrest in the spaceship it’s on: think 2001 – A Space Odyssey but JRPG anime. Without spoiling anything, all these storylines are connected by a mysterious malevolent force that shapes the course of the entire narrative, tying it up in one amazing conclusion.
Despite how radical each scenario is, each plotline is fully realized and incredibly distinct with its world and even gameplay gimmicks (which we’ll get to). You’ll laugh and cry as each scenario has its good feels and tragedy encapsulated within its well-told narrative and stellar English voice acting. You’ll definitely root for the caveman Pogo in his prehistoric storyline as he attempts to get the girl -a story with no text, mind you- while also cheering on the punk kid in the near future storyline involving psychics and mechas. Each of these outings look and sound great thanks to Square Enix’s HD-2D engine that’s prevalent in Octopath Traveler (an RPG clearly inspired by Live A Live) and Triangle Strategy. The remixed music is done justice since it’s fully re-recorded and heavily involves original composer Yoko Shimomura. Simply put, the game’s aesthetics and high production justifies the remake moniker it’s saddled with.
Live Action

How’s the gameplay? Much like the original, combat is turn-based and uses a 7×7 square grid where players and enemies take turns positioning themselves and using attacks. Both players and enemies have attacks that have specified ranges and charge times before activation, with no action or mana points system restricting either side. The combat throws in a ton of elements like damage tiles that deal damage-over-time to anyone standing on a specified area, leader enemies that end the battle when defeated, and accessory gear with support abilities; all of these mix and match well to make the turn-based fighting engaging.
That said, the game’s combat can get lengthy and tough. The former is due to no option to speed up the the animations for some of the attacks. There’s also a few difficulty spikes, but at least you can spend a short amount of time just grinding a few levels. Also, some quests in the game feel like they’re lifted straight from the SNES version without much quality-of-life changes and modern game design improvements added to them. These include farming random enemies for a key needed for progression to an arbitrary question that leads to an immediate game over without rhyme or reason.
Still, not all these issues can stave the fact that the remake of the SNES title Live A Live is long overdue. Live A Live is a treasure of a game that still stands the test of time and gets the remake treatment it truly deserves, being playable for a new generation of gamers who need to play a game that was way ahead of its time. The remake is 30 hours well-spent, especially if you’re a fan of the JRPG genre who is itching for something new(ish) with lovely HD-2D aesthetics and an engaging slew of plots that tie in satisfyingly. You could say that it’s a game that’s worth a few lifetimes over.
Final Score: 80/100


Kao The Kangaroo Leaps Toward May Release Date

The Kao The Kangaroo reboot will be out next month.
Developer Tate Multimedia announced that the upcoming 3D platformer will be out for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on 27 May. The game will be available in both digital and physical versions starting at US$29.99.
Here are a few words from Tate Multimedia head of studio Kaja Borowko.
“We’ve been blown away by the response we’ve had from gamers since we announced Kao the Kangaroo was making a return earlier this year. With this new chapter, we’ve set out to make sure the new Kao the Kangaroo both honors his previous outings and offers fresh, contemporary gameplay for fans new and old alike. This is a complete reboot for Kao, and we can’t wait to see how people take to it at launch!”
Here are the game’s key features back-of-the-box type stuff:

Beautiful, diverse worlds, packed with secrets.
Engaging and fun gameplay for all ages—family-friendly, but for core gamers too.
Magic gloves stacked with powers.
Kao—a cheeky, brave, and feisty kangaroo who embarks on a life-changing journey.
An engaging story filled with a cast of captivating characters.
Challenging combat including unique boss battles.
A whole host of items to collect.

Check out the gameplay trailer below. Stay tuned for our review of the game closer to 27 May!


Transformers Rise Of The Beasts Is A Familiar Greatest Hits Remix Of The Michael Bay Movies

Transformers Rise Of The Beasts is the sequel to 2018’s Bumblebee and the first full entry (that’s not a spinoff) in the franchise since 2017’s Transformers The Last Knight. When it was first announced, this movie grabbed the attention of Transformers fans everywhere for featuring the iconic Maximals from the Beast Wars 90s animated series. Is the movie worth the hype?
More Than Meets The Eye
Bumblebee and Cheetor in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE PresentIn Association with HASBRO and NEW REPUBLIC PICTURESA di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY ProductionA BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”
Transformers Rise Of The Beasts sort of functions as both a standalone movie and a soft reboot of the entire franchise. Technically, you can watch Transformers Rise Of The Beasts and understand everything without having watched any of the previous movies, including 2018’s Bumblebee. However, the plot of the movie doesn’t really make it any clearer if this is set in the same continuity or timeline as the Michael Bay Transformers movies. On the bright side, Transformers Rise Of The Beasts features a straightforward plot that’s not as messy as any of the Michael Bay Transformers sequels, though some finer details do feel convoluted in the context of the franchise narrative as a whole (though perhaps it’s better not to think about that).
At best, Transformers Rise Of The Beasts feels like a remix or greatest hits of the Michael Bay Transformers movies, but without the Michael Bay-ness of those movies (cringeworthy inappropriate jokes, an obsession with showing off the US military, unstable movie aspect ratios, etc.). That said, director Steven Caple Jr. didn’t do much to make the movie more unique or distinctive. It follows a lot of the same formulaic elements from the first movie, from the protagonist’s reaction to meeting the Transformers for the first time, and more. Watching Transformers Rise Of The Beasts gave me a sense of déjà vu; like I’ve seen it all before or like everything feels too familiar. Even without Michael Bay, this definitely feels like it’s from the same franchise. Sure, the movie is action-packed with lots of metal-on-metal action, but they’re the same generic action we’ve come to expect from the franchise.
Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback star in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE PresentIn Association with HASBRO and NEW REPUBLIC PICTURESA di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY ProductionA BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”
No one watches a Transformers movie for the human characters, but I still have to mention them. Anthony Ramos does the best he can as protagonist Noah Diaz, but the script doesn’t help make him more interesting despite how much the movie wants him to be relatable. Dominique Fishback’s Elena Wallace is as interesting as cardboard and basically there as a plot device to move the narrative forward. Still, at least they’re just boring and not annoying like some of the human characters in the Michael Bay Transformers movies.
Rather than Industrial Light And Magic from the previous movies, the film’s visual effects for Transformers Rise Of The Beasts were provided by Moving Picture Company and Weta FX; and it definitely shows. The CGI VFX isn’t bad but they don’t really look as good as the Michael Bay Transformers movies did. Thankfully, kudos to the voice actors who brought the Transformers (Autobots, Maximals and Terrorcons alike) to life, because they’re amazing as always, especially Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Michelle Yeoh as Airazor and Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal. However, fans of Beast Wars will probably be disappointed to learn that the Maximals only truly appear about one hour plus into the movie’s two-hour runtime and that the major Predacons are practically a no-show.
The best thing about Transformers Rise Of The Beasts is perhaps the ending, which teases and sets up something that pop culture enthusiasts and fans of the franchise have been waiting for, for years (that’s all I can say without going into spoiler territory). Will that surprising and fan-pleasing ending be enough to justify a mediocre movie? We’ll have to wait and see. P.S. There’s only one mid-credits scene for Transformers Rise Of The Beasts.
Arcee and Wheeljack in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE PresentIn Association with HASBRO and NEW REPUBLIC PICTURESA di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY ProductionA BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”
Robots In Disguise
MIRAGE in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE PresentIn Association with HASBRO and NEW REPUBLIC PICTURESA di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY ProductionA BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”
Just like most of the Transformers movies before it, it’s best to go into Transformers Rise Of The Beasts and enjoy it for what it is; big robot action and cool transforming robots. Transformers Rise Of The Beasts is definitely not the worst in the franchise, but it’s probably one of the better ones. For some fans, it might be worth watching for that ending alone, but that’s depending on preference, of course. Transformers Rise Of The Beasts is not a bad movie, but to best describe it, I would say that it just barely hits the minimum of being decent enough to justify more Transformers sequels.
FINAL SCORE: 50/100
We attended an early screener of Transformers Rise Of The Beasts courtesy of United International Pictures Malaysia. Transformers Rise Of The Beasts is slated to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 8 June 2023.


Studio Chizu’s Mamoru Hosoda Unveils New Anime Movie Belle

Studio Chizu has revealed the latest animated movie by Mamoru Hosoda, titled Belle.
Belle follows a 17-year-old high school student named Suzu living in a rural village with her father. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. One day, Suzu enters â€œU,â€ a virtual world of five billion online members, and she becomes Belle, a world-famous singer. Belle soon meets with a mysterious creature with whom she embarks on a journey of adventures and love in their quest of becoming who they truly are.

Speaking with Variety, Hosoda said:
“Belle is the movie that I have always wanted to create and I am only able to make this film a reality because of the culmination of my past works.
I explore romance, action and suspense on the one hand, and deeper themes such as life and death on the other.
I expect this to be a big entertainment spectacle.”
Hosoda is best known for various past anime movies, including 2012’s Wolf Children (which we included in our list of 10 animes that deal with mature themes) and most recently 2018’s Mirai, which premiered at Cannesâ€™s Directors Fortnight in 2018 before earning an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination, as well as winning the Annie Award for best independent animated feature.
Belle is slated to premiere in Japan in summer 2021 to mark Studio Chizuâ€™s 10th anniversary. However, there’s no release date yet for an official international release.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Snoop Dogg Joins Esports Organization FaZe Clan

The hippity hoppity Snoop Dogg has officially joined FaZe Clan, a so-called esports and entertainment organization. FaZe Clanâ€™s esports division includes nine competitive teams in Fortnite, FIFA, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Rainbow Six, Call of Duty League (Atlanta FaZe), Rocket League, VALORANT and CS: GO with dozens of world championship trophies among them.
In a statement (via PC Gamer), Faze Clan chief strategy officer Kai Henry said:
“The organic relationship between Faze and Snoop has been building for years now, so we are thrilled to officially welcome Faze Snoop to the family. As the original internet kid and first generation gamer, Snoop has always understood the cultural connection between music, lifestyle and gaming.
Today, Snoop is a prominent voice in the emerging Web3 community and we have exciting plans to create together in the metaverse, driving new engagement opportunities for both of our fanbases.”

Mood @SnoopDogg pic.twitter.com/KPlmyXd9r2
— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) March 7, 2022

This isn’t Snoop Dogg’s first rodeo in games either. He has streamed several games on Twitch and heâ€™s appeared in multiple video games, including Def Jam: Fight For NY and True Crime: Streets of LA. He also was a multiplayer announcer in a DLC for Call of Duty: Ghosts and has appeared in several other titles.


Guide & Tips To Surviving The Last Of Us Part 2

Naughty Dog’s The Last Of Us Part 2 is a great action-adventure game deserving of all the praise it is getting. The highly-anticipated sequel to 2013’s The Last Of Us is finally here, and between the various upgrade trees, combat and crafting system, here are some helpful tips for you to survive the experience better.
The Characters Will Always Comment/Mention When There Are No More Enemies In The Area

The areas in The Last Of Us Part 2 are a lot bigger than the more straightforward and limited ones featured in The Last Of Us Part 2. Thanks to the current more powerful engine, they’re more open now, though they’re still somewhat linear.
Enemies will usually be scattered and strewn around an area. If you’re the kind of person who’d rather explore areas and scavenge material once the coast is clear, the characters (Ellie, Dina, or whoever) will ALWAYS comment once there are no more enemies in the area and it’s all safe again.
Sure, technically, there are some are areas in The Last Of Us Part 2 where you don’t even have to finish off all the enemies in an area, but it’s best to do so. This allows you to then safely explore the area without worrying about encountering any enemies; human or Infected.
It Pays To Be Thorough

Depending on the difficulty level that you choose to play on, The Last of Us Part 2 will have varying levels of loot and materials lying around for players to collect. Make sure to explore every corner, nook and cranny. Sure, might seem like a hassle, but it will be rewarding and ensure that you’re prepared to face the upcoming humans and Infected.
This is especially important as you can only find additional weapons and precious Training Manuals (for more skills and upgrades) when you go off the beaten path and explore every possible room.
One of the best advice I can give you is to follow the first tip mentioned in this article above; scavenge and scour the area when the coast is safe and clear. Turning on your flashlight and looking underneath tables/objects by crouching will also help. Believe it or not, you can still grab items while prone (lying on you belly).
Keep Crafting, Crafting, & Crafting

You might think that it’s wise to only craft items and weapons when you need them. This would be a mistake, as players only have limited inventory space for materials (Alcohol, Rag, Canister, Explosive, Binding, and Blade). It would be a massive waste not to grab every scrap of material that you find in your journey.
My advice? Whenever you come across a type of material that you don’t have space for in your inventory anymore, just craft whatever items that requires that specific material (like Alcohol + Rag = Molotov Cocktails). This way, you’ll be able to have a bunch of spare craftable items prepared for combat while also being able to take every scrap of material, ensuring that you can craft more items whenever you need to do so in the future.
Do everything you can to avoid leaving crafting materials lying around. Don’t horde them, it’s not worth it.
Look Out For Safes And Crack Every One

This is actually just an extension of the first tip, but make sure to open every safe that you find. The combination for any safe is always located somewhere nearby (though some might be harder to figure out than others; the clues might be more subtler).
Follow this mantra; every safe is worth opening. Sometimes there’s just more ammo and materials, but sometimes you’ll even find new weapons and Training Manuals.
Choose Your Weapon Upgrades Wisely

You won’t be able to craft all of the weapon upgrades in the game in your first playthrough; there’s simply not enough Tools, so you’ll want to choose your upgrades wisely. The first thing you should focus on is upgrading the amount of ammo capacity for every weapon, as more ammo can mean life and death in The Last Of Us Part 2.
The next best thing to upgrade is to increase the damage of any weapon that’s possible to do so, like the rifle and shotgun. After that, you can add a scope to your rifle, which is will become increasingly important the farther you get into the game. Anything else like fire-rate and aim stability can be upgraded up to your liking later on, as these can just be compensated by player skill.
Save Ammo Whenever Possible, Melee Is Just As Viable

As powerful as your weapons can be, ammo will always be scarce and limited, even on easier difficulties. As such, it’s always recommended that you resort to stealth or melee whenever possible. Ellie is a lot older now, so she’s not as much of a physical liability as she was in The Last Of Us Part 2. She hits a lot harder, and with the new dodge mechanic, melee feels a lot better to actually play this time around.
Always Kill The Dogs

I’m sorry to have to say this, but killing all the dogs you encounter in The Last Of Us Part 2 will make your experience a lot easier. My strategy is to kill them from afar using silenced handguns or arrows.
The dogs will always come in pairs with a human enemy, so you can kill either one first, though killing the human first would be more advantageous. Killing the dog first will only result in making the human enemies aware of your presence.
If you’re forced to melee or fight physically with a dog, it’s important that you never strike first. The dog will always be able to dodge your first attack, and take that opportunity to pounce on you, which you certainly don’t want to happen. Always dodge the dog’s first attempt at biting you, and only then counter-attack with your own melee attack. Dogs only require one or two melee attacks at most to die (though you’ll never get used to their dying whines).
In addition to all that, I do have some more tips on the next page, but they might touch on minor spoilers. Don’t worry, I won’t be discussing what happens in the story or spoil plot points, but this is something I couldn’t mention even in my review of the game, that I’ll be writing about in the points in the next page.
It’s regarding the other playable character (besides Ellie), so you can stop reading now if you don’t want to be spoiled about who that is.
NEXT: More Tips On Skill Trees & Upgrades


Fate/Stay Night Heaven’s Feel Spring Song Is Coming To Malaysian Cinemas

Fate/Stay Night Heaven’s Feel III Spring Song is the final chapter of the movie trilogy by studio ufotable and GSC Cinemas has confirmed that it will premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 1 October 2020, with a special fan screening to be held on 26 September 2020.

The synopsis reads:
â€œIâ€™m determined to become a hero of justice for Sakura.â€To save the girlâ€¦to enact the justice heâ€™s chosenâ€¦The young man will no longer turn a blind eye to the truth. Mages (Masters) and Heroic Spirits (Servants) work together in the battles of the Holy Grail Warâ€¦a fight for an omnipotent wish-granting container called the Holy Grail. However, this war has become horribly twisted.A young woman named Sakura Matou, with the sins she has committed, drowns in the murky darkness. A young man named Shirou Emiya, who vowed to protect Sakura, works together with Rin Tohsaka and throws himself into the raging battle to put a stop to the Holy Grail War. Illyasviel von Einzbern, as one of the few who knows the truth behind the conflict, confronts her own fate, while Zouken Matou uses Sakura to try to fulfill his own desires. â€œThatâ€™s whyâ€¦youâ€™ll need to grit your teeth, Sakura.â€Will the young manâ€™s wish reach her even as he challenges fate itself, battling against the rising tide?The Holy Grail War is coming to an endâ€¦The final battle is about to begin.

Check out the awesome trailer below:


Dota 2’s Tigers Has A Fifth Member/Stand-In, NaVi Pro Dendi

After acquiring Malaysia Dota 2 pro gamer Mushi, the esports team Tiger has also announced its fifth member. And surprise, surprise: it’s Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, another renowned Dota 2 player.

A long time rival to our players, now ally. Let’s welcome Danil "Dendi" Ishutin as the 5th member to join the Tigers family today! Bringing the team to a full roster. Fans of Tigers, we want to share this experience with you. Meet the new members of @tigers_dota . #roartigers pic.twitter.com/w75zbAg7yZ
— Tigers (@tigers_dota) January 22, 2019

Of course, NaVi had something to say about this, since they still have a contract with Dendi. Thus, he’s a stand-in for Tigers, but if he wishes to sign with Tigers, the team will oblige.

we still have a contract with Dendi. Soooo… He's a standin.
— NAVI (@natusvincere) January 22, 2019

Dendi is to Dota 2 what Daigo is to the Street Fighter series: a legend in the solo/mid/captain role. He and his team NaVi has won and continued to dominate Dota 2 since The International 2011.
Other members of Tigers roster include 1437, Musi, Moonmander, and Xepher. Will Tigers be the Asian Dota 2 superteam fans have been waiting for? Discuss.


Mortal Kombat Movie Trailer Debuts Tomorrow; Boasts Slick-Looking Cast

“Get over here!” The battle cry of Mortal Kombat rings loud and proud as the upcoming 2021 film adaptation is slated for theaters(?) and HBO Max’s streaming service on 16th April. As such, we’ll be getting a taste of the action via a movie trailer tomorrow at 19th February 1am GMT+8.
To drum up the hype, the Mortal Kombat Movie Twitter page has unleashed a bunch of cast photos in all their MK glory. I’d like to see the iconic ninjas Scorpion and Sub-Zero in their full motion glory; the rest of the cast looks pretty ace.
Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada)

Hiroyuki Sanada is Scorpion. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/INDgrjn0X7
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Sub-Zero/Bi-Han (Joe “The Raid” Taslim)

Joe Taslim is Sub-Zero. #MortalKombatMovie trailer Thursday. pic.twitter.com/63Rv7Kwahs
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Raiden (Tadanobu Asano)

Tadanobu Asano is Raiden. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/KVp7h5Grfh
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Liu Kang (Ludi Lin)

Ludi Lin is Liu Kang. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/C1rFsgnsyg
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Kung Lao (Max Huang)

Max Huang is Kung Lao. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/dKwIIX2FkH
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Shang Tsung (Chin Han)

Chin Han is Shang Tsung. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/5Bym7XaiQJ
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Mileena (Sisi Stringer)

Sisi Stringer is Mileena. #MortalKombatMovie trailer Thursday at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/TMCNsdzsfg
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee)

Jessica McNamee is Sonya Blade. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/esN6nGMwme
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Jax Briggs (Mehcad Brooks)

Mehcad Brooks is Jax Briggs. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/ulgAuAxfBw
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Kano (Josh Lawson)

Josh Lawson is Kano. #MortalKombatMovie trailer Thursday at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/C9DSFBtQYe
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

Shujinko Cole Young (Lewis Tan)

Lewis Tan is Cole Young. #MortalKombatMovie trailer tomorrow at 9am PT. pic.twitter.com/PUzHjZm1PL
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 17, 2021

The last Mortal Kombat film we’ve seen is Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge. It’s basically Scorpion’s origin story and the first game’s plot rolled into an ultraviolent animated cartoon. A very satisfying one at that, if I’m being frank. I hope the 16th April live-action film does the series justice. At the very least, this martial arts-laden cast is going to provide the R-rated action that MK fans want.


WandaVision’s White Vision Joins The Hot Toys Action

After both Wanda and Vision are already getting Hot Toys of their own, White Vision is joining in the fun.
This is the version of Vision that S.W.O.R.D has been working on bringing back to life after he died in 2018’s Avengers Infinity War. After channelling some of Wanda Maximoffâ€™s power, they were successful to reactivate him, but heâ€™s distinctly different. The all-white Vision was given directives to neutralize Wanda Maximoff and destroy the original Vision.
The brand-new 1/6th scale collectible figure features a newly developed head sculpt in gradient white with LED light-up function on the forehead and interchangeable eyepieces to emulate him prior and after he acquires Visionâ€™s memories; incredible details reflecting mechanical features of the rebuilt android; a greatly-poseable specialized body; finely tailored white outfit with shimmering effect and cape attached; an energy beam effect accessory to recreate the fight scene from the finale; multiple pairs of interchangeable hands; and a themed figure stand.
If you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdown and easter egg articles forÂ the first two episodes,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
In the meantime, check out the WandaVision – 1/6th scale The Vision Collectible Figure (via Facebook)Â below:


Joker Is An Origin Movie Deserving Of The Clown Prince Of Crime

Who is the Joker before Batman? This remains unexplored territory even in the source material because the comics have always been more concerned with how intertwined (and in some ways, two sides of the same coin) the Joker is with Batman.
That’s what Todd Phillips’ Joker is attempting; a fleshed-out origin story for one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time.
The Killing Joke

The most famous Joker origin is arguably Alan Moore’s classic Batman: The Killing Joke graphic novel, giving the villain a simple backstory of an unnamed failed comedian who turned to a life of crime to support his family, before ‘one bad day’ (when he discovered that his pregnant wife died and his first heist went horribly wrong, where he fell into a vat of chemicals) turned him into the Joker.

The one and only aspect that the Joker movie derives from Batman: The Killing Joke is that he dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian and the concept of the ‘one bad day’, which is now considered integral to the Joker mythos.
It expands the Joker’s origin by not only giving him a name (Arthur Fleck) but also a clear history of mental illness (which was not explicitly mentioned or evident in the comic) and other personal details.

In the Joker movie, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) lives with his mother, Penny Fleck (Frances Conroy), suffering from mental illnesses (like pathological laughter, etc.) and trying to get by in life while working as a clown-for-hire. This version of Gotham City is akin to the late 70s New York City, a place plagued by widespread social injustices and a lack of empathy in the general populace.
Throughout the duration of the Joker movie, we see Arthur Fleck battered and bruised, abused both physically and mentally by the society at large. He is gradually being broken by the very city he lives in, struggling to survive the casual cruelties of people who have forgotten to practice even the slightest common decency for each other.
That’s not even mentioning the growing discontent of the poor huddled masses against the rich and fat higher echelons of society.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is his own complex take on the character, a brilliant performance that is as physical as it is psychological. He lost 24kg of weight to prepare for the role, and it shows in the malnourished and frail body of Arthur Fleck. His aforementioned pathological laughter leads to uncomfortable and unsettling situations, which while seemingly convenient for someone like the Joker to be afflicted with, is ultimately perfect for him.

His Joker is not inherently evil, but impulsively so, when committing visceral acts of violence with no hint of remorse. This is a disturbed and deranged Joker, with nihilistic and anarchic elements, similar to Heath Ledger’s Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight.
However, the biggest difference is that while Ledger’s Joker was an embodiment of chaos (which he needed to be as opposing fodder to Batman), Phoenix’s Joker is a more grounded and realistic version. This makes him the darkest and disturbingly-realistic depiction of the Joker to date.

Phoenix’s Joker has unique quirks like randomly dancing and scribbling creepy thoughts (and censored presumably sexy doodles) in a diary of sorts. What I can say is that he probably has the best laugh of any live-action Joker (with the exception of Mark Hamill’s), shrill and chillingly executed.
Many scenes in the Joker movie are open to interpretation, as they rely on the unreliable perspective of the increasingly unhinged and unstable Arthur Fleck. The line between reality and fiction becomes blurred and disconnected as we follow Fleck’s descent into madness, resulting in a movie that’s a lot less linear.
Is It Still A Comic Book Movie?

I like that the Joker movie finally addresses the problem of a villain like Joker. How did a man so insane and unpredictable get so many followers and henchmen?
It didn’t seem plausible, that is, until Phoenix’s Joker. I can see and sincerely believe why those suffering under the yoke of Gotham City would be inspired to hail this version of the Joker as a leader.

I appreciate the fact that Arthur Fleck’s Joker could plausibly appear in the real world as a threat, and that’s what makes Joaquin Phoenix’s depiction so scary, though it’s not exactly as “dangerous” of an idea as some people (and journalists in other publication) are fearing it to be, thus blowing out of proportions.

As a comic book fan, I love it when comic book movie adaptations include references and easter eggs to the source material. Without spoiling anything, I can confirm that the Joker movie is practically devoid of any. Which is actually what I already expected considering it’s already been clarified by Phillips that his movie is meant to be standalone and unconnected to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
That said, that fact didn’t deter me in any way from loving the Joker movie, which I’m sure many of my fellow comic book fans will attest to when they finally watch it. This may not be your Joker (or whatever your definitive version of Joker is), but this is still very much the Joker nonetheless, and that’s a good thing.
DC Black Label Triumphant

As the first of hopefully many DC Black (essentially standalone mature DC Comics movie adaptations), Joker is a resounding success.

It’s a powerful example of how varied, expansive and limitless comic books and their adaptations can be, without following any established template or formula.
Comic book movies can still be great movies or strong showcases of filmmaking/acting, and Joker is certainly proof of that. Joaquin Phoenix carries the movie by delivering a performance of a lifetime, and one that will leave viewers debating for many years and multiple viewings to come.

Joker is the last comic book movie to be released in 2019, and what a movie to leave the year on; with a BANG!

FINAL SCORE: 90/100
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGVQLHvwOY&w=560&h=315]
We received a preview screening courtesy of Warner Bros Malaysia. Joker premieres in Malaysian cinemas on 3 October 2019.


Dragon’s Dogma 2 Capcom Video Reveals New Key Art & Some Details

Capcom’s 2023 mid-year video showcase during “Not E3 2023” didn’t reveal much about Dragon’s Dogma 2, but the drip-feed did bear some fruit.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 director Hideaki “Devil May Cry” Itsuno talked a bit about what’s new in the upcoming action RPG sequel: improved physics and enemy AI as seen in the trailer, the fact that the entire game is powered by the RE Engine (which has been doing the heavy lifting for ALL of Capcom’s games), and also the game’s key art and pivotal characters.

The key art above shows off the newly-armoured main character the Arisen alongside two characters: Ulrika the bow-wielder who has a key connection with The Arisen, and Nadinia the priestess beastren. The beastren are a new race in Dragon’s Dogma 2; that’s also brand-new info.
Itsuno also talked about the Pawn system, which is more or less the same as the first game’s: you can have one pawn follow you along with two other support pawns you find online, creating your own party of four characters in single-player action glory. The previous title’s pawns are pretty intelligent (though chatty in the debut title), so we’ll hopefully see some improvements in the future game.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 has no release date/year yet, but it’s definitely coming out for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5, with new information most likely slated for this year’s Tokyo Game Show 2023. I’d definitely want the Capcom team to be hard at work at making the best possible action RPG they can create that isn’t called Monster Hunter.


JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean 2nd Part Premieres This September

The second half of the bats*** insane anime series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, a shonen anime featuring girls in prison with super spirit powers, will start airing on Netflix in a few months.
Stone Ocean’s second part will be streaming on Netflix worldwide on 1st September in its original Japanese VO form. The second part will feature episodes 13 to 24 and will conclude the sixth book of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series. David Production is back to animating and producing the series, with Kenichi Suzuki as chief director and Toshiyuki Kato as director.

For more JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, check out our intro of Stone Ocean’s manga.