Here’s Your First Glimpse At The Last Of Us HBO Series In Motion

Winter is indeed coming.
HBO just dropped the first official teaser of the upcoming TV adaptation of The Last of Us, the acclaimed action-adventure game from Naughty Dog that was arguably done dirty by its sequel in 2020.
The show will feature actors Pedro Pascal as Joel, Nico Parker as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, and Nick Offerman as Bill.

The teaser also gave us a clear look at the cordyceps epidemic, or at least the gunk on the wall that’s prevalent in the games.

Official! The Last of Us is coming to HBO! pic.twitter.com/J8V91SwfcL
— The Last of Us HBO – Status (@HBOsTheLastofUs) August 21, 2022

The Last of Us HBO miniseries, which is worth 10 episodes for its first season, will be out next year. The series is created by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and is executive produced by Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog fame. On infamy, depending on what you thought of the sequel. The show also stars Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Anna Torv as Tess.


Skull And Bones Delayed Four More Months At Last Possible Minute, But There’s An Upcoming Open Beta

Ubisoft’s upcoming pirate game Skull and Bones, which has experienced years of development issues since Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, is now delayed for four more months.
The upcoming title will be out on 9th March 2023 for Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, instead of its 11th November release date. At least Ubisoft has taken our advice on our PC Gaming Week video to not release the game on such a packed week filled with God of War: Ragnarok and Sonic Frontiers.
Furthermore, the game will have an open beta session ahead of the game’s release. As to when that’s happening, there’s no word as of yet.
“While the game development is finished at this stage, the extra time will be used to further polish and balance the experience using players’ feedback from our Technical tests and Insider Program which happened over the past two weeks. This is the right decision both for our players and for the long-term success of the game as 9th March, 2023 provides for a suitable release window for this very unique new brand.”
While it’s good that Ubisoft has some leeway before the end of the next fiscal year due to Singapore government deadline reasons (if there’s no game released by Ubisoft Singapore via government grant money, the government can take legal action), a huge number of Ubisoft Singapore staff will be working harder than usual from now until March 2023 to get this game sorted. Hopefully the company wouldn’t be resorting to crunch, because that’s going to add on to the pile of PR flak the company has been getting as of late.


What To Expect From The Boys Season 3

The Boys is one of Amazon Prime Videoâ€™s most popular series and needs no formal introduction. Season 2 recently debuted on 4 September 2020 and ended its eight-episode run on 9 October 2020.
Season 2 was another great season for the series, especially with its character-driven approach and shining the spotlight on supporting characters like Karen Fukuhara’s Kimiko (you can check out my full review here).
The ending still sets up a potential Season 3, though we’ll probably have to wait for a while, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Season 3 is slated to start filming in early 2021, which means that we could potentially get the third season near the end of 2021 at the earliest.
Below, Iâ€™ll be discussing what will potentially be happening in The Boys Season 3, so only those who have finished Season 2 should be reading this article. You have been warned:

The Introduction Of Soldier Boy And His Team, Payback

One confirmed new addition to The Boys season 3 cast is Soldier Boy, who will be played by Jensen Ackles of Supernatural. In the comics, he’s a Supe who is essentially a twisted take on Captain America.
Soldier Boy is also the leader of his own superhero team called Payback. Maybe he’ll be the one replacing Aya Cash’s Stormfront in the Seven (since she was left mutilated and burned but still alive at the end of Season 2).
What we do know is we’ll probably be meeting Soldier Boy and his team, Payback, in the very first episode of Season 3, if the name of the episode is any indication (as tweeted by showrunner Eric Kripke himself).

#TheBoys Will Return.#Season3 Begins Filming Early 2021You're Not Fucking Ready.#TheBoysTV @TheBoysTV @PrimeVideo @SPTV #SPNFamily @Sethrogen @antonystarr @JackQuaid92 @KarlUrban @ErinMoriarty_ @lazofficial @KarenFukuhara @The_JessieT @itsNateMitchell pic.twitter.com/sg0CdD74Pc— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) October 14, 2020

Kripke describes the character as â€œthe very first superhero, he’ll bring so much humour, pathos, and danger to the role”.
In the comics, Soldier Boy also had sex with Homelander in an attempt to join the Seven as part of the Herogasm event. While showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed that the sexual intercourse between them won’t happen, he did confirm that Herogasm will be featured in Season 3.
More on that below…
Brace Yourselves For Herogasm

If you think all the gratuitous violence and depraved sex scenes in two seasons of The Boys have been R-rated enough, you haven’t seen anything yet. The peak of all that will come in the form of Herogasm, which showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed will be featured in Season 3.
In the comics, Herogasm is an annual Vought-sponsored event where all the superheroes under the company indulge in a hedonistic party of the most extreme debauchery, from doing hard drugs to public orgies at a secret resort. Imagine the sex club from the first episode of The Boys Season 1, but bigger and bolder with a lot more superheroes in the mix.
What makes the story even more interesting is that Vought tricks the world at large into believing that these superheroes are actually assembling to stop a world-ending threat, in order to cover their public absence. It’s a deconstructive meta take on the annual crossover events of real comics like Marvel and DC Comics.
It remains to be seen how Herogasm will actually happen in The Boys Season 3, but the premise will likely be the same. The Boys will sneak into and infiltrate the Herogasm event to find out more about Vought’s diabolical plans.

Q: #AskTheBoys Soldier Boy? Please tell us there will be a scene a la “Herogasm” from the comic!– @WelshmenA: pic.twitter.com/hl3atxj9d0— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) October 12, 2020

More Clarity On Congresswoman Victoria Neumanâ€™s Plan

In the final moments of The Boys Season 2, the show hits us with the shocking revelation that Congresswoman Victoria Neuman (played by Claudia Doumit) is actually a Supe herself. Her ability somehow involves exploding the heads of anyone in her line of sight, maybe like an invisible heat beam or a psionic-based power.
It turns out that she was the one responsible for all the exploding heads and assassinations throughout Season 2, including Jennifer Esposito’s CIA deputy director Susan Raynor, John Doman’s Jonah Vogelbaum, and Goran ViÅ¡njiÄ‡’s Church of the Collective leader Alastair Adana.
However, the biggest questions remain unanswered. What is her ultimate goal? Is she really trying to take Vought down? Is she working for Vought? The Boys Season 3 will likely answer all of these and more, considering that Hughie is just starting to work with Neuman in her campaign to solve the problem of Supes.
In the comics, Victor Neuman is a male and created by the comic book creative team to be an exaggerated parody of President George W. Bush. He is a simple-minded man meant to be a puppet President controlled by Vought. His only purpose was to make sure that a Bill would be introduced to help insert Vought’s superheroes officially into the US military and start getting some of that sweer Department Of Defense money.
Victoria Neuman is the total opposite of Victor Neuman in every respect. She is smart, cunning, and ruthless. She’s not the type to be controlled by anyone, even Vought. She’s a Supe, which the male version in the comics isn’t. Perhaps showrunner Eric Kripke has a much different plan for her character.
A More Unhinged Homelander

Yes, technically, Homelander (played by Antony Starr) is already a “homicidal maniac” but that’s exactly how showrunner Eric Kripke described the character for The Boys Season 3 to Starr (via Collider).
Starr also said:
â€œIâ€™m actually looking forward to seeing Homelander off the leash. Itâ€™ll be really fun, just seeing him go unhinged and exact revenge. If you look at the end of Season 2, some people should be more scared than others, for sure.William Butcher should always have an alarm bell ringing in his head, and I think some other people have firmly put themselves in the line of fire for Season 3. It should be a lot of fun.â€
It’ll be scary to think what else Homelander will be capable of in The Boys Season 3, considering every atrocity he’s already committed. Still, an animal is most dangerous when cornered, and that’s exactly what Homelander is now after losing his Nazi girlfriend, Stormfront, and his son, Ryan.

Q: @TheBoysTV @therealKripke What will homelander be like in S3 given the events that happened to him at the end of S2? #AskTheBoys– @scenesoftheboysA: pic.twitter.com/qVnRnyBKZ6— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) October 12, 2020

We still have no idea when The Boys Season 3 will debut, but it will very likely take a while. In the meantime, maybe we’ll get the first season of The Boys spinoff first to tide us over until the third season arrives.


[Sponsored] Moontonâ€™s Move to Improve Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Experience Kicks Off with NEXT

Moontonâ€™s Mobile Legends has come a long way since its debut which rocked the MOBA scene thanks to its accessibility via free-to-play approach. Riding on the vast popularity of the MOBA genre which used to be PC exclusive, MLBB grows stronger every day. Today, it is one of the most popular and most-played mobile MOBA titles not just in Asia but all across the world.
Following constant improvements done over the years, what is next for Moonton? Their most important initiative of the year, called “NEXT”, aims to provide more than your typical game update. With the intention of refreshing the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang experience, NEXT is set to provide players – new, old and returning ones – a fresh take on the game which was first launched in late 2016.Â

Four years is a long time but in video games, it is pretty much twice the average life-cycle of typical multiplayer games. With the rapid movement of technology and content driven by the same tech, it is not uncommon to see gamers switch from one game to another. Like every other publisher in the games industry, player retention and growth is crucial for MLBB to stay relevant.Â

As a 90s rock band once said: “only superstars break the mold”. That is what the developers are doing with MLBB: taking a bold step in revamping and upgrading the game.Â

The NEXT initiative emphasizes on hero adjustments, art and sound upgrades and IP development that provides improvements on all aspects of the game. The two main components of this upgrade are “Hero” and “Control”.
Holding Out For A Hero ‘Til The End Of The FightÂ
The Hero component is a step to reinvigorate certain heroes which may have fallen down the popularity ladder either due to design or viability in-game. This isnâ€™t a novel issue as countless games see the dip and pick-rate for “older” heroes as newer ones are being introduced. Be it the ever-shifting meta or simply the playersâ€™ willingness to try out something new, the popularity of a hero fluctuates over time.Â
The preference of “meta heroes” may affect the game in the long run as matches become either too predictable or boring. To keep things interesting, developers usually rework certain heroes which causes a domino effect towards the hero pool. Although most players pick heroes based on their skill set, some choose theirs based on looks alone.Â
[wpvideo bMOA9cZE]

The developers of MLBB have been progressively tweaking and improving these classic heroes in hopes of making them stand out more.

This isnâ€™t to say the present designs are bad – far from it. However, giving the characters an updated look to fit more recent taste will do the trick in reigniting the popularity of some. So you can expect either subtle or wholesome changes in charactersâ€™ model appearances, animation and sound effects from top to bottom.Â
This rework isnâ€™t only skin-deep as other aspects of the heroes will be adjusted. Unique identifiers such as symbols, deeper lore and skill renovation will receive adjustments which work in tandem with one another.Â
Cruise ControlÂ
Pretty graphics are pointless without great controls. To complement the improvements being done aesthetically, the developers are also reworking the controls of the game to give it more substance without sacrificing the core feel the MLBB player base has come accustomed to.Â
One of the new features being brought forward is called “Smart Targeting”. By enabling players to select targets more accurately while using some hero skills, the dev team hopes that this new feature opens doors to more extensive tactics and maneuvers. This, in turn, helps elevate the game to another level.Â

Quality of life changes are in the cards, as the developers are working on ways to upgrade the presentation of MLBB. Examples include improved camera zoom out and tilt during skill cast.

While this portion is still in the testing stages, its implementation onto the public server shows promise.Â
It is rare to witness dedicated, prolonged support shown on a game by developers, moreover the brave decisions to improve on what is known to work for a while now. A year-long support is not uncommon, but a significant overhaul for a game which has been around for more than three years is something special. This, in turn, keeps the game fresh for its current player-base and at the same time captivating for those just starting their baby steps.Â
Perhaps the NEXT initiative is Moontonâ€™s way of giving back to its community which has been very vocal and supportive since day-1 of the game – which is always welcomed.

Regardless, this proactive step forward not only self-serves the brand on the offset, but it also ensures MLBB remains in-front of the mobile MOBA pack for many years to come.

This sponsored post is brought to you by Shanghai Moonton Technology Co., Ltd.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is developed by Moonton. You can download the free-to-play mobile game via Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.Â


PS Plus Game Catalogue July 2023 Adds It Takes Two, Twisted Metal & More

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced the July 2023 Game Catalog lineup for Extra and Premium subscribers, and Classics Catalog titles for Premium subscribers.
All games will be available on 18 July 2023.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog

It Takes Two | PS4, PS5
Embark on the craziest journey of your life in It Takes Two, a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass* and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges. Play as the clashing couple Cody and May, two humans turned into dolls by a magic spell. Together, trapped in a fantastical world where the unpredictable hides around every corner, they are reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship.
Master unique and connected character abilities in every new level. Help each other across an abundance of unexpected obstacles and laugh-out-loud moments. Kick gangster squirrels’ furry tails, pilot a pair of underpants, DJ a buzzing night club, and bobsleigh through a magical snow globe. Embrace a heartfelt and hilarious story, where narrative and gameplay are interwoven in a uniquely metaphorical experience.
*Friend’s Pass is included It Takes Two. It allows the owner of the game to invite another person to join online co-op with them for free.
It Takes Two will be available as a download only title on PlayStation Plus.

Sniper Elite 5 | PS4, PS5
The latest installment in the award-winning series, Sniper Elite 5 offers unparalleled sniping, tactical third-person combat and an enhanced kill cam. Fight your way across the most immersive maps yet, with many real-world locations captured in stunning detail, and an improved traversal system that lets you explore more of them than ever before. Bring your skills online by invading another player’s campaign, take on 16 player online competitive battles, or enjoy four player co-op Survival mode.

Snowrunner | PS4, PS5
SnowRunner puts you in the driver’s seat of powerful vehicles as you conquer extreme open environments with the most advanced terrain simulation ever. Drive 40 vehicles from brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Freightliner as you leave your mark on an untamed open world. Ride solo or play with other players in 4-player co-op. Overcome mud, torrential waters, snow, and frozen lakes while taking on perilous contracts and missions. Expand and customize your fleet with many upgrades and accessories including an exhaust snorkel for heavy waters or chain tires to battle the snow.

World War Z | PS4, PS5
World War Z is a heart-pounding co-op third-person shooter for up to 4 players featuring swarms of hundreds of zombies. Unlock powerful weapon upgrades and level 6 character classes to take on greater challenges. In co-op story-driven campaigns, survive around the world, as unique groups tell their stories of perseverance. Alternatively, fight other players for survival across intense Player vs Player vs Zombies game modes.

The Ascent | PS4, PS5
Meet new allies and enemies and find loot as you explore the brimming cyberpunk world of action-shooter RPG The Ascent. Aim low or high, switch weapons and equip lethal gadgets, take cover and use the destructible environments to your advantage and keep adjusting your tactic as you face new enemies. Customize your character with cyberware that suits your playstyle. Play the entire game alone or work together with up to three friends in local or online co-op.

Undertale | PS4
Explore a rich RPG world full of strange and delightful characters where violence isn’t the only answer. Dance with a slime…pet a dog…whisper your favorite secret to a knight…or ignore all of that and rain destruction upon your foes. The choices are yours—but are you determined enough to prevail?

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated | PS4
The cult classic is back, faithfully remade in spongetastic splendor! Play as SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy and use their unique sets of skills to show the evil Plankton that crime pays even less than Mr. Krabs. Want to save Bikini Bottom from lots of rampant robots with your mighty bubbles? Of course you do! Want to join forces in a brand new multiplayer mode? The battle is on! The brand two-player new horde mode for up to two players, online and offline.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina | PS4
This is the latest addition to the series of 2D fighting games based on the visual romance novel, Tsukihime. Explore an all-new MELTY BLOOD world from scenario writer Kinoko Nasu, based on the events of Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon-. Use characteristic Melty Blood mechanics as well as a few new powerful techniques, with an all-new simple control system which will allow both seasoned veterans and new players alike to fully enjoy the world of Melty Blood.

Dysmantle | PS4, PS5
Explore, craft and survive a world teeming with vile creatures in this isometric apocalypse sim. Unravel mysteries and solve puzzles as you explore the open world, build outposts to establish your presence and claim the island back area by area while creating tools and weapons from resources. Survive, thrive… and find a way to escape.

Circus Electrique | PS4
Circus Electrique combines enthralling, story-driven RPG tactics and circus management with a steampunk twist. When everyday Londoners mysteriously turn into vicious killers, only Circus Electrique’s talented performers can save the city. The “Greatest Campaign Mode on Earth” places these talented individuals in tactical turn-based battles. Crazed Bobbies, British Sailors gone bad, aggressive Posh Girls, and other Victorian-era archetypes stand in their way. Circus Electrique’s innovative Devotion morale system affects characters’ performance not only in battles, but also for actual circus shows, dutifully managed between heroic jaunts through six sprawling districts.

Dynasty Warriors 9 | PS4
Experience the thrill of ‘one versus thousands’ like never before in this continuation of the Dynasty Warriors franchise. Set in Ancient China, hack and slash your way across an ever-changing battlefield as you use the new Musou Action system to battle armies through a single, vast, open-world map. In addition, the captivating lives of an eclectic cast of officers intermingle in an expansive ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ world will allow you to feel completely immersed in the tides of history.

Samurai Warriors 5 | PS4
Samurai Warriors 5 reimagines the story, characters, action system of the very first game in the series, with a dynamic yet detailed art style  inspired by Japanese ink paintings. In the main Musou Mode, play as military commanders Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi and experience their stories taking place during the Sengoku period. In Citadel Mode, protect your base, either defending against oncoming enemies or defeating them, collecting resources to upgrade the various buildings in the My Castle menu.

My Little Pony: A Maretime Bay Adventure | PS4, PS5
Adventure across Maretime Bay and beyond as Earth Pony Sunny attempts to make the world a better place by hosting Maretime Bay Day, a forgotten celebration of friendship and magic. Unlock pony skills and accessories including clothing, purses, and magic abilities, and use your magic to put on fashion shows, find cute animals, fly with the Pegasi and more. Invite another player for multiplayer minigames such as a fashion show, herd bunnies and more.

Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R | PS4, PS5
Get behind the wheel of all your favorite Spy Racers vehicles and show criminal organization SH1FT3R you didn’t come to lose. You’ll need to use your brains, speed, and secret shortcuts hidden within levels to edge ahead and claim victory. But that’s not all, your car comes equipped with spy gadgets that will help you boost past rivals with superchargers, blind them with paintball bullets, or use your character’s unique Spy Skills to push through the pack.
With 17 pulse pounding tracks across 5 locations, you’ll need to master them all to prove you’re the best racer around. Play as 13 racers, including SH1FT3R across solo races and online or offline competitive races.

Monster Jam Steel Titans | PS4
Experience the complete Monster Jam experience with all the trucks, stunts, stadiums, racing and massive air in one game. Compete with 25 of the most popular trucks including Grave Digger and Max-D, then play in various game modes including Stadium and outdoor Racing, various Stunt Challenges and Destruction modes.
PlayStation Premium | Classics
Gravity Crash Portable | PS4, PS5
Retro fun meets futuristic thrills in PSP space shooter Gravity Crash Portable, now enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. Blast aliens across 30 hostile planets in stellar missions filled to the brim with wormholes, laser beams and amazing explosions.
Twisted Metal | PS4, PS5
The vehicular combat game returns. Experience Twisted Metal on PS1, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. Outwit, outrun and outgun up to eight other vehicles to be the last one surviving by driving anywhere and using machine guns, heat-seeking missiles and more. Take on a friend in a local split-screen two player mode.
Twisted Metal 2 | PS4, PS5
Smarter, deadlier and deeper battles in the vehicular combat world await in this sequel, with the PS1 version enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. Master combos and Advanced Attacks to blow away the competition and use special weapons to be the last vehicle on the road. Two player battles return, while the game’s Battlegrounds are now rich with hidden areas, mystery cards, teleporters and secret passageways.


Two New Movies Drop Into HBO GO Malaysia This Week

Two movies from HBO Max are coming to HBO GO Malaysia this week.
Locked Down

The brand-new HBO Max original feature film LockedÂ  Down from Warner Bros. Pictures and AGC Studios will premiere same time as the U.S. exclusively on HBO GO on Thursday, 14 January 2021.
From director Doug Liman (The BourneÂ  Identity; Mr & Mrs Smith), the romantic comedy heist film stars Anne Hathaway (Les MisÃ©rables; The Dark Knight Rises) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave; 2012). Watch the trailer here.Â Â
Shot during the early days of the pandemic under strict Covid-19 safety protocols, the film is inspired by what many may have experienced recently.Â
In Locked Down, just as they decide to separate, Linda (Anne Hathaway) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor) find life has other plans when they are stuck at home in a mandatory lockdown. Co-habitation is proving to be a challenge but fuelled by poetry and copious amounts of wine, it will bring them closer together in the most surprising way.
The film also stars Stephen Merchant (HBOâ€™s Hello Ladies; Jojo Rabbit), Mindy Kaling (â€œInsideÂ  Outâ€; â€œNo Strings Attachedâ€), Lucy Boynton (â€œSing Streetâ€; â€œBohemian Rhapsodyâ€), DulÃ© Hill (HBOâ€™s â€œBallersâ€; â€œThe West Wingâ€), Jazmyn Simon (HBOâ€™s â€œBallersâ€; â€œEdâ€), with Ben StillerÂ  (â€œTropic Thunderâ€; â€œNight At The Museumâ€) and Ben Kingsley (â€œGandhiâ€; â€œIron Man 3â€).Â

An American Pickle

Seth Rogen stars in dual leading roles in the film AnÂ  American Pickle premiering in Asia exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (Astro Ch 411 HD) at 9pm on Saturday, 16 January 2021.Rogen stars as Herschel Greenbaum, a struggling labourer who immigrates to America in 1920 with dreams of building a better life for his beloved family.Â  One day, while working at his factory job, he falls into a vat of pickles and is brined for 100 years. The brine preserves him perfectly and when he emerges in present-day Brooklyn, he finds that he hasnâ€™t aged a day. But when he seeks out his family, he is troubled to learn that his only surviving relative is his great-grandson, Ben Greenbaum (also played by Rogen), a mild-mannered computer coder whom Herschel canâ€™t even begin to understand.Â
The film, which is released under HBO Maxâ€™s Warner Max label, is an adaptation of the 2013 New Yorker series Sell Out by Simon Rich.


The Adam Project Director Shawn Levy On Working With Ryan Reynolds, 80s Movies Sci-Fi Inspirations & More

In The Adam Project, after accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-travelling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self on a mission to save the future. This science-fiction time travelling movie reunites director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Reynolds after 2021â€™s Free Guy.
Courtesy of Netflix Malaysia, we were lucky enough to interview The Adam Project director Shawn Levy about working with Ryan Reynolds, the movie’s 80s sci-fi inspirations and more. This interview has been edited for clarity.

The Adam Project is slated to premiere exclusively on Netflix on 11 March 2022.
What was it like to work together again with Ryan Reynolds again after Free Guy?
Shawn Levy: Ryan and I stumbled into a fantastic brotherhood when we met on Free Guy. Our mutual friend, Hugh Jackman, had told us for years, that if we ever made a movie together, Ryan and I would make 20 together. And we did find that we had very simpatico (compatible) personalities, work ethic, work attitude; we like to work really, really hard, but we also like it to be fun and we like to go home to our wives and our daughters.
So, we don’t believe that work needs to be torturous and hard for it to be great. So, we just found that we had a lot of similar attitudes and he makes me better at my job, I try to make him better at his job. Even when we’re not working, we love each other. We spend a lot of time together and it’s become a really nice friendship and a nice collaboration and one that we hope will result in many more movies together for the next many years.
How much input did Ryan Reynolds have for the jokes and script?
Shawn Levy: I think that when you collaborate with someone like Ryan, it would be crazy to ask him to just stand there and say the script. That would be like asking Deadpool not to use his blades. You want to let the person use their superpowers, and for me, that means letting Ryan Reynolds collaborate and contribute as a screenwriter and as a comedic voice.
So, on Free Guy and The Adam Project, Ryan and I did rewrites of the script for months before we started filming and then, when we were filming, we would collaborate and improvise new ideas every day. Certainly, there was already a huge idea and a great screenplay with The Adam Project, but every day in pre-production and every day in production, and every day in editorial, I would collaborate with Ryan to write new jokes, add new ideas, and it’s really why he’s more than just a performer.
He’s a true producer, alongside me, producing these movies.

How did you find Walker Scobell (The Adam Project is his debut feature film role)?
Shawn Levy: Walker is a revelation. The first thing I did, which I think is the smartest thing I did, was I called Carmen Cuba. Carmen is the casting director who cast Stranger Things for The Duffer Brothers and I. So, I knew from experience that she had an incredible instinct for young talent. She was able to find new, young actors in places that not everyone looked. So, I hired Carmen and we saw hundreds of boys, and Walker was among those boys.
When we hired him, we knew that he was very talented. We knew he was a good, authentic sweet kid, but we didn’t know that he was a Deadpool fanboy. An extreme Deadpool fanboy. So, Walker, even though he was only 11 or 12 when we met, had watched both Deadpool movies 25 times. So, he came to The Adam Project as an expert in Ryan Reynolds’ sarcasm and humour.
So, we were able to direct him, but he didn’t need to be taught from the ground up. He came with an encyclopedic knowledge of Ryan Reynolds’ rhythm, delivery style and mannerisms.
There were a lot of references and easter eggs in the movie. Can you tell us more about your 1980s movie inspirations?
Shawn Levy: So many of us were inspired by movies of the 80s. Those of us who were either pre-teens or teenagers in the 80s, I feel like the film culture of that decade permeated our soul and sticks with us. For me as a filmmaker, those films are part of my DNA. So, certainly, the ones that you mentioned, but also Back To The Future and E.T. Those emblem movies from my youth, my adolescence, they were escapist and joyous. But they were also very often about themes that felt bigger.
E.T. was about an alien, but it was really about the loss of the father and abandonment, and the way connection can save your life. A great emblem movie was always about popcorn fun, but it was always about something more human. The Adam Project, similarly, aspires to be an escapist adventure but also soulful and hopefully, emotionally resonant as well.

What was your vision for the film and what message are you trying to get across to viewers?
Shawn Levy: My vision for The Adam Project was two-fold. I wanted a populist piece of entertainment, I wanted it to be fun. I wanted it to be a joyous experience for the audience but I also had this idea, I knew there was a deeper idea here that could make the movie very emotional, the idea of reconsidering your past. All of us have ideas about our past, and we get locked into an idea of our history.
But that’s not necessarily accurate. And so I thought that a movie might be really profound and emotional if it could literally examine, a re-examination, of one’s personal history. So, I guess my vision of the movie is entertainment but also emotional warmth. And based on early reactions to the movie, it’s very gratifying that it seems to be providing both for viewers.
What’s unique about the time travel in The Adam Project compared to other sci-fi movies?
Shawn Levy: There’s been, of course, many time travel movies. Time travel movies are a subgenre of science fiction. My goal was to make a time travel movie that is not very sci-fi. I wanted it to look real, sound real, feel real. I didn’t want to make a conceptual, intellectual, piece of science fiction. I want to make emotional sci-fi, so I tried to simplify the rules of time travel and simplify the plot so that we could connect with the characters and the emotions and experience the movie in our hearts and not just our heads.


We Might Be Getting A Spider-Man Far From Home Trailer Before Avengers 4

Marvel Studios gave us a new Captain Marvel trailer, with rumors circulating of an Avengers 4 trailer arriving later this week. If it doesn’t, at least we’ll be getting a Spider-Man Far From Home trailer this weekend to make up for it.
According to sources from both Collider and IGN, the first ever trailer for the sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man Homecoming will be debuting at the Brazil Comic-Con on Saturday, December 8, 2018. It will then be published online for the whole world to see.
If this turns out to be true, it will be a bit strange, considering that Spider-Man Far From Home is supposed to chronologically take place after the events of the upcoming Avengers 4.
Spider-Man Far From Home is also slated to be released after Avengers 4 comes out, so an Avengers 4 trailer should logically be released first. However, since there is no definitive release date for the Avengers 4 (at the time of writing), we have to assume that it’s not coming out this week.
Then again, what will the Russo brothers (Directors of Avengers Infinity War and Avengers 4) be presenting at The Game Awards? That could be when the Avengers 4 trailer drops, or it could just be our first look at Square Enix’s The Avengers Project.
No matter what happens, this week is set to be an exciting one for Marvel fans. Stay tuned to Kakuchopurei for future updates.


Infinix Launches New 260W & 110W-Wireless All-Round FastCharge Technology

Infinix has officially announced the launch of 260W All-Round FastCharge and 110W Wireless All-Round FastCharge, alongside its transformative “All-Round FastCharge” solution that offers flexible, safe and smart fast charging experiences for users in all scenarios.
Liang Zhang, Deputy General Manager at Infinix, said:
“Infinix has always been at the forefront of developing fast charging technologies that meet the evolving needs of our customers. We always prioritize the overall charging experience while leading the development of fast charge technologies, including our previous industry-leading technologies, the 160W FastCharge and 180W Thunder Charge.
Building on this, we are excited to introduce the 260W & 110W-Wireless All-Round FastCharge technology and All-Round FastCharge solution, which sets a new benchmark for fast charging. With this innovation, we aim to provide our users with a supreme charging experience.”
260W All-Round FastCharge

Infinix has developed a new 260W All-Round FastCharge technology that improves mobile phone fast-charging with breakthroughs in charging architecture, charger design, and charging cable.
The charging architecture uses a 4-Pump Intelligent Circuit Design that intelligently identifies power requirements and allocates the number of charge pumps needed to work, and the upgraded 12C high rate 4400mAh battery with a multi-electrode lug structure, which ensures a high charging conversion efficiency of up to 98.5%, while also increasing battery durability. The battery retains more than 90% of its energy after 1,000 cycles.
The charger uses triple GaN material PFC + AHB innovative circuit architecture, which has high power density, small size, more intelligent and safe charging control, and a wider range of chargeable products. The charging cable adapts to the Emarker identification chip, with a new interface structure design. This cable can carry a current up to 13A, and when combined with Infinix’s customized fast charging protocol, ensures that 260W high-power extreme fast charging is possible.
110W Wireless All-Round FastCharge

Infinix’s new 110W Wireless All-Round FastCharge technology can fully charge a phone in just 16 minutes. By using custom-made small-sensitive coils that have fewer coils than traditional designs and wider coils in the same space, Infinix overcomes traditional architectural limitations, reduces coil internal resistance, subsequently lowers phone temperature rise, increases peak power charging time, and improves wireless charging efficiency.
The custom-made 110W wireless charger features a dual coil design for both vertical and horizontal charging. The charge station also employs a fan at the base for silent air-cooling, which improves heat dissipation efficiency in typically high-heat areas.
Infinix’s All-Round FastCharge Solution

Infinix has developed an innovative charging solution called the All-Round FastCharge, which takes charging technology to a new level. The company’s long-term plan focuses not only on speed, but also on creating an all-around charging experience that is fast, flexible, smart, and safe. With this solution, consumers can charge their devices in a variety of ways, wherever they are in the world, without being tethered to a power source. The goal is to provide consumers with a seamless and convenient charging experience that meets all their needs.
In order to provide consumers with an all-around charging experience that is fast, flexible, smart and safe, Infinix’s first-generation All-Round FastCharge solution is packed with features. The solution offers both wired and wireless fast charging, as well as reverse charging, bypass charging, and multi-protocol charging. With wired and wireless dual fast charging, users can enjoy a supreme charging experience on the go. The reverse charging function also allows users to transform their phones into portable chargers.
Infinix is compatible with multiple fast charging protocols, including PD 3.0, and offers intelligent charging and monitoring features such as night charging and bypass charging to extend battery life and reduce heat. In terms of safety, Infinix’s solution includes over 140+ protection mechanisms and 20+ temperature sensors, ensuring safe operation even in extreme environments.
Users will be able to experience the All-Round FastCharge with Infinix’s upcoming NOTE series. Through innovation and a focus on delivering a high-quality consumer experience, Infinix continues to push the boundaries of cell phone charging, offering even faster and safer fast-charge solutions to consumers worldwide.
For more information about Infinix Malaysia, you can stay tuned on their official website, Facebook page, Instagram page and  TikTok channel.


Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence Looks Like A Promising Mobile FPS

We finally get a look at what Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence has in store for us gameplay wise. The post-crisis New York City shooter aims to bring The Division experience to mobile.
The original Tom Clancy’s The Division was released in 2016 on the PS4, Xbox One and PC accumulating US$330 million worldwide in its first five days. Its sequel, The Division 2, came out in 2019 to a smaller reception than the original, but it still has a loyal following who play the game regularly.
The free-to-play shooter takes place in post-crisis New York following the release of a smallpox variant referred to as the Green Point, which kills 90% of people. You will step into the role of the first wave of Division agents — trained field operatives who must remain anonymous — sent into the city with access to weapons and skills found in the previous Division games, although with some differences in the mobile version. The development team aims to have it release sometime in 2023.
So far we know that the touch controls are somewhat reminiscent of Call of Duty: Mobile’s default layout. James Berry, the community developer for the game, confirmed support for Bluetooth controllers is something the development team is working on for the game’s launch.

In contrast to its predecessors, instead of being able to mix and match skills and abilities, players will have to select a certain specialisation. Upon the release of the upcoming Resurgence alpha test, three classes of the initial six classes will be playable. The first three are Demolitionist, with access to a turret and seeker mine; Bulwark, a defensive option with access to the ballistics shield and mobile cover; and the Vanguard, who can scan enemies and make use of a drone.
“The idea being we want players to be able, to as a team, find the right mix of specializations depending on their needs, depending on the mission or the activities that they’re playing,”
– James Berry, Community Developer on Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence
The base game will take place in Midtown Manhattan similarly to the first Divison game, but Berry stated that more areas of the city will be made available over time. Players will partake in missions and side activities either by themselves or with a team similar to the other Division games.
They’ll go up against different enemy factions including the new group called the Freemen, who make their own weapons and armour. Players will also face escaped prisoners, known as the Rikers, and the cultish city workers referred to as the Cleaners, both of whom were introduced in the first game.
Berry also confirmed the Dark Zone will also be featured in Resurgence but won’t be in the upcoming alpha test. For those that don’t know the Dark Zone’s an area where players fight against enemies as well as each other.
WIth Resurgence being free-to-play, fans expressed their concerns in regards to how much monetisation will be in the game. Espescially with the recent release of Diablo Immortal, it didn’t take long for players to figure out that the game was essentially “pay-to-win”.
Berry addressed that monetisation is an “ongoing topic” for the development team.
“It’s something that we’re still working on something that we’re going to be testing a bit later in the year,
The main focus for us is to make sure that everyone can play it on an equal footing. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the game at their own pace with it being balanced between all our players.”
– James Berry, Community Developer on Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence
The Division Resurgence will be free when it launches on iOS and Android phones, and the team will release a list of hardware that can run the game sometime before launch.


State Of Decay 2 Is Tense, Fun, & Frustrating; Here Are 5 Reasons Why

Platforms: Xbox One, PC (via Windows 10 Store)
Genre: Action Adventure, Zombie-Killing Simulator
When was the last time you played a post-apocalyptic open-world zombie action game where you have to manage your little community of survivors while also playing hunter/gatherer?Â Games like the Dead Rising and Dead Island/Dying Light series do not count because they embody the power fantasy of being a multi-skilled lone saviour in an undead-filled landscape.
If you want to play as a real human being with just enough skills to get by while working alongside other people to survive in such a hellish life, you have the State of Decay games for that. Is the second game any different from the first? Apart from the new four-player co-op mode and a bigger number of states and mechanics to play around in and with, not much.
But does it need to be radically different to set itself apart from its predecessor? No, because what it’s already doing is special in itself. Most of the first game’s critiques have been addressed to make a more expansive sequel.
Much like the first State of Decay, you control and maintain a band of survivors as you jump from outpost to outpost trying to get by the zombie wasteland. Despite the fact that we’re still halfway in the game (we’re 20 hours in) its issues,Â we still recommend this title wholeheartedly.
Here’s why.

#1. Because You Want The Challenge Of Managing Your Own Walking Dead Community
State of Decay 2 puts you through a short tutorial involving a survivor pair of your choosing and some tips on base-building. After that, you’re on your own. You have to figure out a lot of things through your own experiences, like:

Repairing weapons, which isn’t as obvious even after you build your first workshop in your first-ever base.
Learning to curb zombie infestations nearby your area. Otherwise, your base will be frequently attacked.
Figuring out who should join your merry group of survivors. The more people who gather within the same outpost, the more susceptible it is to attracting zombies due to the area’s noise level.
Learning that you have to go out at night to hunt for resources to keep your survivors happy. We’ll talk more about State of Decay 2’s nighttime events.
Realizing the fact that time will not stop for you, even when you’re on the menu screen or on the base-slash-outpost-management screen as you still figure out the nuances of the game.

This game does not hold your hand. Sure, you can look up the hints and tips section on how to deal with plagueÂ zombies and plague hearts (more on that later too), but you need to be sharp about things.

Not only do you need to be out there in the wild and in the dark to search for supplies, you also need to manage and figure out what outpost structures are necessary at that point in time. Don’t get too attached to your surroundings if it’s too much of a hassle to maintain and keep.

#2. The Plague Mechanic Makes Things Messy
State of Decay 2 features a plague mechanic, where your survivors can contract a disease named the blood plague. Whoever gets it will eventually die off and turn into a plague zombie, which are powered-up versions of the undead with distinct red bloodied glowing eyes. They can be cured, but you need to kill a bunch of plague zombies to collect plague samples to fashion a cure.
Plague zombies all stem from a source in an area called a plague heart; there’s a ton of these on the game’s large map. Destroying these will cull the plague zombie numbers, but the more you destroy, the tougher and more well-guarded the next plague heart will be.

The first few plague hearts might be easy to burn down; yes you need to prepare Molotovs & grenades for these extermination missions. But subsequent hearts will be guarded by stronger, faster, and sturdier zombie types like the Ferals and the Juggernauts.

And then there are the nighttime sections, where plague zombies and tougher zombie types roam around the area in hordes. Sure, killing more zombies means more influence, but that puts you more at risk because your survivors can get tired and ill, and may even contract the blood plague.
State of Decay 2 gets more and more challenging, to the point where you need to make resource sacrifices or even kick out a guy or two from the community to stabilize your survival situation.

#3. There’s A Bigger Post-Apocalyptic Playground To Muck About In
State of Decay 2 expands upon the first game in terms of scope and magnitude. Not only do you have 3 huge open world states to explore in, you also have more things to do like more survivor missions, more plague heart-eradication missions, the random survivor drop-in and drop-out moments, and random infestations. The game also features story missions and character-specific missions that help net you more stars (for trading and claiming outposts) and more experience for skill specialization.
After you max out a survivor’s particular skill, you can specialize that skill so that you can get more benefits. If your Cardio skill is maxed out, you can specialize to either dodge better and do a flying knee attack (Acrobatics), or have the capacity to carry more supplies without the stamina penalty (Backpacking).
You also get cars to drive around in. Not only do you get around better since the map is much bigger, you get to run down zombies accompanied with that satisfying “THUMP” sound. You will need to get ready a few gas cans and repair kits, since the cars you find are in less-ideal conditions.

This sense of progression helps power up your survivors, but not to the point of making them overpowered. This just gives you a fighting chance against the escalating difficulty of the game.

#4. The Game Throws Curveballs At You, Making You Have To Adapt
Every mission from a simple peace offering between neighbour survivor groups to aforementioned extermination missions can end up going south or produce different outcomes. Whether you want to stay inclusive within your group or help out your neighbours, the later hours of the game may have you dealing with either more hostile human groups or random folks wanting to join your base and help out.
There are many outcomes to your Community, so much so that you might end up with a different group of people to control by the game’s final few hours (story-wise), or even a dire end to said Community.
The game’s narrative is handled a little different here. Each survivor has their personal stories which you can complete. Eventually, you’ll get to the game’s overarching narrative which involves a militia group and the extreme measures they’re going through to rid the state of its zombie problem.
While you don’t need to rush to that narrative goal, it’s good to know that gamers looking for their State of Decay story fix are not left out of the lurch. Heck, sometimes these story points don’t turn out the way you want to because of the behaviour of your survivors, or even a random zombie horde barging in to wreak havoc.

You will have to constantly watch your back; that’s part of the fun of State of Decay 2. You’ll have your own water cooler undead-killing/survivor nail-biting saving moments to share with others.

#5. There’s Four-Player Co-Op Mode
You can play State of Decay 2 by yourself, but the game gets a little more bearable with two to four people watching your back. Since the game is focused on co-operative survival, there is no friendly fire option.
Of course, being in a big group means more noise from your end, meaning you will attract hordes and any nearby infestation to your side. Hope you have survivors with good fighting skills and excellent cardio because you’ll be doing a lot of zombie-bashing and running. Best of all? You can radio your pals into your game (via the in-game option) for no cost at any time.
Some Kinks To Take Note Of
Despite the above highlights, State of Decay 2 is not perfect. Inventory management between survivors is a pain in the ass. Rather than having the one-button yap convenience of amassing some spendable resources into one pool in the base, the game still requires your survivors to individually hold them to repair items and perform other resource-intensive tasks.

Your survivor tag team cannot trade items for some reason, which means you have to switch between them to carry excess items after putting them down on the floor. So far this has been the most annoying thing in the game, and it’s very prevalent since resource-hunting is part and parcel of the State of Decay 2 experience.

There’s also the bugs. Lots and lots of bugs. Doors that are closed but looked like they’re opened. Teleporting undead. Cars that get stuck onto seemingly-low barriers. Wonky camera angles when inside enclosed spaces, made far worse when you’re aiming. I’m also hearing some game-breaking bugs that require a Community restart, but thankfully I’m not one of them (so far).
I could go on, but for a game that’s exclusive to a console, I expected more polish.
In Closing
Unless you swear fealty to the first game, State of Decay 2 is definitely a must-play for fans of survival games and action adventure games featuring reanimated cadavers & post-apocalyptic settings. You can make up your own Walking Dead-esque community, shape their tales, beef them up so that they get awesome skills, and try to keep them alive until the eventual site unrest & infestation kicks in and chaos ensues.

Regardless, your zombie tales will always differ with each new community you build and start. And that is what makes State of Decay 2 enjoyable to an extent. Even with the rough edges and the eventual grind for influence/stars, we’ll still take this over whatever the hell Dead Rising 4 ended up being.
At least State of Decay 2 attempts to cultivate its unique gameplay loop, and unabashedly so.

Pros

Tense and challenging open-world survival gameplay.
Multi-layered scenarios and unpredictable outcomes = replayability.
The four-player addition makes it all the more fun…and hectic.

Cons

Might get a sense of deja vu if you played the first game religiously.
Inventory-managing and user interface needs a lot of work.
Bugs, and lack of polish.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100
State of Decay 2 will be out this May 22 for Xbox One and PC (via Windows 10).


ASUS ROG Teams Up With ACRONYM For Zephyrus G14 Special Edition

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced a collaboration with ACRONYM, a leading technical apparel design agency, to create a special edition model of the ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop that melds top-of-the-line hardware with a radical new vision for what technology can be.
This new device is based on a design concept grounded in ACRONYM co-founder Errolson Hughâ€™s vision of a more empowered user: not just a gamer, but a thinker and a creator.

In the 26 years since the company’s founding in 1994, ACRONYM has built an extensive design portfolio dedicated to fusing singular style with the latest technology. Previously, they have designed product lines for Nike and Arcâ€™Teryx, virtual video game gear for Square Enix / EIDOS, and clothing under their own flag.
For the special edition of the Zephyrus G14, Hugh brought in long-time collaborator, designer David Rudnick, whose studio, Terrain, is sought-after by industry leaders in fashion, music and the arts for their visionary approach to building visual systems that require a completely original aesthetic.

With its title as the most powerful 14â€ gaming laptop on the market, the G14 is well-equipped for both everyday multitasking and gaming; engineered with high-end materials lightweight and resilient enough to travel anywhereâ€“the ideal canvasfor ACRONYMâ€™s first gaming hardware design.
On a pure component level, the Zephyrus G14 boasts a punchy 8-core 16-thread AMD RyzenTM 9 CPU and a potent NVIDIA GeForce RTXTM 2060 GPU, which gives it the power for content creation, like editing videos or streaming, and lets it blaze through tons of modern titles.

It also features a slick IPS-level display that is PantoneÂ® Validated for colour accuracy and boasts Adaptive Sync variable refresh rate technology for ultra-smooth gaming. That the device manages to pack this considerable power in a 14-inch chassis less than 20mm thin takes premium to a new level.
The Zephyrus G14 is crafted from high-end materials, from its magnesium alloy deck to its aluminium lid, that allow it to be as light as it is strong. Visually, itâ€™s also set apart by its one-of-a-kind AniMe MatrixTM LED display that offers gamers and creators a new platform to show off custom animations, text effects, and audio visualizers.

The ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 ACRNM RMT01 builds from this base and enhances it with several distinct visual features. The collaboration pushed the limits of what is possible, using custom materials, etching, machining, specially developed paints, and two completely original typefaces to bring ACRONYMÂ®â€™s vision to life.
Precision etchings along its sides reinforce the notion that this is a precision-crafted tool that also took great technical care to make. While its carbon black surfaces are sleek enough to blend into any environment, a closer look reveals striking touches, schematic markings, and iconography that invite curiosity.

Every detail on the laptop was given consideration; even the AniMeTM Matrix is equipped with eight ACRONYM-designed animations exclusive to this device. Even the deviceâ€™s packaging is unique, designed to fully follow through on ACRONYMâ€™s philosophy of sustainability and functionality.
Everything from the box to the unique ACRONYMÂ® Airpak laptop sleeve is designed to be reusable and recyclable. Altogether, the ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 ACRNM RMT01 represents a bold new frontier in gaming technology, fusing next-gen style with next-gen hardware for the next generation of gamers.

The ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 ACRNM RMT01 will be available from October 2020 in Malaysia. You can head on over to this link to pre-order it now.
The pricing and specs are as follows:
G14 ACRNM AMD RyzenTM 9 4900HS16G+16G (on board)NVIDIAÂ® GeForce RTXTM 2060 Max-QWQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS-level panel, 60Hz1TB SSD RM 11,299


Guilty Gear Strive’s Ramlethal Valentine Nendoroid Is Open For Pre-Order

Good Smile Company has announced the Ramlethal Valentine Nendoroid from Arc System Work’s Guilty Gear Strive. It’s available to pre-order for ¥9,500 (or roughly RM311+) on the official website. It is expected to release sometime in December 2022.
She comes with both a standard face plate and an attacking face plate. Her two greatswords are also included as optional parts. You can also use her different arm parts to create action-packed fighting poses.


5 Games To Play Leading Up To Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts releases in less than a week but in the gaming world, that can feel like an eternity. So between now and then what are you going to do? Go outside? Touch some grass? I mean yes you can go do that but wouldn’t you rather scratch that monster-hunting itch? But how can you do that if Wild Hearts isn’t even out yet?

Check out the previous feature I did on Wild Hearts
Well, Wild Hearts is heavily compared to Monster Hunter, and there is a plethora of Monster Hunter clones out there. So here are all of the best games to play on PC leading up to Wild Hearts’ release on 16 February.
Note: Expect to see A LOT of Monster Hunter on here.

Toukiden 2

Toukiden 2 is an excellent option for those who want to play a game similar to Monster Hunter. The game revolves around hunting demons known as Oni to protect humanity from destruction. The game has a lot of similarities to Monster Hunter, including hunting large beasts, teaming up with friends, upgrading weapons and gear using resources from defeated enemies, and originating from handheld consoles.
Toukiden 2 was designed with PC in mind from the start, making it a better option than Toukiden: Kiwami, the enhanced version of the first game. The game is also the only open-world game in the Toukiden series, which is equivalent to Monster Hunter: World in the Monster Hunter series. If you’re a fan of hunting large beasts and upgrading weapons, Toukiden 2 is a great option for you.

Dauntless

Dauntless offers the same exciting experience as Wild Hearts and Monster Hunter while also simplifying it. Not only that but the game takes out the time-consuming parts between fights, allowing players to jump from the social arena, Ramsgate, straight into hunting a Dauntless Behemoth. Players will also be able to enjoy the familiar loot-based system, with many exotic weapons and armour to collect.
And guess what? It’s FREE! With Dauntless being free-to-play, it provides an accessible alternative for those who may be hesitant about investing in a large game like Monster Hunter.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is another creature-slaying RPG from Capcom that is ideal for those who want a game similar to Monster Hunter and Wild Hearts. The game starts with a dragon stealing the protagonist’s heart, which sets the player on a journey to retrieve their stolen organ and defeat the dragon. Despite starting out as a weak character, the player eventually becomes the “chosen one” with the ability to take on massive beasts such as Hydras, Griffins, and Chimeras.
This game offers an open-world, large creatures to fight, a wide range of armour and gear upgrades, and a team of companions to lead. However, the team consists of AI-controlled “Pawns” rather than other online players. Players can train their Pawns and allow other players to use them in their own games. Although it doesn’t offer online co-op, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen still offers a similar experience to Monster Hunter for those who prefer to play on PC.

God Eater 2 Rage Burst

The main attraction of the game is the God Arcs, which are the weapons players use to defeat the Aragami, the giant monsters in the game. The weapons are upgradeable using materials collected from the defeated monsters, and players can even devour the corpses for added benefits.
God Eater 2 has a variety of weapons that are similar to the ones in Monster Hunter, offering a lot of room for specialization. Players can choose from scythes, sniper rifles, short blades, and many other weapons, each with its own unique form that can be deployed in battle. The game also offers a multitude of missions that allow players to farm items and materials to upgrade their equipment. Some players may find it repetitive, while others may enjoy the opportunity to become better at delivering violence. But above all, the soundtrack from Go Shiina clearly slaps.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is definitely worth checking out. As the first Monster Hunter game on PC, it represents a new era in the series, with huge biomes that are a vast improvement over the segmented zones with numerous loading screens of the past.
This game also offers an enhanced tracking system where fireflies analyze tracks and carcasses to help hunters find the initial location of monsters. This makes it a great choice for players who enjoy cooperative games, with a large number of monsters to hunt and constant updates, including the Iceborne expansion, that make this one of the biggest Monster Hunter games yet.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is an excellent choice for those looking for a game similar to Monster Hunter and Wild Hearts. The game offers a more accessible tutorial, unique movement options, and a strong connection to Japanese culture. With the addition of Palamutes as hunting companions and Wirebugs that allow for new aerial moves and special weapon attacks, Monster Hunter Rise feels fresh and exciting. It offers a wide variety of new and returning monsters, each with its own unique fighting style, taking inspiration from Japanese folklore.
With the Sunbreak expansion, players can expect even more excitement with the introduction of European folklore-inspired beasts and an endgame mechanic that adds complexity to regular hunts. With more updates planned for 2023, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak promises to remain one of the best PC games available.


Samurai Maiden Is Strictly For D3 Janky Action Fans, And No One Else

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Genre: 3D action game with ninjas, samurais, fox ladies, and girl love
If you like your action games cheaply made and overpriced, look no further than D3 Publisher and developer Shade Inc.’s latest title Samurai Maiden.
The game pits you as a young schoolgirl named Tsumugi who gets warped from her 21st-century trappings into the Sengoku period. She teams up with three ninja females as they help out Nobunaga fight off the undead horde in 24 different stages filled with action and platforming. Along the way, Tsumugi gets to bond with said ninjas: ninja-in-training Iyo who has the same body type as Tsumugi, mechanical arm ninja Hagane with the well-endowed big sister archetype, and haughty fox ninja lady Komimi with the tsundere vibe.
The trio also have their respective elements skills that can help with hindering the opposition: Iyo with fire shurikens and the ability to carry and place items on-stage, Hagane with her Lightning gauntlet and grapple skill to swing to places, and Komimi with her onmyoji Ice hammer magic and her bomb-carrying-and-throwing skills. They don’t do squat unless you command them, which makes them kinda useless if you’re not active with your support and assist buttons.

Girl Wood

In case the feature image on the review didn’t tip you off, Samurai Maiden is a yuri game, meaning the girls will eventually fall in love with each other throughout the course of the story. After all, when you activate your special sword buff powers, the game transitions to a scene where you get publicly intimate with your ninja partner. Tsumugi will form bonds via bringing them to battle, and will talk/train with them through a series of visual novel segments that may either entertain or bore you depending on your tolerance for anime nonsense and a lot of back-and-forth.
Did I like it? Well, I did skip portions of it because I know where most of the conversations are headed. This isn’t my first anime game rodeo, but if you’re into all the anime tropes and romance bits that entail, you’ll find something to love here.
The bonds you forge aren’t just for show; Tsumugi will gain new moves from being more than friends with the trio. Iyo will give you new sword combos, while Hagane gives you aerial attacks. Komimi will give you quick getup evades and parries, so you’d do well to replay stages to get their relationships higher and higher for those new skills.
As the relationship meter gets higher, you also unlock Pocket Bubble character stories & quests: you bring one of the ninjas through a short puzzle stage and also unlock their new weaponry with skills and upgradeable stats. These also unlock new artwork as well as flesh out the ninja gals’ stories and history further. I’ll have to admit: the Pocket Bubble stages are quick bouts of platforming and simple puzzle-solving fun that made me tolerate the Samurai Maiden experience.

Finger Maidens

You’ll need all the help you can get here because Samurai Maiden gets downright dirty like a D3 game. You only have one life in a stage; there are checkpoints that give you extra lives, but the undead you face can overwhelm you, at least in the later stages. You have your grunts, your giant heavies, your ogre enemies, your heavy ogres, and a ton of flying skulls that explode in your face. The enemy variety is lacking, to say the least, but they can get cheap and tough to fight especially in droves. The heavy enemies cannot be interrupted at all unless you use the corresponding elements to stun them. Most enemy attacks come out pretty fast and can deal big damage if you’re not careful.
This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the paltry defense options you have. Some of your heavy attacks have terrible recovery, and your evade isn’t that reliable. Your lock-on completely focuses the camera onto your target to the point where it can get janky and bonkers. When not in lock-on, your attacks somehow focuses on the weakest enemy instead of where you’re pointing your character with the left analog, resulting in a ton of frustrating moments when fighting. Even with the majority of the skills unlocked, enemies can dogpile you really quickly because they cannot be interrupted even with heavy attacks and can just knock loads of life away if you aren’t careful.
The worst part is the game throwing you into some questionable arenas, where you have a big boss type in a small enclosed area that is occasionally on fire, and multiple enemies with area-of-attack body splashes just fill up the screen with little to no room for you to evade and defend yourself. And some of these rooms even have disappearing floors, with the worst part being enemies that fall down will respawn back to the battlefield with nary a scratch. This is just bad action game design.
This leads to many situations where I just spammed my partner’s ninja attacks like no tomorrow. Most of the time, my victories are attributed to luck and how patient I am at kiting & positioning enemies for maximum damage. In an action game that’s supposed to reward you for skill, there isn’t any you can use here save for pure brute force (spamming your ninja assists and your fastest attacks). Heck, your stun and hurt animations recover quite slowly for a game that relies on fast reflexes and counters; don’t get hit unless you want to get juggled to death by ogre splashes and giant undead knockdown slams.
Add to the fact that you have to restart from the beginning of the stage if you die at any time just because of said dogpiling and enemy attrition, and the frustration tends to pile up for each replay.

Dull Edge

Simple and to the point with its yuri-flavoured storyline and trappings: That’s Samurai Maiden in a nutshell. It’s also quite a chore to play, as you can only get the best skills and powerups through grinding for relationship points with the three ninjas. The game’s attrition-based difficulty and finicky controls really hamper what could have been a brainless fun and sexy romp involving a high school girl with her potential girlfriends from a different era. If that’s the sort of arcade action you crave, by all means, go nuts. At the very least, it does have its moments.
Pros

Cute isekai story with romance sprinkled in.
Pocket Bubble stages are fun.
First few combat stages are alright, short, and sweet…

Cons

…until you see a lack of enemy variety and padded-out last few areas.
Gets very cheap with difficulty combat-wise.
Control issues.

Final Score: 50/100
Review copy provided by distributors Clouded Leopard Entertainment.


OPPO Partners With Riot Games For 2021 League Of Legends World Championship

Global tech brand OPPO has announced its partnership with Riot Games to sponsor the League of Legends World Championship 2021 (S11) today. The partnership was part of the companyâ€™s multi-year deal signed with Riot Games since 2019. This partnership will help OPPO further enhance its brand awareness among global esports players.
This year, OPPO will present the most valuable players awards to pro players who dominate the battlegrounds with otherworldly performances in the finals. OPPO will also bring gaming highlights as well as interviews of pro players and their teams to the audience, giving viewers the inside scoop of their progress to the final game.
OPPO Global Marketing Vice President William Liu said:
â€œIt is our pleasure to continue this partnership with Riot Games this year. League of Legends provides OPPO a platform to let more gamers around the world get to know us better.
More importantly, the unyielding spirit of pro players is similar to OPPOâ€™s relentless strive for innovation when it comes to products and technology.
We are constantly concentrated on delivering nothing short of excellence and creating unique experiences for our users.”
Riot Games Global Head Esports John Needham said:
â€œBased on the successful partnership last year, we are thrilled to have OPPO sponsor the League of Legends World Championship 2021.
As the first global smartphone partner for the game, OPPO has become one of the most impressive tech brands among global esports players.
We look forward to seeing what OPPO will bring to the audience in the finals.â€ said John Needham, Global Head of Esports at Riot Games.”
This yearâ€™s finals is the theme; â€œMake/Breakâ€, which represents the courage and spirit to break the impossible and create new possibilities. In this pursuit of making the OPPO Find X series, the OPPO Find X3 Pro not only allows people to shoot and store the world in 10-bit colour but also boasts a screen display with over a billion colours.
In addition, the Find X3 Pro is equipped with in-house Color Vision Enhancement as part of ColorOS 11.2. It produces potential screen calibration and is optimally colour-corrected for people who suffer from colour vision deficiency. The outstanding colour capability and accessibility design on the Find X3 Pro is unprecedented.
It also features a Gaming Mode in ColorOS. When players toggle to Gaming Mode, the games that they are playing will no longer be disturbed by notifications, messages, and calls. Therefore, players can enjoy immersive gaming experiences uninterrupted.
OPPO hopes to become more engaged with the global esports community, believing that the spirit of the pro players in the finals will motivate viewers to make their wildest dreams come true.Â
The League of Legends World Championship 2021 (S11) invited elite teams from 11 countries and regions to the most high-stakes tournament ever. It kicked off on 5 October 2021 and will end with the finals on 6 November 2021 in Engjavegur 8, 104 Reykjavik, Iceland.


ESGS 2019 Dates Revealed; Promises “Five Times The Hype”

Come late October, the Philippines’ gaming scene is about to party yet again.
The fine folks at Gariath Concepts recently announced the dates of their video game-tastic gaming expo ESGS (short for Esports and Gaming Summit): 24 to 27 October in SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, The Philippines.
The 24th will be a business day, meaning the media and business folks can mingle and check out the event before the public ala Tokyo Games Show. The public will get to enter and make merry from 25 to 27 October.
Right now, there aren’t any confirmed booths, special guests, and acts as of yet. We’ll have to wait a few months before October for that piece of news. Check out our ESGS 2018 video below if you want to see why you should check it out.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/295096274675990/

If you want to spread the love, you can use the following hashtags together: #ESGS2019, #FiveTimesTheHype. Their words, not ours.


Comic Fiesta 2022: What You Need To Know

Comic Fiesta returns after two long years with their last live event being in 2019. This year’s rendition of Malaysia’s largest anime, comics and game convention will take place on 17 and 18 December at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Both days will run from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM.

Labelled as one of the largest anime, comics and gaming (ACG) conventions in Southeast Asia where thousands of comic book artists, cosplayers, illustrators and fans come together to share in their interests.
In anticipation, the folks behind the event have been doing a 100-day countdown to Comic Fiesta 2022 (CF100Days) on their Facebook page where they showcase stunning artwork of their mascots submitted by talented artists each day.
Unfortunately, early bird tickets have sold out and the folks over at Comic Fiesta have stated that due to capacity, they will not be selling on-site tickets so if you’re wanting to go, it’s too little too late I’m afraid.

Date, Time & Location

Date: 17 – 18 December 2022
Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), 24, Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Guests
For those who are going, what can you expect? Well, Comic Fiesta has yet to release a public schedule or floor plan but we do know that there will be multiple special guests flying in to attend the event
Hikarin

A world-renowned cosplayer, Hikarin is a Canadian-Singaporean female cosplayer that specializes in portraying male characters in their youth. Capturing the portrayal and charm of the characters with her unique makeup style, she yet seeks to portray characters not only through their looks but through their heart and personalities.
Suzuki Konomi

Popular Japanese singer Suzuki Konomi is most well-known for her vocal work on the openings for No Game No Life and Re:ZERO who will be doing a meet and greet as well as a live performance for those in attendance.
Virion Kisei

Virion Kisei is a VTuber affiliated with the Malaysian VTuber agency MyHolo TV. Most well known for his singing, Virion Kisei is a parasitic slime that had always wanted to be a human, or more specifically an idol and a singer. Unfortunately for him, his kind does not possess lungs, vocal cords, or even mouths to speak of. In his bid to fulfil his dream, he began travelling around the world for centuries to find the perfect host.
Liliana Vampaia

Another one of MyHolo TV’s VTubers, Liliana Vampaia—Lili for short—is a sweet half-vampire, half-human on a quest to find a cure for her Otou-san who was cursed to live as a bat forever after breaking two rules in the vampire realm – marrying a human and staying exposed in direct sunlight without any sunblock.
Airani Iofifteen

Airani Iofifteen from hololive Indonesia will also be making a special stage appearance. Simply known by fans as Iofi, she is an alien princess who ran away from home and come to the earth and fell in love with the planet’s culture, Iofi sometimes likes to tease the viewers but does have a soft mother if her fans need it. Sometimes goes a bit crazy over gacha games.
Malaysian Voice Actors Su Ling Chan, Azman Zulkiply, & “Uncle” Ali Imran

Date: 17 December 11.30am
The VOs of No Straight Roads and other Malaysian productions will be answering questions from the audience in this one-time appearance!

Activities
Indie Games

DevaData – The turn-based RPG DevaDeta is an indie game about restoring a broken internet at Indie Game Booth B7.

She's real! She's here! She's alive and she's going to #ComicFiesta2022!
Come and check out #DevaDataRPG – a #indiegame turn-based #rpggame about restoring a broken internet, at Indie Game Booth B7 at #CF2022! pic.twitter.com/Nn9XZEyiEp
— DevaData ? Comic Fiesta @ B7 (@DevaDataRPG) December 11, 2022

Creative Art Market
As usual, Comic Fiesta will have a plethora of artists from Malaysia and Southeast Asia selling their artworks and doujin work, as well as cosplayers selling their thirst material & pics. Here’s a map to help you out.


Sam Raimi Is Directing Doctor Strange 2 In The Multiverse Of Madness

After Scott Derrickson confirmed that he was leaving the project earlier this year due to creative differences, fans have been wondering who will be the director of the sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange. However, it looks like the rumours were true after all, folks.
In an interview with a bunch of media representatives, Sam Raimi casually confirmed in a nonchalant way that he was involved in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. Speaking with ComingSoon about his new Quibi exclusive anthology series 50 States Of Fright, he said:

“I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters.
He was so original, but when we had that moment in Spider-Man 2, I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie.
I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.â€

If you don’t remember the Doctor Strange easter egg reference in Spider-Man 2, check out the video below to jog your memory:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjbAcW7cNgo&w=560&h=315]
It’s funny that Scott Derrickson actually tweeted this back in February 2020, but this is actually the first confirmation by Raimi himself.

Iâ€™ve worked with Sam Raimi. One of the nicest people Iâ€™ve known in the film business, and as a director, a true living legend. What a great choice to take over Doctor Strange.
â€” N O S â‹Š Æ† I á´š á´š ÆŽ á—¡ âŠ¥ âŠ¥ O Æ† S (@scottderrickson) February 6, 2020

Raimi is a horror maestro, best known for the Evil Dead franchise, Sony Pictures’ first Spider-Man trilogy, and the first Darkman movie. He’s perfectly well-suited to making a movie like Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness.
Let’s just hope that Marvel Studios doesn’t hold him back too much. We all remember 2013’s Oz The Great And Powerful, right?
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is slated to release on 5 November 2021.


Sam Fisher Is Coming Back, But…

Been waiting for Sam Fisher to return? Well, he’s returning alright… in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, that is.
In the new Ghost Recon: Breakpoint Deep State teaser, Fisher can be heard speaking to someone with the codename Husky. Identifying himself as Deep Blue, Fisher talks about the “Auroa situation” and makes mention of Terminators (referencing the Terminator crossover event from January) and “tiered weaponry”. “Seems like they already took care of that though,” says Husky.

Fisher later says that he needs help, with Husky replying, “That can be arranged, pal.” “Something needs to be done about all this,” continues Fisher. “Before there’s nothing left but ghosts in the shadows.”
Ghost Recon: Breakpoint‘s predecessor, Wildlands, had a free Splinter Cell event too, which ran for three days. In that event, players could earn Fisher’s iconic night-vision goggles and purchase an Echelon class for PvP, according to Gamerant. There was also a cameo from Fisher himself. It’s possible that Deep State will use a similar formula.
Having a new event to spice up Breakpoint is nice, but I’m wondering when Fisher will get to return in his own series. It’s been over six years since Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and it’s perhaps time for another triple-A stealth game. Plus, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint is not exactly a high-tier game to make a “comeback” onto.


The Best Xbox Series X & S Games You Can Play Right Now

After 7 or so long years, we’ve finally reached next-gen. Microsoft’s latest Xbox is now available for ordering. If you managed to secure one, congratulations! Now you need some games for the big black monolith.
We’ll say this: 4K gaming on 120fps has never looked this good, or even this affordable, especially when you have to shell out RM5,000 onward for a PC that lets you play with that kind of visual fidelity. Still, what good is a gaming console without an extensive games library?

Luckily, all your Xbox-slash-PC games will work on the Xbox Series X. Protip: if it works on the Xbox One, it’ll work on Xbox Series X and S. If a game used to be on an Xbox 360, it may be playable on the Xbox Series X. Check the Xbox Game Pass for a list of backwards compatible titles.
With that said, here are the must-own games you need for the Xbox Series X and S.
Gears Tactics

As fun as XCOM and XCOM 2 are, its turn-based combat mechanics could use a bit more flexibility and touch-up. Enter Gears Tactics, a turn-based strategy game that focuses on combat and dealing with hordes of Locusts. Mechanics like overwatch get a great and practical makeover, while Gears staples like executions give you a tactical bonus if you play them right.
Gears Tactics is a fun and cerebral-challenging addition to the turn-based strategy line of games that go beyond what is expected. While itâ€™s not wholly original, it presents a lot of time-tested mechanics in a streamlined and intuitive way while also not being afraid of challenging its audience.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft hits gold again with their latest Assassin’s Creed entry, set in 873AD during the Viking invasion of Britain. You play Eivor and your job is to unite with the viking and Dane tribes in the country while fighting off the British and other enemies of your motherland. While you can raid monasteries of their loot to expand your settlement, you can
Two major caveats: this game doesn’t respect your time. And it’s still kinda buggy, like Ubisoft buggy. But the corrupt save file issues rarely happen on the Xbox Series X of the game compared to the PC and PS4 versions, so that’s a bonus.
While the company needs to sort out their Ubisoft Connect, at least AC Valhalla mostly works and serves to be this year’s next-gen sandbox game that will keep you plenty busy in a viking-filled setting.
Tetris Effect Connected

Tetris Effect: Connected is basically Tetris but with friends. And EDM. And a bunch of light shows and particles that make for a mesmerizing experience. Not only is Tetris Effect: Connected an audiovisual delight, but it’s also the same addictive and challenging Tetris game you know and loved back in the 90s.
The main feature of this Xbox Series X exclusive is “Connected” multiplayer mode, where you and your pals team up to fight against a series of bosses who can change up your board or throw super-sized bricks to fill up your screen faster. Once a minute has passed, the player’s boards merge together as one; you throw pieces wherever you want and get triple-wide line clears before this bonus mode is over. It’s a small change, but it does add life to the already spectacular-looking Tetris Effect.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Remember when the Xbox 360 had JRPGs like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey in its lineup? Well, Sega decides to take that idea a step further and put in the Yakuza brand in turn-based combat format.
Basically you play new blood Ichiban Kasuga as he and a bunch of middle-aged folks team up to fight crime in a city set in Yokohama. Along the way, you’ll be distracted by a ton of sub-stories involving dominatrixes, mascots, and gangsters wearing nothing but diapers. And also an investment minigame. And a Mario Kart clone that is somehow just as fun as the real Nintendo deal. And old Sega arcade games like Super Hang-On and Virtua Fighter 2.
Did we forget to mention that combat is now done in a turn-based style like JRPGs these days? It may sound like a mess, but this combination plus a solid cast of characters equal the best darn JRPG since Persona 5.
Technically a timed Xbox Series X exclusive, this game won’t be available on PS5 until next year. So if you want to play a fast-loading, high-res Sega Yakuza adventure that you can get into without all that lore catchup, this is one dragon worth taming.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection

All the Halo games from parts 1 to part 4 is available on this remastered collection. From the first game all the way to the fourth game Halo 4, you get to play the games that put the Xbox on the map. But now in 4K resolution and higher framerates.
Thanks to this resurgence, Halo’s multiplayer scene is pretty healthy. And all those problems plaguing the collection a year or so ago? It’s all gone. Just be warned- Halo: The Master Chief Collection will take up more than 120GB on your HDD. Still less than Call of Duty Modern Warfare though.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Need a 2D action-adventure platformer that looks gorgeous but isn’t shy about kicking your ass? Ori and the Will of the Wisps combines beautiful aesthetics with precise platforming and gameplay that will make even some 2D platforming veterans go “damn, that’s hard”.
When we reviewed it earlier this year, it had some stuttering and frame rate drop problems. All that is gone in the Xbox Series X version; you are playing the ultimate version of this year’s best Metroidvania tribute. It’s available on Xbox Game Pass, meaning you really have no excuse not to play this on your giant 4K TV.
Killer Instinct

We’ve said this countless times and we don’t mind repeating it: The 2013 Xbox reboot of Killer Instinct is the best 2D fighting game of the current generation, bar none. With the Xbox Series X & S’ super-quick loading and high-def resolutions, you’ll get to experience these killer cuts in its Ultra Combo form. Plus, with a still-healthy group of folks playing the game via Discord, you can still find some competition online if you’re done with the game’s single-player modes.
As to why Killer Instinct is a top-tier fighting game on its own merit, we’ll just mention these key points: refined combo system with a ton of mind games and counters under the hood, a plethora of characters with various fighting styles tailored for both beginners and experts in fighting games, and a killer aesthetic shaped by true fans of the genre.
All The Games On Xbox Game Pass

For US$14.99 per month (via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), you get to play hundreds of old and recent games on your Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Need an indie fix? You can play Celeste, Carto, Ikenfell, and Unravel. Need to play Shadows of the Damned? That’s available now thanks to the EA partnership Xbox has with the service. Don’t want to pay full price for Tetris Effect: Connected? It’s available on Game Pass now!
Keep in mind that the service will rotate games, so if there’s a particular favourite you want to play, you’ll have to do it within a month lest it’s gone. Other than that, it’s pretty much the gaming equivalent of Netflix set at a pretty good price.


Monkey Barrels Making Its Way To Steam In Late September

After three long years, top-down twin-stick shooter fans can rejoice!
Monkey Barrels will finally be available on Steam on 26 September. A joint-venture between publisher Nicalis and developer Good-Feel, Monkey Barrels first launched for the Switch on 7 November 2019, followed by PC via Epic Games Store on 9 February 2021.
Check out the official synopsis and press release info below:
SYNOPSIS


Black Desert SEA Adds Ocean-Themed Atoraxxion Content Sycrakea

Pearl Abyss has announced that Sycrakea, the second act of the recently added Atoraxxion dungeon, has arrived in Black Desert SEA. This exciting new content will enthral Adventurers looking for a new co-operative PvE challenge.Â
Atoraxxion is a co-op dungeon designed specifically to introduce new PvE content for groups of 5 Adventurers to challenge. Following Atoraxxionâ€™s desert-themed â€œVahmalkeaâ€, the new Sycrakea biome has been updated to offer a mysterious yet beautiful dungeon located underwater. Adventurers can enter Sycrakea by using a Talibreâ€™s Tear in the Ancient Stone Chamber or through Elribtaâ€™s Door.Â
Sycrakea has a higher level of difficulty than Vahmalkea, and Adventurers can discover a whole new array of puzzles and challenges while also hunting monsters including the ultimate boss, Centilutos. Strategically utilizing and controlling the Power Supply system in cooperation with others will be key to defeating the powerful Centilutos.Â
To celebrate the arrival of the new dungeon, a Sycrakea Game with streamers will take place until 10 October 2021. Each streamer will recruit 4 Adventurers and live-stream their gameplay as they complete various missions in Sycrakea. Â  A coupon will be given to all Adventurers in Black Desert SEA for every mission the streamers and their parties complete.Â
More in-game events will run to offer various items that will help Adventurers on their journey through Sycrakea. Rewards including special furniture items will be given for completing quests and defeating the boss in Sycrakea.Â
Find more information about Black Desert SEA on the official website at sea.playblackdesert.com.Â Â Â Â


God Of War Ragnarok: All Kvasir’s Poems & PlayStation Easter Eggs

In the latest action-adventure epic sequel God Of War Ragnarok, which is out right now for PS5 and PS4, as well as being reviewed positively, you can collect artifacts called Kvasir’s Poems.
When you read them in your Artifacts and Collectibles tab, you’ll realize some of these writings sound a bit familiar.

Heck, even one of them is a haiku and has a mark on the front cover that looks similar to a mask worn by a samurai in a PlayStation exclusive. And isn’t “specter” synonymous with “ghost”?

That’s because Kvasir’s Poems are references to PlayStation games. Even some Xbox games (that were originally PlayStation exclusives) get a mention or two! Well-played, Studio Santa Monica.
Check out the video for the walkthrough on how to get each one of them, as well as find out which games the poems are referring to.


Grand Theft Auto 6 Will “Set Creative Benchmarks For The Series”

Rockstar Games usually gets away with developing and publishing games whenever it wants; it is a company that’s successful because of the Grand Theft Auto series alone. This means a message like the one below is probably sounding like a humblebrag, but it usually gets away with it.
Speaking as part of Take-Two’s financial update, the publisher’s CEO Strauss Zelnick says that the next GTA game will “set creative benchmarks for the series” with the development of the game being well underway.
“The Rockstar Games team is determined to once again set creative benchmarks for the series, our industry, and for all entertainment, just as the label has done with every one of their frontline releases.”
As a reminder, the game is clearly two ways away and may be down to sweeping cultural changes at Rockstar. Due to the company fixing crunch culture, expect the game to at least be out in either 2024 or 2025. The game will allegedly feature the return of Vice City in the modern era, as well as feature a Latino female protagonist.


Genshin Impact Rosaria Guide & Build

The latest Genshin Impact heroine is a 4-star ass-kicking nun who hails from Mondstadt and loves to chill with a glass of wine whenever possible. That’s right: you can now gacha for Rosaria in this week’s current limited-time Genshin Impact banner.
While the banner itself prioritizes the 5-star warrior Childe, Rosaria is also quite a catch. Here are her general movesets and passives:
Character Breakdown

Attacks

Normal attack:Â Rosaria performs up to five rapid spear strikes in a row.
Charged attack:Â Rosaria lunges forward and damages enemies in her path. This attack consumes stamina.
Plunging attack:Â Rosaria drives her spear into the ground from midair in an AoE attack.

Elemental Skill:Â Ravaging Confession
Rosaria slips behind her foe and unleashes a slashing Cryo attack. This skill wonâ€™t work on larger opponents, including bosses.
Elemental Burst: Rites of Termination
Rosaria attacks nearby enemies with a broad polearm slash that deals Cryo damage, then summons a massive ice lance and drives it into the ground. The ice lance does a Cryo burst every few seconds in the vicinity.

Passives

Night Walk: Party movement speed increases by 10% between 6 p.m and 6 a.m (in-game time, which you can adjust manually). This wonâ€™t stack with similar effects and doesnâ€™t work in Domains and the Spiral Abyss.
Regina Probationum:Â Using Ravaging Confession increases Rosariaâ€™s CRIT rate by 12% for five seconds.
Shadow Samaritan:Â Using Rites of Termination increases nearby party membersâ€™ CRIT rate by 15% of Rosariaâ€™s current CRIT rate. Shadow Samaritan does not increase Rosariaâ€™s CRIT rate, and the buff cannot exceed 15%.

Constellations

Unholy Revelation:Â Rosariaâ€™s critical hits increase her attack speed by 10% for four seconds and her normal attack damage by 10% for four seconds.
Land Without Promise:Â The Rites of Termination ice lance remains active for four seconds longer
The Wages of Sin:Â Raises Ravaging Confessionâ€™s level by three. Ravaging Confessionâ€™s max level is 15.
Painful Grace:Â Ravaging Confession critical hits restore five Energy to Rosaria. This effect triggers only once every time Rosaria uses Ravaging Confession.
Last Rites:Â Â Raises Rites of Terminationâ€™s level by three. Rites of Terminationâ€™s max level is 15.
Divine Retribution:Â Rites of Termination decreases enemy physical resistance by 20% for ten seconds.

Character Ascension Materials
You’ll be fighting Cryo Regisvine bosses a lot to get Rosaria up to speed level-wise, since they drop the most materials for Cryo characters. You can farm Valberries in the Northeast section of the Mondstadt region, at the Stormbearer Mountains.
Level 20

1 Shivada Jade Sliver
3 Valberry
3 Recruitâ€™s Insignia
20,000 Mora

Level 40

3 Shivada Jade Fragment
2 Hoarfrost Core
10 Valberry
15 Recruitâ€™s Insignia
40,000 Mora

Level 50

6 Shivada Jade Fragment
4 Hoarfrost Core
20 Valberry
12 Seargentâ€™s Insignia
60,000 Mora

Level 60

3 Shivada Jade Chunk
8 Hoarfrost Core
30 Valberry
18 Seargentâ€™s Insignia
80,000 Mora

Level 70

6 Shivada Jade Chunk
12 Hoarfrost Core
45 Valberry
12 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
100,000 Mora

Level 80

6 Shivada Jade Gemstone
20 Hoarfrost Core
60 Valberry
24 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
120,000 Mora

Talent Ascension Materials
Rosaria’s skills require Ballad items. Go to the Forsaken Rift domain and Tartaglia’s level two challenges to get the items required to level up her talents.
Level 2

3 Teachings of Ballad
6 Recruitâ€™s Insignia
12,500 Mora

Level 3

2 Guide to Ballad
3 Sergeantâ€™s Insignia
17,500 Mora

Level 4

4 Guide to Ballad
4 Sergeantâ€™s Insignia
25,000 Mora

Level 5

6 Guide to Ballad
6 Sergeantâ€™s Insignia
30,000 Mora

Level 6

9 Guide to Ballad
9 Sergeantâ€™s Insignia
35,000 Mora

Level 7

4 Philosophies of Ballad
4 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
1 Shadow of the Warrior
120,000 Mora

Level 8

6 Philosophies of Ballad
6 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
1 Shadow of the Warrior
260,000 Mora

Level 9

12 Philosophies of Ballad
9 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
2 Shadow of the Warrior
450,000 Mora

Level 10

16 Philosophies of Ballad
12 Lieutenantâ€™s Insignia
2 Shadow of the Warrior
1 Crown of Insight
700,000 Mora

Here Are A Few Builds You Can Use For Rosaria
Critical-Focused Build
Weapon: Skyward Spine
Artifacts: Berserker set-pieces
Want to add more critical chances & damage to Rosaria’s already-damaging kit? Then give her a weapon like the Skyward Spine that boosts critical and also gives her a fast energy recharge buff. Having her equip Berserker artifacts gives her a critical boost, especially if her health is lower than 70%.
Damage-Focused Build
Weapons: Dragonspine Spear
Artifacts: Gladiator 2-piece, Martial Artist 2-piece
Since Rosaria is meant to be a DPS damage dealer, it’s imperative to make her normal and charge attacks get a passive boost. For added damage, just make Rosaria equip a 4-piece Gladiator set; she gets a 35% attack boost since she’s a polearm user. It’s up to you how you want to equip her, but the Gladiator and Martial Artist artifacts are the way to go for this nun.


Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock Is Returning In Spider-Man 3

It looks like those rumours of a live-action Spider-Verse movie might have some truth to it after all.
According to The Hollywood Report, Alfred Molina will be reprising his role of Otto Octavius AKA Doctor Octopus or Doc Ock from 2004’s Spider-Man 2 in the upcoming sequel to 2019’s Spider-Man Far From Home.

Right now, confirmed additional cast members for the untitled Spider-Man 3 movie include Jamie Foxx reprising his role as Electro from 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange returning as a mentor to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man.
However, those rumours regarding the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprising their roles as Spider-Men remain unconfirmed at this point in time.
In the meantime, you can check outÂ our review ofÂ Spider-Man Far From Home, which remains the last MCU movie to have been released to date. The next MCU movie weâ€™ll be catching is Black Widow, andÂ thatâ€™s going to be in 2021.