Tony Hawkâ€™s Pro Skater 1 & 2 Grinds Into PS5, Xbox Series & Switch This March

Publisher Activision and developer Vicarious Visions have announced that they will release Tony Hawkâ€™s Pro Skater 1 + 2 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on 26 March 2021. The game originally launched for PS4, Xbox One, and PC via the Epic Games Store on 4 September 2020.
Those who purchased Tony Hawkâ€™s Pro Skater 1 + 2 for PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade to their next-gen counterpart for US$10. The upgrade also includes access to the secret skater Ripper, retro gear for Create-A-Skater mode, and retro skins for Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Rodney Mullen.
However, those who purchased the Digital Deluxe Edition can upgrade at no additional cost (except for those in Japan).
The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions will render at native 4K resolution at 60 FPS, or 1080p at 120 FPS, while the Xbox Series S version will render at 1440p and upscale to 4K. Save data can also be carried over, but PS4 users will not be able to transfer â€œCreate a Parkâ€ data to the PS5 version.
In the meantime, check out our review of the game here.


Sifu Is Straightforward With Its Revenge Plot & Decent Fisticuffs

Update: Sifu’s latest post-game updates and content additions have made us re-evaluate the game after the review on February. We’ve changed the game’s score to reflect that.
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4
Genre: Third-person kung-fu action with a revenge plot & some “roguelike”
When Sifu gets slick with its presentation, it sticks the landing.
Developer SloClap’s attempt at a single-player focused version of what it loves to do -melee combat in a 3D action space- is easy on the eyes. From the trailers you’ve seen involving a brawl in the club (with light shows that sync with the background music), to the museum stage fights that take you outside of reality, to even a slick way of starting the game off, Sifu is digitally calligraphed & painted with flourish & style.
The actual meat and fighting of the game? That one’s a bit of a mixed bag depending on how you approach it. And whether you have a tolerance for pain.
Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy

The gist of Sifu is this: you’re a 20-year old kung fu expert who wants to take down five assassins who reside in a fictional Chinese city to avenge your dead master. What follows is a pretty linear trek filled with beat-em-up style fights and brawls, with a few bosses and boss-like scenarios tossed in.
You’ve got your light attacks, heavy attacks, some combos, and a couple of defensive options like dodging, parries, and high/low avoidance tech. See a bad guy doing a telegraphed sweep? Do a low attack dodge and counter appropriately. Enemies here hit really hard and will gang up on you, so you need to balance the waiting game, react accordingly when you see multiple attacks coming, and also get a first attack in just to rile up the proverbial snakes in the basket.
Your attacks not only deal life damage, but also Structure damage. When your opponent’s structure maxes out past yellow to red, you can do an instant KO move on them, meaning you can thin the herd if you’re quick to strike and land opportunity attacks. ThinkÂ a more refined and less “mashy” take on Batman: Arkham Asylum’s ballet of fisticuffs, with some of Sekiro’s posture mechanic thrown in.
But what if you can’t handle it and get knocked out? Well, Sifu handles death in a unique fashion. Every time you get KO’ed, you grow in age and add a notch to the Death Counter. The older you get, the harder you hit but you get lowered health. When you get KO’ed again, the Death Counter adds more numbers to your age.

Certain power-ups and skills get locked out as you get past the age threshold, but you gain access to newer ones. And when you go past 70, you’re pretty much on your last life as indicated by the coins on your medallion. You are a badass, sure, but age will catch up to you literally if you keep sucking.
Thankfully, you can replay the game’s stages over and over until you get a “perfect run” of sorts. See, when you complete a stage, you’ll be at that last youngest age in the next area. So if you complete the first garden stage with minimal deaths at age 23, you’ll head to the next club stage at age 23 with the last Death Counter count. Trust me; you’ll be replaying this game a lot to get the most amount of chances especially in the later stages with tougher enemy placements and layouts, as well as boss fights with seemingly tough patterns to figure out.
My hands and thumbs are already sore from just figuring those out and being on edge with my counters ready. Some of these unique confrontations require you to dodge attacks from far away, and failing to do that means eating lots of damage and even structure teardown. But I persevered, not because I’m reviewing this for work.
Truth be told, I like this sort of challenges that’s akin to a Dark Souls title, but it’s 20 hours less than those From Software timesinks.
The majority of Sifu’s fun is figuring out the optimal way to tackle a stage, unlocking shortcuts if you explore a tad so that you can go straight to a boss, and also being a bit conservative with your attacks while using your Focus attacks (special moves like Eye Strikes and Super Sweeps) when they’re available since building meter for these gets faster over time and planned unlocks.
Ways Of The Fist

As much as I can praise the challenge and design choices from SloClap, fighting can get stiff at times. This is very apparent when you know you’ve parried certain moves perfectly but they don’t seem to register, like with certain high-tiered enemies in stages past the Club.
Yes, I know the game tells you to use the Left Bumper (L1 for PlayStation users) deflects and dodges instead of the Right Trigger (R2) dodges, but most of the yellow attacks do come out too fast and their parry timings are pretty strict. And then there are the many moments where you’ll be overwhelmed with little to no place to run or kite enemies at; you’ll have no choice but to rely on the tried-and-true technique of “laming it out”. That means kiting enemies in circles and whittling their health bit by bit until they’re dead 10 minutes later.
That’s when Sifu gets really punishing, especially if you can’t figure out which attacks can be parried and which requires total dodging. Half the time, you’ll be eating a lot of hits just because you’re figuring out enemy patterns, which sometimes isn’t set in stone. I’m all for this, especially since I love fighting games and beat-em-ups, but if your controls feel less than stellar in most of its heated moment (especially when comparing it to something a bit less realistic and more high-flying like a Devil May Cry or Bayonetta), you start making comparisons and feel like as if the devs could have thought this through with its current control scheme. Just holding the L1/Left Bumper plus up or down feels harder to put in muscle memory.
And you also get moments where you feel like you actually parried something that looked similar to another enemy’s attack, but it registers as a block instead. That just feels like the game cheating its players, like a Dark Souls game. So if you’re not into that style of gameplay, Sifu may not be for you.
No Country For Old Men (And Women)

But I’ll admit: when those hits and counters land, and when you figured out how the game works after taking a lot of dirt naps & restarts? You’ll enjoy the combat ballet Sifu has to offer. When it clicks, you’ll get in the groove. Your tolerance for SloClap’s Western-made kung-fu game efforts is dependent on whether you don’t mind an action game that sort of lacks the finesse of a Japanese-made action title, but has the intentions and heart of one.
Personally, I dig it, but sometimes I wonder if my victories in each bout of the game are attributed to tons of luck and nothing more. And that sort of feeling just doesn’t gel with me properly. Thankfully, the post-game update did give us a lot of difficulty options to tone it down when things get too choppy, and repeated plays will make you a better fighter.
For RM68 on PC, it’s a major knockout for indie games. Sifu is definitely the 2022 current-gen spiritual successor to Karateka in plot and design, but with kung-fu, naturally. If you jive with that and its unflinching challenges, go all out with this showdown.
Pros

Fun combat engine and controls with a bit of a learning curve.
Lovely method of level design and shortcuts.
Great aesthetics.

Cons

Grinding for points and skills gets old.

Final Score: 90/100


Sniper Elite V2 Remastered Has A Release Date

Rebellion Developments has announced the official release date for Sniper Elite V2 Remastered, which will be coming out on 14 May 2019 for the PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Soon you will be able to shoot more Nazis in the genitals in slow motion, but this time it will be in glorious 4K resolution.
Originally released in 2012 for the PS3 and Xbox 360, the remastered version of the game will feature 4K and HDR support with enhanced graphics, new playable characters, a frame-by-frame photo mode, and more improvements. According to the press release (via NotebookCheck.net), it will also include all the DLCs from the original game.
Those who already own Sniper Elite V2 can upgrade to the remastered edition for just US$9.99, but this probably only applies for the PC version. Pre-orders are now open for the PS4 and PC version of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered, while Xbox One and Nintendo Switch users will have to wait until 24 April to place theirs.
Check out the comparison trailer below to see if the Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is really worth upgrading to if you’ve already played the original.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKB1ioeA988&w=560&h=315]


This Limited Edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro Is Made For Kojima Fans [Update]

Update 27/9/19:
The Limited Edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro Bundle will be available in Malaysia for RM1799 on 8 November 2019.
Besides the bundled items, it will also include additional downloadable content (valid until 1 November 2022), such as:

DEATH STRANDING PS4 Dynamic Theme
PSN Avatar (Nendoroid Ludens)
Complete Avatar Set
DEATH STRANDING: Timefall (Original Music from
the World of Death Stranding) Behind the Scenes Making
Of Digital Video
In-Game Item: Gold â€œSamâ€ Sunglasses/ Gold Hat / Gold Speed Skeleton / Gold Armor Plate / Gold â€œLudens Maskâ€ sunglasses / Gold Power Skeleton / Gold All-Terrain Skeleton /Gold Amor Plate (Lv.2)
DEATH STRANDING: Timefall (Original Music from
the World of Death Stranding) Music Album Digital

During the recent PlayStation State Of Play, Sony announced a new Limited Edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro Bundle featuring a custom console and Dualshock 4 design that will surely make all the Hideo Kojima fans even more hyped for the upcoming game.
The Limited Edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro Bundle includes a custom 1TB PS4 Pro console with a white matte finish and two BT handprints that somehow form the shape of the continents in the world of Death Stranding.

It also comes with a custom translucent orange DualShock 4 wireless controller which is described as the same colour as the BB Pod in the game (though it looks like the colour of urine to me) and a physical copy of Death Stranding.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=davszDemUns&w=560&h=315]
The Limited Edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro Bundle will be available across selected US and Canadian retailers for US$399.99 (or roughly RM1672+) on 8 November 2019, which is also the day that the game exclusively releases for the PS4.
There’s no official word yet on if or when it will become available in Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia. In the meantime, check out the latest Death Stranding trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7wi7LX9F40&w=560&h=315]


Xbox Takes Shot At PlayStation Controller PS5 Incompatibility

Yesterday, Sony confirmed that the PS4 DualShock will not work with PS5 games, which has attracted the ire of some gamers. However, Xbox has taken advantage of the situation and fired a shot against their rival, as part of the next-gen console wars.
In a tweet on their official Xbox Twitter account earlier today, Xbox snarkily reminded everyone that the Xbox Series X will be compatible with all Xbox One controllers and all Xbox One games.

Plus the new Xbox Series X controller is compatible with:
ðŸŽ® All Xbox One consoles
ðŸ–¥ï¸ Windows PCs
ðŸ“± Android and iOS
ðŸŒ Project xCloud and @XboxGamePass
Next-gen compatibility with the most powerful console ever. pic.twitter.com/8KVb8YKK4l
â€” Xbox (@Xbox) August 3, 2020
These include the standard Xbox One Controllers, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, and the premium Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers, as well as third-party Xbox One Controllers and headsets.
Say what you want about the Xbox not having many exclusives, but at least their level of accessibility is miles ahead of PlayStation at this point, especially with the Xbox Game Pass enabling every subscriber to play any Xbox game at any time.
The next-gen console war looks to be far more interesting than the current generation’s, which the PS4 has clearly dominated. Who knows who will win next? We’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for all the latest news on the Xbox Series X, and check outÂ all the latest updates and developments on all things Xbox to date here.


Forza Street Arrives Onto PC/Windows 10 Today, Mobile Devices Soon

You’ve heard the rumours, and now, we are getting Turn 10’s Forza Street on Windows 10 today. The game will also be rolling out onto mobile devices starting this year for the cost of nothing.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07TffPtB_Jg]
Available right now on Windows 10 devices via Microsoft Store, the game features racing on-the-go with streamlined controls that mainly emphasizes on the timing of gas, brake and boost as the main recipes to leading the pack.
Forza Street welcomes fans and series veterans alike, and offers players the opportunity to collect and assemble a fleet of cars to compete in high-octane cinematic races. Players can opt to play a quick race, or be immersed in the story campaign.
Forza Street is available right now on Windows 10 via Microsoft Store, and will be available on iOS and Android later this year.


Dark Crystal Prequel Gets Star-Studded Additions

Netflix has announced an incredibly star-studded cast for 1982’s The Dark Crystal upcoming prequel, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Here’s who will be joining the movie so far, which is slated to arrive on Netflix on 30 August 2019.

Taron Egerton as Rian
Anya Taylor-Joy as Brea
Nathalie Emmanuel as Deet
Donna Kimball as Aughra
Eddie Izzard as Cadia
Harris Dickinson as Gurjin
Shazad Latif as Kylan
Toby Jones as Librarian
Lena Headey as Maudra Fara
Alicia Vikander as Mira
Hannah John-Kamen as Naia
Natalie Dormer as Onica
Mark Strong as Ordon
Theo James as Rekâ€™yr
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Seladon
Helena Bonham Carter as All-Maudra
Caitriona Balfe as Tavra
Louise Gold as Maudra Argot
Victor Yerrid as Hup
Ã“lafur Darri Ã“lafsson as The Archer
Sigourney Weaver as The Myth-Speaker
Simon Pegg as The Chamberlain
Awkwafina as The Collector
Jason Isaacs as The Emperor
Benedict Wong as The General
Harvey Fierstein as The Gourmand
Andy Samberg as The Heretic
Ralph Ineson as The Hunter
Alice Dinnean as The Ornamentalist
Keegan-Michael Key as The Ritual Master
Mark Hamill as The Scientist
Neil Sterenberg as The Scroll-Keeper
Fizzgig
Dave Goelz as Baffi

The 10-episode epic series will be set before the events of the original 1982 Jim Henson classic. In the meantime, check out the newly-announced characters below, and the trailer.

				Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) as Maudra Fara

				Benedict Wong (Avengers: Endgame) as The General

				Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) as The Collector

				Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and The Wasp) as Naia

				Dave Goelz (The Dark Crystal) as Baffi, a Fizzgig

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSV42j8lccg&w=560&h=315]


Overwatch League: The State of Stage 2 Playoff Hunt

As we head into the fifth week of Stage 2 in the Overwatch League, the hunt for the playoff heats up as teams run out of time and matches to be amongst the top three in the league standings.
So far, only New York Excelsior has it in the bag with a 7-1 record and favorable matches against two off-form teams in Dallas Fuel and Los Angeles Valiant. In second place are the London Spitfire who boosted their chances of a playoff spot after dismantling the Seoul Dynasty 4-0 on Sunday. Current in-form team and surprise package of the stage, Los Angeles Gladiators are third with a record of 6-2.

Yet, these two teams (Spitfire & Gladiators) aren’t assured of a playoff spot as slips in their remaining two matches will prove disastrous for their hopes of making it to the playoffs. Here are the possible scenarios following upcoming Week 5 matches.
New York Excelsior (7-1)
Week 5 Matches: vs Fuel & Valiant
Any 4-0 win against either teams will not only cement their spot in the playoffs, it will also secure the top seed and a minimum cash prize of US$25,000.
Our Prediction: 4-0 v Fuel; 4-0 v Valiant
London Spitfire (6-2)Â
Week 5 Matches: Vs Dragons & Fuel
Two very winnable matches against two floundering teams should secure the Spitfire a spot in the playoffs. Their hopes for a top seed relies heavily on the NYXL losing heavily to either or both teams (which is highly unlikely).
Our Prediction: 4-0 v Dragons; 4-0 v Fuel
Los Angeles Gladiators (6-2)
Week 5 Matches: Vs Fusion & Uprising
The Gladiators will have to win both matches with convincing scores to ensure they stay ahead of the Dynasty on map difference. Last time these two teams met, the Gladiators staged an epic reverse sweep over the Fusion to win the series 3-2. Against the Uprising, the Gladiators fell 0-4 in Week 4 of Stage 1. So expect a tough weekend coming up for the Gladiators.
Our Prediction: 3-2 v Fusion; 3-2 v Uprising
Seoul Dynasty (6-2)
Week 5 Matches: Vs Outlaws & Mayhem
The last time both teams met, the Outlaws narrowly lost 3-2 in a Mercy-dominated meta. However, it’s a different ballgame now as the Outlaws are struggling following the Mercy nerf while the Dynasty are on a high as the shift allow their players to play their comfort picks more. The Mayhem are indeed improving but we do not see them defeating the Dynasty.
Our Prediction: 3-1 v Outlaws; 4-0 v Mayhem
Philadelphia Fusion (5-3)Â
Week 5 Matches: Vs Gladiators & Valiant
While their chances for a playoff spot is very slim, they can play party poopers for the Gladiators by either defeating them or stealing several maps in their match. Fusion’s progress to the playoff relies on both the Gladiators and Dynasty losing both their matches while also pulling off huge win over the Valiant.
Our Prediction: 2-3 v Gladiators; 3-2 v Valiant

Based on our predictions, the NYXL should finish Stage 2 first, while the Spitfire secure the second spot. Third place goes to the Seoul Dynasty who leapfrog over the Gladiators due to a better map difference. Even if both teams (Gladiators & Dynasty) found to be on similar map differential, their head-to-head record leans to Dynasty’s favor.
How do you think Week 5 is going to pan out? As usual, comments section is right below.


Team Spirit Wins The International 10 Dota 2 Tournament [Update]

After a grueling 7-days of MOBA fighting and high-level play, The International 10 has finally declared the winner and 2021’s best Dota 2 team: Team Spirit.

Both teams fought neck-to-neck to a 2-2 match up to game four, but there can only be one to grab the final win. Team Spirit wins their very first TI tournament, winning the Aegis trophy and US$18 million dollars, placing PSG.LGD in second place.
The crazy part? PSG.LGD are playing with their perfect draft in game 5; Team Spirit can be considered TI10’s underdogs from Russia and Europe. The fact that the team previously lost against IG in the drafts means that the team has went through 2021’s esports Cinderella Story, especially in trying times for the genre.

PSG.LGD are a Chinese team with renowned Malaysian player NothingTo Say taking the Solo Middle role; he’s on loan from EHOME. Previously, he couldn’t fly out to the tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions and not getting government approval.
Their efforts still bore fruit: NothingToSay, Chyuan (Fnatic), Oli, & JT- (Invictus Gaming) did Malaysia proud with their high-level performance during the tournament.

Congratulations to our Malaysian players, thanks for making us proud! ?? pic.twitter.com/ZssOKX7mpF
— Battle Arena Malaysia (@BattleArenaMY) October 18, 2021

Team Spirit are a European team with the best Russian and Ukraine players on the Dota 2 block. The team played one of the best runs in Dota 2 history after pulling off a few upsets, including against renowned champions Team Secret during the semi-finals lower bracket finals.
Here are the team rankings for The International 10:

Team Spirit
PSG.LGD
Team Secret
Invictus Gaming
Virtus.pro
Vici Gaming
OG
T1
Fnatic
Quincy Crew
Alliance
Evil Geniuses
Team Undying
Team Aster
beastcoast
Elephant
Thunder Predator
SG esports

You can watch the final game and the full sets here:


Avengers Endgame Breaks All-Time Opening Weekend Box Office Record

There was never a question whether Avengers: Endgame would break box office records, but rather how many. In just five (5) days of being screened in cinemas worldwide, the movie has garnered a whopping $1.2 billion worldwide, not only breaking the record for the biggest all-time opening weekend box office but also making it the first movie in history to reach that milestone (via The Verge).
This would have been unthinkable for any movie before the Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008. If I told everyone that a comic book movie adaptation was going to be this successful even just a decade ago, they would have just laughed at me and remarked how comics are for kids, geeks, and basement-dwellers. Now, look how far we’ve come.
The previous holder for biggest opening weekend worldwide was 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, which garnered $640.5 million. It’s impressive how Avengers: Endgame has managed to rake in almost twice as much in the same amount of time, a feat that will surely go on to be unbeatable for the foreseeable future. We won’t be getting another movie on the scale of Avengers: Endgame anytime soon.
Despite all the records it’s breaking, Avengers: Endgame is not the fastest entertainment property to garner a billion dollars. That feat belongs to not a movie, but a game. Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V / GTA V reached the milestone in just three (3) days, beatingÂ Avengers: EndgameÂ to the punch by a remarkable two days.

AVENGERS ENDGAME
Opening Weekend (5 days incl. China): $1.2 billion
GRAND THEFT AUTO V
Day 1: $800m
Day 3: $1.0 billionhttps://t.co/2QEdKCPJyF
â€” Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 28, 2019
In the meantime, check out our spoiler-free review of Avengers: Endgame here, or check out our discussion for what’s next post-Avengers Endgame here (this one’s filled with spoilers, obviously).


All The Games From PlayStation State Of Play August 2020

During today’s PlayStation State Of Play August 2020 live stream, Sony announced many of the upcoming games slated to arrive on the PS4 and PlayStation 5 in the near future. These include both third-party and first-party exclusives, which you can check out below:
Crash Bandicoot 4 It’s About Time

Publisher Activision and developer Toys for Bob have released a narrated gameplay trailer for the upcoming Crash Bandicoot 4: Itâ€™s About Time.
The trailer introduces new gameplay mechanics like wall-running and Quantum Masks that gives players different abilities, new playable characters including Dr. Neo Cortex and Dingodile, as well as a new Inverted Mode utilizing new challenges for existing worlds featuring unique art styles.
Crash Bandicoot 4: Itâ€™s About Time is due out for PS4 and Xbox One on 2 October 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUqpCChW39U&w=560&h=315]
Hitman III

IO Interactive has revealed a new trailer for Hitman III, announcing that the game (and the previous two games in the trilogy as well) can be entirely played with PlayStation VR.
Hitman III is due out for PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia in January 2021.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwjdl6vpxGU&w=560&h=315]
Braid Anniversary Edition

Thekla has announced Braid Anniversary Edition for PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Mac, and Linux. It will launch sometime in early 2021.
The game has been repainted with more detail, extra animations and effects to make movement feel better, more sophisticated brush-stroke effects to animate the foregrounds and backgrounds, upgraded sound and music and more.
Players can also toggle between the original and the Anniversary Edition at any time by pressing a controller button or keyboard key.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbzbm3nBRyg&w=560&h=315]
The Pathless

Publisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Giant Squid (best known for ocean adventure game ABZU) have released a six-minute gameplay walkthrough video of The Pathless.
The Pathless is the mythic adventure of an archer and an eagle in a vast forest. Players take on the role of the Hunter, a master of archery who travels to a mystical island to dispel a curse of darkness that grips the world. The Hunter must forge a connection with an eagle companion to hunt corrupted spirits, in turn being careful to not become the hunted. Players will explore misty forests full of secrets, solve puzzles in ancient ruins and be tested in epic battles. The bond between the Hunter and eagle and the fate of the world hang in the balance.
The Pathless is slated to release for the PS5, PS4, PC via the Epic Games Store, and Apple Arcade this holiday.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTZ4UFNJOMY&w=560&h=315]
Spelunky 2

Developers Mossmouth and BlitWorks announced Spelunky 2 will launch for PS4 and PC via Steam on 15 September 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gc1xuzHIDs&w=560&h=315]
Genshin Impact

Publisher and developer miHoYo has announced that the PS4 version of “Breath of the Wild clone” Genshin Impact will launch sometime in Autumn 2020 worldwide. It will also release for the PC, iOS, and Android by October 2929, and for the Nintendo Switch at a later date.
Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG set in the vast fantasy world of Teyvat. The game features a lively open world, a diverse cast of characters, element-based combat and exploration, and an engaging storyline. Players will take on the role of the mysterious â€œTravelerâ€ as they embark on an unforgettable quest to find their lost sibling, unraveling the mysteries that enshroud themselves and the world of Teyvat along their way.
During the State of Play broadcast, a brand-new trailer for Genshin Impact showcased over a dozen playable characters from the first two of the seven major cities to appear in Teyvat, each of whom brings unique elemental powers and their own signature combat style to the table.
The first of these cities is Mondstadt, an idyllic â€œCity of Freedomâ€ where the dancing winds are serenaded by the songs of bards. Located on the northeast side of the continent, Mondstadt is where new players will encounter a host of new characters with formidable powers that will be key companions to the Traveler as they set off on their journey across Teyvat.
Next is Liyue Harborâ€”the greatest trading port in all of Teyvat. This city blends elements of ancient eastern culture and stunning natural scenery, weaving them together into a breathtakingly beautiful and truly magical landscape. The port is chock-full of characters with diverse backgrounds and many stories to tell, who will lead players down new paths during their adventure.
With a diverse cast of characters in hand, players can also team up with friends in co-op mode to master the synergies of elemental combat as they battle against legendary enemies like Lupus Boreas, Dominator of Wolves.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEp9yyhwZFE&w=560&h=315]
Aeon Must Die!

Limestone Games and Focus Home Interactive have announced Aeon Must Die!, a galaxy-spanning brawler with a unique anime-inspired art style and a massive story of betrayal, love, and revenge across a broken universe.
It is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2021.
Aeon, the dreaded Emperor of the unstoppable Void Armada, has been betrayed and left for dead by his generals. Weakened and without a body to exact his revenge, he desperately merges with you to escape. Travel across the futuristic city of Pantheon to destroy or subdue those who betrayed Aeon, while fighting for your mind, free will, and control of your body.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDAZv9vPfNs&w=560&h=315]
ANNO Mutationem

Publisher Lightning Games and developer ThinkingStars have announced thatÂ ANNO: Mutationem will launch for the PS4 and PC via Steam in December 2020.
Welcome to the neon-covered, 2D-meets-3D Cyberpunk world of ANNO: Mutationem. In this action adventure game with RPG elements, you become Ann: a highly-skilled combat-trained lone wolf on a personal mission in a giant Metropolis, full of sinister mega-corporations, mysterious fringe groups and creatures more bizarre than words can express.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pryzxkF0P6Q&w=560&h=315]
Bugsnax

Young Horses has released a new gameplay trailer for whimsical adventure game Bugsnax. Todayâ€™s trailer showcases what players can expect when they first arrive on Snaktooth Island, and a glimpse at the gameplay of the game.
Players can use traps and sauces to capture each of the 100 different species of Bugsnax with their own behaviors and patterns.
Bugsnax is slated to release for the PS5, PS4, and PC via the Epic Games Store in Holiday 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-adOWZ2hOkY&w=560&h=315]
Vader Immortal A Star Wars VR Series

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series from ILMxLAB is coming to PlayStation VR on 25 August 2020.
Vader Immortal is a cinematic, interactive experience that lets you step inside a galaxy far, far away into the role of a smuggler operating near Mustafar, the fiery planet that Darth Vader calls home. Youâ€™ll find yourself in a grand adventure where you can hone your lightsaber skills, navigate dangers, and come face to face with Vader himself.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPEss1KRccI&w=560&h=315]
Control Expansion 2 AWE

As Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, Jesse Faden must enter the Investigations Sector and confront the creature lurking within this long-abandoned part of the Bureau. This threat has haunted the sector for years, waiting on the other side of the sealed Firebreak.
In order to reclaim the Investigations Sector from its clutches, Jesse will need to explore the numerous Altered World Events investigated here, including one from the town of Bright Falls.
Control Expansion 2 AWE brings new story content and side missions as well as new weapons and mods to the world of Control. Oh, and it seems to cross over the universe of Alan Wake, a previous Remedy title.
It is slated to release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 27 August 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlyr-aH0ZHY&w=560&h=315]
Auto Chess

A brand new chess battler strategic competitive game from Chinese developer Chengdu Dragonest is coming to the PS4 on 31 October 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vgy2bJU-eo&w=560&h=315]
The Pedestrian

Developed by Skookum Arts, The Pedestrian is coming to the PS4 in January 2021.
Using a node-based system, Enjoy this textless journey, where all ideas are shared in icons and your powers of observation will be put to the test.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBp4UEBtQQA&w=560&h=315]
Hood Legends And Outlaws

Publisher Focus Home Interactive and developer Sumo Digital have announced Hood: Outlaws & Legends for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam). It will launch sometime in 2021.
Faced with a merciless, unchecked state, rebels and rogues from every corner battle to claim their place among legends. To win influence with an oppressed people, rival gangs now compete in daring heists to hit the wealthy where it hurts. Folk hero or gold-hungry outlaw, only the best will escape with hard-earned riches.
Two teams of players compete to execute the perfect heist, in environments patrolled by deadly AI guards. Utilise the unique skills and mystical abilities of each character, moving in stealth to steal treasures unseen or dominating through loud and brutal combat.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2VHGvRV1l8&w=560&h=315]
Temtem

Publisher Humble Games and developer Crema have announced that Temtem will be available for the PS5 when it comes to consoles in 2021.
The massively multiplayer creature-collection adventure game inspired by Pokemon first launched for the PC via Steam Early Access on 21 January 2020, but it is also planned for release on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-UqrbkzxPQ&w=560&h=315]
Godfall

Gearbox Publishing and developer Counterplay Games have released a nine-minute “Combat Overview” gameplay walkthrough video for action RPG Godfall running natively on a PS5 developer kit.
Godfall is described as a looter-slasher melee action RPG. Aperion is on the precipice of ruin. You are the last of the Valorian knights, god-like warriors able to equip Valorplates, legendary armor sets that transform wielders into unstoppable masters of melee combat. Tear through foes as you climb through the elemental realms and challenge the mad god, Macros who awaits you at the top.
Key features include:

The Many Realms of Aperion Awaits â€“ Adventure across exotic vistas, from the above-ground reefs of the Water Realm to the subterranean crimson forests of the Earth Realm.
Master Breathtaking Weapons â€“ Master all five weapon classes, each with unique playstyles and a variety of longswords, polearms, warhammers, greatswords, and dual blades.
Become Unstoppable â€“ Level up, learn new skills, and uncover legendary weapons with devastating effects on the battlefield.
Unlock Godlike Armor â€“ Unlock 12 Valorplates: Divine, Zodiac-inspired suits of armor that empower you to shred every enemy between you and Macros.
Vanquish Worthy Foes â€“ Test your skills in the Tower of Trials and challenge yourself against the toughest foes and earn top-tier loot.
Ascend Together or Solo â€“ Fight solo, or alongside friends with three-player player-versus-enemy online co-op play.

Godfall is slated to release for the PS5 and PC via the Epic Games Store in Holiday 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFNh84-fyU8&w=560&h=315]

You can also watch the entire 40-minute presentation below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu8jivl_po4&w=560&h=315]
In the meantime,Â head on over here to check out all our other PS5-related news and feature articles.


Sony PlayStation’s God Of War Ragnarok Has Sold 11 Million Copies In 3 Months

Talk about being the fastest-selling action game of 2022! Sony has announced that its God of War sequel has sold gangbusters within a pretty short timespan.
God of War Ragnarok has sold 11 million copies in 3 months. This is a follow-up to the 5.1 million copies it sold in its debut week of 9th November. And for comparison’s sake, 2018’s God of War title sold 23 million copies total.
“We’re incredibly humbled that God of War Ragnarök has officially sold through 11 million copies. None of this would be possible without the support of our fans, so thank you for coming on this journey with us!”

We’re incredibly humbled that #GodofWarRagnarok has officially sold through 11 million copies!
None of this would be possible without the support of our fans, so thank you for coming on this journey with us! pic.twitter.com/7KlAT9eddG
— Santa Monica Studio – God of War Ragnarök (@SonySantaMonica) February 1, 2023

God of War Ragnarok is out now for PS5 and PS4. Check out our glowing review of the game, which is perhaps PlayStation’s finest offering and a great incentive to get a PlayStation 5.


She-Hulk Finale Episode 9 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The ninth episode and Season 1 finale of She-Hulk Attorney At Law is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. I’ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you haven’t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, now’s your chance to stop reading.
Check out my spoiler-free review of She-Hulk here.
The synopsis reads:
In Marvel Studios’ “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany)—an attorney specializing in superhuman-oriented legal cases must navigate the complicated life of a single, 30-something who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk. The nine-episode comedy series welcomes a host of MCU vets, including Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, and Benedict Wong as Wong, as well as Jameela Jamil, Josh Segarra, Ginger Gonzaga, Jon Bass and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
The series is directed by Kat Coiro (Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9) and Anu Valia (Episodes 5, 6, 7) with Jessica Gao as head writer. Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Coiro and Gao.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar, we were given the opportunity to interview She-Hulk head writer, executive producer and showrunner, Jessica Gao. She is also best known for winning an Emmy Award for writing the famous Pickle Rick episode on the Rick And Morty animated series.

In the meantime, Jessica Gao also recently revealed that She-Hulk scrapped plans to include meta comic book text boxes in our coverage of the recent press conference.
Check out my breakdown of She-Hulk Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7 and Episode 8 here.
Check out my breakdown of Ms. Marvel Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6 here.
Also, check out my breakdowns of Moon Knight Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6 here.
You can check out my previous breakdowns of Hawkeye Episodes 1 and 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here and Episode 5. and Episode 6 here.
In addition, you can check out my previous breakdowns of Marvel’s What If? Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9 here.
If you haven’t, you can check out my previous breakdowns and easter egg articles for WandaVision Episode 1 and 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9.
For The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns for Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns of Loki episodes, check out Episode 1 here, Episode 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here, Episode 5 here and Episode 6 here.

The Incredible Hulk (1978) Reference

This She-Hulk episode starts with an intro that’s inspired by and as a tribute to the opening of The Incredible Hulk TV series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, which ran from 1978 to 1982.
Check out the original 1978 The Incredible Hulk intro below:

She-Hulk Is Captured By The DODC

The DODC, that is, the Department Of Damage Control, was last seen in Ms. Marvel trying to capture Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel herself. Now, they have captured Jennifer Walters after her rampage in last week’s episode.
Now she has to wear the same monitoring device on her ankle.

One Of The Intelligencia Members Mentions Lady Thor

He’s referring to Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster picking up Mjolnir and becoming a Thor in 2022’s Thor Love And Thunder earlier this year.
Lady Thor is considered derogatory. Her official name is Mighty Thor.

Todd Phelps Created Intelligencia

It turns out that Todd Phelps (Jon Bass) is behind Intelligencia all along and the one known as HulkKing in the forums. Before you question how a guy like this can create an organization like this, he is super rich, so he has the resources to do so.
He also admitted that he hired Josh to have sex with She-Hulk and steal her blood.
The Intelligencia Hires Abomination To Give A Talk

Todd invited Emil Blonsky AKA the Abomination to their event.
Todd Becomes A Hulk And Titania Arrives

Todd used the blood he stole from Jen to turn himself into a Hulk.
Hulk Smashes Into The Party

This is weird, we last saw him heading into space and perhaps the planet Sakaar. Now he’s back on Earth for some reason.
She-Hulk Enters The ‘Real World’ And Breaks Into The She-Hulk Writers Room

Yeah, that happened. And look, She-Hulk showrunner Jessica Gao is there too.
I interviewed her before the show started (check out the full interview in the embedded video at the top of this article).
Kevin Feige Is A Robot AI

KEVIN or K.E.V.I.N. is a robotic AI named Knowledge Enhanced Visual Interconnectivity Nexus’. It’s funny how it even looks like Kevin Feige wearing his iconic cap.
Jen Mentions The X-Men

I don’t think the word X-Men has ever been uttered in the MCU before; even when Professor X appeared in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, he never said the word X-Men.
Daredevil Appears Again In The REAL Ending, Emil Blonsky Arrested

Daredevil appears again near the end in the real ending, where Jen Walters just shows up and has the police apprehend Todd.
Meanwhile, Emil Blonsky has to go back to prison for violating his parole, which is just a convenient way of explaining his future absence from the MCU.
Hulk Has A Son And His Name Is Skaar

He shows up and confirms that he went to Sakaar. He brought back his son, Skaar.
So the MCU is pretty much skipping the events of Planet Hulk, World War Hulk, Fall Of The Hulks, World War Hulks, and the rest, going straight to introducing his son, Skaar.
In the comics, Skaar is Hulk’s son with a Sakaaran alien named Caiera the Oldstrong. Why is he already a big guy? In the comics, he became a teenager one year after being born. Skaar has Hulk-like strength and also the Old Power from his mother, basically to draw power from the Earth or manipulate it in some way, like Earth-bending.
In the comics, Skaar also has a twin brother named Hiro-Kala.
According to the credits, Skaar is played by actor Will Deusner.

Wong Makes Another Cameo

Wong helps Emil escape and brings him to Kamar-Taj for refuge. What’s interesting is that Emil teases that Wong got “sucked in another show”, which might indicate that Wong will be appearing in other TV shows in the near future.
We had a great nine weeks. Until the next one, excelsior!


Square Enix’s First Dev Division Is Working On A New IP

The house that publishes Final Fantasy and that one Avengers game is keeping busy with a new unannounced project.
The company’s First Development Division (via Games Talk) is working on a new intellectual property for high-definition consoles.Â  The job listing for this project is looking for people and is “aiming to realize a â€˜next-generation action game experienceâ€™ that goes beyond the framework of existing action games, with an international team of creators from all over the world”.
This is a big deal because the division is known for developing and producing titles like the upcomingÂ  FFVII Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, and the remastered Romancing SaGa titles. There’s no time frame on when they’ll announce it, but it’s definitely something a lot of RPG fans will watch out for.


Overwatch League Hands First Suspension of the Season

The Overwatch League hasn’t even started its pre-season matches yet the first disciplinary action of the season has been dealt. Tank main Su-Min â€œSadoâ€ Kim, of the Philadelphia Fusion has been handed a suspension for the preseason and the first 30 matches of the inaugural season for account boosting.
The official statement from the Overwatch League read “Overwatch League players are expected to uphold the highest standards of our game, and to be exemplary citizens of our playerÂ community. Participating in â€œaccount-boostingâ€ schemes, wherein an individual is paid to increase another userâ€™s Skill Rating, is contrary to these values, and violates the Blizzard End User License Agreement.”
Philadelphia Fusion issued a statement on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/e7uSjDbZym
â€” Philadelphia Fusion (@PHL_Fusion) November 29, 2017
A letter written by Kim himself (translated from Korean) to Philadelphia Fusion fans posted on the team’s official website read:
I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment I have brought to Blizzard, the Overwatch League, the Fusion, and my team members through my boosting. Â I want to start this letter by thanking you for allowing me to be a part of the Overwatch League despite my past mistakes. Â I am not writing to deny the allegations of my boosting, but instead I hope to provide some context for why I made the mistakes that I did, and explain how I plan to make up for those mistakes moving forward.
I engaged in boosting activity on the Korean ladder during competitive seasons 4 and 5, and in doing so violated the Blizzard End User License Agreement. Â When I started boosting, I was not in a very good place financially or emotionally. Â I had just quit high school because I did not feel any satisfaction from my studies, and I felt pressure to bring in money to my family to help support them. Â Although I had various opportunities with some tier 2 teams in the Korean pro scene, none of those opportunities had been very promising – so I believed my chances of going pro in Overwatch were basically zero. Â
The full text can be read here.
We hope this would spell a turn of life directions for Kim, and that he’s now in a better state of mind, finance and most importantly, his priorities in life. Mistakes were made and we hope he learned from this ordeal.
The Overwatch League pre-season starts next week and opens with Philadelphia Fusion facing Florida Mayhem this 7th December.


Puzzle Quest 3 Is Coming In 2021

Publisher 505 Games and developer Infinity Plus Two haveÂ announcedÂ Puzzle Quest 3 for PC (Steam), iOS, Android, and additional unspecified platforms. It will launch in 2021 as a free-to-play title.
Puzzle Quest 3Â returns to its origins, recalling the deep RPG mechanics and signature heroic storylines that made the original a standout hit within the Match-3 category.
Now featuring a twist on traditional puzzle gameplay,Â Puzzle Quest 3Â offers an intense one-versus-one battle system realized in a 3D game world. Taking place 500 years after the originalÂ Puzzle Quest, players will embark on a heroic journey across Etheria to discover the meaning behind the ancient Red Dragonâ€™s dying words.
Puzzle Quest 3 features an all-new adventure to become the ultimate hero, battling and building a legacy in thrilling head-to-head combat. The game includes an immersive battle system where players unleash torturous spells and paralyzing attacks through the power of gem-crushing in an enhanced turn-based system.
Infinity Plus Two CEO and creative lead Steve Fawkner said:
â€œAfter an overwhelming demand from fans over the past decade for the next installment of Puzzle Quest, weâ€™re thrilled to finally reveal the development of Puzzle Quest 3.
The vision for this latest project has been years in the making, and like any good Puzzle Quest game, itâ€™s a delicate balance of gameplay, story, and strategic puzzle-solving while introducing something unexpected that will appeal to both old and new fans.
We canâ€™t wait to share Puzzle Quest 3.â€
505 Games free-to-play boss Clive Robert said:
â€œPuzzle Quest defined the puzzle-RPG genre, creating a beloved franchise with a rich heritage that continues to resonate with a player base of millions globally today.
The work that Steve [Fawkner] and his team have done to reintroduce the franchise as a free-to-play experience across multiple platforms will undoubtedly reinvent the puzzle genre once again.
As a unified publishing and dev team, weâ€™ve created a path for the franchise that puts the player first so we can best serve our growing community.â€
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Electronic Arts Announces EACC Autumn 2021, Begins Next Week

FIFA ONLINE 4 Tournament EACC Autumn 2021 is back and will be held from 10th to 19th September 2021. The tournament will retain the same format as EACC Summer 2021 but will see some players competing from home and some playing from a centralized venue, in a bid to keep everyone involved in the event safe.Â Â
EACC SUMMER 2021 RECAPÂ
Last July, we saw all 12 teams make a strong run in the tournament, with intense matchups in every group. Ultimately, FaZe Clan from Thailand was crowned the champions of EACC Summer 2021, with a 3-1 Grand Finals victory against Chinaâ€™s Manchester City Esports Team. The reigning champions will look to defend their title again in EACC Autumn 2021.Â
SCHEDULE AND FORMATÂ
Like the recently concluded summer edition in July 2021, the tournament will feature 12 participating teams, with 3 representatives each from 4 countries: China, Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea. The teams will be playing for a prize pool of US$100,000, with the grand prize amounting to US$35,000.Â
The full schedule is shown below:

StageÂ
Date / Time (GMT+8 Malaysian Time)

DRAFT DAYÂ
10 Sep 2021

GROUP STAGE
13 Sep 2021, 7 pm
14 Sep 2021, 7 pm
15 Sep 2021, 7 pm

KNOCKOUT STAGESÂ
(Playoffs)
16 Sep 2021, 7 pm
17 Sep 2021, 7 pm

KNOCKOUT STAGESÂ
(Semi-Finals and Grand Finals)
19 Sep 2021, 3pm

DRAFT DAY: Teams will draft their virtual players on 10th September 2021 where each team will be assigned a randomized group and draw order to determine their position in the snake-draft, with a total of 12 rounds. For full draft rules and order, please refer to https://www.ea.com/compete/fifa online/events/eacc-autumn-2021#rules.Â
GROUP STAGE: The group stage will be held across 3 days from 13th to 15th September 2021. The draft will split the 12 teams into 4 groups of 3 teams, with a maximum of 1 representative from each country for each group. The top 2 teams from each group will proceed to the Knockout Stage.Â
KNOCKOUT STAGES: The knockout stages will feature a double-elimination bracket. The playoffs will start with the top seed from each group matched up with a runner-up seed from another group in Best of-3 (BO3) matches and will be played on 16th and 17th September 2021. Stage 2 will conclude the tournament with the semi-finals and finals, to be held on 19th September, and will feature Best-of-5 (BO5) matches.Â
VIEWING CHANNELSÂ
EACC Autumn 2021 will air on the following channels:Â
ChinaÂ Â

https://www.huya.com/18524980

KoreaÂ

AfreecaTV: https://bj.afreecatv.com/affifaonline

Thailand

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FIFAOnline4Thailand/live
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fo4thailand/live

VietnamÂ

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EASportsFIFAOnline4Vietnam/live
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialfo4vn/live

ABOUT EACC AUTUMN 2021Â
Continuing the EA SPORTSâ„¢ FIFA Online 4 Series, the EACC Autumn 2021 will be the third tournament to award teams with ranking points and qualifying them into the season final FIFAe Continental Cup 2021.Â
The autumn edition of the EACC will take place online this year â€“ from 10th to 19th September â€“ across four markets in China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. This yearâ€™s tournament promises a more interactive and engaging experience for esports fans across Asia, with exclusive video content and real-timeÂ social media coverage of the events to be expected. EACC Autumn 2021 will also feature a new tournament environment with a focus on the safety and wellbeing of the participants that will allow players to play from home, or via a hybrid arrangement.Â
The EACC first began in 2014 as the FIFA Online 3 Spearhead Invitational, being the first-ever international FIFA Online esports competition. It later evolved into the Asian Cup in 2015, finally becoming the EA Champions Cup in 2016. Since then, it has brought together the best professionalÂ  FIFA Online 4 teams twice a year, in a battle to become champions of Asia and qualify into the FIFAe Continental Cup.Â
[videopress rykiwqCF]


Ghost Of Tsushima Devs Are Now The Island’s Ambassadors

Remember how Ghost Of Tsushima fans have helped raise more than a whopping US$260,000 to rebuild a shrine on the real Japanese island? Well, the priests there do. Because of that, Tsushima island has given a prestigious award to two senior members of the Ghost of Tsushima development team.
According to VGC, Sucker Punch game director Nate Fox and Creative director Jason Connell will become permanent tourism ambassadors of the city of Tsushima (which is located in Nagasaki province of Japan).
The ceremony will be held digitally due to travel restrictions, and the pair will be presented with the award and a letter of appreciation.
To mark the occasion, the city said it will collaborate with Sony Interactive Entertainment to set up a new tourism campaign based on the game, which is designed to encourage fans to learn more about the island and its key landmarks.
In a statement, Tsushima mayor Hiroki Hitakatsu said:
â€œ[Fox and Connell] spread the name and history of Tsushima to the whole world in such a wonderful way.
Even a lot of Japanese people do not know the history of the Gen-ko period.
When it comes to the world, the name and location of Tsushima is literally unknown, so I cannot thank them enough for telling our story with such phenomenal graphics and profound stories.
The appointment of Tourism Ambassador is from today until Mr. Jason and Mr. Nate no longer wish to have it.
In fact, I had been thinking and discussing about appointing the role to them ever since I discovered they were using Tsushimaâ€™s name as the name of their work.
I did not appoint them for the purpose of having them do anything in the future.
Thanks to the two of them, Sucker Punch Productions, and SIE, I have heard from people all over the world who have learned about Tsushima through their works, and now want to see, know, and go to Tsushima.
I would really like to appoint all the Sucker Punch, SIE, and game users who were involved in the work as Tourism Ambassadors.”
The crowdfunding effort concluded on Sunday with more than 540 percent of its 5 million Japanese Yen ($47,500) goal raised. Over 2000 people contributed to the project, including many fans of Sucker Punchâ€™s PlayStation game.
Sucker Punchâ€™sÂ Ghost Of TsushimaÂ is now one of the most successful PlayStation exclusives of all time, withÂ more than five million copies soldÂ since its launch in July 2020. You can check outÂ our review of the game here.


Disney+ Has Found Its She-Hulk

Marvel Studios has casted its jolly green Attorney-At-Law for its Disney+ She Hulk TV show.
It’s Orphan Black starÂ Tatiana Maslany, according to a Variety scoop. She will be playing the title character Jennifer “She-Hulk” Walters. She’s just as gamma-irradiated as her cousin, but since it’s a blood transfusion, she gets to control her moments of Hulking out unlike her cousin Bruce Banner.

Welcome to the family, cuz! @tatianamaslany #SheHulk https://t.co/VXcaE9Fine
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 17, 2020

Kat Coiro will be producing the show, while Jessica Gao (Rick & Morty writer) will be penning the series. MCU’s Hulk Mark Ruffalo will make a couple of appearances in the TV show, though it’ll be a few years before we get to see even a trailer or a tease. COVID-19’s putting a damper on Hollywood.


Here’s How You Can Catch The Avengers Endgame Re-Release In Malaysia This Weekend

Marvel Studios has officially announced the Avengers Endgame re-release with bonus content, which it dubs the ‘Bring Back’ event. Now we know what exactly those extra 7 or so minutes means for the blockbuster movie.
The Avengers Endgame re-release ‘Bring Back’ event will still feature the original cut and runtime of the movie, but with the addition of:

A video introduction by director Anthony Russo
An unfinished deleted scene from the film
Sneak peek of Spider-Man Far From Home

Both GSC Cinemas and TGV Cinemas have announced that they will be showing the Avengers Endgame re-release on their official social media accounts.

See Marvel Studiosâ€™ #AvengersEndgame on the big screen one more time before it leaves theaters starting 29 JUNE!
See a special intro from director Anthony Russo, an unfinished deleted scene, and a special sneak peek from #SpiderManFarFromHome.
More info coming. Stay tuned!! pic.twitter.com/MTLdqSZUu7
â€” GSC Cinemas (@GSCinemas) June 25, 2019

Tickets for the Avengers Endgame re-release ‘Bring Back’ event are now available for sale. It is slated to start showing in Malaysian cinemas starting from 29 June 2019, but it’s not specified for how long they will be available.


PS5 Beta Users Can Now Add M.2 SSD To Expand Storage

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that PS5 beta users can now use M.2 SSD devices to upgrade the storage capacity of their consoles. However, it’s recommended that PS5 beta users should wait for a beta invitation before purchasing a new M.2 SSD.
Once installed in the PS5 console, M.2 SSD storage can be used to download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games, as well as media apps. This allows you to increase the storage space available to you on your PS5 console. You can freely move games between the PS5 consoleâ€™s storage, a connected USB extended storage device and the added M.2 SSD storage.
You can find more details about which M.2 SSD to purchase and how to add them to a PS5 console by heading to the official FAQ page here. As of now, Seagate has recently confirmed that their new FireCuda 530 SSD will be supported by the PS5. Their prices and specifications are as follows (according to the official website):

500GB – US$149.99
1TB – US$254.99
2TB – US$514.99
4TB – US$999.99


New Dragon Ball Super Super Hero Trailer Teases Gotenks, Broly & More

Dragon Ball Super Super Hero is coming to Malaysia and Malaysian cinemas on 30 August 2022.
The film arrives on the following dates in the following regions and territories:

August 18 in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Central America, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay
August 19 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Zambia, Vietnam
August 26 in India, Indonesia
August 30 in Malaysia, Brunei
August 31 in the Philippines
September 1 in Singapore
September 8 in Taiwan
September 15 in South Korea
September 29 in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao
Additional global release dates for the film will be announced soon.

Dragon Ball Super Super Hero is the second film in the Dragon Ball Super series, and the 21st movie in the entire franchise. Dragon Ball Super Broly was released in 2018 to fans around the globe, including Malaysia (and we reviewed it as well).
The synopsis reads:
The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!
The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball’s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.
Additionally, the film will be directed by Tetsuro Kodama and the Japanese voice actors for the film include Masako Nozawa (Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Son Goten), Toshio Furukawa (Piccolo), Aya Hisakawa (Bulma), Ry? Horikawa (Vegeta), Mayumi Tanaka (Krillin), Takeshi Kusao (Trunks), Y?ko Minaguchi (Videl), Y?ko Minaguchi (Pan), Miyu Irino (Dr. Hedo), Hiroshi Kamiya (Gamma 1), Mamoru Miyano (Gamma 2), Volcano Ota (Magenta), and Ryota Takeuchi (Carmine).
Check out the new trailer below:


Naruto Brawler Makers CyberConnect2 Will Be Working On A New Anime Game

Bandai Namco has it good with CyberConnect2 since the latter company is responsible for making all those Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm games and prequels for fans who want 1v1 3D fighting featuring ninjas and superpowered beings.
Will they be able to go back doing games like Asura’s Wrath back in the day? Probably not, as the company’s president and CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama teased the development of a new anime-based game. When asked in the latest CyberConnect2 Q&A YouTube series about what anime his company would like to make a new game on, he said “I can’t answer that.”

“The reason being that we already have an idea and have begun developing it. So! Well, when the timing is right, Iâ€™m sure the new project we are working on will be announced. Please look forward to that day! We are doing what weâ€™ve been wanting to do!”

Our guess? Probably one of those isekai animes like Re:ZERO, The Rising of The Shield Hero, and the fantabulously-titled Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
The correct answer is “as long as you’re paying for the dinner. She may put out. Or take a shower.”


Safe In Our World Announces Mental Health Awareness Charity Bundle

Video game mental health charity Safe in Our World has announced the upcoming Winter Blues Bundle, a charity bundle with all proceeds going towards mental health awareness that will launch on 4 February 2022.
In a partnership with Fanatical, the Winter Blues Bundle features a total of 13 games and two DLCs with all proceeds going towards further supporting the charity’s endeavours.
This is in line with the winter season in the UK, where around 13 in 100 people experience the Winter Blues, up to 6 in 100 people are thought to have Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the effects of reduced sunlight throughout the post-festive season are particularly detrimental to our overall mental health and wellbeing.

The organization aims to raise awareness on the fact, and the games included in the bundle were specifically picked to inspire and support gamers throughout this challenging season.
The listed games are as follows:

Dragons: Dawn of New Riders by Outright Games
Adventure Time: Pirates of Enchiridion by Outright Games
Payday 2 by Starbreeze
GRIP: Combat Racing by Caged Element / Wired Productions
E.R.O.: Nothing Ever Remains Obscure by Storm in a Teacup
Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure by Curve Games
Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered by Deep Silver
Eastside Hockey Manager by SEGA x Sports Interactive
Titan Quest: Anniversary Edition by THQ Nordic
Pure Pool by Ripstone
The Persistence by Firesprite Ltd
The Ship: Remastered by Blazing Griffin
Portal Knights by 505 Games
DLC Fall Guys: Collector’s Pack by Mediatonic
DLC Fall Guys: Popstar’s by Mediatonic

All proceeds will go towards mental health training, supporting future initiatives from Safe In Our World, and extending the charities Level Up Mental Health Programme. The games in the bundle collectively can go up to RM1045 – RM1135 usually, but the bundle will be available for just RM37.60 on Fanatical.


30+ Games To Play & Own While You Are In Quarantine, MCO, & Lockdown [Update]

Article originally published on 27th March 2020. We’re bringing it forward because of Malaysia’s lockdown week starting 1st June.
With Malaysiaâ€™s Controlled Movement Control Order back again after months of some normalcy, we may need to social distance ourselves a lot longer than usual. And also wash our hands as usual, and #StayTheFuckHome. Weâ€™ve recommended a bunch of manga to read, but why stop there?
Letâ€™s talk about the best games to play while weâ€™re still confined to our domiciles. Just some guidelines to establish:

Any game that has a campaign that takes longer than 10 hours to complete is perfect. Short visual novel games? GTFO!
Any game with huge multiplayer longevity and with stable networking is included.
They have to be available digitally. Which is a no-brainer given the situation we’re in.

Weâ€™ll split them into two categories: single-player fares and multiplayer games. Letâ€™s start:

Single-Player
Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Genre: RPG
Platform: Xbox Series, PC, PS4, PS5
Why This Game? If you need a modern-day contemporary setting kind of RPG experience, this Yakuza game will sort you out.
Not only does Yakuza: Like A Dragon features an engrossing plot, but it also gives you a lot to do in-between main quest stuff. Karaoke, mahjong, go-kart racing, and even an investment minigame? This seventh Sega adventure entry has it in spades.
Unlike other Yakuza entries, this one’s turn-based combat all the way. If you prefer real-time combat, go for Yakuza Zero. If turn-based fighting and Dragon Quest-style parodies do not bother you, jump in.
Estimated Time To Complete: 30 hours for the main story, plus another 30 or more for the many, MANY sidequests and minigames.
Nier Replicant

Genre: Action-adventure RPG
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Why This Game? Because Nier’s stories is one of the best we’ve seen in a very, very long time. The 2021 remake fixes the 2010’s main problem: the gameplay and combat. Now it plays like a proper 60fps+ action game with sublime controls and fast hack-and-slash goodness.
True, the later hours of the game can be a tad repetitive, but the game’s story & unravelling needs to be experienced first-hand.
Estimated Time To Complete: 20+ hours if you want to get through Nier’s whole story from the standard endings to the secret one that’s exclusive to this remake. -Mr Toffee
Bravely Default 2

Genre: Traditional RPG
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Why This Game? Because it’ll take you a long, long while until you reach the true ending of this purposely-tailored old-school RPG. Control 4 heroes who can switch between Jobs/Classes, grinding for Job Points and experience against relentless mobs of enemies and Bosses who possess “asterisks” that provide our heroes with new Jobs. Get your ass handed over to you as you figure out the best Job combination in dealing with high-level threats and obstacles that impede you from the expected fantasy storyline that comes with surprising dark twists.
Take your time with the game’s many, many sidequests with some of them containing more character development than the main plotline. In some ways, this Bravely Default sequel is way better than the first two games on the 3DS just because of its many, many refinements and certain limitations like the weight system that makes equipment matter. Oh, and that soundtrack from Revo just kicks so much butt.
Estimate Time To Complete: 60+ hours. Be prepared for a fakeout ending and a couple of replays to get the most out of the game.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Genre: Adventure Game with Real-Time Strategy Bits
Platform: PS4
Why This Game? Because it’s a literal treasure that needs to be shared, and it’s a hefty read to boot.
I was initially turned off at the prospect of paying RM230+ for what amounts to a dolled-up visual novel. That is, until I drank the Atlus Kool-Aid once more and dived right in.
I am so glad I am wrong in assuming as such because 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a marvellous work of sci-fi fiction. Think of the best works in the genre -books, anime, TV shows- and mash them all up into a cohesive-yet-complex platter filled with a ton of dialogue, adventure plot paths, and the amazing artwork of Vanillaware & George Kamitani. That is 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim in a nutshell, and even so, this doesn’t do justice to the 2020 video game odyssey you’ll be experiencing.
And yes, there’s a real-time strategy combat segment too where you control an army of Sentinels piloted by troubled teenagers all done in the style of a Wargames tactical map. It’s actually pretty fun, but it does lack some aesthetic kick; I was expecting the attack and damage calculation transitions to be like Advance Wars.Â But honestly, that’s the only bad thing I can say about this storytelling masterpiece.
If you don’t believe me, ask Yoko Taro. He has nice things to say about it, and he made NieR Automata.
Estimate Time to Complete: 30+ hours to get the full picture of this sci-fi rollercoaster ride. – Mr Toffee
Ghost of Tsushima

Genre: Action-Adventure
Platform: PS4
Why This Game? In case you haven’t heard, it’s one of Kakuchopurei’s 100/100 games. It’s also a Japan Feudal era action-adventure title that will take you hours to complete.
If you need an open-world game that isn’t all busywork like a Ubisoft sandbox title, and one that comes with heart, challenges, and a ton of bliss just experiencing when it comes to its quieter moments, you need Ghost of Tsushima for your PS4. Getting distracted by yellow birds and foxes while being waylaid by wandering ronin and Mongolians is guaranteed to eat up your time while you’re stuck in quarantine.
Also, there’s a new co-op mode out and ready, so you can share the love with your online samurai buddies and tackle the game as a team.
Estimated Time to Complete: About 30 hours minimum. The intro itself lasts about 45 minutes; that should give you a rough indication of what you’re going into. – Mr Toffee

Genshin Impact

Genre: Online JRPG
Platforms: PC, PS4, iOS, Android
Why This Game? Because it’s an easy JRPG to jump into. If you can’t spend money on games at the moment but want a meatier experience than a mobile game, you should jump into Genshin Impact and its expansive world of Teyvat.
With a good cast of characters you can select from, a nifty combat system that rewards swapping party members and mixing up elemental effects, and a lovely world filled with secrets and beautiful vistas, Genshin Impact is 2020’s most time-consuming RPG that costs zero dollars. Of course, if you want to pay money, there’s always the login bonus pack and the battle pass to sort you out with in-game goodies.

Estimated Time to Complete: You’re joking, right? This being an ongoing “live service” type RPG with oncoming continents and characters, you’ll be hooked onto Genshin Impact for a very long time. But if we’re talking about getting to Adventurer Rank 30, it’ll take you less than 30 hours.
Do check out our starter character guide and endgame guide if you plan on diving into this proverbial Baron Bunny hole. – Mr Toffee
Persona 5 Royal

Genre: JRPG
Platform: PS4
Why This Game? One of this generationâ€™s best JRPGs on the PS4 now gets a meaningful upgrade. You play as a student who ends up being under probation for something he didnâ€™t do. He also ends up being a leader of a group of secret vigilantes known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. They help correct the course of peopleâ€™s hearts and minds by entering their mind palace and killing the big bad inside.
Oh, and you also have to balance your work life with your social life, as befriending and dating people help power up your magic spirits called Personas to make your mind dungeon-running a little more breezy. Itâ€™s as insane as it sounds, and itâ€™s pretty fun. With a likeable cast, a colourful art and music style, and a thoughtful turn-based battle system that is still Megami Tensei levels of hard, itâ€™s tough to pass up on this Atlus-made entry thatâ€™s still being quoted and memeâ€™d up to this day.
Estimated Time To Complete: 90 hours or so, just for one playthrough. Youâ€™ll spend weeks trying to hook up with that cute shogi player while also completing that burger challenge in the local fast-food joint to beef up your characterâ€™s social skills. -Mr Toffee
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Genre: Open-world stealth-action
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Why This Game? The open world is pretty dull, but itâ€™s home to a host of missions that each take place in sizeable areas that can be approached in a variety of ways. You can snipe from afar, charge in with a horse, or call in fire support to soften up the enemy. You can also sneak in in a box, sabotage communications before going in, try stealth before having a heavier loadout delivered to you when shit hits the fan, blast enemies with non-lethal shotguns or headshot them with a silenced pistol, and more.
Basically, the opportunities are varied, and the experience deliciously freeform (outside of the boss battles). The awesome gameplay makes up for the story, which starts off well but devolves into mainly replaying missions (albeit with gameplay twists) in the second half.
Estimated Time To Complete: Iâ€™m not sure if multiplayer is still active, but the single-player portion is pretty beefy. How Long To Beat lists the main story duration as being around 46 hours long, with the side missions increasing the playtime to 84 hours. I spent over 100 hours with the single player, so Iâ€™d say the latter is pretty accurate. – Melvyn
Deus Ex GOTY

Genre: Stealth-action RPG
Platform: PC
Why This Game? The more recent Human Revolution and Mankind Divided, which Iâ€™ve started playing recently, are wonderful games too, but the original is a more-than-solid package that holds up despite being almost twenty years old. The graphics are undeniably outdated and the gameplay can be a bit clunky, but itâ€™s still impressive in scope and offers a variety of ways to accomplish objectives. Youâ€™ve got a variety of weapons, can upgrade skills to improve stats like aiming and swimming, and can install augments that give you new abilities.
One of the reasons I got interested in this game was a PC Gamer Top 100 Games of the Decade from 2011 that mentioned neon-lit Hong Kong as being one of the gameâ€™s locations. I was so enamoured with the idea that I headed to the nearest video game store right after reading that and actually managed to get a copy of it for less than RM30 (the manager was worried that Iâ€™d confused the game for Human Revolution after seeing my joyful reaction to the price). Due to reasons, however, I only got to visit Deus Exâ€™s Hong Kong almost a decade later.
And man, what a place it is. Itâ€™s a large hub that begs you to explore every corner and level, and it also contains the VersaLife facility, which is basically a level within a level. Thereâ€™s also an apartment owned by a character called Maggie Chow, and while I wonâ€™t reveal spoilers, exploring the place gave me an unexpectedly memorable experience that you just wonâ€™t get in a traditionally linear game.
Estimated Time To Complete: Like a lot of games of this nature, it depends on whether you speed through the story or take your time to explore. It took me 28 hours to complete the game, with some of that time spent breaking into buildings and wandering around. -Melvyn
Nioh 2

Genre: Soulsborne Action RPG
Platform: PS4
Why This Game? Nioh 2 is likely one of the first few GOTY candidates for 2020. I prefer to avoid Soulsborne games in general, but Team Ninjaâ€™s latest effort is probably the most polished and accessible title to come out of the genre yet.
Donâ€™t get me wrong, itâ€™s still punishingly hard as hell, but at least the sheer number of possible playstyles and gameplay options make for more space to really “git gud”. Sekiro forced you to play by its rules (parry mechanics and using a katana as your main weapon), but Nioh 2 forces you to use everything in your disposal to survive, and itâ€™s a heck of a lot of fun.
Even if you donâ€™t like Soulsborne games in general, this game is highly recommended. And oh, did I mention that Nioh 2 is the closest thing to a new Onimusha game that weâ€™ll ever get? Yeah, you read that right, my fellow Onimusha fans (who have been deprived for years thanks to Capcom only obsessed focus on Monster Hunter and Resident Evil).
Estimated Time To Complete: Iâ€™m probably around 40 to 50 hours into Nioh 2, and I havenâ€™t even finished the game yet. Iâ€™ve been playing through the many sub-missions to prepare me for the main missions, and Iâ€™m having a great time experimenting with playstyles. It will probably take around 60 to 70 hours to complete them all, and thatâ€™s not even mentioning the gameâ€™s New Game Plus, which offers even harder missions and better loot. – Comicslord
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot

Genre: Action JRPG Fighting Game Hybrid
Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One
If youâ€™re an anime fan, youâ€™d be hard-pressed to find many video game adaptations that arenâ€™t bland 3D arena fighters (which are usually cheap and blatant cash-ins). However, Bandai Namcoâ€™s Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is an ambitious action JRPG that recreates the iconic Dragon Ball Z anime in its entirety, from the Raditz Saga to the Buu Saga.
While the game has its share of problems, itâ€™s quite possibly the largest Dragon Ball game ever made in terms of scope. Sure, less than 10 characters are actually playable, but itâ€™s still a great time for Dragon Ball fans to relive their nostalgic memories in this flawed but loving ode to Akira Toriyamaâ€™s masterpiece.
Estimated Time To Complete: While Dragon Ball Z Kakarot calls itself a JRPG, itâ€™s actually much shorter than most other games in the genre. You wonâ€™t be spending 100 hours in this game; try 30 hours or so.Â -Comicslord
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

Genre: Classic JRPG
Platform: PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age is not only the best current-gen JRPG, itâ€™s totally one of the all-time greats. The Dragon Quest franchise is older than even Final Fantasy, but the beloved gameplay mechanics have remained very much the same over the years. That holds true for Dragon Quest XI as well, with traditional turn-based combat and going from town-to-town in a classic epic storyline with twists and turns.
All of this may sound generic at first, but this latest instalment in the long-running franchise is one thatâ€™s been polished to perfection. If youâ€™re a JRPG fan like me, there are almost no flaws in the game, besides the dreaded casino (thankfully, I didnâ€™t need that to get the Platinum trophy).
Getting to the end of your journey in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age will feel like youâ€™ve just completed an odyssey, with compelling characters as well as comedy and tragedy along the way.
Estimated Time To Complete: It took me more than 100 hours to complete the game (and obtain the Platinum trophy). A couple more if you want the true ending. -Comicslord
Nier Automata

Genre: Action JRPG
Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One
Nier Automata is one of the most celebrated JRPGs of the current generations, and there are many reasons for that. The story explores heavy and deep philosophical questions with a narrative thatâ€™s praised for its complexity. Whatâ€™s a good story without good gameplay, right?
Well, Nier Automataâ€™s hack and slash gameplay is both awe-inspiring to behold and to actually control. Itâ€™s bullet-hell from a third-person perspective (which is smartly referenced by actual bullet-hell gameplay segments when using 9Sâ€™s hacking skills).
You donâ€™t need to play any of the prior Drakengard games to comprehend and enjoy Nier Automata. Itâ€™s a game that has to be experienced at least once and is probably Yoko Taroâ€™s best game to date.
Estimated Time To Complete: Nier Automata isnâ€™t actually that long, but it requires multiple playthroughs with different protagonists in order to reach the true ending of the game. so 20+ hours or so.
For the record, I obtained the Platinum trophy and it took me approximately 40 to 50 hours. -Comicslord
Men of War: Assault Squad 2

Genre: Real-time Tactics
Platform: PC
Assault Squad 2 offers 15 new skirmish missions in addition to 25 reworked ones from its predecessor, and thanks to the seriesâ€™ gruelling real-time tactics gameplay, you can expect to spend some time on just a couple of missions. Due to the lack of a proper campaign, the missionsâ€™ formula can feel overly familiar, but thereâ€™s still a mix of offense, defense, and stealth missions for each of the playable countries. And unlike the first Assault Squad, you can play these in any order you like.
Length is one thing, but Assault Squad 2 also boasts remarkable depth. Like the other Men of War games and their spiritual predecessors, every soldier and vehicle in the game has its own inventory. Itâ€™s a bit fiddly, especially when your dudes can actually run out of ammo and have to resupply, but itâ€™s this kind of detail that makes the game amazing.
Adding to the joy of combat are the destructible environments and the ability to directly control a soldier or vehicle like a third-person action game. Pristine urban maps will be reduced to smoking ruins by the end of a gruelling push, and directly commandeering a tank to take matters into your own hands is fun. The game is not a 100% accurate simulation, but thereâ€™s still some realism as tanks have longer ranges than those in games like Company of Heroes, and can be easily disabled and even damaged beyond repair from a single well-aimed hit.
Assault Squad 2 is supposed to be more of a multiplayer and co-op-centric experience than the non-Assault Squad Men of War games, but Iâ€™ve had a blast playing the skirmish missions alone, so itâ€™s still a pretty good singleplayer experience.
Estimated Time To Complete: Iâ€™ve played maybe half of the skirmish missions, and took 44 hours to do so. Itâ€™s a meaty game. -Melvyn Tan
Any Of The Total War Games (Preferably Total War: Shogun 2, Total War: Three Kingdoms, or Total War: Rome 2)

Genre: Real-Time Strategy with Turn-Based Micro-Management
Platform: PC
Why this game? Any history buffs or RTS nuts out there? If youâ€™re a combination of both, the Total War franchise is tailor-made for you. Like the Romance of The Three Kingdoms from China, play Total War Three Kingdoms, which is also the most recent Total War title. If you like all things related to the Romans and Greeks (This is Sparta!), then I recommend Total War: Rome 2, which is definitely much better now than it was at launch back in 2013. If youâ€™re a fan of Japan and the Sengoku Era, Total Wars: Shogun 2 is available for you to live out your dream of unifying Japan.
The Total War franchise strikes a balance between RTS gameplay and micro-managing your empire. You could also choose to not play RTS battles at all (if your PCâ€™s not powerful enough) and auto-resolve everything, focus on building your empire instead. Itâ€™s addicting and before you know it, youâ€™ll be saying â€œone more turnâ€ to yourself at 3am in the middle of the night. Iâ€™m speaking from experience.
Estimated Time To Complete: Unlimited. Iâ€™m serious.
Sure, you could end your campaigns when you accomplish all the objectives but you could also technically continue playing until every nook and cranny of the map has been conquered.
I have thousands of hours in multiple Total War games, and I still play them even now. The number of factions and the RNG actions of the AI ensures that no two playthroughs will be the same. -Comicslord
NEXT: More Single-Player Goodness


Newest Elden Ring Update To Beef Up Colossal Swords’ Attack Speed & A Ton Of Spells

Bandai Namco and From Software have released a new patch for its hit RPG Elden Ring, a game where you die tons of times as a maidenless warrior.
Elden Ring’s patch 1.04 will be making major changes to some giant weapons; specifically to make them swing slightly faster and have less recovery time. This doesn’t include jump attacks with giant swords though. Here are the balance adjustments:

Increased Colossal Swords/Colossal weapons attack speed and lowered their recovery time. Jump attack not included.
Increased the two-handed attack damage of Colossal Swords/Colossal Weapons. Jump attack not included.
Increased physical block rate and guard boost of the Colossal Sword, Colossal Weapons, Great Sword, Great Hammer, Great Axe, Great Spear, and Halberd weapon classes.
Increased the damage of Grafted Blade Greatsword.
Increased the damage of Devourer’s Scepter.
Decreased the scaling of status effect build-up from spells and incantations of Albinauric Staff and Dragon Communion Seal.
Decreased the effect of Greatshield Talisman for weapons with high block rate.
Shortened the length of the madness afflicted animation.
Lowered the speed of madness buildup recovery.
Slightly increased FP and Stamina growth rate at lower levels*

*Players will need to perform any of the following actions for the changes to be reflected. This is required only once. New characters created after this update will not require this action.
The rest of the list features spoilers for Elden Ring. You’ve been warned.

Here’s the full list. Faith users and spellcasters are going to be very happy with some of these upgrades, especially Black Flame spammers.
Sorcery/Incantation
Buffs

Crystal Barrage – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time
Gavel of Haima – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemies’ attack while casting
Shatter Earth – Increased cast speed and decrease recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemies’ attack while casting
Rock Blaster – Decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemies’ attack while casting
Thop’s Barrier – Increased area of effect and slightly increase effect duration
Rennala’s Full Moon – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Ranni’s Dark Moon – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Carian Greatsword – Increased cast speed at lower dexterity
Magma Shot – Decreased FP cost and increased cast speed
Roiling Magma – Increased cast speed and decreased time until magma explodes
Gelmir’s Fury – Slightly decreased the random nature of projectile’s range and increased the damage of lava pool. Increased the hitbox
Rykard’s Rancor – Decreased FP cost
Oracle Bubbles – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Great Oracular Bubble – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Briars of Sin – Decreased recovery time. Increased blood loss buildup on enemy
Briars of Punishment – Decreased recovery time. Increased blood loss buildup on enemy
Explosive Ghostflame – Decreased FP cost and recovery time
Tibia’s Summon – Increased damage and cast speed
Aspects of the Crucible: Tail – Decreased FP and Stamina cost
Aspects of the Crucible: Horns – Decreased FP and Stamina cost, Increase cast speed. Increased the distance traveled when not charged and made it easier to cause enemies to flinch when charged
Elden Stars – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time
Black Blade – Decreased Stamina consumption and decreased recovery time
Discus of Light – Decreased FP cost. Increased damage and cast speed
Triple Rings of Light – Increased damage
Radagon’s Rings of Light – Decreased FP cost. Increased damage and cast speed. Decreased recovery time.
Lightning Strike – Decreased Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Honed Bolt – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Spear – Decreased FP and Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemy attacks while casting.
Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike – Decreased recovery time
Lansseax’s Glaive – Decreased FP and Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemy’ attacks while casting.
Fortissax’s Lightning Spear – Decreased FP and Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to withstand enemy attack while casting more easily.
Frozen Lightning Spear – Decreased Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemy attack while casting.

Death Lightning – Decreased FP cost, Increased the duration of death-accumulating smoke?

O, Flame! – Increased damage
Giantsflame Take Thee – Decreased Stamina Cost
Flame of the Fell God – Decreased FP cost and increased damage
Whirl, O Flame! – Increased damage, decreased recovery time
Burn, O Flame! – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Black Flame – Increase damage and the spell can break enemy’s guard more easily.
Scouring Black Flame – Decreased FP cost and recovery time. Increased attack range and area of effect.
Black Flame Ritual – Reduced FP cost and increased damage.
Gurranq’s Beast Claw – Increased damage and decreased recovery time.
Bloodflame Talons – Decreased FP cost and increased cast speed. Decreased recovery time.
Bloodboon – Increased damage. Increased cast speed and decreased effect start-up time, decreased recovery time.
Pest Threads – Decreased Stamina cost.
Scarlet Aeonia – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Allows caster to more easily withstand enemy attacks while casting.
Unendurable Frenzy – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Decreased the random nature of projectile’s range and increased Madness buildup on enemies.
Inescapable Frenzy – Increased cast speed.
Placidusax’s Ruin – Decreased FP, Stamina cost and recovery time.
Dragonclaw – Decreased FP, Stamina cost and recovery time and made it easier to cause enemies to flinch when charged.
Dragonmaw – Decreased FP, stamina cost, recovery time and increased cast speed and made it easier to cause enemies to flinch when charged.
Greyoll’s Roar – Decreased FP, Stamina cost and recovery time.

Buffs & Nerfs

Adula’s Moonblade – Decreased the power of single cast and improved performance so that the blades and frost hit more consistently and continuously. Increased cast speed at lower dexterity.
Flame, Fall Upon Them – Decreased the damage of single cast and improved the performance so that it hits the enemy multiple times. Decreased FP cost.
Howl of Shabriri – Decreased the madness buildup on the enemy. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.

Nerfs

Swarm of Flies – Decreased blood loss buildup on enemy.
The Flame of Frenzy – Decreased madness buildup on enemy.
Frenzied Burst – Decreased madness buildup on enemy.

Weapon Skill
Buffs

Lion’s Claw – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Kick – Increased cast speed.
Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker – Increased cast speed. Increased cast speed on follow up input, decreased recovery time.
Troll’s Roar – Decreased Stamina Cost. Increased cast speed on follow up input, increased distance traveled.
Giant Hunt – Decreased recovery time.
Storm Assault – Decreased recovery time.
Carian Greatsword – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Increased the damage when charged and made it easier to cause enemies to flinch.
Carian Grandeur – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Increased the damage when charge and made it easier to cause enemies to flinch.
Gravitas – Increased cast speed.
Flaming Strike – Increased the travel distance of a stepping cleave in a strong attack.

Black Flame Tornado – Added hitbox to weapon when spinning, and added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.?

Lightning Slash – Increased cast speed. Added a hitbox to the stomp animation.
Sacred Blade – Increased cast speed.
Sacred Ring of Light – Increased cast speed.
Poisonous Mist – Increased cast speed.
Poison Moth Flight – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Ice Spear – Added a hitbox to the weapon’s spinning animation.
Chilling Mist – Increased cast speed.
Assassin’s Gambit – Increased cast speed.
Shield Bash – Increased cast speed.
Shield Crash – Decreased Stamina cost. Increased cast speed.
Blade of Gold – Decreased Stamina cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Blade of Death – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Golden Tempering – Decreased FP cost and increased cast speed. Increased effect duration.
Last Rites – Increased cast speed.
Mists of Slumber – Increased cast speed.
Eochaid’s Dancing Blade – Increased travel distance, added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Unblockable Blade – Increased cast speed with the weapon Coded Sword.
Alabaster Lords’ Pull – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Establish Order – Decreased recovery time and increased cast speed on follow up input. Increased damage. Made it easier to cause enemies to flinch.
Moonlight Greatsword – Decreased FP cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Increased the frost buildup effect during the skill duration.
Wave of Gold – Decreased FP cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Wolf’s Assault – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
The Queen’s Black Flame – Increased cast speed. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Dynast’s Finesse – Decreased Stamina cost.
Flowing Form – Decreased Stamina cost.
Death Flare – Increased cast speed.
Onyx Lord’s Repulsion – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Magma Guillotine – Decreased Stamina cost, Increased cast speed. Decreased recovery time on follow up input.
Cursed-Blood Slice – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Ice Lightning Sword – Increased cast speed. Added a hitbox to the stomp animation.
Rosus’ Summons – Decreased recovery time.
I Command Thee, Kneel! – Increased cast speed including follow up input. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Gold Breaker – Decreased FP cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Familial Rancor – Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Nebula – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time with the weapon Bastard’s Stars.
Regal Beastclaw – Increased cast speed.
Devourer of Worlds – Increased cast speed.
Regal Roar – Decreased recovery time.
Spearcall Ritual – Decreased recovery time.
Ancient Lightning Spear – Decreased FP cost and increased cast speed. Allows player to more easily withstand enemies’ attacks while casting.
Great-Serpent Hunt – Decreased recovery time and increased damage. Allows player to more easily withstand attacks from enemies.
Frenzyflame Thrust – Decreased FP cost, decreased recovery time. Decreased madness buildup on self.
Bloodboon Ritual – Increased cast speed.
Miquella’s Ring of Light – Increased cast speed.
Sea of Magma – Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Flame Dance – Decreased Stamina cost, decreased recovery time. Added a window to roll during the attack to cancel the animation.
Storm Kick – Decreased Stamina cost.
Bear Witness! – Increased cast speed.

Buffs & Nerfs
?Thundercloud Form – Decreased damage when not charged. Decreased FP cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug where the damage of Inescapable Frenzy was affected by right hand weapon.
Fixed a bug where the damage of the weapon arts “Carian retaliation” was increased by weapon and status, and the effect was not displayed correctly during online multiplay.
Fixed a bug where the animation when inflicted with blood loss and frostbite was bigger than originally planned.
Fixed a bug during character appearance change menu in which some parameter changes were sometime not reflected.
Fixed a bug that prevented a dialog from appearing when executing “Leave” on some items.
Fixed a bug that allowed unauthorized items to be passed to other players.
Fixed a bug in multiplayer that prevented grace to be registered on the map if it was found just before the player is summoned.
Fixed a bug that sometime prevented the mechanic of Rennala Queen Of The Full Moon fight from working properly during cooperative multiplayer.
Fixed a bug that sometime prevented the player from entering the boss area after defeating Morgott, the Omen King.
Fixed a bug that prevented “Edgar the Revenger” and “Festering Fingerprint Vyke” from invading after defeating all the bosses in Liurnia of the Lake.
The item Tonic of Forgetfulness can now be obtained at the Volcano Manor if the player wasn’t able to obtain it due to quest progression.
Fixed a bug that caused the reduction of runes due to NPC “Gostoc” when player died in “Stormveil Castle” to occur at an unintended timing.
Added a protective barrier to Millicent after helping her at Miquella’s Haligtree so she cannot be unintentionally killed.
Fixed a bug that sometime prevented the player from obtaining the reward after defeating the Dung Eater.
Fixed a bug that sometime prevented the player from progress Diallos’ questline.
Fixed a bug that sometime prevented player from duplicating remembrance at the Walking Mausoleum.
Fixed a bug that prevented player from inputting consecutive attacks when dual wielding thrusting sword.
Fixed a bug that causes scythe to lose blood loss effect if poison affinity is applied to the weapon.
Fixed a bug where the damage of the Iron Greatsword was lower than expected when an affinity is applied.
Fixed a bug that caused FP consumption to increase when the player cast Night Comet with charge.
Fixed a bug that causes he default key setting on keyboard for weapon skill (Left Ctrl) to not be set (on PC only).
Fixed a bug in the Steam version where the history of players who played multiplayer was not displayed correctly under certain circumstances.
Increased online multiplayer stability.
Fixed a bug that caused incorrect sounds to be played under certain circumstances.
Fixed a bug that caused some places on the map to have incorrect visual and hitbox.
Fixed a bug that causes some enemies to have incorrect visual and behavior.
Fixed a bug that causes some armor to have incorrect stats.
Text fix.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.


A Baby Shark Movie Is Coming In 2023

Paramount has announced a Baby Shark movie to be released in 2023. The film will be produced by Nickelodeon Animation and creator The Pinkfong company (via Engadget). However, there are currently no other details about the movie as of yet.
Baby Shark previously had an hour-long movie on Netflix with Pinkfong And Baby Sharkâ€™s Space Adventure, but this upcoming movie will be a full feature film. Baby Shark was also previously made into a Korean TV series called Baby Shark’s Big Show, which premiered on Nickelodeon in December 2020.
In the meantime, rewatch the worldwide phenomenon that is the Baby Shark video below, which has surpassed a whopping 10 billion views: