Why The Hell Does Bandai Namco Keep Making These My Hero Academia Games?

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Anime 3D Arena Fighting Game
My Hero Academia is currently one of the most popular manga/anime in the world, and one that I’m proud to be a fan of. If One Punch Man is a satirical take on the Western concept of comic book superheroes, My Hero Academia is a beautiful celebration of the genre as a whole (and the decades’ worth of tropes that come with it).
My Hero One’s Justice 2 is actually the second 3D arena fighting game based on a manga/anime to be released by Bandai Namco in the span of two months, after One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows earlier in February 2020. Unfortunately, this game is a travesty to the source material, something that not even fans would enjoy.
Meh Ultra

Some might dismiss My Hero Academia as simply another shonen manga/anime, but it’s popular for many reasons, including its instantly-likeable amazing characters and heartbreaking epic storylines. Just like Marvel’s X-Men, each of the heroes and villains in the series has their own quirks (pardon the pun, superhuman abilities are called Quirks in-universe) and unique traits that make them oh so memorable.
That’s not nearly enough praise for the source material, but I’m not reviewing that. I’m reviewing the video game adaptation by Japanese developer Byking. Unfortunately, it’s wasting everything that’s good about the manga/anime and squandering the potential of what a great My Hero Academia game could have been.
I’m going to be comparing My Hero One’s Justice 2 and One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows a lot in my review, not only because they came out in the same month, but also because they’re both anime 3D fighters published by Bandai Namco.

Both games also have another thing in common: they’re both bland as heck.
However, I would argue that My Hero One’s Justice 2 is the worse offender for being an unashamed and blatant cash-in of a popular IP.

At least One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows tried to distinguish itself by featuring action RPG fighting game hybrid mechanics, where players can create custom characters and take them on a journey to become a superhero while encountering and interacting with familiar characters from the source material along the way.
My Hero One’s Justice 2 doesn’t have any of that. Instead, it features a boring and barebones story mode, where players play on a chapter-by-chapter basis that rehashes events from the latter half of the third season and the first half of the fourth season of the anime.
These moments from the anime are replayed using stills from the anime in a stilted and barely-animated motion comic format with voiced narration from the characters. Sure, they’re all voiced by the same voice actors from the anime, but we’re still talking about a Cliff Notes version of the events from the anime.

In the process, it loses any of the intense drama and tension that was present in the anime, resulting in an insultingly-simplistic retelling.
In a way that cheapens the experience even further, some of the chapters are simply slideshows and aren’t even playable. I still got trophies for ‘completing them’, making me feel even more insulted as a fan and a gamer.

Once you finish playing through the Story Mode, you can do so again, but this time from the perspective of the villains. You might think, “Woah, that’s awesome!” I’m here to tell you that it’s not. The villains’ side of Story Mode is essentially just an excuse to take control of the bad guys.

Do you know what’s the most insulting and cheap aspect of that is? It’s the ham-fisted way that the developers lazily remixed and reused the same exact battles from the heroes’ side of Story Mode. The only difference is that now you’re controlling the villains.
I would love to have seen more effort from the developers on this, especially since this villain-focused Story Mode was such a big part of the game’s marketing.

Mash(ing) Buttons Man Is Your Hero Name

Yes, My Hero One’s Justice 2 is indeed a 3D arena fighting game. If youâ€™re familiar with these type of games, youâ€™d know that they are often simplistic in nature and flashy enough to try making up for that lack of complexity. The combat is clunky, imprecise, and unresponsive combat.

Sure, I complained about the same thing in my One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows review, but at least that game had different fighting styles to spice up the combat.
My Hero One’s Justice 2 has nothing of the sort. In fact, it plays worse than the average 3D brawler, suffering from broken imbalanced combat and a multitude of issues to the point that it is almost unplayable.

The combat is shallow, as players have access to the typical Square button light attacks, Triangle and Circle heavier Quirk-based attacks, R1 for guarding, L1 for dashing, and stronger super attacks assigned to a combination of buttons (R1+Triangle, etc.), which can be activated if you have the required number of filled bars.
I’m not a fan of fighting games in general, though I’ve played many of them through the years. I’ve even played a lot of anime 3D fighting games, and My Hero One’s Justice 2 still feels like the most unpolished mess of a game I’ve ever had the displeasure of playing.

The combat in My Hero One’s Justice 2 feels so floaty, it’s like you’re playing as Ochako Uraraka (who can manipulate gravity) all the time.
The camera doesn’t help either, as sometimes it weirdly centres on your enemy instead of your own character, which makes for a confusing perspective during combat.

Sure, the special moves look flashy, but executing them mostly feels like crap. The full roster boasts over 40 fighters, which might sound heavenly for fans, but the problem is that they’re most certainly not created equal. This results in large balancing problems. When characters like Deku and Bakugo can unleash combos like a beast, other fighters will feel like lumbering sandbags.
You can literally just mash the dashing and Square attacks to victory in almost every match. There’s no depth to the combat. Keep hitting Square and unleash your special attacks (which won’t even connect properly most of the time) to win matches. That’s all there is to it.
Framerate Drops Are The True Villain

The biggest and most frustrating problem is that simply navigating the Story Mode main menu will cause the framerate to plummet. That’s not even mentioning the condition in battles. During combat, the framerate drops to a crawl, which when added to how ‘floaty’ it feels, is a huge no-no.

If you think that this only happens during flashy attacks, you’re wrong. Battles are often consistently showing low framerates, so much so that it renders the game an absolute pain to play through.
I can’t even imagine how My Hero One’s Justice 2 plays like on the Nintendo Switch when it already stutters like crazy on my PS4 Pro.

That’s how poorly-optimised this mess of a game is, and frankly, there’s almost nothing good I can say about the game, other than that the visuals and designs are authentic to the art of the manga/anime, which is a plus. However, that alone is not nearly enough to redeem this disaster of a game.
More Like No Justice

What does it say about My Hero One’s Justice 2 when I can’t even recommend it to My Hero Academia fans? Not only did I not enjoy my time with the game, I felt offended that my favourite characters and stories were being butchered in such a terrible game. Worst of all, it feels like a disservice to Kohei Horikoshi’s brilliant work.
Pros

Visuals are authentic to the source material.

Cons

Low framerates to the point of being near-unplayable.
Choppy framerates even when navigating the main menu.
Clunky and unresponsive combat that feels frustratingly ‘floaty’.
Lazy and barebones Story Mode.
Not even fans can love this garbage.

FINAL SCORE: 30/100


Star Ocean: The Divine Force – To Boldly Go Where Every JRPG Has Gone Before

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: JRPG, Action, Open-World
Star Ocean is one of the more niche JRPG franchises, even compared to the likes of Tales or other mid-tier series. However, like most franchises, it has only lasted this long (since 1996’s Star Ocean) because of its loyal fanbase and because it distinguishes itself by being more overtly sci-fi, as well as being unique in that the combat has always been in real-time, just like the Tales franchise. Star Ocean: The Divine Force is the sixth mainline entry; is it any good?
Star Trek JRPG

The story and plot in Star Ocean The Divine Force can be summed up like this; Star Trek in JRPG form or science fiction meets fantasy. The main protagonists, Raymond and Laeticia, are from an advanced world and are stuck on an underdeveloped planet (from where most of the supporting cast and characters are from). At the beginning of the game, you can choose between Raymond or Laeticia, but this only affects whose viewpoints the narrative will be from and certain events, as you’ll still be able to play as either character despite who you choose.
Just like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest or Tales, Star Ocean The Divine Force features a standalone story, so you don’t need to play the other games, but veteran fans will be able to spot easter eggs and references.
I love the sci-fi trope of those from a more advanced society getting stuck on an undeveloped world and all the moral/ethical conundrums that come with it. However, most of Star Ocean: The Divine Force doesn’t really delve into all of that. Instead, it pretty much feels mostly like a conventional JRPG story with multiple kingdoms, empires, factions, and races.
Plus, for most of the game’s duration, you’ll be stuck on one planet (albeit with a variety of environments and locations), which disappointed me a bit. I was hoping for something along the lines of 2007’s Rogue Galaxy by Level-5, in which I was able to hop from planet to planet similar to something like the Ratchet & Clank franchise.
A franchise mechanic, Private Actions, returns in Star Ocean: The Divine Force. Consider it something similar to the skits in the Tales franchise. They’re optional and missable, and in the case of Star Ocean: The Divine Force, can actually affect the game’s ending, resulting in one of many endings. These interactions are often delightful, making the characters feel more alive and unique, which is appreciated. The second half of the game is even more Trek-ier than I thought it would be.

Divine D.U.M.A.

The best thing about Star Ocean: The Divine Force is the brand new D.U.M.A. mechanic. Combat and traversal feel great because of the D.U.M.A. mechanic, which you can use to sort of rush/fly forward for several seconds. It’s similar to how Sora can glide/fly in Kingdom Hearts 3, though the D.U.M.A. actually only allows short bursts at a single time.
I appreciate how after using the VA rush (what the action is called in the game) the character seamlessly slides and continues running when hitting the ground, which makes the movement feel a lot more fluid. All of this makes exploring the world actually sort of fun, especially since some chests and items are located on roofs of buildings and elevated platforms that require the use of the D.U.M.A.
The D.U.M.A. mechanic is also available for use in combat, especially when making surprise attacks on enemies, rush attacks, ultimate attacks, defensive abilities, and more.
The core combat in Star Ocean The Divine Force uses an AP (action point) system, which means that you can only attack until you run out of AP before having to wait and recover.
This makes the combat feel less spammy and button-mashy. Similar to the recent Tales Of Arise, you can map each attack or ability to the face buttons (square, triangle, circle), which means that there’s a high level of customization when it comes to your combat style and strategy. Gaining levels and EXP will net you SP, which you can use to unlock nodes on a skill tree that is sort of similar to something like the sphere grid from Final Fantasy X. These nodes not only increase specific stats, but also unlock new skills and abilities.

Outside of combat, there’s also a crafting mechanic, though you can pretty much ignore that if you’re not planning to grab all trophies or complete the game at 100 percent. There’s also a mini-game, where you can collect figures for use in a board game-like minigame. It’s actually pretty simple to understand and addictive once you get into it. Thankfully, it’s not just another card game.
Plus, you can equip your characters with these figures for some buffs. Weirdly though, there doesn’t seem to be a way to check which Es’owa players you’ve defeated, which is annoying considering how many there are in the towns and cities in the game.
Now, as for the major issues of the game: a large part of the game feels and looks unpolished, like the quest system. It’s hard to find or pinpoint side quests or even main quests. Plus, there’s no Legend for the map, so it’s frustrating to find what you’re looking for. It all feels really messy, especially compared to other recent JRPGs like Tales Of Arise, where it’s easier to keep track of stuff like side quests.
The graphics of the game looks okay for the most part, but the character models look a bit cheap; like creepy porcelain dolls with lifeless and expressionless eyes. Sure, not every game has to look like Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts, but look at Tales Of Arise and other recent JRPGs.

In addition, your party members keep getting added and removed so often that there’s no reason to really get attached. One minute this person is in your team, the next he or she or they are gone for some arbitrary story reason. Oh, and those party members get their accessories removed every single time that they’re gone from the team. Thankfully, all your party members level up regardless of whether you use them or not, which means that there’s less grinding and that their absence isn’t too much of an issue. Even on the PS5, the game also suffers from performance issues like framerate drops when in hectic combat or big cities.
Oh, and besides the great D.U.M.A. system, you can save at any time simply by going into the menu. When you load the game back up, you’re exactly right where you saved. This is an amazing accessibility feature and one that every JRPG should emulate. There’s really no reason for modern games to force players to only save at fixed checkpoints.

The Final Frontier

Overall, Star Ocean: The Divine Force isn’t a bad game at all. I enjoyed my time with it thanks mostly due to the D.U.M.A. mechanic. The experience of playing this game makes me reminiscent of my memories of playing PS2-era JRPGs. A lot of them weren’t polished or even that great, but I still had fun playing them. Star Ocean: The Divine Force is pretty much the same. It’s not that memorable, nor will it innovate the genre, but it’s still a decent game.
Pros

Traversal is made fun and fast thanks to the D.U.M.A. mechanic.
Can save anywhere.
Not too grindy, with serviceable gameplay & combat.

Cons

A general state of feeling “unpolished”.
Generic JRPG tropes with nothing that stands out.
Performance issues like framerate drops.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100
Star Ocean The Divine Force was reviewed on PS5 based on a review copy provided by Square Enix. It is out now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.


Apex Legends: A Year Later

365 days ago, Apex Legends dropped on our laps without any fanfare nor teasers. No marketing spiel. No promises. No warning.
In 2019,Â  this was unprecedented considering “traction” and “build-up” are and have always been the buzzwords marketers lean on to in ensuring their product receive the biggest hype leading up to a spike in player count on day one.

But Respawn Entertainment knew better. They trusted their work and were confident that they’ve got a gem in their hands.
Needless to say, that move proved to be a masterstroke.

For years gamers have been pleading for a follow up to Respawn’s criminally-underrated Titanfall 2. This hope gained momentum when EA acquired Respawn Entertainment and the gaming scene, rightfully so, feared for Respawn’s future no thanks to EA’s less-than-stellar record when it comes to ensuring a renown developer’s legacy remain intact. RIP Bioware.

Instead of caving to popular demand, the Vince Zampella-led team took on the biggest genre – battle royale – head-on and we can’t thank him enough for that. Not only did Apex Legends surpassed over 25 million players by the end of its first week, but the game also hit the 50 million mark within its first month and as of July last year, boasting a player base of between 8 to 10 million players weekly.
In our review of Apex Legends, we labelled it as 2019’s quintessential battle royale experience. Following multiple updates, rebalancing across the board, the introduction of new legends as well as brand new maps – has our impression of the game changed? Is it better now?
Thank the Allfather, it turned out better.
Gunner’s Heaven
Apex Legends is a perfect example of a game’s success following almost zero interference from the publisher. Well, of course, as parent company, EA would have had a significant hand in the development of Respawn Entertainment’s genre-shaking battle royale game. Take the solid shooting mechanics of Titanfall 2 and add in hero elements as seen in Overwatch and we have a new IP which poses a serious threat to Fortnite’s battle royale crown.
However, EA’s signature monetization approach which has been prevalent in free-to-play AND paid titles preceding Apex Legends was significantly tempered – least until the first Season Pass was released.
In short, Apex showed EA that a game can still be financially successful if the developers put full trust to the guys who are making it. Respect your developers and your players and it will be repaid in the form of a game with longevity and gamers willing to toss their hard-earned cash in your general direction.

This trust in a way contributed to EA releasing what is easily their most successful – commercially and by acclaim – Star Wars game in years via Respawn’s first-ever story-driven single-player game in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Apex Legends has gone from strength to strength with quality of life improvements, weapons balancing as well as introducing new elements to the game when things started to get stale. When their players start to get bored of the initial list of legends, Respawn introduced Octane and Wattson and once that effect starts to wane, they shook things up and change the landscape of the original map.
Â [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsUd40fvFm8&w=560&h=315]
Taking a leaf out of Epic Games’ playbook for Fortnite, Respawn introduced limited timed events which comes with corresponding cosmetics and new game modes to keep the experience fresh for the unrelenting, easily distracted crowd. Long may this continue and with the ever-expanding lore and hero pool, it’s hard to see Respawn and EA slowing down on Apex Legends anytime soon.
Future Perfect?
As I write this, Season 4 of Apex Legends, Assimilation just went live. This update introduces a host of new cosmetic items, a brand new bolt-action sniper rifle, a revamped World’s Edge map and most interesting of all, a brand new legend in the form of the cyborg assassin, Revenant.
Â [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFY_scgPl80&w=560&h=315]
If we were to reevaluate our review score based on the current Apex Legends experience, we’d happily stand by its 90/100 score. Perhaps we would even bump it up to a perfect 100 thanks to the various improvements to the game over the course of twelve months. Long story short, this team-based battle royale shooter is still at the top of the food chain, even after 365 days.


Happy Friday! Here’s A No Straights Road Video To Lighten Up The Mood

With news of COVID-19 infecting more people in Malaysia, our country is in a bit of a pickle. So let’s escape and look forward to the weekend.
Here’s a No Straights Road video to do just that. We hope you find inspiration when you hear Sayu’s theme in a different light.


Parasite Makes History & Wins Big At The Liveliest Oscars In Years

That’s a wrap on the 92nd Academy Awards. Thanks to a stellar lineup of films, brilliant presenters and an overall lively atmosphere all around, this Oscars 2020 turned out to be the best one in years.
Bong Joon-Ho and his movie Parasite made history by being the first South Korean director to win Best Director at the Oscars, and the first foreign film to ever win Best Picture in the history of the Academy Awards.
Parasite was undoubtedly the biggest winner of the night, grabbing a whopping four (4) awards; Best Director, Best International Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture.
Joaquin Phoenix deservedly won Best Actor In A Leading Role for his performance in Joker, ending his acceptance speech with a line from his late brother, River Phoenix:
“Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.”
Other highlights include performances by Eminem performing Lose Yourself after refusing to do so at the Oscars over 18 years ago (which earned him a standing ovation), Idina Menzel (and a group of international Elsas) and Grammy Award-winning singer Billie Eilish belting out a touching rendition of Beatles’ From Yesterday in remembrance of deceased industry legends.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI_cnK_YSro&w=560&h=315]

Here is the full list of winners for Oscars 2020. Winners are in bold.
BEST PICTURE

Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Parasite

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Charlize Theron, Bombshell
RenÃƒÂ©e Zellweger, Judy

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell
Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Margot Robbie, Bombshell

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link
Toy Story 4

CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Irishman
Joker
The Lighthouse
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

COSTUME DESIGN

The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

DIRECTING

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman
Todd Phillips, Joker
Sam Mendes, 1917
Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Bong Joon-ho, Parasite

DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)

American Factory
The Cave
The Edge of Democracy
For Sama
Honeyland

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)

 In the Absence
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
Life Overtakes Me
St. Louis Superman
Walk Run Cha-Cha

FILM EDITING

 Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Parasite

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

 Corpus Christi
Honeyland
Les MisÃƒÂ©rables
Pain and Glory
Parasite

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

 Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
1917

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)

 Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)

“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” Toy Story 4
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Rocketman
“I’m Standing With You,” Breakthrough
“Into The Unknown,” Frozen II
“Stand Up,” Harriet

PRODUCTION DESIGN

 The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Parasite

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

Dcera (Daughter)
Hair Love
Kitbull
Memorable
Sister

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

Brotherhood
Nefta Football Club
The Neighbors’ Window
Saria
A Sister

SOUND EDITING

Ford v Ferrari
Joker
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

SOUND MIXING

Ad Astra
Ford v Ferrari
Joker
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

VISUAL EFFECTS

Avengers: Endgame
The Irishman
The Lion King
1917
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

 The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
The Two Popes

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

 Knives Out
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Parasite

(Image Credit: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)


Blizzard Pulls the Plug on StarCraft 2 After A Decade

Blizzard Entertainment has announced that they are officially ending new content development for StarCraft 2, the iconic sci-fi RTS game that originally launched back in 2010 as StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty.
From now on, the StarCraft 2 team will instead just focus on â€œseason rolls and necessary balance fixes”.
In a post on the official Blizzard website,  Blizzard executive producer and vice president Rob Bridenbecker said:
â€œWeâ€™re going to continue supporting StarCraft II in the same manner as we have with our previous longstanding games, such as Brood War, focusing primarily on what our core and competitive communities care about most. What this means is that weâ€™re not going to be producing additional for-purchase content, such as Commanders and War Chests, but we will continue doing season rolls and necessary balance fixes moving forward. We know some of our players have been looking forward to some of the things weâ€™re moving away from, but the good news is this change will free us up to think about whatâ€™s next, not just with regard to StarCraft II, but for the StarCraft universe as a whole.â€
In recent years, most of StarCraft 2‘s new content came in the form of War Chests, unlockable content packs that include cosmetic rewards, and playable Commanders for the game’s cooperative mode in recent years. The gameâ€™s most recent War Chest launched back in June 2020.
The true final expansion for StarCraft 2 was Legacy Of The Void, which initially launched in November 2015.
It remains to be seen how this will affect the StarCraft 2 esports scene, which has been suffering for years after Blizzard mostly shifted focus to newer games with a bigger player base like Overwatch and Hearthstone.
However, the same post, Bridenbecker also said:
“StarCraft II esports, which is part of the highest echelon of professional competitive gaming, will also continue going strong as it has been through our partners ESL Gaming and GSL.”
Many figures on Twitter are calling this the end of an era for StarCraft 2, which kickstarted esports as we know it:

Blizzard has announced the end to major development updates for StarCraft 2. SC2 is directly responsible for the new age of esports, the rise of Twitch, and the lives of so many in the community. the end of an era, though one we all saw comingStarCraft will always live on— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) October 16, 2020

Imo this is ascribing too much to the game, but there's no doubt that Starcraft 2 had an outsized impact on esports & its infrastructure. But the end of development updates doesn't mean it has to fade away entirely. I hope the many people who love it keep it going for many years https://t.co/JX3R0tTPnu— Just UltraDavid (@ultradavid) October 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/Jenasin/status/1316983215350030336


The Xbox Series X Outsold The PS5 In The UK Last Month

It looks like the times might be a-changing. The Xbox Series X and S were the UK’s best selling consoles in January 2021, outselling both the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch for the first time since launch.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, overall console sales increased a whopping 148 percent in the UK, with the Xbox Series X and S selling the best, followed by the Nintendo Switch, and the PS5 in third place. However, the biggest reason why the Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch are selling more consoles than the PS5 might be due to one simple reason; that the PS5 remains out of stock in many locations.
Even in terms of peripherals, the new Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller sold more units than the PS5’s DualSense controller, with the PS4’s DualShock 4 at third place. Meanwhile, accounting for only physical copies, Nintendo Switch exclusive Animal Crossing New Horizons was the best-selling game of the month, followed by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and GTA V. The best-selling new release was IO Interactive’s Hitman 3 at twelfth place.
You can head on over here for our thoughts and review of both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
Check out the top 20 best-selling games in the UK in January 2021 (physical copies only):

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)
Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (Nintendo)
Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar)
Just Dance 2021 (Ubisoft)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Activision Blizzard)
Minecraft Switch (Nintendo/Microsoft)
FIFA 21 (EA)
Ring Fit Adventure (Nintendo)
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Sony)
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft)
Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Nintendo)
Hitman 3 (IO Interactive)
New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe (Nintendo)
Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo)
51 Worldwide Games (Nintendo)
Immortals Fenyx Rising (Ubisoft)
LEGO Harry Potter Collection (Warner Bros)
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar)
PokÃ©mon Sword (Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)


Even If Dreamscaper Isn’t Finished, It’s A Promising Surreal Action RPG

Platform: PC
Genre: Surreal roguelite action RPG coping mechanism for longing
Moving to a new place and environment is always tough, especially when you’re a teenager trying to cope with sudden life changes. While it does help build character for some, it may end up being a challenge to others.
Dreamscaper is basically tackling that conundrum, except instead of the challenges of making new friends and breaking out of your comfort zone, you have to conquer oodles of dungeons and kill off dark nightmare warriors & creatures in your “mind palace” to progress. So far, it’s a pretty stylish and action-filled ride if you’re expecting a slightly different take on the indie genre-gravitating roguelike design.
You play a young girl named Cassidy who moved from her rural home to the big city, at least based on the vague cutscenes and storytelling done here. As you can tell from the intro, she has trouble adjusting to the point where her subconscious and dreams are actual randomized RPG levels based on her memories and emotions. So to progress the plot and find out Cassidy’s deal, you need to conquer a bunch of dreamscape levels based on Cassidy’s memories and past, ranging from snowy rural village backdrops to orange-lit ruins based on a wrecked version of the town she’s living in.
Surreal stuff indeed, especially with the lovely art style and whimsy-filled slow-tempo piano-and-violin soundtrack -which ramps up appropriately for combat- that comes with the Dreamscaper experience. The soft highlights and smooth “filters” that accompany the rough-and-tumble effects from your attacks and skills work in tandem with each other, giving a unique vibe that’s only possible with indie constraints and ingenuity.
The game’s narrative is all text and conversation bubble-driven, but at least it’s not huge word diarrhoea thrown onto your lap. Touching a special object in the dream world will bring up some of Cassidy’s old memories, adding a bit more to what life was like before the big move. It’s purposely cryptic, though far from complete being its Early Access state. Still, the concept sounds promising enough to deliver a nice payoff.
What Dreams May Come

How’s the game, though? You tackle each dungeon in Cassidy’s dreams in a top-down action RPG style. She is front and centre as she unleashes attacks with whatever random equipment she’s bestowed with. Melee weapons, ranged weapons, two different types of spells called Lucid Attacks that come with cooldowns, ultimate abilities like the ability to stop time, a dodge, and a shield to block and parry attacks: Cassidy’s arsenal can get packed.
And also “pop-culturey” too, as she can fire “air bullets” with finger guns, corrosive water with poison-laden super soakers, and hit hard with boxing gloves and baseball bats. She can even do some air and earth bending with comic-book/anime-influenced mid-ranged melee attacks.
This being a randomized roguelike similar to titles like Dead Cells and your pre-arena anime fighter Spike Chunsoft creation, no two playthroughs are the same. Your first run of a particular world may give you the dream bombs you need to get through obstructions, but the second run may screw you over with chests that will only reward you with said bombs if you fork over 50 percent of your life. And since each world offers tougher enemies that hit harder and faster, you need to upgrade most of your abilities and weaponry lest you get killed fast.
Death in the dream world means you lose all your items and weapons, and have to start your Dreamscaper run from the beginning. However, this gives you a chance to make friends in the “Waking World”. In her real life, Cassidy has acquaintances in the city, be it her colleague Tamal, the bartender Eve, or the talkative historian Bruce. She only has a set amount of time to spend to visit the city and talk to these folks.
Bonding with them via conversation or gift-giving will not only flesh out your relationship with them and open up new stories that add more of Dreamscaper’s insight, but also lets you equip their “Influences” that give you perks for specific styles of play. If you want to boost your Fire-based Lucid Attacks, you need to keep building your friendship with Tamal. Ergo, you need to be friends with Eve if you want your ranged attacks to actually hurt and not just sting.
This is the only way to power up Cassidy for her next run or current run (if you choose to wake up after finishing a World). Doing this will also make your future runs a bit more manageable. The game also offer a few bonuses and opportunities to lessen the roguelike burden. Whenever Cassidy attacks with her melee of choice, you can press the attack button when she flashes white to add an attack bonus for better effects.Â The sand and currencies like Bliss and Insight you collect in your dungeoneering can be used to either create gifts for your pals or better weapons when you go back to sleep. Speaking of dungeon rooms, you can fast travel to any previously-visited location within a world, meaning that you don’t have to waste time backtracking.
Keepsakes you collect can give you powerful passive abilities like better poison effects and faster casting time or bigger AoE for your Lucid Attacks. Puzzle rooms also pop up, where you get pretty good loot if you take your time solving them. All in all, there’s a lot to find to help you out if you take the time. There’s no need to rush in Dreamscaper, which is pretty rare in roguelikes. And honestly quite welcoming.
Vanilla Sky

Dreamscape isn’t as hardcore as action RPGs like the aforementioned Dead Cells or even the nearly-done Hades, but it isn’t meant to. The game’s tone, style, and relaxed pace is purposely contrasting with its randomized and escalating nature of its difficulty. Sure, you will not make it through a run as intended, but the game offers checkpoints after each world, giving you a chance to visit the Waking World.
The attacks, the dodging invincibility frames, and parrying windows are pretty lenient when compared to its influences, but it doesn’t demean the experience at the least. The game does offer tough challenges, especially with some of its end-of-world bosses and bigger enemies, but it’s not going to make you tear your hair out in frustration. With great controls and the “keep fighting for more loot” design that’s usually present in an action RPG, you’ll definitely be keen to keep pressing on in Cassidy’s mind palace.
Just some issues to bring up; it’s easy to get cornered by enemies in the later stages that have a few non-destructible barricades, leading to a huge loss of life from their long-ranged hard-hitting attacks.Â Some weapons and items you find need a tad more explanation. Hope you’re a fan of experimentation and tossing out abilities back and forth, because you will be doing this a lot when you come across better dream gear throughout your journey.
It can get a tad annoying if you can’t tell what an ability does from its vague description, but it’s not a dealbreaker. What could be is your tolerance for roguelikes and “roguelites” in general: if you like action RPGs but don’t like having to lose all your gear from a casual mistake, this may not be your kind of title. While not as incredibly nerve-wracking as other titles of its ilk, Dreamscaper will still give you a spanking if you slip up.
We can’t give a rating yet since it’s still in Early Access. So we’ll just say this: yes, we recommend Dreamscaper if you want a more whimsical and “relaxing” kind of action RPG with randomized levels and loot, as well as some much-need quality-of-life additions.
So far I haven’t come across any game-breaking bugs, but I do seem to be getting better weapons with each run. That’s probably the developer’s intention, but I do hope there’s a “hardcore” mode implemented later in its Early Access cycle, in case I want the challenge. Roguelikes are at their best when it’s purposely being stingy with loot and you have to make do with what you got.

Long story short: a must-try if you’re even slightly curious about what it’s like to confront your literal fears in action RPG form, while also being able to chill out with pals in real life for fun and profit.


Here’s A Further Breakdown Of WHO’s Recent ‘Gaming Disorder As A Disease

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently voted to identify ‘gaming disorder’ as a health condition. The decision was initially drafted into the updated International Classification of Diseases (ICD) last year, members of the assembly unanimously agreed to the draft yesterday, despite objection from academics, industry groups, and governmental bodies. The classification will come into effect in 2022.
The entry, which goes under the category of “disorders due to addictive behaviours”,Â reads as;

Gaming disorder is characterised by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour (â€˜digital gamingâ€™ or â€˜video-gamingâ€™), which may be online (i.e., over the internet) or offline, manifested by:
1. impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context);
2. increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and
3. continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences. The behaviour pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
The pattern of gaming behaviour may be continuous or episodic and recurrent. The gaming behaviour and other features are normally evident over a period of at least 12 months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned, although the required duration may be shortened if all diagnostic requirements are met and symptoms are severe.

This means that people who are affected by ‘gaming disorder’ are at risk of “significant impairment” to their personal, family, social, education, and occupational lives, according to the WHO. The description goes on to say that “gaming disorder” can be a continuous condition or it can be episodic in nature.
I’m Confused…
All that mumbo jumbo is surely going to confuse you, so let’s break it down and try to understand what’s what.
According to healthy gaming advocate, CheckPoint.org, here’s what it actually means;

Gaming Disorder is not the same as Hazardous Gaming. HG is when people play for such long periods of time that they get serious health consequences, such as blood clots. This is obviously a very dangerous thing to do!
â€” CheckPoint (@CheckPointOrg) May 27, 2019
So, gaming in itself isn’t an issue that’s worthy of WHO’s intervention, but gaming to the point of bringing health hazards such as blood clots or similar.
Another point of concern by the WHO is the issue of mental health in regards to gaming.

If someone is having symptoms of anxiety or depression these might be missed. Weâ€™ll try to help professionals understand why people game and what their gaming patterns might mean for their mental health.
â€” CheckPoint (@CheckPointOrg) May 27, 2019
So, as long you’re not being a couch potato and is still contributing to the society, you are well clear of this classification.
Conclusion
Yes, a bit too much of everything can prove harmful, hence the saying ‘take in moderation’.
Even the Malaysian government, as well as certain bodies, are stepping in. For example, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has stepped in and is promoting campaigns such as #healthygaming which is still in its early phase.
The classification has recently been such as debacle that my colleague, Alleef, has taken a step back and analysed the situation. You can read his take right here.


Double Eleven Launches Its New Malaysian Office In Kuala Lumpur

UK-based games developer and publisher Double Eleven has launched its new Kuala Lumpur studio in MidValley. Followed by their announcement of their continued expansion in the first quarter of 2020, the launch of the studio reinforces Double Eleven’s commitment to Malaysia and its talent.
They are best known for having co-developed or ported games like Rust, Crackdown 3, Goat Simulator, and Minecraft Dungeons. You can check out our full review of Minecraft Dungeons here.
The new 12,000 square feet Double Eleven Kuala Lumpur studio was carefully designed and fitted out with the needs of a modern games studio in mind. It features a mixture of development rooms, dedicated areas for play testing, a variety of meeting spaces for large and small groups, a cinema room and an extensive social space, curated to be inclusive for all working styles. The reception area also has everything one will need to stay refreshed and socialise through a working day, ranging from free beverages to a pool table.
Putting people at the forefront, Double Eleven prioritises a healthy culture and work practices. With that, it has introduced its studio as anti-crunch focused with benefits such as flexible start time, paid voluntary overtime and additional leave. The talents of Double Eleven Malaysia will be working closely with the UK studio on global projects, working as one cohesive team. Through this relationship, Malaysian talents will be exposed to practical training from those with more experience and become part of the wider global team.
Mark South, COO of Double Eleven, said:
“We’re excited to celebrate this milestone in expanding our studio’s people-first ethos into Malaysia, creating new opportunities for the highly capable pool of local talents. Combined, both studios position Double Eleven for the future to continue creating and publishing great games.”
Known to provide a full complement of publishing and development capabilities including sales, marketing, distribution, quality assurance, art, design, programming and production. Double Eleven’s goal is to grow its Kuala Lumpur studio’s development capabilities, similar to its headquarters in the United Kingdom, working on truly exciting projects.
Double Eleven has a reputation for technical excellence and creating exciting new experiences. They recently announced that they are working with Bethesda Game Studios on new content for Fallout 76 which is scheduled to ship later this year and they have more titles with other partners in development that will be announced in the future.
Double Eleven is continuing to recruit full-time staff for various positions for its Kuala Lumpur studio. Applicants can find further details on the Double Eleven Careers Page at www.double11.com/careers.


Doraemon Story Of Seasons Announced For PC And Nintendo Switch

Bandai Namco has announced that Doraemon Story Of Seasons will be coming to both the PC (via Steam) and the Nintendo Switch later this year. However, the regions and release window for each platform is different.
According to Siliconera, Doraemon Story Of Seasons will be released in Japan for the Nintendo Switch on 13 June 2019, while both Nintendo Switch and PC versions of the game will be released in Southeast Asia and Korea sometime in summer and fall 2019, respectively. The game will be available in three languages: Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

Though an English version has not been officially announced, a Taiwanese Ratings Board post on its official website suggests that an English version is planned and in development as well. It’s unclear which platform, if any, that the English version will be released for.
Doraemon Story Of Seasons is basically a Story Of Seasons game featuring Doraemon characters. If you’ve never heard of the franchise before, it’s essentially Harvest Moon in all but name (with similar gameplay), due to licensing issues.
In the meantime, check out the Japanese trailer for the upcoming game below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu8t1YyZt-c&w=560&h=315]


Redfall Won’t Have 60FPS Performance Mode On Xbox Series At Launch

Bethesda and Xbox has announced that its upcoming co-op vampire-killing shooter will not have a performance mode, at least for Xbox.
Redfall will not have a 60FPS Performance mode on Xbox Series X|S at launch. The game will only have Quality mode, where it’ll run at 30FPS and in 4K (for the X version). At the very least, Performance mode will only be available at a later date as an update.

Redfall is launching on Xbox consoles with Quality mode only:Xbox Series X: 4K 30 FPSXbox Series S: 1440p 30 FPS60 FPS Performance mode will be added via game update at a later date. pic.twitter.com/NLaGsMbwdW
— Redfall (@playRedfall) April 12, 2023

This isn’t a good look for the game, especially since the Xbox Series is capable of running games at 60FPS. A lot of critics and content creators online are worried:

First impressions are everything.
This is not going to be a good first impression for an online, co-op shooter to launch with hard coded latency issues.
The console version is going to suffer for this, especially because it’ll be on Game Pass, and allow the widest audience…
— Expert, Disciple of the Waddle (@ExpertPenguin) April 12, 2023

Postpone, please. Nobody want’s to play a slideshow shooter on a gamepad in 2023, nobody. This is not a souls game where every attack takes 25 seconds, it’s a fast paced game and needs 60fps minimum.
— foxhoundn (@Foxhoundn) April 12, 2023

Wait why wouldn’t you just release the game when the 60 fps performance is available?
— Mightykeef (@MightyKeef) April 12, 2023

these companies really need to learn from games like battlefield 2042. stop rushing games that are unfinished! just wait until its at peak playability to release it. people would rather wait, than to play something rushed that's lower quality.
— McNasty (@McNasty) April 12, 2023

Oof ????? this is a huge mistake. Always, always, always, prioritize frame rate. I was never someone who really cared about specs on a game, but as time went one, 60 fps sorta became a standard of what should be a smooth experience.
— MobstrMatt (@MobstrMatt) April 12, 2023

Redfall will be out on 2nd May for Xbox and PC; you may want to get the PC version if the 30FPS Quality mode will bother you in the long run.


Action JRPG Granblue Fantasy Relink Launches This Winter

During PlayStation Showcase 2023, Cygames announced that Granblue Fantasy Relink will launch for PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam sometime in winter 2023.
Granblue Fantasy Relink takes place in the Sky Realm, where myriad islands float in a great blue expanse. The protagonist, joined by a scrappy little dragon named Vyrn and a young girl with mysterious powers named Lyria, sails for Estalucia, a fabled island beyond the end of the skies. Along the way, they meet a colourful cast of characters, adding kings and misfits alike to their ragtag crew.
The events of Relink take place in Zegagrande Skydom. In this corner of the world, islands are guarded by powerful creatures known as primal beasts and winds carry tales of a secretive organization known as the Church of Avia. Through their adventures, the protagonists unveil a web of intrigue reaching far beyond the borders of Zegagrande and engage in a battle for the fate of the Sky Realm itself.
Granblue Fantasy Relink is an action RPG where some of the most thrilling combat unfolds during co-op mode, during which up to four players engage in quests and battles together. The game’s newest trailer showcases just one way in which characters with different skills and weapons can synergize. In Relink, every enemy and party formation has its own strengths and weaknesses, the key to victory lies in working out how these pieces fit together. However, that doesn’t mean players will be charging the battlefield alone outside of co-op. In single-player mode, the CPU controls the other three members of a party, providing vital support.
There is currently a roster of sixteen fighters slated for the Relink roster, each with its own play style and intuitive controls. From a combo-based dual blader to a long-distance gunslinger to a broadsword wielder whose heavy strokes must be timed out perfectly, Relink has something for everyone. Find a character that appeals to you and slash—or shoot or hex—your way to victory.
The trailer introduces two new characters, Zeta and Vaseraga, both of whom are already playable in the fighting game Granblue Fantasy Versus on PS4.
Check out the trailer:


Pre-Orders For ROG Phone 5 Ultimate Opens Starting This Weekend

ROG Phone 5 Ultimate retail stock is officially arriving in Malaysia by sometime in mid-August 2021, and they’re opening the pre-orders by this weekend starting from 8 August 2021.
Best of all, those who pre-order the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate will receive a complimentary ROG STRIX Go Core (Moonlight White) & Ultimate Fan Gift Box worth a total of RM1,099.
However, these are limited, so you’ll have to be fast. It should be noted that the only official pre-orders will be available via Shopee and Lazada exclusively via their online stores.
Shopee:Â https://my.rog.gg/Pre-order-Shopee
Lazada:Â https://my.rog.gg/Pre-order-Lazada

The ROG Phone 5 Ultimate features:

ROG Vision; customizable PMOLED display.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor.
6.78-inch HDR10+ 144hz AMOLED display.
6000mAh dual-cell battery.
AirTrigger 5.
18GB LPDDR5 RAM.
512GB UFS 3.1 ROM.
Qualcomm Adreno 660.
Triple cameras; Sony IMX686 64MP image sensor.
GameFX Audio.
1 Year Local Warranty.
Priced at RM4,999.

In the meantime, you can check out our in-depth review of the ROG Phone 5 byÂ heading over here.
https://www.facebook.com/asusrogmalaysia/posts/4189971171058075


No Joke, We’re Getting A New LEGO Back To The Future Set This April’s Fool (Update)

LEGO has unveiled a new LEGO Back To The Future DeLorean set. It’s the best LEGO recreation of the iconic time-travelling car to date, which is superior to the 2013 version.
The new LEGO Back To The Future DeLorean set features 1,856 pieces (compared to the 401 pieces in the 2013 model), functional gull-wing doors, a brand-new windshield piece, and a flux capacitor that actually lights up.
Talk about premium.
The new LEGO Back To The Future DeLorean set can be built in three different configurations: one from the first Back To The Future movie, a hovering version from the futuristic 2015 timeline in the second movie; and the steampunk 1885 version from the third movie.
The new LEGO Back To The Future DeLorean set will be available from the official website and other retailers starting on 1 April 2022. It is priced at RM749.90 in Malaysia.
No, this is not an April’s Fool joke. Great scott!


New Vampire Survivors Update Brings New Stages & Weapons

The surprise hit roguelike game Vampire Survivors, which knocked our socks off, just received new content.
The Early Access title received a new 0.4.2 patch, which includes seven new achievements to unlock, a new weapon, a new weapon evolution, and a new stage. Here’s a quick list:

1 new stage, including new enemies and events.
1 new character.
1 new relic/gameplay option.
1 new weapon.
1 new evolution.
1 more Reroll.
1 more Banish.

The game has also fixed a number of issues:

Heavily reduced chances that enemies will spawn inside walls in the Dairy Plant.
New entry in the Options menu “Less physics, more FPS”. It’s enabled by default, if you don’t like it or for some reason it glitches badly on your machine, you can disable it from the Options menu from the main screen.
Guide arrows don’t jitter anymore – please enable the guides from the Pause menu if you have the Map but can’t locate coffins etc.
Bugfix: some projectiles not moving when there are no enemies to target.
Bugfix: Clock Lancet disappearing when moving upwards for too long.

The update also introduces a new gameplay option called “Hurry”. This mode makes the timer tick twice as fast, meaning enemy waves will change every 30 seconds in real time. To unlock it, find the new relic in Stage 4.
For more Vampire Survivors, check out our guide.


Project Sonic 2022 Key Visual Teases The Year Of The Hedgehog

SEGA announced that its iconic character, Sonic the Hedgehog, headlines â€œProjectÂ  Sonic â€˜22â€ as the key message for 2022. This yearÂ will see not only the release of the new title Sonic Frontiers but also the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie and much more.
Project Sonic â€˜22 Key Visual and Logo Unveiled

The key visual depicts a Gold Ring of Sonic that appears to be a portal to a new world. The design of the new world may change according to Sonicâ€™s campaign content.Â
As the slogan â€œWelcome to the next levelâ€ suggests, SEGA will be building on the achievements of the past 30 years, shifting up a gear to release even more exciting content for years to come.

Special Digital Content on Sonic the Hedgehog Official Asia Facebook Page
You can visit the official Facebook Page of Sonic The Hedgehog to download special wallpapers for your smartphone and PC. Sonic Frontiers is scheduled to be released on the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC sometime in Winter 2022.

Meanwhile, the original 2010 3D action game Sonic Colors was recently remastered and released for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC (Epic Games Store). In Sonic Colors Ultimate, you can explore the giant intergalactic amusement park known as Dr.Â  Eggmanâ€™s Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park.

Last but not least, Sonic The Hedgehog 2Â premieres in cinemas on 28 April 2022.


This Popular Streamer Will Be A Playable Character In Oft-Memed F2P Game

If you spend a lot of time on YouTube, you’ve probably come across a certain free-to-play mobile game called Raid Shadow Legends. It’s one of the most meme-fied games out there, due to its aggressive online promotion, where the game can seemingly be mentioned anywhere and everywhere.
According to PC Gamer, popular streamer Tyler â€œNinjaâ€ Blevins will be joining Raid Shadow Legends as a playable character on 16 July 2021. Yeah, that’s going to be a real thing, and this isn’t even the first time that Ninja will be appearing in a game (cough Fortnite cough).
In a statement, Ninja said:
“I’m really excited to introduce Raid fans to my Champion, which was designed to match how I’ve always pictured myself in an RPG.
As my fans know, I love the RPG genre, and to see myself as a fantasy character with my own set of special skills and attributes is awesome!”
Ninja himself will reveal more details about his in-game character, including unique special abilities and more during a Twitch live stream on 19 July 2021. Ninja’s character will be free for all players in Raid Shadow Legends, but only for three months. After that period of time, he will no longer be redeemable, but those who did claim will have access to him forever.
Check out what Ninja’s character looks like in Raid Shadow Legends below:


Disney Illusion Island Is A 2D Co-Op Platformer Slated For Nintendo Switch

If you missed the Sega 2D platformer classics Castle of Illusion and World of Illusion, this new D23 Expo announcement will make you jump for joy.
Disney and DLaLa Studios (Battletoads reboot) will be making a new 2D platformer named Disney’s Illusion Island, which features co-op and four different playable Disney characters: Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald, and Minnie Mouse.
Players will be using all four characters to solve puzzles and get to the exit. Each character has their own set of skills: Mickey can bounce off walls while Minnie has a grappling hook for clearing large gaps. Donald can swim, and Goofy can use condiments to float and bounce.
Disney Illusion Island will be out next year exclusively for Nintendo Switch. Check out the gameplay trailer below.


So About That Borderlands 3 Review…[Update]

Update: added a video that summed this all up fine.
No doubt some of you are looking forward to the reviews on the upcoming 2K Games and Gearbox Software loot-savvy shooter Borderlands 3. Unfortunately, you’ll only be seeing a handful of them from bigger and/or “safer” outlets because the situation on this is a bit….odd, to say the least.
According to a few outlets like Kotaku and VG 247, review codes have been sent to a select number of US outlets and some outliers, citing security issues. The publisher may be on edge due to sending private investigators to a prominent Borderlands fan/leaker’s home.
Furthermore, 2K Games did not send codes out for the game; they instead sent special Epic Games Store accounts loaded up with early, work-in-progress builds of Borderlands 3 (via Polygon).

“2K Games and Gearbox didnâ€™t send out review codes forÂ Borderlands 3. Instead, they set reviewers up with new Epic Games Store accounts with the game unlocked, and gave us a few warnings about the game being a work in progress.
They asked us to stay away from the DirectX 12 implementation, for example, and told us that our progress in these builds may or may not carry over to the final game.”

These days, most of us usually get PC codes we redeem on Epic Games ahead of the game’s release, so it’s bizarre that this is billed as a “security” issue. This may be disappointing to a number of non-US publications who attended preview events overseas, hoping that all their hard work would land them an early review copy.
Keep in mind that all reviews so far are focused on the PC version of the game. And among all the positive reviews, PC Gamer gave the title an above-average score of 63 out of 100, which in video game review speak is a terrible score.

Where Does That Leave Us?
Well, the internet is up in the tizzy, calling out 2K Games. Some are even concerned about the PS4 and Xbox One versions and speculating that this may be Gearbox and 2K getting revenge on places that painted the company and its CEO Randy Pitchford in a negative light. It’s worth a read!
Kakuchopurei requested access to Borderlands 3. A representative told us that we would only be getting codes on the day of the game’s release 13th September at the latest. So far we’ve found no outstanding issue with the gameÂ based on the preview builds we’ve checked out; the game runs at a decent 30fps on a PS4 Pro setup.
Regardless, we can promise you that we will be covering this game as soon as we can to the best of our abilities, and in great detail beyond just a review to call it a day. We’re better than that.
In the meantime, why not see which Vault Hunter build you like to use this Friday? Or if you still cannot make up your mind, just wait a while and see the reviews from your trusted sources/content creator who didn’t play the “unfinished” build? From actual gamers?


The New Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Trailer Will Blow Your Mind

Sony Pictures has released the latest Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse trailer, which is the upcoming sequel to the much-lauded Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse animated film back in 2018.
As expected, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is being led by Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) to check out a universe full of different Spider-Men. So yeah, there are a ton of Spider-cameos and appearances from that one cool suit in Marvel’s Spider-Man (the game from Insomniac) to the paper bag-wearing Spider-Man.

This also includes Spider-Man 2099 voiced by Oscar Isaac, who might be the show’s antagonist if the last part featuring a bunch of Spider-Men taking down Miles Morales is of any indication.

There’s also the new Spider-Woman/Jessica Drew voiced by Issa Rae, with a sweet-ass Spider(?)bike.

We also get a nice Stan Lee cameo in the trailer for just one short second.

Check out the full trailer below. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse will be out on 2nd June, 2023. The film is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, and is written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham.
Keep in mind that this is the first part; the second Spider-Verse film after this one is slated for 29 March 2024.


What Is Censored In The Malaysian Screening Of Cocaine Bear?

Cocaine Bear is out right now and it’s quite a thrill ride of a film if you want a balance of comedy and gore. It’s certainly not for children to watch, given the subject matter and the terrible things the coked-up bear does.
But what about the Malaysian version of the film? How butchered is it in cinemas thanks to the hands of the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (Lembaga Penapis Filem)?
After watching the film in Malaysian cinemas, we can tell you. Spoiler warning:

Thankfully, the gore and hardcore bits are left intact in the Malaysian screening of Cocaine Bear. However, there is one scene that is censored.
Early in the film, there are two children (played by Christian Convery and Brooklynn Prince) who are on their way to a waterfall to paint it. They come across a cocaine package in a bush. One of the kids dared the other to open it up; both of them proceeded to inhale it.
After which, the Cocaine Bear pops up and sneezes at them, leading to this scene.

Cocaine Bear is in Malaysian cinemas right now. If you’re curious whether it’s worth your time, check out our review.


Here’s How You Can Claim The Twitch Prime Apex Legends Pathfinder Skin

A new exclusive Apex Legends Pathfinder skin is going live for Twitch Prime subscribers tomorrow on 16 July 2020. The skin has since been posted on the official Twitch Prime landing page.
Hereâ€™s what you need to do (via Dexerto):

First, visit the Apex Legends pageÂ on the Twitch Prime website.
Log in with a Twitch account that has an active Prime subscription.
Click on the ‘Claim Now’ button above the Pathfinder Swimming Buddy skin.
When prompted, click to link your EA account with your Twitch account.
Once your accounts have been linked, you can claim the item in your in-game inventory.

The new Pathfinder Swimming Buddy skin features a bright red and blue colour scheme, which is unique and fresh for the Legend. Sometimes we just need a bit more colour in our lives; not everything has to look super dark and edgy.

This is actually the eighth drop in the Apex Legends Twitch Prime rewards series since it began last year in 2019, with previous exclusive skins having been released for Octane, Wattson, and other Legends in the game.
We still don’t know which Legend will receive an exclusive Twitch Prime skin next but stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for the latest news on Apex Legends.


Razer Introduces The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro

Razer has announced the Basilisk V3 Pro, a next-gen customizable wireless gaming mouse built for performance and complete customizability. Being Razer’s most advanced gaming mouse to date, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro sets a new standard for the enthusiast gaming community with a Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3, 10+1 programmable buttons, Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, wireless charging with Razer Mouse Dock Pro and Wireless Charging Puck (both sold separately), and more.
“The Basilisk V3 Pro is our most feature-rich gaming mouse to date, with all the bells and whistles to blow the competition out of the water,” said Chris Mitchell, Head of the PC Gaming Division at Razer. “Essentially, the Basilisk V3 Pro gives gamers every feature they could ever want, and more customization options than ever before.”
ABOUT THE RAZER BASILISK V3 PRO

4-way Razer HyperScroll tilt wheel with electronically actuated notched and free-spinning modes
10+1 independently programmable buttons
Razer™ HyperSpeed Wireless (with Multi-Device Support), Bluetooth, and Wired support via Razer™ Speedflex Cable Type C
13 Razer Chroma™ RGB lighting zones with full underglow and true 16.8 million customizable color options
Razer™ Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor
Up to 750 inches per second (IPS) / 70 G acceleration
Razer™ Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3
Up to 90 hours Battery Life (HyperSpeed)
On-board memory (4+1 profiles)
Approximate size: 130 mm / 5.11 in (Length) x 75.4 mm / 2.96 in (Grip Width) x 42.5 mm / 1.67 in (Height)
Approximate weight: 112g / 3.95oz (Excluding cable)
Dock Compatibility: Razer Mouse Dock Pro with Razer Wireless Charging Puck (both sold separately)

For more information on the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, please see here.
ABOUT THE RAZER MOUSE DOCK PRO

Built-in Razer HyperPolling 4K Hz transceiver
Anti-slip base
Compatible device: Basilisk V3 Pro
Approximate size: 83.5 mm / 3.28 in (Length) x 56 mm / 2.2 in (Width) x 43.5 mm/ 1.71 in (Height)
Approximate weight: 112 g / 3.95 oz
USB Type C port for power and data
Inside the Box: Razer Mouse Dock Pro, Razer Wireless Charging Puck, High-speed USB Type A to Type C cable

For more information on the Razer Mouse Dock Pro, please see here.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
Singapore:

Product
Price
Availability

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
$249.00
Available for purchase at retailers and etailers from 24 August.

Razer Mouse Dock Pro + Razer Wireless Charging Puck Bundle
$119.00

Malaysia:

Product
Price
Availability

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
RM799.00
Available for purchase at retailers and etailers from 24 August.

Razer Mouse Dock Pro + Razer Wireless Charging Puck Bundle
RM369.00


LISA: Definitive Edition Announced For All Platforms This July

Publisher Serenity Forge and developer Dingaling Productions have announced LISA: Definitive Edition which is set to launch on 18 July for PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC  via Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
The bundle will cost US$24.99 (RM115.14) which will include both LISA: The Painful – Definitive Edition and sequel LISA: The Joyful – Definitive Edition, or US$19.99 (RM92.10) for LISA: The Painful – Definitive Edition and US$9.99 (RM46.03) for LISA: The Joyful – Definitive Edition individually.

About

Let’s take a peek into the dark and twisted secrets of Olathe with LISA: The Definitive Edition, courtesy of our friends at Serenity Forge.
First up, we have LISA: The Painful – Definitive Edition, the revamped version of the original offbeat side-scrolling RPG. Brace yourself for a post-apocalyptic wasteland where things are not as charming and funny as they may seem. Prepare to face tough choices that will have permanent consequences on your gameplay. Sacrifices will be required to keep your party members alive. You might have to take a beating for them, lose a limb, or endure some unimaginable torture. In this brutal world, survival hinges on selfishness and heartlessness… Are you up for the challenge?
And then there’s LISA: The Joyful – Definitive Edition, the thrilling conclusion to the quirky side-scrolling RPG series. Step into the shoes of Buddy as you embark on a quest to make the world pay for its wrongdoings. Along the way, you’ll unravel the mysteries of Olathe, discover more about your own family, and face the monsters and power-hungry individuals that roam this treacherous land. The world’s out to get you, but you’re determined to take back what’s rightfully yours. It’s time to fight back!
So, mark your calendars for 18 July, gather your gaming crew, and get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of LISA: Definitive Edition. It’s going to be one hell of a ride!


CS: GO Pro Shroud – “Apex Legends Can Be A Proper Esports Title”

Battle royale games have often struggled to be esports titles, unlike those in the MOBA genre. However, a recent (and very successful) game, Apex Legends, might change that soon but only if it fixes all its problems, according to CS: GO and Twitch streamer Michael â€˜Shroudâ€™ Grzesiek.
Shroud said (via Dexerto) that Apex Legends has a clear shot at being a proper esports title by solving the problem that afflicts almost every battle royale game: the mid-game in any match. This is because players tend to hide and survive as long as possible to reach the final circle to avoid being eliminated.

â€œBattle royales need to find a way to eliminate people early to get rid of having 40 people in the last circle.
If they can find a way to balance the game in the sense that there wonâ€™t be 40 people at the end circle, maybe only 10 like it should be, then yeah 100% [battle royales as esports] will work.â€

The solution to this, according to Shroud, is that Respawn should make it so that the circle would only close if a certain amount of players have been eliminated, which would encourage players to put on a more active and exciting playstyle better suited for esports.
In addition to that, Apex Legends still needs “ironing out” to fix more pressing issues and bugs present in the game before it can become a proper esports title contender. In other recent news, EA confirmed that Apex Legends is going to be released on mobile platforms in the near future (check out the full story here).


E3 2019: This Switch Slime Controller Is The Ultimate Way To Play Dragon Quest

Not content with announcing the release date for Dragon Quest XI S: Definitive Edition, Square Enix has revealed a new Nintendo Switch Slime controller for all fans of the long-running and legendary JRPG franchise.
The Dragon Quest Slime Controller for Nintendo Switch is slated to launch sometime in September, just in time to coincide with the 27 September 2019 release of Dragon Quest XI S: Definitive Edition.
The controller is shaped like the iconic Slime enemies from the Dragon Quest franchise, who are the official/unofficial mascots for the series. It essentially works like the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, with all the buttons, thumbsticks and motion controls.

The best part of it all is that it will come with some cardboard accessories that act as a stand for your Nintendo Switch, and it’s in the form of the treasure chests from the games along with a crown-wearing slim on top.
No Dragon Quest fan is complete without one, so head on over to the official website here to pre-order now at a price of 10,778 yen, or roughly RM413+.


Rainbow Six Siege Embraces The Wild West In New Event

Howdy, partners!
Ubisoft is introducing a new limited-time event in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege called Showdown. The brand new game mode will feature a new limited-time map and exclusive in-game content, but best of all, it’s all set in the Wild West so players can get their cowboy fantasies on.
From 2 to 16 July 2019, players can participate in 3v3 matches in a ‘secure area type’ map named Fort Truth. They will be divided into two trios of Attackers and Defenders with only a BOSG.12.2 and a Magnum LFP586 equipped.

To make the Showdown even more intense, it will feature a limited HUD where health, ammo, and crosshairs are stripped away, as well as no preparation phase for players. Besides that, players can look forward to 31 western-themed exclusive items, including full wild west outfits with cowboy hats.
Those who log in during this event will receive a free Showdown Collection Pack and can complete the Ubisoft Club Event challenges to earn a pack and a unique weapon skin for the BOSG.12.2 weapon.
Check out the gunslinging action in the Rainbow Six Siege Showdown trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT1R1enZxMY&w=560&h=315]


Two Arc System Works Fighting Games Are Coming To Xbox Consoles

During the Xbox TGS 2022 live stream, it was announced that two Arc System Works fighting game titles are coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2023. These include BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle and Guilty Gear Strive.
Both titles will also be released on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. For more on Guilty Gear Strive, check out our guides and tier lists; the game is currently out for PC and PlayStation consoles.


Good Game Asia – Episode 5 Recap

Good Game Asia Episode 5 has aired and I’d have to say this week’s episode is somewhat bittersweet, but we’ll get into that later.
Every Friday at 7:35 PM (GMT+8), the first gaming reality show, Good Game Asia airs on Warner TV. Five weeks in and 10 contestants remaining, we’re a week closer to finding out who will take the grand prize of US$200,000.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’s EPISODE RECAP

This week’s recap features Estelle taking the lead of the discussion as we find out how the remaining contestants feel about being Top 10. We also hear from Rudeism that being away from his home in New Zealand is beginning to take a toll on him but he this show is a once in a life time opportunity so he needs to see it through. Shin also expresses how surprised she is to be in the Top 10 as for the first three weeks, she was placed in the bottom three.
Following this Syaza enters with a lucky draw box containing blue and orange balls, each contestant takes their pick as it will determine who will be on who’s team for this week’s Get Real challenge. It’s then hinted that players could be getting bruises and will definitely need protective gear.

CHALLENGE – GET REAL: paintball
If you haven’t guessed already, this week’s Get Real challenge featured Paintballing. As mentioned before, teams have already been divided into two teams where they will compete against each other in a five minute paintball match. The objective is to go to the middle of the arena and take balls from a bucket, to bring back to their base and place it their respective buckets. Whoever had the most balls by the end of the five minutes would be crowned as the victors of this week’s Get Real challenged. Note that contestants were only allowed to take one ball at a time.

The contestants were also allowed to name their teams, the pink team featuring V3nom, Estelle, Reby, Shin and Panda dubbed themselves “Sexy Balls”. And the blue team, consisting of Rudeism, Melan, Maser, Kelvin and Fl0w3R called their team “Balls of Steel”.
Starting off the match both teams had different strategies, Sexy Balls’ strategy went out of the window when Balls of Steel commenced their strategy. When the timer started, instead of filling their guns with ammo, Balls of Steel ran straight for the middle to each grab a ball and get an early lead and catching Sexy Balls off-guard. As a result, the entire match just became a free-for-all as all strategy was forgotten and contestants rained paint on each other.
At the end of the five minutes, Balls of Steel were crowned victors winning by two, with a total of 18 balls.

CHALLENGE – on air
Another Battle Royale was selected as this week’s On Air and The Box game, Apex Legends. For the IRL section, we saw V3nom step-up his content as he vlogged bringing Panda for a traditional Indian haircut that may or may not have had a violent twist to it. On Panda’s side he decided to films a mock-tutorial on how to be good at Apex Legends.
Rudeism again went viral as he repurposed his controller-gloves from the Sifu episode for Apex Legends. He would aim with the glove and make gunsounds with a microphone to shoot.

Maser’s content for this week was lacklustre to say the least. All he did was get Shin to give him a haircut on stream which really didn’t amount to much. Fl0w3R on the other hand is coming out of his comfort zone by forcing himself to film somewhat entertaining content which is nice to see, even if it’s a bit forced.
Challenge – The Box: APEX LEgends
With Apex Legends as the name of the game, each contestant would drop down into public lobbies, not know whether or not, their lobby had other contestants inside. Points would be allocated by how many eliminations they got and where they placed in their lobby. The twist with this weeks The Box is that the contestants could have non-contestants on their teams as they were playing trios. Many of them got professional players from their respective regions.

Estelle’s team was the first to be eliminated as she didn’t have any friends who played Apex competitively. Reby was the next to be eliminated after landing badly, her team was eliminated by Panda’s squad. The overall segment was pretty hard to follow as the commentary followed the pacing of the games at hand — which was extremely fast. Because of this all the games were over before we knew it. Below you will see the final results of this week’s The Box.

WEEK 5 LEADERBOARD
Before the results got announced, the contestants expressed their wanting for no eliminations this week as everyone there had potential and deserved to be there in the Top 10. Panda also stated that he thought there will either be no eliminations or there will be two. One of those statements was right.
Going on to the results, due to Rudeism and Panda’s performance throughout the On Air segment, both were placed 1st and 2nd respectively this week. With that said, the elephant in the room was Estelle and Reby being placed at the bottom in 9th and 10th. Following this discovery it was bittersweetly unveiled that they would both be eliminated.
During their outros, both Estelle and Reby express their gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in this competition. Teary-eyed, Estelle also states that she will be rooting for Panda as she believes he’s the most deserving as he not only possess the talent but also the heart and acts as “the glue” between all the contestants.

Before we are brought into the Swag Store, we are shown a post discussion amongst the contestants as they express how they feel about the elimination of Reby and Estelle. Kelvin addresses Rudeism’s surprising depression about Reby’s elimination as we find out that they were close throughout the competition so far. It is revealed that Rudeism acted as a mentor towards Reby as he saw a lot of his personality in her. Panda being Panda, relieves the tension in the room as he states that both Estelle and Reby are definitely going to make it in this industry as having worked so close with them, he see potential and doesn’t worry one bit about them.
To conclude the episode with the Swag Store segment, we find out that the contestants are actually allowed to keep the products they purchased using their Yup points. And as a result, both Rudeism and Kelvin use their points to get Nanoleaves and Panda gets a ringlight that he will leave for Estelle when he leaves back to Australia.
Critical Take
With the eliminations of Ngyelling and Cherzinga last episode, the narrative has definitely mellowed out into something that is a lot less cringe and something that is a lot more wholesome. Ngyelling being gone really makes no impact on the show as he really was just fading into the background. As for Cherzinga, I feel that her personality could have both benefitted the show, but also could have been the downfall of it.
This week’s Get Real challenge was entertaining to watch, especially because of Balls of Steel’s strategy to the challenge. I feel their unorthodox and out of the box thinking really livened the challenge this week. Following this we got a noticeably longer On Air segment which I assume is due to having less contestants this week. Over the coming weeks I feel we will get to know the remaining contestants more and more as they will get more and more screen time.
I’m also beginning to feel that The Box segment needs to return to a tournament style segment instead of just a one of match, as contestants’ performances can be inconsistent and they may be caught in a bad game. I thoroughly believe that with Battle Royales at least, the production team needs re-format The Box segment so that they play at least three games in total to make it more fair.
I also disagree with this week’s eliminations of the Estelle and Reby. Objectively speaking, I believe that Maser is currently the weakest link out of the remaining contestants and was surprised that he was placed 8th and not lower. Both Estelle and Reby have great personalities and ideas for this industry so it really makes me ask the question — “what exactly is the objective of the show?” — To find the next gaming superstar? In what way? The term and title is extremely vague and I fail to understand what they want from the contestants. Instead I think the objective should be revised to just being a competitions for gaming personalities rather than a talent show to find “the next gaming superstar”.

TAKE A LOOK at the other episodes we have recapped so far

Good Game Asia – Episode 1 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 2 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 3 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 4 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 6 Recap


These Two Games Contributed To Strong Capcom Digital Sales

Capcom has published its quarterly financial report, which revealed that strong digital sales have improved company profits. As of 31 December 2021, net sales for Capcom have risen by 35.9 per cent, while operating income has increased by 43.9 percent.
What’s interesting is that Capcom names two specific games as the major contributors to this achievement. These include Resident Evil Village and Monster Hunter Stories 2 Wings Of Ruin,Â which are directly mentioned in the report. According to the report as well,Â video game sales exceeded 25.8 million units during the last quarter.
Resident Evil Village shipped 5.7 million units while Monster Hunter Stories 2 Wings Of Ruin shipped over 1.4 million units.
In addition, Capcom has managed to reach its highest net sales and profit at the end of a third-quarter within the companyâ€™s history.Â Other titles that contributed to Capcomâ€™s strong sales include Resident Evil 7, as well as other divisions, such as the release of the Resident Evil Welcome To Raccoon City movie, and esports endeavours.


Overwatch Developer Update Roundup – January 3 2018

Earlier today, Vice President of Blizzard Entertainment and Lead Designer/ Game Director of Overwatch, Jeff Kaplan delivered his first Developer Update video of 2018 detailing the public release of the upcoming map, Blizzard World, Overwatch League skins as well as ‘Hero 27’. He also confirmed that the special Chinese New Year event will be making its comeback – The Year of the Dog – and is ‘super fired up’ with what his team has in store for 2018.
In case you don’t have the time to view the video, here’s a quick summary of the stuff he talked about:

Overwatch League is ‘coming soon’ and players will be able to purchase it in the game. Overwatch League Commissioner, Nate Nanzer talks about the method to acquire the skins here.Â
Blizzard World mapÂ  is coming soon – but not too soon. The hybrid map will be littered with Easter Eggs and that his team has been trying to implement several new approaches to the level design that will affect gameplay.
Blizzard are ‘well along the path with Hero 27’. Kaplan declined to discuss further about the release date of the hero as they are still working with it internally.
More hero to come ‘beyond Hero 27’. 2017 saw three new heroes introduced – Orisa, Doomfist & Moira, by the way.
Kaplan hinted on more maps apart from Blizzard World so our bet is that it will be heavily related to Hero 28.
The Blizzard team are still working on perfecting the experience for Competitive Play. The current strategy has always been to create ‘good, short-term, strategic and tactical fixes’ to competitive play. He cited the most recent change (removal of performance-based reward for Diamond and above) as one of the short-term changes.
In the long-term, the Blizzard team are still figuring out on where and what they want competitive play to be. The decision is yet to be determined.
Further the story development of Overwatch; continue telling the story of Overwatch which include showing how each members of Overwatch responded to Winston’s Recall.
Blizzard are putting ‘a lot of time’ into their upcoming events; The Year of the Dog for Lunar New Year; the next iteration of the lore-based event ‘Uprising’. Blizzard want to evolve it and has big ideas for it.
Anniversary Celebration will bring back the dance emotes along with the legendary skins.
Addition of more skins which are available to non-event specific, base lootboxes and they should drop as early as January 2018.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KgiaRPxRnQ&w=560&h=315]
Kaplan closed the video saying that more details are to come as they get closer to the official releases of the items listed above. Not to mention the frequent bug fixes and game balances which occur quite often, Overwatch players have tons of stuff to look forward to in 2018.


Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC Expansion Announced

Publisher Bandai Namco and developer FromSoftware have announced a new DLC expansion for Elden Ring. Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree is in development but there is no release date or release window as of now.
In a tweet, the developers said:
“Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk a new path together. An upcoming expansion for Elden Ring, ‘Shadow of the Erdtree,’ is currently in development. We hope you look forward to new adventures in the Lands Between.”
Elden Ring is available now for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Elden Ring is one of our highly-rated games of 2022; check out our GOTY video segment on it below, as well as our written review.


Rockstar Leeds Founder Is Dead

Gordon Hall, the founder of Rockstar Leeds, has died. He was 51.
The news came up from various folks in the Yorkshire development scene (via Gamesindustry.biz). The cause of his death is not known at this point in time. He is survived by his son James.
Rockstar Leeds is renowned for developing Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Previously, the studio was called Mobius Entertainment back in 1997 where it developed a number of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles. The company was then bought by Rockstar Games and rebranded as Rockstar Leeds.
Apart from Chinatown Wars, Gordon Hall and his team worked on Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. At one point in 2009, he contributed to the development of Red Dead Redemption. After that, he took a sabbatical between 2011 and 2013 to research player psychology and microtransactions strategy. He then became chief creative officer for Activision Blizzard Mobile.
Kakuchopurei would like to extend its condolences to Hall and his family.


Overwatch League 2022: Patiphan The Prodigy Is Back

Southeast Asians finally have another team to support as the Los Angeles Gladiators sign Thai DPS prodigy turned VALORANT player, Patiphan “Partiphan” Chaiwong.
For the majority of his notoriety as the next best DPS, Patiphan was underage as the OWL has a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to participate in the league.
For more on the Overwatch League 2022, check out our recent recap.
Between now and then, like many others in the Overwatch scene, Patiphan transitioned over to Riot Games’ tactical shooter VALORANT and saw great success in international VALORANT, having represented Southeast Asia twice, once at VCT 2021: Stage 2 Masters in Reykjavík, Iceland placing 7-8th, and another time at VALORANT Champions 2021 in Berlin, Germany finishing 5-8th.
After accumulating an estimate of US$18,611 in prize earnings throughout his stint in VALORANT, it was announced on December 16, 2021, that Partiphan signed as the LA Gladiators’ newest DPS going into the 2022 season.
How’s It Going So Far?
As expected, his debut was highly anticipated as many have waited a great many years to see this Thai phenom reign terror in top tier competition. But at long last, as fate would have it, his long-awaited debut would also align with the very first match of the OWL against the former giants in the New York Excelsior.
Starting Map 1 slow as Genji, we didn’t see much from Patiphan as he was outshined by his fellow teammate Kevin “kevster” Perrson who put on a stellar performance, but by the third round of Map 1, we could see that the debut jitters must have subsided as Patiphan took the spotlight with a fantastic play to help secure the Map 1 victory.

Nothing hits quite like clean dash resets ??@itsPatiphan and the team take Map 1! pic.twitter.com/3M7yRudAFn
— Los Angeles Gladiators (@LAGladiators) May 5, 2022

The LA Gladiators went on to win both of their series that week in a comfortable 3-1 against the New York Excelsior and the Boston Uprising.
Although we did not get to see too much from Partiphan this week, there is plenty of time for Patiphan to ease back into the thick of things. If you want to catch Partiphan and the rest of the Gladiators live next they will be playing the Dallas Fuel on May 15, 2022, at 4:30am (GMT+8) or you can catch the VOD which will be released later on that day on the official Overwatch League YouTube channel.


GTA V Is Free On Epic Games Store; Here’s How You Can Get It

Just to make sure all of our free time via the worldwide pandemic is not going to waste, Rockstar and Epic Games Store will be making its magnum opus action-adventure open-world game Grand Theft Auto V free to download.
According to a Tweet by EGS a few hours ago (before it was taken down; heads-up via Lowyat.net) the game will be free from 11pm tonight (14 May, GMT+8) until 21st May.

You don’t need us to tell you that GTA V is still a hot game, even if it’s been years. GTA Online has been keeping it alive; the fact that the single-player mode is being offered for free is a lovely bonus for those who want to play it on PC in its high-res glory.


This Is How The Inside Of A PS5 Looks Like

Want to see the insides of Sony’s next-gen console without forking over pre-order money & possibly ruining your warranty? PlayStation’s got you covered.
PlayStation recently published a teardown video of the PS5. Here, you’ll get to see every aspect of the system, including the heatsinks, the HDD, and the new cooling capacity hardware.
As you can tell, it’s pretty frickin’ huge.

Check out the teardown in its full glory below. The PS5 will be out 12th November in most countries. There’s no preorder going on in Malaysia as of yet, but you can try your luck via Singapore stores.Â The shipping costs will probably kill your wallet though.


River City Ransom & Downtown Nekketsu Series Creator Has Died

You may not be familiar with the name Mitsuhiro Yoshida, but you should know the work he has done: the River City Ransom series of games, or the Nekketsu titles in Japan.
Mitsuhiro Yoshida passed away on 30 August. He was the president of Miracle Kidz, but he was remembered more for creating the Kunio-Kun games like River City Ransom and Super Dodgeball for the NES, among others.

Miracle Kidz President, Mitsuhiro Yoshida (????) passed away suddenly on August 30.
He was the creator of the “River City Ransom(Downtown Nekketsu)” series. pic.twitter.com/C70jTbbhej
— ??????????????? (@miracle_kidz) September 3, 2022

While a majority of the Kunio-Kun games never made it outside of Japan and thus not in English, the aforementioned River City Ransom was the most iconic title yet. It blended beat-em-up belt action brawling with a few JRPG leveling-up mechanics. Rest in peace, Yoshida-san: you will be missed.


The 30 Best Games Of 2021: #29

Every day from this week of December to January 2021, we’ll be posting our top 30 games of 2021 daily. Here’s number 29.
#29: Streets of Rage 4: Mr X Nightmare

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS4, PS5
Adding roguelite/roguelike formulas to already-established games can do wonders to its replayability. This Streets of Rage 4 DLC did just that: players fight through endless stages (dubbed Survival Mode) of baddies and bosses, get awesome powerups, and try to reach as far as you can before you eventually KO.
On top of that, you get three new characters to play, with different fighting styles from Max’s hard-hitting wrasslin’ powerslams to Shiva’s combo-tastic kit. And also extra alternate moves for everyone to mix and match with; low-tier hero Axel Stone gets a good buff thanks to his alternate Blazing move where he does a Dragon Roll. Add fire, lightning, and poison to that in the Survival mode and you have a near-unstoppable infinite.
We fear for the future of beat-em-ups in 2022 and beyond. Guard Crush Games, Dotemu, and Lizardcube have put up an incredibly tough act to follow with this humble-sized expansion.
Read the full review here.


Malaysian Racer Nabs Rookie Win In Germany

During Rounds 11 and 12 at the ADAC TCR Germany at Hockenheimring, Malaysian racer Mitchell Cheah grabbed a win and solid points the penultimate race weekend for 2019
season, which took place from 14 to 15 September 2019.
Cheah began both races from 11th on the gridline after a gruelling qualifying session, but a great start and consistent performance awarded him a win in Round 11, his third of the whole season. He wavered a little in Round 12, finishing at 9th place.

The Sepang International Circuit Talent Development Program driver said:

â€œThis week we struggled a little in the beginning to find the right setup but we managed to make big improvements in time for qualifying but it just wasnâ€™t enough to keep up with the others.
The first race I had a good opportunity to finish top rookie, and that was what I was aiming for, and we managed to do so. The win was definitely one for the team for all the hard work they put in throughout this whole week.
I had a good start in race two but midway through the race I had some issues, not sure what it was but I just had no pace from there and was struggling through to the end.
Overall we knew this weekend would be tough but we managed to collect good points for the team and in the Rookie Championship we are still in the fight for it for the last round.”

He will be looking to give it his all in the final two races at the finale in Sachsenring taking place from 27 to 29 September 2019. Cheah will also be representing Sepang Circuit as its Wild Card entry in Races of Malaysia WTCR this December.


This No Straight Roads Fanzine Features Great Artwork For Free

Here’s a treat for all you fans of Malaysian studio Metronomik’s No Straight Roads. You can grab this No Straight Roads Fanzine digital artbook for free, and it features over 60 pages of rocking illustrations from more than 40 amazing artists dedicated to the game’s unique visuals and characters.

Hey, Vinyl City! ARE YOU READY?! The Shakalaka BAM! Zine is here for everyone to enjoy! ??????????#NoStraightRoads #NSR
Download your copy here: https://t.co/zWLWzmLYDk pic.twitter.com/umsw5OT2bi
— Shakalaka BAM! AVAILABLE NOW!! (@NSRZine) February 24, 2021

It’s only around 277MB, and did we mention that it’s free? You can download it over on itch.io right now.
No Straight RoadsÂ is available now for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via theÂ Epic Games Store. You can check outÂ our full review ofÂ No Straight RoadsÂ here.


Unleash Your Inner Dinosaur & Score Epic Weapons With PUBG Mobile’s Royale Pass

Guess what? Dinosaurs are making their way to PUBG Mobile! Yep, you heard it right. The folks at Level Infinite, the game publisher, just unveiled a fresh new addition called the Royale Pass. If you’re familiar with battle passes, this is PUBG Mobile’s version of it. But hold on, it’s not just about snazzy new cosmetics. Brace yourself for a customizable outfit and a wicked melee weapon.

Say hello to the Royale Pass Ace, the upgraded version of the classic RP in PUBG Mobile. This bad boy is dropping alongside the highly-anticipated dinosaur-themed update. With the Royale Pass Ace, or RPA for short, you’ll be rocking a slick outfit that can change its colour to match your personal style. And that’s not all. Prepare to wield a brand new sword weapon that packs a punch. Both the outfit and the melee machete undergo visual transformations that suit your preferences. It’s all about hitting those milestones and unlocking exciting effects and elements.

But wait, there’s more to the Royale Pass Ace! If you’re into vehicle customization, you’re in for a treat. Get ready for the dino skin, which you can snag for free through pre-order. Once the dino-update arrives in PUBG Mobile in the upcoming weeks, you’ll be able to cruise around with your fierce dino-themed ride. Exciting, right? And guess what? The Royale Pass Ace is now available for pre-order in the PUBG Mobile in-game store. So, don’t miss out on this epic adventure!


Iconic Malaysian Voice Actress Behind Nobita, Azizah Jais Needs Our Help

Remember Azizah Jais, the voice behind the Malay dub of the iconic character Nobita from the popular anime series, Doremon? She’s been facing some major struggles lately. Her health issues have made it impossible for her to go out to work, which has put her in a really tough spot financially.
Azizah explained that she hasn’t been able to work as a voice actor for almost a year, and now relies on the kindness of her industry friends. Unfortunately, things have gotten even worse in the past month, as a leg injury from a fall has made it difficult for her to get around.
Before, Azizah used to work on voice dubbing, but now she only takes jobs when they’re available nearby. She’s still receiving medical treatment, but it’s expensive, and she can only afford the most necessary medication. Her mobility has been limited by the injury, so she’s been stuck at home.
Azizah’s contributions to the industry have been immense; she’s lent her voice to many other iconic characters over the years. But now, she needs our help. Donations are being collected by the Malaysian Voiceover Welfare Organization to support her during this difficult time.
So far, they’ve raised RM350 through the generosity of her fans and friends. If you’d like to contribute, you can donate to her Bank Islam account (12047020378212) under her name, Azizah Mat Jais, or to the Maybank account (114262427281) under the name of Mohd Azuan Shamsir Samsuri, the Chairman of Dubbers Inc. Malaysia. Let’s come together and help Azizah get back on her feet!