This Dating Game Taught Me How To Be A Better Match-Three Player

Platform: PC
Genre: Anime erotica puzzle game
Before you flip away in disgust at the combination of words that are “erotica”, “anime”, “visual novel”, and puzzle game, hear us out. Huniepop 2- Double Date has some pretty nifty match-three mechanics that made me a bit aware of how to tackle the genre.
I can’t seem to grasp puzzle games and match-three titles like your Tetrises, Bejeweleds, and even Peggle. They’re fun and addictive, as well as have hidden depth within its seemingly arranged and random tilesets and boards. They’re clearly not for me.
I’m fine dodging bullet hell sequences in your Dodonpachis and Ikarugas, as well as learning how to deal with mixups in Street Fighter V and Guilty Gear anime fighters. But I can’t figure out the optimal way to clear rows and tiles efficiently, even on the easiest difficulty. My kryptonite, in other words.
Visual novel-style games, on the other hand? Yeah, I can get behind it. So as a games writer and content creator who has to do his homework in keeping up with new titles coming in on 2021, imagine my surprise that the sequel to the notorious visual novel-slash-puzzle game Huniepop is out right now. And yes, it’s about as harem a concept as it gets when it comes to these “ahem” titles.
OK, Cupid…

The gist of HuniePop 2’s gameplay is this: you need to match three similar shapes on the board to raise up the affection meter at the bottom; these fights are framed as dates with women in the Huniepop universe. Matching their favourite colours means more affection. Matching pink hearts will boost affection gain in subsequent colour matches. If you match purple broken hearts, you piss off the woman and will come close to a game over. Also, if you use up all your turns, it’s also game over.
Maxing out the meter means you win the game, and also have a successful date with your partner and a little “nudge nudge wink wink” say no more action. The game does reward you with pictures I can’t share here lest we get flagged for pornography. So here’s a random gameplay screenshot of a Japanophile on a date with her boss instead.

Essentially, it’s a modified Bejeweled with anime tiddies. The difference with HuniePop 2? You now have to date two women simultaneously, as per the subtitle’s new hook. This means you have to switch them around while matching their favourite colours to get the most affection. There’s also a stamina meter to keep track of. If you’re too focused on one girl, she’ll run out of stamina and cannot act for four turns when she’s exhausted. This means you need to switch back to the other girl and do the match-three deed with her. You’ll also have to work twice as hard to get both girl’s passion levels up since they’re on separate passion meters.
This becomes a challenging juggling act as you’re making sure you’re getting the most affection points from matches. It’s even tougher when the affection meter requirements get higher and higher with each successful date & mÃ©nage Ã  trois, and more purple hearts start littering the board to the point where every possible match might be your last.
Suddenly, spacial awareness of the tile and board is more important. There’s no time limit here, so you can take your sweet time planning ahead and lining up potential 4 or 5 matches while taking into account a girl’s favoured colour. For instance, when I’m doing certain characters with the same favoured red colour orb, I make sure to save them for bigger chains, increasing their Passion levels before the final 10 turns occur.
Thankfully there are gifts you can use to manipulate the playing field before a date, like stuff toys that remove purple broken hearts and Tiki masks that give you extra turns. You can also talk to them (for additional turns on the board) and also feed them food (temp colour & stamina buffs), smoothies (permanent buffs for affection-gaining), and shoes (character-specific buffs). In the immortal words of your fairy pal Kyu: bitches like it when they’re fed.
Summer Breeze
As for the story? It’s as bonkers as you would expect from a cultured title like HuniePop 2: you have to get fairy wings so that you can summon a pair of nympho demons so that you can satiate them lest they destroy the world. And to get them fairy wings? You need to have threesomes with a boatload of ladies while on the creatively-titled Inna de Poona resort. Not only do you have girls from the first game, but you have new ones like a MILF hotel owner, an innocent hotel attendant, a smelly weeb, and a foreign girl in a hijab who works in security.

And yes, she’s written as a character in a harem hentai game whose desires are uncaged once she’s out of her native country. If you’re looking for a game that breaks stereotypes and has fleshed-out three-dimensional protagonists, this ain’t it. But at least the characters are a tad charming to talk to and converse with; before you ravage them post-gameplay.
It’s also interesting to see how each of the 12 girls is paired with each other. Who knew that a repressed foreigner would hook up with an 18-year old goth girl, or two mature women would have a lot in common with for casual whoopie. HuniePop 2 isn’t exactly high art, but it does have fun with its absurd premise and 18+ nonsense, which is more than I can say for most cultured visual novels with itty-bitty gameplay segments. As a bonus, you can choose to switch on the censor bars and keep the ladies mostly clothed during the special scenes in case you can’t handle it.
HuniePop 2 does have a nice tone and cheery feel to it, with a heartwarming message underneath its challenging puzzler gameplay: prepwork is always important, don’t treat a girl like a dick on a date, and listen to them so that you say the right thing. The same does apply in its gameplay: if you’re randomly matching colours without looking forward or planning ahead, you’re going to have more failures than successes like Barney Stinson.
Long story short: if the prospect of anime erotica do not turn you off, and if you don’t mind a not-so-serious dating sim with challenging puzzle bits that require a ton of focus-switching, you can do worse than HuniePop 2: Double Date.
Final Score: 70/100


Shovel Knight Dig Combines Mr Driller With Fast-Paced Arcade Action

Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Apple Arcade
Genre: 2D action roguelite where you go deeper underground
It’s nice to know that Yacht Club Games and developer Nitrome are bringing back the classic gameplay of Bandai Namco’s Mr. Driller, now in a new 2D action platformer guise and Shovel Knight brand. Shovel Knight Dig is what you get when you have two retro game-inspired indie developers cash in on the roguelite genre but with their own aesthetics, charm, and gameplay knowhow.
Dig Dug

You play as Shovel Knight from the hit 2D platformer back in 2014, as he digs his way downward in 2D action platforming glory to get back his well-earned loot from Drill Knight and the Hexcavators, a band of ne’er do well thief knights who are digging their way downwards in the same spot Shovel Knight was napping for riches and glory too. So down you go, shovel in hand, as you fight off enemies from Shovel Knight’s past titles, avoid traps, and nab as much treasure as possible.
You play Shovel Knight Dig like any other 2D action platformer, but there’s only one way to progress onward: down. Shovel Knight’s digging prowess allows you to dig through dirt like it’s second nature; he doesn’t drop down when you dig and goes left, right, and down when doing so. Temporary power-ups can either give him additional skills like having his helmet horns scratch off dirt that’s above him, and also a power dig move that drills you all the way down, destroying the ground and enemies alike. You even get to use spells and abilities that use up mana that adds to Shovel Knight’s arsenal.
Death is common in this roguelite title, but it doesn’t mean the end. Whatever treasure and gems you amass in your run will be kept (albeit with some penalties), and you will come across trapped villagers and vendors who can sell you relics and items on the surface upon being rescued. You also get your choices of pathways as you dig downwards, so you know what hazards you can take on be it one-hit kill contraptions that assault you if you linger too long on one screen. The challenge of staying alive and not getting trapped in a stage’s pitfall can get taxing, especially with the randomness of the stages dealt to you. But we’re not talking about a game that takes hours to play; Shovel Knight Dig can be completed in a single run in less than an hour if you’re good.
Once you’ve played a few runs and get the hang of how Shovel Knight plays in this spin-off, you’ll be tunneling through the game over and over until you’re satisfied with your run, or you’ve amassed enough. As far as replayability goes, this one has it in spades. Aside from its spot-on controls and fun core gameplay, the game’s lovely pixel art and Jake Kaufman soundtrack will keep you enthralled for its bite-sized experiences.
X Marks The Spot

Shovel Knight Dig may not be for anyone looking for deeper and “lite” experiences. But for its RM44 price tag? You’re getting a replayable action game that takes the downward digging mechanic of one of Bandai Namco’s underrated classics and turning it into a full-on fast-paced action title, while also doing its roguelite trappings justice. If you’re in the camp for short-term but challenging “devil may care” fun, dig in!
Final Score: 70/100


Battlefield’s Most Popular Map Is Coming Back In A Free BFV Update

DICE has announced that the most popular map in Battlefield franchise history is returning later this week.
That’s right, Battlefield fans.
Wake Island is coming to Battlefield V in a free update on 12 December 2019, as part of the Tides Of War update, Chapter 5: War In The Pacific.
The iconic map made its debut as an E3 demo for the original game, Battlefield 1942 way back in 2002. Since then, the map has appeared in various Battlefield games, including Battlefield 1943, Battlefield 2, and Battlefield 3.
Wake Island in Battlefield V will feature both the fast-paced action of Breakthrough mode and the more traditional Conquest Assault mode.
For more details and information on Wake Island, head on over to the official blog post here. In the meantime, check out the Wake Island trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Kthe0xmmA&w=560&h=315]


[Rumour] Persona 5 Scramble Will Be Out In English In 2021

It feels like Persona fans have been waiting a long time without any official news on a localized English version of Persona 5 Scramble The Phantom Strikers. It’s been nine months since the sequel to 2017’s Persona 5 launched in Japan on 20 February 2020.
However, fans might not have to wait much longer, if the recent rumours are to be believed. Several Asian retailers have reportedly listed down a 23 February 2021 release date for the English version of Persona 5 Scramble The Phantom Strikers.
This includes Indonesian retailer PS Enterprise (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch), as well as Singapore-based retailers Qisahn (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch) and Toy Or Game (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch).
The aforementioned listings are stated as Region 3 or R3, which refers to the Southeast Asian region (just as R1 is for the U.S. and R2 is for UK/Europe). The release of the game in Southeast Asia will probably be handled by Sega Asia and not Atlus West.
The Chinese and Korean versions of Persona 5 Scramble The Phantom Strikers were already released in Southeast Asia on 18 June 2020.

Previous reports indicated that Koei Tecmo seemingly doesn’t care about the English localization of Persona 5 Scramble The Phantom Strikers anymore, but that might not turn out to be true after all.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for the latest updates.


Porkies: Our Favourite Pigs In Video Games

Disclaimer: this article may be considered non-kosher to some, so read with care and with an open mind.Â
Happy Chinese New Year, everybody! The Year of the Dog has come and gone; now it’s the Year of the Pig.
While many believe pigs to be nothing more than ever-hungry greedy and lazy mofos, nothing could be further from the truth. Some fun facts:

They need to wallow in mud to keep cool; the fact that they do not have functional sweat glands doesn’t help their predicament.
The wilder pig family like boars will kill and gore you if you so much look at them funny.
Most importantly, they contribute to the best kind of export: bacon. Sweet glorious bacon. So good it’s worth breaking lots of kosher laws for.

But I’m getting ahead of myself:Â  this Lunar New Year is meant for our brothers and sisters born on the year of the pig. Let’s pay tribute by talking about our favourite pigs in video game culture.
Hog Riders (from Clash Royale)

Arguably the best units one can use in Clash Royale competitive play before the usual patches and nerfs; pros built many decks around these pig-handlers. They cost 4 Elixir, they rush down fast, and they can jump over the river.
Bad Piggies (from Angry Birds)

Your antagonistic assholes who want to suck on eggs. At first, you had to launch a bunch of angry birds at them to take them down a peg or three. In later games, you help them build land/air contraptions to get map pieces that lead them to the promised land full of suckable eggs.
Pey’j (from Beyond Good & Evil)

Engineer, mechanic, surrogate father to Jade from Beyond Good & Evil. The all-around great paternal figure who shaped an awesome heroine. Seriously Ubisoft, can we get the f***ing sequel out now? It’s been too damn long.
Evil Pigs (from the Tomba! Series)

They’re pigs, and they’re evil. They make Tomba’s life a living hell in two platforming games. Not much need to be said except they make awesome noises when they bite the dust.
Emperor Devligus Devontindos & His Army (from Rocket Knight Adventures)

In the steampunk world of arguably the best Konami-made 2D action platformer game starring an opossum, you get to challenge the mighty pig army of Emperor Devligus. He basically chucks everything but the kitchen sink at you: giant caterpillar bots, a bunch of flying robots that emulate the core bosses from Gradius, even a muthaf***in’ train with a snout of a pig.
Be it flesh or machine, this kingdom spared no expense in killing the possum race, pork rinds or otherwise.
Midbus (from Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story)

A substitute for Bowser since he’s now a playable protagonist trying to wrest his castle back from Fawful and his forces. He appears a couple of times to challenge Bowser, but does a terrible job at beating the big bad dragon mano-a-mano. Or is it beasto-a-beasto? “A” for effort though.
Colin (From Wolf Among Us)

Constant roommate to Bigby Wolf and a seminal wisecracker in the Telltale Adventure game. Ah, remember that time TellTale could do no wrong?
Yan Yanyang’s Steed & Extra Attacks (from Twinkle Star Sprites)

Arguably the most annoying character to fight against on a high level in arguably one of the greatest versus shmups of all time;Â fight Mr Toffee on this, we dare you. This is due to her sine wave properties of her Extra Attacks. And they’re all pig-shaped bird hybrids too! But this beastmaster’s way too adorable to hate on.
Rosa (from Wolfenstein)

Among the eclectic cast from that awesome Wolfenstein reboot (the second time around), Rosa’s one of the more loveable ones. Not only is she a great companion for Max, but she also gives our hero B.J. a wild ride on his birthday.
Poogie (from Monster Hunter: World)

I’m not sure what purpose she serves to the hunters, but she’s so adorable so who cares, your heartless person you?
Stryker (from the Mortal Kombat series)

The biggest one there is. #popo
Top image credit: Straits Times


Bleeding Edge Character Guide: How To Get Good In This PvP Brawler

Bleeding Edge is out now for everyone who owns either an Xbox One or a PC. And if you’re in Asia, you probably own the latter.
This latest title from Ninja Theory is a 4v4 online multiplayer action game in the veins of your competitive shooters and MOBAs, especially the latter, but with an action game twist. Remember PlatinumGames’ Anarchy Reigns? It’s like that but with better and more varied character classes & action.
The game’s tutorial does a great job in telling you the ins and outs of the game, so what we’re offering on this guide here are character-specific tips and tricks. And yes, we’re even using the top multiplayer PvP games here as references so that you can get a clear idea of how a Bleeding Edge character plays.

But first, some basics:
Learn ALL The Characters & Their Ins And Outs
Just like in a fighting game, knowing the roster and getting the hang of their playstyle is paramount to getting good in Bleeding Edge. The game’s mascot Daemon does not play the same way as Buttercup or Zero Cool. Each of them has their min-max range, their kits, and their roles to play.
Some extra info: each hero gains access to one Super that can help complement your team. Your heroes can also get equipped with customized Mods, the game’s equivalent of MOBA items and equipment that is all decided pre-game.
When all else fails, just default to your preferred character for that role.
Communicate & Group Up
Like with all multiplayer games, communication is key. Have a mic handy so that your team is on point with regrouping, team fights, points collection phases, and escaping. The game’ ping system is still handy, but nothing beats voiceovers.
Above all, make sure there’s one leader in a group. Whether it’s your Tank or Damage Dealer, they need to start leading people and assigning commands in case there are situations where you need to take control of multiple points or collect multiple orbs.
And make sure not to stay alone too long. 1v4 tends to end badly for the lone wolf. Bleeding Edge isn’t built with that gameplay in mind.

Help Fill Up Missing Roles
If there’s a role missing during a match, take point and fill it up. No sense having four DPS in the same team lest they get wiped out by a role-diverse team. Like Overwatch, you can change to a different character and a different role if you die and respawn. Just make sure you pick the right character for the current situation.
Learn Both Game Modes & Get Used To Them
No matter what, you’ll be playing both of Bleeding Edge’s modes one or the other. Objective Control is similar to Overwatch’s Assault; capture objective rings to gain points. Powercells makes you and your team collect power canisters all across the map and then deposit them in a central objective spot for points. You can take down enemies so that they drop their power canisters.
Kills you get will contribute towards your team score. Point is, just make sure your team knows what to do and when to diverge/group up whenever the objective markers start a-pinging. Killing enemies along the way as a team helps too.
Character Guide
Daemon

Role: DPS
Plays like: your fast DPS characters like Dota 2’s Templar Assassin, or Overwatch’s Tracer and Genji, Mobile Legends’ Natalia, or League of Legends’ Yasuo and Akali. Hit-and-run is Daemon’s game here.
How To Play: He’s basically a ninja who goes in and out of the shadows, as well as a nifty scout. Make sure to use Stealth as much as possible, be it to enter a fight or exit a fight. Use shurikens to slow down enemies, and use Shift to dish some damage while going in.
The best Super to use so far is Shadow Strike; go invisible, then enter the fray and pull it off for some good damage against anything in range.
Nidhoggr

Role: Melee DPS
Plays Like: Axe from Dota 2, Fanny from Mobile Legends,Â Kog’Maw from League of Legends.
How To Play: Use Powerslide to get in enemy conflicts and scuffles. When you see a healer or support character, just go after them. Use Boomitar to catch and stun them. When you see a Tank in the way, use Fire Breath to deal DoTs.
If you have to pick one Super to help your team, make it Ride The Lightning. Let your team know that you have it ready, then unleash it once your Tank manages to get everyone’s attention and are within radius.
Maeve

Role: Ranged DPS
Plays Like: Drow Ranger and Viper from Dota 2, Teemo from League of Legends.
How To Play: Grandma here plays it safe and can escape when needed. Use her Zap, Cage, and Siphon Life combo to harass and pick off enemies from afar. Vanish lets you disappear and give you invulnerability for a bit.
Best of all, Maeve’s passive resets the cooldown of ALL her specials. So make it a priority to last hit any enemy you see, and communicate with your team so that you get first dibs on stragglers.
If you’re starting out with Maeve, we suggest using Toil and Trouble as your Super. Shooting a ball of damaging energy from a safe distance when you managed to trap an enemy with Cage is always a good idea. If you’re good and know how to use Vanish a lot, then go for the Peek-A-Brew Super.
Gizmo

Role: Ranged DPS
Plays Like: Torbjorn from Overwatch, Heimerdinger from League of Legends.
How To Play: Set up T-Rut turrets like no tomorrow. Even if you think no one is around, just drop one in case. Use Sucka bombs if you see your Tanks scuffling with a few foes, then coordinate with your Tank to unleash his/her AoE.
You can also play double Tank duty with the Mini Mech Super; it’s best to surprise foes with additional muscle if they’re conditioned to the “1 Tank per team” mentality that Bleeding Edge reinforces.
Above all, never get too close to melee range with Gizmo, unless she’s using the Mini Mech Super. Doing otherwise is just asking to get ganked.
NEXT: The Rest Of The Cast


Dead Cells’ New DLC Is Arriving End Of January

Motion Twin and Evil Empire are not done with one of 2018’s best Metroidvania game.
Dead Cells is receiving a new DLC called Fatal Falls, and it’s launching 26th January for US$4.99 for consoles and PC. The DLC introduces new content such as:

Two new mid-game biomes: The Fractured Shrines and The Undying Shores,
A killer new boss called the Scarecrow, who is the game’s Royal Gardener gone wrong with Malaise and will kill you because you stepped on his flowers,
New psychotic enemies like the Myopic Crow, Clumsy Sowrdsman, and Compulsive Gravedigger.
New weapons like the maniacal sword, scythes, lightning rods, ferryman’s lantern, scarecrow’s sickles, iron staff, snake fangs, serenade, and cocoon.
10 new outfits.

Check out the action below. We can’t wait to sink our teeth into more Dark Souls/Metroidvania hardcore insanity.


Genshin Impact Thoma & Sayu Hangout Event Guide

Genshin Impact’s 2.2 update is finally out, and features a ton of new events and quests. Yes, that also means new Hangout Events with some of Inazuma’s best warriors. Everybody needs to take a break, right?
Just like previous Genshin Impact Hangout Events, these story quests come with many endings and branching plotlines. Here’s a walkthrough on the two latest ones in Genshin Impact v2.2.
Thoma Hangout Event Walkthrough
Here’s a video walkthrough of how to get all of the endings to his date/hangout event. Hope you like dogs & housekeeping.

Ending #1 “The Sea Breeze Carries Memories”
To get this, opt to go outdoors with Thoma and see cats & dogs, then opt to go see the North Konda Village coastline together to see the stray ninja dog.
Ending #2 “New Clothes!”
Same as Ending #1 (go outdoors to pet cats & dogs on a date), but choose to “give it some time to calm down?” when prompted. Then take pics of the animals; Thoma will take some time to make sweaters for the animals.
Ending #3 “Alone Time”
Choose to hang out indoors at the teahouse with Thoma. When prompted to start a housekeeping workshop, choose to have him host it within the Yashiro Commission. The questline will lead you to this ending; be prepared to do a timed housekeeping event halfway through. Your reward is some alone time with Inazuma’s top tier ikemen.
Ending #4 “Popular Class”
Choose to hang out indoors at the teahouse with Thoma. When prompted to start a housekeeping workshop, choose to spread the word about the class far and wide. The questline will eventually lead you to this ending.
Ending #5 “The Housekeeper’s Other Side”
At the start in the “Behind His Back” branching point, choose “Sorry, I can’t say I agree” and “We should tell them how much you do for the Commission”. Then when prompted to look for people to talk to in the Kamisato house, talk to Kiyoe. You’ll head down to Inazuma City and do a bunch of quests leading to this ending.
Ending #6 “A Lingering Fragrance”
When asked to choose between indoor and outdoor tours, choose outdoors and “town”. Both the Traveller and Thoma start flirting with each other, leading to this ending.
Sayu Hangout Event Walkthrough
Here’s a video walkthrough on how to get all the endings for Sayu’s tale of sleep and ninjutsu.

Ending #1 “With The Trees”
Opt to go through ninjutsu training when prompted to. Then pick “Sleep alone isn’t enough to make you grow taller” to branch out to this ending.
Ending #2 “Like Soaring Through The Skies”
Choose to eat out with Sayu, then choose “Eating like this have negative effects on your health. Consider other options.” when it seems like Sayu wishes to continue stuffing her belly with food. You’ll eventually end up taking an Adventurer Guild commission, beat up some Treasure Hoarders, and treat yourself and Sayu to a mountain view as a reward.
Ending #3 “Everything In Moderation”
When out in the restaurant with Sayu (for Ending #2), just encourage her to keep eating.
Ending #4 “Definitely No Work Today!”
When talking to Sayu in the training grounds, choose “It’s not the amount of sleep but the quality of sleep that’s keeping you from growing”. You’ll end up searching for alternate nap spots with Sayu, eventually leading to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Ending #5 “The Best Rest”
At the start of the Hangout, when talking to Kano Nana, choose to investigate the assassination attempt on your own. Then you’ll end up going on a quest with Sayu to meet her informant. When confronting the informant, choose “Tell us the truth, no more lies!”. You’ll end up helping the informant and take down the real culprits, which leads to this ending.
Ending #6 “Little Sayu’s Troubles”
When confronting the informant ala Ending #5’s pathway, choose “Save it for the Yashiro Commission”. You’ll end up going back to the Kamisato house and talk to Ayaka, leading to this ending.


The Best Falcom Game Of All Time According To Japan Is…

JRPG-making company Nihon Falcom just announced its recent poll results from its fans. The company’s most popular game from the 80s to the end of February 2021 is…

…The Legend of Heroes: Trails In The Sky. This is followed by:

The Legend of Heroes – Trails in the Sky
The Legend of Heroes – Trails of Cold Steel
Ys 1 Ancient Ys Vanished Omen (the 1987 game)
The Legend of Heroes- Zero no Kiseki
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Falcom didn’t stop there. They also brought up poll results for the best Falcom track and best character. We’ll list down the top 5:
Falcom Music
1. “Gin no Ishi, Kin no Tsubasa” from The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC.

2. “To Make The End of Battle” from Ys 2.

3. “Whereabouts of the Stars” from The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC.

4. “Blue Destination” from The Legend of Heroes: Trail of Cold Steel II.Â

5. “Sunshine Coastline” from Ys VIII.

Falcom Characters

Adol (Ys)
Rean (Trails of Cold Steel)
Estelle (Trails in the Sky)
Dana (Ys VIII)
Crow (Cold Steel)

Just watching the Falcom 40th anniversary livestream makes me want to complete Trails of Cold Steel.


Experience Division 2’s World In Mobile AR Form Now

Ubisoft has announced a mobile AR companion app for its upcoming game, The Division 2. Developed in partnership with DDB Paris and Make Me Pulse, The Division 2 ECHO Experience is now available on Facebook Messenger on Android and iOS devices across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Just like Pokemon Go and other AR apps, The Division 2 ECHO Experience will use AR and GPS technology. Players can collect rewards and in-game items in The Division 2 by exploring more than 50 different stories to discover the everyday lives of the civilians of Washington D.C. seven months after the virus outbreak that hit New York City.

This includes many points of interests located in the real world such as grocery stores, schools, gas stations or banks, which players will need to visit to unlock these ECHO stories. To access The Division 2 ECHO Experience, just head on over to this link.
The Division 2 is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 15 March 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer below for a glimpse into the new mobile AR experience.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2doGBPoZ_9Q&w=560&h=315]


Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 1.3 Comes With Free DLC

The latest update to Night City is pretty big, according to developer CD Projekt.
Cyberpunk 2077’s patch 1.3 features a ton of changes, which includes:

An alternate appearance for Johnny Silverhand.
The Archer Quartz Bandit vehicle (available for in-game purchasing after completing the Ghost Town quest).
Improvements of the Screen Space Reflections so it looks less grainy on consoles and on lower visual settings for the PC.
An additional 10 save slots.
The ability to now use an elevator while carrying a body.

Here are the full patch notes if you’re interested in diving into Night City once more. We’ll post most of it below the video.

Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 1.3 notes
IMPROVEMENTS

Improved the minimapâ€™s zoom level when driving, so that itâ€™s more zoomed out and easier to navigate.
Automatic LoveÂ â€“ screen with pictures of Skye and Angel will be displayed substantially longer, making it easier to choose between the two.
Added a button that allows reallocating the distribution of Perk points on a characterâ€™s skill tree.
Increased the number of slots for autosaves from 10 to 20 and for quick saves from 3 to 10 across all platforms.
Added Database links to Journal entries.
Added an accessibility option for center of screen dot overlay which helps with reducing/avoiding motion sickness. It can be enabled in Settings â†’ Interface â†’ Center of screen dot overlay.
Fixers will now message V to offer a car for purchase less often.
Improved the Screen Space Reflections effect so that it looks less grainy on consoles and on lower visual settings qualities on the PC.
Added a filter for quest items in the Backpack.
Quest item tags from miscellaneous Job items will now be removed after finishing associated quests, allowing to sell or drop them.
It is now possible to rotate V in the Inventory with a mouse.
Players will now properly be able to craft a quickhack even if they once crafted it and then got rid of it.
Added a comparison tooltip for cyberware.
Improved notification when buying cyberware and not meeting the level requirements to equip it.
Itâ€™s now possible to upgrade crafting components in bulk.
Added new sleeping spots for Nibbles in Vâ€™s apartment.
Icon on a disposal crate will now turn red when player picks up a body instead of being grayed out.
Landmine icon will now be grayed out after disarming it.
Itâ€™s now possible to use an elevator while carrying a body.
Happy TogetherÂ â€“ Barry now has an updated, more unique appearance.
Base item will now be highlighted green like other components if itâ€™s present in the Inventory when crafting the same item of a better quality.

BALANCE CHANGES

Detection time of enemies now depends on game difficulty. Enemies on Easy and Normal difficulties will now detect the player slower. Enemies on Very Hard difficulty will now detect the player faster.
Enemies on Very Hard difficulty (and only that difficulty alone) will now be more aggressive when searching around when they are in the â€œAlertedâ€ state.
NCPD will no longer react and turn hostile because of dead bodies in Open World activities.
NCPD will now also react to hitting NPCs with a non-lethal weapon.
Adjusted the damaging process when shooting crowd NPCs while in combat depending on distance and the weapon used.
(Donâ€™t Fear) The ReaperÂ â€” improved Adam Smasherâ€™s behaviour during the fight.
Play It SafeÂ â€” improved Odaâ€™s behavior during the fight.
TransmissionÂ â€” improved Placideâ€™s behavior during the fight.
TransmissionÂ â€” increased Placideâ€™s hacking resistance.
Cyberpsycho Sighting: Letter of the LawÂ â€” improved Cyberpsychoâ€™s behaviour during the fight.
Every Breath You TakeÂ â€” improved Red Menaceâ€™s positioning and aim.
Increased stats of La Chingona Dorada (Jackieâ€™s iconic pistols).
The RescueÂ â€” increased the number of ammo at the beginning of the quest.
Introduced minor tweaks and improved balancing of the Contagion quickhack.
Improved the Crafting system, so that items with Random quality scale their quality with playerâ€™s Crafting skill â€” itâ€™s not possible anymore to roll a quality exceeding that of the relevant Crafting skill.
The level requirement of items will now increase with each upgrade. Note: the level of upgraded items will be adjusted as a result of this change. The equipped items which exceed the level requirement can keep being used but, if unequipped, will have to wait until the required level is reached.
Added more crafting specs for cyberware mods.
Added crafting specs for knives (available from the start of the game).
Updated the number of components required to craft some items, e.g. Bounce Back, MaxDoc, quickhacks, clothing mods and some weapons.
Balancing of crafting specs for clothing mods.
Balancing the number of components required to craft clothing.
Balancing the number of components required to craft Sandevistan Fragments.
Optical Camo cyberware will now be available for purchase from Ripperdocs.
Adjusted price of the Sensory Amplifier cyberware mod.
Rare Unity crafting spec will now be obtainable only duringÂ Suspected Organized Crime Activity: Tygers by the Tail.
Changed the price and quality of Kerryâ€™s guitar that can be obtained duringÂ Gig: Psychofan.

GAMEPLAY

Fixed an issue where crafting specs from clothing stores were available only during the first visit to a vendor.
Fixed an issue which occurred after visiting the Nomad Camp, resulting in being unable to use weapons and quick menu items.
Fixed an issue where hacking a neutral target wasnâ€™t counted towards the Christmas Tree Attack achievement.
Tutorial windows about skill checks will no longer pop up when the â€œUnauthorizedâ€ prompt is displayed on devices.
V will no longer look down after using fast travel.

UI

Delamainâ€™s image will no longer get stuck on holocalls when V leaves the car too fast after completingÂ Epistrophy: Badlands.
Item tooltip will no longer disappear if its content is too long.
Fixed various typos in subtitles, shards, quests and weaponsâ€™ descriptions.
Added a text message received after failingÂ Epistrophy: North OakÂ by leaving the Delamain cab.
Changed back the name of the fast travel point near Vâ€™s apartment to â€œMegabuilding H10â€.
Removed some items labeled as â€œNoneâ€ and without proper icons from the inventory.
The on-hover menu with multitude of mods on an item in inventory will now show stats properly.
Fixed an issue where male variants of the VR tutorial were in Polish for Brazilian Portuguese language version.
Black-Market battery mod description will now display strings with item attributes properly.
Fixed an issue where the Contagion quickhack button was missing its icon outside of inventory.
Status Effects icon of the â€œCold Bloodâ€ perk now looks like a snowflake.
Punk Duolayer Tank Top will now be visible in the Inventory when equipped.
Added a loading screen tooltip informing about Fast Forward settings.
Fixed the Galena â€œGeckoâ€ vehicleâ€™s name next to the â€œBuy vehicleâ€ prompt.
Image in the second message from Nancy Hartley inÂ Holdinâ€™ On/Killing in the NameÂ will now be displayed properly.
Adjusted wording of the Crafting skill progression reward related to upgrade cost reduction.
The image displaying Mackinaw MTL1 in the â€œCall vehicleâ€ menu will now match with the carâ€™s model.
Removed debug strings from the â€œThe Good, The Bad and The Uglyâ€ perkâ€™s tooltip.
Icon grouping artifacts will no longer get detached from their respective locations on the map when zooming in/out.
When Stamina Meter is depleted, the appropriate icon will now appear next to the health bar instead of the overload icon.
Villefort Alvarado V4F 570 Delegate description will now correctly state that the drive is rear wheeled.
The period of the possible occurrence in the description of Synaptic Accelerator in the tooltip will now display a proper value when playing in Polish.
Fists description in the weapon wheel will now display an appropriate item type.
Fixed text in the shard about Chiba-11 district.
Opening Photo Mode and a vendor menu in quick succession will no longer result in freezing the game.
Gold iconic loot icons will now be displayed on the minimap.
Fixed an instance where hit markers and kill confirmation werenâ€™t visible when destroying enemy turrets.
Fixed enemy markers using the incorrect color on unaware enemies â€“ they will now be yellow instead of red.
Fixed an issue when RAM Recovery Rate below 0.50 was not displayed correctly.
Fixed an issue when the disassemble item button was displayed incorrectly.
Fixed an issue where the buttons on switching mods warning were not working as intended.
Fixed the non-functional hinted keys when Breaching Protocol.
Removed redundant input hints in the Cyberdeck panel.

GRAPHICS, AUDIO, ANIMATION

Reinforced Composite-Lined Rocker Foldtop is now properly aligned with Vâ€™s legs.
Fixed an issue where the Monowire could slightly dislocate male Vâ€™s arms and clip through clothes.
Fixed an issue inÂ The HeistÂ where Flatheadâ€™s case could float outside the hotel room in Konpeki Plaza, blocking the doorway.
Fixed an issue where changing music volume in Sound settings affected car radio alongside with the background music.
Fixed an issue where Takemura`s voice was doubled while talking to V in the van inÂ Down on the Street.
Fixed an issue where some netrunning suits clipped with female Vâ€™s legs and male Vâ€™s pants.
Fixed an issue with the running animation after jumping on downwards or upwards slope.
Fixed dust particles, which were sometimes incorrectly displayed.
Charactersâ€™ skin will no longer become too bright in dark areas.
In The Information, Smasherâ€™s shadow will no longer appear on the elevatorâ€™s door after rewinding braindance to the beginning.
Fixed Arasaka soldiers spawning on playerâ€™s sight when going back upstairs to save Takemura inÂ Search and Destroy.

ENVIRONMENT AND LEVELS

Fixed various map holes in Watson, City Center, Westbrook, Heywood and Santo Domingo.
Fixed faulty pathing for vehicles on the City Center ring road.
Fixed multiple places where the playerâ€™s character could get stuck permanently.
Fixed multiple issues with disappearing environments.
Fixed multiple issues with objects popping in on playerâ€™s sight.
GPS in Biotechnica Flats will no longer lead players to unreachable areas.

QUESTS

Rearranged shards into correct categories.
Fixed an issue where calls to quest NPCs would abruptly end, making the NPC appear in other calls and potentially breaking other holocalls from the NPC.
Fixed an issue where interrupted holocall would resume along with another call, which could make the NPC appear in other calls and break the next holocall from that NPC.

OPEN WORLD

Fixed an issue allowing multiple debrief holocalls from fixers to play at once, which could lead to blocked completion of various gigs (likeÂ Gig: A Lack of Empathy,Â Gig: Fixer, Merc, Soldier, SpyÂ and others). We continue working on visual issues related to gigs stuck in the Journal, note that the latter donâ€™t prevent district achievements from unlocking.
Removed redundant loot from the body in the ferris wheel.
Fixed an issue where Quadra Type-66 could be destroyed before buying it, blocking the progression of its â€œBuy Vehicleâ€ quest and possibly the completion of the Autojock achievement.
Fixed an issue in a shootout in Wellsprings where enemies were immortal because the trigger area was too small.

CINEMATIC DESIGN

Fixed an issue causing NPCs to not look at V during various scenes.
Fixed an exploit where player was granted a Unity Pistol after each save/load.
Vâ€™s facial animations while looking in the mirror will now be played properly.
Fixed an issue where Rogue was spawning next to the player after calling her and asking about Adam Smasher.
Fixed an issue where some NPCs could stop performing animations after a longer game session.
Fixed multiple issues with NPCs mounting vehicles incorrectly.
Fixed various issues where NPCs could be placed incorrectly and clip through objects after loading a saved game.
Fixed an issue that could cause NPC animations to be played in the wrong spot in various quests.
Fixed an issue where Jackie could spawn before the playerâ€™s eyes during the half-year montage.
Fixed an issue where NPCsâ€™ appearances got randomized when looking away.
Fixed an issue where quests and scenes could progress before the loading screen disappeared.

MISCELLANEOUS

A gift from Judy can now be found in Vâ€™s apartment after player receives a text about it after completing her romance side quests.
Fixed some story inconsistencies in radio broadcasts.
Fixed the blackout effect persisting duringÂ Love Like FireÂ when using certain language settings.

PC-SPECIFIC

Fixed the issue where tutorial tooltips werenâ€™t correctly displayed on 8k screens.
Fixed an issue that caused the game to crash if a save thumbnail was corrupted.
Fixed toggling Windowed and Fullscreen modes with the Alt+Enter shortcut.
Itâ€™s now possible to exit locked scanning overlay by pressing TAB.
Added a more compact PC version of the mouse cursor.

CONSOLE-SPECIFIC

Inner Dead Zone setting will now be applicable also to the game menus.
[PlayStation] NPCs will no longer speak after being killed.
Improved streaming of city lights.
Overwriting a save game when thereâ€™s insufficient memory space will no longer corrupt the save.
Masks and tubes inside the barn inÂ The HuntÂ will no longer be invisible.
Rogue will no longer clip through Johnny and will hold the glass correctly inÂ Ghost Town.
Fixed an issue inÂ The RescueÂ where loading a save in front of the police blockade resulted in the NCPD officer not starting dialogue, blocking progress.
Fixed an issue on PS4 where the meeting scene with Judy and Dolls inÂ PiscesÂ wouldnâ€™t start properly.
[Xbox] Fixed an issue inÂ A Cool Metal FireÂ where a part of the scene in Cassius Ryderâ€™s clinic could be cut off after the fade out.
Fixed an issue where weapons were equipped to a wrong slot when assigning them from the Backpack.


Choose Your Avenger And Register Now For Marvel Run Malaysia 2019

Malaysian runners assemble! The Marvel Run Malaysia 2019 will be happening in Putrajaya, Malaysia, for the first time ever on 7 September 2019. Fans will be happy to learn that they can choose their one of four Avengers to represent in the run; Captain America, Black Panther, Thor, or Captain Marvel.
Each participant will receive RM200 worth of products in their race kits, including a running jersey/t-shirt, a sling bag, and a plushie all themed according to their Avenger of choice, as well as a finisher medal if they complete the run in time. Check out the race kits below:

There are four categories in the Marvel Run Malaysia 2019. Check out the details below, along with early bird prices which are limited to the first 3000 participants only:
800M Kids Dash

(Non – Competitive)
Flag-off â€” 6:15PM
4 – 7 years old (Accompanied by a parent)
RM75 (Early Bird)
RM85 (Normal Price)

1.2KM Kids Dash

(Non – Competitive)
Flag-off â€” 6:40PM
8 – 12 years old
RM75 (Early Bird)
RM85 (Normal Price)

5KM Fun Run

(Non – Competitive)
Flag-off â€” 8:45PM
13 years old and above
RM85 (Early Bird)
RM95 (Normal Price)

10KM Run

(Competitive)
Flag-off â€” 8:00PM
16 years old and above
RM105 (Early Bird)
RM115 (Normal Price)

The Marvel Run Malaysia 2019 will take place at Dataran Putrajaya on 7 September 2019. To enjoy the early bird prices above, register now at the official website here. Take this opportunity to say “On your left.” to everyone as you run by them.
In the meantime, check out our spoiler-free review ofÂ Avengers: EndgameÂ here, our discussion for whatâ€™s next post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or the upcoming movies you can look forward to in the MCU Phase Four (4) post-Avengers Endgame here.


Neil Gaiman Gives Update On Netflix’s The Sandman

In July 2019, Netflix announced that they would be adapting the legendary The Sandman comic books by Neil Gaiman and Vertigo Comics into a TV series. It’s been quiet on that front for a year now, but Gaiman himself has given an update on the upcoming series.
Speaking with Digital Spy, Gaiman said that Netflix’s The Sandman was supposed to start shooting at the end of May 2020, but production was delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he reassured that the series would still be going ahead as planned, and that it would be set in the year 2021, instead of 1986 like in the source material.
He said:

“We’re working with Netflix, we were meant to start shooting at the end of May.
Given this COVID world, everything is on pause.
The Netflix version is going to begin in 2021, so Morpheus will have been kept prisoner in the Netflix version for 105 years rather than 70 years.
We’ll take that one, see what that does.
It’s already in the scripts, it does interesting things becauseâ€¦ if we were creating this character now, what gender would the character be?
If we were creating the character now, who would they be? What would they be doing?
And going on from there.”

Interestingly, Gaiman also points out that Netflix’s The Sandman protagonist Morpheus or Dream (Of The Endless) could deviate from comics’ traditionally male version. Now Dream could potentially be female, trans or even non-binary (which he probably should be considering that he’s an abstract entity).
Neil Gaiman will act as an executive producer for the Netflix series, joined by the likes of Allan Heinberg and David S. Goyer.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, The Sandman tells the tale of Morpheus/Dream, a powerful and near-immortal being who presided over the realm of Dreams as he attempted to correct mistakes heâ€™d made over the course of his existence. Along the way, he meets other immortal beings and interesting figures.
In the meantime,Â head on over here to check out our list of the top ten best comics from the Vertigo Comics imprint.


Dark Deity Reignites The Fire Emblem Of Old But Lacks Polish

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Turn-Based Tactical Strategy, RPG
The turn-based tactical strategy genre has been getting in its own renaissance of sorts in recent times, with popular games from the new XCOM titles and Switch exclusives like Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle or Fire Emblem Three Houses to indies like Into The Breach and more. Following in that trend is the debut game of indie developer Sword & Axe titled Dark Deity, which received a surprise launch during E3 2021.
Fans of the classic Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem games, as well as games like Tactics Ogre and Jeanne d’Arc, will love that the same retro turn-based tactical strategy combat is back in 2D form just like the good old days. Newer games tend to gravitate towards a 3D model, but Sword & Axe has opted to go back to the past for Dark Deity.
Is it worthy of carrying the torch of those classic games? Well, Dark Deity can be great at times but it’s bogged by issues and clunkiness at launch.
Waifus & Husbandos Oh My

Let’s start with the plot. The story in Dark Deity is standard fantasy fare for those already familiar with the genre. In the land/world of Terrazael,Â King Varic of the Kingdom of Delia expedites the graduation of all students at the Brookstead Military Academy to recruit them for his war against the Aramorans.
Dark Deity features 30 playable characters in total, though you’ll gradually meet and recruit them over the course of the game’s 28 chapters. Still, they’re usually introduced very quickly and abruptly, so be prepared to juggle at least 10 or more characters a few hours or chapters into the game. Each character is hand-drawn in an anime/manga-inspired style, but their pixel-art sprites on the battlefield can look less detailed and difficult to distinguish from each other.
While the game boasts several prominent voice actors/actresses, Dark Deity doesn’t actually feature fully voiced dialogue. The characters just utter phrases every now and then at certain times during combat and during conversations with each other. These conversations progress the plot and narrative either between chapters or during the game’s Bond mechanic, where characters who battle in close proximity with each other will be able to build a relationship.

There are apparently over 450 bond conversations in the game, but there’s not much to them besides having your characters stand close to each other in battle and watching a conversation between them unfold. Unlike in games like Sakura Wars or the Shin Megami Tensei Persona games, these relationships don’t do anything to improve your characters’ stats or performance in combat.
I’m sure many gamers will find the appeal of meeting, recruiting and building the relationships with waifus and husbandos to be an attractive one. Trust me, there are lots of male/female pairings in the game, and I think the developers definitely know this to be true.
Retro Fire Emblem

If you’ve ever played a classic Fire Emblem game on the Game Boy Advance, that’s how the combat in Dark Deity feels like. Each chapter consists of one battle that can last from 30 minutes to an hour or more. Your characters are dropped onto a map and you’ll have to take turn to move your units around. Most objectives require you to clear out enemies, defeat specific enemies or even just holding out for a particular number of turns against overwhelming odds.
Each character belongs to a certain class or job, including typical ones like Warrior, Archer, Mage, and more. Every character carries four permanent weapons or attacks, each of which comes with its own speciality; either pure damage, higher critical chances and others. In Dark Deity, you don’t equip or change weapons for your characters. All of these weapons/attacks can be upgraded using Tokens obtained from battle or purchased from the in-game Shop between chapters.
Besides that, each class or job can upgrade to more powerful versions when your characters reach a specific level. Once you reach that particular level, you can choose between four different advanced class or job; each of which comes with its own unique advantages and abilities. That’s essentially all there is to customizations, with the exceptions of equipable healing items and special items called Eternal Aspects. The latter will grant special permanent stat buffs for your characters once equipped.

While the battle maps look a bit dreadful and garish, the battle sprites and animations are well done. So much so that although there’s an option to make battles go faster by turning off battle animations, I prefer to keep the option turned on. They’re expressive and can be flashy, especially when it comes to animations for the more powerful spells summoned by higher-level mages. There’s a different animation for many attacks, including unique ones for when a critical hit strikes, which is an awesome effort on the developers’ part.
After each battle (like I previously mentioned, there’s one in every chapter), you spend a breather at camps to buy items from the Shop, upgrade and equip your characters, or develop their Bonds. This is also one of the only times (besides between chapters) that you can only save the game.
What distinguishes Dark Deity from other games in the same genre is that the developers opted not to include permadeath in the game. Instead, the game uses what it calls the â€œGrave Woundsâ€ system. When a character dies in combat, their stats are randomly decreased. However, they can still be used in the next battle, so players don’t have to worry about losing their favourite characters forever. It’s nothing groundbreaking but it makes the game less stressful to play through, especially since the game is still very much an indie game made by a small team.
Needs More Time In The Oven

Now that I’ve mostly covered the good stuff, let’s get to the bad: this game still has lots of bugs and issues at launch. The biggest gripe I had with Dark Deity is that there’s no option or ability to save during battles. You can only save your progress at camps (usually before those battles) and in between chapters (after those battles).
Most games in this genre feature the ability to save during battles, allowing players to save scum if they want to (ie: saving before taking an action and instantly reloading if you made a mistake). But I digress; since the biggest problem with this issue isn’t that I couldn’t save scum, but instead, that battles can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour and I can’t save my progress.
Every time I start a battle, I had to make sure I had enough time to actually finish it. If I stopped in the middle of a battle, I would lose all my progress and will have to start all over again. For a modern game released in 2021, being able to save at almost any time in a game should be a necessity for accessibility reasons.
Another issue with Dark Deity is the lack of a proper tutorial or explanation for most of its important mechanics. Remember those classes/jobs and different weapons/attacks each character has? Yeah, along with all that, the game has an Advantage system. It works sort of like a rock-paper-scissors weakness system, where certain classes were more effective against particular classes. However, several hours into the game and I was still pretty much playing a guessing game, considering that the game never did explain how the Advantage system works.

Let me give you a good example. The reason why Pokemon is such a beloved franchise is because the mechanics are properly explained and easy to understand. Despite featuring hundreds of different attacks and moves during battle, there’s a clear description for each one of them. To run from a battle, just click on Run. Want to get an item, just click on Bag. In Dark Deity, I had no idea what certain actions would do until after I performed them. How was I to know what the actions “Haste” or “Phase” meant on the battle map outside of combat?
Even the game’s very first battle just begins with the game pretty much expecting players to already know what to do. I’m familiar with other games genre, so it didn’t take long for me to get my bearings and start playing, but what about newcomers? If they’ve never played a turn-based tactical strategy game in the vein of Dark Deity before, they’d have been confused from the very beginning of the game.
To make matters worse, the confusing and unintuitive UI doesn’t make things easier. It’s hard to know where to click to perform certain actions.
Moving units and attacking enemies feel clunky and janky by genre standards due to the confusing UI. I often encounter situations where simply trying to attack an enemy will require me to click several times on my unit to get the right prompt and command.
For instance, when upgrading your class/job to a more powerful version once you reach a certain level, the menu is confusing because the button to complete the upgrade is simply the word “Promote” in an unassuming font somewhere at the top right of the screen. Even with all my gaming experience, it took me a few moments to realize where I even had to click.
Last but not least, I’ve already mentioned the garish-looking maps but the bad level design is more than just how it looks. While each chapter usually has different objectives, the structure is pretty much the same a lot of the times. The game’s idea of a challenge is often to throw overwhelming swarms of enemies at you. It’s hard to pace yourself and strategize when you don’t get to pace your battles.
Lots Of Potential

Dark Deity isn’t perfect, but if you miss the good old days of classic Fire Emblem and the like, you should totally check it out. The price is reasonable for what it offers, with a campaign that should last at least 20 hours and more.
At the time of review, Sword & Axe has already released two patches for the game, so we can expect them to keep supporting this game & fix more of its issues in future updates. There’s really nothing much that can’t be improved with future patches, with the exception of perhaps the battle maps and level design.
Pros

Battle sprites and animations look great.
Classic retro turn-based combat with a lot of classes to upgrade and choose from.
Over 30 waifus and husbandos to recruit and bond with.

Cons

Clunky and unintuitive UI.
No option to save during battles, which can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour to finish.
The battle maps/level design can look ugly and garish.
No proper tutorial or explanations for mechanics.
Balancing issues and other bugs.
Strangely long loading times.

Final Score: 60/100
Review copy provided by Freedom Games. Played on PC (Acer Predator Triton 500).
[videopress 1Zx92eqU]


We Have Plans For That Iron Man Villain, Says Kevin Feige

With the death of Tony Stark AKA Iron Man in Avengers Endgame, fans might have lost all hope that his real arch-nemesis will ever get to see the light of day in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Thankfully, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that there are indeed plans for the iconic Iron Man villain, the Mandarin.
During an AMA on the r/Marvel subreddit, Feige was asked this question by user @GentlemanGearGrinder:

Without going into details about developing projects, are there any plans to incorporate the Ten Rings from the first Iron Man, or the “real” Mandarin teased in “All Hail the King” in the future?

Feige responded with a simple, “Yes,” but it was enough to spark further intense fan debate in the subreddit. Some even speculate that the Mandarin could be the main antagonist of the upcoming Shang-Chi movie as part of the MCU’s Phase Four slate.
2013’s Iron Man 3 introduced a reviled twist in which the Mandarin was revealed to be an actor named Trevor Slattery at the command of the movie’s true antagonist, Aldrich Killian. However, the short movie All Hail The King established that the real Mandarin was still somewhere out there in the MCU.
It will be interesting to see how Marvel Studios will decide to depict the Iron Man villain. Still, it’s an unfortunate shame that we will never get to see Iron Man himself go up against his arch-enemy in a live-action setting.

For now, all we really know for sure is that the Mandarin will return. We’ll have to wait until Feige and Marvel Studios reveal their plans for the MCU’s Phase Four to find out what the future holds for the Mandarin.
For more onÂ Avengers Endgame, check out our spoiler-free review ofÂ Avengers: EndgameÂ here, our discussion for whatâ€™s next post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or the upcoming movies you can look forward to in the MCU Phase Four (4) post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or what the future holds for the MCU cast we all know and loveÂ here.


Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 1 Is Now Streaming On Netflix Malaysia

Demon Slayer Season 3 has officially begun, and the first episode, ‘Someone’s Dream’, is now available on Netflix, including Netflix Malaysia. The new season will adapt the Swordsmith Village Arc from the manga, which ran from chapters 98 to 127.
The synopsis reads:
For the first time in over 100 years, the upper ranks of Muzan Kibutsuji’s Twelve Kizuki are not full. Angered, Muzan dispatches the survivors on another mission. Elsewhere, Tanjiro journeys to a village of swordsmiths and has to explain how his sword was so badly damaged to Haganezuka, the smith who made it. While Tanjiro waits for his sword to be repaired, enemies close in…
Demon Slayer Seasons 1 and 2, as well as the Mugen Train movie, are now also streaming on Netflix. In the meantime, you can also check out my review of the Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles video game by heading over here.


Get To Know Shazam! The Original Captain Marvel

Who is Shazam? Is he just a magical carbon copy of Superman?
Far from it. The character has undergone quite a complicated history since he first debuted almost 80 years ago. He was the original Captain Marvel, the first character ever to go by that name, and ironically not Marvel Comics’ Captain Marvel (who only made his debut in 1958).

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s get back to the very beginning of the superhero now popularly known as Shazam.
The History Of Shazam / Captain Marvel

Artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character Captain Marvel, who first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 in February 1940 published by the now-defunct Fawcett Comics. During that era, Captain Marvel was so popular that he even outsold Superman.
DC Comics was so threatened by the existence of Captain Marvel that they launched a copyright infringement lawsuit against Fawcett Comics, alleging that Captain Marvel is a copy of Superman. Fawcett Comics ultimately lost the case and agreed to permanently cease publication of comics relating with Captain Marvel.
In 1972, DC Comics decided to license Captain Marvel from Fawcett Comics and revived the character for a new era. It was a douche move on their part, but at least the world would finally be getting more Captain Marvel comics. Unfortunately, another complication arose.
By that point in time, Marvel Comics had already started publishing their own Captain Marvel comics and successfully established a comic book trademark for the name. In response to DC Comics’ revival of the original Captain Marvel, Marvel Comics sent a cease and desist letter to them.
As a result of that, DC Comics could never again use the name Captain Marvel for the title of comic books, toys, or any promotional material from then on. The solution to this was simple: they published the comics under the name Shazam! instead. However, there was a loophole, in that the character was still officially called Captain Marvel in-universe, or in the world of the comics themselves.
By 1991, DC Comics had acquired all rights to the Captain Marvel-related characters while Fawcett Comics was forced to sell itself to Charlton comics (which later also went out of business). What you should know is that DC Comics only officially renamed the character Shazam in 2011’s The New 52 reboot/relaunch.
It’s a testament to how iconic the character is that despite moving from one publisher (Fawcett Comics) to another (DC Comics) and forced to change his name, Shazam / Captain Marvel remained as a timeless, classic and popular comic book character even six decades after his debut.
The original cover of Whiz Comics #2 (Feb 1940)
The Origin of Shazam / Captain Marvel

Thanks to the character’s turbulent history (as I’ve recounted above), the character Shazam / Captain Marvel has gone through multiple origins and continuity retcons.
To make things easier to understand, I’ll explain the most recent version of the character. Geoff John’s take on Shazam (from the New 52 / DC Rebirth) is essentially the basis and main inspiration for the movie anyway, so that would be best.
Billy Batson is a 15-year-old orphan who has gone through several foster homes on account of his moody and troublesome demeanor. At his latest foster home under parents Victor & Rosa VÃ¡zquez, Billy gains five new foster siblings: Mary Bromfield, Freddy Freeman, Pedro PeÃ±a, Eugene Choi, and Darla Dudley.
When the evil scientist Dr. Sivana awakens Black Adam from his tomb, the powerful Wizard living on the Rock of Eternity begins searching for candidates to bestow his magical powers and stop the villains.
When the Wizard finds Billy, he initially considers him to be unsuitable and not pure enough. Billy then persuades the Wizard that perfectly pure people don’t exist and that all people can do is try their best to be good.
Due to desperation and what little potential Billy has, the Wizard passed his powers onto the young boy by teaching him that speaking the word “Shazam” will turn him into an adult version of himself with powers linked to several gods from different mythologies.

S (Wisdom of Solomon): impressive level of intelligence, though it doesn’t actually make Billy act more mature than his actual age.
H (Strength of Hercules): super strength comparable to that of Superman.
A (Stamina of Atlas): invulnerability and stamina comparable to that of Superman.
Z (Power of Zeus): the magical aspect of Shazam’s powers, allowing him to generate/control thunder/lightning and giving him a high resistance to magic.
A (Courage of Achilles): strong in will, resistance to mental attacks.
M (Speed of Mercury): the ability to move at incredible speeds and fly.

The Wizard dies after passing his powers to Billy. Thanks to his immaturity (well, he is a teenager) and the fact that he clearly needs a lesson from Spider-Man (with great power comes great responsibility), the first thing he uses his newfound powers for is to buy beer, make money and have fun.
When Black Adam attacked the city with the Seven Deadly Sins (and after getting his butt kicked for good measure), Billy finally learns some responsibility and decided to share his powers with his foster siblings. Black Adam is ultimately defeated when Billy goads him into saying “Shazam“, which transforms him back into a human and crumble into dust.
From left to right: Eugene Choi, Darla Dudley, Pedro PeÃ±a, Mary Bromfield, Freddy Freeman.
Thus, the Shazam Family is born, consisting of Billy Batson and all his foster siblings. Besides Dr. Sivana and Black Adam, another one of Shazam‘s most iconic villains is Mister Mind, who goes on to form the Monster Society of Evil in the comics to oppose the magical superhero.
To compare, here’s the original Marvel Family. You won’t see these guys in the movie, though.
Who Is Dr. Sivana And The Seven Deadly Sins?
Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong) in the Shazam movie.
The main villain in the Shazam movie will be Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) and the Seven Deadly Sins. While the role of Black Adam has actually been cast with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, there has been no confirmation as to whether he will be appearing in the upcoming movie.
In the comics, Dr. Sivana a brilliant scientist who turns to magic when he finds that science has failed him in saving his family. He discovers Black Adam and gets his eye blinded by lightning, allowing him to ‘see’ magic with that eye.
The most recent version of Dr. Sivana in the comics.
The movie version will have a different origin. He is still a brilliant scientist, but he is instead an outcast from a wealthy family. He was summoned by the Wizard as a child but was rejected, leading to his obsession to unlock the way back to the Rock of Eternity.
Meanwhile, the Seven Deadly Sins are demonic entities, personifications of the worst sins of humanity. They were imprisoned by the Wizard long ago in statues placed inside the Rock of Eternity but they sometimes escape.
The Seven Deadly Sins in the comics. They will be CGI monsters in the movie.
From what we know so far, it seems that Dr. Sivana will somehow receive powers from the Seven Deadly Sins, which makes him a match for Billy even in his Shazam form. It will be interesting to see if other villains will make surprise appearances in the movie.
Mister Mind, perhaps? Fingers crossed.
Yes, Mister Mind is an alien caterpillar/worm with the powers of mind control and telepathy.
Shazam is slated to release on 4 April 2019, but early screening tickets for showings starting this weekend are already available in Malaysia.


Doom Eternal Is Coming To PS5 & Xbox Series X, Free Upgrade For Existing Owners

Bethesda has announced that Doom Eternal and The Elder Scrolls Online will both be released for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. What’s even better is that those who own those games on the PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade to the next-gen version for free.
However, Bethesda has not revealed a release date for the next-gen versions of Doom Eternal and The Elder Scrolls Online, but they did confirm that more information would be coming in “the coming weeks and months”.
It doesn’t sound like the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of both games will be ready by the consoles’Â Holiday 2020 launch window, but the company reassured (via their official website) that they are “working hard to ensure both titles will support backwards compatibility when the new consoles launch”.
While these were the only two games confirmed to be getting PS5 and Xbox Series X versions (and free upgrades from current-gen versions), Bethesda said that that they are also “committed to offer free upgrades for current-generation console owners of existing Bethesda titles we bring forward into the next generation of consoles”.
QuakeCon 2020 will be taking place from 7 to 9 August 2020, so that’s probably when we’ll learn more details.


Atlus Reveals New Persona 5 Tactica Details

SEGA has revealed details about Persona 5 Tactica (P5T), which is releasing on 17 November 2023 on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
After saving Joker and his friends, a mysterious girl, Erina the Rebel, offers them a unique proposition.
A Tale of Revolution

It’s a snowy winter day; graduation is looming, and the Phantom Thieves have gathered at LeBlanc to celebrate. But this is brought to an abrupt end as a strange phenomenon besets the TV, and the cafe begins to shake.
As the Thieves find their bearings, an eerie light envelops the cafe door. Upon cautiously opening it, they find a distant and unknown world waiting on the other side. After stumbling into a mysterious world reminiscent of medieval Europe, the group is attacked by a band of soldiers called Legionnaires. Labeled as rebels by their assailants, Joker and his friends are surrounded, and all seems lost.
In a stroke of luck, they are rescued by a mysterious girl named Erina the Rebel, who invites them to join her revolution.

Main Characters
Protagonist (Voice: Jun Fukuyama)                                              Persona: Arsène

The hero of our tale. This high schooler’s Persona abilities awoke when he became embroiled in the infamous “psychotic breakdown incidents”. Under the codename Joker, he leads the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, an organization that shakes up society and forces corrupt adults to have a change of heart.
While celebrating with the rest of the gang at LeBlanc, they are suddenly transported to another world. His Persona is Arsène.
Morgana (Voice: Ikue Otani)                                            Persona: Zorro

This talking cat(?) was trapped in another world before the protagonist saved his bacon. The two have worked together ever since.
In the real world, he takes the form of an ordinary cat, and the people around him hear his speech as nothing more than meowing.
With his expertise on the Metaverse, he serves as the group’s mentor and mascot.
Erina (Voice: Rie Takahashi)

Erina is a new character who saves the Phantom Thieves from a life-or-death situation.
She’s less suited to meticulously thinking things through than she is to recklessly charging in to save those who are suffering. However, it’s this drive that has earned the trust of her followers in the Rebel Corps.
She enlists the Phantom Thieves in her efforts to revolt against the oppressive rulers of her city.
Combat System
Strategic Three-Person Battles

In this tactical RPG, players form a party of three using Joker, the rest of the Phantom Thieves, and newcomer Erina. Positioning and coordinating your team are crucial to the game’s exciting new combat system.
Persona 5 Elements like One More and Persona Summoning Make a Return!

While the game features a new combat system, players can still enjoy the unique combat of the Persona 5 series, whether shooting from behind a wall, getting up close and personal, or of course summoning a Persona. And if an attack downs an enemy, a One More attack offers the chance for a follow-up.
Finish Them Off with a Triple Threat Attack!

The new combat system features a new take on the series’ mainstay All-Out Attacks. Surround a downed enemy with all three members of your party to unleash a powerful Triple Threat attack.

Music
The vocals for the opening and ending themes and battle tracks are provided by Lyn (Lyn Inaizumi). The music was composed by the ATLUS Sound Team’s Toshiki Konishi, who performed as a guitarist in the Persona Super Live 2022.
Repaint Your Heart DLC Available from Day One!

A DLC with extra story content will be made available at launch on November 17, 2023. In addition to the new story, a fan-favorite character and an exciting new battle mode will also be included.
The DLC can be purchased individually or via the Digital Deluxe Edition. More details will be revealed at a later date.
Limited Bonus: Orpheus Picaro and Izanagi Picaro
Players who purchase the game early will receive the Orpheus Picaro and Izanagi Picaro Personas as a limited bonus*.
Orpheus Picaro                                    Izanagi Picaro


One-Third Of The E3 2021 Video Games Were Non-Violent, Which Is Progress!

For many jaded game folks and observers who are sick of violent games (be it cartoony or over-the-top), you’d be pleased to know that there were a good number of non-violent games being shown during that summer of gaming week.
According to a recent GamesIndustry.biz report, 33% of the games shown over the past week-plus weren’t violent. In contrast, 17% of the games during E3 2019 week were non-violent. That’s a huge step up.
The report defines violence as interpersonal aggression acted out by the player. Killing someone/something is violent, but solving an unseen murder isn’t. To the report, violence is player action, not a theme. By that definition, 77% of the games require you to kill to progress, whether by using weapons or dealing with obstacles directly through aggressive means.
The report isn’t meant to “decry” violence, but rather as a way to “look at just how much of the industry’s output relies on selling the same fundamental mechanic: the ability to fight and kill”. Thanks to E3 2021 shows like Wholesome Direct, it’s good to know that there are creative ways to make games entertaining that do not involve killing or fighting or any other standard methods.


Diablo 4 Launch Times: Early Access & Launch Date Info In Southeast Asia

Diablo 4 is coming out next week for PC and consoles, but did you know that you can get early access to the game?
And no, we’re not talking about another beta; we’re talking full game access. Provided you pre-ordered the game, you can play the upcoming action RPG earlier than the 6th June launch date.
For more Diablo 4 info, do check out our best Rogue build so far. Check out our review of the upcoming action RPG as well.

Diablo 4 Official Launch Times
Diablo 4 will be out in Malaysia, The Philippines, and Singapore on 6 June, 7am GMT+8. Here are the rest of the times in other timezones:

4 pm, 5 June (PDT)
7 pm, 5 June (EDT)
12 am, 6 June (BST)
1 am, 6 June (CEST)
9 am, 6 June (AEST)

Diablo 4 Early Access Time
Diablo 4 will be out in Malaysia, The Philippines, and Singapore on 2nd June, 7am GMT+8. Here are the rest of the times in other timezones:

4 pm, 1 June (PDT)
7 pm, 1 June (EDT)
12 am, 2 June (BST)
1 am, 2 June (CEST)
9 am, 2 June (AEST)

If you wish to preload the game, you can do so on 31st May 7am (that’s today).

4 pm, 30 May (PDT)
7 pm, 30 May (EDT)
12 am, 31 May (BST)
1 am, 31 May (CEST)
9 am, 31 May (AEST)


Catch The League Of Legends FSL Elite Tournament In Singapore This Weekend

The Female Esports League (FSL) for the Singapore/Malaysia region concluded last month, and now it’s time for the upcoming FSL Elite League of Legends tournament. It will take place at the Singtel Recreation Club in Singapore from 23 to 24 February 2019.
Four regional top teams from across Southeast Asia will be vying for the title of FSL Elite Champions. Check out the participating teams below:
Asterisk* (Singapore/Malaysia)
EVOS Valkyrie (Vietnam)
Barcy Esports (Philippines)
Close Behind E-sport (Thailand)

FSL Elite League of Legends will be an offline event, with an unrevealed cash prize pool. This year marks the third season of the League of Legends female-exclusive tournament, which initially began as a local grassroots community event in Singapore as the Female Singapore League in 2017.

More sponsors join in this year’s event, including the likes of Legion by Lenovo and Singtel, as well as returning brands like Garena. Follow the tournament’s official Facebook page for more updates. In the meantime, check out the highlights from the past season of the recent FSL Singapore/Malaysia Finals January 2019 below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBuPK1B9WhE&w=560&h=315]


The Best Deals From The Steam Winter Sale 2021

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Itâ€™s another year and itâ€™s time for another Steam Winter Sale just in time for the long summer ahead. The Steam Autumn Sale 2021 will run from now to 6 January 2022 at 2am GMT+8.
Here are our picks for the best deals and discounts so far:
A Total War Saga Troy Mythic Edition (RM136.94)

A Total War Saga Troy is the latest historical title in the Total War franchise. However, it’s best when combined with the new MYTHOS expansion, which is why we’re suggesting getting the Mythic Edition instead of the standard edition. Having a freaking Cerberus or Hydra, not to mention Centaurs, Cyclops and Minotaurs, in your army feels rightfully epic and worthy of the legendary Bronze Age.
Check out our review of A Total War Saga Troy MYTHOS here.
DeathloopÂ (RM125.50)

DeathloopÂ has been one of the most widely-praised games in 2021 due to its unique gameplay loop mechanics. Arkane Studios has made great games in the past (Dishonored,Â Dishonored 2,Â Prey) but this one is perhaps their most innovative and fun one yet.
Check out ourÂ review ofÂ DeathloopÂ here.
Marvelâ€™s Guardians Of The GalaxyÂ (RM161.85)

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics released one of the biggest genuine surprises of 2021 withÂ Marvelâ€™s Guardians Of The Galaxy. Itâ€™s a narrative-heavy single-player adventure withÂ Mass Effect-like mechanics and snappy real-time action combat featuring a version of the team thatâ€™s more likeable than the MCU version. If anything, this Star-Lord is definitely better than Chris Prattâ€™s version.
Check out ourÂ review of the game here.
Yakuza Like A DragonÂ (RM137.40)

Yakuza Like A DragonÂ is the latest entry in the long-running franchise. It twists the gameâ€™s usual beat-em-up combat with brand new JRPG-style turn-based gameplay and a new protagonist in the form of Ichiban Kasuga.
Check out ourÂ review forÂ Yakuza Like A DragonÂ here.
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete EditionÂ (RM40)

WithÂ Horizon Forbidden DawnÂ coming next year, now is the best time to play this former PlayStation exclusive.
Even if youâ€™ve played the original game on the PS4, the PC version comes with several enhancements including ultra-wide support, graphical enhancements (improved reflections, dynamic foliage), graphical customization, unlocked framerate, control options and benchmarking tool.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition (RM124.50)

Mass Effect Legendary EditionÂ is the definitive version of one of the best game trilogies ever made. If youâ€™re a fan of science fiction and have never played these BioWare titles, now is the best time to check them out, especially with a newÂ Mass Effect finally on the way.
Total War Warhammer IIÂ (RM54.06)

If you have a decent PC or gaming laptop, you should definitely check out any of theÂ Total WarÂ games by Creative Assembly for their epic real-time battles. The fantasy-basedÂ Total War Warhammer IIÂ is a great game where you can control armies of elves and dwarves, with a couple of dragons and giants for good measure. Then, just watch the chaos unfold.
Sure, you can wait forÂ Total War Warhammer III, but thatâ€™s still many months away with a February 2022 release date (and at full price, it will be a whopping RM189 at launch).
XCOM 2 CollectionÂ (RM34.90)

XCOM 2Â is another must-have game on PC, especially for those who love all things science fiction and anything from the tactical turn-based strategy genre. ThinkÂ Final Fantasy TacticsÂ with Soulsborne levels of difficulty.
TheÂ XCOM 2 CollectionÂ costs a whopping RM385 at full price, so this is a steal since it contains even the game-changing War Of The Chosen expansion pack. Our advice: start the game with the expansion pack installed. Check outÂ our review of the game here to find out why.
Halo The Master Chief CollectionÂ (RM32.50)

This is virtually the most complete collection and the best way to experience the Halo franchise to date. What more do you want?Â Halo InfiniteÂ is coming on 8 December 2021, but thereâ€™s still time to catch up to the saga of Master Chief and the universe of Halo.
Tales Of Arise (RM132.30)

Tales Of AriseÂ is another great JRPG that came out in 2021. Itâ€™s the first next-gen entry in the franchise, and while it doesnâ€™t do anything new, itâ€™s still a fun time to be had. Check out ourÂ review of the game here.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD RemasterÂ (RM137.40)

We still have no idea when or ifÂ Shin Megami Tensei V is coming to PC, But this remastered version of the 2003/2004 game is still a great JRPG in its own right. Features new English voice acting for the game’s story mode, new high-resolution graphics, and even an Easy mode if you can’t take the heat.
Cyberpunk 2077 (RM109.50)

One of 2020’s most controversial games is pretty much running alright and stable on PC. Go get it if you love dirty sci-fi RPGs with guns, cybernetics, backstabbings, and Keanu Reeves as a pompous rock star hologram.
Muse Dash (RM5.25 + RM70.20 for the DLC)

The best music rhythm game with lolis is out on the cheap. Add in RM70 or so and you have a buttload of songs to play through ranging from Chinese pop to weird-as-heck techno musings.


God of War Deserves Its GOTY The Game Awards 2018 Win

The dust has settled and we’re ready to discuss the results of The Game Awards 2018. AAA and indie games alike won awards, with Red Dead Redemption 2 turning out to win the most awards but failing to win the (arguably) biggest award of them all (Game of The Year, which went to God of War). Here’s what I thought of some notable winners and losers from various The Game Awards 2018 categories from earlier today:
God of War Won Game of The Year

God of War totally deserved its Game of The Year win. Even before the event, I already pegged Sony Santa Monica’s masterpiece as the only candidate truly worthy of being this year’s GOTY. No other game this year managed to evoke the same epic and awe-inspiring feeling from the very beginning to the end, as well as leaving me both utterly satisfied and wanting more. Polished to perfection, God of War was definitely the right choice.
What about the other games? Red Dead Redemption 2 was overrated and had its own share of problems (bugs, which, to be fair, Rockstar has recently fixed) while Marvel’s Spider-Man was spectacular (and is currently the best Spidey game ever) but ultimately did not reach the same heights as God of War did.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Monster Hunter World were remarkable games as well, but facing God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and RDR2, there was no hope for these games to compete. Celeste was the only indie game on this list so it would have been interesting to see it win. I haven’t actually played the game so I’ll reserve my opinions for this game.
Additionally, God of War also won Best Action/Adventure Game, beating other similarly-worthy candidates like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The combat in God of War might not be terribly innovative or groundbreaking but nothing else can compare to throwing that Leviathan Axe and executing godly combos.
Fortnite and Epic Games

Besides God of War, Fortnite also won two awards; specifically Best Ongoing Game and Best Multiplayer Game. Unlike God of War, it does not deserve to win any awards. Yes, I do admit that it might be the most profitable game in the world right now, making more money than any other game. However, sales aren’t supposed to factor into awards, as they should be bestowed upon games that actually feature good content and those that can be actually classified as ‘good’ games.
I believe that Best Ongoing Game should have gone to either Overwatch or Rainbow Six Siege. Both games have consistently offered good content since launch. Ubisoft’s game is particularly deserving of this due to actually being unrecognizable to earlier versions of the game back in 2015. That’s how much the game has improved. In comparison, Fortnite is essentially the same game it was at launch, having only added new weapons, truckloads of cosmetic items and dance emotes since then.
Epic Games is throwing the big bucks, heavily promoting their new Epic Games Store by announcing a slew of new exclusive games like Supergiant Games’ Hades, A44 and Annapurna Interactive’s Ashen, and more. It remains to be seen if these games will able to make the new storefront a serious competitor to Steam or even GOG, but Epic Games certainly isn’t playing around.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Were The Biggest Winners

Rockstar Games’ latest effort won a whopping 4 awards, including Best Narrative, Best Score/Music, Best Audio Design, and Best Performance. Of these four, I believe that RDR2 only deserves two of them, at most. No one doubts that RDR2 features an exceptional narrative (we’re talking about a Rockstar game after all), and anyone who’s played the game can attest to its impeccable audio design (just listen to the distinct sounds made by different animals and weapons).
However, there were other games more deserving of Best Score/Music and Best Performance. Of all the games nominated for best score and music, the one that really stuck with me long after completing it was God of War. I still occasionally listen to the game’s haunting Memories of Mother theme.
As for best performance, it’s a hard one to choose. I would personally choose either Detroit Become Human‘s Bryan Dechart as Connor, Marvel’s Spider-Man‘s Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker, or God of War‘s Christopher Judge as Kratos. These were all captivating performances, which elevated their own respective games. I don’t want to downplay RDR2‘s Roger Clark as Arthur Morgan, but he’s basically a gruff cowboy archetype or a tough guy with a conscience.
All in all, The Game Awards 2018 was an exciting one, with many surprises and unexpected game announcements. It’s still a travesty that Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age didn’t manage to win anything but the only Japanese game to win an award was Monster Hunter World, and that was for Best RPG, a category that’s already mostly dominated by some of the only Japanese games in the entire event.

Here’s a list of all the nominees and winners in The Game Awards 2018:
Game of the Year

Assassinâ€™s Creed Odyssey
Celeste
God of War – WINNER
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Monster Hunter: World
Red Dead Redemption II

Best Action Game

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Dead Cells – WINNER
Destiny 2: Forsaken
Far Cry 5
Mega Man 11

Best Action/Adventure Game

Assassinâ€™s Creed: Odyssey
God of War – WINNER
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Red Dead Redemption II
Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Best Role Playing Game

Dragon Quest XI
Monster Hunter: World – WINNER
Ni no Kuni II
Octopath Traveler
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Best Game Direction

A Way Out
Detroit: Become Human
God of War – WINNER
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Red Dead Redemption II

Best Narrative

Detroit: Become Human
God of War
Life is Strange 2: Episode 1
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Red Dead Redemption II – WINNER

Best Ongoing Game

Destiny 2: Forsaken
Fortnite – WINNER
No Manâ€™s Sky
Overwatch
Tom Clancyâ€™s Rainbow Six Siege

Best Art Direction

Assassinâ€™s Creed Odyssey
God of War
Octopath Traveler
Red Dead Redemption 2
Return of the Obra Dinn – WINNER

Best Score/Music

Celeste
God of War
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Octopath Traveler
Red Dead Redemption II – WINNER

Best Audio Design

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Forza Horizon 4
God of War
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man
Red Dead Redemption II – WINNER

Best Independent Game

Celeste – WINNER
Dead Cells
Into the Breach
Return of the Obra Dinn
The Messenger

Best Performance

Bryan Dechart as Connor, Detroit: Become Human
Christopher Judge as Kratos, God of War
Melissanthi Mahut as Kassandra, Assassinâ€™s Creed Odyssey
Roger Clark as Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption II – WINNER
Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker, Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man

Games for Impact

11-11 Memories Retold
Celeste – WINNER
Florence
Life is Strange 2
The Missing: JJ Macfield and the Island of Memories

Best Mobile Game

Donut County
Florence – WINNER
Fortnite
PUBG MOBILE
Reigns: Game of Thrones

Best VR/AR Game

ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission – WINNER
Beat Saber
Firewall Zero Hour
Moss
Tetris Effect

Best Fighting Game

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
Dragon Ball FighterZ – WINNER
Soul Caliber VI
Street Fighter V Arcade Edition

Best Family Game

Mario Tennis Aces
Nintendo Labo
Overcooked 2 – WINNER
Starlink: Battle for Atlas
Super Mario Party

Best Strategy Game

Battletech
Frostpunk
Into the Breach – WINNER
The Banner Saga 3
Valkyria Chronicles 4

Best Sports/Racing Game

FIFA 19
Forza Horizon 4 – WINNER
Mario Tennis Aces
NBA 2K19
Pro Evolution Soccer 2019

Best Multiplayer Game

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Destiny 2: Forsaken
Fortnite – WINNER
Monster Hunter: World
Sea of Thieves

Best Student Game

Combat 2018 – WINNER
Dash Quasar
JERA
LIFF
RE: Charge

Best Debut Indie Game

Donut County
Florence
Moss
The Messenger – WINNER
Yokuâ€™s Island Express

Best eSports Game

CSGO
DOTA2
Fortnite
League of Legends
Overwatch – WINNER

Best Esports Player

Dominique â€œSonicFoxâ€ McLean – WINNER
Hajime â€œTokidoâ€ Taniguchi
Jian â€œUziâ€ Zi-Hao
Oleksandr â€œs1mpleâ€ Kostyliev
Sung-hygeon â€œJJoNakâ€ Bang

Best Esports Team

Astralis
Cloud9 – WINNER
Fnatic
London Spitfire
OG

Best Esports Coach

Bok â€œReaperedâ€ Han-gyu – WINNER
Christian â€œppasarelâ€ Banaseanu
Danny â€œzonicâ€ Sorensen
Dylan Falco
Jakob â€œYamatoCannonâ€ Mebdi
Janko â€œYNkâ€ Paunovic

Best Esports Event

ELAGUE Major: Boston 2018
EVO 2018
League of Legends World Championship – WINNER
Overwatch League Grand Finals
The International 2018

Best Esports Host

Alex â€œGoldenboyâ€ Mendez
Alex â€œMachineâ€ Richardson
Anders Blume
Eefje â€œSjokzâ€ Depoortere – WINNER
Paul â€œRedEyeâ€ Chaloner

Best Esports Moment

C9 comeback win in triple OT vs FAZE – WINNER
G2 beating RNG
KT vs IG Base Race
OGâ€™s massive upset of LGD
SonicFox side switch against Go1 in DBZ

Content Creator of the Year

Dr. Lupo
Myth
Ninja – WINNER
Pokimane
Willyrex


She-Hulk Episode 7 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

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

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

Meet Man-Bull And El Aguila

In the comics, Man-Bull is a man named William “Bill” Taurens, who was born in Camden, New Jersey. He got turned into a humanoid bull thanks to an experimental serum.

El Aguila is a mutant in the comics, capable of generating electrostatic charges within his own body and through objects like his sword.

Porcupine Man And Saracen

It’s unknown which version of the Porcupine this is, since they don’t say his first name. He doesn’t have any powers since he gets his powers from his suit. He can shoot spikes and stuff.

In the comics, Saracen is a mercenary and assassin who’s an enemy of the Punisher.

One Of The Wrecking Crew Returns

Remember the Wrecking Crew in Episode 3? Wrecker returns. He’s the one who uses the enchanted crowbar and basically the leader of the Wrecking Crew.
Josh Is Working For The Intelligencia

Who didn’t see this coming? Everyone did. Josh (played by Trevor Salter) turns out to be working for the Intelligencia. This twist was so telegraphed that it wasn’t surprising at all.
Just like last week, there’s no post-credits scene in this episode.
There are only two episodes left, so let’s hope next week’s episode will feature Daredevil. Until then, excelsior!


SNK Launches The King of Fighters Cafe â€˜18…In Japan

Following SNK’s King of Fighters exhibition a while back, the company is now expanding into the temporary themed cafe business. If you don’t mind taking a trip down to Japan from today onwards, that is.
SNK is teaming up with the Japanese Princess Cafe to launch a bunch of KOF themed cafes from May 11 onwards in Tokyo Ikebukuro, Osaka, and Nagoya. Apart from serving food and giving out complimentary coasters with KOF artwork, these cafes will also offer limited time merchandise and artwork illustrated by SNK veteran Falcoon.
You know, the guy responsible for the weird-ass designs and characters like Ash Crimson, Alba, Soiree, and Jivatma. We still don’t know if that’s a bonus or a deterrent.
Here are the locations of the themed cafes (via KOF World; thanks GFoppy!):
Princess Cafe Ikebukuro New

Period: May 11 (Fri) to May 31 (Thur) 2018
Opening Hours: Weekdays / Saturdays 10:00-21: 00 (LO 20: 30) Sundays / Public Holidays 10: 00 ~ 20: 00 (LO 19:30)
Location: 1-40-2 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 6th floor of modern building 8 (Â http://pripricafe.com/shop.html#ikebukuro02Â )

Princess Cafe Osaka

Period: May 11 â€“ Friday, May 27, 2018
Opening hours: Weekdays 11: 00 ~ 19: 30 (LO 19: 00) Saturday / Sunday 10: 00 ~ 19: 30 (LO 19: 00)
Location: Osaka-shi Naniwa-ku Nihonbashi 4-8-16 KUS Nihonbashi Building 2F / 3F (Â http://pripricafe.com/shop.html#osaka01Â )

Princess Cafe Nagoya Saka

Period: June 1, 2018 (Friday) June 17 (Sunday)
Hours: weekdays 11: 00 ~ 19: 30 ( Last order at 19:00)Â Saturday 10: 00 ~ 20: 00 ( LO19: 30)Â Sunday / public holidays 10: 00 ~ 19: 30 ( LO19:Â 00)
Location: Aichi Prefecture Nagoya City Naka-ku Sakae 3-32-6 Bekham Rong 4F (Â http://pripricafe.com/shop.html#nagoya02Â )

Princess Cafe Akihabara

Period: June 25, 2018 (Monday) ~ Monday, July 16
Business hours: Weekdays 11: 00-20: 00 (LO 19: 30) Saturday / Sunday 10: 00-20: 00 (LO 19: 30)
Place: 4-4Â Saijin-Â -3 Ogiso Building 3rd Floor Â· 4th Floor (Â http://pripricafe.com/shop.html#akihabaraÂ )

Here’s the menu, featuring a Terry Bogard sandwich, a Kasumi pasta dish, and an Iori pizza. Bet you fan girls want in on that sandwich and pizza action, eh?

Here’s the merchandise they’re selling. We’re talking coasters for free, stickers, badges, and mini-standees among others.

We have stated before that themed restaurants sell overpriced mediocre dishes, but there’s a small part of us who want the food and drinks to make us go “WHOA OOH OOH OO OH!”


[Report] Uncharted Movie Trailer Has Leaked; Looks Pretty Close To The Revered Series

Update: The official version went live. Check out the story here.
Lord knows how long Sony Pictures has worked on an Uncharted movie. Is it 13 years? After settling on a lead -Tom “Spider-Man” Holland- it seems like the movie is really happening.
Leave it to someone on Twitter to leak the footage off-screen. It’ll most likely be taken down quick, so check out the Twitter link below when you can. Here’s a spoiler warning since it does bring to life an iconic Uncharted 3 moment.

Leaked off screen footage of the Uncharted Movie trailer. Full trailer is expected tomorrow.
Movie seems to release in February 2022. pic.twitter.com/ZBOiDSIjnR
— MauroNL (@MauroNL3) October 20, 2021

The teaser highlights the famous airplane cargo action sequence from Uncharted 3 and its Stowaway chapter. Tom Holland plays Nathan Drake who not only is hanging out of the cargo part of the giant airplane, but also confronts a Scottish guard who says some lingo about tresspassing before Nathan replies with a “huh?”
We also see Mark Wahlberg playing his mentor Sully from the teaser’s later jump cuts. Antonio Bandera plays a mysterious character in the show. The film will be directed by Ruben Fleischer; previously Travis Knight was at the helm before he left the project.
The Uncharted film also has a final release date: 18th February 2022. It was supposed to be out early this year but COVID-19 complications did make Sony settle on a 2022 release date.