Honkai Star Rail Yukong Guide – The Best Build for the Bow Wielding Pilot

Head of the Sky-Faring Commission on the Xianzhou Luofu, Yukong finally makes her entrance with Luocha’s Event Banner.
She will be available to claim for free as a part of an event that you can unlock after clearing the Trailblazer Mission, “Xianzhou Luofo- A Dragon Gallant, Its Ocean Distant.” in the 1.2 Update. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t get her from this event banner.
ALL ABOUT YUKONG

Yukong is the very first four-star Imaginary character in Honkai: Star Rail.  She’s a pilot with a kick ass bow. Now Yukong is a strong support when it comes to buffing her allies. Her buff doesn’t scale off her own stat, so players can make her a damage dealer or even a tank based on their needs. She can basically fit in any team comp since she provides buffs that increase stats relevant to dealing damage. The main issue of Yukong is how dependent her buffs are on her Skill’s uptime
TALENT BREAKDOWN
Basic ATK : Arrowslinger: Deals Imaginary DMG to a target enemy.
Skill : Emboldening Salvo: Obtains 2 stacks of Roaring Bowstrings (max. 2 stacks). When Roaring Bowstrings is active, the ATK of all allies increases, and every time an ally’s turn ends, Yukong loses 1 stack of Roaring Bowstrings. Yukong will not lose Roaring Bowstrings on the turn she uses her Skill.
Ultimate : Diving Kestrel: If Roaring Bowstrings is active when Yukong uses her Ultimate, the CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG of all allies will increase. At the same time, she deals Imaginary DMG to a single target enemy.
Talent : Seven Layers, One Arrow: Basic ATK deals additional damage and increases the Toughness-Reducing DMG of the current attack. This effect can be triggered again after a set number of turns.
Technique : Chasing Wind: After using the Technique, Yukong enters Sprint mode for 20 seconds. In Sprint mode, her Movement SPD increases, and she gains 2 stacks of Roaring Bowstrings when she enters battle via attacking enemies
Stat Bonus:
1. Imaginary DMG +3.2%
2. ATK +4.0%
3. Imaginary DMG +4.8%
Traces:
Archerion: Yukong can resist 1 debuff application for 1 time. This effect can be triggered again in 2 turn(s).
Stat Bonus:
1. Max HP +4.0%
2. Imaginary DMG +3.2%
Bowmaster: When Yukong is on the field, Imaginary DMG dealt by all allies increases by 12%.
Stat Bonus:
1. Imaginary DMG +4.8%
2. Max HP +6.0%
Majestas: When “Roaring Bowstrings” is active, Yukong regenerates 2 additional Energy every time an ally takes action.
Stat Bonus:
1. ATK +6.0%
2. Max HP +8.0%
3. Imaginary DMG +6.4%
EIDOLONS, IN CASE YOU LUCKED OUT GETTING MULTIPLE YUKONG COPIES
E1 : Aerial Marshal: At the start of battle, increases the SPD of all allies by 10% for 2 turn(s).
E2: Skyward Command:When any ally’s current energy is equal to its energy limit, Yukong regenerates an additional 5 energy. This effect can only be triggered once for each ally. The trigger count is reset after Yukong casts her Ultimate.
E3: Torrential Fusillade:Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4: Zephyrean Echoes:When Roaring Bowstrings is active, Yukong deals 30% more DMG to enemies.
E5: August Deadshot: Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6: Bowstring Thunderclap:When Yukong uses her Ultimate, she immediately gains 1 stack(s) of Roaring Bowstrings.
YUKONG’S ASCENSION AND TRACE MATERIALS
ASCENSION MATERALS

12 Artifex’s Modules
12 Artifex’s Cogwheel
10  Artifex’s Gyreheart
50 Golden Crown of the Past Shadow
246,400 Credits.

TRACE MATERIALS

16 Harmonic Tune
54 Ancestral Hymn
105 Stellaris Symphony
28 Artifex’s Module
42 Artifex’s Cogwheel
42 Artifex’s Gyreheart
9 Destroyer’s Final Road
5 Tracks of Destiny
2,400,000 Credits

THE BEST LIGHT CONE FOR YUKONG

Memories of the Past: Increases the wearer’s Break Effect by 28%. When the wearer attacks, additionally regenerates 4 Energy. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.
Dance! Dance! Dance!: When the wearer uses their Ultimate, all allies’ actions are Advanced Forward by 16%.
If your gacha luck isn’t all that good, don’t worry we’ve got other options for you.
Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds: At the start of the battle and whenever the wearer’s turn begins, one of the following effects is applied randomly: All allies’ ATK increases by 10%, all allies’ CRIT DMG increases by 12%, or all allies’ Energy. Regeneration Rate increases by 6%. The applied effect cannot be identical to the last effect applied, and will replace the previous effect. The applied effect will be removed when the wearer has been knocked down. Effects of the similar type cannot be stacked.
You get this light cone from the Battle Pass, which is… still better than trying to gacha for the other options.
Past and Future: When the wearer uses their Skill, the next ally taking action (except the wearer) deals 16% increased DMG for 1 turn(s).
This light cone is obtainable through the Echo of War or Forgotten Hall.
THE BEST RELICS FOR YUKONG
One thing about Yukong is that you can speed tune her in two ways. Putting her first in the team will make her fast and last will of course make her slow. With Fast Yukong you will need more speed stats to activate her skill buff at the start of fights. This is so that you are able to maximize damage in fights early. Of course this is best for time-sensitive challenges.
There currently isn’t any relics for buffer characters, so it’s best to build up her attack for now since her abilities scale off of it and her general support capacity.
I’d highly recommend going for either:
Musketeer of Wild Wheat: 4-PC: The wearer’s SPD increases by 6% and Basic ATK DMG increases by 10%.
Wastelander of Banditry Desert: 4-PC: When attacking debuffed enemies, the wearer’s CRIT Rate increases by 10%, and their CRIT DMG increases by 20% against Imprisoned enemies.
For ornaments,
Fleet of the Ageless: Increases the wearer’s Max HP by 12%. When the wearer’s SPD reaches 120 or higher, all allies’ ATK increases by 8%
This is the best choice for her since it boosts the entire party’s attack and increases her HP as well. Of course, you will need to hit the 120 Speed Requirement.
Inert Salsotto: Increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 8%. When the wearer’s current CRIT Rate reaches 50% or higher, the wearer’s Ultimate and follow-up attack DMG increases by 15%.
This will help to improve her damage since a big chunk of it comes from her Ultimate.


Street Fighter 6: Lily Move List & Guide

Street Fighter 6 is coming out on 2nd June, which is just less than a month away. As such, the game’s roster for its launch is set with 18 characters, each with their various playstyles.
In this entry, we’ll be focusing on Lily, a mid-ranged tiny warrior who hails from the Thunderfoot tribe.
Note: This guide is still in development.
All inputs are in numpad notations. For example, Hadouken from player 1’s starting side is 236P.
Attack buttons are as follows: LP, MP, HP are light punch, medium punch, and heavy punch respectively. LK, MK, and HK are light kick, medium kick, and heavy kick respectively. None of this Fierce or Roundhouse bulls*** in Asia.
Info & video credits: Fighting Game Anniversaries, WoolieVS, FlawlessDeku, Capcom

Street Fighter 6 Lily Overview

If you miss T.Hawk in Street Fighter 4 but wished he has better priority moves, you’re in luck: Lily is the 2023 equivalent. She may not hit as hard, but she is still very strong and has great poking and footsie tools. She is slightly more mobile than her predecessor, but still retains the best parts.
Lily’s main gimmick is her Condor Wind powerup. When she pulls this off, she buffs up any of her Condor attacks (Condor Spire, Condor Dive) to feature extra properties like extra hits, extra damage, or even better recovery and putting in plus frames.
Other than that, you’ll be using her as a “glow-up” version of T.Hawk; keep at mid-ranged, then sneak up and command grab them with Mexican Typhoon when they least expect it. She doesn’t have that many combos when compared to someone like Jamie or Cammy, but she makes it up with damage. She will have trouble with zoners like JP and Dhalsim, and bigger grapplers/brick s***house characters like Zangief and Marisa can outlast her in the health department, but she can still deal with rushdown and other mid-ranged characters just fine. Protip: her 2HP is a crouching 2-hit move that’s great to counter Drive Impacts, provided you follow it up with a quick third hit/Super Art.
Play If: You like grapplers but want some mobility, a Shoryuken, and good pokes.
Avoid If: You don’t like grapplers and can’t handle zoners.

Street Fighter 6 Lily Move List

Special Attacks
Condor Wind: 214P. Buffs up Condor moves via Windclad. MP and HP versions are attacks that grant the buff if they hit.
Condor Spire: 236K. Lunge forward & vertically T.Hawk style. Yes, you can still perform an empty Condor Spire, then LP Mexican Typhoon for a surprise grab. In fact, if you space yourself perfectly and don’t do it too close, you can be at an advantage, or at least be neutral if it’s blocked.
Tomahawk Buster: 623P. Anti-air/Shoryuken. Has extra hits when Windclad.
Condor Dive: P+P. Lily’s Divekick like T.Hawk. Can only be performed during a neutral or forward jump, not backwards. Has extra hits when Windclad.
OD Condor Dive: P+P+P. EX version of Condor Dive. Has better recovery and pushes Lily back and away from opponent when blocked if it’s Windclad.
Mexican Typhoon: 360°P. Command grab for Lily. LP version has better range than MP and HP version. HP version deals the most damage.
Super Arts
Breezing Hawk (Level 1 Super Art): 236236P. Lunging attack. Starts slow, but is invincible at the start.
Thunderbird (Level 2 Super Art, Air OK): 236236K. Lily’s Super anti-air ala Shinryuken. Can be done mid-air. Effect changes when Windclad.
Raging Typhoon (Level 3 Super Art, Critical Art when low health): 214214P. Super slam command grab.
Unique Attacks
Ridge Thrust: 3HP
Horn Breaker: 4HP. Overhead.
Great Spin: During a jump, 2HP. Body press ala T.Hawk and Zangief.
Double Arrow: During a jump, MP >MP.
Desert Storm: 6HP>HP>HP. Target combo that launches on the last hit.


Here’s When My Hero Academia Season 4 Will Return

My Hero Academia Season 3 ended in September 2018 with the confirmation that Season 4 will be coming. Now we know when Season 4 will be making its debut, and it’s sometime in October 2019, which is less than one year from now.
The news was revealed earlier today on the anime’s official website (translated by Anime News Network). The first official art for the upcoming My Hero Academia Season 4 showcases protagonist Deku or Izuku Midoriya running alongside Mirio Togata or Lemillion. The tagline for the new season states,” I’ll become your hero!”

Deku only met Mirio for the first time near the end of Season 3 when the latter challenged Deku’s entire class to a fight (and proceeded to kick all of their butts). This pairing is also significant because Mirio was actually the top candidate for All Might’s successor and inheritor of the One For All quirk before Deku came along.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes out of this. I don’t read the manga so I have no idea what to expect from Season 4, aside from a new villain named Kai Chisaki or Overhaul. I don’t consider myself to be much of an otaku but I believe that My Hero Academia is the perfect anime for fans of western comics like myself (especially since My Hero Academia is clearly inspired by the concept of western comic book superheroes in general).


Here’s How You Can Pause Elden Ring

From Software RPGs are notorious for not letting players pause the game mid-way during combat or adventuring. You need to head to a safe spot and then open up the menus to your heart’s content.
Turns out there’s been an oversight on the company’s part for its current hit RPG Elden Ring. You can pause the game without modding it. All you have to do is:

Go on the Inventory Screen.
Open “Menu Explanation” while on the Inventory Screen.

This was brought up by Twitter user Iron Pineapple; no doubt the developers of the game will fix this in an upcoming patch.

guess what, Elden Ring DOES have a pause button
just open "Menu Explanation" while on the inventory screen
this isn't a meme, it actually works lmao pic.twitter.com/0tNLFaWwC7
— Iron Pineapple (@IronPineapple_) March 8, 2022

Until it’s ironed out, feel free to “pause” the game to your heart’s content. For more Elden Ring, check out our guides.


The New Modern Warfare Campaign Puts Familiar Faces In New Conflicts

The story trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare‘s (2019) singleplayer campaign has finally dropped and I must say, I am completely unimpressed at the premise but still excited to see familiar faces from the Modern Warfare series.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu3wZ-_IKrM&w=560&h=315]
If you’ve played any Call of Duty game in the past or watched modern espionage movies, then you’ve probably already experienced what Modern Warfare‘s campaign is offering. It’s another tale of soldiers having to go rouge, working within the grey areas of warfare so that they can snatch back nuclear weapons which have fallen into the hands of Middle-Eastern terrorists. Of course, the Russians might be involved too.
Of course, I might be wrong and Infinity Ward might just baiting everyone into thinking that’s the story. We already know that the iconic Captain Price is coming back and the trailer even shows resembling John “Soap” MacTavish complete with his signature mohawk. Are they former comrades in this timeline or will they meet as enemies? We’ll have to wait till 25 October 2019 to find out.
Is that you Soap?!
In related news, the game’s Spec Ops Survival Mode will be a PS4 exclusive until 1 October 2020 which is almost an entire year after the game’s release. This was announced during the recent Playstation State of Play broadcast.
At this point, it isn’t surprising to see so many perks go to the PS4 since Infinity Ward has made it clear that the PS4 is pretty much the official console of the game. The biggest Call of Duty esports tournament, Call of Duty World League, is presented by and played on PS4 and PS4 users were the first to get access to the game’s free beta.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launches next month on 25 October 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. For more info and news, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.


Xbox Is Getting A Bunch Of Kingdom Hearts & Final Fantasy Titles

One of the biggest problems with Microsoft’s Xbox has always been that it lacked a decent JRPG lineup of games, despite featuring a few gems in the past like Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. Due to that, Xbox gamers have missed out on legendary JRPG franchises like Kingdom Hearts and the older Final Fantasy games.
That won’t be a problem starting next year in 2020.
During the X019 London Inside Xbox live stream, Square Enix announced that they will be adding a whopping total of 10 Final Fantasy titles to the Xbox Game Pass, including the following:

Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII: Remastered
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy X: HD Remastered
Final Fantasy X-2: HD Remastered
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XV

In addition, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue will be released for the Xbox One in 2020, which means that Xbox players will finally be able to play through the entire Kingdom Hearts franchise. A new Kingdom Hearts 3 demo is now available starting today as well.

Square Enix developers Shinji Hashimoto and Ichiro Hazama are here to FINALLY share what they have in store for @XboxGamePass! #X019 #InsideXbox
ðŸŽ®: https://t.co/OKafLf0hRp pic.twitter.com/C8oetrMxzT
â€” Xbox âž¡ï¸ X019 ðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§ (@Xbox) November 14, 2019


Pixel Art Anime Adventure Game Tokyo Stories Is Delayed Indefinitely

Japanese-based game studio Drecom announced pixel art adventure game Tokyo Stories will be postponed from its original 2023 release year to an unannounced date. The game is set to drop for consoles and PC via Steam.

A statement from producer Yuki Ikeda was posted on Tokyo Stories’ Twitter account, confirming the game’s delay. Although the project was initially intended to be small, its scope grew as the team implemented more ideas. This made them realise they needed more time to make the project better and wanted to give a better experience for the gaming community. Luckily, fans are able to get their hands on the Tokyo Stories demo at BitSummit Let’s Go!! in Kyoto from 14 to 16 July 2023.
Tokyo Stories is a 3D adventure game that mixes both media of pixel graphics and 3D combining with a lo-fi cyberpunk atmosphere. A game where players have to solve puzzles around Tokyo in order to find the disappearance of the protagonist’s best friend. Three characters with different stories overlap with unsolved mysteries.

Read the full message from the Tokyo Stories’ producer Yuki Ikeda:
“Tokyo Stories was originally scheduled to be released in 2023. Unfortunately, after much consideration we have decided to postpone the release schedule to “to be determined” status. We are very sorry for all the people who have been looking forward to the release of Tokyo Stories to be made this year.
Our original plan of the title was to be a rather small project. But as our team worked on the project day by day, we came to a realization that we had more ideas and contents we wanted to implement in Tokyo Stories than we originally had in mind.
It was a difficult decision for us, but at the same time, it was a chance to make the project even better. From the day when we made our first announcement of Tokyo Stories last year, we have been encouraged by many positive reactions and opinions we received from everyone. The voices of the community have driven us to be confident in what we were making. We would like to express our thanks for the support that the community have given us over the year.
With our goal of creating a memorable experience for everyone, we are now working together as a team with all our might to develop this project.
We have prepared a small playable version that will be showcased at our booth in the upcoming “BitSummit Let’s Go!” and we are hoping you will come and visit us!
We are still working hard to bring Tokyo Stories to you, and it will take some time until the full official release. We appreciate your patience and understanding over this matter, and we look forward to your continued support!”
Check out Tokyo Stories trailer below.


Kakuchopurei’s Best Of 2019: Untitled Goose Game

The premise of this wacky Australian-made game is pretty simple. You are a Goose and your job is to completely wreck the lives of the people in the nearby village. And that’s pretty much it.

Forget all other sophisticated video game concepts. Untitled Goose Game is the kind of video game we never knew we wanted.

This is one of those games pretty much everyone will enjoy. It has a little bit of everything. You’ll have to sneak around, coordinate your movements, and sometimes cleverly bamboozle the humans.
You can finish Untitled Goose Game in an afternoon. That’s not exactly a bad thing. There’s rarely any downtime from the enjoyment of harassing people. It also helps that there’s always a cheerful tune playing the background.

In the realm of lighthearted games that carve smiles on the faces of gamers, Untitled Goose Game sits very high up in the rankings. It’s simple, yet oh-so-entertaining. You’re guaranteed to have a honking good time.


[Report] Netflix Accidentally Reveals The Witcher Release Date

Gamers everywhere have been waiting with bated breath for Netflix’s The Witcher, especially after the first trailer dropped back in July 2019. It could be the series to fill the void left by Game Of Thrones’ absence, but the streaming giant has been keeping mum on when exactly the highly-anticipated adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels would be arriving.
However, it might not be a mystery any longer, as the official Netflix Netherlands Twitter account seems to have accidentally revealed the release date for The Witcher. In a tweet that has since been deleted (via CBR), the post reads:
“The wait is almost over, * so many * nights sleep for these titles.”

This was then followed by a list of television shows ranging from El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie to The Witcher, for which the number of “sleeps” (or days) left was revealed to be just 97.
That means The Witcher‘s release date is on 17 December 2019, which is only about four months from now.
Since Netflix has removed the tweet, it indicates that the release date is genuine. However, nothing is stopping the company from ultimately changing the release date when they eventually announce the news officially, whenever that may be.
In the meantime, rewatch The Witcher trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSqi-8kAMmM&w=560&h=315]


Here Are The Biggest Upcoming Anime Shows To Watch This “Winter 2019”

Winter is finally here. The snowâ€™s out in full force, so thereâ€™s no better time to dive under the blankets, sip on a nice cup of hot chocolate and watch some of the newest anime offerings. Well, unless you’re in the steaming tropics of Malaysia – in that case, tough luck.
The New Year is filled with brand new anime to sink your teeth into regardless, so here some of the juicy ones that you should look out for.
Mob Psycho 100 Season 2

Studio:Â Bones
Genre:Â Action, Slice of Life, Comedy
While we’re waiting for One Punch Man Season 2, here’s Mob Psycho 100 to fill in that void. Shigeo Kageyama, or â€œMobâ€, returns for a second season filled with all sorts of visceral psychic action. If youâ€™ve watched the first season, then this one will be everything you hope for and possibly more. Esper battles that turn absolute bonkers and dazzling visuals, all tied up in the bow of a heartfelt story.
And hey, it helps that our hero is deep down just a dorky middle schooler.
Meiji Tokyo Renka

Studio:Â TMS Entertainment
Genre:Â Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Shoujo
We all need a reverse-harem story once in a while, right? This oneâ€™s about a high school girl named Mei who can see spirits and ghosts. Sheâ€™s a bit of a loner as a result, but her life takes a huge turn when a mysterious magician whisks her away to the Meiji era. There, she runs into famous historical artists who so happen to also be hot dudes. Hilarity and romance ensue.
Fans of otome are bound to find some charm in this show. Learning a little bit of Japan history wouldnâ€™t hurt either (though that seems unlikely).
The Promised Neverland

Studio:Â Cloverworks
Genre:Â Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Shounen
Grace Field House is a place where children who donâ€™t have parents live. Itâ€™s a show about orphans, and Emma enjoys her time here with her siblings. Except, there is a dark secret about their home and why theyâ€™re here. When the children find out, they have no choice but to escape or, well, face certain death.
We wonâ€™t spoil this for you, though, because thatâ€™s like half the fun. For viewers who thrive on thrillers, this is certainly one you wonâ€™t want to miss.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Studio:Â A-1 Pictures
Genre:Â Comedy, Psychological, Romance, School, Seinen
Sun Tzu once said, â€œThe supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.â€ Kaguya-sama: Love is War channels this ancient concept intoâ€¦ high-school romance? The show is about a couple of geniuses who, for nothing else but pride, wonâ€™t confess their love to their crush â€“ meaning each other. The two then start concocting increasingly-convoluted plans to get the other person to confess their love (by accident, of course), leading to many funny outcomes.
A solid romcom for those interested in good laughs and sweet moments all around. If you were a fan of similar shows like Monthly Girlsâ€™ Nozaki-Kun, then this oneâ€™s a no-brainer.
Boogiepop and Others

Studio:Â Madhouse
Genre:Â Psychological, Mystery, Horror
If youâ€™re reading this title for the first time, youâ€™re probably imagining a comedic show – maybe even a funny-looking mascot, but Boogiepop and Others is anything but. In fact, if youâ€™re a fan of light novels and their many anime adaptations, then you actually have this series to thank for popularising them way back in the 90s.
It revolves around the urban legend of Boogiepop, a strange being thatâ€™s said to kill women at an age when theyâ€™re most beautiful. But Takeda has seen the true Boogiepop, who inhabits the body of his girlfriend, Miyashita, and seems to be protecting the world from supernatural threats. The stories of Boogiepop are highly atmospheric and sometimes horrific, but from what weâ€™ve seen so far, this looks right up the alley for a prestigious studio like Madhouse.
Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka

Studio:Â LIDENFILMS
Genre:Â Drama, Magic, Seinen
With a genre thatâ€™s been around since the days of Sailor Moon, youâ€™re bound to see some wacky ideas get thrown about over the years. Asuka is a magical girl who once used her power to vanquish the threat of alien invaders called Disas Beasts, and has since gone into retirement. Sheâ€™s content with her life as a transfer student but is soon forced to report back to duty as malevolent creatures reappear to threaten mankind.
Itâ€™s a magical girl anime, but with a gritty military twist. Weâ€™re talking military ranks, guns, and all that jazz. Curious? We know we are.
Dororo

Studio:Â MAPPA | Tezuka Productions
Genre:Â Action, Adventure, Demons, Historical, Shounen, Supernatural
In the Sengoku era, a child is born without eyes, skin, or limbs, then is left for dead. This child was the sacrificial result of a lord who forged a pact with 48 demons, that each took a piece from the childâ€™s body so that they could roam free in the world. 16 years later, a young thief named Dororo encounters this child, who is now grown and scours the land, hunting down demons.
Dororo is based on the same classic story by the late Osamu Tezuka, who you may know more famously as the creator of Astro Boy or Black Jack. Modern adaptations of classics are a dime a dozen these days, so when one appears, they have to stick out. To that end, studios MAPPA and Tezuka Productions have revamped the mangaâ€™s art style for a more contemporary aesthetic, and it doesnâ€™t look half bad!
The Rising of the Shield Hero

Studio:Â Kinema Citrus
Genre:Â Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Naofumi Iwatani is your typical otaku college student who one day finds himself transported to another world. Itâ€™s your typical isekai world of course, decked out with a fantasy setting, game-like mechanics and all that. Naofumi finds out that he is one of four heroes who was summoned to save the world. Except, he very quickly gets framed for assault and is then thrown out, with nothing but a shield to fend off his enemies. Not like a game, after all.
In a market oversaturated with isekai anime, itâ€™s hard to find this premise too impressive. Still, the show has solid production values, so if youâ€™re up for some fantasy action and a protagonist who uses quite the unconventional weapon, this oneâ€™s got your back.
revisions

Studio:Â Shirogumi
Genre:Â Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha
Speaking of action, if sci-fi is more your flavour, then check out Revisions. The story is about a second-year high school student, Daisuke Dojima, and his friends who suddenly find themselves transported 300 years into the future. There, they find the city of Shibuya that they once knew replaced by a massive wasteland inhabited only by mechanical monsters called “revisions”.
After being saved by a girl named Milo, they are given “String Puppets”, giant robots that they can pilot to protect Shibuya from these monsters and to help them find their way home.
Itâ€™s worth noting that this show is being written by Makoto Fukami, who also worked on the widely-acclaimed Psycho Pass.


PS5 Exclusive Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Comes To PC This July

Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer Insomniac Games have announced that Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart will launch for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on 26 July 2023.
Pre-orders include early access to the in-game items “Carbonox Armor Set” and “Pixelizer Weapon.” Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart was originally launched for the PS5 in June 2021.
Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart on PC comes with ultra-wide support for 21:9, 32:9, and 48:9 (triple monitor support) resolutions, as well as the option of unlocked frame rates. It also comes with ray-traced reflections, as well as newly added, ray-traced shadows for exteriors.
In addition, it comes with performance-enhancing upscaling technologies for yourself, including NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection. NVIDIA Reflex and image quality-enhancing NVIDIA DLAA are also supported.
You can check out my 4000-word spoiler-free review of Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart here. Two years after launch, it remains one of the very best PS5 exclusives to date.


The 13th International Esports Federation World Championship Kicks Off Next Week

For its 13th year running, the International Esports Federation (IESF) is set to kick off its flagship competition; the 13th IESF Esports World Championship 2021. Scheduled to take place between 14th November 2021 to 20th November 2021, the competition this year will see a record number of Esports contingents from across the world compete for glory in the highest national Esports achievements available.
Being one of the first non-virtual Esports events since the pandemic, the Israeli city of Eilat is set to play host as it welcomes 500 Esports athletes from 85 nations travelling to the city for the illustrious fixture. Competing for national pride and a prize pool of US$50,000, the multi-game event will feature four official games titles including DOTA 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Tekken 7 and eFootball 2022 and one promoted title, Audition.

Following a series of qualification rounds, 7 Asian nations have been called to advance to the grand stage in Eilat. The Asian nations competing at 13th IESF Esports World Championship are as follows:

Asian nations competing at 13th IESF Esports World Championship

1.
Republic of Korea

2.Â
Mongolia

3.
India

4.
Sri Lanka

5.
Philippines

6.
Thailand

7.
Vietnam

The event schedule for the 13th IESF Esports World Championship is as follows:

Date
Event

16th November
Opening Ceremony

Grand Finals (Audition)

17th November
Preliminary Round (All Games)

18th November
Grand Finals (DOTA 2, Tekken 7, eFootballâ„¢ 2022)

19th November
Grand Finals (CS:GO)

20th November
Closing Ceremony

In an official statement, President of the Israeli Esports Association (IESA), Ido Brosh said:
“Following a record number of participating teams, this yearâ€™s edition will be the greatest yet for the IESF Esports World Championship.
I would like to thank the team at International Esports Federation (IESF), the Israeli Esports Association (IESA) and Maccabi World Union for their efforts in making this tournament possible. I look forward to welcoming all the national athletes and delegates to the global finals in Eilat.â€
Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF added:
“The IESF is incredibly excited for the 13th edition of our Esports World Championship which is the largest IESF event to date. Eilat 2021 will showcase and unify Esports athletes from a record 85 nations. This a true representation of IESFâ€™s commitment to the growth and development of sustainable and responsible gaming worldwide.â€
Fans and Esports enthusiasts from around the world can expect spectacular displays of talent and high-level competition during the week-long series. The broadcast schedule for the competition can be found on the IESF World Championship official website and social media channels, while the broadcast will be streamed live on IESFâ€™s Twitch channel, as well as its official website.


Check Out Nintendo’s E3 2019 Plans On Its New Website

In anticipation for the (arguably) biggest gaming event in the world, Nintendo has launched its official E3 2019 website, where all the latest game announcements, tournament news, and event plans will be posted.
We’re only two months away from E3 2019 and Nintendo is already gearing up for the upcoming event. With Sony and EA out of the race, Nintendo has a massive opportunity of dominating the event, with the only competition being Microsoft’s Xbox and other game publishers/developers.
On 8 June 2019, gamers can look forward to exciting esports tournaments like the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate World Championship 2019 3v3 and Splatoon 2 World Championship 2019. Nintendo’s E3 2019 schedule will be updated as the event grows closer.
E3 2019 is slated to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the U.S. from 11 to 13 June 2019. In other related news, major game publishers like Ubisoft and CD Projekt Red are promising a huge presence at this year’s iteration of the annual gaming event.
Last year’s event saw Nintendo focusing mostly on revealing more of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as other Nintendo Switch titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country, Daemon X Machina, and others. Let’s hope this year’s presentation is more diverse in terms of titles and see the company expand beyond relying on just Mario and The Legend of Zelda.


Fall Guys Is Getting A Godzilla Costume

Fall Guys previously received the Sonic costume, but now another iconic character, or should we say kaiju, is coming to the game. In celebration of Godzilla Day on 3 November 2020, a Godzilla costume is coming to Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout.

LOLI can't explain how excited I am to let you know that GODZILLA will be coming to Fall Guys next weekTHE GODZILLA@TOHO_GODZILLATHE ACTUAL GODZILLALITERALLY GODZILLAOFFICIAL GODZILLABetter start getting your crowns together now ? pic.twitter.com/cMgUdqHCgX— Fall Guys… FREE FOR ALL! ? (@FallGuysGame) October 27, 2020

The Fall Guys Godzilla costume will cost 10 crowns.
In a press release (via GameSpot), Mediatonic creative vice president Jeff Tanton said:
“There are many parallels to be drawn between the mighty Godzilla and an average Fall Guy: they are both fiercely competitive, they battle on an international stage with incredibly high stakes, they always get back up after being knocked down, and according to worrying reports from our social media channels, they are both much taller than you’d expect.”


Amazon’s Invincible Gets Two More Seasons

Following the conclusion of Amazon’s Invincible animated series adaptation, the show will be getting two additional seasons.
This means that the show will definitely touch on the comic series’ additional story arcs, which involve the titular hero Invincible/Mark Grayson having more adventures down the line, dealing with college (probably), and having more adversaries and aliens visiting Earth. These include some of them mentioned in one of our spoiler-filled articles here.
Here’s a quote from Amazon Studios concerning the series:
“Invincible is a crowning example of how a fresh and edgy approach to the superhero genre can resonate with audiences around the globe and weâ€™re so glad that Invincible, one of our earliest investments in the adult animation genre, has accomplished just that.
Robertâ€™s no-holds-barred storytelling coupled with a first-class voice cast delivered on fansâ€™ wildest expectations and weâ€™re thrilled to be giving them more Invincible.”
Hopefully in future seasons, Invincible would at least grow in power level. Speaking of which, you should go tune in for the final episode of the show’s first season. It’s a doozy.


The Invincible Live-Action Movie Is Still In Development

The Invincible IP is arguably at its most popular right now, considering how successful the first season of its animated series on Amazon Prime Video is after it premiered in 2021. With Season 2 coming later this year, the original Invincible comic book creator and writer Robert Kirkman gives an update on the live-action Invincible movie adaptation.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Kirkman said:
“We’re very much still working on that,” Kirkman said of the live-action movie. “Sometimes movies take a little bit longer. I think it’s safe to say, if anything, the show has just helped that immensely. People are very excited about that movie potential at Universal. So we’re riding that excitement and trying to push things forward as quickly as possible.”
The last update on the live-action Invincible movie adaptation was back in 2021. Currently, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are attached to write the Invincible movie, which is in development at Universal. In addition, Rogen is also an executive producer of the Invincible animated series and voices the character, Allen the Alien.


TODAK To Represent Malaysia At The Mobile Legends M2 World Championship 2021

MOONTON has announced various promotional activities to celebrate the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M2 World Championship (M2), taking place in Singapore from 18 January to 24 January 2021.
TODAK will represent Malaysia at the upcoming tournament. In 2019, TODAK won 3rd place Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) M1 World Championship that was held in Malaysia Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur on 11 November to 14 November 2019. As one of the top three winning teams in the championship, TODAK took home a cash prize of RM83,536 (US$20,000).
The Malaysian esports team has been applauded for their unique aggressive playstyle and has proven themselves to be one of the biggest powerhouses in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League MYSG (MPL MYSG).
TODAK will begin competing in Phase 1 of the M2 World Championship on 18 January 2021 with the following teams:

TODAK (Malaysia)  vs OmegaEsports (Philippines) – (Match 1) (10:00AM – 11:40AM).
TODAK (Malaysia) vs Impunity KH (Cambodia) – (Match 3) (1:40PM – 3:20PM).

https://www.facebook.com/Todakmobilelegend/photos/a.125340189070594/219242879680324/
Organised by MOONTON in collaboration with Singaporeâ€™s Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), M2 will be the first global offline esports event to be held in Southeast Asia in 2021 as top esports teams from around the world will be converging in the safe confines of Shangri-La Hotel Singapore to battle for a prize pool of US$300,000 behind closed doors.
The winning team will walk away with US$140,000 in cash and will also receive its very own skin integrated with the teamâ€™s branding on a hero of choice. Top esports teams hailing from as far as Japan, Brazil, and Russia will be flying to Singapore to compete in this highly anticipated esports tournament.
The teams who have been invited to Singapore are as follows:

 Indonesia – RRQ, ALTER EGO ESPORTS
 Philippines – BREN ESPORTS, OMEGA ESPORTS
 Malaysia – TODAK
 Singapore – RSG, EVOS SG
 Myanmar – BURMESE GHOULS
 Japan – 10S GAMING FROST
 Cambodia – IMPUNITY KH
 Russia – UNIQUE DEVU
 Brazil – DREAMMAX

MOONTON co-founder and CEO Justin Yuan said:
â€œMobile Legends traces much of its global success today to its roots in Southeast Asia and MOONTON is very pleased to bring this great news to gamers everywhere with much thanks to the support of the Singapore government and our industry partners.
This will be our most exciting event ever as our top players embark on this epic journey to battle it out in Singapore.â€
Mobile Legends recently reached one billion downloads on iOS and Android mobile phones in November 2020, with over 9.77 billion matches played and 9.8 million players having reached the top rank of Mythic. The M2 World Championship 2021 in Singapore is expected to reach 400 million views through various broadcast channels.
All approved travellers must abide by the requirements on COVID-19 prevention and control and prevailing public health regulations. A safety protocol handbook will also be distributed digitally pre-arrival and in hard copy on arrival to all participants, detailing what needs to be done from leaving their countries, arriving in Singapore, and eventually landing back home.
In addition, MOONTON is also dedicating the entire month of January 2021 as a celebration of Mobile Legends esports. This month, an M2-themed game client and a series of promotional activities will be launched, including an M2-themed skin.
In anticipation of the tournament, a teaser video announcing the upcoming M2 World Championship for January 2021 was launched on 1 December 2020.


Suda 51’s Cult Classic Killer7 Will Be Out On PC

Goichi Suda, or Suda 51, is yet another fine example of an auteur game director. He is known for the No More Heroes series, Lollipop Chainsaw, and the severely underrated Shadows of the Damned. But most of us knew his name from the Nintendo GameCube cult classic adventure game Killer7.
Well, it’s coming out for PC, which means a ton of people will get to see what the big deal was back in the 2000s. This version will be out on Steam this Fall, with PC optimization and keyboard-and-mouse control.

Simply put, the game is about a group of assassins called the Killer7 who perform hits for the US government. Naturally, with each kill, the group discovers a huge conspiracy involving Japan.
Imagine if Snatcher and Myst had a baby, and its dad was Suda 51. Part rails shooter, part adventure game, Killer7 had a ton of crazy moments and an esoteric presentation. Like this scene:

To show you more would be a disservice. Best you wait until the PC port is out to enjoy the madness and surrealism that is Suda 51’s masterpiece.


Lyle Lyle Crocodile Is A Fun Family Musical With Good Tunes

A singing crocodile in a family-friendly musical sounds like it’s just for kids, but Lyle Lyle Crocodile is a surprisingly charming and heartwarming movie that even adults and older viewers can enjoy. It’s an adaptation of the children’s story of the same name but it’s definitely fun for everyone of all ages.
The Greatest Show-Croc

The plot and premise in Lyle Lyle Crocodile are nothing to shout about. It’s basically a classic and simple feel-good story about finding one’s own voice and following your heart by doing what you want to do. What makes Lyle Lyle Crocodile work and not just a cringe-worthy kids’ movie is the decision to not make Lyle a conventional anthropomorphic talking animal. You see, Lyle can’t speak like a human being, but he can sing, so that’s how he communicates, as well as using body gestures and facial animations.
Since Lyle can’t speak, popular singer Shawn Mendes (who voices Lyle) doesn’t have to do any actual voice acting, which is for the better. He is best at singing, and conveying his feelings by singing ensures that there’s no awkward voice acting. As a character, Lyle is adorable and endearing, which makes it easy to like him. Plus, the great CGI also helps, since it’s not too realistic (like Lion King) and it’s not too cartoonish either (like Tom And Jerry). So, kudos to the VFX teams.

Another highlight of the film is Javier Bardem’s showman character, Hector P. Valenti. I’m used to seeing him in often serious or more mature roles. It’s nice to see him in a role that’s so quirky, energetic, enthusiastic and happy-go-lucky. This could easily have gone wrong, and the character could have turned out annoying, but it’s Javier Bardem and he pulls it off. Families and younger viewers will probably relate to the Primm family more; including Josh (the kid who befriends Lyle, played by Winslow Fegley), Mrs. Primm (Constance Wu) and Mr. Primm (Scoot McNairy). Oh, and Brett Gelman of Stranger Things fame plays a grumpy neighbour named Mr. Grumps. Poor guy is likely already typecast as the angry dude by now, but that’s what he does best.
But honestly, if you watch this movie, the two things that will stick with you after the credits roll will be two things; Javier Bardem’s performance and the music sung by Shawn Mendes by Lyle. Why is the music so catchy and good? They’re composed by songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also made the songs in La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Greatest Showman. It’s the kind of earworm music you’ll probably be humming on the way back home and searching on Spotify when you get home.
Lyle Lyle Land

Lyle Lyle Crocodile isn’t the most original movie, nor is it the most impressive musical. However, it’s a charming and heartwarming movie with catchy songs and likeable characters. Sometimes we all need a singing crocodile to unwind to; kids and adults alike.
FINAL SCORE: 70/100
We received an early screener of Lyle Lyle Crocodile courtesy of Sony Pictures Malaysia. Lyle Lyle Crocodile is slated to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 1 December 2022.


Darkest Dungeon 2 Leaves Early Access This May

Red Hook Studios has announced that Darkest Dungeon 2 will leave Early Access and launch for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on 8 May 2023. It originally launched in Early Access on 26 October 2021.
Darkest Dungeon II is a turn-based roguelike road trip of the damned. Players will form a party, equip their stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last-gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. Each expedition lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.
A Darkest Dungeon 2 demo is available now via Steam as part of Steam Next Fest February 2023 Edition. In the demo, players can take the four starting heroes through one full region, and explore either Sprawl (city) or the Foetor (farms). However, no progression will be saved between expeditions in the demo.
The full game will feature 12 playable heroes, five full regions, five end bosses, and a metagame hub with “extensive” persistent upgrades.
In the meantime, check out our hands-on preview of the game here.


Halo Devs May Be Switching To Unreal Engine

It has been reported that the developer behind Halo Infinite, 343 Industries is planning to drop its proprietary Slipspace Engine for Unreal.
This surfaced thanks to journalist Jeremy Penter, who wrote on Sunday: “I can only confirm that many sources are saying this and very clear that it’s already been decided and Halo is for sure switching to Unreal.”

I can only confirm that many sources are saying this and very clear that it's already been decided and Halo is for sure switching to Unreal.I feel like it's time for other switches behind the scenes including people leaving and their past problems.
Unreal is a great choice. https://t.co/8KxMqREWIk
— ACG (@JeremyPenter) October 2, 2022

If true, then it’s unclear as to whether or not this switch will apply to Halo Infinite itself. 343 has publicly announced that it will be committed to supporting Halo Infinite for around a decade.
This news may foreshadow some so upcoming bumps in the road that may displease fans and players of the game. Creating an engine from the ground up comes with high cost and effort so many opt for a third-party solution such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
To back all this up, a report from Lords of Gaming stated that the lead engineer behind 343’s Slipspace Engine, David Berger had confirmed his departure last month.
Halo Infinite hasn’t had the best launch, having been delayed by more than a year, just months before it was slated to release with the Xbox Series X | S. When it did finally release, only the Campaign and Multiplayer were available and were missing some key and highly anticipated features such as Forge and Co-op Campaign—the latter of which was recently cancelled for online players.

Players have expressed their frustrations in regards to the frequency of post-launch updates, with 343 itself acknowledging earlier this year that the game’s community is “out of patience” at the studio’s perceived lack of activity and communication.
To further add fuel to the fire, last month, studio head, Bonnie Ross also announced that she was also stepping down after 15 years at 343 in order to attend to a family medical issue.
Coinciding with the announcement of her departure, Microsoft said it had restructured 343’s leadership team. 343’s former head of production, Pierre Hintze, has taken on the role of studio head.
Bryan Koski, who previously headed up marketing for Halo, is set to become GM of the franchise, while business, operations and esports head Elizabeth Van Wyck will oversee business and operations.


Marvel’s Spider-Man vs. Red Dead Redemption 2: Which Is The Better Sandbox Experience?

2018 was a special year for gaming.
After a lengthy development cycle, one of the most anticipated games of the generation launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Rockstar Gamesâ€™ Red Dead Redemption 2 was an instant hit, breaking records and becoming one of the highest grossing entertainment launches in history. In terms of overall success, it beat the likes of Avengers: Infinity War and only trailed second behind the developerâ€™s previous game, Grand Theft Auto V.
Earlier in the year, the PlayStation 4 also experienced triumph with its biggest ever exclusive game launch. Under the helm of Insomniac Games, Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man would set records for Sonyâ€™s platform. In fact, the web-slingerâ€™s game became the biggest release of 2018 at the time before losing out to Red Dead Redemption 2 a little more than a month later.
Thereâ€™s little doubt that Red Dead Redemption 2 and Spider-Man were the biggest releases of the year. Yet, even with Spider-Manâ€™s success, its numbers pale in comparison to Red Dead Redemption 2. While Spider-Man managed over three million copies in its first week, Red Dead Redemption 2 scored an outrageous 17 million units sold.
This shouldnâ€™t come as a surprise, though. After all, apart from a stellar reputation, Rockstarâ€™s game of cowboys and outlaws took eight years to make, and boasts probably the densest and most intricate open world in the genreâ€™s history. In it, youâ€™ll gallop through the quiet fields, mushy swamps, and barren deserts, all while acquainting yourself intimately with the world and its various side activities. Hunt for wild beasts, play a game of poker, speak to the inhabitants – itâ€™s your call.
Spider-Man, on the other hand, isnâ€™t quite as vast. Nowhere close, even. While the urban jungle of New York has been recreated to accurate detail, it becomes clear from the get-go that the city is a playground rather than a world to live in. Points of interest litter the map, consisting of checklist-type activities like collectible backpacks, crimes, photo locations, and more. Youâ€™re swinging, running on walls, and doing backflips from point A to B. And yet, despite the smaller size and more streamlined experience, itâ€™s in this frank simplicity that Spider-Man may have an edge over Red Dead Redemption 2.
Long trips through the Old West, with a smartphone in hand

An important aspect that stood out to me through my entire time with Red Dead Redemption 2 was its substantial lack of fast travel points. Almost as if done deliberately, many of your travels across the vast land of America force you to manually ride by horseback. A far cry from racing through the cityscapes in Rockstarâ€™s Grand Theft Auto V, you ride your trusty steed from one destination to the next, and itâ€™s mostly quiet for these several long minutes.
The design behind Red Dead Redemption 2 relies heavily on building a sprawling world thatâ€™s as alive as can be. With a high emphasis on varied content, the game expects that you take your time in experiencing the incredible views. All manner of quirky folk also appearsÂ along the way, providing small vignettes of what America was like in the past.
While Rockstar has delivered a masterful simulation of this eventful point in history, travelling in Red Dead Redemption 2 is just so remarkably tedious. This is especially so when the average playtime for completion naturally stretches into tens of hours.

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Itâ€™s not uncommon to ride out somewhere to begin a mission, only for this mission to then send you somewhere else. A majority of the game will consist of nothing more than rapidly tapping the sprint button and tilting your analog stick every so often. And if you rush and accidentally run head-on into a tree? Youâ€™ll get thrown off your horse and have to watch as Arthur Morgan awkwardly recovers from the ordeal.
But the developers knew that traversal gets boring at some point, and so implemented a cinematic mode that would let the AI take over for you. Itâ€™s a pseudo-fast travel system that doesnâ€™t require you to glue your eyes to the screen but still makes you wait. The horse kind of just strolls to your destination, and apart from the ambient music, there arenâ€™t any soundtracks for you to select from and listen to, likely because radios didnâ€™t exist back in the day. I eventually found myself watching YouTube videos on my smartphone in between these lengthy commutes, but I wouldnâ€™t say thatâ€™s quite a realistic depiction of the late 19th century either.

And the lack of fast travel points? Well, there werenâ€™t too many towns in 1899, so stagecoaches and train stations were rare to find. Thatâ€™s pretty much what the game has for an excuse.
“Wealth and fame, he ignores, action is his reward”
So what makes Spider-Manâ€™s traversal better, then? The key word here is: engagement. Start the game fresh and the first tutorial youâ€™ll find is a lesson on web-slinging. From the onset, youâ€™ll learn that there are a lot of ways for you to traverse the bustling city of New York. Youâ€™ll swing from a web the classic way, parkour over obstacles, web-zip for a strong horizontal momentum, hop across rooftops with a well-timed point launch, and more.
When designing the urban playground that Spider-Man would roam in, Insomniac Games even took some liberties with some of New Yorkâ€™s buildings. Many buildings in the game are much taller than their real-life counterparts, and this allows for you to swing from more exhilarating heights.

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Even when a certain character in-game talks about how he broke his toe jumping off a bridge, youâ€™ll find that fall damage doesnâ€™t really exist in the game. Itâ€™s all about making traversal a fun and engaging experience so that youâ€™re never bored when moving around. Itâ€™s often a difficult thing to get right in open world games, but Spider-Man is certainly a standout example when it comes to getting this right.
Not only is moving from one edge of the map to the opposite end intuitive and fun, the game has unlockable fast travel points spread all across the city as research stations. Unlike Red Dead Redemption 2, however, Spider-Man doesnâ€™t need a good explanation for providing you with a fast travel point. Even if the fun of web-slinging doesnâ€™t make you eager to fast travel, the option to immediately move from Harlem to Chinatown without having to awkwardly scour the streets for subway stations, is very much appreciated.
More importantly, it doesnâ€™t take anywhere near as long to reach your destination in Spider-Man as it does in Red Dead Redemption 2.
A big open world game thatâ€™s also surprisingly linear…
Iâ€™m sure most people can tell you that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a third-person shooter. If youâ€™ve played the genre before, chances are youâ€™ve done this dance before. A gun battle ensues, you scurry to the side to find some cover, and then peep out once in a while to pick off your opponents.
To spice things up, Red Dead Redemption 2 uses a special Dead Eye targeting system. What this does is it lets you to slow time down to a crawl and tag multiple enemies within that period. Once you pull the trigger, youâ€™ll let loose multiple shots on enemies, taking them down stylishly in one fell swoop.

The Dead Eye system is pretty much the star of Red Dead Redemption 2â€™s gunfights. Itâ€™s what makes the gameâ€™s combat unique and fun. And letâ€™s face it, slow-mo takedowns are always incredibly fun to play around with.
And yet, the gunfights do suffer. Though Rockstar has staged some breath-taking set pieces for gunfights, the core gameplay never quite evolves. It doesnâ€™t take long before each gunfight becomes the same old ritual of finding a cover point, eliminating enemies in the vicinity, and then moving on when the story lets you.
The AI in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be rather straightforward, either shooting at you from a distance, or lumbering towards you across an open field. For the most part, thereâ€™s no sense of danger that compels you to leave a safe spot, since enemies rarely flank you, and donâ€™t ever try to flush you out with explosives such as molotovs or dynamite (even though you can use them yourself).

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This often makes gun battles feel like glorified whack-a-mole mini-games rather than intense shootouts. Gone are the dangerous enemy layouts of Rockstarâ€™s Max Payne 3. Instead, simply wait for someone to stick their head out from cover and youâ€™re good to go.
And donâ€™t even worry about running out of ammo, because you can hold an absurd amount of bullets in your satchel. In many games, youâ€™re encouraged to leave cover so that you can pick more ammo up from the corpses lying around. This is almost impossible to happen in Red Dead Redemption 2, even if youâ€™re terrible at aiming.
Compounding the issues are the gameâ€™s take on RPG mechanics. Consumable items such as food, drinks, and drugs are core to the experience, governing health, stamina, and the Dead Eye gauge. Using these items will replenish and strengthen your character, and can be used liberally so long as you have the items stocked.
Aside from select sequences where your use of items are limited, the game essentially allows you to play carelessly as long as youâ€™d purchased some resources beforehand. Thereâ€™s simply no cleverness required on the playerâ€™s part, which is unfortunate.
The Master Of Improvisation
Itâ€™s clear at this point that Red Dead Redemption 2 has set out to be a game accessible to even inexperienced players. While Spider-Man has also taken due caution to achieve this, it carefully does so without putting hardened gamers at a disadvantage.
When you start your game in Spider-Man, youâ€™re given a choice between multiple difficulties to help define your experience. As the difficulty level goes up, enemies will become more durable and also hit harder.
Insomniac Games even added an extra difficulty mode in a later patch to truly satisfy those players yearning for a healthy dose of punishment. A difficulty slider is something thatâ€™s sorely missing from Red Dead Redemption 2, which is a clear advantage that Spider-Man has in terms of giving players a challenge.

But letâ€™s also dive into the combat system. Spider-Manâ€™s combat takes some clear inspirations from games in the past such as Devil May Cry and the Batman Arkham series. This should already give you an idea of the kind game youâ€™re dealing with. Indeed, Spider-Man provides you with a slew of creative options to take down your enemies. You can launch opponents into the air, create combos, knock them off buildings (donâ€™t worry, they donâ€™t actually die), slide under them, and web them up.
When youâ€™re not using these moves to style on opponents, Spider-Manâ€™s moveset also bestows upon you a dizzying amount of strategic opportunities. Complementing his acrobatic ability are a wide range of gadgets that Spider-Man always has at his disposal.

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While limited in use, tools such as the trip-mine, impact web, web bomb, and more are effective at trimming down the enemy ranks in the right situations. Spider-Man can also glide effortlessly across the arena to deal with a variety of enemies, chasing those with guns, or escaping from giant brutes, providing extra layers of options when dealing with the gameâ€™s many challenges.
Some other interesting aspects in Spider-Man include the ability to unlock and equip Suit Powers and Mods. These allow players to customise some of the webhead’s abilities to better suit their own playstyle. Do you use a lot of gadgets? Hereâ€™s something that will let you replenish them at will. Are you a master at evading attacks? Have fun with this ability that slows down time whenever you execute a perfect dodge.

To better summarise the two games when it comes to combat, Red Dead Redemption 2â€™s shootouts are rarely as dynamic as the brawls in Spider-Man are. The emphasis on a single difficulty has also created a rigid structure that canâ€™t accommodate every kind of player.
On the other hand, Spider-Man embraces creating challenges for players and even provides a host of options that they can choose from to tackle them. If you arenâ€™t into the immersive realism and set pieces that Red Dead Redemption 2 goes for, then Spider-Man is a clear winner in the combat department.
Two games for two different kinds of gamers
Iâ€™m not the kind of player who enjoys having an easy time in a game. As someone who spends most of my time playing fighting games and RPGs, where complex inputs and strategies are a priority, sitting through Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a frustration without actively shifting my mindset. The developers at Rockstar have no doubt created an incredible game with so many things to do, and many stories to experience. But to me, itâ€™s all width and no depth.
Spider-Man was a surprise for me, and the amount of engagement the game provided saw me putting long sessions into the game and finishing the game in no time. Itâ€™s a game thatâ€™s a little more old-school in its approach, focusing on interesting challenges and tight gameplay rather than an interactive storytelling experience, but this isnâ€™t a bad thing. The cinematic cutscenes were enough for me, and at least I didnâ€™t need to spend up to five minutes of my time herding sheep or picking up poop while someone talked at length in the background.
At the end of the day, these are games suited to two different types of gamers. Red Dead Redemption 2 wouldnâ€™t necessarily be boring for everyone, but it can be if youâ€™re more interested in action and game mechanics like I am. I can see how Red Dead Redemption 2â€™s mix of storytelling, environments, and attention to detail can be appealing and important to the evolution of video games.
However, I personally just prefer how Spider-Man focuses on a few things, like its web-slinging and combat, and then refines them to showcase a large amount of depth.
Content or gameplay? Itâ€™s up to you. With these two games at the forefront as some of the biggest games of the year, 2018 certainly is a special year for gaming.


Coffee Talk Episode 2 Has A Release Date; Physical Edition Also Announced

Toge Productions just hosted a 14th-anniversary livestream to talk about its games, and one of them is about the second Coffee Talk game.
The next episode of the chill coffee visual novel title, Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, will be out on 20th April for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.

As a bonus, both Coffee Talk Episode 2 and its prequel will be getting physical editions courtesy of partner Serenity Forge; versions include the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 versions. Here are the details and screencaps:
Coffee Talk – Single Shot Edition (US$39.99)

Each Coffee Talk Single Shot Edition includes a physical copy of the game, illustrated inner coversheet, vinyl sticker sheet containing a set of nine unique stickers, wooden keychain charm, and a download card with a code for a digital download of the soundtrack.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly – Single Shot Edition (US$39.99)

Each Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Single Shot Edition includes a physical copy of the game, illustrated inner coversheet, vinyl sticker sheet containing a set of 11 unique stickers, wooden keychain charm, and a download card with a code for a digital download of the soundtrack.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly – Collector’s Edition (US$99.99)
Each Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Collector’s Edition includes a physical copy of the game, illustrated inner coversheet, vinyl sticker sheet containing a set of 11 unique stickers, wooden keychain charm, download card with a code for a digital download of the soundtrack, acrylic standee with six changeable café-goers, mini comics collection, tea towel, double-sided tote bag, paper memopad, and an outer box.
Coffee Talk + Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly – Double Shot Bundle (US$149.99)

Each Coffee Talk + Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Double Shot Bundle includes a physical copy of Coffee Talk and Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, illustrated inner coversheet, two vinyl sticker sheets, two wooden keychain charms, two download cards with a code for a digital download of the soundtrack of each game, acrylic standee with six changeable café-goers, mini comics collection, tea towel, double-sided tote bag, paper memopad, an outer box plus two additional items—a Coffee Talk coffee mug and an embroidered patch.


Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Takes Off On PS5 & Xbox Series Today

Private Division, Squad, and Blitworks have announced that Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition is now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Owners of the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game and its expansions can upgrade to the current-gen versions for free.

The current-gen version of Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition will benefit from a number of hardware advancements, allowing for an upgraded resolution, improved framerate, advanced shaders, better textures, and other performance improvements. This version will also provide full mouse and keyboard support.

Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition is available for purchase for RM179 on the Malaysia PlayStation Store. Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Complete, which contains both the Breaking Ground expansion and History and Parts pack, is available for RM269.

In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Team Ninja Currently Has No Updates On Ninja Gaiden & Dead Or Alive, Despite Reports

During G-Star 2022 last Sunday on 20th November, the Korean press (via Inven) reported that Team Ninja may be rebooting & reviving its classic titles Ninja Gaiden and Dead Or Alive according to studio head Fumihiko Yasuda. While the company has the enthusiasm to do so, they currently have no news to share on both franchises at the moment.
According to a recent Videogames Chronicle report, Team Ninja has no specifics on the future plan regarding the two series.

“Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden are both long-standing pillar franchises for Team Ninja. These celebrated titles are synonymous with our studio history and reputation.
It goes without saying that when speaking about the development of our past and future projects, both of these important titles cannot be left without mention. However, there are no details or information to share on either of these franchises at this present time.
Like many of our dedicated fans, we share the enthusiasm for the return of these beloved titles. And we will be sure to provide a proper update (if and) when that day arrives.”

Besides, Koei Tecmo owns those properties, so Team Ninja may need a strong pitch to revive them if they wish to go back to that well. We know the Dead Or Alive series has a sixth game that’s out, though only a niche few are playing that because people prefer Tekken 7 these days.
The last Ninja Gaiden game was Ninja Gaiden 3 back in 2012. The less said about the Yaiba spinoff, the better.


You Can Catch The First 15 Minutes Of Army Of The Dead Later This Week

Zack Snyderâ€™s Army Of The Dead is releasing on Netflix on 21 May 2021, but you can catch the first 15 minutes of the upcoming movie starting from this Friday on 14 May 2021 at 1am GMT+8 in a special live stream on YouTube.
The live stream will feature special appearances by director Zack Snyder and stars Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana De La Reguera, Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer, Nora Arnezeder, Tig Notaro and more.
This live reveal will also have fans (literally) digging for a sneak peek of Zack Snyderâ€™s zombie heist flick. Once unlocked, audiences will have a 32-hour window to watch the first 15 minutes of Army Of The Dead on the Netflix YouTube channel. Interestingly, that’s also the same amount of time that Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) and his crew have to break into zombie-infested Las Vegas to retrieve the US$200 million sitting in a vault beneath the strip before the city is nuked.
We have included the live stream below for your convenience. In the meantime, check out our roundtable interview with Army Of The Dead director Zack Snyder by heading over here, where he talks about his cameo in the movie and more.


Monster Hunter World Will Be On PC Next Month; Specs Included

Update: It’s out now. We’ve updated this page with other graphical tidbits.Â
Mark your calendars, Monster Hunter fans who want their new hunting fix sated on the master race system. Capcom announced that Monster Hunter World will be out for PC and Steam on 9 August.
You’ll probably want to know the specs of this version. Here’s the minimum and recommended specs according to a recent leak:
Minimum:

Intel i5 4460 @ 3.2Ghz
Nvidia GTX 760
8GB RAM
25GB HDD
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Recommended:

Intel i7-3770 @ 3.4Ghz
Nvidia GTX 1060
8GB RAM
25GB HDD
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Graphic Options
Vsync:Â on, off
Frame Rate:Â 30, 60, no limit
Resolution Scaling:Â low, mid, high, variable (prioritize resolution), variable (prioritize frame rate)
Texture Quality:Â 256, 512, 1024, full
Ambient Occlusion:Â off, low, mid, high
Volume Rendering Quality:Â off, low, mid, high, highest, variable
Shadow Quality:Â low, mid, high
Anti-Aliasing:Â off, FXAA, TAA
LOD Bias:Â low, mid, high, variable
Max LOD level:Â -1, no limit
Foliage sway:Â on, off
Subsurface scattering:Â on, off
Screen Space Reflection:Â on, off
Anisotropic Filtering:Â low, mid, high
Water Reflection:Â on, offÂ
SH Diffuse Quality:Â low, mid, high
Dynamic Range:Â 32-bit, 64-bit
Z-Prepass:Â on, off
Known Issues At Launch (via Steam & ResetEra)
Game not launching on certain PCs
There’s an issue where the game will not boot on specific CPU or GPU model. Dev team is aware of it and are currently investigating the matter. A patch will be released as soon as they identify and fix the problem.
Issues with multi-GPU configuration
There is a known issue where the game may not work correctly when SLI or Crossfire is enabled. If you encounter these issues, please disable the multi-GPU setting within the Nvidia or AMD Control Panel.
The game will be priced at US$59.99.Â Pre-orderers will receive two bonuses in the Origin Set, a useful levelling set of armour with a nostalgic style, and the Fair Wind Charm, another useful item for early levelling that features a unique left-arm glow. There is also a Deluxe version available for pre-order as well for US$70.48 and it features the following:

Samurai Armor Set
Gesture: Zen
Gesture: Ninja Star
Gesture: Sumo Slap
Sticker Set: MH All-Stars Set
Sticker Set: Sir Loin Set
Face Paint: Wyvern
Hairstyle: Topknot

The Deluxe set above can also be purchased separately for US$14.99.
The PC version of Monster Hunter World also has the following additions/restrictions:

No cross-play multiplayer or cross-saves between platforms are supported
Multiplayer works through Steamâ€™s servers and accounts
Utilizes Denuvo DRM
Controller and Keyboard+Mouse supported
Post-launch content updates and events planned
Post-launch Event Quest schedule will be different from the consolesâ€™

We talked about Monster Hunter World earlier this year; we really loved it.Â


Mario Golf Super Rush Trailer Showcases More Fun Gameplay

Nintendo has released a five-minute overview trailer forÂ Mario Golf Super Rush, which introduces the roster of playable characters, a new mode, different courses, and additional game details. The game was originally announced during the Nintendo Direct in February 2021.
The trailer highlights the following features and modes:

New Playable Characters – Next to Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser, the game now brings in fresh faces in this series such as Pauline (Super Mario Odyssey), Chargin’ Chuck (Super Mario World), and King Bob-omb.
Speed GolfÂ â€“ In the new fast-paced mode Speed Golf, players tee off in unison and race through the course to sink the ball as fast as possible. Itâ€™s important to avoid the courseâ€™s various hazards and collect items that regain stamina while sprinting to the ball. Players can also use Special Dashes and Shots to swing victory in their favor.
Battle GolfÂ â€“ In Battle Golfâ€”a more strategic variation of Speed Golfâ€”nine holes are in play at the same time. The first player to score three of the nine holes claims the victory, so itâ€™s key to stay ahead of opponents or risk losing out.
Standard Golf â€“ In Standard Golf, every stroke counts and the lowest score wins. Play this mode if Speed and Battle Golf aren’t your style and just want a traditional game.
Golf Adventure â€“ Super Mario Golf RPG, basically. Solo players can go from rookie to pro when enrolling their Mii character at a country club in Golf Adventure. While interacting with familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters, they can learn how to play and take on a variety of challenges. Gaining experience makes it possible to level up the character, which can then be used in multiplayer modes.
Simple Controls â€“ Simple button controls make it easy for new players and seasoned pros alike. Itâ€™s as simple as taking aim, choosing the shot strength and sending the ball flying. Additionally, itâ€™s possible to use motion controls by holding a Joy-Con controller like a golf club.
Useful ToolsÂ â€“ Curving a shot is an effective technique to avoid hazards, and putting spin on the ball affects how it rolls after landing. Several features are on hand to help conquer the course, including a shot gauge that adapts to the angle of the slope and a scan that makes it easier to read the terrain.
Tee Off with Family, Friends and Familiar Faces â€“ Players can choose from a cast of 16 characters from the Super Mario series, each featuring different strengths and equipped with their own unique special moves. These include clearing balls on-screen or just throwing a Super Mario-style nuke to push players off-course.
Lavish LocationsÂ â€“ From standard courses to courses with special hazards, every round of golf is different. There is a variety of six locations to choose from.

Mario Golf Super Rush is slated to release for the Nintendo Switch on 25 June 2021. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


The Next Kojima Productions Game Will “Blur The Line Between Mediums”

The follow-up to 2019’s walking simulator with a twist Death Stranding sounds ambitious.
According to director Hideo Kojima who runs Kojima Production, he said on Famitsu that the company’s next game project will “blur the line between mediums just as the industry is preparing to do the same very soon (via Destructoid).
“A big title, and a title thatâ€™s a new challenge. As the boundaries of entertainment disappear in the near future, Iâ€™d like to make this a year that we take a step forward into challenging different mediums and expressions.”
If there’s anyone who can make waves with the unique things he does in gaming, be it good or bad, it’s definitely Hideo Kojima. His last game Death Stranding was certainly divisive as all heck; some critics loved it while other people weren’t a fan of it. Props to the guy for having his Hollywood movie-making dream coming true.


HoYo Fest Is Coming To Malaysia & SEA Starting Next Week

HoYoverse reveals its all-star line-up for HoYo FEST 2022 today, featuring events in Southeast Asia that start from 28 September 2022, including collab cafés, custom meals and merchandise sales! With players gathering together, the bountiful offline experiences will relive the touching and heart-warming memories of them exploring the fantasy game worlds of HoYoverse titles.
The event series will be held in Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, at local collab cafés themed after Genshin Impact, Tears of Themis and Honkai Impact 3rd in a row. All cafés will be embellished with themed décor, creating an immersive environment filled with true-to-game details, themed music and photo zones.
Special set meals and merchandise sales will also be available in the cafés, welcoming fans to gather, taste and relish the moment of joy! Any order of the set meal or merchandise will come along with exclusive themed gifts
Please find below the schedule of each themed event, and the locations of the collab cafés as well:
Schedule:

Genshin Impact: 28 September to 9 October 2022
Tears of Themis: 12 October to 23 October 2022 (specific countries only)
Honkai Impact 3rd: 26 October to 6 November 2022

Collab Cafés

Singapore: Flipper’s @ Bugis Junction

Malaysia: La Juiceria Superfoods Signature (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur)

Thailand: The KROSS (Bangkok)

Philippines: Moon Rabbit Cafe +Restaurant (Manila)

Indonesia: .TEMU (M Bloc, Jakarta)

Vietnam: EE EARTH Coffee (Hanoi)

Preparations are underway for the grand celebration. Captains, Travelers, and Attorneys, stay tuned for the upcoming surprises!
For reservations and more event details, you can visit the official website by heading over here.


PS4 Owners Offered Cyberpunk 2077 Refunds (Update)

CD Projekt Red has announced that they will be fixing bugs and crashes on all versions of the game. The next patch will arrive in the next seven days, but the next major patches will arrive sometime in January and February 2021, respectively.
For those who want refunds, you can request for one via the PSN or Xbox. You can also contact the developer directly from now until 21 December 2020 by emailing them at helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com.

pic.twitter.com/jtF5WKCiro— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 14, 2020

Original story is as follows:

The PS4 and Xbox One versions of Cyberpunk 2077 have been plagued with problems and issues since launch. Because of that, Sony is reportedly issuing refunds to certain PS4 fans in the U.S.
According to a Reddit thread, Sony is now apparently refunding the full cost of Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 even for those who’ve played more than two hours. It’s rare for Sony to give refunds, except in the rarest cases.
The player stated on Reddit:
“I had to file a support claim online and sit on hold for over an hour to speak with someone, however, they were quick to issue the refund and then delete the game off my library.Sony forces you to go through support chat first.I never chatted with a live agent over chat, I used an automated thing and then they gave a number I could call.The lady I spoke with also said that Sony is issuing a business complaint to CDPR about the issues, and I wasn’t the first one to call in today about refunds.”
However, it might be significantly more difficult to get a refund if you aren’t in the U.S. That’s because many regions don’t exactly have its own customer support hotline. Even if they do, they’re not exactly reliable.
Also, it’s not like every PS4 players who called received a refund. There are still many who reported that they have not, which means that refunds are still pretty much on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re not in the U.S., you probably shouldn’t expect to get a refund anytime soon. Case in point, it’s hard to even find a phone number to call on the official PlayStation Asia website.
In the meantime, check out our in-depth guide on Cyberpunk 2077 here.
Cyberpunk 2077 is now available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Google Stadia.


The Dark Pictures Anthology House Of Ashes Gameplay Reveals Underground Horror

Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Supermassive Games have released an eight-minute-long gameplay video for The Dark Pictures Anthology House Of Ashes.
The synopsis of the game reads:
Iraq, 2003. As the conflict draws to a close, CIA field operative Rachel King joins an elite military unit on a raid of a suspected underground chemical weapons facility in the shadow of the Zagros Mountains.
Arriving at the coordinates, the unit is ambushed by a local patrol led by Sergeant Salim Othman. During the battle, an earthquake opens sinkholes in the ground, pitching both sides into the ruins of a buried Sumerian temple. In the darkness beneath the Arabian Desert, something evil is awakened. Savage and unstoppable, a nest of ancient and unearthly creatures has a new prey to hunt.
Horrific discoveries and impossible decisions face the survivors as they strive to navigate the underworld and escape the terrifying threat. Will they each prioritize their own survival, or put aside their fears and their personal rivalries to fight together as one?
The Dark Pictures Anthology House Of Ashes is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC sometime in 2021,
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Transformers Rise Of The Beasts Unveils Cool New Posters

United International Pictures Malaysia has released new posters for the upcoming Transformers Rise Of The Beasts.
These include Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal and Mirage (from top to bottom).

Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.
The cast includes Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback and the voices of Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Cristo Fernández and Tobe Nwigwe.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Transformers Rise Of The Beasts premieres in cinemas on 8 June 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


New Mutants Trailer Unveils First Look At Magik’s Soulsword

20th Century Fox’s The New Mutants is finally going to see the light of day, as it receives a brand new full-length trailer in anticipation for its upcoming release. Originally slated to release in early 2018, the movie will now be releasing a whole two years later on 3 April 2020.
Unlike any of the previous X-Men movies, The New Mutants has a horror vibe to it but is still very much a movie about a bunch of kids with superpowers. They find themselves being held against their will in a hospital but will have to band together and fight to escape.
The New Mutants stars Anya Taylor-Joy as fan-favourite Russian mutant Illyana Rasputin or Magik, Game Of Thrones’ Maisie Williams as the shapeshifter werewolf Rahne Sinclair or Wolfsbane, Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie or Cannonball, Henry Zaga plays Roberto da Costa or Sunspot, and Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar or Mirage.
In the final moments of the trailer, we see Magik powering up, manifesting both her armour and iconic Soulsword weapon when facing the antagonist Demon Bear. The bear’s powers include super-strength, teleportation and corruption of souls.

This movie will technically be the last of 20th Century Fox’s X-Men movies, now that Disney and Marvel Studios has regained access to the X-Men IP. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_vJhUAOFpI&w=560&h=315]


Disney’s Encanto Trailer Promises A Magical Musical Experience

Disney has released the first official trailer for Encanto, a new animated musical movie featuring eight new songs from Moana and Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Set in Colombia, Encanto is directed by Zootopia co-directors, including Byron Howard and Jared Bush, as well as newcomer Charise Castro Smith.
Best of all, this will mark the first time the entire score of the Disney animated movie will be written entirely by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The lead role, Mirabel Madrigal, will be played by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Stephanie Beatriz.
The synopsis reads:
“Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.
The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal; every child except one, Mirabel (Beatriz).
But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional familyâ€™s last hope.â€
Disney’s Encanto will premiere on 24 November 2021.


PS Plus June 2021 Offers Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, Star Wars Squadrons & More

Gamers will have three new games to look forward to in the PlayStation Plus Asia June 2021 lineup. From 1 June 2021 to 5Â  2021 (except for Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown), PS Plus subscribers will be able to redeem Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (PS4, PS5), Star Wars Squadrons (PS4, PS5) and Operation Tango (PS5).
Cooperative futuristic espionage, remastered martial arts mayhem and dogfights in a galaxy far, far away await you thanks to the PlayStation Plus game lineup for June. New titles Operation Tango and Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown make their PlayStation debut, while Star Wars Squadrons gives you the chance to pilot iconic starcraft like the X-wing and TIE fighter.
For PS Plus Asia members:
Operation Tango | PS5 version only

Team up to save the world in this cooperative spy adventure, challenging you and a friend to join up online** to complete dangerous missions across the globe in a high-tech near-future world. Combine skill sets from different points of view â€“ playing either Hacker or Agent â€“ to overcome asymmetrical challenges, working in tandem with only your voice to link you. Teamwork is crucial, and communication is key! Note: Operation: Tango requires both players to have access to a working microphone.
Operation Tango will be available to PlayStation Plus members until 5 July 2021.
Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown | PS4/PS5

Segaâ€™s iconic one-on-one battler gets remade for a new generation by Yakuza and Judgment developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. This console exclusive debuts on PlayStation Plus, allowing both VF veterans and newcomers to experience the intense martial arts combat, deep strategy, and intricately balanced gameplay of the groundbreaking 3D fighter in stunning HD.
New online features â€“ like custom tournaments supporting up to 16 players and live spectating â€“ join classic modes like Rank Match, Arcade, and VF5â€™s famously robust Training to deliver the definitive Virtua Fighter experience.
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown will be available to PlayStation Plus members until 2 August 2021.

Star Wars Squadrons | PS4/PS5

Master the art of starfighter combat in frenetic multiplayer space dogfights, and learn what it means to be a pilot in a thrilling Star Wars single-player story set after the events of Return of the Jedi and seen from alternating perspectives of two factions. The New Republic fights for freedom. The Empire demands order.
Take control of iconic craft such as the X-wing and TIE fighter, customize loadouts and cosmetics, divert power between weapons, shields and engines while immersing yourself in the cockpit. Youâ€™ll also have the option to play the entirety of the game in virtual reality on PS VR!
In the meantime, you can check outÂ my review ofÂ Star Wars SquadronsÂ here, orÂ head on over hereÂ for a full in-depth guide on how to be the best pilot in the galaxy.
Star Wars: Squadrons will be available to PlayStation Plus members until 5 July 2021.


[Rumour] Modern Warfare 2 Remastered & Other Activision Games In The Works

It seems that a remaster of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is on the way, amongst other Activision titles.
In a recent tweet, @TheGamingRevo2 wrote that Activision is working on several titles, including:

Tony Hawk Pro Skater Remastered
This year’s Call of Duty game (code-named PROJECT: ZEUS)
Modern Warfare 2 Remastered
A free-to-play Call of Duty game by Sledgehammer Games. due in 2021
A PvP Crash Bandicoot game
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Remastered

https://twitter.com/TheGamingRevo2/status/1238173268126904324
@TheGamingRevo2, who also has a YouTube channel called The Gaming Revolution, had previously leaked footage from the now-released Call of Duty: Warzone. Charlie Intel wrote that their original Twitter account was suspended as a result of Warzone leaks.
Another Twitter user, @Okami13_, also talked about a Modern Warfare 2 remaster late last month. @Okami13 had previously revealed that Warzone would launch in March 10Â  as a free-to-play title with squads-only matchups, which have all been true.
As with all rumours, I’d take it all with a pinch of salt until something concrete comes from Activision themselves. It’d be interesting to have a Modern Warfare 2 remaster just a year after the series’ soft reboot though.Â


You Can Now Play As Keanu Reeves In Metal Gear Solid V

The people at DSOGaming recently stumbled upon a really cool Metal Gear Solid V (MGSV) mod that might just give you that long-awaited excuse to replay the game.
A modder by the name of JinMar created a mod that basically allows you to play as two iconic characters portrayed by Keanu Reeves. Choosing the Hair 1 Preset of the mod will replace Snake’s model with the nigh-invincible badass John Wick. Pair it with the tuxedo outfit and you’re pretty much set for a visit to The Continental.

Hair 2 Preset will change Snake’s model to Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk 2077 who is basically John Wick with sunglasses and a silver arm. And yes, the model also colour swaps Snake’s red bionic arm to silver. Now that’s cool.
The mod can be downloaded here and do note that it’s still a WIP so expect some imperfections but hey, you get to play as Keanu Reeves. A small sacrifice for something so breathtaking.


Destiny 2 IS Moving To Steam; Permanently Leaving Battle Net

In the past few months, some people have been saying that Bungie is eventually going to widen their Destiny 2 PC audience by making the game available on either Steam or the Epic Games Store. News have arrived confirming that it’s the former.
An official announcement from Bungie states that Destiny 2 PC is moving to Steam on 1 October 2019. However, the game will not be existing on two platforms at the same time. The Battle.net version will no longer be available after the aforementioned date.

For Battle.net players, you can begin transferring your accounts and progress on 20 August 2019. The transfer will include Player Accounts, the game itself, expansions and DLCS, Annual Pass, and more that you’d expect in an account transfer.
The move shouldn’t be too surprising seeing as how Destiny 2 has been seeing a steady decline of players. In June 2019, the game hit one million daily players when Bungie was doing a sale for the game plus all of its DLC.
Allowing the game to be bought and played through Steam will definitely boost the population thanks to Steam’s bigger pool of users. You can visit the game’s steam page here and pre-orders can be made right now.
The Steam version will be released in conjunction with the next major story expansion titled Shadowkeep. Make sure to transfer your account by 1 October 2019. It’ll be too late after that.
For more information, check out Bungie’s official website here.


The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5 Breakdown & Easter Eggs Explained

InÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5, we finally saw what happened following that shocking ending from Episode 4.
Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilers fromÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5 so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
Also, if you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdown and easter egg articles forÂ WandaVisionÂ Episode 1 and 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
ForÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns hereÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2Â and Episode 3.
If you want a non-spoiler guide toÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you canÂ head on over here.

John Walker VS The Falcon And The Winter Soldier

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5 starts off with a bang as Sam and Bucky confronts John Walker over his actions in the previous episode (killing one of the Flag-Smashers). It ends up in a brutal fight that results in Sam’s wings getting ripped off, but they finally manage to forcefully reclaim the shield from John Walker.
John Walker Is Stripped Of His Captain America Title

The government strips John Walker of his Captain America title and discharges him from the military.
The Introduction Of Madame Hydra (THIS IS HUGE)

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5 has casually introduced a major Marvel Comics villain into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it’s none other than Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine AKA Madame Hydra (as played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
In the comics, the Ophelia Sarkissian AKA Viper version of the character is more well-known, but Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine appeared earlier in Strange Tales #159 (August 1967). She is best known for having had a romantic relationship with Nick Fury in the comics, and she was a high-ranking SHIELD agent before entering HYDRA.

The Dora Milaje Apprehends Zemo In Sokovia To Bring Him To The Raft

Bucky and the Dora Milaje finds and apprehends Zemo at the Sokovia Memorial. The Dora Milaje plans to bring him to the Raft prison, while Bucky requests another unknown favour from Ayo.
Sam Goes To Meet Bradley Isaiah (The Former Black Captain America)

I explained all about Bradley Isaiah (played by Carl Lumbly) in my Episode 2 breakdown, and in this episode, Sam goes to meet him again, where he attempts to learn more about what exactly happened to the former Black Captain America. Bradley told Sam about what the government did to him (by arresting him and experimenting on him to figure out why the Super Soldier Serum worked on him).
In the comics, Project: Rebirth (which turned Steve Rogers into Captain America) began as a collaboration between US, British and German eugenicists led by Dr. â€œJosef Reinsteinâ€ (real name Dr. Wilfred Nagel), and Dr. Koch. When World War II begins, Koch takes over the German program and Josef Reinstein takes over the American program. Both of them make separate attempts to recreate the Super-Soldier Serum which had previously turned Steve Rogers into Captain America a year before.
Reinsteinâ€™s early attempts to refine the formula are tested on African-Americans. Three hundred of these soldiers are taken from Camp Cathcart and subjected to potentially fatal experiments at an undisclosed location, as seen in the limited comic seriesÂ Truth: Red, White & Black. Only five subjects survive the original trials, and Bradley emerges the sole survivor of his test group after taking part in the war.
He steals a spare costume and a shield intended for Captain America before he engages in a suicide mission to destroy the Super-Soldier efforts of the Nazis at the Schwarzebitte concentration camp. There, he is able to assassinate Koch, but the mission ends when the Germans capture Bradley. Bradley is later rescued by German insurgents, only to be court-martialed and imprisoned at Leavenworth around 1943. In 1960, Bradley is pardoned by President Eisenhower and released.
Considered to be the â€œBlack Captain Americaâ€, Isaiah Bradley is depicted as an underground legend among much of the African-American community in the Marvel Universe. Most notably, he is also the grandfather of Elijah Bradley AKA Patriot of the Young Avengers (who also appears in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier as portrayed by Elijah Richardson).
That’s Elijah Bradley (Elijah Richardson) on the left, AKA the future Patriot of the Young Avengers in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5.
This scene was a powerful one, as Bradley says to Sam:
“They will never let a Black man be Captain America.
And even if they did, no self-respecting Black man would ever wanna be.”

Is Sharon Carter the Power Broker? She’s The Reason Why Batroc Is Free & Now She’s Hiring Him Again

Back in Episode 1, I questioned how Batroc, who was first and last seen in 2014â€™sÂ Captain America The Winter Soldier fighting Steve Rogers and later getting arrested by SHIELD, was suddenly free. Now we know that Sharon was the one who freed him and now she’s hiring him for yet another mysterious job.
All of this seems to paint Sharon in a villainous light. Is she actually the Power Broker in Madripoor? Many signs are currently pointing to that conclusion. She had access to satellites and now she’s hiring Batroc for a job. That makes her extremely suspicious.
Sharon Hired Batroc For Karli Morgenthau And The Flag-Smashers

This is getting interesting. Sharon hired Batroc to help Karli Morgenthau and the Flag-Smashers. Batroc even brought some weapons for Karli. It turns out they’re in the middle of New York in Central Park for a nefarious plan of some kind. We’ll have to wait until the finale next week to discover what their plan is.
Falcon Is Going To Suit Up As Captain America In The Finale

Oh, I see now. Bucky’s favour to the Wakandans was to build a new Captain America suit for Sam and it looks like we’ll finally see Sam suit up as Captain America in the finale.
There’s A Post-Credits Scene Involving John Walker

Now that he’s no longer Captain America, John Walker is finally completing his transformation into the US Agent and even making his own makeshift Captain America shield.
Conclusion

A lot of things happened in this episode, but they ultimately aim to set up the stage for next week’s The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 6, which will be the Season Finale for the series.
It seems like we’re going out with an even bigger bang than WandaVision. Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei, and excelsior, true believers!


[Report] Disney Wants George Lucas To Supervise Future Star Wars Movies

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker marks the end of the Skywalker Saga and oh what an ending it was! Some fans loved the new trilogy, some fans absolutely hated it. Disney probably knows of this division and it looks like they want to do something about it.

According to a report by We Got This Covered, Lucasfilm (now a subsidiary of Disney) wants George Lucas to come back and help them make future Star Wars films. A few years ago, George was hired as a creative consultant for The Force Awakens but Disney didn’t really like his ideas.
This rumour is worth paying attention to because the same sources told We Got This Covered two major The Rise of Skywalker spoilers ahead of the film’s release. Both turned out to be accurate.
Instead of having him being involved directly, the sources explained that Disney wants George to take “more of a flexible executive producer role”. Could this mean that we’ll get more Star Wars films directed and written by George? We’ll have to wait and see.
While it’s true that The Rise of Skywalker turned out to be a major trainwreck, the problem probably isn’t George’s absence. The decision to have different directors for each film in a trilogy must have been the source of many creative discrepancies.
What do you guys think? Will Disney be able to make better Star Wars movies if they bring George Lucas back? Or is it an entirely different problem? We want to hear yourÂ  thoughts on our Facebook page!