Here Are Your Xbox Exclusives In 2021

While Sony has a bunch of first-party exclusives in 2021, the Xbox Series X and S have their own exclusives for gamers to look forward to. These include everything from the highly-anticipated Halo Infinite to smaller indie titles.
However, most of them don’t have definitive release dates as of yet; only general 2021 release windows. We have also excluded games like Psychonauts 2, which will also launch on other platforms like the PS4/PS5.
Check them out below (via Xbox Wire):

AdiosÂ â€“ 2021

AdiosÂ is a cinematic first-person game about sticking to a complicated decision. You have decided that youâ€™re no longer okay with letting the mob use your pigs to dispose of bodies.
When your old friend â€“ a hitman â€“ arrives with his assistant to deliver another body, you finally tell them that youâ€™re done. Your friend doesnâ€™t want you to stop. He knows that thereâ€™s no such thing as quitting, so heâ€™ll try to convince you that youâ€™re making a mistake. How you respond will determine the rest of your life.
Adios is coming to Xbox and PC.

The Artful EscapeÂ â€“ 2021

Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive,Â The Artful EscapeÂ tells the story of Francis Vendetti as he embarks on a multidimensional journey to create his stage persona. On the eve of his first performance, Francis battles with the legacy of a dead folk legend and the cosmic wanderings of his own imagination.
The Artful Escape is an action-adventure, narrative-driven, musical-laser-light-battle kind of game with dazzling visuals, awesome music, and a soulful message about what it means to find your true self.
The Artful Escape is coming to Xbox and PC.

The AscentÂ â€“ 2021

The mega-corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened in this solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world.
Developed by Neon Giant and published by Curve Digital, The AscentÂ will target 60 FPS and full 4K on the Xbox Series X for an amazing gameplay experience.
The Ascent is coming to Xbox and PC.

The Big ConÂ â€“ 2021

Flex your inner teenager inÂ The Big Con, an adventure game where you hustle across the country as a teen trying to save your familyâ€™s video store. In classic 90s con movie style, youâ€™ll persuade and pilfer your way to greatness using a whack of potential grifts.
Youâ€™ll play as Ali, a high school junior gone AWOL from band camp seeking revenge on the loan sharks that threaten her momâ€™s video store. Maybe youâ€™ll profit from the latest collectible plushie craze and make an interesting friend or two along the way.
The Big Con is coming to Xbox and PC.

CrossfireXÂ â€“ 2021

With 650 million registered players over its 10-year history,Â CrossfireÂ is one of the most-played PC games in the world. Now, the legendary franchise comes to Xbox as a fast-paced, first-person shooter with a variety of exhilarating multiplayer modes and an epic cinematic campaign.
Explore the global conflict between the worldâ€™s two most formidable private military factions, Black List and Global Risk, as you pick a side and battle players in an epic global conflict across a variety of classic and innovative multiplayer modes for players of all skill levels and interests.
CrossfireX is coming to the Xbox Series X/S.

Dead Static DriveÂ â€“ 2021

Grab your bat, steal a car, and take your chances against the unearthly horrors found along Route 666. Top-down driving meets survival horror in this innovative new game from Â Team Fanclub.Â Dead Static DriveÂ is about a nightmare road trip and the extremes of personal circumstances the characters are put into and their emotional reactions. Youâ€™ll have to choose who you can trust as you fight the horrors barely concealed underneath everyday domestic life.
Dead Static Drive is coming to Xbox and PC.

Echo GenerationÂ â€“ 2021

Echo Generation follows a gang of kids through otherworldly adventures as they investigate mysterious and supernatural events in their hometown that will change the course of their lives forever. The game is set in 1993, in one of those hazy, hot summers where it seems like the world is yours to discover and everything seems possible.
Schoolâ€™s out and your crew set out to explore your hometown on a mission to find the source of the mysterious crash in the nearby cornfield. Will you brave the supernatural to find the truth?
Echo Generation is coming to Xbox and PC.

ExoMechaÂ â€“ 2021

A free-to-play online competitive first-person shooter, ExoMecha takes place on the recently discovered planet of Omecha, where multiple species from across the galaxy are warring with each other, hoping to seize control of the planetâ€™s abundant resources. ExoMechaÂ thrusts players into an immersive experience thanks to its high-quality visuals, flexible gameplay, giant mechs, special gadgets and abilities, massive boss battles, and unique gameplay.
Exomecha is coming to Xbox Series X/S.

Exo OneÂ â€“ 2021

A strange signalâ€¦ an alien craftâ€¦Â Exo OneÂ is a gravity-defying, interplanetary journey through space and time thatâ€™s part of a mysterious narrative that unfolds around you. Master a truly unique traversal system and move through enigmatic and desolate alien landscapes in ways youâ€™ve never experienced; Using gravity and momentum to reach colossal speeds and exhilarating heights.
Exo One features atmospheric, diffused visuals that are merged with otherworldly sound effects and a hypnotic electric guitar soundtrack to create something truly otherworldly.
Exo One is coming to Xbox and PC.

The GunkÂ â€“ 2021

From the creators of the SteamWorld franchise comes a completely new game,Â The Gunk. Embark on a new adventure as two friends who run a small scavenging outfit, and who travel from one space rock to another in search of resources they can harvest and sell.
One day, they land on a planet that looks dead from a distance but is covered in a slimy parasite that corrupts its vibrant nature and wildlife. Youâ€™ll encounter terrifying enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel the mystery of that vast and exotic forgotten planet, all while saving it in the process.
The Gunk is coming to Xbox and PC.

Halo InfiniteÂ â€“ 2021

The legendary Halo series returns with the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet. When all hope is lost and humanityâ€™s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe heâ€™s ever faced. Begin anew and step inside the armour of humanityâ€™s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and finally explore the scale of the Halo ring itself.
Halo InfiniteÂ is the most ambitious Halo game ever made, with an environment several times larger than the last two Halo games combined. Players can explore an expansive landscape filled with sprawling natural wonder, mystery, and a story that welcomes those new to the franchise as well as continues the Master Chiefâ€™s saga for our most dedicated fans.
Halo Infinite is coming to Xbox and PC.

Last StopÂ â€“ 2021

A new game from Variable State, creators of the award-winningÂ Virginia,Â The Last StopÂ is a single-player third-person adventure set in present-day London, where you play as three separate characters whose worlds collide during a supernatural crisis. In the three stories, youâ€™ll meet Donna, a spaced-out high schooler who feels trapped by her stifling home life; John, an overworked middle-aged single dad; and Meena, a ruthlessly ambitious professional who struggles to find the same satisfaction with her family that she does in the thrill of her work.
Last Stop is an anthology connecting three stories in one, centred on secret lives, the ties that bind, and how magic can be found in the mundane.
Last Stop is coming to Xbox and PC.

LakeÂ â€“ 2021

Itâ€™s September 1, 1986. You take on the role of forty-something Meredith Weiss, who returns from the big city to her quiet hometown. She exchanges her busy career at a software company to fill in for her dad, the local mail carrier. During her two-week stay in beautiful Providence Oaks, Oregon, she runs into a few familiar faces as well as plenty of new folks.
Youâ€™ll get to decide who to talk to and who to befriend (or even start a romantic relationship with). Whatever happens, at the end of her stint, sheâ€™ll have to make up her mind: Return to her demanding job in the big city, or stay in the town she grew up in?
Lake is coming to Xbox and PC.

Little Witch In The Woods â€“ 2021

Little Witch in the Woods is a fantasy role-playing game where you get to live the life of a witch. Youâ€™ll play as Ellie, a little witch that has just come to a new town, and you are set to be a part of a â€œwitchâ€™s house.â€ However, when you arrive, it appears that the town is near empty, and the witchâ€™s house is in disrepair.
Your ultimate goal is to mastery witchery, by learning potions as an apprentice at the witches house and gathering materials from across the land, a magical and mystical place full of unique experiences.
Little Witch In The Woods is coming to PC.

The MediumÂ â€“ 28 January 2021

In this third-person psychological horror game, youâ€™ll discover a dark mystery only a medium can solve. Travel to an abandoned communist resort and use your unique psychic abilities to uncover its deeply disturbing secrets, solve dual-reality puzzles, survive encounters with sinister spirits, and explore two realities at the same time.
Youâ€™ll delve deep into a mature and morally ambiguous story, where nothing is what it seems, and everything has another side. As a medium, you can see, hear, and experience more than others, and with every new perspective, you will change your perception of what happened at the Niwa resort.
The Medium is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PC on 28 January 2021.

Microsoft Flight SimulatorÂ â€“ Summer 2021

Already a massive hit on the PC,Â Microsoft Flight SimulatorÂ is the next generation of one of the worldâ€™s most beloved simulation franchises, and this Summer it will be touching down on Xbox Series X|S. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet.
Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions. From world updates to DLC bundles, simmers on Xbox Series X|S can expect the same level of depth as the PC version, allowing them to experience the most authentic and realistic flight simulator we have ever created.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to Xbox Series X/S in summer 2021.

RPG TimeÂ â€“ 2021

Schoolâ€™s out! Meet us in an empty classroom for a grand adventure with a young aspiring game developer and his very own RPG. Youâ€™re sure to be dazzled by his hand-drawn creations as you journey into the surprising and magical world of imagination.
RPG Time is coming to Xbox Series X/S.

SableÂ â€“ 2021

Sable is a coming-of-age tale of discovery through exploration across a strikingly rendered open world desert. Go on a deeply personal journey across an alien planet as the young Sable, exploring ancient monuments, ruined architecture, and ships fallen from the cosmos, all while learning the history of its inhabitants and discovering her place in the world.
Only the inquisitive mind will come to understand the lessons held within the sandy confines of the planetâ€™s secrets: lessons of life, family, and being a part of something greater than oneâ€™s self.
Sable is coming to Xbox and PC.

ScornÂ â€“ 2021

An atmospheric first-person horror adventure,Â Scorn is set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and sombre tapestry. It is designed around the idea of â€œbeing thrown into the world,â€ as the player is isolated and lost inside a dream-like setting, allowing them to explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion.
Every location contains its own theme, puzzles, and characters that are integral in creating a cohesive world. Players will quickly learn that even the unsettling environment is a character itself.
Scorn is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PC.

She Dreams ElsewhereÂ â€“ 2021

This is a surreal adventure RPG about dreams and the extent to which they mirror reality. You play as Thalia, an anxiety-ridden, comatose woman on a journey to confront the nightmares preventing her from awakening, while also finding out how exactly this mess happened in the first place. Combining a deeply personal narrative with a thematic focus on emotions, mental health and self-identity,
She Dreams Elsewhere features a surreal, visually striking world brimming with a mystery that begs you to explore its every detail.
It is coming to Xbox and PC.

ShreddersÂ â€“ 2021

Inspired by the classic snowboarding gameÂ Amped,Â ShreddersÂ puts you on top of the coolest slopes, freeride spots, and snowparks aiming to recreate the sheer joy of riding down a mountain.Â ShreddersÂ will deliver high-end graphics, next-gen physics, and a perfect blend of fun and realism, all in a social context. While the gameâ€™s developers sayÂ ShreddersÂ has â€œmultiplayer baked into its core,â€ you can also carve your way down the mountain by yourself if you prefer. See you on the slopes!
It’s coming to Xbox Series X/S.

Song of IronÂ â€“ 2021

Song of Iron is a moody and provoking action-adventure. A dive into a dark Nordic world full of mystery and danger. Your journey will take you far across the land of myths toward the home of the gods. Fight your way through man, monster, and nature itself in this gritty adventure where combat is intense, visceral, and dangerous. Use a bow, axe, and shield to fight back but take care:
Weapons can be lost, arrows will run out, and shields will be broken. With the blood of your ancestors and valour regained along the way, you can fight on!
It’s coming to Xbox and PC.

TunicÂ â€“ 2021

TunicÂ is an action-adventure game about a small fox in a big world, who must explore the countryside, fight monsters, and discover secrets. Crafted to evoke feelings of classic action-adventure games,Â Tunic will challenge the player with unique items, skilful combat techniques, and arcane mysteries as our hero forges their way through an intriguing new world.
It’s coming to Xbox and PC.

Twelve MinutesÂ â€“ 2021

Billed as an interactive thriller,Â Twelve MinutesÂ will blend the genres of film and games by featuring an ensemble cast of extraordinary actors (including James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe) that are perfect for bringing the gameâ€™s nuanced and complex characters into the world.
A romantic evening with your wife turns into a violent invasion, as a man breaks into your home, accuses your wife of murder, and beats you to deathâ€¦ only for you to wake up and find yourself stuck in the same twelve-minute time loop, doomed to relive the same terror again and again.
It’s coming to Xbox and PC.

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarerâ€™s LegacyÂ â€“ 2021

Unexplored 2Â is an action-RPG that aims to capture the same sense of adventure and wonder as a tabletop RPG. Explore beautiful landscapes and discover hidden marvels. Encounter magical creatures and dangerous foes.
Make brave choices and put your faith in good fortune. Featuring a unique legacy system, advanced procedural generation technology, and rich, generative storytelling,Â Unexplored 2: The Wayfarerâ€™s LegacyÂ is an adventure like no other.

Warhammer 40K: DarktideÂ â€“ 2021

From the developers of the best-selling and award-winning franchiseÂ Warhammer: End Times â€“ VermintideÂ andÂ Warhammer: Vermintide 2,Â Warhammer 40,000: DarktideÂ is a visceral 4-player co-op action game set in the hive city of Tertium. Fight together with your friends against hordes of enemies in this new Warhammer 40K experience.
Built on the legacy ofÂ Vermintide 2â€™s highly-praised melee combat,Â DarktideÂ introduces deep and balanced gunplay to the mix. Master the balance between ranged and melee combat as you fight through a slew of enemies, feeling the impact of each swing of your chainsword or blazing gunfire from your lasgun.

Way to the Woods â€“Â 2021

A Deer and Fawn must embark on a journey through an abandoned world of the unknown to get home. A third-person adventure game solo developed by Anthony Tan, featuring music from Aivi & Surasshu, composers for the show Steven Universe. Unravel the mystery of Cat Town, evade a hounding pack of wolves, and find your light to explore a world filled with the relics of the old gods: humanity.

The Wild at HeartÂ â€“ 2021

Take command of a magical swarm of curious creatures in this story-rich, action-adventure game about childhood escapism. Battle precarious wildlife and supernatural foes, construct and craft new pathways, and discover the secrets of aunique and sequestered world rich with centuries full of lore. Woods, caves, coastline, ancient shrinesâ€¦ The Deep Woods is full of puzzles to be solved and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The Yakuza Remastered Collection â€“ 28 January 2021 / Yakuza 6: The Song of Life â€“ 25 March 2021

These ones arenâ€™t technically exclusive, but itâ€™s the first time these games are coming to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass, so weâ€™re pretty excited. The Yakuza games have been making a big splash on Xbox recently, especially once the most recent titles hit Xbox Game Pass last year, and the critically acclaimedÂ Yakuza Like a DragonÂ launched alongside Xbox Series X|S. L
ater this month,Â The Yakuza Remastered Collection, which gathersÂ Yakuza 3,Â Yakuza 4, andÂ Yakuza 5Â will land on Xbox Game Pass. Then, in March,Â Yakuza 6: The Song of LifeÂ will be added to the service, completing the Kazuma Kiryu story arc of the Yakuza saga. This means that fans will finally be able to play the entire saga of The Dragon of Dojima, fromÂ Yakuza 0Â toÂ Yakuza 6, with one Xbox Game Pass subscription!


Skull & Bones Has Locked Ubisoft Singapore In 8 Years Of Development Hell

While the recent XDefiant trailer controversy is still abuzz, a good number of people are wondering about Ubisoft’s seafaring pirate action game: Skull & Bones. It seems that a recent expose has clarified that it’s still a-going, but with no end in sight, being locked in 8 years of development hell.
According to a recent Kotaku feature, the game is still struggling to form an identity. Many, many ex-developers and current developers have said the following regarding the 8-year long project.
“A lot of stuff still doesnâ€™t make sense. Just polishing it at this point would be a waste of time.”
“On paperÂ Skull & Bones looks like itâ€™s an easy game to make, but itâ€™s really not.”
“If Skull & Bones were at a competitor it would have been killed 10 times already.”
“Just having people working for four or five years on something that doesnâ€™t move forward, that destroys anyone.”
“Every time we got feedback from Paris they would just freak out and change everything, and then change the people working on it, and that happened multiple times.”
“Ubisoft Singapore has always been kind of known [internally] to be one of the worst Ubisoft studios in terms of culture. People would visit [from other studios] and be like, â€˜What the f*** is wrong here?”
“The toxic culture permeating the Singapore studio is in no small part responsible for most of the production issuesâ€”reboots, rebrands and re-rebootsâ€”that have plaguedÂ Skull & Bones for a decade.”
“They had 10 years to integrate. They just value the face of the company more than the actual employees.”
“Nobody knew what the f*** they were doing.”
“No one wants to admit they f***ed up. Itâ€™s too big to fail, just like the banks in the U.S.”
“No one believed February 2022 [for launch], but you always hope.”
“Since the beginning, this project has always been driven by fear.”
“Itâ€™s a classic case of mismanagement for eight years. Itâ€™s a classic case of mismanagement for eight years.”
“The game is still evolving. Everyone knows what an Ubisoft game is supposed to be and the design simply isnâ€™t there yet.”
It seems like Skull & Bones, which was supposed to be an Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag expansion, ended up being a project with no clear design vision in mind with multiple managers exerting control over it. Sure, Ubisoft could have killed it after a couple of years of stagnation, but sources said that a deal with the Singapore government required the game to ship one way or another.
In addition to hiring a certain number of people at its Singapore studio in exchange for generous subsidies, Ubisoft Singapore must also launch original brand new IPs in the next few years. Plus, it had a lot of managers vying for control over it and thus plagued by annual reboots and mini-refreshes.
Skull & Bones has gone through a number of delays. Initially, the game was supposed to be out in late 2018. It was pushed back to 2019, then to March 2020, and then to March 2022. Now, it’s due to be out before March 2023.
Here’s the official word from Ubisoft during its May 2021 investor’s call:
“Production, led by [Ubisoft] Singapore, has been advancing well over the past 12 months, and the promise is better than ever. The additional time will allow the team to fully deliver on its vision.”
Read the full feature here.Â


Legendary Comic Book Artist George Perez Has Died

Comic book artist George Pérez, best known for his influential works for DC Comics in the 80s, has passed away. He was 67 years old.

Thank you.  All of you, for the love and support you have shown George through all of this.
It meant the world to him. pic.twitter.com/zputTLO2sF
— Constance ? (@SunshineCVE) May 7, 2022

He lost his battle to stage 3 pancreatic cancer, which he was diagnosed with in December. Perez told fans that he will not be going through chemotherapy as it has a low chance to succeed, so he wishes to spend as much quality time with family, friends, and fans. Here’s the official statement on Facebook:
“On November 29th, I received confirmation that, after undergoing surgery for a blockage in my liver, I have Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. It is surgically inoperable, and my estimated life expectancy is between 6 months to a year. I have been given the option of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, but after weighing all the variables and assessing just how much of my remaining days would be eaten up by doctor visits, treatments, hospital stays, and dealing with the often stressful and frustrating bureaucracy of the medical system, I’ve opted to just let nature take its course and I will enjoy whatever time I have left as fully as possibly with my beautiful wife of over 40 years, my family, friends, and my fans.”
He announced his retirement from comic books in 2019, citing failing eyesight and other health issues as the cause.
While George Pérez’s comic book work defined the look for DC Comics, he also had a hand in making groundbreaking Marvel comic book artwork like with the first Puerto Rican superhero White Tiger with writer Bill Mantlo and the late 70s run of The Avengers. He’s responsible for creating characters like The Taskmaster for the latter. No, not the butchered one in the MCU Black Widow movie; the cool one in the comics who ends up being Deadpool’s BFF.

Perhaps George Pérez’s most iconic work in his early years is DC Comics New Teen Titans alongside writer/editor Marv Wolfman. The duo created one of DC’s iconic villains Deathstroke and also the Judas Contract storyline which was considered one of the best mainstream comic book storylines of all time.

Oh, and Crisis on Infinite Earths massively packed yet distinguishable artwork and epic battle scenes & splash art? That was also from George Pérez.

His other epic works include (but isn’t limited to):

His run on Wonder Woman in 1987 where she was rebooted to have closer ties to the Greek gods.
His work on Marvel’s Infinity Gauntlet saga, the one that inspired the MCU film Avengers: Infinity Wars and Avengers Endgame.
His late 90s run on the Avengers which was hailed as one the best in the Marvel big team series.

Rest in peace, George Pérez, and thank you for all the awesome comic book epicness.


The DioField Chronicle Is A Bland & Mediocre Strategy RPG

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: SRPG, Strategy, RTS, JRPG
This year has seen a lot of smaller releases from Square Enix, and The DioField Chronicle is one of them. Co-developed by Lancarse, it’s basically a strategy RPG (SRPG). In this case, it’s basically an RTS game in the form of a JRPG. It’s important to note that The DioField Chronicle is not a tactical RPG like the Fire Emblem games or Final Fantasy Tactics. With that out of the way, is it a good game? Read on to find out.
Game Of Thrones Lite

In The DioField Chronicle, you lead a band of mercenaries known as the Blue Foxes. There are several protagonists, but the main one is named Andrias Rhondarson. He leads the Blue Foxes to fight for the many factions and empires that want control. Unfortunately, the story is dull, as it throws a bunch of names and factions that players couldn’t care less about. It’s made worse by bland characters who don’t stand out. There are 14 playable characters in the game, and I can only remember three or four of them at most. The DioField Chronicle wants to emulate Game Of Thrones with its own political intrigue and twists, including themes of anti-royalist and pro-democracy elements. However, it all falls flat because it’s all just so generic and boring. The developers clearly didn’t put much effort into making the plot and characters very interesting or memorable.
Most of the time, the gameplay loop is this; between cutscenes, you’ll spend time at an HQ hub area of sorts, which is where you can talk to NPCs, start story or side quests, buy new weapons and items, and more.

Unfortunately, just like the narrative and characters, the hub is just as bland and unmemorable. There’s nothing unique or worth exploring about it, with empty rooms that serve no purpose. The hub also stays pretty much the same the entire game; it just gets increasingly more populated.

What The DioField Chronicle does excel at are the RTS combat system and mechanics. Battles take place in real time with the action pausing automatically when you issue a movement order or a command to use an ability. With these mechanics, the game ensures that even those who aren’t used to RTS games will be able to play it. Four units are the maximum number you can bring into battle, but there are many classes to choose from, including long-range missile units (archers or gunners), mounted units (horse or wyvern), assassins/warriors (dagger or sword and shield) and more.

Combining different characters with a range of special skills is part of the combat’s depth. There’s a pool of skills to choose from, and despite the combat being very RTS-like, the flow feels very much like a conventional JRPG. You just keep attacking enemies with normal attacks and spam skills/abilities which require mana/MP. Seeing as this is a Square Enix game, of course, there’s also a summoning system called the Magilumic Orb, which is mostly AoE attacks or healing spells featuring familiar Square Enix summons such as Bahamut.
All that being said, the combat system isn’t perfect. It starts off with a lot of potential, but it’s clear that Square Enix didn’t devote much time or resources to polishing the gameplay and adding much depth. The biggest problem is that while there are many classes and skills to choose from, you can just stick to one or two strategies from the very beginning to the end of the game. It gets old very fast when the game doesn’t offer much incentive to experiment.

The maximum of only four units is also limiting, considering that this is an RTS game. I’m not asking for something on the level of Total War or Company Of Heroes, but come on!

Enemy variety is also severely lacking, which contributes to the aforementioned issue that you don’t even need to think of new strategies. Yes, in a STRATEGY game. Granted, it’s an SRPG that’s marketed as a JRPG, so I guess that’s part of the problem. The missions are mostly the same repeated ones, the maps are recycled a lot, and there are no layers of strategy here. There are no elevation mechanics, cover mechanics, or anything of the sort. You just do more damage when you hit enemies from the back, that’s pretty much it. After almost 20 hours in and almost near the end of the game, I honestly wanted nothing more than the game to be over because all I did was do the same thing over and over again.
Lacking Strategy

It’s no wonder that Square Enix is releasing this so close to Valkyrie Elysium (only days apart): they’re basically sending this game out to die. The DioField Chronicle is currently at a Mixed Rating on Steam, which means that I’m not alone in thinking how mediocre this strategy title is. If you’re hankering for a new SRPG to play, The DioField Chronicle barely scratches that itch but there are worse ways to spend your time.
PROS

The RTS combat system starts out engaging and fun…

CONS

But doesn’t develop and gets repetitive fast.
Dull story and characters.

FINAL SCORE: 50/100
Review copy provided by Square Enix. Played on PS5.


Behold! A Samurai Shodown 2019 Review In Haikus

Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Genre: 2D weapons-based fighting game
In light of the new & rebooted Samurai Shodown’s lovely sumi-e aesthetics that mimic classical Japanese paintings of the 17th century, I’ve decided to just write the majority of the review in a traditional poem structure renowned in that period.
Summarized thoughts are at the bottom if this style of poetry isn’t your jam.

SNK returns,
Samurai Shodown reboot,
Beginner-friendly.

Fights feel raw; powered,
Prioritizes footsies,
Whiff, and you will die.

Patience is a must,
Mashing will get you nowhere,
Counter-hits wins matches.

Even at Death’s door,
Comeback mechanics are strong,
Lightning Blade; painful.

The gang is all here,
Charlotte, Jubei: top tier,
Just abuse their mids.

They feel old yet new,
Still like their past counterparts,
Tam-Tam got better.

New fighters are fresh,
Brings in unique diverse styles,
Caters to all skills.

Darli is best bae,
Beginners will love her saw,
Jumping High: godlike.

Yashamaru pokes,
Double-jump shenanigans,
Has best air specials.

Wu-Ruixiang,
Zones and sets traps like a boss,
Feng shui Velma? Yes.

Fight mechanics? Great!
Pity there are no extras,
Casuals may frown.

Devs can do better,
Features mean longevity,
Should copy MK.

Pros will dig it, though,
Dojo Mode shows big promise,
Practice Mode needs work.

Online mode seems fine,
Netcode seems serviceable,
Too many Jubeis.

Back to 2D form,
Not as bloated as Â past games,
Good job, SNK!

In short, great swordplay,
Samurai spirit, retained,
Still needs extra stuff.

Samurai Shodown is a great return to form for SNK’s swordfighting series. While it seems to be going for the Street Fighter V style of release and comes with the bare minimum, at least this game includes a standard arcade mode with endings and a fun (?) final boss called Shizuka to fight against.Â
If you don’t mind paying triple-A price to train up for this game for future fighting game tournaments -and there will be if the Neo Geo World Tour is of any indication- then go nuts and play this 2D weapons-based masterclass. This is the best time as any to jump on board the SamSho train as long as you’re fine with the bare minimum offering.Â
And if you’re still one of those grumpy old folks who think single-player offerings in a fighting game aren’t important, you may want to adjust your viewpoint via this insightful video.Â
Pros

Great cast of fighters, old and new
Solid gameplay that rewards patience, neutral game, & counter-hits
Lovely art style and sounds

Cons

Lacks engaging single-player features & extras
Practice mode & tutorials are basic compared to other fighting games

Final Score: 70/100


PS Plus March 2023 Adds Battlefield 2042, Minecraft Dungeons, Uncharted & More

During the PlayStation State Of Play February 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced new games coming to PS Plus Essential and Extra in March 2023.
Here are the PS Plus Essential games (available from the 7 March 2023):

Battlefield 2042 (PS5)
Minecraft Dungeons (PS4)
Code Vein (PS4)

Here are the PS Plus Extra titles.

Tchia (PS5, PS4)
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PS5)
Immortals Fenyx Rising (PS5, PS4)
Rainbow Six Extraction (PS5, PS4)
Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5)

It’s going to be a good month for PS Plus subscribers.


[Report] We Are Getting New Nintendo Switch Models Inspired By 3DS Variants

Yesterday, a report by the Wall Street Journal claimed that Nintendo will be releasing two new Nintendo Switch models in 2019 (read the full story here). Today, sources close to Nintendo have reportedly revealed to Eurogamer that the new Nintendo Switch models were inspired by Nintendo 3DS variants.
These include the 2DS and New 3DS XL. As such, several more details have come to light about these new Nintendo Switch models.
Firstly, the “cheaper, more casual” variant of the Switch will be similar to the 2DS, in that the design will be made sturdier for the purpose of ‘kid-proofing’. The ‘budget’ Switch will also purportedly lose dock mode, which will limit its use to handheld only.
Meanwhile, the “enhanced, more powerful” variant of the Switch will be similar to the New 3DS XL, with smaller improvements and not major ones comparable to the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X. As such, we should probably expect upgraded RAM and processor, as well as increased internal storage space.
A Nintendo spokesperson also commented on the reports of the two new Nintendo Switch models when contacted by Eurogamer:

“We have made no announcements and we do not comment on rumour and speculation.”

I already speculated as much in my article yesterday, when I said that it wouldn’t benefit Nintendo in any way if they confirmed the reports too early. However, we’re only a few months away from E3 2019 at this point in time, so let’s wait and see if they have any surprises in store along the way.


Don’t Worry, Ninja Gaiden Fans, Team Ninja Did Not Forget About You

Update: We made an error mentioning that TheGodfatherDictator was Chinese. He is a Quebec Canadian. We regret the error and have amended the mistake.
Nioh 2 is only a month away with a 13th March release date and will be about 50 to 60 hours long. That’s pretty in-depth for an action RPG title, so fans will get invested in that.
But I bet a number of you are wondering: is Team Ninja ever, EVER going to go back to the Ninja Gaiden well?Â The answer, it seems, is a definite “maybe”.
Team Ninja are already thinking about making its next game, and they are aware that there’s an appetite for more hardcore Ninja Gaiden action gaming. You can thank From Software’s Sekiro for that, according to Nioh 2 game director Fumihiko Yasuda.

“The core members of the team that worked on Ninja Gaiden want to make a new game. We are aware that some fans wanted Ninja Gaiden more than Nioh 2. Now we see a lot of ninja games like [Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice] as well, and we see a lot of good inspirations in those games, so we hope to deliver some good news one day.”

In the meantime, gaze in awe at this world first Ninja Gaiden 2 Master Ninja no damage run from Canadian Quebec player TheGodfatherDictator. If you thought Bayonetta 1 & 2 Infinite Climax was badass, wait until you get a load of this.

The Ninja Gaiden reboot for the original Xbox, Ninja Gaiden 2, and their respective expansions/updates (Black, Sigma, etc.) are action gaming godsends that rank highly alongside Devil May Cry 3: SE and the Bayonetta series. The less said about Ninja Gaiden 3 and Yaiba, the better.


We’re Getting A New Harvest Moon On PS4 And Nintendo Switch

Natsume just announced that it will release the next Harvest Moon game, Harvest Moon: One World, for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch this fall.
Instead of just focusing on your farmstead and the city you’re in, this new Harvest Moon game will make you explore an entire world while you manage your own farm. Your goal? To restore a variety of familiar fruits and vegetables to the world.

Just keep in mind that this isn’t the same Harvest Moon from the SNES, PlayStation One and Gameboy Advance days. That series, called Bokujo Monogatari in Japan, is now called Story of Seasons and is made by its original devs Marvelous. This particular Harvest Moon is from a bunch of other developers with Natsume using the brand name, since they own it.
Hopefully, this title will keep in spirit with the previous games from Marvelous. If you’re feeling skeptical and need that original Harvest Moon flavour, you can play Doraemon: Story of Seasons which is out now on PC; we heard it’s good stuff.


Star Wars Celebration 2023: All The Big Announcements & Reveals

The Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 event took place from 7 April to 10 April 2023. It was an eventful weekend for Star Wars fans and the biggest one perhaps in the past several years. The franchise hasn’t seen this much excitement since before 2019’s Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker, which was the last Star Wars movie to date.
It’s arguably the best time to be a Star Wars fan, with multiple shows in the works and coming soon (such as Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Skeleton Crew and new seasons of existing shows), as well as the official announcement of three new Star Wars movies in development.
Check out our coverage of the biggest announcements and reveals from the weekend below:
ANDOR SEASON 2 TO PREMIERE IN AUGUST 2024
NEW STAR WARS SERIES, THE ACOLYTE, SET TO BE THE SECOND SERIES HITTING DISNEY+ IN 2024
STAR WARS SKELETON CREW SERIES PREMIERES IN 2023, UNVEILS DIRECTOR LINEUP
STAR WARS AHSOKA TRAILER REVEALS AUGUST 2023 RELEASE DATE & FIRST LOOK AT SOME CHARACTERS
THREE STAR WARS MOVIES ARE IN THE WORKS WITH REY RETURNING IN ONE OF THEM
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY GETS EPIC NEW TRAILER
AHSOKA CONFIRMS LARS MIKKELSEN AS GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN
STAR WARS TALES OF THE JEDI SEASON 2 CONFIRMED BY DAVE FILONI
THE TAIKA WAITITI STAR WARS MOVIE IS STILL IN THE WORKS
STAR WARS JEDI SURVIVOR FINAL GAMEPLAY TRAILER TEASES AN EPIC ADVENTURE
STAR WARS THE BAD BATCH SEASON 3 WILL BE THE FINAL SEASON
STAR WARS VISIONS VOLUME 2 TRAILER TEASES VARIOUS NEW ANIMATION STYLES
THE NEXT STAR WARS CELEBRATION IS GOING TO JAPAN IN 2025
Last but not least, check out this awesome showcase recap from Star Wars Celebration 2023:


New Saints Row Hotfix Update Fixes Crashes & Bugs

Volition has released a new hotfix update for Saints Row.
Check out the patch notes below:
Version Numbers:
Epic: 1.1.4.4380107
PlayStation: 1.1.4.4379066
Xbox: TBC – keep checking for updates
Download Size: Approx. 5GB
Hotfix #1 is here for Epic Games and PlayStation – Xbox is in the approval process and will be released as soon as possible, but the fixes will be the same as below.

Stops issues when launching via Epic on DX12

Fixes a crash when the player uses the Star Launcher after customizing it.

Fixes default camera sensitivity being too high

Fixes vehicle hijacking animation issues, you will now sit in your new stolen vehicle, not stand next to it

Localization & font issues as well as cut off text on Epic – because reading is what? Fundamental

PS5 Adaptive triggers – we have made the decision to disable these whilst we fix the inverted axis issue when toggling “resistance”, we fully intend to get this back in, stay tuned for updates on it.

Fixed instances where Riding Shotgun was entirely too difficult on Sensei difficulty.

In the meantime, check out our review and guide for Saints Row here.


The Top 5 Disney Animated Films That Would Benefit From A House Of Mouse Remake

The way Disney sees things nowadays, adaptations of past shows they’ve done mean “taking the same old story and just prettying it up with either live-action theatrics or awesome tech demos for realistic 3D CG“.
But here’s the thing: adaptations can also mean a chance to improve upon the source material while staying true to what makes it stand out in the first place. What didn’t work back then can be given new life and a new audience in an adaptation. Ergo, there’s a place for remakes if it somehow supersedes its predecessor.
In the House of Mouse’s case, they’re doing it wrong, though the box office results and profit margin prove otherwise. Because why play it dangerously when you can repackage past goods with a new sheet of wrapping paper and a prettier bow tie laced with scary & ugly CG animals?

So we ask this: why not use the power of adaptation and remakes, and instead focus it on the films that truly need it? The forgotten and maudlin Walt Disney animation works that really need a jump-start and a fresh new audience via a crystal clear perspective and reworkings?
The main takeaway from these films we’ll be talking about is that they have great premises and ideas, but are executed in a mediocre and aggravating fashion. Or they came out at the wrong place at the wrong time like in the company’s Dark Ages; 60s to 80s to be exact. Or they just plain suck.
We believe that with Disney’s remaking and cash-grabbing scheme with their Renaissance hits –Cinderella, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, and so forth- they can flip the script and instead turn these melancholy medleys into bigger and better things.
Look, we do wish Disney would just make more origial stories like Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph. However, if they’re proceeding with this remaking bender, at least do it on the films that truly deserve a kickstart. With that in mind, these are the top 5 films that can benefit from Disney’s Remaking Renaissance.
The Aristocats

What Is It? A family of Parisian felines are set to inherit a fortune from their kooky owner when suddenly the jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country (understandably so). They’re aided by O’Malley the tomcat, voiced by the awesome Phil Harris.
The film also has a catchy song about how it’s cool being a cat. And that’s all the positives we have for this film because this is Disney being friggin’ lazy. The first of many times anyway.
Why It Needs Remaking? This is exhibit #A that highlights Disney’s creative slump. Apart from one likeable lead character -tomcat O’Malley- the film is an hour too long. The story is just slapstick antics and cats being cute; you expect this from Hanna-Barbera. but not so much a pioneer in animation and film-making.
Sure, it was a box office success, but most critics deride this film as fluff at best; the kind you have playing on the TV to keep the kids occupied and mesmerized.
Recast O’Malley after a suave James Dean-style persona but in this generation. Coupling this film with likeable characters and devilishly comical villains would help get more butts on the seat. Art-wise, the new Aristocats should use 3D CG with a Claude Monet and Vincent van Gough filter, or even tailor after lovely art films like The Illusionist. The film is set in Paris, after all; why not accentuate its French roots further?
Also, get John Favreau to direct. He’s going to make bank with the Lion King remake and his Jungle Book reworking is admittedly solid. He’ll do fine in elevating The Aristocats beyond its mediocre source.
NEXT


The New Hanzo & Lucio Skins Will Make You Wish You Have Tons of Coins At the Ready

Friggin hell Blizzard.
In a move that may tilt me of (also) becoming a Hanzo main, Blizzard earlier today released two more teasers for hero skins which are set to drop come January 23rd. Following yesterday’s reveal of ASP Pharah, we got glimpses of brand new Legendary Skins for Hanzo and Lucio; Kabuki Hanzo and Capoeira Lucio. Check. Them. Out.

Only 3 more days until our cosmetics update arrives in Overwatch! Join us as we count down to their release with new item reveals every day.
Today’s reveal: KABUKI HANZO (Legendary Skin) pic.twitter.com/P5Ef6C3Ks0
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) January 21, 2018

Only 3 more days until our cosmetics update arrives in Overwatch! Join us as we count down to their release with new item reveals every day.
Today’s reveal: CAPOEIRA LÃšCIO (Legendary Skin) pic.twitter.com/psgyAgJ2ss
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) January 20, 2018
Along with these releases comes a new map – Blizzard World which was unveiled at Blizzcon 2017. Along with the skins are player emotes, sprays and player icons. We have a bulk of them shown here.
Wanna catch up with all the new skins unveiled so far? Then check out the slideshow below:

				7. Widowmaker – Our favorite Terran in Overwatch. How can we not spend 1000 coins for this?!

				10. Orisa – Our favorite Omnic gets a thorough makeover. We like.

				14. Torbjorn – Makes Torbjorn look like an uncredited extra from Thorin Oakenshield’s band of dwarves

				1. Pharah – Imagine pairing this skin with a golden weapon

				8. Doomfist – Not a Doomfist fan but this one ticks all the boxes for the game’s main protagonist.

				4. Zarya – The designers at Blizzard are again most kind to our favorite Russian

				5. Roadhog – The scariest hulking mass of muscle is now ten times scarier

				2. Reinhardt – Finally a skin representing Reinhardt in his (hair) prime. Glorious detail all around

				9. Mei – Our favorite Mei skin to date – also the cutest one. We knew this one was coming from her animated short.

				Capoeira Lucio

				Kabuki Hanzo


Wanna See Pretty Avengers Symbols In KL Skies? Here’s How

Malaysians are cramping into cinemas as early as 7am today on 24 April 2019, as Avengers Endgame premieres to the delight of Marvel fans everywhere. Tickets have been selling like hot cakes, resulting in the record-breaking highest advance ticket sales to date in the country, with RM10 million at the box office.
To celebrate the milestone, Marvel Malaysia is lighting up the Kuala Lumpur skyline with the iconic Avengers logo and symbols this Friday from 8pm to 10pm (via Soya Cincau). This will be achieved through the use of a whopping 300 light-emitting drones flitting through the humid night sky.
Anyone who wants to witness the light show in person will be able to witness it from a distance of 200m to a 300m radius from KL Tower, which is where the light show will be taking place. Fans can look forward to symbols of popular Avengers like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Hulk, amongst others.
Another incentive for being there for the light show is that it will be inducted into the Malaysian Book of Records for the highest number of drones used in a single light show. Some members of the media and social media influencers were already invited to an early light show held yesterday on 23 April 2019.
Avengers EndgameÂ releases on 24 April 2019 in Malaysia, two days earlier than in the US. In the meantime, check out our review ofÂ Avengers EndgameÂ hereÂ orÂ our ranking of every MCU movie from worst to bestÂ here.
(Image Credit: Amin Ashaari/Soya Cincau)


Malaysia Finally Gets Her PS5 Official Prices and Release Date

After waiting for what seems like a lifetime, we have finally received the official price and release date for the PlayStation 5 in Malaysia. It is slated to launch on 11 December 2020.
According to PlayStation Asia, the Malaysian prices for the PS5 and its peripherals are as follows:
PS5 Standard Edition – RM2299PS5 Digital Edition – RM1869DualSenseâ„¢ Wireless Controller (standalone) â€“ RM349 PULSE 3D wireless headset (with 3D audio support and dual noise-cancelling microphones) – RM469HD Camera (with dual 1080p lenses for gamers to broadcast themselves along with their epic gameplay moments) – RM279Media Remote (to navigate movies and streaming services with ease) – RM149DualSense Charging Station (to conveniently charge two DualSense Wireless Controllers) – RM149

The news was announced via the official PlayStation Asia Facebook page, which you can check out at this link:

You can pre-order the PS5 in Malaysia, starting from tomorrow on 12 November 2020.
According to PlayStation Asia, here are the participating retailers from where you can pre-order your PS5 consoles:
 Retailers1SONY STORE KLCC2SONY STORE THE CURVE3ALFA GAME CENTRE4CK MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM5GAMER’S HIDEOUT SDN BHD6GAMING GADGETS SDN BHD7HEAVYARM U GARAGE STORE8HG TIME ENTERPRISE9IMPULSE INTERNET CAFE & BISTRO SDN10MAGICGATE TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD11MANOPANIQ MANAGEMENT12MAXLINK INTEGRATED SDN BHD13MICKY TRADING14MISSION WORLD ENTERPRISE15TINYROBOT SDN BHD16ALL IT HYPERMARKET SDN BHD17PINEAPPLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SDN BHD18SONY CENTRE IMAGO19SONY CENTRE MID VALLEY SOUTHKEY20SONY CENTRE SUNWAY PYRAMID21SONY CENTRE MID VALLEY MEGAMALL22SONY CENTRE KARAMUNSING23SONY CENTRE IOI CITY MALL24SONY CENTRE LOW YAT PLAZA25SONY CENTRE VIVACITY26SONY CENTRE QUEENSBAY MALL27SONY CENTRE IPOH PARADE
In the meantime, head on over here for all our coverage and news regarding the PS5.


Why Are Valorant Weapon Skins So Expensive?

Riot’s shooter Valorant is a free-to-play group-based shooter with microtransactions. Said merchant items include ludicrously-priced skins, like this Elderflame weapon set.

This costs about US$100 for the full 5-piece collection. The Nebula collection on our feature image bit costs US$70 or so. Why is Riot charging the equivalent of a digital deluxe game set for these, in addition to the other microtransactions that are priced similarly? According to a PC Gamer interview, they’re not supposed to be cheap.

“We set a precedent in Valorant that the type of content that we make isn’t meant to be ‘cheap,’ is the term we throw around. We don’t want players to look at something and say, ‘This feels cheap to me.’ Part of what we take a look at for all our skins, and this is sort of a Riot-wide approach, is that we want there to feel like there’s a level of effort and care put into skins, or any cosmetic content that people engage with, that makes it feel worthwhile. We don’t want anything to feel throwaway.
“Whatever we choose to make, we’re thinking about the end experience that a player is going to get using it. Taking a static image of a galaxy and putting it on a gun is one way to do that, but the feeling of flying through space and that kind of freedom that comes with it, that fantasy, is really what we wanted to achieve with that [Nebula] skin.”

The crazy thing is, Riot’s monetary goal isn’t focused on their weapon skins, but on their Battle Pass. Valorant’s Battle Passes, which costs US$10, offers a range of skins and other in-game items at the cost of grinding.

“[Valorant’s Battle Pass] should be our highest monetizing productâ€”most number of players opting into this experienceâ€”because it’s the best value for them. And on the content side, we’re looking for a diverse thematic experience in the battle pass. You’ll notice that there’s three thematics in there that are very different. That’s something that premium content tries really hard to do, so the battle pass is appealing to as many people as possible.”

Full interview here. On a related note, here is what you could have bought if you spent US$170+ on Valorant’s Elderflame skin set and the Nebula collection:

A copy of 13 Sentinels for PS4 and four US$20 indie games on Steam like Paradise Killer.
168 months worth of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
A second-hand PS4 or Nintendo Switch on the Low Yat forums.

But hey, it’s your money. Spend it on whatever F2P game you’re dedicated to.


WESG 2019-2020 Asia Pacific Final Comes To Malaysia Next Year

When it comes to the world of international esports, everyone knows about the World Electronic Sports Games (WESG). For the first time in the tournament’s history, the Asia Pacific (APAC) Final is taking place outside of China.
Brian Wong, VP of Global Initiatives at Alibaba (left) and Hasnul Hadi Samsudin, VP of MDEC exchanging MOUs between Alibaba and MDEC.
The WESG 2019-2020 Asia Pacific Final will be happening at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Selangor, Malaysia starting from 3 January 2020 to 5 January 2020. 260 players from 61 teams from all over the world will be competing in Dota 2, CS:GO, StarCraft II, and eFootball PES 2020.
WESG is known for being the third party esports tournament with the biggest prize pools and the 2019-2020 APAC Final upholds that reputation with its US$300,000 prize pool.
Going even further, the WESG Grand Final has a prize pool of US$5.5 million. It will be held in Chongqing, China in March 2020. The winners of the APAC Final will get a chance to compete at the Grand Final.

Credit should be given to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for working together with Hong Kong’s Esports International Group (EIG) to bring the WESG APAC Final to Malaysia.
You can start buying tickets for the APAC Final starting from today on Ticket2U. For those of you who prefer to watch it in the comfort of your homes, the tournament will be broadcasted on eGG Network (Astro CH800) and live-streamed on Facebook and Twitch via the official WESG account.


Konami’s Anniversary Collections Will Remind Us Of The Company’s Former Glory

It’s Konami’s 50th birthday, and if it were not for its #fuckkonami movement from their past misdeeds, we would be a tad overjoyed at its continued existence. Alas, its pachinko business is doing just fine besmirching its past icons and mascots.
But bygones should be bygones. After all, the company plans to release Anniversary Collections of their classic arcade and console titles to remind us of the good ol’ days. The first pack is dubbed Arcade Classics and is scheduled for 18 April for US$20. It features Haunted Castle, Typhoon, Gradius, Gradius II, Life Force, Thunder Cross, Scramble, and Twinbee.Â

We’ll be getting the obligatory Castlevania Anniversary Collection in “early summer”. Four games have been announced so far; Castlevania, Castlevania III, Castlevania II for the Game Boy, and Super Castlevania IV.
I hope for their sake Castlevania: Bloodlines is part of that ensemble. That Megadrive Castlevania needs a lot of love.

Also out in “early summer” is the Contra Anniversary Collection, featuring Contra (arcade), Super Contra (arcade), Super C (NES), Contra III (SNES), and four other Contra games. I do hope Contra: Rebirth for the Wii is included; it’s also another underrated Contra remix hit.

These bundles will be available digitally on PS4, PC (Steam), Xbox One, and Switch. Strangely, there isn’t a Metal Gear Anniversary Collection announced.


Rainbow Six Extraction Reveals New Gameplay & Content Details

Ubisoft has revealed further details about Tom Clancyâ€™s Rainbow Six Extraction, the next mainline instalment in the Rainbow Six franchise. Both Rainbow Six Siege players and those looking for a new PVE co-op game can experience Rainbow Six Extractionâ€™s many features including a deep operator progression system, four adjustable difficulty levels, 12 ever-evolving maps, 13 dynamic mission objectives, over 90 guns and gadgets, a unique ranked mode and extensive post-launch support for free, to be detailed at a later date.
With development led by Ubisoft Montreal, Rainbow Six Extraction lets players join the REACT Team and assemble a one-to-three-player squad of well-known and beloved operators from Rainbow Six Siege to confront mysterious alien creatures known as ArchÃ¦ans. Equipped with more than 65 weapons, ten legacy Rainbow Six Siege tech and 15 exclusive REACT tech, the operators have been adapted to best take on the alien threat. For players new to Rainbow Six who want to go at their own pace, Extraction is also fully playable solo.

Players will deploy into 4 varied regions across the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, and two other regions, and face the alien threat in 12 all-new, unpredictable maps. Each map is roughly three times the size of previous Rainbow Six Siege maps, and contains unique dynamic modifiers, ensuring no incursion is ever the same.
Tackle 13 different mission objectives during tactical incursions including one called the Gateway Objective, in which players must face off against a Protean, a deadly ArchÃ¦an variant that has adopted the form of REACT operators and mimics their behaviour.

For Rainbow Six Siege fans, Extraction introduces not only entirely new Rainbow Six lore featuring many of their favourite characters from Siege, plus the 12 wholly unique maps to dominate, but also a brand-new twist to familiar gameplay features: for the first time, players can progress through custom leveling system for each of the 18 Rainbow Six operators, allowing them to advance their Operatorâ€™s gear, weapons and abilities in an entirely new way.
As they level up, players will also permanently unlock new containment zones, Operators, customization items, new REACT tech, higher difficulty levels, and more.

With 13 archetypes of dangerous ArchÃ¦an variants, infestations, parasitic mutation challenges, numerous incursion types, and exciting new gameplay features including nests, spores, and Sprawl. Extraction also offers players who enjoy a challenge a thrilling gamble: extract and collect their rewards or go deeper into each mapâ€™s subzones, facing greater risks with richer rewards for those who make it out alive.
If they fail to extract, their operator will go Missing in Action (MIA), but they have an opportunity to go back into the containment zone to rescue their downed operators. For players who enjoy a tougher challenge, there will be a feature-rich PVE system called Maelstrom Protocol, to be detailed at a later date.

Players who play both Rainbow Six Siege and Rainbow Six Extraction will instantly unlock Extractionâ€™s entire roster of 18 operators in Rainbow Six Siege and will receive the elite United Front cosmetic bundles in both games. Players who pre-order Rainbow Six Extraction will receive the Orbital Decay bundle with exclusive Epic items including the Orion uniform and headgear for Finka and Lion, the universal Vaporized weapon skin and the Crashlander charm. Rainbow Six Extraction will also include live service support with regular content updates.
Tom Clancyâ€™s Rainbow Six Extraction, the next mainline instalment in the Rainbow Six franchise, will release worldwide with full cross-play, cross-save, and cross-progression in January 2022 on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and the Ubisoft Store on PC.


The Best Square Enix Steam Sale Deals Right Now

Steam is back at it with another sale. This time, Square Enix titles on the platform are discounted from February 27 to March 2.
While it’s hardly Steam’s first Square Enix publisher sale, it’s still a good opportunity to grab some games. Here are our top picks:
NieR: Automata – Year of the YoRHa Edition (RM84.50)

With compellingly stylish combat, epic music, and an engaging story, this is one of the best games of 2017 (and third-best Heisei era game, according to a Famitsu poll).
Just remember to get the FAR mod, because the developers forgot to patch the game’s performance.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac AgeÂ (RM80)

We recommended it before, and we’re recommending it again. To quote our Winter Sale 2019 post, it’s got a better “Star Wars story than Episode IX“.
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition (RM2.38)

Old but gold. While not as slick as its prequels (which are also on sale with attractive prices), the gameplay freedom you get from this 20-year-old game remains intoxicating.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (RM8.40)

Deus Ex has a sizeable Hong Kong level but Sleeping Dogs gives you an open world Hong Kong. The Arkham-inspired melee brawls you engage in most of the time are satisfying.
Chrono Trigger (RM24)

Famitsu’s readers voted this RPG as their favourite Heisei era game. With the game’s birthday coming soon, now’s a good time as any to replay this classic, even if it’s a subpar port.
Life Is Strange 2: Complete SeasonÂ (RM51.93)

The sequel to Dontnod’s critically-acclaimed series is 60% off. The first season is 80% off.


GTA 6 Hack Update: UK Police Arrest 17-Year Old Hack Suspect

Police in the UK have arrested a 17-year old in Oxfordshire for suspicion of hacking; the kind that’s tied to the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 hack as of late.
The arrest took place on Thursday UK time; the suspect is still under custody. The culprit is also involved with a recent Uber security breach according to journalist Matthew Keys whose sources are familiar with the matter. The investigation for both breaches is conducted by both the FBI and US Department of Justice, explaining why results are sorted really quick since the leak happened last Saturday during TGS 2022 week.
“Police expected to give more details on arrest of 17-year-old Rockstar Games hacker later today, possible statement coming from the FBI later this morning/afternoon.”

UPDATE: Arrest of 17-year-old by police in the United Kingdom over hack of Rockstar and possibly Uber was done in concert with an investigation conducted by the FBI, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) September 23, 2022

For more on the GTA 6 leak, check out our recap done up by Push To Talk host Lewis Larcombe.


Wallet Codes & FIGHT Esports Join Forces With Level Up KL 2020

Forest Interactiveâ€™s gaming wallet platform, Wallet Codes, and its esports arm, Forest Interactive Gaming Habitat Team (FIGHT) have announced that they are returning as the official gaming wallet and one of the esports partners at Level Up KL 2020.
Forest Interactive Product Operation Manager Adi Azfar said:
â€œLevel Up KL this year is expected to record more visitors than that of previous years, now that the event is going virtual. As the official gaming wallet partner, Wallet Codes will offer free digital codes for all participants of Level UP KL to introduce them to the world of esports via our portal. These codes will enable new players to try any esportsgames they are interested in for free before they commit financially to these games. We hope to educate and create awareness, as well as open up more opportunities for the people in the region to explore what the esports industry has to offer. Having more players take part in the industry would help to shape and move the industry forward, especially in Southeast Asia.â€
This year’s Level Up KL 2020 is taking place fully online from 10 October to 22 November 2020. For more details and information on everything that the event has to offer, head on over here for the full story.


The International 2021 Ticket Sales Cancelled Due To COVID-19

The pandemic isn’t going to care about your offline events, so it’s with heavy heart to report that The International 2021’s ticket sales are cancelled.

The International 2021 Ticket Sales Canceled#Dota2 #esports pic.twitter.com/I8A7qBDEWb
— Dota 2 (@dota2updates) October 3, 2021

All ticket sales for TI10, the biggest Dota 2 tournament, will be refunded. This will be the first TI Dota 2 tournament to not have live crowds.
However, the show will still go on; The International 2021 will begin on 7th October and will feature the best Dota 2 teams fighting each other like PSG.LGD, Virtus.pro, and Fnatic.
Still, there is cause for worry; we’ve heard some news here and there that a number of players from Team Aster were tested positive for COVID-19 (via Dota 2’s Tiffani “Oling” Lim).

Lanm expressed his disappointment over the lack of Covid precautions at the #TI10 bootcamp in Romania. No prior testing, no food/water provided so team staffs had to buy those outside the hotel, and had to ASK for Covid tests themselves when they felt ill.
"Is this really TI?"
— Tiffani 'Oling' Lim (@babyolingg) September 29, 2021


What To Expect From The Umbrella Academy Season 3

The Umbrella Academy is now one of Netflix’s most popular series and needs no formal introduction. Season 2 recently released on 31 July 2020 and once again, it’s praised by both critics and viewers alike.
However, it suffered from a meandering plotline and departing too much from the comics (you can check out my full review here). Still, the ending still sets up a potential Season 3 (even though it hasn’t been officially renewed as of yet).
Below, I’ll be discussing what will potentially be happening in The Umbrella Academy Season 3, so only those who have finished Season 2 should be reading this article. You have been warned:

What’s Coming In The Umbrella Academy Season 3

There are currently only three complete volumes of The Umbrella Academy comics by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba; Apocalypse Suite, Dallas, and Hotel Oblivion.
Both Season 1 and Season 2 of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy adapted material from Apocalypse Suite and Dallas. However, Season 2 only took the broad idea of the comic book’s second volume and the showrunners introduced many of their own (which were not present in the source material).
These include the antagonist character the Handler and her ‘daughter’ Lila, as well as the Swedish trio of assassins. The comics focused more on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy while the series wanted to prevent yet another apocalypse and becoming embroiled in the separate individual subplots that make up Season 2.
I preferred the more focused approach of the comics instead of the messier plot structure of the series, and the bizarre ending makes it harder to predict what will happen, considering that we only have one volume left to adapt from; Hotel Oblivion.
Still, there is one confirmed thing that Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy Season 3 will adapt from Hotel Oblivion and that’s the Sparrow Academy. However, it’s more complicated than it sounds. Why? Read on below.
Who Is The Sparrow Academy?

There are multiple differences between how Season 3 of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy will begin and how Hotel Oblivion started.
Season 2 ended with the Hargreeves siblings together again in the present after escaping from the 60s, but they find themselves in a different timeline of sorts; one where their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, is still alive and another team is in their place, a Sparrow Academy led by the still-alive Ben.
Meanwhile, Hotel Oblivion begins with the Hargreeves siblings still recuperating from the events of Dallas, but they’re apart again instead of together. Their father is still dead, but one of their father’s biggest secrets comes back to haunt them in the form of Hotel Oblivion, which is a prison in a pocket dimension on the moon which he created to house all the villains and monsters The Umbrella Academy has fought against in the past.
They find themselves outmatched against the combined might of the escaped supervillains from Hotel Oblivion, but are saved during the last minute by the mysterious Sparrow Academy.

In the comics, the Sparrow Academy is still mostly a mystery, but they seem to be another superhero team made up of people from the same group of 43 super-powered babies born in 1989 (of which the Umbrella Academy are also a part of).
However, they were only introduced in the final issue of Hotel Oblivion as a cliffhanger ending, so we know very little about them.
What little we do know about this other group of superpowered siblings is that they have some kind of connection to Mom, but it’s also possible that they were recruited by Sir Reginald Hargreeves at some point after he founded the Umbrella Academy. It’s either that or Mom somehow founded her own team in Norway.

That’s all we know for now, as the upcoming planned Volume 4: Sparrow Academy will reveal more about the Sparrow Academy. Unfortunately, Gerard Way only started working on that last year, and between his MCR work and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it will probably a long time before the first issue even gets published by Dark Horse Comics.
My point is this; Ben is not a part of the Sparrow Academy in the comics. In Season 3, he is.
In an interview with Inverse, Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman revealed that they are using an alternate timeline to introduce them as a different version of the original time.
Thanks to the timeline-changing events of Season 2, Sir Reginald Hargreeves grew to hate the original members of Umbrella Academy that he met in 1963. In response, he decided to adopt a different group of heroes, thereby creating a different timeline where the Umbrella Academy never existed.
However, he never met Ben in Season 2, which explains why Ben is still part of the Sparrow Academy in Season 3.
Blackman also confirmed that just like in the comics, the rest of the Sparrow Academy are new characters and not simply alternate versions of the existing members of the Umbrella Academy (besides Ben, of course).
This version of Ben will be nothing like the one from the first two seasons.
In the comics, the leader of the Sparrow Academy apparently also goes by Number One, has super-strength and looks just like Luther if he was never melded with a gorilla. Another is a heavily-scarred blob-looking member who can self-mutilate and transmit that self-inflicted damage to any targets, while the only member in a grey shirt instead of a red uniform can fire some kind of energy blast from their face.
Others include a woman in a red winter coat who can transform into a murder of crows to attack people, as well as two others and a creepy floating cube (which can also be seen as a glowing floating cube in the series at the end of the Season 2 finale).

Like I previously mentioned, Netflix has yet to renew The Umbrella Academy for Season 3, but from the immense popularity of the show, that seems very likely. In the meantime, check out other comic book works from Gerard Way; he’s done way more than just The Umbrella Academy in his spare time from performing with MCR.


Detective Pikachu Could Have Been A Much Better Pokémon Movie; Here’s Why

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been dreaming of what a live-action Pokémon movie would look like, especially more so after the release of the iconic 1998 animated classic Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. If you think that Detective Pikachu is the equivalent of that movie (or reflective of any of the mainline Pokémon games), I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.
That said, Detective Pikachu is very much a movie made for hardcore Pokémon fans, although there’s still a lot of fun to be had by casual viewers as well. It’s a movie that almost everyone can enjoy mostly thanks to Ryan Reynold’s charming performance as Pikachu but the finer details of which will confuse a lot of them.
A Feast For The Fans

First of all, keep in mind that the movie is actually a direct adaptation of the 2016 spinoff Pokémon game of the same name for the Nintendo 3DS. Therefore, just like the game, the main focus of the movie isn’t Pokémon trainers or Pokémon battles, but the appeal of working together with a talking Pikachu who solves mysteries.
I repeat: don’t expect to see any Pokémon trainers or Pokémon battles, and you’ll be less disappointed as a fan. Consider it an almost two-hour-long version of “Who’s That Pokémon?” (Pokémon anime fans will know what I mean), and you’ll have fun recognizing the many different species of Pokémon sprinkled throughout the movie.

I was impressed with how amazingly-realized the Pokémon are. The visual effects teams for Detective Pikachu have outdone themselves.

The Pokémon look alive and almost exactly as they should be if they were real, with the exception of Gengar. Gengar just looks hideous.

Most of the context and meaning behind the scenes and interactions in Detective Pikachu require existing Pokémon knowledge, so fans will definitely appreciate all the fan service. A lot of things aren’t explained, and it seems like the movie wants casual viewers to go along with everything despite it all.
Mewtwo has already been teased in the trailers, so it’s not exactly a spoiler anymore. Fans will appreciate how similar the origins of Detective Pikachu’s version of Mewtwo are compared to the one in Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back.

However, casual fans will simply wonder why this humanoid-looking Pokémon is such a big deal, which is reminiscent of the rest of the movie.

What I mean by that is how much you can appreciate the little details in Detective Pikachu depends on how familiar you already are with the Pokémon franchise. Unfortunately, this movie will likely not convert casual viewers who aren’t already fans of the franchise, other than successfully selling more Pikachu merchandise (which is probably what the movie is going for all along).
Ryan Reynolds Breaking His Back

That meme of an actor or actress breaking his or her back just by ‘carrying’ a movie definitely applies to Ryans Reynolds’ voice performance as Detective Pikachu. Regardless of whether you’re a fan or not, the titular talking yellow Pokémon in question is the highlight of the movie.
Ryan Reynolds manages to be smart, witty, and snarky as Pikachu, delivering punchline after punchline, joke after joke relentlessly. I’m sure a lot of those were even thinly-veiled adult jokes, which is incredible considering this movie is presumably targeted primarily towards younger viewers.
His back-and-forth banter with Justice Smith’s Tim Goodman forms the emotional crux of the movie, along with the basis for many of the movie’s best jokes (including the Mr. Mime scene from the trailers and others).
Generic Noir Plot

If you’re expecting a deeper plot than just a kid and a Pikachu on a frenetic adventure to find his missing dad, you won’t find it here.
Detective Pikachu wants to be a kid-friendly buddy cop noir but it’s a mix of bizarre tones, with the plot twist at the end seemingly coming out of nowhere. I think even fans will be able to barely take the entire plot into account, and the pacing is so frenetic that even older fans will have trouble keeping up.
Ryan Reynolds’ Pikachu and Justice Smith’s Tim Goodman basically carried the entire movie themselves, since none of the other cast members end up making much of an impression. Even the usually campy and fun Bill Nighy (ofÂ Pirates of The Caribbean‘s Davey Jones fame) puts out a by-the-numbers lacklustre performance here.
The others are there just to push the story along, but add nothing much to the overall plot. Kathryn Newton is there as the plucky love interest and Ken Watanabe plays a gruff police lieutenant, while the others are simply forgettable, to say the least.

Fans will certainly love the world in Detective Pikachu, specifically the lively Ryme City in which humans and Pokémon live together in harmony. It’s a sight to behold, and it’s great to see an actual established live-action world with Pokémon in it.

Too bad we couldn’t see more of the franchise’s signature Pokémon trainers and battles since there’s a pretty convenient story reason why there aren’t any. Only a single PokÃ© Ball can be glimpsed in the whole movie, and that’s during the very beginning.
I Wanna Be The Very Best…

Detective Pikachu could have been a much better Pokémon movie than it turned out to be.

I think the biggest problem with the movie is that it doesn’t know whether to cater to fans of the franchise or the general audience, instead of becoming a weird mix of trying to pander to both.
If nothing else, at least I can say that almost everyone will be enthralled with how cute Ryan Reynolds’ Pikachu is. Oh, and although there’s no post-credits scene for Detective Pikachu, stay behind as the credits roll for a special animated sequence with the franchise’s iconic opening theme (the one that plays at the main menu every time you boot up a new Pokémon game).

FINAL SCORE: 60/100
Detective Pikachu opens in Malaysian cinemas on 9 May 2019. We caught the movie via press screening, courtesy of Warner Bros Malaysia Sdn Bhd.


TGS 2018: Capcom Pulls Devil May Cry 5’s Dante Battle Theme Following Lead Singer Sex Allegations

Deathcore band Suicide Silence recently had a video of its song “Subhuman” and it was being used to promote Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5 during TGS 2018.
Not anymore; bless our eardrums. The video was taken down by Capcom after hearing from fans via various social media platforms that the band’s lead singer Eddie Hermida was accused last November of having a sexually inappropriate relationship with a 17-year old fan.
During that Twitter/ResetEraÂ  s***storm, many fans have also complained about the song in question.Â But you be the judge of that…

Capcom provided a statement to Kotaku that it will not promote the song anymore, and are still figuring out how to move forward with regards to the track that’s in-game at the moment.

“The music was recorded for the game before the incident came to light and we were unaware of the incident until now. However, as we are now aware of the current situation, Capcom has decided that moving forward, we will not further highlight the Dante battle theme for promotional purposes at this time.
We are also currently evaluating what options are possible for the full game at this point, which is dependent on various factors such as resources.”

How about you bring back Combichrist? They did a pretty damn good job music-wise with the last Devil May Cry game.


[Report] Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo Listing Spotted On PS Store

Popular game tracker site Gamestat have reportedly discovered listings for not only a Final Fantasy VII Remake demo on the PlayStation Store, but also one for the elusive Patapon 2 Remastered.
Let’s take this with a grain of salt, as a Final Fantasy VII Remake demo has yet to be officially announced by Square Enix, though the PlayStation Store listing might have leaked it ahead of its scheduled reveal.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is slated to release for the PS4 on 3 March 2020, so the likeliest time for the demo to drop is anytime before then. The game was already playable at many events like E3 2019 and TGS 2019, so a demo isn’t impossible.

Meanwhile, Patapon 2 Remastered was initially announced back in December 2017, with no news about the game since then. This listing will be the all we’ve seen or heard of the game since the announcement, so its release might be happening sooner than expected.
Patapon 2 was originally released for the PSP a decade ago in 2009. It became popular for its uniquely-charming visuals and fun rhythm-based gameplay.

Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for when the official announcements for the Final Fantasy VII Remake demo and Patapon 2 Remastered, whenever that might be.


Beyond the Long Night Lets You Play As A Cowboy Ghost

Beyond the Long Night takes place in the afterlife, so we at the KKP got to venture past the light at the end of the tunnel to give a little preview for the demo of the game.
But first, a little background on the game. Beyond the Long Night is a twin-stick 2D shooter roguelike that sees you taking control of a ghost of a nameless cowboy. I mean, Iâ€™m assuming heâ€™s a cowboy from the hat, as the western influences stop there. The game is set in the afterlife, in particular, the Dark Mountain, which we see as a pretty cozy array of forest themed rooms in the game’s cute and charming pixelated art style, at least at the beginning of your run.
Unfinished Business
The game starts off with a white screen with bold texts telling you youâ€™ve got unfinished business, which makes your character wake up from his hammock. The game plays pretty similarly to The Binding of Isaac, but since youâ€™re a ghost you float around a 2D plane instead of it being top-down. Youâ€™re also able to dodge, which will be a crucial tool.
Moving upwards into the next room introduces you to a banjo-playing Pickles, sitting by the campfire. Interacting with him brings up a text box as he provides the obligatory exposition dump, in which you have a list of questions you can ask him. In a nutshell, he explains that the area that we souls reside in is called the Dark Mountain, and right at the top is a place called the Overworld which is talked up to be a pretty cool place that explorers like ourselves strive to get to.
He will then give you an active ability, called Superpowers, and youâ€™re off on your journey. Pro tip: Remember to always talk to Pickles in every new run and heâ€™ll give you a random superpower each time. Other NPCs like him are scattered across the map who act as shops or even provide questlines.
Good ol’ Pickles.

The core gameplay loop sees players enter new rooms to expand their map, to clear out hordes of enemies to unlock the doors to the next room. It’s a pretty familiar premise in terms of roguelikes, but the enemies youâ€™ll face will be a variety of bugs such as bees and beetles, along with several plantlike baddies. Clearing the room causes all the currency drops, in the form of gems, to be sucked up by your character across the area, which is a pretty nifty convenience.
From there, you can choose to move to the next room based on what doors are available to you. However, your main goal is to reach the top into the Overworld.
Ghostbusting
Like many roguelikes, each run is procedurally generated and randomized. Enemies have a chance to drop pickups that can either be bullet effects, passives, more superpowers to swap out or even a buddy companion. These can also be found in chests.
Bullet effects are your standard upgrade, changing how you deal damage. From my time with the demo, I found the typical damage increases, but standouts such as sticky shot slows down enemies as you shoot them which came in clutch many times. Passives can affect your movement speed, provide a temporary shield after being damaged or turn your dodge into a parry, which oddly deflects projectiles to the back of you. Your buddy comes in the form of an adorable white smiley face with a propellor, that follows you around shooting along with you.
One of my best runs that got me to the end involved a fully dedicated buddy build, which had my little friend fire rapidly, push enemies back if they got close and slow down enemies. Honestly, the lil’ dude carried me and I barely had to do anything besides dodge, so expect creative builds like this to be a core feature in the full game.
Someone call an exterminator?
A Stormâ€™s A-Brewinâ€™
A bit later into your run youâ€™ll get a text prompt saying that the walls are shaking and something is awakening beneath you. This is the Storm, an event in the game thatâ€™s designed to push you to move forward and add some tension. Youâ€™ll notice that some rooms youâ€™ve been in are lit up red on the map, with their entrances glowing ominously red.
Lowkey wished the whole game looked like this.
Entering these rooms reveal the cute forestry scenery to turn into a literal hellscape. Staying in these rooms will drain your health and can kill you, so either make a quick exit or avoid these rooms altogether. The Storm turns out to be a natural cycle in the afterlife that spreads across every room, killing everything to begin the reincarnation process, which characters like Pickles are funnily really nonchalant about it.
That’s our quick look into what the demo offers. Itâ€™s a pretty simple play, but itâ€™s not a bad one. Beyond the Long Night will be available on Steam later this year but you can try out the demo for yourself right now.


These Are Your December Xbox Game Pass Free Titles

New Xbox Game Pass titles will be available this December, starting with an indie darling.
Eastward, a top-down adventure game, is already out on Xbox Game Pass alongside The Walking Dead: The Final Season and Totally Reliable Delivery Service.
On 6 December, these games will be joined by LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Hello Neighbor 2.
On 8 December, Xbox Game Pass members will be getting Metal: Hellsinger. On 13 December, they’ll be getting High On Life and Potion Craft.
Hot Wheels Unleashed and Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan will be added to Xbox Game Pass on 15 December.
The following titles will be leaving Xbox & PC Game Pass on 15 December.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Breathedge (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Firewatch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Lake (Cloud, Console, and PC)
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Neoverse (Cloud and Console)
Race with Ryan (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour (Console) EA Play
Transformers: Battlegrounds (Cloud, Console, and PC)


Marvel’s Avengers Guide: How To Pick The Right Hero For Your Playstyle

This guide will be updated periodically.Â
Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics’ take on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes may need a LOT of fixing, but its core gameplay is decent and is occasionally fun with people. And if you like Destiny but wished it had more mid-ranged pugilism and fireworks, you could do worst than Marvel’s Avengers.
Here’s a quick guide to all the characters you can play in this online action game. Just a couple of tips before we get to characters.
-You can’t use the same Avengers in a mission, so be sure to pick at least three heroes to main. Chances are people will be using more Ms. Marvel when you start out since she’s easily accessible from the start, so think on who else to main.
Our own Mr. Toffee is using Ms. Marvel, Thor, and Black Widow. Your choices and playstyle may vary.
-Loot is broken down into the following colours from low value to high: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Orange. Immediately break down White and Green as soon as you have more Blues in one category of gear.
-Stats are more important in the long run when you’re tinkering with gear and mixing/matching brands like Stark Industries or Pym Tech. You’ll want to get your hands dirty by prioritizing the following categories, based on your builds:

MightÂ for stronger punches.
PrecisionÂ for sharpshooting prowess.
ProficiencyÂ for increased likelihood of landing critical hits.
ValorÂ for supercharging those aforementioned super moves.
ResolveÂ for a bigger health bar.
ResilienceÂ for heightened defence.
IntensityÂ for mastering status effects, both in how effective yours are and how well you block against an enemyâ€™s.

Characters
Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan

Ms. Marvel is the main character in this game for a very good reason: she’s a good beginner hero to start off with and level max out post-game. She is flexible and has great reach with her attacks. Her Intrinsic ability lets her automatically dodge & parry enemy attacks as long as you have enough meter.
There are plenty of opportunities to capitalise on her heavy and ranged attacks. Moves like Whirling Wallop launch hostiles into the air with a series of quick uppercuts, whereas Morning Star can be activated immediately after a successful parry to send threats flying.
Best Build For Ms. Marvel
Tanky Bruiser
Best when you want to focus on damage-dealing and health regeneration.
Attributes to focus on: Might, Valor, Resolve
Best gear perks: Reactive Explosion, Heavyweight buffs
Skills to prioritize: Double-Barrel Punch, Catapult Kick, Spinning Heel Strike, Hammer Fist, Whirling Wallop, Living Large, Hand Clap, Spirit Walk, Hip Check, Fists of Justice, Healing Spirit Specialization I: Will To Live, Spirit Specialization II: Will to Fight, Hand Clap, Embiggen Specialization I: Big Trouble.
Best Mastery (Lv15 & above): Efficiency: Intrinsic Upgrade, Utility: Melee Upgrade, Takedown Upgrade
The Hulk

Everybody’s favourite jolly green giant is a playable character here. His Intrinsic ability lets you deal more damage and lifesteal from enemies. He can also use Boneshaker that taunts all nearby enemies and increases his defence. However, the game’s many, MANY enemies can knock the Hulk down because of gameplay reasons. To get around this, you’ll need to dodge attacks and start using his “grab” move (hold the light attack button; he’ll grab the first enemy he hits). Use this to do an AoE attack and mix it up with Thunderclap Ultimate to do decent crowd control. Do add in skill points that bolster his AoE.
Gear-wise, you will need to give Hulk a Pym Particle set so that he can debuff enemies and use his Intrinsic to clear them out quicker.
Best Build for The Hulk
Hulk Smash Offensive
This Hulk build says it all: deal damage, shrug it off like a champ.
Attributes to focus on: Might, Valor
Best gear perks: Heavyweight inspiration and quake, Brazen Invulnerability,
Skills to prioritize: Sky Fall, Earth Smasher, Devil’s Rampage, Controlled Chaos, Unstoppable Ferocity, Monster of Mayhem, Survival Instincts, Klaxon Frenzy, Siphoning Grasp, Tectonic Fury.
Best Mastery (Lv15 & above): Intrinsic Ability: Damage Specialization & Efficiency Specialization, Intrinsic Overcharge: Overcharge Specialization & Damage Specialization, Melee: Grab Specialization.
Iron Man

Iron Man is one of the most versatile heroes in the game. Unlike other heroes, Iron Manâ€™s Intrinsic bar is his suit energy, allowing him to switch between a range of weapons, including repulsors, lasers, and rockets. These can be unlocked and upgraded in his skill trees.
To recharge your suit energy, you need to hit enemies with melee attacks. This makes him more complex than other heroes, as you need to choose which weapon is best in what situation, but it also makes him more fun to use.
He’s not a tank per se (despite what his armour & Ultimate might indicate), but he’s more of a damage dealer, who can dish out a lot of damage but can’t take much of it. He would likely be a mage or wizard class in most RPGs.
Best Build For Iron Man
A Little Bit of Everything

This Iron Man build focuses on melee, but with a bit of ranged damage thrown in for good measure. It’s always a good idea to fly away from trouble if you’re getting mobbed, then pick them off from a safe distance.Â

Attributes to focus on: Might, Precision, Valor

Best gear perks: Lightweight Blitz, Gamma Capacitors, Faultless Spark

Skills to prioritize: Thruster Uppercut, Power Dive, Dive Amplifier, Micro Rockets, Scorched Earth, Javelin, Rocket Strike, Repulsor Strike, Energy Pulse, Arc Overload Specialization I and II.

Best Mastery (Lv15 & above):Â Combat: Melee Upgrade, Intrinsic Ability: Arc Reactor Efficiency and Overclock, Combat: Ranged Attack Mastery, Ranged: Ranged Weapon Mastery, Specialization and Efficiency.
NEXT: Black Widow, Thor, Captain America


Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising Reveals More Anila Gameplay & Sheep Projectiles

Cygames and Arc System Works just revealed more gameplay of its new Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising character Anila, the Queen of Sheep.
Anila is an all-rounder who fights using a pole-arm and divine sheep. Her sheep can be used as projectiles, though she can charge while riding atop of one (for armor property forward-moving attacks) and even jump atop of one for a short surprise hop to continue her attacks.
Her Skybound Arts super attacks include planting a bamboo ornament that fires magic sheep projectiles, and summoning an army of sheep with horns to lay waste on her opponents. It’s both comical, cute, and bouncy! She may be a character meant for all skill levels given her good footsie tools, her sheep projectiles, and her many ways of getting within range with said rams and ewes.
Check out her full gameplay and moves below. The next trailer is due during EVO Japan 2023 week on 31 March to 2 April.

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising will be out in 2023 for PS4, PS5, and PC.


Genshin Impact 2.6 Chasm Archon Quest Guide

Genshin Impact’s 2.6 update is up right now and features a ton of new quests. Chief of them is the new Archon Quest which furthers the main plot of the game, and it takes place in a brand new location: The Chasm.
Here’s a guide on how to find the Chasm and get through the majority of it.
Genshin Impact Chasm Archon Quest Guide
Part 1
You’ll have to go West from Liyue to reach The Chasm. There, you’ll find an adventuring/mining group at the surface trying to figure out how to unlock the passage downwards through the big hole.
Basically you need to find a number of Bedrock Keys and destroy them. Head to the different locations listed in the map and video below (Fuao Vale, Cinnabar Cliff, Glaze Peak). Destroy the small rock clusters that are glowing to collect energy that powers up the Bedrock activation device. Then hit the device to shoot at the big Bedrock Key to lower it. Repeat this with the different devices nearby to destroy a key.

Part 2
In this new section of The Chasm, you’ll go deeper underground and help out the Liyue Mining group. The group will give you a Lumenstone Adjuvant, which is a crystal lamp gadget that lets you deal with the Chasm’s black goo that’s impeding some of the puzzles in the tunnels and mines.

Lumenstone Upgrades
Yes, you can upgrade the Lumenstone so that it becomes a tad more powerful. In fact, you need to do it a couple of times to get through the main Archon Quest (specifically up to Rank 2). To do this, you need to talk to Jinwu and have a few Lumenspar crystals handy; they’re scattered throughout the map and underground.
You can upgrade the Lumenstone up to 10 ranks. The higher the ranking, the more light charges and the more powerful it is at dealing with the black ooze growths and powering up certain contraptions.
Part 3
The last section of the Chasm and Archon Quest are pretty straightforward. Just press downward, talk to Dainsleif, and fight a number of bosses. The main ones you’ll be fighting are the Abyss Herald (Hydro) and Abyss Lector (Electro). These enemies have a few set attacks that you can avoid easily. However, they will summon their respective Elemental barrier when they’re down to a quarter of their life bars. Just persevere and nuke them with Elemental Bursts and combos aplenty; they’ll go down in no time.
The video walkthrough below also features some spoilers of the game’s main plot. You’ve been warned.

Ayato Kamisato Story Quest
The following video below is not quite Archon Quest related, but Ayato Kamisato’s story quest is part of the 2.6 update, so we’ll put it here if you’re curious.

This guide is still under development.


Vietnamese Teams Pulls Out Of League Of Legends Worlds Championships

The two teams from the Vietnam Championship Series will not attend the 2020 League of Legends World Championships, which is slated to begin on 25 September in Shanghai, China.
According to ESPN, the news broke amidst concerns of players and staff being unable to re-enter Vietnam if they leave for China due to COVID-19 precautions. Other countries, like Malaysia and more, also have similar border restrictions in place.
The Vietnamese Championship Series summer playoffs are ongoing with the losers’ bracket finals between EVOS Esports and GAM Esports set for Thursday, which will determine the other team that is supposed to qualify for the League Of Legends Worlds, alongside the already-qualified Team Flash.
At the time of writing, Riot Games is not expected to replace the Vietnamese teams. They will instead be hosting a 22-team tournament rather than the original 24.
It remains to be seen how the Vietnamese teams’ withdrawal from the League Of Legends Worlds Championships will impact their future seeding at other events.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Riot Games has already cancelled the Mid-Season Invitational earlier this year, but the Worlds will still be held in a safe bubble environment (no live on-site spectators, etc.).
Many have gone online since, including South Korea’s LoL Championship Korea, the League of Legends European Championship and the League Championship Series in Europe and North America, respectively.


Sony Celebrates International Women’s Day With Free PS4 Theme

Today is a great day as it is International Women’s Day. Sony has decided to celebrate the date by giving away a free PlayStation 4 theme featuring their favourite female characters from their games.

The dynamic theme features a roster of strong female characters, like:

Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn
Ellie from The Last of Us series
Kara from Detroit: Become Human
Chloe from the Uncharted series
Nadine from the Uncharted series
Atoi from Tearaway Unfolded
Freya from God of War
Sackgirl from LittleBigPlanet
Lady Maria from Bloodborne
Kat from Gravity Rush 2

You can find the theme here.
Do you know who else is celebrating International Women’s Day with a bang? Marvel, with the Captain Marvel movie! Go catch the superheroine in the cinemas right now, or read our review!


Hilde Plants Her Flag As Next SoulCalibur 6 DLC Fighter

Bandai Namco has revealed that the next DLC fighter for SoulCalibur 6 will be Hilde. She was featured in both SoulCalibur 4 and SoulCalibur 5, so it’s no surprise that the flag-bearing princess is making her triumphant return in the latest instalment of the fighting game franchise.

She seems to retain her flagpole/sword fighting style, giving her vertical range up the wazoo. However, the developer has yet to announce the release date for Hilde, though she will be part of the SoulCalibur 6 Season 2 Pass DLC. The feisty petite royal is unique in that she wields a sword and a spear (with the Wolfkrone banner on it) at the same time, making for some pretty awesome combos.
In the meantime, check out the SoulCalibur 6 character reveal trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XznU3L3uWD8&w=560&h=315]


Witcher Game Developer And Author Are Now On Good Terms Again

There’s still quite a lot of people who aren’t aware that The Witcher games and the recent Netflix series are adapted from books. The author of the books hasn’t been too happy with his share of those successes but it looks like things are looking up.

CD Projekt RED (CDPR) recently issued a statement on their official website regarding their relationship with The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski. The two parties have signed an agreement to further solidify their relationship.
This means that CDPR maintains its rights to make video games, graphic novels, board games, and merchandise based on The Witcher plus some new rights as well. On Sapkowski’s side, this means that he is satisfied with what he’s getting in the form of compensation.
Back in 2018, Sapkowski sent his lawyer to request for an additional US$16 million because he believed the initially agreed compensation was too low. Under the Polish Act on Copyright and Related Rights, an author can ask for extra compensation when the orignal sum is too low based on “benefits obtained in association with the use of that author’s work.”
It’s good to see CDPR doing their best to honour Sapkowski for his great work in creating The Witcher universe. There’s a strong possibility we’ll be getting The Witcher 4 after the studio wraps up on Cyberpunk 2077.