The Paris Major In May Will Be CS:GO’s Last

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about Counter-Strike 2 and how it’s set to launch this coming summer. But with every new beginning comes an end, and Valve has just announced that the CS:GO’s Paris Major 2023 will be the last Major ever played on the current version of the game.
For those who don’t know, the Majors are huge CS:GO tournaments held around the world with massive prize pools up for grabs. The previous championship event, the Rio Major 2022, offered a whopping $1.25 million in prize money, and the upcoming Paris Major will do the same. Despite the game’s age, the Majors are still incredibly popular, with arenas selling out and broadcasts in multiple languages.

But Valve has decided that it’s time to move on from CS:GO, and they’re wasting no time in doing so. “The Paris Major will be the final CS:GO Major,” they tweeted today. “The following Major will be in March 2024 and the first in Counter-Strike 2.”

The Paris Major will be the final CS:GO Major.
The following Major will be in March 2024 and the first in Counter-Strike 2.
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 24, 2023

That’s a whole year away, which should give them plenty of time to iron out any kinks in the new game. And even if it’s not perfect, it’s always fun to watch from the sidelines as the players compete for truckloads of cash.
Counter-Strike 2 is still in closed beta at the moment, and Valve is being pretty picky about who gets to play it. But even in its early stages, people are expecting big things from it. Streamer Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek even advised his fans to quit Valorant and switch to CS2 when it was first announced. While it might not be over for Valorant just yet, it’s clear that Counter-Strike 2 is going to make a big splash in the world of competitive shooters.
So, mark your calendars: the last-ever CS:GO Major will take place at the Accor Arena, in Paris, France from 8–21 May.


Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet 2nd Season Greenlit Ahead Of Release

When it comes to comedy shows that showcase nerd culture or gaming as an interest, most people quote The Big Bang Theory and The IT Crowd. However, a new challenger is making its way to Apple TV and the producers are confident it’ll be a hit.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMaPCYRPhY0&w=560&h=315]
Rob McElhenney, one of the creators of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is about to debut his new show Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet. It’s a show that focuses on the going-ons in a game development studio that’s making an MMO called (you guessed it) Mythic Quest.
According to Variety, the show has already been renewed for a second season. It will be streamed exclusively via Apple TV and the first season is scheduled to premiere on 7 February 2020.
Similar to most comedy shows, Mythic Quest will have half-hour episodes. The first season will have a total of nine episodes.
Just to drive in the game-y origins of the show, McElhenney was inspired to make the show after his visit to Ubisoft’s headquarters. Adding on to that, one of the production companies co-producing the show is Ubisoft Motion Pictures.
The trailer does show a bit of promise in terms of its premise but its core element, comedy, doesn’t seem to really shine. Video game humour isn’t exactly something that appeals to everyone and gamers themselves are a tough crowd especially if you don’t know how to balance between comedy and cringe.


PlayStation Welcomes Cross-Platform Play With Open Arms, Starting With Fortnite

Sony PlayStation has finally seen the light regarding cross-platform play in general. Starting today, the company has launched a beta for cross-platform functionality, with its first gaming subject being the incredibly-popular battle royale third-person shooter Fortnite.
Here is the official statement from PlayStation president and worldwide CEO John Kodera.

“The first step will be an open beta beginning today for Fortnite that will allow for cross platform gameplay, progression and commerce across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems.Â
We see the beta as an opportunity to conduct thorough testing that ensures cross-platform play is best on PlayStation, while being mindful about the user experience from both a technical and social perspective.
Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players.Â In recognition of this, we have completed a thorough analysis of the business mechanics required to ensure that the PlayStation experience for our users remains intact today, and in the future, as we look to open up the platform.”

At least that battle’s won. PlayStation has been on the fence regarding cross-platform play policy, most likely due to monetary and security reasons. Publishers like Bethesda and Psyonix pressured Sony and even demonstrated that the switch to turn cross-platform play on is easy to implement.
If you haven’t created an account for Fortnite on PS4 for fear of losing out to cross-platform play options, worry not for Sony has taken down that particular barrier.


BlizzCon 2019’s Virtual Ticket Will Turn Overwatch’s Genji Into WoW’s Top Anti-Hero

It’s one more month until BlizzCon 2019 happens, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the annual Blizzard-themed games show. Right now though, we have a bunch of cool new freebies from this year’s Virtual Ticket.
Basically, this ticket will let you watch ALL of the streams on the BlizzCon official site. If you don’t have this, you’ll only get to watch the main stage announcements and esports tournaments.
So what will you be getting this time around?

World of Warcraft-themed Overwatch skins! Genji turns to Illidan, Symmetra becomes Tyrande.
Two murloc-themed faction leaders and a fuzzy transmog outfit in World of Warcraft.
New card backs and an unrevealed new golden legendary in Hearthstone.
A new Heroes of the Storm BlizzCon spray, portrait, and Celestial Deepcrawler mount.
Brood War skins and portraits, and classic versions of these units -Battlecruiser, Carrier, Ultralisk- for StarCraft II.
A new pair of wings for Diablo 3 players.

Check out the video below:


Singtel + SK Telecom = Asia Esports Boost?

Singtel has announced that it’s going be working together with South Korea’s SK Telecom to promote the growth of gaming and the esports industry in Asia. This official collaboration between the two telecommunication giants will mean the development of digital gaming content and services for gamers in the entire region.
What does this partnership entail for the esports in Asia? According to the press release, Singtel and SK Telecom will cooperate by leveraging each other’s assets to scale up regional esports events and leagues, as well as provide both original and third-party gaming content for their respective portals.
Both Singtel and SK Telecom are not new to developing esports on their own. Singtel has already organized many major esports events, including last year’s PVP Esports Championship (which attracted 3,600 teams competing in Dota 2 and Arena of Valor for a US$300,000 prize pool) and most recently the FSL Elite League of Legends tournament.
Meanwhile, SK Telecom already has its own esports team, SK Telecom T1; a South Korean pro League of Legends team. With this collaboration, it’s looking extend the reach of its games business and increase the profile of its esports team in the Singtel Groupâ€™s markets of Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Singtel International Group CEO Arthur Lang said: â€œSK Telecom is synonymous with gaming and has been a leader in the industry since the beginning. They have a wealth of experience and one of the most recognisable esports teams and personalities in the world today. Coupled with the Singtel Groupâ€™s deep local knowledge, telco assets and reach to over 675 million customers in the region, of which almost a third are gamers, we have the synergies and opportunity to really grow and develop the gaming ecosystem for gamers in Asia. I am very excited about this partnership and looking forward to working together to delight the gaming community in the region.â€


Kakuchopurei’s Best 30 Games Of 2022: All The Winners

2022 has indeed been a year of renewals, restarts, respawns even. Everyone across the world has had a go at rebuilding, and overcoming hardships and challenges that were set upon the past few years. With even this year where parts of the world are experiencing their worldwide hardships and conflicts.
But despite all of this, from a political and economical standpoint, the gift of human creativity still shines through adversity. Thus we fall back to our best brand of escapism: video games, especially the ones that offer the best kinds of said ingenuity.
Whether it’s from a heckaton of main and support studios helping out triple-A companies, to even the humblest of backdrops, we at Kakuchopurei plan to celebrate the best the field has to offer with our own top 30 games of the year. No matter what you hear, no matter what your tastes are, no matter what the game’s popularity levels are, or how much controversy it’s knee-deep in, deep down, one fact is certain:
These titles will blow your mind.
Every day from 19th December 2022 to 1st January 2023, we’ll be revealing our cream of the crop one by one. The reason we added these games here isn’t because of their high scores and our glowing praises, but also because they go far and beyond what they offer in their respective genres, and are very important in making 2022 a cultural milestone in gaming.
This will be the hub page for all of the best games of 2022 as handpicked by us, Southeast Asia’s de facto final word on the best video games around be it indie or triple-A offerings.
But first, our honourable mentions:

Marvel – Midnight Suns: Firaxis’ fun turn-based strategy game with Marvel characters and hangout/dating segments.
Citizen Sleeper: A scifi life-sim RPG with fun dice-rolling mechanics, an evocative world, and chill music.
Midnight Fight Express: Want to feel like a one-man army badass in a 3D beat-em-up? From a game made by one guy? This one will sort you out!
Total War Warhammer III: A demanding but fun war simulator set in the Warhammer universe.
River City Girls 2: A good sequel to 2019’s Kunio-kun beat-em-up RPG, now with 4-player co-op and a bunch of new stages.
Nikke – Goddess Of Victory: We didn’t spend as much time as needed, but this gacha third-person rail shooter with the android waifus is a fun crowd-pleaser mobile title.
Tactics Ogre Reborn: The grandfather of strategy RPG turn-based tactics fighting with an epic political-laced storyline gets a lovingly-crafted remake for current consoles. And PC (legally).
Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII Reunion: Wimpy Zack VO replacement aside, this action RPG is definitely worth going back to even if you finished the PSP original a gazillion times.

And now, the best games of 2022!

#30: Bayonetta 3
#29: Scorn
#28: Horizon Forbidden West
#27: Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
#26: The King of Fighters XV
#25: Dying Light 2
#24: Warhammer 40K – Darktide
#23: Neon White
#22: Call of Duty – Modern Warfare II
#21: Metal Hellsinger
#20: Sonic Frontiers
#19: Stray
#18: Souldiers
#17: Live A Live
#16: Gigabash
#15: Cursed To Golf
#14: Rollerdrome
#13: OlliOlli World
#12: Windjammers 2
#11: Mario + Rabbids – Sparks Of Hope
#10: Marvel Snap
#9: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
#8: Vampire Survivors/Holocure
#7: Pentiment
#6: Sifu
#5: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Shredder’s Revenge
#4: Cult Of The Lamb
#3: Tunic
#2: God of War Ragnarok
#1: Elden Ring
The Best Game Soundtracks Of 2022

BFM.my Radio Version

Misc.
Best Movies/Anime/TV Show
The Magic Rain’s Nathalie Tay’s Top 5 Twitch Highlights
SirCloud’s Top 10 Memorable Esports Moments Of 2022
Arief Johan’s Top 5 Southeast Asian Games He Enjoyed & Loved
Az Samad’s Top 10 Things He Loved About His Favourite 2022 Game OST


Moonscars’ Divisive Art Style Hides A Challenging Soulslike Experience

Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D search action Soulslike with monochrome-style graphics
It takes a lot out of indie developers to distinguish their search action games from one another, especially when it’s going for the difficult Soulslike action route. Just go search your Steam page for “soulslike” and you’ll find a number of them from this year and the last. If you’re not sick of them yet, and want a title with a bit more of a mystique look, there’s Moonscars.
Crater Expectations

Moonscars 2D action game trappings are apparent: you play a badass knight named Grey Irma who is in search of a character called the First Sculptor, being that she’s in a world where clay warriors are running amuck in the kingdom she’s in and it’s all laid to waste. Hence the grey and dystopian vibe of the game’s aesthetics and world: this is no fairy tale, though there are talking cats and moon priestesses.
And spikes. Lots and lots of spikes.
On trailers, the game looks splendid in motion. In practice, however, you might have to get used to what’s visible and what’s hiding in plain sight, which adds one layer of challenge to an already-tough game where enemies can kill you in a few hits, and deaths will create a “blood moon” phase where they get buffed up. The later levels where the game’s art style goes a bit more “avant garde” and “murky”, to put it lightly, can also mess with your bearings. It doesn’t completely distracts and makes the entire ordeal unbearable, but I can see a lot of people wondering why the game’s animation is so smooth when trying to make out whether that silhouette is really out to get them.
Still, what action and challenge that’s on tap in Moonscars is legitimately fun and calculated. Our main heroine , who moves and fights like a pro human knight, has to make her way to her creator and deal with the many murderous constructs and clay monsters in the way. She’s equipped with the best kinds of moves one can ask in a Metroidvania title where you can die really quick due to Dark Souls bulls***: a fast dodge with quick recovery, a parry, fast attacks, and heavy-hitting special moves you acquire from your own dopplegangers.

These slow-but-hard-hitting attacks range from heavy hammer swings that stun to piercing javelins that weaken enemies to your Ichor spells. The game’s sole magic resource is called Ichor, and with it you can cast a good amount of spells from the standard ichor fireball blast to summoning explosive winged familiars. These are incredibly useful, especially with the many enemies you’ll face, with some of them even able to explode in your face.
Speaking of which, killing them will net you Spite bonuses which bolsters your Ichor spells and healing to astounding and cumulative levels. If you die, you lose them all. It’s great in practice, but when prepping for a boss whom you’re going to die to multiple times, it feels pointless in the long run. And the less said about the game’s insistence of placing checkpoints purposely far away from these tough encounters for artificial difficulty, the better. Also, whoever thought it was a great idea to have the game’s speed travel method that halts Grey Irma mid-dash and prone for a second if she collides into enemies, making her very vulnerable to potential one-hit kills, should be perforated.
Breaking The Mould?

Of course, if you’re not a fan of backtracking to great lengths fighting bosses with little to no margin of error -where you can only survive up to three hits sans on-the-fly healing- as well as grind for those Spite bonuses just to get a leg-up against these frustrating fight, then Moonscars isn’t for you. Despite how pretty it animates and how unique it looks, its punishing gameplay isn’t for everyone.

There are other similar Soulslike 2D experiences that do not feel like it’s jostling you just to get to its finish line; a pity that Moonscars decided to take that route as its setting and presentation does set it apart.

Final Score: 60/100


Check Out These PlayStation Asia Holiday Deals

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore Private Limited (SIES) has announced Incredible Deals 2020, which will offer attractive prices on PS4 console bundles that coincides with the Holiday 2020 season.Â
From 14 December 2020 to 3 January 2021, customers can purchase the following PlayStation products and games at a promo price from PlayStation Authorized Dealers, Sony Stores, and selected major electronics retailers across Malaysia:Â
PS4 MEGA PACK (CUH-2218BB01, Jet Black, 1TB HDD): Featuring God Of War (Disc), Horizon Zero DawnÂ Complete Edition (Disc), and The Last Of UsÂ Remastered (Digital), at the promotional price of RM999 (after a discount of RM350).PS4 Pro God of WarÂ / The Last Of UsÂ Remastered BundleÂ (CUH-7218BB01, Jet Black, 1TB HDD), at the promotional price of RM1,349 (after a discount of RM450).
 The Incredible Deals 2020 also applies to the following products:
DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller FIFA 21 Voucher BundleÂ at the promotional price of RM299 (after a discount of RM100).DUALSHOCK 4 (selected colours only), at the promotional price of RM179 (after a discount of RM60)Â Final Fantasy VII Remake (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM169 (after a discount of RM70)Â Death Stranding (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM119 (after a discount of RM50)Nioh 2 (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM119 (after a discount of RM50)Â Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man Game of the Year EditionÂ (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM119 (after a discount of RM50)Â Select PlayStation Hits titles (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM79 (after a discount of RM24)

For more details on PlayStationâ€™s Incredible Deals 2020 promotion, head on over to the official website here.
Normal Price Discount Promo Price PS4 MEGAÂ PACKÂ RM1,349Â RM350Â RM1,049Â Ps4 ProÂ God of War / The Last of UsÂ BundleÂ RM1,799Â RM450Â RM1,349Â DUALSHOCK 4Â Wireless Controller FIFA 21 Voucher BundleÂ RM399Â RM100Â RM299Â DUALSHOCK 4 (selected coloUrs only)Â RM239Â RM60Â RM179Â Final Fantasy VII Remake (Disc)Â RM239Â RM70Â RM169Â Death Stranding (Disc version)Â RM169Â RM50Â RM119Â Nioh 2 (Disc version)Â RM169Â RM50Â RM119Â Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man Game of the Year Edition (Disc version)Â RM169Â RM50Â RM119Â God of War PlayStation HitsÂ Â Â RM79Â RM24Â RM55Â The Last of Us Remastered PlayStation HitsÂ RM79Â RM24Â RM55Â Uncharted 4 PlayStation HitsÂ RM79Â RM24Â RM55Â Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition PlayStation HitsÂ RM79Â RM24Â RM55Â Rachet & Clank PlayStation HitsÂ Â Â RM79Â RM24Â RM55Â


Ms. Marvel Actress To Co-Write Comic Where Kamala Becomes A Mutant

Inhuman no more. Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel is following the footsteps of her Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) counterpart and is going to officially become a mutant. According to Entertainment Weekly, Ms. Marvel actress Iman Vellani herself will be co-writing the comic that will serve as the debut of Ms. Marvel as a mutant for Marvel Comics.
In the comics, Ms. Marvel recently sacrificed her life in The Amazing Spider-Man issue #26, and was celebrated by her friends, family, and fellow superheroes in this week’s special issue Fallen Friend: The Death Of Ms. Marvel.

I never thought I'd ever see Wolverine wearing a jubah and Marvel characters reading the Quran. #Marvel #MarvelComics #Comics #MsMarvel #KamalaKhan pic.twitter.com/ervNjdPu8e
— ComicsLord (Alleef Ashaari) (@ComicsLord) July 13, 2023

Iman Vellani will co-write the new comic alongside Ms. Marvel TV writer Sabir Pirzada. Carlos Gomez and Adam Gorham will handle the art, and Sara Pichelli will provide the main covers.
Speaking with EW, Iman Vellani said:
“This was way scarier than joining the MCU for me. Those projects feel like they live in their own dimension, so I guess I can separate myself easier. But you can hold a comic book! I’ve never written anything before in my entire life, but I have read many comics, so I just wrote what I would want to read. I was given a very professional tool to write what is essentially my own fan fiction.”
In Ms. Marvel The New Mutant, Kamala Khan will come back to life as a mutant, presumably via the new Krakoan Resurrection Protocol featured in the current X-Men comics.
When Kamala was originally created a decade ago by writer G. Willow Wilson, editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, and artists Adrian Alphona and Jamie McKelvie, she was an Inhuman who gained her powers from the release of Terrigen Mists.
Vellani added:
“I want to make it very, very clear that we are not reconning her Inhuman origin. That’s a part of Kamala’s identity that Marvel editorial and myself would very much like to keep and protect. Our book will absolutely reflect all those core themes of identity that the Ms. Marvel comics have consistently explored — only now there’s a whole new label that Kamala has to learn to accept. It’s going to be pretty crazy.
Hopefully those readers who are kind of getting into the comics after the Disney+ show are are going to have something fun to look forward to on shelves.”
Iman Vellani is also set to reprise her role as Ms. Marvel in The Marvels, which will premiere on 10 November 2023.
The new comic will also give Ms. Marvel a new X-Men costume to suit her new mutant status. Check it out below:
Ms. MarvelCR: Artgerm
Ms. MarvelCR: Jamie McKelvie


Final Fantasy Mobile Games Get Spooky Halloween Content

In celebration of upcoming Halloween, developer Gumi Inc., in partnership with publisher Square Enix, invites players to join in various in-game festivities and earn a lot of limited-time rewards in War Of The Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.
War Of The Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
New Halloween Units: Powerful UR units Rairyuu (Halloween) and Little Leela (Halloween) are available to summon for a limited time, being released simultaneously in the Japanese and the Global versions of the game for the first time.The zombie inspired Rairyuu can perform the Limit Burst â€œCreeping Terror,â€ which deals damage to all targets within range and has a chance of inflicting Poison. The werewolf inspired Little Leela can perform the Limit Burst â€œAnimal Pumpkin,â€ which nullifies her targetâ€™s buffs and deals damage.Â
Rairyuu
Little Leela
New Halloween Vision Cards: Players can also obtain UR â€œExorcistsâ€ (available only during the Halloween campaign), UR â€œMask of Deceit,â€ and MR â€œNetherwordly Crimson Orb, Bloody Moon,â€ which will grant players a new esper upon first acquisition, from summoning.
UR Exorcists
UR Mask Of Deceit
MR Netherworldly Crimson Orb Bloody Moon
Limited-Time Summons:Halloween Campaign 6-UR Guaranteed Step Up 10x Summon: From October 28 through October 31, players can pull from this summon which guarantees one UR unit or vision card on step 1, two UR units/vision cards on step 2, and three UR units/vision cards on step 3.Â Halloween Campaign 5-Step 10x Summon: From October 28, players can pull from this special summon which guarantees a MR+ unit or vision card on steps 1-4 and guarantees UR â€œExorcistsâ€ on step 5.
Halloween Celebration Login Bonus Part I & Part II: Players will be treated to various rewards simply by logging in daily during the Halloween Campaign period, such as Visiore, Growth Eggs, NRG Restores and more.
A Present from Global version Producer Hiroki: In honour of the release of the fourth episode of theÂ War Of The Visions Final Fantasy Brave ExviusÂ Updates series, all players will be awarded a special gift of 2,000 Visiore, 20 million Gil and a variety of rare awakening and enhancement materials. Players can claim this reward from their present boxes until 10 November 2020.

Halloween Challenge Missions: Players can obtain Rainbow Vision Spheres, Rainbow Fragments of Thought and tons of Shards for the new Halloween units by completing these missions.Halloween Themed App Icon

War Of The Visions Final Fantasy Brave ExviusÂ is available now as a free download with in-app purchases through theÂ App StoreÂ®,Â Google Playâ„¢,Â Amazon App Store and MyCard (https://app.mycard520.com.tw/?p=77404). Â Text is supported in English, French, German, Spanish, Korean and Traditional Chinese, while voiceovers are supported in English and Japanese.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
New and Returning Halloween Units: Players have a chance to summon the Global Original Neo Vision unit Ibara now until 4 November 2020. Starting on 29 October 2020, players can summon powerful units Grim Lord Sakura and Lucius, who are now Neo Vision Awakenable, as well as other returning Halloween units including Lilith, Demon Rain, Dracu Lasswell, Karten, Godrea, White Witch Fina, Pirate Jake, Illusionist Nichol and Black Cat Lid until November 11.
Ibara, Grim Lord Sakura (NV)
Lucious (NV)
Free Weekly 10x Summon: From 29 October 2020 to 4 November 2020, players will be able to perform one 10x Summon.Curse of the Tree Demon Event: Brave players can challenge themselves to this brand-new event to obtain materials needed to enhance eventâ€“limited equipment and other exciting rewards, now until 4 November 2020.Grave Hexvius Event: From 29 October 2020 until 11 November 2020, players can participate in this eerie returning event to earn â€œUnderworld Fareâ€ which can be used to pull from a limited-time summon to receive exciting rewards.FFBE Spooky Daily Rewards: Players can earn Sakuraâ€™s Sweets from the special Halloween-themed login bonus, which can be exchanged for Halloween units including Grim Lord Sakura and Demon Rain, and other rewards.Spooky Halloween Themed App Icon and Home Screen

Final Fantasy Brave ExviusÂ is available now as a free-to-play app (with in-app purchases) through theÂ App StoreÂ®,Â Google Playâ„¢ and theÂ Amazon App Store. The game is available in eight languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Korean, Thai and Indonesian.


Malaysian-Made Doctor Who Game Gets Release Date

Malaysia-based games developer Kaigan GamesÂ (best known for the horror mobile gamesÂ Sara Is Missing, 2017â€™sÂ SimulacraÂ and 2019â€™sÂ Simulacra 2) announced Doctor Who The Lonely AssassinsÂ for Android, iOS, PC and the Nintendo Switch back in 2020. Now the mobile game has finally received a release date and it’s next month.
Doctor Who The Lonely Assassins is slated to launch on 19 March 2021. However, the Nintendo Switch version has yet to receive a release date.
You can pre-register the game on Google Play Store, pre-order on the Apple App Store, or wishlist the game on Steam to earn special milestone rewards, including bonus story content, digital wallpapers and printable posters.

Doctor Who The Lonely AssassinsÂ will see players uncover and decipher the mystery of a â€˜found phoneâ€™, unravelling a sinister series of events taking place at Wester Drumlins, the iconic â€˜uninhabitedâ€™ home featured in the legendaryÂ Doctor WhoÂ episodeÂ Blink. Someone is missing, and a menacing new nemesis has emerged. Players will work withÂ Doctor WhoÂ character Petronella OsgoodÂ and other classic characters as they get steadily closer to the truth.
All I can say now is what a great time it is to be a Whovian, and a Malaysian Whovian at that. Allonsy, my friends! In the meantime, check out the brand new trailer below:


Naoki Yoshida Is Going All Out With The Next Final Fantasy

PlayStation’s State of Play June 2022 showcase revealed a lot of gameplay and new info about Final Fantasy 16, the next series mothership JRPG title from Square Enix. The game is being produced by Naoki Yoshida (of FFXIV fame) and directed by Hiroshi Takai (of SaGa and Last Remnant fame).
The game has a huge selection of talent behind it, with Masayoshi Soken on music duties and Kazutoyo Maehiro on screenplay work. Both of these creators have worked on Final Fantasy XIV; it’s basically Naoki Yoshida sticking close to home here. In any case, we have a gameplay trailer breakdown video for you here; check out what I think about the possible mechanics and features below.

Final Fantasy XVI will be out in Summer 2023 for PlayStation 5.


Halo 3 ODST Drops On PC Master Chief Collection Later This Month

After being announced in June 2020, Halo 3: ODST is finally coming to Halo: The Master Chief Collection on 22 September 2020.
Originally released in 2009, Halo 3 ODST was a spinoff that didnâ€™t feature Master Chief or any iconic characters. Instead, it focused on United Nations Space Command soldiers, known as â€œOrbital Drop Shock Troopersâ€ or ODSTs, during and after the events of Halo 2.
Best of all, PC gamers will get multiplayer in Halo 3 ODST in the form of Firefight, a co-op mode in which up to four players must face off against waves of Covenant attackers with only seven lives to share between them. The appropriately named â€˜firefightsâ€™ features both ground and vehicular combat.
This comes hot off the heels of Halo 3 in July 2020. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.


The Last Of Us Recap: Road To Part 2

It’s been a whopping seven years since Naughty Dog’s The Last Of Us launched on the PS3 in 2013. Even if you played the improved version of this brilliant masterpiece on the PS4 a year later in 2014, that’s still over six years ago. More than half a decade is a long time, and The Last Of Us Part 2 is only a week away from officially releasing on 19 June 2020.
If it’s been a while since you last played The Last Of Us, or even if you’ve never played the game (you really should, though), I’m going to provide a nifty refresher and story recap in this article for everything you need to know before playing The Last of Us Part 2.
Of course, keep in mind that there will be full spoilers ahead for the original The Last Of Us below. Without further ado, let’s delve into the story of The Last Of Us:
In The Beginning

The Last of Us officially begins with a prologue featuring a flashback sequence set in the year 2013 that introduces us to protagonist Joel, who lives with his daughter Sarah in Austin, Texas. On the night of his birthday, a sudden outbreak of a severe brain infection originating from an unknown fungus rapidly spreads throughout the United States (that day will later be known as Outbreak Day).
As Joel and Sarah attempt to flee (along with Joel’s brother, Tommy), they encounter a lone soldier who is ordered to open fire on them. They try to avoid his shots;Â  unfortunately, Sarah was fatally wounded and tragically dies in Joel’s arms.

This now-iconic opening set the overall tone of the game; grim, sad, and hopeless. Just like Pixar’s Up, the opening doesn’t hold back, starting the game/movie on an emotional high that’s rarely seen in other games or movies.
Sure, The Last Of Us’ opening is more traumatic than Pixar’s Up, but both of them work almost the same way.

What Is The Cordyceps Fungus Brain Infection Virus?

The Cordyceps Brain Infection virus is a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus, based on a real-life parasitic fungus that invades living hosts like insects and takes control of their bodies. Look it up, they exist, but the real version of the fungus has yet to infect any humans (that we know of), so we’re safe (for now).
In the world of The Last Of Us, the fungus infects hosts through spores or inflicting injuries (like biting or scratching) on other living things via their host bodies. There are multiple stages of infection, which translate into various types of Infected enemies in the game.
Unlike zombies, dead human beings can’t be infected or become hosts. What’s unique about the Cordyceps virus is that it can only infect living people. However, these people still ‘die’ as a result of being infected, as the Cordyceps gradually replaces their body.
To protect themselves from infection through spores, humans wear gas masks, though spores or ‘nests’ of spores can often only be found in enclosed places like the sewers or inside buildings.
As for examples of Infected, the most common types are the Runners, the first and weakest stage of Infected. However, the most iconic and popular type has to be the Clickers, who are named after the chilling clicking sound they make.
Clickers are blind (as grotesque mushrooms have sprouted from where their faces were), but they can locate prey using echolocation or sound vibrations. In the game, getting grabbed by a Clicker means instant death.
Ellie & Joel’s Journey Kicks Off

After Sarah’s death, The Last Of Us fast forwards 20 years later to the year 2033, where the world has very much changed. The United States Of America is now a collection of military zones under martial law. Joel now lives as a post-apocalyptic smuggler in Boston, Massachusetts with his partner, a woman named Tess. In the two decades since Sarah’s death, Joel has grown into a disillusioned and extremely cynical person.
One day, Joel and Tess are given an offer by a woman named Marlene, who is actually the leader of an anti-military organization called the Fireflies. Their objective is to search for a cure to the Cordyceps fungus virus. Marlene wants Joel and Tess to smuggle a teenage girl named Ellie out of the quarantine zone.
However, Marlene didn’t tell Joel and Tess the reason why the Fireflies wanted Ellie to be smuggled; that Ellie is actually immune to the Cordyceps virus, having been bitten over three weeks ago. Normal human beings turn into the Infected within one or two days of being bitten or scratched.
The Last Of Us Left Behind DLC

Let’s back up a little before we continue with the story. Three weeks before Joel and Tess meets Ellie, Ellie was bitten by an Infected, which players could experience in the Left Behind DLC for The Last Of Us.
Here’s what happened; three weeks ago,Â Riley (Ellie’s best friend) surprises Ellie at their boarding school by revealing that she became a Firefly during her absence. To celebrate, Riley takes Ellie to an abandoned shopping mall, where the two girls spent time together.

Later, Riley eventually reveals that the Fireflies assigned her to another group in a different city and that she wanted to see Ellie one last time despite Marlene forbidding her to do so.

To cheer themselves up, they danced to some music, which ended with Ellie kissing Riley. However, the music attracted the Infected, resulting in both of them getting bitten, but only Riley ultimately dies.
Summer

The story of The Last Of Us is told in seasons, so I’ll be recapping them each briefly and accordingly. On the way to their destination, Joel and Tess discover that Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps fungus, realizing that Ellie could be the key to a cure for humanity.
Once they reach their destination, they discover the Fireflies they were meant to meet have been killed. Tess then reveals that she’s been infected, and tells Joel to take Ellie and find the Fireflies while she stays behind to buy them some time. Begrudgingly, Joel and Ellie are forced to escape while Tess holds off pursuing soldiers, sacrificing her life and dying in the process.

The two then plan to travel across the country to reach Joel’s brother, Tommy, as he used to be a member of the Fireflies. This is when Joel and Ellie meet brothers, Henry and Sam, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They hatch up a plan to leave Pittsburgh, but Sam later gets bitten by an Infected but hasn’t told anyone.

In the morning, Ellie goes to check on Sam, who has turned into an Infected overnight. Sam attacks Ellie, and before Joel can get his gun, Henry shoots Sam. Stricken with grief and guilt, Henry then shoots and kills himself.
Fall

Several months have passed; Joel and Ellie are now in Jackson County, Wyoming. They’re approaching Tommy’s settlement in Jackson city, but need to make their way through an abandoned hydroelectric plant. They stumble upon Tommy and his people there, who are attempting to get the plant back online and generating power. Joel asks Tommy if he can entrust Ellie to him, as she’ll be safer with him while he figures out the whereabouts of the Fireflies. Tommy agrees to take care of Ellie, but Joel and Ellie argues about the arrangement.

After fighting some bandits, Joel decides to take Ellie to the Fireflies himself. Tommy tells them that the Fireflies can be found at the science lab at the University of Eastern Colorado.

Joel and Ellie find the university and explore the campus until they find the science building. It turns out that the Fireflies abandoned the site, but Joel finds a dictaphone with the final words of a deceased Firefly, confirming that they have moved back to St. Mary’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, they’re spotted by more bandits before they can leave, and so Joel and Ellie fight to escape the university.
In a struggle, Joel falls over a railing and lands on a metal pipe, impaling him. Ellie defends Joel and helps him up, and they just barely escape. Joel, in severe pain and losing blood, collapses as they ride away.
Winter

The story fasts forward in time once again. Ellie is now taking care of an almost-catatonic Joel. She hunts for food in the snowy woods with a bow and arrow. During the hunting, a man named David appears with his friend James. They want the deer (that Ellie just killed) for their people. David offers to trade, and Ellie asks for medicine. While James goes to retrieve the medicine, Ellie and David take shelter from the cold inside a cabin.
A group of infected emerge and force them to work together to survive.Â Ellie returns to Joel and gives him some penicillin. However, Ellie overhears some men outside, and she decides to throw them off the trail by riding out, but she’s spotted and the horse is killed. She is then captured by David.

She wakes up in a cell and watches someone butchering humans. It turns out that David and his people are cannibals. Meanwhile, Joel wakes up and notices Ellie is missing. Even though he’s still hurt, he gets up and begins searching for her, running into David’s men in the process. He captures and interrogates them about Ellie.

Eventually, Ellie clashes with David in a burning restaurant, but she manages to grab his machete and brutally kills him. Joel finally catches up to her and they head back on the path to reach the Fireflies.
Spring

Joel and Ellie finally reach Salt Lake City and are heading to the hospital where the Fireflies are. On their way, they head through an old zoo, where they spot a herd of giraffes peacefully walking through the site. This is one of the most iconic scenes in the game, and also the one which famous YouTuber Dunkey refers to as “The Giraffe Of Us”.

During this beautiful moment, Joel says to Ellie they don’t have to go through with the Fireflies plan; that they can simply live peacefully with Tommy in his encampment Jackson, Wyoming.

Ellie tells him that everything they’ve been through “can’t be for nothing”. The pair approaches the hospital through partially submerged ruins, where they fight more Infected. They ultimately fall into flowing water, and Ellie almost drowns. As he tries to revive her, Fireflies approach and knock Joel out.

Joel wakes up in a hospital room, where Marlene greets him. She assures Joel that Ellie is fine and that she is being prepared for surgery. Marlene explains that to study the infection for a potential cure, they need to remove it from Ellie’s brain, which will kill her.

Growing angry, Joel demands to see Ellie, but Marlene refuses and instructs her men to make him leave. On the way out of the hospital, Joel overpowers the Firefly soldiers and learns that Ellie is on the top floor. He then fights his way up the hospital, killing many Fireflies in the process.
Barging into the operating room, Joel finds Ellie lying unconscious on the table. The main surgeon threatens Joel, but he shoots him. Joel then picks Ellie up and attempts to escape through the parking lot. Marlene confronts Joel, begging him to reconsider his actions, but he kills her to prevent the Fireflies from pursuing them. He drives away.

Ellie wakes up as Joel drives towards Tommy’s settlement. She asks what happened and Joel tells her that the Fireflies had previously found other people with immunity to the Cordyceps fungus like Ellie, but that they still couldn’t produce a cure.
As they approach Tommy’s town in Jackson, Wyoming, Ellie stops Joel and makes him swear that what he said about the Fireflies was true.
Joel lies and says “I swear”, to which Ellie replies, “Okay”, despite what seems to be lingering doubt and scepticism.
Now You’re Ready For The Last Of Us Part 2

While I’ve already gone through most of the important events in The Last Of Us, it’s still probably a good idea to play the first game (if you haven’t) or replay it again if you already have in the past.
In the meantime, check out our full review of The Last Of Us Part 2 here while waiting for the game to launch next week on 19 June 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXl9GI1p_Os&w=560&h=315]


Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Where Will Square Enix Go From Here? [Spoiler]

Needless to say, there were quite a number of revelations revealed in this remake that help set up its inevitable next episodes.
To delve deeper into speculation territory, I’ll need to reveal a number of additions and new key moments from the remake. So yeah, this post will be spoiler-heavy; consider yourself warned.


The PlayStation Access Controller Is The Official Name For Project Leonardo

Sony Interactive Entertainment, we are committed to furthering that mission, so today we’re excited to share new details and images of the Access controller for the PS5 console. First revealed at CES this year as Project Leonardo, the Access Controller for PS5 is an all-new, highly-customizable accessibility controller kit designed to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods.
Developed in collaboration with accessibility experts, the Access controller will include a wide array of swappable button and stick caps so players can freely create different layouts that work for their unique strength, range of motion, and physical needs.
Each Access controller will include the following:

Analog stick caps (standard, dome and ball stick cap).
Button caps in different shapes and sizes, including:

Pillow button caps.
Flat button caps.
Wide flat button cap (which covers two button sockets).
Overhang button caps (which benefit players with smaller hands as they are positioned closer to the center).
Curve button caps (which can be pushed if placed along the top or pulled if placed along the bottom of the controller).

Swappable button cap tags for players to easily mark which inputs they map to each button.

In addition, players can use the Access controller on flat surfaces, orient it 360 degrees, or easily secure the controller to an AMPS mount* or tripod. They can also adjust the distance of the analog stick from the controller. Through the Access controller’s four 3.5mm AUX ports, players can integrate their own specialty switches, buttons or analog sticks.
However, there is no release date yet.
In the meantime, check out the video below:


E3 2019: Is Dr Disrespect Banned From Twitch For Invasion Of Privacy?

Sometimes, video game streamers cross lines they’re not supposed to even set foot on just to get the max amount of views from their respective audience. Such is the case of one Guy “Dr Disrespect” Beahm who is now suspended from his platform Twitch as of late.
Why is that so? Because according to a Kotaku report, he did a livestream from inside the bathroom at the Los Angeles Convention Centre during E3. And yes, for any young whelp who is attending E3 for the first time, he probably wants to broadcast it to the world and do a series of IRL streams onsite.
Someone forgot to tell him that video recording of any kind in bathrooms are illegal since, well, forever. Or in this instance, it violates the US’ “invasion of privacy” law.Â  Because that’s what he did for one of his IRL sessions during the first public day of E3 (which was a few hours ago): he and his camera person walked into a public bathroom with the camera rolling. The gaming streamer headed into the men’s toilet, then shouted the word “Bodyguard!” while E3 attendees used urinals in the background. Keep in mind that one of the attendees is presumably a child while thousands of people are watching the stream online.
He also went into one of the stalls, as well as re-enter the bathroom two more times and used the urinal. If you’re curious, do search for the clips or even Twitter photos yourself; we at Kakuchopurei will not put up these clips here because we do care for people’s privacy concerning sensitive matters like this.
Twitch has specifically stated that it forbids people from streaming illegal acts and will not give exception when banning people from doing so. So that’s what they did to Dr Disrespect’s account: they made it inaccessible from Twitch. Update: his E3 badge is also revoked, making this his possibly last E3 event if he doesn’t clean up his act.
Sometimes one does wonder if common sense will prevail when it comes to getting stream views.


In 1982, Ridley Scott made a film entitled â€˜Blade Runnerâ€™ that was so far ahead of its time that it was poorly received at launch and only gained cult status in later years after it has inspired countless intellectual properties such as the anime Ghost in The Shell and the video game franchise Deus Ex, amongst others. For its sequel over 30 year later, Scott gave the reins over to French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, who has acclaimed hits such as 2015â€™s Sicario and 2016â€™s Arrival under his belt. The most important question on the minds of fans: Does Blade Runner 2049 do justice to one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time?
As a sequel to 1982â€™s Blade Runner, it mostly works. Villeneuve has successfully retained the cyberpunk visual style of the original, along with its eerie aesthetics and forlorn atmosphere. Blade Runner 2049 is a visual feast, with extremely high production values and excellent cinematography. Iâ€™d even go so far as stating that Blade Runner 2049 is the best-looking science fiction film of 2017 to date, which will surely be contested by the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi later this year. Calling it, Roger Deakins for Best Cinematography in next yearâ€™s Oscars!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCcx85zbxz4&w=560&h=315]
Plot-wise, Villeneuve and the filmâ€™s writers managed to connect the storyline threads from the previous film into a coherent product in Blade Runner 2049. Where is Deckard and Rachael now? Is Deckard a replicant? Some of these questions are explored while some remain unexplained. Unfortunately, Blade Runner 2049 ties up some lingering questions while introducing a bevy of frustrating new questions which stink of sequel bait. Despite everything to the contrary, newcomers who havenâ€™t watched the original Blade Runner can still fully comprehend the filmâ€™s plot although they wonâ€™t be able to fully appreciate the easter eggs and references.
I personally feel that the 2 hours and 43 minutes runtime is a tad too long, especially since it gets draggy in the middle of the film. I wonâ€™t get into details regarding the plot but some parts are better off with tighter editing. Even I, a self-proclaimed science fiction enthusiast, checked the time a few times during a few of the â€˜introspectiveâ€™ scenes. Casual moviegoers might find this massive runtime intimidating and avoid this movie altogether but I assure you it mostly justifies its bloated runtime.
If youâ€™re looking forward to the return of Deckard (Harrison Ford), you wonâ€™t be disappointed, although he does get less screen time than the main protagonist K (Ryan Gosling). The female cast of Blade Runner 2049 also receive impressively adequate screen time, especially Joi (Ana de Armas) and Robin Wright (Lieutenant Joshi). However, all this comes at the expense of Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista) and Niander Wallace (Jared Leto), who gets the disappointingly little screen time and character development, considering how hyped their roles were in the marketing leading to the filmâ€™s release. Look for the return of a fan-favourite character from the original film who reprised his role in a short but meaningful scene.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZOaI_Fn5o4&w=560&h=315]
Before (or after) you watch Blade Runner 2049, I recommend watching the three prequel shorts on YouTube, bridging the 30-year gap between 1982â€™s Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. These are not essential for understanding Blade Runner 2049 but simply provides extra context for the background of Blade Runner 2049â€™s world.
First up is Blade Runner Black Out 2022 is an anime short directed by ShinichirÅ Watanabe, who famously known for directing acclaimed anime series such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, set three years after the events of Blade Runner, featuring the story about the creation of the new Nexus 8 Replicant series and downfall of the Tyrell Corporation.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZk9sSgRyQ&w=560&h=315]
Next is 2036: Nexus Dawn is a live-action short starring Jared Leto as Niander Wallace set 13 years before the events of Blade Runner 2049 about the story of Wallaceâ€™s attempt to convince lawmakers to allow the production of his new series of more obedient Replicants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgsS3nhRRzQ
Finally comes 2048: Nowhere to Run, starring Dave Bautista as Sapper Morton, which is set only 1 year before the events of Blade Runner 2049, telling the story of how Mortonâ€™s actions of saving a mother and daughter from thugs leads to him being outed as a Replicant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ9Os8cP_gg
After 2016â€™s phenomenal Arrival (Watch it if you havenâ€™t! Itâ€™s the best science fiction film since Ex Machina, in my opinion!) and 2017â€™s Blade Runner, Denis Villeneuve is definitely a filmmaker to watch out for. I sincerely believe that he could finally revive the science fiction genre to what it was in the golden eras of the 1970s and 1980s, when sci-fi was at its best creatively. Films like these and series like equally fantastic Star Trek Discovery might spark a new science fiction genre renaissance. Of course, this is all speculation but thereâ€™s always hope.
Summarily, it is this writerâ€™s opinion that Blade Runner 2049 is an excellent film in its own right and a serviceable sequel to the original Blade Runner. Ultimately, Blade Runner 2049 doesnâ€™t manage to surpass the still-relevant original Blade Runner. That just goes to highlight the capability of truly iconic intellectual properties to stand the test of time and advancement in technology.

WOT WE SCORE IT:Â 85/100
Alleef is Kakuchopurei.com ‘s resident movie buff and is a huge comic book fan. You can follow his comments and rants on Twitter here.


James Cameron’s Avatar Returns To Malaysian Cinemas This September

James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning 2009 epic adventure Avatar, the most successful film of all time, returns to cinemas in Malaysia on 22 September 2022 in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range.
Check out the new trailer and new poster art to celebrate the re-release of the 2009 film below:

Written and directed by Academy Award winner James Cameron, Avatar stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. The film was produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau. Nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, the film won three Oscars, for Best Cinematography, Production Design and Visual Effects.
This is in anticipation of the upcoming sequel, Avatar The Way Of Water, which will premiere in Malaysian cinemas in December 2022.


Australia Videogame Festival Alt-Shift-Play To Share The Love This December In Malaysia

The Australian High Commission will be showcasing the best of independent Australian video games next month in Malaysia via an event called Alt-Shift-Play.
The showcase will feature the best titles from the country down south like Untitled Goose Game and this year’s wonderful offering Cult of the Lambs. The showcase will be organized by a team led by Melbourne’s Freeplay Festival ex-director Chad Toprak, and will also feature talks from developers and interactive workshops. And this goes without saying: the games themselves will be playable on the show floor.
Here are the details of the exhibition:

Dates: 2-4 December, 11am – 9pm
Location: Muzium Telekom, Kuala Lumpur
Cost: It’s free
This sounds like a great initiative to remind folks about Australia’s established video game scene; most folks outside of Australia do not even know that titles like Umurangi Generation and The Artful Escape are made in the country. Speaking of which, you should go play Cult of the Lamb if you haven’t; we loved it back in the Kakuchopurei office and will find more opportunities to spread the joy of its gameplay and sim aspects.


Marvel Confirms Spider-Man No Way Home’s Daredevil Is The Same Version From The Netflix Series (Update)

Updated on 4 April 2022:
Only one day after we reported the original story, Marvel has suddenly removed the paragraph that makes Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil ‘canon’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The recap on the official website now stops where Daredevil’s story ended in Season 3 of the Netflix series. You can read the deleted paragraph which mentions Daredevil’s role in Spider-Man No Way Home in the original story below.

While Charlie Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil in a brief cameo in 2021’s Spider-Man No Way Home, it was previously unclear if he was playing the same version from the Netflix series (or the Defenders Saga, as it is now currently known after moving to Disney+).
After recapping all the events of all three seasons of the Netflix/Defenders Saga Daredevil series, here’s the chronology following that, according to the official website:
Sometime later, Matt was hired as an attorney to defend Peter Parker, as Peter had been publicly outed as Spider-Man and accused of Mysterio’s murder. Though Peter was legally cleared of any wrongdoing, Matt warned him he’d still have to face the court of public opinion and advised Harold “Happy” Hogan to hire a good lawyer. As if on cue, a protestor threw a brick through the window of the Parkers’ apartment in support of Mysterio. Fortunately, due to his heightened senses, Matt was able to catch the brick before it hurt anyone inside. When Peter asked him how he was able to do that, Matt claimed it was because he was a really good lawyer and left it at that.
Now we know that the Netflix Defenders Saga is pretty much canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let’s wait for Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist (yes, he wasn’t that bad), and the Punisher to show up in the future.
In the meantime, check out my Spider-Man No Way Home breakdown and post-credits explanation article here.


Watch Us Tackle the Sepang F1 Circuit in a Ferrari

Our writer AlleefÂ went full Sebastian Vettel today as he tackled the Sepang F1 Circuit in Codemasters’ latest offering, F1 2017. It will be a bitter sweet weekend for Malaysians and F1 fans worldwide as this weekend marks the final Formula One race to be hosted at the circuit for a considerable period of time, following the FIA’s decision of not renewing the contract with Sepang International Circuit and what better way to mark it by witnessing how bad one of our crew members drive an F1 car.
While Alleef certainly write much better than he drives a virtual F1 car – hence excuse his awful driving here – one cannot deny the impressive graphics shown in the latest iteration of Codemasters’ game. The fact that this may be the last ever F1 race in the Sepang Circuit also mean that we may not see the track in any video games title in many years to come. So savor the moment, boys. This is one game racing fans would not want to miss.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJw_72OPJxM&w=560&h=315]
What do you think of the graphics and even more so, Alleef’s driving? We are seriously considering on assigning him to more track shenanigans for the rest of the F1 season – just cuz we like seeing him run off-track!
Released late August, the game is now available on the PS4, Xbox One, PC and MacOs.

Alleef is part of the crew at Kakuchopurei and is an avid comics fan. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter here.


HBO GO April 2022: Our Picks & Highlights

I’m sure you won’t want to waste time sifting through HBO GO’s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming site updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so I’m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for HBO GO March 2022 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
Voyagers (2 April 2022)

The future of the human race is at stake, prompting a critical expedition to colonise a distant planet. However, the team of young men and women, bred for intelligence and obedience, uncover disturbing secrets about the mission. In response, they defy their training and begin to explore their most primitive natures. As life on the ship descends into chaos, they’re consumed by fear, lust, and the insatiable hunger for power. Stars Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Isaac Hempstead Wright, and Colin Farrell.
It premieres on Saturday, 2 April 2022 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Channel 411) and HBO GO.

Tokyo Vice (7 April 2022)

Inspired by the first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat by American journalist Jake Adelstein, this Max Original crime drama series captures the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late ‘90s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem. Told over eight episodes, it is executive produced by Michael Mann, who also directed the pilot episode. Stars Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rinko Kikuchi and Tomohisa Yamashita.
It premieres on HBO GO on 7 April 2022.

The Flight Attendant Season 2 (21 April 2022)

This critically acclaimed, breakthrough series returns for a second season, which finds Cassie Bowden living her best sober life in Los Angeles while moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. When an overseas assignment leads her to inadvertently witness a murder, she becomes entangled in another international intrigue. Season one was nominated for nine Emmys®, and won Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. Stars Kaley Cuoco. Stream season 1 on HBO GO.
It premieres on Thursday, 21 April 2022 on HBO GO.

Barry Season 3 (25 April 2022)

This dark comedy series revolves around Barry Berkman, a hitman from the Midwest who is lonely and dissatisfied with his life. On a working trip to Los Angeles, Barry follows his target into an acting class and ends up finding an accepting community in the LA theatre scene. Unexpectedly, he now wants to start a new life as an actor, but his criminal past won’t let him walk away. A multi-award-winning series created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader, the series has received 30 Emmy® nominations and 6 Emmys®, including Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Stars Bill Hader. Stream seasons 1 and 2 on HBO GO.
It premieres on Monday, 25 April 2022 at 10am on HBO (Astro Channel 411) and HBO GO.

We Own This City (26 April 2022)

Witness the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force in this six-episode limited series that chronicles the corruption and moral collapse in an American city when policies of drug prohibition and mass arrest are championed at the expense of actual police work. Based on a book by Justin Fenton, main cast members include Jon Bernthal, Josh Charles, and Jamie Hector.
It premieres on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Channel 411) and HBO GO.


More Than Twenty Ghibli Films Are Coming To Netflix [Update]

Update:
All the features won’t be released simultaneously on 1 February 2020. There will be three separate batches:
1 February 2020:

Castle in the Sky (1986)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Ocean Waves (1993)
Tales from Earthsea (2006)

1 March 2020:

NausicaÃ¤ of the Valley of the Wind (1988)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
Spirited Away (2001)
The Cat Returns (2002)
Arrietty (2010)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

1 April 2020:

Pom Poko (1994)
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
The Wind Rises (2013)
When Marnie Was There (2014)

When it comes to animated films from Japan, almost no other studio is as popular as Studio Ghibli. Films made under the Studio Ghibli are often considered must-watches by everyone who loves animated features. For you folks with Netflix, I’ve got good news.
21 Ghibli films are coming to Netflix. This includes award-winning films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and My Neighbor Totoro. Weirdly enough, these films won’t be coming to Netflix U.S., Canada, and Japan.

The movies will be available for streaming starting from 1 February 2020. All films will be subtitled in 28 languages but if you prefer watching dubs, fear not. The films will be dubbed in up to 20 languages.
This is very big announcement seeing as how Studio Ghibli has made it clear several times that they didn’t want their animated works to be released on a digital platform. Thankfully, they’ve decided to change their minds.

“In this day and age, there are various great ways a film can reach audiences. Weâ€™ve listened to our fans and have made the definitive decision to stream our film catalogue. We hope people around the world will discover the world of Studio Ghibli through this experience.”
– Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli producer.
As someone who loves watching anime but has yet to see any Ghibli films, this is definitely an amazing announcement for me. I’m pretty sure Ghibli fans are excited as well as this means that they can share their love for these movies with friends and family in an easier way.


SCOGA Gets To Pick Their Esports Players For The 18th Asian Games 2018; Hooray?

RememberÂ Singaporeâ€™s Cybersports and Online Gaming Association, the folks who botched up the Lion City Cup tournament last year? After their super-long contributions to the Singapore esports scene for better or worse, they are now given the task of selecting “e-athletes” for the upcoming 18th Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games 2018.
To recap, the Asian Games will feature competitive gaming from 18th August to 1st September.Â The whole shebang is co-organized by the Olympic Council of Asia, Asian Electronic Sports Federation, and the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee. The finalists for this event will come together for the games in Jakarta.

Here is how the selection process will be done. See if you can spot anything off from it.

Arena of Valor(Honor of Kings International)
1 team will be selected based on recommendation from game publisher Garena.

Clash Royale
32 players who sign up will compete in Qualifiers.

Hearthstone
Top 4 HC points in Season 1 will be selected.

League of Legends
1 team will be selected based on recommendation from game publisher Garena.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
1 team will be selected based on recommendation from game developer Konami.

Starcraft II
Players who sign up will compete in Qualifiers.

Yep, there’s no Street Fighter or Dota 2 anywhere, but that’s not the point. What’s odd is that the representative teams for Arena of Valor and League of Legends will be hand-picked based on the recommendation from publisher Garena. Ditto Konami for Pro Evolution Soccer 2018.
Basically, if you are a team who has won a lot but aren’t in good standings with Garena, SCOGA, and/or Konami, you’re pretty much SOL. At this point in time, we are asking if there will be fair play here.
Qualifiers for Clash Royale, Hearthstone, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, and Starcraft II will be held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on 31st May 2018. Participants and schedules of the games will be announced shortly.


Here’s Who Current F4 Writer Thinks Should Be Cast As Doctor Doom & Mr. Fantastic

While Kevin Feige and the folks at Marvel Studios have yet to confirm whether the Fantastic Four will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon, fans have gone ballistic with numerous fan-casting posts online. The most recent major fan-casting comes from a prominent source, namely Marvel Comics writer Dan Slott.
Who, you ask? Slott wrote Spider-Man for more than ten years, and you have him to thank for the phenomenal Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse animated movie, since he introduced the Spider-Verse concept in the first place.
He went on to write Silver Surfer for a bit and is now writing current runs of both the Tony Stark: Iron Man and Fantastic Four comics. In fact, he’s been writing comic books since the early 90s, so rest assured that Slott is a comics industry veteran (and a legend in my books).
Slott posted on Twitter earlier today, revealing his preferred actor for the role of Reed Richards AKA Mr. Fantastic, and it’s Andrew Lincoln, best known for playing Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead TV series.

Reed Richards?
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/zgZtOOcbkD
â€” Dan Slott (@DanSlott) June 20, 2019
My venerable boss and Kakuchopurei founder, Kenn Leandre, later replied to Slott’s post and suggested Damian Lewis of Billions and Band Of Brothers fame as Mr. Fantastic. Slott then replied to Kenn’s post with one simple word; “Doom”, which means that he sees Damian Lewis as the iconic villain Doctor Doom instead.

Doom. https://t.co/uY52h1vcoL
â€” Dan Slott (@DanSlott) June 20, 2019
Now that we have Andrew Lincoln and Damian Lewis as Mr. Fantastic and Doctor Doom, respectively, based on Slott’s casting suggestions, here’s who I think should play the rest of the Fantastic Four family.
The role of Ben Grimm AKA The Thing should go to either Ron Perlman or David Harbour. Both have proved that they could play gruff yet lovable and charming characters in their roles as Big Red AKA Hellboy.

As for Susan Storm AKA Invisible Woman, I think Charlize Theron would be great in the role as the de facto ‘mother’ of the family. She’s proved herself with badass roles like Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road and more. Emily Blunt is a close second for the role.

Last but not least, I think the honor of playing Johnny Storm AKA the Human Torch should go to Andrew Garfield. His turn as Spider-Man was prematurely cut short by the character’s entrance into the MCU (he’s still my favorite Spidey portrayal to date). He deserves a second chance to shine as another superhero.

Although fan-casting is fun and all, the reality is that it could be a long, long time yet before Marvel’s First Family would be joining the MCU. Until then, at least we can appreciate the fact that they’re finally home where they belong.


Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Singapore Returns For Fourth Season

Moonton and event production partner Zenway Productions have announced the return of Mobile Legends esports.
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Singapore is back for Season 4, with registrations opening today until 18th August.
The top two teams from the open qualifiers will join the top six teams from Season 3 to form the eight-team league for Season 4. The tournament winners and top placers will win the (mer)lion’s share of the S$100,000 prize pool and a chance to qualify for the M4 World Championships held next January.
Mobile Legends MPL Singapore Season 4 Schedule

Open Qualifiers: 20th-21st August
Regular Season: 3rd-25th September
Playoffs: 7th-9th October
How To Sign Up For The MPL SG Season 4 Tournament

Visit the official open qualifiers page.
Click on the “Click here to register” button.
Fill in your Team Captain’s information. Be prepared to upload your team logo, a photo of your team captain, a scanned digital copy of your Identity Card or Work Permit, and a screenshot of your Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in-game profile.


ONE Esports Partners With Toyota Motor Asia Pacific For TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021

ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship (ONE), has announced a partnership with Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) to present the â€˜TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) GT Cup ASIA 2021â€™ for a second year, taking place in October 2021.
ONE Esports and TMAP will deliver a unique esports racing experience, bringing together Asiaâ€™s top e-Motorsport racers to compete in â€œGran Turismo SPORTâ€ on PlayStationÂ®4. The competition showcases both partiesâ€™ commitment to making it possible for thousands of motorsports enthusiasts to experience the thrill of racing Toyota GR cars on iconic racing circuits.
The sim racing sector has gained momentum in recent years, driven by professional drivers participating in e-Motorsport competitions. Last yearâ€™s tournament generated two million total views. The upcoming TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021 is expected to draw millions of spectators.
ONE Esports CEO Carlos Alimurung said:

â€œIâ€™m thrilled to announce that we have joined forces with Toyota Motor Asia Pacific for the second year running to bring the TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021 to a global audience.
This event bridges the gap between real-world racing and esports and is an excellent opportunity for us to reach passionate motorsports and sim racing fans around the world, as well as capitalise on the sectorâ€™s rapid rise in popularity.
With sim racing primed for continued growth, ONE Esports is honoured to host the highly anticipated event yet again.”

The format of the TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021 competition has been enhanced to offer every racer an opportunity to clinch the top two coveted places to progress to the Global Finals of the TGR GT Cup 2021. Countries will also be ranked in a new Award System.
The TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021 will begin withÂ National RoundsÂ held from August to September in participating countries. The 21 national qualifying players from India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore will compete in theÂ Regional FinalsÂ in October for a chance to be crowned the fastest racers in Asia.
More information on TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021 Regional Finals, registration details and announcements will be available on the ONE Esports websiteÂ at a later date.


Is Red Dead Redemption The Greatest Western Game Ever Made?

In a field “crowded” by the Call of Juarez series, Activision’s Gun, and not much else, it’s not that hard to be the best Western game out there. Especially if you’re Rockstar Games and you have a great template and the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (alongside the Euphoria and Bullet software) to back up your future projects.
After showcasing the best of their abilities back in 2008 with Grand Theft Auto IV, RDR was announced in 2009. It was still being produced since 2005, was supposed to be the successor to Red Dead Revolver, was delayed numerous times through its four-year development, and was infamous for having crazy work hours and saddled with questionable managerial styles courtesy of studios Rockstar San Diego and Rockstar North.
And the insane part? It was all worth it. Red Dead Redemption won numerous Game of the Year awards and was considered a masterpiece in action-adventure open world gaming. Heck, I gave it an 8 out of 10 back in my GameAxis days.
But is it considered the best Western ever made, if you compare it to the likes of The Good The Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon A Time In The West, and any of Sergio Leone’s works? Is it the video game equivalent of a Spaghetti Western?
I’d answer with a resounding “yes”, if only because of these key points.
Disclaimer: I’m going into pure spoiler territory for an 8-year old game. Proceed with caution if you wish.

The Narrative & Its Cast

After a life of crime, my protagonist John Marston tries to redeem himself by hunting down his old gang. To do this, I have to collude with a bunch of unsavouries, a Mexican army, a Mexican rebel force, and even work together with the Bureau.
The storytelling in RDR is both cinematic and intimate. You get to see John Marston reason with people and even the Dutch gang before he has to go fight them. You get to take a peek at his lifestyle and how he tries to support his wife and kid while trying to lead an honest life. John Marston is a try-hard skeptic you want to root; if you treat him with respect, he’ll do so in kind, man, woman or otherwise.
Well, “try” is the operative word because you’re most likely wandering around robbing stores, causing mayhem, and tying ladies to railroad tracks.
You also get to witness his son taking over the Marston open-world action gaming mantle at the tail end of the story mode. Speaking of other characters, you also have your outliers and bad guys. You have revolutionary leader Abraham Reyes and Mexican Army colonel Agustin Allende who could have been part of a Sergio Leone flick as charismatic antagonists. You also have federal agent Edgar Ross: cold, calculating, and always makes other be on their guard.
If you can get past the fact that you’re given the reins to make John Marston do whatever he wants that has little to no consequence, then you’ll find a solid Western script that details the death of the West and how a steadfast cowboy deals with it. TheÂ Euphoria and Bullet helped flesh out the animations and little movement details to breathe life into this tale.
The Landscape & Period
RDR is set in 1911 where the lawlessness of the Wild West is dying. Much like how ronin wander around looking for jobs during the Meiji Period, so too do cowboys and gunmen do what they do when the world around them is changing and technologically evolving. They fight. And ride.
Ride they did, because the made-up locations of New Austin, West Elizabeth, and Nuevo Paraiso, are beautiful and vast to explore in. Take in the sights of the ridges, the expansive desert, the Mexican battlegrounds, and even the snowy bits up north in the mountains.
Heck, if you are familiar with North American geography, you get to see virtual recreations of the rock formations in Monument Valley.

And the only way to experience all of this? Why on horseback, of course. As much as the landscapes and vistas in Unforgiven and A Fistful of Dollars are great, you really wish you could explore it a bit more. Red Dead Redemption lets you fulfil that one gallop at a time.
True, the horses in RDR travel much faster than in real life, but you’ll need to spend a lot of hours getting from one end of the state to another. There will be a lot of distractions in-between your journey, be it the oddball characters or the random cougar and/coyote pack trying to kill you.
But you’ll get to soak in a lot of the frontier, vast and empty as it is. If your sole objective is to explore every nook and cranny, RDR has that in spades. It also makes you appreciate the outdoors a lot more, given that Rockstar put in so much detail into this 2010 game.
The Expansion That Flipped Everything

Red Dead Redemption had an expansion pack subtitled the Undead Nightmare where John Marston has to hunt down zombies and the Four Horses of the Apocalypse while looking for a cure for the zombie epidemic. It’s what you expect from a mish-mash of a spaghetti western and a zombie film: cowboys in the dead of night fighting the zombie horde with whatever limited technology they have.
Oh, and a bunch of mythical monsters like the Sasquatch and El Chupacabra to hunt. The quest for the former is actually a turning point in a game that questions whether humans truly needed saving.
That Last Stand
I’ll put this here in case.

Just before you can relax with your family after completing what the Bureau asked you to do, along comes the feds and their army, ready to hunt you down. Try as he might, John Marston isn’t going to win this fight, but I didn’t know that at the time.

In Marston’s last seconds, he has no Deadeye energy, no bullet time to save himself. He’s resigned to his fate. And with that too dies the Wild West of Red Dead Redemption. This moment resonates really hard with me and many others who played through RDR from start to finish. This man’s journey in the dying West is over; ended on a heartfelt and devastating note. The song that played throughout the moment didn’t help either.
That One Song That Heralds The Fading Western “Glory Days”
Yes, you know the one.

Music has, and always will be, the one powerful element that drives a game and establishes tone and context over what you do. When you cross Mexico, Jose Gonzalez’s “Far Away” plays as you ride off south of the border. It feels random, yet somehow it’s appropriate given the fact that this is a moment of respite as you gallop your way to your destination. Or just to wander around, knowing full well that the West is fading away, with you in it.
Playing this game a second time means that you end up getting and understanding the design decisions and thought process made by the Rockstar folks. I sure as hell don’t know if the second Red Dead Redemption will surpass what this game did, even after multiple playthroughs.
But I do know this: sometimes it takes a slow death of a genre to fully appreciate what entails. Red Dead Redemption and its kinda silly-but-bleak expansion pays its respect to the Wild West by making a story set in its dying days.
You don’t know what you’ve ’til it’s gone, right? Let us know your Red Dead Redemption moments right here or on our Facebook page.


Activision Introduces New Call Of Duty Anti-Cheat System Called Ricochet

To combat Call of Duty’s long-standing cheating problem, Activision has introduced a new anti-cheat system called Ricochet.
This new system will get rid of players cheating in Call of Duty: Warzone; it will make its debut in Call of Duty: Vanguard which is coming out on 5th November for consoles and PC. Ricochet is supported by a team of dedicated professionals focused on fighting unfair play.
How Does It Work?
The Ricochet anti-cheat system uses a multi-layered approach to combat cheating like using new server-side tools that monitor analytics to identify cheating, enhanced investigation processes to weed them out, and updates that strengthen account security, among many other tactics. The anti-cheat system also enhances the game’s servers, as well as uses a new PC kernel-level driver that’s designed internally for the Call of Duty franchise.
Are There Risks?
The PC kernel-level driver bit may be a bit controversial to some as this means you’ll need to install a third-party app into your PC in addition to the game if you want to play online. It’s akin to having a Denuvo anti-piracy measure in your PC, with the chances of it slowing down your system. Plus, a small mistake in a PC kernel-level driver coding might end up bricking a system. However, giving access to kernel-level protection means more data for the security measures to ensure effective anti-cheating tactics. Developers can ban cheaters and prevent them from creating a new account and cheating again.


After Lab Zero Games Fallout, Ex-Devs Form New Studio Called Future Club

The ex-developers of Lab Zero Games have started up a new studio called Future Club following the kerfuffle that happened between them and Lab Zero owner Mike Zaimont back in August.
Future Club is “a cooperatively structured independent game studio” meant to be a fresh start for the ex-developers. CEO and producer Francesca Esquenazi said that the company structure is that projects are worker-owned and employees are given a say in the organization’s future. The studio has 15 developers and it is “currently developing new IPs”.
Here is the company’s statement via Esquenazi and senior animator Jonathan Kim:

“Future Club is an employee-owned cooperative game development studio, established with the belief that strong teams are greater than the sum of their parts. We value open, honest communication with peers, partners and players, and take pride in our strength as a team. We love classic games and are mega influenced by them, but we picked the name Future Club because we want to think of the future too.
We want to make games that inspire kids and adults as much as our old favorites inspired us. 2D hand drawn animation has a long future ahead of it, and we want to see how far we can push the medium. Like the games that influenced us, our goal is to create games that are compelling and beautiful enough to be remembered long after their time.”

So how will this studio avoid the previous problems that led to the downfall of Lab Zero Games? Future Club will implement the co-op structure as stated above, as well as establish conflict resolution systems up front that will enable employees to raise and address issues when they come up.
“There are going to be problems,” said creative director Mariel Kinuko Cartwright (via Kotaku). “You have to know how to deal with it. Iâ€™ve learned itâ€™s too late to figure out your conflict-resolution process when there’s already conflict”.

“Figuring it out now while weâ€™re still getting along is really, really important and hopefully we can come up with a plan that can carry us through years of working together”.


PS Plus November 2021 Offers Dodgeball, An Action RPG & More

Itâ€™s a bumper PlayStation Plus lineup this November, with six titles in total available to add to your game library starting Tuesday, November 2. Partake in an epic dodgeball tournament with Knockout City, play sleuth and spot imposters in social deduction game First Class Trouble, then wield weapons and battle monsters in the fantasy world of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning.
And to celebrate PS VRâ€™s 5th anniversary, this monthâ€™s PlayStation Plus lineup will include two bonus PS VR titles. Survive the horrors aboard a procedurally generated spaceship in The Persistence and showcase your sword skills in roguelike Before The Fall.
Knockout City, First Class Trouble, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning and The Sexy Brutale will be available to add to your game library until Monday, December 6. The Persistence and Until You Fall are available until Monday, January 3.
Knockout City | PS5 & PS4

Team up and duke it out with rival crews in style as you settle the score with epic dodgeball battles online*. Brace yourself for outrageous fun and intense competition in an all-new take on team-based multiplayer games. Customize your character and form a crew with friends to start your Knockout City takeover. Knock out opponents with trick shots and coordinated teamwork while dodging and catching balls flying across the map. No ball? No problem! You can literally ball up, roll into a teammateâ€™s hands, and become the ultimate weapon.
First Class Trouble** | PS5 & PS4

First Class Trouble is a social deduction party game where six people play together online* aboard a luxury space cruiser. At the start of each game, four players will be randomly selected to be Residents, cooperatively trying to shut down a rogue A.I. at the heart of the ship. The other two players will be Personoids, who will lie, deceive, and do whatever it takes to stop them! Teamwork is the key to survival, but who can you trust?
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning | PS5 & PS4

From the minds of the bestselling author R.A. Salvatore, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion lead designer Ken Rolston, comes Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. Remastered with stunning visuals and refined gameplay Re-Reckoning delivers intense, customizable RPG combat inside a sprawling game world. Uncover the secrets of Amalur, from the vibrant city of Rathir to the vast region of Dalentarth to the grim dungeons of the Brigand Hall Caverns. Rescue a world torn apart by a vicious war and control the keys to immortality as the first warrior ever to be resurrected from the grips of death.
The Sexy Brutale | PS5 & PS4

The Sexy Brutale is a 3D Puzzle & Adventure game, a never-ending masked ball featuring intrigue, murder and the quite possibly occult.
The Persistence | PS VR***

The Persistence challenges you to survive aboard a doomed deep space colony starship in the year 2521. Stranded, malfunctioning, and caught in the inexorable pull of a black hole, â€œThe Persistenceâ€ is overrun with a crew mutated into horrific & murderous aberrations. Itâ€™s down to you, a clone of security officer Zimri Eder, to make your way deeper in the decks of The Persistence to repair the systems and prevent the ship from being torn apart. Gather resources, upgrade abilities and fabricate an arsenal of weapons in this brutal sci-fi horror rogue-lite.
Until You Fall | PS VR***

Fantasy and synthwave collide in this physically active PS VR sword fighting game. Grow stronger as you battle through an awesome neon environment and strike down magic-infused monstrosities in this hack-and-slash roguelite. Move your arms and body to the synthwave soundtrack as you attack, block, cast spells, and dodge your way deeper into the heart of a neon fantasy world filled with magic-infused monsters. Equip yourself with a variety of gameplay-altering weapons as you continue to gain strength and strike down the monstrosities that lurk throughout this mystifying world.


Genshin Impact 2.8 Update Heizou Hangout Event & Kazuha Story Quest Walkthrough

This month’s major Genshin Impact 2.8 update is up now and features a slew of new major quests for fans to explore and complete. They’re worth a good amount of rewards and Primogems, so they’re worth checking out at least.
We have walkthrough videos for both quests; do check out the timestamps to find out how to complete them and how to unlock each branch.
Genshin Impact Shikanoin Heizou Hangout Event Walkthrough

Here’s how you can unlock all the endings for Heizou’s hangout event, where you get to play detective with him.
Ending #1 “Memories Do Not Evaporate” – After rescuing Heizou from his cage, pick the dialogue options on the right to assist him in his investigation. This whole questline will lead to Ending #1.
Ending #2 “There’s One Secret” – After rescuing Heizou from his cage, pick the dialogue option on the left to bring him back. Then when you head back to the Tenryou location, pick “Im more concerned about the complaint letter about you”. This leads you to the Detective storyline quest. At the end of the questline, pick “Sango was wrong about Heizou, and the murderer was indeed Shiroyama” for Ending #2.
Ending #3 “The Famous Detective’s Principle” – After rescuing Heizou from his cage, pick the dialogue option on the left to bring him back. Then when you head back to the Tenryou location, pick “Im more concerned about the complaint letter about you”. This leads you to the Detective storyline quest. At the end of the questline, pick “Detective Heizou hid some evidence, the truth of the matter is…”.
Ending #4 “Free Onikabuto Lunch” – After rescuing Heizou from his cage, pick the dialogue option on the left to bring him back. Then when you head back to the Tenryou location, pick “An approval reply for Heizou Talks Fraud”. Picking this will lead to the Anti-Fraud branching path that’s about avoiding scams. Once that storyline is almost complete, pick “Itto, keep an eye out for Etsu and Iba!” when prompted to get Ending #4.
Ending #5 “The Three Undeceivable” – After rescuing Heizou from his cage, pick the dialogue option on the left to bring him back. Then when you head back to the Tenryou location, pick “An approval reply for Heizou Talks Fraud”. Picking this will lead to the Anti-Fraud branching path that’s about avoiding scams. Once that storyline is almost complete, pick “Itto, just follow your heart!” when prompted to get Ending #5.
Genshin Impact Kazuha Story Quest

This quest is pretty straightforward; follow the quest markers, talk to a few people, follow a shadow trail that leads to a duel with a swordsman. You’ll eventually head to a Domain where you control Kazuha and gain access to his awesome Anemo skills.


Vanillaware’s Evangelion-Esque Mecha Game Is Coming Out Late 2019 In Japan

Vanillaware, the folks behind Odin Sphere, Dragon Crown, and all those lovely-looking 2D artwork-filled games that remind you of a Japanese Frank Frazetta, has shown off more info and details of its upcoming action RPG mecha-filled title 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.
Here’s what the game features:

13 Playable Characters. Thought Odin Sphere’s 5 heroes were enough? 13 Sentinels will give you 13! Playing all of them will reveal the “truth behind the fate of ruin”, or some story nonsense. You control high-school students the majority of the time.
Battle, Adventure, and Archive gameplay. Seems self-explanatory: Battle is battle, Adventure lets you experience the story, and Archive gives you a lot of reading material about 13 Sentinels‘ world. The Adventure portion lets you solve the mecha and robot history plaguing their city with the 13.

And if you’re expecting Titanfall, well…take a look at the Battle footage below.

It’s gonna be one of those top-down tactical games like Front Mission, eh? But replace sprites with purple, orange, and red lines and blips. You’ll have to pilot four types of Sentinels against huge enemy “kaijus” attacking the city. I’m getting an Evangelion vibe here, what with the schoolkids piloting mechas to put the beatdown on the monsters. I can’t say I’m overwhelmed, but hopefully, it’s more fun than it looks.
Check out the full stream below, assuming you can speak Japanese. Adventure bits are at 2:58:00, while Battle sections are at 3:48:37.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim will be out for PS4 on 28th November in Japan. An English version has yet to be announced though. Gawk at these screenshots and artwork below in the meantime. Founder George Kamitani’s still got it!


Overwatch 2 Will Be Featured In Overwatch League’s 2022 Season

While Overwatch 2 was announced back in BlizzCon 2019, its release date has been uncertain. However, fans will be seeing an early build of the sequel in the next Overwatch League’s season.
Overwatch League’s 2022 season, which begins in April, will have its pro players compete on an “early build” of Overwatch 2 (via PC Gamer). This may be a big deal in the Overwatch esports scene because Overwatch 2’s PvP will be 5v5 instead of the original’s 6v6; also, teams will only get 1 tank.
More details about the 2022 season will be revealed next April. At the very least, we now know that Overwatch 2 will be out in some form in mid-2022.

I've seen a lot of speculation regarding a 2022 start date for OWL. We can confirm that our plan is to begin next season in April 2022. We will share more details about 2022 roster construction timelines soon and more info generally on our 2022 season as we get closer to April.
— Jon Spector (@Spex_J) September 3, 2021


Cyberpunk Visual Novel Synergia Drops On PS4 Next Week

Radi Art and Top Hat Studios have announced that Synergia, their acclaimed cyberpunk-themed visual novel, is finally coming to PS4 on 18 March 2021. It’s already been on PC via Steam since July 2020, where it is currently available for only RM28.
In Synergia, youâ€™ll play as a veteran police officer named Cila, who suffers from anger issues and lost all hope of living a better life; at least, until she met her new fellow M.A.R.A. She joins Cila as a replacement for her usual android partner.

After both women start connecting emotionally, M.A.R.A. arouses the interest of a powerful corporation named Velta Labs. At the same time, they get involved in an upcoming conflict in which the main actors are being chosen secretly.
In this context, the fate of an android can make the difference between peace and war, and lead to the birth of a new religion or technological singularity far from human comprehension. As Cila, how far will you go to protect the machine that changed your life?

The game’s key features include:

Enjoy aÂ mature romance between two womenÂ in an otherwise bleak dystopian future.
Live aÂ thrilling non-linear storyÂ where your choices will lead Cila and M.A.R.A. to multiple endings; complete them all to enjoy a secret epilogue! Each round will take you from six to nine hours to finish.
Cross your path withÂ more than 20 unique charactersÂ that will influence Cilaâ€™s journey.
Explore theÂ relationship between human emotions and technologyÂ through their point of view.
Discover aÂ beautiful, vibrant art style that pervades the neon, cyberpunk setting of the game.
Unlock aboutÂ 100 different combinations of scenes and CGs.
Feel inside this dystopian future thanks to anÂ immersive OSTÂ by Andy Andi Han, who previously worked onÂ Katawa Shojo,Â Ova MagicaÂ andÂ Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story.

In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Get To Know The 3 Resident Evil Infinite Darkness Protagonists

Netflix’s Resident Evil Infinite Darkness is dropping in only two weeks on 8 July 2021.
The upcoming seriesÂ takes place in 2006, two years after the events of Resident Evil 4. There will be three protagonists, including the fan-favourites Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, as well as the newly-introduced mysterious U.S. federal agent Shen May.
Leon S. Kennedy

Leon S. Kennedy is no stranger to Resident Evil fans, having appeared in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 as the main protagonists. He’s probably the most iconic character, even more so than the boring Chris Redfield and bland Jill Valentine.
What’s different in this version is that Leon will appear in a suit for the first time, instead of the familiar leather jacket he wears when heâ€™s working a case. This will also mark his reunion with Claire after a long time and his first interaction with the mysterious Shen May.

Claire Redfield

In Resident Evil 2, Claire was just a college student when she encountered the zombies in Raccoon City. In the upcoming Netflix series, she is more experienced and is a member of Terra Save, a non-governmental organization that aids victims of bioterrorism and chemical attacks.
In the picture above, she wears her iconic red jacket and has apparently been kidnapped. In another fan-service picture, she looks adorable as she is wearing a red tank top and red glasses in a room while she investigates the Penamstan incident, staring at a computer screen with a grave expression.

Shen May

Shen May is a brand new character who will be introduced in the upcoming Netflix series. She is a U.S. federal agent and a skilled computer scientist who demonstrates courage and high-level physical capabilities. In the story, she is dispatched with Leon to uncover the cause of a hacking incident at the White House. Her true nature, however, remains shrouded in mystery. What is the goal of this federal agent who works alongside Leon and Jason?
Weirdly enough, she looks sort of like Ada Wong. Why didn’t they just use Ada Wong? We might never know.

What fate awaits our characters? All eyes are on them as excitement builds ahead of the release of Resident Evil Infinite Darkness on 8 July 2021.


Indonesia Is The Latest Country To Wage War Against PUBG

An Indonesian Muslim group has very recently declared a fatwa,Â or a religious edict, on the popular battle royale game, PlayerUnknown’s BattlegroundsÂ (PUBG), or more specifically, the mobile version, PUBG Mobile. The group cites that the mobile game insults Islam and triggers violence in players.
Indonesia joins India, China, Nepal (now unbanned), Iran, and potentially Malaysia, in the list of countries who ban PUBG via a fatwa.
The mobile version is more popular than the PC version.
On Wednesday, the conservative Aceh province chapter of the powerful Ulema Council hailed to the local residents to ditch PUBG MobileÂ and suggested the local government to consider banning the game outright.
Breaking the fatwaÂ would not result in sanctions, the council said, but the group’s national chapter has been discussing in banning violent games altogether.
The Aceh edict would apply to other violent games, but the UIema Council has not specified which games in detail.
Faisal Ali, deputy chairman of the Aceh Ulema Council, pointed out that games can trigger violence.

â€œOur fatwa says that PUBG and other similar games are haram (forbidden) because they can trigger violence and change peopleâ€™s behaviour.â€

Ali also told the news agency AFP that the game “insults Islam” without further elaboration. The mobile game has been soaring in popularity over the region, and Ali has expressed his concern and said:

â€œWe’ve seen that children and even adults in Aceh are starting to get addicted to the game and they’re playing it everywhere on their mobile phones.â€

Video game violence is a popular topic to be debated and a reason to ban games, but on the contrary, a study by Oxford proves otherwise. Well, I reckon that this will be an evergreen topic that will live on as long as video games exist.


The School Of Good And Evil Trailer Reveals October Release Date

The School Of Good And Evil was originally announced during Netflix Geeked Week 2022, and a new trailer has revealed that the first season will premiere on Netflix on 19 October 2022.
The synopsis reads:
Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil. Based on the epic international bestselling series by Soman Chainani.
Based on the epic international best-selling series by Soman Chainani, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL is directed by Paul Feig and stars Sophia Anne Caruso, Sofia Wylie, Kerry Washington and Charlize Theron.
Also starring Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young, Peter Serafinowicz, Rob Delaney, Mark Heap, Patti LuPone and Rachel Bloom.