Overwatch League – Valiant Shocks Fuel, Boston Impressive While Shock Grabs First Win

Day three of the Overwatch League saw early-season favorites Dallas Fuel falling to the hugely impressive Los Angeles Valiant to close out a disastrous weekend while both Boston and San Francisco bounced back from a first match losses with a morale-boosting win their respective second matches.
Los Angeles Valiant Steps Up Against Out-of-Sorts Dallas Fuel – Valiant Win 3-0Â
Fuel played their full roster against Valiant but were still unable to stymie the rampant Los Angeles team sporting green and yellow en route, which to many, the first upset of the season. The starting lineup saw a pro-Genji showdown as both sides started with Agilities and Seagull on Junkertown. In what may very well be the longest series in the competition so far, – almost 45 minutes – both team brawled to a final 8-7 score favoring the Valiant. The next match on Horizon played to a breathtaking 5-5 tie and in the do-or-die series on Ilios, Valiant sealed their win by capturing both points. By the time they head to Numbani, the Fuel were utterly spent and they went out with a whimper, failing to secure even the payload to lose the series 0-3. Following their earlier loss to Seoul Dynasty on opening day, this was not a start they were expecting. Valiant on the other hand are on a high and while is still early, now have legit claim to the title of ‘Best Western Team’ in the Overwatch League.

A clutch Bastion ult from @VAL_SoOn99. #OWL2018https://t.co/U6dIioZfOU pic.twitter.com/bqBvAotjbp
â€” Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) January 13, 2018

Boston Bounce Back With Emphatic Win Over Mayhem – Uprising Win 4-0
We knew after pre-season that this Boston team carries so much potential going forward but we didn’t expect them to improve so much in the span of three weeks as they have shown against Mayhem. While their first match loss to NYXL yesterday was a formality given their opponent’s overall quality, the way Boston dismissed Mayhem en route to a 4-0 win was unprecedented. Just like everyone else in the audience, we expected a much closer contest considering Mayhem consist of seasoned pros and that both teams being ranked close to each other in the power rankings. The Boston Uprising are the real deal and you’d be wise to keep a close eye on them. Mayhem on the other hand, would find the loss a bitter pill to swallow as their tie against Boston should be considered winnable following their expected loss to London in their opener. They next face Seoul Dynasty where no one in the crowd would bet against, followed by another ‘winnable’ bout vs Shanghai Dragons in Week 2.

.@DreamKazper putting on a show.
Watch live: https://t.co/mVkjLAI9B4 pic.twitter.com/6R6yihKsof
â€” Boston Uprising (@BostonUprising) January 13, 2018

Shock Consign Dragons to Second Defeat
San Francisco Shock didn’t let an opening day 0-4 defeat to Valiant derail them as they responded brilliantly with a 3-1 win against Shanghai Dragons. It was a battle of star DPS players as both teams traded kills, with Babybay and Danteh spearheading the Shock offense while Dragons countered it with equal measure in the form of the Undead and Diya combo.Â  Following a scrappy affair on Junkertown, both teams went on very unconventional and passive approaches on Horizon which saw the Dragons coming out on top. Resounding wins on Ilios and Numbani sees the Sinatraa-less Shock grab their first win of the season ahead of their mouth-watering showdown against the Philadelphia Fusion next week. In spite of Diya and Undead stepping up, the rest of the Dragons appear to be a couple of steps behind which proven to be the undoing for the Chinese team. Roshan got eliminated way to easily and frequent to derail almost every team fight while Freefeel and Altering weren’t effective enough to keep their teammates alive. The Dragons have so many issues to sort and unless they fix them quick, will find themselves being cannon fodder to other teams as the season progresses.

And we’re off! Map one is Junkertown and @KING_BABYBAY is already popping heads!
ðŸ“º: https://t.co/X8axIZ3XFq
ðŸ“Ž: https://t.co/O30YbLc2BY pic.twitter.com/OEcMBn3mt4
â€” San Francisco Shockâš¡ (@SFShock) January 13, 2018

Once Undead is dialed in he doesn’t miss a shot. #OWL2018 https://t.co/U6dIipgQGs pic.twitter.com/bvLQal6Cyy
â€” Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) January 13, 2018

The final three matches of Overwatch League for Week 1 of the First Stage happens tomorrow with the following matches:

Will Spitfire chalk up their second win against the Philadelphia Fusion or will Carpe play spoilsport for his Korean brethren? Does Houston Outlaws have enough firepower to counter Saebyeolbe & Co and can Los Angeles Gladiators put up a fight against the might of Seoul Dynasty? Only time will tell. See you folks tomorrow!


These Assassin’s Creed Games Will Not Work On Your PS5

With the PlayStation 5 coming out next month, many players are sorting out what games to play from their back catalogue. If you want to replay some old Assassin’s Creed games, keep in mind that some of them won’t work on a PS5.
Until further notice, Ubisoft said that a few AC games will not make the jump to Sony’s new system. Here they are:

Assassinâ€™s Creed Chronicles China
Assassinâ€™s Creed Chronicles India
Assassinâ€™s Creed Chronicles Russia
Assassinâ€™s Creed Syndicate
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles Trilogy Pack

Other Ubisoft games that won’t be compatible with PS5 include:

Risk
Space Junkies
Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Werewolves Within

Though as of right now, the list has been pulled, with Kotaku alluding the list may not be accurate. We’ll be sure to update this list if official changes have been made.
To put things in perspective, the Xbox One versions of these games will be backwards compatible with the Xbox Series X. So if you’re looking for a next-gen game machine that can play your previously old games, you may want to keep this info in mind before spending a lot of your money on either next-gen machine.


League Of Legends Is Getting Its Own Fighting Game, Card Game, AND MORE! [Update]

During the League Of Legends 10th Anniversary livestream, Riot Games announced that the MOBA franchise will be getting a number of spin-off titles and more. Let’s break it down.
LoL: Versus Mode
The long-running MOBA title is getting its very own fighting game in the form of the mysterious Project L, which is currently still in early development by the folks at Radiant Entertainment.
During the livestream, Riot Games employee and EVO co-founder Tom Cannon described the game:

“What, I think, League of Legends players expect from this game is different but in some ways harmonious with what I think fighting game players expect from this game.
Everyone wants a great game but what we’ve been seeing is that people are really excited to see Runeterran champions in a new light; even from a new camera angle.”

However, Cannon also clarified that there probably won’t be any news about the game in the near future, so he advises to not expect anything to arrive soon. The brief several seconds of footage unveiled in the livestream showcased League of Legends champions Ahri and Darius in combat.
With already a massive roster of champions at their disposal, a fighting game wouldn’t be much of a problem to make. As of now, no release dates or platforms have been announced (and we likely won’t receive any additional info anytime soon). In the meantime, check out the Project L footage below, courtesy of Gematsu.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Xbz1KBCXY&w=560&h=315]
LoL: The Online Card Game

League of Legends is also getting its own card game. It’s called Legends of Runeterra and it will be free-to-play. Kind of like Hearthstone; it’ll be out 2020Â  for PC and mobile platforms.
LoL: The Animated Series

All those awesome-if-trend-following animated videos Riot Games has been doing had to amount to something more long-term, right? This is the long-term plan: an animated series called Arcane.Â  It’s about “two iconic LoL champions and the power that will tear them apart”.
The only thing we know about League Of Legends Arcane is that the story will focus on characters from the cities of Piltover and its underbelly of Zaun. From the looks of the trailer, it seems that champions Jinx and Vi will be featured as well, along with appearances by Ekko and Ezreal.
Looks lovely, and should be a treat for League lore fans. Yes, there’s such a thing as the latter; they’re like unicorns but they exist.
LoL: The Action RPG

We also got a sneak peek at what could be a Diablo-style action RPG from Riot Games. The company is dubbing this Project F; it’s a game that “explores the possibilities of traversing the world of Runeterra with your friends”.
It’s like as ifÂ  Riot Games is showing signs of morphing into the Blizzard of 2021.


Esports and Apex Legends Gets Timely Boost with ESPN’s EXP Series

In a show of their increasing support on esports, ESPN has announced a new series of esports tournaments set to be held at the companyâ€™s own branded events. Called EXP,Â  ESPN will kick off the series byÂ hosting Apex Legends competitions at the 2019 ESPYS in Los Angeles followed by at X Games Minneapolis. A move which is obviously geared to steer esports into mass audience’s consciousness, both competitions will be streamed online and on broadcast as tape-delayed highlight shows on ABC and ESPNâ€™s linear networks.

â€œLeaning into esports represents ESPNâ€™s focus on serving sports fans and expanding audiences,â€ said Justin Connolly, executive VP of Disneyâ€™s and ESPNâ€™s affiliate sales and marketing.
â€œWe remain committed to serving gaming fans across all platforms and content types, andÂ Apex LegendsÂ is a great title to showcase EXPâ€™s vision of offering world-class live esports events anchored by storytelling and multi-platform distribution.â€ he added.
First of the two, the EXP Pro-AmÂ Apex LegendsÂ Exhibition at The 2019 ESPYS award show in Los Angeles on July 11 is set to feature celebrities, athletes, and influencers. Fans can also participate by donating to an ESPN charity drive on eBay that begins on June 12 for a chance to play alongside these folks.
The second competition – also revolving aroundÂ Apex Legends – the EXP Invitational comes with a more professional vibe and will be held at X Games Minneapolis between August 1-4. Expect to see some of the worldâ€™s top Apex LegendsÂ players pop off here which coincidentally, is the only esports event at this yearâ€™s X Games.
This appears to be a strategic move from not only ESPN to boost the appeal of esports, but also EA in bringing Apex Legends to the competitive scene setting. Touted by many as the Fortnite killer due to its meteoric rise in player count since launch, hype for the game has somewhat stalled due toÂ  lack of innovation and content updates.
A battle royale game unlike its competitors, the smaller pool of players required for each round coupled with the relatively faster traversal options in-game may make Apex Legends a more entertaining battle royale esports title to watch.
We look forward to how this thing pans out, and hopefully, other broadcasters would follow suit in picking up newer titles, instead of focusing on the old tried and tested ones.


Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker May Get Cameo From A Certain Grey Jedi

It’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan now, with the franchise hitting it across the board on TV (The Mandalorian) and gaming (Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order). However, the most highly-anticipated property is still undeniably the upcoming Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker, which is already about to release this week.
The hype has gotten even stronger, as director J.J. Abrams is teasing the appearance of one of the only Grey Jedi in canon. Who is it? It’s none other than Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan and quite possibly the best female character in canon:
Ahsoka Tano.
(Left) Beginning of The Clone Wars (Middle) Later in The Clone Wars (Right) In Rebels
That’s right, Star Wars fans. In an interview with Japanese outlet Sora News, Abrams was asked who his favourite Star Wars character was. He answered, “Han Solo.”. The interviewer was then asked the same question by Abrams himself, to which Ahsoka Tano’s name was given as an answer.
Abrams’ reply was as cheeky as it was teasing:

“Hmmm, Ahsoka, huh?
Well then youâ€™ll probably want to watch closely during The Rise of Skywalker.”

Abrams then ended the interview before the interviewer could ask more about what he meant. While the director does indeed tease the Ahsoka Tano’s cameo in Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker, she will likely only appear in the background or something, given the phrase “watch closely…” used by Abrams.
Still, the prospect of a live-action Ahsoka Tano is all many Star Wars fans have been clamouring for all these years. After Star Wars The Clone Wars’ version of Darth Maul appeared in 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story (and similarly, Saw Gurrera in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), there was increased hope that other characters from the animated side of the franchise could appear in the live-action movies.
The most badass female character in Star Wars canon.
If Abrams’ tease isn’t enough, Star Wars animation maestro Dave Filoni also teased about Ahsoka Tano’s live-action debut back in August 2019, which lends further credibility that the whole thing might turn out to be true after all.
Sheâ€™s a genuinely strong and captivating female character, which unfortunately does not apply to the Sequel Trilogyâ€™s Rey (who is bland and a Mary Sue character). Learn more about the upcoming Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 here, andÂ check out why I think Ahsoka Tano deserves her own live-action movie or series here.


Get To Know Borderlands 3’s Vault Hunters In These Promo Videos

We’re just one month away from the highly-anticipated release of Borderlands 3 and it shows, as Gearbox Software ramps up the hype and start revealing more and more of the game. The upcoming is set to introduce four new playable Vault Hunters, each with their own unique abilities and backstories.
Their backstories are explored in the four character trailers released so far, the most recent of which features the Vault Hunter named FL4K. Check out the four Vault Hunters and their introduction trailers below to get yourself acquainted before the game comes out.
FL4K
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NG3HwDD40M&w=560&h=315]
FL4K is an emergent AI whose three loyal pet companions help them track and claim their quarry on a never-ending hunt across the galaxy. His trailer oozes badassery as he shows off his superior hunting skills with the help of his three loyal beasts; the Spiderant Centurion, the Guard Skag and the Jabber Sidekick.
Amara
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xASquu1qp0&w=560&h=315]
Amara is a powerful brawler, renowned champion of the people, and bonafide Siren badass. She usedÂ her supernatural Siren abilities to crush her enemies with astral projections by pounding them into a bloody pulp with fists formed from pure energy.
Moze
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfmfrpgXF3k&w=560&h=315]
Moze is a battle-hardened soldier who ditched the Vladof army along with her BFF, a giant Iron Bear Mech. Her 15-ton bipedal mech companion packs some heavy-duty firepower, with skills that are actually weapons mounted onto each of its mechanical arms.
Zane
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GIKVcgbXXM&w=560&h=315]
Zane is a semi-retired corporate hitman with decades of espionage under his belt and plenty of gadgets up his sleeve. As a tech expert, he has an ingenious gadget at the ready for any life-or-death situation, including the ability to equip two skills at once, though choosing to do so will replace his ability to toss grenades.
Which One’s My Favourite?
As someone who’s never played any of the Borderlands games, my personal favourite character trailer has to be Amara’s. She gives off the vibe of a celebrity superhero, and her powers remind me of Green Lantern. She would definitely be my choice for Vault Hunter.
Moze also seems like another Vault Hunter I would go for, owing to her mecha’s sheer firepower. I like to overwhelm my enemies in any game, and she would be the right choice for that particular playstyle of mine. Both FL4K and Zane are likely to be more technical characters in terms of skills.
Borderlands 3 is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 13 September 2019, along with a later unspecified release date on Google Stadia.


The Lion King Remake Dethrones Frozen As Highest-Grossing Animated Movie Ever…

Guess originality & creativity isn’t a surefire way to earn giant movie-making conglomerates money anymore, eh? The 2019 Lion King remake is now the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, beating long-time winner Frozen.
The remake garnered US$1,334,603,826 while Frozen is at US$1,276,480,335 at this point of writing. Yes, the 2019 shot-by-shot remake of a 1994 animated film that borrowed a lot of elements from an Osamu Tezuka classic is currently the top-grossing animated film of all time.
Even the mightiest of film critics aren’t able to touch this recycled story that is essentially Disney’s Hamlet with Hakuna Matata shoved in for good measure. My review stated that this film has no point existing “save to line Disney’s coffers”. It doesn’t matter; all the marketing, the hype, the goodwill the 1994 film has garnered along with its multiple spin-offs (Timon & Pumba TV show, anyone?), and everybody’s rose-tinted nostalgia glasses. It will take a miracle for Disney to fail hard at garnering money for The Lion King remake.
What Does The Future Of Disney Films Look Like?
Pretty bleak, if you hated the company’s recent remaking fares. Let’s take a quick look at what’s coming in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
2019

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The sequel to the Sleeping Beauty remake Maleficent.
Frozen 2.
Lady & The Tramp, the live adaptation remake of the 1955 classic animated film of the same name.

2020

Onward, an animated film from Pixar.
Mulan, a remake of the animated 1998 film.
Soul, an animated film from Pixar.
Jungle Cruise, an action film based on the Disney ride starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Cruella, a remake of a remake of 101 Dalmations starring Emma Stone.

The Future

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, a remake of the animated 1996 adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel.
Jungle Book 2, the sequel to the remake of the 1970s animated classic.
Lilo & Stitch, a remake of the 2002 animated classic of the same name.
The Sword In The Stone, a remake of the 1963 film.

That’s 6 friggin’ remakes out of the Disney production & directing catalogue. If these films garner even a fraction of the 2019 Lion King’s numbers, Disney will be relying a lot on the remaking template and will not even attempt anything original. That’s pretty frightening if you’re the kind of person who wants to see a second Disney Renaissance.


One Piece Odyssey – Reunion of Memories DLC Dates Announced

Back in April, Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia announced the new DLC for One Piece Odyssey called Reunion of Memories. Bandai Namco has just announced that the DLC will be dropping 25 May on a PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC via Steam.
Check out the original announcement!

Now, let’s get into what this DLC is all about. The Straw Hat Pirates are getting ready for their next adventure, but not before they throw a farewell party with Lim and some others. During the party, Luffy hears a strange voice in his head telling him to “Run!” And just like that, the crew is transported back into the world of Memoria.
Memoria is supposed to be made up of the crew’s memories, but things aren’t quite right. They’re faced with all sorts of unexpected events and challenges. Will they be able to make it out of this unpredictable world of memories?
To get a sneak peek at what’s in store, check out the new trailer that’s been released. Our heroes journey through the mysterious island of Waford and the land of memories, but what secrets lie at the end of their adventure? It’s time to unravel the final hidden mystery!


Momodora Series Gets A New Entry For 2022; To Be Published By Playism

Momodora, a series of search action games with gorgeous pixel graphics and brutal 2D gameplay, is getting a sequel and it’s published by Playism.
Titled Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, this upcoming 2D search action title is the sequel to Momodora III. The sequel is slated for PC via Steam, though there’s no release date as of yet.
There is a pretty packed debut trailer though, featuring stellar 2D visuals, loads of challenging combat and a tight melee system featuring a ton of dodging and counterattacks, as well as a peek at the Sigil system which features customizable play styles for your main character.

Here’s a developer comment from creator rdein, which will hopefully inspire you to pick up the prequels right now because they’re pretty fun to play.
“Hello everyone! This is rdein, creator of theÂ MomodoraÂ series. Recently my team and I have announced the latest installment in the series,Â Moonlit Farewell. This is a concluding story, following through from the events ofÂ Momodora III. With this new tale, I also intend to close the book on many of the past gamesâ€™ mysteries and questions.
Iâ€™m aware that many players are more familiar with the story of Kaho, which is set in a distant past. As such, Iâ€™m designingÂ Moonlit FarewellÂ to be as enjoyable as possible without prior knowledge ofÂ Momodora IÂ toÂ IIIâ€˜s stories. Moreover, the series has always been focused onÂ actionÂ and minimal stories. So please, donâ€™t worry too much about â€œcatching upâ€!
Lastly, we hope to bring you our best game with this new title, using all the knowledge weâ€™ve learned in the past ten years. So please donâ€™t forget to head over to the Steam page and hit that wishlist button, and stay tuned for theÂ Momodora: Moonlit Farewell!”
At the very least, play Momodora III.


Platinum Games Teases Us With An Announcement Of An Upcoming Announcement

The folks at Platinum Games have got a new announcement, related to their recent series of Platinum 4 announcements, planned for us, and they’ve announced that that announcement will be made on 1 April 2020.

The fourth #Platinum4 announcement is on its way! Look to the stars on 04.01 for more…https://t.co/GLRQg6RNI8
— PlatinumGames Inc. (@platinumgames) March 26, 2020

Yes, it’s an announcement of an announcement, and the announcement date of 1 April? Fishy.
But having the fourth announcement of Platinum 4 happening on the fourth month of the year? It could be more than just an April Fool’s joke. although an April Fool’s joke masquerading as an announcement was precisely what Platinum did last year.
As for what the previous announcements were, they include the upcoming remaster of The Wonderful 101, the self-published Ultraman-inspired Project G.G., and the opening of PlatinumGames Tokyo in April. I can’t begin to imagine what the next announcement would be, but I’m sure it’d be something that’ll spark conversation – even if it’s just an April Fool’s joke.


The 13 Most Valuable Esports Organizations In The World

Esports has grown so big that even non-gamers and the mainstream media can no longer ignore how far esports has come. Just recently, we had LCS 2019 match between SK Telecom T1 and G2 Esports becoming the most-watched esports event in history with almost four million concurrent viewers.
With numbers like that, there’s no doubt that some esports organisations have grown to become extremely profitable to the point that they’re comparable to traditional sports franchises such as football, basketball, and others. Thanks to a recent report by Forbes, we now have a list of the 13 most valuable esports organisations in the world.
Let’s take a look at them:
13. OverActive Media
Image from Toronto Ultra’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$120 million
Estimated revenue: US$5 million
Franchise leagues: OWL – Toronto Defiant, CDL – Toronto Ultra, LEC – Splyce
Non-francise teams: Fortnite, Smite, StarCraft II

12. Misfits Gaming
Image from Florida Mayhem flickr page.
Value: US$120 million
Estimate revenue: US$8 million
Franchise leagues: OWL – Florida Mayhem, CDL – Florida Mutineers, LEC – Misfits Gaming
Non-franchise teams: Fortnite, Marvel vs. Capcom, Clash Royale

11. NRG Esports
Image from SF Shock’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$150 million
Estimated revenue: US$20 million
Franchise leagues: OWL – San Fransisco Shock, CDL – Chicago Huntsmen
Non-franchise teams: Fortnite, Rocket League, Clash Royale, Smash, Apex, Gears of War, Dragon Ball Fighterz

10. 100 Thieves
Image from 100 Thieves’ official Twitter page.
Value: US$70 million
Estimated revenue: US$10 million
Franchise leagues: LCS – 100 Thieves
Non-franchise teams: Counter Strike, Fortnite

9. G2 Esports
Image from G2 Esports’ official Twitter page.
Value: US$165 million
Estimated revenue: US$22 million
Franchise leagues: LEC – G2
Non-franchise teams: CS:GO, R6, RL, PUBG, Apex, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Sim Racing

8. Envy Gaming
Image from Dallas Fuel’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$170 million
Estimated revenue: US$8 million
Franchise leagues: OWL – Dallas Fuel, CDL – Dallas Empire
Non-franchise teams: Overwatch Contenders, CS:GO, Fortnite, PUBG, Paladins, Super Smash Bros

7. Fnatic
Image from Fnatic’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$175 million
Estimated revenue: US$16 million
Franchise leagues: LEC – Fnatic
Non-franchise teams: CS:Go, Dota 2, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, Apex, Clash Royale, Rules of Survival, Street Fighter V

6. Gen.G
Image from Seoul Dynasty’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$185 million
Estimated revenue: US$9 million
Franchise leagues: LCK – Gen.G, OWL – Seoul Dynasty, NBA 2KL – Shanghai
Non-franchise teams: Overwatch Contenders, Fortnite (Team Bumble), PUBG, Apex Legends, Clash Royale

5. Immortals Gaming Club
Image from LA Valiant’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$210 million
Estimated revenue: US$11 million
Franchise leagues: LCS – Immortals, OWL – Los Angeles Valiant, CDL – OpTic Gaming Los Angeles
Non-franchise teams: Clash Royale, CS:GO, Rainbow Six

4. FaZe Clan
Image taken from FaZe Clan’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$240 million
Estimated revenue: US$35 million
Franchise leagues: None
Non-franchise teams: CS:GO, PUBG, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Siege, FIFA

3. Team Liquid
Photo from John Bakharev of Game Playing.
Value: US$320 million
Estimated revenue: US$24 million
Franchise leagues: LCS – Team Liquid
Non-franchise teams: CS:GO, Dota 2, StarCraft2, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Clash Royale, PUBG, Apex, Hearthstone, Smash Melee, Smash Ultimate, Street Fighter V, Tekken, Quake, Team Fight Tactics

2. Team SoloMid
Image from TSM’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$400 million
Estimated revenue: US$35 million
Franchise leagues: LCS – Team Solomid
Non-franchise teams: League of Legends Academy, PUBG, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Smash, Overwatch, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Magic: The Gathering, Rainbow Six Siege, Teamfight Tactics

1. Cloud9
Image from Cloud9’s official Twitter page.
Value: US$400 million
Estimated revenue: US$29 million
Franchise league: LCS – Cloud9, OWL – London Spitfire
Non-franchise teams: CS:Go, Fortnite, Hearthstone, PUBG, Rainbow 6, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Teamfight Tactics, WoW

Didn’t see your favourite team or company on the list? Well, there’s a good chance that they might make it into the list next year because as we can all see, esports is going to continue to grow at a crazy rate. Let’s see what 2020 has in store for us.
Cover photo taken from The International 2019 official Flickr page.


Free-To-Play Laser League World Arena Is Now Live On Steam

Laser League World Arena is a free to play fictional sports game set in the future. Originally known as Laser League, itâ€™s famous for colourful high-speed chasing, dodging and colliding. The game is now officially available to download on Steam.
Anyone who has bought the original game will receive a special welcome pack when they play the game. The Upgrade Pack not only unlocks all classes, all laser maps in local mode, private match creation and 1v1 online battle, but also comes with a limited kit, a limited smash weapon kit, and 1000 Platinum Coins. The contents will be automatically granted when the players first log in to the game after the update is applied.
However, the welcome pack only lasts 3 months after the launch of Laser League World Arena. You can head on over to the Steam page now to download the game and play it.


Watch Dogs Legion Gets Zombie-Filled Standalone DLC

Ubisoft action-adventure hacking-savvy game Watch Dogs: Legion is getting a zombie mode, and it’s available for PC right now in alpha phase.
Subtitled Watch Dogs: Legions of the Dead, the online PvE mode offers a rogue-lite experience where players survive against the horde of undead in the re-imagined fallen city of London. You can play the mode in solo mode or up to four friends in co-op, fending off zombies, Albion soldiers, and Clan Kelley enforcers.
You need to gather supplies to ensure your group’s survival, meaning you and your co-op pals need to perform a supply run with a random Survivor and Gadget in roguelike fashion. You need to scout the map for supplies, power-ups, and plan a route to avoid the horde. You can also use unsavoury tactics like luring zombies to an Albion guard post, or just lure enforcers away from their guarding spots so that your teammates can pillage their resources.
PC players can play the standalone PvE mode by going on over to Ubisoft Connect (under the Free Games tab). The Watch Dogs: Legion DLC will eventually be out for consoles later when it’s in the beta phase. Check out the gameplay below (via IGN):


Check Out These Sweet Cosplay Works At Japan Expo Thailand 2020

As the world grapples with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, social gatherings are being minimized and events are being cancelled one after the other. Of course, that means that cosplay events are a no-go for the time being.
Japan Expo Thailand 2020, held from 31 January 2020 to 2 February 2020 in Bangkok, was probably one of the last big cosplay events to have been held before all these mitigation measures kicked in.
Facebook user Mineralblue recently uploaded dozens of pictures (all credited, with names of the cosplayed characters included too) on their account, as well as a video on YouTube, to give fans of cosplay and Japanese pop culture something joyful to watch during their social distancing.
Have a gander at some (well, half) of them below:

And here’s the video:


Malaysia Studio Lemon Sky Worked On Hi-Fi Rush

The latest action game from Bethesda and Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush, is getting rave reviews on Steam’s community side due to its lovely music-rhythm action gameplay and tight controls. And yes, the game looks gorgeous with its lovely cel-shaded look.
You can thank Malaysian game studio Lemon Sky Studio for contributing to the game’s character design and style, ranging from main character Chai to the multitude of mechas and robots that populate the sci-fi setting of the game. You can check out the credits for concept artists and producers below.

Hi-Fi Rush is out right now for PC and Xbox consoles. It was announced during this morning’s Xbox and Bethesda Developer Direct livestream.


The MCU Fantastic Four Movie Will Not Be An Origin Story

During the recent San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Marvel Studios announced a lot of new information, including the release date for the Fantastic Four movie, which will premiere on 8 November 2024. However, nothing else was revealed about the movie, which remains a mystery.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios head honcho confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Fantastic Four movie won’t be an origin story and won’t simply rehash the origin story of Marvel’s First Family. Instead, they’re approaching it much in the same way that they introduced Spider-Man into the MCU with 2016’s Captain America Civil War.
He said:
“A lot of people know this origin story. A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something that they’ve never seen before? “We’ve set a very high bar for ourselves with bringing that to the screen.”
We also know that Marvel Studios is currently still looking for a director to helm the Fantastic Four movie, with Jon Watts no longer directing the movie. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the director and/or cast of the movie at the upcoming D23 event, which will take place from 9 to 11 September 2022.
In other related news, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton will be directing Avengers The Kang Dynasty, which will premiere on 2 May 2025.
Stay tuned to Kakuchopurei for the latest news and updates!


Pathfinder Series Developer Announces CRPG Warhammer 40K Game For Consoles & PC

Owlcat Games, the folks behind the rich Pathfinder role-playing game series on PC and consoles, will be tackling Games Workshop’s futuristic Warhammer series.
Owlcat Games’ new CRPG is called Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader and it’s slated for consoles and PC; no release date yet though. However, there’s a Founder’s Pack for the PC version so fans can get an early version of the game for pre-order via the official website.
If it’s anything like the Pathfinder CRPGs, expect a colourful cast of characters to recruit as party members, branching plots and paths that affect the outcome of the game, and sweet real-time combat that you can pause and go tactical with ala Baldur’s Gate and Pillars of Eternity. Here’s the official statement and description of the upcoming CRPG:
“You will take on the role of a Rogue Trader, a scion of an ancient dynasty of daring privateers, that reign over their own merchant empire and explore the fringes of Imperial space with the blessing of the Emperor Himself. Thanks to their Warrant of Trade – the Rogue Trader is endowed with privileges and power beyond imagination as well as the task of expanding the borders of the Imperium. At their disposal is a gargantuan voidship of immense power and innumerable servants and personnel ready to do the bidding of their lord. Their adventures begin in the vast Koronus Expanse—a treacherous region of unexplored space at the edge of Humanity’s domain.
Exploration will bring the protagonist to mysterious lost and forgotten worlds as well as numerous planets claimed by humanity—from lush Agri-Worlds to steel-clad Forge Worlds, all of them ready to be claimed for your burgeoning merchant empire or plundered for their riches. While traveling between the stars, get ready to come across potential allies and dangerous enemies of the Imperium, Chaos cults and alien Xenos counting among the most treacherous and deadly.
You will make fateful decisions that affect the lives of entire worlds. You will prove your strategic and tactical skills in high-impact turn-based battles against powerful opponents.
No Rogue Trader travels alone: on this dangerous journey into the unknown, you will meet faithful and sophisticated companions. Imagine fighting alongside a mighty power armored Space Marine, a lethal Aeldari Ranger, or even a courageous Sister of Battle armed with bolter and ardent prayer—these characters and many others will join you.
The grim darkness of the 41st millennium is a harsh place of unbound evil, untold sacrifices and large-scale threats and challenges that perfectly transitions into an exciting role-playing narrative that allows an exceptional freedom of in-game choice for the player. We endeavor to bring to the game everything that fans of the cRPG genre love and expect: fateful decisions, non-linear stories, strong and diverse companion cast together with addictive and complex gaming systems to master.”


Final Fantasy 16 Update: “We’re At The Finale Of Development”

For many JRPG fans waiting for Final Fantasy 16, there’s now some update from its producer Naoki “Final Fantasy XIV saviour” Yoshida.
According to a mini interview on Uniqlo’s Final Fantasy 35th anniversary collaboration event, Naoki Yoshida said that the game is now in its final stages of development (via Twitter).
“Now we’re at the finale of the new game FF16’s development. We aim for FF16 to have a better unison in story and gaming experience as a single-player game.
Unlike an online [game] that depicts multiple players simultaneously, FF16 focuses on an individual so the state of immersion into the story will be different. I feel like the story will be very deep.
“I hope this will bring back the past enthusiasm to people who grew up to adults, got to know society, [thought] “Real life is not easy like in the game,” and went away from FF. I’m creating it while having that thought.”
While that doesn’t really say much, it does hint that we’ll be seeing more news unfolding for the game, possibly during the June period where every major company is showcasing their games for next year and beyond. In the meantime, we have our own theories on Final Fantasy 16 on this video below.


SDCC 2019: Our Favourite Marvel Vampire Hunter Is Coming To The MCU

A lot of great announcements were made at Marvel Studios‘ San Diego Comic Con 2019 panel and just went it seems like they’ve run out of things to reveal, they hit us with the biggest one at the end.
A new Blade movie is in the works and it will be a reboot so don’t expect a continuation of the Wesley Snipes trilogy. This isn’t exactly bad news since it’s an opportunity for those who are unfamiliar with the half-vampire half-human superhero to become new fans. I’ve got no doubts that there will probably be a few references towards the Wesley Snipes movies to please long-time fans.

Blade is the tale of Eric Brooks, a man cursed with the burden of being half-vampire and half-human. In the comics, he is initially only immune to a vampire’s bite and their hypnosis but after being bit by a scientifically-created vampire, he gains superhuman abilities. The prior movies diverge drastically compared to the comics but in a nutshell, Blade is a vampire hunter who uses his skills and abilities to protect people.
Since the movie will be a reboot, a new actor will be playing the role of the vampire hunter and it’s not just anybody. Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali will be filling those shoes and in case you didn’t know, he was also the voice actor for Miles Morales’ villainous uncle Aaron Davis AKA The Prower in Into the Spider-Verse. From animated side-villain to big screen superhero. One hell of an upgrade!
No other details have been released so far except for the title image above so in the meantime, I recommend watching the Wesley Snipes Blade trilogy which are very enjoyable movies.


Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Final Bar Line Song List: All The Tunes & Music

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is set to be the biggest game they’ve made music-wise. The game will feature 385 songs in the base game alone, and will add more post-launch via Season Pass and Digital Deluxe bonuses.
This news page is going to list down all the songs in the game, from the Final Fantasy series to other Square Enix JRPGs like the Nier and Chrono series. Keep in mind that the game isn’t out yet, so the list isn’t finalized just yet. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line will be out for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on 16 February, 2023.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Base Game Music Tracks List
Just like past Theatrhythm titles in the Nintendo handheld days, the game features music stages of three types: Event Music Stages (EMS), Field Music Stage (FMS), and Battle Music Stage (BMS). EMS are key scenes and important story beats of FF titles playing in the background while the music rhythm gameplay happens. FMS features your chosen party of Theatrhythm-styled FF characters walking on the field killing bad guys to the Overworld tune playing. BMS is the party VS big boss bit with the music rhythm mechanics in play.
Final Fantasy

Opening Theme (EMS)
Main Theme of Final Fantasy (FMS)
Castle Cornelia (FMS)
Battle (BMS)
Opening Theme (FMS)
Mini Boss Battle (BMS)
Matoya’s Cave (FMS)
Mt. Gulg (FMS)
Airship (FMS)
Sunken Shrine (FMS)
Final Battle (BMS)

Final Fantasy II

The Rebel Army (EMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
The Rebel Army (BMS)
Town (FMS)
Main Theme of Final Fantasy II (FMS)
Dungeon (FMS)
The Imperial Army (FMS)
Chocobo Theme (FMS)
Tower of the Magi (FMS)
Battle Theme A (BMS)
Battle Theme 2 (BMS)
Finale (FMS)

Final Fantasy III

Aria, the Maiden of Water (EMS)
Crystal Cave (FMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
Eternal Wind (FMS)
The Boundless Ocean (FMS)
Aria, the Maiden of Water (FMS)
Megalopolis Saronia (FMS)
Doga and Unei (FMS)
The Invincible (FMS)
Forbidden Land Eureka (FMS)
Crystal Tower (FMS)
Battle 2 (BMS)
Dark Crystal (FMS)
Final Battle (BMS)

Final Fantasy IV

Theme of Love (EMS)
The Red Wings (FMS)
Theme of Love (FMS)
Final Fantasy IV Main Theme (FMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
Airship (FMS)
Trojan Beauty (FMS)
Tower of Zot (FMS)
Within the Giant (FMS)
Battle 2 (BMS)
Battle With the Four Fiends (BMS)
Lunar Whale (FMS)
Another Moon (FMS)
The Final Battle (BMS)

Final Fantasy V

Home, Sweet Home (EMS)
Final Fantasy V Main Theme (BMS)
Four Hearts (FMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
Harvest (FMS)
To the North Mountain (FMS)
Library of the Ancients (FMS)
Mambo de Chocobo (FMS)
Home, Sweet Home (FMS)
The Airship (FMS)
Battle 2 (BMS)
The Dawn Warriors (BMS)
Clash on the Big Bridge (BMS)
A New World (FMS)
In Search of Light (FMS)
The Decisive Battle (BMS)
The Final Battle (BMS)

Final Fantasy VI

Celes’ Theme (EMS)
Terra’s Theme (FMS)
Battle (BMS)
Lock’s Theme (BMS)
Edgar & Sabin’s Theme (FMS)
Protect the Esper! (BMS)
Grand Finale (BMS)
The Airship Blackjack (FMS)
The Decisive Battle (BMS)
Battle to the Death (BMS)
Celes’ Theme (FMS)
Searching for Friends (FMS)
Last Dungeon (FMS)
Dancing Mad (BMS)

Final Fantasy VII

Aerith’s Theme (EMS)
Opening ~ Bombing Mission (BMS)
Let the Battles Begin! (BMS)
Fight On! (BMS)
Crazy Motorcycle (FMS)
Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII (FMS)
Rufus’ Welcoming Ceremony (FMS)
Gold Saucer (FMS)
Cosmo Canyon (Aerith’s Theme (BMS)
Highwind Takes to the Skies (FMS)
Judgment Day (FMS)
J-E-N-O-V-A (BMS)
Birth of a God (BMS)
One-Winged Angel (BMS)

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Advent: One-Winged Angel (EMS)
Beyond the Wasteland (BMS)
Those Who Fight ~ Piano Version (BMS)
Aerith’s Theme ~ Piano Version (FMS)
Battle in the Forgotten City (BMS)
Divinity II (BMS)
J-E-N-O-V-A ~ FF7 AC Version (BMS)
Advent: One-Winged Angel (BMS)
Cloud Smiles (FMS)

Crisis Core; Final Fantasy VII

Theme of Crisis Core ~ Succession (EMS)
Encounter (BMS)
Timely Ambush ~ Let the Battles Begin (FMS)
Flower Blooming in the Slums ~ Aerith’s Theme (FMS)
The SOLDIER Way (BMS)
The Price of Freedom (BMS)

Last Order: Final Fantasy VII

Last Order (BMS)

Final Fantasy VII Remake (New For Final Bar Line)

Hollow (EMS)
Bombing Mission (BMS)
Tifa’s Theme ~ Seventh Heaven (FMS)
Main Theme of FF7 ~ Sector 7 Undercity (FMS)
Let the Battles Begin ~ A Merc’s Job (BMS)
The Air Buster (BMS)
Collapsed Expressway (FMS)
High Five (BMS)
J-E-N-O-V-A ~ Quickening (BMS)
Midgar Expressway (FMS)
One-Winged Angel Rebirth (BMS)

Final Fantasy VIII

Waltz for the Moon (EMS)
Liberi Fatali (BMS)
Balamb Garden (FMS)
Blue Fields (FMS)
Don’t Be Afraid (BMS)
Find Your Way (FMS)
Force Your Way (BMS)
Shuffle or Boogie (BMS)
Waltz for the Moon (FMS)
The Man with the Machine Gun (BMS)
Fisherman’s Horizon (FMS)
Love Grows (FMS)
The Oath (FMS)
The Castle (FMS)
Premonition (BMS)
Maybe I’m a Lion (BMS)
The Extreme (BMS)
Ending Theme of FF8 (FMS)

Final Fantasy IX

Behind the Door (EMS)
A Place to Call Home (FMS)
Vivi’s Theme (FMS)
Sword of Fury (BMS)
Vamo’alla Flamenco (BMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
Over the Hill (FMS)
Festival of the Hunt (BMS)
Dark City Treno (FMS)
Rose of May (FMS)
Iifa, the Ancient Tree of Life (FMS)
Something to Protect ~ Beatrix’s Theme (BMS)
Aboard the Hilda Garde (FMS)
Ipsen’s Castle (FMS)
You’re Not Alone! (FMS)
Battle 2 (BMS)
The Darkness of Eternity (BMS)
The Final Battle (BMS)
Behind the Door (FMS)

Final Fantasy X

Suteki da ne (EMS)
Battle Theme (BMS)
Spira Unplugged (FMS)
Blitz-Off! (BMS)
Movement in Green (FMS)
Mi’ihen Highroad (FMS)
Thunder Plains (FMS)
Launch (FMS)
Assault (BMS)
Via Purifico (FMS)
Suteki da ne (FMS)
Servants of the Mountain (FMS)
A Fleeting Dream (FMS)
Challenge (BMS)
Fight with Seymour (BMS)
Otherworld (BMS)
A Contest of Aeons (BMS)
Final Battle (BMS)

Final Fantasy X-2

1000 Words ~ FFX-2 Mix (EMS)
YuRiPa, Fight! No.1 (BMS)
We’re the Gullwings! (FMS)
Let Me Blow You a Kiss (BMS)
Under Bevelle (FMS)
The Farplane Abyss (FMS)
Demise (BMS)

Final Fantasy XI

FF11 Opening Theme (EMS)
FF11 Opening Theme (BMS)
Vana’diel March (FMS)
Ronfaure (FMS)
Battle Theme (BMS)
Gustaberg (FMS)
Heavens Tower (FMS)
Sarutabaruta (FMS)
Voyager (FMS)
Selbina (FMS)
Recollection (FMS)
Awakening (BMS)
Tough Battle #2 (BMS)
The Sanctuary of Zi’Tah (FMS)
Fighters of the Crystal (BMS)
A New Horizon ~ Tavnazian Archipelago (BMS)
Iron Colossus (BMS)
Ragnarok (BMS)
Melodies Errant (BMS)
Shinryu (BMS)

Final Fantasy XII

The Archadian Empire (EMS)
Final Fantasy ~ FF12 Version (BMS)
Streets of Rabanastre (FMS)
The Dalmasca Estersand (FMS)
Heart of a Child (FMS)
Giza Plains (FMS)
The Archadian Empire (FMS)
Phon Coast (FMS)
The Mosphoran Highwaste (FMS)
Boss Battle (BMS)
Flash of Steel (BMS)
Battle with an Esper (BMS)
Life and Death (BMS)
Struggle for Freedom (BMS)
Ending Movie (BMS)

Final Fantasy XIII

Defiers of Fate (EMS)
Defiers of Fate (BMS)
Saber’s Edge (BMS)
Blinded by Light (BMS)
March of the Dreadnoughts (FMS)
The Gapra Whitewood (FMS)
The Sunleth Waterscape (FMS)
The Archylte Steppe (FMS)
Desperate Struggle (BMS)
Will to Fight (BMS)
Dust to Dust (FMS)
Eden Under Siege (BMS)
Fighting Fate (BMS)
Nascent Requiem (BMS)

Final Fantasy XIII-2

Warrior Goddess (EMS)
Etro’s Champion (BMS)
Paradigm Shift (BMS)
Historia Crux (FMS)
Last Hunter (BMS)
Full Speed Ahead (BMS)
Eclipse (FMS)
Plains of Eternity (FMS)
Groovy Chocobo (FMS)
Crazy Chocobo (FMS)
Noel’s Theme ~ Final Journey (FMS)
Heart of Chaos (BMS)

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Saviour of Souls (EMS)
Lightning Returns (BMS)
Crimson Blitz (BMS)
The Glittering City of Yusnaan (FMS)
The Dead Dunes (FMS)
Savior of Souls (BMS)
Chaos (BMS)

Final Fantasy XIV

Answers (EMS)
On Westerly Winds (FMS)
Serenity (FMS)
To the Sun (FMS)
The Land Breathes (BMS)
Hard to Miss (BMS)
Torn from the Heavens (BMS)
Nemesis (BMS)
Primal Judgment (BMS)
Under the Weight (BMS)
Engage (FMS)
Fallen Angel (BMS)
Good King Moggle Mog XII (BMS)
Ultima (BMS)
Through the Maelstrom (BMS)
A Light in the Storm (FMS)
Oblivion (BMS)
Ominous Prognisticks (BMS)
Ink Long Dry (FMS)
Heroes (BMS)
Locus (BMS)
Metal – Brute Justice Mode (BMS)
Exponential Entropy (BMS)
Moebius (BMS)
Rise (BMS)
Triumph (BMS)
The Worm’s Tail (BMS)
Wayward Daughter (BMS)
Sunrise (BMS)
What Angel Wakes Me (BMS)
Who Brings Shadow (BMS)
A Long Fall (BMS)
Promises to Keep (BMS)

Final Fantasy XV

Apocalypsis Noctis (EMS)
Stand Your Ground (BMS)
Veiled in Black (BMS)
Valse di Fantasica (FMS)
The Fight is On! (BMS)
Apocalypsis Noctis ~ Uncovered Trailer Version (BMS)
Flying R (FMS)
Invidia (BMS)
Omnis Lacrima (BMS)
Up for the Challenge (BMS)
Somnus (FMS)
Hellfire (BMS)
Magna Insomnia (BMS)
Main Theme from Final Fantasy (FMS)
Noctis (FMS)
Shield of the King ~ Theme of Episode Gladiolus (FMS)
Episode Ignis Main Theme (FMS)
Home Sweet Home ~ Theme of Episode Prompto (FMS)
Dance of the Silver & Red ~ Episode Ardyn (BMS)

Final Fantasy Tactics

Bland Logo ~ Title Back (EMS)
Prologue Movie (FMS)
Trisection (BMS)
Apoplexy (BMS)
Antipyretic (BMS)
Battle on the Bridge (BMS)
Ovelia’s Theme (FMS)
Ultima’s Transformation (BMS)

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

Hill of Destiny (BMS)
Battle 1 (BMS)
Battle 2 (BMS)
Last Castle (FMS)
Battle 3 (BMS)

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle Series

Moonless Starry Night (EMS)
Today Comes to Be Tomorrow (FMS)
Promised Grace (FMS)
Monster Ronde (BMS)
Across the Divide (FMS)
Woebegone Creature (BMS)
United, Manifested (BMS)

Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers

This is the End for You! (BMS)

Final Fantasy Type-0

The Beginning of the End (EMS)
The Beginning of the End (BMS)
War: Warrior Worth a Thousand (BMS)
The Earth Under Our Feet (FMS)
War: The White Weapon (BMS)
Soar (FMS)
Tempus Finis (FMS)
Vermillion Fire (BMS)

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes Of Light

The 4 Heroes of Light Main Theme (FMS)
Battle with Monsters (BMS)

Funko Pop Final Fantasy World of Final Fantasy

World of Battle (BMS)

Mobius Final Fantasy

Warrior of Light ~ Mobius Final Fantasy (BMS)
Dancing Edge (BMS)
Magic Madness (BMS)
Bloodthirst (BMS)
Femme Fatale (BMS)

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Jack’s Theme (BMS)
Battle: Chaos Advent (BMS)
Battle: False Knight (BMS)

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Dungeon

Raffaello Battle (BMS
Theme of Dungeon Hero X (BMS)
Pop-up Duel (BMS)

Dissidia Final Fantasy

Dissidia Final Fantasy Final Trailer (BMS)
Keeping the Peace (FMS)
The Decisive Battle Arrange ~ from FF6 (BMS)
Battle 1 Arrange ~ from FF9 (BMS)
The Troops’ Advance (BMS)
Dissidia ~ Ending (BMS)
Lux Concordiae (EMS)
Dissidia 012 Duodecim Final Trailer (BMS)
Canto Mortis ~ An Undocumented Battle (FMS)
Gate to the Rift (FMS)
Cantata Mortis (BMS)
The Rebel Army Arrange ~ from FF2 (BMS)
Eternal Wind Arrange ~ from FF3 (BMS)
Dancing Mad Arrange ~ From FF6 (BMS)
Ominous Prognisticks Arrange ~ From FF14 (BMS)
Antipyretic Arrange ~ From FF Tactics (BMS)
The Beginning of the End Arrange ~ From FF Type-0 (BMS)
Massive Explosion (BMS)
God in Fire (BMS)
Dare to Defy (BMS)
Spark (BMS)

Final Fantasy Record Keeper

Chaos Shrine FFRK arrange ~ from FF1 (BMS)
Battle at the Big Bridge FFRK arrange 2 ~ from FF5 (BMS)
The Decisive Battle FFRK arrange ~ from FF6 (BMS)
Crazy Motorcycle FFRK arrange ~ from FF7 (BMS)
The Man with the Machine Gun FFRK arrange ~ from FF8 (BMS)
Blinded by Light FFRK arrange ~ from FF13 (BMS)
Stand Your Ground FFRK arrange ~ from FF15 (BMS)
Utakata FFRK arrange ~ From FF Type-0 (BMS)

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

Chaos Shrine TFF Menu Ver. ~ from FF1 (BMS)
Return of the Warrior TFF Menu Ver. ~ from FF3 (BMS)
Battle at the Big Bridge TFF Menu Ver. ~ from FF5 (BMS)
TFF Curtain Call Special Arrange Medley (EMS)
Attack Team TFFCC Menu Ver. ~ from FFT (BMS)
TFF Curtain Call Special Arrange Medley LONG Ver. (BMS)
Prelude TFFAC Menu Ver ~ from FF1 (FMS)
Matoya’s Cave TFFAC Ver ~ from FF1 (FMS)
The Red Wings TFFAC Ver ~ from FF4 (FMS)
Ahead on our Way TFFAC Ver ~ from FF5 (BMS)
Battle at the Big Bridge TFFAC Ver ~ from FF5 (BMS)
Locke’s Theme TFFAC Ver ~ from FF6 (BMS)
J-E-N-O-V-A TFFAC Ver ~ from FF7
Fight With Seymour TFFAC Ver ~ from FF10
Special Arrange Medley TFFAC Ver (BMS)
FF7 Special Arrange Medley (BMS)
Final Bar Line Special Batlte Arrange Medley (BMS)

Final Fantasy Arrangement CDS Music
Final Fantasy Tribute -Thanks-

Opening Theme (BMS)

Bra?Bra Final Fantasy Brass De Bravo 1 & 2

FF Moogles’ Theme (FMS)
FF Medley (FMS)
Battle at the Big Bridge (BMS)
Mambo de Chocobo (FMS)

Digital Deluxe Version Music Tracks
List via RPGsite.net.

FF1 – Battle Scene 2 ~ Modulation FF Arrangement (BMS)
FF3 – Zephyr Memories ~ Legend of the Eternal Wind (FMS)
FF3 – Sailing Enterprise The Invincible ~ SQ Chips Ver. (FMS)
FF5 – Clash on the Big Bridge ~ The Black Mages Ver. (BMS)
FF5 – Clash on the Big Bridge ~ Modulation FF Arrangement (BMS)
FF6 – Decisive Battle ~ Acoustic Arrangements Ver. (BMS)
FF7 – Cosmo Canyon ~ Collabo Arrange (FMS)
FF7 – Aerith’s Theme ~ Collabo Arrange (?)
FF8 – Eyes on Me (FMS)
FF9 – You’re Not Alone ~ Battle SQ Ver. (?)
FF9 – Melodies of Life (FMS)
FF10 – To Zanarkand (FMS)
FF10 – The Skies Above ~ The Black Mages Ver. (BMS)
FF10-2 Eternity ~ Memory of Lightwaves (FMS)
FF11 – Distant Worlds (FMS)
FF11 – Fighters of the Crystal ~ The Star Onions Ver. (?)
FF12 – Kiss Me Goodbye (FMS)
FF13 – Hope ~ Symphonic Poem Ver. (?)
FF13 – Eternal Love (FMS)
FF13 – Blinded By Light ~ SE Jazz Ver. (?)
Crystal Chronicles – Kaze no ne (FMS)
FF14 Heavensward – Rise ~ The Primals (BMS)
FF14 Shadowbringers – A Long Fall ~ Scions & Sinners Arrangement Ver. (?)
More SQ Arrangement Album – Duugem De Chocobo (?)

Season Pass Content
These bonus tracks are from Square Enix’s various JRPG series from Nier to Chrono titles, and will be out starting February 2023.
SaGa (Release Date: 16th February, 2023)

Enraged Battle [FF Legend]
Struggle to the Death [FF Legend 2]
The Conflict [Romancing SaGa]
Horrible Shadow [Romancing SaGa]
Beat Them Up! [Romancing SaGa]
Coup de Grace [Romancing SaGa]
Ardent Rhythm / Passionate Rhythm [Romancing SaGa ~ Minstrel Song]

Live-A-Live (Release Date: 1st March 2023)

Megalomania
Live A Live
Birds Fly, Fish Swim
Go! Go! Steel Titan!

The World Ends With You (Release Date: 15th March, 2023)

World is Yours [Neo TWEWY]
Your Ocean [Neo TWEWY]
Breaking Free [Neo TWEWY]
Twister [TWEWY]
Calling [TWEWY]
Someday [TWEWY]

Nier Automata (Release Date: 29th March, 2023)

Dependent Weakling
Weight of the World
Amusement Park
A Beautiful Song
Emil’s Shop

SaGa Volume 2 (Release Date: 12th April, 2023)

The Celestial Protectors [SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions]
Battle 4 [SaGa Frontier]
Alone [SaGa Frontier]
Battle 5 [SaGa Frontier]
Last Battle ~ T260G [SaGa Frontier]
Feldschlacht III  [SaGa Frontier 2]
Misgestalt [SaGa Frontier 2]
Battle Theme 1 [Unlimited SaGa]

Nier Gestalt/Replicant (Release Date: 26th April, 2023)

Fleeting Words / Outsider
Song of the Ancients – Fate
Hill of Radiant Winds
Kaine / Salvation
Song of the Ancients / Devola
Shadowlord

Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross (Release Date: 17th May, 2023)

Wings that Cross Time [Chrono Trigger]
Chrono Trigger [Chrono Trigger]
Boss Battle 2 [Chrono Trigger]
Battle with Magus [Chrono Trigger]
Corridors of Time [Chrono Trigger]
Radical Dreamers ~ Le Trésor Interdit  [Chrono Cross]

Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross Volume 2 (Release Date: 17th June, 2023)

Robo’s Theme [Chrono Trigger]
Wind Scene [Chrono Trigger]
Frog’s Theme [Chrono Trigger]
World Revolution [Chrono Trigger]
To Far Away Times [Chrono Trigger]
Scars of Time [Chrono Cross]

Mana Series (Release Date: 28th June, 2023)

Nuclear Fusion [Trials of Mana]
Sacrifice Part 3 [Trials of Mana]
Swivel [Trials of Mana]
Powell [Trials of Mana]
Meridian Child [Trials of Mana]
In Search of the Sword of Mana [Sword of Mana]
Battle 2 [Sword of Mana]

Octopath Traveler (Release Date: 19th June, 2023)

Battle at Journey’s End
Primrose, the Dancer
Daughter of the Dark God
Main Theme
Decisive Battle 2

SaGa Volume 3 (Release Date: 9th August, 2023)

Even Higher [Romancing SaGa re;universe]
Title Screen [Romancing SaGa 2]
Encounter with the Seven Heroes [Romancing SaGa 2]
The Ultimate Confrontation [Romancing SaGa 2]
Four Sinistrals Battle 1 [Romancing SaGa 3]
Four Sinistrals Battle 2 [Romancing SaGa 3]
The Ultimate Confrontation [Romancing SaGa 3]

Mana Volume 2 (Release Date: 30th August, 2023)

Darkness Nova [Legend of Mana]
Bejeweled City in Ruins [Legend of Mana]
Hometown of Domina [Legend of Mana]
Meridian Dance [Secret of Mana]
Into the Thick of It [Secret of Mana]
Danger [Secret of Mana]

Xenogears (Release Date: 20th September, 2023)

Blazing Knights
Soaring
Awakening


Bravely Default II Final Demo Is Now Available On Switch

Square Enix has announced that the Final Demo forÂ Bravely Default II is now available to download on the NintendoÂ Switch starting from today, ahead of the gameâ€™s release on 26 February 2021.

The Bravely Default II Final Demo features the first half of Chapter 1, the chapter following the Prologue, in which the four main characters begin their journey together.

Your party members will already have access to a number of jobs and abilities at the start of the demo, allowing you to make the most of the gameÊ¼s unique battle system while also enjoying the main story.Â

Many aspects of the Bravely Default II experience have been improved in response to fan feedback provided in the questionnaire issued alongside the first demo version, which was released in March 2020.

However, this demo is limited to five hours of playtime. You may start a new game and play the demo again from the beginning as many times as you like.
It’s important to note that save data from this demo cannot be transferred to the full version of theÂ game.

Your task is to uncover the truth behind the extraordinary events taking place inÂ Savalon, a city famous for being an oasis in a desolate desert.Â

You will encounter numerous Asterisk holders over the course of your adventure. Defeating them allows you to acquire new Asterisks and unlock the associatedÂ jobs.

Even though the demo has a five-hour time limit, Square Enix is teasing that there will be extra rewards available forÂ those who do manage to reach the end of the story within the time limit.


Paradox Announces Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2

After almost two decades (15 years!), one of gaming’s most beloved RPG titles will be receiving an unexpected sequel. Paradox Interactive has announced Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, a sequel to the 2004 PC classic, Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines.
Unveiled at GDC 2019 via Paradox’s Twitch channel, Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is being developed by Hardsuit Labs, unlike the first game which was developed by Troika Games. However, the upcoming sequel is still very much a first-person RPG, or ‘immersive sim’ similar to that of games like the Deus Ex franchise.

It will bleed you dry! Welcome to the world of #bloodlines2 – Pre-order Now: https://t.co/mHDFS6hRfQ pic.twitter.com/ohTiCD8T4R
â€” Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (@VtM_Bloodlines) March 22, 2019
According to the press release (via RPGSite), Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 will feature:

A vampire fantasy in a city filled with characters that react to your choices
A “forward-driving, fast-moving, melee-focused combat system”
Choosing sides between competing factions in “the war for Seattleâ€™s blood trade.”
Factions include the “old blood founders present since the cityâ€™s birth and the new blood steering the tech money redefining the city”

The game’s lead designer, Brian Mitsoda, said:

â€œOur aim has been to carry on the signature themes that made Bloodlines unique – particularly its dark tone, atmosphere, and humor – and I think that fans of the original will love what weâ€™re doing with Bloodlines 2.â€

Pre-orders for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is now open on Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Paradox Store for $59.99. A â€œBlood Moon Edition” containing the â€œSeason of the Wolfâ€ season pass and additional story content will be released post-launch and is now also available for pre-order at $89.99. However, the game is not yet available to pre-order for consoles.
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is slated to release for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One sometime in the first quarter of 2020. In the meantime, check out the announcement trailer for the upcoming game below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYvWfDxhm_s&w=560&h=315]


The Twisted Metal Series Lands On Peacock This July

The first official poster for the Twisted Metal live-action series adaptation has been revealed (via IGN), and it will premiere on the Peacock streaming service on 27 July 2023.

Twisted Metal stars Anthony Mackie as protagonist John Doe, a “smart-ass” delivery driver who transports supplies between settlements in a post-apocalyptic America. He has no memory of his past but gets a chance at a better life by making one special delivery across the dangerous landscape.
The series is described as an action comedy. Other characters include Sweet Tooth, who will be voiced by Will Arnett and physically performed by pro wrestler Samoa Joe. The cast also includes Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Cabral, Tahj Vaughans, and Neve Campbell. The show is being produced by Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions, and it’s the second TV adaptation of a first-party PlayStation game to arrive this year following HBO’s The Last Of Us.
There will be 10 episodes in Twisted Metal Season 1. Stay tuned for when we cover the teaser trailer, which is slated to arrive later tonight (Malaysian time).


Overwatch League Power Rankings: Stage 2, Week 1

1. LONDON SPITFIRE â€“Â Season Record: 8-4 ; Map Differential: +15
End of Stage 1: 1 (Unchanged)Â

The Spitfire bounced back from their narrow loss to Houston Outlaws with a convincing 3-2 comeback win against the New York Excelsior and cemented their position as top dogs in the league. The team is now leaner following the departures of Fissure and Rascal but make no mistake about it – they’ve found stability and a team core that will ensure they stay amongst the front runners in Stage 2.
2. New York Excelsior â€“Â Season Record: 10-2 ; Map Differential: +22
End of Stage 1: 2 (Unchanged)

The NYXL failed to avenge their playoff loss to the Spitfire this week but remain among the frontrunners in a DPS & tank favoring meta. Their decisiveness in approaching teamfights and potency of their DPS corps also make them one of the most enjoyable teams to watch. With Houston nipping on their heels, the NYXL would have the perfect opportunity to separate themselves from the pretenders as both teams meet next Sunday.
3. SEOUL DYNASTY â€“Season Record: 9-3 ; Map Differential: +15
End of Stage 1: 5 (Up 3)
Â
The boys are back in the groove and what better way to stomp their authority by 4-0-ing the team that killed off their Stage 1 playoff hopes, Los Angeles Valiant. Not only was the 4-0 win a show of power and return of the Dynasty to their comfort zone, it also showcased that Ryujehong & Co learn from their past results and improved on their reverse fixtures as they also improved their result (from 0-3 to 4-0 & 3-2 to 3-1) vs Valiant and Shock respectively. A repeat of Stage 1’s opening week matches is on the cards next week as they face the resurgent Dallas Fuel and improving Los Angeles Gladiators.
4. Houston Outlaws â€“ Season Record: 9-3 ; Map Differential: +22
End of Stage 1: 4 (Unchanged)

They were mighty impressive against the Spitfire and seem to have their London rivals’ number dialled up as they successfully countered everything the Spitfire threw at them. Avenging their playoff loss to the Spitfire was indeed sweet but we feel that this team has lots to catch up in terms of how the meta is evolving. Do not let their 4-0 win over the Uprising cloud the fact that it was a much closer series than the final results and we seem them struggling as the season progresses. The likes of Fusion seem to have grasped the meta better, and with NYXL waiting around the corner next week, expect the Outlaws to run out of steam come mid-Stage 2.
5. Philadelphia Fusion â€“Season Record: 8-4 ; Map Differential: +4
End of Stage 1: 7 (Up 2)

What a difference a week’s rest and a meta change has made for the Fusion. They brushed aside both the Uprising and Mayhem 4-0 to be the only team that didn’t drop a map all week ahead of a challenging week 2, where they face tougher competition in the Outlaws and Spitfire. The combination of ShadowBurn and Carpe is buffed up by another DPS star in the making,Â Josh ‘EQO‘ Corona whose more aggressive Genji plays is perfect complement to ShadowBurn’s more patient style. Opposition teams will have it harder in preparing for the Fusion onslaught as Stage 2 progresses which puts them in a commanding position.
6. Los Angeles Valiant â€“Season Record: 8-4 ; Map Differential: +12
End of Stage 1: 5 (Down 1)

Everyone took notice when the Valiant shocked Dynasty 3-0 in Week 5 of Stage 1. Is this the Valiant at their fullest potential or is this result a one-off?. Sadly tho for the Valiant fans, it’s the latter. The Valiant players may have claimed that they played badly following he loss but let’s give credit where it’s due – the Dynasty were better on every aspect throughout the four maps. The 3-0 win may have clouded some fans’ assumptions on how strong this team is but we believe that the shift from the Mercy meta will hit several teams hard – and Valiant is one of them. Their schedule pits them against two teams who relish the departure of our Swiss medic – Shock and Fuel – so expect the Valiant to slide further come end of Week 2.

7. Boston Uprising â€“Season Record: 6-6 ; Map Differential: +2
End of Stage 1: 6 (Down 1)

Despite going 0-8 in total this week, the Uprising showed grit and remained as one of the most exciting young teams to follow in the Overwatch League. Their losses were expected but despite that, gave a spirited fight before going down to their fancier opponents. JonathanÂ “DreamKazper”Â Sanchez is turning into one of the most feared Genji players in the league and if he can find consistency, it won’t be long before the Uprising become one of the frontrunners in the league. Their loss to Houston was highly attributed to Gamsu failing to match the phenomenal Muma but expect to see them bounce back in Week 2 as they face the Excelsior and Mayhem.

8. Dallas Fuel â€“Â Season Record: 5-7 ; Map Differential: -7
End of Stage 1: 8 (Unchanged)

The Fuel notched their first-ever winning weekend as they brushed aside the Dragons and the Gladiators, both with the 3-1 score. The team is more coordinated and Taimou seeming to have found a second win, and probably calling to play tank as well. His Winston plays were impressive but props have to go to the new recruits – AKM and Rascal who enabled it. AKM brings top tier soldier play which allows Harryhook to focus on Lucio while Rascal fills in the Genji specialist role. However, we fear for Chipshajen and Cocco’s spots in the team as the current situation doesn’t seem to favor either players. Week 2’s matches vs Dynasty and Valiant will be a tougher test for this team and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.
9. Los Angeles Gladiators â€“Season Record: 5-7 ; Map Differential: -8
End of Stage 1: 8 (Unchanged)

The Gladiators are definitely more rounded than they were at the end of Stage 1 with the capture of Fissure from Spitfire but unless they make more similar moves while transfers are permitted, will be consigned to the bottom third of the standings due to other teams’ more impressive rosters. Their showdown with the Dragons in Week 2 cannot be any timelier following their loss to the Fuel, and a win is even more needed as they face the resurgent Seoul Dynasty on Sunday. A 1-1 Week 2 is on the cards for the Gladiators.
10. San Francisco Shock â€“ Season Record: 3-9; Map Differential: -14
End of Stage 1: 10 (Unchanged)

The analysts were lauding that Stage 2 is when the Shock improve their records, moreover with Dhak now able to use Lucio – a hero he’s more adept with. However his team’s record and performances showed otherwise. Dhak may be better at Lucio, but so are other teams’ healers. The Shock have moved away from over-relying on BabyBay and Danteh have stepped up his game but overall – the squad is lacking in so many areas that it is hard to see them peeling off the foot of the table. Their style may be the best counter to Seoul Dynasty, as seen from their impressive back-to-back showings against the Korean giants but that’s about it. Predictable, one-dimensional and may find themselves struggling to stave off the Florida Mayhem who’s been improving since Stage 2 kicked off.
11. Florida Mayhem â€“ Season Record: 1-11; Map Differential: -28
End of Stage 1: 11 (Unchanged)

They may have lost both their games but at least they weren’t walkovers. The Mayhem showed tons of improvement both on the mechanical side as well as team coordination in Week 1. The absence (or lack thereof) of Mercy’s resurrection allow this team to be more aggressive in their pushes and results are starting to show. The fact that they managed to steal a map from the NYXL is no mean feat and while we don’t see them climbing so far up the league, will give other teams a sterner test compared to Stage 1.
12. Shanghai Dragons â€“ Season Record: 0-12; Map Differential: -35Â
End of Stage 1: 12 (Unchanged)

Despite adding four players to the roster during the rest period, they were unable to compete due to visa issues so expect the Dragons to occupy this spot for a while. However, they’ve been on the uptrend since Week 3 of Stage 1 where their losses have been close calls and even against Valiant last week, were close to winning the Hanamura and King’s Row. The lack of the final blow in their team fights ultimately led to their losses but with added firepower coming in soon, the Dragons will be off the foot of the table before long.


Capcom Sound Team Smashes Stuff For The Audio Of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

One of the great recipes of a memorable and beloved game is the music and sound design. For a game series like Monster Hunter, creating the thunderous roars and other wild sounds of its various fauna has always been an adventure in itself.
The same holds true for Monster Hunter World and its upcoming major expansion Iceborne. In a recent interview and studio tour with Game Informer, the creative team behind Iceborne’s monsters, sounds, and music shed a bit of light on how they came up with the sounds and sights of Iceborne.
Iceborne sound designer Wakana Kuroiwa showed how she used a variety of objects and tools to create the sounds for Velkhana, one of the monsters in Iceborne. After analysing the crystalline and draconic nature of Velkhana, Wakana decided she would have to switch things up to avoid similarities with Legiana, another ice-type monster.
Velkhana, the new ice-type monster in Iceborne.
Ice blocks, a few hammers, wind chimes, and more were involved in the creation of Velkhana’s sounds. Wakana would smash the ice blocks and record the sounds of the ice breaking and cracking. To add in that crystalline touch, wind chimes were dragged on the broken ice blocks.
After all that, the recorded sounds would be processed in a studio to be edited into something more reminiscent of a monster rather than just stuff being smashed and dragged. This is just one of the many processes that the team goes through in creating unique sounds for the game. The team is also collaborating with Skywalker Sound and yes, they’re the people behind the sound effects for Star Wars.
Iceborne sound designed Wakana Kuroiwa in action.
Akihiko Narita, Iceborne’s music composer, was also there to explain a bit on how he came up with the game’s theme song and other music scores. The expansion’s theme song is a collaboration between himself and Yuko Komiyama, a senior of his from the Monster Hunter 2 era.

“So for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne we wanted a theme song that was a little cool and had a mystery behind it.”

– Akihiko Narita, Iceborne music composer.
A glimpse of Hoarforst Reach, the new map that comes with the Iceborne expansion.
A great working practice that the team held onto was a consistent back-and-forth communication between the sound design, music composition, and monster design staff. The emphasis on feedback and synergy is definitely something that will be visible in the end product.

“I’m involved in the visual and game design, but good sound makes the monster feel real. If we have something that feels realistic, then the player gets a different vibe. They feel different about it.”

– Koname Fujioka, Iceborne executive director and art director.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne will be available starting from 6 September 2019 for consoles. The PC version of the expansion has yet to be given a release date. The expansion will bring back some fan favourite monsters from past games and will feature a lot of new content.


Seems Like Hideo Kojima Is A Fan Of 12 Minutes…

Metal Gear and Death Stranding creator/director Hideo Kojima has mentioned his approval of the current indie darling adventure title 12 Minutes, which is out now for PC and Xbox consoles, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
He stated on Twitter that hasn’t been this engrossed with a game to this level since Inside.
“Once you get used to the overhead view and the controls, you won’t mind. It’s a game using intelligence. It’s like the Amiga games I used to play. I still haven’t cleared it yet, but it’s fun. I’m afraid of Dafoe’s visit!
I feel like Dafoe is going to come in the front door in ten or so minutes… Normally I’d welcome him, as I’m a huge fan of him, but after playing TWELVE MINUTES, I’m afraid he’s going to punch me. Nice casting though.”
He even made some movie comparisons in the game’s design and art, most notably the carpet pattern being similar to the one in The Shining and Dafoe’s voice similar to his previous role in The Lighthouse.
He has gone on record that 12 Minutes has inspired him to create another adventure game. Yeah, before he was known as the guy who made Metal Gear Solid, he was known for his adventure games Snatcher and Policenauts. Both games are also inspired by the films he watched when he was young.

"TWELVE MINUTES". It's Great! I lost track of time and just played it for about four hours! I haven't been into a game this much since INSIDE. A time loop adventure game and a good sense of style.  (1/2) pic.twitter.com/55GMsym5Jm
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) August 20, 2021

12 Minutes is a time-loop mystery adventure game starring Willem Dafoe, James McAvoy, and Daisy Ridley. We’ll get to reviewing that game when we have time. Heh.


Fairy Tail Forces Unite Is Now Live In Malaysia, Singapore & Philippines

Garena, in collaboration with manga publisher Kodansha, have announced that Fairy Tail Forces Unite is now available for download in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The free-to-play mobile RPG is based on the popular Japanese manga series Fairy Tail and will be open to all players for download starting from today. It is now available on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.Â
Fairy Tail Forces Unite has garnered more than 500,000 sign-ups across the two-week pre-registration period in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Fairy Tail Forces Unite is an official collaboration with Kodansha. It will feature the same characters and their voice actors from the original Fairy Tail animation, including Natsu, Lucy, and Gray.
Partner up with Fairy Tailâ€™s classic characters and experience the seriesâ€™ iconic scenes, specially recreated for mobile.

Relive your favourite Fairy Tail moments with the seriesâ€™ characters and original voice actors.

Fairy Tail Forces Unite features exciting turn-based combat gameplay, giving you the chance to immerse themselves in the fast-paced action characteristic of the series.
Experience an array of in-game mechanics, including 9 class types, battle formations, and magic beasts.
You will also have access to an inventory of powerful skills, including Fairy Tail classics such as Natsuâ€™s â€œFire Dragonâ€™s Roarâ€ and Erzaâ€™s â€œHeaven’s Wheel Armor: Blumenblattâ€.

Start your journey by choosing from 9 distinct classes, each with its own unique skills and abilities. Requip, Force, Velocity, Soundwave, Sleet, Guardian, Alphabet, Elixir, and Cure â€“ your choice will determine what type of wizard you will be.

Download and register your team in Fairy Tail Forces Unite to claim the SS-Class Erza character. Known as Titania and the big sister in Fairy Tail, Erzaâ€™s mastery of Requip magic means that she will be able to counter any enemy by instantly changing her weapon and armour types.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ALvnpayXw8U


Lucioball Returns to Overwatch Next Week

The official Overwatch Twitter account just confirmed that next Overwatch seasonal event – the 2018 Summer Games – drops next week bringing back the highly popular Lucioball with it.
It’s a few weeks late considering the World Cup just concluded in July but hey – better late than never right? We really don’t mind the change of pace to be honest.

Youâ€™ll get a kick out of this! âš½
Team up with your friends for Summer Games on August 9. pic.twitter.com/VSyxMDTrc3
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) August 3, 2018
Not much was revealed but we should expect competitive/ ranked play for the mode, as well as limited-time summer-themed hero skins to be available throughout the period. I don’t know about you but don’t you think it would be awesome to see the ball replaced with the Wrecking Ball mech?
We’ll keep you updated with more info as we receive them.


PASKAL’s Adrian Teh’s Next Action Film Is The Assistant; Out This March

Adrian Teh, the director behind Malaysian films PASKAL and Wira, will be releasing another film under the Sony Pictures Entertainment Malaysia brand. And yes, it’s going to be an action film albeit with a bit of drama.
The action-thriller is called The Assistant, and it stars Iedil Dzuhrie and Hairul Azreen, the latter being a highlight actor for Adrian Teh’s many films. The film is about a man named Zafik (Iedil Dzuhrie) who was wrongfully imprisoned. After he loses everything during incarceration, he vows to seek revenge after being released and conveniently gets the aid of the unhinged and “shoot first, ask questions later” Feroz (Hairul Azreen).
(L-R): Hairul Azreen, Iedil Dzuhrie, Simon Foo (Sony Pictures MY), Adrian Teh (director), Henley Hii, Coby Chong
The film also stars Farali Khan as Sofia and Henley Hii as Sam, the latter being another actor who is in many Adrian Teh’s films. As to why Sony Pictures want to fund and distribute The Assistant? The company’s managing director Simon Foo said during the film’s official press conference that he is a fan of Adrian’s work.
“We are big fans of Adrian’s work and are proud to be a part of bringing this stunning, action-packed film to moviegoers across Malaysia. We value the role local films play in enriching the tapestry of our local film industry and starting new conversations and it is our hope that Malaysian audiences join in our enthusiasm.”
The Assistant is on an RM6 million budget, features more technical action scenes than before, is considered an improvised version of Wira according to Adrian, and claims to be more than an action film thanks to its narrative and focus on drama. It’s also one of the rare Malaysian films to earn an 18PL rating, which is the equivalent of an M18 and R rating in films worldwide.
Adrian also said that The Assistant has the “least amount of serious film and stunt injuries compared to PASKAL and Wira”. Make of that what you will.
The Assistant will be out in Malaysian cinemas on 10th March. Stay tuned to Kakuchopurei for the film review. Check out the action-tastic trailer, movie poster, and stills below.


SNK Remembers Last Blade With Its Latest Samurai Shodown Addition

Better late than never, eh? SNK makes a throwback to one of its revered fighting games onto 2019’s Samurai Shodown in DLC form.
That’s right: Hibiki from The Last Blade games makes her way into the game as a guest DLC character, putting her issen sword technique & fast running speed to great use.

She will be available on 28th April.


Kakuchopurei’s Best Of 2019: Ace Combat 7

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown successfully revived a genre long-lost in the steady stream of mindless battle royales and MOBAs saturating the market; the arcade flight sim. Itâ€™s been a whopping 12 years since the last major instalment in the Ace Combat franchise, let alone any other lesser-known arcade flight sim franchises.
Ace Combat is essentially Konamiâ€™s Metal Gear but with fighter jets and the same melodramatic political war themes contained in a convoluted and confusing plot. Oh, and donâ€™t forget the threat of ominous-sounding weapons of mass destruction.
Ace Combat 7 plays almost exactly like its predecessors from more than a decade ago, which is both good and bad in equal measure. Older fans of the franchise can just jump back in and get their flying mojo back in a few sorties.

Some fans might deride the lack of true innovation in terms of gameplay mechanics, but that isn’t much of a problem considering how good the core dogfight & flight gameplay still remain after all these years. The old adage applies; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Plus, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the best the franchise has ever looked, with dynamic weather effects and almost-photorealistic jets.

There are still several qualms I have about the game, like sparse checkpoints and unbalanced difficulty spikes, but this is basically the Ace Combat game I’ve been waiting for all this time.

As further proof of how good the game is, I personally don’t like playing online multiplayer games, or even multiplayer modes in any game. However, Ace Combat 7‘s multiplayer managed to get me hooked with its brief but intense bursts of dogfighting, which is high praise coming from someone like me.


What’s With The Space Jam Sequel?

Space Jam: A New Legacy is coming out later this year, and thanks to a new Entertainment Weekly exclusive, we now know what the film is about.
It involves Don Cheadle who plays a dude named AI G Rhythm and virtual reality, with Lebron James and the Looney Tunes somehow involved in it. Here’s the synopsis:

Playing a heightened version of himself, James struggles to relate to [Cedric Joe]â€™s Dom, whoâ€™s much more interested in creating games than playing them. When Domâ€™s tech skills draw the attention of a CGI humanoid named Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle), the father-son duo get sucked into the Warner 3000 entertainment â€˜Server-verse,â€™ with the A.I. kidnapping Dom in the hopes of stealing some of the Kingâ€™s followers (IRL he has about 80 million on Instagram).

And to stop AI G Rhythm, save his son, and escape, he has to round up the Looney Tunes -Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Lola Bunny, etc.- and defeat the Good Squad. I’m sure the film will spin a yarn so silly to lead us to basketball, but you’re gonna be watching Space Jam: A New Legacy for the basketball and live-action/2D animation action & shameless product tie-ins, not for its plot.
Anyway, more pics via Entertainment Weekly below.


Singapore Indie Studio Wins First Place At Big Indie Pitch

Cuisineer, a game from an indie developer from Singapore, BattleBrew Productions, has won first place at the Big Indie Pitch competition.
The Big Indie Pitch is a regular event run by the folks over at PCGamesInsider.biz and Steel Media. The event gives indie developers the chance to pitch their games to industry experts and journalists in a speed-dating-style format. Participating indie developers will receive the opportunity to get feedback on their games, but stand a chance to win prizes such as promotional packages and opportunities to promote their games. This means a small studio like BattleBrew Productions will be getting the marketing help sorely needed from Steel Media and other game sites to get more worth of mouth and PR.
Developed by BattleBrew Productions, Cuisineer is a rogue-lite dungeon crawler combined with a restaurant simulator. It looks like what if Diner Dash meets a rogue-lite like Hades. While managing their restaurant, players will need to engage in combat by going dungeon crawling as well in order to get the resources for their cooking.

Don't you wish you could dash into another dimension?
… or not.#gamdev #indiedev pic.twitter.com/tccwkCZ8bw
— Pom @ Cuisineer (@cuisineer) October 20, 2021

Previous winners include Behind the Frame and Rain on Your Parade. You can stay up to date on what BattleBrew Productions is up to on their Twitter account or their official website here.


Soccer Story Is An Open World Football RPG With Balls; Coming Soon For Nintendo Switch

Publisher No More Robots and developer PanicBarn are releasing a new game involving football. No, not American football; the REAL kind.
Both publisher and developer have unveiled Soccer Story, a comedic-tone open-world RPG about solving puzzles and saving the world with your magic soccer ball. The game will be out on Nintendo Switch later in 2022; no other consoles or even a PC release has been made official yet. Here’s the official description:
“It’s time to head out and kick that ball all over the place, solving puzzles and problems that require a good smash with a soccer ball. Along the way, you’ll need to best bad guys in 1v1s, compete in a range of different sports (with your soccer ball, of course), and sometimes use your brain just as much as your balls In a world that has long forgotten The Beautiful Game, can you remind them why soccer is top of the table, and best the most formidable teams, including the local toddlers and a group of sharks?”
Soccer Story features goal-oriented quests and side-missions to complete over 15+ hours of gameplay. If this piques your interest, you can sign up for the game’s beta here. Check out the intro trailer below, featuring 2D pixel graphics and a lot of ball-kicking.


Indie Cyberpunk RPG Neon Blood Launches In 2023

Publishers Meridiem Games and Gammera Nest, and developer ChaoticBrain Studio have announced that cyberpunk pixel art RPG Neon Blood will launch for the PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in 2023
The year is 2053, and after the devastation of World War III, humanity has been reduced to existing in a single macropolis called Viridis, which is made up of two cities, the luxurious Bright City and the dystopian Blind City.
Axel McCoin, a detective from Blind City, finds himself motivated by his ideals to rebel against the injustices caused by the social separation between the two cities. Further motivated by the social inequalities that exist in society, he becomes a symbol of revolution to the people who share his ideals. On his adventure, Axel will meet powerful allies who will help him in his quest as well as enemies who will stand in his way, such as Ruby Emerald who will do everything in her power to derail Axel’s plans.
Neon Blood unveils an elaborate and deep story with a cyberpunk theme that serves as a thread to tell the story of Axel and the relationships he will establish throughout his adventure. Character interaction and exploration will lead Axel through the metropolis of Viridis revealing the different realities of the two cities to players.
Neon Blood has been created using stunning 2.5D visuals, based on the use of 2D sprites in pixel art with 3D-modelled environments, maintaining an aesthetic differentiation between the 2D characters and the 3D environments. Players will explore the two deeply contrasting cities with markedly different aesthetics – the futuristic sci-fi cityscape of Bright City and the dark, gritty cyberpunk-inspired Blind City.
Players will also use the investigative skills of detective Axel McCoin to reveal the dark secrets of Viridis and set in motion a revolution that could destroy the foundations of society.
Check out the trailer below:


This Death Stranding Song Made Kojima Cry

Death Stranding has been out for several days now, and PS4 players are digging into Hideo Kojima’s new divisive game. While the game may look incredibly pretty (mostly thanks to Guerilla Games’ Decima Engine), it also features an original soundtrack of its own.
According to the synth-pop band Chvrches, it was their song in the game that made Kojima cry. The track, also titled ‘Death Stranding‘, is an electronic epic which was written specifically for the game’s ending.

Speaking with BBC‘s Radio 1 Newsbeat, the band that was a “dream feedback” from Kojima. Band member Martin Doherty said:

 “He (Hideo Kojima) wanted us to go and write a song in our style, something that’s a quintessential Chvrches song.
Lauren worked on the theme lyrically, I think expertly, because it stands alone as a Chvrches record – but it is also deeply connected to the game.”

The band had the privilege of watching Kojima play through the first part of Death Stranding. Band member Iain Cook said:

“That was really important to soak in the atmosphere of the game and get a sense of what it looked like and what it felt like.
“When we went to write, it came about quite quickly and quite naturally.”

Death Stranding wasn’t the first game that the band has made music for. They’ve previously written songs for FIFA 14, Gran Turismo 6, Forza Horizon 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, and Forza Horizon 3.
However, Doherty said that the process for making music in Death Stranding was a very different experience compared to their previous work in other games:

“It’s usually several calls and every single person needs to be satisfied.
It’s not really an enjoyable experience.
But because Kojima has creative autonomy, it was as simple as him saying ‘This is everything that I wanted, let’s move on’.
We really enjoyed that.
Personally, it’s my favourite thing that we’ve ever done.”

Death Stranding is out now for the PS4. In the meantime, check out our review of the game here, and listen to Chvrches’ Death Stranding song below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tae8F4gkfiw&w=560&h=315]


This Pac-Man Figurine Is Artsy & Blocky As Hell

So there’s this French artist and sculptor named Richard Orlinski who is renowned for his blue/white/red gorilla and t-rex sculpture, all created around the “Born Wild” concept. They’re pretty iconic: here’s a refresher on how they look like:

What’s this got to do with video games? Easy: the renowned artist has taken a stab at recreating Pac-Man in his “Born Wild” image. Bandai Namco announced that it’s selling its limited edition 18-cm resin Pac-Man figurine for 129.99 Euros (RM603.39 give or take).

It’s pretty dang expensive, but it’s slick and is a must-have for your desk(s). You can pre-order them now via the links below; they’ll be available this June.
Pac-Man Orlinski Figurine: Yellow
Pac-Man Orlinski Figurine: Black


Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Adds In New Island To Chase Yellow Birds In

Last year’s best action-adventure open-world samurai game Ghost of Tsushima is getting a PS4 and PS5 Director’s Cut edition this 20th August.
The new Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut will not only have the original game and all the additional multiplayer content, but also a brand-new adventure set on Iki Island. Basically this is a new story chapter featuring Jin and the adventures he’ll have on Iki, investigating rumours of a Mongol presence. The island will feature new environments, new armour and horse for Jin, new mini-games, new techniques, new enemy types, and more.

The Director’s Cut will also have PS5 exclusive features like 4K resolution options, 60fps frame rate, DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, 3D audio enhancements, and most importantly, Japanese lip sync for those people who didn’t like the lip-syncing of the original.. And yes, you can transfer your PS4 Ghost of Tsushima save to PS5 to pick up where you left off. The new Iki island content is available at the start of Act 2 in the main game.
The game will cost US$69.99 on PS5 and US$59.99 on PS4. Those who own a copy of the game can upgrade to Director’s Cut PS4 version for US$19.99. PS5 owners who have the PS4 copy of the OG game will have to pay US$29.99 to upgrade to the Director’s Cut version; next-gen tax, I guess.
More details will be revealed closer to August. Enjoy the screenshots and trailer in the meantime.


Here’s A Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition Tier List From Singapore’s Finest

So Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition is out, non-binary ex-bosses and all. And one of Asia’s top SFV players has dished out his own tier list after months of play.
RZR|Xian said on a OneEsports piece that this version of Street Fighter 5 is the most balanced so far. He added in obvious top-tier folks like M.Bison (Dictator), Urien, and Rashid, but also makes a case for middle-tier fighters like Birdie, Sakura, and Lucia.
He also mentioned that guys like Falke, F.A.N.G (his previous main character before Ibuki), and Alex are still reserving their spot at the lowest part of this tier food chain. The fact that there’s no S+ character prove that there is no single overpowered character with a bad matchup at all.
Regardless, the list is viable and is a good reference point to see how your main stacks up in the new and ever-growing SF meta. Let’s break it down, complete with Xian’s quotes. Tiermaker pic at the bottom.
S-

Urien
M.Bison
Chun-Li
Rashid
Kolin

“Each of these characters has a strong V-Trigger, a good neutral game, and very few bad matchups. Disclaimer: Chun-Li is here because everyone says she’s top-tier right now. She has the tools to remain there.”
A+

Ibuki
Akuma
Necalli
Abigail
Laura
G
Zeku
Guile

“The majority of the fighters here were either Season 4 top tier material with new nerfs, or characters with significant buffs. Despite Ibuki’s nerfs, her V-Skill 2 opens up an entirely new playstyle worthy for tournament play. You’ll definitely be seeing some surprises from myself when the next Capcom Pro Tour starts!”
A-

Blanka
Birdie
Poison
Kage
Karin
Cody
Karin
Cammy
R.Mika
Ed
Gill
Lucia
Sakura
Zangief
Menat
Vega
Balrog
Ken
Juri

“This is basically a list of characters that everybody likes to use as their secondary. Most of the top players will be able to fall back on one of these characters to cover any bad matchups.Â
Honourable mentions should go to Cody and Poison. These two have a lot of potential to climb higher up the tier list as time goes by. R.Mika is still annoying due to all of her 50-50 mixups; however, she’s not good enough to go up to A+.
B

Ryu
Nash
Falke
Sagat
F.A.N.G
Dhalsim
Alex
E.Honda

“Good luck winning a tournament playing any one of these guys. You’ll never know though; miracles do happen!”

Do check out the rest of his insights here.Â


Nioh 2 Release Date Officially Announced

For those of you who are into tough-as-nails games that punish you for the slightest mistakes, you’ve probably already enjoyed the first Nioh. If you haven’t then you have ample time to get yourself acquainted because the sequel is coming out in about four months.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJq7nvv_Z6s&w=560&h=315]
A new Nioh 2 release date trailer just dropped and it’s now confirmed that the game will be launched on 13 March 2020. There’s no news of the game coming to any other platforms besides the PS4 so it’s safe to assume that it’s a confirmed PS4 exclusive.
The complete edition of the first game was released nine months after the original came out for the PS4 so there might still be hope for PC players.
For those of you who never got the chance to demo Nioh 2 at any events or during the closed beta, fret not. The open beta starts tomorrow 1 November and will be playable until 10 November 2019.