Left 4 Dead Creators Team Up With Warner Bros. For New Co-Op Zombie Shooter

After the “success” of Evolve, Turtle Rock Studios decide to take a break from game development and recoup. So what are they doing now to make a comeback? By sticking to what they do best: co-op shooters involving the undead.
That’s what they’re doing with new partners Warner Bros. Games with an all-new title Back 4 Blood. I’m guessing the “4” is for the number of players in the game.

We're back… https://t.co/FfakvfDWG3 #Back4Blood @TurtleRock pic.twitter.com/3viv18II02
— Back 4 Blood (@back4blood) March 14, 2019

There’s also an F.A.Q about the game. Let’s post some of the more relevant answers here:

We know it’s a co-op zombie first-person shooter; they’re going back to their roots for this one.
The game will be out for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
The game will be a premium AAA title.
It’s not a sequel to Left 4 Dead; it’s a brand-new game.
The game will have PvP and a campaign mode.
No, it’ll not have a battle royale mode.

Guess we’ll have to wait for more info later this year. Hooray for L4D fans out there who are still playing the game up to this day.


Action RPG MMO Lost Ark Will Is Now In Closed Beta

The 2014 Korean MMO action RPG Lost Ark looks really good and has been shaping up to be quite a hit as years go by. So it’s only natural that it’s coming out in English 7 years later.
Better late than never, right? Anyway, the game’s Western closed beta is available right now and is handled by Amazon Games. The game will be out in full later in early 2022. Here’s a quote from Amazon Games:
“We are proud to be Smilegate RPG’s partner in the West and have been working tirelessly with them to provide Lost Ark fans with the best game experience possible. Players around the world have shown their enthusiasm for Lost Ark and our closed beta is a chance for players to experience it for themselves and provide feedback to our teams as we ready for launch.”
The closed beta will run until 11 November and will feature the new Martial Artist Striker subclass, as well as a bunch of dungeons and raids.

How To Get Into The Lost Ark English Closed Beta

Head to playlostark.com.
Buy the founder’s pack for US$15 minimum, up to US$100.
Alternatively, sign up for the closed beta and hope you get picked. The selection process is random.

GLFH!


Anthem Guide: Inscriptions & Perks

Article originally on PlayStation Galaxy. Check out the original here.Â
Youâ€™re probably wondering what those symbols and added perks your gears have. If youâ€™ve played a lot of Anthem this past week, then you will probably still tinkering with your Javelin build and still scratching your head. If you missed our review for Anthem, you can read itÂ here.
Those small details are what they callÂ Inscriptions. These so-called Inscriptions are perks that give your Javelin, weapons, and gears more than what it offers. These enhancements can be elemental damage, a Shield or Armor boost, you name it. While it does seem easy to read and some of the labels are self-explanatory, they might not work as intended. In a recent update that went live last week Friday, some of the Inscriptions were useless, others donâ€™t quite fit in its category. However, BioWare made changes and fixed the problem.

What Are Inscriptions?

In Anthem, what areÂ InscriptionsÂ you may ask? These are the add-on perks your gears have. Each gear, may it be weapons, components, and gears, has its own set of enhancements. Please do take note thatÂ Common weapons and gears do not have Inscriptions. They are only made available higher rarities from Uncommon to Legendary.
There are two specific icons: a â€œGearâ€ icon and a â€œJavelinâ€ icon. The latter shows a person symbol, while the former simply shows a â€œgearâ€ symbol. The â€˜Gearâ€™ represents the specific itemâ€™s improvements, while the â€˜Javelinâ€™ icon tells you that the enhancements are across all gears and weapons equipped.
How are these Inscriptions made? Can they be manually crafted? The answer is yes. Every time you craft weapons and gears via the Forge or the Vault, it will randomly add enhancements. You read it right, they are randomly added to your items without you having any control of it. If you have intentions of crafting then salvaging when the results do not fit your liking, then youâ€™re simply wasting materials and embers.
Weapon Inscriptions

Weap + X% Dmg / Simply means additional of weapon/gun damage.
Weap + X% Ammo / The number of ammunition your guns can carry as reserves.
Weap + X% Fire Rate / Increases your gunâ€™s firing rate.
Weap + X% Clip / Increases the number of bullets your gun can pack in one magazine.
Weap + X% Aim / Improves accuracy.
Weap â€“ X% Recoil Aim / Lowers recoil while aiming.
Weap â€“ X% Recoil / Lowers recoil when shooting from the hip.
Weap +% Blast Dmg / Only works with Grenade Launchers
[Weapon Type] + X% Ammo / A weapon class specific that improves for ammunition.
[Weapon Type] +% Dmg / A weapon class specific that improves its damage.

Javelin Specific Inscriptions

Shield +% Max / Increases your shield bar (blue).
Shield +% Delay / Lowers the delay from recharging the shield bar.
Shield +-% Refresh / Enhances how fast your shield will regenerate.
Armor +% Max / Increases yourÂ armor bar (green).
Armor +% Dmg Resist / Increases your Javelin armorâ€™s resistance to damage.
[Element] +% Resist / Improves Javelinâ€™s resistance to a particular element (Fire, Ice, Lightning, Acid).
Overheat +-% Delay / Lowers the duration of how long your Javelin recovers from overheating.
+% Pickup Radius / Improves how far your Javelin can pick up health and ammo drops.
+% Thruster Life / Improves the durability of your Javelinâ€™s thrusters from overheating.
+% Thruster Speed / Improves how quickly your Javelinâ€™s thrusters recover from overheat.

Javelin Combat Specific Inscriptions

Combo +% Dmg / Increases combo damage.
Combo +% Targets / Chains additional enemies when triggering a combo on primed enemy units.
Critical +% Dmg / Increases critical damage on weak points.
Elemental +% Dmg / Elemental-based damage increase.
Effect +-% / Increases all status effect, including how quickly the ailments prime enemy targets for combos.
[Element] Effect +-% / Increases all elemental status effect.
Melee +% Dmg / Increases melee damage.
Ultimate +% Dmg / Increases your Javelinâ€™s ultimate damage.
Ultimate +% Speed / Improves cooldown of the ultimate skill.
+% Dmg / Increases all damage.
+% Force / Improves how quick you can stagger enemy units.

Drop Rate Inscriptions

Ammo +% Drop Rate / More ammo drops from killing enemy units.
Repair +% Drop Rate / More repair kit drops from killing enemy units.
Supply +% Drop Rate / More repair kit and ammo drop from killing enemies.

Drop Quality Inscriptions

Repair +% Amnt / More health when picking up repair kits.
Ammo +% Pickup AmntÂ / More ammo when picking up ammo kits.
Support +% Luck / Gives higher chances of getting better item loots. Base luck of 100% for all players, 90% cap for improvements to Luck Rate (a total of 190%).
+% Harvest Bonus / Better crafting material loots â€“ compounds and embers.

Any changes with the Inscriptions will be updated immediately.


Masters Of The Universe Revelation Part 2 Trailer Teases Epic Conclusion

Netflix has released a new trailer for the conclusion of its two-part series, Masters Of The Universe Revelation. Part 2 will consist of five episodes that run for 30 minutes each. The series will release its final five episodes onÂ 23 November 2021.
Netflix released the following synopsis for Part 2 ofÂ Revelation:
The war for Eternia continues in the second part of â€œMasters of the Universe: Revelation,â€ an innovative and action-packed animated series that picks up where the iconic characters left off. With Skeletor now wielding the Sword of Power, the weary heroes of Eternia must band together to fight back against the forces of evil in a thrilling and epic conclusion to the two-part series.
The voice cast includes Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn, Chris Wood as Prince Adam/He-Man, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Teela, Liam Cunningham as Man-At-Arms, Stephen Root as Cringer, Diedrich Bader as King Randor/Trap Jaw, Griffin Newman as Orko, Tiffany Smith as Andra, Henry Rollins as Tri-Klop, original Skeletor Alan Oppenheimer as Moss Man, Susan Eisenberg as Sorceress, Alicia Silverstone as Queen Marlena, Justin Long as Roboto, Jason Mewes as Stinkor, Phil LaMarr as He-Ro, Tony Todd as Scare Glow, Cree Summer as Priestess, Kevin Michael Richardson as Beast Man and Kevin Conroy as Mer-Man.
Susan Corbin is the producer; executive producers are Frederic Soulie, Adam Bonnett, Christopher Keenan, and Rob David.
Part 1 premiered on 23 July 2021 on Netflix. You can check outÂ our review of that here.


Ubisoft Narrows Down Release Windows For Singapore-Made Game Skull & Bones, And Mario + Rabbids 2

Ubisoft has provided an update on its game releases for its current fiscal year report ending on 31 March, 2022. Yes, it includes the “stuck in development hell” pirate game Skull & Bones.
The elusive Singapore government-funded game that’s causing Ubisoft a bit of internal headache will be out before the end of its current fiscal year ending on 31 March, 2023. Other games slated to come out before that month next year include Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Chief corporate finance officer Frederick Duguet said on Ubisoft’s earnings call that the three games will be out after 1st October 2022, which is the second half of the fiscal year.
Since Mario + Rabbids 2 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora have a 2022 release date, they should arrive in the last three months of 2022. Skull & Bones? The game may be out between 2nd October 2022 to 30th March 2023, so it’s anyone’s guess. Here’s an excerpt from the call (via Video Games Chronicles)
“Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is coming on [the back of] the movie that we expect will be one of the biggest movies of the year, probably of the next few years, so we are confident that it’s going to be a big title,” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said during the company’s earnings call. On Skull & Bones, we have been working quite hard on that product so we plan to really bring something fresh to the market.”
When it comes to the pirate game, we’ll believe it when we see it.


Peacemaker Episode 4 Breakdown & Easter Eggs Explained

The fourth episode of Peacemaker Season 1 is now streaming on HBO GO and HBO Max. Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
The series will explore the origins of the character that Cena first portrayed in James Gunnâ€™s 2021 film,Â The Suicide Squad, which is already currently available on HBO GO.Â PeacemakerÂ isÂ a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it.
The series also stars Danielle Brooks as Adebayo, Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, Jennifer Holland as Harcourt, Steve Agee as Economos, Chukwudi Iwuji as Murn, and Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith.
In the meantime, you can check out my breakdown of the ending and easter eggs in The Suicide SquadÂ byÂ heading over here.
You can also check out my previous breakdowns of Peacemaker Episode 1, 2 and 3 here.

Peacemaker Mentions Matter-Eater Lad

It’s funny that Peacemaker mentions having seen Matter-Eater Lad eat an entire restaurant. Matter-Eater Lad (whose real name is Tenzil Kem) is a superhero, who is a member of the Legion Of Super-Heroes from the future. He has the power to eat almost literally anything, hence the name. He’s been the butt of a joke for years now in the comic book community.
The Live-Action White Dragon Costume Looks Pretty Accurate

Peacemaker’s father, Auggie Smith, was the White Dragon, a white supremacist supervillain, as I previously mentioned in Episode 1, 2, and 3 breakdowns. Compare the live-action one with the comic book version below:

Peacemaker’s Father Forced Him To Kill A Man When He Was A Kid And His Brother Died

In what seems to be a repressed memory, Peacemaker’s father forced him to kill a person when he was just a kid. He also lost his brother, who apparently died due to a seizure.
Big Twist: Clemson Murn Is A Butterfly

The biggest twist from this episode is that Murn has been a butterfly all along, which was actually foreshadowed when he somehow survived the explosion in the previous episode.
We only have four episodes to go. Until then, excelsior!


The New Mortal Kombat Trailer Is Full Of R-Rated Goodness & Easter Eggs

The Mortal Kombat 2021 movie trailer is out right now, and it’s looking very, VERY slick.

Get over here! Watch the trailer for Mortal Kombat now — in theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max April 16. #MortalKombatMovie pic.twitter.com/eFhQhbdNUl
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) February 18, 2021

Mortal Kombat lore hounds and fans are going to get a kick out of the trailer, even if the show’s palette seems a little muted. Still, it’s keeping to “gritty reboot” theme. The story will still retain the “humans represent Earth Realm, fight in Mortal Kombat tournament to protect it from Outworld conquest by Shao Kahn” storyline. Just with an R-rating and an MMA fighter jumping in.
All The Key Scenes For You MK Fans Out There
The first few seconds show Jax Briggs on a Brazil recon mission being attacked by Sub-Zero/Bi-Han; the ninja who would eventually become Noob Saibot. Early on, we get a key scene on how Jax got his metal arms: Sub-Zero froze his original limbs and smashes them in a clearly R-rated scene.

We also get a scene with Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion kicking ninja ass in his human form in a quiet Japanese homestead. Also in R-rated form, since he uses his rope darts to kill them. Looks like they’re going to put in Scorpion’s tragic backstory in the film. You know, the one where he and his family are killed by the Lin Kuei ninjas; the same faction Sub-Zero was in?

Kano has his eye lasers early on. He only got them in Mortal Kombat 3.

We get some glimpses of Outworld, complete with Shao Kahn’s statue.

And here’s purple ninja Mileena in all her Tarkatan teethy glory.

Reptile, the hidden MK green ninja, also makes a stealthy appearance. See the top right, scales and all.

Liu Kang can now use his flame powers to summon a fire dragon. Not quite a green one like in MK2, but still equally cool.

The MK 2021 reboot will also feature Goro as a combatant. You can’t have an MK film without that display of CGI dragon prince goodness, eh?

They also gave us a glimpse at the match of the century: Sub-Zero vs Scorpion.

Here’s Scorpion with the money shot, saying his patented line “Get Over Here!”.

Can’t have an MK movie with an R-rating without a key shot of Kano doing his fatality from the first film, eh? And on Reptile too!

The movie will be out on 16th April in selected cinemas worldwide and HBO Max.


Sonic Origins Is A Collection Of Classic Titles Coming This June

Sega has announced that Sonic Origins will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on 23 June 2022.
Sonic Origins is an all-new multi-game collection reintroducing the fan-favorite 2D Sonic titles that were originally released on the SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive platform; Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD, digitally remastered for current generation platforms. Developed by SEGA, Sonic Origins delivers the legendary, non-stop Sonic action found in the original games, while providing a fresh twist with remastered visuals, added features, new content and modes, and more.
In Sonic Origins, players will join Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to race at lightning speeds across remastered versions of iconic levels like the Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone, for a classic supersonic experience modernized for current generation platforms. Players can switch between the Classic or Anniversary Modes to spin through loop-de-loops and score rings on a mission to save the world from the evil Dr. Eggman. With Sonic Origins, Sonic fans new and returning can celebrate the classic Sonic games that built the legendary franchise into what it is today. With new remastered visuals, characters, game modes, game zones, and more, Sonic Origins brings the best of the original Sonic titles to the modern day.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Let’s Look Back At Our Favourite Satoshi Urushihara Perky Pieces

As I’ve reported earlier, the Langrisser remake is coming to English markets early 2020 for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, which means more strategy RPG goodness for old-school fans. Unfortunately, it comes with a pretty plain remixed art style and none of the perky charm of the original.
I am referring to the works of Satoshi Urushihara, a manga artist and illustrator known for bringing the Langrisser series, and its successor series called Growlanser, to life with his distinctive style of beautiful characters. While anime fans remember his work from Plastic Little and Legend of Lemnear, he’s more well-known for the aforementioned games.
When you spot a Satoshi Urushihara female protagonist or waifu, you KNOW it’s from him from the eyes and the face, to what they wear and how they’re stylized.Â His portrayal of the female body, form, and anime face is intricately detailed in the practical places and also, how shall I put it, shapely. Hell, even his guys look a tad feminine if it were not for their “chiselled” and sharp-angled eyes.
I point to Exhibit A and B as titular examples.

I should also point out that he’s known as the “Master of Breasts” in the Japanese manga and illustrator community. And as much as he himself wants to see an artist like Ryo Nagi interpret the Langrisser designs he created, a lot of JRPG fans do miss the previous art style that showcases the right amount of skin and class.

I feel that the left one is the improved artwork, given how distinct and stylized it is in contrast to the Korean mobile damsel archetyped, pigeon-nosed, dead- eyes, & neutered piece on the right. The eyes bare the soul of its subject, and the leftmost piece has that, and more, in spades.
Some things age better than others.Â With that said, let’s reminisce Satoshi’s past works that are etched in Japanese video game history.
Langrisser Series

Growlanser Series

Your artwork will still live onto the minds and hearts of JRPG fans everywhere because stuff like this will not fly in today’s generation of conservative audience.


NEZHA Is A Chinese Animated Masterpiece On Par With Disney Pixar’s Best

The best animated movies usually hail from either western countries like the United States (Disney Pixar, Dreamworks) or Japan (the home of anime), but not modern China, albeit being an economic global superpower known for their advanced tech. That is changing with the arrival of NEZHA, China’s first truly great animated movie.
NEZHA is not only currently the highest-grossing animated movie in China, but also the highest-grossing movie in the country this year (beating the likes of box office juggernauts Avengers Endgame and Lion King), and for very good reason. It is a masterpiece of animation and one that deserves to be watched by everyone.
A Mythological Reboot For A New Generation

I’ll be honest. I have never heard of the Chinese mythological deity Ne Zha before watching this animated movie. It turns out that he is one of the most popular figures in Chinese myth, second only to Sun Wukong (or the Monkey King).In fact, this movie is just another in a long line of media adaptations for Ne Zha, including in video games like the MOBA Smite and MMORPG Warframe.
The 2019 NEZHA animated movie is a retelling of his origins, following the story of a young boy who suffers from discrimination and prejudice due to the circumstances of his birth. He is the reincarnation of an evil spheric artefact called the Demon Pill, causing him to be born with demonic features and fiery abilities.

The premise of NEZHA‘s plot is tied with Chinese mythology, so the beginning of the movie dumps viewers with a mountain of exposition. For those unfamiliar with the folklore, it might be confusing at first, but the movie doesn’t dwell on that and smartly decides to focus on the good stuff instead; namely the brilliant character development and exhilarating action sequences.

Character Development So Good That Reduced Me To Tears

Frankly, I went into NEZHA with middling expectations, but to my pleasant surprise, it managed to blow my mind. I started the movie hating the main protagonist Ne Zha, who seems to be extremely unlikable and too much of an annoying troublemaker who wants to make the life of everyone around him a living hell.
Just as I was starting to worry that I’d be stuck with a mischievous and cheeky brat for an entire movie, the first flashback scene in the movie triggered a complete 180-degree turn of my perception for the Ne Zha. It provided the stepping stone for my understanding of why this character behaves like so and justifies his previously problematic traits.

As the movie progressed, I grew from initially hating Ne Zha to sympathising with his problems, which ultimately deeply resonated emotionally with me by the end of the movie, leaving me sobbing in my seat at certain times. This is further strengthened by his relationship with other characters in the movie, most notably his parents and a friendship with a spoiler-ish character who shall remain unnamed.

Without spoiling anything, the main theme of the movie is you alone decide your fate and whether you are good or bad, not destiny or circumstantial elements like ancestry, blood, status or origin of birth. Rising above what people think of you and being the best version of yourself is a difficult path, which Ne Zha endures throughout the movie.

The comedy in the movie is also another highlight of NEZHA. Most of the laughs come not only from the titular Ne Zha but also both of the major and minor supporting characters. These include the Ne Zha’s bumbling fat drunk of an immortal master, Taiyi Zhenren, and several recurring human characters whose sole purpose are seemingly for running gags.

Anime-Styled Dynamic & Kinetic Fight Scenes

It’s hard to believe that debut feature of director Jiaozi and animation studio Chengdu Coco Cartoon, as the animation is consistently breathtakingly beautiful and smoothly animated, on almost the same level of Disney Pixar movies. What distinguishes NEZHA from other usual animated fare is the dynamic and kinetic fighting scenes.

Viewers can clearly see each and every movement the characters make during fights. The choreography is intricate and a sight to behold, as Ne Zha and the others fight gracefully Ã  la animated movies like Dreamwork’s Kung Fu Panda.Â That’s not even mentioning the flashy and earth-shattering display of power Ã  la anime.
Remember, these are gods/deities or legendary heroes/figures fighting each other, resulting in awe-inspiring scenes that make your jaw drop. They’re not simply mindless screaming matches, so you don’t have to worry about that being too prevalent in the movie. Imagine kung fu masters dancing and that’s what you’re getting.
Inspiring For Other Aspiring Countries

The Malaysian animation industry is still quite lacking compared to those from Disney Pixar and Japanese studios, despite rapidly developing with our own movies like this year’s Upin And Ipin Keris Siamang Tunggal and Boboiboy The Movie 2. That’s why movies like NEZHA prove that Disney Pixar-level animated movies are possible even for countries who are not traditionally animated powerhouses.

NEZHA is a masterpiece of animation and a showcase for China to start flexing its newfound animation prowess. Do yourselves a favour and give this excellent animated movie a chance, I promise that you won’t regret it, especially if you’re generally a fan of animation.

FINAL SCORE: 90/100
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsklB-A3bYA&w=560&h=315]
We received a preview screening courtesy of TGV Cinemas Malaysia. NEZHA premieres in Malaysia on 26 September 2019.


Like A Dragon Gaiden Announced; Takes Place Between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza 7

Sega and its Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has announced a side story game taking place between major Yakuza titles.
The spin-off game is called Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and it focuses on Kiryu Kazuma after the events of Yakuza 6 and the story bits leading up to Yakuza 7.

This side story title will be more like the “classic” Yakuza titles. It’s not as big as past Yakuza/Like A Dragon games but still as important. The game is meant for fans who loved the series since the beginning.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will be out in 2023 for PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4.


World Of Warcraft: Dragonflight Pre-Expansion Patch Is Live

Champions of Azeroth can begin preparations for their journey to the Dragon Isles as the first of two pre-expansion patch phases is now live.
Check out what’s available today in phase one:

New Talent System

Players can now explore and set their new class talent trees, including the ability to save different loadouts tailored to their playstyle

Heads-up Display User Interface (HUD UI) Redesign

The first phase of updates for the HUD UI revamp gives players the ability to customize the base UI, including the location and size of action bars, player frames, and more

New Class/Race Combos:

All playable races can now be a rogue, priest or mage, with more new class/race combinations coming online as they become available in the future

Rated Solo Shuffle

Previously a brawl, players can now queue for this new rated PVP mode that joins 2v2, 3v3 and Rated Battlegrounds as a means to earn elite PVP rewards

Additional Accessibility Functionality

A variety of new functionality has been added that includes “press and hold” spellcasting, interact keys, gamepad support, and more

Check out the Dragonflight Pre-Expansion Patch Survival Guide from Hazelnuttygames, Naguura, and Cdew to help you prepare.

To celebrate the launch of pre-patch, we’re releasing “Legacies”, a new series of animated shorts! The first episode is available now on the World of Warcraft YouTube channel. In the same style as “Afterlives” from Shadowlands and “Warbringers” from Battle for Azeroth, “Legacies” follows Nozdormu, the former dragon aspect of time, on a search for clues as to what the future holds for the dragonflights.
You can check out all the details about the pre-expansion on Blizzard’s official blog post.


Here’s How You Can Win Yourself A Warcraft Movie Prop Or Two

Prop Store is running an online auction featuring some of the awesome props from the WarCraft movie from Duncan Jones. You know, the one that’s pretty dull but has great orc bits and CGI.
Here’s a sample of what you can win:
This Alliance sword and shield combo.

This Alliance Royal Guard steel blade sword.

Lothar’s Boomstick.

This Alliance lion banner, so you can piss your Horde friends and rivals off by brandishing this wherever you go.

A colour map of Azeroth.

This Orc bust.

The full catalogue will be available 1st of July. You can register and take part via this link.Â


After 26 Years, The Hexen Series Is Getting A Sequel Next Year

90s PC gamers may remember the old-school first-person shooter Heretic and its sequel Hexen. While Heretic was just Doom with fantasy weapons & monsters, Hexen had an open-world non-linear quest chain thing going on, and offered 3 heroes with different playstyles to choose from. Fun stuff, if you can play them via GoG.com.
But if you rather play a recent version of that, 1C Entertainment and 3D Realms has you sorted. The twoÂ have announced Graven, a dark fantasy first-person shooter that’s essentially a follow-up to the Heretic and Hexen series. This upcoming title features “old-school late 90s/early 2000s” 3D graphics and aesthetics, that same non-linear exploration and gameplay structure from Hexen, and a bevvy of weapons like lightning staffs, spellbooks with hard-hitting spells, swords, crossbows, and a staff you can beat people with.
If you’re hankering for more games from this recent resurgence in old-school shooters, you can get it either for PC or Nintendo Switch in 2021. Neo-retro shooty bang-bang trailer below.


PokÃ©mon Legends: Arceus Has An Early 2022 Release Date & New PokÃ©mon

Fans who want a new open-world action-adventure take on the PokÃ©mon franchise should keep an eye out for the Nintendo Switch exclusive PokÃ©mon Legends: Arceus.
The upcoming game, which looks brand-new gameplay-wise but still retains the turn-based combat of the past JRPG series that feels like it’s wearing out its welcome, is coming out for the Switch on 28th January 2022.
The title features a new Hisui region to explore which looks like medieval countryside Japan but with some steampunk technology or two thrown in, and some new mechanics like real-time PokÃ©mon riding and visible enemies to initiate turn-based battles with.
And of course, there are new PokÃ©mon like Wyrdeer, Basculegion, Hisuian Braviary, and the adorable Hisuian Growlithe (pictured below in that order).

Check out the gameplay trailer below.


The Legend Of Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom Gets Epic New Trailer During Nintendo Direct

During Nintendo Direct February 2023, Nintendo unveiled a new trailer for The Legend Of Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom. The sequel to 2017’s The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild is slated to launch for the Nintendo Switch on 12 May 2023.
In the trailer, we see Link wielding new weapons and mysterious new vehicles.
The synopsis to the game reads:
In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you’ll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?
Check out the trailer below:


New Ys Sequel Focuses On Young Adol; Takes Place Between Parts 1 & II

We’re getting a new Ys game, and unlike the recent Ys IX, it’s going to be a prequel.
New information about Ys X has surfaced according to Japanese insider ryokutya2089 (via Gematsu). Based on the key art below, Adol is younger and around the age when he appeared in Ys I & II.

He is also together with the game’s main heroine who uses a one-handed ax. Both their arms are connectrred by an aura-shaped cord, implying a tag-team mechanic of sorts. The game’s combat will be like Ys VI where it’s 1-versus-1, and may have Dark Souls-like elements. Perhaps the game will have bonfires and respawning enemies, as well as a soul-collecting mechanic?
Here are also a few points from a Famitsu interview with Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo about all things Ys-related:

Falcom wants to make older Ys titles playable on current hardware.
The Famitsu feature mentions an emphasis on providing new gameplay, as well as new scenarios, actions, and systems.
The title will take place in Eresia, though the writer of the Famitsu article paints this as speculation.
Toshihiro Kondo’s favorite Ys track is “To Make the End of Battle”.
Kondo emphasizes that Ys X is not a full-on Souls-like, as there is simply inspiration taken from the genre.
Kondo recommends any Ys game for newcomers. Later games like Ys VIII and IX shouldn’t be intimidating because they’re standalone titles.
Similar to Nayuta’s Switch release, Kondo wants to make older Ys games playable on modern hardware.
Ys X’s story will not be centered around the Romun Empire.
The Party Member system where you change characters and weapon attributes (Slash, Pierce & Strike) at will has received major changes, though it hasn’t yet been elaborated how.
Kondo heavily implies a multiplatform release.
Aside from Adol, Kondo’s favorite Ys character is Feena.


Oscar Isaac Is In Talks To Star In Marvel’s Moon Knight

It looks like Marvel may have found their Moon Knight. According to Deadline, Oscar Isaac (best known for roles in 2015’s Ex Machina and as Poe Dameron in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy) is in talks to portray the vigilante superhero on the Disney Plus series Moon Knight.
Moon Knight is often described as Marvel’s answer to DC’s Batman, but he’s actually more complicated. Moon Knight’s real name is Marc Spector, and he’s also a wealthy millionaire with gadgets and stuff. However, what distinguishes Moon Knight is that he also suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which means that he has multiple personalities.
Not only that, but he’s not just named Moon Knight for no reason. He has superhuman powers due to his connection to the Egyptian god Khonshu, which gives him enhanced strength, endurance and reflexes. He also wears an all-white costume at night, so you know that he’s not exactly all there mentally.
Most recently, he fought against the Avengers to steal their powers for Khonshu (in the Age Of Khonshu arc, check it out). He actually defeated the likes of Thor, Doctor Strange, and Ghost Rider, so we now know that he has the capacity to be more powerful than just a ‘crazy Batman’.
We now have our Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time until Oscar Isaac is confirmed as Moon Knight.


Nioh Sales Reach New Milestone Ahead Of Prequel’s Release

Team Ninja‘s Soulsborne-like action RPG Nioh has reached a new sales milestone, selling a whopping 3 million units since its early 2017 launch for the PS4 and later November 2017 release for the PC. In fact, the game recently celebrated its three-year anniversary on 7 February 2020.
Koei Tecmo announced the news with a tweet featuring unique commemorative artwork.

Today, NIOH celebrates its 3rd year anniversary, and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Thank you for your continued support! #NIOH #KTFamily pic.twitter.com/P0ZJVY3b5c
â€” KOEI TECMO EUROPE (@koeitecmoeurope) February 9, 2020
Nioh‘s sales milestone is a timely one because Nioh 2 will be releasing just next month on 13 March 2020. The prequel (the new game will be set before Nioh, chronologically) will allow players to create their own protagonist, which means they will no longer controlling previous protagonist William.
In other related news, Koei Tecmo recently confirmed that Nioh 2 will receive post-launch DLC.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WecbPjqclX8&w=560&h=315]


Retro-Inspired Platformer The Cub Announced For PC & Consoles

Untold Tales and Demagog Studio have announced The Cub for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). A release date has not been announced.
The Cub is a challenging platform parkour inspired by classic SEGA games of the 90s; The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Lion King, but with modern twists and ideas. Players can platform parkour through the remains of humanity, outwit evolved wildlife and dangerous hybrid flora, as well as crack environmental puzzles that keep you guessing and stay one step ahead of the wicked humans who pursuing you in a twisted apocalyptic safari hunt.
The story synopsis reads:
After the Great Ecological Catastrophe, the ultrarich flee to Mars and leave the rest to perish. But among them a small child who developed immunity to the hostile planet remains. Decades pass and those on Mars venture back to Earth to do recon. When they spot a small human child, The Cub, they immediately try to capture it. This sets off a journey of escape, exploration and discovery through the urban ruins of humanity coupled with frantic cat and mouse chases.


Sony Blames Marvel For Spider-Man Deal Breaking Down

Spider-Man no more? Sorry, Spidey and MCU fans, it looks like there won’t be a future for the wallcrawler in the MCU after negotiations between Marvel and Sony reached a dead end. According to Deadline, Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios won’t be able to produce any more Spider-Man movies after Sony deals reach a dead end.
The concern on both sides is ultimately money, as both Marvel Studios and Sony want a bigger slice of the pie. This is evident as Spider-Man: Far From Home recently broke records to become the highest-grossing Sony Pictures movie in history, surpassing even 2012’s Skyfall.
Sources say that Disney asked for 50/50 co-financing arrangement for future Spider-Man movies, as well as other movies related to the franchise like Venom 2 and the upcoming Morbius movie. Sony reportedly rejected the offer almost immediately without even considering or countering it.
Sony reportedly believes that the 50/50 request is too much and that they can survive without the MCU. It’s understandable to think about why Sony wanted out of the deal, as Disney is partly to blame for its greed over demanding fifty percent of box office revenue when they’re already receiving five percentÂ of first-dollar gross.
In an exclusive statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony said:

â€œMuch of todayâ€™s news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feigeâ€™s involvement in the franchise.
We are disappointed, but respect Disneyâ€™s decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live action Spider-Man film.
We hope this might change in the future, but understand that the many new responsibilities that Disney has given him â€“ including all their newly added Marvel properties â€“ do not allow time for him to work on IP they do not own.
Kevin is terrific and we are grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue.â€

Say goodbye to Spider-Man in the MCU, folks, Sony seems adamant on continuing the Spider-Man franchise on their own, even without Feige and Marvel Studios.


Resident Evil 3 Remake Demo Is Coming, More Gameplay Details Revealed

The first previews of Resident Evil 3 Remake are out, and that means more gameplay details for the upcoming game. Capcom has also announced that a Resident Evil 3 Remake demo is on its way, which is good news for any fan who can’t wait any longer.
Here’s what we know about Resident Evil 3 Remake so far:

Larger areas and some reimagined sequences in Raccoon City that dwarf those in the original game.
New shops and locations, including an expanded subway station, new labyrinthine sewer section, and a richly detailed doughnut shop.
City streets are wider and more open.
Jill has a new evade move (R1 + left stick) that lets players dodge zombies and other enemies. It’s a parry move of sorts and is much easier to execute than in the 1999 original.
She can also perform a Perfect Dodge by precisely pressing X as an enemy attack. Success scores you a slow-motion counter window to open fire.
Jillâ€™s knife doesnâ€™t degrade like the blades of Resident Evil 2 Remake, and itâ€™s no longer used as a self-defence item.
Ammo crafting from Resident Evil 2 Remake is back.
Environmental traps return. For instance, players can shoot red barrels to defeat groups of zombies or shoot electrical boxes to stun nearby threats.
Nemesis is bigger and stronger than ever, but he can be damaged by luring him near electrical boxes or explosive barrels to save ammo.
Nemesis will even occasionally drop valuable supply cases when you (temporarily) defeat him, which provide high-powered ammo and coveted weapon upgrades like mods (extended magazine, laser-dot sight, silencer, etc.)
The Hunter Gamma lurks within the bowels of Raccoon City. Stay away from its gaping maw to stay alive. Pack flame grenade rounds and look the devil in the mouth.

Players can also activate Assist Mode for easier difficulty, which features regenerating health, weaker enemies, more ammo, and a powerful assault rifle (similar to the 1999 originalâ€™s Easy Mode).

The Resident Evil 3 Remake is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 3 April 2020. In the meantime, check out almost 15 minutes of pure gameplay footage below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMSQVUDdQU&w=560&h=315]


Halo 3 Is Dropping On PC Master Chief Collection Next Week

Developer 343 Industries has announced thatÂ Halo 3Â will be arriving for PC as part of theÂ Halo: The Master Chief CollectionÂ next week onÂ 14 July 2020. Originally launching in 2007, it was the first entry in the franchise on the Xbox 360, but this latest version will be optimized for PC with up to 4K and at 60 FPS support.
This is the epic conclusion to the original Halo trilogy. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, Master Chief returns to uncover an ancient secret hidden beneath the sands of Africa, which could hold the key to humanityâ€™s salvation or destruction â€“ an object that could change the tide of the Human-Covenant conflict.

You can addÂ Halo 3Â to your wishlist onÂ SteamÂ or grab the entireÂ Halo: The Master Chief Collection for RM52 (this price is part of the ongoing Steam Summer Sale). Itâ€™s also available on the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox Game Pass.
The next title slated for release as part of the Halo The Master Chief Collection will be Halo 4, though the developer has yet to announce a release date or window. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zELle0UAEA&w=560&h=315]


Apex Legends Is 2019â€™s Quintessential Battle Royale Experience

Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One
Genre: Team-Based Battle Royale With Heroes
Apex Legends feels like a byproduct of a threesome between Overwatch, Titanfall 2 and Call of Duty Black Ops IIII’s Blackout.
As a result, it’s a beast on all fronts. The gunplay is good with many nuances throughout and each ‘Legend’ is unique in their own right which would cater to even the most mechanically ungifted of players.
Utilizing its superior gunplay, pre-established lore and attempting something unique which many people thought wasn’t possible, Apex Legends carves a specific niche for itself in the crowded battle royale scene currently ruled by Fortnite.
Of course, the idea of a hero-driven battle royale game isn’t novel. Paladins paved the trend with Realm Royale but Apex Legends outperforms Hi-Rez Studios’ offering in every discernible category.
So What Is Apex Legends?

Apex Legends is the latest offering from Respawn, the guys who made Titanfall and Titanfall 2.Â While it isn’t a direct sequel to these awesome, massively underrated shooters, Apex Legends is set in the same universe where superhuman soldiers that run on walls and get to call giant mechs to drop from the sky reside in.
“So it’s basically a reskinned Titanfall 2 with a different mode, right?”, you would say.
In a way, you are half correct. Apex Legends does share some similarity with Titanfall 2 including weapons used, albeit updated and slightly tweaked to better serve in a battle royale setting. For example, the V-47 Flatline and R-201 assault rifles seen in Titanfall 2 are now the VK-47 Flatline and R-301 respectively in Apex Legends.

However, there’s no wall-running nor Titans in Apex Legends, which is a massive bummer considering the huge map, cliffs and absence of fall damage in the game. Just imagine the potential verticality being brought into the game.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=innmNewjkuk&w=560&h=315]
An Atypical Battle Royale Game
At a mere 60 players per round compared to the traditional 100 (or 88 for Blackout at launch) in most battle royale titles, Apex Legends puts emphasis on squad play like no other.

Apex Legends passively encourages teamwork amongst its players by limiting the game to one single mode – which is a squad of threes made up of randoms or a pre-formed team.

The insertion mechanics was also designed to encourage teams to start strategizing early on via the concept of a ‘Jump Master’ who determines where his or her squad lands.

Members of the squad can suggest other locations but ultimately, it’s the Jump Master who has the final say. A feature to opt out of this and jump solo was introduced into the game a few days after launch which many would find out the hard way – in a game where everyone else operates in threes, there’s almost zero chance of a lone wolf winning the game on their own.
Several ‘High Tier’ loot areas are marked on the map during drop-in stage, alongside a randomly-placed (and moving) supply ship which is filled with weapons, gear and ammo which has quickly become a favourite landing spot of many. Once you’ve picked your spot, as all battle royale games go, it’s a mad dash to get yourself equipped before the other squads do.
Weapons can be customised with scopes, stock and extended magazines and unlike PUBG and Blackout where players have to manually remove and equip, attachments in Apex Legends automatically swap onto the new weapon as long as it is compatible.
I Am Legend
Unlike other battle royale games where you start rounds with preset characters – or for PUBG, in tighty whities – you get to choose which ‘Legend’ you want to play as just before the round starts. At present, there are eight legends to pick from, two of which are locked until you have enough in-game credits at your disposal.
Just like Overwatch heroes and their abilities, Apex Legends’ legends are unique and distinctive from one another. There’s Wraith, who’s a Sombra and Symmetra hybrid thanks to her disappearing act and ability to create portals. There’s also combat medic Lifeline a.k.a Lady Lucio who is a must pick for every squad. Bangalore is a genderbent Soldier 76, Gibraltar is Sumo Reinhardt, and Pathfinder is mobile Bastion.

Bloodhound is a wall-hack & tracker extraordinaire, and the two unlockable legends have their quirks; the tricky Mirage is able to conjure holographic copies of himself and Caustic looks like a cross between Dr. Junkenstein and Moira.

OK. Too many Overwatch references there, but you get the idea.

Apex Legends‘ characters jump into each round with tactical and passive abilities at their disposal. They also have a third ‘Ultimate’ ability which can be used at anytime once their Ult meter is full which instantly adds depth to the gameplay even from the offset. And they’re all fun to play as. If you want to find out which character suits you, you should check out our awesome guide.Â
Royale With Cheese. Dripping With Them.

Your standard battle royale strategies can still be implemented into Apex Legends as at the end of the day, it all boils down to one’s ability and smarts to outlast their enemies.

Pretty mediocre when it comes to landing shots? Fret not as nothing is stopping you from getting creative with your engagements which somehow levels the playing field.
My squad and I are not the most gifted players out there when it comes to aiming down the sights but we’ve so far notched seven #1 finishes, alongside twelve top 3 finishes since launch. Not bad eh?Â A mixture of good positioning, timely calls and clever use of the surroundings led to that decent record.

[wpvideo IqgeHK6c ]
Respawn have added an ingenious solution for communication issues plaguing multiplayer games with their ‘ping’ feature. This enables random squadmates to convey messages and instructions sans microphone. From suggesting a landing area, to which location to head next, to alerting enemies nearby, this feature makes Apex Legends a much more pleasant game to play with strangers but it isn’t without its flaws.

Perhaps Respawn could emulate several QoL and social features as found on Overwatch such as grouping up with strangers, endorsements and avoiding certain players.

The lack of wall running is supplemented with the introduction of zip lines, launch balloons and for teams with Wraith in them, her portals which can be used by anyone on the map. Spot several squads skirmishing below and want a piece of the action but lack that skill to hit shots from afar? Call in Bangalore’s Rolling Thunder ability which rains artillery strike across a specified area.
Mirage’s decoy is a lifesaver especially when picked out first by an ambushing enemy squad while Bloodhound’s ability to track enemies and detect those behind walls makes him a valuable close-quarters asset.

It takes a while to get used to these legends which thankfully, only eight available at present. There are plans to add more heroes in the near future though, so expect the meta and play styles to shift accordingly.

Play For Free … Pay to Win?
The fact that Apex Legends is free to play is astounding. In terms of gameplay, it is a very well-polished game befitting of Respawn’s AAA studio credentials. Although, we do still encounter annoying connectivity issues such as rubberbanding, getting kicked out midway or after rounds, and the inability to remain grouped with that helpful, friendly random stranger we come across. Nonetheless, it’s still early days and you can expect these issues to be rectified soon.
But wait! Respawn is owned by EA and is there any of those Star Wars Battlefront II shenanigans going about here?
Luckily for us, Apex Legends isn’t a pay-to-win game. Sure you can plonk a sizeable amount of cash to buy Apex Coins which in turn can be used to buy Apex Packs but doing so will only reward you with cosmetic items which give no in-game advantages whatsoever.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMJb_mkqynU&w=560&h=315]
Strategic-thinking players may opt for harder-to-spot skins for that mini competitive edge and these corresponding skins can be randomly obtained via Apex Packs or ‘crafted’ using Crafting Materials which may drop alongside the cosmetic items (via Apex Packs).
As for the weapons, obtaining say, an Legendary skin for the Peacekeeper shotgun ensures that any Peacekeeper you get from loot boxes and drops will carry that skin. When dropped, the next player to pick it up will get to see the same skin. That’s about it.
Peak Battle Royale
In our books, Apex Legends is easily among the top two when it comes to battle royale games right now. The combination of fun gunplay, fluidity of movement, the uniqueness of each hero and the longevity of the game puts it in serious contention for Fortnite‘s crown.
Fans of Fortnite may not like the more strategic approach of Apex Legends, as well as the absence of building mechanics. However, we don’t think EA and Respawn were gunning for that crowd to begin with. Those in their crosshairs are players who got fatigued by the stale progress of PUBG as well as folks who enjoyed Black Ops IIII‘s Blackout but wanted more variables when it comes to game strategies.

Apex Legends has the potential to grow up to be a valedictorian, and become a super star athlete with good looks that’d make the cut in any 90s boyband.

Pros

Fun and balanced gunplay throughout.
AAA quality in a free-to-play game.
A good mixture of legends which opens up lots of strategies.
Refreshing take on the battle royale and hero shooters.

Cons

Too few heroes.
QoL and social features could use a massive upgrade
Lacking in the stats and record tracking department

Final Score: 90/100


Last Year’s E3 In A Nutshell …

To hype ourselves up for E3 2018, or “Xmas for Gamers”, let’s take a look back at the previous year’s “highlights”… don’t worry. The Ubisoft dance sequence is a mainstay.
While a few of us at Kakuchopurei have attended the biggest video games event in the world several times, we figured who better than our ‘E3 Veteran’, Jon Leo to compile some of the most cringeworthy memorable moments from E32017.
Take it away, Jon!
[wpvideo 85fkOO13]
E3 2018 kicks off June 12 2018. Expect more E3 stuff from us at Kakuchopurei.com as we head closer to the big date.


Forza 7’s New Race Regulations Is Up For Testing

Turn 10’s Forza Motorsports 7 will test the penalty system through the ‘Forza Race Regulations’ Open Beta. Just like how Gran Turismo Sport boasts its own official ruleset based on real-world racing rulebooks, Forza is not late to the party to introduce their own system.

The Forza Race Regulations has been available in Forza Motorsports 7 since it’s March update, but back then it was in closed beta which only certain testers had access to.
The March update introduced penalties for time advantages by cutting the track, but since the April update, these penalties affect the drivers’ final position on the post-race leaderboard.
There are also various UI tweaks along the April update, for instance;

The â€œUnder Investigationâ€ language is omitted and now the system provides a concise response of whether a penalty has been applied or not
Post-race screen highlights the number of penalties each player has received,
Turn 10’s dedicated lobby rule-sets configurable on the server side, meaning users do not need to download anything every time a small tweak has been done.

For discerning drivers who want to provide feedback for the Race Regulations system, you can do so on the Forza Forums here.


SDCC 2019: Marvel Reveals Future Of X-Men Comics

During Marvel’s Next Big Thing panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, the comics publisher announced the new lineup of X-Men titles to come out of Jonathan Hickman’s upcoming House of X and Powers of X crossover events.
Check out the creative teams and covers for each of the new X-Men comics below (via CBR):
X-Men #1

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
A NEW ERA DAWNS FOR THE X-MEN!
The X-Men find themselves in a whole new world of possibilityâ€¦ and things have never been better! Jonathan Hickman (HOUSE OF X, POWERS OF X, SECRET WARS) and superstar artist Leinil Yu (NEW AVENGERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA) reveal the saga of Cyclops and his hand-picked squad of mutant powerhouses!
On sale October 2019

Excalibur #1

Written by TINI HOWARD
Penciled by MARCUS TO
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale October 2019
A NEW DAY IS FORGED!
Mutantkind has always been specialâ€¦as has their relationship with the worldâ€”or WORLDSâ€”around them. As this new era dawns, a new connection forms between mutants and the magic of the worldâ€¦ and that of Otherworld! Can the new Captain Britain forge a new way through the chaos with her companions Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Rictorâ€¦and Apocalypse?!?

Marauders #1

Written by GERRY DUGGAN
Penciled by MATTEO LOLLI
Cover by RUSSEL DAUTERMAN
On sale October 2019
THE X-MEN SAIL AT DAWN!
Even in this glorious new dawn, Mutantkind faces hardships and oppression from their human counterparts. Led by Captain Kate Pryde and funded by Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, Marauders Storm, Pyro, Bishop, and Iceman sail the seas of the world to protect those hated and feared!

New Mutants #1

Issue 1 Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN & ED BRISSON
Issue 2 Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by ROD REIS
Cover by ROD REIS
On sale November 2019
THE NEXT GENERATION CLAIMS THE FUTURE!
The classic New Mutants (Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Mirage, Karma, Magik, and Cypher) get together with a few new friends (Chamber, Mondo) to seek out their missing member and share the good newsâ€¦ a mission that takes them into space alongside the Starjammers!

Fallen Angels #1

Written by BRYAN EDWARD HILL
Penciled by SZYMON KUDRANSKI
Cover by ASHLEY WITTER
On sale November 2019
NOT ALL BELONG IN PARADISE!
Psylocke finds herself in this new world of Mutantkind unsure of her place in itâ€¦ but when a face from her past returns only to be killed, she seeks help from others who feel similar to get vengeance. Cable and X-23 join Kwannon for a personal mission that could jeopardize all Mutantkind!

X-Force #1

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Penciled by JOSHUA CASSARA
Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER
On sale November 2019
THE COST OF THE FUTURE ISNâ€™T CHEAP.
X-Force is the CIA of the mutant worldâ€”one half intelligence branch, one half special ops. Beast, Jean Grey, and Sage on one side, Wolverine, Kid Omega and Domino on the other. In a perfect world, there would be no need for an X-Force. Weâ€™re not thereâ€¦ yet.

This new lineup of X-Men comics will hopefully mark a triumphant return for the Children Of The Atom to the Marvel Universe, after serving a diminished role in the comics just because Fox owns the rights to the X-Men cinematic rights.
To celebrate the long storied history of the X-Men and their upcoming return to prominence in Marvel Comics, check out the awesome rock-ish Japanese version of the opening to the classic 1992 X-Men animated series.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rSw4Xl5qfs&w=560&h=315]


There’s A New Buzz Lightyear Origin Story Movie Coming In 2022

As if Disney isn’t content with remaking its past animated flicks, it’s now going to republish the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, a sci-fi space hero series with a toy line in the Toy Story franchise.
The movie is called Lightyear and will become the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear, possibly scrubbing the 2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command animated series out of canon. Captain America’s Chris Evans will be voicing Buzz Lightyear.

Blasting into theaters June 17, 2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by @ChrisEvans, get ready to go to “infinity and beyond” with Lightyear. ? ??? pic.twitter.com/LdYXlN33sP
— Pixar (@Pixar) December 11, 2020

The film will be out 17th June 2022. We do wonder how original Buzz Lightyear voice actor Tim Allen will fit in all of this, or if he’s even a part of this new Disney canon-altering.


The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Pack Drops Next Month

EA and Maxis have announced that The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack is coming simultaneously to PC and Mac via Origin and Steam, PS4 and Xbox One on 1 June 2021. In The Sims 4Â Dream Home Decorator,Â design-savvyÂ playersÂ can unleash their creativity and transform clientsâ€™ spaces from drab to fab with the ultimate home makeover experience.
The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack producer Jill Johnson said:

â€œWithÂ The Sims 4Â Dream Home Decorator, we wanted to give Simmers the tools and resources to expand their building skillset and express their interior design talents in exciting new ways.
Our community has always impressed us through their ingenuity and creativity in building beautiful homes for their Sims, and we canâ€™t wait to see their incredible designs and renovation reveals with the new Interior Decorator Freelance career.â€

With the new Interior Decorator Freelance career, Sims can put their knack for interior design to the test and make their clientsâ€™ home makeover dreams a reality. For a successful renovation project, players will need to use their imagination to realize a spaceâ€™s full potential and redesign it according to their clientsâ€™ needs.
As every project requires a personalized touch, Sims must get to know their clients, taking into account their needs, budget, Likes and Dislikes to bring new life into spaces and earn a glowing recommendation. Whether itâ€™s revamping a single room, redoing an entire lot or refurbishing commercial spaces, an Interior Decoratorâ€™s goal is to make their clients happy.
The Sims 4Â Dream Home DecoratorÂ introduces a slew of new and flexible furnishings that will help players bring their magic touch to their renovations, from sectional sofas, modular shelving to built-in stovetops and ovens. Once a renovation project is complete, Simmers can show off the newly decorated spaces with a big reveal to see how their clients react and create Before and After comparisons to show off their incredible transformations.
The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and will be available for US$19.99. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


ASUS Announces ROG Phone 5s x PUBG NEW STATE Elite Showmatch

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced a collaboration between the ROG Phone 5s series and PUBG NEW STATE, a next-generation battle royal mobile title from global gaming publisher KRAFTON.
Starting in November, this exciting new collaboration will present a global series of elite showmatches, ROG Phone 5s x PUBG NEW STATE Elite Showmatch, with a combined prize pot of gaming gear worth over US$50,0001. The campaign will feature a series of 100-player online tournaments across the EMEA and APAC regions.
With the participation of a combined total of over 20 top influencers from around the globe, players can join the survival matches to pit their skills against their local influencers. These influencers will not only join the battles but will also live-stream the matches on their social media accounts, allowing the entire world to watch the combat.
With the boosted performance of the ROG Phone 5 series, including the integrated Snapdragon Elite Gaming of the QualcommÂ® Snapdragon 888+ Mobile Platform, up to 18 GB RAM, and the famous X Mode, the unbeatable gaming phone can give users the ultimate PUBG NEW STATE experience.
Prizes will consist of gaming gear to a combined total prize value of over US$50,000. The overall winner will receive a full gaming hardware upgrade, plus a ROG Phone 5s gaming phone. ROG fans in participating regions, including Germany, France, UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, Japan, and Taiwan, can also get unique in-game items â€” including ROG-branded parachutes and T-shirts â€” to put on their game characters.
For more details and information, you can visit the official website here.


Valorant Champions Tour Game Changers Southeast Asia Series Kicks Off Next Month

Riot Games Southeast Asia announces the launch of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Game Changers Southeast Asia, a new series that will create new opportunities and exposure for women and other marginalized genders within the VALORANT Southeast Asia esports ecosystem.
VCT Game Changers SEA will supplement the ongoing competitive season by providing a pro player circuit that reflects the diversity and global nature of the Valorant community and player talent seen in the region.
What is the VCT Game Changers SEA Series?
In collaboration with FSL, SEA’s premier women gaming circuit, VCT Game Changers SEA will be a monthly series aimed at creating new opportunities and exposure for marginalised genders within Valorant to engage in the highest level of competitive play. The first tournament kicks off online and boasts a monthly prize pool of US$5,000.
The series consists of 4 stages – FSL Open – a monthly open group stage tournament, from which 8 teams will advance to the playoffs. In the playoffs, teams will compete in a best-of-three double-elimination format with the finals played in a best-of-five format. Teams will earn points and be placed on the FSL Open Leaderboard. The top 3 ranking teams will qualify for FSL Elite.
FSL Open Overtime (September 2-5 2021) – Teams that place 4th to 19th on the leaderboard will compete for 3 qualifying spots to FSL Elite.
FSL Wildcard (September 25 – October 3 2021) – Open to teams who have not qualified for FSL Elite or teams new to the circuit. The top 2 teams will qualify for FSL Elite.
FSL Elite (October 23, 24, 30, 31 2021) – The final tournament in October where 8 of the top teams in the region will play for a prize pool of US$25,000, with the winning team crowned as the first VCT Game Changers Southeast Asia Champion.
Registrations have started for this monthâ€™s FSL Open IV and will be closing on 24 June 2021. Individuals interested in participating can register here, and teams can register here to compete for qualification into the group stages. The upcoming dates for the VCT Game Changers SEA.
Series are as follows:
FSL Open IV:

Registration: June 10 – 24
Open Group: June 26 – 27
Playoffs: July 1- 4

FSL Open V:

Registration: July 6 – 15
Open Group: July 19 – 21
Playoffs: July 29 – August 1

FSL Open VI:

Registration: August 3 – 12
Open Group: August 16 – 18
Playoffs: August 26-29

FSL Open Overtime: September 2 – 5
FSL Wildcard:

Registration: September 9 – 19
Group Stage: September 25 – 26
Playoffs: October 1-3

FSL Elite: October 23, 24, 30, 31
For more information on participant eligibility requirements, please refer to the FSL Game Changers rules and guidelines.
Where can I follow the action on VCT Game Changers SEA?
All playoff matches will be broadcasted so you can catch all the action live! The upcoming FSL Open IV Playoffs will be broadcasted in English, Thai, and Bahasa Indonesia. The broadcast dates and times are:
Playoffs Day 1: July 1st from 8:00PM to 11:30PM GMT+8
Playoffs Day 2: July 2nd from 8:00PM to 11:30PM GMT+8
Semifinals: July 3rd from 12:00PM to 7:30PM GMT+8
Finals: July 4th from 12:00PM to 9:00PM GMT+8
The Playoffs will be live on FSL Twitch, FSL FPS Facebook (for English), FSL TH Twitch (for Thai), and FSL YouTube (for Bahasa Indonesia). Additional details on broadcasts will be released closer to the event.
For the latest updates on VCT Game Changers SEA, follow FSL on Facebook and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/FSLFPSGames/posts/309824997457638


What You Need To Know About This Year’s QuakeCon

QuakeCon is perhaps the most influential and important PC gaming convention, with critics going as far as to dub it the “Woodstock of video game conventions”. It’s already been 21 years since the last QuakeCon in 1996, and we now have the next one on the horizon courtesy of publisher Bethesda.
Here’s what we know so far:

QuakeCon 2018 will be from 9th August to 12th August.
The keynote is scheduled for 10th August and will be streamed at 9am PT right here. That’s 11th August at midnight in Malaysia/SG time, which is an hour before 11pm on 10th August.
QuakeCon 2018 will be featuring two prominent games from E3 2018: Fallout 76 and Doom Eternal. Personally, I want to see more of the latter since all we got was a nifty-if-short teaser last month. At least we’re getting gameplay demos from id Software’s Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin.
Speaking of Fallout 76, Todd Howard will be showing off the game’s character systems and perks on 12th August midnight on the same stream. Again, that will happen an hour before 11pm on 11th August.
Bethesda will also promise updates on Quake Champions, Rage 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online as well.
If you’re into esports, the Quake Champions and The Elder Scrolls: Legends multi-day tournaments will be happening during the aforementioned week.

This sounds like a huge blast, rivalled only by the DreamHack expo series. Check out the pictures below:


Tekken 8 Trailer Leaks The Return Of Bryan Fury

The official Tekken Instagram account accidentally leaked the reveal of Bryan Fury returning as a playable character in Tekken 8. Bryan made his debut in Tekken 5 and has appeared in all Tekken games ever since.
Tekken 8 is slated to launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. However, there is no release date or release window as of yet.
The roster so far includes Nina Williams, Kazuya Mishima, Jin Kazama, Paul Phoenix, Lars Alexandersson, Jack-8, Jun Kazama, Ling Xioayu, Leroy Smith, Asuka Kazama, Lili and Hwoarang.
Check out the latest trailer below (we’ll update with the official trailer when that releases):


NieR Reincarnation International English Version Confirmed

During the Square Enix Tokyo Game Show 2020 panel, the company revealed that the upcoming NieR Reincarnation mobile game would officially receive an international English version.
There is already an official Twitter account for the English version of the game as well. The only information available right now is the confirmation of an English release.

Square Enix announced a North American and European release for #NieRReincarnation at #TGS2020. To commemorate the occasion, we've opened our official social media accounts!We'll keep you updated with details about the game, so stay tuned!#NieRReinEN #NieR pic.twitter.com/IOxBVW7dIQ— NieR Re?in?carnation EN (@NieRReinEN) September 24, 2020

In Japan, there is currently a pre-registration campaign for the game, but not one for the English version as of yet. NieR Reincarnation is coming to Android and iOS devices, but no release date has been announced.
 In the meantime, check out the brand new trailer below:


Netflix’s Kate Is An Entertaining But Forgettable Action Flick

You’ve probably seen something like Netflix’s Kate several times before. It’s another action movie with a badass nigh-unstoppable protagonist going on a killing spree. This movie is clearly trying to be the female equivalent of John Wick, though it never really accomplishes much to distinguish itself.
The beautiful and brilliant Mary Elizabeth Winstead channels her role of Huntress from 2020’s Birds Of Prey in Kate; playing an assassin simply named, well, Kate. The premise of the movie is that she basically has only 24 hours left to live after being poisoned and she’s out to exact revenge on those who wronged her, accompanied by a Japanese teenager named Ani (played by a 16-year-old Miku Martineau in her debut feature film role).
KATE (2021),Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Kate”)
Unfortunately, the narrative is too predictable and formulaic to the point that most viewers will probably be seeing the plot twist (if you can call it that) coming from a mile away. Kate doesn’t do anything new with its plot and characters, but it’s entertaining enough due to several merits, including the brutal action, performances, setting and music.
The best thing about Kate is definitely Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate. If you’re watching this movie, you’re probably watching it because of her in the first place, and I don’t blame you. She’s been playing more and more physical-intensive roles lately, and it shows. She can definitely pull off a strong and silent assassin, but is Kate a compelling character? Well, she’s mostly generic, except for her one amusing quirk where she’s constantly searching for a sentimental bottle of a particular carbonated drink.
KATE (2021),Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Kate”)
Miku Martineau does well enough as the loud and energetic Ani-chan. Predictably, her main purpose in the story’s narrative is to serve as a catalyst for Kate’s emotional growth as they both bond throughout the duration of the movie. She performs well enough in her debut feature film role in Kate, so the young actress definitely deserves to be given more opportunities in the future.
Some viewers might be interested in the backdrop of the movie’s setting, as Kate is set almost entirely in Tokyo, Japan. However, this movie does what almost every Hollywood movie does in portraying the iconic Japanese city. Neon lights, clubs, and lots of Yakuza. The whole movie is practically just a gauntlet of Kate going around Tokyo killing Yakuza gang members. Don’t expect to see much of Japanese culture, with the exception of perhaps the music.
KATE (2021),Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Kate”)
Even the Japanese actors are mostly relegated to forgettable minor roles as supporting characters. Heck, even Woody Harrelson’s character, Varick, doesn’t really get much to do in the movie. Fans of Japanese music, especially J-pop or J-rock, will like the choices in Kate. These include some good tracks that I discovered by Shazam-ing them during the movie, such as BAND-MAID, Aural Vampire, Reol, and more. There’s even a cameo role by Japanese singer/actor MIYAVI as one of the Yakuza gang members, so look out for that.
If you’re looking for a popcorn action movie to check out and chill out to, you can’t go wrong with Netflix’s Kate. It ticks all the boxes of a decent action flick, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll be listing this movie in your list of top ten action films.
FINAL SCORE: 50/100
We received an early access screener of Kate courtesy of Netflix Malaysia.
The show is slated to premiere on Netflix on 10 September 2021.


The Walking Dead’s Negan Joins Tekken 7 Cast

TekkenÂ 7 is getting more characters for their new season which include the return of veteran fighters such as Lei Wulong and Anna Williams. However, the biggest announcement was the totally unexpected addition in the form the bat-swinging baddie, from AMCâ€™s television showÂ The Walking Dead, Negan.

Introducing a brand new lineup of warriors stepping into the TEKKEN 7 ring! With Season 2 of the TEKKEN 7 Season Pass, fighters such as Anna Williams, Lei Wulong and Negan from AMC’s The Walking Dead join the fight! pic.twitter.com/Yvu1KI2RBZ
â€” TEKKEN (@TEKKEN) August 6, 2018
Announced by the franchise’s seriesÂ director Katsuhiro Harada and game designer Michael Murray after the Tekken 7 finals at EVO2018 earlier today, Harada revealed the inclusion of the six new characters starting with Anna and Lei via gameplay video. No gameplay for Negan though, as he only came at the end in the form of character art alongside his trusty barbed-wired bat Lucille. Based on the short voice-over snippet, we have a feeling that Jeffrey Dean Morgan will be lending his voice to the character he played on TV to Tekken 7.
The three remaining season 2 characters are yet to be announced.
According to Tekken 7 publisher Bandai Namco,Â Tekken 7â€™s season 2 pass is coming soon to PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One. Crossover characters appearing on Tekken 7 isn’t new as in the gameâ€™s first season pass, players were granted access to non-traditional Tekken characters such as Geese Howard (Fatal Fury) and Noctis fromÂ Final Fantasy 15 as DLC.


New Oppenheimer Trailer Reveals More Of The Cast, Including Florence Pugh

United International Pictures Malaysia has unveiled a new trailer for Oppenheimer. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is an IMAX-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.
The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Emily Blunt as his wife, biologist and botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Oscar® winner Matt Damon portrays General Leslie Groves Jr., director of the Manhattan Project, and Robert Downey, Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh plays psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, Benny Safdie plays theoretical physicist Edward Teller, Michael Angarano plays Robert Serber and Josh Hartnett plays pioneering American nuclear scientist Ernest Lawrence. Oppenheimer also stars Oscar winner Rami Malek and reunites Nolan with eight-time Oscar® nominated actor, writer and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh.
The cast includes Dane DeHaan (Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), Dylan Arnold (Halloween franchise), David Krumholtz (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Matthew Modine (The Dark Knight Rises). The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan.
Oppenheimer is filmed in a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film photography including, for the first time ever, sections in IMAX black and white analogue photography. Nolan’s films, including Tenet, Dunkirk, Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, have earned more than US$5 billion at the global box office and have been awarded 11 Oscars and 36 nominations, including two Best Picture nominations.
Oppenheimer premieres in Malaysian cinemas on 20 July 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


Mysterious-Looking NieR Mobile Game Is “Coming Soon”

Fans of NieR have more than the NieR Replicant remaster, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139â€¦, to look forward to as a mobile game called NieR Re[in]carnation is also in the works.
The game is being developed by Applibot (Gang Road Joker, Magic Academy Grimoire), with CyDesignation (Granblue Fantasy, Rage of Bahamut) doing the character designs. Details are scarce, though the trailer offers hints about the themes and setting. “Memories. Longing. Solitude. Salvation. That is the place they call the Cage…” says the text. The Cage looks like a mysterious collection of ruins, with weird fish-like shadows floating around some of them.
The Twitter header photo also offers a look at NieR Re[in]carnation‘s young female protagonist, who is white-haired like the other NieR protagonists. She’s also accompanied by a mysterious flying companion who’sÂ covered by a white cloth.

The Twitter page says that the game is “coming soon”, while the website lists iOS and Android as its platforms.
In the meantime, there is a lot to think about. Like who “they” is, what the Cage is, and whether the game will fit into the continuity of NieR and NieR: Automata. Going by the trailer though, it’s almost certain that this will be another emotional trip.


New Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity Gameplay Trailer Showcases The Four Champions

During Tokyo Game Show, developer Koei Tecmo unveiled a brand new gameplay trailer and footage from the upcoming Hyrule Warriors Age Of Calamity musou game set 100 years before the events seen in 2017â€™s The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.
Besides Zelda and Link, the four Champions will be playable in the upcoming game, which includes Daruk, Mipha, Revali, and Urbosa, as well as a younger version of Impa; the Sheikah from The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityÂ is slated to release exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on 20 November 2020. In the meantime, check out the 15-minute gameplay session & epic trailer below:


Alienware’s x15 Signature Laptop Is Thin, Powerful, & Literal Hot Stuff

Gaming laptops are sure getting sleeker by the generation, with Alienware’s latest being the apex so far. The Alienware x15 is slim, easy on the eyes, and radiates with its whiteness. It boasts a multitude of processing power, with a four-fan cooling system and custom thermal material* that manages the Intel Core i7-11800H and NVidia GeForce RTX 3070 combo.
It also throttles pretty high, to the point where you feel like your fingers can melt off as you’re using the laptop keyboard. We’ll get to that in a bit.
Packing A Punch

Much like a Dwarf Fighter in a D&D campaign, its size doesn’t showcase how powerful it truly is. We ran a number of titles like Battlefield 2042, Borderlands 3, and Halo Infinite on the highest settings possible, and they all ran perfectly with 60-72 fps with the highest graphic setting possible. The PC isn’t completely noisy, and there’s an option to overclock it on the fly if you want your games to run beyond 60fps while still maintaining its Ultra or Epic fidelity. I’m still amazed that Dell crammed in a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 into its body.
Unlike the dwarf mentioned, the Alienware x15 is pretty. It’s very easy on the eyes with its sleek white exterior, thin chassis, and “non-gaming peripheral” look. It’s also svelte and light to carry around. Even if gaming laptops require you to run it plugged into a power source almost every time, you can still use it as a temporary work companion outside your home, as long as you’ve turned on power-saving mode and not run any triple-A game.

The design is also practical too: the minimalistic look means that only required ports are needed: one USB port, two USB-C port (one of them for power-supplying), a mini-SD card slot, and an HDMI port. It still has a headphone jack on the side for your audio needs, and you get a USB-C Ethernet cable adaptor because real gamers do not use Wi-Fi (though there’s the option). It probably needs one more USB slot, but the ones on this sleek beast of a laptop get the job done.
Hot Stuff
As will all gaming laptops you need to plug into power sources for super effectiveness, the x15 gets hot really fast if you’re running a high-end game. However, this Alienware laptop boasts a special thermal interface material called Element 31 which lets you play games at a stable frame rate with high fidelity settings.
So that asterisk you saw on the first few paragraphs? Turns out that the basic versions of the Alienware with the 3060 graphics card do not get the Element 31 compound. We had a hot time with the laptop to the point where keystrokes on the keyboard had a bit of tinge to them. It doesn’t help that the keypad can get stiff and will need some time for folks to readjust to. I can’t tell you how Element 31 panned out for the x15, but I wager it would have cooled down the laptop quite a bit.
You also don’t need me to tell you that the x15’s speakers are pretty standard. So make use of the laptop’s headphone jack for your earpiece of choice.

The Alienware x15 is a sleek-looking and beautiful gaming laptop that also talks the talk. It tends to run its mouth to the point of overheating, which can be a burden to some who want to game on their laps. As a portable desktop replacement that you can plug in 24/7, using your own keyboard and mouse setup? It’s sublime, especially if you have the cash to burn on 1440p resolution gaming on the go. It’s going for RM9,407, if you must know.
Pros

Sleek and attractive design.
Powerful.
Great 1440p display.
A good number of ports.

Cons

Runs hot and wild.
Special thermal compound only for 3070 version.
Standard speakers.

Final Score: 80/100

Vital Statistics
Price: RM9,407 onward
CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, Max-Q, 110 W Max graphics power, 1,365 MHz boost clock)
Memory: 16GB DDR4-3200
Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6 inches, 2560 x 1440, 240 Hz
Networking: Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 (2×2) MIMO 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports: USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4 over USB Type-C, micro SD card slot, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI 2.1
Camera: 720p
Battery: 87 Wh
Power Adapter: 240 W
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Dimensions(WxDxH): 14.16 x 10.92 x 0.63 inches / 359.7 x 277.25 x 15.9 mm
Weight: 5.73 pounds / 2.6 kg


Crooked Politicians In Video Games

In light of recent Malaysian events, we at Kakuchopurei try our best to remember if there were any such “esteemed” individuals in such positions in video games.
Fortunately, they are a few we can highlight in this video below. Watch out for over-the-top speeches and theatrics.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1477476012356809/


K/DA EP All Out Is Now Streaming On Spotify & More

Riot Games has announced that the debut EP for League Of Legends’ K/DA; the virtual pop supergroup featuring Ahri, Kai’Sa, Evelynn, and Akali, is now available for free on all major streaming platforms.
The EP contains five tracks in total, including their acclaimed pre-release single â€œTHE BADDESTâ€ and feature track, â€œMORE.
The All Out EP was written by rapper, songwriter, and singer Bekuh BOOM, as well as produced, mixed and mastered by Riot Games composer Sebastien Najand.

Recently, All Out’s feature track ‘More’ was released last week to critical acclaim, garnering over 27 million views on YouTube and hit number one on iTunes’ K-Pop chart, number two on iTunes’ Pop chart, number four on iTunes’ Worldwide Song Chart, and number seven on the iTunes’ US Chart.
Featured collaborators included the original guest artists from POP/STARS, Madison Beer, MIYEON and SOYEON of K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, Jaira Burns, as well as Lexie Liu and Seraphine.
in addition, All Out track ‘The Baddest’ released earlier this year complete with a lyric music video. The talent line-up included MIYEON and SOYEON of (G)I-DLE, alongside new collaborators, Bea Miller and Wolftyla.
It reached number one on Billboard’s World Digital Sales Charts during theweek of 12 September 2020, has been streamed over 38 million times on Spotify and has reached over 29 million views since its release on YouTube.

All Out tracklist:
â€œTHE BADDEST..â€ featuring MIYEON and SOYEON of K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, Bea Miller and Wolftyla.â€œMOREâ€ featuring Madison Beer, MIYEON and SOYEON of (G)I-DLE, Jaira Burns, Lexie Liu, and Seraphine.â€œVILLAINâ€ featuring Madison Beer and Kim Petras.â€œDRUM GO DUMâ€ featuring Aluna, Wolftyla, and Bekuh BOOM.â€œIâ€™LL SHOW YOUâ€ featuring TWICE members JIHYO, NAYEON, SANA, and CHAEYOUNG, Bekuh BOOM, and Annika Wells.
Initially inspired by K-pop, K/DA has evolved to embrace a global pop sound and has shaped its musical identity around the members of the group, Ahri, Evelynn, Akali, and Kai’Sa, instead of the vocals of any one individual talent.
Artists featured in All Out are collaborators, allowing K/DA to welcome a large roster of amazingly talented musicians to join them in their comeback.
You can no stream K/DA’s All Out EP on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more.


Top 5 Things To Look Forward To In Gears Tactics

One look at Gears Tactics, the upcoming turn-based strategy game based on the Gears franchise, and the first thing that pops into your hardcore gaming mind is “XCOM”. And maybe XCOM 2.
I mean, just look…

That statement isn’t a knock at the upcoming Gears game from publisher Microsoft and developer Splash Damage at all. In fact, Gears Tactics takes cues from the best and puts its own innovative “Gears” spin on it. While at the get-go the game looks easy to pick up and play thanks to its pretty on-the-nose tutorial, via a recent media invite livestream of the game, the whole of it is anything but.
Honestly, I’m pretty stoked at this new iteration of a Gears title; you still control a 4-person squad of brick s***houses to kill Locusts in front of you, but there’s a lot more nuance shown and highlighted. The fact that it’s turn-based means that there are new obstacles & firefights to think your way out of instead of just relying on running-and-Gnashering methods.
Let me break down the chief five things I’m looking forward to in Gears Tactics
#1. All The Gears Stuff In Turn-Based Strategy Form

Apart from the COGs vs. Locust war that’s going on, Gears Tactics still has all of its world-building and lore but in isometric turn-based form. You still fight a horde of Locusts, keep an eye out for Emergence Holes, and deal with giant Brumaks and Corpsers. But now you have a chance to use your brain and take your time instead of mashing the dodge button and frantically searching for cover.
Let me take that back: it’s a tad more harrowing now because you have to think two steps ahead of the AI horde. See, most stages where you do battle at will have tons of modifiers and enemy types to be wary of. Those emergence holes? They can pop up anytime past turn 3 onwards. The Locust horde? Now they have certain turn-based advantages. The Wretchers can now get a free attack if you run into them onto your turn. The made-for-Gears-Tactics Disciple Locusts will explode upon death, poisoning and weakening COG squads around its radius.
While it looks familiar, the turn-based spin now adds a lot more challenges you need to tackle using patience and positioning.
#2. Your Skills & Tactics, Gears-iFied

And by that last made-up word, I mean all the hallmarks of a Gears game are now transformed into meaningful actions in Gears Tactics. Remember Executions, that one staple killing move you pull off in multiplayer Gears for style points? If you spend one action point here to execute a downed Locust (highlighted with handy skull icons), you can gain one additional extra point to use for a different move.
In other words, it’s possible to line enemies up for multiple executions, and then use those additional points to put more hurt on grubs or even use other tactics, like the ever-useful overwatch. Using overwatch means you get to take shots at enemies who enter your squad’s line of sight.
Running to cover is also beneficial. You have three action points to use in a turn; if you run into cover even if you’ve used up 2 action points-and-a-half doing so, you still have one extra action point to do whatever.
As far as turn points go, Gears Tactics is generous and less strict because it wants players to be proactive and keep the fight going as fast as possible. At least for a turn-based title.
#3. Character Customization

As you complete missions, you get to accumulate points to boost up your squad’s active and passive skills. It’s not overtly complicated; Gabe Diaz above has skills that help with supporting his squad, be it with health upgrades or temporary stat buffs, but you can choose how he plays like on the field. The same goes for the vanguards (units who push forward), scouts (fast units who can outflank enemies), and snipers (units who can shoot from afar and even break overwatch).
Also, your unit’s weapons and armour come with 4 mod slots and 3 mod slots respectively, opening up a can of possibilities to make your power army. Cosmetics-wise, you can tart up your heroes with colourful armour, so if you’d rather take Gabe Diaz out for a Sunday stroll in pink and yellow armour, you can.
#4. The Epic Boss Fights

No Gears game is complete without a big battle against a Brumak or a Corpser, and Gears Tactics makes this a monumental stage on its own. We were given a glimpse of the Corpser battle, and it looks like a heckuva fight.
Not only do you have to contend with respawning enemies on the left and right side, you also have to watch out for area-wide Corpser attacks. The big guy will rear back for one turn to do a ground pound, so make it a habit to get out of the way during that turn. You can only damage its face when it’s not covered by its “hands”, so you need to use explosions to keep its face unprotected.
Boomers that spawn on occasion will drop Boomshots when killed, so you’ll need to use those to your advantage. Also, beware of the occasional Emergence Holes in this fight; there’s a lot to keep track of. Ultimately, a combination of overwatching, flanking, cover-taking, and grenade-tossing will help you prevail.
You also have to hunt down this special Locust leader called Ukkon. In Gears lore, he’s the guy responsible for breeding these badass Locust units and strapping armaments onto giant beasties they created and own. You’ll fight him TBS-style on occasion, but keep in mind that he regenerates his body parts, so taking him down requires some puzzle mentality and brainwork.
#5. There’s Ironman Mode For You Sadists Out There

If the normal version of the game isn’t enough to challenge your strategizing, you can opt to play it on Ironman Mode. Basically like in XCOM, you cannot reload saves mid-battle; you are committed to your choices. Just select Ironman mode first, then any difficulty you want. There’s an achievement for that, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Gears Tactics will be out 28th April for PC and Xbox One. And yes, you can play this game via Xbox Game Pass on the day itself.


Nioh 2 Slashes Its Way To Tokyo Game Show 2019

E3 2019 has passed and right now we’re on the last few days of Gamescom 2019. However, the excitement for big game exhibitions are still felt by gamers around the world as we get ready for the Tokyo Game Show 2019 which will be happening from 12 September to 15 September 2019.

One of the most anticipated games to be shown at TGS 2019 is Nioh 2, sequel to one of the most memorable samurai games in recent years. It was tweeted out by the game’s official Twitter account that a demo of the game will be playable at the exhibition floor.
Those who are lucky enough to visit the Koei Tecmo booth will also bring home a few exclusive goodies such as a lenticular badge that changes between a yokai (demon) and a samurai and also a double-sided strap Kirei/Ribiki strap.

The first Nioh is still a popular game that’s loved for it brutal difficulty and extensive loot system, combining Dark Souls and Diablo in a hack and slash game. The sequel seems like it’ll be more of those elements plus the new feature of being able to transform into a yokai.
There’s still no release date yet but here, have some newly released screenshots to feed your excitement in the meantime:


Xbox Games Pass Family Plan Is Being Tested By Microsoft

Microsoft has officially started testing an Xbox Game Pass family plan that will allow subscribers to share their benefits with up to four other people. A preview of this Xbox Game Pass family plan is available in Colombia and Ireland starting today, and testers will be able to add up to four people to their subscription as long as they’re in the same country.
Those in Colombia or Ireland can sign up for an Xbox Insider preview for the new Xbox Game Pass family plan today in the Microsoft Store, and joining the preview will convert the existing time remaining on their old plan to the new family plan “based upon the monetary value of the old membership.”
For those in Ireland, they’re currently being offered a preview version of this new family plan for €21.99 (or roughly RM100+) per month.
Microsoft currently offers Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass for US$9.99 per month (or RM15 for those in Malaysia). Microsoft hasn’t revealed when they plan to bring this new Xbox Game Pass family plan to other regions, but a spokesperson (via PC Gamer) said that they would “have more to share later this year”.


Blackpink Is Entering Your PUBG Area

YG Entertainment has announced that popular K-pop group Blackpink will officially be collaborating with PUBG Corporation’s battle royale game PUBG Mobile.

BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA!  #PUBGMxBLACKPINK@PUBGMOBILE pic.twitter.com/8dKIRaUxGV— BLACKPINKOFFICIAL (@BLACKPINK) September 17, 2020

While details of the collaboration have yet to be announced, the PUBG Mobile official Twitter account already started teasing it since 14 September 2020 with a cropped photo of a woman with pink hair and sunglasses (who is clearly Lalisa Manoban of Blackpink).

Guess who is coming. pic.twitter.com/7gONmNMGgi— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) September 14, 2020

On 15 September 2020, another tweet dropped, featuring Blackpinkâ€™s official lightstick hanging from the rearview mirror.

“New color” is on the way. pic.twitter.com/u9DYwcLOx8— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) September 15, 2020

On 16 September 2020, there was yet another teaser of four female silhouettes set against a pink sky. These resembled the iconic poses of each Blackpink member as seen for their song ‘How You Like That’.

The stage is all set. Let's hit it! pic.twitter.com/QZmGbdquiX— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) September 16, 2020

PUBG Mobile recently released its major 1.0 update, adding Malay language options and more (check out the full story here).


We Might Be Getting A Klonoa Series Remaster Announcement Soon…

Bandai Namco’s most underrated platformer series might be making a comeback if this trademark news is anything to go by.
The company that’s known for anime game adaptations has filed trademarks for “Waffuu Encore” and “1&2 Encore” in Japan. For those who haven’t played games in the late 90s and 2000s era, “Waffuu” is the catchphrase of Klonoa, a platformer mascot cat with giant ears that double as hands/wings. While Bandai Namco has made a “Klonoa Encore” trademark last September, this latest piece of news means that an announcement might be happening later this year.
As for the “1&2 Encore”? Bandai Namco might be remastering both Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil. I am personally game for these; hopefully there’s a tease planned at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.


First Fast & Furious 9 Trailer To Drop Later This Month

The last numbered installment in the long-running franchise was 2017’s The Fate Of The Furious. Three years later, the sequel will finally be released, and a trailer is imminent. United International Pictures has announced that the first Fast & Furious 9 trailer will debut on 31 January 2020 at 3.50pm ET or 8.50pm GMT+8 for Southeast Asian countries.
The ninth entry in the franchise will see the return of Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Cena, Helen Mirren, and Charlize Theron, with new additions like Michael Rooker and even John Cena.
However, fan-favourites Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Statham won’t be reprising their roles as Hobbs and Shaw, since they had their spinoff movie released last year (check out our review of Hobbs and Shaw here).
A tenth entry is already confirmed, so the franchise won’t be ending anytime soon. Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for when the trailer drops at the end of this month. Fast & Furious 9 is slated to premiere on 22 May 2020.


Street Fighter II Dethroned As Best-Selling Game Of All Time

When it comes to fighting games, almost no title is as iconic as Street Fighter II. It inspired a turning point in video games history, popularising fighting games and sparked the beginning of an age where arcade games became the craze for people of all ages.
Even Ryu is in the game!
Released in 1991, Street Fighter II has been comfortably sitting on its throne as the best-selling fighting game of all time for almost three decades with 15.5 million units sold. The new king of fighting games is none other than Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) which has now sold 15.7 million units.
On top of wearing that crown, SSBU is also the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch game in the console’s short history. It managed to sell 12 million copies within just three weeks. The game reached the 15.7 million mark as of 30 September 30, which is less than a year following its release in December 2018. This means that it took less than a year to surpass Street Fighter II which was released in seven unique version since its original launch in 1991.
With a total sales of 53 million copies, the Super Smash Bros. series continues to be the best-selling fighting game franchise of all time. Other fighting game franchises such as Tekken, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Dragon Ball, all have sales between 45 million to 47 million.
For those of you who haven’t gotten yourselves a Nintendo Switch and haven’t got a taste of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, at least now you know that it’s not just hype propelling the game’s commercial performance. It’s a widely accessible fighting game that still appeals to those willing to learn its deeper mechanics, prompting those who played it to encourage their friends to also get the game.
Thank you, Digital Trends.


Remembering RenÃ© Auberjonois, A Prominent Video Game Voice

This week, we have lost a legend in TV and video games: RenÃ© Auberjonois. He passed away at age 79 in Los Angeles due to metastatic lung cancer.
He is most well-known as Odo from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well as Paul Lewiston in Boston Legal. Oh and also as the crab-killing Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid.Â
But most importantly, he’s also done some epic voice work in video games. Here are his most noteworthy roles:
Janos Audron, Legacy of Kain series

RenÃ© basically played the most important role in the Legacy of Kain series: the first noble vampire Janos Audron. His voice work here exudes a high level of nobility and pride, but with a tinge of sadness since the character is the last of his pure vampiric kind.
Mr. House, Fallout: New Vegas

The self-styled CEO of the New Vegas Strip in the Mojave Wasteland needed a charismatic, cocksure, and stern personality to bring him to life. RenÃ© was obviously the man for the job. You’ll love Mr. House for his pragmatism and ideals, as well as hate him for his disdain for the people beneath him.
You will be missed, RenÃ©. Thank you for making these characters incredibly memorable.