F1 2021 Is Only For The Most Hardcore Gearheads

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Racing, Racing Simulator
Codemasters churn out yet another instalment in its line of annual F1 racing simulator games. F1 2021 has arrived, but just like previous entries, this franchise is geared more towards hardcore fans of Formula One or racing simulators.
Becoming The Next Schumacher

Racing simulators are not the same as racing games. Racing simulators focus on the realism and mechanics of the sport involved. It’s not for casual gamers who are just looking to enjoy the thrill of driving virtual cars without worrying about burning out their tires and having to change them in the middle of a fast and furious race.
Sure, you could turn on all the assists in the options and play on the easiest difficulty, but as someone who is used to playing more arcadey racing games like the Need For Speed or Burnout franchises, it is painstaking for me to get used to the gameâ€™s steep learning curve.

Despite the gameâ€™s inaccessibility for casual gamers, Iâ€™m sure that F1 racing fans would appreciate the authenticity that F1 2021 is striving for. This year, Codemasters has introduced a brand new narrative-driven story mode called Braking Point. To those who’d understand this reference, it reminded me a lot of the story career modes in the older wrestling games like Smackdown vs Raw and Smackdown Here Comes The Pain!.
In Braking Point, I could choose from one of five different teams for the protagonist of the story; a rookie named Aiden Jackson (no, you can’t change his name or face). The Braking Point mode is divided into chapters, where the plot moves forward from race to race and plot moments. There are a lot of other characters too, like your teammate who hates your guts named Casper Akkerman and a rival racer named Devon Butler.

I wish I could say that it makes me feel like being in a thrilling and captivating movie like Ford V Ferrari or in an anime like Speed Racer. Unfortunately, it all feels a bit too scripted and underwhelming. In the chapters of Braking Point, all I’m doing between races are taking phone calls, answering questions for the media, as well as checking out my social media feed and emails. These activities are supposed to make the Braking Point mode more immersive but they are ultimately too bland to make any significant impact.
That’s not even mentioning that some of the races in Braking Point drops the player in the middle of a race and gives them an objective like catching up to a specific racer in a few laps. Some of these are frustratingly hard and almost impossible to complete without driving almost perfectly, even if you’re playing with full assists at the lowest difficulty like I did. I definitely didn’t expect difficulty spikes in a racing game.
For those not interested in Braking Point, F1 2021 still features other modes such as a conventional ‘My Team’ Career Mode and even a two-player Career Mode that you can play with a friend. The former is what you would want if you want to create and customize your own driver, choose a sponsor, an engine supplier, hire a teammate and all those choices. This is especially since you can’t do most of those things in Braking Point because most of them are scripted.
Hit The Brakes

As usual and to no one’s surprise, F1 2021 looks great. The cars and environment are rendered well, which is totally expected from Codemasters. Nothing mind-blowing, of course, but this is still a racing simulator and the realism of the mechanics is what should attract fans of Formula One. Still, looking this good doesn’t hurt as well.
In conclusion, playing the game like a normal racing game proved to be an unsatisfying endeavour. F1 2021 is clearly geared towards the most dedicated F1 and racing simulator fans, leaving casual racing game fans like me struggling to understand the gameâ€™s mechanics. At the very least, Codemasters has certainly delivered another authentic F1 racing game and attempted to do something new with Braking Point.
Pros

Stunning graphics and visual quality.
Authentic F1 experience for hardcore fans.
Braking Point introduces a new narrative-driven mode.

Cons

The steep learning curve might prove inaccessible for casual racing game fans.
Braking Point is dull and underwhelming with difficulty spikes.

Final Rating: 60/100
Reviewed on the PS5 via a review code courtesy of EA.


All The Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Easter Eggs That We Found

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is finally here and it’s probably the best PS5 exclusive to date (you can check out my 4000-word spoiler-free review of Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart here.). Just like in previous entries, Insomniac Games have included many easter eggs and references to not only past games in the franchise but also other PlayStation exclusive franchises.
With the theme of the latest game being essentially dimensional shenanigans, it’s no surprise that the easter eggs and references in Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart could go even more meta than ever before. I’ll be listing the easter eggs and references I’ve discovered in the game.
While these won’t spoil much of the game’s story or narrative, you might want to discover these yourselves so now’s the time to back out, if you want to.

1. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Sly Cooper
[videopress mmd5w151]
On the planet Savali, there are these optional collectibles called the Lorbs (Lombax orbs, get it?). Each of these Lorbs contains a message from a mysterious person who previously used the Dimensionator to explore other dimensions. In some of these Lorbs, he describes the different dimensions that he visits. What’s fun and interesting is that these other dimensions are clearly from other games.
For instance, he describes the first dimension as featuring colours that are so vivid and a creature that looks like a Lombax (Ratchet’s race), but with smaller ears, a mask, and a cane. He even mentions that creature was pulling some kind of heist. He’s clearly referring to protagonist Sly Cooper from Sucker Punch’s forgotten Sly Cooper franchise.
2. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Knack
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In another Lorb, the mysterious person describes the creatures populating this dimension as “stranger” with bodies made out of all these old relics, but they could break apart and still be alive. That’s enough to ascertain that he’s referring to protagonist Knack from Japan Studio’s Knack and Knack II. Knack is a living humanoid organism whose body consists of Relics.
3. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart IQ Intelligent Qube
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This one is a bit obscure. I’m still technically unsure about this one, but in this Lorb, the mysterious person only describes the dimension as “cubes, really, really smart cubes”. That’s not much to go on at all, but I’ve consulted several people who have mentioned the same game that best matches the vague description provided by the voice in this Lorb.
There was a puzzle game titled I.Q.: Intelligent Qube, which was a PS1 exclusive released in 1997 and developed by G-Artists. This game received several sequels since then, but was most notably re-released for PlayStation Network and later even included as one of twenty games on Sony’s retro PlayStation Classic console.
4. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Jak & Daxter
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Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games have had a decades-long good working relationship with each other. Jak & Daxter easter eggs can be found on many previous Ratchet & Clank games, including as far back as 2003’s Ratchet & Clank Going Commando for the PS2. The latest instalment is no exception.
In this Lorb, he described the two creatures inhabiting this dimension. One was firing a gun and spinning himself around every other second, while the other hung out on his shoulder doing live commentary. That matches the description of Jak (who does wield guns and can perform a spinning attack) and his small partner, Daxter (who really did hang out on Jak’s shoulder while commenting on everything around him, since Jak was not a talker).
5. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Little Big Planet
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The last Lorb in the game with an easter egg is this one. The mysterious person describes all the inhabitants of this dimension as being made out of wool and that they could make anything. He also pointed out that a really pleasant voice followed him around everywhere. This all sounds a lot like the world of the Little Big Planet games by Media Molecule.
6. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Kingdom Hearts
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This one is a doozy and hidden in the Collectibles tab of the in-game menu. In Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, players can collect optional collectibles called Gold Bolts, which have been in almost every game in the franchise since the original 2002 game. In this latest title, collecting more Gold Bolts will unlock cosmetics like stickers for Photo Mode, as well as skins for your ship and wrench/hammer. Collecting all 25 Gold Bolts will even unlock Infinite Heath and Infinite Ammo cheats.
Well, one of the weapon skins caught my eye. Most of them were just gag skins like a fish or broom, as well as weapons from enemies in the game like Goon Sword or something. However, one of the weapon skins is just stated as a Key. To my pleasant surprise, this Key melee weapon skin looks just like the iconic Keyblade from Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts franchise.
Check it out in the video above and tell me that that doesn’t look like a Keyblade. That’s definitely a Keyblade. In a Ratchet & Clank game.
7. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Ryno âˆž Infinity (Horizon Zero Dawn‘s Thunderjaw, Sly Cooper, Sly Cooper Van, Jak & Daxter, Sunset Overdrive)
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Arguably the biggest easter egg in Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart can only be found when using the game’s most powerful and most expensive weapon, the Ryno 8. That’s right, almost every Ratchet & Clank game has featured a version of this weapon, and unlike the previous Rynos, the Ryno 8 summons dimensional rifts that drop random stuff on enemies before resulting in a massive explosion.
Upgrading the Ryno 8 to level 5 will transform it into the Ryno âˆž, or Ryno Infinity. Not only is the Ryno Infinity more powerful and deals more damage, but it also opens bigger dimensional rifts that drop interesting random stuff. What are some of these things?
Well, if you watch the video above, you’ll see a Thunderjaw from Guerilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn, Sly Cooper himself, Sly Cooper’s iconic heist van, Jak and Daxter, and Insomniac’s own Sunset Overdrive’s Fizzie. It’s certainly an amusing and smart way of being meta and featuring multiple easter eggs.


Singaporean Teacher Launches World War 2-Era Graphic Novel; Features Malaysian Cover Variant

Singaporean teacher Leroy Lam and publisher CS Comics will be launching a World War 2-era romance graphic novella called Hero, which centres on the week of 15th February 1942 involving the battle for Singapore.
The project launched on Kickstarter and has amassed 200% of its goal within a week of its backer release, raising over S$2,000. In addition, the comic will feature a variant cover from Malaysian artist Zehe to commemorate Singapore’s status as a Malayan state during World War 2. Check it out below:

Apart from that cover, there will be 7 other variants illustrated by Collin Yap, Haider Amir, Kang Jing & Alan Bay, Tasha Leah Santiago, Zehe Abdul Rahman, and Brennan Lam.
Here’s a quote from Leroy Lam, who is the author of the novella:
â€œSingaporeâ€™s history and Total Defence ideology are recurrent matters that hold a prominent significance in our everyday lives. Similarly, comics have maintained a strong purpose in telling visual stories in dynamic and engaging ways. Simultaneously employing the imagination of readers similar to books, while providing imagery much like film or television comics allow for the best of both story-telling platforms to come together.â€
The comic adaptation will be written by CS Comics’ Ryan Mennen, pencilled James Pereria, inker Azri Djokoloro, and colourist Ada Chan. Anyone who is interested in contributing can get the comic at three different pledge tiers: tiers: S$8 for a digital copy (included with all physical copies), S$18 for a physical copy, and $188 for a copy of each of the nine cover editions with a custom cover sketch.


New Frozen 2 Trailer Is Epic & Enchanting

Disney has unveiled a new Frozen 2 trailer, which tells us a lot more about the basic premise of the upcoming highly-anticipated sequel to one of the biggest animated hits of all time.
This second trailer reveals that Elsa and Anna first learnt of an Enchanted Forest from stories told by their parents when they were kids. It is also revealed that a voice is summoning Elsa from that location, so they decide to embark on a journey there.
Reaching there, they discover a whole tribe of people who seemingly know about magic. We meet two new characters named Matthias and Elena, who will presumably play a huge part in Frozen 2, and in learning about Elsa’s origins.
Anna is still the best waifu.
From the looks of the trailer, it seems like Elsa will be too obsessed and swept up by her quest, bringing danger and harm to everyone involved. Anna will once again have to be the anchor and lightning rod for her sister, as she was in the first movie.
Frozen 2 is slated to release on 22 November 2019. In the meantime, check out the latest trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzLiQZDw2I&w=560&h=315]


World Flipper Will Be Out In English This August; Global Pre-Registration Now Open

If you feel like your mobile RPGs need more balls flying around, you may want to check out this new English-localized shindig called World Flipper.
Published by Kakao Games and Cygames, World Flipper is a 2D mobile RPG that uses pinball mechanics for its combat and gameplay segments. You form a party of heroes and fight minions and bosses using a pinball and two flippers, hitting the ball to strike enemies with the power of physics. To make it interesting (and easier), each hero can power up the ball to do awesome RPG spells and super attacks.
If this sounds like your jam, you can pre-register on the official English website here. You’ll get bonuses like in-game currency (Lodestar Beads) and a 4-star unit Arisa (from anime Hearthstone Shadowverse). The game will be out this 11th August.
We tried out World Flipper in Japanese a year or so ago; it’s pretty fun for a while with some neat pinball action and RPG mechanics for that short burst of entertainment. It did come across a bit of a nerfing kerfuffle (with a character named Philia) that earned it a ton of negative reviews in its home country. Let’s hope Cygames learned from that incident.
Check out the trailer and horizontal screenshots below.


Bioware Announces That It’s Working On Several “Super-Secret Big Projects”

Guess even the melancholy release of Anthem isn’t enough to bring Bioware down to its knees.
According to Bioware General Manager Casey Hudson, the company is still working on a bunch of projects. These include:

Dragon Age 4, which we all know is eventually coming.Â  Hudson is reaffirming that the game is progressing well development-wise.
The company currently hiring for its upcoming “super-secret” big projects. Current job listings include devs who have “exceptional hands-on experience with game mechanics in first/third-person shooters in space, and anyone willing to work using the Frostbite engine. The actual quote: Work closely with Frostbite central teams to improve and leverage Frostbiteâ€™s rendering systems.”
Salvaging, we mean improvingÂ  Anthem. The company will be making fundamental improvements that will bring out the full potential and long-term vision of the third-person sci-fi lootathon shooter. These improvements will take time.

Good to know EA is still keeping Bioware busy and cutting the company some slack.


Here’s How Star Wars: Battlefront II’s Loot box and Progression System Work

Update 14th November: EA has amended the credits required to purchase hero characters, slashing them by 75% – so now Darth Vader can be purchased at 15,000 credits, as opposed to 60,000 earlier

As we head closer to the release of Battlefront II, so does the mussing and complaints about the game’s micro transaction and loot box system grow louder with each passing day. Is it that bad? How will it break the game? We’ve poked around the net to find out how will the system affect your playtime, as well as things you’d want to know before dipping your toes into the multiplayer facet of the highly anticipated game set to drop 17th November 2017.
Without further ado, here’s the lowdown you’d want to get hold of prior to starting your journey as a disposable grunt in Battlefront II.
Star Cards
As we found out via the beta recently, Star Cards is the main way for players to progress and get stronger in the game. These Star Cards can be slotted into each of these classes – Troopers, Hero, and vehicle -Â  slots to stats be it defensive, offensive and special traits. These cards also come in several tiers with differing effects depending on its level and replicated cards can be scrapped to be used for crafting.
Boost cards –Â As the name imply, these cards apply general improvements to a class or character be it reduced damage from explosives or faster health regeneration. As for armoured vehicles and ships, these boosts include improved shields, better regeneration rate and shorter weapon cooldown times.
Ability cardsÂ – With ability cards, you can customize the abilities of your class, character or vehicle. For example, with Improved Thermal Detonator, your Assault class’ grenade gets a larger blast radius and shorter recharge time.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q51LZ2HpbE&w=560&h=315]
Players can equip up to three Star Cards per class, character, or vehicle type; but you have to start with one at first. You will only get the remaining two once you level up that particular character, class or vehicle once you reach ranksÂ five, and the third at rank ten.
To get these Boost and Ability cards, you’ll have to crack open the dreaded loot crate. Here’s how you can get them and what each crate has to offer:
All three types of loot box types can possibly contain a Star Card for any class, character, or vehicle type. Each of these boxes also will give you Crafting Parts, and may also contain a weapon, emote, or victory pose.
Trooper CratesÂ – Rewards Star Cards for your main classes (eg, Assault and Heavy),
Starfighter CratesÂ – Rewards Star Cards for your X-Wings and the ships, for use in the Starfighter Assault mode;
Hero CratesÂ – Rewards boosts for the hero characters you can play as during multiplayer mode.
You can obtain these crates via two ways; purchasing them via in-game credits which you earn by completing multiplayer matches or with the Premium Currency or ‘Crystals’, purchasable via the store. The cost are as follows:
Trooper Crate:Â 4,000 Credits/ 200 Crystals
Starfighter Crate:Â 2,400 Credits/ 120 Crystals
Hero Crate:Â 2,200 Credits/ 110 Crystals
You’ll one Daily Login Crate per day containing three items and a Founder’s Crate if you participated in the beta. Don’t forget to check out the Challenges portion as they will reward you with credits for accomplishments throughout.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvmx94cUVEY&w=560&h=315]

Crafting
Apart from the cards mentioned above, the loot boxes also come with Crafting Parts which can be used to create Star Cards at 40 Crafting Parts each. These parts can also be used to upgrade Star Cards later on.
Unlocking Weapons
Acquiring weapons require players to hit milestones to unlock them e.g 50 kills instead of getting them via loot boxes.

Unlocking Heroes and Villains
You’ll require a shit ton of credits in order to unlock the special character Heroes and Villains such asÂ Yoda, and Darth Vader. When playing the Heroes vs Villains mode, everyone spawns as a special character, while heroic ships can be used in the Starfighter Assault mode.
Players start with several Heroes unlocked while the tastier ones are locked behind a paywall. Want to be in the boots of Luke Skywalker? The prepare to stock up and spend 15,000 Credits. The most affordable Hero is Iden Versio – 5,000 credits while Darth Vader will set you back 15,000 Credits. Apparently there is no way to purchase these heroes via Crystals so expect to grind to get your hero of choice.

Theoretically the loot box system in Battlefront II does not ruin nor break the multiplayer experience but you will time and time again, find yourself losing a one-on-one fight to a player simply due to them having more slots unlocked as compared to yours. Expect to lose certain skirmishes due to inferior gear as well rather than skill but we expect as the more hours are invested into the game, everyone will eventually come to parity in terms of unlocks and loadout tiers. We kinda like the fact that one cannot simply swipe their card to gain access to higher tier heroes such as Darth Vader and Luke, and hopefully EA will be able to balance out the huge pool of characters and heroes as the game servers mature.
Star Wars: Battlefront II hits PC, PS4 and the Xbox One come November 17 2017.

Main source: PC Gamer


Biomutant Is “At The End Phase Of Development”; Still Looks Adorable

THQ Nordic and developer Experiment 101 are close to finishing their upcoming open-world animal-filled action RPG Biomutant.
According to an IGN interview, creative director Stefan Ljungvist said that the game is at the end phase of development. “â€œIn a massive game like thisâ€”like I said itâ€™s very big, itâ€™s the largest game that Iâ€™ve ever worked onâ€”you will have issues, you will have technical challenges to overcome, and artistic [challenges], too.

“But at this stage of the product, weâ€™re cleaning out, weâ€™re squashing bugs, and trying to make these end decisions on making sure that the player understands what to do.”

He also added that the main challenges of making an open-world game is dealing with the choice that players will enjoy how free they are. “In the beginning of development, we were like, â€˜yeah, letâ€™s make the player totally free!â€™â€¦ But if you get too much freedom, you donâ€™t know what to do, so gradually weâ€™ve also been working on trying to streamline that more so youâ€™re always working on what youâ€™re supposed to be doing, but then you can deviate from that at any point and do what you want.”

“Because literally you are free to go after the first hour of the gameâ€”you can really go anywhere you want in this world. But thatâ€™s also a challenge for those that might be needing more help or guidance, so weâ€™re working on that and trying to conclude that part of development as well. So [what weâ€™re doing right now is] more like user experience and primarily squashing those bugs.”

They also released a 10-minute gameplay trailer to sate our curiosity and to make sure people don’t lose hope on the project. So far, you’ll be doing a lot of kung-fu, handling steampunk weapons and gadgets, and fighting a lot of giant bosses.

Biomutant will eventually be out for PC, PS4, and Xbox One “when they’re happy with the game”.


Army Of Thieves Trailer Teases A Pre-Zombie Heist Movie

Remember the nervous but animated German safecracker from Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead? Dieter is coming back to your screens, this time with fewer zombies and more safes to crack!
Before his stint as a master locksmith in the zombie heist film, Ludwig Dieter (Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer) was simply a bank teller in a small town living an ordinary life. In the upcoming prequel Army Of Thieves, Dieterâ€™s life is about to turn upside down when he is recruited by a mysterious woman to pull off a heist alongside her crew of thieving misfits.
The synopsis reads:
In this prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, small-town bank teller Dieter gets drawn into the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious woman recruits him to join a crew of Interpolâ€™s most wanted criminals, attempting to heist a sequence of legendary, impossible-to-crack safes across Europe.
Directed by Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer himself, the movie will also star:

Nathalie Emmanuel
Ruby O. Fee
Stuart Martin
Guz Khan
Jonathan Cohen

There is no release date for Army Of Thieves as of yet. You can check out my review of Army Of The Dead here and my juicy interview with Zack Snyder himself by heading over here.
In the meantime, check out the posters, screenshots and the teaser trailer below:

				ARMY OF THIEVES (L to R) Guz Khan as ROLF, Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer as LUDWIG DIETER, Stuart Martin as BRAD CAGE in ARMY OF THIEVES. Photo Credit: Stanislav Honzik/Netflix Â© 2021

				ARMY OF THIEVES (L to R) Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer as LUDWIG DIETER in ARMY OF THIEVES. Photo Credit: Stanislav Honzik/Netflix Â© 2021

				ARMY OF THIEVES (L to R) Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer as LUDWIG DIETER, Nathalie Emmanuel as GWENDOLINE in ARMY OF THIEVES. Photo Credit: Stanislav Honzik/Netflix Â© 2021

				ARMY OF THIEVES (L to R) Stuart Martin as BRAD CAGE, Ruby O. Fee as Korina, Matthias SchweighÃ¶fer as LUDWIG DIETER, Nathalie Emmanuel as GWENDOLINE in ARMY OF THIEVES. Photo Credit: Stanislav Honzik/Netflix Â© 2021


Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Parodies The Matrix In New Trailer & Poster

UIP Malaysia has unveiled a new trailer and poster for Sonic The Hedgehog 2 that serves as a parody of The Matrix franchise in commemoration of the recent release of The Matrix Resurrections.
The new teaser for Sonic The Hedgehog 2 starts out with the iconic green coding against a black screen, which is a signature of the Matrix franchise. However, instead of numbers, they’re actually the iconic rings from the Sonic franchise. Then, we have to choose between the Red Quill (Knuckles, voiced by Idris Elba) or the Blue Quill (Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz), as opposed to the red and blue pill that Neo (Keanu Reeves) and other characters have to choose in the Matrix films.

In Sonic The Hedgehog 2, after settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 premieres in cinemas on 28 April 2022. The Matrix Resurrections is out now and also available to stream on HBO Max (check out our review here). In the meantime, check out the trailer below:
[videopress o2PutjjS]


Ghostwire Tokyo Guide: How To Be The Best Exorcist

Ghostwire Tokyo is now out for those who pre-orders the digital deluxe edition of the game from the PlayStation Store. However, the game will only be out for everyone else on PS5 and PC on 25 March 2022. While we found the game to be flawed in our review, the game is still a fun open-world jaunt through a yokai-infested Tokyo.
Here are some tips on how you can be the best exorcist:
There’s No Fall Damage

You’ll be doing a lot of exploring on the rooftops of buildings in Tokyo, but it’s important to point out that there’s no fall damage in this game, so you can grapple to the highest point, fall and still survive what would be a deadly fall in other games. As such, it doesn’ matter if Akito can only glide for a few seconds. If you fall, you’ll just have to try again, instead of dying.
Don’t Ignore The Katashiro Paper Mechanic And Don’t Bother Buying More

The Katashiro Paper mechanic is an important one in Ghostwire Tokyo, and doing it will net you a lot of XP and meiko (money) you’ll need to progress through the game. Theoretically, you could ignore it, but that’s where you’ll get most of your XP and money, especially earlier on in the game. I know how annoying it is to keep visiting payphone booths to transfer your spirits, but it’s how the game works.
Also, don’t bother buying more Katashiro Paper from Nekomata merchants in the game. They’re very expensive (3000 meiko each) and I managed to finish the game in 16 hours without buying a single one. The only downside is that you’ll have to visit the payphone booths more often, but you’ll have more meiko to buy other stuff.
Pick Up Those Plastic Bags

One of ways to increase your health is via consumables. If you pick up all the plastic bags you see or encounter, you won’t have to go out of your way to buy any from merchants or vendors in the game.
The Only Way To Increase Attack Damage Is Via Beads From Torii Gates

One of the major problems with the game’s magical attacks is that there’s no way to increase your attack damage via the skill tree (at least, nowhere that it mentions doing so). I discovered that the only way is to find these beads from certain Torii Gates. Just head to these Tori Gates, cleanse them and the beads will be waiting for you at the alter. When you move the cursor to each Torii Gate, the details will mention what bead will be waiting for you there.
They’re the Flame Beads, Gust Beads, and Aqua Beads. However, there are three of each you’ ll have to get in order to get to the third and highest level, which means at least nine Torii Gates.

Ghostwire Tokyo Best Skills
The skill trees and progression system in the game aren’t that deep or complicated. You could pretty much do anything, but here are some of the best and most helpful skills:
Abilities – Omoigane III

You’ll rely on Spectral Vision a lot in the game, since you’ll be pressing square almost every minute just to highlight items you might miss. Increasing the range will help you notice or find things much more easier.
Abilities – Amenotori X

This is the most helpful ability in the game, especially for traversal. This allows you to creat a Tengu to grapple to anywhere you want on the edge of rooftops, which means that you no longer have to try and locate a Tengu to reach rooftops. It saves a lot of time and effort. However, this is also the most expensive skill in the game.
MAKE SURE TO SAVE AT LEAST 7 MAGATAMA FOR THIS.
Equipment – Fukurokuju III

This is an extension of a previous tip. You’ll need this skill upgraded to max in order to wield the three Beads I mentioned. This will actually make your attacks more powerful, so be sure to upgrade this.


Check Out This New Black Panther ‘War’ TV Spot

As we head closer to the much-anticipated release of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first movie of 2018, Marvel Entertainment earlier today released a new TV spot entitled ‘War’ which focuses on King T’Challa’s dispute with Erik Killmonger.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GTI0MHj3dM&w=560&h=315]
The eighteenth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie picks off right after Captain America: Civil War and focuses on its title character’s return to his kingdom of Wakanda.Â  Starring Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, the movie drops February 16th worldwide.

Want to keep track of every comic book movie releasing in 2018? Well aren’t you in luck. We recently compiled a cheat sheet that you’ll find useful!


Cancelled Prince Of Persia Reboot Gameplay Footage Surfaces

Just one day after rumours of Ubisoft registering a domain name for a new Prince Of Persia game, gameplay footage for what seems to be a franchise reboot titled Prince of Persia Redemption has been discovered. What’s shocking is that the trailer was actually uploaded to YouTube way back in March 2012, and has gone unnoticed until now.
What’s weird is that the three-minute Prince of Persia Redemption gameplay trailer looks incredibly polished (and impressive, considering that it was being developed with the PS3 and Xbox 360 in mind), with smooth platforming and combat, as well as the franchise’s signature time-reverse mechanic in action.

Since the video came to light, former Ubisoft animator Jonathan Cooper confirmed the game’s authenticity, stating that the trailer was a “pre-rendered game pitch”, and the result of a one-year development effort by Ubisoft Montreal.
According to Cooper, Ubisoft ultimately cancelled the game because Jordan Mechner (the original creator of Prince Of Persia) still holds the license rights, which means that profit margins would end up being lower for the publisher.

Sadly Ubisoft are generally quicker to cancel Prince of Persia games than others IPs because AFAIK original creator Jordan Mechner still holds license rights so the profit margins are lower. Would love to see a new one though. I’ve always wanted a PoP set in contemporary Iran.
â€” Jonathan Cooper (@GameAnim) May 6, 2020
Interestingly enough, a comment from 2018 can be seen on the video, posted by Ubisoft assistant technical director Marc-Andre Belleau, who simply asked: â€œWhere did you get that?!â€
The last game in the franchise wasÂ Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten SandsÂ for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC back in 2010, which is over a decade ago now. Starting out as a revolutionary platformer with 1989â€™sÂ Prince Of PersiaÂ for the Apple II, the series has been rebooted several times, and even received a live-action adaptation with 2010â€™sÂ Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of TimeÂ starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Check out the Prince Of Persia Redemption trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHbRCd8yzaw&w=560&h=315]


Street Fighter 35th Anniversary Concert Tickets On Sale Now; Here’s How You Can Get Them

Capcom’s Street Fighter series not only revolutionized fighting games, but also has a stellar library of music that stands the test of time since the 90s. And since it’s the series’ 35th anniversary, not to mention the upcoming release of Street Fighter 6, Capcom is hosting a live concert in Japan.
The Street Fighter 35th Anniversary Concert will play a huge number of iconic songs from the franchise, and will be held live at Line Cube Shibuya (Shibuya Public Hall) on 29th January 2023. The concert will feature Yoko Shimomura, Lethal Weapons, and Captune (official Capcom rock band) playing live for the audience.
If you can’t fly down, you can buy online tickets to watch the livestream of the concert via Zaiko for 3,500 yen. It’s a painless process as Zaiko has English as a language option.
Check out part of the setlist and the hype video below:

STREET FIGHTER II: OPENING
STREET FIGHTER II: Ryu – Ken Stage
STREET FIGHTER II: M.Bison Stage (Boxer)
STREET FIGHTER III: 3rd Strike: Killing Moon
STREET FIGHTER IV: Theme of C. Viper
STREET FIGHTER IV: Theme of Cammy -SFIV Arrange-
STREET FIGHTER V: Bustling Side Street -China Stage-
STREET FIGHTER V: Ring of Destiny -Ring Stage-
STREET FIGHTER V: Theme of Dan ?????? Arrange
STREET FIGHTER 6: Luke’s Theme Taking Aim ?????? Arrange


Story-Based Adventure Game Albatroz Makes Its Way To PC and Consoles in 2024

Developer Among Giants has announced Albatroz, a backpacking-themed adventure RPG, which will be published by SOEDESCO. The game is set to be released on consoles, which are currently not specified and PC via Steam in 2024.
*INSERT SCREENSHOT*
The game forces you to leave your dull urban life behind to go on a journey to search for your lost brother who mysteriously disappeared while trying to reach Alabatroz, a mythical mountain deep in the wild. The main gameplay seems to revolve around testing your survival skills and focuses on making you traverse across different terrain through many different biomes in order to reach your goal, including meeting new companions along the way. The narrative is also a deep focus of the game, which should immerse you in the vast and varied world that the game is set in.
While the game is still a while away from full release, you can get a first glimpse at the game by watching the official announcement trailer below!


Grab your sword and fight the Horde

 Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. The first question of course was, how to get dry again: they had a consultation about this, and after a few minutes it seemed quite natural to Alice to find herself talking familiarly with them, as if she had known them all her life. Indeed, she had quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, and would only say, `I am older than you, and must know better’; and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no more to be said.

 Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. As if she had known them all her life. Indeed, she had quite a long argument with the Lory.
 Samuel Marlow

Now the races of these two have been
I confess this side of the country was much pleasanter than mine; but yet I had not the least inclination to remove, for as I was fixed in my habitation it became natural to me, and I seemed all the while I was here to be as it were upon a journey, and from home. However, I travelled along the shore she clutched the matron by the arm, and forcing her into a chair by the bedside, was about to speak, wh en looking round, she caught sight of the two old women bending forward in the attitude of eager list eners.They belong to the old gentleman, said Oliver, wringing his hands; “to the good, kind, old gentle man who took me into his house, and had me nursed, when I was near dying of the fever . Oh, pray send them back; send him back the books and money


Togges Gives You Too Much Freedom For A Platformer

Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Nintendo Switch
Genre: 3D Puzzle-Platformer
Blocks can be dated back all the way to the dawn of video games with classics like Super Mario with its 8-bit art and obviously how can we forget the iconic Question Mark block? If we think about modern times then obviously Minecraft comes to mind as its crafty cubes make up one of the most successful video games of all time.
And it looks like Togges plans to be the next big block game.
In concept, Togges isn’t your average 3D platformer—kind of weird if I’m being brutally honest. To begin with, you play as what is essentially a Roomba that can spawn little cube creatures called Togges and you begin the story as a potential employee under the King President, the Ruler of the Known Universe. Your job interview acts as your tutorial and as the interview proceeds you and the King President find out that the Void is trying to take over the Known Universe. You go world to world with the King President as you and your trusty Togges try to wipe out the Void and save the Known Universe.

In each level, you start with 1,000 Togges and are tasked with exploring the open areas and placing the boxes on anything suspicious to try and find collectables. What makes this slightly tricky is that Togges can only be placed next to each other or one space apart so you need to make an extensive line of them to get anywhere.
Developed in Unreal Engine 4, the game’s overall aesthetic is extremely pleasing to the eye with its vibrant colours contrasting phenomenally and the cuteness of everything in general. Words can’t really describe just how attractive the graphics are until you play it for yourself.
Pick Your Poison

You can spawn Togges through permanent Togges of the same colour or you can build Togges on top of fruit to turn them into Star Fruit. From Star Fruit, you can spawn any colour of Togges so it acts as a checkpoint of sorts. With that said, there are six colours of Togges, each with its own properties and costs. You have the standard Red Togges, which cost only one to place and can only stack up to five Togges high.
Then you have the Blue Togges, probably the least used in the early game. With the Blue Togges, you can place them underwater regardless of depth, as you can assume, you can’t do that with the others. Next, you have the Yellow Togges, these cost two to place and act very much like the Red Togges except they can stack up to five high.
Then you have my favourite: the Green Togges. These hefty boys are massive 3×3 blocks that cost significantly more to place but are so much more worth it in the long run. The Green Togges essentially allow for previously unavailable routes for the player to take as they can act as a platform to place other colours. Next, you have the Black Togges, these are indestructible Togges that can’t be cleaned up normally.
To retrieve them, you either have to vacuum a Star Fruit to recall your non-permanent Togges, or you can use an eraser. And lastly, we have the White Togges. The White Togges can be stacked infinitely, but the catch is that you have to be quick as they disappear after a few seconds. One neat feature is that you’re able to spawn any colour of Togges from the white one but not vice versa.

This brings me to my next point: having such a wide variety of Togges that synergise extremely well together, means that when solving puzzles or exploring levels, there’s no right way. Say you want to get to a Fruit, and you see there’s a clear path towards it. You don’t necessarily have to take that path giving you the freedom to play the game however you please.
With that said, I do feel that it’s a double-edged sword because this freedom means that there is not much direction or instruction with no obvious goal.
When you load up into a new world, all you know is that are puzzle areas that need to be solved and fruits that need to be collected. Where they are and how to get to them is for you to find out and with that, I can’t help but feel that the overarching plot of the game lacks substance. When you’re doing these things, all you know is that you’re doing these things to try and get to the next world. Although you know you’re progressing, you don’t feel like you are. But with this I still found myself coming back to replay levels to make sure that I didn’t miss anything.
There’s also a wide range of different puzzles to solve, whether it be using pressure plates, or finding Letters. I never got bored of the puzzles as it was always something new. Even if a puzzle seemed similar to another, and I knew how to do it, there was always a twist which kept me engaged.
Less Talk, More Block

My biggest gripe with the game is the dialogue. There’s just TOO MUCH. I’m sure that using all the dialogue featured in the game could produce a pretty hefty novel that perfectly explains the game’s overall story. Not to discredit the devs, as it’s blatant just how much work they put into the storytelling through the sheer volume and detail of the dialogue but there is seriously too much. Although there’s an option to skip, during my playthrough, I was hesitant to do so as I was afraid I would miss key pieces of dialogue.
In addition to this, although the dialogue added to the story-telling, I felt that with the sheer amount of it, it really didn’t add much to the world-building side besides character development with the King President. Straight off the bat, you can tell what kind of archetype he’s meant to fall into, the ‘goofy, fun-loving King’. Yes, you get to know him bit by bit as his character is meant to be charismatic but his dialogue doesn’t really change too much and he remains as the ‘goofy, fun-loving King’ throughout and this repetition began to bore me in my playthrough.
Togges is a 3D platformer with a focus on exploration but lacks real instruction and direction. Although you’re free to do as you please, you just don’t know where to start.

That’s not to say it’s a bad game, not at all. The puzzles a probably the best part of the game, never too hard and never too easy but always intuitive. Furthermore, the overall aesthetic of the game is extremely attractive and you can’t help but feel comfy when playing it.

With the pros versing the cons, I feel that Togges is perfectly suited for the Game Pass and definitely give it a shot if you have the chance.

Final Score: 60/100


We Are Getting A Solo Mode In Apex Legends

In a recently published quarterly financial report, EA stated that “one of the most fan-requested features” is coming to Apex Legends and it seems that we might be getting a glimpse of what that feature is.
The Apex Legends Twitter account just tweeted out an announcement for a limited time Solo Mode that begins on 13 August and ends on 27 August 2019. Called the Iron Crown Collection Event, it will be the first time Apex Legends offers a game mode that doesn’t require you to join a three-player team.

Although the event will only last for two weeks, it may be permanently implemented into the game in the future. I’m assuming that this is Respawn’s way of finding out how they need to balance the game for solo mode.
There’s also been speculation on the addition of a PVE mode. For more information on that, check out our article here.


Company of Heroes 3 Is Available On PS5 Now

Relic Entertainment and Sega have just dropped a major announcement: Company of Heroes 3 is finally here on PS5! It’s time to grab your controller, find a cozy spot on the couch, and prepare to embark on epic campaigns in Italy and the North African deserts with the all-new Company of Heroes 3 Console Edition.
This console version comes packed with controls specifically tailored for your gaming pleasure. Commanding your armies has never been smoother or more intuitive. Company of Heroes 3 Console Edition puts you in complete control of the battlefield, featuring fresh features that will assist you in achieving victory, whether in warfare or in exhilarating PvP battles. One standout addition is the Command Wheel, which allows you to issue swift commands to your troops, enabling quick manoeuvres and tactical strategies.
In the heat of battle, if things start to get a little too intense, fear not! You can utilize the Full Tactical Pause in single-player mode. This feature freezes the action, granting you a precious moment to catch your breath, reassess your battle plan, issue new orders, and witness the action unfold as you desire.
Feeling a bit rusty or need to brush up on your skills? We’ve got you covered! MoiDawg, a seasoned content creator and esteemed member of the Company of Heroes community, has prepared some fantastic basic training videos just for you. These videos cover everything from understanding the HUD to navigating the Command Wheel, as well as providing an overview of the Full Tactical Pause feature and offering tips and tricks to elevate your strategy and execution to the next level.
To get your hands on Company of Heroes 3 Console Edition, you have a couple of options. You can purchase the digital version directly from the PlayStation storefront right now, or if you prefer a physical copy, head on over to your local retailers. The choice is yours!
So gear up, grab your controller, and get ready for an epic experience with Company of Heroes 3 Console Edition. It’s time to show off your commanding skills and lead your troops to victory on the grandest of scales. Good luck, soldiers!


Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Tomb Raider Collab Summons Lara Croft

Developer gumi Inc., in partnership with publisher SQUARE ENIX, has announced a limited-time TOMB RAIDER collaboration event in the fan-favourite tactical mobile RPG, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS, which has surpassed 45 million downloads worldwide.
Beginning today until 20 October 2021, players can enjoy a plethora of themed events, quests, rewards and more, including:

Tomb Raider Collaboration Event â€“ Players can earn â€œAncient Gold Piecesâ€ Raid Coins in order to perform box summons after theyâ€™ve cleared the collaboration event. Additionally, players can receive Relics, which can be crafted into Esper Ores.
New Lara Croft Unit and Vision Card â€“ For a limited time, players can summon Lara Croft as a powerful Neo Vision (NV) unit, as well as the A Dino-Mite Battle vision card.
Lara Croft Intro Quest â€“ Players have the opportunity to use the legendary Lara Croft Neo Vision unit in battle, even if players have not yet obtained her.
Login Bonus â€“ Players can earn bonus rewards, including a summon ticket, Laraâ€™s Fragment, lapis and more, simply by logging in.
Special Exchange Coin â€“ Players can exchange special coins for items such as Transcension Pearl 1/10 NV Summon Tickets. These coins can be obtained via the limited-time Tomb Raider login bonus and collaboration event.
Weekly Free Summon â€“ Beginning today, a weekly free 10+1 summon with one guaranteed 5â˜… or NV unit, will be available for players until October 27, with the Lara Croft NV unit included in the summon pool until October 20.

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is available now as a free-to-play app (with in-app purchases) through the App Store, Google Play and the Amazon App Store. This title is developed as a collaboration between SQUARE ENIX and gumi Inc. (developer of the hit title Brave Frontier). The game is available in eight languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese (traditional), Korean, Thai and Indonesian.


Aeon Must Die’s Former Devs Speak Out Over Crunch, Mistreatment, & Being Unpaid

Update: Focus Home Interactive published a statement. It is added into the story.
To say that there is some wild s*** going on with the recently-revealed indie sci-fi 2D beat-em-up Aeon Must Die is putting it mildly. Recently this morning, the trailer for the game was revealed. 20 minutes after that, a person under the moniker “Erkki Poots” revealed a Dropbox link containing the many, many alleged stories surrounding the title.

Let’s break down the highly-detailed account of this recent drama:

In a nutshell, most of Aeon Must Die’s development staff quit the studio -Limestone Games- due to crunch, staff mistreatment, and lack of payments.
The Dropbox folder contains many, many testimonials from Limestone Games’ former artists, designers, composer, and programmers all highlighting the “mistreatment” and “betrayal” from its current management.
Lowlights from the folder include the firing of key members before important deadlines, no effort from management to scout for new talent, constant scapegoating, gaslighting, work overload and overtime, and financial threats. There’s a lot more, FYI.
The company’s original CCO lost the Aeon Must Die IP and the company he founded, while oweing the investor 50k Euros. This is due to the shady dealings of the CEO.
The awesome trailer you see up there? That’s all outsourced to artists without contracts. As of this posting, the trailer is receiving quite a substantial amount of dislikes due to the Dropbox folder and its testimonials.

Focus Home Interactive issued out the following statement following these allegations.

Our statement regarding Limestone Games and Aeon Must Die!. pic.twitter.com/75ldhtp27T
— Focus Entertainment (@Focus_entmt) August 7, 2020

Assuming it’s not taken down yet, the Dropbox link is here for all to see and read. We’ll be updating this story as it develops. With the devs already gone, we do wonder if there’s ever going to be an Aeon Must Die game in the first place.


OlliOlli World’s Skatepark Landscape Delights & Challenges

Skateboarding games, while fun, have two main issues: one – it can be tough for newbies from the get-go. Two: the places you skate in seem pretty barren.
Enter OlliOlli World, a super-bright and cheery (albeit weird) game where you pull off skateboarding tricks for points on a 2D plane. Simple gameplay and controls, but its course design and challenges are anything but. Check out our hands-on with an early demo of the game, slated for release on all major platforms this Winter.


The Winners Of Malaysia’s Biggest PUBG Tournament Are…

The weekend of 13th and 14th October was a weekend full of esports goodness; first with South East Asia Major 2018, then with the PUBG Malaysia/Singapore Championship 2018 at Battle Arena, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
For those not familiar with PUBG/battle royale esports rules, the gist is this: 20 teams compete in 2 days worth of PUBG, with each day containing 12 rounds to determine who gets the highest score at the end of the day. The tournament had 20 teams going at it.

Here are the results for the PUBG MY/SG Championship 2018:

GeekFam -4,125
Quacker -3,295
Gaventure -3,070
Resurgence -2,880
Bad – 2,790
MBT.MinumKopiJap -2,720
FFG Elite – 2,645
Fizrix S2 Warrior – 2,555
Genius Team -2,225
Silver Wolves -2,175
Stryve Gaming – 2,085
MMG – 2,085
BMW – 1,952
Stadium Fighter Yolo -1,950
O.N.E – 1,510
Infinity Gaming – 1,415
Lapar Esports – 1,365
Extense Gaming – 1,205
Cxon – 800
Hornet Gaming -465

The top 4 winners of the tournament will take the huge share of the RM40,000 prize pool, as well as the honour of representing Malaysia in the JIB PUBG SEA Championship in Bangkok, Thailand on 27-28 October. Heartiest congratulations to Geek Fam, Quacker, Gaventure, and MBT.Minumkopijap.

Check out the photos of the winners below, as well as the whole tournament (via Geek Event’s YouTube channel)


FaZe Clan Crowned Champions Of FIFA Online 4 EACC Summer 2021

The EACC Summer 2021 tournament has concluded in the past week,Â  featuring amazing performances from all 12 participating teams of the second FIFA ONLINE 4 Series tournament. FaZe Clan emerged victorious, taking the title, and securing the US$35,000 grand prize.Â
GROUP STAGE RESULTS

The group stages were held from 28Â to 30Â June 2021, with each of the four groups featuring three teams. The top two teams in each group advanced to the playoffs.Â
All three Vietnamese teams (Poloman eSport, Tony Tonyy, DIH Esport) were eliminated in groups B, C,Â  and D, while Chinese representative R&F Ronly got eliminated in Group A. Korea had a strong showing,Â  topping groups C and D, while placing a close second in Group A.Â
Day 1 featured tight matches, with mostly just ties and 1-point differentials across all games. Meanwhile, Day 2 highlighted strong showings from Korean teams SainT and CrazyWin. The final day yet again featured matches that went down to the wire, except for MintChocoDanâ€™s dominating series against DIHÂ  Esport.Â
KNOCKOUT STAGES

The knockout stage featured the top eight teams, with the top seed of each group facing the second seed from other groups. The first day of the playoffs showed us a dominant performance by the Thai team FaZe Clan and the Chinese team Manchester City Esports Team, both needing only 2 games to defeat their opponents and with a clear victory from each player in the squad. Meanwhile defending championsÂ  Crazy Win struggled against the competition, and were ultimately taken down in an upset by WolvesÂ  Weibo.
Knockout Stage Day 1 highlights can be found here:Â Â
https://vod.afreecatv.com/PLAYER/STATION/74686122
Knockout Stage Day 2 highlights can be found here:Â Â
https://vod.afreecatv.com/PLAYER/STATION/74687509Â
FINALS DAY

The semi-finals and grand finals were held on Sunday, 4th July, featuring BO5 matches between the teams.Â

Semi-finals 1: FaZe Clan vs Wolves WeiboÂ
Semi-finals 2: Manchester City Esports Team vs Mint Choco DanÂ

FaZe Clan continued their strong form in the semi-finals against Wolves Weibo, winning the BO5 match with a 3 â€“ 1 score. Michael04 was instrumental for FaZe Clan, winning both his games to help the team qualify for the Grand Final. The second semi-final was an equally one-sided affair with the Manchester City Esports Team dominating against Mint Choco Dan with a final score of 3 games to 1. Manchester City player Tp was prolific at penalty shoot-out time, winning all 3 of his games through penalties. This is the first time Manchester City Esports Team has qualified for the Grand Finals.Â Â
The Grand Finals featured FaZe Clan vs Manchester City Esports Team in a thrilling Best-of-5 match play. FaZe Clan player JubJub started dominantly, winning his first 2 matches comfortably against his opponents. However, Manchester City player Daybreak was determined to keep his teamâ€™s hopes alive and won the third game to keep the team in the hunt.
Needing to win just 1 more game for the championship, FaZe Clan brought on Michael04 who did not disappoint. With a final scoreline of 3Â  games to 1, FaZe Clan was crowned the EACC Summer 2021 champions and took home the grand prize of US$35,000.Â
Finals Day highlights can be found here:
https://vod.afreecatv.com/PLAYER/STATION/74687596Â
MVP of the Grand Finals, FaZe Clan player JubJub, said:
 “I was so nervous because I have played inÂ  2 finals previously and the team lost 3-0 both times.
I was determined to do better this time and was glad I was able to help the team by winning the first two games.
I would like to thank everyone who supported FaZe Clan in all the rounds.
We are finally Champions!”


HBO GO July 2021: Our Picks & Highlights

Since everyone is (still mostly) staying home because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Iâ€™m sure you wonâ€™t want to waste time sifting through HBO GOâ€™s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming site updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so Iâ€™m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for HBO GOâ€™s July 2021 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
DC’s Stargirl Season 1 (1 July 2021)

Smart, athletic high school sophomore Courtney Whitmoreâ€™s life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her stepfather was once a superheroâ€™s sidekick. Using the heroâ€™s Cosmic Staff, she steps up to inspire an unlikely group of young heroes, uniting them to stop the villains of the past.
This drama series reimagines Stargirl and the very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America, in an unpredictable tale, with an engaging heroine based on creator Geoff Johns’ late sister who was killed in a 1996 plane explosion. Stars Brec Bassinger, Yvette Monreal and Anjelika Washington.
The whole first season of DC’s Stargirl premieres on 1 July 2021.

No Sudden Move (2 July 2021)

Set in 1955 Detroit, No Sudden Move is an HBO Max Original movie that centres on a group of small-time criminals who are hired to steal what they think is a simple document. When their plan goes horribly wrong, their search for who hired them â€“ and for what ultimate purpose â€“ takes them through all echelons of the race-torn, rapidly changing city. Stars Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Ray Liotta, Jon Hamm and Brendan Fraser.
No Sudden Move premieres on 2 July 2021.

Gossip Girl (8 July 2021)

This brand-new HBO Max Original series picks up eight years after the original website went dark, with original cast member Kristen Bell returning as narrator. Now, a new generation of privileged New York teens is introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl, highlighting the increasingly pervasive influence of social media and celebrity culture on teenagers, set against the ever-changing landscape of New York City. Stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown and Thomas Doherty.
Gossip Girl premieres on 8 July 2021 exclusively on HBO GO. A new episode debuts every subsequent Thursday.

The White Lotus (12 July 2021)

In this HBO Original limited series, an assorted group of guests seek to relax and rejuvenate in an exclusive Hawaiian resort. However, within the span of a week, this tropical paradise reveals dark complexities behind the picture-perfect beaches, clear blue waters and stunning sunsets, stemming from the guests themselves as well as the hotelâ€™s seemingly cheerful employees.
Stars Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton and Jennifer Coolidge.
The White Lotus premieres on 12 July 2021 at 9am GMT+8 on HBO GO and HBO (Astro Channel 411 HD). A new episode premieres every subsequent Monday.

Rick And Morty Season 5

Rick And Morty Season 5 actually premiered its first episode on 21 June 2021, but it’s still ongoing so it definitely deserves an honourable mention on this list. There will be 10 episodes in all, and new episodes will premiere every subsequent Monday.
If you want, you can also catch up on all four previous seasons of the series on HBO GO. In the meantime, head on over here for our exclusive interview with the writers and producers of Rick And Morty Season 5.

Those are just several selected highlights from next monthâ€™s offerings of new TV series and movies on HBO GO next month. Now you can plan your HBO GO watchlist for July 2021.


Malaysian Action Game Katana Rama Delayed Indefinitely

Malaysian games developer Ghost Machine 1.0 has announced that their upcoming action game Katana Rama will no longer be released for PC in February 2023. It has been delayed indefinitely with no new release date or specific month as a release window.
However, in their statement (via Twitter), the developer mentions that they hope to still release the game sometime in 2023, if possible. The reason for the delay is because Katana Rama is still unfinished and it still needs more development time.

#Announcement: We are sorry to announce Katana Rama will be delayed to further notice. Rest assured, the team is hard at work to deliver the game the best it can be. pic.twitter.com/wbnHSSA4P3
— Ghost Machine | Wishlist Katana Rama Now!! (@GhostMach) January 31, 2023

Katana Rama is a mobility-based and fast-paced action game with retro Dreamcast-like visuals where you play as a hacker program, with the mission of breaking out of a digital security system.
We had the chance to play Katana Rama hands-on at Level Up KL 2022 and it was a taste of how great it could be. Recently, we also included it as part of our top ten Southeast Asian indie games to look out for in 2023.
We wish all the best to the folks at Ghost Machine 1.0 and we hope to be able to play the game later this year. Fingers crossed, and Malaysian Boleh! For now, go ahead and wishlist the game on Steam.


Genshin Impact Publishers Unveils Own Metaverse; Dubbed HoYoverse

Mihoyo, the publishers and creators of this generation’s anime waifu-filled timesink Genshin Impact, has unveiled its own brand of metaverse and virtual world experience.
It’s called the HoYoverse and it aims to combine its games, anime, and other content into a global virtual world. The HoYoverse aims to bring Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis (all three being their own creations) together under one virtual metaverse banner, alongside other tie-ins they can get their hands on. This also includes virtual character Lumi and the N0va Desktop App they made a while back.
Here’s a quote from co-founder/CEO Haoyu Cai about this new venture.
“Our mission in establishing HoYoverse is to create a vast and content-driven virtual world that integrates games, anime, and other diverse types of entertainment, which will provide players with a high level of freedom and immersion. We will continue to focus on long-term operation strategies, consistent technical research, and innovation in a variety of fields, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and pipeline construction, to ensure that sufficient content is created to meet the expectations of players worldwide for a virtual world experience.”
Speaking of timesink, the next Genshin Impact update, version 2.5, will be out on the 16th of February. Hope you have those primogems stocked up for the pink fox lady everyone’s clamouring about.Â


PS Plus November 2020 Will Offer PS5’s Bugsnax For Free

Gamers will have three new games to look forward to in the PlayStation Plus November 2020 lineup. From 3 November 2020 to 30 November 2020, PS Plus subscribers will be able to redeem Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition, with the addition of the new PS5 launch game, Bugsnax.
Bugsnax (PS5 Version)

The very first PS5 game to join PlayStation Plus is Young Horsesâ€™ ultra-charming, whimsical first-person adventure Bugsnax.
Players will assume the role of an investigative journalist who has set out to explore Snaktooth Island, home to legendary half-bug half-snack creatures, Bugsnax. They will discover, hunt and capture all 100 critters while also tracking down and reuniting the islandâ€™s inhabitants.Â
Bugsnax (PS5 version) will be available to PlayStation Plus members from 12 November 2020 to 4 January 2021.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War (PS4 Game)

Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, Middle-earth: Shadow of War brings players yet again into JRR Tolkienâ€™s iconic world of wizards, orcs and elves.
Players will conquer Fortresses and dominate Mordor from within, as well as experience how the Nemesis System creates unique personal stories with every enemy and follower.
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition (PS4 Game)

In Team Cherryâ€™s engrossing 2D explorative platformer, players will descend into a sprawling underground world of Hollownest to battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs. They will unlock new skills and tailor their power sets to fit their playstyle to help them explore twisting caverns, ancient cities and deadly wastes.
PlayStation Plus CollectionÂ

If you have a PS5, you will also be able to enjoy the PlayStation Plus collection at no additional cost. You will be able to redeem and play a curated library of PS4 games that defined the generation, including the following:
From Worldwide Studios:
BloodborneDays GoneDetroit: Become HumanGod of WarInfamous Second SonRatchet and ClankÂ The Last GuardianThe Last of Us RemasteredUntil DawnUncharted 4: A Thiefâ€™s End
From third-party publishers and developers:
Batman: Arkham KnightBattlefield 1Call of Duty: Black Ops III â€“ Zombies Chronicles EditionCrash Bandicoot N. Sane TrilogyFallout 4Final Fantasy XV Royal EditionMonster Hunter: WorldMortal Kombat XPersona 5Resident Evil 7 biohazard
DISCLAIMER: It’s worth pointing out that these were announced by the official global PlayStation account. We’ll be sure to update this piece with PlayStation Asia’s lineup (if it’s different from this one) when they’re officially announced during the day tomorrow.


E1 Championship Season 1 Opens Registration For Aspiring Sim Racers

The premier sim racing championship in the region, E1 Championship, is counting down to the first race of its new season. Registrations to Season 1 is now open from now until 24 March 2021 on the official website. As the competition heats up this round, aspiring sim racers will need to prove their skills on the track to compete for the US$15,000 prize pool.
You can find the registration form here.
11 teams and 15 drivers from last season, including champion Naquib Azlan, will be making a return in Season 1. The 8-round championship featuring Asia Pacificâ€™s best drivers will begin every Wednesday from 7 April 2021 on eGG Network. Stay tuned for more details of participating teams and drivers, along with the tracks that theyâ€™ll be racing on RaceRoom.
E1 Championship is powered by Axle Sports and eGG Network, in partnership with ERacing GP and RaceRoom.

Check out the E1 Championship Season 1 schedule below:

In the meantime, you can check out the highlights of E1 Championship Season 0 below:


Football Manager 2022 To Add Improved True-To-Life Deadline Day & Staff Communication

Sports Interactive and SEGA reveal a further two headline features for FootballÂ  Manager 2022, debuting on 9 November 2021Â on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. FM22 will also be available Day One with Xbox Game Pass.Â
Sports Interactive has taken insight from leading figures within the football industry to model an improved Transfer Deadline Day experience that better reflects the drama, excitement and suspense of the climax of the transfer window. Collaboration with the backroom staff has also been enhanced through the new weekly Staff Meeting which replicates the way that real managers interact with their coaches and key support staff.Â
There is an in-depth look at both additions to FM22 in the second episode of â€˜In the Studioâ€™ hosted by James Allcott. James is joined by members of the Sports Interactive team as well as football transfers expert, Fabrizio Romano, and former Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder, to discuss how Football Manager blurs the lines between game and reality.Â
A series of blogs delving into both the headline features and other core areas of the game will be released in the coming days. Further features will be released on the Football Manager social channels (including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) and Sports Interactive studio director, MilesÂ  Jacobsonâ€™s own channels (including Twitter and Instagram).Â
Fans who pre-purchase Football Manager 2022 (for PC and Mac), from a SEGA-approved digital retailer up until launch will receive a 10 percent discount. They will also have the chance to kick off their managerial career ahead of schedule with Early Access to FM22. Early Access will be available roughly two weeks prior to the official street date and single-player careers started in that period can be carried across to the final game.Â

An overview of all four headline features can be found below.Â
Transfer Deadline DayÂ
A revamped Transfer Deadline Day experience in FM22 better replicates the drama and excitement of one of the most chaotic fixtures in the football calendar. Managers will be better informed of the latest done deals, rumours and offers from agents in a new Deadline Day hub.Â
Itâ€™s also easier for managers to master the transfer market in the whirlwind of Deadline Day activity.Â  Dedicated screens allow managers to monitor interest from other clubs in their players, capitalise on players whose contracts are close to expiring and see which players have been newly transfer listed.Â
Revamped UI elements breathe more life into the spectacle of Deadline Day such as a countdown timer to the end of the transfer window that features prominently throughout the day and a ticker bar revealing the latest breaking transfer news.Â
Staff MeetingsÂ
Staff Meetings streamline your interactions with key members of managersâ€™ backroom team to give them more time to focus on the elements of management that matter to them. Based on insight from football professionals, Staff Meetings are a weekly fixture in your calendar that allows managers to better organise their pre-match preparation, long-term player development goals and their team structure.Â
Managers will have the ability to action their backroom teamâ€™s advice from within the meeting along with a suite of new functionality additions to maximise the input from their backroom staff.Â
Data HubÂ
The Data Hub is a brand-new section on the sidebar in FM22 that is the go-to destination for everything related to data and performance analysis.Â
From here managers can delve into team performance metrics to analyse where things are going right over the course of the 90 minutes of match action and where there is room for improvement.Â  Thereâ€™s also the ability to view analysis on individual players from within your squad, allowing you to identify strengths to build around and weaknesses to develop on the training ground.Â
New data visualisations such as momentum graphs and zone maps alongside reworked pass maps make it clearer and easier than ever for managers to see how their decision-making affects their chances of success, to diagnose problem areas and to judge the most effective contribution from squad members.Â
Managers wishing to fully immerse themselves in the world of data analytics can delve even deeper into the Data Hub and ask their analytics team to deliver bespoke reports on a wide range of topics,Â  such as the percentage of headers won by their defenders compared to the rest of the league.Â
Real clubs are using the same metrics and reporting methods to power their performance on theÂ  pitch, now FM players can tooÂ
Match EngineÂ
The FM22 match engine marks the start of a new era in our everlasting pursuit to create the perfect simulation of on-pitch action.
A new animation engine delivers an even greater level of on-pitch authenticity than was previously possible in the series. Player movements now look far more realistic and natural due to the implementation of root motion while on-the-ball dribbles and touches have been reworked to ensure that players have a much greater range of movement, including the ability to pivot on the ball and perform Cruyff turns.Â
Significant AI enhancements lead to a more lifelike flow to the passage of play over the course of aÂ  match. A reworked pressing system means that players now have the concept of their sprint capacity and know when they can and canâ€™t press their opponent and accuracy has been refined to ensure that player condition has a greater impact on the accuracy of passes, shots and first touches.Â
New for FM22 is the Wide Centre-Back player role that allows managers to have greater flexibility when operating with a back three. Wide Centre-Backs can be deployed in a defence, support or attack duty with an increasing willingness to overlap and create two vs one situations the more attacking the manager sets their duty.


Apex Legends Celebrates Lunar New Year With Exclusive Charms

Respawn Entertainment has announced that Apex Legends will be celebrating the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year 2020 in a special way. Players can look forward to two exclusive limited-time Lunar New Year-themed Gun Charms designed for the Year of the Rat.
These exclusive charms will only be available from 25 January to 1 February 2020 via purchase through the in-game store with 500 Apex Coins. The Lucky Money charm will fill up your pockets, which you can check out below.
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Meanwhile, the Year of the Rat charm is just perfect to celebrate this year’s Lunar New Year with, if you’re planning to spend the holiday playing Apex Legends.
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Grab these exclusive Lunar New Year charms before it’s too late, Legends. In the meantime, head on over here to read about an Apex Legends player who hijacked airport monitors to satisfy his craving for some action.


Marvel’s WandaVision To Premiere In January 2021

We finally have a release date for the first TV series from Marvel Studios. WandaVision is slated to premiere on Disney Plus next year on 15 January 2021.

A new era arrives. Marvel Studios’ @WandaVision, an Original Series, is streaming January 15 on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/jx8cnmdZDT— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) November 12, 2020

What this means is that 2020 will be the first year since 2009 that Marvel Studios will not have released any content whatsoever. It was previously rumoured that WandaVision would still be premiering in 2020, but that’s not the case anymore.
WandaVision will be set after 2019â€™s Avengers Endgame, with the married Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) seemingly happy in the idyllic town of Westview. However, all is not as it seems.
The synopsis for the series reads:
The series is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision – two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives – begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.


Team17 Dabbles In NFT With Worms

Worms developer Team17 has announced that they are getting into NFTs. However, it may not be as it seems. According to a report by Eurogamer, several teams within Team17 had no knowledge of these NFT plans prior to the official announcement earlier today.
In a new statement, Team17 told Eurogamer that these NFT will not be in the actual game.
The statement reads:
“Team17 is licencing the Worms brand to our newest third-party partner so they can produce collectible digital artwork based on one of the most beloved IPs in indie games, in a similar way to already available physical merchandise.
Team17 has no plans to introduce NFTs or play-to-earn NFT mechanics into any of its indie games label titles.”
Check out the NFTs on the website – metaworms.live, which currently shows a rotating 3D worm covered in glitter, and theÂ MetaWorms Discord, where a project roadmap channel includes a post saying “do a roadmap”.


Shin Megami Tensei 5 Characters Revealed

Atlus just revealed more Shin Megami Tensei 5’s gameplay, this time about the game’s other characters who will interact with the protagonist.
True to past SMT titles, your main character, a mild-mannered Tokyo student who becomes the Nahobino, will have friends from high school to interact with and possibly ally with later in the game to determine the ending(s) and moral path (via Game Informer). They are:
Yuzuru Atsuta – Principled and upright student, and good friends with the protagonist. Responsible, capable, and assertive. A shoe-in for a Law character
Ichiro Dazai – A cheerful guy who can be a bit bumbling. Loves to livestream events he’s in. Most likely the representative of Chaos.
Tao Isonokami – A caring and kind-hearted classmate of the group. Part of the Bethel organization, a group that fights the demons they encountered in Da’at, the alternate world filled with demons that are set on invading Tokyo.
Miyazu Atsuta – Yuzuru’s little sister and only living relative.
Hayao Koshimizu – Japan’s prime minister, and the main representative of the Japanese branch of Bethel. Looks totally like a trustworthy NPC.
While these characters seem standard, SMT veterans will know better. Either you’ll have to side with one of them for a particular ending, or one of them ends up tragically dying and set the pace of the story’s dark climax. Check out the gameplay below.


Swing by McDonald’s to Grab These Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Toys

Calling all web-warriors and Spidey fans! It’s time to visit your nearest McDonald’s and grab these Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse toys with every Happy Meal.
What’s that? You want a Spider-Gwen or Peni Parker toy? Well, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to settle for some freakish hybrids of the characters you know and love. Some of them look pretty cool (like Spider-Gwen/Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Gwen/Peter Parker) but most of them look off-putting and weird.

Keep in mind that these McDonald’s Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse toys are only available in Malaysia. The offer starts today, so be sure to grab these toys while stocks last. McDonald’s Malaysia’s previous PokÃ©mon toys sold out so fast, and it could happen with these Spider-Man toys as well.
If you haven’t watched Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse, head on over here to check out why you shouldn’t miss the best Spider-Man movie of all time (and that includes all the live-action ones).


[Rumour] Mortal Kombat Devs Will Be Working On A New Marvel Fighting Game

Take this news with a huge grain of salt, but if it’s true, we may bear witness to the first video game company that has dipped its fighting game-making hands into two of the biggest comic publishing houses on the planet.
NetherRealm Studios, the developers behind the Mortal Kombat games and the two Injustice DC Comics superheroes-laced fighting games, may be gearing up to give Spider-Man, Captain America, and the rest of the Marvel superheroes the NetherRealm touch. According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, NetherRealm may be developing a Marvel fighting game for next-gen consoles. Right now, the game is in production.
Again, take this with a grain of salt because NetherRealm is tied together with Warner Bros. Games, so unless there’s some leeway going on, this may not even be true. Still, due to the low fanfare for Capcom’s Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, it wouldn’t be surprising news if Disney is on the lookout for new game developers to make a brand-new fighting game. At least to wash off that bitter taste from the last game.


Gears 6 Is The Coalition’s Next Game; Two Other Titles Cancelled

Following the recent Microsoft layoffs, developer The Coalition is getting an updated work schedule.
The bad news first: two of its unannounced games under development are cancelled. However, the Canadian studio is going full steam ahead with a Gears of War 6, or Gears 6. This is from a report from Giant Bomb reporter Jeff Grubb.
“They have cancelled that smaller project, as well as another project, so there have been two games cancelled there.
This was all reflected in the layoffs that happened at Microsoft, which did hit The Coalition a little bit. The studio is now going to move on fully to Gears 6. I say now, it has likely moved on to Gears 6 in full over the course of the last year, but definitely, that will be their next game.”
Microsoft has future plans for the Gears of War series, including a Netflix deal where it will make a number of adaptation projects including a live-action film and an adult animation series.


Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 5 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The fifth episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. l’ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you haven’t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, now’s your chance to stop reading.
The limited six-episode series follows the titular Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in exile, set 10 years after the events of Star Wars Episode III Revenge Of The Sith. It is executive-produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Deborah Chow, McGregor and series writer Joby Harold. Deborah Chow is the showrunner and she directed all six episodes.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia, we were given the opportunity to interview none other than the former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and current Dark Lord Of The Sith Darth Vader; Hayden Christensen himself.
Check out my breakdown of Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 1 and 2, Episode 3 and Episode 4 here.
You can check out my previous breakdowns of The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6 and Episode 7 here.
Check out my breakdown of Moon Knight Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6 here.
You can check out my previous breakdowns of Hawkeye Episodes 1 and 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here and Episode 5. and Episode 6 here.
In addition, you can check out my previous breakdowns of Marvel’s What If? Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9 here.
If you haven’t, you can check out my previous breakdowns and easter egg articles for WandaVision Episode 1 and 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9.
For The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns for Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns of Loki episodes, check out Episode 1 here, Episode 2 here, Episode 3 here, Episode 4 here, Episode 5 here and Episode 6 here.

Flashback To The Prequel Era, A Young Anakin Played By Hayden Christensen

We get a flashback to a training session between a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and young Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen!), From their hairstyles and clothing, this looks set sometime before, during or near the events of Star Wars Episode II Attack Of The Clones and clearly before the start of the Clone Wars.
Darth Vader Appoints Reva As The New Grand Inquisitor

They still haven’t explained how or why the original Grand Inquisitor died in Episode 2, but now Darth Vader has appointed Reva as the new Grand Inquisitor. As of now, this is all not lining up with what will happen in Star Wars Rebels… yet.
Inquisitor Reva’s Origins Revealed, She Wants Revenge Against Darth Vader

Obi-Wan deduces that the only way Reva could have known about Darth Vader being Anakin Skywalker is because she was a Jedi youngling who survived Order 66 AKA the Great Jedi Purge. Reva then reveals that she survived by playing dead during Order 66 and that she’s only serving Darth Vader because she wants revenge.
Tala Sacrifices Herself To Let Obi-Wan Escape

Indira Varma’s Tala sacrifices herself by detonating a thermal detonator to allow Obi-Wan to escape.
Darth Vader Defeats Reva Without Even Using His Lightsaber

Reva tries to kill Darth Vader but is defeated. Amusingly, he defeats her without even using his lightsaber, and only using the Force. That’s probably the biggest f*** y** ever in any lightsaber duel. He ultimately kills Reva using her own lightsaber.
The Grand Inquisitor Is Still Alive And The Canon Remains Unbroken

The Grand Inquisitor is revealed to still be alive, and thus, the Star Wars canon remains unbroken.
The Grand Inquisitor would only later officially die n the Star Wars Rebels animated series, in Season 1 Episodes 1 ‘Fire Across The Galaxy’ after losing to Kanan Jarrus and committing suicide.

We’re Returning To Tatooine And Young Luke Skywalker In The Last Episode

It looks like the final episode will take place on Tatooine and will feature young Luke Skywalker. With only one episode left for Obi-Wan Kenobi (assuming there’s no Season 2), what will happen? Will we see another duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader? Will it be anti-climactic, as we know that all of them will still be alive and well after this series ends?
Until then, excelsior!


The Most Underrated Robin Showcases His Skills In New Gotham Knights Trailer

Warner Bros. Games Montreal has revealed an extended gameplay demo showcasing the game’s playable Robin and fans of the comics will know him as the most underrated Robin; AKA Tim Drake. Some might even call him the best Robin and the best candidate to inherit the title of World’s Greatest Detective due to his high intelligence, but I digress.
The Gotham Knights’ version of Tim Drake Robin looks badass in action, and it’s nice to see him using his smarts to utilize Justice Leagye technology to use teleportation abilities during battle.
Gotham Knights is a brand-new open-world, third-person action RPG featuring the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. An expansive, criminal underworld has swept through the streets of Gotham, and it is now up to these new heroes to protect the city, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops and fear to its criminals. Players must save Gotham from descent into chaos and reinvent themselves into their own version of the Dark Knight.
Gotham Knights is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 25 October 2022.


Devil May Cry 5’s V Set To Star In His Own Spinoff Manga

Devil May Cry 5 is receiving almost universal acclaim by critics and fans alike, just like Resident Evil 2 earlier this year. If you’re one of the gamers currently enjoying the return of the franchise, you’ll be glad to learn that the game is receiving a prequel in the form of a manga starring the mysterious V.

Drawn by Tomio Ogata, the manga is titled, Devil May Cry 5: Visions of V. According to Comic Natalie, the story will focus on V’s origins, his encounters with demons, and a plot from his unique perspective. It’s essentially a prequel to the events that take place in Devil May Cry 5.
The first chapter of the manga will launch on 27 April 2019 on LINE Manga, with a prologue chapter 0 currently already available on the site. A new chapter will be published on each subsequent Saturday.
Unfortunately for fans of Devil May Cry 5 and V, LINE Manga can only be accessed in Japan for now. No details on an international release of any kind have been announced thus far.
In the meantime, check out our first look at the art of the Devil May Cry 5: Visions of V manga below.

Devil May Cry 5 is now available for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Check out our review of the game here, where Mr. Toffee answers the question: “Does Devil May Cry 5 fall short of being an action game godsend?”


Resistor Is A New Car Racing RPG With Cel-Shaded Visuals

PQube and Long Way Home have announced Resistor, which is slated for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC. However, a release date has not been announced.
Resistor is a turbocharged narrative-driven adventure RPG featuring open-world exploration, stunt-infused racing, and explosive vehicular combat. Players can build up their team and unravel a twisting story as they compete to take down an oppressive mega-corporation and its enigmatic director.
In the year 2060 the world’s governments have long since destroyed one another and in their place stand self-contained city-states presided over by a league of powerful corporations. Within the walls of these dense urban metropolises, citizens enjoy a life of comfort and excess, far removed from the harsh realities of the scattered communities that scrape a living in the endless desert wastes of the outside world.
To remain “competitive but friendly,” the corporations take turns hosting an annual racing tournament for the masses setting the finest teams, and bravest challengers, against one another in a series of exhilarating, high-speed death races. The ultimate prize? A one-way ticket to permanent citizenship, and a better life, inside the cities.
Check out the trailer below:


Kakuchopurei Best of 2019: Total War – Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms (TW3K) plays off like an elaborate 200-episode drama which you, the player assume the role as Director sans the control over the outcome of a big battle. Or sometimes, betrayal and defection.
After a brief venture into the fantasy-like setting via the world of Warhammer followed by a forgettable return to hard reality via Thrones of Britannia, Creative Assembly (CA) straddles fact and fiction by tackling what is easily the most famous literary export from China in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

I was skeptical at first on whether I’d actually enjoy a Total War game set in this period. Pretty soon, I found myself 300-hours knee-deep into the game which is chock full with content I didn’t know I needed prior.

In fact, I am now having a hard time picturing future Total War games without such attention to detail.

With the ability to form and grow your faction from a vast cast of generals, you will create your own convoluted yet digestible web filled with relationships, allies and turncoats. I’d go as far to declare that this TW3K save might even surpass the original material.
Creative Assembly have perfected the formula in making their titles accessible to all while keeping the hardcore base happy. They did so by allowing newbies and veterans alike to play the game whichever way they prefer with its wealth of streamlined options.
In other words, do not be perturbed or have second guesses in picking up TW3K even if you haven’t played any Total War games prior. That leap of faith alone would reward you with one of the most gorgeous, elaborate and satisfying turn-based RTS of its kind.


New Turn-Based Survival Space Prison Announced For PS5, Xbox Series & PC

A brand new studio called Wooden Alien from Krakow, Poland, has just announced its first game, Space Prison. It’s gonna be a tactical, turn-based survival game with cell-building elements and a social ladder system, and it’ll be available on PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X | S. The release date hasn’t been announced yet.
Wooden Alien’s CEO, Hubert Kubit, said, “Space Prison combines survival with tactics and social dynamics. We wanted to create a game that would immerse players in a detailed sci-fi adventure universe and offer them a truly unique gameplay experience. With Space Prison, we believe we are well on our way to achieving that goal and are thrilled to be bringing it to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players.”

So, what’s the game all about? According to the Steam page, it’s a survival game where you need to stay alive by crafting contraband, upgrading your prison cell, fighting alien creatures in turn-based brawls, and climbing to the top of the gangster ladder in this social survival.
The story is set in the darkest hole in the universe, a place called Space Prison, where they gather both guilty and innocent aliens under the jurisdiction of the artificial system. To stay alive, you’ll need to find allies among the criminals and fight for respect in brutal turn-based brawls. The ultimate goal is to domesticate this hole while struggling to survive, and find out the dark secrets that this place hides. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to find your way out of here, one way or another. Don’t let the system break you, and get ready for an immersive sci-fi adventure with Space Prison!

Key Features

Social Survival – Earn the trust and respect of the criminals to make them your allies. Build useful connections by helping prisoners with various jobs and learn personal stories hidden underneath those crooked faces. Just don’t step on the wrong alien’s toes. It may be the last thing you ever do.
Tactical Turn-Based Brawls – Fight other convicts, alien creatures and the prison system in fast-paced, tactical turn-based brawls. Use your brain and allies, and move those feet quickly if you don’t want your motionless body to float through space.
Prison Cell Base – Get cozy in your own prison cell, collect junky scraps and improve your super-fancy furnishings: rocky crafting bench, hidden storage behind posters or even a house for your pet rats. There’s no better place than home, right?
Crafting Contraband – Look for scraps, destroy prison property, hunt alien vermin—all to get resources for crafting illegal tools and weapons that you or your inmates need. Be careful not to get caught and you’ll do just fine, fish.
Become a Gang Boss – Join one of the prison gangs, like Gravity Fist or Hypernova, with different alien creatures, agendas and fighting styles. Use their backs to climb to the top of a social ladder and become powerful enough to face the prison system itself.
Rat Companions – There is no better friend than a rat. Gather snacks for these filthy creatures and soon enough you’ll have an army of long-toothed vermins ready to die for you. Just look into their cute red eyes!


Guess Who Owns The Majority Of SNK Now?

Never thought we’d see a figurehead of a country take over one of the 90s most prominent arcade game-making companies.
In recent news via Twitter’s Gatoray_KOF, SNK’s majority of shares has been purchased by the Saudi-based Electronic Gaming Development Company; about 33.3 percent. That’s not all though: the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has funded the entire stock purchase. Seeing as he is the largest shareholder of the EGDC, you could say he owns a majority of SNK and its brands such as The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, and Doki Doki Majo Shinpan!
The acquisition of SNK is part of the Prince’s “Saudi Vision 2030” program where the country wishes to diversify its economy from its oil-led businesses. Seems like technology and gaming is on the agenda if this purchase is anything to go by.
This also means that SNK may need to up their game when it comes to their PR due to this association. The Crown Prince is notorious for allegedly having a hand in assassinating Washington Post journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, as well as other horrendous things.
That’s something worth considering before you go ahead and say “maybe all this oil money may help fund The King of Fighters XV“. Still, at least we know SNK might be in a healthy place if the Crown Prince is a fan of KOF and Metal Slug.


WW1 RTS The Great War Western Front Marches To Steam Early Access Today

The Great War: Western Front is available now, launching a new campaign of tactical trench warfare and historical gameplay.
Publisher Frontier Foundry and developer Petroglyph, have launched a new warfare for players who pre-ordered. The Great War: Western Front technically launches on 30 march, but anybody who purchased or pre-ordered the game can start playing the Early Access right now.

This new definitive World War 1 strategy game allows players to take command of either the Central Powers or Allied Forces in one of history’s most pivotal conflicts. A turn-based grand strategy and RTS gameplay experience, players can take command of both the Western Front as Theatre Commander and Field Commander. In order to preserve their faction’s National Will across an immersive campaign spanning the duration of the war and potentially extending beyond 1918, depending on their actions. Furthermore, the game offers players the choice to begin the conflict in 1914, or in 1916, when public support is eroding and new technologies, such as aviation and tanks, are being tried to break the stalemate.

In addition, players can improve their battle readiness in a dedicated tutorial, develop their skills in Skirmish mode, and engage their fellow commanders in 1v1 Multiplayer battles. Developer Petroglyph released a trailer to accompany the launch, showing off the definitive WW1 strategy game.
Those who purchased the game before 30 March will be able to move into the command trench immediately at a suggested retail price of £29.99/€34.99/$34.99/RM84.00. The Great War: Western Front Victory Edition includes a comprehensive digital field guide, five digital wallpapers, and Frank Klepacki’s evocative soundtrack for £34.99/€39.99/$39.99/RM97.50.
The Great War: Western Front will be available on 30 March on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. For more details, check out their official website.


Twitch Apologizes For DMCA Music Takedowns

Since earlier this year, Twitch has experienced a massive takedown of any videos and streams which featured copyrighted music. Many streamers and users lost years’ worth of content, due to copyright strikes by third parties who own the rights to said music.
In a long blog post earlier today, Twitch apologized for its mishandling of the situation and explained, at length, about what exactly DMCA is. The gist of it all is that Twitch doesn’t really have a solution for the issue at hand.
According to Twitch, what Twitch streamers and users should do are two things:
“If you play recorded music on your stream, you need to stop doing that.”“If you havenâ€™t already, you should review your historical VODs and Clips that may have music in them and delete any archives that might.”
There’s nothing that Twitch can really do to stop your content from being removed and deleted. It’s out of their hands. It remains to be seen how this will affect other streamers and users going forward.
This will only worsen their experience on Twitch, and give them more of a reason to switch on over to YouTube or Facebook Gaming instead. After all, what are alternatives for?

It is INSANE that @Twitch informs partners they deleted their content – and that there is more content in violation despite having NO identification system to find out what it is. Their solution to DMCA is for creators to delete their life's work. This is pure, gross negligence. pic.twitter.com/mhdXU5lEc5— Devin (@DevinNash) October 20, 2020