PUBG Mobile Celebrates 4th Anniversary With Special Roadshow Across Malaysia

PUBG Mobile is celebrating its 4th anniversary this year. In light of the festivities, PUBG Mobile is collaborating with renowned smartphone brand Xiaomi to launch a special roving game truck event from 1 to 20 March 2022.Â
This exciting event will be coming to PUBG Mobile fans in selected states across the country. Below are the details of the PUBG Mobile 4th Anniversary Roadshow 2022:Â

Kedah: 1-3 March 2022

Aman Central & Star Parade Complex – 1 March 2022
Amanjaya Mall & Village Mall – 2Â  March 2022
Central Square & Riverfront City – 3 March 2022

Penang: 4-6 March 2022

Sunway Carnival Mall & Pacific Mega Mall – 4 March 2022
Queensbay Mall & Prangin Mall – 5 March 2022
Straight Quay – 6 March 2022

Johor: 11-13 March 2022

Sutera Mall – 11 March 2022
Plaza Pelangi – 12 March 2022
JPO – 13 March 2022Â

Kuala Lumpur: 15-17 March 2022

Cheras Business Center & Cheras Leisure Mall – 15 March 2022
Akardia – 16 March 2022
Desapark – 17 March 2022

Selangor: 18-20 March 2022

One Utama & IOI Putrajaya – 18 March
The Curve & Sunway Giza – 19 March
Sunway Pyramid – 20 March

Fans who drop by the roadshow can participate in several fun activities including a 4v4 Fun Team Death Match (TDM) offering generous UC rewards. Simultaneously, visitors also stand a chance to win limited edition game skins and exclusive PUBG Mobile 4th Anniversary masks through the Spin to Win activity.Â
The climax of the 4th Anniversary celebration will be held at Sunway Pyramid, Selangor from 23 March to 3 April 2022 featuring a fantastic lineup of events such as a reality show recording with popular local PUBG Mobile personalities, PUBG Mobile 4th Anniversary exhibition and games in partnership with Xiaomi Malaysia.Â

Oliver Ye, Director of PUBG Mobile SEA, said:
â€œWe are proud to announce that PUBG Mobile has achieved over 1 billion downloads on the iOS and Android platforms since its launch in 2018. PUBG Mobile has evolved in terms of the game itself and esports ecosystem ever since and we are now celebrating its 4th anniversary.
 I would like to thank all our PUBG Mobile players for their support throughout these four years and we look forward to celebrating our anniversary with PUBG Mobile fans through the roadshow and exhibition.”
Nicolas Shi, Country Manager for Xiaomi Malaysia and Singapore, said:
â€œAs the official smartphone partner, we are thrilled to celebrate together with PUBG Mobile for their long-awaited fourth anniversary this year. We hope that those in Malaysia can come together for this special celebration, as there are plenty of exciting activities happening soon.
We also can’t wait to see PUBG Mobile fans, Xiaomi Fans and avid gamers try casual gaming on the flagship-level capabilities of our latest affordable mid-range king, the Redmi Note 11 series. Xiaomiâ€™s innovative technology through our smartphones aims to challenge the boundaries of oneâ€™s vision, sensation and speed, so don’t miss out and experience all the excitement with us.”
For more information, visit PUBG Mobileâ€™s official social media pages:Â

Facebook: PUBG MOBILE MalaysiaÂ
Facebook: PUBG MOBILE Esports Malaysia
YouTube: PUBG MOBILE Malaysia
Instagram: @pubgmobilemyofficial


Nintendo To Change The Japanese Name Of Spike In Mario Movie; Here’s Why

Nintendo has announced that it will be changing the Japanese name of the foreman named Spike in the Super Mario Bros. Movie in the Japanese version of the film.
See, Spike was an enemy in the NES game Wrecking Crew back in 1985. His Japanese name? It’s Blackie. Anyone can tell you that this old name could lead to people using it as a racial slur.
So Nintendo of Japan has changed his name according to a recent Twitter post.
“The name of the character Blackie, who appears in the Family Computer software Wrecking Crew, will be changed to Spike, which is the same as the name in Europe and the United States.”

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????2023?4?28??????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/HhTXEOmzxn
— ??????? (@Nintendo) April 20, 2023

The Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. Movie will be out on 28 April. The movie is out right now in Malaysia; check out our review.


KOF XV Starts Out Big With 8k Peak Players

The King of Fighters XV is out now for all major platforms, and it’s doing great so far on SNK’s side.
According to Steam Charts (via Eventhubs), KOF XV has hit an all-time peak of 8,205 players. At this point in typing, the game is being played by 6,049 people for the last 24 hours. This puts KOF XV as one of the best launch SNK titles on PC so far; for comparison, KOF XIV only peaked at only 1,173 as of now.

Despite this personal windfall, SNK is still lagging behind fighting game powerhouses like Capcom and Bandai Namco. Though to be fair, Capcom’s Street Fighter 5 and Bandai Namco’s Tekken 7 have been around for more than a couple of years.
For a fair comparison, KOF XV’s 6,049 24-hour peak has beaten Tekken 7’s 5,630, which is pretty impressive for a new title. Also, new data on Steam Spy has revealed that 50,000 and 100,000 players have purchased KOF XV on Steam in only 3 days. Let’s hope SNK can keep the ball rolling in the next few weeks and months.


Overwatch League Power Rankings – Stage 1, Week 2

And we are done with Week 2 of Stage 1 of the inaugural Overwatch League. Tons of action and drama (on and off-screen) helped shape this week’s Power Rankings which saw huge movements around the middle of the pack. We saw consistency, resurgence and deterioration all at the same time so without further ado, here are this week’s Power Rankings.
Previous Power Rankings:
Pre Season – S1W1Â

1. SEOUL DYNASTY â€“Â S1W2 vs Mayhem (4-0); Uprising (4-0). Season Record: 4-0Â
Last Week: 1 (Unchanged)
Â
The leaders came out of Week 2 unscathed from two matches they were expected to win to retain their top spot. They have a big week ahead as they face New York Excelsior on Saturday 27th January.
2. LONDON SPITFIRE â€“ S1W2 vs Fuel (3-1); Valiant (3-2). Season Record: 4-0
Last Week: 2 (Unchanged)Â

Spitfire escaped Week 2 with two wins from two very challenging opponents in Fuel and Valiant. The roster is starting to click and appears to be operating close to top gear. A favorable Week 3 awaits them in the form of Shock & Uprising.
3. New York Excelsior – S1W2 vs Valiant (3-0); Gladiators (4-0). Season Record: 4-0
Last Week: 3 (Unchanged)

Week 2 saw New York brush aside both Los Angeles teams in convincing manner – definitely welcomed results as they prepare for a tricky tie vs Fusion and mouth watering showdown against Dynasty next week.
4. Los Angeles Valiant – S1W2 vs NYXL (0-3); Spitfire (2-3). Season Record: 2-2
Last Week: 4 (Unchanged)

Despite losing both their matches in Week 2, Valiant gave commendable performances against the top teams in the league. They bounced back from the loss to NYXL with an emphatic near-comeback loss against the Spitfire. Both performances cements the ‘Best in the West’ label.
5. Los Angeles Gladiators – S1W2 vs Fusion (3-2); NYXL (0-4). Season Record: 2-2
Last Week: 7 (UP 2)

A tie-breaker win against the stacked Fusion shot them up two places for now but their real place in the league will be determined from their results against city rivals Valiant and the resurgent Outlaws next week. We don’t see them holding on to this spot for long.
6. Philadelphia Fusion – S1W2 vs Shock (2-1); Gladiators (2-3). Season Record: 2-2
Last Week: 6 (Unchanged)

Having defeated Outlaws in Week 1, Fusion carried on that form to defeat Shock on Thursday. The tie-breaker loss to Gladiators is surely hard to swallow but they can look forward to a winnable tie vs Dragons next week. Bad news: Fusion also have to play NYXL on Friday. So expect another 1-1 week record from them in Week 3.
7. Houston Outlaws – S1W2 vs Dragons (4-0); Fuel (4-0). Season Record: 2-2
Last Week: 8 (UP 1)

How do you respond with a 0-2 record in Week 1? You reverse it in Week 2 of course. The Outlaws is now back on track and it is even sweeter at the expense of their state rivals, Dallas Fuel. Muma’s tank plays are starting to take notice, being the difference in most team fights. They should be able to overcome Mayhem next week and a win against the Gladiators will definitely shoot them up – not just in the league standings, but the Power Rankings as well.
8. Dallas Fuel – S1W2 vs Outlaws (0-4); Spitfire (1-3). Season Record: 0-4
Last Week: 5 (DOWN 3)

From the outside, the 0-4 record does spell disaster. But once you take into account that the Fuel were dealt with tough matches to start the OWL, things aren’t as bad as they seem. They have played against three of the top four teams and while their loss to Houston did send alarm bells ringing, appear to be stabilizing their ship as they enter Week 3. Distractions aside, we see Fuel regaining their groove as they face two favorable opponents – Mayhem and Uprising.
9. San Francisco Shock – S1W2 vs Fusion (1-2); Uprising (3-2). Season Record: 2-2
Last Week: 10 (UP 1)

Some may argue that Shock has to be higher up in the Power Rankings due to their 2-2 record. However, the two wins they notched were against the directionless Dragons and a tie-breaker win over the Uprising. Hardly impressive if you ask us. They showed some potential in their narrow loss to Fusion but til Sinatraa and Super joins the team, we struggle to see them improve much. They have tough ties next week vs Spitfire and Fuel which we feel will accurately reflect on where they stand in the league.
10. Boston Uprising – S1W2 vs Dynasty (0-4); Shock (2-3). Season Record: 1-3
Last Week 9 (DOWN 1)

The Uprising has found a star in Dreamkazper who’s been dominating the highlight reels since Week 1. However him alone isn’t enough if Boston aims to lift themselves off the bottom-half of the table. They have a tall order against the Spitfire on Friday before attempting to further derail Dallas’ season come Sunday.
11. Florida Mayhem – S1W2 vs Dynasty (0-4); Dragons (4-0). Season Record: 1-3
Last Week 11 (Unchanged)

Mayhem needed that win against the Dragons so bad and lucky for them – they got it. Sadly though, the morale-boosting win may be shortlived as they entertain the Outlaws and Valiant in Week 3 so it is safe to assume that we won’t be seeing Mayhem in the winners’ bracket any time soon.
12. Shanghai Dragons – S1W2 vs Outlaws (0-4); Mayhem (0-4). Season Record: 0-4
Last Week 12 (Unchanged)

They had the perfect opportunity to chalk up their first win of the season vs Mayhem but were soundly beaten by the Korean-European boys from Florida. On a positive note, the Dragons appear more cohesive despite the loss and should be on the bounce soon – well perhaps not against the Dynasty but we are counting on them to pull off a shock win against Fusion next week.

Summary:Â
Biggest Mover: Dallas Fuel (DOWN 3)
Biggest Improvement: Los Angeles Gladiators (UP 2)
Should Be Higher By End of Next Week: Houston Outlaws, Dallas Fuel, San Francisco Shock
They Are That High? I’m Expecting them to Drop Next Week: Los Angeles Gladiators
Let’s agree to disagree aye? I’m pretty sure you have your own Power Rankings in your mind and I’m expecting them to be a tad different that what we presented above. Tell us how you’d rank the teams in the comments section below.


SteelSeries & T1 Announce Esports Partnership

Esports peripherals SteelSeries has announced a partnership with T1 Entertainment & Sports to its family. Facilitated by global marketing agency SPORTFIVE, the new partnership will see SteelSeries become the official exclusive headset partner for T1 and all its powerhouse rosters competing in League Of Legends (LoL), VALORANT, Dota 2, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, Wild Rift, and more.

SteelSeries CEO Ehtisham Rabbani said:
â€œOur goal is to continually innovate and design industry-defining, award-winning hardware and software, align with best-in-class esports teams and continue to help shape the future of professional gaming.
SteelSeries and T1 both have a long and storiedÂ  history in esports, so itâ€™s an honour and a privilege to partner with like-minded organizations.â€Â
T1 is recognized as one of the most successful organizations in the history of esports with its League Of Legends team, winning three World Championships (2013, 2015, and 2016), two Mid-Season Invitationals, and nine League of Champions Korea (LCK) titles, making it the most celebrated esports team in the world.
â€˜Fakerâ€™ is widely regarded as the most iconic player of all time and has helped the T1 LoL team acquire one of the largest, most influential fandoms in all esports. T1 has partnerships withÂ  Nike, BMW, and Red Bull, among others.
T1 CEO Joe Marsh said:
â€œI am excited to announce SteelSeries as one of our new partners.
Through this partnership, our players and streamers will be wearing some of the best headsets in the world.
It is always great to team with a legendary endemic partner, and I look forward to the synergy between T1 and SteelSeries.â€
SPORTFIVE South East Asia Managing Director Malcolm Thorpe said:
â€œWe are delighted to bring together two leaders in their respective fields.
SteelSeries and T1 are both drivers of innovation and creativity and we believe that this partnership will further cement their positions as trailblazers within the esports industry.â€Â
As the worldâ€™s original esports brand, SteelSeries continues to invest deeper in the esports and gaming ecosystems it helped to create. SteelSeriesâ€™ pro team relationships are more than sponsorships, they are true partnerships. From ideation and design to testing and validation, esports professionals are not only stakeholders of SteelSeries, but they are also collaborators and co-creators, together creating the worldâ€™s best gaming peripheral products and software.
T1 joins an elite roster of SteelSeries teams including FaZe Clan, Red Bull OG, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team, SpaceStation, Rare Atom and more.Â
Winning is everything. To take home championship trophies, you need all your senses firing on all cylinders. And when it comes to gaming audio, the Arctis Prime headset builds on the award-winning heritage of the Arctis franchise and introduces a battle-tested, comfortable, lightweight, high-performance headset that delivers signature Arctis high fidelity sound. As part of the partnership,Â  SteelSeries will provide the new Arctis Prime headset to all of T1â€™s teams.Â
To learn more about T1 Sports & Entertainment, visit t1.gg and join the conversation, Instagram and Twitter.
[videopress x269FuKE]


Fedora Guy Meme & Actor Contracts COVID-19

Jerry Messing has been infected with COVID-19. According to TMZ, he is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment in Florida, US.
Messing is best known for being the face of the Fedora Guy meme. He was also the actor who played Gordon Crisp in the cult classic TV series Freaks And Geeks and Pugsley Addams in 1998’s Addams Family Reunion.
According to Messing’s father, he started feeling ill several days ago before complaining of breathing difficulties. A day later, his condition worsened and he was rushed to the hospital.
We hope that Jerry recovers soon.


Apex Legends Mobile Closed Beta Coming To Southeast Asia

Respawn announces that the next Apex Legends Mobile closed beta testing session will be happening in Southeast Asia.
The game will have its next round of closed beta testing coming soon to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. No exact date though, but Respawn said it’ll be “coming soon”. You can pre-register for the game here via Google Play, and probably get notified for the session as well.

An update on Apex Legends Mobile:
The next round of closed beta testing is coming soon to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
To players in other countries: We're working to bring the game to you as quickly as possible!
Pre-Register here ?: https://t.co/7c7GC9qgp3
— Respawn (@Respawn) July 16, 2021

Apex Legends Mobile was announced back in October 2019, with a target release window of 2022. Chances are an open beta will start on October 2021 since the company said the game will be out in the third quarter of 2021. The first closed beta testing started in the Philippines and India for a “few thousand players”.


Baldur’s Gate 3 Will Feature Paladins, A Reaction System, And Matt Mercer As Minsc

The latest Panel From Hell from Larian Studios is focused on new and major Baldur’s Gate 3 changes and its now-out Patch 9. The game will get a new Paladin class, a level cap bump, a new “reactions” system, and a special Critical Role VO appearance.
Remember when Minsc was revealed to be in Baldur’s Gate 3 during The Game Awards 2022? He will be voiced by Critical Role star Matt Mercer. For those who are too young to remember Minsc, he’s a deranged ranger who fights for justice and has a space hamster named Boo. He’s pretty strong and has great stats back in the old Baldur’s Gate titles, so he should be a lovely addition in part 3.

We've been getting loads of questions about who we've cast in the critical role of Minsc…
… and we took that literally. ?Please welcome VO and DM extraordinaire @matthewmercer as the voice of Minsc in Baldur's Gate 3! pic.twitter.com/nkwMfXUUCD
— Larian Studios is making sweet music (@larianstudios) December 14, 2022

The Paladin class specializes in fighting evil with hammer melee attacks and providing aid and buffs for the party. They have the Oath of Devotion special skill that calls on a vengeful aura that deals damage to anyone who strikes the class, as well as Oath of the Ancients that grant healing to allies. In addition, the Paladin can unlock the hidden subclass called the Oathbreaker; if you don’t become a good Paladin, you become this new subclass with new powers but at the cost of being a different moral alignment. That should be pretty cool for old-school Dungeons & Dragons fans.
The new build of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access will bump up the level cap to 5. This gives players access to Level 3 spells like Fireball, Counterspell, and Animate Dead. The game will also have a new reactions system where players can use attacks of opportunity in the heat of battle. Spellcasters can access the Fly spell which can be used in and out of combat to reach inaccessible spots in the field.
Baldur’s Gate 3 patch 9 is out now. Check it out on Steam. The game will be out of Early Access in August 2023. Check out the Panel From Hell video below:


PlatinumGames’ Sol Cresta Showcases New Gameplay Systems & 2021 Release Window

We finally have more information on PlatinumGames’ latest game Sol Cresta, which is a 2D shmup.
PlatinumGames chief game designer and Twitter block button aficionado Hideki Kamiya talks about the next sequel to Moon Cresta and Terra Cresta, as well as have the game’s director Takanori Sato detail the game’s unique mechanics:
Dock-And-Split System
The three ships that form the big ship Yamato -Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susano- can split and re-dock at any time during combat. By doing this, you can change the Yamato’s weaponry and choose the best guns for the job.

Unit 01: AmaterasuÂ â€“ This ship represents the sun and has lasers as its main weapon. Dock it in the lead to use the Tri Laser! While not very powerful, it fires lasers in three directions! Dock it in the center to use the Wide Laser! You can shoot a giant laser that eradicates enemies!
Unit 02: TsukuyomiÂ â€“ This ship represents the moon and has missiles as its main weapon. Dock it in the lead to use the Electro Missile! This missile homes in on enemies and delivers a jolt on impact! Dock it in the center to use the Full Burst Missile! This fires a barrage of missiles with enhanced homing, leaving the enemy with nowhere to run!
Unit 03: SusanoÂ â€“ This ship represents Earth and has drills as its main weapon. Dock it in the lead to use the Drill Shot! This fires a multi-hit drill that pierces enemies and can crack stone! Dock it in the center to use the Gigaton Drill!ï¼ This activates a giant drill that pulverizes approaching enemies! Mash the button to make it spin faster!

Formations
When the three ships are split up, they can get into special Formations and gain access to Formation Shots for a short time. This requires energy though:

Delta FormationÂ â€“ This formation fires a huge volley of shots over a wide range to wipe out enemies! Single shots arenâ€™t very powerful, so donâ€™t waste them on strong enemies!
Moon FormationÂ â€“ This formation fires large, crescent-shaped shots to the left and right! With this shot you can deal heavy damage to the enemyâ€™s flank!
Afterburner FormationÂ â€“ This formation fires three deadly lasers to the rear! Theyâ€™re difficult to aim, but their power is unmatched!

Sol Cresta will be out for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in 2021. The game will also feature music from Yuzo Koshiro.


An Among Us Animated TV Series Is In The Works From Infinity Train Creator

In partnership with developer Innersloth, an Among Us animated series is in the works at CBS Studios. According to Variety, Owen Dennis will serve as creator and executive producer on the project under his overall deal with CBS Studios.
The official synopsis reads:
“Members of your crew have been replaced by an alien shapeshifter intent on causing confusion, sabotaging the ship, and killing everyone. Root out the ‘Impostor’ or fall victim to its murderous designs.”
Owen Dennis is best known for creating the Infinity Train animated series, which ran for four seasons on Cartoon Network and HBO Max.
Titmouse (best known for Big Mouth and Star Trek Lower Decks) will serve as the animation studio for the series. Along with Dennis, Forest Willard, Marcus Bromander, and Carl Neisser of Innersloth will also executive produce along with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina of Titmouse.
The Among Us game originally launched in 2018 but became popular in 2020 after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The game is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android and iOS.
At the time of writing, there is no release date, release window or confirmed streaming platform for the Among Us animated TV series.


Let’s Check Out The Hottest Soulcalibur Cosplays So Far

It’s still Soulcalibur week, and the game is but a day away from release (or out now if you’re in Japan). Check out our review of the game if you haven’t: it kicks ton of butt!
We here at Kakuchopurei appreciate the non-competitive aspects of fighting games; specifically the cosplay bit in this instance. To celebrate Soulcalibur 6’s return to form, I’m going to put up a gallery of the most recent and/or most popular Soulcalibur cosplays from all over.
Because Ivy’s fashion sense is beyond comprehension, let’s start with our header image by YuzuPyon….

…and also show this recent cosplay shoot from Khainsaw Cosplay. MC Frontalot would be proud.

Next, we have MissSinisterCosplay‘s version of Taki. Pretty accurate, I must say…

Want more Taki? How about this cosplay shoot from Rinnie Riot:

Taki from Soul Calibur VI Cosplay taki poses are not for humans?@soulcalibur #soulcaliburVI #soulcalibur6 #????????VI pic.twitter.com/jcZOKqDMnZ
— Rinnie (@OfficialRinnieR) October 17, 2018

Let’s not forget our female gamers too. Here are a few Kiliks & Siegfrieds to get your blood pumping.

Image credit: fallingfeathers.net

Image credit: Keruuu

Image credit: Ameno Kitarou (https://www.deviantart.com/amenokitarou/art/SCIV-Siegfried-Crystal-Knight-188074971)
How about some Sophitia for you mother-lovers out there? By Danielle DeNicola.

…and I’ll post the rest without any words because these are meant for your eyes, not so much your ears. Share your recommendations on this post and also on our Facebook page.Â Don’t forget to als check out our review of SC6!


PokÃ©mon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Unveils First Look At Team Galactic, Legendaries & More

The Pokemon Company and developers ILCA and Game Freak have released new information, footage, and artwork for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl introducing Team Galactic, Gym Leaders, legendary Pokemon, and the three lakes of Sinnoh.
The Boss and Commanders of the Mysterious Team Galactic
As players exploreÂ Pokemon Brilliant DiamondÂ andÂ Pokemon Shining Pearl, theyâ€™ll cross paths with friends and opponents alike.

Cyrus and WeavileÂ â€“ A charismatic figure who rules over Team Galactic. Cyrus always speaks and acts with a calm, logical demeanor. He detests human minds and emotions, finding them defective.

Mars and PuruglyÂ â€“ Mars is a strong-willed commander who hates to lose and has sworn loyalty to Cyrus. Her passion for Pokemon sometimes inspires powerful emotional outbursts. Her partner Pokemon is Purugly.

Jupiter and SkuntankÂ â€“ Jupiter has a mysterious air about her. She is certainly skilled at Pokemon battles, but sheâ€™s willing to do anythingâ€”even steal other peopleâ€™s Pokemonâ€”to achieve her goals. Her partner Pokemon is Skuntank.

Saturn and ToxicroakÂ â€“ Saturn is a cool and collected commander. Despite being one of the few who occasionally harbor doubts about Cyrusâ€™ plans, Saturn is cold and dispassionate enough to carry out his orders faithfully. His partner Pokemon is Toxicroak.

The Toughest Pokemon Trainers in Town: Gym Leaders

Candice and AbomasnowÂ â€“ Gym Leader Candice of the Snowpoint City Gym uses Ice-type Pokemon, with Abomasnow heading her team. Known as the Diamond Dust Girl, sheâ€™s a passionate Trainer who really emphasizes the value of focus.
Volkner and LuxrayÂ â€“ Gym Leader Volkner of the Sunyshore City Gym uses Electric-type Pokemon, with Luxray heading his team. Heâ€™s said to be the strongest Gym Leader in the Sinnoh region, but heâ€™s grown bored by a lack of tough challengers, so he spends his time constantly remodeling the Gym.

Legendary Pokemon Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf
These three Legendary Pokemon appear in the myths of the Sinnoh region. According to the people of Sinnoh, Uxie is the Being of Knowledge, Mesprit is the Being of Emotion, and Azelf is the Being of Willpower. How will these three Pokemon be involved in your adventure?

Three Lakes that Represent the Sinnoh Region
Sinnoh features three lakes filled with bountiful water: Lake Acuity, Lake Verity, and Lake Valor. It is said that Legendary Pokemon slumber at the bottom of these lakes.
Get the Platinum Style outfit as a special early-purchase bonus!Â

A gift of the â€œPlatinum Styleâ€ in-game outfit will be given as a perk for early purchase of PokÃ©mon Brilliant Diamond or PokÃ©mon Shining Pearl. You can receive it by choosing Get via Internet from the Mystery Gifts function in game through Monday, February 21, 2022. You can change your outfit at Metronome Style Shop in Veilstone City. By wearing the Platinum Style, you can continue through your adventure dressed like the protagonist of PokÃ©mon Platinum!
Check out the trailer below:


These Metal Gear Solid Titles & Konami Classics Are Now On PC

Konami has announced that PC versions ofÂ Metal Gear,Â Metal Gear Solid,Â Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, andÂ Konami Collectorâ€™s Series: Castlevania and ContraÂ are now available via GOG.
After not being on PC for almost 20 years, gamers will finally have the chance to experience the first twoÂ Metal Gear SolidÂ games on a modern computer.
Unfortunately, the absence of Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns Of The Patriots are still glaring.
Here’s the full list of games now available:
Metal GearMetal Gear SolidMetal Gear Solid 2: SubstanceCastlevaniaCastlevania II: Simon’s QuestCastlevania III: Dracula’s CurseContraSuper C
It’s worth noting that the non-Metal Gear games are bundled as one collection and aren’t available to purchase separately. All of these games are now compatible with Windows 10 and support gaming controllersÂ like the Xbox 360/One controllers.

Classic @Konami titles now on GOG! ?#MetalGear, #MetalGearSolid & Metal Gear Solid 2 redefined the stealth genre – a must-play for any Metal Gear fan.KONAMI Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra, with 5 games, is a real treat for retro gamers!? https://t.co/S5lDcZw3Vt pic.twitter.com/mflYc2s2uB— GOG.COM (@GOGcom) September 25, 2020

Metal GearÂ (GOG, US$5.99)
Outer Haven is the name of a heavily armed land in the depths of southern Africa where the dreadful weapon called Metal Gear is developed. It is the mission of Solid Snake, one of the members of the secret army â€œFox Houndâ€ to sneak into Outer Haven are destroy Metal Gear.
Metal Gear SolidÂ (GOG, US$9.99)
About
You are Snake, a government agent on a mission to regain control of a secret nuclear weapons base from terrorist hands.
Now the international best-selling PlayStation game comes to the PC with better graphics, added features, and new gameplay modes! Unlike anything youâ€™ve played before,Â Metal Gear SolidÂ introduces a new genre of gaming where ninja-like stealth and cool head are your best weapons for survival.
Key Features
VR Missions game included!Optional first-person play mode thrusts you into the action from the moment you suit up.Multiple game controller support and improved quick-save function for ease of play.
Metal Gear Solid 2: SubstanceÂ (GOG, US$9.99)
About
Solid Snake returns inÂ Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, the ultimate edition ofÂ Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, with all-new game modes, hidden characters, and storylines. Top-secret weapons technology is being mysteriously transported under cover of an oil tanker to an unknown location.
Armed with an arsenal of new weapons, supplies and stealth manoeuvres, itâ€™s up to Snake to infiltrate the transport and keep this deadly weapon of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands!
Key Features
350 VR missions and 150 alternative missions (Substance-exclusive).Play through five new Snake tales involving Solid Snake (Substance-exclusive).Unlock new playable characters and game modes (Substance-exclusive).Contains the entire Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty game plus the debut of the Casting Theater and Boss Survival mode (Substance-exclusive).Utilize stealth and infiltration methods, such as diving somersaults, hanging from ledges and using disguises.Fully interactive environment where bullets pierce steam pipes, smoke reveals laser beams and wet shoes leave footprints.Powerful musical score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams (Armageddon, The Rock).
Konami Collectorâ€™s Series: Castlevania and ContraÂ (GOG, US$5.99)
Return to the roots of Castlevania and Contra in one exclusive package on the PC. This collection of games brings the non-stop action, suspense and great gameplay of these fan-favorite games home for the first time in over a decade.
Five complete classic Konami games:Â Castlevania,Â Castlevania II: Simonâ€™s Quest,Â Castlevania III: Draculaâ€™s Curse,Â Contra, andÂ Super C.Two of Konamiâ€™s most popular franchises in one package.Quicksave allows saving at any time.
The bloodline of the Belmont clan returns along with their ultimate nemesis Dracula in the three games that started it all: Castlevania, Simonâ€™s Quest, and Draculaâ€™s Curse.
InÂ ContraÂ andÂ Super C, Red Falcon is invading Earth and only two heroes can stand up to the hoards of alien forces.


Locke And Key Renewed By Netflix For Season 3

Netflix has surprisingly renewed Locke And Key for Season 3 ahead of its upcoming Season 2, which is slated to premiere sometime in 2021.
The news arrives just as production on Season 2 is set to wrap in Toronto this week (via Deadline). Filming for Season 3 will pick up immediately in 2021.
Itâ€™s great news for fans of the source material, as an adaptation of Locke And Key was stuck in development hell for years before Netflix picked it up. It was notorious for being difficult to adapt, but Iâ€™d say that the showrunners have pulled it off, despite taking some liberties on the comics.
We still donâ€™t have any details onÂ Locke And KeyÂ Season 2, or even a potential release date yet.
Locke And Key is based on the horror drama graphic novels/comics of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel RodrÃguez. For those who donâ€™t know, Joe Hill is actually the son of horror maestro Stephen King himself.
In the meantime,Â check out our full review ofÂ Locke And KeyÂ Season 1 here, orÂ head on over hereÂ for our exclusive interview with the showrunners Cuse and Averill to learn more about how the show came to be.

Alohas all around! Locke & Key has been picked up for Season 3. But first, Season 2 will arrive in 2021! pic.twitter.com/ci7Lq6u2v9— Netflix Geeked @ SDCC #NetflixSDCC (@NetflixGeeked) December 18, 2020


Play Overwatch For Free Next Weekend

Still unsure on whether to pick up Overwatch following the hype from the World Cup and the upcoming Overwatch League? Then wonder no more as Overwatch Free Weekend starts next week, from 3am on the 18th of November (Saturday) 2017 and will run til 4PM on 21st November 2017 for Asian regions.
The free-to-play event is open for the PS4, Xbox One and PC.Â However, before your watch can begin, you’ll first need to install Overwatch on your chosen platform.Â Each platform is a little different so to install and play on November 17 (or whichever date depending on your timezone), follow the instructions below:
For Windows PC
Step 1:Â Download and install theÂ Blizzard Battle.net desktop app, if you haven’t already, and launch it.
Step 2:Â Create aÂ FREE Blizzard account, or log in with an existing account.
Step 3:Â Click the “Overwatch” icon, located on the left-hand side of the Blizzard desktop app.
Step 4:Â Select your region from the drop-down menu, then click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 5:Â Once installed, click “Play” to begin!
For PlayStation 4
Step 1:Â Turn on your PlayStation 4 and log in to your preferred local user.
Step 2:Â Go to PlayStation Store and select “Search” from the top menu.
Step 3:Â In the search field, type in “Overwatch.”
Step 4:Â Select “Overwatch Free Weekend” from the search results and then click “Download.”
Step 5:Â Once the download and installation process is complete, click “Start” to begin!
For Xbox One
Step 1:Â Turn on your Xbox One and log in to your Xbox Live account.
Step 2:Â Go to the Xbox One Store, then select “Search.”
Step 3:Â In the search field, type in “Overwatch.”
Step 4:Â Select “Overwatch: Origins Edition” from the search results and then click “Free Trial.”
Step 5:Â Once the download and installation process is complete, click “Launch” to begin!
The Overwatch Free Weekend client will be available for download throughout the duration of the free weekend. New players who sign up will have access to Overwatch’s full roster of heroes, maps, and a selection of features including Quick Play, Custom Games, the Arcade, and Loot Boxes.
Any progression obtained during the free weekend will carry to the final game in case you decide to pick up the game in full, as long as you use the same account when activating your purchased copy. How cool is that? In the wise words of Winston – Are you with me?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwFu8kEsUW4&w=560&h=315]


She-Hulk’s Daredevil With The Yellow Costume Gets A Hot Toys Figure

Hot Toys has revealed (via Facebook) a new 1/6th Daredevil collectible figure based on the Daredevil from Marvel’s She-Hulk TV series on Disney+ Hotstar.
Skillfully crafted based on the appearance of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in the action series, the greatly-detailed figure features a newly developed Matt Murdock head sculpt with incredible likeness, a Daredevil cowled head, a meticulously tailored Daredevil suit in dark yellow, burgundy and greyish silver, the Billy Club in extended and nunchaku modes, his signature sunglasses and a figure stand.
Daredevil’s original costume was the yellow costume back in his very first issue all the way back in April 1964. It was created by the late Stan Lee and the late Bill Everett, with character design input from the late legend Jack Kirby.

However, it really on lasted for six issues. The character would go on to wear his iconic all-red costume by the seventh issue.

In the meantime, check out my breakdown of She-Hulk Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9 here.
Or head on over here for our interview with She-Hulk herself, Tatiana Maslany.
Check out the new Hot Toys She-Hulk Attorney At Law 1/6th Daredevil Collectible Figure below:
https://www.facebook.com/hottoys/posts/pfbid0MEtoo94hTadbjZeJMvVh1Ua5smNh6KrdKYsvNfStCknsVYyXKK7bS1odBrzTsz3Jl


Warner To Host MultiVersus Tech Test Next Week

Fighting game fans and casuals can try their luck at playing Warner Bros. Games’ latest fighting game.
The publisher has announced plans to host a technical test for its upcoming 2D platformer fighting game MultiVersus starting next week on 26th February GMT+8. The test will last until 7th March. If you’re keen, you can register here for a chance to participate. It’s all luck of the draw meaning you won’t be guaranteed a spot even if you registered.

MultiVersus is a free-to-play 2D fighting game in the veins of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, except with Warner Bros. owned characters like Wonder Woman, Shaggy from the Scooby-Doo series, Arya Stark from Game of Thrones, and Batman. Because you always need Batman for your Warner Bros. games.
MultiVersus is coming out for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC, and features full crossplay support, 2v2 fighting, and 4 player free-for-all. It also features voices from Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong, and Matthew Lillard, making the cartoon brawler a lot more authentic.


Here’s When Marvel’s Avengers E3 2019 Demo Will Be Made Public

The first trailer for Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers game was originally unveiled at E3 2019 to mixed public reactions. Gamers found the design choices to be jarring, and the cinematic trailer didn’t feature any gameplay whatsoever.
Last weekend, the Marvel Games panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 showed the same A-Day Marvel’s Avengers gameplay footage privately to everyone who attended the event. However, it was later leaked online, which you can check out below, courtesy of YouTube channel OtakuRaj.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3YgXe7OlNo&w=560&h=315]
Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait long to watch the (clearer and in HD) official version ofÂ Marvel’s Avengers gameplay footage, as the game’s official Twitter account announced that it will be released the week after Gamescom 2019 ends.

Shaun shares some super exciting news! The team is hard at work polishing our A-Day demo, and weâ€™re going to release the footage online the week after Gamescom finishes.
â€” Marvel’s Avengers (@PlayAvengers) July 18, 2019
Gamescom 2019 will take place from 20 to 24 August 2019, so that means the earliest possible time for the Marvel’s Avengers gameplay footage to be released earliest will be on Monday, 26 August 2019.
Developers Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal will have a month or so to polish up the gameplay footage even further, and hopefully, satisfy the fans who were unconvinced of the game’s quality at E3 2019.
Marvelâ€™s Avengers is slated to launch for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 15 May 2020. In the meantime, head on over here to read my first impressions of the game or check out 5 things you need to know about the game here.


CyberConnect2 To Announce A New Game Next Month

CyberConnect2, the developers renowned for the Demon Slayer fighting game, Asura’s Wrath for Capcom, and one of 2021’s best games Fuga: Melodies of Steel, will be hard at work this year and the next.
The company will announce a new game in February, with its release date planned for Summer 2022 according to the company’s CEO Hiroshi Matsumaya (via Ryokutya2089). The game will get people talking and will shake the world; their words, not mine.
In addition, the company shared the following stats:

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â€“ The Hinokami ChroniclesÂ has surpassed 1.32 million units worldwide.
Dragon Ball Z: KakarotÂ has surpassed 4.5 million units worldwide.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4Â has surpassed 8.7 million units worldwide.

There will also be a 20th-anniversary celebration of the .hack series later this June. So congratulations! The livestream where all the announcements were made is below:


You Can Now Play PS1 Games On The Xbox Series X & S, But…

We live in an interesting time where the latest Xbox console can run a plethora of emulators, especially ones that can play games from rival companies. The next in line? PlayStation 1 games.
A PS1 emulator with the ability to upscale games to 4K can now be manually installed onto the Xbox Series X and S. It’s called DuckStation and it can emulate PS1 games and internally upscale them. The downside? It caps games at their original framerate. And you also need to set your Xbox Series console to developer mode to run it, just like with all emulators.
If you need further proof, here’s a video of DuckStation being run on an Xbox Series S:

Of course, running emulators and ROMs on a console is treading on legal grey areas here since you are technically pirating games. Then again, people wouldn’t resort to these steps if the company that owns a huge library of PS1 games get their act together and release a retro console that doesn’t feature crappy emulation and software. Your move, PlayStation.


PSA: Avatar – The Legend of Korra Is Now On Netflix

You heard right: the sequel series to one of the best animated shows of all time is now available for streaming on Netflix in Southeast Asia.
All four seasons of Avatar: The Legend of Korra is now up and ready for you to binge through. Why is it a big deal? Well, let’s break it down:

It’s a worthy follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender, taking place 70 years after that series.
It went through quite a bit of development hell due to its scheduling and production/airing issues, to the point where the writers and producers had to treat each season as its last. It pulled through, thankfully.
While its first and second season is a mixed bag, its third and fourth season “Change” and “Balance” upped the stakes. It showcased the full potential of an Avatar series with slightly older characters and mature themes targeted at its grown-up audience.
It also started the trend of LGBTQ elements and relationships expressed in full fashion on Western animated shows aimed for kids and teens. Those bits in Adventure Time (Marceline and Princess Bubblegum),Â Voltron: Legendary Defender (Shiro), and Netflix She-Ra would not be possible if a particular key scene in The Legend of Korra did not happen at all.

In other words, you don’t have any more excuses; watch The Legend of Korra now!


Welcome Back Stranger Things, We’ve Missed You

Is it possible for a long-running show to eventually run out of steam? With the 1980s-period drama scifi horror Stranger Things series, anything is possible. Though for a lot of people expecting the show to run out of plot avenues, you won’t find anything to grasp onto for your argument against the show.
Stranger Things 4 is entertaining and still a thrill ride that relishes in its time period, at least for the first four episodes we’ve seen.
Weird Science

Stranger Things 4 is the continuation of the previous season, six months after the incident in the Starcourt Mall involving monsters from the Upside Down. Detective Hopper (David Harbour) is in a foreign land due to events from Stranger Things 3, and the gang are separated between two towns, each in their respective high schools. Joyce (Winona Ryder), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Will (Noah Schnapp), and ex-psychic Eleven who is now adopted by Joyce (Millie Bobby Brown), is in California. The rest -Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Max (Sadie Sink), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery), Robin (Maya Hawke), and Lucas’ sister (Priah Ferguson)- are in Hawkins, the town that is now dubbed as “spooksville”.
New characters do pop up, but if you know how these shows work, half of them are just there contribute to the kill count for the season’s new monster: a “wizard” from the Upside Down called Vecna. There’s clearly a lot going on with the new invisible ghost killer creature, but how that unfolds, and also how this ties in to Eleven and the organization involved with her wraps up in this particular arc. Going into specifics mean spoilers, but fans will appreciate how all the pieces are laid out and also how the big bad of the season get its killing time sorted. There’s also a side story involving Russia and the adults Joyce and grumpy conspiracy nut Murray (Brett Gelman)  which highlights that no matter how adult you are, you can still fall for some old tricks and come off looking more amateurish than the kids in the show.
The standout new character in this season is Eddie Munson. He’s the president of the Hawkins school D&D club Hellfire Club which Mike and Dustin attend during the school semester while Lucas tries to get in the basketball team and the cool kids’ side. He exudes a rebellious-slash-weirdo streak that is endearing to a degree. He gels with the main cast pretty well and ends up being integral to the main plot; I do hope to see more of him in the later episodes.
When it comes to the season’s focal point for the recurring cast, the spotlight is on Eleven and Max. The former lost her powers in the last season while the latter lost a relative and feels a ton of survivor’s guilt through the course of the show. Eleven gets bullied in the school she’s in and feels helpless as she continues to pretend that everything’s hunky dory with boyfriend Mike. Max pushes everyone away and rather just finding solace with her Walkman and her new Kate Bush album. Even if they’re standard clichés, they’re relatable problem (except for the losing the superpowers bit, obviously), though the payoffs and resolutions are beyond the norm, as expected of a series that clearly advertises its literal boogeyman on its poster and trailer.
Regardless, the story bits with Eleven and Max plays out pretty well if you’re into seeing the repercussions of the past season being in play. You expect the cast to move on, but still having to team up and help solve the latest mystery and going-ons when it gets tough.It’s clear as day the show gets a huge budget in showing cool spectacles and kills when they count, and it shows. Highlights include a scene in a graveyard in broad daylight, an escape sequence in a foreign land, a brilliant bit of editing and jump cuts between a high-stakes basketball match and D&D campaign, and a number of Vecna’s moments.
Fast Times At Hawkins High

If anything, the only thing that can break the illusion is the child actors who have been around since the first season; they don’t look their perceived age in the show especially during the school scenes. Still, their chemistry with one another and their likeable personalities offsets this elephant in the room, that it won’t distract you too much. I think; I may have to tune in to Twitter in the next few days when the show launches on 27 May to confirm. Plus, I do have 5 more episodes that need checking out before I give my final score because a possibly stupid payoff could jeopardise the whole structure of what’s being set up here. Or maybe a brilliant turn of events that can elevate this whole season; who knows?
Regardless, there’s a lot of promise in Stranger Things 4. Provided you don’t mind the episodes being a tad longer than usual -each of them clocking in over an hour- and are fine with the tropes and cliches it’s relishing in. As well as the fact that the show is mostly playing it safe.
In spite of those kerfuffles, you’ll be happy to know that Stranger Things core element -80s setting sci-fi mystery show with kids playing detective/hero- amplified and extended in the fourth season. Don’t expect groundbreaking and innovative television here; just great and well-paced comfort food that cleans up your retro goggles just dandy.
Final(?) Score: 70/100
str


Yakuza Creator Leaves Sega, Like A Dragon Sequel In The Works

Yakuza franchise creator Toshihiro Nagoshi has announced that he will be leaving both Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) and SEGA. As part of the same announcement, Sega and RGG Studio has also confirmed that they are currently working on a sequel to Yakuza Like A Dragon.
This news follows our report from August 2021 that claimed Chinese developer and publisher NetEase was trying to hire Nagoshi.
In a statement, Nagoshi said:
As I depart from SEGA, Iâ€™m also leaving my position as the head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Thank you to the fans who have supported us and the Yakuza series for many years. You have my sincerest and deepest gratitude.
I persisted and am here now thanks to what I learned from many people around me. Itâ€™s credit to the colleagues who supported such that I could hone my mindset to continuously push boundaries.
As of today, a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is born where the series will live on. Though I donâ€™t know for sure what they will create, I believe the new generation will further enhance the foundation we built over the years and deliver great games to the world. To achieve that, they too need to continue to learn, challenge themselves, and grow. I ask that you continue your support of the studioâ€™s endeavors.
Once again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all of you. Thank you so much for your support. Stay tuned for the many new beginnings!
Nagoshi will be leaving RGG Studio alongside Yakuza series producer Daisuke Sato. Moving forward, the new director of RGG Studio will be series producer Masayoshi Yokoyama.
Yokoyama confirmed the Yakuza Like A Dragon sequel, saying:
Ryu Ga Gotokuâ€™s predecessors have passed down their beliefs and know-how to each and every staff member. You can witness it in the recently released Lost Judgment and will see it in the upcoming sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon which will continue Ichiban Kasugaâ€™s story.
This game is currently being developed by producer Sakamoto and directors Horii, Ito and Mitake. I myself along with Takeuchi and Furuta are working on the story.
Check out our review for Yakuza Like A Dragon here.


Here Are Your EVO Japan 2019 Stream Times For Saturday & Sunday

This weekend is looking pretty sweet for fighting game fans. EVO Japan 2019 is currently streaming right now, and closer to our timezones thank friggin’ Christ.
Maybe you aren’t free today, and maybe you would rather watch the finals for your favourite fighting games whether it’s Street Fighter V or SoulCalibur 6. We’ve got you sorted; here are the times in GMT+8 (SG, MY, PH, etc.)
Watch live video from evo on www.twitch.tv
Saturday, 16 February
12pm
Million Arthur Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
1.30pm
BlazBlue CF Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
3.30pm
The King of Fighter XIV Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
5.30pm
SoulCalibur 6 Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
Sunday, 17 February
8am
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
11am
Guilty Gear Xrd -Rev2- Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
2pm
Tekken 7 Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo
5pm
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition Finals – https://www.twitch.tv/Evo


Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy Netflix Release Date Announced

Gerard Way‘s The Umbrella Academy Netflix series will be launching on February 15, 2019. Yes, the very same former lead vocalist of My Chemical Romance, who has actually been writing and drawing comics since 1993, way before he even became the singer most people know him as.
Published by Dark Horse Comics in 2007, Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy is an Eisner award-winning comic book mini-series featuring a dysfunctional family of superheroes similar to that of Marvel’s X-Men or DC Comics’ Doom Patrol (which Gerard cites as one of his main inspirations).
Just like the X-Men or the Doom Patrol, the 43 people with special abilities in The Umbrella Academy are led by an eccentric leader, but this time it’s an alien named Sir Reginald Hargreeves or simply, The Monocle.
In an alternate historical version of our Earth (where President JFK was never assassinated and set in 1977), 43 superpowered babies were miraculously born (immaculate conception) to random women who were not pregnant. The Monocle adopts seven of these children and trained them to fight an unspecified future threat.
Fast-forward many years later (where the team members of The Umbrella Academy has long since disbanded), they reunite to investigate the mystery of the Monocle’s death, while trying to sort out their own personal problems and powers with the threat of an impending apocalypse.
Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy boasts an all-star cast including:

Ellen Page as Vanya Hargreeves / The White Violin, a violinist with no superpowers but is an expert on the violin
Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves / Spaceboy, a former astronaut with super strength whose body is that of a Martian Ape
Robert Sheehan as Klaus Hargreeves / The SÃ©ance, a slacker with telekinesis and the ability to communicate with the dead
Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison Hargreeves / The Rumor, a tomboy with the ability to manipulate reality by lying
David CastaÃ±eda as Diego Hargreeves / The Kraken, a rebellious troublemaker with enhanced breath holding and gifted knife-throwing techniques
Aidan Gallagher as Number Five / The Boy, an unnamed child/adult who can time travel
Mary J. Blige as Cha-Cha, a Neo-Nazi criminal. Unlike the comics, the character is female
Cameron Britton as Hazel, Cha-Cha’s partner
Colm Feore as Sir Reginald Hargreeves / The Monocle, an alien masquerading as a human billionaire industrialist
Adam Godley as Pogo, a chimpanzee and Reginald’s closest assistant.
John Magaro as Leonard Peabody

In the meantime, check out our first look at all seven members of The Umbrella Academy in this newly-released teaser trailer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhNIDzIUcow&w=560&h=315]


Money Heist Part 5 Volume 1 Unleashes La Banda Today

The wait is finally over. Our days and nights spent in anticipation are ending today as we find out what happens to the Gang after being shut in the bank of Spain for more than 100 hours. Will they be able to break free with their loot without a hitch or better yet, without losing another member of La Banda?Â
Catch Money Heist Part 5: Volume 1 at 3 pm GMT+8 on Netflix to find out what happens to the Professor who has been captured by the now-rogue Inspector Sierra and if La Banda has what it takes to face their most powerful enemy: the army.Â
In the meantime, you can vibe to this rousing rendition of the iconic Money Heist anthem, â€˜Bella Ciaoâ€™ by Yuna, our very own Malaysian muse and international singer-songwriter, accompanied by the internationally-acclaimed musicians of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Want more of â€˜Bella Ciaoâ€™? Youâ€™re in luck as there are more amazing local artists to add their respective spins to the anthem! Check them out below:
This thrilling EDM rendition of â€˜Bella Ciaoâ€™ by homegrown Malaysian DJs BATE (Brains & The Eye) a.k.a Yeoh Wai Hong and Ethan Curzon.

Shaun Vinda and Vishal Chopra incorporate a fusion of traditional Indian instruments into their mix.

Local Hardstyle duo Bass Agents with a hard-hitting remix, featuring Mandarin vocals by social media personality Estee Chong (@estee_louder), fit for the underground dance scene.

These covers are also available on Spotify.
Last but not least, if youâ€™re in and around the Bandar tonight, keep your eyes peeled as La Banda paints the town red with a spectacular light-up at Bangunan Getah Asli (Menara) (opposite KLCC). Catch all updates of La Banda kat Bandar on Netflix Malaysiaâ€™s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages.Â


The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The third episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. I’ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you haven’t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, now’s your chance to stop reading.
Meanwhile, check out my breakdown of The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 and Episode 2 here.
The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.
The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors of the eight-episode Season 3 include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Check out my breakdown of the first three episodes of Andor, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11 and Episode 12 here.
Check out my breakdown of Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 1 and 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5 and Episode 6 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.
Last year, 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.

Coruscant & The New Republic Senate, Doctor Pershing Returns

This is big because this is the first time that we’re seeing Coruscant during the New Republic era.
Omid Abtahi reprises his role as Doctor Pershing. We last saw Doctor Pershing at the end of The Mandalorian Season 2 captured by the New Republic. Now we see him working for the New Republic.

The New Republic Provides Amnesty & Rehabilitation Programs For Former Imperials

It’s interesting to see that the New Republic government is providing amnesty and rehabilitation programs for former Imperials. Amnesty means an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offences. In this case, it’s for people who were forced to work for the Empire, including those like Doctor Pershing.
Elia Kane Betrays Doctor Pershing, Frames Him And Kills Him Using The Mind Flayer, Proving That She Still Works For Moff Gideon

Elia Kane sets up and frames Doctor Pershing. He then gets caught by the New Republic authorities and subjected to “Mind Flayer” treatment.
She stays behind and cranks up the Mind Flayer machine, causing

Din Djarin & Bo-Katan Kryze Redeem Themselves By Bringing Back A Sample Of The Living Waters

Bo-Katan Kryze officially joins the Children Of The Watch (that’s the name of this Mandalorian cult that Din Djarin is a part of). It will be interesting to see what this will mean moving forward.
Until next week, excelsior!


Here’s 20 Minutes Of Path of Exile 2

2022 is going to be a helluva ride for action RPGs, as Path of Exile’s second act is making its debut on that year. And probably Diablo IV, but let’s focus on the former first.
Devs Grinding Gear has given us a first proper look at Path of Exile 2’s gameplay; about 20 minutes worth. Check it out below:

Path of Exile 2 features a bunch of new areas centered on the Island of Ogham. Here, we focus on the new Vastiri Desert area full of spiders and the undead. The sequel will feature 7 new acts.
The sequel gameplay trailer shows off new weapon types: the spear and the crossbow. The spear lets heroes move around quicker with its mobility skills via a charge dash/thrust attack and a built-in evade. You can unleash a number of quick pokes, and then evade halfway from telegraphed attacks with this weapon. Crossbows will grant heroes the new power shot skill which deals massive damage from this weapon type. You can change power shot properties with the all-new bolt skill gems. These include piercing shots and incendiary bolts.
The trailer also showcases new bosses with different attack patterns and exciting kinds of fights. The sequel will also add in more non-linear levels if the Vastiri Desert section is of any indication. The best part? When Path of Exile 2 comes out in 2022, it’ll be free to play.
Right now, Path of Exile has a ton of endgame content, so you should play that in the meantime.


The Elder Scrolls Online Cinematic Trailer Teases New Worlds In 2022

Bethesda has announced the first teaser trailer for The Elder Scrolls Online‘s next expansion. The full reveal is set to air on Twitch at 4am GMT+8 on 28 January 2022. The new teaser trailer shows off a stormy scene and a perilous trip toward an unnamed coastal city for a few ships, and we also see an armoured knight climbing some stone steps, but the specific region remains unknown.
Across a vast sea awaits 2022â€™s newest adventure forÂ The Elder Scrolls Online. The coming year will satisfy the desire of Elder ScrollsÂ fans everywhere by introducing a never-before-seen world and a tale that has yet to be told.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


10 Spookiest & Non-Spooky Netflix Offerings This October

Weâ€™re nearing the end of 2019 now but thereâ€™s still a wealth of binge-worthy content coming to Netflix in the final few months of the year. With the impending arrival of Halloween in October, Netflix is offering a slew of spooky offerings (and non-horror content too if you’re not into things that go bump in the night).
Carmen Sandiego Season 2 (1 October 2019)

After debuting earlier this year with nine episodes in Season 1, Carmen Sandiego Season 2 is already set to release less than a year later. Some of you may have grew up on the classic 90s animated series Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? will find something to love in this modern reimagining.
The official synopsis reads:

The stakes are higher than ever for Carmen, Ivy and Zack as V.I.L.E. unleashes a host of dastardly new villains while A.C.M.E. closes in.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVPgMERW42c&w=560&h=315]
Seis Manos (3 October 2019)

If Carmen Sandiego is too ‘kiddy’ for you, then Seis Manos might be the animated series for you. It’s an adult animated series by the studio behind Netflix’s Castlevania. Expect a ton of swearing and gore, as well as a diverse cast of Latino characters and setting, with talented voice actors including the likes of Danny Trejo and Luke Cage‘s Mike Colter.
The official synopsis:

Set in Mexico in the 1970â€™s era, Seis Manos centers on three orphaned martial arts warriors who join forces with a DEA agent and a Mexican Federal to battle for justice after their beloved mentor is murdered on the streets of their tiny border town.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MgGojmqX_8&w=560&h=315]
In The Tall Grass (4 October 2019)

Stephen King adaptations are getting a lot of love this year, with Pet Sematary, It Chapter Two, and the upcoming Doctor Sleep. Netflix is getting in on the action with In The Tall Grass, a horror movie based on the novella of the same name. It stars veteran horror actor Patrick Wilson of The Conjuring and Insidious franchises.
The official synopsis reads:

After hearing a young boyâ€™s cry for help, a sister and brother venture into a vast field of tall grass in Kansas but soon discover there may be no way outâ€¦and that something evil lurks within.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7afc9gTbVFI&w=560&h=315]
Raising Dion (4 October 2019)

Being a single mom is hard, but being the single mom of a baby with superhuman abilities is near-impossible. However, that’s exactly the situation that the main character in Raising Dion will have to face.
The official synopsis reads:

Raising Dion follows the story of a woman named Nicole (Alisha Wainwright), who raises her son Dion (newcomer Jaâ€™Siah Young) after the death of her husband, Mark (Michael B. Jordan).
The normal dramas of raising a son as a single mom are amplified when Dion starts to manifest several mysterious, superhero-like abilities.
Nicole must now keep her sonâ€™s gifts secret with the help of Markâ€™s best friend Pat (Jason Ritter), and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him while figuring out the origin of his abilities.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6koPaImHzY&w=560&h=315]
Creeped Out Season 2 (4 October 2019)

The horror anthology genre is having a resurgence of sorts in recent years, with Black Mirror, the Twilight Zone reboot, and Creepshow leading the way. However, those are geared towards adults and even as a kid, I loved horror anthologies for younger viewers like Are You Afraid Of The Dark? and Tales From The Crypt.
The official synopsis for Creeped Out Season 2 reads:

Mysterious creatures. Wishes gone wrong. Technology gone haywire. Enter a world of strange and spine-chilling tales… if you dare. Brace yourself for 10 new spine-tingling tales.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giTNDpvp_Bg&w=560&h=315]
Riverdale Season 4 (10 October 2019)

Riverdale began with a promising start in Season 1, but it started to become crazier and worse until it reached a ridiculous apex in Season 3. Despite of that, CW has renewed the show for a fourth season, where we will surely be seeing more of the dark and edgy shenanigans of Archie and his friends.
The official synopsis reads:

Dark teen series Riverdale returns for its fourth season, now with its teenagers getting ready for senior year.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2px382OpYU&w=560&h=315]
Haunted Season 2 (11 October 2019)

If you’re the kind of horror fan who prefers chilling and creepy tales based on true stories, seek no further than Haunted Season 2, where people talk about their paranormal experiences with scenes of dramatic reenactments added to up the scare factor.
The official synopsis reads:

In an all-new season of true-life terror, real people recount unsettling run-ins with demons, ghosts and more, as told via dramatic reenactments.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BoJkW-I_dI&w=560&h=315]
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (11 October 2019)

Probably the biggest Netflix in October 2019 (if not the entire year), El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie will pick up where the Breaking Bad series left off, with Aaron Paul’s Jesse Pinkman officially on the run.
The official synopsis reads:

Written and directed by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, the Netflix Television Event EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE follows fugitive Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) as he runs from his captors, the law and his past.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLUn2DFW4w&w=560&h=315]
Daybreak (24 October 2019)

What happens when you mix a little bit of the Fallout games and the Mad Max movies into a high school coming-of-age story? You get Daybreak, a new Netflix Original series that follows an eclectic group of survivors (who happen to be high school kids) as they navigate the post-apocalyptic city of Glendale, California.
The official synopsis reads:

Navigating a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies and Mad Max-style gangs, a teenage outcast searches for his lost love in this humorous drama series.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TerJ6Ii_XK0&w=560&h=315]
Nowhere Man (31 October 2019)

Nowhere Man will mark Netflix’s first Mandarin-language Original TV series, shot entirely in Taiwan. It stars a brilliant all-Asian cast of Joseph Chang, Alyssa Chia, Mavis Fan, Bo-Chieh Wang, Jeremy Liu, Zhou Ming-Fu and Greg Hsu.
The official synopsis reads:

Nowhere Man follows the death row inmate Quan who learned of his son being kidnapped while waiting for the execution in jail.
To save his son and protect his family, Quan schemes a jailbreak, only to find himself in an even more dangerous collision.
From time to time, Quan falls into the state of half-sleep and he will lead the viewer onto the freeway of redemption.
It is a story woven with moving brotherhood, intricate gangster backdrop and breathtaking jail escape.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubsBCk0xnyY&w=560&h=315]


Persona 25th Anniversary Website Teases Seven New Projects

Atlus has launched a new Persona series 25th-anniversary website. What’s interesting is that this new website teases seven new mysterious projects to be announced between September 2021 and fall 2022.
A statement on the website reads:
â€œAs of 2021, theÂ Persona series has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
To all of our fans that have supported us for so long, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
And this coming September, the PersonaÂ series will finally celebrate its 25th anniversary.
To show our gratitude, we are preparing a number of celebrations over the one year period from September 2021 to fall 2022.
From 25th anniversary goods and various events to game news and more, we will be making all sorts of anniversary announcements. Please look forward to them.â€
While not much has actually been revealed, it’s interesting to point out that one of the sets of the Persona 25th anniversary merchandise lists all the previous protagonists of all games in the Persona franchise, and seems to be teasing a new main character. This could potentially be the protagonist of Persona 6.

Besides that, this set of Persona 25th anniversary series acrylic stands (of which there are 11 in total) feature all of the mainline titles as well, but with two secret covers for games that have yet to be announced.

Stay tuned to Kakuchopurei for more news.


Marvel’s Iron Man Game Announced From Star Wars Squadrons Dev

After months of rumours, Marvel and EA have finally confirmed that an all-new single-player, third-person, action-adventure Iron Man video game is now in early development at Montreal-based Motive Studio. The team is being led by Olivier Proulx, who brings experience working on past Marvel titles like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and is joined by a dedicated team of passionate industry veterans including Ian Frazier, Maëlenn Lumineau, and JF Poirier at the studio.
Developed in collaboration with Marvel Games, the game will feature an original narrative that taps into the rich history of Iron Man, channelling the complexity, charisma, and creative genius of Tony Stark, and enabling players to feel what it’s like to truly play as Iron Man.
Bill Rosemann, Vice President and Creative Director at Marvel Games, said:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the talented team at Motive Studio to bring their original vision of one of Marvel’s most important, powerful and beloved characters. Their experience delivering both established entertainment worlds and thrilling gameplay — combined with their authentic passion for the armored icon — will fuel our quest to deliver a love letter to a legendary hero in the form of the ultimate Iron Man video game.”
Motive Studio brings their talent and excitement for creating fan-favourite worlds for players to explore and be their own hero, with experience developing titles like Star Wars Squadrons and the upcoming Dead Space remake on 27 January 2023.
Olivier Proulx, Executive Producer, said:
“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to make a video game based on one of the most iconic Super Heroes in entertainment today. We have a great opportunity to create a new and unique story that we can call our own. Marvel is encouraging us to create something fresh. We have a lot of freedom, which is so engaging for the team.”
The game is currently in the pre-production phase. This is an exciting new collaboration between Marvel and Electronic Arts, with Iron Man being the first of several new games.
However, there is no release date or confirmed platforms as of now.
In the meantime, you can check out my review of Star Wars Squadrons here, or head on over here for a full in-depth guide on how to be the best pilot in the galaxy.


This Year’s First Major Anime Expo In Malaysia Is Flooded With People

After the pandemic has taken a toll on events the past few years, it must be a relief to many that offline anime expos and fan gatherings are slowly coming back in Malaysia, much less Southeast Asia. And if these photos of Paradigm Mall are of any indication, they’re back in a big way.
Anime Fest, an anime expo gathering from the Comic Fiesta team, is taking place right now at Paradigm Mall. The event has caused massive human jams in the mall itself and on the NKVE highways (to an extent, since weabs with jobs have cars too); it’s overcrowded to kingdom come.
The Malaysian Twitter space is abuzz about the literal human traffic, including some words from our own ex-KKP writer Burhan:

Day 3 traffic jam animefest pic.twitter.com/hD3tM04GCs
— Hashira ?? (@HashiraCloud) May 14, 2022

Went to animefest, thought of helping out a bit, until I saw the crowd of people. ( '?'o[??????]o pic.twitter.com/e8Hcmy9azY
— Sayko (@Saykoji89) May 14, 2022

Anime Fest 2022 Day 3 Crowd was super super super pic.twitter.com/do3aIxgVyx
— ?????? (@suzuki1412) May 14, 2022

https://www.facebook.com/ShoppingMallInMalaysia/posts/146104571284660?__cft__[0]=AZV_QU8-KYgZHI87XQyGWCOGBdh_vFsFeasiB2QCeV9grvvulTgdKchR23Y1Y5VEOo7ZC6gnZLP3HBHkEOgk-RxBWSq1uzC5gx9zTwVCUfXnjXHnVlg0ALF2FK5H8Xr5bD2akGNCKwuLbp6zQyOzALbO&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Uwaahh, there's so much people here… #Animefest2022 pic.twitter.com/NXaV3EC4pi
— FuzzyFiz?MyVtuber? (@fiz_fuzzy) May 14, 2022

I'm stucc aaaaaaaa#animefest pic.twitter.com/dfMnWQ6YKN
— SykoKyza ?? MY Vtuber ?? (@SykoKyza) May 14, 2022

Aight, I'm out of Paradigm Mall finally ?
My advice? Don't go there pls, even if you have FOMO. Wait for CF proper at the end of this year instead.#AnimeFest #AnimeFest2022
— SykoKyza ?? MY Vtuber ?? (@SykoKyza) May 14, 2022

Pretty fun morning at anime fest!Got to take some cool pics with cosplayers and spend way too much money on the Hakken! booth.Planning to come back here on Saturday to buy more stuff from the doujin booth.Also the huge amount of people, Imagine if its on the weekend#AnimeFest pic.twitter.com/eRWnj9MkR2
— kek (@kek_desu) May 12, 2022

Paradigm Mall isn't suitable for events like Anime Fest.
Air conditioning is almost nonexistent, everyone is sweating.
At least 2 escalators are not working.
— Burhan (@KosmikPlays) May 14, 2022

It doesn’t look like Paradigm Mall is spacious or wide enough for gatherings as packed as a big-name anime convention run by a renowned group. Despite this, people are still having fun at the event. Plus, having too many people in an expo is a better problem to have than no people at all, if you think about it.

anime fest 2022 @ paradigm mall ? #animefest #animefest2022 #AttackOnTitan #anime pic.twitter.com/sPyweSkE4d
— fries (@nabilahrizall) May 13, 2022

#animefest breaking immersion pic.twitter.com/NjgfmRWx0R
— Zawarldo Ch. ?? ???????????? (@ZawarldoC) May 14, 2022

[HELP RT] does anyone know his @ ??? forgot to ask for his social media bcs shes too stunned ??#Animefest2022 #animefest pic.twitter.com/RET2YJwDDL
— ??? (@AOMlNEKO) May 14, 2022

Anime Fest is going on from 12th to 16th May. You can still attend tomorrow and Monday’s event, but we can’t guarantee there will be less people than today.


Cris Tales Blends The Best & Worst Of Classic JRPGs

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: JRPG
Who knew that even a non-Japanese company could develop such a good JRPG? Is it still considered a JRPG if it’s made by a non-Japanese developer, right?
Well, in the case of Cris Tales, I would certainly say so. Developed by Colombian studios Dreams Uncorporated and SYCK, this is a beautiful game inspired by classic JRPGs such as Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger, as well as recent JRPGs like I Am Setsuna and Persona 5.
However, the developers of Cris Tales have infused the game with distinguishing mechanics like time manipulation abilities and a refreshingly unique art style that’s different from most other JRPGs out there.
Tick, Tock…

Cris Tales begins with the game’s protagonist Crisbell (fun fact: she’s performed by the same voice actress as NieR Automata‘s 2B) who finds herself becoming a Time Mage and acquiring time manipulation powers via magical crystals that show her an apocalyptic vision of her town getting destroyed. This leads to her setting off on a grand journey in an attempt to change the future and save the world.
Oh, and did I also mention that there’s a mystical talking frog named Matias wearing a top hat and bowtie with a British accent helping her? The second playable character is a cynical and bitter old Time Mage named Wilhelm who’s in a young boy’s body, and the third is a spirited teenager named Christopher who’s an Elemental Mage with a shield that splits into two arm-blades.
Yeah, it’s very old-school JRPG in essence, but there’s enough charm to make the game stand out. The interactions between Crisbell and her growing party of companions is easily one of the highlights of the game. It’s impressive that not only does every line of dialogue in the game is voiced, but the voice acting is great in general. This makes it a lot easier to get even more immersed and invested in the game’s narrative. The game takes its time to develop each and every character. I hate it when JRPGs just throw a bunch of characters at the player without bothering to flesh them out.
This is despite that theÂ narrative is very much what you’d expect from any other JRPG, especially a traditional one like Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. There’s an overworld that you can explore and visit a myriad of locations, including different cities and dungeons. The structure is simple enough, as there’s the main objective to follow (which you can check at any time simply by pressing triangle), and also side quests that can be triggered by speaking with NPCs.

What makes the narrative less linear is Crisbell’s ability to see the past, present, and future all at once. You, the player, actually do see everything at once. There’s literally a triangle in the middle of the screen at any given time. Anything inside the triangle is the present, while everything on the left is the past while everything on the right is the future. It is via these time-tinted lenses that you will solve puzzles, find secret chests and complete side quests.
For example, as you walk by an NPC on the street of a town, you’ll see all three timelines simultaneously. The left lens is their past, the middle lens is their present, and the right lens is their future. You can complete side quests, as well as make different decisions and choices during dialogue, in order to change their future either for good or bad. You can often see the effects of your actions on the world around you in real-time due to Crisbell’s future sight, which can either feel rewarding (if it ends up well) or disappointing (if it ends badly).
Chrono Tweakers
The time manipulation doesn’t really do much to improve the game’s puzzles, since they’re mostly simplistic and gimmicky most of the time. It’s the narrative and combat where the mechanic shines the most, so we’ll head into how the latter works. Combat plays out like a conventional turn-based JRPG but it’s more active. Similar to that of games like I Am Setsuna or Ikenfell, Cris Tales features a timing reaction mechanic where every action (be it attacking or getting attacked) requires the players to execute a QTE of sorts. You have to press the X button (I played on PS5 with a DualSense controller) at the right cue (just before an attack hits, the screen will flash) for it to be more effective.
The wrong timing just means that your attacks inflict less damage. Hitting the correct timing will result in Good or Critical hits that inflict more damage. This timing reaction mechanic also comes into play when your characters get attacked by enemies. Pressing the X button with the correct timing will allow your characters to Deflect or Parry the enemies attacks, resulting in less damage and even avoiding detrimental status effects like poison.

Overall, it’s not as punishing as the one in Ikenfell, so it pretty much just encourages a more active and engaging playstyle than the usual passive turn-based combat. That said, there’s no way to tweak the timing reaction mechanic at launch, so you’ll have to get used to it no matter how frustrating it is at first to time your attacks. Deflecting or Parrying an enemy’s attack can mean life or death in a single turn or move in Cris Tales.
However, the biggest highlight of the combat in Cris Tales (and its biggest selling point) is that Crisbell’s time manipulation powers open up a slew of unique strategies and tactics. Remember that triangle on the screen I mentioned? That’s also featured during combat. How that works is that Crisbell can send enemies on the left side of the screen to the past and the right side of the screen to the future. This can result in many ingenious and unique situations.
For example, poisoning an enemy and then sending them to the future will inflict sudden death, just as it would be if the enemy has been poisoned for a long period of time. In another instance, you can make your enemies easier to kill by sending them back to the past and turning them into a weaker and younger version of themselves.
That’s not all as Crisbell can work together with her allies to take advantage of her time manipulation abilities as well. For example, if Christopher uses a Water-based magic skill attack on an invincible enemy with a shield, Crisbell can send that enemy to the future. This causes that shield to Rust and therefore making the enemy vulnerable to attacks. A personal favourite of mine is for Wilhelm to plant a living plant bomb on a group of enemies. When Crisbell sends those enemies to the future, the bomb automatically explodes and inflicts massive AoE damage.
As for the visuals, you can probably see for yourself on the screenshots in the review how unique the art style looks, but the game’s smooth animations elevate that to the Nth level, making everything look even more phenomenal. The game’s world and characters come to life with vibrant and vivid colours. It’s truly a sight to behold and a rare one at that. It reminds me more of JRPGs like Dragon Quest XI Echoes Of An Elusive Age and Persona 5, both of which are known for their style and personality far more than just realistic graphics like Final Fantasy VII Remake.
The last time I saw art, visuals and animation this good was probably 2020’s Hades (yeah, I know that’s not a JRPG, but the visuals invoke the same feelings). Speaking of Persona 5, the developers probably took a lot of inspiration from that game when designing the game’s UI and UX. Cris Tales‘ menus are almost as stylish, especially during combat with its distinctive and unconventional shapes and fonts.
Out Of Time?

Unfortunately, Cris Tales isn’t only inspired by its predecessors in all the good ways, but the bad as well. Some of the mechanics and systems in the game can feel archaic in day and age for seemingly no good reason. For starters, there are no autosaves in Cris Tales. None whatsoever. What that means is that just like old JRPGs, you’ll lose hours of progress if you don’t remember to save every time you find a save point.
Save points are abundant enough, especially for JRPG veterans who are used to them, and you can also save at any time in the overworld (which is a moot point, considering that you don’t really spend much time there).
Also, I would like to point out that save points do not automatically restore your HP and MP back to full, like they often do in many other JRPGs. In order for that to happen, you need special items call Tents, which are extremely pricey and rare in the game; they cost an in-game currency of 10,000, which is preposterous, or go to Inns in towns (which is surprisingly cheap, but most players will likely overlook). The developers are clearly trying to discourage players from abusing the save points to mindlessly grind and become overpowered. In fact, I’m sure that’s exactly the intention of the developers.
Unlike other JRPGs, Cris Tales discourages mindless grinding by implementing those systems. This can be either a good or bad thing, depending on your preference. Since there are no difficulty options, the game encourages players to play smart by utilizing whatever resources they have and being tactical in combat. You can still technically grind moderately (if you know what you’re doing) and become a bit over-levelled, but you can’t brute force your way to max level and cheese the game that easily.

Another issue with Cris Tales is that there is no fast travel mechanic in the game. Sure, a lot of old JRPGs didn’t have fast travel, so you had to basically walk everywhere manually. Well, not only does Cris Tales not have fast travel, the game doesn’t even feature a single map or mini-map.
Because of this, it’s extremely easy to get lost in the game if you’re not paying attention. Pressing the triangle button will only give you a hint or reminder of what to do for the next main objective to progress the story, but there’s no map or waypoint to guide you. You’ll have to remember where certain buildings and characters are by yourself using your own memory.
One last old-timey JRPG trope that the game went for is one that most modern JRPGs has abandoned; namely random battle encounters. Even games like Dragon Quest XI Echoes Of An Elusive Age and the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei V are getting rid of this outdated mechanic. However, it looks like the developers have decided to keep random battles inside Cris Tales; perhaps as further homage to classic JRPGs. Oh, and members outside of your party don’t earn EXP from battles, which makes them severely under-levelled and useless after a while.
All that said, none of these aforementioned issues were game-breaking for someone like me, who are used to the archaic systems and mechanics of older JRPGs. Do I like them? Of course not, but veteran JRPG fans will be able to tolerate and get by them lickety-split.
They’re just part and parcel of the quirks of the genre as a whole. Those not familiar with classic JRPGs may find these problems more annoying and frustrating to deal with. In fact, since this game launched, I’ve actually seen many players who have complained about them on their social media, so I’m not just mentioning all this for no reason.
A Loving Ode

Cris Tales is definitely a praiseworthy effort from Colombian studios Dreams Uncorporated and SYCK, both of whom have crafted a JRPG adventure worth playing through from beginning to end. This game proves that even JRPGs can transcend their origin country, becoming a worthwhile and memorable experience, even with some of its issues.
Fans of the genre should check out Cris Tales to bask in the glorious homage to the best (and worst) of them.
Pros

Nice time manipulation mechanic provides a refreshing twist to both combat and narrative.
Beautiful and unique art style, visuals, and animation.
A compelling and charming cast of characters.

Cons

The timing reaction mechanic in combat may take some getting used to.
Outdated mechanics and systems hinder the game.

Final Score: 70/100
Review copy provided by Ripples Asia. Played on PS5.


This Week In PC Gaming: 22 July

The week of 22 July brings forth some big news, especially from 3D action game makers Digital Extremes and Romero Studios. Here is this week’s biggest news and game releases.

 Timestamp
0:00 – Intro
0:35 – News
4:38 – PC games to buy this week
Thanks to our sponsors from ASUS Tuf Gaming for making this video possible. Find out more about the ASUS Tuf Gaming F15/17 laptops here.


PlayStation Studios Malaysia & Lemon Sky Contributed To The Last Of Us Part I

PlayStation Studios Malaysia, as well as Malaysia-based CGI art and animation studio Lemon Sky Studios, contributed to Naughty Dog’s The Last Of Us Part I for the PS5.
They were credited in the game’s end credits. You can check out the full names below:

Lemon Sky.

PlayStation Studios Malaysia.

Lemon Sky was previously involved in several projects with major game developers/publishers in the past. These include Bluepoint Games’ Demon’s Souls, Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers, Naughty Dog’s The Last Of Us Part II, Capcom’s Resident Evil 3 Remake, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake and Insomniac Games’ Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart.
However, if I’m not mistaken, this is the second time that PlayStation Studios Malaysia has officially appeared in the credits of a game. The first time was in MLB The Show 22 earlier this year.
You can check out my review of The Last Of Us Part I here. The Last Of Us Part I launches for the PS5 on 2 September 2022, with a PC release in the future.


CD Projekt Red Not Afraid Of Half-Life Alyx, Calls VR Gaming “Extremely Nichey Niche”

Valve shocked the gaming industry and the world last week by announcing Half-Life Alyx, a full-fledged VR game and the franchise’s official return since 2004’s Half-Life 2. It’s also releasing on 20 March 2020, which will be a full month before CD Projekt Red’s highly-anticipated Cyberpunk 2020 on 16 April 2020.
However, the Polish developer doesn’t feel intimidated at all. During the Q&A in a recent investor earnings call, an analyst asked CD Projekt Red if the company was “afraid that (Half-Life Alyx) may pull some of the gamers away from Cyberpunk due to the fact of being [a] highly anticipated release?”
CD Projekt Red senior vice president of business development Andrzej Nowakowski said:

â€œSo, of course, weâ€™ve seen the Half-Life PR announcement.
I think it was a surprise for everybody, but I think not in a way you are suggesting.
VR remains an extremely nichey niche of the market, like itâ€™s very, very small.
That niche is very, very, very â€” and I could add a few verys here â€” small.
So from the market perspective, are we afraid? No, because itâ€™s a very different niche.â€

Not only is CD Projekt Red not afraid of the competition posed by Half-Life Alyx, they actually consider VR gaming as a whole to be too small and insignificant in the games industry, which is why Nowakowski also confirmed that the developer won’t be working on any VR-related projects for now.
While both Cyberpunk 2077 and Half-Life Alyx seemingly belong to the same genre (dystopian science fiction), Cyberpunk 2077 has the added advantage of releasing on conventional platforms, instead of the VR-exclusive Half-Life Alyx.
There’s no reason for CD Projekt Red to fear what is essentially a gimmick or tech fad (VR gaming), that will probably no longer be a key segment of the next gaming generation (Xbox Scarlett and PS5), like it was for this one (PS4’s PlayStation VR and the various PC peripherals).


Pokemon Let’s Go Is NOT What You Think It Is

The next Pokemon game returns to where it all began, in the Kanto Region asÂ PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Pikachu!Â andÂ PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Eevee!Â hits the Nintendo Switch come November 16 this year.
However, it should not be confused with the ‘coreÂ PokÃ©mon RPG’ for the Switch which was teased at E3 2017. That one is set to hit stores late next year.
Developed by Game Freak, director and producer of the Let’s Go titles, Junichi Masuda emphasized that the Let’s Go games are designed for newbies to the PokÃ©mon games, especially those whose entry to the franchise was viaÂ PokÃ©mon Go. He added that it has been in development for around two years.
While many might still be confused as to what is the game going to be like, just imagine expanding yourÂ PokÃ©mon Go experience from your mobile devices and taking it to the Nintendo Switch. Like the one on mobile, you use hand gestures to catch wildÂ PokÃ©monÂ but instead of flicking your finger, you now utilise the Switch Joy-Cons to ‘throw’ your PokÃ© Ball to catch wild PokÃ©mon.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jRtpMKLsts&w=560&h=315]
Back to Square One – But With A Modern Twist
In Let’s Go, you retrace your adventures in the Kanto Region – e.g a modern take of PokÃ©mon Yellow, with tons of cross-play and AR integration to the game. At the time of writing, we cannot confirm on its story but we have a feeling it will be loosely tied to the original storyline with a modern twist to it.
But what we know is that this game places a high emphasis on enhanced interaction with the highly successfulÂ PokÃ©mon Go app.Â
You will not needÂ PokÃ©mon Go to play Let’s Go, but why haven’t you, right? That’s one of the core experiences of the game anyway.
As seen in the trailer, players are able to transfer wild PokÃ©mon caught via mobile phones to their Let’s Go saves. We understand that this is a one-way thing only, meaning your Let’s GoÂ PokÃ©mon cannot be transferred to your Go account.
On the bright side, Masuda did confirm that PokÃ©mon that are shiny in Go will remain shiny in the Switch version, but PokÃ©mon with special hats in Go cannot be transferred to Let’s Go.
Back to Basics
There will be 150 of the originalÂ PokÃ©mon in Let’s Go, along with their AlolanÂ forms from Sun and Moon. Your starter Pikachu and Eevee will not evolve, but other Pikachu or Eevee caught in-game can. If you, like us are Eevee evolutionÂ aficionados, then be prepared to be disappointed as only Jolteon, Flareon, and Vaporeon are available out of Eevee’s eight evolutions in the game.
To be honest, we’d rather have Umbreons and Espeons than the Alolan versionÂ PokÃ©mon. What about you?
For Serious Trainers
Since there are no breeding in the Let’s Go titles, there will be no eggs in-game. Players who breedÂ PokÃ©mon to obtain good IV and EV stats may still find the solace in Matsuda’s claim that the game, like any other main Pokemon RPGs are “accessible” but with “depth” forÂ PokÃ©mon trainers.
While trainers can partake in online battles viaÂ local wireless and Wi-Fi, there will be no ranked battles in Let’s Go titles. Speaking of which, a co-op mode allows a second player to hop in and battle together to catch wildÂ PokÃ©mon. Using the second Joy-Con, two friends can team up to capture a wildÂ PokÃ©mon. However, we are still unclear about double battles between players and NPCs in Let’s Go.
Not IncludedÂ
Also unveiled was another gimmicky thingamajig called the PokÃ©Ball Plus. The PokÃ© Ball-shaped device can be used to playÂ PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Pikachu!Â andÂ PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Eevee!Â in place of your Joy-Con. Youâ€™ll be able to throw PokÃ© Balls in-game with a flick of your wrist and even ‘take’ your favouriteÂ PokÃ©mon out on a stroll.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1436379009799843/
No word on how it interacts with theÂ PokÃ©mon Go Plus device at the time of writing though.

So that’s all we know aboutÂ PokÃ©mon Let’s Go, Pikachu! andÂ PokÃ©mon Let’s Go, Eevee! for now. Expect more news related to the game to roll out as E3 inches closer. If you have any questions, do fire away and we will try our best to Diglett for the answers.


Warriors Orochi 4 Reveals Sexy-Looking Hades & Guest Character Achilles

Koei Tecmo has announced Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate, the next entry in its hack-and-slash musou game franchise. It is slated to release for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on 19 December 2019 and internationally sometime in February 2020 (which includes Xbox One and PC versions).
Two new characters will be making their debut in Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate, which includes the Greek god Hades, and the legendary Greek demigod warrior Achilles (a guest character from the game Warriors: Legends Of Troy).

According to Gematsu, aÂ digital-only Deluxe Edition will also include the following bonuses:

Legendary Costume Orochi Pack 4
Two special costumes
Two Sacred Treasures
Legendary Weapons Orochi Pack 4
BGM Pack 2
Three Bonus Weapons
300,000 Stock Experience
3,000 Arena Points
100 Crystals
Early character unlocks for Kyuubi, Tamamo no Mae, and Yinglong

In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx7oTNkMTq0&w=560&h=315]


Netflix’s Black Knight Unveils First Teaser For Post-Apocalyptic Korean Series

The dystopian universe of Black Knight was finally revealed to the world through its first-ever teaser trailer. The clip gives curious audiences a peek into the black knights in action while living in a world without order.
The series follows the journey of refugee Sa-wol, and the legendary deliveryman 5-8, as he takes on the all-powerful Cheonmyeong Group in a dystopian portrayal of Korea devastated by severe air pollution, making it uninhabitable without an oxygen mask.
The newly released poster features lead actor, Kim Woo-bin, who plays the character of 5-8, donning his signature mask in a desolate world, engulfed by sand and polluted air.

In this newly released teaser trailer for Black Knight, Kim Woo-bin’s character, 5-8, explains the role of a black knight, who risks their life to protect delivery trucks from hunters who steal essential resources like oxygen. In this world, strength is vital for survival.
Amidst the chaos, viewers will be able to spot hints of cutting-edge technology, adding to the intrigue surrounding the series’ ultimate worldview.
Director Cho Ui-seok said:
“When I first read the webtoon, I found the setup to be extremely innovative. It’s not the delivery men that we know of – they fight off the hunters to deliver oxygen and daily necessities, meaning that they play the most crucial role in the survival of the remaining mankind. That really appealed to me.”
Black Knight premieres worldwide on 12 May 2023, only on Netflix.


Reporters Without Borders Builds “Uncensored” Library In Minecraft To Overcome Press Censorship

It turns out that making use of Minecraft is one way of overcoming press censorship.
Recently, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) NGO announced that they had built “The Uncensored Libra- ryâ€ in collaboration with design studio BlockWorks within the game. Accessible to all Minecraft players via an open server, its books contain articles that were originally censored in their originating countries.
“These articles are now available again within Minecraft hidden from government surveillance technology inside a computer game,” RSF wrote.

“The books can be read by everyone on the server, but their content cannot be changed. The library is growing, with more and more books being added to overcome cen-sorship.”

The library took about three months to build and utilized over 12.5 million blocks. According to RSF, “It took 24 builders from 16 different countries over 250 hours to design and create the library. The libraryâ€™s main dome is nearly 300 metres wide, which would make it the second-largest in the world.”
The building, pixelated though it may be, is stunning, as you can see from the trailer above. It’s also amazing to see Minecraft being utilized as a means for overcoming press censorship. The power of video games, right?