Guilty Gear Strive Baiken’s Look Leaked Via Bakery Ad

Update: Character trailer for Baiken’s out. Check it out in this story below.
Want to find out how Guilty Gear’s samurai Baiken looks like in Guilty Gear Strive? Look no further than this….bakery ad.
Apparently, macaron-making bakery Honey & Butter’s ad for a Guilty Gear collaboration may have accidentally leaked new artwork of Baiken in Guilty Gear Strive (via Twitter’s @prtokce). Seems authentic, given Arc System Works’ copyright below.

Here she is in all her samurai-fighting glory.

Apparently, the ad also came with a few leaked screenshots of the character in action in Guilty Gear Strive. You can see her pull off some of her special moves as well as see her against Happy Chaos and Anji. Also, there’s a new stage they fight on: probably an undisclosed Japanese Colony area.

Baiken is one of the new characters for the game’s Season 1 pass; she’s slated to be out this late January. It’s only a few days until the month ends, so she’ll be out before that happens at the very least. This leaves one more character for the Season Pass: odds are it’s Asuka/That Man. Or maybe Slayer, if past datamined info is to be believed.


Ni No Kuni Movie Bombs In Its First Week In Japan Cinemas

The Ni no Kuni movie recently debuted in Japanese cinemas on 23 August 2019 and immediately bombed to seventh place of the Japanese weekend box office for 24 & 25 August 2019.
Raking in just a disappointing Â¥140 million, the movie failed to make even half of what Dragon Quest Your Story made in its opening weekend (Â¥309 million).
Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You has regained its top spot at the box office after falling behind Disney’s remake of The Lion King last week. During the weekend, Weathering With You sold more than 300,000 tickets and earned Â¥421 million yen.
Like Ghibli, but not quite…
It’s hard to pinpoint why the Ni no Kuni movie has failed to get the attention of Japanese moviegoers. Personally, I believe the fault lies in the release window rather than the movie itself. Being released around the same time as a Makoto Shinkai film, a new Disney film, and also ONE PIECE STAMPEDE will definitely make your movie seem less appealing.
For now, there’ still no announcement of a worldwide release of the Ni no Kuni and I wouldn’t advice fans to wait up. Even Dragon Quest Your Story isn’t scheduled for a worldwide release.
The only noteworthy Japanese moving coming soon to Malaysia cinemas is Weathering With You and it comes out 5 September 2019.
[via Crunchyroll]


Overwatch Player Alarm Dies At 20

Overwatch League team Philadelphia Fusion top player Kimm “Alarm” Kyeong-Bo has died. He was 20 years old.
No news and details have been disclosed concerning the Overwatch player’s causes of death. Philadelphia Fusion published the following statement about the player below:
“We are devastated and heartbroken to hear about Kim â€˜Alarmâ€™ Kyeong-Boâ€™s passing. Alarm was the heart and soul of our organization, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as we mourn this tragic loss.
We are UNBELIEVABLY proud of everything @alarm has accomplished during his first year in the league, from Role Star, to MVP Candidate, he is more than deserving of the title.
The Kim family and the Fusion ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

pic.twitter.com/4ePzikSjrf
— Philadelphia Fusion (@Fusion) November 8, 2021

As a rookie player, Alarm made a name for himself as being the most skilled flex supports in the Overwatch League and for his team. Alarm won the 2020 Rookie of the Year award as well as a Role Stars award, and also a nomination for Most Valuable Player.
Rest in peace, Kim “Alarm” Keyong-Bo”. Here’s a montage of his top plays below:


Apex Legends Emergence Reveals New Legend, Seer

EA and Respawn Entertainment have released a new Apex Legends Stories trailer featuring the next Legend. His name is Seer, and he will arrive on 3 August 2021. The new season will also introduce a new LMG called Rampage, more Worldâ€™s Edge map changes, a ranked mode for Arenas, and more.
We will learn more about Seer and Apex Legends Emergence during EA Play Live at 1am GMT+8 on 23 July 2021.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Malaysia’s First Esports and Gaming Job Portal Launched

eGG Network has released a platform to aid students in taking a step further into the gaming industry. The Alliance of Campus (ACE) initiative is poised to accommodate students to be esports professionals. Also supporting ACE is U Mobile as the Main Sponsor, and Illegear as Partner Sponsor, with an endorsement from Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Students can expect more from ACE this season with Malaysian Youth Community (MYC!) onboard as Youth Partner, a social enterprise with access and networking partnerships in over 160 universities in Malaysia.
Hasnul Hadi, VP of MDEC, pointed out MDEC’s involvement towards Malaysian esports and is dedicated to bringing positive gaming to the grassroots through the #healthygaming campaign.
eGG Network’s AVP of Esports Business Yubin Ng said the following:

â€œStudents make up a vast majority of esports enthusiastsÂ in Malaysia and they are the future of the industry. ACE is more than a campus level esports tournament. Our aim is to develop the esports and gaming industry through ACE. It covers all aspects on a grassroots level, from tournament, community building and now education with ACE Varsity.

He also clarified their aim to nurture the studentsâ€™ growing passion where they get exposed to every aspect of this industry towards a realising a sustainable and fulfilling career for themselves.

Students are able to register for under ACE here, and you can check out their page here for more information. The platform is designed in two parts; the e-curriculum programme and the job searching platform.
The e-curriculum programme will see students taking an online course to build up their knowledge in the esports and gaming industry with real-life examples. A demonstration of the e-curriculum programme shown at the launch includes topics like basic esports concepts and event management, esports business, and streaming. Students will receive an e-certificate after completing five levels of the e-curriculum programme.
The job searching platform, now live, offers a huge list of potential employers in the esports and gaming industry. The platform offers more than just esports openings, such as internships, events and management, marketing and communication, broadcast and production, and information technology.

The stakeholders are also prepared to combat the stigma in which gaming is simply as a hobby. With backing from the government and MDEC, it goes to show that gaming is no longer a waste of time, and rather, is a viable career for students to invest in.
For more information on the e-curriculum, please head on to the official website here. For the ACE Initiative job platform, check out their page here.


New Demon Slayer Season 3 Trailer Teases The Swordsmith Village Arc

After originally being announced back in February 2022, Demon Slayer Season 3 has finally unveiled its first teaser trailer for what’s to come in the upcoming season, which will feature the Swordsmith Village Arc from the manga. The trailer was made available by Aniplex USA, but there is no release date or release window yet.
The Swordsmith Village Arc begins with volume 10 of the manga.
The synopsis reads:
For the first time in over 100 years, the upper ranks of Muzan Kibutsuji’s Twelve Kizuki are not full. Angered, Muzan dispatches the survivors on another mission. Elsewhere, Tanjiro journeys to a village of swordsmiths and has to explain how his sword was so badly damaged to Haganezuka, the smith who made it. While Tanjiro waits for his sword to be repaired, enemies close in…
This new arc will focus on the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji.

Demon Slayer Seasons 1 and 2, as well as the Mugen Train movie, are now streaming on Netflix. In the meantime, you can also check out my review of the Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles video game by heading over here.


Adventure RPG Born Of Bread To Launch In Summer 2023

Born of Bread is a 2.5D adventure RPG game that combines exploration with a combat system that rethinks turn-based encounters. Experience a home-cooked retro take on classic cartoony with charming characters for children and adults alike.
Players assume the character of a sentient flour golem with a childlike curiosity who possesses a unique set of abilities. Experience the wonder and mystery of a marvelous world filled with colorful characters. Each character will bring a unique set of skills to the party, whether it’s combat or exploration.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to bake Born of Bread:

One flour golem who possesses a never-ending childlike wonder and a set of odd skills
A charming world filled with mysteries
A wide-range cast of fleshed-out characters
A wacky storyline
A pinch of light puzzles
Turn-based battles with a dash of real-time minigames
Bright and colorful 2.5D graphics
Side-quests, for an add of taste
A captive audience granting you bonuses in battle

“Inspired by titles like Paper Mario and Undertale, Born of Bread creates an enchanting world of endearing characters, whimsical storylines, and clever combat mechanics to make for a rousing nostalgia-tinged adventure. We wanted Born of Bread to tackle heavy topics, such as character growth and the meaning of kinship while remaining consistently joyful and funny. Born of Bread is a love letter to family-friendly RPGs of yore,” said Nicolas Lamarche, WildArts’ lead designer, and programmer.
“From the first time we saw it, we knew WildArts was onto something here, creating such an appealing art style and story. When we saw it had the gameplay chops to support that we were instantly hooked!” said Guillaume Jamet, Head of Publishing for Dear Villagers.

Publisher Dear Villagers and developer WildArts will release the 2.5D adventure RPG Born of Bread for PC via Steam in the summer of 2023. Until then, check out the trailer below:


Magical Battle Royale Spellbreak To Enchant PS4 Players In 2020

Sony Interactive Entertainmentâ€™s final State Of Play presentation for 2019 has revealed that developer Proletariat‘s magic-based battle royale game, Spellbreak, will be coming to the PS4 in the form of a beta in early 2020.
Unlike other battle royale games with guns and robots galore, Spellbreak distinguishes itself by being a fantasy-inspired battle royale where players assume the roles of battlemages who cast huge spells, combine primal elements, and literally fly through the world.
There are no guns, grenades, mechs, or gadgets in this one. Every player has dual-wielding magical gauntlets that each have two different abilities, giving them four active combat options and a myriad of combination possibilities, as well as runes that provide support and additional movement abilities.

For example, players can use the wind to launch themselves skyward or create a tornado that will pull enemies in. They can then light the tornado on fire or electrify it with lightning to ensure maximum damage. A frost gauntlet will lay a path of ice that players can skate down at super-speed or melt with a fireball. There are dozens of spell combinations in Spellbreak.
The closed beta for the PS4 version of Spellbreak is slated for sometime in Spring 2020. It is stated that the PS4 Founder Pack is required to join the closed beta. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy0wRL5EQ4I&w=560&h=315]


Valorant’s Cypher Tags Enemies & Wears A Fancy Hat

The Valorant Twitter page has uploaded a teaser for Cypher, its Moroccan hero who sports a fancy hat and tags enemies.
The teaser shows off his Trapwire ability, basically a tripwire that reveals enemies rather than blow up, and his Spycam, which can be used for surveillance and can fire a dart that tags enemies. He may have a big, obvious hat, but he makes up for it by making enemies easy to spot too.

CYPHER /// Morocco“I know exactly where you are.”#VALORANT pic.twitter.com/yvSJ9hI4Yn
— VALORANT (@PlayVALORANT) April 9, 2020

Not shown is his Cyber Cage ability, which slows enemies and blocks vision, and his Neural Theft ultimate. The latter is used on a dead enemy to reveal enemy players who are still alive.
Riot previously released teasers for Phoenix, Viper, Sova, Sage, and Jett. What stood out to me after watching those teasers was that Phoenix, Viper, and Sage all seem to have an ability that creates a line-of-sight-blocking barrier. There’s more to them than that of course, but that seems like a lot of line-of-sight-blocking barriers.
I personally don’t feel any hype for Valorant, but the closed beta hit 1.7 million viewers on Twitch a couple of days ago, so there’s clearly an interested crowd for it. The closed beta isn’t available in Southeast Asia at the moment, but Riot will try to bring it to more countries.


The Quarry Is Supermassive’s Best Interactive Movie Project Yet

Platform(s): Xbox Series (version reviewed), Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4
Genre: Interactive horror movie from the same guys who did Until Dawn
2K Games’ and Supermassive Games The Quarry proves that it’s hard to try new things when the latter’s reputation precedes you. And that’s OK if you’re really good at it. Look at Blizzard and RTSs and MMOs before it all came to heck in 2019.

Supermassive Games is really, really good at making interactive games based on their love of horror movies and classic scary movie tropes; after all it was their PlayStation exclusive horror game hit Until Dawn that put them on the map back in 2015. The Quarry is basically the team’s love for slasher flicks and horror films in the 80s culminating into one brand new story involving a bunch of teenagers, a camp called Hackett’s Quarry, and said teens’ last night there. Whether the stalkers and killers in the game are actual people or something supernatural like the last few games the company made in 2015 and in their stint with Bandai Namco (the Dark Pictures Anthology), it’s up to you to guess and decide if these teens are worth saving via simple button prompts and thumbstick flicks.
Yes, there’s a bunch of quick time events that determine the course of the story, whether you want that one guy played by Justice Smith to get ahead and go with his heart, or probably have his heart ripped out by things unknown. From a story and writing standpoint, there’s no one I hate here that warrants a swift death. Everyone’s either likeable to a fault or so goshdarn stupid that you also end up adoring them for their attempts at being charismatic. The dialogue is also pretty snappy and can be funny at times especially when it tries most of time. It’s like taking a shine to that one spastic kid in the special needs school who is can memorize dictionary entries to heart but has a speech impediment.
Sleepaway Camp

A game like this lives and dies with its presentation, not so much its gameplay. And the former bit definitely shows; outside of a few awkward faces which can’t be helped, the animation, facial expressions, and voice work here are top-notch. The game’s creepy atmosphere and drip-feed plot is done well, even with sometimes you wished the characters moved a little faster and less clunky during the exploration bits. And for the mass audience who don’t game much, there are a number of options like Movie Mode and QTE prompt-tweaking tools to make the experience more watchable and less interactable.
Supermassive’s latest game is clearly an interactive movie with minimal gaming involved, with even a few options to make it a smooth-sailing viewing experience. But in that field, it’s the developer’s best production yet. It’s arguably better than its last major effort Until Dawn, definitely because of the game’s production values being upgraded, a few tweaks to the formula here and there, and there’s a lot more story and likeable cast members to root for here. The build-up to the horror show twist is also paced well here, at least from my first playthrough-and-a-half here. The fact that the game’s star power helps too: you have Modern Family’s Ariel Winter, Detective Pikachu’s Justice Smith, Scream series’ David Arquette, Ethan Suplee, and Lance “Bishop” Henriksen glamming up the whole game with their voice work and likeness.
The Quarry is not a huge game-changer in the genre, but it’s a well-made one and is a big step up. It’s definitely worth a purchase as long as you know what you’re going into.
Final Score: 80/100


The Not E3 Summer Games Festival 2022 Games That Are Coming Out In 2022

While we didn’t officially get an E3 event this year, the various Summer Game Fest live streams were enough to tease new games coming out in the rest of 2022.
Check out all the recently-revealed and announced games that will be releasing in 2022 below:
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion

Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion will be released on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC via Steam in winter 2022.
This new version enhances the graphics to HD and updates all of the 3D models in the game. Full voiceovers and new music arrangements present this epic tale of strife and heroism, presenting FINAL FANTASY VII in a brand-new light. Enjoy a more beautiful and accessible CRISIS CORE, going way beyond just a simple HD remaster.
Resident Evil Village DLC Update

Resident Evil Village is getting a Winter’s Expansion DLC on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on 28 October 2022.
Shadows Of Rose is a sequel to the story in Resident Evil Village, featuring an adult Rose Winters (Resident Evil Village protagonist Ethan Winters’ daughter). However, unlike Resident Evil Village, this DLC story expansion will be fully in third-person. In addition, Resident Evil Village Mercenaries Additional Orders will allow players to play as Chris Redfield, Karl Heisenberg and even Lady Dimitrescu. Players can also look forward to a new third-person mode in the base game’s campaign.
Stray

Stray will launch for PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam on 19 July 2022.
Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city. Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Along the way, the cat befriends a small flying drone, known only as B12. With the help of this newfound companion, the duo try to find a way out.
Rollerdrome

Rollerdrome from Roll7 (developer of OlliOlli World) will be out for PS4, PS5 and PC on 16 August 2022.
Rollerdrome is a third person action shooter that seamlessly blends high octane, visceral combat with fluid movement and tricking mechanics into one complementary and challenging whole, to create an original adrenaline-pumping shooter experience like no other.
High On Life

High On Life is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass in October 2022.
From the mind of Justin Roiland (Rick And Morty, Solar Opposites) comes High On Life. Humanity is being threatened by an alien cartel who wants to use them as drugs. It’s up to you to rescue and partner with charismatic, talking guns, take down Garmantuous and his gang, and save the world!
A Plague Tale Requiem

A Plague Tale Requiem is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Xbox Game Pass and cloud version via Nintendo Switch sometime in 2022.
Embark on a heartrending journey into a brutal, breathtaking world, and discover the cost of saving those you love in a desperate struggle for survival. Strike from the shadows or unleash hell with a variety of weapons, tools and unearthly powers.
Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 Early Access is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch on 4 October 2022.
It will be free-to-play. Overwatch will continue to evolve and expand with regular seasonal content rolling out every nine weeks. With the new Battle Pass system, you’ll be able to unlock themed cosmetic items and complete weekly challenges for unique rewards. Instead of relying on Loot Box luck, you’ll be able to choose how you want to invest and progress toward new content throughout each season.
With cross-progression enabled, all of your unlocks, progression, and accolades will seamlessly transfer over to whatever device you’re actively gaming on.
Scorn

Scorn is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass on 21 October 2022.
Scorn is an atmospheric first-person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry. You awaken in the middle of a desolate and decayed hellscape; a once industrious civilization now lay in ruin. Surrounded by nightmarish, biomechanical contraptions, you must explore your environment to progress.
As Dusk Falls

As Dusk Falls is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass on 19 July 2022.
Explore the entangled lives of two families across thirty years in an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT. Starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong, the character’s lives depend on the choices you make. Every family has secrets, every secret has a price.
Pentiment

Pentiment is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass in November 2022.
From Obsidian, this game is a historical mystery role-playing game that focuses on character development, heavily stylized art, and choice-driven storytelling in early 16th century Germany. The main character is a clever illustrator caught up a series of murders at Kiersau Abbey over twenty five years. This character alone possesses the wits and will to expose the killers, but each decision he makes has lasting consequences and inexorably draws him closer to the center of an underlying conspiracy.
Soulstice

Soulstice is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 20 September 2022.
Explore an action game with a dark world brimming with hidden mysteries, master a diverse combat system, and inhabit the dual forces of two sisters in a coming-of-age dark fantasy story with fast-paced action, vicious enemies, and spectacular boss fights.
F1 Manager 2022

F1 Manager 2022 is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 25 August 2022.
Make your mark on Formula 1 in the officially licensed F1 Manager 2022. Be the boss of your chosen constructor and pick from a roster of 2022 drivers and staff.
Immortality

Immortality is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass on 26 July 2022.
IMMORTALITY is an interactive film trilogy from Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story. What happened to Marissa Marcel? Explore footage from her lost movies to solve the mystery.
Deliver Us Mars

Deliver Us Mars is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 27 September 2022.
Deliver Us Mars is an atmospheric sci-fi adventure taking you on a suspense-fuelled, high-stakes mission to recover the ARK colony ships stolen by the mysterious Outward.
Victoria 3

Victoris 3 is coming to PC sometime in 2022.
Set in the rapidly moving 19th and early 20th centuries, Victoria 3 is a deep societal simulation, challenging players to develop a nation through industry, trade and political reform while keeping your population content and well-fed.
GigaBash

From Malaysian developer Passion Republic Games, GigaBash is coming to Epic Games Store, Steam, PS4 & PS5 on 5 August 2022.
GigaBash is a 4-player Arena Brawler featuring Giant Monsters, Kaijus & Heroes developed by Passion Republic Games. Unleash mayhem in fully destructible maps and battle among your friends as you rise as the true Apex among Titans.
The Last Of Us Part 1

The Last Of Us Part 1 is coming to PS5 on 2 September 2022.
Revisit the game that set a new bar for single-player narrative storytelling with The Last Of Us and explore a ravaged and hardened world, where every action has a brutal consequence for Joel and Ellie.
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II is coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC on 28 October 2022.
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic operators of Task Force 141.
The Callisto Protocol

The Callisto Protocol is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 2 December 2022.
In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Midnight Suns is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch on 7 October 2022.
It’s a turn-based game similar to XCOM but with card game elements thrown in.
Goat Simulator 3

Goat Simulator 3 is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC in fall 2022.
Gather your herd and venture forth into Goat Simulator 3; an all-new, totally realistic, sandbox farmyard experience. Invite up to three friends in local or online co-op, create carnage as a team, or compete in mini-games and then not be friends anymore.
Highwater

Highwater is coming to PC sometime in 2022.
Highwater is a story-driven 3D adventure game with isometric turn-based combat set in a flooded post-apocalyptic urban environment. Navigate the world by boat, discover islands, and find new allies to help battle foes in turn-based combat.
Midnight Fight Express

Midnight Fight Express is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC on 23 August 2022.
You’re Babyface, a former member of the criminal underworld lured back into “the life” by a mysterious AI drone. Your mission against impossible odds: Fight your way across the city before sunrise, and prevent a citywide criminal takeover together.
Engage in a brutal and hyper-kinetic brawling ballet, using every environmental tool and street fighting technique at your disposal. Level up your abilities to take down the mounting onslaught of bozos, cronies, and crime lords.
Metal Hellsinger

Metal Hellsinger is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 15 September 2022.
Metal Hellsinger is a rhythm FPS, brimming with diabolical enemies, powerful weapons, and metal music. Set out on an infernal journey in order to achieve the purest of goals: Vengeance.
One Piece Odyssey

ONE PIECE ODYSSEY is coming to PS5 & PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2022.
ONE PIECE ODYSSEY is an RPG project filled with the unique elements of adventure from ONE PIECE that has been highly desired by fans.
Saints Row

Saints Row is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 23 August 2022.
It’s a reboot of the first game in the open-world game franchise.
Gotham Knights

Gotham Knights is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 25 October 2022.
Gotham Knights is an open-world, action RPG set in the most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet. Patrol Gotham’s five distinct boroughs in solo or in co-op and drop in on criminal activity wherever you find it.
Warhammer 40,000 Darktide

Warhammer 40,000 Darktide is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Game Pass on 13 September 2022.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is the new co-op focused experience from the award-winning team behind the Vermintide series. As Tertium falls, Rejects Will Rise.
Cult Of The Lamb

Cult Of The Lamb is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch on 11 August 2022.
Cult of the Lamb casts players in the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger, and must repay their debt by building a loyal following in his name. Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland worshippers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.


Overwatch 2 Developer Promises Ultimate Charge Adjustments In Season 3

Overwatch 2 players are reporting balancing issues as the second competitive season ends, but developers have announced plans to address them in the upcoming season 3.
In particular, developer Jared Neuss recently acknowledged a content creator’s concern about the ultimate charge rates for DPS characters and stated that the development team is working on changes to this aspect of the game.

Changes are coming for this in S3! Details will be in the patch notes, if not earlier.
The lack of acknowledgement isn't a lack of concern, just to be clear. It's much less interesting than that:
We need better ways to communicate with players about issues like this.
— Jared Neuss (@OhReallyJared) January 21, 2023

What’s All The Fuss?
In case you’re unaware, the release of Overwatch 2 saw that each hero role would receive a unique passive ability. For DPS heroes, they would retain up to 30% of their ultimate ability charge when switching to a new character.
The intention behind this change was to encourage counter-picking heroes, which is a key strategy in Overwatch that sets it apart from other first-person shooter titles. However, it also means that the importance of choosing the right composition from the start of the game is diminished and that more DPS ultimate abilities are used on average per game.
The addition of the passive ability for DPS heroes in Overwatch 2 has also brought new opportunities for Tank players. With the increased likelihood of more ultimates being used by the enemy team, Tanks have to be more aware and prepared to counter them in order to protect their team.
Additionally, with the shift to 5v5, Tanks now have the opportunity to take on a more prominent role in the team composition and strategy. The lack of an Off-Tank also means that Tanks have less room for errors as they get punished more easily.
The lack of the 30% ultimate charge bonus for Tanks when they switch heroes also adds an extra layer of strategy, as Tanks have to carefully choose the right moment to use their ultimate abilities.
In response to feedback from players, developer Jared Neuss and the Overwatch 2 team are actively working to enhance the overall gaming experience.
The team has plans to improve player communication, including regular updates and announcements about development and balancing issues. These efforts are aimed at fostering a more transparent and open relationship with the community and addressing the mixed reception the game has received since its release last October.
The team is committed to making adjustments and improvements to ensure that players have the best possible experience while playing Overwatch 2.


Call Of Duty Warzone To Feature Counter UAVs

The latest Call of Duty: Warzone update recently added a Counter UAV to the game if a team uses four UAVs at the same time. However, a new leak (via ) suggests that these Counter UAVs will soon be purchasable items from the game’s Buy Station.
Currently-available killstreaks in Buy Stations include UAVâ€™s, Cluster Strikes, and Precision Airstrikes, but some players have discovered that if they used four UAVs at the same time, a Counter UAV effect would activate for the opposing team.
The Counter UAV blocks the mini-map, causing the mini-map to be momentarily unavailable. This balances the game and gives a fighting chance to everyone.
Several players have since discovered the Counter UAV listed as an option in the training area, which means that it will likely be added to the Buy Station as a normal killstreak in the near future.
Players have posted screenshots and footage of the Counter UAV in the Buy Station as a purchasable item. The killstreak apparently costs US$4,500, which is the same amount as a Self-Revive Kit and US$500 more than a conventional UAV.
 Counter UAV in Warzone? I have 20 days in to warzone (no life I know) but I have never seen this… Map changes coming soon?!? from      CODWarzone

The description of the item states that it scrambles all enemy minimaps regardless of distance and that it will disrupt playersâ€™ Heads-Up Displays based on how close they are to the targeted area.
Once added, the Counter UAV will probably alter the current meta in Call Of Duty Warzone. Since knowing where the safe zone is important later parts of the games, the Counter UAV will negate the constant UAVs and Ghost perk while Recon contracts will likely be more valuable as they show where the next phase of the circle is.
Infinity Ward has not confirmed the Counter UAV as of yet, but players should expect it to arrive any day.


Diablo 2: Resurrected Latest Patch To Make Joining Games Easier Than Usual

Diablo 2: Resurrected, the remaster of the classic action RPG of the 2000s, has been getting a lot of flak for its online implementation and server issues as of late. Blizzard is clearly on the case of fixing it, starting with patch 11.5.
The latest Diablo 2: Resurrected patch for both PC and console makes it so that there’s in-game messaging telling you how much time is left before a player can create or join another game. In addition, players who attempt to join a game that is already full will instead automatically join another game instead of having to wait, along with better adjustments as to which players can join and create games based on current server capacity.
To be fair, the development team at Blizzard is working on remaking and reimplementing an archaic Battle.net system back in the early 2000s, so naturally, there would be legacy levels of complications especially since the original team for both the game and its expansion Lords of Destruction aren’t with the company anymore. The code wasn’t designed for modern Diablo fans who somehow love to rapidly create games for quick farming, then abandoning it after to create another.
On a related note, Diablo 4 is delayed indefinitely, even though it never had a release date/window to begin with.


Introducing The ESL Pro Tour; A New Esports Circuit For Warcraft 3 & StarCraft 2

Warcraft III Reforged comes out later this month on 28 January 2020. Blizzard knows that bringing back a classic isn’t enough to revitalise the community so they’re working together with ESL on the esports side of things.

Introducing the ESL Pro Tour, a new esports circuit for Warcraft III Reforged, StarCraft II, and CS:GO. It will combine all tournaments under the ESL and DreamHack banner for those games. This new format will begin this year.
The ESL Pro Tour boils down to one belief: Create a world where everybody can be somebody.
Each game’s ESL Pro Tour path will have tournaments where new talents can join and prove themselves. The time has come for esports enthusiasts to upgrade themselves from fans to idols.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8x0U1MOrdY&w=560&h=315]
Note that the ESL Pro Tour for each game mentioned works differently. You can read about the different paths and rules on ESL’s official website. Essentially, they will all culminate in a world champion tournament to crown the world’s best.
For example, the Warcraft III World Championship will be fought between 16 competitors. Top 12 players in the ESL Pro Tour ranking and 4 players who get first place in each Challenger Tournaments.

For more information on each respective tournament, you can read here.


[Report] Marvel Studios, Universal & HBO Are Skipping San Diego Comic-Con 2023

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2022 was one of the biggest Comic-Cons in years, but it looks like the 2023 edition might not be able to match that same level of hype and excitement. According to a report by The Wrap, Marvel Studios will not be having a big presentation at the famous Hall H at SDCC 2023.
The same report also claims that HBO and Universal won’t be attending SDCC 2023. The biggest reason for the absence of these major companies at SDCC 2023 is said to be attributed to the ongoing WGA writers’ strike happening across the USA. There’s also the possibility of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) ordering a strike anytime after their current contract with Hollywood studios expires on 30 June 2023 if a deal is not reached.
However, Marvel might still have a presence on the SDCC 2023 floor. It’s just that they probably won’t be announcing anything new. Just last week, Disney announced that almost every upcoming Marvel Studios project has been delayed. With the current uncertainty looming in the industry, it’s no wonder that Marvel Studios and these other companies would want to skip SDCC this year.
SDCC 2023 is slated to take place starting from 2o July to 23 July 2023.


Castlevania Advance Collection Leaked Thanks To Australian Rating Listings

Konami is at it yet again with the Castlevania collection rereleases, this time for the Game Boy Advance games.
The Australian Classification Board mentions on 18th June that there will be a Castlevania Advance Collection that’s rated “M” for “fantasy violence”. Based on the name, it seems to suggest that this will be a bundle featuring the major Castlevania games on Game Boy Advance:

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

The rating for the collection indicates the game will be “multi platform”, so expect this collection to be out for PC and major consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch). Personally, we regard Aria of Sorrow as one of the top 5 Castlevania games you should play, so the collection is definitely worth getting for that classic alone.
In related news, the Netflix Castlevania series will be getting a spin-off series set in France featuring Richter Belmont, the protagonist from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and the antagonist in its sequel Symphony of the Night.


E3 2018: Tak Fujii Returns To Gaming With Gal Metal

Remember that guy from the Konami E3 2010 press conference? Here, let’s send you a reminder:

The man’s name is Tak Fujii and he’s renowned for selling us Ninety Nine Nights 2 with his extreme delivery. Fast forward to now after his hiatus from Konami, he’s now directing a new rhythm game called Gal Metal. Check out the gameplay below:

What’s the game about? It’s about playing to the beat of your own drum and guitar. You control a girl who somehow combines herself with her guy pal from school after being kidnapped by aliens who want to stop metal. Naturally, it’s up to the girl hybrid person to play with her band and rock out with their collective devil hands out.
This just sounds more like the spiritual successor to Guitaroo Man by the minute.Â But really, it’s best to just watch him explain it to the folks at Easy Allies. There are just so many moments worth clipping out and putting on Facebook, we don’t know where to start.

His Twitter game is also awesome.

Head expansion cardboard box. pic.twitter.com/zXzPEt0xqz
— Tak Fujii????? (@Tak_Fujii) August 6, 2017

me ordering to send wan mirrion troops pic.twitter.com/DmqQCkwLrz
— Tak Fujii????? (@Tak_Fujii) June 17, 2018

Farewell USA. E3 2018 was the best E3 ever in my entire career. You'll find interviews videos of Gal Metal  in a week or two(if not censored). They are way extreeeeemer than the one back in 2010.
??????????????? pic.twitter.com/zeRXPhB6nP
— Tak Fujii????? (@Tak_Fujii) June 15, 2018

Seriously, it’s good to have you back, Fujii-san. Gal Metal is scheduled for a Fall 2018 release for Nintendo Switch.


ONE Esports Is The Official Media Partner For League Of Legends Wild Rift Champions SEA

ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship (ONE), has entered into a partnership with Riot Games, and has been appointed Official Media Partner for the League Of Legends Wild Rift Champions SEA (WCS). This partnership between ONE Esports and Riot Games will involve multiple initiatives to promote fandom for the WCS Finals taking place from 23 April 2022 – 8 May 2022.
The WCS spans across competitive leagues in Asia Pacific, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The four winning teams of the pan-regional WCS Finals will represent Asia Pacific in the Wild Rift Icons Global Championship taking place in Europe this summer, where participating teams will compete for a US$200,000 prize pool.
As part of the partnership, ONE Esports will produce a Wild Rift esports video series titled WCS x ONE Presents: Rift Week! which comprises a five-part episode about WCS that will delight fans. This hosted series will feature tournament highlights, player interviews, fan interactions, and more. ONE Esports will also publish a series of articles covering the WCS. All editorial content will be available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese, and published on the ONE Esports website, oneesports.gg.
Jem Loh, Head of Communications & Channels, APAC at Riot Games, said:

“The WCS tournament this year has been characterized by some truly outstanding performances by local talent from around the Southeast Asia region. As the very best 11 teams come together to compete at the WCS Finals, we are thrilled to work with ONE Esports to bring specially curated WCS content to our passionate Southeast Asian fans. We look forward to bringing more meaningful ways for our fans to engage with the tournament and hope they enjoy the WCS x ONE Presents: Rift Week!”


M3GAN Is Menacing But She’s No Child’s Play

Evil artificial intelligence (AI) and scary dolls are a staple of movies. 1968’s 2001 A Space Odyssey was one of the first with an evil AI, and as an example of a more recent film with both elements, the 2019 Child’s Play reboot did it. M3GAN is the latest in that line from director Gerard Johnstone and producer James Wan (of The Conjuring universe fame).
Child’s Play

There’s nothing much to the plot of M3GAN. Gemma (Alison Williams) is a roboticist who creates a doll with AI and lets her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), play with it. I really don’t have to say what’s next because it’s all essentially what you’d expect from a movie like this. The plot is predictable and it just relies on tropes of the genre. That said, one of the highlights of the movie is definitely how it explores grief, thanks to the emotional performance of Violet McGraw. That’s no surprise, considering that Violet McGraw is no stranger to horror movies despite being a child actor. She was in The Haunting Of Hill House and Doctor Sleep.
However, compared to something like Child’s Play or even James Wan’s own Annabelle, what distinguishes M3GAN from those movies is that it focuses more on embracing technology too much and relying too much on it, as well as what happens with technology runs amok. The concept is a lot like a Black Mirror episode stretched into an entire film. In that way, M3GAN belongs to sci-fi almost as much as it does to horror, though it actually skewers more towards horror as a whole. Just like Black Mirror, M3GAN also has moments of black comedy that fans of that type of humour will love.
M3GAN the doll is played by Amie Donald (body) and Jenna Davis (voice). It’s impressive how she was brought to life in the movie, and there are some tense and thrilling moments in the movie but overall, it’s a little tame due to the PG-13 rating. More gore and violence would have made the movie more impactful and less like it’s holding back. Still, the PG-13 rating doesn’t mean that it’s a bad horror movie, since movies like A Quiet Place and Get Out were also PG-13. As I previously mentioned, M3GAN still has some scenes that will make you squirm in your seat, and scenes that will still scare the hell out of younger viewers, especially.
Metal Annabelle

So what’s special about M3GAN? Well, it’s PG-13, so younger viewers can watch it, which means that it’s a decent and entertaining gateway movie for them before delving into darker and R-rated movies once they’re older. The movie does tease a sequel at the very end, so perhaps we’ll be seeing M3GAN Mark 2 or version 2.0 in the near future.
Will M3GAN be as iconic as Annabelle or Chucky? She has the potential but only time will tell. For now, shelve this film under the “middling but still entertaining” category of horror flicks involving children playthings.
FINAL SCORE: 60/100
We attended an early screener of M3GAN courtesy of United International Pictures Malaysia. M3GAN is slated to premiere on 5 January 2023 in Malaysian cinemas.


Where Winds Meet Looks Like A Ghost Of Tsushima Set In China

During Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, Everstone Games revealed the first look at their upcoming open-world ARPG game, Where Winds Meet.
The game showcased a lush open world, horse riding, sword fighting and more, which reminded me a lot of Ghost Of Tsushima. According to video game analyst Daniel Ahmad, the game will be set during Ten Kingdoms period in China (which was in the 10th century), where players will play as a swordsman in a choice-based story filled with martial arts combat and magic.
Besides that, not much is known about the game. There are no confirmed release date or platforms as of yet.
Check out the epic trailer below:


The HP Omen Ranger Could Be Stopping Near Your Area Soon

HP Malaysia is bringing back its HP Omen Ranger. What is it, you ask? The HP Omen Ranger is a truck packed with HPâ€™s gaming lineup including the OMEN by HP 15 and HP Pavilion Gaming laptops, as well as the HP Reverb VR Headset, along with accessories and peripherals for gaming fans to experience.

Date
Location
Time

21 December 2019
Plaza Lowyat
2PM â€“ 10PM

22 December 2019
Plaza Lowyat
2PM â€“ 10PM

25 December 2019 (XMAS)
Sunway Velocity
2PM â€“ 10PM

31 December 2019 (NYE)
Sunway Pyramid
6PM â€“ 1:30AM

More locations and details coming soon. Stay tuned to https://www.facebook.com/HPmalaysia/

Players can participate in HPâ€™s CS: GO Tournament at any of the locations above, with the top five (5) scorers on the OMEN Ranger leaderboard to battle it out at HPâ€™s New Yearsâ€™ Eve party.
The champion will walk away with their very own HP Pavilion Gaming Unit. The public can also attend HP’s New Years’ Eve party to win HP premiums, enjoy a Cosplay concert and countdown the new year together at Sunway Pyramid.
Even if you’re not into that, everyone is welcome to drop by the HP OMEN Ranger at any location to try out the range of HP OMEN and Pavilion Gaming laptops available on-site.
Here’s what the HP Omen Ranger looks like out in the wild:


Tencent Set to Publish PUBG in China – But With a Catch

South Koreaâ€™s PUBG Corp. and Chinese mega games company Tencent have signed a publishing agreement that will see PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds officially hit Chinese markets in the near future. After months of speculation and issues pertaining to the game’s ‘suitability’ with the Chinese market,Â official word from Tencent (via Reuters translation) says that they are to take necessary steps to modifyÂ BattlegroundsÂ to better align with â€œsocialist core values, Chinese traditional culture and moral rules.â€
Echoing that sentiment, chief executive officer of PUBG Corp, C.H. Kim said â€œWe will do our best to present a great game to the Chinese users in close cooperation with the company,â€. â€œTencent will localize and operate the game by catering to the preferences of Chinese gamers. We will also offer a different, fun experience on PC.â€ he added.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDLAFIhfFy4&w=560&h=315]
Earlier this month, cashing on the battle royale hype train, Tencent’s somewhat rivals, NetEase released several PUBG-like battle-royale themed survival games for mobile devices called ‘Survivor Royale‘ and ‘Terminator 2‘. Both are currently No.1 and No.3Â most downloaded free mobile games in China, the worldâ€™s biggest video game market, according to analytics firm App Annie.
It is indeed an interesting development considering NetEase are also official distributors of another highly popular game in China, Overwatch and are also owners of the Shanghai Dragons who will be competing in the inaugural season of the Overwatch League.
How PUBG will play in the Chinese market is anyone’s guess – possibly altered win conditions or a more co-op centric gameplay; your guesses are as good as ours. What do you think about games publishers and developers altering their games to suit certain specific markets? Tell us in the comments section below.


Here’s What Ico Would Have Looked Like On The PS1

Japan Studio and Team Ico’s IcoÂ remains a classic and one of the best games of the PlayStation 2 era. The developers would later go on to make the even more popular and beloved Shadow Of The Colossus, but have you ever wondered what Ico would have looked like if it released just a bit earlier?
Wonder no more.
genDESIGN has released an early development video of Ico in celebration of the game’s 20th anniversary on 6 December 2021.
In a statement (via Gematsu), they said:
â€œThis is an early development video of the PlayStation 2 title ICO, which was released on December 6, 2001. This was created around 1998 to share the gameâ€™s concept with the development team.
This video was a breakthrough for the team, the light at the end of the title, when the staff, including [director Fumito] Ueda, were groping in the dark, not knowing what kind of game ICO would become. Despite video and sound imperfections such as scanlines and noise, as well as the debug display, we didnâ€™t dare alter or edit the footage as to express the atmosphere of that time.â€
Check it the video footage below:


Psychonauts 2 Will Have An Invincibility Toggle For New Players

Psychonauts 2 is coming out soon, and Double Fine has taken into consideration that people may want to play through the game’s story without worrying about their lack of skills.
So the developer has added an invincibility toggle to the game. This means that you can beat the game without dying once, even if you’re a beginner.
“If you beat Psychonauts 2 with the invincibility toggle on, you still beat P2.
“uh, excuse me I beat Sword Guy Serious Time on a no hit hard mode and if didn’t do that I don’t respect you. and like, can you even comment on things if you’re not diamond six rank in shooty mcBlam? I don’t think so”
cool bud. you’re soooo cool!
All people should be able to enjoy games. All ages, all possible needs. It’s an ongoing and important process for our industry and a challenge we need to meet. End of the day? We want you to have fun, to laugh, to experience a story that affects you. On whatever terms you want.”

If you beat Psychonauts 2 with the invincibility toggle on, you still beat P2. https://t.co/OinBv1nuNr
— Double Fine (@DoubleFine) July 9, 2021

That’s a pretty good reason if you want to tailor your game for all ages. Sure, some games require you to have a modicum of skill and patience, but it really depends on the developer’s vision. Your From Softwares aren’t the same as your Double Fines and your Respawn Entertainments. If you get more people on board getting something out of your quality game -challenging or otherwise- more power to them.
The game will be out on 25th August for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles.


Fall Guys Player Count Surpasses 20 Million After Going F2P

Fall Guys only went free-to-play last week on 21 June 2022 after it was originally announced during Summer Game Fest 2022, but Mediatonic’s popular multiplayer game has already reached a new milestone achievement. In its first 48 hours, the game has garnered a whopping 20 million players across platforms on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
The news was announced by Mediatonic via Twitter.

MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE STUMBLED
We reached an incredible 20 million players in the first 48 hours of Free For All! ?
…see you this weekend my beans! pic.twitter.com/uCUN8Kx5wt
— Fall Guys… FREE FOR ALL! ? (@FallGuysGame) June 25, 2022


You Can Finally Pull Off A Mortal Kombat 11 Fatality On This DC Comics Villain

Talk about DC Comics being lax with NetherRealm Studios. The developer and publisher Warner Bros. Interactive recently revealed the rest of the characters in its Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack DLC. And it’s looking pretty sharp.

Yep, you’re looking at this screenshot right: the T-800 (portrayed to the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger), Sindel (Kitana’s mom), The Joker (Batman’s BFF), and Spawn (Todd McFarlane’s BFF) will be playable characters in MK11.
Sorry, no Ash from Evil Dead though. Still, this is an awesome selection of folks to fight as and against.Â The kharacters will be out on the following dates, in case the graphic doesn’t load correctly:

Terminator T-800 – 8th October
Sindel – 26th November
Joker – 28th January
Spawn – 17th March

Check out the new kast additions in motion below:

Come 28th January, we can finally see the over-the-top versions of these Joker Brutalities.


Mr Toffee’s Top 10 Games of 2019

Despite some people saying otherwise, 2019 is friggin’ awesome games-wise. In fact, I had a hard time keeping track of a ton of games, be it the indies or the big ones. Kinda like 2017 and 2018.
Maybe some honourable mentions first…
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Nintendo Switch)

I’m still trying to finish up my first run, so I can’t in good faith put this on my top 10. But it deserves all of its praise and recognition as being a significant upgrade to the Fire Emblem legacy.
Plus, Dorothea is best bae. #blackeagles
With that said, here they are.
#10. Indivisible (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

I do love me some turn-based RPG action with some Valkyrie Profile added in alongside some lush 2D artwork. You never cease to amaze me, Lab Zero folks.
#9.Shovel Knight: King of Cards (PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One)

The final game in the Shovel Knight saga that started 6 years ago. And it ended with quite a bang. This prequel introduces new shoulder-charging and jumping mechanics in almost-similar-but-different levels, as well as a nifty card game that takes the best of Final Fantasy minigames and turns it into its own beast.
The best part? You don’t even need to partake in the card game if your deck-building isn’t up to snuff. You can just focus on the 2D sections all the way through, much like how you can finish The Witcher 3 without touching Gwent beyond the early game prerequisite.
#8. Darksiders Genesis (PC)

It took the former Vigil Games a while to get back to the Darksiders games, but they managed to do it: continue the 90s-butt-kicking four horsemen saga with a game genre they liked and just made it their own thing.
This time, they borrowed isometric action games ala Landstalkers, Equinox, and that one Lara Croft spin-off for their latest. Suffice to say, it rocks. If you like twin-stick arcade shooters with some melee, you’ll want to get it when it’s on consoles this 2020.
#7. Gears 5 (PC, Xbox One)

I’d pick this over Modern Warfare 2019 in terms of fun multiplayer shooters that feel meaty and satisfying to play. Thanks for killing my precious break hours, new Horde and Escape Mode!
Also, good job on patching up the servers real quick; I still get better latency compared to other titles of this kind.
#6. Samurai Shodown (PS4, Xbox One)

Honest and brutal, yet methodical and tactical. That’s this year’s iteration of SNK’s weapon-heavy game in a nutshell. It’s not for everyone, but I’d rather play this incessantly for hours instead of your typical combo-laden 2D fighter this year.
#5. Hypnospace Outlaw (PC)

The feels when seeing the Geocities/Angelfire browsers with the MIDI-style music playing is just staggering. Honestly, it’s worth the 3 hour-or-so-playtime just to find out the deeper story & mystery behind this pre-Y2K internet fantasy.
Edit: game creator Jay Tholen reminded me online about the post-game stuff after you log in that contains a ton more lore. As if the 3+ hours stuff wasn’t enough. This title just keeps on giving while in its pre-2000 skin.
#4. The Outer Worlds (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

I did a whole review explaining why this Futurama-esque game rocks. It’s condensed, full of wit, and actually makes your non-aggressive skill checks play a part in the gunfights.
#3. Disco Elysium (PC)

Any game with a talking tie that pressures you to drink like mad, while also making you wear different mindsets to either be a racist or a communist is A-OK in my book.
#2. Astral Chain (Nintendo Switch)

Anime cop story plus Jojo stands plus trademark PlatinumGames hyper action & difficulty equals a pretty nifty Switch exclusive I’ll be playing time and again. Even if it’s just to hear the bangin’ rock and synth music mix while kicking chimera butt.
#1.Death Stranding
I am too dumb to appreciate the majesty that is Hideo Kojima’s awesome contribution to gaming. 40 hours of glorious walking, package-delivering, simple boss fights with little to no consequence, and a ton of exposition about making America great again. Truly I have seen the error of my ways and did not give the game the proper credit it deserves. All hail Godjima!
In all seriousness, here’s my actual number 1 game.
#1. Borderlands 3

This should not come as a surprise to many since I’ve been streaming this game every chance I get. Anytime I take a break from video-editing or proofreading Comicslord, Kenn, and Burhan’s articles, I just load up the game on my PC and go farming for some Legendaries from Graveward, Handsome Jackbot, Captain Traunt, and Chupacabratch.

And god bless you, that one designer from Gearbox for putting up an ammo vending machine at that crossroads between the latter two farmable bosses. You deserve a raise.

Thanks to these on-point updates and how the good Gearbox meal ticket ship is steering, I might bump up the game’s score with an extra 10. I said “maybe”; I gotta see this through until the last expansion, right?
I’m still torn over the way the game handled legacy characters like Maya, Tiny Tina, and Rhys from a narrative perspective. But the fact that I’m still playing this despite other worthy contenders to my number 1 spot means that it’s doing something right.


The Bethesda Indiana Jones Game Will Be An Xbox Exclusive

In 2021, Bethesda and MachineGames announced that they were making a new Indiana Jones game. It was previously slated for a multi-platform release but is now confirmed to be an Xbox exclusive.
During today’s trial between Xbox/Activision and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Bethesda senior vice president of global marketing and communications Pete Hines revealed that Disney originally had an agreement with ZeniMax for a multiplatform AAA Indiana Jones game.
However, after Microsoft purchased Bethesda, the agreement with Disney was amended to make the Indiana Jones game an Xbox exclusive. What this means is that it will launch for the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass and PC, but not on the PS5.

FTC lawyer questioning Bethesda's Pete Hines confirms that Disney had a deal for an Indiana Jones game that'd be for multiple consoles. Hines confirms. FTC says deal was amended post-acquisition to be Xbox only for consoles.
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) June 22, 2023

The Indiana Jones game is being developed by MachineGames, best known as the developer of Wolfenstein The New Order and Wolfenstein The New Colossus. It hasn’t been revealed what genre the game will be.
In the meantime, check out my review of Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny here, or check out my interview with the legendary Harrison Ford himself.


The Batman Ending & Post-Credits Explained: What To Expect From A Sequel

Matt Reeves’ The Batman is finally here, and what a movie it is (check out our non-spoiler review here). A lot of stuff happens in the near 3-hour runtime of the film, but what’s next? What’s going to happen in The Batman 2? That’s what we’re here to discuss, so if you haven’t watched the movie or want to avoid spoilers, now’s the time to back out.
If not, let’s delve into it:

Batman Is No Longer A Symbol Of Vengeance, But A Symbol Of Hope

At the beginning of the movie when we first meet Robert Pattinson’s Batman, he introduces himself by saying: “I am Vengeance.” This aspect continues to be developed throughout the movie as Zoe Kravitz’s Selina Kyle also calls him “Vengeance” from time to time, and even the Riddler followers during the climax introduce themselves as “Vengeance”.
At the end of the movie, Batman makes the decision to start shedding his image of being the personification of “Vengeance”, knowing that it will only inspire more unstable copycats like Paul Dano’s Riddler and his followers. He chooses to start becoming a symbol of hope and starts helping the citizens of Gotham from the flood.
When he held the flare to lead the way for flood survivors to escape, he becomes a shining beacon of hope that cuts through the darkness. There’s also a touching moment when he reassures a girl who’s being evacuated by holding her hand as she’s being rescued.
The Penguin Takes Over The Gotham Underworld Now That Carmine Falcone Is Dead

The death of Carmine Falcone leaves behind a power vacuum. During the ending narration of the movie, the movie pans to Colin Farrell’s Penguin who looks towards the horizon, signifying that he will be the next mob boss and head of the Gotham underworld. Throughout the movie, he was playing second fiddle to Carmine Falcone, so it’ll be great to see the full potential of this version of the Penguin in a sequel.
According to director Matt Reeves (via Variety), the Penguin will be starring in his own HBO Max spinoff series, so at least we can look forward to that before any The Batman sequel arrives.
The Riddler Finds Himself In Arkham Next To A Cell Inhabited By THE JOKER

After the Riddler’s plans have been foiled by The Batman, we see Paul Dano’s Riddler weeping and wailing like a madman inside his cell at Arkham Asylum. Suddenly, a mysterious from the cell next to him tells Riddler to cheer up. When Riddler asks who this mystery person is, he only answers with a riddle, which went something like: the less you have of it, the more valuable it becomes.
The Riddler responds with the answer, which is a â€œfriendâ€, before both of them starts laughing like maniacs in their respective cells.
Of course, who else could it be but the Joker? We only see a brief glimpse of this mystery person’s face and he does look a bit disfigured (or in heavy makeup), but it’s more likely to be the Joker rather than Two-Face, judging from the way he cackles. The cackling laugh of the Joker is pretty much unmistakable at this point.
Plus, Barry Keoghan was previously rumoured to be playing the Joker in The Batman, but in the credits, he’s only listed as “unseen Arkham prisoner”.
It’s interesting that Matt Reeves’ versions of Riddler and Joker are meeting this way. That’s because…
This Has Happened In The Comics

The Batman director Matt Reeves has previously mentioned several comics as the source of his inspiration; including iconic storylines such as The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Batman Year One by Frank Miller, as well as Batman Ego by Darwyn Cooke.
However, there are also other obvious influences, such as the idea of a flooded Gotham City caused by the Riddler, which comes from Batman Zero Year by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.
The main villain of Batman Zero YearÂ comics was The Riddler and it also served as an origin story featuring a young and inexperienced Bruce Wayne as Batman.

In theÂ Batman Year ZeroÂ comics, The Riddler causes a city-wide blackout and special device that would allow him to control any electronic device in Gotham City. After the GCPD turns the power back on, he detonates explosives at the cityâ€™s reservoirs which floods the city. He then triggers another blackout, thereby gaining control of dystopian Gotham City in which he controls all the power and resources,
The aftermath of the flood in Batman Zero Year.
Designed to tell a new origin for Batman in DCâ€™s then-new New 52 canon, the story shares all the same broad strokes of The Batman: A flooded Gotham City, the Riddler as the major mastermind, Batman in his earlier years, and a power struggle amidst those seeking to take control of the city.
Some of the finer details are changed, of course. Batman Zero Year memorably introduced the character Duke Thomas, a young boy whose family aids Bruce Wayne in the immediate aftermath of the flood. Duke eventually grows up to become the Signal, another vigilante superhero and full-time member of the expansive Bat-Family. Sadly Duke isnâ€™t anywhere seen in The Batman. Neither is the Red Hood Gang, a recurring set of minor villains in Batman Zero Year.
As for Riddler and the Joker…
Batman The War Of Jokes And Riddles by Tom King featured this similar premise. Happening early in Batman’s career, The War Of Jokes And Riddles is essentially the Joker and Riddler going to war with each other, with many other villains choosing a side in the conflict. It’s sort of like Marvel’s Civil War but with villains. Of course, it’s up to Batman to keep the peace and stop things from spiralling too far.

The story begins when the Riddler, after being released from prison, tries to cheer up a depressed Joker by offering to take down Batman as a team. However, the Joker takes offence at this, and almost beats Riddler to death. This sparks the War Of Jokes And Riddles. At one point, they even hire Deadshot and Deathstroke on opposing sides, along with many other villains.

Yes, I know that it seems like the Riddler and the Joker start out as friends in The Batman movie, but we only saw a few seconds of them together. Maybe Joker is just manipulating Riddler, and they get into a similar conflict to The War Of Jokes And Riddles?
If Matt Reeves does take certain elements from The War Of Jokes And Riddles, rest assured that it will be epic as heck.
Selina Kyle Heads To Bludhaven

Just last week, I wrote that the Bat-family deserves to be in the live-action feature films too. While I didn’t exactly get that in The Batman, at least we got a nice nod here.
At the end of the movie, Selina tells Batman that they could both run away to Bludhaven. However, she realises that Batman will never leave Gotham City, so they both part ways. What’s so interesting about Bludhaven? Well…
In the comics, when Dick Grayson (the first Robin) grew up, he wanted to move out from the shadow of Bruce Wayne and Batman. So, he moved to Bludhaven, which is a neighbouring city to Gotham. While it’s not exactly far away, he wanted to prove himself to be independent and capable of becoming his own hero; Nightwing.
Unfortunately, Robert Pattinson’s Batman is a young and inexperienced Batman, so it’s unlikely that we’ll be seeing Nightwing anytime soon. Maybe we’ll see Matt Reeves introduce Dick Grayson in sequels?
The Batman Post-Credits Bonus: The Next Main Antagonist Might Be Hush

If you waited for a post-credits scene after The Batman, you might have been disappointed. It ends with a ‘Goodbye’ text and a question mark, before revealing a URL that leads to a tie-in website. However, if you go to that website, something very interesting awaits.
You’ll have to answer three riddles, the answers to which are “Mask”, “Renewal” and “Confusion”. Then, you can download a “What_Am_I” zip file but it’s password-protected. The password is “promise”. The zip file contains a brief clip titled “Thomas_Wayne_Lies”, featuring the same footage of Thomas Wayne’s mayoral campaign from the movie.
Analysing the video, one part of the video features the word “Hush!” scrawled across the screen. This, along with the fact that the last name of the man killed by Carmine Falcone to keep Martha Wayne’s mental illness history hidden was Edward Elliot. Since Edward Elliot was wrongly killed, his son Thomas Elliot could emerge as a villain in a sequel, becoming the new “Vengeance”.

In the comics, Hush is Thomas Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne who blames the Wayne family for saving the lives of his parents when he was actually trying to murder them to inherit their fortune. In Batman Hush, he works together with Riddler to concoct an intricate plan, which would be perfectly in tone with the vibe of Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
If you don’t want to visit the tie-in website, you can watch the clip in question below.
[videopress quRDIAru]
What’s Next?

As previously mentioned, there will be a Penguin spinoff TV series on HBO Max, but there will also be another spinoff TV series on the same streaming service that will focus on the Gotham City Police Department.
That’s already two spinoffs from The Batman in the works, so The Batman 2 is more than justified, especially with the strong reviews from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. There’s literally no way Warner Bros would miss out on a sequel unless the movie fails at the box office, which seems unlikely at this point.


Monster Hunter World’s Upcoming May Event Features SFV’s Sakura & Devil May Cry’s Dante

As if having Ryu in Monster Hunter: World isn’t enough, we now have his number 1 fangirl Sakura joining the mix. On May 4, Monster Hunters will get a chance to acquire the Sakura special armour (if you call a schoolgirl uniform armour) by fulfilling a bunch of 7-star quests.
Check out the schedule and criteria below.
7 Star Challenge Quest: Empress In Full Bloom I

Locale: Arena
Requirements: HR 12 or higher
Objective: Slay Pink Rathian
Availability: May 4 at 8:00am GMT+8 to May 11 at 7:59am GMT+8

7 Star Challenge Quest: Empress In Full Bloom II

Locale: Arena
Requirements: HR 12 or higher
Objective: Slay Pink Rathian
Availability: May 4 at 8:00am GMT+8 to May 11 at 7:59am GMT+8

7 Star Challenge Quest: Empress In Full Bloom III

Locale: Arena
Requirements: HR 12 or higher
Objective: Slay Pink Rathian
Availability: May 4 at 8:00am GMT+8 to May 11 at 7:59am GMT+8

Just like the Ryu armour, the armour set will make your character look like Sakura from Street Fighter V, Japanese voice and all. We’re not sure if you have access to her special fireball and unorthodox tatsumakiÂ kick though.

In other news, the Devil May Cry crossover is happening right now until the next weekend. Check out the trailer below to see what new gestures and armour you’ll get.

Event Quest: Code Red

Quest Level: 8â˜…
Conditions: HR 14 or higher
Locale: Arena
Main Objective: Hunt all target monsters
Availability: April 27 atÂ 8am GMT+8 to May 11 at 7:59am GMT+8


The Expanse Season 5 Gets Trailer & Release Date

At New York Comic Con 2020, Amazon Prime Video released the first trailer for the upcoming Season 5 ofÂ The Expanse. James Holden (Steven Strait), Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar), Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper), Amos Burton (Wes Chatham) and more will be returning in Season 5.
The official synopsis reads:
“Season five of the series picks up as multitudes of humans leave the solar system in search of new homes and vast fortunes on the earth-like worlds beyond the alien Ring, and a heavy price for centuries of exploitation of the Belt finally comes due and a reckoning is at hand. For the crew of the Rocinante and the leaders of the Inner Planets and the Belt, the past and present converge, bringing forth personal challenges that have wide-reaching repercussions throughout the Solar System. Amos (Wes Chatham) returns to Earth to confront his past and the legacy of the life he fought to leave behind. Naomi (Dominique Tipper) reaches out to her estranged son in a desperate bid to save him from his fatherâ€™s toxic influence. Bobbie (Frankie Adams) and Alex (Cas Anvar) confront the collapse of Mars as they chase a shadowy cabal with ties to terrorists and criminals. Holden (Steven Strait) wrestles with the consequences of his own past with the Protomolecule, the aliens who built it, and the mystery of what killed them.”
The Expanse Season 5Â is slated to premiere onÂ 16 December 2020. Just like The Boys Season 2, The Expanse Season 5 will release the first three episodes of its total ten-episode season on premiere day and will then debut on a weekly basis for subsequent episodes.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


You Can Now Get Married In Official PokÃ©mon Weddings In Japan

Have you ever dreamed of having a PokÃ©mon-themed wedding one day? Now you can do so just by heading to Japan and asking for the bonafide real deal. ESCRIT, a Japanese company specializing in planning weddings, has teamed up with The PokÃ©mon Company to offer officially-licensed PokÃ©mon weddings.
What does an official PokÃ©mon wedding look like, you ask? Say no more and feast your eyes below.
Everything is adorned with PokÃ©mon-related, from the food to the decorations and even what seems to be the best man and maid of honor. In this case, there will actually be adorable human-sized Pikachu mascots accompanying you as you take your vows. What could be sweeter than that?

Some people love weddings simply for the amazing food usually served during these occasions. In that regard, the official PokÃ©mon wedding impresses with its plethora of deliciousÂ PokÃ©mon-themed dishes.

Let’s not forget the PokÃ©mon-themed wedding cake either.

ESCRIT and The PokÃ©mon Company are pulling out all the stops, as even the freaking wedding certificate is no mere piece of paper, but instead an intricately-designed work of art.

You can start planning your own PokÃ©mon wedding by heading to the official ESCRIT website and registering. However, we have no idea how much it costs to have such a lavish wedding but expect them to be astronomical.
(Image Credits: NicheGamer)


Getting Into the Mind of the Director of Overwatch’s Latest Animated Short

Earlier today we were treated with a director’s commentary on Blizzard’s latest Overwatch animated short, “Honor and Glory” starring Reinhardt. Listen as Ben Dai dissects each frame and share the idea behind each scenes from one of the most emotionally charged Overwatch animated short to date.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOhvSKCfCTQ&w=560&h=315]
To be honest we are not big fans of the hammer-wielding German but our thoughts changed after watching the mini-movie which was unveiled during BlizzCon weekend earlier this month. What do you think of it and which Overwatch animated short is your favorite?


Sony PlayStation Unveils Limited Edition PlayStation 4 Pro. Everybody Loses Their Minds

In celebration of Sony hitting the 500 million units of PlayStations sold worldwide milestone, Sony Interactive EntertainmentÂ Hong Kong Limited Singapore BranchÂ (SIES) today announced that they will be releasing a special commemorative edition of the home consoleÂ from August 24th 2018, and will be available at suggested retail price of MYR 2,149, or about US$530.Â
The first of its kind to be available in a translucent blue colour scheme, the device will be of a 2TB model and comes with a matching DualShock 4 controller, PlayStation Camera, mono headset and stand.
For those not planning on splashing the cash for the console, and/or just planning on picking up the DS4 controller, you’d be happy to know that it will be sold separately at a slightly bloated price of MYR259 – about US$64.

However, the coolest bit here would be that each of these limited units – all 50,000 of them – will come numbered, with each unique serial printed on the bronze strip next to the USB ports.
You know what that means: bloody scalpers hoarding units hoping to make a quick buck.
Anyways, it’s an awesome way to commemorate their sales milestone, and possibly the best sendoff for the PS4 now that the PS5 is just a few years away from its reveal. The â€œPlayStation 4 Pro 500 Million Limited Editionâ€ should be available for pre-order at your nearby game store starting this week.
Will you be trading in your current machine for one of these bad boys, or are you holding off for the red Spider-Man version instead?
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1532248530212890/


New FV Major Malaysia Jerseys Launched

The Malaysian Fighting Games Community has come a long way. A good indication of that can be seen in the growth of the Flash Vision Esports’ very own tournament: The FV Major.
In celebration of their journey so far, Flash Vision has launched a new FV Major Malaysia jersey. It’s designed by esports apparel provider Aegis Gaming and is sold for RM80 each (nationwide shipping included). Check it out:

If you want to order the jersey or even ask for naming and numbering, click here.


The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 7 Breakdown & Easter Eggs Explained

The seventh and final episode of The Book Of Boba FettÂ Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
The Book Of Boba FettÂ finds legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigating the galaxyâ€™s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
It stars Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen. Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson are the executive producers. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck serve as co-executive producers, with John Bartnicki producing and John Hampian as co-producer. There will be seven episodes in the first season.
You can check out my previous breakdowns ofÂ The Book Of Boba FettÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5Â and Episode 6 here.
In addition, you can check out my previous breakdowns ofÂ Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦? Episode 1,Â Episode 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9 here.
If you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdowns and easter egg articles forÂ WandaVisionÂ Episode 1 and 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
ForÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns forÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2Â andÂ Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5Â andÂ Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns ofÂ LokiÂ episodes, check outÂ Episode 1 here,Â Episode 2 here,Â Episode 3 here,Â Episode 4 here,Â Episode 5 hereÂ andÂ Episode 6 here.

Grogu Chose The Beskar Armour And To Be With Mando

Now we know what Grogu chose at the end of the previous episode. Grogu chose the Beskar armour and therefore chose to be with Din Djarin AKA the Mandalorian, instead of taking Master Yoda’s lightsaber and becoming a Jedi. R2-D2 sends Grogu to Tatooine on an X-Wing.

They Get Ambushed And The Gamorreans Die By Falling Off A Cliff

All of the forces on Boba Fett’s side get ambushed in each gotra (areas), resulting in the death of the Gamorreans. RIP the Gamorreans.
The Pyke Use What Seems To Be Advanced Versions Of Prequel Era Droideka

I’m not sure what these new machines are but they seem to work similarly to the Droideka from the Star Wars prequel trilogy and Clone Wars era. Droidekas were used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) against the Republic during the Clone Wars. They were notable for having energy shields that could deflect blaster fire.
Mando even tried using the Darksaber and it still can’t penetrate these machines’ shields.

These are what Droidekas look like originally:

Boba Uses The Rancor To Fight The Machines

Finally, the rancor comes into the picture again. Better late than never.
Grogu Uses The Force To Save Mando From The Machines

It’s always good to see Grogu using the Force.
Callback To The Clone Wars

In this episode, after Cad Bane defeats Boba in a duel, he said:
“This isn’t the first time I beat you out on a job.”
This might be a reference to the unfinished episode, where Boba loses to Cad Bane in a similar duel, which also explained how he got that dent on his helmet.
You can watch that below:

Boba Uses His Gaffi Stick To Kill Cad Bane

Remember that Gaffi stick he received in a flashback in Episode 2? He uses it to kill Cad Bane for good. The spiked polearm staff or spear is the Tuskenâ€™s signature weapon, which is also called the Gaderffii Stick.
Grogu Uses The Force To Tame And Bring The Rampaging Rancor To Sleep

Grogu is so pretty powerful to be able to tame a rampaging Rancor.
Fennec Shand Assassinates The Mayor Of Mos Espa And The Pyke Syndicate Leader

Boba won’t have to worry about the Pyke Syndicate on Tatooine anymore.
Meiloorun Fruit Easter Egg

Hey, that’s a cool easter egg. The Meiloorun fruit was the favourite snack of Hera Syndulla, the Twi’lek character from Star Wars Rebels.
That’s Hera holding the Meiloorun fruit.
The Post-Credits Scene Reveals That Cobb Vanth Is Still Alive

Don’t forget to catch the post-credits scene at the end of the episode, but it doesn’t reveal much; only that Cobb Vanth is still alive and recovering inside a bacta tank, receiving treatment from the same mod-parlor person that helped save Fennec Shand by giving her droid modifications in Episode 4.
Maybe Cobb Vanth will also receive droid modifications? We’ll have to wait and see. All in all, the finale doesn’t tease much for what to expect from Star Wars series in the future. The next Star Wars Disney+ series is likely going to be the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and there are rumours that speculate a May 2022 release window.
Until the next one, excelsior!


The Witcher Remake Announced By CD Projekt Red

CD Projekt Red has announced The Witcher Remake, which is actually Canis Majoris, one of the many mystery projects that were previously unveiled earlier this month.
According to the developer, the original The Witcher game will be rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5. The game is currently in the early stages of development at the Polish studio Fool’s Theory and veteran The Witcher series staff are involved.
No release window or platforms were confirmed.
The original The Witcher game from CD Projekt Red launched for the PC back in 2007.
Adam Badowski, Head of Studio, CD PROJEKT RED, said:
“The Witcher is where it all started for us, for CD PROJEKT RED. It was the first game we made, ever, and it was a big moment for us then. Going back to this place and remaking the game for the next generation of gamers to experience it feels just as big, if not bigger.
Collaborating with Fool’s Theory on the project is just as exciting, as some of the people there have been previously involved in The Witcher games. They know the source material well, they know how much gamers have been looking forward to seeing the remake happen, and they know how to make incredible and ambitious games. And although it will take some time before we’re ready to share more about and from the game, I know it’ll be worth the wait.”
In case anyone forgot, this is what the original The Witcher looked like:


FORD V FERRARI Trailer Teases David Vs Goliath Racing Showdown

20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for the upcoming FORD v FERRARI movie, which is based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale).

The movie follows Shelby and Miles, who battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
It’s a classic David vs Goliath underdog story as Ford attempted to build a car (what would eventually be the Ford GT40) to defeat the legendary Ferrari, who have been reigning champions from 1960 to 1965.
FORD v FERRARI also stars the likes of Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone and Ray McKinnon.
It is slated to premiere on 14 November 2019. In the meantime, check out the brand new trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk1iin6Jg1U&w=560&h=315]


The 13th Esports World Championship To Feature Two Major Titles

The International Esports Federation (IESF) has announced that two major titles will feature in the upcoming IESF 13th Esports World Championship in Eilat, Israel. They include Valve’s Dota 2 and Counter-Strike Global Offensive.
The 13th Esports World Championship was supposed to take place in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The format of the competition will be similar to last yearâ€™s as the World Championshipâ€™s Regional Games will be held online and the best players and teams will be participating in the offline Global Finals in Eilat, Israel.
The previous Esports World Championship in Seoul, South Korea, featured Dota 2, Tekken 7, and eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020. Last year, the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) announced its partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF)


US Underdog Wins Capcom Cup 2019; Top Three Features No Asian Players

Talk about huge winds of change country-wise. While last year’s Capcom Cup was Asia-centric, the West is truly won in Capcom Cup 2019.
It’s America vs America for the grand finals, with all of the Japanese players all but relegated past the top three. That includes Mago, Tokido, Fuudo, and Nemo, as well as Taiwan’s OilKing and Singapore’s Xian. In one corner is renowned SFV dominator Punk. On the other end, US’ iDom.

He’s made a lot of rounds as a pro SFV player, but never had his moment in the sun until this fateful day this mid-December.
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iDom resets the bracket with his perseverance, sticking to Laura and her mixup potential.

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Punk didn’t have an answer after using Cammy in the initial rounds. Try as he might, Punk’s Karin had no way to sort out Laura’s fireballs and mixup grabs.

Punk regained his composure in the tail end of the set. This led to iDom picking Poison in the second last fight to zone out Punk’s close-ranged gambit. That paid off big time as iDom won the entire fight and Capcom Cup 2019.
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Did I forget to mention that iDom isn’t sponsored by anyone at the moment? He probably will be after this.
iDom’s fight all the way to the top proves that tier lists mean jack in a high-level tournament. Laura hasn’t been used as much in most major Street Fighter V tournaments all across the world, but that doesn’t mean she’s weak in the slightest.
In fact, there’s a ton of variety in characters in the top 12 below in this year’s major tournament. From your Zekus to your Lauras, nobody is spared, though we could use a little less Rashid.
1. REC|iDOm (Laura, Poison)
2. Punk (Karin, Cammy)
3. NVD|Phenom (Karin, Necalli)
4. Mago (Karin, Cammy)
5. Rohto|Tokido (Akuma)
5. CYG|Fuudo (R. Mika, Birdie)
7. Liquid|Nemo (Urien)
7. YOG|Machabo (Necalli)
9. UYU|OilKing (Rashid)
9. Mouz|Problem X (M. Bison)
9. RZR|Xian (Ibuki)
9. Liquid|John Takeuchi (Rashid)
13. CYG|Infexious (Zeku)
13. RB|Luffy (R. Mika)
13. Talon|HotDog29 (M. Bison)
13. Kachitagari|Moke (Rashid)

What’s Next?
The next Capcom Cup will be held in Paris, France.
Also, there’s a new trailer right after Kenny Omega superkicks producer Yoshinori Ono in some on-screen hijinxes. Street Fighter IV boss Seth is back, and looks like Juri and Chun-Li for some reason.

At least his old outfit’s back in case you’re feeling confused. Sexually.
Despite earlier kerfuffles, Capcom Cup 2019 ended on a high note with America and Europe’s finest dominating the top three. While the competition was no slouch, seeing underdogs dominating the scene is a nice change of pace.


LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga Is Coming This October

Originally announced during Microsoftâ€™s Xbox E3 2019 press conference about a year ago, LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga has finally received an official release date. Now that Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker has premiered on Disney Plus, the game can launch without fear of spoiling the events of the movie.
In the most recent This Week On Star Wars video on the official Star Wars YouTube channel, the LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga release date was nonchalantly revealed without further details or clarification.
It is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on 20 October 2020. LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga will feature all nine Star Wars movies in a single game. The last TT Games-developed LEGO Star Wars game was 2016â€™s LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
In the meantime, check out the new key art for the game recently released during Star Wars Day 2020, and the most recent trailer below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5R4anWkrBY&w=560&h=315]


DC FanDome: The Flash Season 8 Unveils New Costume With Gold Boots

The Flash Season 8 revealed the upcoming new costume for Barry Allen AKA The Flash. This will be his most comics-accurate costume yet, with the character’s signature gold boots finally being added to the suit.
During FanDome, The Flash actor Grant Gustin said:
“The boots were the final element that’s been missing. I’ve loved all the versions of The Flash suit we’ve had on the show, but the suit we have now is the closest to the many iterations you see in the comic books â€” with the exception of those gold boots! I’ve always felt that those boots would be the final touch.”
The Flash Season 8 will premiere on 16 November 2021 with a five-part crossover called Armageddon. It will also boast appearances from Supergirl‘s Chyler Leigh as Sentinel, Arrow‘s Kat McNamara as Mia Smoak, Legends of Tomorrow‘s Neal McDonough as Damien Darhk, The Flash‘s Tom Cavanagh as Reverse Flash, and Osric Chau as The Atom Ryan Choi.
Check out the full costume below:


Asian Markets Will Have to Wait A Little Longer for the Razer Phone

Sad news guys. Seems that Asian markets will have to wait a little longer before getting to land their hands on the Razer Phone due to the company’s current focus on the North American and European markets.

Sad thing, really, considering Razer, a Singaporean-founded company chose to focus on other regions instead of Asia; altho after all things considered, North America and the EU are probably more lucrative, ‘sexier’ markets for the brand at the moment. But then again, China-based phone makers e.g Oppo, One+, Xiaomi are actively pushing for their products in the SEA regions which pretty much reflect on the burgeoning mobile market here. So what gives?Â We’ve contacted the regional offices for review units of the phone and hopefully are able to test it soon enough. Fingers crossed.
Disclaimer: We never sought to actively review smartphones on Kakuchopurei.com but considering the nature of the product, being produced by a games peripheral maker alone qualifies itself as a device worth our time.


New Samurai Warriors 5 Latest Gameplay Features Lots Of Colourful Slashing & Returning Characters

Koei Tecmo & Omega Force has showcased some new gameplay for its upcoming feudal action game Samurai Warriors 5.
During the recent livestream, they introduced some new and returning faces like Shikanosuke Yamanaka, Hanbei Takenaka, Kanbei Kuroda, Kazuuji Nakamura, and Sena. Meanwhile, the team also showed off some lengthy campaign demo action featuring super moves from Nobunaga and Ieyasu.

Since this is one of Koei Tecmo’s meal tickets, the other being Dynasty Warriors which is taking a break following the last game’s reception, Samurai Warriors 5 will feature a new Season Pass for US$30. This includes:

Additional Scenario (six sets) and Background Music (six sets)
Additional Weapons (five sets with three weapons in each set)
Additional Horses (6 sets)

If you’re still excited, you can get the game when it’s out for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC worldwide on 27 July. You can also check out more screenshots of the game and its new cast below.


Snoop Dogg Is Joining Call Of Duty Vanguard & Warzone Season 2 Reloaded

Call Of Duty Season 2 Reloaded is slated to arrive in Call Of Duty Vanguard and Call Of Duty Warzone at 12 am GMT+8 on 22 March 2022 and 23 March 2022, respectively.
What stands out is that both games are getting Snoop Dogg as a new cosmetic bundle in the store, which means you can play as the legendary rapper. The update is also adding the Armaguerra 43 sub-machine gun to both games, which can be unlocked for free using challenges or by getting the store bundle.
In addition, the massive update will add a reworked version of Rebirth Island to Warzone, new maps and modes to Vanguard, and the biggest update to Rebirth Island since its launch. There will also be the Rebirth Resurgence Solo mode to the map in Warzone, which will let Solo players compete in a survival deathmatch where they can earn respawns.
Vanguard is also getting a new mode called Arms Race and a new map, called Alps. Arms Race is a new 12-versus-12 game mode that tasks players with taking control of bases of operation and holding them from their enemies.
For more details and information, head on over to the blog post here.


Teamfight Tactics Now Features A New Elemental System

Is Teamfight Tactics getting a bit too stale? Worry not because the game’s Season 2 update will be changing up some things.
The Autochess-like auto-battler will introduce a new elemental system to herald the end of the beta and the beginning of Season 2. Now your champions will be aligned with one or more elements. Here’s the breakdown:

Crystal (Skarner, Taric, and Ashe)
Desert (Renekton, Sivir, Azir, Khazix)
Electric (Ornn, Volibear, Zed)
Glacial (Warwick, Volibear, Braum, Ezreal, Olaf)
Inferno (Zyra, Diana, Qiyana, Kindred, Annie, Brand)
Light (Nasus, Vayne, Jax, Aatrox, Soraka, Yorick)
Steel (Rek’Sai, Nocturne)
Mountain (Taliyah, Qiyana, Malphite)
Ocean (Vladimir, Thresh, Syndra, Qiyana, Nautilus, Nami)
Poison (Kog’Maw, Dr. Mundo, Twitch, Singed)
Shadow (Malzahar, Kindred, Veigar, Sion, Master Yi)
Wind (Yasuo, Qiyana, Janna)
Woodland (Maokai, Ivern, Neeko, LeBlanc)

Having multiple champions with the same element means bigger special bonuses for combat rounds. Other changes in patchÂ  9.22 include:

A bigger board size; now there are four rows of seven hexes.
New heroes to replace old ones.
A decrease in number of each champion available in the pool. This forces players to come up with different team compositions.

Check out the full patch notes here.Â


Pikmin 4 Finally Announced After Almost A Decade

During Nintendo Direct September 2022, Nintendo announced Pikmin 4, the sequel to 2013’s Pikmin 3.
There are no details or information as of yet.
Pikmin 4 is slated to launch for the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


We Talk To Cars On The Road Directors On The Show’s The Shining & Mad Max References

Cars On The Road is an upcoming spinoff series set in Disney Pixar’s Cars franchise, which starts streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on 8 September 2022.
The series follows Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater on a cross-country road trip across the United States as they journey eastward to attend a wedding for Mater’s sister. The episodes will depict the characters in various scenarios, for example, them being chased by dinosaur-like cars. It will be set in new locations with a multitude of new characters, including their new friend Ivy, a monster truck who travels with them, as well as feature returns of the already established characters from the franchise.
Owen Wilson and Larry The Cable Guy reprise their roles as Lightning McQueen and Mater, respectively. The executive producer is Pete Docter while Steve Purcell is the writer.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar, we were given the opportunity to interview Steve Purcell (Director of Episodes 1, 2, and 8) & Brian Fee (Director, of Episodes 3, 4, and 7). This interview has been edited for clarity. Stay tuned for the review of the series.

Every episode I’ve seen has a specific theme or gimmick. One episode even had The Shining references while another referenced Mad Max. Was this part of making the series appeal to adults as well/and not just kids?
Steve Purcell: Hopefully, that’s what it will do. We really kind of create these shows for ourselves. So, we’re kind of the audience and we’re trying to create stories that we think are funny or entertaining and sometimes references to things that we’ve loved in the past come out of that exploration. So yeah, we’d love for adults to enjoy the show as much as kids do.
How and why did you first come up with the idea of Lightning and Mater going on a road trip?
Brian Fee: What was it? Was it a year and a half ago?
Steve Purcell: Yeah, it was at least a year and a half ago.
Brian Fee: We went through some various different ideas. We knew we had the opportunity to do something on Disney+ and the winning idea, the one that made us laugh, was when Steve came up with the idea that they would be on a road trip that would allow for every episode to be wildly different.
What were your main inspirations while making the series?
Steve Purcell: When I was a kid, I went on a road trip across the United States and that stuck with me so there’s a lot of wonderful memories of travelling on the road and all the different stops along the way and each one kind of being a different adventure. You know, every day being a kind of different flavour or sensibility so we tried to do something like that with our characters. It’s fun to take Lightning McQueen and Mater and put them in a lot of different situations and see how they react to them.
What was the most challenging parts of making this series?
Brian Fee: I think one of the most challenging parts would probably be how fast we had to make it. You know, this was much much faster than how we’d usually work at Pixar. Also, what’s exciting about it is that as soon as we came up with an idea and as soon as we brought it to a place that was making us laugh, we’re off to the races and we were sending it down the line and having people actually making it. Very, very quick for our typical schedule.
Was there you wanted to do but couldn’t for whatever reason?
Steve Purcell: No, I think we get to do some version of everything we were reaching for, some of the episodes were very challenging. We had the musical episode that had a lot of challenges too, we had the road rumblers episode that had a lot of lighting changes and dust and effects and things like that. I think we were lucky enough to do everything we wanted to do with the series and we hope the audience shares our excitement for.
What was like having Owen Wilson and Larry The Cable Guy returning to reprise their roles?
Brian Fee: It’s like hanging out with old friends and family again. I mean, they’ve been part of the series since the beginning and it was also really incredible to get their input. Owen’s a writer and Larry The Cable Guy’s a comedian so they’re gonna bring those perspectives to their roles. We enjoyed making sure the lines that we thought we wanted but also giving them opportunities to riff and play and give us some stuff back that wasn’t necessarily written.