Trials Of Mana Lil’ Cactus Locations Guide – All 50 Of Them

We’ve had a ball with Trials of Mana, the other Square Enix remake that does justice to the SNES classic in Japan. Its gameplay both new and old are a good mix of improving the previous games’ flaws while accentuating the experience further.
One noteworthy addition is the Li’l Cactus Sightings minigame. If you find these fellows all across the world (via Nintendo Enthusiast), you’ll get a party bonus for each 5 you find. You’ll get a maximum of 10 rewards ranging from shop discounts to XP boosts; perfect for the game’s newly-added post-game content.
Rewards list
Every five times you find Liâ€™l Cactus, youâ€™ll receive a gift from him. The three bonuses that weâ€™re most interested in are the rewards for 35, 45, and 50 sightings.

At 35, youâ€™ll be able to see unopened chests on the map, as well as get a count for how many times our lil’ companion appears in an area. You can even check the numbers from the world map, though you wonâ€™t be able to see individual areas.
At 45, your chances for getting good items from seeds improve. You donâ€™t need this to get the super secret powerful gear, but it sure helps.
Finally, at 50, youâ€™ll get an accessory and a Chain Ability, and theyâ€™re incredible: The Liâ€™l Cactus Ring is an accessory that refills the wearerâ€™s CS Gauge at a rate of more than 1% per second so long as theyâ€™re walking. The Liâ€™l Cactus Chain Ability adds 200% to everyoneâ€™s CS Gauge at the start of every battle.

Here’s how you can find them
Disclaimer: this guide only covers the Angela/Durant path. This means that the last few sections will be different. Stay tuned for updates on this.
Golden Road
Liâ€™l Cactus is relaxing right off the main path.

Free City of Maia
The little dude is procrastinating by watching the ship atop a stall.

Dwarf Tunnel
Liâ€™l Cactus is resting by the campfire.

Molebear Moors
Liâ€™l Cactus is sequestered near the eastern bridge.

He is also huddled near the western bridge. This area will open up later.

Valsena, Kingdom of the Plains
Liâ€™l Cactus is having a candid chat with a canid.

Merchant Town Beiser
The little guy is secluded behind a house on the western end of town.

Palo Port
Liâ€™l Cactus is having a siesta under the tree next to the armour shop.

Heavensway
Liâ€™l Cactus is taking in the ocean air on the shore.

Heâ€™s also absorbing the water via osmosis past the somnosa flower field. This area will open up later.

Jadd Stronghold
Liâ€™l Cactus is lingering in the southeastern corner of the stronghold.

Gusthall
Lean green is secure in the alcove immediately west of the entrance to Gusthall.

Heâ€™s also greeting you from across the way in the middle of the dungeon. Youâ€™ll need to make a pretty long jump to reach him.

Laurent
Liâ€™l Cactus is helping the tree point you toward Celestial Peak to the southeast.

Rabite Forest
Liâ€™l Cactus is bumming around on the north shore near the bridge to Jadd.

Heâ€™s also taking in the majesty of nature on the southmost edge of the forest.

Snow Hamlet Alrant
Liâ€™l Cactus is adrift in a snowbank near a house in the northeast corner of Alrant.

Frostbite Fields
Liâ€™l Cactus is chilling under a tree on a ledge near Alrant.

Heâ€™s also cozying up next to a tree in an alcove to the west of the bridge. Shelter from the wind.

Labyrinth of Ice
Liâ€™l Cactus is hibernating behind the ice stalagmites.

Heâ€™s also chillaxing way up near the ceiling. Youâ€™ll have to jump across a series of ice ledges to reach him. This area will open up later on.

Desert Capital Sirhtan
Liâ€™l Cactus is conversing with a strange old man behind the north side of town. Loquacious.

Burning Sands
Liâ€™l Cactus is communing with the desert flora at the bottom of a large sand pit. Brethren.

Heâ€™s also lording over his domain. From the entrance to the Diin Oasis, head northwest until you notice a path going east. Follow this to a Springstepper, which will take you up to the ledge.
You can also take the path from Nevarl southwest and look around to the right when you hit the fork in the road.

Oasis of Diin
Liâ€™l Cactus is savouring the oasis on the north side of the town.

Fiery Gorge
Liâ€™l Cactus is snoozing by a lava lake underneath a precipice.

Heâ€™s also patiently waiting for you at the end of a path of volcanic rock. This area will open later.

Moonlight Town Mintas
Liâ€™l Cactus is nostalgic as he looks across the lake at the bridge. Bittersweet memories.

Duskmoon Forest
Liâ€™l Cactus is peering down into a pond from a ledge in the northeast part of the forest. Youâ€™ll need to loop around and climb up a tree branch to find him.

Heâ€™s also protecting the bridge to Ferolia in the southwest.

Chartmoon Tower
Liâ€™l Cactus is guarding the Mana Stone from the northwest corner.Â
Heâ€™s also cloistered in an archway to the right when you enter the eighth floor. This area will open up later. Fun fact: Liâ€™l Cactus can be interacted with from the other side of the wall!

Lampbloom Woods
Liâ€™l Cactus is bundled up with some lampbloom flowers near the entrance to Dior. Welcome.

Heâ€™s also snug as a bug between two rock walls near the north.

Flowerburg Dior
Liâ€™l Cactus is supervising some lampbloom flowers on the northwest side of town across from the mansion.

Oblivisle
Liâ€™l Cactus is keeping vigil with the Goddess of Mana statues.

From here, youâ€™ll be able to freely visit some past locations. Check them out to see if our spiky pal has come to visit. Youâ€™ll probably want to get on with it sooner or later, though. Remember that weâ€™ll be revisiting Fiery Gorge, Labyrinth of Ice, Gusthall, and Molebear Moors, and new areas will have opened up in those locations at this point.
Stonesplit Gap
Liâ€™l Cactus is teetering over the edge on the western side of the collapsed bridge. Abyss.

Holy City Wendel
Liâ€™l Cactus is reclining against a rock wall on the eastern part of town. Absorbing eminence.

Cascade Cavern
Liâ€™l Cactus is hiding his treasure chest across the river from the Rabite Forest entrance. Youâ€™ll need to loop back around and jump onto a couple of ledges.

Lakeside Town Astoria
Liâ€™l Cactus is grieving for Astoria near the remains of the armor shop.

Shimmering Ruins
Liâ€™l Cactus is exploring the western edge of the ruins. You can use a crystal to make the path easier or loop around from the east side.

Heâ€™s also nestled among the wreckage of the southern wall. Youâ€™ll need to activate at least one crystal to get here. The one that grants access to the Goddess of Mana statue is the simplest one.

Woods of Wandara
Liâ€™l Cactus is perched high above the forest floor.

Heâ€™s also taking root in the shelter of a big tree. Symbiosis.
Daria, Gem Valley
Liâ€™l Cactus is leaning against the cliff face on a low ledge toward the north.

Heâ€™s also filtering the toxic fumes toward the south. Nutriment.

Ancient Capital Pedda
Liâ€™l Cactus is temporally displaced on the southwest guard tower.

After this is the endgame. Which dungeon you enter will depend on your main character. Duran and Angela will go to the Crystal Desert, Riesz and Hawkeye will go to the Night Cavern, and Kevin and Charlotte will go to the Mirage Palace.
Crystal Desert
Liâ€™l Cactus is reflecting on the nature of this evil place in a secluded crevice.

Heâ€™s also grooving under the sands. Let the quicksand sweep you into the cavern and heâ€™ll be on the southeast corner.

Sanctuary of Mana
Liâ€™l Cactus is so proud of you for making it this far. Heâ€™s out in the open, with arms wide to greet you at the end of the game.


Resident Evil 4 Remake The Mercenaries Will Be Free DLC; Out This April

Resident Evil 4 Remake is out right now, complete with its own launch trailer along with some wacky PR.
At the end of the action-packed launch trailer, there’s a small announcement for the game’s The Mercenaries mode. It’s going to be free DLC and it’ll be available on 7th April.
The game’s Mercenaries mode will have you pick any of the playable characters in the game to fight off enemies in a timed gauntlet challenge. Kill all of them for points, and collect powerups along the way to kill enemies better and in style. It’s not so much a mode about survival, but a mode about racking the most kills possible in the shortest time. In other words, a very replayable mode!
It’s a bit odd why it’s free DLC instead of it being launched alongside RE4 Remake; it’s probably a time constraint thing. In any case, we look forward to using Leon, Ada Wong, Jack Krauser, HUNK, and possibly Albert Wesker in this upcoming mode this April.


Overwatch: Here’s When Rialto Will Be Available For Everyone

Overwatch’s latest map, Rialto which have been playable on the Public Test Realm for a while now will finally be available to all come May 3rd 2018 for everyone, but won’t be included in Competitive Mode yet. According to Blizzard, “the map will not be available in the Competitive Play rotation until a future patch. This will help provide the community with plenty of time to learn how to play with the new map.”
This move isn’t entirely new as Blizzard would want everyone to fully familiarize themselves with new maps and heroes before making them available for the competitive mode. For example, Brigette, who was playable to all from March 20th had about 42 days of bedding in period before she is available on comp mode – today, at the start of Season 10.
Based on this fact, and assuming that Season 10 to carry on for about 58 days (just like Seasons 6, 7 and 9) our guess is that Rialto will be available in Competitive Mode at the start of Season 11, estimated to start around the 2nd or 3rd of July 2018.

In addition to that, the recently introducedÂ 6v6 Competitive Elimination Season 1 will continue to be active for a few days during the new season before it ends on May 7 PDT (May 8, 8am Kuala Lumpur/ HK/ SG). Just like your standard competitive season,Â participants will receive a player icon, spray, and Competitive Points based on their highest tier earned.
For full info, head over toÂ Â their official page.


E3 2019: Elder Scrolls Blade Is Coming To Switch With Cross-Play Support

Bethesda’s new mobile title, Elder Scrolls Blade, is the studio’s #1 downloaded title after Fallout Shelter. Blades is a free-to-play dungeon crawler which focuses on 1v1 battles. The game is available on iOS and Android now depending on the region.

The game is in early access on iOS and Android, and will come to the Nintendo Switch this fall. No exact release date yet though. The game will support cross-play between mobile phones and the Switch, meaning you can play on mobile now and get a headstart on the console.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ13dyUbaKU]
The game will be getting an update later today that introduces custom jewel crafting and a dragon questline. It will also see Arena content later in the year. Bethesda is also planning to put add social features such as PvP, guilds, towns which players can visit and more.


Japanese Psycho Thriller Gannibal Drops On Disney+ Hotstar In December

This winter, be sure to turn on all the lights and check behind the sofa before settling in to enjoy Gannibal, a heart-pounding new Japanese psychothriller coming to Disney+ Hotstar on 28 December 2022.
Recently selected to be screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival, and with a trailer and premiere date revealed today at the Disney Content Showcase, this upcoming Original is set in Kuge, a fictional Japanese village, and sees newly hired police officer Daigo Agawa arrive a broken man. While things start off promisingly for the new arrival, a series of alarming events begin to unfold that will lead Daigo to the horrifying realization that something is deeply wrong with the village and those who live there. Thrown into a hostile environment with suspense around every corner, will the latest police officer to roam the streets of Kuge village be able to bring those responsible to justice before it’s too late?

Based on the hit manga series of the same name by Masaaki Ninomiya, Gannibal features a unique storyline brought to life exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar by some of the biggest names in the Japanese creative industry. Produced by Teruhisa Yamamoto, producer of this year’s Academy Award-winning Drive My Car and Tatsuya Iwakura, Gannibal is directed by Shinzo Katayama (Siblings on the Cape) and adapted for the screen by Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award-nominee Takamasa Oe, who most recently wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning Drive My Car.
“Gannibal is a thriller that will leave audiences gasping with shock after every?episode,” said producer Teruhisa Yamamoto. “But it’s also a human story that reflects upon the differences between family values and culture that, at a glance, seem so contradictory and yet are so relatable. With Gannibal and our other Japanese local content, we are building on Disney’s rich history of storytelling and are combining it with Japanese creativity to open new doors of entertainment for everyone.”
Audiences can enjoy a first look at this upcoming series starring award-winning actors Yuya Yagira (HOKUSAI, Asakusa Kid), Show Kasamatsu (Tokyo Vice, Love You as the World Ends) and Riho Yoshioka (Haken Anime!, The Romance Manga Artist) and in the newly released trailer.
Gannibal is the latest series to be announced as part of The Walt Disney Company’s growing APAC content slate, joining a whole host of stories announced at today’s Disney Content Showcase, including: Dragons of Wonderhatch, a groundbreaking series set to combine live-action and anime elements that tells the story of a high school girl who struggles to fit in with her classmates before being swept up on an adventure with a boy from another world who will forever change her destiny; House of the Owl, an upcoming live-action drama about a revered fixer in Japan who can guide his clients through any scandal; and Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown Arc – the first title to be released as part of the Company’s extended collaboration with Kodansha, that will see former bad boy Takemichi use his accidentally acquired powers of time travel to go back and save his high school girlfriend from being murdered by the Tokyo Manji gang, unwittingly changing the destinies of those around him.
Check out the trailer below:


Elden Ring Is Obviously Bandai Namco’s Best-Selling Game Of 2022

Bandai Namco is in a heckuva windfall, as its hardcore open world RPG title Elden Ring is selling gangbusters still.
The company announced in its financial results report for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2022 that Elden Ring worldwide shipment and sales surpassed 13.4 million copies. Last we checked, the game shipped 12 million units in mid-March. So yeah, great news and a good argument for single-player games still selling in the market.
Elden Ring came out on 25 February worldwide and received universal acclaim, despite some game developers who worked on another open world action RPG title that came out a week before being incredibly bitter about it. For more Elden Ring, check out our guides and features.


Deathloop Was Made Due To Bethesda’s Uncertainty Over Dishonored 3

Many folks wanted a new entry to the Dishonored games from Arkane Studios. Its publisher Bethesda? Not so much.
See, Arkane’s last game Deathloop, which we loved a lot, was made out of the publisher’s uncertainty over whether it wants to go forward with Dishonored 3 according to Arkane founder Raphaël Colantonio (via Rock Paper Shotgun). Deathloop was supposed to be a smaller and experimental project.
“Bethesda wanted us to do something. They didn’t quite know where we were going after Dishonored. ‘Do we want Dishonored 3? I don’t know, let’s make something simple and short before, and let’s see.’
And then [Deathloop] became a big thing, over the years. That was the funny thing: ‘Nah, we don’t wanna do Dishonored 3, but if you can pitch us a small game, something that maybe has multiplayer so we can learn multiplayer, something that maybe has microtransactions, maybe something with a lot of recycling, like a roguelike.
[In the end], it would probably [have] cost just as much to make Dishonored 3. But back then it was not meant to be.”
Speaking of Arkane Studios, it’s making a new game called Redfall, a PvE multiplayer game where you kill vampires in the fictional town of Redfall. The game will be out on PC and Xbox consoles this 2nd May, but we suggest you get the PC version: the latter  version will only run in 30fps.


Square Enix Sold A Ton Of Final Fantasy VII In 3 Days Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Even with the world going mad outside, there’s still a shred of hope to get us through such dire times. One of which is the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake, a really awesome action RPG title that blends in the old and new.
It seems that the wait was worth it, as a ton of people bought it. Square Enix announced on its Final Fantasy VII Twitter account that it has shipped and digitally sold over 3.5 million copies of the game in just three days.

For comparison’s sake, God of War sold 3.1 million and Marvel’s Spider-Man sold 3.3 million.
Even if the game was a mediocre pile of Tetsuya Nomura nonsense, it would still sell those exact numbers because it’s goddamn Final Fantasy VII and people have been waiting for this for 20+ years. Thankfully, it’s an awesome pile of gaming with a bit of Tetsuya Nomura nonsense at the end.
Check out our glowing review of the game here. If you need help with Hard Mode, we have your back; don’t worry!


Netflix He-Man Sequel Boasts A Lot Of Big Name Voice Actors

Netflix and Mattel Television have announced the star-studded voice cast for its upcoming animated Masters of the Universe: Revelation series, boasting the likes of actors and actresses from Star Wars, Game Of Thrones, and more.
Mark Hamill of Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker fame will once again be showing his voice acting chops (as the iconic Joker before) as the antagonist, Skeletor.

Joining him by his side is Evil-Lyn, who will be voiced by Lena Headey of Game Of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister fame.

Meanwhile, the legendary voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, will voice Mer-Man.

That’s not all, as we also have Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) as Teela, Chris Wood as Prince Adam AKA He-Man himself (best known for Mon-El in CW’s Supergirl), Alicia Silverstone as Queen Marlena, Justin Long as Roboto, and Phil LaMarr (Samurai Jack) as He-Ro.

By the power of Grayskull, we bring you this revelation!
*Raises sword* pic.twitter.com/zjawjBqM14
â€” Netflix Malaysia (@NetflixMY) February 17, 2020
Speaking with Newsarama, Masters of the Universe: Revelation showrunner and executive producer Kevin Smith said:

â€œWe went in with this mantra of, like, nobody is winking and nobody’s acting like this is weirdness.
ManAtArms, Stinkor, or no, it’s all played incredibly Game of Thrones-straight.â€
And if you let your mindâ€™s eye flashback to old He-Man cartoons you may have seen, youâ€™ll notice something was missing there, which will now be in effect.
â€œWe got fights because now we can.
They couldn’t even really clash swords back then.
Adam [He-Man] could raise his sword, but he could never use it.
A sequel series to the classic era that everybody knows, almost as if this was the next episode in the [original] Filmation series.
If you like the style of Castlevania, just put HeMan through that filter, and it has that feel and looks to it.
It’s anime style.â€

Animation for Masters of the Universe: Revelation is being done by Powerhouse Animation, who also worked on Netflix’s Castlevania. At the time of writing, voice work for the first six episodes of the upcoming series is almost done. However, it will likely only premiere sometime in late 2020 or early 2021.
In the meantime, you can check out She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, which is a great series in its own right.


Malaysia’s Lemon Sky Officially Responds To Recent Unpaid Overtime & Crunch Allegations

A giant company that requires its workers to do as much overtime without extra pay (ie: to crunch) is a sign of both a systemic weakness and flaw in the video game-making business and the fact that companies need to learn how to manage a company properly as well as need some courses in business ethics. Allegations of said business practices and its stigma are being thrown at Malaysia’s Lemon Sky Studios, who is recently under scrutiny thanks to a recent YouTube video on game publishers and overseas crunch from People Make Games.
Lemon Sky has responded with an official statement, saying that the allegations regarding unpaid OT are “factually and legally inaccurate”. Full response below:
“We abide by all Malaysian employment laws pertaining to work hours, and the contractual terms and conditions of employment with our employees. The allegations made against Lemon Sky Studios regarding overtime payments are factually and legally inaccurate. This position applies to all employees of Lemon Sky Studios (including former employees).
We value the efforts of our employees and take employee wellbeing and mental health very seriously. In addition to conducting an ethical business and adhering to the standard industry practices, we have gone above and beyond to create an open and holistic environment where our employees have access to recreational opportunities and a space in which their mental health is given priority.
As in any situation where allegations are made, management will take appropriate measures in response. This will include a process for obtaining feedback from ALL of our employees regarding their individual concerns.
We remain steadfast in our pursuit to Make Good Art and we will continue to do so as we grow and improve.”
Lemon Sky Studios and Indonesian animation company Brandoville Studios are the latest companies who are allegedly making their employees work ungodly hours and for unpaid overtime, using dubious methods and questionable tactics to keep employees in line.


Fnatic Win VCT 2023: Masters Tokyo & Become The First Back-To-Back Champions

Fnatic has emerged victorious at VALORANT’s Masters Tokyo tournament, completely dominating their opponents and clinching a flawless 3-0 victory over Evil Geniuses in the grand final. This outstanding performance has earned them the coveted title at this prestigious US$1 million event and has cemented themselves as the undisputed best team in the world as they are the first team to achieve back-to-back international titles.

Back to back pic.twitter.com/sdfaPHYsaD
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) June 25, 2023

For the full results, check here!
Fnatic’s sheer dominance was on full display throughout the entire tournament, with Evil Geniuses being the sole team capable of giving them a run for their money. As one of the highest-ranked teams, Fnatic enjoyed the privilege of bypassing the group stage and commenced their campaign in the upper bracket quarter-finals. It was here that they effortlessly swept aside NRG with a resounding 2-0 victory. Next in their path stood another formidable top-seeded team, Paper Rex, who unfortunately met the same fate as Fnatic claimed another comfortable 2-0 triumph.
In the upper bracket final, Evil Geniuses emerged as the only team truly capable of challenging Fnatic’s dominance. However, despite their best efforts, Fnatic triumphed with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, including a stunning 13-3 win on Lotus to kick off the series.
The grand final was the ultimate showdown between Fnatic and Evil Geniuses. Fnatic showcased their undeniable prowess, leaving no doubt as to why they are considered the world’s best. With impressive victories on Lotus and Split, they swiftly gained a 2-0 advantage in the grand final. It seemed as though Evil Geniuses would salvage at least one map when they reached map point early on Bind. However, Fnatic mounted a remarkable comeback from a 12-7 deficit, forcing the match into overtime. By that point, Evil Geniuses were demoralized, and Fnatic effortlessly secured an OT victory to claim the championship.

HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE IN TOKYO! #VALORANTMasters pic.twitter.com/3eAWM3dPs3
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) June 25, 2023

Despite their unfortunate collapse in the final moments of the grand final, Evil Geniuses’ performance throughout the tournament should not be overlooked. They remained undefeated in the group stage and only suffered defeat at the hands of Fnatic in both the upper bracket final and the grand final. This highlights the significant gap between Fnatic and the rest of the Valorant teams, as Evil Geniuses managed to triumph over all other competitors except Fnatic.
As the winners of Valorant Masters Tokyo, Fnatic will walk away with a substantial US$350,000 in prize money, while Evil Geniuses will receive US$200,000 for their commendable efforts. Paper Rex and NRG complete the top four, taking home US$125,000 and US$75,000 respectively. Moreover, Fnatic’s triumph has secured an additional slot for Europe at the upcoming Valorant Champions later this year, further emphasizing their regional dominance.


(Report): Overwatch Slashes Time Between Competitive Seasons

In a surprise move announced by Blizzard earlier today, the gap between Overwatch Competitive Seasons 13 and 14 has been severely reduced once Season 13 comes to an end this December 31st, 2018 2pm PST (that’s January 1st 2019, 6am for Malaysia/ Singapore, Hong Kong).
Each ‘Season’ typically runs for between two to three months, with about a week’s break between seasons. However, this time around, you won’t have to wait too long to continue your SR climb. As reported on the Blizzard Forums, the grind resumes just two hours later.

Heads up, heroes:
Season 13 of Competitive Play ends Dec 31 @ 2PM PST (Dec 31 @ 22:00 UTC)!
Learn more ðŸ‘‰ https://t.co/jLSfb9AbVX pic.twitter.com/MqUINsOcxz
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) December 27, 2018
The post by Community Manager, Tom Powers read:
“Season 13 will officially end on Monday, December 31Â at 2:00 p.m. PSTÂ (Monday, December 31 at 22:00 UTC). Season 14 is currently scheduled to launch two hours later onÂ Monday, December 31 at 4:00 p.m.Â PSTÂ (Tuesday, January 1 at 00:00 UTC).”
Guess we know what we’d be spending our New Year’s Day on eh?


Blizzard Is Asking People To Play Diablo 4’s Endgame Before It Comes Out

Here’s a rather odd-sounding-but-logical request from Blizzard: the company wants hardcore Diablo and action RPG grinders to test out its upcoming game’s endgame in a future closed beta.
Blizzard really wants Diablo 4 to be relevant in the long run, moreso than its current action RPG darling Diablo 3 that’s been around for 10 years plus. There will be a closed beta focusing exclusively on its endgame systems. Said beta will include the following game modes: Helltide, Nightmare Dungeons, Whispers of the Dead, and Fields of Hatred.
? Helltide – This is a new region-wide event that becomes available to heroes only once they have reached World Tier Three: Nightmare difficulty. In a Helltide, the servants of Lilith are empowered, having their difficulty increased, but dropping loot worthy of the danger. Enemies can also drop Cinders, a new currency used to open Helltide Chests filled with powerful weapons and armour.
? Nightmare Dungeons – Nightmare-difficulty dungeons in Diablo IV unlock upon locating your first Nightmare Sigil. Each sigil corresponds to a specific dungeon somewhere within Sanctuary. These sigils will add special modifiers to their dungeon, increasing the ferocity of the hell-servants waiting for you inside and providing higher-rarity loot. Through completing Nightmare dungeons, you will recover even more powerful sigils, introducing increasingly death-defying modifications and challenges for you to overcome.
? Whispers of the Dead – Scattered throughout Sanctuary, “Whispers” are frequently-rotating tasks that reward experience, gold, and Grim Favors when completed. After earning 10 Grim Favors, players can exchange them at the Tree of Whispers for even more loot and experience.
? Fields of Hatred – These designated PvP zones are the proving grounds for players looking to bring renown to their name through blood and zeal. While inside the Fields of Hatred, players can dispatch demons to collect Seeds of Hatred. To make use of these seeds, you’ll need to bring them to the Altar of Extraction where they can be smashed into Red Dust, which can be spent at the PvP Cosmetic and Mount Vendors for ornamental rewards. Be quick to convert your Seeds of Hatred to Red Dust—they are the desire of other players lurking in the zone, and if they are skilled enough to overtake you in combat, your Seeds of Hatred will be dropped.
The catch? Blizzard is incredibly particular on who it invites for this closed beta session: you will need to be opted-in to “News and Special Offers” on Battle.net, and be an experienced grinder in the previous Diablo games. If you’ve played Diablo 2 Resurrected’s endgame and multiple difficulties, or played a ton of Diablo 3’s Seasons, you’re a shoe-in for the beta.
“Ensuring that Diablo 4’s endgame provides the type of thrilling, ever-evolving experience we have set out to create is paramount for the team, and something we cannot determine on our own. Specifically, we’ll be using gameplay data to invite a limited number of Diablo players who have recently spent significant amounts of time playing the end-game experiences of Diablo 2: Resurrected and Diablo 3.”
The final invites will be out by 18 November. If you can’t make it for this, don’t worry: public testing of Diablo 4 is expected to begin early in 2023.


Hatsune Miku Expo 2021 Online: The Full Schedule

The original virtual idol superstar is making an online appearance for fans all across the world this June.
The Miku Expo 2021 Online is a free online music concert made together with fans from around the world. If you’re into J-Pop sung by Hatsune Miku’s vocal styles, synths, and vocaloid beats, this is one free concert you do not want to miss.

Full Schedule (Times In GMT+8)
6th June
Show 1- 9:00am
Show 2- 4:00pm
Show 3- 8:00pm
How To Watch

You can tune in to either YouTube or Twitch to watch the vocaloid’s live concerts.
Additional Info
Here’s a guidebook in PDF format if you want to know more about the upcoming show.


Here’s A Look At Ubisoft’s New Free-To-Play 6v6 Shooter [Update]

Update: added in current reception for XDefiant.
Because Ubisoft’s shooter Hyper Scape was such a big hit, the company decided to take another stab at the free-to-play team-based shooter market. Enter XDefiant, a 6v6 title featuring three factions from previous Tom Clancy games duking it out: the Echelon, the Wolves, the Cleaners, and the Outcasts.
If those groups sound familiar, that’s because they’re from past Ubisoft games like Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and The Division. Each faction has its own character abilities like Outcasts being healers, Wolves being tanks that use shield barriers, and Cleaners who have flamethrowers.
Here’s a look at XDefiant in action, if you’re into group-based shooters. Do check out how many likes/dislikes it’s getting and try to act shocked.

The game is described as “fast-paced firefights meets punk rock mosh pits”, which is the last thing I expect out of a Tom Clancy IP. If we’re being blunt about it, it’s just Ubisoft using its existing military brand (the Tom Clancy line) and making its own version of a Call of Duty multiplayer shooter that doesn’t move as methodically as Rainbow Six Siege. Which is fine, though it’s pretty saturated.
Being a F2P game, do expect constant updates and new factions, as well as microtransactions because titles like these aren’t really free.
If this sounds like your jam, you can sign up for the PC-exclusive test build here. The game’s first playable test will start in just a few weeks; 5th August to be precise. Based on the game’s current feedback in the comments section, I think there’s going to be enough room for you to join in.


Despite COVID-19, ChinaJoy 2020 Is Still Taking Place This July

China’s biggest video game expo is still going to open as scheduled despite the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Shanghai Daily, ChinaJoy 2020 will be held this summer as usual. Details below:
Date: 31st July – 3rd August
Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai
The show’s organizers will be taking extra precautions. These include attendants having to pre-register with their real names and requiring a green health QR code, temperature and health screenings at the expo’s entrance, and social distancing practices including spreading out displays.
Good Idea?
This is quite a gamble for ChinaJoy and its organizers: on one hand, it may end up as the only offline large-scale video game show to persevere through the pandemic. Shows like E3 and Gamescom are either cancelled or relegated to online shows. And with the last ChinaJoy event hitting a record 364,700 visitors across its four-day run, this year’s showing may top that since there isn’t any competition going on.

On the other hand, there’s a huge risk of people being infected during and after the show even with all the health screenings and precautions. ChinaJoy may end up as a cautionary tale of why you shouldn’t tempt fate against an unknown and unseen enemy.

Guess we’ll find out this late July if the expo will make good or bad headlines.Â In related news, China’s PC market is still the world’s largest. A recent report showed that PC and mobile game revenue in the country is at US$33.1 billion in 2019.


Star Wars Squadrons Reveals Progression Details, Ranks & Rewards

EA Motive has revealed the progression, unlocks and rewards for the upcoming Star Wars Squadrons in a new blog post.

The core pillars of Squadronsâ€™ online experience (outside of the game modes themselves) areÂ Challenges,Â Operations, and yourÂ Level.
Within each of these are ways for you to be rewarded with Glory, a currency only earned by playing thatâ€™s used to unlock cosmetics.
Youâ€™ll also getÂ ExperienceÂ (XP) while playing from just about everything, allowing you to level up and earnÂ Requisition, the currency used to unlock ship components.
Challenges
Your main forms of reward beyond post-match earnings will be throughÂ Challenges. Daily and Operation Challenges; theyâ€™re timed, rotating objectives you can complete to get rewards while playing.

Youâ€™ll want to regularly complete yourÂ Daily ChallengesÂ to keep getting rewarded while playing Squadrons. Theyâ€™re often simple objectives that provide you with Glory to unlock cosmetics for your starfighters and pilots and encourage you to try different ships and components to achieve completion.Â
GloryÂ is also earned based on how you perform in a match.Â Operation Challenges, however, are different. They can reward you with unique cosmetics and are tied to the gameâ€™s ongoing Operations.
Operations And Ranks
OperationsÂ are 8-week cycles that happen in Star Wars Squadrons, and each Operation brings with it a set of unique cosmetic rewards that can only be earned by completing its Challenges.
Certain Challenges also offer unique rewards, too, so once theyâ€™re gone, you wonâ€™t be able to get the cosmetic unless the Operation Challenges return one day. Seeing which pilots are showing off their unique flair will be a good way to tell if youâ€™re up against a dedicated ace.
Also tied into these 8-week resets is yourÂ Fleet Battles rank. With every Operationâ€™s conclusion and the start of a new one, your competitive rank tied to Fleet Battles will reset, allowing for a regular reassessment of your skills. To get your first rank, youâ€™ll need to play in ten placement matches.

The ranks are as follows from lowest to highest:
Maverick – Hotshot – Hero – Valiant – Legend – Galactic Ace
The system is built to encourage players to improvement their skills without being overly punishing if you run into some bad luck:
Players are protected from demotion into lower divisions for the length of an active Operation. What this means is that you cannot drop from Legend to Valiant but you can drop from Legend III to Legend II.At the end of the Operation, players receive Glory based on the maximum Rank achieved rather than their current Rank.
Players also getÂ exclusive helmetsÂ upon reaching the Valiant, Legend, and Galactic Ace Ranks for the first time. These are the same across all Operations, so if you didnâ€™t manage to get the ones you wanted during your first Operation, you can still get them in the upcoming ones.
Levels
Players also have their own personalÂ level. Your level is a linear progression path that does not reset, unlike your competitive rank. For the first forty levels, youâ€™ll unlockÂ RequisitionÂ points that can be used to unlock ship components.
If youâ€™re one of our more dedicated pilots and you hit level 40, youâ€™ll have enough points to unlock all components, allowing you to try out every potential starfighter build. Our goal with levelling isnâ€™t that youâ€™ll get more powerful as you level up, but rather that youâ€™ll have more options available to you (via components) as you play.

As mentioned before, there will also be occasional bonus events that play out over time, including ones that provide additional Glory. Beyond that, completing parts of the game will also provide you with cosmetic bundles.
Players will get a bundle of cosmetics for completing the single-player story mode and another for completing the Fleet Battles tutorial.
Recently, the developer alsoÂ announced that the game has gone gold.Â Star Wars: SquadronsÂ will launch for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam, Origin, and Epic Games Store) on 2 October 2020.


The Nickelodeon Smash Bros. Clone Is Finally Getting Voice Acting, 8 Months Later

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a pretty fun and mechanically-sound platform brawler featuring loads of characters from the Ninja Turtles to Garfield, but it was missing a lot of style and presentation points. The entire cast is mute as you’re playing through the game since its launch in late 2021, meaning the game was devoid of vocal personality.
Thankfully that’s going to be solved, albeit better late than never. The game’s publisher GameMill Entertainment and developer Ludosity and Fair Play Labs announced that the title will get a major free update featuring voice acting and items. Here is the full voice cast list for the game.
Jim Cummings – Shredder, CatDog (Cat)
Tom Kenny – SpongeBob Squarepants, CatDog (Dog)
Bill Fagerbakke – Patrick
Carolyn Lawrence – Sandy
Alex Cazares: Oblina
Jim Meskimen: Nigel Thornberry
Richard Horvitz: Zim
Vivian Vencer: Toph
Dustin Sardella: Aang
Janet Varney: Korra
Fred Tatasciore: Reptar
Bentley Griffin: Lincoln Loud
Jessica DiCicco: Lucy Loud
Francesca Marie Smith: Helga
Townsend Coleman: Michaelangelo
Cam Clarke: Leonardo
Abby Trott: April O’ Neil
Frank Welker: Garfield
Billy West: Ren & Stimpy
David Kaye: Powdered Toast Man
David Kaufman: Danny Phantom
Janice Kawaye: Jenny
Half the cast who did the original voices for these characters are either retired, grown out of their roles (for Aang and Toph), or have passed on (for Garfield, who was originally voiced by Lorenzo Music). Of course, some favourites like Cam Clarke’s Leonardo and Janet Varney’s Korra are reprising their roles, so that’s awesome for fans nonetheless. Hopefully this substantial update is enough to bring people back to the platform fighter, seeing as this is the publisher’s way of countering the mega-budget VO that is spent on its upcoming competitor MultiVersus.


The 50 Best Anime Of The Decade

Originally published on 6th January, 2020.
With 2020 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to look back at the anime this decade has brought us. Thus, this listicle will list 50 titles – in no particular order, and including movies as well as series – from the 2010s that totally deserve to be watched.
Of course, a single viewpoint and a mere list of 50 won’t be able to account for all the great 2010s anime out there. If you feel that an unmentioned show shouldâ€™ve been on the list, go ahead and mention it in the comments!
Without further ado, letâ€™s begin.
#1. A Silent Voice (2016, Kyoto Animation)

A Silent Voice is a compelling redemption story about a socially anxious teen who tries to make amends with the deaf girl he once bullied. It looks beautiful, and the muted soundtrack by Kensuke Ushio is unique and immersive.
I remember the movie best for a simple yet clever shot involving an umbrella, but the uncomfortable bullying scenes are hard to forget as well.
#2. A Place Further Than The Universe (2018, Madhouse)

A Place Further Than The Universe is about four high school girls and their inspiring journey to Antarctica. The girls, each with distinct personalities and motives, begin the show as strangers.
But by the end of the show, theyâ€™ve grown close enough to not just laugh, but cry together. Itâ€™s a fun adventure, and an incredibly heart-warming depiction of friendship.

#3. Shirobako (2014, P.A. Works)

Aoi Miyamori is a production assistant at Musashino Animation, and the series follows the lives of her and her former high school Anime Club members as they try to survive, or break into, the anime industry.
The show is as much about five friends trying to achieve their dreams as it is about anime production, and thatâ€™s what makes it work.
#4. Monogatari Series: Second Season (2013, Shaft)

The best parts of the stylized and wordy Monogatari shows are arguably their character interactions and conversations. However, Second Season (itâ€™s not actually the second season, though) also has some of the most compelling and exciting story arcs in the series.
It culminates with Hitagi End, where a sharp-tongued, self-proclaimed tsundere hires a gloomy conman to trick a vengeful girl-turned-god. Great stuff.
#5. Fate/Zero (2011, Ufotable)

Unlike Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero‘s Holy Grail War participants are mainly adults who know what they’re doing. That makes things a lot more fascinating, but it also helps that the original novel was written by Gen Urobuchi. Tragedy and grimness pervade the show, and happy endings are scarce. Fate/Zero doesn’t have the series’ most impressive Servant battles, but the final duel between “mage-killer” Kiritsugu Emiya and messed-up priest Kotomine Kirei is also one for the ages.
NEXT


Tokyo Game Show 2020 Online To Take Place In September

Last month, it was announced that Tokyo Game Show 2020 has been cancelled, but now the organizers have officially revealed that a Tokyo Game Show 2020 Online event will replace it, taking place from 23 September to 27 September 2020 on the official website.
In TGS 2020 Online, various companies and organizations in the gaming industry, from major publishers to indie game developers, will unveil the latest updates including the release of new titles and services via the Official TGS channel, as well as streaming programs, videos and websites created by TGS 2020 Online Exhibits.

In addition to the live streaming of esports tournaments, TGS 2020 Online will also provide new information about game-related goods. There will be online round-table discussions covering the latest topics in games, all of which will be made available to watch for free.
The following programs will be featured during Tokyo Game Show 2020 Online:

Exhibitors: The official TGS 2020 Online website will offer the “Exhibitor Page” for each company to introduce themselves and to post the information on new titles, services as well as links to the websites related to their business. Categories will include General Exhibit, BtoB, Game School, Indie Game, and Merchandising.
TGS 2020 Online Official Program Production Participation: Each exhibitor will be entitled to hold a slot for delivering a presentation, round-table discussion or
other events on the official TGS 2020 Online channel.
The TGS 2020 Online streaming program list will later post each program with the link to the streaming page.
SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT 2020: As a gateway to successful indie game makers, SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT 2020 (SOWN2020) is an international festival where developers will compete by presenting their surprisingly novel ideas on-site.

Additional information about TGS 2020 Online and other details (like participating game publishers and developers) will be announced on theÂ official website in the near future.


Disney+ Is Really Coming To Malaysia

This is probably as official as it’s gotten so far, folks: Disney Plus is coming to Malaysia. A new website has suddenly popped out of nowhere, and we at Kakuchopurei discovered it.
This new website definitely seems official and legit. It features details such as Terms Of Use, Privacy Policy, and even a Supplemental Privacy Policy for Malaysia; not to mention that it has the Disney copyright statement at the bottom of the site’s page.
All of this lends further credibility that this website is real, in light of the previously-revealed Disney Plus Malaysia Facebook and Instagram social media pages, which ultimately got taken down for some reason. There were also those job listings for Disney Plus Malaysia, which were posted on LinkedIn earlier this year.
You can’t sign up or subscribe just yet, but you can click on the Keep Me Update button on the Disney Plus Malaysia home page:

You can then submit your email to get updates directly from Disney Plus on when the streaming service will be coming to Malaysia and other information. Look, you even have to agree to terms and conditions set by The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Limited.

However, the Disney Plus Malaysia site doesn’t announce or reveal the release date for Disney Plus Malaysia. Fortunately, we can now receive first-hand updates from Disney on when that’ll be, especially now that the home page is seemingly live.
For now, let’s just wait for the eventual official announcement by Disney Malaysia or The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Limited. Disney Plus is coming to Singapore on 23 February 2021. We’re likely not too far behind.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for the latest news and updates!


Here’s When You Can Play The NBA 2K20 Demo

2K Sports has announced the official launch date for the NBA 2K20 demo, which will be available for download starting from 21 August 2019. Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming demo when it arrives for players on the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch (sorry, PC players):

A headstart on playing MyCAREER.
Testing out the brand new MyPLAYER builder.
The MyPLAYER builder allows players to customize and create their own players that best fit their unique playstyles.
Your configurations will carry over into the full version of the game.

The game’s standard edition cover athlete will feature Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, while the cover athlete for the legend edition will be former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade.
NBA 2K20 is slated to launch for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on 6 September 2019. In the meantime, check out the first look teaser trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-_QCglic14&w=560&h=315]


Souls-Like Pinocchio Game Lies Of P Showcases New Gameplay

During Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, Neowiz revealed a new look at gameplay from souls-like Lies Of P. It’s coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, as well as Xbox Game Pass, sometime in 2023.
Lies of P is an Action RPG based on the classic tale of Pinocchio. You will play as Pinocchio and solve the mysteries and disasters that happened in the city of Krat.
During the journey, you’ll be put in a situation where lying is needed to protect yourself or others. Pinocchio’s lying is one of the most important experiences that you’ll have. At the same time, this will lead Pinocchio to become a true human being. In Lies of P, players will meet familiar characters who can be either your ally or a foe.
Check out the trailer below:


Kojima Reveals Death Stranding PC Specs

Kojima Productions delayed the PC version of Death Stranding to 14 July 2020, but they have now revealed the minimum and recommended specifications for the upcoming game.

Check them out below, to see if your rig has what it takes to run one of the most divisive games of this generation:

Minimum 30fps – 720p (1280×720)

OPERATING SYSTEM: WindowsÂ® 10
PROCESSOR: IntelÂ® Coreâ„¢ i5-3470 or AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 3 1200
MEMORY: 8 GB
GRAPHICS: GeForceÂ® GTX 1050 3 GB or AMD Radeonâ„¢ RX 560 4 GB
Direct X: Version 12
HDD Space: 80GB
Sound Cards: DirectX compatible

Recommended 30fps – 1080p (1920×1080)

OPERATING SYSTEM: WindowsÂ® 10
PROCESSOR: Intelâ„¢ Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 5 1400
MEMORY: 8 GB
GRAPHICS: GeForceÂ® GTX 1050 TiÂ  4 GB or Radeonâ„¢ RX 570 4 GB
Direct X: Version 12
HDD Space: 80GB
Sound Cards: DirectX compatible

Recommended 60fps – 1080p (1920×1080)

OPERATING SYSTEM: WindowsÂ® 10
PROCESSOR: Intelâ„¢ Core i7-3770 or AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 5 1600
MEMORY: 8 GB
GRAPHICS: GeForceÂ® GTX 1060 6 GB or AMD Radeonâ„¢ RX 590
Direct X: Version 12
HDD Space: 80GB
Sound Cards: DirectX compatible

In the meantime, check out our review of the PS4 version of Death Stranding here.


Cuphead The Delicious Last Course DLC Delayed To 2021

Studio MDHR have announced that they have delayed Cuphead DLC â€œThe Delicious Last Courseâ€ to 2021.
This is the second delay for the Cuphead DLC since it was announced two years ago in June 2018. However, the developer also recently released the PS4 version of the game in July 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic must have complicated things even further.
Here is the full message from Studio MDHR via Twitter:

In the wake of the ongoing global pandemic affecting so many, we have made the difficult decision to push back the release of The Delicious Last Course. For our wonderful Cuphead community, we've prepared a letter from Studio MDHR founders Chad & Jared Moldenhauer to share more. pic.twitter.com/XiU57Wcn1y— Studio MDHR (@StudioMDHR) November 25, 2020

While â€œThe Delicious Last Courseâ€ is a continuation of Cuphead and Mugmanâ€™s grand adventure, itâ€™s also a conclusion to the story that began on that fateful day at The Devilâ€™s casino.In true Studio MDHR fashion, we arenâ€™t content for this final chapter to be anything less than our best work. Throughout development, weâ€™ve challenged ourselves to put everything we learned from making Cuphead into the quality of â€œThe Delicious Last Courseâ€â€˜s animation, design, and music.Meeting this standard has been extremely challenging for us amid the global pandemic that has affected so many our fellow developers.Rather than compromise on our vision in response to COVID, weâ€™ve made the difficult decision to push back the release of â€œThe Delicious Last Courseâ€ until we are confident it will delight the Cuphead community of the way we feel it should.We know many of you have been waiting to return to the Inkwell Isles, and our goal is to make the trip back there next year a truly magical one.With our warmest regards,Chad & Jared Moldenhauer
Cuphead is now available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.


Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion Materia Fusion Guide & Full List

The Crisis Core remaster for all consoles and PC right now is worth jumping into; it features great action RPG combat, a gripping story about the early tales before Final Fantasy VII, and an awesome Materia Fusion system that lets you combine existing skills and passives into new ones.
Materia fusion in Crisis Core revolves around you combining two pieces of Materia to make a brand-new powerful Materia. Thankfully the system isn’t random and you can get the skills you specifically want by analyzing the Materias that will be used in the combining process. Another factor to consider is that using Libra and Digital Mind Wave (DMW) Materias will result in higher-rarity fusions of the same and different types respectively. Libra preserves the Materia type, while DMV changes it.
Keep in mind though: you only gain access to Materia fusion once you finish a mission in Chapter 5 called “Search & Destroy”. This pops up after meeting Aerith. With that said, here are the many combinations you can use:
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion Materia Fusion List

There are four Materia types: Magic Materia, Command Materia, Support Materia, and Independent Materia.
Magic Materia

Thunder + Blizzard = Fire
Thunder + Fire = Blizzard
Blizzard + Fire = Thunder
Thunder + Blizzara = Fira
Fire + Thundara = Blizzara
Blizzard + Fira = Thundara
Thunder + Blizzaga = Firaga
Fire + Thundaga = Blizzaga
Blizzard + Firaga = Thundaga
Cure + Cure = Cure
Silence + Cure = Cura
Death + Cura = Curaga
Dash + Cure = Regen
VIT UP + Poison = Esuna
SPR UP + Silence = Dispel
HP Up + Fire = Barrier
SPR UP + Blizzara = MBarrier
Octaslash + Barrier = Wall
MAG UP + Drain Blade = Drain
Drain + Firaga = Drainra
Octaslash + Drain = Drainga
MAG UP + Osmose Blade = Osmose
SPR UP + Power Osmose = Osmoga
MAG UP + Poison Blade = Poison
Dash + Poison = Silence
MAG UP + Stop Blade = Stop
Octaslash + Poison = Death
Poison + Fire = Dark Fire
Poison + Blizzard = Dark Blizzard
Poison + Thunder = Dark Thunder
Esuna + Fira = Dark Fira
Silence + Blizzara = Dark Blizzara
Dispel + Thundara = Dark Thundara
Esuna + Firaga = Dark Firaga
Esuna + Blizzaga = Dark Blizzaga
Esuna + Thundaga = Dark Thundaga
Octaslash + Dark Fire = Hell Firaga
Octaslash + Dark Blizzard = Hell Blizzaga
Octaslash + Dark Thunder = Hell Thundaga
Cure + Gravity = Gravity
Dash + Gravity = Graviga
Octaslash + Gravity = Quake
Libra + Tri-Thundaga = Tri-Thundaga
Libra + Tri-Thundaga (M) = Tri-Fire
Libra + Tri-Fire (M) = Electrocute
Libra + Electrocute (M) = Flare
Libra + Flare (M) = Energy
Octaslash + Tri-Thundaga = Ultima

Command Materia

Libra + Graviga (M) = Darkness
AP Up + Power Attack = Jump
AP Up + Firaga Blade = High Jump
Dash + Poison Twister = Poison Aerial
Poison Twister + High Jump = Silence Aerial
Libra + Silence Aerial (M) = Death Jump
AP Up + Vital Slash = Assault Twister
Octaslash + Jump = Assault Twister+
Libra + Poison Twister = Poison Twister
Libra + Poison Aerial (M) = Stop Twister
Poison Twister + Assault Twister+ = Death Twister
Jump + Gravity = Power Attack
Graviga + Power Attack = Vital Slash
Jump + Quake = Exploder Blade
Assault Twister + Graviga (M) = Blast Wave
Poison + Power Attack = Poison Blade
Poison + Assault Twister = Silence Blade
ATK UP + Stop = Stop Blade
Death + Power Attack = Death Blade
Poison + Elemental Strike = Dispel Blade
Power Attack + Fire = Fire Blade
Power Attack + Blizzard = Blizzard Blade
Power Attack + Thunder = Thunder Blade
Jump + Fira = Fira Blade
Jump + Blizzara = Blizzara Blade
Jump + Thundara = Thundara Blade
ATK UP + Firaga = Firaga Blade
ATK UP + Blizzaga = Blizzaga Blade
ATK UP + Thundaga = Thundaga Blade
Drain + Assault Twister = Drain Blade
ATK UP + Osmoga = Power Drain
ATK UP + Drainga = Aerial Drain
ATK UP + Drain = Osmose Blade
ATK UP + Drainra = Power Osmose
Libra + Steal = Steal
Electrocute + Steal = Mug
Octaslash + Steal = Gil Toss
Libra + Goblin Punch = Goblin Punch
Dash + Goblin Punch = Iron Fist
Libra (M) + Iron Fist (M) = Magical Punch
Libra (M) + Magical Punch (M) = Hammer Punch
Octaslash + Goblin Punch = Costly Punch

Support Materia

Octaslash + Octaslash = Libra
Octaslash + Poison Twister = Status Strike
HP Up + Stop = Status Ward
Fire + Assault Twister+ = Elemental Strike
VIT UP + Firaga = Elemental Ward
Libra + SP Turbo Magic = SP Turbo Magic
Electrocute + SP Turbo Magic = SP Turbo Attack
Flare + SP Turbo Magic = SP Turbo
Energy + SP Turbo Magic = SP Barrier
Octaslash + SP Turbo Magic = SP Master

Independent Materia

Libra + HP Up = HP Up
Dash + HP Up = HP Up+
Octaslash + HP Up = HP Up++
Libra + MP Up = MP Up
Dash + MP Up = MP Up+
Octaslash + MP Up = MP Up++
Libra + AP Up = AP Up
Dash + AP Up = AP Up+
Octaslash + AP Up = AP Up++
Libra + ATK UP = ATK UP
Dash + ATK UP = ATK UP+
Octaslash + ATK UP = ATK UP++
Libra + VIT UP = VIT UP
Dash + VIT UP = VIT UP+
Octaslash + VIT UP = VIT UP++
Libra + MAG UP = MAG UP
Dash + MAG UP = MAG UP+
Octaslash + MAG UP = MAG UP++
Libra + SPR UP = SPR UP
Dash + SPR UP = SPR UP+
Octaslash + SPR UP = SPR UP++
Dash + Steal = Smart Consumer


Your Wallet Will Embrace Death With This Life-Sized Haohmaru Sword

Want to be a counter-hitting damage-dealing badass samurai in real-life? You can sort of relive that with this real-life version of Haohmaru’s trademark Fugudoku sword.

Officially brought in by SNK and antique sword-making shop Tozando, this Fugudoku replica:

Will cost you 180,000 yen/RM6,876
Is 110cm in length
Is made out of a phosphor bronze old beauty finish, has a pure cotton black twist-winding emaki, a black Lu sayanuri, and a rayon shigeruda undercord.

If you have a lot of money to burn and really are a big SamSho fan who wants to truly embrace death, you can buy the sword here in SNK’s online store.
Heads up; you may need to get a police permit from customs in your country if you plan on shipping this back to your place; this is a weapon after all. Alternatively, you can get weapon-dealing and antique sword shops (like Singapore’s Caesar hobby shop) to endorse and handle the shipping for you.
Check out more pictures of this beauty here.

If you’re curious about SamSho the game, why not check out our review?


League Of Legends Arcane Animated Series Is Coming To Netflix This Fall

Netflix has announced that the League Of Legends Arcane animated series will be debuting exclusively on the streaming platform sometime in fall 2021. It was originally announced back in October 2019 during Riot Games’ MOBA franchise’s 10th-anniversary live stream.
Little is known about League Of Legends Arcane, but it looks like the main characters will be Jinx, Vi, and Victor, amongst others. Fans can also look forward to the setting of Piltover and Zaun.
The synopsis reads:
From the creators of League of Legends comes a new animated series, Arcane.
Set in the utopian region of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, the story follows the origins of two iconic League champions-and the power that will tear them apart.
It’s definitely interesting that rivals Valve’s Dota 2 and Riot Games’ League Of Legends are both releasing their animated series adaptations on the same platform; Netflix. You can check out my review of Dota 2 Dragon’s Blood animated series here.
In the meantime, you can check out the teaser trailer below.


Atlas Fallen Is A New Dusty Fantasy Action RPG From Deck 13

Focus Entertainment and developer Deck 13 are making a new action RPG called Atlas Fallen.
It’s a fantasy game featuring a sprawling desert and features 3D action-heavy combat with shape-shifting weapons and unique custom skills and abilities. It’s also looking really pretty and you can surf onto sand to make traversal really fun in the game’s open world setting.
Here are the game’s summary & key features:
“Rise from the dust and liberate mankind from the oppression of corrupted gods.
Glide the sands of a timeless land, filled with ancient dangers, mysteries and fragments of the past. Hunt legendary monsters, using powerful, shape-shifting weapons and devastating sand-powered abilities in spectacular, super-powered combat.
Target and gather the essence of your enemies to shape your own custom playstyle, forging a new era for humanity in a fully cooperative or solo story campaign.”

Master the sands to explore a unique fantasy world teeming with secrets, locales and dangers.
Hunt legendary creatures alone or with a friend in heroic, super-powered combat.
Unleash your power to create deadly shape-shifting weapons.
Rise as the ultimate champion with unique custom skills and abilities.

Atlas Fallen will be out in 2023 for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5.


Overwatch League: San Francisco Reveals Official Name

Team San Francisco will henceforth be known as San Francisco Shock following their official announcement early this morning. Featuring an all-star lineup of present ‘Overwatch royalty’Â  including former Fnatic and NRG DPS ‘iddqd’, former Kungarna flex ‘babybay’, former Arc C flex ‘danteh’ and ‘Mr 150K’, the prodigious ‘sinatraa’, the team is backed a host of real-life celebs including J.Lo and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the fan favorites heading into the inaugural Overwatch League season.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGv41dSFEJU&w=560&h=315]

Along with the announcement was the reveal of a special Doomfist skin in the colors the San Francisco Shock team. Check it out:

Expect more OWL news to come up in the following days. As the list of teams and rosters grow, so does the excitement for the very first Overwatch League season. Stay tuned as we will be covering the Overwatch League with not just news and coverage, but also in-depth analysis of the worldâ€™s most lucrative Overwatch tournament to date. We’ve previewed three of the twelve teams set to appear in the Overwatch League and you can read about them here.


Shroud & Sacriel’s New Game Is A Survival Shooter With a Twist

Grab your weapons, stock up on supplies, and get ready for an all-new AAA survival game. Developer Splash Damage teams up with Twitch superstars Shroud and Sacriel to create a new open-world survival game. The brand new game, Project Astrid, is currently in production and well, that is all we know… for now. We also know that this will be a completely new IP.
“This project means everything to me,” said Mike ‘shroud’ Grzesiek. “Chris and I have refined a vision for what’s next in the survival genre and with Splash Damage we’re setting out to build it. We want to build the best survival game ever, and with Sacriel’s brain and Splash Damage’s team, I know we can do it.”
Shroud will mainly be focusing on the gunplay aspect of the game to ensure the best immersive and enjoyable experience for players.
Chris ‘Sacriel’ Ball said:
“This is a dream come true. Mike and I have been envisioning a world where we help build the game that streamers and gamers love playing. To be able to execute with a team as esteemed and experienced as Splash Damage is a privilege. In our work together to date, it is clear to us that we are truly part of the team and that we are well positioned to help bring this dream to reality.”
Sacriel, talks more about the storytelling potential that can be done in survival game.
He said:
“It’s not exactly clear what position these two streamers will be in terms of roles, but they are referred to as “core members of the development team.”
The buzz around this game is absolutely electric, we can see gamers everywhere already speculating about the gameplay, the storyline, and the overall experience. Fans are eager to see the outcome of this collaboration between the legendary Shroud, Sacriel, and the innovative minds at Splash Damage.
You can watch the announcement here on Youtube!


Seven-Year-Old Singaporean Becomes The Very Best In PokÃ©mon Tournament

A seven-year-old girl from Singapore has earned herself the title of 2020 Oceania PokÃ©mon VG Junior Champion via PokÃ©mon Sword/Shield for the Switch.Â

An INCREDIBLE read by Simone, leading to a victory and earning Simone the title of 2020 Oceania #PokemonVG Junior Champion! pic.twitter.com/liiJyEj09I
— Play Pokémon (@playpokemon) February 23, 2020

As IGN reported, Simone Lim earned her title after beating last year’s PokÃ©mon Oceania Junior Championship winner Justin Miranda-Radbord, an older opponent. Making her victory all the more impressive was that this was her “first competitive season and her first major tournament after winning in two regional tournaments”.
Lim’s win also caught the eye of esports consultant Rod Breslau. He noted that her achievement and ability to defeat older and more experienced opponents showed that “esports is for everyone”.

this morning 7-year old Simone Lim won a major Pokémon Junior Championship beating out a field of older more experienced kids, upsetting the tournament favorite champion #1 seed in the final, and doing so with an incredible read to earn her the title
esports is for everyone pic.twitter.com/5cUfsd5ZiQ
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) February 24, 2020

The 2020 PokÃ©mon Oceania International Championships was held at Melbourne, Australia. You can watch the almost six-hour-long stream here.


First-Person Horror Game DYING 1983 Will Be A PS5 Timed Exclusive

Nekcom and 2PGames have announced that the upcoming release of DYING : 1983, a newÂ first-person horror adventureÂ that will come toÂ PS5Â in 2022 as aÂ timed exclusive title.
In this nightmarish escape room video game, players will explore a series of rooms in a surreal world toÂ solve the mystery behind its puzzles. Similarly to the previous chapter of this franchise,Â DYING: Reborn, a mysterious fish-headed creature and more horrible monsters will follow your steps to dissuade you.
The Chinese studio revealed a new gameplay trailer at Gamescom last Friday, where they also revealed theÂ main voicesÂ of the official cast forÂ DYING : 1983:Â Miyuki SawashiroÂ (Fatal Frame IV, Catherine, Danganronpa) andÂ Shunsuke TakeuchiÂ (NEO: TWEWY, Genshin Impact, Danganronpa), two renowned actors with a lot of experience in dubbing anime and video games.
DYING : 1983Â is the second game in theÂ DYING franchise, a first-person horror game series with puzzle solving and exploration elements. In this chapter, players will follow a shady physician who is contacted by a mysterious organization to participate in a secret investigation. After reaching the research facility designated for their meeting, the doctor will realize that something weird is happening thereâ€¦
The game will be released in 2022 as a timed exclusive game for PS5. The PS4 and Steam ports will be released at a date that is yet to be announced.
KEY FEATURES

Explore the surreal prison where youâ€™ve been detained andÂ solve thousands of interconnected puzzlesÂ to unveil the hidden truth.
Feel like the main character of a horror movieÂ thanks to cutting edge game visuals, now enhanced with immersive ray-traced reflections, shadows, caustics, and global illumination. NEKCOM Entertainment is also introducing NVIDIA DLSS technology.
Delve into a chilling mysteryÂ that will trap you from the beginning to the end, with a script text five times longer than in the first game of the DYING series.
Enjoy the acting of a Japanese cast full of professional voicesÂ that makes each character unique — and, sometimes, really terrifying!


Latest Trials Of Mana Update Fixes Game’s Major Complaint

Square Enix has announced that they will release the version 1.1.0 update for Trials of Mana on 14 October 2020.
This new update adds the â€œNo Futureâ€ and â€œVery Hardâ€ difficulty settings for New Game Plus, which will fix one of the game’s biggest problems; that it’s too easy (as I pointed out in my review).
Clearing the game on the â€œNo Futureâ€ difficulty setting will reward players with the Rabite Slippers accessory, which is being worn by Angela in the picture below.

Here are the patch notes:
New difficulty setting â€œNo Futureâ€ added.An extremely difficult to clear difficulty in which enemies are stronger, especially bosses.It can only be selected for â€œNew Game+â€ and returns the player to Level 1.Some abilities cannot be equipped.Up to three items can be used in battle.Boss battles have a time limit.The display of enemy attack range has been shortened for some boss battles.Rainbow item seeds may produce high performance equipment of the same name.Two Chain Abilities added:â€œGuidance of the Sacred Swordâ€ â€“ Party members not in your control that become unable to fight will have 1 HP remaining.â€œGuidance of the Sacred Sword IIâ€ â€“ When you win a battle, all party membersâ€™ HP will recover 100 percent.Other New Feature AdditionsNew difficulty setting â€œVery Hardâ€ added. It can only be selected for â€œNew Game+.â€You can now skip class change cutscenes and the end credits.Fix: Costumes that have been class changed once can now be carried over after a class reset and in â€œNew Game+.â€ (This only applies to costumes that have been class changed after this update. Costumes can be changed after the first class change.)When selecting â€œNew Game+,â€ you can choose to return to Level 1.New Goddess Statues added to the map.Other Bug Fixes
Trials Of Mana is available now for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.


Cthulu-Laced Fishing Game Dredge Gets Post-Launch Updates For This Year

We’ve heard a lot of good things about the indie fishing game Dredge, which tells a dark plot amidst its single-player adventure. It’s so far receiving positive reviews on Steam.
Apparently, publisher Team17 and developer Black Salt Games know this, so they’re going to keep at it with the support. Dredge will be receiving post-game content and updates according to a new roadmap both parties revealed. These include map markers, Photo Mode, and Boat Point customization features. These are all free.
In addition, Dredge will be getting paid DLC sometime in Q4 2023. In the meantime, the game is available now for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Here’s the full list:

Map Markers (Q2 2023) – One of the features requested by so many of you is extended functionality for the in-game map, and we’re excited to introduce this with our first free update in May. The addition of map markers will allow you to select from different colored icons representing everything from dangers, shipwrecks, mysteries, and more, enabling more effective navigation between locations than before. Additionally, this update will include some fixes and balance changes.
Photo Mode and Wildlife (Q2 2023)

In our second update, two new modes will introduce very different ways to experience DREDGE. The first is Passive Mode, which caters to players who prefer a less intense experience. Monsters that usually attack fishing boats will no longer be aggressive, allowing players to focus on fishing and enjoying the serene surroundings.
This update’s second mode is another much-requested feature: Photo mode. But rather than just add the ability with a simple menu option, we’re taking a different approach. When it launches, our photo mode will see the addition of a new in-game character who’ll help players unlock their camera ability and share clues on where to find some of the local marine wildlife as subjects for your photography, some of which will be brand new in this update. The mode will be ‘hooked’ into the PlayStation‘s screenshot sharing ability so you can share your captures, whether that be of majestic whales or nightmarish abominations from the deep.

Boat Point (Q3 2023) – Our third free update will introduce boat customizations such as paint schemes and flags. As you explore the coastlines and bayous of DREDGE, you’ll unlock new boat paint schemes and flags to make your fishing vessel really stand out. We’ll have more information on both updates two and three later in the year.
Untitled Downloadable Content (Q4 2023) – Finally, we will be developing a paid and entirely optional downloadable content featuring the mysterious Ironhaven Corporation. They’re looking to establish an innovative drilling operation in the area to revitalize the towns and populations, but their ultimate goal is unknown. As you gather materials to construct new buildings and biomatter to fuel the rig, meet new characters, craft new equipment, and catch new fish, you may uncover the truth behind their potentially nefarious operations.


Cat Quest: Pirates Of The Purribean Pouncing Onto PS4 & PS5 In 2024

Hold on to your hats, you cats because a brand new addition to the Cat Quest series has just been unveiled at the PlayStation Showcase. Say hello to Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean! This adorable action game centred around our feline friends, is set to make its debut on both PS4 and PS5 next year, in 2024.
In a recent post on the PlayStation Blog, the developers spilt the beans on what makes this Cat Quest instalment extra special. Get ready to embark on an epic pirate-themed adventure, as they’ve crafted a fully immersive world for you to explore. And by fully immersive, I mean you’ll be navigating both land and sea! You’ll even have your very own ship, allowing you to sail across vast oceans and quickly dock at uncharted islands.

The developers also revealed an exciting new combat feature in their blog post. It’s called the weapon-swapping mechanic, and it lets you switch between different weapons on the fly. This means you can unleash a whole range of combo attacks to keep your foes on their toes. And guess what? You can even use this feature with your trusty ship! Picture this: starting off a combo with a powerful ship cannon and seamlessly transitioning to land combat with a fearsome Blunderpuss, the feline equivalent of a pirate’s blunderbuss. Ahoy, mateys!
So mark your calendars, me hearties, because Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean is scheduled to set sail on the PS4 and PS5 in 2024. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure filled with adorable kitties, swashbuckling action, and endless fun on the high seas!


EA Sports FIFA 2021 Team Of The Year Nominees To Be Announced This Weekend

EA will be unveiling the nominees for the EA SPORTS FIFA 2021 Team Of The Year starting at 12am GMT+8 on Saturday, 8 January 2022.
EA SPORTS FIFAâ€™s Team Of The Year invites fans to â€˜Back the Bestâ€™ and cast their vote for their favourite players and form their ultimate starting XI from a list of 80 nominees who had the biggest impact in world football in 2021.Â Last yearâ€™s Team of The Year garnered over 10 million fan votes to decide who made the final XI – the definitive list of the world’s best.
Nominees will be announced on all EA SPORTS FIFA social media channels including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The nominee reveal schedule is as follows:Â

Saturday, 8 January at 12am GMT+8Â â€“ Attacker Nominees
Sunday, 9 January at 12am GTM+8Â â€“ Midfielder Nominees
Monday, 10 January at 12am GMT+8Â â€“ Defender & Goalkeeper Nominees

Fans will be able to select and share their starting XI for the 2021 Team of The Year during the voting period which begins at 12am GMT+8 on 11 January 2022 until 3.59pm GMT+8 on 18 January 2022.


The Iconic Franchise Returns With Tron Identity This April

Bithell Games has announced that the visual novel Tron Identity will launch for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on 11 April 2023.
In a new Grid, forgotten by its creator and left alone to evolve without User intervention, an unprecedented crime has been committed. The Repository stands at the centre of this society. In the aftermath of a break-in, the future of this Grid hangs in the balance.
Tron Identity is a visual novel adventure following Query, a detective program tasked with uncovering the mystery of what was taken and by whom. Finding yourself in a world built on unstable foundations and filled with whispered knowledge, it’s up to you to question suspects and investigate your surroundings to piece together the truth.
The decisions you make will actively influence the story, with a multitude of possible outcomes, good and bad – all depending on your carefully chosen words. You’ll interact with a number of intriguing characters, and decide whether to ally with them, spurn them, or even derezz them. However you choose to deal with them, you’ll need to recover their lost memories in your search for answers, puzzling your way through defragging Identity Discs. The world of TRON is growing, and your adventure is the seed.
The first Tron movie came out in 1982 and its sequel, Tron Legacy, was released in 2010. Meanwhile, the last entry in the Tron franchise was the animated series Tron Uprising, which ran from 2012 to 2013.
Check out the trailer below:


Latest Study Shows 46% Of Worldwide Game Enthusiasts Are Female

Female gamers are often chastised for not being ‘real’ gamers, whatever that means. However, statistics have proven otherwise, and there are a lot more women in the gamer population than most guys think.
According to Newzoo, there are over one billion female gamers in the world, making up a whopping 46 percent of all game enthusiasts.
That’s almost half of the entire global gaming population, but Newzoo has segmented that even further by categorizing them into eight different breeds of gamers. This can be justified because being a gamer doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to play certain games. The definition is much broader now.
Here are the eight breeds of gamers according to Newzoo:

What’s The Difference Between The Male and Female Members of The Gaming Population?
Male and female gamers are still very different from each other. The largest demographic of female gamers belong to the Time Filler, Cloud Gamer, and Popcorn Gamer breeds. This indicates that most female gamers are casual gamers, playing it primarily for social reasons and occasional personal enjoyment.
Meanwhile, the largest demographic of male gamers belong to the Cloud Gamer, Time Filler, and Ultimate Gamer. This suggests that while a lot of men are still casual gamers, there are more hardcore male gamers (15%) in comparison to female gamers (9%).
The other breeds of gamers are similar in terms of size share amongst male and female members. Male gamers tend to be more active gamers compared to female gamers, but many from both genders also like to watch other people playing games instead of playing it themselves.

Contrary to popular belief, those who belong to the Ultimate Gamer category are men between the ages of 21 to 35 and not teenagers. This is likely due to the fact that older men are more likely to be working adults and thus can afford more gaming hardware/software.
While male gamers still make up a majority of the gaming population, female gamers are quickly closing the gap. Currently, women are still facing prejudice and ridicule for being female gamers.
Hopefully, that will all change in the near future, as female gamers increase in number.


Tom Hanks Puts On His Grumpy Old Man Facade In A New Movie, And Nails It (Obviously)

The book A Man Called Ove is about a grumpy person with a dark backstory who ends up getting his cold heart melted by his new neighbours, all while attempting to off his own life. It’s not exactly a new tale but it’s one worth retelling in cinema form for the sake of being a crowd-pleaser drama-comedy hybrid. However, these kinds of movie adaptations -with this one being called A Man Called Otto- is all about the execution and the major faces that bring this old (figuratively and literally) tale to life on the silver screen.
Getting Tom Hanks on board as the titular grump is the sole reason this movie will register a blip on anyone’s radar. This is a clear case of a proven star elevating a formulaic concept with just talent and pathos.
Hello Neighbour

Tom Hanks plays the title character in A Man Called Otto where the lonely widow ends up getting befriended by a Mexican couple with kids. It goes about as expected: grumpy old man does routine neighbourhood checks to keep things in shape, neighbours don’t like him but there was history between them, new neighbours are quirky enough to make a dent in grumpy man’s cold heart, grumpy man slowly opens up to them and community over time.
Of course, there are a few additions to the formula: the fact that the old man planned on committing suicide in the first 20 minutes of the film is that dark tinge that’s sorely needed to counterbalance the feels the film dishes out. And the contrast to Otto is an equally sassy pregnant lady who has just as much bite and wit as the geriatric protag.
Even if half of it feels emotionally manipulative with its music and some of its key dialogue, the performances from Tom Hanks as old man Otto and Mariana Treviño as the pregnant neighbour lady Marisol are noteworthy enough to warrant your attention. You know how it mostly concludes, but at least you’ll enjoy their back-and-forth, comebacks, and soul-bearing heart-to-heart talks. The rest of the side cast is fine, I guess, from neighbours Jimmy and Anita to Marisol’s husband Tommy. There’s just there to move the plot and buffer it along, but they don’t act as detriments. Oh, and a bit of commentary about real-estate agents who love to shove old folks away from their hard-earned and bought homes which is still relevant to bring up in this day and age.
Old Boy

A Man Called Otto is a heartwarming-if-familiar trek that combines good comedy and drama, punctuated by the ever-reliable acting prowess of Tom Hanks who clearly nails it as an endearing and multi-layered grumpy old man.
You’re not going to find anything new in this almost by-the-numbers story of a grouch who warms up to his new neighbours and his society as a whole, but at least you’ll get more feels with its key moments. Props to Tom Hanks for doing the heavy lifting alongside Mariana Treviño.
Final Score: 60/100


Game Of Thrones Star & More To Star In Disney+ Hotstar Australian Series The Artful Dodger

The Walt Disney Company has today announced the stellar cast of the Disney+ Hotstar original series “The Artful Dodger” as filming commences.  “The Artful Dodger” is a premium international character drama set in 1850s Australia and is a well-known and much-loved story with a twist.
Across eight episodes the scripted series explores the adult double life of Charles Dickens’ famous prince of thieves – Dodger – now a surgeon, but who can’t shake his predilection for crime. From high-octane heists to life-and-death surgeries, glittering parties to colourful streets, this series is a rock’n’roll tale with an Aussie connection.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Pistol, The Queen’s Gambit), David Thewlis (Landscapers, Fargo) and Australia’s own Maia Mitchell (Good Trouble, The Fosters) lead the stellar-cast, with Brodie-Sangster taking on the role of “Jack Dawkins” aka “The Artful Dodger,” Thewlis as “Fagin” and Mitchell as “Lady Belle Fox”.
The cast includes an incredible line-up of Australian talent, featuring Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Judy and Punch), Miranda Tapsell (Top End Wedding, The Sapphires), Tim Minchin (Upright, Californication), Susie Porter (Wentworth, Gold), Kym Gyngell (Love Me, Black Snow) Damien Garvey (Nautilus, Jack Irish), Jessica De Gouw (The Secrets She Keeps, The Drover’s Wife), Andrea Demetriades (The End, Seven Types of Ambiguity), Luke Carroll (Upright, Preppers), and English-born, Australian export Huw Higginson (Total Control, Janet King).
Joining the cast are rising talents, Lucy-Rose Leonard, Nicholas Burton, Jude Hyland, Finn Treacy and Albert Latailakepa.
“The Artful Dodger” is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and produced by Beach Road Pictures and SPT’s Curio Pictures. The series is Co-Created and Executive Produced by Beach Road Pictures’ David Maher & David Taylor. Jo Porter represents Curio Pictures as Executive Producer. James McNamara (Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer), Andrew Knight (Co-Executive Producer and Writer), Jeffrey Walker (Co-Executive Producer and Director) and Ross Allsop (Producer) complete the producing team.
Jeffrey Walker (Young Rock, The Commons, Modern Family) serves as set up director and Co-Executive Producer, with Directors Corrie Chen (New Gold Mountain, Bad Behaviour) and Gracie Otto (Heartbreak High, The Clearing) and the series is written by James McNamara, Andrew Knight, Vivienne Walshe and Dan Knight, with Miranda Tapsell.
The series will be filmed in New South Wales, Australia, with financial support provided by the State Government through Screen NSW’s Made In NSW fund.


Tower Of Fantasy Gets New Character & Map In First Major Content Update Since Launch

Publisher Level Infinite and developer Hotta Studio have announced that open-world MMORPG Tower Of Fantasy is releasing its first major content update to the game since its successful launch last month.
Beginning from 15 September 2022, players will be able to unlock Artificial Island, a brand new location filled with floating islands with new places to explore, new Developer Logs to obtain and new elite bosses to overcome.
In addition to a new map, players will be able to unlock “Claudia”, a tall Hykros Executor with a bit of a military demeanour. Her mastery over one-handed swords and mobility saw her on the front lines of difficult operations, but later was sent to a medical facility after being severely injured in Operation Dark Apocalypse. “Claudia” is reliable, tenacious, and the first to charge ahead in battle. While she is seemingly cold at first, she is like a kindhearted older sister once you get to know her. She has a strong sense of righteousness; she fights for justice and for others.
Details about Artificial Island:

Artificial Island is unlocked when Wanderers reach Level 50 and have completed specific missions; they can set off to this distant island by taking the Banges Tech’s flying vehicle.

Wanderers will embark on a remarkable journey and get ready to interact and solve countless riddles across the island, with heaps of supplies, including the gold nucleus, black nucleus, and even the rare red nucleus.

Wanderers can unlock the Construction feature of the Artificial Island to create their own exclusive island! A Wanderer can access the Construction feature once their Artificial Island exploration progress reaches the specified goal OR the specified level (one or the other).

Players will be able to unlock exclusive maps and collect construction materials to create different items, get to know the smart servants and pets, and create and exchange valuable items.
Tower of Fantasy is now available across the globe on the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android, with the PC version available at The Official Tower of Fantasy site and coming later to Steam and the Epic Game Store.


Just Dance 2024 Edition Launches October 24

The popular franchise Just Dance will release the Just Dance 2024 Edition on October 24 on Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S as announced on the Ubisoft Forward Livestream. If you own the Just Dance 2023 Edition along with the Just Dance 2024 Edition, the content from both games will be  displayed together for convenience. This new edition will allow players to play tracks online with friends who own Just Dance 2023 Edition, or vice versa. From now until June 20, Just Dance 2023 Edition players will  get early access to “Sail” by AWOLNATION.
The song list for Just Dance 2024 Edition will feature 40 new tracks, ranging from classics to chart-topping hits and original songs, including:

“How You Like That” by BLACKPINK
“Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
“Sail” by AWOLNATION
“My Name Is” by D Billions
And many more to be announced!

Ubisoft is collaborating with the World DanceSport Federation to bring Just Dance® to the Olympic Esports Series 2023. There will be selected players competing on the Nintendo Switch during the live finals in Singapore’s Suntec Centre on June 23. Just Dance 2024 Edition will launch on October 24 on the Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
You can watch the trailer here:


Netflix Renews Dota Dragon’s Blood Anime For Season 2

Netflix has announced that Dota Dragon’s Blood has been renewed for a second season. Dota Dragon’s Blood Book Two is currently in the works, but no release date has been revealed.
The official synopsis reads:
The upcoming fantasy series tells the story of Davion, a renowned Dragon Knight devoted to wiping the scourge from the face of the world.
Following encounters with a powerful, ancient eldwurm as well as the noble Princess Mirana on a secret mission of her own, Davion becomes embroiled in events much larger than he could have ever imagined.
Produced by Studio Mir (the same studio behindÂ The Legend Of KorraÂ andÂ Voltron The Legendary Defender), the upcoming anime series based on Valveâ€™sÂ Dota 2 features several familiar characters from the game, including Invoker and Terrorblade.
In the meantime, you can check out my review of Dota Dragon’s Blood Book One here.


Lost Shantae Game Announced For Game Boy Advance

Developer WayForward has made a ton of Shantae metroidvania 2D games, but there was one that didn’t see the light of day. At least until now.
Publisher Limited Run Games and WayForward have announced Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution for, surprise surprise, Game Boy Advance. Yes, there will be a “new” Shantae game but for the 2001 portable gaming console. This long-lost sequel to the original Shantae is back in development after being shelved for two decades. Here’s the press release blurb and video trailer for the announcement.
Restoring the lost Shantae sequel has been an incredible adventure!” said Shantae series director Matt Bozon in a press release. “After reuniting as a team, we restored the original game demo, and now are working hard to complete the full game on original hardware! This isn’t a demake or a new retro-style game, but an actual Game Boy Advance-era title that was lost to time. We paused development in 2004, and now we’re back at it nearly 20 years later with the same tools, hardware, and Link Cables that we were using back then. It’s crazy, it feels impossible, but it’s happening! We’re on a time-travel mission to save Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, and finally bring it to the fans!”


Disney Dreamlight Valley May Be That Magic Kingdom-Themed Sim Everybody Secretly Wants To Play

Disney and Gameloft has released a new gameplay overview trailer of its life sim game Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Basically, it’s Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Harvest Moon (the good versions) crossbred with Disney stuff to form one Magic Kingdom-savvy world and playground. You play a brand-new original character as you interact with Disney characters like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, to Moana, fix their homesteads, and then build your dream home/garden/plantation to chillax and have leisurely fun in.

If you’re getting a Kingdom Hearts vibe from this game, I don’t blame you. Each scenario in a new area plays out like a Kingdom Hearts game: you help restore lost memories of popular Disney characters, then reap the rewards via stuff to decorate your new home/garden/villa in. Hell, even the questing system is akin to a JRPG!
Disney Dreamlight Valley will be out on 6th September in Early Access for PC.


Red Dead Online Is Getting A Standalone Game Release In December

Two years after the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games is finally releasingÂ Red Dead OnlineÂ as a standalone game on 1 December 2020 at an introductory price of US$4.99 (or roughly RM20.40) until 15 February 2021.
After that date next year, the price will change to US$19.99 (or roughly RM81.71).
According to the official website, Red Dead Online will be available for PS4 and PS5 via the PlayStation Store, Xbox One and Xbox Series X via the Microsoft Store, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Rockstar Games Launcher.
Red Dead OnlineÂ was previously only available for those who ownsÂ Red Dead Redemption 2. However, it’s worth pointing out that you’ll still need PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold subscriptions to play them on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
The standalone version ofÂ Red Dead OnlineÂ will require up to 123 GB of storage space.
In the meantime, check out my review of Red Dead Redemption 2 here.


Genshin Impact Traveler Twins Gets First Full Figure Treatment By KOTOBUKIYA

Genshin Impact fans are in for another treat as prominent figure maker company Kotobukiya teases Genshin Impact Travelers figures on their Twitter. The figures will be in 1/7 scale and looking at the photos, it is made with the much expected delicate touch and paint-work of Kotobukiya’s standard. This time, Kotobukiya decided to take on the twin Travelers Lumine and Aether who are the protagonist characters of Genshin Impact. Players are required to choose between the two at the start of the game.
The Traveler’s figure designs are based on their respective card designs; both equipped with their iconic swords, flowy capes, and heroic poses. Lumine sporting the white dress and blue accent while Aether with white and dashing gold. Complimenting the figure of the twins is the vibrancy of the grass and wooden sign-post for the base.
???????????????????????????RPG???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????#?? pic.twitter.com/MncZfEfUpU— ??????? (@kotobukiyas) July 20, 2022
Although plenty of Genshin Impact merchandise and figures have been made, this marks the first time a fully-proportionate take on the Traveler twins is in line.
In the meantime, the figures are not up for pre-order yet and the official price has yet to be announced but you can tune in for updates when it goes live.What do you think of this line-up and figure versions of the Traveler twins by Kotobukiya? Will you be adopting one or both of them to take home? Let us know down in the comments or head on over to our social.


Diablo 4 And Overwatch 2 Are Getting Delayed

Blizzard announced recently that due to recent events over the past few months, its marquee titles will be delayed for a further amount of time.
Action RPG Diablo 4 and competitive multiplayer shooter Overwatch 2, already without release windows, will be out later than “sometime after 2021”. Here’s the official company statement:
“As we have worked with new leadership in Blizzard and within the franchises themselves, particularly in certain key creative roles, it has become apparent that some of the Blizzard content planned for next year will benefit from more development time to reach its full potential.
While we are still planning to deliver a substantial amount of content from Blizzard next year, we are now planning for a later launch forÂ Overwatch 2Â andÂ Diablo IVÂ than originally envisaged.
These are two of the most eagerly anticipated titles in the industry, and our teams have made great strides towards completion in recent quarters. But we believe giving the teams some extra time to complete production and continue growing their creative resources to support the titles after launch will ensure that these releases delight and engage their communities for many years into the future.
These decisions will push out the financial uplift that we had expected to see next year. But we are confident that this is the right course of action for our people, our players, and the long-term success of our franchises.”
Both Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 will be out for consoles and PC, whatever that year or date will be.