Tales of Arise Sales Are Past The 1.5 Million Mark

Bandai Namco’s hit JRPG Tales of Arise, where your party members can’t shut the f*** up during combat, has hit a new sales milestone.
The latest mothership title has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. This milestone came 48 days or so after its 10th September release; it’s now on display via Twitter with artwork from the game’s character designer Minoru Iwamoto.

??????? ?? ??????150???????????
????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????? ?? ?????????????????#TOARISE #150???? pic.twitter.com/EvUuNAymmx
— ?????Tales of ARISE ? ???? ?? ???? ?Official? (@Tales_of_ARISE) October 28, 2021

The last we heard of Tales of Arise, the game received a Sword Art Online crossover so you can beat up one of anime’s blandest protagonists Kirito over and over again. For more on Tales of Arise, here are a few guides for you to check out.Â


World Of Tanks Celebrates 7th Anniversary With Free Soviet Tank & More

World Of Tanks has announced that they are celebrating its 7th anniversary in 2021 with a lot of new content and updates. The biggest highlight is the free Soviet tank for every player.
Free Soviet Tank

The Soviet Tier III T-116 Light Tank is an exclusive giveaway that players can get only through this anniversary event.
The T-116â€™s top speed will send players soaring across the battlefield and its XP bonus is incredible.
Here are the specs for the new tank:

Matchmaking: Plays up to Tier IV
30% Silver Bonus Earn
60% XP Bonus Earn
Hit Points: 240
Engine Power: 335 hp
Speed Limit: 60 km/h
Hull Traverse Speed: 48 deg/sec
Hull Armor: 15/13/13
Turret Armor: 15/13/13
Turret Traverse Speed: 40 deg/sec
Gun Depression: 5 deg
Gun Elevation: 30 deg
Penetration: 51/84/23
Damage: 47/47/62
Aim Time: 1.9 sec
Accuracy: 0.42
Gun Caliber: 45 mm
Rate of Fire: 26.09 rounds/min
Reload Time: 2.3 s
Max Ammo Capacity: 200 rounds
View Range: 320 m
Signal Range: 300 m

To get the free soviet tank, players can simply log in and play one multiplayer match between today and the server restart on 16 February 2021. After the match ends, youâ€™ll be awarded the T-116 in your Vehicles tab.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


HBO GO November 2021: Our Picks & Highlights

Since everyone is (still mostly) staying home because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Iâ€™m sure you wonâ€™t want to waste time sifting through HBO GOâ€™s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming site updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so Iâ€™m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights forÂ HBO GO November 2021 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
The Many Saints Of Newark (11 November 2021)

Revisit the exciting world of the award-winning HBO drama seriesÂ The SopranosÂ in this movie prequel. Set in the midst of the Newark riots, it follows the lives of gang members from African American and Italian communities. Often at each otherâ€™s throats, their dangerous rivalries quickly turn lethal.
These are the circumstances that shaped young Anthony Soprano and set him on his path. Look out for several beloved characters from the original series that inspired the film, and catch all six seasons ofÂ The SopranosÂ onÂ HBO GO,Â one of the most influential television drama series of all time and recipient of 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and two Peabody Awards, among others. Stars Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jon Bernthal.
It premieres on Thursday, 11 November 2021 on HBO GO.

Folklore Season 2 (14 November 2021)

The HBO Asia Original horror anthology returns with a second season of myths and superstitions. Haunting tales from Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, each masterfully brought to life by a local director and an ensemble cast, will send chills down viewersâ€™ backs. Directors include Sittisiri Mongkolsiri (Thailand), Shih Han Liao (Taiwan), Erik Matti (Philippines), Billy Christian (Indonesia), and Nicole Midori Woodford (Singapore), with pop singer-songwriter Seiko Matsuda (Japan) making her directorial debut. Stars Vivian Sung Yun-Hwa, Wu Kang-Ren, Win Morisaki, Jennis Oprasert, Dolly de Leon, Lydia Kandou and Mindee Ong.
The first episode premieres on Sunday, 14 November 2021 at 10pm on HBO GO & HBO (Astro Channel 411). A new episode premieres every Sunday at the same time. (Season 1 is also available on HBO GO).

Gossip Girl Season 2

The remaining six episodes of season one premiere this month, with more insights into the lives of young New Yorkers from the Upper East Side, their privileged existence and their social lives. Developed by showrunner Joshua Safran, a writer and executive producer on the original series, it continues its social surveillance nine years after the original bloggerâ€™s website went dark. You can also catch all six seasons of the original 2007 Gossip Girl series on HBO GO. Stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown and Thomas Doherty.
Part 2 of Season 1 premieres sometime in November 2021 on HBO GO.

The Flash Season 8 (17 November 2021)

The Flash is back for a new season and new challenges as well. After dispatching the villain Godspeed in Season 7, Barry Allen @ The Flash has a lot to get used to, starting with his children from the future who choose to remain in his current time, and the unknown whereabouts of his archenemy, Reverse-Flash. The new season will kick off with a five-episode crossover event, Armageddon, and fans can also binge-watch seasons 1-6 on HBO GO. Stars Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Jesse L. Martin, Carmen Moore, Tony Curran, and Tom Cavanagh.
It premieres on Wednesday, 17 November 2021 at 9pm on Warner TV (Astro Channel 712 / UnifiTV Channel 451). A new episode premieres every Wednesday at the same time.

Wonder Woman 1984 (20 November 2021)

The sequel to 2017’s record-breaking Wonder Woman finds Diana Prince @ Wonder Woman in the 1980s where she faces two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah. Directed by Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot reprises the title role with her iconic Lasso of Truth, bullet-deflecting cuffs and Amazonian determination to fight evil. Also stars Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen.
In the meantime, check outÂ my official review hereÂ andÂ a post-review spoiler piece here. Recently,Â Wonder Woman 1984Â has also been called out and slammed online for depicting Arabs in an offensive manner (head on over here for the full story).
It premieres on Saturday, 20 November 2021 at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO (Astro Channel 411).

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


Dizzy, HusKers Among Top Tier Pros Competing In Apex Legends EXP Invitational

ESPN recently revealed the full lineup of professional players competing at the biggest Apex legends esports events so far, the Apex Legends EXP Invitational at X Games Minneapolis. We’ve been given a taste of what Apex Legends has to offer in esports last week with the EXP Pro-Am Apex Legends event and it was filled with epic moments.
A total of 20 pro teams will be dropping in King’s Canyon this August with prominent players such as NRG dizzy, Rogue HusKers, both who performed beyond expectations in the EXP Pro-Am exhibition matches, and much more to spice up the arena.
Pro Teams
Here’s the full list of teams that will be participating:

Team Rogue

HusKers
Dropped
sweetdreams

Rogue HusKers makes a return after EXP Pro-Am.

Misfits Gaming

helping
Moose
losido

NRG

dizzy
aceu
Mohr

Team Liquid

Casper
Flanker
Nasticle

TSM

ImperialHal
Albralelie
Reps

Cloud9

Grego
Frexs
Overpowered

T1

BcJ
Zerg
Kurt

FNATIC

iShiny
Muffinzz
Spirit

Luminosity Gaming

choosy
Yogi
Crank

Alliance

LAZXR
Vaifs
Lowley

Tempo Storm

Solveful
ASsert
MonsoonGG

Team Snip3down

Snip3down
ZeroNothing
Mimu

Complexity

Gabeismon
Reptar
Kyraig

Counter Logic Gaming

NiceWigg
lyric
Nokokopuffs

Gen.G Esports*

GrimReality
dummy
silkthread

NAGANO1998*

radek
Davsa
akeu

Pomp The Muscles*

K4SHERA
PostKiLLSLIM
smythj

Sentinels*

zombie
retzi
SENOXE

SSLCK DADDY CLUBB*

Logicly
MoePork
SSLCK

Athletico*

BulletL
Leon
heykatie

Teams marked with ‘*’ denotes they qualified after competing in open online qualifiers on 29 June.
Format

20 pro teams face off each other in a private lobby over the course of 12 total matches.
These teams will face off for total prize money of US$150,000 (RM617,105) which will be split between teams according to their final placements.
The scoring system has not been revealed yet and is expected to be announced at a future date closer to the competition, which brings us to the next question…
When Can We Catch The Games?
The Apex Legends EXP Invitational hosted by X Games will be held on 3 August and 4 August from 4 AM to 9 AM both days local time (GMT +8).
Can Dizzy pull off another victory this time around?
You can tune in to the following channels to catch the pros live in action; The ESPN app, ESPN Esports Twitch Channel, EA Twitch Channel, and ESPN Esports YouTube and Twitter channels.
This event will be the biggest Apex Legends esports event so far and features top players from around the world to compete. There is a lot going on the line for these teams. I reckon the weekend will be a great weekend for fans of the game everywhere.


Sea Of Thieves’ Lofty Ambitions Will Make Your Inner Pirate Moist

It’s been far too long since we’ve had a pirate simulator, or a game involving pirates, sailing, and a good cocktail mix of plundering and skullduggery.
True, we can go back to seafaring fares like Sid Meier’s Pirates or Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Or we can play that Monkey Island remake if we just want to get to the comedic aspect of it. However, you’re just replaying games of past yarr..I mean yore. We need something new to fill in that yo-ho-ho-and-a-bottle-of-rum void.
Enter Sea of Thieves, an upcoming pirate simulator game from old-time developer Rare that will be out for Xbox One and PC (via Windows 10). Long story short, you and a group of three other players set sail to find treasure and return it to your home base to increase your pirate status. The end goal is to max out your legendary pirate status; that’s easier said than done as there are tons of other folks online who want to do the same thing.
After playing the closed beta and checking out the latest updates, we’re pretty confident that this game might be the one to get the Xbox One console out of its current-gen funk. Our reasons come sixfold.
This is Truly A Pirate’s Game
Sea of Thieves is a new type of mass multiplayer game where you play a free-roaming pirate. Whoever you team up with or fight against is up to you. There is no safe spot in Sea of Thieves. In a genius move from Rare, you are vulnerable to betrayal at any time when you’re carrying treasure or even raiding forts.
Every corner of the world is filled with islands and coves containing buried treasure and secrets; you have no set path or route to take since there’s no leveling-up system. Everyone has the same set of skills, but you can’t achieve piracy alone; you can, but it’s tougher (more on that later).
You and your crew can pretty much go anywhere and uncover the hidden lore and secrets of the game.

Naval combat in Sea of Thieves (where else would most of it be set on?) is just like being a pirate on a ship. You have to load up your ship’s cannons to fire at enemies. If your ship is getting battered, you need to divide your time and your crew’s to either make ship repairs and fighting back potential boarders.
Remember that no man’s land concept in EVE Online? This is the PG-version of it. It’s got the Rare cartoony googly eyes look, but the open world online gameplay is going to stir up a lot of watercooler/coffeeshop talk since everyone’s experience is going to be vastly different.
Teamwork Matters
At the start, you get to pick whether to pilot a big ship (with a max crew) or sail alone on a smaller ship. Do not select the latter; Sea of Thieves requires you to group up with randoms or pals to set sail and loot/pillage together. Co-operation is a key word in this open world pirate game. Find new people to plunder with, or convince three other pals to join you in your epic seafaring quest.
Unless you’re really good, it’s best to have more people piloting the ship or even go on expeditions and fort raids with.

Your Crew’s Legacy Will Be Known Far & Wide
If you finish all the main quests and epic quests, you will gain access to a secret pirate hideout exclusive to pirate legends. The actual cove contains a ship that’s retrofitted inside the pub. All players who are legends will appear as pirate ghosts in this area.
So how long does it take to get there? It depends, according to the developers. You can either get lucky in a few days and score a Captain’s Ship haul that can bump up your status, or it can take a week or so as you’re grinding voyages and playing it safe.
The Premium Shop Will Sell Awesome-Looking Pets
Sea Of Thieves will ditch loot boxes in favour of exclusive pets. After the game’s launch, developer Rare will start launching a premium item shop that will allow players to pay real money for non-essentials.
The game’s pets, be it a monkey or a parrot, can be used by the player who bought it and by other people; it’ll still be tied to the buyer’s account. In a way, you get a sneak preview of the critter before you get one of your own.

There’s A Friggin’ Kraken To Fight(?) Off…
What would a pirate game be without the legendary giant ship-eating squid? The legendary kraken can strike at any time in the game; it’s not so much a big boss as it is a force of nature. There will be telltale signs, like inky masses within the water that denotes the last place the kraken was so you can sail the opposite direction.
But when it pops up, prepare to get wrecked. There’s a lot that can happen: it can attack and latch onto three ships at the same time. Or it can just zero in on one sole ship. Either way, you can fend it off temporarily or escape to fight another day. Or you can be a true pirate and come back later to loot the remains and wreckage from the aftermath.
Elements like this and the already-wild nature of Sea of Thieves will make this online game a cut above the rest.
… And A Big-As-Heck Endgame
Once you’ve reached the secret cove with the pirate legends, you can then take on Legendary voyages, which will be the most challenging fights and quests you’ll be taking on in the game. These are the equivalent of MMO raids, which means that you’ll be storming tough forts and fighting high-powered commander ships and fleets.
Your tireless slog will net you lovely rewards that are so unique you won’t find them anywhere else in the game. These include clothes or weapons made out of kraken bones, and even undead skins so you can be a literal skeleton crew. Players who have achieved legendary status can share their voyages with others, but they’re expected to pull in their weight.
Sea of Thieves will be out March 20 for Xbox One and PC.Â


Crysis 2 And Crysis 3 To Be Remastered For PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, & PC

The Crytek flagship game Crysis and its sequels, Crysis 2 and Crysis 3, will be remastered and slated for Fall 2021.
Ths first-person shooters, renowned for their open-ended first-person shooter gameplay and high-quality graphics that breaks PCs, will be bundled under a remastered trilogy. If you want the games individually, you can do that too! Product quote below from project lead Steffen Halbig:
“Weâ€™re excited to announce that these iconicÂ Crysis games are returning in one bundle, remastered for a new generation of hardware. Each game is enhanced to look and play beautifully on todayâ€™s platforms, delivering the finestÂ Crysis experience for both newcomers to our classic franchise or players wishing to relive the adventure.”
Watch the Crysis Remastered Trilogy trailer below:


Is EA Going Free-To-Play With Battlefield 5 Firestorm Battle Royale?

The most popular battle royale titles are often those with a free-to-play model. Games like Fortnite and Apex Legends amassed massive amounts of players due to that major reason. The question is will EA follow suit by adopting the model for Battlefield 5‘s firestorm battle royale mode?
Unfortunately, the answer is no, for now, that is. In an interview with VG247, Criterion Games senior designer John Stanley said:

â€œAt the moment, itâ€™s really important for Firestorm to come out and be part of Battlefield 5. Obviously, there are multiple links when you are playing Firestorm that tie back into Battlefield 5, so any XP you earn ties back into Tides of War and Chapter Ranks and all these kind of things.
The same applies to weapons and vehicles that you use in Firestorm. Itâ€™s really important for that to be a part of this at this point and be a way for Battlefield players to experience something different in the Battlefield universe. Thatâ€™s where weâ€™re at.â€

The firestorm battle royal mode is slated to arrive on 25 March 2019 as a free add-on for existing owners of Battlefield 5. However, the fact remains that Battlefield 5‘s 7 million or so player base will pale in comparison to Apex Legends‘ current 50 million.
In the meantime, check out this new official gameplay trailer for Battlefield 5 Firestorm below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxGMp3h9S7w&w=560&h=315]


Is Gamescom Going Digital?

Europe’s biggest video game expo may need to go online.
According to German news agency dpa, Germany has extended a ban on large public gatherings until 31st August due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Since Gamescom is scheduled from 25th to 29th August, the event may be a no-go since the event will pull a large crowd. 2018’s event was attended by 370,000 people, if you need a frame of reference.
However, Gamescom has not pulled the plug yet. The ban will “affect the planning” for the show, but the event will “definitely take place digitally”. More details on that will be revealed later.

? Even though not all details are known at present, the nationwide ban on major events until the end of August will also affect the planning for #gamescom2020. Furthermore: gamescom 2020 will definitely take place digitally! We will provide further information shortly. ?
— gamescom (@gamescom) April 15, 2020

With this happening, will this affect Gamescom Asia? Most likely no, since that event is happening on 15th to 18th October. Hopefully by the time October hits, the world will be back to normal again and Asians can get the offline Gamescom experience.


FIFA 23 Has 10.3 Million Players In Its First Week

Football roster game updates sure have their place within video game corporations, as they’re guaranteed money draws. And EA’s latest footie title has proven that once again.
EA claims that its latest football game FIFA 23 has enjoyed a record-breaking launch in terms of first-week player numbers. The game has attracted over 10.3 million players in its first week of availability. For comparison, FIFA 22 attracted 9.1 million players in the first 10 days since its release last year. Here’s the official press release quip:

“The response from our fans has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re thrilled that our community is playing with their favourite players and teams across FIFA 23 in record numbers. With both the Men’s and Women’s World Cups, and exciting updates to our women’s club football content in game still yet to come, we’re just getting started on providing players with the most authentic and immersive experience yet.”

For more on how FIFA 23 fared, check out our review from Kakuchopurei’s resident sports expert Kenn Leandre, who believes that it’s the sendoff the franchise deserves.


Apex Legends Will Be Changing Up Self-Revives In The Future

Here’s some meta-shifting news for you hardcore Apex Legends players out there. Respawn producer Josh Medina has revealed that the team will be making changes to the Knockdown Shield’s self-resurrection abilities.
Why? Because a lot of Apex Legends players are asking for changes. For context, any Apex Legends player with a legendary knockdown shield are given a chance to self-resurrect once they’ve been knocked out. Among all the legendary armour in the game that gives you unique passives, this seems to be the most sought-after in a match.
Even pros like TSM’s Reps are crying foul over this OP ability, asking that the self-revive should only work if at least one of your teammates is still alive in the arena. The shield’s perk actually messes up final kills and placements at the very last minute, causing ire in the competitive scene.

Yeah, you can completely wipe a team in a top 3 scenario and still get 3rd place because of self res since the other team will third party your fight. Not only do you lose placement points, but you lose all 3 kill points.
— TSMFTX Albralelie (@TSM_Albralelie) May 31, 2020

At the very least, Respawn is at it with the oncoming updates.


[Report] Layoffs Hit PlayStation During PS5 Announcement

While the world was rejoicing over the confirmation of the PS5 (and its official release window), it turns out that something sinister was happening behind closed doors, drowned by all the PS5 euphoria.
According to various sources (via Video Game Chronicle), the directors of Sony Interactive Entertainment America (SIEA) visited Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE) in London on Tuesday (when the PS5 news broke) to announce the restructuring of several divisions, including marketing and PR, in a move to supposedly unify these different divisions.
Affected employees were given a notice for re-interviews, while a number of employees in the US-based creative services team were laid off. At least one of the victims of the layoffs spoke out about what happened on his/her/their Twitter account:

I was part of the creative services team at #PlayStation that got #laidoff today. This group of talented & passionate people are out of a job & now #lookingforwork. If youâ€™re hiring for project coordinators, managers, & designers please post below!
â€” JC (@JC_Art_) October 8, 2019
This is all apparently part of the worldwide PlayStation’s effort towards a more centralised global structure of sorts, the conflict and turmoil of which was recently hinted at in the sudden departure of former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden and SIE Japan-Asia president / SIE Japan director Atsushi Morita.
It seems like SIEA will be leading the charge on globalisation efforts, as all other divisions like SIEE and SIE Japan-Asia will presumably be taking orders from them in the complex transition to the next generation of gaming with the PS5.
SIEA’s is so dominant that sources told Video Game Chronicle that SIEE reportedly wasn’t even aware of the former’s decision to reveal the PS5’s details exclusively on online publication Wired.
The number of PlayStation employees who were laid off was never properly disclosed if SIE’s reply to Video Game Chronicle (they declined to comment on the issue) is any indication.
Despite these sad turn of events, it’s heartening to see major game devs like State Of Decay developer Undead Labs, Sniper Elite franchise developers Rebellion Developments, and even PlayStation rivals Xbox Games Marketing general manager Aaron Greenberg all offering jobs to the person who was laid off (and tweeted).


Sonic Frontiers Won’t Be Delayed Following Recent Gameplay Reveal

Sonic Team studio head Takashi Iizuka said on Video Game Chronicles that its upcoming game Sonic Frontiers will not be delayed and be released on schedule for 2022.
Turns out the #DelaySonicFrontiers was trending on Twitter earlier this month after fans expressed disappointment over the new footage and videos of the game in action. Here’s what Iizuka has to say:
“It’s not really that surprising. We do realise everyone is just kind of reacting to the videos that they saw, and because they don’t understand what this new gameplay is they’re kind of comparing it to other games that they already know.
So we do see a lot of people saying, ‘oh, it’s kind of like this, it’s kind of like that, but it’s not like this, it’s not like that’. And really, the team is going out and creating this new game format for Sonic, and we’re calling it an ‘open zone’ format. And this new game system itself is something that doesn’t really exist in any other comparable titles, so we really hope that from here until launch we can really explain what open zone gameplay is.
If people come to Gamescom or Tokyo Game Show, [they can] get that hands-on experience to play the game and understand what the game is. Because right now we’re just kind of watching videos of people reacting to what they believe the game to be.”
There’s a lot to unpack here:

If you’re that confident about your game, just release a demo of the game to get real public feedback.
I’m not sure what this “new format” is, but the old ways of showing people theh game other people are playing in direct feeds seem to work just great for other games.

In any case, the new gameplay via Gematsu seems to show off better things than what the IGN early previews led many fans to believe. Sonic Frontiers will be out in Holiday 2022 for PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.


The PS5 Is Getting A Cosmic Horror FPS Exclusive Ã€ La Dead Space

Kings of Lorn: The Fall of Ebris developer TeamKill Media has announced Quantum Error, a â€œcosmic horrorâ€ first-person shooter for the PS5 and PS4. After Godfall and WRC 9, this is one of several new games confirmed for the upcoming next-gen console, as well as one of its first confirmed exclusives.
Could Quantum Error be a PS5 launch game? We don’t know yet for sure, but the fact that the title is also coming to PS4 as a cross-gen release strongly indicates that this will be a title that will likely be launching pretty soon.
Not much has been revealed about Quantum Error so far, besides the fact that it’ll be something like a cross between Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation and Bethesda’s Prey reboot, but most importantly, it looks like a successor to Visceral Games’ Dead Space.
The developer has also confirmed that they’re targeting a 4K 60FPS experience for Quantum Error on the PS5. The game will also utilize the PS5’s revolutionary 3D audio technology and ray-tracing capabilitiesÂ (check out more details on PS5 specs here).
A tweet from the official Twitter account for Quantum Error earlier today showcased one of the weapons from the game; an RPG.

RPG anyone? ðŸ˜ˆ#quantumerrorgame #ue4 #ps5 #ps4 #cosmichorror #fps #gamedev #firstpersonshooter #rocketlauncher pic.twitter.com/YkLRAR1CyI
â€” QUANTUM ERROR (@quantum_error) March 30, 2020

In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vf9l4Jk2OQ&w=560&h=315]


Borderlands 3’s Vault Hunters Are Getting A New Purple Skill Tree & More

Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing just wrapped up its livestream on the digital event PAX At Home 2020, and it’s quite a tease if you’re a Borderlands 3 fan.
After a table read featuring the VOs for Patricia Tannis, Ellie, Krieg, Maurice, and Sir Hammerlock, as well as a bunch of Gearbox Publishing games, the company reveals its Borderlands 3 plans for 2020.
Borderlands 3 Vault Hunters Purple Skill Tree

Each Vault Hunter will get a new purple tree in an upcoming DLC, as well as new game modes. FL4K gets a Hyperion Ion Loader bot as a pet via the Trapper skill tree; it comes in different flavours as you unlock more skills. It also gives FL4K crowd control via the Gravity Snare action skill; it knocks up and temporarily stuns nearby enemies. The capstone ability for this tree doubles FL4K’s shield and emphasizes their overall survivability.
Here are the revealed skills for FL4K’s new purple skill tree so far:
Success Imminent (5 points) – Whenever FL4K’s or their Pets shield breaks or is filled, they and their pet create a Radiation Nova. This skill has a short cooldown. Nova damage increases and cooldown decreases with each point.
Better Toys (3 points) – FL4K and their pet gain increased Shield Recharge Delay (+6% per point) and Shield Recharge Rate (-8% per point).
Lethal Force Authorized (1 point) – Whenever FL4K’s Loader Bot Pet would go into Fight For Your Life, it turns into an EXP Loader instead and seeks out a nearby enemy before self-destructing, dealing damage to all nearby enemies. FL4K’s Pet’s respawn time is reduced. Initial rank – Pet respawn time: -50%, EXP Loader Damage: 1769.
Take This! (1 point) – FL4K’s Pet gains a copy of FL4K’s shield.
Wooly Armor (1 point) – While FL4K’s shields are full, their Pet gains Damage Reduction. +75% percent.
Fuzzy Math (5 points) – Whenever FL4K or their Pet scores a critical hit, a portion of FL4K’s and their Pet’s shields are restored (6% of Max Shield at start).
Keep Them Safe (5 points) – Whenever FL4K issues an Attack Command, if FL4K’s or their Pet’s shield is less than half full, a portion of FL4K’s and their Pet’s are restored. This skill has a short cooldown. Initial rank – Shield Restore: 10% of Max Shields, Cooldown: 12 seconds.
Capacitance (1 point) – Whenever FL4K activates their Action Skill, they gain greatly-increased Shield Capacity for a short time and immediately begin recharging their shields. This skill has a short cooldown. Initial rank – Shield Capacity: +100%, Duration: 16 seconds, Cooldown: 16 seconds.
There will be more reveals later down the line, but based on a previous leak, we have a good idea what the next skills are. Moze summons a mini-version of the Iron Bear, Zane has a Shoulder Cannon, and Amara summons a “Phaseball” thingy that explodes and does a bunch of debuffs on enemies when you punch it. Keep in mind that this update and the subsequent DLCs will be separate from the current Season Pass. More info will come soon.
Borderlands 3 Will Be Out For Xbox Series X & PS5
The best part about this announcement? If you own the Xbox One or PS4 version of the game, you’ll get the Xbox Series X and PS5 version for free respectively.
Borderlands Swag
WETA and Gearbox are teaming up to bring you a figurine of Lilith and Mr Torgue. Hell yeah to the latter. They cost US$29.99 each.

And now, the games.
Tribes of Midgard

An action RPG with a lovely bright art style and is set during the Norse apocalypse where you have to defend Yggdrasil & fight Midgard beasties. Not only do you need to kill enemies at night, but set up and fortify your village near Yggdrasil.
Every couple of days, a giant will spawn and march towards your village to take it down; otherwise it’s game over. You can either play solo or with friends like any action-RPG. Coming 2021 for PS5 and PC (Steam).
Godfall
Here’s the pricing for Godfall. You can either pay US$60 for the regular version or pay US$90 for the Ascended Edition which adds in the first expansion and “digital cosmetic contents”. Anyone who preorders the game will get Zero’s sword from the Borderlands series.

Out Holiday 2020. Check out the full showcase below.


Untitled Goose Game Is Honking Its Way To The PS4 Next Week

Sony Interactive Entertainmentâ€™s final State Of Play presentation for 2019 has revealed that the previously Nintendo Switch exclusive, Untitled Goose Game, by indie developer House House is officially coming to the PS4 very, very soon.
How soon?
Untitled Goose Game is slated to release for the PS4 next week on 17 December 2019. The PS4 version of the game will feature several additions not available in the Switch version, such as the Dualshock 4’s light bar flashing orange when the player honks.
While being relatively short at only several hours long in length, Untitled Goose Game has managed to become a phenomenon thanks to its charming visuals and gameplay. Players assume the role of a goose whose only purpose is seemingly to honk at people and steal their stuff, which is extremely fun.
However, there’s no word yet on if the game will be releasing for the PC or Xbox One. The PS4 version will cost US$19.99 (or roughly RM83+), though it will probably cheaper on the regional stores over here.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxFAT5aOMgg&w=560&h=315]


PlayStation’s Play Online Stay Connected Campaign Offers Amazing Prizes

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore (SIES) has announced that there will be a â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ campaign to encourage people to play games with friends from 15Â September to 17 October 2021. Sign up for the campaign and play online multiplayer games can have chances to win exclusive prizes.
Besides, there will be a retail promotion from 29Â September to 26 October 2021. Customers who purchase PlayStation gift cards at selected stores will receive a premium bonus Ice Mold, while stocks last. Letâ€™s stay cool and enjoy online multiplayer games with friends on PlayStation.
â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ Official Website:
https://www.playstation.com/en-my/local/campaigns/play-online-stay-connected/
â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ Details
â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ will be held from 15Â September to 17 October 2021. To participate in the campaign, entrants just need to log in to an account for PlayStationâ„¢Network (PSN)Â onÂ www.playstation.com and register at â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ Official Website.
Upon successful entry, each entrant will becomeÂ part of the Community and be eligible to win exclusive prizes by achieving the goals.
Campaign Challenges

Challenges
Description
Prizes

Game 1: â€œStayâ€ Challenge (All Participants)
All entrants who sign up for the campaign will win Game 1 and be awarded the exclusive in-game item of â€œHunter’s Arena: Legendâ€ – Ancient Weapon.

Game 2: â€œConnectedâ€ Challenge (Community Goal)
Any online multi-player gameplay hoursÂ will count in the achievement record for Community Goal. Once it achieves 300,000 hours, all entrants in the community will win Game 2 and be awarded the exclusive 6 PSN Avatars Featuring Online Multiplayer Game Genre.

Game 3: â€œPlay Onlineâ€ Challenge (Top 20 Entrants for the longest hours in online multiplayer mode)
The Top 20 entrants per each country/region who play the longest hours (total playing time) in online multiplayer modeÂ will win Game 3 and be awarded Rock Glass & Ice Mold Premium Box Set.
The Top 3 entrants per each country/region will be awarded a PS Store Voucher of value RM2,050 in addition to the Rock Glass & Ice Mold Premium Box Set.

Free Online Multiplayer Weekend
From 2Â to 4Â October 2021, there will be a free online multiplayer weekend*3. Letâ€™s play online and connect with friends!
Online multiplayer game recommendation:
https://www.playstation.com/en-my/ps-plus/online-multiplayer/
Retail Promotion Details (SG and MY ONLY)
From 29Â September to 26Â October 2021, customers who purchase PS Plus 12-month membership voucher or PS Store MYR 200 gift card at selected retailers will receive a premium bonus Ice Mold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Selected retailer lists:Â
https://www.playstation.com/en-my/local/retailers/
Meanwhile, PS Plus subscribers can expand their game collection with Septemberâ€™s Monthly GamesÂ with â€œOvercooked! All You Can Eatâ€, â€œHITMAN 2â€ and â€œPredator: Hunting Groundsâ€. Join PS Plus now to enhance your PlayStation experience.
For more information, please visit the â€œPlay Online, Stay Connectedâ€ Official Website.
Keep in mind the following:

This challenge is open only to an individual who has an account where the area of residence of the account holder must be Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
Games in online multi-player mode only and not applicable for Free-to-Play, local multiplayer and single-player modes. Internet and PS Plus are required to enjoy online multiplayer mode. PS Plus subscription is required to enjoy online multiplayer mode. Check out the popular online multi-player game recommendation from PlayStation.
PS5 and PS4 games with online mode. Internet and account for PSN required. Games shown are sold separately. FIFA 22 will be available to play from 1Â October and all editions of FIFA 22 will be eligible for this event.
Available from 7Â September to 4 October 2021. Monthly games are accessible for the duration of PS Plus subscription only.
PS5 Console Only. Benefit not applicable for â€œOvercooked! All You Can Eatâ€ on PS4.


The Possibility Of A Final Fantasy X-3 Is Not Zero, But…

Fans of Final Fantasy X and its girl-power sequel might be hoping for a follow-up to the story of Tidus and Yuna. And Square Enix might deliver that.
I said “might” because according to character designer Tetsuya Nomura, event director Motomu Toriyama, and scenario writer Kazushige Nojima in a long interview with Famitsu, the JRPG-making company may want to revisit the Final Fantasy X universe one day. But it has to focus on current Final Fantasy projects first.
“Nojima has more or less written an outline of what aÂ Final Fantasy X-3 would look like if it existed. [The audio drama]Â Final Fantasy X: WillÂ and [novel sequel]Â Final Fantasy X-2.5Â were written based on this. Itâ€™s dormant now, but the concept itself exists.
The possibility isnâ€™t zero. But I canâ€™t talk about it until we finish production onÂ Final Fantasy VII Remake first.”
You heard it here, folks. Until Square Enix wraps up Final Fantasy VII Remake, all of its sequels, we won’t be seeing any development or word on a Final Fantasy X sequel anytime soon.


University E-League Season 3 Set For A Big Sendoff

University e-League (UEL) Season 3’s Grand Finals are just around the corner and will showcase the highest level of collegiate esports in Malaysia. The Grand Finals will be on 10–11 December.
This season, over 60 universities from across the country participated in the preliminary rounds held over four weeks between October and November. With the number dwindled down to only 16 universities, they will take centre stage to compete for the title and a prize pool of RM20,000 in FIFA 22, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant and PUBG Mobile.
Among some of the finalists are Sunway University, Taylors University, INTI University, and University Teknologi Mara (UiTM) which have been making headlines as the frontrunners, while universities such as Jesselton University College, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have been dubbed as the dark horses in the competition.

One of the most anticipated fixtures of the event features Taylor’s University’s ‘Taylor’s Elite’ going head-to-head against ‘Sumaki 2.0’ from UiTM in the Grand Finals of the Mobile Legends series. Leading up to the Grand Finals, Taylor’s University had gone undefeated, cruising their way through the Upper Bracket, whereas UiTM faced tough competition, yet came out victorious against the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in the Lower Brackets.
Syafiq “Helios” Irfan from Taylor’s University said:
“UEL certainly showcases the level of esports talent coming out of universities from across the country. While we are extremely proud to have made it to the Grand Finals, we are now laser-focused and determined to win. With months of training and preparation for this event, we hope that students and esports enthusiasts will tune in to catch us at the finals this weekend.”

Catch the UEL Grand Finals live this Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 December on their official YouTube channel UEL YouTube channel.
For more updates and information on University e-League, visit UEL’s official Instagram or visit their website here.


Will Minecraft Legends Break The Curse Of Real-Time Strategy Titles On Consoles?

When you think “PC” and “real-time strategy games”, you think StarCraft, WarCraft, Dune, and Command & Conquer. When you think “consoles” and that genre, what immediately floods my mind are “half-assed ports of existing PC RTSs”, “Brutal Legends”, and “Halo Wars”. The latter two points are what made the genre viable on a controller-based platform despite their flaws, though to be fair titles like Smite do prove that arguably better as well.
My two hours with publisher Mojang, and developers Xbox Game Studios and Blackbird Interactive’s upcoming title Minecraft Legends prove that there is hope that the curse can be lifted. As mentioned by Mojang executive producer Dennis Ries, the one way to do this is to dub the game as an action strategy game, staying away from the real-time strategy moniker.
Voxel Vindication

Yes, you still create units from spawn points, build things from scratch and gather resources with the power of singing and cutely playing your musical instrument (which also makes the Brutal Legend comparison kind of apt). However, your Minecraft Legends hero you control in a third-person perspective can defend themselves. And also explore a world with quests and missions in a procedurally-generated biome, following a cinematic story according to Ries.
“[Calling it an RTS] just doesn’t feel the same. Part of that is that you really feel like you’re in there with your troops. And you matter.”
This is a friendlier approach to the whole genre when it comes to making it work on a console and controller setup. Yes, you can still play it with a keyboard and mouse setup, but the theme around Minecraft Legends’ design is approachability. Much like Double Fine’s efforts and aspects of Halo Wars, you have a point character to use and build things with Minecraft style from walls to gateways, to even archery towers and “pushback” towers for defense; standard for an RTS title. At the same time, you need to explore the land for major resources to build basic fortifications and spawning pools, as well as fend off Piglins and other enemies by yourself at times.
Starting from the lower “building tier”, you start with wood and stone for base-level units. You can then move on with diamonds, iron, and other rare resources by building Improvement Hubs, which then require “attachment” structures around them to get more upgrades for yourself and your building prowess.
All this (along with other-needed Improvements) to create bigger and better armies, which is part and parcel of any strategy title involving tons of mass army conflicts. These include Warriors (with the trademark Minecraft villagers with axes) and Creepers who act as suicide bombers that work well against structures and barricades.
You’ll also end up mining for redstone which leads to you being able to build redstone catapults that can throw ballistics from afar to enemy bases. This seems like a go-to tactic for some of us, especially in PvP mode which we’ll talk about in a bit, but that requires a lot of pre-planning and hoping your enemies aren’t quick on the uptake. Fighting against the Piglin horde in the game’s Campaign, which involves saving villagers and destroying Piglin strongholds with your golem army and elite tower defense planning skills, is fun. But it isn’t the same as fighting human opponents.

Face Off

As with any action strategy title, PvP might be a crowd favourite. Mojang’s Minecraft games haven’t been a completely head-to-head affair, but Minecraft Legends might fill in that long-empty void. In the PvP mode we played, the objective is to destroy the enemy’s main base. It’s three players against three players, with each team sharing resources and also planning to divvy up duties. From our team’s end during the play session, we split and switch up duties from gathering resources to building fortifications, to even harassing the enemy team with a makeshift army until the three of us went for the kill. At times, we even had to shift gathering duties around as some resources weren’t available in certain spots on the map.
Unlike campaign mode, Ries said the PvP mode’s procedurally generated map had to be smaller due to balance and time issues; there would be too much distance between players if the campaign map was used. He also encouraged everyone to play through the Campaign since it’s meant to train people to eventually get to PvP mode.
“The core structure is in the campaign mode, and the way it teaches you like with how destroying Piglin structures generate Prisaline for upgrades is deliberate.”

While both modes play pretty well, with spot-on controls for movement and commanding your army on the fly, there are some wrinkles to bring up. For one, it can be tough to properly place certain structures like extended walls until you get the hang of the analog stick movement and placement. Also, some hotkeys in your default building/gathering/spawn point menu at the bottom centre do not display everything despite some empty spaces.
You need to manually click the right stick to open up your Book of Song, then quickly add in the extra build options. Doing this on the fly isn’t the most convenient way, but we’re guessing you can set this up before an actual PvP match.
These minor gripes do not sour the fact that Minecraft Legends might be the one console strategy title that really makes use of its perspective shift to give new life to the classic real-time strategy genre; loads of potential in other words. It remains to be seen if the full game might warm the cold hearts of stout RTS enthusiasts, but Minecraft is meant to be a franchise that breaks down gatekeeping and barriers for all to play.
As to how the game will extend its lifespan post-launch, Ries said that there will be a marketplace like in other Minecraft games powered by its in-house engine Bedrock. There will also be a Lost Legends mode involving a multitude of challenges. One of them is Portal Pile, where it’s a team of three players against a horde of Piglins and other enemies trying to destroy a village you’re protecting. If you are successful against a certain number of waves, since it seems like an endless mode, you’ll win exclusive hero skins.
“We’re happy to support the game post-launch, as it’s always been our plan. While we have don’t have crossovers to talk about for now, we do have more in store.”
Minecraft Legends will be out for PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation consoles on 18th of April. It’ll also be out on Xbox and PC Game Pass on Day One.


LEGO Super Mario Adds Donkey Kong & Dry Bowser Set

Just like the trailer for Super Mario Bros movie, LEGO is showcasing some Mario and Donkey Kong love in its latest set.
Nintendo and LEGO has teased plans to bring Donkey Kong to the Super Mario LEGO block-filled universe. The Donkey Kong figure will be out this Summer, but there’s no word on whether it’ll be accompanied by a jungle playset or anything involving Donkey Kong and his element.
“The Lego Super Mario universe is about to get even bigger with more adventures, exciting characters and new worlds. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”
Apart from that, Nintendo and LEGO also showcased the next Super Mario expansion set: Dry Bowser Castle Battle. This big set will be out on 1st August.

Nintendo is going all out with its LEGO sets with the Lego NES console, the LEGO Super Mario 64-themed question block, and LEGO Bowser. There’s a LEGO The Legend of Zelda set planned, but there won’t be any announcement for that anytime soon.


These Are The 20 Games For The Neo Geo Arcade Stick

We talked about the Neo Geo Arcade Stick a while ago, but we don’t know what games are in the machine. Now we do (via IT Media).
Here’s the full list:

The King of Fighters â€˜95
The King of Fighters â€˜97
The King of Fighters â€˜98
The King of Fighters â€˜99
The King of Fighters 2000
The King of Fighters 2002
Fatal Fury Special
Fatal Fury 3
Garou: Mark of Wolves
Samurai Shodown II
Samurai Shodown III
Samurai Shodown IV
Samurai Shodown V
The Art of Fighting
World Heroes 2
World Heroes 2 Jet
World Heroes Perfect
Ninja Masterâ€™s
The Last Blade 2
Kizuna Encounter

Good line-up. Too bad there’s no Twinkle Star Sprites and Samurai Shodown V Special. And no Real Bout Fatal Fury games. Do we really need 6 KOF games when ’98 is the only version you need?
Also, the above list is for the international version. There’s a chance the device will have different games for certain regions.
Top image credit: Kotaku


Disgaea 6 Is Coming Out In English This June

Strategy game fans rejoice! The long-awaited sixth mothership entry in the Disgaea franchise will be out in English.
Disgaea 6 will be punching strategy RPGs in the throat on 29th June for Nintendo Switch. There’s no news of a PS4 version of the game though, which may be bad news for most players who don’t have Nintendo’s console.
Disgaea 6 features new 3D graphics that are in spirit with the classic 2D sprites from past titles, a new cast of characters and new classes like the Psychic, new combo & special attacks, and some new base mechanics like the Juice Bar.
Check out the gameplay of this SRPG below.


You Can Now Pre-Order This Detailed Patlabor Figure

Veteran anime and manga fans will remember the classic Mobile Police Patlabor animated movies and series, featuring the iconic mecha design of the Patlabor Ingram mecha. Award-winning director Guillermo Del Toro even cites Patlabor as one of the many influences for his 2013 movie Pacific Rim.
The ‘Robo Road Ingram Unit 2 + Unit 3 Compatible Set’ is currently available for pre-order on the threezero official website. The price is US$129 (including international shipping), or roughly RM552+ when converted to local currency.
The ‘Robo Road Ingram Unit 2 + Unit 3 Compatible Set’ is a movable figure of 1/35 scale (approximately 23cm in height) that features nearly 50 movable points with a zinc die-cast frame.
In addition, it’s made of the following material (ABS, PVC, and POM), while the elbows, wrists, waist, and knees are covered with cloth to reproduce the silhouette of Ingram. Impressively, the cockpit cover can be opened and closed, and the inside cockpit seat can even carry a pilot figure (with figures of Isao Ota and Shinobu Nagumo included).
The cockpit seat can be raised and lowered, while a bulletproof windshield can be deployed when looking at the pilot’s head from the neck of Ingram.

The patrol lamps on both shoulders of the Ingram mecha are equipped with two red and yellow LEDs that flash alternately (however, this will require 4 AG1 button batteries required). The equipment includes a hand revolver cannon, a stun stick (extended and retracted), a riot gun, and a shield for the left forearm (which can accommodate a stunned inwardly retracted stun stick).

Replaceable and changeable parts include a face part for Unit 2 with the faceguard raised and various wrist parts with different poses. Last but not least, the ROBOT common action stand is also included.

In the meantime, hereâ€™s a fun fact for Patlabor fans who are gamers. His most recent appearance in a video game was in 2017â€™sÂ City Shrouded in Shadow, which was (unfortunately) exclusively released in Japan.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyu4lZqOGg0&w=560&h=315]


PlayStation VR2 Will Be Out In Early 2023

Sony has finally committed to a release window for its upcoming PlayStation 5 virtual reality headset and its controllers.
The PlayStation VR2 will release in early 2023 according to the company; the news was announced on PlayStation’s Instagram account. Analysts like TF International Securities has claimed the headset will start mass production this year, launching in the first quarter of 2023, so the impending announcement isn’t far-fetched.
“[Our] latest supply chain check suggests that the assembler and several component providers of PS VR2 will start mass production with about 1.5M units shipments in [the second half of] 2022. Sony may launch it in Q1 23, depending on the development schedule of PS VR2 game titles.”

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A post shared by PlayStation (@playstation)

On that note, PlayStation said the company will have more than 20 games ready for the PSVR2. Here’s a quote from Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan on the matter:
“Right now, there is a considerable amount of money being spent on partnerships with independent and other third-party developers to secure a considerable pipeline of attractive VR content at the launch of PlayStation VR2. That energy, that effort and that money will continue to grow as the installed base of PlayStation VR 2 headsets grows also.”
The PSVR2 will feature 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view visuals with foveated rendering, and an OLED display that offers 2000×2040 resolution per eye and frame rates of 90/120hz. It’s clearly a huge improvement over the original PSVR, though the price point will determine whether people will make the VR jump or not.


Diablo Immortal Will Be Out In Open Beta This June; PC Version Also Confirmed

Blizzard has announced the release date of the upcoming action RPG Diablo Immortal: 2nd June 2022. That’s less than 2 months from now.
As a bonus, Blizzard also mentioned that the game will get a PC version too. The game will enter open beta on PC when the mobile version launches this June. Players can now sign up for the open beta ahead of launch in June. Check ou the official announcement below, featuring a ton of words and excitement from game director Wyatt Cheng and senior manager of community development Adam Fletcher.

For those not in the know, Diablo Immortal takes place in an “untold chapter in the Diablo saga.”
“The Archangel Tyrael is presumed dead, and mankind is left to deal with the aftermath of his actions. Fragments of the shattered Worldstone, still embued with great power, are tainting the land. Diablo’s minions hope to harness that power to allow the Lord of Terror to return.”
Diablo Immortal will feature cross-play and cross-progression between the PC and mobile version. All progress in the PC open beta will carry forward into the full release.
Normally I would say “but why though?” regarding the PC version of Diablo Immortal since Diablo 3 exists, seasons and all. Then I realize that Blizzard might want to follow the free-to-play cross platform trend set by other online RPGs like Genshin Impact. A free action RPG with the Diablo caliber means more people jumping on board. Of course, this could mean further delay periods for Diablo IV. Hypothetically, if Diablo Immortal does gangbusters in the next 12 months after its June launch, the de facto new action RPG will take its time basking in the limelight, further giving more time for people to keep working on and perfecting Diablo IV.
We played quite a lot of Diablo Immortal on Android phones; it’s really fun as an action RPG diversion with room to grow and loads of potential to take the limelight away from other action RPGs that are free. I am curious as to how the PC version will play when it’s available later.


Ubisoft’s VR Space Shooter Will Have Free Non-VR Open Beta

VR Games are still far from becoming a mainstream part of gaming. From expensive headsets and motion cameras to a need for bigger room space, there’s a lot of reasons why people aren’t embracing VR just yet. However, it doesn’t mean that developers are simply giving up on VR. In fact, Ubisoft is still trying to find ways to support one of their more well-received VR games: Space Junkies.

Space Junkies was released on Steam just about five months ago. The game was promoted as a zero-gravity VR multiplayer experience like no other. It was considered by some players as one of the better VR titles out there but was also criticized due to its US$40 (RM165) price tag. At release, it only offered about two or three game modes on a handful of maps. For a multiplayer-only game, it definitely felt overpriced.
The game has since been updated to fix a lot of matchmaking and gameplay issues but there’s still only a handful of game modes.
In an effort to revitalize the multiplayer community, Ubisoft will be launching a free open beta starting from 25 July to 7 August 2019. The interesting part of this beta is that it’s aimed towards non-VR players and there will be crossplay with VR players in the beta. You can only play the beta through Ubisoft’s digital client Uplay.
So if you’re interested in some fast paced zero-gravity multiplayer mayhem, don’t miss this opportunity to try out one of the more ambitious VR games out there.


Dead Island 2 Will Now Release One Week Earlier

Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios have announced that Dead Island 2 will now launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Epic Games Store on 21 April 2023.
That’s one week earlier than the previous 28 April 2023 release date, which itself was a delay from its original February 2023 release window. The developer has also confirmed that the game has gone gold, which means that the game is finished and that it’s ready to be made into physical discs.
Dead Island 2 is a thrilling first-person action RPG that takes players across a brand-new playground. The original Dead Island initially released in 2011.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


David Cage’s Interactive Movies Are Now Listed On Steam

Quantic Dream and David Cage are interchangeable terms: they both deliver subtle-as-sledgehammer-narratives with some semblance of gameplay. Perfect for casuals and game reviewers. Now you can experience the “joyful” David Cage experience on another PC digital platform store.
David Cage’s trio of games –Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human– will soon shed the Epic Games exclusive mark. Expect Heavy Rain to arrive 24th June, followed by the aforementioned games for each respective month. If you want to test out these adventure games, the demos for Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls are available now.
For more David Cage nonsense, check out this feature we did about the man and his many, MANY unintentionally hilarious moments. For our thoughts on Detroit: Become Human, here’s our review.Â


These Esports Titles Will Be Featured At The 2022 Asian Games

The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has unveiled a final list of esports titles to be contested at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. These titles were selected following the selection criteria that adheres to the requirements, including Olympic Values, set by AESF and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Following a recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Games Ratings and Administration Committee (GRAC), the professional and independent game contents rating agency, preparations for the AESF Road To Asian Games 2022 was further bolstered with professional advice on contents assessment and as a result, AESF confidently disclose that the following titles will feature at the 2022 Asian Games;

Arena of Valor (Asian Games Version)
DOTA 2
Dream Three Kingdoms 2
EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games
HearthStone
League of Legends
PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version)
Street Fighter V

In addition, to promote technology-based electronic sports around the Asian Games, two additional titles have been decided to feature as demonstration titles at the 2022 Asian Games and they are:

AESF Robot Masters â€“ Powered by Migu
AESF VR Sports â€“ Powered by Migu

The inclusion of Robot Masters and VR Sports presents an abundance of opportunities around the development and growth of Electronic Sports. The landscape around technological advances in VR and Robotics have been directly influencing and gaining interests across educational institutions. The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education presents a lifeline for the esports ecosystem. By providing a platform at the grandest stage in Asian Sports, the inclusion of VR and Robots proves that Esports is more than Video Games and most importantly serves the dual purpose of education promotion and entertainment.
With the confirmed official and demonstration titles, Esports is set to make history at the 2022 Asian Games where it will be featured as an official medal sports event for the first time in history. Following its debut at the Asian Games in 2018 where it esports were included as a Demonstration Sport, being accorded the same status as other traditional sports is a massive step for the Esports community.
Speaking on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, Director General, Mr. Husain Al-Musallam shared the view, said:
 â€œWe hope that this announcement allows all participating teams ample time to prepare and equip themselves ahead of the qualifying stages.
I believe we have ticked all the right boxes ensuring a high level of competition which promises great viewing for enthusiasts and casuals alike.
We at the OCA are looking forward to working closely with our friends at the AESF and the Hangzhou Organizing Committee to ensure successful execution of the esports event at the 2022 Asian Games.â€
AESF, President, Mr Kenneth Fok also said:
â€œI am thrilled to see this all come together which takes us one step closer to seeing esports at the 2022 Asian Games. This news isnâ€™t only important in contributing towards the final preparation for the games, it also plays a huge part in ensuring that AESF establishes and introduces a system whereby esports event titles are selected for Olympic events based on certain criteria and requirements to comply with Olympic Values. We look forward to launching the qualifying tournament and of course, the finals soon.â€
AESF Director-General, Mr Sebastian Lau said:
We went through a stringent process in selecting these titles to ensure everyone participating has an equal opportunity of winning. Fully aware of how competitive the esports scene is, we made sure that all necessary factors were taken into consideration such as popularity, license, title contents and so others. Moving forward, we expect future competitions and tournaments to adhere to the same stringent process which helps elevate esports’ stature and hope the system can be a good case study for other Olympic events in other continents.”
Esports have experienced massive growth in Asia through official participation in various regional Olympic events such as the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, Philippines. The momentum will continue as Esports will also feature at the 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand and the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.


HoloCure To Get New Content Update & Fubuki This August

The hit Vampire Survivors clone-but-with-Hololive-VTubers fangame HoloCure is getting a ton of buzz for its lovely graphics and addictive survive-til-you-die gameplay. So it’s good to know that there’s new content oncoming.
According to its creator Kay Yu on Twitter, the HoloCure game will be getting new stages, enemies, and related content around August unless stated otherwise. The teaser graphic below showcases a new stage set in an office and a bunch of new fox enemies, as well as Shirakami Fubuki as a new character.

Just to keep expectations, new content update probably won't be for a little while! Aiming for August.
For now wanted to show some teasers so you can rest assured we're not stopping or slowing down any time soon. Thanks for understanding! (:
— HoloCure (@HoloCureGame) July 11, 2022

HoloCure is available to play right now and it’s really fun; it’s a fangame so it’s free to download! Check out our guide on how to score the best weapon combo early before the VTuber fan horde closes in.


Xbox Series X Videos Allegedly Shows Smoke Rising From Vents

[Update]: Seems like this may be a hoax that requires the use of a vape. More below.
There’s an Xbox console video going around on social media, and it may not be for the better.
Reddit user Hirsutophilia said on the Xbox Series X subreddit that his friend’s new Xbox Series X console “came with a campfire” feature. Basically it’s a video of the Xbox Series X vent pouring smoke out. This is followed by a post from Twitter user Arek_Adamowicz showing the same thing but at a different angle.
 Buddy of mines new xbox came with a campfire feature. from      XboxSeriesX

Same… pic.twitter.com/QcnWY9VQBF
— Arek Adamowicz (@Arek_Adamowicz) November 11, 2020

So far, there are two video-recorded instances of smoke pouring out of the pretty hot vent of the Xbox Series X. There is another Reddit thread stating that another Xbox Series X user noticing his Xbox starting to “smoke” and “giving off a funny smell”. This may indicate a burned-out electrical component within the console.
Could this be the Xbox’s “Red Ring of Death” but in 2020? At this point in time, it’s way too early to declare this as a widespread issue. Microsoft has yet to comment on this, so any official word would also help clear the air (of smoke).
[Update]: turns out there might be a trick to make that smoking Xbox Series X photo work. All you need is a vape (via Tom Warren):

how to get your Xbox Series X to blow up:
1) buy a vape2) blow vape into bottom of Xbox3) feel proud of the smoke you created4) post to Twitter and profit
video via @XboxStudio ?pic.twitter.com/RxLI62uxmg
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) November 11, 2020

Microsoft joined in on the debunking fun with this PSA:

We can't believe we have to say this, but please do not blow vape smoke into your Xbox Series X.
— Xbox (@Xbox) November 11, 2020

No matter what you end up buying, consoles at launch and pre-launch will usually come with unexpected faults. Remember: a PS5 overheated in a supermarket display case a week ago in the US. As a general rule, turn the switch off for your next-gen console; we mean the switch next to the power adaptor, not the console power button. As cool as Quick Resume is, you may want to shut the whole thing off once in a while to prevent these sort of alleged mishaps from happening. Plus, conserving power and electricity is always good.
Thankfully, we haven’t come across such issues when reviewing the Xbox Series X. Check out our final word on the Series X and its retro-futuristic cousin the Xbox Series S here.


PowerWash Simulator’s Next DLC Lets You Scrub SpongeBob SquarePants’ Bikini Bottom

Square Enix and developer FuturLab have announced their next PowerWash Simulator DLC crossover, The SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack.
From the teaser trailer, it appears that players can scrub SpongeBob’s mucky pineapple house and other locations in the iconic cartoon franchise. Unlike previous DLC packs, SpongeBob SquarePants content will be charged, so you’ll have to pay to clean Bikini Bottom. This was the Q2 paid content update promised on the PowerWash Simulator roadmap. Another paid and free content pack will follow in Q3, followed by a free season update in Q4.

The special pack promises 6 new maps, featuring locations such as Conch Street, Bikini Bottom Bus, Krusty Krab, Patty Wagon, Invisible Boatmobile and Mermalair. To make it more entertaining for competitive players, FutureLab has added 10 aquatic achievements to fish for in Bikini Bottom.
Interestingly, this will be the first in the game that the team has redesigned the PowerWash character model, to fit right in as true “Bottomite”. Not to forget, the custom-designed gear, with a unique counter and pressure gauge, allows players to wash away without a doubt in mind.

The SpongeBob SquarePants DLC will cost $7.99/€7.99/£6.49/MYR81.65 and is confirmed to be released on 29 June for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
In the meantime, check out the teaser trailer.


Guess How Much Konami Made Out Of Its Castlevania NFT Auction?

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the hit side-scrolling action game Castlevania that features buff men killing vampire lords and the undead with metal whips, Konami decided to hold an auction for 14 NFTs (non-fungible tokens) based on the license.
One could say that this is taking a piss at a legacy title that has garnered a lot of respect throughout the years, but Konami owns is so the company has every right to do whatever it wants to it. All the items in the Konami Memorial NFT collection have been sold, if you must know. The Dracula’s Castle Pixel Art, for example, has been sold for US$26,732.

The grand total for the collection is a whopping US$162,000, with the OpenSea marketplace taking a cut of US$5,000 out of that total. Konami earns a royalty fee each time an NFT of theirs is sold, so they’ll be making money off of the trend as of now.
I’m pretty sure Konami will not stop at Castlevania; Metal Gear Solid looks about ripe for exploitation since they own the brand, like it or not.


Star Wars: Visions Trailer Showcases Hyper Anime Action In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

It seems like the Star Wars non-theatrical film vehicles and spin-offs are doing a better job at capturing the essence of pulp action sci-fi battles & narratives than the recent trilogy. Star Wars: Visions continues that upward trend but in anime form.
Disney just released the official trailer: close to 2 minutes of gorgeousness from the likes of Kamikaze Douga, Geno Studio, Trigger, and Production IG. Just look at it in motion; there’s a JP dub trailer and an English dub trailer in case you prefer one over the other.

It’s beautiful, whether you love Star Wars, anime, or both. There are nods to Kurosawa film grain standoffs, Trigger’s brand of OTT colour palettes and kinetic action, Boba Fett, a recreation of the Endor speedbike chase sequence, pod racing, and Jedi/Sith powers.
Phew, that’s a lot to take in. Star Wars: Visions will be out on 22nd September on Disney Plus. In the meantime, enjoy these trailer screencaps & GIFs I took.


The Promised Neverland Live-Action Series In Development At Amazon

The hit anime and manga series The Promised Neverland may be a live-action series on Amazon.
According to a Variety report, the series’ script will be written by one Meghan Malloy (Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse), with production handled by Fox 21 Television and Amazon Studios. Heroes’ & Mobius Digital’s own Masi Oka and Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse), alongside Roy Lee and Miri Yoon will also handle executive production roles.
For those who don’t know, The Promised Neverland is an anime and manga series about smart kids who are trying to break out of a heavily-guarded orphanage when they find out the place’s most horrifying secret.
We’ll just let this trailer do the talking. It’s best to find out about the overlying plot by yourself; there are way too many disturbing surprises that need to be experienced for yourself.


[Updated] Call Of Duty League Championship 2022 – Teams, Schedule & Results

With another year of Call of Duty esports coming to an end, it’s safe to say that it’s been a pretty good year for Call of Duty fans. With a new team winning each Major this year, it’s been a blast to watch.
WE ALSO DID A FULL SCHEDULE FOR THE CHALLENGERS FINALS
Now that the Call of Duty League Championship is upon us, I’m here to let you all know of the teams participating, dates, schedule, bracket and where to watch.
RESULTS

PLACE
PRIZE
PRIZE (%)
TEAM

1
US$1,200,000
47.06%
Los Angeles Thieves

2
US$650,000
25.49%
Atlanta FaZe

3
US$320,000
12.55%
Seattle Surge

4
US$160,000
6.27%
OpTic Texas

5-6

US$80,000

3.14%

New York Subliners

Toronto Ultra

7-8

US$30,000

1.18%

London Royal Ravens

Boston Breach

TEAMS

Atlanta FaZe – Simp / aBeZy / Cellium / Arcitys
OpTic Texas – Scump / Dashy / iLLeY / Shotzzy
Los Angeles Thieves – Kenny / Drazah / Octane / Envoy
London Royal Ravens – Zer0 / Afro / Nastie / Gismo
Seattle Surge – Accuracy / Mack / Sib / Pred
Boston Breach – Methodz / TJHaLy / Nero / Vivid
Toronto Ultra – Bance / Cammy / CleanX / Insight
New York Subliners – Crimsix / HyDra / PaulEhx / KiSMET

DATE & SCHEDULE

Date: 4–7 August / 5–8 August (GMT+8)
Venue: Galen Center, 3400 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
Prize Pool: US$2,550,000
SCHEDULE
NOTE: ALL TIMES ARE IN SINGAPORE TIME (GMT+8)
DAY 1 – 5 August
3:00 AM – ATL FaZe [3] vs. [2] NY Subliners (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)
4:30 AM – LDN Royal Ravens [2] vs. [3] SEA Surge (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)
6:00 AM – OpTic TEX [3] vs. [2] TOR Ultra (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)
7:30 AM – LA Thieves [3] vs. [2] BOS Breach (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)

DAY 2 – 6 August
3:00 AM – ATL FaZe [3] vs. [2] SEA Surge (Upper Bracket Semifinal)
4:30 AM – OpTic TEX [0] vs. [3] LA Thieves (Upper Bracket Semifinal)
6:00 AM – NY Subliners [3] vs. [2] LDN Royal Ravens (Lower Bracket Round 1)
7:30 AM – TOR Ultra [3] vs. [1] BOS Breach (Lower Bracket Round 1)

DAY 3 – 7 August
3:00 AM – OpTic TEX [3] vs. [0] NY Subliners (Lower Bracket Quarterfinal)
4:30 AM – SEA Surge [3] vs. [1] TOR Ultra (Lower Bracket Quarterfinal)
6:00 AM – ATL FaZe [1] vs. [3] LA Thieves (Upper Bracket Final)
7:30 AM – OpTic TEX [1] vs. [3] SEA Surge (Lower Bracket Semifinal)
8:00 AM – ATL FaZe [3] vs. [1] SEA Surge (Lower Bracket Final)

DAY 4 – 8 August
3:00 PM – LA Thieves [5] vs. [2] ATL FaZe (Grand Final)

BRACKET

WHERE TO WATCH?
Stream: YouTube


Ubisoft Is Adding Interactive Historical Feature In Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Ubisoft has announced partnerships with several renowned institutions to bring to life the “History of Baghdad” feature in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the upcoming instalment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise launching worldwide on 12 October 2023. Available at launch on all available platforms as part of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, “History of Baghdad” offers players an interactive way to learn more about the game’s rich setting.
Within the game’s immersive recreation of Baghdad, players can discover a total of sixty-six historical sites, each serving as a portal to valuable insights about the era, divided into five categories: Art & Science; Beliefs and Daily Life; Court Life; Economy; and Government. Each entry has been crafted in collaboration with historians and expert advisors and is illustrated by images carefully selected amongst the collections of eminent museums and institutions worldwide, including The David Collection, the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), The Khalili Collections, and Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design.

The David Collection is an exclusive museum in the heart of Copenhagen with one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the Western world. Among the objects from The David Collection featured in “History of Baghdad” is the magnificent ivory-carved Casket with gilt-bronze fittings.
For more than thirty years, the?Institut?du monde?arabe?in Paris (IMA) has?established itself as a?cultural bridge?between?France, the Arab world and the rest of the?world. This architectural vessel acts as an activator of cultures and has thus become an essential?landmark for people concerned with the?Arab?world.? One of the objects from IMA featured in Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the exquisite Ruby Lustre Bowl.

Over the course of five decades, Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili has assembled eight of the world’s finest art collections. Together, the Eight Collections comprise some 35,000 works, many of which have been exhibited at prestigious institutions worldwide. One of these Collections is dedicated to Islamic Art with holdings of more than 28,000 objects. Among the objects from The Khalili Collections featured in the game is their fascinating Planispheric Astrolabe.
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design is?the?Honolulu-based centre?of the Doris Duke Foundation.?Built by Doris Duke in 1937 as a home, today?Shangri La is a place that enriches public understanding of Islamic art and?cultures, champions artists through residency programs, and serves as a place for?personal and societal transformation.?One of the objects from Shangri La featured in “History of Baghdad” is the astonishing  Blown Glass Jar with Trailed Zigzag Decoration.

Thierry Noël, Head of Ubisoft’s Humanities & Inspiration Department, said:
“Assassin’s Creed always strives to be a gateway for players to discover more about the fascinating historical setting and eras it explores. With information curated by experts, “History of Baghdad” offers a research-based perspective over 9th century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire, tackling pre-conceptions and clichés often associated with them.
Our collaboration with esteemed partners and experts to bring this feature to life in Assassin’s Creed Mirage further highlights the commitment to authenticity and accuracy that is a hallmark of the series.”
The contributions of advisors; Dr Glaire Anderson, expert in Islamic art, and the Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture & Collections of the University of Edinburgh; Dr Vanessa Van Renterghem, specialist of medieval Baghdad; Dr Ali Olomi, Scholar of Islamic History; and Dr Raphaël Weyland, expert of Islamic history who joined Ubisoft for the game’s creation; were critical for the recreation of Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the “History of Baghdad” feature.

For more information about the feature, the contribution of each partner, and the collaborative efforts of the team with advisors in bringing this project to life, you can visit https://ubisoft.com/r/acm_history_of_baghdad.
With development led* by Ubisoft Bordeaux, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a homage to the series and a particularly special tribute to the first Assassin’s Creed. Inviting players in a magnificent ninth-century Baghdad at the peak of its Golden Age, Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers a condensed, narrative-driven action-adventure experience with a modern take on the parkour, stealth, and assassinations gameplay elements that have defined the franchise for over fifteen years. Assassin’s Creed: Mirage is available for pre-order on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Luna, as well as on PC through the Epic Games Store and the Ubisoft Store.


Sigma & Role Queue Are Now Live In Overwatch

The 31st Overwatch hero, Sigma, has finally arrived after initially being revealed last month. He is a Dutch scientist who receives gravity-manipulation powers after getting caught in a tragic experiment. He was then locked up by the government for being too dangerous but later freed by Talon to be used as a living weapon.

Check out his new launch video below to witness his gravity-bending abilities in action.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWEpjzgMqyU&w=560&h=315]
Overwatch Role Queue

Besides the new hero Sigma, Overwatch Role Queue is finally live for all players in Competitive Play and Quick Play. What this means is that players can now choose which role they want to play (either tank, support, or damage) before a match even begins.
The updated matchmaking system will then match two tanks, two supports, and two damage heroes to create a team. Upon entering the match, players will then select heroes within their chosen roles.
Overwatch Sigma Southeast Asia Tournament

Overwatch players in Southeast Asia can now register for the upcoming Overwatch Sigma Southeast Asia Tournament. Registration will be open until 19 August 2019. With a prize pool of US$2,500, the winning team will also receive six Overwatch Collector’s Editions on top of cash prize.
What makes this competition unique is that every participating team is required to have Sigma. For more details and information (as well as to register your team), head on over to the official website here. Hurry up because only 256 spots are available.


The SNK Neo Geo Arcade Stick Pro Is An Entire Retro Console Inside A Controller

SNK has announced the Neo Geo Arcade Stick. Inspired by the classic Neo Geo CD’s controller design, it is essentially an entire retro gaming console in the form of controller.
It comes with over 20 pre-installed games. The company has yet to reveal what any of these games are, but they will likely include iconic titles like King of Fighters,Â Fatal Fury,Â Art of Fighting, andÂ Samurai Shodown.
It will be playable in two modes; Arcade Stick Mode and Console Mode. In the Arcade Stick Mode, you can use the Arcade Stick Pro as a regular PC fighting stick or even hook it up to the tiny Neo Geo Mini retro console.

In Console Mode, the Arcade Stick Pro runs its own selection of games and outputs over HDMI on any TV or monitor. You can also connect Neo Geo Mini control pads or another Arcade Stick Pro for multiplayer. Button layouts can be customized as well.

At the time of writing, SNK has yet to announce the official release or pricing for the Arcade Stick Pro but has confirmed that there are definitely plans for a worldwide release.
Perhaps millennial gamers should try out this console and play a bit of Fatal Fury, especially those who had no idea who Terry Bogard is prior to Nintendo’s announcement that the character will be joining the Super Smash Bros Ultimate roster.


Here Are Some Borderlands 3 SHiFT Codes For Malaysia Day

We’re going to guess that a majority of you readers are on Borderlands 3. Either you’ve finished story mode, still doing side-quests, grinding for loot, or just getting your FL4K or Moze to level 50.
Either way, there’s no such thing as too much loot, especially with the kind you can get for free via online codes from Gearbox Software. Here are the most recent and currently working Borderlands 3 SHiFT codes that will net you purple and sometimes orang loot from the special chest in Sanctuary 3 (via Reddit). Just redeem them on the in-game SHiFT code option on the main menu.

9XCBT-WBXFR-5TRWJ-JJJ33-TX53Z

ZFKJ3-TT6FF-KTFKT-T3JJT-JWX36

HXKBT-XJ6FR-WBRKJ-J3TTB-RSBHR

ZRWBJ-ST6XR-CBFKT-JT3J3-FRXJ5

Z65B3-JCXX6-5JXW3-3B33J-9SWT6

ZFKJ3-TT3BB-JTBJT-T3JJT-JWX9H

5SWBT-X93RW-HHRXB-JBJBB-T63JC

The best part about all these codes is that they work for the consoles you’re playing Borderlands 3 on if you link all your played systems to your Borderlands 3 VIP account.
Stay tuned this week for a review (of sorts) of Borderlands 3 from your trusted Vault Hunters from Kakuchopurei.com. In the meantime, check out our guides below.

Borderlands 3 Tech Fix Guide

Borderlands 3 Skill Tree & Suggested Builds For Each Class

Borderlands 3 Top 10 Tips & Level Up Guide

Borderlands Story Recap


World Cup 2018 + Anime = Fun Art For All

It’s the World Cup all over again with countries earning honour and glory by kicking balls into goals and getting paid mad monies for it. Meanwhile, the artistically-savvy are portraying their love for the global sport the only way how: through the medium of anime and manga.
Granted, these artworks comprise of anime women of loli/tsundere nature in national-coloured jerseys and hot pants, but let’s not dampen their spirits and instead celebrate their contributions all in one handy post. Besides, we’ve added in some anime renditions of the 2018 mascot Zabivaka to balance it all out.
(via Kiet Tran)

hello March , Azzurri comeback (this picture was designed 6 months ago) pic.twitter.com/MRjqSrI2ej
— 1?5?? ? ?? ????????? 2??1?? (@AI_KakoBeto14) March 2, 2017

Italy Home kit 2018 Fifa WC Russia Qualifier#Azzurri#Nazionale#ForzaAzzurri pic.twitter.com/DRwGQ2e335
— 1?5?? ? ?? ????????? 2??1?? (@AI_KakoBeto14) March 22, 2017

Netherlands Home kit 2018 WC Russia QualifierCome on ,i don't want missing you in WC 2018#RoadtoRussia18#TheFlyingDutchmen#ComeOnOranje pic.twitter.com/N3WFCqGeZj
— 1?5?? ? ?? ????????? 2??1?? (@AI_KakoBeto14) March 27, 2017

(via Garupan_dbooks)

https://t.co/Qgk5BqhOIk anchovy (2018 fifa world cup and girls und panzer) by pas (paxiti) pic.twitter.com/RrRMeYG8N9
— Garupan bot (@Garupan_dbooks) November 20, 2017

Group H’s Japan & Columbia showing their sportsmanship. Or sportswomanship.

(viaÂ ã¿ã£ã©ã†ã‡ã„)

(viaÂ Lock)

(via Ise Takeshi)

(via Dr Nick Dictonrock)

Bonus Stage!
Remember those soccer anime girl mascots from the last World Cup? Let’s remind you…


Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez Plays Like A Tokusatsu Devil May Cry

Platform: PS4, Nintendo SwitchGenre: Action-Adventure, Beat-Em-Up Brawler, RPG
Kamen Rider is a tokusatsu franchise, just like Super Sentai/Power Rangers or Ultraman. However, the tokusatsu franchise hasn’t had much luck being adapted into video games, as most tend to be mediocre at best and more geared towards the more avid fans.
How does Bandai Namco’s Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez fare? It’s actually a pretty decent game, even to a non-fan like me, which was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting to find just another cheap tie-in game, but what I experienced was far better than it should have been.
Kamen Riders Assemble

First, full disclosure: I’m not a Kamen Rider fan. I watched several of the older series when I was a kid, but then lapsed out of it as I grew older. Fortunately, you don’t really need to be one to enjoy Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez.
The Kamen Riders featured in this game hail from 2009’s Kamen Rider W, 2010’s Kamen Rider OOO, and 2019’s Kamen Rider Zero-One.
What’s with the choices of Kamen Rider series in the game? Since I’m no expert on the franchise, I’d hazard a guess that Bandai Namco chose two series to represent the previous Heisei era (W and OOO) while also featuring Zero-One, which is the first series in the new Reiwa era.
While the game features an original story independent from the three Kamen Rider series, the story and plot are mostly just there as an excuse for these different Kamen Riders to meet each other and team up against a common foe.

However, I’m glad that Bandai Namco didn’t just resort to making another fighting game (like they do with most licensed anime games and the like). Instead, Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez is an action RPG beat-em-up brawler title.
The game essentially features only two modes; a full story campaign that takes around 10 to 11 hours to complete and a simple survival mode, where players fight against continuous waves of enemies in succession.
While the narrative pretty much fails to impress in any way, the meat of the game is the gameplay and combat. Fortunately, I enjoyed that part of the game, despite not being a fan of the franchise.
Devil May Cry Tokusatsu Edition

The combat in Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez reminds me a lot of the Devil May Cry franchise, as it seems like Bandai Namco has borrowed many elements from Capcom’s celebrated action series.
In Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez, players basically go from room to room and area to area beating up groups of enemies. At the end of every sector, they’ll encounter bosses. Oh, and the game also tries to spice things up with shoehorned vehicular segments that feel half-assed.
There’s little to no exploration to speak of, as the game is as linear as a game can be. All you can do is move forward and get thrusted into fights and more fights with groups of enemies who are severely lacking in terms of variation.
But wait, I did say that I enjoyed the game, and I mean that. The meat of the game is the combat, and it delivers on that front. Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez features a satisfying combo-heavy combat system.

Players will receive a style ranking after every enemy encounter based on a number of factors, including the number of their combo chains and the amount of damage done to enemies. It’s almost exactly ripped off from Devil May Cry, as the ranking system in this game also features the S, SS, and SSS style ranks.
However, it’s so much easier to obtain the SSS style ranking in Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez. Plus, the lowest style ranking you can get is either A or nothing at all, so you know that the game won’t slap you with an embarrassing D-d-d-dismal style ranking.
What makes the combat in Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez fun and never really gets old is the ability to juggle your enemies during battle. Just like in Devil May Cry, you can juggle your enemies into the air and beat them in mid-air for even higher combos. It feels satisfying to pull off, especially for some of the faster Kamen Riders.
While the combat in Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez isn’t as deep as Devil May Cry, the sheer variety of different playable Kamen Riders makes up for it. Sure, there are only like five of them in the game (which you’ll unlock while progressing through the story), but several of them have access to different Forms, each of which comes with their own combos and fighting styles.
Heck, Kamen Rider Double (W) alone has access to about nine Forms, and that’s not even mentioning the Forms available to Kamen Rider OOO and Zero-One yet. You can change to any of these Forms at any time during battle, which lends a more dynamic and experimental element to combat.
The game also encourages players to change Riders often, as the only way to heal is this game is either to perform counterattacks or at any of the sparse terminal checkpoints. Each Rider has his own health bar, so if one is low on health, you can just change to another (unless you’re forcibly locked to that one Rider, which sometimes happen).

In addition, you can’t just bash and mash buttons to victory in Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez, as the game features a stamina system called the RP mechanic.
Using normal attacks won’t use up RP, but doing anything else like strong attacks, unique attacks and most importantly, dodging, requires RP. You can find yourself vulnerable after a flurry of combos and unable to dodge an attack just because your RP is depleted.
Still, you often don’t really need to worry much about all that, as the game can be laughably easy even at Standard difficulty, with the exception of difficulty spikes when facing some of the bosses (which do require a bit of skill to overcome).
The game also features additional gameplay mechanics like the Denden Sensor, which is sort of a gadget you use to find Accelerator. Accelerators are items that you can equip your Kamen Riders, giving them stat boosts or other perks.

There are also light RPG elements in the game. You level up your Kamen Riders by using them in battle, and the EXP points can be used to either activate Accelerators or unlock more options on the skill trees. Unfortunately, these skill trees are simple and lacking in depth, as they usually just unlock more stat boosts or chargeable attacks, instead of new combos or anything that adds variety to gameplay.
Fans of the Kamen Rider franchise can appreciate the fact that in the Premium Sound Edition of the game, there are over 60 different music tracks. The music changes every time you change Kamen Riders, or even when you simply change Forms. It’s cool, but it’s still a bit off-putting that you have to pay extra for all that.
Is This A PS3 Game?

That might sound harsh, but yeah, Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez looks like a last-gen game at best. The Kamen Riders themselves look good but enemies and environments are bland and the textures lack details.
It’s not really that bad, but this isn’t a game where you can admire the graphics. The linear and empty environments make it worse, but at least the fun combat makes up for them.
Still, the game may get repetitive in prolonged sessions, especially near the end of the game where it’s clear that the developer is padding the game with waves and waves of enemies.
I also don’t understand the developers decided to set a lot of the game’s setting in cramped hallways and small rooms. I’ve had to fight my way through literal official cubicles and narrow pathways in factories throughout the game. The game’s combat would have benefitted a lot more from more open settings, a la Devil May Cry.

I also hate the fact that the game often locks players to only have access to certain Kamen Riders for certain segments. The reason for this in-game is because some segments require the specific special abilities of certain Kamen Riders.
It would have been preferable if the game had given players the freedom to choose any Kamen Rider at all times, and let them figure out how to solve the problem themselves. There are also shoehorned vehicular segments which disrupt the gameplay, and they’re not even fun to play.
Henshin!

Ultimately, Kamen Rider Memory Of Heroez is a decent action beat-em-up game that even non-fans of the franchise can enjoy. I enjoyed my time with this game, and you can too. However, only fans will be able to fully appreciate this game and value everything that it has to offer.
If you’re simply looking for a good action or beat-em-up game, there are countless more games out there that’s better than this one (if you’re not a Kamen Rider fan).
Pros
Satisfying combo-heavy combat that’s reminiscent of Devil May Cry (to a point).Features a Devil May Cry-esque ranking system mechanic.Variety in Kamen Rider fighting styles and Forms.Fans can appreciate music from the series (in the Premium Sound Edition).
Cons
Graphics look bland and last-gen, especially environments and textures.Run-of-the-mill storyline and plot.May get repetitive.Shoehorned vehicular segments.
Final Score: 70/100


One Of The Best PC Narrative Puzzle Games Comes To Console This October

If you’re one of the lucky few who have never played Return of the Obra Dinn because you don’t have a computer or laptop to play it on, then I’ve got great news for you.
Return of the Obra Dinn will be launching for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on 18 October 2019. The game was initially released for Windows and macOS on 18 October 2018, exactly one year ago. Coincidence? I think not!

Return of the Obra Dinn releases on October 18th for Switch, PS4, and Xbox One! pic.twitter.com/2r35Rw4eXP
â€” Lucas Pope (@dukope) October 3, 2019

Earlier on, I said that those who have never played the game are lucky and that’s because it’s one of those games that’s so brilliant, you just wish you could forget about it and experience it all over again. It was one of our nominees for best game of 2018.


Killing Floor Devs Announces New Game:  ’83

Tripwire Interactive, the developer of Rising Storm and Killing Floor, has revealed their new first-person shooter, ’83, and has dropped an announcement trailer as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u9oyFkXca4]
Set in 1983, in which the global political level was tense, the NATO was up against the Warsaw Pact. The former consisted of The United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and her allies, while the latter was mainly led by the Soviet Union. The game takes place in an alternate universe in which the United States actually went to war with the Soviet Union.

The game features massive battles comprised of two platoons representing the NATO and the Warsaw Pact. 80 players will have access to the era’s weapons and vehicles, not unlike the Battlefield series. The big thing is, wins and losses will have meaning as they will shape the future of the in-game world as seen in the trailer above. The developers have dubbed this mechanic as ‘Persistent Warfare’.

Aside from being a pain in the neck to Google, ’83 initial impressions show great potential to rival those of Battlefield. At this time though, no official date or pricing nor platform has been revealed. You can head on to the game’s official site for more info.


New Scooby-Doo Movie Is Going Straight To Digital

Another movie is skipping cinemas by going straight to digital instead, and it’s Warner Bros. Animation’s upcoming animated film, Scoob! While the movie retains its original release date of 15 May 2020, it will now launch exclusively on premium Video On Demand and various unspecified digital platforms.
In a statement to Deadline, Warner Bros. Chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff said:

â€œWhile weâ€™re all eager to be able to once again show our films in theaters, weâ€™re navigating new, unprecedented times which call for creative thinking and adaptability in how we distribute our content.
We know fans are eager to see Scoob! and weâ€™re delighted we can deliver this feel-good movie for families to enjoy while theyâ€™re home together.â€

Directed by Tony Cervone, Scoob! tells the origin story of how Scooby and Shaggy first met, as well as how they joined with Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the iconic Mystery Inc. Still young, they now face their biggest mystery ever, teaming up with superhero Blue Falcon to stop the villain Dick Dastardly.
The cast of Scoob! (which boasts a pretty impressive cast) includes:

Will Forte as Shaggy
Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo
Mark Wahlberg as Blue Falcon
Jason Isaacs as Dick Dastardly
 Gina Rodriguez as Velma
 Zac Efron as Fred
Amanda Seyfried as Daphne
Kiersey Clemons as Falcon Fury pilot Dee Dee Skyes
Ken Jeong as the Falcon Forceâ€™s Dynomutt
Tracy Morgan as Captain Caveman

In the meantime, check out the final trailer for Scoob! below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzlEnS7MmUo&w=560&h=315]


God Of War Did Pretty Well On The PC

2022 is the year where a God of War game has finally made its way onto the PC in a legal fashion. And it’s a great port, based on what people have been saying.
The 2018 God of War has had a fantastic launch weekend on Steam, with a respectable 73,529 concurrent players on the game according to SteamDB. The game has also seen praise for Jetpack Interactive and Santa Monica Studio’s excellent port work.

Trouble Brewing?
Having said that, the PC version of the game is facing some issues like memory errors happening mid-game, even on high-end rigs running the gruff dad simulator. These complaints are stemming from folks who own new 12th-Gen Intel CPUs with integrated graphics.
The solution? Disable the integrated graphics option for now. Another solution is to use the current “experimental” branch on Steam. Here’s a breakdown:

Right-click on God of War in your Steam library and select “Properties” from the pop-up menu.
Select the “Betas” option in the left-hand menu, and change to “Experimental” in the drop-down menu.
If it doesn’t appear in the drop-down menu, restart Steam and try again.

If you’re still having these sort of troubles, you should head to the current Steam thread addressing the issue at this point in time.
Despite all that, the aforementioned praises mean we’ll be seeing more ports of Sony titles coming on board, while also making companies like Square Enix and Atlus sort out how they do ports of their console classics in the near future. We’re still waiting on that Bloodborne PC port, but maybe one step at a time for now, OK?