WB Discovery Reportedly Wants DC To Revitalize Superman & Bolster Gaming Efforts

Warner Bros is now officially Warner Bros. Discovery after the US$43 billion Discovery WarnerMedia deal closed. That means big changes, and the company’s CEO, David Zaslav, reportedly already have plans to overhaul DC Comics and DC Entertainment as a whole.
According to the report by Variety, sources say that Zaslav wants to overhaul DC feature film development in the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, streaming series at Warner Bros. Television, and the creative arm within DC as a whole to compete with Marvel. This includes searching for DC’s own equivalent of Marvel’s Kevin Feige.
Zaslav also believes that several top-shelf characters such as Superman have been left to languish and need to be revitalized. I’m hoping this includes characters like Green Lantern as well, one of DC’s best characters but who has been pretty much abandoned in the aftermath of the horrible 2011 movie starring Ryan Reynolds.
Interestingly, the CEO also wants DC to do more to grow its approach to comic book fare, and this includes bolstering gaming. That’s good news for gamers everywhere, as we haven’t gotten a good (or decent) DC game since 2015’s Batman Arkham Knight by Rocksteady. The next major one we’re about to get is WB Games Montreal’s Gotham Knights in October 2022 and Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League sometime in 2023.
It will be great to see a better corporate synergy for DC moving forward, as they have a wealth of content and IP to capitalize on that’s currently laying dormant.


Gimme Shelter: My History With The Fallout Series (Part Two)

This feature’s a two-parter. Click here for part 1.
Here’s the gist of this feature: I’m recapping my history with the Fallout series since 1997 when I was still in high school up until now when I’m a little bit more gamer-savvy and wise. I think. Fallout’s been a huge part of my gaming life for a while now since the series made me think more about what I do in-game and how to solve problems without the use of guns and/or melee. It’s very invigorating at the time, really.
I was actually excited when I heard Bethesda was going to create the next Fallout. They paid their dues with the Elder Scrolls games, which were super-detailed RPGs with a lot of open world things to do and enemies to kill. How will their spin on things turn out? Let’s find out.
Fallout 3 (2008)

The age of a new Fallout has begun. Since Black Isle Studio and Interplay are no more, a new developer and publisher took over the license: Bethesda. Fresh off the success of Elder Scrolls III and Elder Scrolls IV, CRPG fans are amped to see what kind of Fallout game they’ll be getting from this mega-talented studio.
The result? A Bethesda-made RPG that happens to look and feel like a Fallout game, but really isn’t. There’s a reason why this game is criticized and derailed by true fans: the game’s changes and mechanics are completely different.
No, I’m not talking about the FPS perspective and the 3D graphics: I’m talking about the fact that unlike Fallout 1 and 2, Fallout 3 is an action RPG that focuses on exploration, combat, and looting. There is a main quest for you to do involving your dad, but there’s less focus on narrative and more focus on the aforementioned action and exploration bits.
The SPECIAL skills here are tailored towards the combat and looting aspects instead of the non-combat parts. Skill checks are still here but they’re few and far between. The focus of solving a quest with multiple ways is set aside for a nonlinear open world experience. You know, just like a Bethesda open world game ala Elder Scrolls.
Still, I can’t slag this game too much because the combat mechanics here are pretty fun if repetitive. You can stop time via the VATS system.Ã‚Â  During combat, you can spend AP to either target individual limbs, fire continuously, or just heal. You can play the game in real-time too, but you’ll miss out on the slow-motion kill animations when you land a critical hit on a super mutant using VATS.

It’s pure bliss, I tells ya. In fact, it’s so effective that it’s the only few key points game journalists at the time raved on about while forgetting the fact that the game’s story is meandering at best and whatever moral choices the game has doesn’t feel like anything.
Speaking of which, have you ever noticed that the new Fallout games from Bethesda made the game’s narrative in a way where you’re a spectator to the events? Your story and your actions don’t seem to matter; you’re just a player being taken for a ride in the post-apocalypse.
Worst of all, Fallout 3 is one of the few RPGs at the time that prioritizes your compass and pointer; that thing that points you where to go when you need to complete missions and stuff. You’ll be so fixated onto that thing and miss out on seeing the level design and the craft and care the devs have put in the game’s world.
Fallout 3 might be a newbie RPG player’s cup of tea since it’s still a decently-made open world RPG, but it’s wearing the husk of a Fallout game without being one. It doesn’t have the heart and soul of the first two games at all; it’s just a Bethesda RPG with a Fallout skin wrapped around it.
But hey: at least you don’t have to listen to the game’s moody music anymore thank to the plethora of radio stations and Three Dog’s talk show, right?

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

THIS. This is how you balance the open world nature of Fallout 3 and the multiple-solutions angle of Fallout 1 and 2.
Obsidian Entertainment (ie former Black Isle guys coming together) helmed the development of this game while Bethesda published it. There are just so many things right in this “side story”. Where do I begin?
We’ll start with the fact that you still have to be careful how you allocate your SPECIAL skills. Once you’re done, you cannot change it from start to finish. You have to decide what kind of wasteland hero you want to be, just like the first two games.
The open world aspect of Fallout 3 is back here, but this time it’s set in Nevada where the Mojave Desert is. You’re a guy called the Courier who had to deliver a package to a designated location. Of course, you get shot in the face for it and after a miraculous recovery, you backtrack your steps and find out why that package is a big deal.
Every village and town you visit has their distinct quirks and politics. Almost every area you discover has its own side story and sidequest to deal with. And yes, you get to solve them in different ways.
There are a couple of standout side tales. Like the one involving the kickass sniper Boone. Or the one with Veronica and the Brotherhood. Or the one with the Followers of the Apocalypse. Or the one with the plant life and mantises that decimated a Vault. Or the one involving supermutant Lily Bowen, that charming schizophrenic Nightkin.
And I haven’t even gotten to the really awesome expansions this game featured, particularly Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road. The latter deserves special mention since it brought the Courier’s story to a full circle. Trust me when I say that getting the current Steam Fallout New Vegas bundle is worth every penny.

The design philosophy of Fallout 2 is back here in full force alongside the Fallout 3 combat mechanics the mainstream Fallout fans dig. In essence, Obsidian Entertainment blended the best of both worlds. Though we could do without the bugs. Thankfully most of them were ironed out months after its release.
Fallout Shelter (2015)

This “tapping and waiting” phone simulation of a Vault is an obvious marketing ploy to get people hyped for Fallout 4. And you know what? It’s a great way to get my non-hardcore gaming pals – including my ex at the time- into the series.
All you have to do here is to keep your Vault denizens alive, keep them fed by sending some of them to go hunting for resources and keep populating it with Vault babies and stuff. This mobile game is a gateway to Fallout for newbies; almost as if it’s the first step towards Bethesda open world game indoctrination.
Fallout 4 (2015)

Fallout New Vegas was so good, Bethesda decided to just take away the reins from the original guys who did a way better job and made an expanded version of Fallout 3. Quite a leap of logic there, eh Bethesda?
Fallout 4 takes place in post-apocalyptic Boston. You’re a dad whose kid is taken away by some nefarious people after your family went through a cryogenic sleep right after a cool “during the 30s” segment of the game before the nuclear bombs went loose.
Fallout 4’s system of prioritizing looting and open world exploration over multipath narrative beats is still here since Fallout 3. The shooting here has improved.Ã‚Â However, you now have a few new features to deal with.
Armour is now done up in segments instead of one big suit; there’s more weight and heft when you wear Power Armour this time around. You can date NPCs and your companions, but they aren’t explored more thoroughly than stat boosts and the occasional extra banter.
You can also build settlements and gather resources to start constructing. Clearly, Bethesda had put more thought in this bit; there are way too many videos of people building houses in Fallout 4. The changes here are fine and all, but they don’t add meaning to Fallout’s problem-solving and narrative-slash-gaming spirit.
In fact, the worst offender to the spirit is the SPECIAL system.Ã‚Â SPECIAL stats now donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have much purpose beyond determining which perks you can get and they can be increased on level up. There are no skills and no skill checks outside of occasional speech challenges, although theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re usually just for getting better quest rewards Ã¢â‚¬â€œ a build focused on intelligence or charisma is now completely useless. Some of the skill-related bonuses and requirements for hacking/lockpicking minigames have been merged into perks.

This, combined with the fact that perks have both stat and level requirements, means that you have much less choice in how you build your character. ThereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s also not much consequence to what you pick Ã¢â‚¬â€œ thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s no level cap (outside of the size of unsigned short integer), and you can max out your stats and perks are not mutually exclusive. Given enough time and patience, you can be good at everything.
That kills the spirit of Fallout; the fact that you can be an ass-kicking demigod in the post-apocalyptic universe and there’s little to no huge game-changing consequences for your actions.
Other offenders include the Radiant missions: randomly generated missions created with Radiant AI (the system responsible for NPC scheduling in Gamebryo-based games). Just like inÃ‚Â Skyrim, those quests are utterly boring extermination missions without any backstory other than “kill X dudes and raiders on this part of the map”.
Those quests are how you get more settlements and getting more settlements is required to get one of the factionsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ ending. This means that if you like the Minutemen, prepare yourself for endless fights against ghouls and raiders ad nauseum.
The moody music kicks ass though; god bless Inon Zur. But apart from that, this is just an extension of Fallout 3 but with better shooting mechanics and a lot of fluff that doesn’t go beyond making this game memorable and stand out from the superior Fallout games.
Time To Rank Them All
Here’s my final ranking for the mothership Fallout games.

Fallout 2
Fallout New Vegas
Fallout 1
Fallout Shelter
Fallout 4
Fallout 3
Fallout Tactics
Fallout Brotherhood of Steel

All in all, Fallout has grown and accustomed itself to the times. From being the CRPG hardcore gamers worshipped to the open world Bethesda games that the mainstream adored (and still adore to this day), the series deserved its praises. No matter what iterations it morphed into, this war for relevance post-apocalypse adventuring will never change.


VTuber Fighting Game Idol Showdown Has 200k Downloads, 10k Players, & Overwhelming Steam Reviews

In a “no s***, Sherlock” moment in video games, a 2D fighting game with lush pixel art and features loveable VTubers duking it out has garnered critical acclaim within 24 hours of its release.
Idol Showdown, the new PC 2D fighting game from Besto Games, has been downloaded 200,000+ and has over 10,000 concurrent players at this point of writing, probably more as I’m still typing this quick story up. The game also has 1,985 overwhelmingly positive reviews ranging from meme quotes passing off as reviews to gems like:
“Suisex”
“It has roll back. It is free. It is already better than Tekken 7.”
“La-La-Lion~?
La-La-Lion~?”
“Human is Turtle
Turtle is Human
Turtle is Korone
Korone is Human
Human is Doggo
Doggo is Human”
Idol Showdown has also been updated frequently, with the latest patch adding playable character Botan’s new lines as requested by the VTuber herself.

New cute Botan voice lines yay. pic.twitter.com/bcpTwFeKIN
— Rokai12X ? – KFP PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) (@Rokai12X) May 7, 2023

If you want to see what the big deal is, go check out our review. Then play the game; it’s free of charge.


Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Is Now Selling XP & Silver Boosts

Ubisoft is back at it again. The company was previously notorious for selling XP and Silver boosts as microtransactions in 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. These were absent in the recently-released Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Until now, that is.
The Assassin’s Creed Valhalla store now has a “Utility”Â item to the storefront that costs 1000 Helix credits (the equivalent of US$10), which adds a permanent 50 percent boost to the EXP players will gain in the game.
There is also a 1500 Helix credit (US$15)Â combo that grants a 50 percent boost to both XP and Silver (the in-game currency).

In a statement to Game Informer, Ubisoft explained why they added these microtransactions to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:
As more and more post-launch content becomes available, we want to give the option to players to advance their progression. Utilities allow players who lack the time to fully explore the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to be able to acquire the gameâ€™s best gear, as well as other items, by accelerating their progress.For instance, these players can purchase maps that uncover some interesting locations in the world, but would still have to visit and play them to get their rewards.
In the meantime, check outÂ our full review ofÂ Assassinâ€™s Creed ValhallaÂ here, orÂ head on over here for our guideÂ on how to be the best Viking in the game.


Tchia Surpasses One Million Players

Developer Awaceb and publisher Kepler Interactive have announced that the open-world island adventure Tchia has soul-jumped its way into the hearts and minds of more than 1 million players six weeks after its launch to critical acclaim on PlayStation consoles and PC. They have also opened pre-orders for PS4 and PS5 physical versions of Tchia launching on 18 July 2023.
Awaceb’s brand-new physical version of Tchia, distributed in partnership with Maximum Games, hits PS4 and PS5 on 18 July 2023 and is available to pre-order now from select retailers. The physical Oléti edition includes a cosmetic pack inspired by Kepler Interactive’s family of games. Customize your boat, ukulele, glider and even Tchia’s outfit with items and looks from Kepler’s suite of games including Sifu, Scorn, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn and Cat Quest-inspired designs.
Tchia puts players in the shoes of a young adventurer, Tchia, who ventures out to save her father from the grips of the archipelago’s tyrannical ruler, Meavora. With an army of mindless minions to face down called the Maano, players will have to use their creativity as well as some mystical tools – including soul-jumping and a magical ukulele – to defeat the fabric creatures one and for all. Along the way, players will immerse themselves in a world inspired by the small island nation of New Caledonia, from its unique landmarks and biomes to the unique culture of the people who call it home. Praised by critics for its charming physics-based sandbox that begs to be explored and sense of childlike wonder, Tchia offers a breathtaking look at a part of the world many have never seen before.
Tchia is available now for PS5, PS4 and PC via the Epic Games Store.
Check out our review of Tchia by heading over here.


Fortnite’s New Limited Time Mode Is An Among Us Clone

Epic Games has introduced a new Limited Time Mode in Fortnite, and it’s essentially Among Us in all but name.
In Fortnite‘s The Spy Within, ten players start in a match knowing what team they’re on (either agents or spies) but not the team of any other players. Two players (the spies) will work to eliminate the other eight without giving away their identities.
Meanwhile, the eight true agents must complete a number of objectives before time runs out or they’re all killed.
Just like Among Us, if a body is discovered, a player can call a meeting to hold a vote on who to jettison. However, players will only be able to use voice chat during these meetings.
The Limited Time Mode playlist will change every few days to feature a new The Spy Within game variant created by several community members; DolphinDom, KKSlider, Bunni_, Wert, Blanky, jstKamui, MackJack, Ritual and Snownymous, who Epic highlights in its ownÂ post about the mode.
If you complete The Spy Within Challenge Pack, you can also unlock the event exclusive skate deck variant and more.


Thor Love And Thunder Malaysia Release Delayed Indefinitely

Malaysian cinemas chain GSC Cinemas has announced an update on the Thor Love And Thunder release date in Malaysia. According to their Twitter post earlier today, the latest Marvel Studios movie will no longer be coming out on 21 July 2022, as Disney has officially listed the movie as “TBA”, which means “To Be Announced”.

THOR UPDATE:
Disney has updated us that the release of #ThorLoveandThunder in Malaysia is now "TBA" – release date is now undated. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience in this matter as we await more updates from Disney.
— GSC x Mat Kilau ?? (@GSCinemas) July 13, 2022

Breaking News: @DisneyStudiosMY  has confirmed that the release of #ThorLoveandThunder in Malaysia is now postponed indefinitely. We have to wait a little longer until we have the new release date from our beloved #Disney.
We appreciate your kind understanding & patience.? pic.twitter.com/bgBDJlwGjm
— TGV Cinemas | #TontondiTGV ?? (@TGVCinemas) July 13, 2022

What that means is that Thor Love And Thunder has been delayed indefinitely in Malaysia and currently has no release date. Worst case scenario is that it might not even be released in Malaysian cinemas. We’ll have to wait for further updates from Walt Disney Malaysia for what’s next.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei!
In the meantime, check out our spoiler-free review of the movie here.


Bilibili’s Three-Body Problem Animated Series To Debut In December

At this year’s annual ANIME MADE BY BILIBILI event, Bilibili announced 49 Chinese anime series lineups as well as the latest progress of The Three-Body Problem animated series.
We also found out that the highly anticipated The Three-Body Problem animated series is slated to make its global debut in China on 3 December. The series is adapted from Liu Cixin’s titular Hugo Award-winning sci-fi trilogy and co-presented by top sci-fi company The Three-Body Universe and top animation studio YHKT Entertainment. Since the announcement of the project in 2019, it has prompted widespread discussion across sci-fi and anime communities.

As one of the past twenty years’ most influential sci-fi novel series, The Three-Body Problem trilogy broke language and cultural barriers and inspired millions of readers globally. Preceding the launch of The Three-Body Problem animated series, there have been many excellent fan creations. At this year’s ANIME MADE BY BILIBILI, the company also collaborated with The Three-Body Universe, the rightsholder of the Three-Body IP, to launch the Three-Body Global Creator Project. The Project invites top animation creators across the world to explore the IP in their own unique vision and aims at presenting to global audiences a wide variety of art styles and the infinite potential of Three-Body animation.
“I am excited to announce that The Three-Body Problem animated series will debut on Bilibili,” said Cixin Liu. “Animation, like science fiction, is the art of imagination. Imagination is humanity’s most powerful force. I believe in the world of animation, a sci-fi story like The Three-Body Problem can really come alive.”
Other anime series lineups announced at the event include a personal favourite of mine, the Season 2 of Link Click, continuing from the first season, the story follows two friends that use extraordinary powers to grant people’s wishes. The show overall has proven popular among overseas audiences. Link Click achieved a peak ranking of #20 (now sits at #35) on MyAnimeList, the world’s top online anime community and database.

Another one that I’m looking forward to is the new season of The Daily Life of the Immortal King along with A Record of Mortal’s Journey to Immortality, both of which cover action, adventure and eastern fantasy genres. Each title has won accolades since the launch of the first season across Southeast Asia.
“Chinese anime has been gaining new momentum on top of riding on a global animation boom. When we take a deep dive into the entertainment industry, we find that anime has become a popular way for the young generation to express themselves. Anime is also more than just a form of expression. It has transcended its own boundary into a necessary building block of today’s digital world with wide application in films, games and virtual creator livestreaming. Bilibili is now the world’s largest virtual creator (VCreators) platform, with around 230,000 VCreators interacting and bonding with people through their virtual image and animation technologies.”
– Carly Lee, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer of Bilibili
Chinese anime has achieved a high level of recognition internationally. Over 70 Chinese anime titles have been launched on Bilibili for the audience in Southeast Asia and have garnered more than 98 million views since the end of 2020. On overseas social media, #DongHua, the Chinese word for anime, has begun to distinguish itself from #Anime and is starting to become a popular hashtag that global audiences are following and discussing. Global platforms are actively introducing Chinese anime titles and 24 series from Bilibili are already available to audiences worldwide.
As a platform with a global perspective, Bilibili is also promoting its overseas production capacity by cooperating with overseas production companies on animation projects. Outstanding overseas animation production companies such as RED DOG CULTURAL HOUSE and CMC MEDIA have participated in the production of Bilibili’s anime title Fairies Album and other original productions. Bilibili also made Face on Lie Season 1, which is based on a South Korean comic and was launched in April and is an example of Bilibili’s IP expansion capability in overseas markets.
“We have always embraced ‘MADE FOR GLOBAL’ as our vision. We are committed to making more original anime with global influence, and we also hope to keep discovering outstanding creators from all over the world to develop diversified cooperation models.”
– Leo Zhang, Vice President of Bilibili


DualSense God Of War Ragnarok Edition Will Be Available In Malaysia This November

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore Private Limited  (SIES) has announced that the DualSense Wireless Controller – God Of War Ragnarök Limited Edition will be available on 9 November 2022, at a suggested retail price of RM369. The limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller will be available at all PlayStation Authorized Dealer, Sony Stores and authorized retailers.
Store locations: https://www.playstation.com/local/retailers/
The two-tone, cool blue on icy white design of this limited edition DualSense Wireless  Controller was inspired by the Norse world of Midgard, further embellished with bear and wolf insignia – representing Kratos and Atreus. Let’s use this DualSense Wireless Controller to start a mythic journey with Kratos and Atreus and venture deep into the Nine Realms.
God Of War Ragnarok is slated to launch for the PS4 and PS5 on 9 November 2022.

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Calm Your Tits, PC Gamers: The Next Diablo Is Slated For The PC

No doubt the Blizzard and Diablo community are still up in arms about that upcoming mobile game. Well, they don’t have anything to worry about if the following newspiece is of any indication.
According to a recent Kotaku feature on Diablo and Blizzard, Blizzard’s Diablo team (Team 3) are currently working on a project called Fenris. That’s basically the code-name for the current incarnation of Diablo IV.
Here’s the info so far:

Blizzard has been working on this version of the game since 2016, and so far the team is optimistic about the direction. A former employee said that the game’s design director Luis Barriga had a strong vision for that game that many were excited about.
The game will be out for the PC, but whether it’ll have a simultaneous PC/console release or a PC-first release; that’s up in the air for now.
The game’s art direction is following this mantra: embrace the darkness. The team wanted to make this game not feel or look as cartoony as Diablo III, but instead make it more like Diablo II.Â To quote a current Blizzard employee: “They want to make [Fenris] gross, make it dark, [get rid of] anything that was considered cartoony inÂ Diablo IIIâ€¦ Make what people were afraid of inÂ Diablo II, but modern.”
The game isn’t going to be out until 2020 or later.
There’s a chance the game might eschew the isometric view in favour of an over-the-shoulder third-person view ala Dark Souls. To quote another developer:

“The question that kept getting asked is, â€˜If thereâ€™s going to be a â€˜strikeâ€™ equivalent, where youâ€™re forced into a very story-focused, well-designed level of a dungeon, what does that look like inÂ Diablo? What if we still had a coreÂ DiabloÂ game that just happened to have a bunch of people on the map to do other cool stuff?”

How will Fenris make money? That’s the question Blizzard is asking themselves while thinking of long-term monetization for the Diablo series.

That’s all we have so far. Moral of the story: when Blizzard says they have multiple Diablo projects oncoming, chances are part 4 might be in the mix. So yeah, put down those pitchforks: it’ll be a long wait until we get loot-hunting and hoarding again Diablo-style.


Diablo IV Offers New Look At Improved Class & Enemy Designs

Blizzard’s Diablo IV might not be ready for release anytime soon, but the developer has revealed more designs from the upcoming game, including for character classes and enemies. In a new blog post, Diablo IV art director John Mueller, lead character artist Arnaud Kotelnikoff, and associate art director Nick Chilano offered more details for the highly-anticipated sequel.
First up, playersÂ can choose from a variety of personas and customize them with a slew of detail options during character creation.

According to Mueller, they have made massive improvements to the level of detail, the surfacing of complex materials like skin, cloth simulation, hair, fur, metal, even down to the details of the highlights of the eyes and rivulets of perspiration. This includes a robust character customization system that is entirely new to Diablo and hundreds of componentized armour sets, different body types, dozens of unique personas, and completely unique art for five distinct classes (to start).
Players will customize the look of their character here in the new Wardrobe system that allows them to mix and match hundreds of armour components unique to their class, alongside custom colour palettes to create the class fantasy that best represents their character.

In Diablo IV, most of the story cutscenes will be rendered in the in-game engine using the game models.

According to Kotelnikoff, Diablo IV has more in-depth customization for your characters than in any previous Diablo games. You will be able to change the face of your character, the hairstyle, the facial hair (beards and eyebrows), and add jewellery (nose piercing or earrings), makeup, and body markings such as tattoos or body paint. You will also be able to change the colour values of your characterâ€™s skin, eyes, hair/facial hair, and body markings.
Some elements will be class-specific, to support the classesâ€™ unique backgrounds, but many will be shared between classes allowing more possibilities to mix and match. The new dye system allows you to change the colour palette of your armour pieces, such as changing silver to gold or replacing a white cloth with a black cloth.
Each part of the armour can be dyed, including the helmet, chest, gloves, legs, and boots. You can dye each piece with a different colour palette if you choose, or apply the same palette to all of them.

Every armour set in Diablo IV has two body types. Here is an armour set for Barbarians with some subtle differences between the two.

Check out the video clips below of the Rogues in slow motion, which was recorded in the game’s real-time engine.

These are the new designs for enemies in Diablo IV.
Blood Bishop.

Succubus.
Succubus.

Pale Knight.

Amalgam.

In the meantime, head on over here to learn more about the new Rogue class and other information. Diablo IV is currently in development for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.


The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld Launches Next Month

According to a leaked listing (via Engadget), the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is slated to launch on 18 October 2022 and will cost C$400, which is roughly RM1350+. At the time of writing, the Amazon US page for the Cloud Gaming Handheld isn’t live yet, as Logitech hasn’t officially announced it yet.
The leaked specs state that users will be able to stream games in 1080p at up to 60 frames per second on the seven-inch touchscreen, and the device offers haptic feedback, gyroscope controls and remappable buttons. The specs also suggests that the battery will run for up to 12 hours on a single charge.
Logitech and Tencent collaborated with Microsoft and NVIDIA to ensure that that there will be support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now on the device. Users will also be able to use the Steam Link app to play games from their PC remotely. Logitech also stated that users will be able to download apps from the Google Play Store on the device.
That’s all we know so far until Logitech officially announces more details.


Netflix January 2023: Our Picks & Highlights

Happy New Year!
I’m sure you won’t want to waste time sifting through Netflix’s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming giant updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so I’m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for Netflix Malaysia’s January 2023 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
Kaleidoscope (1 January 2023)

A master thief and his crew attempt an epic and elaborate heist worth $7 billion dollars — but betrayal, greed and other threats undermine their plans. Starring Giancarlo Esposito, Paz Vega, and Tati Gabrielle.

The Way Of The Househusband Season 2 (1 January 2023)

This world-class househusband was once a feared legendary member of the yakuza! “The Way of the Househusband” is a cosy gangster comedy about “The Immortal Dragon,” a former yakuza member whose incredible feats are still talked about in the underworld, and who spends his daily life as a househusband.
Stealing Raden Saleh (5 January 2023)

To save his father, a master forger sets out to steal an invaluable painting with the help of a motley crew of specialists. It’s not every day that we get an Indonesian heist film with high production value.

The Pale Blue Eye (6 January 2023)
The Pale Blue Eye. Christian Bale as Augustus Landor in The Pale Blue Eye. Cr. Scott Garfield/Netflix © 2022
West Point, 1830. A world-weary detective is hired to discreetly investigate the gruesome murder of a cadet. Stymied by the cadets’ code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case — a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe. Starring Christian Bale.

Vikings Valhalla Season 2 (12 January 2023)
Vikings: Valhalla. Leo Suter as Harald Sigurdsson in episode 201 of Vikings: Valhalla. Cr. Bernard Walsh/Netflix © 2022
Hunted and on the run, our legendary Vikings heroes are forced to test their ambitions and courage in worlds beyond the fjords of Scandinavia.
Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived — the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter).

That ’90s Show (19 January 2023)

Welcome back to your favourite basement. Same Formans, new friends.
It’s 1995 and Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer, where she bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids under the watchful eye of Kitty and the stern glare of Red.

Junji Ito Maniac Japanese Tales Of The Macabre (19 January 2023)

The genius Junji Ito has long been at the forefront of the Japanese horror manga world. Featuring a selection of 20 macabre masterpieces brimming with his original worldview and fascinating characters drawn in his stunning style, including popular titles such as “Hanging Balloon” and fan-favourite characters Tomie and Soichi, this animated series will totally immerse viewers in the maniacal charm of Junji Ito.

Devotion (20 January 2023)
Devotion. (L to R) Jonathan Majors as Jesse Brown and Glen Powell as Tom Hudner in Devotion. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
A pioneering Black U.S. Navy aviator (Jonathan Majors) and his devoted wingman (Glen Powell) form a life-and-death bond in this acclaimed Korean War epic inspired by an incredible true story.

Superstore Seasons 1 to 6 (23 January 2023)
SUPERSTORE — “Essential” Episode 601 — Pictured: (l-r) Ben Feldman as Jonah, America Ferrera as Amy, Nico Santos as Mateo — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”) and Ben Feldman star in a hilarious workplace comedy (from the producer of “The Office”) about a unique family of employees at a super-sized mega store. From the bright-eyed newbies and the seen-it-all veterans to the clueless summer hires and the in-it-for-life managers, together they hilariously tackle the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters, riot-causing sales and nap-worthy training sessions.

Lockwood & Co. (27 January 2023)
DSC_5031.NEF
A girl with extraordinary psychic abilities joins two gifted teen boys at a small ghost-hunting agency to fight the many deadly spirits haunting London.

You People (27 January 2023)
You People. (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Akbar and Jonah Hill (Writer-Producer) as Ezra in You People. Cr. Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2023.
A new couple (Jonah Hill, Lauren London) fall in love and find themselves confronting societal expectations and generational differences amidst their families (Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny) clashing cultures, in this comedy from Kenya Barris.

In the meantime, check out the highlights for the whole month in the video below:


The End Of Fortnite Has Begun

It’s over, folks. Fortnite is officially dead…
Well, sort of.
It’s been almost 10 hours since Fortnite became totally unplayable. If you’ve logged out of Fortnite, you won’t be able to log in. For those who have stayed logged in, all they’re seeing is what seems to be a small black hole in the middle of their screens. For those who were lucky enough to witness the live event that created the black hole, they saw something incredible.

As we all know, Season X began with the map being reverted to the pre-meteor strike status. However, the meteor wasn’t completely gone. Time was reverted back to mere moments before the meteor hit so it stayed afloat just a few stories above ground. The meteor wasn’t in complete stasis, it was still going towards the ground, just extremely slowly.
In the live event that happened yesterday, the meteor… I think it’s better if you just watch it yourself.

It really happened. pic.twitter.com/OmVIUAY6ps
— Twitch (@Twitch) October 13, 2019

RIP Fortnite: Battle Royale
FULL LIVE REACTION TO THE END! pic.twitter.com/ifX4CJcnEK
— Jack “CouRage” Dunlop (@CouRageJD) October 13, 2019

After the meteor crashed, it formed a singularity that sucked in everything including the battle bus. Then, the music died down to a more innocuous tone. Finally, we see it: the black hole everyone has been staring it for the past 8 hours. Those who were in the game’s lobbies also experienced the singularity, seeing their characters and even menu buttons being sucked into the black hole.

Logged in to #Fortnite #Epicgames this happened. pic.twitter.com/BqJlZ93Tra
— Chris Ferguson (@cfergu10) October 14, 2019

If all that isn’t enough, the official Fortnite Twitter page also deleted all of its tweets except one that’s been up since the black hole formed: a livestream of the black hole. No captions or anything. Just a stream of the black hole. On Friday, they tweeted “the end is near” and earlier today “this is the end” was tweeted. The black hole screen is also being streamed on Fortnite’s YouTube channel.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huDgBRqbMuc&w=560&h=315]
The interesting thing about the black hole screen is that it isn’t static. Every now and then, a random number pops up on the screen. Players from the Fortnite community have been cracking their brains over these numbers, trying to decipher what they mean. I believe some of them have managed to cracked the code (with what’s been revealed so far).

what should we expect next? #fortnite #theend pic.twitter.com/ltHPqnb3qO
— Cozy (@IsiahCozy) October 14, 2019

Looks like we’ll have to keep watching the stream to see if any more numbers pop up or maybe it’s coming to an end soon. What’s guaranteed is that something big is definitely coming. I don’t think it’s Fortnite 2 or Fortnite: Chapter 2 but probably Season 11 which, I believe, will come with an entirely new map.
Fun fact: The Epic Games Store itself suffered a crash after the Fortnite event occurred. It has been fixed but that just goes to show how big of a thing Fortnite is in the Epic Games Store ecosystem.


Digital BlizzCon Confirmed For Early 2021

Sad that BlizzCon 2020 isn’t happening thanks to COVID-19? No worries, there’s going to be an online BlizzCon due for early next year.
According to a recent Activision-Blizzard second-quarter earnings call, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack confirms that the online plan is a-go.

“We are planning on channelling the spirit of BlizzCon into a virtual event in the early part of next year. We’re really fortunate to have a passionate and engaged community that’s really looking forward to what we’re creating and what we’re working on. And we’re looking forward to sharing what the teams have been working on for that event.”

An online version of BlizzCon is second nature to the company. After all, they’ve been selling virtual tickets of their live shows for quite a while now. Obviously there isn’t more info apart from that confirmation, but we’ll be getting more when 2021 starts. We’re sure to expect news on Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, and another World of Warcraft expansion. Right now, the company has its own little problem with keeping its workforce stable.Â


Penny’s Big Breakaway Features Yoyos & 3D Platforming; Out Early 2024

Need a new 3D platforming fix? You may have to wait a while if you want one with yoyos.
Penny’s Big Breakaway is a new 3D platformer from the makers of Sonic Mania. It’s about a girl named Penny who is a whiz at using a yoyo to fight foes and pull off platforming tricks. She made an enemy out of Emperor Eddy, and has to explore and blaze through the world of Macaroon to escape his wrath. Said escapade will involve lots of platforming, swinging, time trials, and fun 3D action that’s reminiscent of the old PS1 platformers back in the day.
Penny’s Big Breakaway is out for Nintendo Switch in early 2024.


Street Fighter 6: Luke Move List & Guide

Street Fighter 6 is coming out on 2nd June, which is just less than a month away. As such, the game’s roster for its launch is set with 18 characters, each with their various playstyles.
In this entry, we’ll be focusing on Luke, a private military contractor who uses his military experience for mixed martial arts coaching. And the 2023 shoot entry for beginners of the series.
Note: This guide is still in development.
All inputs are in numpad notations. For example, Hadouken from player 1’s starting side is 236P.
Attack buttons are as follows: LP, MP, HP are light punch, medium punch, and heavy punch respectively. LK, MK, and HK are light kick, medium kick, and heavy kick respectively. None of this Fierce or Roundhouse bulls*** in Asia.
Credits: Fighting Game Anniversaries, WoolieVS, FlawlessDeku, Capcom, Reversal

STREET FIGHTER 6 LUKE OVERVIEW

Luke is a versatile fighter. He excels at mid- to close-range combat and can also unleash long-range attacks with his projectile abilities.
One of his notable moves is a standing punch that allows him to close the distance quickly, making it effective for punishing opponents’ mistakes. Additionally, Luke possesses a powerful jumping uppercut called the Rising Rocket, serving as a reliable anti-air move akin to the iconic Shoryuken. Luke’s distinctive signature move is the Flash Knuckle, which can be executed with a quarter circle back motion followed by a punch.
He has the best tools for beginners and intermediate players alike. If you want to learn how SF6 works, pick him first.
Play If: You’re new to fighting games, love all-rounder characters with a good mix of defense & offense plays.
Avoid If: You want more advanced characters, prefer unconventional characters.

STREET FIGHTER 6 LUKE MOVE LIST

SPECIAL MOVES
Sand Blast: 236LP/236MP/236HP/236PP. Fire a shockwave of pressure from your fist. Useful for checking an opponent from a distance, and as a stopgap in combos. a

Fatal Shot: 236PP > PP. Fire an additional shockwave after an OD Sand Blast. Useful for securing some damage after trading projectiles.

Rising Uppercut: 623LP/623MP/623HP/623PP. Unleash a ferocious punch as you leap diagonally upwards. It grants immunity to jumping attacks, making it useful as an anti-air technique.

Slam Dunk: 623PP > PP. An attack executed from an OD Rising Uppercut that slams an opponent to the ground. In addition to its high damage, it leaves you in an advantageous position afterward.

Flash Knuckle: 214LP/214[LP]/pf.214[LP]/ 214MP/214[MP]/pf.214[MP]/ 214HP/214[HP]/pf.214[HP]/ 214PP A full powered, chargeable punch. Increase the damage output by holding down the bottom at the beginning. Release the button when you see a flash to further boost its properties.

DDT: 214PP > PP. A powerful throw activated from the first hit of an OD Flash Knuckle. Useful for when you want to guarantee some extra damage.

Avenger: 236K/236KK. Charge ahead in a forward-leaning stance. Other moves can be executed out of Avenger by pressing a button during its animation.

No Chaser: 236K~P/236KK~P. A powerful tackle that can be executed during Avenger. This attack is active for a while, making it a useful tool for closing in on your opponent.
Impaler: 236K~K/236KK~K. An overhead kick that can be executed during Avenger and cannot be blocked while crouching. Useful when trying to sneak through an opponent’s guard, or as part of a combo.

Aerial Flash Knuckle: j.214P/j.214[P]/j.214PP. A Flash Knuckle performed while jumping. Can be used to alter the trajectory of your jump, making it useful for surprise attacks. Can also be worked into aerial combos.
SUPER ARTS
Vulcan Blast: 236236P. Fire multiple high-speed Sand Blasts. Its swift speed makes it useful in projectile wars and in combos.
Eraser: 214214P. A series of punches punctuated by a powerful finishing blow that sends an opponent flying. Connecting with the first hit is enough to activate the combination attack that follows.
Pale Rider: 236236K. Charge and mount the opponent before unloading a flurry of powerful punches. It has a long forward range, making it useful in combos. Also goes through projectiles.
UNIQUE ATTACKS
Rawhide: 6MP. An overhead attack that cannot be blocked while crouching.
Suppressor: 4HP. A strike unleashed after stepping backward. Can be canceled into special moves.
Double Impact: 6HP~6HP. A series of attacks performed while moving forward that hits multiple times.
Triple Impact: 5LP~MP/5LP~MP~HP. A quick series of attacks that can be canceled into special moves.
Nose Breaker: 2MK~2HP. An attack consisting of multiple hits, the first of which cannot be blocked while standing.
Snapback Combo: 5MP~MP/5MP~MP~MP/5MP~MP~MP~MP.  A series of attacks, the first and second which can be canceled into Super Arts. Not safe when blocked.


Soul Hackers 2 To Feature 25th Anniversary Devil Summoner OST Collection In-Game & Collector’s Edition

Atlus will be releasing a Soul Hackers 25th anniversary soundtrack in-game option for its upcoming JRPG Soul Hackers 2. Basically, you can use the soundtrack and tunes from past Devil Summoner and Soul Hacker games from the late 90s series while you’re dungeon-crawling in Soul Hackers 2. The in-game option will also have the history of the Devil Summoner series and a bunch of developer notes and highlights for fans to read up on.
As a bonus, the game will also have arranged versions of past Soul Hackers/Devil Summoner tracks from current Shin Megami Tensei series composer Ryota Kozuka.

The soundtrack to Persona 5 is also added on the collection if you buy the Persona 5 DLC skins for the game’s cast.

For those who don’t know, Devil Summoner and Soul Hackers are a bunch of spin-off games in the SMT franchise set in alternate time periods and involves detective agencies and groups. These include the first Soul Hackers for Sega Saturn (and its 3DS port) and Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha slew of games that take place in 1930s Japan.
Atlus will also be selling the collector’s edition of Soul Hackers 2. For US$199.99, you’ll get:

3” Ai-ho Figurine.
Steelbook Collector’s Game Case Physical edition of Soul Hackers 2 on the platform of your choice
Mimi Plushie.
Soul Hackers 2 Pin Collection.
USB Soundtrack.
Saizo’s Keychain.
Character Art Cards.
Collector’s Box.
Full Game (Physical edition for console platform of user’s choice).

Soul Hackers 2 will be out on 26 August for PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5 consoles. For more Soul Hackers 2 goodness, check out the gameplay footage below running on a PS5.


The Official PUBG Backstory Makes No Sense

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) may have not been the beginning of the battle royale craze but it definitely propelled it to its current phenomenal status. The game’s fourth season is coming later this month and a new cinematic trailer has been released. If you ever wondered why a hundred people would parachute onto an island to kill each other, prepare to continue wondering.
The trailer basically depicts a boy who was the “first lone survivor” of Erangel (PUBG’s first map). His home was bombed and attacked by an army of some sort and something in him was awakened thanks to this particular tragedy.

This awakening manifests an interesting desire within him. The desire to give others the same awakening he went through. He does this by setting up Erangel as a battlegrounds for people to kill each other in.
That’s right. This is the story of the man behind the battle royale matches of PUBG. The trailer ends with him sitting in front of computer screens showing camera feeds of survivors duking it out on Erangel.

“Welcome to my battlegrounds.”

– Narrator
So how does he find people to join the battle royale? Does he actually have a proper goal besides “I want others to become a survivor like me too”? How does he make money through all this?
Perhaps like the game, the answers for all these questions are still rendering. Watch the trailer here.


The Final Fantasy VII Remake Does Its Crisis Core DNA Justice, But Is It Enough?

The 3rd of March is supposed to be the release date of the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Due to some extra polishing, the long-awaited title will take an extra month. Which is fine for fans, since they are used to waiting for Final Fantasy titles to drop.
But a total refurbishing of a classic 1997 JRPG that made the genre incredibly mainstream? Based on what we’ve played, seen, and heard so far, this may be the jump-start and “rebirth” the series needs, especially with the new stuff that’s in tow.
This used to be something an FF veteran like me joked about a decade ago when we thought Square Enix was out of ideas. What a funny world we live in.

Square Enix is spinning the proverbial slot machine and hoping it comes out 7s with its new take on a classic story. There is a lot more than meets the eye as the company and its developers added a whole lot of Midgar-related stuff to do.
For context, the Midgar section of Final Fantasy VII was about 5 to 6 hours long and only made up about 10% of the entire original game’s adventure. And the remake didn’t make a secret about itself being episodic and representing every facet of Final Fantasy VII.
In this first part of an ongoing adventure, there is a LOT to do. Apart from the overhauled combat system which is a modified version of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII with parts of FF Type-0 and FF XV shoved in for good measure, there’s more materia, new cutscenes, and a weapon skill tree.
Yes, FF7 now has a weapon skill tree. It’s pretty important given that the meat of the game is its combat.
Active Time Babble

If anything, the remake’s Tactical Mode combat system will be the remake’s biggest draw. In fact, this aspect may potentially supersede the original in the gameplay department. You see, all your fighting is done in real-time; you control a point character (by default, Cloud) as he walks and explores the area he’s in. When he encounters enemies, he draws his sword and can proceed to slash his way through the opposition. He can also cast spells and use his skills via a menu system, which slows down time to a crawl as you select what you need to hinder foes & buff up your party.
Each of our heroes feels and plays differently. Cloud is your standard melee swordslinger with a few spells to toss out, Barret shoots enemies down with rapid-fire ranged attacks, and Tifa can dart around the battlefield and dish out fast-hitting combos. Aerith heals and occasionally casts a charged wind elemental attack. Without her, your team may not make it out alive.

The game’s system showcases its strength when fighting the main bosses. Remember the Air Buster and Abzu/Aps bosses in the original? Now you have to fight them in action setpieces while juggling between real-time attacks and time-slowing menus & spell selection to stand a chance.

You’ll need to plan ahead and coordinate attacks, as well as switch around to different characters. Sure, the AI can do their job, but it’s better if you micromanage if you want to get a better ranking in combat. Nothing’s better than switching between Cloud’s hard-hits and Limit Breaks, and then switching back to Tifa to keep enemies off of Cloud with quick strikes and Whirling Uppercuts to end combos.
This is all the more apparent when you have Aerith. Her primary role is healing, buffing, debuffing, and casting Tempest without being interrupted. When fighting Abzu, she basically needs to stay in the rear while Cloud and Tifa provide the offensive.
This is also an RPG with dungeons to explore, so you’ll have to fight through a number of soldiers from SOLDIER (heh) and climb up the building. You’ll even have a chance to tweak battle conditions before a fight; before fighting Air Buster, you’ll have a chance to tamper with it by finding a keycard, searching for a specific room with the robot’s terminals, and then take out any of its key components to tilt the fight to your favour.
You will completely miss this if you choose to beeline to the boss, so at the very least, the game encourages you to explore alternate paths in one of the many terrorist missions and get the most out of it.
A Crisis In Its Core

What most players fear out of the Final Fantasy VII Remake is the fact that they’re getting 1/6th of the original game. It’s like how Metal Gear fans felt when they played Metal Gear Ground Zeroes; they’re playing part of a bigger story that should be fleshed out more and somehow getting charged quite a substantial amount of money for it.
We’d go as far as to compare this with Blizzard’s StarCraft 2 trilogy, where the game’s story is divided into three parts over the course of a few years. While it’s meaty and does make sense competitive-wise (updates, balance tweaks between trilogies), it does ruin the flow and pacing of the single-player campaign.
It’s arguably worse here in the remake because fans know how Final Fantasy VII’s story starts and ends. Consider this: when players got out of Midgar for the first time in the original Final Fantasy VII, they received not only a breathtaking look of the entire world but also experience the remaining 25 hours and more adventure out of it.
Every minute scene in the original is essentially expanded to half an hour of cutscenes and talking heads. Some fans may like what’s being revised & updated, but it’s more of an apologetic feeling at best when Square Enix should know better.

We may end up getting an entire kick-ass 200-hour gorgeous-looking action RPG by the end of 2030. A hyperbolic declaration, yes, but given the company’s history with game releases, it’s not outside the realm of plausibility.

An Advent For Children?

No doubt about it: Final Fantasy VII Remake is going to feature a ton of easter eggs for avid fans to chow down and enjoy (like the image below). However, being a part of a larger trilogy or even a “something-logy” may make some astute JRPG fans feeling a little disillusioned at this turn of events, especially if all they’re getting is just Midgar.

Though to be fair, it’s still quite a wild ride so far especially with a solid reiteration of the combat and a lot to explore. No doubt anyone who hasn’t even touch or heard of the original Final Fantasy VII or just played bits of it will be enamoured if the few hours of gameplay here is indicative of the full game.
Note to Square Enix: get a time trial/Arcade Mode ready so that we’ll be replaying boss fights & key action scenes while putting up our ranks on leaderboards.
Stay tuned for our upcoming review on April to find out if this first part of a supposed trilogy is worth spending RM200+ for.


Dying Flame Is The Latest In Southeast Asian-Made Horror; Out This March

We’ve had our fair share of Southeast Asian-made horror games these past few years, with Dreadout, Fires At Midnight, and Short Creepy Tales: 7pm being the ones that stand out. We might be getting another one in 2021 with Dying Flame.Â
Made by Malaysian indie studio Roundtable Games Studio, this narrative-driven 2D horror game is made in RPG Maker MK and features a heavy emphasis on narrative, as well as psychological and emotional horror involving anxiety, stress, and fear. Players control a man named James, who is trapped in an unknown mansion and is looking for his missing wife. He has a lighter that is his only source of light in the dark mansion. Basically, if it’s pitch black, you’re dead.
Here is the indie game’s feature list (via its recently-opened Steam page):

A horror atmosphere wherein players solve puzzles based on clues found in the house.
Gather the items needed to solve puzzles, and unlock the full story
You can save, but whether or not you save, will test you, stress you and give an understanding of an addict’s craving.
Death haunts your every step from the darkness.
A sudden plunging death is possible with one misstep.
Headphones *strongly* recommended.

Dying Flame will be out on 22nd March, 2021. You can play the demo here on the studio’s itch.io page.


Metroidvania Indie Rusted Moss Will Be Out This April

Physics-based grapple hook Metroidvania title Rusted Moss will be out for PC next month.
Rusted Moss will be out on 12 April according to publisher Playism and developer trio faxdoc, happysquared, and sunnydazed. The game features tight and precise gunplay via twinstick shooting controls, a grappling hook to fool around with, and many bosses to fight against. Check out the gameplay & features below:
Features

Master the grapple.
Over 20 unique abilities to find!
Customizable strategy and gameplay.
Over six challenging bosses to defeat.
Eight distinct weapons to find.
Multiple endings.
Encounter humans and fae folk trying to find their way through the world. Speak to them and learn their stories.
Uncover lost shrines and abandoned computer stations to learn about old secrets and forgotten tales.
Beautifully melancholic pixel art. A retro vibe with a modern aesthetic, the world of Rusted Moss comes alive with moody pixels and stylish animation.


Heavenly Delusion Episode 1 Is One Heck Of A Come Back For Production I.G.

Production I.G. has a long-standing reputation for producing mind-blowing science fiction TV shows and movies, like Ghost in the Shell and Psycho-Pass. Recently, they haven’t really surprised their fans with anything new but Heavenly Delusion is here to change that.
This post-apocalyptic series, directed by Hirotaka Mori and based on Masakazu Ishiguro’s manga, is a unique blend of mystery and adventure. The story is told from two different perspectives: one from a youth’s viewpoint, similar to The Promised Neverland, and the other from a boy and girl on a cross-country quest to find “heaven”.

The Outside

The first part of Heavenly Delusion’s story is about the kids who grow up in a futuristic nursery, which is isolated from the outside world, but still surrounded by a forest-like environment. Tokio, a curious boy, gets a strange message that leads him to wonder what lies beyond the outside world. His friend Mimihime is equally curious and seems to know more than she lets on.

Searching for Heaven

Unlike other post-apocalyptic stories, Heavenly Delusion doesn’t spend too much time building up the world only to tear it down. Instead, the audience is quickly given the answer to the main question. The second part of the story follows Kiruko and Maru, two protagonists who roam around a dilapidated Japan. They raid abandoned houses for supplies and face off against scavengers.
What sets Heavenly Delusion apart is the chemistry between the two protagonists and the overall tone of the series. Despite the dark imagery, it’s less bleak than other stories of its kind. The youthful perspective changes the way we see the world, even if there are still some horrifying moments.
Kiruko is hired as Maru’s bodyguard as he searches for “Heaven.” The duo has a great dynamic, and they bicker and celebrate the small things they find on their journey. They face threats along the way, but they can handle themselves. Kiruko has a gun but compensates for its low capacity with her sharp wit, and Maru is a skilled hand-to-hand fighter.

Return to Glory

Production I.G. has a long-standing reputation for creating exceptional science fiction works, and their latest series, Heavenly Delusion, doesn’t disappoint. Directed by Hirotaka Mori and based on the manga series by Masakazu Ishiguro, this post-apocalyptic series tells two unique stories. The first follows the curious Tokio, who becomes intrigued by the question of what lies beyond the walls of his secluded nursery, and his clever friend Mimihime. The second story follows the adventurous Kiruko and Maru as they journey through a run-down Japan in search of a place called “Heaven.”
What sets this series apart is the chemistry between the protagonists, which adds a sense of warmth and cosiness to the show despite the dark imagery. The animation is top-notch and the attention to detail is impressive. The premiere episode is surprisingly cheerful, with immediately likeable characters and a compelling mystery that hooks the viewer. Although the second story somewhat overshadows the first, it sets up a promising future for the series.
As someone who is up to date with the manga, I am extremely pleased with the way Episode 1 has been adapted. It somehow managed to surpass my expectations and elevate every aspect of what made the manga so good. Overall, Heavenly Delusion is a must-watch for fans of science fiction and post-apocalyptic adventure. The premiere episode is available for streaming on Disney+, Hulu in America, and Star+ in Latin America.


KKP Best Of 2020: Game #26

#26. Fires At Midnight (PC)

https://videopress.com/v/dublr3UA?preloadContent=metadata

A world where sex without love lights people up literally. The end of 1999 where the future is uncertain. 90s references aplenty.
Fires At Midnight is one of the most interesting games to come out of Malaysia this year. Developed by Persona Theory Games, it’s essentially an interactive narrative-driven visual novel adventure game, but it’s spicy and sexy in a way that’s surprising for a local game.
Youâ€™ll encounter stories and mature subject matter exploring racism, corruption, and sexual assaults, as well as mental health issues like depression and suicidal tendencies from trauma. This definitely isn’t a relaxing game like Coffee Talk or other visual novels.
With its horror elements, it’s probably closer to something like 2017â€™sÂ Doki Doki Literature Club!. Malaysians and those who grew up in the 90s would likely enjoy Fires At Midnight the most. With multiple endings, this game also has replay value, despite one playthrough only lasting around two hours or so.

Still, it is a few hours of storytelling that will burn itself into your mind, much like most of the heathens in the tale.


Malaysia Esports Team Manager For SEA Games Announced

One of the biggest announcements at the end of last year was that the 2019 SEA Games will be the first SEA Game to feature esports as a medal sport. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan had lobbied for the inclusion of esports into the SEA Games back in November 2018 and after successfully convincing the SEA Games Organizing Committee, it was also confirmed that Razer will be providing support in terms of hardware, software, and services needed for the esports events.
Recently, Esports Malaysia (ESM) announced that Firdaus Hashim AKA MasterRamen has been appointed as the Malaysian esports team manager for the 2019 SEA Games. As a director at Mineski Events Team Malaysia and former pro DOTA 2 player himself, Firdaus is definitely a good choice for the position. He’s currently an active streamer on Facebook and regularly plays PUBG Mobile.
Firdaus Hashim AKA MasterRamen.
The 30th Sea Games will be happening from 30 November to 11 December 2019 in the Philippines. Southeast Asian teams have been training and preparing themselves for the sports event and this includes each country’s respective esports team as well. The esports event will be contested across PC, console, and mobile with each platform featuring two video games. For PC, it’ll be DOTA 2 and StarCraft II. For mobile, Arena of Valor and Mobile Legends. Only Tekken 7 has been announced for console as of writing this article.
We at KKP wish MasterRamen all the best and will give him and all the Malaysian athletes our undying support. We also hope that ESM will give the esports athletes the proper facilities and coaching needed for them to excel at the SEA Games and bring home those gold medals!


This Week In PC Gaming: 15th July

Our weekly recaps continue, still in video form. Welcome, ladies and gents, to another entry of This Week In PC Gaming.
Thanks to our sponsors from Asus and their TUF Gaming brand, we’re given the opportunity to do a weekly dose of PC gaming recaps featuring the top news and game releases/highlights of the week. For the week of 9th-15th July, we highlight Ubisoft’s pirate game, Tomonobu Itagaki’s re-entry in the video games industry, and a bunch of PC game picks including a tribute to Konami’s Contra series.

Like/dislike the video? What else do you want out of our quick PC gaming recap? Let us know on our socials like Facebook and Twitter!


Hardcore RPG Elden Ring Gets Comedy Manga Series; Out Now

Elden Ring, the latest RPG from From Software and Bandai Namco, is a huge success and is one of 2022’s best games. It also sold a heckaton of copies, so it’s only natural to capitalize on it with a comic book series.
But a comedic one? Well, that’s what Kadokawa’s publishing arm is going for in the new manga series Elden Ring: The Road To The Golden Tree. The manga is written by by Nikiichi Tobita, and will be a gag manga that uniquely interprets the world of Elden Ring in a funny fashion.
The game’s characters from Melina to Godrick the Grafted will be in the comic, with the series recreating some iconic scenes from the game but with their own punchlines, be it the number of deaths the player character faces (called Aseo of Limgrave here) to how the game’s bosses like Margit and Godrick are related to Aseo

The comic series will be in the magazine COMIC Hu starting today. You can read the English version here.
For more on Elden Ring, check out our coverage and guides on one of 2022’s finest.


Assassin’s Creed’s Ezio & Eivor Are Now In Fortnite

Assassin’s Creed is now in Fortnite.
Players can head to the Fortnite Item Shop to find the Fortnite Ezio outfit, which includes Ezio’s unique Hidden Blade Pickaxe – this can be equipped by using the Assassin’s Strike Emote. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Fortnite Eivor also makes her debut, and her outfit features Eivor’s Shield Back Bling and the Handaxes of the Raven Clan Pickaxe. The Tales from the Animus Bundle, complete with the The Wolf-Kissed Longboat Glider, is now in the store.


Netflix’s Project Power Cast On The Definition Of Superheroes, New Orleans & Rapping

We had the opportunity to interview four of the stars from Netflix’s Project Power; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jamie Foxx, Dominique Fishback and Rodrigo Santoro. They spoke about everything from their definition of a superhero, what it’s like to be an actor who’s also a parent, and best of all, the truth behind Dominique Fishback’s rapping skills in the movie.
The synopsis reads:

On the streets of New Orleans, word begins to spread about a mysterious new pill that unlocks superpowers unique to each user.
The catch: You donâ€™t know what will happen until you take it. While some develop bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, others exhibit a deadlier reaction.

However, when the pill escalates crime within the city to dangerous levels, a local cop named Frank (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer named Robin (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta named Art (Jamie Foxx) to track down and stop the group responsible for creating it.
Project Power also stars Rodrigo Santoro, who portrays the antagonist and dealer of the power pill drug named Biggie.
Netflix’s Project Power is slated to premiere on Netflix on 14 August 2020. Stay tuned for our review as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1vQgVaYNQ&w=560&h=315]
Here’s what they had to say to the questions we asked:
Q: Everyone in this movie is morally compromised in some way or another. No one quite fits the description of what you’d call a “superhero.” Talk to me about what it was that drew you to this particular character?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: I honestly just thought it would be really fun. I’d just take a couple of years off acting because I’m a dad now and wanted to spend some time with my babies. My first job back was this movie called 7500, which also just came out, and it’s very intense, very heavy and very serious.

After doing that, I just wanted to do something fun and so, when I read the script, and I saw, oh, it’s going to be Jamie Foxx, and we’re going to get to go to New Orleans. This is definitely going to be fun, so I signed up and it was fun.

Rodrigo Santoro: First thing I had was a good reaction to the script. It was a very fresh take, it’s not a superhero movie, but it’s a movie that talks about superpowers, like superpowers for regular people. I liked the premise of the film, I liked playing this part, and I also thought it would be fun to do it.

The character I played goes through a very interesting transformation and I thought, I’d never done that before. I wanted to try and exercise that. Then, I had a great conversation with the directors of the film. They are not only incredibly talented but also very open to talk and discuss your ideas and suggestions.
It’s what an artist wants, to have an environment where they can be creative and collaborate. All of that, it was really great, I had the same experience with Joseph, I had a lot of fun doing it.
PROJECT POWER (L-R) JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as FRANK in PROJECT POWER Cr. SKIP BOLEN/NETFLIX Â© 2020
Q: You took a two year hiatus from acting and have come back into it at the strangest time. Both 7500 and Project Power are digital releases. And I wanted to ask you if there was a difference in approach when you know you’re making a movie for the cinema and when you’re making a movie for the small screen?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Honestly, I don’t think there’s really much of a difference, but there’s definitely a difference in how they’re received. When we’re shooting, we shot it just like any other film, I suppose that as things evolve, there will be more and more differences. For now, we just made a movie, and it’s exciting to me that so much more people are going to get to watch it, seeing as it’s on Netflix.
You know, let’s be honest, movies can be expensive. I love the cinema, I love sitting in a dark room with a crowd full of people and sharing a film together. I think it changes it, but cinemas can be expensive for families to pay for all the tickets and buy popcorn, parking and everything else.
I like the idea that the things I work on getting to be out there and get to as many people as possible, not just people that have money. Granted, not everybody has Netflix, but a lot more people do and that’s exciting to me.
Q: In genre movies like this one, it’s clear that the person having the most fun is the one playing the big bad guy. Who is “Biggie” and what makes him tick?
Rodrigo Santoro: I agree with you. I don’t know if I had the most fun, but I had a lot of fun playing it.
Biggie is a salesman, he’s the main representative of the power pill. He’s got big ideas, he wants to sell the power pill all over the world and wants to make it big. He really wants to make a big splash, he thinks he’s going to change the world, he’s a visionary. He’s very confident in his vision. That’s the character he’s built for himself, to be able to seduce people and to sell.

Underneath that, he’s a very insecure and weird guy that doesn’t know how to be or how to think. He just wants to have and be accepted, be somebody.
There’s a reason why his name is Biggie, which becomes really clear in the movie, not only physically but it’s about getting big and making it big, it’s about having power and how far human beings go for power, to become bigger. Metaphorically speaking, that’s my take on him.

PROJECT POWER (L to R) COLSON BAKER / MACHINE GUN KELLY as NEWT in PROJECT POWER Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX Â© 2020
Q: Joseph, you recently revealed you took some time off when you had kids and Rodrigo, you have a three-year-old â€“ has being a dad changed the way you select roles or approach the industry?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: For the most part, it’s just a matter of quantity. Before I was a dad, I was going from movie to movie, I was lucky to do it. Now I don’t want to do that. I’m less interested in taking a bunch of shots and be like oh, do this and this and this, and maybe some of them will be good, let’s see.
I’m like, this is the movie I’m going to do this year and I will choose wisely. Doesn’t mean I’ll be right every time but I don’t know, that’s the difference.
Rodrigo Santoro: Having a kid really changes everything. I just heard, but you only really understand once you’re experiencing it. It changed me, so it changed my way of receiving things and choosing things. I agree with Joseph, I feel the same way. When I was younger, I would go for things. Now, I’m much pickier, in a good way, where I’m going to put my time and energy while being away from my kid.
So, I have to choose wisely, but also, it changes you so much, like having more perspective on things. It changed me as a person and an actor. Now, I look at a role or at a project and I have a different understanding.
You mature when you become a parent, this is the only thing that matures you in that way. It’s hard to explain, I don’t want to be that dad that talks about how beautiful it is to have kids, even though it is. It’s just a huge transformation, it did change me about how I choose things.
Q: For Rodrigo Santoro, from 300 to Westworld to Project Power, how do you approach all your different roles and what advice do you have for fledgeling actors to improve their acting range?
Rodrigo Santoro: I like to do different stuff, it’s like a recycling process for me. I always have an appetite for non-average joes. I like to do different stuff because that’s when I’ll get more excited. I get to research and try things, and get to know worlds and behaviours that I would never be able to know, far away from my world. I’ve been attracted to them and I’ve been going from one thing to another. It’s natural, I don’t try to do that to be different or cool or whatever, It’s just what drives me very much, and also the story and the character.
As for advice, it’s very hard because I don’t believe in a formula for art. I don’t believe you can tell people to go this way or that way. What I believe in is the commitment you have for things. I think that each artist has to find their own way to collaborate.

Joseph has a platform called HitRecord, which is a great example of that. It’s a space where artists and people can come together to collaborate together. I think that you, as an artist, what you have to find is your own way to develop your tool. The tool of an artist is your voice, your body, your emotions and your intellect. If you find a way to develop your knowledge and understanding as well as do inner work, artists work with themselves.

As much as you can understand who you are, and that’s not hippie talk. That’s real. I’ve been studying a lot of neuroscience now since I started doing Westworld. I really got into it and it’s incredibly illuminating. I’ve been learning about the brain and mind, and it’s been helping me.
There is no formula. The only thing I say to people who want to be artists is to commit and find their voice, their power and work with that, develop that and express it. Everybody has it, it’s just about how you deal with it.
Q: What is your definition of a superhero?
Dominique Fishback: My definition of a superhero is someone who extends whatever power they may have to help other people. A superhero doesn’t have to have powers, they can just be words or whatever gifts that you have. If you can use that to lend itself to other people, I think that’s what makes a superhero.
Jamie Foxx: My definition of a superhero is the man who brings the party. You know, hang out, who got the drinks. You got the right beer, that takes it to another level, drink man, drink man! I’m thirsty, drink man, how may I help you? That’s my definition of a true superhero.
PROJECT POWER (L to R) JAMIE FOXX as ART in PROJECT POWER Cr. SKIP BOLEN/NETFLIX Â© 2020
Q: That was some incredible rapping you performed in Project PowerÂ  â€“ were you freestyling, and how much freedom did you have to make it your own?

Dominique Fishback: I wish I was freestyling. I’m a spoken word poet, so I love rhythm and rhyme and the meaning of words. I don’t really rap. When I first saw the script, I saw the rhymes and I was thinking that I might have to use my own poetic skills to enhance it.
But then Jamie found the rapper Chika, who plays Robin’s friend in class. She actually wrote every single rap that Robin has in the movie. Shoutout to her because she’s amazing.

Jamie Foxx: You’re amazing (to Dominique Fishback)!
Q: Itâ€™s interesting how Project Power explores the superhero genre in an unconventional way â€“ why do you think audiences are so captivated by the idea of superheroes?
Jamie Foxx: Our movie comes from an organic place. It actually comes from a pill, and you can take that pill and you won’t know what you’re going to get. If you were an adventurous person, let’s grab a few pills and I’ll meet you at the park, you know what I mean. I’ll meet you at the park because I’m getting ready to fly and catch on fire. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be like (makes swooshing sounds).
Q: What do you want audiences to take away from Project Power?
Dominique Fishback: It’s super exciting, the idea of this pill, and what you would do if there was a pill giving you powers for five minutes. But at the end of the day, we don’t have that pill, so I would hold on to the fact that Robin’s power is within.
Like Jamie’s character tells her, it is within herself. I would want people to be excited of the fact that we do have power inside of us and discovering it could be one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives.

Jamie Foxx: What I want people to take away from this film is Dominique Fishback because she is amazing. She will be standing in front of an audience one day and say, I would like to thank the academy, I would like to thank the members, I would like to thank my mama, I would like to thank Brooklyn. To me, this is a coming-out party for her.

The movie itself is amazing but to have someone who can really like bring the humanity to the film. I think it wouldn’t work if it’s just about special effects, you have to have someone who’s bringing to you, brings it in a way that’s vulnerable and powerful. It really is true, her power lies within, and I cannot wait. Hashtag #DominiqueFishback, that’s what we’re doing. August 14 on Netflix!
PROJECT POWER (L to R) DOMINIQUE FISHBACK as ROBIN in PROJECT POWER Cr. SKIP BOLEN/NETFLIX Â© 2020
Q: Sandwiched between all of the shooting and the explosions is a thread about Robin finding her own superpower. Which, in this case, means finding her voice. I was wondering if you could speak to Robin’s insecurities as well as her determination to stay away from using Power and stay clean.
Dominique Fishback: I think Robin feels a little bit lost, with her mom being sick and if she loses her mom, she has no one. But because she doesn’t have a father, she has this dream of being a rapper but how do you get that if she’s too nervous to do it in front of people. And so when Art comes into her life, it looks unfavourable but he really does change her life. She opens up to him, he’s the very first adult that she shares her rapping with and he encourages her that she already has this inside of her.

I just loved that it changed from her thinking that she needed her father and feeling that void to learn that she’s actually looking for herself and that this is the way in which you find yourself. Her determination was admirable indeed but for me, I was like, can Robin take a power pill and see what kind of powers she would get.
I would’ve been excited to see that but to understand the power of her not having taken it and who she actually is was actually more powerful. No pun intended.

Q: It’s so rare that we see movies shot where they’re set. As an actor, what does it mean to you that a movie set in New Orleans is actually shot in New Orleans? Does that help with the authenticity of your performance in any way?
Jamie Foxx: I tell you, New Orleans has a vibration that can get inside you, it’s almost like even in the raining scenes, being wet in New Orleans just has something to it that makes it special. When you can show the city and the way the city looks, it becomes a character in the film and so, shoutout to the 504, shoutout to the people there that helped us make this incredible project.
They have a leg up over everybody else when it came to where we wanted to shoot. Me, that’s where I would love to be because they have a certain amount of skin. The skin of the people is beautiful and I would like to be wrapped up in it, like extra skin. I don’t even know what I’m talking about or what I’m saying but it’s amazing.
Q: What was it like working with Jamie Foxx and the other cast?
Dominique Fishback: It was beyond what I could have hoped for. Even off set, we got to hang out, we had a very special Halloween. It was the best Halloween of my life where we were all dressed up and Jamie rented a bus. We went to the zoo, where we saw the animals and people had their family and friends there. We also went to a haunted house shooting up zombies, swamp tours and ghost trains.
All of these I only ever saw on TV as a kid, and so not only am I living my dream of being an actress on a film like this with Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I was also living a childhood dream of just having a Halloween that was just magical like something from the movies.


Here’s How Long Star Wars: Battlefront II’s Campaign Mode Will Be

A recent interview between Press StartÂ and Star Wars: Battlefront II’sÂ Motiveâ€™s studio producer, David Robillard revealed the estimated campaign length in the upcoming game. The campaign section of Battlefront II, which focuses on the aftermath of the Battle of Endor which saw the destruction of the second Death Star puts players in the shoes of a Galactic Empire special ops trooper, Commander Iden Versio.
When question about the estimated length of the campaign section,Â Robillard replied â€œâ€¦we thought that around 5-7, maybe 8 hours is probably a good amount of timeâ€¦we wanted to stay very driven towards the Star Wars fantasy that the players are going to experience and not have it be drawn out.â€
The time estimate puts the Battlefront II within the realms of the campaign lengths of more recent FPS shooters such as Call of Duty and Titanfall 2. One of the best shooters in recent times, Titanfall 2 came with a brilliant campaign mode which lasted between 5 to 6 hours.
Responding to questions pertaining to story free story DLCs for the game, Robillard responded with, â€œWeâ€™re not ready to announce anything at this time, weâ€™ll see based on the reception the single player has, if we offer free DLC or not.â€
The trailer for the campaign mode of Star Wars: Battlefront II was released earlier this week and the game is set to hit shelves come November 17 2017 for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNUTWw17rkM&w=560&h=315]


Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Second DLC Drops Next Week

Dragon Ball Z KakarotÂ is a decent game (check out my full review here), and a successful one for Bandai Namco, having sold more than two million copies as of March 2020. The second story DLC expansion is finally coming next week onÂ 17 November 2020.
Those who own theÂ Dragon Ball Z KakarotÂ Season Pass will be able to playÂ â€œA New Power Awakens â€“ Part 2â€. Players can look forward toÂ unlocking the Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Vegeta and Goku transformations, as well asÂ fight Golden Frieza.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


The Garena Free Fire MCPS Majors Season 5 Grand Finals Happens This Weekend

The top 12 teams in the Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka (MCPS) region collide once again in the exciting season 5 finale of the Free Fire MCPS Majors. The Grand Finals will take place this Saturday, 15 April, where the top teams will compete to be crowned champion and the best Pro Team in the region.

Along with this, the teams will also have the opportunity to represent the region on an international stage, as the top 2 teams from the Majors will be invited to join the all-new Free Fire Sea Invitationals (FFSI) this May. The three-week-long tournament will see the MCPS’ finest duke it out against the best teams from other participating regions – Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, MEA, Taiwan, and Pakistan.

This season, Free Fire fans watching the MCPS Majors Season 5 Grand Finals can encourage their friends and family to tune in as well, as they take advantage of the upgraded Viewer Milestone Rewards Viewers on offer. By watching and achieving the viewership milestones, fans can unlock and claim the final 3 items in the MCPS exclusive Pop-Pow Collection for free and complete their collection. While the previous items in the collection were distributed over the 3-week league stage, the most sought-after pieces – the Pop-Pow Pin, Scythe, and Gloowall, saved for the Finals to end things off with a bang!
Be sure to catch fan-favourite teams Expand, AV Radicals, Farang, SEM9, Geek Slate and more at the MCPS Majors Season 5 Grand Finals – streaming Live on Free Fire Philippines’ official Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. For the latest Free Fire esports updates, follow Free Fire Philippines on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.


Happy 4th Of July: Here Are The Most “MURICA!” Games Ever

Happy 4th of July to our viewers and readers from the United States of America. As there are a ton of game developers and publishers from that side of the world taking time off, we should also celebrate in our own way. Apart from cooking barbeque outside the hot weather, of course.
Let’s talk about five games that represent the spirit of America in the best(?) way possible. Here they are:
#5: Broforce (PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC)

Action movies from the 80s are often seen as icons of American pop culture, especially to non-Americans. Those movies shaped our perception of the US, and Broforce puts all of that in a game. You can literally play as parody versions of heroes from those action movies, including John Rambo, Die Hard’s John McClane, Chuck Norris, Alien’s Ellen Ripley, and Terminator’s T-800. Your objective: liberate Vietnam from a terrorist army led by Satan.
How much more American can you get?

#4: Saints Row IV (PS3, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC)

This is just one of several games on this list where you can play as the President Of The United States Of America. Saints Row IV comes with a twist; you also have superpowers and you have to save the world from aliens. You’re not just the president anymore, you’re the super president of all gangsters in this game. That sounds pretty American to us.

#3: Duke Nukem Forever (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

As a protagonist, Duke Nukem is as American as they come. He has all the bullets, beers and babes. He kicks ass like an 80s American hero, complete with bulging muscles, sunglasses and an Arnold Schwarzenegger-like haircut. He’s also loud, abrasive, and is a misogynistic asshole, but we guess that’s the appeal?
Even if you know nothing about this game, one look at the cover and anyone will say, “Yep, that’s an American game.”

#2: Grand Theft Auto V (PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Every word that comes out of Trevor, Michael, and Franklin’s mouth is basically praising the US of A and degrading every other country in subtle ways. To non-Americans, Grand Theft Auto V is basically a depiction of the USA at the very extreme end of the spectrum. Everyone is obsessed with sex and money.
The protagonists would do anything and everything to achieve the “American Dream”. In fact, there is an achievement in the game literally called “The American Dream”; you just need to own an apartment, a garage, and an insured vehicle in the game’s online mode.
It’s essentially Murica the game.

#1: Metal Wolf Chaos (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

It’s ironic and amusing that Metal Wolf Chaos is the most American game on this list, and yet it was made by Japanese developer FromSoftware. Yeah, the same people who gave us Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
In Metal Wolf Chaos, you play as the President Of The United States in a freaking mecha, who’s trying to stop Vice President Richard Hawk from taking over the country. It’s cheesy and corny as hell, but it’s as American as a game can get.


Project Kavvaii Enters Second Year By Announcing Two New V-Tubers

Project Kavvaii, an initiative by airasia Super App is announcing two new virtual idols – Airi Gwynevere and Mikazuki Mai, as part of its initiative to engage with audiences in new ways.
Both Airi Gwynevere and Mikazuki Mai were selected from the second round of open auditions announced by Project Kavvaii in November last year, following the success of its first virtual idol Aozora Kurumi, who will be celebrating her first anniversary on 8 May 2022.
Since Kurumi’s debut in May 2021, the first virtual idol by Project Kavvaii has completed over 150 streams and amassed more than 22,000 subscribers and over 1.2 million views on YouTube.
In Project Kavvaii’s Gen 2, both virtual idols will be presented collectively as Lunetide. Airi Gwynevere, who is a lonely ancient witch is brought to life by illustrator Nana, while Ran is the rigger, while Mikazuki Mai, a clumsy young witch hunter with an isopod as a pet named Zuozuo is illustrated by Hen and rigged by Veiny.
On the debut of Project Kavvaii’s Gen 2 virtual idols, Rudy Khaw, Group Chief Brand Officer, airasia Super App commented, “We are very happy with how our first virtual idol, Aozora Kurumi has taken off one year into airasia Super App’s content streaming journey. Our long term goal is to have Project Kavvaii develop into a virtual talent arm that provides entertainment and engagement opportunities for fans, brands and communities. We remain steadfast in our stand that people consume online content differently today, and we want to push the envelope of innovation to stay relevant with online communities and market trends.
Surely, both Gwynevere and Mai will be great additions to Project Kavvaii’s virtual idol talent pool as they livestream gameplay, music and chats. So don’t miss out on Gwynevere’s debut on 23 April, as well as Mai’s debut the very next day 24 April on their respective YouTube channels,” added Rudy Khaw.
Project Kavvaii is a programme by the airasia Super App to discover and develop virtual idols in Asean launched in March 2021.
Both talents from Project Kavvaii Gen 2 Lunetide will land a contract each and enjoy access to a support team and a complete set of tools for streaming apart opportunities to be part of the airasia family and collaborate with the team to help shape and build on the character.
Get to know Gwynevere better by following her YouTube and Twitter pages, as well as Mai’s YouTube and Twitter.