Valorant Episode 4 Act 1 Brings Neon, New Battlepass & Dark Skinline

Riot Games Southeast Asia has announced VALORANT Episode 4 Act 1, which comes a brand new Agent, Southeast Asiaâ€™s very own Neon. Filipino Agent, Neon, surges forward at shocking speeds, discharging bursts of bioelectric radiance as fast as her body generates it. She races ahead to catch enemies off guard, then strikes them down quicker than lightning.
This new season also comes with a brand new Battlepass and Skinline, Protocol 781-A, an arsenal specially designed to provide combat assistance, monitor performance, and enforce compliance with every command.
Valorant Episode 4 Act 1 will launch on 11 January 2022.
VALORANT NEON
First up is Neon, who was originally unveiled earlier this week:

Filipino Agent, Neon, surges forward at shocking speeds, discharging bursts of bioelectric radiance as fast as her body generates it. She races ahead to catch enemies off guard, then strikes them down quicker than lightning.

Abilities:
(E) HIGH GEAR

Official Tool Tip

INSTANTLY channel Neonâ€™s power for increased speed. When charged, ALT FIRE to trigger an electric slide. Slide charge resets every two kills.

Power Fantasy

Neon channels radianite-infused bioelectric charge into the synapses of her leg muscles, making them fire at supernaturally high speeds. This allows her to sprint exceptionally fast for as long as she has bioelectric charge to draw from.

(Q) RELAY BOLT

Official Tool Tip

INSTANTLY throw an energy bolt that bounces once. Upon hitting each surface, the bolt electrifies the ground below with a concussive blast.

Power Fantasy

Neon forces a burst of radianite-infused electricity from the palm of her hand. The electrical burst creates a brief field of static electricity that delivers a fierce zap to anyone caught in it.

(C) FAST LANE

Official Tool Tip

FIRE two energy lines forward on the ground that extend a short distance or until they hit a surface. The lines rise into walls of static electricity that block vision and damage enemies passing through them.Â

Power Fantasy

Neon expels built up radianite-infused bioelectrical charge from both her hands at once. The compressed electrical charges run in lines along the ground, then ionize with the air in a quick burst into parallel walls of pure plasmic lightning. Neon can run through this electrical tunnel, unseen by the enemy. Any enemies that pass through the lightning walls get shocked.

(X) OVERDRIVE

Official Tool Tip

Unleash Neonâ€™s full power and speed for a short duration. FIRE to channel the power into a deadly lightning beam with high movement accuracy. The duration resets on each kill.

Power Fantasy

Neon unleashes all of the excess radianite-infused bioelectric charge sheâ€™s stored up in her battery-pack mechanism strapped to her back. The electricity surges through her body at uncontainable levels. Neon channels all this incredible charge into the tips of her fingers, then expels it as bolts of radianite lightning which electrocute anyone it makes contact with.

VALORANT Protocol 781-A Skinline
Next up is the new Protocol 781-A Skinline:

An oppressive shadow government must quell disorder in its ranks. Enter Protocol 781-A: an arsenal specially designed to provide combat assistance, monitor performance, and enforce compliance with every command. It is designed to be Dystopian, Dark Sci-fi, Robotic, High-tech .
Weapons:

Personal Administrative Melee Unit (melee)
Protocol 781-A Phantom
Protocol 781-A Spectre
Protocol 781-A Bulldog
Protocol 781-A Sheriff

Price Tier:
UE tier

9,900 VP

Bundle Info:
Price: 9,900 VP
Includes:Â

Personal Administrative Melee Unit (melee)
Protocol 781-A Phantom
Protocol 781-A Spectre
Protocol 781-A Bulldog
Protocol 781-A Sheriff
Protocol 781-A Gun Buddy
Protocol 781-A Card
Protocol 781-A Spray

Levels

MeleeÂ

Level 1 – New melee weapon model
Level 2 – Brand new animations and visual effects; two alternating inspect animations and attack sets depending on which pose the weapon is held in
Level 3 – Custom male voice-over for inspect animation and various other triggers that occur in-game (approximately 60 unique VO lines); the voice-over is â€œvisualizedâ€ in the in-game interface when the weapon talks to you
Variant 1 – White/Pink Variant with female voice-over
Variant 2 – Red/Blue Variant with male voice-over
Variant 3 – Green Variant with female voice-over

Guns

Level 1 – New gun model; custom ADS reticle; custom bullets
Level 2 – Custom muzzle flash visual effects and firing audio
Level 3 – Custom animations and visual effects during equip, reload, and inspect; weapon â€œtransformsâ€ during equip, reload, and inspectÂ
Level 4 – Finisher and Kill Banner
Level 5 – Custom male voice-over for inspect animation and various other triggers that occur in-game (approximately 60 unique VO lines); the voice-over is â€œvisualizedâ€ in the in-game interface when the weapon talks to you
Variant 1 – White/Pink Variant with female voice-over
Variant 2 – Red/Blue Variant with male voice-over
Variant 3 – Green Variant with female voice-over

VALORANT Episode 4 Act 1 Battlepass
Last but not least, the new Battlepass:

Price: 1,000 VP
Free Highlights:

Velocity Shorty w/ Variants
Operation: Fracture Player Card
Valentine’s Tactics Player Card
Chicken Out Gun Buddy
Lost Connection Spray

Paid Highlights:

Velocity Karambit w/ Variants
Schema VandalÂ
Velocity Phantom w/ Variants
Hydrodip Frenzy
Unstoppable // Sage Player Card
Be Mine Valentineâ€™s Day Player Card series
Big Brain Gun Buddy
Nice One Spray


How Is Street Fighter 5’s V-Shift System & Latest Update? It’s Definitely Buffing Up An OG World Warrior…

Street Fighter 5’s Season 5 pass is now available for purchase, featuring Dan as one of the “new” characters in the game. The release also means a new update of the game’s battle mechanics; now players have access to a defensive option called V-Shift.
In a nutshell, the V-Shift lets you use up V-meter to perform an invincible parry backdash move, complete with slowdown effects and a cool anime eye shine. If your enemy does a meaty attack or mixup, you can perform this move by pressing HP+MK, initiate the slow-down, and then perform an appropriate punish. You can follow it up with a Critical Art or even a V-Shift Break move that is invincible and knocks down an opponent hard. You can also avoid throws using this move, but that doesn’t initiate the slowdown.

V-Shift arrives to #SFV soon! Here's a tutorial on how this new mechanic works ? pic.twitter.com/lpA7EZWOXk
— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) February 21, 2021

The downside? It can be baited if you aren’t careful with it, like I’ve said earlier during its official reveal. Moreso, if you hit an opponent after the animation of the V-Shift is done, it’s counted as aa counter hit.
https://twitter.com/RushdownV2/status/1363718855676280832

??: V????????K????????? pic.twitter.com/5BOHCfexuS
— Kotabou (@kotabou1108) February 22, 2021

In other words, you need to pre-emptively use V-Shift instead of treating it as a get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s still very useful, but just be wary as higher-level players will want to fish this move out of you.
Who Got Buffed?
As with most Street Fighter 5 updates, there are new character balances and buffs. The most notable is Ryu, who has more plus frames and has a bigger advantage when in V-Trigger 1 mode (+2 on hit). Also, he can successfully cancel a Dragon Punch into a manual V-Trigger 2 attack. His crouching MK and crouching HK has faster start-up, making them easier to use as counters.

In VT1, all of Ryu's punch normals are an extra +2 on hit!! Check out this new link! #SFV_RYU @jav1ts @HiFightTH @amkidd @MachoorTV pic.twitter.com/R2jHn9jUQK
— DacJosh (@DacJoshFGC) February 22, 2021

ALSOOOO You can juggle into tatsu from EX fireball x VT!!!!@MachoorTV @amkidd @MDZ_jimmY pic.twitter.com/YNoUT3YFzn
— DacJosh (@DacJoshFGC) February 22, 2021

ryu can cancel specials into VT2 now!!! pic.twitter.com/h7AUcpEfAk
— dominic b. (@lildom911) February 22, 2021

?????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/8q9jOtiLSn
— ??? (@nangokuryu) February 22, 2021

Feel free to call this the Fortnite buff if you wish. Other notable character buffs include:
Alex now kinda useful in doing a corner carry.

GUILTY GEAR STRIVE pic.twitter.com/ZMUNKAC7k1
— ???? (@kosiminooyazi) February 22, 2021

Certain grapplers being able to combo to a command throw ala KOF.

This is gonna be fun. pic.twitter.com/7pY8vZdlbz
— GG | FluxWaveZ (@FluxWaveZ) February 22, 2021

Birdie’s crouching HP/Bad Hammer 2-hit combo is now a Crush Counter move, is a hard knockdown, and has special properties when opponent is CCH.

Birdie c,hp cch combo and target combo is hardknockdown @jav1ts @HiFightTH @TheFuudohttps://t.co/x3G4Frjp6A pic.twitter.com/L8zqM0li79
— ??HDG Younghou??? (@jovenhou) February 22, 2021

Characters who can jump out of corners via wall jump are taking a bigger risk now, since they can now be air-juggled if they’re hit.

So the new air juggle state might be on wall jump only? Putting more risk to corner escape https://t.co/rKJYFMHzKF
— HiFight(??????) (@HiFightTH) February 22, 2021

You can combo Gill’s EX fireball into one of his V-Trigger moves.

EX Fireball can cancel into VT Trees now? O.o pic.twitter.com/xK2aQrd1dt
— LPN ? (@LPN510) February 22, 2021

Seth’s air axe kick is now bearable.
https://twitter.com/Dankadillas/status/1363719775717785602
A new Sakura combo.

??????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/mOZjQqycJL
— ?????Nauman? (@naumanzoh) February 22, 2021

We’ll be sure to add in more notable changes & updates, since the update just came out and we’re discovering a lot of new stuff along the way.


Captain America New World Order Will Feature The Leader & Sabra

At D23, Marvel confirmed Tim Blake Nelson would reprise his role as The Leader in the upcoming film, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit. Additionally, Shira Haas will play Israeli superhero Sabra.

Directed by Julius Onah from a script by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson, Captain America: New World Order is set to release on 3 May 2024.
Casting has yet to be announced, but if you’ve seen The Falcon And The Winter Soldier finale (you can check out my breakdown here, spoilers and all), you’ll already know who will be the new Captain America. You can also check out my previous breakdowns here: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, and Episode 5.


Blizzard Ices StarCraft FPS Over Diablo 4 & Overwatch 2

The StarCraft franchise has lost its lustre over the years, as developer Blizzard doesn’t seem to care much about this legendary RTS series anymore. They have reportedly cancelled a StarCraft first-person shooter title which has been in development for the past two years.
According to sources close to the developer (via Kotaku’s Jason Schreier), the StarCraft FPS project (codenamed Ares) has been shut down in order to divert more resources into Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. It was described as “Battlefield in the StarCraft universe” by those working in the project and was also supposedly being developed with the Overwatch engine.
In the StarCraft FPS, gamers could have played as either a Terran marine or a Zerg and shot the hell out of the opposing faction. When Schreier asked Blizzard for an official comment on the cancellation, the developer sent a lengthy but vague letter that doesn’t confirm or deny the reports.
However, the only good news is that no one was laid off as a result of the cancellation, as they were all being moved to work on Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. The bad news is that the StarCraft franchise is getting the shaft once again to make way for other more profitable and popular franchises in the Blizzard lineup.
It seems like instead of making good games, the folks at Blizzard have perfected the art of writing over-long statements while conveying absolutely nothing. Good for them. Check out the full statement given by Blizzard on the StarCraft FPS cancellation below:

“We donâ€™t generally comment on unannounced projects but we will say the following:
We always have people working on different ideas behind the scenes â€“ including on multiple projects right now â€“ but the reason we tend not to discuss them publicly is because anything can happen over the course of development.
As has been the case at Blizzard numerous times in the past, there is always the possibility that weâ€™ll make the decision to not move forward on a given project.
Announcing something before we feel itâ€™s ready stands the risk of creating a lot of frustration and disappointment, both for our players and us, not to mention distraction and added pressure for our development teams.
We pour our hearts and souls into this work, and as players ourselves, we know how exciting it can be to see and know with certainty that a new project is coming.
Knowing that changes or disappointments can happen doesnâ€™t make it any less painful when we have to shelve a project or when an announcement doesnâ€™t go as planned.
We always make decisions about these things, regardless of the ultimate outcome or how things might be interpreted, based on our values, what we believe makes sense for Blizzard, and what we hope our players will enjoy the most.
The work that goes into these projects â€“ whether they ship or not â€“ is extraordinarily valuable.
It often leads to great things and helps foster a culture of experimentation here.
With all that said, weâ€™re very much looking forward to revealing other things weâ€™re working on when the time is right.”


Epic vs. Apple Court Case Concluded; Here’s What Will Happen

The verdict for this year’s tech trial of the century is more or less sorted, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issuing a permanent injunction in the case earlier today.
The court has put new restrictions on Apple’s App Store rules. Under the new ruling, Apple is:
“…permanently restrained and enjoined from prohibiting developers from including in their apps and their metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms, in addition to In-App Purchasing and communicating with customers through points of contact obtained voluntarily from customers through account registration within the app.”
This means iOS apps must be allowed to direct users to payment options beyond those made by Apple. The injunction will take into effect in 90 days; specifically on 9th December. This could cost Apple billions of revenue down the line.
What About Epic Games?
Epic Games was in breach of its contract. Therefore, the company will have to pay Apple 30 percent of all revenue collected through the system since it was implemented. Epic Games has to pay more than US$3.5 million in damages.
Basically, the judges in the court case rejected both parties’ definitions of the marketplace.
“The relevant market here is digital mobile gaming transactions, not gaming generally and not Appleâ€™s own internal operating systems related to the App Store. [T]he court cannot ultimately conclude that Apple is a monopolist under either federal or state antitrust laws. Nonetheless, the trial did show that Apple is engaging in anti-competitive conduct under Californiaâ€™s competition laws.”
Apple declares the new ruling as a victory for the App Store model.
“Today the Court has affirmed what weâ€™ve known all along: the App Store is not in violation of antitrust law. Apple faces rigorous competition in every segment in which we do business, and we believe customers and developers choose us because our products and services are the best in the world. We remain committed to ensuring the App Store is a safe and trusted marketplace.”
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney was not pleased with the decision and will be planning an appeal.
“Todayâ€™s ruling isnâ€™t a win for developers or for consumers. Epic is fighting for fair competition among in-app payment methods and app stores for a billion consumers.”
One could say that this is a victory for people who wanted both companies to lose.


Original One Piece Japanese Voice Actors Return For The Netflix Live-Action Series

At Anime Expo 2023, Netflix announced that the original Japanese voice actors from the One Piece anime will be reprising their roles in the One Piece live-action series, which is set to premiere on Netflix globally on 31 August 2023.
Fans at Anime Expo 2023 in Los Angeles were the first to watch a video of Mayumi Tanaka, the original anime voice of Monkey D. Luffy, welcoming Iñaki Godoy to the Straw Hats with a symbolic gifting of Luffy’s iconic straw hat. You can check out the video below.
The full cast of Japanese original voice actors will be joining Mayumi Tanaka to bring the Japanese-language version of the live-action One Piece to life — with Kazuya Nakai as Roronoa Zoro, Akemi Okamura as Nami, Kappei Yamaguchi as Usopp, and Hiroaki Hirata as Sanji.
The cast for Netflix’s One Piece includes Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Vincent Regan, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Alexander Maniatis, McKinley Belcher III, Craig Fairbrass, Steven Ward, and Chioma Umeala will also appear in the series.
The official description for the series describes it as a “legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, One Piece, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.”
Matt Owens and Steven Maeda serve as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. It is created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Oda executive produces along with Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements.


The Definitive Simpsons Episodes You Must Watch

This feature is brought to you by the Last King Podcast group; I’m a part of that FYI. Check out our show here on SoundCloud.Â Or if you want to keep in theme with this feature, check out our Futurama retrospective.Â
The Simpsons: what’s there to say apart from the fact that the show is a cultural juggernaut?
It buffed up the careers and resumes of many prominent folks like Conan O’Brien, it gave VOs like Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, and Tress Macneille stable paychecks, and it spawned a clone of suburban life animated comedy imitators and duplicators from the likes of Mike Judge and Seth McFarlane. And of course, it made Matt Groening a household name in the realm of witty satirical comedies.
So yeah, it’s part of our lives for us pop culture junkies. And we’re going to pay tribute to it by listing out my personal favourite episodes that I rewatch time and again. Also, that Disenchanted Netflix show is coming out this week so what better time to do a feature on a Matt Groening creation than to be timely about it?
Just some ground rules:

The best Simpsons episodes are either heavy on comedy and punchlines with a small emphasis on plot, or a good balance of heartfelt story moments and funny bits.
I’m only covering the first 10 seasons because the rest of the show can go die in a dumpster fire, as far as I’m concerned.

Here they are, in no particular order. Remember, this is my personal list so take all your arguments and nitpicks on the comments box/Facebook.
Homer At The Bat (Season 3)
Basically, Homer and his nuclear power plant baseball team are doing great in the inter-factory tournaments. But because Mr. Burns made a deal with a Shelbyville power plant CEO, he was forced to hire current baseball pros masquerading as his power plant workers.

One of the few star-studded episodes worth a damn, this one features then-current top baseball players Daryl Strawberry, Ozzy Smith, and Wade Boggs.Â This being a Simpsons episode, the pros experienced separate and hilarious misfortunes.
Best of all, it showcases a nice character moment where Homer has to try hard to surpass the best of the best, no matter how unfavourable the odds can become.
Bart Gets Famous (Season 5)
After becoming Krusty the Klown’s assistant and getting sick of it, he walks out and causes an accidental havoc, punctuated with his supposed catchphrase “I didn’t do it”. He became an overnight success.
A life lesson about fame and how it is fleeting, through the lens of Springfield and the Simpsons. It also mocks catch-phrase-based humour too, but really the real lesson here is knowing how far you can go while being a one-trick pony.
Oh, and this gag is still pretty ace.

Sideshow Bob Roberts (Season 6)
If you want to see a hilarious take on the infamous Watergate Scandal complete with equal jabs at Republicans and Democrat parties in the US, look no further than this Sideshow Bob-focused episode.

Our favourite Simpsons antagonist and avid Bart hater gets sprung out of jail for political reasons and ends up becoming the mayor of Springfield. This means hell for the Simpsons since Bob has a huge vendetta against Bart. The payoff of the episode is genius and it plays off Bob’s theatrical nature which ended up being his biggest weakness.
Sideshow Bob’s Last Gleaming (Season 7)

To be frank, picking just one Sideshow Bob episode as a “must watch” is pretty tough. But this episode had all the 60s nuclear war movie parodies and an R. Lee Ermey guest VO I can get by.
From the airstrip hostage bit to the final chase scene which will leave your sides splitting, I really can’t find a dud moment in this episode, save for the supposed nuclear bomb in the episode’s location.
Deep Space Homer (Season 5)

Homer wants to prove himself to his family, so he signed up to be an astronaut for a NASA program that’s looking for ordinary people to boost interest in their space programs. Of course, nothing goes right since Homer’s involved. Essentially this premise writes itself but every punchline and comedic bit just flows well, especially when you factor in the 2001: A Space Odyssey nods.
This episode also has the best clips and scenes: Barney getting buffed before falling prey to his vice, James Taylor, Homer’s potato chip-eating spree in zero gravity, and obviously Kent Brockman’s allegiance switch on-air.
You Only Move Twice (Season 8)

This simple story about the Simpsons family relocating to a new area due to Homer’s new job boils down to its biggest star: Hank Scorpio. Who knew that a one-note James Bond villain archetype-slash supportive boss can make this episode a highlight?
Albert Brooks lends his voice to the theatrical dual-natured boss to great effect, and the James Bond gags and supervillain lair tropes just keep piling up while the patriarch of the Simpsons remains oblivious to all of it.
Who Shot Mr Burns, Parts 1 & 2 (Season 6 & 7)

Mr. Burns becomes a bigger dick than usual and angers the whole of Springfield. But this time he gets what is coming to him. This is part murder-mystery and part lore-building. It’s got a lovely Tito Puente bit, and some classic gags and lines that involves baby, candy, and Homer’s arc where he attempts to get Mr Burns to remember his name.
Most of all, the two-parter is built like a solvable mystery with so many of the townsfolk being suspects who have motives to axe the most-hated man in Springfield. Of course, it pulls off a 180 degree swerve that knocked our socks off. Remember; there was no Google or Youtube at the time.
Homer The Heretic (Season 4)
Homer skips church one day and it ended up being one of the best experiences of his life. This incurred the wrath of God, some funny bits with Ned Flanders, and even Homer trying to start his own religion which all ends up in literal flames.
This episode features a nice commentary on religion and faith through Homer-centric antics.Â  Â It’s not punchline and gag-heavy like the other episodes on this list, but it comes across as thoughtful and genuine. Plus, when the community firefighters help Homer out, we get this gem of a quote:
Ned: Homer, God didnâ€™t set your house on fire.
Reverend Lovejoy: No, but He was working in the hearts of your friends and neighbors when they came to your aid, be they Christian [Ned], Jew [Krusty], or miscellaneous [Apu].
Apu: Hindu! There are 700 million of us.
Reverend Lovejoy: Aw, thatâ€™s super.
Marge vs. The Monorail (Season 4)
This episode is about salesman Lyle Lanley (voiced by the late Phil Hartman) who pitched his idea for a monorail in Springfield, and everyone bought it hook line and sinker. Except for Marge, who wanted the Springfield government to get Main Street fixed.
Everyone remembers the monorail song and the Leonard Nimoy cameo, but really this episode has all the right ingredients: a funny subplot regarding Homer being a monorail conductor and how he saved the day, the fast-talking Lyle Lanley, and Marge saving the day despite Springfield not on board with her ideas and all.
Besides, with an opening like this, you know this episode’s going to be a fan favourite hands-down.

Last Exit To Springfield (Season 4)
Homer leads a union as he and his Springfield Nuclear Power Plant co-workers go on strike. All because he does not want his dental plan sacrificed. Basically, this is the battle of wills and wit between him and Mr Burns, but obviously, there isn’t any wit on Homer’s side.
But still, even the biggest of dimwits need to make a stand, even if it’s something like a family-owned dental plan. This episode takes the cake by featuringÂ pop culture references, absurd jokes, middle-class angst, and family drama.

Lisa On Ice (Season 6)
After Lisa finds out that she has an innate talent for hockey goalkeeping, a rivalry between her and Bart is formed.Â This one’s a sweet yet comedic attempt at a Lisa and Bart-centric episode that brings the best of the Simpsons: family drama played out in comedic fashion via iconic scenes like the one below:

This episode has a few touching moments in-between its slapstick nonsense to hammer on its point home: blood is thicker than water, or at least the ice rink of the Springfield hockey stadium.
Lisa’s Substitute (Season 2)
Lisa gets a substitute teacher after Miss Hoover is diagnosed with Lyme disease. Said teacher is Mr. Bergstrom (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) who is basically everything she wanted in a teacher, right down to the point where she crushes on him.
Of course, he had to leave and there’s a subplot about Homer not being a good male role model for her, but there’s a touching bit around the third act:
Bergstrom: Whenever you feel like youâ€™re alone, and thereâ€™s nobody you can rely on, this is all you need to know.”
He hands here a note that reads: “You are Lisa Simpson.”

Here’s some trivia for you: this early Simpsons episode was directed by Rich Moore who is responsible for hit Disney films Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia.
Homer Badman (Season 6)
Homer gets framed for being an ass-grabber after he dropped a babysitter home. It was generally a misunderstanding (Homer was actually grabbing a Venus de Milo gummy candy), but the media spun it out of control. As a result, he’s hounded and painted as a bad person 24/7 by TV channels and reporters in Springfield.

This episode is a clear satire on the media and television, portraying them as parasites trying to get ratings for the next big thing at the expense of someone or something with no moral code whatsoever.
Bart Gets An “F” (Season 2)

Before the Simpsons family were in a position where they could do no wrong and didn’t have any stakes in what they do, we have this early episode where it had some drama. Less comedic and more touching, we feel for Bart despite the fact that he tries hard to not repeat the fourth grade.
Episodes like these are a good reminder that the writers for the show always flesh out the headlining family. They’re not one-dimensional jokes and catchphrases; “Bart Gets An “F”” is proof that you can add depth to your merchandisable 90s icons. With characters like these, it’s no surprise that the first 10 seasons of The Simpsons can stand the test of time even with some of its outdated gags.
Bart Sells His Soul (Season 7)

After so many seasons, the writing and production team can boast about balancing emotional pathos and structured slapstick in their long-running series. This Bart-centric episode is one such example; it’s about Bart selling his soul to his friend Millhouse and the repercussions that follow. His dog doesn’t recognize him, he doesn’t laugh at an Itchy & Scratchy episode, and other strange things occur including an awesome street accident gag that doesn’t give you room to breathe.
Naturally, he’s desperate to get it back and this third act is where you see the emotional bits pop up to cap the entire episode. It also makes us wonder if the concept of an afterlife and souls are worth believing in.
There is also a subplot involving Moe and the rebranding of his bar. It’s funny especially when you see Moe crack due to stress, but the breadwinner is still Bart’s story.
Homer’s Enemy (Season 8)
And we cap it off with the darker episode of the whole series. The episode is about new Springfield Power Plant employee Frank Grimes who had to work his hardest to get to the top. He has the “pleasure” of working alongside Homer Simpson, Lenny, and Carl. Obviously, a serious guy like Frank is shocked that Homer’s incompetence earns him so much merit and a loving family, which paints him as public enemy number one in Frank’s eyes.

As funny as this episode is, it does make you think: how the heck do these kinds of people get away with what they do while the hard workers don’t? Surely in real life, we have that one colleague who is less qualified for a high position but ends up there for years regardless. Does meritocracy truly exist in practice?
The episode doesn’t really answer that but tells its side of a story where you draw your own conclusions to it while ending things on a comical yet dark note. That’s for the best; the good kind of TV shows let you think about these sort of questions and situations. It’s a funny and morbid way of looking at the kind of real-life predicament where not all rewards are distributed fair and just.
And those are my picks! Yes, there are a ton of other great Simpsons episodes out there. Let us know your favourites on this list (or off the list) via Facebook or our website.


Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands DLC “Coiled Captors” Launches This April

2K Games and Gearbox are releasing the first of its 4-part DLC for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands later this April. Sooner, in fact.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands new DLC, Coiled Captors, will be out on 21 April. This is part of the game’s Season Pass.
“Coiled Captors begins in Dreamveil Overlook, where the enigmatic fortune teller Vesper awaits. Eons ago, the Coiled naga got the biggest catch of all: an old god. They trapped the being within the sharp-toothed, leathery-skinned body of a mighty seawarg, caging it deep within an icy mountain. Only you have the power to free him from his fleshy prison—but doing so means wading through wintery wastelands, arid ruins, and flooding caverns full of enemies.”
With a new area comes new loot and challenges, as stated below:

New boss “Chums” the Old God, with four powerful forms that unlock over time. Vesper’s tales are designed to be replayed so you can test your mettle against this rising difficulty;
New loot to collect, including weapons, gear, and cosmetic items. Each time you vanquish the boss’ increasingly fearsome forms, you’ll earn Lost Souls that let you spin Vesper’s Wheel of Fate. Spins of this creepy contraption can reward you with Legendary weapons, gear, and other items;
New Chaos Chamber content. Completing Coiled Captors will also add its respective levels and boss to the pool of possibilities in the Chaos Chamber, the endlessly replayable endgame of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. This will expand the myriad of combinations for your randomized dungeon, making each run that much more unpredictable.

The rest of the Season Pass DLC will include more boss fights, new settings, a seventh class, and new cosmetics. The rest of the DLC will be announced later.  Check out the trailer and screenshots below.


[Rumour] Will Sony Reveal The PlayStation 5 This February?

Update: There’s now an official PS5 website where you can receive updates if you submit your email. Guess these rumours do hold some water.
Original story
The fact that the PS5 will be out this holiday season means that the answer to the above headline is a probable “yes”. At least if the recent leaks are tangible.
According to renowned PlayStation leaker PSErebus, rumour has it that Sony will be revealing its next-gen console the PlayStation 5 this month. This also means that pre-orders for the PS5 will be this March.
https://twitter.com/PSErebus/status/1223371685803495431
Kakuchopurei’s sources also have been hearing the same key news: reveal sometime this month, pre-orders happening the month or so after. Take all of this with a grain of salt since this isn’t official at the very least.
Still, PSErebus is known for predicting some rumours correctly. Like The Last of Us Part 2 release date pre-delay. And the PS5’s release date of 20th November 2020 for US$499. So far, Sony has officially revealed a logo.
This is probably wishful thinking, but I personally wish the console just dropped unnoticed on November or any other holiday month, swift and silent like a ninja. Let us know what games do you want on the PS5, either on our site or on Facebook.


[Rumour] Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War PS5 Will Be Massive

A physical copy of Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War for the PS5 has been leaked online (via a Twitter user named @Kaaution).

https://twitter.com/Kaaution/status/1324022363336462342

According to the back of the box, Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War PS5 will be a massive 285GB in size. However, it’s worth pointing out that on PS5, you will be able to pick which specific modes you want to install, so it’ll probably be less than that if you’re more selective.
Call of Duty Black Ops Cold WarÂ is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC viaÂ Battle.netÂ on 13 November 2020.Â


G.I. Joe Spinoff Snake Eyes Movie Begins Production In Japan

The G.I. Joe spinoff Snake Eyes has officially begun production in Japan. It is set to be the first live-action movie adaptation of the franchise since 2013’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation, featuring the origin story for fan-favourite character Snake Eyes.
Malaysian superstar of Crazy Rich Asians Henry Golding will be starring as the titular protagonist Snake Eyes, alongside the following cast:

Andrew Koji as Storm Shadow
Iko Uwais as Hard Master
Ãšrsula CorberÃ³ as Baroness
Samara Weaving as Scarlett
Andrew Koji
Haruka Abe
Takehiro Hira

Snake Eyes will be directed by Robert Schwentke, best known for directing movies like 2009’s The Time Traveler’s Wife and 2013’s R.I.P.D. It is slated to premiere on 15 October 2020.
Check out pictures from the production event of Snake Eyes in Japan below:


XCOM-Like Phoenix Point Delayed Yet Again

Phoenix Point, the long-awaited game by XCOM creator Julian Gollop, has been delayed for the umpteenth time yet again, according to a developer update on the Snapshot Games’ official website forum.
It was previously slated to finally release on 3 September 2019, which was already quite a delay from its initial 2018 release. The turn-based tactical strategy game will now be releasing sometime in December 2019 instead. The dev update reads:

“We know this is not our first delay, and we are very sorry to the fans who we know are highly anticipating getting their hands on Phoenix Point.
No one is more disappointed than we are, but we collectively agree that we would rather miss a launch date than ship something that does not meet our exacting standards.
We want the Phoenix Point you play to be one of your favorite games of all time, and that means we need a bit more time.”

However, backers and early-access purchasers will still be able to gain accessÂ “to a much more robust version of Phoenix Point” on 3 September 2019, which will officially be called Backer Build 5.
While Phoenix Point is an Epic Games exclusive on PC, it will also be released for the Xbox One as well (through the Xbox Game Pass, which will also be available on PC). In the meantime, check out gameplay footage from Backer Build 4 of Phoenix Point below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bymgVpBX-a8&w=560&h=315]


The Top 6 Wii U Games We Need On The Nintendo Switch, STAT

Nintendo recently sold over 20 million units of the Switch; congratulations! That’s definitely a far cry from the sales numbers of the Wii U, which is probably the worst-selling console next to the Virtual Boy. Hell, we’re not sure if we should even count it in this grand scheme of equations. No disrespect to the late-but-great Gunpei Yokoi though.
It’s a huge shame because the Nintendo Wii U had a ton of noteworthy titles during its 4-year lifespan. From esoteric platformers to unique action experiences, the Wii U had it all except for a huge mainstream customer base who were obviously confused about the system. They were probably thinking to themselves “was it an add-on for the Wii?” or “what’s with the touchpad gimmick?” or other such valid concerns that plagued them and Nintendo from years to come.
Fast forward to now: after seeing Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker, Bayonetta 2, and Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch, I think it’s high time we need to see other Wii U luminaries appear on Nintendo’s new console. Here are our top picks of Wii U titles.
If you know my taste in games, you know damn well what’s number 1. So just humour me for now and read what’s at numbers 6 to 2.
#6. Super Mario Maker

It’s rather sad that one of the top Mario games which involve you making your own Mario levels has yet to arrive on the Nintendo Switch. There’s really not much to say about this game apart from the fact that its tools are accessible and easy for laymen to get a grasp of, and that there are a ton of Mario levels featured and curated by the ever-loving and ever-rabid Nintendo community.
What can the Nintendo Switch add to a Super Mario Maker port? A lot, actually. Now that there’s no Miiverse for players to share your Super Mario Maker levels, Nintendo can make a new one with their new upcoming online service with a definitive version of the game. I doubt it’ll be in the company’s best interest to introduce a new online service and let it last for a few years instead of having a long-term plans; why not bring in a Wii U game that can guarantee some semblance of longevity via unlimited 2D Mario levels from budding game designers-in-training?
Nintendo can also go a step further and feature a 100-or-so custom levels from the company’s brightest designers, along with a “1 Nintendo-made level per week” free DLC promotion? That way, even if you don’t feel like creating levels, you can just play Super Mario Maker and not feel like you’ve wasted money on a level editor.
#5.Super Mario 3D World

Because why wouldn’t you want a 4-player co-op isometric Mario platformer experience? Especially one that is well-made and is filled with tons of gorgeous and creative levels? Unlike previous Mario platformers, this one brings in different characters with their jumping quirks and advantages, like Princess Peach’s float and Luigi’s weird trajectory.
You can’t pick the same characters, so someone in your four-person group is probably going to get stuck with someone they’re not used to. Imagine having one Nintendo Switch and four players sharing the screen playing this game, or better yet, four people with their own Switches playing together in the same room. Imagine the cursing and swearing from young kids and adults as they try to work together in some of the tougher areas in World 6 to 8.
Of course, if you want a more 2D experience, you can go for New Super Mario Bros U (which might come out for the Switch), but I prefer 3D World more because of its jazzy soundtrack and its new-yet-weird-ass powerups. Props to the guy in the R&D team who suggested the cherry powerup and the levels that use them fully.
#4. Yoshi’s Woolly World

This platformer is adorable AF and is devilishly tough. Who knew a cutesy platformer can be diabolic with its level design? That’s the magic of Yoshi’s Woolly World the best of SNES’ Yoshi’s Island and N64’s Yoshi’s Story merge together into one big yarn. Sorry.
The aesthetics are pleasing to the eyes, with a lot of detail and convincing tactile quality that breathes new life into familiar platform action settings. Developer Good-Feel incorporated the art style into the game’s design: since everything’s made out of yarn and arts and craft, you can unravel, oh say, a yarn door and a random ribbon placed on the floor to reveal secrets. The yarn balls you toss also have different properties than Yoshi’s eggs, so you have to get the hang of them later on in the game.
Simply put, this game needs a new audience in the form of a port. The fact that the game features co-op mode means that there’s incentive for two people to play together as two Yoshis, helping each other out through yarn hell.
#3. Pikmin 3

The third Pikmin marching critters simulator is severely underrated. With three different space captains to control and a horde of new Pikmin to use to get from point A to B, we wonder why this game didn’t get the fanfare it deserved.
Imagine if the past two Pikmin games on GameCube came together, you get Pikmin 3 where all the great ideas of the past become one neat package. It’s both easy to learn and tough to master, as it has a lot of stages and areas to cater towards your adeptness at managing little Pikmin in real time while trying not to kill them all via terrible labour division skills and resource allocation.

Personally, this is the one strategy game so colourful and accessible enough that it can make even the most jaded see strategy games like Starcraft in a whole new light, only with more babysitting and scavenging. With the Switch, players can have this game on the go while also choosing between different ways to play the game either with motion control or traditional controls. Perhaps Nintendo can add in a new mode where new spacefolks can join in current sessions to help the other out, like an inverse to Dark Souls online feature.
#2. Wonderful 101

If someone were to tell you that you’re making a game where you control a group of superheroes fighting evil Sentai-style and can form different weapons as a group, that sounds like a hell of an undertaking. If you happen to be Platinum Games, the same guys behind the Bayonetta series, then everyone else should pay attention.
Too bad no one did since this game, for all of its pros, did not sell well on the platform it’s on.Â This is one of the company’s finest. It’s also one of their hardest games, and that’s saying a lot since their past games aren’t slouches in the difficulty department. You would not believe the many retries I had to endure dealing with some of the tougher foes like the giant turtles, the dragons, and the four-legged alien thing. One was bad enough; try fighting three of them on the same battlefield.
Perhaps the lack of a better tutorial and key explanations for its 101 army mechanic adds to its high learning curve; the Switch version can fix that with a few simple one-page explanations or even some prompts. Not many of us are quick on the uptake when it comes to parrying and dodging in the first few stages of the game; a little heads-up on which evasive moves are best to purchase after the first level will help ease players in before trashing them in the latter half of this fightfest.
#1. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

This is one Atlus and Nintendo JRPG experiment that could have gone places. Basically, it’s about a bunch of kids who want to be pop idols but have to also fend off evil mirages using souls of warriors who are based off the Fire Emblem mythos. The turn-based combat features a lot of dizzying colours and an awesome combo system called sessions where you exploit enemy weaknesses and then hammer them with chain attacks from your band members. Once you play a few fights, it gets more awesome and tricky since most enemies can debilitate you greatly with just a few turns.
The kids themselves are fleshed out despite being walking talking anime tropes like the cool-headed Kiria and the super-young-but-precocious Mamori.Â To take a page from a previous review I did, the game isÂ colourful and fluffy without being too empty-headed and hollow, its fights are frenetic and fast-paced while rewarding smart play, and its cast is an eclectic group you really want to hang out with, quirks and all.
All I’m saying is TMS needs a sequel. Badly. Or at least a cheaper port that you can take around with you. Think of the huge resurgence this game will get if Nintendo publishes it again on its current platform.

So Nintendo, is there any chance you can make these ports a reality? With Nintendo Switch doing gangbusters right now, it’ll be a crying shame if the best works on your previous platform fade into obscurity. At the very least try not to charge us full price for it; kthanxbai.


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge To Be Release on Netflix Games 2023

Netflix has revealed that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, one of the popular console titles of 2022, will come to mobile devices in the first quarter of 2023. Netflix did not provide any further details or a specific date release for Shredder’s Revenge. Dotemu and Tribute Games were similarly silent on this news.
The streaming service released the news as part of its 2022 Games Year-End Recap video on Youtube. It starts off with a question that many have been wondering, “Wait, Netflix has games?” – a short 1-minute 17 seconds video showing a few titles released this year. As the video closes, it stated “In 2023, we level up”, following Shredder’s Revenge will be launched on iOS and Android through Netflix Gaming. If you’re not familiar with the 2D beat-em-up game, check out our full review.

In addition, other titles slated to be released next year are The Queen’s Gambit Chess, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, and Vikings Valhalla universe. Two new titles available to play are Kentucky Route Zero and Twelve Minutes. Netflix’s subscribers will be able to play these titles for free on their iOS and Android device.
The company has made a major step up in its field this year. We’re sure Netflix is brewing some plans with several game studios to expand its cloud gaming service. Watch the full video down below.


Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story Is A Truly Cinematic Take On The Classic Musical

We’ve had a resurgence of musical movies in the past few years, but this year alone we’ve had In The Heights, Annette, Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick… Boom! and now, arguably the most highly-anticipated one in 2021, we have the legendary Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the West Side Story musical. The classic 1961 movie adaptation remains one of the most praised movies of all time, still holding the most number of Oscar nominations for a musical movie.
How does Spielberg’s version compare to the iconic 1961 movie? I have watched the 1961 movie and I can say that they’re both great in their own right.
Living In America

First and foremost, 2021’s West Side Story is not a reboot or a remake. It’s actually Spielberg’s own take and adaptation of the original 1957 musical. Still, one can’t help but compare the two movies.
West Side Story once again tells the story of young lovers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler) whose budding relationship is threatened by their loyalty to feuding street gangs, The Jets and The Sharks. Despite still being set in the 1950s, the themes being explored in West Side Story remains as relevant as ever. If not, even more so, considering the current state of the world. These include social problems, racism, classism, and more.
Steven Spielberg manages to improve on the 1961 movie in one major aspect; representation. Many of the actors playing the Puerto Ricans in the 1961 movie were actually white and not genuinely Latinx. The 1961 movie resorted to using brownface, which is considered offensive. Fortunately, Spielberg has cast all of the Puerto Rican roles with proper Latinx actors and actresses this time around.

Casting real Latinx actors and actresses make a huge difference. In the 1961 movie, the Puerto Ricans spoke mostly English and a sprinkling of Spanish words here and there, as if their first language is English and not Spanish. In the 2021 version, the Puerto Rican characters converse in Spanish more naturally and frequently, like they would in real life.
That adds more immersion and a sense of realism to the story. In fact, if there’s anything that Spielberg adds in his 2021 version, it’s immersion and a sense of cinematic scale. It’s not often that musicals get big-budget productions like this, and it shows in 2021’s West Side Story. The sets, cinematography and choreography are flashy and splashy in a way only a Spielberg movie can be.
Tonight, Tonight…

Another highlight of the movie is the stellar performances. Ansel Elgort’s Tony is more than just a pretty boy. He has surprising vocal range (he can sing!), but he is overshadowed by the intense performances of his fellow actors, Mike Faist’s Riff and David Alvarez’s Bernardo.
However, the true MVPs of the movie belong to the ladies, namely Rachel Zegler’s Maria and Ariana DeBose’s Anita. They provide the main emotional crux of the movie behind all the machismo when all the boys want to do is fight each other.
It’s even more incredible when you consider that this is Rachel Zegler’s feature film debut. She’s already lined up for huge roles down the line in Shazam! Fury Of The Gods and Disney’s live-action Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Look out for this trailblazing young actress, everyone will definitely remember this as her big breakout role.

Fans of the 1961 film will feel nostalgic seeing Rita Morena (who portrayed Anita in the 1961 version) in this movie. She plays Valentina, a character who acts as a sort of mentor to Tony and the other younger characters. I won’t spoil who she actually is, but it’s a pleasant surprise and an easter egg for those who’ve watched the 1961 film.
Unfortunately, that’s probably one of the only true surprises that await fans of the musical and 1961 film. Spielberg ultimately didn’t change much from the source material. The plot and script are essentially unchanged for the most part, so a lot of it feels a bit too familiar. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes comparisons with the 1961 version inevitable.
The few things that Spielberg did change are great, though. One of the best parts of the movie is the brand new sequence and choreography for the fan-favourite song, ‘America‘, which is now set on the open streets of New York. It’s more elaborate and visually striking than in the 1961 version, in which the characters just danced on the rooftop of a building.
A Musical Cinematic Experience

Is Spielberg’s version better than the 1961 film? That’s up to preference, but personally, the 2021 movie still can’t beat the charm and vibe of the 1961 film. Will Spielberg’s version be as much of an iconic classic? Only time will tell.
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is a must-watch for movie buffs, especially so if you’ve never watched the 1961 film. It’s a cinematic musical extravaganza that must be experienced at least once in your lifetime, even if you’re not a musical fan.
Final Score: 80/100
We attended an early screener of West Side Story courtesy of The Walt Disney Company (Malaysia). West Side Story is slated to premiere on 9 December 2021.


Malaysian Horror Game Wins Big At The SEA Game Awards 2020

Level Up KL 2020 once again played host to the SEA Game Awards for the fourth time in a row.
The awards show aims to recognize and celebrate the creativity, artistry and technical genius of the finest developers and games from the Southeast Asian region, as well as upholding creative and technical excellence in the SEA video game industry.
However, this time around (due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), the SEA Game Awards 2020 took place virtually on a TikTok live stream and live TV broadcast on Astro EGG Network Channel 800.
There were award categories focusing on different aspects, with the game nominees hailing from studios across Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and more.
Malaysian horror game Short Creepy Tales 7PM by Cellar Vault Games were the biggest winner of the night, grabbing three different awards. You can learn more about the game by heading over here.
The winners of each category are as follows:
Best Game Design
Short Creepy Tales 7PM by Cellar Vault Games from Malaysia.

Best Innovation
DeLight by Dreamtree Studios from Malaysia (Check out our hands-on preview of the game here).

Best Storytelling
A Space For The Unbound by Mojiken Studios from Indonesia.

Best Technology
Bake ‘N Switch by Streamline Games from Malaysia.

Best Audio
Love Esquire by YangYang Mobile from The Philippines.

Best Student Game
Don’t Stop The Party by UOW Malaysia KDU University College.

Rising Star Award
Fallen Knight by FairPlay Studios from Thailand.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UgAT1E8zmp4

Best Visual Art
Short Creepy Tales 7PM by Cellar Vault Games in Malaysia.

Grand Jury Award (Best Game)
Short Creepy Tales 7PM by Cellar Vault Games in Malaysia.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the SEA Game Awards 2020. No matter who won, itâ€™s great to see that the Southeast Asian games industry is developing at a rapid pace and holding its own with incredible new IPs of its own.
It wonâ€™t be long now until Southeast Asian developers are as well known as Western and Japanese developers. Fingers crossed.


Batman The Long Halloween Part One Trailer Teases The Holiday Killer

Originally announced in 2020, Batman The Long Halloween Part One has finally received an official trailer. Part One is slated to premiere in summer 2021, while Part Two will premiere in fall 2021. What’s interesting is that Part One is rated PG-13 while Part Two is rated R for some reason.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Batman The Long HalloweenÂ is a 13-issue comics story arc from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale that was first published in 1996, which chronicles an early period in Batmanâ€™s crime-fighting career that sees him on the trail of the Holiday Killer, a serial murderer who claims a new victim on each major holiday.
It was iconic for having Batman, James Gordon and Harvey Dent (before he became Two-Face) going up against some of the Dark Knightâ€™s best villains, including the Joker, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, and more.
The synopsis for Batman The Long Halloween Part One reads:
Inspired by the iconic mid-1990s DC story from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One begins as a brutal murder on Halloween prompts Gotham’s young vigilante, the Batman, to form a pact with the city’s only two uncorrupt lawmen (Police Captain James Gordan and District Attorney Harvey Dent) in order to take down The Roman, head of the notorious and powerful Falcone Crime Family.
But when more deaths occur on Thanksgiving and Christmas, it becomes clear that, instead of ordinary gang violence, they’re also dealing with a serial killer – the identity of whom, with each conflicting clue, grows harder to discern.
Few cases have ever tested the wits of the World’s Greatest Detective like the mystery behind the Holiday Killer.
Hereâ€™s the full voice cast for Batman The Long Halloween Part One:

Jensen Ackles as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
The late Naya Rivera as Selina Kyle/Catwoman.
Josh Duhamel as Harvey Dent.
Billy Burke as James Gordon.
Titus Welliver as Carmine Falcone.
David Dastmalchian as Calendar Man.
Troy Baker as Joker.
Amy Landecker as Barbara Gordon.
Julie Nathanson as Gilda Dent.
Jack Quaid as Alberto.
Fred Tatasciore as Solomon Grundy.
Alastair Duncan as Alfred.

It’s a pretty star-studded cast, with Supernatural star Jensen Ackles as Batman and the late Naya Rivera as Catwoman, not to mention Troy Baker reprising his role as the Joker.
The animated movie is directed by Chris Palmer, who also directed 2020’s Superman Man Of Tomorrow animated movie. It begs the question; are they both in the same universe? We’ll find out later this year.
Check out the trailer below, courtesy of IGN:


The Actraiser Remake Mostly Does Its Quintet Heritage Proud

Platform(s): PC (version played), PS4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Half 2D action game, half god simulator
Let’s just get this out of the way: on first impression, the 2021 remake of the SNES action game-slash-god-simulator hybrid Actraiser is not a heavenly sight. The pre-rendered graphics just make the look really garish and ugly to look at, with some of the backgrounds’ scrolling looking a bit off. The “aura” your main character, the Lord of Light, and the enemies emanate also don’t fare any better.
Having said that, the controls for the 2D action portions are really solid and tight, especially after you’ve played the original. It’s a huge world of difference: now your Lord of Light can backdash-and-counter-stab, do a three-hit sword combo/thrust, an uppercut with no recovery whatsoever, and a downward Helm Breaker sword slash that hits really hard.

The spells your avatar gets to use are useful to the point where it’s downright OP; you are fully invincible while casting either your fireball or your “rain hell from above” meteor shower attack, and you can cast most of them while in the air. The game does encourage you to use these attacks to the fullest, as its levels and bosses get harder with each passing stage.
Once you’re done with the first act of a region, you then turn on “god mode” and go into simulation mode. Here,Â  you’re leading your followers to build their villages while living prosperously, uncovering the evil in the place they’re encroaching and then dealing with the big bad.
Heaven Or Hell, Let’s Rock

The new bits of Actraiser Renaissance that isn’t in the SNES classic is the tower defense bits during the simulation. While you’re influencing your followers to build their homestead while plugging up demon holes, and fend off air enemies with your Angel’s bow and arrow, you also have to defend it from oncoming hordes in real-time strategy fashion. Controls are as basic as you can get: the game pauses while you’re selecting between miracles to use, placements of makeshift palisades to temporarily block or lure enemy armies, or placing/summoning heroes to fend them off permanently.

Speaking of which, there’s also a story in each region that focuses on a hero of that town, with their own backstories and them eventually joining your side as one of the six legendary heroes. All of them are pretty fun if written in a predictable manner. Their uses in combat are completely welcome, whether you need ranged spellcasters or a melee damage-dealer for airborne or grounded units respectively.
These are the key reasons why the simulation aspect of Actraiser now lasts an hour or so. While they are enjoyable and engaging, the tutorials and character dialogue pop-ups do barrage you excessively, at least in the first region Fillmore. There are also way too many tower defense missions that just stretch the game out needlessly; just have two to three instead of the four or so salvos we’re given.
God Roll

If I’m being frank, I rather play this version than go back to the SNES original; it just has better controls and a slicker interface. The remake keeps the old spirit of the original while expanding a little bit. Not too much, but just enough to feature both the 2D action platforming and the simulation aspect that made the original 1990 game endearing. It’s not a high-tier remake, but you’ll start enjoying your time hacking-and-slashing while shaping your holy land once you give in to a few hours. I know I did.
Even if the game is trying to emulate a cheap MMORPG knockoff from the mid-2000s, this remake is one renaissance worth reliving for old time’s sake. Plus, the rearranged and brand-new music from original composer Yuzo Koshiro is phenomenal, and at least warrants 12 hours or so of your time.
Final Score: 70/100


Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay To Be Shown At State Of Play This Friday

Nearly eleven months ago, we were given our very first glimpse of Horizon Forbidden WestÂ during the PlayStation 5 Showcase, but now they’re ready to finally show off actual gameplay. A new State Of Play live stream will take place this Friday on 28 May 2021 at 5am GMT+8.
The 20-minute exclusive segment will feature 14 minutes of brand new gameplay action featuring protagonist Aloy, all captured directly on a PS5.
You can catch the live stream on TwitchÂ orÂ YouTube starting from 12am GMT+ on 28 May 2021 for the special State of Play Pre-Show, and at 5am GMT+8 on the same day for the Horizon Forbidden WestÂ gameplay reveal.
Perhaps we might even finally get a release date. Horizon Forbidden West is slated to release for the PS4 and PS5 sometime in 2021.


Everything You Need to Know About Esports At the 2018 Asian Games

For the first time ever, esports will be featured as part of an international sports event, at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Six games; Arena of Valor, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Clash Royale, Starcraft II and PES will be contested from 26 August to 1 September 2018.
However, it is important to note that while esports at the Asian Games will be classified as a ‘demonstration game’, it is a step in the right direction in bridging the scene with more traditional sports scene -and hopefully a berth at the Olympics – as early as the 2020 one in Tokyo, Japan.

The third-largest multi- sports event in the world after the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, it is a significant development in according similar, professional recognition and acknowledgements to e-athletes who participate in the rapidly growing esports scene.

Out of the 45 invited countries, 27 took part in the qualifying rounds involving six video game titles. From that lot, only 18 qualified to feature in Jakarta.Â All esports contests will be played at the BritAma Arena in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta.
The qualified nations, with the number of games they will be participating in are:

China (3)
Chinese Taipei (3)
Hong Kong (4)
India (4)
Indonesia (6)
Iran (2)
Japan (2)
Kazakhstan (3)
Kyrgyzstan (1)
Laos (2)
Malaysia (1)
Pakistan (1)
Saudi Arabia (3)
South Korea (2)
Sri Lanka (1)
Thailand (3)
Uzbekistan (1)
Vietnam (6)

The schedule of the tournaments are as follows:
Sunday 26th August: Arena of Valor
Monday 27th August: Clash Royale, League of Legends
Tuesday, Wednesday 28th & 29th August: League of Legends
Thursday 30th August: Starcraft II
Friday 31st August: Hearthstone
Saturday 1st September: Pro Evolution Soccer*
*For the Asian Games, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 will be used.
We will be on the ground to check out the scenes, as well as report from the event floor. Do stick around for sights and sounds of esports from the 2018 Asian Games!


Super Robot Wars 30 Will Be Out This October In Japan & Asia

Robot and mecha fans who like to see their favourite anime battle machines duke it out in turn-based fashion: Bandai Namco has news for you.
The next Super Robot Wars game, Super Robot Wars 30, will be out for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC (Steam) in the Japanese language later this year on 28th October. An English subtitled version is definitely in the cards for Bandai Namco, at least in Southeast Asia.
Here’s the confirmed robot list so far, with new ones including Mazinkaiser Infinitism and SSSS Gridman:

Brave Police J-DeckerÂ (New)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III â€“ GlorificationÂ (New)Â (mecha only)
Getter Robo Armageddon
Gun Sword
Heavy Metal L-Gaim
Knightâ€™s & MagicÂ (New)
Magic Knight Rayearth
Majestic Prince
Mazinger Z: Infinity
Mazinkaiser InfinitismÂ (New)Â (mecha only)
Missing Mobile Suit VariationsÂ (M-MSV) (mecha only)
Mobile Suit GundamÂ (mecha only)
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative
Mobile Suit Gundam: Charâ€™s Counterattack
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
SSSS.GRIDMANÂ (New)
Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V
The King of Braves GaoGaiGar FinalÂ (mecha only)
The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final vs. BettermanÂ (New)
Zeta Gundam Mobile Suit VariationsÂ (Z-MSV) (mecha only)

I’m amazed that there are 30 of these games out and it’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The obligatory game trailer and robot reveals are below.

And if you want to check out the 30th-anniversary concert for the franchise featuring JAM Project and Ichirou “Aniki” Mizuki, here’s the video. The energy from this show is beyond 100%, especially if you love hyper battle robot themes from crossover robot games.


Marvel’s Secret Invasion Trailer Teases Return Of Many Familiar Faces

Marvel Studios and Disney+ Hotstar have unveiled a new trailer for Secret Invasion.
Why is it taking so long for a new series to premiere? Kevin Feige previously confirmed that there will be fewer Marvel releases on Disney+ in the future.
Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn will return as the Skrull warrior Talos, Don Cheadle is back as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Cobie Smulders returns as Maria Hill, plus Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Olivia Colman also star. Kyle Bradstreet serves as executive producer and writer.
The trailer also features Don Cheadle’s James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes, Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross, and Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill.
In the series, Fury returns to Earth and teams up with Talos to prevent a Skrull invasion. Emilia Clarke plays a character named G’iah, who is the daughter of Talos (a younger version of the character actually appeared in 2019’s Captain Marvel). Meanwhile, Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the main antagonist, whose name is Gravik. In the trailer, it looks like he has some kind of super ability (by extending his hand into tentacles).
The synopsis reads:
“In Marvel Studios’ new series ‘Secret Invasion,’ set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.”
Secret Invasion premieres on Disney+ Hotstar on 21 June 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


[Report] Microsoft’s E3 2019 Presentation Might Have Been Leaked

E3 2019 marks the end of this generation of consoles. While the development of the PlayStation 5 is in full gear, Sony won’t be present at this year’s E3. So, it’s only just to see Microsoft controlling the flow of information at this year’s E3.

The past weekend saw a NeoGAF user by the name of Braldryr spilling the beans on what seems to be the entire Microsoft E3 press conference. He claims to be an industry insider. The leak revealed details about all of the games, hardware, and services that will appear at the show.
For starters, these games will be announced at the upcoming Microsoft E3 press conference;

Halo Infinite
Gears 5
Gears Tactics
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Bleeding Edge
The Outer Worlds
Cyberpunk 2077
Age of Empires 4
Fable Reboot
Sea of Thieves
Battletoads
Forza Motorsport

Next Generation Xbox
What made the leak more interesting is that Braldryr pointed out that Microsoft might be announcing the next generation Xbox console, codenamed Lockhart and Anaconda. Some specs of the device might be revealed albeit with no physical look at the console.
Another interesting piece of information is that Project xCloud may get some revelation during the press conference.
Needless to say, these are still rumours since it’s close to E3 and fake news is always a-poppin’. Some might say baseless, but whatever it is take it with a spoonful of salt. All will be revealed in the next couple of weeks.


LUCID Is An Upcoming Platformer From Old-School Publisher Apogee Entertainment

Remember Apogee, the old-school PC gaming software publisher known for many classics like the 2D Duke Nukem games and even Castle Wolfenstein? Well, they’re still sticking around and have the subtitle “Entertainment” just for kicks, but still publish retro-style games.
Their latest? An upcoming Metroidvania side-scrolling action title called LUCID, developed by matte Black Studio. The game is a meld of flow state fun of “genre giants” like Celeste while paying tribute to 2D games like Mega Man X and Super Metroid. The game features a five Crystal Arts mechanic where our hero Oenn can equip up to two Crystal Arts at once and swap them mid-combo for platforming and combat tricks.
Expand Oenn’s mobility and enhance his combat arsenal with the five Crystal Arts—rewards for braving memorable dungeons like the icy climb of Onyx Ridge or the toxic gloom of Welltown. While Oenn can jump, dash, and pulse on his own, chain the Crystal Arts together to traverse impossible gap distances and unlock devastating combo attacks. Soften enemy armor from afar with the ranged Crystal Pulse before crushing their defenses with an overhead Crystal Axe slam. Fire the Crystal Spear to break open a pathway above or use its “down air” as a pogo to extend Oenn’s jump.
By equipping up to two Crystal Arts at once and fluidly swapping them mid-combo, lay bare the secrets of Aedyn. Solve devious puzzles in the deepest depths, defeat formidable bosses, and explore the overworld, aiding villagers and piecing together Aedyn’s history. Every item on Oenn’s journey possesses a world-building lore description, and translating runic language or defeating enough of one enemy will unfold a bigger narrative tapestry.
Check out the gameplay below. LUCID will be out for PC, PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in 2024.


The First Nintendo Direct Showcase Of 2018 Is Small & Sparkly

Nintendo surprised a number of us this early morning with a Nintendo Direct video. Only instead of a 30-minute tour de force, we got bite-sized announcements regarding ports and not-so-big exclusives.
Take a look to see what we mean:

In a nutshell:
-Nintendo Switch is getting ports of Dark Souls, YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, The World Ends With You: Final Mix, Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze, and Payday 2. That’s cool, if you missed out on these games back then.
–Super Mario Odyssey is getting a DLC featuring Luigi and a balloon-hiding minigame. It’s free, so sure why not?
-Aegislash and Blastoise will be appearing in PokkÃ©n Tournament DX as purchasable DLC, but not together. Aegislash and support Pokemon Mega Rayquaza and Mimikyu will be out on Jan 31, while Blastoise and support Pokemon Mew and Celebi will be out on March 23.
-Nintendo also reminds us that there’s a new Kirby game coming out on March 16. 4 player platforming and enemy-sucking fun for all!
-Last but not least, we get two new games announced for the platform: Mario Tennis Ace and SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy. The former is a Mario-themed tennis game; nothing we haven’t seen before. There’s a Story mode this time around, but we’ll know more before its Spring release window.
The latter is a casual female cast-only fighting game from SNK, is 2v2 tag-team based, and is incredibly sparkly. There’s a heckaton of customizable options and gear for SNK female mainstays like Kula, Yuri Sakazaki, Athena Asamiya, and of course Mai Shiranui. As a fighting game guy myself, I’m curious to see if this is the second coming of SNK Gals Fighters.

Let us know what piqued your interest in this Nintendo Direct mini-showcase on this here website and Facebook/Twitter pages. Don’t forget the sparkles.


Valorant Closed Beta Breaks Yet Another Twitch Record

Fresh off reaching a whopping 1.7 million peak concurrent viewers on Twitch last week, Riot Game’s Valorant has managed to break yet another record on the streaming site. With over 34 million hours watched, the game has broken Twitchâ€™s single-day hours watched record in a single game category within its first few hours.
This is an impressive achievement for the multiplayer shooter game, especially considering that it’s still in Closed Beta as of right now.
Riot Games’ Valorant Executive Producer Anna Donlon said:

â€œOur hearts, inboxes, and social media DMs are filled to the brim with all of the enthusiasm for the Valorant Closed Beta.
At this moment we are laser-focused on delivering a truly global experience for competitive tac-shooter fans, and we’re already learning many lessons.
This is just the beginning of our journey with players, and as we roll out our server infrastructure in these tumultuous times, we’re looking forward to inviting more Valorant players from around the world into this digital community.”

Valorant is slated to officially launch sometime in summer 2020. However, the Closed Beta for the game has thus far been limited to the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia, Turkey, and CIS countries.
In a statement to Kakuchopurei, Riot Games said that the game’s server infrastructure is still being developed, which is why other regions like Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, etc.) and Oceania (Australia) have yet to receive Closed Beta access at the time of writing.
While Riot Games has said that they plan to roll out to more regions, it’s unclear when that will be, considering that the world is currently facing the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cu97mr7zcM&w=560&h=315]


Kakuchopurei’s Best Of 2019: Outer Wilds

A true adventure has to incorporate elements of exploration. One of the reasons why we love video games is because they let us explore places and time periods that aren’t accessible to us in reality.
Outer Wilds is a game that nails that feeling of exploration.

A lot of games try to create the experience of discovering something new through the player’s own sense of curiosity and ability to explore. The minimal handholding and lack of mission markers make the discoveries in Outer Wilds feel natural.

You often feel like you’ve stumbled on something great simply thanks to your own initiative.

Make no mistake, The Outer Wilds has a story. Several stories, in fact. It’s the kind of storytelling that evolves according to the player’s own ability to piece together pieces of the plot puzzles.

The main plot involves you investigating an ancient race that once lived in your solar system. And it’s charming & absorbing as heck.

Gameplay frequently switches between manoeuvring your space ship to go to different planets and then travelling on foot to explore said planets. Each planet has its own puzzles and mechanics that will definitely catch you off guard.
It’s one of those rare games that will give you eureka moments very often. Coupled with a fine-tuned soundtrack that’s relevant to the narrative, and you have a space-faring journey unlike any other that even the late David Bowie would be jealous about.


Ragnarok X Next Generation Celebrates Valentine’s Day With Special Event

With Chinese New Year now over, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s time for the red-and-gold tiger decorations to make way for red roses and chocolates, as couples and lovers all around the world prepare to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day. To help mark this romantic occasion, ROX will also be hosting its own in-game Valentine’s Day event, offering not only love and companionship but special event-exclusive rewards.
Let Your Love Be Blessed By Odin Himself

Starting from 11 February to 21 February 2022, ROX players will be able to pair up into couples to take on a series of missions called In the Name of Love. Completion of each mission will reward both members of the couple with activity, which can be redeemed for various Gift Box items (up to a limit). Do note that a new mission can be started only if the last mission rewards have been collected, so be sure to claim your rewards as soon as possible. Specific monsters may also drop these event points upon defeat. There are tons of event-limited gifts for you to collect, from Headgear Magpie’s Peak, Floral Poetry, Valentine Costume, and more! Get out there and find your partner today so you donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t miss out.
During the Valentine’s Day event (5 am on 11 February to 5 am on 18 February 2022), Adventurers with an active Kafra’s VIP Card can win the chance to send one of their friends a free Item Pack simply by purchasing one themselves, with the free pack matching the value of the purchased one. To be eligible for this promotion, besides having an active Kafra’s VIP Card, both players must be on each otherÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s friend lists before the event starts. If they become friends after the event has started, they will only be eligible for this promotion provided both parties are at least Base Lv.50. Each Item Pack can only be received for free 3 times.


[Rumour] Dragon’s Dogma 2 & Street Fighter 6 Slated For 2022

The Capcom leaks and ransomware saga continues, but at least there’s some good news out of it.
Turns out that there will be a Dragon’s Dogma 2 coming out from the company with director Hideaki Itsuno probably at the helm. Also, a bunch of Capcom game already have alleged release windows set, including Street Fighter 6 for the third quarter of 2022 and a Final Fight Remake for the second quarter of 2024. Full schedule below:

Resident Evil Outrage – Q4 2021
Dragon’s Dogma 2 – Q2 2022
Street Fighter 6 – Q3 2022
Rockman (Mega Man in English) Match – Q3 2022
Resident Evil 4 Remake – Q4 2022
Onimusha New Work – Q4 2022
Monster Hunter 6 – Q2 2023
Biohazard Apocalypse – Q3 2023
Super Street Fighter 6 – Q4 2023
Final Fight Remake – Q2 2024
Power Stone Remake – Q3 2024
Ultra Street Fighter 6 – Q4 2024
Resident Evil Hank – Q4 2024

Keep in mind that this could be a fake, so file this one under “grain of salt” and “alleged” for now. Still, with the first game’s re-release on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, an anime series on Netflix, and director Hideaki Itsuno wanting to go back to that well after Devil May Cry 5, that rumour of a long-anticipated sequel has some validity to it.


Harley Quinn Season 2 Is Coming Next Month & Introducing Catwoman

The first season of the R-rated Harley Quinn animated series on the DC Universe streaming service only ended last month with its 13th episode. However, it’s already getting a second season next month on 3 April 2020.
The trailer for Harley Quinn season 2 teases an even wilder and raunchier time, as the series is set to finally introduce Catwoman into the mix (voiced by Sanaa Lathan), and Mr. Freeze, who will be voiced by none other Alfred Molina, best known for playing Doctor Octopus in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.

However, the most interesting moment is arguably a glimpse where we can see Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy holding hands, which would satisfy shippers of the two. Perhaps we’ll finally see a full-blown romance between them. The series is already making genitalia jokes and F-bombs, so I don’t see why that can’t happen.

Harley Quinn Season 2 will comprise of 13 episodes, which will release on a weekly basis just like the first season. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBjgTmkJDyQ&w=560&h=315]


Coffee Talk: Episode 2 Demo Out Now

The next episode for the hit visual novel coffee-serving game Coffee Talk is available in demo form right now.
This is to celebrate game publisher and developer Toge Production’s recent 13th year anniversary. The demo is on PC (Steam) right now and will be available until 19 January at 10am PT. The demo lets you talk and serve coffee and new types of drinks to new customers such as Lucas and a mysterious blue-haired woman. New ingredients include Butterfly Pea petals and Hibiscus petals.

Coffee Talk Ep. 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly demo is now available for a ?LIMITED ?time until Jan, 19 at 10 AM PT on Steam!
Meet Lucas, a new customer on Coffee Talk who's also a social media influencer!
Download the demo now!??https://t.co/ISBwsWaBUH#CoffeeTalk #??????? pic.twitter.com/FOJjWLGhRP
— Coffee Talk ?? (@coffeetalk_game) January 18, 2022

Coffee Talk: Episode 2 ~Hibiscus & Butterfly~ will be out in 2022 for PC. In the meantime, do check out the demo playthrough below.


Gungrave G.O.R.E. Adds Cel-Shaded Mode In New Update

South-Korean Studio IGGYMOB and published by Prime Matter have announced that Gungrave G.O.R.E is getting a new patch with some premium free content. The latest patch introduces a new, free, Cel-Shaded Mode that switches the visuals to previous incarnations of Gungrave which will be a welcome addition to nostalgic Grave afficionados.
There is also a new Idle motion mode that will randomly adjust Grave’s pose when he’s stationary for more than 10 seconds. There’s some extra content on the visuals too with additional demolition shots being added – replete with dynamic camera action – for some stunning demolition scenes. Additional work on some of the core gameplay has been done too, with tweaks to 25 various system & balancing systems in place, ensuring players can get the most out of the title.
“We have improved on balancing with the feedbacks of players so they can enjoy the game more comfortably and more simple way. Just like the what was advertised to be cool action game, I hope you guys enjoy the game and look forward to future patches, “ said Kim Darhoon, producer with the Gungrave G.O.R.E team.
Gungrave G.O.R.E. is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Check out our full review here.


SMT: Strange Journey Redux Is Arguably This Year’s Best Nail-Biting JRPG From 2010

This review is from our pals at The Last King Podcast.Â
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: JRPG
It’s close to the middle of 2018, and there really isn’t a major JRPG release that wowed and challenged me since Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Yes, there was Ni no Kuni 2 which we reviewed a while back, but it isn’t as gripping and as challenging as I thoughtÂ it would be despite its highlights.
Then Nintendo and Atlus (and Sega, technically) decide to release the English version of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux without much fanfare. I honestly didn’t know about this until late last week.
That’s a crying shame because it’s the best JRPG right now and a perfect entry point for people who are too scared or daunted by the Shin Megami Tensei slew of JRPGs.
What The Hell Is A Shin Megami Tensei?
We say “arguably” on this feature’s title because it’s the 3DS port of the 2010 title of the same name.Â In a nutshell, you play a soldier who leads an expedition sanctioned by the United Nations to explore and deal with a scientific anomaly in the Antartica called the Schwarzwelt. The Schwarzwelt is a giant black void that threatens to destroy Earth, so you have to go inside using your special “Demonica” suit to solve the problem.
Little do the team know that they’re entering a world where demons and angels reside, and the inside of the void is made up of the many vices of humanity in physical form. Lust, environmental callousness, war, excess consumerism: it’s all there in labyrinth form in which our heroic expedition have to play Homer’s Odyssey in.
What results is a 50+ hour of JRPG goodness in the veins of a first-person dungeon crawler ala the early Ultimas and Might & Magic PC titles. I’ll tell you personally why this Redux version for the Nintendo 3DS is worth the effort and the extra Amazon surcharges -it’s pretty hard to find in Singapore at this point in time.
#1. It’s Brutal

You’re stuck in the Schwarzwelt with no means to escape, so you and your Red Sprite crew have to find a solution within the hellish world. Well, it’s mostly you doing the heavy lifting: you explore and uncover the area, you fight demons, you recruit demons through the art of conversation & coercion, and you collect rare materials called Forma to power your Demonica Suit and weaponry up.
You can also fuse two demons together to create a stronger demon, or a set of demons (from 2 to 5 specific ones) to create one mega legendary demon. And for those who want to bring up the Pokemon analogy, don’t forget that Shin Megami Tensei’s fusion feature & demon-collecting-slash-compendium-completing mechanic showed up in the early 90s on the SNES way before Pikachu and Charizard did in 1998.
After the initial tutorials have been presented to you, the game slowly drags you to the deep end from the second world onwards. You will get stuck in rooms where the door behind you doesn’t open, forcing you to find an alternate route that’s laced with poison traps and tougher demons. Surprise encounters can potentially wipe out your party before you can even attack.Â  Some enemies are even resistant to most of your attacks, and can even reflect/absorb them, which means you have to start grinding for a new party of demons.
Speaking of attacks, Strange Journey’s combat system allows you to pull off follow-up attacks if you exploit an enemy’s weakness. Use an ice spell on an enemy weak to that element, and you’ll have two to three demons pull off a non-elemental co-op attack that will damage them regardless of their resistances and immunities. The problem? Your enemies hit harder and usually faster than usual, and they also have instant death spells -Hama and Mudo elements- at their disposal. So be like Cobra Kai in this instance: strike fast, strike hard, and no mercy. As well as no second thoughts to spending your mana points/energy if it means killing an enemy first.
It’s times like these where I appreciate and revel in the challenge because complacency is what gets people killed in Strange Journey. Even if you have explored an area a couple of times, you still need to be wary of powered-up demons and the occasional trap you missed out. Above all else, take a break in your ship and recharge if your team is out of mana and your curatives are at a low.
You could just change the difficulty down to Casual mode, but where’s the fun in that? SMT games revel in their hardcore mechanics, so you’ll be doing it a disservice by toning it down. Granted, it’s not as insanely punishing as the Etrian Odyssey series (goddamn FOEs), but it’s pretty close.
#2. It’s Insightful & Intriguing

Throughout your adventure, you’ll come across the forces of Law and Chaos who will help shape the final ending of the game. Most of the minibosses and big bosses of each realm within theÂ Schwarzwelt will pose a question regarding humanity’s place in the “new world”. It’s up to you whether you think they’re worth saving or not. You see, the worlds inside theÂ Schwarzwelt represent the vices of humanity. The demons are just making due with what is formed since they don’t have direct control.
There are also some story bits that make you contemplate more about Strange Journey’s message about the world we live in. There’s a scene described in words where a bunch of demons help “perfect” your kidnapped squad members by removing their innards, in the Schwarzwelt’s version of a pleasure palace. Like an effed-up version of Amsterdam.
There’s also a bit where a soldier befriends a demon, only to see it get tortured by another UN crew stuck in theÂ Schwarzwelt because they want pure control in the world they’re stuck in. Say if you have a phenomenon like theÂ Schwarzwelt happening, should it be taken as a sign that humanity deserves to be wiped out, or should humans fight this sort of progress to gain a second chance?
Your 50+ hours with Strange Journey will make you ponder more than any other triple-A blockbuster game can. Only, in this case, you get killed more often because you brought a demon squad weak to fire in a realm filled with Phoenixes and Peles.
I also give props to composer Shoji Meguro. Instead of the contemporary jazz soundtracks he crafted for the Persona games, he created an orchestral, dark, and mature score that feels like a mash-up between a military anthem, an angelic choir, and a gothic horror soundtrack. That soundtrack choir alone fills players like myself with a sense of confusion, mystery, and intrigue.
#3. There’s New Content For SMT Veterans

For those who have completed SMT Strange Journey back in 2010, you’re in luck because the Redux version has a couple of worthy additions.
TheÂ biggest one includes a new plot character: a Demonica user named Alex and her AI pal George. Not only do you get to fight with her in intense boss fights, but you also get to experience an expanded story that introduces new Law, Chaos, and Neutral morality endings.
New demons in the story mode include Zeus, Amon, Anahita, and Demeter. They look damn cool and have insane abilities when they have all of their skills learnt. You also get to explore a new dungeon called the Womb of Grievance with lots of spanning corridors, traps, and closed-off pathways you have to endure through for that sweet, sweet rare Forma.
This version of Strange Journey also features new demons:Â  Anat, Isis, Ixtab, Vasuki, Vritra, Kali, Kikuri-Hime, Cybele, Zaou-Gongen, Shaytan, Jack Ripper, Thanatos, Tsuchigumo, Night Stalker, Nadja, Nebiros, Hypnos, Belial, Beelzebub, Volvo, Master Therion, Mada, Mad Gasser, Maria, Lucifuge, Sandalphon, and Armaiti. They’re most likely the versions from Shin Megami Tensei IV and SMT IV Apocalypse, but I’m not complaining because it’s fun to see how the new boys and girls work in Strange Journey’s combat system.
So there you have it: three solid reasons why you should dust off your 3DS -or borrow your pal’s since he or she is busy on their Nintendo Switch with that new Zelda Dynasty Warriors game- for this JRPG diamond in the rough. Sure, the graphics are a bit old-school for some, but don’t let that stop you from the Shin Megami Tensei experience, especially if it’s your first time.
And for the record, “Shin Megami Tensei” means “True Rebirth of a Goddess”.
Pros
-Great old-school dungeon-crawling gameplay.
-40+ hours worth of gameplay & adventuring.
-Deep story filled with moral choices.
Cons
-Characters can be a tad generic.
-Adjustable difficulty; kind of a con?
FINAL RATING: 80/100


Ex-Sonic Team Lead Yuji Naka Is Reportedly Arrested For Square Enix Insider Trading

It seems like trouble is afoot in Square Enix, even for those who aren’t in the company anymore.
Yuji Naka, who is known for being one of the original programmers of past Sonic The Hedgehog games, Balan Wonderworld, and confirming Michael Jackson’s work in Sonic The Hedgehog 3, has reportedly been arrested due to his involvement in the recent Square Enix insider trading investigation.
To recap, two former Square Enix employees were arrested in Tokyo as part of a suspected insider trading scheme: Taisuke Sazaki and Fumiaki Suzuki. The two acquired stock in Japanese developer Aiming shortly before it announced its work on a new Dragon Quest game: Dragon Quest Tact. They both purchased US$336,300 of stock in the company before Dragon Quest Tact was announced to the public.
The ex-Sega and ex-Square Enix employee is now the latest suspect in the ongoing case according to FNN Prime Online. He was privy to news and development regarding Dragon Quest Tact while he was working on his 3D platformer Balan Wonderworld at the time. He allegedly purchased 10,000 shares of Aiming stock for US$20,000, also done before the game was announced. Since Dragon Quest is a huge deal in Japan, there’s no doubt people who buy shares early in companies involved with the brand (especially a gacha F2P title) will get their money’s worth and then some.
Here is a Square Enix statement regarding the legal controversy:

“Today, some media outlets reported that the former employees of Square Enix were under investigation for suspected insider trading. We have been fully cooperating with requests from the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission. As the investigation by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is underway, we will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation.
We deeply regret the great concern this has caused to all concerned. We have dealt with this incident strictly, including internal disciplinary actions taken against the suspected employees.”

Disciplinary action is the least of anyone’s worries. Last we checked, insider trading charges are usually up to 5 years. While not as severe as US or UK’s laws, the shame of being a jailbird is enough to condemn people’s careers in the long term.


The Last Of Us Part 1 Video Showcases New Gameplay Footage

Naughty Dog originally announced The Last Of Us Part 1 remake during Summer Game Fest 2022. Recently, a bunch of gameplay videos leaked online, so now the developer has unveiled a deep dive gameplay video of their own earlier today.
In a PlayStation Blog post, they confirmed that The Last Of Us Part 1 can render Native 4K at targeted 30 FPS or dynamic 4K at targeted 60 FPS, and features PS5 mainstays like DualSense wireless controller haptics, trigger effects, and 3D audio.
From the art direction to the character models, the entire game has been rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of a new generation of graphical capability, allowing this game to reach the visual fidelity that the studio aspired for when crafting this experience. The PS5’s powerful hardware drives a host of visual benefits, from denser physics with tons of bumpables and chipables (bullets can now rip apart concrete and environmental objects) and cinematics now transition seamlessly to gameplay.
Motion matching technology means that character animations flow more convincingly, intuitively and realistically; all adding another layer of believability to characters and their interactions with the world. Further, AI upgrades mean that characters inhabit the world in a more authentic and realistic way, such as buddy characters navigating cover to avoid enemy NPC sightlines more authentically.
In additon, Naughty Dog also worked with their community to integrate some fan requests, including a “permadeath” mode, a speedrun-focused mode, and a host of brand-new unlockable costumes for Joel and Ellie. The game also hosts 60-plus accessibility options, and includes a new Audio Description mode, ensuring that play is rewarding and inclusive for all.
In the meantime, check out my full spoiler-free review of The Last Of Us Part 2 here, or head on over here for a guide and tips for the game. If you’ve already played the game, then I suggest checking out my 4000-word spoilerific article on why I believe the hate for the game isn’t justified.
The Last Of Us Part 1 launches on PS5 on 2 September 2022, with a PC version slated in the future.


The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Is A Heartwarming Christmas Treat

It’s time for the festive season and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first-ever holiday (Christmas) special (as well as its second Marvel Studios Presentation after Werewolf By Night in October 2022). What you see in the trailers and promotional trailers is literally what you get with The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special; a fun little romp and episode with our favourite galactic heroes.
All I Want For Christmas

Just like Marvel’s Werewolf By Night, The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special is essentially a short film as well, but this time it feels more like a special one-shot episode. For one, The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special is shorter in terms of length and duration. It’s only around 40+ minutes long compared to Werewolf By Night’s 50+ minutes.
There’s really nothing much to say or spoil for The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special. The trailers have already revealed that the plot involves Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) going off to Earth and kidnapping Kevin Bacon to bring him back to Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). That’s literally all that mostly happens, albeit with scenes fleshing out the narrative and several scenes featuring songs and musical numbers, which is a signature of director James Gunn at this point. 40 minutes can only fit so much.

There’s a lot of the same comedy and humour from James Gunn’s Guardians Of The Galaxy films, and a lot of mostly Drax and Mantis. As such, how much you’ll enjoy The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special depends on how much you like both of these characters. Of course, the rest of the Guardians Of The Galaxy members reprise their roles as well, but they’re only there as cameos or receive barely more than a minute of screen time. Still, MCU fans will have some easter eggs and references to chew on, though perhaps not as many as in the other Disney+ Marvel shows and movies.
Despite its brief runtime, The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special does contain some heartwarming moments and a sprinkling of that fuzzy holiday spirit, which will give you the “feels”. While fans who expect more meat and more ‘meaningful’ content might be a bit disappointed, this short episode is ultimately just a fun diversion and a little treat for MCU fans to spend time with the Guardians before Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 eventually arrives in May 2023, which is only about seven months away.
FINAL SCORE: 70/100
We received an early screener of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special is slated to premiere on 24 November 2022 on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia.


Fallout 76 Beta Starts Tomorrow Morning; Here’s The Info You Need

It’s 23rd October, which means that fans of the Fallout series who pre-ordered the game through US and UK online stores will get to play the Fallout 76 beta right now. Here’s what you need to know.
-You can share images and videos of the Fallout 76 beta. Unlike other betas, this one’s pretty public seeing as it’s close to its 14th November release date.
-You need an Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus membership to go online. No duh.
-Players are able to experience the full game and also carry their progress over when the game goes live this November.
-Bethesda added a bit of a heads up to those first in line: there will be bugs and issues while playing the game. Here is Bethesda’s official statement:

“Usually after years of development, we finally finish, release the game, and take a break. With 76, we feel we have not finished but reached a starting line where all new work begins.Â
We all know with the scale of our games, and the systems we let you use, that unforeseen bugs and issues always come up. Given what weâ€™re going with 76, we know weâ€™re opening everyone up to all new spectacular issues none of us have encountered. Other [issues], we surely donâ€™t. We need your help finding them, and advice on whatâ€™s important to fix. Weâ€™ll address all of it, now and after launch.”

-Here are the starting times for the beta for each console/platform:

Xbox One: 23rd October
PS4 & PC: 30th October

-For you Southeast Asian Xbox One gamers who pre-ordered the game, here is when the beta starts: 24th October, 7am to 11am. If you have a favourite streamer you follow, that time’s as good as any to watch some awesome Fallout 76 gameplay.
We can’t wait to see what crazy bugs & glitches are in store for this next Bethesda game! Are you excited?