Arnold Schwarzenegger Reprises Iconic Role In Predator Hunting Grounds DLC

Retired legendary actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is reprising his iconic role as Dutch from the original 1987 Predator movie in the upcoming DLC for coming to Predator Hunting Grounds on 26 May 2020.
Predator Hunting Grounds is a game based in the Predator universe so it makes sense for Dutch to join the roster as a playable character (via PlayStation Blog). In a tweet earlier today, Schwarzenegger himself expressed his joy at being given the opportunity to record his voice for Dutch in Predator Hunting Grounds.

It was really fantastic to step back into this role. I had such a fun time working on this and I hope you enjoy playing with Dutch as much as I enjoyed voicing him. pic.twitter.com/sdTtnl4Mhd
â€” Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 12, 2020
As part of a free update, players will be able to learn where Dutch has been all these years and hear his story in his own words through a series of voice tapes that they can earn while levelling up. However, those who have paid for the DLC will not only get to play as Dutch but also gain access to the QR5 â€œHammerheadâ€ Rifle and Dutchâ€™s Knife weapons.
This is only the first of four planned free and paid updates for Predator Hunting Grounds. Perhaps we’ll see more characters from across the Predator movies appear in the game. Please make it happen, developer IllFonic.


What We Know About Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 So Far

Rockstar’s latest and upcoming spaghetti western-influenced open-world action adventure game is arguably the most-anticipated sequel of 2018. Or rather a prequel, since it takes place way before the first Red Dead Redemption took place.
Red Dead Redemption was a gameplay and story-based marvel back in 2010. We’re pretty sure Red Dead Redemption 2 will turn just as many heads, if not more. Apart from a release date -October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One- there isn’t much news about the game.
Don’t fret: Kakuchopurei is here to help!
Here’s what we know about the sequel, based on the recent previews. We’ve collected all the info and put it up in one handy article for your perusal.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1415781378526273/
General

The game takes place in 1899, a few years before the twilight of the Wild West started.
Deadeye is back. So yes, you can have Arthur Morgan doing his slow-motion death-dealing gunslinging move in style. In fact, you can unlock cinematic kills if you time your shots right or if you activate certain combat conditions (ie: if all your enemies have less than 5% health and you pull off deadeye on all of them).
NPCs will react to you differently while you’re wandering in the Wild West of America. If you carry your gun out, they’ll be nervous or hostile. Depending on your town or Wild West reputation, they will greet you differently, or even treat you as such.
You can now choose to either greet people (Square button), antagonize them, (Circle button), or rob them (Square button). In fact, you can bully them into giving you their money even without brandishing a weapon.

Gangs & Camp

You now manage a gang camp, bandits and horses and all.Â Much of the game’s descriptions are around open world interactions within your camp.
The Van Der Lind gang gives you differentÂ missions and challenges from time to time. For instance, as you’re walking around camp one of your gang members might let you know that they could use provisions (meat, pelts, etc) which prompt you to go off hunting.
While there is a management aspect to the gang & camps, it’s an extra that’s there if you want to use it, but it’s not something you have to stay on top of. It’s not complicated, but you can get good in-game rewards out of it if you do your due diligence. This is like an expanded version of GTA V’s crew system.

The Open World

Not much is known about the new Wild West area you’ll be traipsing around, but you will be checking out this area called New Hanover. It’s an area filled with swamps, snow areas with alpines and mountains, and an industrialized town called Valentine.
If you thought GTA V looked good on the PS4 and Xbox One, wait until you see RDR2 in action. At least, that’s the general consensus of the previews so far.

Hunting

Hunting has been greatly expanded. There are now multiple ways to skin your captures, with each method giving you different effects.
When selling skins, their value is determined on how clean the kill is. For example, a pelt taken from an animal killed with a bow and arrow will fetch a higher sum than the same one killed with a shotgun blast.
You can now latch your kills onto your horse.
Your pelts and kills can rot, which means their value will go down the longer they’re out in the sun.

Your Horse

You can now forge bonds with your horse. Just like the dog in Fable 2, it’ll make an impact in the context of the game and story.
Back in the first RDR, your horse was a disposable vehicle. In part 2, you can bond with your horse so that it becomes powerful and faster to ride on.
You can tell that your relationship with it is at a higher level if you start seeing your horse have unique animations and interactions with you and the world around it.
Your horse also houses the majority of your gear, so if you want to access your heavy rifles faster, you’ll have to be better friends with it.
If your horse dies, you will have to start the bonding process again. Still, you can attempt to patch it up with medkits if it’s hurt.

Robbery

Similar to heists in Grand Theft Auto V, you can rob banks and establishments with your gang.
When you approach robberies and missions, they can bridge out based on choices. For example, one of the members of your gang can cause a distraction in a bank, allowing you to sneak up on the staff and blindside them.
Your rewards and ranking are determined by how you approach the robbery. If you blow things up more often, you’ll receive less.
In any case, a mass shootout begins as soon as you exit the bank and make your getaway.
This action segment only ends as soon as you shake off the authorities, horseback and all.

We’re pretty hyped about the game; do let us know your thoughts!
Top image credit: IGN


Ni no Kuni: Crossworlds Breaks Past US$100 In Player Spending Faster Than Pokemon GO Did

The power of the Kuniverse is strong with this one.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds from Netmarble seems to be a big hit 11 days after its online debut in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Chinese iOS and Android platforms on June 10th. Player spending and microtransactions on the game has gone past the US$100 million mark based on Sensor Tower’s stats for the App Store and Google Play pages.
This makes Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds one of the fastest mobile games to reach US$100 million from player spending across the App Store and Google Play. For comparison, PokÃ©mon GO from Niantic took 12 days to reach the milestone. Genshin Impact, meanwhile, took 13 days to hit $100 million, as did Lineage 2 Revolution from Netmarble back in 2016.
Other titles to garner quite a bit of spending in the month of June are two strong titles: one is Uma Musume Pretty Derby which is about horse girls racing and Fate: Grand Order. The former garnered US$36 million in player spending while the latter received US$35 million. Keep in mind that these two titles have been out for a while.

The top mobile game by player spending globally across the App Store and Google Play was Honor of Kings from Tencent, which picked up US$102.3 million during the same period, while PUBG Mobile, also from Tencent and localized as Game For Peace in China, ranked No. 3, generating US$80.2 million. Currently, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds is only available in five markets: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Outside of China, Netmarbleâ€™s title was the highest revenue-generating mobile game globally since its launch.
So what makes Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds this popular? We’re guessing it’s the anime art style that’s basically using Studio Ghibli’s work from the first Ni no Kuni RPG to the gacha mechanics of the game. This is obviously good news for developer Level-5 who is handling the title. This may also cement the fate of Ni No Kuni as being a mobile-only affair if the company is sticking to its business guns. Still, this will keep Level-5 out of the red.


Needler Nerf Blasters & More Halo Guns Are Incoming

Ever wondered how it’s like to hold a Covenant Needler from the Halo franchise in your hands, for real? Well, Hasbro is here to satisfy your desire with its new Nerf guns.
As reported by GameSpot, there will be three of these Halo-themed Nerf blasters in total. Aside from the iconic Needler, there’s the UNSC’s MA40 Blaster and M41 SPNKR.

The Needler and SPNKR are part of the Nerf Microshot line. Each comes with two darts, so you won’t be able to shower your friends with needles, unfortunately. Nerf’s interpretation of the SPNKR resembles a pistol, but the weapon was actually a rocket launcher in Halo 5.
The MA40 Blaster is based on a weapon from the upcoming Halo Infinite. This one has a 10-dart clip, and requires four C batteries to fire them. The product also includes a code that lets you obtain its colour scheme in Halo: Infinite.

The MA40 blaster will retail for $50 (RM207.97), a sum which, in my opinion, would be better off being saved for Halo: Infinite itself. Meanwhile, the Needler and SPNKR will retail for $10 (RM41.60) each instead.
GameSpot notes that the Nerf Halo blasters will be available in “many” major retailers starting from 1 October 2020, but that date only accounts for North America. Still, I expect that we’ll see them in Malaysia eventually. After all, you can already get Fortnite and Overwatch Nerf blasters from Toysâ€œRâ€ Us.
They might end up being a tad more expensive here though; the Microshot guns on the Toysâ€œRâ€ Us site are listed with a price of RM49.90.


E3 2019 Will Be Our Most Important Yet – Cyberpunk 2077 Devs

With Sony and EA dropping out of hosting major showcases at E3 2019, it seems like the upcoming event might turn out to be one of the least exciting in recent years. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way, as some developers will have the opportunity to step up their game this time around.
During the CD Projekt Red‘s 2018 financial results presentation (via PCGamer), studio president and CEO Adam KiciÅ„ski confirmed that E3 2019 will be the “most important one ever for us” and that they have prepared a “strong show” for gamers to look forward to. That’s reassuring for fans who have doubts whether this year’s E3 will be worth their attention.
KiciÅ„ski added that the Cyberpunk 2077 developers will have some “surprises” in store as well and that E3 2019 remains a focus, referring to it as “the best moments for big announcements of big launches during the year”.
Besides that, he also said that CD Projekt Red has plans to increase the number of staff for the purpose of supporting the development of their next unannounced RPG. However, he stopped short of revealing anything about the mysterious project, except that it will be something “brand new”.
The developer has the golden opportunity of grabbing the spotlight at E3 2019, due to the absences of several major players. CD Projekt Red should go all out and make it one hell of a showcase for Cyberpunk 2077 (not that the game requires any more hype, mind you).
In the meantime, check out the full presentation by Adam KiciÅ„ski below, though we have to warn you that it’s over an hour long.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdBhUN3SZ8g&w=560&h=315]


PokÃ©mon Brilliant Diamond, Shiny Pearl & Legends Arceus Get Release Dates

PokÃ©mon Brilliant Diamond, PokÃ©mon Shiny Pearl and PokÃ©mon Legends Arceus were all announced back in February 2021 during the 25th anniversary live stream. Now, they’ve finally received official release dates, courtesy of the PokÃ©mon Company.
PokÃ©mon Brilliant Diamond & PokÃ©mon Shiny Pearl

Pokemon Brilliant DiamondÂ andÂ Pokemon Shining Pearl will launch for the Nintendo Switch on 19 November 2021 worldwide.
Here is an overview of the game, via The Pokemon Company:
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondÂ andÂ Pokemon Shining PearlÂ are faithful remakes ofÂ Pokemon Diamond VersionÂ andÂ Pokemon Pearl Version, which were released on the Nintendo DS system in 2006. Whether or not players have explored the Sinnoh region before, they can look forward to this great adventure, reborn on Nintendo Switch. The original story has been faithfully reproduced, and various game functions have been colorfully revitalized. Trainers can expect an adventure through the Sinnoh region that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The Pokemon featured in the newly released package designs ofÂ Pokemon Brilliant DiamondÂ andÂ Pokemon Shining PearlÂ are the Legendary Pokemon Dialga and Palkia. Trainers will be able to discover the mysterious connection between Dialga or Palkia and the Sinnoh region during their adventures.

#PokemonBrilliantDiamond.#PokemonShiningPearl.November 19, 2021.
?? Preorder now: https://t.co/xTW1T9xFov pic.twitter.com/zyKjJDsi54
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 26, 2021

PokÃ©mon Legends Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus will launch for the Nintendo Switch on 28 January 2022.
Here is an overview of the game, via The Pokemon Company:
InÂ Pokemon Legends: Arceus, theÂ PokemonÂ series takes a bold new direction, fusing action with RPG elements. The game takes place in the Sinnoh region of the past, long before the events ofÂ Pokemon Diamond VersionÂ andÂ Pokemon Pearl Version. As the gameâ€™s protagonist, the player will set out to create and complete the regionâ€™s first Pokedex by catching, surveying, and researching the wild Pokemon that live there.â€‹
The cover art, revealed here for the first time, depicts Mount Coronet towering over the expanse of a bygone Sinnoh regionâ€”the setting for the story inÂ Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

#PokemonLegendsArceus.January 28, 2022.
???? Preorders available now: https://t.co/8cj1aajObs pic.twitter.com/ACSm9EeIzT
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 26, 2021


E3 2019: The Final Fantasy VII Remake Is The Pinnacle Of The Entire Series

The Final Fantasy VII Remake is clearly a hugely-anticipated title based on the fanboy screams and yelps during the game’s showcase in E3 2019 Square Enix press conference.

And we’ll have to admit: this is exactly what fans were looking forward to in an action-heavy gameplay demo of the title that’s due next March.Â  Square Enix has dropped the proverbial mic with its marvellous reveal trailer.
Check it out below!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCJZg7pVtiI]
The developers also took the opportunity to show off some of the gameplay and its new combat mechanics.
What’s a better way to showcase the revamped mechanics than a boss fight with the game’s iconic Scorpion Sentinel, even right down to its Thunder weakness?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcGoJnswGb8]
As you might have noticed, the combat mechanics are way different than the original Final Fantasy VII. If you were in awe and weren’t paying attention, here’s a breakdown of what’s what.
Combat Mechanics
Final Fantasy VII Remake combines the fast-paced combat of previous titles such as Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Type-0, and the newer Final Fantasy XVÂ laid out by former Square Enix director Hajime Tabata.Â I’ll even call it an evolution of the aforementioned games, tailor-made for this generation of gamers.
Physical attacks are done by pressing (or mashing) the Square button but it doesn’t do much damage. The game retains the use of an ATB bar for combat, which you build up and gather via your physical attacks. However, the bar doesn’t dictate your attacks, rather it allows you to activate the main element of combat, Tactical Mode when it’s full.
This mode slows down time for players to choose actions from the Command Menu, such as Cloud’s signature Braver move. Using items as well as spells, provided the correct Materia is equipped, will consume the ATB bar. Think of it as a “pause” function that lets you take any special game-breaking action when needed.
Characters will continue to fight even when not directly controlling them, ala Final Fantasy XII‘s Gambit system, but more refined.
It’s Not A One-Man Battle
Switch between party members at a press of a button to take control of them. Each party member has its own abilities and playstyles, diversifying strategy across the battlefield.

Stunning Battles
Every enemy has a focus gauge that fills up as you deal damage. When the gauge is full, the enemy is staggered and you deal bonus damage.

Contextual Strategies
It’s not all hack-and-slash. Players must employ the correct strategies to overcome battles. For example, the Scorpio Sentinel boss requires the use of Thunder spell and a Focused Shot skill to break the enemy’s tough defence while attacking certain weak points to deal extra damage.

Take Cover!
You can now take cover behind objects to fend yourself from devastating attacks. That’s a first in a Final Fantasy title.

So as you can see, the revamped combat system is the most engaging and fun combat system in all of the Final Fantasy titles. The introduction of new mechanics provides a fresh breath of air while the Tactical Mode preserves the original feel of Final Fantasy VII.
Definitely A Must-Buy For Fans
The title has two special editions open to pre-order; the Deluxe Edition and the 1st Class Edition. Both will come with extra goodies.
The Deluxe Edition will cost you US$79.99 (RM333) and will come with the following:

Final Fantasy VII Remake
Artbook
Mini-Soundtrack
Steelbook
Cactuar Summon Materia DLC
Carbuncle Summon Materia DLC

The crown jewel though, is the 1st Class Edition, setting hardcore fans back at US$329.99 (RM1,375). The behemoth of a price nets you the following.

Final Fantasy VII Remake
Play Arts Kai Cloud Strife & Hardy Daytona
Artbook
Mini-Soundtrack
Steelbook
Cactuar Summon Materia DLC
Carbuncle Summon Materia DLC

The figure included in the 1st Class Edition above comes from high-end figure maker Play Arts Kai and has a display stand as well as interchangeable hand parts.
When Will It Drop?
Square Enix has confirmed that the game will be episodic and will be released on 3 March 2020.

That’s a long wait for this terrific remake, so in the meantime, why not hype for a more humble approach to a classic Final Fantasy title coming soon?


Ever Wonder What Bioshock’s Big Daddy Looks Like Under The Helmet?

One of life’s greatest mysteries has been answered.
If you ever wondered how Bioshock’s iconic antagonist, the Big Daddy, looks like behind the diver helmet, let this Twitter post reveal all. Warning: it’s pretty outrageous and horrible.

Good morning to everyone except the BioShock concept artist who drew this image of a Big Daddy without a helmet. pic.twitter.com/VjI31ouaXE
— Andy Kelly (@ultrabrilliant) July 6, 2021

This is actual concept art for the first Bioshock, which never made it to the game. Made by artist Robb Waters, this unused-but-still-considered-canon artwork made its way onto Fandom. If you ever feel like freaking your friends out with cursed images like this, here you go. You’re welcome.


Dying Light 2 Will Finally Add In New Game Plus Mode This Month

Dying Light 2 is a really fun action adventure parkour game featuring zombies and melee combat, but it also has a long story campaign with multiple choice options. As of now, there’s no way to take your high-leveled Aiden and replay the game; you have to start from scratch.
Well, that much-requested feature will finally surface in Dying Light 2. Techland announced that the game’s New Game Plus mode will be out end of April via a big patch 3 according to lead game designer Tymon Smektala:
“Those are definitely things that are on the table currently and that are being worked on. I don’t want to go into too many specifics here… but very soon, people will start seeing those things being added in one form or another into the game.
Survivors, Our team is working hard on patch 3 for DL2 Stay Human. It will be one of the biggest patches we’ve released so far. Apart from many fixes for both multi and single-player mode, it will also introduce a New Game+ mode, giving you more reasons to re-visit The City. We’re planning to release patch 3 on all platforms by the end of this month. Full notes will be available once the update is live.”

Survivors,Our team is working hard on patch 3 for DL2 Stay Human.It will be one of the biggest patches we've released so far. Apart from many fixes for both multi and single-player mode, it will also introduce a New Game+ mode, giving you more reasons to re-visit The City.(1/2)
— Dying Light (@DyingLightGame) April 5, 2022

Patch 3 will also add in a series of events around mutated infected, with a new story DLC coming in June. All this support is both free and paid DLCs, which is pretty similar to how the first Dying Light worked. Good for Techland!
For more on Dying Light 2, check out our review and video walkthroughs.


NBA 2K20 Is A Steal At Only RM22 On The PlayStation Store Right Now

Basketball fever is at a high right now, thanks to the recent release of Netflix’s The Last Dance, a documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. If you’re a basketball fan, I have even more good news for you. NBA 2K20 is a steal right now on the PlayStation Store.
For one week from today to 20 May 2020, you can grab NBA 2K20 for only RM22.77, and that’s a whopping 91 percent off from its original price of RM253. That’s probably the cheapest price you’ll ever get for this game, which only just released last year in September 2019.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLrtNIYcmiE&w=560&h=315]
Even if you’re not a basketball fan, this is the best opportunity for you to find out what the hype is all about by purchasing NBA 2K20 or checking out The Last Dance documentary. Heck, I know next to nothing about basketball, but I still enjoyed The Last Dance (check out my full review here).


Idol Showdown’s Biggest Update Post-Launch Adds Air Tech & Infinites Prevention System

Idol Showdown is out now and for free on PC (via Steam). While the game is oodles of fun, it is quite buggy.
Which is why developer Besto Games are fixing it bit by bit. The game has received a patch or two during its launch day, but this recent one is pretty big and warrants an official announcement. Idol Showdown’s 1.1 update is meant to update the game’s air tech and prevent infinites, as well as assign tags to online lobbies and add frame advantage data in the training room.
Keep in mind that this update is meant to fix bugs, not balance characters, so if you feel that Kiryu Coco still needs to deal more damage as a grappler, or if Ayane or Suisei needs to be nerfed, you’ll have to wait until a few more weeks or months. Here’s the full list.
Features
General Features:
Lobbies
– Added ability to assign a tag to a Lobby
Possible tags are: none, newcomer, casual, veteran, god
Lobbies
– Added ability to filter lobbies based on tags.
Online
– added GGPO Frame Delay option
Training Room
– Frame Advantage – this feature is currently a work in progress and is known to be inaccurate for ground/wallbounces (such as Aki’s Standing Heavy).
Gameplay Features:
Teching:
Air Tech and Ground techs are now performed by holding any attack button when a tech is possible.
You are still able to influence the direction of an air tech by holding the respective direction while teching
After an Air Tech, you are now invulnerable until hitting the ground OR performing any aerial action
Infinite Prevention System (IPS)
When IPS invulnerability is triggered in midair, you are now invulnerable until either teching or hitting the ground.
This contrasts with the old IPS System, where invulnerability would run out as soon as the tech window began.
Bugfixes
General Bugfixes
System Mechanics
– STAR Meter – Fixed issue where having exactly 250 meter would not allow you to perform an EX move.
System Mechanics
– Burst – Fixed issue where Burst would not cancel out knockback momentum
Stage
– Fixed bug where certain combos could not be performed on the Idol Showdown Stage. Now all stages should be identical.
Tutorial
– Bugfix where Superchat cancel and Combo into specials tutorials would sometimes not pass the player when the condition was performed.
Fixed issue where frame data could be inconsistent at the start of a match
General Online stability updates
General Localization and text fixes.
Gameplay Bugfixes
For this patch, our focus was on resolving attacks or character gameplay mechanics that were not working as intended and fixing bugs. Balancing adjustments will come in a future patch.

Fubuki

Lucky DD Heavy
– SSR Yukkuri Flip- Now is Air Unblockable, just like the other versions of Pachi
Lucky QCB
– Grounded SSR Blizzard Swirl – Now has projectile invulnerability frames that match the other versions of Blizzard Swirl
Lucky QCB
– Grounded SSR Blizzard Swirl – Fixed bug where attempting to Burst the lucky tail swirl would leave the opponent unable to move.
QCF L/M
– Oruyanke (all variants) – Fixed issue where Hitstun and Blockstun were incorrectly set far below the intended values
Suisei
Standing Medium
– Resolved bug where Hitstun and Blockstun could be very inconsistent.
Sora
QCF Medium
– On Stage! (High) – Fixed issue where the Blockstun was higher than hitstun.
DD Medium
– A-egis Reflector! – Fixed issue when reflecting Ayame’s Ghost where even after reflect you would still be cursed
Botan
Jumping Heavy
– Fixed issue where normal could deal chip damage.
Jumping Down Heavy
– Lead Curtain – Correct sprite offset to better reflect Hitbox and Hurtbox.
Jumping Down Heavy
– Lead Curtain – reduced visual hitstop
Aki
Air Special
– Going Down – Removed STAR meter gain on execution. This will now match the STAR meter gain of Aki’s other teleport special moves
QCF Medium
– Bad Boy – Fixed bug where the move was not obeying projectile limits. It will now behave similarly to Good Boy
Korone
Forward Medium
– Orayo! – Will now connect both hits more consistently
Stand Medium
– Fixed issue where normal could deal chip damage
Coco:
DD Heavy
– Essence of Insertion: Tail-Slam – Fixed issue that was causing the opponent to be sent much further than expected.

Virtual Frontier Bugfixes

Collections Screen
– Fixed issue where the Collections screen would sometimes display only the KFP bucket
Idol Showdown is out right now on Steam.


Hyper Scape Gets Its Inaugural Spooky Halloween Event

Halloween is coming to Ubisoft’s free-to-play hero shooter Hyper Scape, from today on 20 October 2020 to 3 November 2020. The Hyper Scape Halloween Event is the first major seasonal celebration coming to the game.
Offerings include exclusive new cosmetics and a full Halloween night dress-up for Neo Arcadia as well as two limited-time game modes starting with Crown Rush Solo and continuing later with Dark Haze Squad. The Crown Rush Squad game mode will also be playable during the entirety of the event.
Players will be able to try out Crown Rush Solo in a brand new, exclusive environment since the full map will be in night mode. Additionally, Crown Rush Solo is receiving a major twist with the introduction of the Second Chance, a new game feature allowing players to come back from the dead.
During the first minutes of the match, players who are knocked out in combat will be sent back to deployment pods instead of being eliminated, earning themselves a Second Chance.
In the eventâ€™s second week starting on 27 October 2020, things will get extra spooky as a thick Halloween fog will also be covering the city in the brand new Dark Haze Squad mode. With limited visibility, no Crown and an arsenal reduced to a selection of weapons and hacks, players will have to work together with their squad to track and eliminate all opposition to get victorious.
During the event players will also have the opportunity to purchase a selection of new exclusive Halloween-themed cosmetics available in the gameâ€™s store, including new Champion outfits, new deployment pods, new weapon skins and more.
Hyper Scape is now available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Dune Will Spice Up HBO GO Next Week

The spice is life, as Dune is set to start streamingÂ onÂ HBO GO from 2 December 2021.
Denis Villeneuve (â€œArrival,â€ â€œBlade Runner 2049â€) directs Dune, the big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbertâ€™s seminal bestseller of the same name. Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
Set thousands of years in the future, Paul Atreides, the son of beloved, embattled ruler Duke Leto and powerful warrior priestess Lady Jessica, will be given the ultimate test: to conquer his fear when fateâ€”and powerful unseen forcesâ€”pull him inexorably to the sands of the remote planet Arrakis.
Arrakis; home to an indigenous human civilization called the Fremen and known to these natives as Dune, has been fiercely contested for generations. Humanity fights for control of the Spice, a rare, highly valued, mind-expanding natural resource upon which space travel, knowledge, commerce and human existence all rely. But those seeking to harvest the Spice must survive the planetâ€™s inhospitable heat, hurricane-strength sandstorms, and monolithic sandworms that are justly feared with the kind of reverence usually reserved for gods.

The film stars TimothÃ©e Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
You can stream Dune by subscribing to HBOÂ GOÂ onlineÂ atÂ https://www.hbogoasia.my/Â or the mobile appÂ via theÂ App StoreÂ orÂ Play Store for as low as RM23.30/month. HBOÂ GOÂ is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
Dune Part OneÂ turned out to be one of the best movies of 2021 and you can check out my full review of the movie byÂ heading over here. The movie has already garnered over US$366 million globally to date. Warner Bros has already greenlit a sequel, which is slated to arrive in 2023.


Respawn Only Has “One Or Two” Staff Working On Titanfall’s Security Issues

The original Titanfall has been unplayable for a while thanks to hackers taking advantage of the game’s security vulnerabilities, with Titanfall 2 following suit. This led to some Titanfall fans hacking Apex Legends in an attempt to draw attention to the matter.
Respawn community coordinator Jason Garza answered a number of questions involving Titanfall and Apex Legends during a livestream (via MP1st). When asked if the Titanfall community is at its wit’s end, he said that the community isn’t abandoned and that the team is working on the vulnerability issues.
“Because now it’s a different type of game with these people who DDOS and stuff like that, and blacklist and things like that, so we can’t telegraph our moves, we can’t say what we’re doing. All I can say is we’re working on it.”
The catch? There are only one or two people working on Titanfall’s online issues, simply because everybody else is on Apex Legends. This is probably not going to excite the community, but they have to understand that Apex Legends is a major reason the company is still around. Priority has to be given to the recent game that’s being played by about 10 million people. Daily.
Though to be fair, maybe a couple more experts should be on top of this. Full morning tea livestream below.


Registration for Heroes of the Storm Global Championship â€“ Horizon Clash is Now Open

The registration for Heroes of the Storm Global Championship (HGC) â€“ Horizon Clash is now open for players from Southeast Asia and closes on April 18th.Â  What’s in it for you you ask? Well,Â  winning it will secure you a spot at the HGC 2018 Mid-Season Brawl in Stockholm, Sweden. How about that?

Online qualifiers for the HGC Horizon Clash will take place April 21-22 for Southeast Asia. The Horizon Clash championship will be live event held in Taiwan on May 18thÂ and featuring the winning team from Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau against the top team from Southeast Asia. The Horizon Clash champion will advance to the HGC 2018 Mid Season Brawl in Stokholm and compete with top teams from around the world.
You can also catch the Horizon Clash final which will be live streamed on the official HGC Twitch channel in English for fans around the world.

Registrations can be done here (TW/HK) and here for SEA countries


Avengers Endgame Fat Thor Hot Toys Is On Its Way

We’ve already seen several Hot Toys figures for Avengers Endgame, including Thanos the Mad Titan himself, Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye/Ronin, Pepper Potts Rescue, and even Rocket Raccoon. However, one prominent Thunder God is missing.
Worry not, for Hot Toys have officially announced a new Hot Toys figure for the Avengers Endgame version of the character, whom fans have given the affectionate name of ‘Fat Thor’.
While the company has yet to fully reveal the Fat Thor 1/6th scale collectible figure from Avengers Endgame, we do get a little sneak peek at his rotund belly while wielding both Stormbreaker and Mjolnir.

â€œI am still worthy.â€ His appearance has changed but his heroism remains. Take a sneak peek at the more robust version of God of Thunder in 1/6th scale collectible figure from #MarvelStudiosâ€™ #Avengers: Endgame by Hot Toys! Check back for more reveals!#Marvel #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/BEv11I5fJ1
â€” Hot Toys (@hottoysofficial) July 15, 2019
Stay tuned for the full unveiling of the Fat Thor figure in the future.
For more onÂ Avengers Endgame, check out our spoiler-free review ofÂ Avengers: EndgameÂ here, our discussion for whatâ€™s next post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or the upcoming movies you can look forward to in the MCU Phase Four (4) post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or what the future holds for the MCU cast we all know and loveÂ here.


Kakuchopurei’s Best Of 2019: Indivisible

The first moment I saw the art in Skullgirls, I immediately knew I wanted more. There was only a slight hint of a disappointment as I’m not a big fan of fighting games. Thankfully, developer Lab Zero Games decided to branch out with their latest and arguably greatest contribution to the JRPG space.

Indivisible is a hybrid RPG that plays more like a rhythm game; heck, it might as well be a fighting game in some sense. Combat is semi-turn based as you press four different buttons to command your four party members. The key to winning is forming a party with good synergy and experimenting to find out the best combos.

You can go full raw power with Dhar, Phoebe, or Tungar, or you can be a specialist with Hunoch/Xiboch, Thorani, and Kushi. Every party member you recruit has their own quirks and skills that makes experimentation really fun.

The other facet of Indivisible is platforming and navigating the Metroidvania-esque landscape. Make no mistake, it isn’t just there to inflate gameplay variety. Navigating the beautifully drawn world will take some thinking, as some of the puzzles can be quite tricky.

But just like Skullgirls, Indivisible is pleasing on the eyes. The cartoony art style is complemented by some phenomenal animation work that brings every character and enemy to life.

Simply put, it’s eye candy and action-packed combat from start to end. And that’s more than enough to put this indie darling on our top 30 of 2019.


New Dune Trailer Showcases The Epic War On Arrakis

Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for Denis Villenueveâ€™s Dune, featuring TimothÃ©e Chalamet as Paul Atreides and showcasing the epic war on Arrakis.
The trailer begins with the narrating words of Zendayaâ€™s Chani, a native of the oppressed Fremen tribespeople, before getting to explosions and epic shots of the movie’s incredible cinematography.
The synopsis reads:
A mythic and emotionally charged heroâ€™s journey, â€œDuneâ€ tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planetâ€™s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence; a commodity capable of unlocking humanityâ€™s greatest potential; only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
The film also stars:

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica Atreides.
Oscar Issac as Duke Leto Atreides.
Stephen Mckinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat.
Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck.
Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho.
Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet Kynes.
Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban.
Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam.
Javier Bardem as Stilgar.
Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat.
David Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries.
Chang Chen as Dr. Wellington Yueh.

Originally slated for a December 2020 release, Dune is now slated to premiere in cinemas and HBO Max on 22 October 2021.


Windows 11 PC Will Support Android Apps

Starting with Windows 11, PC users will no longer have to rely on shoddy third-party apps to download and use Android apps. Instead, with the upcoming new OS from Microsoft, you’ll be able to run Android apps natively on your PC via Windows 11.
According to Microsoft Windows head Panos Panay, Android apps will be available to download from the Microsoft Store via an integrated version of the Amazon Appstore. After being installed, Android apps will run on Windows 11, as well as utilize features on the OS like the new Snap Layouts, which will allow the apps simultaneously with other Windows apps on the same screen.
Currently, PC users require third-party emulators like BlueStacks to download and run Android apps. However, with Windows 11, users will soon be able to download and use Android apps easily on PC, which will be a game-changer for sure. Best of all, Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for current users of Windows 10 if their PC meets the system requirements (you can check if your PC is up to snuff by downloading the PC Health Check app available here).


One Punch Man’s Console Heroics Will Happen In 2020; Beta Set For November

Need a real One Punch Man game? You might find that in the upcoming One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows next year.
If that’s too long for your Saitama comedy & deus ex machina fix, there will be a closed beta session happening on 1st to 3rd November for PS4 and Xbox One. No PC, sorry.
Here are the times for the four sessions (in GMT+8, our time):

Session 1: 1st November 6pm-8pm
Session 2: 2nd November 2pm-4pm
Session 3: 3rd November 5am-7am
Session 4: 4th November 5am – 7am

Stay tuned to Bandai Namco’s official page for news on how to sign up for the closed beta. If there’s a Southeast Asian opening, we’ll be sure to update this page. For more info on how it plays, check out our preview.Â


Tales of Arise Demo Is Out Now: Here’s How To Download It

If you’re hankering for a new RPG demo like Scarlet Nexus, here’s another one to check out.
Bandai Namco just published the Tales of Arise demo, which is available on the following consoles:

PS5: JP, NZ
PS4: JP, NZ
Xbox Series, One: NZ

The demo takes place in the grasslands area of the game, and you have access to all six characters:

Alphen
Shionne
Rinwell
Law
Kisara
Dohalim

If you want a good idea of how the demo plays, check out the videos below. Tales of Arise will be out on 10th September for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as well as for PC (Steam).


A New Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Is Coming

Bandai Namco has announced a new Dragon Ball Z game, and it’s a possible reboot of an old fighting game.
The company showed a teaser of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi during the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour 2022/2023 Finals recently. There is neither a platform nor a release date announced for the game.
The teaser shows off Goku transforming into his Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form in the game’s possible new engine after showing off the first Budokai Tenkaichi. That’s the teaser, really.

The last time a Budokai Tenkaichi came out, there were four of them on the PS2 and Wii back in the 2000s. The last game, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, came out in 2007, so it’s been 16 years since one of these 3D battlers have been made. Then again, there hasn’t been a 3D fighting game in the Dragon Ball universe that dealt with the Dragon Ball Super story arcs, so now’s a good a time as any to start announcing such projects.


The Overwatch Summer Games 2019 Has Begun

It’s that time of the year, folks. The sun is shining bright and the Lucioball arena is open again. The Overwatch Summer Games 2019 is live and it ends on 5 August 2019 so don’t miss the chance to get exclusive items including some free skins and also play Lucioball!
Last week, Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan appeared in a developer update video and announced that this year’s Summer Games would happen earlier. Last year, the Summer Games began on 9 August 2018 and in 2017 it began on 8 August. It was also announced that the upcoming 31st hero will be released a little later than usual.

For every week in the Summer Games, players will have a chance to get one free skin each week. For the first week, you’ll be able to get a skin for Reaper and then for Mei and Reinhardt on the second and third week respectively. All you have to do is win nine games and it applies for quick play, competitive and arcade mode. Winning three and six games will also get you some sprays and icons.
Aside from the free stuff, there are tons of new emotes, skins, and more that can now be acquired through either opening lootboxes or just buying them.
The main event of the Summer Games is the Lucioball mode and if you’re one of those people who’s tired of the usual FPS gameplay of Overwatch, I implore you to try out Lucioball. It’s super fun and if you do really well, there are even some exclusive sprays waiting for you.


Call Of Duty Warzone Trailer Teases New Verdansk 84 Map

Call Of Duty Warzone destroyed the Verdansk map but now a new version of the map, Verdansk 84, will soon be available to play in to coincide with the plot of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Activision has released a full live-action trailer for the new map. Many of the areas of Verdansk can be seen in their 1984 form. The trailer also includes appearances from AJ Tracey, Dennis Schroder, Druski, Gunna, Jack Grealish, Jack Harlow, Michelle Viscusi, Mookie Betts, Nadeshot, Rocky No Hands, Saweetie, Swae Lee, and Young Thug.
At the time of the trailer’s release, the new Verdansk map isn’t playable, but it will probably be soon. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Guilty Gear Strive Open Beta Takes Place Later This Month

Bandai Namco and ARC System Works have announced that the Guilty Gear Strive Open Beta will be playable on PS4 and PS5 from 11am GMT+8 on 19 February 2021 to 10pm GMT+8 on 21 February 2021.
The Open Beta will let players get their hands on 13 of the game characters (with the exception of Anji Mito and the 15th unannounced character). Playable modes will include Versus Mode, Tutorial Mode, Training Mode, and Network Mode.
The Open Beta will support cross-play between PS4 and PS5.

Guilty Gear Strive is slated to release for PS4, PS5, and PC on 9 April 2021. Players who purchase the PS4 version will be able to receive the PS5 version for free.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


E3 2019: Cyberpunk 2077 Is Pretty Much On Everybody’s Steam Wishlist

It’s only been two days since the shocking appearance of Keanu Reeves on-stage during Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 press conference in which he announced Cyberpunk 2077‘s official release date, but signs are already pointing to it becoming one of the biggest sure-fire hits in 2020.
After its release date was announced, the Steam page for Cyberpunk 2077 almost immediately went live, allowing gamers to finally pre-purchase the game or put it on their wishlist.
Since then, the highly-anticipated game from CD Projekt Red has risen to the top of the Steam wishlist chart, knocking previous number one spot holder Halo: The Master Chief Collection off its pedestal.
However, we don’t really have an exact number for how many Steam users have actually put the game on their wishlist. Still, for it to rise to the top spot after only two days is an impressive feat.
There’s no denying that Cyberpunk 2077 will turn out to be not only one of the biggest games in 2020 but likely in the entire current games generation as well. For more details and information on the Cyberpunk 2077 Collector’s Edition, head on over here.
Cyberpunk 2077 is slated to launch for the PS4, Xbox One and PC on 16 April 2020.


Nintendo Is Bumping Up Switch Output To Meet Demand

It looks like Nintendo is looking to increase the production of its Nintendo Switch console owing to an increase in demand, according to a report by the Nikkei Asia Review.
Parts suppliers told the website that about 10% more units were expected to be made this year, with the suppliers and assemblers told to get ready for “additional production” between April and June.
Nikkei also learned that some parts suppliers received orders that were “50% larger than originally planned”, with a source saying that “There are signs procurement is being moved forward to deal with the disruptions in the supply chains”.
There was still some uncertainty about the production, however, as a Nintendo representative told Nikkei that “We hope [suppliers] will be responsive to the production increase, but for procurement of some parts, the outlook remains uncertain, and we can’t forecast exactly how many Switches can be supplied.”
This move isn’t entirely surprising. Two months ago, it seemed likely that Nintendo would find itself facing Switch shortage problems as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Nikkei noted that that continues to be the case, and that online store prices have increased according to Kakaku.com Trend Search.
The PS5 is also expected to face a supply shortage, albeit for reasons not related to COVID-19. Instead, its high specs and their impact on the next-gen console’s price are being cited as the cause.
In the meantime, it looks like we’ll have to contend with increased Switch prices on third-party websites. Hopefully, this new normal will go back to the old normal sooner than later.


Multiple Star Wars Jedi Survivor Patches Planned In Coming Weeks

Star Wars Jedi Survivor is slated to launch tomorrow for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. However, many have complained about issues, especially in the PC version, including in our review.
Thankfully, EA has confirmed that they are planning multiple patches for the game in the coming weeks. These patches will fix bugs, improve the game’s performance and add more accessibility features.

Cal’s newest journey in a galaxy far, far away has begun and we’re excited for you to experience it!
Our first patch will arrive on launch day across all platforms. In the weeks ahead, we’ll deploy patches that will:
– Fix bugs– Improve performance– Add more accessibility… pic.twitter.com/pUtyoGopP5
— EA Star Wars (@EAStarWars) April 26, 2023

May the Force be with you!


Here’s How You Can Play Pokémon Sleep; Pre-Registration Now Available

As fans have wondered for months how Pokémon Sleep works, The Pokémon Company finally explained in a recent how-to video. Potential players can now get more information about its mechanics and how it interacts with the user’s sleeping habits.
Pokémon Sleep was officially announced during the Pokémon Day 2023 presentation, confirming the app is legit and slated to be released in Summer 2023. Despite the official announcement, most people are still confused about several aspects of Pokémon Sleep, thus, the creators decided to share more information on how users can “play” the app.
The how-to video explained that the game is an app that tracks the player’s sleep with a smartphone device to fill a Sleep Style Dex, similar to the classic Pokédex but with Pokémon sleeping in different styles. Based on the video, we can see Pokémon that feature in the app are Snorlax, Pikachu, Togepi, Diglett, Hufflepuff, and much more.

Aside from tracking players’ sleep habits, Pokémon Sleep has several mechanics to make it more interesting. Those who sleep more will get a higher Sleep score, which is then multiplied by Snorlax’s strength, giving a total figure called “Drowsy Power”. In general, the higher Snorlax’s Drowsy Power, allows players to catch more Pokémon sleep styles. Over time, as Snorlax grows, it also increases the chances of acquiring new sleep patterns. But that’s not all. With the app, users can track how long they slept, wake up at certain times, and listen to recordings of sleeping sounds.

An interesting part of the app is when users can determine which sleeping category they fall into; Dozing, Snoozing, Slumbering, or Balanced. Your sleeping style will then be matched with a specific Pokémon during the day. Are you a sleeping Raichu? Hufflepuff? Or perhaps, Pikachu? So many possibilities in this unique sleeping app.
Although few are eager to try out the app, many have raised concerns that Pokémon Sleep may be tracking their sleep data, which they believe should be private. Pokémon GO has also been plagued by similar issues since it tracks the location of the users. This is somewhat unavoidable when a game requires real-life information to function.
Pokémon Sleep will launch on 14 July 2023 for iOS via App Store and Android through the Play Store. Pre-registration is now available on Google Play.


Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Is Primarily For Hardcore Final Fantasy Fans

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Rhythm Game, Music, JRPG
Rhythm games based on JRPG franchises are nothing new. Atlus has made several of them based on the Persona games, and most recently, Square Enix released Kingdom Hearts Melody Of Memory in 2020.
Now it’s 2022, and Square Enix has released the latest and most complete entry in the Theatrhythm series of rhythm games based on music from the Final Fantasy franchise; Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. While it’s a shoe-in for fans of the long-running JRPG series, is it enough to cater to everyone else?
Exclusively For Fans

The Final Fantasy franchise is famous for its epic and soaring soundtracks and music, which is why it’s no wonder that Square Enix has turned all that into a rhythm game. Of course, fans of the franchise would lap it all up, but what about casual fans or those who aren’t familiar with the games? I myself am only familiar with several select Final Fantasy titles, and so beyond a few nostalgic trips of playing through music from games I’ve played like Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XV, there’s really not much here for those who aren’t hardcore fans that have can boast of having played every game in the franchise.
The biggest drawback of Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is that it has nothing else to speak of, besides simply playing through the music from Final Fantasy games. For instance, the biggest selling point of Square Enix’s own Kingdom Hearts Melody Of Memory game from 2020 was that it would continue the canon storyline and pick things up from the ending of 2019’s Kingdom Hearts 3. Because of that reason, Kingdom Hearts fans felt compelled to buy the game. Unfortunately, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line doesn’t have any of that at all.

Here’s what you’ll do in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line; you start by choosing any of the many Final Fantasy titles in the game and play through its music. After you’ve cleared at least four songs or so from that soundtrack, you’ll gain a key, which will then unlock another Final Fantasy title for you to choose from. Yeah, you still have to unlock these soundtracks to play through them by progressing through the game. You’re not just free to simply go through every Final Fantasy title when you first boot up the game.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line contains three modes. Series Quests is the main mode, where you play through music from each Final Fantasy title. Music Stages is the free mode where you can play the music you’ve unlocked and Multi Battle is the game’s multiplayer mode. What can I say about the core gameplay? It’s just like any other rhythm game. After selecting a song, players will press buttons along to its rhythm via three types of notes: red, which requires a single button press; yellow, which requires flicking the joystick in a given direction; and green, where you have to hold the buttons.

Since it has music from Final Fantasy, the game does have some barebones and rudimentary JRPG elements. However, these don’t really impact the way you play. They’re just there to complete optional side objectives to earn extra content like cosmetics, abilities and virtual collectable cards. These don’t affect gameplay, so these elements feel like they have to be there just because the game is based on the Final Fantasy franchise. The only fun element is being able to create parties of four members consisting of any Final Fantasy character. Do you want Cloud, Tidus, Noctis and Zidane in one party? You can do that, but ultimately, the novelty wears off pretty quickly since you can’t really do anything with them.
Essentially, one of the only good things about the game (besides the fact that it has a whopping 385 music tracks) is how easy it is to understand, pick up and play. Unlike Kingdom Hearts Melody Of Memory (which had a more active element to complement its rhythm game mechanics), the mechanics in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line aren’t as complicated or annoying, unless you count the light JRPG elements. I also appreciate the accessibility features, such as Simple mode, which converts everything to single button inputs, making it accessible to even the most inexperienced rhythm game player. Interestingly, there’s also a co-op Pair Mode, where you play every song with another player.
Rhythm For All

If you’re not a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, there’s really not much of a reason to pick up Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. This is a game that only the most hardcore Final Fantasy fans, or maybe even fans of rhythm games in general, can truly enjoy to the fullest. For everyone else, you’re basically just paying for the music, and nothing much else. Personally, I’d rather spend my time just listening to them on Spotify or any other music streaming service.
PROS

Almost all the music in the Final Fantasy franchise.
Mechanics are simple and easy to understand even if you’re not used to rhythm games.

CONS

Not much else in terms of content (no new story content, etc.)
Barebones and tacked-on JRPG elements.
You have to unlock the music by progressing through the game, which will take many hours.

FINAL SCORE: 50/100
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line was reviewed on PS5 based on a review copy provided by Square Enix. It is now available for PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.


Smash World Tour 2023 Cancelled Because Nintendo Told Them To Stop

Sad news for the 2D platform fighter community.
The Smash World Tour Championships along with the entirety of the 2023 Tour has been cancelled. This is after Nintendo told the organization before Thanksgiving night that the group can no longer operate. The company has yet to disclose reasons why the group has to shut down.
The full saga is detailed on the group’s medium post, detailing the fact that the group has lost a lot of money in the first 18 months of the tournament circuit.
“It is with an unbelievably heavy heart that we must announce that both the upcoming Smash World Tour Championships, as well as the 2023 Smash World Tour must be cancelled.
Without any warning, we received notice the night before Thanksgiving from Nintendo that we could no longer operate. This was especially shocking given our discourse with Nintendo the past twelve months. Since then, we have been working around the clock to take the proper steps logistically, as well as to prepare this statement with proper legal guidance.
We are seriously grateful for all of the support over the years, and we are incredibly proud of what we were able to build as a community. In 2022 alone, we connected over 6,400 live events worldwide, with over 325,000 in-person entrants, making the Smash World Tour (SWT, or the Tour) the largest esports tour in history, for any game title. The Championships would also have had the largest prize pool in Smash history at over $250,000. The 2023 Smash World Tour planned to have a prize pool of over $350,000.“


James Gunn Will Direct The Upcoming Superman Legacy Movie

James Gunn has announced that he will officially direct Superman Legacy, the first movie to kick off the upcoming DC Universe or DCU reboot. It is slated to premiere on 11 July 2025. According to Gunn, that date is special because it was the birthday of his father.
The DCU’s Chapter One Gods And Monsters begins with Superman Legacy, followed by The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow, and Swamp Thing, as well as more movie and TV series. You can read more about that in detail by heading over here for my previous coverage.
According to Warner Bros’ official logline, Superman Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
In his tweets, Gunn said:
“Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt told me when he saw the release date he started to cry. I asked him why. He said, “Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.” I hadn’t realized.”

I lost my Dad almost three years ago. He was my best friend. He didn’t understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 15, 2023


The Southeast Asian Geek’s Guide To Tokyo

So Tokyo Games Show 2019 is happening later on 12th to 15th September; no doubt you have plans to visit Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures before or after the legendary week. But you have no idea where to begin.
Let us help you. Because we love writing about food articles once in a blue moon, it’s high time we put our foodie knowledge to good use. As standard with these be-all-end-all articles, this list will be updated on a bi-monthly basis and may replace our current top picks. With that said, let us list down our favourite dives.
Geek Stuff For Your Shopping Needs
Super Potato, Retro Game Camp, Beep

Location:
Super Potato: 1 Chome-11-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Retro Game Camp: Sotokanda, 3 Chomeâˆ’14âˆ’7, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Beep: 3 Chomeâˆ’9âˆ’8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
What’s There: If you love retro games and retro consoles, there’s no better place than this spot. It’s three floors worth of old-school consoles, vintage cartridges, collectibles, and arcade machines ready for your browsing and buying. Plus, those posters and fanart based on old games when walking up to the place are a real hoot to look at and read.
If you want a more specific selection though, you should check out the retro game stores within the vicinity. Try Retro Game Camp or Beep.
Kotobukiya Akihabara Store

Location: Akihabara area, 1-chÅme-8-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, TÅkyÅ-to 101-0021, Japan
What’s There: All the Kotobukiya-branded anime/video game figurines, statues, models, and merchandise you can sink your teeth into. They WILL be pricey, but they will be friggin’ exclusive and will be up-to-date with the latest Japanese releases.
Last time we were they, they were selling a ton of Kingdom Hearts III, Monster Hunter World, and Tales of Berseria toys, plushies, and other merchandise.
Nakano Broadway

Location: 5-chÅme-52 Nakano, Nakano City, TÅkyÅ-to 164-0001, Japan.
What’s There: If you can’t find your niche retro or anime things in Akihabara, you should go here. Nakano Broadway has EVERYTHING geeky you need; mostly the old stuff. We’re talking old movie posters, old music CDs, 60s and 70s collector items from baseballs to retro toys, and a lot more. It’s kind of like your Japanese equivalent of Mustafa’s, but for geeks. And it’s also not 24/7. Boo…
Square Enix Cafe

Location: AtÂ  Yodobashi Camera AKIBA, 1âˆ’1 ãƒ¨ãƒ‰ãƒã‚·Akiba, Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0028.
What’s There: Exclusive Square Enix merchandise, from your Final Fantasy goodies to your Octopath Traveler displays and dioramas. Instead of buying it online, you can just get them first-hand here.
There are also themed drinks and food here, but just like every other themed cafe, the victuals here are of average quality and come with an absurd price tag. Having said that, they do look ripe for a photo op.

NEXT: Food. All the food.


Halo Infinite Tactical Ops Event Brings New Challenges & Cosmetics

The next free event in Halo Infinite has arrived, and it’s the Halo Infinite Tactical Ops event. According to the blog post, it begins on 8 March 2022 and concludes on 22 March 2022 at 10 am PT.

Youâ€™ll be experiencing some classic Tactical Slayer gameplay (BRs, no radar, no shields, no grenades), but there will be extra surprise mode variants to mix things up a bit.

Tactical Slayer
Tactical Slayer Commandos
Tactical Slayer Sidekicks
Tactical Slayer Stalker Rifles
Tactical Slayer Manglers

In week one, your Tactical Slayer experience will feature the BR, Mangler, and Sidekick variants; in week two, Commando and Stalker Rifles will be added to the playlist lineup. Complete event challenges and unlock up to ten unique cosmetics for your Spartan, including the Mark V ZETA helmet for your Mark VII core. This new take on a beloved classic helmet is not to be missed, and it comes with a variety of other tactical gear. Additional event-themed items will be available in the Store.

It will be a while yet beforeÂ Halo InfiniteÂ Season 2 arrives sometime in May 2022, so itâ€™s good to see that the developer is continuing to make updates to the game in the meantime. In the meantime, check out our review of theÂ Halo InfiniteÂ multiplayer byÂ heading over here.


Astral Chain Is Part Action Game, Part Anime Cop Drama, Mostly Awesome

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action game with some open-world and adventuring bits tucked inside
Nier Automata game director Yoko Taro said this a while back during a particular Game Developer Conference panel about his Square Enix masterpiece: “Modern games, they’re made really well. They have so much love and time put into making them expansive and great. But once you played most of them for 30 minutes, you get an idea what they’re like right to the end, and that’s a bit boring”.
This one particular quote seems to ring true with Taro’s partner-in-crime game designer Taura Takahisa, who happens to be directing the recently-out and sold-out-all-over-Kuala-Lumpur Astral Chain. Why? Because in just an hour or so, you’re not only beating the bejeesus out of monsters called chimeras in a futuristic sci-fi city called The Ark protecting and serving as the city’s finest, but also helping people out and solving crimes.
And you’ll have a damn good time doing all this for the game’s 20-hour or less runtime.
Law & Order

Your main character is one of the two twins who joins the special Neuron division in the Ark’s police force, designated to combat outer-worldly threats like the chimeras. After you picked your favourite twin -male or female- the other twin ends up as your “voice” and establisher of context.
They’re special because they can control Legions, a type of creature-weapon hybrid that helps you fight crime and chimeras, as well as solve puzzles for you. They’re on a leash called the, you guessed it, Astral Chain, which means they’re basically tamed chimeras in the universe. We’ll get to that narrative tangent later because I want to talk about the awesome gameplay implementation of these blue-floating monster-like fellows.
You get access to all five of them as the story progresses: Sword, Arrow, Arm, Beast, and Axe. You can take a guess at what some of them do: one’s good at slicing things up Zandatsu-style while the other can be used as a floating armour type thing that lets you navigate treacherous terrain. Your Beast Legion can not only give you a lift to get to places quicker -or just run away really, REALLY fast- it can also “sniff” and track marks for you and even dig for treasure.
You can manually command them by pressing and holding ZL while moving your right analog stick, but most of the time they’ll be AI-driven. For the most parts, they’re smart and they usually will aggro enemies so you can deal backstab critical damage. But they also can do fancier moves exclusive to this game.
That Astral Chain that binds the Legion to your arm? You can make it active while holding ZL to Chain Counter enemies who try to bum rush you, launching them like a catapult and stunning them as they crash. You can also wrap enemies with the chain by circling your Legion around them, then follow up with a special attack or two.

Best of all, you can perform tag-team Sync attacks that activate when you press ZL when your cop glows blue. And even call your Legion just before you get hit so that it can parry and counter most attacks for you; that’s called a Perfect Call. Do unlock it as soon as you can in your Legion skill tree because you’ll need all these skills if you plan on fighting the game’s many bad guys who will wail on you hard if you’re the least bit unattentive.
These controls may take a while for you to getting used to, but once you master it, they all work fluidly and in tandem. PlatinumGames is never one to make combat stale, and Astral Chain maintains that tradition to a tee. It’s so goddamn satisfying to hit that ZL when you see that blue glint from your character, then dodge any incoming attack from a flying stray chimera, followed up with you calling back your Axe Legion to block yet another stray laser blast from one of the game’s bigger chimeras.

Moments like these are executable within your fingertips thanks to peerless controls that let you multitask between Legion and cop with ease. There’s a ton of beauty in its carnage, chaos, and tag-team play; a ballet dance of destruction, if I’m being blunt here.

For the record, set the game to Standard Platinum difficulty to get the most out your experience. Casual mode is fun and all, but you’ll learn a lot from being challenged by a game like this in its true state.
Having said that, don’t expect the game’s combat to be as speedy and precise as Bayonetta’s. Since you need to upgrade equipment and even equip skills and buffs for your Legion through the course of the game, the game takes the less-than-60-frames-per-second approach by choice so that players new and old can keep up with the tag team Legion combat without being overwhelmed.
It’s still a tense action game, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a tad more forgiving than past PlatinumGames’ hardcore efforts.
Police Story

Your Legion isn’t just for fighting; you’ll use them in creative ways to do police work. Be it capturing runaway crooks with your Astral Chain or tracking chimera tracks that will lead you to a stray Astral field portal, your life as a Neuron officer means you’ll be doing a good chunk of non-combat activities to level up, get new equips and stat boosts, and
You’ll even get to solve a few math problems and some riddles for a few folks using your IRIS scanner. You do this by pressing the + button, then it’ll display whatever info you need on a particular target. It’s basically Astral Chain’s version of Detective Mode.
Honestly, this is the diversity that’s needed in a game filled with combat, and does help in flesh out the living breathing world of the Ark and its police state plight. The cheery and anime dispositions of your cast members from your handler Olive to your medic Brenda help breathe more life in the world populated by Masakazu Katsura-illustrated bishies of shapes and types.
Waifu fans can also add desk policewoman Marie and her alter-ego Lappy the Neuron police dog to the long list of pop culture bespectacled Asian waifus thanks to her cheery and “jiggly” personality. Heck, even the vending machines that talk to you range from sickly to snarky.
Which is a nice addition, given that you have a pretty bland main character to deal with. I get that it’s supposed to be the player character, but other games that let you control your own lead (ala Mass Effect trilogy) at least have some life and VOs to perfect that immersion.
Still, any game that lets you wear a cardbox board for a helmet shouldn’t be criticized too much.
Coupled with a pretty standard anime plot featuring the “chosen one” narrative and obvious bad guys telegraphed to doing bad guy things involving the game’s macguffins, with a wasted opportunity to address the tamed/wild chimera angle, you won’t find any surprises here.

Existential crisis storyline filled with tragic more-human-that-robot heroes this ain’t, but it’ll do if you just want simple plotlines leading to kick-ass battles.

Third Watch

Part RPG, part open-world quest-a-thon, but mostly an action game with a pretty neat tag-team mechanic that takes a while to master, Astral Chain is anything but a slog. In essence, Takahisa is clearly taking the diversity and open-ended nature of his past game and putting it all here in this Nintendo Switch title.
This is despite the fact that he was doing his damnest not to say it out during the Taro-Takahisa media interview special during last weekend’s Animangaki anime festival for fear of Square Enix’s wrath. The best part is that this gameplay diversity makes for a more fleshed-out game, even if the main character you’re playing as is the unfortunate mute cypher who is just as interesting as that one famous Nintendo elf who isn’t getting top billing for his games.

Astral Chain will remind you of a number of titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Devil May Cry 5Â at first glance. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see that it’s a PlatinumGames title through and through.

From its offbeat humour during the game’s downtime to the thrills of cop-and-Legion tag-team acrobatic combat coupled with an ace rockin’ soundtrack, I do hope this new IP will put the company further into the mainstream limelight. Next to Splatoon, this is definitely one of Nintendo’s best new IPs in a long, long while.
Pros

Great blend of exploration, puzzles, and action.
Top-tier PlatinumGames-branded action and controls.
Legion system is fun and opens up new gameplay avenues.
Aesthetics and side characters add colour & personality.
Marie & Lappy.

Cons

Not as hyper & “precise” as Bayonetta.
Typical anime “cops serving justice” plot with a plain lead.

Final Score: 80/100
Like our review? Want to get better at Astral Chain? Then check out our top tier guide!


The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power Is An Epic Return To Middle-Earth

The works of J. R. R. Tolkien are regarded as masterpieces, and almost everyone knows about at least The Lord Of The Rings due to Peter Jackson’s legendary live-action film trilogy released in the early 2000s. However, that was the pop culture peak of the IP and every subsequent attempt at recapturing the magic has failed or has been middling at best (like Peter Jackson’s own The Hobbit trilogy). Now, almost 20 years later, will The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power be able to rekindle the lost magic of the iconic franchise?
Back To The Second Age

Firstly, what is The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power, actually? It’s a bit complicated. It’s not another adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings books. It’s actually a prequel to The Lord Of The Rings and takes place thousands of years ago during the Second Age (it’s the Third Age in The Lord Of The Rings). However, it’s important to note that Amazon and the showrunners only managed to get the rights to The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbits, which means that The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power is only based on the appendices from those books, and unfortunately not the detailed and complex narrative of the Silmarillion, which is essentially the bible of the Tolkien universe (which Amazon didn’t get the rights to).
Still, all of that primarily only concerns Tolkien fans who are familiar with the source material. The important thing is, despite all of that working against it, is The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power worthy of being part of the legendary franchise and at least worth watching? I’ve only watched the first two episodes like everyone else, but I can say that the series is definitely up to a great start with a lot more potential as the series progresses.

The first two episodes of The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power showcase what Amazon money could bring. It’s the most expensive TV series ever produced (with a budget that’s reportedly at least half a billion dollars for the first season) and it shows. The visuals and costumes are as good as Peter Jackson’s original trilogy, and in some cases, (Tolkien forgive me), might even look better, in my opinion. The beautiful visuals and costumes offer a scope that rivals movies and that makes The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power something that’s worthy to be watched on the biggest screen you can find.
The music is also phenomenal and that’s no surprise considering who’s behind it. The legendary Howard Shore who composed the music for Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings returns for the main theme for The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power, while Bear McCreary is responsible for the rest of the series’ music and score. Bear brings all the gravitas and epic feels from his previous works like the 2004 Battlestar Galactica reboot, 2018’s God Of War game and even most recently, Apple TV’s Foundation. If you’re familiar with his work, this is him bringing his A-game once again to The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power.
My Precious

The biggest drawback for the first two episodes is that they’re extremely heavy on exposition, and viewers who aren’t used to heavy fantasy might feel like the pacing in The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power is too slow or draggy. However, if you’re willing to spend time and appreciate them, you’ll see how great this series has the potential to be, even though the first two episodes are mostly just set-up and worldbuilding. Still, I would argue that all of this is necessary, especially at the very beginning of a series like this.
Almost all of the cast give amazing performances. The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power features a tone that’s very Tolkien. It’s not overly serious. There are scenes with humour and scenes with a foreboding sense of dread, so it’s not easy to feel bored with it all. Returning to the cast, Morfydd Clark as Galadriel (the main elf) and Markella Kavenagh as Nori Brandyfoot (the main hobbit/harfoot) are clearly the main protagonists whose perspectives viewers are meant to follow in The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power. They do an amazing job, with Morfydd portraying a strong and powerful Elven warrior with Galadriel and Markella even looking and feeling reminiscent of Elijah Wood’s Frodo from the film trilogy (I’m sure that was intentional).
Without spoiling anything too much, the first two episodes already have several candidates for potential fan-favourites, who aren’t the two main protagonists I mentioned above. The ones that stood out most for me were Robert Aramayo as elven Elrond and his relationship with Owain Arthur’s dwarven prince Durin IV, as well as Ismael Cruz Córdova as silvan elf Arondir and his relationship with Nazanin Boniadi as female human Bronwyn. I’m sure there are other potential candidates as well, but these were the most compelling so far after the first two episodes. It’s great how there are a lot of characters to follow in The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power but it never feels overwhelming.
Tolkien Lives

Overall, as a Tolkien fan and a fan of the fantasy genre in general, I’m impressed with what The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power has shown in its first two episodes. That being said, it’s hard to judge and too early to say definitively whether the entire season will be great or if the payoff from the exposition will be worth it. These episodes effectively do what early episodes need to do, which is to get us invested in these characters and their stories and excited to watch the next instalment. How well they stand up on repeated viewings will depend on how satisfying those later instalments turn out to be.
Let me just say this: I first watched Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring back when I was a kid. Of course, I didn’t know the intricacies or minute details of Tolkien lore back then, so I didn’t know where the movie was going or what it was supposed to be. I just knew that I loved the sense of adventure, magic, wonder and darkness from the first movie, which made me the fan that I am today. The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power has some of that, and I say, we should give it a chance, at least for the entire first season.
FINAL SCORE: 80/100
The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power is available on Amazon Prime Video. Subsequent new episodes will release every Friday.


Resident Evil Infinite Darkness Premieres On Netflix In 2021

During Tokyo Game Show 2020, Capcom officially announced Resident Evil Infinite Darkness. It is an episodic CGI series coming exclusively to Netflix sometime in 2021, featuring both Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield.
Not much was revealed about the upcoming series, but Resident Evil Infinite Darkness is produced by TMS Entertainment and Quebico, the same studio behind 2017’s CG movie Resident Evil Vendetta.
That’s all we know about the upcoming series, though it’ll be interesting to see how it fits into the current Resident Evil timeline. It’ll be nice to see what both protagonists have been up to since 2012’s Resident Evil 6.
Check out the key art and trailer below:


Borderlands 3 To Get Rare Chest Mini-Event Right After Farming Frenzy

Truly there is no rest for the wicked.
Gearbox is hosting an in-game mini-event called Rare Chest Riches right after the current Farming Frenzy loot-drop marathon that just ended. During this event, the rarity of loot inside all Rare Chests (the boxes with the red top & deco like the ones below) will be increased.

In other words, you may want to check on the Vaults after killing bosses like Graveward and the Rampager, as well as every nook and cranny close to a named enemy or boss. You might get a lot more than just dedicated boss drops this time around.
The Rare Chest rarity rate will also increase when you watch a streamer on Twitch open a Rare Chest while both of you have the ECHOcast Twitch Extension enabled. Any rewards you score via streamers’ Rare Chest will be waiting for you in your in-game mailbox the next time you play Borderlands 3.
The event is already running right now and will end on 14th February, which is two weeks from now. On a related note, all future Takedowns (including the Maliwan one) will scale by default, although you will be able to access “True Takedown Mode” in an upcoming February update.
How do link my SHiFT and Twitch accounts again? Check out the instructions below:

If you don’t have a SHiFT account, you can set one up for free at theÂ Gearbox SHiFT site.
If you don’t have a Twitch account, you can set one up for free by heading over toÂ TwitchÂ and using the “Sign Up” link at the top of the page.
Linking your accounts is easy. Visit the settings tab on yourÂ SHiFT profile pageÂ by clicking the little gear icon, click on the Twitch logo under “Connections,” and follow the onscreen instructions to link your account.
Alternatively, sign in to your SHiFT account over at theÂ Gearbox SHiFT site, click on “Gaming Platforms” on the left, and then click on the “Link” option under the Twitch logo.
You can also click the “SHiFT Account Link” button under the Events tab within the ECHOcast extension itself to navigate to the SHiFT site and link your accounts if you haven’t done so already.


Vampire Movie Renfield Gets Vampire Survivors Tie-In Game

Who knew that license movie games can come back in style and be good? Especially when it’s cribbing off an already-established genre of last year?
That’s the new Renfield game from Mega Cat Studios, titled Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood. The game is a top-down action roguelike in the veins (heh) of Vampire Survivors. And it looks really good, with the powers, buffs, attacks, and controls. The pixel art and enemy variety also helps, along with the game’s rescue-or-sacrifice mechanic: if you rescue a victim, you’re given a time limit to bring them to a location. You’ll get tons of rewards if you succeed.
If you fancy “one more run” kind of games, you’ll want to sink your teeth into this Renfield tie-in.

It’s out right now in Early Access. There are only three stages and one playable character in the game, but it’s only US$5 on Steam. In the meantime, Renfield the movie is showing right now in theatres; you should go watch it as it’s a load of fun.


Disney Gallery Star Wars The Book Of Boba Fett Showcases Mark Hamill Behind The Scenes & More

Star Wars’ The Book Of Boba Fett Season 1 ended earlier this year with its seventh and final episode in February 2022. Several months later, and we’re getting a special one-hour documentary, Disney Gallery Star Wars The Book Of Boba Fett, of how the show came to be and showcasing the process of how it was all made.
As a longtime Star Wars fan myself, it was an enjoyable and eye-opening hour of behind the scenes footage, as well as input and insights by the cast and crew, including Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen, Jennifer Beals, Carey Jones (the actor of Black Krrsantan), Danny Trejo, Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Bryce Dallas Howard and more.
Bryce Dallas Howard.
Mark Hamill.
It warmed my heart to see the documentary begin with a tribute by director Robert Rodriguez to George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. I feel like many, even fans themselves, tend to forget and overlook George Lucas’ contributions. Without him, there is no Star Wars. Without him, Dave Filoni won’t even be working in the franchise (Lucas hired him), and we wouldn’t have gotten Star Wars The Clone Wars, which sparked the creation of a ton of canon Star Wars spinoffs to this very day.
You’ll learn a lot of trivia watching Disney Gallery Star Wars The Book Of Boba Fett. We can see Temuera touching on his Maori roots and how it helped him in the role. There’s also a part where he sings. Yes, you read that right. For those who don’t know, besides acting, Temuera also sings professionally. Plus, you could also see Ming-Na Wen geeking out over being part of the franchise.
Mark Hamill and Rosario Dawson on set.
Cad Bane’s practical effects.
In addition, the documentary also explores the show’s cinematic influences like The Godfather, Lawrence Of Arabia, and Casablanca. There are also fun tidbits like how Rosario Dawson wasn’t told that she would be working with Mark Hamill until the day that she was finally on set. Best of all, at least for me (and probably for other Star Wars fans as well), is seeing how they brought all the practical effects and visual effects to life, such as the Rancor, the Sarlacc Pit, Cad Bane and the de-aged Luke Skywalker.
Seeing Mark Hamill interacting with an animatronic Grogu before they de-aged the Luke Skywalker in post-production feels surreal. You’ll also see how the crew used Graham Hamilton, an actor who looks uncannily like a young Mark Hamill, as the stand-in and body double for Mark Hamill during certain parts of the production.
Graham Hamilton.
Graham Hamilton.
Ultimately, if you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll love trivia and details. If so, you should definitely check out Disney Gallery Star Wars The Book Of Boba Fett, which is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. With Obi-Wan Kenobi coming out later this month, now’s the best time to brush up on all things Star Wars.
FINAL SCORE: 80/100


Here’s Why Kingdom Hearts 3 Will Be Easy to Platinum

With only a few weeks left until release, more details for Kingdom Hearts 3 are beginning to come to light. The full trophy list for the highly-anticipated Square Enix title has been revealed by Reddit user DeftonesBandPSN, who ripped it directly from PSN servers.
By the looks of it, there will be a total of 46 trophies – 1 platinum, 3 gold, 10 silver, and 32 bronze. Before checking out the list of Kingdom Hearts 3 trophies below, be warned that they may constitute as spoilers for those who wish to venture into the game without any prior knowledge. Read on at your own discretion.

KINGDOM HEARTS III Complete Master (Platinum) â€“ Unlock all other trophies.
A New Journey (Bronze) â€“ Begin your brand new adventure.
Clash of the Gods (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through Olympus and complete the story.
A Wish at Twilight (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through Twilight Town and complete the story.
Inseparable Friends (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through Toy Box and complete the story.
Happily Ever After (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through the Kingdom of Corona and complete the story.
The Power of Laughter (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through Monstropolis and complete the story.
An Act of True Love (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through Arendelle and complete the story.
Way of the Pirate (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through The Caribbean and complete the story.
Making a Difference (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through San Fransokyo and complete the story.
Home Again (Bronze) â€“ Adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood and complete the story.
The Hearts Joined to His (Bronze) â€“ Gather the seven guardians of light.
No Matter What (Bronze) â€“ Reunite with Kairi.
The Battle to End All (Silver) â€“ Begin the final confrontation with Master Xehanort.
Another Chapter Closed (Gold) â€“ Finish the game and view the ending.
Hidden Kings (Gold) â€“ Complete the lucky Emblems section of the Gummiphone.
Know Thine Enemy (Bronze) â€“ Complete the Adversaries section of the Gummiphone.
No Stone Unturned (Silver) â€“ Complete the Treasures section of the Gummiphone.
Synthesist (Silver) â€“ Complete the Synthesis section of the Gummiphone.
One for the Books (Bronze) â€“ Complete the Game Records section of the Gummiphone.
Tall Enough to Ride (Bronze) â€“ Use an attraction to defeat enemies for the first time.
Heartbound (Bronze) â€“ Use a link to defeat enemies for the first time.
Grand Mage (Bronze) â€“ Cast grand magic for the first time.
Knight (Bronze) â€“ Defeat 1,000 enemies.
Bishop (Bronze) â€“ Defeat 3,000 enemies.
Rook (Silver) â€“ Defeat 5,000 enemies.
Flanmeister (Silver) â€“ Complete all of the Flantastic Seven missions.
Salvager (Bronze) â€“ Use the gummi ship to obtain 20 unique treasures.
Stargazer (Bronze) â€“ Use the gummi ship to find and photograph all of the constellations.
Thermosphere (Gold) â€“ Destroy the Schwarzgeist, menace of the Ocean Between.
Centurion (Bronze) â€“ Score at least 12,000,000 pts. in Verum Rex: Beat of Lead.
Festive Dancer (Bronze) â€“ Score at least 70,000 pts. in the Festival Dance.
Shield Shredder (Bronze) â€“ Score at least 600,000 pts. in Frozen Slider.
Datascraper (Bronze) â€“ Get an A rank on both Flash Tracer courses.
Dreadnought (Silver) â€“ Fully power up the Leviathan.
True Captain (Bronze) â€“ Sink 200 enemy ships in The Caribbean.
Say Cheese! (Bronze) â€“ Snap your first photo.
Lasting Memories (Bronze) â€“ Hold on to 50 photos.
Cornucopia (Bronze) â€“ Collect every type of ingredient.
Full Course (Bronze) â€“ Earn your first â€œExcellentâ€ while preparing cuisine.
Master Chef (Silver) â€“ Earn an â€œExcellentâ€ while preparing every type of cuisine.
Muscle Memory (Bronze) â€“ Get a new high score in one of the Classic Kingdom games.
Classically Trained (Silver) â€“ Get a new high score in every Classic Kingdom game.
Blademaster (Bronze) â€“ Obtain a Keyblade that is fully powered up.
Ultima Weapon (Silver) â€“ Synthesize the Ultima Weapon.
Leveled Out (Silver) â€“ Raise Sora to LV 99.

While it may not be entirely accurate to say that all of those trophies would amount to an ‘easy’ Platinum, at least there aren’t any difficulty-related trophies, unlike previous entries in the franchise. That means the Kingdom Hearts 3 Platinum trophy is obtainable on any difficulty.
Last year, Sony Santa Monica’s God of War and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey also employed the same model. Players can still choose higher difficulties for the additional challenge but they’re not actually required for the Platinum trophy. Personally, I wish more games will follow suit in the future.
Many of the trophies also seem to focus on the mini-games in Kingdom Hearts 3, as well as several Gummi Ship-related trophies. These mini-games include the retro ‘Classic Kingdom’ games, a cooking mini-game, and some that have to do with the new Gummiphone feature.
You heard that right. Sora gets a phone with which he can take selfies now, and there’s an actual trophy tied to this activity. Cue the resounding groans of millions of gamers. While these mini-games and side content won’t be particularly challenging, they’ll definitely be quite a chore to complete.
Furthermore, the list essentially confirms all the worlds that will be featured in Kingdom Hearts 3. There are nine trophy-related worlds, including Twilight Town, Olympus, Toy Box, Kingdom of Corona, Monstropolis, Arendelle, The Caribbean, San Fransokyo, and the Hundred Acre Wood.
In the meantime, check out our hands-on preview of theÂ Kingdom Hearts 3 demo here. Kingdom Hearts 3 is slated to release for the PS4 and Xbox One on 29 January 2019.


Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Brings In Two More Classes & A Messload Of Enemies

Gearbox Software just revealed two more classes to accompany Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Stabbomancer and Brrzerker: the Spellshot and Clawbringer.
Spellshots are wizards with guns. They can unleash a constant barrage of spells and bullets and transform their enemies into harmless livestock with the snap of a finger. While others may view their guns as mere weapons, the Spellshot has trained rigorously until it becomes an extension of their own magical will, weaving gun and grimoire together to enhance their spells and imbue their weapons.
Clawbringers are faithful warriors who bring down thunder and flames upon their enemies with a spectral hammer alongside their fire-breathing Wyvern Companion. They are an order of warriors who seek to bring heroism to the Wonderlands. Their Dragon Aura empowers their whole party with additional damage and more.

Gearbox also revealed more environments and enemies that you’ll be traversing and killing things in:
The Weepwild Dankness pose many a danger. Countless have fallen in the face of its fumes, and even more have tripped over the bajillion mushrooms and tree roots everywhere. The best advice for any adventurer would be to stay away before your face turns as purple as the shrooms! But the second-best advice is to keep your eyes openâ€”and your nose and mouth and any other orifice you can think of closed.
The Fearamid holds despair and desolation so thickly, you can almost taste the sadness in the air. Raised skeletons, shambling undead, and the emotionally dead skulk every corridor. The rare few heroes who enter this place should have no illusions about the task before them: to enter unprepared would be a huge mistake.
Mount Craw is home to a bustling gobtropolis where rowdy, nasty little Goblins and towering, tyrannical Trolls toil in the name of their subterranean deity. Not all are satisfied with their labours, however. A booger of revolution is slowly taking form in the nostrils of the workforce. Itâ€™s time to pick a side! And that booger.
Shrooms may be cute, but they only want to tear you limb from limb. Their armored caps swing up to reveal a giant maw full of glistening teeth with your name on each one. The forestâ€™s immune system will come at you from every direction, sending germinators to launch spores at you from afar, or powerful walking colonies to stomp you flat and flood the battlefield with fungi.
Goblins are the grease-glazed thumb smudges of a sugar-addled creator who just ate two gas station burritos for afternoon tea. Small and tricky, these surly little brussels sprouts wreak havoc wherever they can. They may be individually weak, but they are dangerous in large numbers. Always tinkering, Goblins are adept with all sorts of long-range weapons and gadgets.
Trolls like one thing and one thing only: having someone to beat up. As such, youâ€™ll find them assisting the Dragon Lordâ€™s skeletal horde in their war effort and wherever you find the Trollsâ€™ feisty cousins, the Goblins. Beware their heavy clubs and hurled boulders, but keep your Ward upâ€”a few have somehow mastere

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will have the following features and mechanics:
Co-op: When it comes to questing, the more the merrier! Your Party of Heroes in Tiny Tinaâ€™s Wonderlands can have up to four Fatemakers uniting to save the queendom. Of course, Tina wants to ensure you face a reasonable challenge regardless of party size, so the more players there are in your group, the tougher your foes will be. When jumping into the creation of a new Fatemaker, youâ€™ll also have a choice between two options that determine how loot drops and enemy scaling are handled during multiplayer.
Guns: There are millions of different guns to loot across the Wonderlands, as each one is randomly assembled from a huge assortment of parts and components with their own properties. But they all belong to one of six basic categories, corresponding to the six types of ammo found across the environments.
Damage Types: There are five elemental damage types available to you in Tiny Tinaâ€™s Wonderlands: Fire, Frost, Lightning, Poison, and Dark Magic. When squaring off against an enemy, take stock of what colour their health bar is; this will indicate what elemental damage type works best against them.
Wards: If you want to survive the Wonderlands, youâ€™d be wise to seek out Wards at your earliest opportunity. When equipped, Wards envelop your Fatemaker in a swirl of shielding magic, so your soft, fleshy bits can withstand axe slashes and razor-sharp arrows with ease.
Rings/Amulets: Rings typically provide flat boosts to your loadout, like increases to Action Skill duration, damage or magazine size for a given gun type, Companion damage, and so on. Amulets are more likely to grant special effects, like a chance to instantly reload your equipped gunâ€™s ammo after a melee hit. They can also increase things like Class Power and damage, whether thatâ€™s all your damage across the board or more specific avenues like gun or status effect damage.
Rarity: The longer youâ€™ve been adventuring, the more familiar you are with a universal truth: not all loot is created equal. The weapons, spells, and equippable gear you find in Tiny Tinaâ€™s Wonderlands come in a variety of rarities, which you can quickly identify by what colour an item glows when it drops.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will be out for PC, Xbox Series, PS5, Xbox One, and PS4 on 25th March 2022.


The Witcher Season 2 Will Resume Production This August

It’s official: Netflix’s The Witcher is getting a second season.
The trials and tribulations of one Geralt of Rivia (played by Henry Cavill) will be back in production this 17th August, according to a recent tweet. Production was initially halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that can’t be helped.

I’m dusting off my lute and quill,I have some news, some mead to spill:After all the months we’ve been apartIt’s time for production to restart.The Witcher and his bard – who’s flawless,Will reunite on set 17 August.
— The Witcher (@witchernetflix) June 22, 2020

The studio in charge of the production, the UK-based Arborfield Studios, was reopened earlier this June due to the country’s coronavirus movement restriction being eased up. When will the show be out on Netflix? We’re thinking later in 2021.
We’ll keep you posted on all Witcher going-ons and release dates. Let’s celebrate the fact that it’s going to be in production with one of the show’s kick-ass fight scenes.


Uncharted 4 Is Coming To PC

The Sony Investor Relations Day for 2021 took place earlier today. Interestingly, this year’s presentation from the Games & Network Services segment has revealed that the next PlayStation exclusive to launch on PC will be Uncharted 4 A Thief’s End.
This is following Horizon Zero Dawn and most recently, Days Gone. You can see it on this slide here (via Sony).

Uncharted 4 A Thiefâ€™s End was developed by Naughty Dog and first launched for PS4 back in 2016.


Doom Patrol Season 3 Introduces The Brotherhood Of Evil This September

After renewing Doom Patrol for a third season last year, HBO Max has finally announced that Doom Patrol Season 3 will premiere on 23 September 2021.
The synopsis for Doom Patrol Season 3 reads:
Season three opens on the culmination of Dorothyâ€™s (Abigail Shapiro) confrontation with the Candlemaker that leads to a devastating loss.
The Doom Patrol is at a difficult crossroads and each member struggles to face who they are and who they want to be.
And things get a whole lot more complicated when Madame Rouge (Michelle Gomez) arrives in a time machine with a very specific mission, if only she could remember it.
Doom Patrol, based on the DC Comics group of characters of the same name, stars a misfit group of heroes comprising Robotman, Negative Man, Crazy Jane, Elasti-Woman, and Cyborg. It stars Brendan Fraser as Cliff Steele, Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor aka Negative Man, Diane Guerrero as Jane aka Crazy Jane, April Bowlby as Rita Farr aka Elasti-Woman and Joivan Wade as Victor Stone aka Cyborg.
What’s interesting for fans of DC Comics is that this season will finally introduce the Brotherhood Of Evil, which is one of the main arch-nemesis of Doom Patrol and the Teen Titans. Perhaps we’ll see a crossover between Titans and Doom Patrol in the near future? Fingers crossed.
In the comics, the Brotherhood Of Evil was founded by the Brain and his partner, the talking French gorilla with a machine gun named Monsieur Mallah. They consisted of many other villains as well, including Madame Rouge. This will be their live-action debut, but they’ve appeared in animation before; most notably in the 2003 Teen Titans animated series.

The Brain.
Monsieur Mallah.
Madame Rouge.
In the meantime, check out the Doom Patrol Season 3 trailer below: