Greedfall Gameplay Looks Like Witcher 3 If It Was Made By Bioware

In case you missed it, Greedfall is a new epic open-world RPG from Spiders, the developer who gave us Bound By Flame and The Technomancer. It looks like it’s going to be the most ambitious title yet from the French-based games studio.
Just like the RPGs like Bioware’s Dragon Age or Bethesda’s The Elders Scroll V: Skyrim, players will begin Greedfall by creating their own character. The character creation won’t be limited to appearances and cosmetics, as players will also choose their character’s starting skills and attributes.
The skill tree looks particularly deep and diverse, as players are seemingly free to mix and match between different builds and playstyles. In terms of combat, players can wield magical spells, one-handed or two-handed weapons like swords and rapiers, bombs and poisons (that remind me of Geralt’s in The Witcher 3) and even rifles/pistols.
What’s interesting about the combat in Greedfall is that there’s a tactical pause menu during battles, in which players can safely choose and plan their next action, skill, magic or attack. If you’re wondering why there are rifles and pistols, it’s because the world in Greedfall is somewhat inspired by the age of colonization, taking place at the fictional island of Teer Fradee.

The game also features hundreds of weapons and cosmetic options. Similar to Bethesda’s Fallout franchise, what the player is wearing might mean that they’re associated with a particular faction. They can use that to their advantage to trick or infiltrate rival factions.
Greedfall encourages multiple ways of approaching missions or objectives, as seen in immersive sims like the Deus Ex or Dishonored franchises. Players can sneak in silently and lockpick their way into an enemy base, go in guns blazing, or even use bombs to make their own entrances.
Player choice and decisions play a huge part in Greedfall, whether they choose diplomacy or aggressive dialogue options will mean different results. You can also explore the world in parties of three, including two companions from any of the factions in the game (and build romantic relationships with them).
As you can see from all my references, Greedfall seems like it incorporates all the best mechanics from other established western RPGs and immersive sims. However, taking from the best doesn’t necessarily mean that the game can pull off the execution well.
We’ll have to see when Greedfall releases for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on 10 September 2019. In the meantime, check out the gameplay overview trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UCMZldBGpM&w=560&h=315]


Apex Legends Season 2 Ranked Rewards Leaked

The second season of Apex Legends just started earlier this month. Officially titled Battle Charge, the new season gave us Wattson, a new hero, and tons of other cool additions. A long-awaited ranked mode was also finally introduced and developer Respawn did say that players would receive rewards but no specifics were stated.
Looks like we might not have to wait for Respawn to spill the details after all. Apex Legends data miner That1MiningGuy recently dug into the game’s files and found a list of end-season ranked rewards.

In case you missed. Currently these are the end-season ranked rewards. pic.twitter.com/nDCWmBBVaT
â€” That1MiningGuy (@That1MiningGuy) July 13, 2019

It seems that players will be rewarded with profile badges corresponding to how high they climb in the ranked mode. As shown in the image below, players will be rewarded based on their highest tier so I’m assuming that Apex Predators can get all 18 rewards shown above.
Image from Respawn Entertainment.
Aside from the badges, players will also receive cosmetic changes to their weapon (or weapon attachments in this case) and also their dive trails. I’m hoping this isn’t everything that’s coming out because there’s a lot of other customisable cosmetics in the game.
The ranked mode in Apex Legends operates on a time period of a few months called Series. The current series began on 2 July 2019 when Season 2 was released and will end in September. So there’s still a lot of time for you to shoot your way up to Apex Predator and we can help you with that.


E3 2021: The Best Games So Far [Update]

E3 2021, or the Summer Of Gaming 2021 online edition according to us at the KKP virtual offices, is not done yet pretty much done & dusted. But among all the 100 games we’ve seen and played, we already have our top picks and best of show.
Here they are, based on our staff picks. And if you need the best E3 2021 schedule for Southeast Asian timezones, head here. If you want to hear our own content director Mr Toffee wax audio about E3 2021, check out the BFM podcast segments below:
Part 1
Part 2

Shin Megami Tensei V (Nintendo Switch)

It’s been a long time coming given its announcement years ago, but we’re going to get our demon-summoning fix soon enough this November thanks to Atlus’ next mothership Megami Tensei entry.
This Nintendo Switch exclusive JRPG seems to hit all the right notes with its initial showcase: new demons, new game engine, press turn combat system, lovely aesthetics & rockin’ soundtrack, and a dangerous post-apocalypse world filled with hazards and demons to fight and recruit to your cause. Your hero, Nahobino, is also rocking a sweet and sleek blue-haired-and-blade look, establishing his/her place as the next godlike being to transform the world for good, or ill.

In any case, I’m interested to see how this sequel will surprise us story-wise. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Coromon (PC)
[videopress ujtOl6xL]
If you’re like me and you haven’t really been feeling the vibe of the new 3D Pokemon games, Coromon will make you nostalgic for the good old days of classic 2D Pokemon. Developed by TRAGsoft, Coromon is a modern monster taming game with retro pixel art. It has a lot of familiar elements, but also modern improvements to the gameplay that makes the game unique and refreshing; including epic JRPG-style bosses and more.
CoromonÂ is slated to launch onÂ Steam sometime in 2022, but the demo is free to download and play. In the meantime, check out my full preview of the game here. – Alleef Ashaari AKA ComicsLord
Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch)

The stink of Metroid: Other M seems to have cleared out of Nintendo HQ, to the point where they’re going to take another stab at a mothership Metroid title.
Metroid Dread, or Metroid 5 for those keeping count, will retain the 2D “search action” action-adventure gameplay that has influenced countless of indie and metroidvania titles out there. With a 3D coat of paint and a lot of new mechanics like the E.M.M.I segments, we’re in for a wild 2D ride later this October. This and the next SMT has proven that 5 is indeed Nintendo’s lucky number. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Mario+Rabbids Sparks Of Hope (Nintendo Switch)

2017’s Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle was surprisingly a great game, successfully mixing the thrilling strategic turn-based combat of XCOM with a crossover between Mario and Rabbids of all things. It remains one of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives out there, and I can’t wait for the sequel, which looks like it’s going much bigger with a space theme. It reminds me of Super Mario Galaxy and that’s definitely a good thing.
Mario+Rabbids Sparks Of Hope is slated to arrive sometime in 2022. – Alleef “ComicsLord” AshaariÂ
Halo Infinite (Xbox Series, PC)
Was there any doubt? Time and time again, Microsoft always delivers when it comes to Halo, at least based on the latest reveals.
While the most recent mainline release, Halo 5: Guardians somewhat underdelivered, it was more of an outlier rather than the norm. Halo Infinite appears set to close the Master Chief saga with a loud bang with what we could only describe as ‘befittingly next-gen’ in terms of graphics and overall experience. Now let’s hope the story and writing matches up.

And how can you NOT get hyped with the game hitting GamePass on launch with the multiplayer being offered as a free-to-play service? At the very least, the weapons in the sweet-looking multiplayer reveal seem to deliver all the “oohs” and “aahs”. – Kenn Leandre

Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch)

Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers was admittedly a disaster, even for comic book fans like me. Not even the upcoming Black Panther expansion will make me return to that game. However, the publisher can still redeem themselves later this year with Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy from developer Eidos Montreal. From the trailers, it already looks better than Marvel’s Avengers, with what seems to be a bigger emphasis on the single-player experience and a more interactive narrative with dialogue options.
Marvelâ€™s Guardians Of The Galaxy will release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch on 26 October 2021. – Alleef “ComicsLord” AshaariÂ
Redfall (Xbox Series)

I’ve been a fan of co-op games rather than straight-up multiplayer lately so it goes as no surprise that this morning’s reveals got me excited with a number of games where I’ll get to squad up with my mates. However, one reveal stood out heads and shoulders above the rest: Redfall.
We were only shown a theatrical trailer but the premise of being able to shoot at vanishing, amped-up vampires instead of shuffling zombies instantly hooked me in. Call it zombie fatigue if you will – Redfall seems to offer an interesting twist to a classic four-person co-op horde/ tactical shooter genre. – Kenn Leandre
Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series, PC)

Vroom goes the dynamite. Xbox’s flagship racing title has wowed us with its fifth Forza Horizon game and let its in-game footage and gameplay do all the talking. Fast cars, awesome landscapes, new courses, a bunch of gravity-defying arcade side games, and new present-gen luxury/prototype car additions. And it’s slated for this year to boot!
While it looks like it may be ditching a feature or two from past Forza Horizon titles -where’s the weather system?- the new location and instant-loading nature of this next-gen game may host some surprises for racing game fans. Me? I’m just fine cruising across the Mexican landscape in 4K glory. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Avatar Frontiers Of Pandora (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

I know what you’re thinking. “Avatar, really??? Come on!” Yeah, I totally understand, but this game might surprise us when it eventually comes out sometime in 2022. We’ve only really seen a cinematic trailer, albeit a gorgeous one at that, but at least it shows that the new Snowdrop Engine looks extremely good. Plus, this is one of the few games at E3 2021 (and even on this list) that’s truly next-gen, since it’s apparently not coming out on PS4 or Xbox One.
It’s easy to be cynical and think of this as a movie tie-in (since James Cameron’s Avatar 2 is coming out next year too), but developer Massive Entertainment deserves the benefit of the doubt for now. If you remember, Lucasfilm and Disney are also entrusting them with the next major Star Wars game, so they have that going for them. – Alleef “ComicsLord” AshaariÂ
Elden Ring (PC, Xbox Series, PS5, Xbox One, PS4)
F*** me if this isn’t one way to start an E3 game showcase. We know the game is coming, but we know nothing of it safe for that one time the gameplay trailer leaked. But we’re here now, we know what the game looks like, and when it’s coming out.

Granted, it’s more Dark Souls, but it’s got a few bells and whistles like mounted combat and a wide-open world spaces. Everything shown here is just glorious since it’s delivering what we all want from our hardcore action RPG dungeon crawlers: more opportunities to fight tough bosses, badass weapons, a rich world with its own backstory (this time about being a Tarnished and being an Elden King), and plenty of ways to die from its challenges.
As someone who cherishes the first Dark Souls and Bloodborne, I wouldn’t want it any other way. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Starfield (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Of course, Starfield is probably one of the most anticipated Bethesda games after The Elder Scrolls 6 (which was weirdly absent at this year’s E3). Not only will it be a true next-gen game and an Xbox exclusive, the game will also be the first original IP from Bethesda in decades, so they’re exactly playing around. This might just be the ultimate open-world space game for sci-fi fans out there wanting to live out their dreams of being Han Solo or Captain Kirk.
It’s coming on 11 November 2022, so better mark your calendars for a potential GOTY or even a game of the generation (like Skyrim was). – Alleef “ComicsLord” AshaariÂ
Metal Slug Tactics (PC)

The best E3 showcases are the ones full of gaming surprises, whether it’s a brand-new title or a fresh take on an old game. In Metal Slug Tactics’ case, it’s the latter.
The trailer above shows off some gameplay and 2D pixel art/hand-drawn portraits that fit the style of Marco’s gun-totting adventures, but now in turn-based form ala XCOM. Arguably just as hard, but we’ll see how the full game pans out. -Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
The Outer Worlds 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

2019’s The Outer Worlds was an excellent albeit low-budget Fallout in space. We have little to no details about this sequel, but it was one of the biggest surprises during Xbox Bethesda’s presentation. Obsidian Entertainment is already busy working on Avowed, but now they’re also working on The Outer Worlds 2? Look out, world, they might just become the next Bethesda.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention that The Outer Worlds 2 probably had the best and most memorable trailer of the entire E3 2021 event, featuring a tongue-in-cheek tone that pokes fun at video game trailer tropes. Do yourselves a favour and check it out for yourself above. – Alleef “ComicsLord” AshaariÂ
Death Trash (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch)

Developer Crafting Legion made themselves heard with this 1970s blood-filled sci-fi top-down RPG during the Guerrilla Games 2021 showcase. Features a ton of grotesque imagery, real-time combat, some gameplay design choices like using puking as a skill, and player freedom. As someone who likes Planescape Torment and Fallout, this is one CRPG that I’ll keep my eye on. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Trek To Yomi (PC, Xbox Series, PS5)

It’s a 2D action game featuring a black-and-white Kurosawa filter and a ronin tale. We’re sold. -Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Wizard With A Gun (PC, Nintendo Switch)

This may be the next isometric multiplayer open-world shooter fix we will probably replay over and over next year. With a unique Western-meets-magic mix and co-op shooter gameplay featuring loads of customizable guns used by your Vivi lookalikes, Devolver Digital’s latest has piqued my interest. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Riders Republic (PC, Xbox Series, PS5)

I’m not a fan of the Ubisoft showcase just because there’s no Beyond Good & Evil 2 updates. Having said that, the French company did highlight some interesting titles, chief among them is the open-world extreme sports title Riders Republic.
Not only can you do skateboarding and dirt biking, but you can also participate in jet-powered wingsuit gliding and gyrocopter aerial stunt showboating. And probably a bunch of physics-defying sports that hearken back to a time when Tony Hawk Pro Skater and SSX titles were mainstays. Who woulda thunk this would be coming from Ubisoft, a company that plays it safe with open-world shooters and Rainbow Six alien tactic shooters that would make Tom Clancy spin in his grave? – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)

This Square Enix and Team Ninja collaboration could be a fresh take on Final Fantasy: make it a co-op action RPG that’s reminiscent of Dark Souls and Nioh in terms of combat and tone. It probably won’t be as punishing since FF games are meant for all skill levels, but it probably won’t be too easy.

In any case, it’s good to know Team Ninja will be on board with making another well-made action game. Now if only we can get the generic-looking characters & not-so-hot Square Enix presentation out of the way. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC)

This is the Suikoden game people wanted, but Konami couldn’t promise to deliver. The game’s hybrid art style looks killer, and if the battles look this good for the whole game, we may have a killer RPG for 2023.
Yes, it’ll be a while until the game is done, but at least the additional 2D side-scroller action spin-off Eiyuden Chronicle Rising will sate your thirst next year. Colour us interested, just like the art style in this 90s throwback. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Anuchard (PC)

Remember Quintet, the JRPG group that made classics likeÂ Illusion of GaiaÂ andÂ Terranigma? The game that made you focus more on getting humanity back on track and that thereâ€™s no real focal antagonist except the force of nature and death itself? Indonesian developer stellarNull is making a game similar in concept and design with its upcoming 2D top-down titleÂ Anuchard.
It looks promising, I’ll say this much. With puzzles galore and a vibrant art style, as well as a creationist tale involving lost civilizations, there’s a sense of mystique surrounding this title that will entice you in its indie grasps. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
SacriFire (PC)

While we’re on a JRPG bender, let’s talk about this E3 2021-announced Kickstarter project SacriFire.
From the looks of it, the game will be a throwback to late 90s PS1 JRPGs but with a real-time-slash-turn-based combat hybrid & complex morality and narrative choices, with influences from titles like Vagrant Story and Xenogears. Made by the same folks who created Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs and Warsaw, this may be another stacked JRPG hat thrown into the neo-retro ring. It even boasts original music from Valkyrie Profile/Star Ocean composer Motoi Sakuraba.
Just check out these GIFs, for goodness sake!

This one’s slated for 2022 since it’s still pretty early in development. But you can chip into the Kickstarter right now! – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo
Fuga: Melodies of Steel (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

Remember that pretty cute RPG Solatorobo eons ago? This is the follow-up of sorts. Featuring furries, tanks of mass destruction, and a lot of exploration and combat, this game is proving the fact that developer CyberConnect2 is alive and well despite being kicked out of the FFVII Remake project. This one’s definitely worth watching out for since it’s coming out 29th July for PC and consoles. – Jonathan “Mr Toffee” Leo


The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Trailer Reveals November Release Date & Kevin Bacon Cameo

Updated at 2.13 am on 26 October 2022:
Here’s the official trailer:

The trailer for The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special has leaked online (via Twitter), which reveals that it will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 25 November 2022.
The trailer reveals that the Guardians Of The Galaxy are still looking for Gamora after the events of 2019’s Avengers Endgame and 2022’s Thor Love And Thunder and still haven’t found her. However, it’s close to Christmas, so they want to cheer up Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord by going to Earth and retrieving Kevin Bacon himself to meet with Peter.
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Sean Gunn will star, reprising their roles from the film series.
This will be the second Marvel Studios Special Presentation after Werewolf By Night. In the meantime, check out my review of Werewolf By Night here and check out my interviews below. As for the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, we’ll cover that when the official trailer eventually comes out.


E3 2018: What’s Inside Kingdom Hearts III’s Deluxe Edition?

It’s only a matter of time until Square Enix shares their plans for the special editions of its upcoming JRPG Kingdom Hearts III. Lo and behold, here’s what we’re getting.
The Deluxe version of KHIII will include a collectible pin, an artbook with keyblades, and a steelbook case.

That’s not all: there is also a Deluxe + Bring Arts figure featuring Sora, Donald, and Goofy in their Toy Story forms. I’m sure this will attract a particular crowd of toy collectors.

As of now, you can only order these via these two links: one for the PS4 version and one for the Xbox One version. So yeah, go ahead and preorder this if this is the sort of thing you fancy. In retrospect, I think that Fallout 76 helmet collector’s edition is looking more plausible by the hour.


[Report] From Software & George R.R Martin’s New Game Is Called Elden Ring

The leaks just keep on coming even during the weekend (via ResetEra and Twitter’s Daniel Ahmad). Bandai Namco’s recently-leaked E3 assets showed us the official title of the much-talked-about From Software and George R.R Martin collaboration: Elden Ring.

It’ll be out for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and will most likely be an expansive action adventure game in the veins of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, but with some Norse and Viking era influence.
Here’s the full description of the game (via 4chan).
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki â€“ creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin â€“ author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftwareâ€™s largest game to-date. Hidetaka Miyazaki, President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc.& known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire – A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made.
Hopefully it’ll blow our minds, unlike the recent Game of Thrones season.


The Persona JRPGs Will Be On Xbox And Game Pass

To the rsurprise of a lot of people, Atlus announced that Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 will be coming out on Xbox consoles.
The first of them will be Persona 5 Royal on 21st October. The other two games will be out later and will be part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription.
For those not in the know, the Persona JRPGs are well-known for their turn-based combat action, storylines, social link aspects, and all-around funky art style and music. The games have been sorta exclusive to PlayStation consoles, until now.


Horizon: Forbidden West Will Not Have Free PS4 To PS5 Upgrade [Update: It Will]

Update (5/9/2021) – After much backlash online from fans and media, PlayStation amended what it said earlier. Players who buy any version of Horizon: Forbidden West on PlayStation 4 will be able to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version for free.
Also, PlayStation first-party exclusive cross-gen titles that are newly releasing on PS4 and PS5 will offer a US$10 digital upgrade option from PS4 to PS5. This includes God of War: Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7, as well as future titles. In other words, Horizon: Forbidden West will be the last free PS4 to PS5 upgrade offer for a first-party PlayStation game.
Original story
This may not bode well for PlayStation fans who want their usual free PS4 to PS5 free upgrade for Aloy’s next robot dinosaur-murdering odyssey.
According to the official Horizon: Forbidden West support page (via Nibellion), users cannot upgrade their PS4 copy of Horizon: Forbidden West to a PS5 copy of the game. The FAQ also states that players are able to play the PS4 version on the PS5. If you have the Digital Deluxe, Collector’s and Regalla Editions of the game, you can have dual entitlement for the game.
“For players looking to have access to both the PS4 & PS5 versions of Horizon Forbidden West, please purchase the Digital Deluxe, Collectorâ€™s, or Regalla Editions. Dual entitlement does not apply to the standard and Special Editions.”

Speaking of which, here’s the ultimate Regalla Edition. It’s probably worth mentioning since it features a lovely steelbook display case, a mini art book, and a Tremortusk and Aloy statue worth displaying on your table. Looks pretty sweet, if you ask us!

Additionally, the game features an in-universe board game called Strike; denizens of Horizon play with carved wooden and metal pieces in the shapes of machines. Aloy can challenge many different NPCs to a Strike match.
The FAQ bit could be a typo on their part, but with some game companies offering free upgrades of older games to newer next-gen versions, this decision seems baffling.
Horizon: Forbidden West will be out next February 2022.


Sony Unveils New PS4 & PS5 Games As Part Of PlayStation Indies

Earlier today, Sony Interactive Entertainment Head Of PlayStation Indies Shuhei Yoshida officially announced the PlayStation Indies initiative, which aims to spotlight and support indie games. As part of the announcement, they’re planning to unveil nine new indie games coming to the PS4 and PS5.
Besides that, a new indie title will join the PlayStation Now streaming service every month, starting with Hello Neighbor in July 2020. Check out the full list of PlayStation Indies titles below:
1. F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch

Developed by Chinese developer TiGames as one of the selected games from the PlayStation China Hero Project, F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch is a dieselpunk-style action-adventure platformer featuring an anthropomorphic bunny wielding a huge, weaponized metal fist.
With Metroidvania exploration elements, players assume the role of Layton, a battle veteran who has spent the last six years in hiding after his city was lost. When his friend is kidnapped by the Machine Legion, this silent yet determined fighter heads back out into the world on a desperate rescue mission.
Powered by Unreal Engine 4, the game looks incredibly-gorgeous for what’s supposed to be an indie game. No release date has been revealed yet, but it’s coming to the PS4 and PC (via Steam).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZEiT8QZbmY&w=560&h=315]
2. Maquette

Developed by Graceful Decay, Maquette is a first-person recursive puzzle narrative game, similar to Valve’s Portal. As players explore the gameâ€™s recursive world, they’ll uncover memories of a young couple in love, solving puzzles through creative thinking.
No release date has been revealed yet, but it’s coming to the PS4, PS5 and PC (via Steam).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceMkmsyzCoc&w=560&h=315]
3. Where The Heart Is

Developed by Armature Studio, Where the Heart Is is a narrative adventure game about family. Gameplay paths and outcomes will change based on players’ decisions, both big and small. Players will follow the journey of the characters in the game from their childhood to adulthood.
It’s coming to the PS4 sometime in winter 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJZNbqXDIgs&w=560&h=315]
4. Creaks

Developed by Amanita Design, Creaks is a puzzle adventure game that delights the senses with its hand-painted visuals, precise animation, eerie sounds, and an eclectic original score from Hidden Orchestra.
Players can proceed at your own pace at figuring out the solutions to dozens of carefully designed puzzles, explore the mansion for hidden paintings and uncover the great secret. Powered by Unity, the game also features a unique gameplay mechanic, where players have to find ways to turn enemies into ordinary objects.
It’s coming to the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac sometime in July 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJyVGdwai1o&w=560&h=315]
5. Heavenly Bodies

Developed by 2pt Interactive, Heavenly Bodies is described to be a game about cosmonauts; the body; and the absence of gravity. It is a single player game at its core, but can be equally enjoyed as a local co-op experience.
Players assume the role of a brave cosmonaut, and itâ€™s their duty to maintain Earthâ€™s latest and proudest feat of space engineering. They will use use the left and right triggers and analog joysticks to move the left and right arms, respectively, while the legs can be moved using the L1 and R1 buttons.
The physics engine in Heavenly Bodies is complex, with ropes, buttons, machines, and the cosmonaut’s body reacting to forces in a way that, without gravity, will challenge players to rethink the way you approach seemingly trivial tasks.
The PS5 DualSense controller will allow the following sensations:
With adaptive triggers, players can feel:

Objects slip from your grip, such as ropes, or your partnerâ€™s desperate fingertips.
The density of the object youâ€™re gripping. For example, metal scaffolding will feel cold and hard, whilst a space-suit will feel soft and squishy.

With haptic feedback, players can:

Feel the ship rattle through your bones as it passes through coarse space debris.
Feel a lever snap from its base as you try to close the pod bay doors.
Feel the dreadful loss of all sensation as your body is swept into the endless void.

It’s coming to the PS4, PS5, PC and Mac in August 2021.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLIA4Jm8JfI&w=560&h=315]
6. Recompile

Developed by Phigames, Recompile is a Metroidvania exploration-based hacking platformer. Players will explore, fight and hack their way through a stunning digital landscape thatâ€™ll react to their actions as they assume the role of a sentient virus who is trying to escape deletion.
Gameplay mechanics include platforming, third-person combat, and environmental hacking puzzles, though it’s up to players how they approach the game. It’s coming to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC (via Steam) sometime in 2020.
In the meantime, the trailer features the song Jupiter by singer/songwriter Aoife Oâ€™Donovan.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcTyN6Euvk8&w=560&h=315]
7. Carto

Developed by Sunhead Games, Carto is a chill adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-shifting puzzle mechanic. Players will use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of new friends, and guide Carto on her journey home.
Players will also need to master their cartography skills, as they rearrange pieces of the map and seeing the world change around them by connecting missing pieces of the map to discover mysterious lands, uncovering their secrets. As players journey through new pieces of the map, theyâ€™ll meet quirky characters and make friends along the way, many of which will need a helping hand from their local cartographer.
It’s coming to the PS4 and PC sometime in fall 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2lc6jCyUxo&w=560&h=315]
8. Haven

Developed by Furi developer The Game Bakers, Haven is a relaxing game about a couple gliding over tall grass on a deserted planet; a co-op RPG adventure game which can also be played solo.
Players will assume the role of two characters at the same time to explore, fight in real-time combat or engage in dialogue. A second player can join in or drop out anytime in co-op to share the adventure. There’s also a simple crafting system but apparently not much of a HUD or tasks to complete. Players just go with the flow of the game.
It’s coming to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam) sometime in 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_jhGKn049E&w=560&h=315]
9. Worms: Rumble

Developed by Team17, Worms: Rumble is the latest instalment of the long-running Worms franchise. The last entry was previously 2016’s Worms: W.M.D. What’s interesting is that 2020 is also the 25th anniversary of the franchise.
Worms: Rumble is turning away from the franchise’s traditional turn-based combat and introducing new real-time combat. The worms now move faster, and can even perform wall jumps to traverse at pace to get to higher ground and away from danger, as well as dodge those â€œincomingâ€ bazooka shells and grenades.
The game will also support cross-play with a 32-player online experience and three game modes, including Deathmatch, Last Worm Standing, and Last Squad Standing. Last but not least, players will be able to customise their Worms.
Finally, the Holy Grenade also returns in all its sacred glory! It’s coming to the PS4, PS5 and PC sometime later in 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqaADN-63xY&w=560&h=315]


Crypto Has Already Appeared In Apex Legends

The buildup towards Apex Legends‘ third season has been rife with hints and clues of the next potential Legend, a hacker named Crypto. With the end of Season 2 just a few weeks away, the biggest appearance from Crypto has just been found.
You can find videos being uploaded by players who have stumbled across Crypto doing something in one of the sections of the Singh Labs Interior. It certainly looks like he’s doing the kind of things a hacker would be doing.

Crypto spotted #PS4sharehttps://t.co/UP8F6U52qH pic.twitter.com/JdcxLwM4Pd
â€” Obi-Wan KENNobi (@kennleandre) September 18, 2019

Also seen in the room with him is his drone which shows that some of the early speculations about him having a personal drone is somewhat accurate. Prior to this, other clues that players have found include the distortion of the announcer’s voice whenever a round is announced.
At this point, it’s almost impossible to dismiss the idea that Crypto (or whatever his true name is) will actually be the new playable Legend in Season 3. For more news and updates on Apex Legends, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.


Square Enix Game Forspoken Delayed Until October

The upcoming action game Forspoken from Square Enix, which is exclusive to PlayStation 5, will be delayed from its early 2022 release date.
The game will be out on 11 October 2022 instead. This is due to spending all that extra time polishing the game, according to Square Enix’s official Twitter announcement.
“We have made the decision to move the release date of Forspoken to October 11, 2022. Our vision for this exciting new IP is to deliver a game world and hero that gamers across the glove will want to experience for years to come, so getting it right is extremely important to us.
To that end, during the next few months we will focus all of our efforts on polishing the game and canâ€™t wait for you to experience Greyâ€™s journey this fall.”

A message from the #Forspoken Development Team. pic.twitter.com/T302V6h4Np
— Forspoken (@Forspoken) March 7, 2022

The game was reportedly going to be a PlayStation console exclusive for two years. It also will be running on Square Enix’s new Luminous Productions studio engine.


WandaVision Episode 5 Breakdown & Easter Eggs Explained

In WandaVision Episode 5, we return to the series’ usual programming with more sitcom homages.
Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilers fromÂ WandaVision Episode 5 so if you havenâ€™t seen them or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading. If you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous articles on the first two episodes, Episode 3Â and Episode 4.

The Twins Can Age Themselves At Will
The twins at five years old.
Yes, throughout the entirety of Episode 5, it seems that the twins (Billy and Tommy) have the power to age themselves at will. First, from babies to five-year-olds and later from five to ten-year-olds. It also seems like they’re aware of their powers and that Wanda used her powers to bring Vision back to life.
This is a mystery because it’s unclear if the twins inherited Wanda’s powers, or if another more sinister force is at play here.
The twins at 10 years old. Easier to identify them apart, Billy (left) and Tommy (right).
Wanda Stole Vision’s Corpse

Yes, it’s all true. Video footage shows that Wanda broke into the SWORD HQ and stole Vision’s corpse. We don’t learn what exactly happened in-between but SWORD accuses Wanda of resurrecting Vision.

That might be true, but it might also be wrong. Why? Because later in the episode, Wanda claims that she doesn’t really remember how Westview began. Maybe she was possessed or compelled by a sinister force (Mephisto, Chthon?) when she stole Vision’s corpse? It’s possible.

Wanda’s Powers And The Westview Anomaly Are Referred To As Hex

I WAS RIGHT! Back in Episode 3’s breakdown, I proposed that maybe the hexagonal shape of the fake Westviewâ€™s map is a reference to the fact that in the comics, Wandaâ€™s original powers were described as â€œhex powersâ€ that could cause random and unlikely events to take place. It turns out that because of Westview’s hexagonal shape, Dr. Darcy Lewis is giving the anomaly and Wanda’s powers a name; Hex.

And that segues into the next one…
Wanda Is Rewriting Reality, Just Like In The Comics

In Episode 5, Monica deducts that Wanda is actually rewriting reality inside Westview when she realises that her 70s clothes from Episode 3 are made of the same materials as the clothes she was wearing when she entered the fake Hex reality (bulletproof Kevlar). Wanda’s Hex powers is official, folks and even Darcy is happy.
Damn, it feels so good to call them that!

Avengers Endgame Callback

When discussing Wanda’s sudden power increase, Monica points out that Wanda was already powerful enough to take out Thanos on her own in 2019’s Avengers Endgame if he didn’t order an airstrike blitz. That was then, and maybe the state of Wanda’s broken mind was enough to elevate her powers even further (this remains speculation for now, though).
Monica Has A Personal Problem With Captain Marvel

In the same discussion, Jimmy Woo brings up Captain Marvel AKA Carol Danvers and the look on Monica’s face says it all. It seems like she has beef with Captain Marvel, despite the fact that the Carol was a good friend of her deceased mother (Maria Rambeau).
It’s easy to surmise that perhaps that’s exactly the reason. Think about it; she may be indirectly blaming Carol for her mother’s death,or it could be for some other reason entirely.
Some of us feel the same way about Captain Marvel, Monica. We feel you.
Vision Can Awaken People From The Hex

Vision can somehow awaken and free the people under the Hex spell, albeit only momentarily. He manages to do this to Norm (Asif Ali), allowing his suppressed personality to rise up for a while.

Wanda Can Exit The Fake Hex Reality At Will, Confronts SWORD

When SWORD sends in a drone with weapons, Wanda stops it and surprisingly just walks out of Westview. This proves that she’s aware that Westview isn’t real, further supporting the idea that all of this Hex anomaly is caused by her.

She threatens SWORD with a warning before going back inside Westview and perhaps reinforcing the barriers surrounding it.
Vision Knows The Truth Now But He Can’t Remember His Past

Vision partially breaks free of Wanda’s control, perhaps because he himself was originally brought to life (for the first time) by one of the Infinity Stones. He confronts Wanda and starts questioning her, saying that he can’t remember anything from his past, or anything before Westview. This means that maybe Wanda is still able to suppress his memories of the truth and trauma of what really happened to him (his death at the hands of Thanos).

Pietro (Evan Peters) Shows Up

The last and the arguably biggest surprise of WandaVision Episode 5 is the sudden appearance of Quicksilver AKA Pietro Maximoff, but it’s not the MCU’s version as portrayed by Aaron-Taylor Johnson. Instead, it’s the version portrayed by Evan Peters, which begs the question.
Is this really the Fox X-Men universe’s version of Pietro somehow crossing over into the MCU, or is it simply an imposter in the skin of Quicksilver, perhaps a powerful entity with knowledge of the multiverse like Mephisto or Chthon? Unfortunately, the episode ends here, and we’ll have to wait until the next episode to learn more.

Conclusion
As a conclusion, WandaVision Episode 5 is a big one in terms of surprises, and things will probably be a lot different in Episode 6. Maybe the Twins will be even older by then and start exhibiting their own powers? Maybe we’ll learn more about this Pietro? Stay tuned for next week.


Sombra & Doomfist Getting Talon Skins in Archives: Retribution

Blizzard today unveiled two brand new skins for the upcoming Retribution seasonal event skin ahead of its release in a couple of days. Following yesterday’s reveal of Hanzo’s ‘Scion’ skin, today we got glimpses of Talon skins for two characters; Sombra and Doomfist and man they look really good.

Overwatch Archives file locatedâ€¦
Subject identified: TALON DOOMFIST
File content available for download in t-minus: 3 days pic.twitter.com/L5t38Zrfgc
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) April 7, 2018

Overwatch Archives file locatedâ€¦
Subject identified: TALON SOMBRA
File content available for download in t-minus: 3 days pic.twitter.com/U89YTmKWvl
â€” Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) April 7, 2018
Â Overwatch’s Archives: Retribution seasonal event drops April 10th 2018 and will take us back to the Blackwatch’s first ever mission in Venice. It will also shed more light onto the defining moments of Overwatch which played a huge role to the in-game lore. Officially unveiled at the opening day of Stage 3 of the Overwatch League midweek by the man himself, Jeff Kaplan, expect a brand new PvE experience as well over 100 brand new lootbox items in the upcoming seasonal event.


Aston Martin F1 Team To Celebrate James Bond At British Grand Prix

To celebrate the special once-in-a-lifetime occasion of the 1,007th Formula 1 Grand Prix, Aston Martin Lagonda and EON Productions will be bringing actual James Bond cars to the racing event.
The British Grand Prix will take place at Silverstone in the UK this weekend, where the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team will be competing with cars featuring the iconic 007 logo and Bond number plates on the back of their rear wings.
Max Verstappenâ€™s RB15 Formula 1 car will run the number plate from the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger (1964) while Pierre Gaslyâ€™s car will feature the Aston Martin V8 plate from The Living Daylights (1987).
Meanwhile, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing pit garage will feature wall graphics inspired by Qâ€™s MI6 Lab.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DBS (which was featured inÂ On Her Majestyâ€™s Secret Service), a total of fifty special-edition 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggeras will be sold.
The first of these special cars will be on track at Silverstone during the Pirelli Hot Laps sessions.
Attendees can see a number of the Aston Martins from the James Bond films on display in the Bond In Motion exhibition, including the V8 that will appear in the upcoming Bond 25 movie (which will be located in the Fanzone).

To register for tickets, head on over to this website.
It’s a treat for all fans of James Bond and Aston Martin cars, the latter of which has long been associated with the long-running movie franchise.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO Dr. Andy Palmer said:

â€œAston Martin is proud of its association with James Bond.
This weekend, we look forward to celebrating this longstanding partnership at Formula Oneâ€™s 1,007th Grand Prix.â€

The Formula 1 British Grand Prix will take place this Sunday on 14 July 2019 at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK. In the other related news, the official synopsis for Bond 25 was revealed several months ago (along with other details), which you can check out here.


Fuga: Melodies of Steel sequel announced; First Game Is Free…

You can now have a taste of a critically acclaimed RPG title for free for up to 3 chapters by getting the demo on PC and consoles. We’re referring to Fuga: Melodies of Steel, one of our top 30 games of 2021.
This comes after CyberConnect2, Fuga’s Developer, revealed that Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 is slated to be out in 2023 in an announcement at the recent Japan Expo 2022 in Paris.
Ouuuh, donc Fuga 2 sortira en 2023 et on aura plus d’infos dans deux semaines ???(Merci @Vect0r96 pour les images) pic.twitter.com/3fMwRvF829— Benjamin Beziat (@SireRed) July 14, 2022
Critically acclaimed #RPG #FugaMelodiesofSteel is FREE up to chapter 3, with save transfer to the full game NOW ON SALE!! Download the demo today and mass retweet this to let the world know about it 😉 #NintendoSwitch #PS4 #PS5 #Xbox #Steam #epicgamesstore pic.twitter.com/XVcTnllTKq— Yoann@CyberConnect2 (@Yoann_CC2) July 14, 2022
Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a story-rich RPG about a group of survivor children working together in a giant tank called Taranis to defend their group and loved ones after war broke out that set their village ablaze by the fascist Berman Empire. Help them strategise tactics against enemy attacks by placing the kids in gun turrets. You level up their skills, each with their own unique abilities, as you progress. Besides getting into the heat of the battle, gameplay features also include building affinity levels with your comrades and choosing your story; making sacrifices for victory or taking risks in an attempt to save a loved one.

Yep, you may want to get tissues ready with this one. It’s that kind of RPG game where your choice matters.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel was out in 2021 and is available on PC and Consoles. Give this critically-acclaimed title a shot by playing the demo with up to 3 chapters for free and continue where you left off upon purchasing the full game!
For more information, check out their website including a teaser for Fuga 2.
If you have heard or played this title, are you looking forward to the second game? Let us know what you think about the game and the new title announcement on our socials Twitter or Facebook.


Final Fantasy 16 Producer Naoki Yoshida & Localization Director Koji Fox Talk About The Game’s Possible Future

Final Fantasy 16 is out for PlayStation 5 right now, and is getting rave reviews. So naturally Square Enix opt to spread the word about the game with its leads: Producer Naoki Yoshida and Localization Director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox.
The duo have been riding high on making Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn and its subsequent expansions a huge success, so it’s interesting to see what they and their team can do with a single-player offline title. But what of the future? Generally, Naoki Yoshida said that FFXVI is a complete standalone game, but he and Koji Fox did entertain the idea of potential DLC and content.
Here’s what they said; check out the full interview below.

Final Fantasy 16 is out now for PS5; check out our review & coverage here.


Action Platformer Nocturnal With Unique Fire Mechanics Launches In Spring 2023

Indie developer Sunnyside Games, in partnership with Dear Villagers, have announced their upcoming action platformer, Nocturnal. Coming to PC via Steam and consoles in spring 2023, Nocturnal is an action exploration odyssey that will task players with repelling a nefarious mist as it enshrouds an ancient isle.
What’s unique about the game is how it uses fire in its gameplay mechanics. It can ward off the Mist, ignite the scenery, turn on machinery, and be used to burn beings of dark magic impervious to conventional weaponry.
The game’s synopsis reads:
After a difficult journey across a troubled sea, Ardeshir, a soldier of the Enduring Flame, returns to his home island of Nahran. Engulfed in a shadowy mist, Ardeshir must rely on fire to extinguish the sinister forces that have overtaken his native land.

Sunnyside Games co-founder Gabriel Sonderegger said:
“With Nocturnal we wanted to combine the immediacy and timelessness of classic platforming adventures with a more modern dynamism. The flames and mist give players a neat balance of oscillating between feeling weak and oppressed, with fleeting moments of triumph as they engulf their weapons in fire.
We think it adds a unique flow to a classic genre and look forward to everyone being able to play Nocturnal when it launches later this year.”
Check out the trailer below:


The Pirate Brings Her Guns Into For Honor Next Week

Ubisoft has announced that For Honor Year 5 Season 4 â€“ Title Update 2.0 will release on 27 January 2022, adding a new playable Hero archetype to the game: the Pirates. Armed with their signature cutlass and pistol, Pirates are the first of the Outlanders, an all-new group of Heroes coming from vast horizons. Additional Heroes from the Outlanders will be coming to the game during For Honorâ€™s Year 6: Lost Horizons, set to begin on 17 March 2022.Â
Armed with their razor-sharp cutlass and one-of-a-kind pistol, the pirates engage their opponents with a rush down style that can be relentless. They apply continuous pressure by mixing Pistol Blast and Heavy Attacks that Chain one after the other. Fiercely loyal to one another, they ally themselves with anyone who can help them â€“ and they fight anyone who stands between them and their spoils.

Starting January 27, players will be able to purchase the new Pirate Hero from first-party stores as part of a package that includes the new Hero, one exclusive Ornament, one Elite Outfit, seven days of Champion Status and three scavenger crates. Players can also unlock the package on 10 February 2022 for 15,000 Steel in-game. Coinciding with the arrival of this new Hero, a Free Event Pass will offer players exclusive rewards. In addition, new seasonal armour variations will be available for all heroes starting the first day of TU2.
Pirates inaugurate a new group of Heroes: the Outlanders. Hailing from all over the world outside Heathmoor and unrelated to existing factions, each Outlander has different reasons to join the fight in For Honor. These Heroes will continue to expand the diversity of weapons and fighting styles available in the gameâ€™s roster, now including thirty unique Heroes. For more information about the Outlanders, you can visit forhonorgame.com/FAQOutlanders.

These newcomers will take centre stage in Year 6: Lost Horizons, set to begin on 17 March 2022. Following five years of continuous content updates and improvements, Year 6 will offer an additional year of content to the game across four Seasons, including two new Outlander Heroes, additional customization options, as well as further enhancements of the core combat experience.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Apex Legends Teases Players With Cryptic Datalog, Here’s What We Think

If you missed the recent EA Play featuring the Apex Legends upcoming season, you might’ve missed the part where they revealed that ‘something big was coming to King’s Canyon’, the map we drop into every game.
Something really big. Godzilla level big.
Today, the Apex Legends Twitter tweeted something rather cryptic for us to decipher. Luckily, we have Kakuchopurei’s resident Apex Legends player around. So let’s see what Respawn has put on the table.

ðŸ“ L001
> ðŸ“ DATA LOG AZ71P pic.twitter.com/gzDJ9ISjmn
â€” Apex Legends (@PlayApex) June 12, 2019
The message reads:

L001 is moving southbound at a rate of ten klicks per hour after a sixteen-hour rest interval. This is yet another significant rest-time reduction. We suspect L001 is exhibiting signs of territorial behaviour or distress. We will continue gathering data and attempt to determine the cause.

The memo which reads “What’s wrong with Rosie???” is slapped on the monitor, which implies the Leviathan, or L001 is affectionately called Rosie by this organisation or entity that’s studying the Leviathan‘s behaviour.
This explains the movement pattern of one of the Leviathans since launch day of the game. If you’ve been focusing on hot drops and haven’t paid attention to the background, we have you covered.
From Reddit user u/FrozenFroh
We can assume that Rosie is headed towards Thunderdome. For what reason, we don’t know at the moment.
Here’s an interesting piece of lore for you: the Repulsor facility on the map is supposed to keep the massive Leviathan at bay, according to the Titanfall fan Wiki.

Repulsor Towers, otherwise referred to asÂ Wildlife Repulsor TowersÂ orÂ Dog Whistle Towers, are massive pieces of technology developed by theÂ Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation, for the purposes of security and defence against alien fauna such asÂ LeviathansÂ andÂ Flyers. They emit sound at a frequency inaudible to human ears, that is extremely loud and piercing to animals that can hear it – this keeps the animals away from critical IMC installations.

The Repulsor facility is keeping the Giants in check.
What I anticipate in the upcoming season is that the Leviathans are waiting for the Repulsor facility to go down, and once the only deterrent is deactivated, the Leviathans will roam on the map. I remember reading somewhere that the Artillery has something to do with keeping the giants where they are as well.

This is definitely top-notch world building and lore building in progress here.Â Respawn is piecing up the game to be an industry standard in the battle royale genre.
We’ve covered more about Apex Legends‘ upcoming season Battle Charge here, and included another piece of lore in regards to the game’s mechanics.


[Rumour] Don’t Expect A Nintendo Direct This June

If you’re hoping for new game announcements from Nintendo this June, you may need to curb your expectations.
According to a VentureBeat report, Nintendo may not air a Nintendo Direct this June. The company said it would continue to be “flexible” and would redirect its efforts to “other ways” to keep fans and gamers up-to-date with game announcements & projects.
That won’t be the case this June. This is because of complications surrounding Japan’s work from home order in the wake of COVID-19. The next Nintendo Direct will instead air in summer.
The next major Nintendo Direct video will focus on the 35th anniversary of the Mario series, as well as reveal the rumoured Super Mario remasters like Super Mario Sunshine and the Super Mario Galaxy series. In fact, a deluxe version of 2013’s Super Mario 3D World was also rumoured to be in the works.


PlayStation Unveils Official Controller For iPhone Devices

PlayStation and tech company Backbone have announced the Backbone One PlayStation Edition, an officially licensed mobile controller for iPhone users.
The look and feel of the Backbone One PlayStation Edition were inspired by the design of the PS5 console’s DualSense wireless controller, all the way down to the transparent face buttons and its visually distinctive, floating appearance. It feels right at home with the other products in the PS5 lineup, like the Pulse 3D headset, which you can also connect directly to the Backbone One PlayStation Edition.
With the Backbone One PlayStation Edition, you can plug an iPhone into it and instantly start playing your PS5 and PS4 games with the PS Remote Play app, if you have access to broadband internet and a PS5 or PS4 console.
The Backbone One PlayStation Edition also works with App Store games and other game streaming services that support controllers, including Genshin Impact, Fantasian, Call Of Duty Mobile, and more. Players can download the Backbone App for a customized PlayStation experience. Inside the app, you’ll see various PlayStation integrations, such as custom glyphs representing the iconic PlayStation shapes and the ability to browse hundreds of game titles. Players will also find a dedicated row inside the Backbone App with new releases and updates from PlayStation.
The Backbone One PlayStation Edition is powered by your iPhone device, so charging is not required. For more information about Backbone One – PlayStation Edition, head on over to https://playbackbone.com/playstation.
According to PlayStation Blog, the Backbone One PlayStation Edition will be available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and the UK at launch, with more countries to follow.


90s Fighting Game Character Voice Actor Kiyoyuki Yanada Is Dead

90s anime and video game Japanese voice actor Kiyoyuki Yanada has passed away. He was 57. The news was revealed on Twitter by voice actor friend Mitsuaki Madono.
Anime and fighting game fans may remember the voicework of Kiyoyuki Yanada. He is renowned for voicing Akagi in Slam Dunk, Saeki in Hajime no Ippo, Richter Belmont in the Castlevania series, Colin Vernon/Groubitz in the Guilty Gear series, and Mike Haggar in the Final Fight/Street Fighter/Marvel vs Capcom series.
Rest in peace; you will be missed.


A Quick Guide To Mortal Kombat 11’s Microtransactions

Our esteemed fighting games guru Mr Toffee praised Mortal Kombat 11 but also touched upon how the game can be a huge grind for many. This is the bit where we have to break it down, possibly to explain why it’s getting a lot of flak on its Steam page.
Frost
[wpvideo OyiTaVUu ]
This new version of MK Deadly Alliance’s female Sub-Zero clone -who is pretty badass in MK11 by the way- can be yours for US$6. However, you can unlock Frost for free in the story mode. MK11’s screens and prompts made no mention of this.
To which we say: no. It only takes an hour or so to get to Chapter 4 of the story mode, and you can skip most of the cutscenes if you’re REALLY in a hurry. Why waste US$6 on a character who is free in the first place?
The Resources You Need For Unlocking
Never mind the fact that you need to be online to play Towers of Time and unlock stuff in The Krypt, you also need materials and currencies to even bypass most of it.
Time Krystals
You earn these through playing the game or spending US$5 for 500 of them. You need them to purchase cosmetic items in the Premium Shop.
Koins
The in-game currency needed to unlock/restock loot chests in the Krypt. You earn these by playing the game. A lot. Story Mode, Towers, online play; the works.
Soul Fragments
You need these to open up new areas of the Krypt. You get them through winning fights. The more points you earn in a fight, the more fragments you’ll get.
Hearts
You need these to open up special unlocks in the Krypt. You earn them by performing Brutalities and Fatalities, as well as complete single-player challenges in the Towers of Time.
So How?
If you care a lot about unlocking all the cosmetics and window dressing for the game, you’ll be grinding for these currencies a lot. It doesn’t ruin the basic meat and gameplay at all; you can still kick ass full-time with all the characters in the roster. Unless you didn’t get the pre-order Shao Kahn in which case, bully for you.
Luckily, NetherRealms creative director Ed Boon said that all of this will be reworked. He tweeted the following: “we have a hot fix/improvements koming to address those super hard Towers of Time, as well as better rewards/economy to be used in the Krypt.”

MK11 PSA ?
In case you missed yesterday’s Kombat Kast: We have a hot fix/improvements koming to address those super hard Towers of Time as well as better rewards/economy to be used in the Krypt.
Hoping/expecting it’ll be more like HOURS than days.
Will keep you posted??
— Ed Boon (@noobde) April 23, 2019

Despite the fact that you’ll be spending loads of time unlocking cosmetics, you’ll still spend lots of time playing a really good fighting game. Like Mr Toffee mentioned, the game’s tutorials are awesome, the characters are varied and plentiful, and the fatalities toe the line between disgusting and goofy.


Thank You, Yoshinori Ono – A Short Video From A Fighting Game Advocate

Mr Toffee recaps the recent departure announcement of Capcom fighting game producer Yoshinori Ono after his almost 30 years of service. He also talks about the man’s influence on a personal level.

Top image credit: 1up.com


Could Covid-19 Coronavirus Delay The PlayStation 5 And Xbox Series X?

Let’s be clear: when it comes to the effects and impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus, there are far more concerning things to worry about than a potential delay for the new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
However, given that China is the hardest-hit country so far, it makes sense for gamers to wonder how the situation will affect the Holiday 2020 release dates for the next-generation of consoles.
China, The Manufacturer
As a kid, I only remembered seeing “made in China” tags on products like toys. That was during the time of SARS. Back then, in the early 2000s, China was, as The New York Times wrote, “mostly churning out low-cost goods like T-shirts and sneakers for customers around the world”.
Things have changed a lot since then. Now, much of our consumer electronics, including the PS5 and XSX are manufactured in China, as pointed out by Business Insider,
It’s true that the number of new reported Covid-19 cases in China is lessening. Yesterday, the country announced that there were only 40 new confirmed cases, its lowest since January. This doesn’t mean that things will suddenly go back to normal, however.

Last month, the BBC wrote that much of China’s factories were shut as a result of the coronavirus. Even though they’re reopening now, forecasters, as reported by Time, say that it’d take till at least April before production rates go back to normal.

Delays have already been reported or anticipated too. In a mid-February survey by IPC, 84% of electronics manufacturers and suppliers expressed concern about the impact of Covid-19 on operations. Companies said they were told to expect around three weeks-long delays, while executives from electronics manufacturers expected five weeks of shipment delays.
The tech industry has already taken hits. Apple said last month that they “do not expect to meet” their previous Match quarter revenue guidance. Huawei, already suffering from US sanctions, is expected to receive additional shipment drops, wrote AppleInsider.

On the gaming front, Niko Partners’ Daniel Ahmad told Hollywood Reporter that the first half of 2020 will see video game hardware manufacturing being hit, due to almost 90% of the consoles which the U.S. imports being made in China.
“If the coronavirus outbreak is contained within the next month or two then we would expect console manufacturers to be able to meet demand for the holiday quarter, both for current-gen consoles and next-gen console launches,” Ahmad said. “If manufacturers are unable to operate at full capacity before the end of Q2 2020, we could see an impact on next-gen console launches, with either limited supply or delayed releases becoming the likely outcomes.”
Just a few days ago, Konami announced that its PC Engine Core Grafx mini products would experience manufacturing and shipping delays. They wrote in a statement that “manufacturing and shipping facilities in China have encountered an unavoidable suspension” due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

A few weeks ago, Valve told UploadVR that its Index VR production schedules had been impacted and that there would be “far fewer units for sale during the coming months compared to the volumes we originally planned”.

Back in early February, Kotaku reported that the Animal Crossing-themed Switch had its pre-order date pushed from February 8 to TBA. At the time, Nintendo had said that there would be Switch production and shipment delays in Japan. Sources later told Bloomberg that the West could be affected by April as well.
What about the PS5/Xbox Series X?
There’s no news on the PS5 or Xbox Series X being delayed yet, but the possibility remains. In the March 2020 issue of MCV/Develop, Pier Harding-Rolls from IHS Markit said that the possibility of Sony and Microsoft facing supply chain disruptions from Covid-19 was growing every week. Like Ahmad, he notes Q2 2020 as being a crucial moment.
“To assemble optimum inventory for a November launch, I expect both companies to start ramping up production in Q2, so if factories are not back to full capacity by that point, there is likely to be some constraint versus optimum shipments in preparation for a launch,” he told the magazine.

Harding-Rolls added, “Aside from the actual assembly of the consoles, it is hard to predict at this stage if the supply chain for components that go into these consoles, several of which will be custom, will or will not be affected. So, although I’m bullish about the potential for next-gen consoles, external events mean that predicting actual sales performance is a moving target at this point.”
In addition, Business Insider reported in early February financial services company Jefferies Group as saying, “The video game sector is currently manufacturing, or beginning to, a once-in-several-years’ product generation change for the 2020 holiday season.

“If shutdowns exceed a month or so, game schedules will be delayed. New consoles may likewise suffer supply issues from a prolonged disruption, ahead of their Fall 2020 planned launches.”

There is some cause for optimism though. Speaking to TechRadar, games industry analyst Michael Pachter said that the PS5 and Xbox Series X’s late 2020 release dates mean that there is less pressure for Sony and Microsoft due to “lower production demands”. Furthermore, while Apple has to rely on China for production, Sony and Microsoft have countries like Taiwan and Vietnam as alternatives.
However, “If Coronavirus lasts through June, it will be a problem for [Microsoft and Sony],” Pachter told TechRadar. “Itâ€™s possible that it lasts that long, but the stock market tells you that is not the case. If it were, the market would be tanking because of the long-term disruption of the supply chain.”
You’ve probably noticed that all these are predictions. The most concrete-looking information we have so far is a slide from AMD’s Financial Analyst Day, which notes that the PS5 and Xbox Series X are “on track” for their Holiday 2020 release dates.

“So whether it’s Radeon Mobile Processor, Navi 2X, or one of these next-generation consoles, clearly, 2020 is going to be a very exciting year for gamers,” said AMD’s chief technology officer Mark Papermaster.
Closing thoughts
Despite AMD seemingly confirming that things on track, nothing beats a clear and direct statement from Sony and Microsoft. Until then, all we have are speculation and predictions,

In contrast, Konami and Nintendo have been upfront about their production issues. And in terms of positive reports, Lenovo has expressed confidence that its global operations can tackle short-term issues posed by the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the Business Times.
Microsoft did issue a press release about the Covid-19 impact, but it only covered the Q3 2020 period.

In Sony’s case, insiders did tell Bloomberg that “The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has had no impact so far on preparations for PlayStation 5 production”, but could things have changed since? Or is it the “scarce components” and the resulting increase in manufacturing costs reported in the article (which also noted that Sony declined to comment on the matter) that are the main issues?
Sony hasn’t even revealed much about the PS5. The rumored PS5 event in February never came to pass, and as Forbes notes, while Microsoft has given us some juicy information about the Xbox Series X, “From Sony weâ€™ve mostly had two articles in Wired, and silence since then.”
Until Sony and Microsoft clear the air, the only thing we can do is hope that both consoles’ schedules are on track (which might indeed be the case), while acknowledging the possibility that they might not be in the near future.


Here’s A Full List Of Featured Overwatch Funko Pop! Vinyl Figurines

If youâ€™re a fan of Funko products and/or a fan of Overwatch, do you know that Overwatch actually had a large collection in the Funko family? Said products range from keychains to the large-sized Pop! Vinyl figures.
Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of all 24 featured heroes in the fan-favourite Pop! Vinyl collection for your convenient reference.
Ana
Â
Besides her default skin, Ana is also available in her Shrike skin version, which is only available exclusively on Amazon.
D.Va

“I play to win!” This super-sized Pop! is definitely winning the game. Also, the cool Carbon Fiber version of this Pop! is a Blizzard Gear exclusive.
Doomfist

Rejoice, Doomfist mains as Overwatchâ€™s beloved “street fighter” Akande is actually one of the latest additions to the Overwatch Pop! lineup.
Genji

This Genji Pop! should include a health pack accessory, just saying. Also, you can get Genjiâ€™s Carbon Fiber version only at Target in the near future.
Hanzo

When thereâ€™s a Genji around, thereâ€™s gonna be a Hanzo lurking nearby too.
Junkrat

Our favourite grenade-spamming, dirty boi with his scorched hair is available too.


Warner Bros. Plans To Make The Matrix NFTs

In more news involving big companies jumping onto fads and bandwagons, Warner Bros. is planning on entering the non-fungible token (NFT) space yet again via The Matrix.
The company will be releasing NFTs inspired by the Matrix franchise and the upcoming film The Matrix: Resurrections. According to The Hollywood Reporter, these NFTs are taking its inspiration from recent NFT avatar art projects like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club.
The NFTs will be released in partnership with the social NFT platform Nifty’s; they will create 100,000 avatars and will sell them for US$50 apiece starting 30th November. These avatars will represent characters living in The Matrix. On 16th December, all buyers can choose to either keep their avatar in The Matrix (the Blue Pill option) or transform them into a resistance fighter (the Red Pill option). Here’s what Nifty’s CEO Jeff Marsilio said about the project:
“We really think that theme, of digital identity, and choice, and owning that identity, resonates with the themes inÂ The Matrix franchise. It was an opportunity to take what was already a grassroots movement with the NFT avatar, and take it further mainstream.”
Warner Bros. previously partnered with Nifty’s for Space Jam digital collectibles.


More Than 1000 Realme GT Neo2 Units Sold In 2 Hours During Shopee 11.11 Sale

realme Malaysiaâ€™s recently launched flagship gaming smartphone, realme GT Neo2 started its first sales today during realmeâ€™s 11.11 Salebration at an amazing deal.
The Dare to Leap brand has announced that the realme GT Neo2 was well received by Malaysians during their 11.11 Salebration on Shopee. The gaming smartphone equipped with realmeâ€™s most advanced cooling system by far managed to sell over 1000 units within a span of just 2 hours at realmeâ€™s Official Store on Shopee.
For more information on realme Malaysiaâ€™s promotions do check out realmeâ€™s Facebook page as well as Instagram at @realmemalaysia.


Blizzard Is Selling Special Celebration Collections Ahead Of BlizzConline 2021

The champions of Azeroth, the defenders of Sanctuary and the Koprulu Sector, and the heroes of Overwatch and the Nexus are invited to a virtual celebration of community, creativity, 30 years of Blizzard gaming, and the epic adventures yet to come at BlizzConline 2021.
BlizzConline is an all-digital community event and exhibition of all things Blizzard, offering players around the globe a chance to connect in the online world while circumstances keep everyone from gathering in the real one. It’s all free for everyone too.

On two consecutive days and across six channels of programming, Blizzard developers will be sharing the latest game news with the world, and cosplayers, artists, and makeshift murlocs will be sharing their talents through events such as the Community Showcase. In addition, as Blizzard celebrates its 30th anniversary this February, players everywhere will have a chance to mark three decades of exploring epic games and universes together as they look forward to what the future holds for their friends, guildmates, and allies.
Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack said:
â€œWe couldnâ€™t let too much time go by without connecting with our community in the spirit of BlizzCon, and thatâ€™s what this show is all aboutâ€”getting together with friends from around the world and celebrating the bonds and experiences we share through games.
Weâ€™re also excited to share some updates on what the teams have been working onâ€”and while this wonâ€™t be the usual BlizzCon, the all-online format gives us a unique opportunity to shake things up a bit and create a show specifically for a community at home.â€
Day one of BlizzConline will kick off at 6am GMT+8 on Saturday, 20 February 2021, with an opening segment that includes a first look at some of the latest game content now in development. Then for the next three-plus hours, players will have the option to tune in to one of six different themed channels digging deeper into the games theyâ€™re most interested in.
Day two will pick back up at 4am GMT+8 on Sunday, 21 February 2021, with multiple channels once again, until the event concludes later that day. On this second day, Blizzard will be answering playersâ€™ questions through Q&A sessions and shining a spotlight on its global player community, including the winners and outstanding entries in the Community Showcase cosplay, movie, talent, and art contests and exhibitions.
Players who miss out on events as theyâ€™re broadcast will be able to watch them after they premiere (also free) in the BlizzConline video archives. A detailed schedule of events and segments will be announced in the weeks leading up to the show.Â
In addition to the anniversary celebration activities taking place during and around BlizzConline, an array of commemorative in-game goodies is available for sale starting today, giving players fun new ways to mark the epic occasion in their favourite Blizzard games during BlizzConline and beyond.
Players can now pick up one of three Celebration Collections in the Blizzard Shop on Battle.net:

Essentials Pack (US$19.99, or roughly RM80+): Get in on the fun with a Moon-Touched Netherwhelp pet for World Of Warcraft, Tracerâ€™s OSV-03 Rogue mount with Tracer Hero in Heroes Of The Storm, Overwatch player icon and spray (coming soon), a set of StarCraft portraits (coming soon), and a Diablo III pet and portrait (PC version; coming soon).
Plus, get 10 Madness at the Darkmoon FaireÂ card packs for Hearthstone, 5 Overwatch Loot Boxes, and a code to receive 15 percent off one order in the Blizzard Gear Store (restrictions apply).

Heroic Pack (US$39.99, or roughly RM160+): Upgrade to add the mighty Snowstorm bear mount to your World Of Warcraft collection and give â€™em some hammer as legendary â€œRaynhardtâ€ in Overwatch (coming soon). Plus, score a random legendary Hearthstone card from the Madness at the Darkmoon Faire set, and don cosmetic wings in Diablo III (PC version; coming soon).

Epic Pack (US$59.99, or roughly RM240+): Go for the gold and get everything in the Heroic Pack plus five Golden Madness at the Darkmoon Faire card packs including all Golden cards; three Golden Loot Boxes in Overwatch, each with a guaranteed legendary; 30 days of World of Warcraft game time; and a set of Diablo III transmog items (PC version; coming soon).

It’s worth pointing out that the Overwatch skin, portrait, and spray and StarCraft portraits will only be in-game until 18 February 2021. Meanwhile, Diablo III in-game items will only be in-game until 28 February 2021.
A version of this bundle is planned for Overwatch and Diablo III players on console; details, pricing, and availability will be announced at later date.
Select BlizzConline content will be supported in 12 languages via live stream or VOD, including English with subtitles in European Spanish, French, German, Russian, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese.


This Avengers Endgame Iron Patriot Hot Toys Is Locked & Loaded

Avengers Endgame has dethroned Avatar and become the number one highest-grossing movie of all time. To celebrate that achievement, why don’t you feast your eyes on this new Avengers Endgame Iron Patriot Hot Toys figure?
James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes AKA Iron Patriot AKA War Machine played an integral role in Avengers Endgame, helping grab the Power Stone on Morag in the past and fighting in the final battle against Thanos.
His armor in Avengers Endgame was the most powerful one yet, with an arsenal capable of wiping out an army. In addition to the repulsors and machine guns on his arms, this armor features freaking back-mounted cannons and shoulder-mounted missile launchers.
Check out the metallic blue and reddish-orange painted Iron Patriot 1/6th scale collectible figure below. Seriously, that would look mighty impressive on your shelf (via Facebook).

As cool as it looks, I wonder why Hot Toys have opted for the Iron Patriot moniker instead of using the War Machine name. To my knowledge, Rhodey didn’t wear an Iron Patriot-themed suit of armor in Avengers Endgame.


Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON Is Only For The Biggest Fans Of The Franchise

The Gundam franchise recently celebrated its 40th-anniversary last year in 2019, having spawned an absurdly-impressive number of anime series in the past four decades. I’ve only ever been a fan of a select few of those (like the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam 00, and Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans), so jumping into Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON was a surprise, to say the least.
Before I get ahead of myself, Bandai Namco held a Closed Network Test for Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON last weekend, from 25 to 27 April 2020. The game is slated to release for the PS4 on 30 July 2020, which is only several months away at this point.
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM EXTREME VS. MAXIBOOST ON Network Test_20200425212919
Unlike most beta tests which usually offer a limited number of playable characters, Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON features a whopping 183 Mobile Suits from 36 anime series. What this means is that fans of any the Gundam series will be able to find at least several of their favourite Mobile Suits. I’m serious, there are playable Gundams from series and spinoffs I never even knew existed.
The playable modes included with the Closed Network Test included Player Matches, Casual Match and Free Battles against computer opponents. However, these are all online. I would love to have experienced the Maxi Boost Mission mode instead, which will only be featured in the full version of the game.
Gundam Versus Gundam

In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON, the game’s arcade roots are still apparent, which isn’t surprising considering that it’s actually a port of an arcade game from 2016. Each team (consisting of two players each in 2v2 matches) is given a resource meter of 6000 points; when a mobile suit is shot down, the cost is deducted from the meter, and the first team to hit zero loses.
Each mobile suit costs either 3000, 2500, 2000, or 1000 points, with higher cost machines being more powerful while cheaper machines are weaker. However, the mechanic also means that choosing a more powerful Gundam will result in fewer lives (and fewer margins for error), as only one or two deaths will already decide who’s the winner and loser of the match.

The combat is pretty simplistic as well (again, it’s an arcade game), making use of four primary buttons for four primary functions: Shoot (Square), Melee (Triangle), Jump (Cross), and Locking On (Circle). The shoulder buttons (R1, R2, L1, L2) are used for special attacks that are unique to each Gundam, including unleashing massive laser beams, melee combos and more.
Players also have access to Extreme Burst, a super mode that can be activated when your EX Gauge is full by pressing the R3 button. Unfortunately, this doesn’t feel like the tide-changer in matches that it should have been, feeling underwhelming in execution.
It’s worth pointing out that the game features split-screen local co-op multiplayer, which is extremely rare nowadays. You could call your fellow Gundam fans over for a bout or two, just like the old days in the early 2000s.
Rude Awakening

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t feel as accessible as it should be. Being a primarily online multiplayer brawler arena experience, you mostly fight other players. There’s not much I could do on my own, especially during the limited Closed Network Test. I tried playing against other players and got trounced in almost every match.
Even when discounting the lagging issues I encountered in my matches, the game is skewered towards one specific playstyle. Gundams that specialized in ranged attacks have a massive advantage over melee-based Gundams. The go-to-tactic or meta is to simply keep your distance and shoot a neverending barrage of projectiles.
Playing a melee-focused Gundam doesn’t feel feasible, and I felt like the odds were against me every time, with the game favouring ranged-focused Gundams. This is disheartening, especially since some of my favourite Gundams are melee-based, like Gundam Barbatos (and Barbatos Lupus Rex) from Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Bandai Namco needs to find a way to balance the game better, as playing online right now just leads to me getting a beatdown and getting pummelled without the slightest chance of even getting close to my opponent.
Let’s see how the full version of Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON fares when it releases for the PS4 on 30 July 2020. In the meantime, check out the gameplay trailer below to tide you over until then.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEItInhvgDA&w=560&h=315]


Runescape Makers Team Up With Indie Studio And Its Successful Clicker Game

Jagex, the folks behind Runescape, is teaming up with indie studio Games by Malcs to publish a not-so-brand-new title that’s kinda like Runescape, but not quite.
The game is called Melvor Idle and it’s a feature-rich idle game that’s inspired by Runescape and is made by one Brendan Malcolm. You just click a bunch of options and see things progress in a fantasy stats-driven universe; that’s it!
Melvor Idle is currently in early access and has already been downloaded more than 600,000 times across Steam, App Store, and Google Play.Â Melvor Idle features the following; impressive for a clicker game:

Extremely in-depth Combat system, with 8 different unique Combat Skills to train, as well as countless Dungeons, Bosses and Lore to visit.
14 Non-Combat Skills to train to aid in your adventures, all with individual mechanics and interactions with each other.
Offline progression for all Skills, including Combat.
No prestige mechanics. There is always something new to unlock in your journey.
Over 1000 unique items for you to discover and try out
150 unique, powerful Monsters to face, including 16 Bosses awaiting at the end of Dungeons.
Over 40 very cute Pets to collect!
Skilling Mastery System to help enhance your Non-Combat Skills in many different ways.
Cloud Saving functionality that is also compatible with all versions of the game on other Platforms. You can play the same save everywhere else!
Fully fledged out and interactive Bank/Inventory System.
Solo Developer, Monthly content updates, and planned expansions after full-release.

Just goes to show that if your idle clicker game stands out enough, you may aspire for great things like being bought over by a giant publisher.


Get Ready To See More Of The Shazam Family In The Future

At the time of writing, Shazam! has managed to garner $279 million in total earnings at the worldwide box office, as well as maintaining its 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Earlier this month, we reported that a Shazam! sequel is already in the works but it seems like there may more to that story.
In a recent interview with Parade, Michelle Borth, who plays Billy Batson’s adoptive sister Mary Bromfield (or Mary Marvel) in Shazam!, has revealed that she was cast in the role after a single taped audition without even initially knowing what movie it was for.
However, the biggest revelation from that interview is that she has actually signed on to a five-picture deal with Warner Bros. for her role as Mary Bromfield.

â€œI had never gotten a role from one taped audition, let alone a five-picture deal with Warner Bros. from a one-tape audition. You always have to go through a really long process. Thereâ€™s a fight to get there, so it was a really incredible moment.”

Actors and actresses signing on for multiple movies are fairly common nowadays, especially for comic book adaptations where they are expected to appear in other movies in the same cinematic universe.
Though this doesn’t necessarily mean that Warner Bros. is planning five Shazam! movies, it does indicate that the company still has faith in its DC movies. The potential is enormous, as we could be seeing the Shazam family popping up in other movies as well, including future sequels and maybe even the upcoming Black Adam movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
AÂ post-credits scene at the end of Shazam! revealing the introduction of a new mysterious villainÂ means that thereâ€™s more than enough material for future sequels. In the meantime, check outÂ our review ofÂ ShazamÂ hereÂ or check out theÂ bestÂ ShazamÂ stories you should readÂ if youâ€™re interested in knowing more about the character.


Apex Legends Champion Edition Will Come With All Legends Until Season 7

Respawn Entertainment has announced a new Champions Edition of Apex Legends, which will come with additional content and immediately unlock existing Legends.
Apex Legends Champion Edition is slated to launch for the PS4, Xbox One and PC when Apex Legends Season 7 kicks off, but there is no official release date for the latter as of yet.Â However, the current Season 6 is set to end on 10 November 2020, so it must be sometime after that date.
Apex Legends Champions Edition will feature all existing Legends until Season 7, which includes Caustic, Mirage, Octane, Wattson, Crypto, Revenant, Loba, Rampart and the upcoming new Season 7 Legend.
It will cost US$39.99 or roughly RM165.51.

It also features the following seven exclusive Legendary items and in-game currency:
â€œRisen Queenâ€ Wraith skinâ€œForged Knightâ€ Revenant skinâ€œHallowed Spiritâ€ Crypto skinâ€œCurse of the Awakenâ€ Triple Take skinâ€œSlayerâ€™s Lancerâ€ Flatline skinâ€œJaded Mythâ€ Sentinel skin“Emperor Nessy XIV” Gun Charm1,000 Apex Coins
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Afterimage Endings Guide: How To Unlock All 10 Of Them

Afterimage is out right now on PC and consoles. It’s one of 2023’s possible sleeper hit titles as it came out of nowhere, has positive reviews so far, and has a lot of secrets and content jam-packed for its price tag. And if you’re a fan of multiple endings and secret bosses, you’re in luck!
The newly-released search action/Metroidvania title from Aurogon Shanghai has a ton to unlock even if you initially completed the game once. Here’s a guide for each ending and their respective conditions; spoiler tags since we are dealing with the ending(s) of Afterimage.

Afterimage Endings Guide

Ending #1: The Homecoming
Head to the Sunken Sanctum, then activate the machine at the bottom (location pictured above). You’ll fight Guider, The Shadow Moon. Defeat her and you’ll unlock the first ending. She’s really tough, so bring your A-game here.

Ending #2: The Cradle
When you’re about to activate the machine at the Sunken Sanctum, add one or two memory shards to the device.
Here are the locations of the Memory Shards:

You get one automatically from Aros when you meet her after going past Misty Waters.
There’s one located at Albedo Tower. It’s upward past the boss Darkfeather, but before Alvess the Everstorm.
In the Frozen Veins at the top right. You have to use your groundpound/downward smash/Plate of Kingworm afterimage skill to destroy the obstacle to get the Memory Shard (and the Dim Balm).

Ending #3: The Essential
Add three memory shards to the device. Get ready for a really tough fight after this.

Ending #4: The Wall
Find all of Shen Long’s glyphs. Return them to the fairy Se in Emerald Falls (the treasure room area) and you’ll get a Key of Se. Then, head to the Silent Coast, turn off the light, and take the boat out to sea. When you enter the dark fog, wait at least 3 minutes, then hit the boat switch to go in the opposite direction. You’ll then head to the secret island; keep heading left for the gag ending.
Here’s how you can find all of Shen Long’s glyphs:

Dui: Heart of Veins
Gen: Vertical boundary between Emerald Falls and The Columns
Li: Middle of Field of Pyro
Kan: Underwater in Field of Hydro
Xun: Sky Palace
Zhen: Goliathfall
Kun: Field of Geo.
Qian: Scorchwhere.

Ending #5: The Withering

This ending and the next few require you to beat the Field of Pyro and Scorchwhere primary bosses.
After that, you need to collect the following Primeval Glyphs.

Sacrifice: near East confluence of Forest Foregone.
Pyro: top of Scorchwhere after Golden Crow.
Anemo: after soul-invading Atmous in Sky Palace.
Hydro: bottom East tier, Sunken Sanctum.
Geo: Next to Roke in Field of Geo.
Light: top of Rubiwood Desert in the high-level area. Take the boat at Scorchwhere on the leftmost side to access it.
Being: Nameless island where you light the beacon.

After all that, head to the bottom of Field of Pyro to find the egg. Choose “Let’s Begin, Ifree”. You’ll unlock this ending.
Ending #6: The Hope
Head to the Field of Pyro section detailed in the last ending. But instead, choose the “Invade” option. You’ll whack the Egg continuously, then you’ll end up fighting Ifree. You’ll get The Hope ending.

Ending #7: The Journey
Return here and go do the Invade option, but just whack the egg two times; stop when Ifree begs you to. Then just use a Rest Potion at any save point. Head back to the same area and you’ll trigger the Journey ending.

Ending #8: The Dream
This ending and the next require you to unlock New Game+. To unlock New Game+, just beat the game via Ending #3: The Essential and #9: The Journey.
New Game+ lets you play 10 Chapters of side-story gameplay with a guest character that fills in a lot of details about the plot. To unlock Ending #5, speak to the mirror in Chapter 10. The mirror is left of the boss.

Ending #9: The Waiting
Beat Chapter 10 of New Game+.

Ending #10: The World Flower

This one’s tough & requires a lot of legwork. You’ll need to finish up New Game+ to start this.
After finishing all 10 chapters of New Game+, load back to your main save and head to the red teleporter in Albedo Tower. Head through the mapless are as 42 until you reach the bottom. You’ll then get to talk to Karin, who will fight you. Defeat her to get the Mask of the Occult Prime.
You’ll then start the Sea of Souls quest. Head to Owl in Holy Ground, and he’ll tell you to repair the mask to get through 42’s strong soulfield. Head to Field of Hydro and talk to Samsare to repair your mask; you’ll gain the Nuo Mask afterimage powerup.
You will also need the Sword and Halo. The Sword is at middle of Heart of Vein, while the Halo is with the giant turtle at the coast of Forest Foregone.
After that, head back to 42 in the Forbidden Grounds; this is the true final fight, so get prepared beforehand. Defeat all bosses to get this ultimate ending.

Afterimage Map
If you’re lost, Metroidvania map maker demajen has created a pretty comprehensive map for Afterimage. While it’s not 100% complete, it’s more than enough to get you to important locations, important items & gear, and boss fights. Do support demajen and his Ko-Fi page if you can!
Also, this Reddit post has the full map on video:
 Complete Map by      u/Sad_Competition4146 in      afterimage


The MPL-MY/SG Season 3:  Regular Season Starts on 1st March

The Mobile Legends Professional League MY/SG (MPL-MY/SG) Season 3 will begin with 1000 teams registered. After two weeks of intense qualifier matches, 4 teams managed to secure spots in the MPL Regular Season.
The teams are:

Team ICON MY
Mysterious Assassins (MYA)
Xpax X-Assins
NARA Esports

The first three from the list are Malaysian teams while NARA Esports is a Singaporean team which just debuted in MPL. They will join the 6 invited teams in the Regular Season which kicks off on theÂ 1stÂ March.
Who Made The Cut?

Team MYA returned on a high note after Season 1 where they finished third.Â A major roster change made them ineligible for a direct invite into Season 2, and a poor showing in the qualifiers saw their run end prematurely. However, MYA is back this season with the likes of Shadow, Flint, and Kucing Gebu in their line-up.
Meanwhile, ICON MY effortlessly qualified for all MPL-MY/SG seasons so far. ICON MYâ€™s line-up features familiar faces like veterans Cometopapa and Unta, while newcomers Xpax X-Assins feature the formidable Ax on their roster. Ax was previously known as Jinn from MPL-MY/SG Season 2 champions, Saiyan Reborn.
The Singaporean team andÂ MPL debutants, NARA Esports, is a formidable team, having their first qualification for the Regular Season after coming on top after a 2-1 comeback againstÂ Jasper & Friends at theÂ Singapore Qualifier. Players to pay attention to include Fenrir (previously a competitive player in Indonesia) and Kolia (former captain of Evos Esports SG).
The four qualifying teams will clash with the six invited teams from Season 2: Reborn (Defending Champions, formerly called Saiyan Reborn), Bigetron SG (Season 1 Champions), Bosskurr Gaming (formerly AirAsia Saiyan), Evos Esports SG, Resurgence, and Geek Fam.
With Fame Comes Drama
The qualifying rounds of Season 3 did not come drama-free as the rounds were laced with allegations of cheating viaÂ “jockeying” or “piloting” where players hired foreign representatives to play in their place in online qualifier matches. According to Moonton, new guidelines will be introduced for the upcoming Regular Season.
Logan Shaw, the Tournament Director ensure that they have taken measures to prevent such incidents.

“As the developer of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and owner of its esports properties, Moonton is strongly against any form of cheating as it goes against our ideals of integrity and sportsmanship.
We have taken measures to introduce new regulations that will prevent future incidents, and they will be rolled out in the updated official rulebook which is taking effect from this Regular Season onwards.”

He also said, â€œWe also want to reassure players and stakeholders that we have received their feedback throughout the Season 3 qualifiers. As MPL-MY/SG grows and matures, we are committed to work through these growing pains and bring MLBB esports to the next level for the local community.â€
What’s In It For Them?
The qualifying teams will go head-on for a share of Season 3’s US$100,000 (RM407,830) prize pool.Â The Regular Season format is a round robin best-of-3 with a total of US$48,000 (RM195,758) up for grabs. All teams will receive a weekly allowance of US$350 (RM1427), which is an increase from last seasonâ€™s US$300 (RM1223) weekly allowance, and for every game won, the teams will pocket an additional US$200 (RM815).
At the end of the Regular Season, one player will get to bag a US$500 (RM2039) bonus by being crowned the Regular Season MVP award, based on professional performance and consistency. The player with the highest KDA (Kill-Death-Assist) ratio will also be awarded the Regular Season King of KDA and pocket a bonus of US$500 (RM2039).
This Regular Season will be carried out over six consecutive weeks every Friday to Sunday from the 1st of March 2019. The bottom two teams of the Regular Season will be eliminated, leaving eight teams who will advance to the Playoffs on 20th â€“ 21st April 2019, happening at Blue Atrium, Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya.
All matches will be played online and streamed on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s official Facebook page,Â with shoutcasting in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Previous image credit: Gamerbraves


[Report] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Release Date For Dragon Quest Hero Leaked

Less than an hour ago, I wrote about Nintendo Versus announcing the video presentation for the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) DLC. Masahiro Sakurai was supposed to charm and surprise us with the release date of the highly-anticipated Dragon Quest Hero. Unfortunately, Nintendo of Europe accidentally ruined the surprise.
In a tweet intended to clarify one of the changes that will come with the next SSBU update (version 4.0), Nintendo of Europe also stated the release date of version 4.0 which is 31 July 2019.
Screenshot from @Chocobalt.
It turns out that Nintendo of Europe isn’t the only one who made a mistake. Nintendo France and Germany also tweeted out the same statement in their respective languages. Looks like this was definitely a scheduled tweet that wasn’t scheduled correctly.
The tweets have now been edited to say that the update drops “within 7 days” instead of mentioning a date. Unfortunately for these Nintendo accounts, more than enough people took screenshots of the initial tweet.

#SmashBrosUltimate replays created in versions before 3.1.0 are not compatible with 4.0.0, which releases within 7 days. If you have replays you want to keep, you’ll need to convert them by going to Vault -> Replays -> Replay Data -> Convert to Video before updating the software.
â€” Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) July 29, 2019

Of course, the release date of version 4.0 doesn’t exactly guarantee that the DLC arrives at the same time but all the Nintendo accounts have gone out of their way to delete the initial tweets and correct their earlier blunder. Adding on top of that, past major updates came along with new characters. Joker from Persona 5 arrived with version 3.0 while the Piranha Plant arrived with version 2.0.
When Sakurai drops the announcement tomorrow, I forbid anyone from disappointing him by appearing unsurprised. I, for one, will still be shouting “Oh my god, tomorrow?!” and “Hell yes!”.