Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is an upcoming film that may seem intimidating if you’ve never immersed yourself in the long-running fantasy tabletop RPG. Starring the likes of Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Hugh Grant, and much more, the film goes live in cinemas nationwide on March 29 courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Intros out of the way, D&D: Honor Among Thieves is an incredibly entertaining fantasy adventure that does not require prior knowledge of the material it was adapted from (and rewards it generously if you do). It’s a heist film – think Ocean’s Eleven but with dungeons instead of hotels and dragons instead of Al Pacino (not too far away, I’d say). There are planning and prep montages, we got things going hilariously wrong, and we got specialized characters doing physics-breaking acrobatics. ‘Tis a bread-and-butter formula for sure, but who would’ve thought this would work so well when melded…
The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition Review The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition launched earlier this month from Obsidian Entertainment, Private Division, and Virtuos. Compiling the base game and both of its excellent DLCs, Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos, we get a fantastic package that optimizes the game for current-gen consoles. There’s a catch, though! Since this is a full package with included DLC, players will have to cough up enough dough for a full-priced release. Looking for a current-gen upgrade? Well, you’ll have to shell out for that too. We’ll get to these later! For now, what has changed since The Outer Worlds dropped back in 2019? Read on fellow spacefarer and see the difference! *Disclaimer – we played and reviewed the game on a patched version and not the original release. https://youtu.be/CI7-H0W5uUo A Current-gen Face Lift The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition, coming from someone who…
It took a while, but Shazam is finally back in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. This is the much-awaited sequel to the surprisingly fun 2019 installment and is the last movie before the vision of now-DC Studios CEO James Gunn starts to materialize. Family isn’t usually a word I’d use to describe something that’s not related to The Fast and the Furious, but it perfectly encapsulates what the film is all about. It’s fun but also emotional, and a number of heartfelt moments really make the film shine, warts and all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvZSRT2Mqr0 To the uninitiated, Shazam (Zachary Levi) is about a boy named Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his foster siblings who transform into superheroes when they shout the name “Shazam!” – an acronym for six heroes each giving them a certain power: Wisdom of Solomon, Strength of Hercules, Stamina of Atlas, Power of Zeus, Courage of Achilles, and Speed…
Vanaris Tactics Review Vanaris Tactics is a strategy RPG published by Toge Productions and developed by Pineapple Works. It tells a simple and straightforward tale of a group of refugees fleeing from their wartorn land and fighting for their freedom. Toge Productions is no stranger to indie games with interesting narratives, as seen from their previous titles like Coffee Talk and A Space for the Unbound. Previously released on Steam last year, Vanaris Tactics launched recently on the Xbox and Nintendo Switch so that more players can see what the fuss is all about. Would Vanaris Tactics be something to watch out for or would it fall into obscurity? Read on to find out! https://youtu.be/hSdnGZpsQ0Q Simplicity in its Design Vanaris Tactics is a straightforward strategy RPG that relies on the premise of, “what you see is what you get.” It’s a game that has solid fundamentals that takes your characters…
The PS VR2 is finally here, and after more than 6 years since the first iteration was released, VR enthusiasts and first-timers can look forward to a proper current-gen experience through a different lens. The PS VR2 retails for PHP 34,790 ($550) in the Philippines, and at a price point that’s slightly more expensive than a PS5, the barrier of entry is admittedly tough to break. Considering that you’ll also need an actual PS5 to make the thing work, you’re looking at an initial investment of at least PHP 65,000 ($1050) for a “feel of a new real,” as indicated in Sony’s marketing efforts. In this review, I’ll be laying down the facts after two weeks of using the highly-touted headset, and by the end of this, I’m hoping that I’ve helped you make up your mind on whether this hardware is for you or not. As a disclaimer, we’ll…
It took a while, but Sony has finally hopped on the “pro” controller bandwagon. The DualSense Edge wireless controller is Sony’s long-awaited answer to hardware coming from the likes of SCUF and, more directly, Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. The company did try out some gimmicky back-button attachment for the PS4 DualShock Controller rather late into its life cycle, but it didn’t really answer the needs of controller enthusiasts who wanted more out of their hardware. The DualSense Edge wireless controller is finally here, and it retails for PHP 12,490 ($199.99) in the Philippines. Can a customizable controller built specifically for the PS5 give enough back to the players to offset the premium price? DualSense Edge Review – What’s in the box?DualSense Edge Review – What’s the difference?DualSense Edge Review – Paddle up, Triggers DownDualSense Edge Review – Stylin’ and Profilin’DualSense Edge Review – Drifting AwayDualSense Edge Review – BatteryDualSense…
Company of Heroes 3 Review After nearly a decade since the release of the hugely popular second installment, Relic Entertainment and SEGA have finally decided to continue the franchise with Company of Heroes 3, bringing its signature gameplay with updated graphics, features, and, most importantly, official mod support. Many of us have been waiting for a more than decent RTS game to cleanse our palates from saturated genres like FPS and open-world adventures. The Company of Heroes franchise is one of the classics that we all grew up with alongside the likes of Command & Conquer, StarCraft, Battle Realms, and Age of Empires. These games have similar gameplay mechanics, with the only difference being the “era” of these games – from the early period to modern war conflicts all the way to sci-fi. While Company of Heroes shares these characteristics, it makes itself stand out by emphasizing the “strategy” aspect…
Atomic Heart Review Atomic Heart is a narrative-driven FPS action RPG developed by Cyprus-based Mundfish and published by Focus Interactive and 4Divinity. After five years of hard work, their debut game is finally here, hopefully realizing a long-time dream of creating a unique and captivating game experience. As seen from our preview, Atomic Heart is a promising and challenging shooter that will test your mettle against rogue robots as well as some fearsome biological experiments. As we follow special agent P-3’s story, it will take all of his wits, resourcefulness, and grit to traverse these robot-infested streets and fight his way to the truth. Get ready, comrades! Strap on your Kalashnikov to take on the evils of rogue machines and late-game capitalism! It’s time to take a dive into Atomic Heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-bu_ZUEwuk In Mother Russia, Robots Control You! Atomic Heart opens up with a lengthy introduction to the world that…
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Review Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the latest Final Fantasy crossover game from Square Enix, developed by indieszero. A demo was released prior to launch, spanning 30 iconic Final Fantasy tracks and giving everyone a taste of what to expect. 30 might sound like a lot, but the release version of the game will feature music across not only the mainline Final Fantasy series, sub-stories like Final Fantasy X-2 and Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII, but also from various Square games such as Chrono Trigger to SaGa Frontier. This gives you a whopping 385 core tracks from the Theatrhythm Final Bar Line plus 27 special music tracks! With so much content to go through, it is quite a treat for any rhythm game fan, and an even bigger treat for Final Fantasy music fans out there. The game combines the rhythm subgenre with addictive RPG elements…
Like a Dragon: Ishin! Review Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the latest entry in Ryu Ga Gotoku’s long-running Yakuza series, and while that may be the case, it is actually a remake of a game that did not receive a worldwide launch when it was first released back in 2014. Remade in Unreal Engine, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is set in a fictional version of Kyoto in the 1800s and tells the story of Sakamoto Ryoma and his quest to avenge the murder of his father figure, Magistrate Yoshida Toyo. Ryoma follows a trail of blood, leading him to the Shinsengumi, which he must then infiltrate to find out the true identity of the murderer. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is certainly a Yakuza game through and through, filled with familiar faces, themes, features, and a mix of absurdity and seriousness that will give newcomers and returning fans another entry for…
Octopath Traveler II Review Octopath Traveler II is the follow-up to the well-received Octopath Traveler that dropped back in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch from Square Enix and Acquire. A demo dropped earlier this month, featuring a playable first three hours of the game and allowing you to learn about the eight new protagonists featured in the sequel. In the land of Solistia, the world moves into an era of progress, introducing its denizens to steam power and new ideas. Eight different travelers strive to make their mark on this brave new frontier as they take on this new world to resolve their dreams amid dangers and challenges. What awaits these adventurers as they traverse through this new world? How would Octopath Traveler II compare to the original game? Will it be more of the same experience, or will we tread new ground as promised in its many trailers and…
Wild Hearts Review Wild Hearts is an upcoming action RPG that is EA and Koei Tecmo’s entry in the hugely popular monster hunter pie. This isn’t KT’s first dance with the genre, releasing the Toukiden series to moderate success a number of years ago. Now, with backing from EA Originals, the time is ripe for a potential competitor to Capcom’s unrivaled Monster Hunter series. We first got to play the game back in October last year, and we thought that the game had what it took to carve out a player base of its own. With the introduction of the Karakuri mechanic, a Fortnite-esque system that allows players to build contraptions that will assist them in and out of battles, the game looked poised for a good outing, further reinforced by our final preview just a few days ago. Sadly, even when trying to avoid comparisons, it’s tough to talk…
Returnal PC Review After numerous leaks and hints, Housemarque’s Returnal is finally seeing a PC release. One of the must-play games early on in the PS5 life cycle, the game offered an adrenaline rush that saw players run through the game over and over again, slowly peeling back the layers of this amazing rouguelite. We absolutely loved Returnal when it was first released almost 2 years ago, as we showered praise for its flawless gameplay and superb audio design, both of which offered a truly immersive experience. The game offers quite a bit of a challenge, as PC players will know all too well, so we’re here to talk about the new additions to this release that will make it another worthy addition of PS Studios games to your ever-growing library. Related – Read our PS5 review of Returnal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iNGNYuR5_8 Taking a Toll First off, let’s check out the system…
Hogwarts Legacy Review Hogwarts Legacy, the much-anticipated open-world action RPG game from Avalanche Software and WB Games, is finally within reach. Despite the noise surrounding the title, fans of the franchise have been waiting with bated breath for the release of another game that’s set in the Wizarding World, popularized by the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. With attempts throughout the years fading into obscurity, it seems that this is finally the one that will break the curse. Fans would call me a muggle because I have pedestrian knowledge about the Wizarding World, but I am a fan of action RPGs and open-world games. Over the past years, these types of games have seemingly reached their ceiling in terms of what they can provide, and I did write about the many ways open-world games can improve, hoping that developers would be able to follow suit. With the hopes and…
Hi-Fi RUSH Review Hi-Fi RUSH was a pleasant surprise shadow drop during the recently concluded Xbox Developer Direct Showcase. Since its release, the game has been making waves across the industry, given how such a title was kept secret for such a long time and released to such rave reviews. Hi-Fi RUSH tells the story of the 25-year-old slacker and self-professed rocker Chai, who, after a botched procedure from Project Armstrong, is now hunted by the Vandelay company as he is due to be scrapped. Joining forces with a motley crew of charming individuals (and a feisty feline), they fight against the corrupt corporation to the beat of Chai’s robotic reverb heart. Rhythm hybrid games have been quite a thing recently, with hidden gems like Metal: Hellsinger pushing the limits of what can be done to a boomer shooter. Hi-Fi RUSH brings this concept to action beat-em-up games with interesting…