‘DOOM’ Gets A Campaign Trailer & A Release Date

by Shane O'HareFebruary 4, 2016

The latest release in the DOOM series is shaping up to be quite the entry in the legendary franchise.

With a huge emphasis on single player (a trait that we will be seeing a lot more of in FPS titles in the future), DOOM aims to bring us back to the games roots. Intense blood, intense gore and intense horror.

Today, Bethesda and ID Software released the incredible Campaign Trailer AND we got ourselves a release date! Check out the trailer below!

Get a closer look at the adrenaline-pumping, single-player campaign in the latest trailer for DOOM – the all-new FPS from id Software arriving worldwide on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on Friday, May 13th. As the iconic DOOM Marine, you wake to learn that the Union Aerospace Corporation’s facility on Mars has been decimated and overrun by hordes of demons. Humanity’s survival rests in your hands – and your hands alone. Fight Like Hell.

In DOOM’s campaign, there is no taking cover or stopping to regenerate health as you beat back Hell’s raging demon hordes. Combine your arsenal of futuristic and iconic guns, upgrades, movement and an advanced melee system to knock down, slash, stomp, crush, and blow apart demons in creative and violent ways.

This gamer cannot be happier with how this title is coming together!

You can get your hands on DOOM on May 13th! Get it on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

‘LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Video Game Leaked, And It Looks Beautiful!

by The_aczFebruary 2, 2016

Well it seems like the cat’s out of the bag.

Announced via Youtube ad, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been prematurely been announced for PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PSVita, PS4, PS3, Wii U, and 3DS.

Not only did it start popping up on Youtube ad’s, but it also started popping up on the official Xbox Store and even Amazon (which has now been taken down.). On top of that, a listing also appeared for a special $70 PS4 & Xbox One Edition that includes an exclusive LEGO Finn Minifigure plus the game’s season pass. The PS4 version even includes an exclusive level & character pack.

The game is set to launch on June 28th. Check out the trailer Below! Are you excited for this game? Comment below and tell us!

Geekscape Games Presents: The Top 16 Games Of (The First Half Of) 2016

by Josh JacksonJanuary 31, 2016

I thought Christmas was supposed to be in December! Yet, as we wrap up January and head into February, you would think it was the end of the year considering how many amazing games are hitting the shelves. From high profile sequels to remakes, spinoffs and new IP’s that have demanded our attention, it won’t be hard to find a game or three to play in what’s typically supposed to be the slow winter and spring months. With so many to choose from, where do we start!? In no particular order, here are the 16 games of (the first half) of 2016 that we’re the most excited about.

Honorable Mention: Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow

Date: February 27th

For: Nintendo 3DS

It’s rare that people get so excited for a Virtual Console re-release, but c’mon, this is Pokemon! While not a full release, (and thus, being excluded from the proper list,) we’re too thrilled not to mention these titles! With Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow hitting our 3DS handhelds via the eShop in about a month, these ports will let us connect via built in wireless to rebuild our classic Pokedex’s with ease, all while poking at our nostalgia. It’ll be good to see what Missingno. has been up to after all these years!

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Date: April 26th

For: Playstation 4

As one of the many games that was delayed in 2015, it’s easy to see why we’re anxious to go on one more adventure with Nathan Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. With rumors of this being Drake’s last adventure, with some hoping that Naughty Dog focuses more on expanding on The Last Of Us going forward, this very well could be the last time we travel the world with the charismatic adventurer. While it may sound crazy to drop such a popular franchise, it’s not like Naughty Dog hasn’t done it before with series’ like Crash, (which was admittedly out of their hands,) and Jak, and suddenly, it’s not so unheard of. Are you ready to say goodbye?

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Date: February 8th

For: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC

While we’re talking about goodbye’s, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is being touted as the final Storm game. If this is true, it will signal an end of an era for the franchise, which brought incredible visuals, intense boss fights, and a giant roster to the popular series. Oftentimes surpassing its source material when it came to showing off how crazy Naruto and his friends can be when in a fight, it’s appropriate that the fourth game plans on wrapping up the story ahead of even the anime. As the final fights come to a close, we’re hoping we’re left with a game that’s fun enough to carry our fandom for a long time to come.

The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Date: March 4th

For: Wii U

For those who listen to the Geekscape Games podcast, (thanks, Jeremy!), you’ll know that I’m generally against HD remakes, especially when they feel largely unnecessary. As with most poor life choices that I’ve made over the last year though, amiibo have changed the way I think. Coming bundled with a sweet Wolf Link amiibo at a standard MSRP of $59.99, the figure unlocks a brand new dungeon, alongside support with other Zelda amiibo to change the game in various ways.

Quantum Break

Date: April 5th

For: Xbox One

As the first game from Remedy since 2010’s excellent Alan Wake, Quantum Break looks to continue the developer’s penchant for innovative action game play to go with its stellar story telling that originated with Max Payne. Starring Shawn Ashmore, the cinematic style from their previous games is still going to be a heavy focus, but unlike many games these days, it doesn’t seem like the game play will be compromised because of it. Promising solid action-adventure elements with puzzle solving areas, we’re looking forward to finally getting Quantum Break in our hands.

Trillion: God Of Destruction

Date: Spring 2016

For: Playstation Vita

This Vita exclusive from the publishers and developers behind the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, (which we’ll get to soon,) Trillion: God Of Destruction has you amass an underworld army designed to take down a seemingly unbeatable god with a TRILLION HP! As you chip away at it over time, you’ll get stronger by training in secret and building relationships with your potential underworld waifus. Because we all need a little love in between fighting an indestructible monster.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Out now!

For: Nintendo 3DS

The Mario and Luigi and Paper Mario RPGs have been one of Nintendo’s best kept secrets for years now, providing laugh out loud comedy to go with its interactive turn based combat. But what happens when you combine both into one game? Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam looks to find out, bringing Paper Mario into a new world for a brand new team up. With new abilities, jokes abound, (usually at Luigi’s expense,) and rewarding game play, what’s not to love?

Note: Keep an eye out for our upcoming review!

Final Fantasy Explorers

Out now!

For: Nintendo 3DS

Described as Final Fantasy meets hunting and crafting games like Monster Hunter and Fantasy Life, Final Fantasy Explorers lets players team up in parties of up to four and fight some of the franchise’s most infamous monsters in their pursuit to complete quests. As they’re completed, characters can make new equipment, experiment with various jobs, and even temporarily take the forms of some of the greatest heroes in Final Fantasy history, including Cloud, Squall, Lightning and Yuna! Already adventuring? Share your friend codes with us in the comments and let’s get exploring!

Digimon Cyber Sleuth

Date: February 2nd

For: Playstation 4, Playstation Vita

As the first Digimon game to hit the current generation, as well as the first RPG to release in forever, Digimon Cyber Sleuth features hundreds of champions to collect and fuse as you and your team save the real and digital world from a new threat. Developed by Media.Vision, the RPG masterminds behind the Wild Arms series, and it’s safe to assume that the other beloved monster collecting franchise is in good hands.

Star Fox Zero

Date: April 22nd

For: Wii U

Speaking of being in good hands, the long awaited Star Fox follow up seems like a match made in heaven, (assuming the Lylat System believes in such a concept.) As a collaboration between Nintendo and Platinum Games, what we’ve played of Star Fox Zero with its free range, on rails and on land game play has had us desperate for more. Which made it all the more heartbreaking when it ended up like Uncharted and got delayed from 2015 to this year. Still, it’s looking like it’ll be more than worth the wait, and it will be great to gear up with the old team again.

Project X Zone 2

Date: February 16th

For: Nintendo 3DS

If Star Fox represents a strong team, then Project X Zone 2 is on a whole different level. Not only will Namco Bandai, Sega and Capcom team up for a second round of action packed turn based strategy, but Nintendo is getting in on the fun as well, with Chrom and Lucina from Fire Emblem and Fiora and Metal Face from Xenoblade Chronicles all appearing in the game. As one of the biggest surprises of 2013 for me, I can’t wait to get my hands on this crossover extravaganza once again.

Fire Emblem Fates

Date: February 19th

For: Nintendo 3DS

After Fire Emblem Awakening blew away all expectations in terms of both sales and popularity, the 3DS release served as a type of arrival for the strategy franchise, allowing it to take its place as one of Nintendo’s premiere IP’s. Capitalizing on this, Fire Emblem Fates will release with two versions with two different story perspectives. Featuring solid strategy game play, light dating sim elements and a custom character to lead the cast with, Nintendo is banking on Fates being just as popular, especially with special bundles, 3DS models, and even a downloadable third story on the way.

Megadimension Neptunia VII

Date: February 2nd

For: Playstation 4

Despite it seeming like Neptunia refuses to take a break with so many spinoffs, remakes, and sequels for the remakes, Megadimension Neptunia VII is the first sequel to the core franchise since 2012’s Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory. Now that everyone *should* have caught up after being bombarded with so many mostly solid games over the last year and a half, (assuming you have a Vita or Steam,) it’s time to take Gamindustri to the NEXT level! Featuring multiple stories, new characters, updated transformations and some much needed changes to the combat, and it’s looking like Neptune’s current gen debut might be one of the highlights of the year.

Gravity Rush HD Remaster

Date: February 2nd

For: Playstation 4

For my money, Gravity Rush is still the best game to release on the Vita. It’s breathtaking visuals, innovative game play and exciting exploration using the manipulation of gravity was too good to be ignored. Which is why I’m *really* pulling for Gravity Rush HD Remaster to shine in front of a bigger audience on the PS4. With reworked game play controls to work better on a Dual Shock 4, updated visuals, and all of the DLC included for $29.99, there’s no excuse not to get. Except for the fact that it’s mostly digital only if you’re already out of hard drive space…

If that’s the case, be like me and get the physical version which is exclusive to Amazon, and fall in love with Kat all over again!

Pokken Tournament

Date: March 18th

For: Wii U

Pokken was a long time coming, then all of a sudden, it was right around the corner! This collaboration between the team behind the Tekken series and The Pokemon Company brings together some interesting choices from the Pokemon roster to do battle in a 1-on-1 3D fighting game setting. Most importantly however, is that Pokken is looking to open the floodgates with the series’ first amiibo Card, coming packaged with Shadow Mewtwo. I hope you all have that second mortgage ready to go!

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Date: May 24th

For: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC

Another game that felt like it would never see the light of day. After years of hoping until finally being confirmed back in 2013, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst will finally be in our hands in a few short months! Serving as a prequel that explores Faith’s background, we’re counting on the innovative first person platformer to wow us again. If DICE can pull off the same magic that they did the first time around, then we have nothing to worry about!

Street Fighter V

Date: February 16th

For: Playstation 4, PC

Unlike most of the games on this list, the time it took from announcement to release was relatively short. Not that we’re complaining, because a new iteration of Street Fighter is always something to get excited about! With four new characters to accompany a wide variety of reworked veterans from Super Street Fighter II to Street Fighter Alpha 3, the new V system that’s looking to mix up the rules of battle, and an expanded story mode that looks to bridge the gap between the original cast and Street Fighter III, why wouldn’t we be frothing at the mouth to play this?

As you can see, we’re going to have a busy time throughout the year. What games are you most looking forward to, and are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments, and check back for the latest news, previews and reviews on the games listed, and everything else in between!

The ‘Evo 2016’ Lineup And New Character Announcement Has Us Hyped!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 28, 2016

Evo 2016’s full lineup of games has been announced, and it looks pretty amazing! The games announced are: Street Fighter V, Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Pokken Tournament, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Killer Instinct, Mortal Kombat X, and Tekken 7 Fated Retribution.

It’s interesting to note that quite a few of the games, such as Pokken Tournament and Street Fighter V are released this year, with Tekken 7 most likely to be arcade exclusive when Evo arrives. There’s no doubt that character and strategy tiers will still be in debate by the Fighting Game Community, so it is very likely that we will see many diverse matches. It is also worth noting that Nintendo in particular holds 1/3rd of the game lineup, beating Capcom in that regard, which is unprecedented!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMIWr0uEHg8

“The Evolution Championship Series (Evo for short) represents the largest and longest-running fighting game tournaments in the world.” This year, Evo will be taking place from July 15-17 at Las Vegas, Nevada, although one doesn’t have to go in person to experience the excitement–they also to live streams on Twitch and other live stream channels. Because of the scale of this event, it is very common for companies that manage fighting game brands to announce new games and characters for existing games in the days leading up to, and during Evo. One such character, Nina Williams, was announced yesterday. Nina Williams is a veteran character of the Tekken series, and is most notably known for her rivalry with her sister Anna Williams. Her fighting technique is loosely based on Assassination Arts, and even though she and Anna are related, their fighting styles are distinctly different. We are glad to have her back! Her new outfit sports a wedding dress, so we are also curious how this will fit into Tekken’s diverse storyline!

Sources: EVO Home (shoryuken) page, Shoryuken Evo 2016 Details Revealed

The Incredible ‘Valkyria Chronicles’ Is Headed To PS4!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 25, 2016

Briefly: It’s finally happening.

After launching on Steam late last year and quickly becoming a top-seller, and shortly thereafter revealing that the title was headed to Sony’s Playstation 4 everywhere but North America, the game has officially been confirmed for a North American release.

We’re still awaiting an official release date, but the game will feature a huge 1080P/60FPS update, both Japanese and English audio, all of the game’s released DLC, as well as (for the first time) trophy support.

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered will launch this Spring, though a official release date has not yet been confirmed, and will cost a cool $29.99 US.

Even better, pre-order and launch copies of the physical edition come in a slick ‘Squad 7 Armored Case’, which you can take a look at below!

Not familiar? In the game, the year is 1935 E.C., and the continent of Europa has been plunged into the Second Europan War between the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance — also known as The Empire — and the Atlantic Federation over the precious resource Ragnite. The Empire is sweeping through the continent like an unchecked wildfire and has its eyes set on the rich Ragnite deposits of the Principality of Gallia. Although peaceful Gallia remains neutral in the conflict, its citizens will need to defend home and country against the inevitable invasion. Players follow Lieutenant Welkin Gunther and the vaunted Squad 7 of the Gallian Militia as they take on the seemingly insurmountable forces of the Empire.

Valkyria Chronicles was one of the very best titles on the Playstation 3, so I’m beyond excited to replay it on the PS4 (well, if I can ever get through my backlog). Take a look at the Remastered trailer below, and be sure to let us know if you’re excited!

‘Mighty No. 9’ Has Been… Delayed Again

by The_aczJanuary 25, 2016

In a new update to backers that will shock no one, Comcept has revealed that Mighty No. 9 has been delayed yet again from it’s February 9th release.

It now has an unknown release date yet to be announced. Comcept revealed back in September that the game’s single player was finished, but not the multiplayer. This has caused a lot of backers to get frustrated with the project and suggest to the company to just release the game as it is now and patch in multiplayer later (which wouldn’t be a bad idea.).

Are you still excited for Mighty No. 9?

‘Odin Sphere Leifthrasir’ Launches On June 7th! Here’s What Comes With The Collector’s Edition!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 20, 2016

Fans of 2D hack and slash games were thrilled to learn that Odin Sphiere Leifthrasir, a remake of the late PS2 classic that put Vanillaware on the map, would be coming to Playstation platforms in 2016. Courtesy of Atlas, now we know when we’ll be able to play it!

Launching on June 7th for the PS4, PS3 and PS Vita, Leifthrasir puts us in control of five different characters in a Norse inspired setting as their stories intertwine to reveal an ancient conflict. Featuring gorgeous 2D visuals, challenging combat, and a memorable soundtrack, it’s great to see this gem get a second look.

With every first print copy of the game, Leifthrasir will come packaged with a 64 page softcover art book, showing off those fancy character designs we were just talking about. If you’re a PS4 owner who adores the game as much as I do, then a special “Storybook Edition” will launch exclusively for that platform, coming with the game and a hardcover version of the art book, alongside a potion recipe t-shirt, a mystery art print, and a metal slipcase and premium packaging for the game.

Along with this information on all the bonus goodies comes a new batch of screenshots for you to feast your eyes on. Want more information on everything Odin Sphere? Check out the newly launched web site for the game, and keep an eye on updates from us as they’re released!

‘Mortal Kombat’ Supersizes Itself With ‘Mortal Kombat XL’

by The_aczJanuary 20, 2016

Earlier last year Mortal Kombat X was released among a somewhat dry year for fighting games.

Today NetherRealm Studios and Ed Boon have announced Mortal Kombat XL. This updated version of X includes a variety of new extras such as new characters, costumes, online/netcode play, and more! The game is set to Launch March 1st in North America and March 4th in Europe.

Will you be picking up Mortal Kombat XL?

Relive Chapter ‘Zero’ In The Latest ‘Resident Evil’ Remaster!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 19, 2016

Today, the Resident Evil 0 remaster is available on the PlayStation Store (both PS3 and PS4), as well as the Xbox 360 and Xbox One marketplace!

This chilling tale of what happens before the first Resident Evil, following Rebecca Chambers–a member of S.T.A.R.S, in the first noted instance of a zombie sighting in the Resident Evil world! It also sheds some light on the backstories of William Birkin and Albert Wesker, two of the main antagonists of the Resident Evil series. Although Resident Evil 0 has been ported many times, this would be the first time that the game has been remastered in HD from top to bottom. It also includes an extra never-before-seen mode, Wesker mode, which allows you to use an overpowered “Ouroboros virus” enhanced Wesker, although it isn’t mentioned whether he’s used for the main game or side missions. It has also been announced that this mode is non-canon, designed simply for the pure thrill of annihilating everything in sight with an overpowered Wesker!

This exciting prequel is available for download today at $19.99, or available in the Resident Evil Origins Collection, only available at retail locations for $39.99. The Resident Evil Origins Collection also includes the HD remaster of the first Resident Evil game, which is the game that helped bolster the survival horror genre to new heights! It is also worth noting that the Resident Evil HD remaster was released on January 20, 2015, almost exactly a year before today. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be seeing another RE remaster next year, around the same time.

Source: Playstation Blog

Here’s When ‘Megadimension Neptunia VII’ Will Grace Our TV Screens!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 18, 2016

If you were losing sleep over the thought of when you’ll be able to play Megadimension Neptunia VII, the fourth main game in the Hyperdimension Neptunia RPG series, then you’ll be able to rest easy tonight. Idea Factory has announced that our return to Gamindustri will arrive on February 2nd!

Joining Neptune and Nepgear as they travel between three different dimensions as they attempt to save Gamindustri from its latest threats, the game is set to feature new battle mechanics, characters, enemies, CPU’s and NEXT forms to keep things interesting. And of course, we can’t forget the humor, game parodies, and crazy personalities the series is known for, which has captivated us enough to place Neptune and Nepgear in high spots on our top waifu lists! We’ve gone full weeaboo for these games, people!

Despite retailers listing Megadimension Neptunia for a February 2nd release for awhile now, it’s great to see some official confirmation, especially if you’re counting the days until your limited edition will arrive. But wait, what am I supposed to play if Gravity Rush HD and Street Fighter V both come out on the same day!? I think it’s time to make some serious life choices.

For more information on the battle system, NEXT forms, or past reviews, check our archives and get all the Nep Nep you can handle, and be sure to check back for all your Neptune news!

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 61 – ‘Derek’s Xbox Impressions Round 2 And Other Stuff Too!’

by GeekscapeStaffJanuary 15, 2016

Join Derek, Josh, Juan and Shane as they discuss the last week in video games!

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This Week:

The Goat Simulator ‘Payday’ DLC Looks Insane.

Ratchet and Clank has a release date, sweet box art.

Metroid: Zero Mission available for Wii U now.

Neo Geo Pocket was awesome.

3 new characters announced for Pokken Tournament.

Pokemon 3DS bundle looks unreal, comes with Red and Blue pre-installed.

A Mythical Pokemon is coming each and every month starting in February.

Pokemon is getting a live action Super Bowl commercial

Amazon Prime 20% Discount for pre-orders / new release games.

Derek’s Xbox impressions.

EA Access.

EA Sports UFC.

Rare Replay.

Tomb Raider.

Fallout 4.

Fast Racing Neo.

Baby Watch 2016.

Splatoon.

Nintendo Badge Academy.

Corpse Party.

Earth Defence Force.

Amplitude.

Tales of Symphonia 2.

Tales Of Zysteria.

Destiny.

Listener Mission Objective:

Juan’s baby will be here any day now! What video game-themed name should he give it?

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See Boruto And Sarada Square Off Against Naruto And Sasuke In The Latest ‘Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4’ Trailer!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 15, 2016

Kids often feel pressured to live up to their parent’s examples, but when your parents are two of the most powerful ninja that ever lived, chances are you’re going to crash and burn.

Still, that doesn’t stop Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha from trying to teach Naruto and Sasuke a few tricks of their own, as the new generation tries to take on the old guard in the latest Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 trailer!

Growing up as the opposite of his father, Boruto is a talented ninja who is expected to be a great ninja in his own right, despite him hating the position of Hokage due to it taking his father’s time away from him and his family. Somewhat spoiled and overconfident, that doesn’t mean that Boruto can’t hold his own in a fight, already mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu, as well as developing his own version of his dad’s signature Rasengan ability.

Sarada on the other hand, is a serious, studious girl who dreams of becoming Hokage someday. Since Sasuke was absent through most of her life due to him traveling the ninja world in secret to detect hidden threats, the young Uchiha kunoichi admires Naruto and his position as Hokage while still holding a deep respect for her dad after discovering his reasons for leaving the village. Weiding her mother’s strength and her father’s Sharingan eyes, it seems like the Uchiha legacy is in good hands.

But how can they fare against their famous parents? See them in action for yourself below and let us know what you think! To play as Boruto and Sarada, as well as versions of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, and Hokage Kakashi from The Last: Naruto the Movie, you’ll have to make sure to pre-order the game for PS4, Xbox One or Steam before its February 9th release date! Check out our hands on previews to hold you over, and make sure to check back with us as more details surface!

The Geekscape Interview: ‘Black Ops III’s Rachel Kimsey Is Pwning Hollywood!

by Gabriel von GrünbaumJanuary 13, 2016

Rachel Kimsey is a regular person, just like us. Except, that she’s standing toe to toe with giants in one of the biggest throwdowns ever in the entertainment industry. 2015 was a huge year for the business of entertainment. Records were pushed past their breaking points—only to be shattered again within months.

First to break a global record was Jurassic World with the title of biggest opening weekend ever for a film, only to be fully supplanted in December by Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Thing is, while these movies were setting all-time records for film, neither of them were able to pass what was being called “the biggest [global] entertainment release of 2015,” Call of Duty: Black Ops III—who held that title, taking in over $550 million in just 72 hours, until being dethroned by the juggernaut release of Fallout 4, which pulled in over $750 million in a mere 24 hours. It’s a bare-knuckle drag-out showdown for the business suits in entertainment these days.

All that, within months of each previous release this year; an exciting time indeed. In this clash of entertainment titans, there’s only one person standing in the center of it all—shoulder to shoulder with the Chris Pratts, Bryce Dallas Howards, Jeff Goldblums, Ron Perlmans, Lynda Carters, Daisy Ridleys and Harrison Fords—whose performance makes you question the nature of reality to such a degree that she practically shares the same name with her character.

https://www.instagram.com/p/vfW-9qK77N/

Of course I’m talking about Rachel Kimsey’s Rachel Kane in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. “She was always named Rachel Kane from the beginning,” Kimsey humbly admits. (Although, after a little poking around, I heard rumors that some time may have been taken before settling on the name—and when Kane was decided on, it may have originally been spelled differently, with a C—just sayin’.) Like Hollywood releases, maybe even more so, the success of a video game such as this is the result of a large team of contributors. However, there’s no denying that Rachel Kimsey’s portrayal of CIA Agent Rachel Kane is one of the more vital elements to the success of the immersive experience this game provides.

https://www.instagram.com/p/vE8F40q74H/

“Black Ops III, builds off of elements of Black Ops II but also stands on its own. Rachel Kane makes her first appearance [in Black Ops III] and I’m all over it.” Although Kimsey didn’t appear in that previous one either, this isn’t the first time she’s answered the. . . call of duty. “Well, this is the first time you’re seeing me in Call of Duty. I worked on Call of Duty: Ghosts with Infinity Ward; I worked on the DLCs doing a lot of really fun voice work.” Which wasn’t her first digital rodeo either. “I’m pretty sure my face and body scans from the Spider-Man 2 film actually ended up getting used in the Spider-Man 3 video game, for which I also provided voice work but it was for another character, Betty Brant—I think my face and body were paired with somebody else’s voice. So this is the first time my face and my voice have been matched together in a game—and, of course, being a principal member of the campaign it’s. . . I mean, it’s just the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. It’s so much fun.”

Her entire performance is motion captured and paired with 3D model scans of her body, her voiceover is delivered through her tracked and recorded facial expressions so that every aspect of the CIA agent in the game is Kimsey. She performs Rachel Kane perfectly in the she-is-totally-on-our-side-right? storyline, providing a deeper level of realism that has players questioning their allegiances. “I have a lot of fancy contracts saying that I can neither confirm nor deny any of these plot conjectures. I can say, listen to all my advice in the game because I give really good advice. I’m on your side, people.” Really?—so it’s a bad idea to cross Agent Kane? “It’s just a foolish choice—you should be looking out for yourself better than that.” So the CIA helps those who help themselves? “It’s simple—you can win or you can ignore my advice.” She smirks. Dang it!

Rachel Kimsey’s just like us, except that she’s cooler. As the day approached for our scheduled interview I had some plans on where we might sit quietly and talk—maybe something covered in ivy with tea and VIP areas. Hollywood types are fancy, right? She had some plans of her own, requesting that we meet up in a quirky comic book shop in Studio City. She’s beaten me there so that when I walk in the door—knocking the bell above it—she pops up from behind a rack and peers at me over her already impressive armful of comics. “I’m working on a couple of projects that I cannot wait until my non-disclosure agreement gives me permission to disclose,” she gasps desperately through grinding teeth, “because they’re really really exciting.” The tortured declaration has left her nearly breathless but she soldiers on, “I really do think they’ll be just as exciting for the audience as they are for me.” She presses her lips together in an effort to stop before she says something she shouldn’t—and then blurts out, “So much fun!” The eavesdropping comic book guy behind the counter looks disappointed—he’s already recognised her from her time playing “Michelle,” a disguise of Candice Wilmer, on Heroes and wants the scoop on what’s next for Kimsey.

https://www.instagram.com/p/u6xXflq7xY/

To contrast or provide better perspective for the unspeakable excitement just around the corner she offers a little history in her own creative development. “There was a time I used to feel really jealous of other kinds of artists. I know it’s really hard to make a living as a dancer but at least you can always dance. Maybe no one’s ever going to buy your paintings but if you’re a painter, you can always paint. Maybe nobody buys your book but you can always write. But I’m an actor and you can’t act in a vacuum—you can’t act by yourself—you have to have an audience to be an actor because acting is all about connection. I used that thinking as an excuse to let myself off the hook for not showing up for myself—not being in my own creativity—because, the truth is, there’s a whole lot more than saying words in front of an audience that makes you an actor. I can be in class, I can be reading screenplays, I can be writing down ideas, I can be producing a web series or short film—even make my own movies nobody ever sees and edit them with free software that came on my phone; with a camera and lens that’s better than the cameras that I bought back in the day because I was going to make things. I realized it was just an excuse, it was an excuse to let me off the hook because I was sad I wasn’t making anything and I didn’t have the guts to step up and fix it. Redefining it makes everything feel different—you gotta be a maker. You can be a maker no matter what income is paying your bills; your income doesn’t have to define you. You can start small; just start. Define yourself, make stuff, make things—be a maker. It’s awesome. You don’t have to be ‘cooler’ than you are, just do what you do.”

Anywhere in Studio City, as the name implies, is a stone’s throw from many of the major studios Hollywood is famous for. The actress’ natural habitat for “doing what she does.” In fact, one memorable time I had the opportunity to talk with her about her work, she was just such a rock toss away from where we now stood. Across the cement shores of the “Los Angeles River”—(yes, that’s the actual name of the large cement drainage ditch that’s usually no more than a dainty creek) on the other side of the very same street, in a Universal backlot—she was being ripped out of a train by Doctor Octopus in the film Spider-Man 2.

Bringin in the big guns for @codblackopsps3 @SFMagicMountain pic.twitter.com/rh2ExiyZRQ

— Rachel Kimsey (@RachelKimsey) October 31, 2015

You see, Rachel Kimsey is just like us, except that she’s tougher. With her comic book collection now properly augmented it’s finally time for us to move on to a quiet coffee shop where we can sit and. . . “There’s a Mexican place down the street I’ve been meaning to try. I hear they have fires in the patio area and a salsa that’ll Ark-of-the-Covenant your face off,” she offers. I’m actually surprised she doesn’t punctuate the pitch by pulling out Dr. Jones’ bullwhip and giving it a good crack. The exciting stories continue even as we navigate down Ventura Boulevard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/zTlDloq70P/

Building an unshakable performance foundation with years of studying Shakespeare, she went on to train in stage combat, then elaborate stunt choreography and eventually martial arts. Her ever developing skills led to an extended stint working in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Stunt Show at LeoFoo Village in Taiwan where she would brawl cowboys, get shot “dead” and tumble off of buildings for eight shows a day, six days a week, delighting excited audiences. After all that, facing off against ghosts, ghouls and “Old Man Jenkins!” as Daphne in the Broadway touring company’s production of Scooby Doo Live! in Stagefright across the US (with dates in Las Vegas and, what is now, the Dolby Theatre in LA) was a walk in the park. Naturally, she was the easy choice for casting directors in search of a special someone to face off against Doc Ock.

https://www.instagram.com/p/pekK6bK7-D/

Her dedication to physical performance paid off a few years later when—after a motorcycle accident required a series of surgeries over several years to rebuild the bone in her leg—she would rely on that strength to fuel her recovery. Again, not content to merely complete her own physical therapy, she became fascinated with body mechanics and went on to study even further; picking up certifications along the way and even offering specialized training to those who were interested in what she was learning. As she began to refocus on acting again, she would find that her time spent studying therapies and teaching physical training would pay off once more—in an unexpected way.

“When I was working on [Call of Duty:] Ghosts, I would get into the booth and the director would say, ‘Okay, so here’s the situation; you’re the only woman on the field, the field’s full of men. There’s lots of ambient noise, it’s really loud and distracting—things are banging and exploding, noise all over the place—and you need to get the attention of this small group of men about twenty to thirty feet away from you. Go!’ Oh!—it’s just like teaching Crossfit every day! Music’s too loud, everyone’s doing this really intense thing, I have to make sure they can hear me really clearly through the noise about thirty feet away. . . Got it! So it turns out, years of teaching taught me the skills to support my voice and make a sound that could cut through noise—‘cause just getting louder didn’t work without shredding your throat. Turns out that’s exactly the sound you need to be a soldier on the battlefield in a video game.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/0eUcClK77j/

Now, what about the new character in the new game? “Who is Rachel Kane? First, for there to be a game, somebody has to give you the operation. Who gives those operations?—the CIA. Well, I’m CIA Agent Rachel Kane, so come along with me—like I said, I’ve got some real good advice on how to survive.” There must be more to her than that, right? “The part was really well written and there was a lot of thought and a lot of care that went into the story. I was told early on that, ‘You’re not a damsel in distress; you’re going to hold your own on the battlefield and it’s going to be really clear that you belong there and have every right to be there right from the beginning.’ So before I’d seen any pages or knew what we would be up to, I started thinking about my character like, ‘I am capable, strong, prepared and active on behalf of myself and my team members. I can rise to any occasion.’ Keeping that in mind helped me shape the core and motivation for the character.”

Director Adam Rosas, Ben Browder (Player), Rachel Kimsey (Rachel Kane), Noshir Dalal (Khalil), Sean Douglas (Hendricks)

Arriving at the Mexican restaurant, the host offers us a table inside since it’s chilly out but she squints at him to better judge the situation. “Do you have anything outside?—by the fire?” He glances my way and I joke that we’re not afraid to heat things up. “You know what else heats things up?” she adds. “Face melting salsa. Let’s do this!”

Rachel Kimsey is just like us, except that she’s way better looking. Our exuberantly awkward joky-finger-gun waiter’s attempts to “casually” uncover her relationship status are a natural and common testament to her allure. Comparing the end result Agent Kane character—built from precise scans, image captures and photo reference texture-mapping that the designers made of her—next to Rachel Kimsey in the flesh, you’ll notice that they decided to subtly tone down her natural beauty. Were they trying to keep players, like our waiter, from getting distracted? Did they want her looking a bit more rough and tumble; worn around the edges? Or is it simply that it’s not yet possible to technologically capture all of her appeal in a digital bottle?

https://www.instagram.com/p/tO06zaK7z3/

Maybe it’s something that only her fans will take issue with because it seems to be a non-issue for her. “I just noticed that—I think—they adjusted my eye color or something,” she mutters, taking a moment to consider the question. Yes, that’s one of the adjustments. I suppose an argument could be made that the digital scanners aren’t yet able to pick up her additional glow of inner beauty that shines through all the more when she drops wisdom on you like this—

Our salsas arrive—with chips, tacos and other delights to test them on—but she’s still reflecting on a point she wants to make, gazing into the flames near our table. “I can’t even tell you how many friends of mine have the story of, ‘I went through a terrible breakup and my life was falling apart and I got this audition that they tell me I nailed—because I got the job. I never would’ve gotten the job if my life wasn’t falling apart at the time because I didn’t have a filter and everything just came pouring out of me.’ Well, if you’re not in the practice of letting everything pour out of you because life is hard—because we’re sensitive artists and the world pokes at all of our soft and tender places—if you’re not in the practice of saying, ‘yes, and. . . I will show you anyway,’ then when that opportunity comes, are you going to be able to step up in that moment? Maybe not—so be in that practice.” It’s a good reminder not just for performers but for everyone who’s passionate about whatever it is they’re doing.

“It shouldn’t just be people who go through terrible breakups and whose lives are falling apart that land those good jobs! It should be people who are happy too! Everybody should be able to be able to find that place. People at rock bottom feel like they have nothing to lose and they become fearlessly raw. That level of honesty is uncommon and very attractive no matter where you are or what you do. You absolutely can do that without going through trauma, you absolutely can choose to keep the walls down—but it has to be a choice. Choosing to focus less on worrying about what you have and instead focusing on genuinely experiencing what’s currently happening can yield some amazing results. When everything is going well, you have to be willing to risk it all by letting those genuine elements come out and connect with others. If that’s not what [the casting director is] looking for, that’s okay too—you move on to the next thing. It’s going to be perfect for something.”

Truly beautiful.

She’s got me so captivated, I hardly notice that I’ve already polished off four salsa laiden tacos—face happily intact—and it’s time to wrap things up. She’s agreed to teach some private sessions in the morning and wants to be well rested. As she speeds off, vanishing into the twinkling lights of tinseltown, I can’t help but feel excited about the mysterious undisclosed projects she has lined up next—her final hint still ringing in my ears when I had pressed her for more, “I think that you and Geekscape readers in particular are really going to love it.”

The thing is, Rachel Kimsey is just like us AND she’s found herself smack-dab in the middle of a record breaking entertainment revolution worth billions and billions of dollars by doing things genuinely her own way. And that is what sets her apart. Ignore her good advice at your own peril, indeed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAKyZYTK7_P/

SPOILERS:

Here then are collected shots of Rachel Kimsey’s performance in cut-scenes from the game (obviously, this will be all SPOILERS for anyone who hasn’t played through yet).

Return To The Digital World In ‘Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth’

by Josh JacksonJanuary 13, 2016

In a few more weeks, Digimon will make its PS4 and PS Vita debut in the West with Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. To help hold us over for its February 2nd release date, Namco Bandai has released a whole lot of screenshots alongside a new trailer to drool over.

This upcoming turn based RPG will let players jump back into the world of Digimon, with over 200 different monsters to collect and train as part of your customazable parties. When not battling it out for the fate of the world, each hatched creature can be raised, trained and pampered in the Digi Farm, which was giving me serious Sonic Adventure 2 vibes when I watched the trailer below.

Developed by the team behind such role playing classics like the Wild Arms and Valkyria Chronicles games, it’s safe to say that fans of the genre have plenty to be excited about. Take it from me, someone who has never shown too much interest in the Digimon franchise, when I say that I absolutely cannot wait to give this game a spin.

But don’t take my word for it! Check out the screenshots and trailer below and let us know what you think. If you’re a die hard fan who needs everything Digi, make sure to pre order for exclusive character variants and Digimon, some of which weren’t even released in Japan!

Let us know what you think in the comments, and check back for more news and information as it’s made available.

‘Ratchet & Clank’ For The PS4 Just Got A Preorder Date And Some Awesome Box Art!

by Shane O'HareJanuary 12, 2016

Fire up the hype machine, and clear your PS4 hard drive! Because Ratchet & Clank just went up for preorder!

Recently announced on the EU Playstation blog, but confirmed in NA as well, is that you can go hit up your local retailer and preorder yourself a copy of the game! Ratchet & Clank hits store shelves on April 12th!

In the meantime, check out the brand new box art and some sick screenshots. Hope that will tide you over!

To preorder the game digitally in North America, head on over to the games official store page!

The Top 10 Gaming Waifus Of 2015

by Josh JacksonJanuary 8, 2016

Warning: Potential spoilers follow!

The New Year is here! Which means for many of us, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about what you did right, what you can improve on and how you can tackle 2016 in the best way possible. Or for the rest of us, you think back on all the fictional characters you were totally crushing on through 2015.

Yes, that’s right! It’s time for the second annual waifu of the year list (check out last year’s list right here), and if you were expecting it to be a one and done feature after I would have been inevitably added to the sexual offenders list, I’m just as surprised as you are. But before we get into the list, let’s show some appreciation for the fantastic waifu candidates that just missed the cut this year.

Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4: Dancing All Night)

While in the midst of a big comeback tour, a pop idol should probably spend her time brushing up on her choreography and screaming at interns for bringing them the wrong mineral water. Yet, Ms. Kujikawa decides to spend it saving her understudies from the clutches of monsters who must be fought with the power of dance. It was hard to list Rise over the new girl, Kanami Mashita, but considering the new girl is a big reason why the crap hit the fan to begin with, her senpai gets the nod here. The only reason why Rise didn’t make the main list is because her time to shine is essentially stolen by the swagtastic Yu Narukami, but that doesn’t mean her contributions shouldn’t be acknowledged.

Toko Fukawa (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

In the original Danganronpa, Toko was often rude, shrewd, and oh so smelly, to the point where her alter ego overshadowed her in every possible way. When you consider that said alter ego is a serial killer, then you must really be a special kind of awful. Then Another Episode came along, and we were reintroduced to a strong, steadfast girl who was able to be Komaru’s voice of reason when being trapped on a secluded island full of killer robot Monokuma’s become too much to bear, (pun intended af.) So much so in fact, that even Genocide Jack develops self control along the way, serving as an invaluable ally for the Future Foundation. Toko would have normally been a shoe in for this year’s waifu list, except that she still only has eyes for Byakuya Togami. Anyone else would likely wind up dead, so yeah… There’s that.

Quest Receptionist (Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate)

Always there to greet you with a smile and a bad joke right before you take off to fight towering beasts that are likely to maul you, the mission girl is the cornerstone of any successful caravan. Now if she actually did something more than sit in a chair and make fun of you, then she would definitely be top waifu material. Regardless, she left her mark on the hearts of the Monster Hunter fandom, and that’s what counts.

Ayumi Shinozaki (Corpse Party: Blood Drive)

A shy girl with good intentions, this spiritually sensitive girl will do anything for her friends, even if it means diving back into a haunted school where most of them were previously killed in the hopes that she can revive them. Such loyalty is rare these days, which is why Ayumi deserves a nod. But we should also mention that her friends are essentially dead because of her, and returning to revive them means the ones that are still alive could end up killed as a result! But you know, an A for effort, Ayumi.

The Criminal Girls (Criminal Girls)

Now we can’t compile a list as ~~pathetic~~ amazing this one and not talk about the Criminal Girls, a group of mostly underage female inmates that are forced to help you as a guard, (who’s essentially a Pokemon Trainer if the monsters were girls of questionable morals,) escape a prison overrun with demons. That would be all well and good if criminals had any respect for the law, but considering these girls have an NWA attitude towards your authority, the only way to get them to follow your commands is to tie them down and spank them into submission… I mean, that really says it all, doesn’t it? The girls might have made the proper list if the game they star in wasn’t an absolute bore to play, but the concept is too absurd to ignore. So here’s your time to shine girls! And we’ll see you in 2016 in the sequel!

So after asking yourself how this made publication in the first place, you might be wondering who could have made the final cut with so many great characters on the sidelines! From weeaboo bait, to some of the biggest titles of the year, we scoured the gaming landscape and compiled the definitive list of waifu’s 2015 had to offer. From ninjas, to CPUs, vault dwellers to squids, and even a dude. Crack open your ramune and curl up with your favorite body pillow as we proudly (?) bring to you the top 10 waifus of 2015!

10. Homura (Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson)

An evil ninja formerly of the Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy, Homura and her squad have become renegade ninjas, on the run from their former allies after helping the good ninjas of Hanzo Academy foil Hebijo’s plan for world domination at the end of the first Senran Kagura. Despite being rightfully known as the game that was specifically created for 3D boobs on Nintendo’s handheld, the games have deceptively strong storylines behind all the clothes tearing and shameless zoom ins. But what makes Homura stand out beyond all of the other Senran Kagura girls is that despite her cold, distant exterior, she’ll do anything to protect her friends, even if it means putting herself at risk. Whether that means shielding her fellow renegades from the wrath of their old school, or fighting alongside her childhood friend / good ninja rival, Asuka, Homura is never one to let pride get in the way of doing what’s right. To top it off, when her 10 kitanas, (which are incredibly badass by the way,) can’t get the job done, her Crimson Mode helps her take the battle to the next level.

9. Lin (Xenoblade Chronicles X)

The girl with the Monado hair pins. Lin Lee Koo is the resident prodigy of New Los Angeles, serving as the top mechanic for the BLADES as they explore the seemingly uncharted planet of Mira. In addition to being the one who services the team’s giant mechs, or Skells in this case, she also manages to hold her own in battle, wielding a heavy shield that’s as big as she is. It also helps to be tech savvy when everyone in town is using a substitute mechanical body.

But more so than all of that, Lin finds herself on the list mostly because of all the controversy that surrounded the ability to dress her up. After Nintendo added some extra cloth to a costume that they felt was too revealing for a 13 year old in the West, a segment of Xenoblade fans had a meltdown, fighting the decision tooth and nail to protect the integrity of the original work. Others might have just wanted to see her half naked, but the point is people were obsessing over her look for a very long time. Her being awesome is just a bonus!

8. Me (Fallout 4)

After spending enough time in the wastelands of Fallout 4, I came to the conclusion that I’m a pretty awesome wife. In a time that’s easily full of confusion after waking up from a cryogenic sleep, only to find everyone who was with you has been long dead and the last thing you witnessed was your spouse getting killed as your son was kidnapped, it’s all a lot to take in. But I pushed on, hell bent to rescue my son from the monsters who ripped him from my husband’s arms, eating and drinking as much radioactive meat and water as I can along the way. But in between developing stage 3 lymphoma with every meal, maybe I can help these passerby’s along the way? Or find this missing item for this questionable traveler? Wait, who was I supposed to rescue again?

If my version of Fallout Wife wasn’t so easily sidetracked, she could have been much higher on the list, but since I play as if my kid isn’t as important as these shady strangers I keep coming across, my priorities are clearly all out of whack. Number 8 sounds like a good place since I should get around to saving my son. Eventually…

By the way, Fallout 4‘s female lead voice actor was just on Geekscape this past week, which you can listen to right here.

7. Me (Hatoful Boyfriend)

I had trouble finding a picture that captured my good side in Hatoful Boyfriend. Oh, I know, how about this?

When I’m not a decapitated robot scarecrow tied down with a burlap sack, I’m a mild mannered middle school girl attending St. PigeoNation’s Institute for birds. I also happen to be the only human attending. In Hatoful Boyfriend, I have the capacity to love everybirdie, so much so that I’m acting as a secret liaison to re-establish human-bird relationships, unbeknownst even to me! Some of my friends have weird tastes in clothes, but still not any less weird than a human dating a pigeon.

As a hunter-gatherer who has enough compassion to not only serve as the ambassador for an entire species, but to fall in love with men of other species, my Hatoful self was a no brainer for this year’s list… Especially since I spend half the game without a brain. Whether I’m going to festivals with my bird boyfriend, or curling up next to him as a head in a jar while an army of bloodthirsty soldiers look to murder us in what could be our final moments, I must say that this time around, I’m a pretty good catch!

6. Me (Amnesia: Memories)

Making the list three times!? I think I’ve set some kind of waifu record!

When it came down to all of the different iterations of “me” this year, the top waifu goes to my female self in Amnesia: Memories. Imagine being a college girl who’s memories get erased when a well-meaning demon accidentally gets trapped in your brain, and said demon is the only person you can trust as you try to piece together your life while keeping your memory loss hidden from those who might take advantage of it. Sucks, doesn’t it? But despite all this, Amnesia me has such a big heart. Despite my potential husbandos being completely awkward around me, having magical eyes that make every girl *except* me fall in love with him, being so protective of me that they lock me in a dog cage so I can’t leave the house, or even a man with a split personality, one of which wants to kill me, the fact that I’m still able to find the capacity to love these men is amazing in and of itself.

Above all else however, if I get tired of a guy and want to dump them, rather than break their heart, I can just jump to a different dimension where I never dated them at all! If nothing else, at least I’m empathetic.

5. Jonah (Rise of the Tomb Raider)

What’s the first thing you notice about Jonah?

Yes, Scott. But aside from that. Jonah is the only companion from the Tomb Raider reboot to follow Lara into her latest adventure, serving as the textbook definition of her ride or die. Anyone can say that they would follow you to the ends of the earth, but Jonah really means it. Whether he’s traveling to war torn Syria, or to the Siberian mountains to track down an ancient relic that may or may not exist, the man even takes a knife for her! Forget that he’s so deep in the friend zone that a pair of pickaxes couldn’t dig him out, because he’s always there for Lara when she needs him.

Yes, he’s a guy, and I know that I disqualified guys last year, (no matter how feminine they looked,) but I would give Jonah a shot as my waifu just on the merits of how awesome he is.

4. Plutia (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

In last year’s list, Neptune took the number two spot primarily on the basis that she was essentially every gamer’s dream girl. If you took those qualities and applied them to Plutia, she would be Neptune cranked up to 11. A perpetually sleepy and highly impressionable girl who will only greet the day if it means being able to play video games, knit dolls, or balk at any and all responsibility, the goddess of V Generation‘s alternate version of Planeptune doesn’t seem like much at first glance. But if you make her angry, she takes up a form that strikes fear in the hearts of friend and foe alike.

In her CPU form, Plutia’s personality takes a complete 180 as Iris Heart, a goddess that takes as much pleasure in punishing her friends as she does her enemies. Nicknamed “Sadie” for her sadomasochistic tendencies, her whip and high heels can grind any foe into submission, leading her allies to dread the occasions when Iris Heart is forced to show herself. Yet, some of you might be into that kind of thing, getting the best of both worlds from this polarizing Neptunia character. And if you are indeed that kind of person, Plutia will make her playable return in this year’s multiplayer extravaganza, MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune Vs. Zombies. Get hyped!

3. Komaru Naegi (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

Often touted as a regular girl who can’t do anything special, everything that takes place in Danganronpa: Ultra Despair Girls flies in the face of that idea. Despite being trapped on an island full of killer robots that are out to kill her, while a group of insane children turn hunting her into a game, Komaru doesn’t do too bad for herself! Armed with a special megaphone that can destroy and manipulate almost all of the machinery in Towa City, the girl who initially only known as the little sister of former protagonist Makoto Naegi, grows into a defender of hope in the face of growing despair.

Despite secretly being groomed to become the successor to the Ultimate Despair, Junko Enoshima, Komaru forsakes revenge and spares the lives of the innocent Monokuma Kids in the process, ending her adventure with both the kids and the adults out for her head. What the future holds for Komaru might still be unknown, but being able to make such a difficult choice, taking on all of the hatred of an entire town and carrying it on her back, earns her the number three spot on this illustrious list.

2. Callie and Marie (Splatoon)

Whether you’re a kid or a squid, there’s not a person who has played Splatoon who hasn’t fallen in love with Callie and Marie, collectively known as the squid sisters. Acting as news reporters who make sure to clue you in on all of what’s happening in Inkopolis each time you boot up the game, the girls are known to up the stakes every now and again with occasional Splatfests. Unlike any other waifu on this list, Callie and Marie have the power to manipulate Inklings around the world to fight in their name over such important matters as deciding if burgers are better than pizza.

However, rumor has it that in addition to keeping the world of Splatoon up to date, the two are said to secretly act under the guise of Agents 1 and 2, protecting the city from the hidden Octoling threat. As driven career women, it’s amazing that they’re able to find the time to work as undercover agents while managing to make wise cracks at each other in between discussing new stages. And if you think putting both girls on the list as part of the same entry is a cop out, it is! Because I can’t decide which one between the two is best girl. While Callie’s energetic personality would usually win out, Marie’s sarcastic wit delivered what had to have been the best line of the year, declaring that Team Science lost against Team Art because her team “had jobs to do.” Right in the feelers, Marie.

Whichever one you prefer, it’s undeniable that Callie and Marie have become the icons of what’s arguably the biggest new IP of 2015, so get used to those faces, because I expect to see them for a long time. And as always…

We’ve gone through a lot of amazing characters, but only one can stand alone as the undisputed “Best Girl” of 2015. So without further ado, the top waifu of 2015 is…

1. Nepgear (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

Releasing in very early 2015, we were re-intruduced to Nepgear in Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, and from the moment the download started on my PS Vita, it was love at first byte. As the resident techy of the group, Nepgear rocks at tinkering as much as she rocks that school uniform, often daydreaming of all things robotic.

Being the little sister of the series protagonist means having to live up to some high expectations, especially when said protagonist and all of her friends from the previous game start off as captured and powerless. From the point of Nepgear’s escape and rise from the ashes was one of the most enjoyable journeys I played during the year. Yes, I know that seemingly the majority of the fandom craps on the second game due to it losing a big portion of the first game’s humor in favor of a doom and gloom story with heavy anti-piracy themes. From a narrative standpoint however, Nepgear and the rest of the little sisters, under her leadership, are able to rise above hate, never give up and eventually surpass the goddesses, becoming incredibly powerful in their own right.

Nepgear in her CPU form as Purple Sister

Which is more the reason Re;Birth 3 broke my heart a little when it came to Nepgear. The game regained its trademark humor, turning the fans’ dislike for the second game, turning it into a big joke, and directing it straight at Purple Sister herself. Despite the fact that her only sin was coddling Neptune way too much, that didn’t stop her beloved sister from constantly putting her down, mocking her status as former main character, and turning her friends against her to the point where she even convinces her allies from the second game that it’s perfectly okay to leave her trapped in another dimension when it came to the “good” ending of the third game. A dimension she wouldn’t have been in in the first place if she didn’t travel between worlds to rescue Neptune AGAIN!

But speaking of alternate endings, the most controversial moment in the entire series falls squarely on Nepgear’s shoulders during the Conquest Ending of Re;Birth 2. The only thing Nep Jr. loves more than her sister and friends is Gamindustri itself, and this ending proves how far she will go when it comes to protecting the world she’s come to care for so much. In a desperate attempt to vanquish their enemies once and for all, the girls learn of a forbidden weapon that absorbs the life energy of CPUs to build its strength. From here, its open season, as Nepgear travels from land to land, slaughtering all of her friends, including her best friend, Uni, and the twin girls, Rom and Ram, the former of which looks up to Nepgear like a big sister. Eventually, only Neptune herself is standing, but not for long…

What the goodness!?

After all the Re;Birth 3 shenanigans, I almost wanted this to be canon, but when she’s not slaughtering everyone she holds dear, Nepgear is a strong, reliable girl who’s managed to charm the knee socks off of us. Plus, we’re humans, so when the inevitable day comes when Nepgear finally snaps, is there anyone better to be in your corner?

So there’s your list of top waifus for 2015! Did your favorite make the cut, or were our trash waifus far too inferior to deserve the honor of best girl? Share your thoughts, picks, and all the reasons why I’m wrong with us in the comments below, and tweet me your suggestions @InuJoshua!

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 60 – ‘With Arms Wide Open!’

by GeekscapeStaffJanuary 8, 2016

Join Derek, Josh, Juan and Shane as they discuss the last week in video games!

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This Week:

Derek orders an Xbox One.

Shane buys a spinner watch.

Guillermo Del Toro to present Kojima with the D.I.C.E. Hall of Fame Awards.

Oculus Rift release date and pricing revealed.

First screenshot for Outlast II.

Pocket Mortys looks genius.

Next ‘Tales’ game gets a mysterious trailer.

Shane talks about butt plugs.

Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club.

Fallout 4.

Amplitude.

Corpse Party Blood Drive.

KOTOR.

Sketchparty TV.

Destiny.

Listener Mission Objective:

VR is essentially here for the mass market. What are you most excited to experience in Virtual Reality?

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The Next Generation Of Gamindustri Has Arrived With These ‘Megadimension Neptunia VII’ Screenshots

by Josh JacksonJanuary 7, 2016

Well, it’s early 2016, and that means Megadimension Neptunia VII should be getting an official release date any day now. If you’re anything like me however, you need any bit of Gamindustri goodness you can get to hold you over until we can finally pop Neptune’s latest 4th wall breaking adventure into our PS4’s.

It’s okay though, because Idea Factory has us covered with the latest batch of screenshots from the upcoming RPG, showing off the NEXT forms of the four main CPUs. Inspired by the Wii U, Xbox One, PS4, and whatever non-existent Sega console the designers came up with for Lady Purple Heart’s next gen upgrade, these sleeker, more powerful goddesses show that you can kick all kinds of ass, even when there’s a controller on your crotch.

Check out the gallery below as well as the first batch of battle screenshots and let us know who’s updated design is your favorite! Don’t forget, the limited edition preorders go live today at 10 AM PST! So if you want those posters, that art book, and that sweet, sweet Umio plush, make sure you have your finger on the refresh button for all that sweet Neptune merch. I’ll be right there with you!

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‘One Piece Burning Blood’ Kicks It Into Fourth Gear!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 6, 2016

One Piece fans can tell you that there’s never been a shortage of games featuring the Straw Hat Pirates. Yet, the series manages to have a certain longevity thanks to each game typically being significantly different from the one before it. After releasing with a solid Dynasty Warriors style game with One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 last summer, the crew is jumping back into the fighting arena with the announcement of One Piece Burning Blood.

Featuring Luffy in his Gear Fourth transformation, alongside a cast that spans the entire series, this fighting game promises to give players a wide variety of combo possibilities, both thanks to its hard hitting combat system and the three on three game play. Considering that the developers at Spike Chunsoft are no strangers to designing anime fighting games, it’s looking like Burning Blood is in good hands. If you need further proof, see the game in action and decide for yourself in the trailer and screenshots below!

Releasing on both PS4 and Xbox One in June, PS4 owners will have the chance to pick up this sweet looking collectors edition featuring Whitebeard. For anyone who preorders, you’ll also get two mystery fighters that have yet to be revealed.

Are you ready to set sail once again? Let us know in the comments!

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Amplitude’

by Josh JacksonJanuary 6, 2016

Between constant delays, failing to deliver on promised experiences, or completely changing the style of a title around after the money has long since been collected, Kickstarter projects have been getting a bad reputation these days, and for good reason. So when a project that originated from a crowdfunding source releases with a legitimately great product, people take notice.

Harmonix reached out to its fans in 2014 to fund a remake of the PS2 cult classic, Amplitude. As the game that essentially layed the groundwork for what would become Guitar Hero and Rock Band alongside its prequel, Frequency, expectations were through the roof. Now that I’ve experienced the full game for myself, I’m happy to say that Amplitude still hits all the right notes, with a wave of nostalgia that’s sure to reward fans who have been clamoring for an update after 13 years.

If you’ve never played Amplitude, Frequency, or their spiritual successor, Rock Band Blitz, then the concept around the game play might sound insane, but stay with me. As one of many selectable Beat Blasters, (which looks like a ship out of a sci-fi movie,) your job is to fly across one of multiple tracks that represent a different instrument or layer within one of the game’s 30 songs. By hitting enough of the three sets of beats using the L1, R1 and R2 buttons in sequence, the track will break down and start playing by itself. From there, the player must shift over to a different track and activate a new part of the song without missing a beat, with the ultimate goal being to get the full song to play on its own. You can’t take a break for long though, because each track eventually respawns, forcing you to keep the beat until the end of the song. Each successfully completed segment builds up your point multiplier, while missing sections will drop your health. If your health runs out before the end of the track, well… You know what happens. Thankfully, your health recovers as combos build as well as when you hit each quarter of the song, so you’ll be able to coast on easier tracks if you’re on the verge of failure.

Now if you have played games in the series before, then all of the above sounds exactly like what you would expect. Yet, that’s not to say nothing has changed, and all of it for the better. Most noticeably, the Beat Blaster no longer has to travel along empty tracks to get to the next open one, which was a surefire way to lose your streak in the past. Now, a simple tap of the left or right direction will transport you directly to the closest active track. You’ll still need a keen eye to figure out which button you’re going to have to start the chain with, especially if the track you’re moving to is farther away, but as those who experienced the originals can confirm, it’s so satisfying to keep those combos going as you move from section to section.

When it’s proving to be too difficult to hit the right notes however, Amplitude offers unlockable power ups that can really change the game. Featuring both new and returning items across single and multiplayer, these powers become available after hitting certain notes with the desired power’s symbol on them. Ranging from automatically clearing a track, to flying over the whole stage, slowing down the speed of the song and your standard score bonuses, their various effects can give you a huge advantage when trying to maximize your results. Considering that this game can get REALLY difficult on the Expert setting and above, some of these are absolute musts for surviving the game’s gradual difficulty increase, while further keeping us on our toes at the same time.

So now that we’re all initiated with how the game works, the question at the end of the day is does this still translate into an enjoyable way to spend that precious gaming time? As with the originals, the game play is top notch, still holding up to this day. If you’re used to the single track gameplay style of the band games that rose to prominence over the last few years, then Amplitude is like those titles with ADD. Having to manage which tracks you want to tackle, pulling off complicated sequences and seamlessly transitioning straight into another one without losing your streak, accomplishing the often difficult task of getting the whole song to play is one of the most immediately rewarding accomplishments I’ve experienced. Topping off the gameplay with some impressive visuals with an emphasis on lighting effects, and the combined experience makes you feel as if you can conquer any sound put in front of you. More so than most games, getting better and pulling off these feats over time rewards you with a type of instant gratification that you can’t easily find anywhere else, providing such a simple, yet powerful pleasure when revealing the entire track in unison.

If there is a place that the game falls short at though, it’s in the features it offers. Much like the original release, Amplitude doesn’t have a ton of frills outside of the standard game play modes. Consisting of quickplay, local multiplayer, (with both a co-op and competitive mode supporting up to four players,) and a strange campaign, the game gets you started with a few songs out of the gate. As you accomplish certain tasks like completing specific songs, playing a designated amount of songs in total, or progressing to a certain point in campaign, more of the track list becomes available the more you play. Yet, despite how addicting the game play is or how varied the difficulty modes are, being forced to play the same limited set literally over a hundred times before the full list is available becomes annoying to pull off, especially if you’ve mastered the songs you enjoy up until that point and have to keep replaying them arbitrarily.

On the other hand, campaign would have been much better if you actually could replay songs. Set to the backdrop of your Beat Blaster trying to unlock portions of a comatose patient’s brain in order to help the person regain consciousness, (because it makes as much sense as anything else going on in the game,) each of the three sections consists of four songs, with a hidden fifth track being revealed if you score well enough on the first four. Totaling 15 songs, this is where you’ll unlock new stages the fastest. To differentiate itself from quickplay, certain tracks require you to hit a certain streak number to regain health at the quarter checkpoints like usual. Coming up short results in the opposite, taking half a health bar of damage. While the story and gameplay tweeks are all well and good, campaign falls hard when it comes to actually completing it. In order to get the true ending, you have to beat all 15 levels, including the three hidden ones. If you don’t unlock them, you’ll have to start all over again. Yep, that’s right! From the beginning, with no way to replay campaign songs for better scores. Now imagine getting to the end and not knowing that until it’s too late. While I understand that short single player modes are typically padded, forcing you to replay the entire game is insanely annoying, even if the journey to get there is a hell of a lot of fun.

Thankfully, the repetitive nature of unlocking content is helped by the game’s highly addicting multiplayer mode. Surely designed to ruin friendships in some of the cruelist ways possible, this new take on the game’s Vs. mode has opponents fighting for the highest score by trying to hit the most notes for a shared song. The player who gets to a track first is the only one that can score on it, but the player in the back row can use their power ups to sabotage the active Beat Blaster on that track. Unique multiplayer abilities like the Disrupter make the track that your friend is scoring on blurry and wavy, making it almost impossible to see. The Cleanse power that’s a huge asset in single player mode for instance, becomes the quickest way at labeling yourself as a huge jerk by instantly clearing the track, destroying your opponent’s combo in the process. Moments like these are where the multiplayer shines, which is why it’s a huge shame that the mode is local only. As far as co-op is concerned however, it’s a lot more straightforward, where each player teams up to score as much as possible.

As one of the first projects I’ve ever crowdfunded, I’m very happy with the way Amplitude turned out. It’s true that it’s missing online modes that the original had, features fewer licensed songs, with more original tracks that more closely resembles Frequency‘s set list, and a thin feature set, but considering the game’s budget, Harmonix’s latest still manages to capture the magic that started a rhythm revolution over a decade ago. Gorgeous visuals compliment creative game play that both new and old fans should make sure to check out. Unique, rewarding and oh so addicting, Amplitude cannot be missed.

Final Score: 4/5

‘Tales Of Berseria’ Brings Out Our Wild Side With An Awesome Debut Trailer!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 6, 2016

Considering that the long running Tales series of RPGs was once seen as being in danger of missing out on Western releases, we’ve sure been getting them like clockwork in recent years. Not that we’re complaining, since each of the recent releases from the Vita’s Tales of Hearts R, to late last year’s Tales Of Zestiria, and the Xillia series in between, have been solid titles in their own right. So to no one’s surprise, (but still to our excitement,) a new game in the franchise has been confirmed for the West!

Titled Tales Of Berseria, this time around, our lead is a pirate with a mysterious secret. Seemingly part beast, her left arm transforms into a giant claw, leading to all the flashbacks and melodrama that comes with being an anime inspired heroine. What it also leads to is some really interesting battle footage, with attacks and combos that look much more exciting than most of the game’s predecessors. But why read about it when you can watch it yourself?

Not bad, right? Check out these additional screenshots below, and discuss your favorite Tales memories in the comments below! And as always, we’ll be sure to report back when more details on Berseria, as well as all of your other favorite games, become available.

Jump Into The Fray With These ‘Megadimension Neptunia VII’ Battle Screenshots!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 6, 2016

While it shouldn’t surprise anyone at this point that the next full fledged sequel in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series was heading to the Western shores, that doesn’t mean we can’t be through the roof excited over playing as all of our favorite goddesses on our PS4’s! Sporting a snazzy new name to go with its current gen debut, Megadimension Neptunia VII is the first full fledged sequel since 2012’s Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, despite numerous remakes and spinoffs to fill the gaps.

Even as a hardcore Nep fan, it’s fair to say that the battle formula between all of the Vita remakes and the core PS3 series, (not to mention different franchises with similar game play like Fairy Fencer F,) is starting to get a little tired, which is why we were as excited as Peashy with Nep’s Pudding when it was announced that the battle system is getting some interesting sounding features. If you wanted to see what this would look like in action, look no further, because this latest set of battle screenshots should give us a clue or two.

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Where do I begin? Seeing Orange Heart in action? Those sweet, new moves with all the flash that we’d expect from the girls of Gamindustri! Nepgear with her mech, Nepgeardam in tow, and an army of Umio’s! Does this make sense to you? If not, you’ll have a great opportunity to get caught up when Megadimension Neptunia VII launches for the PS4 early this year. Oh, and if you’re a fan of cool stuff, don’t forget that pre-orders of the limited edition go up at 10:00 AM PST on January 7th!

Sony Shows Off 20 Huge PS4 Exclusives For 2016!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 5, 2016

Briefly: Sony sure seems pretty confident these days.

And with more consoles sold than the competition this generation, and coming off of a great 2015 lineup (aside from The Order: 1886, I suppose), why wouldn’t they be?

That confidence continues into 2016, where the company has once again deemed that this year the PS4 will be ‘The Best Place to Play’. Sony has just debuted an exciting video detailing just some of the exclusives and firsts coming to the Playstation 4 throughout this year, and while a myriad of these titles are bound to be delayed (as is the style in this generation), this year looks to be another phenomenal year to be a gamer.

And this is just one company. With a plethora of Nintendo titles on the way, and some great looking Xbox One exclusives coming in 2016, where the heck do we even begin?

Take a look at the video below, and be sure to let us know what you’re looking forward to this year.

The West Is Getting A Double Dose Of ‘God Eater’ In The Summer Of 2016!

by Josh JacksonDecember 27, 2015

God Eater Burst arrived in 2011, riding on the momentum of Monster Hunter. Much like the latter series, the former caught fire in Japan, becoming a huge hit on the PSP. A sequel, remake and anime would follow over the years, while the West got the original under the name Gods Eater Burst, but came and went without much fanfare. The cult following it did receive has watched and waited, hoping for localization news for the latest games in the series. Thanks to a recent announcement from Namco Bandai at Jump Fiesta 2015 however, and it seems like we’re going to have a whole lot of God Eater to play in the summer.

Announcing both God Eater Resurrection, (an enhanced remake of the original,) and God Eater 2: Rage Burst for the Playstation 4, Playstation Vita and Steam, we’re literally going from years without a word on the series in the West to two games within the same season. Specific dates have yet to be announced, but as localized screenshots, specific release details, and any other pieces of news come out, we’ll be sure to share them with all of you!

Anyone else pick up Gods Eater Burst when it released and are excited for the sequels? Or maybe you got it when it was released for PS Plus a few months back? Even if you’re jumping into the world for the first time with Resurrection, let us know what you think about the series below!

Here’s What You’ll Be Getting In The ‘Megadimension Neptunia VII’ Limited Edition!

by Josh JacksonDecember 27, 2015

If you’re a fan of the Hyperdimension Neputnia franchise like I am, but you’re not following them on their Facebook or Twitter accounts, then you’ve missed the team slowly rolling out the contents of the upcoming Megadimension Neptunia VII limited edition for the PS4. Never ones to hold back on special content, the final count ends up with seven different items for the hardcore Gamindustri faithful, all for an extra $25. Not bad, right?

First, is this PS4 skin featuring the NEXT version of Purple Heart, with the various Gamipics of the cast surrounding the edges. Adding a way to put a personal touch on your Sony console, the color scheme and set up goes really well with the console’s standard layout in my opinion. Check it out for yourself!

Being able to display your Neptunia love on your console is all well and good, but what about the rest of your room? That’s where the poster comes in, showing Neptune in battle against the latest CPU to join the cast.

Next is a slipcover and special box for the game, with each of the CPU’s prominently featured on the outside. From past favorites like Noire, Vert and Blanc, to the debuting Uzume, the special design might just be too adorable to handle.

It wouldn’t be a proper limited edition without a soundtrack or art book, right? Luckily, in addition to the goodies listed above, we’re getting both! The art book shows off character designs and shares brief profiles of each of the featured characters, while the two disc soundtrack features Mr. Badd’s “daughters” from Victory and Re;Birth III on the cover.

But most importantly, we have to have our mascots represented, and what better way to do that than to bring one of them out in plush form? After weeks of reveals, the final item in this packed special edition is… Umio! This fish with a human face might give us uneasy memories of Sega’s creepy, sarcastic monstrosity, Seaman, but Umio is much easier to cuddle. Don’t believe me? See for yourself!

As you might know, fans have been waiting on pins and needles to find out what will be included, especially considering previous sets have quickly sold out, only to be flipped for insane prices through second hand markets. If you don’t want to be left out in the cold, make sure to have your refresh buttons ready on January 7th at 10 PM PST! Retailing at $84.99, which is only $25 more than the standard game with so much more included, and this one’s feeling like a no brainer for someone like me who needs everything Neptune.

Has the limited edition convinced you to pick the game up? Share your Gamindustri love with us in the comments below, and be sure to check back with us as more news on Megadimension Neptunia becomes available.

‘Uncharted 4’ Has Been Delayed… Again!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 23, 2015

Briefly: Sigh.

Were you looking forward to playing Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End on March 18th (after accepting that you wouldn’t be playing it this holiday season, that is)?

Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news (again), but that’s simply not happening.

The impressive looking title has just received another, thankfully shorter delay, and will not be making its previously announced March 18th release date.

The reveal came via Playstation’s official blog, where Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann stated:

This is our largest Uncharted, and the team has been working incredibly hard to meet the challenge of closing out the game’s development in a timely manner. However, as we started to approach our final deadlines and started wrapping up the game’s levels, we realised that several key sequences needed extra resources to bring them to the finish line.

After carefully considering all of our options, we decided to extend our schedule, making sure that we get a few more polish passes before submitting our gold master (the final disc for manufacturing).

Pushing the date is not an easy choice, and we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t feel in our hearts it’s the best course of action for the game. To you, our loyal fans, we hope you’ll accept our sincere apology. We know many of you have been waiting patiently for Nathan Drake’s final chapter, and now we humbly ask you to wait a bit longer.

These multiple delays seem to happen more often than not these days, but at least we’re bound to get an excellend title when Uncharted 4 finally does release. The game is now set for an April 26th release, and it better. freaking. make. it.

Disappointed? Sound out in the comments below!

EA’s ‘Unravel’ Gets A Gorgeous New Trailer, Release Date!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 14, 2015

Briefly: It may not be quite as cute as Yoshi’s Woolly World, but it’s pretty damned close.

We fell in love with Yarny back at E3, but EA has just debuted a brand new trailer for the game which 1. deepens said love for Yarny, and 2. gives us a freaking release date.

The trailer also gives us some insight onto Unravel‘s plot, which I can’t wait to untangle (ha) when the game launches.

Unravel will release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and as we’ve just learned, it’s just a few months away. The game is set to arrive on February 9th, 2016, so you’ll just have to watch the below trailer to get your fill of totes adorbs until then.

Take a look at the new trailer, and let us know if you’ll be picking this up!

Unleash The Raging Demon in ‘Tekken’s Newest Update!

by Matt RodriguezDecember 12, 2015

It might not be the Tekken x Street Fighter announcement that we’ve all been waiting for, but Bandai Namco has just announced that Akuma will be playable in its newest update of the game, Tekken 7 – Fated Retribution!

This announcement came in the form of a short trailer, displaying a pact between Heihachi’s wife Kazumi, and a shadowy figure, to kill Heihachi if she dies. He agrees to repay his debt, and the shadowy figure is revealed to be none other than Akuma, cutting to a scene where he stands on a cliff on a darkened landscape, with his trademark “Ten” kanji amassing the background.

He seems to have returned with all of his signature moves from Street Fighter, such as his fireballs, hurricane kicks, dragon punches, and even Shun Goku Satsu, otherwise known as the Raging Demon. Ranged attacks aren’t often used in the Tekken formula, two examples are Alisa Bosconovitch with her rocket punch, and Devil Jin with his laser beams–so this has the potential to change up the game! Also this may give skeptics some insight on how the Street Fighter formula could fit in a Tekken battleground–and my own personal guess is that they’re using this as a “test” of sorts before they finalize the mechanics of Tekken x Street Fighter.

The way this could weave into the storyline is interesting as well. Akuma is depicted as an antagonist in Street Fighter, using the demonic fighting force Satsui no Hado, which is a driving force for his desire for death matches, and his lack of compassion for other beings. Tekken is a 3D fighting game centered around a power struggle for a family owned company (Mishima Zaibatsu) that has the military power to take over the world. Heihachi is the centerpiece of this struggle, being the antagonist of the series, wanting to use the company for such a purpose.

At the moment, Tekken 7 is only available for arcades, although it has been announced for console release (date unknown). Tekken x Street Fighter has been dubbed “under development” by Katsuhiro Harada (Tekken’s producer/director) as of 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, no other updates have been provided since then.

The ‘Resident Evil 0’ HD Remaster Now Has A Release Date!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 8, 2015

Briefly: It’s about time.

Capcom officially revealed the upcoming HD Remaster of Resident Evil 0 back in June, and aside from a couple of trailers and some screenshots, the publisher has been fairly quiet about the redux up to this point.

Today, Capcom revealed the game’s release date, along with some of the oddball costumers coming for pre-order customers.

Being a survival horror fan who missed out Resident Evil 0 up to this point (and also a gamer who thoroughly enjoyed the remaster of Resident Evil), I’m pretty excited to see where the series chronologically began.

The Resident Evil 0 HD remaster will hit Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, and PC on January 19th. 2016, and you can bet your undead ass that we’re excited to play it.

You can take a look at the costumes trailer below, and be sure to let us know if you’ll be giving Resident Evil 0 a download.

Sony Reveals New Details For ‘New Hot Shots Golf’!!

by The_aczDecember 7, 2015

This past weekend, Sony held their now annual Playstation Experience convention which included many new game reveals and announcements.

Among the many exciting announcements, one of them shyly slipped through the cracks. This was the brand new Hot Shots Golf game that was announced back in September. Luckily, Sony was kind enough to share more details about the game today. This includes many things such as being able to customize your own character, having a more robust online mode, and even being able to free roam by driving a golf cart anywhere!

For a bit more info, check out the original post from the official Playstation blog right HERE. Also, check out the new trailer for the game below. New Hot Shots Golf will launch on PS4, but there is no set release date yet.

https://youtu.be/hh8F9sY7mNo