Following the launch of the second season of My Hero Academia, a real life escape game has been announced for Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
The experience is called “Heroes Deadend Program” and runs for a total of 120 minutes, including a 60 minute introductory video program and 60 minutes for the escape game itself. The scenario is your group of up to four U.A. students are attacked by a group of villains during a training exercise. Your group must survive by solving puzzles until All Might arrives to save the day.
Tickets went on sale on the 22nd of April and sell for 3300 yen in advance, or 3800 yen at the door. A group ticket (4 people) is also available for 12,800 yen.
The franchise has had a great deal of success since Viz Media received American publishing rights for the manga in early 2015 and has grown increasingly in popularity since the anime adaptation calling for the currently airing second season and plans for an OVA.
Space Dandy is a dandy guy… in space. Along with his outdated robot partner QT, he spends his time hunting for unregistered aliens. If they find one and take it to the alien registration office, they get a cash reward. Joining them after an encounter at the ‘breastaurant’ BooBies is Meow, a member of an alien species that looks and acts rather like a cat. Although they remain blissfully unaware of this, Dandy is the primary target of the villainous Gogol Empire. The main trio is constantly winding up in crazy situations and meeting strange new people, and the Gogol Empire’s Dr. Gel and his assistant Bea trail them at their peril.
Story
With so many generic anime adaptations out there, it often seems as if there are no original and unique anime series waiting to be discovered. Space Dandy is one such series, if you have not already heard about it before. It was made out to be a big deal before, during and immediately after its 26-episode run. However, it seems to have largely dropped out of the public consciousness since then. More than two years later, it has been re-released in a box set, and its strong appeal remains exactly the same as it did in 2014. A simple way of describing it would be to call it Japan’s answer to Adventure Time, only bigger and in many ways better.
Shinichiro Watanabe and his team of global talent have done something that seemed very unlikely and difficult to accomplish. They produced an anime series that feels like the crazy anime comedies produced in the ’90s, except with a fresh coat of colourful digital paint. The ’90s saw the production of some of the greatest and most endearing anime shows of all time. Since then, there has been a change in tone and characterisation in the world of anime and manga that seems like more of a regression than an evolution. Characters have become dumber and dumber, regurgitating the same unfunny nonsense that was supposed to pass for comedy at some point. Characters in ’90s anime series often did come across as lacking in intelligence, but there was more to them than that, and there is so much more to the characters of Space Dandy. Dandy mostly just wants to spend time at BooBies and capture rare and unregistered aliens, but he also has a compassionate side and a surprising level of musical talent. Meow is a lazy cat reminiscent of modern teenagers who spend their time on social media in dark rooms, but he also secretly cares about the family he left behind to travel through space. QT ends up demonstrating the capacity to exceed his original programming in a couple of episodes. Furthermore, even Honey, a waitress at BooBies, turns out to be more than just a vehicle for fan-service. She is one of the most intelligent characters in the whole series, and although she initially only drops subtle hints about her level of knowledge, she gets her moment in the spotlight and reveals just how cool of a character she really is. Most anime series these days would just stop at the fan-service and degrade their female characters, but Space Dandy has some dignity. Make no mistake; that dignity is challenged on more than one occasion. However, that the creative team behind this series managed to capture the essence of early ’90s anime comedies, revive it and make it feel fresh demonstrates what anime could become if more production teams and animation studios took risks and let their imaginations run wild.
This series is largely made up of episodic plots. Often, especially in the earlier episodes, characters find themselves in situations that they simply cannot escape from. When the end of each episode comes around, a ‘to be continued’ card will appear instead of any kind of explanation about how things might return to normal in the following episode. This lack of continuity does not in any way negatively impact on the series, however. What makes each episode special is the level of creativity poured into every one of them. One episode might have plants evolving into highly intelligent beings, while another might have the characters performing a musical. The ways in which the characters seemingly go past the point of no return is ridiculous yet hilarious. The creative team runs with the sci-fi setting and takes it to distant places, often destroying the universe or coming close to doing so in the process. Some of the plots may be reminiscent of those seen in North American sci-fi series, but it is hard to be disappointed about that when these episodes are just so fun to watch. In the second season, the plots seem to become more focused and more awesome. The underlying narrative of the Gogol Empire chasing Space Dandy eventually turns out to be a major plot point, and when the series finally abandons episodic stories in favour of a significant plot, it turns into one major spectacle that concludes the show in a most fitting way.
Visuals
The animation is outstanding. This show was produced by Bones, and involved talent from around the world. Fortunately, the people involved seem to have been given a high level of creative freedom, and the end result is a series of colourful and crazy adventures that remain more memorable than almost every other anime series from 2014 and the years since then. The action is fluid and engaging, and the unique designs of the aliens and the settings allows each episode to feel new and exciting. Fan-service is present, mostly in the form of objectifying shots set in BooBies, but is not taken to the extreme that many anime and manga series feature these days.
Audio
Considering the fact that the English dub was produced in time for it to be broadcast on North American television at around the same time as it was shown on Japanese television, it turned out remarkably well. Every voice actor is perfectly cast. Ian Sinclair captures Dandy’s spirit brilliantly, and only good things can be said about each of the other voice actors. If there is one case where watching an anime series with FUNimation’s English dub is a recommended option, it is this one.
With so many anime series out there featuring generic opening and ending songs, many of which are existing pop songs, it is refreshing to hear some outstanding pop songs during the opening and ending credits sequences in Space Dandy. The opening song “Viva Namida” and the ending song “Welcome to the X Dimension” are about as catchy and memorable as anime songs can get these days. The background music is surprisingly memorable as well, thanks to a variety of composers being brought in to produce music for this series. A few different musical styles are present, including techno music and surprisingly atmospheric pieces that enhance the scenes they accompany. Everything about the audio comes together perfectly, making the soundtrack CDs look appealing.
Extras
This release includes a digital gallery, teaser trailers, DVD and Blu-ray trailers, English episode commentary for episodes 19 and 26 and the textless opening and ending songs as on-disc extras. The back of the box claims that an extra titled “Dandy Guy in Space: Part 02” is present, but unless this was intended to be one of the extras that are apparently exclusive to the Japanese home video releases, it seems to actually be referring to the second season itself. The textless animation sequences, which include the special textless ending animation sequences from season two, are far more colourful and interesting than the generic and dull sequences usually seen in modern anime. They are also subtitled, but oddly, the subtitles for all songs were removed from the episodes they come from.
Overall
Space Dandy is a rare anime series in which almost everything goes right. The fan-service is unnecessary seeing as this show is already engaging when it is focused on other things; fortunately, there are many unique visuals and crazy stories that make this as entertaining as it is. If you love watching cool anime and fondly remember some hilarious anime comedies from the 1990s, this is a show for you. Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
If you have not been following the development of Sniper Ghost Warrior 3closely, then CI Games is helping you catch up with the latest trailer. The Polish developers released a brand new trailer summing up the ten most important points about the game. The trailer also has plenty of new gameplay footage showing off the game’s movement system and weapons.
Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 is the first AAA quality title in the stealth FPS series. The game follows the story of Jon North, a USMC special ops sniper inserted into the Republic of Georgia in hopes of stopping simmering tensions from exploding into an all out bloodshed. Off the books, North is looking for his brother who went missing in the area after a mission goes wrong. Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows on April 25.
The follow up to one of the most terrifying indie games is almost upon us. Outlast 2 tells the tale of a journalist and his wife who investigate a strange murder. Their investigation sends them to the Arizona desert where unspeakable horrors are being committed in the name of faith. Players will be taken on a journey that will have them questioning faith, sanity, and human nature.
https://youtu.be/GFxFxizerqY
A special physical release containing all three Outlastgames will be launched alongside Outlast 2. Entitled Outlast Trinity, the package contains Outlast, Outlast, and Outlast 2 for one price. Outlast 2 will be available at digital distributors on April 25. Outlast Trinity will be available on the same day at physical retailers like EB Games and Amazon.
TEAM OBEY ALLIANCE TAKES HOME THE CROWN IN $300,000 H1Z1®: FIGHT FOR THE CROWN™ TOURNAMENT
WHAT: Last night, H1Z1®: Fight for the Crown™, the first official team-based tournament for Daybreak Games’ massive competitive shooter, H1Z1®: King of the Kill®, came to an action-packed finish as Obey Alliance fired the last shots to win the tournament.
The one-hour primetime special, which aired last night on The CW Network*, featured one of the single largest esports fights with 15 teams made up of five players apiece. Pitted against one another in a high-stakes, single-elimination showdown for their share of a $300,000 prize pool, 75 players parachuted into the match simultaneously with only one life to give for their team.
*For viewers based outside of the United States and Puerto Rico, the tournament was simulcasted on the Twin Galaxies Facebook fan page.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Obey Alliance, one of the world’s biggest gaming organizations, was crowned Fight for the Crown champion and ended the tournament with all five players alive. Obey Alliance walked away with the grand prize of $180,000. More about the winning team here: https://youtu.be/S6iKkVRskUM
“JuanKorea” from World Best, a South Korean esports organization, helped his team claim runner-up honors and $60,000.
Luminosity’s Adrien “Aydren” Morales, a runner-up at 2016’s H1Z1 Invitational, secured third place for his team and $30,000. Luminosity was captained by 2015 H1Z1 Invitational winner Tyler “Ninja” Blevins.
Counter Logic Gaming’s Casey “Flamehopper” Pitel stayed alive long enough for his team to clinch $18,000 and fourth place.
Denial Esports rounded out the top five, walking away with $12,000.
Obey Alliance collectively racked up the most kills with 9 total in the tournament, followed by Luminosity with 8, Team Gates with 7, and World Best with 6 kills.
Six players tied for the most individual kills with three kills each: Miguel “Mig” Medina (Obey Alliance), Grant “AladdinLTD” LaBelle (Obey Alliance), Aydren (Luminosity), Hogne “chipzy” Krogsæther (Luminosity), Derek “yungD” Diaz (Team Gates), and Garrett “Geesh” (Panda Global).
11 players were killed by the toxic gas that pushes everyone closer together over time.
11 different countries were represented in the tournament, ranging from Vietnam to Czech Republic to Canada. Enigma6, who earned 10th place, boasted a full European roster, while World Best, a South Korean team, finished second.
Ohio Rebels was a community team that earned a spot in the tournament through the Fight for the Spot contest.
The H1Z1: Fight for the Crown tournament and unscripted docuseries, which followed professional esports team Echo Fox, owner and former NBA player Rick Fox, and CEO Jace Hall in the lead-up to the competition, can be watched online on cwseed.com and the CW Seed App, available on Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV and Xbox.
ABOUT H1Z1
H1Z1: King of the Kill is a single-elimination, massive online shooter that pits 150 battle-hardened players against each other in a robust and detailed world. Search for weapons, ammo, armor, vehicles and supplies to get a leg up on your competition and be the last one standing. To learn more, visit: www.h1z1.com/king-of-the-kill, and follow the game on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Twitch.
H1Z1 was one of the best-selling games of 2016 on Steam and one of the 10 most-watched games on Twitch with more than 75 million hours of gameplay viewed on the platform last year. ESRB Rating: Rated M for Mature for Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, and Suggestive Themes.
About DaybreakGame Company
Daybreak Game Company LLC is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming. Best known for blockbuster hits and franchises such as H1Z1®, DC Universe™ Online, PlanetSide®, and EverQuest®, Daybreak creates, develops, and provides compelling online entertainment for millions of gamers worldwide.
DARK SOULS™ III: THE FIRE FADES™ EDITION IGNITES INTO RETAIL STORES FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE
The Complete DARK SOULS III Experience Now Available on a Single Disc
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 21, 2017) – Leading interactive entertainment developer and publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. has released DARK SOULS™ III: The Fire Fades™ Edition for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One to retail stores. DARK SOULS III: The Fire Fades Edition gives players the complete DARK SOULS III experience, bundling the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS III together with both downloadable expansions; Ashes of Ariandel™ and The Ringed City™ into one incredible package for $49.99.
Developed by renowned Japanese studio FROMSOFTWARE, DARK SOULS III: The Fire Fades Edition provides players with the complete DARK SOULS III experience. Players venture forth on a journey through Lothric with the series’ trademark sword and sorcery combat and rewarding action-RPG gameplay. Reborn as the Champion of Ash, players travel to faraway lands to return the Lords of Cinder to their thrones in order to rekindle the fading fire that keeps the impending Age of Dark at bay. Through their journey players will meet crestfallen warriors, powerful sorcerers, dutiful knights, unsavory individuals, and a number of other characters who will help or hinder their progress across a vast and twisted interconnected world.
“DARK SOULS III: The Fire Fades Edition combines incredible content for a tremendous value,” said Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing for BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Making it a perfect opportunity for gamers who may have missed out on DARK SOULS III to join the adventure and see what all the critics and fans have been raving about.”
DARK SOULS III: The Fire Fades Edition is rated “M” for mature by the ESRB, carries a MSRP of $49.99, and is available for the PlayStation 4 system and Xbox One. For more information about DARK SOULS III: The Fire Fades Edition and other titles from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.com, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.
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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. is the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL Z®, and ONE PIECE®. More information about the company and its products can be found at https://www.bandainamcoent.com or https://www.facbook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.
THQ Nordic and Piranha Bytes released a brand new trailer for their upcoming sci-fi/fantasy RPGELEX today. The new trailer introduces viewers to the events leading up to the game. ELEX is set on the planet Madalan, where a comet caused massive earthquakes that destroyed the cities and the people who lived in them. Now the survivors scrape by in a brand new environment. The comet brought the resource Elex to Madalan, a drug-like substance that could give people incredible power. Now, four factions struggle for control and scarce resources as Elex addicts gone mad wander around like zombies.
ELEX is set to launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows later this year.
FROM GAME CONCEPTION TO IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MINICLIP’S OVAR.IO IS NOW LIVE
Battle, Survive & Reproduce in this Unique Multiplayer Game of Fertilisation!
LONDON, April 21st 2017 – Miniclip today launches Ovar.io, a new, online, multiplayer, PvP arena populated by a variety of colourful, bad-ass sperm. Take on hordes of wriggly competitors to be the ultimate sperminator!
Ovar.io is a game of sperm, yes sperm, that’s all about getting to the eggs, called Ovarios, first. The aim of the game is to win as many Ovarios as possible before you die. Battle other players and race your little swimmers to be the first to reach the Ovarios and fertilise them. Once you’ve made them yours then an Ovario will become a turret emitting bullets deadly to alien sperms, therefore damaging your opponents and giving you ultimate baby-making bragging rights.
Developed by OKAM Studio, Ovar.io is the latest and most unique browser-based game to spearhead the next generation of multiplayer ‘2.io’ games, and follows in the steps of Miniclip’s hugely successful Agar.io, Diep.io and recently released, Squadd.io.
Players can choose from a range of funky sperm characters such as the Cluster, a group of flocking little spermatozoa; the Tank, a slow-moving heavy attacker; the Soldier, a balance between strength and speed; the Scout, a far-sighted, fast but weak sperm or the Ghost, a spooky guy with the power to dematerialise.
Ovar.io is the latest in a series of new .io titles from mobile and web game publisher, Miniclip. Jamie Cason, Miniclip’s Executive Producer said “Ovar.io represents everything that’s great about the .io genre. It is cheeky, irreverent, easy to play, but tricky to dominate. We’re actively looking to move things on with “2.io” games like Ovar.io, where professional studios like OKAM get to bring all their experience making characterful, beautifully animated and nicely-crafted titles to an area which has hitherto been the reserve of brilliant new talent like Agario’s Matheus Valadares who are making very punky, home-made-feeling products. If Agar.io was the Sex Pistols, then our 2.io games are Blondie! We think there is a market for web-based super-fun, casual, multiplayer games like Ovar.io that look and feel as gorgeous as a mobile or console game.”
Martina Santoro, CEO of OKAM Studio said “We’re proud to be the development studio of Ovar.io for Miniclip. When they came to us with this crazy idea of a game of sperm we couldn’t believe our luck. For us, Ovar.io is a chance for us to demonstrate our teams’ talent for realising distinctive new game IP in the .io genre. Miniclip are the perfect creative partner for independent studios such as ours, giving us the chance to express ourselves to make a magical, funny, exciting world in which players can have maximum fun!”.
THURSDAY 20TH APRIL 2017 – TEXAS, USA/KARLSRUHE, GERMANY – Movie star and Internet cult hero Chuck Norris has today green-lit the global release of his own mobile action game, Nonstop Chuck Norris, which launches today on the App Store and Google Play.
Downloadable for free, Nonstop Chuck Norris allows players to harness the unstoppable power of Chuck Norris, assuming the role of his sidekick. Players assist Chuck as he travels through multiple universes, fighting an infinite horde of villains while collecting jokes and facts about his legendary status.
To keep Chuck Norris battling on, players power him up with wacky weapons such as foldable chairs, chainsaws and even selfie sticks, and unleash signature moves such as roundhouse kicks and fist slams.
The game is available for download from today after weeks of anticipation. Mr. Norris initially set the gaming world abuzz by announcing Nonstop Chuck Norris on his birthday. Following this reveal, Mr. Norris challenged Google Play – via his official Facebook account – to make his game available for pre-registration, with the Internet giant swiftly agreeing! And just last week, Mr. Norris called out the “People of the Internet” to create their best Chuck Norris facts, with the most Chuck-worthy set to be included in his game.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by fans’ reactions since I announced the game,” said Chuck Norris, speaking from his home in Texas.“Now that the game is live across the world, I hope they enjoy having the power of Chuck Norris on their phones!”
The team behind this action-packed new adventure is flaregames, a mobile gaming publisher based in Karlsruhe, Germany. “We’re incredibly proud of what we have created in partnership with Chuck Norris,” said Klaas Kersting, flaregames CEO and founder. “We feel that Nonstop Chuck Norris is a fitting tribute to his immense energy and all-round legendary status and can’t wait to see what players think about the game!”
In 1972, Chuck Norris made his mark on the silver-screen when he starred opposite Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon, where he played the kung-fu legend’s arch nemesis. He went on to appear in a number of other action movies, including Delta Force and Missing in Action. Chuck also became an integral part of the CBS series, Walker Texas Ranger, which ran as both a TV series and movie.
Towards the end of his on-screen career, Chuck would be introduced to a whole new audience via a different medium. US talk show host Conan O’Brien helped spawn a million memes with a regular feature called the ‘Walker Texas Ranger Lever’ which would see Chuck associated with incredible and impossible achievements such as -‘counting to infinity. Twice.’ and having no chin under his beard – ‘just another fist’.
This regular feature reached social media, which gave it a life of its own and took it to a whole new level. Today, there are still countless social media groups and forums dedicated to Chuck’s alleged ability to defy logic and it is this culture that has influenced Nonstop Chuck Norris.
Nonstop Chuck Norris is published by flaregames and developed by Sproing.
ARMORED WARFARE LAUNCHES ITS HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BALANCE 2.0 UPDATE
Update 0.19 “Tanks Reloaded” now available including new Maps, Vehicles and Skirmish mode
Thursday, April 20, 2017 — Developer and global publisher My.com are proud to announce that update 0.19 for Free-to-Play Tank MMO Armored Warfare – Tanks Reloaded is now available. The anticipated update and its main feature, Balance 2.0, mark the beginning of a new era for Armored Warfare. Balance 2.0 consists of many highly impactful gameplay and balance changes that represent the foundation for the game’s future development. 26 new vehicles are added for tank commanders to drive to the modern battlefields and wreak havoc in a new PvP map and brand-new PvE missions.
Tanks Reloaded will define the further steps for the game’s genre defining mode Global Operations, by adding the large scale and Caucasus-themed map “Barren Divide”. A fully interactive map with overhead surveillance drones, fighter bombers and static anti-tank turrets functioning as a 3rd party support for each of the competing teams. Global Operations is an exciting new game mode for the genre and fuses the PvE and PvP game modes together in a unique and explosive mix.
Features introduced with Tanks Reloaded (Update 0.19):
26 New Vehicles
New PvP map: Chemical Plant
New Global Operations map: Barren Divide
PvE Mission: Raiding party
PvE Mission: Watchdog
Skirmish mode
Balance 2.0
Balance 2.0 is a catch-all for a set of changes and improvements coming to Armored Warfare in Update 0.19 based on community feedback which solve the problems in high tier gameplay and alleviates the power creep between tiers throughout the game. Another major part of Balance 2.0 is the re-evaluation of every core gameplay mechanic, including: damage mechanics, class abilities, retrofits, upgrades, and crew skills. This fulfills the purpose of ensuring these mechanics are working cohesively to deliver balanced and exciting gameplay as intended. Learn more details about Balance 2.0 on the dedicated page to the upcoming changes: aw.my.com/balance-2.0
