The list of Pokemon with Mega Evolutions continues to expand with Mega Audino and Mega Slowbro being added to the list. Nintendo announced at a recent Gamescom event in a special video hosted by producer Junichi Masuda, Mega Audino was revealed to the community. Boasting increased Defense and Special Defense stats, gaining the Fairy Type in addition to its original Normal typing and gaining the Healer ability that gives it a 30% chance to heal its allies in battle, Mega Audino will play a handy support role in Triple and Double battles.
The other Mega Pokemon unveiled was Mega Slowbro who was recently revealed at the Pokemon World Championships opening ceremony.Slowbro will feature increased bulk in its Defense stat as well as a boost to its Special Attack. It will also gain the Shell Armor ability, making it completely immune to critical hits. This will make Mega Slowbro very hard to take down especially if it gets off some Defense or Special Defense boosts which is very possible with its access to the boosting move Amnesia. You can see these two new Mega Evolutions in action in the trailers below.
Both these Pokemon’s Mega Evolutions were unofficially leaked by the Korean Pokemon website days before they were meant to be unveiled and images were quickly removed from the website. Check out the trailers below to see both Mega Pokemon in action. Three new Mega Evolutions in Mega Altaria, Mega Lopunny and Mega Salamence were also announced recently, you can click on the link to learn all about them.
Days ago Activision and Bungie gave us a more in-depth look at the multiplayer modes found in ‘The Crucible’ of Destiny, and now we have a new trailer highlighting the red planet Mars, which was not accessible during the recent beta. With the trailer comes a short description that is sure to inspire explorers:
What little we know of Mars may as well be a myth. We built a massive metropolis in the red dust. No one knows what remains of our lost age, now buried beneath the dunes.
Come September 9th, on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, you’ll be able to discover just that. Check out the Mars trailer below.
Overview
Berserk has long been considered a classic amongst old-timers in the anime sphere. Its hyper violent, no-holds barred approach to a European medieval setting made up for an anime which many fans claimed did not do justice to the source manga, a series that is still ongoing since 1990.
The Berserk Golden Age Arc trilogy has adapted one small portion of the manga and while the effort and cinematography was top notch for the first two films, poor pacing undermined what were otherwise great anime films in their own right. The Advent concludes this chapter of Berserk and it promises to be the most horrific anime film you will see this year. Well, I can confidently say it’s the most brilliantly horrific anime film we’ve seen in years.
Story The Battle for Doldrey concluded with the warrior Guts parting ways with the leader of the Band of the Hawk, Griffith, a man who was unusually obsessed with Guts. Their bond was truly special as Guts was the only person the pragmatic Griffith considered his equal, a real friend. Guts’ decision drove Griffith mad wh0 then bedded the princess of Midland out of frustration. This lead to his arrest by orders of the king he served and imprisonment where we are left with the final movie, The Advent.
One year has passed since the Band of the Hawk lost their leader, and the group has been doing everything it can to find Griffith while trying to avoid death and capture at the same time. During an ambush sprung by the kingdom, Guts reappears in time to save the Casca, Griffith’s right hand girl and devotee, and joins the Band of the Hawk to recover Griffith. The pacing at the beginning is unusually weak, probably the weakest part of the movie, and that’s a common side effect of condensing the manga into not just an anime, but an anime film.
When they find Griffith, he’s not in an ideal state. After being tortured for over a year his tendons are cut, his skin burned and his tongue cut out. The once proud and beautiful man is reduced to useless skin and bone. Not only is his body ruined, but Griffith can now see Guts and Casca falling in love. For Griffith, who placed ambition over love and never saw his right hand sword as a love interest, this humiliation is too much to bear.
Griffith flees the camp in a spate of madness, foregoing his comrades and remembering his childhood ambition of wanting to rule his own kingdom. It’s when he is on the verge of suicide that he comes across the red “egg” that was always around his neck, lost and now found. As viewers of the movies, we have no idea what it actually is other than it being some supernatural relic.
The second half of The Advent is where everything in this trilogy leads to. Without spoiling what exactly happens next, there are copious amounts of death, demons, blood and rape in a savage display of everything nasty that humans are capable of. You will be riveted seeing everything fall apart because of the ambitions of one man.
When you reach the end it’s clear that The Advent is less of a conclusion and more of a gateway to the next Berserk arc, an arc that’s far more sinister and otherworldly. I’m not sure whether it adapts the manga well as I’ve never read it, but the story and atmosphere in The Advent is the best out of the three films. The ending is masterfully done and you really feel the characters this time around.
Visuals
The Advent maintains the same art style and visual quality of the previous movies in the trilogy. Whether or not you’re a fan of the CGI it still looks great despite the fact that Berserk would still be more at home in a gritty 2D anime style instead. The colour palette this time around is a lot darker to suit the madness that’s going on and red (blood) is probably the most used colour here.
The animation in the second half is particularly impressive when Hell and the Skull King come into the fore. It’s just awesome to look at despite the blood, guts and nudity. This is probably the most well-deserved R18+ rating I’ve seen for an anime and if you’re squeamish or easily offended, you’ve been warned. This movie is intense.
Audio
If you hate the CGI used in the Berserk films, at least the sound is good for everyone. The films use high quality sound effects fit and a great sound track composed by Shiro Sagisu (Rebuild of Evangelion). The theme song is still the same here; Aria by the incredible Hirasawa Susumu who sang Forces for the original anime, and it’s still an epic composition. The man’s voice is truly unique.
Extras
There are a suprising amount of extras included on the disc including interviews with the anime’s makers, art gallery, trailers, outtakes and best of all is a live performance of the theme song Aria. This is how all anime films should be released as often the price tag in Australia makes it an expensive 90 or so minutes.
Overall
Whether or not the Berserk: Golden Age Arc trilogy is a good adaptation of the manga is debatable. It’s clear pacing is the biggest problem with this trilogy. But for viewers like myself who have never seen Berserk, these films were still a great watch and The Advent was both an incredibly shocking and a rewarding conclusion with plenty of promise for a follow up. The character development between Guts and Griffith was fascinating to see and The Advent delves into the worst of human nature.
For much of the first two films you’re left wondering where this is all going but the third film shows off what Berserk is truly all about. It had this reviewer scrambling for the manga to find out what happens next and one can only hope a new animation, preferably a proper anime series, is announced soon to continue what is a truly epic story.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
A growing concern among Hunter x Hunter fans was the fact that although the anime was chugging along at a quick pace, the amount of source material from the manga is barely being produced and it turns out that those concerns are valid. Today Megumi Han, the actress who voices Gon Freecss, spoke with Japanese website Mantanweb and in this interview she confirmed that the series’ production has ended with episode 148.
It is worth noting that in her interview Megumi did not want to say that it was the “final episode” since the source material is still being produced. The most recent episode to air was 142 on August 12th, which means there are still six more episodes in the current run before the anime will enter a hiatus of its own.
Let us hope that somewhere down the line the Hunter x Hunter anime will return once more, though that time may be anywhere from five to ten years from now.
Usually when something “exclusive” is announced it either pertains to the entire game or maybe some type of DLC, but in the case of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it is something entirely different. CD Project RED recently announced that the Xbox One Collector’s Edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be released with some exclusive goodies. Not only will it contain the previously announced contents but also a cloth map of the game world and two physical Gwent card decks which is a fast-paced card game that can be played within the title itself on every platform it is released for.
The full updated contents of the Xbox One package can be found below and an unboxing video can be found below that:
The standard edition of the game, containing: the official soundtrack, a beautiful and detailed map of the in-game world, unique stickers, and the developer-created “Witcher Universe – The Compendium”
A giant, 33x24x26 cm, 100% hand painted, Polystone figure of Geralt of Rivia battling a Griffin
An exclusive, collector grade Witcher medallion
A one of a kind SteelBook
A two-hundred page art book, containing breathtaking art from the game
A cloth map of the game world
Two Gwent card decks
Huge outer and inner Collector’s Boxes you can store your Witcher merchandise in
With Hyperdimension Neptunia U set to be released in a week and a half in Japan, Compile Heart has released four new gameplay videos showing how the four CPU goddesses fight in combat, since each character will have a unique set of skills and fighting style. Also shown in the video is the “Costume Break” system that Tamsoft is very familiar with.
Currently there has been no word of Hyperdimension Neptunia U being localized, but with the PS Vita being region free those who wish to import the title will only have a language barrier in their way. Each of the four gameplay videos can be found below:
I mean, if someone were to take the time to become the “Ultimate” at something, especially the things a few of the characters are, normal people might just think they are more than a little weird, even if they are following their dream. Anyways, as you can see above and below, NIS America has released a number of new screenshots for Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, most of which show off dialogue screens while a few CG scenes are also shown off.
Those of you who have been waiting for Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair to be released will be happy to hear that the date is almost upon us as there are only two and a half weeks until the title is released in North America on September 2nd, though Europe has a bit longer of a wait as the title drops in that region on September 5th.
While Sentai Filmworks may have surprised a number of their fans when they announced their licensing of Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors a few days ago, they surprised quite a few more when they announced that the company now has the license to the Reideen anime series which aired back in 2007. They are planning on releasing Reideen both digitally and on home video sometime in the future.
Reideen was animated by Production I.G. and it is worth noting that the series is a mecha anime that is a reboot of a series from way back in 1975. Along with this announcement Sentai Filmworks also released a story description which can be found below:
Mathematically gifted, Junki Saiga is a typical high school student, until his family hears that his father’s remains were discovered. His father was an archaeologist and researcher who had disappeared during an exploration years ago. Along with his remains were artifacts and notes near Japan’s pyramid, which is a place thought to be man-made. Soon after the shock of his father’s remains being discovered, a meteor comes crashing from the sky carrying a foreign robotic life-form that immediately begins to cause havoc.
This sequence of strange events simultaneously triggers a bracelet left from his father’s research to activate and merge with an ancient robot that had been hidden inside Japan’s pyramid, this is Reideen . To save the world Junki and Reideen must fight this alien threat! Faced with multiple enemies, Reideen and Junki must overcome those that seek Reideen’s power and those that want to see Reideen and Junki destroyed. Without the help of the nation or even his friends, Junki must push himself to succeed in piloting Reideen.
If you never thought that the excitement of wrestling entertainment could be contained in a card game, then you may be right but 2K is attempting to do their best with their newly revealed WWE SuperCard which has already been released for iOS devices and is available here, as well as through the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore for Android phones.
WWE SuperCard offers more than 400 cards where players can build teams of popular WWE Superstars, Divas, and Legends and battle them in various match types and try out their luck in tournaments. There are various rarity levels for each card and it is possible for players to purchase extra card packs to help expand their team. Those looking forward to a bit more action can keep an eye out for WWE 2K15 when it is released on October 28th in North America and October 30th elsewhere.
Step right up folks for another installment in the one, the only Xbox Newsbeat! Newsbeat is your all-access pass to all the latest and greatest news coming straight from Microsoft HQ. Since we just went through a jam-packed Gamescom, we have a big instalment this week with no fewer than FIVE delicious headlines for you to sink your teeth into, pretty much all of which are dedicated to the Xbox One (Even after Gamescom there is no news for you Windows Phone). So since it is such a big issue, lets not waste anytime and get this show on the road!
Xbox One System Update: More Social Features and New Ways to Watch TV Available for Preview Members
As we mentioned during our last instalment of Newsbeat, Microsoft were rolling out some sweet new social features for the Xbox One. Well, now that update is available for users who are previewing the new digs (with wider access coming in the next few months). As a quick refresher, here are the new features:
“Xbox On” in New Markets – Adding support for additional markets to use the “Xbox On” Kinect voice command to power on consoles: Australia, Canada (French), Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil – a top used feature.
New Friends Section – The new Friends section has been available for a few early access preview members and we’re expanding it to additional participants enrolled in the preview program. The new Friends section enables you to see at a glance what’s going on with your friends. You can stay up-to-date with your current activities, the most popular games your friends are playing, and a Gamerscore leaderboard to see who has improved their Gamerscore the most over the last 30 days. We’ll continue to roll this feature out to all participants in the coming updates.
Media Player – A new app will be available soon that enables you to play media files from either an attached USB device or from a network connected home media server that supports DLNA protocols. The preview version of the Media Player app will initially only support USB devices, with DLNA support coming soon. Xbox One will support more formats than Xbox 360, including support for dozens of new file formats like mpeg 2 TS, animated gifs and mkv which will be added by the end of the year. See below for additional file formats.
Parties– The Party App has been re-organized, so you can now see what activities everyone in your party is doing and tell more clearly who is playing in the same game with you. You can also more quickly perform common actions like muting, joining, or sending game invites. Also, Parties now have a Party Leader. This person can change whether the party requires invitations, and she/he can remove others from the party.
This update looks to turn the Xbox One into the all-in-one gaming and entertainment system that we deserve, AND need right now.
Three New Xbox One Bundles Put the Biggest Blockbusters in Your Hands
The holiday season is almost upon us, and you know that what means: New console bundles! To ensure that Xbox One consoles are in the hands of as many people as possible, Microsoft have announced three slick new bundles :
Xbox One Limited Edition Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Bundle (RRP$599)
What does the future of warfare look like? Activision and Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare imagines a high-tech, war-torn future for the acclaimed first-person shooter saga. This bundle launches at select retailers on November 3, and includes a digital Day Zero Edition copy of the game (featuring early access and double XP on November 3), a special Xbox One console and wireless controller featuring unique Advanced Warfare artwork, a chat headset, a 1TB hard drive, special in-game sound effects, and additional in-game content.
Xbox One Special Edition Sunset Overdrive Bundle (RRP$499)
You’d better believe that Insomniac Games’ Sunset Overdrive will be one of the biggest Xbox One-exclusive blockbusters of the year – and this bundle features everything you need to fight back against the evil forces of the colourful-yet-dystopian Sunset City. The Xbox One Special Edition Sunset Overdrive Bundle includes a white console and wireless controller. A digital copy of Sunset Overdrive, and all of the Day One Edition bonus weapons and items. It launches alongside the game on October 28.
Xbox One FIFA 15 Bundle (RRP$529)
Last – but certainly not least – is the Xbox One FIFA 15 Bundle, which includes an Xbox One console, a wireless controller, a chat headset, a 14-day Xbox Live trial subscription, a digital copy of FIFA 15 and an Ultimate Team Legends Gold Pack. The Xbox One FIFA 15Bundle launches on September 25 and is only available in Europe. This follows the recently announced Xbox One Madden 15 Bundle that will be released in the U.S. on August 26. No matter which side of the Atlantic you live on, you’ll get to enjoy the latest and greatest EA Sports title as part of an Xbox One bundle.
Create, Pilot and Destroy the Ride of Your Life in ScreamRide
Microsoft have just announced an upcoming action/creation mashup game: ScreamRide. ScreamRide puts players in the architect’s chair as they create the most insane roller coasters they could imagine, then pilots them with precision controls before destroying their creation with an impressive physics engine. There will be more info coming about ScreamRide in the near future so make sure you stay tuned.
343 Industries Gives a Fans a Sneak Peek at the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta + Introducing the Halo Channel, Your New Home for All Things Halo
So Halo 5: Guardians is still a ways away, but 343 industries are not letting that stop them from releasing a multiplayer beta for the game. Those who purchase the Halo: Master Chief Collection will gain access from Dec. 29, 2014 through Jan. 18, 2015. The beta will focus on just one small area of the gameplay; the 4v4 arena battles that are sure to be a massive hit with the fans. It is good to see such a strong focus on multiplayer even so early in the game’s development, as that is where the majority of players will spend their time.
Ahead of the Halo: Master Chief Collection and Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta later this year, Microsoft have announced a brand new social media hub for the franchise that will keep players connected at all times. The Halo Channel will offer the following features for players:
Live and Timely Content – Along with a library of original programming and entertainment, access timely Halo news and live events including eSports broadcasts via the Halo Channel. Through robust Twitch integration viewers can watch Halobroadcasts, follow their favourite players and launch into the game with the press of a button. In addition, the Halo Channel can display stats and data during matches, allowing you to monitor players in real-time.
Interactive and Sharable – Interact with Halo content with a personalized viewing experience, social sharing, Halo Encyclopaedia integration and a best-in-class video platform. Instantly connect with the Halo community and your friends through social media, sharing your favourite Halo moments and content. Pull up the Halo Encyclopaedia and learn more about the scene you’re watching, including characters, weapons, vehicles, locations and more.
Rewarding – Unlock a variety of exclusive in-game content for upcoming Halo titles – including Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo 5: Guardians – by watching original Halo programming and entertainment, participating in some of the interactive community polls or trying your hand at trivia that will test your knowledge of the Halouniverse.
Multiplatform Access – Sync your Windows 8.1 device to your Xbox One, and use it as a controller or a second screen where you can access the Halo Channel. At any time, you can begin your viewing experience on one screen and seamlessly continue it on another.
ID@Xbox Unleashes Slew of Exclusive Games Coming to Xbox One
At this week’s Gamescom, the ID@Xbox program was all the talk as is unveiled a bunch of games that are no doubt going to be mainstays of the console for its entire lifespan. Some of the announced games werefan favourite SMITE, as well as new, soon to be Xbox One staples Space Engineers,SUPERHOT, Ghost of a Tale and The Escapist. With more than 500 developers with development kits, the portfolio on Xbox One continues to grow. Not only that but Microsoft ensure us that there are 100s of independently developed games making their way to Xbox One for the foreseeable future, along with a tonne of AAA titles.
So there we have it, another instalment in the one, the only Xbox Newsbeat. Which of this week’s headlines grabbed your attention the most? Let us know in the comments below and remember to check back same time next week for all the awesome Xbox news as it becomes available
