Home Blog Page 3816

Become a True Hero in La Tale’s New HEROES Expansion

Become a True Hero in La Tale’s New HEROES Expansion

Write your own tale to become a true hero in La Tale: HEROES, with all new classes, quests and more!

Torrance, CA – May 1, 2014 – The cute, anime-style MMORPG La Tale has just released one of its biggest updates to date. The update introduces a brand new job class, numerous new skills and a whole lot more. With the release of this new job class, heroes in La Tale can advance their abilities even further and utilize all new skills to slay the various monsters in the Kingdom of Elias and quest through the new regions of the mysterious Floating City. Players can jump into this exciting new fantasy world now at http://latale.ogplanet.com.

In addition to the all-new class advancements, the La Tale’s HEROES expansion also includes a magnitude of additional in-game content which consist of 38 new quests to complete, new dungeons to explore and new character titles to help express your awesomeness. If that doesn’t make you jump into La Tale right this second, the HEROES expansion also improves on La Tale’s game mechanics and functionality. Some of these amazing new features include character slot expansion, 2nd jump functionality to get those hard to reach places, improved guild system and more.

Watch the La Tale Gameplay Trailer here.

La Tale’s Main Features:

  • Cute Anime Graphics: Cute, anime-inspired visuals in a side-scrolling console game style.
  • Customizable Characters: Unique avatars that can be customized with all kinds of fashion items, equipment and pets.
  • 6 Class Types with a Multitude of Subclasses: Choose from the basic classes of Warrior, Explorer, Knight, Engineer, and Wizard, and advance your character to pick from a ton of subclasses like the Dragoon, Duelist, Minstrel, and much more.
  • PvP: Engage in duels, or participate in PvP in the Elias Fight Arena to earn PvP-specific items and skills.

LaTale Overview
Be part of an exciting story that unfolds all around you while you define your own unique path. The elegantly designed world is full of beauty, romance and intrigue. A rich palate of swords, sorcery, science, art, music and the paranormal are combined to make engaging and unique fantasy world like no other. It is up to you to craft your tale upon the breathtaking backgrounds and exciting storyline that is La Tale.

The story centers itself around the heroic beauty Iris. Her journey and mysterious disappearance serve to propel you on your own exciting adventures. Find your own footsteps intertwined with hers as you uncover clues and create your own lasting legacy.

Your journey begins in the Kingdom of Elias as a quest starts you down a long road filled with magical lands and dangerous enemies. Stones of Iris guide your way and hold the great truths that lie at the heart of La Tale’s rich story.

Sign up and play Tales Runner’s for free now at http://latale.ogplanet.com.

Players can also join the friendly and helpful La Tale community on Facebook or on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the latest La Tale announcements, updates, events, contests and more!

About OGPlanet
Headquartered in Torrance, California, OGPlanet is a leading publisher in North America and Europe of free-to-play, multiplayer, online games. OGPlanet offers a wide range of game titles, such as Uncharted Waters Online, SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online, Tales Runner, La Tale, Heva Clonia Online, Heroes of the Realm, Red Stone, and soon Dizzel. For more information, visit http://www.ogplanet.com.

PlayStation®4 adds Foxtel Play to entertainment offering The latest addition to the ever-growing suite of digital entertainment services on Australia’s leading next-gen console

PlayStation®4 adds Foxtel Play to entertainment offering The latest addition to  the ever-growing suite of digital entertainment services on Australia’s leading next-gen console

Sydney, 1st May, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE. Aust) is pleased to announce Foxtel Play has today launched on PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Australia’s number one selling next generation home console[1].

Following its recent launch on PlayStation®3 (PS3™), Foxtel Play is the latest addition to the already impressive portfolio of digital entertainment services available on the PlayStation 4 system, which already includes Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited, Quickflix, IGN, and VidZone. With the arrival of Foxtel Play, PS4 owners can take advantage of Foxtel’s amazing expanse of programming that ranges from drama, entertainment, documentary and movie channels live or on catch-up.

“Following a hugely successful PlayStation 4 launch in Australia, we’ve been committed to bringing the best entertainment services to our digital savvy consumers,” said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia. “Foxtel Play on PS4 is a fantastic addition for families to enjoy from the ever-expanding suite of services.”

Foxtel Chief Operating Officer, Rohan Lund, said, “Foxtel is pleased to bring access to Foxtel Play to PlayStation 4 fans after only one month since its arrival on PlayStation 3.  We are continuing to up the ante across the number of ways people can view Foxtel Play, and PlayStation 4 is an excellent platform to make our next generation console debut on.”

Foxtel Play is available now to Australian PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 owners.

ENDS 

[1] Cumulative next generation unit sales from November launch up to week ending 20th April 2014; The NPD Group Australia

HYPERDIMENSION NEPTUNIA: PRODUCING PERFECTION TO HIT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND IN JUNE!

HYPERDIMENSION NEPTUNIA: PRODUCING PERFECTION TO HIT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND IN JUNE!

NIS America is proud to announce that the idol simulator Hyperdimension Neptunia™: Producing Perfection is set to release for the PlayStation®Vita system in Australia and New Zealand on June 5 in both retail form and on PSN! Developed by IDEA FACTORY, COMPILE HEART, and the acclaimed idols game developer, TAMSOFT, the fan-favorite Hyperdimension Neptunia CPUs are back, and this time it is your job to guide them to become Gamindustri’s most popular up-and-coming idols!

About the game:
The player takes on the role of the main character, who’s been summoned to Gamindustri and is immediately hired by one of the four CPUs—Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert—to be their producer and manage their idol careers. Get your training wheels on, ladies, because a new producer is in town and the fate of Gamindustri hangs in the balance! Will you be able to properly raise these CPUs into idols, or will their citizens be stolen away from them by the popular idol group MOB-48!? Teach these girls to sing, dance, and properly promote themselves to the general populace thanks in part to your expertise in training video game idols back on Earth. As the girls’ popularity rises, they will be able to join one another in singing duets, or maybe even come together for a full ensemble! 

Key features:
Prove your producer prowess:
Show you’re the perfect producer for your CPU idols by choosing their daily activities, boosting stats with different lessons and increasing their fanbase through PR events.

Getting to know you: Enjoy the zany Neptunia cast as they talk your ears off in event scenes!

Lights, camera, moe!: Make your CPUs the most popular idols in Gamindustri with crazy concerts, mixing up stage effects and camera angles to really get the crowd pumped up!

Dress you up in nice gloves: In Viewer Mode, you can interact with CPUs, and customize their outfits, creating the most outlandish looks you can think of!

Click here to watch the official trailer for Hyperdimension Neptunia™: Producing Perfection : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P76XuEHHEqM

About Nis America

In 2003, NIS America was established in Southern California to bring exciting, one-of-a-kind Japanese culture to North America.
NIS America’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Their respect for their fans is at the heart of everything they do.  As an established entertainment publisher in the U.S., NIS America is committed to continuous growth and improvement.

NIS America is a subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., a Japanese company famous for its unique line of strategy RPGs with titles such as Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom. NIS America has also become a publisher of Japanese anime titles, such as Toradora!, anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, and Natsume’s Book of Friends.

PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) ADDS ANTICIPATED FEATURES THAT ENHANCE THE SYSTEM’S SOCIAL CAPABILITIES AND OVERALL GAMING EXPERIENCE

PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) ADDS ANTICIPATED FEATURES THAT ENHANCE THE SYSTEM’S SOCIAL CAPABILITIES AND OVERALL GAMING EXPERIENCE 

System Software Update v1.70 to Enable Rich Video Editor, Expand SHARE Capabilities, Provide More Immediate Access to Games Pre-Ordered from PS Store and Much More  

PlayStation®Vita System Software Update v3.15 and PlayStation®App update v1.70 to Deliver Greater Integration with the PS4 system

SYDNEY, 1st May, 2014 Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) is pleased to announce that system software update version 1.70 for PlayStation®4 (PS4™)system is now live.  The 1.70 update delivers new features that expand the social connectivity options and make it easier for gamers to share their experiences in a more meaningful way.  In addition, the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita)system software has recently been updated to deepen integration and improve compatibility with the PS4 system. Similarly the Playstation®App has been updated in tandem with the PS4 system software update.  These updates will further strengthen the PS4 system by adding a host of new features and enhancements, many of them highly-anticipated and requested.

“We’re immensely proud of the current success of PS4, having already built a community of over 7 million gamers worldwide,” said Patrick Lagana, Head of Product Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.  “Our commitment to gamers is at the heart of our success, and this update is another great example of that.  We have listened to our community and delivered the most highly anticipated and requested features.  Being the most socially connected console is very important to us and with this update, we are confident of achieving that and creating a unique and exciting experience.”

Highlights for the 1.70 update include:

Edit and Share Best Gameplay Moments with SHAREfactory™

Once PS4 owners update to system software version 1.70, they will be able to elevate their game sharing by downloading the new SHAREfactory app, the PS4 system’s rich video editor that allows users to easily customize their gameplay videos with special effects including filters, transitions and themes.   SHAREfactory provides access to a robust suite of tools to personalize videos by adding text and video commentary with picture-in-picture capability using PlayStation®Camera.  PS4 owners can also add a custom soundtrack to their videos using the included audio tracks or by importing their original music. With this rich set of features, SHAREfactory enables players to create a polished compilation of their most epic gaming moments to share with their friends and social networks.

Get Games Faster with Automatic Downloading for Pre-ordered Games

Immediacy and streamlined access to content is a core part of the PS4 experience, with existing features such as “Play As You Download.” Shortly following the 1.70 update, players will have the ability to automatically download select games pre-ordered from PlayStation®Store prior to the release, so it’s ready to play as soon as the game launches.  When the auto-download feature is enabled, the game will automatically download up to several days in advance of launch.  As the release date approaches, a new countdown timer will appear to show how much time remains, until the content is released and accessible.

More Flexibility for Gameplay Captures with HDCP Off

The 1.70 update addresses one of the most highly requested features from PS4 users by introducing the option for PS4 users to disable High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) for games. This enables PS4 games to be output through HDMI to an external capture device for more flexibility when capturing gameplay, including longer recorded and live streamed sessions.

 

Easily Share Captured Videos, Screenshots or Edited Videos with USB Export Option

The ability to export captured videos, screenshots or edited SHAREfactory videos by pressing the DUALSHOCK®4 controller’s SHARE button to USB drive will also be added, allowing users to share their proudest, most heroic gaming moments with the world on the social video platforms of their choice.

Watch Live Broadcasts in HD or View Broadcasts Later with Archiving Support

With the upcoming update, users will have the option to broadcast their gameplay in 720p HD resolution and archive their broadcasts via Twitch and Ustream.

Additional features and updates introduced with system software v1.70 include:

  • DUALSHOCK 4: Brightness settings for the light bar will be available in Bright, Medium and Dim, accessible in the Settings menu.  Users also will have the option to control the on-screen keyboard using the DUALSHOCK 4 controller’s touchpad, with inputs registered by clicking the touchpad or pressing the X button.
  • PlayStation Store: Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) will be introduced for content purchased within PS Store, including PayPal support.
  • SHARE: Updated settings will allow users to upload screenshots or video clips during a live broadcast, change the default recording time for gameplay captures, and select only the specific screenshots and video clips they want to save on their PS4 system.  In addition, users will have more control with the privacy of their uploaded SHARE videos or screenshots on Facebook, with the ability to select the audience to whom the upload will be visible.
  • Friends: Find Friends more easily and send requests with the ability to search Friends-of-Friends, view Mutual Friends on another user’s profile, and accept Friend requests directly from the Friends list.
  • Trophies: Trophies will be able to be sorted by rarity from the Options menu.
  • PlayStation Camera: PlayStation Camera will respond to additional voice commands, enabling users to launch select installed apps.
  • Music Unlimited: PS4 users with a subscription to Music Unlimited will be able to share songs by pressing the SHARE button on the DUALSHOCK 4 controller.

PS Vita 3.15 Update

The PS Vita system has recently received a system software update to version 3.15 with the same timing as the PS4 1.70 update, adding some key feature enhancements that will strengthen the connectivity and integration between the PS Vita and PS4 systems.   The 3.15 update enables Automatic Device Registration, which has automatically paired the devices when both systems are online and the same user is signed in to both, making it even easier to link a PS Vita system with a PS4 system for Remote Play and other second screen features.

PlayStation App 1.70 Update

The PlayStation App for smartphones and tablets, available free on the App Store and Google Play, is also set to receive an update to version 1.70 within the same launch window as both the PS4 and PS Vita system software updates.  The update will add push notifications and allows users to change their profile picture by uploading from their mobile device’s photo library or taking a photo using their device’s camera.  In addition, Friend requests will be able to be sent via email and text messages, making it more convenient and easier to add Friends and grow your network. The PlayStation App will also support iPad resolution with the update to 1.70.

For more information about the PlayStation 4 system, PlayStation Vita system, PlayStation App and the full list of features added with their updates, please visit: www.au.playstation.com.   

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Gets an Action-Packed Launch Trailer

the-amazing-spiderman-2-01

Oh yes, Spider-Man. How we loved many of his games, mainly due to the quality of the developers we have seen behind the products in the past few years. Beenox have been on quite a role with the series with Activision, trying to find that perfect formula during the past few years for the hero, and nearly nailing it everytime.

Today, the launch trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has emerged, showing off many off the mast members that will be making a comeback in digital form, such as Venom, Gwen Stacy, Kingpin, Goblin, and more. Check it out below, and you can pick up the game for nearly every system sans the Vita as of today. Its a big city to explore, and I have a hunch that Beenox have yet again strung this spider in the right direction.

Cardcaptor Sakura anime licensed by NIS America

cardcaptor-sakura-complete-series

The anime of many people’s childhoods has just been licensed for re-release in North America and it is making its return in Blu-ray quality. NIS America has announced that they have acquired the license for the entire Cardcaptor Sakura television anime, meaning that all seventy episodes of the original series will be released on August 5th.

Now it is worth noting that there are two ways to buy the anime. The Blu-ray release of the series comes in a Premium Edition package that is going to be sold at $249.99, though is discounted both through NIS America’s online store and Rightstuf, and it will come with all seventy episodes on nine Blu-ray discs, a 76 page hardcover artbook, clean versions of the opening and ending themes and a collectible slip case. There are also standard DVD versions that can be purchased, though these will be sold in three volumes that contain four DVDs a piece at $59.99 a piece.

This release will contain both the original Japanese voice track as well as an English dub and NIS America has stated that this is not the dub that was broadcast on television many years ago which was heavily edited which is a major plus for longtime fans of the series.

Hunter x Hunter manga to resume on June 2nd

hunter-x-hunter-volume-32-coverLast week we learned that the Yoshihiro Togashi would be ending his longest hiatus yet sometime in June by bringing out a new chapter of Hunter x Hunter. At the time we did not know exactly when it would happen in June but it looks like it will be for the first issue of the month.

Viz Media, who will be digitally simulpublishing the manga once it returns in Japan, has announced that the first chapter will be released on Monday June 2nd. This means that anyone who happens to be subscribed to their Weekly Shonen Jump service will be able to read the new chapter in English as soon as it is released. At the same time Viz also wanted to remind everyone that they are still selling all volumes of the Hunter x Hunter manga both digitally and physically, including the final volume released before Togashi’s hiatus, volume 32 shown to the right. Viz has said that all future volumes of the series will be published twice a year, though it is uncertain exactly how long Togashi’s return will last.

Tales of Xillia 2 Collector’s Edition detailed for Australia and New Zealand

tales-of-xillia-2-pal-collectors-edition

Last week we learned that Tales of Xillia 2 would be released on August 21st in PAL regions and now Bandai Namco has also went into detail about the type of versions that will be available for purchase once the game is released. First of all, we have the Tales of Xillia 2 Collector’s Edition, shown above, that includes the full game, a Ludger Kresnik figure, a replica of Elle’s pocket watch, the art book and original soundtrack for Tales of Xillia 2, and a Metalcase of Ludger’s cat Rollo.

Second we have the basic Day 1 edition, shown below, which comes with the game itself, a soundtrack, and a metalcase for the game but unlike the cat one, this is simply a metal case featuring the game’s standard box art.

tales-of-xillia-2-pal-day-1-edition

Lethal Lance Review

Lethal-Lance-Cover-Art-01

Lethal Lance
Developer: LL Team
Publisher: BulkyPix
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (Reviewed)
Release Date: 1st May 2014
Price: $2.59 – Available Here

Overview

Side-scrollers are possibly one of my all time favourite video game genres. From “Metroid” to “Castlevania”, “Kirby” to “Metal Slug” and from “Megaman” to “Mario”, I love them all! Luckily for some one like me the mobile stores have an abundance of side-scrolling titles to wet the appetite but not all of them do as good a job as they boast. “Lethal Lance” is a game that I feel fits that description, with what seems like some brilliant visuals and an “old-school” gameplay style it’s kind of hard to pass this one up. Thanks to developers “LL Team” and publishers “BulkyPix” I’ve been given the chance to review “Lethal Lance”. Let’s just see how well it does.

Lethal-Lance-Screenshot-01

Gameplay

Lethal Lance” is, for all intents and purposes; a pretty basic game to play. It’s your typical side-scrolling shooter that can be best described as a mix between “Mario” and “Megaman” on an extremely fundamental level. The player is given four buttons; left, right, jump and shoot. That is all, which isn’t bad, as I mentioned; this game is basic. Players are tasked with shooting their way through levels, collecting coins and doing their best not to get hurt while racing against the clock.

Reaching a lamp indicates the end of a level and your score is decided by just how well you did: Having lost no lives (with the game giving you three), having collected all the coins and having reached the end of the stage within the time constraints a player will earn three stars which, may I just add, is a system that a great deal of mobile titles have decided to implement for no reason apart from, what seems like, “Angry Birds did it so I guess we’ll do it too”.

Lethal-Lance-Screenshot-05

Fully completing stages with three stars does nothing within the game, yes you can choose to share your score on Facebook or Twitter but that’s the fast track to losing online friends so I doubt anyone will dare boast about it to their “virtual” friends. The game really has nothing else to offer apart from exactly what you see on screen; there are no rewards for doing good and there are really no consequences for doing bad apart from a bad score which I’m not sure many people hold in high regard. While it executes the basics of your typical side-scrolling/shooter well…it does become monotonous quite quickly and I believe it is because the developers chose to stick only with the basics instead of mastering and then building upon them.

Lethal-Lance-Screenshot-03

Visuals

I’ll always give credit when credit is due and I think “Lethal Lance” deserves it for the high quality aesthetics featured within it. While I did go pretty hard on the title gameplay-wise, I really enjoyed the way it look and it was one of the aspects (alongside the audio) that actually kept me playing the game for as long as I did. Not only are each of the levels well-designed but the colour schemes for the different locations are great! With beautiful vibrant colours and crisp animation it’s hard to look at such a title and say it DOESN’T look good.

I’ve seen far too many mobile title developers that put minimal effort into the visuals of their games, luckily “Lethal Lance” does not fall victim to that, instead the developers clearly put a great deal of effort into the games aesthetics and, as a man who enjoys the beauty in life, I can really appreciate that. Animation-wise this game is perfectly smooth like top-shelf peanut butter, honestly the way the background moves in accordance to lance himself as well as the foreground is only comparable to that of running water, it’s fluid in motion and makes for a very nice looking game.

Lethal-Lance-Screenshot-04

Audio

I found myself being quite surprised at just how brilliant the soundtrack for this game was. While many of the tracks did tend to repeat themselves, my love for them did not diminish. The best way I can describe the musical theme for “Lethal Lance” is that it’s mostly “synthpop”. Most of the music was made up by bubbly synthesizer tones and notes which made for some seriously funky tunes that I really couldn’t get enough of.

Not only did it fit the game well but the tracks were just great! You really got a sense for the type of game it was. Even the sound effects were well-made, each and every auditoral aspect of this game was perfectly done, no individual sounds got annoying or lost their hold on me and that’s a massive feat for any game, especially a mobile game of this kind.

Lethal-Lance-Screenshot-02

Overall

I feel as though the developers chose to keep gameplay mechanics basic so that they could instead focus on both the visual and audio aspects which actually turned out fantastically though it would have been a much better game had they just taken some more time to build upon what they had mastered. Illustrators don’t just master drawing the outlines of different images, once that talent is perfected it’s built upon, unfortunately something the developers of “Lethal Lance” did not do.

In saying that I do honestly believe the audio and visual aspects to have been done perfectly but, at the end of the day, this is a game and a game also needs to have engaging gameplay mechanics. If you’re in need for a simple, good-looking game to play than “Lethal Lance” is for you but don’t jump into this thinking it will scratch all of your side-scroller itches. In end; it’s a brilliant title with some smooth visuals, a fantastic soundtrack but a super basic gameplay style that leaves a little to be desired.

 

8-5-capsules-out-of-10

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

No Game No Life Episode 4 Impressions

No-Game-No-Life-Episode-4-01
A Mad King rises…

No Game No Life
Episode 4: Grandmaster

Chess is a lot more exciting than you’d think. Especially when the pieces possess their own will and the match also mixes in ideas from simulation games, both fighting and love. They say all’s fair in love and war, but how fair is love during war? Putting that to the test in the last episode, Sora managed to turn the tides of war with little more than a heartfelt confession to a Queen and a rousing speech to his troops. Unfortunately for him, his opponent isn’t going down without a fight…no matter how dirty it gets.

Continuing to spiral further and further down the path of ludicrousy, this episode treats us to the rise of a third faction on the chess board: Red. Led by the former Black Queen, these pieces stand alongside White in order to strike down the Mad King. Seriously, how awesome does that sound? And this isn’t even the plot of the series, this is just a game. The drama forced upon this chess match is so ridiculous and over the top, that it loops back around to being cool. I have never before been so interested in a game of chess before. Having been driven into a corner, Kurami decides to go for broke and orders her troops to sacrifice their lives in order to slay the Red Queen. However, in the midst of her final assault, Kurami’s kings cracks and her pieces crumble. Now I’ll be honest here, the reason that Kurami lost is a little vague. As far as I understand it, as a reflection of her own personality and leadership qualities, Kurami had a powerful link to her King. As she was backed into a corner, she began to panic and envision the situation as if it were a real war. Having convinced herself that Sora and Shiro are enemy spies, the idea snuck into her head that they would assassinate her should she become King. Therefore resulting in the seemingly spontaneous destruction of her King and subsequent loss of the game. Also her overuse of Elven magic can’t have helped the situation. Fear and suspicion are powerful tools if used correctly, but they can also lead to one’s own downfall. Kurami learned that the hard way, which led to a rather unexpected display of emotion. Don’t judge a book by its cover I guess.

No-Game-No-Life-Episode-4-02
…and a Sad King falls

Once again showing that he is one of the smartest people in Elkia (the other being Shiro), Sora utilises his talents of manipulation to cleanse the government of spies, ascertain the truth and put the country back on track in a single hand of Scissors, Paper, Rock. It is this same attention to detail that allowed both him and Shiro to become King together, though admittedly that took a while longer.The same day also see’s Sora resolve crop issues and establish a budget for the country, resolving two problems that have apparently plagued Elkia for too long. Not to let the seriousness of running a country overwhelm the anime, we learn that Sora only understands how to act because he pays attention to all of the domestic factors when playing Civilisation. Who ever said games don’t teach people anything?

After Shiro help him reign in his deathly fear of  crowds, Sora makes a grand speech to the people of Elkia about the defining factor of Imanity: weakness. I know that doesn’t exactly sound uplifting, but it actually is. He declares that only the weak understand how to stand against the strong and though the Ten Pledges have enforced weakness on every race, Imanity are the original weaklings. Though the Exceed may become wiser, they will never be as wise as those who have lived their lives on the bottom. Though this unexpectedly moving display, Sora manages to win over the hearts and minds of his citizens, instilling in them a pride they had long forgotten. So energised are they by this that Sora also reveals the next step in his reign as King: reclaiming Imanity’s lost territories. Now that’s how you rule, less than a day on the throne and he already has all of Elkia standing behind him, ready to march on the world. Though war is against the First Pledge, as always, Sora has meticulously planned everything out. Refusing to believe that a human could best magic unaided, the Exceed races will believe that another country is helping Elkia. Not knowing who it is, each country will bide its time, unable to strike without fear of repercussions. Once again, another display of brilliance that really sets Sora apart from other anime protagonists. Rather than everything working out on its own, Sora makes it work out one way or another.

No-Game-No-Life-Episode-4-03
The new royal family

Despite all of these dramatic moments, the most interesting reveal comes with the return of Tet. Ever the gamer, we learn that there is a reason the Exceed are comprised of sixteen races and that reason is centred around a game we are all familiar with: chess. As we now know, the ruler of each race is bestowed with a Race Piece, said to embody everything that race is. With sixteen races comes sixteen pieces, coincidentally the exact amount of pieces on one side of a chess board. See where this is going? Should anyone manage to obtain all sixteen Race Pieces, they are presented with a unique opportunity: the chance to play God. Should the challenger manage to best Tet, they will acquire his position as the One True God of Disboard, reigning over everything. It’s quite the prize. Naturally Blank sets their sights on challenging Tet and attaining the position of God, as it’s their policy to be the best at every game they play. However, what I found interesting was that this goal is by no means an impossible task. Remember the chess game Blank played before being transported to Disboard? That was Tet on the other side. See Blank has already bested God once, in fact revenge is the reason why Tet brought them to Disboard in the first place. Kind of petty for a God if I do say so myself. However, despite this rivalry, both parties hold no true animosity towards each other. Tet is happy he has a worthy opponent, whilst both Sora and Shiro thank Tet for bringing them to the world in which they belong. It’s uplifting as it is epic that the two talk so casually to a God, as Stephanie can attest to.

No-Game-No-Life-Episode-4-04
The Game of Gods

With their eyes now set on a position just a few steps above King, Sora and Shiro now have yet another goal to strive for: To beat God. Of course in order to reach said goal they will first have to best every other Exceed race in Disboard and conquer the world, but that shouldn’t be too hard for Blank…right?

Check out more No Game No Life Impressions HERE.