Wargaming has just released a trailer for World of Tanks that briefly showcases their upcoming developer diaries. To be released throughout year, these videos will be focusing on the major improvements the game will receive in 2014.
Mike Zhivets (World of Tanks Producer) said:
“It will be a truly transformative year for the game. Enhancements planned for 2014 touch upon the very core of World of Tanks, and each of them will overhaul the look and feel of the title, inducing the tank combat experience we deliver with a whole new level of realism and immersion.”
Sometime within 2014, World of Tanks is set to receive a revamped graphics render, adding a greater level of detail to vehicle models and providing for a more realistic gaming environment. The technical enhancements in the game will also extend to its physics engine. This will include introducing more responsive gaming environments, dynamic suspension and damageable small parts, such as turrets which can be completely blown off. Gameplay will also be enhanced with the much requested Historical Battles and a new meta game functionality entitled Fortified Areas.
While you’re waiting patiently for the dev diaries to release, feel free to check out the introductory trailer and screenshots below. The World of Tanks just got prettier…still equally as violent though.
Kill la Kill Episode 20: Far from the Maddening Crowd
Since transferring to Hannouji, Ryuko has been through a lot. Over countless tests of strength, skill and tenacity, she has always remained resolute. Within the violent insanity of it all there has always been one thing driving her forward, one purpose that forced her to stand again and again against unspeakable odds: her past. The desire to avenge the father she ignored in life, to see justice be done…but that is no longer the case. With last week‘s revelation, a new Ryuko was born…and she is far from the one we know.
She who would turn her back on the world…
We’ve seen it before. Rage. That which almost consumed Ryuko once before. Only it’s not quite the same this time around. In it’s previous incarnation, Ryuko’s malice was focused on Nui Harime, a single foe which drove her into the grasp of madness. But now Ryuko knows the truth of her existence and her anger is now directed towards her new opponents: everyone. Gripped by her emotions, she decided that she is not, nor has she ever been, a human and is therefore no longer a part of the world. Not a student. Not a friend. Nothing. She does not even consider Senketsu an ally, as it is her who was the true weapon created by Dr Matoi. If anything, Senketsu was a way to conceal the truth of Ryuko’s origins, having her believe that every feat of strength was owing to the Kamui that she wore. Combined with the fact that her father’s entire life was also nothing more than a cover story, Ryuko’s only memento of her family is deception. Not only that, but her true family has stood against her time and time again. With all this information bearing down on her, it’s no wonder the poor girl snapped. Not even a perfectly timed, and hilarious, burst of Mankanshoku exposition is enough to break her out of this downward spiral. So you know it’s serious. Just look at how she fought Nui. Without the guise of humanity guiding her, Ryuko simply smiled as she drove a blade through the girl’s heart. It was brutal.
A glimmer of hope remains
All that said however, it is not truly anger that plagues Ryuko. It is something far more powerful and dangerous: fear. Even Mikisugi notes that in the midst of her tirade against the world, Ryuko was crying. Each of her criticisms of humanity were justifications, her way of trying to bastardise a world that she can no longer be a part of. Not human. Not Life Fibre. Caught in the middle, yet belonging to neither. Even those who carry the same curse of existence stand against her. Her own mother, someone who is supposed to care about her, sees her as nothing more than an interesting being, an experiment gone horribly right. It is this same “mother” that Ryuko has begun to bear a frightening resemblance to. Though their reasoning is different, both now stand against a world they do not connect to. It is assumedly this manner of thinking that allowed Ragyo to corrupt Ryuko and turn her subservient weapon. Whilst forcing Junketsu onto the lost protagonist, she showed Ryuko visions of a happy life. One of family, of normalcy, of love. Everything Ryuko had clamoured for, everything she had fought for her entire life. Compared with the reality she now dwells within, it’s no wonder why she accepted Ragyo’s lies and turned her back on herself. It was honestly heartbreaking to see Ryuko in such a state. All she could do was cry as she finally stopped fighting and simply let go of all the pain.
Tears shed for a life not lived…
However, this utterly depressing turn of events proves just how confused Ryuko was after learning the truth. Throughout her screaming and flailing, not once did she ever hurt anyone. Though she threatened violence, she demonstrated her power on COVERS and empty buildings. Her words served to push everyone away in an attempt to protect them from her, having deemed herself unworthy of joy. If anything, Ryuko wished to free them of the burden of having a “monster” as a friend. Even in her darkest moments, her compassion still shone through, if only briefly before it was snuffed out by Ragyo. She tried to turn them against her, so that they would not have to feel pain when she left their lives. The same pain she escaped from by succumbing to the will of Junketsu.
With Ryuko now caught in the depths of despair, there was only ever one person who could replace her. In a reversal of roles, it is now Satsuki on who the world’s hope rides. Despite the stern and cruel actions that made us view her as a typical anime villain, Satsuki is now a beacon that may just be Ryuko’s final hope. Her magnetic personality truly shines through in the fact that, after all that has happened, her Elite Four still follow her unquestionably. It was actually rather sweet to see them all reunited, after the pure worry they expressed when they learned of her capture. These facts serve to dispel any questions you may have had regarding Satsuki’s humanity, cementing her as a misunderstood hero. Which is good, because we really need one.
Can hope conquer despair?
As the only glimmer of hope left in the world, and with the future on the line, Satsuki partners herself with the only one able to stand up to Ryuko’s power: Senketsu. Though he despises the former President, Senketsu’s love for Ryuko is greater. In a complete inversion of their previous encounters, Ryuko now stands above Satsuki, looking down on the “foolish girl” who would dare stand against her. As the two begin the fight that will decides their fates, we can only hope that Satsuki’s indomitable will can break through Ryuko’s shattered psyche. It just has to…
In some good or bad news, depending on whether you like or dislike the wonderful adventures of gourmet hunters, the Torikoanime has been confirmed to end its 3 year long run on March 30th.
Toriko based upon the manga of the same name follows the ridiculous misadventures of a gourmet hunter named Toriko as he journeys the world in search of the perfect menu. It is preposterous to say the very least, but thanks to the support of the creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, the series has received a decent level of awareness and has built quite a solid fan-base for itself.
The anime will be replaced by the returning Dragon Ball Z Kai, which is set to cover the Buu Saga of the original Dragon Ball Z series. The Toriko manga is still ongoing and no end has been confirmed for the manga, despite the anime ending. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Konami has just announced that a brand new data pack is now available for Pro Evolution Soccer 2014. The new data pack adds a wide arrange of new elements to the game and is available on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
The new data pack celebrates South American football and the legends of Classic football. Included in the pack is AC Milan’s 1899 gear for example. So be sure to pick up this amazing new data pack for PES 2014 now.
The data pack is currently unavailable for PC but Konami promises it to soon release on the platform in the near future. Stay tuned for more information on that.
Three seconds in and we are treated to a close up of one of Haruka’s boobs, oh goodie I wonder what this episode will focus on (he said with a small amount of sarcasm in his voice). For those of you who didn’t watch the preview at the end of the last episode, this one breaks away from the main plot in order to give us a side story filled with bouncing boobs and scarf buying… I can barely contain my excitement (he said again with a small amount). I should point out that I don’t mind filler episodes or fan service and it would be naive to think Sakura Trick wouldn’t use these two anime elements for comedic effect. However I only found one scene out of the two stories enjoyable with the rest just being plainly average, no amount of boob coverage could make up for that, though to be fair they did make a good attempt to do so.
7-A: Swimsuit Fanservice, Accidents Included
The cultural festival was a success and to celebrate all seven (I’m including Mitsuki now) girls decide to hold their own after party at Kotone’s house; this is where we discover she is incredibly rich and has a heated indoor pool. The focus of the show switches from Haruka and Mitsuki learning to swim to Kotone’s younger sister confronting her about an important family matter that could jeopardize her relationship with Shizuku, this ends with a swimming competition between the younger sister and Shizuku (who can’t swim).
The confrontation was quite a surprise as it reminded me of the conversation Shizuku had with Kotone back in episode 2, showing how emotionally vulnerable Shizuku still is in regards to how Kotone views their relationship. Shizuku’s genuine concern and anger in this scene fully shows her affection for Kotone and what really seals the deal is a line that is both true and powerful.
“Don’t kiss me if you’re just playing around.”
With such an intense scene (ending in a way that breaks the moment), what was that other thing I was supposed to talk about in this story?
Oh yes how could I forget about those, er I mean that subject. Like I said before I don’t mind a bit of fan service and this first half certainly has its fair share; the close ups and wobbling should fill your FS quota and it is nice to see it used to create some interesting moments. I did enjoy how Iizuka and Ikeno made Mitsuki uncomfortable, the manipulative/ mischievous nature of these two were being used with the FS to create a great set up, unfortunately it doesn’t end strong and what we get is a predictable punch line. Not too sure if I should comment on the girls’ swimsuits however I will say that Haruka, Mitsuki and Kotone all have swim wear that fully display how big their boobs are, again if you like FS then you won’t be disappointed.
7-B: Shopping with Yuu-Chan
Haruka and Yuu go shopping for a scarf… okay fine I’ll go into it with more detail. Yuu doesn’t want to wear her scarf because it was a hand me down from her older sister, she then tells Haruka about a white scarf she recently saw and wants to have that instead of her current one. After seeing Shizuku in class wearing the exact scarf Yuu wanted, Haruka goes to a department store with Yuu to see if they have one left in stock. This side story contains a scene where Haruka tries on a dress which is too tight because of her large chest, a small yuri kiss in the changing rooms and ends with Yuu choosing a different scarf altogether. Surprisingly the thing I both liked and disliked about this story was Yuu; on one hand she appears to be ungrateful, impatience and often rude, but on the other it’s these things that make her a more relatable (and admittedly annoying) character.
Yuu is the younger sibling out of her and Mitsuki so it’s only natural for the youngest one to dislike most of the hand me downs given to them, especially if they belonged to their older sibling (and yes I am speaking from experience) and her hatred for Mitsuki’s scarf is shown in a scene where she has to choose between buying a different scarf or continuing to wear the hand me down. I did find Yuu’s impatience towards Haruka irritating and the comment about calling her fat to a sales clerk was a bit harsh (but also very funny). The story ends with Mitsuki freaking out when she sees Haruka wearing her scarf… I don’t know why either because it wasn’t funny in anyway, another missed opportunity and I suspect this may occur again.
And just like last week’s episode we are treated to another little extra at the end; a character profile of all six girls as told by Ikeno and Iizuka, a nice little piece of swimsuit fan service to end an average episode.
This is not one of the better Sakura Tricks; Kotone really holds the first story together and unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the second one as much, the premise was boring but they could’ve made it so much better then what it was. The humour used to end each scene is again, hit and miss with only a couple of funny moments and I’m starting to become more put off by Mitsuki’s crush on Haruka. Combining these elements with missed opportunities, it appears this side story took a wrong turn and I do want and hope it redirects itself in the next episode.
Sakura Trick is animated by Studio Deen and is currently being streamed, by Crunchyroll. Don’t forget to check out our Anime Impressions page to see what shows the other Capsule Computers anime crew is watching this season.
Iceberg Interactive and Little Green Man Games are excited to announce that Starpoint Gemini 2 has received an advanced alpha update. Currently in alpha on Steam’s Early Access, Starpoint Gemini 2 incorporates RPG mechanics within the 3D tactical space sim, that commands captains to sail the tides of war in their space ship to overcome the conflict that remains in the Gemini system.
Graphic and gameplay anomalies redesigned and updated
Ships “drop” derelicts more frequently when exploding and all ships now have proper derelict models
Skill & Perk respect panel has been added to stations, so players can test out different skill setups or reset points for a price
Boarding mechanics now include various random micro-events that can fire off, to change the course of on-ship battles
Local security ships now check passing ships for illegal goods including the player, and will demand that the ship jettisons the cargo if contraband is found
In addition, the developer, Little Green Man Games have launched a user-generated Hero Contest, to allow players the opportunity to create a character they would like to see implemented into the game. The contest (enter here) will run until Friday, March 14 and the character with the most community votes will win.
The alpha version of Starpoint Gemini 2 is currently available here for USD $22.99, and includes the original game for free! Don’t miss out on the full release of Starpoint Gemini 2 on Steam this spring.
Both “Infinity Ward” and “Activision” are extremely excited to announce that their next “Call Of Duty: Ghosts” DLC pack “Onslaught” has now been made available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game. For those of you who havn’t been following the news leading up to this release, the DLC pack contains a massiv eupdate to the game that not only includes four different multiplayer maps but also a brand-new weapon and the first instalment of the four -part episodic narrative “Extinction”.
This is one heck of a DLC pack that I can guarantee fans of the game will absolutely love to get their hands on…that’s if they already haven’t done so. As mentioned the pack comes with a bunch of addition content like the “Maverick”; a dual-purpose assault rifle that also doubles as a sniper rifle, a perfect weapon for players who prefer to kill from afar but don’t mind getting into some mid-range action if forced to. Alongside the new firearm comes four new maps that have been designed in a classic “Call Of Duty” style, another addition to the title that is perfect for both new players and old school followers of the franchise that are up for something a little more…nostalgic.
– Fog: Set alongside the banks of a murky lake, players skilled enough to pick up the map’s unique Field Order can become the embodiment of evil and don the mask of Michael Myers, one of cinema’s most iconic horror characters, in this chilling homage to classic horror films.
– BayView: A coastal Californian boardwalk that offers players fast-paced run-and-gun gameplay amid a seaside town. Clever players will be able to climb onto the map’s moving trolley to engage enemies, as well as call in devastating artillery strikes from the Naval Destroyer anchored offshore.
– Containment: This map drops players into a raging battle amidst a war-torn Mexican village, where the action centers on the crippled remains of a small bridge holding a hi-jacked truck leaking radioactive material.
– Ignition:Is a reimagined version of “Scrapyard” – the fan-favorite multiplayer map from Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2, placing players into a deserted space launch facility with frenetic action amongst abandoned warehouses, flame trenches, a massive transport crawler, and dynamic map elements that can take players out if they’re not paying close attention.
Finishing off the DLC pack is the initial episode in the four part episodic adventure titled “Extinction”. The first episode, “Nightfall”, takes players into a remote research facility somewhere deep within the wilds of Alaska. You play as part of a small recon team that is tasked with entering the facility to figure out what exactly happened to the mysterious “Nightfall” program. Within the facility you’ll come across some freaky enemies as well as two new types of alien creatures to fight against.
As mentioned, this will be the first of four episodes that will be released throughout the year, it’s definitely a side story that should not be missed especially if you’re a fan of sci-fi. The “Onslaught” DLC pack is out now and is priced at a fair $19.95 as a standalone purchase or it can also be bought as part of the “Call Of Duty: Ghosts – DLC Season Pass” which is going for $64.95. That season pass, once bought, contains this DLC pack as well as the next three that have already been planned for a release (though obviously you’ll be eligible to get them once they ARE released). Head on to your PC, PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 now to grab the “Onslaught” DLC pack. You wont want to let this one pass you by.
Next week, Tuesday the 4th of March, Rockstar Games are set to release ‘The Business Update’ for GTA Online on PSN and Xbox Live. Included will be a number of new vehicles, weapons and clothing options, and just like was the case with the Valentine’s Day Massacre Special, the former two additions will be available in both GTA Onlineand Story Mode.
“The Turismo R and Alpha evading LSPD pursuit through downtown Los Santos”
Players will have access to the Albany Alpha, Dinka Jester and Grotti Turismo R sports cars, as well as the Vestra airplane. Drop by your local Ammu-Nation to purchase the Heavy Pistol and Special Carbine. And dress for success with fresh formal and business casual attire, from suit jackets and slacks to glasses, heels and blouses. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to rock some “all-business” hairdos, currency themed tattoos (douche personified) and one of many from a brand new collection of masks.
“Take to the skies in the luxurious Vestra”
In Story Mode, your weapons will be deposited into all three characters’ inventory with two full ammo-clips, and all three cars will be accessible from their garage properties. In GTA Online, you’ll be able to purchase the new weapons and their attachments at any Ammu-Nation location while the vehicles will be available for purchase from either Legendary Motorsport or Elitas. A special note: this weekend is the final chance for you to grab Albany Roosevelt limousine, the Gusenberg Sweeper machine gun and all the rest of the exclusive items from the Valentine’s Day Massacre Special as they will no longer be available to purchase after midnight PST this Sunday, March 2nd.
“The Heavy Pistol and Special Carbine, two new weapons available as part of The Business Update”
Stay tuned to Capsule Computers as we continue to bring you the latest GTA Online updates, including forthcoming details about the imminent Business Update Event Weekend, information on future Online Heists, the Capture Creator add-on, additional Assassination and Flight School missions for Story Mode and a whole lot more.
The exciting new multiplayer online battle arena title is set in the DC universe, allowing players to utilize the DC heroes we’ve all come to love. This newest update reveals three new heroes: Mecha Superman, the Green Arrow, and Aquaman. These will be available for play alongside Superman, Batman, Superwoman, and more. The open beta will reveal Infinite Crisis’s new tri-lane map, “Gotham Divided”, in addition to the new heroes. Below, you’ll find the trailers that show what skills they each possess and what they are like when you play them.
Make sure to keep an eye out for this exciting MOBA game, and for more information, check out their site here.
To celebrate the first release of adventure game Syberia on the Mac platform, Microids has unveiled some new artwork from their upcoming adventure title, Syberia 3. The development team is happy to be able to share the new artwork that represents the discovery of the Youkol cam by the saga’s heroin, Kate Walker.
Microids VP, Eliot Grassiano, explains:
“…as we keep having a new audience discover the unique univers of Syberia through adaptations on mobiles, tablets, today Mac and soon PS3 and Xbox 360, we progress in the creation of the third episode of Kate Walker’s adventures.”
For more information on the Syberia franchise, be sure to check out their official website here.
