It?s 1897. Deep in international waters, the Helios stands still. Dark clouds loom overhead as unforgiving waves crash against the hull. Colossal effigies of gold, decorated with magnificent finery, stretch as far as the eye can see.
Born of Nikola Tesla?s vision, the Helios serves as a haven for the greatest scientific minds. An unbound utopia for research, independent from state and isolated from the gaze of society. Free to push the boundaries of matter and time.
Journalist Rose Archer steps aboard the Helios in search of her sister Ada. She quickly discovers not all is as it seems. Grand halls stand empty. The stench of rotting flesh lingers in the air. Silence. A single word is painted across the entrance? QUARANTINE!
SEGA proudly presents Yakuza Kiwami 2, one of the most beloved story lines in the franchise's history, remade in full HD for the PlayStation 4.
One year after the 10 billion yen incident, Kazuma Kiryu begins to build a peaceful life with Haruka Sawamura. Tearing him away, an assassination threatens to erupt in an all-out war between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance. Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, must travel to Sotenbori, Osaka in an attempt to broker peace between the rival clans, but Ryuji Goda, known as the Dragon of Kansai, will stop at nothing to get his war. In this world, there can only be one dragon.
Alright, take a deep breath, we're going to take a close look at that final fight--you know, the one with about four thousand characters all running around playing keep-away with the new Infinity Gauntlet? During the chaos, the Gauntlet changes hands a few times. It goes from Clint, who pulls it from the wreckage of the compound, to T'challa, who makes a run for it but is stopped by Ebony Maw. From the Maw, Peter Parker picks it up and finally, it lands in Carol Danvers' hands. With Carol finally ready to make the run to the quantum tunnel van (though we're not entirely sure what she was planning to do once she got there), she's suddenly surrounded by an all-star lineup of most of the MCU's major female heroes.
It's a goosebumps-inducing scene: A shaken Spider-Man asks Carol how she plans to get the Gauntlet through the mass of ravenous Outriders just in time for Wanda and Okoye to assure him, "Don't worry, she's got help," as Valkyrie, Pepper Potts, Mantis, and Shuri set up to form a little impromptu squad.
From there, we get a few moments of Valkyrie swooping around on her pegasus, Pepper blasting things with her repulsors, and Carol rocketing through aliens like they're paper dolls. All told, it's a pretty epic moment in a fight that is packed to the gills with epic moments--but what it implies is a lot bigger than the battle itself.
The (potential) pay off
It's no secret that the core six Avengers have finished their time in the spotlight. Can some of them pop up in the future to help out? Sure, but the original team itself is never going to reform to take down another major threat. It's time for the MCU to get a new central team. And the ladies of Marvel are a pretty likely contender, thanks in part to their comic book history.
Sort of, at least. This particular moment and line up isn't directly pulled from any one particular all-female team in Marvel's history, but it does invoke the spirit of one. The A-Force, a relatively recent addition to the Marvel Comics universe, is a team made up of heroes like She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Dazzler, and Jane Foster as Thor among others. They formed in the wake of a major crisis and were immediately tossed into the deep end, dealing with cosmic forces and potentially universe-ending stakes as they attempted to figure out the ins and outs of their new team dynamic.
Of course the A-Force isn't Marvel's only all-female hero squad, but they're definitely the most modern, which may actually be an asset more than a detriment. Because they're so new, the MCU would essentially have carte blanche in terms of lineups and motivations--no pesky history to duck and weave around and no source material to feel beholden to. The MCU's version of the team could really wind up including anyone--even the women who weren't present for the big moment during the fight, like Gamora and Nebula--with Carol as their figurehead and leader calling the shots.
Intentionally or otherwise, the bulk of Marvel's surviving female heroes all have cosmic origins of some kind--even Wanda, a human, was empowered by the Reality Stone. Pepper Potts likely won't have a major role in the upcoming phase--not only has Gwyneth Paltrow been open about splitting from Marvel, Pepper is a single mom now with more important things to worry about than galavanting around, risking her life. She certainly has the option to go to space in her Rescue suit, though, so never say never. The A-Force could be not only Earth's next line of defense, but the team who patrols the galaxy as a whole.
Because, really, let's face it: The Guardians probably aren't going to stop screwing that up any time soon.
Our image of just what Phase 4 will look like is still mysterious--there has been no announcement of an all-female team on the horizon, sure, but there also has been no announcement of any new team based movies so far. It's definitely possible that we simply won't get any more major group efforts for the foreseeable future, but with Black Widow allegedly still in development alongside more mysterious efforts like Shang-Chi and The Eternals, it's safe to say anything is possible. And with the core six Avengers out of action, someone has got to step up to fill the void--why not the characters who have already proven they work so well together under pressure?
When you think of the Shinobi series, it’s hard not to think also of the legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro – despite the fact that his music is only featured in a handful of the Shinobi games.
Koshiro’s soundtrack to Revenge of Shinobi / Super Shinobi remains one of the best on the Genesis / Mega Drive, which is made all the more remarkable when you consider that it was a very early release, and that Koshiro was still finding his feet on the Yamaha YM2612 hardware.
Since then, Koshiro has continued to produce amazing music for a wide range of games – including ActRaiser, Streets of Rage and, more recently, Etrian Odyssey – but he’s also been involved in developing games via his company Ancient. Since its inception in 1990, Ancient has contributed titles such as Sonic on the Master System and Game Gear, Story of Thor / Beyond Oasis, Protect Me Knight and Gotta Protectors.
Koshiro has recently been showing off his copy of Revenge of Shinobi, which is actually signed by the famous Japanese actor Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba.
The story goes that Sega used Chiba’s likeness for Joe Musashi’s face on the title screen and cover, and later releases of the game altered this face to avoid legal action. Koshiro states that Chiba signed the copy because “he is very kind and has a sense of humour”, but what’s really interesting is a follow-up tweet about the chances of Ancient working on a new Shinobi game in the future:
Now, it’s often the case that idle messages posted on Twitter are taken as being more serious than they actually are, and we’re not for one second assuming Koshiro’s tweet means he’s knocking on Sega’s door 24 hours a day demanding the chance to revive Shinobi, but just think about it. The series has been dormant since the brilliant 3DS reboot from 2011 (and the 3D Classics version of Shinobi III a few years later), yet it still has a fair amount of fame with veteran players. If Sega was to decide to bring Musashi out of retirement, we can’t think of anyone better to guide that revival than Koshiro himself.
And given Sega’s recent announcement that it will focus on ‘existing IPs’ after posting a $17 million loss, what better franchise to lead with? We can dream, can we not?
Beat ‘Em Up Arcade Game Clan N Fights Its Way To Switch Later This Year
Clan N, a new, beat ‘em up, arcade-style multiplayer game, is coming to all major platforms including Nintendo Switch in 2019, it has been confirmed.
The game is made up of seven “robust and challenging” levels, each containing dedicated minigames which help to tell the main story. This story is divided into 50 sections overall, all full of action-packed fighting gameplay, but you can also take the fight online or via local communication for some fast-paced multiplayer brawling.
We have a full feature list for you below:
– Four unique characters each with their own upgradeable attributes – Assortment of fighting mechanics including dodging, blocking heavy attacks, light attacks, and special attacks all based on popular techniques – A main story with 7 levels divided into more than 50 sections – Casual minigames tightly integrated into the main story that can be played separately as well – Challenging mid-to-end level bosses with varying degrees of difficulty – A slick and clean visual experience with accompanying far East-inspired music and sound effects – Local and online multiplayer gameplay
Özden Irmak, founder of developer Creamative, has also shared the following in a press release:
“We created the game with the classic arcade fighter in mind but wanted to bring more modern combat solutions to it. Clan N brings dynamic fighting styles among each of the four master fighters you can play as but distinctively separates the stylized fighting techniques so players have a diverse assortment of tactics to choose from.”
Do you think this one has potential? Will you be keeping an eye out for more news as we wait for its release? Let us know in the usual place below.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 05-02-2019, 11:39 AM - Forum: Lounge
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ThinkGeek Sitewide Flash Sale Includes 80% Off All Clearance Items
May is finally here, and ThinkGeek is ready to do some spring cleaning on its clearance section. To kick off the new month, the digital store is offering 75% off all clearance items, plus an additional 25% off all items in your cart. That 25% off discount applies both to full-price items and clearance items that have already been slashed by 75%. In case you don't feel like doing the math, that's a full 81% off clearance items that are already on sale.
Some important information: This sale only runs for 24 hours, so you'll want to grab whatever you're interested in buying between now and 9 PM PT on May 1 (12 AM ET on May 2). Once you add things to your cart, you'll see the discount automatically applied--no coupon code needed.
If you're not familiar with ThinkGeek, the retailer is one of the top online places to get officially licensed merchandise and collectibles from practically any fandom or interest, from Star Wars and Game of Thrones to Pokemon, Borderlands, Dungeons & Dragons, and many, many more. ThinkGeek's stuff tends to be reasonably priced in general, but with this sale, you're getting multiple stacked discounts that make these items more affordable than ever.
The clearance section currently offers quite a wide range of items, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and Marvel products. Some of them are ThinkGeek exclusives, and everything is officially licensed. Browse the full collection of items on sale at ThinkGeek, and see some of the products that caught our eye below.
[UPDATE 3:17 PM ET]: All of the below items have sold out. However, the sale is still going strong over at ThinkGeek, so be sure to check out the clearance section and grab anything you want before the sale ends tonight.
Just a reminder--Mother's Day is coming up in just a couple of weeks, so this might be a good chance to pick up something your mom or significant other would like. This solar system necklace crafted with gemstones is particularly stunning. (Plus, check out our other Mother's Day gift ideas if you need some more inspiration.)
This little dude has one purpose only: to twerk until his little plywood body can twerk no more. This DIY robot kit comes with 212 laser cut pieces and other supplies so you can actually put it together yourself--and of course, display it somewhere where everyone can see and be amazed.
These hand-crafted resin masks come mounted in a shadow box frame for display. Note that right now, only the Psycho Bandit replica appears to be available.
Take Star Wars' adorable rolling droid with you on the go, plug it into your 12V vehicle power adaptor, and let it charge your electronics with its two 2.1A USB charging points.
Been looking for some wall art for your gaming area? This wall art set pays tribute to the SNES controller, and each piece comes framed with a metal wall hanger on the back.
Whether you actually own a record player or enjoy collecting vinyls for the aesthetic, you've got some solid options to consider in this sale, including this gorgeous Undertale album or this double LP for Dark Souls II.
It's a great time to pick up this chrome-plated figure set if you're a Star Wars collector, as its full list price is $200 and it's already 50% off (pre-discounts). Featuring the OG droids, each model lights up and comes with interchangeable accessories.
This gorgeous skirt is a dream for anyone who likes cosplay, space, and/or sparkly things. The three-layered skirt is woven with over 60 small LED lights and has six adjustable modes.
This collector's item comes with a digital download for God of War, a hardcover coffee table book offering a behind-the-scenes look at the game, and a cloth-covered portfolio with art inspired by the game. This particular edition is exclusive to ThinkGeek with only 1,500 total available to sell.
Guide: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For May And June
Can you believe it’s May already? Where is the time going? Anyway, another month means more lovely stuff to buy, which is presumably why you clicked this link.
April saw the release of the lovely Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, the fiendish Mortal Kombat 11 and not one but two Final Fantasy remasters but what’s next for Switch, you may be wondering as your hard-earned money burns a hole in your pocket. We’ve helpfully compiled a list of all the good stuff coming out at retail in May and June, so feast your eyes and get all those pennies together – you’re going to need them!
Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale which helps support the site. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Resident Evil Origins Collection includes remastered versions of the critically acclaimed Resident Evil and its popular prequel, Resident Evil 0. This is a must-buy for horror fans on the Switch.
Relive the American Revolution or experience it for the first time in Assassin’s Creed III Remastered, with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay mechanics.
Team Sonic Racing combines the best elements of arcade and fast-paced competitive style racing as you face-off with friends in intense multiplayer racing. Race together and work together as a team by sharing power-ups and speed boosts. Watch out Mario, a new challenger for the best karting game is on the way!
Fans of the original Super Mario Maker on Wii U will be well-served here. From what we can tell Super Mario Maker 2 is shaping up to be an essential purchase for the Switch with oodles of new level creation possibilities, including SLOPES!
More Awesome Nintendo Switch Games
Aside from the highlighted games above, there are lots more Switch retail games which might take your fancy in May and beyond.
Awesome Accessories For Your Switch
We saw a whole slew of interesting accessories released for the Switch in the past few months, but more are on the way. Here are some tantalising accessories coming up in May and beyond, which we found for your consideration.
So that’s it for May and June – did we miss anything? Let us know with a comment and also tell us if you’ve pre-ordered any of these goodies!
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 05-02-2019, 05:33 AM - Forum: Lounge
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A Saints Row Movie Is Happening With Fate Of The Furious Director
Yet another video game is getting spun into a movie. Deadline reports that a film based on Saints Row is in development, with F. Gary Gray attached to direct. Gray directed Straight Outta Compton, The Fate of the Furious, and the upcoming Men in Black: International.
Greg Russo is writing the script; it's at least his second video game job, as he's also writing the script for the Mortal Kombat reboot movie in the works at Warner Bros.
The movie is produced in part by Koch Films, a division of Koch Media, which owns Deep Silver and the rights to Saints Row. THQ previously held the rights, but Koch Media acquired the rights and developer Volition out of THQ's bankruptcy auction. Last year, Volition and Saints Row returned to THQ ... sort of ... when THQ Nordic (which itself acquired the THQ name) acquired Koch Media and all of its assets.
The Saints Row movie has been in the works for a long time. Back in 2009, the rapper 50 Cent announced that he was working on a Saints Row movie when the franchise was with THQ.
There have been four main Saints Row games so far, but it's not clear if the story will be based on any plot from the franchise or if it's something entirely new. Also unknown is who will star in it, when production may begin, and when it could be released. In Hollywood, projects tend to get announced and take a long time to materialize, if they ever do.
A New Earthworm Jim Is Coming, But There’s A Rather Large Catch
Earthworm Jim is one of those series which really defines the 16-bit era. While it was a late release on the SNES and Genesis / Mega Drive, it really pushed the boundaries of those systems and built a solid fanbase which would endure over the years, despite some rather underwhelming sequels.
Now, a quarter of a century after the character first appeared, we’re getting a ‘proper’ Earthworm Jim 3 – and the original team is involved. That means Doug TenNapel, David Perry, Tommy Tallarico, Nick Bruty, Mike Dietz, Tom Tanaka and Joey Kuras are all on-board – the last time these guys worked together was Earthworm Jim 2, from 1995.
It’s all pretty exciting, right? Well, get ready for the catch: Earthworm Jim 3 will be an exclusive release for the upcoming Intellivision Amico. Set for launch on October 10th 2020, the Amico has the potential to shake up the home console war, but there are many within the industry that remain sceptical about its chances of carving out a significant portion of the market, especially when Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are so dominant.
Original Earthworm Jim composer Tallarico is now Intellivision Entertainment CEO/President, so that bit makes sense, at least. He’s clearly trying his hardest to secure some tasty exclusives for the console, and Earthworm Jim 3 – while not a AAA game by modern standards – has enough fame with veteran gamers to make the Amico a little more interesting.
Tallarico said:
We have been talking about this moment for many years, it’s a dream come true to finally get the entire team back together. We’re looking forward to sharing a small part of our reunion and initial design meeting with fans from around the world. Intellivision Amico is designed to bring friends and families together and we are excited for fans and those just being introduced to the series to get a first look as we kick-off the design of the game.
A 20-minute live interactive simulcast streaming event will take place on Saturday, May 4th at noon Pacific, and will showcase the first design meeting with the original team. The team will “engage with fans to hear their new vision firsthand” apparently, and original art will be hand-drawn by the artists and signed by the entire team before being given away to lucky viewers. In addition to that, 50 new watercolour posters by Earthworm Jim creator Doug TenNapel will be signed and numbered by the original team, and then given away during the live stream.
What do you make of this news? Are you keen to play another Earthworm Jim adventure? Will you buy a whole new console to get it? Let us know with a comment
There are numerous services available on the web for managing your personal finances. Although they may be convenient, they also often mean leaving your most valuable personal data with a company you can’t monitor. Some people are comfortable with this level of trust.
Whether you are or not, you might be interested in an app you can maintain on your own system. This means your data never has to leave your own computer if you don’t want. One of these three apps might be what you’re looking for.
HomeBank
HomeBank is a fully featured way to manage multiple accounts. It’s easy to set up and keep updated. It has multiple ways to categorize and graph income and liabilities so you can see where your money goes. It’s available through the official Fedora repositories.
A simple account set up in HomeBank with a few transactions.
To install HomeBank, open the Software app, search for HomeBank, and select the app. Then click Install to add it to your system. HomeBank is also available via a Flatpak.
KMyMoney
The KMyMoney app is a mature app that has been around for a long while. It has a robust set of features to help you manage multiple accounts, including assets, liabilities, taxes, and more. KMyMoney includes a full set of tools for managing investments and making forecasts. It also sports a huge set of reports for seeing how your money is doing.
A subset of the many reports available in KMyMoney.
To install, use a software center app, or use the command line:
$ sudo dnf install kmymoney
GnuCash
One of the most venerable free GUI apps for personal finance is GnuCash. GnuCash is not just for personal finances. It also has functions for managing income, assets, and liabilities for a business. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it for managing just your own accounts. Check out the online tutorial and guide to get started.
Checking account records shown in GnuCash.
Open the Software app, search for GnuCash, and select the app. Then click Install to add it to your system. Or use dnf install as above to install the gnucash package.
It’s now available via Flathub which makes installation easy. If you don’t have Flathub support, check out this article on the Fedora Magazine for how to use it. Then you can also use the flatpak install GnuCash command with a terminal.
