The Bleach manga covers are no stranger to decking its characters out in fashionable wear (or “drip”, as modern lingo would call it), so it’s only apt that the beloved series is celebrating its 20th anniversary with some sneaker flair. Japanese footwear brand Asics has joined forces with Tite Kubo’s anime classic to roll out a limited edition collaboration honouring two of its main characters, Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai.

Represented on the GT-2160, the former-themed kicks tout his signature palette of orange, black, and white. The spine of the heel is furnished with the Substitute Shinigami emblem, while the kanji spelling out his name can be found right next to it on the left-footed fit. On the inside is the Bleach branding, printed on the tongue.

Similarly, the Gel-NYC silhouette takes after Renji’s aesthetics. The red-and-black colourway is accompanied by a white sole and his name on the side of the left shoe, alongside the characters for the Sixth Division on the foxing. Both pairs of sneakers will be released in special packaging and men’s sizing, with prices ranging from US$145 to US$165.

The ASICS X Bleach collection launches sometime this holiday season, and can be purchased via Foot Locker and Champs Sports online and in-store. There’s no word on whether it will eventually be available outside of the U.S., but it’s set to debut at New York Comic Con, running from 17 to 20 October. It’s unclear if attendees will be able to buy the sneakers then, however.

This collaboration comes as Part 3 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, subtitled The Conflict, kicked off on 5 October. The anime’s first season premiered in October 2022, marking a welcome return after a ten-year hiatus and exciting fans with a brand-new, visually arresting art style. It adapts the final arc of the manga, which spans volumes 55 to 74, and will wrap up with four non-consecutive cours (quarters of a year).

Other 20th anniversary projects include a celebratory video that revisits iconic scenes from the original anime in the stylish, modern style the revival series is known for, and the forthcoming Bleach: Rebirth of Souls fighting game, due out in 2025.

The ASICS X Bleach collection will hit the streets when Holiday 2024 rolls around.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ASICS X ‘Bleach’ Sneakers Hits The Streets With 20th Anniversary Collaboration appeared first on Geek Culture.

Since its reveal at the Xbox Game Showcase in June, the JPRG-inspired fantasy epic Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has attracted much fanfare with a stylistic take on turn-based battles. But its momentum isn’t stopping anytime soon, as a new trailer revealing the game’s voice cast and release window continues to feed into the hype.

Developed by French studio Sandfall Interaction, the forthcoming title features a stacked voice cast that includes Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox, and Ben Starr. The former two are familiar names in the film industry, best known for portraying Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies and Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, respectively. Serkis is introduced as the voice of Renoir, while Cox breathes life into protagonist Gustave.

Starr, a rising talent after his breakout role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI, plays Verso, a mysterious — and presumably villainous — figure with unknown origins. The rest of the cast has no shortage of star power either, with Shala Nyx (Cyberpunk 2077, The Old Guard) voicing the warrior Sciel, Jennifer English (Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3) as Maelle, and Kirsty Rider (The Sandman) as Lune.

Rich Keeble (Good Omens), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3), Tracy Wiles (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Maxence Cazorla (Ineffable) are also part of the roster, though their roles have yet to be announced.

As revealed in the trailer, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released for Xbox Series X|S and PC in Spring 2025. It won’t be an easy time for the original IP, however, as established heavyweights like Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed are all due within the same window.

Still, its Reactive Turn-based combat system should offer a fresh breath of air, combining turn-based mechanics with real-time aspects such as quick time events and timing-based actions in both offense and defense. The Belle Époque-set game follows Gustave and Lune as they attempt to stop the Paintress, whose god-like powers can kill everyone of a given age she draws in the sky.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33′ — Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox & Ben Starr Lead Stylish RPG Out Spring 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

The highly-anticipated return to the Underworld isn’t quite the complete experience yet, but it might as well be. Five months after Hades II launched in early access, Supergiant Games’ beloved roguelike has rolled out its first major content update, packing so much new content that its patch notes on Steam come in at over 3,500 words.

Aptly titled the Olympic Update, the surprise rollout opens up a whole new region, which isn’t all that difficult to guess. Protagonist Melinoë will be heading up to Olympus, the mountain of the gods, with the final Nocturnal Arms in hand — a new pair of jetpack gauntlets called Xinth, the Black Coat. Players can visit multiple new locations in Olympus, alongside fresh additions to several other existing areas.

Athena and Dionysus, who were both in the original Hades, are also set to appear. There are certainly some artistic choices here, especially with the latter wearing nothing but leopard-print underwear, while boons from the Goddess of Wisdom are always welcome (Deflect, anyone?). Two new animal familiars, Raki the Raven and Hecuba the Hound, can be befriended, and Melinoë now has access to two new allies with unique keepsakes.

Prometheus, a Titan known in Greek mythology for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humans, will debut as the apparent boss of Olympus. Voiced by Ben Starr of Final Fantasy XVI fame, the character is set to bring the surface route “closer to the Underworld route’s level of completion”.

As mentioned, the latest update for Hades II is, well, supergiant, but other notable additions include 2,500 new voice lines in total, new music, “dozens” of new cosmetic items, a new world map that appears when Melinoë moves between regions, and native support for Macs with M1 chips or later. There’s also the option to listen to a 27-minute-long dramatic reading of the patch notes if the usual reading doesn’t cut it.

Beyond the Olympic Update, Supergiant plans to add a “climactic confrontation” after the new region, more boons, and improved enemy variety. The next major update for Hades II is expected to bow in early 2025.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Massive ‘Hades II’ Update Adds New Region, Weapons, Half-Naked Dionysus & More appeared first on Geek Culture.

A soundbar is an easy way to upgrade the audio experience, offering clearer dialogue and a more dynamic soundstage as compared to traditional speakers. The Sonos Arc established itself as a solid pick when it was released in 2022, and its newly announced successor, the Sonos Arc Ultra, is set to raise the bar with several hardware upgrades.

For starters, it features Sound Motion technology, which is touted as “one of the most significant breakthroughs in audio engineering in nearly 100 years.” The transducer technology hails from Mayht, the startup it acquired in 2022, and enables smaller speakers to deliver richer, better sound.

As such, the soundbar can pack more bass power into a relatively slim body that measures 7.5cm x 117.8cm x 11.6cm and weighs 5.9kg. According to Sonos, it’s also 18 percent smaller by volume than its predecessor and boasts 14 drivers in total, including seven tweeters, six mid-woofers, and the built-in Sound Motion woofer — three more than the original Arc.

There are other notable features as well. Apart from Dolby Atmos support and a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience (referring to nine horizontal audio channels, one subwoofer, and four up-firing channels), users can expect “an advanced version of Speech Enhancement” that promises dialogue clarity, Trueplay EQ tuning for both Android and iOS devices, and Bluetooth audio playback, which wasn’t available previously.

Like other Sonos soundbars, the Arc Ultra is compatible with the company’s Ace headphones through any input device plugged into it. The full-sized Sub 4 subwoofer, meanwhile, sports a new matte finish, backward compatibility, increased processing power memory, and new WiFi radios for improved connectivity.

As for current users, an update will reintroduce 90 percent of the new app’s missing features. The redesigned app was first rolled out in May, but a slew of bugs, missing features, unstable system performances, and other problems prompted the team to direct all efforts to improve its infrastructure.

The Sonos Arc Ultra retails for S$1,899, while the Sonos Sub 4 costs S$1,449. Both devices are available in black or white.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar And Wireless Sub 4 Subwoofer Offer Enhanced Spatial Immersion appeared first on Geek Culture.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to occupy the tech space, wireless earbuds are no less susceptible to its influence. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, running on the tagline “AI-powered with comfortable fit”, has incorporated the tech into its formula, allowing the company to lay claim to its first pair of earbuds powered by a Tensor chip.

Typically found in the Pixel series of smartphones, the processor offers various performance enhancements and support for Google AI. Similarly, the Tensor A1 audio chip also taps into the software to process audio 90 times faster than the speed of sound, with an upgraded active noise cancellation (ANC) infrastructure blocking out twice as much noise as before.

Other noteworthy improvements to optimise the overall experience include large 11mm drivers for powerful bass and spatial audio with head-tracking functionality to deliver immersive surround sound. Expect Gemini, Google’s voice assistant, to work like a charm with the earbuds, which offer seamless integration across existing Pixel devices.

Suffice to say, it’s no slouch. Packed to the brim with AI oomph, the accessory offers a glimpse of next-gen capabilities, but where does it stand among its contemporaries? Check out its performance in the comparison video above, featuring the Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2, Nothing Ear, and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 retails for S$349 and will be available in Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, and Peony.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Battle Of The Buds: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Vs. Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2, Nothing Ear & Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro appeared first on Geek Culture.

Video game music is one of the more underrated aspects of gameplay, but enthusiasts would know there’s plenty to delight in the artistry of vocals, sweeping instrumentals, crescendos, and more. For fans of PlayStation titles, the industry heavyweight is set to bring various iconic tunes to concert halls across the globe in 2025, with tickets available for purchase now.

PlayStation: The Concert World Tour will mark its first live music under the gaming banner, featuring a mix of visuals and music that celebrates worlds of God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon franchises amongst others. Per the official blog post, attendees can expect “innovative technology and world-class production”, alongside “a stunning fusion of multi-layered visuals, immersive surround sound, and an all-star ensemble blending classical and modern instruments.”

“The legendary scores from composers like Gustavo Santaolalla (The Last of Us), Joris De Man (Horizon), Ilan Eshkeri (Ghost of Tsushima), and Bear McCreary (God of War) will reach new heights, offering fans a unique, deeply immersive live concert experience,” it adds.

The music extravaganza will kick off with a world premiere on 19 April 2025 in Dublin, Ireland before heading to over 200 cities across Europe, the U.K., the U.S., and beyond. The performance dates for these regions have been announced, with more information about other world locations due “very soon”.

The complete tour schedule so far is as follows:

• 19 April: Dublin, Ireland
• 21 April: Birmingham, U.K.
• 22 April: Manchester, U.K.
• 23 April: Leeds, U.K.
• 24 April: Newcastle, U.K.
• 25 April: Glasgow, U.K.
• 27 April: Wembley (London), U.K.
• 29 April: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 30 April: Paris, France
• 1 May: Frankfurt, Germany
• 2 May: Amnéville, France
• 3 May: Brussels, Belgium
• 4 May: Stuttgart, Germany
• 6 May: Berlin, Germany
• 7 May: Hamburg, Germany
• 8 May: Dusseldorf, Germany
• 9 May: Zurich, Switzerland
• 11 May: Bologna, Italy
• 13 May: Budapest, Hungary
• 15 May: Sofia, Bulgaria
• 17 May: Vienna, Austria
• 18 May: Munchen, Germany
• 20 May: Prague, Czech Republic
• 21 May: Lodz, Poland
• 23 May: Copenhagen, Denmark
• 24 May: Gotenburg, Sweden
• 25 May: Oslo, Norway

Taking place in 2025, the PlayStation Concert World Tour has opened sales for early access tickets, exclusively for the PlayStation community. Tickets go on sale for the general public on 18 October.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post PlayStation: The Concert World Tour Brings Iconic Tunes To Life For First Time In 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

There’s merit to tweaking an established formula, but it doesn’t always pay off. In the case of Invincible, splitting its second season into a non-consecutive two-parter may not have been the best idea, as Season 3 is reverting to its original broadcast format on Prime Video.

As revealed in a new teaser trailer, the forthcoming outing will premiere its first three episodes on 6 February 2025, with subsequent episodes dropping every Thursday through 13 March. The Walking Dead star Steven Yuen returns as Mark / Invincible in the two-and-a-half-minute preview, where he gets chastised by Cecil (Walton Goggins, Fallout) at Burger Mart and makes a self-effacing rib at the mid-season break that Season 2 was subjected to.

“And don’t even get me started on your little four-month vacation right in the middle of things. We all sure loved that,” says Cecil, about the gap between its initial airing in November 2023 and part 2 in March this year.

Based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, Invincible follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson as he inherits his father’s superpowers and sets out to become Earth’s greatest defender, only to discover the job is more challenging than he could have ever imagined. Starring opposite Yuen in the show are Sandra Oh and J.K. Simmons, who play Mark’s parents.

The rest of the voice cast includes Seth Rogen, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Mantzoukas, Zazie Beetz, Grey DeLisle, Zachary Quinto, Chris Diamantopoulos, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Andrew Rannells, Kevin Michael Richardson, Ben Schwartz, Clancy Brown, Jay Pharoah, Mark Hamill, and Melise Jow.

The adult-animated show is executive produced by Kirkman, Rogen, David Alpert, Catherine Winder, Simon Racioppa, Margaret M. Dean, and Evan Goldberg. Helen Leigh and Cory Walker serve as co-executive producers. A fourth season of Invincible has also been greenlit, with Season 3 set to air on 6 February next year.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Invincible’ Season 3 Takes Off In Feb 2025, Will Not Have Mid-Season Break appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s a tale as old as time — tickets for a highly-anticipated event are sold online, only to be snapped up quickly by the crowd. Hours later, listings with marked-up prices appear on web-based marketplaces, where scalpers rear their ugly heads and wait to ensnare their prey.

The latest profit-making effort comes by way of the upcoming Disney Presents: A Night of Stars event in Singapore, promising an opportunity to meet actors from several anticipated Disney films and Disney+ series, including Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) and Korean stars like Park Eunbin, Sul Kyunggu, Yoon Chanyoung, and Park Byungeun. While admission is free, entry is limited to successful registrations on the Marina Bay Sands website, which opened this morning at 10am SGT.

And like clockwork, the scalping forces are quick to act. Two separate listings on Carousell have put out an offer of S$100 and S$150, with the former even accepting bids. “Selling 4 tickets, only selling as pairs,” reads its description at the time of writing. “PM your best quote. Current bid: [S$]110 each ticket”.

Meanwhile, the second post writes that the tickets are being let go at a fixed rate of S$150 each due to “overwhelming bids”. There’s also an accompanying paragraph that touts the seller’s ability to alter the names on the tickets:

“Marquee – scan barcode to enter. Will change to your name before sending e-tickets for ID check. Names CAN be changed. If others are saying it can’t be done, they just don’t know how to change it via the site. You cannot enter if the ticket name does not match your ID. :)”

Marquee refers to the iconic nightclub MARQUEE Singapore, located within Marina Bay Sands. Disney Presents: A Night of Stars will be held on 20 November from 5.30pm to 7.30pm SGT, but since there’s still some time leading up to the grand fan event, more listings from scalpers are expected to drop — and likely with higher prices, reinforcing once again how they continue to be the bane of everyone’s existence.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Scalpers Are Hawking Free Disney Fan Event Tickets For S$150 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Word about a Destiny 2 mobile game has been spreading for a while now, and the rumours are now reality. Bungie’s popular shooter series is making its way to Android and iOS platforms soon, with an alpha test slated for 1 November.

Titled Destiny: Rising, the upcoming title is touted as an “epic” free-to-play shooter set in “an alternate Destiny timeline” during the post-Collapse era. It will explore game lore before the existence of the Tower and the emergence of Guardians while retaining certain elements from the franchise, including familiar PvE and PvP modes and hero characters.

China-based NetEase Games is developing the project and has been granted creative freedom to craft its own storyline and vision. The developer preview video dives into more details, but fans can expect to pick from a fixed roster instead of creating their own Guardian based on Hunter, Warlock, or Titan classes.

Additionally, Destiny: Rising is set to feature single, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes, with each character having unique abilities and stories. Enemies like the Hive, Fallen, and Vex are expected to return, joining the usual Ghosts, Lightbearers, Iron Lords, and Warlords found in the Destiny universe.

There will also be controller support, alongside an option to switch between first-person and third-person view. Powerful weapons can be equipped to fight against darkness enemies in new locations like Jiangshi and the Red Sea Rift, with a new Mythic weapon rarity class unlocking access to a new weapon type.

While details on the monetisation system are sparse, the FAQ page writes that “a good part of the main campaign” and “at least one map for all game modes” will be available in the alpha test. No firm release date has been set for Destiny: Rising, but it’s coming first to the U.S. and Canada as a closed alpha test on 1 November. Registration is now open at NetEase’s website.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Free-To-Play ‘Destiny: Rising’ From Bungie & NetEase Coming To Mobile appeared first on Geek Culture.

The way to every person’s heart is through their stomach, but Culinary Class Wars introduces an extra ingredient into the mix: drama. After making history as the first Korean unscripted title to rank No. 1 on the Global Top 10 TV (non-English) list for three consecutive weeks, the popular cooking competition series has been renewed for a second season.

Following in the vein of the hit reality show Physical 100, it divides 100 elite chefs into two classes: white spoons, representing celebrity chefs, and black spoons (non-celebrity chefs). Both sides are then pitted in a tournament, where the top prize of 300 million Korean won (US$230,000) awaits.

Celebrity chef and veteran restaurateur Paik Jong-Won and Anh Sung-jae, the sole Michelin three-star chef in Korea, serve as judges on Culinary Class Wars. It rose to the top spot in four major markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea, with its upcoming release planned for the latter half of 2025.

We’re delighted to announce the production of Culinary Class Wars Season 2, driven by the incredible fan response both in Korea and around the world,” said KiHwan Yoo, director of content at Netflix Korea. “Bringing a show of this scale to life requires immense effort, and we’re deeply grateful for the love and enthusiasm we’ve received so far. As we continue to expand our unscripted offerings, we look forward to bringing even more distinctive and exciting shows to our audience in the near future.”

Producers Kim Hak-min and Kim Eun-ji, along with writer Mo Eun-sol from Studio Slam will also return for the show’s second outing, promising an even fiercer showdown between the chefs of the two classes. It first premiered on 17 September and wrapped up with a 12-episode count.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Netflix Cooks Up Season 2 Of Hit Korean Reality Series ‘Culinary Class Wars’ appeared first on Geek Culture.

The spiky-haired, finger-pointing lawyer that is Phoenix Wright may be the face of Capcom’s Ace Attorney series, but the significance of his sharp-witted, level-headed rival prosecutor Miles Edgeworth cannot be understated. Two halves of a truth-seeking duo, the legal aces have thrown countless ‘Objections!’ at each other in court, working together on opposing sides to find the truth. 

But as longtime fans would know, that hasn’t always been the case. Miles has mellowed out throughout the games, going from Demon Prosecutor and reluctant ally to a trusted confidante, earning him a permanent spot in the list of all-time favourites. After witnessing his growth from an external lens, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection presents the chance to step into the shoes of the titular character and dive into his inner psyche. 

Instead of courtroom drama, however, players will take to the streets and engage in battles of wit at crime scenes and relevant places of interest. It signifies a heavier lean into the mystery genre and point-and-click influence, but retains the spirit of its progenitor wholeheartedly, from the over-the-top flair and eclectic personalities to dramatic twists. 

Set between the third and fourth mainline entries – Trials & Tribulations and Apollo Justice respectively, to be exact – the duology marks the first official localisation of Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit, following its Japan-only release in 2011 that subsequently received a wonderful fan translation. 

The sequel joins 2009’s Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth, released internationally in 2010, in fleshing out the gameplay loop of examining scenes, collecting evidence, making observations, and interrogating suspects to bring them to apollo justice. A refreshing and enjoyable change in pace, the compilation is a stark reminder of its underrated nature, reinforcing the collective enthusiasm for Miles as a major recurring figure – even if it doesn’t necessarily escape the shadow of the mainline titles. 

The most distinct tweak right off the bat is the enhanced HD visual presentation, bringing a charming glint to the character designs. In a neat pivot, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection features newly-drawn iterations of the original sprites, spawning fluid animation and polished portraits that fit nicely into the 16:9 aspect ratio. Fans looking to relive the Nintendo DS experience can opt for the original graphics, but they don’t look the best on bigger displays like TVs and monitors. On the console’s 6.2-inch screen, the less crisp visuals are easier to forgive.

Navigation marks another departure from tradition. Unlike its mainline counterparts, the duology offers direct control over Miles, who can move around in a space – as opposed to jumping between different menu screens – and interact with both objects and people of interest. It’s also more grounded, eschewing the series’ recurring supernatural and mystical elements for step-by-step deductions, so don’t expect to break Psyche-Locks, summon spirits, Perceive abnormal twitches, or analyse erratic emotions. There’s only one way to solve the case here, and it’s with good ol’ logic. 

In fact, Logic comes as a new addition to Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, where players have to manually make connections between two pieces of information and draw new conclusions. Piecing them together correctly often sparks a sense of satisfaction, joining the Little Thief mechanic in spicing up gameplay.

Owned by Miles’ energetic sidekick Kay Faraday, the simulation device allows her to re-create and investigate old crime scenes to progress, with the freedom to jump between the past and present versions of them proving handy in uncovering fresh clues. It gets an upgrade in the sequel, bringing the ability to map out a crime scene at multiple moments in time, bathed in a green glow. 

Rebuttals, meanwhile, tread on familiar territory. Building on the cross-examination face-offs in court, these brief debate sequences pit Edgeworth against various opponents as he dissects testimonies, presses for more information, and shouts out objections when a contradiction appears (sounds familiar?). The signature speech bubble always makes for a welcoming sight, but like all the other entries in the series, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection suffers from the same structured linearity. 

Essentially, the game follows a single thread of logic, where the correct piece of evidence or conversational topic needs to be presented at the right time. There’s a rigidity to the process that fans should already be used to, and the occasional frustration that follows this step-by-step flow still persists, especially where far-fetched reasoning leaps (even by Ace Attorney standards) are concerned. 

The reprieve is that Miles’ reactions to wrong responses or guesses brings an entertaining touch to the whole affair – more so than playing as the Phoenix Wright, whose behavior and humour align fairly closely with his personality. Here, some of the prosecutor’s inner monologue and statements are at odds with his level-headed, composed demeanour, humanising him in a way that adds to his growth from the original trilogy.

Part of the portrayal can also be attributed to his interactions with the supporting cast, which includes series regulars Dick Gumshoe, Franziska von Karma, and Larry Butz, as well as returning side characters like Wendy Oldbag (plus, a special cameo from Phoenix and Maya and Pearl Fey). It’s his dynamic with Kay that stands out, however, softening out his stern-faced, straight-laced edges – a development that carries over to Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit.

While Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth makes for a good time, much of the heavy lifting is done in the subsequent outing. The first game takes a while to find its footing, so its execution is a little loose and flimsy, ending up more on the middling side of things with some less-than-memorable cases. But it walked so Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit could run, and boy, does it sprint to a gratifying high. With improved storytelling and characterisation, the sequel alone is worth playing through the lows of the original title.

For starters, Mind Chess turns Rebuttals into a more engaging affair. A countdown timer now appears at the top of the screen, and players will have to poke holes at a testimony and use logic to overwhelm opponents before it runs out. Aggression won’t always work, though, as this virtual chess space also offers the option to stay silent, allowing Miles to bide his time and wait for the subject to walk into a trap. 

The mechanic works to greater effect past the first two cases, introducing a sense of urgency to the problem-solving process that never overstays its welcome. Despite the adrenaline boost, the stakes do still feel lower as compared to the courtroom battles, sharing the same issue as its predecessor, and can sometimes lead to a tonal mismatch between expectations – descriptors like “epic” or “cool” come to mind – and reality, such as the anti-climactic interrogation of Miles’ childhood friend and bumbling comedic figure Larry.

Some may find that the cases in the collection take longer to complete, especially for the finale, and it’s nothing new. Where Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth tends to drag developments out for too long, however, Prosecutor’s Gambit finds a sharper edge in its tighter pacing and more streamlined storytelling. The slow-burn opening paves the way for a gripping, mind-blowing conclusion to the saga, and the mysteries, each with their fair share of twists and red herrings, are intricately woven into a cohesive narrative. Not every case is perfect, of course, but there’s often the fun element to look forward to with hardly moments of boredom, alongside interesting locations. 

Characterisation, too, feels more fleshed out here. As Miles’ dynamics with his companions have already been established, there’s a stronger and easier connection to the main cast. There’s a layered veneer to new faces, both allies and foes alike, that takes time to unravel, revealing more to them than meets the eye (in classic Ace Attorney fashion). It’s common for players to change their impression of certain characters, where some will grow on them, and others, evoking strong emotional responses. In a welcome nod to Miles’ past, one of the cases turns back the clock to feature his father Gregory, which is a nice dose of fan service. 

The callbacks can also be a bit of a double-edged sword because while they are a given for spin-offs, the nostalgia occasionally comes across as overdone and deters Ace Attorney Investigations Collection from cementing an identity strong enough to stand on its own. At least its reputation for eccentric characters and punny names remains intact, spanning groan-worthy and puzzling to genuinely witty ones. 

To that end, there’s little to complain about the localisation of Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit. Admittedly, there are moments where the fan translation seems to be a better fit – such as Sebastian Debeste, the unofficial name of Eustace Winner that sparked many “I’m the best” jokes with hilarious comebacks from Miles – but it reads naturally and smoothly enough. Be it legalese or regular jargon, the information is presented in a palatable, digestible manner, even if it gets a little verbose at times. 

Like all of its re-released counterparts, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection adds a Story Mode feature that acts as a helpline for players who are stuck at any point in the game and advances the story on their behalf, from automatically playing out dialogue to choosing the right piece of evidence. It does dilute the experience, however, and disables trophies and achievements when activated, so a hint system might be more ideal as an alternative. 

Other quality-of-life improvements include an episode and chapter selection, as well as the ability to review character dialogue through the History tab and switch between the original and new soundtrack arrangements from both titles. As expected, the duology promises quality music in spades, whether it’s the thrilling, pulsating beats of the Pursuit Theme, or the chirpy and distinctive character scores.

The arrival of Ace Attorney Investigations Collection marks another exciting landmark for series veterans, now that every game in the lineup (except the Professor Layton crossover title) is available to play in English on modern hardware. Despite stepping away from courtroom drama, the bundle still wears the charming, outlandish flair of its forebears proudly, doing a great job at combining new elements with what fans loved about the original trilogy – quirks and all. The wager doesn’t always pay off, particularly in the first game, but the delight of diving into some of the best storytelling in the series makes an iron-clad argument to embark on a new adventure. 

And one with a fan-favourite protagonist to boot? No objections there. 

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Ace Attorney Investigations Collection – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Sailing the high seas is hard work, so the One Piece crew will temporarily stay anchored on dry land. Following the release of its 1122nd episode, Toei Animation announced a six-month hiatus for the anime on 13 October, with Egghead Arc Part II returning in April 2025.

In the meantime, a remastered version of the Fish-Man Island Saga and a special 25th-anniversary episode serve to tide over the wait. The former is set to run from 27 October 2024 to 30 March 2025, featuring 21 abridged episodes of abre-shot scenes and “new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes” in a “contemporary visual style and recorded in Dolby Atmos. “

The upcoming One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga will also introduce a new opening called “We Go!”, sung by Kitadani Hiroshi and “special guests.” BE:FIRST is performing the ending theme song, “Sailing (Episodic Version)”. A first look at the remastered visuals can be viewed below alongside the key visual, breathing new life into the original arc that first aired between 2011 and 2012:

As for the One Piece Fan Letter special episode, it will premiere on 20 October with a young girl who admires Nami as the protagonist. “This 30-minute ensemble drama depicts the reunion of the Straw Hats crew from the perspective of non-pirate characters,” the official description reads. “Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Paramount War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure.”

Fans of the franchise are in for a hectic time. Apart from the various anniversary initiatives, a One Piece anime remake is currently in the works at WIT Studio, with Netflix releasing a slew of updates for the second season of its live-action series. A release date has yet to be set, but there will be many new faces to expect, kicking off the debut of the Loguetown, Reverse Mountain (Twin Cape), Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island story arcs.

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga will run from 27 October 2024 to 30 March 2025, before Egghead Arc Part II airs in April 2025.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘One Piece’ Anime To Take 6-Month Hiatus, Shares Visuals Of Remastered Fish-Man Island Saga appeared first on Geek Culture.

The throne of gaming has welcomed a new king, and it’s none other than Atlus’ first original game since 2011’s Catherine. Metaphor: ReFantazio now holds the record for being the company’s fastest-selling title, with over one million units sold worldwide within its first day of launch.

The latest milestone surpassed the previous record held by Persona 3 Reload, which hit one million sales in a week. In an update on X/Twitter, character designer Shigenori Soejima celebrated the news with an illustration of Gallica and thanked fans for their support.

It’s far from the only achievement, as SteamDB also saw record-breaking numbers on PC. The sprawling fantasy RPG topped out at 85,961 concurrent players, doubling Persona 3 Reload‘s all-time peak of 45,002. Persona 5 Royal is next on the list, attracting 35,474 concurrent players at its peak.

Metaphor: ReFantazio continues to be proof of Atlus’ strong track record, showing that there’s still demand for turn-based gameplay. The game’s similarities to the Persona series aren’t a coincidence — it hails from the creators of Persona 3, 4, and 5, who form Studio Zero, an internal arm of the company.

Naturally, some of the elements from the beloved franchise and its parent series, Shin Megami Tensei, have been carried over to the brand-new adventure. Atlus veterans can expect the calendar system, stylish UI design, the Press Turn mechanic, and more, combined with fresh takes on the existing formula, including a medieval fantasy setting.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’ Outpaces All ‘Persona’ Games To Become Atlus’ Fastest-Selling Title appeared first on Geek Culture.

The end of the road for My Hero Academia is nigh. After eight years of Quirk action, battle thrills, story twists, and character development (and deaths), the popular anime will wrap up with its eighth and final season in 2025.

Announced in a colour-page promotional Weekly Shonen Jump pull-out, the news comes after creator Kohei Horikoshi concluded the manga in August. A specific date for the finale wasn’t shared, but it was expected sooner rather than later, with the newly-released My Hero Academia: You’re Next film serving to tide over the wait.

The anime is currently in its seventh season, which began airing this May. Unlike previous outings, it will conclude with 21 episodes on 12 October, ending right in the middle of the penultimate Final War arc. It has come a long way since its small-screen debut in 2016, telling the story of a class of superheroes training prestigious U.A. High.

Izuku Midoriya leads My Hero Academia as a boy born without a superpower (called a “Quirk”), but still dreams of becoming a superhero himself. He gets scouted by the world’s greatest hero All Might, who bestows his Quirk to Midoriya after recognising his potential, and helps to enrol him in U.A. High.

The series has spawned various media over the years, including spin-off manga like My Hero Academia: Smash!!, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions, four feature films, and a host of video games. A live-action adaptation is also “actively” underway at Netflix, though there have been few updates on this front.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘My Hero Academia’ Ends 9-Year Run With Final Anime Season In 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Hamlet are perhaps two of the furthest things that one would associate the other with, but not for Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane. During the pandemic, the husband-and-wife duo fully recreated William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy play inside GTA Online, turning the entire process into a full-length documentary.

The film, titled Grand Theft Hamlet, would premiere at SXSW (pronounced “South by Southwest”) this year and win the documentary feature jury award, with the in-game production itself nabbing the Stage Innovation Award in 2023. Now that arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi has gotten rights to the movie, it will be coming to cinemas in the U.S. and streaming globally.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the doc is expected to bow in early 2025, after its U.K. premiere at the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival on 15 October. It includes over 300 hours of in-game material, highlighting the absurd beauty of staging a Shakespeare performance while trying to avoid rocket launchers and other forms of disruption.

The film’s official site lists the following description for Grand Theft Hamlet:

The documentary asks what is this space? How do we use it now and what else is possible inside it? Can we transport this ancient story inside a brand new one? And will it still make sense? The cinematic potential of Los Santos is immediately apparent, with its glittering, mind-blowingly detailed cityscape and surrounding countryside, the ray-traced rendering of light, ever-changing weather systems and intricate sound design. By using the in-game phone camera we were able to get intimate close ups and cinematic pans across landscapes – enabling a more cinematic visual language and moments of pathos, emotion and lyricism to exist within the chaos and violence of this undiscovered country.

The documentary is slated to hit cinemas in the U.S. in early 2025, before the Fall release window of the hotly anticipated GTA 6, led by the protagonist pair of Lucia and Jason.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ Documentary Combining Shakespeare & ‘GTA Online’ Is Hitting Cinemas appeared first on Geek Culture.