Gaming

Genshin Impact: Should you play it?

Best free-to-play game right now?

Published

October 7, 2020

GadgetMatch

Have you noticed an influx of screenshots featuring cute, anime girls on your social media feed? If your answer is yes, then a lot of your friends may be playing Genshin Impact. It’s been a little over a week since the release. Here’s what you ought to know about the game.

Genshin Impact is a game by Mihoyo, the same creators of Honkai Impact. It’s a gacha based game that lets you draw rare characters and weapons. A gacha game is like a loot-box system. The idea is to push players to spend virtual currency to acquire various items.

To some that might be something to avoid. However, the developers made sure to give players a fair amount of perks for free wishes.

Getting started

To start things off, you’ll need a few things to draw wishes. These are: Intertwined fate, Acquaint fate and Primogems. Upon starting the game I was awarded with 10 Acquaint fate as a pre-registration milestone and 1600 primogems from launch rewards. That already gives me a total of 20 wishes.

Aside from that, I also received free wings of companionship that I can equip to my characters for use during gliding. Adding to that are 160 Primogems daily in my mail. You also get a sure 4-star characters or weapon every 10 draws. That’s not bad for a gacha game.

I’ve seen lucky people draw 5-star characters with their first 10 draws and some after loading up some cash in the game. Either way, you can still proceed with the story and gain Primogems by doing quests and opening chests.

A mysterious beginning

Genshin Impact starts when the twin protagonist gets separated by a god for a reason that has not yet been revealed or fully explained. You get to pick which twin your character you will be.

Your starting point will be on a beach east of the town of Mondstandt where most of the story quests begin. You’ll have a travel companion in Paimon. She will walk you through your tutorial and quests.

Paimon’s backstory has not been revealed yet and I think this is something to look forward to.

Pick up everything!

The gameplay is something that I really like.

You get a party of four, either solo or co-op. The party composition will depend on which element the character has and how it will help in the elemental combos. You can switch your party members during battle to maximize skills and damage.

You don’t get to assign stats to your characters. Instead it depends on the equipped weapon and artifacts. The characters, weapons and artifacts can be leveled up and ascended every 20 levels.

The drops from monsters and bosses can be used as ascension items. The rule is: pick up everything you see because it can be useful.

I had no problem progressing through the story even if I felt unlucky during my wishes. Genshin Impact is enjoyable whether you focus on the story or just got around its vastly huge map.

Playing on different platforms

Another good thing about Genshin Impact is that you can access your account on both PC and Mobile. They automatically sync. I tried playing on PC, a Samsung Galaxy s9+ and iPad Air. Transition was seamless and I played on whatever platform I found most convenient for me. The UI adjusts perfectly.

Regarding the controls, it’s the usual on keyboard: WASD for walking, spacebar to jump, F to pick up items, Q&E for skills, left mouse button for normal attack, 1-4 to change characters.

On mobile you just need to touch the action icons. Nothing complicated. Dodging and casting will not be a problem. It all comes down to preference on what platform you want to play on. Your progress syncs between PC and mobile.

The game is also available on the PlayStation 4. However, it has to be an entirely different account from the one you use on PC and Mobile. You can still play with your friends on PC and mobile if you’re using a PS4.

**Should you play Genshin Impact?**

On top of the cute characters and interesting story, the Japanese voice actors are known to have voiced some known anime characters. Being an anime fan myself, this got me more interested in the game.

I’m looking forward to future patches that would answer the questions that have piled up in my head and can’t wait to find out Paimon’s story.

If you’re looking for an open world, action-packed RPG that can be played alone or with friends, has some challenging quests and puzzles, and crossplay between PC, mobile. and PS4, then Genshin Impact is for you.

This gameplay feature was written by Jan Ariz Joy Franco or Rizu — her by her in-game name. She’s a full-time software developer and plays games to de stress. She just started streaming few months ago to help cope with the pandemic and wants to promote a toxic-free gaming environment. She’s a big fan of Super Mario. If you want to support her just drop a follow: http://facebook.com/rizuph.

Gaming

Tides of Annihilation opens first public demo at Gamescom 2026

First hands-on

Published

August 6, 2026

Leez

Tides of Annihilation will make its public playable debut at Gamescom 2026.

Developer Eclipse Glow Games announced that attendees can try an extended demo of the upcoming action-adventure game during the event in Cologne, Germany. Players can find the demo at Hall 6, Booth B-050 inside Koelnmesse.

The studio will also reveal a new trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, before the show floor opens.

Demo offers more exploration and combat

The Gamescom demo gives players a longer look at Tides of Annihilation. It features branching paths that lead to different exploration routes and combat encounters. Players can also explore key locations and experience several of the game’s biggest set pieces.

“Gamescom will be an incredibly important moment for our team since this will be our first global playtest and we’re excited to see how first-time players experience our game,” said Ary Chen, Game Director and Co-CEO of Eclipse Glow Games.

“The team has poured heart, soul, and maybe even a few tears into developing the game over the last few years, and it’s finally our opportunity to share it with players. We’re looking forward to seeing their reaction.”

Members of the press and content creators can also schedule private hands-on sessions with the development team during the event.

Arthurian-inspired adventure

Tides of Annihilation blends fast-paced action with a Neo-Medieval vision of modern London. The story follows Gwendolyn after an Outworld invasion leaves the city in ruins.

Driven by a mission to save her sister, she travels between a shattered London and the mythical realm of Avalon. Along the way, she uncovers the mystery behind her newfound powers. She must also decide the fate of reality itself.

Eclipse Glow Games is developing Tides of Annihilation for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Gaming

Street Fighter 6 adds first Filipino fighter Yasmine to its roster

Eskrima fighter joins battle

Published

August 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Street Fighter 6 has officially welcomed Yasmine, making history as the first Filipino martial artist to join the franchise’s playable roster. The new character is now available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the game’s Year 4 content.

Yasmine practices Eskrima, having learned the Filipino martial art alongside her older brother under their grandfather’s guidance. She wields Karambit knives in battle and embarks on a journey to find her missing brother.

Players can access Yasmine by purchasing the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass. Her default outfit features traditional Eskrima-inspired combat attire, while a school uniform serves as her second costume. In combat, she specializes in fast, aggressive attacks that build toward an enhanced Bayani Mode.

Yasmine is the first of four Year 4 fighters, followed by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also arrives alongside battle balance adjustments affecting the entire roster.

Onimusha crossover arrives this week

Capcom also announced a limited-time collaboration between Street Fighter 6 and Onimusha. Running from August 7 to August 31, 2026, the event introduces Oni EX character colors, themed Battle Hub decorations, avatar items, and additional rewards for players who log in during the event.

The update also adds new Avatar Arcade courses, additional ending scenes, a Frame Meter option for Avatar Random Match, and refreshed Master ACT rewards.

Philippine launch event set for August 9

Capcom will celebrate Yasmine’s debut with an official Philippine community launch event on Sunday, August 9, at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. The event runs from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features a double-elimination tournament, gameplay showcases, giveaways, and community activities.

Attendees can also receive limited-edition Yasmine merchandise, including event T-shirts, lanyards, and collectible keychains while supplies last. Special guests and cosplayers are also scheduled to appear. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to venue capacity.

Gaming

Gangstar Mirage City launches on August 20 with SEA localization

Join a faction now for a chance to win rewards

Published

August 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

Gangstar Mirage City is set for a full regional launch on August 20, with localization for the Southeast Asia region.

Published by Level Infinite, the free-to-play multiplayer, urban, open-world action game is available for download on iOS and Android.

The full regional release features an expanded open world, a new PvP Arena mode, and local languages.

In Gangstar Mirage City, players can team up for up to 4-man co-op heists, drive powerful vehicles, customize their arsenal, build an empire, and fight for control of Rooklyn City.

Players can register on gangstarmiragecity.com for in-game rewards.

In Southeast Asia, players can also register as a member of their respective local faction and get an exclusive in-game Avatar to represent their loyalty:

Philippines: Manila Brigade
Indonesia: War Kanda
Malaysia: Taiko Tedung
Thailand: SIAM APEX

Factions will be ranked based on how many players join and support them. The winning faction will enable all members to get 300 Diamonds, sent directly to their accounts.

Meanwhile, all players, including those who already began their journey in Rooklyn City with the soft launch last July, are invited to join the Global Vault Heist.

Reaching the final Registration Milestone will unlock the Full Tilt Vehicle Pack. These are the rewards up for grabs per milestone: