Gaming

The Last of Us Part 1 is great for first-timers

A riveting story with upgraded visuals and gameplay

Published

August 31, 2022

The Last of Us Part 1 is my first time experiencing this critically acclaimed and generally beloved game. I wasn’t doing a lot of gaming at the time it was first released which was in June 2013. About a year later, a remastered version for the PlayStation 4 was released. And at that point, I was still a few years away from really coming back to gaming.

Before I talk about my experience playing The Last of Us Part 1, I think it’s crucial to share where I’m coming from as a gamer. I missed nearly all of the PS3 era and the early part of the PS4 era. At the time I was busy building my career as a media professional – covering more politics, sports, and tech over gaming.

It wasn’t around 2016 to 2017 that I jumped back into gaming again. I inherited my brother’s PS4 as he transitioned to the PS4 Pro. My feelings towards gaming has been largely the same since. I really jumped back in at the perfect time – to a point where gaming has matured quite a bit.

I did most of my gaming on the original PlayStation and the PS2. But I had to pull back because I became too consumed by gaming and had neglected my school work. Going from that era to the PS4 was quite the leap. Especially for someone like myself who is used to the grind-heavy hours of JRPGs and who’s jaws dropped at 3D polygons I can control on the TV.

And that’s how I feel about experiencing The Last of Us Part 1 in this fully remade form. It’s a leap, and I’m glad I’m soaking in the story in this presentation.

Definitely a Remake

L: Remake. R: Remaster.

Naughty Dog, the game’s developer, and Sony PlayStation have really gone out of their way to market this as a Remake and not just another remaster. And really, it’s largely true.

To be able to get a frame of reference, I played the early hours of the game both on the Remake and the Remastered version. The visual differences are very evident.

First off, the environment, textures, and character models look and feel a lot more real on the Remake. It’s really hard to explain in detail. And not even this side-by-side video comparison by IGN can fully showcase the visual leap.

After all, the console generations are a little closer to each other than the more massive Remake that Square Enix did with Final Fantasy VII.

The improved visual cues and controls help with it too. The visual cues on the Remake are now in white – more in keeping with the tone and look of the game. In the Remaster, the on screen elements were more colorful and it felt more gamery. It’s a subtle change and one that may not matter to most people, but it is noticeable nevertheless.

The controls, too, feel more fluid. There was something about the controls on the Remaster that felt heavier than the one on the Remake. Although, it really isn’t by much. But the combination of the better visuals and improvements in gameplay certainly signals a ground-up rebuild. Which stays true to how the game has been marketed so far.

I’m not gonna go into detail since you can check all of that out on the PlayStation Blog, anyway. All I can say is that every little improvement – especially the accessibility ones – they mentioned is no hyperbole. Everything does feel like an upgrade.

Is it just a cash grab?

Even after playing a good chunk of the game, I still haven’t made up my mind on whether The Last of Us Part 1 is even really necessary.

If, like me, this will be your first time experiencing the story, then it’s an easy recommendation. And perhaps that is the main point of the Remake. To get players who missed out on the initial release to experience the game but by 2022 standards.

For fans who have played the game before, it’s hard to have to shell out the price of a new game for a story you’ve already experienced before. If you fall in this category, perhaps it’s more prudent to wait for discounts and price drops, or for it to show up on the PS Plus subscriptions.

As a first-time player, I’m having a grand time. Very similar to my experience with playing Uncharted 4 which I also missed when it first came out. Going through the game in the PS5 enhanced version included in the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection was an absolute joy.

Certainly a marketing tool

But like Uncharted, I am firmly in the camp that The Last of Us Part 1 is a rather expensive marketing tool to accompany Sony’s foray into live action movies and series.

The release timing of the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection happened right around the time the Uncharted movie starring Tom Holland (Spider-Man in the MCU) was released. And just as The Last of Us Part 1 is coming out on September 2, 2022, HBO dropped a trailer of the The Last of Us TV series starring Pedro Pascal. It doesn’t take a genius to put two-and-two together.

That said, these Remakes aren’t phoned-in efforts. They are very much done with much love and care by the developers. And they’re definitely the best way to experience the games today.

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: