Gaming

Finally: Japan welcomes Pokémon Go

Published

July 22, 2016

Monch Lopez

Pikachu is home, and by that we mean you can now catch Pokémon’s iconic yellow mouse where it all started.

Pokémon Go is “finally broadcasting” in its native Japan, Niantic Labs, the company responsible for the now-wildly popular mobile game, announced. It was only a matter of time; in fact, the game was supposed to launch in Japan on July 20, but its release was postponed after a leaked email that gave the public a heads up became viral.

Japan is Pokémon Go‘s first stop in Asia, but other countries in the region are likely to follow soon. The game is now available in 36 countries and regions, including the U.S. and most of Europe. Niantic Labs chief executive John Hanke said in an interview he wants to make the title available to 200 more countries.

Japan is also the first location where the hit Pokémon title has a sponsorship deal that will see more than 3,000 McDonald’s Japan restaurants become Pokémon Go gyms, where players can train and battle their pokémon. Fast-food restaurants across the country will also sell Happy Meals with limited-edition Pokémon toys in them.

The partnership will no doubt drive unprecedented foot traffic to McDonald’s locations, though a company representative said stores would “call on players not to become a bother to customers who are eating.” Because the last thing you want to worry about while eating your matcha McFlurry is a kid breaking into your private space and obsessing over a Charizard (read: rare pokémon) on your table.

The warning issued by Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity on Twitter and Line

Fearing the worst, Japanese authorities have taken measures to promote public safety, unsurprisingly, in cartoon form. Players have been asked to use “cool names that are different from real names” and try not to stay under the sun too long.

Pokémon phenomena has its roots in The Land of the Rising Sun, where the original Pokémon video games for the Nintendo Game Boy were released in the late 90s. The franchise has since spawned other video-game titles, trading card games, an animated TV series, animated movies, countless merchandise, and a real-life pokémon training facility in Osaka.

[irp posts=”3841″ name=”Pokémon Go goes live in PH, 14 other countries in Asia, Oceania”]

Gaming

Horizon Forbidden West will get a PC version next year

Complete Edition drops on the PS5 next week

Published

September 28, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Patient gamers are about to see the fruits of their waiting. If you skipped Horizon Forbidden West on the PlayStation 5, you have a new chance to grab the title and its DLC on another platform. The game, along with the Burning Shores DLC, is coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store next year.

Though the announcement of the PC version is sudden, its existence is hardly a surprise. The game’s predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, also came out for PC. At the time, the game was part of Sony’s initial push to bring its formerly exclusive titles to other platforms. Next year, Forbidden West continues the run after enjoying an exclusive period with the PlayStation 5.

Horizon Forbidden West also continues the story of Aloy after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn. The title takes on newer, more extreme locales. It also features new mechanical beasts to hunt and tame.

Both the Steam and the Epic Games Store pages for the game do not reveal when exactly the version will drop. They only say “2024” as the release date.

However, if you want to play both the base game and the DLC in one package, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is dropping on the PlayStation 5 next week on October 4. Besides the game, it will also have a digital art book and the soundtrack.

Gaming

Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2: What you need to know

New chapter, new adventure

Published

September 26, 2023

GadgetMatch

Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 has officially unfolded. The refined new chapter sees the franchise going from earth and moon to the solar system, where players embark on an electrifying new adventure.

Taking off from the main story in Part 1 where the Valkyries leads humanity against the mysterious energy called Honkai, Part 2 will feature new main characters and NPCs with distinct looks and personalities.

Unlike in the real world, Mars, where Part 2 debuts, is inhabitable in the Honkai-verse. There, unique civilizations exist and nature develops, with people hanging out in bustling and lively commercial streets. Mysteries are likewise hidden behind the daily lives of residents to be discovered by players.

Here, players team up with new partners while assuming the role of a team supporter called the “Dreamseeker.”

Aside from the main story, the combat system has also been fully upgraded to enhance the battlefield experience. Three-dimensional combat shall be enhanced and all characters will be able to jump freely.

Astral Ring, a new combat mechanic, will also provide an unprecedented experience during fights. When unleashed, it enables simultaneous burst skills of multiple characters. It makes for an easier and more direct option to achieve burst damage. The combat mechanism of monsters will also be improved so they can react more intelligently.

Honkai Impact 3rd is available for both mobile and PC devices (via Epic Games) and supports cross-save, making the game even more accessible.

Watch the trailer.

Gaming

MSI, Capcom partner for limited-edition Monster Hunter products

Featuring Rathalos

Published

September 26, 2023

GadgetMatch

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Monster Hunter, MSI and CAPCOM have partnered for a series of limited-edition gaming products.

The announcement of the collaboration took place at the 2023 Tokyo Game Show and the products are set for a March 2024 release.

The exclusive line will include gaming laptops, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards, cases, liquid coolers, and controllers.

Rathalos, one of the series’ most iconic monsters, gets to be infused to the various gaming peripherals.

Both MSI and the developer exchanged ideas to be able to craft unique products that will represent the game well.

The Monster Hunter series features action RPG games that pit players against giant monsters in a natural environment. The first title debuted in 2004, and the franchise has since grown into a megahit, with a movie of the same name even hitting cinemas in 2020.