Lunora | A Great New Isekai Webtoon

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Lunora A Great New Isekai Webtoon

Lunora, every genre done right.

Lunora, a great new isekai Webtoon is not clickbait, but something serious to consider. Webtoon series are all over the place these days. I mean that’s a given when we’re all ‘cooped up’ in our rooms with nothing else to do and watching our favorite TV show for the 568th time doesn’t quite hit us with that kick anymore. The result is simple, it feels rather boring and the desire to smash our head into the wall becomes more sound. Truth is, considering how thing are at the moment and have been for what seems like an eternity . . . many of the shows on mainstream outlets and comic platforms are running dry.

Plus, big and super Hollywood names like God of Highschool, Noblesse and Tower of God have been read by each and every one of us almost a million times now . . .

Many of us are always on the lookout for the ‘next big thing’ on the Webtoon website or app since that platform is not unknown to rising talent by any means.

It was just last year when I really started getting into webtoon and boy do they have something for everyone.

Every person on the planet will find something to read on this platform that is one of a kind and yet, there will still be a portion of the website ‘unexplored’ similar to Youtube.

So many ideas just waiting to get discovered by that ‘reader.’

An Epic Line Webtoon Fantasy

As all the readers can relate, the ‘Staff Pick’s’ section is filled with glorious, wonderful, story-rich pages just waiting for you to eye them down from top to bottom. Finding a story that hits you makes the wait for the next chapter all the more difficult but all the more worth it at the very end.

We’ve all been there. Lunora was just another one of those series that the ‘Webtoon Staff’ just randomly recommended to me out of the blue a few months ago. Shout outs to whoever this ‘Staff’ person is, you are awesome!

Anyways, I started reading the series and I just couldn’t stop. This had become that great new isekai webtoon I was looking for.

It was a journey that just ‘sucked’ me totally in. The moment I clicked on that ‘number 1 chapter’ it made me want to know more and more and more and more about the series, the characters, the universe, everything in general.

I was like a 3-year-old kid asking a gazillion of questions during his first visit to the zoo, bringing the best curiosity had to offer while making sure my parents have a headache by the end of the day and regret bringing me to that place with them.

Top New Isekai Manga

One that is bewitching the readers from the get go. Often this is a sign that the title you’re reading or the show you’re watching is going to be a hit no matter how long it lasts.

I’m pretty sure many of you agree with me on that one. Well, sort of . . . there is the last season of Game of Thrones, but we don’t talk about that.

The best thing about Lunora is that it didn’t stop at just that. The mystery elements making all these question marks pop up in our heads every other week with the team being considerate enough to answer our queries every now and then.

This just provided the fans what they wanted so bad without making them wait in those lines and queues that at times take a whole day just for a handshake with your favorite author.

Editor Quote:

Rogena Mitchell-Jones

We edit your words, your writing, your sentences and paragraphs… but never your voice.”

Fantasy Webtoons to Read

The characters, with expressions and actions that we’ve seen rather ‘raw’ and are all colored, animated, vibrant and full of life. A few weeks from now it just makes me super excited every other Sunday, making the wait all the harder every other week.

As they say, good things take time and witnessing a series unfold into something magnificent and nothing short of a masterpiece would be a thing of beauty and a thing to remember for a long time.

If this didn’t convince you to just drop everything and head on to Line Webtoon or Tapas to read Lunora, then you’re in luck cause I’ve got some ‘anime series’ as examples that would give you an idea of what you’re missing out on.

Also, what you can expect the moment you make the name come up on your screen, making sure you’re doing those swipes every couple of seconds or so.

So, brace yourselves cause I’ve got a lot of nostalgia bullets all loaded up in my gun right here and I for sure won’t be missing anyone who’s reading this as of this moment cause let’s be honest, you aren’t that far away from the screen now, are you? Point Blank!

Magi

See? The name was enough to make you smile cause the trio with those adorable and ‘would make your heart melt in an instant’ personalities aren’t one anyone can forget even when suffering from amnesia.

We’re going back to the last decade with this one so you better shake your head a bit. Remember the whole setting of Magi? Just sand and sand and sand and a lot more sand? Not only that, but the slavery that Morgiana was a victim of in the very first episode and was freed by the very duo who she would be going on all these adventures on later on in the series?

Slavery in the desert with a mysterious character popping up to save you when you’re least expecting it? Lunora? Is that you? Do I see Iko beneath that mask? Sure, Iko isn’t that lively and ‘friendly’ when compared to the likes of Alibaba and Aladdin, but that mystery about him with those flashbacks from time to time and the way it all began is what makes him stand out.

It’s also what makes us want to see him through in both directions, just to figure out how it all happened and what’s in it for almost everyone in the universe as we deep deeper into what the series has to offer.

It doesn’t hold back any punches when it comes to the combat either, another strong point of Magi which it perfectly mimics and, at times, takes it up a notch is the choreography.

Lunora makes us ‘see’ the fight rather than look at the static images in front of us, trying hard to view them as ‘moving’ just to get dizzy from all that fast-paced imagination that no one has gotten used to even after all these years.

Log Horizon

I’m pretty sure the return of probably the best isekai of all time made everyone watch a good 50 episodes cause this title is as underrated as they get.

Bringing in the isekai genre when no one even knew what it meant, it can be rightfully called the grandfather of that word and truly the show that gave birth to the likes of Re:Zero and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime that we just can’t get enough of in this day and age.

When I first started reading Lunora, I’m not going to lie, it felt like an isekai to me, one that would rather be something else considering it ended up in the Staff Picks section rather quickly, a feat that’s not easy to accomplish at all no matter what kind of a ritual you’ve been performing for the last month.

But it shifted gears rather quickly and showed us two alternative versions of the very character that got us to click on next as fast as we could.

Followed by birds and people taking a stroll in the desert, not sure who’s walking who in that setting though and won’t be saying much either cause spoilers? Not a fan of them.

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Log Horizon Shiroe vs Iko’s Lunora

Now let’s see how Shiroe and Iko stand up against each other cause they’re the face of the two series. Not giving in to the advantages they have over their opponents no matter how big they are, making sure they have a sound mind throughout the duration of the bout while analyzing and making it out of every situation almost unscathed . . . it’s safe to say that they gravitate towards the ‘cool, smart and won’t yell all the time’ protagonist category.

Sadly, its one where we rarely see characters from shows that have literally taken over the entire world, much like the entire milky way cause, who knows?

Maybe Aliens are Frieza fans themselves being one of a kind. Plus, another thing that makes the protagonists similar is how their pasts are rather unclear and we know next to nothing when it comes to their character or their life in general other than the fact that they’ve a 500 IQ and are quite adept at making their ideas work. Just a bunch of flashbacks and images here and there with the character getting migraines all of a sudden.

Well, Iko wins in that category cause he’s been exercising his mind and his body while Shiroe is just a nerd.

That’s not all, both characters fight adversaries who don’t look human at all bringing some unique set of skills and fighting styles to the table, names as well that, at times, can be quite funny and interesting. See for yourself!



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Fist of the North Star

‘Omae wa mou Shindeiru’ is here once again. But there’s no ‘Nani?!’ follow up to Kenshiro fans, you might feel a little ‘incomplete’. Authors! Here’s a little ‘tip’ from a fan, make him say, ‘Then stay blind’ every other iconic battle, just the way Kenshiro utters those words just a couple of seconds before we see the face in front of him just blast to smithereens by his pinkie.

Yes, it makes it clear in an instant that it’s an anime from the previous century where every anime character was competing with Arnold Schwarzenegger all the time.

I mean that’s what’s so great about Fist of the North Star, it’s just so op and macho that you can’t help but feel the adrenaline whenever you’re seeing those punks and the Japanese Western hybrid walking on the screen making all kinds of action happen in front of our very own eyes.

Oh my bad! I forgot to add in Bruce Lee as well, I didn’t do them chops justice. Sure, the combat in Lunora isn’t as fierce as we have in the good old Hokuto no Ken but the desert setting and a bunch of sand punks just asking to get their teeth kicked in, along with a protagonist that, when provoked, makes sure that you don’t live to see the light of tomorrow makes them a duo, a dream crossover that probably wouldn’t happen, ever in our lives.

But what’s bad about dreaming and imagining the impossible? Isn’t that what’s most fascinating about aims and dreams?

Lunora

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

I would’ve loved to draw in more references and I’m pretty sure each and every one of you would be able to think of a couple of them as well as we dive deeper into the series, get a couple more chapters and come to know more about the universe itself. But here are a few ‘citations’ that would give you an idea of how Lunora isn’t a name you should be sleeping on by any means cause you aren’t doing yourself justice that way.

The dialogue is rather poetic at times, making the most melodious of conversations and letter combinations come to mind while pulling no punches when shifting to the rather badass style with characters talking about how they can kill each other rather easily. Slow down there birdie, everyone loves some roasted bird, no?

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Castlevania

The Netflix adaptation of Castlevania from a couple of years ago, making everyone crazy about the long running Konami hit that just went silent for whatever reason. Well at least we got a banger of a show and with Isaac and his setting resembling so much to what we’ve seen in Lunora up to this point, you get the idea of what to expect from the desert and these people with slaves that think they’re Vegeta or something.

Heck, if you want someone wearing a mask and kicking ass no matter where he goes while his opponents think of him like any other cosplay wimp then look no further cause Hiei from Darker than Black and Iko from Lunora come quite close when it comes to that. Ever heard of the video game Pyre? No? What’ve you people been doing?

Stop playing Among Us!

Being one of my favorite games of all time, Pyre, was as unique of a game as it got back in 2017 or so. A few chapters in the series and I kept remembering how the whole universe was similar to the video game and that made me love the series all the more since the way it connected and brought the best of both worlds together was just marvelous to say the very least.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the webtoon cause it’s a must read if you’re into the mystery/suspense/action/ ‘birds fighting humans’ genre and are looking for some cool titles to view on the app considering how everything is right now.

I can guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed at all and would be coming back for more and more and more. Thus, it makes this title one of the biggest hits the app has to offer for 2021!

Want to start reading? Click on the comic platform you would like below, and yes, it is free.


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Glacias Collectors Volume Bookcover


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Top Ten Fantasy Canvas Webtoons

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Top Ten Fantasy Canvas Webtoons

Top 10 Fantasy Canvas Webtoons

Manga and Comics

With the Top Ten Fantasy Canvas Webtoons the human imagination must reach new heights. It is rather fascinating to think that there is always room for fresh ideas considering how many works are published or posted each day.

Coming up with completely new worlds and assuming the role of Gods in these universes . . . We’ve definitely inherited that trait from our creator. Bringing out the best the human mind has to offer, fantasy genre utilizes imagination to the fullest and brings us such captivating thoughts and ideas. With these ideas at times, it’s impossible to prefer our real world over the one that exists ‘on those pages’.

Webtoon is the go-to place when you’re looking to get amazed, just wanting to let your jaw hit the floor as hard as it can. The canvas section more often so hits the mark since all these publishers are full of talent waiting for the right people, the right fans to give them that ‘boost’ needed to bring a masterpiece to life.

So, let’s dive into the realm of imagination and have a look at the Top Ten Fantasy Canva Webtoons that would show you the wonders of human imagination.

10.

The Dragon Tutor

When it comes to a webtoon about dragons, royalty and kingdoms, we’re expecting to see conspiracies, coup de tats and just ‘fire’ all over the place. I’m pretty sure the title’s already given away that you won’t be seeing anything like that, least not at the start…

Dragons, creatures that have a lot of legends about them ranging from being ‘war weapons’, assuming the role of a guardian or just being race vehicles (I’m not joking). But never has a dragon been there to save the prince from a ‘marriage conspiracy plot’ and the irresponsible attitude of the previous generation only makes things worse for the child who’s getting ‘inspected’.

Zephyr, a dragon unlike you’ve ever seen before is ready to lend his skills and be hailed as the savior of the kingdom in this journey that’s so nostalgic, so funny and unique that’s it’s hard to not get excited every other week.

Author Quote:

Dr. Seuss

Words and pictures are yin and yang. Married, they produce a progeny more interesting than either parent.”

9.

The Reaper and The Waiting

Death Gods and Grim Reapers have been shown in so many anime at this point that it’s not even funny. The Reaper and The Waiting shows us probably one of the most kind hearted reapers the screen has ever seen. I mean he does what a reaper does, but he hasn’t lost the heart that separates him from a ‘human’.

Everyone has a past, a tragic one would scar you for life. Some make a memory more than just a nightmare, others a halcyon bliss ready to make you smile every other day, but with this story there is something heartfelt.

The mysterious, kind, rather tsundere soul accompanying the reaper on his quest with his dog is a journey worth joining. This sounds pretty ‘normal’ till now, right?

8.

Suihira: The City of Water

Let’s face it, we’ve all wanted to visit a mythical place that only legends speak of. Whether it’s Atlantis or the sky castle from Laputa, it’s safe to say that some places are rather worth leaving the planet for.

Wahida, the princess herself is no different when it comes to those thoughts for she also yearns to visit the holy city of water, that being Suihira itself and she might beat a lot of these ‘Atlantis fanboys’ here in the real world at that. Plus, as they say, if you truly want it, if you truly see yourself there, it will happen blah blah. But seriously Akia, when are you making your grand appearance here in my room? I can give you an address if you want! But nothing is as it seems, especially when it comes to things like these and the blinded Wahida has no idea what she’s in for.

7.

Robin and The Fowl

As if the nostalgic art wasn’t enough to draw you all in, the series has that Zelda owl to make sure you aren’t lost and are reading the right series! He doesn’t do that head spin though.

Lying in the park after a long day and having feathers grow all over your body after an ordinary encounter with a bird sure gives you some hard PTSD, but in a world where witches and humans have a ‘not so good history’, isn’t that to be expected? Especially, if your mother is a witch and the very person who cursed you.

So many mysteries with just a few chapters in, they sure know how to keep the viewers glued to the screen, but with the two birds together with one calling the other ‘chicken’, a small town embraces them ready to answer all the questions she or you might have. I highly suggest catching up soon before it turns into an Original which seems to be happening a lot with good Canvas Webtoons lately.

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6.

Flora

Giving a whole new concept to the spiritual world, making trees be the proof of the life we lead towards adulthood. They sure took the wooded scenic drive a little too seriously, no?

If this was real then the world would be 90% trees to be honest cause I couldn’t even think of what I want for breakfast when I was 18! Well, I still can’t but you get my point.

When it comes to the real world there are things ‘set in stone’, things that are the same for almost everyone out there, but anomalies exist and one such discrepancy has Ollie really disturbed. With his ‘tree’ following a completely different route, making the boy all the more anxious.

Join him and his friends as they try to uncover as to ‘how’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘why’ is this happening. It delivers the suspense and mystery elements pretty well and that truly adds to the already unique story Flora has to deliver.

5.

The Witch and the Beast

You know how they give you that warning at the beginning of almost every other webtoon saying it’s ‘graphic’ and all that? This is the real deal. With vampires that send a chill down your spine. The ‘trio’ alone at the very first chapter sets the mood perfectly, in addition to a rather ‘heated’ exchange of blood. Its truly one sided of course cause vampires.

For a long time in the beginning, I kept thinking was Alucard from Castlevania was being featured on the webtoon platform? Then again every other ‘peak vampire’ is just like him.

Just why did the vampire lord decide to ally himself with humans when they pleaded them for help against those demons? Having a ‘memory’ he boasted of himself, has he forgotten about how the human race turned to the witches to reduce them to mere ashes not long ago? It just raises a lot of suspicions with every other vampire in the court having a completely different and original personality. A lot of genres, a lot of characters, a lot of twists… this is surely a comic worth investigating.

4.

Winds of Spring

Why is this on canvas? Hello? Look at the details! Just so professional to be honest. Starting off with that preface about the hunter and the prey, it’s only natural that we’re ‘all eyes’ the very next second.

It’s possible to be a part of the royalty, gods to be precise and still be normal and humane. Turul, being the most adorable grown girl I’ve seen in a while, had me mesmerized with her beauty and that dress that was such a banger that I wanted the creators to come up with that in the form of ‘merch’.

We’ve had our share of these fathers who are just too arrogant and full of themselves, just trying their hardest to get that ‘pops of the decade’ award… and this story does not steer from that trope.

When the witches task Turul to embark on a journey that would ‘draw out her true potential’ and set her as an original goddess, it’s only natural that the pure heart is excited since it might be her only opportunity to live with her father, the one she wanted to hear those words of praise from, but something a lot more magical awaits her somewhere completely different.


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Glacias Collectors Volume Bookcover


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Line Webtoon Canvas

Honorable Mentions:

There can’t be a top 10 list without some honorable mentions, right?

Here are some titles that may not have made the Top Ten Fantasy Canvas Webtoons, but sure as hell got close.

In case you have binged all others and are still on the hunt for that dose of fantasy you just can’t get enough of.

El-leanor is a title mixing magic, mystery and fantasy, making the most unique brew come to life.

Arthwind which is literally a dive into the best imagination has to offer.

Punderworld which shows you a side of Hades that you weren’t expecting at all and Blacksun which is just adrenaline and excitement through and through.

Be sure to check them out!

Punderworld

Blacksun

El-leanor

Arthwind

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3.

Lunora

Having the most isekai start ever, they had us in the first chapter, not going to lie. The thing I loved the most about Lunora was how it approached the whole story.

Drawing every reader all in and introducing these flashbacks every other chapter that makes everyone become Sherlock Holmes himself, just to be at the mercy of H.S. Crow for he knows the answers to all the queries we have every other week.

Yet, despite all that, Iko is one to look out for with the combat making full use of the setting of the ‘unknown warrior’, making those birds look like mere pigeons and a journey that’s sure to be one hell of a ride down the road. Despite being a protagonist in a relatively ‘similar’ setting, Iko stands out pretty well in addition to the whole universe which makes things feel all the more original and never bland by any means.

Learn more about my recent review of Lunora, here.

2.

Black Horda

Okay, if I ask you whether it’s possible to come up with a fire action webtoon would you say yes? Of course, God of High School doesn’t count, and Lunora is still very new to determine that.

Let me answer that question with a yes myself and present to you what might be the closest we’ve got so far to having an ‘action fantasy anime webtoon’.

Black Horda just takes everything that made those ‘lightning fast, adrenaline pumping’ combat scenes so special and takes it up more than just a notch, making sure that the readers aren’t disappointed at all every other week they tune in.

Also, with the characters and the story bringing out the best setting there is, it’s safe to say that Black Horda isn’t a title anyone should miss out on if they’re looking for some good action, fantasy, supernatural blend.

1.

Glacias

It’s obvious that this gets number 1 since they’re the ones publishing it!’

Trust me, it kind of looks like the whole thing is ‘rigged’ but hear me out on this one. What made How to Train your Dragon so good? The bond it featured between man and the mythical creatures that terrify almost all of us was shown in such a beautiful manner that it made the movie a favorite in no time. Glacias takes this to unique levels.

Featuring a protagonist with one of the purest hearts on the Line Webtoon platform in addition to guilds and inns reminding you of the RPG games you played back in the 90’s, Glacias is a must read for any webtoon fan out there.

It changes everyone’s perspective on dragons whether you’re the one reading it or the one who’s a part of that very universe. I know it’s kind of long but the creators have worked really hard on this one, having started back in November 2016 and they’ve amassed an audience that truly saw what the series had to offer.

Trust me, binging it would be a piece of cake. Learn more about Glacias, Here.

Below are just some fun games on the switch if you enjoy adventure games as much as you enjoy reading about them.



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I’ve always been into writing since day one. Along the way I found anime and manga and it was just delightful transforming my thoughts into words. I feel at ease writing about them and it’s truly something I find solace in.

Assassins Creed Valhalla Tips & Tricks Guide

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Assassins Creed Valhalla Tips & Tricks Guide

Assassins Creed Valhalla…

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a big game with a lot to do and explore. Outside of having an outstanding narrative to follow, the game has an engaging combat system to master, a settlement to build and expand, as well as a host of other smaller activities to do as you trek around England.

In this guide, we’ve collected all of the best tips and tricks to help make your Viking adventure a bit easier so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff.

General Exploration and Quest Tips

Let The Story Guide

You Valhalla’s main narrative is what comprises the lion’s share of quests within the game. While there still is a decent amount of side-quests, you’ll want to primarily let the story guide you before you go off exploring for more missions to take on. By following the story, you’ll slowly uncover all of the areas where more adventure awaits so there’s no need to just go off riding into the horizon to hunt more quests down.

Go Hunting

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla makes a pretty big deal out of hunting. For starters, by hunting regularly, you’ll gain much-needed resources for your settlement as well as materials to upgrade your gear. Once you’ve unlocked the hunting hut, you’ll also be able to trade drops from animals for a variety of cool rewards. One thing that the game doesn’t tell you about hunting, though, is that it also builds up your rations gauge. In fact, animal meat does so faster than other food. Make sure you go hunting before you hit up that next story quest so you’re nicely topped up.

Gamer Quote:

Sigurd, Assassin Creed Valhalla

“It Is A Wise Leader Who Considers The Needs Of Others.”

Enjoy Some Socializing

Ravensthorpe, the settlement you build in Valhalla is home to a lively bunch of characters, each with his or her own story to tell. By interacting with them, you’ll be able to open up a whole host of new facilities for your settlement, from tattoo parlors to item shops. What’s more, some of these conversations can eventually lead to new side-quests that in turn can earn you some great rewards. Some may even lead to romance options that could otherwise be missed if you don’t stop and have a chat every once in a while.

Try Your Hand at Flyting

Did you know that Vikings can rap? Well, not exactly, but if you were to describe the old social pastime of flyting in a simple way, then rap battles would be an apt comparison. In essence, you use your words to embarrass your “opponent” in a much more impactful way than they can. By besting characters scattered around England, Eivor’s charisma will improve which will eventually lead to new dialogue options opening up. These options can have a big impact on the outcome of the story.

Combat Tips

Switch It Up

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla gives you a lot of freedom to experiment with its combat. The primary way is through its skills tree which you can reset at any time to re-spec your Eivor. For instance, if you feel like trying out a more stealth-focused build, then you can reset your points and invest more into the Raven Skills path. Because of this level of freedom, you can try out builds until your heart’s content and I recommend doing so because there are a lot of interesting skill combinations to try out which is half the fun with this game’s brilliant combat.

Don’t Mash

I must admit I went ham with my button mashing in my first few encounters in Valhalla. I didn’t expect I needed to be methodical until I was completely wiped out by the lowest of enemies in the early stages of the game. The reality is that you’ll need to be quite patient with your battle approach in this game. You have a stamina bar which will deplete as fast as it fills up. Every action you can take during combat, including dodging and defending need stamina. Once you’re out, you’ll be helpless. Be sure to keep an eye on your bar and save some energy for defensive maneuver.

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Master the Parry

Directly related to the above tip, another important aspect of the combat to master is the parry. This is an invaluable technique that takes a bit of time to get under your belt. Parrying will give you a lot of advantages during combat, especially when you’re fighting multiple opponents. The best way to get the timing down is to watch for when your enemies have their attack cocked and ready to strike. Once you’ve got the parry down, you’ll want to take a few abilities that enhance its effectiveness and you’ll be unstoppable.


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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

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Assassins Creed Valhalla Review

Assassins Creed Valhalla Review

Assassins Creed Valhalla…

The Assassin’s Creed series is a bit of an oddity. What started off as a series of games that focused on putting you in the shoes of, well, an assassin, has now turned into a sprawling open-world action RPG series where story and narrative take center stage. And that likely is for the better. I spent a good amount of time in the original Assassin’s Creed and while I enjoyed sneaking around, silently taking out targets from the shadows and escaping undetected, the gameplay felt artificial and linear. Fast forward to today and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has given me a reason to revisit a series I had dismissed as a one-trick pony.

Story & Narrative

Valhalla places us in the fur-lined boots of Eivor, a Viking warlord who has had to deal with tragedy, loss and betrayal from a young age. If like me you were following the marketing for this game, you’ll know that Eivor can be played as either male or female. Without spoiling much, I can tell you that there’s an intriguing narrative reason for that, one that you’ll come to appreciate as the story unravels.

The story of Eivor and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla takes place during a time when Vikings were looking to settle past Norway. With your crew, you land onto the shores of England and, let’s just say, you’re not exactly welcome. As you attempt to build a new place for your people to call home, you’ll have to fight for your right to maintain your foothold. What I found particularly powerful about this aspect of Valhalla’s story was how it portrayed Vikings as settlers looking for a piece of land to call their own. While we oftentimes associate these fierce warriors with violence and pillaging, there’s also that human side of them and Valhalla does a great job of keeping that front and center.

As if building a new home for her clan wasn’t enough, Eivor has to deal with some inner turmoil of her own. Early on she discovers she’s destined to betray her childhood friend and clan leader Sigurd. Outside of that, she also regularly sees the god Odin in visions. In essence, all three of these story strands intertwine with each other effectively and deliver a surprisingly cohesive narrative about the struggle between pre-determined fate and free will.

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Gamer Quote:

Eivor, Assassins Creed Valhalla 

“I Will Not Be Captive To Another Man’s Gaudy Design. My Destiny Is Mine To Weave.”

World & Design

It’s not a big sprawling open-world game without plenty of land to strut around in. Despite that Valhalla takes place in England and it has almost as much variety in destinations as Odyssey. Between the English shores, Jotunheim, Norway and Asgard, there’s a good chunk of map to explore and get lost in while you complete missions, loot gear and items, and develop your skills. They’re all equally as breathtaking as well, even on a base PlayStation 4 used for this very review. The scenery and character designs are all highly detailed with one particular caveat. Character models were more often better looking when they didn’t have to move much. Outside of gameplay and combat, watching Eivor and Co interact during dialogue and story beats gave me the feeling that the game still needed a bit more polish. It’s jarring to see Eivor deliver attacks with believable animations during combat only to then sweep her arm in an awkward movement when conversing with one of her clanmates.

Gameplay

There’s a good variety of things to do in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. You’ll be doing quite a bit of exploring and fighting as well as helping build up your settlement and getting to know the people that reside within it. These conversations lead up to some exciting story moments and activities that tie in with the main storyline. Never was there a time when I felt that I was being sidetracked from the main narrative. Combat in Valhalla is brutal with a lot of weight and impact in every blow.

Action RPGs have a tendency to lack weight in their attacks. With every swing of her weapons, though, Eivor delivers meaty blows that pack a lot of punch. Of course, with a lot of punch comes a lot of blood and Valhalla has that in spades. Developing Eivor’s abilities happens in two ways. First is via an expansive skill tree that branches out into three different colored paths. Bear Skills, the red path, is all about enhancing your melee skills. Raven Skills, the yellow path, focuses on stealth, defence and assassination. Finally, Wolf Skills will make you a deadlier ranged fighter. You can obtain new skills by spending skill points to unlock nodes. The second way to give Eivor new abilities is by finding Books of Knowledge scattered around the world. From these abilities, you can have 4 melee and 4 ranged active at a time. The best part about this system is that you can respect your Eivor as many times as you wish without needing any resources.

Final Word

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has turned me into a believer of the series. The hallmark of a good game is to have an intriguing narrative and engaging gameplay. As a gamer who loves good combat systems, I felt right at home with the game’s flow and mechanics. On the other hand, the side of me that appreciates a good story was fully engrossed in Eivor’s story and her struggles. With this newfound belief, I’m now convinced I need to go back and experience Assassin’s Creed games I missed out on.

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

Hunter X Hunter: Anime at its Finest

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Hunter X Hunter: Anime at its Finest

Hunter X Hunter is Brilliant . . .

When it comes to anime, there are a few names that stand out compared to the rest. You know them as the anime that the entire world speaks of. When it comes to ‘those’ anime, most people have Naruto, Death Note, Bleach or Dragon Ball at the tip of their tongues since they’re the titles that have left their mark across the world ever since their debut on paper, but what if I told you that there’s another anime that’s from the same era, the very same 90’s era when the Shonen Jump magazine started popping off and featuring such titles that are still considered masterpieces to this very day?

I’m pretty sure you won’t be surprised since the name in the title isn’t one that people aren’t aware of. Hunter X Hunter, ever since its debut, was considered as something that would be the next big thing out there. Getting a ‘proper’ anime adaptation more than a decade later, fans were compelled to question whether Hunter X Hunter would be another name that never gets an anime adaptation in addition to a million of others who are still on the waiting list waiting for their day to come.

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They really kept them waiting, but the anime adaptation brought back what was forgotten and introduced new elements to the genre. Everything came hand in hand with a nostalgia that we just couldn’t shake off. Hunter X Hunter is truly one of the best anime ever made since it does everything so perfectly whilst bringing back the action and adventure genre in the ‘shonen’ way that it was meant to be shown ever since the beginning. Let’s have a look at what exactly makes the show such a hit that despite it’s manga being on a long hiatus, people have never stopped being wanting more. Even the magazine wants the creator on the crew since they’re fans of the series as well, wanting to see how the series comes to an end.

Anime Quote:

Killua from Hunter X Hunter

“If I ignore a friend I have the ability to help, wouldn’t I be betraying him?”

The good old Shonen we love:

Let me ask you a question. What do people love the most about Dragon Ball? The very first Dragon Ball just so we’re on the same page. No, it’s not the action packed lightning fast fighting that makes us jump all over the place for no reason at all.

Try to go back in time to that point when you were a little bean and were watching the show without a care in the world. What do you see? What do you feel yourself to be the most inspired of when the letters assemble in your head, making ‘Dragon Ball’ come on the screen? Yes, adventure. Adventure has always been something that was intriguing since the whole curiosity and ‘not knowing what’s out there’ in the world was something that made the wait for the next episode all the harder.

I’m pretty sure we wanted to embark on these quests ourselves when we grow up since something about that adventure made our eyes light up in an instant. Hunter X Hunter takes that original adventure genre while staying true to the Shonen roots and shows us a journey, a tale that makes binge watching the show the easiest thing in the entire universe. You’ll feel that when you start watching it. Trust me.

A band of characters making it hard to choose favorites:

Every Shonen anime out there has a duo, a trio or a posse that makes it difficult to ‘see’ who the main character is if the show gives all the characters equal attention just like a mother would to all her kids.

Hunter X Hunter stays true to that idea and features one of the best character developments in anime history. As the story progresses, we see more and more to the characters which makes things all the interesting and provides us with a story rich show that adds to it’s perfection.

Whether it’s Gon, a boy who’s pure to the very core making our heart melt the moment he’s on the screen or Killua whose bloodlust and assassin vibes at times can be frightening but he’s good on the inside. Kurapika, out for blood, his clan eradicated by the Phantom Troupe or Leorio who shows us what a friend really is.

You can’t help but love the squad since they’re always there for each other and never give up on one another since they’re more than well aware of the fact that they’re the only ones they have and can count on now.

Antagonists? Hold my beer.

A Shonen anime is as good as the antagonist is. A show where the adventure’s in the air and you’ve got a lot of action on the table, people fighting almost all the time has to feature a good antagonist who lights that fire in the hearts of both the characters and the viewers at the same time.

Most of the people regard the Akatsuki as the best ‘villain group’ out there since they featured people who were from completely different backgrounds, exhibiting completely different abilities, united by a single cause. But have you heard of the name Phantom Troupe?

I’m pretty sure you haven’t. You’re missing out on a lot you know? And that’s not all. Every arc of Hunter X Hunter features an antagonist that makes us wish that the arc had never ended. But then we know that the next one would feature an even better adversary so it’s all good at the end of the day. Whether it’s Hisoka who’s never clear as to which side he’s on or Illumi who does things for the gist of them or the Bomber who wants to make the most the game has to offer, you can’t help but affirm that the antagonists bring out the best the protagonists have to offer while making the show go down another road, steer in a different direction that makes things interesting everytime and prevent the story from ever going bland by any means.

I didn’t mention anything of Meruem since I want you to experience the character first hand yourself. I know, I’m very kind.

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It’s okay, you’re human as well:

Anime in the past featured characters like Goku and Kenshiro who just never had to face defeat since their power levels were sky high all the time, but that very thing in time took the excitement element from the equation since things got predictable and repetitive.

At that point, the audience was the writer of the show rather than the author himself. A character who has his ups and downs and isn’t at his best every day, him going through so much, having his encounters and experiences shape and model him to someone who can face everything head on tomorrow is just beauty in itself.

That’s the best thing about Hunter X Hunter. Despite featuring kids who just can flip the world upside down whenever they feel like it, Hunter X Hunter shows us that it’s okay for a person to be weak, it’s okay for a person to feel troubled, it’s okay for a person to be afraid since we’re all humans at the very end. It’s something that makes Hunter X Hunter shine all the brighter as the best anime out there since it’s another of a trillion of things that it does way better than many other show out there.

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The best arc out there for a reason:

Yes, you heard it right. The Chimera Ant arc was voted the best anime arc of all time. And I totally agree since during that arc, the show was at its climax and had a lot going on. I don’t want to spoil anything for you since it’d be nothing less than a sin to tell you what’s going down in that arc beforehand.

You gotta see it for yourself since it truly lives up to the title its received. That’s just another feather in the cap. Hunter X Hunter is truly a anime at it’s finest. The show does everything so perfectly, so well that it’s hard to even compare it to any other show out there, the outcome being clear even before the clash occurs.

The people who’ve watched it totally agree with me, I’m pretty sure. But those amongst you who haven’t should go on and watch it since you’re missing out on so much that I feel sorry for you. I truly do. It’s an anime that you won’t be forgetting for an eternity to come. Mark my words. It’d be your top 10 show of all time the moment you’re like 10 episodes into the show. Better start rearranging your list.

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Written by Fateh Isa

I’ve always been into writing since day one. Along the way I found anime and manga and it was just delightful transforming my thoughts into words. I feel at ease writing about them and it’s truly something I find solace in.

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How Re: Zero Season 2 Part 1 Has Changed

How Re: Zero Season 2 Part 1 Has Changed

Holding onto a Repeating Tragedy:

Re: Zero Starting Your Life in Another World Season 2 Part 1 is by far the most loved and popular anime of the Summer 2020 lineup.

The sequel brought back a lot of the gore and trauma that the first Season was known for, and to add, in Season 2 of Re: Zero, the franchise went through a lot of unexpected changes and just surprised everyone, to say the least.

So, let’s take a look at Re: Zero Season 2 and see how these changes affected the show.

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To start things off with the most notable change, unlike the previous Season, Re: Zero Season 2 does not jump from one part to the next all that much. The series starts right after the events, the tragedy at the end of season 1, and continues through the Everlasting Contract Arc and that is it.

And in that, the plot also went through a lot of modification where Subaru’s biggest weapon, the Return by Death ability, proves to be notably ineffective against the hurdle at hand.

The previous cycle where the knowledge Subaru gained after each death proved to be useful in the next set of repeated events is just not effective here. Each time Subaru returns, the events do not play out in the same manner as the last sequence, and that leads to our next point.

Author Quote:

Oscar Wilde

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Re: Zero Season 2 is worth watching

Lingering Shadows of the Past.

Although Subaru was led to believe they would have the upper hand in any situation because of the return by death ability, as previously mentioned, each time he comes around, some new bit of information is revealed to him.

Due to this, his actions lead to seemingly more deaths than before.

Moreover, a whole lot of stuff from the previous events is also brought up where one of the village kids turns out to be a part of the witch’s cult, and the real mastermind behind all the previous events is also revealed.

So, Subaru here is essentially alone, where his friends from the previous Season are just not there to help him out. Instead, he gets help from a surprisingly unique group—the Witches themselves.

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The Witch’s Tea Party:

The Witch’s Tea Party is by far the most critical plot point in season 2, where Subaru gets to meet the actual witches.

Here finally, we get to see what the witches are actually like, and this clarified a lot of the questions that the fans had from season 1.

This change from the corrupted or incomplete/cryptic information that we get throughout the season 1 is a refreshing change that made the show even better and all the more exciting.

Each New Episode is Better Than the Last.

But the most significant effect that Season 2 of Re: Zero made sure to focus on; was to finally give the fans what they wanted. Each episode of Season 2 was action-packed and did not have a single moment where the series felt stagnant and slow like season 1.

But rather, despite being stuck in the same place, each new episode was more refreshing than the last and made season 2 even better the critically acclaimed Re: Zero season 1.

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18-year-old Zorez is a talented writer, and yes, also an anime enthusiast. Skilled in research, he has been working as a freelance writer for some years now. When not writing, Zorez is a guitarist by hobby.

Modern Sequels and Remakes to Classic Games

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Modern Sequels and Remakes to Classic Games

Streets of Rage 4 is Masterful…

Earlier this year we saw the release of one of my contenders for Game of the Year 2020 (or Best COVID Year Game, whichever sounds catchier) and that game is Streets of Rage 4.

The combined efforts of studios Dotemu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush took a classic series from over two decades ago and made it into a modern-day sequel. Retaining the soul of its predecessors, Streets of Rage 4 manages to feel both like a retro arcade button masher and like a game made for a younger generation of gamers. And this has me excited for more modern sequels and remakes of classic games.

There’s a reason why people still enjoy retro games. In an age where graphical fidelity approaches photorealism and game design grows more and more complex, classic games are where the simple yet fun still resides.

Yes, classic gaming wasn’t necessarily better. Ninja Gaiden, for instance, was purposely made hard to pad out its short length as much as possible.

Castlevania Simon’s Quest was deliberately obtuse and secretive for god knows what reason.

Yet, so many gamers go back to these games. Beneath the difficulty and nebulous design lie fundamental gameplay elements that were insanely fun back in the day and remain just as enjoyable today.

Playing through Streets of Rage 4 multiple times reminded me of a time when gaming was more manageable. Since it launched in April 2020, I have beaten the game multiple times, both on my own and in co-op.

I’ve gone back to try out several characters and in a variety of difficulty settings. I have a single explanation for this newfound obsession and is the game’s length and simplicity. Video games have only gotten longer in length and broader in scope over the past few generations.

There’s no way to beat a modern triple AAA title in a single sitting. Coupling that with the sheer amount of new titles that get pumped out year after year, it’s no wonder that lots of games remain unbeaten in our libraries.

I am currently enjoying my time with Watch Dogs Legion but the end is nowhere near in sight and I have Yakuza: Like a Dragon staring at me with a toothy grin.

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Author Quote:

H.S. Crow

“I will wait for you until the gold from the sun dwindles away.”

Classic Game Remakes…

There’s a satisfaction to being able to complete a game in a few hours versus a span of several days or even weeks. My streaming partner and I have closed the Streets of Rage 4 chapter twice together, both in their respective single sessions. Both playthroughs were fun and ended on a satisfying and conclusive note.

Our Dark Souls 2 run, on the other hand, still cracks on weeks after we kicked it off. Granted, we do co-op streams once a week for a couple of hours per session. I’m not saying that long games shouldn’t exist as these deliver their own sense of accomplishment. What we need are more modern sequels and remakes of classic games that deliver the same experience as SoR4.

Even games that are inspired by retro titles yet still maintain the same simplicity and shorter lengths as their 90s ancestors would be enough. The indie space has managed to some degree to recapture the beauty that can be found in retro gaming.

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Hollow Knight is a testament…

Hollow Knight, for instance, is a testament that 2D platforming still has a place in the ray-tracing era of graphical fidelity. But it’s a very long game and it can be punishingly difficult at times.

Similarly, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night can take you a few sessions to complete. Its more retro-inspired sibling Curse of the Moon, on the other hand, is a shorter and more immediately satisfying experience.

The two games are an interesting case study on this point of game length versus completion rate. There’s a whole library of classic games that have yet to see a true sequel and would make great candidates for a Streets of Rage 4 style revival.

Golden Axe had an… axed early prototype release during Sega’s anniversary sale on Steam and it played great for what it was. A shame that we may never get to play the finished product.

A true Castlevania sequel that isn’t a sprawling metroidvania experience would also be great. It’s too bad that Konami is more interested in pachinko these days. Dotemu took on the rights for Streets of Rage and made something great out of it.

If the big companies are simply going to hold onto long forgotten IPs with no intention of using them, I say let the hard-working indie space have them and go nuts.

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

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Video Game Consoles and its Misunderstood Market

Video Game Consoles and its Misunderstood Market

What Are The Next Gen Console Games?

The next generation of video game consoles is nearly upon us, despite the tumultuous, pandemic-stricken year we’re having.

At the same time, Nvidia has released a new series of RTX graphic cards which incidentally signify the biggest leap in raw performance power yet. Naturally, the doomsayers are out in droves again, touting the end of the console market as we know it. Year after year these Harbingers of Console Death, be they everyday Joes or loudmouthed TechTubers, use the same tired arguments to support their hyperbolic thesis.

PC graphical fidelity is always the best. It doesn’t make sense to pay for an underpowered box with limited capabilities. Console gamers end up paying more because of online play subscriptions. Playing certain games with a controller is an inferior experience. There’s more but I’ve got a word count threshold here . . . and I’m lazy.

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The fact of the matter is, the PC Master Race’s support points aren’t wrong. The issue is that there’s never been a real debate about PC vs. console, to begin with.

Consoles and gaming PCs cater to two different markets that want different things, rendering any sort of debate null and void. Indeed, it takes every ounce of strength I have to not scream at yet another view-baiting tech creator that doesn’t understand the console market as much as they think.

As a long-standing console gamer with hundreds of dollars currently earmarked to buy a PS5 and several next-gen titles as soon as the pre-order gods will it, I can tell you why I stick to my beloved “pleb boxes”.

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Gamer Quote:

Javik, Mass Effect 3

“Stand in the ashes of a trillion dead souls, and asks the ghosts if honor matters. The silence is your answer.”

Consoles Gamers Want Convenience

Consoles are convenient to use. All you need to do is plug it in, pop in a disc or download a digital copy and you’re off to the races. There are no settings to adjust. No drivers to fiddle with. No Vsyncs and N’Syncs to question your sanity over. The boxes produced by MS, Sony and Nintendo just work and that’s what the majority of console gamers want. There’s no worry about whether a game will run. As long as you’ve bought your game for the correct box, it will run. PC gaming is a bona fide hobby in of itself. Granted, it’s easier than ever to build a PC that will run most games for a long while, but the reality is that issues inevitably crop up.

Console Gamers Want Cheap

Consoles are cheaper to buy compared to PCs. Even with next-gen coming in at about $100 pricier, buying a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X is still a cheaper investment, even with the online subscription.

Budget gaming PCs, of course, can be built but let me ask this: what’s the point? A low-cost gaming PC will struggle to play games at high graphics settings within a couple of years which then brings them in line with consoles. All you’ve ended up buying was a multi-purpose device that will more than likely run into more and more issues playing the latest titles.

Console Gamers Just Want to Game

Mod support. Keyboard/mouse controls. A bajillion FPS. These are all fluff to my ears. All I want to do is play games, not maximize my gaming experience. A PC person may enjoy playing Skyrim for the umpteenth time while running a Hello Kitty Super Sparkle mod that allows them to shoot ice cream and sprinkles at unicorns. Console gamers just want to play Skyrim once, maybe a few more times for challenges then move on.

Even in competitive mode, multiplayer gaming isn’t something we partake in to become the very best like no one ever was. We just want to have a bit of fun without worrying that our set up is suboptimal. This is it, really, in a nutshell. Console gamers and PC gamers have different aspects that matter to their experience.

Gaming is gaming at the end of the day. Trying to raise an issue where there isn’t one only serves the need for some to stroke their digital egos while for others its a source of ad revenue. If you enjoy building beastly rigs that can run the most demanding title at Beyond Ultra Settings, then that’s good for you. Keep on trucking. Don’t worry if my version of the game looks worse.

I’m happy just playing.

Really.

If you haven’t read our latest article on the future of VR as Virtual Stories, be sure to check it out.

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

Games as a Service Model is Garbage and Here’s Why

STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND

Games as a Service Model is Garbage and Here’s Why

The Issues with Marvel’s Avengers Game

In case you’re not caught up with the news surrounding Marvel’s Avengers, the game launched to lukewarm reviews. The key reasons for the mixed reception have been lack of content, uninspired story and bland progression.

Now the game’s player base is dwindling causing matchmaking problems across the board for all platforms. Does this story sound familiar? Let me spell it out for you: it’s Anthem all over again.

In fact, it’s almost every Games as a Service (GaaS for short) story beat for beat. Game gets hyped either because of its source material or the studio behind it. Game turns out to be using the GaaS model. Game releases with minimal content and a roadmap. Game userbase dwindles. Studio scrambles to do something.

This is clearly becoming an unhealthy state of affairs and it’s ruining the potential certain games have to truly shine, all in the name of making a game that will keep people playing and, hopefully, paying.

What is GaaS?

More than likely you’re familiar with the GaaS model in practice but maybe not in name. In essence, a GaaS game is a continuously evolving game.

It provides players with more content, progression, activities and rewards to keep them playing. On paper, it sounds like a good thing, right? We’ve all played a game we wished would have more content so we can continue to play said game.

In reality, it’s one of those “be careful what you wish for” desires that only end up fueling publishers’ motivation to come up with new ways to nickel-and-dime players. The base root of the GaaS model lies in the old MMORPG subscription model. World of Warcraft has managed to keep players paying a monthly fee for over a decade on top of charging for annual or bi-annual expansions.

There’s a clear distinction here, though. WoW is a MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER Online RPG. Players are surrounded by other players in a world that is continuously populated and evolving. Substantial free content and updates get dished out regularly. The GaaS model, on the other hand, aims to circumvent this monthly fee by charging for content expansions as well as getting people to buy microtransactions in all sorts of dubious ways.

Editor Quote:

Rogena Mitchell-Jones

We edit your words, your writing, your sentences and paragraphs… but never your voice.”

Turning Players into Payers

Activision came under heavy fire in recent years after a corporate document was uncovered that contained a cynical approach to making more money. The document would repeatedly outline how games could be designed to “turn players into payers”.

Methods like artificial scarcity, slowing down progression and providing competitive advantages were some of the highlights of this approach. An example of this approach in practice is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey by the other bastion of GaaS titles, Ubisoft. The game isn’t the most cynical of the bunch but it’s an example of one that makes use of two of the aforementioned methods. Progression is noticeably slow so the game provides you with “solutions” in the form of XP boosters you can buy from the easily accessible in-game shop.

There are also gear pieces and sets you can buy for real money in order to make your character more powerful. If this is all sounding quite familiar it’s because you’re looking at the mobile game model baked into a fully priced single-player game.

Now, you’ll tell me there’s no harm in doing this if people are willing to pay and you’re not entirely wrong. Odyssey is playable without paying a single extra cent. It’ll just take longer.

But, dear reader, we’re only scratching the surface of the GaaS poop pile..

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Unfinished and Unfocused

Let’s hop on back to Anthem and Avengers. These games both attempted to ride on the coattails of another successful GaaS game – Destiny. When the original Destiny first launched, it was, quite frankly, a mess plagued by connection issues and lack of content. Yet, the game thrived building a massive community and evolving into a reasonably solid experience.

Avengers and Anthem wanted a piece of that same pie and they could have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for one pesky detail; Destiny had no base expectations built up. Crystal Dynamic’s Avengers is based on the biggest franchise in the world currently. Anthem, on the other hand, was being made by Bioware, a studio known for its superb storytelling. Both these games had their set of expectations set before an inkling of gameplay footage was revealed.

Yet, both games chose to launch in states that felt unfinished. Destiny succeeded because its pedigree was Bungie and their mastery of creating solid first-person shooter experiences. For all its lack of content and problems, the game played amazingly well when it came to blasting alien scum in the face. Destiny’s expectations were met while the other two games simply baffled, confused, frustrated and outright disappointed players.

Ruining Good Things

I’m going to run the risk of playing a game of “Armchair Game Dev” here. I have no experience designing and publishing games. I do have a point to make, though, so try to resist the urge to tell me I’m full of it for a second.

When I first heard a Square-Enix studio was making an Avengers game, I got quite excited. The potential was immense and it couldn’t possibly get messed up. The world’s most recognizable superheroes fighting battles against the world’s most recognizable villains wielding the world’s most recognizable powers. How can one possibly miss the mark here? It’s simple.

You turn it into a GaaS game and call it a day.

The multiplayer aspect of it sounds like it would work. After all, the Avengers are a superhero team. But what does looting have anything to do with the Avengers? I mean, I can see Iron Man swapping out his armor. But, Black Widow? Captain America? HULK? There’s a clear conflict of design and source material here.

On top of that, there’s a progression system, which is fine when we’re given new awesome powers to smash baddies in the face with. If those baddies, though, aren’t someone interesting like Ultron, Loki and Thanos or even some of the less powerful villains then there’s no real draw to the experience of playing an Avengers game.

Roadmaps don’t help here. Avengers fans and gamers don’t want to spend hours beating up the same nameless enemies while waiting for the real content to arrive. Shoehorning a GaaS model into games only ruins the experience for players.

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Final Word

Making games is an expensive endeavor, I know that much. As an old-school gamer, I’ve never advocated against expanding good games and offering players more ways to enjoy them even when it means paying for that added enjoyment.

When a game, though, is built with the intention of keeping players perpetually playing at the expense of making an engaging experience then there’s a problem.

Anthem went back to the drawing board a while ago and we haven’t heard from it since and Avengers is having content delayed and the current roadmap possibly scrapped.

That’s a crying shame.



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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

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Virtual Stories: VR the Next Big Storytelling Frontier

Virtual Stories: VR the Next Big Storytelling Frontier

No Man’s Sky VR . . .

The top of the hill is just up ahead. As I take my final few steps, I gaze upon the vast alien world that unfolds in front of me. I track the colorful landscape with my bare eyes before lifting my right hand to activate my scanning visor. It doesn’t take long for me to register the location of my target.

Only a few clicks away.

I make my way down the other side of the hill, cross a field of neon purple and blue flora and up to the clearing where the last bit of copper I need is found. Soon after, I’m repairing my ship and blasting off into orbit with the vastness of space right there in front of me daring to explore. If I were to tell you that I actually experienced this it would almost be a complete truth. This is but a fraction of what I’ve been able to enjoy in the universe of No Man’s Sky, a space exploration game with a VR mode that anyone with a headset and Playstation 4 or PC can try out.

It’s also the perfect example of what I believe the future of storytelling holds through immersive technologies. Were I to ask you what virtual reality means to you you’d either reference the crazy cool interface Tom Cruise uses in Minority Report or you’d tell me how XYZ first-person shooter would be super awesome in VR. While I feel that blowing up heads in a fully immersive environment would be a catalyst for me to never leave my home, I feel this is thinking too small.

VR is the future of storytelling.

Virtual reality by virtue of the sheer level of immersion it can achieve has the potential to blow every other storytelling platform clear out of the water. This makes sense when you consider that the storyteller’s ultimate goal is to fully engross you in their world, get to know their characters and accompany them on their journey. Imagine if you could be right there in the Shire celebrating Bilbo’s birthday before he passes the One Ring to Frodo. Now, imagine you’re the one convincing Bilbo to resist the ring’s call. Or what if you just urged him to do the opposite and take the ring for himself? You would no longer just be an invisible travel companion. You’d have director’s cut on what happens in the story altogether.

Glacias Collectors Volume Bookcover

Film Quote:

Andy and Larry Wachowski

To deny our impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human.”

You’re probably thinking that games have been doing this already. There are also several examples of books, movies and TV series that have made attempts at interactive storytelling. Rarely do any of these make it into the mainstream and there’s a reason for that. In none of these cases are you a living, breathing part of the world itself.

There’s just something visceral about viewing a world through the lens of a VR headset. It’s like when you see pictures of the Akropolis in Athens versus actually standing there amongst the ancient ruins in person. The former isn’t quite the same as the latter. This is the exact same feeling I get with No Man’s Sky. When I play on my really regular rectangular (I saw an alliteration opportunity, I took it!) monitor, I feel like an observer. In VR I’m a part of the game’s universe.

Glacias Merch Banner

Every little piece of alien civilization I uncover feels like it’s been done by me. I’m not just interacting with aliens, I’m communicating with them. I don’t just see space around me from the cockpit of my ship. I’m in the middle of it. The bases I build are no longer just a game mechanic; they’re a piece of my own creativity planted within that universe. And that surely must be the next big storytelling frontier. Not just experiencing a story, but living it and leaving a part of yourself within it.

Below are a few science fiction titles to explore. Enjoy!

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.