Fortunately, the trailer throws a curveball by showing that Kiriko is the leader of a group of infinitely more interesting people called the Yōkai. I assume this is because other easily recognizable Japanese words, such as rōnin , were already taken. The problem isn’t just that Kiriko is yet another honor-bound, semi-mystical, ninja-esque Japanese warrior. Nor is it that her design blends traditional and contemporary motifs. I’ve long wanted to incorporate hanbok , which literally translates to ‘Korean clothing’ but practically means wearing traditional clothing with a modern twist, __ into my own wardrobe and Masami Teraoka is unequivocally one of the coolest artists alive. Rather, it’s that when presented with the entire nation of Japan and a virtually blank canvas, Blizzard — like so many other studios — can only do more of the s
Tragically, Blizzard’s approach to diversity does little in the way of creating a kinder, more thoughtful community. Those who are against more melanin in fictional characters — and who would benefit the most by actually interacting with them — see these moves for what they truly are: ham-fisted attempts to attract an increasingly progressive demographic. So do those begging to see their experiences represented on-screen. As silly as it sounds, these mistakes have real-world consequences. It could be something innocuous, like a stranger jokingly asking if you know karate. It could be serious, like someone wanting to test your nonexistent martial prowess. But proper representation isn’t just about avoiding fights. Studies show that positive representation can lead to things we all want, like improved mental health, better economic outcomes, and greater community tr
When Overwatch launched in 2016, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Its cast was a self-proclaimed mix of “oddities,” whose “soaring ideals of freedom and equality would never be forgotten.” It felt like a video game for everyone. No more deciphering who the undercover Asian was or playing as another square-jawed white man: I could play D.Va, a mech pilot from Korea, or Mei, the sarcastically apologetic Chinese scientist. And despite some noticeable missteps with characters like Tracer, Symmetra, and Pharah, Blizzard seemed earnest in its attempt to create an inclusive video game, despite everything behind the scen
Splatoon 3 continues the long-running excellence of the newest Nintendo IP that has churned out hit after hit. Featuring a unique spin on multiplayer shooting gameplay , the idea of covering entire surfaces with ink as opposed to fragging opponents makes for a great gameplay loop that players won’t get bored of no matter w
However, Overwatch 2 has transitioned entirely to a free-to-play model. You can buy things with real money, of course, but theoretically, almost everything is available to you through grinding. If that feels like threatening you with a good time, then, by all means, grind a
Now, not so much. If you’re a new player to Overwatch 2 esports 2, most of the characters will be locked for you. Even if you’re a seasoned player, select characters may be locked behind the Battle Pass. While they seem relatively simple to unlock through challenges, this takes a vital element from Overwatch – your ability to choose in early ga
The new Battle Pass, in comparison, is streamlined. For every level, you receive a reward that will change from season to season. There is much less chance involved, but it can be a little distressing to see the new skin you really, really want so far down the line. However, like loot boxes, you can always buy your way there. At least you know what you’ll be getting this t
The end of the match didn’t just mean seeing who got the coveted Play of the Game in Overwatch. It also gave you a scoreboard filled with medals of different ranks, where you could gauge how well you did. If you were a healer, it would show you how much healing you did collectively. It was impossible to m
Quickly shoots the rest of the shots in his revolver that have a lot of spread , but it’s good if the enemy is very close. Your weapon instantly goes on reload after pressing the secondary weapon but
Six years later and Blizzard’s slipshod track record demonstrates the limits of this milquetoast, Pixar-ification approach to diversity. Take for example Overwatch’s newest healer, Kiriko, whose origin trailer is a textbook example of how not to design or present a Japanese character. The trailer opens with cringe-inducing references to honor, intergenerational obligations, and long-forgotten mystic arts. It then segues to the Shinto shrine maiden/ninja boldly claiming that she has forged her own path. It ends with Kiriko literally wielding her culture — ofuda and kunai — as weapons. If you’ve consumed any American media from the ‘80s or ‘90s, this should sound very famil
Talking about positioning, another thing to keep in mind is that Cassidy doesn’t have an easy escape . His dash is extremely short, and it can be easily overestimated if you’re trying him out for the first ti
