It is a tough time to be online right now. We are watching as a whole race rises up against the systematic oppression they have experienced for years. It is hard not to be upset and the urge to help is strong. If you are in Australia you may feel like helping is too hard, the distance too great. Player 2 would like to remind you all though that Australia is by no means innocent. Indigenous Australians have been victimised and silenced by ingrained systemic racism and police brutality for generations. We, as a nation, have treated them in such a bad way for so long their voice is no longer even acknowledged let alone heard. So helping starts at home. Write to your local state or federal MP. Donate or assist a charity that works with the Aboriginal community. Educate yourself about the traditional owners of the land you are now sitting on. These are just some of the small but important steps each and every one of us needs to take to make Australia and, by extension, the world a better place. Player 2 would also like to say it is important to recognise all marginalised voices in this country, from the LGQBT+ community to disabled Australians to other minority ethnic and refugee groups, and work together to make this a truly equal place to live.
Sci-fi mystery 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim gets a Western release date
From Vanillaware, developers of Odin Sphere and Dragon’s Crown, the critically-acclaimed in Japan 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim will see a September 8, 2020 release in Western nations, exclusively for PS4.
This follows its Japanese release in November 2019, where it received multiple awards and praise, including a high 38/40 score from Famitsu, the publication famously known for assigning four critics per game review.
A recent English-subtitled trailer shows each of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim’s main characters, with plenty of the lovable character tropes on display, ranging from sassy punks, war-hardened teens, and a mysterious amnesiac.
Beyond 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim’s striking art direction, the gameplay is comprised of two distinct parts: 2D sidescrolling adventure components that drive the story, and tactical mech battles where the characters fight against menacing kaiju. The latest trailer doesn’t show off combat, but there is Japanese footage revealing what to expect from battles.
Between these elements, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim promises a deep story involving each of the 13 main characters intertwining among visions of the past and future – all of which is extremely my thing.
Additionally, due to COVID-19 impacting development, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim will launch without English voice-over, with a free update due to introduce the language option at a later, unannounced date. However, it’s highly likely those interested in the game – like me – won’t mind reading the English subtitles alongside the Japanse VO.
For those interested, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is currently available for pre-order, where select stores will offer a bonus artbook. At the time of writing, only JB Hi-Fi’s listing is live, where a pre-order will cost $89AUD.
