Toys, books and all things geek in the Lion City

Singapore is a melting pot of various nationalities and cultures that make this small country unique in its own way. During my week-long stay, there's just about a lot of things you'd discover that has something to do with games, anime, manga and everything else geek.

One thing about Singapore is that the place is literally crawling with malls. Almost every developed piece of land has at least a shopping center selling everything and anything. Here are just some of the places I've visited with some great and amazing finds.

Tekken Movie Revealed!!

Yeah there was that 2010 live action movie, and it was bad, but let's just forget about it.

Diablo III Beta Arriving This Year

Fans of the ever popular Diablo game will raise hell as beta testing for Diablo III is confirmed to launch around the thir quarter of 2011 (between July and September)

A Secret Store in Quezon City

While browsing in the internet, I stumbled on a certain image that shows a pile of figures on display, while researching about the said picture, then I discovered that it is from a surplus shop located in Quezon City.

Free Comic Book Day

Mark your calendars on May 7 as we all celebrate Free Comic Book Day. All you have to do is visit the nearest comic book store that will be participating FCBD in your malls (check our list for details) and you'll get a free comic book.

Commando Mobile Game Review

If you are looking for a good action game with choppers, you might opt to try Commando, which is now available at Smart.

Lord of The Rings Middle-earth Defense Mobile Game Review

If you are looking for a tower defense game in your mobile phone, you should check out the newest game from Smart, Lord of The Rings Middle-earth Defense.

The game stays faithful to the trilogy as most of the game’s battles take place from the famous locations from the three books such as the Mines of Moria, Helm's Deep and also at Mina Tirith.

New Dragon Age 2 DLC

Bioware just released the Item Pack #1 DLC for Dragon Age 2.

The item pack contains sets for the 3 character classes, each consists of armor, weapons and accessories for your party members. Each item packs are for sale separately or can purchased as a whole package.

TAGCOM 2011

First a Phone, Now a Tablet

Looks like Sony is widening their gadgets for gaming, a few months ago, they announced their new portable console, then a phone. And now, they are venturing to Tablets.

Wii 2 Confirmed!!

Nintendo recently announced that they will be revealing their newest game console that will become the successor of their current console; the Nintendo Wii.

Patapon 3 Review

After years of absence, the little big eyeball tribe is back in action with their contagious rhythm beats in Patapon 3 for the PlayStation Portable, will the second sequel gives us another round of LSS with their drum beating music?

Ragnarok Now Coming to The PSP

If you guys can remember, there was a Ragnarok game that was released for the Nintendo DS more than a year ago, now they are planning to release a new Ragnarok game to the PSP.

Persona 4 Anime coming this Fall

Fans of the Persona franchise will rejoice as Persona 4 will be having an anime adaptation and it will be scheduled to air this coming fall.

Summer Komikon 2011 Event Aftermath

Komikon is an annual convention for Filipino comic book enthusiasts where they gathered and showcased classic and upcoming comic books drawn and published by Filipino comic book artists. The very first Komikon was held on the UP Bahay ng Alumni way back in 2005.

Last April 16, they held the 3rd Summer Komikon at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig where comic book enthusiasts gathered once again for the love of comics, and Reimaru Files was there to cover the event.

Metro Comic-Con 2011

Take a Peek at Dragona Online

Dragona: Expedition of Bartan is an upcoming 3D MMORPG that was developed by Liveplex and Studio Timber, and will be published in the Philippines by Gameclub; the publisher of Special Force Online, CrossFire, Twelve Sky 2, Weapons of War and iDate.

Enigma Online now in Open Beta

Run Up Philippines has just announced that their new MMORPG Enigma Online is now in Open Beta. Enigma Online is a martial arts-inspired 3D MMORPG which offers a rich storyline and quests as well as a dynamic battle system and battle special effects.

Enigma Online has four different clans to choose from with different attributes, it also offers mini-games to give you a little break on the intense gaming.

New Updates for Street Fighter x Tekken

Can't get enough of cross over fighting games? Well guess what, there's some more for you to feast on, as Capcom just release the trailer for their new upcoming fighting game title Street Fighter x Tekken. Yes you heard that right, the popular fighting game from Namco has also joined the battle.

Event Aftermath: Ozine Fest 2011 Day 3

And here we are on the final day of the Ozine Fest 3-day event, and it was the main event, as cosplayers finally showcased their best costumes for the individual cosplay competition. I was really surprised that there are more than 300 participants on the said event, probably because this event was the first major convention for this year, so eventually a lot of cosplayers are anticipating the Ozine Fest, and not to mention the event is totally jam packed compared to Day 2.

Event Aftermath: Ozine Fest 2011 Day 2

To continue the coverage of Ozine Fest 2011, we'll be showing pics on what's happening from day 2 of the said event, as you can see more people are attending on the Saturday schedule, which includes the battle of the band and the group cosplay competition. On day 3 they will host the individual competition for the cosplay, so expect more cosplayers and more people to attend on Sunday, and we will be there to check the event out. For now here're some pics from Day 2.

Event Atfermath: Ozine Fest 2011 Day 1

Well it's another time for those Anime conventions to pop up, and it's the first major convention for this year. Ozine Fest 2011 kicks off with a three-day event at the Megatrade Hall 2 & 3 with more Anime and gaming goodness.

Reimaru Files will also kick off with a 3-day event aftermath coverage, and we'll start off with day 1, check out the picture gallery for the aftermath

(Warning: massive load of images awaits)

Bioware Games Turning Anime

It seems like Bioware is also joining the animation scene, as they and Electronic Arts are teaming up with FUNimation Entertainment to create an Anime feature film based on their hit Sci-Fi RPG Mass Effect. It will be scheduled to release on 2012.

Lunch at MeiDolls

If you're an Anime fan, chances are you have probably heard of cafes or coffee shops where you'll be served by cute ladies wearing french maid outfits. In Japan these kind of coffee shop are a major hit especially to Otakus or Anime fanatics, and if you're in the Philippines, you'll probably see one only in Anime conventions.

But luckily, there's one that opened in the metro, and the good part, it's open daily.

MeiDolls is the first Anime/Meid inspired Cafe in the Philippines which just opened last January 15.

We took a visit to MeiDolls for lunch and see why is this becoming a craze to Anime lovers.

Buy Dragon Age 2 Get Mass Effect 2 for Free

In celebration of the release and reaching the one million mark in less than two weeks of Dragon Age 2, Bioware is offering a special promo for their fans. For every purchase of Dragon Age 2, you will avail a digital copy of Mass Effect 2 for the PC for free, those who purchase the Signature Edition will also avail the free game.

Upcoming Super Hero Movies 2011

We are now at the start of the second quarter of 2011, and we still have plenty of time to anticipate some upcoming super hero movies for this year. Over the years, super hero movies are becoming more better, with better script, casting, special effects etc.

Gaming's April Fools

April 1 was another day of never ending pranks and jokes, why? because it's April Fools day

and some people in the gaming industry had some crazy sense of humor that their fans actually fell for it, so let's take a look on some notable April Fools jokes for this year:

CARDMON Hero and WYD April Events

T3fun raises the bar this April as they proudly announce the in-game events lined up for April for the games CARDMON Hero and WYD.

Event Aftermath: BOI Immortal Cafe Showdown Grand Finals

Cubizone Philippines recently held their grand finals event for their MMORPG Battle of The Immortals at the SM North EDSA Cyberzone last March 26, 2011.

Komikon Summer Bayanihan 2011

Kratos unleashes chaos in Mortal Kombat

Oh yes, Kratos will be a playable character in the upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot. He will have his own God of War themed stage as well as his very own fatalities and signature moves.

Mortal Kombat will be available on April 19 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Event Aftermath: Tamashii Con

De La Salle University's Nihon Kenkyu Kai held an event at the Megatrade Hall 3 at the SM Megamall last March 19.

The event featured booths that ranges from anime figures, mangas, anime/gaming inspired beanie hats, jpop/kpop themed clothes and accessories and other merchandises. There were also contests such as trivia games, eating competition and cosplay contests. There were also band performance that played songs from popular anime series.

Dragon Age 2: Getting that Champion Armor

Still playing Dragon Age 2 and still haven't completed the whole Champion Armor (the armor you saw at the trailer/opening of the game) for Hawke? Well worry not as we will be giving you a little guide on where to get the complete Champion Armor set.

How to Spot a Phishing Scam

Most of us play MMO or Massively Multiplayer Online games, and we usually get newsletters from the game's official website if not weekly, every month. And chances are you were able to received this kind of email:

Transformers MMO in the works

A Transformers MMO is now in development and it will be handled by Jagex, the people behind the popular MMO game Runescape, and it will be scheduled to release on 2012 in North America, Latin America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

It was mentioned that the game will deliver a dynamic and an action-packed gameplay where fans will surely find it irresistible. Hasbro have not made any new announcements on the pricing and the exact release schedule and also which Transformers franchise will the MMO be under, let's hope it doesn't based on the live action movies.

source: Siliconera

Funmily Texas Poker Open Beta

The Facebook poker game Funmily Texas Poker from the Chinese gaming company Funmily, is now on its Open Beta Phase. The game will a better interface and animated characters compared to the current Facebook poker games, it will also keep the same gaming concept.

Close Beta player's accounts will be wiped out to give way for the Open Beta Phase, and the accounts on the Open Beta will be safe on the commercial launch.

You can start playing Funmily Texas Poker on Facebook
and also be sure to visit their Official Website

Forsaken World coming to South East Asia?

Perfect World collaborated with Cubinet Interactive (which also includes its subsidiaries from Thailand and the Philippines) once again to license the newest MMORPG Forsaken World to Singapore and Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Also Perfect World signed an agreement with Gamania Digital Entertainment to license the game to Hong Kong and Macau. Cubinet Interactive has two license games from Perfect World in the Philippines namely Battle of the Immortals and Legend of Martial Arts.

source: http://www.pwrd.com/html/en/news_mn_110307.html

As of now, there is still no official statement from Cubizone Philippines on when will be the official close beta launch of Forsaken World, but upon visitng the Cubizone International website, we found a link for Forsaken World, but it is still marked as "coming soon".

Forsaken World is a 3D MMORPG which caters to the tastes of global game players. Set against the backdrop of a fantasy world, Forsaken World breaks new ground by introducing a multitude of innovative features and novel gaming concepts. Players themselves are able to alter the fate of the world through their individual actions in the game. Forsaken World was first launched in China last October 2010. An international version of Forsaken World was released by Perfect World Entertainment in North America and has began its Open Beta Phase on March 9, 2011.

Event Aftermath: Legend of Martial Arts Press Launch

Last March 12, 2011, Cubizone Philippines held their press launch for their upcoming MMORPG Legend of Martial Arts at Dads' Place in Quezon City.

Originally called "Kung Foo!", LoMA is the latest MMORPG created by Perfect World Entertainment (also the creators of Battle of The Immortals) which feature a rich 3D environment and intense gameplay.

Here are some the exciting features that you will find in LoMA:

• In-depth character class system
• Easier combat with the "Hand of God" item
• Evolving pets
• Customizable avatars
• Mount system
• Instanced dungeon

The launch was hosted by Richard Ibanez, Brand manager of LoMA and Jin "Grym" dela Cruz, Content Manager of Cubizone PH.

Legend of Martial Arts is still in the Close Beta Phase but it will be ready for the Open Beta Phase in the coming weeks, you can download the game and use your existing Cubizone account even if it is still in the CBT, if you still don't have a Cubizone account, you can register here

For updates and announcements, you can visit their official website: http://www.loma.ph/

You can also visit their Facebook Page

Bioware Reveals New Star Wars: The Old Republic Trailer

To hype their upcoming Sci-Fi MMO, Bioware released a trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic at the Penny Arcade Expo 2011 (PAX East 2011) at Boston, Massachusetts. The trailer featured gameplay footage including lightsaber battles and space dogfights. You can visit their Official Website for more details.

Tamashii Con

De La Salle University's Nihon Kenkyu Kai is a professional organization for International Studies majoring in Japanese subjects and culture. On March 19 2011, the NKKi together with Anime Alliance and the Literature Circle, will holdi a Japanese Pop Culture Convention at SM Megatrade from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, entitled “Tamashii Con.” This convention is a large gathering of like-minded groups and individuals celebrating popular culture and its influence in society through such activities as contests, talks, events, the selling of products, and the like. Of course, this will involve the inclusion of anime, cosplay & otaku culture. So come one, come all this MARCH 19!!!

For more info, please click on this links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamashii-Con/147949271930941

http://tamacon.animealliance.asia/

De La Salle University's Nihon Kenkyu Kai and Literature Circle, in cooperation with Anime Alliance Philippines brings to you

Tamashii Con - reviewing Japan's 80's and 90's

There will be bands performing on stage and speakers who'll be discussing more about Japan's culture.

On-event Contests are the following:

• Eating Contests
• General Japanese Trivia games
• Karaoke Singing Competition
• Individual and Group Cosplay

Light a Candle for Japan

Our prayers and support for the people in Japan.

Japan was hit by a devastating magnitude 8.9 earthquake, the strongest that was ever recorded, the earthquake also spanned a tsunami that hit the country's east coast, killing hundreds of people.

You can help and support the people in Japan by donating or even just a simple way by lighting a candle and offer a short prayer for the vicitims.

You can refer to the following links on how to donate:

https://www.paypal-donations.com

http://yahoo.com