Month: June 2016

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General: Dead Star Review – Making Its Mark in the MOBA Genre

Dead Star, a top-down, multiplayer PvP shoot ’em up style game, attempts to make its mark in the world of MOBAs. Using ships instead of characters and a classic arcade game feel, can this game manage to stand out in a crowd or does it stay true to its name and transform into another dead star?

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Learn How to Escape Elphelt Valentine’s Unblockables in Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-

Elphelt is one of the most feared characters in Guilty Gear Xrd. One main reason for this is her access to various unblockable setups that, when successful, lead into yet another unblockable–an unblockable loop. She does this by getting a knockdown in the corner, lobbing a grenade, then charging up her unblockable rifle shot while her opponent is busy blocking the grenade’s explosion.

Thankfully, we have Japanese player Baaru, who has graced us with some video examples of how to escape her three most common ways of setting this up. The escapes are shown using Sol; since there is some variance in different characters’ jumps and backdashes, a few of the options may not work for everyone. Everyone can, however, escape with 25% tension for Blitz Shield (Slash + Heavy Slash).

First, we have Elphelt’s jump Dust setup. There are a few versions of this setup, but the concept is the same: Elphelt hits with a jump back normal, usually Dust, and lobs the grenade before landing.

  • Escape #1: Backdash to avoid the grenade, then jump. The shot hits you in the air so the explosion whiffs and the combo ends. Large characters may still get hit by the explosion, unfortunately.
  • Escape #2: Backdash the grenade, backdash the rifle shot. Characters like Sin with longer backdash animations may not have time for a second backdash here.
  • Escape #3: The most consistent escape. Blitz Shield the grenade, then backdash the charged shot. Some characters can cancel the successful Blitz into an invincible super, instead of backdash, to really capitalize on the escape and land some damage. That requires a lot of meter, but can be worthwhile.

Another option, and this goes for all her unblockables, is to use Blitz Shield twice in a row—to negate both the grenade and the charged rifle shot. You can then advance forward and try to flip the momentum in your favor. This is resource-intensive however, costing 50% tension.

If you’re having trouble timing the immediate Blitz Shield, you can bind it to one button (replace your taunt button), and just mash it multiple times on your wakeup. The game gives us a very lenient input window, and making it a one-button input makes it even easier.

Second, we have her 25% meter unblockable. This one is the most difficult to escape: she uses YRC to not only time the grenade perfectly, but to slow the game down and mess up your escape attempt.

  • Escape #1: Blitz the grenade, backdash the charged shot, jump to avoid the explosion. Characters with slower jumps (Leo, Potemkin) may not be able to jump out here, but you can instead choose to block it.
  • Escape #2: Blitz both the grenade, and the charged shot. This is the easier and more consistent escape. It’s available to any character, but again requires more tension meter (50% rather than 25%).

Third, we have an unblockable where Elphelt must spend 50% tension to combo after. This setup involves running down the grenade timer by riddling you with bullets, before whipping out her trusty rifle, Miss Confire. Since this time she uses the grenade explosion before the rifle shot, she must Roman Cancel the shot to continue the combo. Watch her meter: if she doesn’t have 50% (and the single shot won’t kill you), you may want to take the hit and save your resources for later use.

  • Escape #1: Backdash the grenade, double jump to avoid the shot and explosion. Again, this meterless escape may not be an option for some characters.
  • Escape #2: Block the grenade throw, instant block the explosion, then Blitz the charged shot. You have to instant block the explosion in order to get out of blockstun and Blitz Shield here. You don’t, however, have to instant block the first hit of the grenade.

In very desperate measures, if you don’t have meter for Blitz Shield, you can use a burst to avoid the unblockable charged shot. The burst won’t hit Elphelt, but if you’re going to die from it, it’s worth a shot.

Source: baaru_ggx

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General: No Man?s Sky Will Probably Disappoint You

Hold onto your hats, pilots. No Man’s Sky has been delayed until August. With expectations soaring incredibly high, this week the RPG Files asks whether this first-person space adventure could ever live up to the hype. Plus, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine reviews, Kings and Heroes’ Early Access Launch, new Final Fantasy XV gameplay details and more in this week’s Quick Hits!