Secretlab X ‘Genshin Impact' Collection Shines Spotlight On Xiao, Ningguang, And Wonders Of Liyue
Marking the first between the two brands, the Secretlab X Genshin Impact collection brings together new chair designs celebrating beloved characters Xiao and Ningguang, alongside a desk inspired by the Lantern Rite Festival. The aesthetic elements are unique to each, taking after their respective influences – the Xiao Edition, for instance, features his Alatus Nemeseos constellation and an embroidery of his Anemo Vision on the side wings, reflecting his true form. At the back, the erupting spears pay tribute to the Vigilant Yaksha's Elemental Burst: Bane of All Evil.
The Ningguang Edition, meanwhile, comes cloaked in the colours and patterns of her character, from her Geo Vision to her signature phoenix emblem. Emblazoned on the backrest, the latter is adorned with a motif of gingko leaves, joining the gradient embroidery of the chair's logo that pulls from the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing's tassel.
Additionally, both chairs will retain the ergonomic features of the Secretlab Titan Evo series, such as cold-cure foam for even weight distribution, a pebble seat base with gently sloping side wings, and four-way lumbar support.
Adding to the spirit of Liyue is the Magnus Pro Sit-to-Stand Metal Desk, themed after the Lantern Rite Festival. It includes cable management features like a full-length cable tray and an integrated power supply column, and can be paired with a matching desk mat that shows the night view of Liyue Harbour in all its glory, illuminated by the glow of a thousand lanterns, and the Skybracer soaring through the sky.
The Secretlab Genshin Impact Liyue Collection chairs start from S$769 each, while the Magnus Pro is available at the starting price of S$984. It will also make its first in-person appearance at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles from 3 to 6 July 2025.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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Geek Culture
9 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Who Is Zhong Kui, The Ghost Hunter Folklore Hero In The ‘Black Myth: Wukong' Sequel
His name might not have rang any bells when game publisher Game Science announced Black Myth: Zhong Kui as the sequel to its 2024 global smash hit, Black Myth: Wukong at Gamescom 2025, but it's no surprise that the Chinese game developer is bringing Taoist deity Zhong Kui (钟馗) to the forefront in its follow-up to the Monkey God role-playing game (RPG). The ghost-busting folklore hero is an equally significant figure in Chinese mythology, traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings, which is probably why he's the face of the highly anticipated sequel. Announced during Gamescom 2025's Opening Night Live (ONL) showcase, the upcoming title ended the event with a bang as the last trailer of the show, featuring a magnificent cinematic sequence, which concluded in the reveal of Zhong Kui himself, sat atop a hulking tiger. With the game seemingly still in its early development stages (all we have is just a two-minute cinematic, after all), there's no better time to brush up on Chinese mythology and folklore, and find out who Zhong Kui is. Often depicted in folklore as a large man with a massive black beard and bulging eyes, Zhong Kui was originally a talented scholar from the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). As the legends go, Zhong Kui took part in the imperial examinations, a state-wide test used to become a government official, only to be denied his due recognition as the top scholar (状元) due to his unattractive appearance. An early representation of Zhong Kui, seen in tattered robes and cap Zhong Kui atop a mythical beast Devastated by this unfairness, Zhong Kui committed suicide by hitting his head repeatedly against the palace gates, landing in the Underworld. During his divine judgment after his death from suicide, celestial beings saw potential in Zhong Kui due to his intellect and righteous spirit, granting him the title of a minor deity, specifically the 'King of Ghosts', and tasked him to become a protector against evil spirits, catching and subduing the ghosts that harm the mortal world. Zhong Kui rose to popularity in folklore during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang China, where it was once said that the Emperor fell gravely ill, believed to be haunted by spirits. In a dream, Zhong Kui appeared before the Emperor, catching and subduing the ghosts that tormented him. When the Emperor awoke, he had magically recovered from his illness, leading him to commission a court painter to draw an image of Zhong Kui catching ghosts, solidifying his role as a divine ghost hunter. Originally depicted in a battered robe and cap in earlier art and drawings, this depiction was later changed to a grander vermilion court robe and a black gauze cap, Zhong Kui is often represented with a wrathful expression and a symbol of justice and righteousness, sometimes shown with a sword in hand. The deity is also associated with five bats of fortune, symbolising the five blessings '五福' (wǔ fú), as in Chinese, the word '蝠' (fú) for bat homophones with the word '福' (fú), for fortune, signifying good fortune and luck in Chinese culture. Other depictions show him next to various ghost servants, or a mighty beast like a tiger, as in legends, Zhong Kui is also known for being able to command 80,000 demons to do his bidding, further cementing his influence in the spiritual realm. Zhong Kui next to a tiger and 5 bats of fortune Zhong Kui wielding a blade Today, Zhong Kui is seen as a powerful symbol of protection and good fortune, with images of the deity often hung in homes and businesses, particularly during the Lunar New Year, to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. His popularity has also given rise to the idiom 'Da Gui Jie Zhong Kui (打鬼借钟馗)', or 'Borrowing Zhong Kui's name to fight ghosts', which signifies completing a task as though it is done for someone of a higher power or status. So if Zhong Kui is that well-known and popular, surely there have been movies or TV shows about the character? Yes, and there have been Chinese, Taiwanese and even Singapore TV series, as well as, though not all are widely available and if you're looking for an English version, the options are even more limited. If you understand Mandarin, check out Strange Encounters ( 奇缘 , 1988) from the then-Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). The 25-episode anthology series features seven tales adapted from folklore and war poems, and the last story, beginning from Episode 21, is a five-episode Zhong Kui story, starring beloved Singapore actor Huang Wenyong as the ghost buster. Heavenly Ghost Catcher (1994) Subsequently, there was a 30-episode Heavenly Ghost C atcher (天师钟馗) in 1994, a joint Singapore and Taiwan production starring Golden Bell Award winner Jin Chao-chun (金超群) as the legendary ghost catcher. Unfortunately, both shows are on Singapore's Mediacorp's rather slow but free MeWatch streaming service, and there doesn't seem to be English subtitles. On the China side of things, there is Hong Kong actor, Bobby Au-Yeung, who starred as Zhong Kui in 2010's Ghost Catcher – Legend of Beauty ( 天师钟馗 ) and 2012's The Legend of Zhong Kui ( 钟馗传说 ), which is available on YouTube. On the film side, noted Hong Kong cinematographer Peter Pau directed 2015's fantasy film Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal ( 钟馗伏魔: 雪妖魔灵 , also known simply as Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal ) and if you are looking for a modern retelling, check out 2020's The Devil Punisher ( 天巡者 ), a Taiwanese series currently streaming on Netflix (depending on which part of the world you're in). Ghost Catcher – Legend of Beauty (2010) With the portrayal of a deity so powerful within the spiritual realm, it remains to be seen how he will be brought to life in Black Myth: Zhong Kui. There are already hints that his tiger companion might play a major role, possibly in combat, but what about his other abilities? Perhaps he would be able to summon spirits, or bats, to aid him in battle? It's unclear for now, but one thing is for certain – Game Science's next adventure is one to keep an eye on, and one that looks to tap into the success of its predecessor, or maybe even surpass it with yet another legendary figure from Chinese mythology. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Black Myth: WuKong Black Myth: Zhong Kui Zhong Kui
Geek Culture
17 hours ago
- Geek Culture
Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live Recap
Gamescom 2025 has officially kicked off, headlined by the two-hour-long Opening Night Live (ONL) showcase hosted by Geoff Keighley and Eefje Depoortere. Source: Epic Games With no shortage of brand-new game reveals like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4, trailers for highly anticipated upcoming titles like Resident Evil Requiem and even some surprise sequels like Black Myth: Zhong Kui , this year's showcase certainly makes a strong first impression for the annual gaming convention. Here are the highlights of Gamescom ONL 2025, in order of appearance: Another year, another Call of Duty , and this time, fans will once again step into the battle-hardened boots of series veteran David Mason in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 , featuring a story campaign that can be played entirely in either single-player or with up to three people in co-op, promising much greater freedom and player choice compared to past titles. Set once again in a future, the game will also feature 18 multiplayer maps on launch, and a new round-based top-down, action-RPG style Zombie mode known as Arcade Zombies . Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will arrive on 14 November 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with more information revealed at Call of Duty Next on 30 September. Fans of the 2023 Souls-like by CI Games and Hexworks were treated to a cinematic trailer for Lords of the Fallen 2 , a sequel that promises to be 'bloodier, faster, and more brutal than ever'. Set once again in a medieval world 100 years after its predecessor, players will face off against an angelic foe while balancing two realms. Lords of the Fallen 2 is set for release in 2026, with more gameplay details arriving later this year. Batman is back, this time with a much goofier tone, as Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight takes the Caped Crusader's story and inserts a much-needed dose of humour, with the game featuring iconic scenes across the movies, TV shows, games and comics, now with the well-known Lego flair. From the trailer, the game looks to play like a Lego version of the Arkham titles, featuring puzzle solving, combat, and even stealth, with players also able to drive around in an open-world Gotham in their choice of Batmobile. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will arrive in 2026 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. It's a new dawn for the Warhammer franchise, as we have a massive first look at Dawn of War 4 , the next entry in the iconic real-time strategy (RTS) series. With an announcement trailer showcasing a mix of cinematics and gameplay, the title will follow the Blood Marines as they face off against familiar foes like Orks and Nekrons, with its brief snippet of gameplay showing off all-out combat that seems to mix the RTS foundations of the original Dawn of War with the more streamlined, squad based combat of later titles. Let's just hope this upcoming entry will redeem the series after its disappointing third run. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 is coming to PC in 2026. I want to ride my Chocobo all day! It's a clash of two Japanese gaming giants, as Monster Hunter Wilds is receiving a crossover with Final Fantasy 14 , bringing the iconic Chocobo from the latter as a rideable mount in the former, alongside a new monster to fight in the form of Omega Planetes. It's a two-way street, too, as Final Fantasy 14 will also let players replace their mount with a Seikret, as well as an encounter with Arkveld. The special collaboration for Monster Hunter Wilds will head to the game via an update in late September this year. Capcom has shown off more of its upcoming action RPG, as the latest trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword gives a better look at moment-to-moment combat, and this is definitely a game for parry lovers, with deflection-focused battles comprising slick swordplay and even long-range encounters with a bow. The trailer also teases some grand boss encounters with creatures that look straight out of mythology, and a creepy long-necked woman, yikes. Onimusha: Way of the Sword arrives in 2026 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Prepare for an all-new chapter of Indy's journey, as The Order of Giants , a DLC chapter for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle , heads to the game and offers a new mystery surrounding the depths of Rome. In his quest to track down a Roman artefact, Indy must team up with Father Ricci as they encounter deadly traps and deadlier individuals, like the Cult of Mithras. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants will be available on 4 September 2025, with the game also arriving on the Nintendo Switch 2 next year. It's time to truly embody the Merc with a Mouth, as Marvel's Deadpool VR brings his wacky escapades to the Meta Quest, letting players smash, slice and shoot baddies to bag some of the toughest villains in the Marvel Universe like Omega Red, Lady Deathstrike, Mephisto, and Ultimo. The game will blend parkour with a freeform combat system, and feature How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris as the voice of Deadpool. Marvel's Deadpool VR arrives on the Meta Quest 3 and 3S on 18 November 2025. There can never be enough co-op zombie shooters, and John Carpenter's Toxic Commando looks to shake up the genre with supernatural powers, daunting hordes and bosses, as well as what seems to be a large emphasis on vehicular combat. Let's just hope the game offers something fresh in the already oversaturated horde-based shooter genre. John Carpenter's Toxic Commando will release in 2026 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Death By Scrolling , like its name implies, presents a rather unique vertically-scrolling RPG roguelike experience, where players need to constantly stay ahead of the Grim Reaper. Hailing from Monkey Island game designer Ron Gilbert, the game will feature five playable characters, each with their own unique perks, with the goal to collect 10,000 gold to pay the Ferryman and finally escape the afterlife. Hailing from the studio that brought us Disco Elysium (although most of the original developers have since left the studio), Zero Parades is the next game from ZA/UM, described as an 'espionage RPG', which looks to offer the same vibe from the acclaimed 2019 RPG, although whether it could truly capture the same level of charm without the original development team still remains to be seen. Platinum Games showed off a new trailer for Ninja Gaiden 4 , showing off not only more of its intense, fast-paced combat but also a deeper look at its narrative. Still, this is an action game through and through, so combat has to really shine, and from the looks of things, the fourth entry definitely has potential, offering another look at its brutal close-combat swordfights that are fluid, but mostly importantly, as bloody as ever. Ninja Gaiden 4 heads to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on 21 October 2025. Hailing from South Korean game developer NCSoft, Cinder City is an open-world MMO tactical shooter featuring exosuits, mechs, humans and zombies, with its trailer teasing large-scale multiplayer firefights, and an emphasis on strategic cooperation. Next up is another multiplayer game by NCSoft, Time Takers . This time, it's (yet) another team-based hero shooter and gives off Overwatch vibes, just in third-person. Can it succeed in a genre where most other newcomers have failed? Only time will tell. September is going to be good eating for survival horror fans, as it marks the release of Silent Hill f , the next chapter in the iconic franchise. Now set in the secluded town of Ebisugaoka, players can explore a whole new region filled with psychological horrors as Hinako Shimizu, exploring the town's tight and twisted paths while solving puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive. Silent Hill f will launch on 25 September 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Developed by Italian independent games studio Jyamma Games, La Divina Commedia is a dark fantasy action RPG inspired by the opera of Dante Alighieri, and will feature a roguelite-esque 'procedural dungeon generation' system that ensures no runs are the same. The trailer doesn't show how this will work, but it does offer a look at combat against a lanky humanoid creature, showcasing a slick deflect system and mobile, acrobatic attacks. As another exciting survival horror entry coming in September, Bloober Team's Cronos: The New Dawn looks to revive the glory days of Dead Space , with its latest trailer showing off some gravity-defying environmental puzzles, alongside a healthy dose of visceral combat involving its unique merging system, where foes can combine with the bodies of their fallen, becoming stronger in the process and encouraging a tactical approach to every encounter. Cronos: The New Dawn will arrive on 5 September 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. Obsidian Entertainment's latest trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 is all about its companions, covering the title's six crew members, each with their own abilities and support functions. Despite the genre, the trailer was pretty adamant that the game will not feature a romance system, which will undoubtedly be disappointing for some fans. The Outer Worlds 2 will arrive on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on 29 October 2025. 11 Bit Studios and Digital Sun have announced the early access date for their upcoming follow-up, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault , with the trailer featuring its fresh new graphics, combat and dungeon crawling. The game will feature three biomes to explore, as well as an in-depth economy and shop system, where players can sell relics after they return from missions. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault heads to Steam Early Access on 23 October 2025. After a long run of delays and silence, the sequel to Troika Games' cult classic RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, is finally on the horizon. Players will take on the roles of both Fabien and Phyre, as they hunt their way through Seattle on the brink of an open supernatural war, using gory vampiric abilities and visceral first-person combat. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 arrives on 21 October 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Enshrouded , the survival action RPG released in early access in 2024, is set to receive its seventh update, titled Wake of the Water , adding a new tropical biome, realistic water, diving, new enemies, combat systems and weapons. Enshrouded's Wake of the Water update will arrive in October 2025. Warhorse Studio's hit medieval RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will receive its second story DLC, Legacy of the Forge , in September, with its teaser trailer featuring a strong emphasis on blacksmithing, tasking Henry with rebuilding a burnt-down forge in the heart of Kuttenberg, allowing players to design and customise their workshop and its surroundings. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Legacy of the Forge will arrive on 9 September 2025. Massive Monster and Devolver Digital's charming 2022 cult simulator, Cult of the Lamb , is about to receive a massive expansion in the form of Woolhaven , bringing the icy winter to the game alongside new encounters, enemies and boss fights, and what looks to be a temperature management system where players will need to keep their flock warm. Cult of the Lamb – Woolhaven will arrive in early 2026. Project Spectrum is an upcoming PvEvP multiplayer tactical shooter from the team behind Delta Force , pitting players against each other alongside grotesque monsters. According to the game's description, players will 'step into the reality-warped Ember Zones, where satisfying gunplay meets a mesmerising, high-style world.' Ahead of its launch this year, Sucker Punch's much-anticipated follow-up, Ghost of Yōtei , has received a new trailer that not only shows off more of the title's story and combat, but also reveals that it will be receiving its own co-op Legends mode, similar to the first title, as free post-launch content, teasing a supernatural story and survival missions. Ghost of Yōtei will head to the PS5 on 2 October 2025, with its Legends co-op mode arriving in 2026. Capcom's massive survival horror sequel, Resident Evil Requiem , has received a trailer focused on its new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, featuring a tense scene where she tries to escape a building alongside her mother Alyssa (who first appeared in 2003's Resident Evil Outbreak ), only to witness a man get brutally murdered by a mysterious cloak-wearing individual right in front of them. It's a nice trailer and all, but where's Leon? Resident Evil Requiem heads to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on 27 February 2026. Now on to the final trailer, and boy, is it a big one, as Game Science, the developers behind the worldwide sensation Black Myth: Wukong, have announced their next title, Black Myth: Zhong Kui , spotlighting the lesser-known (at least in the Western world) but still culturally significant figure Zhong Kui. Traditionally portrayed as the vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings, the titular Taoist deity certainly makes an imposing first impression, riding on the back of a mighty tiger, with the single-player action-RPG heading to consoles and PC sometime in the future. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Geek Culture
13-08-2025
- Geek Culture
‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle' Took Just 25 Days To Become Japan's 6th Highest Grossing Film Ever
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle continues its meteoric rise at the Japanese box office, earning 4.44 billion yen (US$30.11 million) over the past week to secure the position of the country's sixth highest-grossing film of all time. The latest instalment in the hit anime franchise also premiered in Taiwan over the weekend, its first international stop, where it topped charts and shattered records. This comes after smashing several box office milestones since its debut in Japan, including earning an all-time high for opening numbers and becoming the fastest movie to gross 10 billion yen domestically. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle As of 11 August, Infinity Castle has amassed 22.07 billion yen (US$149.17 million) in just 25 days, selling 15.69 million tickets, according to the series' official accounts. It overtook ONE PIECE FILM: RED for the sixth spot and now trails Your Name by just over 3 billion yen. It is also the fourth-highest-grossing anime film ever released in Japan, and continues to hold the No.1 spot for the fourth consecutive week. Taiwan's 8 August debut, reported by The Liberty Times as the first outside Japan, earned NT$46.9 million (US$1.56 million) on opening day, the seventh-largest opening across all films in the country's history. Distributor Muse announced on Instagram that the film has since grossed over NT$170 million (US$5.67 million), surpassing Mugen Train's NT$117 million to achieve the highest-grossing opening weekend for an animated film in Taiwan. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki at anime studio Ufotable, with Akira Matsushima as chief animation director and character designer, and music by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina, Infinity Castle opened in Japan on 18 July. The film will arrive in U.S. and Canadian theatres on 12 September. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Crunchyroll, which streams the TV anime, Mugen Train , and the Hashira Training Arc in sub and dub formats, describes Infinity Castle as follows: 'Tanjiro Kamado – a boy who joined an organisation dedicated to hunting down demons called the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko, was turned into a demon. While growing stronger and deepening his friendships and bonds with fellow corps members, Tanjiro has battled many demons with his comrades – Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira… The destination of where Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps have fallen is the demons' stronghold – the Infinity Castle. And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons ignites.' With record-breaking momentum in both Japan and Taiwan, Infinity Castle is poised to make an even greater impact as it expands worldwide, with news of a star-studded vocal cast for its English dub, as Channing Tatum ( Deadpool & Wolverine ) and Rebecca Wang ( Blue Eye Samurai ) are added to its ranks. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle storms into Singapore theatres on 14 August 2025. Conversation with Ting Wei is like chatting with a weird AI bot programmed only with One Piece lore and theories, sitcom quotes and other miscellaneous pop culture references. When he's not sleeping, he's highly likely reading manga. In fact, the only thing he reads more than manga is the Bible, and it's honestly pretty close.
