Welcome to We’re Obsessed With… a column where THE MAGIC RAIN’s writers share their current obsessions; from movies and TV shows, to books and video games. When it comes to the things you love, there’s only one rule: No holds barred.
Read the rest of our column here!
Pokémon Unite (MOBA)
Pokemon Unite is primarily a strategic team battle arena that allows you to capture wild Pokemons, evolve yours and defeat opposing Pokemon players to score points and ultimately be victorious. Thoroughly excited by its inaugural announcement last year, I was cautious enough to keep my expectations in check when I played Pokemon Unite for the first time.
Being intricately familiar with the MOBA landscape that has developed over the past 15 years, I was delightfully surprised at new twists Unite has introduced to the aging, complex and sometimes frustratingly difficult formula that is MOBAs today. Some of the major improvements include a 10-minute time limit (yes, no more stall games!), a simple but flexible skill system, streamlined item system and a 2 lane map with a jungle area in the middle.
While there are a few areas to work on, namely a few control options and the lack of scoreboard during the actual game, the game proves to be fresh and replayability is high. You can spend hours playing a single Pokemon with various items and skill sets and move on to a new Pokemon once you have had your fill.
It is easily accessible and it doesn’t have a heavy death penalty (deaths are not shown in the final score sheet!) which makes it a great casual MOBA that you can easily spend hours on. With a new balance patch coming as I write this, things can only get more interesting for Pokemon Unite ahead of its September mobile release! — CM Char
Good Omens (Prime Videos)
I’ve talked about plenty of TV shows in this column, but none were as well-written and hilarious as Good Omens. Based on a 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, the show follows an angel (Aziraphale) and a demon (Crowley) who are trying to prevent the coming of Armageddon. At the heart of its plot is their 6,000-year-old relationship, and the hijinks that arise from their conflicting natures.
In retrospect, it’s near impossible that the show managed to cram so much plot into 6 episodes — and it feels even shorter with Michael Sheen and David Tennant leading its ensemble cast. Their infectious chemistry as Aziraphale and Crowley (plus the occasional well-timed Queen song) is the reason the show’s tone is so distinct, taking this otherwise standard fantasy series to hilarious and heartfelt places.
Although I’d love to see the angel-demon duo on screen at all times, we still have to advance the plot. Luckily, Good Omens presents a plot that’s just wacky enough to work. Of course, it helps that its supporting cast is absolutely star-studded, from Michael McKean and Frances McDormand, to Jon Hamm and Jack Whitehall, and even Benedict Cumberbatch who makes a voice cameo.
TL;DR if you love contemporary fantasy, irreverent humour, or The Good Place, this is the best time to catch up with Good Omens before Season 2 premieres! — Nathalie
Teamfight Tactics (PC)
Combine a Team of champions Fight-ing to their deaths with chess Tactics, and you get Teamfight Tactics (TFT), a game mode which honestly didn’t interest me in the slightest at first. Then one day when League matchmaking was down, I decided to mess around in TFT and I never looked back.
The dopamine surge when you finally get a three-star champion is addictive to say the least. Now I get why gacha games are so popular. Not to mention the intensity that slowly ramps up to unimaginable magnitude during the late game makes me breathe a sigh of relief when it’s over. Then, of course, like all games from Riot, I hit play again. Next thing I know, it’s 3 am and I gotta work in the morning.
If that doesn’t entice you, then surely the Little Legends that come with the game mode will pique some form of interest. Cuteness galore for each and every Little Legend that gets released makes me want to throw all my money towards Riot, but I shan’t. Riot has taken enough of my money as it is. (Ok, maybe I can spare a buck or two to get some eggs.) — Alfred
Watch Alfred stream Teamfight Tactics every Sunday at 10pm! Follow us on Twitch for more details.
YOASOBI (Music)
If there’s one tune that’s stuck in my head now, it’s SAWAGASHII HIBI NI WARAENAI KIMI NI. (And I’m sure even you can’t repeat that line without singing it in tune!)
YOASOBI consists of producer Ayase and vocalist Rira Ikuta (most commonly known as Ikura). The duo have been topping music charts with bangers such as “Racing Into the Night”, “Halzion”, and my favourite – “Gunjou”. I even did fanart for it, which you can check out here! I love “Gunjou”, or “Ultramarine”, because the story is about an aspiring artist who seeks for her own confidence and voice. It hits close to my heart as I’m also in a similar situation, as a content creator myself.
Of course, my love for YOASOBI’s music stems from their intricate, narrated music videos that are inspired by online user-generated short stories on the site Monogatary. Furthermore, the MVs take a daring approach to common “taboos” in Japan – such as mental health, the supernatural, and even suicide. Challenging societal norms whilst producing beautiful art, lyrics and music, YOASOBI does not shy away from being bold. I love it.
It’s really no surprise that they topped Billboard’s Top 10 in Music 2020. It’s also no surprise that I’m a huge SIMP now too. (Ok, jk not jk, bye!) — Pudds
What are you obsessed with this month? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to check them out!
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