Thursday 26 September 2024

GHOST OF YŌTEI Announced at STATE OF PLAY

PlayStation’s latest State of Play livestream has come and went, with Sony looking to bounce back from a disastrous couple of months. Though the event primarily focused on third party games, remasters and the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro, we did get one exclusive announcement in the form of a Ghost of Tsushima sequel, with developers Sucker Punch Productions dropping a scintillating trailer.

Taking place 329 years after the events of the first game, the latest instalment titled Ghost of Yōtei will see players take control of a female protagonist by the name of Atsu. Though the developers would refrain from diving into story specifics, they did reveal that it would be an origin story set in a different region of Japan. Being Sucker Punch's first game developed purely for the PlayStation 5, the game will feature sprawling grasslands and snowy tundras, showcasing the surroundings of Mount Yōtei.

The trailer gives fans a glimpse at what is in store when the game arrives next year, with the mix of gameplay and cinematics setting the tone for Ghost of Yōtei. Having a similar, yet distinctly different ascetic to Ghost of Tsushima, the sequel looks to be an evolution for the series, retaining the fundamentals, whilst branching into something unique. The developers also touch on how the new setting allows for new mechanics and gameplay improvements, looking to deliver a more realistic world.

Ghost of Yōtei is set to arrive on PlayStation 5 in 2025.

Wednesday 11 September 2024

PETER RENADAY, Voice of SPLINTER Dies Age 89

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans will be saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Renaday, the voice behind Master Splinter. Aged 89, the actor appears to have passed due to natural causes this past Sunday, at his home in Burbank, California.

Having begun his career in both films and television in 1961, Renaday featured in various minor roles. It wasn't until the arrival of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1987 where the actor would find recognition, providing the voice for Hamato Yoshi, better known as Master Splinter. Renaday would continue to voice the character until 1996, also providing the voice of Leatherhead and various other characters during this period.

Townsend Coleman, the original voice actor of Michelangelo would take time to remember Renaday, taking to X to share the following statement:

Though Renaday is most known for his contributions to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the actor would also lend his voice to various well known projects. Amongst these are the likes of Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles, Superman: The Animated Series and Transformers. Additionally Renaday would also voice various characters in video games, featuring in the likes of Assassin's Creed and Dragon Age: Origins.

I'd like to extend my sincere condolences to Peter Renaday’s family and friends during this sad time.

Production of GOOD OMENS FINAL Season Halted Following Neil Gaiman Sexual Assault Accusations

The production of Amazon Prime's third and final season of Good Omens comes to a halt following sexual assault allegations made against the series’ co-creator, Neil Gaiman. Originally reported by Deadline, the news comes less than a week removed from Disney's decision to pause production on their adaptation of Gaimam's The Graveyard Book.

Back in July this year, Tortoise Media released a podcast titled Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman, which chronicles the accounts of four women who claim to have been abused by the award winning writer. Stretching as far back as 2003, two of the accusations come from a woman referred to as "K", who was 18 years old at the time and another woman who claimed to work as a nanny for Gaimam's child in New Zealand at the time of the incident. The latter, which took place in 2022 would spark a police investigation, which is currently underway by authorities.

Gaiman has repeatedly denied the allegations, having stated that he's “disturbed” by them. Though there is discussion on possible changes to production of the third and final season of Good Omens, Amazon are refusing to give an official comment on the situation.

Adapted from the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens originally premiered in 2019, expected to be a limited series. Its popularity would quickly spark interest in a sequel, with Gaiman working off an idea that was discussed with co-author Pratchett in 2015, prior to his death. Having concluded its second season on a cliffhanger, Amazon MGM Studios would renew it for a third and final season, with Gaiman having a first look deal with the studio.

JOHN CASSADAY Dies Age 52

The comic book industry has lost an amazing talent, with John Cassaday passing away on Monday at the age of 52. Having worked as an artist for both Marvel and DC Comics, the talent has contributed to the likes of the X-Men, Captain America, Star Wars and Flash. The news was originally broken by Cassaday's sister Robin, who took to Facebook to announce his passing, revealing that he had been admitted to ICU four days earlier.

Comic book writer Mark Waid, who worked with Cassaday on several projects would also pay tribute to the late artist, posting the following on Facebook:

My dear friend John Cassaday passed today at the absurdly young age of 52 and I miss him already. I met John in, I ...

Posted by Mark Waid on Monday 9 September 2024

Having had a huge influence on the industry for the better part of thirty years, Cassaday has produced some of the best cover art out there, with his Astonishing X-Men and Captain America covers being simply sensational. Though recent years have seen the talent mainly focusing on cover art, he has featured on various projects in a wider capacity, with his layouts and interior artwork during his Star Wars run being dynamic to say the least.

Though Cassaday has been linked with various mainstream Marvel and DC Comics characters over the years, he is probably best known for co-creating Planetary alongside Warren Ellis. The series, originally published through DC Comics imprint WildStorm, would run twenty-seven issues long between. 1998 and 2009. The series focused on a group of anti-heroes that included Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner and The Drummer.

I'd like to extend my sincere condolences to John Cassaday’s family and friends during this sad time.

Tuesday 10 September 2024

Changes to WWE Monday Night RAW's Runtimes

As we draw closer to WWE's move to streaming platform, Netflix, things are about to change for its flagship show, Monday Night Raw. During yesterday's broadcast, WWE announced that the remaining episodes in 2024 will run two hours, from 8-10 PM ET on the USA Network every Monday. This will mark the first time the show has run two-hours since July 2012, with WWE having extended the shows runtime to three hours on the 1,000th episode.

Over the years fans have questioned the decision to have the show run three hours long, with many finding it dragged out and lagging. The success the company has seen with its two hour SmackDown broadcast has also given evidence of the potential benefits of reducing its red brands runtime, with the Friday night show proving that less is more.

What this means for the show once it moves to Netflix in 2025 remains to be seen, but WWE insider account WrestleVotes is reporting that the show’s runtime will vary from week to week, posting the following on X:

The potential of an unrestricted runtime is only the latest perk to come from the show's move to Netflix. Prior to this revelation the biggest change to Monday Night Raw following the switch is the prospect of becoming an unrated show. Having become stagnant throughout its PG era, the return to an edgier product is sure to be a hit amongst fans, with most longing for a return to the days of the Attitude Era. The move to Netflix will see these restrictions lifted, with many with the company seeing the benefits that this freedom allows them, whilst agreeing that “just because we can, doesn't mean we should.”

JAMES EARL JONES Passes Away Age 93

 The world lost a legendary actor last night, with the sad news of James Earl Jones’ passing at the age of 93. Best known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, the oscar-nominated star had an illustrious career in Hollywood, making his feature film debut in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. Upon learning of Jones’ passing his friends, co-stars and peers would reflect on the impact he had on the industry, posting mournful messages in tribute to the star.

Amongst these, Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, along with creator George Lucas would pay their tributes, having this to say:

Mark Hamill: “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed. #RIP dad 💔”

George Lucas: "James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit. For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be missed by so many of us...friends and fans alike.”

JonesStar Wars colleagues weren't the only ones to pay their respects to the legendary star, with Field of Dreams co-star Kevin Costner posting the following on Instagram:

"Just hearing the news of James Earl Jones's passing. That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I'll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams. If you've seen it, you know that this movie wouldn't be the same with anyone else in his role. Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a corn field in Iowa. I'm grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen. Rest in peace, friend.”

I'd like to extend my sincere condolences to James Earl Jones’ family and friends during this sad time.

Saturday 7 September 2024

WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE II Gets its Launch Trailer

We're days away from the official launch of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II with it already being available for those that pre-ordered or purchase the Gold or Ultra editions. Having waited thirteen long years for a sequel to the popular 2011 game, it goes without saying that there is plenty of hype surrounding this latest instalment, with Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment looking to build upon this with our final trailer.

Featuring a combination of cinematics and gameplay, this latest trailer highlights what to expect from the upcoming game. Whether it's blasting through the campaign solo or co-op, jumping online in PvP or PvE multiplayer matches or the various customisations players can make to their Space Marine, there is certainly a lot for fans to look forward to in this latest Warhammer 40,000 venture. The dynamic cinematics and crisp gameplay itself also entices, with it appearing as if Saber Interactive has created a faithful sequel to Relic Entertainment's original game.

Taking place over a hundred years after the events of the first game, the campaign will once again see players control of Demetrian Titus As he fights against the Tyranid infestation alongside his Deathwatch Chapter. The narrative will also explore the Primaris Space Marines, an enhanced breed of soldiers originally created to fight the forces of Chaos, having since been repurposed to aid in the battle against the Tyranids.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is set to arrive on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC on September 9th.

Friday 6 September 2024

HARRY POTTER: QUIDDITCH CHAMPIONS Review

When Hogwarts Legacy came out last year many gamers were more than a little disappointed that Quidditch wasn't featured. Little did we know at the time that Warner Bros. Games and Unbroken Studios were working on a game centred around the wizarding sport, with the announcement of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions earlier this year bringing music to our ears. But now that it's finally here, how does it measure up to fans' lofty expectations?

Transporting players to the Burrow, the game jumps into a lengthy tutorial, introducing us to the various controls and positions. Whilst at the Weasley residence Ginny along with Ron, Fred and Harry Potter himself explain the game's mechanics and the unique differences between being a Chaser, Keeper, Beater or Seeker. This proves to be a fun and engaging way of getting gamers familiar with the different controls, as despite there being several similarities to each role, they all prove to be extremely different.

All four positions have their own focal points. The most basic amongst these is Chaser, with their objective being to grab hold of the Quaffle and send it flying through one of the three goals in the opponent’s half. The main defence to this is the Keeper, with the stationary role allowing players to keep focus on the Quaffle, having to swiftly move between the three goals to save shots. Aiding the Keeper in the defence of their goal hoops is the Beater, with this attacking player taking possession of a Bludger to send flying into an opposing player, either stunning them or temporarily knocking them out of play. The final, and possibly most important position is the Seeker, with their job being to keep track of the Golden Snitch and follow it fiercely to catch it before the opposing Seeker, netting a hefty 30 points for their team.

Now there was a lot of discussion regarding the changes to the reward for catching the Golden Snitch, but in principle they prove beneficial to the game, prolonging the length of a match. What Unbroken Studios has accomplished here is quite impressive, with the swift transition between roles allowing for dynamic gameplay. This seamless switch allows players to make a dramatic save as a Keeper to then pass to one of multiple Chasers to try and score a goal, with the sighting of the Snitch making an appealing choice to control your Seeker to go after it. What makes this even more dynamic is no matter what position you find yourself in control of, the AI will take command of the remaining roles, aiding in your quest for success.

Despite all this the game does take some time to get used to, with the manoeuvrability in particular being a little tricky to get the hang of. Having various different controls to master for each position, the game will naturally come to some players quicker than others, with the game’s fast pace nature potentially taking a while to get the hang of. As you progress through the game, playing a handful of matches things should start clicking together, with its dynamic gameplay being a joy for the most part. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself a little lost at times, struggling to keep track of the Quaffle or Snitch.

The games campaign sees players progress through a series of tournaments, starting with the Hogwarts House Cup. After checking this off gamers will find themselves taking on other schools, controlling one of the three Triwizard schools; Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. This all culminates in participating in the Quidditch World Cup, seeking victory for your respective country. Though this is a thoroughly enjoyable mode, allowing players to join their friends online, it ultimately feels far too short in length. Its function as a campaign also feels rather limited, as despite having a handful of cutscenes and occasional interactions from opposing teams, it focuses predominantly on its tournament bracket setting. Nevertheless what it does offer is sure to appeal to most, with its various difficulty levels and your preferred playstyle allowing for some level of diversity.

The game also features an Exhibition mode as well as 3v3 online multiplayer, the latter of which can also be utilised in the games campaign. In this mode, each player on your team takes on the role of a Chaser as well as one of the remaining positions; Keeper, Beater and Seeker. This simplistic way of divvying up responsibility naturally comes with both pros and cons, with the skill set of your teammates having the potential to aid in your success or contribute to your downfall. Thus communication and utilising each player's preferred skillset is a must, as even if you're all amazing Chasers, putting someone that struggles as either Keeper or Seeker can result in an easy victory for your opponent. Despite this the mode proves a lot more stable than anticipated, with real life players typically providing a better challenge than the AI.

The game also allows players to either create their own character or control popular ones from the Wizarding World. The former, though limited in its options, permits gamers to create a player in their own image as well as the ability to form a diverse team. These various customisations give the choice of different hairstyles and facial features, as well as different brooms to equip. As you progress through the game more options will become available, including House uniforms and Quidditch robes that mirror those from the films. In addition to all this there are certain attires and brooms that are only available through certain criteria including pre-ordering, TwitchPlayStation Plus and owning Hogwarts Legacy

One of the major questions looming over the game is its longevity, and how long players will remain invested in its online multiplayer. Now if it's anything like similar sporting games such as EA FC or NBA 2K then there shouldn't be much of an issue, with both having plenty of players even when newer entries hit the market. The only worry with the likes of Quidditch Champions is whether it's a novelty that will quickly wear off, with many PvE horror games suffering this fate once the initial buzz dissipates. Nevertheless, given its low price and lack of microtransactions should be enough to entice fans into at least giving it a chance, with the addition of it being free to PlayStation Plus subscribers sure to bring in players that wouldn't necessarily play such a game in the first place.

Verdict

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions exceeds expectations being easily the best video game adaptation of the popular wizarding sport to date. Unfortunately it does lack in several departments, with its short campaign mode and initially awkward controls making it feel like a novelty that will soon wear off. Despite this what Unbroken Studios does offer is a fun game, with its engaging tutorial and 3v3 multiplayer adding to what is already an easily immersive experience. 

6.5/10

Wednesday 4 September 2024

THE INSTITUTE By Stephen King Review

Widely regarded as the king of horror and one of the best storytellers of multiple generations, Stephen King has amassed a library worth of material over the years. It's this immense work rate that can result in readers falling behind on his work, with it being easy to become oblivious to the release of a new book. Additionally it's also extremely easy to fall behind due to the vast amount of produce the author publishes, with it being hard to keep up at times. It's the latter of these that proved the case with The Institute, having only recently gotten around to finishing it despite being on my bookshelf since its initial release in 2019.

Awoken in the middle of the night to the sounds of his partner murder, Luke Ellis is quickly abducted and loaded into the back of a black SUV, being whisked off to the titular Institute. Once he comes to, Luke finds himself in a room that looks exactly like his own, with the only difference being there's no windows. As he gets accustomed to his new surroundings our brilliant young protagonist quickly discovers that his “special” talents are more than just coincidental occurrences, being one of many talented children subjected to various tests.

Before we get to all this, the book introduces us to its secondary protagonist, Tim Jamieson, a disgraced cop who leaves his job in Florida following a freak accident. Deciding to leave his previous life behind, Tim finds himself in the small town of DuPray, South Carolina taking on the post of Night Knocker. The decision to break readers into its plot through this secondary narrative proves an interesting one, with Tim's unfortunate circumstances setting the tone for this book's overarching themes. Not only does it allow the intense abduction of Luke to become even more shocking, but it also puts into motion events that won't become prominent until late on in the story’s narrative.

One thing that Stephen King is a master of is creating intriguing concepts, with the way he intertwines supernatural elements into the real world being truly special. This is no different with The Institute, with the telepathic and telekinetic abilities of these children captivating at every possible moment. This intensifies as we progress through the story, with the development and self awareness of these gifts resulting in pivotal twists to the narrative. King handles each moment with the utmost grace and finesse, with the characteristics of these talented youngsters being infectious to say the least.

Talking of our band of supernatural adolescents, King always seems to be in his element when focusing on how children react to the unexpected. Whether it's the first half of It or the incredible short story The Body, the author has always found a way of making his young protagonist mature enough to feel credible. This is no different in The Institute, with King conveying the way they adapt to their powers perfectly. Luke in particular proves to be a fascinating character, as despite never coming across as the bravest or strongest amongst the Institute's test subjects, he adapts to his surroundings at an alarming rate, using his intelligence in a way that makes him more valuable than he initially appears.

The antagonists of this story are the Institute staff themselves, with there being various levels of corruption within their ranks. Feeling like a mental health hospital crossed with a concentration camp, this sick and twisted facility reeks of everything that makes King novels so enticing. From its sinister aura to its regimental routines, this Institute more than delivers when it comes to the fear factor. As for the staff members themselves, they prove a mixed bag, as despite most of them being evil and vindictive, with the higher ups being methodical in their decisions, there are a couple of kind souls amongst their ranks, showing a level of humanity.

The only major gripe I had with this book was its pacing. Despite being full of gripping twists and turns there are several points where the plot feels a little stretched out. This is quite surprising from King, as despite being known for lengthy masterpieces like The Stand, the author usually has an impeccable understanding of plot development, with his compact short stories being a prime example of this. Things do, however, pick up as we move closer to the book's conclusion, with the way King conveys action feeling both dynamic and explosive.

Verdict

The Institute is a gripping coming of age tale that intertwines supernatural elements into the real world in a way that captivates from start to finish. Despite at times feeling a little stretched out, Stephen King once again proves why he's a master storyteller, with the way he develops our young prodigies and builds tension being truly mesmerising. Throw in exciting action sequences and a gripping conclusion, and you're left with a story that's begging to be revisited.

7/10

Sunday 1 September 2024

Rule Changes Explained in NEW HARRY POTTER: QUIDDITCH CHAMPIONS Trailer

We're less than two days away from the launch of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, with the wizarding sport set to arrive on both current and last generation Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as well as PC. In addition to this, PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to add it to their catalogue free of charge through their monthly free games. Given how close we are to its release, Warner Bros. Games are continuing to build hype by dropping a brand new trailer to explain its rules.

The lengthy video is likely to divide fans, explaining several changes to the beloved game. In both the books and movies, players score points in one of two ways, either by scoring goals with the Quaffle or catching the Golden Snitch. The former scores 10 points per goal, whereas the latter gives the team of whoever catches the Snitch 150 points, ending the game in the process. Where the game is set to divert from this is with the Snitch, with it now only granting players a modest 30 points. Additionally, catching this golden trinket won't instantly bring an end to the game, with the winning team being the first to reach 100 points or whoevers leading when the time limit expires. 

Given the vast amount of points players would gain from catching the Golden Snitch, it makes sense that Unbroken Studios would deviate from the books in some form or another. Not only does this even the playing field, with whoever catches the Snitch almost guaranteed to win otherwise, but it also allows players to focus on more than just this primary objective. Despite this I do feel the decision to prevent the game from ending once the Snitch is caught is unnecessary. As seen in the book, there are moments where you can catch this swift ball and not win the game, with the potential of this in the game allowing for a mindful approach when chasing after it. Even with this change, the choice to cap scoring at 100 points also seems a bit random, with the 150 points players would have scored by catching the Snitch being a more appropriate target. Nevertheless it will be interesting to see how the game shapes up when it releases, with it sure to divide fans one way or another.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is set to arrive on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC on September 3rd, coming to Nintendo Switch at a later date.