Monthly Archives: July 2020
Beyond A Steel Sky Review – The Sky Is Falling
In the 26 years since Revolution Software released Beneath A Steel Sky, the adventure game has come full circle. After the genre struggled to adapt into 3D and was briefly declared dead by pundits, the genre's resurgence occurred on two main fronts--the simplified, story-driven 3D games of Telltale, which focused on choice and consequence over puzzles, and retro-styled 2D games released like Unavowed, Kathy Rain, and Broken Age, which included a lot of the esoteric puzzle-solving the genre used to be known for. Beyond A Steel Sky, the long-awaited sequel to the 1994 original, is an attempt to bridge the gap between those two styles--but unfortunately, it ends up feeling like some of the messier 3D adventure games from 20 years ago rather than another classic like its predecessor.
Beyond A Steel Sky brings back Robert Foster, the protagonist of the first game, and picks up 10 years after his escape from Union City and LINC, the half-mechanical, half-organic being that runs it. Robert has returned to the "gaplands" surrounding the city, where he lives a happy, earnest life within a small society. However, he's soon forced to return to Union City after a young friend, Milo, is kidnapped by a huge robot and taken somewhere in the sprawling metropolis. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, but references to the country are unfortunately fleeting, despite the game's aesthetic invocation of the British colonization of the country--the gaplanders are largely people of colour, and Union City is predominantly white.
At first, it's great to be back in the world of Steel Sky. The nods to the first game start flowing in from the first moments--like the original game, the opening is made up of comic panels drawn by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, whose most famous work receives a few fun nods and Easter eggs throughout the game. Joey, Robert's robotic sidekick, also returns, and seeing these two characters reunited is one of the game's highlights. The city, which is rendered in glorious 3D is lovely, too--the skyline stretches far into the background, and the cel-shaded aesthetic suits it.
Continue Reading at GameSpotBeyond A Steel Sky Review – The Sky Is Falling
In the 26 years since Revolution Software released Beneath A Steel Sky, the adventure game has come full circle. After the genre struggled to adapt into 3D and was briefly declared dead by pundits, the genre's resurgence occurred on two main fronts--the simplified, story-driven 3D games of Telltale, which focused on choice and consequence over puzzles, and retro-styled 2D games released like Unavowed, Kathy Rain, and Broken Age, which included a lot of the esoteric puzzle-solving the genre used to be known for. Beyond A Steel Sky, the long-awaited sequel to the 1994 original, is an attempt to bridge the gap between those two styles--but unfortunately, it ends up feeling like some of the messier 3D adventure games from 20 years ago rather than another classic like its predecessor.
Beyond A Steel Sky brings back Robert Foster, the protagonist of the first game, and picks up 10 years after his escape from Union City and LINC, the half-mechanical, half-organic being that runs it. Robert has returned to the "gaplands" surrounding the city, where he lives a happy, earnest life within a small society. However, he's soon forced to return to Union City after a young friend, Milo, is kidnapped by a huge robot and taken somewhere in the sprawling metropolis. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, but references to the country are unfortunately fleeting, despite the game's aesthetic invocation of the British colonization of the country--the gaplanders are largely people of colour, and Union City is predominantly white.
At first, it's great to be back in the world of Steel Sky. The nods to the first game start flowing in from the first moments--like the original game, the opening is made up of comic panels drawn by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, whose most famous work receives a few fun nods and Easter eggs throughout the game. Joey, Robert's robotic sidekick, also returns, and seeing these two characters reunited is one of the game's highlights. The city, which is rendered in glorious 3D is lovely, too--the skyline stretches far into the background, and the cel-shaded aesthetic suits it.
Continue Reading at GameSpotKeanu Reeves Is Co-Writing Comic Book Series, BRZRKR
Image credit: Mark Brooks/Boom! Studios[/caption]
Out monthly beginning October 7, each issue will tell the story of a warrior, known only as Berzerker, who is said to have "walked a blood-soaked path across the world for centuries." In present day, the Berzerker performs "dangerous jobs for the U.S. government in exchange for the truth about his existence."
"He's seen a lot," says Reeves of the main character, adding that the comic book explores a multitude of themes, including "the nature of violence, morals, ethics (and) what side do you choose," as the story attempts to mix "a little fantasy" into the reality.
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"I have loved comics since I was a young kid and they have been a significant influence on me artistically," Reeves said in an official statement alongside the announcement, in which he referred to the opportunity to create and collaborate on BRZRKR as "a dream come true."
BRZRKR was pitched to BOOM! studios as a comic book with the potential to become a live-action vehicle, especially since the publisher has a first-look deal with Netflix. Reeves said he would love to play Berzerker, adding that "it's a really fun story so if it's not me, hopefully someone can play it."
Before signing on for any other projects, however, Reeves is set to reprise one of his most iconic film roles in The Matrix 4.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.Keanu Reeves Is Co-Writing Comic Book Series, BRZRKR
Image credit: Mark Brooks/Boom! Studios[/caption]
Out monthly beginning October 7, each issue will tell the story of a warrior, known only as Berzerker, who is said to have "walked a blood-soaked path across the world for centuries." In present day, the Berzerker performs "dangerous jobs for the U.S. government in exchange for the truth about his existence."
"He's seen a lot," says Reeves of the main character, adding that the comic book explores a multitude of themes, including "the nature of violence, morals, ethics (and) what side do you choose," as the story attempts to mix "a little fantasy" into the reality.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=8-marvel-characters-keanu-reeves-could-play-in-the-mcu&captions=true"]
"I have loved comics since I was a young kid and they have been a significant influence on me artistically," Reeves said in an official statement alongside the announcement, in which he referred to the opportunity to create and collaborate on BRZRKR as "a dream come true."
BRZRKR was pitched to BOOM! studios as a comic book with the potential to become a live-action vehicle, especially since the publisher has a first-look deal with Netflix. Reeves said he would love to play Berzerker, adding that "it's a really fun story so if it's not me, hopefully someone can play it."
Before signing on for any other projects, however, Reeves is set to reprise one of his most iconic film roles in The Matrix 4.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.Overcooked: All You Can Eat Coming to Xbox Series X and PS5
Overcooked: All You Can Eat Coming to Xbox Series X and PS5
Watch the English Dub Trailer for 20th Anniversary Film Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna
- Tai Kamiya - Joshua Seth
- Matt Ishida - Nicolas Roye
- TK Takaishi - Johnny Yong Bosch
- Kari Kamiya -Tara Sands
- Izzy Izumi - Mona Marshall
- Joe Kido - Robbie Daymond
- Sora Takenouchi - Colleen O'Shaughnessey
- Mimi Tachikawa - Kate Higgins
- Menoa Bellucci - Erika Harlacher
- Kyotaro Yamada - Kaiji Tang
- Agumon - Tom Fahn
- Gabumon - Kirk Thornton
- Patamon - Laura Summer
- Palmon - Anna Garduno
- Gatomon - Kate Higgins
- Tentomon - Jeff Nimoy
- Biyomon - Cherami Leigh
- Gomamon - Bob Klein
- Davis Motomiya - Griffin Burns
- Cody Hida - Bryce Papenbrook
- Yolei Inoue - Jeannie Tirado
- Ken Ichijouji - Derek Stephen Prince
- Veemon - Derek Stephen Prince
- Armadillomon - Robbie Daymond
- Wormmon - Paul St. Peter
- Hawkmon - Christopher Swindle
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=digimon-adventure-last-evolution-kizuna&captions=true"] The highly collectible DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack editions of Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna feature both sub and dub versions and also bonus feature “The Final Evolution: Remembering 20 Years of Digimon Adventure with Joshua Seth and Tom Fahn.” Now available for pre-order on ShoutFactory.com, advance purchases of the “Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna” Blu-ray Combo Pack also include an exclusive 18”x 24” lithograph of the cover art while supplies last. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.
Watch the English Dub Trailer for 20th Anniversary Film Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna
- Tai Kamiya - Joshua Seth
- Matt Ishida - Nicolas Roye
- TK Takaishi - Johnny Yong Bosch
- Kari Kamiya -Tara Sands
- Izzy Izumi - Mona Marshall
- Joe Kido - Robbie Daymond
- Sora Takenouchi - Colleen O'Shaughnessey
- Mimi Tachikawa - Kate Higgins
- Menoa Bellucci - Erika Harlacher
- Kyotaro Yamada - Kaiji Tang
- Agumon - Tom Fahn
- Gabumon - Kirk Thornton
- Patamon - Laura Summer
- Palmon - Anna Garduno
- Gatomon - Kate Higgins
- Tentomon - Jeff Nimoy
- Biyomon - Cherami Leigh
- Gomamon - Bob Klein
- Davis Motomiya - Griffin Burns
- Cody Hida - Bryce Papenbrook
- Yolei Inoue - Jeannie Tirado
- Ken Ichijouji - Derek Stephen Prince
- Veemon - Derek Stephen Prince
- Armadillomon - Robbie Daymond
- Wormmon - Paul St. Peter
- Hawkmon - Christopher Swindle
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=digimon-adventure-last-evolution-kizuna&captions=true"] The highly collectible DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack editions of Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna feature both sub and dub versions and also bonus feature “The Final Evolution: Remembering 20 Years of Digimon Adventure with Joshua Seth and Tom Fahn.” Now available for pre-order on ShoutFactory.com, advance purchases of the “Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna” Blu-ray Combo Pack also include an exclusive 18”x 24” lithograph of the cover art while supplies last. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.