Yearly Archives: 2020
Cloudpunk Review – Time To Fly
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe," begins Roy Batty's dying monologue in Blade Runner. In the nearly 40 years since Ridley Scott's film established a visual aesthetic for what would become known as cyberpunk, we've seen these things many times now. Cloudpunk is a complex and uneven narrative-heavy adventure game that trades heavily in cyberpunk cliche. Familiar tropes are rejuvenated with mostly smart writing and consistently striking art direction, but there are also opportunities missed thanks to undernourished, by-the-numbers design.
Nivalis is the last city, or at least that's what people say. Towering neon spires thrust out of the climate-ravaged ocean and, eventually, emerge through the clouds; at the top live the privileged few, the self-dubbed CEOs secluded in their stratified penthouses, while underneath everybody else ekes out a living in the dense urban sprawl where every city block has a noodle stand, night is permanent and it's almost always raining. You've seen it all before, of course, yet this well-worn set dressing is rendered in such singular fashion it remains striking throughout.
Simply put, Cloudpunk is a stunningly gorgeous game. Nivalis is constructed out of voxels, big chunky bricks of solid colour that give the urban landscape the feel of an enormous, elaborate Lego diorama. Terrific use is made of contrast and lighting. Skyscrapers almost recede into negative space, their facades composed of hundreds of tiny boxes of light, alternating in lurid pinks, yellows and blues. When you're flying through the city in your hover car, each turn delivers a spectacular view, each ascension over a row of high-rises greeted with a dazzling neon-drenched vista. To be honest, this review took longer than it should have because I had to pause every few seconds to snap off another screenshot.
Continue Reading at GameSpotNational Treasure TV Series in Development for Disney Plus
The Nation Treasure franchise is being expanded. Not only is a National Treasure 3 movie in the works, but a National Treasure TV series is in development for the Disney+ streaming service.
This news comes from a recent Collider interview with Jerry Bruckheimer, where the franchise producer reveal there’s a new National Treasure show coming with a different cast.
“We’re certainly working on one [National Treasure] for streaming and we’re working on one for the big screen,” Bruckheimer said. “Hopefully, they’ll both come together and we’ll bring you another National Treasure, but they’re both very active. … The one for Disney+ is a much younger cast. It’s the same concept but a young cast. The one for theatrical would be the same cast.”
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true"]
We heard word that National Treasure 3 was in development back in January. At the time, we didn’t know if the original cast would be returning for the threequel, but Bruckheimer has now confirmed we will once again see Nicolas Cage gallivanting around the world solving mysteries, and he will be joined by some familiar faces from the first two installments.
Bruckheimer also shared where National Treasure 3 and the National Treasure TV coming to Disney+ are in development right now.
“The film version is being written right now. The television version is in process. We have a pilot script done and an outline of the future episodes,” he said.
In other Nic Cage news, he's been cast as Joe Exotic in Netflix's new scripted series based on Tiger King.
And if that sounds like perfect casting to you, then it probably is, because Cage just happens to have starred in another movie, Primal, where he's obsessed with a certain other big cat. Check out the trailer for Primal below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/primal-exclusive-trailer-debut"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.
National Treasure TV Series in Development for Disney Plus
The Nation Treasure franchise is being expanded. Not only is a National Treasure 3 movie in the works, but a National Treasure TV series is in development for the Disney+ streaming service.
This news comes from a recent Collider interview with Jerry Bruckheimer, where the franchise producer reveal there’s a new National Treasure show coming with a different cast.
“We’re certainly working on one [National Treasure] for streaming and we’re working on one for the big screen,” Bruckheimer said. “Hopefully, they’ll both come together and we’ll bring you another National Treasure, but they’re both very active. … The one for Disney+ is a much younger cast. It’s the same concept but a young cast. The one for theatrical would be the same cast.”
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true"]
We heard word that National Treasure 3 was in development back in January. At the time, we didn’t know if the original cast would be returning for the threequel, but Bruckheimer has now confirmed we will once again see Nicolas Cage gallivanting around the world solving mysteries, and he will be joined by some familiar faces from the first two installments.
Bruckheimer also shared where National Treasure 3 and the National Treasure TV coming to Disney+ are in development right now.
“The film version is being written right now. The television version is in process. We have a pilot script done and an outline of the future episodes,” he said.
In other Nic Cage news, he's been cast as Joe Exotic in Netflix's new scripted series based on Tiger King.
And if that sounds like perfect casting to you, then it probably is, because Cage just happens to have starred in another movie, Primal, where he's obsessed with a certain other big cat. Check out the trailer for Primal below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/primal-exclusive-trailer-debut"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.
Ball and Chain, Prophet Latest ’90s Comic Books Getting Movies
Deadpool, Venom, Bloodshot, Cable, and Harley Quinn are among some of the comic book characters from the 1990s to have gotten the big-screen treatment over the last few years, to varying degrees of commercial and critical success. Now we can add two more movie adaptations of '90s comics to the mix.
Ball and Chain, based on the Scott Lobdell comic, is in the works as a starring vehicle for Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. The project will reunite the stars of next year's Disney adventure-comedy Jungle Cruise.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/disneys-jungle-cruise-official-trailer-2"]
According to THR, The Big Sick's Emily V. Gordon will pen the screenplay adaptation of the Homage Comics/Wildstorm title, which the trade describes as "a superhero story meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where a couple struggling in their marriage are equipped with superpowers. However, their powers only work when they’re together."
Ball and Chain was previously adapted for live-action as a TV movie in 2001. THR claims that while there's no studio deal yet for the Johnson-Blunt adaptation at this time, it appears likely it will go to Netflix.
Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Arrowverse maestro Marc Guggenheim will script the feature film version of Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld's Prophet, based on the Image Comics title from the '90s.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-90s-movies-of-the-1990s&captions=true"]
"The aim is to build a franchise around John Prophet, a DNA enhanced super-soldier placed into a cryogenic freeze for a future mission only to awaken prematurely in the present, searching for a mission that does not exist. The ruthless berserker must find his humanity," according to Deadline.
Liefeld will also produce Prophet for Studio 8 along with Adrian Askarieh and Brooklyn Weaver.
Ball and Chain, Prophet Latest ’90s Comic Books Getting Movies
Deadpool, Venom, Bloodshot, Cable, and Harley Quinn are among some of the comic book characters from the 1990s to have gotten the big-screen treatment over the last few years, to varying degrees of commercial and critical success. Now we can add two more movie adaptations of '90s comics to the mix.
Ball and Chain, based on the Scott Lobdell comic, is in the works as a starring vehicle for Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. The project will reunite the stars of next year's Disney adventure-comedy Jungle Cruise.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/disneys-jungle-cruise-official-trailer-2"]
According to THR, The Big Sick's Emily V. Gordon will pen the screenplay adaptation of the Homage Comics/Wildstorm title, which the trade describes as "a superhero story meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where a couple struggling in their marriage are equipped with superpowers. However, their powers only work when they’re together."
Ball and Chain was previously adapted for live-action as a TV movie in 2001. THR claims that while there's no studio deal yet for the Johnson-Blunt adaptation at this time, it appears likely it will go to Netflix.
Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Arrowverse maestro Marc Guggenheim will script the feature film version of Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld's Prophet, based on the Image Comics title from the '90s.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-90s-movies-of-the-1990s&captions=true"]
"The aim is to build a franchise around John Prophet, a DNA enhanced super-soldier placed into a cryogenic freeze for a future mission only to awaken prematurely in the present, searching for a mission that does not exist. The ruthless berserker must find his humanity," according to Deadline.
Liefeld will also produce Prophet for Studio 8 along with Adrian Askarieh and Brooklyn Weaver.
Here’s the Xbox Series X Startup Screen
One new Xbox Series X detail revealed today, which Xbox’s Larry Hryb confirmed, is the new startup logo and sound for the system. You can see and listen to it below, and it’s a bit of a departure from previous Xbox generations.
Startup screens are iconic. Who can forget the GameCube’s famous startup which has since become an internet meme? The Xbox also has a long history of startup screens. Even just the Xbox 360 went through three major iterations before the launch of the Xbox One.
Check out the Xbox Series X startup below.
The Xbox Series X startup feels like an evolution of past ones. As the Xbox generations evolved, the startups have become more minimalist. Compare the Xbox One’s startup to the original Xbox and even the Xbox 360 version one startup. The Series X also ditches the overt green colorway in favor of using the green as an accent amid a black and silver screen. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/09/06/scorn-8-minute-gameplay-trailer"] The sound is probably the most dramatic departure from previous generations. Instead of a booming sound, it’s a bit more melodic this time around. Overall, I think it’s an improvement over the bombast of the Xbox 360 era and a better version of what Microsoft was trying to do with the Xbox One. For more announcements from today’s Inside Xbox, check out our full list of Xbox Series X trailers revealed today, and list of third-party developers committed to developing on Series X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.I am happy to confirm that this is the boot up animation & sound for Xbox Series X. We debut it on #InsideXbox earlier today - but I wanted to call it out in case you missed it. pic.twitter.com/A26WB3zGwz
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) May 7, 2020
Here’s the Xbox Series X Startup Screen
One new Xbox Series X detail revealed today, which Xbox’s Larry Hryb confirmed, is the new startup logo and sound for the system. You can see and listen to it below, and it’s a bit of a departure from previous Xbox generations.
Startup screens are iconic. Who can forget the GameCube’s famous startup which has since become an internet meme? The Xbox also has a long history of startup screens. Even just the Xbox 360 went through three major iterations before the launch of the Xbox One.
Check out the Xbox Series X startup below.
The Xbox Series X startup feels like an evolution of past ones. As the Xbox generations evolved, the startups have become more minimalist. Compare the Xbox One’s startup to the original Xbox and even the Xbox 360 version one startup. The Series X also ditches the overt green colorway in favor of using the green as an accent amid a black and silver screen. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/09/06/scorn-8-minute-gameplay-trailer"] The sound is probably the most dramatic departure from previous generations. Instead of a booming sound, it’s a bit more melodic this time around. Overall, I think it’s an improvement over the bombast of the Xbox 360 era and a better version of what Microsoft was trying to do with the Xbox One. For more announcements from today’s Inside Xbox, check out our full list of Xbox Series X trailers revealed today, and list of third-party developers committed to developing on Series X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.I am happy to confirm that this is the boot up animation & sound for Xbox Series X. We debut it on #InsideXbox earlier today - but I wanted to call it out in case you missed it. pic.twitter.com/A26WB3zGwz
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) May 7, 2020
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Release Date Announced
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on October 20, 2020.
The release date was announced on This Week in Star Wars on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (Around 1:55), although no new details were revealed alongside it.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/24/lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-announcement-trailer"]
On Star Wars Day 2020 (May 4th), new key art was revealed that features characters from all nine films from the Skywalker Saga, including Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Rey, Kylo Ren, R2-D2, and many more.
We got our hands on LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga during E3 2019, which is said to feature nearly 500 characters, and came away very excited about this new direction that re-imagines the previous LEGO Star Wars games as opposed to just simply porting them over.
Even though LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga won't be released until October, fans can purchase The Mandalorian's Razor Crest LEGO set to unlock the ship for use in the upcoming game. Unfortunately, there has been no confirmation of Baby Yoda yet.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-e3-2019-screenshots&captions=true"]
With LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, TT Games' head of design Arthur Parsons has said that it's time to "shake things up, shake the formula up and try something completely different." Unlike previous games, this entry will focus on freedom, have a brand new approach to combat, and signals that the series is "growing up," while still maintaining its undeniable charm.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Release Date Announced
LEGO Star Wars will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on October 20, 2020.
The release date was announced on This Week in Star Wars on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (Around 1:55), although no new details were revealed alongside it.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/24/lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-announcement-trailer"]
On Star Wars Day 2020 (May 4th), new key art was revealed that features characters from all nine films from the Skywalker Saga, including Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Rey, Kylo Ren, R2-D2, and many more.
We got our hands on LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga during E3 2019, which is said to feature nearly 500 characters, and came away very excited about this new direction that re-imagines the previous LEGO Star Wars games as opposed to just simply porting them over.
Even though LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga won't be released until October, fans can purchase The Mandalorian's Razor Crest LEGO set to unlock the ship for use in the upcoming game. Unfortunately, there has been no confirmation of Baby Yoda yet.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-e3-2019-screenshots&captions=true"]
With LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, TT Games' head of design Arthur Parsons has said that it's time to "shake things up, shake the formula up and try something completely different." Unlike previous games, this entry will focus on freedom, have a brand new approach to combat, and signals that the series is "growing up," while still maintaining its undeniable charm.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Crunchyroll Announces Limited-Edition Gundam Wing Hoodies
The "CR Loves" line is Crunchyroll's limited-edition apparel collection, celebrating some of the biggest names and properties in anime, and you can preorder its upcoming Gundam Wing line right now.
Check out the gallery below to see the limited-edition Crunchyroll Loves: Gundam Wing collection.
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The preorder window for the Gundam hoodies, which feature "Heero Yuy’s Wing Gundam, Duo Maxwell’s Deathscythe, and Zech Marquis’ Epyon," is from now until May 14.In addition to the hoodies, Crunchyroll's shop also has Gunpla models available for preorder, which is something I never even realized they offered. I'll be checking back, is what I'm saying.
Past CR Loves collections have included JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and a limited line honoring the work of horror artist Junji Ito.
Crunchyroll, the monthly online anime-streaming service, just announced it's bringing some of the most recognizable anime series around to HBO Max when the service launches May 27.
For more pop-culture inspired apparel, make sure to check out the IGN Store, where we have hundreds of officially licensed designs from properties like Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars and more.