There’s a sense of pure joy that kept swelling up inside me during my playthrough of Guacamelee! 2. Continue reading →
As a straight guy, it’s all too easy to forget how scary dating can be for different people, but It’s You: A Breakup Story puts those other perspectives front and centre for you to experience firsthand. Continue reading →
I’ve waited almost two years since Rey and Finn reignited my love of Star Wars in 2015’s The Force Awakens to continue their adventure across the galaxy. In those two years, I’ve poured over theories, critiques and speculations about the state of the galaxy to the point where I was so eager to see what’s next that there’s no way anything could’ve met my excitement. The Last Jedi didn’t answer all my questions, it didn’t fill all the Star Wars-sized holes in my heart but it was a satisfying, jaw-dropping and gut-wrenching chapter in the Star Wars Saga that begs another two years of anticipation for the conclusion. Continue reading →
There’s a whole lot of conversation online about how the DC Extended Universe is in a state of disrepair. Despite Wonder Woman being the most successful movie of 2017, every other DC film has been quite a disappointment. From 2016’s laughable Batman V Superman to the somehow Oscar award-winning Suicide Squad, the falters and fumbles of DC to present a compelling cast of characters sadly continues with Justice League. Continue reading →
The first Kingsman movie caught me completely by surprise back in 2015, taking me on an unexpected, delightful romp through the biggest tropes of the spy genre. Matthew Vaughn wrote, directed and produced a tailored experience that startled me in the best ways possible. It wasn’t without its flaws, but with a diverse cast, a fun premise and amazing action sequences I was hooked right up to the unfortunately raunchy final scene. And while Vaughn is back to write, direct and produce the sequel it falls quite short of the lovable ridiculousness of the first.
It was impossible for me to play Little Nightmares without constantly thinking back to my favourite game of 2016: INSIDE. They’re both side scrolling, puzzle-platforming games that rely heavily on environmental storytelling as there’s no dialogue or written word in either. They both have uniquely eerie settings which make them unlike anything else I’ve played, but that’s where the similarities end. A visually compelling, distinct and grossly beautiful world make Little Nightmare a memorable experience, despite its lacklustre gameplay.
I’m a huge fan of the first Guardians of the Galaxy. It breathed fresh air into the superhero genre and was a great Hollywood debut for the Parks and Rec beloved Chris Pratt. The soundtrack was in my head for months and I adored the intro scene in the cavern set to Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love,” which set the fun tone that carried all the way throughout the comedy space romp. But the same cannot be said for the sequel. The first film was so special and perfect in its own way, much like how awesome the first Avengers was, that there’s absolutely no way the sequel could live up. And just like how Avengers: Age of Ultron failed to recapture that original magic, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a lacklustre sequel that feels messy, forced and, like the film’s five post credit scenes, entirely unnecessary. Continue reading →
Right out of the gate, Drawn to Death is an assault on your senses. Alternative rock blasts in your ears as a mess of lines and scratched out pages fill your screen. It’s loud, vulgar, angry and sometimes a little bit fun- once you get past being called a “dick” for the 100th time. With a broad range of characters, guns, modes and maps it might be worth wading through the crudeness to play. That said, there’s a lot to push past to enjoy Drawn to Death and I pushed past it so you might not have to. Continue reading →
I grew up on the X-Men movies. My mom would rent each one as it came out and we’d watch it and nerd out over all the cool characters. Eventually, I was old enough to see them in theatres. They became events, my parents and I would see them on release and geek out afterwards the whole way home. I eagerly awaited each one, albeit a little less each time. And after 2016’s disappointing X-Men Apocalypse, I wondered if my love of this series was fading. These were the characters of my childhood- Professor X, Magneto, Storm and of course: Wolverine. These characters were so cool to my 10-year-old brain, so awesome and powerful. But as I grew up, the series didn’t really grow up with me. It floated in the mediocre middle ground of superhero storytelling that relied on flashy characters and drawn out action scenes to carry them rather than meaningful plots and dialogue. So I went into Logan with tempered expectations, but after the first scene these expectations were as shattered as the bones of several unfortunate thugs… Continue reading →
The premise is simple enough: Mae Borowski is just a 20-year-old college dropout who’s returned to her hometown of Possum Springs to reconnect with her old friends and sort out her life. But Night in the Woods is anything but simple. Every detail of this handcrafted world begged to be appreciated and explored, every aspect of the glorious soundtrack had me stopping and putting down my controller just to listen. Every conversation I had with the lovable creatures of Possum Springs touched me in a different way. I laughed outright, I got angry at those who didn’t understand, and at one point I downright sobbed. The mysteries of both the town and Mae’s friends kept me hooked, eager for more. And I got more than I could’ve ever hoped for. Continue reading →
Stephan's Universe 