Monthly Archives: December 2019

What Netflix’s Golden Globes Nomination Domination Means for the TV Landscape

With the reveal of the nominations for the 77th Golden Globes Awards (airing on NBC on January 5, 2020), it's never been more apparent just how impactful movies and TV shows from streaming services are. For the first time in the award show's history, a single studio (Netflix) is leading in both the TV and film categories with 17 nominations for critically-acclaimed titles The Irishman, Marriage Story, The Crown, and more. Only rival HBO comes close with 15 nominations for shows like Chernobyl and Succession.

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Redbox Will No Longer Rent Video Games After This Year

Redbox has announced that it no longer plans to offer video game rentals at its kiosks, as it will be shifting it's focus solely to movie rentals in 2020.

While video game rentals are no longer available as Redbox kiosks, some locations will still offer discounted games that can be purchased outright before they are removed for good at the end of the month.

First discovered by Redditors, Redbox confirmed on Twitter that it will be transitioning out of the gaming service by the end of the year. In a statement to The Verge, a spokesperson reiterated that Redbox will be "permanently transitioning out of the games business," but will still allow customers to purchase remaining games "through the end of the year."

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Life Is Strange 2: Episode 5 Review – Beyond Good Or Evil

It's been some time since the explosive events of Haven Point, and even longer since Sean and Daniel Diaz's journey first began in Seattle, but the end of Life Is Strange 2 has finally arrived, and with it a satisfying conclusion to the tumultuous and emotional story we've witnessed thus far. Episode 5 abandons the goofy villains and cliches of Episode 4 and reconnects us with what makes Life is Strange 2 work best: nuanced characters, deep relationships, and a narrative that is unafraid to show the ugly side of present-day America while still spending plenty of time unearthing the beauty that lies beneath.

No matter what kind of relationship you've built between Sean and Daniel so far, the game kicks off with the two camping out under the stars in Arizona, during which Sean says to Daniel, "I love you no matter what happens, okay?" This scene illustrates a significant strength of the series which has carried through from Episode 1--while you can guide Sean's choices and morality and the impact that has on his little brother, no choice you make will change the love they have for each other. Even a low-morality Sean with a penchant for stealing who swears like a sailor will still love Daniel and protect him at all costs. The stellar performances delivered by each of the brothers continue to make their connection believable and their sibling affection palpably relatable.

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Sean's spot-on characterization makes him a fantastic conduit to understanding the beauty in the characters you meet, the pain in the vile circumstances he so often finds himself in, and the overwhelming adoration he has for his brother. You love Daniel because Sean does, do your best to trust your estranged mother because Sean does, and feel palpable terror in the face of the worst of America because Sean does. His sense of self remains intrinsic to any version of his character and that is vital to your ability to empathize with him. As for the impact you can have, Daniel's personality can shift depending on how you've treated him and the choices you've made in previous episodes. He will have increased or decreased morality, and that trait will drastically change how he acts in the dramatic final moments of the series. As a result, your ending to the story will likely feel earned and satisfyingly in line with the events in your journey.

The inclusion of Sean and Daniel's mother is explored in more depth and with greater nuance than in Episode 4, where her appearance was overshadowed by the tonally inconsistent plot. The layers of her character and preference for isolation are cleverly mirrored by the first major location you explore in Episode 5, called Away, a community of people who have shunned society in favour of a self-sufficient life in the desert. The strength of Life is Strange 2's writing buoys up its new characters in the final episode, most of whom feel complex and well rounded. You meet a middle-aged gay couple whose familes' homophobia has driven them to a quieter life outside the city, a familiar face from Life is Strange 1 who gets the chance to exhibit the growth they appeared capable of in the previous series, and Diego and Carla, a Mexican man and his pregnant wife trying to build a better life by immigrating to America.

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The latter example in particular is a testament to another of Life is Strange 2's greatest strengths: its willingness to ask complicated questions, amplify marginalized voices, and attempt to explore the complicated sociopolitical climate of present-day America. This difficult undertaking isn't always executed flawlessly, and some of the more extreme representations of xenophobic Americans can come off a little on-the-nose. But the larger themes of politics, racism, and differing perspectives as a result of ethnicity and privilege are effective due to the nuance and believability behind Episode 5's characters. Because of this, it's the quieter moments that deliver the themes most effectively, such as when the Diaz brothers arrive at the Mexican border and Daniel asks if there is also a towering border wall between America and Canada. Or when a particularly tense moment in the game is broken up by Sean meeting Carla and Diego, who engage with Sean entirely in Spanish and explain why they're so desperate to flee Mexico to provide a better life for their child.

However, some interactions in Episode 5 remain a little too hard to swallow. An entire encampment of social outcasts deciding they aren't phased by a 10-year-old with superpowers is unlikely, and sometimes otherwise intelligent characters seem to have inconsistent lapses in judgment or logic. That said, ignoring the social impact of Daniel's powers lets the plot to move forward without belabouring well-trodden ground, which returns the focus to the characters whose stories often paint a relatable picture of people's attempt to do right by others as they do right by themselves.

The impact of Episode 5's interactivity also falls flat in some places. Despite some heart-pounding events late in the game, the use of Daniel's powers doesn't amount to much as a mechanic. While awe-inspiring to behold in a cutscene, there is little weight behind actually using them. You mostly point at very clearly highlighted interactables and watching Daniel unleash his power on them. Save for a section with some variable choices late in the game, this is almost always too simplistic, as was the case in previous episodes, making the act of using Daniel's powers feel less exciting than it should, even in the emotionally-charged final moments.

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The multiple endings to the series are significantly different and largely reflected how I had interacted with Daniel in both of my playthroughs. Both endings I reached were truly satisfying in their own way, and in the case of my main playthrough, heart-wrenchingly sad. There are no easy answers which feels appropriate, but there is positivity to be found in each possible conclusion. Coming to the realization that there is unlikely to be a purely happy ending for the Diaz brothers is disheartening, but it works to solidify the thematic undercurrents of Life is Strange 2's story--the troubled state of the current sociopolitical climate, identity, brotherhood, and what it means to be American.

Saying goodbye to the Diaz brothers is as difficult as it was to leave Chloe and Max in the original Life Is Strange, which is a testament to the extraordinary strength of the game's character building. Though the story of the Diaz brothers arrives at some kind of ending, the larger implications of the story and its politically-charged themes raise more questions than they can possibly hope to answer, though to even ask them feels like an admirable feat. As the game itself states within the blog of a gone-but-not-forgotten ally from Episode 1, "It's not a happy ending, but maybe it can be a hopeful one."

Life Is Strange 2: Episode 5 Review – Beyond Good Or Evil

It's been some time since the explosive events of Haven Point, and even longer since Sean and Daniel Diaz's journey first began in Seattle, but the end of Life Is Strange 2 has finally arrived, and with it a satisfying conclusion to the tumultuous and emotional story we've witnessed thus far. Episode 5 abandons the goofy villains and cliches of Episode 4 and reconnects us with what makes Life is Strange 2 work best: nuanced characters, deep relationships, and a narrative that is unafraid to show the ugly side of present-day America while still spending plenty of time unearthing the beauty that lies beneath.

No matter what kind of relationship you've built between Sean and Daniel so far, the game kicks off with the two camping out under the stars in Arizona, during which Sean says to Daniel, "I love you no matter what happens, okay?" This scene illustrates a significant strength of the series which has carried through from Episode 1--while you can guide Sean's choices and morality and the impact that has on his little brother, no choice you make will change the love they have for each other. Even a low-morality Sean with a penchant for stealing who swears like a sailor will still love Daniel and protect him at all costs. The stellar performances delivered by each of the brothers continue to make their connection believable and their sibling affection palpably relatable.

No Caption Provided
Gallery image 1Gallery image 2Gallery image 3Gallery image 4Gallery image 5Gallery image 6Gallery image 7Gallery image 8Gallery image 9Gallery image 10

Sean's spot-on characterization makes him a fantastic conduit to understanding the beauty in the characters you meet, the pain in the vile circumstances he so often finds himself in, and the overwhelming adoration he has for his brother. You love Daniel because Sean does, do your best to trust your estranged mother because Sean does, and feel palpable terror in the face of the worst of America because Sean does. His sense of self remains intrinsic to any version of his character and that is vital to your ability to empathize with him. As for the impact you can have, Daniel's personality can shift depending on how you've treated him and the choices you've made in previous episodes. He will have increased or decreased morality, and that trait will drastically change how he acts in the dramatic final moments of the series. As a result, your ending to the story will likely feel earned and satisfyingly in line with the events in your journey.

The inclusion of Sean and Daniel's mother is explored in more depth and with greater nuance than in Episode 4, where her appearance was overshadowed by the tonally inconsistent plot. The layers of her character and preference for isolation are cleverly mirrored by the first major location you explore in Episode 5, called Away, a community of people who have shunned society in favour of a self-sufficient life in the desert. The strength of Life is Strange 2's writing buoys up its new characters in the final episode, most of whom feel complex and well rounded. You meet a middle-aged gay couple whose familes' homophobia has driven them to a quieter life outside the city, a familiar face from Life is Strange 1 who gets the chance to exhibit the growth they appeared capable of in the previous series, and Diego and Carla, a Mexican man and his pregnant wife trying to build a better life by immigrating to America.

Gallery image 1Gallery image 2Gallery image 3Gallery image 4Gallery image 5Gallery image 6Gallery image 7Gallery image 8Gallery image 9Gallery image 10

The latter example in particular is a testament to another of Life is Strange 2's greatest strengths: its willingness to ask complicated questions, amplify marginalized voices, and attempt to explore the complicated sociopolitical climate of present-day America. This difficult undertaking isn't always executed flawlessly, and some of the more extreme representations of xenophobic Americans can come off a little on-the-nose. But the larger themes of politics, racism, and differing perspectives as a result of ethnicity and privilege are effective due to the nuance and believability behind Episode 5's characters. Because of this, it's the quieter moments that deliver the themes most effectively, such as when the Diaz brothers arrive at the Mexican border and Daniel asks if there is also a towering border wall between America and Canada. Or when a particularly tense moment in the game is broken up by Sean meeting Carla and Diego, who engage with Sean entirely in Spanish and explain why they're so desperate to flee Mexico to provide a better life for their child.

However, some interactions in Episode 5 remain a little too hard to swallow. An entire encampment of social outcasts deciding they aren't phased by a 10-year-old with superpowers is unlikely, and sometimes otherwise intelligent characters seem to have inconsistent lapses in judgment or logic. That said, ignoring the social impact of Daniel's powers lets the plot to move forward without belabouring well-trodden ground, which returns the focus to the characters whose stories often paint a relatable picture of people's attempt to do right by others as they do right by themselves.

The impact of Episode 5's interactivity also falls flat in some places. Despite some heart-pounding events late in the game, the use of Daniel's powers doesn't amount to much as a mechanic. While awe-inspiring to behold in a cutscene, there is little weight behind actually using them. You mostly point at very clearly highlighted interactables and watching Daniel unleash his power on them. Save for a section with some variable choices late in the game, this is almost always too simplistic, as was the case in previous episodes, making the act of using Daniel's powers feel less exciting than it should, even in the emotionally-charged final moments.

No Caption Provided
Gallery image 1Gallery image 2Gallery image 3Gallery image 4Gallery image 5Gallery image 6Gallery image 7Gallery image 8Gallery image 9Gallery image 10

The multiple endings to the series are significantly different and largely reflected how I had interacted with Daniel in both of my playthroughs. Both endings I reached were truly satisfying in their own way, and in the case of my main playthrough, heart-wrenchingly sad. There are no easy answers which feels appropriate, but there is positivity to be found in each possible conclusion. Coming to the realization that there is unlikely to be a purely happy ending for the Diaz brothers is disheartening, but it works to solidify the thematic undercurrents of Life is Strange 2's story--the troubled state of the current sociopolitical climate, identity, brotherhood, and what it means to be American.

Saying goodbye to the Diaz brothers is as difficult as it was to leave Chloe and Max in the original Life Is Strange, which is a testament to the extraordinary strength of the game's character building. Though the story of the Diaz brothers arrives at some kind of ending, the larger implications of the story and its politically-charged themes raise more questions than they can possibly hope to answer, though to even ask them feels like an admirable feat. As the game itself states within the blog of a gone-but-not-forgotten ally from Episode 1, "It's not a happy ending, but maybe it can be a hopeful one."

Riot Games Launches League of Legends Collab with Louis Vuitton

Riot Games has teamed up with designer fashion brand Louis Vuitton to create an exclusive collection of League of Legends apparel. You can check out the exclusive collab on the Louis Vuitton website, with items ranging from multiple hundreds to thousands of dollars.

This isn't the first time Riot Games has partnered with the fashion brand, as Louis Vuitton skins were released in League of Legends this past November. However, purchasing something from the LVxLoL collection will cost a bit more than purchasing an in-game skin – with the most expensive item coming in at over $5,000.

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Wonder Woman 1984’s Maxwell Lord Explained

Every bad guy thinks they’re the good guy in the story, but none more than DC Comics’ Maxwell Lord. An arrogant businessman whose life has been intertwined with the Justice League since the late ’80s, Lord has since played a pivotal role in one of DC’s biggest universe-shaking events. Most notably, Lord is known for making Wonder Woman cross a line she had never crossed before, and the repercussions were staggering.

Now we’ll see Maxwell Lord take on Diana Prince for the very first time in live-action in Wonder Woman 1984, played by Pedro Pascal. And we simply can’t wait.

Let’s meet the businessman-turned-supervillain so we have an idea of what new dangers might be in store for Wonder Woman in 2020. These are the topics we’ll be covering here:

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The Matrix 4 Adds Mindhunter Star Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Groff is joining the cast of Matrix 4.

According to Collider, Groff is joining the cast in an undisclosed role. Groff is a newbie to the Matrix franchise — other newcomers include Aquaman's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris, who will also star in Matrix 4. Jessica Henwick, from Marvel's Iron Fist, is also reportedly in talks to join the movie in a leading role.

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8 Biggest Video Game Disappointments of 2019

2019 was a memorable year in games: Sony and Microsoft revealed the first details about their next-gen hardware. Google threw its hat in the game-streaming ring with Stadia. Kojima released his first post-Konami game. Microsoft acquired beloved studio Double Fine. Bungie went indie. And mainline Pokemon came to console for the first time. All in all, this year provided excitement for all types of gamers on all types of platforms.

But littered throughout those moments of joy were duds, delays, and decisions that left us feeling a bit down. Click through the gallery below or continue scrolling for our list of 2019's biggest video game disappointments.

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Nintendo Announces Indie World Switch Showcase for This Week

Nintendo has announced that a new Indie World Showcase will air on Tuesday, December 10 at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm GMT.

This newest Indie World Showcase will run for "roughly 20 minutes" and will focus on upcoming indie games headed to Nintendo Switch. This presentation takes place only a few hours after PlayStation's State of Play.

The last Indie World Showcase was held prior to Gamescom 2019 and discussed such titles as Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, Hotline Miami Collection, and Superhot.

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Bayonetta, Vanquish Double Pack Coming in 2020

Sega announced that remasters of PlatinumGames' Bayonetta and Vanquish are coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on February 18, 2020. The games will run in 4K at 60fps on PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X.

This announcement confirms a Microsoft store posting from earlier this month that listed Vanquish with a February 2020 release date. Bayonetta was later listed on the Microsoft store as well.

Sega is celebrating ten years of Bayonetta and Vanquish by launching the action titles in a 10th-anniversary bundle, which includes a steelbook featuring art from Bayonetta on the front, and from Vanquish on the back. The physical version costs $39.99.

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