Monthly Archives: March 2015
Severed: Hands-on With Our Most-Anticipated PlayStation Vita Game
Severed is a game that needs to be played in order to be fully appreciated. DrinkBox Studio’s follow-up to 2013’s incredible Guacamelee! exudes the same sense of style and artistic vision as their Metroidvania, but completely turns the gameplay portion on its head. I watched someone else play most of the PSX demo back in January at CES, and while I really dug what I saw, I didn’t realize just how deep and interesting the combat interactions are.
Exploring its gorgeous, colorful world drenched with magical realism and sadness brings forth a wealth of strong emotions. Navigating the rooms of sprawling forests and dark dungeons in first person makes you appreciate the same strong sense of style that was drenched all over Guacamelee!. But Severed really shines when you enter an encounter, which is where the game implements some of the most intuitive, yet deepest use of touch-screen functionality that I’ve ever seen on a Vita.
Overwatch: Hands-On With 2 New Heroes
Overwatch keeps surprising me. I've wondered if Blizzard could keep adding great new skills to its already large roster of first-person shooter Heroes, and its two latest duo, Zarya and McCree, bring exactly the sort of awesome, original abilities and personality this game needs to remain competitive and interesting.
McCree is a high-damage burst character, with lots of potential for mid-ranged pick-offs and up-close executions. The cowboy's revolver packs a devastating punch, and unleashing his remaining rounds using the alt-fire button sends bullets spraying rapidly in a large area. His combat roll keeps him mobile during combat, but doesn't cover a lot of ground -- once McCree engages, he's probably committed until he or everyone around him is dead. His lone utility skill, a flashbang, disorients opponents, but its extremely limited range means it's only useful once he's all-in.
PS4 App Suspend Mode, Button-Mapping May be Coming Soon
The ability to keep apps running while a PlayStation 4 enters rest mode is reportedly coming in Sony's next update, along with custom button-mapping.
The firmware update was reportedly shared with PlayStation MVPs in private beta tests, according to Twitter user Wario64, who shared details about the update after an image of the features surfaced. The image was since removed from Neogaf, but Twitter user cnpalmer75 screengrabbed it beforehand:
Powers: Everything You Need to Know
In a world where superheroes are real -- if not exactly super in their actions -- a pair of cops must investigate the cases involving these ultra-beings... these Powers.
Powers: Watch the First Episode Free on IGN
Based on the award-winning comic book of the same name, Powers is the PlayStation Network’s first original scripted series. And it debuts next Tuesday, March 10th. So let’s break down what the new show’s all about -- here’s everything you need to know about Powers.
Sigourney Weaver Talks Alien 5
The news that District 9 director Neill Blomkamp will make a new Alien movie has many fans enthused, including Ellen Ripley herself, Sigourney Weaver. And now the actress is talking about the project and how she found out about it.
"I would love to take Ripley out of orbiting around in space and give a proper finish to what was such an excellent story," Weaver told The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of Chappie, Blomkamp's new film which she co-stars in.
"It was really organic — we were just chatting about the movie every day on the set..." Weaver said of her discussions with the director about Alien 5 while shooting Chappie.
Spidey’s Reboot, Avengers 2 & Power Rangers
Welcome back to Keepin' It Reel! In this week's podcast, Jim Vejvoda, Roth Cornet and Chris Carle bring you the latest in movie news.
This week's topics include the Spider-Man reboot, Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron, Power Rangers, Suicide Squad, Blade Runner 2, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and more.
We also remember the late, great Leonard Nimoy.
Finally, we also wager whether Chappie, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or Unfinished Business has what it takes to top this weekend's box office.
Download Keepin' It Reel, Episode 279!
Hannibal: Season 3 Premiere Date Set
At long last, the news is here! The wait has been excruciating. But now we know when Hannibal: Season 3 will premiere.
Check out the tweet (and the zippy new ride for Dr. Lecter!)...
#HannibalReturnsJune4 pic.twitter.com/vkMVbsHCo6
— Hannibal (@NBCHannibal) March 6, 2015In a move back to Thursdays, Hannibal will kick off its third season on June 4th at 10/9c.
Also announced were the premiere dates for NBC's 60s-era Charles Manson drama, starring David Duchovny, Aquarius (May 28th), American Ninja Warrior (May 25th), and America's Got Talent (May 26th).
How Will Leto’s Joker Differ From Ledger’s?
A new rumor claims to explain how Oscar winner Jared Leto's Joker in Suicide Squad will differ from past screen portrayals of the Clown Prince of Crime.
“Jared wants to make sure his Joker is not only something the fans will love, but he doesn’t want to step on the toes of Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger,” according to a purported inside source for Hollywood Life.
“He wants to make the character completely his own. ... He knows that this role may be his most difficult ever, but he is confident that he will make his version of the Joker the best. This Joker will be more cerebral and comedic than what we have seen before, nobody should expect a copycat version. It’s going to be awesome!"
Dishonored on PS Plus is Coming in April, Not March
Sony has revealed Dishonored will be a PlayStation Plus offering for members in April.
"Dishonored is coming to PlayStation Plus (PS3) in April," says the official Europe PlayStation Blog Twitter account. "Sorry for the confusion this month - we pulled the trigger too early!"
A previous mix-up led to Dishonored's status as a PS Plus game being announced a tad prematurely, leading to some confusion as to whether or not it would be on offer in March.
Instead, Valiant Hearts: The Great War and Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty on PlayStation 4, Papo & Yo and Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments on PlayStation 3, and OlliOlli2: Welcome to OlliWood and Counterspy are available on the PlayStation Vita in March for all PS Plus members.
The First Photos of Supergirl are Here!
With production officially beginning on CBS' Supergirl pilot this week, it's time to see what star Melissa Benoist (Whiplash, Glee) looks like in her full super-gear.
Here you'll see Benoist - as Kara Danvers/Kara Zor-El - in a costume designed by three-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood, who also designed the costumes for Supergirl executive producer Greg Berlanti's other two DC Comics shows, The Flash and Arrow.
Melissa Benoist as Supergirl.