Review: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

Sean McCarthy
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Review: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

I have been a huge fan and advocate of the DC Comics Animated Universe over the last seven years in which the connected universe has managed to succeed far more than the big screen live action attempt. There have been a few missteps along the way for sure but on the whole, this really became the best series of DC Comic story telling in quite some time. But now we have reached the natural end as the sequel to 2017’s Justice League Dark film will serve as the big finale to this universe and this is definitely not one for the younger fans!

I really am not kidding, this is a Justice League animated film with a Mature Rating for a reason so if you have young DC fans in your home, you will probably want to wait till they are a little older to watch this. The first Justice League Dark film allowed access to all the dark and supernatural elements of the DC Universe bringing all the magic, demonic and dark humour of one character in particular…John Constantine. What I and fans did not know at the time, was that this would end up being the stepping stone into the final story of this connected Universe of animated films and now for the 16th story in seven years, it will see the Justice League face their gravest challenge.

The story opens with Superman summoning all League members to the hanger on the Watch Tower as Planet Apokolips has been detected appearing near Earth and Superman strongly believes that Darkseid is preparing for another attempt to invade earth. This time however we see a very different tone in Superman who has only recently survived death at the hands of Doomsday, a creature made by Darkseid to remove the greatest threat to his invasion of Earth, Superman. He is actually advocating that the Justice League go on the offensive and attack Apokolips rather than waiting for the fight to come to Earth but this is a strategy that not everyone is on board with, especially John Constantine. But a plan is formed to attack Apokolips but little do the Justice League know that Darkseid is watching the whole thing via the cybernetic implants of Cyborg who in the very first Justice League film, became Cyborg as a result of combining with Mother Box Technology.

So not only does Darkseid know the Justice League is coming, but he able to plan a counter attack which he does, and not only is the Justice League defeated, they are completely decimated by Darkseid and his forces who kill most of the minor leagues and incapacitate the heavy hitters and I do mean decimate which the film shows the audience. The League expected to only face the Para Demons they have fought in each encounter with Darkseid before but not this time, this time he has Para Dooms…a hybrid of Para Demons and Doomsday who absolutely and literally, tear through the Justice League but as the battle begins the story then jumps 2 years forward and we find London in flames and a John Constantine and Etrigan drinking heavily in a Pub when Teen Titan Raven and a hooded man enters, clearly looking for them. Raven is clearly struggling under the pressure of keeping her father and demonic god Trigon contained and that strain is showing by her now weak and gaunt appearance. The hooded man slowly reveals himself to be Superman but a Superman who has been depowered due to having liquid Kryptonite injected into him by Darkseid which is not enough to kill him, but enough to take away his powers and leave in in daily pain, forced to watch helplessly over the embers of a world he failed to save.

It was really disturbing on some level to watch as flashback are shown to the audience as Superman explains to Constantine what happened as he himself ran away from the battle. Not since watching the original Transformers the Movie as a kid where Autobots suddenly died left right and centre has such an opening hit me as a fan. We are so used to seeing our heroes fall but always getting back up and winning the fight but here, they did not just lose the battle, they were utterly swept away. Seeing Hal Jordan dead, other heroes like Shazam and Wonder Woman herself having limbs torn off and then Superman himself, Earth’s most powerful defender, rendered powerless leaving only the Teen Titans to defend Earth but they themselves would fall to Darkseid’s invasion forces really hit home in a big way. Darkseid had won and the Earth was his.

The tone and pace of the story completely builds on the fifteen films before of this DCAU (DC Animated Universe) and you can see how those stories lead to this final and ultimate failure of the Justice League. Superman was emotional and overconfident and bloodthirsty in his desire to not just stop Darkseid from being a threat to Earth but to kill him himself. Wonder Woman’s more warrior nature leads her to support this plan and Batman, the master strategist also is caught unaware and unprepared for what is about to go very very wrong. To see fan favourite characters beaten is a powerful way to start the story and the moment that you discover that Darkseid has been able to spy on the Justice League via Cyborg is chilling and a true “oh Shit” moment.

Familiar cast members return to lend their voices to the film with Shemar Moore as Cyborg, Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman, Jason O’Mara as Batman, and Jerry O’Connell as Clark Kent/Superman. The standout MVP character and performance of the story however is Matt Ryan who has become the only person who should voice John Constantine, continuing his performance from his own sadly failed TV series but now member of the Legends of Tomorrow team in the ArrowVerse. Constantine is really the audience looking in on this mess of a situation and he brings both the dark humour and the only real hope the remaining League members have of fighting back. The pace of the story telling has a nice snap to it and the humour is cleverly placed and very natural in amongst the very dark themes the story features. Constantine is one of my favourite characters in the whole DCAU and though it took a long time for him to finally star in the films, the way he can sass people like Superman, holding him account for his failure that lead to this.

Darkseid is flawlessly voiced by Tony Todd and his performance is powerful for the New God that is Darkseid, who really becomes the ultimate villain that quite frankly no other use of his character has really been seen as before as often he simply gets beaten back by a pissed off Superman. But in this story he wins and not only that but we get to see his supreme capacity for cruelty as he not only kills many of Earth’s heroes and turns Superman into a walking symbol of his victory but also takes Batman and bends him to his will, turning him into an instrument who leads Darkseid’s forces across the galaxy taking more worlds and the final capture of Earth itself.

At the 90-minute run time, this story manages to keep the pace very well and when the action kicks in there is just so much to take in on screen at times. I love that the story really has three arcs to it with the rising up of the last possible resistance on Earth of remaining Leaguers and Harley Quinn’s Suicide Squad to the issue of facing your Father as Raven and Damien Wayne as Robin are forced to finally confront their own Fathers which their own story arcs in other films have really been leading towards. But it is Constantine that struck most for me, the reluctant hero who would rather lose himself in a bottle of Glenn Morgan whiskey than face even more death and destruction but it is he who ultimately must lead the fight against Darkseid in the end. You feel the loss and the pain of the fallen Justice Leaguers and you find heart and laughter in the former villains who rise up when the heroes are gone, in the end there is only one bad guy to fight and that is Darkseid!

As entertaining as Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is to watch, it is also extremely satisfying to fans who have been following the DCAU from the beginning. It has been a universe that managed to capture all the characters in it just as well as the classic DC Animated show Justice League and Justice League Unlimited managed to do. The Animated universe has delivered in a way that the big screen live action DCU films just failed to do and they did it consistently with only a few drops in quality along the way. This is a fitting and satisfying finale to this universe that I am really rather said to see come to an end but the end is a logical one, the Justice League were always set to have this final battle and it is handled perfectly by the team lead by directors Matt Peters and Christina Sotta and written by Ernie Altbacker and Sotta. Like great DC Graphic Novels, the DCAU has standout must own films in it just as Justice League Dark and Flashpoint Paradox with Justice League Dark: Apokolips War being their finest work to date for me.

Refreshing and highly entertaining, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is a powerful end to a brilliant animated universe that dared to tell stories to an older DC Comics fan and in the end, held nothing back and gave fans everything they had to give.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is available now for Digital Download and available on DVD/Blu Ray on May 19th 2020.

PlayStation ‘State of Play’ Ghost of Tsushima Special – Reaction

Sean McCarthy
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PlayStation ‘State of Play’ Ghost of Tsushima Special – Reaction

Ever since Ghost of Tsushima was revealed, it has been a game that has intrigued me the more I see and read about it. It was no surprise that this month’s suddenly revealed ‘State of Play’ edition would be solely devoted to showcasing more about this game now it has a confirmed release date of July 17th 2020. It does have to be said that PlayStation did make it abundantly clear is  that this episode would NOT be featuring anything remotely PS5 related, so with that said…and my fresh cup of tea to hand, it was time to see what Ghost of Tsushima has to offer:

I will always be taken back how the final titles right before a new generation of console is set to launch, truly showcase how great the current gen consoles really area and Ghost of Tsushima certainly showcases what is still possible with the PlayStation 4. This game is just beautiful in every single way and the entire 18 minute preview of it just blew my mind as the lighting effects and the colours just poured out of my TV and right into my eyes and it was a shame that there was no 4K streaming to showcase it even more.

The setting of Samurai era Japan is just breathtaking and it was the very first thing that grabbed the eyes out of their sockets when the game was revealed. This demonstration showed how lush everything looks and the added detail of how the wind itself can make individual blades of grass move as you either walk, run or ride your horse through it is just staggering to see. The more I watched the more I lost myself in the visuals making this a must have day one title for me even before seeing the first real look at the gameplay.

I loved the inclusion of a classic ‘Kurosawa’ cinematic mode dedicated to the Japanese Director Akira Kurosawa, which will remove all colour from the game visuals giving it that classic Japanese Samurai Movie feel. The photo mode that it will launch with is going to be used a lot by players so I am giving people fair warning that their social media timelines are going to be full of Japanese Countryside screenshots come July 17th!

So we definitely need to address the elephant in the room which was pretty much the shared reaction as this State of Play aired, the gameplay which was “oh this is Assassin’s Creed Japan”. Now I do not think that this is a criticism at all, many games have had a very similar action adventure style to Assassin’s Creed series which after over 12 years of that series is going to be the first thing you compare other games to. There are indeed elements that if you have played a recent AC Title that will make you go…oh yeah, Assassin’s Creed. But whilst there is a fair comparison to be made, Ghost of Tsushima owns that comparison but also makes sure to deliver something new. For example there is clearly a deliberate effort to make the HUD as clear as possible so no mini map or compass and certainly no ?’s dotted all over the screen. Exploration is left to the player and I love that the wind itself is used as a guide as well as animals who will hint at a place of interest for the player, leaving the player to naturally find things of interest based on what they can see and hear in the environment and the world instead of a glowing ? on their display.

Combat wise was very interesting to see although I think I will need to actually play the game to really appreciate it more at this point. From what was shown there will be two styles of combat that players can shape with one termed as the ‘honourable’ Samurai style and the ‘Dishonourable Stealth’ Ghost style, which looks like a Ninja skill based style. The Samurai is all swordplay and with a duel system where you will honourably stand off against enemies in a swordfight with an almost Bushido “One kill strike” timing of swings of enemies. You will be wearing traditional Samurai style armour and face your enemies head on, which I really liked.

The Ghost style however really brings more comparisons with Assassin’s Creed as this style will have you sneaking around and using items of distraction such as smoke bombs or firecrackers to distract and disorientate the enemy for you to approach for a stealth assassination from behind or above. One aspect to this I really loved was the fear element you can put into your enemies as shown when one enemy dropped his weapon and  begged to be left alive. Not only will stealth be a weapon of the Ghost style but so will fear which reminds me of the Fear system used in Arkham Knight. Again, comparisons with other games is natural and here they look as though they have been inspired by a good many but they have managed to forge their own take with them and I have to say, I am definitely on Board.

There is an RPG system to upgrading weapons, armour and even skills which we are told can evolve as you playthrough the game. There is a robust customisation system as well so that the clothes and armour you wear will not only have a cosmetic appeal, you can even pick enough flowers to dye your armour and clothes as you wish, but will also impact how you play and fight. This is something we have seen in recent Assassin’s Creed titles in Origins and especially Odyssey where you can put together armour sets that impact your play style. I love these little touches and it opens the door for replay-ability in order to try out different combat styles and builds.

This 18 minute presentation certainly left me wanting Ghost of Tsushima even more but I do have some reservations such as how big is the world and just how much freedom will you have to explore it around the main story campaign and do side content. There is certainly a lot I loved about what was shown and the State of Play did end with the promise of more being shown before release on July 17th. Ghost of Tsushima could well be the surprise hit of 2019 and not a bad way for PlayStation to lead into the PS5 reveals than the double hitter of The Last of Us Part II in June followed by Ghost of Tsushima in July.

Until then I will just have to relish in the music and the visuals delights of every trailer for this game for the next two months!

Review: AirFly Pro from Twelve South

Andrew Edney
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Review: AirFly Pro from Twelve South

With Fathers Day just around the corner, we take a look at the AirFly Pro from Twelve South.

AirFly is a wireless headphone adapter that lets you use your favorite wireless headphones or earbuds in places that only have a headphone jack – like airplanes and treadmills. Plug this tiny transmitter into a headphone jack to listen to in-flight movies or the TVs at the gym. AirFly Pro lets two people listen to the same soundtrack, podcast or music with their favorite noise-cancelling headphones or AirPods.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the AirFly Pro, USB cable, instructions and a carry bag.

Final Thoughts

The AirFly Pro is very small and can easily be carried around in your pocket in the little carry case that is included.

The AirFly Pro has two main uses – turn any headphone jack into a wireless port and to enable two wireless headphones to connect to the same source at the same time. Both things on their own are really useful. For example you could have two children watching the same iPad now both being able to use their own wireless headphones, thus cutting down on any arguments! The other really great use is being able to plug it into a treadmill, a stereo, your car audio system or even the in-seat entertainment in an aeroplane and then being able to use your wireless headphones.

There is also a switch on the side that turns it from a transmitter to a receiver if you need that functionality.

Setting up the AirFly Pro is very simple, switch it on, press the button and pair with your wireless headphones then just plug the AirFly Pro into whatever device you want the audio to come from – very simple.

When fully charged the battery on the AirFly Pro lasts around 16 hours, so enough for even a very long trip.

The AirFly Pro is a great little device and will make your life easier, if for no other reason to stop any arguments about who is going to be able to listen to the audio on an iPad!

The AirFly Pro is available now priced around £49.99.

You can learn more from the Twelve South website.

Review: Zumba Burn It Up!

Diogo Miguel
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Review: Zumba Burn It Up!

Ubisoft’s popular Just Dance franchise has been a popular hit for many years and it’s still selling so well that editions of it are still being released on the Nintendo Wii. Although not as popular in the realm of gaming, Zumba has a large following at gyms all over the globe, so the release of Zumba Burn It Up on the Nintendo Switch should be at least of interest to them.

Continue

Review: Gioteck TX30 Megapak for Nintendo Switch

Andrew Edney
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Review: Gioteck TX30 Megapak for Nintendo Switch

Here is our review of the Gioteck TX30 Megapak.

The TX30 Megapak boasts a premium Hardcase & Screen protector with a soft cloth to protect your Switch, bundled alongside the TX-30 “Game and Go” headset in Red/Grey. The TX-30 “Game and Go” offers robust design with a flexible and comfortable headband. 40mm Drivers cushioned with Alacantra presents clear, high quality digital game sound. The discreetly located inline Mic makes this perfect for gaming on the go.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Game and Go headset, a case, a protection kit and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Megapack contains three elements – a case, a headset and a screen protector. Applying the screen protector is easy and adds a layer of protection to your Switch.

The case is sturdy and well made and will keep you Switch safe and also make it easy to carry and store.

The headset is very lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The quality on both the audio and the mic is very good too. Talking of the mic, it’s an inline mic which can be easily controlled so that it doesn’t get in the way when you are not using it.

If you are looking for a good quality headset that happens to come with a good case and screen protector then take a look at this one. I really liked the use of black, red and grey and it makes it stand out.

The Gioteck TX30 Megapak is available now priced around £19.99.

You can learn more from the Gioteck website.

Amazon Announces New Tablets for the Entire Family

Andrew Edney
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Amazon Announces New Tablets for the Entire Family

Amazon have announced the next generation of its Fire HD 8 tablet lineup, designed with the entire family in mind: the all-new Fire HD 8, Fire HD 8 Plus, and Fire HD 8 Kids Edition.

“The new Fire HD 8 tablets offer the features that everyone in the family wants – great content, more storage, longer battery life – at a price that is incredibly affordable,” said Eric Saarnio, Vice President, Amazon Devices EU. “We’ve made the all-new Fire HD 8 even better with faster performance, 32GB of internal storage, up to 12 hours of battery life, and easier charging with USB-C—all for only £89.99. For only £20 more, the Fire HD 8 Plus packs even more power with 50% more RAM, hassle-free wireless charging, and three months of Kindle Unlimited included. With access to millions of movies, TV shows, books, songs, magazines, Alexa, and more— Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus are the perfect tablets for entertainment.”

The All-New Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus: Built for Entertainment

The all-new Fire HD 8 includes: 

·         Beautiful display – Featuring a vibrant 8” 1280 x 800 high definition display with over one million pixels.

·         New faster processor – Now 30% faster with a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM to easily multi-task when watching movies, playing games and browsing the web.

·         Now even more storage – With options for 32GB or 64GB of internal storage and support for up to 1TB of expandable storage via microSD. Plus, enjoy free unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with Fire tablets.

·         New longer battery life – Up to 12 hours of mixed-use battery life for browsing the web, watching videos, listening to music, and more.

·         New easier charging – Comes with USB-C for easy charging in less than 5 hours.

·         Introducing Game Mode – A distraction-free, optimised gaming experience that lets you focus on your game without interference from notifications.

·         Wide selection of content – Access to millions of movies, TV shows, songs, Kindle eBooks, magazines, apps, and games. Watch downloaded videos anywhere with Prime Video, Disney+, or Netflix subscriptions. Discover content that keeps you and your family entertained, connected, and informed on the #AtHome destination on Fire Tablets.

·         Stay connected – Download an app, such as Zoom, or ask Alexa to make a video call, to keep in touch with family and friends using your Fire HD 8.

·       Always-ready, hands-free Alexa – When connected to Wi-Fi, simply ask Alexa to Drop In on a friend or family member, play a song, start an Audible book, launch a trivia game, find your favourite movies, show your calendar, and more—using only your voice. Fire HD 8 is designed to protect your privacy. To learn more, visit: www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacy.

·         Amazon-exclusive features – Enjoy customer favourites like For You, X-Ray, Family Library, Blue Shade, and more.

For only £20 more, the new Fire HD 8 Plus adds: 

·         Fast and responsive performance – With 3 GB RAM, 50% more RAM than the Fire HD 8, and a 2.0GHz quad-core processor, Fire HD 8 Plus delivers a smooth experience whether you’re browsing the web, playing a game or watching your favourite show. 

·         Hassle-free wireless charging – When bundled with a compatible wireless charging dock, seamlessly transition Fire HD 8 Plus from a portable tablet experience to a countertop smart display with hands-free Alexa access in Show Mode.

·         Faster in-box adapter – Includes a 9W in-box adapter that charges your tablet in less than four hours.

·         Three months of Kindle Unlimited – As a special introductory offer, Fire HD 8 Plus customers will get three months of Kindle Unlimited included with their tablet purchase. After three months, the Kindle Unlimited membership renews at the regular price of just £7.99 per month.

Availability

The all-new Fire HD 8 is available for pre-order today, starting at £89.99 at www.amazon.co.uk/firehd8. Fire HD 8 is offered in White, Black, Twilight Blue, and Plum and will begin shipping on the 3rd June.

The Fire HD 8 Plus comes in a new Slate colour, and can be pre-ordered today starting at £109.99 at www.amazon.co.uk/firehd8plus, and also begins shipping on 3rd June. The Fire HD 8 Plus can also be purchased as a bundle with the all-new Made for Amazon Wireless Charging Dock for £139.98.

Accessory Cases are available for both Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus tablets in Twilight Blue, Charcoal Black, Sandstone White, and Plum for £29.99.

All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: Built from the Ground-Up for Kids

The all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition includes the Fire HD 8 tablet with an 8” HD display, 32GB of storage with up to 1TB of expandable storage via microSD, up to 12 hours of mixed-use battery life, and USB-C for reversible charging. It also comes bundled with a kid-proof case with a new adjustable stand in blue, pink, or purple, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year of Amazon Fire for Kids —all for £139.99.

With Amazon Fire for Kids, kids can enjoy thousands of age-appropriate books, Audible books, educational apps, games, and videos on their Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, including new and popular titles such as Wishenpoof, PINKFONG Baby Shark, PJ Masks: Racing Heroes, The Octonauts and Whale Shark, Pony Sisters Pet Hospital and Sonic Dash.

Within Fire for Kids, kids can easily discover over 1,000 educational titles, such as Champion Math, Matching Shapes & Colours Card Game, Squeebles Punctuation, Times Tables Treasure Hunt and National Geographic Kids Readers—to help with at-home learning. All of the Fire for Kids content is kid-friendly and hand-selected by the Amazon Fire for Kids team with new titles added regularly.

“Over 20 million kids (and their parents) globally have enjoyed the award-winning Amazon Fire for Kids service and we’re excited to make it even better with new educational content that helps to keep kids learning and entertained,” said Eric Saarnio, Vice President, Amazon Devices EU. “The all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is built from the ground up to offer the Fire for Kids content kids love and the parental controls parents trust—all wrapped in a colourful kid-proof case with a two-year worry-free guarantee.”

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition comes with access to easy-to-use parental controls that encourage learning before play. With Fire for Kids, parents can manage their child’s Fire for Kids settings, such as the ability to set daily goals, age filters, and time limits for both weekdays and weekends. Parents can also use parental controls to choose what content kids can access and to add more content. These settings can be managed on the device or parents can visit the Parent Dashboard at www.parents.amazon.co.uk to view daily activity reports and easily adjust their child’s Fire for Kids settings from any web browser, whether they’re on a mobile device or computer.

Availability

The all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is available for pre-order today, starting at £139.99 at www.amazon.co.uk/firehd8kidsedition and will begin shipping on 3rd June.

After one year, customers can continue their Fire for Kids subscription starting at £1.99 per month for Prime members and £3.99 per month for customers who are not yet Prime members. The subscription can be used on any compatible device, including Fire tablets and Kindle.

MAFIA Trilogy Teased with Reveal Event Scheduled for May 19th

Sean McCarthy
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1
MAFIA Trilogy Teased with Reveal Event Scheduled for May 19th

The MAFIA official Twitter account mysteriously woke up this week with cryptic tweets and yesterday 2K Games finally announced that a possible MAFIA Trilogy of remastered games is about to be revealed on May 19th:

I am expecting this to be a collection rather than individually released remastered versions of MAFIA 1 and 2 seeing how 3 is already a current gen release but all will be revealed next week. This is such a smart move to remaster the series now and could this even be a lead into a next generation MAFIA title for 2021 perhaps?

Watch the New Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Gameplay Trailer

Sean McCarthy
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1
Watch the New Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Gameplay Trailer

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios today released a new Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath gameplay trailer spotlighting Fujin, Sheeva and RoboCop, who are all joining the character roster as part of the upcoming, action-packed expansion. The trailer provides the first in-depth look at all three playable fighters with brand-new gameplay footage showcasing their different abilities, move sets and visual styles. The entire Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath expansion will be available in the UK and Ireland from 4pm BST on 26 May, including Fujin, Sheeva and RoboCop.
 
Also featured in the video are the new Dead Pool, Soul Chamber, Kronika’s Keep and RetroKade Stages, as well as select Stage Fatalities, which will be available (along with Friendships) as a part of a FREE content update in conjunction with the Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath release.

For those who may not know who the new DLC characters are, some additional information for Fujin, Sheeva and RoboCop is provided below:

  • Fujin is the God of Wind and serves the Elder Gods alongside his brother, Raiden, as a Protector of Earthrealm. First playable in Mortal Kombat 4, he’s adept at inspiring goodness and heroism to conquer the forces of hatred and tyranny and fights to ensure Earthrealm’s bright future. The immortal Fujin uses his sword and crossbow in combat and unleashes his powers as a God through a variety of wind-manipulating attacks to control his weapons, his movements and even his adversaries.
  • Sheeva is the four-armed, half-human, half-dragon queen of Outworld’s ancient Shokan race. First playable in Mortal Kombat 3, the powerful Shokan warrior leads her people in the quest to attain their rightful place as partners in Outworld’s rule. The male Shokan once scoffed when Sheeva entered the contest to become their next leader, but after a resounding victory, she proved herself to be superior and was crowned the first queen of the Shokan. The heavy hitting, master brawler employs her grappling fighting style to take down enemies and uses her faithful shield and unblockable teleport stomp to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who might oppose her.
  • RoboCop, formerly known as Alex Murphy, was a dutiful police officer who was brutally executed by a local gang. Brought back to life through OCP technology, Murphy was transformed into RoboCop, a highly advanced cybernetic police officer designed to uphold the law and protect the innocent. Now making his debut in the Mortal Kombat franchise, RoboCop has received a few upgrades and enters into battles equipped with a deadly arsenal of weapons, including his Auto 9 pistol. He also employs a flamethrower, riot shield and shoulder cannon that he can load with various types of ammunition to apprehend any Kombatants who stand in his way. RoboCop in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath features the voice and likeness of actor Peter Weller, who portrayed the popular character in both the original “RoboCop” (1987) film and “RoboCop 2” (1990) sequel. 

New players can join the fight with the Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection, featuring all three characters, story content and game modes in one ultimate package. This compilation includes Mortal Kombat 11 along with all content from Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath and the previously released Kombat Pack, containing six downloadable content (DLC) characters – Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, Sindel, Terminator T-800, The Joker and Spawn – plus 25 additional character skins. The Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection can be pre-ordered now for £49.99 / €59.99 (SRP) with digital preorders offering immediate access to Mortal Kombat 11 and the Kombat Pack upon purchase. The physical version will be available this June in the Americas only. 
 
Those who have already purchased Mortal Kombat 11 can preorder the Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath expansion now, which includes the franchise-first story expansion, three new playable characters, three character skin packs (incl. three skins each) to be released over time and the “Thanks a Million” Johnny Cage skin, all for £34.99 / €39.99 (SRP).
 
Players can also preorder the Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath + Kombat Pack Bundle for £39.99 / €49.99 (SRP).
 
All preorders will receive the Eternal Klash Skin Pack at launch, featuring three new character skin variants – “Unbound Rage” Scorpion inspired by Mortal Kombat (2011), “Son of Arctika” Sub-Zero inspired by Mortal Kombat: Deception and “Kori Power” Frost, a Klassic version of the Lin Kuei warrior.
 
To learn more about Mortal Kombat 11, please visit www.mortalkombat.com or join the community conversation on Facebook (MortalKombat), Instagram (@MortalKombat), Twitter (@MortalKombat), Twitch (NetherRealm), YouTube (Mortal Kombat), Discord (MortalKombat) or Reddit (MortalKombat).

HALO 2 Anniversary Launches today for PC With the Master Chief Collection

Sean McCarthy
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1
HALO 2 Anniversary Launches today for PC With the Master Chief Collection

The Halo fun continues as Halo 2: Anniversary releases today as the next installment comes to PC in Halo: The Master Chief Collection with Xbox Game Pass for PC, on the Microsoft Store and on Steam. 

The game that changed online multiplayer forever, Halo 2: Anniversary is the impeccably remastered edition of the original Halo 2 game released alongside Halo: The Master Chief Collection on console in 2014. Following the Chief’s victory in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, experience the pivotal battle in the Human-Covenant war to defend Earth, where the Master Chief finds an unlikely ally on a new Halo ringworld and fights to prevent the destruction of humankind. Enjoy legendary multiplayer with seven remastered multiplayer maps from Halo 2: Anniversary and 25 multiplayer maps from the original Halo 2, as well as the ability to toggle between the remastered graphics in the Anniversary edition and the graphics from the original Halo 2 campaign. 

Halo 2: Anniversary on PC comes equipped with new features, optimizations, and customizations built for the platform. The game looks and plays better than ever at 60 frames-per-second (or greater) with 4K UHD support, and players can fine-tune their experience with a vast array of options, including customizable mouse and keyboard support, ultrawide support, FOV customization and more. 

Like all titles in Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC, players will have a few different ways to experience Halo 2: Anniversary depending on their platform of choice: 

  • Xbox Game Pass – Join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) and get Halo 2: Anniversary, the next chapter in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST (Campaign), and Halo 4 will also be included in your membership and will be available on each game’s respective release date, completing the collection in 2020. 
  • Microsoft Store and Steam –The Halo: The Master Chief Collection bundle is available today for $39.99 USD, which includes Halo: Reach and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and now Halo 2: Anniversary, plus the remaining titles as they launch next year. Halo 2: Anniversary can also be purchased individually for $9.99 USD. 

For all the latest on Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo: The Master Chief Collection and all things Halo, be sure to stay tuned to Halo Waypoint and Xbox Wire, and follow @Halo on your favorite social media platforms. 

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1&2 Remastered Revealed During Summer Gamefest

Sean McCarthy
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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1&2 Remastered Revealed During Summer Gamefest

The Geoff Keighley produced ‘Summer GameFest’ has begun and the first announcement of this 4 month celebration that replaces E3 2020 with digital events all through the summer, was the news that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2 Remastered was being released for current gen consoles on September 4th:

Get ready to shred again. The original birdman, Tony Hawk, and Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, have come together to bring back Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2, radically remastered for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and in stunning 4K resolution on Xbox One X with updated and enhanced graphics, running at a frame rate crisper than a perfect 50-50 grind: 60 fps.

Dropping on September 4, 2020, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 brings back the original levels, skaters, tricks, modes, and songs from the iconic soundtrack, plus new ways to play including online multiplayer.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 features the full original roster of pro skaters, including Steve Caballero, Geoff Rowley, Bucky Lasek, Elissa Steamer, Kareem Campbell, Andrew Reynolds, Bob Burnquist, Eric Koston, Rodney Mullen, Jamie Thomas, Rune Glifberg, Chad Muska…and of course, Tony Hawk.

The remaster will feature all of the original levels from the first two games in the franchise, from the Warehouse to The Bullring, as well as songs from the original games to amp you up while you go for that Sick Score. The levels can be played solo with goals old and new, with a buddy on local co-op, or online with original multiplayer game modes.

The game that influenced a generation is returning to Xbox One, PS4, and PC in glorious 4K on September 4th 2020.

PlayStation ‘State of Play’ Announced for Thursday 14th May, Will Focus on Ghost of Tsushima

Sean McCarthy
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PlayStation ‘State of Play’ Announced for Thursday 14th May, Will Focus on Ghost of Tsushima

Sony PlayStation dropped the news that a special ‘Extended’ State of Play episode would release this week on Thursday 14th May 2020. 

The post on the Official PlayStation Europe Blog explained what to expect from this special State of Play Episode:

The episode will be focused entirely on Ghost of Tsushima, coming to PS4 17th July. You’ll get an extended look at new gameplay footage, including exploration, combat and more. The current cut is clocking in around 18 minutes, give or take.

And just to be clear — there won’t be any PS5 news or updates in this episode, just a big, beautiful look at Sucker Punch’s PS4 open-world epic

Ghost of Tsushima has been on my radar since its reveal last year but what is very striking about this State of Play special is sadly not the game it is showcasing but in the official statement from the PlayStation Blog, it makes sure to let fans know not to expect any news or updates regarding the PS5 console, a week after Microsoft and Xbox were showcasing, in very minimal fashion to be fair, and announcing third party games that will come to Xbox Series X in the next year.

Sony PlayStation are being extremely reserved about all things PS5 even now with only the new Dual Sense controller and some console specs having officially been revealed but as we approach July which could be the real launch pad for the next console generation with pre-orders, release date and most importantly pricing being finally revealed. We already know that Xbox will be holding a special Microsoft Studios edition of Inside Xbox to showcase their line up of games for Xbox Series X that I would be surprised if they do not deliver the final information fans are waiting for.

Time to see if Sony PlayStation is finally ready to unveil all thing PS5 this summer!

HAMILTON Streaming exclusively on Disney+ from July 3rd 2020

Andrew Edney
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HAMILTON Streaming exclusively on Disney+ from July 3rd 2020

The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail are pleased to announce that Disney+ will fast track the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production of Hamilton, bringing the 11-time-Tony Award, GRAMMY Award, Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical to homes around the world on July 3, 2020.

Producers for Hamilton, the film of the original Broadway production, include Miranda, Seller, and Kail, who also directs.

The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theatre, film, and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton.

“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of ‘Hamilton’—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way. In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind ‘Hamilton’ to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”

“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, Hamilton features Tony Award® winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. As part of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment, Disney+ is available on most internet-connected devices and offers commercial-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, the service is also the exclusive streaming home for the latest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+. Visit DisneyPlus.com to subscribe and/or learn more about the service.

Review: Clckr Grip and Stand Case for iPhone

Andrew Edney
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Review: Clckr Grip and Stand Case for iPhone

Here is our review of the Clckr Grip and Stand Case for iPhone.

Use your phone better with this multi-functional stand & grip fabric case. It prevents dropping your phone and tired fingers. Thin, stylish and protective. Take the perfect selfie, Facetime all night or binge-watch your favorite series. The possibilities are endless.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the case.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

It’s always a good idea to protect your phone with a case, so why not include a case that has a built in stand? This is where the Clckr Grip and Stand case comes into play.

Fitting your phone into the stand is simple and requires very little effort. The phone fits perfectly into the case and feels secure. The case is drop tested to 2 metres (6.6 feet) – I decided not to test that though!

To use the grip element, you just pull the strap out and place your hand through the strap. It feels very secure and comfortable you use.

If you want to use the case as a stand you just pull the strap out and then fold the strap into place until you hear the click. Then you can use the case in either landscape or portrait, whichever you need.

When you have finished you just click the strap into place and that’s it.

You can still use wireless charging with the case too so you don’t need to remove your phone from the case each time.

The Clckr Grip and Stand for iPhone is available now priced around £29.99 and is available in different sizes and styles and is certainly worth checking out.

You can learn more from the Clckr website.

APEX Legends Season 5 Launches with Fortune’s Favour

Sean McCarthy
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APEX Legends Season 5 Launches with Fortune’s Favour

Today, Apex Legends Season 5 – Fortune’s Favor is set to launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Respawn has further expanded on the ever evolving lore of this critically acclaimed multiplayer action shooter and is ushering in even more content with Season 5 including the new Legend Loba, new Quests mode, major map changes, an all-new Battle Pass, and more.

This cunning new legend has a vendetta against the terrifying, seemingly immortal Revenant. This has given her a thirst for blood and the skills to avenge her family’s untimely death. After her parents’ murders, Loba grew up to become a famous high society socialite by day, and the Outlands’ most impressive and dangerous thief by night. Now she is looking for answers, loot and most of all, Revenant’s demise.
 
With Apex Legends Season 5 – Fortune’s Favor, Respawn is introducing a myriad of new content and changes including: 

  • New Legend: Her powerful teleportation skill allows Loba to get a jump on her foes, while her passive ability gives her a leg up when scoping out loot. Loba’s ultimate ability, the Black Market, will open up a one-stop-shop for her squadmates to collect the best loot in the area.
  • Quests – A brand new mode in Apex Legends, players looking for riches, glory and additional story can hunt for treasure and participate in a nine-week series of PvE quests in Season 5.
  • Map Changes: Loba’s entrance to King’s Canyon to hunt down and destroy Revenant has had a ripple effect on the arena, shaking up beloved drop-in locations including Skull Town, and changing how competitors may choose to navigate their next strike or defensive hold.
  • Battle Pass – An all new battle pass boasting over 100 exclusive items including skins, Battle Pass content and Apex Packs.
  • Ranked Leagues Series 4: Ranked Leagues Series 4 is introducing “reconnect.” If players get disconnected due to internet weather, a quick brownout, or a crash in the game they can now restart and reload back into the session. 

To stay in the know about all things Apex Legends, follow on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or visit www.playapex.com for the latest updates.

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