Flying Wild Hog and Devolver Digital have announced that the first-person shooter Shadow Warrior 2 is now available digitally on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. For a limited time, eager ninjas can get Shadow Warrior 2 for a discounted price of £29.99 along with a free download of the original Shadow Warrior for Xbox One or PlayStation 4!
Shadow Warrior 2 makes its move to consoles after a successful debut on PC late last year, taking the trademark Shadow Warrior melee combat and outlandish style to the next level. A stunning evolution of Flying Wild Hog’s reboot, Shadow Warrior 2 ratchets up the action with online cooperative campaign mode, scores of unique weapon combinations, and a stunning mix of hand designed and procedurally generated worlds. Players assume the role of smart mouthed corporate shogun Lo Wang to wield a devastating combination of guns, blades, magic and wit to strike down the demonic legions overwhelming the world he inadvertently corrupted.
“Flying Wild Hog is excited and relieved to finally bring our biggest and best project to the PlayStation and Xbox communities,” said Michal Szustak, Studio Director at developer Flying Wild Hog. “Shadow Warrior 2 is a huge accomplishment for our little team and a new benchmark for the series so we hope that both our fans and new comers enjoy Lo Wang’s latest misadventures.”
Many can remember the crossover game ‘Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe’, the first time both universes would meet in a fighting game. It was not the best of successes but from this title came something very special indeed; a partnership between DC Comics and NetherRealm Studios. Following the reboot to the Mortal Kombat series with MK9, attentions focused back on the DC universe but this time giving it a full on standalone fighting game that took inspiration from MK9. Injustice: Gods Among Us had an incredible cinematic story campaign, great online action and a roster full of DC brightest heroes and deadliest villains to play as. Now the sequel Injustice 2 looks to take everything learned from the first game and dial the volume right up to 11.
Injustice 2 is exactly what a fighting game should be, following on from the excellent Mortal Kombat X, it has both a highly enjoyable cinematic story campaign, plenty of solo player game content and a challenging and rewarding online. After being fully disappointed with how Street Fighter V was released last year, having a fighting game that has enough reach to appeal to all kinds of players is immediately satisfying. Just starting up the game to see Batman standing in front of his Brother Eye computer system gave me chills. The first Injustice game really delved into the DC universe with enough depth to give super DC fans like myself plenty of little touches to show that a lot of thought and love had gone into so much of what made Injustice so fun to play, and happy to say this sequel follows up by giving even more depth into the DC Universe with a new roster that has many of the original line up but now features such variety with new characters and surprises added this time for fans.
Starting with the story mode and I found it intriguing that for Injustice 2, we pick up the action from the viewpoint of the alternate Earth where Superman, after being tricked by Joker into killing Lois Lane and his unborn child, Superman goes full on dictator and creates the Regime to dominant the Earth, stopping crime before it happened and acting as judge, jury and even executioner of anyone that steps in his way. With help from our Earth’s Justice League, Regime Superman was stopped, captured and left in a Red Sun Prison Cell which nullifies Superman’s powers.
The story deals with the aftermath as Bruce Wayne tries to rebuild his earth and restore some peace and sanity to the world, working with his allies including and most surprisingly, Harley Quinn. The campaign follows the same style as the first with cut-scenes telling the story and the player taking control of a character when a fight is triggered. Visually this game is a huge advancement over the original with character models and animation that definitely feel current gen. I particularly like how character costumes now have a more grounded look instead of the heavily armoured tone that they had in the original Injustice game. The story introduces the new characters on the roster really well especially Supergirl, as we are shown the moments leading into Krypton’s demise and how both her and Kal-El were sent off in ships heading for Earth when the destruction of Krypton caused Kara’s ship to go off course, arriving on Earth much later than planned with Kal-El now a full adult and having become Superman.
The story is really enjoyable with terrific cuts-scenes that tell the story all enhanced by recogniseable voice actors returning to bring their characters to life. I was also happy to see that some characters have been recast so now their voices suit the character far more than the original Injustice such as Flash and Green Lantern. The story could easily have been a great animated movie, it really is that good. I also really loved how the game now partners some characters together and gives the player the choice of which one to control in a fight. As a result it gives extra replayability to go back and tackle that same fight but using the other fighter instead, something that adds a clever twist in the final stages of the story campaign. It is satisfying story that delivers on the “what happened” next to the characters we met in the first game on this Alternate Earth and by focusing the story fully on them, there is no distraction by having two versions of one character where it was obvious which was good and which was bad. Instead now we have a story where we see each of the original characters dealing with their choices and guilt and it introduces new characters well with Batman recruiting new heroes to help him rebuild and new villains entering the mix because of the opportunity and vacuum created by Superman’s defeat. Having Braniac serve as the big bad of the game has the gravitas is should have, providing a genuine threat for every character that none of them can ignore.
The single player content continues with the newest feature to Injustice which replaces the original ‘Battles’ with the Multiverse. The original game featured an alternative Earth and that has led to this feature, fully explained by a great little introduction video that tells us how Batman used his Brother Eye system to investigate and detect other possible Earth’s leading to the discover of the Multiverse, an infinite number of Earth’s with an infinite number of alternative versions of Injustice characters. This mode is pretty much the DC version of the Mortal Kombat living towers, with timed events happening on Earths for players to tackle to earn rewards such as in-game credits and new pieces of gear. There is always something to do in the Multiverse and it will offer new challenges as players work on their characters of choice. Some will require a particular character level to tackle that event and some events will have special modifiers that can either aid or hinder a player such as maybe every fight having low gravity or giving the opponent a special power such as every hit inflicting poison damage on the player. Being the Multiverse, players will come across many different versions of the characters both visually and in power levels, which serves as a tremendous showcase for how the other new feature in the game, the Gear System, can change how a character fights but will come to the Gear System in just a moment.
The Multiverse also features the arcade mode for the game, where each character will have their own “story ending” by completing the modes in the Battle Simulator. The Battle simulator is a twist on the ladder system from Mortal Kombat, where the player can select a different ladder requiring the player to defeat a set number of fights in order to reach Brainiac. Defeating him will give provide a short story ending cinematic for the character who defeated Brainiac. I am really impressed with just how much solo player content Injustice 2 has and is something NetherRealm Studios has gotten right both in Injustice and in Mortal Kombat X. Not everyone wants to battle online competitively and Injustice 2 embraces that choice with the Multiverse meaning every day and almost every hour or so, there will be something new for players to do with each of the characters on the roster.
The best new feature for Injustice 2 has to be the Gear System, something that not only allows players to customise each of the characters on the roster from a cosmetic point but also in how the gear can enhance a character to improve them for taking on the Multiverse. Each character is made up of a head piece, torso piece, arm piece and leg piece of armour and players can create different loadouts for each character, applying gear pieces which can boost attribute such as health, damage and skill levels. Different tiers of gear will give greater improvements and some can even give characters brand new moves such as The Flash gaining a projectile move or Black Adam gaining a new Magic based attack. The best thing about this new loot system is that the game will quite literally reward the player with loot for everything they do in the game. I completed the story campaign fully and discovered I had earned almost 50 Mother Boxes, which when decoded via Brother Eye will give anything from 2-3 pieces of gear in the bronze tier Mother Box to 5-6 in the Diamond tier Mother Box. Bronze, Silver and Gold Mother boxes can be earned from playing events in the Multiverse and by levelling a character up but can also be purchased using in game credits. The fact you can earn credits, Mother Boxes and pieces of gear for all characters just by playing the game. Even Shaders, which change the colour scheme of a character, can be purchased which is really great when you come to the Premium Shaders, these will change a character to resemble a different character such as The Flash can become Reverse Flash and Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick via Premium Shaders. Supergirl can become Powergirl, Captain Cold can become Mr Freeze and Cheetah can become Vixen. Each Premium Shader will add new dialogue as well, and in loadouts, players can still apply new gear pieces to boost attributes but cosmetically the Premium Skin will override the visual look. The very fact you can earn enough Source Code credits to buy the Premium Shaders was a satisfying surprise. By compleing the main story campaign, I discovered I had already earned enough to buy a Premium skin so naturally picked up Reverse Flash. It may take some time to earn the 6000 Source Code credits needed to buy the Premium Shaders but that only makes it all the more rewarding once you have.
Online the options remain the same as the first game with Ranked matches and Player matches and I have found the servers to be stable and matchmaking very quick and fluid ahead of the game’s release in the UK today (19/5/17) following its release in the US last Tuesday. Gameplay wise the action actually feels more smoother than before, with a fluidity to putting combos together that with each character having accessibility to their move-sets from basic combos and special moves to devastating chained combos that do huge damage. Map transitions and environmental interactions return with even better looking animations but what I appreciated most was how returning original characters have been improved but keep their original moves so if you played The Flash or Batman for example in the first game, their same moves will be in Injustice 2, allowing a real pick up and play factor to this sequel. Improvements to Flash and Green Arrow have for me at least, really elevated them showing that NetherRealm heard and learned from player feedback. Supermoves are back and by golly they are visually impressive to see, adding that real wow factor to fights for each of the characters. For those wondering, the gear system does not apply for online battles, so whilst the cosmetic changes will show, any boosts to attributes do not feature when battling other players, which means all players will be on equal footing, leaving it to character choice and player skill alone.
Injustice 2 really is the evolution of everything NetherRealm has done in recent years with Mortal Kombat 9 and X as well as the first Injustice game. Improvements enhance what already was a superb fighting game but they have gone full on trying to deliver a complete fighting game experience whether you just want to have a solo experience or taking your favourite characters online to battle other players. The story campaign is certainly not throw away and is highly enjoyable, the new Multiverse adds so much content that you could spend hours in it and the Gear System is perhaps the greatest character customisation system in a fighting game I have come across. As a big DC Comic book fan and fighting games, Injustice 2 really does deliver the best experience I have had in both for a long time.
Players of all skill levels are catered for in this game, making sure that everyone can enjoy this experience which is the game’s greatest strength. It wants everyone to enjoy their time in the game from solo content to online content and a Gear System that allows players to create their own characters to the point where the Batman you have put a loadout for will be your Batman, with a slim chance of meeting another player’s Batman that will look the same. The variety of the roster is rich in DC comics and I am so glad that characters like Black Canary, Blue Beetle and Swamp Thing have been added because everyone knows the main Justice League characters but by adding more characters it will give players a better understanding of the DC universe.
Injustice 2 is certainly a game for DC Comic and fighting game fans and delivers so much at every level, this will certainly be my go to fighting game for quite some time.
Bungie has today debuted Destiny 2’s gameplay for the first time to a global, livestreamed audience in a hands-on event at Jet Center in Hawthorne, California.
Destiny 2 is the sequel to Destiny, it’s a first-person action game that takes the player on an epic journey to defend humanity from annihilation.
The live broadcast showcased a variety of the activities, opening on a dramatic campaign mission that sets up the premise of the game to answer how you recover when your home is destroyed and your powers are taken away. The broadcast went on to detail the game’s social and cooperative activities, including the all-new “Guided Games” feature while highlighting multiple brand-new destinations.
In September, Destiny 2 will be available on PlayStation 4 with additional, timed exclusive content, and Xbox One (PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription, respectively, required for significant features). Additionally, Destiny 2 will be available on PC at retail and as the first third-party game to be offered digitally via Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service.
Destiny 2’s story allows the player to enjoy a heroic, cinematic journey, either solo or with friends. A key announcement during the livestream was about a new feature called, “Guided Games,” that makes it easy for all players to experience the most challenging and rewarding activities the game has to offer. This new feature allows solo players to find and play with other players to enjoy Destiny 2 and earn new in-game rewards like weapons, and armour. Also available for attendees was “Countdown,” an all-new competitive multiplayer mode as well as a three-player cooperative activity on a new map called, “Inverted Spire.”
In the story of Destiny 2, the last safe city on Earth has fallen and lay in ruins, occupied by a powerful new enemy and his elite army, the Red Legion. Every player creates their own character called a “Guardian,” humanity’s chosen protectors. As a Guardian in Destiny 2, players must master new abilities and weapons to reunite the city’s forces, stand together and fight back to reclaim their home.
“Destiny established a blockbuster, new franchise and a massive global community of amazingly passionate fans. And today, we are giving people their first look at the gameplay of Destiny 2,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision. “Destiny 2 has a great story, an iconic new villain, awesome characters you want to go on an epic adventure with, and of course, tons of the amazing gameplay that Destiny is known for. We, along with our partners at Bungie, have listened carefully to our community, and have added thoughtful innovations that make the game, and all of its content, more accessible to more types of players than ever before.”
Bungie CEO, Pete Parsons, said, “This is a defining moment for our studio, and we couldn’t have done it without the continued support of our partners in Activision, Sony and now Blizzard.” He added, “We have an amazing community of players who have been with us on this journey, but with the sequel, the team are paying close attention to welcoming new and returning Guardians to the universe with something for every type of gamer, including gameplay for solo, cooperative and competitive players with new places to explore and adventures to conquer.”
“As Destiny fans, we were excited to learn that the sequel was coming to PC,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re pleased to support Destiny 2 as the first non-Blizzard game on our platform, and we look forward to joining fellow Guardians in their fight against the Red Legion.”
Green Man Gaming Publishing and Sunfire Software today are unveiling their newest creation, Stormworks: Build and Rescue a game where players design their own vehicles and pilot them across a rich and dramatic, procedurally generated, physics playground. Create a helicopter, boat or buggy with just the right balance of handling, buoyancy and stability to embark on daredevil missions and tackle treacherous oceans.
Entering Early Access later this year, Stormworks: Build and Rescue will challenge your mechanical and design skills to create the ultimate, programmable, block based rescue vehicle. Share your design online and tackle the dynamic and ever changing weather patterns of an unforgiving sea. That is if you have the skill and design prowess to even make it off the launch pad.
Dan Walters, lead developer at Sunfire Software has said ‘Stormworks: Search and Rescue is a game designed to challenge the creative side of your brain and build the ultimate rescue machine that will allow you to survive the stormiest of seas. We’ve allowed for a huge amount of depth in the vehicle creation and customisation editing suite with an intricate logic system in place. We want to make the act of launching your boat or helicopter a massive achievement in and of itself, before you even go head to head with some of the most dangerous oceans seen in video games’
Gary Rowe, EVP of Publishing at Green Man Gaming said ‘We want players to be able to invest a whole lot of hours into creating the perfect rescue vehicle, fit for the job but also allow anyone who wants to jump straight into the action do so, with some pre-built vehicles to get them going. We believe Stormworks: Build and Rescue is the perfect fit for Early Access and is a game that will continue to evolve and build upon itself in the coming months’
Game Description
BUILD, PLAN, RESCUE: Stormworks: Build and Rescue is the game where you design and pilot your own sea-rescue service, in a rich and dramatic physics playground. Take your custom-designed, block based, programmable vehicles into fierce oceanic storms. Plan and execute thrilling rescues in a variety of challenging crisis scenarios. Export and share your meticulously designed vehicles with others.
DESIGN YOUR VEHICLE: Design vehicles by placing blocks in a rich editing suite, customise them with paint, and program the behaviour using the powerful logic system. Choose from a wide array of components for designing helicopters, boats, and more.
NAVIGATE, STEER, PILOT: Take charge of your vehicles in a physics driven sandbox simulation – where your vehicles performance is a direct result of your design. Use dials and indicator components to display feedback on the vehicles logic system, whilst pushing your designs to the limit in fierce weather.
LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES: Embark on missions to operate your sea-rescue service. Design and deploy new vehicle designs to respond to the logistical and emergency scenarios across the open ocean, island facilities, rigs, and more.
DRAMATIC, SIMULATED WORLD: The day-night cycle, and dynamic weather system creates diverse environments, from calm still sunny mornings, to fierce stormy nights. Strong winds can turn the ocean simulation from gentle ripples to fierce heaving waves, all while the vehicles simulate a physically based displacement-buoyancy system.
Ubisoft and South Park Digital Studios announced that South Park: The Fractured But Whole will be available on 17th October. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and developed by Ubisoft San Francisco, and will release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.
With crime on the rise in South Park, the streets have never been more dangerous. As the sun sets on the quiet Colorado town, havoc and chaos unleash a reign of terror and the seedy underbelly of the city comes alive. The town needs new heroes to rise! Eric Cartman seizes the opportunity to save the town and create the best superhero franchise ever, his own Coon & Friends with himself as the leader, The Coon.
Every superhero has an origin, and Coon & Friends are no different. Continuing in their role as the New Kid, players will discover their backstory, assemble their unique costumes, and harness their fart-based powers from numerous hero classes to create their own original hero. An all-new combat system offers unique opportunities to master space and time while on the battlefield, and a revamped looting and crafting system gives players the freedom to craft their own equipment to aid them in battle.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole will be available in four editions: Standard, Gold, Steelbook Gold and Collector’s. Anyone who purchases South Park: The Fractured But Whole will receive South Park: The Stick of Truth for free. If you pre-purchase the game at select partners, you can start playing The Stick of Truth immediately.
All pre-orders will also receive an exclusive in-game assistant, Towelie: Your Gaming Bud. The streets of South Park aren’t as safe as they used to be, and even the most seasoned South Park veteran will need help. Towelie: Your Gaming Bud provides helpful and hilarious advice and commentary to players at key locations throughout the game.
Slightly Mad Studios and Bandai Namco today revealed a series of 6 live-action films that will showcase the “Built by Drivers” philosophy that underpins the development and authenticity of the Project CARS racing game franchise.
These 6 new films, to be released throughout the Spring and Summer of 2017, will reveal intimate behind-the-scenes looks at how world-renowned race and test-drivers develop the in-game handling and feel of the vehicles in Project CARS 2.
The first film, released today—‘Project CARS 2: BUILT BY DRIVERS – “As Close As It Gets” Featuring Chris Goodwin’—showcases the development of the new McLaren 720S. The film charts the painstaking process behind the supercar’s in-game development by McLaren’s chief test-driver – Chris Goodwin. Ultimately, it is only Goodwin who can sign-off on the in-game handling of the 720S, and that means technicians from around the world flying in for one final, crunch test-session: Will Goodwin sign-off on “his” car?
‘Project CARS 2: BUILT BY DRIVERS – “As Close As It Gets” Featuring Chris Goodwin’ was filmed in location in London and at McLaren’s Technology Centre by Outrun Films, specialists in automotive and action features, and the makers of “McLaren 720S Reveal”, and the brutal “Nürburgring & Bentley Racing”.
These 6 live-action films document the close relationship between the Project CARS franchise and racing stars such as Corvette Racing’s Tommy Milner, drifting legend Vaughn Gittin Jr, as well as with automakers such as Mercedes-Benz.
“Scanning cars down to the last bolt, and inserting their unique builds into our state-of-the-art physics model is just phase one in making our racing games,” said Stephen Viljoen, Game Director on Project CARS. “In the end, we can get the ‘numbers’ right, but the feel and balance of a car—that intangible thing that brings a car to life—can only be measured by drivers; drivers who have spent their careers around those very cars, pushing them to their limits. Our relationship with drivers isn’t about ‘brand ambassadors’, it’s about how we engineer cars to feel right. ‘Built by drivers’ is how we go about ensuring authenticity.”
Combining in-game footage, intimate looks at the star drivers, and the unique story-telling gifts of film-makers Donut Media and Outrun Films, these 6 films will be must-watch automotive content for the summer of 2017.
The game will be released in late 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released a brand new trailer showcasing the diverse and dynamic open-world of Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
In the new video it introduces viewers to the vast environments within Middle-earth, stretching beyond Mordor, and giving fans the first glimpse of various new environments to explore, including the Island of Nurn, Cirith Ungol, Gorgoroth and more. Through the innovative Nemesis System, every player experiences a unique world to explore and share and every area of the world is larger, more varied and more dynamic than ever before.
Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an open-world action RPG that continues the original narrative of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Players will be engrossed in a richer, more personal and expansive world full of epic heroes and villains, iconic locations, original enemy types, more personalities and a new cast of characters with untold stories.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War will be available for Xbox One, Project Scorpio, Windows 10 PC (Windows Store and Steam), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro beginning 25th August.
Codemasters and Koch Media today announced that F1 2017, the official videogame of the 2017 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, will include the return of classic F1 cars to the series, as well as an even deeper career mode, numerous multiplayer enhancements, and a brand new ‘Championships’ game mode. F1 2017 will release onto PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam) worldwide on 25th August.
To mark the announcement, Codemasters has released a trailer, showcasing three of the historic F1 cars that will feature in the game – the 1988 McLaren MP4/4 as driven by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, the 1992 Williams FW14B that was raced by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese and the 2002 Ferrari F2002 of Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.
“After an extremely successful year with the highly acclaimed F1 2016, we are delighted to be announcing F1 2017 and re-introducing classic F1 cars back to the series” said Paul Jeal, Game Director at Codemasters. “Classics were incredibly well received when we included them in F1 2013, and in F1 2017 they are back and better than ever. With so many great cars to choose from, it was hard to decide on the final twelve, but we are delighted with our selection of some of the most successful and iconic fan favourites from the past 30 years.”
“For the first time ever F1 2017 fully integrates the classic experience into the main career mode,” said Lee Mather, Creative Director at Codemasters. “As part of your career you will be invited to race in modern day, invitational events in the different classic F1 cars throughout the season. We’re also adding to the variety in F1 2017 with the inclusion of four alternative circuit layouts, as well as numerous new gameplay types. The classic cars will also be available to play in a range of other game modes, including online multiplayer modes and time trial.”
The 2017 season has seen a huge number of changes to the sport itself, with the stunning new car designs not only looking great, but having lap record breaking performance levels to match. The opening races of the season have further thrilled fans with the increased competition on the grid, as Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport’s Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel battle it out at the top of the Championship, and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen continuing to excite fans around the world.
Consumers who pre-order or purchase ‘Day One’ copies of F1 2017 will have exclusive access to the iconic 1988 McLaren MP4/4, as part of the ‘F1 2017 Special Edition.’ Alternatively, the McLaren MP4/4 car will be available to be purchased at a later date. The eleven other classic cars are available in all editions of the game.
Swing Swing Submarine’s puzzle-adventure game Seasons after Fall is available now on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, this hand-drawn adventure is ready to enchant a whole new audience on consoles.
In the game you dive into an enthralling world governed by nature and magic. Travel to the heart of a mystical forest as a wild Fox, manipulating the gorgeous environments around you by changing seasons at will. Further adding to the bewitching atmosphere, you are accompanied throughout your journey by the enchanting sounds of a live string quartet.
Winter freezes lakes and waterfalls, while Summer allows plants to grow and open up new paths. Fall brings mushrooms to bloom, and Spring raises water levels with rain. Dynamically switching between seasons offers a fresh, ever-changing aesthetic and unique ways to explore the forest – the power of nature is in your paws!
Each of the seasons drastically alter the environment: it is up to you to change the world and open new paths. The world of Seasons After Fall is overflowing with secrets – can you discover them all?
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment has today announced LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. Bringing together iconic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from different eras and realities, along with signature LEGO humour, the latest epic adventure from TT Games transports players into a cosmic battle across a myriad of Marvel locations ripped from time and space into the incredible open hub world of Chronopolis.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 will be available starting 17th November for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. The game will be released for Nintendo Switch this Christmas.
“With a completely original branching storyline, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 introduces amazing new gameplay features, including the ability for characters to manipulate time and a four-player competitive Super Hero battling mode,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “With a huge array of brand new characters from the Marvel universe, including old favourites in new guises, this game is sure to thrill both LEGO and Marvel fans, as well as newcomers to the series.”
“The LEGO Group is delighted to continue the stories of the legendary Marvel characters in a new LEGO adventure,” said Sean McEvoy, VP Digital Games, The LEGO Group. “Fans young and old will love playing through this all-new cosmic saga spanning the Marvel Universe as seen through the LEGO lens.”
“As we look to bring amazing games to Marvel fans of all ages, we’ve teamed up yet again with our incredible partners at LEGO, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games,” said Jay Ong, SVP, Games & Innovation, Marvel Entertainment. “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 brings characters from across Marvel’s history into an original story told in a way that only LEGO games can, offering hours of epic gameplay.”
“Delivering on our commitment to make unforgettable games, it was only a matter of time before we teamed back up with our incredible partners at LEGO, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games,” said Jay Ong, SVP, Games & Innovation, Marvel Entertainment. “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 brings characters from Marvel’s storied history into an original story that transports players into a one-of-a-kind LEGO world, offering hours of epic gameplay.”
Players will go head-to-head with the time-traveling Kang the Conqueror in an epic battle across Chronopolis, from Ancient Egypt and The Old West to Sakaar and New York City in 2099. Along the way, gamers will be able to take control of a host of iconic characters, from Cowboy Captain America from the past to Spider-Man 2099 from the future along with Thor, Hulk, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Green Goblin and dozens of other Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains.
Solo recently released some new backpacks, and here is our two minute review of the Rival backup.
Fully padded 17.3” laptop compartment
Internal iPad/ tablet pocket
Hardshell side zippered pockets protects most headphones
Built-in headphone port
Three full size compartments
Quick access pocket
Front zip-down organizer section
Padded shoulder straps with chest strap for added comfort
Cooling air mesh back padding
Reflective strip for increased visibility
Lightweight Polyester body
Body size: 19.25″ x 15.5″ x 7.5″
Laptop Pocket Size: 16″ x 11.75″ x 1.8″
Weight: 2.5 lbs
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The backpack looks and feels very sturdy and has a high quality look about it. There are plenty of pockets for your phone, chargers, cables, and anything else you might want to carry around with you. The side pockets are also padded giving you that extra level of protection which is great.
It can comfortably carry a laptop up to 17.3″ within a separately padded compartment in the bag.
There is also a little headphones port on the front so you can keep your music player or phone in the backpack but still listen to your tunes.
The backpack is very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time with the padded straps making it easy to adjust to fit you perfectly.
The bottom of the bag is water resistant so that helps when you are out in the rain or in situations where you might put the bag down somewhere wet! It’s surprising how many times you can put a bag down on a surface without realising it was wet!
Safety wise there is also a reflective strip on the front of the bag so if you are wearing it whilst cycling or walking in the dark you are more likely to be seen.
Whether you need a laptop back with additional space or you need a decent backpack with space for a laptop the Solo Active Backpack does it all. I know what I will be using!
The Solo Active Backpack is available now priced $79.99.
Based on the blockbuster video game series from Ubisoft, ASSASSIN’S CREED is a visionary new take on the action-adventure genre. In this worlds-spanning tale, one man finds himself at the center of an ancient battle between two powerful sects. Only by harnessing the memories of his ancestor, which are contained within his own DNA, can he end the conflict and claim his own redemption.
Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past, 12 Years a Slave) plays Cal Lynch, a convict facing capital punishment, when he gains an unexpected second chance at life thanks to the mysterious workings of Abstergo Industries. Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks the genetic memories contained in his DNA, Cal is sent back across the centuries to 15th Century Spain. There, he lives out the experiences of his distant relative, Aguilar de Nerha, a member of a secret society known as the Assassins who fight to protect free will from the power-hungry Knights Templar. Transformed by the past, Cal begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills necessary to topple the oppressive Templar organization in present day.
ASSASSIN’S CREED also stars Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises, La Vie en Rose), Academy Award® winner Jeremy Iron (Reversal of Fortune, Die Hard: With a Vengence), Brendan Gleeson (Far and Away, Braveheart) and Michael K. Williams (12 Years a Slave, The Wire). The film is directed by Australian director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth). In addition to his acting role in ASSASSIN’S CREED, Fassbender also served as a producer on the film.
ASSASSIN’S CREED marks an exciting reteaming for Fassbender, Cotillard and Kurzel who previously worked together on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which was nominated for the Palme D’Or, with Fassbender in the title role. Fassbender’s other credits include The Light Between Oceans,Hunger, and the upcoming Alien: Covenant.
Q: How rigorous was the training that you had to do for ASSASSIN’S CREED?
Fassbender: It was a huge part of it to get in shape and to understand the parkour elements of the game and to bring that to the screen. I did a crash course in parkour and then there was physical conditioning every day in the gym, five days a week and then working with the stunt team and working on fight choreography. It was very important for myself, the director Justin Kurzel and Ariane Labed who plays Maria, that we have the actors do as much of the fighting as possible. We probably did 95% of it in the film.
Q: What were your memories of the wagon chase scene?
Fassbender: In terms of working on the wagon sequence, I was lucky enough to get to do some riding. It’s always important in films like this for the audience to see the actor doing it because it helps to create the illusion and maintain it. Riding horses is something I enjoy doing. Luckily I’ve done it in a few movies now and slowly I’m getting a little bit better.
Q: How enjoyable was it to work on the scenes that have the historical background between the Templars and the Assassins?
Fassbender: I think that it’s fascinating to go back through a timeline, through a sort of genetic DeLorean, this Animus, using our DNA. I totally believe in the theory that through our DNA we have the memories and experiences of our ancestors and it’s passed down through the generations to protect us. It’s like a sixth sense or a gut feeling or instinct.
Q: Filming the Animus scenes looks like it would have been quite hard work. What was that experience like being pulled around on wires?
Fassbender: I’m not a great fan of the harness and wires, but it’s part of it and it looks cool, so it’s worth it.
Q: How do you make a film that resonates with the core fans of the game as well as other cinemagoers?
Fassbender: We definitely want fans of the game to embrace the film for sure. They’re such a passionate community. But it’s like that with any film. If I was playing a boxer, I’d hope that the boxing community would enjoy the film. It’s the same thing. Part of the challenge of writing the film was that we wanted to distill this universe down to simple things that people could latch onto. For audiences who walk into the cinema without bringing any previous knowledge with them, we really broke it down to the bare essentials and that was the Templars, the Assassins, their ideology and introducing this concept of genetic memory, the Animus and then we wanted to introduce the artifact. There are many artifacts in the world of Assassins, but the first one that we concentrated on was the Apple of Eden because people would recognize it from the Bible as people have a reference point there. We wanted to highlight the parkour elements as well.
Q: There are some impressive sets in the film. How did they help you as an actor?
Fassbender: I think that the action sequences in the film are second to none and it was very important to Justin and myself that we wanted to do this in an old school fashion. A lot of the films in this genre and in this day and age are very much saturated with CGI and special effects. We wanted to do this with real people and real locations so I think that the biggest treat for me was doing the fight sequences on the rooftops in Valletta, the old town in Malta. Hanging off buildings and jumping off the buildings was very exciting. It was very hot, but a lot of fun.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases Assassin’s Creed on Digital Download on April 28 and 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray , Blu-ray, and DVD on May 15.
Based on the blockbuster video game series from Ubisoft, ASSASSIN’S CREED is a visionary new take on the action-adventure genre. In this worlds-spanning tale, one man finds himself at the center of an ancient battle between two powerful sects. Only by harnessing the memories of his ancestor, which are contained within his own DNA, can he end the conflict and claim his own redemption.
ASSASSIN’S CREED stars Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past, 12 Years a Slave), Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises, La Vie en Rose), Academy Award® winner Jeremy Iron (Reversal of Fortune, Die Hard: With a Vengence), Brendan Gleeson (Far and Away, Braveheart) and Michael K. Williams (12 Years a Slave, The Wire). The film is directed by Australian director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth). In ASSASSIN’S CREED, Cotillard plays Sofia Rikkin, a scientist trying to find a cure for violence.
ASSASSIN’S CREED marks an exciting reteaming for Fassbender, Cotillard and Kurzel who previously worked together on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which was nominated for the Palme D’Or, with Cotillard playing the role of Lady Macbeth.
In 2008, Cotillard became the second French actress to ever win an Oscar®, and the first to win an acting award for a performance in the French language for her portrayal of the legendary French singer Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. Other credits include the successful French Taxi film series, written by Luc Besson, Yann Samuell’s Love Me If You Dare, and Tim Burton’s Big Fish.
Q: It must have been wonderful to have had the previous connection with Michael Fassbender and director Justin Kurzel from working on MACBETH. How did that help you on this film?
Cotillard: One of my best experiences as an actress was working on Macbeth, and so the idea to work with Justin and Michael again was something that was very exciting to me. It was the first time for me to team up with the same people again along with our Director of Photography, Adam Arkapaw, who is an absolute genius. You arrive on set with this confidence and trust that is really priceless. Macbeth was a very stressful project for me, as I felt a lot of pressure because it’s Shakespeare and I come from a theatre family. I respect the theatre family so much and especially the UK theatre family, and the fans of Shakespeare, if I can call them that. However, the joy of working on that project was so intense, that I knew that working on another project would have the same joy and intensity and that was the case. We had such an amazing time working on both of these very different projects.
Q: Can you talk about the complexity of the relationship between Sofia and her father?
Cotillard: Sofia and her father have a very complex relationship. What was interesting was that I was already working on the character and exploring Sofia, way before we started to shoot and before Jeremy Irons was on board to play my father. I called the director Justin Kurzel and I said, maybe I should work on a more specific British accent. We didn’t think I’d have to work on an accent, but then suddenly I thought that if I’m the daughter of Jeremy Irons, I should work on having the same accent. However, Justin thought that maybe we shouldn’t and that it would add to the mystery of this relationship. We might think that she wasn’t raised by her father, or maybe she does all of this because she’s in need of recognition from him. So it added things to my preparation with the construction of my character.
Q: How important was it to you to keep the fantastical elements of this story still grounded in some kind of reality?
Cotillard: I think that even the deepest, highest science fiction story is still about human beings, so it’s still connected to a kind of reality. The concept itself of genetic memory is fascinating, because it’s science fiction to go back to your ancestor’s life, but as well it’s absolutely and completely plausible that that would exist. In fact, I think that through certain therapies you can actually access your ancestors’ knowledge so we carry that within ourselves. So I think that the concept itself is grounded in a form of reality.
Q: The film works so well on its own, but there are a lot of fans of the ASSASSIN’S CREED game. What moments in the film do you think they will want to revisit when they watch it at home?
Cotillard: I think that the great idea that Justin had, which was a team idea, was to have a different kind of Animus than in the game. In the game, it was more of a bed or a chair where the one who enters the Animus was static, which was not so cinematic. So they thought about another idea which was for the body to be involved in the action of the ancestors and so they came up with this Animus arm which connects the ‘patient’ of the Animus to his ancestors. That’s a fascinating idea that was created for the movie. From what I’ve heard, Ubisoft would like to use the Animus version from the movie for their next game so it’s very, very exciting.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases Assassin’s Creed on Digital Download on April 28 and 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray , Blu-ray, and DVD on May 15.
To celebrate the release of Assassin’s Creed on DVD and Blu-ray, we have three copies on DVD to give away.
Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard star in this action-adventure film based on the critically acclaimed video game franchise. Through a technology that unlocks his memories, Callum (Fassbender) discovers he is a descendant of an ancient line of Assassins. Transformed by the past, Callum begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills needed to topple the Templar’s quest for world domination in the present day.
An all-star cast is led by Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender (Cal), Academy Awardwinner Marion Cotillard (Sofia), and Academy Awardwinner Jeremy Irons (Rikkon). Directed by Justin Kurzel, a Cannes’ Jury Prize winner, Assassin’s Creed transforms the popular Ubisoft video game into a must-have film for any avid gaming and action-film enthusiast.
How to enter to win
We have three copies of Assassin’s Creed on DVD to give away.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to enter below:
The closing date is 12.00am on Monday 29th May 2017. This contest is only open to those in the UK – sorry!
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases Assassin’s Creed on Digital Download on April 28 and 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray , Blu-ray, and DVD on May 15.
