This year has brought all sorts of great design and excellent experiences through a multitude of titles. From fighting off beasts to fulfilling the childhood dream of creating levels, gaming has seen some truly awesome innovations. Reflection is an important part of advancement. Therefore, I’ve collected my favorite games released this year.
Note, the games in this list are ones that I’ve personally played and are in no particular order. I also try to include games that brought something different to the overall library of content available.
Super Mario Maker
Creating levels in a classic NES setting is something I’ve always wanted to do, but always lacked the tools, knowledge and gumption to fully realize it. Luckily, Nintendo reworked its development engine into a game with Mario Maker. The result is the most absurd game on the console, oozing with possibility and merit. Years from now, we will surely see game-design courses using this software to teach concepts. It’s sure to be a game I come back to regularly, just to see what’s been made.
The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is a Skyrim mod, proving that amazing gaming experiences can come from anywhere. During my playthrough of this narrative-driven mod, I spent 6-8 hours straight, completely immersed. Few games have put me in that state of pure concentration. The puzzles are intriguing, the characters are endearing and the whole experience feels amazing. It’s astounding that such excellence is used to create a free product. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the developers of this one for future projects.
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There has been but one game to sit for months in my 3DS and that’s the newest Monster Hunter. I wasn’t sure about portable hunting, but with the innovations adding layers of depth to an already solid combat system, I’m hooked. It’s also a game that’s a blast to play with friends over the internet or across the room. Capcom has also been abnormally considerate with its additional content, releasing tons of challenges and rewards for free. Monster Hunter Ultimate 4 is a must on the 3DS.
Sure, the first trailer didn’t blow me away, but Bethesda’s presentation at E3 left me drained from excitement overload. It quickly became a game of pure experience, setting out with nothing but Vault 111 stitched on my clothes and a need to explore. Sure it doesn’t have the most gripping writing and action seems to be the cure-all solution to problems in Boston, but Fallout 4 consumed me and my peers in a way few games do. Scrounging for duct tape has never been so immersive.
Bloodborne, from a design perspective, has a lot in common with games like Castlevania and Megaman on the NES. Everything in this game was created with purpose. Enemies attack in particular ways, telegraphing their intentions. Weapons function in unique ways. Exploration and mastery of the combat system is required to succeed, even in early levels. Each area has its own feel. The narrative is told in hints through descriptions and subtle visuals. There is nothing like it. I’ve only scratched the surface of Bloodborne, just recently defeating Vicar Amelia, but it has impressed me since my hunter rose from that hospital bed. Just like the Eternal Night, Bloodborne will perpetually be a milestone in game design.
Each of these fantastic games offer something that stands out in a marketplace flooded with content. Of course, there are some amazing games I haven’t gotten the chance to play yet, like Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt or Undertale, but that’s why I love this medium so much. It’s an art that continues to evolve, both in technology and execution.
Who knows what journeys gaming will take us on next.
The new year is upon us, and for moviegoers, there’s a lot to look forward to. Admittedly, it looks like a mixed bag right now, but that hasn’t stopped the anticipation and excitement.
So, without further ado, here are the ten films I think everyone should check out.
1. Jupiter Ascending Release Date: February 6
The Wachowskis’ latest film was originally slated to be released last July, but was delayed until spring 2015. In what might be the most anime-like film the Wachowski siblings (no longer brothers since one of them had a sex change operation) have made, other than their big screen adaptation of Speed Racer. A young woman (Mila Kunis) learns she is the heir to the throne of an intergalactic empire and has been targeted by the current ruler for assassination. It looks to be a good, old-fashioned space opera with mesmerizing visuals. Also stars Channing Tatum and Sean Bean.
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron Release Date: May 1
This is only one of Disney’s bevy of highly anticipated films, and it is easily Marvel’s biggest film release of the year (the Fantastic Four reboot looks like a flop). Everyone’s favorite superheroes reunite to battle a nefarious robot (voiced fantastically by James Spader) who, to no surprise, is hellbent on taking over the world. In other words, he’s Skynet and the T-850 combined (ironic given another film on this list). Joss Whedon is back in the writer/director’s chair to helm this sequel to one of the highest grossing films of all time. Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson—reuniting after starring together in 2014’s Godzilla—join the star-studded cast as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, respectively. If that last name sounds familiar, it should because the character was also in X-Men: Days of Future Past played by a different actor. Dueling Quicksilvers, anyone?
3. Tomorrowland Release Date: May 22
Disney seems to be hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again by making a film based on a theme park attraction, like it did with Pirates of the Caribbean. A curious teen girl (Britt Robertson) and a former boy genius inventor seek a world that exists somewhere in time and space in their collective memories. Directed by the imaginative Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), the film co-stars George Clooney and Hugh Laurie and looks to be jumping on the YA trend, except this film isn’t based on a book. With an intriguing yet mysterious trailer, it has a lot going for it amidst all the big franchises.
4. Jurassic World Release Date: June 12
After over a decade of being stuck in development Hell, the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise will be unearthed this summer. Sadly, it seems to be fresh and old-hat at the same time. After finally establishing a dinosaur theme park, a new attraction is created to boost declining attendance, but it goes awry. It’s interesting that an operational park was finally opened, but beyond that it seems like a rehash of the original film. Hopefully Chris Pratt, a rising star thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy, can inject some life into the movie. Steven Spielberg, director of the first two films, returns once again as executive producer.
5. Inside Out & The Good Dinosaur Release Dates: June 19 & Nov. 25
After taking a year off, the ever-amazing Pixar will return with two releases this year. The first will be Inside Out, which looks to be its most imaginative and ambitious film in years. The characters are all personifications of the emotions within a little girl. The trailer was charming and delightful. It has the potential to rank as one of Pixar’s best films.
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6. Terminator Genisys Release Date: July 1
A more apt title might be Terminator 5: Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey (the Whovians reading this are laughing in agreement). Kyle Reese is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor, the mother of the man leading humanity’s war against tyrannical machines, but instead he ends up in an alternate timeline. With all the time-travel shenanigans going on, this film seems intended to be the J.J. Abrams Star Trek/Days of Future Past for its respective franchise: a sequel reboot. While Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as a now aged T-850—somehow—it has the potential to anger fans by erasing James Cameron’s original films. And what’s with the misspelled title? That hasn’t been cool since the ‘90s, and even then it was kind of silly. This series should’ve stopped after Terminator 2.
7. Minions Release Date: July 10
You had to know this was coming. Those lovable little yellow dudes stole every scene in the Despicable Me movies, so it’s no surprise they’d have their origin story told. In this, they’re recruited by the fantastically named supervillain Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock) to help her take over the world. Michael Keaton co-stars. Hopefully, it won’t be a retread of the Minion antics from the other films.
8. Ant-Man Release Date: July 17
This is definitely the dark horse on this list. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s based on a lesser-known character from Marvel Comics’ pantheon. In this film, a con man (Paul Rudd) discovers a suit that allows him to shrink and must now use it to help his mentor, the scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) save the world. It’s suffered a troubled production—most notably the departure of director Edgar Wright over creative differences—but has somehow been able to stay on track. It will feature Marvel Cinematic Universe regulars like Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and John Slattery as Howard Stark. I anticipate this will at least be a sleeper hit and, hopefully, a better follow-up to an Avengers epic than Iron Man 3. Oh how cute, an ant-sized teaser.
9. Mockingjay, Part 2 Release Date: Nov. 20
No official poster for Mockinjay Part 2, yet.
As per YA movie tradition, the final book of the series gets made into two films. The final film based on Suzanne Collins’ science fiction trilogy will see Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) lead District 13’s final battles against the Capital while trying to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) from insanity. If Part 2 follows the book as closely as Part 1, those who complained the latter was light on action will be happy to see several climactic battles. I knew as I read it that it would make for an exciting movie. Plus, the ending is a shocker, to say the least.
10. Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens Release Date: December 18
I’m not sure if this or Age of Ultron will be the biggest film of 2015. J.J. Abrams, having directed for both Star Trek and this franchise, can now compete with Joss Whedon as the “king of cool.” Little is known about the plot because, as usual, Abrams’ productions have secrecy that rivals the C.I.A. (perhaps they could learn a thing or two from him). What is known for sure is that it takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi and several of the original actors—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, among others—are reprising their iconic roles. However, the story seems to be focused on a new set of heroes, so this will most likely be a passing of the torch. The 90-second teaser trailer, which showed little or nothing other than it draws more inspiration from the originals and not the prequels, has already sparked much talk in fandom because of its familiar imagery and the broadsword-style lightsaber. Now, if only longtime fans could forgive Disney for retconning most of the Expanded Universe out of continuity. Regardless, expectations will only grow as the release approaches. Hopefully, it will be a great Christmas present for moviegoers.
Are you looking forward to these films? What other 2015 films are you excited about?
The Free-To-Play trend in gaming is an interesting paradigm. These games usually have a business model involving smaller but more frequent transactions, with the purchase of items or other game content. Most gamers fear Free-to-Play will turn into three dreaded words: Pay-To-Win. Unfortunately, several games fit into this taboo, causing many gamers to drop these games at the slightest mention. However, it seems with every month another Free-To-Play game appears. It’s strange to see big name companies attempting this model, but a few have become industry giants with the right implementation. Stepping up to the batting plate is one of those giants, Bethesda Softworks.
Bethesda is most known for the Elder Scrolls series of PC centered games. Most recently, Elder Scrolls Online has entered the MMO world, a no-brainer for the fantasy series. Together with the newly developed BattleCry Studios, Bethesda seeks to create a Free-To-Play game like no other called BATTLECRY. How exactly they will do that has yet to be detailed, but given the company’s track record there can be great things in the works.
Image from BattleCry Studio’s Website
Beginning the ripple effect with an awesome trailer, BATTLECRY immediately puts one in the mind of Team Fortress 2. The characters each have their own distinct look: the Brawler sports a massive metal fist, while the Duelist wields two slender blades and a sweet hat. The amount of care put into these characters is obvious and the setting shows the same care. In a nut shell, nations have deemed gunpowder too barbaric and instead build teams to kill each other with big swords and arrows to determine political debates. What results is a bloodbath on a smaller scale, with less innocents being killed in the process. People have started building extreme trust in this pill. levitra from canada http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482456493_add_file_4.pdf Let us study in detail viagra online prices about it. Decrease interest in making love is the most common sexual disorders which create problems in a relationship is Impotence and Erectile Dysfunction. http://www.icks.org/html/03_conference.php?seq=25 sildenafil rx After all, life is all about discovering things and sensations you haven’t seen and felt yet. cialis generic cipla Image from BattleCry Studio’s Website
At the end of the trailer, it’s revealed that the game will be in its beta phase in 2015. Whether this will be an open or closed beta is still in the air. I do recommend signing up for their newsletter, as this may put one ahead for access to the beta. Personally, I can’t wait. BATTLECRY looks like a page straight out of Full Metal Alchemist and I couldn’t be more excited.
Get your PCs ready to enter the WarZone sometime in 2015.
