Content Blast Vol 1
When I don't got enough for a single article
So, I have been doing things and taking notes on them, but the thing is, I have stuff that I felt was not enough to dedicate to a whole post to the desk, so with that in mind and more to clear the deck for when I have something I can post at length. I am starting a new thing here. This will cover a lot of the stuff I usually do on here, just smaller in length, so we’ll divide it up between games, comics, figures and all that.
With all that out of the way, welcome to content blast
Gaming:
Jedi: Survivor:
I got this game over the Christmas sale, and I would of played this sooner if they did not do the whole half the game on the disc bullshit. So I waited until it fell well under my threshold of digitally acceptable and got it for under 20 bucks. If you played the first game, this one is going to follow that same gameplay with a few twists.
You have multiple stances now (though honestly,, most of the time I wound up using dual-wield more cause it was highly effective). The customization is more all over the map than the first game, as you can make Cal into any style you want, provided you find the stuff to do so. And the way the game is laid out is very uncharted style and not in a bad way.
A newer feature is the fact that you have buddies to tag along with, which is cool at first. It becomes kind of pointless unless the abilities are required to pass a point. Another point that improved from the first game is that Cal does not feel underpowered. Where he was made up to be a major bad ass only to just be rendered a punching bag by others until plot points. He feels like a Jedi should.
As for the plot, it does take a darker turn, but the major plot twist can be called MILES away. hell, I saw it coming up from my drive from Texas. It is, however, in the stakes and reasoning that I got hooked, as the actors and plot itself are not awful. It did keep me engaged and motivated. The gameplay also has a Metroid-like layering to it, where you find more things as you grow your skills and weapons. It’s a shame this game kind of got lost in all the stupidity of its launch and how it was released. The game is a solid and, in many ways, stronger game than the one that came before. If it is a reasonable price, do get it, as long as it’s under 20 bucks and digital.
Star Overdrive
When this game came was announced, I was rather impressed with the trailer. Who knew we could get Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild into one game?
The answer is in fact Star Overdrive, there is a demo available right now on the eshop to give you an idea of what you are getting into. The game also continues to blend things as it does give something in the visual department of No Man’s Sky, or if you prefer sci-fi Zelda. Combat is momentum based and traversal is fun and the music does sort of immerse you in the ride as you hover around and break neck speed doing tricks.
Combat, while fun, is where the game shows some of its flaws. The combat felt very ham-fisted, and surprisingly, there was no auto-lock-on for when you face your enemy. Making, dealing with even simple encounters a bit frustrating. While I did feel that as you unlocked what was allowed, it gave you power, it becomes clear as you progress more was put into the skating side of things. There are also puzzles and objects, as well as a boss fight that reminded me of Dune in all the right ways and was fun to play out.
There are also what I will refer to as shrines, ala Breath of the Wild, that in this portion unlock skills to progress in the game. They also have some light puzzle elements and felt very world building and immersive. Speaking of the world of the game, it does hook you and while the plot is kind of basic (guy gets distress call from friend/girlfriend takes her board and begins adventure). It is, in its way, charming how it uses older things like cassettes and other synthy tropes.
When I first saw the game and was intrigued, the demo left me less curious and more confused. I felt no urge to push forward with it after the demo ended. I’ll wait for reviews on this one, but this is a very wary wait and see when it comes out.
Comics:
I generally don’t go and recommend comic books after a few issues I tend to wait for an arc before I finally give a yay or nay to people. I mean, I’ll go “this issue is good, not sure its worth it yet.” Well since I don’t have a lot I’m going to break that rule, these are more books you should check out but I cautiously recommend them but are ongoing…
Ultimate Wolverine:
Ultimate Wolverine is a part of the newly revamped Ultimate line of Marvel. The twist with this, however, is that Logan is now this world’s version of The Winter Soldier. If you read or have a passing knowledge of the current Ultimate X-Men book being published, it is probably as tonally different from this as you can get. While they are mutants, it very much takes on a more supernatural vibe, and the art style is drastically different from what an American comic would look like. For the record, do not take this as a slam on the book. Ultimate X-Men is worth your time. But, it is a very acquired taste and not for everyone.
For those who are more familiar with the classic X-Men stories of black ops and experiments on Mutants Ultimate Wolverine is probably more what you will expect. It is, as of this writing, two three issues into its first arc and very much slow-burning its way through, but that is honestly what excites me about the book. Most stories and media these days get right to the point; this book slowly sets a mood and tone. Paired with the art and atmosphere creates a captivating world that sucks you in. While the story is slowly laid out, even if, as of right now, it is becoming obvious. I look forward to the newest issue to see what is next and try to get early for what could be a very interesting book.
Fantastic Four #29
While I am reading the current “One World Under Doom” story (and it’s so far been interesting). A single issue of this current run by Ryan North stood out to me for the story being told. While, yes, it is about Doom and what he is doing, the subtext to the issue was very intriguing and left me a little bushwhacked. It does give off the vibes of what we are dealing with in the world. the addition of She-Hulk into the issue was a great way of friends united by common things.
Looking at the cover, you expect an action-packed smash fest. In reality, it turns into a group of people talking over food and walking around just speaking to one another about the world around them, what they are doing, or what can they do to improve it or make it better. There are some ties to the vampire event in the summer that also add to the subtext of the story. The last page hit me harder than I expected. Mr. North has crafted one hell of a single issue that you don’t need to know much about what it is tying into but get everything they are talking about. Even if you are not invested in the mini its promoting, I highly recommend this single issue of the Fantastic Four for its down to earth (even if it has vampires, gamma powered people and other things) take on things. It is a compelling story that will hook you and can leave you with an impact you do not expect.
Figure it out Mini Pack:
I have also been keeping up with new releases, recently I was able to acquire the first two of a set of six in the Studio Series line of Transformers. This year a combiner is coming out, instead of a gift set though, we are getting it in waves through the year. I’m not sure if this is better or worse, but here we are with this…
So the first two to arrive are a mix of sizes. on the deluxe range, we have Bonecrusher, and on the Voyager (medium) range, we have Scrapper. They form an arm and a leg, respectively. having them both in hand now, I can say they are good for what they are.
Part of the issue a lot of people will have is that the figures are kind of meh when it comes to individual figures. The previous All Hands on deck release was the Combiner Wars era set where every figure was mid-size, and the dude is MASSIVE! This one won’t be reaching for that height and size, but it probably could be more poseable than that one due to the sheer size of it, rendering it into poses of “look scary” to “kaiju walk done by superglued construction vehicles.”
I do have the Combiner Wars one. Perhaps when all of the set is out, I’ll do a review and comparison set. For one reason, I don’t think it’s fair to judge these figures individually but as a group AND as a giant robot of death. Secondly, playing my cards right, I can spam out about 6 or 7 articles for a week of content. Look, at least I’m honest about it. These are, however, quick thoughts on both being out now:
Scrapper:
Easily the best of the two, I like his range of movement, and he does look cool with the Devastator guns split into two. He looks solid and I feel could be displayed in any mode and look pretty good.
Bonecrusher:
Okay this one is a bit derpy, but its also interesting how the front of the bulldozer does a lot of the heavy lifting in robot mode. If you don’t set it up right, it looks dumb but do it right and honestly its not a bad looking figure. He also has a nice range of movement with well placed ankle tilts.
So that’s all I got for those two for now, here is a picture of the two of them together.
Thanks for checking this out. More content soon, I promise.
-The chaos director