Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition: PS4 Review

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Released by Square Enix

The open-world action gaming gets a high adrenaline shot of far Eastern sensibilities in Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition.

I have to admit to never playing the original back in 2012, but this latest looked incredible on the next gen consoles and promised an immersive experience that would be second to none.

Set in contemporary Hong Kong, you play Wei Shen, who's undercover in the Triad organisation and who's got a series of missions to carry out in order to progress through the game and into the underworld. The game starts with a high stakes action sequence and doesn't really let up from there, with gorgeous visuals helping the game to shine in the next gen world as the game delves deeper into the gangster world and the life of a Triad.

Power struggles, extremely solid story-telling and betrayal mix in with the action and non-stop visual thrills and spills - from hand to hand combat to speeding around the city a la Grand Theft Auto, there's more than enough deja vu here to make you feel that you've seen it all before.

And yet, there's also the fact that all of these elements have been collected together in a game that really rises to what's needed of it - along with all new weather effects, more pedestrians, there's plenty to bring the seedy world of Hong Kong to life. All the extra downloadable content's been bundled into this set, so there's enough to keep you gaming for a very long time.

Top notch vocal talent - from the likes of Tom Wilkinson to Emma Stone really help the game play to stand out and the narrative to grow and envelop you in its bosom as time goes on.

With more than enough DLC, a spit and polish worthy of the next gen console world, Sleeping Dogs is definitely worth owning if you love the genre - expect to lose as much time in this game as you've lost over the years patrolling the streets of any of the Grand Theft Auto games.

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Blended: Blu Ray Review

Blended: Blu Ray Review

Rating: PG
Released by Warner Home Video

Re-teaming after the success of The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, you'd think Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore could knock it out of the park as the third time rolls around.

Barrymore is uptight organiser and single mom of two boys Lauren and Sandler is sports shop worker and single dad of three girls Jim, a pair who meet on a blind date at reputable establishment Hooter's at his behest. Needless to say the date doesn't go well and the pair vow never to meet again.

However, in true romcom style, that's not what transpires and through a series of massive coincidences, the pair - and their respective siblings - end up on a holiday together in Africa.

Stuck together at a blended relationships hotel (a place where mixed families go to strengthen their bond), the pair's mutual dissatisfaction and initial frostiness begins to thaw....

Blended has a kernel of a good solid story idea within, but thanks to all involved, that nugget of an idea is wasted in the kind of unfunny sugar-coated slop that betrays all the talent. At its heart, the story of two single parents with mismatched siblings (she yearns for a girl to do girly things, he pushes his eldest into playing sport cos he wants a boy) and the innate sadness could have mined for a neat cross of tragedy and pathos, as both parents learn to let go.

Instead, what's served up in this mix, is a tonally mismatched piece that throws in broad "comedy" (a term used extremely lightly in this case) and a sentimental story; elements that could have worked in tandem a lot better had the effort been put in at a script level. With not enough laughs and not enough heart, it just doesn't gel.

Barrymore and Sandler have chemistry and sell the relationship well (even if Sandler goes from relatively downbeat sad-sack to usual shouting schtick) but it's not enough to pull Blended out of the mire. Scenes with the kids have a tenderness and heart (particularly on Sandler's part, whose Jim has a valid reason for the innate sadness) but it's not enough to spread the love during the 2 hour run time, thanks to a lack of jokes that are anything but predictable, strong set ups or pay-offs.

Terry Crews brings an OTT manic touch to the leader of an African style Greek chorus that interject for no reason whatsoever throughout the proceedings - and produce an earbleeding set of puns from "Love is a many Blended thing" to "My Blended love" as the whole thing creaks to a close.

The fact that even long time Sandler cameoist/ collaborator Rob Schneider doesn't even deign to appear should give you all you need to know about Blended - quite frankly, this bomb skimps on way too many of the elements to even guarantee you a modicum of a good time at the cinema. It's clear that the third time of teaming up just isn't the charm.

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The Trip To Italy: Blu Ray Review

The Trip To Italy: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Ent

The Trip was such a phenomenal success that it was inevitable there would be a second serving of Coogan and Brydon's improvisational schtick.

Whereas the first was set in the relatively glum surroundings of the North of England, this latest sees the pair transplanted to Italy after Rob is asked to do a series of reviews of restaurants - in comparison to Coogan being the the writer of the first outing.

So once again, the duo with all their foibles and insecurities are heading out, trying to one up each other amid whimsy and reflection.

The Trip was a great film, a culinary travelogue that got to the heart of what made Coogan and Brydon tick, in amongst improvisational segments that felt natural and part of the banter of this duo.

Unfortunately, while The Trip to Italy is still a good film, it loses some of that freshness this time around with the impersonations and general misbehaviour feeling forced and a little shoehorned in in places. When the duo start their Michael Caine impressions, there's a feeling of deja vu that can't be shaken this time around.

Alanis Morrisette is the background music to this outing, and forms the backbone of a series of running gags but there's no escaping the fact this feels like a recycling of what's gone before. Maybe this time around, with Coogan seeming more melancholy after the show he was on in America is placed on hiatus and with Brydon's star in the ascent, there's a manoeuvring of Rob losing his way while Steve finds his heart again.

The scenery stands out and the splendrous nature of their jaunts are lost upon them, giving you the feeling they're a pair of spoilt brats in many ways. But the whole feeling overall of The Trip To Italy is a trip too far; with the ending hinting that a third outing could be on the way as the duo appear to be at a crossroads, you'd have to hope all concerned stand back and re-evaluate what made the first time around such a clever touch; because this trip is in danger of losing its passage to its final destination.

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Just Cause 3 unveiled

Just Cause 3 unveiled

Square Enix and Avalanche Studios today unveiled JUST CAUSE 3, a vast open-world action adventure, and the latest instalment in the much-loved JUST CAUSE series. JUST CAUSE 3 will be available in 2015 for PlayStation 4® computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment ever since Just Cause 2 was released, said Christofer Sundberg, founder and Chief Creative Officer at Avalanche Studios. “This is the culmination of a decade’s worth of open-world evolution and innovation. In JUST CAUSE 3, we’ve sent Rico to a beautiful Mediterranean archipelago. He is of course bringing his Grapple and Parachute, both with game-changing upgrades, as well as the brand new Wingsuit. JUST CAUSE 3 truly represents the next generation of chaotic sandbox fun, and we can’t wait to show you more next year.”

Exclusive coverage and developer interviews can be found in Game Informer’s December issue. Additionally, visit GameInformer.com/JustCause3 & Game Informer AU's Facebook page throughout the month for on-going coverage.

Sunset Overdrive: XBox One Review

Sunset Overdrive: XBox One Review

Platform: XBox One
Released by Insomniac Games

Sometimes, madness prevails.

So it is with the bright colours, general insanity and orange overtones of XBox One exclusive Insomniac Games title, Sunset Overdrive.

It's 2027 and in a move that would see Red Bull, V, Monster and the like potentially suing, an energy drink called Overcharge's been launched that turns the entire populace of Sunset City into bubble-headed mutated monstrosities hell-bent on ripping you apart after you were the only one to survive (being a janitor for the drinks company and all that).

Gradually though, as you head around Sunset City after initially locking yourself into your own panic room, you realise there are other human survivors and people out there, who can help you try and save the day and your city from being over-run by these Overcharge guzzling goobies.

Sunset Overdrive is going to win you over big time.

It's nothing but pure unadulterated bubble-gum fun, that aims to put a goofball smile on your face as you play around the free-wheeling world. The problem with the game is that there really aren't enough hours in the day to help you hoon around the world that's been created.

Movement's largely confined to the skies, given that the ground's actually the most dangerous place to be - from grinding to traversing wires to speeding around, airborne tactics are the only way you'll survive the hordes of attacking critters. And you're not confined to simply being sky bound, because you can use your weapons to maximum effect from the skies too, which help you boost your style meter and get you the points you need to level up.

It's mainly quest-driven gameplay to be honest, so there are times when it starts to feel somewhat repetitive; but I guarantee you won't care about that as you grin your way from one mission to the next. There's also plenty of personality within the game as well - from the people you meet to your own character, there's more than enough to keep you engaged. Add to that the thought that's been put in to the game - even from various animated respawnings after death (you come to life from a grave, or out of a missile shot in) and it's easy to see why you'll get swept into the pure fun that is Sunset Overdrive.

Upgrades help you get your weapons and with the armoury you can get hold of, you'll want to power these puppies up. From a simple Dirty Harry shooter to a TNTeddy that fires exploding teddy bears, the mania doesn't stop short of what's on the screen.

The game chooses to break the 4th wall and has fun doing so; and that's probably why you're swept up in this game. There are no real rules - sure, you've got missions to achieve and reasons to exist, but if you want to take the time to explore Sunset City via the wires, then you can fly away, shooting at OD and bouncing to your heart's content on cars (and your style meter will thank you for this too).

Fun is the MO of this XBox One exclusive title - and in a world where the apocalypse is an all too often mined for serious intentions cliche, the fact Insomniac have thrown everything in (even the kitchen sink in some parts) is to be applauded.

Put simply, if you own a Xbox One, you can't afford to not have Sunset Overdrive sitting on the system ready for you to fire up after a particularly tedious day of the 9 to 5. No other game this year has presented fun in such a playably lunatic way.

For that, Insomniac Games, we salute you. (And demand a sequel).

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Grand Theft Auto V: PS4 and XBox One launch trailer

Grand Theft Auto V: PS4 and XBox One launch trailer

Grand Theft Auto V- Launch Trailer

New, enhanced versions of Grand Theft Auto V arrive for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One November 18 – here’s the all-new launch trailer which will serve as the game’s official TV spot.

For more information on enhancements to these new versions, as well as exclusive content details for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC versions, please check out the Rockstar Newswire.

Personally, what with the news of the First player mode, the enhancements and the fact it's GTA V, I cannot wait for this one to hit.

Exists: Movie Review

Exists: Movie Review

Cast: Samuel Davis, Roger Edwards, Brian Steele, Dora Burge, Denise Williamson
Director: Eduardo Sanchez

It's back into the woods once more for the director of The Blair Witch Project who made such a killing with the movie back in 1999 and changed the found footage horror genre forever.

This time around, a group of friends head into a remote wood in Texas to party at an uncle's cabin, armed with a bazillion cameras, beers and hormones. On the way to the venue, the group hits something on the road - and dismissing it as a deer, they continue to head to the cabin.

But, later that night, a wailing starts in the woods - and soon they're being hunted by a Sasquatch...

Exists is exactly what you'd expect from the found footage genre.

There's an overload of shoe-horning in of cameras (everyone's always recording these days) and a series of horror tropes and conventions which are present from beginning to end. Sure, there's the obligatory shots of nondescript good-looking people getting passionate (thanks to one of their group perving on them and taping it all) and granted the group chooses to go further into the woods "for a short-cut" when they're being chased (cue eye-rolls of incredulity), but despite a bumpy 30 minutes that does little to endear you to the group, Exists soon proves to be remarkably solid.

With a fearsomely evocative sound-scape that manages to ramp up some of the tension in the cabin in the woods, Exists starts to come into its own as the Sasquatch begins to attack after its provocation.

Early onslaughts are confined to the blurred furry beast being glimpsed, running through the woods as one of the group tries to escape on a bike or from views of those hiding within the cabin, but Sanchez and the script don't shy away from revealing the beast in its glory and for subverting the genre by having the creature attack in the full light of day. There's a feral ferocity and animal logic to the Sasquatch which is commendable, even if its final interaction ends up being somewhat out of character.

Mind you, it's not to say that some of the more truly stupid moments don't detract from the film - a gung-ho firing of a gun with limited ammo by one character amed up on machismo being the true high of dumb behaviour - but the clever seeding of the cameras actually pays off with multiple angles in a climactic showdown revealing more than these usually would. Other scenes aren't as lucky though with darkness and muffled moments muddying the tension and proving frustrating rather than frightening as you struggle to work out exactly what - if anything - is going on.

All that said, if you go down to the woods today for Exists, you may actually get a bit of a cinematic surprise.

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