Driveclub Bikes: PS4 Review

Driveclub Bikes: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Released by Evolution Studios

The first rule of Driveclub Bikes is you do not mention the launch of Driveclub that failed spectacularly last year but eventually found its feet.

The second rule of Driveclub Bikes is you do mention how incredibly well snuck under the radar it was.

Announced at Paris Games Week without fanfare, the game dropped as an expansion piece or standalone and is actually a reminder of why Driveclub is so brilliant but has been so overlooked because of its troubles.

Using tracks from the original game, throwing in the tour modes and adding a new level known as skill (where you have to do wheelies, stoppies and speed trials), Driveclub Bikes is actually thrillingly addictive because of its simplicity of racing.

Much like Ride earlier this year, the game's physical nature requires a degree of skill to get around tracks - and unlike cars, there's not as much wriggle room when you're slamming around corners. Mess it up and it's into a wall for you and game over. However, unlike Ride, the physics of the game don't seem quite as rigid. There appears to be no overslide which seems a little unusual but all in all, driving the bike is relatively easy.

Graphically, the game's on a par with what was before (as you'd expect) but to be honest, there's not as much time to appreciate it as this racing requires more concentration than normal and any moment of taking your eye off the road is fatal.

In game viewing is a bit tricky; the first person perspective through the windshield is nigh on impossible to negotiate, and to be honest, third person occasionally suffers from sunstrike, meaning you really do have to have your wits about you.

The good thing about the expansion is that it delivers some new cars to you unexpectedly as well, meaning you can dip back and forth between the games as you want. They were bonuses which were surprises and welcome ones and show that Evolution Studios is utterly committed to the community nearly a year on.

I'm still not wild about Driveclub's insistence on docking you points if you head off the road and taking corners (particularly given how easily bikes can do this) but the sheer annoyance of missing a target by seconds means you simply saddle up and do it again.

Thrilling and simply executed with a large dollop of speed Driveclub Bikes is well worth it - a game that shows when properly done, racers can be as exciting as the real thing.

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Doctor Who Series 9: Part 1: DVD Review

Doctor Who Series 9: Part 1: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Ent

Wisely shorn of the debate over whether Peter Capaldi's Doctor is a good man or not and of Jenna Coleman's Clara no longer mourning Matt Smith's 11th Doctor, the new season of Doctor Who can simply get back to the basics - and revive the premise of two friends hurtling from one adventure to the next.

But as ever, with these six episodes of the ninth series since the relaunch, a shadow's been cast with the announcement that Jenna Coleman's Clara is leaving the TARDIS.

However, while the first batch of six episodes dwells a little on that, with the stories having an element of death within them, the foreboding doesn't stop the ninth series getting off to a brilliant start and giving Capaldi the material he needs to cement his place as the Doctor.

Equally, the creative elements and decision to essentially create two parters every week has reinvigorated the story-telling, giving moments a chance to breathe and stories a chance to evolve. Of the first three parters, the first (The Magician's Apprentice / The Witch's Familiar) brings the return of a nemesis not seen for years, and an opportunity to explore the Doctor's raison d'etre; a second two parter sees the underwater base under siege story redone but offers up one of the most shocking cliffhangers - and the third sees Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams enter the world and the reason why the Doctor's taken the Capaldi face from the Fires of Pompeii given form.

But this series feels like the show's come into its own again (aside from the Sonic screwdriver being ditched in favour of sonic glasses and the Doctor's propensity to play rock guitar) and for once, avoiding spoilers provides a great journey this year. However, it belongs to Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi, whose acting this year really makes the script sparkle. Capaldi, shorn of his brooding, appears to enjoy it more and Coleman seems to be the Doctor's equal - there's a real sense that when this partnership falls apart, it will be the end of something special.

Extras: 3 mini featurettes; nothing spectacular, but in keeping with the BBC's insistence on splitting the sets.

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Star Wars Rebels: Season 1 Review

Star Wars Rebels: Season 1 Review

Rating: G
Released by Sony Home Ent

The Star Wars series shows no sign of abating.

With a new Star Wars movie on the way and the Force fever reaching higher levels, the animated series Star Wars Rebels will satiate the fans to a level that's almost as addictive as the animation itself.

Set 5 years before the original trilogy and after Revenge of The Sith, the series follows a motley group of rebels on board a ship (The Ghost) as they fight the Empire. From an orphan who discovers use of the Force (Luke Skywalker anyone) to a Jedi, the crew's a good mix of characters and give  a spikiness to the Rebel Alliance's birth.

Having the characters interact with old fan faves certainly doesn't harm the show's place in the canon as the 15 episodes play out. Individual adventures loop with an overall theme and build to a conclusion that Star Wars fans will adore. Equally the cartoony graphics are perfect for the vibe; they never stray too far from expected boundaries and yet look bright and fresh enough to attract new fans.

Star Wars Rebels: Season 1 manages to straddle nostalgia and the future very well - it's a great addition to the existing universe and will keep all ages happy until December 17th....

The Blacklist: Season 2: Review

The Blacklist: Season 2: Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Ent

James Spader continues his charismatic turn as Red Reddington as the second season of the breakaway hit, The Blacklist continues.

Teaming up with Megan Boone's Liz, the battle continues against arch-enemy Berlin (Peter Stormare) as secrets continue to be revealed and nothing's ever as it seems. While working episodically, the series also threads in a raft of conspiracies and bigger picture questions while never fully answering them.

Spader's charisma carries a lot of this series through as the darker elements come out, but Megan Boone's Liz also balances things out. Equally impressive this year is the level of guest stars - from the likes of Peter Stormare to Alan Alda (one episode featuring his character ranks among the series best) to Mary Louise Parker and Ron Perlman, the calibre is mightily impressive.

And just when you think things are heading towards getting a little stale, the series throws up an end of season twist that's delicious and spices things up for year 3. Thrilling and entertaining in equal measure, The Blacklist is compelling TV, even if it does occasionally hit a weekly slump.

Outlander Series 1, Part 2: Blu Ray Review

Outlander Series 1, Part 2: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books series continues to be adapted for binge-worthy TV in the second set of the Outlander TV series.

Time-travel, romance and a fair whiff of naughtiness pervades this historical love story series centring around nurse Claire Randall, who finds herself whisked back in time and stuck in the skirmishes between Redcoats and Highlanders.

The second half of season 1 sees things take a darker turn as Black Jack Randall's presence begins to be felt, and Claire's attraction to Jamie grows, but her separation from her modern day husband starts to bite.

A moving story that rarely stays still, an attraction between the two leads and smattering of threat keep Outlander from feeling stale - though it has to be said, fans of the genre will find more in this series that's wonderfully evocative than casual viewers.

Claire's character is an interesting one and her reactions to each situation ground the fantastical elements in a way that feels enticing and welcoming; it doesn't hinder things that Catriona Balfe and Sam Heughan have a chemistry that's palpable.

It's a reasonably strong series that works on a few levels, but Outlander remains a more adult version of a Twilight style series; longing and desire worked in with historical elements add a lot and ultimately, the series will endure as the Scottish myths have,

The Night Before: Film Review

The Night Before: Film Review

Cast: Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Michael Shannon, Lizzy Caplan, Mindy Kaling, Jillian Bell
Director: Jonathan Levine

Putting the crass into the Christmas holidays, Seth Rogen returns for an annual assault on the season after last year's near apocalyptic The Interview.

This time ploughing rather more frat frantics than low brow political satire, Rogen is Jewish Isaac, who along with Anthony Mackie's Chris, has every year for the past 13 years spent Christmas with their mutual friend Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) after he was orphaned at this time of the year.

However, this Christmas is going to be different as Isaac's on the cusp of fatherhood and Chris is a growing athlete juggling success and sponsorship. In search of the Holy Grail of Christmas parties, the trio decides this year will be their last of bad behaviour and ho-ho-hos under the tree.

The Night Before is a patchy film that goes for low-hanging fruit and picks every one of them off the tree without fail but without any kind of flair.

These three less-than-wise men booze, sniff and inhale their way through New York as each of them takes on their own personal quest and demons. Mixing in this with the obligatory holiday spirit and eventual mush of the season with a large portion of other white stuff, this film's about as irreverent as it can get - as you'd no doubt expect from a Rogen / Goldberg screenplay.

There's a degree of heart from Gordon-Levitt's character as he battles a bit of holiday blues and post-break up depression from Lizzy Caplan's Diana, but to be frank, this film aims for hedonism mixed in with It's a Wonderful Life / Christmas Carol and barely strays too far from where it's aiming.

Despite Michael Shannon's brilliantly comic turn as a high school teacher turned drug dealer / pothead, and the obligatory showbiz cameos - and a great return from Tracy Morgan, The Night Before runs out of gags and steam by barely half-way through. Rogen's increasingly deranged Isaac's on the run from himself, fuelled by drugs given him by his wife - moments of humour are wrung from this set up but they all ultimately feel aimless and scabrously scatter-shot (even if one pay-off involving the crucifixion shows some residual smarts) when placed in the overall context of a 1hr 40 min movie.

As the film descends into an inevitable cornucopia of cameos and the inevitable happy ending mush is piled on, this Christmas Carol riff on friendship through the years lays out its message to the kids - it's hard to stay in touch as time goes on, but make the effort one character intones. Something that no doubt its mainly frat boy puerile audience will nod vehemently at before life takes hold.

It may sound like a Christmas Grinch to dismiss The Night Before and there's no denying there are some laughs to be had, but the stop-start ramshackle nature of this drug-fuelled nightmare before Christmas is more no-no-no than ho-ho-ho; it's nothing short of seasonal excess with a terrible cinematic hangover once the lights go up.

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The Guest: Blu Ray Review

The Guest: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R16
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

From the director of the brilliant You're Next comes a thriller that for some will cast a new light oncousin Matthew from Downton Abbey.

Dan Stevens stars as David, a former soldier who one day shows up on the doorstep of the Peterson family, claiming to have been a friend of their son who was killed in action. Not wanting to appear unkind, the family invites him to stay while he gets settled.

However, as David spends more time with the family, there are a series of deaths, leading daughter Anna (It Follows star Maika Monroe) to suspect him.

Lurid and trashy, revelling in its 80s attitude and soundtrack, The Guest is a hyper-stylish thriller that works on many levels, inveigling its way into your consciousness.

Stevens drops the Downton charm and impresses with his nonchalant and detached exterior belying the menace within his character, but continues to drop hints thanks to underplayed looks and momentary glances. And Monroe, who was so impressive in It Follows, cements her credentials as an up and comer as Anna, who balances paranoia and growing up in equal measure.

Wingard's latest is a genre piece in many ways with the retro feel seeping its way through but without soaking it in past glories. A synth soundtrack sets the tone for the ultra-violence, but there's more than just the music to admire; while the explanations as to what's going on may be a little lacking (there's no doubt you may feel a little cheesed at never getting the full picture), the film's ambiguous and mysterious tone works as it heads to its conclusion.

The Guest is a thriller that works on many levels, a powerful blast of retro fused with the modern and cements Wingard's place as a genre master.

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