Blood Father: Film Review

Blood Father: Film Review

Cast: Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna
Director: Jean-Francois Richet

Sparsity and brevity prove to be useful bedfellows in French director Francois Richet's stripped back action movie, Blood Father.

But they're nothing without wearied Mel Gibson's trailer park living, hard tattooing, former Nazi enforcer Link who delivers a ferocious turn in this pared back straight to video piece that lacks the narrative to compellingly drive it through.

With unleashed fury that's redolent of a 70s actioner, the Mad Max we all know and loved before that meltdown comes simmering to the fore again, and quite frankly, it's a welcome return to form.

And it's greatly needed too, because Gibson's spikiness and untamed rage is about the only thing to pull Blood Father kicking and dragging out of the hoary old cliches that fail to ignite within.

Loosely, when estranged daughter Lydia (Moriarty, who goes from unsure gangster moll to trembling terrified child within seconds) contacts ex-con and father Link for money, the duo are pulled into a fight for survival with drug cartels and killers on their tail.

Blood Father's taut action scenes punctuate a script that's lacking on all fronts in anything other than building up to the pot boiling and consequent bubbling over of Link.

It doesn't help that dialogue at the start feels unnatural and the so called rift between daddy and daughter heads more towards the forced and unrealistic. Moriarty's turn eventually succumbs to the inevitable lost father schtick that Link gives into, but even when the action starts, there's a feeling of relief that the end is near.

Narratively, as a small indie with some meta elements (you can't help but read into Link's dialogue and its allusions to Gibson's Hollywood redemption), it just about succeeds. But without Gibson's return to form, nuanced turn and some tautly executed fight sequences, Blood Father is nothing but hoary old cliches piled atop each other and which fail to ignite.

It doesn't help that the film desire to throw in a tattooed Terminator Sicario soldier whose skill set is uneven when the story needs it but lethal when it doesn't; equally, the great character set up of William H Macy as Link's sponsor is squandered later on. But not every supporting player is up to the mark, and as the film progresses, it's clearly Mel's joint above all.

But then, Francois-Richet manages to throw in some stronger character moments in the 85 minute run time and leave you with the feeling that the film would have been richer for more of them rather than resort to overt symbolism (such as a Lost Soul tattoo on Link's arm).

Ultimately Blood Father wins as Gibson demonstrates once again his old fire - it's a searing turn and return to angry old Mel that proved so caustic a cinematic tonic so long ago and is so welcome once again.

Bad Moms: Film Review

Bad Moms: Film Review

Cast: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annie Mumolo, Clark Duke
Director: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

There's no denying that Moms have it tough.

Or so the new comedy from the writers of The Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore would have you believe.

Mining the girls behaving badly oeuvre that Bridesmaids championed and the competitive streak that soared in Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's Sisters, Bad Moms is the tale of suburban mom Amy (a relatable Kunis).

In her eyes, she struggles with being a mom of two, holding down a job and dealing with a self centred husband. But when she has the mother of all days, she decides enough is enough and cuts loose in anger at the PTA, headed up by Christina Applegate's harpy in high heels, Gwendolyn.

Bad Moms is essentially about rebelling against expectations.

With the triumvirate of Kunis' everyday over-worked mom, Kristen Bell's put-upon mother of four Kiki and Kathryn Hahn's sex-crazed, foul-mouthed Carla, it's clear the girls behaving badly motif covers all the spectrum of the mothers out there, wanting to cut loose and throw off the shackles of societal expectations.

Mining the observational side of the put-upon parents delivers some solid if unspectacular laughs in this chaotic comedy, but there's no denying that the female elements of the audience will get more out of this than the males. Though, with the casting of a younger demographic as leads, it's clear the males who are dragged along won't mind.

While Kunis has warmth, it's frustrating to note that her empowerment crumbles when she falls into a romantic sub-plot with a hunky widower and she simply becomes a doe-eyed love interest rather than a kicking-loose lady.

Hahn delivers the wide berth of belly laughs as the crazed Carla (in particular, a great supermarket sequence)- and coupled with the film's insistence on using slow mo and freeze frames to showcase the bad behaviour, she has the requisite comedic chops to carry it off. She gels well with Bell's Kiki, whose under-the-thumb meek turn inevitably goes where you'd expect it.

At its heart, Bad Moms will generate a great deal of empathy with its predictable core message of it's okay to not be a great mom and have bad days, but we just keep going, though it could be loosely condemned for not doing anything more subversive in its expectedly weak empowerment message.

It garners great cinematic truck when the ladies go brazen and it's hard to imagine there won't be a few hollers among the women in the audience during certain points.

If you're willing to overlook the inevitable sappiness (which is largely staved off until the end) and underwritten males in this piece, Bad Moms will offer a potty mouthed comedy alternative for a slight night out with comedy of recognition - but perhaps the most genuine part of the film comes with the credits, where the stars and their real-life mothers impart some pearls of wisdom from their years of growing up.

It's here the earnestness, authenticity and humour winningly combine to make you wish this were a longer side-piece to accompany Bad Moms - as it lingers longer in the memory than the film itself after the lights go up.

Mahana: DVD Review

Mahana: DVD Review

Lee Tamahori returns to the New Zealand screen with a film that reunites him with his Once Were Warriors star Temuera Morrison.

Based on Witi Ihimaera's Bulibasha, and set in provincial Gisborne in the 1960s, it's the story of the Mahana family, who are ruled with an iron fist by grandfather Tamihana, a traditionalist (played by Temuera Morrison).  There's a long-standing rivalry between the Mahanas and their fellow sheep-shearing family, the Poatas and the vendetta runs deep even if no-one talks about it.

But for Akuhata Keefe's 14 year old Simeon Mahana, life is a drudge of continually doing chores and trying to get out from under the yoke of his grandfather and become his own man. However, that brings clashes and things take a turn for the worst when Simeon uncovers more about the deep-held family secret and the anguish that has bound the families inextricably together in resentment....

Mahana is a film of two pieces, wildly meshed together.

At times, it's a dark family drama that plays nicely on the rifts between families and the enmity within as well as hinting at pre-colonial lifestyles and practices. But then other parts of it veer wildly into more traditional lighter elements such as concluding the film with a sheep-shearing contest that's as predictable as the day is long.

And unfortunately, there's a wild mix of acting talents too; at times, Temuera teeters dangerously into over-acting and is not well served by the overly bombastic soundtrack of the film being cranked up at the moments of extreme drama to emphasise that bad things are about to happen. Yet, there are moments when he gives the monster some more human edges that soften his on-screen Tamihana.

If anything, Keefe's the star of the film, giving a turn that has the subtlety that's needed for Simeon, a boy on the cusp of being a man and the awkward teen struggles that come with age and the desire to become your own person.

Tamahori makes good fist of the Gisborne scenery and there are some moodily evocative shots that stand out of mist settling in the valleys and hinting at the discord ahead. But equally, there are puzzling directorial choices that frustrate. One offender is the swirling camera around the exterior of a house as the reason for the conflict is revealed. Granted, it's more about creating a mood and evoking horror, but tonally, it sits at odds with the moment it's revealed - during a shearing contest.

All in all, Mahana is at times, a muddled film which sits at odds with what it intends to do.

By mixing the light with the dark, the film's missed its chance to stamp itself irrevocably on the NZ cinematic landscape; had it been more daring, it could have been a bold and blistering film. As it is, it  sadly feels parochial and limited, when its scope should have been wider.

Just Cause 3: Bavarium Sea Heist DLC: PS4 Review

Just Cause 3: Bavarium Sea Heist DLC: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Developed by Avalanche Studios

So, the final part of the Just Cause 3 DLC has hit as part of the season pass offering.

Just Cause 3 has been the bomb; a game that revels in its absurdities and took its open world shooter to silly new heights while maintaining a level of challenge that made this nigh on addictive.

With Rico Rodrgiuez, the mercenary hell-bent on doing the right thing in the most destructively beautiful way possible, the game's anti-hero and anarchic vibe was the perfect combination. With the Air, Sea and Land expansion pass DLCs that have dropped, the game's barely moved away from such sentiments and gameplay mechanics.

In the final expansion though, it's more a case of routine chaos rather than saving the very best for last (though admittedly the reward is pretty damn destructive and would help with the rest of the game if you've not completed it).

At the end of the Land expansion pack, there was a hint that the DLC's Bad Guys, the Black Hand were threatening something big - and in the sea heist, Rico has to explore the western side of Medici and take out a sea installation called the Stingray. Fortunately, Rico's got access to a craft with some pretty impressive air weaponry in the form of rockets and speed in the form of nitro... So, under the guise of one last mission, Rodriguez is back to help Medici.

Just Cause 3: Bavarium Sea Heist DLC is fairly playable for what it is.

The Black Hand bad guys seem a little less easy to dispatch this time around and it may take a little longer in the early stages of the heist to kill them all off. But a lot of the challenge dissipates when Rodriguez gets the Loochador boat (as it's nicknamed) because everything can be taken out by the cluster of six rockets fired at once. And travelling through the seas from Rodriguez's cove to the Stingray is fairly tedious as it appears there's little life out there if you play the game in order (as this reviewer did).

But it's fair to say that once you've liberated the Stingray, the final challenge is meaty, but given that you have the Eden Spark weapon, a sort of lightning bolt from the sky piece of tech that has limitless energy, the game's hardness exponentially drops.

All in all, Just Cause 3: Bavarium Sea Heist DLC is fairly disposable and as part of a wider game pack, it's alright to play but aside from the earlier challenge, the DLC's not quite the bang you would expect to conclude the pack. But that said, if you were playing the game out of order, it would make finishing the initial storyline a real destructive doozy....

Zoolander 2: DVD Review

Zoolander 2: DVD Review

Released by Universal Home Ent

You're either in or out when it comes to fashion.

And unfortunately, in this sequel to the 2001 Zoolander, Ben Stiller's Derek Zoolander is woefully and painfully out.

Forced into reclusive ways ("I've become a hermit crab" Zoolander says) after a centre he built collapsed killing his wife, injuring his mate Hansel and ultimately leading to his son being taken by child services, the intellectually challenged Derek Zoolander is coaxed back out of retirement when offered a runway job.

However, at the same time, pop stars around the world are being assassinated and all die pouting one last look that appears to be connected to Zoolander's repertoire.

Contacted by Interpol (led with chutzpah by Penelope Cruz's Valentina), Zoolander's reunited with Owen Wilson's Phantom of the Opera-esque Hansel as a conspiracy unfurls and the pair are thrust into proceedings.

There are no two ways about this sequel.

To quote Zoolanderhimself, it's La-me.

It's an endless attempt at a joke without a punchline and a repetition of gags from the first film as well as an attempt to try and capture something that worked the first time around.

Even with four writers on board, this is nothing more than a flimsy excuse to gather a whole heap of celebrities for cameos and mixing a spy-esque caper (The Man From D.U.M.B.C.L.E anyone?) into a final product that is as lacklustre from the beginning as it is from the end. Scenes appear to have little coherence, little fluidity and little reason to exist. An ongoing gag about how the duo who were so hot in 2001 and are now so out of the loop with fashion and technology is handled with as much aplomb as a rock being tossed into an ocean.

Stiller just embarrasses himself in front of the camera as much as he does behind it with very little hitting the mark. It's almost as if the cameos are wheeled out to distract from the fact the jokes don't land and to surprise you with who they've managed to cajole into appearing (though to be fair, one of the highlights is Kiefer Sutherland's perfectly-timed comedic appearance as one of Hansel's lovers from his orgy - a sort of scowling sad Jack Bauer).

The problem with Zoolander 2 is just that it's not remotely funny enough.

Whereas the original passed into cult infamy with its skewering of modelling and conventions as well as blessing the vernacular with the "Blue Steel" look was down to the fact that it was actually funny. Zoolander No 2 is nothing in comparison to that - while Penelope Cruz seems to have a ball of a time as the Interpol agent and injects proceedings with some life, the rest of the film is as indulgent as it is try-hard. It seems in part content to try and coast on the nostalgia you'll feel for the leads - and it's not enough.

Zoolander 2 is as vacuous and as dumb as its male model leads; but whereas the first gave you leeway to laugh along and enjoy the journey, this cinematic catwalk, so devoid of atmosphere and humour, is easily one of the worst inflicted upon audiences this year.

Bound: PS4 Review

Bound: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Developed by Plastic
Released by Sony Santa Monica

Over the past few months, there have been teases of a game that showed off a dancer moving to the gameplay of a platformer.

As the silhouette pirouetted around the screen and in and out of structures, there seemed to be a liquid beauty on show and a sense of something different emerging.

Thus it is with Bound, the new platformer. It opens with a pregnant woman being dropped off and walking to a beach where she stares into the waves - and then it dissolves into another world where the initial creature we've seen on the teases is told her kingdom is under threat and she must fight the monster.

And that is all that should be said for story for Bound.

Wrapping visuals with a platformer work well for Bound, and the Journey comparisons seem fair given how the two games are pushing for an enigmatic vibe. But more specifically, and visually, imagine if Sound Shapes visual ethos had been melded with Journey and parts of Batman's fight against Scarecrow in his visions in Arkham Asylum had all been intertwined.

That in a nutshell is Bound, a game that's more about experience than about anything truly solid. There are themes explored in the game but to go into those too deeply is to spoil the game and how it plays out; but needless to say it's a tale of darkness in among it all.

However, there are occasional frustrations with Bound. And it's primarily to do with its camera views and its boundaries.

Occasionally, the camera can distort and even though walls disappear so you can see what's happening, the camera angles make the directions hard to follow and even harder to instigate.And from time to time, even though the game refuses to let you go off the edge no matter how hard you try, there are other occasions when you plummet to your death without any sense of rhyme or reason; it's a niggling inconsistency that makes the game unpredictable in its execution.

Ultimately though, there are some truly strong themes resonating in Bound and Santa Monica's execution of them deserves applause. It doesn't always all truly work but its geometric distortions and its colour palette actually come together in a hauntingly original way to give an emotional reaction to what's playing out on screen.

If that sounds like an obtuse recommendation, it kind of is in many ways. Bound is best experienced for yourself and its resolution as the pieces come together may hit you more than perhaps you had expected.

The Witch: Blu Ray Review

The Witch: Blu Ray Review

More a lesson in psychological horror than abject terror first time director Robert Eggers' The Witch is a spiralling descent into madness in the 17th century.

Subtitled a New England Folk Tale, it's the story of a family excommunicated from a Christian Puritan plantation in 1630, because of an unexplained sin of their father. Despite being given the chance to repent, he leads the family out into the wilderness and near to a woods, choosing to reflect on their sins and seek internal and eternal forgiveness first.

But when Thomasin (Taylor Joy) is playing peek-a-boo with the family's baby Sam one day, she closes her eyes to find the baby snatched before her and with no clue over where he's gone. As the family's crops begin to fail and there's no return from Sam, the internal conflicts grow with the rumour that Thomasin is a witch being seeded and growing viciously, threatening the very fabric of their family unit.

The Witch is in some ways, the horrifying coming-of-age story of Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy). Taylor-Joy is wonderful from the start as she looks down the barrel of the camera and begs for forgiveness while her expressive brown eyes poke out from wafts of blonde hair. Her conflict and struggle is inherent from the beginning and Taylor Joy's commitment to underplaying the role helps sell her own demons and those around her. There's a wonderful ambiguity to her performance that's as gripping as it is sickening.

Elsewhere, creepy is the order of the day, with psychological terror being the serving of Eggers' film rather than lazy jump scares and terrifying set pieces.

While this film is bathed in the language of the time and with time taken in prayer, and elements of religious fervour displayed, it's essentially the tried and tested story of the destructive power of rumour. Thanks to debut director Eggers' incredible set design and unswerving dedication to evocation, the long sweeping camera shots, an ominous soundscape and brooding soundtrack, The Witch is a classic case of unnerving.

All of the cast acquit themselves excellently; from Ineson's determined father to Dickie's gradually dismantling mother this is a family unit on the edge, a family one moment away from cracking and whose ultimate fate is partially of their own doing. Equally, the twins of the film are unsettling and creepiness personified.

While it could be argued the ambiguity which serves the majority of the film well is wrongfully discarded in the final moments of the end (leading to a feeling of a desire to satiate audiences who wanted more due to their own expectations), The Witch is a masterclass in brooding atmosphere and growing sinister dread.

But it's also a masterclass in humanity and human reaction, thanks to Taylor-Joy's relatably innocent performance; her Thomasin is a deer stuck in the headlights of superstition and spiralling doubts, and she delivers on every level in this cautionary tale whose universal themes will ring true long after the lights have gone up.

Newstalk ZB Review - Talking War Dogs, The Shallows and Kubo and The Two Strings

Newstalk ZB Review - Talking War Dogs, The Shallows and Kubo and The Two Strings

This week, with Jack Tame, talking War Dogs, The Shallows and Kubo and The Two Strings

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-morning-with-jack-tame/audio/darren-bevan-war-dogs-the-shallows/

Win The Boy and The Beast

Win The Boy and The Beast

When Kyuta, a young orphan living on the streets of Shibuya, stumbles into a fantastic world of beasts, he’s taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff, rough-around-the-edges warrior beast who’s been searching for the perfect apprentice. 

Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and slowly form a bond as surrogate father and son.

But when a deep darkness threatens to throw the human and beast worlds into chaos, the strong bond between this unlikely pair will be put to the ultimate test — a final showdown that will only be won if the two can finally work together using all of their combined strength and courage.

Special Features

• Making Of Documentary
• Cast Interviews
• Japanese Promotional Videos
• TV Spots
• Trailers

To enter simply email to this address: darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com  OR simply CLICK HERE darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com

In the subject line put BEAST

Please include your name and address and good luck!

New addition to the METAL GEAR SOLID V experience, METAL GEAR SURVIVE.

New addition to the METAL GEAR SOLID V experience, METAL GEAR SURVIVE.

KONAMI ANNOUNCES NEW ADDITION TO THE METAL GEAR SOLID V UNIVERSE: METAL GEAR SURVIVE 

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. today announced a new addition to the METAL GEAR SOLID V experience, METAL GEAR SURVIVE.  

Sydney, August 18 2016 - Available on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC via Steam in 2017, METAL GEAR SURVIVE is a brand new co-op, stealth game that takes a divergent look at familiar METAL GEAR themes and pursues a fresh spirit of exploration in unique gameplay mechanics.

  

"We are delighted to announce another exciting addition to the METAL GEAR franchise,” said Tomotada Tashiro, European President for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V.  "METAL GEAR SURVIVE will offer a fresh take on the series’ famed stealth elements but within a unique co-op setting that is designed for a truly engrossing multi-player experience.”

METAL GEAR SURVIVE picks up from the ending of METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES, to an alternate timeline caused by unexplained wormholes forming in the sky. Players find themselves on distorted desert landscapes full of massive half-formed structures, living biological threats, and the remains of a once strong military force now litter the landscape. 

In a struggle to stay alive on this harsh terrain filled with deadly creatures, soldiers who were previously on Motherbase now must work cooperatively in order to survive. METAL GEAR SURVIVE continues the pedigree of METAL GEAR SOLID V's highly praised gameplay design, with a unique blend of stealth and co-op play mechanics. Players can strategically manage massive threats with the help of four-player online cooperative play. New weaponry will also be introduced to combat charging creatures and lethal environments as well.

Unveiling the Bounty Hunter mode for Watch Dogs® 2

Unveiling the Bounty Hunter mode for Watch Dogs® 2

UBISOFT^® UNVEILS NEW PvP BOUNTY HUNTER MODE IN WATCH DOGS 2

Today at Gamescom, Ubisoft^® unveiled the Bounty Hunter mode for Watch Dogs® 2, the upcoming installment in the blockbuster Watch Dogs franchise. Bounty Hunter enriches the online component of Watch Dogs 2 which is seamlessly integrated with the single player experience.

In Watch Dogs 2, the player will meet other friendly Dedsec hackers while exploring the city and participate in optional Dedsec Events without loading screens or matchmaking requests. If the player chooses to team up with others players thanks any of the three seamless online modes, he will have access to Cooperative missions located across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Click image below to watch the Online Trailer

A new approach to online play in Watch Dogs 2, the Bounty Hunter mode is tied to the police heat system and playable by two to four players. When a player creates too much chaos in the single player open world experience and is pursued by the police, the conflict may trigger a Bounty Hunter PVP event pitting the target against up to three rival hunter players who seamlessly join the pursuit and try to neutralise the target. Additionally, players can manually trigger a bounty on themselves using the Contacts app on Marcus’ in-game phone.

Another online mode players can experience is Hacking Invasion, a fan-favourite from the original Watch Dogs, the objective of this PVP mode is to download data from a target player while remaining undetected. Finally, Online Co-op, allows two players to team up seamlessly and lets players explore the San Francisco Bay Area and free roam in the city, or participate in almost limitless cooperative missions.

Also in co-op, players can participate in Online Hacking Invasion and Bounty Hunter activities, adding even more depth and excitement to their seamless online experience.

In Watch Dogs 2, hacking is the ultimate weapon, and players can not only hack into the city’s infrastructure, but also every person and any connected device they possess, to trigger unpredictable chains of events. With the ability to take control of drones, cars, cranes, security robots and much more at their disposal, players can choose whether to use stealth hacking to complete missions without killing a single enemy or go guns blazing for a more ferocious approach.

On the occasion of Gamescom, Ubisoft unveiled a brand new Ubicollectibles figurine representing The Wrench, Marcus’ closest friend in the game. The Wrench’s pose shows the madness of the character who doesn’t mind getting hurt as long as he reaches his objectives.

The Wrench figurine features a highly detailed figurine in an original pose (scribble tattoos, custom punk vest with studs, ripped jean…) and two additional removable masks. The Wrench figurine can be assembled to the Marcus one in an exclusive diorama.

The Wrench figurines can be pre-ordered now from the Uplay Shop on http://ubi.li/4svkq

The Ubicollectibles items are meticulously crafted in close collaboration with the studios to appeal to the fans of Ubisoft’s popular brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Tom Clancy’s The Division™, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^® Wildlands, Watch Dogs^®, Rabbids^®, South Park™:The Fractured But Whole™ and more!

Watch Dogs 2 will release on November 15, 2016 on the PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC. All PlayStation®4 players will be granted a 30-day exclusive access to all the post launch downloadable content.

For more information on WATCH DOGS 2, please visit watchdogs.com.

HIT THE SLOPES WITH STEEP™ ON DECEMBER 2

HIT THE SLOPES WITH STEEP™ ON DECEMBER 2

HIT THE SLOPES WITH STEEP™
ON DECEMBER 2

Exclusive equipment included in the Gold Edition

Cologne, Germany — August 18, 2016 — Today, during Gamescom, Ubisoft^® announced Steep, an action sports game set in the open world of the Alps, will be released on December 2, 2016 on Microsoft Xbox One^®, Sony PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. For the ultimate Steep experience, players can purchase the Gold Edition.

Steep’s Standard and Gold Editions are now available for preorder. The Gold Edition includes both the game and the season pass. The season pass gives players access to all major expansions as well as additional digital content, outfits, and equipment, including an exclusive costume.

To watch trailer please click image below

Players who pre-order the Standard or Gold Editions will be able to extend their night-riding experiences through The Moonlight pack. This pack contains new challenges and equipment, including:

·        Three extra night challenges

·        Three new night outfits

·        Glowing equipment for each activity (ski, snowboard, wingsuit and paraglide)

·        Wingsuit Rocket Flare

With development led by Ubisoft Annecy,* Steep drops players onto the Alps with exhilarating experiences that include skiing, wingsuiting, snowboarding and paragliding. These sports establish a never seen before freedom to explore the game’s open world, allowing players to choose the way they ride and play. Riders can travel the Alps solo or drop in side-by-side with friends to discover a wide range of activities for them to put their skills to the test, compete and share the most insane tricks and trails ever captured on the slopes. Designed for a generation that’s all about sharing their experiences with the world, Steep encourages players to challenge their friends to see who truly comes out on top of the world.

In addition to exploring the Alps, Steep riders will be able to traverse the majestic slopes of Alaska, available as a free update after launch.

To pre-order the game, please visit: http://store.ubi.com/steepgame

To have a chance to play first during betas, please register at http://www.steepgame.com.

For more information about Steep, please visit http://www.ubisoft.com, follow us on http://www.facebook.com/steepgame or http://www.twitter.com/Steep_Game.

For Honor ™ Reveals Full Roster Of Playable Heroes And Multiplayer Modes, Unveils Collector's Case Content At Gamescom

For Honor ™ Reveals Full Roster Of Playable Heroes And Multiplayer Modes, Unveils Collector's Case Content At Gamescom

REVEALS FULL ROSTER OF PLAYABLE HEROES AND MULTIPLAYER MODES, UNVEILS COLLECTOR’S CASE CONTENT AT GAMESCOM

Ubisoft^® has debuted its full roster of 12 playable heroes in For Honor™, the critically acclaimed new action IP at Gamescom. The Knight, Viking and Samurai legacies will each feature four true elite warriors, capable of making a major difference on the battlefield. In addition to the full-fledged story campaign revealed at E3 2016, For Honor includes five engaging Multiplayer modes: Dominion, Brawl, Duel, Elimination and Skirmish.

For Honor embarks players in the chaos, fury and brutality of ruthless, visceral close-quarter combat featuring the brutal Vikings, the deadly Knights and the cold-blooded Samurai. In each faction, players will be able to choose among four different types of Heroes:

-   Vanguards are well-balanced Heroes, with good attack, and defense capabilities and great versatility.

-   Assassins are swift and lethal characters, great duelists with very good offense

-   Heavies are the most resistant Heroes, their attacks are slow but deadly. They’re especially efficient for defending a point and annihilating AI enemies.

-   Hybrids mix elements and characteristics of other types. They are advanced characters fostering uncommon tactics

Heroes come with their own set of skills, weapons, armor and fighting style. With a wide library of customization options, players are able to personalize their Heroes to not only look and feel unique, but also tailored to their combat style.

For Honor’s in-depth progression is unique to each Hero, with select elements shared across PvE and PvP gameplay modes. At the end of each multiplayer match and each campaign mission, players are awarded XP that unlocks new combat abilities and new visual customization options. They also have the chance to loot armor and weapon parts on the battlefield, with specific stats allowing each player to adapt their gear to their playstyle while ensuring fairness and balance in multiplayer.

For Honor’s multiplayer modes are playable with and against other players or bots in split-screen co-op on consoles. These multiplayer modes offer each player a different way to live the fantasy of being a skilled melee warrior on a believable battlefield:

·         Dominion is a 4v4 objective-based mode in which two teams of four players fight for control of the battlefield. It’s a mode that relies upon skill, communication and teamwork.

·         Brawl 2v2: Each team of two players need to kill the two enemy Heroes to win a round. Skill, awareness, cooperation and the capacity to use the environment to the player’s advantage are key components.

·         Duel 1v1 puts two Heroes face-to-face in a fight to the death. Skill is fundamental in Duel of course, but as in Brawl, players have the possibility to use the environment to their advantage.

·         Skirmish is a 4v4 Team Death Match like mode. Combat skills are key in this mode as players score points for their team by killing enemy Heroes.

·         Elimination In this 4v4 mode, the last surviving player on the battlefield wins the round for their team.

Ubisoft is pleased to announce that For Honor on PC is being developed by Blue Byte, a Ubisoft Studio. Blue Byte is devoted to create a tailored and fully optimized experience on PC platforms that supports mouse and keyboard controls, giving PC players the option to choose how they play For Honor. 

Ubisoft^® also revealed the content of the For Honor Collector’s Case, a Uplay exclusive. Players will follow the path of the warriors and dominate the battlefield with the For Honor™ Collector’s Case, which contains premium digital and physical content along with three 1/3 scale full metal faction helmets replicas and the Season Pass. For Honor will be available on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One^®, and Windows PC on February 14^th, 2017.

The Collector’s Case of For Honor will offer:

·           For Honor™ Gold Edition: the base game, the Digital Deluxe Pack from the Deluxe Edition, and the full Season Pass

·            An exclusive Collector’s Box

·            Three 1/3 scale, full metal warrior helmets on wooden stands representing the Knights, the Vikings and the Samurai

·            An exclusive lithography

·            The game’s original soundtrack

Additionally, fans who pre-order For Honor will receive the Legacy Battle Pack. This pack includes three Hero outfits embodying the ferocious spirit of each faction. These three armor styles are exclusive to the Legacy Battle Pack and wearable by the Warden, Raider, and Kensei Heroes.

For Honor will be available on February 14, 2017 on PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC.