Dark Souls III DLC is here

DARK SOULS™ III: THE RINGED CITY FOR PLAYSTATION®4 SYSTEM, XBOX ONE, AND STEAM LAUNCHING ON MARCH 28 At the close of the Age of Fire, as the world ends and all lands converge upon themselves, a lone adventurer descends into the madness of the earth and uncovers the secrets of the past. As players make their way to the fabled Ringed City they will encounter ancient beasts, a new cast of characters teetering on the edge of insanity, new armor, weapons, magic, and at the bottom of it all, a long lost city filled with new horrors for players to overcome.

DARK SOULS III: The Ringed City will be available for 14€99 digitally on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM on March 28, 2017. DARK SOULS™ III: Ashes of Ariandel™ is currently available digitally on the same systems. A season pass for DARK SOULS III, which includes access to Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, is available for purchase digitally.

 In addition, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe also announced that DARK SOULS™ III THE FIRE FADES™ EDITION (Game of the Year Edition) will be available on April 21st for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM. This very special edition will include DARK SOULS™ III as well as Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City. To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe’s other products go to: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU or join the conversation at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

CI Games Uncovers Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Side Ops Mission with Challenge Mode

CI Games Uncovers Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Side Ops Mission with Challenge Mode

CI Games Uncovers Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Side Ops Mission

with Challenge Mode

Sydney, 24th March 2017 - The developers at CI Games, creators of the Sniper Ghost Warrior and Lords of the Fallen series of games, aren't afraid of giving experienced sniper players a high difficulty for a more challenging overall experience. Today, they would like to introduce fans and newcomers to the series to a new mode in Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 - Challenge Mode.

In the open-world setting new to Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, Side Ops are large side missions where players can move freely throughout the area, albeit avoiding enemies along the way. Watch the video to see a Side Ops mission in action with Challenge Mode added to it.

Long-time fans of the Sniper Ghost Warrior games have asked for a mode that will challenge even the best players, and Challenge Mode offers plenty of challenge. With a missing heads-up display (HUD), increased enemy perception, and enemy markers that disappear after using the surveillance drone, successfully completing missions in Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 will require a well-equipped arsenal of weaponry and plenty of gadgets and attachments to make it through undetected.

"Challenge Mode is one of my favorite features in Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, because of how much importance it places on the skills of the player rather than relying on the game for help," said Tomasz Pruski, senior level designer at CI Games. "A good example is when using the drone. It will tag the enemies, but once called back, players will need to rely on their memory to remember where the enemies are located inside the outpost. Precisely aimed headshots are also required, since enemies are more heavily armored on their body."

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 tells the story of brotherhood, faith and betrayal in the most complete sniper experience ever. Take the role of an American sniper named Jonathan North, who is dropped into enemy territory in northern Georgia, nearby Russian borders. Explore large open-world maps with dynamic weather and a day and night cycle that actually impacts play and decisions. Customize weapon equipment, accessories, vehicles and a drone, and utilize the three pillars of gameplay to your liking: Sniper, Ghost and Warrior.

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 launches on the PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One and Windows PC on April 26, 2017.

To learn more about CI Games and Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, visit:

• CI Games website: www.cigames.com 
• Sniper Ghost Warrior 3: www.sgw3.com 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SniperGhostWarrior
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/SGW3Game

A Street Cat Named Bob: Film Review

A Street Cat Named Bob: Film Review

Cast: Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanne Froggatt
Director: Roger Spottiswoode

It's perhaps no surprise that A Street Cat Named Bob goes for audience pleasing broad brush strokes in its tale (or should that be tail) of a struggling wannabe reformed drug addict who befriends a lonely ginger pussy.

"You're a human interest story" intones a reporter in the latter stages of this less-than-purrfect yarn.

And it's a spot-on analysis of why some audience members will find this relative kryptonite.

While the redemption story of homeless James Bowen (played with twitchy about to fail edginess by Luke Treadaway) is at times as entirely predictable as you'd expect, it suffers from an episodic choppy feel as the earnest story plays out.

Given a second /last chance by Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt social worker, James is never far from slipping back into old ways due to catastrophic coincidences and bad luck (something Spottsiwoode's film actually gets painfully right.)

But when the ginger Tom shows up in assisted home without warning, a bond is formed between the two.
And the bond is further cemented when James starts busking with Bob on his shoulders, bringing him an income he'd never expected and a fame he never sought.

However, as James tries to sort his life out, demons start to emerge and threaten his road to reconciliation and redemption...

A Street Cat Named Bob is exactly what you'd expect from a family film adaptation of Bowen's successful novel of life on the streets.

However, it's because of that, that this film never quite hits a tonal consistency throughout.

Despite the film starting off fairly gritty in its portrayal of the faceless homeless masses being treated badly on London's streets, the film quickly goes for saccharine to counter some of the darkness that threatens to enter the screen.
And even later on, the film's keen to embrace a degree of Trainspotting bleakness as James goes through withdrawal alone in his flat.

But, it's almost as if the film's too scared to take the movie to a darker place - granted, its simplicity and the occasionally overt naivete of the narrative mean it has to stay under a certain level to ensure a wider audience, but Spottiswoode is ham-strung by a story that feels like Homeless 101 sanitised for the middle-class liberal masses who don't want to feel guilty in the dark of the matinee.

Far more successful is when the film concentrates on its bond between feline and master, sending James into the category of quirky that gets so embraced by the English masses. While a lot of the bonding is simply kept to endless cutaways of the reaction of Bob to something that's said, any cat owner who's felt their charge is talking to them will recognise and empathise with every moment.
And while Spottiswoode initially employs a cats-eye-point-of-view for Bob's take on the world, this directorial trick soon begins to grate.

A Street Cat Named Bob may be earnest in its intentions and true to its author's tome, but it's hampered by some weaker acting from those involved.

Chiefly, Ruta Gedmintas's Betty, a hippy-dippy neighbour who wafts through life with a flighty approach, even with her well-meaning interactions with both James and Bob.

It's very easy to be cynical about a feel-good film such as this - as mentioned, it wears its heart on its sleeve, and clearly those involved want to ensure there's a sanitised approach and presentation to the homeless and darker elements of the story.

But it's not ultimately beneficial and while what transpires on screen is less than cat-astrophic and more feel-good, it certainly doesn't give paws for thought, thanks to the darker edges that could provided a stronger narrative being held at bay and ultimately leaving you with a more muted catharsis than should be expected.

Critically Acclaimed 'The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier' Continues in Episode 3 on March 28th

Critically Acclaimed 'The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier' Continues in Episode 3 on March 28th

Critically-Acclaimed  'The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier'  Continues with Episode Three: 'Above The Law' on March 28th Series Continues with Episode 3: 'Above the Law' Arriving Tuesday March 28th

Fellow Survivors, Today we can share the release date for the critically-acclaimed The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier's upcoming Episode 3: 'Above the Law'.   Beginning Tuesday March 28th, players can download Episode 3: 'Above the Law' on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC/Steam, iOS, and Android-based devices. The episode will also download for all users of the special Season Pass disc for consoles, which includes the critically acclaimed two-part premiere episodes, and grants access to Episode 3 and all subsequent episodes in the five episode season for download as they become available.  After the shocking events of 'Ties That Bind: Part Two', Javier struggles to find a role in his newly reunited family. Meanwhile, tension within the walls of Richmond grow. Will Clementine and the rest of the group turn against Javier? It may be time to choose between the family you're born into and the family you've made... The two-part premiere of The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier launched to widespread critical acclaim. In their review of the premiere, IGN.com said that, "Smart characterization and writing for Javi and his family, plus the return of Clementine, add weight to a largely unfamiliar but already engaging new frontier that I can't wait to continue to explore," adding that its "uncharted territory feels familiar and, excitingly, fresh." GamesRadar said that A New Frontier, "demonstrates the resonant power of interactive storytelling," and that it, "finds the right balance between rewarding longtime players who've shaped their own version of the story and welcoming those who might be hopping aboard this grim adventure for the first time." Game Informer said the two-part premiere has, "shocking deaths, intense betrayals, and split-second decisions to second-guess," claiming that "Everything leads up to a hell of a cliffhanger, making me intrigued to see what happens next."  The Walking Dead: A New Frontier acts as both a new beginning for players fresh to the series and unfamiliar with Clementine, as well as a continuation for players who have experienced Seasons One and Two. Players new to the series are able to start a story that is tailored to this new beginning. Players continuing onward from prior seasons have multiple options for quickly configuring their tailored backstory, or importing past save files from various platforms.   The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier Episode Three: 'Above The Law" is rated 'M' (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs by the ESRB. Future content in the season is yet to be rated.   To date, The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series has sold more than 50 million episodes worldwide, earning more than 100 Game of the Year awards from outlets including Metacritic, USA Today, Wired, Spike TV VGAs, Yahoo!, The Telegraph, Mashable, Polygon, Destructoid and GamesRadar, and was also the recipient of two BAFTA Video Games Awards for Best Story and Best Mobile Game.    The Walking Dead is set in the world of Robert Kirkman's award-winning comic book series and offers an emotionally-charged, tailored game experience where a player's actions and choices affect how their story plays out across the entire series.   For more information on the game, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter. For more information on The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, and all of his titles, visit www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.

A Cure For Wellness: Film Review

A Cure For Wellness: Film Review

Cast: Dane deHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth
Director: Gore Verbinski

Tipping its hat to horror and Gothic pretensions, Gore Verbinski's suspense-filled A Cure For Wellness soaks in mystery for 2 of its 2 and a half hours run time.

A pallid and drawn Dane De Haan stars as Lockhart, an ambitious investment banker, who's extorted to bring back the head of a financial company from a mysterious spa in the Swiss Alps.
With the clock ticking to return the man in question ahead of a company merger, Lockhart finds his efforts frustrated by the staff and owner of the spa who believe it's better for all if they stay and get some treatment.

But as Lockhart starts to look around, he digs deeper into the disturbing secrets of the spa - however, will he be too late?

There's a mania infecting every frame of A Cure For Wellness.

With Bojan Bazelli's precise and exquisite cinematography, A Cure For Wellness is infected with a starchly stiff look that manifests in every scene.

Moments are perfectly framed and add much to the overall sheen of A Cure For Wellness' frankly lunatic edges, giving the film a detached feeling that hangs heavy in the air as it plays out.

While DeHaan's growing incredulousness seems to be at odds with what you'd expect from the character, this Gothic-tinged film, with its transfixing blend of weirdness and and surreal nightmare edges is a Lovecraftian parable and dreamscape made real.

Complete with some great use of sound, the suspenseful atmosphere is ramped up to 11 and the creaks and clanks of the walls and Lockhart's crutches add a sense of a very real rhythm that comes, lulling you into an odd dreamlike mentality that helps you view the film.

As the body horror ramps up to its natural and expected crescendo, the actual denouement of the film is as utterly daffy as you'd expect. In fact, the sheer insanity of the end actually threatens to derail the film at this point, potentially derailing the meticulous work done by Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski and his team.

Large parts of the film feel like they've been ripped from plenty of other source materials (from a catalogue of horrors to elements of Scorsese's Shutter Island), and even the slow pans down the corridors recall The Kingdom, Lars von Trier's foray into TV.

And yet, despite the ending sequence, A Cure For Wellness remains a largely taut and well-executed trip into the fevered mind. It's a trip, to be sure, but the paranoia, suspense and madness within make it a journey well worth experiencing.

Office Christmas Party: DVD Review

Office Christmas Party: DVD Review

It's the time of the year.

It's the season for excessive partying and generally letting everything fly.

So it's no surprise that Office Christmas Party looks to fill the seasonal blow-out with a comedy aimed at the fun-loving audiences seeking an R rated raunch fest.

Essentially, with a threadbare plot, it's the story of Silicon Valley star TJ Miller's Clay, who's the local branch manager of a computer company handed down to him by his father. But the company's facing tough times and when Clay's sister Carol (Jennifer Aniston in boss bitch mode, already pioneered in elements of Horrible Bosses) shows up with the threat of closing down their branch, Clay's determined to land a big client and save the day.

His plan - to woo Courtenay B Vance's Walter Davis with the biggest office bash they've ever seen - and despite Carol's refusal to let them party with redundancy around the corner...

Office Christmas Party sets its stall out early on.

It's actually quite tame in comparison to prior R Rated fare like The Hangover that wore its crudity and boorishness on its sleeve. There's a real feeling of family in the film, from the family of workers to the bickering family dynamic between Carol and Clay, and it softens proceedings from what you may be expecting.

Miller does a version of his Pied Piper CEO character Erlich Bachman, and at times, feels constrained by the script and story. (Miller's always at his best in a loose approach or improvising, and it distinctly feels like he's been reined in).

Bateman and Munn have a tentative romance brewing and dynamic that's sweet but never cloying, though equally it never feels riveting and lively, with the softness more at the fore. Bateman plays his usual laconic everyman, Munn plays a computer genius who's human, Aniston plays icy cold to perfection, and Miller gets goofball manchild down pat.

But there's little zing where there could be more - and even when the party kicks in, the chance to ramp up the raunch is squandered. It should have been more Crass-mas than anything else.

It ends up once again being a film that's stolen by Ghostbusters star Kate McKinnon's performance. This time, she's an uptight oddball HR rep who's determined to squash the fun, while secretly harbouring a desire to be involved.

In among the awkward moments and the obligatory pushing the attempts to make this Project Xin an Office block, Office Christmas Party never quite fully hits the vibe it should. Sidelined by the sweetness and stunted by the lack of some strong frat elements and not enough laugh out loud gags, this is, unfortunately, one Office Christmas Party that delivers a hangover and needed many more of the boozy highs. 

Bad Santa 2: DVD Review

Bad Santa 2: DVD Review

Released by Madman Home Ent

Christmas comes every year.

And with it, there's a large portion of the world who are cynical and unimpressed as the commercial holiday kicks into gear, with its enforced jollity and OTT happiness.

The original 2003 outing of Bad Santa was the perfect antidote to the festive cheer - a crude, crass and comical caper that pitted a foul-mouthed thief and his dwarf friend against the festive season. Coupled with Terry Zwigoff's writing and Thornton's not giving a sh*t Santa, Bad Santa was near perfect holiday fodder, destined to take the shine off the saccharine season.

Unfortunately, Bad Santa 2 is the complete opposite; a piece of trashy cinema that plumbs the depths of depravity and somehow manages to mine deeper in its attempts to garner some jollies.

This time around, Billy Bob Thornton's beer-soaked Willie Soke is contacted once again by Marcus Skidmore (Cox) to help him crack open a safe with millions within. The kicker this time is that the safe is housed in a Chicago charity organisation, run by Christine Hendricks' Diane, a former alcoholic turned good. Ditching the innocent Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly, once again providing the naive simpleton approach), Sokes sets out to crack the safe and start again after being suicidal. But the kicker is that the con-job is being pioneered by his white trash estranged mother Sunny (Bates)....

Released 13 years almost to the day of the first film, Bad Santa 2 is distinctly difficult to love.

Much like its main star, who spends a disproportionate amount of time soaked in the booze, it's hard to see how anyone will get any laughs from this if they're sober. Every single punchline mines low hanging fruit and somehow manages to dig even deeper, ensuring the final outcome is a cloyingly annoying mix of depravity and puerile stupidity.

To be fair to the cast, they embrace this wholeheartedly, with Thornton once again proving to the antithesis to the normal dwellers of the red Santa suit. His deplorable and despicable antics prove fertile ground for some base jokes, but there's a real hint of tragedy about this man who can't get off unless he's called Santa and who starts the film by literally pissing on the past and trying to hang himself.

Equally prone to some kind of depression allegory is Kelly's Thurman Merman, a man-child whose outlook on life is clearly disconnected from the real world and whose eternal jollity comes naturally and provokes nervous laughter when anyone else would be calling for mental intervention.

The original wore its toxic despising of the enforced holiday period like a badge, a kind of honest heart on sleeve truth seldom acknowledged about the holiday period. This sequel, with its irritating desire to annoy with vulgar humour feels like a real let down for an attempt to follow a much-loved anti Christmas classic tradition.

Bad Santa 2 is one present under the Christmas tree that nobody cinematically will want; sure, some may get a perverse kick out of moments in its 90 minute run time, but others will want to run away as fast as their little elf legs can carry them.