MULTI AWARD-WINNING RPG DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 COMING TO PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE IN AUGUST 2018

MULTI AWARD-WINNING RPG DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2

COMING TO PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE IN AUGUST 2018

Collaboration between BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe and Larian Studios will take players on a fantastic adventure to experience a highly popular role-playing epic

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe today announced that DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2, the award-winning, BAFTA nominated role-playing-game (RPG) from Larian Studios is coming to the Xbox One® and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system in August 2018. Following the game’s incredible success in 2017 as Metacritic’s highest scoring PC game; BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe, in partnership with Larian Studios, will bring DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 to console players, taking them on an adventure that will enable players to go anywhere and do anything in one of the deepest RPG worlds ever created.

DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 gives players the freedom of a sandbox RPG, encouraging improvisation and experimentation, with rules made to be bent rather than followed. The game takes place in the world of Rivellon where players can go anywhere, talk to anyone (living, dead, or non-human), and fully interact with the game world like no other RPG. The game features six unique origin characters with full-fledged backstories, personalities, and questlines: Red Prince, a haughty but heroic lizard noble; Sebille, an elven assassin; Lohse, a possessed musician; Ifan ben-Mezd, a mercenary ex-soldier; Beast, a rebel-turned-pirate dwarf; and Fane, an undead member of the long-forgotten Eternal race. Console players diving into the world of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 for the first time will enjoy a user interface tailored for console play in both four-player online co-op and two-player split-screen co-op modes. Additional content updates and extra features will be announced in the weeks and months leading to the game’s launch later this year.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to work with Larian Studios who has already shown its talented work through the previous games” said Hervé Hoerdt, Vice President of Marketing & Digital at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe. “We are extremely pleased to bring this outstanding title to our lineup by offering new epic adventures to console gamers with the deepest RPG worlds ever created”

“It was very important to us to have DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 distributed by a team that understands how to bring RPGs to a broad audience.” said Swen Vincke, Founder and CEO of Larian Studios. “With Dark Souls and The Witcher, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment demonstrated they know how to do exactly that and so I’m very happy we’ll have their support.”

Development of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 began with a successful Kickstarter campaign in August 2016, raising over $2 million from more than 40,000 backers. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 will be available physically and digitally in in August 2018. To learn more about the game, please visit: http://larian.com/, or see the game in action at https://www.youtube.com/user/LarianStudios, or follow the Larian development team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LarianStudios/.

For more details about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe’s other products feel free to visit us at https://www.bandainamcoent.eu or follow us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU or join the conversation on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bandainamcoeu.

Wonder: DVD Review

Wonder: DVD Review

That Wonder's desire is solely aimed at feel good fare is easy to scoff at.

In the adaptation of RJ Palacio's book of the same name, Room's Jacob Tremblay plays Auggie, a young boy with a congenital condition that has necessitated 27 surgeries and still left him scarred.

Living life under an astronaut's helmet, Auggie, despite protestations, is joining his local school at the cautious urging of his parents (played with empathy, warmth and heart by Roberts and Wilson).

Trepidacious at what lies ahead, Auggie's journey begins.

Wonder is occasionally nothing more than a series of perfectly timed sentiment bombs, each calculated to detonate with maximum impact.

From time to time, it's easy to be cynical about their deployment and to dismiss the mawkishness that lurks below the surface.

Much like Mask, but distinctly lacking the same edge, Wonder, with its Star Wars predilection, has much to say about tolerance and acceptance. Auggie becomes a mirror for those to be what they want to be and to face their own fears.

Tremblay delivers a subtle turn that falls on cutesy sometimes but also reveals the frustrations of life within. Much more potential is shown to those who inhabit and orbit his world - but only some of it is explored in his sister, Via (Vidovic) whose life is pushed to the edges by Auggie's constant attention.

But, and unfortunately so, Wonder is not interested in bringing edge to the drama. 

Consequently it can at times feel a little shallow and undeveloped as it seeks never to fully blame and push only positives in its bullying message. Everyone is a victim in some shape or other, and while the message's reason is that everyone has a story to tell, it does feel like a bit of a cop-out at times.

That message of tolerance may be important and a vital one to send to its audience in the times we live in but it doesn't always make for coherent drama. There is a feeling as the film chops and changes between varying narratives that not all of what happens feels as developed as could be, and certainly it's a crying shame given the insights that are given into different characters.

That said, all the themes of Wonder are admirable ones - themes of friendship, trust, living life, dealing with and to bullies, all very beneficial messages to get across. And while the mantra of Choosing Kind is also a good one and one occasionally overlooked, Wonder's power emerges from the smaller moments rather than the overly-milked mawkish ones.

It's easy to be cynical in the face of films like this, but Wonder's conviction and desire to hold its nerve on its course mean even the toughest of hearts may find tears emerging when least expected - and even when every emotional moment is signposted and mined for all it can be. 

Game of Thrones: Season 7 Blu Ray Review

Game of Thrones: Season 7 Blu Ray Review

Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

With the end in sight for the TV version of George R R Martin's books, it was inevitable the expectation would be high for Game of Thrones: Season 7.

If you're a fan, it doesn't disappoint, but if you're a casual viewer wondering what the fuss is about, this will do nothing but accentuate the alienation you feel from others by not knowing what's going on.

With 7 episodes this time, from largely original content, the surprise factor is high as the pieces on the board start to march inexorably onto their final conclusion.

Twists, betrayals, dragons, epic fights - they're all here - and while the convergence of the plot lines is rewarding, there's a nagging feeling the speediness in which it all is happening is at the detriment of the storytelling within.

There's no denying that Game of Thrones: Season 7 is a good, pacy watch, but it lacks the deeper engagement offered by prior seasons.

Winter may be coming, but it may be worth holding off season 7 viewing until season 8 of Game Of Thrones is here, then watching them all together.

Walking Out: Film Review

Walking Out: Film Review

Cast: Matt Bomer, Josh Wiggins, Bill Pullman
Director: The Smith Brothers

Walking Out may be a survival tale, but its sparse presentation may also leave some feeling frustration.

Josh Wiggins is David, a teen obsessed with games on his phone rather than the desire to spend time in the snowy Montana mountains with his estranged father, Cal (Bomer).

Things don't get off to a great start when Cal is late collecting his son and the bond is further strained when it becomes clear David's annual outing is more a tradition for his father than the father and son.

But Cal is determined to pass down the family gun heirloom and knowledge from his own father (Bill Pullman, barely on screen and in flashbacks only) and help his son nab his first moose.

So far, so cliched for hunting films.

But when a young bear cub attacks David and an accident befalls Cal, Walking Out becomes more a survival tale of the low-key nature.

That's the thing with this film- its commitment to low key and character mark it out from the usual fare, but also highlights some of its flaws.

Bomer and Wiggins portray the strain with ease and underlying heart of the family well, but the film's run time stretches the goodwill as far as it can go.

Beautiful mountains and backdrops add much, particularly a shot of a river bubbling through the snow-capped ice, and contribute to some wondrous visuals to cut between scenes.

Ultimately, Walking Out's commitment to a father-son bond is both its strength and its weakness. Much of the early talk signposts what lies ahead and points at the foibles of each, leaving the story feeling deflated despite the insights.

Small character pieces can be great, but Walking Out just falls short, making this trip to the chilly wilderness a bit frosty as a cinema going experience - and despite the character interplay and insights into relationships, it freezes viewers out more than it ought to.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy release date is

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is here!

The original roast master is back! Same sick burns, same smouldering attitude, now all scaled up in stunning HD. Spyro is bringing the heat like never before in the Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy game collection. Rekindle the fire with the original three games, Spyro™ the Dragon, Spyro™ 2: Ripto's Rage! and Spyro™: Year of the Dragon.

Pre-order and receive:
- Spyro™ Dynamic theme
- Spyro™ Avatar

Out September 21st!

Marvel’s Spider-Man is out 7 September

Marvel’s Spider-Man is out 7 September

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Out 7 September Explore a new chapter in Marvel’s Spider-Man universe as a more experienced Peter Parker. Starring one of the world’s most iconic Super Heroes, Marvel's Spider-Man features the acrobatic abilities, improvisation and web-slinging that the wall-crawler is famous for, while also introducing elements never-before-seen in a Spider-Man game. From traversing by parkour and unique environmental interactions, to new combat and blockbuster action, it’s Spider-Man unlike any you’ve played before. WATCH NOW Digital Deluxe Edition Pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition to jump-start your web-slinging experience. Unlock abilities at the beginning of the game and play the post-launch story chapters in The City that Never Sleeps, once available. PRE-ORDER NOW

Special Edition Grab a copy of the Special Edition to get the full game, White Spider Sticker, stunning custom SteelBook® and Mini Artbook with early-look concepts and unreleased artwork. FIND OUT MORE

New from the Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series: Target Assault Races & The Vapid Caracara

New from the Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series: Target Assault Races & The Vapid Caracara

More to come from The Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series this week, including the latest Race Mode, a brand new vehicle, and bevy of Discounts & Bonuses.

Teams of two challenge both their marksmanship and racing skills in Target Assault Races, the new mode featuring seven unique tracks complete with an assortment of weaponized vehicles including the latest car to hit Warstock Cache & Carry, the Vapid Caracara.

The Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series races on with a brand new mode. Attention all wheelmen and gunners - it’s time to team up and test your chemistry in a brand new race mode, pitting speed vs precision in a fight for first place.

In Target Assault Races, now available to play in GTA Online, teams of two strap into a range of weaponized vehicles - one behind the wheel, and the other on the trigger. The Gunner is responsible for destroying targets from a mounted gun, while the Driver races to outmaneuver the opposition for additional points on each lap. After each lap the Gunner and the Driver switch roles, and whichever team finishes with the most points wins.

Finishing laps in the top three and passing through Checkpoints ahead of your opponents will earn you bonus points, but accuracy is the name of the game here. You'll score more points for smaller targets, and even more for hitting them dead center. Scatter-shooters may feast on large green targets, but if you're racking up bullseyes on the elusive small red target, you'll soon eclipse them on the leaderboard.

As the Driver, play to your teammate's strengths — if your Gunner's on a streak, ease up on the throttle and let them rip through a few more targets before rushing to the next Checkpoint.

Target Assault Races are available to play today in GTA Online, with seven unique tracks featuring an assortment of assault-minded vehicles, including the new Vapid Caracara. Jump into the Target Assault Series blip on the map and earn Double GTA$ and RP all week long.

When it comes to barreling through traffic while your buddy rips through foes with a rear-mounted Minigun, it doesn't get much bigger than the Vapid Caracara. Pick up the Vapid Caracara today exclusively from Warstock Cache & Carry and take it for a spin in the new Target Assault mode.

Flex your aerial might over the lowly citizens of Los Santos with the Mammoth Avenger flying base of operations, now 30% off through April 9th. Once you obtain this soaring tower of doom, you'll also find discounts on Weapon & Vehicle Workshops, to upgrade your arsenal of destruction while on the move.

The Avenger will help you dominate from above but you'll still need firepower back on the ground too. Luckily, Warstock Cache & Carry has got you covered — check out this week's full list of discounts below: