Call of Duty: Black Ops 4: PS4 Review

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4: PS4 Review

Released by Activision
Platform: PS4

Embracing the multiplayer after the likes of PUBG and Fortnite radically changed the game, the latest iteration of Call of Duty ups their multiplayer ante by ditching singleplayer for more of a current gaming trend approach.

By finessing gunplay and ensuring the basics work, Treyarch's jewel in their crown is Blackout, a Battle Royale which plops you into a 100 PvP shootout to the death. Uncompromising in many ways, the game's brutality is also its selling point, and given how the Battle Royale approach to gaming has overcome the marketplace, Call of Duty's take on it all is actually quite impressive, adrenalin-pumping and genuinely enticing.

With a trio of solid maps and the return of Zombies as well, the latest game doesn't really suffer from the lack of single player, though there is an argument that newbies to the franchise won't want to dive into the intricacies of the online multiplayer, only to be picked off early on.

You'll need to have your wits about you too as well, given that the game doesn't auto-regenerate you, and while this feels more realistic, making you concentrate on what you're doing, rather than going hell for leather and shooting everything that moves.

Solo Missions looks into the background of the team and there's a lot of a push to promote co-operation, which makes sense in the multiplayer mode.

Graphically the look of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the first person shooter you've come to expect; it hits the marks needed, and while this release's downfall is the lack of a single player campaign, it's understandable why the developers have moved in this direction.

The problem with it is that while regular fans of the shooter genre will be happy, and COD fans will be pleased with what's presented, newer non-fans of the FPS genre may struggle to find this as an entry point - it's not a fatal wound, but it may be one worth considering when the next iteration is considered, and when the servers struggle to match make.

Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy is out now

Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy is out now

Spyro, the iconic purple dragon that entertained living rooms worldwide in the late ‘90s, is making an epic return today with the release of Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy.

Even Snoop Dogg is excited and after 2,808 miles across America, the first fire-breathing and talking Spyro drone made it to Snoop’s house and delivered the goods!

Spyro Reignited Trilogy introduces players to a fully remastered game collection with a re-imagined cast of characters, animations, environments, brand-new lighting and recreated cinematics—all in stunning HD. The game is available now on PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro and the family of Xbox One devices from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X.

FOLLOW SPYRO:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spyro

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The Old Man & The Gun: Film Review

The Old Man & The Gun: Film Review

Cast: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck
Director: David Lowery

Touted as Robert Redford's cinematic swansong, and marketed thus, the latest film from A Ghost Story's David Lowery uses Redford's undeniable charm to maximum effect in his take on a true story.

Redford plays Forrest Tucker, a career criminal who used a smile, an apparent gun and a suit to rob banks. Never anything other than unflappably polite, Lowery's tale follows Tucker post-robbery as he encounters Spacek's Jewel, broken down on the side of the road. Striking up a friendship and romantic spark, Tucker resists Jewel's attempts to find out what he does, claiming he's a salesman.

However, on the side, Tucker continues to rob banks with minimum fuss, engaging the interest of ennui-ridden's Detective John Hunt (Affleck), who's hit 40 and is tired of the life he leads.

Piqued by the case dubbed the Over-The-Hill-gang (and more specifically the thrill of the chase) Hunt and Tucker engage in a cat-and-mouse game throughout the years.

The Old Man & The Gun is an intriguingly relaxed film, one that feels like a 70s caper, but resists the smash-and-grab thrills of the heist genre.

Whilst its jazzy score leaves a little to be desired throughout, and is never quite successful in underscoring the atmosphere, the gentle charms of Lowery's piece are curiously affecting in ways that would work even if this were not Redford's farewell.

It may feel like the characters are underwritten in parts - certainly, in Tucker's case, there's nothing but a sort of admiration for the general ballsiness he has to carry out his robberies; but in truth, Redford imbues Tucker with a sort of affection and charm that is more affable rogue than psychologically-scarred inveterate criminal.

It's suited to the way Redford's played his career in many ways, but Lowery's also smart enough to ensure he doesn't overplay the edges, and still adds in some levels of suspense, where really little exists.

There are attempts to flourish the film with 80s-style montages and quick split-screen cuts, but in truth, The Old Man & The Gun is anything but flashy, preferring instead to lay out the threads, subtly tie them together and then have them coincide unexpectedly.

It's not all entirely successful - certainly Elisabeth Moss' cameo seems at odds with the rest of the film, and hints at a darkness that's never fully explored or explained, which would have added further depths to Tucker's behaviour and make-up.

Spacek and Redford have a rapport that's hard to shake, and certainly Jewel's attempts to straighten him out over the years when their paths collided are exerted in subtle moments from the script. Plus there are long shots of the duo simply talking or engaging in daily routines which are seldom seen on the screen these days.

Gently cruising through its 90 minute run time, The Old Man & The Gun works in many ways, and fails in some. But as an almost-shaggy dog story unfolds, it does wrap you up in its charms, and provides you with a poignancy that's hard to shake.

Win a copy of Marvel's Ant-Man and The Wasp

Win a copy of Marvel's Ant-Man and The Wasp

From Marvel Studios comes Ant-Man and the Wasp, a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. 

As he struggles to balance his home life and super hero duties, Scott Lang finds he must suit up again, joining the Wasp on an urgent mission to uncover secrets from the past.

Marvel's Ant-Man and The Wasp is out now

Exclusive extras provide an inside look at some of Marvel Comics’ most celebrated characters and the consummate, comedic actors who portray them in “Ant-Man and The Wasp.” 

Featurettes spotlight Paul Rudd, who returns as good-hearted thief turned hero, Scott Lang, and delivers big laughs both on set and in theaters; Evangeline Lilly, who transforms into The Wasp, the first female character to be featured in the title treatment of a Marvel Studios film; and iconic actors Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer as super couple Hank and Janet Van Dyne.  

Viewers can explore more about the visual development artists and effects used to bring the characters to life and drastically alter the size of the Super Heroes and their surroundings. 

Additional extras include deleted scenes, bloopers, outtakes, and audio commentary by “Ant-Man” franchise director Peyton Reed.

BONUS MATERIAL:

Blu-ray & Digital:

• Director’s Intro by Peyton Reed – The talented creator behind some of Marvel Studios’ funniest and most charming films will invite home audiences deeper into the world of “Ant-Man and The Wasp.”
• Making-of Featurettes:

• Back in the Ant Suit: Scott Lang – Hero and all-star dad Scott Lang keeps the laughs coming for the audience, cast and crew.
• A Suit of Her Own: The Wasp – Highly trained Hope Van Dyne is now the Wasp. See how some of her craziest stunts and action-packed scenes were brought to life.
• Subatomic Super Heroes: Hank & Janet – Hank Pym’s wife Janet was lost in the quantum realm. Trace the legacy of these characters and the iconic actors who portray them.
• Quantum Perspective: The VFX and Production Design of “Ant-Man and The Wasp” – Explore the movie’s visual effects and production design from a whole new viewpoint, in which every micro and macro detail counts.

• Gag Reel and Outtakes – Audiences are treated to the hilarious quips that did not make the film as well as exclusive outtakes from Stan Lee and Tim Heidecker.

• Gag Reel - Join in the fun with these outtakes from the set.
• Stan Lee Outtakes - Stan Lee tries out a series of hilarious one-liners for the scene in which his car shrinks.
• Tim Heidecker Outtakes - Check out Whale Boat Captain Daniel Goobler and his improvised whale-watching riffs.

• Deleted Scenes (with commentary by Director Peyton Reed)

• Worlds Upon Worlds - As Janet leads Hank through the surreal landscape of the quantum realm, they encoun ter an intelligent life form.
• Sonny’s on the Trail - On the hunt for Hank Pym and his lab, Sonny Burch and his henchmen check the security camera of a neighborhood bookstore.


To win all you have to do is email your details and the word ANT-MAN to this address: darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com or CLICK HERE NOW!

Competition closes November 26th

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2: PS4 Review

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2: PS4 Review

Released by 2K Games
Platform: PS4

Looking like a bobbleheads version of a basketball game, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a sports sim that's more about the broad fun, than the hard-as-nails sports approach.

Meshing arcade sensibilities with a 2v2 mentality works well for this candy-coloured game that's more about fun thanks to its association with the 2K Sports brand.

At the start, you get access to trading cards, which helps you unlock certain players, and teams to help you build a roster. Nicely packaged, and smartly deployed the cartoon edges give NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 a feeling of fun to begin with.

As for the gameplay itself, with some 300 players and ten new playgrounds from around the world, the throwback mentality of the game is complemented with some depth that puts it on a par with feeling like something new, other than just a blatant rip-off.

Games themselves are pacy, and require some degree of skill to ensure you get the most out of your roster. But equally, the game's open to those who've never balled before, and who know the names of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Earning in-game currency means you can build a roster, and you don't have to engage in the horror of microtransactions to get by. You can if you want, but it's not a necessary factor to enjoying the game.

With a shooting metre to help with the hoop shots, you'll need to learn some basics, but they come quickly, and the games shoot by speedily thanks to their ease of playability.

Ultimately NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a pick up and play, no experience necessary (but better if you want to play long term) title that's fun and disposable balling at its best.

XO18: a special two-hour episode of Inside Xbox

XO18: a special two-hour episode of Inside Xbox

Xbox will host a special two-hour episode of Inside Xbox as part of X018 – a global celebration of all things Xbox filled with news, interviews, deals and much more. 

You’ll get the chance to hear from Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft Studios Matt Booty and Minecraft Studio Head Helen Chiang among others. 

There will be news about Xbox Game Pass, Crackdown 3, Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, Forza Horizon 4 and plenty of surprises, so be sure to tune in.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle | Official Trailer

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle | Official Trailer

NETFLIX releases trailer for the upcoming masterpiece Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto all feature in this new Netflix film

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle launches globally on Netflix on December 7

Acclaimed actor and director Andy Serkis reinvents Rudyard Kipling’s beloved masterpiece, in which a boy torn between two worlds accepts his destiny and becomes a legend. Mowgli (Rohan Chand) has never truly belonged in either the wilds of the jungle or the civilized world of man. Now he must navigate the inherent dangers of each on a journey to discover where he truly belongs. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Matthew Rhys and Naomie Harris lead an all-star cast along with newcomer Rohan Chand in this visually spectacular and emotionally moving adventure.

The film will be released globally on Netflix on December 7.