One of the best games of the 2020s so far has been given a technical polish, including native 4K performance, framerate improvements, and Variable Refresh Rate. There have been noticeable graphical upgrades, particularly in depth of field and background detail. From the beginning of the game, as Joel and Tommy ride their horses over a … Read more
There are many years where I have trouble compiling a full list of games I truly enjoyed. It boils down to either a lack of quality or just that I haven’t gotten around to some of them (sorry Baldur’s Gate 3), but that was not the case in 2023. In many ways, it was a … Read more
Valve’s portable PC platform Steam Deck has enjoyed another good year, with a new OLED model and cheaper entry point contributing to a steady increase in popularity. Throughout the year, Valve has been letting players know which titles are most popular on Steam Deck each month, with some consistent titles cropping up over the year. … Read more
“Thirsty Suitors” It’s been a surreal year for video games, with publishers cutting jobs by the thousands and shuttering countless studios while, in the same breath, boasting that business has never been better. Even as a tsunami of acclaimed blockbusters began to arrive over the summer, one triple-A developer told me, “Everyone I know in … Read more
And it’s not just the repetition. The graphics often feel clunky, particularly when it comes to trying to shoot something at a distance. In general, the gameplay mechanics are frustrating. I have yet to really figure out how to slide between weapons, ingest food for healing, or perform other basic duties in the heat of … Read more
According to a viral TikTok, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes shares nearly the same plot as the Star Wars prequels. In a video uploaded back in November, TikTok user and musician @the_moonrocks explains how the Hunger Games prequel film focusing on Coriolanus Snow (AKA the future President Snow) follows story beats … Read more
And here’s where things get tricky. The launch maps rule. Certainly more than the launch maps for the last two releases. They’re classics for a reason, and the biggest problem with the multiplayer offerings in recent “CoD” editions has been map design. So, yes, it’s all overly familiar and over-priced, but it’s also a better … Read more
Taking down Napoleon & Wish, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes pulled off a surprising Thanksgiving weekend victory. Last week it seemed the writing was on the wall: audiences weren’t very interested in the latest Hunger Games offering. Opening to a less than expected $44.6 million combined with the general front loaded … Read more
Snow lands on top! The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes topped the Thanksgiving box office in its second weekend, hauling in $28.8 million (3-day, -35%) and $41.1M (5-day) to bring its domestic total to $98.3M per Deadline. The prequel remained atop the charts despite high-profile newcomers, namely Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, which finished … Read more
The Hunger Games prequel has a lot to be thankful for this weekend as it pulls off the upset victory over two new releases. Well, this weekend sure got interesting! A movie that had a softer than anticipated debut and had been written off as dead and buried, is making a triumphant comeback during this … Read more