Phil Villarreal's Blog, page 95

PHIL ON FILM: "Bohemian Rhapsody"

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Book Report: "Dirty Sexy Games"

Dirty Sexy Games by Laurelin Paige
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book was a colossal disappointment, failing to live up to its intriguing title. I went in expecting a "Cruel Intentions"-style tale of manipulation, lust and deceit, but got a bland tale of rich people dealing with rich people problems.

The lone intriguing conflict -- a man discovers on his wedding day that he has a two-year-old son he never knew about and conceals it from his wife on his honeymoon -- peters out about halfway through, turning this into a milquetoast tale of a couple working out marital difficulties.

Author Laurelin Paige spends copious time describing steamy sex between the couple in extreme detail. While eye-rollingly cliched, these passages are no doubt the most crowd-pleasing to its target audience, which is no doubt made up of readers who revel in having such pictures painted for them. Trashy, sure, but at least it's honest.

Paige could not have conjured a more pointless and unsatisfying story to weave her softcore porn around. Groan-inducing dialogue and dopey plot twists wait around every corner, and no real tension grows or twists emerge.

While Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan do an admirable job of narrating the insipid prose in alternating-perspective chapters in the Audible version, their efforts aren't close enough to making this worth your time.

Neither dirty nor all that sexy, these games aren't worth playing.



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"NBA 2K Playgrounds 2" Review

A fast-paced, over-the-top two-on-two basketball game in the tradition of "NBA Jam" meets the card-collecting, fantasy team-building aspects of EA's "Ultimate Team" side modes in "NBA 2K Playgrounds 2."

More freewheeling and accessible than its basketball sim counterpart, the Saber Interactive creation goes far beyond the side mode it could have been to stand alone as a formidable basketball title in its own right.

A colossal swath of current and former players are unlockable, ranging from superstars to obscure benchwarmers. Harvesting points that can be cashed in for card packs to unlock new players is an unending thrill, providing you ample reason to return to the playground. It also helps that the basketball is damn fun.

Online multiplayer is where "NBA 2K Playgrounds 2" really comes into its own, taking on the feel of street ball pickup games, with all four players being controlled by people. This "we've got next" style, king-of-the-court feel is addictive and enthralling, and gives you incentive to not only hone your own skills, but refine your communication and cooperation with your teammate in order to maximize your court time, success and accompanying rewards.

Although the rewards loop is well designed and executed, there is a creeping money-grubbing, pay-to-win mentality that creeps in, feeling more in place in a free-to-play mobile title than a full-figured console release.

That said, "NBA 2K Playgrounds 2" is perfectly enjoyable without spending a penny of extra money. Everything you want can be won with honest, sneaker-squeaking grinding, and the fact that it takes a while to build up to the blind-drop hoopster of your dreams somehow adds to the charm of the hustle rather than detracting from it. Like a real-life game of playground ball, sometimes the going is rough, but the thrills that await you make the struggles well worth it.
Publisher provided review code.

"Castlevania Requiem" Review

While some argue the early NES and SNES "Castlevania" games are the series' high point, while some swear by the last-gen "Lords of Shadow" action adaptation, just about all "Castlevania" fans hold soft spots for the two iconic 1990s  entries, which managed to bridge the classic exploration aspects with the intricate flourishes of the gothic art style that had evolved with the franchise.

"Castlevania Requiem" rounds up the inseparable duo: "Rondo of Blood" and "Symphony of the Night." Both games maintain their original aspect ratio, graphical fidelity and audio tracks. Bucking the trend of re-imaginings and remasters of 1990s games that have flooded the PS4/Xbox One generation, Konami went the route of directly porting the games.

Purists will adore the choices, although some quality-of-life improvements, such as the rewind feature of "Rare Replay" or a more friendly checkpoint system, might have made the games as accessible as they are enderaing.

Both games ooze haunting charm. While neither is a stranger to rereleases -- the games have popped  up on both handheld and home console previous-gen PlayStation consoles -- there is something deeply satisfying about witnessing the old standbyes claw their way out of the grave once again to raise their particular reward loop of explore, unlock, backtrack and advance that defined the term "Metroidvania."

It's a testament to the craftsmanship of these now ancient artifacts of gamedom that they hold up so well. Both games are just as able as ever to sear their brand of horror into your psyche, challenging you to redouble your efforts to take on the tremendous challenge and see your way through the morbid, elegiac sagas. The games are still cruel and unforgiving, just as they should be.
Publisher provided review code.

"Lego Overwatch Omnic Bastion" Review

As "Overwatch" has planted its stake in various corners of pop culture, dominating eSports and streaming sites while making headway in fields such as comics, it was only a matter of time until Blizzard's dynamo was ordained with its own Lego set.

It's finally happened with "Lego Overwatch Omnic Bastion," which lets you construct a towering warrior capable of swiveling at the waist, moving its arms and aiming a humongous machine gun at all comers.

Meant to stand guard at desks, book cases, dorm rooms and lockers, the intimidating yet disarmingly adorable creature is as fun to pose as to build.

The 182-piece set, recommended for ages 10 and up, is a blast to put together, deconstruct and -- as is the beauty of Lego -- modify to your whims. Want to add a robot crane arm? Just take it off another set and snap it on. Prefer a pair of mechanical wings? Knock yourself out.

Just keep that snazzy "Lego Blizzard" exclusive placard at the front, because this is "Overwatch," after all, and you should never pass up a chance to humblebrag.
Publisher provided review set.

"Diablo III Eternal Collection" Switch Review

Since its 2012 PC release, "Diablo III" has stood as one of the most fascinating and content-rich action RPGs in all of gaming. Blizzard has taken its time to spread the game to other consoles, in each instance managing to release a bigger, bolder version of the towering adventure -- gracing PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, then the PS4 and Xbox One in 2014 -- that it seemed to have been coded from the ground up for the new platform.

Now the game finally makes its Switch debut. What some expected to be a pared-down version of the game instead is a robust release that makes a strong, virulent case for being the definitive version of the game. Rounding up all previously released DLC, as well as the myriad updates and enhancements that developers have trotted out over the years, this is a slickly playing, gorgeous-looking, impossibly deep version of the game that easily stands alongside the substance you'll find on the Xbox One and PS4, surpassing those versions in many ways.

Blizzard casts the template for how hardcore multiplayer co-op should have been done all along, and must be followed in the future. With lobbies that boast masterful matchmaking and friend pairing, the multiplayer aspect of "Diablo III," which is integral to its makeup, shimmers in a way that had not yet been even hinted at on the Switch. Only "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and "Splatoon 2" have even hinted at such a level of well-honed infrastructure, and although hampered by Nintendo's insipid approach to voice communication, it smooths over the rocky roads with a satisfying suite of communication tools. 

With all modes unlocked from the start -- including the instanced rift modes that continue to dole out high-powered enemies and rare loot ad infinitum -- it's easy to jump back into the maelstrom even if you're a veteran who has poured dozens of hours into the game over the years. You're reading that right. The likes of "Reaper of Souls," "The Rise of the Necromancer" and "Kanai's Cube" are all accessible from the get-go. Seasonal additions that were previously native to the other platforms are also promised to come, along with the online challenge ladders.

Nintendo-specific enhancements are also there, including a Legend of Ganondorf armor set, Triforce portrait frame and other Easter eggs add a Zelda seasoning to the mix. Naturally, the Pro Controller is supported. The game looks gorgeous at home, but playing it on the go makes for a giddily fresh experience that seems almost too good to be true. For a frame of reference, think of that feeling you got while playing "Skyrim" on the go.

Perhaps the game's greatest triumph has little to do with "Diablo III" itself, but what it portends for the future of the Switch, as well as gaming as a whole. This is an adaptation that's likely to open the eyes and minds of other publishers and developers to see what's possible for Switch ports of top-tier games. "Well, if Blizzard can do it with 'Diablo III' then we can do it with Game X," may well become the mentality for the creative class moving forward.

If that proves true, this "Eternal Collection" will prove to be even more of a legendary drop indeed.
Publisher provided review code.

"Call of Cthulhu" Review

A haunting and eerie take on horror game, "Call of Cthulhu" is arguably the most mature H.P. Lovecraft video game adaptation to date. Cyanide Studios' first-person game blends adventure, walking simulator and branching-path RPG elements into a surreal and torturous trek into the dark resources of the mind.

Set in 1920s Boston, you play as a private detective who is haunted by traumas suffered during service in World War I. A hard drinker who struggles with mental health and tortured relationships, he struggles to keep things together as he takes on a case from a wealthy client who insists on proving that there was more to the death of his daughter than the police managed to uncover.

Your efforts to crack the mystery lead you down a long, winding road of destruction and decay. You're confronted with choices that let you decide whether to seek a short-term gain in favor of longer-term suffering. Your choices during conversations shade the inner workings and motivations of your character, leading down potentially varied paths.

As you struggle through your obsessive quest toward some measure of redemption, you face down demons both personal and actual, locked in a struggle with your own heart, mind and even eyes. You  are rarely fully sure whether your adversaries are real or hallucinatory.

Occasional hiccups in controls and visual fidelity tend to snap you out of the suspension of disbelief, separating you from engagement with the spell cast by the writing. But trudge through the shortcomings and you're in for an arresting experience that stays true to the source material while pushing the genre forward in bold and meaningful ways. It takes a lot of effort to work your way through the world, but those who heed Cthulhu's foreboding call will be rewarded in kind.
Publisher provided review code.

"Goosebumps: The Game" Review

With the "Goosebumps" sequel in theaters and Halloween in the air, it was time to revisit the overlooked "Goosebumps" game. The Switch is just the platform needed to inject some life into the delightfully creepy, family-friendly adventure, which is occasionally more frightening than it has any right to be.

WayForward Technologies' port of the 2015 point-and-click adventure meshes well with the Switch's repertoire, making excellent use of the device's screen. The game thrives most in mobile play, in which the immediacy emphasizes the frightening moments.

True to the spirit of the novels and their TV adaptations, the horror focuses on dark, sci-fi-heavy twists on everyday life as a child and teen. You play as a student whose life goes off the rails, starting with a harrowing walk home from school. Nearby lurks wilderness plagued by deadly creatures.

Cut scenes, which play out in animations set to text, provide some harrowing moments, but the most satisfying scares come when you make a wrong choice that leads to a jump scare signaling your demise. Not only is the image itself off-putting, but the thought of having to lose your progress is equally horrifying.

"Goosebumps" plays at times like a game that came long before 2015. The lack of significant voice acting could be explained away as a conscious choice in an effort to stay true to the feel of R.L. Stine's source material, but it can more easily be attributed to the publisher's intent to favor expedience over quality.

While rough around the edges, the thrills the game provides make it well worth a pickup for "Goosebumps" fanatics in the mood for a visual novel-style feel that takes them back to their youth, reading the books late at night with a flashlight under the covers.
Publisher provided review code.

"Just Dance 2019" Review

The "Just Dance" series continues to thrive, superseding a graveyard of rhythm games, including other dance titles that fell to the wayside. The main reasons are ease of use, as well as the novelty of seeing how ridiculous -- and if you're lucky, even how good -- you look when you're busting moves in your living room.

With "Just Dance 2019," Ubisoft continues to refine what worked for the series in the past, get rid of extraneous fluff and innovate with compelling new features. A finely curated tracklist of some of the songs that made the most memorable impact on the pop culture landscape over the past year continues to freshen up the exergaming superstar, keeping "Just Dance 2019" front and center as not only the premiere party game on the market, but also one of the most efficient and fun ways to work out daily while gaming. Games from the series have become my personal go-to. I ditched jogging in favor of dancing like an idiot in front of the Kinect sensor, and have never looked back.

If you lack Kinect, a PS4 camera or a similar console camera, you can use a mobile device to track your movements. The ideal way to play the game, though, remains with video accompaniment.

The game comes with a 30-day trial subscription for Just Dance Unlimited, which opens up just about the entire back catalogue of the series' songs  -- around 400 total. The cost is $24 a year if you decide to go with it, and is well worth it if you're a daily user.

Kids Mode is a godsend for parents, not only rounding up the most innocuous -- if also the most ear-splitting -- tunes, but covering up the dancers' faces on videos in order to prevent any accidental exposure if the video is shared online.

The choreography is as creative and cutting-edge as always, and the visuals also get a significant boost, with media such as claymation making appearances.

One of the better-kept secrets of "Just Dance 2019" is how it doubles as a karaoke machine. While the likes of "Singstar," "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" have long since faded into the background, "Just Dance" continues to be the go-to place for musicians to get their work in front of would-be performers.

It's a tribute to the game's design acumen how it manages to stay replayable even after copious use. With loads of side modes, unlockables, a calorie tracker and online shenanigans to chase after, "Just Dance 2019" is yet another crowning achievement in a series that never fails to impress. Here's to yet another memorable encore.
Publisher provided review code.

"Red Dead Redemption 2" Review

I let my 11-year-old son play "Red Dead Redemption II" for a bit, insisting he start a new save file so as not to mess with my own. I usually let him hop in and out of the games I play, happy to have him score some achievements for me or see how he would react to certain scenarios as a way of cross-checking my 40-year-old point of view with his youthful perspective.

With this game, though, I wanted none of that. This is a game wrapped up in a living economy in which every choice you make has rippling affects toward everything else you will see and do as your journey unfolds. I couldn't bear to have my singular journey tainted by my boy's choices.

As he watched the majestic sequence he became antsy, wondering when exactly the action would start.

He was bored as hell and could hardly stand it.

He couldn't appreciate the majesty of the rolling, snow-sloped vistas, the way the snowflakes rested on your horse's mane, or the way the voice actors spoke as though their words were chilled by the biting nip of wind. He gave up before he saw any gun battles, looted any bodies or shivered at the sight of a wolfpack emerging from the forest to hunt him down.

As much as I respect my boy's fresh perspective of TV, movies and especially games, I was elated that he couldn't stand this one, which I hold up as my game of the year, if not decade, if not lifetime.

"Red Dead Redemption" is a game for adults only, and I would hazard to say best appreciated by middle-aged and older gamers. Its methodical, angst-ridden pace is ever plagued by the dreaded footsteps of old age and death that the young simply can't fathom. I selfishly want "Red Dead Redemption 2" for my generation alone, sparing it for those that follow to appreciate one day as a retro classic, when flecks of gray grace their own heads.

It's easy to fall into the trap of gushing with over-the-top praise for the game. I will try to restrain myself from that, in favor of analyzing exactly what it is that separates "Red Dead Redemption 2" from the work of mere mortals and elevates it to its status.

This is an elegant an elegiac journey leavened with haunting notes that reference life as well as pop culture. It's a truly great Western that should be compared to novels and films rather than games, because gamedom -- even the original "Red Dead Redemption" and especially its laughable predecessor, "Red Dead Revolver," aren't even in the same orbit as the though-provoking, soul-searching moments like the game offers. Above, all, the game favors deconstructionism of the American myth.

Its closest spiritual cousin is "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" for the way it ruefully exposes how much of the myth of heroism is absolute bullshit, as well as how important it is to fan the flames of such legends, because they are what light the embers that inspire the best among us to forge on, pushing humanity to the next stages of the opera in which we all play a small part.

This is a game that revels upon the grand scale, but what I most appreciate are the small moments that form the brushstrokes that make up the masterpiece. I like that the more you pet and feed your steed, the more he is willing to do for you. And I absolutely love the heartache that comes from your horse's inevitable death, which approaches the devastation you feel when a real-life pet dies.

It takes courage and determination to begin again in your recovery from the heartache, be it romantic devotion to a love one or the passion you felt for a career that has ended in a pink slip. To rebuild, with the Kintsugi-like cracks healed stronger than they were before, is the essence of endurance and growth as a person.

As the countless hours unfold, with sidequests and the main campaign intertwining into a bittersweet, indistinguishable morass, I tried to pause to savor the intricacies of this masterwork. I strove to appreciate my failures and the lessons I gleaned from them, not only in how better to approach and rectify how I fell short in my next attempt, but in the futility of my misdirection itself, and how sometimes the act of falling short can be a victory in itself. Discovering that a door is closed is somehow a triumph on its own. The dark, closed hallway is a sometimes gentle, often brutal shift in a the next direction on a path to better things.

In some time this game will grow. Missions and items will be added, quests will be unlocked and new areas of the map will open up. And also maybe next month or the month after, but before we know it the game will open up and reshape into the online mode that will redefine what "Red Dead Redemption 2" is.

To play this game again in the future will test the maxim that no man can cross the same river twice, for not only will the river have changed, but so well have the man. Not that you need all that much encouragement, because if you are at all inclined to gaming than you have surely been bombarded with breathless endorsements for this game. But nevertheless I add my voice to that chorus. If you are old, or at least can imagine what it's like to be old, you owe it to yourself to spend some of your ever-dwindling hours on this truly fantastic, unparalleled experience.

To die in this virtual tapestry is to taste redemption.
Publisher provided review code.