If it’s November, it must be time for Call of Duty, as well as early Black Friday sales…
I hope your wallets are ready, because Amazon isn’t screwing around anymore. It’s now November, which means it’s time for the biggest games, summer’s top films on Blu-ray, and Black Friday deals weeks in advance. CoD is back to BlOp you, and – what the hell? There’s a new Need For Speed game? What a weird week. If any of these things interest you, remember that buying them through our links helps support the site just like the Laser Time Patreon. Now, let’s emotionally prepare ourselves as we begin the most consumerist month of the year.
Special Update! Amazon’s Black Friday Sales Have Started Early! Get Metal Gear Solid V and Dragon Age: Inquisition GOTY Edition for $40 each!
Yes, it’s time once more for Call of Duty, though one has to wonder if the wave of popularity has crested. Advanced Warfare and Ghost were met with complaints and less interest, but those could be considered off years. 2015 is the real test, because Treyarch, CoD’s A Team, is back with its biggest sequel ever. Will the return of BlOps and all its additional modes (zombies included) kickstart the series in the hearts of gamers? I know one thing for sure: Black Ops 3 represents a loss for Microsoft, because the timed exclusive DLC is now on Sony’s console, and that also includes a PS4 1TB Console Bundle
Am I the only one who didn’t know this was coming out? I mean, I vaguely recall this getting shown during EA’s E3 stream, but, I dunno, it feels like I haven’t heard anything about this. And you’d think that a full name reboot of the series would garner a lot more attention, trailers, previews, and news, right? Also, it’s a little disconcerting that there aren’t any reviews ahead of release. Oh well, maybe I’m worried over nothing. If Fast & Furious can still make a billion dollars, there’s still got to be room for Need For Speed in the hearts of gamers everywhere, right?
I visited Japan last year, and let me tell you: Yo-Kai Watch was EVERYWHERE. You hear those stories about how Pokemon conquered the country when it was new, but it’s a whole other thing to see the kid-friendly ghost collecting game do it before your eyes. Will North America take a shine to the series as well, just as they did with Pikachu before it? Nintendo is certainly hoping so, as the publisher and Level-5 are positioning it with tons of promotion, toys, and a tie-in anime, all launching at the same time. Let’s wait and see if lightning can strike twice.
This week is when the way-more-promising-than-it-has-any-right-to-be Peanuts film hits theaters, and like in days of old, Activision has a game tie-in ready to go. Snoopy and Woodstock team up in this adorable platformer with unlockable costumes, Snoopy’s distinct beagle yelps, and Linus and Lucy (the song) blaring at all times. I mean, yeah, the chances of this being any good may be slim, but I would’ve said the same about the upcoming film, so anything seems possible now, blockhead.
I’m not to proud to admit that this film made me cry big time – maybe it was helped that I saw it with my mom? Nah, I don’t think so, because just about everyone I talked to was emotionally effected by one of Pixar’s best films in years. Amy Poehler anchors this fantastic explorations of a young girl’s inner life as she goes through upsetting life changes, all while learning the importance of maturing and embracing everything we feel. Of course, Inside Out is also funny as hell, so you won’t be spending the entire film in a puddle of tears. Plus, the Blu-ray release comes with a brand new Inside Out short! Hopefully it won’t make me cry as much.
Speaking of Pixar, I know they’re planning to do a fourth Toy Story film, but who needs it when they keep making such great new specials? Take this one for example: Set right after Christmas, our favorite toys are in danger of getting displaced by some aggressive action figures. Apparently this 45 minute long special will shine a spotlight on Kristen Schaal’s underused Trixie The Triceratops, and more Schaal makes everything better. Anyone with kids should get this, and I suppose I’ll add it to my collection as well.
I’m still bummed I missed out on this when it played in a local theater, but now I’ll get another shot on Blu-ray. In case you never heard of this very cult film, Roar is about a bunch of dangerous, wild lions breaking loose in a nature reserve and killing people. How’d they film it? By surrounding actors with dangerous, wild lions that were on the verge of killing people. It’s an uncontrollable, volatile movie that feels uniquely dangerous to watch, so get Roar to fill the time at your next hipster get together or for your next solo, stoned movie viewing night.
Hey, have you heard of this really underground, cult TV series? It’s played on a little network called HBO and was only watched by millions of people each week. All kidding aside, HBO’s Game of Thrones is an unstoppable juggernaut, and if you’ve somehow avoided it, this affordable rerelease of the first season is a good place to start. Likewise, if you have friends who’ve yet to see the blood and nudity of this beloved series, this is a great gift to begin their addiction with this sexy, violent series.
SPECIAL SALES NEWS! PRE-ORDER AMAZING MIYAZAKI BOX SET
Hayao Miyazaki is the most celebrated animator of the last 50 years, and for good reason. Films like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke are some of the most fully realized worlds ever shown in theaters, capturing the hearts of people from just about every age and part of the planet. Now that he’s retired, Amazon has an exquisite looking special collection of every feature length film Miyazaki directed all in one box set. Plus, there are some fantastic bonuses as well that will likely justify the price. Out this November, this looks like a great gift for those you love most.
Meanwhile, the US Disney releases never go on sale, yet these are all set at just over $17 – some even under $13!
CAPE CRISIS RECOMMENDS:
UPCOMING VIDEO GAME PRE-ORDER BONUSES
Tom Clancy’s The Division
-Pre-order your copy of Tom Clancy’s The Division today for guaranteed access to the upcoming Beta
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
-Pre-order “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” to gain access to the “Augment Your Pre-Order” program to choose your own rewards
Fallout 4
– Pre-Order Fallout 4 to get a physical Vault-Tec Perk Poster, fully colorized retro fun for the ultimate Wasteland survivor
Mighty No. 9
-Pre-order Mighty No. 9 to receive the Beck Retro Hero DLC, an Artbook, and Poster; Plus Special Offer for PlayStation 4 Customers
Star Wars Battlefront
-Pre-order and get early access to 2 map packs, including one based on The Force Awakens
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
-Pre-order for FREE guaranteed Beta Access
While MW2 and BlOps represented the peak of both Call of Duty’s quality and popularity to me personally, Advanced Warfare was by no means an “off-year” entry. I didn’t like BlOps 2, and Ghosts was an outright turd, but AW had nothing but glowing reception, even from myself. Also; fuck Yo-Kai Watch. With a name and marketing like that it has no chance.
Ehh I liked AW initially but after a while the movement went from entertaining and innovative (for Call of Duty) to gimmicky and frustrating.
I don’t think AW is a bad game by any means but I think it’s fair to say it was definitely an “off-year” entry in the series just by the fact it was Sledghammer’s first crack at a full game. I know with a lot of CoD fans that it was a pretty polarizing entry.
Black Ops 2 was definitely the last one I loved (and I really, really loved it) so I’m pretty excited for Friday.