Summer releases draw to a close as games heat up with some sequels, remakes, new series, and SPORTS…
I think I might finally be able to stop complaining aboout slow release weeks on Amazon, for a few months anyway. This week’s release of Madden is the symbolic start to the fall gaming blitz, when dozens of great games arrive and vie your time and money. There are a number of big names just this week, along with some toy-rrific superheroes and Motown’s greatest kung fu film. We love keeping you informed about new stuff coming out, plus buying any and all of these via our links to Amazon helps support Laser Time at no extra cost to you. That, like the Laser Time Patreon, is a great way to help make our lives as podcasters a full time job. Anyway, let’s get this shopping spree started…
This generation games has to have the highest ratio of remakes to new releases ever, and this one is also one of Microsoft’s tentpole releases of the year. The original Gears of War is nine years old (yup, you played it THAT long ago), and reviews say it still looks great on the Xbone, with all the grunting and gristle one can stand. I was a big fan of the whole series on the 360, but can it still feel as fresh now? And has MS learned from last year’s Halo debacle, meaning they shipped a remaster that WORKS? We’ll see.
When I was just getting into horror films in my teens, the genre of slasher flicks had just learned to be self aware and ironic, while also keeping things scary. Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer had all the sex and gore of the classics, but now they could wink to the camera every now and then. That appears to be the spirit of Until Dawn, a PS4 exclusive that is getting a surprising amount of positive buzz. I’ve played it a little, and it reminds me of Heavy Rain, if it didn’t take itself so seriously, meaning Until Dawn is tense and filled with little choices that effect the outcome, but without all the bullshit of thinking it’s art. I’ll be playing more soon, because a retail console exclusive is so damn rare these days.
Disney really hates for nerds to have money. They began Infinity as a the mega-multiplatform answer to Skylanders, bringing together Mickey, Buzz Lightyear, and more into one game/toy combo. That very next year Disney upped the ante with Marvel heroes joining the mix, including all your favorite stars from the MCU. Now, just when you thought you’d bought enough plastic, Star Wars has gone infinite in this third iteration. Lightsabers, blasters, Sith, wookies, they’re all here in another adventure, but will the gameplay of the modular adventures be markedly improved over the last entry?
A second remaster in one week, but this one isn’t getting as much press as Gears of War. That said, Dishonored got a raw deal coming out a little before the new consoles and many people forgetting how great it was. Now, with the sequel on the horizon, you can play the upgraded, expanded edition of the game on new-gen systems, again or for the first time. If you wanted to enjoy that new Thief game more that you did, grab Dishonored already.
Are you ready for some football! A Monday night party! Yessir, the only (NFL) game in town has returned again with its economically unchallenged approach to the gridiron, now entering its 26th year. I haven’t really been paying attention to what’s new this year, and instead of doing research, I’ll just take the safe bet of saying the developers have this game-changing new technique that will be core to the game and then barely included next year.
As a five year old, growing up in the exceedingly white suburbs of Arkansas (hey, I didn’t ask to be born there), it was a little rare for me to interact with R&B or Soul music. One of the very few ways was via the shiny idiot box in the living room, and thanks to HBO always replaying it, I must have watched The Last Dragon two dozen times. The story of Bruce Leroy and his very 80s quest for martial arts mastery is full of corny actors, dated songs, and mildly offensive humor, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hate it. It’s one of the first things that taught my brain about film, and its Motown soundtrack is burned into my memory. If you feel the same, this HD anniversary disc should be in you shopping cart ASAP.
Even as Hollywood preps a full-on feature for LEGO Batman, the entire Justice League is about to go full-on Super Friends in this direct-to-DVD battle against the Legion of Doom. Much like the LEGO Batman games, this CG film mixes humor and action for joyous results, with a similar eye for meta commentary and general goofiness. Also, does Mark Hamill play two different villains in this? That’s a bit of double dipping, isn’t it?
If you love this show, hey, more power to you, and you just go right on loving it. But I gave up on it so long ago, and if reviews are anything to go by, the quality fluctuates as much now as it did in season 2. But hey, I might just be an idiot, a boring fanboy mad that it isn’t a direct recreation of the show. Prove me how wrong I am by picking up the full collection of the fifth year right now.
SPECIAL SALES NEWS! PRE-ORDER THIS 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!
CAPE CRISIS RECOMMENDS:
UPCOMING VIDEO GAME PRE-ORDER BONUSES
Fallout 4 *New*
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection *New*
-Pre-order for early access to the Uncharted 4 beta, as well as The Nathan Drake Pack, which includes: Uncharted Drake’s Fortune Drake skin, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Drake Skin, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Drake Skin, Wetsuit Drake Skin, Nepal Drake Skin, Golden AK-47, and Golden 92FS.
J-Stars Victory Vs+ *New*
-Pre-order J-Stars and receive a free PSN code to download a digital version of the J-Stars Victory Vs+ Compendium, which contains over 75 pages of art, insights and information about the game and it’s vast cast of favorite anime and manga characters.
Mighty No. 9 *New*
-Pre-order Mighty No. 9 to receive the Beck Retro Hero DLC, an Artbook, and Poster; Plus Special Offer for PlayStation 4 Customers
Onechanbara Z2: Chaos – ‘Banana Split’ Edition *New*
-Pre-order Onechanbara Z2: Chaos and receive a free upgrade to the ‘Banana Split’ Edition which includes a soundtrack disc, an art book and DLC code for the ‘Strawberries and Banana’ costume
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
-Pre-order for early access to the Black Ops III beta.
Mad Max
-Pre-order and unlock The Ripper vehicle early
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
-Pre-order the Day 1 Edition to get a physical map + DLC content which includes: • Adam-ska Special Handgun • Personal Ballistic Shield (Silver) • Wetland Cardboard box • Fatigues outfit (Blue Urban Snake Costume) • Metal Gear Online XP boost
Star Wars Battlefront
-Pre-order and get early access to 2 map packs, including one based on The Force Awakens
Batman: Arkham Knight
–Pre-order to play as Harley Quinn. Utilize her unique weapons, gadgets, and abilities. Plus, contains 4 Exclusive Challenge Maps
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
-Pre-order for FREE guaranteed Beta Access
yeah, The Last Dragon! that was the movie I suggested for Monday Night Movie. This needs to be on the list.