Seasons Greetings from everyone at Subculture Times!

Pfernando27's Top Video Game Pick of 2013

                                                              Far cry 3 Blood Dragon

                                               Or how I learned to have fun and fall in love with games again.

At a time where games are going for darker settings, bigger than Hollywood  cinematics  or trying to elevate game as Interactive Narrative Experiences, It's nice to see an old school game like Far Cry 3. Don't get me wrong here, I Love and do enjoy  games like Tomb Raider, GTA V, The Last of Us, The Walking Dead and Beyond Two Souls, but these games are long and leave the player emotionally drained at the end their experiences. Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is a call back to the fun mindless action shooter of yesteryear reminiscent of  Duke Nukem in both for its  superb graphics, tight gameplay mechanics and cheesy storyline. Boasting a fantastic and heart pumping cyberpunk soundtrack to go with its  post-apocalyptic Vietnam War II setting where the land has been ravaged by a nuclear war between the U.S and U.S.S.R . Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon's 80s inspired background is a breath of fresh air for this worn out gamer.

Blood Dragon is an open world  first-person shooter with similar gameplay to Far Cry 3. Although simpler in terms of character progression and more streamlined in its mechanics, it allows for a more linear progression within the storyline and acts to keep the player engaged in frantic fights rather than managing inventory and various skill branches as the original game did. Blood Dragon puts the devastating  power of Sgt.Rex Cole against an overwhelming numbers of omega force troops,  running undead, cybernetically-enhanced wild life, including cyber sharks and cyber dogs. Cyber. You get the picture. Blood Dragon also allows for stealth gameplay and in some instances becomes essential in order to save valuable personnel. The game also boast many of the vehicles from Far Cry 3 such as jet skis, hang  gliders, jeeps and boats to navigate the various terrain on the unnamed island. All of this 80s throwback is brought together wonderfully with 16 bit style cutscenes, reaching to the point where the cutscenes don't fill out the entire screen. The backstory is equally 80s. Sgt. Rex Cole must prevent a nuclear missile from destroying the world, and as Ubisoft puts it, "get the girl, kill the bad guys, and save the world". Blood Dragon was a very  fun experience in both gameplay and story with an average gameplay time of five hours and a completionist average of eight hours. Although, my own gameplay session lasted 11hrs. Wow.

In a very difficult time in the gaming industry where the pressures of recovering multimillion dollar budgets just to break even results in decisions to stick to old and tired designs, Blood Dragon is  the kind of game you get when developers have a chance to really let their imagination run wild and free from the expectations of these millions dollar returns, allowing developers the freedom to take risk and form new and exciting experiences. In a way, it's  very reminiscent of another great and lauded title built atop of its predecessor engine, The legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask, a game that may have never stood the chance or  budget to be produce within only a year to both critical and financial success. In very much the same way, Blood Dragon was built atop of the Dunia 2 Engine used in FC3. Not only has it allowed for a quick release of Blood Dragon in six months time, but also at a very cut-rate prize of $15 on release day. Not to mention, a holiday sale price of  $7.49 on steam, on top of it being a standalone release not requiring FC3, makes Blood Dragon truly hard to pass up.

In all seriousness, it's a very exciting time to see where gaming is heading today and in the very near future. Games have increased in both scale of detail and in scope, allowing developers to bring games such as Far Cry 3 and also new types of gaming genres such as Interactive Narrative Experiences. Think Quantic Dream developer and their games, Beyond two souls, Heavy rain, Fahrenheit, which will only become more immersive as new technologies emerge like the occulus rift, which i will be getting as soon as it is released. 

But in all this excitement and grandeur that has occurred during 2013, it is honestly just very refreshing to have a game revolving around mindless fun with excellent gameplay mechanics, and a storyline to BOOT(sorry bad computer pun). Blood Dragon boasts superb graphics, unique aesthetics, an ultra 80s cheesy story line accompanied by an amazing soundtrack, some of which you can actually unlock trough in-game points or can directly purchase on iTunes/amazon, and with its initial price all make Blood Dragon my top pick of the year. And last but not least, here's the very trailer that got me to jump into this frantic and ludicrous experience that is Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon.

Blackguards Beta Preview

Blackguards is the latest game in development from Germany's own Daedalic Entertainment. Yes, it is from the same folks who brought us The Night of the Rabbit and the hilariously chaotic Deponia trilogy. Blackguards, like their past games, spells a narrative of a grand adventure. Within the intro, your created hero is accused of murder, tossed into jail and sent off to the guillotine. This is where Daedalic Entertainment twists the narrative. It's clear that your companions are closer to rogues than they are heroes: Naurim, your first companion, is a tough-as-steel dwarf whose dragon hunting career is as elusive as his temper is quick and forceful. Zurbaran, a charismatic mage, was imprisoned after his desire and libido were aimed at someone else's woman. And the elf Niam is a huntress whose problems make her yearn for the comfort of drugs. 

Trust no one, including yourself"

Only playing the beta's first chapter, it's easy to see the ambition behind Blackguard's narrative. Quests, like your companions, aren't exactly black or white in the Dark Eye universe; the value of one truth held against another poses the question of justice versus self-gain. Some missions allow the player to pursue the goal how they want. In one quest, after defeating a troll who pilfered a weapon from a local merchant, Zurbaran actually suggests to the party they should say nothing and keep the staff for himself. There is no morality or karma system like the Fallout series, but Blackguards definitely reverberates Fallout's question of ethics. Different quest outcomes definitely adds depth to the game, but if the majority of these missions are simply resolved with an exchange of gold or a simple weapon then that depth is lost and is substituted with the lackluster. It's impossible to tell how player decisions will affect the narrative but the early quests I've played through do set up a precedent for a dark and interesting story.

Those familiar with Daedalic Entertainment know many of their games are driven by the narrative. Unlike previous Daedalic titles, however, Blackguards is a turn-based role-playing strategy game: think X-Com drenched in fantasy, while echoing aesthetics of the Fable series. Battles, influenced by Dungeons and Dragons, take place on a hexagonal-style chessboard where initiative determines turns, strength determines hit chance, and agility determines a character's ability to dodge. The combat has a lot of potential given the battlegrounds encourage players to use the environment to their advantage. Flowing creek beds may cause characters to slip and lose a turn, swamps are riddled with deep mud puddles that leave players trapped and defenseless and the occasional chandelier, if severed from its rope, is able to do quite a bit of damage to foes standing beneath it. 

Combat in the beta works well. The three classes, warrior, mage and rogues, offer a plethora of weapons, items and spells that either do damage or heal or buff your party members and allies. There are 11 weapon styles to outfit your warparty to your playstyle, including fencing weapons, throwing knives, crossbows, two-handed weapons, spears and staffs. Of course, the effectiveness and proficiency in each weapon depends on the character wielding it and their particular stats. This is where the beta marks some problems. 

ATTACK!

While battles offer a great challenge from the enemies and navigating the environment, I found some battles in the first chapter overwhelming. I suppose the balance could have been due to my party's lack of experience since Blackguards handles leveling up in a non-conventional way. Instead of collecting a lump sum of experience and upgrading your characters then, players are able to upgrade stats, weapon proficiencies, spells and talents anytime they can afford it. I felt the pace of the game is challenged through this leveling-up system. Characters feel as they don't progress, especially when fighting tougher bosses or tackling tougher side quests like the Dwarf brothers' coliseum challenge in the first chapter. However, to better balance characters and increase customization, Daedalic Entertainment updated Blackguards so players can tune their characters to their style. In an update released today, Daedalic wrote, "The advanced character creation mode will allow players to shape the character to your liking right from the start. You will be able to spend the character's adventure points for the skills and spells you'd like to have instead of taking the choice we made for you." And for those players whom aren't too familiar with role-playing aspects, Daedaelic adds "the entire advanced creation mode will be optional. So, if you'd rather go for a premade character, you'll be able to do that as well. 

While the game supports an almost final version, there are a few minor problems with the aesthetics: Blackguards voice acting is superb. However, the characters mouths don't move during cutscenes and when they do, it isn't synced. When a character speaks, the lines of code identifying the characters are displayed. Of course, these minor problems are to be expected in a beta. The only major complaints so far revolve around Blackguards completely freezing  and low frame rates in some areas. Luckily, these occurrences weren't often and did not dissuade me from continuing.

Overall, the beta provides a great preview on Daedalic's newest game all the way up to the third chapter. The graphics reverberate the feel of fantasy while the combat mechanics cohesively tie into that through its D&D-like gameplay. Of the trouble attributed to my first chapter playthrough, most were only minor problems. Hopefully, along with dropping frame rates and game crashing glitches, the release  will see players get a better polished version. Blackguards' beta feels like a rough translation to a great game and I cannot wait till the full version is released. 

Abepanda's Top 5 Games of 2013

5. Outlast (PC, PS4 (2014) )

Pros: For a game that only goes for $20 (If you’re lucky enough, Steam sales sometimes drop Outlast to $10 or lower). The eerie and morbid atmosphere of the game will make your skin crawl, forcing you to peek around corners in preparation of getting attacked by psychopathic monsters. The gameplay is somewhat reminiscent of the Condemned series where you find yourself using the camera and a light source just to venture around one of the creepiest places ever. Oh and did I mention how gorgeous the graphics are, especially the camcorder effects when you have it equipped?

Cons: Although I wouldn't really consider it a con, Outlast does lack a fighting system. The gameplay is really focused solely on the stealth with survival a crucial aspect of the game. Even just a push button or some way to fight back would be helpful, but then again it shouldn't really affect the game much.

4. Sonic All-Stars Transformed (Wii-U, PC, PS3, Xbox 360, 3DS, PSVita, iOS, Android)

Pros: It’s like Mario Kart but for PC (with a hint of Diddy Kong Racing in terms of using planes and boats). Using a gaming controller makes this game even better than it already is since the drifting mechanics in this game are fun and very easy to use. Along with the colorful and bright stages, the remixed versions of the original games’ songs will catch your attention (E.G.: The Jet Set Radio maps have the songs from the actual Dreamcast game but remixed into a faster paced version to incorporate it with the atmosphere of the race). The character selection is great, especially with all of Sega’s lovable mascots and with even Steam/Valve characters like Team Fortress 2 and etc. Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed boasts a variety of game modes, so you and your friends won't be stuck playing races over and over.  Also, Sonic All Stars supports up to 10 players online.

Cons: It feels tedious having to choose a next level after winning or beating one (especially in Multiplayer). They should just have a continuous cycle of maps like the tournaments in Mario Kart. Water races, in my opinion, ruin the momentum of the race because of its awkward handling, GTA 4 style (where turning a vehicle is a hassle especially if you put too much pressure suddenly causing your vehicle to turn too hard and spin out of control). Buying characters sometimes takes a long time because you have to earn stars, the in-game currency, and stats you can unlock sometimes give your characters less of an upgrade and more of a handicap.

3. Grand Theft Auto V (PS3, Xbox 360, PC (??) )

Pros: It’s GTA! The amount of activities, missions and interactivity in this game is massive. The story is pretty well thought out and the implementation of 3 protagonists each with a background story of their own just keeps the player immersed and entertained without the gameplay becoming too boring and repetitive. Although the radio stations have a variety of shitty artists; the Motown and Funk radio station make up for it. The driving mechanics are improved and the shooting system is just top-notch. The map is incredibly huge and the graphics are gorgeous as it tries to simulate a recreated version of Southern California.

Cons: Online can be quite annoying especially with the glitches (e.g.: randomly spawning trucks in the middle of the freeway and things clipping into each other). You cannot avoid playing with assholes who just try to murder you randomly online just to steal your money or for fun (although it can be solved by making your own private online game). San Fierro and Las Venturas are yet to be seen or heard from any DLC news or in-game. No actual modern rock music and instead they give us Brittney Spears, Rihanna and Future…

2. NBA 2K14 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android)

Pros: The game may be a bit similar to last year with the exception of the new blocking system, which gives characters a better chance of decreasing the opponents FG %. New shoes! Lebron’s story mode is pretty nifty, especially seeing what it would be like if he joined any other teams other than the Heat or Cavaliers. Equippable stats like Dimer (better chance of getting assists and improving a teammates shot %) and Deadeye (shot accuracy increased) actually affect the style of gameplay now whereas the previous one did nothing.

Cons: I’d say that Lebron’s taste in music is definitely crappy and commercialized. Blurred Lines is overplayed during the menus and Drake’s “Started From The Bottom” song annoyingly starts off once you load the game. Pick and roll mechanics still suffer with players sliding into positions instead of having their feet planted. Clipping is still an issue and sometimes the shorts textures glitch so much they get sucked inside the player’s body. In regards to the visuals, they kept the current gen and PC versions the same and basically the rosters and face textures are just recycled from last years. Missing dunk packages, modes and the “new” crossover system are a pain too.

1. State Of Decay (Xbox 360 XBLA, PC)

Pros: It’s an open-world, zombie survival game! What more can you expect? Traveling around the massive city in this game is a joy, especially with teammates around you helping you out. The loot system is pretty simple and useful especially if you have a large backpack equipped for more storage space. Having a stamina bar in this game is such a good element because once your character feels fatigued, you get that sense of urgency to get away from a horde. The variety of zombies in this game makes the experience less monotonous and repetitive. The weapon collection reminds me a little bit of Borderlands, and how there are a number of them and how each has its own perk or stats. This game also includes multiple protagonists for your choosing just in case you don’t like the character you start off with, and each character, like the weapons, has his/her own perks and skill set.

Cons: Driving in this game is a little bit clunky and sometimes I find myself crashing into things a lot. Sometimes playing the game reminds me a little bit of Saints Row 2 and 3 and how most animations are a little over the top and unrealistic. Saving in this game is automatic but can be a pain in the ass sometimes because it’s very selective on when it wants to save. The one thing that disappointed me the most in the PC version was the removal of multiplayer co-op. Somehow the developers just dropped their keyboards and planners and said “ F-it”. Nice one, Undead Labs.

Stay tuned for Subculture!

It's a Holly Jolly Steam Sale

From today until January 3rd, nerds, players and gamers can enjoy Steam's annual Holiday Sale.

Steam's main sales change every single day, ranging from 33% all the way up to 80%, while flash sales and community sales rotate every eight hours.

Some of today's specials include the excellent top-down, four-player heist game, Monaco, Batman: Arkham Origins, Dishonored and for only $9.99, one of 2013's biggest games, Bioshock Infinite.

Check back often as more and more games go on sale!

Act fast, as of the time this article goes live, Guns of Icarus Online is available for $3.74 for a few more hours. Guns, as we cool kids call it, is a steampunk-themed airship battle game. Teams of four, consisting of a captain, engineers, and gunners, take to the skies and fight, maneuver, and blast their way to the top in modes of team deathmatch and capture the flag. Guns of Icarus Online is epic, frantic, and a perfect game  to emphasize coordination, cohesion and cooperation!

Check out our mini Subculture session!

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Nintendo's Plan for 2014, Nintendo Direct: 12-18-13

Today's Nintendo Direct certainly brought some expected news as well as unexpected for Nintendo's first-quarter plan for 2014. It's always an exciting time when Nintendo brings us a new direct as they always give updates on their latest titles, but also a look at new games for their consoles. So, what news did Mr. Iwata bring with this Nintendo Direct?

To start, Nintendo unveiled a brand new game Legend of Zelda game titled Hyrule Warriors (which is not the final product name). Developers Tecmo- Koei are bringing the Dynasty Warriors style of gameplay over to the Zelda universe. Little info was given in regards to the title, but this definitely came out of left field as this is the first time in years the Zelda franchise is in the hands of a third party developer. The Dynasty Warriors games have been known for their hack and slash gameplay against enormous waves of enemies and bosses to fight across the battlefield and dishing out combo after combo, but to see Link in this style of gameplay is much different from what we've played and will be interesting to see where it goes. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think of the game so far.
                                                 

Nintendo gave us an update on four new 3DS games, three which have been previously announced, and an entirely brand new IP called Chibi-Robo: Photo Finder, in which you play as an adorable chibi- robo and are tasked to use the 3DS camera to complete tasks  for a wide amount of colorful characters. It will launch in January next year as a downloadable title.                                               New Yoshi Island has a new trailer showing us some new levels. Players take control that green dinosaur, Yoshi, and carry Baby Mario from stage to stage across colorful and bright landscapes. Also, the original director for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island for the Super Nintendo will be overlooking the development of the game. New Yoshi Island 3DS is set to release in 2014.

There was also a new trailer for Kirby Triple Deluxe. The theme for this game revolves around that pink ball Kirby interacting with the background and foreground of a stage, sucking up new power and familiar ones as you progress. Two new modes where also unveiled. In one mode, players duke it out similar to Super Smash Bros. and fight using the Kiryby abilities we've seen throughout the series. The second mode has players take control of King Dedede, Kirby's rival, through a rhythm based mini game to bounce along the various music of the Kirby universe. Like, New Yoshi Island, Kirby Triple Deluxe is also set for release in 2014.

Reggie Fils-Amie told players some new info on Square Enix's newest 3DS game, Bravely Default. The game is now going to include micro-transactions, in which players have an option to buy Sp points from the Nintendo E Shop to help them along their journey. Bravely Default will be released in February 2014.


Nintendo is also including a free Pokemon to users who download the Pokemon Bank software. Players can receive their free Celebi  starting December 27 until September of 2014. 

Next up, Nintendo gave some a few updates for certain Wii U titles launching next year. At this years Spike tv video game awards, Nintendo announced a new playable character for Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze; and that was Cranky Kong. They showed us a bit more gameplay with him in the  new trailer during the Nintendo Direct. The game will be released February 2014.

There will also be upcoming dlc for the Wii U exclusive Sonic Lost World. One dlc will include a Yoshi Island-themed stage in which Sonic helps Yoshi rescue baby Yoshi eggs, while fighting  familiar enemies like shy guys and piranha plants. This dlc package is available today. A second dlc was announced but is still in development. No info was given and will be revealed at another date.

Wii Sports Club is also receiving new sports that were on the original Wii Sports. The additions include tennis, bowling and golf. These new sports are available today to download from the E-shop.

The year of Luigi continues with the launch of a spin off of Dr. Mario with Dr. Luigi for the Wii U. Dr. Luigi will be released on December 31st.

Mario Kart 8 got a brand new trailer that showcased new locations and new playable characters, like Baby Mario and Rosalina. Mario Kart 8 will released in Spring 2014. Speaking of Rosalina, a new fancy trailer for Super Smash Bros. announced Rosalina and Luma as new a brawler. From the looks of them, the controls seem to parallel the Ice Climbers (who haven't been announced). And let's be honest, when the trailer started who didn't think it was gonna be a sequel to Kirby Air Ride or Kirby as a playable character in Mario Kart 8

The last reveal was the NES Remix which seems to be much like the WarioWare inc. series but based around classic NES games. NES Remix will mash up 16 NES games like mixing Donky Kong with The Legend of Zelda, changing what everyone games were all familiar with.

Something doesn't seem right here.

Today's Nintendo Direct wasn't really as exciting as it could have been. We've recieved no word about Shin Megami Tensei X,  Fire Emblem, Project X or the Yoshi Wii U game, which have been stated for release next year. But maybe that's just it, we wont hear anything more about them until later. The Nintendo Direct was just mostly updates about games that are close to their release dates.

Hopefully next years Nintendo Direct will hold more to what we want (Still waiting on my next Metroid or Star Fox). The one big that that we will be talked about today is the Hyrule Warriors, a spin off of Dynasty Warriors with Zelda skin thrown over. It's too early to say if this will bomb or be a stand alone title worth while, but regardless, Nintendo is gonna have to bring their A game next year if they want to help get more Wii U consoles into peoples home.

Stay tuned for more Subculture!

                                                                                       

Fighting for Everlasting Peace, 26 Years of Mega Man

With the first game released over two decades ago, it's hard to imagine Mega Man turns 26 years old today. The sheer amount of games released to this day is staggering. From the Classic series to the Star Force series, Mega Man has certainly left his mark on the industry. The franchise has been praised for its colorful and creative characters, unique gameplay and unforgettable musical compositions. There's a reason the Blue Bomber put Capcom on the map and has become a force to be reckoned with in the game industry.

Keiji Inafune, not long after he graduated college, was hired by Capcom in 1987. Inafune worked on the very first Street Fighter and eventually found himself on the Rockman project. Already in production, he helped create the enemies and the initial character design for the game Rockman, which was inspired by the popular manga, Astro Boy. Music played an integral role in games development; the designers wanted to go for a rock and roll motif in naming the main character. They came up with names like the "Mighty Kid" and "Rainbow Man" (the name Rainbow Man revolved around the fact that each boss the player defeated dropped a weapon; and when the player switched to to the new power up, Rainbow Man would change his color accordingly).

But ultimately, the developers stuck with Rockman, who was accompanied by his sister, Roll. The game was finally released on December 17, 1987 on Nintendo's Famicom video game console. It was praised for its unique weapon-based gameplay, platforming, music, and graphics. Rockman would eventually find his way over seas, but under the new name of Mega Man. Coming to America, this wasn't the only change made to the game. Mega Man needed marketing. The American box art for the game has been deemed as the worst box art to a game ever. Keiji Inafune stated that the box art was the reason the game did not sell well in the states (Story goes that the box art was made just as the game was ready to release and they quickly came up with this and stuck with it just to release the game in  time).

Mega Man, for those unfamiliar, tells the story of a robot named Rock created by two scientists, Dr. Light and Dr. Wily.  Rock, alongside 6 other robots, were built to help workers with construction and other tasks. Dr Wily, who begins to distrust Dr. Light, steals the other 6 robots and reprograms them to work under his control, soon helping him take over the world. Rock asks Dr. Light to make him combat efficient to stop Dr. Wily's plans and to save the world. After defeating all the robot masters, Rock confronts Dr. Wily and defeats him at his fortress and thus ending the game. It's a very short, but simple story to get into.

The story wasn't anything to write home about. However, Mega Man's game design was at the peak of innovation. The game didn't just force players through a linear set of levels. Mega Man allowed players to choose where and which stages they would like to play first, creating a personal experience for every player. This allowed the game to be fresh and as difficult as a player wanted it to be. As long players used their new-found weapons accordingly, they could progress from one robot master to the next. Along with player choice and freedom, role-playing elements were also thrown into Mega Man's design. This freedom was unheard of at the time and inspired not just platformers, but many other games.

Think of choosing your weapons like playing rock, paper, scissors. No matter which one you pick, each power-up has its strengths and weaknesses. While one weapon may deal  heavy damage to one robot master, it may do nothing to others.

As we know, this wasn't the end for Mega Man's career. Capcom would continue to release sequel after sequel with improved visuals and imaginative characters for years to come. Spin-offs from the classic series were even created, like the darker themed Mega Man X to the open 3D world of the Mega Man Legends series.

Recently, the franchise has slowed down with nearly 4 years of no new Mega Man games having been announced or in development. But, all is not lost as Mega Man is still given plenty of love and support from the community, including musicians who cover the franchise's original scores. Because of Archie Comics, Mega Man stars in his own comic book and graphic novel, crossing over with Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. And the Blue Bomber is even a guest fighter in the upcoming 3DS and WiiU Super Smash Bros.

Keiji Inafune's newest game Mighty No. 9 draws inspiration from his previous creation and is a reboot to the genre that could possibly catch the attention of Capcom for a new game. Until that day comes, celebrate and be thankful for the creation of Mega Man and his impact on  the video game industry.

Continue to fight for ever lasting peace, Mega Man.
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Welcome to Luisculture!

From adventures, editing, writing and discussing new ideas to bring into SCT, the Subculture crew does like to take it easy once in a while and have some fun. Here's a little look into that SCT slice of life. 

Welcome to the Rockband Sessions! 

All hail Pluisculture!

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SCT Vlog: Long Beach Comic-Con Volunteer + Michele Boyd Interview

For this special edition, Mak and Raphael hit the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, not only as guests, but as volunteers. Check out their Sunday vlog for their experience and an exclusive interview with none other than the lovely Michele Boyd. You may have seen her on The Guild as Riley or as a Superhero on Team Unicorn. 

Thanks for watching. Stay tuned for Subculture!

More Cowbell...er, uh Dario!

We know the people want more Dario! 

Subculture Times vs. Nuke the Fridge Con

For this adventure, the Subculture crew hits Frank and Sons for this years Nuke the Fridge Con! Check out our adventures in all kinds of Nerdom! 

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Subculture Times vs. Comikaze 2013

Join the some of the Subculture Crew at Comikaze 2013! 

The Awesomes Awesome Review

The Awesomes is a superhero-themed cartoon mixed with humor and drama. Though passed by Syfy and MTV back in 2007 and 2009, the official first season premiered in August as a Hulu exclusive with 10 episodes.
The Awesomes are a new group of superheroes created by Jeremy "Prock" Awesome, the son of Mr. Awesome and leader of the original Awesomes (that's a lot of awesome). Prock, though the son of a legend, is a typical skinny kid. He is considered a disappointment and, save for his ability to pause time, which he keeps secret, has no special attributes. The newer members, like Prock, fall short of anything you may expect from a group of superheroes ironically called "Awesome." It's an interesting angle on the prominence of the power held by the underdog. Each member has their strengths, but also their weaknesses. This dynamic of almost "powerless" superheroes keeps the narrative and its characters interesting.

The animation reminds me of Drawn Together, though the comparison in regards to the comedy is far from one another. The humor isn't over-the-top, relying on racist or toilet jokes. Rather, the humor is subtle, somewhat witty and often dropping only small cues of inappropriate comedy. Then again, there were some moments during the season involving interspecies relations.

Half of The Awesome's first season was used to build the characters through the course of its ten episode stretch. In doing so, this first season lacked a certain amount of action that can be associated with superheroes and their adventures.The plot is straight forward and a bit predictable. It isn't too difficult to figure out, however the finale's cliffhanger will make you crave more.

The Awesome's cast boasts many familiar names, including Saturday Night Live veterans Seth Meyers and Kenan Thompson, as Prock and Impresario respectively, Parks and Rec's star, and my favorite, Rashida Jones as Hotwire, and Ike Barinholtz as Muscleman, a lifelong best friend of Prock and also a 2nd generation hero. Not to mention, Bill Hader voices arch-villain Dr. Giuseppe Malocchio, who bears a slight resemblance to Dr. Strange (Marvel and DC references are littered throughout the show).Overall The Awesomes is a simple show, driven with positive attitude. In doing so, it's geared toward younger audiences, but is still relevant for wider audiences and fun for fans of comics and superheroes. The Awesomes have come a long way since it was passed back in 2007 and 2009, but Hulu gave it a chance. I enjoyed it and think it's a good idea the series has been renewed for a second season.

Stay tuned for Subculture and check out the The Awesomes here! 

Subculture Times Video Review: Beyond Two Souls

For those whose eyes hurt from reading reviews, prepare as your eyes shall now hurt from watching reviews, too! Subculture Times also makes video reviews. Check out our review for Beyond Two Souls

Beyond Two Souls

What defines a video game? The control? The completion of a story because of a player? The levels of enjoyment a person experiences? The concept of a video game, like art, seems to become more abstract every day. Technology now allows games to parallel movies and incorporate cinematic elements into telling a story. But to compare video games to art, in some, perhaps elitist, perspectives, would mean lowering the standards of one or raising the bar for the other. It's a difficult debate to argue and defend. Thus, for this review and potentially those following it, Subculture Times may cease to give a score (we're still experimenting on style, so feel free to accompany us on this journey) . Rather than turning video games further into a commodity by quantifying their value with an arbitrary score, this review will only examine the game in regards to its mechanics, gameplay, narrative and everything else that makes or breaks the experience. In the end, it's up to you, the individual, to decide the final score.

With Heavy Rain and the Telltale's well-received Walking Dead episodic adventure, the surge and popularity of narrative-focused video games are undeniable. From the folks who brought you Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls is the latest release from Quantum Dream.

The story surrounds Jodie Holmes, a woman whose entire life is bound to the lingering entity she calls "Aiden." Aiden's presence has not only guaranteed Jodie's constant surveillance, but Jodie's "powers" mark her as a pariah amongst the world. None, least of all Jodie herself, understand Aiden or his origins and it consequently erupts prejudices of danger and caution from all those around Jodie.

Beyond Two Souls is first and foremost a modern bildungsroman about Jodie. The game takes place throughout moments in her life, offering glimpses into her troubled childhood, her military training and even her time spent homeless. Jodie and Aiden's journey spans across America and even overseas. The narrative also unravels in non-sequence. One minute, players will control Jodie, say, at a grand soiree of military officials only to then find her, within the next half hour, as a teenager arriving at a birthday party.

This form is initially convoluted in regards to telling a cohesive tale, but the plot itself  is an enigma meant to be uncovered by the player throughout the course of the game. It helps that the story gracefully transitions from one segment to the next. In creating this non-sequential narrative, Quantum Dream accomplishes several impressive feats: Beyond Two Souls rightfully balances action and suspense versus slower and more thoughtful moments. The flow from suspense to stealth to dialogue or vice versa  are captivating respites puzzle-pieced together within a grand narrative. And Beyond Two Souls incorporates this pace beautifully and artistically into its story.

The broken timeline also perfectly reflects the plot as a coming-of-age story. Beyond Two Souls achieves this by highlighting impactful phases in Jodie's life. The always-looming consequences of the journey offer deep and meaningful reexaminations for her character. What serves as her truth one moment is completely shattered in the next. Quantum Dream breathes life into Jodie, her character and the journey, making Beyond Two Souls' already excellent narrative and characters that much more significant.

Of course, the power of a strong video game narrative depends on the strength of its actors as much as its gameplay. 2013 already boasts several top-quality, triple-A titles, all of them sporting excellent voice work and motion capture. Beyond Two Souls, however, easily sets a new standard. In tandem, the motion capture and voice work fall nothing short of cinematic bliss.                

Ellen Page is the fulcrum to Beyond Two Souls. Now while Quantum Dream director David Cage said he wrote the main protagonist with her in mind, Ellen Page's performance is the essence of Jodie Holmes' character. The moments of happiness, life, death, despair and confusion are portrayed to such a perfect pitch, Ellen Page often over shadows her fellow actors and actresses. This is not a sleight to her fellow cast members however. In fact, Willem Dafoe honors the game with a stellar performance as Nathan Dawkins. And even some of the more minor actors, such as Kadeem Hardison and David Coburn, demonstrate their excellent acting prowess through their characters.

Beyond Two Souls blur the very lines between video games and movies; it's sometimes easy to forget you're playing a game because transitions between cutscenes and gameplay are cohesive and seamless. Adding to the cinematic aesthetic of Beyond Two Souls, the visuals, the environments and the characters all look amazing. Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe, through the extensive motion capture, are technologically  mirrored within the game. The digital avatars bear such a similar resemblance to the real life actors.

Even with motion capture and green screens, Beyond Two Souls meshes a graphically polished world with the grime of a mature narrative. The end consequence is a noir-like painted America. Landscapes are stunning, yet whether the suburbs, Arizona desert or snow-white cities, Quantum Dream manages to craft these locales to reflect Beyond Two Souls darker themes.

Those unfamiliar with Quantum Dream's track record may be surprised to find Beyond Two Souls a game "lacking gameplay." It's true the majority of gameplay consists of navigating Jodie, quick time events, traversing around a room as Aiden to tip something over, and using the face buttons to decide what kind of response Jodie should  give another character. But Beyond Two Souls is first and foremost driven by its the narrative; the gameplay is secondary, supplementing the experience of Jodie's adventure. Quantum Dream reinforces this concept through two difficulty settings at the main menu, one of those settings being geared to an audience who does not play games often or at all.     

This aside, Beyond Two Souls follows the suit of Quantum Dream's previous title, Heavy Rain. Players, as Jodie, navigate the game space, interacting with people and sometimes items to forward the narrative. At almost any time, players can control Aiden. Aiden can phase shift through walls, manipulate objects, and sometimes possess the weak-minded. Players will control Jodie for the majority of the game, but will often switch between Aiden and her to solve small puzzles. The other mechanics of gameplay revolve around quick time events. Some actions require players to press the right series of buttons to complete a segment, while the right stick, and sometimes the sixaxis,  is used in combat sequences. The combat system may seem simple, but it's handled really well and looks extremely stylish.

Beyond Two Souls does a better job than Heavy Rain in managing frivolous gameplay. While there are a few moments where Jodie is able to roam around, trifling through everyday items, it doesn't become a chore to progress the game. Instead, interacting with the environment often proves to unveil more about the world and characters.

Beyond Two Souls will immerse and envelop players into the experience. Sure, there are those that will say gameplay is limited. However, the mechanics of controlling Aiden and the quick time events are meant to supplement the narrative. Beyond Two Souls is an impactful journey brought on by the crisp, fantastic visuals, the deep, compelling narrative, high-quality voice work and acting, and the balanced pace throughout the game.

Stay tuned for Subculture! 

Grand Theft Auto V Review

Welcome back to Los Santos. Home of the rich, the poor, the famous, the wicked and everyone else in-between.

Treading on the busy sands of Vespucci beach, the celebrity-focused lanes of Vinewood, the Sandy Shores desert, and the socially dilapidated neighborhoods of Los Santos, Rockstar is back with its newest installment to the infamous franchise, Grand Theft Auto.

Enter Grand Theft Auto V. 

This newest GTA drops players into the vast, pseudo-Californian world of San Andreas. Though a digital replica in its landscape, GTAV's satire bleeds the essence of what composes modern American culture. San Andreas is a towering monolith of celebrity obsession, capitalistic narcissism,  internet culture, and government corruption to name just a few of the lingering themes. It borders the pastiche, but as every Grand Theft Auto game before, it is bathed in extreme parody. 

This humor alongside Rockstar's expertise  deliver the entity of San Andreas. Rockstar crafts a living and beautiful world players can easily immerse themselves into. Desert highways are vast, craggy mountain regions are filled with hikers, wildlife and anyone looking to get lost and Los Santos is a breathing reflection of contemporary L.A. Rockstar, after only five years since the last installment, really shows what their efforts are capable of. GTAV looks stunning. The graphics aren't the best around, but Rockstar completely nails the aesthetic of San Andreas. The Los Santos tenements look lived in, the beaches are crisp galleries of sand and ocean, and the underwater flora and fauna are some of the best around. 

However, Even with the mandatory install for console versions, textures and objects sometimes can't keep up with the player. But considering the scope of the game world and the technical limitations of current consoles, it's easily forgivable. Again, San Andreas is massive and it's amazing there are no load screens throughout the adventure.

The soundtrack, like San Andreas itself, is varied and vibrant, catering to over a dozen stations ranging from rap, reggae, pop, alternative, jazz and even punk music. On top that, the denizens of San Andreas believably go about their daily lives. Cruising through the city, you will see npcs practicing yoga, going to local coffee shops, talking on their cell phones and so much more.

The voice work of these npcs, and from everyone else for that matter, will further draw players into the world. It is synonymous with the excellent writing Rockstar is known for. If San Andreas initially drew people to the world, the atmosphere will tether those players to this game for a very long time. From Los Santos to  Blaine County, San Andreas is as a well developed a character as the main protagonists.  

For the first time in the series, the narrative spans across three central characters: Franklin, an ambitious ne'er-do-well vying to leave the pyramid scheme of the gangster life, Michael, a rich retiree already bored of retirement and the incessant nagging of his family, and Trevor...

Well Trevor is a grenade in a hand basket ready to explode in all directions at any moment. Similar to Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, each character has personal stats that upgrade over the course of the game. For example, running, swimming or biking can increase stamina, while fighting or playing tennis will increase strength. Ultimately, the difference between Mike, Trevor and Frank revolve around their base skills: Michael is better at handling firearms, Franklin is a pro when it revolves around cars, and Trevor has a strong affinity for helicopters and planes.

Their uniqueness does not end there as all three characters have a special ability. Another new addition to hte franchise. As gunfights or car chases grow in chaos, both Michael and Franklin can slow things down to give players the edge. Mike, much like Max Payne, can use bullet-time to paint and mow-down all the enemies in front of him. And when inside of a car, franklin can weave through streets and traffic with the utmost ease. Last but not least, there is Trevor's  rage ability. 

If Trevor seems to be a special case of manic and sociopathic tendencies, it's simply because he embodies those ideals. And, ya know what? So does his special ability. Trevor's rage makes the unpredictable psychopath almost invulnerable. Bullets, rockets, grenades, and car crashes are nothing but flesh wounds for the raging Trevor. 

Having three central characters with different stats and different abilities changes Grand Theft Auto  into something more than its predecessors. The copy and paste formula of open world mayhem is reassessed through Franklin, Trevor and Michael's diversity. Their abilities are a welcome change that spell fun for an already excellent franchise. Not to mention, having three central protagonists, playable at almost any time, allows a deep and constantly changing narrative. Sharing an affinity for danger and profit, the trio of malcontent's criminal proclivities eventually draw them to one another. 

In Rockstar fashion, Grand Theft Auto V tells a lengthy story. Spanning over 50 hours, GTAV is an action-packed, yet well-paced narrative surrounding ambition, greed, loyalty and violence set loose upon San Andreas. Each mission is not only fun and varied, but essential as they expand and develop the personalities of the troublesome trio. We find what drives and motivates these characters as well as what pisses them off. And boy, no one should ever piss off Trevor. 

Thankfully when things go awry and the shit hits the fan, Grand Theft Auto V's controls are tight and responsive in all aspects. The driving is the smoothest it's ever been within a GTA game. Helicopters and planes remain a fun and often destructive mode of transportation. and water- vehicles ably glide through the turbulence of the rivers and oceans. The twitch-flick auto-aim of GTAIV returns but is better polished and tweaked, adding real weight to the guns and to combat. It's easy to see Grand Theft Auto V as a very ambitious game. Luckily for GTA fans and players looking to jump into the series, this game delivers above and beyond. 

The graphics are fantastic working in perfect cohesion along side an amazing atmosphere, voice work and soundtrack.The open-world truly feels open to exploration and adventure. The combat, driving, and flying mechanics are precisely tuned. The narrative is well-paced, yet intense and gripping throughout the campaign. And the choice to disseminate San Andreas among three central characters with different abilities and stats was a brilliant addition as it allows for a shifting, dynamic narrative and different play-styles.  

GTAV's layers of depth create such a rich ambiance. San Andreas is easily one of the most realized worlds of this year, sharing the limelight with Bioshock Infinite's Columbia and the American wasteland in The Last of Us. Grand Theft Auto V is bound to keep you playing for hours upon hours as this latest game is the best in the franchise and a strong contender for game of the year.

Grand Theft Auto V gets 5 outta 5.