All posts by Elton Jones

The Evil Within Review: Survival Horror Gets A Satisfying New Game

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” FDR’s most poignant statement rings true here, but The Evil Within gives way more things to be afraid of. Shinji Mikami‘s one of gaming’s most prolific developers thanks to this work on the Resident Evil series. His newest survival horror adventure adopts the best elements of his former games and offers in a brand new package that’s equal parts terrifying and enjoyable.

The Evil Within’s plot is pretty hard to fit into one simple summary. From the start of the game, you take control of a veteran police detective by the name of Sebastian Castellanos.  Sebastian and his allies in the force respond to a distress call from an insane asylum. Upon their arrival, they come upon a gory scene and a mysterious individual with frightening abilities. Sebastian is forced to deal with all the puzzling horrors that populate his physical and mental being as he looks to discover this powerful villain. The story doesn’t become quite clear for a while, which can be annoying for some. Moving through each chapter means will get you closer and closer to the overall storyline, but getting there definitely takes some time.

The Evil Within

The game’s mechanics should be a breeze to anyone who’s played Resident Evil 4 and its long list of successors. Sebastian is controlled from a behind-the-back, 3rd-person viewpoint. As you should expect, the aiming/shooting controls are mapped comfortably to the shoulder buttons. Sebastian’s arsenal includes a pistol, a shotgun, a sniper rifle and a very special crossbow that goes by the moniker of “Agony.” Shooting down dozens of haunting creatures feels very satisfying and visceral, as you have the ability to aim at different body parts. Performing one hit melee kills also feels great (in a sick and twisted sort of way).

The Evil Within ditches the run and gun gameplay of Resident Evil’s post-survival horror status and adopts its more traditional survival horror antics. Ammo is scarce, there are rare moments of sunshine, plenty of violent goons are on your tail and mind-bending puzzles await you at various intervals. You’ll no doubt get sucked into the madness that takes over Sebastian at times. Moving into the plane where you upgrade and save is a harrowing but memorable experience all unto itself. The rest of the game’s jump scares and intense boss encounters guarantee you’ll be on edge but also be in the middle of having fun.

The Evil Within

The biggest issue with The Evil Within comes from its graphical hiccups from time to time. As cut scenes begin, it’s hard not to notice the texture pop-in and rough visuals. The dark interiors and heart wrenching environments fit the mood of the game, but they appear to be a bit rough and unfinished. The monster designs are nothing to scoff at though. Once you set your eyes on a certain deformed canine and relentless female creature, you won’t ever forget them. It’s just too bad that the graphics take a hit from time to time during the more involved scenes of the game. As for the sound, everything is just right in the audio department. Getting entrenched in this survival horror adventure feels even better with headphones on.

The Evil Within

The Evil Within is a quality horror adventure that revives the feeling of dread and unimaginable fear that was present during Resident Evil’s early beginnings. While the plot takes a bit long to start becoming clear and the visual hiccups are damaging, the overall experience here should be experienced. You’ll want to discover every creepy crawly and disturbed nightmare that lies within The Evil Within.


 Images: Tango Gameworks, Bethesda Games

Female Robin Carrie Kelley Cast for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice?

On top of the huge news that came from Warner Bros. regarding the future lineup of DC Comics films comes this huge rumor – Batman’s most trusty sidekick may make an appearance. And she (yes, we just said SHE) may have already been cast.

So where did this rumor come from? A news report stated that one of the film’s background talents divulged a few details about what additional superheroes may pop up. One of them is Batman’s most revered partner-in-crimefighting, Robin, who is rumored to be the Carrie Kelley version of the character. For those of you out there who’ve read The Dark Knight Returns, this news should come as an exciting surprise. This rumor could have some more legitimacy placed behind it due to the film being heavily inspired by Frank Miller’s epic miniseries.

So who’s the lucky lady rumored to be donning Robin’s outfit? The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’s own Jena Malone! Miss Malone has also done some TV and movie work in Law & Order (as Michelle Landon), Sucker Punch (as Rocket) and Time Out of Mind (as Maggie).

Jena Malone in 2011's SUCKER PUNCH.
Jena Malone in 2011’s SUCKER PUNCH.

Another cool tidbit that emanated from the Batman v Superman’s ongoing production revolves around Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) crossing paths.  A scene is being prepped within the Michigan State University campus’ art museum that could set up the problems that exist between two of DC’s most powerful men.

 

We’re hoping this latest Batman v Superman rumor rings true. We’re looking forward to seeing Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the announced DC characters show up. We’d be even more ecstatic to watch the Dark Knight jump across rooftops with a female Robin in tow.

What do you think of Carrie Kelley as Robin in the film, or Jena Malone playing the character? Sound off in the comments below and join the discussion at the Grizzlybomb Facebook page!


 Images: DC Comics, Warner Bros. Pictures 

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition Review

You probably passed up on Sleeping Dogs upon its 1st launch back in 2012. This super underrated open-world action game set in Hong Kong surprised gamers who played it, due to its tightly written plot, immersive combat system and excellent world. Now that gamers have moved on to the next-generation of consoles, the game’s developer (United Front Games) have done a clean-up job with its much appreciated game.  In 2014, Sleeping Dogs has been given a new lease on life with this Definitive Edition.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

This remastered version of the game does a fine job of improving the visuals to an impressive level. The crowded markets, dark alleyways, rambunctious crowds and hot rod’s existing in this game’s version of Hong Kong looks even more detailed. The rough graphical patches of the past-gen version of the game are practically existent. Venturing out into this game’s crime-filled world is a better experience thanks to the 1080p graphical fidelity and much improved textures. The added details of extra traffic and pedestrians is a cool but non-impactful addition, though.

Sleeping Dogs gameplay is still as strong as its initial version. For those who don’t know, you take control of Wei Shen, an undercover police officer who’s looking to take down the most volatile Honk Kong Triads. As you venture throughout this game’s murky underworld, you’ll get involved in multi-man melees as you fight for turf control and drive away rival gangs. The good cop persona of Shen will task you with aiding the police during criminal skirmishes, undercover stings and high-speed chases. For those who love the gang part of Shen’s lifestyle, the abundance of ever-changing missions are ripe with fun and plenty of replayability. Both sides of the law provides equally engaging modes of play.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

Along with the excellent main story campaign, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition comes with a host of much-needed extras. The two additional side story campaigns are present here, thankfully. The fantasy filled story campaign and good cop duty fulfillment missions are both fun in their own right. The tight fist to fist gameplay makes these missions and the main story campaign a very entertaining experience. The gunplay doesn’t falter behind the melee combat and the driving aesthetics control much better than some of its open-world gaming peers.  The extra DLC costumes are all present here as well.

While this Definitive Edition is nice to have, it’s notable upgrades honestly doesn’t make this game a worthy second purchase for those who have already played it. The improved visuals and full suite of DLC is fine, but it’s mostly worth checking out for franchise newcomers. The game itself is still a joy. Returning to it with this new re-launch won’t be much of a priority, though.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition does a great job of making the game’s gritty Hong Kong look even more amazing.  This game’s full package of DLC content is a worthy treat for first time investors, but it isn’t much of an important re-buy for those who have already taken down the Triads.


Images: United Front Games, Square Enix Games

The Evil Within: The Most Horrific Haunts

The Evil Within is going out of its way to actually frighten you. This survival horror game is all about the tense feeling you experienced during extended sessions of classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The psychotic denizens who will chase you and try to rip your soul from your living frame are some of the scariest creatures in gaming history. We managed to speak with Shinji Mikami, the brains behind The Evil Within, who gave us a description of the creepy bastards who exist to make your life a living hell. Stop bein’ a lil’ punk and make sure you’re ready to combat these horrific haunts.

Ruvik

Voiced by Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley, Ruvik is the main antagonist in The Evil Within. Shrouded in mystery and cloaked in a sinister hood, you never know when Ruvik will make an appearance.

The Evil Within

The Keeper

The Keeper came about a year and a half into development. He was nicknamed “Boxman” by the team and ultimately became a character that changed the look of The Evil Within and turned it into the game you see today.

The Evil Within

Laura Creature

The Laura Creature’s design was aiming to blend Japanese monsters with Western creatures, which resulted in putting her on all fours and having her move like a spider. Classic Japanese horror films inspired her look, as they usually feature creepy women with long, dark hair. The creature wears shoes in order to keep a piece of her humanity in her design, but we don’t recommend sticking around long enough to notice.

The Evil Wihin

The Haunted

Although sluggish, The Haunted are not to be trifled with. While all undead are called The Haunted, they vary visually and can be seen using various weapons.

The Evil Within

 

Bayonetta 2 Review: Is This the Best Wii U Game Ever?

PlatinumGames are the go-to video game developers for the most over-the-top, mind-bending action games of the current era. Their first major contribution to the world of gaming came in the form of Bayonetta, an amazing Devil May Cry-esque action/adventure that was filled with personality. The Umbra Witch, we’re all embarrassed to admit we’re in love with, has gotten another go against her angelic rivals. Plus, she’s got a bone to pick with the demonic forces that give her some of her power. She’s back for more action in the Wii U exclusive, Bayonetta 2.

Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta and her hilarious band of allies spend a seemingly normal day together a few months after their first adventure. A quiet day filled with holiday shopping quickly erupts into an insane amount of ridiculous circumstances. We see Bayonetta fighting angles on top of super fast jets and moving trains, plus dealing with a disobedient demon on the side of a building. This mind-blowing sequence of events is merely the prologue, which should clue you in to just how much more insane this game becomes.

Each chapter of Bayonetta 2 revs up the intensity and never lets up. For fans of the first game’s mechanics, there is so much more to love here. Bayonetta’s arsenal gets amplified and her moveset potential becomes unlimited this time around. Her hand/foot handguns are back, along with the newest additions of double katanas, a massive hammer and even a set of fire/ice cannons. The intense combat sequences feature the familiar angelic enemies that game is known for, but a new batch of powerful angels offers fresher battles. The addition of demonic hordes also gives you a bunch of new faces to torture.

Bayonetta 2

Speaking of torture, Bayonetta still has the power to humiliate her enemies in satisfying ways. She can still dodge attacks the very last second and enter slow motion, plus she can still summon huge monsters to finish much larger foes. The brand new Umbran Climax ability makes the combat even more of a blast, as it makes Bayonetta unstoppable thanks to this mode’s more visibly powerful attacks. Each chapter introduces old and new enemies to exact your flashy combos upon.

The plot itself is easy to grasp. Bayonetta foe-turned-friend Jeanne gets her spirit trapped in Hell, which leads to Bayonetta going on a journey to retrieve her soul. Along the way, Bayonetta joins up with old friends and runs into a magical young boy and a dangerous warrior with powers that rival her’s. The cut scenes are worth sitting through thanks to the abundance of risque body maneuvers, comedic lines of dialogue and well-crafted action sequences. The story here is just as crazy as you expected it to be.

Bayonetta 2

On a single-player level, Bayonetta 2 is a tight adventure that can be completed in 10-20 hours of play depending on your playstyle. Once you’re done venturing into the Depths of Hell, you’ll definitely want to return (crazy, right?). The replay factor here is off the charts, thanks to additional difficulty modes and the need to test out more of Bayonetta’s big moves. The amazing cosplay outfits that adopt the characteristics of Nintendo characters are actually worth taking advantage of. The multiplayer Tag Climax mode offers a ton of more content value for players who want to smash angels and demons together. Plus, you have an HD version of the first Bayonetta to dab into. There’s so much to enjoy here.

Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 is the Wii U’s first masterpiece. The best elements of this game’s predecessor return and get that much better with a new offering of weapons, moves, modes and costumes. The hilarious yet still serious story, great mix of characters and abundance of video game easter eggs will appeal to everyone. Bayonetta 2 is a must buy.


Image Credits: PlatinumGames, Nintendo, Sega

The Evil Within: Interview with Shinji Mikami

Halloween still scares the living crap out of us. We can’t deal with the abundance of films and video games that feature creepy dolls, undead minions, chainsaw wielding maniacs and flesh eating zombies. Out stomachs are a little uneasy now that we know what will be the scariest game of October 2014 – The Evil Within. The brainchild and video game development genius that is Shinji Mikami has lent his expertise toward the production of this horrifying release. He took some time away from crafting nightmarish creatures and scenarios to answer a few questions. We present to you this exclusive interview with the “father of survival horror” Shinji Mikami.

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