Saturday, November 28, 2015

WWE 2K16 review

The WWE is back in the video game world once again with their yearly installment of WWE 2k16. How does it turn out? Let's read on!

Roster: The entire advertising campaign hinged on the idea of having the biggest roster in history, and I think they succeeded. Just about everyone past and present is in the game, though there are a few glaring holes. It's understandable not having guys like Hulk Hogan or CM Punk (who have either seen involved in scandals, or want nothing to do with the company) but there's no excuse for not including some of the women like Sasha Banks or Charlotte  (who, as of writing, is the current Diva's champion)

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin showcase mode: For those that don't know this the mode where you play through Steve Austin's career in WWE, from King of the Ring in 1996, to WrestleMania 19 in 2003. This mode is pretty fun, I always like type of mode when included. This starts off feeling fun and fresh, but quickly turns into the same thing we've seem before. It suffers from the fact that similar modes in other games (Attitude Era showcase mode in WWE 13, and WrestleMania showcase in WWE 14) have already covered a good portion of Austin's career, so it feels like you're repeating a lot.

Creation: The create a superstar mode has always been a favorite among the fanbase, and it stays pretty much the same as previous years, there is a really nice create an arena mode where you can make different types of entrance sets, whether your own creation or based off an actual set.

Overall: Similar to the Madden series it seems if you play one you've played them all. But the new features and huge roster does make it worthwhile for an WWE fan till next year.

3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Straight Outta Compton review

When a friend asked me if I want to go to the movies, I originally said no. I don't really go to movies that often, but he insisted and let me pick the movie we got to see, that movie is the biopic of the rap-group NWA, Straight Outta Compton.

Even though there are 5 members of NWA. The movie mostly looks into the life of 3 of them: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Easy-E. Covering their teenage years, the groups formation, rise to fame, and breakup.

The soundtrack is pretty much exactly what you'd expect, all the hits, including the song this movie is named after.

Straight Outta Compton is "based on a true story" so it's not 100% accurate, the groups formation, a scene where police harass the men after a recording session, and a "riot" in Detroit. The rest of the movie is pretty spot on from a factual stampoint.

The movie even covers the band's breakup in an unexpected way, considering both Ice Cube and Dre where executive producers of this film, it actually takes a look at both sides and you feel sympathy for both sides (at least in my case) Ice Cube wants to be paid what he feels is a fair amount for his work, and Easy-E wants to stay loyal to the man that helped him get rich and made his life better.

Overall this story of a group of friends who change the world makes for a fantastic movie.

Rating: 5 stars.