Jonjo’s Best Of 2018!

2018 has come and gone! While we have massive events such as Avengers: Endgame, the return of Mr. Robot and the new core Pokemon RPG to make this year an awesome one, this is the perfect time to reflect on what I thought was the best of the past 12 months!

Which film did I most enjoy? What was the best book I read? Which show on Netflix was my go-to binge? What TV show made a massive impact to me away from the online giant? These questions and more are about to be answered in the First Annual Singing Whovian Awards For Excellence And Quality!

Best Film – Avengers: Infinity War

This was not easy! 2018 brought us such gems as Black Panther, Creed II, Mission Impossible: Fallout and Bohemian Rhapsody which I am sure will all do well when it comes to the award season in the US. But, for me, the culmination of ten years in the MCU being presented in this epic movie could not be ignored.

Beginning with Thanos taking down the Asgardian refuge ship and killing half of those on board, we see him begin his quest to wipe out half of all life as he sacrifices everything to achieve this goal. Iron Man, The Guardians Of The Galaxy and the other Avengers all come out to fight in this film which truly is bigger than any other that has come before it.

Could you get a more sympathetic yet terrifying antagonist than Thanos? Has there truly been a better film series which has managed to bring together such a huge list of characters that fans have loved over the past decade? Anthony and Joe Russo show that Marvel Studios can not only create a brilliant film, but have truly made the biggest shocker since Luke Skywalker found out his Dad was Darth Vader!

Best TV show – Better Call Saul

Well, who thought this would happen? Could it be possible that the spin-off to one of the most successful TV shows of all time may actually be just as good or maybe even better than its predecessor? The tale of Jimmy McGill took possibly its most dramatic step this year as Jimmy has to deal with the loss of his brother and try to get his licence back to practice law.

With Season Four taking the biggest time jump so far, we see Jimmy and Kim slowly grow apart as the lives they live continue to divide them as the Saul Goodman persona begins to emerge as a force to be reckoned with. Kim tries to support Jimmy the best way she can, but can she possibly save him from the man he is destined to become?

While the couple may be on the rocks, we also get to see Gustavo Fring as he begins to grow his empire with the help of the fantastic Mike as he has to deal with the operations and tie up the lose ends. Also, as the series prepares for its fifth season, will we see the show eventually come up to Breaking Bad or even fully embrace a more sequel-based setting? I would like to see the show meet a satisfying conclusion with the chance to tie up all storylines for the man we have come to know as “Slippin’ Jimmy”.

Best Netflix Film – Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

2019 may be the year we will get the new series of Black Mirror emerge on Netflix, but I can’t see many people would have expected this to emerge. A late Christmas present from the streaming giant was definitely welcome when Netflix announced that Bandersnatch was to premiere on the 28^th December…but the biggest surprise was yet to come.

When the film premiered, it was later discovered that you could choose the path that the episode was to follow. Whether it was what cereal that central character Stefan would start his day with, what cassette would be blasting from his Walkman or even how you would finish a fight scene, Charlie Brooker has given us yet another classic.

While we may be waiting till later in 2019 for a full Season Five of the hit show, I can safely say that this special will keep many people entertained for hours while they attempt to get all the endings.

Best Netflix TV Show – BoJack Horseman

Can you believe we have already had five seasons of this fantastic series? BoJack Horseman is the perfect show to blend comedy, drama, speak about everyday issues such as anxiety and depression and also involve anthropomorphic animals who inhabit the world that is so similar to our own. If you’ve never seen the show before, its main star is a Horse-Man who used to star in a sitcom which was a big hit and he now gets by each day as a semi-functioning alcoholic with more mummy issues than Norman Bates.

Will Arnett continues to shine as the troubled star who has to not only deal with his own personal demons, but he also has to get through the loss of his mother in what is possibly one of the finest episodes of TV that I have ever witnessed. The supporting cast all bring their best performances in this season, whether its Alison Brie as Diane begins to deal with her split from Mr. Peanutbutter or even Rami Malek or Stephanie Beatriz for their roles as the workforce behind BoJack’s new series called Philbert.

I honestly could not have thought anything would have beaten season four of this fine show, but Arnett and the rest of the stars are all on top form. BoJack Horseman continues to tackle themes that many other shows would never touch, yet we seem to take it in just as much with these animated creations as we would if the people were real. Bring on Season Six!

Best Playstation 4 Game – Spider-Man

The PS4 has been possibly the greatest console to come out from Sony, with many games that push the boundaries of what we would consider the standard. In the last few years we have had Bloodborne terrify the masses, The Last Of Us bring people to tears and even the latest God Of War show that it just gets better and better.

Truly, the best of all these in my opinions is Spider-Man! The 2018 game which reinvents all we know about the wall-crawler and provides possibly one of the tightest and most enjoyable gaming experiences ever. The game looks visually amazing and it handles almost as well as a certain caped crusader and his series of games set around the famous prison based in his world.

While not the most original idea brought to the console, the execution of the title character and his world is just stunning. The story is indeed a unique one to any Spider-Man canon that has come before it and I am sure there will be millions of people eagerly awaiting the sequel when it his the Playstation 5 in the future!

Best XBOX ONE Game – Dragonball FighterZ

This is not a console exclusive, its not the biggest title of the year and it may actually not have sold super well compared to others, but I really really really loved this game. Taking on a more hand-drawn style that reflects the anime has really gone in FighterZ favour to produce the most exciting figher of the year.

While it has come out on the PS4 and also amazed me on the Nintendo Switch too, it is the XBOX ONE which sees it really shine with the 4K visuals on the XBOX ONE X and just bringing back the greatest memories of watching the show. When you get such seemless gameplay and beautiful art design like this, how could you not love it?

Including some great multiplayer options and a story mode from original creator Akira Toriyama is indeed the greatest strength of this game. It takes what has come before from titles in the Budokai and Xenoverse series and really puts you into the action in a way that has never been possible before.

Best Nintendo Switch Game – Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Was there any other choice? Octopath Traveler was a deep tale with some of the best music in video game history, the Bayonetta 2 port was so much fun to play through and Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu was a fun nostalgic trip to Kanto and I loved throwing all my Meltan into the park. While these games scored high for me, I got my biggest joy from bashing buttons as I took either Kirby or Richter Belmont to victory against the 70+ challengers over them 100+ stages.

When this game was first announced, my only experience in the Smash realm was with the Wii edition in the late 2000’s. But with each Nintendo Direct, the excitement just kept getting higher. The idea of throwing these characters from countless franchises to see them fight it out on these wacky stages shouldn’t be so appealing, but it does work well.

Whether you play alone, with friends or with that pro online who kicks your arse every single time, you can’t help but love this game. It’s simple and complex at the same time. It is visually beautiful and straightforward to play.

Best Book – The Walking Dead Vol. 30: New World Order

I will admit, I haven’t read a lot of books that actually came out this year. The Walking Dead comic series has got a book edition every six months and never fails to succeed in terms of storytelling, intrigue and character development. For a comic that has been going for over 15 years, the concept is still as fresh as ever and the latest chapter has been indeed ambitious.

As Eugene leads the group to Ohio, the survivors are invited to a community that has many people within its walls, approximately 250,000. While the gang begin to learn about the people in Ohio, Michonne discovers that her daughter has come to this settlement and may still be alive.

Like any Walking Dead story, you find that it is the living characters that are dangerous and unpredictable. Where the story will surely only develop further in the next volume, it is good to see more characters enter the fray such as the unhinged ‘Princess’ and the Commonwealth’s governor Pamela Milton (not another Governor!!!!!). Bring on book 31!

That was my list, did you agree with any of my picks? Are you upset that I didn’t include Red Dead Redemption 2 on my list of games or that I left Venom out of the running? Let me know.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

The Five Biggest Video Games Still To Come In 2018!

2018 at E3 was…well, it was E3! Some surprises, a few in depths of upcoming titles and more memes being created than ever before (Dennis at EA, poor guy!). But, amongst some of the disappointments and less than stellar reveals, it is fair to say that Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have got some genuinely brilliant titles on the way! With the likes of God Of War, Dragonball FighterZ, Celeste and the re-release of Shadow Of The Colossus entertaining and exciting the gaming world, I want to give a spotlight to some other releases you need to be playing before Christmas!

Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee

November 16^th 2018 on Nintendo Switch

I start with this double hitter, the first true (don’t hate me, internet) Pokémon game to reach Nintendo’s hybrid console will be arriving this November! Unlike previous games in the core RPG series, this game will see the traditional meet the immensely popular mobile app Pokémon Go. While many may not be too happy with a change in the structure, rest assured that Trainer Battles and the Pokémon League is still in effect! Plus there is that Generation 8 RPG due in 2019, so see Let’s Go as a warm up and I am sure you will enjoy it!

Spider-Man

September 7^th 2018 on Playstation 4

Every now and again, a Spider-Man game comes along and it actually does really well. So far its Spider-Man 2, Web Of Shadows and I am sure maybe a SNES game that was good, so the hope for a great release is definitely one. Luckily enough, Insomniac Games has been developing this one for quite a while and by taking its own canon will allow it to breathe and grow on its own. With an impressive roster of characters and breath-taking visuals, Spider-Man could be the PS4 game of the year!

Forza Horizon 4

October 2^nd 2018 on XBOX ONE

Forza, a car racing franchise with a number of titles to rival Need For Speed but with arguably more high quality entries than the multi-platform game. Forza Horizon 4 has got me excited as it looks set to take place in the UK and servers will be able to take 72 players at a time! Weather will shape and modify the tracks and I admit it is one damn good reason to own an XBOX One X! It may be Microsoft’s last exclusive for 2018, but it will be a damn good one!

Fallout 76

November 14^th 2018 on XBOX ONE and Playstation 4

Return to the wastelands with this video game which is set before all the previous games in the series where your character emerges from Vault 76! Fallout 76 will be an online playable game and this time you can link up with friends to tackle all the hazards that you will face. All human characters will be actual players in what will truly be 2018’s most immersive and hopefully deepest video game!

Super Smash Bros: Ultimate

December 7^th 2018 on Nintendo Switch

Possibly the most anticipated game of the Nintendo Direct at E3 was SMASH. BROS. Returning! It was announced that not only would this game feature the largest roster so far, but EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER that has ever appeared in the franchise would be playable in Ultimate. The gameplay looks smooth, each character appears well balanced and it will definitely be the early Christmas present for all users of the Switch!

What 2018 video game are you most looking forward to? Message below and let me know.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

INJUSTICE 2. What I Want To See!

Who would have thought a game based around DC comics and using the game engine from the latest Mortal Kombat series would prove such a hit? But it did in both the look and the gameplay. It was fun and really had you hooked all the way through the story mode and repeatedly going through the arcade segments to master each superhero and villain. The personal highlights I got from this game was how well each character was represented and the special moves given to each was well made and faithful to their traits. Also, who expected them to actually give a reason to how Green Lantern and Green Arrow could fight each other on equal grounds? But anyway, we have Injustice 2 on the way next year. With a cool looking trailer and hints to some new and returning characters, here are the five things I want to see in the next game…

1. Don’t be afraid to extend the roster

There was a great cast of characters in the first game, though I am sure many fans would like a further expansion of the DC characters you can pick from. We already know Supergirl, Atrocitus and Gorilla Grodd will be in the new game with returning characters Batman, Superman, Aquaman and The Flash. After the successes of the DC TV shows, there is a lot of new characters who deserve a spot on the game. I reckon Black Canary, Constantine, Red Arrow, Firestorm and more would work well as some new heroes to feature. On the villain side, we need Captain Cold, Zoom, Riddler, Ra’s Al Ghul, Livewire, Clayface and maybe Brainiac as the main enemy? Why not.

2. Keep them equal

The big selling point in the fights was that each character could handle their own with any other and still stay unique. Before 2013’s Injustice: Gods Among Us, I would have thought a game like this could not exist. Though I think the pills will not be a factor in this game, and that may not be a bad idea. In the trailer, it looks like we get to see some “upgrades” for the heroes to see them capable of going head to head on a level playing field again. Will that work into the story? This is where we get to the next point…

3. Take inspiration from a certain 2016 film

Before you say it, I am not talking about Batman v Superman. If you have watched Captain America: Civil War, you will see its biggest talking point was the big battle between Team Cap and Team Iron Man. Maybe a similar story seeing the two sides form in the one universe (I think we could avoid multiverse for this game) and it would be fun to see two sides form over some crisis. I wouldn’t ask for a remake of what I saw on screen, but there are some elements that could be borrowed. Maybe it’s a way to deal with the defeat of a villain like Joker or Lex Luthor and then them fighting each other leaves earth vulnerable to an attack. From the information I have read, this looks very unlikely and seems to be a more direct continuation of the first. But fingers crossed the links will be there.

4. Keep the same actors/actresses

Another good point from the first Injustice game was the voice acting. If you have Kevin Conroy voicing Batman, you have already sold it to me. There was also Carl Lumbly reprising his role as Martian Manhunter from the Justice League cartoon, Phil LaMarr becoming Green Lantern again and the amazing Tara Strong living her role as Harley Quinn. If we could have the same cast again, it would not be a disappointment. To have consistency within the games, it would be nice to get that same feeling back from the first title. The only change in cast would be for me The Joker, no offence to the guy who took it on, but I think Mark Hamill or Troy Baker needs to re-take the part.

5. Longer story mode

In Mortal Kombat and Injustice: Gods Among Us, the story was always strong and enjoyable. The only problem was that story mode could be completed in about 5 hours. I know this would not be the end of my time playing the game, but it would be great to expand the story some more and get about 8-10 hours. If we learnt anything from the first game, the story shot past with great speed and indeed kept you hooked. I hope the next instalment can keep the same momentum but give a longer experience without just padding it out.

Injustice 2 will be released on PS4 and XBOX ONE in 2017.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

Star Wars: Battlefront. PS4 Review

Also available on PC and XBOX ONE

Star Wars fever is in overdrive now, and with the impending release of The Force Awakens, we are set to get the first taster of the sequel trilogy with this new game. Being more a natural progression of the old games rather than a sequel or remake, Battlefront establishes itself as a seriously fun and tough shooter game. Though there is not any real storyline or “campaign” mode to play, the game is packed with many different aspects of gameplay to dive into. Being set within the original trilogy, we see the breath-taking battle scenes played out in front of us. Gameplay is very much the same as remembered, two teams (the Rebels and the Empire) facing against each other in combat. (At least you are better aiming as a Stormtrooper in the game than they are in the films, though the ones in The Force Awakens look like they will be dangerous!).

Blast is effectively Team Deathmatch, and is the best chance to really get to see painstaking work which has been done to recreate the worlds we love and battle through them while admiring the work that has been done in the graphics department. Hero Hunt is very much given in the title, you hunt the hero (Luke, Leia or Han) and if you defeat them, you then become the hero and the whole team then comes after you. Fighter Squadron then really takes the game to a different level as you get to pilot a ship (Tie Fighters are available) and it is fun to do an all-out assault in the air and manoeuvre like a true pilot. Many of the other levels are of a Deathmatch style with objectives such as dominating the zones, collecting supplies that are dropped and also there are droids (and they are the ones you are looking for). My favourite though is Heroes VS Villains; the best opportunity to see the best of good and evil go up against each other and the result is rather spectacular. Seeing Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader fighting in a spectacular lightsabre battle in the middle of a battlefield is beyond explanation.

There is a sad feeling that a campaign mode was dropped because maybe they couldn’t get it to work. I feel there is a missed opportunity not getting to progress through the saga in a linear fashion. That being said, this is truly one of the most fun and detailed games ever from the Star Wars universe. The action is spot on throughout, the controls are really easy to pick up and exploring the various game modes will certainly keep you occupied for a great amount of time. Electronic Arts is indeed the perfect partner for bringing Star Wars back to your home console, and DICE definitely make good use of their history with the Battlefront series. The only thing I haven’t tried is the Battle Of Jakku maps (as they won’t be out till December) which will be almost a prequel to the new movie, but I can honestly say this game is exceptional and fun. The gameplay stays solid throughout and no visible bugs have cropped up in the time I have been playing it. Well worth having one of the top consoles for this game alone, fans will be delighted and Call Of Duty and Battlefield fans now have something fresh to sink their teeth into.

Final rating: 9/10

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove