RUKUS July / August 2018

Photo by OG foto

Photo by OG foto Hair & Make-up by Andrew Ybarra

Photography

By Jesse Seilhan

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andrew Gates

All Access Editor Silas Valentino

Games Editor

Jesse Seilhan

Art Director

Andrew Gates

All Access Contributors

Silas Valentino & Samuel Wendel

Pit Pass Contributors

Andrew Gates & Greg Emmerson

Game On Contributors

Jesse Seilhan & Joshua David Anderson

Contributing Photographers

OG foto, Andrew Gates & Rupa Begum

Social Media Guru

Rupa Begum

Contributing Make-up Artist

Andrew Ybarra

Contributing Hair Stylist

Andrew Ybarra

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Andrew Gates info@RUKUSmag.com

Mailing Address

Crash & Burn

He nosedives on “Fall.” The tenth track on Eminem’s tenth album, Kamikaze, is a blunder.

First there’s the completely tone-deaf dis on Tyler, the Creator that’s obnoxiously homophobic and daft – “Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a faggot, bitch” he hisses, taking aim and making fodder out the Odd Future frontman’s latest album that explored his bisexuality – but then there’s the Bon Iver feature.

Justin Vernon provides his angelic pipes on “Fall” and he’s easily the album contributor from the farthest of left fields. Is this a callback to the soft-rock roots that perfectly complemented his 2000 single “Stan,” furthering Slim Shady’s ability to rhyme over anything – like a goddamn Bon Iver chorus? Why, after Vernon specifically requested he change that controversial line about Tyler, did Eminem decide to keep it and why make a song with Bon Iver in the first place?

My tea’s gone cold I’m wondering why – but then it dawns on me: it’s Kamikaze, stupid! Eminem doesn’t give a damn; he’s downward spiraling with intent, and he’s taking all of us with him.

If you haven’t listened to Revival, his last album released last year, then you might miss a few dozen of the references sprinkled throughout Kamikaze. It’s a prequal, of sorts, to this album. Not in terms of a continuous narrative between the two records but because Kamikaze is a direct response to all the of Revival’s haters. If you listened to Revival and freaking hated it, this one is for you, bub.

As with all great Eminem records, this one features more correspondence with his manager, beginning with this intro in the short “Em Calls Paul (skit).”

“Hey Em, It’s Paul [Rosenberg, his manager]. Umm, I listened to the new album. Umm, are you really gonna just reply to everybody who you don’t like what they have to say, uh, about you or the stuff you’re working on?”

Later Eminem calls back and leaves a voicemail about how he’s en route to the home of a nameless critique who bashed him online with the intent to kill. These fleeting moments of scripted horror are amusing chocolate chips that enliven every Slim Shady LP.

The best song from Eminem’s Kamikaze era isn’t even on Kamikaze. It was released two weeks after the album and perfectly encapsulates Eminem’s mood and style expressed throughout Kamikaze – but in a 4-minute diss track. I’m talking, of course, about “KILLSHOT.” A spray of bullets from Eminem’s Tommy Gun wordplay that settles a slow-burning score with Machine Gun Kelly.

The dominos fell like this: years ago, MGK made suggestive comments online about Eminem’s then-teenage daughter which led to MGK’s music being 86’d from Eminem’s Sirius XM radio show Shade 45. Kelly responded by taunting Eminem in a few lyrics in recent tracks. Eminem releases “Not Alike” on Kamikaze which calls out MGK directly by name; MGK drops his diss track “Rap Devil” a few days later which is replete with barbed commentary on present-day Eminem (largely directed at his age) and then Eminem chose to release perhaps the greatest diss track on record.

“KILLSHOT” manages to size up and then demolish MGK. In a track full of clever mudslinging, it’s the final line that swiftly cuts to the core: “So just leave my dick in your mouth and keep my daughter out it.” The mic dropped fast but MGK’s career hit the floor first.

Eminem’s hit list appears to have become a short list. With Kamikaze, he lampoons anyone who’s ever ribbed on him publicly, mumble rappers and folks who just plain annoy him. (Victims include Lil Yachty, Migos, Lil Pump and Drake.)

Eminem should rest easy knowing he’s unchallengeable and remains one of the best rappers alive, 20-years strong. Instead, he’s one clenched fist away from yelling into the microphone: “You kids get off my lawn!”

Words by Silas Valentino

Memento Mori

Words by Silas Valentino

If you’re reading this one then you might have read the last review RUKUS published on the Pittsburg MC Mac Miller. It was for 2015’s GO:OD AM , his third studio effort, and I panned it:

“Mac Miller, overall, sounds so desperately motivated to produce something grandeur and refreshing that he forgot to check himself before he – well, you know where that rhyme was going. And so would Mac Miller; simplistic writing appears to be his game.”

Brutal. Nevertheless, it was true. Mac Miller’s career was spent defending himself as he fought to legitimatize his art. Often falling short, he went on to earn ounce after ounce of respect. It began slowly, then gradually and then in spades with the release of Swimming , his fifth and what would become his final studio album.

The record is a feat. Songs blossom within the complex, jazzy frameworks he wrote personally – he’s a multiinstrumentalist with a talent for transmitting the sounds in his head onto a keyboard, guitar or drumkit – and lyrically, he delves into deeper themes like romance and adulthood with poignancy and sharpened self-reflection. This was the album he was always meant to record but Swimming doesn’t sound like a leap forward, rather, it’s the accumulation of years in steadfast maturation.

Mac Miller defied the odds (or just harsh critics) and stuck his landing. Swimming was released in August to collective acclaim. One month later he was found dead in his Los Angeles home from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol. He was 26 years old. His death immortalizes Swimming but ends his story in tragedy.

“Yeah, nine times out of ten I get it wrong/That’s why I wrote this song, told myself to hold on/I can feel my fingers slippin’” he coolly croons on the album highlight “Small Worlds,” a soulful number that flourishes with downtempo swagger and features an uncredited guitar solo courtesy of John Mayer. The moment is also one of several on Swimming that allude to his tribulations; was he reaching out for help through the lines in his bars? “Don’t wanna grow old so I smoke just in case” he declared and the eerie sentiment isn’t lost in the clouds.

Furthering the length of death’s shadow that’s cast across this album is the lead single “Self Care.” The song is shrouded in morbid coincidence; the title reflects his soon-fatal substance abuse and this line of lyrics is foresightedly accurate: “Swear the height be too tall, so like September I fall.” Moreover, the music video features him inside a pine box casket and includes a moment where he carves “memento mori” into the lid, which translates to “remember that you have to die.” At the time, all of this felt like a moment of perseverance, man defying death, but “Self Care” has since evolved with sad twists of irony that line every note.

After a decade scrapping for his spot within hip-hop hierarchy, Mac Miller justifies his inclusion in the mix of modern MCs worth a damn with his final release. He represents growth; how a flower can bloom in a dark room if you trust it. In June 2017, across a dozen Tweets commemorating the artists who inspired him, Jay-Z ended with: “Mac Miller nice too though.”

This time next year the last of Mac Miller may have been published. A posthumous album release seems inevitable and he’ll forever remain associated with artists who died due to fentanyl, Tom Petty, and Prince included. But the ink on his name will dry out. However, as will the criticisms that marred his creative output.

The haters have hushed since his passing, largely due to respect for the dead, but also because slowly then gradually he earned their respect. By the end, he seemed to have earned everybody’s.

instagram.com/wizkhalifa

Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers 2

Hip-hop’s reigning god of the high life Wiz Khalifa looks to keep the good times rolling with the long-awaited follow-up to his 2011 breakthrough Rolling Papers. Yet, listeners expecting more of the same (or more duets with Charlie Puth), are in for a surprise. Rolling Papers 2 features many of the hallmarks of classic Wiz Khalifa, including that same stoned confidence and hazy energy, but it’s also darker and given to excess — it boasts an epic guest list and has a hefty 90-minute length. Rolling Papers 2 meanders, a slow-burning affair that finds Wiz Khalifa loose and seemingly unconcerned with expanding his mainstream pop appeal. After a spirited start, the album settles into a laid-back ride, with plenty of entertaining moments provided by the long-list of guest spots, from Ty Dolla Sign to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Standout tracks include “Blue Hunnids,” “Reach for the Stars” and “Real Rich.”

instagram.com/bozscaggsmusic

Boz Scaggs, Out of the Blues

Maybe Boz Scaggs was born to be a bluesman. The singer-songwriter behind a number of sleek hit singles dating back to the 1970s is still going strong by exploring American roots music with his solo efforts, and the results are rewarding. Out of the Blues comes as the third release in a trilogy of albums that finds Scaggs frequently exploring other artist’s material. He focuses on revisiting classic American sounds, including blues, soul, R&B and more. All prove to be fertile ground for Scaggs to explore — at age 74, his voice now has a nice worn edge to it, which he deploys in a way that would make classic bluesmen proud. A highlight of the album is Scaggs’ slow-burning take on the Neil Young classic “On the Beach.” His rough croon adds a new dimension to the song, making an already moody track moodier. That cover ultimately serves as the centerpiece of Out of the Blues, which pleasantly unfolds as a steady addition to Boz Scagg’s eclectic discography. Standout tracks include “On the Beach” and “Rock and Stick.”

instagram.com/thescreamingjetsofficial

The Screaming Jets, Gotcha Covered

Looking for a crash course in Australian rock tunes? The Screaming Jets have got you covered, as the title of their latest album so helpfully suggests. With Gotcha Covered, the Aussie hard rockers have a rollicking-good time interpreting some of their favorite radio hits from their home country. The album, which is their eighth studio release, features tracks from bands including The Easybeats, Men At Work, INXS and AC/DC, among others, and traces through more than 50 years’ worth of material. For the most part, it’s an energetic endeavor, with The Screaming Jets playfully delivering fresh takes on classic tunes. Here and there they choose to play it safe, faithfully reinterpreting the original without adding too many new wrinkles. That said, The Screaming Jets have managed to whip up a satisfying and diverse collection of cover songs. Standout tracks include “Wedding Ring,” “Overkill” and “Rock n Roll Damnation.”

Words by Samuel Wendel

Kendra Reynolds

Kendra Reynolds was born and raised in rural southeast Kansas, far from the big city and flashing lights she has now grown accustomed to. For the past 5 years she has called Los Angeles, CA her home and where she’s had the privilege of working with some of the industries top photographers and talent, helping her to make a name for herself and propel her to the next level. She’s had experience doing various modeling assignments over the years including promotional, print, and ecommerce. She’s also landed inside the pages of some popular mens magazines — the most recent being an 8 page feature in the August 2018 issue of Playboy Italia. Presently she’s trying her hand as an actress in a film project that is projected to release sometime in February 2019.

Photography by OG foto

Hair & Makeup by Andrew Ybarra

20 QUESTIONS

1.What’s your Ethnicity?

I’m primarily German, Dutch, English, and Irish with a slight amount of American Indian thrown into the mix.

2.What’s your zodiac sign?

I’m a Cancer.

3.Where are you from originally?

I grew up in rural southeast Kansas on 60 acres of farmland — Closest major city, Tulsa, OK was a two hour drive away.

4.What did you like most about growing up in southeast Kansas? Well I can say that it was nice to be able to leave the house unlocked without any worries.

5.What kind of mischief did you get into while growing up?

For the most part I stayed out of mischief while growing up, but made up for it soon after turning 18.

6.If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?

Teleportation, so I could travel to all the places in the world I want to visit quickly, easily, and affordably.

7.What’s your favorite hobby and why?

Sightseeing because I like exploring new places, and seeing new things.

8.What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is watching cheesy teen movies/TV shows.

9.Who do you admire and why?

I admire anyone who is authentic and stays true to themselves even if it means that they might have to reveal their vulnerability at times. To me that’s true strength and courage.

10.If you could change one thing in the world what would it be and why?

I’d change peoples’ mindset so that instead of focusing on the differences they have with others, they could easily find and focus on the common ground they share. I’d do this so that the shift in perspective would help

make the world a more united and peaceful place to live.

11.What’s one of your personal goals? To run my own successful business.

12.What do guys compliment you on the most?

I’d have to say my smile.

13.What’s your favorite body part on yourself? I like my legs.

14.What do you look for in a guy?

I look for a lot of different things, but the most important thing for me is whether or not I can trust him.

15.What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? His demeanor, the way he carries himself.

16.What’s your ideal first date?

Nothing over the top… it should be casual so that we are both at ease and comfortable in each others presence. Ideally we’d be able to an make a connection without much effort and we genuinely enjoy each other company.

17.What turns you on?

A good sense of humor, someone who can make me laugh.

18.What turns you off? Complaining.

19.What’s your biggest pet peeve? Slow drivers or slow walkers — both are equally annoying.

20.Who’s your celebrity crush? Ian Somerhalder. RM

PIOTR WIECEK TAKES FIRST 2018 WIN AND TOYOTA CLINCHES THE AUTO CUP AT FORMULA DRIFT TEXAS

Photography by Andrew Gates

Words by Greg Emmerson

With only two rounds remaining in the 2018 Formula DRIFT season there are nine drivers in the Pro category and the entire Pro 2 grid with a mathematical chance to win their respective championships. This meant nobody could afford to relax as the Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship and Link ECU Pro 2 Championship arrived in Fort Worth, TX for Round Seven: Autozone Showdown presented by Rain X.

Even as the pressure was mounting on every team, the Texas weather threatened to add an extra dimension with rain forecast for Friday’s Pro 2 and Saturday’s Pro category heats. This didn’t deter the capacity crowd turning out to watch the penultimate round of what has become one of the hardest fought seasons in Formula DRIFT history

PRO QUALIFYING

Fortunately, rain wasn’t a factor in the Pro qualifying session, which saw 2017 FD ChampionJames Deane (Ireland) top of the table at Texas Motor Speedway in his Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15. Deane was leading the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship as the teams arrived in Dallas, with a 32-point margin over second place Fredric Aasbo (Norway) in the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla. Aasbo, the 2015 FD Champion, is coming off a win at the previous St Louis round and must have hoped for better than fourth place qualifying in Texas.

Second place went to Alec Hohnadell in the Rain-X / Permatex / Nexen / Hoonigan Nissan S14. He only made one qualifying run but the judges awarded him 96 points of a possible 100 for the singular effort. Sitting 14th in the championship, Hohnadell hoped to be a fly in the ointment for the series protagonists.

Third place in qualifying was awarded to Deane’s teammate, Piotr Wiecek (Poland) in the second Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15. Placed third in the 2018 FD Championship, the Pole has a realistic chance of his first Formula DRIFT title and needed to keep pushing in the remaining two rounds.

Ryan Tuerck (USA) qualified fifth in the Ryan Tuerck Racing / Gumout / Black Magic / Nexen Tire Toyota 86. Sitting eighth in the series he has an outside chance of claiming his first FD Championship and is guaranteed to keep fighting to the end.

PRO HEATS

Qualifying first and third respectively for the Texas round of the Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship, teammates James Deane and Piotr Wiecek could hardly imagined they’d be facing each other in one of the most exciting FD Finals imaginable.

With a bye round in the Top 32, Deane met and narrowly beat Kenshiro Gushi (Japan) in the GPP Toyota Racing / Falken Tire Toyota 86 in the Sweet 16. He’d then face Daijiro Yoshihara (Japan) in the Turn 14 Distribution / Falken Tire Subaru BRZ in the Great 8. Dai had previously competed against Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis (Lithuania) in the Falken Tires / Maxxoil / Drifz Wheels Nissan S14 in the Sweet 16. The pair were inseparable, resulting in the judges requesting “One More Time.” The win went to Yoshihara, but he subsequently fell to Deane, who faced his arch-rival, Fredric Aasbo, in the Final Four. This would be another epic battle as both drivers sought to strengthen their position beore the Final round at Irwindale. Despite two very close runs, the judges gave the decision to Deane, who would face Wiecek in the Final.

Piotr’s path to the Final began againstKevin Lawrence (USA) in the Enjuku Racing / BC Racing Nissan S14.3. He then faced Matt Field (USA) in the Sweet 16 driving the Wish / Borla / Falken Tire Chevrolet Corvette. Field had finished second at the previous round and was looking for another podium visit and push Wiecek hard. The judges requested “One More Time,” much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd, who cheered on both drivers. The win would eventually be given to Wiecek, who needed to defeat 2010 FD Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR to continue his advance. With Gittin Jr experience something of a points drought recently, he fought hard but Wiecek was unstoppable.

In the Final Four, the Pole faced Chelsea Denofa (USA) in the BC Racing / Nitto Tire / Ford Performance Mustang RTR. He had given the RTR team a much-needed taste of champagne with a third place in St Louis but also failed to halt Wiecek.

In what must surely be the Worthouse teams’ 2018 Christmas card photograph, the teammates lined up alongside each other for the Final. Expectations were high for a fantastic battle and the first run proved just how close it was going to be. However, Deane’s Nissan S14 shut down in the first corner of the second run and gifted the win to Wiecek.

With Wiecek taking maximum points from FD Texas, he closes on Aasbo, who finished third on the night. Second place Deane retained his lead in the 2018 championship but fans are guaranteed a nail-biter at the Final round at Irwindale Speedway, CA in four weeks. We spoke to a beaming round winner as he stepped from the podium: “This was an awesome event and a very intense weekend for me,” said Wiecek. “Practice didn’t go as well as I’d hoped and I was unsure if we’d be competitive but we managed to get through each of the heats to meet James in the Final. That was an amazing experience for all of us. It’s unbelievable to be in first place – a dream come true.”

Second placed Deane was gracious in defeat, as always. “It’s amazing to be on the podium with Piotr and get a great result for the team. Fredric was third so the championship is really close heading into the final round at Irwindale and makes it a really exciting prospect. So we’ve got a few weeks to get the cars prepped and come back strong.”

Third place Aasbo was philosophical about the result: “We’re very happy with third place because we haven’t been able to figure out this track in the past and I feel like this was our best Texas round ever. This being Toyota Racing’s home town and it being an important weekend for the championship, we’re delighted to be standing on the podium and to be in the hunt. And even with the Worthouse boys showing us there’s a next level of drifting, we’re feeling very positive heading into the season finale.”

Although he wasn’t aware of it at the time, Aasbo’s podium helped Toyota clinch the 2018 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup. With one round remaining, Toyota has amassed enough points to take the manufacturer’s title, and do so at its home event. However, the fight for the Pro and Pro 2 drivers titles and the Tire Cup will be decided at the final round at Irwindale Speedway.

As always, the last word goes to Formula DRIFT president, Jim Liaw: “This was an action-packed weekend. It was incredibly competitive in both classes and we’re delighted to see both driver’s championships going down to the wire as well as the Tire Cup. It’s all leading to a really exciting Final at Irwindale Speedway and we’re looking forward to another successful season finale at the House of Drift.”

...someone

"

"

who can make me laugh.

Hollow No More

Metroidvania is a poor way to describe the kind of game Hollow Knight is, but it is a good start. You begin your quest alone and in the dark, underpowered, confused, lost, with a hit or two separating you from your life. Each screen you advance toward is pitch black on your poorly drawn map and the only thing between you and the myriad violent bugs is a tiny sword known as a “nail.” You can upgrade it, but that won’t be for at least a dozen hours and countless deaths, as the world of Hollow Knight takes no prisoners. Your first boss fight will most certainly humble you, as the attack patterns and damage output are beyond anything you’ve seen thus far. When you die, you’re forced to hunt down your ghost, defeat it in battle, gather your lost currency, and try it all over again. It’s oppressive, it’s frustrating, but it just may be the best game of 2018 for those who want a little challenge in their gaming.

While not cut exactly from the same cloth as the Dark Souls franchise, their tailors are certainly swapping notes. Hollow Knight lets you play through a macabre fantasy world, filled with more than a dozen zones that vary in style, substance, and enemy placements. Controls will be familiar to anyone who grew up playing Castlevania or those who enjoy modern parallels like Rogue Legacy or Shovel Knight. The action and its animations are snappy, giving complete control over jumps, swings, and magic attacks (which open up after a few hours). Boss fights definitely test your dexterity, as you’ll need to dive, duck, dodge, and destroy in a timely manner if you don’t want to battle them again. But if you do, some unlock a second, more powerful version of the fight to get some more goodies on your road to becoming the Hollow Knight.

The real differentiator in this game is the Charm system. There are dozens of them, each modifying the game in some significant way. Some charms enhance your overall health, some increase damage, while others may speed up magic casting or resource collection. A few have mixed benefits, but you have to weigh pros and cons as you only have a limited amount of charms that can be equipped at once, creating moments of reflection before a big boss fight or tough platforming section. That very platforming can cause the most drama, as your combat skills may be fantastic but if your jumping and maneuvering aren’t so hot, this game will punish you. Spikes, traps, hidden enemies, and more will ruin a great run, but brave adventurers will find tons of secret paths, hidden items, and, in every zone, a cartographer who (for a price) will reveal your current surroundings in your map, complete with paths to and fro other parts of the game.

The story is as confusing as it is obscured, as each NPC reveals just a tiny sliver of this dank underground universe one confusing line at a time. Some send you on fetch quests that reward you with a little more of the plot, while others won’t talk to you if you haven’t yet met some requirement. But what we do know is that an infection has spread across Hallownest, the overworld you inhabit and fight in. There is a Pale King, a tunnel system that acts as a fast travel conduit, over 50 unique enemy types, and multiple endings for those brave enough to go over the 100% completion mark. Most of these extracurricular activities are optional, but do pay off if you want to get the full story.

Hollow Knight is not for everyone, but it’s not as clean cut as “if you do/don’t like Dark Souls, do/don’t play this game.” While some of the same mechanics exist (brutal combat, corpse runs, obfuscated lore), Hollow Knight has way more focus on platforming and exploring than most DS clones. The music is enchanting and near-perfect, the art style holds up throughout all the various palette changes, and the volume of DLC included in the console versions of the game make this a 30+ hour journey. The Switch’s handheld nature makes it the perfect version to own, as you can pick up and knock out a few fights in between other engagements or get sucked into the world for hours on end on the big screen at home. Either way, this is one of the best games of the year and anyone serious about exploring, fighting, and learning more with each step should give it a spin.

Words by Jesse Seilhan

Exclusive Coverage

Event

Written by Jesse Seilhan and Joshua David Anderson

Every year, thousands and thousands of gamers, press, and hot dog carts descend upon Downtown Los Angeles to see what’s new in gaming at E3. This year was no different, with hundreds of games on display both at the event and the surrounding area, as Microsoft used their own Theater in LA Live to showcase all of their games and EA continued their big EA Play event outdoors. But the press conferences set the tone early and spawned plenty of headlines before the doors even opened, giving gamers a glimpse at the future of console gaming for the rest of the 2010’s.

Each console manufacturer had plenty to show off, but Sony decided to carry on with more of a whimper than a bang. By only focusing on four games (Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ghosts of Tsushima, Death Stranding, and The Last of Us II), they conveyed more of what 2019 would look like, as three of those games aren’t coming out this year. Microsoft went hard-charging into the software lineup, announcing over 50 games, including 18 console launch exclusives & over a dozen world premieres, while also announcing a few studio acquisitions and teasing a new console. Nintendo stayed steady on their course of playing a pre-recorded video, stuffed with third-party goodies and a few proprietary gems, like a new Smash Bros, Fire Emblem, and Mario Party.

The big third-parties were there as well, with Electronic Arts updating their yearly sports rosters and charging you $60 for it, showcasing Anthem and all of its Destiny-esque goodness, and teasing the next big Star Wars game from the makers of Titanfall. Bethesda showed up strong, announcing sequels, sequels, and more sequels, for their stellar RPGs Elder Scrolls and Fallout to their action-packed shooters Doom and Rage. Ubisoft’s was as wacky as ever with no real big surprise (Splinter Cell will have to wait…) but most-baffling was Square Enix, announcing and putting on a press conference at E3 for the first time in years. But all of the big hitters you assume would follow never showed up (think sequels to Final Fantasy, that FF7 remake, the Avengers game they are working on), leaving fans to scratch their head at the third showing of the same Kingdom Hearts III trailer and little else.

We played just about everything and have some exclusive hands-on impressions of some of the biggest games of the year. Turn the page to kick off our E3 2018 preview and stay tuned for the rest of 2018 for reviews of the hottest games on the market!

Photos by Jesse Seilhan

Spider-Man

One of Sony’s biggest games this fall happens to star one of the biggest comic book heroes of all time, one that is also not a stranger to video games. Spider-Man has graced the cover and controls of games going back to the old days, but the track record hasn’t always been great. Insomniac Games, developer of Marvel’s Spider-Man for the Playstation 4, hope that their game is on the good side of the web-slingers catalog, and so far they have been saying the right things.

When people talk about the good Spider-Man games, they always seem to be the games where the swinging felt great. The iconic mode of travel for ol’ webhead is probably the first thing people think of when they think of the character, so it makes sense that the developers at Insomniac have spent a lot of time showing off the swinging mechanics, and what they have shown off feels great. Swinging around New York feels effortless and smooth, while allowing a lot of air control and choice on how your next swing will start and end. Getting around the city looks to be a ton of fun and held up nicely during our hands-on preview at E3.

Once you stop swinging, the combat starts, and thankfully Marvel’s Spider-Man is talking the right cues here as well. Borrowing some of the best bits from Arkham Asylum, and adding in a lot of web specific moves and gadgets, Spider-Man retains all of his movement finesse while punching criminals and mobsters in their faces. The best superhero games always make you feel like the character in question, and Marvel’s Spider-Man looks to be the best outing for the famous web-slinger to date!

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Publisher: Sony

Platform: PS4

Genre: Superhero Action

Release Date: September 7, 2018

Control

Remedy Entertainment, the developers of games like Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and the classic Max Payne, are delving more into the world of the supernatural with their new title Control. No strangers to the weird, Remedy has always been good at layering that weirdness underneath the quaint and normal, and Control seems to follow suit. While their pedigree almost assures that the game will have an engrossing story with fleshed out characters, Remedy has stated that Control will be less linear than their previous games.

Some of that nonlinearity will certainly come from their setting. In Control, you play as Jesse Faden, a woman with supernatural powers who goes searching for answers from the Federal Bureau of Control, a secret governmental group that’s sort of like if the X-Files were given a whole building. Exploring the headquarters of the FBC, an ancient skyscraper known as the Oldest House, Jesse will find the location is bigger than she could have ever imagined, with an evil threat called the Hiss standing in the way of her answers.

Thankfully, Jesse won’t take on the Hiss unarmed. She is given The Director’s Pistol, which is a transforming gun that can shoot a variety of ways. She also has a bevy of supernatural powers to aid her in combat, like telekinesis and more. Combat in the game looks to be really dynamic, with the powers and the special gun you have all interacting in different ways, giving Jesse a lot of options when it comes to taking out the Hiss. Control looks to be a mind-bending experience when it drops sometime next year.

Control

Publisher: 505 Games

Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure

Release Date: 2019

The Surge 2

The Surge made a splash on the scene in 2017 as a sci-fi infused, robot filled take on Dark Souls, and developer Deck13 did a pretty good job of making the game feel like a brutal version of the Souls formula, while adding some unique mechanics. Deck13 is planning on continuing that feel with The Surge 2, while improving the combat even more and adding some new surprises.

The first game took place on a mining industrial complex, and the environment was well done, but pretty bland overall. There were occasional highlights, like corporate offices and a showroom for this mining rig, but a lot of the game was set in dirty worksites. With The Surge 2, Deck13 takes players to a large, sprawling city, with green vegetation and more color than before. Don’t get too comfortable though, as the city has been devastated by some unknown calamity, and it is your job to get killed by vicious robots and mutilated humans alike.

Thankfully, The Surge 2 is not going to leave you helpless. The combat system is getting upgraded, with more weapons, drones, and implant power ups than before. The dismemberment system from the first game, which let you chop off arms, legs, and even heads to craft equipment, is getting some new features, though the developers were keeping some of that a surprise. They have also added new things, like being able to block in any direction, which will certainly come in handy as you get attacked from everything and everyone. The Surge 2 looks to deliver on what the first game did, and more.

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Genre: Action RPG

Release Date: 2019

The Surge 2

Forza Horizon 4

Every year, Microsoft flip-flops their proprietary driving franchise and this year we have another new Forza Horizon. But instead of just moving locations (they did that) and adding more cars (yup, that too), Forza’s living, breathing world takes center stage, creating an ever-evolving landscape that deserves to be driven every day for the rest of 2018. But what’s actually under the hood this year?

The biggest change is actually the weather. Sure, plenty of driving games have had realistic weather conditions and gameplay shifts due to the wind, the rain, and the mud along the tracks. But this year’s Horizon goes hard on seasons, four unique driving situations that not only modify every road, field, and lake across jolly old England, but new are timed seasonal events that are only available for that week while it’s the appropriate season for that event. Deep ponds become driftable ice rinks, snowy mountains become lush pastures, and your vehicles respond as they should with those changes, as well.

Visually, there are few games as flashy, fluid, and focused as Forza Horizon 4. The entire menu system got an overhaul, as did the post-race presentation and level progression. Now, you gain XP for doing just about everything: races, tricks, jumps, speed cameras, and more. Each bucket has 20 levels to climb and hands out cash, cars, and more for ascending the ranks. The car variety makes this even more fun, as you can grab some top tier speedsters to smash those speed trap records then switch over to a soupedup import for the drift zones. While prior Horizons have been stellar outputs, this was is built to take the lead when it comes out in October.

Forza Horizon 4

Publisher: Microsoft

Platform: Xbox One, PC

Genre: Action Driving

Release Date: October 2, 2018

Project 1v1

In a world dominated by battle royales, chicken dinners, and Blackouts, Gearbox is looking to the past for inspiration. Arena Shooters used to rule the internet much like the Fortnites of today did, save with fewer players and way slower download speeds. Still, those who remember dialing up to play Quake or Unreal back in the day definitely had a salty combatant type “1v1 me bro” in the chat and that is precisely the vibe Project 1v1 is going for.

The premise is very simple: two avatars enter, one avatar leaves. The arenas are small-ish, but usually possess some verticality to keep them from becoming spawn camping nightmares. You head into each battle with a class and their special ability, but you also apply some collectible card battle techniques to build out your full loadout. Once enough mojo has been earned in battle, you can deploy some awesome moves like a turret or even summon a sword that allows for one-hit kills while it lasts.

It’s hard to see how this is going to fly given the current state of gaming. Bigger is perceived to be better, everyone is tripping over themselves to shove as many combatants onto a single field as possible, and unless your character has a silly dance and wacky weapons, you may as not even attempt to sell your game. Still, Gearbox’s honest approach to old-school fun is well realized, as the controls felt great, the balancing was tight, and the card aspect created more depth than most modern shooters. A beta test is going public live this year, so go check it out!

Project 1v1

Publisher: Gearbox

Platform: PC

Genre: Arena Shooter

Release Date: TBD

SouL calibur VI

Fighting games are enjoying a bit of a renaissance right now, with Street Fighter V finally shedding its early release woes, DragonBall Z taking everyone’s lunch money right now, and Tekken showing that old dogs can certainly have new tricks, giving that franchise the biggest boost it’s had in well over a decade. Bandai Namco wants in even more on the craze, dusting off Soulcalibur for the new consoles so a whole new generation can find out why the soul still burns. And while the franchise has always trucked in guest characters, only a single one (Geralt from The Witcher) has been shown off thus far.

This is a tried and true SC game: each character has their beloved weapon by their side, 8-way running gets you moving all over the place, and a costly mistake near the battlefield’s border will result in a ring out. But the game is also getting some modern systems, like a defensive parry system akin to Injustice’s Clash system, allowing players who are getting smashed the opportunity to turn the tables with the press of the button. Supers are now here, as well, and pulling them off only requires a single pull of the trigger.

Fans of the series will applaud the return of perhaps the wackiest character creator this side of the WWE games, as are a few story modes. One sees you taking a created character throughout the land, battling foes and uncovering more info about the game’s backstory in the process. The other is more traditional, having you take the role of various established characters in hopes of gaining the Soul Edge yourself. The game felt great at E3 and we can’t wait to give it a spin this fall!

Soulcalibur VI

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4

Genre: Fighting

Release Date: October 19, 2018