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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Andrew Gates Live & Loud Editor
Nicolas Bates All Access Editor
Silas Valentino Games Editor
Jesse Seilhan Art Director
Andrew Gates All Access Contributors
Silas Valentino, Jeremy Weeden & Jonathan Hayes Live & Loud Contributors
Nicolas Bates & Dan Sinclair Pit Pass Contributor
Andrew Gates Game On Contributors
Jesse Seilhan & Josh Schilling Contributing Photographers
Andrew Gates & Nicolas Bates Contributing Videographers
Nate Olson & Toby Wilson Contributing Make-up Artists
Kimberly Hill
Contributing Hair Stylists
Kimberly Hill Advertising
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Copyright © 2008-2013 RUKUS MAGAZINE & RUKUSmag.com. All Rights Reserved! March 2013 issue, Volume 5, Number 3. ISSN 2161-4369 (print) ISSN 2161-4377 (online) Visit http://www.RUKUSmag.com for more images and content.
Magda Angel Photography by Andrew Gates Make-up and hair by Kimberly Hill
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agda Angel is originally from Columbia. She started modeling when she was just sixteen when she entered a modeling competition and won. From there she competed in many teen pageants and did very well, but decided to make her way to the United States, even though she didn’t know anyone or the language. She definitely made the right decision because her career has really taken off and seems to be growing day by day. Currently, she can be seen on the TV show DUB Latino on MUN 2. She is also one of the beautiful Monster Energy Girls that you can find traveling around the states. Magda has quite the range of spokes-model gigs including: Tropic Beauty, Toyo Tires, Wrangler, Shasta, Bud Light and Boost Mobile. Not only is Magda a beautiful woman, she is also pretty crafty. She started designing and fabricating her own bikinis and hopes to one day sell them to the masses. Magda has a very bright future and we look forward to seeing where she goes from here.
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20 QUESTIONS 1.What’s your Ethnicity? Hispanic 2.What’s your zodiac sign? Aquarius 3.Where are you from originally? Colombia 4.What did you like most about growing up in Colombia? All the games and pranks that I played with my sisters, although everyone thought we were good girls. I remember my friend’s parents would call us, “little angels,” if they only knew. 5.What kind of mischief did you get into while growing up? When I was about ten my mom would locked the door so I couldn’t play outside with my friends so I would sneak them into my house through the window so we could play. Now I know why things went missing. 6.What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? When I was twenty I decided to move to the United States even though I knew didn’t anyone or any English. I left my family, culture, customs, friends and studies. I also left my boyfriend, but I was determine to find a better life for my family and I. 7.What’s your favorite hobby and why? I love to dance. I can dance to any music anytime anywhere. It makes me happy and it’s something I can feel in every cell of my body. 8.What’s your guilty pleasure? I love eating sweets, but I have to control myself to stay fit and healthy. Unfortunately, to eat sweets is like a bad relationship every time I eat them the pleasure only last a short time then I regret it. [laugh] 9.Who do you admire and why? My Mother and my sister; they are the best example of dedication, improvement and strength. Values that are needed to succeed in this country. 10.If you could change one thing in the world what would it be and why? I would change the economy because the desire for power generates envy, wars, drug trafficking, poverty, deaths, kidnapping and so on. If there were more economic equality there would not be as much evil, but I guess I just have to keep dreaming and make it simple, “world peace.” www.RUKUSmag.com
11.What’s one of your personal goals? In addition to keep landing new opportunities in modeling, hosting or anything else that comes my way, I would love to have my own brand of clothing. Since I was a little girl, I always liked to make and sell dresses for dolls. I recently started to design my own swimwear and hope to launch it very soon. 12.What do guys compliment you on the most? My eyes, I remember when I was a little girl my sister had glasses and of course you always want what you don’t have, so I lied to my mom about not been able to see out of one eye and got my own glasses. I went to school with my glasses on and a boy told me, “your eyes are so beautiful that you have to frame them,” best pick up line from an eleven year old. 13.What’s your favorite body part on yourself? My eyes. They are definitely a reflection of my soul. I think that through my eyes I can transmit all my emotions. And the best thing is, I can spot a good looking guy a mile away. 14.What do you look for in a guy? A man with a great personality, honest, responsible and hardworking. I like a man who respects my job, but he doesn’t have to have money. A big plus would be if he makes me coffee every morning. 15.What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? Confidence. For example; if I am with a group of people and there is a guy desperate to get my attention, that is a big turn off. You don’t have to try so hard, just be yourself. 16.What’s your ideal first date? I have no preference. It could be a picnic, a stroll on the beach, going to the movies or something else simple, but I do like surprises. 17.What turns you on? Definitely a beautiful smile and a big booty, after all I am Colombian. 18.What turns you off? Bad breath. Guys please don’t forget to floss even though you brush and wash your mouth, it’s just not enough. [smile] 19.What’s your biggest pet peeve? When people eat with their mouth open. Listening to people chew really grosses me out. I don’t need to see the food in your mouth and you look like a cow. 20.Who’s your celebrity pass? Johnny Depp. He is a man with a unique identity and personality. He is genuine, a great actor and very talented. It also doesn’t hurt that he is very handsome. RM March 2013 • RUKUS
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I like a man who respects my job.
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STATS: Birthday:
Febuary 17
Height:
5’4”
Weight:
105 lb
Measurements:
34B-22-35
See more of Magda at Twitter.com/MagdaangelTV www.RUKUSmag.com
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Blues Brothers Photo by Danny Clinch Written by Silas Valentino
A good blues record can make the listener feel as if they’re a fortunate fly on the wall, hanging around a few bluesmen playing with one another as if it’s their last gig before the bell rings. A good blues record could have been recorded on the steps of a rocking chair porch, in a rundown room of some offbeat hotel in Texas or in the fabled studios of Stax Records. A good blues record doesn’t worry itself with producing a creative album cover; instead it opts to use a photo of the players themselves as if it symbolizes you know what you’re getting yourself into. A good blues record is hard to find today because it’s thrown-in towel has been rung-out and their old amplifiers can’t compete with the MP3 bass system. But this doesn’t mean that there are no more good blues records. Contemporary soul man Ben Harper and harmonica hero Charlie Musselwhite have banned together to produce Get Up! A collection of collaborative blues songs that without a doubt create a good blues record. Harper and Musselwhite met at a John Lee Hooker concert in 1994. Harper, who at the time was rising into his role as a passionate musician and songwriter, was a fan of Musselwhite, a blues legend who’s worked with more people over the last 5-decades than the D.M.V, minus the bureaucratic fuss. Since meeting, the two have played with one another on stage at music festivals and last year Musselwhite contacted Harper asking if he had any new material. From there the ball rolled and molded into Get Up! A solid blues record that satisfies the weathered soul in all of us, while tapping our foot against the floor. There are the songs for the damned (“Don’t Look Twice,” I’m in I’m Out I’m Gone,” and “All That Matters Now”) for the aggressive outlet (“I Don’t Believe a Word You Say,” “Blood Side Out,”) and for the reconciled bandit (“You Found Another (I Lose a Friend.”) Some tracks sound merely as blues standards re-envisioned by two greats both old and young and others sound as if this record was summoned by the blues years ago, just waiting to be recorded. “You Found Another (I Found a Friend)” is a highlight for it illuminates the strengths of both artists. Harper’s slow acoustic melody and lyrics telling of failed love’s humble wishes are sweetly accompanied by Musselwhite’s trembling harmonica. You can’t tell who’s leading whom but the musical destination sounds fantastic. “She Got Kick” slaps your knee for you and “We Can’t End this Way” offers insight to our society’s potential demise, rhythmic claps included. Get Up! is 40-minutes and to the point. The combination of Charlie Musselwhite’s sensational harp and Ben Howard’s fiery guitar/lyrics blend well and its creation is something you can put on while working or playing. Harper and Musselwhite play as if they care about one thing: the blues. They don’t worry themselves with any other feats and it’s with this attitude that the album’s goal is achieved. “I think I’m gonna use this one” is spoken towards the final moments of closing track “All That Matters Now.” After it’s said, the other one laughs and the song winds down, the band gets up and the lights go off.
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Keepin’ it Gucci Written by Jeremy Weeden
Southern heavyweight rapper Gucci Mane is back on the scene with his latest mixtape, Trap God 2. Gucci is releasing the mixtape to coincide with his role in the feature film Spring Breakers, due for release March 22. Gucci Mane, while not the most lyrical of rappers is very consistent in the music he puts out. Everyone may not be a Gucci fan, but those that are fans are rarely let down. This is the case once again on Trap God 2, as Gucci lays out life in the streets for his listeners. The first song on the album, “Big Guwap” featuring Atlanta newcomer Young Scooter, is a bass heavy anthem to getting money. Young Scooter continues his rise in the rap industry by dropping crafty lines like “Money over bitches can’t wife no ho/Money over everything can’t go broke.” The next track “Nothing on You” features newly minted first time father, Wiz Khalifa. This track finds Gucci and Wiz rapping about other girls having nothing on their woman. Wiz Khalifa drops a hot verse about Amber Rose in which he states that “Just came home from tour and I crushed it/Just bought my wife a pair of glass shoes, cause her ass thick as a pumpkin/They ain’t got nothing on her/She don’t want no other nigga, she fuckin with a stoner.” Trap God 2 has more high profile guest appearances than a typical Gucci Mane mixtape as evidenced by “Bullet Wound,” one of two tracks featuring the current king of hop-hop, Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is always good for clever similes and metaphors and he flexes that muscle dropping lines like “Shoot a brotha twice in case he lives a double life.” The other song featuring Weezy is “Running Circles” and once again he shows why he is considered one of the best with the couplet “I like my bitches rolling, I like my weed rolled/I got deep pockets and she got a deep throat.” Other appearances on the album include Rocko, who shows up on “Get the Doe” a catchy, energetic track produced by Lex Luger. Wacka Flocka is featured on the comical “Breakfast” whose chorus goes “I smoke weed for breakfast/I drink lean for breakfast/I take mollies, I take xannies, I can’t eat no breakfast/Half a pound for breakfast/2 grams of molly breakfast/A pint of lean for breakfast/I got Collard Greens for breakfast.” “Fly Shit” featuring R&B crooner Lloyd is a smooth jam in which Gucci raps about all the fly shit he has, while Lloyd sings the chorus. “Scholar” another slower song, is a dedication to the streets in which Gucci Mane proclaims “Gucci Mane ain’t never graduate, but I’m a trap scholar!” Overall, Gucci Mane’s Trap God 2 stays true to his trusted and tried formula for success; hard, bass heavy, energetic beats, and lyrics about the streets, drug use, and partying. Excellent production as well as the numerous guest appearances keeps the album from getting stale even with a whopping 23 tracks. With Spring Breakers in theatres soon and Trap God 2 banging in the clubs, look for Gucci Mane to stay in the spotlight throughout the summer.
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Facebook.com/Buckcherry
Written by Jonathan Hayes
Buckcherry, Confessions
There’s a saying that things only get better with age, and with Buckcherry and their music this couldn’t be any more true. Though they disbanded in 2002 they couldn’t be separated for long and a new Buckcherry was born in 2006. Josh Todd was the one who still saw a future for the band so he and veteran bandmate Keith Nelson decided to search for new members and they found Xavier Muriel, Jimmy Ashurst, and Stevie D. In 2006, the band released 15 which somewhat revived Buckcherry gave the group their best know hits “Crazy Bitch” and “Sorry.” Confessions comes as the band’s 6th studio album and is led by the first single “Gluttony”. “Gluttony” definitely gets the party started but the album is a mix of tempos, from party tracks to ballads. “Dreamin’ of You” is hands down one of their better ballads from any album. Although this isn’t the smoothest album to listen to in its entirety, it has many standout tracks. Standouts include: “Gluttony,” “Wrath,” Nothing Left But Tears,” “The Truth” and “Dreamin’ of You.”
Atlas Genius, When It Was Now
Facebook.com/AtlasGenius
Atlas Genius achieved something most artists could only dream of. After recording their smash hit “Trojans” inside their home studio, the song gained them enough attention to receive a recording deal with Warner Bros. The Australian four-piece band has quickly become relavant in the United States. “Trojans’” has already peaked at number four on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart and the band’s current single “If So” is featured on FIFA 2013. The album is of course rock and roll, but it has somewhat of a pop flair to it. Most songs are arranged well and the climaxes of the songs and electro guitars are probably the best part of the album. As with many new artist lyrical content could use some work, but they have time for that in the future. The first album is always the time when the artists are more focused on their sound and making sure people will be interested at first listen as opposed to taking the time to pay close attention to lyrics. Given all that, Atlas Genius looks to have a bright future ahead of them. When It Was Now is a solid debut release and definitely worth a listen.
Facebook.com/TimChaissonMusic
Tim Chaisson, The Other Side
Tim Chaisson is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Canada. He may be best know for his time with the contemporary group Kindle, but since then he has been making moves in the music business. He spent some time as a solo teen artist after Kindle, and is currently the vocalist of Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold. Recently the band released their 6th studio album entitled, The Other Side. Known for his heavy use of instruments, this time they wanted to focus mainly on lyrics and not having the various instruments be too distracting. This formula works well and you’re left with the smooth vocals and lyrics, some nice guitars, and or course his famous fiddle. The album offers a wide range of tracks and tempos to keep you interested throughout your listen. “Beat this Heart” is the opening track and its up-tempo groove leaves you wanting more. The album’s title track, “The Other Side” is another standout from the album. This is a solid album from the band and it promises more to come.
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Tegan and Sara
Photos by Nicolas Bates Written by Nicolas Bates
On February 1, 2013 Canadian twin sisters Tegan and Sara packed Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles to what seemed like full capacity. A few days prior their latest, Heartthrob, had just been released, but that seemed like more than enough time for the crowd to already have familiarized itself with the new list of tracks and the more electro-pop sound that Tegan and Sara have adopted. The crowd ranged from all ages and sexes, and very early on it was apparent the mass within Club Nokia was ready to witness the emotionally-charged pop that these two sisters have come to be known for. The love could be heard via verbal outbursts from the outspoken fans of the night. And there were definitely no shortage of them. Many may not know it, but these two young girls have been professional musicians for well over a decade. Although not afraid to show some humility, it becomes apparent very quickly how professional in nature these girls really are about their craft. They start out the evening with “Back in Your Head” from their release The Con and head into “Goodbye, Goodbye,” “I Was a Fool” and “I’m Not Your Hero,” all off Heartthrob. If there was any lack of enthusiasm for the newer tracks, there surely was no way to tell. The vibe in Club Nokia was that of “I’m here because I love whatever Tegan and Sara create.” These girls surely have devoted fans, and it’s no wonder why considering their emotional songs and their outspoken nature about gay rights. One thing to note is how many gay and/or lesbian couples could truly embrace the night with their partner in the open, and have not a care in the world doing so. Acceptance and love, truly beautiful things. Quickly we learn that Tegan is the more outspoken sister, while Sara decides to stay on the quieter side and focus more on the music. Constantly Tegan showed her (and their) gratitude for their fans and the ability to play music as a living by outright mentioning it to the crowd. Continually, she would make sure the crowd was all right, doing great and ready for more. They went on to play other tracks “Walking with a Ghost,” “Burn Your Life Down, “ “Alligator,” “Where Does The Good Go,” “Shock To Your System” and an amazing version of “Not Tonight,” by Sara, which, mid-song, flowed beautifully into a cover of Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” Overall, Tegan and Sara played a total of 23 songs—mostly off The Con and Heartthrob—to the delight of every one in attendance. These girls are sweet, smart, show humility, have a sense of humor, are advocates for equality and can compose some of the catchiest tunes around. If Tegan and Sara are coming through a town near you, do yourself a favor and go check these girls out!
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Jennifer Gonzalez Photography by Andrew Gates Make-up & hair by Kimberly Hill
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ennifer Gonzalez was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California and she is damn proud of it. She enjoys the beach and beautiful weather among other things. Her modeling career got a kick-start when she used her singing, dancing and acting talents on stage for live theater. She got signed with Upscale Records in Newport Beach and received a distribution deal through SONY BMG. Since then she has established an extensive resume consisting of acting, runway, print, commercial and promotional modeling. She is currently the official spokes-model for VP Racing Fuels and travels the states helping them promote their product. Jennifer definitely has fuel for the fire and she is racing to the top.
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THE STATS Birthday: October 29 Zodiac Sign: I’m a scorpio. Measurements: 34D-25-35 Height: 5’8” Weight: 115 lb Ethnicity: I’m half Chinese and half Mexican Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA Turn Ons: An amazing kiss that leaves me wanting more and fast cars; getting in the driver seat and taking control. [smile] I think that says it all. Turn Offs: I cannot stand narcissistic men who take more time to get ready than I do and constantly check themselves out in the mirror. Such a turn off. Ideal first date: Doing Something out of the ordinary, I get excited doing spontaneous things. Guilty Pleasure: Candy and Food. Pet Peeves: Lack of consideration and professionalism, I can’t stand when people are late or have a condescending attitude toward others. Celebrity Pass: Matthew McConaughey. I love his fit physique and surfer look. See more of Jennifer at twitter.com/JGmodeltalent
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Jamie Centers Photography by Andrew Gates Make-up and hair by Kimberly Hill
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amie Centers was born and raised in southern California. Her first modeling experience came by way of a Steel Panther music video shoot in 2009. Although her career is relatively new, she’s been keeping busy with different modeling jobs including; clothing, lingerie, runway and trade shows. She also just started taking acting lessons in hopes of breaking in to the movie and TV biz. Her modeling hasn’t stopped her from being able to apply herself when it comes to her education though, she is currently working towards a Bachelors in business and hopes to one day open her own private catering business. We look forward to seeing what she serves us next!
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THE STATS Birthday: June 3 Zodiac Sign: Gemini Measurements: 34D-24-33 Height: 5’7” Weight: 120 lb Ethnicity: German Hometown: Saugus, CA Turn Ons: A man that can dance and blue eyes. Turn Offs: Not showering after the gym, that’s just gross! Ideal first date: Dinner and then catching a Laker game at the Staples Center. Guilty Pleasure: Without a doubt it’s Las Vegas for a weekend of gambling. I absolutely love gambling! Pet Peeves: When people don’t cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, I really hate that. Celebrity Pass: Channing Tatum...Duh, he’s hot! {laugh] See more of Jamie at Facebook.com
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You’re Dogmeat, Pal Written by Josh Schilling
Frankly, I don’t understand all of the negativity being dealt out to Aliens: Colonial Marines. This newest release from Gearbox, the developer that brought you Borderlands and its sequel, isn’t a perfect game by a long shot, but is it really as bad as they say? Sure the titular xenomorphs that you gun down by the hundreds are clunky, unintelligent, and more comical than scary. Sure the graphic quality of the cut-scenes looks like something we’d have seen on an original PlayStation. Sure the story that’s supposed to be canon to the “Alien” universe is jaw-dropping not in its revelation, but in its awkwardness. Could a game that took seven years to develop really be such a humongous disaster? I dug deep…extremely deep…to unearth the positive aspects of this game, and after a long and tenuous search, I think that I might have pulled out a couple. I am a huge fan of the movie “Aliens” by James Cameron. When news of Aliens: Colonial Marines first arrived and it was revealed that I would be able to follow in the footsteps of that doomed platoon of space marines, I was genuinely excited. Once I was finally able to play it, the familiar sounds and locations that I initially experienced felt comfortable in a retrospective kind of way. The pattering noise of the pulse rifle was especially fun to control, and the initial waves of aliens were turned joyfully into a splatter of green. From there the smiles faded…mostly. It turns out that the noise from the pulse rifle gets annoying after about five minutes and the aliens are nothing more than cheap facsimiles of their terrifying movie counterparts. In fact the whole nostalgia of this game gets completely smothered by the dominating forces of poor craftsmanship and a pieced-together script. I can only imagine some poor guy never seen the movie buying this game, playing it and then hurling expletives along with his controller at his innocent television screen. At least I was able to say that I had enjoyed some of this in a movie once. I do see how this game could have some value, however, because it leaves an extremely strong impression. It is so bad that it is somewhat entertaining. I will always remember the stupid explanation as to how a survivor from the movie ended up in the game. I will laugh as I recall how the blind sewer aliens failed to see me as they walked past me and then casually stroll down a flight of stairs. I will wince as I remember feeling like I was playing Rock ’em Sock ‘em Robots, rather than experiencing an accurate representation of the iconic power loader scene from the end of my beloved movie. Yes this game is bad, but it is so bad that it is funny. It is like we now know how Aliens would have looked if Uwe Boll had got his dirty mitts on that script. You get shocked by the obvious mistakes and then you laugh at how someone could have felt that it was a good decision to release it to the public. Just add this one to the long list of movie/game tie-in fails.
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Better Off Dead
Written by Jesse Seilhan
Dead Space was a breath of rotting fresh air when it debuted in 2008. Gamers that once wet their beds playing Silent Hill or Resident Evil would once again have a reason to wash off the rubber sheets. The small corridors, grotesque imagery, and intense combat made for a unique third-person shooter that favored pacing over explosions. The inevitable sequel did more of the same, but a tad sharper and with much more memorable moments. When EA announced that the third entry into this saga would take place on an ice planet and feature co-operative play, many fans were left wondering whether the survival horror had gone out the space window in exchange for more action and a multiplayer hook. Sadly, those fans were exactly right and Visceral Games has made something more akin to other shooters in the Electronic Arts lineup. Gone is the true terror and in its place is a collection of firefights and micro-transactions. This game shines in its titular region: space. Isaac Clarke feels vulnerable and weightless as he zips across open space from one derelict ship to another. He spacewalks alongside destroyed cargo, fending off silent enemies and scavenging wayward ammo and supplies. Then, as if to keep you from having too much fun, the game calls you back indoors and ultimately rips you away from the final frontier and crash lands you onto an ice planet. Even worse, the “survival horror” is pretty much gone with the inclusion of run-and-gun shooting and human enemies that shoot guns and never flank. The first five hours of the game dance around the compact fervor of the first two titles, while the game’s final five hours ramp up the narrative and provide the most stress-inducing gameplay of the entire game. It is the middle ten hours, where the player is stuck on an ice planet, back-tracking and fetch-questing, which makes this title so difficult to recommend. Some things do pay off, such as the co-op gameplay and refinements to the weapons. Co-op gives players a chance to play the entire game through with a buddy, and even access some missions blocked out for solo players. Each player has their own loot, so no worrying about who is stealing as items can be shared between players. That loot is used to build personalized weaponry, from flamethrowers that do extra damage to electrified saw blades. A new cover system is introduced, but really only effective when used against the human enemies, as the necromorphs flank and rush you until you die. For everything the game does right (space walking, visceral violence), it does something equally wrong, such as the screwed save system and the repetitive second half. The game seems so intent on doing many non-Dead Space things, like rappelling along cliff sides and having a dozen different love triangle cut scenes, that the only relief the player gets is actually dismembering monsters. The graphics are nice, but not a huge improvement over past versions. Some of the lighting effects are pretty nice, especially the way the game handles alien technology and occult settings. The gun crafting is neat and allows for personal creativity, while the combat is still as surgical as ever, but the plot points that push you along are so not worth completing that slogging your way around other people’s priorities is a bore. Go back and play the first two while waiting for a proper sequel to Dead Space 2, as this game is definitely not it.
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