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Hot Takes


“Incredibles 2” pulls no punches

Overall, 'Incredibles 2' is definitely worth the wait. The film expertly  balances action while showcasing a genuine family connection. Through  the use of a strong plot and a different perspective on existing  characters, the film feels fresh and nostalgic at the same time. This is  an incredible film for both newcomers and veterans of the older Pixar  generation. 



“Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy” is a perfect fit for any Switch library

“Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy” is a great fit for any Nintendo Switch  library. The port was flawlessly executed, though portable mode can be a  bit questionable at times. The game is the same incredible remake of  the "Crash" trilogy that it always was, with amazing visuals and music.  Sure, the games are inconsistent and sometimes borderline awful, but the  overall experience is so great that even levels like “Slippery Climb”  can be excused. It’s solid buy for any Switch owner who has never gotten  a chance to experience these gloriously retro titles. 



‘Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido’ is raw, flavorful, and colorful fun

 'Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido' is a super charming game with  addictive puzzle gameplay. The story and writing aren’t deep, but in  conjunction with the art-style, it all becomes an interactive Saturday  morning cartoon. The 2D art especially looks incredibly well-done and  oozes with style, though the 3D art looks bland by comparison. The  gameplay is what really sells it. There is so much more depth and  challenge than expected of a game like this, and hours upon hours can be  put in getting perfect clears in every stage. Even if the game  sometimes  doesn’t make sense, it just flows and makes the player feel  smart despite seemingly not doing much. Just leave the Hard Mode Belt  on; it’ll make the game more engaging. 


‘My Hero Academia’ Season 3, Episode 10: “Symbol of Peace”

Overall, this episode was a game-changer on many levels. Before, I  considered the show to be less serious. However, with the death of Best  Jeanist and the anger of All Might, that has changed my mind. The next  episode looks to give more backstory on the history between All Might  and One for All, so that will be a sure topic that shouldn’t be missed. 



Hotel Artemis: An excellent crime thriller aided by a colorful ensemble cast

While Hotel Artemis is a film that lacks in plot and action, it  definitely makes up for it in its style, atmosphere, and characters. The  ensemble cast give out great performances, and the different  interactions between the colorful characters is a treat to watch.  However, what brings it down is that it doesn’t take advantage of its  future setting, as well as the pacing issues when it comes to the second  act. All in all, it’s still definitely a treat for those looking for  something different than the usual blockbuster fare. 



‘Ocean’s 8’ proves that 8 is better than 11

If you’re a fan of the Ocean movies, then this movie is worth seeing.  Don’t look for anything too new, however. The cast is lovable and fun to  watch, but it’s not worth a second watch. The plot is dull, and the  humor is just as dull. The film feels kind of rushed and missing the key  elements that the original movies had.   


E3 2018 recap and reflections: Nintendo

Nintendo’s abandonment of the traditional E3 press conference has been a huge boon for the company. No longer tied down by audio issues and strange gameplay demos, the company can focus on neatly produced game showcases, and give proper time and attention to bigger titles. With some showstoppers like a new Smash Bros, Metroid Prime 4, and the next mainline Pokemon games coming soon, Nintendo had a ticket for the best show in town. If only they actually showed those showstopping titles, aside from Super Smash Bros. 


E3 2018 recap and reflection: Playstation

Sony had set the tone for their conference early in the week by announcing they would be revealing five new games coming to PlayStation in the five days leading up to E3. With some smaller announcements out of the way, Sony left time in their conference for some big reveals, so let’s take a look at what they showed off.