South Korea, Japan, and... United Arab Emirates came close!
This was shared with us yesterday, but wasn't this to be expected with the boost in promos about the game headed to launch? I don't think it's that shocking but I thought it would be fun to show where the most interest was coming from! Let's look at the top 10 Countries with the greatest interest in... Cyberpunk 2077, which is available now!!!!! Feels like the 25th... is already here!
Top 10 Global Interest in Cyberpunk 2077 (on Google from Nov 8 - Dec 5)
Before I jump into this review, I have to give a shout out to Warner Bros for supplying Steven Universe: The Complete Collection... for this review. Secondly, I can't even say anything else right now... just... check out this sweet unboxing!
I can't recall seeing a collection presented like this before, it's like a book (as you see) and each page is a sleeve for the 15-discs... cataloging each episode. I love that about this collection, it's a creative way to house discs versus the standard case and booklet. Love it!
Story: This six-time Emmy-nominated show revolves around a half-human... and half-gem by the name of Steven Universe, who doubles as a heroic klutz that kinda sorta reminds me of Peter Griffin. He makes up 1/4th of the Crystal Gems that protect Earth. The rest of the team consists of Garnet, Amethyst, and... Pearl.
The episodes are served up as... minisodes about 12 minutes each, and... wraps heroic action in with digestible normalcy. I think show's like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and so forth... make this show even more embraceable... because it delivers a similarly laid-back approach while at the same time taking its own action-packed adventurous direction. The show progresses, while also delivering the day to day life that doesn't really seem to contribute to anything except for situational comedy.
Steven is described as the little brother of the team, and you can easily see that as the rest of the team looks after him... or tries to get him to stay put during his attempts to tagalong.
Considering his klutzy nature, and his inability to control his powers (initially)... it's the perfect reason to take the bench, but... his persistence gives the show charm. You have the hero missions that showcase Steven's potential, while also grounding things by way of his interactions around Beach City (the day to day as mentioned above). Everyone pretty much treats him like a nuisance... outside of the Crystal Gems... who don't really interact with anyone in the city unless the baddies show up.
I feel for Steven because he didn't get the chance to meet his mother... who gave up her physical form in order to give birth to him. He doesn't really show it initially, but he did get upset with one of the teens in town who said something about his mom... and he responded that he doesn't even know his own mom. Luckily the rest of the team sort of acts like a surrogate family, even if I don't understand why he doesn't live with his dad... but the show almost seems to sell this notion that he's in better hands with the Crystal Gems because his dad is too irresponsible.
Fun fact: Steven Universe is loosely based on Rebecca Sugar's brother.
Garnet is definitely the leader of the group (outside of the late Rose Quartz), strong, and silent... but she's up for a good time.
Amethyst reminds me of the little sister of the group that slightly older than Steven. She is super mischievous and tends to be the rebel of the group.
Pearl reminds me a little of Garnet, she's disciplined... while at the same she has her individuals quirks. She's particular and doesn't like for things to be untidy, she reminds me of a responsible teenager... still a bit on the immature side but she dances on that line with maturity. I label her like that because it doesn't take much to annoy her... as far as Amethyst is concerned.
Steven Universe: The Movie... takes the collection and wraps things up in a musical bow. I respect the fact that it's included in the complete collection because it provides information about the past while ushering you into Steven Universe Future. The movie isn't just a bridge that fills in holes, the Crystal Gems are faced with an enemy that basically forced them into a hard reset... outside of Steven's human half.
The mission, which he chose to accept... is to basically recover the memory of the Gems while also saving the earth (not to minimize the second part).
There is also a kinda-sorta silly yet dangerous twist in there that I won't spoil (outside of pending doom), but I think it was nicely laid out.
I think the music was digestible for the most part... because it wasn't just music accompanying you on the adventure, it was part of the plan... and the movie was wrapped up well. I still think that more could have been expressed where Steven's mom is concerned (and even Pearl to an extent), but... I'll leave it. I just think it would've made the movie more complete... (for me) when it comes to the antagonist, but I enjoyed it overall. You'll see what I mean.
You can watch the movie as a standalone, especially with those who aren't big on watching shows... but wait until you reach that area of the collection. It doesn't replace Steven Universe (the show) but at the same time, the show would be more appreciated if you don't jump ahead. I'm glad they didn't just tuck the movie in the back, they maintained the order of where it should be.
Speaking of where they should be, Steven Universe Future... is the cherry on top. When I tell you this is a truly Steven Universe: The Complete Collection, I think they did a fantastic job rounding it out from beginning to end. Steven Universe Future is... where they are now, with the charm still intact.
Visuals:As far as visuals are concerned, the art style caught my eye years back via Steven Universe: Soundtrack Attack... which makes sense as a rhythm game when I think about it. That's the first time I learned about Steven Universe... and I described the visuals (at the time) as sort of block'sh art style. It's still cool looking and doesn't cling on to traditional.
Audio + Extras:As far as audio goes, I think they nailed it. The sound is fantastic, and I'm wondering if they went the extra mile there based on the musical elements of the show. It also stood out to me during one particular concert scene that the surround sound was being utilized in the movie, and I literally jumped out of my chair going from speaker to speaker just to make sure. It lists Dolby Digital 2.0 on the box, but maybe that's not the case for the movie.
As far as extras are concerned, (dude) you're looking at hours of all-new bonus content that include:
Animatics, Minisodes, Commentary, Steven Universe The Movie: Sing-A-Long, etc. Things like the Sing-A-Long would be appreciated by those who like to sing... while things like the Animatics + Pitches would be appreciated by aspiring artists and others pursuing opportunities in the industry.
Price: In total, you're looking at 2062 Minutes worth of content across 15 discs... priced at the suggested retail price of $89.99, though you can grab the collection here for $69.99. Could they have added anything extra? You know I'm always game for extra... but they didn't have to based on what you get. A Steven Universe keychain would've been a nice touch... if they didn't deliver the collection in this awesome package.
Con: One drawback I have about the collection, actually has nothing to do with the shows and the movie... it's the awesome package they reside in. It's a sweet package (don't get me wrong), it's just this one thing... which is that the pages are... uhhh a little tight in this collection, so much so that you can't just slide the discs out. I want to mention this to those of you who plan to get your hands on the collection because I don't advise trying to pull the discs out the traditional way... because it would only set your collection on a path to Scratch City.
Tip: I'd advise turning the book over and tapping them out far enough to get a light grip. Once you get them out far enough... I'd suggest leaving the discs out far enough to where they're just shy of the top of the case. This will allow you to pull them out, enjoy some Steven Universe action and... maintain the quality of your discs. While reviewing the collection, I put the book back into the protective case to prevent the dust from collecting... which could also compromise the collection.
If you're a collector who doesn't want to open your package, you can still enjoy Steven Universe: The Complete Collection on digital.
Overall, I can't say much that wasn't already said above. Damn good collection, and you're basically getting two shows + a movie w/ all the extra fixings tucked into a package worth being showcased.
It's that time again, I hope your Monday is off to a great start... sending thanks out to the essential workers doing what they have to do in order to provide the needs that keep our society going. At the same time, I have to give a thumbs down to the people going out of their way to make that task more difficult than it has to be. That makes zero sense, and we can't get back to a no mask life until the spread stops. There are literally people who don't seem to get it until they... get covid, and unfortunately, some of these people don't make it. Mask up and have a safe enjoyable week!
Xsplit was so laggy this week, I was wavering on whether to even do the M.U.M. this week. I'm going to mess with some settings and do some test recording this week, and if it still sucks... I'll just switch up. I did want to show that the W was obtained... but yikes.
Wearing masks stops the spread, so imagine COVID-19 if everyone acted accordingly and wore their masks. People are dying, people are losing their jobs, people are being evicted, companies are losing business, essential workers are getting sick, and that only increases the scarcity of everything when you think about it. It doesn't require you to wear it in your car, just wear it in stores and public buildings around others, and when you're in crowded spaces and areas where you will interact with things where the public, in general, will go (i.e. gas stations).
Not sure what type of mask is most effective? Take a look at this lab test from June, where the Florida Atlantic University researchers developed a cough emulator lab configuration to determine what the most effective mask would be. The focus is air droplets and how effective certain masks are, and we have the most effective masks in the test available for you w/ a coupon code to save 15% off. So take a look at the video to verify for yourself, and... let's flatten the curve.
Before I jump in... I want to give thanks to Astragon for supplying a copy of this game for review!
Have you ever thought of strapping up in fire-resistant gear, jumping into fire trucks, wielding axes to go all Jack Nicholson on doors + windows, and even gripping up water hoses to put out ferocious fires in a number of scenarios?
Personally, I never thought about doing it in a game... but Astragon delivered a simulator that showed me how much I could appreciate such an experience. I have to admit, when it comes to certain games... simulators can be a bit intimidating. Not in a scary way, but usually because they require a lot in order to get things done in-game... which takes away from the enjoyment... but that isn't the case for Firefighting Simulator - The Squad (for the most part).
Gameplay:Here is my first 30 minutes of gameplay in Firefighting Simulator - The Squad:
As you hear during the gameplay, I appreciate the fact that the game delivers a solid tutorial explaining the ins and outs of what to do in-game. I really (really really) appreciate this about FFS - The Squad because it eliminates the time invested in scratching my head trying to figure out what control does what. Some games literally throw you in the deep end and ultimately get less appreciation... even if they're really good games because the gamer is focused on how to merely control the game, which I know several gamers who end up walking away from a game they purchased.
Astragon gets two thumbs up for this title because you can play it like a lot of the third-person shooters. Instead of guns... you have a hose to take on one of the hottest antagonists ever.
Everywhere the flames of your opponent show up on the map... is another opportunity to put them out and keep the citizens in these industrial, suburban, and downtown areas... safe. Some of these areas will have more monstrous fires that require multiple hoses, while others can be simply put out with a fire extinguisher.
There are a number of scenarios to combat the fires in these areas... which deliver over 30 diverse deployment locations across 15,000 acres that resemble the Westside of North America. In some of these missions, you can easily run up and start spraying, while in others you need to break windows and push the fire back to climb inside and shut off the breakers because it's an electrical fire.
The number of scenarios increases the depth of the experience because you aren't just going from one area to the next doing the same exact thing.
Outside of the initial intro to the game... you have to drive the truck, but no need to fear... it's still served up similar to driving in other games. Things get a bit technical when it comes to actually attaching hoses and delegating tasks. Even with the tutorial, this is the bigger challenge I ran into.
Fun Factor: The fun factor in this game can vary. The fun factor went up when playing the game in multiplayer (when people were available), but going to the new locations in single-player was fun too.
You aren't entirely alone in single-player... but delegating tasks can be a bit of a chore. I would assign a firefighter to connect a hose, and they would only connect the attack line hose and not the supply line... which can be annoying when you're racing against the clock (I was truly like... WTF?!). Taking on the different scenarios can be fun though... but when you take out the need to delegate... it's just more enjoyable because you aren't tying up those annoying loose ends that pros wouldn't drop the ball on.
This is a con in my book, because if you need to rush off and take on the fires... you shouldn't have to worry about being the person that connects this and that. Perhaps an update could allow for you to choose whether you want to do this stuff manually or have the NPCs auto assist and connect the hoses so that you can take care of business. At one point I tried to delegate from the firetruck by connecting hoses and handing it to... the squad, in order to send them to fight the fires, but that didn't work (I had to be closer to the objectives in order to delegate).
I'm not exactly sure of how they could've made that better but I'm still trying to figure out the best way to delegate and tackle tasks as a team (in single player).
In multiplayer, the only thing you need to do is focus on being the best member of... the squad as you can be. This game wins in the multiplayer department.
I wouldn't have minded having a single-player story experience that revolved around... the life of the squad, the fire station, and gearing up before you hop on the truck and... firefight. There could have been NPC's with memorable personalities showcased during your missions and... all that good stuff.
Replay Value:The replay value is high because each location you take on consists of various scenarios that firefighters have to take on... and the objectives can be approached in different ways, especially in multiplayer.
Each level won't just deliver the same amount of points, if you crash into a car (like I did) or a wall then it will impact your score. If you take too long driving to the destination, your score will be affected. If you take too long with the fire, your points will be affected, so... keep that in mind and go back to the various locations until you improve your score.
You also have to unlock the different locations, which challenges you to do better before you move on. As mentioned above, you have over 30 different deployment locations, so there are plenty of locations to unlock + 30 achievements.
Price:If I could recommend this game to anyone... it would definitely be firefighters and even the kids of firefighters because it's a way to get a little understanding of what your mom or dad does... while also getting in some game time. I'd also recommend it to other gamers for some variety, and since it's priced at a solid price of $24.99... it's affordable for a group of friends to get in on the action.
Overall, multiplayer is the best way to fly in Firefighting Simulator - The Squad, but... it's not bad in single player, they just need to take care of a few things in order to increase how smooth the experience is. It's definitely one of the better Sims I've played as far as operating equipment is concerned. The ratings for this game are very positive at the time of this review, and I think that's because of how amazing the multiplayer is. That said, check out my score below and grab Firefighting Simulator - The Squad... here!
Gameplay 4 (Multiplayer gets a 5, single-player gets a 4)
Fun Factor 4 (Multiplayer gets a 5, single-player gets a 3)
I'm not sure if anyone else has been wondering this, but Amazon should totally have a drawing tablet by now. It doesn't have to be this small... this is merely an example, but they could literally have a portable version and a desktop version of a good drawing tablet. They make nearly everything else.
Did you know that Amazon sells things like oil for your car and even... Ibuprofen? Those things sell... I totally get that, but I think that an Amazon drawing tablet would be a head-turner seller without there being a major stretch to make it happen. If they were looking for a way to truly make a noticeable revision to the Fire tablet... that would be it, at least for digital artists... but I don't think artists would be the only buyers.
A pen-enabled tablet would be something useful for a large number of people... even if they don't realize it. Make the Fire pen-enabled and you give owners the ability to draw + write + sign documents. The ability to sign documents digitally goes a long way because you don't have to worry about printing things out just to sign them and scan them back in, which saves paper (and trees).
For now, you have the ability to use the stylus pens with the nub, but... there are plenty of drawing tablets on Amazon for a reason and it wouldn't hurt if one of them was created by... Amazon.
A stand-alone drawing tablet would be great for portable use, and it wouldn't be a bad idea if Amazon created a pen display similar to other products like the 13.3" Wacom One. If you aren't familiar with the Wacom One, it's also a tablet... but it's not standalone and lacks an onboard OS. You have to connect these pen displays to an external device for use... which in this case you have the ability to connect the Wacom One to a computer or mobile device. The big thing would be the price, and if the quality is there... the competition would be on and poppin'. I think $150 to $199 would be a killer price tag.
The Wacom One has a Full HD Display at 1920 X 1080 resolution, covers 72% of the NTSC color space, and 4096 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity at $399.99.
