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by Conner Tighe The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. Director Robert Zemeckis brought Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express alive in 2004 with the sound of a train whistle in a snowy town on Christmas Eve. Allsburg, known for his books Jumanji and Zathura, among many others, told the story of a small boy on the edge of disbelieving Santa’s existence until a mysterious train arrives in his town, awaiting him. Zemeckis directed the movies Forrest Gump and Castaway, which both feature Tom Hanks. Hanks voices many characters in the Christmas tale, including Santa, the train ghost, the conductor, and the main character when he grows up. With the struggle to find Santa’s existence, the movie’s score, and an ending that continues to leave me in awe, The Polar Express continues to be the best Christmas movie for all ages. It is unrivaled by both live-action and animation Christmas movies alike. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="453"] Image from Mental Floss[/caption] The story begins with an anxious boy, who remains unnamed in the movie, looking through the newspaper clippings of Santa hoax articles until his parents check in on him. As he pretends to sleep, he recalls his parents discussing “the end of the magic,” suggesting the boy’s disbelief in Santa. When an overbearing train whistle rattles the house, the boy boards the ride of a lifetime alongside a young girl, who remains unnamed, and a boy named Billy, both unwavering in their belief in Santa. As nobody else in the neighborhood was awoken by the train, it’s suggested the train is magical—only to be heard by the children who believe in Santa. It becomes clearer toward the end of the movie that it’s not true, and the conductor’s method was more concise than viewers are led to believe. As the train barrels across a frozen river, maneuvers a caribou crossing, and speeds down Glacier Gulch, there are moments when unexplainable phenomena happen, like the train tickets flying away only to return moments later; a ghost living atop the train helping the boy at times; and waiters producing tabletops out of thin air that beg the question: What is this train and where is it going? The Polar Express directs its attention toward children, preteen age approximately, who are on the verge of disbelieving in Santa, thus losing their Christmas spirit. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="421"] Image from IMDB[/caption] After the trio gets lost at the North Pole, the girl and Billy encounter bells ringing from an unknown source. The boy repeatedly asks, “what bells?” The next scene—which is also the best scene of the movie—is when the boy finds one of Santa’s sleigh bells rolling toward him, and is still unable to hear it even after he picks it up and rings it next to his ear. The bell becomes more significant than anything else in the movie, proclaiming the boy’s belief in Santa. The prospect of Santa being real or not is still heartwarming 16 years later because it hits home for adults and children. No other Christmas movie has been able to envision a unified theme that Christmas revolves around: Belief. The Polar Express is about believing in something even if nobody else does. Alan Silvestri’s score is plain amazing. There’s no other way to describe the recurring theme that pops in and out throughout the film. When the boy loses the bell Santa had given him, we see one small box lying underneath the Christmas tree. “Wait, there’s one more,” says the boy’s sister. She hands him the box, revealing the bell, and the score becomes even stronger and more powerful. When we learn the boy continues to believe in Santa even as he grows old, we realize how impactful the boy’s experience was on the train. Santa’s reflection glimmers on the side of the bell, and we recognize the significance of the train. At one time or another, many of us have believed in a fat man dressed in a red suit sliding down our chimneys, placing presents underneath our tree, and leaving no cookie untouched. The Polar Express tells its viewers that the power of something, like Christmas spirit, is only as powerful as its follower’s belief in it. The movie has a way of touching both adult’s and children's hearts because it is nostalgic and brings back many of our childhood memories. This is why The Polar Express remains the best Christmas movie continuously after 16 years of magic-filled fun. Sources: YouTube Images: IMDB, Mental Floss Featured Image: Rail Events Inc.
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. Growing up, punk music always had a special place in my heart. It offered me a way to let out all of my built-up emotions and frustrations. If I was angry at the world or my parents or my sisters, I had punk music to help me yell it out and face it. If I was scared, it hyped me up with its snarky attitude and raw power. Recently; however, I noticed that all the punk music I had been listening to growing up consisted of all-male bands. Which disappointed me, because I knew that there must be bands full of women who are also furious at the world and at how they’re treated. Women who also had an attitude and humor that was so commonly a part of punk. Here are some female bands I found that shared even more viewpoints on music, the world, and what punk really means to them. Tacocat [caption id="" align="alignright" width="389"] Image from Sub Pop[/caption] Tacocat is a largely female, indie pop-punk band that originated, as many punk bands have, in Seattle, Washington. The band’s songs are coated in humor and sarcasm, describing silly situations and topics. But the band also discusses issues women face every day: catcalling, period-shaming, and mansplaining in their songs “Hey Girl,” “FDP,” and “Men Explain Things to Me,” respectively. And despite Tacocat’s vibrant look, their songs are less high energy and more surf punk. Their latest release was their 2019 album, This Mess Is a Place. The focus of the album is the weird reality of America after the 2016 election. Glitoris [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="388"] Image from The Rockpit[/caption] This Australian punk band first formed as a one-off band for a festival, where they performed in nothing but glitter in 2014. However, the audience’s reaction to their music encouraged them to stay together and continue making music. Glitoris is well-known for its incredibly blunt, abrasive, and political songs. Their music has a chaotic, fury-filled energy to which goes well with the lyrics detailing their frustration with society and the obstacles it places in women’s lives. In 2018, they released their most recent album, The Policy, which showcases not only their political message but also their abilities as musicians. Skinny Girl Diet [caption id="" align="alignright" width="266"] Image from Louder Than War[/caption] Skinny Girl Diet is a British sister duo that got their start in London. An indie band, these two have performed at various small venues, DIY spaces, and festivals. Skinny Girl Diet is a part of the Riot Grrrl movement, a subculture combining feminism, punk indie music, and politics. Many of their lyrics are about intersectionality in feminism and the struggles POC continue to face in the world. Their heavy grunge sound and biting lyrics even earned them a spot on Billboard’s 2015 “20 All-Female Bands You Need To Know.” The group was originally a trio consisting of the Holliday sisters and their cousin, but in 2017 their cousin decided to break away from the band. Their latest album, Ideal Woman, was released in 2018 and discusses the expectations placed on women and the lack of representation of marginalized groups. Fea [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="386"] Image from Blackheart Records[/caption] This next band is incredibly reminiscent of the origins of punk, with a high-energy, edgy sound. Fea is a Latina rock band that originated in San Antonio, Texas. This all-women band brings intense guitar riffs and strong vocals back into the punk scene, and some of their music has a pinch of country twang that oddly goes well with the rock. That’s not the only thing that makes this band unique. A lot of their songs tend to be bilingual, often using Spanish, but also French, German, and a bit of Japanese. Fea’s most recent album, No Novelties, was released in 2019, and it covers a lot of topics including the negative effects of social media, financial hardships, and toxic relationships. QUEEN BEE [caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from Ziyoou-Vachi[/caption] This is probably the strangest punk recommendation, but I wouldn’t put it on this list if it weren’t quality. QUEEN BEE is a Japanese rock band that describes itself as “fashion-punk.” Their music style is unparalleled as it’s a mix of j-pop, rock, and disco. This majority female band started in 2009 and has since risen in fame in Japan, with several of their songs being used in popular anime such as Tokyo Ghoul: re and Dororo. QUEEN BEE’s songs often offer commentary about identity and the struggle of trying to be oneself with beautiful imagery. Their lyrics are frequently in reference to being a part of the LGBT+ community and being a person of color. The band has released several EPs and albums, with their last one, BL, releasing in early 2020. Meet Me @ The Altar [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="377"] Image from The Fader[/caption] This pop-punk trio met online in 2015 and released its first album in 2017. Although Meet Me @ The Altar’s lyrics detail missing old relationships, mental health issues, and chasing difficult dreams, their music is upbeat and energetic. Unlike the previous bands, the core idea behind Meet Me @ The Altar’s music is their hope for the future. While the group doesn’t have many released songs, in October of 2020 they were signed to Fueled by Ramen, a record label well-known for their punk bands. This means there’s hope for future releases as they continue to pave their way into the punk community. Their latest release was “Garden,” a song about helping a loved one through a rough patch. Sources: Bandsintown, Billboard, Fueled by Ramen, Gen Rise Media, Grinnell College, HistoryLink, Moshi Moshi, SpeakerTV, Spotify, The Music, Ziyoou-Vachi Images: Blackheart Records, Sub Pop, Louder Than War, The Fader, The Rockpit, Ziyoou-Vachi Featured Image: Kellyn Harrison
by Conner Tighe The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. 2020 has been one of the best years for music, with many artists coming out of this strenuous year's woodworks. Some artists returned after leaving the spotlight for a bit, while others have dropped some of their best music out of nowhere. Although 2020 has had its share of mystery with the pandemic, the music industry has addressed issues worth discussing, such as love, masculinity, staying mindful, and saying what it means to have fun with music and friends. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="229"] Image from Spin[/caption] 10. Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus Cyrus incorporates rock into her latest album, which she’s only done a handful of times before with tracks “Wrecking Ball,” “Mother’s Daughter,” “Slide Away,” and covers of classic rock hits like “Heart of Glass.” She furthers her sound and music appeal by crossing over to the rock genre while sticking to her wild side. Cyrus is unapologetic in the album, revealing her vulnerabilities dealing with past issues like her recent divorce from Liam Hemsworth. Plastic Hearts features some noteworthy collaborations with Dua Lipa, Billy Idol, and Stevie Nicks to bring her music full circle. The singer remains unapologetic for her passions and charisma, and that comes through all 15 tracks to craft one of the singer’s greatest albums. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="214"] Image from Genius[/caption] 9. Positions by Ariana Grande Grande released her highly sensualized album Positions, which surprisingly is her weakest link. Although the tracks' collection is met with Grande’s extraordinary vocals and is as memorable as all her pieces are, the tracks don't hold up as well. The album features decent collaborations from Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and Ty Dolla $ign, but they couldn’t save the album. The style is lacking. The production is bland. However, the artist did her best with what she was given to work with. If Grande weren’t mentioned in the top 10, it would mean I had gone tone-deaf. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="229"] Image from The Arts Desk[/caption] 8. Notes on a Conditional Form by The 1975 The 1975 continues their exceptional sound with Notes on a Conditional Form. The album, which expands over an hour-long, provides the strongest collection of tracks the band has released yet. The band captures the true essence of LGBTQ+ living and love with tracks “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America,” and “Guys,” which deal with religion and inner doubt of self. The 1975 sticks with their club-esque vibes and slow tracks being a part of the alternative genre and visual representation of the LGBTQ+ community. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="220"] Image from Pitchfork[/caption] 7. In a Dream by Troye Sivan Sivan’s seven-layered EP surpasses all his previous albums combined. As expected with Sivan, he’s always addressing what it means to be gay and the struggles with finding love in his past works, and it’s addressed in In a Dream. However, each track’s fast pacing drives the EP, keeping listeners interested instead of droning them out with melancholy. In a Dream represents the artist’s full potential stylistically and expressing vulnerability lyrically. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="232"] Image from The Ball State Daily News[/caption] 6. This Digital Life by The Wonderlands After witnessing the album being played live in August, no streaming app measures up to the wonderful Wonderlands. This Digital Life focuses on the calamities of friendship and keeping up with your wellbeing amid the technology that’s overtaken the world’s attention. This Digital Life is The Wonderland’s first album, and the band will be releasing more music in the future. Let’s hope the band never stops playing about relatable life nostalgia: from losing friends to drugs and finding oneself while young, featured from hits like “Danced Herself to Death,” “Trying to Reach You,” and “Feels Like.” You don’t have to be in Hollywood to achieve your dreams, and this local band stands by its dreams, originality, and exceptional sound. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="230"] Image from Amazon[/caption] 5. Changes by Justin Bieber Bieber brought his faith full circle when he dropped Changes. This album marks his shift in life perception and love life that he’s struggled with until recently. After marrying the love of his life, Hailey Bieber, the singer has left his troubled past behind and focuses wholly on the future. Changes focuses primarily on his faith and his devotion toward his wife. The album is Bieber’s most diverse and unique album to date and his finest, using faith, a careful balance of R&B and rap, confidence in himself, and hope for his future. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="238"] Image from Vulture[/caption] 4. Folklore by Taylor Swift Swift took the world by surprise when she dropped Folklore mid-quarantine. The collection’s ominous tone and slow, melodic themes separate itself exponentially from Lover. But, make no mistake, the artist is incapable of a remarkable resurgence. The listener can visualize Swift drifting through a gray forest, illustrated in the featured artwork, wearing a cardigan that only she can pull off, through each track. Folklore is not a pure tale as the artist mentions her faults with past relationships, but one of melancholy, perseverance, and all things folk. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="225"] Image from Genius[/caption] 3. Remote by Wallows Guitarist and vocalist Dylan Minnette played music throughout the pandemic, continuing to work virtually with his band, soon enough releasing Remote; a six-track EP that landed the band critical acclaim by several publications like The Daily Californian, Dork Magazine, and The Peak. Remote doesn’t disappoint, choosing to break away from their original sound yet keeping their stylistic approach. Indie, although monotonous at times, never phases the Wallows, and they continue to perform music all their own. With “Virtual Aerobics” talking about fun times with friends and “Coastlines” dealing with long-distance relationships, it only makes sense to name the EP after the process itself, Remote. Who can forget Minnette and the band dancing in front of a green screen? [caption id="" align="alignright" width="237"] Image from KRNL Magazine[/caption] 2. Wonder by Shawn Mendes Mendes had love on the mind when he dropped his latest album Wonder earlier this month. Mendes captures his emotions and insecurities that his girlfriend, Camila Cabello, helped him explore during the pandemic. Wonder features the long-awaited collaboration between himself and Justin Bieber with “Monster;” talking about living in the public eye. The album offers an original sound and introduces a fresh side of the artist. Mendes focuses on himself rather than a woman and changed his style to more melodramatic with less focus on lyrical beauty and more on production. The collection doesn’t stand as tall as his previous album, and although none of his work has ever been considered “bad,” Wonder lacked vision and was stuck in the clouds. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="229"] Image from Clash Magazine[/caption] 1. Rare by Selena Gomez Gomez made her iconic return to not only the music industry but the world when she dropped her poignant and uplifting Rare. Inside, listeners hear Gomez’s journey to self-discovery while battling herself. The singer held onto her on and off past with Bieber, and this method was her way of letting it all go. Over the last two years, her health has had its ups and downs; one major event being the reveal that she was diagnosed with lupus, a genetic autoimmune disease, and was saved by her friend Francia Raisa who donated a kidney. The singer kept her pop appeal and delivered her best song to date, “Lose You To Love Me.” Sources: Dork Magazine, Elle, Healthline, The Daily Californian, The Peak, YouTube Images: Amazon, Clash Magazine, KRNL Magazine, Genius, Pitchfork, Spin, The Arts Desk, The Ball State Daily News, Vulture Featured Image: Kellyn Harrison
by Blake Chapman The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. A world dominated by advanced technological progress/prowess, invasive corporations industrializing the planet to catastrophic levels, and millions of volumes of new information flooding the digital landscape every second. Sound familiar? No, pointing outside your bedroom window is not the correct answer (at least not yet). I am talking about cyberpunk; a subgenre of science fiction exploring dystopian futures filled to the brim with neon billboards stretching into the stratosphere and cybernetic enhancements that make you more machine than man. The history of this hauntingly accurate depiction of present-day life on earth is chock full of inspiring authors, filmmakers, and characters dating back to the late 1960s. With the launch of what might be an entire generation’s first foray into this style of storytelling, here are a few movies that will prepare you for the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
by Andrew Beckley and Arianna Sergio The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. A constant debate is the dispute between which streaming service is better: Apple Music or Spotify? Apple die-hards stick to their guns and defend Apple Music to the ends of time, while Spotify users hold their ground and refute every claim that Apple Music lovers throw at their face. So, which streaming service is better? Apple Music is superior There’s a good chance one of your friends uses Apple Music instead of Spotify and you and your friends make fun of them for doing so. And because your friends just dog-pile on top of that person, they can’t make any case for themselves. Well, I’m that friend that you make fun of, and I’m here to stand up for myself to make the point of why Apple Music is just as good and even better than Spotify. To start, we must consider the price and the amenities that come with a subscription. With Spotify, you get Hulu, SHOWTIME, and the perks of Spotify Premium in the student package for $4.99 a month. The student version of Apple Music only gives you the same perks of the individual accounts, which is to be able to download as much music as you want and to be able to listen to it all offline. So, in that sense, Spotify takes the upper hand. This is due to Apple having to make deals with other companies — for example, Apple One. This bundles Apple Music with Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50 GB of iCloud storage in the individual membership for $14.95 per month. Ultimately, this is a pretty good deal, because if you paid for those individually, it’d be $20.95 per month. There is a big misconception Apple Music doesn’t make an end of the year playlist for you. This is a blatant lie! Apple Music has been making a “Replay” playlist for me since 2014. On top of that, Apple Music also keeps track of how many times you listened to an album/song and gives you your most listened to songs of the year, which Spotify does, but they don’t list the exact number like Apple Music does. Some may think Apple Music is difficult to navigate, but I think this is a bad argument to make. However, I would counter by saying Spotify is hard to navigate. If a person were to spend an extended amount of time on Apple Music, they would still figure out all the features and how everything is organized on the app. It’s like when an Android user switches to an Apple device or vice versa. It’s odd at first, but eventually, a person gets the hang of things and will either love it or hate it. At the end of the day, it’s all subjective to which app a person prefers to listen to their music on — even though Apple Music is and always will be better. This viewpoint is by Andrew Beckley Spotify reigns supreme Spotify is the best music streaming service there ever was. It has a multitude of features, but let’s discuss some of it’s best. Spotify has three main tabs: the home tab, browse tab, and radio tab. The home tab displays a personalized page for each user. This page includes your shortcuts, your recently played music, music that they recommend for you daily, your favorite albums and songs, the best of artists, the state of music today, the top of the charts, your popular artists, your popular albums, and last but most definitely not least Spotify customizes playlists for you. Yes, you read that right. The best feature that Spotify has is they literally compile music that you love and make new playlists for you on the daily. Their browse tab includes a whopping 56 different genres and mood playlists for any occasion you could imagine. If you can’t find something to fit your mood here, I don’t think you ever will. This is something that I’ve never seen from any other music streaming service. When I first discovered Spotify in sixth grade, I practically lived on this page. I would browse through each genre and mood I was in and listen to the array of playlists Spotify created for each one. Each one being spot-on, never missing the mark. They have a podcast page with 16 different categories to choose from and their own “Fresh Finds.” And to add to the genius that Spotify is, they have a charts page that includes “Top 50” or “Viral 50” playlists from different countries. They have a “New Releases” page which I’m currently obsessed with because I’m always on the prowl for new music. Also on this page is “New Music Friday” and “Release Radar.” “New Music Friday” is a playlist they update every Friday that lists the top songs released that Friday. “Release Radar” is another custom playlist of all the new music that was released recently from the artists you follow; this playlist also updates every Friday. They have a discover page which I am also obsessed with because it lists new artists and songs that you may like based on what you've listened to. Spotify is like a virtual maid. It organizes your library into categories, which makes finding what you want to listen to as easy as can be! Those categories being made for you, recently played, liked songs, albums, artists, and podcasts. Another feature that is top-notch is that you can make your own playlists and follow other playlists, as well as other users. After you follow other users, you can see their overview, recently played artists, public playlists, and who they are following. It’s a great way to see what music your friends are listening to and a fun way to share music with others. The end of the year is coming near and Spotify “Wrapped’ is something every single one of its users looks forward to. Spotify “Wrapped” is a year-in-review summary of your top five most played artists, songs, genres, and how many minutes you listened to music in total. It’s the time of the year where everyone admires their music taste and what they listened to. People see this as their "badge of honor" and like to show it off to other people. All in all, Spotify has everything you need. It’s the streaming service you can always explore more on and find more than meets the eye. It is and always will be better than its inferior competitor, Apple Music. This viewpoint is by Arianna Sergio Pros of Apple Music and Cons of Spotify You can get Apple Music in the Apple One bundle; which also includes Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50 GB of iCloud storage in the individual membership for $14.95 per month. A deal that would typically be $20.95 per month Apple Music has its annual “Replay” playlist Apple Music lets you know how many times you listened to a song over the year Apple Music is easier to navigate Cons of Apple Music and Pros of Spotify Spotify’s monthly subscription is $4.99 a month, with the student package, and you get Hulu, SHOWTIME, and the perks of Spotify Premium Spotify has a custom page/makes personalized playlists for you Spotify organizes your library You can follow other users and see what they are listening to on Spotify The annual Spotify “Wrapped” Sources: Apple, Apple Insider, Spotify Images: Adele Reich Featured Image: Adele Reich
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the storyline of 'The Last of Us Part II' The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. By Anthony Herring [caption id="" align="alignright" width="430"] Image from YouTube[/caption] With its recent Game of the Year win at the 2020 Game Awards and its six-month anniversary quickly approaching, I figured now would be the perfect time to revisit ‘The Last of Us Part II.’ When the game released on Jun. 19, its thrilling performances, pulse-pounding gameplay, and breathtaking visuals were all acclaimed. However, the same cannot be said for its narrative. Said narrative saw 19-year-old Ellie, one of the protagonists from 2013’s ‘The Last of Us’, go on the warpath in order to avenge the death of Joel, her father figure, and the other protagonist from the original game. The person responsible for Joel’s death was a young woman named Abigail “Abby” Anderson. In a shocking twist, players were made to control her for nearly half the game’s runtime. Such a tactic allowed for her perspective of the game’s storyline to be illustrated. The double whammy of having to witness Joel die at the hands of Abby and having to play as her for such a long span of time, caused many players to find the narrative worthy of derision. They felt Joel’s death was stupid, meant to be simple shock value and nothing more. Some believed Joel should’ve come out a hero, sacrificing his life to save Ellie from...something. And others felt it was ludicrous they play as “Joel’s killer” and be forced to sympathize with Abby. Unfortunately, this hatred towards Abby and her actions spilled into the real world. The talented Laura Bailey, who portrayed the character, received numerous death threats over this when the game first released. I don’t need to tell you that the actions committed by these people are heinous and utterly vile. (Mind you, not everyone who disliked the game sent these threats; it was only a select few). But I digress. Instead, I want to talk more about Abby Anderson, and why I think she doesn’t deserve the hatred many have given her. Who is Abby Anderson? Before I give my thoughts, it’s important I give some background on who Abby is. In the world of ‘The Last of Us,’ she is the daughter of Dr. Jerry Anderson, a doctor in league with the Fireflies. This militia group formed after a fungal outbreak decimated 60% of humanity, and they desperately desired to create a cure. This led to Joel and Ellie’s journey in the original game, as Ellie was the only known person immune to the infection. When they arrived at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, the Fireflies’ headquarters, Ellie was to be prepped for surgery, with Jerry being the head surgeon. While Jerry doubted his abilities, especially considering how Ellie was to die during the operation, Abby reassured him. Unfortunately, Joel was made aware of Ellie’s fate and he subsequently killed many of the Fireflies in Saint Mary’s, Jerry included. This event devastated Abby, causing her to become obsessed with finding Joel for the next four years. Culminating with her and a group of her friends, and finding him near his home in Jackson, Wyoming. It was here where Abby killed him, sending Ellie down her own path of vengeance. A hole-in-one Here’s where I’m going to get controversial, so strap yourselves in: I strongly believe Abby is a great character. Do I still have your attention? Good, because I would like to explain why. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="334"] Image from Den of Geek[/caption] For starters, I would like to address the elephant in the room. I believe the only reason people hate this character is due to the fact she killed Joel. Now, don’t get me wrong: I hated Abby for this same reason during my first playthrough. In fact, I utterly despised her during the first half of the story. Much like Ellie, Abby was the antagonist in my eyes. She killed Joel, our precious Joel, and both Ellie and I wanted to take her down. What makes Abby think she can get away with such a crime? Well...with a viewpoint like that, it really hampers how Abby’s character is perceived, and it glosses over the ample development her side of the story gives to the overall experience. As I mentioned earlier, you have no choice but to play as Abby during the second half of the story. During these sections, you play through the same length of in-universe time (which is three days in Seattle, Washington) as Ellie, but from Abby’s perspective. Through this, you discover that even after avenging her father’s death, Abby has found no sense of peace. She still suffers from the nightmares that plagued her since Jerry died, and her relationships with those close to her have been irreversibly fractured. The greatest victim of this was her relationship with her ex-boyfriend Owen. Although I didn’t see it at first, it took me until my second play through to sympathize with Joel’s killer. I no longer saw her as some inhuman monster that needed to be stopped, but rather as a flawed human being. Although it is something I don’t condone, I found Abby’s drive to kill Joel understandable. He killed her father so he could save Ellie, who was essentially a second daughter to him. However, the decision left Abby as an orphan. Such feelings of anger, rage, and revenge are entirely within reason for anyone who goes through this, especially when you figure out who was responsible. Moving onward, Abby grows more compassionate upon the arrival of two new characters: Lev and Yara. The brother-sister duo are members of a religious sect called the Seraphites, who are embroiled in a turf war with the Washington Liberation Front, a militia group that Abby herself is a member of. Lev and Yara end up saving Abby’s life when she is captured by the Seraphites. Because of this, she develops a protective attachment to them. Her connection to the siblings allows Abby to feel some semblance of humanity for the first time in years, and it allows her to find closure over her father’s death. In a way, Abby’s character mirrors Joel’s from the original game. There, Joel was a survivor who had been hardened due to the death of his daughter, Sarah, at the onset of the outbreak. However, Joel regains his humanity through his relationship with Ellie, finding his sense of purpose in protecting someone other than himself. The fact that Abby shares similarities with him is quite interesting, but I feel it highlights something I love so much about her character: no matter how far you fall, you can still find a way to get back up. I have one last thing to discuss: the resolution of Abby’s arc. At the end of the game, she and Lev have been held captive for months by a group called the Rattlers. Thankfully, they are freed by none other than Ellie, who tracked them to Santa Barbara, California. By this point in the game, Abby is no longer the obsessive, revenge-driven woman she once was. She is now a weakened yet determined older sister to Lev, wanting to protect him as they journey to Catalina Island. At this point, they are searching for the Fireflies, who are revealed to be actively regrouping. After a brutal fight with Ellie, which ends with letting her go, Abby takes a boat she uses to go to the island with Lev. With that, her journey has reached its conclusion. While it was a turbulent ride, I inevitably found Abby Anderson to be a fascinating and gripping character. Yes, what she did to Joel was unforgivable, but the world of ‘The Last of Us’ is in itself unforgivable. Joel himself has done horrible things in order to survive. Ellie has taken numerous lives in pursuit of Abby. And even in spite of that, these three, along with the many other characters who inhabit this world, have also shown compassion and love for others. Nothing is black and white here, just shades of grey—and Abby Anderson is a great example of that. Sources: CNET, Forbes, Kotaku, Polygon, TechRadar Images: Den of Geek, YouTube Featured Image: Inverse
by Conner Tighe When Johnny Depp made his way to Port Royal, Jamaica on a sinking boat, the world was introduced to a character like no other; part of this because of Depp’s superior acting skills and the storyline that would follow. Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the few pirates who’d run away from a fight, unlike most pirates, and would rather spend his time in a pub. The series, temporarily ending in 2017, has had its highs and lows with plot and overall decentness. Here we look at where the beloved series sank and floated its way throughout the years. 5. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides The pirate series didn’t hold up after Gore Verbinski stepped out as director after At World’s End. When Sparrow reunites with past love Angelica, daughter of evil Captain Blackbeard/Edward Teach(Ian McShane), Sparrow finds himself on a mission to find the fountain of youth. The film tried to introduce new elements, like man-eating mermaids and a strange love story between a mermaid and a pacifist. The two didn’t sit right with the plot and seemed “thrown in” to make the film more enjoyable, which didn’t work. Although not as well done as past films, the fight scenes were decent, and surprisingly the best scene comes from the beginning of the film, where Sparrow finds himself trapped in King George II’s palace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_9A-cUEJc 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales This film is the definition of a “cash grab”. Sparrow’s adventures continue by introducing new characters, obviously trying to set up a new generation of characters. When Turner and Swann’s son Henry ventures to free his father from the Flying Dutchman curse, he comes across Barbossa’s daughter Carina. She is considered a witch during this time as she’s obsessed with science and astronomy. Sparrow is as goofy and silly as ever in this film, and although Javier Bardem’s Captain Armando Salazar was an excellent villain, it all feels so tired at this point. The group searches to find Poseidon’s trident as it will reverse all curses, thus freeing Henry’s father. In a post-credit scene, Turner has a nightmare about Davy Jones, a tentacle wearing horror of a character incapable of death, who appeared in films two and three having returned after the curse was lifted. However, wouldn’t the curse have made Jones human again? This is how you know it’s getting ridiculous at this point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgeu5rhoxxY 3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Out of all films, the original still holds up as the highest-rated film. Viewers are introduced to the original characters when young Swann finds Turner floating among the wreckage of a ship that had been destroyed prior. Their love is forbidden and secretive as she discovers Turner is a pirate. When Barbossa’s crew captures her, the film begins to pick up speed. The film has some mediocre sword fights, including Sparrow and Barbossa in Isla De Muerta, an island where roughly 75% of the film is shown. My favorite part of the film is when Swann and Sparrow are marooned on an island with nothing but a pistol with a single shot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naQr0uTrH_s 2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest The story of Sparrow continues when a curse haunts him throughout the film. Sparrow develops what’s called “the black spot” on his hand, as his debt is overdue to the fearsome Jones. Bill Nighy joined the cast as Jones and did a fantastic job with reprising his role in At World’s End. Although much of the film was exposition and background information on Jones’ character as well as Bootstrap Bill, Turner’s long-lost father found aboard Jones’ Flying Dutchman, the film overall delivered excellently. The film's highlight includes a “three-way” swordfight between Sparrow, Turner, and Norrington, who returns as a lowlife drunk trying to reclaim his honor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozk0-RHXtFw 1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End At the time, in 2007, the series’ third film was the most expensive film made. At World’s End was the final film in the series to be directed by Verbinski. The nearly three-hour film follows Dead Man’s Chest's events with Swann, Turner, and Barbossa traveling the high seas to rescue Sparrow from Jones’ Locker. The film delivered amazingly, with its visuals, sea battles, and overall plot being the best of all five films. The maelstrom battle at the end is the best battle of all the films and provides humor and seriousness well to solidify the, at the time, ending to the trilogy. Unfortunately, the esteemed series continued for monetary reasons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_54IUIv97nI Sources: IMDB, YouTube Images: YouTube Featured Image: Polygon
by Conner Tighe Jennifer Lawrence’s acting skills expand well beyond The Hunger Games. Over the past decade, Lawrence has appeared in various genres like horror, drama, romance, and action. The actress can separate her real-life persona from each character’s personas and comes off as a strong, independent, and fierce actress. Here are the actress’s top five films that are a must-watch. 5. Passengers This 2016 sci-fi romance is a modern take on James Cameron’s Titanic. Passengers details the journey of Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and Aurora Lane (Lawrence) as they have been woken up too early from their hibernation pods in their traveling vessel heading toward a more habitable planet. This, in turn, means the two will be dead long before they reach the new planet. Lane, a journalist, details the journey as well as her developing feelings toward Preston. Lawrence delivers wonderfully, but it’s not her best role. This film feels like Lawrence is playing herself in the film as nothing separates her character from her real-life self. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BWWWQzTpNU&ab_channel=SonyPicturesEntertainment 4. Silver Linings Playbook 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook sees Lawrence quite different from her average roles, this time as a widow with an unnamed mental disorder fixated on her sister’s friend Patrick Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper). She becomes fixated on him after meeting him at her sister’s house at a dinner party. Solitano, dealing with bipolar disorder and his wife's leaving after he found her cheating on him, affects nearly every decision he makes to which Tiffany Maxwell (Lawrence) uses to her advantage. As Solitano hopes to reconcile with his ex-wife, Maxwell pretends to be her as a way of getting closer to Solitano. Several scenes like the diner scene when Maxwell reveals her dark past to Solitano and says Solitano is a “conformist” and “afraid to live” reveals how versatile Lawrence is as an actress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPIkdKfJS5M&ab_channel=MovieclipsComingSoon 3. X-Men: Days of Future Past Lawrence jumped back into the world of mutants when 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past decided to revamp the beloved film series. Again, the actress plays Mystique, the blue shapeshifter, and becomes the center around which the film revolves. When the X-men face extinction because of sentinels, indestructible beings that hunt down mutants, Hugh Jackman’s Logan/Wolverine volunteers to travel back to the 1970s to prevent Mystique’s death at the hands of evil scientist Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage). Trask plans to use the shapeshifter’s DNA to create the sentinels. Those who watched the film’s predecessor, X-Men: First Class, can see the change in Lawrence’s character from Raven – the name given to her – to Mystique and how she slowly sided with Magneto. Toward the end of the film, Mystique goes solo and becomes a fugitive as she’s broadcasted on the news. The film further points out that Lawrence plays a fighter and a woman unafraid of exploring her path as a natural leader, which is later explored in X-Men: Apocalypse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK2zYHWDZKo&ab_channel=X-MenMovies 2. American Hustle Big hair and an even bigger ego surround Lawrence’s character in 2013’s crime drama, American Hustle. Lawrence plays Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Irving Rosenfeld’s (Christian Bale) wife, an unstable and comical mess of a woman. She’s left in the dark much of the film as her husband schemes alongside his lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) to help bring down corrupt politician Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). Rosenfeld is a character all on her own, and viewers may find themselves forgetting the woman is the actress as she’s that convincing in her own right. The cleaning scene with her singing along to Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” and when her husband comes clean to her about his illegal career shows how far Lawrence is willing to convince her audience she is married to an egotistical maniac. The film seldom finds the actress without a cigarette in her hand and a sense of fashion 70s style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST7a1aK_lG0&ab_channel=MovieclipsComingSoon 1. Joy In 2015 Lawrence went above and beyond to do justice to Joy Mangano, a self-made millionaire that created her empire in the 90s. This autobiographical drama centers on Mangano, struggling financially in New York as an airline booking agent. Growing up in a broken household, Mangano finds hope through her inventive and creative thinking, so when her friend Jackie encourages her to pursue her inventions, our story begins. The film does an excellent job of spanning four generations of family. As Joy and her half-sister Terry battle over finances and her father’s business, she comes across an opportunity that changes her life. Bradley Cooper is no stranger to working alongside Lawrence. Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and Serena all feature the duo working together. Cooper, who plays Neil Walker, an executive of QVC, believes in Mangano’s ability to persuade customers to buy her self-wringing mop while also bringing more business to QVC. Joy is Lawrence’s best role to date. Viewers can feel Mangano’s stress dealing with a good for nothing ex-husband and insane household. Everything in this film is going against Mangano. When she addresses contract issues with Derek Markham for him to avoid criminal charges involving fraud, we know how powerful and innovative this woman is. As she walks down the street smiling, there’s something so satisfying and pleasing knowing she overcame so much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR-2TiQVY-k&ab_channel=20thCenturyStudios Sources: YouTube Images: YouTube Featured Image: Bustle
by Mason Kupiainen With the popularity of big-budget, high profile fantasy shows popping up everywhere recently, streaming services seem to be looking for the next Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones to fill in that empty void. Shows like The Witcher and the upcoming Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, and the Game of Thrones prequel will hopefully continue to provide great, epic fantasy entertainment. There are many other fantasy book series that often get overlooked by bigger series however, they deserve the same, if not more, recognition as the bigger show stoppers. These series could also make for great book-to-screen adaptations, like some of the others. Considering the state of the world right now, we all could use a break and jump into a fantastical world where our problems don’t seem quite as bad. The Cosmere Universe by Brandon Sanderson It’s safe to say that Tolkin is the best fantasy author of all time. Considering his novels are constantly being discovered by new readers, and the films based on his novels are incredibly successful, his work will continue to be an influence indefinitely. He was able to create a wonderfully, fleshed-out world with enduring characters. With that being said, Brandon Sanderson may be this generation’s Tolkin, beating out the likes of George R.R. Martin. His version of Middle Earth, the Cosmeriae, consists of multiple series, including Mistborn and The Stormlight Archie with many more books to come in this planned 35 novel epic. His writing style is similar to Robert Jordan’s, with the series having similarities to The Wheel of Time books. Looking past the incredible universe Sanderson has built, he crafts enduring characters that invest you with their stories, making for notable, compelling novels. Like Tolkin, his work feels as if it will stand the test of time and influence the genre in many ways as well. The Burning series by Evan Winter Originally a self-published book that exploded into a mega-hit, the first novel in the series, The Rage of Dragons, has recently joined Time magazine's top 100 best fantasy novels of all time. The novel takes the tropes of fantasy and mixes it with African mythology, making for a new and unique twist on the genre. The story is fast-paced and packed with incredible action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. Feeling like a combination of Gladiator and Game of Thrones, genre fans will surely enjoy the breath of fresh air the novel provides, along with getting all the things you expect from a fantasy novel. The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie Originally a trilogy, the series has grown to include standalone novels, short stories, and a new trilogy set in the same universe. Fans of George R.R. Martin will enjoy Abercrombie’s take on the grimdark subgenre, building a dark, sinister world that’s similar to, A Song of Ice and Fire. Abercrombie’s writing style gives a different voice within the crowded genre that feels fresh and original. With gruesome violence, fantastic world-building, and a well-written story, The First Law series will hopefully grip readers with its intense world. Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher Taking two of my favorite genres, hard-boiled crime and fantasy, the Dresden Files follow Harry Dresden as he investigates mysterious crimes in modern-day Chicago. Considering the series currently has 17 novels, many traditional monsters have been explored, including vampires, werewolves, and spirits, while also creating its own creatures. Having the series take place in modern-day Chicago, and having the series be detective fiction, makes the books stand-out from others in the genre. Despite having 17 books so far, the novels are quick reads compared to other fantasy novels and make for easy reads in-between larger fantasy epics. Red Rising series by Pierce Brown A question that gets asked by Red Rising fans is whether or not the series is considered fantasy or not. The series is technically dystopian sci-fi and gets compared to other exceptional works like Ender’s Game or Dune. However, Red Rising has many fantasy elements that make it feel qualified enough to be considered fantasy as well. The series takes place on Mars and follows humanity as they expand their colonization. Incorporating a class system similar to the one seen in The Hunger Games, humanity has split society into a color system with reds being the lowest, and golds being the highest. The original trilogy follows the character Darrow as he tries to infiltrate the elite gold class so he can bring it down. The sequel trilogy expands past Darrow’s perspective to explore other character’s perspectives within the world. With commentary on politics and class warfare, the series takes large concepts, ideas, and questions, bringing them to a fun, entertaining narrative. All of the sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian elements blend well together to create a unique reading experience where fans of all three genres can enjoy it. Sources: Brandon Sanderson, TIME Featured Image: Vocal Media
by Kellyn Harrison Whether it is the unique animation-style music videos, canned lemonade, organic environment flourishing within a warehouse in Chicago, or Summer Smash music festival; Cole Bennett, 24, has quickly become a prominent figure in the music industry and he is nowhere near slowing down. What originally formed as an idea for a blog, quickly became more after Bennett swiftly established himself as a prominent figure amongst the hip-hop/rap community. Bennett released his first music video in high school, at the age of 17. Thus, his brand, Lyrical Lemonade, has spearheaded itself to be a symbol of attaining any dream, no matter the depth. Big City Mindset Bennett was born in Plano, Illinois about an hour from the bright lights of Chicago. The opportunity the “windy city” screams called to the young entrepreneur at a young age. Bennett made trips to Chicago every weekend after getting his driver’s license. There, he explored the depths of the city and documented everything he experienced. Most of which included attending events for rising artists: Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins, Chance the Rapper, etc. The footage was edited together and uploaded onto his YouTube Channel. There, viewers watched show recaps, documentaries, and local cyphers. Bennett studied digital cinema at DePaul University but stopped attending because of business goals taking his mind elsewhere. Thereafter, Lyrical Lemonade was born, no longer just a high school dream scribbled in a notebook. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxSvQGhn_h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “You'd see Vic Mensa just walking down the street. Everything was right in front of you. It was all happening right in front of your eyes, and it was the craziest thing.” - Cole Bennett, COMPLEX Interview In 2017, Bennett began working with artists like Lil Pump, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Famous Dex. This made him one of the most in-demand video directors in the market, for a quickly developing punk subgenre formed from the work of the SoundCloud youth. At the age of 22, he had already created more than 300 music videos. What made him stick out was his specific editing style. All of his videos add animation to enhance the classic editing done. You can watch Bennett’s work develop in his Music Video Reels located on the Lyrical Lemonade YouTube channel. After working with other big-name artists like Juice Wrld, Kanye West, Trippie Redd, etc., Bennett found his work reaching outside of Chicago. But, no matter what offer came his way, the “windy city” continued to drag him in. Although Bennett admitted moving his business to larger cities, like New York or Los Angeles, would make his business grow even faster, he wanted to stay where the roots of his goals lie. “I am in a position where I can help possibly make Chicago that next city, the next L.A., in terms of resources and hubs,” he says, “and really just make people more aware of the music culture here. For some people, it’s beneficial to move out of Chicago once you’re in a position to do so, but I think that there is also something to say about trying to give back to the city.” - Cole Bennett, COMPLEX Interview [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="374"] Image from Facebook[/caption] Bennett recognizes the harsh environment that surrounds the small communities of Chicago, which makes venues nervous to book hip-hop events in the city. But, Bennett has worked to break this stigma down by hosting Lyrical Lemonade’s first summer music festival, Summer Smash, 2018. Many artists who worked closely with Bennett supported the event and what it stood for the community. These artists included Trippie Redd, Lil Skies, Lil Mosey, Gunna, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Famous Dex. All of which, and more, performed that year. On the first day, the event brought in over 11,000 people, and the next year 20,000 people. Sadly the festival was canceled this year due to COVID-19, but Bennett is planning on making the festival a three-day event for summer 2021. “We want Chicago to be the place everyone wants to be. As much violence as there is going on in the summer, there are just as many amazing things happening. Festival season is always such a highlight in all these kids’ lives in Chicago. It’s just a fun time to be around, so it was important for me to bring something like this to Chicago. It inspires people and gives them a fun, safe place to go and have a good time for a weekend. It’s something to look forward to. Something to take pride in, really.” - Cole Bennett, COMPLEX Interview Supporting the Dreaming Youth [caption id="" align="alignright" width="321"] Image from XXL Magazine[/caption] In May 2019, Bennett mentioned in a TED talk how important it is for not only society but his work environment to be full of “glass-half-full” thinkers. He hints most of the business’s success has come from the small space full of people who like to share what seems like crazy ideas. Then, they find ways to make their ideas work and end up making it happen. Bennett shared the importance for people to have a safe space where they can have conversations about hip-hop, where it currently is, and where they would like to take it. Due to this close space, everything Lyrical Lemonade produces originates from the office building and the collaboration of the people within it. The team has forged a lot of trust within the hip-hop/rap and youth community because of their focus on quality over quantity. It shows the amount of time they are willing to put into their projects to make them attuned to their audience and staying aware of what they want to see next. But, this means they must be selective in their work and partnerships with artists. However, being selective has its perks for many young artists. As seen with artists like Lil Tecca and Lil Mosey, Cole Bennett directing a music video is a major step into the music industry. Juice Wrld signed a $3 million record deal with Interscope not long after his first music video, "All Girls Are the Same," with Bennett released. Therefore, Lyrical Lemonade has become a major platform for rising rappers to take that step from SoundCloud status to record label status. In turn, portraying Lyrical Lemonade’s focus on the future of hip-hop/rap. When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade [caption id="" align="alignright" width="238"] Image from Lyrical Lemonade[/caption] It is apparent Bennett craves crazy ideas, and that is evident in the new projects being produced rapidly. Although many predicted a line of lemonade from the company, I don’t think we expected it so soon. In a 2018 interview with Gary Vaynerchuk, Bennett first entertained the idea, which warranted many phone calls from beverage companies looking to partner with the influencer. Bennett launched his cans of lemonade in 2019 at large entertainment events like Summer Smash and ComplexCon. Now, he sells them on the Lyrical Lemonade website in 4-packs. As part of Lyrical Lemonade’s seven-year anniversary, limited edition collectors cans were available for not only fans of Lyrical Lemonade, but fans of artists working closely with Bennett. Artists with special cans include Lil Tecca, Blueface, Polo G, and The Kid Laroi. Bennett hopes to make the lemonade available in stores across the country soon. Another project Bennett recently dropped in April 2020 was, “The Life of Lenny.” This project includes a series of short animated clips portraying the different adventures of wooden-like friend, Lenny. Lenny was created to portray positive vibes, especially during a time of COVID-19 fear and mourning for those in the Juice Wrld community. “The Life of Lenny” is found on Lyrical Lemonade 2’s YouTube channel and Lenny sometimes makes a cameo in Bennett’s music videos. Other projects Bennett hopes to pursue in the future are other mediums of entertainment including cartoons, feature films, TV shows, and books. But one thing that will always stay constant is Bennett’s love for Chicago, work in music videos, roots in hip-hop/rap, and faith in the dreams of the youth. Sources: COMPLEX, Lyrical Lemonade Shop, Medium, Studybreaks, YouTube Images: Facebook, Instagram, Lyrical Lemonade Shop, XXL Magazine Featured Image: Thred
by Annie Bastian For anyone looking for new music, I highly recommend checking out Sammy Rae. Last year when I was getting prepared for a long car ride, I reached out to people asking for new music recommendations and a friend of mine told me about Sammy Rae’s EP, The Good Life. I remember that the first song that came on shuffle from the EP was “Kick It to Me.” I was automatically captivated due to the saxophone during the introduction and her unique voice. I vividly remember that when I stopped for gas after hearing it, the first thing I did was text my friend thanking her for telling me about this EP. I then sent the song to my father who used to play saxophone and therefore has a strong appreciation for any music that features one. While stopped, I also queued the rest of the EP on Spotify. I have been in love with Sammy Rae’s music ever since. I am strongly attached to the EP The Good Life, but Sammy Rae also has some other music that is well worth a listen. Unlike some groups where if you’ve heard one song you have heard them all, Sammy Rae keeps the listener interested by reflecting many genres such as jazz, pop, blues, and rock in her music. With a diverse array of genres in her music, every song has a distinctive sound.
by Conner Tighe My PlayStation 2 would sit, stirring loudly as I would game until the sun rose. After some homework, I would return to the imaginative world where I found game discs piled on top of one another, building up scratches, and the gaming system collecting dust that would lead to its downfall years down the road (clean your PlayStation folks). Those days are long gone. Today, you’ll find wall mounts containing specific orderings of game titles and legs that keep my PS4 from overheating. PlayStation has come a long way, as the gaming world has evolved with new systems and games. It’s essential to keep up with your systems (*cough* PS5 releasing Nov. 12) and your gaming area’s overall look. Here are five items you need to keep your gaming sanctuary looking up to par. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="216"] Image from Amazon[/caption] Cooling System Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your gaming system getting overheated after hours of beating zombies and enemies in a wasteland. Cooling systems, although they take away the overall look of your system, provide excellent circulation, and maintain proper airflow for all gaming systems. There is an array of cooling systems with some on stands with mini fans like the LinkStyle PS4 Cooling Fan and others merely being small legs to support your systems like the Simple Feet product, which lifts a PS4 off surfaces. Although gaming systems come with built-in fans, the work doesn’t seem to be enough, and you may find yourself sitting next to a campfire-like warmth billowing from your gaming system. Cooling systems could be your savior. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="161"] Image from Cougar Gaming[/caption] Gaming Chair I hope you’re not sitting on the floor while you’re shooting enemy soldiers through skyscraper windows. Give yourself the gratitude of getting a gaming chair that’s both affordable and comfortable for those fast passing hours of well-earned kills and yells at the screen. Prices generally range a little over $100, like the GTRACING Gaming Chair, but those prices can shoot into the thousands, like the Cougar Armor Titan, for diehards. Gamers can keep their color scheme consistent with designs and colors that come with choosing the perfect “throne.” [caption id="" align="alignright" width="187"] Image from Amazon[/caption] Organization System Video games are a luxury and a nuisance as they can begin to pile quickly if one is not careful with their organization. GameStop and other stores offer wall mounts and other shelving systems to get your games off the floor and onto a more suitable position. These shelving systems provide more room for other gaming equipment on your desk. I would consider this item to be the most crucial point of gaming spaces, if nothing else. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="105"] Image from Tom's Guide[/caption] Headphones It comes as no surprise that I consider headphones to be the foundation of any gaming space for easily distracted people. Gaming has been a haven for players since the dawn of time, and with headphones, everything else disappears—at least temporarily. With the right headphones, gamers can experience surround sound, sometimes with a microphone allowing gamers to communicate with other gamers. The top three best gaming headphones include the SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X, HyperX Cloud Stinger, and Razer Blackshark V2. Gamers can also be like me and use their own standard headphones. Extensive Memory/Storage System As a gamer’s collection grows, so does the amount of space required to store all the memory and save points gamers have tirelessly worked to acquire. Without a proper storage system, any gamer’s system will fall flat sooner rather than later. Some systems, like the original PS4, require an extension quite literally attached to the system. The PS4 Pro expanded on this issue and included sufficient storage space. Some gamers don’t keep games and will trade them as soon as they’ve completed them, while others, like me, keep games for another round of adventure. Make sure to make this decision early in your gaming career to avoid any “unpleasantries.” Sources: Amazon, Cougar Gaming, Simply Feet, The Container Store, Tom's Guide Images: Amazon, Cougar Gaming, Tom's Guide Featured Image: Playstation
by Anthony Herring