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(02/14/21 10:22pm)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0EwsUMFhRIs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Blake breaks down Tesla's recent huge investment in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered!
(02/11/21 7:26pm)
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(02/09/21 6:51pm)
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(01/30/21 7:34pm)
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.
In the city of Cartagena, Columbia, Nathan Drake -just kicked out of a museum for attempted theft- scours the city searching for another way in. An older gentleman spots the boy—witnessing his talents for thieving. Fast forward at least a decade, and the two are scouring the Rub’ al Khali desert, jungles of Borneo, and more. Uncharted’s heartfelt and thrilling journey began in 2007 and continues to capture movie-like escapades over a decade later. With three releases on the PlayStation 3 and three on the PlayStation 4 (including The Nathan Drake Collection), there’s more to return to even after several playthroughs. Here are the Uncharted installments ranked.
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="282"] Image from DeviantArt[/caption]
Drake finds himself in a serious pickle when a simple thief job goes wrong. Uncharted 2 expanded upon our wildest imaginations when Drake travels to Asia to seek Shambhala while on the run from the psychotic war criminal, Zoran Lazarević, who is also seeking the ancient city. Drake’s longtime mentor and friend, Victor Sullivan, returns but is MIA in most of the game, unlike the prequel. Journalist Elena Fisher returns in the sequel running into Drake by chance in Nepal. Introduced to this action-packed sequel is treasure hunter Chloe Frazer. The three intermingle in a comedic love triangle throughout the game.
The game improved its wonky combat system introducing more gun selection, combo selection, and a “very easy” difficulty level, which allows players to enjoy the ride rather than worry about dying over and over. The locations players explore, including Nepal, Tibet, Borneo, and the Himalayas, are breathtaking in their graphics, even 11 years later. Uncharted 2 is by far Drake’s most exciting adventure and includes his most formidable foe to date.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Although as fun as it was, Uncharted's fourth installment didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, the game is excellent as all games in the series are, but I couldn’t ignore plot pieces that seemed thrown in to create or solidify an ending to Drake’s adventures; like Nadine Ross and her military group Shoreline as well as adding Drake’s long-lost brother, Sam, who was never mentioned in previous installments.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="268"] Image from PCMag[/caption]
Now working as a diver in New Orleans for a salvaging company, Drake longs for adventure as his life has slowed down. Like Drake’s luck, trouble always seems to find him when Sam shows up years after believing to be dead after a prison breakout. The brothers travel in search of Henry Avery’s treasure, one of the most notorious pirates of his time, to pay off Sam’s debt to drug lord Hector Alcazar. Sam’s reasoning is later revealed to be a myth.
The combat, graphics, and overall gaming mechanics with jumping, swinging on ropes, and climbing walls were at their peak in this fourth installment. Drake’s family and childhood were not explored as much until this title, so the aftereffect feeling isn’t as powerful when it's delivered here. There are more treasures to collect in Uncharted 4 than all the other titles, and it’s a semi-open world allowing players to remain in one level but with the ability to explore vast amounts of it, collecting treasures and stirring conversation with characters about the environment. The levels are mostly explorable for players to scale walls and drive around in a jeep.
3. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="260"] Image from DarkStation[/caption]
All the adventure began when Drake and Sullivan stumbled upon a German U-boat in the Amazon, trapped in the jungle. As the search for El-Dorado steers this fun-filled story, the mechanics, like shooting enemies and jumping across cliffs, can create intense agitation as players will find themselves falling to their deaths several times. Drake will grab ledges most of the time, but don’t count on it. This seemingly small issue becomes increasingly more annoying as the game progresses. However, don’t let that steer you away from a fantastic story. Fisher and Drake travel to a mysterious island searching for gold and discovers a curse that inhabits the Spanish colonists who invaded the island centuries earlier. The score, done by Greg Edmonson, is incredible standing in memorability with John Williams’ Indiana Jones score and was expanded upon in later titles. As Sullivan, Fisher, and Drake sail into the sunset, players will find the adventure has only just begun.
4. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="256"] Image from Eurogamer[/caption]
Drake’s third adventure takes players to the Middle East in search of the lost city, Iram of the Pillars. Katherine Marlowe, an old flame and former employer of Sullivan’s, also seeks the lost city competing and butting heads at times. Although the locations and overall story were a bit drab, the villain organization was its most interesting point. There’s a connection between history and the present day with Marlowe and her group of mercenaries representing a secret society Sir Francis Drake was a part of when Queen Elizabeth I sent Drake to find the city. The villain shows how far a group is willing to go to obtain an artifact sought after for centuries using a specialized drug on victims to obtain information and bend their will.
Familiar faces Fisher, Frazier, and Sullivan return, and players are introduced to new ally Charlie Cutter. The game emphasized the combat system to the point where, at times, players had no choice but to fight hand-to-hand with their enemies. The game's beginning has players engage with enemies in a London bar crashing through windows, using bottles, pool sticks, and chairs to knock out foes. All the usual gun fighting and exploring are back in the third entry.
5. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="242"] Image from PlayStation[/caption]
Taking away the focus on Drake, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy features Frazier, back after last appearing in Uncharted 3, and Nadine Ross, who was one of the antagonists of Uncharted 4. Players will scour the jungles and ancient temples of India in search of the Tusk of Ganesh. The two women, along with Sam who doesn’t show up until toward the end, race to find the Tusk before Indian insurgency leader Asav finds it first.
Keeping its consistency, all of the recognizable gun fighting and taking cover from enemy fire returns to this installment. One of the differences the game has is the introduction of only a handful of levels. Each level has several tasks and is an open world that allows players to explore their heart’s content. I wasn’t a fan of the makeup, but the game delivered amazingly. Frazier and Ross’ backgrounds are explored more as they were merely side characters in the previous installments. According to Happy Gamer, there’s been talk for the Uncharted franchise to continue with the next release this year on the PS5.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Happy Gamer, IMDB, Push Sqaure, Uncharted Wiki
Images: DarkStation, DeviantArt, Eurogamer, PCMag, PlayStation
Featured Image: The New York Times
(01/01/21 6:30pm)
(12/12/20 6:30pm)
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
(11/15/20 7:00pm)
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
(11/12/20 3:00pm)
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
(11/10/20 10:00pm)
by Anthony Herring
(11/06/20 8:28pm)
Blake and Aaron break down the new choose your own adventure film where the audience makes life and death decisions.
(11/06/20 8:23pm)
Blake and Aaron break down the new choose your own adventure film where the audience makes life and death decisions. Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered! Anchors: Blake Chapman, Aaron DwyerExecutive Producer: Evan FischerVideo Editing: Mason KupiainenAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Kellyn HarrisonMusic: Jack McGinnis
(11/05/20 11:09pm)
by Conner Tighe
Role-playing mechanics were never at their peak until 2001’s Final Fantasy X was released. Easily one of Final Fantasy’s best releases, if not the best, the tenth video game entry holds superior gameplay and a story lasting well past a decade that can’t be said for other role-playing games since then. Japanese company Squaresoft, now Square Enix, is known for its work with other popular titles, like the Kingdom Hearts Series. The series, which featured characters and designs inspired from the Final Fantasy Series, unknowingly reached a gold status when 2001 came around.
When Tidus, a young adult who is a well-known Blitzball player from Zanarkand, meets a mysterious man named Auron, all hell breaks loose. After being sucked into a time-lapse, sending him into an unknown world known as Spira, he slowly learns what’s at stake when he meets young summoner Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska, who defeated Sin prior years before. Sin is a massive creature of time and darkness shattering cities across Spira whenever it wishes and is considered the main antagonist of the story and Seymour Guado leader of the Guado. This is only the tip of the iceberg that dazzles players as they continue to upgrade their characters and realize each character's background, mainly Tidus, who faces haunting memories of his father Jecht, who disappeared 10 years before the story’s beginning.
Earlier releases of FF were nothing short of groundbreaking with their unique worlds and characters that shared common destinies while battling evil. So, when number 10 was released, new worlds were presented as well as the memorable role-playing mechanics, but the story hugely established itself.
Several relatable tendencies and issues are presented in this media. Daddy issues, the death of a brother, and following in the footsteps of parents are engaging lessons and morals explored in this crazy game of passion and love for diversity. At the same time, characters develop partnerships and connections on their journey to each city where Yuna builds relationships with locals and develops powerful connections with the “fayth,” spirits of the dead that have been killed by Sin.
One of the most memorable moments in the game comes shortly after Yuna and her guardians travel around Spira to Kilika islands. The group finds the town in disarray as Sin had attacked the city shortly before the group’s arrival. Yuna walks across the water with her staff performing “The Sending,” a ritual that sends souls to the Farplane where they can rest in peace. At this moment, players see the love Tidus feels toward the young summoner, a love that would not be explored until long after the two are well into the journey.
Players find the characters butting heads frequently over personal issues, but all remember their mission to bring “The Calm,” a decade lasting time of peace, from Sin until he’s reincarnated.
Like previous titles, each character has unique abilities: magic (white mage/black mage), strength, nimble and agility, or comedic relief. Final Fantasy X brings all the emotions with every character fueled by battles with enemies, the foremost being Guado. The latter will spark every player’s fury when he comes after Yuna and her guardians after she refuses to marry him.
Two years later, a direct sequel was released, Final Fantasy X-2, which explores more of Yuna’s character. In 2013, the two were remastered on newer game systems, and the releases still hold up to being one of the best video games ever released.
(11/03/20 7:30pm)
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz
Three years ago, the Nintendo Switch was released, and it quickly became one of the company’s most popular home consoles. Everyone quickly became focused on the console’s unique design and the game sequels Nintendo planned to release for it, some being: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Splatoon 2. However, one aspect of the Switch that was less marketed was the company’s decision to let indie game developers publish and port their games to the console. This has given a variety of indie games a chance at a wider audience and greater acknowledgment for their work. Here is a list of the top underrated indie games.
A Short Hike
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="343"] Image from Nintendo[/caption]
Created by Adam Robinson-Yu
If you love Animal Crossing, you will very likely love A Short Hike. The focus of the game is merely to relax and explore. You play a bird, named Claire, who has started living in a vast and beautiful mountain valley. As Claire, you go on adventures around the area as well as help any neighbors with some basic tasks, such as collecting shells and finding lost items. You can climb and glide your way around the mountain, allowing you to collect a variety of items and meet several friendly characters. These characters help you do minigames and activities, such as fishing or playing volleyball. The music and art style of the game adds a simple beauty that works to create a peaceful setting.
Raji: An Ancient Epic
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="331"] Image from Nintendo[/caption]
Created by Nodding Heads Games
Raji: An Ancient Epic is an action-adventure game that is similar to Gods of War in both its combat and focus on mythology. Raji is a girl in ancient India whose little brother, Golu, has been stolen by demons. In order to get him back, and help the gods, she takes on the quest of defeating the demons and their leader. The game is a homage to India’s culture, as it manages to teach the player pieces of Hindu and Balinese mythology while also being beautifully painted in a traditional Indian art style. This aspect of the game helps expand its story and world as well as explain the abilities of the weapons Raji uses for combat. The game is both a hack and slash game and a platformer game, as you get to use a variety of powerful, mythical weapons and traverse India in order to save not only Raji’s brother but the world.
Spiritfarer
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="338"] Image from Nintendo[/caption]
Created by Thunder Lotus Games
Spiritfarer is a gorgeous management game where you play as Stella, a ferry master for the dead. You’re able to build different rooms on your boat to craft different items, grow a farm, and accommodate your passengers. Throughout the game, you get to delve into the lives of several spirits in order to help them cross over to the afterlife. The story is a major aspect of Spiritfarer. You get to take your time going through it; enjoying the beautiful, vibrant art style and setting. While you work on your boat, you also help take care of your passengers by serving them homemade meals and spending quality time with them. The game has a bit of an open world where you get to travel around to different islands and meet their inhabitants. The game also has a cooperative mode where a second player can join as Stella’s cat, Daffodil.
Inmost
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="336"] Image from Nintendo[/caption]
Created by Hidden Layer Games
This game is an incredibly beautiful and melancholic puzzle platformer. In Inmost you switch between playing three different characters: a middle-aged man, a knight, and a little girl. Each character involves a different style of gameplay in a dark, pixelated world. The little girl uses items in her house to climb around and explore, while the middle-aged man travels around a strange world and solves more complex puzzles. The knight travels in a similar world, fighting a variety of shadow enemies. While the worlds and stories seem completely different, they all end interconnected. A warning has to come with this game; however, as the story is very dark and deals with serious issues surrounding love and grief.
There are hundreds of more interesting indie games that the Switch offers. This means no matter your preference, you are likely to find an indie game to fall in love with. The world is in a state of uncertainty, and while it’s important to stay informed and be involved, it’s just as important to take care of yourself and find ways to enjoy your life. Games like these are often meant to bring comfort, adventure, and catharsis. So, do yourself a favor, and try out some of these games because you might find your new favorite.
More Recommendations:
Rime
Celeste
Hades
Summer of Mara
Bastion
Hyper Light Drift
Sources: CNET, Video Game Chronicle: VGC
Images: Nintendo
Featured Image: The Verge
(10/31/20 6:09pm)
Blake asks Ball State the Byte-ing Question, What is your favorite Halloween movie?
(10/31/20 6:06pm)
[embed]https://youtu.be/yil-ee1ptxo[/embed]Blake asks Ball State the Byte-ing Question, What is your favorite Halloween movie? Anchor: Blake ChapmanVideo Editing: Evan FischerGraphics: Kellyn Harrison, Evan FischerMusic: Jack McGinnis
(10/27/20 8:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
In 1996, the birth of true horror was released when Resident Evil hit the shelves. The game features Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as members of the task force S.T.A.R.S. trapped within Spencer Mansion. Players face several obstacles, including puzzles, terrifying zombies, zombie dogs, and even more terrifying… the dialogue. Years later, the classic game would become a worldwide phenomenon within the gaming world, spurring several sequels, prequels, and a whole movie franchise centered (roughly) on the video game plot. What also came afterward was even more unexpected. The likes of other horror genres surfaced with Silent Hill, Doom, and Clock Tower, among many others that would later come after.
The horror genre in the video game industry has soared since the 90s, with many franchises and memorable characters coming to light facing the forces of evil and science experiments gone awry. After some careful deliberation, here is a ranking of the top five horror video games that continue to frighten players to this day.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="309"] Image from Eurogamer[/caption]
5. Resident Evil 4
This is a title I often replay. There is always more to explore in Resident Evil 4. When the president’s daughter goes missing, players will join with Leon Kennedy once again, this time, in rural Spain, to discover what lies underneath the mysterious Los Illuminados cult. This title offered more than previous games in the series, including the infamous chainsaw-wielding man and sisters recycled in later games. Resident Evil 4 was the first game in the series to step away from the odd camera angles featured in previous games, which was big at the time. There’s something magical about this release that brings players back again for one more scare.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="280"] Image from Microsoft[/caption]
4. Outlast
Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist, finds a newfound terror when he checks out of a seemingly abandoned psychiatric hospital. This first-person perspective combined with limited lighting, no ability to fight back, and unpredictable jump scares will leave players running. The frights and nightlife scouring the hospital seem endless, with requirements to do the most basic tasks and players must balance smarts and curiosity to survive.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="252"] Image from Microsoft[/caption]
3. The Evil Within 2
Detective Sebastian Castellanos descends even more into the evil of the STEM system when he’s approached by a former detective partner who informs him his daughter is still alive after a fire had taken the lives of her and Castellanos’ wife years earlier. The sequel in this beloved series takes players to an even darker world, the city of Union, where ghosts, mutated monsters, and a mysterious photographer terrorize Castellanos as he shoots, hides and runs from them. The game hugely expanded on its predecessor with its open-world concept while still maintaining the third-person perspective.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="287"] Image from MCV/DEVELOP[/caption]
2. Resident Evil 2: Remake
In 1998, players got to experience more of the zombie world with new characters: Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Ada Wong. Trapped in a police station for roughly 70% of the game, players battle zombies as usual but face a new enemy, Mr. X (Tyrant) stalks players around the police station, forcing them to hide as the enemy is indestructible to basic weapons, like gunfire and knives. Last year, the game was remade and the gameplay, graphics, and dialogue were overall excellent. The remake introduced an additional element to the game, allowing a limited amount of ammo around the police station forcing players to either flee or perform headshots on enemies. Resident Evil 2 is the definition of survival horror.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="307"] Image from Cnet[/caption]
1. The Last of Us 2
According to GameSpot, the original The Last of Us was praised for its inventiveness and creativity with the apocalypse genre, which had been done many times previously. The Last of Us 2 takes players further through a darker world and story that will leave fans angry and bittersweet, feeling sadness but understanding. When Washington Liberation Front leader Abby Anderson kills mentor and friend Joel Miller, Ellie swears revenge. The story amped up its apocalyptic appeal and helped show the progression of hierarchy and power struggle within a broken world. The gameplay is better this time, including new features like allowing characters to hide from enemies in tall grass. Although the “horror” factor isn’t as prevalent as the predecessor, the overall plot reigns supreme.
Sources: GameSpot, YouTube
Images: Cnet, Eurogamer, MCV/DEVELOP, Microsoft
Featured Image: EssentiallySports
(10/20/20 6:54pm)
Blake and OK break down the upcoming iPhone 12 and what it brings to the table over past models.Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered!Anchors: Blake Chapman, Aaron DwyerExecutive Producer: Evan FischerVideo Editing: Aaron DwyerAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Kellyn HarrisonMusic: Jack McGinnis
(10/20/20 6:53pm)
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xM1sowQaIY&feature=youtu.be[/embed]
Blake and OK break down the upcoming iPhone 12 and what it brings to the table over past models.
Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered!
Anchors: Blake Chapman, Aaron Dwyer
Executive Producer: Evan Fischer
Video Editing: Aaron Dwyer
Audio Editing: Shwetha Sundarrajan
Graphics: Kellyn Harrison
Music: Jack McGinnis
(10/15/20 3:00pm)
Blake and Aaron break down the recent news of Jamie Foxx's return to Spiderman and the implications he brings with him. Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered! Anchors: Blake Chapman, Aaron DwyerExecutive Producer: Evan FischerVideo Editing: Damien AdamsAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Kellyn HarrisonMusic: Jack McGinnis
(10/14/20 7:04pm)
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv702p-yAYE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]Aaron and Blake break down the final season of The CW's hit series Supernatural. Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered! Anchors: Aaron Dwyer, Blake ChapmanExecutive Producer: Evan FischerVideo Editing: Aaron DwyerAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Kellyn HarrisonMusic: Jack McGinnis