Point-and-click adventure games go rogue with ‘12 Minutes’
Disclaimer: This review was conducted on an Xbox One X.
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Disclaimer: This review was conducted on an Xbox One X.
John Lynch is a senior journalism news major and writes “Fine Print” for The Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
Elissa Maudlin is a junior journalism news major and writes “Abstraction” for The Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
John Lynch is a senior journalism news major and writes “Fine Print” for The Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
by Anthony HerringI’m just going to come out and say it: I love The Last of Us Part II. Sure, it made some controversial choices that didn’t sit well with everyone—Joel’s death primarily. Yes, it also made you play as the woman that killed him—who I found to be a compelling character. And yes, it was a pretty depressing game all around.Despite all of that, I still loved it.
by Anthony HerringWords cannot express my love for Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series. I first played the initial three games—Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, and Drake’s Deception—back in high school, and wow, what a ride. The adventures of Nathan Drake and his friends captured both my imagination and my attention for months on end; I couldn’t stop playing them (resulting in play sessions that I labeled “Uncharted Days”).It was around this time that the next Uncharted game, titled A Thief’s End, was announced. The first teaser released for the project held a dark tone, with Drake waking up wounded in a jungle. While doing so, a voice over of his mentor, Victor “Sully” Sullivan, was playing; he asked Drake if he was willing to continue on the dangerous quest that he’s currently on. The trailer then ended with the title card.As the release date drew closer, Naughty Dog announced more about the game: Drake had an older brother named Sam, who was never mentioned before. Along with that, this was to be the final entry in Drake’s story, and the series creator, Amy Hennig, was no longer helming the project. Taking her place was Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley, the two directors behind the critically acclaimed, survival horror masterpiece The Last of Us. Needless to say, this game was shaping up to be familiar, yet different from its more light-hearted predecessors, and I couldn’t have been more excited.With A Thief’s End having celebrated its fifth birthday this past May, I wanted to discuss why I feel that this is the best installment in the series.
At the conclusion of each academic year, the Daily News grades the outgoing Student Government Association (SGA) executive slate on how effective it was in accomplishing its platform points, along with the organization’s impact on Ball State.
When campaigning to become the 2020-21 Student Government Association (SGA) executive slate, Bold promised to complete 11 platform points. Bold President Connor Sanburn said the slate dropped three of these points in his March 3 "State of the Senate" address.
Elissa Maudlin is a sophomore journalism news major and writes “Abstraction” for The Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
by Conner Tighe Perhaps one of the most interesting gaming franchises out there, the Crash Bandicoot Saga, originally starting in 1996, has made its way to its fourth release last month. The saga is one of the first jump, run, slide, and boss battle riddled games I experienced back when I stumbled across an original PlayStation copy. As fun and memorable as it is, it’s also one of the most frustrating games I’ve played—no matter the title. Yet, I keep coming back to die repeatedly at the hands of misplaced stepping and nitro explosions. Bandicoot is a wild animal living on the N. Sanity island with his sister, Coco. When he’s captured and experimented on by evil Dr. Neo Cortex and Dr. Nitrus Brio, he develops more human-like characteristics, like higher intelligence and the ability to comprehend and think for himself. Despite Brio’s warnings of the subject-Bandicoot-failing, Cortex didn’t listen, and Bandicoot broke out of the lab. Now waking up back on N. Sanity island, Bandicoot must work with spirit Aku Aku to save his girlfriend, Tawna, from being experimented on as well. Despite the fascinating plot, you’re going to experience challenge after challenge even with the re released PS4 copy. I’ve highlighted some tips and tricks to make your adventure just a little easier. Use the ropes There are many levels on Crash Bandicoot where Bandicoot must maneuver a bridge missing most of its pieces, forcing players to think creatively. "The Road to Nowhere" level is the first to do so. The regular brown colored pieces of wood are safe to land on, whereas the red pieces, both whole and broken, are not. Whole pieces give the players seconds to land on before collapsing, while the broken pieces collapse instantly, causing you to lose a life and start over from the last checkpoint. Here’s where I can help. Yes, the level offers alternatives to crossing these travesties, like turtles and a bridge piece or two to hopefully land on to jump to the other side. But this is too risky, and unless you’re a highly-skilled jumper, you won’t make it. All these levels feature ropes on the sides. By carefully, and I mean carefully landing on one or the other, you can walk/run to the next piece of rope and so on. Jump off now and then to break boxes and get checkpoints, but don’t get too comfortable; one misstep, and you’ll fall to your death. Replay levels for more lives Take advantage of every opportunity offered in all three titles. The original Crash Bandicoot is obviously tougher than Cortex Strikes Back and Warped, but you still may find yourself having to walk away after dying one too many times. Depending on the title you’re playing, you’ll be tasked with collecting different jewels. Each is equipped by completing different objectives, like destroying every box in a level or completing a level without dying. Something right under our noses is the wumpa fruit that comes from destroying certain boxes. Getting 100 wumpa fruits gets you a life. If you find yourself low on lives, play through past levels to get more lives and collect more jewels along the way. Analog vs. directional pad controls The revamped saga allows players to play with analog controls and directional pad controls, which were the only option on the original releases. So, which is the easiest to use? Well, it depends. The game developers were clever in creating a 3D world using two different viewpoints throughout the saga. On the one hand, you’ll find the side view where Bandicoot maneuvers levels from left to right. On the other hand, Bandicoot will maneuver levels from back to front or vice versa. Both experiences are 3D, but the catch is depth perception; which is the main cause of my demise. Analog controls for front to back/back to front; directional controls for the left to right levels. Bandicoot is touchy and will jump with the slightest touch of the X button and could land you in a spot of trouble. The “slide-jump” This tip applies to Cortex Strikes Back and Warped as players cannot slide in the original Crash Bandicoot. I have yet to achieve this expertly, but it’s possible to get the best jump possible with a carefully timed jump following a slide. By pressing the slide button, Bandicoot will go into a slide, but after immediately pressing the jump button, he will go for a higher jump which will make maneuvering obstacles that much easier. It’s a tricky maneuver, but worth it in the end. Watch your shadow Ninety percent of the trilogy involves maneuvering, rounding, and perusing dangerous obstacles to get to the end. Jumping over enemies is the easy part, but landing on small platforms, turtle shells, or a single suspended box in the air, that’s difficult. Here’s where I can help. Ever notice the faint shadow of Crash/Coco seconds before you land? Use this to your advantage; it’s no coincidence that game developers created a shadow helping players land safer on platforms. Patience is everything Patience is the most important tip if you take nothing else away from this article. The trilogy will test your patience to the point of “N. Sanity,” where even the most patient of people will find themselves punching a hole through the TV screen. (We hope not) But pay close attention to patterns and how objects and enemies walk, fly, and float before attempting to platform across. One mistimed jump could mean you start from the beginning of the level—depending on how many checkpoints the level offers. Approach the very edge of platforms and recognize the pattern of whatever it is you’re crossing before making your way. Sources: Crash Bandicoot Fandom, PCGamesN Featured Image: Link-Cable
by Savannah Jordan I recently started my teen drama watchlist in June when I finished Gilmore Girls for the first time. Gilmore Girls was the first teen drama I had watched and I loved the sense of real-life that revolved around the characters’ lives, as well as the time and effort the writers put into scripts to make the audience feel what the characters are feeling in a certain moment. Before Gilmore Girls, I didn’t have a specified watch list. But, after researching more about the show and its characters, other teen drama promotional posts kept making their way onto my screen and I fell down the teen drama rabbit hole. For instance, One Tree Hill made numerous references to Dawson’s Creek, and it really made me want to watch Dawson's Creek, so I could better understand why One Tree Hill made the reference. It honestly makes the show so much better when you understand its pop-culture references. I have been into watching teen dramas not only because of the screenwriting, but also because I love the drama that ensues. I love the character “ships” that are created within shows and debating what person was right for who. I like really digging into the characters’ lives and getting to know their whole story, and that they have a continuous story to keep you hooked, not one plot-point per episode, like action and crime shows such as NCIS or Chicago Fire. Getting to know character backstories and being able to follow one continuous story plays into allowing someone to appreciate each individual character—no matter how good or bad of a person they may turn out to be—and the show itself.After Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson’s Creek, I kept watching other teen dramas because they offer so much more than just a TV show to watch—they offer a lifestyle. They make you feel like you are living the character’s lives with them as they teach you lessons about love, strength, weakness, friendship, forgiveness and life in general. I have compiled a list of lessons that I have taken away from my top six favorite teen dramas; working my way up to my favorite lesson.
Kamryn Tomlinson is a junior news journalism major and writes “Toadstool” for The Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
The hugely popular Batman: Arkham franchise is one of my favorite video game franchises (alongside Uncharted and The Last of Us). I’ve been a fan of Rocksteady and Warner Bros. Games Montreal’s titles since I was 13, as they provided the ultimate experiences imaginable for me to become Batman. Now, while all of the Arkham series games are good at the very least, some are better than others. (Note: I will only be ranking the console releases. Therefore, I will not talk about the handheld entry Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, which came out on the Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita.)
by Sam ShipeEveryone likes a good movie, but what exactly makes a movie good? That’s definitely a topic for debate. A movie can easily be so bad that it’s good. One example being The Room which is objectively a horrible movie, but that attribute is what makes it so entertaining and elevated it to a cult classic. For those who don’t know, a cult classic refers to a film that likely did not do well upon release, but for some reason or another, developed a huge following that launched it into mainstream pop culture. As an example, The Room grossed less than 2,000 dollars when it opened for two weeks in only two theaters in Hollywood, but now it has midnight showings worldwide and had The Disaster Artist released as the story behind the film. The Disaster Artist featured high tiered actors such as James and Dave Franco, and became incredibly well received by critics and fans alike. Sadly though, not all bad movies get this honor, like Cats— which is just plain bad. A simple way to find both objectively and subjectively “good” movies is to check both critic reviews and audience reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives you both for a reason. So, why in the world am I talking about this? Big monkey fighting radioactive lizard, that’s why. Godzilla vs. Kong for those of you who didn’t immediately get it.
by Conner TigheCunning, beautiful, and the ultimate survivor of the horrors of fame, actress Drew Barrymore has had quite the acting career now at 46 years old. On April 13, Barrymore got candid with actress Demi Lovato about Lovato’s struggles with fame and being in the spotlight at such a young age. Barrymore mentioned she could relate to Lovato’s recent documentary Dancing with the Devil, which detailed the young actress' time in and out of rehab and how she reclaimed her sobriety after a scary overdose in 2018. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Barrymore has come close to some devilish misfortunes herself, but what makes her life so tragic and inspiring at the same time? The answer comes with Barrymore’s deep ties to Hollywood starting at such an early age.At the age of five, Barrymore appeared for the first time on-screen with sci-fi film Altered States, released in 1980. The actress had a more than troubling upbringing with an abusive father who left Barrymore’s family when she was just six months old. Her mother, Jaid, was an aspiring actress, sharing a similar dream as her father. With only her mother left to raise Barrymore, she was often found at Hollywood parties with her mother drinking, and she has admitted that even at the young age of seven, she was combining alcohol with ice cream.
by Conner Tighe Perhaps one of the most well-known novel, movie, and gaming series of the past decade, Harry Potter has become something of a milestone in my life. It was one of the first games I played, and over a decade later, it’s still one of the series I enjoy playing. Whether it’s dueling Death Eaters, flying on a broom, or sneaking past guards, the Harry Potter series has had its ups, but it certainly has had its downs in the gaming franchise. Here, I rank the series from best to worst. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I'm biased when I say this title is the best, as it’s the first one I played in the series. But, after having played all eight titles, I still think it provides the best experience. Potter’s second year provides the most fun and true-to-heart Hogwarts experience. Players will collect Famous Witches and Wizards Cards, unlock new spells, and more. Furthermore, players can zoom around the castle on a broom. By finding lost items for students around the castle, players will earn more house points than other houses. Racing with your broom, throwing gnomes through hoops, and buying up all of Fred and George Weasley’s goodies in their shop make the experience that much better than releases afterward. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Potter’s first adventure on the PlayStation mirrors Chamber of Secrets almost exactly, with only a few slight differences. Again, players will complete daily tasks, find lost inventory for students, obtain new spells, and more; but this game is glitchier, has different areas to explore, and offers different spells although sharing similar spells with its successor. While sneaking past prefects, body-binding spells go through walls, making your job that much more difficult. The screen will go black at times, forcing you to restart from wherever you last saved. In that sense, the game is ruthless in making you redo tough challenges if it decides to glitch on you. But the overall experience is still there for Potter fans. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Potter’s final journey ends in mediocre gameplay and a fast-paced storyline. Players can switch combat spells to match enemy attacks and defense positions. Players can experience characters like Professor McGonagall, Seamus Finnigan, Ginny Weasley, and more. The game's mission to include diversity this way is a hopeless trope. No two characters are different as everyone uses the same spells. The only "side missions" include collecting small glowing orbs to unlock character trophies. However, the experience has its sense of replayability. Sometimes the most exciting part of the journey is the end. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Creators took the combat system to a whole new level when this installment came out. Potter begins his journey with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, searching for Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Players will protect wizards and witches from both Snatchers and Death Eaters. Voldemort’s followers won’t be the only enemies Potter will face. Spiders, dementors, and more await the three. The missions seem repetitive after a while, making the game feel useless. Potter enters the Ministry of Magic after escaping with Voldemort’s locket. This makes no sense in the realm of logic, and I can’t ignore the fact the game took this route with the plot. The experience is worthwhile for one play-through, but beyond that, little takeaways come from the experience. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Potter’s sixth year is a mere copy of his fifth as an errand boy. You can brew potions and duel students and Death Eaters. Nearly Headless Nick guides players around the castle. It was an upgrade from the Marauder's Map idea with its predecessor. The lack of real combat makes the upgrading system futile. The game follows the book and film well and is a mediocre year at Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Prisoner of Azkaban was the first sign that the trio was growing up. The plot balances classwork and side plots. You’ll battle creatures using different tactics and spells. This was the last game in the series to incorporate the Wizard and Witches card hunt, which was disappointing. The classic dueling system was not as good as the previous release, and the game took away the broom flying option. The game was a drab forgotten release, much like Goblet of Fire. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Order of the Phoenix expanded upon the dueling system, allowing players to use more combat spells like stupefy, protego, and petrificus totalus. Unfortunately, much of the game is taken up by having Potter run errands for students involved in Dumbledore’s Army. By using the Marauder’s Map, players will explore Hogwarts’ dungeons, corridors, and exterior to upgrade spells and achieve tasks. It gets boring quickly but is better than its forerunner. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Oh boy, this game was bad. The combat system, the bug issues, the lack of scenery and levels. The famous trio returns to Hogwarts, maneuvering challenges related to the Triwizard Tournament. Players can cast a variety of spells at the click of a button. The AI casts the spell related to the individual situation players are put in. By pressing one button, the correct spell will be cast, depending on the enemy's weakness. Players will explore the Herbology greenhouses, the infamous Little Hangleton Graveyard, and more. Potter will battle fiery salamanders, poisonous bugs, and all other sorts of craziness. You can collect Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and challenge shields to upgrade skills. Although the game attempted to make the most of the experience, it failed. The AI gets stuck in corners, and you replay levels repeatedly to make sure you can get to other levels. Sources: Scout Life Featured Image: Pinterest
Connor Smith is a junior journalism news major and writes “Past the Press Box” for The Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
by Kellyn HarrisonDespite the alarming number of assignments congregating on my to-do list and the mountains of textbooks piled on the desk in my tiny dorm room, I scrolled through Tik Tok. I did this because it is the only thing that drags me from the pull of schoolwork and gives me a break from the pressures of being a sophomore in college. Most of my feed includes memes and music, so I am used to people on the platform recommending me new music. But it was the dreamy and up-beat sound used as a dramatic parallel to the heavy references including systematic racism and generational trauma that drew me to Rina Sawayama. I immediately searched for her music and have been listening to her self-titled debut album since then. In fact, I am listening to it now as I fiercely type at the very desk I should be finishing homework at. Instead, I need to share with the world how groundbreaking Sawayama is, so her music can be spread and appreciated as the piece of art it is.
Ian Roesler is a senior creative writing major and writes “The Gaggle” for The Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
by Mason KupiainenDuring its seven-season run, Sons of Anarchy became one of, if not the most, successful series on FX, gaining a massive following along the way. With the popularity of the show, it is no surprise that a spin-off series, Mayans M.C., was put into development. Season three recently premiered on FX, however, the original creator of the Sons of Anarchy universe, Kurt Sutter, was fired after Disney took over the brand. Before his departure, Sutter had other projects in the works that now possibly won’t come into fruition. Sutter has mentioned in the past that he envisioned the SOA mythology to revolve around four shows. Two of the shows have happened with Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C., but the future of the remaining two is up in the air. Beyond television, there have been books that were in the works as well that would help flesh out the world of SAMCRO.