CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
HollywoodChicago.com Video Games
Video Game Review: ‘Transformers: Fall of Cybertron’ is More Than Meets the Eye
Submitted by BrianTT on September 8, 2012 - 11:43amCHICAGO – Considering its iconic nature, it’s funny that “The Transformers” franchise has never been about its story. Outside of Optimus Prime dying, or that time Ultra Magnus fought the junk-bots to a Weird Al song, casual fans would be hard pressed to remember a specific episode or occurrence in the series that really stuck with them.
Video Game Review: ‘New Super Mario Bros. 2’ Offers Old-Fashioned Diversion For New-Gen Platform
Submitted by BrianTT on September 5, 2012 - 7:13pmCHICAGO – One can never argue that Nintendo doesn’t know how to treat their most beloved properties. Every few months seems to produce a game featuring one of the icons of the most important video game company in history and the latest is “New Super Mario Bros. 2,” a tweaked version of the classic now presented in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS.
Video Game Review: Gameplay Refinements Elevate New ‘Madden NFL 13’
Submitted by BrianTT on September 5, 2012 - 10:25amCHICAGO – “Madden NFL 13” opens with a rousing monologue from everyone’s favorite justice-obstructing Ravens linebacker, Ray Lewis. Sitting in a dimly lit and smokey locker room, he extols the virtue of hard work, tenacity, and pride, as images from the prior NFL season are projected on the lockers before seamlessly transforming into footage from the game, highlighting its shiny new physics engine.
Video Game Review: ‘Darksiders II’ Offers Death-Dealing Destruction
Submitted by BrianTT on August 15, 2012 - 3:02pmCHICAGO – I’ll get right to it. Overall this is one of the best games of 2012. “Darksiders II” has already gotten some very good marks from reviewers and I can’t say I found much to challenge their observations. This is a hugely involving game that offers a massive geography, a whopping 20-hour completion cycle and another few dozen hours for those who want to chase all the side quests.
Video Games Calendar
Submitted by BrianTT on August 3, 2012 - 12:38pmCHICAGO – Our fourth and final calendar could be your most essential! When is your next addictive video game hitting store shelves? And how can you pre-order it early? Bookmark this page and come back for a regularly updated list of what’s upcoming in the world of video games complete with links to buy them!
Video Game Review: ‘Ridge Racer Unbounded’ Takes Hit Driving Franchise New Places
Submitted by BrianTT on July 17, 2012 - 10:25amCHICAGO – Forget the “Ridge Racer” you thought you knew. “Ridge Racer Unbounded” leaves behind the somewhat simplified gentility that defined its previous look and feel, embracing a high energy approach that offers destroyable environments and a harsher, more competitive edge.
Video Game Review: ‘Brave: The Video Game’ Works Only For Most Loyal Fans of Pixar Hit
Submitted by BrianTT on July 10, 2012 - 1:54pmCHICAGO – The genre of video games based on feature films is a notoriously weak one in terms of creativity. There’s often the sense that these are mere marketing tie-ins with no passion or spark behind their development. Like their theatrical counterparts, Pixar video games are often an exception. “Up” had some inspired energy (especially on the Nintendo Wii) and “Toy Story 3” is arguably the best video game based on a kid’s movie. So there’s reason to hope when you open your copy of “Brave: The Video Game,” now available for the PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC. Sadly, that hope dissipates due to uninspired gameplay, mediocre visuals, and thin storytelling. It’s not a total mess but the film’s fans deserved better.
Video Game Review: Bounce Around Inventive World of ‘Gravity Rush’
Submitted by BrianTT on June 19, 2012 - 4:15pmCHICAGO – Some of the best games of all time have reached that status by presenting players with a unique, fully-formed world. It’s the universe of the PlayStation Vita game “Gravity Rush,” a clever new addition to the handheld’s increasingly impressive line-up, that allows it to stand out.
Video Game Review: ‘Resistance: Burning Skies’ Expands Hit Franchise to PlayStation Vita
Submitted by BrianTT on May 29, 2012 - 3:38pmCHICAGO – The “Resistance” franchise never gets enough respect. 2011’s third chapter was one of the most underrated games of last year and critics already seem to be picking apart the Vita debut of the series, “Resistance: Burning Skies.”
Video Game Review: ‘Max Payne 3’ is Gaming as Cinematic Immersion
Submitted by BrianTT on May 28, 2012 - 3:18pmCHICAGO – So what’s Max Payne been up to since we last saw him all those years ago? No, not since the horrendous 2008 movie. The movie just doesn’t exist folks. Take a deep breath. It’s been nine years since the last gaming incarnation of Payne. The long wait to the release of “Max Payne 3” has seen some things change and some stay the same.
