blog.webuy.com: February 2020

Saturday, 29 February 2020

Rubik's Cubes for Muscular Dystrophy UK

Get everyone's favourite cube puzzle for a great cause!

CeX has teamed up with Muscular Dystrophy UK to offer official MDUK Rubik's Cube Keyrings* in aid of the charity for a donation of £2.50.

To date, you have helped CeX raise

OVER £150,000

for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Muscular Dystrophy UK supports and helps fund research to aid the estimated 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. When you sell to CeX in-store or online you can choose to donate all or part of the proceeds to any of our chosen charity partners. We will pass your donation on in full with no deductions. If you choose to donate 100% of your item’s value, then we will add a further 10% to your donation.

To find your local CeX store and make a donation visit webuy.com/stores

*Available in selected stores only.

A minimum donation of £2.50 is required per Rubik's Cube Keyring.

Tuesday, 25 February 2020

Another Sight ★★★★☆

Alice and wonderland have inspired many things over the years, video games, porn movies, normal movies, books about maths, books about drugs, books about philosophy, history, psychology, and science. It even inspired an entire tea shop I once visited in the middle of China where they made cheesecake out of brie that caused me to vomit myself to death.

New to the fold is a gallop through, mainly, french history in a very Carollian style. Another Sight is a game about a young girl called Kit who has been blinded by a vague framing device and, as you'd expect, developed a telepathic relationship with a cat. Kit traverses her way through a beautiful landscape to reach "The Node" with the cat guiding and sometimes helping, by doing basic tasks like turning a small wheel, but without any tasks that could be directly related to a cat, like knocking ashtrays off a shelf above my bed just to be an asshole.

It is a very simple, but relentlessly charming, puzzle platformer where you alternate between blind girl Kit, who can 'see' through sound and aforementioned Hodge, the mischievous cat who has just enough agency to perform simple tasks. The game is in three acts or so and you occasionally meet a famed celebrity, Jules Verne, Claude Debussy, as a kind of end-level boss. The first thing that becomes apparent here, is that the gameplay changes in style from a simple platformer, to puzzle platformer to an Assassin's Creed Chronicles style stealth game but in a way that feels really well designed and not like a jarring collection of mini-games which could have been a very real risk. The game is incredibly beautiful. The music is whimsical and haunting.

The voice acting, normally a cringe-fest when a character adopts the accent that American's think English people have, is acceptable. Even though I recently had my heart-broken by someone with a posh English accent, nothing about it was jarring, especially not anywhere near the appalling voice acting in Layers of Fear 2.

Another sight is at times challenging but suffers from some weird game mechanics where, if Kit can't see where she is going to land she won't jump, but she will on occasion just wander off the edge to her death. Some of the objects you have to interact with aren't as clear as you'd like and there's sometimes a frustrating lack of direction. Overall it's charming, beautiful, and you'll feel satisfied with it as a brain teaser and platformer. Even nicer than a disgusting cheesecake.

★★★★☆

David Roberts

Another Sight at CeX

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Death Stranding ★★★★★

Death Stranding is the latest game from legendary creator Hideo Kojima, and his first game since (not so amicably) parting ways from Konami. He now runs Kojima productions and was funded mostly by Sony to create the next big thing in the gaming world. What he ended up creating is something very unique and thrilling to play, and it’s been all over social media and entertainment news since its release.

In ‘Death Stranding’ you play as Sam Bridges (Norman Reedus) trying to reconnect a barren post-apocalyptic America by something seemingly simple - delivering packages. At first glance, you may well believe that ‘Death Stranding’ is a walking simulator, but this honestly does not do the game justice. For the years leading up to release, trailers and gameplay that were shown have been very cryptic, and we really didn't know what to expect when sitting down to finally play it.

It is so much more than just walking through a barren world, despite what impression you might have got from the trailers. There is an incredible amount to think about as you progress through the game, such as your BB (a baby attached to you that senses otherworldly creatures trying to kill you – yep, this is a Kojima game alright) to the quality of your equipment that you will need to traverse the environment and be successful in your task.

These from simple ladders and climbing ropes to later on much more advanced vehicles and building things like roads. This is where ‘Death Stranding’ becomes really compelling as you live in a sort of shared world with all these different people playing the game building structures in the world to help each other.

You might discover warning signs that say enemies are around, or maybe someone's zip line that you can use to get across the environment more easily. There is a mechanic where the rain (time fall) erodes things over time, meaning that there needs to be this constant flow of new people building structures or repairing them. It keeps things fresh and the environment is in a constant state of flux – something I haven’t really seen before in a gaming world but it’s a brilliant concept that works really well.

The story is typically Kojima (read: really weird). Tt stars some pretty notable celebrities as voice actors and likenesses from Mad Mikkelson to Norman Reedus, who put on stellar performances over the 50 hours or so that it takes to complete the main story. I felt the storytelling was excellent, if not a little too obvious at times, with a real intrigue to it. Kojima has created a world that I just loved existing in, and it hits all marks for me from both to the art design to the impeccable and much-appreciated soundtrack, featuring a whole host of perfectly fitting songs.

I wouldn’t say ‘Death Stranding’ is for everyone though, and you could say it’s perhaps a little Marmite. The combat feels similar to Kojima’s ‘Metal Gear Solid’ series but there is more emphasis on running from these situations, and although you do have combat abilities (ever wanted to make grenades out of your own bodily fluids?) there was rarely a time where I wanted to fight. It really isn't the games main strength, and it’s the other aspects that you should be focusing on.

If you go into the game expecting another action game such as ‘Metal Gear Solid’ then you might be a little disappointed. Kojima has crafted a world and game, not like anything that has been before it, so this one is for the gamers that want experimental play – an experience where barriers and broken down and new limits are reached, not something similar to those games before it.

‘Death Stranding’ does have a walking simulator feel to it but it's the most absorbing and intriguing one I have ever played. The gameplay and mechanics roll out over time and create a carrot on a stick effect of wondering how it will open up next. Not everyone will enjoy it, but I think everyone should at least give it a chance as it’s one of the best games to come out of this generation.

★★★★★

Hannah Read

Death Stranding at CeX

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Monday, 17 February 2020

1917 ★★★★☆

At its heart, 1917 is a film about the horrors of war. No more, no less, it’s a cold look at life during WWI, with a dose of action and the trappings of a thriller to keep the heart pumping throughout.

Lance Cpl. Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Cpl. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are tasked with travelling over no-man's land in an effort to stop 1600 of their fellow soldiers from walking into a German trap. They’re given little to no chance of success before setting off on their suicide mission, and they quickly form an easy little brother/big brother team. In real life, the former has more acting credits and is visibly the eldest of the two. The latter was last seen (by me, anyway) chucking himself off The Red Keep in Game of Thrones, but I didn’t actually realise he was formerly Tommy B until I double-checked the cast list to write this very review.

The main duo is backed up by a supporting cast that is a who’s who of primetime British talent, taking time off from earning a BBC paycheck to pop in with a posh accent for a couple of minutes. Take Benedict Cumberbatch, for example. He’s billed as one of the main characters, but it would be easy to miss his cameo if you were sending an overly long text message, or ordering a Dominos. The same goes for Rob Stark, (Richard Madden) Moriarty from Sherlock, (Andrew Scott) Merlin and Harry from Kingsman, (Mark Strong & Colin Firth) and Danny from Line of Duty (Daniel Mays). The list is almost endless, and they all could have been used slightly more effectively, or not at all.

Beautiful longshots underscore a visual spectacle, showing the reality of heading into a literal warzone where bodies are left to lie rotting in the dirt, while rats spread diseases and the night sky is lit up like fireworks on New Year's Eve. Sam Mendes certainly managed to capture the confusion of being shot at from somewhere, and I was drawn to the edge of my seat by multiple scenes that ramp up the pressure expertly.

The film has two simple beats. Brief moments of respite to allow for character building and quick conversations, followed by tense, longer sections where the camera will pan and follow the actors for minutes at a time, as they navigate through enemy territory or attempt to locate something among the chaos. It looks like it was filmed in one massive take, and it’s a sight to behold. It’s a technique that isn’t used often, and it must have been difficult to ensure everything ticked along at the right moment. To that end, 1917 hardly misses a step, wrapping up neatly in just under two hours.

If there’s a message to take from 1917, it’s that nobody on the other side can be trusted. Shellshocked boys are sent to their deaths by men who’ll never step foot on a real battlefield, and it’s a shitty experience all round. Luckily, the audience gets to go home at the end.

★★★★☆

James Millin-Ashmore

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Friday, 14 February 2020

Top 10 Valentine’s Day Couch Co-op Games

Nothing says modern romance like teaming up together to break out of jail, blast alien armies and explore the Mushroom Kingdom together. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d take a look at the best couch co-op games to enjoy with your friends or that special someone!

10. Gang Beasts (Xbox One / PS4)

An absolute masterpiece of multiplayer mayhem, Gang Beasts puts players in control of colourful pugnacious thugs as you kick, punch and throw your enemies off rooftops, into oncoming traffic, and into incinerators. Diverse, dynamic maps make for a ridiculously fun and mindless gaming experience that truly is the only game of its kind, and the winning co-op mode pits you against waves of ruthless beasts. Great pick-up-and-play fun.

9. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection (Xbox One / PS4)

Combining Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel along with heaps of DLC, this bundle’s acclaimed shooters are packed with content including campaign add-ons, playable character packs, combat arenas and many more. With the entire games playable in thrilling and addictive co-op, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection delivers hours of over-the-top, explosive fun. How can you say no to that?

8. Rayman Legends (Xbox One / PS4 / Nintendo Switch)

This fabulous platformer is nothing short of beautiful. With gorgeous visuals, wonderful gameplay and endless charm, Rayman Legends is a nostalgic experience bursting with innovative ideas and secrets hidden in every level. Without a doubt one of the finest multiplayer gaming experiences in general, the co-op mode allows you to share the beautiful experience with your partner and embark on a true adventure together.

7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)

The king of the kart racers, nothing comes close to Mario Kart on the Switch. With the near-perfect balance between pick-up-and-playability and challenge, MK8D truly does cater for everyone. Whether entertaining your friends or schooling your loved one on Rainbow Road, you’ll find a satisfying experience no matter what you’re looking for.

6. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)

Looking to take your partner somewhere nice for Valentine’s Day? I hear the Mushroom Kingdom is pretty nice this time of year! New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe offers good old-fashioned platformer fun in the typically beautiful Mario worlds, bursting with colour and charm. As you simultaneously hop and bop your way across the game, you will travel back in time to your childhood as you reunite with the joys of Mario multiplayer madness. Delightful.

5. Unravel Two (Xbox One / PS4 / Nintendo Switch)

This visually gorgeous and innovative sequel is significantly more challenging than the first game, meaning the newly introduced co-operative mode is essential. As you work together to solve puzzles and manipulate the world around you, Unravel Two transports players into a stunningly realised platformer that harks back to the glory days of the genre, and earns a place as one of the most beautiful co-op experiences of recent years.

4. Super Mario Party (Nintendo Switch)

When it comes to multiplayer gaming, you can’t really go wrong with a Mario Party title. Super Mario Party on the Nintendo Switch is one of the best yet and boasts a really fun co-op River Survival Mode where players must work together to navigate a river while playing unique minigames to add time to the clock. Super, colourful and charming fun that will entertain gamers from all backgrounds and skill levels.

3. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox One)

You could spend Valentine’s Day watching The Notebook, or you could lay waste to hordes of Covenant scum on the planet of Halo. The Master Chief Collection gathers the first four games in the iconic shooter franchise and boasts some of the finest co-op gameplay you’ll find – there’s nothing more thrilling than getting behind the wheel of a Warthog while your partner fires the on-board turret at waves of alien bastards.

2. A Way Out (Xbox One / PS4)

One of the most unique and innovative co-op titles in modern gaming, A Way Out puts two players in the roles of a pair of mismatched convicts as you work together to escape prison and evade capture. Engrossing and cinematic, this is like an interactive TV series that you can binge with your partner full of twists, turns and unforgettable gameplay. Will you both survive this thrilling adventure? That’s up to you.

1. Overcooked 2 (Xbox One / PS4 / Nintendo Switch)

The most romantic way for gamers to spend Valentine’s Day is in the manic Overcooked kitchen, scrambling to prepare and cook orders in absurd restaurants. Overcooked is a game that requires cooperation and teamwork, so prepare to test your relationship to its very limits as you bark orders at one another while you race to feed masses of impatient diners. And they say romance is dead.

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks!