Saturday, November 23, 2024

The Recap: Entertainment News for the Week of 9/9 – 9/14

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Salem’s Lot | Photograph by Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max

This week brought fresh movie trailers and gaming news aplenty. Let’s break down the news you may have missed!

The Crow (2024) Hits VOD

Lionsgate announced their reboot of The Crow is now available at digital retailers to own/rent…just a few weeks after its released.

Bill Skarsgård takes on the iconic role of THE CROW in this modern reimagining of the original graphic novel by James O’Barr. Soulmates Eric (Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA Twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.

The Crow is available now at your digital retailer of choice.

Noob Saibot Joins the Fight

NetherRealm revealed a new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 expansion, Khaos Reigns. This one puts the focus on Noob Saibot and the skillset he’ll be bringing to the game later this month.

In Fire God Liu Kang’s New Era, a godly Havik from another timeline stole Bi-Han’s soul to create the perfect henchman: Noob Saibot. As Sub-Zero, Bi-Han was the Lin Kuei’s ruthless Grandmaster who dreamed of making his clan a dominant force in Earthrealm. As Noob Saibot, Bi-Han is dedicated to fomenting anarchy. He will not rest until all forms of authority are eradicated.

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns DLC launches on September 24th.

Celebrate Hobbit Day with Tales of the Shire

September 22nd is “Hobbit Day” apparently, and this year Private Division and Wētā Workshop are celebrating with a livestream showcase for Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game. It’ll be our best look yet at the cozy game set within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, and will be followed up by an in-person Q&A are TwitchCon (though everyone will be able to watch it live).

You can watch the Hobbit Day Showcase live on September 22nd, when it kicks off at 10:30 AM PT/1:30 PM ET.

Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition Launches Next Month

PLAION revealed this week a new “Ultimate Edition” of Dead Island 2 will arrive in October…just in time for a spooky playthrough.

The Ultimate Edition contains the complete Dead Island 2 base game, both blood-soaked story expansions – Haus and SoLA – and a plethora of stylish cosmetics and deadly weapons, including the brand-new Kingdom Come: Deliverance II weapon pack and:

 

Memories of Banoi Pack
Golden Weapons Pack
Pulp Weapons Pack
Red’s Demise Pack
All six Slayer’s Premium Skin Pack

 

In addition to the Ultimate Edition, Patch 6 will introduce all Dead Island 2 players to the Neighborhood Watch game mode, a new cooperative horde mode. Developed by Fishlabs in collaboration with Dambuster studios, players will have to work together against swarms of zombies, including a new way to strategize against the undead.

Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition launches on October 22nd.

First Trailer for Salem’s Lot (2024)

The long-gestating (and completed) remake of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot finally got a trailer this week, along with a release date.

Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.

Salem’s Lot hits Max on October 3rd!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed Gameplay Trailer

This week, Outright Games revealed a new gameplay-filled trailer for the new TMNT game, Mutants Unleashed!

Continuing the story of the Paramount Pictures’ 2023 hit “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” fans of the beloved franchise can get ready to team up with everyone’s favourite heroes in a half shell, taking on missions solo or teaming up with a friend in up to 2-player co-op.

The new gameplay trailer showcases the acclaimed 3D-meets-2D art style of the movie and sees players take control of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, each with their own unique combat style and unlockable skill tree. It also offers a glimpse at the game’s original storyline, as the pizza loving crime-fighters battle to save New York City from a rising Mewbie threat.

Narrated by fan-favourite character April O’Neil in the style of her captivating ‘O’News Casts, the trailer also showcases all-new original mutants and their difficulty-enhancing mutations, all designed by the film’s lead character designer, Woodrow White. Fans can also get a feel for the expansive New York City environments, from the tops of skyscrapers to down in the sewers, from pizza parlours, to a concert led by Bebop and Rocksteady.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed hits PlayStation 4|5, Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch on October 18, 2024.

Dive into the World of Dragon Age: The Veilguard

EA/Bioware released new details on the expansive world/locations gamers will be exploring this time around in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Arlathan Forest – Ancient magic and powerful artifacts re-awaken and reality thins across the woodlands that once held the heart of the Elvhen empire. The Veil Jumpers, masters of ancient elven magic, seek to stabilize the region and keep reality from crumbling.

Hossberg Wetlands – Much of this once-peaceful marshland has been consumed by the Blight. Darkspawn roam the swamps with impunity, but the Grey Wardens mount a valiant defense of the last safe haven – Lavendel.

Minrathous – Capital of the Tevinter Imperium, the Venatori wield corruption as they try to turn the Empire’s heart to their own dark purposes. Yet the people resist, with the rebel Shadow Dragons leading the charge.

Rivain – An ancient Grey Warden fortress sits among sparkling waters and lush greenery of the Rivain Coast; the Lords of Fortune call this paradise home. The servants of the gods have their own plans, however, and threaten to turn this sanctuary into a battlefield.

Treviso – A merchant city known for the beauty of its canals – and the deadliness of its assassins – Treviso is under Antaam occupation, a state of affairs that sits poorly with the Antivan Crows.

What’s There to Find?

While exploring the world, the Veilguard will come across many things to do and people to talk to. Of course, there will be loot to upgrade your equipment but there will also be puzzles and lore! There will be ancient statues, letters, and artifacts left behind to read and collect those Codex Entries. There are also new modes of transportation to find throughout the world, including fast travel.

 

There will be new ways for your Companions to interact with the world as well, with specific exploration abilities. For example, you may come across some ancient Elven artifacts for Bellara to Tinker with while you wander through Arlathan. Even when the Companions are back at the Lighthouse, Rook can use the Lyrium Dagger to take advantage of their Exploration Abilities. You may also spot Companions out and about, interacting with the world on their own. When heading to Treviso, we recommend finding Lucanis and enjoying a cup of coffee together.

 

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse will serve as your new home during Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Each companion will have their own room, for them to decorate to their own taste. Their rooms will progress over the course of the story, and it will also be the main location for one-on-one chats with them. Rook will have a room of their own, as well! Lastly, you will find the Caretaker’s Workshop here, where items can be upgraded and enchanted.

 

The Crossroads

From the home base of the Lighthouse, you will be able to access The Crossroads, a meeting place of many Eluvians. This area will serve as the main connection from the Lighthouse to the rest of Thedas, as well as lead to a lot of side content. The Caretaker will act as a guide throughout this area, ferrying the party to different islands in the Fade. Additionally, there will be more puzzles to solve in this area and even some extra missions, but we’ll leave those shrouded in mystery to discover on your own.

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