Early Game Review: 'EA Sports FC 24'

The FIFA license may be gone, but the essence of what made the series great remains.

Due out Sept. 29 but available now on early access for those who preordered it, 'EA Sports FC 24' is a capable reboot of the storied soccer franchise, built like a veteran team that's gotten a burst of energy from the addition of a new stud from the transfer market. Like Lionel Messi's Roman spring on Inter Miami, the game has a newfound spring in its step and is ready and willing to assault the back of the net.

On the field, the new animation engine dubbed HyperMotionV is proudly on display. Players react in lifelike ways to the situations they encounter, with bountiful PlayStyles-driven motion capture blended with lifelike physics to create a captivating result of players behaving in distinctive ways rather than following robotically predestined protocols.

The smooth onfield animations and balanced netcode come at a perfect time for the introduction of current-gen crossplay, which will democratize the player base and halt the irritation tradition of siloing that had forever plagued the game in the past. With the exception of the insular Switch title, current-gen gamers will be able to match up in multiplayer modes to swap bragging rights.

Ultimate Team continues to pull the load as the centerpiece fantasy-minded game mode, with cards based on current and former greats to mix and match as you piece together your dream squad. Continuing off the foundation of recent "FIFA" games, female players are integrated seamlessly into the fray. The purposefully equity-minded move shows how the series welcomes fans of the female game with open arms, and makes for some fascinating "what if?" matchups.

The career and franchise modes continue to grow in robustness of feature offerings, letting you live out your dreams a an up-and-coming star or grizzled GM who's trying to squeeze the most out of a club's meager offerings to climb up the ranks toward glory. The silly, street soccer-focused side mode, Volta, also offers smiles and ways to blow off steams for whimsical, trick-focused matchups.

Playing all weekend with my soccer-obsessed 11-year-old, "EA Sports FC 24" gave me loads of laughs along with moments of triumph and despair that the beautiful game tends to disperse in droves. An excellent jump-on point for faded FIFA fans of the past, the game shows that the present and future of video game soccer.

Publisher provided review code.

Review: 'T-Mobile REVVL Tab 5G'

The T-Mobile REVVL line of devices continues to grow in stature and capability. The latest shot across the bow of the big guys is the brand's venture into the tablet realm in the form of the T-Mobile REVVL Tab 5G.

Available for $200, or free to T-Mobile customers who activate a tablet line, the device is a handy, capable device that wields a gorgeous 10.36-inch screen and battery life that extends well past 10 hours of heavy, bright-setting use. It can do you proud on a series of long flights with connections, and still have some juice left over as you wind down at your destination.

While the tablet may not hang with the latest Galaxy and iPad entries of the world, it does work as a well-rounded, lower-cost option that can handle most of the functions of higher-end devices, and manages to compete with the likes of Amazon's Fire tablets.

Packing a long-lasting 7,040mAh battery, dual stereo speakers and an 8MP dual-camera system, the device can tackle the demands of mobile games, streaming apps and e-readers. The Android functionality opens it up to far more than the Fire tabs can -- including Vudu, the Chrome browser and the NFL app -- and manages to record video as a 30fps clip.

The REVVL Tab 5G is also durable, able to withstand some rough handling by my one-year-old daughter, who'd prefer to play her games on a larger screen rather than my phone. While I think too highly of the tablet to give it to her, I'm happily to lend it to her, as long as I can have it back to binge my shows during her naps. Like my daughter, the tablet is spunky, tough and never should be underestimated.

T-Mobile sent device for review.

Hot on Home Video: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' 'Matlilda,' 'No Hard Feelings'

Matilda (1996)

The beloved and devilishly subversive 1996 Roald Dahl adaptation, which starred Mara Wilson in the title role, continues to thrive as a family comedy classic. The supporting cast of Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman and Embeth Davidtz, who manage to thrive on similarly zany notes, lifts the source material to the peak of its potential.

Bonus features include new commentary with DeVito, who also directs, as well as a slew of making-of featurettes. The most charming of the lot is Wilson's own mini-film about the shooting of "Matilda."

No Hard Feelings

After a long break, Jennifer Lawrence gets back in the saddle in a charming rom-com about a woman with financial troubles who's hired by overprotective parents to date their 19-year-old son (Andrew Barth Feldman). Critics praised the coming-of-age story's savvy writing and snappy lead performances, which lifted it to a 71 percent positive rating.

Extras include outtakes, bloopers and character profiles, as well as the making-of featurette dubbed "A Little Wrong."

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

The sequel to the 2018 Best Animated Film Oscar winner is a better film than the original in nearly every way imaginable, delving far deeper into the breadth and depth of Spider-Persons inhabiting the scattered multiverses and funneling them into a cohesive, invigorating tale of courage in the face of daunting odds. The stellar voice cast includes Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Jake Johnson and Jason Schwartzman. '

More than 90 minutes of bonus features are included in the Blu-ray/DVD/digital combo pack, including a spotlight on the more obscure characters, a deleted scene and a glance at the comic book influences.

Studios sent screeners for review.

Game Review: 'NBA 2K24'

This year's NBA 2K game gives Kobe Bryant the Michael Jordan and LeBron James treatment, with his visage plastered on the cover and a game mode dedicated to his greatest triumphs.

"NBA 2K24" strives to live up to the Black Mamba ethos, pouring effort into the minutiae with full awareness that the work will pay off on the macro scale.

Among the additions, the most exciting to me was the introduction of crossplay into current-gen systems. The expanded player audience and precision balance across the consoles vastly expands the pool of competition in the revered online mode.

Gameplay is geared to more realistic animations with tech dubbed ProPLAY. Players move with lifelike, motion capture-enhanced flow, and scrambles for loose balls look more fluid rather than stilted, pre-determined animations.

The stalwart MyCAREER and MyTEAM dovetail into a singular experience that reflects both your created player and the franchise you try to micromanage via card collection into a dynasty. There is solid support for the WNBA in The W mode, which is also blended into the throughline. The surface is a beachfront basketball paradise laden with challenges that help you bump up your experience and VC.

The Kobe Bryant-dedicated mode, Mamba Moments, takes you through his career highlights, challenging you to match his clutch performances.

I appreciated the way each team included alternate uniforms from memorable eras, as well as all-time great teams and a squad from the franchise's most impactful season. I always like delving into quick play games to get a feel for court redesigns, the looks of new uniforms -- I'm psyched for the soon-to-drop City Edition threads for the new season -- and the relationships between the new players. It was a thrill to see Bradley Beal charging down the wing on a fast break alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

While the latest version of NBA 2K may lack any massively game-changing moments, it's a must pickup for Kobe Bryant fans, and an invigorating appetizer for the upcoming season. This one does Mamba proud.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Aladdin'

 

 For my money, there is no single production -- theatrical or cinematic -- that matches the song quality of "Aladdin." The 1992 animated film bowls you over with a series of catchy, clever and timeless Alan Menken rainmakers that pulse with romance, whimsy and laughter.

The theatrical musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2014, captures the essence of the rollicking animated film, while expanding and grounding the flighty story and characters in meaningful ways. To watch the show is to be whisked away into a fantasy world of hopeless longing, redemption, wishes granted and denied and meteoric rises and falls. In short, it's Disney magic in the least ironic sense of the term.

Bulky, loud, bright and gorgeous, the touring production manages to distill the essence of the original film and bring it to stage in an arresting burst of creative heft. While the Bollywood-flavored production is padded out with a few songs that don't nearly rise to the level of the source material, the continuity the numbers add helps make the emotional pressure points pay off with more convincing payoffs.

The show lives and dies on the strength of its three leads, and this one is powered by three superstars in the making. Marcus M. Martin is a rambunctious force of kinetic energy as Genie. Adi Roy captures the devil-may-care charm of Aladdin, and the songbird-voiced Senzel Ahmady shines into the back rows as the proto-feminist princess Jasmine.

Crafted to bear the weight of a 150-minute musical, the writing is filled with pragmatic choices that strengthen the story. The jettisoning of the film's talking animals in favor of sidekicks helps ground the absurdist angles of the material, and workmanlike supporting performances from ensemble members polish the characters to lifelike sheen. Jasmine's attendants, in particular, pump up the crowd with their spirited dance breaks. Kudos to Alysssa Anani -- who doubles as the fortune teller -- Lizzy Marie Legregin and Sonia Monroy.

The projections and backgrounds are works of art, but some of the lighting choices are bizarre, such as a Cave of Wonders sequence that blinded part of the midsection of the crowd by shining lasers into eyeballs. But even that off-kilter choice helped drive home the majesty and wonder of the cave.

I had colossal expectations for "Aladdin," and the show obliterated them all. It lifts you on its magic carpet to a whole new world.

 "Aladdin" plays through Sept. 10 at Centennual Hall. Buy tickets here.

Review: REVVL 6X Pro 5G

Now that smartphones that access 5G service have become commonplace rather than luxuries, the benefits trickle down to base users. It's not only possible, but expected, to get free or nearly-free 5G smartphones that are leaps and bounds above those that cost $1,000 or more just a couple years ago.

Once barely adequate for heavy users, the REVVL brand has now become something of a flagship for the T-Mobile-using common man. Engineers have figured out ways to cram efficient, effective technology into its lower-grade chassis. 

A nominal upgrade over last year's REVVL Pro 5G, the REVVL 6X Pro 5G is a spruced-up version of its already solid predecessor. 

The device, which is available to T-Mobile customers for free when adding a line, buying a REVVL Tab 5G and activating service on the tablet, or for $50 with a trade-in of any device in any condition, fulfills the needs of those looking for an entry-level Android smartphone that can hang with the big boys.

While the value you get for that rock-bottom price may not turn heads, it will free up your income while keeping you astride with the latest games and apps. Its 6.82-inch screen presents vivid, crisp images, and its 6GB of RAM and MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G processor lets you access the best of T-Mobile's impressive network without losing a step.

The 50MP rear-facing and 16MP front-facing cameras handle any social media or work functions you can hurl at it. 

While the REVVL 6X Pro 5G may struggle a little when confronted with some of the more battery and processor-taxing games and apps on the market, it still was functional with the punishing amount of usage I tend to put smartphones through. I admired the phone's hand-friendly feel and resilience.

While there is little reason to upgrade for base-level REVVL 6 Pro 5G users, those who have missed the past couple of generations will be pleased with the suite of ramped-up upgrades with the X model. The times when the REVVL name was synonymous with corner-cutting have long since passed.

T-Mobile provided review unit.

 

Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town: The Story, the Characters, and the Legacy by Emily Zemler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thirty years after it first hit screens, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" still stands as required viewing when holidays roll around. The fantastical melding of horror, whimsy and

Emily Zenker's gorgeous coffee table book delves into the mythos, hype and legacy surrounding the 1993 stop-motion masterpiece, finding nuggets of trivia that have likely eluded even the film's most obsessive followers.

Its 168 pages are crammed with anecdotes, photos, interviews and oral histories that surround the film's historical footprint.

There are also nods to the film's spiritual successors, such as "Coraline" and "Frankenweenie." There are also glimpses of the sundry merchandise that the film has sired, with its characters as firmly integrated into the fabric of holiday decorations as skeletons and Jack-o-lanterns.

While an outsider's perspective may have been more complete -- this book is clearly a Disney-sanctioned product -- the book served its passionate audience well.

View all my reviews

Game Review: 'Red Dead Redemption' (Switch)

Whenever a Rockstar Games product shows up on a Nintendo console, it's always a bit of a novelty. The decidedly adult-aimed games' presence on a traditionally kid-friendly outlet seems incongruous.

Like most of its predecessors that have carved out the oddball path, "Red Dead Redemption" trots along with charm and guilty-pleasure pomp. The game's 2018 prequel may be roundly agreed upon as the superior, but the sense of free-wheeling fun in the 2010 original makes it the one that's more fun to pick up and play in short, nostalgic spurts.

While the prequel boasts the fine grain and introspection of a John Ford film, John Marston's lonesome, revenge-fueled Wild West odyssey has the easygoing pizzazz of a spaghetti Western. Its villains are more outrageous, its missions more ludicrous and gameplay more arcadey. Despite its mature trappings, it's an excellent choice for a Switch port.

With load times that seem quicker and crisper visuals than the creaky Xbox 360/PS3 origins, "Red Dead Redemption 2" hums along in a more accessible and enjoyable version than its older counterpart. 

While the $50 asking price may be steep, the opportunity to take the game with you wherever you go is an opportunity too good to pass up. 

Add in that the zombie-driven DLC, "Undead Nightmare" is included, and you've got a deal more appealing than a huckster hocking snake oil on a wooden crate. Whenever the "Red Dead Redemption" itch creeps back into my saddle, this is the version that will  be my ride or die.

Publisher provided review code.

Early Game Review: 'Madden NFL 24'

Like a veteran who's coming off an injury-beleaguered season that came up short of expectations, "Madden NFL 24" is looking to reclaim its throne as the king of the sports game landscape with the lumbering, fist-pumping authority of cover store Josh Allen.

With refined mechanics, slick animations and enhanced presentation, "Madden NFL 24" seems well-suited to accomplish its goals both on-field and off, and also boasts a bravado and chip on its shoulder. It's been years since a Madden released seemed so explosive and free-wheeling. That's largely due to the game's new bones, which are built on a tech suite called SAPIEN.

There's a refreshed and revitalized feel to the core gameplay. The FieldSENSE gameplay, which allows AI to smooth out rough edges and guide decisions to reflect the genuine tendencies of teams and players.

While nearly every mode has gotten wholesale improvements, I found the biggest upgrades in the card-based fantasy football sim, Madden Ultimate Team. A newfound sense of momentum helps sink you deep into the flow of tinkering with and upgrading your squad, thanks to a restructured menu flow and a steady drip of incremental challenges that give you reason to return again and again.

On the field, the passing and pass defense games have gotten the most care. Quarterback improvisation is rewarded with more angles and fewer scripted defensive maneuvers, and a buffed-up bump-and-run and suite of zone coverage options makes you feel more in control when you're on the defensive end. 

The ongoing game of cat and mouse between mobile quarterbacks and edge rushers and linebackers who blitz or drop back into coverage is tantalizingly realistic, all buzzing around with refreshed animations, including 1,700 alone dedicated to tackling.

The addition of MUT crossplay among the PS5, Xbox X/S and PC platforms is also appealing, making it less of a stressor to coordinate with your friends before deciding which system to buy the game on, while stretching the base of the multiplayer community to its maximum. 

While initial impressions may be sparkling, it will be in that multiplayer arena where the game is truly tested. The ongoing months of developer responses to community demands will spell out the final judgment of the game's success. After all, everyone has a plan until someone hits you in the facemask. At least this version of Madden feels ready for the inevitable collision of lofty expectationa with harah reality.

Publisher provided review code.

Early Game Review: 'Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition'

 Methodical and introspective, "Kentucky Route Zero" has captivated indie audiences since its original act released in 2011. That audience expanded considerably in 2020 when "TV edition opened the doorway to consoles, and then again late last year when the game made its way to mobile.

Now its long and winding road has led "Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition" to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and the game seems to have come full circle. 

A takeoff on ancient text-based adventures, buttressed with point-and-click accessibility, the slow burn from Annapurna Interactive seems at home and comfortable in its anachronistic ways.

An engaging and engrossing slow burn, the writing and storytelling sizzle with the elegance of a page-turning novel.

Parsed into five acts, the narrative follows a loosely-connected group of travelers who are wandering through the fringes. 

Themes including loss, regret and the yearning for something more creep through the clever, twisting plotlines. At different turns hilarious, sad and thought-provoking, the game has a way of haunting you in between play sessions.

Posing more questions than answers, "Kentucky Route Zero" thrives on its open-ended nature, with the meandering ease of a long-haul driver who is set on appreciating the journey. It's a road well worth heeding the call of its assuring, yet unsettling, rhythms.

Publisher provided review code.

Early Game Review: 'Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition'

After going dormant for nearly a decade, "Might & Magic" is roaring back to life with a remastered version of one of its better entries. "Might & Magic: clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition"

Due out today on Switch and PS4, the game has held up remarkably well since its original 2009 release on the DS and port to the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2011.

Picking up steam on the fresh rerelease of the "Advance Wars" games on Switch. Both franchises focus on turn-based combat that grows increasingly complex. "Might & Magic" prioritizes formations, reinforcements and timely, momentum-shifting magical flourishes.

Divided up into five stages that span as many as 25 hours, the story seeps into deep, engrossing lore as it sets up slews of conflicts that test your strategic skills and ability to adapt to surprising developments that arise on the battlefield. There are also 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 multiplayer battle modes available.

The game looks and plays more smoothly than before, thanks to numerous upgrades that improve the flow and general quality of life. The integrity of the original release remains intact, and the jarring remnants of aged game design have all but vanished. The final product could easily pass as a new, retro-themed release.

With just as much to offer for longtime series fans as well as curious newcomers, "Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition" rises to the occasion with a burst of magic tricks to make the experience seem vivid, vital, and every bit as tantalizingly frustrating as the battles seemed in their heyday.

Publisher provided review code.

Review: 'Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective'

A remastered version of the 2011 DS game, "Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective" has re-emerged in remastered form on modern consoles.

Because the game was designed for such a quirky system, the shift to the controller and TV setup is awkward. The Capcom dev team's adjustments, however, manage to smooth out the rough spots. 

The premise holds up well, and seems refreshingly imaginative once forgotten about and re-experienced. 

You play as an amnesiac, freshly-killed ghost who can manipulate nearby objects to cause chain reactions. Your mission is to use your powers to solve the mystery of your own death.

Creative puzzles and sly writing keep a smile plastered on your face as you make your way through the charming levels. It brought me back to a time when I toted my DS around in my pocket at all times, to squeeze in a few minutes of play whenever I had a free moment.

In those days, it was easier to move your soul from object to object via touch screen, but I enjoyed revisiting the classic with the new control setup. They sure don't make 'em like "Ghost Trick" anymore, and likely never will again. Yet like its lead character, its spirit lingers around and continues to find new mischief to get into.

Publisher provided review code.

Review: OtterBox Defender ProXT

 

 

Rugged and sturdy, the OtterBox Defender ProXT feels solid enough to sit in a construction worker's holster. 

Like the suit of super-armor Batman dons when he takes on Superman, the case turns your otherwise mortal smartphone into an overconfident juggernaut that stares danger in the eye and chuckles.

Bearing military standard drop-testing the two-piece cover protects your chassis from all sides, with an unobtrusive ridge that keeps your phone from emerging cracked from a nasty face-planting while not taking up too much real estate in your pocket. 

While the case does add some heft to your phone, you get used to the change

quickly and can hardly bare to take the case off. Once encased, it feels as though you are tempting fate to handle the phone in its naked state.

I upgraded to the Defender ProXT from the stock iPhone 14 Pro Max case my phone came with, and feel the trade made for the textured, easily handlable grip is worth the sacrifices made in weight. I don't miss the slippery feel of the old phone, which caused many a drop to begin with.

Now as protected as the Caped Crusader in that awful movie that pitted him against the Man of Steel, my iPhone's superpower is now the knowledge that it won't crack, no matter the pressure I foist upon it.

OtterBox sent review unit.

Review: Motorola Razr+ in Viva Magenta

Bearing a name that's a blast from the early 2000s past with a design that seems ahead of 2023, the Motorola Razr+ is as alluring as it is flamboyant.

Boasting the unmistakable magic of a foldable screen heretofore only seen in the uber-elite likes of the Samsung Galaxy Fold or Google Pixel Fold, the slim, compact phone is so flashy in its radiant "Viva Magenta" color that it would seem to be a crime to cover it up in an obtuse case.

The foldability is more than a gimmick. In its admirably portable -- and screen-protecting -- folded-up Flex View format, it lets you check notifications, keep pace with the time and send out voice or text messages via its 3.6-inch display, all with the phone free-standing without the need of a tacked-on peripheral.

When open, the true majesty of its 6.9-inch wingspan of an internal display shines through. An excellent choice for streaming, demanding gaming apps and social media juggling, it's easy to imagine the Razr+ catching on as a counterculture work device for the whimsical commuter with a nostalgic bent. It's also an ideal purchase for a parent looking to get their child a jaw-dropping device for free, or at least a deep discount.

Released today on the T-Mobile network, the $999.99 device is available for free to new customers, as well as existing customers who add a line or trade in a device on Go5G Plus. It's also half off on lower tiers Go5G and Magenta with a device trade-in.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, the Razr+ tiptoes along the cutting edge of performance, handling video and download needs on the silk-smooth T-Mobile 5G network. 

Its external, 32MP camera, buttressed with an 8MP quad pixel burst shot -- triggered by a palm gestture that triggers a rapidfire succession of four pictures -- can handle action shots, portraits and video needs with ease, and the 12Mp front-facing camera is rock-solid with selfies. That one also has a mirror mode that turns the device, while in Flex view-mode, into a makeup checker.

To point out the obvious, Flex View is also great for setting up shots on a timer, as well as viewing video without needing to prop up the phone.

Waving its wand to conjure magical, inventive qualities, the Razr+ is an imaginative solution to a variety of smartphone annoyances. The reinvention can't help but put a smile on your face that you'll want to capture in Flex Mode.

T-Mobile sent unit for review.

Early Game Review: 'Final Fantasy XVI'

"Final Fantasy" releases not only define each generation of gaming, they tend to set the standard of what's seen as possible for that generation's hardware, and point forward to what's lingering on the horizon in the fields of design and execution in the medium.

Each numbered entry -- save for the two insular MMOs -- in the franchise is a watershed event in the fabric of society. The dawn of "Final Fantasy XVI" is no different, and the ways it stretches and evolves say as much about the evolution of the JRPG as it does the franchise's tendency to invent, reinvent and recalibrate.

From the outset, a tremendous influence on action and realtime combat is apparent. The influences of the likes of "Devil May Cry" and "Resident Evil" have crept their way into the traditionally turn-based slugfests. Luckily for gamers who are more akin to the old way, there's a storytelling-focused mode you can opt for that won't task your dexterity and reflexes as much.

Heavily drawing on the literary tendencies of Frank Herbert and George R.R. Martin, the narrative is a sweeping tale of retribution, and sly political maneuvering amid a backdrop of simmering geopolitical strife.

The scope and majesty of the game is particularly impressive after last year's wobbly spinoff, "Stranger of Paradise"  and the upgraded PSP remake "Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion." The new game falls more in line thematically with the classics offered in the "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster" collection earlier this year.

The first mainline "Final Fantasy" game with an M rating, the story is characterized by brutal violence as well as adult language and themes. The tone feels like an assured, confident acknowledgment that much of the player base has grown up with the franchise, and is ready for a darker flavor of fantasy rather than family-friendly flights of fancy. 

The PlayStation 5 exclusive, due out Thursday, will no doubt be the system’s killer app for any remaining series diehards who had been holding out, especially now that the system is finally widely available nearly three years after release .

Bolstered with a rich, deep tapestry of characters -- a continually updated pause menu glossary of connections, definitions and observations helps you keep track of the evolving slate of power players -- "Final Fantasy XVI" feels like the launch of a franchise as much as it does a single game. It may well take multiple playthroughs and endgame exploration to fully appreciate all the nooks and crannies of this vast, towering saga.

Knocking to your knees with thunderous conflicts, gorgeous cinematics and a stirring score, "Final Fantasy XVI" feels like a resounding triumph that sits alongside the series' most seminal entries. There is little doubt that it represents the future of the JRPG, and shines as a shimmering reminder that the present of the genre is a magnificent reflection of its past.

Publisher provided review code.

Book Report: 'Dune'

Dune by Frank Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always feared taking on "Dune," because the book and its sequels all looked so thick and imposing on bookshelves. Enter Audible, which allows me to plow through any book, no matter how dense or massive.

Frank Herbert's magnum opus may be dense, but it also pulses with life as it unfurls its space opera over a dry, dilapidated desertscape. The pioneering 1965 sci-fi epic informed countless works in the genre, especially "Star Wars" and "A Song of Ice and Fire."

Herbert particularly excels at subtle world-building, sprinkling in intriguing context as he keeps the storytelling arcs surging.

The ultimate teen empowerment fantasy, the novel paints a tale of heroism set against a complex geopolitical infrastructure. Herbert's prose sucks you into the harsh realities of survival on the arid, giant worm-plagued planet, which he crafts as a character to stand alongside his protagonists.

The tale unfolds in something akin to a modern open-world video game format, with a series of missions and boss fights. The combat descriptions, filled with strategy, feints and dramatic undercurrents, pulse with the flair of old-school sports writing.

"Dune" is magnificent, and I am ashamed I took so long to get to it. Now, whether I have the guts to take on the parade of sequels is another matter.

View all my reviews

 

Early Game Review: 'Speed Crew'

If you get a game called "Speed Crew," you might imagine the focus would be squarely on racing.

That's not the case, though, in this effort from developer Wild Fields. This is a pure, simple pit crew simulator, and the name of the game is resource management and deployment.

You and as many as three other players can grab your wrenches, jacks and spare tires, with the goal of getting the cars that roll in front of you back in top shape.

Dry and simple, the gameplay leaves much to be desired. There is a nagging, mobile game-style feel to the Switch title. There are also strange, incongruous design choices, such as the need to grab a new wrench for every tire that needs to be attached rather than use the same tool for all of the tires.

The story is something of a satire of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, with the protagonist taking the name "Dominion Torrento." Your put work helps your crew win several racing titles, with the setting evolving from the 1970s to the 2000s over 48 levels.

While there is some fleeting fun to be had here, the concept grows stale, and there's little payoff to the tedium.

If "Speed Crew" accomplishes anything, it's making you feel as though you're doing all the grunt work just so others can get the fame and glory. 

That feeling is the pits.

Publisher provided review code.

Review: Google Pixel 7a

 The Google Pixel 7a is for those who want just about all of the capabilities of one of the top-flight smartphones without the bulk or expense.

Like last year's Google Pixel 6a and Google Pixel 6 Pro, the setup includes a dynamic, 64MP camera system complete with the Magic Eraser feature, which lets you touch up photos by easily removing photobombers. 

While the camera isn't as great in low light, it takes solid pictures while zooming and captures speedy images on video. This is a device, powered by an upgraded Tensor G2 processor and 8GB of RAM, that will handle your social media needs with confidence.

A scaled-back version of the impressive Google Pixel 7 Pro, the $499 7a handles demands of gaming, apps and web surfing with ease, whether on WiFi or on T-Mobile's impressive 5G network. That's while rocking a crisp, 6.1-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate with 1080x2400 resolution. It's scratch-resistant, and the device as a whole can handle water splashes and accidental drink spills and toilet dunks without missing a beat.

The feature set has been boosted from last year's model, adding wireless charging, which lets you plop your phone down on a charger without the hassle of a cord.

On the downside, the battery struggles to keep up, requiring a mid-day recharge if you're taxing its capabilities to the limit. The 128GB storage is adequate, but possible to fill if you're a heavy video taker.

Overall, the 7a is a sizable if underwhelming upgrade to the 6a. If you skipped last year's model, that makes the upgrade all the more appealing. The new device is also worth a look for Pixel 6 Pro users who would prefer a svelte option that can out-perform the phone they're used to.

Strong, svelte and dynamic, the 6a is the budget-friendly high-end smartphone option to beat as 2023 approaches the midpoint.

T-Mobile sent product for review.

Early Game Review: 'Diablo IV'

"Diablo" games don't really begin until they end.

After the main quest ends, your character's journey is just getting rolling, with new quests, rifts and treasure to seek out. Blizzard Entertainment's commitment to ongoing content additions is well established, and a reason why "Diablo III" is still wildly popular 12 years after release. Heck, even "Diablo II," re-released in 2021 with the subtitle "Resurrected," is in heavy rotation.

New to the family is "Diablo IV" -- due out June 6 --  a colossal undertaking for the developer that not only manages to lurk out from underneath the shadows of its predecessors, but will no doubt emerge as a giant in its own right.

"Diablo IV" thrives just as much on advancement as familiarity. From the jump, the game sinks you into its fresh take on its captivating realm -- a land called Sanctuary that's been ripped apart by demonic forces under the leadership of Lilith.

In the new outing, the focus shrinks away from the grandiose developments in the past, focusing more on the day-to-day politics and townsfolk who live, scrape by and die in Sanctuary. "Diablo" games have never been grounded, but this one feels as though it's deals with people with real problems.

The game unfolds in a vast open world with no loading screens, procedurally-generated dungeons. A morose, haunted feeling of dread hangs over the world like a weighted blanket, but within the gloom lies opportunity for thrill-seeking and fulfillment.

As always has been the case with "Diablo" games, and likely always will be, there is an irresistible gameplay loop that makes the progression grind a compelling thrill. You take down enemies, collect the loot they drop, craft and upgrade your armor, enhancements and weapons, then seek out bigger and badder enemies, who will drop even more valuable stuff.

The thrill of seeking out rare, ultra-powerful items is captivating, building the empowerment fantasy that the game casts upon you.

The upgrade economy plays into Angelic, Demonic and Ancestral power schematics, which bestow status effects

The classes, all drawn from previous games, include Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue and Sorcerer. You're encouraged to develop multiple builds in parallel saves, with each character taking shape in wildly varied ways.

While season passes and cosmetic items are out there, looking to gobble up your credit card funds, at least there are no pay-to-win items for sale as there are in the franchise's mobile spinoff, "Diablo Immortal."

Everything in "Diablo IV" feels bigger and badder than in previous games. The in-game cut scenes are gorgeous and rendered with an enormous cinematic flair, and the combat and menu interfaces are silk-smooth and intuitive. Myriad quality-of-life improvements have been made, and as much as I love the previous two "Diablo" games, I can't imagine going back to them when "Diablo IV" has so much to offer.

While we're less than halfway through the year, the 2023 Game of the Year race already seems like a two-horse contest, with "Diablo IV" roaring down the back stretch to catch up to "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." 

While comparisons of the two are apples and oranges, it says something that when I carve out time for my gaming day, it's "Diablo IV" that's always top of mind. The dark obsession has returned, and like its predecessors, will no doubt be around for the long haul.

Publisher provided review code.

Early Game Review: 'Street Fighter 6'

A new "Street Fighter" release is a hallowed occasion for fighting game fans. Because Capcom typically only releases one new entry per console generation, taking great care to build out each release into a platform unto itself, the hard reset of a new numbered release is nothing short of a paradigm change.

Seven years after the release of "Street Fighter V," "Street Fighter 6" -- due out June 2 -- enters the ring with flash, style and vigor to spare. Continuing the trajectory established by 2008's "Street Fighter IV," Capcom's deep, robust effort is a treat for fighter fans, even if there is little left for those who aren't hooked by the initial concept.

The game is divided into three main phases: the story-based Fighting Ground, the training and casual match-centered World Tour and  multiplayer-focused Battle Hub. Now linked more firmly with Capcom's "Final Fight" universe, the game adds customization options that are new to the series. You're encouraged to build your own character, who will serve as your public-facing avatar for your online exploits.

The game launches with 18 characters, including a mix of stalwarts such as Ken, Ryu, Blanka, Chun-Li, with six new fighters to freshen up the mix.

Adding to the broadcast-style feel is a mix of play-by-play and color commentary, which helps boost the stature of each battle to tournament-level quality.

The e-sports focus permeates, with precision balance and a steady drip of choke points and momentum shifts meant to make for fantastic theater, reinforcing the legacy of "Street Fighter" as one of the most watchable and digestible spectator sports.

Among the hooks to keep players coming back for more, as well as emptying their virtual wallets, are season-driven Fighting Passes, cosmetics-focused Fighter Coins and challenge-based Drive Tickets, which reward gameplay success with premium items. Capcom says the purchases come with the assurance that they won't break the balance, with fighter boosts only affecting gameplay in World Tour and Battle Hub throwdowns.

The gameplay is meant to discourage turtling and routine, rewarding creativity and flourish with the Drive Gauge. With mechanics that let players unleashed parries, focus attacks and other specials, the wild, spirited fights will no doubt dazzle crowds.

While the barriers to entry for the upper echelons of online competition will always be intimidatingly high, "Street Fighter 6" challenges you to hone your skills as you aspire to climb the ranks. Bursting with an overall sensation of joyful exploration, the game quickly establishes itself as the contender to beat in the fighting realm.

Publisher provided review code.