Author Archives: kylestoppard

Dark Souls 2’s unique charm.

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Dark Souls 2. Criticized for it’s lack of creativity when it comes to boss fights, boss arenas and areas in general, when compared with the original Dark Souls. Criticized for it’s game changing fast travel system which is accessible from the start of the game, slashing apart the chance for a naturally entwining and linking world. Empty box rooms plague Drangleic, as do randomly scattered enemies who feel like they have no purpose being where they are. All of these criticisms that Dark Souls 2 receives, and more, however I still love this game nonetheless. I feel that while the original Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3 share similarities in the charm that it emits onto the player, Dark Souls 2 has a very unique aura about it. Characteristics which are unseen in the original game or the third, however just fit right in with Dark Souls 2. A different director overseeing Dark Souls 2, was obviously going to have an effect on the games direction and was going to give the game a unique personality. It’s also important to remember that Dark Souls 2 had a rough time in development. Director Tanimura quotes:

“Yes, this game actually went through quite a troubled development process. Due to a number of factors we were actually forced to re-think the entire game midway into development. We really had to go back to the drawing board and think once more about what a Dark Souls game should be.” – Design Works Interview.

 

Immediately, when you begin your journey through Dark Souls 2 you find yourself in a dank and dark cave, a very familiar location description after playing the original Dark Souls. Light is seeping through a crack on the other side of the cave, and within a few minutes you find yourself basking in that very light in a beautiful sun set safe haven. The surrounding waters serenaded by the golden glistening sun, under the evening sky. This gorgeous location is called Majula, and is your safe haven as well as a checkpoint between very important areas within the game. As you enter, the sound track that played at the start of the game repeats, however this time at a higher pitch. I believe this correlates to the increase in light that is exposed unto you, as you enter Majula from Things Betwixt. An increase in the softness of the sound track, when an increase in light occurs. They compliment each other very well in my opinion. Connecting areas such as Heide’s Tower Of Flame and Forest Of Fallen Giants are also day time orientated, and this leads me to speak about the charm that I think is created partly by the day-time and more colourful areas of Dark Soul 2. Yes there are day time areas in the original game, places such as Undead Parish see sunshine trying to burst through the clouds unto Solaire and the player, however Dark Souls 2 is a much more colourful game with a deeper emphasis on the colour schemes in certain environments. This was of course to be expected, because Dark Souls 2 came out later, and so was developed with better technology.  However nonetheless I feel that having bright and colourful areas such as Forest Of Fallen Giants, in innocent and relatable seeming places such as a forest, suggest that there is no escape from the harshness of Dark Souls 2. Enemies aren’t just coming at you in a crypt, the abyss, or a fear instilling cathedral, but instead a Forest of bright beauty. A forest, also being a place that one might find themselves in within the real world, makes the experience that little bit more believable.

Continuing on, after the player traverses their way around the Forest, they will encounter a boss called The Pursuer. This fights arena takes on the aesthetic properties of Majula. The evening sun returns in full force to cover the dance like fight in a glaze of gold. This light hearted, gorgeous, and romantic arena, is heavily contrasted by a brutal and hate fueled fight. Dark Souls always shines at creating paradoxical scenarios in which the player questions while scratching their head in confusion, but as I mentioned, I feel that Dark Souls 2 had a unique way of doing this, with some of its unique environments combined with a more popping colour pallet. In Dark Souls 3 for example, we have the chance to explore Archdragon Peak. An area that basks in mid day sunlight, however Dark Souls 2 brings us these areas in a unique kind of way, that I guess I just can’t completely put my finger on.

 

Often I see Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3 grouped together as similar games in the series, while Dark Souls 2 is set aside as it’s own experience. A failure in many peoples eyes. Unique features and gameplay mechanics such as Life gems, very fast weapon degradation, unique parrying, Pharro’s Lockstones, Fragrant Branches of Yore set this game apart from the others. While many of these features aren’t the best ever seen in a souls game, they give Dark Souls 2 a very quirky feel which I have learned to fall in love with. Dark Souls 2 certainly isn’t my favourite game in the series, however it is special to me in a unique kind of way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rockstar Games announce Red Dead Redemption 2.

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Rockstar games have announced the long anticipated sequel to 2010 western open-word hit Red Dead Redemption, after years of speculation, and two teaser images being posted to social media sites earlier this week.

 

Releasing in the Fall of 2017 for PS4 and Xbox One, Red Dead Redemption 2 will have a trailer to accompany the announcement this coming Thursday at 11AM EST. Rockstar games’ official site had the following to co-exist with the announcement image:

“Developed by the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.”

 

PC players are currently expressing their disappointment at the lack of a PC release, however if history repeats itself, then Red Dead Dead Redemption 2 will release a year or two down the line from the console launch, as was seen with the launch of both Grand Theft Auto Four and Five. However no comment has been made by Rock Star as of yet.

 

In other news relating to Red Dead Redemption 2, the parent company to Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, secured a domain for Reddeadonline.com which suggests that the online experience seen within Red Dead Redemption 2 will take on that name. The original Red Dead Redemption included a vast open world multiplayer experience which attracted a very impressive amount of players, as did GTA V, so it of course makes sense so have an experience similar for Rockstar’s next project.

Embers – A tribute to ‘Dark Souls’.

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The embers were dancing. Such coordination and glowing grace to fill only one man’s eyes with beauty. The fallen cinders sat below and spectated; their dying breaths used to be reminded of what they once were. At the centre of the performance, stood a steel long sword, the heart and soul of the embers. Though engulfed by the scolding dancers that had been recently en-kindled It possessed a firm stance, with an aura of pride and protection about it; nothing would be hurt here. A safe haven for the endangered, comfort for the hunted and a beacon for the lost, however the amenity found in this decrepit land would soon be left behind. For he who wishes to link the first fire and break the undead curse must venture forth into the unknown, leaving divine embers behind.

Sunflower Bean at the Nottingham Bodega Social club.

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Two hours before I began writing this I had just finished having the pleasure of being in the presence of ‘Sunflower Bean’s’ absolutely brilliant show at the Bodega social in Nottingham. A sold out venue quickly filled when ‘Husky Loops’ a three piece indie outfit from London hit the stage for a thirty minute set, as well as when the main act Sunflower Bean hit the stage at 9PM.

Sunflower Bean revealed themselves, introducing themselves with the track ‘Human Ceremony’, the first track and title track off of the debut album ‘Human Ceremony’ which released earlier in February 2016. The band were on point for the entire night, rapidly generating needed energy within the room with up beat tracks in which some of were played faster than the studio versions such as ‘Tame Impala.’Wall Watcher’ and ‘This Kind Of Feeling’. Once the energy was crafted and spun around the room, it did not leave. The crowd were webbed. Lead vocalist and Bassist Julia Cumming maintained a great connection with the spectators at hand by coming down into the crowd, aswell as constantly having a laugh with fans and laughing and replying to fan comments such as “Marry me Julia.” which really allowed for a feeling of one between the New York based trio and the crowd. Overall, a friendly and easy feeling was present in the upper floor of the Bodega during the gig.

 

Sunflower Bean are limited in their arsenal of songs to play, due to only having one album and one E.P. However a variety of pace was achieved by the group. As well as the up-beat tracks I mentioned previously, mesmerizing and more down-tempo songs such as ‘Somebody Call A Doctor’ were used to please the crowd. Sunflower Bean completed their explosive ten song set, before returning for a final song which the crowd of course so longingly wanted. The trio played confidently and accurately, all while maintaining a positive and very apparent energy through out the evening.

 

The gig concluded, and the group came out where the crowd stood to meet with fans, take pictures and just generally socialize which is always brilliant to see. The energy, and the friendly aura of the room continued to be present well after the set was over.

 

Overall Sunflower Bean played a solid set of brilliant songs from their debut album, as well as their previous E.P. They kept the crowd interested throughout, maintaining a special level of excitement and buzz throughout and for this reason I would definitely recommend going to witness Sunflower Bean live on one of their few remaining dates across the U.K.

Dark Souls is an artistic masterpiece.

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Dark Souls, the game released in 2011 by From Software, first for consoles and later for PC. The game famous for its vicious and punishing world. The game famous for its tendency to make players throw their controller down in anger, to never return again. Dark Souls is an absolute artistic masterpiece for these reasons and so many others.

The developers at From Software did such an excellent job at combining so many flavorful aspects of Dark Souls together to create something that in my opinion is unrivaled. The incredibly deep lore which caresses the world that players traverse in such a subtle manner, gives reason for hundreds, if not thousands of hours of exploration. The beautiful landscapes that players may gaze at, are varying and contrasting to one another, always keeping the inspiring and curious flames inside our heads enkindled. The way that the distant areas become out of focus and blurred, give off a mysterious feel to that area. The area may not be fully visible to me now, but what secrets are held there? What creatures are there to slay or co-operate with? Continuing, the beautifully designed characters of Dark Souls, whether they be lore based, NPC’s, or enemies to fight, are beautifully and carefully crafted, and the back stories to many of these characters compliments their physical appearance and apparent behaviour so well.’ The Great Grey Wolf Sif’ optional boss fight stands out to me here. This boss does not actually want to fight you. Instead, it is valiantly trying to stop you from proceeding to the dangerous ‘Abyss’ where his previous master met an uncanny fate. And so he fights you to attempt to ward you away. Jumping back to the lore, you can only discover this fact after carefully observing the lore of Dark Souls. You won’t be directly told these things, and so you the player must set out to discover them for yourself. This skilfully adds a layer of mystique to the Dark Souls world.

The word perspective runs through my mind when I think of Dark Souls. This is because the game teaches you to really look at situations carefully and to even empathize with people. In video games, we are usually the good guy fighting the bad guys and the evils of that universe. In Dark Souls, the line is effectively blurred in various cases. An excellent example of this is the boss fight ‘Pinwheel’. Pinwheel is a necromancer who’s wife and child tragically died. In his peak of loneliness and despair he attempted to bring them back to life through necromancy, however failed and instead created a grotesque fusion form of his wife and child. He tirelessly attempts to undo the damage but doesn’t manage to as you, the player and chosen undead, arrive in his home to end his life, as well as his research. Pinwheel did nothing to hurt the chosen dead, or anyone for that matter. He just wanted to fix his mistakes but in a cruel manner, you slay him. and his family. After learning the story behind pinwheel, the way I looked at Dark Souls changed forever. I realised the depth of the game I was playing.

One of my personal favourite aspects of Dark Souls is the soundtrack that accompanies the already excellent game. The tracks included range from aggressive and tense pieces of music which coincide with the heart rate raising boss fights, all the way to the likes of the Firelink Shrine piece as well as my personal favourite track, the character select theme which is a mellow track which calms and soothes all before being tossed into a world of torment and death. Dark Souls’ soundtrack is masterfully orchestrated and composed which for me is the very thick and flavourful icing on top of the cake.

All of the various fragments of Dark Souls which I have spoken about are excellent. However it is the graceful way that they are all fused together that create an artistic and cultural masterpiece, which for the rest of my life will continue to inspire and move me. Thank you Dark Souls, and thank you From Software.

kaleidoscopic

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As I floated, carelessly internally, paranoid externally, I involuntarily consumed the blizzards faeces.

The bell tolled, they spilled their secrets.

A door opened.

A touch, I cried.

I’ve touched the edge of the world,

and yet felt that my journey had never begun.

Lost souls voyage to unknown lands.

I found my soul…

So vibrant, however tasted bland.

Those who saw the future laughed,

and those from the past showed me a collage.

Optimism is what I gathered, but somehow traded it along for some regret and pessimism.

A mystery man wearing silk robes threw in some years as a bonus.

When you know how to play a song, but can’t read the music.

A frustrating talent.

Tears of joy?

Like an oxymoron, but spoken in actions.

Sunday at Leeds Festival 2016?

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It’s coming up to festival season soon, and I wanted to go to a festival which I surprisingly have never been to…Leeds/Reading festival.  I’ll only be going for one day this year(I know), specifically the Sunday, as there are few bands that I really wanted to go and see on that day.

Firstly, Cage The Elephant are coming back from half the world away in America. They’ll be taking over the NME stage right before the Wombats and the headliners, The 1975. I absolutely love this band, because their music takes leaps in different directions throughout the albums,  as inspiration is obviously and pleasantly present on their earlier albums, while the latest two albums have had their own evolving sound take the lead. There is always a capturing and undeniable energy at Cage The Elephant shows, and I am sure that that energy and atmosphere that they generate so well will concoct nicely with a festival environment.

A second band that I’m really looking forward to seeing for a third time is ‘The Vaccines’. With three solid albums and a relatively new album released in 2015 named ‘English Graffiti’ this band never fail to impress in the studio and in a live environment. Nothing’s more fun than hearing a live rendition of Norgaard played in the space of what seems like 30 seconds. Great stuff!

Half Moon Run are another band that I’ve started to appreciate over the past few days. The indie-rock band from Canada radiate talent, and have been managing to capture my attention easily over these past few days. With a more mellow tone to their music in comparison to many of The Vaccines and Cage The Elephant songs, I can’t wait to see them in a live space!

As I mentioned earlier I’ve never actually even been to Reading/Leeds and this of course is a massive reason for me wanting to go. Despite me only going for one day like an absolute amateur, I’d love to write about my time when I’m back, especially about seeing bands like Cage The Elephant, The Vaccines and Half Moon Run, as well as many more.

 

Exciting times ahead!

 

Tell Me I’m Pretty review.

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Born out of Kentucky, the now six-piece named Cage The Elephant released their fourth studio album in December of 2015. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black  Keys, the listener can really hear his influences splatter painted all over the album which in this reviewers opinion, isn’t a bad thing.

Starting out with the lively, psychedelic and spirited track ‘Cry Baby’, the tone for the album is immediately set. With an instant infectious opening riff and bouncy verse, which leads into a thrashing and aggressive pre-chorus and chorus, the track had me hooked. The track finished with a blues-rock inspired and zingy breakdown, in which was filled with top notch bass lines and guitar riffs which faded until the song ended.

The fuzzy and in some cases psychedelic tone of the track carries through the entire album, especially in songs such as ‘Cold Cold Cold, ‘Mess Around’, and ‘Punchin’ bag’ which have the listener involuntarily tapping their feet to these easily lovable and twist-taking songs. Their is also a 60’s aura that runs around the album which ties in nicely with front man ‘Matt Schultz’s’ vocals. Tell Me I’m Pretty’s instrumentals suit him very well, and he connects with them so naturally.

It’s great to hear Cage The Elephant expanding their sound as a band, and to see them exploring other areas of music and creativity, as they could have quite easily just replicated the sound of grammy winning ‘Melophobia’, which was released in 2013, however they have decided to deepen their identity as a band which is always brilliant to see.