Category: Video Games

Secrets of the Empire Hyper-Reality Experience Impressions

Posted on by Head Butler Ryan

Secrets of the Empire

Secrets of the Empire is a hyper-reality experience from ILMxLAB and The Void which fully immerses you into the world of Star Wars like never before. One of the three locations for Secrets of the Empire was in London, so when I made a trip there to see a concert and spend time with my friends Elliot (who writes for the site!) and Felicia who live there, we had to check it out. I’m damn happy we did because it was one of the most memorable Star Wars experiences in my life, as the immersive nature of SotE places you into the GFFA in ways which stick with you long after its 15-20 minutes is over and I really, really want to go back in. Continue reading “Secrets of the Empire Hyper-Reality Experience Impressions” →

Video Game Review: Battlefront II (2017)

Posted on by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Battlefront II (2017) set out to answer many fans’ issues with the first game by including a single-player mode, where you play as the Empire’s elite spec ops team Inferno Squad, and putting more content into multiplayer. The end result isn’t as wondrous as fans would’ve imagined, as the singe-player hits plenty of highs but suffers from several issues, while the multiplayer is built around a broken progression system, making one yearn for the simpler days of 2015’s game. Continue reading “Video Game Review: Battlefront II (2017)” →

Video Game News Roundup: Battlefront II Campaign Trailer, Beta Impressions and Visceral Games’ Project “Shifting” (UPDATED)

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With less than a month to release, we’ve finally been treated to the first singe-player focused trailer for Battlefront II, which just recently finished its multiplayer beta. I have some impressions from the Beta experience (no video this year, sorry!), which was bigger, better, but contained some concerning aspects (progression, loot boxes). And in very disappointing news, Visceral Games has been shut down, their Star Wars game shifting to a different studio and direction, with Amy Hennig’s participation in question. Update: 10/28: Clearer details on why the game collapsed have been unveiled, so: Read on for more details! Continue reading “Video Game News Roundup: Battlefront II Campaign Trailer, Beta Impressions and Visceral Games’ Project “Shifting” (UPDATED)” →

Canon Novel Review: Battlefront II: Inferno Squad

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Battlefront II Inferno Squad

– Minor Spoiler Review –

Battlefront II: Inferno Squad, by Christie Golden, ties into the upcoming Battlefront sequel’s singleplayer campaign, giving readers the story behind the inception of main character Iden Versio’s titular Imperial squad. Filled with nuanced complexity about the war between the Rebellion and the Empire that makes for a gripping, fast-paced read, Inferno Squad is an excellent birth place for the exciting new protagonist Iden Versio, though its short length is both a strength and a weakness that leads to a few, minor other ones. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Battlefront II: Inferno Squad” →

D23 Expo 2017: Star Wars Land Details, Name, and Immersive Hotel, plus Battlefront II BTS Featurette

Posted on by Head Butler Ryan

While everyone, including your grandparents, will likely still call it Star Wars Land, at the D23 Expo 2017 its official name has been unveiled as Galaxy’s Edge. Fittingly named considering it takes place on a planet at the edge of Wild Space, which is basically the edge of the known Star Wars galaxy, the first Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney Land in 2019 (once again making a case for Celebration 2019 to take place in Anaheim). Plenty of new details were released regarding the experience, as well as the news a fully immersive Star Wars hotel experience was on its way as well. Also at D23, Battlefront II got some focus in a video game livestream, where Steve Blank (Lucasfilm Story Group) and Janina Gavankar, who plays the game’s main character Commander Iden Versio, chatted about the game and released an extensive BTS featurette on the game’s story. Check out more about Galaxy’s Edge (yes, there is blue milk!) and the new Battlefront II footage below! Continue reading “D23 Expo 2017: Star Wars Land Details, Name, and Immersive Hotel, plus Battlefront II BTS Featurette” →

Star Wars Battlefront II: Gameplay Trailer, Beta Details, Free DLC and More at EA PLAY 2017 (UPDATED)

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At E3 2017’s EA Play on June 10, not only was the simply amazing looking gameplay trailer released for Battlefront II, but it was revealed all post-launch DLC would be FREE while earlier in the week we learned of an incoming beta. Also, a whole multiplayer match was shown, rather disjointedly, but giving players a taste of things to come when the game releases this fall. Full details ahead! Updated with news on a singleplayer mission! Continue reading “Star Wars Battlefront II: Gameplay Trailer, Beta Details, Free DLC and More at EA PLAY 2017 (UPDATED)” →

Battlefront II Panel Impressions: Singleplayer Focus with Inferno Squad Novel Tie-in and Multiplayer Rebooted (SWCO 2017)

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The first details about the upcoming Battlefront II, set to release 11/17/17, were officially unveiled at Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017. To create this massive sequel, not only will EA DICE be returning, but they’ll have a little help from Motive and Criterion, and by the time the panel was over it was very clear Battlefront II would be a massive upgrade from EA’s first entry in their reboot of the franchise. The biggest thing of course is the singleplayer campaign included with this game, which doesn’t look like an afterthought at all, while the multiplayer is bringing back classes and upgrades at a scale fans have been asking for. While I looked forward to the first Battlefront with tepid anticipation, and I’m withholding my true excitement until we see some gameplay footage, but everything I’ve heard so far makes this sound like a Battlefront game I can’t wait to play. Continue reading “Battlefront II Panel Impressions: Singleplayer Focus with Inferno Squad Novel Tie-in and Multiplayer Rebooted (SWCO 2017)” →

Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 News Roundup Part II: Full Panel Schedules Go Live, Mark Hamill Hosts, Battlefront II, Rancho Obi-Wan, and More!

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It’s truly time to start planning how you’ll spend your days from April 13-16, as the full Celebration Orlando 2017 stage schedules are finally up! This news roundup will not only cover some of the noteworthy and intriguing panels this year, but we’ll look at what Mark Hamill has in store for his appearances, when Battlefront II‘s trailer will drop , details on Rancho Obi-Wan’s exhibit, and more! Continue reading “Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 News Roundup Part II: Full Panel Schedules Go Live, Mark Hamill Hosts, Battlefront II, Rancho Obi-Wan, and More!” →

Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 News Roundup Part I: The Last Jedi, Rebels Season 4, 40th Anniversary Panels, and More! (UPDATED)

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As usual, surprises and big reveals are sure to be abound at this year’s Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017, and already Lucasfilm has announced we can be on the lookout for updates on The Last Jedi, the 4th season of Star Wars Rebels, 40th Anniversary surprises, an exclusive Thrawn novel cover, limited video game showings, and dozens of autographs to line up for. Check out the details below! Continue reading “Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 News Roundup Part I: The Last Jedi, Rebels Season 4, 40th Anniversary Panels, and More! (UPDATED)” →

Video Game Review: Trials on Tatooine (ILMxLAB VR Experience)

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Trials on Tatooine Banner

I was joking before going to Celebration Europe 2016 that if the only thing I did there was ILMxLAB’s Virtual Reality Experience, Trials on Tatooine, I’d be perfectly content. On the convention’s final day I got my chance to play and I kid you not, over Thrawn’s introduction in Star Wars Rebels or the new Rogue One footage, Trials on Tatooine will forever be my top moment from SWCE 2016. Not only was it an wholly immersive VR experience, as it felt like my childhood imaginations came to (virtual) life, it also helped sell me on VR technology and its potential.  Continue reading “Video Game Review: Trials on Tatooine (ILMxLAB VR Experience)” →