The Clackamas print., November 29, 2017, Page 5, Image 5

ARTS
AND
C U LTUR E
5
BY IAN VAN ORDEN
NEWS AND OPINION EDITOR
Christmas morning, 1996: I remember my five-year old
self excitedly running to the Christmas tree that morning
to find the many gifts awaiting my young siblings and
me. One of them in particular, a big box labeled for both
my brother and me stood out. That was the year I received
my Nintendo 64, and with it one of the games that defined
my childhood, “Super Mario 64.”
“Super Mario Odyssey” reminds me of that childhood
favorite in so many ways. Many o f the abilities found in “Super Mario 64”
are present in “Odyssey,” including the triple jum p, the crouch jum p and
other sim ilar abilities. Aesthetically, the game is very sim ilar to “Mario 64,”
and very much feels like a modern update.
Beyond “Mario 64,” “Odyssey” also features small segments that look and play like the
original “Super Mario Bros.” that was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
One of the game’s many worlds even features a callback to “Donkey Kong,” the arcade
game that originally introduced the red-capped plumber.
Though the game is very much a love letter to all the games that preceded it, “Odyssey”
also manages to be its own game. The introduction of Cappy, a new character to the
franchise early in the game, serves as the vehicle for the game’s new gameplay mechanics.
Cappy, who takes the place of Mario’s iconic hat, has the ability to take over many of
the creatures that can be found throughout the game’s world, granting the player different
abilities based on the kind of creature controlled. These abilities are used to complete
the majority, of the game’s puzzles. There are several attacks granted to Mario that use
the hat as well, which forms the backbone of the game’s combat.
Overall, “Super Mario Odyssey” manages to capture much of what has made Mario
one of the most recognizable characters in video games, while also moving the franchise
forward in a new, and interesting direction. Itis easily a must buy for the Nintendo Switch
and a great gift for the holidays.
BY SAM WESTON
PHOTO EDITOR
Boots on the ground “C3.ll of Duty” is back with Activision’s
latest installment, “Call of Duty WWII.” After three years
of advanced movement, “CoD” has returned to the classic
movement style that we. all know and love. The release
comes off the major disappointment of “Infinite Warfare”
which was among, if not, the worst game in its franchise. The
only thing that saved the title was the Remastered version of
“CoD 4,” one of the most iconic games in the franchise and EPSs.
While the “CoD” community was split between the two games, “WWII” was announced
and “CoD” fans rejoiced. The game was released earlier this month and the reception
has been positive as expected. The game brings back the feel of the movement style that
hasn’t been implemented since “CoD: Ghosts” which was not the favorite of the games
but one of my personal favorites. In “WWII,” you get to get a sense of the new generation
consoles graphics with the old World War II feel.
The gameplay is reminiscent of how “Ghosts” felt since Sledgehammer made both titles.
I was a huge fan of “Ghosts’” movement system, so I am a fan of how “WWII” feels.
The campaign is as good as any “CoD” campaign. “WWII” reintroduces a new story to
the historical conflict that brings us back to Treyarch’s World at War but with the new
graphics an<j tuned movement system, it is one hell of an experience.
However^ampaigns in. “CpD” games are like the yams at Thanksgiving dinner.. Some
people like^tibut mostly everyone is in it for the turkey, the multiplayer in this base',
“CoD” onlfhe^has always beert an experience and a pastime to me, so a return to the
classic movement to a multiplayer had me excited from the get go. “WWII” doesn’t fail
in giving the community what it wanted since the end of “Black Ops III.” While some
aspects of the multiplayer are broken such as the always troublesome CTF game mode and
the overpowered BAR which is what 95 percent of people use, it offers not much to new
and old fans alike. Headquarters is a new idea that has been implemented in the game’s
multiplayer system which is like a social hangout for players. The new and innovative
way to bring players together is what in my mind really elevates this game above most in
the franchise. Sledgehammer answers many players’ wishes while giving them some that
they didn’t know they wanted.
With it’s stunning campaign, insanely fun multiplayer, and return of the cult classic
of Nazi Zombies, “Call of Duty: WWII” does not disappoint to bring fans back to the
franchise that we love.
-
y
BY JARED PREBLE
THE CLACKAMAS PRINT
If you’ve been in the game scene for a while, odds are
w you were around when “LA Noire” hit the scene back in
» 2011. Now, six years later, a remastered edition has been
released on all current consoles including the recently released
Nintendo Switch. In a 1940s Los Angeles you play as Cole
Phelps, an up-and-coming detective and USMC veteran, tasked with
cleansing the thick grime of crime that coats your beloved city. Starting as a patrolman,
you manage to solve a murder and land yourself a detective gig where you’re put to the
test. You make your way through a variety of cases, all influenced heavily by real crimes
reported on by the media that year. The game also provides an open world Los Angeles,
where, in addition to
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driving to all your various crime scenes, you can find various collectibles and complete side
quests. “LA Noire” is most notable for its interrogation mode where it utilizes MotionScan
technology, one of the first games to feature this software, which allows developers to
film actors from 32 different angles. This eliminates the need for animation, and provides
the player model with a realistic rendition of a human face. This allows you to tell if your
suspect is lying or telling the truth. Accusing a suspect falsely can result in you failing
the case, and it’s up to you and the information you gather throughout the game to decide
what the right choice is. Players seeking a rich environment and fast-paced ganieplay
will appreciate the marvel that is “LA Noire,” as well as anyone who appreciates the era
from which “LA Noire” is built upon.
theclackam aspfint.net
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NOVEMBER 2 9 , 2017