Gamer Girl: Defiance is Anything but Daring

Vanessa Valerie Giedosh

By: Vanessa Valerie Giedosh, Staff Writer

“Defiance” is an MMO third-person shooter that takes place in San Francisco Bay Area after an alien invasion that led to an outbreak of war between humans and aliens. The game allows players to completely customize their character’s physical appearance. 

As for character development, there is none. The game offers no classes, only the choice between alien or human. The lack of character classes or any choice in the actual abilities or talents of one’s character is ridiculous and severely takes away from the game. 

The game was developed by Trion Worlds, Inc. for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Their major selling point was that players could control the outcome of the television show “Defiance,” which the company had worked in collaboration with Syfy to produce.

However, after the series premiere on April 15, gamers were instantly disappointed. It was clear that what they did in the game had no effect on the show at all, which only served to extinguish the little interest there was in the game.

“Defiance,” the game, wasn't impressive to begin with and now it has lost what little fan base it had. When a developer focuses only on the avatar aspect, it ruins the entire experience. As awesome as it is to control the physical appearance of the character, the game won’t be worth playing if the game play itself isn’t good. Without an original or interesting plot, it doesn’t stand a chance of lasting for long. 

Additionally, the absence of character classes only put the nail in the coffin for “Defiance.” This is a game to forget about right from the start. Gamers are better off saving their money until something better comes along – even if that something isn't coming soon.

‘42’ is a Grand Slam for Moviegoers

Images from 42movie.warnerbros.comBy: Gina Girio, Contributing Writer

A much-anticipated film has finally come along for baseball fans. “42,” directed by Brian Helgeland and starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford, is about Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). By joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, he ended baseball segregation that had been going on for around 80 years.

Jackie Robinson’s story is well known all over America, so everything that happens in the film is expected. Despite that fact, it still doesn’t fail to pull at the heartstrings.

Robinson’s monumental move in history was massive enough to cause controversy, which is portrayed brilliantly in the movie. Ben Chapman, a past manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, was one of many who disapproved of Robinson being a part of the MLB. Alan Tudyk, who portrays Chapman, does an exceptional job of stirring anger, and he practically jumps out of the screen with his charisma.

The dialogue amongst the characters makes every word believable. Ford, who acts as Brooklyn Dodgers’ General Manager Branch Rickey, and Boseman, who acts as Jackie Robinson, work cohesively together onscreen. Rickey’s speeches to Robinson are some of the most powerful points of the film.

Nichole Beharie has a smaller role as Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife. Even so, she was a huge part of Robinson’s life by attending multiple games, which is clearly depicted in the film.

Also on Robinson’s support system was Pee Wee Reese, played by Lucas Black (“Friday Night Lights”). The cinematic portrayal of Robinson and Reese’s friendship will leave people shocked. One moment in particular is when Reese goes over to talk to Robinson and puts his arm around Robinson’s shoulder, hushing the stadium among them. This instant was so historically prominent that it made it into the film, and there was even a sculpture made from this gesture of kindness.

As a whole, the movie is enchanting and delivers noteworthy life messages. The number 42 even has a significance of its own. It is the only number retired by all Major League Baseball teams. Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees still wears it, but will retire at the of this MLB season.

Robinson’s first season in the Major Leagues began on April 15, 1947. Hence, each year on April 15 since 2004, Jackie Robinson Day is commemorated. The release date of the film was April 12, which is as close enough as it gets. What better way is there to celebrate this man’s remarkable history than by seeing “42”?

April 11, 2013

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Film Critic Roger Ebert Leaves Legacy

Gamer Girl: ‘Dark Souls’ is a Worthy Challenge

American Country Music Awards Spotlight its Shining Stars

American Country Music Awards Spotlight its Shining Stars

By: Adina Evans, Assitant Opinion Editor

Flashing lights, designer gowns, and country music’s most famous musicians flooded the red carpet of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada for the 48th annual ACM’s. The 2013 Academy of Music Awards were held Sunday, April 7, hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan.

As the duo opened the show, they had the audience laughing while they took jabs at one another.  

Shelton joked, “How about a shout out to the Sherwin Williams Company for spray painting Luke’s jeans on for us tonight, everybody?”

He continued, “You know what Motel 6 and Luke’s jeans have in common? There’s no ball room.”  Bryan, who initially covered his face in embarrassment, quickly retaliated. “Blake’s jeans are like buying something on credit, nothing up front. What size is that? Extra empty?”

Luke Bryan later won the most coveted award of the evening, Entertainer of the Year.  He fought back tears as he accepted his award from Shania Twain and thanked his fans.

“Thank you so much for making my life what it is. What I always wanted to be was just a country singer that got to ride on a tour bus and show up at a new stage and play new music every night,” he said. “I swear to God, every time I step on stage it's a blessing for me to play to fans. This is the defining moment of my life and it means the world to me and I will never take it for granted.” Bryan beat out co-host Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, and Miranda Lambert.

Lambert certainly did not go home empty handed. She was a big winner with three awards which, for the fourth straight year, included Female Vocalist of the Year. She also won Single Record of the Year and Single of the Year for a song she and her husband, Blake Shelton, wrote together for his late brother. The couple’s acceptance speech for Song of the Year proved that they are country’s cutest couple.

“Last time this happened you didn't get a chance to talk and you're not going to get chance this time either," said Shelton. "I've learned so much from this human being standing next to me. She blows me away. I used to think I was a decent songwriter until I was hanging around with her and this is proof of it. Thank you so much baby. I love you.”

Other awards of the evening included Male Vocalist of the Year, which went to Jason Aldean. The Vocal Duo of the Year award went to Thompson Square for the second straight year. Eric Church was awarded Album of the Year for “Chief.” Little Big Town won Vocal Group of the Year and Florida Georgia Line won New Artist of the Year.

During the evening, a tribute was paid to the show’s producer, Dick Clark, who passed away last year. Reba McEntire got emotional while introducing the evening’s tribute.

“He would slap me if he saw me crying up here,” said McEntire. Garth Brooks performed “The Dance” as a memorial to Clark and was then joined on stage by George Strait. This was the first time the duo teamed up, singing “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

The living legend, Stevie Wonder, performed one of his most famous songs, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” This was his first time ever performing at a country music event. Hunter Hayes and hosts Bryan and Shelton joined him on stage. The performance ended with the audience on their feet and singing.  

Gamer Girl: ‘Dark Souls’ is a Worthy Challenge

By: Vanessa Valerie Giedosh, Staff Writer

More often than not, gamers complain that games are too easy. This is an opinion they are more than entitled to when nearly all games have handholding tutorials that never end and automatic macros.  But for gamers looking for a real challenge, there is “Dark Souls.” Released for the PC, XBOX 360, and PlayStation 3 “Dark Souls” is known for its extreme difficulty and trial-and-error play style. Right from the start, players will be raging up a storm after they die over and over again.

The plot is a bit blurred and hard to follow, but the gist of it involves the undead taking over the land, complete with terrifying creatures. It goes without saying that gamers will play a sort of hero in a medieval era who has been charged with taking care of business, even if he is undead himself – sometimes. There are several classes to choose from including the warrior, knight, wanderer, thief, bandit, hunter, sorcerer, pyromancer, cleric, and the deprived. As interesting as they may sound, don’t expect there to be a lot of information in the booklet about these classes. More often than not, players will find themselves desperately searching Wiki or YouTube for answers and guides.

What makes “Dark Souls” so difficult is the lack of any maps or guides. Players must depend on their own mind to remember the layout. A good memory comes in handy when gamers die and have to recover their body containing all their ‘souls’ they have harvested from killing the undead. These ‘souls’ go a long way in helping players to level up and upgrade their equipment – a critical point in being able to beat the game. Players should be prepared for endless puzzles, traps, and tricks that the game has laid out for them. But don’t forget about the extremely difficult monsters and the strategies gamers will need to develop in order to beat them. However, if gamers are able to beat the game, there is always the even harder version, “Dark Souls: Prepare to Die” edition. Either way, prepare for a real challenge. For those prone to server rages, this may be a game to avoid for the safety of all inanimate objects and friends alike!

Happy gaming!