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Get Ready: FX’s THE STRAIN Returns this Sunday

8/26/2016

Get Ready: FX’s THE STRAIN Returns this Sunday: The highly anticipated Season 3 premiere of Guillermo Del Toro’s adaption returns Sunday, Aug. 28th at 10 pm EST. The Season picks up right where last Season 2 left off...New York on the brink of utter and complete destruction.

The City has effectively been taken over by the ancient vampire leader known as The Master and his minions‒the strigoi. Leaving Manhattan and its surrounding chaos and destruction in a mere twenty-three days. Further spreading their malevolent influence and contagion across the country and worse yet...the world.

Our own motley crew ended Season 2 in a state of disarray, that included one fatal casualty that left viewers with a bleak outlook on what is to come.

The only light in the proverbial tunnel?

Mr. Setrakian's acquisition of the Lumen; an undertaking that was fraught with challenges and an all-out battle with the help of Fet and Quinlan thug army during last Season's finale. The Lumen's value is monumental...it holds the secrets to eviscerating the vampire race from existence.

The series will continue to explore the ramifications of a state spiraling downwards, its inability to fight a contagion on such a large scale that propagates an undead army "that doubles its size" daily. The strigoi problem is only made worse by the fact that the Federal Government has turned its back on New York. The few remaining non-infected human's left hope lies in the unlike cast of characters; who are all on a mission of their own.

What we are all excited to see is more of Quinlan―his past and the events that have shaped him to be a sentient warrior vampire with ethics, sense of morality and most importantly emotions. And what is the driving force behind his relentless and made his life's mission to destroy the master (he has alluded that The Master once took something he loved), even if it means killing the ancient ones. Can Ephraim get Zach back? Will Fet and Justine Feraldo's efforts in subduing the legion of strigoi have ANY impact in the grand scheme of things? Most importantly, how or will Eldritch Palmer have new a outlook on vampirism after his lover was murdered by Eichorst?

Will Eichorst get any more creepier? I hope so.

I anxiously look forward to seeing how these situations may develop throughout the season.

By Maria Sumoza

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ON GAMING: BATMAN—A TELLTALE SERIES: Ep 1: Realm of Shadows

8/22/2016

Batman and Cat Woman face off (In game snapshot—Xbox One)

RUNE WORKS ON GAMING: BATMAN: A Tell Tale Series Ep 1: Realm of Shadows is Telltale Games latest entry in episodic gaming—continues to succeed in what the developers do best: story telling through immersive interactive gaming.

While Telltales’ BATMAN follows the same core mechanics that have made Telltales games wildly successful—critical decision making and a mild gaming style.

Episode One: Realm of Shadows bundles well known iconic heroes, anti-heroes and villains integral from Batman DC Comic Universe. However, it is the minor cameos of a surpassingly variety cast of characters that enriches the story with key conversation points; and ensures that the player will be sure to encounter them in future episodes.

BATMAN is scheduled to have a total of five episodes to be released monthly, with its next installment to be released in September 13th.

The first episode, finds the player donning the role of Bruce Wayne, while he continues his one-man vigilante crusade against Gotham’s criminals. Most of Realm of Shadows’ plot revolves around Carmine Falcone’s criminal dealings with a new mysteriously volatile and deadly substance that will hit the streets of Gotham and Bruce’s endorsement of Harvey Dent as mayoral candidate.

Classic lines delivered by Alfred Pennyworth, “a myth can be killed,” echo those mentioned in by Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne regarding the importance of Batman being a symbol; to insight fear, hope and most importantly morph into an icon of what Gotham needs him to be.

These instances in dialogue serve as a type of homage to earlier iterations of Batman films and comics.

Yet what is most enjoyable from Realm of Shadows is its visually gratifying in color and illustration that reminds any dedicated comic book fan of Jim Lee, Greg Capullo and Neal Adams, comic art style. Players will be thoroughly relish stepping into the role of Batman.

Telltales showcases one of Batman best known traits: the analytical detective; through the use of puzzles and exploration of crime scenes. Also going as going as far as planning your plan of attack against opponents while infiltrating crime dens.

As CEO Kevin Bruner, the game's narrative does indeed offer a "fresh interpretation of the universe set in current times, not tied to any existing iteration of Batman in games, film, or comics"—and so far it delivers.

Add masterful story telling and it’s truly a winning first entry to the Telltale games take on BATMAN.

BATMAN: A Telltales Series is now available on all next gen consoles and PC; as well as Xbox 360 and PS3.

By Maria Sumoza @mcsumoza
Lead Staff Writer (and Avid Gaming Nerd)

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Get Ready: FX’s THE STRAIN Returns this Sunday

ON GAMING: BATMAN—A TELLTALE SERIES: Ep 1: Realm of Shadows