Month: August 2021

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If you’ve kept up with the recent gaming landscape, it feels like we’ve seen Far Cry 6 again and again at every event to the point where Ubisoft might be oversharing a bit. So it was kind of relieving to get my hands on the game instead of passively observing. And after playing about five hours, let me tell you, this sure is a Far Cry game.

A huge open world, missions spread across a wide map, explosions and firefights, camps to clear out, weapons to unlock and upgrade, you name it. I have a bit of a “been there done that” feeling, albeit with some legitimately fun moments in between. It’s a variation on a formula from a gameplay perspective, but there are ways in which it seems to be forming its own identity. That’s primarily because of its setting, Yara.

The team behind Far Cry 6 has been trying to make Yara as much a character as Anton Castillo, the main villain played by famed actor Giancarlo Espositio. The easy parallel for Yara would be real-life Cuba–it’s a Latin American country composed of islands in the Caribbean West Indies in the midst of an armed revolution.

Its people are being crushed under the weight of a violent dictatorship, and you see this in explicit detail in just the opening hours. You, playing as a woman or man named Dani Rojas, get rolled into a larger Guerilla movement called Libertad, and they gradually buy into this revolution and the means necessary to carry it out. Gameplay-wise, this means seizing checkpoints and territories, gunning down Castillo’s army and cronies, and carrying out missions for various leaders across Yara’s islands. Narratively, it means taking control of the resources that turn the tides of conflict and understanding why this collective effort is worth the struggle.

The hesitation with Far Cry is that Ubisoft games often tip-toe around its thematic backdrops or settle for generic political tales for set dressing, simply using them as playgrounds for wild open world action. I had the same reservations previewing Watch Dogs: Legion last year. I suppose Far Cry 6 could get away with that, but drawing inspiration directly from a real-world revolution, only a few generations removed, comes with the expectation of a somewhat earnest portrayal. Its narrative director Navid Khavari has said as much and that this game is embracing its political themes.

Five hours with what’s presumably a game that could take upwards of 50 hours to reasonably complete isn’t going to show you every facet of its narrative. But I will say that it sets a strong tone from the start and has moments that show promise. When character dialogue in the main story isn’t leaning into goofiness or simple platitudes, it seems to be genuinely laying the groundwork for understanding the intricacies of what Yarans are really fighting for and why it’s important to the larger revolutionary group.

A conversation emblematic of this takes place as you finish the mission to leave the first island. After sabotaging two of Castillo’s warships, you take a speedboat with Clara, Libertad’s leader, and have a brief, affecting exchange asking: what now?

Clara: What’s your plan when you reach America?

Dani: Me and my friend Alejo were going to work shit jobs until we could scrape up some money. Open a body shop. If the Yanqui blockade taught us anything, it’s how to keep things running when you got nothing.

Clara: That’s the dream? Sure, Yanquis might pay you to park their cars or pick their fruit, but you’ll never be one of them. The American Dream doesn’t come in our color.

Dani: Okay, if we’re shitting on dreams, what are you going to do if you win, “Presidente Garcia?”

Clara: The next president won’t last six months before they are assassinated.

Dani: Wait, what?

Clara: It’s the truth.

Dani: Won’t free elections solve that? What happened to your list?

Clara: It’s a vision, Dani. But I’m not as naive as you think. This revolution will free Yara, but won’t fix it. When we take the capital, Yara will be burning. Could be civil war, factions, warlords, foreign-backed coups. Take your pick.

Dani: Yarans will be killing Yarans for a generation.

Clara: Aja. This fight will take the rest of my life. Yara is stuck in a cycle of tyranny and revolution. My job is to show us how to break it.

This sets a bold tone, but also the expectation for Far Cry 6 to follow through on what’s distinctly a Latin American story. It’s not a throwaway conversation in a side quest or one that’s happening in the background of a mission. It paints a picture of the rebel group you’re fighting for. It establishes a basic but clear understanding that America isn’t the answer. Rather, it’s often part of the problem, and that liberation is much more than taking up arms and killing tyrants–although that is primarily what you’re doing as a player.

Anton Castillo looms over the main story beats, and his violent, imposing presence fills each scene. Alongside his reluctant 13 year-old son Diego, who still has a moral compass, it creates an uneasy tension. However, I don’t think there’s a clear understanding of Castillo’s motivations or any particular depth in the early hours. He has complete control of the workforce and production of a potential cure for cancer called Viviro, enforced through violence and oppression, and is manipulative in using his “love for Yara” to excuse everything. The hope is that there’s more to his deal than evil for evil’s sake. If anything, Diego seems more intriguing from a narrative perspective.

Some scenes aren’t for the faint of heart, as they can be quite gruesome. But Far Cry is also goofy in its open-world action hijinx. The inherent bombast that comes with the series doesn’t necessarily preclude it from featuring more poignant moments of storytelling. When done right, a dash of levity can help personify its world and characters. The “legends” who fought Yara’s previous regime are an interesting bunch with their ability to influence the movement and their tendency to just be washed up old timers. But then there’s this oddball farmer who has a superpowered chicken named Chiccharon who you chase around in a series of side quests, and it’s all rather annoying and grating–and uhh, yeah, I’m not a fan of shooting dogs like fish in a barrel, no matter how rabit they may be. On the flip side, there’s an upbeat but careless loose cannon Jonrón, whose fiery edge brings some attitude to the cast. This is scratching the surface considering the size of the game, but I’ve found supporting characters to be hit or miss in this brief play session, so your mileage may vary.

As it comes with the territory, Far Cry 6 has its wild gameplay shenanigans like summoning planes and helicopters to drop into a base and go in guns blazing before fending off waves of soldiers. Or burning down a whole farm that’s producing Viviro with a flamethrower to the tune of a Spanish rendition of the Italian revolutionary song “Bella Ciao” (a la Far Cry 3‘s infamous level with a Skrillex beat drop). Companions in combat, called Amigos, basically function like Guns For Hire from the previous game, except now they’re animals that await your command like the gator Guapo or the little pup-that-could Chorizo. All the while you have NPCs shouting “Coño! Coño!” more times than The Kid Mero’s AKAs at the end of a Bodega Boys episode.

Overall, the game uses its familiar design philosophies and typical open world shooter conventions. And if you’ve played the modern entries of Far Cry, you’ll know what to expect: solid gunplay, the ability to mix stealth and action, and a bunch of conventional and unconventional weapons to toy with. At workbenches, you’ll craft mods and upgrades, customize your loadout and perks, and tinker with Supremos which are your various super-abilities strapped onto you like a backpack. And it’s imperative you keep up with this since parts of Yara aren’t very friendly to the ill-equipped.

It’s a formula that seems to still be working for those who aren’t burnt out on these types of games. Whether or not the formula can evolve throughout the game’s runtime and hold your interest is always the question, though. Yara is huge and there’s a lot of open space, we’ll see if it makes the most of it.

Armed rebellion in a country plunged into chaos under a ruthless dictator? Yeah, I can believe a band of guerillas would pull up guns blazing. But I think Far Cry 6 is more promising if and when it gives you a reason to fight. A compelling narrative can help carry you through the mundanity or repetition that tends to creep up the deeper you get in a game like this.

Stories of revolution are infinitely more complex and nuanced than what can be packed into a Far Cry, let alone any video game. And some of us come from countries shaped by Spanish colonization and more recent histories of revolutionary movements have grown up aware of it. For me, it’s at least enticing that Far Cry 6’s story is trying to be more than a veneer for a spicy shooting gallery. That much I can appreciate.

More importantly: remember that people make games. If you believe that basic fact, then you owe it to yourself to at least be informed about Ubisoft’s employees taking action for changes to company culture in response to hostile work environments, abuse, and sexual harassment that’s been documented across Ubisoft’s various studios. Open letters and signatures in solidarity with the workers of Activision-Blizzard are also indicative of how Ubisoft’s leadership has failed to respond accordingly. How lawsuits and movements affect the way you engage with Ubisoft games, that’s your choice. But to ignore it is to deny that the people who make these games deserve a stable workplace free of hostility.

It’s the more important revolution happening in video games with actual, tangible effects on people’s lives. And it’s showing the very real effect of collective action. Far Cry 6 is only a video game, but understand that taking action to make the world around you a better place is always the move.

Mobile games and console games used to be very clearly distinct, but those lines are getting blurrier every day. Thanks to higher-powered mobile devices and the advent of streaming and remote play, you can play console-quality games–or stream actual games from your console–right on your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how to play PS5 games on your iOS devices.

This functionality is done via Remote Play, a feature that streams games from your PS5 console to your phone, using the screen as a display device. Contrary to the name, Remote Play can’t be done very remotely, as you need to be connected to the same network as your PS5. But Remote Play is a great option for moments when you’re in your home but don’t have access to the TV–laying in bed, watching a show, or yes, sitting on the toilet.

First thing’s first, you’ll want to pair your PS5 DualSense controller to your iOS device. Even though the PS5 is being used as a display for the system, you can’t simply pick up your DualSense and use it as normal; it needs to be paired with the phone. With that done, download the PS Remote Play app from the iOS App Store. While it downloads, you can get your PS5 ready to link up with your phone.

How To Enable PS5 Remote Play On iPhone Or iPad

1. Enable Remote Play
   Go to Settings > System > Remote Play and check the “Enable Remote Play” box.
2. Link iOS Device
   After enabling Remote Play, go to “Link Device.” You’ll be given a unique 8-digit code to input to your mobile device through the Remote Play app. That will link the devices.
3. (After Initial Setup) Select Your Console
   These steps will enable Remote Play for the first time. Subsequent times starting the Remote Play app, you may be prompted to enter your PlayStation username and password. Then simply select your console from the list of linked devices to start Remote Play.

Again, keep in mind that Remote Play is meant to be used at your home, using the same broadband wired network that is connected to your PlayStation 5. Sony recommends at least a 5Mbps broadband internet connection, though 15Mpbs with a LAN connection is advised for the optimal experience. You cannot use Remote Play with a cell network. And naturally, you’ll need a free PlayStation Network account to login to your account across the devices.

What Can You Play?

Since Remote Play is simply using your phone as a display device, there are no hard limitations on what you can do versus playing on PS5 as normal. You’ll be able to play games, switch between games, start downloads or make purchases on the PlayStation Store, manage settings, or anything else you would ordinarily do on your PS5.

However, some games that use special controllers, like PlayStation VR games, will not work with Remote Play. Some text-heavy games might also prove to be a challenge to read on a smaller iPhone screen, so keep that in mind as you plan your play sessions.

Chances are you have a powerful gaming system in your pocket right now. Newer models of iPhone are even more powerful than some recent dedicated gaming hardware, and more developers are being sure to put controller options into their mobile games. Whether you want to play the wealth of games on Apple Arcade or stream a game through the cloud, it’s a great time to sync up your handy gaming controllers to your iPhone.

And because games on mobile devices are bearing more and more of a resemblance to full-blown console games, a controller is sometimes a must. Fast-paced action games can technically work with virtual buttons, but it’s not ideal for gamers looking for precision sword swipes and parries. It’s also nice to have a controller for meaty games that lend themselves to longer playing sessions, like the Apple Arcade RPG Fantasian.

Just follow these simple steps to connect your DualSense PS5 controller to your iPhone or iPad. Before you get started, make sure your iOS device is updated to software version 14.5 or later.

How To Connect PS5 DualSense Controller To iPhone Or iPad

Turn your DualSense into Pairing Mode

To activate Pairing Mode, press and hold the Share button and the PS button simultaneously until the light bar located at the top of the controller flashes.

Connect DualSense to your iOS device via Bluetooth

1. Tap the Settings app on your iOS device
2. Go to the Bluetooth sub-menu near the top of menu settings
3. Make sure Bluetooth option is toggled on
4. Find “DualSense Wireless Controller” under a list of Other Devices
5. Tap on DualSense Wireless Controller to pair

Playing iOS Games With DualSense

With your controller paired you can get started playing. Some games might be designed with Xbox controller support in mind, so you may have to do some mental math to map the controller’s button prompts to the DualSense layout. And while most games will map the controller buttons automatically, some might require you to do your own mapping.

Keep in mind, also, that while the DualSense has some advanced features like haptics and motion controls, those features aren’t compatible with iOS and won’t be enabled for use with iOS games. That means some of the most standout features of the controller won’t be used, so it’s not quite exactly like playing on a console.

For more on playing mobile games with your DualSense, check out our picks for some great Apple Arcade games, and how to play PS5 games on your iPhone. For other controller options, check out our picks for the best phone controllers.

Gaming on PC is easier than ever, in part because big console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft have opened up their own controller options to the platform. If you prefer the familiar feeling of a Sony controller like PS4’s DualShock 4 or PS5’s DualSense, you can easily pair those with your PC to play games. And since some Sony games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Death Stranding are hitting PC, you can play them on their intended controller.

The process is simple. Essentially, you’ll turn on pairing for your controller and then discover it in your PC’s Bluetooth menu. If the controller has previously been paired with a PlayStation, you may need to unplug the console or otherwise unpair the controller so that the activation process doesn’t start up the PlayStation instead. Just use the following steps:

How to Use PS4/PS5 Controller On PC or Mac

Turn your DualShock 4 or DualSense into Pairing Mode

To activate Pairing Mode, press and hold the Share button and the PS button simultaneously until the light bar located at the top of the controller flashes

Connect DualShock 4 or DualSense to PC via Bluetooth

1. Click the Start button, then go to Settings
2. Select Devices, then Add Bluetooth or other devices
3. Select Bluetooth, and follow the on-screen instructions after putting your controller in pairing mode
4. Once the pairing has been completed, the light bar will stop flashing and turn to a solid color.

Connect DualShock 4 or DualSense to Mac via Bluetooth

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Bluetooth
3. Find your controller in the list of nearby devices to connect

One caveat is that DualSense isn’t necessarily supported in all PC games. The easiest solution for this is to simply play games through Steam when using DualSense, as Valve has already done the work to make DualSense controllers recognized. Make sure to go into Big Picture mode to configure your controller, if you want to customize the layout.

If you want to use your controller with your PlayStation again, the easiest way is to simply connect it manually with a USB cable and press the PS button. That will automatically pair the controller.

11. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers

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Calling all Middle-earth fans–a new mega-bundle that collects all six movies in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises is coming this October on 4K.

The $250 Middle Earth 6-Film Ultimate Collector’s Edition, as it’s called, launches on October 26 in the US. The bundle comes with 31 4K and Blu-ray discs in all, comprising the theatrical and extended cuts of each movie, along with director’s commentary from Peter Jackson.

Unfortunately, it appears this giant package leaves out the celebrated Appendices, which are the highly detailed, incredibly informative, and illuminating behind-the-scenes features that originally came with the movie on DVD. Based on the promotional images and descriptions on Amazon, it doesn’t appear these Appendices are included, but WB has yet to officially announce this bundle so we don’t know for sure at this point.

The 31st disc is a recording of the Alamo Drafthouse’s special 20th anniversary event where host Stephen Colbert spoke to the cast, Jackson, and other key people involved. What’s more, the Festival de Cannes presentation reel is included, the contents of which were not officially disclosed, but this is likely footage from Cannes 2001 where Fellowship debuted. The package also includes a code to download the movies digitally.

The movies come inside collective foil sleeves themed around each film, while the entire package has a collectible slipcase that can be transformed into different configurations, highlighting characters and imagery from across the film series.

Other extras include a 64-page booklet containing costume sketches, photography, and production notes from the fantasy series. Also included are seven poster art cards that imagine famous places in Middle-earth as tourist destinations. They are two-sided, and there is one card for each movie, with the Rivendell card being an additional bonus for a total of seven.

This is presumably the new bundle that Warner Bros. announced last year, though at the time the company said it would include “new” bonus features. That may well be the Cannes footage and not anything more exciting, but Warner Bros. hasn’t officially said at this point.

2021 is a big year for The Lord of the Rings, as it marks the 20th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s film series. In addition to the new six-movie collection, fans can look forward to a new The Lord of the Rings audiobook read by none other than Andy Serkis.

Looking beyond that, Amazon is working on a The Lord of the Rings TV show for 2022 (check out the first image here), while Warner Bros. is fast-tracking an animated The Lord of the Rings movie. A new video game focused on Gollum is also slated for release in 2022.

The history of the world provides a vast and rich background on some of the most popular games. Call of Duty, Total War, and Assassin’s Creed are just a few of the games that have been inspired by history. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the era a game is based in, a documentary is a great start. And if you’re looking for one of the best documentary streaming services in the world, CuriosityStream is offering a 20% discount for their HD Lifetime Subscription!

For only $199 (reg. $250), you can have lifetime access to CuriosityStream’s thousands of award-winning documentaries on not only history but science, nature, technology, lifestyle, and much more. With stunning visuals and high-quality production, you’ll be amazed at how much you can be thrilled and entertained while learning at the same time. The CuriosityStream HD package lets you stream documentaries about your favorite subjects (even video games!) in HD and 4K quality, and you can download them to watch offline. You’ll get access to documentaries as they are added every week at no additional cost.

Launched by Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks, CuriosityStream has been winning awards and accolades since its creation. And people agree, it holds a 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store and a 4.3 out of 5 on Google Play. If you love learning while watching TV, CuriosityStream could be the service for you.

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The Big Con is a nostalgic throwback to the 1990s that does not attempt to replicate the defining look or play of ’90s games. This is a thoroughly modern adventure game, with an isometric look, hand-drawn graphics, and a resolute refusal to mine references from LucasArts point-and-clicks. The Big Con takes its cues not from what we were playing in the ’90s but what we were watching.

The debut game from developer Mighty Yell reminds me a little bit of Night in the Woods, but if, instead of talking animals, Night in the Woods had starred ’90s teens rendered in the Nickelodeon’s Doug art style, complete with the primary and secondary color skin tones that lended characters like Mr. Dink, Skeeter Valentine, and Roger Klotz their memorable designs. In this NickToons-inspired look, and in the decade-specific trappings of its narrative, The Big Con builds a setting that feels both true to the era, and heavily influenced by the art that era produced. In translating its inspirations, though, the game brings with it a sense that you have seen this all before. It’s derivative, but going through the motions of this familiar story is still, at times, a lot of fun.

Our heroine, Ali, is a teen who works in a video rental store owned by her mother, Linda. As the story begins, we learn Linda is in deep financial trouble–to the tune of $97,000 and some change–with some very bad people. Despite Linda repeatedly telling her not to concern herself with the finances, Ali is committed to raising the money and saving the store. But coming up with close to a hundred grand the legit way proves challenging. Luckily for Ali, there’s a new kid, Ted, passing through town who’s happy to teach her how to pickpocket. When Ali proves to have a knack for it, Ted dangles a new possibility in front of her: Travel to Las Venganza–The Big Con’s version of Sin City–and pull off one con job big enough to pay off most of the debt. They’ll pick up the rest by nabbing wallets along the way.

It’s a great hook to hang a game on, and the road trip formula gives Mighty Yell the opportunity to show off a variety of locales en route to Las Venganza. Some of those are included for functional reasons, like a train that Ali and Ted ride on their journey west. Others, like a mall (conveniently attached to a railway station), exist to showcase the peculiarities of the era. The art style is equally nostalgic, with the fuzzy lines and the squiggly dashes that defined the aesthetic of ’90s cartoons. Most of the characters in the game would look right at home in an episode of Doug or Rugrats. In personality, secondary characters are similarly cartoonish, with simple wants that Ali can help fulfill. A working class dad at the mall wants to buy a Burblo — basically a Furbie with the serial numbers filed off — for his child, while a rich dad who spouts lines like “Spare the expense, spoil the child,” already has one. These characters aren’t complicated, but the sketchy characterization works to quickly motivate you to use your thieving powers for good. The story, similarly, follows a predictable path, though, like a favorite track in a racing game, The Big Con offers plenty of color along a well-worn route.

In each location, the goal is the same: steal a certain amount of money, then move onto the next area. This is accomplished by pickpocketing NPCs, a process I found needlessly confusing. Basically, it’s the kind of stop-the-needle minigame that powers games like Mario Golf. But the tutorialization here had me confused about how to do it until I was an hour into a second playthrough. Basically, you need to hold down a button to make a meter appear, then continue to hold the button as a needle bounces back-and-forth and the target area shrinks. I misunderstood this and thought that you only had one shot to land the needle in the area, and spent the entirety of my first playthrough messing this up. The tutorialization doesn’t show the minigame in action, and the explanation given is vague enough that this seems like it may be a common mistake. That said, there’s an option to turn the pickpocketing minigame off, reducing these interactions to a simple button press when you’re in close proximity to your mark, so it didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment of the game.

Gallery

Confusing or not, picking pockets is essential to advancing from area to area. Progression is tied to reaching a set dollar amount, and pickpocketing is necessary to hit it. In each location, there are several marks walking around, and each has an indicator showing the amount of cash in their pocket as you approach. If you fail the minigame and get caught, you need to change your disguise before you can attempt to pickpocket the same person again (this isn’t a concern if you disable the minigame). If you get caught three separate times, costume or no, your punishment is to rewind VHS tapes–a task Ali loathes. Humorously, wherever you go, there’s a video rental store nearby to facilitate your punishment. These bits are easy enough, and fairly painless; you just hold a button and Ali swaps out the tapes and pushes the rewind button. Completing this task earns back the money you lost by getting caught, so the only thing you really lose is time.

With the pickpocketing minigame removed, though, there’s still plenty of game here. In each level, you need to make a certain amount of cash before you can progress and you can make money in a few different ways. Pickpocketing, sure, but also by finding themed objects to sell to a pawnbroker who–like the Resident Evil 4 merchant–mans a shop at every stop along your journey. If the pawnbroker wants tropical items, a colorful lei you find in the trash might fit the bill. You find disguises in the same way, and can equip them in a menu. The pawnbroker provides a nice optional gameplay loop for each stop, and his payouts are substantially bigger than individual pickpocket scores.

There are also optional side quests where Ali can help people out; often the same people she just robbed. These detours, which are often simple fetch quests, work because The Big Con’s world is colorful, beautiful, and fun to explore. The quests themselves aren’t anything to write home about, but they work as an incentive to see more of each level and talk to each character. Nearly every level also has a PIN or padlock with a number code, with the combination hidden somewhere on the stage. I didn’t find everything in any of the levels and I’m contemplating a second playthrough to see if I could find the stuff I missed. While non-essential, these bits encouraged me to explore each level thoroughly, and I was glad to have the incentive because each area is bustling with recurring characters to talk to and hidden money troves to find. Once you hit the money threshold, you can continue to explore the area or tell Ted it’s time to move on. I enjoyed this element of choice; each section lasts for as much or as little time as you want it to.

Gallery

One small touch that I really loved is the way The Big Con handles music. Each level has one musical theme that plays for the entirety of the time that you remain in that area. But, each subsection of the level has a different take on the theme. So, while you might get one version of the theme in Bean Spirit–Las Venganza’s take on Starbucks–you’ll hear an entirely different arrangement of the same song in an upscale fashion boutique, a thrift shop, or a hotel lobby. Filmmaker Robert Altman did something similar in his 1973 adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye, with a jazz station on a car radio, a bar pianist, and a Mexican funeral band, among others, playing variations on the main theme. In The Big Con, as in Altman’s film, the differences in arrangement serve to highlight the particularities of each location where the song is heard. The default version of the tune might play as you run around Ali’s small town, whereas the local grocery store’s speakers pump out a pop rock version, and the flower shop next door plays a soothing Enya-like arrangement. It’s a smart choice that allows each of The Big Con’s areas to feel unique, while individual locations within those areas are connected by their close geography.

The Big Con is ultimately about its story, though, and it’s a story that mostly works despite an inescapable sense of familiarity. There aren’t many beats here that you haven’t seen before, and while that lends the closing hours the feeling that expected pieces are simply falling into place, the game has enough verve and style that it manages to hold it together. The writing isn’t especially funny or clever, but there’s enough personality in the art style and story conceit that I was still entertained for the bulk of the six hours that I spent with it.

The Big Con is a pleasant nostalgic road trip, where cassette tapes still need to be rewound, MTV still plays music videos, and America’s capitalist excess is exemplified by the relative quaintness of the bustling shopping mall.