Month: December 2014

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Video Games

Tales from the Borderlands – Episode One Review: There Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked

tales-from-the-borderlands-episode-one-headerI’ve never really been a big first-person shooter fan. Maybe it’s coming from a console background in my youth rather than PC but I was never really into FPSs. So I’ve never been into the Borderlands franchise. Sure, I’ve got some ten hours into the first game and my sister knows the franchise inside and out (she’s the FPS player in the family) but I’ve never been compelled to keep going with those games.

That being said, I’m a big fan of the last couple of years of content from Telltale Games. While I haven’t had time to get to The Wolf Among Us (though I hear it’s fantastic), The Walking Dead seasons have been absolutely fantastic so of course I’m going to pick up the next game from Telltale. So can a merger of genres and developers that may not necessarily work at first glance come together to make another Telltale and Gearbox classic?

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Man Lab

Man Lab Showdown: Taylor Swift vs. Selena Gomez

Normally when we put together a Man Lab Showdown, there’s some sort of topical theme that helps us pick the two combatants. In this instance, it’s a birthday and a friendship that has given inspiration to this month’s Showdown poll and I think that it just might go down as an all-time favourite among our readership.

In one corner is the birthday girl. Turning 25 on December 13th and having almost as many high-profile breakups that have spawned his albums is Taylor Swift. In the other corner is one of her best friends who most would think would be best served by having her own high profile breakup, Selena Gomez.

taylor-swift-selena-gomez-01

More pictures and the poll after the jump.

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Man Lab

Man Lab: Ten Manliest Cocktails 2014

From talking to people around town, I’m probably a week late with this year’s cocktail power rankings. So if your first Christmas / “holiday” party was last weekend, hopefully you just referred to last year’s list. The classics don’t really go out of style. It’s just that some are more in vogue in a given year.

But here we are again. It’s always such a pleasure. Remember when you’re at a formal function to not crack open that bottle of Coors Light. It doesn’t look good when you’re in that suit and there’s an unfortunate stigma about a man drinking a generic glass of wine. That’s why we’re here to help you get out of your comfort zone and give you some drink ideas for your next unnecessarily formal function.

As we do every year, here is our list of the top ten manliest drinks that aren’t beer or wine that you get away with drinking at a formal function.

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Report

elizabeth-henstridge-gqmoty14-01The Newsroom catches a lot of flak, mostly from TV critics and Republicans, but it does illustrate an important point. Where would society be without news media doing actual reporting? Social media and crowdsourced reporting will only get you so far. Today’s link show the importance of a healthy fourth estate.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday so it’s time for the links. Since Agents of SHIELD wrapped up its first half last night, here’s Elizabeth Henstridge.

Have you wondered why beer prices are so terrible in Ontario? The Brewers’ Retail, AKA The Beer Store, has an amazing sweetheart deal with the Government of Ontario that gives them a ridiculously powerful legislated monopoly over beer sales. (Toronto Star)

The US Senate Intelligence Committee released its report on the CIA’s torture practices. Here are seven key takeaways from it. (New York Times)

Fifty-four other countries, including Canada, were involved in a CIA program that ran alongside the torture program. They may not have been involved with the actual torture but it seems a bit close for comfort. (Vox)

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Video Games

Game Trailers Roundup: December 9, 2014

Apparently Friday’s The Game Awards was actually not terrible. After how many years of laughable VGAs and last year’s VGX (which was only redeemable by Joel McHale undermining the whole thing), it took Keighley putting his own money on the line to get something closer to a proper awards show.

Of course, this can’t be a Keighley produced award show with a whole pile of trailers and gameplay exclusive videos. While I might run the gameplay exclusives later, I do have a whole pile of trailers today. By my count, there are 13 trailers for just released, announced or upcoming games for you to watch. Chances are you will find something to watch in here.

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Humour

Facebook Fails of the Week

Every so often, we look at the most spectacular fails that the internet has to offer. Well today, we look at the most spectacular fails that Facebook has to offer. This week, we have five of the best fails Facebook has to offer.

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Sunday Link-Off: The Old Republic

isabeli-fontana-leonisa14-01It’s been an interesting week in the world of news. A 100-year-old news publication was gutted by someone who thought they knew better. Racism is almost as hot button an issue as it has ever been. Rolling Stone’s rape story fell apart just as the hockey press has seen a bunch of sexual harassment stories come to light. There’s no shortage of stories to read this week.

So let’s not waste any more time. Here’s Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana.

The New Republic is dead (effectively). Long live The New Republic. (The Daily Beast)

Hands up is quickly becoming something more than a sign of surrender. It’s a plea for justice and quality. (The Baffler)

While systemic racism in law enforcement is tearing America apart right now, an entire half of the political spectrum is fanning those flames by blaming the victims. (The Guardian)

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Entertainment Link-Off: Rising Tide

maria valverde exodus gods and kings premiereIf you’re in Australia this weekend, you get a first look at Exodus Gods and Kings a week ahead of the folks in North America. You can also catch Maria Valverde in the film, so let’s kick off the ELO with her.

After the jump, some news on Bond 24, Ryan Reynolds just might be getting his wish to play Deadpool, some more tidbits on Edgar Wright’s falling out with Marvel, Chris Rock writes about the race problem in Hollywood, Stephen Colbert explains how the new light saber works and finally Nick Offerman shares how whisky keeps his heart ticking. Continue reading →

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Basketball Pro Management 2015 Review: Brick

basketball-pro-management-2015-headerWhile I did a lot of sports gaming in my teenage years (who didn’t?), one sports I’ve never really been into is basketball games. That’s not to say that I haven’t watched basketball. I did see the Malice at the Palace on local TV. I know enough to have called a few basketball games (including a provincial championship) for radio in university. Most importantly, basketball was by a Canadian so it’s really in my blood.  So it’s not like I don’t understand basketball.

That preamble doesn’t mean that I understand this basketball video game. Unlike the NBA Lives and NBA 2Ks that I’ve played in the past, Basketball Pro Management 2015 doesn’t put you on the court. Similar to the Football Manager series, Basketball Pro Management takes you off the court and onto the sideline and in the front office of a basketball franchise. I’ve played games close to BPM15 and enjoyed them but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Video Games

Steam Launches Steam Broadcasting Streaming Service

steam-broadcasting-headerThe biggest digital store and the most popular game client in gaming isn’t enough for Valve. Last year, Steam announced the launch of their own operating system, controller and Steam-branded Steam Machine gaming PCs for the living room. Now, Steam is taking on Twitch with its latest project.

This week, Steam announced Steam Broadcasting, a new streaming service that will let you watch people play games in and through the Steam client.

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