Category: Video Gaming

If you enjoyed Black Mirror’s “San Junipero,” you’ll want to give a thought to “Long Long Time,” the third episode of The Last of Us on HBO Max, starring Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman in a guest role as Bill.

No, “San Junipero” doesn’t have anything to do with zombies, and “Long Long Time” doesn’t have anything to do with uploading your personality to an endless 1980s club scene. They share a far more niche category: self-contained episodes that pivot from the overall thrust of their TV series to present a sci-fi-tinged queer love story.

Back in 2016, everyone I knew was watching “San Junipero,” talking about how they hadn’t watched “San Junipero” yet, or telling me I should watch “San Junipero,” the fourth episode of the third season of Black Mirror. It’s not that I knew a lot of Black Mirror fans, it’s just that I know a lot of queer folks who enjoy genre TV. Eventually, I watched “San Junipero.” It was lovely! I’ve never seen another episode of Black Mirror.

“San Junipero” is widely considered one of the best episodes of television to come out in 2016, and is still appreciated for being basically the only episode of Black Mirror where technology is a good thing that’s nice, instead of a Twilight Zone horror. But for many, “San Junipero” is most fondly remembered because a romance-centered genre story is rare enough to see on TV, let alone one where a gay couple gets to ride off into the sunset together.

Did you enjoy what “San Junipero” did for bisexual and lesbian sci-fi fans? Would you like to see The Last of Us do it for (white) gay men?

Well then, can I interest you a 60-ish-minute short film where Nick Offerman plays a closeted survivalist in a zombie apocalypse who learns the irreplaceable value of attachment from another man’s tenderness, as you follow their relationship from its beginning through to a peaceful end in old age?

[Ed. note: The rest of this piece contains broad spoilers for “Long Long Time.”]

Also Joel and Ellie are there too, I guess, but whatever. They bookend the episode, appearing only in the beginning and end, leaving the rest for director Peter Hoar and writer Craig Mazin to spend expanding on Bill and Frank. And expand they do. Bill’s game appearance is minor, and Frank died before the player even finds out he existed. What players know is that their relationship ended badly. One can infer that they were lovers, but there’s no direct confirmation of it. The Bill and Frank (played by The White Lotus’ Murray Bartlett) of The Last of Us TV show are a near-complete retread.

Offerman frankly stuns in the role as a self-sufficient prepper who freezes like a deer when presented with the freely offered intimacy he had never dared to allow himself to need. Bill and Frank kiss, and fuck, and argue; they cook, and make art, and surprise each other with loving gifts; they find much struggle but greater joy in building out a pocket of paradise in the wasteland.

If the episode has a failure point, it’s that these guys are almost literal Log Cabin Republicans (although the log cabin is a Modern Colonial in the suburbs of Boston). Or, and I’m putting on my best Surfer Dude accent here, “Getting yours and then actively resisting creating a community to share with even though you absolutely have the resources to do so? Not (queer) radical, dude. Not (queer) radical at all.”

But this is a failure point of all of The Last of Us, game and show, in that regardless of race or creed, it molds its characters according into a lionization of the largely mythical idea of the private, isolationist homestead defended righteously against chaos.

Offerman and Bartlett’s performances are what make the episode transcend The Last of Us’ limited ideas of ideal society, turning “Long Long Time” into the best episode of the show’s first season. Time — and further seasons as they arrive — will tell if it turns out to be the best episode of the show, period.

But in the meantime, no pun intended, it can be enjoyed in isolation from the rest of The Last of Us. If you can watch the satisfying thing everybody’s talking about without signing up for hours of notoriously dour television on either side of it, well, that’s an easy sell. Stand-alone status propelled the spread of “San Junipero” across the face of queer discourse, and it may just walk “Long Long Time” into the queer sci-fi hall of fame as well.

I liked Vampire Survivors, a lot (opens in new tab). Indeed, we all liked it so much that it inspired a wave of imitators (opens in new tab), some with genuinely bright ideas and clever twists. Picayune Dreams (opens in new tab), though, which recently got a beefy free demo on Steam, is the first one to take that horde mode, bullet hell gameplay in a new direction, to repurpose it instead of just following the leader (credit to Alpha Beta Gamer (opens in new tab) for the spot).

The Vampire Survivors basics are here: you’re dropped in a big, repeating play field where more and more dangerous enemies stream in as time goes on. Beating them drops experience pickups you use to level up, with a choice of three randomly selected upgrades and new weapons to pick from demanding improvisational build crafting.

Acclaimed actress Annie Wersching has passed away at the age of 45 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

As reported by Deadline, Wersching was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, yet continued her acting career, appearing in both Star Trek: Picard and The Rookie.

Wersching is best known for her roles as Renee Walker in the show 24, as well as Leslie Dean in Marvel’s Runaways. She is also well-known for her outstanding performance as Tess Servopoulos in the 2013 PlayStation game The Last of Us.

Neil Druckmann, co-creator of The Last of Us, posted on Twitter saying, “Just found out my dear friend, Annie Wersching, passed away. We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered. Thoughts are with her loved ones.” He also posted a link to a GoFundMe that has been set up for her family.

Just found out my dear friend, Annie Wersching, passed away. We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered. Thoughts are with her loved ones.

There’s a go fund me set up for her family: https://t.co/dhvk6uOvZV

— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) January 29, 2023

Wersching is survived by her husband, actor Stephen Full, and her three children: Freddie, Ozzie, and Archie. Her husband also issued the following statement regarding her untimely passing, “There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she left us the tools to fill it. She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. ‘Go find it. It’s everywhere.’”

Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

News

Our thoughts are with her family, and we wish then the best moving forward.

Annie Wersching, the original actor responsible for portraying Tess in The Last of Us, has died due to cancer. She was 45.

The news of her passing broke on Jan. 29 via a post by The Game Awards made through their official Twitter account. The post was followed by an additional thread entry pointing attention to a GoFundMe set up to assist her husband and their three sons with the costs of outstanding medical bills and her funeral.

Any remaining funds would then go to allowing the family to adjust to no longer having Annie around, while also providing savings for future expenses that might be incurred over the course of her three sons’ lives.

The fundraiser also offered further insight into Wersching’s battle with cancer. Originally diagnosed in May of 2020, she preferred to keep her illness private and sought to pursue treatment without drawing attention to herself. She likewise wanted to make sure there her three sons’ lives, her husband’s life, and her own life weren’t disrupted any more than they already were.

“She wanted to protect her boys,” the description for the GoFundMe reads. “She wanted to get better so she could continue working. And honestly, she just didn’t really want to talk about it. She wanted to live her life, on her terms, and be with her family.”

Over the past two decades, Wersching played several small and iconic roles alike in both television and video games. Her most notable ones were that of Renee Walker in 24 in its seventh and eighth seasons and Tess in the original release of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us.

Those looking to donate to the GoFundMe made for her family can do so for the foreseeable future. It is currently set with a goal of $250,000, with over $40,000 raised so far as of this article’s publication.

The Pokémon anime has had many theme songs across its 26 year-run. But now that Ash Ketchum’s story is at an end, the tunes that have been heard are cemented as representations of each season he’s been a part of. Because of this, the Pokémon themes now carry greater weight for the fanbase, who already get a kick out of the diverse nature of these tracks.

The tracks always carry a message that generally sums up what the seasons are supposed to be about. Some talk about the power of friendship, while others touch on the battle aspect of the anime. No matter what the underlying theme is, they all carry a real sense of fun and wholesome quality. It’s worth looking back at the best songs to remember how Pokémon gets fans hyped before each episode, and to that end, these are our picks for the top 10 best Pokémon opening themes ranked from catchy to iconic.

10. Pokémon Johto (Johto Journeys)

Pokémon Johto goes for a fun-filled tone with its theme song.

Ash and his friends happily explore the Johto region to an upbeat and happy theme that focuses on the fun that comes with traveling with friends. The Pokémon Johto theme also evokes a sense of wonder in the listener, as the lyrics promise a whole new world with new Pokémon.

It might not evoke the most intense atmosphere, but the song captures the family-friendly sentiment that Pokémon is so well known for. Even those who aren’t diehard fans of the Pokémon anime series will find their curiosity piqued at how the track plays out.

9. Journey To Your Heart (Master Journeys)

Pokémon Master Journeys has an amped-up track to usher in Ash’s penultimate story in the anime.

It boasts an innocent atmosphere, with its lyrics talking about the power of friendship. But the goodhearted sentiment works, especially since the theme song has a hard-hitting style.

Ash and Goh are shown enjoying the Pokémon world for all it has to offer, with the track taking on a fast tone as it nears its conclusion. The song hammers this home by assuring listeners that there might be many challenges in the Pokémon world, but it’s about enjoying the ride along the way.

8. Black and White (Black and White)

Unlike other themes, Pokémon Black and White takes risks with its opening through the use of 3D visuals alongside its opening song.

The idea is to show that all the Pokémon happily coexist with each other even if they are of different types. As the music picks up, so does the video gain color, and all the Pokémon fall into place.

The theme song itself has a heartwarming quality to it, with the music carrying a soft composition even when it picks up in pace. Black and White’s lyrics back this all up, talking about how difficult it is to maintain friendships but that the journey is worth going through with people by your side.

7. Believe In Me (Master Quest)

Earlier Pokémon themes are geared more toward the idea of victory, which Master Quest embraces beautifully.

The song isn’t that different from earlier ones as it starts out, but the ending kicks things into high gear. The visuals of the video help in delivering this as several legendary Pokémon make appearances.

As this season is the last one in the original series, Master Quest’s theme carries a note of finality. The idea is for Ash and fans of the anime to remember the journey so far while gearing up for the culmination of the story.

6. Unbeatable (Advanced Battle)

Pokémon Advanced Battle goes for a catchier beat fans can get excited by.

The theme rocks out from start to finish, having no dips or lulls in-between. The video highlights all the opponents Ash will have to go through in his quest, which perfectly complements the adrenaline-pumping music.

It lacks the warmhearted sentiment certain others thrive on, but Advanced Battle still succeeds by setting the proper tone for the season. Its chorus has the potential to get stuck in the listener’s head because of its catchy tune too, which helps make sure fans won’t forget it anytime soon.

5. Stand Up! (Galactic Battles)

Pokémon Galactic Battles’ theme song combines the fun element of the series with the outline of overcoming challenges.

The lyrics are slightly more serious due to their referencing moving through adversities, but the delivery and music remain optimistic throughout. The accompanying video is also uplifting with the characters racing toward their goals, all while Ash, Dawn, and Brock stick together through every challenge that comes their way.

It’s a great track to understand how the Pokémon experience is supposed to be. There’s a big fight feel hovering around since this season is about Ash and his friends finding their footing in Sinnoh, and Galactic Battles’ theme sums up why Ash, Dawn, and Brock make for one of the better trios of traveling companions in the wider series.

4. With You (Ultimate Journeys)

Pokémon Ultimate Journeys is the last theme song in Ash’s story, and carries an appropriately comforting style.

There’s a genuine feeling of love and friendship here, as the song talks about the strength in the bonds Ash has made. The theme’s video shows Ash and Goh across the Pokémon world with their other acquaintances, ending with the boys jumping in delight.

It comes across as a love letter to the listener with its melodious beat. The song is like a warm hug to the fans, who can feel a sense of relatability thanks to the lyrics. It doesn’t evoke the battle atmosphere of some other openings, but its warm nature makes that easy to overlook.

3. It’s Always You And Me (Adventures In Unova And Beyond)

Pokémon Adventures in Unova and Beyond is the last season Ash has with Iris and Cilan, and has a note of completeness to it.

Bolstered by the lyrics, there’s an underlying theme of continuing to put up a fight even when things get difficult. It touches upon friendship as a main aspect of the series, but also contains a great sentiment of camaraderie thanks to its upbeat music.

The song is a marriage of all the best parts of the Pokémon anime. Listeners can’t help but feel more positive and happy from this one, especially since it keeps ticking up in terms of energy until the very end.

2. We Will Be Heroes (Diamond and Pearl)

Diamond and Pearl’s We Will Be Heroes is an ideal example of a Pokémon theme selling the series’ core ideas of friendship and comradery, but isn’t without a hint of melancholy.

The theme is designed to make fans feel emotional about Ash and his friends sticking together in their journey, hammering home how integral they’ve been to each other’s success and their enjoyment of their adventures together. The emotional wave continues as the song goes on, weaving in and out with its optimistic high notes. The singer’s voice is suited to delivering the heartwarming rendition that this theme is too, with a tone that’s equal parts joyful and nostalgic.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s video shows how far-reaching the Pokémon world is too, which goes great with the track. This season was when Dawn fully settled in as a companion to Ash and Brock too, so the wholesome style of the song and visuals is appropriately suited to the dynamic the friends established.

1. Gotta Catch ‘Em All (Indigo League & XY)

While the quality of all the songs is subjective, there’s no doubt that the original Pokémon theme is the most iconic. It represents the Pokémon anime as a whole to the world, remaining the song that is recognizable to millions.

Moreover, the lyrics capture what Ash’s quest is about and how Pokémon function in general. It manages to strike a perfect balance of intensity and positivity with rocking instrumentals and lyrics that speak to the importance of teamwork between trainer and Pokémon. This is matched by visuals which offer everything from scenes of Ash with his Pokémon and friends to explosions and flashy attacks from battles.

The opening is designed to enliven the spirit of fans listening on, gradually raising its tone until the all-out climax. The song is so effective that a remix was even used for the Pokemon XY season, while an instrumental version is used for the final arc of Pokemon Journeys.

If you aren’t able to watch the first episode of The Last of Us through Sky’s services, but want to check the show out, you can now watch the first episode for free.

HBO’s live action adaptation of The Last of Us is doing very well for itself. It’s already been renewed for a second season, despite only having two episodes out in the wild so far, but that’s not too surprising considering it’s HBO’s second biggest debut ever. While viewers in the US can easily watch it on HBO Max after it airs on HBO, it’s a bit tougher to watch in the UK, as you need to do so at 2am on Sky Atlantic, before being made available to stream on NOW. Not everyone has access to this though, so you might be happy to hear the first episode is free to watch on Sky’s YouTube channel right now.

It’s the entire episode in crisp-enough 1080p, serving as a pretty good way for anyone that isn’t subscribed to Sky or NOW to try the show out. Plus, anyone that isn’t familiar with the games can try it out too, since it’s a big win all round. This follows the first episode being made free to stream on HBO Max for those in the US.

The third episode, airing later today, is supposed to be a favourite according to early reviews of the series, which features Nick Offerman as a guest star, who portrays Bill. In the game a lot of Bill’s backstory was just kind of implied, but the show is set to expand upon that in much greater detail.

Obviously with the show still yet to air its finale, when that second season will arrive is anyone’s guess, and no one knows how much of the second game it will cover.

You can check out the first episode through YouTube via the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGMFpLIcyE

Developers seem to be willing to apply deckbuilding mechanics to every genre and setting these days. At first, this seemed a little faddish, but as designers relax into it, some interesting, thoughtful hybrids are emerging.

One such example is Mahokenshi (out now on Steam), a tactics game set in a world of Japanese-style folklore from French studio Game Source. It’s not that Mahokenshi does anything revolutionary with its card game elements, but the care with which the developer has integrated deckbuilding into every element of the game — not just combat, but exploration and adventuring, too — is very pleasing.

It’s not worth spending too much time on the setting. You control magic-wielding samurai from four elemental schools as they battle cultists and goblins across some mystical islands. There’s some nice artwork, especially on the card illustrations, and the miniaturized maps of temples, forests, and little warring figures have a bonsai-like quality. But, coming as it does from a Western studio, it smacks a little of a kind of reverential but generalized Orientalism that is falling out of favor. There’s nothing offensive here — just a vague, borrowed mysticism that doesn’t seem deeply connected to the game itself.

As a tactics game, Mahokenshi is relatively lightweight, but fun. Missions play out on hex-based maps where you direct your samurai to explore and battle. You spend the card-game staple of energy when moving or playing cards, and it’s fixed (to begin with, you have four energy per turn) rather than building over time, although there are ways to increase it later in the game. Tiles have different properties — standing in a forest boosts your defense, while mountains increase attack rating — and also contain chests of gold, new cards to add to your hand, and locations like villages, dojo, and castles, where you can boost your cards or your character in various ways. Because everything depends on energy, you’re always balancing the rewards of exploration against defense and engagement, usually with one eye on a turn limit for the mission. It’s solid risk-reward design. Some of the cleverest card designs entwine all the game’s systems at once, combining movement with attack or defense skills in concepts like Fly or Charge.

Image: Game Source Studio/Iceberg Interactive

As a card game, Mahokenshi has a twist, in that it’s not really a deckbuilder in the long run. Every mission resets your deck to a few basic starter cards, and you need to build a new deck on the fly through exploration and buying cards from villages. This is quite refreshing, in a way — it means Mahokenshi is a game of improvisation and thinking on the fly, rather than theorycrafting your way to a perfect build. It makes the game quite immediate and approachable in the early stages, too.

But it also essentially doubles the influence of randomness on the outcome of your mission. Not only is the order you draw your cards each turn down to chance, but so, to a considerable degree, is the selection of cards you’ll have to draw from. As missions get tougher, this can be a problem. Some might find Mahokenshi too capricious as a result, but it certainly keeps the game both interesting and light on its feet.

As deckbuilding burrows deeper into every corner of video game design, it’s popping up in ever more varied places and getting bent into ever more interesting shapes. As amalgamations go, Mahokenshi is a refreshing one to build on.