Gaming Reviews: Asterix & Obelix. XXL2

Release date: June 30th 2006 (original PlayStation 2 release). November 29th 2018 (remastered PlayStation 4 release).

Type of game: Beat them up, adventure, comedy, cartoon.

Platforms: Originally release on the PS2 and Windows in 2006, it was later remastered with new graphics for the PS4, Xbox one, Nintendo Switch, and Windows (only through Steam).

Story: A rouge Roman spy named Sam Shieffer tells Asterix and Obelix that their druid friend Getafix has joined with the Romans and had helped Julius Caesar capture three other druids. Asterix doesn't believe Sam saying that Getafix wouldn't do such a thing and so he sets off with Obelix and Dogmatix to rescue him and the other druids. Who are all located at this new city that the romans have nearly finished building. A city that is centred around fun and games... named Las Vegum.

My thoughts: I never thought that there was a video game based on the Asterix comics until I found the original PS2 version in a used game section in a cheap shop. And I like it a lot. The idea of an ancient roman Las Vegas is quite interesting. They based the casinos on places that the Romans have conquered. Lutetia (the capital of ancient Gaul), Little Venetia (a parody of Venice), LuckSore (ancient Egypt), WCW, Pirate Island, and finally SeizeUs Palace. Also the Roman soldiers are dressed up as classic video game characters (including Mario, Sonic the hedgehog, Pac-man, Rayman, and there is also a centurion named Larry Craft).

Gameplay: Your mission is to visit every place in Las Vegum and rescue the captured druids. You will also have to face a final boss which is a gigantic super soldier (which the druids were forced to create). You can also collect helmets and use them to buy character upgrades and extra stuff. And also Asterix can use the magic potion which gives you extra abilities.

Any dislikes?: The fact that you'll have to fight off seemingly endless waves of enemies can get annoying. Also when you die, you'll loose every single helmet that you had collected. This is worse in the boss battles when you had collected every item available in the arena, yet get killed and you've lost everything and there is no way that you can get it back. Another annoying thing is that the Mario soldiers shoot water that can force you backwards. Which is frustrating when you are also surrounded by enemies.

My score: Four stars.

Scary story 7.

It comes at night.

Listen. Can you hear it? That faint clicking noise. Yes, you can hear it. That means only one thing… it is back again. I can hear it while laying in bed, trying to get some sleep. It’s getting closer by the minute.

What ever it is, it keeps coming over to my house at night. It then wonders around my home and then goes back to wherever it came from. All the while making that horrible clicking noise. I tried my best to ignore it, but it isn’t easy. Oh god… I can hear the gate opening and the slamming shut.

It is now at the bottom of the drive. I can hear it walking on the gravel. Getting closer and closer by the second. Thank god that I always lock the doors and windows before going to bed. That thing has tried to get inside in the past, but luckily it gives up easily.

I am now hiding underneath my covers, trying my best to ignore it. I can hear it wondering underneath my bedroom window. How the hell does it know that that’s my bedroom window, I have no idea. I can sense it looking up at it. All the while continuing that vile clicking. Why does it target me and not the other houses in the village? Surely everyone else can hear the loud clicking.

It is now trying the front door handle. I can hear it rattling as the thing is trying to force the door open. But luckily, it is strong, and it won’t give way easily.

You may be wondering, why don’t I just grab a weapon and kill it? Well the answer is simple… I have already tried to do that in the past. But it is smart. It hides when ever I go outside and there is a chance that it would try and get inside the house while I am outside. And I rather not want that to happen.

Oh… it’s given up now. I can hear it walking away now. The clicking is becoming fainter now. Finally, I can get some sleep now. Until the next night that it comes back. Back to torment me more…. Oh wait… Did I close the basement window? Oh havens above I didn’t! I have to quickly run down and… Oh no! It’s inside the house! The clicking is coming up the stairs! I have to quickly hide before…

Film Review: Blackadder Back and Forth.

Release date: 6th December 1999.

Story: On New Years eve 1999, Lord Edmund Blackadder invites Archbishop Melchett, Archdeacon Kevin Darling, Major George, and Lady Elisabeth for the celebrations. Where he tells them that he and Baldrick have invented a working time machine. And places bets on which historic item that his guests would like to have. But in reality, it is a con in order for Blackadder and Baldrick to get some money. But things become weird when it turns out that Baldrick had indeed invented a real time machine.

My thoughts: I like this tv movie. It is great to see the current incarnation of Blackadder and Baldrick traveling through time and encounter historic characters. Only for them to act themselves and, after returning back to their time, to find out that they have seriously altered history in a bad way. So if you like time travel comedies, then I would recommend giving this a watch.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder's Christmas Carol.

Release date: 23rd December 1988.

Story: In a parody of the Charles Dicken's story, Ebenezer Blackadder is the most kind and generous man in Britain. And sadly everyone keeps taking advantage of him. Until one night, he has a visit by the Spirit of Christmas, who tells him about his past incarnations and what horrible people they were. This then sets in motion that will change Ebenezer Blackadder forever.

My thoughts: What I like about this Christmas special is that Blackadder started off as a kind person. But then changed into a bad and selfish man that we all know. Which is a complete reversal of the original character in A Christmas Carol. Also there is an interesting part where Blackadder asks to see the future. And we are shown where if Blackadder is bad, his descendances will rule the entire universe. But if he remains good, they'll just ends up being a slave to Baldrick's descendant. Also Robbie Coltrane is great as the spirit of Christmas.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder. The Cavalier years.

Release date: 5th February 1988.

Story: In 1648, King Charles the first has lost the English civil war, and is in hiding at Blackadder hall. Where Lord Blackadder and his assistant Baldrick remain loyal to him. But Oliver Cromwell soon finds him and takes him to the Tower of London.

My thoughts: This 15 minute one off was a special created for the first ever Comic Relief day. Stephen Fry based his interpretation of Charles the first on the current Prince Charles. And it is interesting how Blackadder quickly change his plans from rescuing King Charles to how to get his hands on his money and wealth.

My score: Three stars.

TV Review: Blackadder goes fourth.

Release date: 28th September - 2nd November 1989.

Story: Captain Edmund Blackadder commands a group of British soldiers in the trenches of World War one. Though he would rather avoid the big push (when they finally go over the top). Along with Private Baldrick and Lieutenant George, Blackadder has to put with constant attacks from the enemy lines and having to deal with his superiors Captain Darling and General Melchett.

My thoughts: This was the first Blackadder series I have ever seen. It may still be a comedy, but this series throws some realism into it. The last episode is the best remembered. Mainly due to the fact that Blackadder and co finally go over the top. Which, with the slow motion, a minimal and downbeat piano version of the theme tune, and then the scene fades to a poppy field with birds chirping, has become not only one of the most remembered finals in tv show history, but a great tribute to all those who have served their countries during the war.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder the third.

Release date: 17th September - 20th October 1987 (six episodes).

Story: In this reincarnation, Edmund Blackadder is the butler to the Prince of Wales George the fourth. And shows what life is like in late 18th century Britain with his sidekick Baldrick.

My thoughts: This is my favourite series in the Blackadder series. Even though they mention historic events in the wrong order (such as the case in the whole run of the show), it is both funny and witty.

My score: Four stars.