Month: April 2022

We’ve made it through the busiest part of the early video game calendar. While the idea of a “slow season” for gaming is a thing of the past, with must-play titles coming out every month, what really defined the early parts of gaming in 2022 were all of the AAA releases. Among those were a handful of indie darlings that could easily compete for game of the year at the end of 2022, but there will surely be more contenders to come.

We understand that keeping up with every game that comes out is really difficult, so we rounded up the five best games of 2022 so far. These are the can’t miss titles of the year through the first three or so months, and whether you’re the person who plays every game they can or only plays one or two, we think these should be given an honest try — some of them are even available on services like Game Pass.

Elden Ring

Everyone has heard about Elden Ring by now. It was the first smash hit of the year and immediately took the internet by storm with its mix of intensely difficult combat, endless world, and memes. While it was maybe not the most approachable game, despite its reputation, the majority of people who have played Elden Ring have come away elated. There’s something about this world that hooks you in and makes it really difficult to leave.

Elden Ring is the early favorite for game of the year for most people, but that’s not why you should play it. It’s a world with endless potential and those who are willing to dive into it and spend numerous hours bashing their head into its challenges are going to receive a reward that many of us are still seeking. Elden Ring isn’t for everyone, but for that lucky few there are few games they’re going to love more than this one.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was the promised 3D adventure that many fans of the series have been asking for since the Nintendo 64. While the game is still largely linear, and candidly doesn’t take advantage of its 3D environment enough, it is still a fantastic adventure and one of the best Kirby games to date. What’s wonderful about Kirby and the Forgotten Land is that, despite its change in style, it is still a Kirby game at heart. That means it’s welcoming to newcomers, but has a level of depth that will make Kirby fans want to 100 percent the game.

As a result, while Kirby and the Forgotten Land has a lot of missed potential, it’s also one of the best games of the year simply due to how well it nails the transition to 3D. It has a really fun pick up and play co-op option with Bandana Dee, and the explorers among us aren’t going to rest until we find every secret each level has to unlock. Play this game on your own, with a significant other, family member, sibling, or really anyone. It’s going to be endless fun no matter what and is one of the best games of 2022 so far.

Infernax

Infernax came to us with a simple goal: Take inspiration from games like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, put a modern spin on them, then watch as it becomes one of the best retro-inspired games in recent memory. Infernax takes everything that was unique or creative about those two games, but does them in a much improved way. The combat is snappier and the movement is better, but it doesn’t lose any of that original challenge that makes retro games feel so memorable. Of course, for anyone that finds it may be a little too hard, there is a less difficult option to give these players an opportunity to experience the entire game.

This is great, because finishing the game is only one part of the journey for Infernax. The game has multiple endings, including a few secret ones, and even cheat codes. One of the best cheat codes involves the Konami Code, and while we won’t spoil it here, we strongly suggest putting it in at the start menu. It’s worth it for any longtime fans of retro gaming, which is what makes Infernax one of the best games of the year so far. It’s a love letter to the NES era in a way that all of us can appreciate. It’s also available on Game Pass for anyone that wants to try it.

Tunic

Tunic is going to make you yell “AH HA OF COURSE” more than any other game on this list. That’s because Tunic is a game where the entirety of the fun comes in exploration and discovery. The player’s main goal, besides completing the main quest, is completing a map that shows shortcuts and alternative routes for the player. The fun of Tunic is that all of these shortcuts are available from the start, but they’re hidden in plain sight. If the player is exploratory, they might even stumble upon a part of the game they’re not supposed to be at yet very early on.

This level of exploration has made Tunic a quick favorite and it’s already receiving comparisons to other huge hits like Dark Souls and Death’s Door. One aspect that separates it from the Souls-inspired games its being compared to, though, is that Tunic has a no-fail mode. Having a hard time with the bosses and combat? Just turn that on and enjoy exploring the game. It’s plenty of fun with that option alone. Tunic is spectacular and a great game to scratch that exploration itch. Try it out on Game Pass!

NORCO

NORCO is the most well-written game of 2022 so far. As a point and click adventure, this is obviously a game that was going to live and die on its writing, but the subtlety of its themes alongside a gripping and emotional story is going to have players hanging on every word. Joining them on the journey is also one of the most beautiful games you’ll ever play. The southern gothic art style of the very real Norco, Louisana fits the game’s themes perfectly.

While NORCO wasn’t completely out of nowhere — it was shown off at a couple of games showcases and was the first game to win an award at the Tribeca Film Festival — it caught a lot of the gaming community by surprise. Even some of its biggest supporters before launch are surprised at how much it is resonating with them. It’s early surprise and it’s available on Game Pass for anyone that wants to play it.

Latto‘s 777 is absolutely rolling and showing no signs of slowing down. Two weeks after the release of her second studio album, the Atlanta rapper took a break from her Monster Energy Outbreak Tour to perform a pair of songs on The Tonight Show. While her playing “Big Energy” comes as no surprise, considering it’s her biggest single to date at No. 3 on the Hot 100, she also throws in her verse from the 777 standout “Sunshine,” which features Lil Wayne and Childish Gambino on the album.

Opening with “Sunshine,” Latto begins the performance sitting on a stool with a huge, elegant-looking dressing gown on. Backed by a team of backup dancers, she almost looks like the leader of a praise team, which works well with the gospel references throughout the song. As the song picks up, she stands to roam the stage, bopping along with the live band’s rendition of the song’s beat. The stage clears for the second half of the medley, as Latto removes the gown while the band vamps, and when she returns, she is joined by a pair of dancers who perform some vibrant choreography for the Mariah Carey-sampling “Big Energy.”

You can watch Latto’s Tonight Show performance of “Sunshine” and “Big Energy” above.

James Gunn recently took some heat for a Peacemaker finale scene, in which he, uh, amplified those rumors that Jason Momoa’s Aquaman does things with fish. One can bet, though, that The Boys will never shy away from similarly offensive jokes about Chace Crawford’s The Deep, who has always adopted a more blatantly perverted spin on Aquaman from the start. And from the sound of things, The Deep gets even more depraved in Season 3.

That might sound hard to believe, given that the guy’s already showed off his tan lines in a sexually harassing way, and he’s endured gill action and even talked with his gills and then looked for redemption in (of all places) a Scientology-like cult. Yet as Jensen Ackles revealed to Entertainment Weekly (and Crawford did not deny), the Gossip Girl actor immediately thought his career might be over after what The Deep does next:

Jensen Ackles, who joins the cast as the Captain America-esque supe Soldier Boy, cited a text message he received from Crawford.

“I remember reading that stuff [in the script] and you sent me a text message. And I have to go find it, but I think it was something like, ‘I don’t know how I’m gonna be able to work after this,’” Ackles said.

“I think I did send that,” Crawford confirmed.

So, it’s more potentially abrasive than The Deep’s CPR lesson and more embarrassing than that calendar shot to promote Season 1? I hope they tell us more, but in the coming months, we should hear several more earfuls.

The Boys returns to Amazon on June 3.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

Idiosyncratic Swedish rapper and Drain Gang associate Yung Lean released his new mixtape Stardust today, following 2020’s critically-acclaimed Starz. It’s full of features from friends like Skrillex, Bladee (who also just unveiled a new record, Crest, recently), Ecco2k, FKA Twigs, Thaiboy Digital, and Ant Wan. The songs stick to his signature synthy sound underneath his deadpan mumble-rap.

“Bliss” is the ecstatic, bass-driven collaboration with Twigs, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, and it opens up Stardust as the most upbeat track. Barnett’s high-pitched vocals give it an ethereal hyperpop edge while she sings about hedonism: “I want your bliss on bliss and little company / I only want it when it feels like this.” The track comes with a music video that matches the track’s chaotic vibe; it’s lo-fi and steamy, with Lean and Barnett in the back of an old car, dressed up for a wedding. At one point, Lean is rapping on a couch that’s on top of the car. It vaguely resembles something like an episode of Skins.

Barnett returned with more FKA Twigs material earlier this year with a mixtape titled Caprisongs, a play on her astrological sign, Capricorn. It followed her 2019 opus Magdalene, and proved her progress into a more unique style.

Watch the video for “Bliss” above.

As Dr. Oz continues his senate run in Pennsylvania (which is not going so well for him), the TV physician has disclosed his earnings in a new filing that reveals just how much he pulled in for his controversial guest hosting stint on Jeopardy! in 2020. According to the documents, Oz earned “roughly $269,000.” However, the payment was diverted to an undisclosed charity because Dr. Oz already made a considerable amount of money from his day job and royalties.

Via The Wrap:

Other notable figures include a $2 million salary for “The Dr. Oz Show,” along with more than $7 million in ownership interest from Oz Media. He also received more than $330,000 in royalties from Columbia University for his part in developing the cardiovascular device MitraClip. The researcher also has assets totaling in the tens of millions, including stocks in Amazon and Microsoft, as well as various real estate holdings and LLCs. Oz also owns a cattle farm, which he purchased in December of last year.

Like his senate run, Oz’s stint on Jeopardy! was mired with controversy. Due to his well-known history of pushing highly questionable medical advice, fans of the beloved game show considered Oz’s presence an insult to the late Alex Trebek. A petition from over 600 former contestants even sought to get Oz’s episodes shut down before they aired, but to no avail.

“We’ve seen writers and judges frantically cross-reference answers in real time to make sure that the facts are accurate,” the contestants wrote. “To then invite Dr. Oz to guest-host is a slap in the face to all involved.”

(Via The Wrap)

As Britney Spears gets to work on writing her book, she has been especially open on Instagram when it comes to criticizing her family and discussing what her life was like during her conservatorship, which she did more of yesterday on Instagram (as Billboard reports) in a now-deleted post.

In the post, Spears notes she wasn’t allowed to “go to a spa,” “drive my own car,” and “walk out my front door.” She also claims she was held “in a chair for like 10 hours a day.” Spears also wrote, “Thanks to nobody but me for realizing taking all the freedoms that give a woman confidence is not only wrong … it’s immoral !!!!”

She also wrote that driving again has given her a newfound sense of freedom, saying, “it is EYE OPENING the psychology in still being able to drive alone the past year !!! I don’t feel like an old helpless lady anymore !!!”

Read Spears’ full post, which features an abundance of middle finger emojis, below.

“When you finally can drive alone …..and keep going !!!! Thanks to nobody but me for realizing taking all the freedoms that give a woman confidence is not only wrong … it’s immoral !!!! My family HAD NO IDEA not allowing me to go to a spa … drive my own car … walk out my front door was wrong … and they definitely had NO idea that it was completely wrong to hold a woman in a chair for like 10 hours a day !!!! Since I’ve had TO UNDERSTAND THEY WERE “INNOCENT” AND DIDN’T KNOW …. well I have a message from me to you … this little bunny says [middle finger emojis] !!!!! Pss … family and friends … it is EYE OPENING the psychology in still being able to drive alone the past year !!! I don’t feel like an old helpless lady anymore !!! THANK YOU for giving me what I so hardly worked for … a life … freedom … character through confidence !!! Although not one person put a hand out … I got to SAY IT AGAIN TODAY and honestly probably until the day I die but unfortunately now that the bunny ME is alive … I’m not going anywhere so send all that love right back [middle finger emojis] Thank you Jesus for understanding the aliveness I feel with God speed !!! Thank you for allowing me to wake up today and remember my value and worth !!! Although that is 100 percent a threat at this time because I was manipulated in believing I wasn’t valued !!! So now that I know and I believe we are all starting to understand a LITTLE BIT BETTER … guess what [middle finger emojis] I have one little message for you … do you know this number ??? Do we NOT KNOW ????”

The first time we wrote about Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul potentially making cameos on Better Call Saul was in 2013, nearly two years before the spinoff series premiered. Fifty episodes later, they still haven’t dropped by. Oops!

To be fair, Cranston was spotted on the Saul set and has been teasing an appearance from Walter White for years, so it seemed inevitable. But then came the movie, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, and as co-creator Peter Gould said, “I like to think that we don’t have as much of an obligation to have Walt and Jesse back in Better Call Saul because they’re such a great appearance in El Camino.”

So, about that…

“It would be a damn shame if the show ended without [Cranston and Paul] appearing, would it not?” co-creator Vince Gilligan told Variety ahead of the Saul season six premiere. “You heard it here first.” Tough to misinterpret that, although don’t be surprised if they appear in the background of some scene, like when Abed from Community popped up on Cougar Town. That’s something that rascal Vince Gilligan would do.

Gilligan also told Deadline that his next show is “something really different” from Breaking Bad and Saul. “It’s a remake of [M*A*S*H spinoff] Trapper John, M.D.,” he added. Gilligan was joking, but with his track record, he could find a way to make a gritty reboot of B.J. and the Bear one of the best shows on TV.

(Via Variety and Deadline)

The season one finale of Severance ends abruptly, just as pivotal moments for its main characters are about to unfold. It’s a rude way to end a season, but it is so well choreographed between the writing, performing, and Ben Stiller’s excellent directing that it works. The best season finales in television history confidently strike a balance between satisfaction and the unknown. They wrap up story arcs you spent so much time watching but when everything is fine, they leave you with something incomplete so you’re somewhere in between satisfied and desperate.

AMC’s Mad Men was one of the best at this. In particular, its season four finale “Tomorrowland” wrapped up major plotlines that unfolded throughout the season, only to end with Don Draper proposing to Megan Calvet, the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce receptionist who only had a few lines and accompanied his family on a trip to California. “Tomorrowland” ended at the precise moment: when you’re happy with what you saw but eager to see what comes next.

The season one finale of Severance, called “The We We Are” follows all the beats that make a great season finale but at the same time, it pushes against expectations by ending with a great deception. Despite its antics, the season and its finale are so well done that the painful cliffhanger works because it doesn’t feel cheap. Every moment is earned, making it a modern masterpiece.

Severance follows Mark (Adam Scott), a severed employee at the corporation Luman Industries. Severed employees undergo a procedure that gives them the ability to keep their work and personal lives completely separate: Mark is the same person, but he does not recall his personal life at work, and he does not recall his work life in his personal life. At the beginning of the season, one of Mark’s co-workers, Peter, leaves the company. His replacement, Helly (Britt Lower), is not adjusting well to working at Luman. Helly’s presence at the company jumpstarts Mark and their other colleagues Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Irving (John Turturro) to investigate Lumon’s practices and discover more about their lives outside of Lumon Industries.

In “The We We Are,” the group of misfit Lumon employees executes the impossible: Dylan activates the work personas of Mark, Helly, and Irving while they are outside of Lumon. Mark activates while he is at a party, Helly activates just before she is about to give a pro-severance speech, and Irving activates while he is at home. The filmmaking is intentionally tense, with the camera tightly following Mark, Helly, and Irving as they try to keep their cool throughout their strange, out-of-body experience. The narrative structure weaves in and out of their perspectives, leaving each character just as things are getting good, which sets a precedent for the episode’s sudden end. Rousing music is playing. Mark just discovered that his wife, who he thought was dead, is an employee at Lumon. Helly starts a speech about how miserable severed employees are. Irving approaches the home of Burt (Christopher Walken), a severed employee he connected with earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Dylan is at Lumon making this all happen, but he’s about to get caught, which will inactive their work personalities. The scenes bounce back and forth quickly with the music building tension that indicates there’s more. After Dylan is forced to flip the switch, all we get is a shot of Mark and an elevator ding before the screen goes black and the credits roll.

“The We We Are” gives its characters a victory, then switches off as abruptly as the memories of severed employees turn on and off in the Lumon Industries elevator. Like the best season finales in television history, the Severance finale will make you mad until you realize how good it was.

Maggie Rogers had a huge debut in 2019 with her album Heard It In A Past Life, which established her as a force and peaked all the way up at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. That was over three years ago now, though, and Rogers hasn’t really released new music since then (save for her and Phoebe Bridgers’ 2020 cover of Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” and a collection of older recordings, Notes From The Archive: Recordings 2011 — 2016.)

She’s making her way back, though, as she recently announced her sophomore album, Surrender, is set for release on July 29. Today, she has unveiled the lead single from the project, “That’s Where I Am.” The tune blends Rogers’ signature blend of pop with a Tame Impala-esque psych-rock with its prominent drums and prominent guitars and synths.

In terms of where Rogers has been, she’s found herself in a lot of places, as she recorded the new album in her parents’ garage, Electric Lady Studios in New York City, and Peter Gabriel‘s Real World Studios near Bath, England. Rogers also previously noted she took some time to relocate “to the coast of Maine and completely cut herself off from the noise of the outside world.”

Listen to “That’s Where I Am” above.

Surrender is out 7/29 via Capitol. Pre-save it here.

The last we heard from Jack White, he seemed to be midst of the artistic equivalent of a mid-life crisis with his 2018 album Boarding House Reach. But with his new LP Fear Of The Dawn, White has adopted a sense of indifference, resulting in a surprisingly captivating effort. On the latest Indiecast episode, hosts Steven Hyden and Ian Cohen review White’s new album and share their thoughts on Father John Misty’s latest LP, Chloë And The Next 20th Century.

In other indie news this week, the Grammys once again proved their waning relevance by awarding Jon Batiste Album Of The Year. Plus, Steven and Ian share their thoughts on Wet Leg‘s much-hyped self-titled debut album, which they both liked and disliked more than expected. They also cast their votes for artists who made their favorite Q1 albums, including Big Thief, Nilüfer Yanya, Black Country New Road, and The Weeknd.

This week’s Recommendation Corner has Ian giving props to Brooklyn band Tree River. Steven gives a shout out to Austin-based band Good Looks, whose debut LP Bummer Year is out now.

New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 84 on Spotify below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.