Born for Media

16/01/2024

The fourth installment of Supermassive Games‘ The Dark Pictures Anthology concludes an entertaining first season. In Man of Medan, Little Hope, and House of Ashes, supernatural threats took center stage. This time, it’s the turn of a human murderer obsessed with H.H Holmes, one of America’s first serial killers 🔪

Personally, that interests me more than supernatural powers, but does it make the game better than its predecessors?

https://bornformedia.com/the-devil-in-me-review/

The Devil in Me offers around 10 hours of thrilling entertainment. The Murder Castle is an intriguing location which offers a lot of (untapped) potential.

09/01/2024

The rumor had been circulating for a while, but it’s just become official: Kaitlyn Dever will be taking on the role of Abby in the second season of ‘The Last of Us.’

Kaitlyn Dever was previously mentioned as a potential actress for Ellie, leading up to the first season. I also believed she was perfectly suited for the role. She bore a resemblance to the beloved game character and had already proven herself as a top-notch actress in series such as 'Unbelievable' and 'Dopesick'.

Undoubtedly, Kaitlyn could have brought Ellie’s emotional struggles to life incredibly well. However, fortunately, Bella Ramsey turned out to be a fantastic choice. Like many, I was initially skeptical because she didn’t quite resemble the Ellie I was accustomed to. My doubt vanished in the first episode though. She embodies Ellie’s behavior and mannerisms from the game, and her dynamic with Pedro Pascal as Joel is a pleasure to watch.

So, adding Kaitlyn Dever to The Last of Us cast is a great detour. I’m eagerly anticipating what the actress will bring to the table. Her arrival is unfortunately tied to something I’m less excited about. But well, we still have to wait until 2025. Enough time to emotionally and mentally prepare ourselves, right?

Kaitlyn Dever joins The Last of Us season 2 as Abby, who is not the most beloved character in the franchise. Her fondness of golf wasn't shared by everyone.

15/12/2023

Bad news for The Last of Us fans eagerly anticipating the multiplayer game which was in development at Naughty Dog. After it was announced in May that the Last of Us Online would be delayed, the plans have now been completely scrapped. It seems the development process faced numerous challenges, making this outcome not entirely surprising.

Naughty Dog stated that supporting The Last of Us Online for years to come would consume too many studio resources, potentially impacting their future single-player games. The studio felt it had two choices: becoming a live service game studio or continuing their focus on the single-player games that have brought Naughty Dog to where they are today.

Fortunately, they opted for the latter. Online games abound, but exceptional single-player experiences are a bit more elusive in my view. Personally, I'm glad Naughty Dog chose to pull the plug on The Last of Us Online and maintain their focus on the fantastic single-player adventures I fell in love with. Nonetheless, I sympathize with the fans who were anticipating the online version. Could the developer not have foreseen this situation earlier?

Naughty Dog pulled the plug on The Last of Us Online. The studio feels their single player games would suffer by supporting the online game for years to come.

08/12/2023

Larian Studios’ RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 was crowned Game of the Year 2023 at The Game Awards. Since its release, the game has consistently bagged perfect 10s. I would have bestowed the same score had I managed to finish it entirely yet. I’m still trying to drag out the fun and enjoying everything the final act has to offer. Nearing the conclusion, I wholeheartedly support its win. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a colossal title, excelling in numerous aspects.

Larian Studios' RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 was crowned Game of the Year 2023 at The Game Awards. The colossal title, excels in numerous aspects and raised the RPG bar.

05/12/2023

Several things immediately catch the eye when watching the trailer. One of those things is that the game might be renamed to Grand Twerk Auto 6, given the abundance of voluptuous ladies shaking their backsides. And while the trailer is a pre-rendered scene, it appears that the streets and roads will be much busier. The trailer showcases bustling locations like a beach and a club, packed with a multitude of NPCs.

These NPCs all seem engrossed in their own activities and look convincingly real in terms of behavior. And the typical, eccentric GTA characters we’ve grown accustomed to from previous installments will be there in numbers. We witness a guy in his thong watering his plants, a daunting lady armed with hammers, and a news report about a biker gang causing havoc on the streets of Vice City.

Oh, and the game is set to release in 2025. Not very surprising, I know. But still, against all odds, I secretly hoped it would be in 2024. Nevertheless, here we are. We’ve waited ten years. That final year, year and a half…we can handle that.

GTA 6 might stand for Grand Twerk Auto 6, given the abundance of voluptuous ladies shaking their backsides. The trailer also shows protagonists Lucia and Jason.

03/12/2023

I could have had this review online earlier, but finishing the horror game took a bit longer due to two reasons. The first reason: the unbelievably intense, terrifying atmosphere, crafted so artistically by developer Remedy, often required me to take a breather to gather my courage. The second reason: I wanted to savor this masterpiece for a longer duration.

The game isn’t entirely flawless. In my opinion, exploration isn’t adequately rewarded, and at times, I encountered minor lip-sync issues and inventory bugs. However, the few small downsides and hiccups in Alan Wake 2 pale in comparison to the immensely impressive atmosphere and the consistently intriguing storyline it presents from start to finish.

The bare man's buttocks that appear within the first second shines in all its sharp, finely detailed glory. It isn't the last surprise Alan Wake 2 conjures up.

20/11/2023

Long to-do lists are usually not my cup of tea, unless they’re the quest logs of games. When I’m really into a game, like I currently am with Baldur’s Gate 3, the quest log can’t be long enough. I want to experience everything the game has to offer. That means ticking off all the side quests first, helping and winning over my companions in every possible way, and only then moving on to the main quest. The end of the world can wait patiently.

The fear of missing out in Baldur's Gate 3 is real. The game has a huge replay value, which is a big plus. It does invoke a certain amount of anxiety though.

19/11/2023

The Last of Us Part II is the next game to get a remaster. Aptly named The Last of Us Part II Remastered, it’s set to arrive on January 19, 2024, for the Playstation 5. And that’s about as sensible as Zendaya getting a facelift.

At the risk of starting to sound like a whiny bastard: I’m generally not a big fan of remasters and remakes anyway. They seem to be popping up left and right lately, and new IPs appear to be increasingly scarce. I can understand remasters for very old games. For instance, the Resident Evil games are so dated that remakes can attract an entirely new audience. At the same time, it brings a lot of nostalgia, a strong emotion and motivator to revisit such a game.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t hold particularly nostalgic feelings for the year 2020. The release of The Last of Us Part II was a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dreary COVID-dominated year full of lockdowns.

How can The Last of Us Part II Remastered improve upon the original game's graphical prowess? The game is set to arrive on January 19, 2024, for Playstation 5.

13/11/2023

The amount of detail packed into this relatively short and technically non-essential section is nothing short of impressive. It speaks volumes about the love the developer poured into the game. A funfair in an action game, which already has so much to offer, wasn’t necessary at all. It was as if Insomniac was saying: “Look at all the extra tricks we have up our sleeves”. And I’m glad they showed it to us.

https://bornformedia.com/spider-man-2s-funfair-is-one-of-the-most-next-gen-things-ive-seen/

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is, in virtually every aspect, a fantastic game. Visually, Especially the funfair part of the game left a big impression on me.

30/10/2023

🕸️ Spider-Man 2's combat remains lightning-fast, responsive, and spectacular. Although the combat system feels almost the same as in the first installment, new animations, abilities, and finishers ensure that it never starts feeling like a chore.

Another improvement has been made to the traversal, which is something I particularly couldn’t get enough of. The web wings are introduced early on and feel fantastic right from the start 🪽
This sensation never waned throughout the rest of the adventure. Watching the city rapidly pass beneath you is a visual delight. Consequently, I didn't use fast travel even once because swinging and flying through the city is, once again, one of the highlights in Spider-Man 2. Both literally and figuratively.

Spider-Man 2 is once again a fantastic adventure that captivates from start to finish. Its runtime of around 20 hours, however, is long enough. The game teeters on the edge of feeling a bit too familiar but doesn't quite overplay its hand, keeping the adventure short and impactful.

https://bornformedia.com/spider-man-2-review-a-familiar-but-spectacular-ride/

Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic adventure that captivates from start to finish. The game teeters on the edge of feeling too familiar, but doesn't overplay its hand.

25/10/2023

The blockbuster ‘Oppenheimer‘ hit the theaters a few months ago, keeping us glued to our cinema seats for a solid 3 hours. Martin Scorsese’s new film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ featuring stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone and Jesse Plemons, clocks in at a whopping 3.5 hours. This has caused some debate – are movies getting a bit too long? Do long movies need intermissions in cinemas again?

Blockbuster Oppenheimer has a runtime of 3 hours. Martin Scorsese's new film 'Killers of the Flower Moon clocks in at 3,5 hours. Are movies getting too long?

24/10/2023

Remember when I complained about the lack of detective games out there? Well, developer EQ Studios is not to blame for that. Their newest whodunit game, 'Scene Investigators', is now available on Steam and treats players to a true crime detective experience.

Scene Investigators is set in the near future. Players take on the role of an apprentice, working towards becoming a certified investigator. They must thoroughly comb through various recreated crime scenes, searching for clues that will help them solve the cases.

'Scene Investigators' lets players take on the role of an apprentice, working towards becoming a certified investigator. Find and connect clues to solve cases.

20/10/2023

It’s the spooky season, AND Playstation Plus Extra members can currently download House of Ashes for free. What better time to dive into another The Dark Pictures Anthology game? 👻

In House of Ashes, you take on the role of various soldiers within a special forces unit, dispatched to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction. Amidst a shootout, the ground literally disappears beneath your feet. The soldiers under your command discover a historical hidden temple underground. It goes without saying that they’re not the only ones there 👿 It doesn’t take long for the first horrors to surface, and it’s up to you to ensure that the group can survive this spine-chilling adventure.

In the typical style of horror, the characters in Supermassive Games’ titles often don’t leave a highly intelligent impression. Just like in most horror films, I often derive the most enjoyment by temporarily suspending my thoughts and not dwelling too much on logic. The cast of House of Ashes did, at times, raise an eyebrow or two for me, but all in all, they are the most mature and human group of protagonists presented to us so far.

House of Ashes introduces the soldiers to a new common enemy, compelling former foes to work together. This leads to engaging dialogues and dynamics between the main characters, who gradually come to understand not only each other but also themselves better as the story unfolds.

🎥The improved camera eliminates past frustrations and enhances the overall gameplay. Unraveling the plot remains, as always, engaging, but the horror itself loses its threat too quickly. The captivating and visually impressive surroundings were ripe for a more intense horror experience. Nevertheless, House of Ashes is a highly enjoyable adventure, and I’ll undoubtedly return to make different choices and experience other outcomes of the story.

House of Ashes introduces us to the best cast since the beginning of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Gameplay is improved, but the horror could have been better.

12/10/2023

A new update has been released for FIFA, eh..EA Sports FC 24 (does anyone even say that?) ⚽ The launch of EA Sports‘ new football game came with some bugs that left players scratching their heads. At times, goalkeepers or outfield players would become invisible while still participating in the game. This update aims to address this issue and includes a long list of other improvements.

Players with the Pinged Pass playstyle will notice a slight decrease in the speed of their passes. On the other hand, the jockey turning speed has been slightly increased, as long as defenders are not sprinting at full speed.

Poor Ada Hegerberg will also soon be available for selection again. The Olympique Lyon striker currently can’t be included in the lineups due to a bug. A future server update will ensure that the Norwegian can get back to scoring goals.

Find the full list of patch notes here ⬇️

A new update has been released for FIFA, eh..EA Sports FC 24 (does anyone even say that?). Update 3 tackles a lot of issues and nerfs the Pinged Pass playstyle.

10/10/2023

After Phantom Liberty, I would love to see the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077's sequel be part of a secret agency. The gameplay, atmosphere, and especially the writers are well-suited for this, as has been demonstrated.

The 'You know my name' mission best demonstrated the potential of leaning more into the spy business.

Could the successful reception of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty persuade CD Projekt Red to bring back the espionage theme in the Cyberpunk sequel?

10/10/2023

If you can recognize the best chef by how they cook an egg, you might just recognize the best game developer by how they present the quest log.

It may seem quite simple, but an excellent quest log can make a significant difference in how players experience a game. Baldur’s Gate 3’s quest log is an approach I’d love to see more often.

Baldur''s Gate 3's quest log strikes the perfect balance between too much hand-holding, and leaving players completely in the dark.

02/10/2023

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is not only a highly intriguing futuristic tale about two identities sharing one body, but it's also a magnificent redemption story. Not necessarily for protagonist V, but for Developer CD Projekt Red, who has come a long, long way.

With the 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty DLC, the action RPG is more compelling than ever. It has never been this enjoyable to clean up the streets of the stunning Night City, and now, Dogtown as well.

Besides the very impressive main story, even the gigs manage to captivate, making virtually every minute spent in Dogtown interesting.

With the 2.0 update and the phenomenal Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077 finally comes close to the towering expectations I had leading up to the game's release.

https://bornformedia.com/cyberpunk-2077-phantom-liberty-review/

With the 2.0 update and the phenomenal Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077 finally comes close to the towering expectations I had leading up to the game's release.

22/08/2023

Why should I watch a series about cooking when I can barely cook an egg myself? That kept me from starting The Bear earlier 🐻 Until one moment, I suddenly realized that I’m no action-hero or detective either, and that never stopped me from watching those. So, I kicked my feet up and started the first episode of The Bear. The counter only stopped after 6 consecutive episodes. As the Irish say, “laughter is brightest where food is best.” The same holds true for The Bear 🧑‍🍳

Comedy-drama series The Bear follows young James Beard Award-winning chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White). Before the events of the series, Carmy used to work at a Michelin-starred top restaurant, but he returns to Chicago after the su***de of his brother Michael. There, he manages the rundown sandwich shop, The Original Beef, which he inherits from his brother.

Carmy attempts to bring the professionalism from his previous workplace into this venture, leading to hilarity and a whole lot of chaos. Well, you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs, and the chef knows that all too well.

One tip: don’t watch this series on an empty stomach. The swift shots of the most delectable-looking dishes will undoubtedly make your stomach rumble. There’s no better excuse to have a meal in front of the TV, with the plate in your lap.

This the Bear Season 1 Review zooms in on the chaos and humor, but also on the endearing and emotional moments which shape the series into what it is.

08/08/2023

Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand is brought to (artificial) life incredibly well by Keanu Reeves. He’s a highly intricate character, whose intentions and ultimate goal remained shrouded in mystery for a significant portion of the game’s Main Job.

Nothing held my attention as much as the questions: What does Johnny truly want? Is he manipulating V? Can I trust him? Is he trying to win over our soul so he can later win over our body? How much freedom should I entrust to him? If I treat him as a friend now, will that pay off by the end of the game?

The more freedom I granted Johnny, the more I wondered if he wasn’t simply taking advantage of my naivety. Would I regret this and perhaps need to hold the reins a bit tighter?

All of this built up to the ultimate conclusion, leading to one of the toughest choices I’ve had to make in games. Do I trust Johnny enough to hand him the wheel during the endgame?

I worried for nothing, because I was (unfortunately) still the one calling the shots.

The most impactful choice of Cyberpunk 2077, shouldn’t have been ours to make. V's intense relationship with Johnny Silverhand should have decided the outcome.

21/07/2023

In just under two months, starting from October 20th, we’ll be swinging through the city once again as Peter Parker and Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The release is right around the corner, and more information is trickling in.

During the San Diego Comic-Con panel, Insomniac Games revealed a story trailer for their latest creation. The game takes place approximately 9 months after the events of the Miles Morales expansion.

We finally get to see Harry Osborn in person. In Marvel’s Spider-Man, we only heard voice clips of Peter’s best friend while we helped him improve the climate through the numerous side quests scattered around the city.

Furthermore, the fresh makeover of mainly Miles Morales and MJ catches the eye. Miles has gone from a close-shaved head to locks in the span of 9 months. I would love to know more about his hair products, but unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t elaborate on that.

During the San Diego Comic-Con panel, Insomniac Games revealed a story trailer for their latest creation. A Limited Edition PS5 Bundle was also revealed.

21/07/2023

Final Fantasy XVI was released last month and is packed with epic and satisfying moments. In my review of both the demo and the full game, I rewarded the action RPG with high scores.

However, there was one specific moment that I had higher expectations for.

Final Fantasy XVI is packed with epic and satisfying moments. However, there was one specific moment that I had higher expectations for.

19/07/2023

In previous editions of football game FIFA, as it was still called back then, realism in Ultimate Team was already not the biggest priority. It was not uncommon to witness matches with Mbappe facing off against Mbappe, or seeing them play alongside players who had long retired from the sport.

EA Sports FC 24 will make yet another dive into fantasy, by enabling players to include both male and female players in their Ultimate Teams.

EA Sports FC 24 will make yet another dive into fantasy, by enabling players to include both male and female players in their Ultimate Teams.

14/07/2023

All quests are done, so I can proudly (and shamefully) say that my first Final Fantasy adventure has come to an end.

I rated the demo with a 10🔥 Find out my spoiler-free thoughts on the full version here.

Final Fantasy XVI strategically deploys its strengths. It remains reserved in certain areas, but when it delivers, get ready for an extraordinary experience.

14/07/2023

Guerrilla Games has no less than 16(!!!) plans for new Horizon developments🤯

Are you excited with this, or is it a bit of an overkill?

Studio director Jan Bart van Beek revealed during the Develop:Brighton conference that Guerrilla has no less than 16(!!!) plans for new Horizon developments.

06/07/2023

The first, post-release patch is out for , allowing players to turn off Motion Blur.

05/07/2023

Today brought both good and bad news for fans of the series S*x Education. The good news: season 4 of the Netflix series received a trailer and will be available for streaming from September 21st. The bad news: it will be the final season of the series.

Series creator, lead writer, and executive producer Laurie Nunn made her voice heard in a sincere letter to the fans:

“It’s been a while since you heard from us. This Autumn we’re back with season 4, coming to Netflix on September 21.

A lot has happened since our first writers room in 2007, when we spent a month in a cramped office above a s*x shop talking about what it felt like to go through puberty. The painful awkwardness, first crushes and big, big feelings.

We wanted to make a show that would answer some of the questions we all used to have about love, s*x, friendship, and our bodies. Something that would have helped our inner teenagers feel a little less alone. It’s been overwhelming seeing how the show has connected with people around the world, and we hope it’s made some of you feel a little less alone too.

Writing this feels bittersweet, as we’ve decided the fourth season will also be the final instalment of our show. This was not an easy decision to make, but as the themes and stories of the new eason crystallised, it became clear that this was the right time to graduate.

We are incredibly proud of S*x Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode. They have worked tirelessly to bring you this final season, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Goodbyes are the worst,
But let’s celebrate all the good times we’ve had.
Laurie xo”

Are you sad to see this series go?

*xeducation *xeducationnetflix

Series creator, lead writer, and executive producer Laurie Nunn made announced, in a sincere letter to the fans, that S*x Education Season 4 will be the last.

01/07/2023

With , GTA VI has a beautiful pond to fish from, although there are also some rotten fish in there that they would be better off avoiding.

Here are 5 features that can 'steal' from RDR2, and 5 things that it can improve upon 🤠

Here are 5 features that GTA VI can include from Red Dead Redemption 2, and 5 features that it can improve upon.

01/07/2023

The pressure is on for the upcoming God of War series, currently in the works by Amazon Prime Video. With the recent success of HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, the bar has been raised higher than ever.

What are the 10 things that the upcoming God of War series must get right in order to blow us away?

What are the 10 things that the upcoming God of War series from Amazon Prime Video must get right in order to blow us away?

29/06/2023

The lineup of free Playstation Plus games for the month of July is an impressive one:

🔫 Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
🔦 Alan Wake Remastered
🦊 Endling: Extinction is Forever

All three games can be claimed for all membership tiers (Essential, Extra and Premium). They can be downloaded from July 4 until July 31.

Will you be adding these to your collection?

The Free Playstation Plus games for July 2023 include Alan Wake Remastered, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Endling: Extinction is Forever.

28/06/2023

Rumors surrounding a Red Dead Redemption remaster have surfaced before, but they were previously dismissed by developer Rockstar itself.

However, there is reason for cautious optimism once again for fans of the Wild West action-adventure game. According to Gematsu, the Korean Ratings Board (South Korea's Game Rating and Administration Committee) has rated a new console version of Red Dead Redemption.

GRAC has individually rated all three versions of the game (the original, the Game of the Year edition, and the Undead Nightmare Collection). This suggests that a new version is indeed on its way.

GRAC is not just any institution. Every publisher must go through them in order to release their games in Korea, so unless the listing is a human error, it does seem like we can saddle up for another adventure in the Wild West.

Would you (re)play Red Dead Redemption if it gets a new look?

The Korean Ratings Board has rated a new console version of Red Dead Redemption, indicating that a Red Dead Redemption Remaster is on its way.