Comic Years |
- Who Is The Final Member Of The Sinister Six In Spider-Man: No Way Home?
- GOT Prequel Series “Dunk & Egg” Finds A Writer In Steven Conrad
- Tik Tok Joins the MCU Via The Daily Bugle And J. Jonah Jameson
- Halo Infinite Boosts Battle Pass Progression Amidst XP Debate
- Eternals Disney+ Streaming Date Is Here, So Get Your Couch Ready!
- Pop Culture Free Time November 2021 (Taylor’s Version)
- Forza Horizon 5 Review: The Impeccable Series Continues to Improve
| Who Is The Final Member Of The Sinister Six In Spider-Man: No Way Home? Posted: 01 Dec 2021 02:38 PM PST Doctor Octopus. Green Goblin. The Lizard. Sandman. Electro. 1-2-3-4-5…but the most infamous villain team in comics has six. Yet, so far in all the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailers, we've only seen these five. All of them are classic team members, in one iteration or another, but we still have several other possibilities based on the Spider-Man movies we already have. So, who is the final member of the Sinister Six? Here are the most likely options. The Villain Who Fills Out the Final Member of the Sinister Six Probably Appeared in a Spider-Man Movie Already (Image: Sony Pictures) Over eight movies, Spider-Man has faced thirteen villains. The five previously mentioned are all the main villains from the Raimi and Webb movies. However, there were secondary and minor villains in the previous films, not to mention some important MCU characters too. From the Amazing Spider-Man Universe:We already have the Lizard and Electro, but we had two other villains that would make great additions to the Sinister Six. Even better, since we know that the No Way Home Multiverse is more extensive than just tossing in old villains, we could see the same actors again but as variants. So who is left that can be the final member of the Sinister Six? First up, we have one of my favorite villains, Rhino. In Amazing Spider-Man 2, we only saw Paul Giamatti's iteration in the very beginning, before he became the Rhino, and at the very end, after Oscorp suits him up in a walking armored tank. However, one of the worst choices in Amazing Spider-Man 2 was the ending. Rhino is charging at Spider-Man, who's about to swing a sewer lid into his face and – cut to black. Bastards. Sony robbed Giamatti, who was the perfect choice for Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich. Maybe he'll get a chance to reprise the role. The other Amazing Spider-Man 2 villain who could be the final Sinister Six member is Hobgoblin. Dane Dehaan's Hobgoblin. Dehaan is to Hobgoblin as Topher Grace is to Venom (we'll get there). They tried making Hobgoblin the dark mirror version of Peter Parker. That doesn't mean Dehaan was the problem, just as Foxx wasn't the problem with Electro. But do we really need two Goblins? Probably not. Topher Grace's Venom Could Be the Villain Who Becomes the Final Member of the Sinister Six (Image: Sony Pictures) Okay, so everyone hates Topher Grace's iteration of Venom. Even Topher Grace hates Topher Grace's Venom. Yet the multiverse has already erupted, so how could they make it work. Ever the good sport, Grace joked about his appearance in No Way Home in a recent Reddit thread:
Joking aside, this is kind of in the same vein as Paul Bettany's humor. When discussing the WandaVision finale, Bettany said that he got to work with "someone he wanted to work with his entire life." That person? Himself. So, there might be a nugget of truth in this. If they had Grace pop in just long enough for Hardy's Venom to bite his head off, the audience would go nuts. An MCU Spider-Man Villain Could Also Be the Final Member of the Sinister Six (Image: Netflix/Marvel Studios) Did we all forget that we already have villains in the MCU? Of course, these characters are possibilities, especially since one of them "died fighting Spider-Man." From the MCU, we have two major villains who might be the final member of the Sinister Six. Obviously, we have the Vulture. We already know that we're going to see Michael Keeton's character again in Morbius, and he's one of the few people who knew Spider-Man's identity before Mysterio revealed it to the world. The only reason he hasn't retaliated against Peter is that he feels like he owes him. Peter saved his life, so he protected his identity. Will he still care about his truce when the world knows the truth? Or will that make him become the final member of the Sinister Six? Then we have Mysterio. Come on. Who out there believes that Mysterio is actually dead? His whole thing is making things look real when they aren't. If he's going to reappear, coming back as the final member of the Sinister Six would be the best way to do it. Also, while not in one of the Spider-Man movies, we shouldn't rule out Kingpin from Netflix's Daredevil. Since Charlie Cox is reprising his role as Matt Murdock in No Way Home, Kingpin could show up to take advantage of the chaos – and squash the punk kid in a costume who keeps beating up his hardworking henchmen. The Minor MCU Villains Are Possibilities Too (Image: Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios) While Marvel did a great job developing Kingpin, Vulture, and Mysterio, they did give us a few other Spider-Man villains. Though he wasn't in his green costume yet, Scorpion made his debut in Homecoming. The first Spider-Man MCU installment also gave us the Tinkerer, an underrated villain used amazingly in the Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game. But the most likely B-lister who could be the final member of the Sinister Six? Shocker. He fights Spider-Man in the school bus parking lot. Herman isn't the most intelligent Spider-Man villain, but he is one of the most destructive. Unfortunately, we only got a taste of his capabilities in Homecoming. One of Sony's Featured Villains Could Be the Final Member of the Sinister Six (Image: Sony Pictures) Sony and Marvel aren't just playing ball anymore; they're creating a new game. Sure, we knew they patched things up to make one more Spider-Man movie, but then we got the mid-credit scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, in which our anti-hero buddies are shunted into the MCU. Before that, the Vulture popped up in the first Morbius trailer, blowing our minds. Additionally, Sony recently cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Kraven the Hunter. Now, it might seem obvious that Venom will be the final member of the Sinister Six, but don't count your symbiotes just yet. In the new Sony Spider-Man Universe, Venom is a hero. A "lethal protector." In that mid-credit scene, it certainly looks like he's going to go off and try and eat Peter Parker. They might battle it out, but it will be in the same way Thor and Iron Man fought in The Avengers. By the end, they'll be on the same side fighting the Sinister Six, including the villain that does become the final member. Morbius would be a lot less likely. We're finally going to see his origin story in January 2022, but his movie was supposed to come out in July 2020. Considering that they wanted us to know the movie had ties to the MCU (Michael Keaton's cameo), they might have been trying to lay the groundwork for his arrival in No Way Home. However, it's unlikely they would have planned for Morbius over Venom, since they already knew that Venom could bring in box office bucks. Could Aaron Taylor Johnson Return to the MCU in No Way Home?Of all the Sony Pictures characters, Kraven the Hunter would be the most interesting choice and work the best. Since the movie just started pre-production, his intro in No Way as the final member of the Sinister Six could make people excited for his solo film—kind of like Black Panther in Civil War, but nowhere near as monumental. And if audiences aren't keen on the character, they could shut down the solo film before losing any money. But again, if any of these characters round out the six, it will be Venom. The Final Member of the Sinister Six Could Be Someone Who Pivots the MCU (Image: 20th Century Pictures) As if exploring the multiverse in No Way Home isn't enough, some Spider-Man villains would forever change the MCU. While I still think Stilt-Man could be the final villain who joins the Sinister Six, there are some heavy hitters to consider. One that is literally a heavy hitter. A few months ago, Deadpool made his MCU debut in a video with Korg, promoting Free Guy together. So it's only a matter of time before we get the MCU X-Men. The question, though, is how. No Way Home could do this by having Juggernaut as the final member of the Sinister Six. Some of the most classic Spider-Man battles involved Cain Marko. Also, bringing in Juggernaut is a great way to bring in Deadpool (and X-Force). Can you imagine Deadpool meeting three Spider-Men? Just hand them the Oscar. And finally, a Spider-Man villain who we keep waiting to appear but never does might be the final member of the Sinister Six. Mephisto. Or maybe Stilt-Man is Mephisto! Spider-Man: No Way Home debuts in theaters across the globe December 15-17, 2021.Of course, it could also be any number of Marvel villains or heroes. It could even be an evil version of Peter Parker. Heck, our own Joshua M Patton thinks that Peter's best friend Ned will become the Hobgoblin with Willm DeFoe as his mentor. It could be a new character altogether. It's anyone's guess. What's yours? (Featured Image: Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios) Who Is The Final Member Of The Sinister Six In Spider-Man: No Way Home? |
| GOT Prequel Series “Dunk & Egg” Finds A Writer In Steven Conrad Posted: 01 Dec 2021 10:38 AM PST With all of the upcoming prequels based on Game of Thrones history, I had completely forgotten about the upcoming Dunk & Egg series. But HBO is moving ahead with this smaller and more intimate story based in Westeros. Whether or not they will remain true to the source material, or make it as dark and gritty as the original series remains to be seen. The new writer for the series might have some sway over the direction of the narrative. The GOT prequel Dunk & Egg has found its writer in Steven Conrad. Steven Conrad Takes The Helm For Dunk & Egg Maester Aemon | Image via HBO Conrad is the scribe behind films like The Pursuit of Happyness and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. While the latter film does have some fantastical elements, none of his work screams Game of Thrones to me. It’s honestly kind of a baffling decision? He does have some experience working in television, writing for shows like Perpetual Grace and Ultra City Smiths. Dunk & Egg is a series of novellas that author George R.R. Martin has written over the years instead of finishing the original Game of Thrones series. It takes place 90 years before the events of A Song of Ice & Fire. The stories follows Ser Duncan the Tall – future commander of the Kingsguard. He is in loyal service to one of the many Targaryens named Aegon – the titular “Egg” of the story. This one is Aegon V – the Unlikely. Egg is also the younger brother of Aemon Targaryen – who becomes Maester of the Night’s Watch in the original Game of Thrones series. There Are Several Novellas To Adapt Image via Penguin Random House There are three novellas that follow the characters of Dunk & Egg that the series can draw upon. The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. These stories were collected in the volume A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. And since GRRM can’t be bothered to finish ASOIF he has promised that there more stories about Dunk & Egg to come. Several of these stories delve into history that was only hinted at in the original Game of Thrones series. Notably, the stories all take place in the aftermath of the Blackfyre rebellion and go further into detail about that era of history. There is no casting announced yet for Dunk & Egg, and the series is still in early development. With the addition of Steven Conrad as a writer and executive producer for the Dunk & Egg series, we should expect to hear more news about this GOT prequel soon. For more genre news and reviews, be sure to follow Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter today. GOT Prequel Series “Dunk & Egg” Finds A Writer In Steven Conrad |
| Tik Tok Joins the MCU Via The Daily Bugle And J. Jonah Jameson Posted: 01 Dec 2021 07:03 AM PST The Spider-Man that we all know and love is a Gen-Z. That means that he knows what Tik Tok is. And let’s be honest, he could go viral even without revealing his superhero identity. Despite these facts, the hero has never made it onto the social media platform. However, some of his friends (and foes) can’t say the same. The Daily Bugle has turned to Tik Tok to provide breaking news on Spider-Man: No Way Home. The Daily Bugle Brings Spider-Man to Tik TokThedailybugleofficial, a verified Tik Tok account with nearly a million followers, joined the platform early last week. Its first video features an eager Betty Brant (Angourie Rice) explaining that she’s the latest intern for The Daily Bugle. She promises to bring fair, balanced, and hard-hitting news to viewers. The second video to be posted has garnered even more views thanks to an all-star appearance. J.K. Simmons appears in character as the angry J. Jonah Jameson to tell us why he hates Spider-Man, er – Spider-Menace.
Beyond some fun clips of some of our favorite characters, the video hasn’t revealed anything plot-worthy to its followers. We don’t expect Andrew Garfield or Tobey Maguire to appear in the next video doing the WAP, hollerin’ at President Byron, but maybe his Peter Tingle could have helped us all solve the mystery of couch guy. Their third video does point to a link in their bio that promises a reporter pack, but so far, the only thing that shows up is a cool photo that could work as a nice background (or backdrop for your next Tik Tok.)  Image via Marvel. You can catch Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters on December 17th. Tickets are on sale now!We all know that Tik Tok is one of the hottest platforms for younger audiences, and we’re not surprised that the franchise has turned to it as a form of marketing. Let us know your thoughts on The Daily Bugle joining Tik Tok, and what trends you’d like to see them take part in. Featured image via Sony Pictures Releasing & Marvel Studios. Tik Tok Joins the MCU Via The Daily Bugle And J. Jonah Jameson |
| Halo Infinite Boosts Battle Pass Progression Amidst XP Debate Posted: 01 Dec 2021 05:00 AM PST I’m not all that interested in spending much money on Halo Infinite. I didn’t consider myself someone who cared about leveling up or racking in XP either. That said, after spending some time with the Call of Duty Vanguard multiplayer experience, I understand the criticism. The issue is that Halo Infinite mirrors itself after the traditional Halo experience. Since the golden days of the series, online shooters and battle pass systems replaced the act of simply playing for fun. You can shrug off the incentivized elements of modern online shooters, but here’s the thing: they don’t just benefit people who spend money on free experiences. As Halo Infinite boosts its battle pass progression system, an odd debate is taking place within the gaming community. What reward should these games offer players? Let’s talk about what’s happening with this conversation. Is Halo Infinite XP Progression Too Slow? Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios I don’t want to bury the lead, so here’s the latest update. 343 Industries, the studio behind Halo Infinite, is fully aware the battle pass progression system isn’t where they want it to be. The studio’s Head of Design went so far as to say he “feels everyone’s pain” on Twitter. Within an online shooter, a battle pass is essentially a “season” of gameplay that features unlockable items and cosmetics. When you gain XP during the battle pass season, you can earn rewards for spending time playing the game. It’s like a bonus reward for putting time into a game. You can even purchase a premium battle pass for extra items and goodies. The issue fans had with the system 343i rolled out was that it didn’t offer enough XP for playing the game. Each match would net you points if you completed challenges at launch. Then, the studio added in 50 XP for every game you play. Still, that was far too little to incentivize players working through the battle pass. Now, 343i is going to boost the battle pass progression in Halo Infinite even greater.
The above tweet comes from Community Manager John Junyszek. These XP bonuses are much greater and, in my opinion, fairer than the original system. Some fans still have qualms about the lack of XP bonuses for wins in-match. This is is a common practice in games like Call of Duty or Rocket League. Still, playing four games of Halo Infinite multiplayer now nets you the same points as 14 matches in the past system. It’s an upgrade. That said, what is the debate surrounding battle pass systems telling us about the current state of online gaming? Halo Infinite Battle Pass Progression Woes Point to a New Norm in Online Gaming Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios Back in the old Halo 2 and Halo 3 days, online matches were all the rage. The history of Halo involves a campaign mode and story, but this franchise is known for the online matchmaking experience. Today, Halo Infinite is releasing in a time where gamers don’t just want to play for the sake of playing. It’s not their fault either; this is a symptom of what microtransactions forced players to expect in terms of in-game rewards. Let me explain a bit. If a game is free to play, then studios expect enough people to make in-game purchases for the game to reach a certain revenue goal. The inception of the battle pass system wasn’t to allow players to get free rewards for playing a game. Its intended goal was to make players crave the paid tier of cosmetics, armors, outfits, and more. By doing so, they could net some money from players. The more you play a game, the more likely you are to spend money on it. Even players who don’t spend money in Halo Infinite are disappointed in the battle pass progression system. Why? Because the demands of studios and publishers to include microtransactions led to free upgrades and rewards that we now expect. I’m not sorry for 343 Industries that they’re receiving flack for this. It’s awesome that Halo Infinite multiplayer is free to play. That said, the decision must mean that Xbox and the developer think they can make money back on in-game purchases. To incentivize that, they implemented an XP system at launch that worked slowly as to encourage purchased upgrades to progression. I’m not fuming over this, even if I agree that the battle pass system is broken. In reality, it’s a symptom of what the industry pivoted towards years ago in terms of microtransactions. If all of this is a huge headache to you, then don’t worry. You’ll be able to check out the Halo Infinite campaign soon, which will feature none of this nonsense. Halo Infinite Launches In-Full on December 8 Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios While the multiplayer dropped early, the full game is yet to release. You can pick up Halo Infinite on December 8 for Xbox consoles and PC. If you have any thoughts on the battle pass progression system in Halo Infinite, then let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios Halo Infinite Boosts Battle Pass Progression Amidst XP Debate |
| Eternals Disney+ Streaming Date Is Here, So Get Your Couch Ready! Posted: 30 Nov 2021 09:11 PM PST Going to the movie has always been a fun experience, but after COVID-19 wrecked havoc on theaters, many studios are rethinking the way audiences view films. From movies that are exclusively available on streaming platforms to the more complicated theater/streaming release (something that Disney and Scarlett Johansson got into a legal battle over), it’s been an adjustment all around. However, the Mouse House has found a new formula that seems to be working: a theatrical release that lasts 45 days and then bringing the film to the Disney+ streaming platform later. It was done for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and now, it’ll be done for the Eternals movie. The Chloé Zhao film came out November 5, 2021, and and will remain in theaters exclusively for 45 days. After that, the Eternals Disney+ streaming date will be in January of next year.
Disney+ reportedly confirmed to the editors of Streaming Guider that Eternals would begin streaming on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. While the film has received mixed reviews, it’s done well at the box office. Zhao’s film introduced audiences to these divine beings created by the Celestials and tasked with protecting Earth from their evil counterparts, the Deviants. There are ten of them in the movie: Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Salma Hayek as Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as Thena. Besides having an all-star cast, Eternals was a lot of firsts for the MCU: the first openly gay superhero (Phastos), the first sex scene (between Sersi and Ikaris), and the first deaf superhero (Makkari). Eternals will premiere on Disney+ on January 12, 2022. You can still watch the film in theaters everywhere.Did you mark the Eternals Disney+ streaming date on your calendars? If you’re watching it, will it be your first time? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via Marvel Studios Eternals Disney+ Streaming Date Is Here, So Get Your Couch Ready! |
| Pop Culture Free Time November 2021 (Taylor’s Version) Posted: 30 Nov 2021 07:45 PM PST Howdy and welcome back to Pop Culture Free Time for November 2021. First of all, yes, there was no installment of this series last month. Everything I took in was just very okay or something I’ve already mentioned. Second, if you have no idea what’s going on here, then the simplest answer is that this is my report on the best pop culture I consumed for the month. Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, let’s start talking about that pop culture. November 2021 Free Time Book Chat image via Flatiron Books After a month of disappointing reads, I finally got to plow through some good ones. That’s my measure of a good book, by the way–does it make me want to rip through it in a desperate race to find out how it all ends? Here are some that did. First, there’s Last Girl Ghosted by Lisa Unger. Girl meets boy (on a dating app), then boy ghosts girl. It turns out that she might be lucky, though, because other girls he met were never seen again. Then again, he’s not the only one with secrets and surprises. And speaking of surprises, I also really dug Alice Feeney’s Rock Paper Scissors. While I liked Feeney’s previous books, like Sometimes I Lie and His & Hers, I avoided this one for a while. I’ve grown a bit tired of the mystery/thriller version of the “marriage plot,” which tends to be a lot of whining from a married couple about how their spouse just doesn’t get them anymore. Whine, whine, just might have to murder them now, I guess. But I should have known to expect more from Feeney. Her book, about a couple taking a disastrous trip, is so much more than a whingefest. Once you learn that the husband has face-blindness, then you’ll think you know where this is going. But the plot leaps and twists out of your grasp, which I always love. Finally, another great book was A.R. Torre’s The Good Lie. Someone’s been abducting and killing teenage boys. However, one escapes. But is he telling the truth about his miracle and the killer he evaded? Is anyone? This is a mystery/thriller, so probably not. Overwatch: TV and the People Who Watch It The Sex Lives of College Girls, image via HBO Max While I already wrote about the premieres of Chucky and Dexter: New Blood, I’ve continued to watch both. Chucky has turned out to be the delight it was from the beginning. And although I was nervous about Dexter, given the way the original series ended, the revival has been a pleasant surprise. I don’t know if I’d want to see another season–the second season of The X-Files revival gives me pause. But I like what they’re doing with this one. I mentioned Squid Game in the last update, the September 2021 Free Time. I hadn’t finished the series at the time, but now I have, and I’m pleased to report that reader, it whipped. On that note, I sought out more deadly games action with Alice in Borderland. Although it’s not the same story as Squid Game (so far), it’s just as thrilling. But if you’re eager for more Korean TV, then you should check out Hellbound. All of a sudden, demonic creatures (who look like Bigfoots rendered in scorched railroad ties) start dragging folks to hell. Fun times do not ensue. And in a vastly different change of pace, I’m also really into The Sex Lives of College Girls. It’s from Mindy Kaling, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that its vibe is reminiscent of her Never Have I Ever. This show is much more adult, though, as the title indicates. But like NHIE, it’s really funny. Predictably, of course, I’m still watching a lot of reaction channels. My latest find is Me, You, & The Movies, which is, as they describe it, “just a husband & wife watching movies together.” Another channel is What We Watchin’?! It’s three gals watching some movies, but mostly TV shows, particularly of the comic book sort. Listen Lady: The Things That I HeardFirst, let’s talk about podcasts. I started listening to True Crime Campfire, which I find quite charming. Hosts Whitney and Katie tell stories of true crime in my favorite way, concise and clever. They also tend to steer away from what Last Podcast on the Left calls the “heavy hitters”–the more infamous serial killers and such. Instead, they tell lesser known stories, the kind you might see on Dateline or any of ID’s output. While most of their stories–or at least, the ones I’ve listened to–are about murder, the other podcast I discovered in November is about a different kind of crime. However, it’s almost more shocking. Sweet Bobby tells the tale of a catfish, and as I wrote in our Comic Years slack, it’s one of the most insane things I’ve ever heard. Years of watching Max and Neve may have you thinking you’ve heard it all, catfish-wise. Still, this story is a jaw-dropper, if only for the time and size it involves. But podcasts weren’t the only thing I listened to. As I mentioned in the last Free Time, I was eagerly awaiting this month because it would see the release of Red (Taylor’s Version). More importantly, it would see the release of a 10-minute version of “All Too Well.” All the rumors were true, and it is magnificent. The original version is a classic–a masterclass in pop songwriting. Through it, Taylor tells us about a failed relationship with you-know-who. The genius of the song is in the details, as it describes a kind of person many of us have known. You know, the kind of person who’s “so casually cruel in the name of being honest.” In the expanded version, she fleshes out those little details. In doing so, she paints a much more elaborate picture of a gaslighting older partner that, again, many of us have had the misfortune to love. It’s both a critical evaluation of a doomed relationship and a searing missive to someone who didn’t treat her with care. And to no one’s great shock, I love it. It shot to the top of my most listened to tracks for THE MONTH within a week of its release. All of the added lines are killer, but I’m particularly fond of that new third verse. “The idea you had of me–who was she?” will live rent-free in me forever. And that’s my Pop Culture Free Time for November 2021. As always, tell me in the comments or on our social media what you got into this month. featured image of Alice in Borderland via Netflix Pop Culture Free Time November 2021 (Taylor’s Version) |
| Forza Horizon 5 Review: The Impeccable Series Continues to Improve Posted: 30 Nov 2021 02:49 PM PST The Forza Motorsport series approached racing games with precision and attention to the finest details of driving. When expanding into a more exploratory, carefree experience, Forza Horizon offered an even more intense look at what freedoms and follies await between a driver and the open road. We’re not just talking races in the world of Horizon. We’re talking jumping off ramps, speeding alongside jets, and other outlandish experiences. While past entries reached increasingly exciting heights, Forza Horizon 4 felt like the culmination of a vision reaching its peak. Its successor, Forza Horizon 5 is a masterclass that somehow understands the spirit of the series while also improving it in ways I didn’t even know offered room for revisions. Let’s dive into what awaits in Mexico for our Forza Horizon 5 review. Forza Horizon 5 Improves What Honestly Already Feels Flawless Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios To explain the concept of the Forza Horizon games briefly, the series is an off-shoot of Forza Motorsport. Think of Horizon games as the fun, outlandish sibling that still seems to hold all the best characteristics of their more serious sister or brother. The series is wildly successful, and this entry even ended up winning the E3 2021 award for most anticipated game. What results in this entry is a full-fledged adventure around Mexico with the gameplay and mechanics that make the series so essential for racing fans. Each Horizon game takes place during the fictional Horizon Festival. This larger event brings hundreds of smaller events and challenges to a location for non-stop action over the course of an event duration. In Forza Horizon 5, you end up taking part in the festival as the number one driver from past festivals. As you race on track, off-road, and even in mixed courses, you’re thrown into the driver’s seat of hundreds of real cars. If customization and tweaking with specs is your thing, then you’re in heaven within the Forza world. With countless cars from every major maker, you can try any car you could dream about driving in real life. Racing these cars through a variety of environments and conditions is the real fun. Races and events take you through living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano. While Forza Horizon 5 takes you to plenty of insane situations and locations, it doesn’t quite feel like a leg up in terms of scale and scope. That said, here’s our score for the game. Forza Horizon 5 Review Score Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios I review games on a scale of 1-10; Forza Horizon 5 is a 9. While the game is seemingly flawless yet again, it lacks one element I want to touch on. This issue I have isn’t for first-time players of the series. Rather, if you’re a longtime Horizon fan like me, I don’t think you’ll dislike the game. Overall, it’s still just as good as Horizon 4. Apart from the graphics being better for new-gen consoles, however, it does just feel as good as its predecessor. With seemingly little room to up the stakes, Mexico does a great job at offering something new from the past sceneries. That said, it’s static at times when exploring the more desolate areas. Towns and cities offer a fun, vibrant taste of the country, but other areas feel similar to past experiences in other Horizon games. These aren’t bad experiences; they’re just not enough to warrant a perfect review score in my eyes. First time players and returning Horizon champs will still want to pick this one up. The game is fun, offers so much content, and really gives you different ways to race that keep you thinking “just one more and then I’ll stop playing” for hours. Plus, it’s available now so you can try it for yourself. Forza Horizon 5 is Available Now for Xbox Consoles and PCYou can check out Forza Horizon 5 now on Xbox consoles and PC. Better yet, you can play the game for free if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for Console or PC. If you play the game, then be sure to give us your 3-sentence review in the comments. Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios Forza Horizon 5 Review: The Impeccable Series Continues to Improve |
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