Luke Hinton, Author at Twinfinite

Ninjitsu Master of Elements Codes (2024-11-19)

Luke Hinton — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:27:07 +0000

Updated: November 19, 2024

We looked for new codes.

Batman: Arkham Shadow Review – Cowl On

Luke Hinton — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:41:23 +0000

As a huge Batman fan, the announcement of Batman: Arkham Shadow earlier this year came as a massive surprise. Almost a decade after the last core entry in the series (Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League not included), a return to the Batman-centric universe was certainly an appealing prospect. While I was expecting a good time with familiar themes and aesthetics, I didn’t know I was in for the best VR game I’ve ever played.

Set a short while after Batman: Arkham Origins, Shadow takes place across one week in Gotham City, but primarily Blackgate Prison. Gotham is under siege by the Rat King, an underground cult leader preparing for a ‘Day of Wrath’ to overthrow the current governing bodies and give power back to the people.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review – Say It Quietly

Luke Hinton — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:08:54 +0000

Movie tie-in games are something of a dying art. During the heyday of the sixth generation of consoles practically every film got a flashy video game adaption, but consistent misfires mean we rarely get to explore our favorite cinematic worlds in interactive forms in the modern era.

As such, I was quietly excited for A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. Rather than a direct movie adaption, it takes place within the first few months of the alien invasion that forms the franchise’s key complicating action. What follows over the next six hours is a taut but predictable stealth horror game, with its inspirations clearly on display, but never quite reaching those heights.

Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Review – A Fine Stroke

Luke Hinton — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

It’s very rare that Disney is willing to get tonally dark with its marquee characters. The closest we’ve generally come in video game form is the gothic gacha game Disney Mirrorverse, and the Epic Mickey duology that released in the early 2010s. Those games were quite unlike anything we’d seen before from the House of Mouse: downcast in tone, devoid of the usual Disney color, and taking Mickey away from his upbeat cast of supporting characters.

As such, it was a nice surprise when THQ Nordic announced a next-gen remake of the first Epic Mickey game. Launching almost 15 years after its original version, Epic Mickey: Rebrush does exactly what you’d expect: modernizing the graphics, updating the controls, and adding slight quality-of-life features to make traversing the world more straightforward. There may not be enough on the new side for those who’ve played the original, but for newcomers, it’s definitely the best way to experience Epic Mickey.

Funko Fusion Review – An IP Extravaganza

Luke Hinton — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

After the widespread, generation-spanning success of Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO games, you may think it’s easy to assume exactly what a Funko game would look like. That’s unsurprising, because the two plasticine-based behemoths broadly occupy the same target audience: franchise fans desperate to find merch for practically every IP out there.

Interestingly, Funko Fusion – a third-person shooter crossed with an action game from 10:10 Games – isn’t what you’d initially expect. It’s a little more grown-up, both from the franchises it cherry-picks to the overall tone, but there may not be enough here to convince anyone except the most ardent fans of its selected IP.

Tony Hawk Says Him and Activision Are “Working on Something” for Pro Skater 25th Anniversary

Luke Hinton — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:55:20 +0000

If you’re a 90s baby, the chances are a good chunk of your adolescence was spent playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The first proper skating game of its kind before a range of other Tony Hawk games and the skate franchise after it, it’s beloved for its arcade gameplay and thumping soundtrack. While the series has laid dormant since 2020, it seems a 25th-anniversary celebration could be on the way.

Tony Hawk Teases Pro Skater 25th Anniversary News

In an interview on the Mythical Kitchen YouTube channel, Hawk confirmed that there is “something” in the works for the first Pro Skater game’s 25th anniversary. Responding to a query about the milestone, Hawk confirmed that he’s been in talks with Activision, the series’ publisher.

Thrasher Review – Pulsating VR Action

Luke Hinton — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:16:06 +0000

Thrasher on Meta Quest 3

Most of the time, single-player games on VR platforms can feel quite structurally restrictive. If you’re going down the narrative-based route, you’re pretty much limited to a first-person viewpoint, pigeonholed into either action or exploration. Finding a way to actually stand out in an inherently niche part of gaming is no easy feat.

Thrasher, the latest game from Thumper developer Puddle, manages to wildly subvert standard VR game expectations. Its gameplay is fluid and challenging, with a visual design quite unlike anything else I’ve played before. If your VR library is lacking something a bit whimsical and singular, look no further than Thrasher.

Jayson Tatum and A’ja Wilson Headline Prestigious NBA 2K25 Cover

Luke Hinton — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:15:00 +0000

The cover athletes for NBA 2K25 have been revealed, with NBA and WNBA stars co-headlining the box art for the first ever time. This year, the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson earn their spot on the All-Star edition of the basketball game’s box. Alongside that, 2K Games has revealed all of the other editions, and the iconic players gracing their covers.

Tatum, Wilson, and Carter Are Your NBA 2K25 Cover Stars

The most exciting development for this year of NBA 2K’s box art is the dual promotion of NBA and WNBA players on the All-Star Edition. Coming off the back of the Celtics’ Championship win, Jayson Tatum features on both the aforementioned All-Star Edition and is the sole athlete on the Standard Edition box.

Palworld Players Love the Sakurajima Update’s Lesser-Known Changes

Luke Hinton — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:19:20 +0000

Pocketpair’s monster-catching RPG Palworld was one of the early 2024 breakout hits, enamoring players with its blend of Pokemon-style mechanics and gun-toting action. In the six months since its overnight success, the devs have been working on the new Sakurajima expansion, which has finally landed. While most of the attention focuses on its new Pals, bosses, and region, some eagle-eyed players prefer the smaller changes it adds.

Are You a Fan of the Palworld Sakurajima Update’s New Changes?

Over on the Palworld subreddit, fans are chatting about some of the lesser-known changes added in the Sakurajima update that caught their eye.

An Awful 2014 Vampire Flick Is Surging Up Netflix’s Top 10 Movies List

Luke Hinton — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 10:02:08 +0000

Netflix is no stranger to propelling a random movie or TV show to worldwide notoriety practically overnight. The likes of Under Paris or 365 Days never would’ve blown up without a healthy push from Netflix’s algorithm, shoving them onto subscribers’ front pages. Recently, it seems like the same phenomenon has happened all over again – but this time, it’s a movie you’d never expect.

Dracula Untold Flies Up the Netflix Top 10

Without much rhyme or reason, Dracula Untold, a 2014 retelling of the iconic vampire story starring Luke Evans as the eponymous blood-sucker, currently sits at #3 on Netflix’s worldwide movies chart, as per FlixPatrol.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Spoilers Are Out There, Devs Warn

Luke Hinton — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:12:17 +0000

More than two years after the base game released, we’re now within a week of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Billed as a major new expansion with a whole new region to explore and plenty of grueling bosses, fans are chomping at the bit to dive in. That said, you may want to be careful on social media, with spoilers and leaks now running amok.

PSA: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Has Leaked

Posting on the game’s X page today (June 17), FromSoftware shared a message advising players to be cautious of Shadow of the Erdtree spoilers across social media.

Movie Tie-Ins Return With A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead

Luke Hinton — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you’ve got nothing but fond memories of the plethora of licensed tie-in games from the noughties, rejoice. A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead has been officially revealed by Saber Interactive, continuing the story told in the two horror movies from director John Krasinski and its upcoming prequel.

Developed by Stormind Games, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a first-person survival horror game due to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Details are still fairly slim plot-wise, but you play as a young woman surviving despite both the sound-sensitive creatures that wreaked havoc on civilization, and memories of deep interpersonal wounds with her family. As a plot-driven single-player game, you can expect both intense horror and character-driven narrative to occupy your time with the game.

Taskmaster VR Review – Challenge Accepted

Luke Hinton — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 14:33:18 +0000

Taskmaster VR Review for Meta Quest 3

Taskmaster is easily one of the most watchable shows on TV. Each 40-minute episode melts by like candy floss on your tongue, a dizzying succession of one wacky task after another. For a lazy Sunday spent sitting on the sofa or a breezy laugh after a long day, nothing does it quite like Taskmaster.

Incredibly, Taskmaster VR manages to perfectly capture that improvisational magic and fully immerse you in it. Even the most hardened skeptics will be left feeling like they’re part of the show thanks to its wacky tasks, hugely engaging gameplay, and unfalteringly faithful recreation of the show’s locales. It’s a staggering feat and the best VR game I’ve played.

Fallout 76 Players Aren’t Sold on the New Season’s Rewards

Luke Hinton — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:34:25 +0000

The latest major expansion in Fallout 76, entitled Skyline Valley, is finally out now. While previous seasons have consistently added new quests, weapons, and NPCs to the game, it’s the first time the Appalachian wasteland has been expanded. Yet while the new map area provides plenty of new land to explore, some players are dissatisfied with the rewards they get for doing so.

Are Fallout 76’s Season 17 Rewards Up to Scratch?

Over on the Fallout 76 subreddit, fans are debating whether or not the new scoreboard rewards are worth the grind. That’s not due to how much effort it requires to unlock them – in fact, some are repeatable – but due to their seemingly juvenile design.

Two Fan-Favorite Call of Duty Games are Surging in Popularity on Xbox after Black Ops 6 Reveal

Luke Hinton — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:21:38 +0000

For Call of Duty fans, the dedicated Black Ops 6 reveal was the best part of the recent Xbox Games Showcase. While we saw plenty of other exciting titles like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day, there’s nothing quite like a new CoD game. As such, it’s not a surprise to see which older Call of Duty games have shot up the Xbox charts since.

With Black Ops 6 taking all the headlines, both Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3 have skyrocketed up the most popular paid charts on Xbox’s digital storefront. Neither of these games ever fade out of public discussion for very long. However, now is the perfect time for players to brush up on the Black Ops franchise’s finest entries.

Destiny 2 Players Aren’t Happy With Extended The Final Shape Server Problems

Luke Hinton — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 17:48:49 +0000

New Destiny 2 expansions and widespread server outages go hand-in-hand. With The Final Shape finally out now and gradually rolling out after 24 hours of downtime, a few lucky players are getting to experience the new content first-hand. For everyone else, however, there’s little to do aside from poking fun at the outage.

The Final Shape Players React to Destiny 2 Outage

Over on the Destiny 2 subreddit, aggrieved players are passing the time by coming up with their own takes on what The Final Shape means. For user Hypersonic-Rogue, perhaps the real ‘final shape’ is the error logo denoting server downtime:

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game Review-in-Progress – Time Will Tell

Luke Hinton — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:33:37 +0000

Asymmetrical horror games are one of gaming’s biggest modern trends. If you can think of a renowned horror IP, there’s a good chance it’s got a video game adaption. In the past two years alone we’ve seen games based on Evil Dead, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Ghostbusters, all within the asymmetrical multiplayer subgenre.

Next on that conveyor belt is Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game. Developed by IllFonic, it takes the cult 80s horror movie and spins it into its own multiplayer experience. Does it have what it takes to distinguish itself in a reasonably bloated subgenre, or will it go the way of Friday the 13th and Evil Dead by taking an early closure?

Frostpunk 2 Hands-On Preview – My City Might Fall

Luke Hinton — Mon, 27 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

I was terrible at Frostpunk 2. Prior to my two or so hours of hands-on playtime, I’d been warned by other journalists and creators to expect something brutally difficult. In fact, going into the play session without prior experience of the first game was basically a cardinal sin. I’d heard all about how the game consistently teeters on the precipice of a game-over screen at all times, I was both apprehensive and curious as to whether it could truly be that hard.

Having now played more than two hours of Frostpunk 2’s story mode, I completely get it. It’s the most in-depth and engrossing city-builder I’ve ever played, with a difficulty spike that’s definitely noticeable, but never feels unfair.

One of Fortnite’s Oldest Urban Legends Is Finally In the Game

Luke Hinton — Fri, 24 May 2024 14:44:08 +0000

Fortnite turns seven years old later this year, and over that time it’s amassed one of the largest fanbases in all of gaming. There are always topics cycling in and out of discussion, from the return of God of War’s Kratos skin to the presence of the mysterious megalodon shark. With the launch of Chapter 5 Season 3, it seems the latter urban legend has finally been resolved.

The Megalodon Finally Arrives in Fortnite

The Fortnite megalodon myth started with the YouTuber Jimbothy way back in December 2017. In a video that has now amassed over 1.5 million views, he spoofs viewers by providing (fake) instructions to encounter a shark roaring up from the coast. Ever since then, it’s been a common in-joke in the Fortnite community.

The Alters Hands-On Preview – A Pleasant Surprise

Luke Hinton — Fri, 24 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Going into my hands-on play session with 11 Bit Studios’ The Alters, I truly had no idea what to expect. First announced at the 2022 PC Gaming Show, it’s quite a significant step away from the games that put the Polish studio on the map. If you’re familiar with Frostpunk and its upcoming sequel, The Alters will definitely subvert your expectations – but that’s absolutely a good thing.

You play as Jan Dolski, an interstellar miner hopping across planets to harvest their resources. My preview opened with Jan in a significant spot of bother: the planet he’s on is tearing apart at the seams, his crew is missing, and he’s got to escape. In a fit of desperation – and under the influence of a mysterious faceless agent persuading him – Jan begins cloning himself, working alongside a crew of his alternate versions to find salvation.